Under the Influence – Triple Agent No More

Disclaimer: I am not JK Rowling. JK Rowling I am not. I am not her immediate family, distant family, unknown family, or her publisher, editor, or associate. I am a fan of her writing and I have used her characters to create this story which was imagined by me. However, I will not ever in my lifetime own or control the Harry Potter series. Disclaimer, disclaimer, disclaimer!

Bellatrix sighed at her reflection in the mirror. It was evidence to everything that had taken place the previous night. Her hair had dried in what looked like a flattened mass of black curls - sex hair at its worst. The circles under her eyes confirmed that she hadn't slept a wink. There were bruises on her neck, her breasts, her stomach, just about everywhere and there was crusted blood by her collar bone. Had he bitten her? She couldn't remember.

There was a time when Bellatrix had been called "radiant" wherever she went. Her eyes were still large and dark and her lips were still plump but most of her youth and beauty was behind her in Azkaban. It mattered not. She pulled the dress over her head and shook her hair out a few times. The bruises were still visible. She exited the room without caring.

As he promised, the Dark Lord was sitting once more at the cherry wood table, this time surrounded by his Death Eaters who all turned to look at her. Yaxley looked shocked to see Bellatrix now, entering a room when everyone including the Dark Lord himself was already seated and present. Snape was looking at her too but his face was unreadable and told her nothing. Voldemort grinned, "Bella." He stood.

Severus Snape was on his feet with perfect synchrony of the Dark Lord but it took the other Death Eaters several moments to comprehend that Voldemort had just honored one of his Death Eaters. They scrambled to their feet before they could be tortured for their disrespect.

Voldemort cleared his throat and spoke with absolute poise: "Miss Lestrange please take the seat to my immediate right." It was the only chair left empty. She moved towards it and Voldemort spoke again, "I am honored you've chosen to join us."

Apart from Voldemort all the eyes in the room were now flashing to Bellatrix who was smirking. It was the first time in living memory the Dark Lord had ever spoken so passionately of anyone except perhaps Harry Potter.

"It is late in the morning," Voldemort began, "and as many of you have realized, I have been quite methodically thinking about the boy, so heavily protected and so hard to reach. I have spoken many times about my capabilities verses his and my magic is incontestable. It is essential that Harry Potter dies in order to create that new world order I have promised we will have. The question is – how do I have him?"

No one spoke. "I have searched and scrutinized every possibility of reaching him but it is seems quite unattainable. Albus Dumbledore has considered every opportunity I may find and sealed it. I cannot touch the boy and something must be done. Therefore I want to turn the table to all of you. I want you to examine and hunt your mind such as I have, to see if you can find a way that I cannot. Consider this a grand opportunity for Lord Voldemort has just allowed each of you a premiere spot in the plotting of a future attack on the Chosen One. Think carefully."

The room was hushed as Narcissa made her way around to serve black tea. Bellatrix made brief eye contact with her sister. Her eyes were puffy red and Bellatrix was certain she had just been crying. A saucer and cup were beside her and Narcissa moved on. Bellatrix was not contemplating because deep analytical thinking was never her style. She looked down the table as she could see each of them deep in their thoughts. Mulciber's eyes were darting around the room as if looking for inspiration from the surroundings. Selwyn looked to be thinking so hard that his head could explode. Severus' head was bowed, his hands folded neatly in his lap. His eyes were closed.

She felt a cold hand touch her own and looked beside her. Voldemort was not looking at her as he laced his fingers within her own. She glanced up and saw Rodolphus looking confused. He did not speak. He did not dare. He only gazed at her for a moment before returning to the spot he was inspecting on the table. Bellatrix heard more movement and saw that Wormtail was pacing the room with panic. He was extremely worried about something.

Voldemort's thumb was stroking her skin back and forth. It was difficult to focus on the events of the room when she finally had him this way. He had said he loved her. Artificially? She hesitated. Perhaps it was artificial love although Bellatrix often had hoped that Voldemort harbored feelings for her doubtful at it seemed. Perhaps the potion had enhanced his opinion about his feelings. Perhaps he had always felt something for her. Whatever the circumstances were, his confession made her feel like the most powerful and unstoppable woman in the world. What a feeling.

A chair in the room slid back and Severus Snape stood and Bellatrix returned. Voldemort was about to address him. It took Bellatrix a split second to get to her feet as well. Severus looked at her and for a moment was enraged? No, now he looked the same.

Voldemort saw them both. "Bella, my love, you speak first."

This was the thing about great ideas. They came so fast that they required no planning. Bellatrix's insides were pumping. She had waited forever for this.

"I cannot give you an answer to reaching Harry Potter Voldemort," there was an outcry in the room which Voldemort ignored, "but I have a small solution which may make things easier."

Voldemort was drinking everything in. "Go on!" He encouraged.

Bellatrix eyed Snape whose monotonous composure seemed to be draining as he realized what she was going to do. Of course he would realize.

"My Lord—"

"BELLA IS SPEAKING AND BY MERLIN YOU WILL WAIT UNTIL SHE HAS FINISHED!" Voldemort screamed at Severus.

Bellatrix could not smother a brief cackle that escaped her. She went on, "Dear Voldemort, everyone in this room cares for you deeply and wants to see you become what you are destined to be – all of us want this! All of us, apart from one."

Voldemort looked incredulous, "What are you saying Bella?"

"I'm saying there is a traitor among us!" Bellatrix's voice rang out highly and Severus was no longer paying attention. He seemed to be lost in his thoughts again, thinking rapidly.

Voldemort let go of her hand and slammed both on the table hard. Tea cups fell over and liquid spilled everywhere. "WHO!?" Everyone looked afraid. The Dark Lord was outraged.

Bellatrix cackled again and a wide smile was on her face now. She pointed directly at Snape. "Him!"

Snape's eyes snapped open and Voldemort was suddenly beside him.

"It's him!"

"It's him" Bellatrix was hysterical in her sing-song voice.

"Bella," Voldemort hissed, "tell me more about this traitor."

"He is Dumbledore's favorite! His pet! He betrays us all and is making a fool of you!"

Voldemort was pacing around the man now but did not say anything. Bellatrix could tell Severus was nervous.

"How does this Order of the Phoenix thwart us? How do they always know what we do? This is the explanation my Lord! Do you see it?"

"I think I do." Voldemort stopped in front of Snape.

Bellatrix's chest was heaving. No one else in the room was moving. They all stared at Voldemort watching to see what was to be done. Severus' eyes were racing. His hands were glued to his sides.

"These," Voldemort began, "are huge accusations of Severus whom I am fond of. Can you tell me nothing more Bella?"

"I hate him." Bellatrix said stubbornly, "and I know, I just know he is a traitor. He is not ours."

Voldemort cocked his head to the side. "Well then I cannot argue with you anymore. Severus—"

There was a flash and a loud PANG! No one could see for a moment but when Voldemort roared, everyone could plainly see that Severus was gone. Voldemort's fist was snatching the air furiously in the place that Severus had just been. Bellatrix shrieked at the top of her lungs and threw a cup across the table, smashing it. She ran into the next room, her heart pounding in rage. Voldemort already disapperated. She smashed more things: trinkets, a window, a tray full of food. She threw Lucius' copy of The Way to Muggle Domination with all her might.

Voldemort reappeared in the foyer. He was livid. One look told Bellatrix they had lost him. They had lost Severus just as they had lost Harry Potter time and time again. Voldemort screamed and Bellatrix heard something crash. She felt a mixture of frenzy and satisfaction. She had pulled the carpet out from Severus but now he was gone!

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