Having been engaged since birth, Bellatrix never wondered if Rodolphus was going to ask her to marry him.

"How about the end of the summer?"

"Fine."

No declarations of undying love, no vows of faithfulness. Neither of them expected it, neither of them cared. Preparations were made all that summer; dresses picked out, flowers selected, catering ordered, a guest list assembled.

Carrying black roses, Bellatrix pledged herself to Rodolphus as coolly as she pledged herself to the Death Eaters. From the corner of the garden, she could feel Voldemort’s heated gaze all throughout the ceremony, branding her as his alone.

mood: creative
audio: Crash Test Dummies - God Shuffled his Feet