Bellamione - her beloved monster

41. A Father's Love

As she carefully pushed open the door to the magical hospital, a sharp scent of nail polish remover hit her nose.

She grabbed Narcissa by the coat, who was now trembling, and led her straight to the reception desk.

"Selwyn, Black, we're here to see Cygnus Black."

The elderly witch gave a brief nod, gesturing toward the empty seats in the waiting area. The two students sat down, right next to a witch who was staring blankly at the wall with glassy eyes.

"Mother? I—it's me," Cissy began.

"Hello, darling, sit down," Druella Black spoke in a hoarse voice.

She wore a navy-blue coat and a large hat with a grayish veil that nearly covered her face.

The waiting area was barely occupied, making it eerily quiet.

Hermine almost forgot that this wasn't an ordinary hospital—if not for the floating wands and patients drifting along the corridors.

"Mother, what—what happened? Where is Bella? Where is Father?" her youngest daughter bombarded her with questions.

"Your father was taken by the Healers to the third or fourth floor, as far as I know. Bella is somewhere in the hallway. She said she needed to stretch her legs."

The false Selwyn was just about to reach for a colorfully illustrated magazine when she felt a strange sensation in her stomach.

She didn't want to disturb them—Madame Black and Narcissa already had enough on their minds.

"Cissy, where can I get something to drink here?"

The young girl blinked up at her, her puffy red face twisting into a small smile. "T-there, if you turn left. There's a water dispenser. Just say Aguamenti and that's it."

"Thanks."

Hermine stood up, shrugged off her coat, and walked down the hallway until she spotted the magical dispenser.

She grabbed two paper cups along with her wand and murmured the spell.

Moments later, she was walking past gray walls and hospital doors again.

One staircase.

Another.

Until she saw a whirlwind of movement pacing anxiously in the hallway.

Her whirlwind.

Hermine had found her destination.

"Bella—"

"Doll?" The young Black was still staring at the cold floor. "You—you're here?"

She was immediately handed one of the cups.

"I—I'm not thirsty."

"Bellatrix Black, how long have you gone without sleep or water?"

"A—a few hours," she answered with a fragile voice, taking a small sip of the water.

"What about your father?"

"The Healers took him in, but they haven't told us anything else."

The false Selwyn pulled her friend over to two chairs outside the hospital room, letting Bella rest her head on her shoulder.

Slowly, both of them closed their eyes and drifted off.

A constant beeping.

Some kind of light flickered under the door.

On—off—on—off—

52—53—54—

At the fifty-fifth time, the door opened.