Valernienna01, XD I'm glad you're ejoying it. This chapter will introduce a crazy dinamic to Bellatrix and Rodolphus relationship I'm hoping you'll like too. It's... well, you'll see :x
AlsethGosia, aww it's much like your reviews then, thank you :3
Honestly, the approach to their relationship will be... something lol I hope this chapter will give a good glimpse of what will go down.
And about last chapter... I won't correct you. Good catch. ;) I'll (try to) explain it in a future chapter.
OstentatiousSulfurWaste, Right? Hermione's timeline is not as peaceful as it seemed, huh...
Chapter XIV - Masterminds
Thursday came with a much-needed respite for Bellatrix. Not only she didn't have to face that annoying D.A.D.A. Professor, her last two classes of the day were divinations and care of magical creatures. It was easy to cover up the fact that she wasn't paying attention to those lessons, by charming her Ancient Runes book to look like parchments for anyone who didn't touch it. She pretended to be taking notes, when in reality she was trying to create a rune for protego.
She couldn't care less about the meaning of animals in nightmares, and it's not like she didn't know everything there was to know about fairies already. For Bellatrix, it was more useful if she had a way to turn those 40 useless minutes of D.A.D.A. class into productive time to read ahead.
With the rune she was working on, she wouldn't have to simultaneously charm her quill to take notes while casting protego – which got annoying after some time repeating the process – and that would also make it possible for her to get ahead in other matters, if Professor Grey's class ever got too boring again.
She was proud to say that by the time Care of magical creatures was over, she had managed to reach the result she wanted. Did she skip lunch, overlook homework for transfigurations, charms, and now she was hungry and had to spend the rest of the afternoon/night doing all the assignments she received so she wouldn't be overwhelmed the next day? Yes.
However, she could also brag about the rune of her own creation that activated with a word command. It's like a permanently raised protego until she used the incantation to disable. The downside was that she wouldn't be able to cast any spell in the professor's direction if she wanted, but it's not like she'd need. The point was to stay safe. And she managed just that. A rune for protego... I won't ever lose to that blood traitor.
The problem was that even if she felt satisfied by the thought that she wasn't behind that woman in knowledge anymore, there was still the matter of exposing her that Bellatrix had to address. Especially now that her sister gave up their studying time to have extra classes with the subversive Professor.
- She promised to teach me the Patronus. I'm getting ahead on that, and some more advanced magic.
- I don't care what you think about Professor Grey, Bella. I'm not giving up this opportunity. Who knows if she'll stay after this year... Please, understand.
- It's just our studying time, it's not like I'll abandon you.
At least she didn't seem pissed or hurt and was considerate enough to remember that Bella didn't really like to spend time with anyone aside from her sisters. Bellatrix ended up not having to apologize after all... Although it would be nice to have Andie recognize that she overexaggerated with her reaction...
But it was water under the bridge, she couldn't linger on the hurt she felt over Andie's outburst, especially if she needed to focus on the most important part of her newly formed plan.
Taking a deep breath, she paused on the edge of the quidditch field, getting ready to swallow her pride, and break her own promise to never step foot in that place again. I spend the whole year winning house points academically, for the quidditch players to win the glory chasing after balls. That's just lovely...
Her principle that House pride shouldn't be reduced to sports was something she had to set aside for the moment, because she was a woman on a mission, and that place turned out to be the natural habitat of her conspicuously missing husband-to-be.
The field had just been used for the Ravenclaw's try-outs, and Rodolphus was on the stands, talking to one of the aspiring players. With that disgusting 'charming' smile, and 'seductive' body language.
The girl's shoulders shook with giggles, and she seemed to be falling for his usual rubbish. Shouldn't the entire castle know about Rodolphus' womanizing ways by now? As she approached she catched a bit of their conversation.
"I'm serious. You were impressive up there! The move you pulled to fake a shot, then send the quaffle to the oposite direction... Insane! I would have totally fallen for that."
The girl giggled again Seriously, is she incapable of doing anything else?
"Hey, you. What's your name?" The girl opened her mouth to speak, but before the first syllable could be heard, Bellatrix cut her off with a rather rude "Nevermind, I don't care. Sod off, I have a few words for Rodolphus here."
When the girl looked like she was about to protest, Bellatrix merely shifted her weight to her right leg, crossed her arms, and raised her right eyebrow. Are you sure you want to start this?
Bellatrix had to admit that the girl was charming enough to atract a few stares, it really was no wonder Rodolphus was coming onto her. Her long golden hair caught the sun rays and it gave the impression that she really was glowing, and those blue eyes - almost the color of a deep dark ocean - were tempestuous with all that rage shining through.
She rolled her eyes, holding back her groan when Rodolphus opened his mouth to speak "Sorry, darling. Can we talk later?" His sweet voice was almost unrecognizable. Disgusting.
The girl looked insulted, but she limited herself to a huff and a murderous glare in Bellatrix' direction as she made her way out. Not one to let insolence go unpunished, she made the girl's legs lock and gave her a magical push that send the girl sprawling to the floor.
The high-pitched scream of frustration made Bella smirk in satisfaction; That's what you get for affronting your betters. When the girl freed herself from the spell and turned around to confront Bellatrix about it, the talented witch levelled her with the best threatening glare she could muster, the promises of violence held in that stare made the girl - with tears of frustration in her eyes - avoid looking directly at them as she left. She looked humiliated and defeated. That sight brought some satisfaction to Bellatrix, who revelled in her superiority.
"You know, that's just rude."
Bellatrix rolled her eyes and tried her best not to be too confrontational right now. Rodolphus was an idiotic, air-headed, crude, lazy, and many other unflattering adjectives that Bellatrix wouldn't waste time listing if she had to... but turns out that she needed a particular 'skill' of his to be used in her favour.
She loathes to admit it, but he is popular with the girls. And right now, she needed someone to woo Ms. Mud into lowering her guard. To unmask someone, you must get close... Right? He was so into that traitor it would be easy to convince him...
So, swallowing the bile that rose to her throat with the thoughts that invaded her mind, and hiding disgust with a very well-placed mask of casual distaste, she said "Come off it, I know you couldn't care less about that girl."
"Well... Yeah... But I've been eyeing her for a while now, and you've probably squandered my chances. What is it, are you jealous, Black?" He smirked and waggled his eyebrows.
Don't curse him. Don't curse him... "You wish. I have a proposition for you, though."
He seemed surprised that she was even giving him the time of the day. As he should be."Really? I mean- Alright, what is it?" She forced herself to keep a neutral expression, despite the anger starting to simmer in the pit of her stomach.
She took a deep breath and explained to him what she figured out about their new professor. How she at first thought she was a simple mudblood, but that was of course ruled out due to her clear magical prowess. The blood traitor revealed her cards too soon, and Bellatrix knows that she is a Pureblood pretending to be a mudblood just to spread Dumbledore's agenda of equality between muggleborns, Half-bloods, and Purebloods.
Bellatrix explained the elaborate plan the woman was putting in motion, how she will eventually convince everyone, her sister included, that if a mudblood don't need dark magic to be strong, then dark magic isn't necessary, thus it should be banned.
How it was all designed by Dumbledore, and she was his spy, with a mission to infiltrate the youth and set them against their ideals and tradition.
She told him the part of her plan that involved him - doing very well hiding her disgust - being even generous about recognizing his abilities... She controlled herself enough to pass as... friendly.
He seemed amused, her hand itched to send a close range 'depulso' to send him flying meters away, but to his small merit, he limited himself to smiling smugly. "No."
Bella is sure she must have heard wrong, so she asked "What?"
"No, Bellatrix. I will not join you in a mad quest to 'unmask the spy'. I don't think she is pretending to be anything other than what she says she is."
Of course, you don't. You're a stupid airhead that only think with your groins. "And what do we even know about her? How can we even believe that she is a mudblood based on her name? That could forged!"
"Who would go through the trouble of changing their name to join an overcomplicated plan to subvert youth? I mean, that just sounds like too much trouble."
As it is in a war effort! You're just too blind!
"Did you miss the part where you're required to seduce her? What is it? Don't think you're capable of it?" Why isn't he jumping at the chance?!
"Of course, I can" He said with a confident smile, not at all fazed by her challenge "I mean, it would be amazing to get on with an experienced, gorgeous woman who could do all sorts of delicious things-"
"Could you get to the point?" She shrieked, feeling extremely revulsed by the mental picture of Rodolphus getting on with their professor. Doesn't he have any sense of decorum?
He merely smirked "My point is: Right now, she only sees me as a little boy." Because you act like one. Bellatrix rolled her eyes "She doesn't take me seriously," Does anyone take you seriously? "and I don't play the long game."
She scoffed "Sounds like a coward's excuse." Maybe I did put too much faith in his ability.
"It would probably take me the whole year to get her to see me as a man, and I don't have that kind of time, Bellatrix. As you well know..." She grimaced at the reminder of their marriage. "I'd like to take advantage of the freedom I have while I can."
Does he not want to marry either? She frowned. "It's not like I'd care what you did with your time as long as you kept discreet..." Honestly, the more he cheats, the less I'll have to spend time with him in bed. It's the only occasion she felt lucky she was about to marry a disgusting pig.
"Aww, you're so sweet, Bellatrix." He said sarcastically, and it was the first time she saw him actually look bitter. Any other occasion she'd hex him for taking that tone with her, but now it was crucial to get him to agree with her plan, so she let it pass. "But it's not only about our marriage. As soon as I graduate father expects me to-" He shook his head, cutting himself on what must have been an important information she was very curious to know now. "I'll literally have no time to fool around. My responsibilities to my family... They will take over my life."
Sounds familiar. This gave her a new perspective on her future husband. He was a pig, yes. But he was a pig that made sense now. She never imagined that he had any sense of responsibility. "I see..." She was dying to know what exactly is so hard about his family traditions that would keep him from having time to even go after his usual 'conquests'. "Well..." As much as she wanted to know all about his 'responsibilities', there's a pressing issue she must address as soon as possible. "You don't have to seduce her completely, then... Just enough to get her to let down her guard."
"Why don't you do that then?"
I have standards, differently from you! I'd never get on with a blood traitor! "Andie knows how much I despise her. She is almost completely under that mudblood's influence, there's no way that woman will let down her guard around me if Andie warns her... Besides, Ms. Traitor clearly found you interesting enough." It's revolting how she always melts with your 'charming' attitude.
He hummed, and crossed his arms across his chest, thinking of other ways to 'help her'. Well, if she couldn't find a better solution, there was no way his empty head would come up with anything useful. She sighed and turned around "Thanks for nothing, Rodney." She allowed all her spite to leave in that sentence.
"Wait!"
She was in no mood to keep up the 'friendly' non-aggressive truce she extended to get his cooperation. "What is it?" Her voice held that dangerous veiled threat it usually kept people away, but he was either much too stupid - her bet - or he got a very good idea to look that confident. Doubtful.
"Polyjuice potion!" He exclaimed and smiled brightly at her.
If he was anyone else, she'd agree that this is a good plan, but- "That would still require you to stop whoring around, it does nothing if I go play a part, and you keep up with your idiotic, public pursuits."
"Not if we both drink it."
...Does he mean... A horrified expression took over her face "I will not let you have sex using my body, Rodolphus!" she shrieked and violently pulled her wand out in a way that left no doubt about what would happen if he even kept that line of thought.
"It doesn't have to get to that! Everyone knows that the best part is the chase... And a few hot make outs would do." He waggled his eyebrows again, seemingly much too excited by the prospect, and she had to physically hold herself back from strangling that idiot. She closed her eyes, and tilted her head to the right, trying to control her anger so it wouldn't take over. She could kill him right then.
In the end, she couldn't control all her anger, but it was useful to have that fire coursing through her veins so she could properly intimidate that idiot. When she opened her eyes again it was to send him a glare so fierce, he was taken aback. "You better get the image of my body out of your head before I obliviate it out of you myself. Understand?"
He snorted. He freaking... She cast a spell whipping fast, but before the curse left its tip... Rodolphus rose his wand to protect himself with a wordless protego. "Come on, Bellatrix. Relax, will you?" She was relentless, but so was his defence. Damn that professor for teaching idiots like him! "Think about it! If you use my image, you could infiltrate those 'private lessons' Ms. Grey is giving Andromeda that you're so worried about. You don't even have to seduce her, because really, I doubt you'd have the game..." Bellatrix paused in her attacks, completely stunned by his affirmation. I don't have game? I don't have to try! People fall over themselves to get with me! I'm the one unapproachable! "but it should be enough for you to discover what you want, and 'unmask' her."
She took advantage of his distraction and sent that satisfying depulso, making him flying high over the stands. Like hell I'll agree to this.
"Do you think she'd take me in as well?" Ted asked, walking beside her as she made her way to Professor Grey's office. They looked inocent enough for any passerby.
She loved that he wasn't upset at all by the fact that she just gave up the time she had promissed to clear for them to spend together. "I don't know, you could try. When I asked, I didn't expect her to dispose so much time to teach me... I guess that I looked like I really wanted to learn? You could definitely ask her."
She was happy that he was so understanding... But this wasn't going to be leisure time. Those lessons were supposed to be a real extra effort on her part to get stronger. For some reason, that Professor believed in her potential to achieve great things, and it excited Andie to finally have someone who didn't measure her up against anyone, and simply pointed out what nobody in her home believed: Anyone with determination to go past their limits can achieve anything they want.
And in Andie's eyes, that woman achieved quite a lot. Wandless, and wordless incantations were no joking matter. And there was the fact that she learned the patronus on her fifth year of studies... Jean Grey was someone Andromeda looked up to.
Bellatrix would understand, soon, when Andromeda reach the marks she did without their precious father instruction, that blood had no importance to magic. She had to take her sister away from their father's influence, before it was too late... Before they couldn't see eye to eye anymore.
She had to make Bella see, Cygnus was a manipulative greedy man who cared about nothing but expanding his own influences...
"You do know that this isn't supposed to be a distraction, right." She reminded Ted, hoping to have him on the same page.
He nodded eagerly "I know, I know. I mean, I promisse it's not to spend time with you. I mean, it is but not like that. I just thought... That maybe... We could grow strong... Together?"
Grow strong together... She smiled at him. By the end it sounded more like a question than anything, but Andie could visualize what he meant.
She could see them fighting, side by side, against all odds. Against those who would judge her for loving him. If he proved to be as powerful as she was, Professor Grey wouldn't be considered an exception.
Or whatever nonsense Bella came up with. It was getting weirder every day... A pureblood pretending to be a mudblood? Really? So everyone who proved to be as exceptional was actually an orphan pureblood who got lost in the muggle world? She snorted with the idea that no doubt would be more believable to her sister, than the thought that 'mudbloods' are equal...
"Try asking her. I'd love to have a practice target." She winked playfully, making him laugh and bend to lay a chaste kiss on her lips.
Her heart threatened to escape her chest for two reasons: It thrilled her to be this carefree with someone she was falling for... And because from the corner of her eye she saw Francine taking a blacked out Rodolphus to the infirmary.
Francine definitely saw them... Oh shit... Cold sweat broke out, when she imagined the hell she would go through if Rodolphus was the one who had seen it. I have to talk to her... He can't know, he would definitely tease Bella about it!
"Andie?" Ted looked at her with worry in his eyes "Are you ok?"
She smiled forcefully and kissed him quickly. Much too quickly, just to disperse his worries... "Yes. Of course, let's go, I don't want to be late on my first day of Advanced Magic lessons."
His bright smile did little to soothe the fear that gripped her heart. Bella can't know yet...
"Ugh... what..." He remembered breaking his arm on the fall he took... Looking around, he noticed that he wasn't behind the stands on the quidditch field, but in the infirmary, laying on the bed. It was a great relief to see that his arm was not only fixed, his best friend was waiting for him to regain his mental faculties.
"You hit your head pretty hard. Got me worried there for a moment..." He smiled at her, and closed his eyes to bask in the feeling of relaxation, no doubt the effects of some potion.
When he opened his eyes again to look into his friend's worried eyes, he was suprised to see her humorous, knowing smile "What did you do this time?"
Rodolphus would feel offended that Francine automatically assumed that he was to blame for anything... But, really, most of the time he ended up here was because he provoked Bellatrix, and it was a game he loved to play to see if he could get another reaction aside from disdain. Francine knew him only too well. "She already hates me, I'm just giving her valid reasons to. It's more fun this way, don't you think?" He winked making Francine sigh and shake her head, still smiling though.
"Seriously, Rod. You're going to marry that girl. You really should change your tactics."
He tapped his forehead twice, to let her know that he was about to let down his mental shields.
"I'm going to. Let me show you." She nodded and looked into his eyes, no wands or words needed for that one. She could glimpse into other people's minds at will if she so wished. It helped him a lot when it came to fortifying his own mental shields... His father wasn't happy that he tapped into his 'hidden talent of occlusion', but it was a good way to keep his secrets safe. Better have him constantly suspicious, then constantly angry.
As soon as his defences fell, it took her but a moment to go through the memory he wanted her to see. Much too quickly she left his mind shaking her head to assimilate everything.
"I hate to say it, but she is on to something." She said, after a few minutes pondering on his memory.
Rodolphus frowned "What do you mean? You agree with her?"
"No, not on everything she said, but there's something off about Professor Grey. When Andie mentioned the way she seemed friendly with Dumbledore... I've been watching her, Rod. Did you see the way she was talking to Professor McGonnagal today? You don't look at a newly acquaintance like that, with such deep respect... Unless you already know them, somehow... And there's the matter of the images I saw in her head..."
"Are you still hung up on that? I thought we had agreed that she was just put-off by our family names. You said that she didn't see a disgusting future version of you." Then it downed on him the staredown Professor Grey gave them the day before "Did you see anything else yesterday?"
She shook her head "Strangely... No. It's like her shields got stronger overnight. Maybe she suspects I got a glimpse of her thoughts, now she is doing the conscient effort of keeping them safe. Now it begs the question, why would she do that..."
"If she doesn't have anything to hide..."
"Right... So, I hate to admit, but Bellatrix is right about one thing at least: This Professor is hiding something. My bet is that she must have been at least an old student. But why would she change her name for this? Why not come as herself? I've seen no Jean Grey on Hogwart's yearbooks..."
"Huh... And here I was, trying to get Bella to agree to my plan so I could charm my future wife..."
"Let it go, Rod. I know you're curious now, but we shouldn't meddle in affairs that has nothing to do with us." Something in Francine's face told Rodolphus that she was simply fearing that he and Bellatrix would get into too much trouble with that 'mission'. "If Professor Grey really is on a mission for Dumbledore, we don't want to get involved in it."
Rodolphus laughed "But this is my shot, Fran! What if Bellatrix finds another way to 'unmask' her, without me? I'd rather convince her to follow my plan, at least I'll have an opening to gain her trust!"
He could dream, couldn't he? If he made himself useful, maybe Bellatrix would come to consider him a friend in the very least. They would be tied down by tradition – it was surprising to know that Bella would want to compromise on the romantic aspect of their relationship – but they could have a friendship... Couldn't they? It would certainly make things more bearable. He didn't want to lead a miserable life like his parents. Constantly fighting, clash of ego and will...
Francine spared him a sad smile, knowing well how he wished he could just marry Emily Rosier and be done with it. That girl clearly had a crush on him, and he knew he could treat her with respect, come to love her eventually... If only his father's ambitions weren't more important than his own happiness.
- You did it, son! You impressed Cygnus! Our alliance will bring great fortune for both our houses. Good work.
If he didn't make the effort then Rabastan would have to...
Rabs would certainly be miserable if that was the case.
"Well... you know you can count on me for anything." She grabbed his hand, and squeezed it in a show of support.
"I know" He smiled kindly at her. "Now, how about that Ravenclaw's tryouts? Did you see any real threat to our current tactics?"
"That new chaser had some awesome moves... We should watch out for her."
"I know! I hope one of our aspiring chasers give a show like that tomorrow..."
They could spend the rest of the day talking about quidditch, it was a useful way to wait for Madam Pomfrey to come dispatch him.
"Have you thought about it?"
What is he doing here? Bellatrix levelled him with a glare. "Thought about what, exactly?" she whispered back when she noticed the smuggled jar of pumpkin juice.
Rodolphus sat beside her in that sacred, secluded spot in the library close to the restricted section. "You know... The plan?" He handed the jar to her, as if he could sense that she was thirsty. "I brought this for you; Thought you could do with something to drink."
She eyed him suspiciously... But took the jar nonetheless. A quick non-verbal check up to see if it was poisoned, confirmed that it was clear for consuption.
If he had interrupted her during a much more complicated line of thought that required focus to follow, there would be hell to pay. He was lucky she was doing only Divinations homework; thus, she had half a mind to spare to his useless rabble... And she could do with the liquid. She basicaly swallowed all her dinner dry because of her rush to go back to finish the homework she had overlooked earlier.
It didn't make her feel any better, the fact that Rodolphus seemed to have noticed that. If anything, it bothered her that he was now keeping his eyes on her. I knew I shouldn't be nice. He better not have a thing for me now...
She gulped down from the jar nonchalantly. Doing her best to hide her discomfort."Thanks, Rodney." She said dismissively, expecting him to leave her alone.
He nodded, clearly not taking the cue. "So?"
Just because she didn't feel angry with the thought of him and didn't feel like hexing him out of spite... It still didn't make him a person she wanted to be around. Which is why she would not even pretend to consider. "No. And I won't even amuse your idiotic idea. Leave me be, I have to finish my homework, unlike you who have your half-blood doormat doing your assignments."
"Don't call Francine that! She is..." Defensive, are we? she smiled sideways, and he realized that she was just baiting him. With a deep sigh, he calmed down but still finished what he was about to say. "She is much more powerful than half the purebloods in our house. She's not my doormat."
See, even you are falling for that equality bullshit... Just because a few incompetent purebloods like you don't live up to their potential it doesn't make Francine superior. She's just... Really nice. She rolled her eyes and spared him no answer, going back to her homework as if he hadn't said a thing. She was not about to have a debate, she wanted him to leave.
"We can do an unbreakable vow. I promise not to do anything untoward with your appearance, so you will have your mind free of worries, and you can pursue-"
"Why do you want this so much?" Once more, she turned to look at him with suspicion. It seemed like he gave much thought to his plan after their talk earlier. Why is he insisting in this idea?
"There's this girl who rejected me because she said she's only into girls. She's drop dead gorgeous, and... Please, Black, I promise I'll be much too distracted about that girl to pay attention to your body, really."
He shot her what he thought it was his best puppy eyes. "Stop that, you look pathetic."
He sighed and dropped his pleading expression, returning to a more natural, and tolerable look.
"Please... Let's do this! It's not like you don't need my help. If you had a better idea, you wouldn't have come after me!"
That may be true, but she wasn't about to let Rodolphus use her body to go 'conquering' girls that otherwise was out of his reach. "I don't want my body being used for your stupid pursuits."
"It's not like it will affect your life directly! And I already said that I'll do an unbreakable vow promising not to do anything disrespectful. I won't even look at your body. Hell, no one will get to look at your body... What is the big problem?"
Because that's future ammunition to be used against me, you idiot! You're the fool who don't care about how people view you! "None of your business. Now piss off. I got homework to finish."
He sighed got up to leave "Alright. Just don't start complaining when Andie is completely wrapped around Professor Grey's skilled fingers."
And that hit home. The smirk on his face showed that he knew exactly what he was doing. You little... She couldn't help the smile on her own face. Fucking Slytherin. That's cleverer than I ever gave him credit for...
He was using her fears to get her to agree with his idiotic plan... I'm impressed, Lestrange. I shouldn't have told you anything...
She sighed and paused in her writings, rolling her quill between her fingers as she pondered his words. It was true that much was at stake there, and she didn't have time to spare. The longer she waited to act, the more her professor would sink those traitorous nails into her sister. What was more important? Her image or her sister's life?
It wasn't difficult to answer that.
If Professor Grey managed to subvert her little sister into denying tradition... Andie risked being disgraced and burned off the tapestry.
"You're buying the ingredients, I'll prepare it. We are definitely doing the unbreakable vow."
He nodded eagerly, like yuletides had arrived early. Fucking idiot. "Perfect! I'll write to father about it, we might have what we need by saturday!"
As soon as he was out of sight, Bellatrix was hit with a terrible gut feeling. She just knew that she was going to get into trouble... But it wasn't like she had a better plan. And, really, how hard it is to seduce an idiotic blood traitor who already melts with Rodolphus 'charms'?
I'll be fine... I'll be just fine.
Maybe if she repeated that enough times she'd start believing it.