induction ceremonies and dumplings
Today's dinner was dumplings. Corn dumplings - Rabastan and Rodolphus's favourite.
The silence and tension was so thick that you could run it through with a knife.
Was it just him, or did Rabastan's dumplings taste not as good as before?
"I've decided," Rodolphus's voice cut through the silence.
Rabastan jumped up so suddenly that his fork clattered to the ground. A house-elf instantly appeared, took the fork, and disappeared.
Rabastan snapped his head around so quickly that his neck bones probably broke. "What?" he asked.
"I've decided," Rodolphus said again.
Realising what his brother was talking about, Rabastan's eyes widened. He said, in a lowered voice, "What did you choose?"
"I'm going to join."
The words were spoken proudly and loudly. Rabastan gestured at his brother to keep his voice down.
"Do you want Mother to hear you?" he snapped. "Be quieter!"
Looking annoyed, Rodolphus obediently lowered his voice and murmured, "They won't hear!"
"They will and if you want to risk it, go and do it."
"Don't you have the mask?"
"No. Not yet. I have to be inducted first."
"Oh-kay. Then why do you have black robes like these?"
"I transfigured them."
"That's stupid."
"Shut up, Rab."
"You shut up."
"No, you."
"Aren't you supposed to be leaving now?"
"Really? Well, it's still - HOLY -"
"Shut your mouth, before Mother hears you."
Crack!
The induction ceremony was short. Short and easy. All Rodolphus had to do was pledge his allegiance to the Dark Lord.
Rabastan said, "Wasn't it supposed to be harder?"
"Dunno," Rodolphus shrugged. He grinned maniacally and showed his brother his new mask. "Isn't it cool?"
"Looks kinda ugly. But you look ugly all the time anyway, so it won't matter."
"It looks - HEY! RABASTAN MAXIMUS LESTRANGE, YOU COME BACK HERE! DON'T YOU DARE INSULT MY NEW MASK! IT'S COOL! JUST BECAUSE YOUR FASHION SENSE IS HORRIBLE DOESN'T MEAN THAT -"
Written for Auction, Day 8, Auction 2 - Rabastan&Rodolphus
Also written for Shiny Collecting - 6. Fork
WC: 313