"Bella! Come back here!"
Bellatrix reluctantly stopped walking away, refusing to look at Rita.
Rita walked up to her, watching her closely as if she barely recognized the woman in front of her.
"Go away Rita."
"No. Not until you tell me what's going on. Why are you avoiding me? Did I do something wrong?"
Bellatrix sighs, how she wishes she could be having any conversation but this one right now.
"You didn't do anything. It- It's complicated, okay?"
"Now I really want to know. We are partners, you can trust me just as I trust you. Bella," Rita cups Bellatrix's face in her hands. "What is going on?"
Rita has only seen Bellatrix cry once or twice, but that didn't stop her from wrapping her in a tight hug and rubbing her back the minute she saw the tears start to fall.
"I'm sorry.."
"Don't be sorry. Crying is natural-"
"No.. I'm sorry."
Bellatrix pulled herself out of Rita's grasp and pulled up her sleeve. Rita shouldn't be surprised, she'd known it as coming for years, but it still broke her heart.
"You got the dark mark.."
"Yes, yes I did."
Rita rewrapped her arms around Bellatrix, as Bellatrix tried to compose herself. She was relieved when she felt Bellatrix's arms wrap around her too.
"We'll figure this out. I promise."
Bellatrix wasn't sure if they could, but nodded anyways.
"I'm not letting anyone take you from me."
And Rita swore on her life to not break that promise.