A/N: Written for the AU challenge at the Bellatrix Lestrange forum.

"The Princess Bellatrix is the most beautiful lady in the kingdom. Her learning and virtue are beyond reproach…"

He was handsome enough, Bella decided. She could have done much worse for a betrothed than Prince Rodolphus, who now sat beside her at the high table where they ate, pouring sweet words in her ear.

Bella cast her eyes around the Great Hall. There was a something wrong, she realized after a moment. Usually the high table was the center of attention, surrounded by musicians and courtiers alike. But tonight the axis had shifted; subtly, almost imperceptibly, but it happened. People were constellating around something else—or rather someone else, she realized. A man. Who was he? She stared hard at him, and as if he could feel her gaze, he turned and looked at her.

She gasped as their eyes met. In truth, his appearance was rather frightening, but it was more than that. It was as if her very soul had leapt up to meet his. He held her gaze for what seemed an eternity, and then looked away as if it had not happened.

Bella turned to her betrothed, cutting of his monologue eulogizing her many perfections of mind and body, to ask softly:

"Who is that man?"

Rodolphus looked surprised at the sudden digression in the conversation, but followed her pointing figure across the Great Hall.

"Oh, him. That's Lord Voldemort, newly come to court."

At the sound of his name, Bella again felt that extraordinary sensation. She shook her head. This was ridiculous. Snapping her fingers imperiously, she called over a servant. "Tell Lord Voldemort to present himself to me. I have not yet formally received him."

An endless moment seemed to pass between the time it took for the servant to reach his side of the hall, whisper in his ear, and for him to walk—they all moved aside for him to pass, without him making any gesture—to the table where Bella sat. She stood, aware suddenly of her rapid heartbeat.

The hall fell silent. Bella cleared her throat. "My lord," she began, offering her hand. "You are most welcome at court."

He looked into her eyes, and she could have sworn that he smirked, as if he knew exactly what thoughts ran through her head and found them childish. Childish, the Princess Bellatrix! She fumed as her bent over her hand and said quietly, "my lady Princess."

She was silent. He appeared unperturbed, speaking again:

"Does the Princess Bellatrix dance?

Bella flushed. She inclined her head with as much dignity as she could muster, and said curtly to the musicians, "play on!"

And so it was that Lord Voldemort lead the Princess to dance. When he touched her she felt as if tiny sparks erupted and flamed between them.

As they began the first stately steps, he whispered in her ear:

"I am not cruel to a princess. So I will tell you. If you dance with me now, you will live to regret it."

She looked back to the table where Rodolphus sat, and felt a pang of regret for the love she would never know. But Lord Voldemort would give her so much more.

Resolutely, Princess Bella turned away and began the deadly dance.