Here's the final one, probably. It was getting more and more of a stretch to fit the challenge theme ;) less Bellamort for this one. Enjoy!

"You have one hour."

Bellatrix carried the scent of smoke and death in her hair as she hurried across the lawn, her guard up while she rushed past silhouettes in the darkness. Foes or allies, her fingers itched, curled around her wand tightly but her master had spoken and his word was the law she would abide, as always. Her heart raced in pace with her rapid footsteps, swelling within her chest and reverberating through her ribcage, so strong it would have made her tremble, had she stood still and allowed the rushes of feeling to wash over her. She didn't – he was waiting for her. He was waiting for them, the army that had fought in his glorious name, and she – had struck true, had brought death with a flash of her wrist and two words ripped from her lips, in the heat of battle, and she was coming back to him cleaner, purer, with blood on her cheek and victory in her eyes.

"You have fought valiantly."

The wind that hit her face felt cold and stinging, nearly bringing tears to her eyes, and she relished the violent sensation, feeling keenly alive as she gasped for breath. Her niece no longer would feel those rushes of air and that flutter in her lungs, she would no longer talk, walk, switch the colour of her hair and parade her worthless little presence with loud brazenness. Her niece lay on the ground in the castle, staring upwards with wide, too-familiar eyes and Bellatrix would have loved to kick her head and conceal her filthy little face, but she had taken her life and told herself that it was vastly enough. One hour – in one hour, the body would have been taken away – disposed of with dignity, with her beast of a husband's. One hour, it was not sufficient for her to rot, to crumble into dust – scum – but Nymphadora was dead, she had died in the middle of the night, in the middle of battle, away from her mother. She had fallen – stolen away. The circle was complete.

"I'm scared, Bella – what if a beast was coming to steal me, when it's dark and I'm alone? Will you sleep with me? Will you protect me? Forever? Promise?"

She was the beast in the shadows of nighttime, now, she was the nightmare and her sister's eyes were open wide and vacant in a dead girl's face, far away from her… far away… but she would return. One hour… One hour, and for now Bellatrix slipped into the forest, towards the source of the throbbing in her arm and the frenzy of her heart, lost and found. She surged into the clearing and the silent circle, her eyes seizing her master's shape eagerly. Wait, his red gaze told her before leaving hers, and she stepped closer with bated breath, silent, obedient, expectant.

From that small distance, in awe, she watched the time glide past him, bringing forth the sweet scent of victory.