tattoo, sender gives receiver a tattoo. (let’s give Delphi runes that match mama’s!!!)
It’s incredibly dangerous.
Stitching magic into one's skin, something so permanent. If it’s not done with complete accuracy, not a line out of place, the results can be disastrous. Many a witch and wizard have died, accidentally calling upon the wrong magic, sowing in the wrong rune.
Of course, there are always ways to make it worse.
Using blood as ink was made illegal centuries ago. A rare form of dark magic, it’s history tied up within the ancient houses, some more than others.
Of course, Delphini is far too small to understand this. Not that it matters. There’s no one in the world she trusts more than her parents. So when mama sits her down and explains to her that this is necessary, that it’s for her safety, Delphini doesn’t bat an eye.
Mummy shows her the 'ink'. Explains that it belongs to them, mama and father, that once this is over their protection will be with Delphini always. She doesn’t recognize the magic as dark, instead it feels like home.
“It's critical that you stay absolutely still, darling.” Mama reminds her. Delphini nods, clearing her throat before her mother moves to start. She flinches at the first cut, body involuntarily tensing. Before Delphini even registers what's happening her whole body goes slack, all she can do is gasp, her own limbs suddenly refusing to respond to her. She feels her mother's hands along her sides catching her before she were to fall. Gently, Bellatrix is repositioning the little witch she just stunned. “I know it hurts but I can't have you move, okay? I need to use magic to keep you still. It’ll be over soon. You’re a brave girl, aren’t you?” She is.
It is a strange kind of pain, it stings worse than a snake bite but the magic in it somehow soothes at the same time. Bellatrix is extremely precise.
Not only is the entire act illegal but tattooing this kind of magic onto a child - it’s borderline unthinkable.
Only it’s not, nothing is for this family.
Mama seems calm and her calm makes Delphini calm despite her inability to even lift a finger. It was entirely the opposite just days ago when all those strange wizards - those bad men - broke down the doors to Lestrange Estates. They came after mama, they came after Delphini too! She remembers how horrible their hands felt on her. Mummy was certainly not calm then and neither was Delphi.
“Almost done.” Bella reassures her again. Delphini is trying to think of anything else, she hates this very much, eyes welling with tears that she can't even attempt to keep at bay. It’s a handful of deep breaths later and her mother’s steady hands finally turns gentle.
Her wand is still on the back of Delphini’s neck, only this time she whispers a quiet healing spell. The angry red that was wrapping around the runes slowly begins to fade.
Cosmic Protection. Guidance. Intuition. Love.
The runes run red along the little witch’s pale neck.
“You did so well.” Autonomy finally returns to her, Delphini is quick to turn at her mother’s encouragement, her throat too heavy to allow her words. She buries her face into mama's neck instead. A few tears escape, if mummy notices she doesn’t say anything. Comforting hands surround Delphini, slowly coaxing her out of hiding.
She pulls back, tiny fist swiping at her eyes before she looks up at her mother.
“It feels funny.” She doesn’t know how to explain it. There’s magic humming at the base of her skull, it’s not unfamiliar nor is it unsettling, the feeling is just new. "It tickles!" the mother smiles, lifting her daughter carefully, balancing her on one hip as she walks them to the large mirror.
“Look.” Delphini does, glancing back as her mother pushes her braid just over her shoulder so that the little witch can see. The red is pretty, it looks just like daddy’s eyes. Delphini grins at the thought, glancing away briefly to catch her mother’s gaze, the older witch shares the same expression.
“We match!” The pain that consumed her mere moments ago now all but forgotten.
"We do." Bella agrees, fingers tucking a stray curl behind Delphini's ear.
She can feel them - through the runes - their magic surrounding her.
She straightens the moment she notices, eyes wide before she lifts her hand to touch.
“Careful.” Her mother reminds her. The magic hovers slightly, she can feel it without even touching her skin. Delphini reaches down, little fingers pulling back her mothers wide sleeve, her hand hovering over the dark mark there just the same. She looks up at her mother, surprise spreading across her features. It takes everything in Bellatrix not to laugh at Delphini making the connection.
"All to keep you safe, love."
