"Alright," Lyra began. "Now let's get you all seeing Auras. First, you must learn to still your mind so that you can concentrate. This bit of sight comes from somewhere deeper within. From your mind's eye, or third eye. Then, your other two eyes translate what you see into colors and other information as you saw me do when cleansing the four of you. To still your mind properly, you must learn to meditate. I shall instruct you in this first, unless your school covered that," she said doubtfully.
"No, it did not," Rabastan said. "All that clearing the mind and thinking about nothing is rubbish! Thank the gods it's one thing Dumbledore didn't shove down our throats."
Bellatrix was inclined to agree with her brother-in-law, but Lyra frowned.
"That's not actually what it is," she told her uncle, a note of forced patience in her voice. "When one meditates properly, it allows one to go deeper into oneself and in many cases, gain knowledge or at least be able to think about a situation or problem with more clarity. The goal is not to empty the mind. Instead, it is to calm and still it so that more productive thoughts may enter. This is accomplished through a process called visualization. It provides excellent mental exercise as well as rest for the brain."
"Both at once," Rodolphus asked.
Bellatrix couldn't tell whether he was being sarcastic or not. That was new because she could always tell with Rod, but this Aura business was just too new for all of them. In part, she thought it was mostly rubbish and a pointless waste of time. Then again, if there was anything to it, and they could use it against Delphini or anyone else, it warranted investigation.
"Actually, yes…both at once," Lyra answered her father. "You'll just have to give it a proper go and see what you think. I want all of you to make yourselves comfortable right now. You can sit if you are leaning back or you may lie down if you prefer. We are going to meditate, or rather you four are and I shall guide the visualization process."
Bellatrix and Rodolphus leaned back into the cushions of the sofa while Rabastan retreated to the chaise. Harold went to lie on the fur rug near the fireplace, looking up at the ceiling with a blank expression.
"I want all of you to slowly breathe in through your noses and out through your mouths," Lyra said in a quiet soothing voice. "While you breathe in, think of all the people and things that you love, breathe in that feeling. Think of it as an energy that fills you with light… or darkness if you prefer," she added, a note of amusement in her voice.
"When you breathe out through your mouth, think of anything that stresses you and breathe it out. Breathe out the energy of stress, releasing it so that it may no longer have a hold on your mind. Breathe in love, and breathe out stress. No matter how silly you think it sounds, try to do it anyway, because if you do not, you will never truly know if you can see Auras or not. Lestranges are not quitters!"
"It's as if she's been here her whole life," Rabastan said proudly.
"Oh, and there can be no talking during meditation or you will not be fully relaxed," Lyra said. "And thank you."
For several minutes they were quiet, breathing in through their noses and out through their mouths as Lyra had instructed. As she did, Bellatrix breathed in love for her husband, her brother-in-law, her daughter, for her cousin and his elf, for torture… And as she breathed out, she breathed out the fear of Delphini, the disgust at all the Dark Lord had done, and her concern that Lyra would not be happy here with them. She did this again and again and eventually she did begin to feel better...lighter… or perhaps she was only becoming lightheaded from all the deep breathing.
When Lyra spoke again, her voice was calm and soft. "Picture yourself walking down a path. It could lead to a crystal cave, or to a beach, or to a dark forest. Decide where your path takes you and go there. Allow yourself to notice your surroundings. Is anyone with you? How do you feel? You do not answer these questions aloud," she reminded, definitely for Rabastan's benefit. "The questions are here to encourage your mind to notice these things."
Bellatrix considered her options as she walked down the path in her mind. Where did she want to go? A crystal cave could be interesting, but if Merlin and Nimue were sleeping in there, she didn't want to piss them off. A dark forest was intriguing but could also be lonely. A beach, then.
She saw the brush on the path gradually give way to sand. She heard the ocean waves crashing and decided to go for a swim. The waves carried her on their surface before she dove down, swimming deeper and deeper until she reached an underwater cavern. A great sea turtle-like creature was resting there. It had long spikes on its shell. Rather than attacking or attempting to eat her, it remained still and calm, watching her with liquid eyes.
As if on cue, Lyra spoke again. "If there is a message from spirit, or anyone else who would like to talk to you, they should give it now. Be still and allow this message to come to you. If no message comes, enjoy the surroundings wherever you are."
Bellatrix stared back into the turtle's eyes and waited. She knew this was only her imagination, but she still expected something from it. "You are stable," the turtle told her. "Turtles symbolize stability. Stop worrying that you're so insane… You are, but it guides you to the proper places, and insane does not have to mean unstable. You are quite predictable and strong within yourself. Fuck what anyone else thinks."
Oddly touched by the turtle's words, even if it was just her talking to herself, Bellatrix thanked it and impulsively threw her arms around its neck, careful not to impale herself on any of the spikes while she was at it. Lyra began instructing them how to return from their meditation. As Bellatrix withdrew from the spiked turtle, she had a feeling it would always be there with her.
"Now I want you to return from your special place," Lyra said. "You will bring your feelings of wisdom, peace, and tranquility back with you. You return by putting your focus back onto your body. Return to your body as you begin to once more focus on your breaths. Begin to feel your feet and legs again, then your hips and chest, your arms and finally your neck and head. When you are fully aware, slowly open your eyes and return completely to the room."
This took Bellatrix longer than she expected. She enjoyed the peaceful undersea cavern, and returning made her feel heavy and reluctant. When she at last became aware once again of the sofa under her, she opened her eyes. Rod looked mildly dazed, and Rabastan was slowly sitting up on the chaise.
"Very good," Lyra said. "Now that your minds are centered, I shall teach you to see Auras. We will split you into teams. Rhadamanthus, if after watching their progress, you are interested, I shall work with you when they're more alert and don't need guarding."
Only when Lyra addressed the spider did Bellatrix recall that he was there. Forgetting the blasted thing was annoying, but he could be so still and silent for a huge Acromantula! She supposed that made him an excellent guard, though.
"That is fine," Rhadamanthus replied.
"Dad, you can work with Uncle Rabastan, and Mum, you with Harold. Face off, please," Lyra instructed.
Rabastan rose and came to stand in front of Rodolphus, and Harold did the same with Bellatrix. "Now look away from your partner, cutting your eyes to the side to see them. Look just above them, and open your mind for impressions. Don't hold back, speak of anything that you receive. Knowledge, colors, even feelings… Anything that you get is valid because we are learning, and there is no wrong in learning."
Bellatrix attempted to study the elf in front of her as Lyra instructed. Rather than seeing anything in particular, she was struck in the chest with a sense of hurt and fear that had tears springing to her eyes. On top of that was a hard blank wall of defense. She discovered right there that she did not like feeling other people's feelings even if she only imagined it.
"Aren't we fair to you," she asked the elf who blinked in surprise.
"Yes, Miss Bellatrix."
"Then why are you so fucking...hurt," she asked, searching for the proper word to describe the feelings she had perhaps picked up from the elf.
"Harold is no longer hurt."
"Then why am I feeling it?"
"He… He remembers the hurt, but he does not think of it often," Harold said. "He fears more if anything happens to his current family, he supposes. He fears if something happens to the Lestranges, that he may be hurt again. He felt safe until recently."
"If Delphini kills us," Bellatrix asked, stating what the elf seemed unwilling to. He nodded.
"Don't worry, Little Plague Doctor," Rodolphus assured jovially. "We aren't planning to allow that to happen."
"What did you pick up from her, Harold," Lyra asked and the elf considered as he regarded Bellatrix.
"Green?"
Lyra grinned. "That often indicates nurturing. I doubt anyone would consider you nurturing, but perhaps that's because I'm here," she told Bellatrix. "Green is often a color associated with Mothers or teachers." Bellatrix was gratified to see that Lyra looked pleased about that.
"What did you see from Uncle Rabastan, Dad," Lyra asked and Rodolphus frowned.
"Nothing, really. I got the impression of dark blue, I guess."
Lyra nodded. "That indicates zeal. That seems to fit Uncle Rabastan." She turned her attention to the Uncle in question. "What about you?"
Rabastan looked thoughtful as he studied Rodolphus. "I don't know. Light blue I guess with maybe some red?"
"Red means angry and light blue means tranquil, so he can be tranquil unless made angry."
She smiled, finally sinking into a chair with a tired sigh. "You have all done well. There is a lot to learn, and much of it takes practice. We will continue this, but for now, just practice by trying to see different people's Auras when you are around them long enough to focus. Simply walking by them on the street won't give you enough time to learn much, especially as a beginner."
"Do any of us have a true ability, though," Bellatrix asked. "Or is it too early to tell? I recall you saying everyone can see these Auras to an extent, but by ability I mean can any of us actually use it for battle attacks?"
"It is too early to tell," Lyra said with a shrug. "Grindelwald and Valdez did see more and faster, but many would not. All of you had valid experiences. Auras can give a person a lot of information, from emotions to knowledge to colors that indicate mood or personality traits."
"Well, if we're done with that for now, are you still up for shopping and meeting your Aunt Narcissa," Bellatrix asked.
Lyra nodded, giving her mother an eager smile. "I would like that very much." Turning to her father and uncle she widened her smile. "Coming along? I plan to try on loads of dresses and coats! I really need a fabulous coat!"
Rabastan cringed while Rod only looked away in open disinterest. "We've got stuff," Rabastan said.
"YOU can afford to have stuff," Rodolphus corrected his brother. "I will come along, though, in case there is trouble."