Blackbird

Chapter 29

"Andromeda, for once in your life can you please behave like a rational person and not be excited about returning school?" Bellatrix said exasperatedly, seeing the way her younger sister practically vibrated with excitement.

"What can I say?" Andromeda shrugged. "Some of us are just more brilliant than others."

Beside her, Rabastan burst into laughter, while Bellatrix raised her eyebrow. Andromeda had never insulted her before, and certainly never so smoothly. If Andromeda wasn't mistaken there was an appreciative smile hiding under Bella's incredulity. Even Rodolphus looked impressed.

"She's certainly too smart for you, Rabastan," Evan Rosier said, a smirk on his lips as he readjusted his grip on Bella's shoulders.

Andromeda almost blushed a little. Evan Rosier had never complimented her before. He'd never even given any indication that he liked her; only tolerating her for Bella's sake.

Rabastan smiled. "Good thing I'm pretty."

Rosier scoffed, but he didn't have a response. Hiding where none of them could see, Rabastan's hand slipped inside hers and gave it a gentle squeeze.

For the first time, Rabastan's touch didn't make her feel uncomfortable. She hadn't felt uncomfortable around him since their moment in the library. So, in the spirit of firsts, she squeezed his hand back.

She'd never been this relaxed around any of them. Not since...

Not since before she'd started spending time with Ted.

And just like that, Rabastan's warm hand made her feel cold and clammy. It had been almost three weeks since she'd seen Ted, if she didn't count her brief glimpse of his back fleeing the entrance hall the day before break. She could feel it, his absence, like a knawing hunger that was eating her up from the inside. She'd tried to force him out her mind. She had other things to think about, but he'd always crept back in.

She'd thought about trying to send him a letter, but eventually decided against it, and not just because she was afraid of getting caught. Ted had been so angry with her, and for good reason. He would need time to calm down.

She just hoped three weeks had been long enough, because she was dying to see him. It was the real reason she was so excited to return to Hogwarts.

From across their compartment, Rodolphus was watching her. Bile rose in Andromeda's throat, and she had to force herself not to look away too quickly.

As far as she could tell Rodolphus had done as Bellatrix... requested. He'd said something to Narcissa before he'd left, and she'd spent the rest of the night crying herself to sleep. Andromeda could only assume these were spurred by the sudden end to their relationship, as Narcissa still wasn't speaking to her. Her suspicion was confirmed by the disgruntled looks Rodolphus gave Bellatrix every time she wasn't looking. As soon as she threatened to glance in his direction he hastily looked away. It seemed Rodolphus really did fear her elder sister, as every rational creature should.

Not that it really mattered to her. He'd taken her bright, bubbly little sister and ripped out her light. That wasn't something she'd ever forget.

She just wished she'd been the one to stop him.

"Rolf, we need to find you a girl," Rabastan said as his foot reached across the compartment to kick his brother's knee.

It wasn't like Rabastan knew what she had been thinking about, but she shuddered at the coincidence of it anyway. She also couldn't stop herself from glancing over at Rodolphus. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Bellatrix do the same.

If Rodolphus was aware of their gazes, he didn't show it. He only had eyes for Rabastan.

"Find me one you haven't already dated."