Challenge 1: First Line & Challenge 23: Weather
Title: The reason why ignorance is bliss
Rating/Warnings: PG/None really
Characters/Pairing: Rodolphus Lestrange. Background Bellatrix/Rodolphus and Bellatrix/Voldemort
Summary: Rodolphus muses on the absence of his wife.
Word Count: 1014
Author's Notes: Challenge one using the line from King's Cross- “he lay face down listening to the silence”
Registered purchases?: Both
He lay face down listening to the silence. It was exactly how Rodolphus Lestrange would have preferred not to have awoken. Silence was not what he wanted his ears to pick up. He did not twitch as he just stayed still for a few moments, listening intently his ears almost pricked up, but his dark blue eyes remained firmly shut and his head remained pressed into his pillow. It was easier that way: Easier to pretend that he had only been asleep a few minutes then to creak open his eyes and gaze at the clock by his bedside table. He could almost make his mind believe that the empty space in his bed would be filled soon.
If he was that type of man, he could have continued to believe the lies he spun himself and to an extent he did. He had thought that way for months, for years. Even when a ring had slipped on his finger and even before the woman he had adored for so long had finally said yes to a question he had asked her so many times, he had suspicions that he had never wanted to examine. Really, it was simpler to not confront them and to believe that he was not faced with an unsolvable problem. As if it was true, he could do something about it: If it was anyone other woman he could leave her and if it was any other man, any other man at all, he could confront the situation.
Finally he succumbed to the demands of his over curious brain. Steadily Rodolphus’ eyes fluttered openly and cautiously he raised his head to stare at the clock beside him. Finding the news he had avoided, he threw himself onto his back. His hand twitched towards the wand on his bedside table, but it was only a twitch: He was not that foolish. Instead he crunched up his eyes tight and let out a few haggard breaths.
If he was a lesser man, he might have shrieked, swore and destroyed items in his room and really he was tempted to find something of his wife’s to tear to shreds. However, that was not Rodolphus Lestrange. In general, Rodolphus was someone who had an eerie ability to stay composed in even the most irritating and frustrating situations. It was why some would say he and his wife were such a perfect match. It was a correct assessment, until they failed to realise that another man offered his wife the same traits.
That was just the thing: Rodolphus knew exactly where his new wife was. How could he not? When his wife stuck her head into the drawing room where he had been reclining about five hours ago, and remarked that she was visiting her sister and parents, some might see that as an innocent answer. The fact that she had rejected his offer to join her may cause some to be suspicious, but most would ignore it.
Yet, Rodolphus noticed something they would miss: The careful waves in her hair that she would never usually have the patience to arrange, the fresh aroma of perfume she had applied and above all the gleam in her eye and the smirk on her dark red lips that only materialised in the presence of one person. Nonetheless, she had tried to soothe him, attempted to suggest that she would be back in an hour. Though, he had waited up for her for that hour, plus another and finally gone to sleep under the belief that she would return soon. However, this was where it now left him. Those two hours had snaked onwards to a grand total of five. Certainly, Bella would not have been able to stand the presence of her mother for so long nor would the conservative woman have allowed her daughter to stay out for so long, even if she was now married.
No, Rodolphus knew full well where his wife had spent the evening. Their Lord was the only reason she would act and look as she did. He supposed she had spent her time entertaining their Lord and, as much as he every ounce of his body screamed and begged against it, he knew that there was likely little chance that it included muggle torture or plans for the advancement of their cause.
Truth be told, he had always thought something strange was occurring behind his back. He saw the way she stared at their master and others had made subtle suggestions about it to him. Rodolphus remembered one occasion where Rabastan had voiced the idea that there might have been something more going on with Bella and the Dark Lord. It was the only time Rodolphus had ever punched his brother and the force of which had shattered at least one bone in the other man’s nose.
However, it did not mean he had ever accepted the truth. The fact remained that it would not be until he walked in on his Lord and wife shagging that he would accept that it was the truth. A part of him had accepted it, but the irrational brain continued to produce reasons why it wasn’t true. He supposed it would always be like that. It was just one thing about Bella: She was the only one who could make him quack on his normal rational thought process.
Again, his eyes darted, but this time to the door. They lingered on the wooden from before he turned over and faced the other way. He closed his eyes once more. No, he did not want to see his wife enter. Instead, he wished sleep would claim him. Anger would not control him. He would sleep, awaken in the morning, greet his wife and pretend he did not notice the new bruises that would align her neck. It was how it would have to be: Either remain ignorant or remain tight lipped and never say a word of how he felt.
For the first time in his life, Rodolphus Lestrange preferred to be ignorant.
Title: Rain drops
Rating/Warnings: PG/ None
Characters/Pairing: Lucius, Narcissa and mentions of Druella and Bellatrix. Parings= Lucius/Narcissa
Summary: A young Narcissa and Lucius take a stroll around Malfoy Manor after a gala
Word Count: 1063
Author's Notes: From challenge 23 weather. I'm surprised it turned out so fluffy and I'm not sure if Lucius is too sweet.
Registered purchases?: Both
In many ways, out of all of her sisters, Narcissa was the one who resembled her mother the most. Both Bellatrix and the other sister, who she did not name, were blessed with the Black colourings: Dark hair and dark eyes that were scattered up and down the famous tapestry. However, for Narcissa, it was blonde, not black, strands that fell from her head and it was light blue eyes, not dark orbs, that gleamed out from her pale and aristocratic face.
Yet, it was hardly mere looks that separated Cissy from her sisters: Every single lesson her mother implemented she had followed without a second hesitation, especially her appearance. One thing was clear about Narcissa Black: She always looked her best. This was not any different tonight. It was about 11pm and, even though she had been enjoying the celebrations since 7pm, she looked impeccable. Her pale blue dress was not even the slightest bit crinkled, her makeup was pristine and ever strand of her hair remained in the impressive looking bun house elves had slaved over that afternoon.
The only person it pleased more than her mother was Narcissa herself. Currently happiness brimmed in her eyes and pushed her pink lips up into a small smile, though to an observer they would be unsure if it was her appearance or the man on her arm that was causing her current joy. After all, nothing made the newly graduated Narcissa Black happier then residing on the arm of Lucius Malfoy.
Tilting her head towards the dark skies above and then to Lucius she threw him a smirk. “I still believe this was an awful time to show me around the grounds, especially since I have already seen them before,” she murmured, her voice soft, but still the sense of superiority and conviction remained. If it was someone else, she might have done what her mother instructed and been more polite. However, it was Lucius and since they had already been courting for about two years, she was quite content to taunt him a little. “Other than the fact that it is so late and dreadfully dark, it looks like it is going to rain.”
Unlike Narcissa, Lucius had not removed his eyes from his partner and his own smirk matched the expression that was painted across her face. “Do not worry Cissy. It shall not rain and the dark hardly matters, particularly with all the lights we arranged this evening,” he attempted to sooth her with a calming voice. Halting his movements he idly gestured to the fairy lights in the bushes before he moved his arm from hers and instead cupped her chin. “Besides there are advantages of it being so dark.”
Cissy only smiled up at him as he bent down and kissed her on the lips. Her own arms folded around his neck and she returned the kiss. Her lips moved against his in the same dance they had practiced many times before. After a few moments she moved away slightly to rest her head against his shoulder.
“I still say this is not the best idea,” she whispered into his ear. He did not reply, but gave her a peck on the top of her head. Resting in Lucius’ arms, she was quite content to forget about her complaints and indeed as they stood there whispering nothings into each other’s ears Cissy was feeling completely at ease.
That is until the crack of thunder sounded above and the first drop of water fell on her head. Cautiously Cissy raised her head to stare at the sky. However, her fears were not eased when that one drop was followed by another then another, until a complete downpour was falling on top of her.
Letting out a small shriek, Cissy pushed Lucius away and threw her hands over her head, attempting to shield herself.
“Lucius!” she cried out in frustration, her eyes darting away from the sky to stare at the manor and try to gauge how long it would take her to run inside. If she was carrying her wand, it would not be an issues, but with the type fitting blue dress she did not have it. There was no place for it in her dress and Cissy had no intention to ruin her look even if she went without her wand for the night. Besides, if she was beside Lucius she felt safe enough knowing he could protect her.
However, when his only reaction to her outrage was not to answer, but to laugh she was reconsidering her choice. He continued to chuckle and seemed unconcerned with the water running down his own body.
“Lucius,” she scolded him again, shoving him slightly, but with her petite form he did not even budge slightly. “Do something!”
Again, he did not do anything and this time the chuckles were gone, but the smirk remained. Frustrated, Cissy turned her back on him and was just about to attempt to dash towards the manor when a hand shot out and gripped her arm.
She attempted to pull free, though having no success she instead turned to glare at him instead. “Lu-,” Her words of outrage were cut off when again she felt Lucius lips against hers. She was tempted to push him off and attempt her dash to safety, but within a moment the temptation to remain in his arms was considerably stronger. Returning the kiss with the same passion as Lucius, the moment only ceased when he pulled away slightly, but only just enough so he could speak.
“I said you do not need to worry. A bit of rain does not matter,” he said soothingly, one of his hands gently caressing her hair while the other held her close.
“Yes it does! Just look at my hair and-“ Again he cut her off with a brief kiss.
“No, it doesn’t,” he replied smirking down at her with a tone of common sense. “It is you Cissy. You will look beautiful even with a bit of rain.”
Despite the cold infiltrating her bones, she felt her cheeks brighten and her grin grow. Even when she stepped back into the Manor, her hair in disarray and drenched to the bone, still on Lucius’ arm, she was still able to look at her mother’s disapproving stare with a grin lighting her features.
Points
1014/30= 39
+10 bonuses
1063/30= 40
+10 bonuses
Total is 99
Caitlin//Hufflepuff
Rating/Warnings: PG/None really
Characters/Pairing: Rodolphus Lestrange. Background Bellatrix/Rodolphus and Bellatrix/Voldemort
Summary: Rodolphus muses on the absence of his wife.
Word Count: 1014
Author's Notes: Challenge one using the line from King's Cross- “he lay face down listening to the silence”
Registered purchases?: Both
He lay face down listening to the silence. It was exactly how Rodolphus Lestrange would have preferred not to have awoken. Silence was not what he wanted his ears to pick up. He did not twitch as he just stayed still for a few moments, listening intently his ears almost pricked up, but his dark blue eyes remained firmly shut and his head remained pressed into his pillow. It was easier that way: Easier to pretend that he had only been asleep a few minutes then to creak open his eyes and gaze at the clock by his bedside table. He could almost make his mind believe that the empty space in his bed would be filled soon.
If he was that type of man, he could have continued to believe the lies he spun himself and to an extent he did. He had thought that way for months, for years. Even when a ring had slipped on his finger and even before the woman he had adored for so long had finally said yes to a question he had asked her so many times, he had suspicions that he had never wanted to examine. Really, it was simpler to not confront them and to believe that he was not faced with an unsolvable problem. As if it was true, he could do something about it: If it was anyone other woman he could leave her and if it was any other man, any other man at all, he could confront the situation.
Finally he succumbed to the demands of his over curious brain. Steadily Rodolphus’ eyes fluttered openly and cautiously he raised his head to stare at the clock beside him. Finding the news he had avoided, he threw himself onto his back. His hand twitched towards the wand on his bedside table, but it was only a twitch: He was not that foolish. Instead he crunched up his eyes tight and let out a few haggard breaths.
If he was a lesser man, he might have shrieked, swore and destroyed items in his room and really he was tempted to find something of his wife’s to tear to shreds. However, that was not Rodolphus Lestrange. In general, Rodolphus was someone who had an eerie ability to stay composed in even the most irritating and frustrating situations. It was why some would say he and his wife were such a perfect match. It was a correct assessment, until they failed to realise that another man offered his wife the same traits.
That was just the thing: Rodolphus knew exactly where his new wife was. How could he not? When his wife stuck her head into the drawing room where he had been reclining about five hours ago, and remarked that she was visiting her sister and parents, some might see that as an innocent answer. The fact that she had rejected his offer to join her may cause some to be suspicious, but most would ignore it.
Yet, Rodolphus noticed something they would miss: The careful waves in her hair that she would never usually have the patience to arrange, the fresh aroma of perfume she had applied and above all the gleam in her eye and the smirk on her dark red lips that only materialised in the presence of one person. Nonetheless, she had tried to soothe him, attempted to suggest that she would be back in an hour. Though, he had waited up for her for that hour, plus another and finally gone to sleep under the belief that she would return soon. However, this was where it now left him. Those two hours had snaked onwards to a grand total of five. Certainly, Bella would not have been able to stand the presence of her mother for so long nor would the conservative woman have allowed her daughter to stay out for so long, even if she was now married.
No, Rodolphus knew full well where his wife had spent the evening. Their Lord was the only reason she would act and look as she did. He supposed she had spent her time entertaining their Lord and, as much as he every ounce of his body screamed and begged against it, he knew that there was likely little chance that it included muggle torture or plans for the advancement of their cause.
Truth be told, he had always thought something strange was occurring behind his back. He saw the way she stared at their master and others had made subtle suggestions about it to him. Rodolphus remembered one occasion where Rabastan had voiced the idea that there might have been something more going on with Bella and the Dark Lord. It was the only time Rodolphus had ever punched his brother and the force of which had shattered at least one bone in the other man’s nose.
However, it did not mean he had ever accepted the truth. The fact remained that it would not be until he walked in on his Lord and wife shagging that he would accept that it was the truth. A part of him had accepted it, but the irrational brain continued to produce reasons why it wasn’t true. He supposed it would always be like that. It was just one thing about Bella: She was the only one who could make him quack on his normal rational thought process.
Again, his eyes darted, but this time to the door. They lingered on the wooden from before he turned over and faced the other way. He closed his eyes once more. No, he did not want to see his wife enter. Instead, he wished sleep would claim him. Anger would not control him. He would sleep, awaken in the morning, greet his wife and pretend he did not notice the new bruises that would align her neck. It was how it would have to be: Either remain ignorant or remain tight lipped and never say a word of how he felt.
For the first time in his life, Rodolphus Lestrange preferred to be ignorant.
Title: Rain drops
Rating/Warnings: PG/ None
Characters/Pairing: Lucius, Narcissa and mentions of Druella and Bellatrix. Parings= Lucius/Narcissa
Summary: A young Narcissa and Lucius take a stroll around Malfoy Manor after a gala
Word Count: 1063
Author's Notes: From challenge 23 weather. I'm surprised it turned out so fluffy and I'm not sure if Lucius is too sweet.
Registered purchases?: Both
In many ways, out of all of her sisters, Narcissa was the one who resembled her mother the most. Both Bellatrix and the other sister, who she did not name, were blessed with the Black colourings: Dark hair and dark eyes that were scattered up and down the famous tapestry. However, for Narcissa, it was blonde, not black, strands that fell from her head and it was light blue eyes, not dark orbs, that gleamed out from her pale and aristocratic face.
Yet, it was hardly mere looks that separated Cissy from her sisters: Every single lesson her mother implemented she had followed without a second hesitation, especially her appearance. One thing was clear about Narcissa Black: She always looked her best. This was not any different tonight. It was about 11pm and, even though she had been enjoying the celebrations since 7pm, she looked impeccable. Her pale blue dress was not even the slightest bit crinkled, her makeup was pristine and ever strand of her hair remained in the impressive looking bun house elves had slaved over that afternoon.
The only person it pleased more than her mother was Narcissa herself. Currently happiness brimmed in her eyes and pushed her pink lips up into a small smile, though to an observer they would be unsure if it was her appearance or the man on her arm that was causing her current joy. After all, nothing made the newly graduated Narcissa Black happier then residing on the arm of Lucius Malfoy.
Tilting her head towards the dark skies above and then to Lucius she threw him a smirk. “I still believe this was an awful time to show me around the grounds, especially since I have already seen them before,” she murmured, her voice soft, but still the sense of superiority and conviction remained. If it was someone else, she might have done what her mother instructed and been more polite. However, it was Lucius and since they had already been courting for about two years, she was quite content to taunt him a little. “Other than the fact that it is so late and dreadfully dark, it looks like it is going to rain.”
Unlike Narcissa, Lucius had not removed his eyes from his partner and his own smirk matched the expression that was painted across her face. “Do not worry Cissy. It shall not rain and the dark hardly matters, particularly with all the lights we arranged this evening,” he attempted to sooth her with a calming voice. Halting his movements he idly gestured to the fairy lights in the bushes before he moved his arm from hers and instead cupped her chin. “Besides there are advantages of it being so dark.”
Cissy only smiled up at him as he bent down and kissed her on the lips. Her own arms folded around his neck and she returned the kiss. Her lips moved against his in the same dance they had practiced many times before. After a few moments she moved away slightly to rest her head against his shoulder.
“I still say this is not the best idea,” she whispered into his ear. He did not reply, but gave her a peck on the top of her head. Resting in Lucius’ arms, she was quite content to forget about her complaints and indeed as they stood there whispering nothings into each other’s ears Cissy was feeling completely at ease.
That is until the crack of thunder sounded above and the first drop of water fell on her head. Cautiously Cissy raised her head to stare at the sky. However, her fears were not eased when that one drop was followed by another then another, until a complete downpour was falling on top of her.
Letting out a small shriek, Cissy pushed Lucius away and threw her hands over her head, attempting to shield herself.
“Lucius!” she cried out in frustration, her eyes darting away from the sky to stare at the manor and try to gauge how long it would take her to run inside. If she was carrying her wand, it would not be an issues, but with the type fitting blue dress she did not have it. There was no place for it in her dress and Cissy had no intention to ruin her look even if she went without her wand for the night. Besides, if she was beside Lucius she felt safe enough knowing he could protect her.
However, when his only reaction to her outrage was not to answer, but to laugh she was reconsidering her choice. He continued to chuckle and seemed unconcerned with the water running down his own body.
“Lucius,” she scolded him again, shoving him slightly, but with her petite form he did not even budge slightly. “Do something!”
Again, he did not do anything and this time the chuckles were gone, but the smirk remained. Frustrated, Cissy turned her back on him and was just about to attempt to dash towards the manor when a hand shot out and gripped her arm.
She attempted to pull free, though having no success she instead turned to glare at him instead. “Lu-,” Her words of outrage were cut off when again she felt Lucius lips against hers. She was tempted to push him off and attempt her dash to safety, but within a moment the temptation to remain in his arms was considerably stronger. Returning the kiss with the same passion as Lucius, the moment only ceased when he pulled away slightly, but only just enough so he could speak.
“I said you do not need to worry. A bit of rain does not matter,” he said soothingly, one of his hands gently caressing her hair while the other held her close.
“Yes it does! Just look at my hair and-“ Again he cut her off with a brief kiss.
“No, it doesn’t,” he replied smirking down at her with a tone of common sense. “It is you Cissy. You will look beautiful even with a bit of rain.”
Despite the cold infiltrating her bones, she felt her cheeks brighten and her grin grow. Even when she stepped back into the Manor, her hair in disarray and drenched to the bone, still on Lucius’ arm, she was still able to look at her mother’s disapproving stare with a grin lighting her features.
Points
1014/30= 39
+10 bonuses
1063/30= 40
+10 bonuses
Total is 99
Caitlin//Hufflepuff