delirium

rodolphus lestrange I feel so extraordinary Something's got a hold on me I get this feeling I'm in motion A sudden sense of liberty

[blxckfleur-blog]

“Yes, I know, I’m quite kind,” she murmured with a faint smile as she took his hand. “Excuse my clumsiness if I do manage to step on your foot,” Narcissa warned in advance, a light laugh escaping her lips. He’d know that the royal house of Black rarely ever did make mistakes. But when they did, it left a gaping hole much like the antics of her sister. 

The melodic tunes began to play as the pair began to twirl about on the floor. In her mind, she was still distracted by a million other things. It probed her head and caused her worry. 

[rcquicm-blog]

“Surely a Black girl would be far too well educated to be so clumsy,” he assured her, though there was a degree of warning in his voice. Desperate he may be, but he was not here to be any more embarrassed. 

Rodolphus knew better than to take his too far away from the here and now, and concentrated on keeping his feet steady and the pair’s movements graceful. It was all about the spectacle, even if nobody was paying them any attention.

[feminavirum]

Ariadne had to hold back a slight jolt as the sound of another’s voice took her by surprise. Schooling her expression into something friendly yet neutral, the blonde swept her gaze over the male, trying to decipher just who was hiding behind the mask.

“Perhaps not, but staying in my room tonight would be an entirely boring way to spend my evening; wouldn’t you agree?” 

[rcquicm-blog]

Rodolphus gazed back at her, his mind following the same paths as hers. At least there was a little more of her visible to go by, which made the task far easier. He’d set up his own puzzle to be purposefully harder. He raised a glass to her comment and nodded. “I suppose so. Although, I imagine that depends on what you’re doing in your room,” he pointed out. 

[haoxavier-deactivated20171003]

There were those few, and rather rare, moments of insight Bellatrix would absorb from others. Most of the time, she did not listen, she would slip into her own world, the little corner of her mind, filled with ignorance and the bliss of tortured souls– mainly her own. However, it was that instant when Rodolphus had caught her attention, more importantly it was his voice that had done it. His inner voice, drilling through his tone, that sound that made her believe that perhaps she was not alone, cast away in her land of shadows.

It was only when she felt his attention move to her that Bellatrix arched a brow ever so slightly, unhappy. It was an odd choice of wording, and clearly he was not attempting to be charming, which meant it had worked. For a moment she stood still, body tensing, shoulders inching upwards as she felt the other’s eyes on her. A shiver running down her spine at the very thought of something knowing her, of Rodolphus knowing her. She was not meant to be understood, she was not meant to be approachable and yet there he was. Tapping into her mind, as though it was the simplest game of them all. 

Lips pursing together in an icy smile the dark haired Black averted her electric blue orbs to meet his own. “Lestrange, I hope you know what you are doing, I do not take easily to failure.” And with that, she had extended her hand, letting it rest in the air as though she was waiting for him to guide her to the dance floor, “You have one chance, screw this up— too bad.” 

[rcquicm-blog]

Waiting for her response felt different than usual, though certainly, he was no stranger to rejection. Perhaps it was Bellatrix’s reputation that caused this spark of fear, or perhaps it was because more was riding on her response than merely the next dance. Not that it mattered so much, he supposed - he took what he wanted regardless, but all the same --

A positive response was actually surprising. It brought out a squareness in his shoulders as he regained his aristocrat’s posture. Dancing was something he had been trained in as though he were a lady at finishing school, leaving little room for the failure she seemed to expect. He nodded slowly in reply, indicating that he understood the bargain she laid down. 

Music had just picked up once again, but there was space yet for them to join. Rod took Bella’s hand, grasping it a little too tightly, and lightly pressed a kiss against her skin. Without pausing to gauge a reaction, he led her forwards into the circle of other dancers.

[caldcrs-blog-deactivated2020072]

Unable to help herself, Laurel snorted at the guy’s remark, though she quickly covered it with a hand. “Somehow I don’t think so, if your reaction is anything to go by, Mr.” Her eyes were wide behind her mask, and she thought to herself that he was lucky she had reacted to his dry sarcasm with humour rather than offence. He was playing a dangerous game with it; if you treated people like that when you didn’t know who they were, you could end up making things quite uncomfortable for yourself.

Just then, Laurel herself was trying to figure out just who exactly she was speaking with. She thought she recognised the voice, but the mask too far obscured his face for her to relate it to anyone she knew.

[rcquicm-blog]

Rod paused for a moment to gauge whether or not her reaction was mocking. Probably not, he assumed, and allowed a grin. From there, his attitude toward her improved; clearly she had good taste.

“We’ll see,” he decided with a nod, his tone a little warmer. “What have you come here to hide from?” he asked, gesturing to the table behind him. Whether it was crowds, some hopeful young man or truly just boredom, he was certain there was something driving her over here. Hiding was, after all, why he had camped out here.

[distorticn]

Nodding his head ever so slightly the young man took a sip of the punch in his hands, “I would imagine that this would be quite an amusing sight. Filled with unspoken desires finally coming to light– though I must admit, I do not wish it upon the first years.” He paused momentarily thinking back to his own innocence, the kindness with which he had lived back in the day. The way that Cassian simply lived for the day, running about as though nothing in the world would ever come to land upon his shoulders, crush him in the impact. 

Many things have changed since then, however, one thing remained: his kindness. Layered beneath the hatred he faked for the common eye, the harsh tones usually leaving his lips disappeared after having taken a few sips from Marlene’s flask. It was almost as though the child in him returned, “Are you enjoying yourself, Rodolphus?”

[rcquicm-blog]

Rodolphus quirked an eyebrow at that. He supposed he had spent so much time speaking with the Sacred Twenty-Eight he was surprised to hear such unabashed good-will for the common man. He was certain that had his brother shown his face such a prank would already be under-way. “My, you’ve a soft heart, Zabini,” he laughed, patting the man’s back.

“Too early to say, I’m afraid. Things may liven up - I remain optimistic,” he replied with a nod and took a sip of his drink. “You seem to be.”

[blxckfleur-blog]

“And here I thought you were being serious,” a slight smile and raise of her eyebrows, almost satirical. There was an unspoken acknowledgement between slytherin bred elites like themselves, no words were ever needed to explain disgrace openly. 

“Then perhaps I shall defy tradition for just this one instant.” Arms unfolded, her fingers delicately propped up her mask. “If the wonderful and mighty well bred Rodolphus Lestrange wishes, I would gladly be of company just for one dance - because I’m tremendously kind.” Narcissa treated him like a brother she never had (he would be one eventually) but she decided to entertain his request, he had always put up with her complaints after all … rather it was embarrassing to remind herself of her younger years. 

[rcquicm-blog]

Rod allowed her acquiescence - his first proper success of the night - to stroke the ego of his that had been so damaged this evening. Yes, Narcissa was fifteen and the wrong Black sister, but it felt right that he would dance with a pureblood at least once this evening. 

“How tremendously generous of you,” he replied with a grin, offering out his hand for hers. The gentle music of the last dance was drawing to a gradual close as they spoke, allowing other pairs about the room to invite one another for a dance. 

[feminavirum]

Ariadne was bored, to the point where she was beginning to contemplate feigning a headache and taking herself off to bed for an early night. A headache was, after all, an acceptable excuse to leave a social event, was it not? The brunette knew she needed to stick it out, but she didn’t know how much longer she could last. She didn’t do well on her own - she grew anxious and wary of what others would think; she needed to find someone to converse with, and fast.

It was for this reason that the brunette made her way over to the drinks table, her head held high and a soft smile in place as she moved to stand next to a much taller male, at first not knowing exactly what to say.

“I hope I’m not disturbing you; it’s awfully crowded over there.”

[rcquicm-blog]

Rodolphus kept a watchful eye on the newcomer as she wavered silently for a few moments. There seemed to be a tense discomfort in her that mirrored his own, and the thought of a somewhat kindred spirit allowed him to feel a little more at ease.

“If you’re not a fan of crowds you should not have come to a whole school event,” he pointed out with a tilt of his head to give a look of confusion, the best he could muster with his face covered. 

[caldcrs-blog-deactivated2020072]

Laurel was bored. Really bored. As nice as everything in the great hall looked and appeared, the feats of decorative magic still as lovely and inspiring as first year, all of the interactions were dismal. It felt more like a political debut than a halloween party at the moment, and Laurel had headed over to the tables of food and drinks for something just to do with herself and her hands. She marched over to the table with a great amount of purpose for someone who currently didn’t really have one, and selected a drink once there, leaning back against the edge of the wood to take some of the weight off of her high-heeled feet. 

It was only then that she noticed just how close she had managed to position herself to someone already resting there and turned to them, hoping at least to eke out an entertaining, if perhaps not intelligent conversation from the man. “You finding this as slow paced as me, or what?” she inquired brightly but tentatively.

[rcquicm-blog]

To an extent, of course, this was a sort of political debut - at least as Rod saw it. As one of the first events of the term, it was rather like a young woman making her first steps into the London season a century or so ago. 

Rodolphus tilted his head toward the new arrival at his side and smiled in a distant sort of way. He was at least somewhat certain that he did not know this person - either that, or he was acting the fool. Faces never had been his strong point. “Rather,” he agreed with a nod. 

“All the more exciting now you’ve arrived, I’m sure,” he said dryly, using the opportunity to get a good look at her. Did he know her? 

[xeniaadair-blog]

“How many girls have you used that line on, Rodolphus? Has it ever actually worked?” Emma teased, crossing her arms over her chest instead of taking his hand. She arched a brow as he came closer. Emma was always curious to see how far people would go for her. "You’re going to have to try harder than that to get me to say yes.”

[rcquicm-blog]

“I’ve yet to document the statistics; I promise to keep you posted,” he assured her with a quick smile. To give his empty hand something to do, he leaned back and ran it along a lapel. “How boring.” He hummed at her for a moment, considering his options with her. “Oddly, a second approach is rarely more successful than the first. Perhaps I should count my losses as far as you’re concerned - yet again?”

[marlenelestrange]

Marlene could only roll her eyes as her cousin continued to scowl at her, her arms folding across her chest as she chose to simply return his gesture. “Oh come on Rod; have you always been this boring?” She was taunting him now, and not entirely sure why. Maybe her boredom had gotten too much, maybe she was simply being stupid, but Marlene desperately wanted to provoke a reaction in her cousin.

The blush that spread cross her cheeks at her slip-up knew no bounds, and Marlene at the very least had the decency to look a little ashamed as for a moment, she couldn’t get herself under control. Clearing her throat, the blonde forced herself to remain calm, meeting Rodolphus’ gaze once more. “No-one. Apparently even breathing the same air as some of the people in this place has begun to take it’s toll.”

[rcquicm-blog]

“Oh, really?” Rod cooed, facing her now. “I didn’t realise it was so contagious.” He eyed her for a few moments, a smirk to celebrate catching her out spreading across his face as her blush had done. Although he really had no reason to suspect her of anything, he was raised too poorly to ever let such a thing go unchallenged - particularly in a family member. 

“This whole ball is like something Great-Uncle Reginault would throw, don’t you think? I was expecting a little more verve and excitement from Hogwarts - more than a little flashing lights show for the muggleborns to ooh-and-ah at, at any rate,” he complained, reverting to his usual attitude.

[grcengrass]

Truth was, of course he had been at Rosier’s firewhiskey, this was something the head boy could not admit to – not that easily and so he spun yet another web of his many lies. Head tilting to the side, hands idly slipping into the comfort of his pockets the young man relaxed his slender frame. One foot inching forwards, knee bending and his entire weight shifting onto the other foot. A more comforting smile appeared upon his lips, an attempt to appear friendly – fake. He was so fake, it was truly disgusting.

Pushing the thoughts aside he continued to build the web of lies, and this time with speech rather than his body language, “I would never do such a thing, dearest Lestrange.” A wicked spark in his eyes, however, was impossible to hide, “As headboy I respect the rules. Though to be fair, the thought of some firewhiskey would only trouble the night. Isn’t it more enticing to be able to remember whatever happened?” A brow arching higher than the other, he caught the other’s eye. Lies, so many lies. Was he even able to tell the truth anymore?

[rcquicm-blog]

Rodolphus’ eyebrows raised at the other’s insistence and he unconsciously cracked a grin. That little light in his eye showed all the mischief of a school boy, and left Rod decidedly uninclined to believe him. It hardly mattered, as far as he was concerned. He was hardly one for upholding the rules, even if he wasn’t quite as bad as his brother.

Leaning back into his recline against the table, Rod wrapped his knuckles around it’s edge and contemplated Paris’ comment for a moment, humming in mock thought. “I suppose that entirely depends on what you plan to do,” he supposed, challenging the gaze that fixed itself on him.

[haoxavier-deactivated20171003]

To disagree, it was not a concept often heard of when you were Bellatrix Black. And so her attention was caught by the other, a good challenge was always welcomed. In fact it was one of her favorite things, to be able to prove another wrong. Whether it be by wit or by brutality. Bellatrix, however, feared that it would not be the latter option when it came to Rodolphus. To harm one of the few which believed in the greater cause, that would be atrocious. Shifting her weight ever so slightly the young woman glanced over at Rodolphus, electric hues examining his features. 

Her gaze wandered across his sharpened cheekbones, towards the edge of his jawline, across to his rather soft lips – she paused. No. Bellatrix shifted her glance from the young man, and towards the couples dancing around – or rather, making fools of themselves. “They did indeed.” She arched a brow ever so slightly before letting her hand run over her dress, attempting to flatten it out, electric hues shifting that way. Concentrating on little things, to avoid looking at Rodolphus again. Not like that, not again. “Your point being?”  

[rcquicm-blog]

Unconsciously, Rod’s breath caught as she studied him. In that particular moment he would have given a great deal to know what she was thinking - good or bad. Her eyes averted in a flash and Rod’s breath returned, though it was not all together a positive feeling.

“My point being that they are amusing to observe. Dancing ants beneath a magnifying glass and all that. They have a place under us that we must allow them to fill,” he explained matter-of-factly, gesturing at the rest of the ballroom. 

“You quite enjoy being unhappy, don’t you?” He turned his head to face her again, watching her as she had watched him. The smirk he adopted removed most of the seriousness from his words, though some remained. “And personally, I can’t think of anything that would make you less happy than dancing with me.”

[xeniaadair-blog]

“Staring is a compliment?” Emma raised an eyebrow, an amused smirk gracing her lips. “Here was me thinking a compliment was, ‘Emma, you look stunning as per usual’.”

[rcquicm-blog]

“Because I can’t take my eyes off you, Emma Vanity,” he replied. “That’s what you want to hear, hmh?” Though he was fairly confident she had very little interest in him, Rodolphus drew closer all the same and offered her a hand. “Come dance with me. I’m terribly bored and you’re terribly good-looking.”

[haoxavier-deactivated20171003]

Cassian found himself in search of someone – someone from his house or at least someone he could be seen with. It was difficult, following the orders of one’s parents, even when they weren’t there they were. They lingered as the voices within his mind, they lingered in the shadows, always causing him to remain cold and icy. Pushing the thought aside the young man made his way through the masses, doing his best to refrain from contact with anyone – who knew what grime walked about the great hall on a night like this. Veiled by a mask, given the chance to hide behind an image they were not – disgusting. Or so he was told to believe. 

It was only when the young man noticed someone, a young man with blonde hair – tall, and elegant. He carried himself as the elite did, and solely the elite did. Shifting his weight the young man made his way over to the drinks, fingers wrapping around a glass before adding, “Well I sure do hope that at least some of this was spiked.” Corners of his lips arching upwards into his usual smirk, the young man grinned at his quidditch team mate. 

[rcquicm-blog]

Rodolphus glanced to the side, giving Cassian a small smile. At least this fellow was recognisable enough even at a glance. “You and everyone in this room,” he agreed with a nod. As one of the oldest pupils at the school, Rod was legal as muggle law dictated it. Why the school - or anyone else for that matter - couldn’t set up some sort of age barrier charm to some proper drinks was beyond him.

“It honestly wouldn’t surprise me if they were. I’d do it myself. It would be hilarious to see the first years making drunken fools of themselves, don’t you think?”

[blxckfleur-blog]

“Indeed,” she said with a satisfied nod. She wasn’t surprised by his doubt, it was common knowledge to her when it came to Bella’s behavior around Hogwarts. If anything, the girl thrived from darkness and decay.

“Don’t be disappointed Lestrange, my rejection is for your own good,” Cissa said with a smile gracing her soft features. Her gaze followed his as she watched others dance about in the room.

At the mention of Andromeda, Narcissa fell silent. Things had been rather strained between both Bella and Cissa - especially since the girl had a desire to intermingle with the mudbloods. “That wouldn’t be so wise,” her tone had turned rather negative. But her expression lightened at the following sentences. “Unfortunately it seems as if I haven’t found a suitable partner to dance with … just yet. I’m quite open to the offers.” A smile appeared on her visage.

[rcquicm-blog]

“No need to fear, Cissa. I was being sarcastic,” he assured her, momentarily resting a hand on her arm as he spoke. The Black sisters were a trio that almost everyone followed with some interest, and he was certainly no exception. He knew what Andromeda had been up to that turned her sister’s expression so sour. 

Rodolphus raised an eyebrow at Cissa’s reply, to a degree genuinely surprised that she hadn’t received any definite offers. Or was it more that she had yet to accept any? “Open to every offer but mine it would seem. You damage my pride, Miss Black,” he said derisively, leaning back against the table once again. “You should dance with anyone that takes your fancy. Don’t limit yourself. Show them all how much better you are than them.”

[grcengrass]

Upon noticing a young fellow standing off from the bustling of the great hall, the young blonde made his way over. Making sure to arch a brow ever so slightly, corners of his lips arched upwards, child tilted upwards and of course nose high in the air as he strode over, confident in himself. “Well don’t you look like you’re having fun?” Tilting his head ever so slightly the young man found himself adding, a wicked tone playing between his chords, “It is alright, I hope, if I give you company for a bit.” Perhaps, he spoke, for the other, but generally he spoke due to the fact that he adored the sound of his own voice – perhaps a little bit too much. 

[rcquicm-blog]

It was true that Rod had been growing more morose as the evening wore on. Perhaps it was a side-effect of the smuggled-in firewhiskey he’d been drinking, or perhaps it was following his long string of rejections from pureblood girls that had set him off, but it did not leave him much in the mood for dancing. Naturally, Rod revealed none of this to Paris as he swanned up to him, but kept his silence and put on the perfect mask of amicability.

He considered that Paris did not really give him a choice in the matter. There was no question in his statement. Though whether it was annoying or admirable Rodolphus could not quite decide. “Perfectly alright,” he assured Paris, turning his body to face the other boy’s. “Feeling friendly, are we? Have you been at Rosier’s firewhiskey?”

[blxckfleur-blog]

“You may think of her that way but she is soft one carefully glimpsed at her subtle gestures,” she said with nonchalance. Bellatrix had been quite endearing towards her - perhaps it was due to the fact that the pair were in sync. Both believed in the pureblood cause. To think otherwise was foolish, much to their chagrin of Andromeda. 

She was amused at his light teasing. “It’d be a scandal to accept. We wouldn’t want that. I’m sure others would be far more appropriate for your arm than mine.” An eyebrow as arched as she shook her head, refusing the proposition. “In fact, have you dared ask my dearest sister for a dance yet?” A curiosity sparkled within her dark orbs. 

[rcquicm-blog]

“How poetic,” he replied dryly, raising an eyebrow behind his mask. He doubted the legitimacy of that in every way. Of course Cissa would wish to see the best in her favourite sibling, but Rod did not seek Bella out for a soft touch.

At her rejection, Rodolphus leaned back into his original recline. “Probably true,” he admitted, and gave her a wink. As she continued to speak, Rodolphus returned his attention to the dancefloor, though he focused more on the single individuals around it. Were any of them suitable? He considered it unlikely, though wagered he could stoop to their level without much effort.

He hummed for a moment before replying, considering whether it would be worth lying. Almost certainly not, he concluded, given Cissa would be at her sister’s ear. “I’ve had similar luck with two Black sisters now. Perhaps I should turn my eye to Andromeda,” he said derisively. “I do hope you’ve had some attention this evening. You seem the sort for dancing.”