#houseofblack + #houseofrosier | On Christmas morning, Bellatrix descended in her best dress, her dark hair tamed into a loose braid for once, and a small belt cutting her in half. It made her think of the silver thing Darcy had worn almost two months ago. She shook herself out of the thought before it could continue into the hallway just outside the Slytherin common room. The house was unusually alive with voices. As she stepped into the sitting room, she spotted Andromeda and Pandora seated comfortably by the hearth. They seemed to be engaged in pleasant conversation, their heads bent close. “Mum and dad are staying in France,” Pandora was saying, “probably glad to be rid of us.” A small figure suddenly barrelled around the corner and collided squarely with Bellatrix’s side. “Watch it—” she began. Evan grinned up at her. His ocean blue eyes sparkled with something far too knowing for his age. “Careful, Bella,” he said, his voice dropping into an exaggerated, ominous whisper. “You’d better watch out for your present this year.” Bellatrix arched a single eyebrow, unimpressed. “Shut up, Evan. Go play with your toy broomsticks or whatever you do.” Evan only giggled darkly and darted away toward the presents, casting one last mischievous glance over his shoulder. Before Bellatrix could move further into the room, the heavy doorbell rang through the manor. Andromeda’s head whirled round, eyes meeting Bellatrix’s. She mouthed: ‘Lestranges?’ But from the way Druella’s voice lit up at the door, it was clear Walburga had arrived. Sure enough, two black-haired boys entered the sitting room. Sirius sauntered in with his usual, careless swagger that seemed slightly too big for him, while young Regulus meandered behind him with his head down. Bellatrix failed to suppress the genuine smile that tugged at her lips at the sight of her favourite cousin. “Cousin,” Bellatrix greeted dryly, though the effort to sound unexcited was obvious. Sirius gave a performative grimace, pushing his messy hair out of those striking grey eyes. “Cousin.” fic name: The Blood on my Teeth Tastes Like You, by rustedpinegirl on Ao3 (I don’t gaf about canon ages, deal) #edit #maraudersera #siriusblack tl: @☆ @za 🎠 @7\ @conscissnes @mil @izzy 𝜗𝜚 @cosmia🔮 @putkalover👅👅👅 @cosmicmrd 𖦹 @daisy💐🪖 - @rustedpinegirl