Private Message to Rodolphus

[alt_bellatrix]

No doubt you've been waiting for this, so I'll just get on with it:

How long has it been going on?

Comments

[alt_rodolphus]

Oh wife, please do clarify. There are so many possible referents.

[alt_bellatrix]

You may have skill at keeping secrets, but your daughter does not.

[alt_rodolphus]

Doesn't she?

What gave it away, then?

[alt_bellatrix]

What didn't give it away? From her look of pained concentration throughout the meal to her refusal to look my way...and then after supper, when she knew I was watching from the other room, she pocketed an orange and ran off with it to her room.

[alt_rodolphus]

I see.

Perhaps she has finally taken steps in learning to resist the Imperius curse. I should think you be pleased at that.

[alt_bellatrix]

Had she taken those same steps without your coaching and coddling, perhaps. Done without my knowledge, no less.

[alt_rodolphus]

Just as your cursing her was done without mine.

We agreed, Bella. You run your punishments by me, first.

[alt_bellatrix]

It wasn't a punishment, Sir Gallant, it was a measure of prevention. I don't like that woman sending me Owls about Hydra and her diet and oral care - as if I never tried to teach the girl either, time and time again.

[alt_rodolphus]

Ah, so it comes down to your pride.

Surely you can see that she's lost weight, and that regardless of your intent, it was seen by both Hydra - and anyone else who determined what was going on - as punishment.

[alt_bellatrix]

Ridiculous. If she lost weight then it's her own fault, silly girl. No one ever wasted away because they couldn't have their sweets and bonbons - no one but a fool.

Why you persist in seeing has as a tiny, feeble thing....do you not know that you only encourage her to stay that way?

[alt_rodolphus]

You used to encourage her too, once, and now it seems you've opted for shortcuts.

I can't think of many tiny, feeble things that would have success in resisting you.

You must at least concede to that.

[alt_bellatrix]

Oh, they might if they all had you to hold their hand.

And there's something else going on, too...something else you haven't told me.

[alt_rodolphus]

Oh? What is it now.

[alt_bellatrix]

Hydra's only been back a few days, but her things are already scattered about the house, the kitchen elves have gone through the eggs in half the usual time, and...

You took her out of school early, didn't you.

[alt_rodolphus]

You truly are credit to your profession, Bella.

[alt_bellatrix]

You are fortunate that I am very, very busy right now.

[alt_rodolphus]

I'm not necessarily sure that's true.

[alt_bellatrix]

Not this tired act again. You had better



No, no. You will not draw me into this. Not now. My energies are better utilised elsewhere...and the worst part is that you know this.

Go back to holding hands, then. Some of us have a Protectorate to serve.