The Love of a Thornbush

An Unimportant Vase - Chapter Five

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"-the rise of He-Who-Shall-Not-Be-Named has struck terror across our world, particularly at the heart of the Ministry" Bellatrix sipped her coffee as I read the paper aloud, a little smirk ghosted her lips at the name of her Lord. I watched her, the name sending a shiver to my already queasy stomach. I'd not yet had the misfortune to meet my Mistress's Lord, and I would do most anything for it to stay that way.

I swallowed the taste of bile and wetted my mouth to continue  reading for Bellatrix. My Mistress enjoyed me reading to her, it seemed to keep her manic side calm which in turn kept me calm as well. Normally I would enjoy reading to her, but the swirling of my stomach and the constant feeling of vomit in my throat waiting to spew at any moment was a bit off-putting.

I cleared my throat before continuing.

"New Minister of Magic, Rufus Scrimgeour has laid out-" I paused to swallow a sickly burp, drawing those dark eyes up to examine me. I took a deep breath and tried to continue "-has laid out his plan to keep the Wizarding... The Wizarding community safe"

Her cup of coffee hit the table with a light thud of porcelain on wood, leaning back in her chair and prompting me with a look. I gave her a shy half-smile, probably paling and forced. I just wanted to curl up and die, I felt so sickly and gross I was embarrassed for her to see me like this.

Bellatrix waved a hand dismissively to stop me as I tried to begin reading again "no no no, I'm tired of hearing about the ministry. Find something more interesting"

I flicked through the pages and felt her dark eyes on me, scrutinizing me. I felt as if all of my weaknesses were laid bare and she was a lioness on the prowl, waiting for my next move. I hated the idea of loving those eyes.

My stomach turned itself inside out and back again, it felt like a train had just driven through me at full ramming speed. I could feel the vomit rising in my chest, into my throat and spilling into the back of my mouth. Sour, and sickly. The words blurred on the pages and my hands trembled holding them.

Bellatrix moved to speak but was too slow, for I had already stood and dashed out of the room without asking her permission. My hand flew to cover my mouth as I stumbled through the dusty hallways, past dead shrieking Black family portraits and into a room of dusty antiques.

The dust caught my throat as I breathed in the stale air, I doubted anyone had entered the room for possibly over a decade. The manor was so large and intricately built that it was a struggle to navigate in the best of times, let alone in a foggy headed state.

It was in my mouth now, a bubbling and festering torrent waiting to be released. God, I couldn't even remember where the nearest bathroom was. I saw a vase, white with painted flowers that animated themselves as if blown by wind.

I thought to myself that it mustn't be important, especially if it's forgotten about in here.

I made the split second decision in the moment before I grabbed the vase and spewed, the slime made up of stomach bile and half-digested food burned its way out of my mouth and plopped into the vase. It was both a relief and drained me at the same time.

I felt lightheaded, the room was spinning and throat wasn't the only thing burning. My skin felt like I was on fire.

Fuck, i thought to myself, what did I eat?