Cannibalism is often used as a metaphor for love.
Bellatrix never saw it as such. It was more of a statement, it was her way of saying I am here and now what.
Bellatrix was good at hurting people with or without intent.
There was Andromeda which Bellatrix tried to despise for leaving, or herself for pushing her away, for making Andy feel the way she felt. Andromeda, Narcissa and her had always been a trio. They had made fun of people from their school. Had been there for each other through heartbreaks or made sure any injuries (some self inflicted some from their parents) did not infect or cause any real problems.
There was Narcissa who Bella had always looked after like a daughter, but after Andy left their relationship had never been the same again. Neither of them had the energy to try and fix their broken bond. Both of them too caught up in their relations with lovers and arranged marriages.
There was Alecto Carrow, which Bella hadn’t liked the way she liked her sister, but still cared about. They had been dormmates for 7 years, and had their fair share of hookups. Bellatrix was, of course, the better witch but she also relished in the Power she had over the other witch.
And then there was Rita Skeeter. She was, well, Bellatrix wasn't quite sure about what they were. They did love each other but they had never talked about anything of importance. Most of the time they had sex and left the other shortly after to prevent having to talk. And the times they did have any conversation, it was only about the future (Rita didn't want any Kids) or about marriage (she didn't want to marry either because she wasn't religious) or about their favourite stars (Betelgeuse) or the recent drama in school (Molly Weasly was pregnant).
***
“Trix, Trix, please… Please stay. Just for a few minutes”, Rita almost begged. But that's just how it was with them. Rita made the requests and Trix followed through on them, so it was no wonder when Bellatrix turned around in the doorway.
Rita's room was grand but sparsely decorated. Bella had never questioned it. She had just assumed that Rita didn't like to decorate. Thinking about it now though she realised that it was probably out of lack of money.
The drapes were plain and had a few tiny moth holes. The walls were undecorated and the shelf stood lonely in the corner. Even the desk Rita used for writing her articles had nothing on it besides the typewriter.
“We ought to talk”, Rita exclaimed which made Bella snap out of her thoughts.
“Are we now? We talked an hour ago, didn't we?” Bella didn't want to talk, she never did but especially not right now.
“Stop that, you know exactly what I mean.”
When you know Rita, you know that you can't really get out of anything that Rita wants you to do, whether it is spreading a rumour or talking about something you don't want to talk about. So Bellatrix did sit down on Ritas bed again. And she listened.
“Are you ready to talk now?” Now this might sound like a question but it was pretty clear that it wasn’t. So Bella didn’t answer and Rita just continued talking.
“I have a request, and you will not say anything until I am finished. I am not well, like I know you know this but you don't get how bad it is getting. The money I make from the daily prophet is hardly enough to live off. I am on the verge of death and I know you know that too and are just too ignorant to say anything about it.”
Yes Rita was right, Bellatrix noticed but she didn’t think she could do anything about it and she was also way too emotional to say anything.
“I want you to eat me” Bellatrix felt like someone just kicked her in the stomach, she didn't know how Rita found out or why she would even suggest that. It was her secret. It had been for years. She didn't know when exactly it had started but around the time she left hogwarts. It was an act to make herself unlovable, because she didn't want to marry and didn't think she was good enough for Rita.
“I am a journalist, i figure stuff out sooner or later. I understand why you wouldn't tell me but I would never leave you for something like that and I feel like you should know that.”
There was a lot of silence. It was way too long and not a nice silence at all.
Rita looked like she was enjoying her moment of Power. She probably really was but that's besides the point. The point was: Bellatrix was actually really tempted to bite Rita in the neck until she could taste blood.
She knew she would regret it. Because acting out of instinct had never worked out for her. But Rita had that sweet flush on her cheeks that she got when she was excited and Bella knew she couldn't hold herself back any longer.
She leant in.
“Trixie” now that's Bellatrixs favourite noise.
“What is it, love?” she was grinning to herself.
“I love you” Rita's voice was getting weak while Bellatrix was kissing down her neck.
That's all the encouragement Bellatrix needed. She was biting down hard on Ritas neck. Rita's scream was delightful.
The warm taste of blood was spreading through Bellas mouth.
She pulled away. Rita was bleeding. A lot. The dark red spreading over her minty green robe.
“Trix please” These were Ritas final words. They would be the last words she wouldl ever speak.
And to not make Ritas suffer any longer she was tearing her teeth into Rita's main artery.
***
There isn't any regret.
Not one bit.
At least that is what Bellatrix is telling herself. But there is, because Ritas last words were “Trix please” and she will never know if it was out of physical or mental pain.