Rated M for suggestive themes and language. If I owned Harry Potter, it would not be a book series appropriate for children. Thanks for reading!

September 19th, 1979

"My Lord, I've been sent by Avery. The young Regulus Black has been found dead." Augustus Rookwood was stooped low to the floor, shaking slightly in his fear of delivering such news to his master. Regulus had been a favorite of his master, and his Lord wasn't known for his even temper. Rookwood was surprised when he didn't feel the beginnings of a cruciatus curse, and gathered the courage to lift his eyes slightly to gaze at his Lord. His face was contemplative, and his crimson eyes set in determination. If not for the news Voldemort had received earlier that day, this message might have upset him. As it was, it simply clarified a few things. "Rookwood, send for Bellatrix. I wish to see her at once". Rookwood nodded, tripping in his haste to leave the room. "Yes, my lord. Thank you, my lord".

With Rookwood gone, Voldemort was free to mull over the events of the day, and the consequences and benefits that could possibly arise from the newest development. His mind drifted to his meeting earlier with Severus Snape.

He had received a letter from Snape, who was a junior professor at Hogwarts, apprenticing under Professor Slughorn. It was helpful for Voldemort to get inside information on Dumbledore and his whereabouts, so he had planted Severus there to keep an eye on things.

"My Lord, I was in the company of Sybil Trelawney just after dawn this morning, in the Great Hall before breakfast. We were alone, at first. She was babbling on about star signs and the like when her voice changed. It was deep, and strange. My Lord, I believe she is a true seer, and that I witnessed a prophecy." When Voldemort did not protest or dispute, Snape took it as cue to continue. "I transcribed it on a spare bit of parchment, and it read..."

The once noble House of Black

Shall again rise

The eldest of three – it's only hope

The warrior shall take the name

And take her bride

Shrouded in dirt, yet pure

The bride is born today

Hidden she will grow

But powerful she will become

In her 16th year they will unite

In the midst of a battle

Their union once complete

In support of the Dark Lord

Will begin a new dynasty

And a new era

Snape cleared his throat, signaling the end of the prophecy, and awaited his Lord's response. "Interesting. Severus, was anyone else privy to this? Did the seer recall her prediction?" Severus winced internally, knowing that the information he was about to reveal would not be taken kindly. "Trelawney seemed none the wiser and returned to her porridge as if she had simply coughed. Unfortunately, My Lord, Albus is an early riser, and walked in just in time to hear the last few lines, and see that I had transcribed it. Naturally, he requested a copy, and I had no choice but to oblige him. I did, however, leave out one key word."

Voldemort raised an eyebrow, Severus was a loyal servant and was particularly clever, he would have handled the situation well. "The prophecy states, 'the bride is born today'. I simply left out 'today', leaving no clue to the girl's age or identity." Voldemort thought that although it would be preferable for Dumbledore to have not learned about the prophecy, as long as he could not identify the girl it would be alright. "Severus, make it your mission to keep an eye on this Seer. This may not be the only prophecy she has to share with us. You may take your leave." Snape smirked, almost a smile as he realized, for once, his duties in both realms would match up perfectly. "Yes my Lord. Coincidentally, Albus has asked me to do the same. Good day, my Lord."

Voldemort's mind drifted even further back as he recalled a conversation with Bellatrix almost a decade prior. At that time she was a new recruit, young but thirsty for knowledge and quite powerful in her own right. She was a bit rash and uncontained, but time and experience would make her into a powerful ally. He had recognized this from the beginning, and knew that the key to his success involved gaining the loyalty of his followers, especially those with her potential. He called for her one Sunday afternoon, and was surprised when she appeared in his ballroom looking rather unlike herself. Bellatrix had always been unique, with her own particular brand of style. She favored dark colors and rich fabrics, tight corsets with loose skirts. To see her appear in a pastel pink gown and matching robe was quite a shock for Voldemort.

"Why Bellatrix… don't you look… fluffy". Voldemort, were he capable of such a thing, would have laughed at the expression of exasperation and fury that crossed her face. "I apologize, my Lord, for my tardiness and… lack of appropriate clothing. It's my mother to blame, truly. We were having tea with my future mother in law, and discussing wedding plans. Riveting, really, choosing whether I should have pink peonies or purple tulips." Bellatrix rolled her eyes, she had always been a bit more casual than others with the Dark Lord, and she knew she was a favorite and that he secretly seemed to enjoy her sass, so long as it wasn't directed towards him. This gave Voldemort pause to think, maybe this would be how he would gain her full trust and loyalty. "Tell me, Bellatrix, is it the idea of marriage, the gown and the flowers that you despise? Or is it your intended husband?" Bellatrix blushed, her good breeding and manners dueling with desire to be honest with her master. Voldemort sensed her reluctance to answer, and grasped her chin lightly, bringing her eyes to meet his. "Legillimens!"

Being in Bellatrix's mind had been an enlightening experience. He jumped through some memories quickly, some taking more time than others. He saw her pride seeing her younger sister married to the Malfoy heir, her shame of her sister Andromeda, who had gone off to marry a muggle. He went back to the memory of Andromeda again, detecting a bit of jealously that seemed wrong to go with such a memory. He dug for memories of Rodolphus, who he found was cordial and polite and charming, but Bella lacked any sort of emotion for him. He found memories of himself tinged with admiration, respect, and a good deal of loyalty. He was about to pull back when he sensed a false wall. Bellatrix panicked, and that moment of emotion gave him the opening he needed to break through.

He was assaulted by vibrant memories that made all the others seem dull. Flashes and moments of Bella in the throes of passion with other witches, all with so much heat it almost hurt to witness. He saw more of Bellatrix than he ever wanted to. It seemed her aggressive nature translated to the bedroom, or in numerous cases, the Hogwarts Corridor. Having seen enough, he pulled out and faced a thoroughly embarrassed Bellatrix.

"Bella." She met her Lord's gaze again, ashamed but also curious as he used her nickname for the first time. "This does not bother me. So long as you serve me, you may do as you wish. I will inform your father, and the Lestrange Family that I must regretfully break your marriage contract. You will be of little use to me holed up in the Lestrange Manor, caring for some infant child. I wish to have you as my Lieutenant, and to do so properly you must be unattached."

Bellatrix's face lit up, a wide smile breaking out on her usually collected face. She felt 50 pounds lighter in that moment, like a child riding a broom for the first time. "Thank you! Thank you! Thank you, my Lord!" Voldemort nodded, and dismissed her, secure in the fact that he had achieved his objective.

Voldemort now, more than ever, was sure that he did the right thing with Bellatrix. It all became clear, she preferred the company of witches because she was destined for one. Had she married Rodolphus, the prophecy never would have been spoken as she would be a Lestrange instead of a Black. His contemplation was interrupted by the entrance of a much older Bellatrix Black.

Bellatrix appeared in the room in a swirl of dark smoke, having long since learned a more sophisticated method than just standard apparation. She had grown into herself, much more confidant and powerful than she had been that day he invaded her mind. "What may I do for you today, My Lord?" She dipped low into a curtsey, lowering her eyes briefly in respect before looking up again. "Ahh, Bella. I find myself thinking back to a day long ago, when I first learned your secret. It seems, that it was destined."

Bellatrix was confused, "What was destined, my Lord? My… predilections, or my lack of a marriage?" Voldemort smirked, always amused at her ability to twist her words. "Both, my dear. You are the subject of a prophecy." He reached for the parchment Severus had left him, offering it to Bellatrix who took it immediately. She read it twice, and then scoffed. "Figures I would get this sort of prophecy. I'm 29 already, and I've got to wait 16 bloody years for some girl to grow up, then I'll have to woo her or some shit when she's 16 and I'm fucking 45." She took a breath, thinking it over again and calming her temper. When she spoke again it was softer, calmer. "At least I won't end up alone. It's saying I have a soulmate. Suppose it should all be worth it, in the end." Voldemort had no advice to offer, having never felt or experienced such things himself. "I will reach out to my contacts in the ministry records office, though I imagine it won't be fruitful. The prophecy implies that we will remain ignorant of her, at least until she is 16. You must be patient Bella, destiny can be fought but usually cannot be beat."

Bellatrix nodded and bid her Lord goodbye, retreating to her home to think. Voldemort watched her go, thinking that if he could feel, he would be quite fond of Bellatrix. He hoped, for her sake, that when the time came he would feel the same about her intended.

At home, Bellatrix retreated to her comfort zone, her small library. She reread the prophecy multiple times, pacing her study furiously as she tried to find a loophole, some way she could change things. She consulted books about divination, potions, and transfiguration. But nothing short of an aging potion could make her intended grow faster, and those usually ended in tragedy or an adult sized toddler. No, she would have to wait, bide her time and serve her Lord until the girl was grown.

Frustrated and feeling lonely, she decided to pay a visit to Alecto Carrow, one of the only female death eaters and a good friend of Bellatrix. Alecto was a few years her junior, and still unmarried, with long tawny brown hair and blue eyes. She was pretty enough, and certainly willing enough without expecting an emotional attachment from Bellatrix. She flooed to Alecto's flat, the wards being set to allow her in. All was quiet, but Alecto was usually home at this time so Bellatrix looked around the lavish apartment, before grinning as she saw steam escaping from the bottom of the door to the bath. She slipped off her heels and with practiced hands she undid her corset, letting the dress slip down the floor. Lace panties soon joined the pile of clothing on the ground and Bellatrix opened the door to the bath, wearing only her bird skull necklace, and Black family ring.