Chapter 3 - Christmas Charms
Christmas break was as quiet as it always was at Lestrange Manor. Rodolphus spent much of his time reading; when his father was not giving the two boys his own lessons. There were a certain number of spells, familial and otherwise, that they were certainly not going to learn at Hogwarts.
Rodolphus could hear his brother trying out the new spells on whatever small creatures he could find in the house; probably spiders, from what Rodolphus remembered from his time doing the same thing. Revena had insisted that they were useful and not destructive to her immaculate house when learning new spells, and it had stuck. Especially after one night several years prior, when Rodolphus was frustrated that he was struggling to cast a proper Imperius curse. One of their house elves, Moddy, had volunteered to help and after several tries, the boy had finally succeeded. Being only just over eleven at the time, he did not entirely think through the consequences. He had offhandedly suggested that the elf change the recipe of whatever he was working on for dinner; and was surprised to find that the curse had worked. Of course, by the time he realized it, dinner was already ruined. His mother had never let him forget that night. He wasn't sure who moaned more; himself or poor Moddy. Moddy insisted that it was his fault just as fervently as Rodolphus protested that it wasn't, without admitting himself as the guilty one. Revena had seen right through them both, and as punishment Rodolphus was not allowed to eat anything other than that horrid meal until it was gone. It took him three days to finish it; and he silently bore the punishment after he had realized his mother was not going to move on the subject. The second part of his punishment was being berated by both his parents for cursing the house-elf. He recalled his mother's words clearly.
"Never attack someone who won't fight back, Rodolphus Falorian." Her hands were on her hips and she suddenly seemed more fearsome than his father, despite being such a small woman.
Rodolphus glanced over at his father, who merely had an amused look on his face; he was not going to find any sympathy with him tonight.
He flinched when his mother continued, her voice rising slowly, "Rodolphus, you will look at me when I am speaking to you."
The boy managed to look up at his mother, trying to steel himself against her dark eyes. He did not like her when she was so angry. He wanted to hide; he knew he had broken the rules and would rather face the consequences quietly, but Revena would have none of it. He wanted to protest, despite the knowledge that he had disobeyed; he wanted to say he hadn't meant to ruin the evening, but as soon as he opened his mouth, his mother raised her eyebrow sharply.
"Do you have something to say, Rodolphus?"
He had plenty to say, but he could not remember any of it. Instead he shook his head in shame.
"Then you may go to your room."
His mother had only sent him to his room a handful of times. Usually she made him clean up whatever mess he had made immediately, but she had done it in a different way that time. Rodolphus cringed at the memory. It was not how he liked to remember her; he did not like to think that she was ever disappointed in him. It was the second Christmas without her, and Rodolphus felt his eyes tear up. Angrily, he wiped them away; he hated the hole left by his mother's absence.
Trying to cheer himself up, the teenager thought back over the first half of the term at Hogwarts. He had been happier than he had been for any extended length of time since his mother died; and he began to suspect that it had more to do with the presence of a certain dark-haired witch. His emotions still running low from the thoughts of his mother, he once again wiped a set of frustrated tears from his eyes. He slammed his book closed, immediately regretting the action. His mother had taken such good care of the library, he was not going to let that fall into disrepair. Gingerly, he picked up the unoffending tome and placed it carefully on its shelf, taking more care than normal, as though it would help right the wrong he had just done to the object.
"Rodolphus."
The teenager turned quickly at his father's beckoning and walked into his study. One did not ignore a call from Falorian Lestrange, even if one wanted to; and Rodolphus had no such desires. He knew very well what would happen if he didn't, and he had no reason to ignore him. He loved his father and looked up to him and everything he did.
"Father?"
Falorian looked up from the letter he was penning, meeting his eldest son's eyes. "I have invited Cygnus Black and his family over for supper tonight. Do be on time." The man's green eyes seemed to pierce his own as he added, "And do be dressed properly."
"Yes, Father." Rodolphus turned to leave, knowing he had been dismissed, but he hesitated in the doorway. He turned back toward his father, who was once again writing his letter. He had not looked back up at him, but neither did Rodolphus utter a word; unsure how to say what was on his mind.
"What is it, Rodolphus?" his father asked him after a silent moment that had lasted far too long. He still did not look up.
Rodolphus hesitated. He wanted to tell his father about Andromeda, but he wasn't completely certain about any of it. He had never discussed it with her, and they were friends. Was that enough? He knew he was going to marry one of them, and it might as well be the one he liked.
"Spit it out, boy," Falorian growled, but the smirk on his face contradicted his harsh words.
Rodolphus took a deep breath. He knew better than to waste his father's time. Straight to the point then. He wanted to word it nicely, but at his father's impatient face he merely blurted out, "I don't want to marry Bellatrix."
There. He had said it.
Rodolphus watched with an uncharacteristically quickening heartbeat as Falorian sat back in his chair and scratched his well-kempt beard.
Finally, Falorian sighed. "Rodolphus, she is the eldest of Cygnus' daughters. It is expected that you marry her," he said sternly.
Rodolphus struggled not to bite his lip; he grit his teeth and nodded. "I know, Father," he said tightly. He had not thought it would help his case anyway. Once Falorian had made up his mind, it was almost impossible to change. He turned to leave, but stopped when his father spoke once more.
"Was there someone else you have in mind?"
Rodolphus froze, he could not quite believe that his father was even asking him. He never thought he would get this far in the conversation.
"Well, Dolph?"
"Andromeda." He answered quietly, watching his father's reaction closely.
Falorian once again stroked his beard thoughtfully. His brow was partially furrowed as he stared at the teenager.
Rodolphus had never been uncomfortable under his father's gaze before, and this time was no different. Even so, he was nervous; everything suddenly seemed to hinge on this moment.
"She's quite a bit younger than you, Dolph."
Rodolphus frowned slightly at his father. "Only two years, Father. I know I will have to wait longer to marry her, but—"
Falorian held up his hand and sent a hard look toward his son. "I know how old she is, Rodolphus; and why, tell me, should I break tradition and allow you to marry Andromeda, assuming Cygnus even agrees to it himself?"
Rodolphus steeled himself, he would argue with his father about it if he had to; but perhaps a simple answer was best at first. "I like her."
His father did not look particularly amused with his reply, and he readied himself for a full-out description of her, right down to her toes, if necessary.
"I will speak to Cygnus, Rodolphus, but I cannot promise you anything. It is his decision, and I will not change my mind. You will marry one of his daughters, and if he decides you must marry the eldest, then that is what you will do. Is that clear?"
Rodolphus nodded, slightly shocked that his father had given in so easily. "Yes, Father."
"You are lucky, boy, that you decided to tell me today. I invited Cygnus over for this very purpose; everything is to be solidified tonight." Falorian's face was still stern.
Rodolphus swallowed, his nerves returning. His fate was to be decided after dinner. He had never dreamed it would happen so soon. He should not have been surprised, but he was. He hoped he could keep his mind off it for long enough to enjoy some time with Andromeda while she was here. His father must have noticed the strain in his eyes, because his face softened slightly.
"Cygnus is a reasonable man about most things, Rodolphus," Falorian said. "Unfortunately, you seem to enjoy a challenge. It will take more than the lovestruck charm you showed me today to convince Cygnus to give up his favorite daughter. Are you prepared to defend your ability to care for her?"
Rodolphus nodded slowly.
"Good. They will be here at seven."
As Rodolphus left the study, he could feel the weight of the evening on his shoulders already; and even so, he felt an odd cheer that was hard to crush. The Blacks were coming for dinner, and Andromeda would be among them. Rodolphus tried and failed to not be overly thrilled that he would see her outside of school.
It was eight-thirty; dinner was over and Rodolphus and Rabastan were entertaining the three girls while Falorian and Cygnus adjourned to the office for their 'business'. Rodolphus hoped his laugh did not sound forced. He was nervous about what was going on on the other side of the sturdy oak door. All through dinner he had managed to keep his composure; occasionally shooting small grins to Andy from across the table. He had, for the most part, actually spoken to Narcissa the most throughout dinner. She was a curious one, and never quite seemed to know when to stop talking. She had been admonished by her sisters several times before the meal had ended, causing Rodolphus to laugh wholeheartedly at her innocence. Now that the safety of the meal hand ended, all he could do was wait.
"Rodolphus."
He nearly jumped at the sound of his name on her tongue. He looked up, Andy was staring at him with concern from the other side of the game board.
"Are you alright?"
Before he could even nod, he once again heard his name being called, but this time it was from the newly opened doorway into Falorian's study; where he knew he was going to make a better impression than he ever had before. He stiffened and stood without replying to her, and silently walked to what he was sure was going to be his doom.
Falorian flicked the door closed with his wand as Rodolphus stepped inside to face Cygnus Black.
"Your father has told me an interesting tale, Rodolphus."
The teenager swallowed, standing straighter. He knew that anything that was said or asked could be just as much of a test as anything. A test he refused to fail. He thought it best to not reply and allowed the older wizard to continue speaking.
"I came here tonight thinking I was to plan the wedding of my eldest daughter, but it seems you have interests elsewhere." Cygnus' dark eyes surveyed the teen as he stood over him. "Is it true you have feelings for Andromeda?"
Rodolphus swallowed; he may be a Slytherin, but he knew that sometimes the truth was best. "No. I like her, sir, but I do not love her." The older man's frown deepened. Taking another deep breath, Rodolphus continued, "I would request the opportunity to try, though."
"Marriage isn't something you try, boy."
Rodolphus' heart plunged, surely he had made a mistake. He was going to marry Bellatrix and never know Andy beyond the awkward relationship of in-laws. He was not going to argue, however; he was better than that. Even if he had made a mistake, he was not going to do it again.
Cygnus spoke once more, "How best will you take care of my daughter, Lestrange?"
Rodolphus eyed the man, whose eyes were glinting with a strange light. He mulled over several answers before replying confidently, "I don't think Andromeda needs caring for, sir. She is quite capable of doing that herself. I can provide her with a home and a husband and I will tend to her needs, should she require I do so. I would not entertain the idea that she is helpless." He held his breath, waiting for the elder man's response.
To the boy's surprise, Cygnus smiled slightly, "Honest, humble, and smart. Are you certain this is your son, Falorian?"
"He gets it from his mother," Rodolphus' father said from his chair, his amusement clear in his voice.
Rodolphus must have looked relieved, because Cygnus turned back to him and laughed.
"You haven't convinced me yet, boy."
Rodolphus immediately tensed once more. He should have known better; it was too easy.
"I hear you have been tutoring Dromeda in potions, is that correct?"
"Yes, sir." Rodolphus answered, unsure where the man was going with the question.
"Her marks have improved quite a bit since you began."
Rodolphus was again uncertain as to what the response Cygnus was looking for was; hesitantly, he began, growing more confident as the smile on the Black patriarch's face grew. "She's quite good at potions now, sir. I think all she needed was some one-on-one time to help her understand some of the more difficult concepts."
"And to keep her from doing anything rash?"
"Yes, sir," Rodolphus nearly bit his tongue, he had not meant for that last part to slip out, but the only response was a laugh from the two older men.
Cygnus held out his hand, which Rodolphus shook, trying to hide his nervousness. "If you can continue to treat her well, and are able to keep a head on her shoulders, I think you and Andromeda will do well."
The teenager tried not to sport the great grin that he felt coming onto his face.
"Cygnus and I have some final business to discuss, Rodolphus; you may leave now." Falorian said, a small smirk at his eldest son on his face.
"Thank you sir," the dark haired teenager bowed politely and proceeded to exit the study, closing the door behind him. Nothing could dampen his spirits now; Cygnus Black had agreed. He was going to marry Andromeda! He sat down amidst the three Black girls and his brother, watching as they resumed their game, trying not to stare at the girl who would, in time, become his bride.
A/N: Ending a bit on a happier note this time. I apologize; updates are going to be more sporadic until April or so. School is now in full swing and I have run out of pre-written chapters. I will not forget about this, however. The best(and angstiest) is yet to come!
