Bound by secrets

Chapter 24

Bellatrix looked at me with a glint of both fascination and madness in her eyes. "You really don't understand what you've gotten into, do you? The Dark Lord's plans for Draco aren't just about power or control. He's trying to unlock ancient magic, tied to a bloodline that carries great power. Draco's role is to be a vessel, to transfer life force or magical essence—he has to do it willingly. That's the only way the ritual will work and unlock the 'Veil of Dominion,' an artifact that grants control over life and death."

Her words sank deep into me. I couldn't bear the thought of Draco being forced into something like this, to give up a part of himself. It was exactly what I feared, and I knew I had to act fast. I had to break the soul tie before the Dark Lord could use it to his advantage. I tried to steady my breath, but panic was creeping in.

"I need to break the soul tie," I blurted out, feeling the desperation in my voice. "But I can't just stop loving him. That's... it's impossible."

Bellatrix chuckled darkly. "Oh, no, dear. This isn't about stopping the love you feel for him. It's about severing the magical connection that binds you two together. The bond has two parts—the magic and the emotions. You can keep your love, your feelings, but you must get rid of the magic that binds you two together."

I blinked, trying to comprehend it all. "How? How do I do that?"

"The magical soul tie is the dangerous part. It was created by the circumstances surrounding you, your histories, the forces that shaped your lives. But the emotional bond? That's yours. That's real. The trick is separating the two." She paused, then continued, "Breaking the soul tie doesn't mean losing your feelings for Draco. You have to focus on severing the external magic while keeping your personal connection intact. It's delicate. Precise."

I took a shaky breath, my mind spinning. Could I really do that? Could I tear apart the magical bond without losing Draco? "How do I do it?" I asked again, feeling the weight of the moment.

Bellatrix's expression darkened, and she explained the complexity of the ritual. "The process is... not easy. You have to perform a ritual under specific conditions. First, you need to focus entirely on Draco—not the bond, but him. You have to consciously separate the person you love from the magic that ties you both together. It's about purging the dangerous part, not the emotional core."

She stepped closer, her voice lowering to a whisper. "You'll need to channel your magic into the memories you've shared with him. The genuine connection, the real moments. As you do, you'll be able to sense the external magic—the dark, twisted part—separating from your feelings. You'll know it when you feel it start to unravel. It will be painful, but you must endure it. If done correctly, the love you feel for Draco will remain. But the magic? That will be gone."

I could hardly breathe. The thought of going through with something like this—something that could change everything between us—was terrifying. But I had to do it. For Draco's sake. For us.

Bellatrix's eyes bore into mine. "Are you sure you want to do this? This will leave you vulnerable... and him as well. Once the tie is broken, you'll have no magical protection between the two of you."

I didn't hesitate. "Yes. I'll do it." My voice was firm, even though my heart was pounding in my chest. "Draco deserves a life free from all of this, and if I can save him, I will."

Bellatrix studied me for a moment, then nodded. "Very well. We'll practice the ritual next week. Be prepared—it will test you in ways you're not expecting. But if you truly love him, you'll be able to separate the magic from your bond."

Bellatrix's dark eyes flickered with interest as I brought up Draco's letter. "He got a letter from Lucius earlier today," I explained, trying to keep my voice steady. "It's about the task. His father wants to meet with him soon to discuss it. I don't know how much Lucius has told Draco already, but he can't know everything. I need to take on the task before Lucius pulls him into it. If Draco finds out, there's no way I can protect him."