Title: Chapter 10
Rating: T
Pairing(s)/Character(s): Rabastan/Andromeda
Warnings: Reference non-canonical death
Disclaimer: Don't own 'em - not making any money off 'em. Dern it.
Word Count: 718
Summary: Rabastan must come clean about a recent deceit.

Notes:

Hogwarts School of Witchcraft & Wizardry: Flying Lessons - Task - Sometimes people think hiding the truth is better for their partner, whilst others hide things for purely selfish reasons. Whatever the reason behind the deceit, someone in your pairing must be deceitful. It could be simple, it could be relationship changing, but deceit must be the main aspect of your relationship. Prompt - (plot) a funeral

Hogwarts School of Witchcraft & Wizardry: [Writing Club!] The Word Prompt Express - Prompt Used - 148. Cloud

Hogwarts School of Witchcraft & Wizardry: May Event - May Events Checklist - Prompts Used: Victory in Europe Day (Write a story that takes place on this day – May 8), Gemini (Use the following three words in your story: volatile, versatile, creative)

On May 8th, a funeral was held. The sky was blue with fluffy white clouds. In most cases, the weather would have been too happy for a funeral, but considering who was being buried, not many people cared about that.

Rabastan mourned but not in the way he should have if his older brother was killed by an unknown assailant. Bellatrix was present, but she didn't seem too broken about her husband's death. That wasn't that much of a surprise, though. The only person the volatile witch truly cared about was the Dark Lord. Everyone else paled in comparison to her.

Andromeda attended the burial with him despite the fact there were no soft feelings between her and Rodolphus. Rabastan knew she was only there to offer moral support to Rabastan, and he would forever be grateful that he had such a loyal woman in his life. He didn't know if he would ever deserve Andromeda, but he was selfish enough to hold onto her with both hands.

Andromeda was quiet after the two of them Apparated to the Lestrange manor. Neither of them wanted to be there, but Rabastan's parents expected him there, and he didn't want to begin a fight with either of them, knowing it wouldn't end well on this emotionally charged day.

Rabastan looked into her eyes and knew her mind was whirling. He sighed, knowing he would eventually end up talking. She was very creative and versatile when it came to getting him talking, and it would only be so long before he broke down and told her the truth he had been hiding from her.

Eventually they ended up in a empty bedroom, and Andromeda lightly pushed him to sit down on the bed. She sat down next to him and laid a light hand on his forearm. "Talk to me," she commanded.

Rabastan wouldn't give into her that easily. "There's nothing to talk about."

She rolled her eyes. "I know things have been strained between you and Rodolphus for a long time, even before you became a spy for Dumbledore. Even so, I would have thought you would have shown a little more emotion about your older brother's death. In fact, I think you might have showed less emotion that Bellatrix, and you know that's saying something."

Rabastan's taunt shoulders didn't relax and his eyes focused on the ground. "He's dead. Nothing can change that. What's the point of mourning?"

The bed shifted as Andromeda stood up. "Is that how you're going to feel if I die?" she sternly asked.

Rabastan's head snapped up and his gaze locked with hers. And he knew she got him. No way would he ever let her believe that he wouldn't care about her dying. She used an underhanded Slytherin trick, something that most people who know Andromeda didn't believe she was capable of despite her Hogwarts house, but it was something in her arsenal she would use if she thought it would help her get her answers.

Rabastan stood up and took a breath, knowing she could very well be disgusted with him when he told her the truth. "I don't think it's proper for the murderer to mourn for his victim."

Andromeda's eyes widened. "Why?"

He didn't ask her to elaborate, knowing what she asked. 'Why did you kill him? What could have possibly made you kill your own brother?' "I found out he was plotting to kill you. I made sure he wouldn't be able to." He paused, letting that sink in. "Don't tell me to show remorse for Rodolphus's death. He was planning to kill the woman I love, and I'll never be sorry that I protected you."

"You could have told Dumbledore –"

"You think that would have helped?" he interrupted. Andromeda didn't answer, and he continued, "I wasn't taking any chances. I took away the danger and that's that."

"Why didn't you tell me?"

"I know how you feel about murder, even if the person deserves it. You were never supposed to know the truth."

"So you lied. This is not the first time you lied to me either. How am I ever supposed to trust you if you continuously lie?"

"I don't know," he murmured.

They looked at each other, neither of them knowing what else to say.