Bellatrix Lestrange paced Malfoy Manor with a snarl on her face. Not only was she forced to take up residence with her sister, but it was insulting to have to occupy the same house as that traitor Malfoy.

That scum does not deserve to call himself a Death Eater Bella thought contemptuously.

Though months had passed the memory was still fresh in her mind. Bellatrix smiled at the thought of Dumbledore slowly toppling over the astronomy tower, she had fulfilled her Lord's wishes and made him proud!

One of the Malfoy's house elves had the misfortune of passing Bellatrix on the way to the kitchen. Looking down at the disgusting creature Bellatrix pulled out her wand and shot a quick burst of light at it. The house elf scurried away yelping as red, angry boils popped up all over its body.

Bellatrix leaned against the wall and closed her eyes when she felt a burning on her forearm. Rolling up her sleeve to be sure, she could see the Dark Mark blacker than ever with the snake coiling around. The Dark Lord was calling, and she could sense that this was not good.

Turning on the spot Bellatrix apparated to the grand room Lucius had vacated for the Dark Lord. Now there was only a large black granite table on the middle with stiff black wood chairs. The whole room glowed with an eerie light that flickered off the faces of the Death Eaters seated. Everyone looked uncomfortable and worried, and none knew why they were summoned.

Drawing herself up to a proud posture Bellatrix swept over to her usual seat, at the right of her Lord's usual chair at the head of the table. She noticed, with a smile, that Yaxley visibly winced when she sat next to him.

"Awww. Is poor, pitiful Yaxley scared of the big, bad Death Eater?" She pouted. Bellatrix withdrew her wand from her robes and traced his jaw, smiling.

"Careful, I might get offended…"

"Bellatrix. Put that away."

The cold high voice could only belong to one person. Bellatrix quickly withdrew her wand and bowed her head.

"Of course my Lord. I'm sorry, it won't happen again."

Lord Voldemort looked from Death Eater to Death Eater, absent-mindedly petting Nagini as she lay by his chair.

"I have news." He said slowly. "Harry Potter has been spotted with a sword from a vault. A vault at Gringotts that I was assured was… secure." As he said this, his eyes came to rest on Bellatrix, who had begun to feel dread.

"Bellatrix. Perhaps you know something about this… unfortunate… turn of events? Would you care to share?"

All eyes were on her and Bellatrix felt weak. "No my Lord, it couldn't be! I can assure you it was the most secure vault…"

Voldemort smiled and pulled out his wand in seconds, "Crucio." He whispered.

Bellatrix fell to the floor immediately, her body convulsing. She was so used to the punishment by now that she did not scream, only took the pain in silence. Voldemort always took longer when she screamed.

The other Death Eaters at the table sat ridged, afraid to look at her for fear of being next. When Lord Voldemort had finished he tucked his wand away and stood. "I don't want to hear of you disappointing me like this again, or worse will come. Come, Nagini" He hissed.

After Lord Voldemort apparated out the other Death Eaters stood shakely. None looked at eachother and no one dared to speak to Bellatrix. One by one they took their leave as well.

Bellatrix lay on the floor, her chest heaving and the tears in her eyes threatening to spill. She was grateful the other Death Eaters had left. Bellatrix Lestrange did not lie on the floor like a pathetic little girl crying because of five minutes of the cruciatus curse! She pulled herself to her feet, leaning heavily on the table, and straitened her robes.

The mudblood will pay for this! She thought. There was no way those idiotic boys could have broken in without her help.

Bellatrix made her way down the hall to her chambers, leaning against the walls. It was all Bella could do not to fall to the floor right there and sleep for days. But that would not do, she needed her revenge.