overshadowed

— RABASTAN LESTRANGE — bright light under a suffocating bushel

[mageics]

lilymxrie-evans‌:

For a second Lily thought the younger boy had her, but it was only once he straightened up and she saw the emptiness of his hands that she realised the little demon had, once again, evaded capture. Trust her dad to bring home a cat that was practically a professional escape artist. “Thank you for trying,” she replied as she drew closer to the Slytherin, whom she didn’t know much about outside of his house and his last name. Part of her felt she ought to be more wary for that reason, but so far he hadn’t given her a reason to not trust him, so she saw no reason not to. “If you wouldn’t mind I’d really appreciate it, I feel like she’s just taking the mick out of me now.”

“I don’t see why not!” Rabastan laughs in response, glad to find some small adventure for the day. There were people who might make him see the reasons not to help, but they weren’t around now, even in his thoughts. And either way, he is choosing to ignore all his anxieties and throw himself into this. “Happy to help, that’s me.” With that he turns on his heel, awkwardly smooth, and starts walking the way the cat had just gone.

[dcrvs]

“Now see— This is what I picture when they say, ‘you have way too much time on your hands’.” Without a sign of an invitation, Dorcas had already moved to fold her long limbs beside her fellow classmate, the curious gaze of the Gryffindor taking in their work. Her fingers tapped a rhythm against the wood of the table, her frame radiating with a burst of energy from a good mood. “Then again, ‘too much’ is a very  vague  limit … . if you ask me. Speaking of, miss me any?” The question proving she would be more a distraction, than helpful.

[mageics]

It takes him a moment to find the right thought, but he replies in good humor. “Oh, um... yeah, definitely, I’m like Nicolas Flamel, more time than I know what to do with.” If his reaction is exaggerated, blame the surprise to see a Gryffindor sit down at the Slytherin table. He glances around then adds in a slightly lowered, concerned voice. “Did you mean to sit here? I don’t mind but...” he trails off, looking pointedly at some other snakes further down the table. “Is here the best place to talk?”

[mageics]

rodolphusx‌:

“I should bloody hope so,” he laughs, tousling Rabastan’s hair as he brushes past, walking toward the castle. The brotherly invitation is also a sudden reminder that Rodolphus won’t be the taller brother much longer. 

If he’s annoyed to have his hair mussed, he doesn’t show it other than attempting to smooth it back out as he falls in step with his brother. He’s quiet, trying to remember if he’d been allowed to sit with Rodolphus at the Welcome Feast before. 

[mageics]

prongs-f-potter‌:

The flash of green robes. James stiffened up after the collision. He scanned the boy in front of him, eyebrows knit. He relaxed when he realized which Lestrange brother it was. It was far too early for a run in with the elder brother. James was a tad thrown off with his reaction, any other Slytherin and there would probably be a wand to his throat. “You’re alright, mate,” James began, “it was my fault.” He returned the smile for a moment, still slightly uneased.

He’s fairly sure the Gryffindor’s hesitation isn’t based on his own reputation — such is the life of a younger brother — or at least he hopes not, as he has tried to craft a ... softer image of himself than what is assumed based on his family. Rabastan’s smile doesn’t waver. “Surely I’m to blame as well.” He pauses, a half breath. “Where are you in such a hurry to get to?”

[meinbamf]

September 2nd, 1976

James Potter had always had a confident walk; if anything, it had only gotten worse as the years had gone by. The first day of classes had come to an end, and there was some time to spare before dinner. James wasn’t sure how he had managed to survive: nothing but professors droning on about syllabuses and expectations, as well as more than one professor separating James and Sirius the moment they had stepped into the classroom. His energy was pent up and in dire need of release; as proven by how quickly he was currently walking through one of the many paved courtyards Hogwarts had to offer. Though he might have seemed like a man on a mission the way he walking, James was on autopilot. Everything and nothing was running through his head at once as he walked. He certainly was not paying attention when he walked right into….

[mageics]

Rabastan was jarred out of his own thoughts by another shoulder knocking his own, forceful enough to turn him mostly around. He quickly saw who he had collided with, that infamous strut giving James away. Other persons in his position (his brother, for one) might have a more visceral reaction to coming into contact with a Blood Traitor such as the Potter heir. Rabastan, however, has a more mild reaction (too mild, some might say), offering a polite smile and an apology. “I didn’t see you there.”

[lilymxrie-evans]

Sunday 5th September 1976

“Oh, for Christ’s sake, I am not chasing you around this castle all god damn day.” Lily called after the black kitten as she watched her speed off around the corner, and she found herself vaguely wondering how on Earth she’d managed to wind up in an involuntary game of hide and seek with her cat—whom, at the moment, had outsmarted Lily at every turn.

The cat had been a gift from her parents, they had bought her over the summer before Lily began her sixth year at school; her father had said they’d picked her because she was black and he had thought it awfully fitting, with Lily being what she was, and she suspected he thought himself oh so hilarious for it. But Lily had fallen in love with her immediately, regardless.

“Agatha—oh you are so bloody grounded—” She huffed out, momentarily cursing the third year who had entered the common room at precisely the wrong moment, leaving her opportunist cat free to make a break for it. “Hey—excuse me!” She called when she spotted someone at the end of the corridor, “Please can you grab a hold of that little menace for me!”

[mageics]

Rabastan was enjoying the weekend, trying to savor it. It seemed too early in the year to be worrying about Ordinary Wizarding Levels and what they meant for the future, but at the same time he was already behind the curve compared to some of his peers. He could have been studying, but instead he was taking a walk through the corridors, aimless. He was content with this, but just starting to hope that something interesting would happen, when he rounds a corner and hears someone call out to him.

It takes a moment for Rabastan to catch up with what is going on, and he leans down to catch the cat a moment too late. The tail brushes his palms but otherwise his hands are uselessly empty. He looks to the older girl with a sheepish smile. “Would you like me to join the chase?”

[mageics]

althea-travers‌:

“Blessed with the gift of height,” she mused, a smile growing on her face. “It must be a double-edged sword. But it suits you, you know… and you’ll get rid of that feeling soon enough. We’ve still got a bit of walking before the Great Hall.”

“Thank you, Althea, it’s some consolation that you think it suits me, at least.” He thinks about offering her his arm but isn’t sure that it will come off the right way. He ends up swinging his arms a bit awkwardly in the indecision. 

[mageics]

rodolphusx‌:

Turning to look at his brother for the first time since they’d boarded the train, Rodolphus smiles. “Are you very good at it?” The game had potential, and he was always competitive when it came to his brother anyway, even when their parents’ approval wasn’t on the line.

Trying not to show how pleased he was to finally have Rodolphus’ attention, Rabastan replies nonchalantly, “Eh. I usually get the Slytherins right at least.” Whether that was true or not, he primarily said it to impress his brother. 

[pctter-lily]

Date: September 1st

“I really find those carriages awfully uncomfortable,” Althea complained, resting her hand on her lower back, as if to give herself more support. “I know that they have to get us to the castle en mass, but you would think that they’d find some better cushions over the past century. I don’t think I’ll be able to sleep all night because of it. Does your back hurt, too?”

[mageics]

“It’s my legs that are sore. I’m too tall for those cramped quarters. At least on the train I can stretch out.” He can’t exactly shake out the discomfort in a dignified way, so he smooths his hair instead. 

[coldcarrow-blog1]

“Won’t you join me?” Pale hands tightly gripped the handle of a heavy-laden basket, the wicker weaving subdued red marks into her skin. No one ever mentioned just how tiresome an affair it was, going on a picnic; between clinking bottles of Superior Red, obscenely expensive cheeses, and jams and cream for spreading on scones, the basket proved rather heavy.

It’d been Amycus’ idea: spend this year immersing themselves among their peers, pretend to be your typical teenage mages so as to avert suspicion and throw everyone off their scent. Logically, it was a sound plan, but that didn’t make the execution any more pleasant. Still, she plastered on a friendly smile.

“I’ve got wine – real wine, not the kind transfigured from vinegar by sixth years. I presume you have just as much homework to ignore as I do.”

[mageics]

He had been looking for just such an escape when Alecto entered the courtyard. Rabastan bites his lip, holding back a grin - badly. “Hmm, I think I will — would you like me to help you with the basket?” The twins were in his year, so they had many of the same classes, so her estimate of his homework was likely very accurate. He would get it done later - he usually did - but he was already feeling overwhelmed and welcomed any distraction. He reaches out, gesturing for her to let him carry something for her. 

[rodolphusx]

Rodolphus stepped down from the thestral-drawn carriage and paused to survey the familiar landscape. The beginning of a new term at Hogwarts always excited him. How powerful he had grown these last six years!

To no-one in particular, he remarks, “Can’t wait to watch those first years shit themselves while they’re Sorted.”

[mageics]

Rabastan steps out of a different carriage just in time to hear his brother’s statement. He was probably too old to be bitter about Rodolphus avoiding him on the trip to Hogwarts, but knowing it was his brother’s last year made him reflect on his first year, when Rodolphus had left him for a train carriage with his older friends. “I find it more entertaining to guess the House before the Hat can say it.”

[mageics]

did i just see RABASTAN LESTRANGE walking through the corridors? it must be him… though i could’ve sworn the fifth year told me to look for him in the slytherin common room! i must’ve been mistaken, since sometimes he gets confused for timothee chalamet. he reminds me of mist from the lake on cold mornings and overcast skies, the flutter of a dropped handkerchief and its careful return, dark clouds rolling in slowly and the taste of electricity in the air. some people describe him as pleasant & mild-mannered, though i’ve heard he can be pretty unforgiving & indifferent, too. here’s hoping he has a great term, either way!  

I’m Rune and I look forward to getting to know you and your characters! This is Rabastan Lestrange as I interpret him, I have written him before but I still feel like I am developing him. Tumblr is probably the best way to contact me, until I get comfortable on Discord at least!

Rabastan is peak younger sibling. He got the “baby of the family” treatment from his mother, but he was clearly his father’s “second son”. With most of the family legacy responsibilities squarely on his brother’s shoulders, Rabastan could probably have gotten away with much mischief if he’d ever wanted to try it. But he wanted his father’s attention the way his brother got it, so he became pretty competitive, trying to outshine his brother and prove that he could be a great heir too.

He studies hard but it isn’t always his priority. He likes to be liked, so he strives to be the model of etiquette, polite to everyone - including people his family would prefer he avoid.

His brother’s reputation precedes him, so people who haven’t interacted with him much often conflate the two, expecting Rabastan to be as cruel as Rodolphus. This is another shadow he wants to step out from. 

At the same time he wants to be differentiated from his brother, he also desperately wants his brother’s approval and love, almost more than he wants his parents’. 

I definitely want him to have friends outside of Slytherin House!!