Rodolphus sighs as they head up to the Black estate. Rabastan was kicking at the flowers that they past and he had already left a trail of roses with broken spines. Rabs hadn't taken the news of Andi very well and Rodolphus worried about him. He had thought that Rabs and Andi were getting along. Well, at least, mostly. So they had differences in personalities. But, didn't everyone? He had been sure they would be able to get over them. And Rabs had liked her. Really liked her. That's what made this so frustrating. He was worried that Rabs blamed him. At least, in part. Rodolphus has been there and he hadn't stopped her. Hadn't even tried to. Rabastan had been the farthest thing from his mind that day.

Their parents usher them into the living room and excuse themselves to go talk in the other room. There was an odd formality to the Blacks. But of course there was. Andi's leaving was a slight to the Lestranges. A slight they couldn't very well atone for.

Rodolphus slumps into a chair to wait, looking over at Rabastan. He wasn't even sure what to say to his little brother or how to fix this situation. He was relieved when Bella and her kid sister finally came in.

He smiles and stands from the couch going over to greet Bellatrix. "Hey, love," he says softly. "Hiya, Cissa."

Narcissa doesn't say anything but sort of buries her head behind Bellatrix.

"Hey, Bella," Rodolphus says, rubbing the back of his neck. "Can we talk for a bit?"

Bellatrix looks down at Narcissa as if asking permission first. The little girl nods, hesitantly letting go of Bellatrix's hand and going to sit besides Rabastan. Bellatrix nods to the door and Rodolphus follows her out.

"How have you been?" Rodolphus asks gently when they're alone. "Are you alright? How's Cissa?"

"Not good," Bellatrix says as if stating the obvious. She shakes her head. "She lost her sister, Rods. And Mother and Father barely have had any time for her, so it's just been her and I. And she's terrified I'm going to disappear just like…"

Rodolphus nods. "You'd never," he says softly. "She'll realize that. But, Bella, how are you?"

She raises an eyebrow as if she's already answered the question. Finally, she sighs and shakes her head. "I'm mad at everything," she admits. "I'm bloody furious all the time. I'm just… angry. So goddamn angry."

Rodolphus reaches out and touches her arm gently, but she looks as though she wants to pull away, so he drops it. "What can I do to help?" He asks.

Bellatrix shakes her head. "Just give me some time," she says. "I'm all muddled inside. Just give me some time to figure it out. To take care of Cissy."

Rodolphus nods. "Of course," he says. "Of course, Bella. And I'll help out any way I can. You don't need to worry about that."

She sighs but nods and Rodolphus worries he's said something wrong. "Yeah," she says pathetically.

"Do you… want to go back in?" He asks awkwardly.

Bellatrix nods and he goes to hold the door for her. The two filter in and Bellatrix goes to sit besides Narcissa, leaving Rodolphus the seat by the window.

The whole group falls into an uncomfortable silence that is only broken when Bellatrix's mother comes in. "Bellatrix, Narcissa. Will you show the boys to their bedrooms, please?"

Bellatrix begrudgingly stands and nods to Rodolphus, gesturing to the door. Rodolphus follows her up through the house and to the room they've made up for him.

"Well," he says. "Now you know where I am in case you need anything."

Bellatrix nods. "Alright," she says indifferently, leaving him alone.

Rodolphus shakes his head and sinks down onto the bed. And things had been going so well before.