A New Beginning in Diagon Alley

Bellatrix was eccentric and sickeningly cruel, but sometimes, randomly, she could be so affectionate and agreeable that it was...comforting. In her own way, she was endearing and each compliment she managed to casually give made Adrian warm up to her just a little bit more.

'Your eyes are like the killing curse. They're amazing.'

Minor things continuously managed to leave Adrian unsure, wavering and internally conflicted on how he should feel. After a year, he stopped caring. After a year, he started liking it.

Bellatrix was probably insane, she was a terrible mother (heaven forbid Adrian ever think of her as his actual mother), but she was so much better. "Hello!" Bellatrix exclaimed, throwing the door open hard enough to crack into the plaster on the opposite side of the hinges. Adrian didn't look up, the sound was quite common.

Bellatrix moved over to the food platters, giggling to herself as she mangled pancakes between her fingers.

"You have a mission?" Adrian asked, not bothering to look behind him. She drifted over to the table. She was wearing an outfit that at one point must have been fairly expensive. Now though it was stained with blood and torn in places, exposing the pale skin in some places.

"Yes!" She hissed out with delight, her eyes lighting up with manic glee that he had come to associate with her. Adrian barely blinked at it. "He has a task for us!"

Which honestly wasn't unexpected at this point.

"Anything new?" Adrian asked quietly, spearing a bit of fruit a lot more forcefully than necessary using his fork.

Adrian had learned of his own task. Bubbling through his blood and seared into his mind with the branding imprint of scales and rhythmic pulsating of 'Dumbledore... Dumbledore... Dumbledore...' His mission was quite obvious and easy to interpret: he was to spy on Dumbledore and not get caught.

Easier said than done, Adrian thought.

"I have this new curse," Bellatrix gushed, flopping into a nearby chair and twisting her features into an unhinged grin.

Adrian grimaced and absentmindedly rubbed his upper left arm, where a thin white scar had been ingrained in his skin. Bellatrix noticed the movement and pouted as only she could, crossing her arms disappointed. "That was an accident!"

"It was fully intentional and you know that," Adrian snapped back. Bellatrix wavered before grudgingly agreeing.

Rodolphus rolled his eyes, well-used to the almost psychotic interactions of his unstable 'family.'

"Why don't you take the boy to get a new book of curses," Rodolphus sighed, finally glancing up with disguised amusement. "Merlin knows he'll learn more than whatever you teach him."

Bellatrix continued to pout, plucked a toast soldier from Adrian's plate and ate it obnoxiously.

It was true, Adrian did enjoy books. It hadn't also taken long for Rodolphus and Bellatrix to realize just how fascinated he was with magical creatures. Rabastan came to visit with a runespoor one day. It made terrible conversation - its multiple heads kept arguing with each other - but it also kept Adrian's attention.

"New book?" Lutain hissed interestedly, peering out from under Adrian's clothing to slither lazily across the table. "More rats?"

"Is there a store for rats?" Adrian sighed, stroking one finger down Lutain's dark back.

"Magical Menagerie in Diagon Alley," Rodolphus drawled, "Varmint and Underden in Knockturn."

Adrian gave a short nod, looking at Bellatrix who hummed and tapped her chin dramatically with one black tipped manicured nail. "Ooh, I could go to Knockturn."

"Good, then we're going," Adrian announced, standing upright and holding one arm out. "Lutain?"

Bellatrix's face split with an infectious smile as it always did when he spoke Parseltongue. Lutain obliged, sliding upwards and around his forearm under his shirt sleeve.

"Set up an account with Underden, they'll send you things on schedule to Hogwarts," Rodolphus grunted, looking like he may say more before falling silent and saying nothing else.

Adrian didn't mind, he could figure it out on his own.

Diagon Alley was crowded with students already shopping for goods before the list for Hogwarts was even sent out. Children, only slightly older or younger than himself, bustled about with their wizarding parents, urging at them to get a wand before the muggleborn rush. Adrian had already gotten his months before, holly and phoenix feather.

He had also invested in a bird for messages, something faster and stronger than the everyday owl. A gyrfalcon, a beautiful white bird with markings like a snowy owl. Her eyes were golden and intelligent. Adrian named her Hedwig.

Hedwig had already proven her worth; she had claimed the highest nest of the Lestrange owelry. She ate mice and sometimes hunted extra for Lutain.

"Alright, Adrian, I'll be in Knockturn. You know what to do," Bellatrix spoke under her breath with a hushed voice. Bellatrix gave him a manic grin, her eyes lighting up, as she passed along a bulging coin purse. Although not pinned down by the ministry, it was common knowledge that she was a strong follower of the Dark. Along with her husband and brother-in-law, Bellatrix tended to avoid places like Diagon Alley and the ministry regulations that came with them.

"Follow the smoke," Adrian said dryly, arching one eyebrow as Bellatrix giggled. She pulled her hood down lower and slunk off in the direction of the poorly-lit Knockturn Alley.

Adrian could get most of his Hogwarts shopping done now. He turned sharply, eying most of the stores along the strip and only sidestepping when a bustling family tried to force their way past. He was fairly certain that he already owned the necessary books for first year, although possibly not, given the fact the Defense Against the Dark Art's position was 'cursed.'

(Bellatrix had laughed openly while telling him the story.)

....

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