A/N: Another prompt using random items to force me think outside the box…
Tick tock.
Tick tock.
Tick tock went the goddam clock.
A never-ending grating noise.
A scratching on her brain.
Tick tock.
Tick tock.
Tick fucking tock.
She stood rigidly off to the side in Narcissa's ruined drawing room, facing the wall, in a bloody time out, unable to see what was happening around her, trying to ignore the only sound she could hear. Trying to will the clock to break. Her wandless non-verbal magic wasn't strong enough.
Not after the torture she'd undergone the past few hours.
At least, she thought hours had passed. Maybe only minutes had gone by since Voldemort appeared following the disappearance of their captives?
Bellatrix shut her eyes, focused on listening for evidence proving anyone else was even present in the too quiet room. Anyone besides him. She was sure he still sat behind her. She didn't dare to fidget, he would notice if she did. But, by the gods, she would welcome the rustle of fabric. Just if it came from someone else, not her. After finishing with her, Voldemort bade her to stand aside and not move until told.
Tick tock.
Tick tock.
Bellatrix's eyes popped open when she felt a bead of sweat formed in her cleavage move down her sternum.
Drip drop.
Mustn't show she is nervous.
Tick tock tick tock tick tock tick tock.
Her breathing was getting shallower. Her eyes moved side to side, desperate to take in any movement in her peripheral vision as she licked her dry lips.
Drip drop.
No, she willed her body to stop producing evidence of her distress.
She imagined her Lord sitting behind her, still twirling his current wand as he regarded her backside. Her wand was gone. The little Mudblood bitch had taken it. Yet, she knew that if it hadn't been stolen, there was a chance it would have been snapped in punishment.
Tick tock.
Drip drop.
What more could he do to her at this point?
Tick.
The tension was broken by a cat skittering in. Lucius' Turkish Angora. The wayward familiar moved along the edge of the room, slowly coming towards her. Taunting her. Oh, its owner was surely having a field day with her dressing down and his damn feline knew it.
The cat sat on its haunches and began to bath itself, nonplussed by the blood and devastation around it. She watched it without turning her head, thankful for the small distraction.
And then time suddenly sped up. Lucius walked in, leading Alecto Carrow behind him.
The other witch reported the escapees were not at Hogwarts. The cat perked up from its grooming when his wizard made a little psst sound, flouncing past her feet to follow Lucius back out of the room. Alecto stayed behind, speaking a few more words to their master before she was dismissed.
Still Bellatrix was ignored.
Tick tock.
Tick tock.
And another drip drop.
Bellatrix stared straight ahead at the textured wallpaper in front of her. How long could he keep her here?
Tick.
Her body began to shake.
Tock.
She'd held the tremors in as long as she could.
Tick.
She would be punished again if she couldn't stay standing.
Tock.
Now sweat was beading at her hairline.
Drip.
A rivulet ran down her temple as she locked her knees, hoping to stay upright, hoping to not pass out.
Drop.
Sweat was collecting at the end of her nose and she longed to brush it off.
Drip drop.
Tick tock.
Tick tock.
She now started to mouth the words 'tick tock' in time with the clock. Her face was hidden, turned away; he couldn't see it. Anything to distract her for just another minute, to help her forget and stay upright.
Tick stay standing.
Tock don't fall.
She concentrated on the feeling of her tongue against the roof of her mouth as she repetitively formed each word while her body swayed.
TICK.
TOCK.
She swore the clock was growing louder, causing vibrations in the room.
TICK.
TOCK.
TICK.
TOCK.
She'd given up worrying about the drip drop of her perspiration.
She wanted nothing more than to cover her ears, drown out the clock, and crumple to the floor.
TICK TOCK.
"Turn around, Bella."
Voldemort pointed his wand at her. She braced herself for the curse that she knew would send her to her knees.
His laughter echoed as he cast a Rictusempra, rather than the expected Cruciatus. To her damaged nerves, it made no difference; pain shot through her just the same as she fell.
His shoes tapped on the floor in time with the clock as he walked past her wrecked form, ignoring her completely, on his way to the door.
Click clack.
Tick tock.
Click tick.
Clack tock.
Click tick.
Clack tock.
Until she could hear him no more. Then it was just…
Tick tock.
Prompts used: Alecto Carrow, Voldemort, a wayward familiar, Rictusempra, Bellatrix LeStrange, a broken clock
Thanks for looking this over for me, 89JadedPictures. I love you!
