Lucius walked into the kitchen, glaring at the two as well as the light. He was fighting a killer hangover and could barely hold himself upright.

"Oh, just leave the Mudblood alone for now. If you plan to keep her, make sure she doesn't die." He growled. "Force feed her or something, Trixie." 

Why does everyone hate me? The little poofs don't know what's good for them. Well, one day, they'll see.

Wait...

Volh...

How DARE she!?

Bellatrix snapped up from the table, eyes burning. "The Dark Lord did not see me fit for that particular task." she hissed. "I assure you, He lo-" Bellatrix caught her tongue and coughed. "T..rusts me more than he'll ever trust any of you." The last few words were spat. In the next few moments, Bellatrix composed herself, blinking a few times and rolling back her shoulders. With a small shake of the head, she pretended nothing had even happened but glanced around her lap. This was an unusual mood for Bella, one which confused her slightly. Maybe a few cruciatus curses will cheer me up. She wasn't really up for it.

((Fizzy, ok. xD))

"WHAT?" Voldemort howled, enraged. "They let him escape?"

The servant cringed and backed into a corner of the dark room. "Yes, milord."

With a roar, Voldemort lashed out his wand and hissed the Killing curse, striking the slave dead on the spot. Then, he Apparated to Malfoy Manor.

"Bellatrix," he hissed as calmly as he could, appearing behind the dark-haired woman. His pale face had the smallest hint of red, and his scarlet eyes were narrowed dangerously. He did not take failure kindly.

((He's freaking HAWT dood

but no where near as hot as Bella

I mean

DOSE TEEF

Although besides that she's kindof gorgeous. HBC is love(tt).)) 

Bellatrix decided that the best way to get her spirits up was to go play with the girl. She did need that information for the dark lord, after all. Standing up slowly, but as straight-backed as ever, she grabbed her wand and clip-clopped off to the other room. Seeing Draco and the girl, Bella narrowed her eyes... and smirked. "Aww, how sweet. Got a li'l crush, 'ave we, Draco?" She let out a little cackle and leaned into the doorway. Of course, it was all in good fun. Draco would never actually like a Mudblood. 

Suddenly, she shivered. Turning to face her lord and simultaneously getting on her knees, she bowed her head. "Milord." Her hands shook and her heart beat quickly.

((Voldemort is kinda hot. If you like snakes and all. :D))

"I wish to talk to you and your sorry excuse for a family," Voldemort spat. He turned to Draco. "Get Lucius and Narcissa. Now." Without waiting for a response, he faced Bellatrix again, and began to circle her.

"You have failed me," he snarled. "And I dislike failure. I have killed less for this, but seeing as you are faithful..." He slid a bony finger down his wand, brandishing it, before pointing it at her and uttering the strongest torture curse he could summon. "Crucio!" 

((I'm so glad someone else thinks that. Also aaah ;O;))

Bellatrix took the punishment, her face contorting and her teeth clenched. Her mind was filled with no thoughts, only pain and a vague ringing. Limbs shaking, she tore at the floor, breaking several nails in the process. Throughout the torture, she had one goal; she would not scream. She would take it as best she could. She would prove that she was worth keeping. 

Once the pain had begun to fade, she stayed on all fours, shaking slightly, breathing hard. Her fists were still clenched. Even though it was a curse, the power of Voldemort amazed her. Awe and admiration were the first emotions she felt, and then remorse. She could have done better than that. She knew it. She had to prove herself over again. He would appreciate her. He would love her, in some way... Maybe not like she dreamed. But she could get by. Her eyes opened, but she stayed on the ground for fear of disrespecting Lord Voldemort.

As much as he wanted to hang her on a nail in a dungeon and then rip her bladder out slowly and painfully at the moment, she had been useful in the past 17 years, and she would still be useful in what was to come.

Looking at her crumpled form in disgust, he fought the urge to kick her repeatedly. He knew of her stupid infatuation with him. Love. He did not bother himself with petty things like love.

"Get up," Voldemort hissed. "Get up now!" 

"Look at me!" He forced Bellatrix's face up with a hard, sharp jerk of his hand. And then he forced himself into her mind.

Images of the Snatchers bringing Potter and his friends to the Manor...Draco pretending he didn't know who they were...them escaping... 

He painfully extracted himself from the witch's head, breathing deeply. "Your failure has cost me dearly, Bellatrix. What have you to say for yourself?" Voldemort's voice was low with anger and danger.

Bellatrix couldn't help the glitter in her eyes when he jerked up her face, but this was quickly replaced by fear prickling along her skin. She felt him enter her mind, and didn't resist as she knew it would be futile. 

"Your failure has cost me dearly, Bellatrix." She shuddered.

"What have you to say for yourself?"

Ah... 

"S...sorry, milord, I... I 'm ashamed. I'll foight as 'ard as I can... I swear I tried 'n I hope me dagger did some damage..." I will prove myself. Her words came out as a quick babble, with a few slow pauses. She fought to keep her eyes up to his, but the look in them was hard to stare into. She felt unworthy. We have the girl... but... 

((whoa sexual tension)) 

Voldemort suddenly smiled chillingly. "Trying is not enough, Bellatrix. I will let you rest for now, merely because I do not want you to die yet, but when your family arrives, you shall all feel my wrath."

He brought his hand up, and stroked her hair as a lover would. After a few seconds, he gripped a handful of the dark hair hard and jerked backwards mercilessly. "I assure you," he murmured, his breath on her cheek, "you will wish you were dead by the time I am through." 

Bellatrix shivered at Voldemort's mention of wrath, knowing he was capable of terrifying things. I wish that stupid Potter bo-

Her train of thought was cut off immediately by the feeling of a hand in her hair. She wondered if Lucius was pulling some mad prank until she noticed the hand was not from behind her... but from him. Her eyes grew wide and her heart sped up to an unhealthy rate, her lips parting slightly in shock. Dark pupils flicking around, looking for an answer, she wanted nothing more but to lean in... just a touch... a kiss...

Suddenly, her head jerked back. Her jaw clamped together. Bellatrix felt the pain, which paled in comparison to the cruciatus curse, but hurt more than anything she had ever felt. The tears in her eyes since her torture finally slipped out, and her eyelids stayed shut as he spoke. His breath on her cheek made her heart twist with conflicted emotions. How... can he bear to do this? He must... not understand. He doesn't know how it feels... I already wish I was dead.

 Voldemort heard every thought that went through Bellatrix’s head after he had hurt her. Weak, he thought viciously when he saw a tear drip down her cheek. If he had a woman…he wanted a real woman. And not for love, either. For power, and to have a play-thing to torture when his Death Eaters were busy.

He must... not understand.

Oh, he understood perfectly. He understood that playing with a woman’s emotions was the easiest way to manipulate or torture her. And he understood that breaking a woman was one of the most painful tortures there was.

I already wish I was dead.

Ah, so she was already half way there. She did not understand how great her mistake was, and he would make her do so.

“Bellatrix,” he said silkily, “while we wait for Draco and his parents, sit by me.” He pointed to a place at his feet.

Bellatrix stiffened. Her throat constricted, and yet her body smoothly obeyed. With a sidelong stare, she cautiously sat, confused and wary. Cross-legged, she looked up steadiliy. Her fingers fidgeted, and she swallowed. Wot in the world is happening to me? Why today? Of course, she still hoped for the best at her core. Even if it was essentially hopeless. It was a terrible addiction, to love someone who couldn't love you back, but it meant you'd do anything for them.

((SHORT POOOST :D))