The Sinistriad
Atta-Nycol

CHAPTER 9


A/N: We've just started a community and we wish to fill it with HP stories that cater to the lesser characters-as ours does. If you have read any good ones or wish to be part of the Community staff, shoot us a review. :) Thanks for reading and please review!


Aurora skipped all the way into the castle with Rudy, her doll tucked under one arm, and her other hand embedded safely within his. Despite the cold and the wet, Aurora couldn't stop smiling; could she have asked for a more perfect ending to an otherwise miserable day? He was hers! Rodolphus Lestrange, Slytherin prince, Quidditch legend, and the most sought after piece of mansteak in the whole of Hogwarts was HERS. Aurora turned it over and over in her head. And he wasn't just hers to snog; they were going steady! She could kiss him to her heart's content, look at him adoringly, dance in his protective arms, listen to his poetry, gaze at the stars curled up against his chest, and for once in her life be utterly happy with someone who was just as happy with her. She had never experienced such ecstasy before. How could this have happened? She was not worthy of him, not of his standard, not of any importance in a world that didn't have room for her kind…but it didn't matter. Rudy had come to her, and she was at his mercy.

When they arrived just outside the Great Hall, Aurora pulled Rudy to a halt and quickly placed her doll back within her bag. Being with Rudy was going to be a means for talk the way it was; the doll she would never live down. As she did so, though, his free hand cupped her chin and brought her lips back to his, still trying to fill his addiction. Aurora knew people were walking by. She could sense the stares as the students came and went from dinner and happened upon them snogging in the hallway. But what did she care? It was RUDY and bloody hell could he kiss…

"Get a room."

It was a sneer Aurora was not expecting and Bellatrix strode past them, her nose planted in the air and her face twisted into one of loathing.

Aurora looked curiously at Rudy who was sneering back, and she felt his arm tighten around her.

"She bitter, you think?"

Rudy nodded grimly. "Just a little. Come on."

He paused to grin at her; despite Bella's rude interference he was still beaming and quite ready to show off just how happy he was with his girlfriend.

Until he saw the Great Hall. The sinking feeling in the pit of his stomach was met with a voracious defiance. He lifted his chin, fire in his eyes, and tightened his hand around Aurora's.

They walked in. Many students had been aroused by those ahead of Rudy and Aurora, and their heads all turned to watch them enter. Aurora gripped Rudy's hand a bit tighter and her stomach churned. She wanted to believe she was safe with him, but the stares unnerved her and some part of her still expected the joke to be revealed. But staring was all that happened, along with a few subtle sneers and whispers. Rudy strode forward, keeping her close to his side, and his eyes threatened any whom dared look at them wrong.

"Where do we sit? Ravenclaw or Slytherin?" Aurora asked him quietly. It was rare for students not to sit at their own tables, and some subtle part of her question begged him not to leave her. Sitting together would be awkward; sitting alone would be murder. Looking between the Slytherin and Ravenclaw tables, she couldn't decide where she wanted to go. Part of her knew Rudy would want to be with his friends, but she also knew that being Rudy's girlfriend didn't give her automatic friend rights. Would they ever accept her? They were less likely to get picked on at the Ravenclaw table, despite the connections Rudy had with the Slytherins, but she knew they would shun him, too.

Rudy smiled softly at her, at the speed of the wheels turning in her head. She didn't want to sit with the Slytherins, that much was clear; her voice could barely get the word out. Why she was worried about bringing him to the Ravenclaws he didn't know, but he would brave the geeks for her. "Ravenclaw. You lead."

A flicker of emotion crossed her face, and then she stepped as confidently forward as she could manage, striding purposefully past her jealous roommates and brought Rudy towards the end of the table where more first years were seated. They were less likely to whisper, interrogate, or bash the new couple. She plopped down on the first open bench and Rudy squeezed in next to her and gave a humble nod to those around him. Once she got over the initial looks of confusion and wonder, Aurora dished up some food for herself and smiled as she felt Rudy's foot sidle up alongside hers, so their legs were touching and they were as close as they could be.

The gesture, and his smile, made her feel like melting. The food looked good but Rudy looked better. His long dark hair was tussled and hung around his eyes so mysteriously—she loved that about him. The way he could look rugged and unbelievably attractive no matter what the situation. Even the way he ate; one elbow slightly propped next to his plate, while he brought the food up to his mouth with the other and glanced around with that confident look he had. Bloody hell he was gorgeous! The chiseled lines on his face, the furrow of his brow, the scope of his neck and width of his shoulders…

Rudy caught her staring at him and chuckled as he chewed.

"Are you going to eat?" He asked. Poking her side he added, "Something on my face?"

Aurora blinked. "Oh. No. I'm sorry…" She hastily dished up more food and blushed, taking a spoonful of corn and chewing quietly.

Rudy watched her, and smiled to himself. He liked the way she blushed when caught checking him out. He already knew how she felt about him, but it never hurt the ego to find the other person drooling over you. He reached under the table and rested his hand on her knee, squeezing it lightly just so she knew he was thinking about her. Aurora glanced sideways at him and grinned, taking another bite of food and looking around. Suddenly, the gossiping and stares didn't seem so bad. And they shouldn't. She was with Rudy and nothing else really mattered…

And suddenly she was kissing him again. Without warning Aurora had swallowed her bite, dropped her fork, and leaned over to catch his lips before he shoveled a mound of potatoes into his mouth. He simply HAD to know how much she adored him. She couldn't find words to express it and her heart was so swollen with affection for him that she felt like she would explode. Thankfully, he didn't hinder her…but Professor Adisa did. Just a few seconds into their kiss and a firm hand rested on her shoulder.

"Elsewhere, Mr. Lestrange. Miss Sinistra. Not at the dining table."

Aurora blushed deeper and smiled sheepishly up at her.

"Sorry, Professor."

Rudy mumbled similar and they both turned back to their dinner. No sooner had Adisa stepped away from them, that Aurora burst into a giggling fit, utterly horrified that they had been stopped but amazed that she even had to be stopped! She had never even kissed someone before Rudy and here she was getting SCOLDED for doing it in public! The whole situation struck her as hilarious, and she couldn't stop the giggles that consumed her.


Rudy poked her in the ribs, but Aurora giggled all the harder. Warily, Rudy glanced around the table at the stares and glared at them all—but the stares continued.

"…Aurora?"

Tears were leaking out of her eyes.

Rudy shrugged, and turned to look at all of the staring eyes again. He searched for a face he knew, someone he could make conversation with. There was no one.

"Hi," he said. "I'm Rudy." He stuck out a hand across the table to a young, dark-skinned boy. The boy glanced around at the rest of the nearby table. Nobody moved. Aurora continued to giggle.

"What's your name?"

The boy glanced down at Rudy's hand, blinked forcibly, and abruptly reached out and shook it.

"Sh—Sharif," he stuttered, and squeezed his eyes shut again, withdrew his hand and looked away.

Rudy pulled out his handkerchief and thrust it across the table. "If you need a something to dab your eyes…"

Ravenclaw table exploded with laughter, and Rudy immediately stiffened. What in the hell was so funny that they dared to laugh at him?

Sharif blinked hard, three times. "It is a m—m—mark of intelligence, h-h-h-h-halfwit…" He glanced nervously around the table, dared a small smile, then looked away and blinked again. Rudy raised an unimpressed eyebrow, but he felt Aurora nudge him. "I'm sorry. I didn't know." He raised his hands and looked around the table, smiling as best he could. "Joke's on me, everyone…"

The Ravenclaws laughed again, and even Sharif dared a high-pitched nervous giggle through his twitch. Rudy stopped himself from rolling his eyes and dug into his food. "Only in Ravenclaw," he muttered.

Aurora shook her head in amusement. "The magical population in India considers Sharif blessed. Right Sharif?"

Sharif nodded, hunched his shoulders, turned down to his food and started shoveling it into his mouth as though he couldn't wait to flee the table.

As Aurora had apparently regained her composure, Rudy turned and looked at her. She smiled encouragingly at him. Things would be so difficult if they wouldn't accept him. Ravenclaws were fickle and arrogant. Rudy was a good student, certainly, but he was a Slytherin—he chose to value things other than knowledge…

"Please, Aurora. Introduce me to your friends." She took a deep breath and opened her mouth but Rudy continued. "It will be difficult to have dinner if it consists of merely laughter."

Oh Rudy, don't. Aurora spoke quickly, placed a hand over one of his, and silently begged him to hold his tongue. "Well—this is Ravenclaw low table. High table…" She pointed to the other end, where a group of Ravenclaws were avidly discussing something that involved much waving around of parchment. "…is where students who wish to study during mealtimes sit. Except on Mondays, when the Ravenclaw judiciary meets."

"What?" Rudy was taken aback. "You mean the prefects sit around talk about how to punish students?"

Many of the nearby Ravenclaws bristled. "No," Aurora said. "And watch your tone, Rudy. A lot of students take pride in their house very seriously, just like Slytherins."

Rudy glanced around the table again. "I'm sorry," he said. "I spoke poorly. I beg your pardon." There was a pause in which the Ravenclaws glared at him. "I'm still not sure I understand…"

Aurora pointed out three people—two girls and a boy. "Jason, Mita, and Navet are all on fourth-year council for the judiciary, which is where we settle in-house disputes, and that is all I am allowed to say about it."

Rudy gave her a quizzical look. "You're not a Ravenclaw," She shot at him playfully, and he gave her a hungry smile, as though he was about to tickle it out of her. She changed the subject quickly.

"This is Sharif, you've met him—and this is Xeno, Simon, Mary, and Trig." She smiled adoringly up at him. "Everybody, this is Rudy Lestrange—"

DON'T SAY IT— every fiber of Rudy's body drew breath for fear of the words that would spill so happily from her lips-

"—my boyfriend."

Aurora giggled again, and looked expectantly up at him.


Now it was Rudy's turn to shrink in his seat. What have I done? The stares had nearly doubled as the words were left up in the air to be judge, prodded, and debated. Boyfriend. He knew it was inevitable, after all, he WAS…wasn't he? Going steady—that's what he had said to her. They had just snogged endlessly, danced in the rain and held hands…that constituted as boyfriend, sure enough. But did she really need to reiterate it by saying it? By the looks everyone was giving them, it was obvious they had already figured it out anyway, so there was no reason for her to flaunt the word carelessly like that…don't you know how dangerous that word is?

Guilt washed over him. Guilt for not thinking about it, for not realizing what he was really doing when he went to Aurora. For feeling this way, even if it was legitimate. He had been so happy two seconds ago; just to sit next to her, to see her smile. To laugh at the playfulness she was showing him. Why did he suddenly feel so emberassed? Where had this panic come from?

She's a poor half-blood Ravenclaw…What have you done…

Rudy dug into his food with new vigor, suddenly wanting to get out of the dining hall as soon as possible. It wouldn't change that she had said it, but at least then he wouldn't have to endure the discomfort of all these stares before he knew how to deal with them. Anger flared in his chest. He was Rodolphus Lestrange; he shouldn't have to feel uncomfortable! No one had the right to judge him!

He felt Aurora's eyes on him and one look at her and everything he was feeling tripled. His panic, his defiant insistence on remaining in his seat beside her. So what if the world knew? Let anybody try and take her away. Let any other man try and lay his hands on her. It was her eyes—they would be his downfall every time he looked into them. Rudy was helplessly lost to their depths and intensity; he could deny them nothing. He would never deny her anything. Especially not his protection. He would allow no one to make pain or sadness flicker in those eyes again. He had never seen such eyes before and he knew that more than her body and her appreciation of poetry and the stars…it was in those eyes that he found himself enraptured.

"Rudy…?"

Her voice was quiet, but persistent. Rudy blinked a few times and realized he had completely blown off all those she had introduced to hide behind shovels of food. So he nodded at them stiffly, to appease Aurora, and went back to eating. Aurora studied him astutely and he cursed silently. He knew she was reading his blush, his hesitation, and his embarrassment. The last thing he wanted was for it to seem like everything he had said and done just a few minutes ago was a lie. But to his shame, that's exactly what it was coming off as. Realizing it, he fought the feeling and the sudden surge of guilt.

He swallowed and turned to Aurora. She had gone back to eating with a frown of thoughtfulness on her face.

"Aurora," He leaned closer to her ear so he wouldn't have to be heard by everyone. "Can I introduce you to my friends?"

Aurora paused in her eating, but didn't face him. His friends were the ones she was most concerned about. Sure the Ravenclaws snickered and stared, but they would not dare openly insult Rudy like the Slytherins would do to her. The Slytherins had a long history of bullying Aurora, and she doubted dating Rudy would change that. In fact, it may very well subject HIM to such teasing as well and she felt guilty enough the way it was, without purposefully going over to them and starting it all.

Rudy sensed her hesitation and saw her eyes drop. But he had to do this, he HAD to. If he was going to prove to himself that this was what he wanted, he would have to face his friends and be just as bold as Aurora was. He was Rodolphus Lestrange. No one messed with him. He had nothing to hide, and if anyone did have a problem he had no quarrels removing them of it immediately.

Rudy took her hand and kissed her knuckles reassuringly.

"Please, Aurora? It will be fast, and I promise I won't let anything happen to you."

Aurora turned to look at him with big eyes. She was terrified. Already her hand holding the fork was shaking slightly, and her mind was loading with snide comebacks and fast insults. She was like a gun, locked and loaded and bracing to fire. But he had endured the Ravenclaws. He had braved their stares and smart remarks for her. She had no choice now but to return the favor.

Aurora nodded silently, after a long pause, and took a final bite before standing with him. He did not release her hand and she clung to his side as they made their way to the Slytherin table. It was if they were expecting them; their leader was returning to the pack and every one of the primly dressed and greasy Slytherins sat a bit straighter and looked at Rudy emotionless as he approached. Aurora spotted Snape at the other end of the table and suddenly wished she could duck out of this introduction to be with him instead. He was a friend. These…these purebloods…these spoiled, wealthy jerks were not worth her time.

Rudy held her hand firm as he approached them, and he did not smile at them as friends do. He nodded at each one of them, and they greeted him with quiet, "Hey.—Lestrange.—How's it?—What's up?" Standing next to the table, with Aurora a step behind him, he regarded them with his cool composure. The only one who hadn't greeted him was Avery. He was eyeing Aurora with such disdain it spilled onto the table. The others were patiently waiting for Rudy to explain the visit.

"Did the rain oust your plans for flying?" Rudy asked casually to the boy sitting immediately in front of him.

Bletchley nodded. "Yeah, we're going to go out to the pitch tomorrow. You should come."

Rudy nodded. "Still got potions to finish, though."

Nott laughed. "Since when do any of us do potions early, Lestrange? Put it off until the weekend. Ask Parkinson; last time he tried to do his potions essay early, he missed the twins."

Marcus Parkinson shook his head at Nott's accusation, though the others laughed. They were making an effort to pretend they didn't notice Aurora.

"If those twins had given you the time of day, you wouldn't be here with time to mock me for being studious." Parkinson shot back, and the others sniggered.

"No, he'd be up at Hogsmeade, enjoying a hot threesome." Higgins piped up. "Maybe a foursome, if I paid him enough."

Nott hit him over the head.

"Three's a crowd," Parkinson laughed, and then he made the transition Aurora was dreading. "Lestrange knows. Otherwise he'd have two girls on his arm."

Rudy raised an eyebrow, but shrugged. Now was his chance, he had to say it. "I've traveled that road, and it was too congested. I'm happy with the one I've got."

Aurora felt all eyes on her now. She pretended to be interested in something at the far end of the table, but their eyes were scrutinizing every inch of her. She shouldn't have worn a dress. It was as if she could feel the snakes sliding up her legs and around every curve. She hated the way the Slytherin purebloods felt it was their right to check out every girl, and do it blatantly. She knew she didn't have a bad figure by any means, but it was uncomfortable.

"So…you're sticking with one?" Nott asked, taping his fork against the edge of the plate as he narrowed his eyes and scrutinized Aurora. She felt like they were talking business, or dealing with racehorses like her father—inspecting her for flaws, noting her breed, laying a fair price…

Rudy nodded. Briefly met his brother's eyes, looked back to Greg.

Parkinson looked between the two of them, while Higgins nodded as if giving his graces before asking awkwardly, "What's…her name again?"

Nott rolled his eyes, but Rudy beat him to the answer.

"My bad," Rudy said lightly, though the next words were forced out with great effort. "Guys, this is Aurora…my…girlfriend…"

He struggled to keep the cringe off his face, but he let out a low breath. He had done it. He had said the word. The boys didn't seem surprised by it, even though the other Slytherins nearby were casting their sneers in the couple's direction, and then some of the tension broke.

It could be worse, they all seemed to say, and mentally shrugged her off. Everyone knew Aurora was attractive and smart, and one hell of a Quidditch player…but they kept quiet about his lack of judgment overall. If he wanted to be a fool, let him. Everybody knew better than to defend a blood traitor; but everybody knew better than to deny Rodolphus Lestrange.

Except Avery. Rudy had been watching him, his temper mounting quickly. The doughy shit was just itching to say something. His eyes still bore into Aurora as if willing her to disappear from Rudy's side, and his fist was clenched on the table. He thought Rudy had lost his mind! She was a filthy squibspawn. This was not the way of the purebloods—and be damned if Rudy would bring one of them to their table! Avery and Rudy did not let go of their stares.

"Good match…" Parkinson said at length to Aurora, in an attempt at nonchalant conversation.

"Thank you." She said quietly.

Rudy continued to eye each one of them smartly, daring one to say something negative. And then he rested his gaze back on Avery.

"What's got your knickers in a knot, Avery?" Rudy smirked at him. The others looked between the two, sensing the tension. Utensils were laid down, mouths wiped.

Avery tore his eyes away from Aurora to level with Rudy, his face still distorted with disgust, and his eyes fierce.

"Oh, Rudy. I didn't even see you there," His voice was filled with resentment. "There's a squibspawn in the way."

Rudy wasn't fazed by his attempt to insult him. "Someone get this man laid." Nott, Higgins, Bletchley, and Parkinson all sniggered. "That should cheer him up and put some color in his cheeks."

"Speaking of cheeks," Avery stood abruptly to square with Rudy, the laughter pushing him over the edge. How dare they laugh at him, when Rudy was standing right there with a half-blood! "It's a shame she's a filthy squibspawn not worthy to be spat on. She's a fine piece of ass, but if you wanted a whore we could have found you a clean one—"

Aurora couldn't even be angry, for the words had hardly left Avery's mouth before Rudy's fist had connected with his face. Avery crumbled like a paper plate, clutching his face and falling from the bench to the floor, cursing loudly. Rudy towered over him in a second, but Avery was just as pissed. He kicked out and connected with Rudy's knee, and as Rudy staggered Avery clamored to his feet with an attempt to retrieve his wand. But it had rolled away on the floor so Avery did the next best thing and swung at him, nailing Rudy's eye. But Rudy was bigger, and the pain was not enough to hinder him any.

The entire hall was in a frenzy; the boys at the table cheering on their two friends, and the other students clamoring to see what was happening. It was rare to see a fist fight amongst top Slytherins.

Rudy's large fist found its target and doubled Avery over when it embedded itself in his stomach. Then grabbing him by the collar and pulling out his wand, Rudy held Avery in front of him, wand tip digging into Avery's ribs. Aurora was speechless, a hand over her mouth in shock as she took in the scene. Avery was bleeding and red in the face as the entire crowd riled them up for more.

"Say it again," Rudy sneered. "Say it again, and I will make your ass the only recognizable part of your body."

"Although I am sure you both have a legitimate reason to be angry with each other, I suggest that you stop this fight immediately."

Dumbledore surveyed them carefully, his eyebrows raised.

Rudy wasn't listening. "Finally found cause to shut your runaway mouth, Avery? Maybe you're remembering what your dear cousin just recently did to lose half your family fortune—maybe you know you're not supposed to speak out of turn to your betters—"

"Rudy," Dumbledore said quietly, and Rudy flinched at the use of his nickname. He forcibly threw Avery down between benches, and seething he turned to Dumbledore, pointed a furious finger, and shouted. "HE INSULTED ME! HE AS GOOD AS SPAT ON MY GIRLFRIEND—" Realizing the extent of the injury again, Rudy moved towards Avery, ready to deal more physical pain.

"Stop," Dumbledore said, and Rudy snarled at Avery from where he was standing. Avery scooted backwards.

"She deserves it," Avery spat. "She's filth, and you know it."

"I WILL DROWN YOU IN THESTRAL PISS—"

"GO ON AND TRY—"

"SILENCE!" Dumbledore's shout dimmed every candle in the room and hushed every voice. Quiet thunder rolled across the roof of the Great Hall, rain falling again. A pause stretched across the students and pressed on ringing ears. "I will see you both in Professor Slughorn's Office, where you will proceed now. Currently, I believe fifty points from Slytherin is a just punishment, to start. Do you think another amount would be more suitable?"

Silence still. "Fifty points from Slytherin, then."

"I don't care," snarled Rudy. Several angry shouts from the Slytherin table erupted. "I DON'T CARE!" He bellowed, turning furiously to face them. "Nobody insults me, or my family, or my girlfriend either!"

"I am sure Professor Slughorn will hear both sides of the story. I will see you escorted to his office myself."

Rudy shoved his way past Dumbledore's courteously outstretched arm, forced himself to avoid smashing Avery to a bloodied pulp with his heel, and slammed his way out of the doors of the Great Hall.

"Miss Sinistra… if you would follow, please?"

Aurora nodded numbly, Dumbledore's reassuring smile the only thing that uprooted her frozen feet from the ground and propelled her forward. Avery dealt her a scathing look as he rose. Fury rising in his face again, he spat at Aurora, but missed. Wiping his face on his sleeve, he stalked after Rudy.