Disclaimer (which I always forget…): I do not own the Harry Potter world, nor do I own any canon characters. Celestine and Eleanor are my only OCs. Otherwise… If I owned them, I'd do nasty things to some ;)

Beta love: Huge thanks and virtual cookies to Kefalion (Frida) and .Xanda (Xanda) for helping me to not look like a complete and utter idiot.

Word count: 1285

Quidditch League Fanfiction Competition - Round 1 - Chaser 3 - Write about your chosen Death Eater in school (my chosen Death Eater is Lestrange Sr.) - extra prompts used: (word) Inappropriate, (dialogue) "People in their right minds never take pride in their talents", (word) Tomorrow

Ultimate Chocolate Frog Card Club: (Silver) Quintin Trimble - Incorporate the Bat-Bogey Hex into your story.

April Event - A Very Potter Birthday - AVPSY/This School is Mine - "If you're doubting all you've ever known, then take it as a sign."

"And last, but not least, Rudolph Lestrange will be paired with Celestine Greengrass," rang the words of Professor Merrythought through the DADA classroom, which was a place filled to the brim with books with yellowed pages, located on the second floor of Hogwarts. "You're excused for the day, and do not forget to inform me of your chosen topic for the assignment by this saturday at the latest."

On this particular day, the mixed group of fifth-year Slytherins and Gryffindors had been given an assignment, which was to be accomplished through pair-work. Fortunately for Rudolph, he wouldn't have to share his handiwork with any of the Gryffindor scum - as he liked calling the lions - but he couldn't help the antipathy that etched itself onto his face upon hearing who he would have to work with.

He didn't particularly fancy Celestine, even though she was his betrothed, but he supposed, maybe working on this assignment would stimulate their relationship. Giving it a try couldn't hurt, as he did not particularly fancy risking the possibility of living in an unhappy marriage. Although, mentioning his doubts about this upcoming marriage to her would have been entirely inappropriate. It would be satisfactory, however, if he was on civil terms with his soon-to-be wife.

And as such, he wiped the mildly reluctant expression from his features in the matter of a moment and instead, masked his face with a look of cold disinterest and sauntered over to where the auburn-haired girl was sitting with two of her friends, Walburga Black and Eleanor Selwyn.

"Celestine," he called. The girl instantly took a turn and locked her gaze on him. "I wish to talk with you. Only the two of us, if you may."

Celestine averted her gaze slightly back to her friends before giving Rudolph an unconvinced nod, to which Walburga and Eleanor erupted in a fit of giggles.

"What do you wish to talk about?" she asked as soon as they were away from the DADA classroom, hidden away in a similar-looking, albeit more deserted, classroom.

"I was just wondering if you had any ideas about what we should write our assignment about," Rudolph said. "As you presumably know, we only have a week to complete it, and I would like to receive a satisfying grade, which is only possible with extensive research. Since I'm not like Riddle, who appears to know everything by heart."

"I haven't had the time to think about it," Celestine admitted truthfully. "But I suppose it doesn't have to be that complex of a spell."

"I didn't know you were so simplistic," Rudolph said, willing himself to fight back the sneer that began to form on his features.

"People in their right minds never take pride in their talents," Celestine replied, giving her partner a harsh glance. "True Slytherins should always know better than to let their strengths shine through. In my humble opinion, the Bat-Bogey Hex would be sufficient for our assignment."

"Maybe," Rudolph said. Of all answers, he had not expected what Celestine suggested. Although, even he had to acknowledge that he liked this apparent surprise. "I suppose we should discuss it at a later date."

"Tomorrow?" Celestine suggested.

"I have Quidditch practice tomorrow," Rudolph said, giving his head a light shake. "But Thursday would be fine."

"Thursday it is, then," Celestine nodded. "Splendid. I'll meet you in the library at 2 o'clock sharp. Do not be late."

Rudolph had no time to phrase an answer, as in the next moment, the door had already shut behind the girl.

Perhaps he had underestimated the auburn-haired girl, but at least, she seemed to be more resourceful in comparison to her rather shallow friends.

~oOo~

"Have you found anything even remotely intriguing?" said Rudolph and stole a glance at the girl settled in the seat next to him.

"Not yet," she mumbled, turning another yellowed page in the book she had been reading for a while now. "But I'm bound to find something any moment now."

"The restricted section would assuredly be of help," Rudolph said, not even bothering to milden the implication his words carried. "I'm fairly certain Professor Merrythought would not mind granting us access."

"I'm not sure," Celestine mused, dropping the book down onto the table with a soft thud. "What I mean is, you would generally find texts only about dark artefacts and curses, and we are not in search of any of the kind. Although, I'm not opposed to the idea."

"If you're ever doubting all you've ever known, then take it as a sign," Rudolph said. "My father told me this once and instructed me to take it to heart."

"I'm afraid, I can't quite follow what you're trying to say," Celestine replied.

"If my interpretation is correct, it means that it is worth delving into the unknown if you seek information which only the mentioned unknown can provide you with," Rudolph explained.

"In short, you're trying to coax me into studying the dark arts specifically in order to finish the assignment," Celestine concluded.

"I might," Rudolph answered indifferently, although a shadow of a smirk was playing behind his dark brown eyes.

Celestine looked to be contemplating it for a brief period of time before she nodded lightly. "Fine, so be it. It seems I couldn't have persuaded you to do otherwise anyway."

Rudolph then tried to mask his awe. A girl who was not afraid to touch darker subjects than those the curriculum prescribed?

She might have grown remarkably in his eyes just then.

~oOo~

"Say, Celestine, what is your opinion on visiting Hogsmeade tomorrow?" Rudolph inquired the following day, flipping through the pages of an ancient-looking book he had just retrieved from the restricted section.

"With you?" she replied, scribbling down a couple of words onto a piece of parchment.

"That is what I meant, yes," Rudolph said.

"I have to admit I had different plans for this Saturday," Celestine said, "nevertheless, I suppose I could make amendments."

"Good," Rudolph nodded. "Because if you could not, I would have made those modifications myself."

"I'm wondering why you would ask me all of a sudden though," Celestine mused. "It's not like you were too keen on appearing alongside me earlier."

"Well, we are expected to marry as soon as we graduate," Rudolph said. "We might as well get to know each other."

"I suppose you're right," Celestine nodded. "Oh, and don't forget to write this paragraph down," she pointed at the text sprawling in front of Rudolph. "I deem it useful for our section about the usage of Bat-Bogey Hex in practical combat."

~oOo~

"Mr Lestrange, Ms Greengrass," Professor Merrythought called. "Your assignment was quite exquisite. Although the Bat-Bogey Hex does not quite reach the fifth-year education level, the additional information on the history of the spell and the preciseness is commendable. Well done," she said, levitating the parchment onto Rudolph, and a copy onto Celestine's desk.

The Lestrange boy glanced at the piece of paper with masked interest at first. Then, he couldn't help but let a smirk spread across his features as he peeked at the curve of the 'O' he and his partner had achieved. When he perked his head up, he was met with a similar expression on the face of the auburn-haired witch.

He had to admit, he was becoming content with the thought of living with the girl for the rest of his life. If there was anything he had learned this last week, it was most definitely to appreciate her.

Even though he was somewhat reluctant to do so, he was ready to let go of his skepticism concerning Celestine Greengrass. Well, as ready as he would ever be.