Ā Everyone besides Edmund is so wonderfully uncomfortable, Rodolphus would enjoy it if he himself did not wish to leave at the earliest opportunity. Instead, he watches his father in a futile attempt to predict a reaction: the man merely nods at Severus, and he seems to be drowning something in his glass of water, be it amusement or annoyance. Approval? If the stars align just right. You never quite know. At times the best reaction you can get is the absence of a bad one, and the boy had long since learned that it has to be enough.
Ā His brother talks, and before anything truly unfortunate can happen, Rodolphus finds himself intercepting the line of the conversation at an expense of an unsettlingly bland look from Edmund. He throws Rabastan a quick glance, a glint of exasperation barely noticeable in his eyes, and sets the glass on the table.
Ā āDistribution of workforce.ā The boy comments easily, by now used to referring to thisfamilyas nothing else. Heās not sure whom heās antagonizing more: Rabastan by seemingly defending Edmund, or Edmund by stealing his chance to react to Rabastanās offhanded question. āWouldnāt be wise, limiting ourselves to just one of many useful practices.ā
Ā What starts as a way to dissipate the tension ends as a poignant phrase of his own, despite his best intentions.
Ā āDonāt sell yourself short, I can count on the fingers of one hand the amount of times you failed at something.ā Secretly enjoying every time he gets to talk Rabastan up to their father in a way that vaguely implies that underestimating him is a mistake, he shrugs, and has no qualms about putting Severus on the spot instead of the members of his family. Rodolphus is less cautious about it, now more confident in the boyās ability to hold himself the right way despite the differences in their upbringing. Perhaps it makes him feel better about the fact that his housemate does deserve this opportunity - and not just because of the deal they made, but because of hisā¦Potential, if you wish.
Ā Annoyed with the lack of any substance in this pointless conversation, Rodolphus doubles down, and lays it on thick, dragging out the words. āBut if anyone could do it, itās Severus. Best in his year, an outstanding member of the Slug Club, the whole deal.ā
Ā He flashes a hollow smile, all but pimping Severus out to his father, and heās not at all surprised when itās met with an expression of mild disgust. At the realization that they seem to be done with polite small talk, Rodolphusās smile grows wider, into a subtle version of a shit-eating grin.
Ā Rodolphus is baiting for nonsense, trying to course-correct it in a way most profitable - naturally, Edmund refuses to be manipulated, especially by his own son. But in the interest of fostering the trait within set boundaries, he aims the displeasure away, for now, and puts up a silencing hand lest Rodolphus decides to try and push further.
Ā āTell me, Severus,ā tone levelled and all but disinterested, Edmund sizes the boy up before refocusing on his food as the more noteworthy alternative. āWould you call yourselfā¦Determined?ā
[ Ā @rabastanlestrcnge Ā @snapeinthegrass ]
Severusās eyes dart between each Lestrange, choosing to observe the dynamics before stepping into them himself.Ā It is clear the dynamic between the three of them was strained.Ā Come to think of it, Severus had never had a full discussion with Rabastan before about his family.Ā Never wanting to discuss his own sorry excuse for parents, he had never thought to breach the topic with his friend.Ā Especially not when he carried such a distaste for the older Lestrange.Ā Now he was starting to see that Rodolphus wasnāt the worst Lestrange.Ā Ā
He heard Rabastanās jab and his eyes flicked to his friend.Ā He knew the danger of the tone in his voice, guessing there was as much tension between father and son as seemed palpable in the room.Ā Severus shifted uncomfortably in his seat, watching as Rodolphus skillfully attempted to redirect the conversation.Ā Severus raised an eyebrow at his praise, surprised to hear it come from Rodolphusās lips.Ā Ā
āOf course, I would be happy to assist you in potions, Rabastan.Ā Iāve been tutoring a few others and would always have time for you.āĀ He nodded his head, but his eyes were soon drawn to Rodolphus, the praise in his words sickeningly sweet.Ā Their father would have to be a fool to fall prey to Rodolphusās obvious flattery, and it seemed he was no fool.Ā Ā
Edmund addressed Severus specifically, and he swallowed whatever he was eating. Despite his disinterested tone, Severus imagined the question was a bit more important for his future than Edmund made it out to be.Ā Edmund Lestrange was a foot in the door, an entryway into the ranks of the Dark Lord.Ā Severus cleared his throat, looking at Edmund as evenly as he could.Ā Ā
āI prefer to think of myself as relentless, sir.Ā Once my mind is set on something, nothing stops me in my path.Ā That is the reason Iāve already mastered the potions assigned for seventh year and moved to more advanced recipes.āĀ He gave a small nod of his head to Rodolpus.Ā Ā āIf Rodolphus hadnāt asked me to assist with your home station, I fear I would have spent all break mastering my latest potion.Ā Nothing in the curriculum of the school, of course.āĀ He stabbed his fork lightly into the next morsel.Ā Ā
āYou do have a lovely home, it is a welcome distraction from the dull quiet of a mostly vacated castle.āĀ Severus avoided looking toward the servants that lined the room in silent shadows.Ā Ā
Ā Ā Ā Rabastan looked on with agitation as Rodolphus intercepted his disgruntled attempt at trying to start shit. This lunch wasnāt forĀ him, and he knew it, but it was difficult for him to put aside his annoyance with their father to play house. Every fiber of him screamed to get up from the table and hit something --- or someone --- to revolt against the tightly restrained facades each of them held.Ā
Ā Ā Ā But he wasnāt an idiot. Doing so would only bring about a nightmarish remainder of the holiday.
Ā Ā Ā Running his tongue along his teeth, he paused, giving Severus a tight smile as he agreed to help him, his gaze flicking between each individual as though watching a game of Quidditch. The tactics were much the same: they were not to lose focus, not get knocked off, and they were attempting their best to make a goal. It was sickening the way that their father played them, each move forward more trepidatious than the last.Ā
Ā Ā Ā āWhat they both say is true, I can vouch for it,ā he said simply, stabbing his steak with his fork violently, his dark gaze focused on their father as he did so.Ā āAs someone who shares a dorm with Severus, there is one thing that is evident: his studies are his strength, and I donāt mean the kind that they teach at school that bore all of us to tears with their repetition. Heās the type that will make discoveries on his own. Iām sure even youĀ can see the value in that,ā he bit out, cocking a brow at him, knowing his challenging nature wasnāt making this lunch any easier for his friend or his brother. However, he wasnāt stupid enough to not notice that it was also an advantage; his actions causing both Rodolphus and Severusā to come off all the more charming and appealing.
Ā Ā Ā They were the perfect counterpoint to hisĀ rancorous behavior. It was a subtle manipulation of perception that even his father likely wouldnāt pick up on since Rabastan wasnāt putting on a mask or an act, his emotional reactions restrained but still released.Ā
Ā Ā Ā Glancing over towards Severus, he met his gaze, rolling his eyes discreetly at the entire song and dance they were all a part of. He swore, his father should go into theatrics, the way he enjoyed playing with the strings of fate in each personās life. Sometimes he wondered if anyone had told him not to play with his food, for in his mind he was a wolf, and the rest of them his sheep.
@rody-lestrange @snapeinthegrass
