#bellatrix lestrange

I do agree that's how he might have explained his feelings away, at least in the first war, before he started making tremendous sacrifices for her.

I think she loved him for all of that. In the books, it's pretty clear she is the only one who's ever seen him as a person, a human being with needs, and the only who's ever understood and accepted him for who he is, and unlike others who claim to understand him, she is the only one who still treats him as he wants to be treated, which is why he feels truly safe with her. Of course, she also loved his power and the life he gave her, both of which are also not really separate from who he actually is.

The very first thing they'd notice about each other would be Bella's looks, vitality, and hunger for power, and Voldemort's power. That would already be a very strong basis for attraction, so it would begin then. Then, as they'd begin to converse, Bella would realise he really is the answer to everything she's ever wanted, the only person who's truly seen her, and Voldemort would realise she is a prodigy, essentially his twin, his kindred spirit, and willing to defy everything for him.

Absolutely!!!

I believe torturing two aurors until they literally lose themselves in their own minds is not easy to achieve. On the surface, it does tell us about the extent of the sadism and cruelty, but when you take Bellatrix's love for Voldemort into account, I think it says a lot more about her grief.

She believed he'd return, but that doesn't mean Bella wasn't grieving his disappearance for months (I'd guess at least four months since people were starting to feel safe again).

Also, Voldemort had been in power for a decade and I'm sure that court had heard about plenty of horrible things committed by the captured Death Eaters. And yet one of the worst crimes was committed by Bellatrix while she was grieving Voldemort...