Bad Romance,
Chapter 42, The Normals, They Make Me Afraid
"Cissie...Where should we start," Bellatrix asked. "I haven't had to shop for clothes in ages." For all Bellatrix knew, the stores she most frequented may not even be around anymore...It had been that long...As in at least ten years!
Their little group stood together in Knockturn Alley, having just apparated in. Radamanthus hulked just behind them, looking vaguely ill from side apparating with Rodolphus for the third time that day. Bellatrix couldn't quite explain how a spider could look vaguely ill, when their expressions weren't exactly easy to read,, but he did. Perhaps it was that all eight of his eyes were drooping. Perhaps it was the fact that his mouth was slightly opened, or the fact that his breath appeared to be mildly labored. Idly she considered asking if he needed anything, then decided not to bother. The spider was Rod's pet or whatever, so he could deal.
"I enjoy BlackHeart boutique," Narcissa said and Bellatrix nodded.
"Fine. Just lead the way."
"BlackHeart is a very classy stylish shop with a bit of everything from dresses to shoes to jewelry and purses," Narcissa said, turning to speak to Lyra as they began to walk.
"Perfect," Lyra said, smiling at her aunt. "I enjoy all of those things."
Bellatrix slowed, allowing Cissie and Lyra to walk a bit ahead. Rod kept pace at her side and Radamanthus brought up the rear. Of course people stared at the sight of a huge spider walking calmly along with them, but not as much as she'd expected, honestly. No one even screamed! This made her wonder just how much shit went down in Knockturn Alley. They needed to hang about here more often. The alley where all dark wizards went to find anything from a rare book on curses to a drink that would give you a very illegal yet amazing high, had once been her favorite hang out. It was a little sad to consider how they'd had to give up their wild partying, brawling, hexing ways thanks to Azkaban and then the tight leash of Ministry Black Ops.
Going under cover had given them enough anonymity to party from time to time, but what was once a lifestyle for the Lestranges, instead became a luxury that they could rarely afford. Even while partying over the past few decades, they had to keep a low profile. Disguise charms allowed them not to look like the Lestranges, but they had to be careful not to behave like themselves either. Taking such care tended to dampen a mood when one had to party on pins and needles as it were.
Though freedom was definitely exhilarating, Bellatrix noticed that it could also serve to make one, namely her, a little anxious in open spaces. Walking down the street, even in a place like Knockturn Alley, made Bellatrix feel mildly uneasy. She knew she should've felt eager now that they were free to walk about, but instead she was on edge.
Though she, Rod and Rabastan were technically free for over twenty years, they'd still basically belonged to the Ministry. With under cover Black Ops being their lives, they were only free to an extent. Free to go out to a limited degree, and only if no one discovered who they were.
With the pardon from the new Minister and Bellatrix's own article to the news paper taken into account, she knew she should expect at least a slightly less hostile reception from the general wizarding public. Still dealing with people on a normal level had become so foreign that it made her uncomfortable. Bellatrix and Rodolphus wore long green hooded cloaks in an attempt to, if not hide, to at least keep a low profile. With any luck, everyone would pay more attention to the giant spider than the little humans walking along with him.
"Here it is," Narcissa said, waving at a sign that proclaimed the shop attached to it to be 'the BlackHeart boutique...A shop for the black hearted.'
"Will they give you and Mum a discount because you are both daughters of House Black, do you think," Lyra asked, and Narcissa giggled.
"Wouldn't that be a charming honor," she said.
Bellatrix rolled her eyes. "It isn't as if you need a discount, Cissie. You have plenty of gold, and if you ever run out, Lucius shits it, or so some say."
Lyra choked as she attempted to hold back a laugh. She did try hard to be overly polite, Bellatrix thought with a frown of disapproval.
"Did you get the dress that you're wearing here, Aunt Narcissa," Lyra asked as Rodolphus came forward to politely hold the door to the boutique open for the ladies to enter first.
"I'd better wait out here with Radamanthus in case he is harassed for loitering," Rodolphus said. Bellatrix nodded. There was no way the Acromantula would fit into the dainty little boutique.
"I shall join you shortly," she said and Rod's lips twitched. He knew how little tolerance she had for shopping. Bellatrix kissed his cheek before hurrying inside where Cissie and Lyra were already looking through a rack of dresses.
"I should get this translucent one just to watch Dad go mental," Lyra said, holding up a bit of gauze that was obviously being sold as a dress. "Can you picture his face," she giggled.
"So red...So angry," Narcissa said gleefully. They obviously didn't see Bellatrix behind them, so she made her presence known by reaching around Lyra and snatching the rubbish 'dress' from her hands.
"Hi Mum,"Lyra said, turning innocently to Bellatrix. "Don't you like the dress?"
"No," Bellatrix drawled. "It truly isn't your color."
Lyra nodded. "It isn't short enough either."
Bellatrix glared and Lyra burst out laughing. "Mum...You're far too easy to vex," she said happily. "Come help me find a few warm winter things." She looped an arm through Bellatrix's and drew her deeper into the boutique.
The walls were decorated in various styles of black hearts. There were some paintings, some glittering black crystal sculptures...some still beating. Some were stylized with black wings and some had skulls in the center. Bellatrix had to admit the place was cute. Narcissa paused at a rack of cloaks, and she and Lyra began to sort through them while Bellatrix watched. "How do you think I would look in this orange one," Lyra asked and Narcissa smiled.
"Like fire! Very lovely."
Lyra smiled happily so Bellatrix didn't share her thoughts that rather than fire, Lyra would look like a damned pumpkin. The girl seemed to enjoy looking like a pumpkin, though, having already sported a horrid orange skirt the previous day. Lyra took down the cloak and held it against her chest. "I will take this one."
"Would you like another color," Narcissa asked. "In case you're wearing something that won't look as lovely with orange?"
Lyra nodded. "Should I go with black or green?"
"How about silver," Narcissa suggested, lifting a shimmering silvery velvet cloak and holding it up to Lyra. "I think this one will look lovely on you. Here, come over to the mirror and see for yourself."
Lyra happily followed her aunt, and Bellatrix found herself growing painfully bored as expected. "Have fun and bond you two...I'm going to wait outside with Roddy," Bellatrix called. Lyra turned to give her mother a perplexed glance over one shoulder, but Narcissa laid a hand on the girl's arm and shook her head.
"It's just Bella's way," she murmured reassuringly. "She never stays in any shop for long if it isn't full of books."
Lyra gave Bellatrix an understanding nod. Though the disappointment in her daughter's eyes was brief, Bellatrix had caught it and vowed to make it up to her later by breaking one of her own rules and allowing everyone to have a drink once they got home. Tomorrow was Sunday, so they could even play another getting to know one another drinking game if Lyra liked. That would at least make dealing with Lucy more tolerable...Perhaps. At least one could hope.
Three boutiques later, Lyra had several winter dresses, a pair of elegant winter boots, three cloaks, and even some warm winter pajamas and slippers. Narcissa had covered all the bases as Bellatrix knew she would, and Lyra appeared to like her aunt very much. For her part, Bellatrix had remained outside each shop with Rod. They contributed by watching over Lyra's packages so she didn't have to worry over not losing them while shopping.
Once they were back at Raven's Nest, Bellatrix turned to Lyra and smiled. "I figure I owe you for not shopping so if you'd like to drink tonight, we may. We can even play another drinking game if you wish."
Lyra gave Bellatrix a pleased smile. "Great! I can get to know Aunt Narcissa and Uncle Lucius far better when they have a bit of drink in them!"
"Oh I don't know," Narcissa said with a little chuckle. "I don't drink much."
Lyra gave a gleeful crow of laughter, throwing an arm around her aunt's shoulders. "Ah! A girl who can't hold her liquor! You're going to be so fun!"
Narcissa drew herself up proudly. "I said that I don't drink much. I never ever said that I can not hold my liquor!"
Lyra's smile grew. "This is going to be awesome!"