Untitled, as of yet, HP fanfic

Rodolphus Lestrange sat alone on the crumbling doorsteps of the ancient house of Lestrange, staring over the somewhat neglected grounds which were faintly illuminated by the light of the crescent moon.

He slapped at the occasional mosquito, but otherwise didn't move.

Bellatrix had left again, a few minutes ago, without bothering to say goodbye.

But she needn't bother; Rodolphus was actually glad she didn't, because it would only give him that much more anger to hold in - and luckily he had enough sense to hold anger in.

He knew roughly where she was and exactly what - no, make that 'who' - she would be doing.

'Everyone-Knows-Who,' he thought, and laughed maniacally, 'Who else?'

He'd wait for about an hour, just to make sure she wasn't coming back tonight...

She could get away with killing his lover. (And quite honestly, he couldn't blame her if she did.)

But she wouldn't find out what he was up to. No, he was far too paranoid, far too careful, and not so obvious.

. . .

Lord Voldemort laughed coldly. He really enjoyed what went on in Rodolphus's head. That was precisely the reason he now seated the Lestranges directly across from himself at all the Death Eater meetings. And Bellatrix thought he simply liked looking at her. Ha! Well, admittedly he did, but mostly he stared into Rodolphus's dark eyes, into his mind, only pretending to hear Nott's boring (and faulty) report.

Voldemort shifted his eyes to Rabastan. Rabastan was rather nervous by nature; he was always glancing around suspiciously, but the Dark Lord could hold anyone's gaze.

. . .

Rabastan had awoken sometime during the early hours, before sunrise. He climbed out of bed, threw on a bathrobe, and walked down the torch-lit hallway toward the kitchen. Still half-asleep, he was already in the living-room before he noticed them on the couch. Rabastan's mouth flew open; he was shocked - he thought Rodolphus had kicked his mudblood habit. All thoughts of hunger and thirst vanished, and Rabastan backed out slowly, back down the hall, and into his bedroom. He didn't even have the house elf bring him breakfast.
. . .

Nott droned on; Voldemort met Bellatrix's eyes. She had been staring at him the whole time, not listening to a word of whatever Nott was saying, and was delighted to have her Master's attention.

. . .

Bellatrix arrived home shortly after noon to find a note from Rodolphus stuck in the door. ("Gone to Knockturn Alley. Be back later.") Whatever. She threw down her purse, kicked off her shoes, and shouted at the house elf, Blinkie, to bring her a gillywater.

She walked into the living-room. Rabastan sat in her recliner; he hastily opened up the Daily Prophet. That was odd - Rabastan never read the paper. And he usually sat on the couch. "Get out of my chair, Rab," she said. He got up and walked silently to his bedroom, not looking up from the paper, and shut the door. How strange...

She sat down in the recliner and proceeded to order Blinkie around. Blinkie was dusting the couch when Bellatrix caught a glimpse of something bright red sticking out from between the black velvet cushions.

"What is that?"

"Nothing, Mistress." Blinkie grabbed whatever it was, wadded it up, and ran with it.

"CRUCIO!" The elf flew through the air, dropping the item in question.

"Accio!" It flew into Bellatrix's outstretched hand.

. . .

Lord Voldemort laughed again, although no one knew what he was laughing about. He looked into Rodolphus's eyes again.

. . .

Rodolphus arrived home about an hour after Bellatrix. Blinkie met him at the door. She was in tears, bandaged, and badly bruised, which was unusual, considering she was an exceptionally good house elf.

"Master Rodolphus, Master Rodolphus, Blinkie is so sorry, but Mistress has found... has found..."

"Found what?"

Blinkie let out a wail.

"GUESS!" Bellatrix came out of the living-room, lips narrowed and nostrils flared.

"Um, I don't know."

"This. In the sofa." She held out a lacy red bra by a strap, between two fingers.

"It's not my fault you left your bra lying around."

"It's not my bra."

"It must be. I don't wear bras."

"Don't play stupid! CRUCIO!"

He blocked it and ran through the house as she shot curses at his back. Finding Rabastan's door locked, and not taking the time to charm it open, he banged on it with his fists, shouting, "RAB! RAB! HELP ME!"

Rabastan opened the door after several seconds, looking slightly annoyed.

"Bella's found a bra. Cover for me, Bro," Rodolphus panted.

Bellatrix stalked into the hallway to where they were standing, her face scarlet - redder than the bra - with rage. She pointed her wand at Rodolphus. "CRUCIO!"

(To be continued.)