There was a long moment of quiet in which Rabastan felt as though he was being weighed and measured, Bellatrix’s intense gaze sliding along his features. Keeping his expression neutral, he raised both brows in her direction, wondering if she was attempting to look not only for tells, but attempting to read his mind. He wouldn’t put it past her to try, but he doubted that even someone as astute as she was would have managed to procure that kind of talent yet.
If there was one thing he had managed to learn from his father — from his family — it was that it never worked in one’s favor to play with your hand on display.
“No, they don’t,” Rabastan agreed, deciding not to point out the fact that he was once friendly with Sirius as well. They all were. It was the nature of growing up in such close proximity to one another, he was certain. Perhaps if they had all had some space, they would have seen the truth long before it occurred. “You say that though, but it’s only Andromeda you ask questions of. What about Regulus and Narcissa? Are you not concerned about them?”
Pressing his lips together in a thin line, he glanced off to the side. It was no secret that Rodolphus and Bellatrix didn’t get along well, but he didn’t want to hold all discussions in a way that excluded him for he comfort. “That doesn’t change the fact that he knows Andromeda better than I do. Perhaps he’s less fond of you because he believed he would be marrying her. Unfortunately, our parents don’t seem to value which connections make sense, they just want to make sure all of us are intertwined.”
Raising her brow at her attempt to dismiss him, he looked across at her with amusement. “I do believe you approached me.”
Bellatrix kept her gaze entirely focused on Rabastan Lestrange. There was little there and that she found most fascinating. How controlled his expression had been told her more than he probably would have liked. It made her resent Andromeda even more than she already did.
Quietly, she cleared her throat and allowed her gaze to fall away from him. Pale cheeks reflected the green of the rolling hills outside the window, giving her a sickly glow. Her pristine clothing, her ruler-straight posture, her indifferent yet harsh expression, and her crossed slim legs made her virtually unreadable. Even so, when Rabastan very nearly taunted her with a comment about Narcissa and Regulus, she allowed the smallest of smiles to appear on her red-painted lips.
“You are quite good at deflecting,” she noted. Of course, she had heard of her younger cousin’s supposed dance with going off the deep end. Bloody insane, those comments had been. Her Regulus had always been soft and quiet and kind and fearful- not some raving lunatic who did not know how to keep his pretty-little-lips shut. Perhaps there was an ounce of truth to those rumors that she had often considered. With his brother deserting him most unfairly, Bellatrix did not know just what might be plaguing the young boy’s mind. She knew she had to do better. But what they said? Purely ridiculous.
And Narcissa. Oh, how she had tried with her youngest sister, but Cissy had immediately gone on the defense. Brood as she might, Bellatrix was not deeply concerned for the most obedient daughter Black. She wound find her way, eventually, and Bellatrix only hoped that it would not come at the expense of a broken heart. Though, as cruel as it was to admit, that might give her the kick in the behind she so needed to snap back to reality rather than wandering away with girlish dreams.
“Whether or not I have concern for them is not your concern, is it? I came to you with just a few simple questions, Rabastan. It might do you well not to slight your future sister-in-law,” she replied coldly, though there was a certain fondness in her tone and gaze. She liked Rabastan. He was smart, difficult to read, and true to the Cause. It was most unfair how things were playing out, but she was no child and she would not dwell.
“I did approach you. For answers, darling. Most unfortunately, it seems we are both at a loss as to what in the world my middle sister might be thinking. I am most sorry she is difficult and you must marry her. I am aware she is hardly your first choice,” Bellatrix exhaled, waving a hand. She was feeling quite daring. Normally, she would not speak ill of her family to an outsider, even if that outsider was as good as family. “Tell me, do you have a first choice? If you had a choice?”
