'He barely understood how his Master put up with her, though there were a few disturbing rumours circulating.'

I love that.

This was BRILLIANT... I loved Lucius' thoughts, and Bella's behaviour was perfectly done. Amazing.

This is a beautiful opening as it immediately captures the theme of: 'fear' which is going to be portrayed throughout this fic. I love the contrast between elves and humans. It suggests this idea of a weak creature (In Lucius's view) benefiting from fear as training. Yet, to humans it suggests that if they fear something then it will make them stronger and therefore the person is more than willing to comply with whatever it is the other person wants.

"Fear was a beautiful thing. It was the perfect training tool; force an elf to burn its hands if it dropped a plate and it was unlikely to do it again. Humans were the same; if they were tortured for failing a task, fear would motivate them so that it would not happen again"

I love this:

"Fear had always motivated him."

This represents the idea that Lucius has had experience of being punished and that it has had an effect on him. It also relates to this idea that if he was punished by the Dark Lord then Lucius would dread the consequences such as he would no longer be in the Dark Lord's favour and may not be a valued follower as he once was.

You portrayed Bellatrix extremely well like always with her willingness to serve the Dark Lord and how she showed her detest to blood traitors.

I also like this idea of the 'rumours' that are circulating. I am assuming that it is Bella and Voldemort having an affair LOL. (I am intrigued though. Is it that the rumour?)

This closing line:

"It would take another seventeen years for him to truly realise that."

is actually quite emotive and suggests this idea that all Lucius has ever wanted is to provide a better future for his wife and son and how Lucius being sent on missions to torture/witness people being tortured doesn't help him achieve that.

A very interesting fic Caitlin! I really enjoyed reading :D

-Sarah x