Fatal Affair

Chapter 26: Journey in a Forest

Nova and Bellatrix walked through a dense forest. A thin layer of snow crackled with every step they took, the trees were dark and dead-looking, bare from a long winter. Nova was continuously having to shield her face from branches as she tried to traverse the crowded forest. 

"Where are we?" Nova asked, trying to keep her eyes on Bellatrix through the trees. The lack of leaves helped slightly.

"Albania," Bellatrix said. 

"Albania?" Nova stopped in her tracks. "You apparated us into another country?" 

Bellatrix remained silent. Whether she was ignoring her or too focused on the task to pay attention, Nova didn't know. 

"Bellatrix, why are we in Albania?" Nova asked. Bellatrix continued to ignore her. "Why won't you answer me?" 

"Because," Bellatrix said, continuing her stride forward, "I am not answering stupid questions. You know why we're here." 

"A warning would've been nice," Nova said under her breath. "Ouch," she exclaimed when a branch caught her arm, tearing her sleeve slightly. "Do you at least know where we're going?" 

"I do not," Bellatrix admitted. 

"That's great," Nova said. "Why the hell are we looking for a cup when we don't even know where to look?" 

"If you insist on asking questions, then at least ask ones that have an answer." 

"Fine," Nova said, trying to keep in stride with Bellatrix. "Why was Lucius in Azkaban?" 

"Why do you want to know?" Bellatrix peered over her shoulder. It appeared that Bellatrix was not struggling to walk through the dense trees, whereas Nova struggled to not trip over a root or get nicked in the face by a branch. 

"You have to answer my question if you want me to answer yours," Nova said defiantly. 

There was a long silence that ensued and Nova began to think that Bellatrix wasn't going to answer. "You are wasting your questions on information that is publicly known. He was trialed as a Death Eater and served time for it." 

"What was he doing?" 

"Isn't it my turn to ask a question?" Bellatrix asked. "Why are you going after a married man?" 

Nova thought about what to say for a long moment, not even sure she knew the answer to that. "He's attractive." 

"That's your answer?" Bellatrix asked. "There has to be more to it than that." 

"Maybe I don't know why." 

"Daddy issues?" Bellatrix offered, smiling. "Are we trying to make ourselves feel better for something we lack?" 

"Piss off, Bellatrix," Nova said. "It's my turn to ask a question." When Bellatrix didn't argue, Nova continued. "Why does Narcissa stay with Lucius?" 

"How should I know?" Bellatrix said as Nova jogged until they were walking side by side. "My sister is naive. She believes he will change." 

"That's sad," Nova remarked. 

"Where's your father?" Bellatrix asked. 

After a pause, Nova answered. "He's dead." 

Bellatrix glanced sideways at Nova, then looked ahead. "So I was right. Daddy issues." 

Nova rolled her eyes, annoyed at herself for expecting any kind of empathy from her. "Why is Severus so keen on protecting Draco? I spoke to him in the summer about this, and he seemed to not care all that much."