The beginning of the end: Bellatrix Black

Lies

January 17, 1996

After a couple days with the Malfoys spent into relaxing, cleaning I was getting herself back to normal.

I filled my time with precaution activities like building up my wall and practicing both Occlumency and Legilimency or putting spells around me like the one making any Poly Potion on me to smell and taste horrid.

As much as I hated to think about it, I knew that soon I had to visit the Lord.

I had taken a lot of time was behind. Very much behind. What would the others say, what kind of loyalty was that?

By my Mark, which I desperately tried to ignore for the past days, I informed the Dark Lord of my soon arrival.

Maybe I wasn't ready but I had no choice so once I had the place, I apparated right into Death's heart. Or so I liked to call from then on that temporary residence of the Lord,

I tried to focus on something, anything in the utter darkness.

"Darling, Bellatrix." as I heard that voice, despite my lack of knowledge for my surroundings, I bowed to the floor and didn't dare look up. Not now, I knew.

"My Lord." I said filled with innocence and stupidity to an extend. "I have missed you. I had not been myself without you." I made my voice break at the end.

So foolish. I checked my walls cautiously. Nothing around, trying to break them. "Is it really you my Lord, would please grace me with your presence?" just like a little girl she begged.

Why did she feel so safe? So safe in her own skin?

"Of course, nothing less for my favorite follower." his voice was rough and harsh. Almost like a whisper. Was she ready to see him?

"My Lord, you are so kind. So kind to free me from Azkaban, from that living Hell. I was reeeaally losing myself. If it had not been for you, my Lord, my soul would've been forever lost. I would do anything to repay you" Yeah, like sending the actual Hell to you, I thought.

All of a sudden I felt the cold touch on her skin. The long, broken nails of the Lord. I breathed in as loudly as possible. The candles lit up and as I looked up, I saw the new form of the Lord.

Bloody Hell.

The blush on my face had disappeared and slowly I could feel myself draining from any color. I had to play this out. How hadn't I expected a change in his form so drastic? He had, after all, returned from the dead.

"My Lord, I am inexpressibly thankful for the opportunity, to be at your service. I am happy to be able to repay my debts to you." I breathed in. "I will follow you anywhere, no matter where that is."

His face was now flat and white, once he had sharper features and more color. There was something in his eyes back then and now he was like simply dead.

"Bellatrix. How lovely. I had missed you as well. Indeed, I do need you at my service and am relieved to have you back."

I had no idea if he knew what I was going but so I continued my work for the Dark Lord, this time fully-aware of my actions.