Obsession

Chapter 17

"MAYHEM AND MURDER - DISASTER IN CAERPHILLY! By now, word has made its way through most of the wizarding community about the terrifying attack at a Quidditch match between the Caerphilly Catapults and the Tutshill Tornados. An estimated twenty-nine witches and wizards are dead and scores more injured. Aeson Hickey, head Healer at St Mungo's, said the hospital had been utterly overwhelmed by injuries ranging from burns and broken limbs to severe concussions victims of Cruciatus Curses.

'We had to quickly Expand our wings for injuries and catastrophes,' Hickey said. 'We've had families in frantically searching for wounded relatives, only to discover their loved one was among those killed.'

More than half the Tutshill squad was murdered in what appeared to be a carefully coordinated attack. Minister for Magic Eugenia Jenkins noted that all four Tutshill players killed were Muggle-borns, and that several fleeing fans hit with Killing Curses by masked assassins were also Muggle-born.

'Make no mistake,' said Minister Jenkins. 'This slaughter was designed to target Muggle-born players and fans, and it was the work of blood purity fanatics. We all know who did this.'

The green symbol of a skull and serpent in the air above the smouldering stadium backed Minister Jenkins' claim. The symbol, rumoured to be called the 'Dark Mark,' is the hallmark of the Dark wizard who now heads up the most powerful blood purity movement since Gellert Grindelwald's efforts.

'My husband was murdered,' sobbed Maria Llewellyn, talking to the Prophet at her home in northern Wales. 'He was killed because he came from a Muggle background. This massacre was organised and carried out by You-Know-Who.'

When asked if the Auror Office intends to actively pursue the perpetrators of the disaster, Jenkins said the Ministry wants to avoid 'all-out war' and that she worries this incident may radicalise some already inclined to follow the Dark wizard in pursuing his goals.

'We will seek any and all justice that we can without opening the door for more chaos,' Minister Jenkins said. 'My thoughts are with everyone who suffered at Caerphilly.'"

Voldemort set down the newspaper on the table and leaned back a little in his chair at the rustic little table in his cottage's kitchen. Bellatrix gave him a weak smile where she sat with her arm carefully propped.

"They wouldn't print your name," she noted. "Are they afraid to say it?"

"Perhaps they are." Voldemort gave her a smug expression. "If you weren't my ally, wouldn't you be afraid of me?"

"I am your ally, and I'm still afraid of you, Master." Bellatrix reached her right hand toward him, stroking his sleeve, and she begged him, "Let me worship you. Please. Please, I'll just kneel and use my mouth and -"

Voldemort snorted a laugh and shook his head. "Bellatrix," he said, amused, "you're regrowing fingers. Bone and tendon and flesh. Don't botch that process by overexerting yourself. The last thing you want is to have a useless left hand because you couldn't keep yourself away from my cock."

"Sorry," Bellatrix muttered. She looked embarrassed then, so Voldemort tipped his head and smirked a little.

"I have an idea," he said rather slyly. "Something that I think may bring both of us some pleasure in the wake of all this. Caerphilly went well; the newspaper coverage is perfect. Let's celebrate."

Bellatrix looked confused, especially when Voldemort rose and pulled her chair out. She was on the back end of a dose of Anodyne Potion, and he didn't want her stumbling or falling. So he threaded his arms beneath her knees and behind her back, and he lifted her into a cradle. As he walked toward the bedroom, Bellatrix grinned and asked,