*Though only a handful have admitted it in so many words, and it's always been kept hushed, Regulus is far, far from the first in his family to begin to see or imagine or feel things that aren't truly there. It isn't anything so common or grisly as madness, anyone would tell you that. But then again, no one in any generation has really found it necessary to sit down and give it a name at all
( ... )
*This all bursts from her mouth at an almost comic pace, until she looks at Regulus, really looks at him. How haggard he is, how bizarrely wan and ragged, like a waif from a Christmas story designed to tug at wealthy heartstrings and promote charitable donation--like a cartoon of misery, of ill health, of lonely death that, alas! could've been averted by a loaf of bread or the smallest alm.
*It is Bella, and though his heart can now begin to calm itself but Regulus still looks more like he's faced with a sixty foot giant. Tucking shoes that need a good polishing underneath him, he uses the curtain to pull himself upright, and try to resume normalcy.*
*They make an unlikely foursome, stepping out onto the hearth with linked arms: the mistress of the house, two disheveled boys, and one sad toothbrush.
She's keenly aware of this, and that she hasn't exactly told her husband any of this, so when Bellatrix calls out into the house it's almost meekly--just the slightest hint about it of the child who has brought home a mess.*
*Rodolphus Lestrange recognizes that tone precisely. Though Twinky gets to the hearth faster, taking her mistress' cloak by rote, Roddy strolls into the room, ready for--almost anything. With Bella, there's no knowing. At least the two people she's got with her are alive.*
Hello, dear--
Regulus, Barty, what a pleasant surprise! Is something wrong, or are we just visiting?
*Roddy's used to less explanation, so he takes it in stride.*
Wonderful. Twinky, fix up some rooms for them? I believe Barty prefers the haunted one, do make sure Regulus gets one that isn't haunted--oh, and take their luggage.
*But there isn't any, and now he feels both stupid and more worried for it. A lack of luggage seems less like visiting and rather more like fleeing. But those are all questions for his wife, not these children.*
Comments 42
Reply
*This all bursts from her mouth at an almost comic pace, until she looks at Regulus, really looks at him. How haggard he is, how bizarrely wan and ragged, like a waif from a Christmas story designed to tug at wealthy heartstrings and promote charitable donation--like a cartoon of misery, of ill health, of lonely death that, alas! could've been averted by a loaf of bread or the smallest alm.
Her mouth actually drops open.*
What's the matter with you?
Reply
*It is Bella, and though his heart can now begin to calm itself but Regulus still looks more like he's faced with a sixty foot giant. Tucking shoes that need a good polishing underneath him, he uses the curtain to pull himself upright, and try to resume normalcy.*
Goodness.
Don't you knock or... floo?
Reply
This is my house as much as it is yours--and you look like a fucking half-breed, Regulus, look at you--
Reply
She's keenly aware of this, and that she hasn't exactly told her husband any of this, so when Bellatrix calls out into the house it's almost meekly--just the slightest hint about it of the child who has brought home a mess.*
Roddy?
Reply
Hello, dear--
Regulus, Barty, what a pleasant surprise! Is something wrong, or are we just visiting?
Reply
*And if the brat spends every waking second under her nose she'll sleep a lot easier.*
Regulus and Barty will be staying with us for a little while.
Reply
Wonderful. Twinky, fix up some rooms for them? I believe Barty prefers the haunted one, do make sure Regulus gets one that isn't haunted--oh, and take their luggage.
*But there isn't any, and now he feels both stupid and more worried for it. A lack of luggage seems less like visiting and rather more like fleeing. But those are all questions for his wife, not these children.*
Well, take their cloaks, at least.
Reply
Leave a comment