June 7th, 1969

Frank Longbottom's POV

Molly opened the door for me, moments after I knocked. She smiled at me with her amber eyes lit, and I couldn't resist a smile of my own. It was probably the last kind smile, she'll have for me after today. The twins were gone for the day, so I guess that was a blessing. Alice was waiting for me by the stairs, and greeted me by kiss. Though I didn't kiss her back.

"What's wrong?" Alice asked, looking of me with concern.

I looked away guilty and clear my throat, "I have some bad news, and it effects our relationship."

She cocked her head in confusion, but her eyes screamed that she was worried. My throat felt like it was closed up and I couldn't form the words to tell her.

"Alice we can't be together, something has came up. My-my father has agreed to the most stupidest thing-"

"What? Why can't we be together? What has your father done?" She asked slightly panicked.

"He-he's arranged a marriage for me." I managed, "With Bellatrix. Bellatrix Black."

She froze and took a step back, "He what? With who?"

I took a deep breathe and grabbed her hands gently, "My father has arranged a marriage with Cygnus Black. Bellatrix and I will be married as soon as we leave Hogwarts."

"Why?" Alice's voice cracked, and that broke my heart.

"He said that it was for the safety of both of our families. I had just found out two days ago."

"Why didn't you tell me yesterday?" She demanded.

"I had to meet with Bellatrix, trust me that it wasn't my idea." I told her, searching deep into her brown eyes.

They told me that she was hurt and betrayed and I felt helpless to reassure her. She said nothing to me and I continued on.

"Our engagement will be announced on the Summer Solstice. I wanted you to know before then before it got out and into the Daily Prophet."

Alice's eyes flickered back and forth, before looking up at me, "14 days. We have fourteen days."

"And I'll spend all of them with you." I promised her.

"What about Bellatrix?" Alice asked, "You'll have to spend those days with her too."

I pulled her into an embraced and kissed her, "I'll figure it out."

Bellatrix Black's POV

His hand lingered on the inside of my thigh, and I pushed him away. My breathe was ragged and my thoughts were fogged with lust. But not to the point that I would allow Rodolphus to take my virginity. He stared at me hungrily and I felt a chill go down my spine, Rodolphus was always far too intense in the moments of passion. My cheeks felt hot and I looked away, as I buttoned up my shirt.

"You need to leave." I said, running a hand through my hair.

"Why?" Rodolphus asked, "Have that blood traitor convinced you to stay away from me?"

I shot him a look, "Of course not, you were never brought up or even hinted at."

"Then what has gotten into you, love?" He murmured.

"I've always been this way, you're just noticing because I'm no longer yours." I snapped.

He grabbed my wrist and pulled me close, "You are still mine."

"I belong to Frank, rather I want to be or not." I told him, breaking his hold, "Leave before my father catches you."

Rodolphus slightly faltered, before getting up, "So when can I see you again?"

I swallowed hard and looked Rodolphus in the eye, "That's why I asked you to come over, I'm ending things."

He stared at me for a moment before shaking his head, "You're joking right?"

"No, I'm not." I said, my gaze hard and cold, "Get out now and don't come back again. I don't even looking my way."

It was silent and my heart pounded loudly. I hoped that Roddie will just leave, and not try to be aggressive with the situation.

"Whatever bitch." He said angrily, before storming away.

I didn't even flinch as he slammed the door, and nor did I care about his hissy fit. The bastard never loved me anyway, he just wanted to fuck me so he could tell everybody that he banged Bellatrix Black. My eyes flickered to my clock and I sighed. Frank will be here in a hour. And I had only myself to prepare for his arrival. Andromeda and Narcissa had lost their privilege to help or even leave their rooms. For whatever reason something was wrong with my appearance from yesterday.

A flicker of anger emerged from me briefly from remembering the bruise on Narcissa's face and seeing Andromeda twitching from the aftershocks of the Cruciatus Curse. My parents were unnecessarily cruel and were driven to render us obedient. It enraged them so, that we acted like untrained pureblood women. Beside Narcissa, of course. My younger sister always wanted to avoid conflict and usually did as told. Which pleased Druella and Cygnus considerably knowing that all their children wasn't fuck ups.

I decided to let my hair be with it's tangled curls and its natural way of falling over my shoulders. My dress was simple and blue, and I hesitatingly apply some makeup on my face. My father was a strange and dangerous man that had to be please. If even one dissatisfaction was to occur, everyone had to suffer.

That even meant doing things that was frown upon.

A shudder went through me and I quickly slide on my shoes. Hopefully my father wasn't in one of his moods, and I won't come to a house full of screams.

Or worse, a house full of silence.

Frank Longbottom's POV

I was getting better at apparating, to my relief. The last thing I wanted was to and up like Amos Diggory who had broken his elbow. Even though that was months ago, I still wince for his expense. The dizziness still lingered but not as much, but I still had to wait a moment. When it had passed I knocked on the door.

Instead of a house-elf coming to answer the door, it was Bellatrix. Her hair was down and more messier than usually. The dress she wore was blue and showed some cleavage.

"Wherever we're going make sure that it's discreet." She said closing the door behind her, "the last thing we need is our business place into the Daily Prophet."

"Glad that we're on the same page." I murmured, taking her hand.

I thought of the vintage that my family owed that nobody knew about. It was my mother's idea to have it in case, the Longbottom family name was no longer important to the Wizarding World and our wealth was depleted, then we have Daniel's finest wine to hold us in the Muggle World. Since Bellatrix will be inheriting the vintage with me, I saw nothing wrong in showing it to her.

When I got a clear view of the vintage, I apparated there.

"Belongs to you?" Bellatrix asked, and I turned to he just in time to catch an impressive look on her face.

"Not yet," I told her. "We'll owe it after we get married."

"Hm...who knew there would be benefits as a Longbottom." Bellatrix said letting go of my hand.

She walked ahead as if she knew where she was going, and I followed after her. Bellatrix was taking in the scenery before her. I looked at our vintage as well.

Our Vintage.

Surely I meant 'our' as in my family, and not as in mine and Bellatrix. Though I guess I should start thinking like that. Since she'll soon be my wife. I shook my head, our marriage didn't have to be miserable. We could be friends.

But Bellatrix would laugh at the idea, though I didn't see the harm in suggesting.

"Bellatrix-"

"Bella." She said, "My whole name is such a mouthful, make it easy on yourself.

I don't know why I'm always taken back by her bluntness, when Professor Flickwick has commented often enough about the quickness of Bellatrix's tongue.

"Bella, I have a proposal. What do you think of becoming friends?" I asked.

She snorted and looked over her shoulder, "What are we two? 'Bewa want to be fwiends?'"

"Come on Bella, I don't want to spend the rest of my life with somebody that I don't talk to or like." I sighed.

"That's how most marriages are." She pointed out.

"I don't want to be like the other marriages." I protested.

"But you do what they say about a marriage being built on friendship." She added.

"Can you for once stop being so difficult?" I groaned.

Bellatrix turned around and face me with a smile, "Now where's the fun in that?"