it had occurred to rabastan to ask after rodolphus’ whereabouts but he’d ultimately decided against it, as he wasn’t quite ready to come face to face with his brother after their last interaction. of course he’d have to face rodolphus eventually, but dinner with bellatrix was just about the last place he wanted to do it. he had the feeling she might just enjoy it too much. instead he pushed all thoughts of his brother out of his mind, or at least he tried, it was rather difficult when he was standing in the other’s house. fortunately, bellatrix had provided him with something to think about.
rabastan had been raised to hold the daily prophet at an arm’s length, never quite trusting what it reported. and while he’d tried his best to abandon the beliefs of his parents, it was one that had stuck with him. he still subscribed of course, in the event that the news was worth reading. but he’d found the prophet did its best work at the bottom of his owl cage. as such, he couldn’t help but chuckle at bellatrix’s remarks. “it really is garbage, isn’t it?” he replied, a genuine smile appearing on his face. “a tragic loss,” he replied, holding back his laughter, though he wasn’t quite sure why- it wasn’t like he had been friends with sybill.
the fact that bellatrix remembered his favorite food came as a pleasant surprise to rabastan, a smile appearing across his face. “i’m surprised that you remembered,” he laughed, “i’m quite hungry myself,” he added, before gesturing at the door. “after you,” he quipped, before following behind his sister-in-law, taking his seat upon reaching the dining room. “it’s been a while since i’ve had a nice home-cooked meal.”
Family. It was a blessing, and a curse, truthfully. Bellatrix had always felt most at home with her sisters; most at home with Andromeda laughing and Narcissa reading. She had a new family now, one that still held Narcissa at it’s core, but that also included the Lestrange boys. Despite the fact that Rodolphus was merely a pawn in her game, he still meant something to her. Then again, if it came down to him or Narcissa, Bellatrix always knew who she’d chose, but that wasn’t something she was willing to discuss with her husband. And, besides, she needed Rabastan. Needed to make sure he was still on their side.
After all, they couldn’t afford another break. Not after Andromeda. There were too many cracks in their system, and if it meant that she had to be halfway decent to Rabastan, then so be it. She would feed him his lamb, suffer through dinner with him, and go to bed, satisfied that she was the glue for today. Bellatrix was not used to being the glue; that had always been Andromeda’s job, but since she was gone... well. Someone had to do it. Someone had to be kind. And Bellatrix wasn’t sure if that was what she was doing, because even her smiles felt too pointed. “Hmm, rather tragic,” she said, rolling her eyes. “I’m sure poor Sybill is going to miss this life, but she must have always believed in the next one.”
The surprise on his face that she remembered his favorite made her smile, although she was certain it was a bit forced. “I’ve always been good at details,” she said, turning around to observe him with a smile. It had been a while. As she’d said. As he had now noted. As Trixie sat down, she leaned back in her chair and nodded her head at him. “So, where have you been, then? All these days. Too busy at work to come and visit your family, I suppose?”