They didn't come to the train station. Of course they didn't. Instead, they sent him.

"Don't look so glum, beloved." A mischievous grin was plastered across his face as Rodolphus Lestrange helped Narcissa with her trunk. Dromeda had already packed up her cart and was rolling toward the exit.

His words didn't bother Bella, no. It was the taunting lilt of his voice; the one that said he was fucking with her because he could. "On babysitting duty now, Rodolphus?" Though she kept her eyes locked on the task at hand (securing her owl's cage to the cart), her back was rigid and her entire body was tense.

Why had they sent him?

"Actually, it was your father's idea. He thought it would be good for us to spend some time together." Bella caught sight of the gleam in his eye. She shivered at the very idea of spending time with him. "He and your mother left for Cornwall, where we will go tomorrow. We're staying in London tonight before departing."

"Why?" She questioned, suspicious. This didn't sound like something her father would orchestrate.

"Do you honestly have to question everything, Bella?" Cissy cut in, shoving her cart in the direction Andromeda disappeared. Her youngest sister was easiest to annoy, and as much as she did annoy Bella, she couldn't help but feel a fierce need to protect her. To protect both of her younger sisters.

Bella looked up at Rodolphus, towering some half a foot above her. "Let's get one thing clear," she said, trying to keep her tone even. "I am in charge when it comes to my sisters. We'll go to Cornwall tonight." Without giving him a chance to respond, Bella shoved her cart after Narcissa.

Oh, but he wasn't going to accept that.

Rodolphus grabbed her upper arm, forcing her to bite back a scream by the grip he held on her. She turned toward him, her cheeks hot and eyes shooting figurative daggers. "Let me be clear," he said through gritted teeth. "While you and your sisters are under my supervision, I will be the one making decisions." She glanced around the immediate area, taking note of a few eyes on them. Struggling against his grip would only cause more of a scene than there already was, and Bella would not cause a scene. Not here, where everyone she knew could see. "We stay in London tonight. Then, in the morning, we will go to Cornwall. Your father has ordered for you and your sisters to remain away."

Suddenly, she understood. If her father was so adamant, to the point that Rodolphus felt he had to obey, it must be something to do with the Dark Lord. That only made her want to go even more. "Let. Go. Of. Me." Her voice was low; low only so that he could hear. The business of the platform drowned her out to anyone who might be listening. The pressure on her arm released. She glared at him, then yanked her arm away.

Tension filled the air as she stared at him, wishing that she could stab him in the eye with a dagger.

"Bella?"

Bellatrix snapped to look at Dromeda. The hard expression on her face softened at the concern written across her sister's face. "We're coming," she said, pushing the cart toward the exit. She ignored the unasked question on Andromeda's lips, then led the way out, Rodolphus strolling casually behind.

By the time the three sisters settled into their room at The Leaky Cauldron, Bella was sufficiently annoyed. Dusk had arrived in full force, casting long shadows across the windows of the inn. She needed space to breathe-to think-about the implications behind her father's choice of escort. While she'd known from a very early age that she was betrothed to Rodolphus, it didn't feel real until the moment she climbed from the train and he was standing on the platform, smiling at her with his rat bastard grin.

"I need some air," Bella said to the inquisitive glance of Dromeda. Narcissa was sprawled across the second bed in the room, ignoring both of her sisters. It was better this way; for Cissy to not depend on her. She thought she heard Dromeda say, 'be careful' as she closed the door to their shared room. It wasn't ideal by any means. The three of them had been expecting to return to Black's Manor in London where they each had their own large rooms, not to be shoved together in a suite at the Leaky Cauldron.

The staircase creaked beneath her feet as she descended into the vast, open room of the pub. It was full of people. Families reunited after a year of schooling, couples with their heads close together, singles at the bar taking large gulps of firewhiskey and talking far too loud all filled the room. She would find no peace here.

Bella slipped her wand from the sewed pocket on her sleeve as she pressed through the crowd and noise. She stopped short, finding Rodolphus leaning in to whisper something in the ear of the pretty blonde girl seated next to him at the table in the dark corner. She scowled unattractively and headed for the back exit that led to Diagon Alley.

Twilight had truly fallen as she emerged on the narrow, cobblestone street that wound between the several storied buildings. Hanging signs identified which shop was which. Bella was used to seeing flocks of people about, but as the day neared its end, most everyone was dispersing for their own lodgings. She could imagine family dinners at homes; parents talking to their children about their school year. That was never the case at Black Manor.

Druella took her dinners alone in her sitting room, Cygnus in his study. The sisters would sometime dine together. Dromeda would often bring her tray to Bella's room and they would share with one another. But never as a whole family. If they were having large dinner parties, the girls would be invited, but those parties were mostly for showing their strength as members of the Most Noble and Ancient House of Black. It wasn't as though she wished for those things with her parents.

No, the less time she had to spend with her parents, the better.

Bellatrix meandered down the street, reveling in the cool breeze that made the signs sway back and forth. People avoided her as she walked. She had that effect on people, and it didn't bother her.

As she neared Florean Fortescue's, Bella noticed two familiar forms further down the lane. Rachel Lupin, younger sister of Sirius's friend Remus, was with another Gryffindor. Rachel was mousy haired, plain faced, and a little pudgy around the middle. At least, according to Narcissa's assessment. The other girl, however, was beautiful. Or at least she would be, if she put time into her appearance. Quinn Cromwell was a year or so younger than Bella, and had caused quite a stir when she arrived at Hogwarts suddenly last year. American, which was incredibly unusual. She transferred from Ilvermony, something to do with dead parents and her only living grandmother being here in the UK. Odd girl. Talked a lot. Had a boyfriend, didn't she? A Ravenclaw?

Bella narrowed her eyes as she watched the two of them continue down the lane, thinking of all that she knew of the girl. Honestly, not much. She'd never had a reason to speak to her, but it was hard to ignore Cissy's incessant complaining about Hogwarts gossip. The girls finally disappeared around the corner of a shop at the end. She paused, noting that the sky had darkened considerably.

The sooner she got to bed tonight, the sooner they could put London behind them. Just the thought of the beach near the manor in Cornwall was enough to warm her sullen mood.

"Bells?"

As she turned to find the source of the voice, Bella furrowed her eyebrows. "Sirius?"

Her younger cousin looked...ragged. There were dark circles beneath his eyes and his hair was quite a big shaggier than she remembered. It hadn't been that long since she'd seen him...had it? Of course, Sirius managed to miss most major school events, except for Quidditch, because, Merlin bless it, he wasn't going to miss cheering on his best mate, James Potter.

"What are you doing here?" he questioned, taking a hesitant step toward her while he ran a hand through his dark hair.

"Just taking a walk," she responded, crossing her arms over her chest as a chilly breeze blew by. "We leave in the morning for Cornwall." Sirius was different. Like Dromeda. She'd always had a soft spot for him. "I could speak to Aunt Walburga. You know my father is having a ball at our house for my birthday. You could come stay-" With each word that came out of her mouth, his expression grew dimmer.

"Ah, Bells, I can't," he said, glancing down the street. "Listen, I've gotta be somewhere."

"Right, well, I guess I'll see you, then."

"Right." He turned, but hesitated and looked back at her. "Take care of yourself, Bells."

Bella flashed him a grin. "Someone's got to, right?" Sirius responded with a sad smile, then turned on his heel and hurried away. There was something in his eyes in that last moment, something that put an ill feeling in her stomach.

Not in the least bit tired, Bella found an empty table at the Leaky Cauldron and sat down, her back in a corner. The pub was still busy, but not nearly as crowded as it had been earlier. She picked up her glass and took a deep sip of dragon barrel brandy. The burn was welcomed as the liquid ran down her throat and settled into her belly. She closed her eyes, feeling the alcohol flooding her veins. It was her second one, and she was already tipsy. How, one might ask, did a sixteen year old girl get served liquor in a pub? Easy. She was a Black. Tom, the young barkeep, dared not refuse her, though he did dare to flirt with her.

In all honesty, she was still steaming over being left out of whatever was happening at the manor in Cornwall. Her father knew, he knew she sought out favor with the Dark Lord. Why would he keep her away?

Well, it was simple, really, but she wouldn't think about it. Not now. Because Rodolphus Lestrange had pep in his step as he reached the bottom floor and set his sights on her. The pretty blonde from earlier came strolling down a moment later, gazing longingly behind him as she wiped the corners of her mouth and adjusted her skirt.

Ugh. Could he be any more disgusting?

There was a difference between screwing around for fun and screwing around for sport. Rodolphus was all about the latter. There were lists, lists!, of girls from Hogwarts that he'd conquered and left out to dry the next day. It was revolting, to think that she would be tied to him forever.

Marriage for purebloods had purpose. Heirs. Continuing the pureblood line. But it also had tradition. An unbreakable vow would be made at their wedding, whereupon she would vow to take no other to her bed. The husband made no such vow. It was sickening. Men.

"Aw, it's my little woman," Rodolphus said as he sat down heavily in the chair next to hers at the table. He motioned to Tom for a drink, never taking his cold, blue eyes off of her. "Miss me, pet?" His mouth twisted into a grin once more as the barkeep wandered over with two shot-glasses of firewhiskey.

Bella didn't deem to answer him. Love, honor, and obey. Those were words in the unbreakable vow, but how could she ever love a monster like him? Like her father?

All pureblood men were the same.

Why did she have to marry at all?

Rodolphus knocked back one shot after the other and raised a hand for another round. Tom immediately jumped to serve him. Like the Blacks, the Lestranges weren't to be refused. "So, are you just going to sit here glowering at me? Or would you rather scurry up to your room and continue babysitting your sisters?" He was just trying to get a rise out of her now. "Or, I could take you up to my room and assist you in actually enjoying your night." He lifted an eyebrow suggestively.

"I'd take babysitting my sisters over you any day," Bella said in a low voice, double checking to make sure her wand was secure in its place. Just in case. "Besides-" She lifted her glass and took a sip of the brandy. "-I'm certain you wouldn't know how to entertain me."

"Because Yaxley is so good at entertaining you?"

Bella snapped her attention to look at him, her eyes wide. How in the world had he found out?! Fucking Yaxley! That idiot can't keep his mouth shut.

That rat bastard grin slithered across his face once more. "Really, darling, Yaxley," he said, knocking back another shot of firewhiskey. "I thought you'd be fucking one of those Gryffindor boys you're so fond of by now, trying to make me angry...or jealous." He tossed a glance at her. She attempted to school her features into indifference, but it was hard to hide the flush that had come to her pale cheeks.

"Come now, sweetheart, seems to me the only one who's jealous is you, considering you can't touch me until the wedding. You've been with every single piece of tail in London, and I'm the only one you can't have." She made a point of taking a large gulp of the drink, swallowing it quickly. If this conversation persisted, she would need several more. "Pity."

Rodolphus leaned onto the table, moving closer to her. "See, there you go, Trixie, getting defensive. You're assuming that I have emotions. It doesn't matter to me if you fuck a tree, at the end of the day...you belong to me." He reached a thin finger to turn her chin so she would look at him. "Every little scrawny, stiff inch of that little body that I can't touch." His blue eyes revealed an intensity, a determination. It struck fear in the pit of her belly. Fear that she could not show, lest he use it against her. "You know that whole...obey your husband thing-" He dropped his hand and leaned back in the chair, smiling that signature grin once more. "And you, pet, you won't be able to fuck anyone after the wedding. Beside me, while I, as you so articulately put it, have every piece of tail in London." He punctuated his speech with another shot.

Bella stared blackly across the room as she finished her drink. How? How did he know what words to say to get beneath her skin? Why was he so good at it? "I belong to no one," she said, her jaw clenching at the very idea of someone else attempting to control her.

"Oh no, pet, make no mistake about it. You do belong to me. If you don't remember the laws under an unbreakable vow in pureblood marriage, you may wish to go back to etiquette school." She saw him staring at her from the corner of her eye. "Punishable by death...if I remember correctly."

No, she didn't need reminding. All she wanted was control of her own life. She had to find a way to end this betrothal. She couldn't marry him.

"Don't worry, Trixie, after you pop out a brood of little bastards, I won't touch you again. Then you can find other ways of getting yourself off. Try trees. Fuck, I'll build you a forest myself."

Bella had been eyeing the pack of cigarettes on the table for some time. They weren't hers, but damn she'd been craving one from the moment she walked in. They were a muggle novelty or something. She grabbed one to give her something to do with her hands. As soon as she lit it, Rodolphus reached over and took it from her hand.

"I don't like my property tasting like cigarettes." He took a long pull on it before exhaling. She seethed as she looked up at him across the table. He knew there was nothing that she could do. If she did, she'd have to answer to higher powers than her parents. Higher powers that she needed to gain favor with. And Rodolphus knew it. "I intend on letting you live a long life, Trixie, as my little woman. Taking care of my every need. Raising my many children. Being the perfect presentable wife."

She growled at him. An actual growl came from between her clenched teeth. "Fuck off."

Rodolphus took a pointed drag of the cigarette before stubbing it out on the wooden table top. "One day, you'll learn where your place is, Trixie. But I won't be the one to teach you. I like my girls feisty."

"I won't apologize for not being like my mother or Narcissa. I won't accept my lot in life as easily as they have." She shoved the chair back and stood too quickly. Her vision swam from the effects of the alcohol. She had to get out of there. She needed to get as far away from him as she could as fast as possible. He'd done exactly what he'd intended, she could see it written all over his face: he wanted to get her riled up. She moved past the table, stumbling slightly as she reached the bottom of the staircase.

Bed. Bed. Bed. That was her only focus as she climbed up the first few stairs. She thought so much about bed that she missed a step and slipped backwards. A pair of warm arms caught her firmly around the middle. Then, her back was being pressed hard into the wall. Rodolphus held her tightly in place, challenging her to struggle against him.

"I like that you're not like your mother, Trixie," he growled, his breath a mix of firewhiskey and smoke on her lips. "Where's the fun in you rolling over and taking it?" She'd never wanted to murder someone more. "It just means that you're more like me than you would like to admit." That now familiar smirk crossed his lips and he roughly assisted her up the stairs. Just before they reached the door to the room she was sharing with her sisters, he pushed her back against the wall and then pressed his lips against hers. Hard.

It wasn't a good feeling, not being in control.

Before she could shove him off, he'd stepped away, his intense eyes staring into hers. "Good night, pet." Then he stalked off toward the far end of the corridor, leaving her seething after him.

In that moment, Bella promised herself that she'd murder him on their wedding night before he ever had the chance to touch her like that again.