Written for a challenge where we had to use a speech from Antony's funeral speech in Julius Ceasar.
This is set in 1981.
"Come on, Lucius, what is your problem?" Bellatrix Lestrange sneered as she threw her body onto one of the ornate antique lounges in front of the heath and kicked up her blood and dirt splattered boots onto the coffee table. "It does not matter."
Lucius Malfoy followed behind his sister in law handing his silver mask to the waiting house elf. Unlike Bellatrix, he was ordered with his robes still mostly in pristine condition thanks to the cleaning charms he always cast.
However, his appearance was the least of his worries.
There was Bellatrix in her robes coated in blood and grit laying on the lounge purchased by his ancestor Brutus Malfoy with her boots on the coffee table his mother had brought.
Then there was the issue she was addressing.
"Of course it matters, Bellatrix," he snapped in a manner that was more like how it would be expected he would talk to Draco than a woman three years his senior. "We were seen. The mudbloods and blood traitors of Dumbledore's pesky gang got a clear look at us. One word to the Ministry and it is over."
"Don't be ridiculous. It is never over," she said waving it away without consideration. "Why does it matter that the Ministry might try and arrest us? The Dark Lord will protect us. We will not go to Azkaban."
Bellatrix never understood. It was a well known fact that Bella was highly irrational and missed the most obvious facts in light of her obsession and foolishness.
Striding further into the room, he deliberately stepped away from the lounge her dirty robes were spoiling to glare at her from beside the hearth.
"It matters. My work at the Ministry will be ruined," he said simply trying to keep his cool in light of Bella's taunting. "Then there is the safety and support of Narcissa and Draco to consider."
Like a Cheshire Cat, Bellatrix grinned and stood up as she advanced towards in him in a deadly prowl.
"Ah I see what it is," she hissed silkily like a serpent. "Lucius is concerned with his own ambitions and reputation. You want the world to say Lucius is an honourable man. That's right isn't it Lucius?"
His composure slipped briefly before he secured his mask and squared his shoulders. "You know nothing."
"I do." She grinned and stepped close enough to embrace him if she wanted. Instead she just smirked at him. "Say it with me 'Lucius is an honourable man'"
He stepped back passing it off as a mark of irritation not a show of how uncomfortable she was making him. "Go home, Bellatrix."
Prepared for the continuation of her bickering, he was a little surprised when she seemed to comply and head to the door. It was only at the last moment, as she was framed in the entrance, that she turned around. "Don't worry. I know the truth. You are far from honourable."
With that final word she turned and left, her hair and robes fluttering behind her.
Lucius tried to remain unaffected as he helped himself to a drink before he settled into bed beside the sleeping Narcissa. However, all the while he could hear her words: "You are far from honourable."