Stolen Time A Tom Marvolo Riddle Fanfiction completed

Chapter Six

Bellatrix scrambled to her knees again. Tom casually twirled his wand. "Look at me," he ordered once again, and Bellatrix raised her head. His gaze bore into her eyes. "Are you still ready to do whatever it takes to serve me?" he asked intently.

Bellatrix nodded. "I'd do anything for you, my lord, I told you."

Tom nodded slowly. "Very well then. You can prove if you are useful and worthy of the Death Eaters' mark tonight. Meet me at the cells in the basement at midnight. Don't be late."

Bellatrix smiled. "Thank you, my lord.

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The church clock had just chimed eleven when Tom returned to Malfoy Manor. He found Malfoy in his study, casually lounging in the comfortable armchair next to the fireside, his feet propped up on the coffee table, a glass of firewhiskey in one hand, his smoke in the other. When he heard the door open he turned his head. Seeing Tom enter the room, he immediately straightened up in his seat, putting the firewhiskey aside.

"Everything is prepared for you, my lord. I got someone from the asylums. They say she barely passed the programme."

Tom nodded curtly. "Bellatrix Black is going to attend. Send her downstairs as soon as she arrives," he ordered.

Malfoy looked mildly surprised. "Bella? Isn't she a little too young?" he asked before he could stop himself.

Tom shot him a cold glare. "Too young for what?" he spat.

Realizing what he had said, Malfoy hurried to excuse himself. "I'm sorry, my lord, I didn't mean to question your decisions. I just thought she were..." His voice trailed away.

"I should think, just as so many times before, that's none of your business," Tom snarled, his voice icy.

Malfoy's pale cheeks were flushed, and he lowered his eyes. "Of course, my lord."

Tom stared at Malfoy for another moment before he said, "We were barely older than she is now when we got started. You didn't seem concerned about our age back then." His voice was dripping with sarcasm.

Malfoy kept his gaze on his glass of firewhiskey on the small table in front of him. "I know. But she's..."

"A woman?" Tom cut him short. "Really, I don't understand why so many of you keep thinking women might be less skilled at fighting than men." His lip curled. "Because that's nonsense."

Malfoy's cheeks were burning, and he felt stupid. "I will remember, my lord."

Tom quirked an eyebrow, a condescending glint in his eyes. "You better do. I don't want to find you sprawled on the ground one day just because you underestimated a witch's abilities."

Malfoy silently nodded.

Tom turned to leave. In the doorway he stopped again. "I probably don't have to remind you that I don't want to be disturbed."

"No, my lord, of course I will make sure of that." Malfoy replied subserviently.

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Bellatrix descended the stairs to the basement of Malfoy Manor. She squinted into the darkness, trying to make out the surroundings. On her way along the corridor she passed several heavy doors.

"Bellatrix." Tom's voice tore the silence.

Bellatrix whirled around. "My lord," she bowed to him.

Tom stepped forward, leaving the shadow he had been standing in.

"Well, then let's have a look at your skills." He cast her a glance and motioned towards the nearest door. With a flick of his wrist the heavy door swung open, revealing the dark cell that lay behind it.

Bellatrix slowly moved forward. In the doorway she halted. Inside she could see someone crouching in the corner. It was a girl about her age. Her light brown hair was lank and greasy, shielding her face from view.

Tom's voice cut through the silence again. "There are no restrictions, except that you don't kill her. I need her alive."

Bellatrix nodded obediently and drew her wand. Tom watched her taking a few steps forward and then brandishing her wand at the girl with a fluid movement. He followed her into the cell and closed the door behind him with another flick of his wrist. Then he leaned against the wall and observed Bellatrix. There was no denying that she was truly talented and absolutely ruthless. A wicked smile crossed Tom's face. She would doubtlessly be a valuable addition to his ranks. He kept watching her for a while before he finally pushed away from the wall, his wand in his hand.

"Obviously your father trained you well," he stated approvingly.

Bellatrix turned around, a satisfied smile on her face and a slightly insane glint in her eyes. "Thank you, my lord."

"You can leave now," Tom commanded, waving his wand at the door. "Come to Malfoy's living room Saturday at noon."

Bellatrix nodded eagerly. "As you wish, my lord." She bowed again before she turned around and disappeared through the door.

Tom slammed the door shut behind her. Then he twirled his wand in his fingers and looked at the young witch who was lying on the floor, a pained expression on her face and unlimited fear visible in her eyes. A sneer formed on Tom's face as he watched her for another moment, his eyes cold and empty. Then he flicked his wand at her, lifting her body into an upright position. The young woman instantly backed away from him.

"Stand still," he commanded curtly and she obeyed. Tom concentrated on the curse he intended to try, wondering what would happen. The incantation was complicated and the outcome uncertain. Finally Tom brandished his wand once again and a deep blue light illuminated the cell before it hit its victim. The girl gasped and fell back to the ground. Tom quirked an eyebrow and stepped closer, turning her over with another wave of his wand. The girl's eyes were lifeless and her face didn't resemble that of a young woman anymore. In fact she looked as if she were far in her nineties. Tom frowned. This definitely wasn't what he had expected. The curse doubtlessly didn't work the way it was supposed to. He exhaled sharply. There would be a lot of work ahead of him. But at least now he knew how Astella Houlton had got herself killed. With a last glance at the corpse Tom left the cell and went back to Malfoy's study. He knocked but as usual didn't wait for an answer before opening the door.

Malfoy looked up from his desk. "My lord?" He threw Tom a questioning glance.

"You have to get me some more," Tom stated briskly.

For a second Malfoy looked confused. Then he understood and instantly nodded. "Of course, my lord, I will."

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Author's note: Thanks so much for reading!! I'd love to read your thoughts on the story, so maybe you even leave a comment or vote? :-)