"She's beautiful, Amos." Sirius said dreamily. A wisp of smoke from the brewing cauldron before him clouded his vision. Amos fanned a hand on his face.

"Best not be too close to this one, the effects are strong enough to penetrate you by vapor alone." Amos informed. Sirius remained still as he stared into nothingness, mind locked at first sight of Elia. The sudden, heavy bang of the doors startled him.

"She's bloody beautiful." Bellatrix stormed in. She helped herself to a corner of the room where she slumped down to hide her face. Sirius found this was her comfort position.

"As I've said." Sirius commented to no one in particular. Bellatrix ignored him and began rocking on her heels.

"Bloke's bloody lucky I have to say." Sirius said regarding the prince, with a tone of envy. Bellatrix slammed a fist into the wall behind her. It was wood and it seems a rotting one because it cracked easily under her force. Amos looked around incredulously.

"I forget you are but children."

"Amos, I've had it. Please, we've got to find my damned wand! I will not take this!" Bellatrix was desperate. On her feet she grasped at her head with both hands. Sirius moved around the work table, watching her curiously as he leaned back and crossed his arms—his own go-to position.

"You don't really want to leave. You're stuck. Lover boy's getting married and you can't handle it, but you also know you can't let it happen." He summarized as Bellatrix glared at him. "What are you getting at, dog?"

Sirius studied her before his eyes widened. "Are you… crying?" He wanted to laugh, but it was also a phenomenon to see any emotion apart from anger on her face.

Bellatrix said nothing, breathing deeply. It did not take long for her to succumb to her despair. Another alien feeling to her. It was Sirius who caught her before she could drop back to the ground to sob uncontrollably.

"Blimey, Bells," Sirius said sympathetically, "I didn't know it hit you this bad. It'll be okay. You'll be okay." He said this so tenderly it was almost inaudible.

Amos walked over and handed Bellatrix a cloth to which she took for her tears even as she continued to cry. He bent down to her level and put a hand on her shoulder.

"I think…" Amos began thoughtfully, "we're losing time just keeping you both in here. Tis true. We must hasten to find your wands."

"What's that supposed to mean, losing time?" Sirius asked, annoyed, but also worried. He continued to hold Bellatrix as she leaned against him, fighting to control herself. Amos thought for a moment.

"You're forgetting that in this world, time still moves. The longer you stay, the more danger you put yourselves into."

"You consider this overstaying? If you ask me I'd say this is migrating." Sirius said frustratedly, "this whole thing wasn't my idea, okay? Just… putting that out there again."

Bellatrix pushed herself away from her cousin, irked by his comment.

"Right, then," Sirius sighed, "enough of this nonsense! Let's get back to Dragonrock. That'll be a start. Amos, where can we find brooms?"

"Dragonstone." Bellatrix corrected. "And there is no bloody way I am flying back there by broom."

"Whatever it is," Sirius said, waving a hand, "any bright ideas then? Where do we begin?"

"Begin with the end." Amos said candidly.

Bellatrix looked at him, wide-eyed, distress replaced the anger on her face.

"What's that mean this time?!" Sirius groaned, tensed. Amos eyed Bellatrix as though a silent conversation between them ensued.

She knew exactly what he meant: end the affair. That's what this was in truth. As of today, Rhaegar was betrothed. Whatever she had between Rhaegar had to stop, and she had to do it right. She had to say goodbye.

"I need to think." Bellatrix said calmly, saying nothing else as she left the room.

Sirius stared at the door. "Help me out here, Amos."

"She must leave matters in order before she can focus on both your return."

Sirius woke with a start. Bellatrix's face was the first thing his eyes adjusted to, startling him enough to prop himself up.

"Blast!" Sirius hissed in his shock.

"Sirius," Bellatrix whispered, "I need your help."

"On with it then." Sirius rubbed his eyes.

"You've seen the princess, yes? I need you to distract her."

"What, right now?" Sirius clarified with wide eyes.

"No, idiot, not right now."

"Oh, I'm the idiot at two in the morning?" He glared at her.

"Sorry. I couldn't sleep. Can you do it? I need time with him."

"Sure, let me go wake her." The sarcasm dripped through his grogginess. Bellatrix slapped his arm before giving it a pat of gratitude. She began to move away, but returned at an afterthought.

"You can seduce her, can't you?" She asked. Sirius nearly lost his need for sleep.

"What in— what are you getting at?"

"I mean, can you get her to…fancy you?" Bellatrix restated, biting her lip nervously.

"Bella, you can't be serious."

"Forget it." Bellatrix scoffed and moved away.

The idea kept Sirius awake until dawn when the thought of sleep was no longer a priority.