Upon the professor bidding the students goodbye, Bellatrix and Rodolphus immediately rushed to the Slytherin common room. Luckily, they had both been in Potions class and were only a few meters from their meeting place. As the two reached the room, they whispered the password and stepped inside.

"Homenum Revelio." Bella whispered.

No answer.

"We're alone. What do you want?"

"I just wanted to let you know," he took her hands in his, "that I really do trust you."

Bella pulled away, 'What a jerk, he's just trying to smooth things over' she thought.

"Listen, I'm not trying to just smooth things over…"

Bella flinched.

"I just… you're my friend, right?"

She was taken aback. Rodolphus and she had never really spoken much, so… she had never truly considered him one of her friends.

"Um… alright… yeah… yes, Rodolphus, w-we're friends."

He smiled and sighed, "Exactly, and I, I feel bad about the other night. I know a lot about what the Dark Lord is planning to do and-"

She stepped back. "Rodolphus, you're not the only one who's well informed."

"I-I wasn't saying that at all!" He noticed the raising level of his voice and looked down. He took a deep breath, "I just don't want you to get hurt."

Bellatrix was in shock. She let out a small laugh, looked at him, and shook her head.

"Rodolphus, you are simply adorable." She grabbed his hand, again, "Honestly, though, I'm going to be just fine."

"How do you know that?"

"I don't, maybe… but, why do you care so much?" she asked as another laugh escaped her. Rodolphus looked down and stepped away from her. He took a breath, again, and said, "Why shouldn't I care? We were brought up together, I've known you since I was born… you're one of the people I know the most.." and in a softer voice, "even though you barely acknowledge my existence" and he laughed.

"Stop it, I do not!" and she walked over to him. He gave her a look that clearly said, "Really? You really think that?"

"Alright, if you think I barely acknowledge you, how about we hang out, just us, sometime? Without, yes without, the others! Oh, aaaand, we can't let them know, they'll only make fun of us."

"Eh, that's true. Alright, then! Saturday. Forbidden Forest. Be there... if you want." He smiled and looked into her eyes, "Okay?"

"I'll be there." And as the words escaped her, she planted her lips onto his.