Here's where you get to hit me with constructive criticism and stuff. I'm new to Bellatrix, so if you feel there's something I can improve upon, don't hesitate to make the suggestion. I also have no problem explaining her motivations for her various actions, if anyone is ever curious.

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Hello, darlings! I'm also going to be following in the footsteps of Mister Prewett and listing some headcanon stuff as it comes to me. I love to discuss characterisation, so feel free to drop a comment if you so desire.

1. To borrow from Lucius: Bellatrix is incapable of producing an effective patronus. While she is capable of love, it isn't the kind of love that protects life.

2. It broke Bellatrix's heart when Andromeda chose to go against family wishes and marry a Muggle-born. Despite being batshit insane her harsh personality, she had always felt a deep connection with both her sisters and had sincerely hoped that Ted Tonks was merely a phase Andromeda would grow out of. It is from this heartache that the spite grew. It was much easier - on her - to be angry than to be sad.

3. Bellatrix loves her husband Rodolphus in her own way. Though perhaps it's closer to that of a pet more than a spouse. He is devoted to her, pure in blood, and the two seem to move as one on the field of battle. The two have been known to share brief moments of passion (that don't lead to anything in their marriage bed) after a particularly thrilling outing¹. She has full knowledge of, and even encourages him to seek comfort in the beds of other women. There is no doubt in her mind as to his unwavering loyalty to her. If she asked him to end any and all affairs, she firmly believes he would.

4. Though they are not lovers, had things been different and the two not been sentenced to Azkaban at the end of the First Wizarding War, Bellatrix would likely have borne Rodolphus children to continue the legacy and purity of their bloodlines. She's secretly jealous of what she perceives as the honour that was bestowed upon Draco when he was charged with granting the Death Eaters entrance to Hogwarts, and the assassination of Albus Dumbledore. While she is immensely proud of her nephew, she wishes it had been a child of her own. (And believes if it had been her son, he would not have failed. Malfoy blood made the boy a sissy.)

5. Believes half-bloods and mudbloods can serve their purposes, and be made useful, so long as they remember their place in the hierarchy. They make excellent distractions as necessary.

6. A testament to her skill, Bellatrix was able to duel more than competently at the Battle of Hogwarts, despite the wand she was using not being her own. Due to the short amount of time she would have possessed it, it is very likely it was not yet loyal to her. She'll likely cite this as her reason for having been unable to hex Molly Weasley into oblivion, but in truth her defeat came at the hands of her own arrogance.

7. Fire affine. No, really. Bellatrix seems to totally love playing with fire.

¹see also: Muggle massacre

More as I come up with it.

It's been a long, long time since I've been in a position to employ deception in this way. I never made it any secret who held my allegiances during the First War, but it wasn't until its conclusion that I abandoned all pretence that I could have been under the Imperius Curse.

Ridiculous! All the fools who claimed coercion to avoid imprisonment at Azkaban... He knows his own, and who remained his most loyal. Barty, Rabastan, Rodolphus, myself. We alone proved our worth. I don't begrudge Lucius entirely for his decision. Though I find it cowardly, he did well in the name of our Dark Lord in his absence. And he looked after Cissy. Though she hardly needs looking after. She is more than capable. She always has been; she's of the noble house of Black.

None of these people know who I am, or where I've been. And while insulting, this is an opportunity. A great opportunity not to be missed. So I'll pretend as though the Muggles don't disgust me, and feign less confidence in my own self and abilities. I can recall what it was like when the army was building. What tricks I had to employ then. The deceptions I let linger until it was too late for anyone to do anything about them. Yes, I will take a page from the Malfoy handbook. I can employ such methods as well as any Slytherin worth their salt.

I will not give up on my Lord. He will return to us. He will return to me, his most faithful. And I shall be ready for him, with followers ready to do his bidding. I will stand at his side once again, to act as his right hand.

As I have always been.

Done in by a Weasley? How can this be? Bellatrix is aware of her moment of defeat, acutely so in fact, seconds too late. Could it be that she underestimated the blood traitor? It hardly matters now, does it?

Or does it?

Studying her reflection in a puddle of murky water, it would seem that her defeat has been greatly exaggerated. Bellatrix doesn't recall arriving in this place, grey and dull countryside with drizzle dampening her hair and robes. But here she does stand, seemingly whole and otherwise hale and healthy, as the saying goes.

There's a flicker of crooked teeth as her lip curls upward. A look about and pat down has revealed that she's unarmed. First thing is first, she must locate a wand. Then, she must discover news of her Dark Lord. It must be he that pulled her from death's embrace, mustn't it? Only he could have such power.

With a wicked grin at the thought, Bella finds herself eager to thank him for it.