"Where were you?" she asked quietly as he entered. Rodolphus stiffened. When Bella spoke that quietly, it usually meant trouble.
"I was at Lucius'," he replied casually, turning to her with a smile. Bella raised an eyebrow. The look on her face immediately told him she did not believe him.
She came closer to him an frowned, her eyes narrowing. Then, she smirked. "Because Lucius smells of cheap perfume and butterbeer?"
Her expression turned sour. Rodolphus was nearly shaking in his boots. There was no knowing what his wife would do of she was angry. And at the moment, she looked furious.
"I can explain," he began. Her blazing eyes told him he need not try.
"What was her name?" Bella asked, her red lips close, but not quite touching his neck. His breath hitched. "Or was it a he...hmm?" Bella added, thoughtfull, running her finger across his chest.
"Who-whose?' he stammered, despite knowing it was futile.
Bella smile sweetly. Too sweetly, he thought.
"The harlot, of course. Your harlot," she replied, casually. "
Rodolphus swallowed. He didn't remembered. He had been druk, exceedingly so, and he was regretting it. Suddenly, he stepped back from her.
"She was not mine," he said with emphasis, and some anger. Looking at her seductive gown, cut in green satin, almost beckoning to him in the dim illumination of the room, began to infuriate him instead. What right had she to blame him of infidelity when she had done the same herself repeatedly?
"Besides," he added, seething. "You cannot blame me, when you have been fawning over the Dark Lord yourself. Did you think I am a fool? That I do not know what goes on?"
Now Bella looked furious too. "How dare you?" she screamed. "How dare you compare our Dark Lord to a common-"
"I dare because it is true, is it not?" he retorted, cutting her off. They glared at each other in silence Then, Rodolphus slumped down on the chair with his head in his hands.
"Bella. We are married. We have to preserve appearances at least," he sighed.
She laughed bitterly in response. "Of course. Is that all you care about?"
Rodolphus was surprised at this vulnerable side of his wife. Surely she wasn't...could she be...jealous?
He decided to play it safe. "No," he replied softly. "I..." But he could not find it in himself to continue.
"Good night, Rodolphus," Bella said, suddenly getting up and walking away, the tone of sadness still eminent in her voice.
What had he done?
Notes: For the Through the Universe Challenge at The Golden Snitch. Prompt: Illumination.
Also for the British Literature Challenge. Prompt: Rodolphus Lestrange, regretting something done under the influence of alcohol, preserve appearances, jealousy.