((Omg Pere, don't get us banned lD))

Bellatrix's eye twitched at his assumption that they did not feed her, but didn't interrupt him. It would be nice, killing, after so long of being trapped in this horrible place. At the prospect of all this open destruction, her lip curled, and she straightened herself. "Milord," her voice was shaking lightly at so much to look forward to in a single day; Voldemort truly was gracious, "I will... I will need a wand." She restrained the urge to lunge forward in a massive hug... alcohol would provide a decent excuse later. She wouldn't drink much, of course. A muddled brain was not appreciated. Her bony hands twisted behind her back, and she looked somewhat like a schoolgirl who had been left to die in a mental ward.  

((Lol, hope not. xD But Voldemort has needs too, you know. ;o))

"Of course, Bella," Voldemort said, and he studied her carefully. Finding something he rather did not like, he clicked his fingers. "We must speak in private." Immediately, the Death Eaters that had followed him disappeared.

"Bella." Voldemort's voice was harsh. "Do you not remember what you are to me?" 

She hadn't been in here so long that she would not remember their previous interludes, he was sure of it. And Lord Voldemort was no romantic, but he had told her exactly what he...felt (his lips sneered at the word) for her. Yet here she was, thinking he hadn't thought that she would need a wand, and informing him of what he already knew. Here she was, acting as if she hadn't won his attentions those many years ago, and was merely a servant. Of course he had thought of it. It was the first thing that crossed his mind. 

"You are forgiven." Voldemort sighed, admitting her argument, however feebly delivered, was a reasonable one. It had been a long time since they had last seen each other, and she had still managed to remain loyal while not completely losing her mind. He applauded her in that respect.

"Come, let us Apparate back to Malfoy Manor. The Ministry will have heard by now of what we have done, and while I relish the idea of killing the Aurors there, we have more important things to do and discuss." He held a hand out to Bellatrix, and knowing what she would think, he narrowed his eyes dangerously. "I am not completely satisfied with you, Bella, and this gesture is not one of affection. You have displeased me. I am merely going to make sure you do not Splinch yourself."

Voldemort shivered when Bellatrix's hand was enveloped in his larger, bonier one. It had been a long time since they had touched, and he felt the tingle of magic in his bones. Literally. Really, he hadn't touched anyone since she had been taken away.

They Apparated quickly.

Arriving back in the ballroom of Malfoy Manor, Voldemort let go of Bellatrix's hand immediately, albeit slightly reluctantly. The Death Eaters were all massed there, and although they all knew that Bellatrix was his favoured...woman, it would not do well for him to be seen showing her affection in the open air. It would not do for them to think he was reliant on her in any way. 

"Lucius," he said loudly and clearly. "Is he here?" 

((Omg, I forgot Bella had a husband. xD Well, that can be easily taken care of. -puts away bloody knife-))

Lucius's head perked up when his name was called. Voldemort beckoned for him.

"Lucius, take Bellatrix to the kitchens. She must be fed before tonight's celebrations." Lucius obediently stood up, although he looked slightly confused, and made his way to Bellatrix. As an afterthought, Voldemort glanced at the other Death Eaters who had come back from Azkaban. "Take them too." He didn't want Lucius alone with Bellatrix when she was so frail.

Damn the soft part of his brain. He thought he had obliterated it, but it seemed he had not.

Lucius approached Bellatrix slowly, cautiously. "Bella, come. We will dine now. You have not had grand food for a while, have you?" He looked at her pitiful state, and made a disgusted face. "You are much too thin, and you look like a hag."

When Bellatrix and the other Azkaban Death Eaters had left, Voldemort turned to his servants. "Prepare now for the revels. I would like you to all be dressed cleanly and presentably, and Rowling, I want you to prepare groups to be sent out to different areas to capture Muggles." He gestured for the man to come forward, and he did. He then said lowly, "The Death Eaters from Azkaban will not be sent out to capture Muggles." The man nodded and bowed. "Dismissed." 

Turning back to the rest of the crowd, he dismissed them as well, and then sat back in his throne to think. Bellatrix was back, and that meant lots of fun, but she was not the woman she had been when she had left, and he would need to fix that. Regretfully, he realised that she had probably also gone soft in Azkaban, and that would need to be remedied also. And so soon after she had gone back. No matter. Life was full of trials, after all.

He called for his potion again. 

Darkness fell softly and without much notice, but when Bellatrix glanced outside, she saw that the glittering stars were veiled by a thin la
yer of clouds. The moon glowed brightly. The celebration should begin soon... Whatever it is... Her insides squirmed pleasantly. Sitting around the table with the other Death Eaters, she could feel the anticipation in the air, mingled with a small amount of apprehension. The few people twitching and glancing around nervously were fools. Except Narcissa. She could do whatever she wanted, the poor thing... Rudolphus sat blandly, an air of plain arrogance around him. Bella glared with the slight frown of a dissaproving wife. 

Mr. Lestrange caught her eye and raised an eyebrow, obviously unsure what he was doing wrong. Sniffing and shifting her gaze to the ceiling, Bellatrix snubbed him in a way suggesting he should know, and it was rather obvious. Old bloke. Even purebloods can be faulty. Of course, being directly across from him was a little uncomfortable after that. Whenever they met eyes again a simple scowl was improvised, Rodolphus always furrowing his brow or doing something else equally stupid. Hmph. He better get here soon.

Voldemort entered the Dining Room in a flourish of robes. "Welcome, my Death Eaters," he said graciously, taking his seat at the Head of the Table. Lucius Malfoy sat at the other end, with his wife and son on either side of him, and Voldemort nodded at them. They nodded back respectfully, keeping their eyes lowered. 

Looking around, he caught Bellatrix's eyes, and although his face remained impassive, a hint of flare lit in his eyes. She was still thin and tired looking, but she was now looking clean and more human-like. Her hair had been tamed, and her face was not as wild. Overall, he approved of the change.

He looked away first, appraising the rest of the Death Eaters. They were all dressed in their finest, which he mentally scoffed at. They'd be getting it dirty anyway. He had said to dress nicely, but...did they really need gaudy silk at a revel? Oh well.

He looked at the feast on the table, and sighed. It had been a while since he had had food, and although he didn't need it, a nice chocolate or two wouldn't go amiss once in a while. He liked chocolate.

"Begin," he said imperiously, and he waved his right hand in a gesture for them to start eating. He watched particularly for Bellatrix, making sure she ate enough.

Now. Onto business. "Rowling, you have sorted groups to be sent out?"

The man in question swallowed before replying. "Yes, milord."

"Very good." He turned to the rest of the eating occupants. "You will all go after pudding." He smiled in pleasure at the thought of being alone in Malfoy Manor for once. Well, he'd be with Bellatrix and the other Azkaban Death Eaters, but...being with the former was not too bad. It might actually be enjoyable. Yet, she was not her old self and he would not give her the privileges he had given her before she had gone to Azkaban. 

A fluttering arose in Bellatrix's chest when she shared a glance with Voldemort, slight color rising to her cheeks. She coughed lightly and helped herself to more pudding. It wasn't like anyone would care, except maybe her husband, but he was dead to her anyway. Curious if it bothered him, (Rudolphus), she casually looked around the table. He was, indeed, giving her a narrow-eyed stare. Her eyes rolled childishly, and she looked back to the Dark Lord. He wasn't looking at her. ...It was okay, though, because he was probably just being secretive. 

Finishing her pudding, she barely noticed being the last one. She deserved it, anyway. Besides, nothing she had eaten for a long time had been so delicious, and she certainly had reason to enjoy herself. Folding her hands, she smirked lightly, enjoying how everyone had to wait.

"Hurry, Bellatrix," Voldemort drawled, also smirking. Her childish antics amused him to no end. "The others are wanting to get started now. They will be leaving soon, and then you will have free reign of the manor." He sent her a pointed look, then stood up, looking around. Half an hour of watching them chatter and eat had made him restless, and he did not feel like using any sort of discipline to calm himself. "The celebrations will take place in the second ballroom. Apparate there with the Muggles, bind them and stay there. Do not have fun with them yet." 

He looked around, and then began walking away. "Begin when you like. I will be in my study." This last sentence was mainly for Bellatrix.

He need not have turned around to know that Lucius Malfoy was grimacing and being resentful of the fact that he had called the study his. 

Bellatrix's eyes widened slightly at the hints that were thrown her way, and she blinked slowly before looking around. A defensive look was plastered upon her face, and she glared at anyone who dared look her way. Only a few people did, and most of them quickly looked away. Chair scraping loudly as she got up to make her way to the study, she muttered "Special business" to her 'husband' and flicking him on the way out. He wouldn't follow her. 

Treading lightly and running her fingers down the door, her eyes flitted around it, and she had the odd urge to claw her way through. Realizing there was a knob and no need to resort to nail splinters, she cautiously turned her fingers around to open the door. She peered in. "Can I come in?" Her voice was soft and quiet, wary, curious.

((Double post ffff))

Voldemort heard the knock on the door and the soft voice, so different from the loud, wild and enthusiastic one he was used to.

"Come in," he replied regally, sitting behind the mahogany desk on a leather chair. He finished writing the letter to be sent off to a Dark artefact collector in India, and then called for Lucius's owl, Ares. The owl approached him carefully, took the letter without touching him, and flapped away hurriedly. He watched it go amusedly. If it hadn't been an expensive owl, he might have Avada'd it. "What is it, Bellatrix?" 

Bella's eyebrows raised in mild surprise. "I... Milord?" She looked slightly confused. Maybe he was just looking behind me at something... Did I misread? She wasn't sure if she was supposed to step in, or back out. "Did you... were you... ah... were you expecting me?" She searched his face desperately. Maybe she had done something wrong? Through the corners of her eyes, she noticed the royal air around the room. It was rather impressive, but it could just be his presence... He does have that effect. 

((failpost omg.))