✧OFF TO AMERICA✧

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Regulus stayed the night in the classroom as well, though it was a bit more conventional as she gave him a pillow and blanket. He did admit that the couch was a comfort, and the surrounding area that Aria made was brilliant that finding sleep was no trouble.

It was waking up and having to hurry to pack that is what caused stress on his own part.

Aria had been confused as to why he ran out in the morning, but he assumed it was for the better. Instead she found herself struggling to get ready with a bobby pin in her mouth and her hair in both hands.

"Aria?"
"It's open!" She called out to Clem, and the friend hurried in with a smile on her face.
"I talked to professor Flitwick, he approved on us getting our own room! Oh isn't it exciting! We can have a whole couch and another bookshelf!" This choice should've been followed through ages ago, but now was surely the best to finally go through with it.

Even if it wasn't the most severe of the arguments, it surely had been that last Aria could ever take in the setting of where she was meant to find solitude in sleep.

A parcel would be going home with each of them, and he expected to get a signature returned to him by the time they return to Hogwarts in the new year. Aria had no issues with this as it would give Mr.Crawford a chance to sign it, and not involve Mrs.Blanchard.

Thank the gods for that bit.

With the note in her satchel, and just a few gifts remaining to be passed out. Did Aria take a final look to Hogwarts from the valiant of the carriage, it was fairly chatty in the cart as she and Clem joined a few younger year Ravenclaws.

They were excited for break, and Aria wasn't going to let her fowl mood taint that. So she looked outside the window and couldn't wait to be out and away from the public eye.

When boarding the Hogwarts expression it was a pleasant sigh of relief, especially when she spotted Remus heading into the Marauders compartment.

"Remus!" Dodging the oncoming flow of students did she smile in front of him for a moment.

"H-hey...I didn't see you at breakfast."

"Yeah, Clem and I are switching dorm rooms so we had to sort all that out...But I wanted to give you your gift before I lose track of everyone." No matter how awful she felt, when she dipped into her satchel and pulled out a beautifully wrapped gift.

"Oh!" He gasped, and he too reached down for one. Already knowing that sending an owl off to America, thankfully it didn't need to come down to that.
"I know you don't like gifts, but mum always said it's best to give in return than get something and not have something for them."

"That's sweet, but I could've settled for your mum's cookies instead."

"I'll bring some back yeah, and hey...Enjoy America alright? You deserve a real break for once." She agreed completely and held onto his robe to move him out of oncoming students away to not get bumped.

"I'll see you in the prefect's cart, reign in the boys will you?"
"I'll do my best." After wishing one last merry Christmas she decided that it'd be best to get dressed into her normal clothes before all hell breaks lose later.

Best not have to change in the station's bathroom before heading to the ministry.

Having said that she still held the prefect badge on her tucked in blouse, it was clear that she was dressed for a day in Salem's school for witches with this type of getup.

She reported for her duty and decided it was best that she just stay on this end of the train, but when Rabastan had caught her in the corner he frowned. "Now I know you aren't hiding from me darling..."
"No. Just the rest of the world." She said without looking up from her book, but when he hadn't responded nor moved she looked over her glasses and the semi-clear and semi blurry image of him wasn't working for her.

So she shifted her position and marked her book.

"Did Regulus tattle on me?" He tilted his head, it seems as though she tattled on herself and she lifted the book's cover to press against her forehead.

"No, but I'd like to know what he would've had he the chance to share." Rabastan offered, coming to sit down beside her, attempting to coax her to tell but also to pry the book away from her face.

"I'm not here."

"Come darling, I only want to make sense as to why you weren't at breakfast this morning. Or dinner last night." Plopping the book down onto her lap, was she mindful of the fact that Omen was just a few inches away. And although Aria was careful, the feline was not as trusting to her mum to give her benefit.

Causing her to flinch.

"Oh Omen, I'm so sorry..." She gushed out, cuddling the furry creature and attempting to stall the conversation with Lestrange. But if the lad had learned anything in his life, it was to reserve his level of patience for the finer things in life.

And she was surely it.

"I'll be dorming with just Clem in the new year, I had my final straw with Amelia." It was a surprise sure, but he couldn't be entirely unhappy with this final decision.

"I'm sure it's for the best, though I do wish Regulus would've told me."
"More worried he told you about the panic attack, bless that boy honestly." She smiled thinking of Regulus and what he did last night, but the kind expression she was displaying was making Rabastan ever the more jealous.

So much for being patient.

"I can just as easily be of some comfort." She shook her head, looking rightly guilty as she fiddled with the book's cover.
"Not when I'm like that Lestrange, I think that's what made it worse when you found me in the hallway. You made it..." Worse.

She hadn't said it out loud, but he had gotten the idea.

Which caused him to connect his elbows to his knees, running a stressful hand through his hair—Making it an uneven mess.
"Also, you're little ex was stalking me in the library. That's always fun." Now there were a few issues with this, Aria hadn't made clear who it was, and Rabastan having to run through a quick list made her cross her arms.

Clearly offended.

"Sorry love, I haven't rightly dated a gal."
"Oh grand, what a reminder."
"But I want that with you Aria, I haven't wanted that with anyone before. It's strange, it truly is. I care about your opinion of me, though it's probably risen about fifty percent of gitness." "
For a total of seventy-eight percent, congratulations." She bit back, turning to her book once again, but Rabastan had lightly tugged it down for her to pay attention.

Earning him a glare.

"Barns means nothing."
"Ah, so you've narrowed down the long list."
"Aria I truly mean it, she means nothing and if she tries to do anything then I want—need you to tell me." The gal shook her head and conformed deeper into the corner, leaving Omen to be the divider between him and her.

Which Aria was thanking the goddess for.

"I didn't have this issue with Fabian, and I don't want to compete with bloody gals like that. Not when I hardly know you."
"But you do...Want to know me?" Her brows enclosed in confusion, it was a sight indeed.

Rabastan was attracted to her personality, and this spoke volumes. This reminded her of Regulus in some aspects, his look of desperation of being near a genuine human being. But he hadn't a clue how to go about it, gods it took so many study sessions for Regulus to finally get out of his shell, and by then it was halfway through his first year.

And by that time second they were in the Astronomy tower just studying—Then talking, though he was always so far away and so quiet that it made her worry that there was more to it than Regulus.

The issue here is that Rabastan wanted that, and that wasn't something he could just obtain. Aria wanted friendship and he wanted a full-blown relationship, and whatever else is involved in his idea of a 'relationship'.

But in looking to him now, when his stormy grey eyes looked so terrified for more of a denial she simply couldn't do it. There was a part of her, that strong part that wanted his warmth again that she was adamant to just cut him off completely.

What was the worse that could happen?

"Yes. I do." She responded, though it hadn't come out as quickly as she'd like. The analysis of the situation was going to give her a migraine, luckily there was only an hour or so left of the ride.

"Ah, thank merlin. Lestrange, Roswell. Could you get the first year cart? The fourth years bloody forgot to check-in." Aria had turned to look at the Headboy this given year, and she smiled in agreement before Rabastan could tell him to fuck off.

"Of course." She agreed, and the lad looked as though she took the weight off his shoulders. This was all she wanted to do for those around her, and it wasn't as though she was doing anything anyhow.

"How is it that you say yes to everyone else...But no to me?" Rabastan mumbled sadly, and she turned back towards him while grabbing her satchel and pulling it over her head.
"Do you really want me to answer that?" It was clear that he hadn't meant to say it out loud, she held on tightly to her cloak in her hands as she looked to him.

Almost in preparation to him saying yes, but he remained silent.

Obviously regretting his question.

"He asked me to complete a task that goes with being a prefect, you are asking me for something much more personal. I only know your character from what you've done to me in the past, Lestrange. You cannot want my attention and smirk off after." She was completely right and he knew it. But what he wasn't expecting was Aria grabbing his hand and yelling off to Omen to stay in this train cart.

Usually she followed that order.

"So why did you agree to do this?"
"Because the younger years are so much easier to control than the seventh years. And this is their first time coming home for the holidays, I think it's sweet." Their hands were still interlock as it was the easiest way to weave through the students walking and hanging out in the cart's hallways instead of compartments.

It wasn't all that difficult to follow Aria, but since the majority of classmates had changed out of their school robes he was likely to lose her in the crowds.

But her style was rather distinctive to the dozens of muggle jeans and whatever other styles there were.

He himself had on what he'd normally wear at home, overcoat and all. Though his satchel was with his mates as he was going to join them in a bit.

However he wanted a final impression on Aria before the new year, especially when that damnable Aidan was mocking him.

The mere idea of him was threatening.

There wasn't much to do, it was just instructing those still in robes to change, others to keep it down and vise versus. He would've never agreed to volunteer for a task like this, but perhaps it'll help to gain the title of head boy in the future.

And gain favorability in Aria.

By the end of it there was about twenty minutes remaining of the ride, and now was a time for anxiety as Aria had went to the cart to retrieve Omen only it was taking much longer than he was first expecting.

"Oh sweet Salzar, you got her a gift?" Rabastan tucked the small wrapped gift back into his pocket and frowned at his friends, Avery especially. "I don't think it's your business, mate."

"Oh but it is! Did you even talk about gifts?" He shook his head, he just wanted to see the surprised look on her face when he'd give it to her...if she'd come back.

"Er, best give it to her soon. We'll be at the platform soon." McNair issued, and Rabastan sunk in his seat further. "Yes, I realize that McNair, thank you. She was getting her cat." Avery rolled his eyes but leaned in closer, asking what the gift was.

A ring was not the answer in either of their minds.

"A ring, are you blooding proposing?"
"N-no. She just liked my rings and I thought hers all looked rather dull." McNair's head fell into his hands.
"That's because they're blessings—for her designated Sanctuary." So perhaps Rabastan hadn't thought it all the way through, but hopefully the gesture was enough?

He wouldn't know if she didn't return soon.

Luckily when he rose from his seat he caught Aria and Regulus in the hallway conversing, the two already exchanged gifts—Though Rabastan hadn't seen that between the two.

With a final hug had the two separated, and thus Aria smiled towards him with an accusing eye. "I think you made Reg run away on me."
"He has his own friends to chat with." She rolled her eyes, part of her was suspicion on the entire ordeal. She hadn't been gone all that long, and besides...She had just finished giving out the last of her gifts with Sirius' in his brother's hand as well.

"Would you like to join my compartment then?"
"I've made it into the snake den?" She teased back, but ultimately found herself enjoying the teasing nature that came with Avery and McNair. It was almost amplified from what she heard when joining the snakes at breakfast or lunch, but since they were in the privacy of their own devices...Aria found herself liking the boys a lot more.

They remaindered her the Marauders, just missing a final member and were more or less together since childhood. But that didn't mean they weren't close, they were. Though Aria could pick up some catering to the Lestrange boy, he was the higher-ranked after all.

Or what she assumed at least.

Unfortunately for Rabastan, the train ride had ended faster than he would've liked, as it pulled in and stopped at the platform. And Aria had already felt a nervous wave crash her down, it was always this stressful when leaving the country.

She didn't know if the ministry would allow her to leave, it was always a defining factor.

The issue now was that neither Aria nor Rabastan wanted to be caught beside one another. It was more innocent on Roswell's end than most, as she didn't know who was picking her up as opposing to how many.

Especially when she denied her siblings the chance to drop her off this semester.

Rabastan, on the other hand, had given a silent stare off towards McNair, which ultimately meant that he knew the risks but needed to get one last moment with Aria before the new year.

It wasn't like his father would be the one to pick him up, but over the years it's been a mix between going with the Blacks, Mrs.Malfoy coming to collect him and the Blacks...All the above.

The two hurried out first, and it caught Aria's attention as Rabastan turned slightly ridged.
"Er, no offense Lestrange. But I much rather not get questioned by whoever is here picking me up."
"None taken." As my worries for you were far worse.

With that being said, he was the one this time to initiate the hand holding dragging her off in hopes of finding her trunk and helping her for a kindly gentlemen moment, though it was rushed as she caught both Sirius and Regulus waiting in front with Mrs.Malfoy.

"My mother isn't here to pick me up, and it seems I'm going with the Black brothers to stay with her...I'm sorry I cannot be of more help Aria, or at least wait for your parents to—"
"It's alright. Omen's good at spotting them out. M-Merry Christmas Rabastan." She offered, but he grinned at the mention of the holiday.

And once Aria had caught sight of the wrapped present she frowned. "I thought I said my piece about gifts?"
"Yes, but it's Christmas and there's merit in it. Happy winter solstice love." She rolled her eyes, but in that moment she had clearly lost sight of him leaning in to her a polite and chaste kiss on her cheek.

Her cheeks flared up instantly as she was hardly holding said gift her grasp. But with all the energy she was wrangling in to keep her hair from shifting, she was surely damning herself with the way Rabastan was smiling down with her.

"Enjoy that ball dropping." She let an improper snort as she tried to cover it up, but the gal simply smiled further as he took his trunk and was on his merry way.

Gods, she was screwed.

Omen on the other hand decided to make her appearance and instead of sitting on her satchel like usual, perches herself onto her mum's shoulder.

"I hadn't gotten him anything Omie. What do I do?" She mumbled, turning to claim her trunk and find the usual meeting grounds for her American departure. Yet the pleasant surprise of Mrs.Crawford made it so much easier to settle for a hug.

"Oh sweetheart, look at you. Getting so big on me..." She was such a dotting parent, even acting the part in claiming Aria didn't owl enough on her end.

Nor spent the allowance that they had sent in compensating for...Everything.

Rabastan on the other hand had caught the exchange between Aria and her mother, it wasn't suspicious in his mind as to where her father was. It was indeed a trek to come to London, hell, his own father didn't leave the house unless it was to go and entertain that damn Sewlyn woman.

After giving a slight smile to Regulus and a sickening smirk to Sirius, it felt like this holiday wouldn't be as bad as the others. At least he had given Aria her gift and left her utterly speechless.

In other news, Aria and Christine Crawford had made wonderful time being admitted into the ministry travel section, the only issue was that it was time-consuming when the new year always offered a new travel ticket or some other dilemma.

Aria sat patiently while her almost adoptive mother attempted to rectify the situation, even going the ends of guilt-tripping the bloke behind the desk in order to secure a portkey home.

It was never easy and this was always her biggest fear. She knew that Mrs.Crawford would make the means and set her up in a hotel room of the sorts but she had been so looking forward to America that the chance of it being canceled strangled her.

Reaching into her cloak pocket had she found Rabastan's gift, one she had never even imagined to appear in her hand. That blasted git was trying, and it was an honest attempt considering her surprise over it.

She'd open it later, but she'd set it up top beside Regulus', Clem's and Remus' gift.

"I'm so sorry sweetheart, it took longer than I would've liked it to. Are you ready?" The sweet sound of her voice called upon Aria and her hyperactive mind, but it was slightly daunting that she and Christine had to spend three hours in holding before the papers were set in order.

The rush that came with transporting around the world left an even worse pit in her stomach, but it did help that the MACUSA was already filled with the sound of American accents.

That she was thankful for, as well as Christine guiding her throughout the given area and handling talking to customs. All Aria had to do was hold onto Omen and follow after Mrs.Crawford, and before she knew it.

She was at home.

Her bedroom had been decorated to fit the holiday spirit, a little festive tree in the corner and hanging reefs as there wasn't much else to add to the winter solstice.

Aria had taken the load of presents from her satchel and found them a place under the mini evergreen. "Knock knock." Eli teased, and Aria smiled off to the doorway.

"How was the semester?" She nodded, stopping her task as she hurried to her almost father's embrace. And no amount of consulting could aid her as she started to cry.

This semester was starting to be far too much for her to handle, and as she gave him the slip to sign for Flitwick. He downright demanded that he went and talked to Amelia and Isabella himself, but Aria denied his attempts before and it wasn't all that difficult to do it now.

When she did finally end up calming down enough, Eli hadn't let go of holding her. No matter what the ministry of America or Britain said, she was his.

Since the day he met her in that Orphanage he had no issue in taking another child under his wing, and although she never shared everything. He felt relieved that she had finally looked to him for some comfort.

"Maybe you should stay home tonight, go out tomorrow with your friends." Wiping her eyes had she agreed, earning herself another rub on her back before he turned up to look at the progress she made on unpacking.

But his attention turned to the Christmas tree in the corner. "For someone who doesn't celebrate the holiday, you always do make out well with gifts bubbles." She groaned into his chest, that nickname was never going to die out.

"I just missed you all."
"And we missed you, did Chrissy tell you that Michael is going to propose?"
"Think she mentioned something, Emma and Simone said she's very nice." The two stayed like this for another few minutes, just in the company of one another.

Eli was trying to work up the idea of asking what had finally pushed her to switch dorms, but he decided to wait for when she would enact that conversation.

"Are you hungry?" She shook her head, causing him to frown.
"There's cookies downstairs, or how about we settle for some hot chocolate?"
"Did Chrissy tell you we were late?" Aria mumbled, and her old headmaster sighed right beside her.

"I'm talking to my lawyers in the new year, we'll sort through it."
"I'm almost of age in Britain, it won't matter soon." It wasn't that Aria was ever a troubled child, she was just excessively down on herself.

Which he assumed steamed from the time spent in the Orphanage.

She didn't speak much what happened, but he always knew that the headmistress wasn't a saint as he recalled.

"If Mrs.Blanchard sees any devil work..." 

Those words haunted him every time, he wanted to know. But every time he worked himself to question it, he caught him looking at that skinny little witch in bulky second-hand clothing.

She was dirty as could be, skinny as though she hadn't eaten—And she hadn't.

He didn't regret any decision he made when it came to her, if anything he wished the process to adopt her hurried the hell up.

"Of course it matters. I want you in this family, I want you to know that you are always welcomed in this household."
"I already know that."
"Yes, but I want it confirmed, and none of these border issues." She wiped her eyes and decided that maybe some tea wouldn't be the end of the world, and thus she went downstairs to enjoy a few biscuits from the tin and a freshly brewed mix.

They did indeed cater to her British roots, especially when she adored tea.

"Sweetie there you are! Let me make you something to eat, you are so skinny good gods. Do they feed you at the school?"
"Of course, and I even snuck into the kitchens." She spoke, and the look of suspicion soon rallied on either adult figure.

Causing her to stuff another biscuit into her mouth.

"Simone and Ben should be coming soon, Emma said by tonight...Oh I cannot wait! Are you going out with the girls tonight? Or is Aidan stopping by?" The knowing smile landed on Chrissy's face, but Aria simply shook her head.

"He's seeing someone." It was clear what that meant, and while her placement mother tried and consulted her she simply shrugged it off.

"I'll have a word with—"
"Absolutely not." Aria stopped him, her face growing all the more, which gave Eli the reason to smile.
"Alright...But one wrong move I'm teaching that little wizard a lesson." He spoke, coming down to give her a small kiss on the forehead.

Better yet, two arms encased her form and a head locked on above hers. At first she thought it was Eli, but when looking up she saw her adoptive older brother grinning widely down to her.

"Michael!"

"Hey bubbles! Gods it's been a while, look at you!" He squeezed the living lights out of her, and what been a groan of being strangled was meant for her nickname. It would never die down in this household.

Ever.

"And look at you...Engaged?"
"I know right?! You're going to love her." She remained in his hold for a while longer, but the time differences always acted worse in going 'back in time' as she claimed. So she wrote a quick owl to Elizabeth and Phoebe so they wouldn't come all this way only for her to say she wasn't up for it.

The siblings soon trickled in, and by dinner time Aria struggled to remain awake with the rest of the family. Which ultimately had Chrissy send her up to bed, Omen was already relaxing on the bed—The center of course as it would always end in Aria having to move the damn feline.

"We'll cuddle soon, I just want a quick wash love." And that she had, but she did most of her personal thinking in the shower, and it only amplified as it was Holiday break without any academic studies needing to be worried about.

"That damnable bastard." She groaned, her hair changing a flash of colors. But not in an anxiety-ridden way as the night before, but even laying in her bed—The one she had slept in all summer, she felt out of place.

Still.

Even when Eli coddled her, or when Chrissy fussed over every detail. She made America sound so much better than Hogwarts even when she felt misplaced in either.

Was it Aidan she was pushing for?

And what the hell did Rabastan Lestrange mean to her?

Glaring at the Christmas tree she picked up his gift, her hair still damp and although her curiosity was getting the best of her...Something else caught her attention, placing his down did she turn to see a label.

To my favorite acquaintance -Sirius Black

"You sneaking bastard." She grumbled, how was it that every thought it be the best idea to give gifts. The idea was so materialistic, the room around her already felt cluttered. Hell the only thing besides the bookshelf and dresser were pictures, and even then she found herself unable to leave the packing until tomorrow.

Her mentality of having to hide things away hasn't simmered, mostly due to her roommates in Hogwarts picking up the habit that the children at the Fountain of Angels would manage to do.

Having said that she allowed her hair to air dry whistle putting away the majority of her packed attire. There wasn't much of course, but enough to actually take a few minutes to unpack.

Then again she hadn't used magic, even if it was a magical household, she still didn't feel right in the ministry being an arse and sending the Crawfords another parcel over her simple cleaning spell.

With all that said and done she found herself getting comfortable under the covers, even inviting Omen to rest on her chest under the warmth of the blanket.

"Why is it that everyone tells me to relax and enjoy myself? They make me sound so...So sad." Perhaps the inside of her soul wasn't a proper reflection of what she was feeling.

Taking Omen in her grasp did she turn to her side, cuddling the furry beast completely before finding that relaxation that everyone seemingly pushed to her.

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Date Posted: 03-18-2020

Time: 8:30

Words: 4902

I really like how this chapter turned out, hopefully I captured how different Rabastan is in terms of wanting something genuine and real as appose to what he's used to.
He knows Aria isn't after title or money, and it's a refreshing quality.

And he's being a completely adorable bean😂