Bellatrix Lestrange

Exactly one year has passed. The castle was unusually calm. No screams, no crazy laughter that once echoed through the corridors. Silence. I stood in the courtyard of Malfoy Manor and looked at that very spot by the old stone wall. A year ago, the battle ended here. And here it ended. Without big words, without theatrics - Bellatrix never liked weakness. It was just that one day the fire in her eyes went out... and the world became somehow too empty. Sometimes I think I can still hear her footsteps. Fast, sharp, nervous. It seems like she’ll turn the corner any minute now, smile and say:

• What are you standing there for? Let's go, we have things to do. But the corridors are silent. I run my fingers over the cold stone of the wall. “It’s been a year, Bella…” I whisper. Strange. Before, everyone was afraid of her. And I even miss her screams. The way she called me stupid. By the way she unexpectedly took my hand when she thought I didn’t notice. The wind ruffles my hair, and for a second it seems like someone is nearby. It's like she's still here. Simply invisible. “I still love you,” I say quietly into the void. And for some reason it gets a little warmer. It was as if somewhere far away Bellatrix was laughing again.