Bellatrix looked at herself in the mirror, feeling slightly nervous. She decided that she looked alright. Her hair looked lovely, as usual, falling in long curls to the middle of her back. Make up was always easy, although her mother made comments if she wore too much lipstick so she'd taken it easy on that today. Something to do with red being the colour of whores. Bellatrix rolled her eyes at the thought; red was just a colour that suited her.
It was her robes she had that upset her. They made her look like a sixteen year old. Which, of course, she was. She wanted to feel like an adult though. Still, she had some lovely stilettos that she could wear with ease and her mother didn't seem to mind them.
She fiddled nervously with her hair. She'd been betrothed several before, but this was the first time she'd actually been introduced to her intended. She wasn't sure if it was because she was older now, or if this betrothal was a serious one. All she knew about Rodolphus Lestrange is that he was good looking, and she'd only heard that through some of the idiots at school, and that he was in his mid twenties. That part didn't worry her, though. She'd heard of girls her age being married off to much older men.
Distantly, she could hear her name being called, and she knew she had to go. With a sigh she left her bedroom, trying to walk down the stairs with as much dignity as she could muster. Narcissa and Andromeda had been confined to their rooms for this visit, as the three of them so often were. She knew her mother and father often entertained the Dark Lord and his followers, and that her father regularly met with him. It irritated her that she had yet to meet him and that she was forced to sit in her room, knowing he was in their house.
She'd heard stories about his good looks too, but she didn't think that they could be true as he had been a few years below her father at school. That would make him old.
As she entered the parlour, she could see her mother's scrutinising gaze upon her, but she ignored it – as she always did.
"Mr Lestrange will be here shortly," Druella told her. "He comes from a good family."
Bellatrix nodded, smoothing down her robes. "Mother, I was wondering if perhaps I might have some more… grown up robes, now I will soon be of age," she said, knowing her mother probably wasn't going to like that.
To her surprise, Druella nodded. "Yes, certainly," she said, coldly as usual. "I will have my dressmaker attend you later."
Bellatrix smiled slightly. "Thank you, Mother," she murmured. "Will Father be joining us?"
"No," Druella said, slightly shortly. Bellatrix wondered what the matter was. "He is busy today. But we have decided that you should spend a little bit of time alone with Mr Lestrange today, so you might talk freely. Your wedding will take place after you have finished school."
"Straight after?" Bellatrix asked, frowning slightly. She didn't want to become a wife straight away, she wanted to join the Dark Lord and prove that a woman could do more than bear children and look after a house. That left her with a year from now until she would be married.
Druella glared at her slightly. "That will be decided later. It would not be proper to mention that to Mr Lestrange."
"Of course not, Mother," Bellatrix responded, trying not to roll her eyes. She could suddenly hear footsteps coming towards the parlour, and she realised that the elf must have let Rodolphus in. She inhaled sharply as the door opened and he entered.
He was good looking, those rumours were true. He had light brown hair, fairly pale skin, dark eyes and was tall and well built. Bellatrix swallowed as their eyes met, before hastily looking away. She didn't want a lecture from her mother.
"Mr Lestrange," Druella said, moving forwards to shake his hand. "Thank you for coming."
"It is a pleasure," Rodolphus said, smiling slightly.
"I'm afraid my husband has some business to attend to today."
"Of course," Rodolphus responded lightly. "This must be your daughter," he continued, gesturing to Bellatrix slightly. She could see he didn't look particularly comfortable.
"This is Bellatrix," Druella said, stepping away from them slightly. "I'll have some tea sent in," she said, before leaving the room and shutting the door.
Bellatrix swallowed, not expecting such an early departure from her mother. She smiled slightly at him, seeing that he was looking at her carefully. "Shall we sit, Mr Lestrange?" she asked awkwardly after a moment.
"Yes," Rodolphus replied, his deep voice gruff. They sat down on separate armchairs, facing each other. Bellatrix noticed two cups of tea appear on the table, together with some biscuits. She gestured to them, picking her cup and taking a sip. It was hot and burnt her tongue slightly. She winced, trying to hide her clumsiness.
"Do you work in the Ministry?" she asked after a long moment of silence.
He looked up at her, smirking slightly. "I don't, no."
Bellatrix was unsure what he meant. "How do you know my father, then?"
Rodolphus took a bite of his biscuit, looking at it with a certain element of dislike. "Through a mutual friend," he said, looking back at her.
"That's a relief," Bellatrix said, trying to smile at him. "I hate those Ministry wife types." Rodolphus didn't respond. "You went to school in France, didn't you?"
"Yep," Rodolphus replied, looking at her again. "A long time ago now." Bellatrix bit her lip, feeling uncomfortable again. He must have noticed. "Well, not that long really. Seven years ago." Bellatrix swallowed. Seven years ago she had been nine years old. That was a terrifying thought. "Your father said you have one year left at Hogwarts."
"That's right," she said softly.
"He says you're a good student." Rodolphus reached for his tea, his sleeve riding up slightly. Bellatrix gasped as she saw a hint of a green tattoo.
"You're a Death Eater?" she exclaimed.
Rodolphus looked up at her, before sitting back and drinking some of his tea. "Is that a problem?" he asked, slightly coolly.
"Not at all," Bellatrix said, trying to maintain some decorum. "I am a strong believer in the Dark Lord and his followers."
"Why is that, then?" Rodolphus asked, sipping his tea again.
"I believe in the dominance of wizards and witches over muggles and mudbloods," Bellatrix told him, knowing her mother would go mad if she ever found out she was saying this to her betrothed. "Our blood is being tainted and diluted and someone had to put a stop to that." Rodolphus nodded, his expression slightly warmer now. "I…" Bellatrix hesitated; knowing her mother would actually kill her is she overheard this. "I would love to join him."
"There aren't any other women, and certainly not any wives, in his ranks," Rodolphus replied, raising his eyebrows at her.
"I could be the first," she said, putting her cup down and looking at him.
Rodolphus smiled back, slightly warmer again. "What about bearing heirs and looking after my house?" he said, slightly sarcastically.
Bellatrix shook her head. "I…" She looked back to him, before noticing his smirk.
"There aren't many clever pureblood girls like you out there," he said, setting his teacup down too. "Why would I want to waste your talent, when it is plain you would be an asset to our force?"
Bellatrix gasped. "You mean it?"
"The Dark Lord would have to decide, of course," Rodolphus said, nodding. "He will come to our wedding and he can decide."
"That would be…" Bellatrix couldn't find the words; she was so excited at the prospect.
"You're not like I thought you would be," Rodolphus said, after a moment.
"What did you think I'd be like?" Bellatrix asked, frowning at him.
"Boring as fuck," Rodolphus told her, his expression changing as he realised what he'd said.
Bellatrix sniggered. "You can swear, I'm not a baby."
Rodolphus smiled back at her, and Bellatrix was certain it was the first genuine smile she'd seen on his face. "I should hope not," he said. "How offended do you think your mother would be if I had a smoke?"
"She doesn't need to know," Bellatrix replied, grinning at him. "Did they teach you magic at that school in France or not?"
She watched as he pulled out his cigarettes and lit one with his wand. "They did," he said, pulling on it. "But less helpful spells and more duelling." He looked up at her, before offering her the cigarette. Bellatrix shrugged, before taking it from him. "Hogwarts is tame. I'll have to teach you some real spells."
Bellatrix laughed, before taking a puff from the cigarette. She was pleased that she didn't cough or embarrass herself in front of him. Then she handed it back. "Sounds good," she said, smirking at him. "And then you'll have to learn how to be beaten by a girl."
Rodolphus laughed, sitting back in his chair and looking over at her. "We'll see, won't we." He quickly finished his cigarette, before waving his wand slightly to get rid of the smell. "So maybe in a couple of weeks you'd come out to dinner with me?" he asked, looking slightly awkward again.
Bellatrix nodded, smiling at him. "I'd like that," she said with a nod.
"I know you're not seventeen for a couple of weeks yet, but I don't see any harm in us having a few drinks and seeing where things go," he said, his voice slightly lowered. "I'm not a Malfoy type," he continued, looking at her closely and sitting forwards in his seat. "I don't do courting. Either you're my girl, or you're not."
Bellatrix laughed softly, sitting forwards in her seat as well. She was relieved. "I'll have to think about whether I want that or not," she said, grinning cheekily at him. "I'll make my decision when I see where you're going to take me out."
Rodolphus nodded, smirking at her. "You'll definitely want me then," he said, his voice slightly dark. He shifted towards her and pressed a rough kiss against her lips. Bellatrix was slightly taken aback, but she didn't mind. She grinned at him again.
"Mr Lestrange…" she began.
Rodolphus shook his head at her. "We're beyond that now."
"So soon?" Bellatrix asked, raising her eyebrows at him.
"Is there a need to be formal?" he asked, finishing his tea and standing up. Bellatrix stood too.
"For now," she said, rolling her eyes. "My mother…"
"Every single man in the country knows what your mother is like," Rodolphus responded, shaking his head. "So the sooner we are married, the better."
"Agreed," Bellatrix said, nodding. "Well, I await your owl."
Rodolphus smirked at her. "I'll think of you later," he said, his eyes flicking up and down her body. "Nice shoes." He was still smirking at he left the room, and Bellatrix heard a pop of apparation as he left. Slowly, she picked up the tray and headed to the kitchen where she knew her mother would be waiting to hear every detail. She knew she was going to have to be very artistic with the truth about what they had talked about.
Bellatrix couldn't believe her luck.
x-x
Bellatrix knew that she looked amazing in the robes that had just arrived for her. One set, a deep Slytherin green, looked particularly good. The robes showed a hint of cleavage – much more when she leant over – and hugged her curves tightly. She smiled at herself in the mirror, wondering if Rodolphus would like them. He would be arriving soon. She started to curl her hair with her wand, pleased that she was able to now she was seventeen.
Now that she was seventeen, her parents had decided that it was alright for her to go out with Rodolphus. Bellatrix had been unsure what difference two weeks made, but apparently it did make some difference. She'd only met Rodolphus the once still, but after two weeks of correspondence via letter she thought that she was going to feel very comfortable around him.
She was just putting the earrings that Rodolphus had sent for her birthday in when she heard her name being called. With a final glance in the mirror, Bellatrix let out a long breath. She didn't look like someone that had just turned seventeen. She looked like a twenty year old. She smiled at herself once more, before heading downstairs. She had deliberately ensured that she was wearing the same shoes that he liked so much last time they'd met.
Rodolphus was standing at the bottom of the stairs with her Father, his eyes fixed on her as she descended. She smiled at him, very aware of his gaze. He was holding a bunch of red roses and he handed them to her as she reached him.
"Thank you, Mr Lestrange," Bellatrix said, smiling knowingly at him.
"Miss Black," he said, nodding to her. His face wasn't betraying much, just his eyes. "Shall we?"
"Of course," Bellatrix replied, glancing to her Father for a moment. "Goodnight, Father," she said to him. Cygnus looked back with a kind of nervous nod.
"Goodnight," he said, glancing to Rodolphus for a moment before looking back to her. He looked slightly nervous. Bellatrix thought he must be nervous about seeing her go out on a date for the first time, but she knew he was being silly. She took Rodolphus's arm, allowing herself to be led from the house.
"You look nice," Rodolphus said quietly, as they walked down the garden.
"I must say, I hoped for more than nice," Bellatrix responded, turning to face him as they reached the apparation point.
He smirked at her. "I thought we were sticking to formalities." Bellatrix swallowed slightly as she looked at him. He really was very good looking, she'd almost forgotten. She felt his arm slide around her and noticed his intense dark gaze on her. Then he disapparated them.
As they arrived in what Bellatrix assumed was London, she realised how close he was to her. She exhaled lightly, looking up into his face. His hand was sliding down slightly, onto the small of her back. Bellatrix swallowed, looking around her. They were in a back lane. She laughed, looking up at him again. "Formalities indeed."
Rodolphus shrugged. "You're attracted to me, aren't you?" he said, frowning slightly.
"Yes," Bellatrix replied, without any hesitation.
"Well then." He took her hand, leading her up the lane until they reached the street. Then he took a left, leading her around a corner until they reached a restaurant. She almost laughed when she saw it was the Valerian.
"You know, this is where Lucius brings my sister," she told him as they entered.
"Fucking Malfoy," she heard him mutter, and she couldn't help laughing again.
"Do you not like him?" Bellatrix asked, feeling gleeful at the thought of someone else disliking him.
Rodolphus shot her a dark look as they were shown to their table. "He's a pompous twat," he said, matter of factly, when they were sat down.
"I've spent four years at school with him, you don't need to tell me," Bellatrix replied. "Shall we get some wine?"
"You can," Rodolphus replied indifferently. "I prefer whiskey."
"Ogden's?" Bellatrix asked, glancing at her menu.
Rodolphus chuckled. "I'm not fussy."
They placed their orders, and Bellatrix was pleased when her wine got delivered. Rodolphus was swirling his whiskey around the glass, occasionally glancing at her.
"So am I allowed to say you look better than nice now?" he asked after a moment.
"You can say whatever you'd like, Rodolphus," she replied, sitting up slightly and moving her feet under the table so that she brushed his.
He took a mouthful of his whiskey, swallowing it and setting the glass down. "There is a lot of talk about you, in the circles I move in," he said.
Bellatrix raised her eyebrows. "Oh?"
"To start off with, I heard you were beautiful." He caught her gaze. "That was an understatement."
"Good," Bellatrix replied, nodding.
"But then I heard you are going out with someone at your school," Rodolphus continued. He leant over the table to get closer to her. "Wilkes, is it?" he asked, and for the first time Bellatrix could see some coldness in his eyes.
"It was, before I met you," Bellatrix responded, narrowing her eyes at him.
"I didn't like it, when I heard it, Bellatrix," he said, having some more of his whiskey.
"It was nothing," she replied, drinking her wine as well. "And he – and any other boy at school – are nothing compared to you, Rodolphus." She was pleased to see he seemed to like that.
"You are going to be my wife," Rodolphus said softly. "You must remember that now."
"Are you jealous?" she asked him, frowning slightly.
"More… possessive than jealous," he replied. "I will not share you."
Bellatrix nodded. "I expect the same in return."
He looked up at her, slightly surprised. "You are not disgusted I have brought this up over our first dinner?" he asked.
"Not at all," Bellatrix replied, shaking her head. "You said you wouldn't court me. I don't want that, either. I want a relationship with you, not for you to be a stranger." She leant forwards, bringing them even closer together. "You could fuck me tonight, if you wanted," she told him, seeing in satisfaction how he immediately stiffened in shock. "Or do you want me to pretend to be a virgin bride?"
His hand reached out, grabbing her wrist in a tight hold. His eyes were glittering. "Don't tempt me," he replied, his voice dark. "Do not make promises you will not keep."
Bellatrix grinned at him, licking her lips slightly. "Do not assume I will not keep my promises," she replied. Their food arrived, and they both sat back, staring at each other as the waitress left the plates. Rodolphus had ordered a huge steak. She wasn't surprised to see that – he was entirely all man. She had never been so attracted to someone. "When will I meet your family?" she asked, eating her pasta.
"My brother, Rabastan, is all the family I have," Rodolphus replied, not looking up from his steak. "My parents are dead now."
Bellatrix frowned. She didn't know anything about him really, but she was amazed no one had told her that. "I had no idea," she said quietly.
"We were young," Rodolphus responded, putting a chunk of meat into his mouth. "I lived at our school full time for six years. Our parents were really rich." He looked up at her. "Obscenely."
Bellatrix smiled at him. "I am told that I do not come cheap."
Rodolphus laughed at that. He obviously didn't want any sympathy or to talk about his childhood much, and Bellatrix didn't think the time was right to talk about it. "You don't," he said, drinking his whiskey. "But I think you're worth it."
"What makes you think that?" she asked him innocently.
He shook his head at her. "You're attractive, you've got some good blood in there, you're clever and I think… you probably have a filthy mouth."
It was Bellatrix's turn to laugh. "All true," she replied. "And likewise, I suppose."
"You suppose?" He was staring at her again, slightly unsure of himself this time.
"I'm teasing," she replied, finishing her pasta. She watched as he devoured the last of his steak. "I wasn't sure if you had it in you to eat that."
Rodolphus smirked at her, finishing his whiskey. He leant on his elbow, clenching his fist slightly. Bellatrix noticed bulging muscles in his arm, and she smiled. "I need to eat lots of red meat," he responded. He laughed slightly, before dropping his arm down. Then he looked a bit awkward again. "Do you want to come back with me?" he asked.
"Did you have something in mind?" she asked, her tone suggestive.
"Plenty of things," he replied, eying her thoughtfully again. "I think there's a lot you'd be up for."
"Such as?" Bellatrix replied, grinning again.
He shook his head. "There are certain things one does not say to an unmarried young lady," he said, putting on a posh tone.
Bellatrix laughed, finishing her wine. "Pompous twat," she said, laughing again when she caught sight of his expression.
"That's it," she heard him mutter. He eyed her, glaring slightly. "Better teach you a lesson before we get married." Before Bellatrix could reply, he had got the waitress over to them and had paid her, by giving her a large handful of coins. Then he stood up, taking Bellatrix's hand and disapparating them from the restaurant.
Bellatrix laughed softly, moving closer into him and inhaling his scent. "How undignified."
"I told you I'm not a Malfoy type."
Bellatrix looked up at him, noticing his intense gaze on her again. She smiled, shaking her head. "No. You're my type." They looked at each other for a long moment, before Bellatrix pulled away from him. "This is your house?"
"Yep," Rodolphus replied, heading to his drinks cabinet. "Whiskey?"
"Please," Bellatrix replied, nodding. She looked around, guessing they were in his sitting room. "Where does your brother live?"
Rodolphus turned to face her. "In his house," he said, handing her a drink.
Bellatrix took a mouthful, looking around her again. "How many bedrooms do you have?"
"Enough," he replied, frowning slightly. "You're the first woman I've ever seen drinking that without coughing."
Bellatrix frowned back for a second before glancing at the glass. "What, firewhiskey?" She smirked, stepping closer to him. "It's nothing."
"You've been seventeen for two days," he said after a moment. "How have you got used to firewhiskey so quickly?"
Bellatrix flashed him a grin. "Hmm, someone told me you were intelligent. They stand corrected."
Rodolphus grabbed her wrist again, pulling her into him. The movement went straight to Bellatrix's panties, and she almost dropped her glass. "Finish your drink," he said, before downing his glass in one. Bellatrix swallowed hers in a couple of gulps, before putting the glass down next to his. She was curious to see what was going to happen next. He sat down on the sofa, pulling her down very close next to him. "You've surprised me, Bellatrix," he said, his voice quiet.
"I don't know why," she replied, smiling.
"Neither do I." Rodolphus put his hand into her hair, drawing her closer to him. "I've got to have you home in two hours," he murmured.
"That's ages," Bellatrix replied, tilting her head. She wondered if he was going to kiss her. "Now, you seemed to be showing me something on your arm earlier?" she said, running her hands down his very well defined arm muscles. She smiled, very innocently, before moving her hands to the buttons on the front of his robes. She slowly undid one, looking at his face as she did. He couldn't take his eyes off of her, it was so obvious.
"You're playing with fire," he warned her, putting his hands on top of hers. Bellatrix smirked up at him, moving her hands down to the next button and undoing that. "Bella…"
"You certainly don't have permission to call me that," Bellatrix told him, slapping his hands away and unbuttoning the next one.
"I'll call you what I like," he retorted, allowing her to continue undoing his buttons. Finally she was able to remove the robes from his shoulders.
"Er…" She giggled slightly at the sight of his six pack and strong arms. "Yes, you can," she responded. "Rodolphus, you're huge!"
"It's all for you," he replied, his hands sliding around her waist. He kissed the side of her hair lightly. "That's not all that is huge," he murmured after a moment. Bellatrix laughed into his warm chest. "I have something for you first," he said, pulling away from her and standing up, heading for the fireplace. Bellatrix could see the muscles rippling down his now bare back. On the mantelpiece there was a small box, which he picked up. His face was serious again, and Bellatrix wondered what it was. He opened the box, looking at its contents for a long moment and then looking to her.
"What is wrong?" Bellatrix asked, frowning in concern and standing up.
Rodolphus moved back towards her, his gaze intense, before suddenly dropping to one knee before her and taking her hand. He gently brought her hand to his lips, pressing a kiss on her fingers. "Will you marry me?" he asked, holding the box out to her with his other hand. Bellatrix could see a platinum ring inside the box, with a large diamond and two sapphires – so dark they were almost black – on either side.
Bellatrix smiled down at him, aware of how attractive she was finding his bare chest. "There is nothing that could make me happier," she said, taking his hands and pulling him up to standing. He was kind of smiling at her, but she knew he wasn't really a smiley sort of person and that was enough. He plucked the ring from the box, sliding it onto her finger. Then he threw the box onto the floor, wrapping his arms around her and picking her up, kissing her hard on the lips. Bellatrix moaned lightly at the contact, and was disappointed when he put her down and let go of her.
"The ring was my mother's, and my grandmother's before that," he said. "And now it belongs to you."
"Thank you," Bellatrix replied, studying it again. It was beautiful, and it suited her. She ran her hands down his arms again, eying him appreciatively. "I have to say, Rodolphus, I had no idea you were hiding all of this away…"
He chuckled again, smirking at her. "I hoped you would like it," he said with a nod. "I've been working very hard these last two weeks."
"I hear you're very good at duelling," Bellatrix said, after a moment. "I suppose that keeps you fit."
"The Dark Lord trusts me above all others in that respect," Rodolphus replied. His hands moved around her again, and Bellatrix suddenly realised that he was undoing the buttons on the back of her robes. She laughed, putting her arms around him so that she could feel his back. It felt so firm against her skin and she couldn't wait to see him without any clothes on. "Are you sure about this?" he asked, slightly concerned, when the buttons were all opened.
"Yes," Bellatrix replied, looking into his face. "What if you're a rubbish fuck? Can't marry you then." She smiled mischievously and his face changed from concern to slight irritation.
"I'm not going to be gentle," he said, frowning at her. "I am not a gentle man. If you can't take it then…" He didn't need to finish the sentence.
Bellatrix rolled her eyes, pulling her robes from around her and kicking them away. She was wearing a long black lace bra with matching knickers, and paired with those shoes he had enjoyed so much previously, she knew she must look amazing. His eyes were wide. "Take your trousers off," she said, frowning at him now. "It is rude to keep a lady waiting."
Rodolphus glared at her slightly, but did what he was told. She assumed he didn't like being told what to do. Bellatrix moved closer to him, enjoying the feeling of his hot skin touching her own. She ran her hands over his back again, dipping down to his arse for just a split second before moving back up. Rodolphus was kissing down the side of her neck, one hand in her hair and the other travelling downwards very slowly. Then he slapped her arse, not hard but enough to leave a sting. "You are mine."
"Am I?" Bellatrix asked, smirking at him.
"Fuck," he mumbled, slapping her again. He reached around, unclipping her bra and pulling it off. Then he pulled down her knickers, just to her knees, before leading her to the arm of the chair and bending her over. "Keep those shoes on," he said, and Bellatrix could hear him removing his own underwear. "Fucking cock tease, aren't you?"
Bellatrix laughed, wiggling her bum at him. She felt his fingers trailing down her back for a moment, before suddenly he plunged into her. She moaned in surprise, but mostly because she could tell he hadn't been exaggerating his size. "Fuck," she muttered, looking over her shoulder at him. He bent forwards, capturing his lips with hers, biting her bottom lip. Bellatrix moaned again, and he started to move, slamming deeper and deeper into her with every thrust.
It wasn't long before she was clenching around him, moaning deeply as she came. He didn't stop moving though, his fingers were digging deeply into her hips and she could feel her pleasure building within her again. "Rodolphus," she mumbled, knowing that this man was perfect for her. He slapped her arse a few more times, and Bellatrix felt herself go again. Her vision was slightly blurred as his pounding increased in speed, and then with a final push he was groaning out and Bellatrix could feel him pulsating inside of her.
She flopped over the arm of the sofa, feeling him collapse on top of her. "Dirty bitch," he mumbled into her ear. "Coming from being spanked."
Bellatrix laughed, feeling him step back from her and pull up her panties with another smack to her bottom. She turned to face him, kissing him deeply on the lips. "I am yours," she said, still feeling breathless. "I am a lucky girl." He chuckled, sitting down on the sofa and holding his arms out to her. Bellatrix fell onto him, her eyes level with his six pack. She ran her fingers over it, shivering slightly. "You know, I've got these shoes in red," she said, after a moment.
Rodolphus looked down at her, eyebrows raised. "Red?" he asked, sounding interested. "You can have them in every colour when we're married."
"What are we going to do when I go back to Hogwarts?" Bellatrix asked him, sitting up slightly. "I don't want to go back, I want to stay here with you and your muscles."
Rodolphus shrugged. "Let's get married before you go back, then."
Bellatrix stared at him for a moment, in slight disbelief. "I go back in three weeks."
His eyes narrowed slightly. "We don't have to, if it's going to be too much effort."
"I'm not saying that," Bellatrix responded, frowning at him.
"Have you been expecting a huge wedding?" he asked.
"I've not thought about it," she replied, watching as he summoned his trousers towards him and rummaged through the pockets. He finally pulled out a packet of cigarettes, lighting one with his wand and tossing the packet aside. "But I'd like to be your wife before I go back, Rodolphus, I am not sure I care how it happens."
He looked at her, kind of smiling again. "I'm worried you only want me for my body."
Bellatrix laughed, taking the cigarette out of his fingers and taking a puff. "I'm not sure you are worried about that really."
Rodolphus took it back from her, inhaling the smoke deeply. "Did you like that, then?" he asked, gesturing to the arm of the sofa. He smirked. "You seemed to enjoy yourself."
Bellatrix sat up, pressing her lips against his. "Honestly, that was amazing." He brought the cigarette to her lips, and she took a pull from it. He was watching her carefully. "I'll speak to my Father," she said after a moment. "He won't want to upset me by saying no, even if my Mother won't approve."
"Daddy's girl, eh?" Rodolphus replied, smirking at her.
"I'm amazing," Bellatrix replied, batting her eyelashes at him.
"You are," Rodolphus said, finishing the cigarette. "Do you want me to come in with you and speak to him?"
Bellatrix glanced up at the clock. It was nearly ten. "If I go back now then he will still be up."
"And how will your Headmaster feel about our arrangement?" Rodolphus asked, frowning at her.
"They can't stop us from seeing each other," Bellatrix replied, shaking her head. "One of the seventh year girls came back married last year," she continued. "She and her husband irritated all of us for the whole year, but she got her own room."
"Having your own room would be good," Rodolphus replied, eyeing her appreciatively.
"I'm hoping to be made Head Girl anyway," Bellatrix said, standing up and getting dressed.
Rodolphus watched her from the sofa, lighting up another cigarette. "You are a swot, aren't you?" he asked.
"Not really," she replied, buttoning up her robes. "I am naturally gifted."
Rodolphus nodded, looking down at her shoes. "Have you got any higher heels?"
"Maybe," she said, turning to the mirror to tidy her hair up and reapply her lipstick.
"I'll drop you back," Rodolphus said, standing up and pulling his trousers on. "Wouldn't like your Father to think I wasn't treating you right." He laughed to himself as he pulled his robes around his shoulders. "Or behaving inappropriately." He grabbed her wrist, pulling her roughly towards him and picking her up to kiss her again. "I want you in higher heels next time I take you out." His hands slid down, cupping her arse cheeks in both hands.
"I didn't say I had any higher," Bellatrix replied, smirking at him.
"Then you'd better get some." He smacked each cheek, before letting her go. He looked into her eyes. "Don't fuck with me, Bella."
Bellatrix laughed softly. "I'm not afraid of you, Rodolphus."
Rodolphus smiled, and it seemed pretty genuine. "You should be."
She laughed louder this time. "Do you want me to be?"
Rodolphus shrugged. "There is something very arousing about fucking someone who is shaking in fear," he replied, his face completely serious.
Bellatrix slid her hand around the back of his neck, gripping his hair. "Think about fucking someone else again and I will hex your balls off," she told him, squeezing her handful of hair. He was grinning at her now, his hands gripping her arms.
"Better," he said. "I see I am not the only possessive one here."
"You may promise any woman that approaches you that your wife to be will kill her," she replied, smirking up at him. "Straight after you've taught me the killing curse."
"Give me a kiss," he said, leaning forwards and catching her lips in his own again. Bellatrix continued to pull his hair as they kissed. He pulled back, gasping for breath slightly. "Fuck," he mumbled. "I've not been with anyone like you before."
"Good," she replied. "Come on then, take me home."
Rodolphus gripped her wrist again, apparating them back to the bottom of her garden. "Bella." She looked up at him, noticing how serious his face was. "I think I'm a very lucky man."
Bellatrix nodded back at him. "Call on me tomorrow morning?" she asked softly. "Maybe you could take me shoe shopping in Paris?"
"Maybe," Rodolphus replied, licking his lips slightly. She could see he liked that idea. "Goodnight, Bella." He picked up her hand and kissed her fingers again.
Bellatrix smiled at him. "Goodnight," she said, turning and heading away from him. She wished she could stay with him, but she knew it wouldn't be long before she could.
She entered the house, seeing that the light was on in her Father's study. She headed that way, noticing the door was open. She knocked on the door and entered. He was sitting down, quill in hand. "Is everything alright?" he asked, frowning slightly. "You're back early."
"Daddy, Rodolphus is wonderful," she said, smiling at him. "Look!" she held out her hand to him, showing him the ring.
Cygnus smiled at her, and Bellatrix could see he look relieved. "That was good of him. He's much more considerate than Lucius is."
Bellatrix rolled her eyes. "It is not possible to compare them," she told him. "I wondered if we might be able to marry before I go back to school."
"That is very soon, Bellatrix," Cygnus said, frowning slightly.
"I know, Daddy," Bellatrix replied, sitting down in front of his desk. "But now I have met him, I don't think I can wait."
Cygnus stared at her for a moment, before nodding. "Of course, I'll speak to your Mother."
Bellatrix smiled. "Thank you, Daddy. Rodolphus is calling on me in the morning. Perhaps we could come to some agreement then?"
"Yes, we will," Cygnus replied, frowning slightly. "But you'll still go back to school, Bellatrix."
"Of course, if I am to be Head Girl I must," she responded eagerly. "But I don't think I could do it without Rodolphus now."
"I'm sure he will be of use," Cygnus replied, nodding. "His abilities are well known."
Bellatrix stood up. "I'm so glad you found him for me," she said softly.
"Are you sure, Bellatrix?" Cygnus asked her, looking up. "Are you sure about Rodolphus? I want the best for you."
"I have the best, Daddy," Bellatrix replied, smiling. "I promise."
Cygnus nodded at her. "Alright. Goodnight."
Bellatrix smiled at him, leaving the room and heading upstairs to her bedroom. She opened the door to her wardrobe, pulling out all of her shoes to compare. She was slightly disappointed to see the ones she had been wearing were her highest, but she knew he would like to buy her some more. She could see a house elf had put the red roses he had bought her into a vase, and she smiled as she saw them.
She stripped off her clothes, putting a cleaning spell on her knickers. She didn't want anyone to notice how soiled they were when they were being washed. She got into bed, gazing up at the ceiling. She couldn't wait to be married to him.
x-x