Title: A Haunting
Author: Lucia de'Medici
Prompt: From foofee25 - Bellatrix, smoke
Word Count: 144
Summary: That old necromancy...
Rating: PG

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A Haunting
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Where it wound around her fingers, serpentine and grey in the dim gaslight, Bellatrix watched mesmerized as the mists swirled in tendrils around her – and waited.

Though the cauldron’s cast-offs remained placid for the time being, it would not be long before the acrid fumes gathered and gained form. Her Lord had warned her of the consequence before he entreated her to the task – it was one that he had endeavoured to overcome in his youth – and for that, she admired him.

He had emerged changed.

Without ire, she jabbed at the billowing grey vapours as they began to thicken. Soon – she cautioned herself – very soon – they would come without warning. This was their invitation, a treaty between the living and the dead.

A droop of blood for barter.

Quietly, she murmured, “Welcome grandmother,” as the first weathered, ashen face emerged from the smoke.