A/N: this is for the RPS prompt 'to both extremes' for the rodolphus/hermione/rabastan set. its 748 words.
Hermione sighed in frustration.
She could not work the Lestrange brothers out. One moment they were practically all over her and the next they were distant and cold.
They had been steadily building their relationship over the past five months and Hermione had thought that they might take the next step and sleep together soon. It was something she had wanted, and also something she thought the brothers had wanted too.
"I've had enough of this," she said, getting up, putting her shoes on, and apparating to the gates of Cherry Tree Manor.
When she was halfway down the driveway, the front door opened to reveal Rodolphus.
"Hello, Hermione. I didn't know you were coming over today," he said frowning.
That's not a good sign, she thought.
You could always tell when something was wrong with Rodolphus as he would frown or scowl a lot.
"We didn't plan anything. I'm here because all three of us need to talk," Hermione replied.
"Rabastan is in the library," he said, turning around and walking back in.
They never spoke the whole way there and it made Hermione feel extremely uncomfortable.
As they walked into the library, Rodolphus announced their presence.
"What a pleasant surprise! What brings you here today?" Rabastan asked.
"I needed to talk to you both about something," she said, wringing her hands.
"Why don't you sit down," Rabastan said, gesturing to the chair opposite him.
Hermione noticed that Rodolphus had stayed standing behind the empty chair near the door.
"You too brother. I can tell that this is going to be a long, hard conversation."
"I wouldn't quite say that," Hermione commented.
Rabastan raised his eyebrow in response as if to say he didn't believe her.
"What is it you wanted to talk about then?" Rodolphus asked gruffly.
She winced internally at his tone and knew this conversation was not going to end well.
"I would like to know where our relationship is going. One moment everything seems to be going great and then the next it's like I don't exist. I can't keep going from one extreme to the next. I need to know where I stand with you," Hermione told them.
"I've been enjoying your company very much, and I'm sorry if I've come over as distant at times. I've found our connection...intense sometimes and needed space to think about what it meant," Rabastan admitted.
"I wish you would've told me that as I thought I had done something wrong. I wouldn't have judged you for it. Sometimes I find it hard to believe how much I want the both of you myself," Hermione said.
"We were always taught that emotions were weaknesses and not to show them, not even to each other. I know that they were not as strict with Rab as they were with me since I was the heir, but it has made it hard for the both of us, even now after all these years," Rodolphus informed her.
"It doesn't excuse how we have made you feel though. I will try to be more open about how I feel, but I can't promise anything," Rabastan said.
"Thank you, and I'm sorry I didn't realise that earlier. It's just...I really thought that I'd done something to push you both away."
"There's no way you could have known, Hermione. I will try to be more open like Rab, but it will definitely take more time. I might show it to you more by giving you gifts and surprising you than talking," Rodolphus said.
"Whatever you feel comfortable with," she said.
The three of them spent the rest of the afternoon talking more about their childhoods and the expectations that were pressed upon them by the adults in their life.
Hermione learnt that the brothers were taught to act like the aloof upper class that had no concern for those below them. It certainly explained a lot of things and she was happier knowing that it stemmed from their messed upbringing rather than her.
In turn, they learnt that Hermione had always been the outsider at school, even at Hogwarts. Although she was friends with Harry, she was still the smart one that no one looked twice at; except Victor Krum.
All in all the day was a success and the nervousness and anger had soon turned to sympathy and laughter. It was good that they were finally opening up to her, and Hermione hoped it would carry on that way.