How could Wizard who has no love understand love, or care about love? Therefore, in Voldemort's mind, Bellatrix was only a tool for deep scheming and exploitation, which is why he didn't mind treating her gently.
"It is her honor to be able to give everything for me."
This was the truest idea behind Dark Magic, an arrogance taken to the extreme. When Voldemort pushed open the stone door, the Death Eater in the corridor simultaneously knelt on the ground. No one dared to raise their head, no one dared to speak; only suppressed, heavy breathing echoed in the air.
Bellatrix stood at the forefront of the crowd. Eyes blinked, turned, and stared at her, looking in different directions, yet all with the same piety and fanaticism. The moment she saw Voldemort emerge, those eyes lit up simultaneously, bursting forth with a dark red light. "Master," she knelt, her forehead pressed against the cold ground, her voice low and hoarse, carrying an eerie resonance, as if countless voices were superimposed.
Voldemort walked up to her and looked down at her. His scarlet eyes were expressionless and emotionless, filled only with a cold, almost cruel calm.
"I've found Grindelwald's location," he said, his voice soft yet dangerous.
Bellatrix jerked her head up, and all those eyes turned to Voldemort. Those eyes held surprise, excitement, and an almost morbid longing.
"Where is he, master? Let me go. Let me go and kill him."
Voldemort raised his hand and gently placed it on the top of her head.
Those eyes closed simultaneously, as if enjoying their owner's touch. Her body trembled slightly, and dark red tears seeped from her tightly closed eyes, sliding down her cheeks.
He's in Europe.
Voldemort spoke.
"A remote town. Severely wounded, weak, but still alive. I need you to confirm—is he really there, is he really as weak as I sense?" He withdrew his hand, and Bellatrix opened her eyes, her eyes filled with piety and fervor.
"Yes, Master." She stood up, and all those eyes turned to look at the Death Eater kneeling on the ground. "Whom should I take?" Voldemort's gaze swept over the trembling figures.
Since a large number of Death Eater had been captured last time, there weren't many capable people left. His gaze lingered on a few individuals—all experienced and ruthless veteran Death Eater, each stained with blood, and each absolutely loyal to him.
" Selwyn," Voldemort uttered the first name.
His gaze swept over the trembling figures. His eyes moved through the crowd and settled on a burly man with a rugged face.
Selwyn, kneeling in the crowd, trembled. He quickly raised his head, his rugged face filled with tension and fear, but he still lowered his head rapidly. In a trembling voice, he replied, "Yes, Master."
Voldemort's gaze continued to move, finally settling on a thin, middle-aged man with a goatee.
" Crabbe," Voldemort uttered the second name.
Crabbe shuddered as well, his usually expressionless face now etched with fear, but he still lowered his head and replied in a hoarse voice, "Yes, Master."
Voldemort's gaze swept across the crowd, finally settling on a young figure.
" Nott," Voldemort uttered the third name.
Nott, kneeling in the corner, suddenly raised his head, his young face filled with shock. But without hesitation, he immediately lowered his head and answered firmly, "Yes, Master."
Bellatrix glanced at the three Death Eater had been named, a sinister grin spreading across her face. "That's all?" she asked. "Enough," Voldemort said. "Too many people would only give us away. The four of you are enough."
He paused, his three crimson eyes sweeping over everyone, his voice growing even deeper. "Find Grindelwald, check his condition, then kill him."
Bellatrix's eyes blazed with intense light, blinking simultaneously as if in celebration. "Yes, Master." She turned and walked towards the end of the corridor. Those eyes swept over her, looking in different directions, as if searching for something, or perhaps simply enjoying the omnipresent sensations brought by this new body. Selwyn, Crabbe, and Nott quickly stood up and followed behind her. Their faces were all pale, some ashen, some trembling slightly, but none dared to utter a single word of dissent.
Voldemort watched their figures disappear at the end of the corridor, remaining silent for a long time.
Then he turned around and went back to the Chamber of Secrets.
The stone door slowly closed behind him, shutting out all light and sound. He walked to the stone platform, looked down at the empty Crystal Ball, and at the faint, bloodstain-like red marks on the inner wall.
"Go," he said softly, his voice echoing in the empty, Chamber of Secrets, "Go and prove your worth."
When Bellatrix, with three Death Eater, Apparition to the Europe continent, it was almost dawn.
They stood atop a small hill, overlooking the town below shrouded in morning mist. The town was small, with only a few dozen stone houses scattered along a narrow river valley. The church spire appeared and disappeared in the mist, and the sound of bells drifted from afar, deep and long. A few wisps of smoke rose from the chimneys and drifted away in the morning breeze.
"Is this the place?" Selwyn's voice was low and tense, his eyes full of vigilance. He was an experienced Death Eater who had participated in countless missions, but this time, there was an undisguised tension in his voice.
Bellatrix didn't answer. Those eyes swept over her, scanning every corner of the town. She could sense it— Grindelwald was here. His Magic Power Fluctuation were faint, but undeniable, like an undercurrent buried deep underground, invisible yet palpable. "He's here," she finally spoke, her voice low and hoarse, "In that gray house behind the church."
She raised her hand, pointing to the southeast corner of the town. All eyes turned in that direction, a dark red light shimmering in her palm. Crabbe followed her finger, his usually expressionless face now etched with seriousness. "Are you sure?"
Bellatrix turned his head, and all those eyes turned to him simultaneously. Those gazes held mockery, impatience, and a chilling murderous intent. "Are you questioning me?"
Crabbe immediately lowered his head, not daring to utter another word.
Bellatrix withdrew her gaze and looked towards the town. " Grindelwald is seriously injured and weak, but his Magic Power is still recovering. We can't give him time; we must act quickly."
She took out the Mirror Voldemort had given her from her bosom—not the Mirror of Banishment, but an ordinary Mirror used for communication. Looking at the mirror, she whispered, "Master, we've arrived. Grindelwald is indeed here."
In the mirror, Voldemort's distorted face appeared. His voice was deep and hoarse, tinged with barely suppressed excitement. "Very good. Make your move."
Bellatrix put away the Mirror and turned to look at the three people behind her. Their eyes blinked at her, a dark red light shimmering in the morning mist. "Let's go," she said.
She began her descent down the hill. Selwyn, Crabbe, and Nott followed behind her. Their steps were light and slow, each one deliberate. The morning mist drifted around them, church bells echoed through the town, and a few distant barks rang out.
Bellatrix walked along the cobblestone streets of the town, her eyes darting around, watching every window, every door, every alleyway. She could sense someone was watching them.
It wasn't Grindelwald, but the townspeople, ordinary Muggle without any Magic Power.
They peered at the uninvited guests from behind the curtains, through cracks in the door, and from the attic window, their eyes filled with fear and curiosity. "Ignore them," Bellatrix whispered. "Our target is only Grindelwald."
They walked through the town's main street, past the church, past the cemetery, and arrived at the gray stone house. It wasn't large, just two stories, some of the roof tiles missing, and withered vines climbing the walls. The windows were tightly shut, the curtains drawn shut, obscuring the view inside. Bellatrix stood before the door, all eyes fixed on the black wooden door. She could sense it— Grindelwald was inside, right behind that door. His Magic Power Fluctuation was very close, so close she could feel every pulse, every tremor.
She raised her hand and gently pressed it against the door.
The door was unlocked.
She pushed open the door and stepped inside.
Selwyn, Crabbe, and Nott followed behind, wands already in hand, spells ready. The corridor was dark and narrow, with several yellowed oil paintings hanging on the walls on both sides. The faces in the paintings were faintly visible in the darkness, as if watching them.
Bellatrix walked to the end of the corridor, where there was a half-open door. Behind the door was a small living room, the fire in the fireplace still burning, illuminating the whole room warmly and brightly. A person sat in a rocking chair in front of the fireplace.
Silver-white hair, an aged face, and heterochromatic eyes.
Grindelwald.
He sat in a rocking chair, a blanket covering his legs, a steaming cup of tea in his hand. His face was pale, the dark circles under his eyes were clearly visible, and he looked weak and tired. But the moment he saw Bellatrix enter, there was no fear in his heterochromatic eyes, only a faint, almost mocking smile.
"They've arrived?" His voice was hoarse but calm, as if he had known they would come all along.
Bellatrix remained silent. Those eyes swept over her, fixed intently on Grindelwald. She could sense it—his Magic Power was indeed very weak, so weak it was almost negligible. He was truly wounded, truly weak, truly vulnerable.
A sinister smile spread across her lips.
" Grindelwald," she began, her voice low and hoarse, "My master sent me to see you off."
Grindelwald put down his teacup, looked at her, at those eyes, at her face filled with them. His expression remained unchanged; he simply sighed softly.
" Voldemort." He curled his lip in disdain. "Still so cautious."
He stood up, the blanket slipping off his legs. His body swayed slightly, as if he might fall at any moment, but he managed to steady himself.
"Bring it on."
Grindelwald's voice was calm and composed.
"Let me see how much power he gave you."
He gave a dismissive smile.
Bellatrix raised her hand, and the eyes lit up simultaneously. A dark red light gathered in her palm, transforming into a constantly spinning, lifelike sphere of light.
"As you wish."
She gave a confident, wicked smile.
Bellatrix raised her hand, and the eyes lit up simultaneously. A crimson light condensed in her palm, forming a constantly spinning, lifelike sphere of light. She didn't attack immediately, but turned to look at the three deathly pale-faced Death Eater behind her.
"Back off."
Her voice was low and hoarse, carrying an undeniable command, "This is a blessing from our master, not something you mortals can bear." "I will also show you the master's grace; perhaps, in the future, you too will have the chance to obtain this power." Bellatrix smiled wickedly. "Yes, Lady Bellatrix, we're counting on you."
Selwyn a sigh of relief, his rugged face beaming with the joy of surviving a close call. Almost instinctively, he took several steps back, bumping into Crabbe behind him.
"Let's step back a bit."
Crabbe's taciturn face was also full of tension. He didn't speak, but silently retreated, each step carrying an awkward and cautious air.
"The power given by my master..."
Nott walked at the back, his young face a mixture of fear and curiosity. He gripped his wand tightly, his knuckles white, but his gaze never left Bellatrix's retreating figure.
The three men retreated to the end of the corridor, behind the half-open door, only half their faces visible, nervously watching the standoff in the living room. "Now, it's just us."
Bellatrix turned to face Grindelwald. Those eyes swept over her, looking in different directions—some fixed on Grindelwald's face, some on his hands, some on the floor beneath his feet, and some on some point in the void imperceptible to mortals. "You should fear me."
A sinister smile spread across her lips, a smile that looked particularly eerie and terrifying on her face, which was filled with bulging eyes. " Grindelwald, the false Dark Lord."
She spoke, her voice filled with a morbid, almost manic satisfaction, "You charlatan, do you know how long I've waited for this day?"
Upon hearing this, Grindelwald stood before the fireplace, his aged hand gently resting on the mantel. His heterochromatic eyes calmly gazed at her, at those eyes, at her face, which was no longer human. His expression remained unchanged; he merely sighed softly.
"Tsk tsk, classic father-son relationship. Tell me, how long have you been waiting?" His voice was hoarse yet calm, as if chatting with an old friend. "From the first time you knelt before Voldemort?"
His words were still as sharp as ever. Bellatrix's smile froze. Those eyes blinked simultaneously, their dark red light flickering. "You..."
There was a hint of annoyance in her voice.
The power of Deep Space is surging.
It could engulf this woman's entire consciousness at any moment.