Bad Romance

Chapter 14

Chapter 14: Girls Just Wanna Have Fun

"I want to stop off at my parent's place before we go home," Bellatrix told Rodolphus as the three Lestranges stepped into the boat that would carry them past the wards for Apparating home. Rod had enchanted the boat to float back to the island when its passengers Apparated out of it. Once it returned, one of the spiders or goblins on duty would chain it to the rock Rod had placed at the edge of the water for anchoring.

"Sure," he agreed easily. "You coming, Rabastan?"

The younger Lestrange shrugged. "Sure, I guess."

"Alright then, see you there," Bellatrix told her brother-in-law before snatching Rod's arm and Side-Along Apparating him with her to Black Glass, her parent's manor.

Of course Rodolphus knew the way, but Bellatrix did not even wish to separate from him long enough to Apparate alone. When they arrived, she released her grip on his arm and turned to face him. "I am aware that you noticed my state of mind being more off than usual, and you've been kind about it. I also see that it worries you, and I am sorry. I am trying to work it out by... perhaps understanding," she said carefully. "I love you, Rodolphus, and right now, you're the only secure thing in my life. You always were the most important thing."

His steady gaze flashed with relief at her words but before he could speak, Bellatrix grabbed his face and kissed him hard. He responded readily, catching her waist and hauling her closer. "Gods, I thought we were visiting Bella's parents! I didn't come to watch the two of you shag on their bloody lawn," Rabastan grumbled.

They hadn't even heard the crack of him Apparating in. Bellatrix sighed, regretfully drawing back from her husband.

"I love you too, Bella, and I'll always be here... Always. I just need you to be alright," Rod told her, then turning to Rabastan he growled, "Quit your bitching or I'll send you home."

Rabastan arched dark brows, but fell silent, acquiescing to his older brother as he always did.

Bellatrix took Rodolphus's arm and marched up the long flight of stone stairs to her parent's front door. When she began to angrily pound on it, both Lestrange men gave her looks of startled surprise. Orb, the Black family house elf, did not look at all shocked upon opening the door to see Bellatrix on the other end of the angry banging.

"I want to see my parents," Bellatrix told the elf before she could speak. Orb bowed and silently gestured them inside.

"They are having pre-dinner drinks in the dining room, Miss Bellatrix. If Misters Rodolphus and Rabastan and Miss Bellatrix wish to stay for dinner, Orb has made plenty."

"I haven't decided," Bellatrix said, brushing past the elf as she swept inside.

When she stalked into the dining room with Rodolphus at her side and a bemused Rabastan trailing, her parents glanced up in surprise. Each had a glass of wine at their elbow, and her father had the evening newspaper spread out before him on the table.

"Hello, you three," Cygnus Black greeted pleasantly. "I'm glad you stopped in, actually." He pushed the newspaper away from him with an expression of distaste. "You can never believe what you read in the news, and you lot are more in the know with the Ministry these days so you can likely give us far more accurate details." He gave a dry chuckle. "Now that's a sentence I never expected to utter, especially in your younger years."

When Bellatrix spoke, she nearly chilled herself by how calm her voice came out. "Those younger years are just what I came to speak with the two of you about," she said.

Again both elder Blacks looked surprised. "Oh," her mother asked. "Well then, come in and sit down. Who would like wine?"

"Me for sure," Rabastan replied eagerly. "Please."