There was a flash of green fire and then Bellatrix was spinning through darkness. She kept her arms around herself and caught herself gracefully as she arrived in the grate.
She stepped out of it into a spacious lounge. From the enormous windows, light bathed the room. Every bit of it decadent and magnificent. Ivory chaise-lounges and low glass tables occupied the central space. There were six or seven large paintings hanging around the room. Pedestals with exotic blue, lilac and white flowers as well as marble busts stood in front the pastel blue walls that were framed with white borders. Beneath her feet was thick carpet the same blue as the walls. It was as enchanting as a palace.
"Welcome," an aristocratic voice beckoned to her from the middle of the room.
Bellatrix diverted her attention from the decor and looked towards the three men stood in front of one of the chaise-lounges. She recognised two of them well enough.
Rodolphus, the tallest of the three (and in Bellatrix's view, by far the most handsome too), was standing to the left with a careful, charismatic smile. Broad shouldered with dark hair tucked immaculately behind his ears and blue eyes so dark they were almost black, he carried a sense of aristocratic grace about him. He was dressed in black, the tightly fitted shirt clinging to his chest and arms underneath a waistcoat.
Next to him was his brother Rabastan who was a good half a foot shorter than his brother and considerably less put together. His hair, cropped to his neck and wavier, was a lighter brown and complimented his midnight blue eyes. He was skinnier than Rodolphus and there was nothing careful about the grin he gave Bellatrix. He had opted for a considerably more relaxed option for attire. He wore a loose white shirt with the sleeves rolled up to his elbows, a silver waistcoat and grey trousers.
On Rabastan's other side stood their father Alexei, the man who had spoken. He was almost as tall as Rodolphus with the same dark hair as his eldest son only his was thinly streaking with grey and cut to his ears, curling slightly. Dark hazel eyes gazed over at Bellatrix, accompanied by an indulging smile. He was dressed much like Rodolphus in darker colours except for a white shirt that stood out against his waistcoat. A golden ring glinted from his finger with a crest carved into it.
Bellatrix bowed her head, lowering her hooded eyes for a few lingering seconds before she let her gaze flicker back up to Alexei. "Thank you, sir," she greeted softly. She lifted the skirts of her bottle green dress and took a step further into the room. She cast her gaze around the place and as it landed back on the men, she thought she saw Alexei smile in satisfaction. "You have a beautiful home." Indeed it was breath-taking but then she was hardly surprised to observe such a thing. The Lestrange family were known for their taste and habitual purchasing of palaces and castles, many of which had once been home to muggle royalty. This room alone had a regal feel to it.
"Thank you," Alexei answered before snapping his fingers. Two house elves appeared at Bellatrix's side, offering their hands to take her bag. She dropped it on them and they scurried off. "Your rooms have been made ready for you. I thought you might appreciate a room with a view of the gardens, Bellatrix. They really are quite extraordinary."
Bellatrix offered him a teasing smirk. "Thank you although I must say I wouldn't expect anything less from a man with your vision, sir."
Alexei's face was awash with delight and he clapped his hands together once. "Please, let us dispense with the formalities. Alexei will do very nice, Bellatrix." He walked around the low glass table and walked forwards, offering his hands. Bella placed her own within them and he lifted both hands to his lips in turn. "After all we are going to be family soon are we not?" he asked as he lowered her hands a little.
Bellatrix laughed a little. "Well then you must call me Bella instead."
"Bella it is," Alexei chuckled, "and aptly named too, I should think. You know, I don't think you Blacks are at all capable of producing any one of even mediocre beauty. It is most unfair on your competitors."
Bellatrix's smirk deepened. "Since when did we show compassion for our competitors? Anyway I hardly think the Lestrange family has cause for concern, Alexei."
Her future father-in-law laughed in delight. "So charming too. Perfect qualities in such an arrangement and an appreciation for the beauty of this place too!"
"Your reputation precedes you there," Bellatrix answered. "In fact, I half expected the family to have taken over Versailles by now."
Alexei returned the smirk. "Versailles is a beauty to be sure," he told her. "But too large a place for my sons and I alone. However it may be more suitable for the family you and Rodolphus will start together. With the expansion of our families, a palace like that would make a most fitting home. I am glad to see you share my taste, Bella."
"Yes, because we are all so cramped here, Father," Rabastan chortled.
He was spared a response from Alexei. Behind Bella, there was a whooshing noise followed by heavy footsteps.
"Ah Cygnus, excellent." Alexei called over.
Bellatrix turned towards her father who was brushing soot off his black dress robes and onto the grate. He looked to her briefly with just a flicker of question in his eyes. Have you made a good impression? They seemed to ask before he turned to Alexei with a large grin and an offered hand. He strode towards the other man who moved to greet him enthusiastically. They grasped their wrists and clapped their shoulders.
"Very good to have you over again, Cygnus. It's been far too long." Alexei said as he relinquished his grip.
"Indeed it has. These are busy times," Cygnus agreed with a chuckle. "But we must return the favour soon enough," he added. "Perhaps in the New Year. There'll be a great deal to do for this wedding."
"I'd be delighted to accept and the new year would be most opportune. Things always seems to calm down at the office after the mayhem of Christmas," Alexei agreed. "Some wedding planning would be a welcome reprieve from such things."
"Why you chose to work as the British ambassador for the French ministry, I'll never know. There is quite enough excitement back home. I'm sure there's a cautionary tale in there somewhere," Cygnus remarked.
Seconds later, the fire blazed again. Bellatrix turned as her mother appeared in the fireplace. She stepped out of the fireplace. Of course she would wear all of her finest and most expensive jewellery for the occasion as well as the sapphire blue gown that suited her best. It hugged her figure and was one of the few colours that looked effortless on her. She crossed over towards Alexei who stepped towards her, bowed his head and took her hand to kiss it.
"Druella, you seem to get younger every time I see you."
Bellatrix fought the eye roll she so desperately wanted to give. It was an outright lie. Her mother was showing her age with the lines on her forehead and her pinched-looking face. Alexei was being more than generous with his compliments.
"Alexei you are still the same flatterer then."
"Is it flattery if it's the truth?"
Bellatrix turned away from what was quickly becoming a sickening sight. She looked towards Rodolphus and Rebastian. Rodolphus' face was a picture of respectability with that cautious smile of his remaining but Rabastan rolled his eyes and silently laughed when he caught Bella's eye. She gave him a sharp look before schooling her own features into a gracious smile. Although she thought she saw Rodolphus' mouth twitch as though he had guessed at her thoughts.
As Druella moved to take her place next to her husband, Alexei moved back to his sons and snapped his fingers again. Three house elves appeared this time and together took the bags Cygnus and Druella had brought, carrying them out of the room. Alexei clapped his hands together with a broad smile as he returned his focus to his guests. "Well, at least there will be no need for introductions among the young ones," he remarked as he gestured to his sons. "I believe you have all encountered each other at Hogwarts? Bella, I know Rabastan was your classmate," Alexei continued. "But it's good to know you have been acquainted with Rodolphus too." He looked towards his son.
Without meeting his father's gaze, Rodolphus took several strides towards Bellatrix and bowed his head slightly. "Yes, we spent some time together," Rodolphus remarked, his voice dark and honeyed as he reached for Bellatrix's hand. He kissed it and his lips were like velvet against her skin, lingering a little. Tingles spread along her fingers and up through her hand and wrist. "Especially in the duelling club," he continued, his breath tickling her hand. "You proved to be quite an extraordinary opponent."
Bellatrix dipped a little in response. "I do hope you are not going to humble yourself for the sake of modesty. I found your skills to be just as impressive."
Rodolphus smiled as he pressed another kiss to her hand. "Modesty has very little purpose. I won't stoop to deny my own skills."
"Good," Bellatrix whispered with a half-lidded gaze. "Such ability should no be denied," she said this a little louder.
Rodolphus' lips had curved into a smirk now. The expression looked especially handsome on him as his eyes held Bella's own in an intense gaze. Bellatrix felt her insides shift pleasurably. "I'm glad we are in agreement then."
"All right Rodolphus," Rabastan stepped up, his voice loud and laughing, "share the lady!" He declared before taking Bellatrix's hand and dropping to one knee to bestow a flamboyant kiss on the knuckle. Rodolpus closed his eyes briefly and then scowled at his brother's antics.
Bellatrix, however, chuckled and pulled her hand back after a moment. "Rabastan, what are we going to do with you? I see you still require some etiquette lessons," she teased.
"That he does," Alexei's tone was affectionate and mild but he was shooting his younger son a disapproving look. "Perhaps he might improve on such thing in yours and Rodolphus' company?" He swatted at his son's shoulder to urge him back to his feet. "There is a great deal for your parents and I to discuss so perhaps my sons could give you a tour of the place, Bella. You could start with the gardens while the weather is so glorious," he suggested with a glance towards the window where cornflower blue, cloudless skies seemed to beckon them. "We can catch you up at dinner in a few hours."
"It would be my pleasure," Rodolphus said, offering his arm to Bellatrix who took it.
"Perfect," she told Alexei. "I look forward to seeing if they live up to your boasts," she added with a smirk.
He laughed jovially. "Oh I'm sure they will be to your tastes, Bellatrix. You appear to have the very finest. I look forward to seeing you at dinner. If you should require anything, my sons and the house elves are at your disposal." Alexei then stepped aside with a short bow of the head.
Bellatrix nodded her own head in return. "Thank you."
The brothers led Bellatrix down a set ivory stone steps leading onto a spacious circular drive, paved with equally light, polished stone. In the centre of the driveway, a grand fountain stood depicting four figures, all of them stood back to back with their wands raised . Each wizard was painted in different colours of bronze, silver, ivory and gold. Around the base of the fountain were thick bushes blooming with tropical flowers, their scents carrying across to Bellatrix as the small group advanced. Beyond the fountain a long, rectangular stretch of water occupied the front of the grounds all the way to tall white gates. Trim lawns and pale stone pathways surrounded the water. A dozen swans drifted across the surface of the water. Bellatrix marveled at the space of this place and the lightness of it compared to her own home.
Bellatrix returned her attention to the fountain, gazing up at the painted faces above her. "Which ancestors are these?" Bellatrix asked Rodolphus. "The family founders?"
Rodolphus was staring up at them too with a faint smile on his face. "Yes, of sorts, the first four generations anyway," he explained. He pointed to the gold one. "Gideon Lestrange, our first ancestor. He was the illegitimate son of the French Minister for Magic, Pierre Mathilde and Lucille Devereaux, the wife of the Head of the Department for Magical Law Enforcement, Philippe."
"Oh here we go, history lesson," chortled Rabastan, laughing harder when Bellatrix shushed him.
"Who incidentally was the Minister's good friend," Rodolphus continued with a side glare at his brother.
Bellatrix tucked her arm further into Rodolphus' as her lips played into a grin. "How dramatic a beginning for your family," she teased quietly.
Rodolphus' own lips shifted into a smirk and his hand reached up to cover one of hers. "It was, as you say, quite the drama. He was born into scandal and it followed him throughout his school days. At least in his early years at Hogwarts anyway-"
"Hogwarts and not Beauxbatons?" Bellatrix lifted one eyebrow.
If Rodolphus was irked by her interruption, he didn't show it. "Lucille's husband had powerful friends as governors of Beauxbatons," he explained, "and so it was made clear that her bastard child would not be gaining acceptance there. It was better to send him away from it all so they sent Gideon to Hogwarts under the pretense that it was his preference. His mother was not so happy but by this point Philippe really couldn't give a fig about his wife's view."
"So he shouldn't," Bellatrix agreed. "She chose to shame him."
"Exactly," Rodolphus said. "But-"
"But really the cuckold just wanted the brat out the country," Rabastan snorted a little. "Harsh but fair. But alas poor Gideon, his reputation follows him to Hogwarts," he declared, placing a hand emphatically over his heart. "And oh how the children laughed at him-"
"Until they realised his power," Rodolphus cut in, irritation thick in his voice. "He proved to be an excellent flier and an even more accomplished dueller. People became less inclined to dwell on his… beginnings once they realised how talented he was."
Bellatrix pressed her lips together to suppress a small huff of laughter. Once it had passed, she turned her gaze up at Rodolphus. "And then I suppose he suddenly found himself with more friends that he knew what to do with?"
"Yes, rather," Rodolphus nodded his head at her. "But Gideon never forgot."
"Nor should he have done," Bellatrix cut in with agreement. "Nor would I."
"He graduated Hogwarts and returned to France full time," Rabastan picked up the story with somewhat more seriousness in his tone than before. He began to walk around the fountain, trailing his fingers along the rim of it, occasionally dipping low enough to brush the water with the tips. "But his reputation was even worse there and his stepfather's reluctance to acknowledge him was rather something of a hindrance. His mother was too busy kissing up to her cuckolded husband to be of much help and his biological father had distanced himself from the mess years ago." He returned to where Rodolphus and Bellatrix had remained stationary, staring up at the statue.
"How did he come by the name Lestrange then?" Bellatrix directed her question to Rodolphus who smiled down at her.
"The story goes it was by passing chance. Someone referred to his background and his undeniable power as strange. This was back in the days when nothing much was expected to come from a bastard so for Gideon to be so talented was remarkable. Anyway, Gideon took the name and altered it in a French fashion and so," Rodolphus extended his free arm out.
Rabastan did the same with both of his arms, grinning over at Bellatrix. "Aren't you glad you asked?"
"Actually," Bellatrix told him, "you picked the wrong girl to tease, Rabastan. I rather enjoy family histories if they are interesting enough."
Rabastan pulled a face. "Oh lord," he murmured, "and I had such high hopes for you, Bellatrix." He enthused and, with a smile, Bellatrix watched him gesture to her as his voice filled with animation. "Wonderful, witty, vivacious Bellatrix and after all that dazzle you enjoy my brother's boring history recital."
Rodolphus leaned forward a little, his lips curling into a sneer directed at Rabastan. "If it was so boring then why did you join in?"
"Because I was bored!" Rabastan shrugged though his expression was very much the opposite of boredom. "So I may as well assist the story."
"Yes, however would I have managed all those words by myself," mused Rodolphus.
His brother scoffed cattily. "Mock all you like but I think we are both aware that I am very much the energy and soul of this place." His eyes shifted to Bellatrix. "I am deeply sorry, Bella, that you should be married to someone who will become middle-aged before his time."
"Middle-aged is far better than being dead before you reach your twenties," Rodolphus retorted.
"Oh he's resorting to threats now, how exciting!" Rabastan enthused. Bellatrix shook her head at him.
"You're an idiot," she murmured.
"The lady is not wrong," Rodolphus agreed. "But you needn't worry about me threatening you, Rabastan. I'm sure all the cuckolds you have made in your time will be more than up to the task," he added before looking down at Bellatrix. "I think that is why he was so keen on joining in the telling. Gideon's conception likely rings especially true with my idiot brother's behaviour." He ignored his brother's scoffing sound.
Bellatrix smiled back up at him before redirecting her attention to Rabastan.
"I suppose that is another similarity between our families. Our family has married into French ones a number of times in the early generations of our dynasty. Hence our French motto."
"And here I thought you just chose it to be pretentious," Rabastan remarked with a teasing grin.
"There's nothing pretentious about us, I assure you," Bellatrix quipped in return.
Rodolphus groaned a little. "I apologize for my brother, Bellatrix," he murmured. "He suffers from a maturity deficiency, as you can see."
"Yes, it does seem rather sad," Bellatrix observed, her smile undiminished by Rabastan's taunts. "Perhaps he needs some remedial tutoring."
"I assure you, he's quite the lost cause," Rodolphus chuckled.
Rasbastan slammed his hand over his chest. "Oh you fiend!" he declared to his brother. "You terrible, despicable, vicious fiend!"
"Is there any other kind of fiend?" Bellatrix inquired innocently. Her gaze flicked sideways to where Rodolphus was laughing quietly at her.
"Well," Rabastan raised a finger, "I once knew this girl-"
Bellatrix grimaced and shook her head. "You know what, Rabastan? I don't need the details," she insisted quickly. Rabastan simply shrugged and folded his arms with a laugh, turning away from her and wandering back to the fountain.
Rodolphus, meanwhile, squeezed her hand a little. Bellatrix looked back up into his dark eyes. She liked the intensity within them, pouring into her own and slowly stealing some of her breath away. Everything seemed to slow around her. The air around them felt still, like the world was holding its breath. She was acutely aware of the pleasant sensation of his hand touching hers and that her other hand had moved to cover his without her realising. Her skin tingled under his, drawing closer and closer.
Across from them, a small splash broke the silence followed by more splashes. Bellatrix turned to see Rabastan dropping stones in the fountain.
It jolted her out of her reverie and she was glad for it. It reminded herself of several things. Firstly, she and Rodolphus were not alone. Secondly, it wouldn't do to let herself get too overwhelmed by him no matter how handsome Rodolphus was or how much they interacted well together. It wasn't the first time she'd embraced this lesson.
Rodolphus' hand tightened over hers. "Shall we continue the tour or would you like to watch the fool some more?"
Bellatrix laughed. "As entertaining as he is, I was promised magnificent gardens."
Rodolphus lifted her hand to his lips and kissed it, sending another thrill through her skin. "And I doubt you'll be disappointed," he said against her knuckles.
Rodolphus led Bellatrix (with Rabastan bringing up the rear making the occasional joke much to his brother's chagrin) along a side path that curved around the house. Decorated by full bushes of colourful flowers and shrouded by a canopy of over-hanging trees, the house seemed to shrink away from them, to the side. Bellatrix could hear bird song above everything else. Beneath them, the smooth pale pathway shone under the glimpses of sunlight offered through the trees.
It was perfectly peaceful, thought Bellatrix as she tried to imagine herself going for daily walks in this place, passing the time in the fresh, aromatic air and perhaps cradling a swollen belly carrying her husband's air. How lovely it would be here away from the dirty, noisy city of London. How much her friends would envy her living in this paradise. It was as fine a house as someone of her standing could expect and Rodolphus was certainly a pleasant prospect of suitor for her. Even the way his touch affected her was going above and beyond what she had been taught to expect.
It's so quiet though, came the little rebellious voice in her head. You like the noise. You like everyone knowing you back home. You love being busy. What are you going to do here other than make babies and hold the occasional ball? There will be little on the gossip front here, I expect. It's so far from home as well. It's not really you.
But Bellatrix ignored these thoughts. This wasn't a situation that could be decided or refused on a whim. It was her duty to marry well and this arrangement on offer was more than acceptable. No daughter could stay at home without turning into a wretched spinster and so what if this place was quiet? It was gorgeous, exactly the sort of beautiful home that she and Rodolphus should bring up their equally beautiful children up in. And you'll find something to occupy yourself with, she insisted to herself.
The path continued towards the rear of the manor where an expansive terrace and another stone stairway looked out over the Lestrange gardens. The path met up with the bottom of the steps in a pale cross. The path ahead seemed to travel along the perimeter of the garden area and so Bellatrix turned away from that path, losing interest in it and instead staring out over the expansive gardens stretching before her.
"Your father was not exaggerating, I see," she murmured to Rodolphus.
The ivory pathway leading into the gardens itself carved its way through perfectly-trimmed lawn, bordered on all sides with colourful flowers. A dozen scents wafted their way over to Bellatrix at once, filling her senses with honeysuckle, wisteria, and peonies among others. Bellatrix closed her eyes for a second and breathed in the beauty. She pictured her younger sister Narcissa viewing this garden. She would adore it. She was much more invested in flowers and gardens and beautiful houses than Bellatrix was. Still, Bella couldn't ignore the lovely aesthetic before her or the tranquil sensation it induced, even in her.
She swept her gaze over the lawns. In the centre of the lawn on the right stood a sizeable stone gazebo with an intimate white table and chairs set up. Pale pink roses wrapped around each of the pillars. A house elf stood nearby, clicking its fingers and pruning some of the leaves around the roses. On the leftmost patch of lawn, a stone bench sat next to a stone bird bath, in front of a small circular fire pit.
A thousand yards or so into the garden the lawn gave way into trees. The pathway curved between the trees and out of sight of the trio, losing shine under the shade.
Rodolphus moved forward and Bellatrix fell into step between him and Rabastan. They followed the winding path through the trees and as Bellatrix glanced back briefly, the mansion disappeared from view. All around, between the trees, wild flowers bloomed. The woodland stretched far on either path but now and again, their path joined with another and they had to choose a direction. Bellatrix imagined what it would be like to wander through here of a night with nothing but moonlight peering through the slight gaps in the canvas. She looked down at the floor and imagined setting up lights along the pathway. Thoughts of how intimate this woodland was also began to prod at the back of her mind, conjuring images of her and Rodolphus strolling along this path of a night. She endeavoured to push those thoughts away but then they would pass a clearing to one side, perfect for a secluded rendez-vous…
"Father refuses to settle for standard in any aspect of his grounds," Rodolphus remarked. Bellatrix was glad for the interruption of her thoughts.
Rabastan scoffed quietly. "That and he does love to show off," he snickered. "I mean who wouldn't boast of owning their own forest garden?"
"I wonder which of us inherited that trait," Rodolphus muttered.
"Oh do cheer up, brother." Rabastan laughed heartily. "Or are you just upset because I'm interrupting your gallant estate tour for your dear beloved? Once more I must apologize for my brother's lack of a sense of humour, Bella but don't worry, I'll be more than happy to entertain you when my brother isn't up to the job-"
"Out of the two of you, Rabastan, I think you're the one who's not up to the job," Bella's tone was curt as her patience with Rabastan vanished.
"I could hardly have said it better myself," Rodolphus agreed, still eyeing his brother with some contempt.
Some of the laughter vanished from the younger Lestrange's face and his brows furrowed tightly, expression turning sour. "Nothing about me is "not up for the job", I am quite capable of many things, whatever you might try and imply."
"Except not being an idiot apparently," Rodolphus countered. "And not whoring yourself."
Bellatrix half-smirked. "That'll be the day. He was the talk of Slytherin. Getting under nearly every girl's skirt." It had been a reputation that had been endlessly entertaining and fed the gossipers for quite some time. Although, she doubted Alexei felt the same way about his son's wayward behaviour. Rabastan may not be the Lestrange heir but there was still a level of class to be expected from that kind of family. It would have been the same for her if she had indulged herself as often as Rabastan had. Worse even, because Merlin forbid a woman get up to such activities.
The sour expression on Rabastan's face quickly turned to smugness. "Come now, I had some standards. Not every girl in Slytherin ended up in my bed."
"If I recall, there were still enough pureblood girls to fan that reputation of yours," Rodolphus remarked as the three of them followed a curve in the forest path. He looked sideways at his brother, his dark eyes black under the shadows of the trees. His expression was neutral, his lips slightly pursed between his comments. "And fan them you did. Do not pretend that, come graduation, you did not have an intimate knowledge of most contenders for our suitors."
Rabastan chuckled. "I will not deny that but do not imply that I am a fool. Did any of my liasons yield a bastard? They did not."
"He says that so proudly," Bellatrix said with a quiet huff of laughter.
"As well I should," Rabastan retorted.
"And with that attitude, you wonder why we suggest you are not up to the job of behaving appropriately?" Rodolphus asked, suddenly stopping. Bellatrix stopped a step behind him while Rabastan stepped ahead and turned to face his brother, his expression darkening now. "Since Bellatrix has arrived today," Rodolphus continued, his voice edged with disdain, "you have treated this day as a joke, a way to show off. But then I am hardly surprised. I expect we would all be sitting in the discussion between our two families if our father didn't feel the need to have you watched at all times." He straightened up as he looked at Rabastan, the several inches in height difference clearly visible.
Rabastan's body went still and his jaw tensed at once. "Does it hurt, brother? Having that rod up your arse all the time? No wonder you can't find anything funny," he sniped. "You might think people are interested in talking to a wretched bore all the time but in the real world, people want to have a good time. They want to laugh and smile. You don't have to look like the world's falling apart to behave appropriately. But you still haven't quite grasped that have you?"
Rodolphus sneered. "And on occasion, people like to talk to grown ups, not an irresponsible man-whore."
Bellatrix looked between the two brothers with a sigh. While she was, by no ways, blind to the tendencies of siblings to squabble - she had sisters, after all - this particular argument was quickly derailing the tranquility and civility of the tour. She closed her eyes for a moment and removed her hand from Rodolphus' arm, folding her own quietly.
"You're just narked because I know your fiancee better than you, because you were too much of a stick-in-the-mud to join in on some of our antics back at the school."
"Well, you see, Rabastan, I was born with a little thing called dignity and rather more of it than you it would seem."
"If having more dignity makes you look as miserable as sin then by all means, keep your superiority in that regard," Rabastan growled, his teeth slightly showing now. "And you hardly need to lecture me about my behaviour when I've maintained our family dignity in front of the public, just like you. It's not like my private life gets splashed all over the Prophet is it?"
"Mercifully not." Rodolphus remarked. "But with you there's always the possibility."
Rabastan extended his arms, opening his palms at once. "So then you denounce me in public. It's not a complicated solution. You're the heir, Rodolphus and not I. Our expectations are very different," he sneered. "But you can rest assured that when the time comes to do "the job" as you so charmingly call it, there'll be no question of my capability, believe me. If I wanted to tarnish our family's reputation, I'd have done it long ago. I've had many ways and means."
Silence fell between the two brothers, both of them staring into the other's eyes with brutal solemnity. Bellatrix lowered her head and muttered a curse under her breath.
"If you must know," she announced with hardness in her voice, "you're both rather acting like idiots now." Her words had the desired effect. Rodolphus turned his deep frown on her and Rabastan's expression was more quizzical as his eyes snapped to hers. Bellatrix continued mercilessly. "I would have hoped that with breeding such as yours, you would have had the sense to save this argument for behind closed doors and clipped the conversation before it became so petty. If my sisters and I had behaved like that towards a potential suitor, Father would have given us hell for it and then some."
For the first eight years or so of Bellatrix's life, back when he thought he'd still have a son, Cygnus Black had concentrated her education on the subjects she would learn at Hogwarts as well as pushing her to play the piano, become multi-lingual and be well versed in genealogy. She should know who the important families were, who were the best potential matches and who was best to be seen with, he had told her. It was only some years after Narcissa's birth when he had seemingly resigned himself to not having a son and decided to expand his oldest daughter's education. She had been starting Hogwarts the year he took her aside and so he encouraged her to focus her attentions on making connections as well as showing off her skills. "You've got to excel, Bella, and show the other families why you're the best prize on the market. Even the best families can become complacent over time which is why the Blacks never must."
As she'd grown older, her father had counseled her regularly about appearances and how one had to be constantly vigilant about who might see you misbehave. By that time she didn't need reminding that all eyes would be on her as the eldest Black of this generation and yet her father never ceased in his efforts to remind her. Even her mother had joined in, calling on her daughter's excellent breeding to present her most charismatic self. But for all her parents' efforts, Bella had found that the most important lesson of all, she had learned on her own. Hold yourself above them. People always want something they fear they can't reach. It came down to human nature. People wanting what they could not have. Make yourself the most enchanting thing in the room and then hold yourself away from them. Don't commit unless there is profit in it for you and even then do not make promises. It was, perhaps, the most enjoyable lesson of them all. It all came down to etiquette and mind games.
On the matter of etiquette… Bellatrix returned her focus to the two men who were still looking at her, their expressions frozen. She tightened her folded arms against herself and lifted one eyebrow sharply.
Rodolphus was the first to speak, bowing his head briefly to her. "My apologies, Bellatrix. You're absolutely right. This was most… immature… of us," he answered. His gaze moved over to Rabastan whose shoulders were loosening up as well.
"Yes, things escalated rather quickly there didn't they?" his tone was light but there was still an edge to his gaze as he answered Rodolphus' look. "We forgot ourselves."
"Yes you did," Bellatrix agreed. "And I rather think this conversation has run its course. I think it's been more than established that you're two very different people. So there's no use quarreling about it. As long as you serve the same cause, who you are hardly matters does it?"
"Agreed," Rodolphus said, stepping backwards so he was closer to Bellatrix again. "Anyway, it won't be an issue for too long. Father will soon be on the case and you'll be expected to be matched soon enough, Meaning you'll have to be on your best behaviour towards whoever he finds for you,"
Rabastan's expression loosened into a bemused smile. "Unless by some devilish luck, he picks a real vixen for me."
Rodolphus grimaced and groaned. "Please no. One of you is quite enough," he murmured. "We do not need some female version of you."
"But wouldn't that be exciting?" Rabastan grinned.
"It would be… something," said Bellatrix as she slid her hand through Rodolphus' arm again. "Now if you two boys wouldn't mind acting like gentlemen, I believe we have a tour to continue." She declared, looking straight ahead although out of the corner of her eye, she thought she saw her fiance glance at his brother.
"As you wish, Ma'am," Rabastan chortled as the three of them continued on through the gardens.