The Love of a Thornbush

Hello, Pet - Chapter ThirtyOne

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"Sweet girl, I have a question for you"

Narcissa dotingly smiled, fingers in my hair as I snuggled into her side. My head raised, chin on her chest. I saw the adoration in her eyes as I stared innocently up at her.

"Yes, Miss?"

"Are you... Enjoying... your time with me?"

Her fingers drummed on my skin. I couldn't help but smile up at her, and lay a little kiss on her neck.

"Of course, Miss"

Narcissa leaned in and kissed me. She was so gentle and sincere. I supposed I could grow to love her... If I could.

But my heart belonged to someone else. Someone... Stronger, more insistent. My heart began to thump and race inside my chest. Narcissa frowned as I began to heave with unsteady breaths.

"What-"

"CISSY! I HAVE THE MOST-"

the bedroom door slammed open.

In a confusing instant, multiple things happened. The blankets had been pulled above my head to shield me from whoever had barged into the room. Narcissa stuttered out a name, a familiar name.

"Bella... what are you-?"

"Oh you have a guest, sister. How sweet. Little baby cissy finally gettin' her toes wet"

A sinister voice tainted the room with malevolence. It was teasing, and playful. Slow, plotting footsteps echoed on the floorboards, growing ever closer.

I couldn't help but attempt to nestle closer to Miss Narcissa. Her hand that wasn't keeping me covered with blankets instantly pulled me in, making sure my face was hidden.

"Let's have a look then, shall we-"

A hand gripped the blanket, overgrown nails scraping my skin even through the fabric. A memory flashed in my mind. Cloudy, and... Erotic. Dark eyes and muffled laughter as her nails scratched up my thighs...

"Bellatrix- No!"

"Come out, sweetie. Let me have a-"

My eyes met black, soulless pits.

It felt as if a puzzle piece clicked into place. The missing link to a chain, or the sip of a cold drink in a desert.

The woman stood above me's smile dropped. Her formerly cheeky, sadistic grin was gone. In its place, a mix of emotions. Sorrow, rage... A little bit of happiness.

"My- My pet!"

Her hand reached out to touch me. Fear of this stranger drove me further into Miss Narcissa's trembling arms. I swear I saw something break. The glass behind her stone wall exterior seemed to shatter, as if I'd thrown a brick at her.

"W-what-"

The woman's eyes flickered. They met mine, wide and teary, then focused their attention on Narcissa.

Realisation dawned bright as the sun on her face. The woman, Bella, began to tremble. Her lips opened and she breathed out slow, a sharp hiss coming from between her teeth.

"You."

The unbridled fury that seeped into the lines of her face seemed to break her skin. I imagined steam whistling from cracks in her porcelain complexion.

The flash of her fingers startled me, in an instant I was given a birds eye view of the scene. I quickly realised I was suspended on the ceiling, forced to bear witness to the horrific act below.

The stranger with curls had grasped Miss Narcissa by the throat. Her eyes were mad, blinking away tears of betrayal.

"You, sister? You are the one who took her from me?" Narcissa struggled to pry the fingers from her windpipe, yet was not successful. The woman was stronger, it seemed, and more powerful.

"I- I didn't, Bella. Sister please-"

The capillaries in her eyes began to swell and pop, her lips were blue as her pale skin flushed. The fingers around her airway acted as if they were ripping her spine out through her throat. That woman... Was mad.

"Do you think I'm a fool, Cissy?!" Her voice came out as a growl. I swear her teeth were like that of an animal, razor sharp and ready to rip out her rivals heart. "You thought that you could hide her forever?!"

"Bellatrix please!" Narcissa whimpered out one little plea, only to be met by such an evil cackle as to make me shiver.

That laugh... It was familiar.

Memories flashed before me in a haze. Strong hands holding me, kissing me, loving me. Being protected by a woman with dark curls and never wanting to leave her side...

My Mistress. She had come for me!

Mumbling words out like a simpleton, i stared in disbelief. She was just as I remembered. Pale skin, full red lips and wild curls. She pinned her younger sister to the bed by her throat, it seemed she didn't intend on letting go.

The edge of her vision flickered up to see me, crying, staring at her. Bellatrix saw the tears on my cheeks and seemed to pause. The murderous rage in her eyes dampened and diluted with slight concern.

"Mistress?"

The hatred burning in her eyes didn't cease. She gritted her teeth and grunted as Narcissa squeaked out pleads for her to stop.

"What did you do to her, Cissy? Imperius? Love potion? TELL ME!"

Narcissa's lips were purple, skin flushed. Her eyes blurred with tears. She was close to passing out.

"I-I drugged her with love potion- Bella I'm so sorry but shes- she's so-"

"She's-" Bellatrix gripped her sister's throat harder, Narcissa's eyes nearly popped from their sockets "-MINE!"

Narcissa gurgled. Her elder sister twitched her neck, gritting her teeth. The frustration danced in her eyes. I saw a conundrum fueling her. She was rageful, and hell bent on revenge. Yet this was her sister. No matter what she'd done, she was her own blood.

The Younger sisters eyelids flickered. She was close to dropping off the edge into the bottomless black pit. In the final moment, Bellatrix released her. Narcissa heaved. Her choked breaths were desperate and hoarse, spittle and vomit leaked from her mouth.

She'd been so close to death... So near the edge. Her eyes met mine, sorrowful and scared. She was terrified for her life. None of us truly knew what Bellatrix was capable of.

"Don't ever forget this day, Narcissa" Bellatrix breathed, the stillness in the room buzzed with a new energy. Satisfaction. "My toys are not for the taking"

Her head raised, and for the first time her eyes fully focussed on me. They were unhinged, and terrifying. Yet I saw bubbling joy beneath the surface. Lips spreading in a smile, her rotten teeth bared like fangs.

"Hello, Pet"

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