Whispers of a Raven by TheBlack'sResurgence

Chapter 15

He had allowed a few days to pass before summoning her in the hopes that she would calm down, somewhat. She hadn't. She continued to curse her grandfather, her sister, and Peverell for what had happened, ranting and raving like a mad woman. It had amused him at first, but it was beginning to test his already fraying patience.

"Bella?"

She turned to look at him questioningly.

"Shut up."

She scowled but said nothing else and the Dark Lord took a moment to enjoy the tranquillity of silence before speaking once more.

"I do not understand why you are so upset. Peverell is a strong wizard that will take care of Narcissa, unless you are jealous?"

Bellatrix balked at the accusation.

"I am not jealous!"

"Then why such a reaction?"

"Because I want him dead," she replied, pouting as a child would.

The Dark Lord shook his head.

Bellatrix was undoubtedly unhinged in many ways, useful when put to task, but her moods seemed to shift with the wind. In only a second, she could go from being ecstatically happy to murderously furious. Such lack of control was unbecoming and frankly psychotic.

"With Peverell marrying your sister, he is more likely to become an ally," he pointed out. "You must let go of this obsessive grudge you have against him. It is rather ridiculous, and your efforts are better focused elsewhere."

"But…"

"Crucio!"

He had reached the end of his patience with Bellatrix and held her under the spell for a moment, her now familiar screams of agony failing to stir him in any way. Perhaps his treatment of her over these past months had only made her more unpredictable?

With a shrug, he released her from the grip of the spell and leaned back in his chair. It mattered not. It was too late to undo any damage he had done to her mind.

"Are you quite finished?" he questioned.

She nodded as she trembled, splayed across the floor gasping for breath and yelping as she pulled herself to her feet.

"Y-yes, M-my lord."

"Excellent, ah, Lucius, did you manage to acquire it?"

The blonde entered the room, his own expression one of displeasure as he bowed and handed the Dark Lord a roll of parchment.

"I did. There have been several requests to see the copy of the contract. It appears the wedding between Peverell and Black has generated much interest, my lord."

"Indeed," Voldemort murmured as he unrolled the document and began to read. "Well, this is very interesting," he mused aloud when he had finished.

"Interesting, my lord?" Lucius pressed.

"It seems that Lord Black has all but ensured the future of your family, Bellatrix," Voldemort explained as he handed her the document, "Unless someone is willing to make an enemy of Peverell, and that is unlikely. Quite the stroke of genius."