Swiftcurrent Creek All that was undone was done when we were young

bellatrix is aware that how she is suddenly treating the blonde — for her own assumptions! — is wildly unfair.

but she needs time.

time to recover from letting her guard down so wholly, so quickly as if it was coated in oil slick and had fallen from betwixt her sure fingers that had once grasped it.

stay close to me, rev. the commander winces as she uses a nickname for the blonde. it was a small slip of affection, a shortening of endearment that she bit into her tongue, but could not take back.

she lifts her chin, steels her shoulders and trudges forth.

come. bellatrix commands, making to begin leading the way back out of the tunnels she had taken to get to the cavern.