Bellatrix was in a foul mood this morning. After having pleasant dreams about the Dark Lord and waking to find there was no reality to them, Rodolphus decided they should have sex and when she declined the two had had a decent row.
It seemed the whole of the manor had heard as everyone sat quietly while they waited for the House Elves to serve them. And no one asked why Rodolphus was not joining them for breakfast. They all knew during their worst fights he would leave fearing what Bellatrix might do to him if he remained too long in her presence.
She took out her knife and began to fiddle with it. Doing so seemed to help relax her. Glancing up through her unruly hair she caught Draco's eye. He seemed positively terrified to be caught looking at her when she was in such a mood.
Silly boy. She thought. Your Auntie wouldn't hurt you. She smiled to reassure him which only seemed to disturb him further.
Lucius was watching Bellatrix as she played with the knife, running her fingers along the sharpest edge of the blade. Her actions were beginning to get to him. The knife resurfacing memories of the night they had spent together. A night he was trying to forget. The bulge in his pants was becoming uncomfortable. This had to stop.
"Bellatrix do stop that." It had come out far fiercer than he had intended.
Turning the knife in her hand she stabbed it into the tabletop so quickly the three Malfoys surrounding her jumped. Lucius felt slightly sick at the sound of the splintering wood. It had been a rather expensive piece of furniture.
The House Elves served breakfast then. Bellatrix watched as the trembling elf delivered her plate of eggs and she almost reached for her knife. It would have given her much pleasure to cut its ear off just to hear the thing scream. But this was her sister's house and Bella knew she would want her servants to hear her when she called for them.
After breakfast Narcissa asked Bellatrix to accompany her to the sitting room.
"What is the matter Bella? What did Rodolphus do now?" She asked delicately. Bellatrix sighed and laid her head on her sister's shoulder.
"He wanted sex." Glancing up she saw Narcissa give her a confused look and couldn't help but smile. "He's no good and not the least bit considerate. I won't waste myself on him anymore."
Narcissa seemed to except her stance and sounded concerned. "What will you do?"
Bella rose from her sister and walked about the room. "I'll find another."
When Narcissa asked who, Bellatrix thought nothing of her answer.
"Lucius isn't bad." She smiled contentedly. Then her smile grew wicked.
"About as good as Draco." Bellatrix delighted in the horror dawning on her sister's face as she grabbed the back of a chair for support.
Bellatrix cackled shrilly. "Relax Cissy, I never touched your son." She watched as relief replaced the horror and Narcissa sunk into a chair. Then she jumped up again. "My son? Not my son, but what about my husband?"
Bellatrix leaned casually against the wall and crossed her arms. "Ah, now him I may have done." Narcissa could tell by her smirk she was telling the truth.
"How could you?" she shrieked. Bella's face fell and she tilted her head looking sincerely confused.
"I simply borrowed him." She said as if they were discussing a sweater instead of her sister's husband. "You're welcome to borrow Rodolphus but I don't know why you'd want him." She continued a tad bitterly.
"Bellatrix!"
Bella just didn't understand and it seemed Narcissa's shouts might make Bellatrix cry.
"Sisters should share." Bellatrix whimpered and Narcissa watched her lip tremble and looked into her sister's dark eyes. Bella's mental instability sometimes left her emotionally vulnerable but only to those few she loved. Like her baby sis.
Narcissa softened and even allowed a small smile to grace her features. Closing the space between them she tried to explain it to her.
"I like sharing with you." She spoke patiently as if addressing a child. "But not my husband, please."
Bellatrix relaxed realizing her sister was not cross with her. "If it bothers you…"
"It does." Narcissa shouted, surprising both of them.
"Then it will never happen again." Bella promised and moved to hug her sister.
Narcissa rubbed her sister's arm soothingly. "I understand about Rodolphus."
Bellatrix highly doubted she understood but remained quiet not wanting another row.
"But isn't there anyone you love?" Cissy asked gently.
Bellatrix wandered away, turning her back she pretended to be interested in the dragon figurines setting on a shelf. Lost momentarily in her mind she whispered "It matters not." And was surprised when she got a response.
"Bella, how can you say it doesn't matter?" her sister sounded distressed but it was nothing compared to the way Bellatrix was feeling. Still Narcissa continued to push her.
"If you love someone you should…"
"Leave it Cissy!" Bella shouted shrilly and the Chinese Fireball she'd been holding shattered in her tightened grasp. She swept out of the room abruptly before her sister could say another word.
Narcissa collapsed once again into her chair feeling drained. She knew Bellatrix had meant no harm. Bella had never seen the world as everyone else and her incarceration in Azkaban seemed to have addled her brain even further. In her warped view sisters should share. Everything.
Narcissa shivered thinking about Draco. She only wished her sister had lost her sense of humor along with her mind.
And why did Bellatrix overreact so? Dose she love someone?
Bellatrix lay in bed staring up at the ceiling. It had stung deeply that her sister didn't want to share with her but she supposed she understood. After all I wouldn't want to share the Dark Lord if I ever acquired him. Which I won't. She thought pessimistically.
Bellatrix wanted to cry and nothing infuriated her more. Looking over to her husband's side of the bed she almost whished he were there. She might actually enjoy his company now. Ripping his lungs from his chest, removing his… Yes he would never ask for sex again after that.
Mentally mutilating her husband brightened her mood, she even felt a small smile creep into place. Her anger gone she retuned to practical matters. Now of course with no Lucius I'll need a new toy. Who's worthy? She shrugged unconcernedly. I'll find someone soon.
Bellatrix had time to waste and decided to spend it reading. Much time had passed since her earlier episode.
"Auntie Bella." Bellatrix looked up from the book she'd been reading. Lounging as she was in an overstuffed chair in the manor library her feet on a pouf she tipped her head up to regard her nephew. He seemed nervous which intrigued her. She was calm now and she knew he only feared her when she was upset.
"Yes?" she asked.
He turned rather pale. "I was wondering if you could give me some advice."
She raised an eyebrow. Not quite what she'd been expecting. "Of course Draco. What about?"
He shifted uncomfortably. Bellatrix watched as Narcissa came into the room behind him and placed a burden of books on a table.
"Sex." He mumbled. Narcissa froze. Despite his soft voice it appeared she'd heard him. Draco didn't even know she was behind him.
Bellatrix knew she could have fun humiliating Draco, but he was her nephew and he was already standing there trembling at asking his aunt such a thing. So as was rare with her she showed him mercy.
"Wait for marriage Draco, that's the only way it's satisfying." And she pretended to return to her book.
It took all her self-control not to laugh out loud at his shocked expression. Apparently this was not the answer he had been expecting from his deranged aunt.
Catching his eye she gave him a wink and nodded over his shoulder. Turning he saw his mother re-shelving books. Returning to Bellatrix he gave her a look of not only understanding but also immense gratitude. Then he fled from the room, his face flushed.
A few moments later Narcissa left throwing her sister a smile and an appreciative nod.
Really Draco. Bellatrix thought to herself smiling and shaking her head. It was quite flattering Draco had come to her for advice. He's an attractive boy, were he not her sister's son she would have taught him first hand everything she knew but even Bellatrix knew some lines were simply better left uncrossed. As it was she would give him her real advice later.
A burning sensation on her arm caught her attention. Looking down she saw the Dark Mark standing bold against her pale flesh.