- Day 46 of 366 Days of Writing Challenge: Little

- The Emotions Challenge: Annoyed

- Hogwarts Funfair/Ferris Wheel: (dialogue) "You can kiss me if you like." / "Thanks, _," . . . "But frankly I'd prefer to kiss the horse."

- Hogwarts Funfair/Hook-a-Duck: (plot point) Unrequited Love:

Pairings/Characters: Andromeda, Rabastan

Word Count: 668


Bad Disease

Then he fell in love and he didn't know how, but he couldn't get out.

"Andromeda, you simply must meet Rodolphus's brother," Bellatrix insisted, as she did her best to lure her younger sister to the drawing room. "He's downstairs now, and he's just itching to meet you."

"I know who Rabastan Lestrange is!" Andromeda snapped irritably, not looking up from the book she was reading. She was laying on her stomach on her bed, her back to Bellatrix. "He's big-bad-Rodolphus's little brother, and he was in Narcissa's year at Hogwarts. I know enough of him to know that I'm not interested."

She could almost feel Bellatrix's attitude growing colder. "Well, tough," she hissed. "Because Daddy has already told me to tell you that if you don't go downstairs and meet him, he's going to lock that owl of yours up so you can stop communicating with whoever it is you're always writing to!" Bellatrix's eyes flashed suddenly and maliciously. "Daddy might not know who it is, but I certainly saw how touchy-feely you were with that Mudblood when we—"

"—Alright!" Andromeda yelled, throwing her book in Bellatrix's direction. It crashed against the doorframe just beside Bellatrix's head. "I'm coming, okay?"

Bellatrix smirked, before turning to head back down to the drawing room.

oOo

It had been Mr. Lestrange who suggested that Andromeda and Rabastan apparate to the stables at the Lestrange manor, after Andromeda commented that she quite enjoyed horse-riding. She didn't really like horses that much, but getting out of the way of her sister and father's determined stares was worth having to endure Rabastan.

They had all annoyed her. It was like she had become susceptible to some annoying disease. Bellatrix with her pushy nature, her father with his silent threats, and now Rodolphus and Rabastan. Mr. Lestrange wanted both his sons married off to the good Black daughters, but she couldn't think of anything worse.

The pair walked through the stables quietly, and Andromeda noted how Rabastan's voice kept catching in his throat. It was as though he was about to say something, but decided last minute to keep his mouth shut. Eventually, she stopped in her tracks and spun around to face him, uncaring that her annoyance was evident across her face. "What is it, Rabastan?" she snapped.

Rabastan's cheeks flushed red, and he started fumbling around in his pocket. Finally, he retrieved a small velvet box, and Andromeda resisted the urge to roll her eyes as he knelt down on one knee, popping open the box to reveal an ornate gold ring, inset with tiny, glittering emeralds. "Will you marry me?"

Andromeda pressed her finger and thumb to the bridge of her nose, trying to contain her annoyance. After taking a few breaths, she returned to Rabastan's pitiful position, and folded her arms. "I don't really know you, Rabastan. Why are you asking to marry me?"

Rabastan stood up, slowly and awkwardly, and closed the velvet box. "Well, it's what our parents want."

"Is it what you want?"

Rabastan flushed again. "I think you're beautiful. I'd be happy to call you my wife."

Andromeda looked away, trying to hide her scowl. "Well, I think it would be more appropriate if we got to know each other first." She started walking back to the point where they had apparated, and Rabastan hurried after her.

A few times, he tried to grab her hand, but she eventually stuffed them in the pockets of her jacket. When they reached the apparition point, she turned to face him, ready to head back.

He paused again, looking shifty.

"What?!" she asked again, getting more and more fed up with Rabastan Lestrange by the second.

"Well..." he took another breath, and Andromeda prayed that he wasn't going to ask her to marry him again. "You can kiss me, if you like?"

Andromeda choked back a laugh. "Thanks, Rabastan," she positioned her feet, ready to spin around and apparate. "But frankly, I'd prefer to kiss the horse."