Bad Romance

Chapter 40

Chapter 40: Malfoy Manners

"Narcissa has been trying to write you for days," Lucius said as they entered the library.

"We haven't had much time to check mail," Bellatrix drawled with a sigh. "We come home late and go to bed."

"You couldn't bother to stop in and see if we were alright?" Lucius demanded. "You with your magic could not bother to see if we needed anything?"

"You have plenty of money, and it can buy you whatever magic can't make happen, Lucy," Rodolphus snapped. "Sorry not to play nursemaid to you when we had other things going on."

From the growl in Rodolphus's voice, Bellatrix found it obvious that he wasn't sorry in the least. If Lucy knew what was good for him, he'd realize it too and ease off his complaining. If not...things would get interesting. Rodolphus could've handled him any day, and now that Malfoy had no magic, Rod wouldn't even have to try.

Glaring icily, Lucius settled himself into a chair on the far side of the room. "So did you have your child during this magical pandemic and douse her with a bit of fast grow potion," he asked drily as his gaze traveled skeptically over Lyra.

Lucy's mention of a fast grow potion reminded Bellatrix of the time they'd used it on a baby Mandrake in Herbology in her and Rod's fifth year at Hogwarts. They'd intentionally poured too much, and the Mandrake had quickly towered over Rod, and continued to grow until Sprout angrily reversed the process. Effectively ruining the fun, as most professors were wont to do.

"Now, Lucy! You know very well if we used such a thing on a baby, she still wouldn't be able to talk yet. She would remain a baby mentally, which would just make her a larger bother," Bellatrix chided.

"Do stop calling me Lucy. It does not amuse."

"Oh, but it does," Rod said with a snicker. "See? I am amused right now."

"Have you heard about...Delphini," Bellatrix asked carefully. She wasn't sure how much she dared to go into, or how much they could trust Lucius, but she supposed it may be wise to find out.

Lucius blinked. "We've read the papers, if that's what you mean, but we have no idea how true any of it is."

"Well, she obviously isn't my daughter," Bellatrix snapped, and Lucius arched a brow.

"Clearly not... I meant the rest. We have no way of knowing if she is truly His, though I can't imagine him having a relationship much less a child with anyone. I assumed they pinned the mother tag on you because you were so open with your devotion to him, Bellatrix."

"Well, it wasn't that sort of devotion," Bellatrix bit out, and Lucius arched his brow again as he lounged back in his chair, relaxing now that she was more uncomfortable with this new topic.

"Yes, of course, but the masses seek an explanation that requires little thought," he pointed out, his tone dripping with feigned boredom.

"Lucius... How do you feel about the Dark Lord now," Bellatrix asked. She heard the caution in her own voice, a result of not knowing who to trust among the Dark Lord's former followers. Granted, he and his family had defected in the end, but would he have the courage to do so again if he knew the Dark Lord had returned...sort of?

"What's this about, Bella?" Lucius snapped, straightening in his chair to frown at her. She couldn't help but smile. He was no longer enjoying the conversation.

"It is about potential trouble to come," she replied.

Lucius sighed. "Fine. Why don't you tell me how I am supposed to feel about him?" The sudden resentment and anger in his eyes caused her caution to retreat, and Bellatrix sighed as she felt her body relaxing.