RABASTAN LESTRANGE: 17 December, 1978

[rabastanlestran]

Dear Lily

Sorry this letter is so short notice, and so soon after my last one. You’re probably wondering what I can have to say to you on the last day of term that can’t wait until I get home and experience the joy of sneaking letters past Bellatrix. And that would be the point of this letter because I’m not going home this year.

Comments

[favourite_son]

*pets Rab* Quiet as a house-elf? I don't believe that for a second. :D

[rabastanlestran]

*Rab purrs* Yes, I think the icon says it all really. I feel sorry for Lily! and Rabastan was most insistent he got to give Regulus his Christmas present before he ran away.

*from under the bed*
Regulus! Have you seen see my scarf? I don't want to catch a cold. It’s the grey one. I saw you looking at it last week when we were in Hogsmeade. You didn't take it, did you? If I get ill because you wanted a scarf to match your eyes I shall be very angry with you and come back and sneeze all over you.

*crawls out from under the bed, clutching a brightly wrapped package with festive ribbon tied round it*
And I wanted to give you your present. I doubt we'll see each other over Christmas.

[favourite_son]

Aw, that's a bit sweet. :) And let's hope Rab doesn't end up on the streets of London!

*looks disdainful*
Why would I want your scarf? Even if it was a perfect match for my eyes, I could get myself a much nicer one if I so desired.

*pulls a face*
And you'd better not even think about sneezing on me.

*looks highly taken aback at the sight of the present*
*a little awkwardly*
Oh, thank you. You really shouldn't have.

[rabastanlestran]

Just a little boy and his kitty lost in London - all it needs is some angels and a bit of snow and it would be a perfect Christmas story.

*huffs*
Because you always nick my things if you like them.

*raises an eyebrow, clutching the present*
Does this mean you haven't got me anything? Regulus, its Christmas! You are the worst best friend. I'm going to keep your present for myself - and it was so nice and so expensive and matches your bloody stupid eyes which I hate. I'm so glad I'm not going to have to see you for a week!

[stagboy]

You're staying with Lily this Christmas?

Right. Yeah, I'm mean... fine.

[rabastanlestran]

If she'll have me, yes. I mean, she said I could.

*raise an eyebrow*
What's wrong?

[stagboy]

*rolls his eyes and shakes his head*
Nothing wrong at all. Hope you have a good Christmas.

[rabastanlestran]

*pulls a face*
You do not. You don't want me to go.

Look, I thought you wouldn't want to see me but that's ok. I brought you a present too. It's not much, just a Broomstick care kit. Well, I thought you like Quidditch and I can return it if you don't want it and everyone must buy you these because of course everyone knows you like Quidditch, but still...*trails off, not sure what to say*

[gryffire_lily]

*reads the letter*

*rereads*

Oh. Are you sure you want to spend Christmas with me? *hastily* I'd love to have you, but... *awkward* I'm not sure that where I live is up to your standards. My flat really is quite small and you'd probably have to sleep on the couch. Would that be all right?

*thinks of another problem* What will Bellatrix and Rodolphus think when you don't show up? Won't they come looking for you?

[rabastanlestran]

Oh no! The sofa will be fine, Lily. But, er, where will James sleep if he comes round? I mean, I don’t want to imply anything but if James was to stay the night I couldn’t have you compromised.

*sighs*
They'll probably think I went off with Regulus or someone. It'll take them a day or so to owl everyone to see if I'm with them, and then if they do care enough to come looking they won't look in Muggle London!

Rabastan, although he knows Lily isn't a virgin, has not quite got round the idea of Lily and sex. She's like his big sister.

[gryffire_lily]

*struggles to hide her smile* I'm sure we could figure something out so that I'm not er, compromised.

*bites her lip* But what about when you go home at Easter or in the summer? I'm sure they'll want to know where you were at Christmas. You won't be- punished, will you?

Understandable, it's always squicky imagining siblings having sex. :)

[rabastanlestran]

*frowns, mouth twisting*
No, I...I think by then we'll have come to an understanding. I won't tell them I stayed with you, I'll make it sound like I just booked myself into a hotel of some kind and stayed there for Christmas.

[_kniaz]

Rabastan... =steps out towards the boy, looking not nervous, but certainly uneasy, arms folded about him= May I... =glances about at the crowded platform= May I wish you Merry Christmas? I am afraid I will not have the opertunity to see you again until the New Year at the easliest...

=unfolds his arms, taking a small, carefully wrapped package from and inner pocket= I know it is not much, however... I hope you like them.

[rabastanlestran]

*tenses, clutching his school bag to his chest protectively*
*not listening to Antonin*
No. No, I won't go home. I don't care if they sent you. I'm not going back.

*falters, looking down at the gift and then narrows his eyes*
And bribery won't help you.

[_kniaz]

=frowns, confused and totally taken aback = What? Rabastan, what is going on?

Oh. =fingers tighten a little, not sure how to react and the pounding headache growing worse= I... I am not...

[rabastanlestran]

*pauses, looking a little confused*
Didn't Bellatrix and Rodolphus send you to collect me? It was a wasted trip. I'm not coming home this year, and you shouldn't even be here to begin with. What if someone say you? Do you want all of that to start up again?

*bites his lip, unable to keep his concern hidden*
Uncle, are you alright? You don't look well.

[sholmes87]

*briskly*

I'm sending Nodar to meet you at the station Rabastan.

We have a great deal to do, so I don't want any dallying with your friends.

[rabastanlestran]

I promise, Bellatrix, I won't dally at all.