Why would the stars want to look down on such as me?

lestrnger-things:

I have a proposition for you.

Marlene arched a brow. “And what is that?” she asked.

Turning as he heard Rod’s voice, Amycus was thrilled to hear his friend’s words change direction. He struck a pose, hand on his hip, and thrusted suggestively in Rod’s direction before relenting with a laugh. “Hot pants and glitter. I’m Adonis, mate.”

“Adonis!” Rodolphus exclaimed, laughing with an unrestrained amusement at his friend. With anyone else, they would have never lived such a thing down. But this was Amycus. “Well, you’ve definitely catching enough eyes tonight with that costume...or lack thereof.”

“Well now, that’s a little better. And thank you, naturally I try.” Alecto replied with a small grin. “I’ve not been working at Borgin and Burke’s, as such, but I’ve been spending quite a bit of time there with Mister Avery. Why do you ask?”

Rodolphus nodded, thinking over his plan as she explained her position at the dark shop. “I’m in need of a certain cursed object. I was wondering if you would be able to help me find it, or something like it?”

“I wouldn’t exactly call it worrying about it. I’m a little snappy because Druella is a little annoying.” Bellatrix sighed, before a frown marred her features. “What’s wrong?”

Rodolphus bit his tongue from replying that Druella was certainly more than a little annoying in regards to their wedding. “I believe it’s about time that I explained my father’s...illness. It’s rather...induced,” he chose his words cautiously.

“I have a few.” Antonin took out the log book and turned it towards Rod. “Any of these titles look familiar or what you’re looking for?”

Rodolphus leaned over the book, scanning the list of titles as he searched for the one that he desired. Finally, toward the end of the list, he laid his finger on the page to one title. “This one. How much for it?”

“I’m sure, Rod,” she said, “The real question is are you sure? If all this questioning and putting my fiance down isn’t jealousy, what is it?”

“It’s looking out for you, Vi. I would hate to see you falling into this pit of mediocrity.”

“Happy Carroween… Having fun?”

“So far, I think you’ve impressed everyone, my-- what in Merlin’s name are you wearing?”

“Oh it will be far from mediocre. I won’t even want to think of anything else.” She smiled at him, “Fletcher’s quite the man.”

“So you say now. Are you sure about that though, Vi?”

“Well hello to you too, Rodolphus. But alright then, I’m listening.”

“Hello, Alecto. You’re looking even lovelier than the last time I saw you,” he greeted, even though it was delayed in his rush to get his request out. “Amycus has told me that you’ve been working over at Borgin and Burke’s?”

“As if I’d ever give you the pleasure of it. My pride does not allow me.” Bellatrix teasingly added, her eyes following him to the divan, assessing the way he winced every now and then. She followed him after a moment, her head tilted as she seated herself down, keeping close to him, yet being distanced enough, just for her pride’s sake. “Do you, err, want to talk about it?” Bella asked, clearing her throat uneasily.

“Pride is the bane of us all,” Rodolphus said, giving his head a shake as he studied the wound beneath his shirt. “And admit weakness to you, the queen of pride?” Rodolphus questioned, glancing up at her with some level of playfulness in his eyes, despite his pain.

“Please tell me it’s not about the wedding. Druella’s been nagging me enough.” Bellatrix nearly groaned.

“No. It’s nothing about the wedding, you certainly don’t have to worry about that right now. It’s about my father.”

“Oh? Is that so?” she asked, tilting her head slightly. “And what exactly do you know? That wouldn’t be cause for even more jealousy?”

“I know that you won’t be satisfied with living a life of mediocrity with Fletcher Parkinson. You’ll always be thinking of something else.”

“You’ve got my attention, too…” Amycus said, tilting his head at his friend. “I’m all ears.”

I might need your help brewing a certain...poison.

“I’m listening.”

I am in desperate need of a very rare book about ancient potions. Would you have anything like that in your collection?

“You are very kind to say that, Roddy,” she told him, giving her future brother-in-law another smile. “I care for him as well. Truly, I think one could even say that he is my best friend, sisters aside, of course. At least I have that. So many do not, after all.” She cared for Rabastan, loved him even, just not the way she wanted to. “We’ll all be one large family, soon. You poor boys. If we all remain under the same roof, I fear you’ll be overrun by Bella and I within days,” she teased, changing directions. 

Rodolphus chuckled as Andromeda steered them out of the dangerous waters known as feelings. She was one of the few that could manage to coax such sensitive topics out of him, but even then, he would resort to awkward throat clearing and the evasive way that she looked around and dodged topics said that she felt the same. “You two will definitely drive us all out. I’m already afraid that Bella is mentally redecorating our entire home. It’ll certainly be an interesting transition for all of us,” he said with amusement. 

“This is more forgiveness than I’m accustomed to giving, though I suppose I can make an exception…this time.” Lucius’ small, half smile pulled at one side as he fully entered the room, taking a seat and making himself comfortable. “I am indeed. The Ministry is in a frenzy, the fools. They’re just as clueless as ever.” Lucius nearly scoffed before waving to Rodolphus’ injury. “Do I want to know?”

“You say this time, but we both know that this won’t be the last time,” Rodolphus said, his brow slightly raised in amusement at his friend, teasing ever so slightly. “We could switch the color of their parchment half a shade and the place would be chaos. They’re very amusing over there,” Rodolphus said, “Probably not, if I’m being honest. But how about a drink before anything else?”