Sirius & Bellatrix

"I have to go to King's Landing."

"You're a damned fool if you do." Bellatrix bit her lips worriedly.

"You've forgotten what we need to do, haven't you? This isn't our life, Bells. We need to go home." Sirius glared at her with impatience. "Look, if you're not going home, then I'll go on without you."

"You need my dress." Bellatrix said coldly.

"I'll go out there and find it. I'm a wizard. There should be a way. Amos should know where to get wands."

"I still think I can find our wands faster."

"If you get your bloody mind off of these people and focus on finding it!" Sirius crumpled his hair between his finger and began to pace.

"I get it, Sirius. You want to go home. I do too. But I have to pretend with these people, remember? If we have to survive while we're here, we need to pretend." Bellatrix looked him square in the face. Her cousin, whom before this whole mess she had never even bothered to speak to, saw the desperation in her face. It was then he began to realize the gravity of their situation. And worse, Bellatrix's dilemma.

"You're invested."

"What are you talking about." Bellatrix said more than asked. She turned away from him to hide the look on her face as even she couldn't understand why it was hard to let these people go.

"The queen. You've gotten to know her, and you're going to protect her. Am I right?"

"I'm only doing this to keep myself alive." She lied after finally feigning a look of nonchalance.

Sirius took her by the arm, squeezed it as he looked her in the eyes, "promise me, cousin. Once we find your dress, we're gone."

"I promise." Bellatrix said.

At that moment, the door swung open letting Amos in who was surprised to see them.

"You two best not be seen together and alone, you hear? You'll get yourselves in trouble."

"As long as we're not dead, I think we're okay." Sirius sighed and helped himself to a seat.

"Any news, Amos?" Bellatrix asked. Amos looked at her as if seeing her for the first time.

"Nothing about your dress, if that's what you want to know. I do have other news." Amos removed his cloak to hang it on a wall hook before he spoke again. "I'm going to King's Landing too."

"Merlins." Sirius cursed beginning to fume. "So that means I have to go too, doesn't it?!"

"Pipe down, you idiot." Bellatrix snapped without looking away from Amos. "Why?"

"As a maester, they will need one for the travel."

"That's right," Bellatrix sighed with her head in her hands.

"So?" Sirius continued, but quieter this time. "What about me?! You can't expect me to stay here and wait? D'you know how long travel is in this bloody time? I might as well lay a dragon's egg and you'll still be gone!"

"Then come with us if it comforts you."

"As what? The loo cleaner? You bloody hell bet they'll make me a stable boy because if I become any lower than that I'll-!"

"That's it." Amos chimed in and Bellatrix laughed.

"Loo cleaner? That's a brilliant idea, Amos. He's perfect for the part." She chortled with a teasing grin. Sirius shivered in anger.

"No no no," Amos began, "you'll come as my apprentice. There shouldn't be any question in that."

Sirius sighed in relief although the idea of being a man of faith made him want to laugh.

"Oh, Amos, he knows nothing of the gods here."

"You needn't speak, Sirius. No one will question you or ask anything of you except to look for me."

"Great. You're good at that, cousin. That'll do."

"Yes, well, at least I don't have the despicable job of having to seduce a sister-mister." Sirius said coupled with a sound of disgust, and Bellatrix scoffed at that.

"Wait a minute," Sirius said, "what about Tallius? Isn't he really your apprentice? What if they look for him? I mean, I'm a new face. They might be off with my head."

"Tallius has never actually crossed the sea to King's Landing except by the Kingsroad. It's best he stays here to keep an eye for us."

"There you have it," Bellatrix said with a deep breath. "I mean, who knows, you might find your own distraction, cousin. I hear King's Landing's women are exceptional."

"Women." Sirius shook his head and stood to help himself with some wine.

"They'll be the death of me."