Bad Romance, a Tale Of Twisted Love And Redemption!

by blaisegellert

Summary:

What if Molly Weasley killing Bellatrix Lestrange was a conspiracy theory that even she believed? Muggle governments give sanction to the
worst criminals if said criminals can, let's say help their space program out, see post World War II. The Ministry decides to learn from this example. Knowing that they have not handled the Voldemort situation well at all, they have finally decided to do better in the future via
making the Lestranges work in their brand new Shadow Ops program. This shall serve to prevent such ever happening again by fighting Dark with
Dark. Only what happens when a new Dark Shadow rises with Voldemort's blood?
#harrypottertheory #conspiracytheory

Notes:

• For Shadowmun, KusanoSaku.

Chapter 1: Think I'll Die Another Day

Writer's Note: Python was a monstrous dragon-serpent set to guard the sacred oracle of Delphi.

Chapter 1: Think I'll Die Another Day

2 May, 1998, Great Hall at Hogwarts to Ministry for Magic

Bellatrix was high on the fight as she always was, especially when dueling more than one at a time. Thrilled and invigorated, she easily dodged hexes while skillfully flinging her own at lightning speed in several directions at once. Granted these girls were only children, but one had to take their sport where they could get it these days. Then something unusual happened…something that had never happened to Bellatrix Lestrange before. Something she'd never considered. Amusement, even hilarity blended with her battle lust at the next turn of events.

Molly Weasley, of all people, flung herself into the fray. She actually believed she could take Bellatrix out! Bellatrix had always thought the woman to be stupid, and now she was certain. And she called her a bitch…as if the truth hurt or something.

Bellatrix laughed in her face. She wondered what kitchen tool Molly, mother of too many Weasleys, planned to use for the killing blow. A frying pan perhaps, or a kitchen mop or…no, wait…a set of knitting needles… or yes, one of those hideous Christmas sweaters… Looking at one of those for too long might just kill anyone.

No, she opted for her wand, her final mistake… Bellatrix was going to kill her like a redheaded stepchild and make her daughter watch before killing her too! Then it happened. She was struck from behind, and felt herself falling. Her knees buckled, and her wand fell from suddenly numb fingers as she attempted to catch herself.

Distantly, she heard a man speaking in congratulatory tones. "You've done it, Mrs. Weasley! You've managed to kill Bellatrix Lestrange!"

NOOOOOOO! That couldn't be, especially as the blow had come from behind, and she'd dodged Molly Weasley's Killing Curse as easily as if it had been thrown by a baby.

"We'll just get the body," the same man's voice spoke.

Not a body, though, because dead bodies could not hear conversations going on around them. Not even if it belonged to her. There was a firm hand on her shoulder, and then the sensation of Apparating, and then she was throwing up.

What had they done to her?

"Good," the same man's voice spoke for a third time. "You're alright, then."

"I'm throwing up, asshole," she managed.

"Yes. If I'd hurt you, you'd not be awake while doing so which would result in choking and possible death. Which would truly be a shame."

"Shut up," she groaned.

"What is the meaning of this?" Bella would know that low sexy voice anywhere. It belonged to Rod.

She hastily straightened, pushing hair out of her eyes to peer around for her husband, instantly comforted by his presence. "Roddy."

"What, are you planning to kill us here, execution style or something? I don't plan to go down without a fight."

All three were accounted for, because that was Rabastan. Bellatrix turned to see the two Lestrange men standing behind her. Their arms and legs were contorted and stiff, caught in strong binding charms.

"Just how are you going to do that while they've got you in a binding charm, Rabastan," Bellatrix asked, lips twitching in amusement at her brother-in-law.

From the fact her arms and legs were still numb, Bellatrix could tell they'd hit her with a stunner instead…no, make that about ten of them, because this was bad. Her muscles twitched and hurt, and she couldn't have stood if someone had offered her all the gold in Gringotts to do so.

"How many of you hit me with stunners?" she growled, looking for the man who'd kept talking once she was down. That must be him standing in the corner, shortish and thin with boring short, brown hair and dodgy blue eyes.

"Ten of us," he replied. "We wanted to use the fight with Mrs. Weasley to make it appear that you were killed."

Bellatrix smirked, then gave a derisive cackle. "Well, then you shouldn't have used her, because no one is going to believe she could've taken me."

"Ah, but they do believe it. More and more are believing it right now as we speak. The reasons for this are simple." He held up one finger. "For one, people want to believe in the fierceness of a mother's love conquering all odds."

Bellatrix felt her lip curling back in a sneer, but before she could make clear what rubbish it was, he was holding up another finger.

"And for another, Mrs. Lestrange, people want to believe what makes them rest easier at night... In this case, you being dead will help many, many people rest easier at night."

"And us?" Rabastan pressed, always the cheeky one. "How are we going to rest?"

Rodolphus nodded. "Indeed. Because if you'd planned to kill us, you'd have done it back at Hogwarts. So what gives?"

"That, Mr. Lestrange, is the best question the three of you have asked yet," the bland Ministry man told Rodolphus.

"What we want you for is simple. We want your skills. You are trackers, hunters, killers, and your skills at torture can get information from anyone or anything."

"Compliments will get you everywhere," Bellatrix said, batting her lashes at Mr. ShortStuff.

"We hope so," he replied seriously. "Or rather we hope our offer will appeal to you enough to take it, because doing so gets you free and not doing so gets you dead."

"Ah, now you're just talking dirty," Rabastan snarked, lips twitching. "Death threats always get me so hot… but see, blokes aren't my thing. Don't you have a hot lady Auror who can talk that sort of trash to me?"

Bellatrix snickered, glancing at Rodolphus, who was strangely serious. "You want us to work for you," he asked Mr. ShortStuff incredulously. "This isn't some sort of joke?"

Mr. ShortStuff shook his head. "I never joke, Mr. Lestrange. It's a waste of time. When we were certain that Voldemort had returned, we hunted him with all the resources we had. We borrowed resources from three other Ministries as well. As you are aware, we came up with nothing. It is our belief that if the three of you were working for us, you could've located him or tortured the information from his followers had you not been among them. Rest assured he will be captured or killed today. What I ask you is will you join him, or live?"

"We're pro-life," Rodolphus said, lips twisting into a grim smile.

Though Bellatrix felt that perhaps her husband was selling all of them out or making the wrong decision, the only emotion she felt was relief.

Chapter 2: I'm a free bitch, baby

Chapter 2: I'm a Free Bitch, Baby

Bad Romance, in the year 2020

Bellatrix crowed with laughter, her wand literally sticking through the chest of her mark, his blood jetting out and covering her in a warm red mist.

"Now that's class," Rodolphus called, his laughter mingling appreciatively with his wife's as he came to stand beside her. His look was admiring as he took in the way the blood caused her robes to cling to her figure. "Don't change your clothes before bed," he requested huskily.

"I can't go in to report looking like this so you'll have to do it alone," she reasoned, drawing her wand from the dead Muggle's chest with a satisfying sucking sound.

"Leave the wand bloody too,"' Rodolphus said, obviously still distracted by romantic thoughts. "I like the wand bloody when you Crucio me. I think it actually enhances it."

Bellatrix frowned in thought. "Hmm, that's interesting!"

"I want you riding me with that bloody wand in one hand," Rodolphus said, leaning toward her to growl his request low into her ear. Bellatrix felt herself shivering in anticipation of a long night of satisfaction.

"Oh yes," she agreed breathily. "Get to the stupid Ministry, and make your report. I'll meet you at the manor."

They lived in the Lestrange family home with Rabastan. Most people believed Bellatrix Lestrange had actually gotten herself killed by stupid Molly Weasley, and that Rod and Rab still rotted away in Azkaban, while the truth was they were now Ministry Shadow Ops. They were fully trusted after giving Unbreakables to never betray the Ministry.

They didn't do this out of any sense of loyalty, of course. They did it to be free of Azkaban… and to live. The Ministry had finally wised up and decided using their abilities was better than letting them rot in prison. They'd struck their deal in nineteen ninety-eight, and aside from the occasional nightmare, hadn't looked back.

Truth be told, they usually enjoyed their work. It was often bloody, involving torture and frequently some killing too! They got to do what they loved legally! The Muggle they'd just killed had discovered magic and was attempting to blackmail the Ministry so he had to go. He was wealthy and could have some backing if allowed to live. To make matters worse, he'd gotten his hands on some potion that prevented him from being Obliviated. Bella and Rod to the rescue again!

First they'd tortured him, but he'd had frustratingly little information. When asked repeatedly who had given him the Anti-Obliviate potion, he'd just said the blonde girl. Then he screamed 'the blonde girl,' and at last cried 'the blonde girl,' but never had anything else to add no matter how much pain Rodolphus and Bellatrix issued forth. He provided no name, only saying she'd promised him power and equality.

Equality…as if stupid filthy Muggles didn't have that and more while wizards skulked in the shadows like fearful rats. Was Gellert Grindelwald interested in doing anything about that situation? To Bellatrix's disgust, the answer to that was a resounding no. The man didn't even have an excuse. He wasn't dead! Not that being dead was an excuse either for some, because Bellatrix knew some very prolific ghosts, some who had accomplished more after their death than before it. However, Grindelwald wasn't dead.

No. Instead he lived the high life while pretending to be his own son to anyone who asked. He ran a shop in Knockturn Alley with Blaise Zabini called Enchanted Odds. When the two weren't there, they were traveling the world, probably doing drugs, and one another, while seeking rare magical artifacts…in other words, doing nothing of value for wizarding society whatsoever.

Rod Apparated away with the Muggle's body, and Bellatrix Apparated directly into the front hall of Raven's Nest, the Lestrange family manor.

"Bell? Rod? That you two?" Rabastan called from the direction of the library.

Bellatrix frowned. He was home early. "You got it half right," she said, wandering in that direction, sticky, blood coated wand in hand.

"What are you doing home so early?" Rabastan was lounging on his favorite chaise, a glass of bourbon in hand.

"Ooh, you look like you had fun," he said. "My day wasn't half bad either," he added with a smirk. "And I got done early because I left hours before the two of you, if you recall."

Now Bellatrix nodded. "Yes, that's true."

"I was supposed to get information from that new bird that just started working at The Three Broomsticks about whoever is having trolls smuggle magical drugs."

Bellatrix nodded. Who would want to take any drugs that trolls had had their hands all over anyway, she wondered with an inner shudder. "Yes, I remember. Did you get anywhere?"

Rabastan grinned. "I thought we'd get further with pillow talk so we started with drinks for breakfast, then her bed. She thought it was hot that I have a Rabastan Lestrange obsession, and that I like pretending to be him."

Bellatrix's brows shot up. "Why would she think that?"

"Because I told her so," he said with a chuckle.

"Why?"

"To see what she thinks about us for fun, and…in case I accidentally call my own name out during sex."

Bellatrix burst out laughing and shook her head, causing blood matted hair to stick to her cheek.

"I mean all that self-pleasuring in Azkaban made me really learn to appreciate my own skills," Rabastan explained, which only made her laugh all the harder.

Rabastan shrugged, taking a sip from his glass. "She did alright. I mean being as good as me is a high standard to live up to, considering all the practice I've had. It was my trick for keeping the Dementors away, you know…happy feelings and all that."

Bellatrix shuddered. Even now, after all this time, the mere mention of Dementors could claw at her very soul. How she'd hated that place. She and Rod had kept one another sane, even if they could only talk, or rather shout from cell to cell. She spoke to her brother-in-law to avoid thinking about it now. "That's very nice."

"Yeah… I figure I'll know the girl I'm supposed to marry when she can get me off better than I can," Rabastan said with a chuckle.

"On that note, I'm going upstairs to wait for your brother, so don't keep him with your chatter when he arrives," Bellatrix said.

Only when she was upstairs in her and Rod's bedroom did she remember that she hadn't told Rabastan of the strange things the Muggle had said under torture about the blonde girl giving him the Anti-Obliviate potion. That was alright, though, she'd tell him later with Rod. Maybe over breakfast tomorrow, because she doubted she and Rod would be coming back down again tonight.

Bellatrix relished lounging on the bed in sticky, blood-clotted robes for a few minutes, but within half an hour the stuff was beginning to dry and flake. Where the hell was Rod? As if summoned by her impatience, he burst through the bedroom door with a baffled and annoyed expression on his face.

"The fucking Ministry wants us to report now! It seems something is up, and they want to brief us or question us, I'll be damned if I know which. It was all hush-hush and weird," he complained. "As soon as I made my report they said both of us were required immediately for whatever the hell is going on."

Bellatrix made a face, frustration rising. "So they're ruining our romantic night," she said in disgust. "Just like the bloody stupid Ministry." Rising with a toss of her blood-spattered tresses, she began tugging the robe over her head. "I'll just get cleaned up first, I suppose. Stupid bloody..."

"They said there isn't time. Just come as you are," Rod said, his lips twisting into a smirk of satisfaction. "I did warn them. And at least you'll still be all sexy for later."

When the two of them strolled into the Head Auror's office, they were met at once by two underlings. "We need you separated for security reasons," one thin, rat-faced man with way too much self-importance said. "We will question one while the other waits. You first, please, Mrs. Lestrange."

Bellatrix was already scowling, unease and anger rising together in her belly like two pissed off phoenixes lifting off from the ashes of her very annoyed mood. She didn't like separating from Rod. Ever. They just didn't. They were always together for everything. When they separated, bad shit happened.

Like when they were in separate cells in Azkaban, even though side by side, the Dementors got at them. Had they been allowed to share a cell, they could've just shagged through it all and blocked whatever the Dementors tried to send at them.

Together they were worse than any Dementor, after all…a true force to be reckoned with. The Ministry separating them didn't feel right. Not one bit.

"Why would you need to do that?" she demanded. "We've done nothing wrong!"

The man gave a nervous chuckle. "Fancy a Lestrange saying that!" His face fell in a few seconds once he realized he was the only one laughing. "It's simply protocol, Mrs. Lestrange. No one is saying you did anything," he said reassuringly, but Bellatrix was not reassured.

Giving him a scowl that she hoped would curdle his blood she swept forward, flaunting her bloodied robes and hair. The fact the blood was drying wasn't sexy at all, but she supposed she could wet herself down with a little water later to make it work for her and Rod's romantic evening. Which they would not allow the stupid Ministry to ruin!

"Fine, then, let's get this over with. You're screwing up our evening plans so let's make this fast." She nearly kept herself from shooting a worried look at Rod over her shoulder but didn't quite make it. As the Auror underling led her into the back office, she looked. Rod's face was as pensive as hers.

Chapter 3: I want your horror

Chapter 3: I Want Your Horror

"Have a seat, Mrs. Lestrange," the rat-faced man invited in a tone that said the invitation was an order. He nodded to a hard straight-backed chair, the only seat in the room. Bellatrix knew this meant he would stand while she sat. He was trying to play the dominance card. He had no idea who he was playing cards with. She sat, regarding him through narrowed eyes.

He stood in the middle of the room a few feet away. Other than the single chair the room was entirely empty. She thought this was some room for questioning criminals, but they'd done nothing wrong so Bellatrix was feeling defensive.

"I think I am calling you Mr. Rat. You haven't given me a name, and I don't want one. Mr. Rat suits you far better than any name your mouse-faced mother could give you."

Unruffled by the insult, Mr. Rat moved to the right wall and flicked his wand at it. It rolled aside to show what at first Bella took to be a mirror, only she didn't reflect when peering into it. It seemed instead to be a large panel of clear crystal quartz. It flickered with an inner blue light that rapidly changed to green, then purple, then orange, then red, then gray, then black, before going back to blue again.

"What is that?" she demanded, wondering if he'd actually tell her.

"I will answer that at the end of this conversation, I assure you, Mrs. Lestrange," he said calmly. "First I have a few questions for you. Well, more than a few, actually. First, what do you know of the girl Delphini?"

"Who?" Bellatrix blinked in confusion. "Is that someone I'm supposed to know?"

Mr. Rat shrugged. This was another question he apparently wasn't going to answer. "Did you have a close relationship with the man you called Lord Voldemort?"

Bellatrix glared. "This is stupid! You know we did. Rod, Rabastan, and I were his top Death Eaters, and you bloody know that! What is this about?" she demanded. "Haven't we been good little killers for you?"

Seemingly not one for answering questions, Mr. Rat asked, "Yes, of course, but were you and your Lord Voldemort closer than even that?"

Bellatrix blinked in confusion as she scowled at him. "He taught me when I was young. Just before Rod and I got married I impressed him enough to have private lessons so I could better fight and kill for him!" She felt that old avid admiration and worship rising up in her heart again which caused her scowl to deepen. This time it was directed at herself, though.

That life was over and done. Not only that, but their Lord had turned on his closest more than once, a point that had become painfully clear to Bella in the end. When he started treating her and some of the few others he held close like dirt under his feet instead of powerful wizards fighting for him who adored him and deserved none of his ill will, it forced her to see things about him she never wished to know.

He nearly treated them as enemies back then. That's what Horcruxes did to one, she supposed. Unless he was mad even before he made a single one because not even she would've ever done that. She loved Bellatrix and wasn't trying to part with any of herself! Though she, Rod, and Rab were beginning to waver even near the end, at least a little, hearing of his Horcruxes had been a horrifying blow.

A glance at Mr. Rat showed him studying the large crystal panel which took up most of the right wall. Its lights were flickering again, this time to a darker blue. Nodding to himself, he turned his gaze back to Bellatrix. "Did he ever attempt to touch you during these private magic lessons?"

Bellatrix drew herself up indignantly, ready to defend the man she'd just been thinking treasonous thoughts of a moment before. "Of course not, don't be disgusting! It wasn't like that, and he knew I was with Rod. Everyone knew!" The idea of The Dark Lord doing anything like that was offensive as it lowered him to a more base primitive position. Rather than uplifting him to the god they had all believed him to be back then.

"Are you saying that you were never sexual with your Lord?" Mr. Rat's question came out incredulous and this caused hot anger to war with disgust in Bella's mind.

"Of course that's what I am saying, you bloody idiot! I love my husband. I was always with Rod and only Rod, which is, by the by, none of your bloody business! The Dark Lord wasn't sexual. He was above such things, with his mind on higher matters," she proclaimed. She nearly said his mind and soul, then realized even in her indignant state that, thanks to the Horcruxes, he hadn't exactly had one.

"So you didn't conceive a baby with your Dark Lord when you escaped from Azkaban in 1996," Mr. Rat asked, giving her a doubtful look.

Had she not taken an Unbreakable Vow not to go against the Ministry she would've literally kicked his ass for that one. Sadly, as he was one of the Ministry Aurors, beating his ass would likely constitute going against her vow, and it wasn't worth dying for.

Bellatrix leaned forward in her chair toward the man, eyes narrowing once more and growing hard and dangerous. Anyone who knew anything about her would've been soiling themselves at that look, but the man's pants still appeared unfortunately fresh. "Look, Rat. I am tired of playing whatever stupid game you've invented. Why don't you tell me just what the hell it is that you want, because otherwise I'm finished."

"I assure you, Mrs. Lestrange, this is no game. There is a young woman claiming to be your daughter and causing quite a bit of trouble in the wizarding world because she's angry that her father, Lord Voldemort, was killed. Let us say she has daddy issues."

Bellatrix was unable to keep her eyes from widening in shock at that...no, he couldn't be serious!

"If I had a baby, I think I'd know it," she spat sarcastically. "A medical exam should prove as much. You're all bloody stupid. And with the Dark Lord! That's so disrespectful and sick," she concluded, not bothering to hide her disgust with the rat faced official before her. She'd still love to kill them all. Weak, incompetent, brainless and now they'd apparently added sick to their list of shortcomings. They didn't deserve power. They certainly didn't deserve to have it over her and Rod, both obviously superior wizards on all levels.

Still, no matter how satisfying killing them all would be, it wasn't worth dying for.

"Interesting," Mr. Rat said thoughtfully, his gaze returning to the crystal panel on the right wall. Bellatrix's eyes followed his to see the crystal had turned a sickly green.

"Matches my mood," she drawled drily, and Mr. Rat actually chuckled and nodded.

"As it should, Mrs. Lestrange. It's doing what it's supposed to do. Now just a few more questions if you will. What if he'd wanted to have this baby for an heir? Wouldn't you have been perfect for such an honor as that? Perhaps your husband would have even approved and considered it an honor to your family."

"He needed no heir! He was immortal as he saw it, so he needed no successor when he wasn't planning to die."

Bellatrix wondered if carrying the Dark Lord's baby, had he required it, would've felt like an honor, and the thought caused her to shudder. No. She was married to Rod and did not want any children for any reason! Carrying a baby put strain and limitations on the body that she had no interest in. It weakened one as did succoring brats. Leave all that to her sister.

Not only that, though, having the Dark Lord on a pedestal above them where he belonged and deserved to be was one thing. Having his hands on her was another entirely. Before Mr. Rat's disturbing questions such disrespectful sacrilege had never occurred to her. Now that the mental damage was done, she was lost in the horror of the thought. His face, those serpentine features, and that cold voice, he was a god but there was no passion there. Nor should there be! She envisioned Rod's mouth on hers hot and demanding as her legs wrapped around him, and his hand tangled in her hair, tugging her head back hard enough to cause her to gasp in pleasure. Rod was a wizard who could match her twisted desires and keep up with her effortlessly. No offense to their former Lord, of course, but her husband was also bloody hot too!

The Dark Lord had been more of a sort of father figure who was also a god. Even before his appearance had changed so drastically, he wasn't bad-looking. Nor were any of her uncles, or her father, or Rod's father, but they were her elders, and she wasn't trying to shag any of them. The Dark Lord's later serpentine appearance had only raised his god status in her eyes, as it proved how much more than human he was. Shaggable, though? No. The very idea would've disgusted him as much as it did her, she was certain. The Dark Lord was asexual if anyone ever was, and that had made him somehow more pure. Sex was a primitive thing of mortals, and he was so much more… so other, and he allowed them to serve him!

"Exactly what are you thinking, Mrs. Lestrange," Mr. Rat asked calmly.

"About shagging my husband while bloody, if you must know, which I'd be doing right now if I wasn't here playing whatever stupid game this is with you!" She hoped the admission made Rat uncomfortable, but it likely only made his stupid day to imagine such passion, as he surely had none of his own.

Chapter 4: Voldemort's best Jedi Mind Trick

Chapter 4: Voldemort's Best Jedi Mind Trick

Rat's next question took Bella's mind off carnal thoughts of Rod, and returned it to its current state of perpetual annoyance. "Have you any idea, Mrs. Lestrange, why this young woman, calling herself Delphini, would claim to be your daughter and the child of your former Dark Lord?"

"No idea," Bellatrix drawled. "For attention or notoriety? It's not my problem. Can't you lot do anything the simple way? Give her a blood test, and you'll see she's lying."

Mr. Rat nodded thoughtfully. "We'd love to do just that, Mrs. Lestrange, but you see we're unable to capture her. We're hoping you're interested in assisting us with that. Are you willing?"

"Sure." Bellatrix shrugged. Then her mouth spread into that familiar manic smile that had been the last thing many a wizard, or Muggle, had seen just before they screamed their last. "I'm also more than happy to put her to the question. As many questions as you'd like, in fact. The more questions the better!" Her wand itched to hurt someone. It didn't blot out the mental torture she had just endured, but it could still be rather soothing.

At last Mr. Rat looked a little nervous, causing Bella's smile to grow as her mood improved ever so slightly. "Well, Mrs. Lestrange, you've passed our test," he informed her, expression becoming almost pleasant as he forced a smile. "That panel there on the wall that you were inquiring about earlier is an emotion scanner, and your emotions accurately reflected what you were saying, clearly indicating you spoke the truth. You have no romantic interest in the man who was known as Lord Voldemort, and you did not have a child with him," he informed her.

"You don't say!" Bellatrix crowed as she stood. "You know there is a very good truth potion for that sort of thing," she told Rat scathingly. "It's called Veritaserum. Perhaps you've heard of it."

Rat smiled. "Indeed, but it wouldn't have been beyond Voldemort to teach his followers a way around that, and we didn't want to take any chances. This mood scanner was made for us by Mr. Blaise Zabini with research assistance from his friend and our consultant, Mrs. Millicent Bulstrode Adler."

"Well, good for you lot, learning to be better prepared and all that," Bellatrix drawled, half meaning it. "For the record, though, I don't know how to get around Veritaserum. Now may I go?" she demanded.

"One more thing," Mr. Rat said almost regretfully. "We just need to do one final test to ensure that your memories weren't altered or removed in any way. We now know that you believe you are speaking the truth, but someone could've removed your memories for security, to keep this Delphini safe."

Bellatrix snarled, "Hurry up with it then."

Mr. Rat approached her, and she sat back down in the chair. He drew his wand from the right sleeve of his Ministry robe which caused her eyes to narrow in mistrust. "What are you doing, Rat?"

"I am performing a charm upon your mind that will detect anything having ever been done to your memories. It will not harm you. It will only tell us if anything was ever done to your memories."

Bellatrix wanted to rail against this stupidity, but her heart began to race instead as an unpleasant and foreign anxiety began to flood her. What if something had been done? What if the Dark Lord had... "He was so unkind in the end," she said between sudden rapid breaths. "So unkind to those who were always so loyal… And his eyes were wrong…worse than empty and cold…when he was angry and got into your personal space, you just wanted to back up."

If that had unsettled her, a thing she'd not allowed herself to ever think about now it was all over, what would him touching her have done? God, if he had and she had to remember that... One hand came to her chest as she felt her entire body shaking. "I want Rod," she demanded. "Now!"

Her slender fingers wrapped around the solid cold weight of the raven skull she wore about her neck. It was the Lestrange family symbol, and she'd worn it with pride from the day Rod had given it to her in their fourth year at Hogwarts to show the world she was his. She didn't want to be here having a mild panic attack and trying not to fucking cry! She didn't like this foreign feeling of near hysterical upset. Shit, she caused this in others, she didn't feel it! She was the reason for it!

It was perhaps logical to be afraid that the Dark Lord had forced her to do something and then altered her memories if there was a girl out there calling herself their child, but somehow her reaction felt like more than even this could warrant. As if someone were digging at something painful and horrifying...as if the foundations of Bellatrix were being shaken in a way that may truly cost her sanity.

"I want to kill someone or, at the very least, torture someone, or fuck my husband senseless! I don't want to do this!"

"It's over, Mrs. Lestrange. We're finished. Nothing was done to your mind in the nineteen-nineties so Delphini is not your daughter." Mr. Rat said.

Bellatrix let out a sigh of relief.

"Something was done to your mind in the late seventies, though, something quite drastic. It was a harsh and dangerous form of compulsion, from the look of it."

Bellatrix's heart began to race again as her face drained of color. "Why?"

Mr. Rat shook his head. "The spell doesn't tell us that. There are spells to undo this and allow you to remember, but I am no expert in such. If I even attempted it I would likely do more damage than was already done, and we don't want that. There are Healers who can help, and we'll get you one, I promise," Mr. Rat concluded, almost kindly.

For some reason the stupid kindness coming from him made things worse, and Bellatrix found herself blinking back tears of anxiety rather than sadness. "I won't go to St. Mungo's with the bloody crazies!"

He shook his head. "That shouldn't be necessary, Mrs. Lestrange. We can send someone to your home if you'd like."

Bellatrix nodded numbly, wishing all of this would just go away, but also wanting to know what had been done to her head and why.

"We only need to question your husband now, and then the two of you are free to resume your normal evening activities."

Standing, she rushed for the door, flinging it open and heading into the main office. Rod was slumped in a chair in the corner of the room looking bored, but he stood when Bella burst in. "You alright, babe" he asked, hands reaching for her shoulders. As he saw her face, he gave the man behind her a hard cold look. "Why is my wife upset?" he growled at Rat.

Bellatrix shook her head. "Just let him question you so we can go home. I'll explain it then." At least Rod would know that they weren't in any legal trouble if they were free to go home, and that was all she could handle saying at present.

"She's fine, Mr. Lestrange," Rat's voice said from behind Bella. "She just wants to go home, I think, and the sooner you come with me and answer a few questions, the sooner that can happen, so please cooperate."

Rod still looked concerned, eyes still on Bella's face. "Yeah," he asked, and she nodded. She gave him a brief hug almost hard enough to crack his ribs. "Just hurry."

Rod followed the man into the back, and Bellatrix slumped into the chair he'd vacated, curious if they'd ask her husband if he'd shagged the Dark Lord as well.

Chapter 5: I Don't Wanna Be Friends!

Chapter 5: I Don't Wanna Be Friends!

Rodolphus wasn't concerned as he settled into the hard straight-backed chair in the nearly empty room. They had been good little killers as well as perfect Shadow Ops operatives, after all. They followed any Ministry order to the letter, so whatever this was likely had nothing to do with them, just something stupid with the Ministry and its red tape. He looked expectantly at the thin official who stood before him. "Well? What's this about?"

"I was hoping you could tell me, Mr. Lestrange. Did you know there was a young lady named Delphini claiming to be the child of your wife and your former Dark Lord?"

"No, I had no idea," Rodolphus said. "What's she getting out of that, I wonder?"

"Power and followers, or at least that's what she seems to be hoping for," the official replied. "Did you know that your wife had a relationship with Tom Riddle?"

Rodolphus studied him for a moment, confused by the odd turn of phrase. It was the Ministry after all, so whatever. "If you mean the fact Bella was his favorite, sure, everyone knew. It was no secret, and she deserved all the favor she got. She's brilliant and talented." And by all bloody rights she should be riding him right now with that bloody wand in hand but instead this bullshit...

"What about more," the man asked, distracting Rodolphus from his silent fuming.

"Yeah, he gave her private lessons. She taught me some of it later." Shit, should he have admitted that? Fuck! Get him so bored and impatient that he said more than he should, he grumped to himself. That should hardly matter anymore, though. The Dark Lord was long dead, and they were here serving the fucking Ministry, of all things, to stay out of Azkaban.

"Private lessons? What if they were doing something else? How would you have felt if your former Lord had wanted other things from your wife?"

"Well, he is the Lord, I guess. I mean, I don't see why he would want any of that, but it is a kind of honor, like being graced by a king, or a god. In truth, I always thought of him as a king…the kind that gives his loyal followers rewards, noble titles and such. When you think about it, if we would kill for him, die for him, name our children in his honor, not that we had any plans for children, but you catch my drift. A little screw here and there wouldn't matter much..." Rodolphus trailed off in response to the clerk's hand motion, indicating for him to stop.

Wondering again if he'd said too much while attempting to be cooperative and thorough, Rod relaxed when the man clarified what he needed, pointing to a gray crystal. "Our device shows us that your answer is true thus far, but incomplete. Perhaps you would like to elaborate?" the Ministry official suggested, and Rodolphus took that to mean that he had little choice on the matter.

"Alright, well. I don't know if it matters, but I would've done the same. If the Dark Lord wanted me to shag him, pleasure him in any way, I guess I wouldn't care too much. I don't fancy blokes, mind, but it wouldn't have been about sexual attraction. It was always about following his orders. Near the end it might have been different, since he turned colder toward us and for the most part stopped rewarding us..."

Rodolphus shrugged, still mildly uncomfortable speaking of the Dark Lord and their service to him to a bloody Ministry official when they were not being tried for bloody crimes. "Fortunately for all of us, he simply wasn't sexual. It was as if he was above all that, you know? He had loftier interests."

The official nodded. "Your wife said something very similar about him not being sexual. When it came to the shagging, however, she did not appear to be at all willing to accommodate. Perhaps you loved your Dark Lord more than she did, after all."

The other man arched amused brows, and Rodolphus frowned. "Bella loved the Dark Lord as much as any of us and more than most if not all," he defended his wife, mildly surprised that she had had any limitations in her service to him.

The man peered at the color shifting panel on the wall and then decisively nodded. "Excellent. Now tell me, how did you respond to the passionate love letters our former employee Dolores Umbrage sent to you on her special pink scrolls?"

Rodolphus blinked in surprise and then smiled widely. "Well, I am attractive as fuck, so it is no surprise I have secret admirers. But I don't know who that woman is and have never received love letters, or anything else, from such a person," Rod concluded.

"Very good," the clerk responded before giving a slight chuckle. "In truth there were no such love letters, at least to my knowledge. This ascertains the veracity of your statements. You may now reunite with your wife and wait for the final results. The spell is going to analyze all the fine details at a greater depth in case the preliminary conclusions were too superficial. Your wife was more emotive, thus her results were easier to read. You were not feeling as much either way, so yours must be scanned in a bit more depth."

Rodolphus nodded gravely. "I am a very deep man," he explained, keeping the amused smirk from his face with an effort. Had Rabastan and Bellatrix been present, smart ass comments from both would've followed. That thought caused Rod to feel oddly alone.

"We will confirm your final results in five to ten minutes. Thank you for your patience," The Ministry official added indifferently, and Rodolphus got up, shrugged, and went to see how Bella was faring.

She was sitting in the chair in which he'd waited for her but sprang to her feet as soon as the door opened to allow him through. "Let's go."

"Apparently, we need to wait a few more minutes for them to double check my results," he said apologetically. "It seems I'm not as emotionally easy to read as you. The bloke who questioned me said I should be in the clear, but they're double checking… In the clear for what I have no idea, as we've done nothing. The questions he asked, though, were the strangest you can imagine. All about shagging the Dark Lord of all things! What was that color shifting thing on the wall anyway? Did they tell you?"

"It reads one's emotions to see if they're telling the truth," Bellatrix smirked. "They were apparently afraid the Dark Lord had shown us a method for getting around Veritaserum."

Rodolphus barked a laugh. "That's flattering."

Bellatrix gave a nod, though her expression was skeptical.

"What'd he ask you," Rodolphus asked, assuming the questions were similar, but still wishing to compare notes. It seemed Bella had been given a bit more information on this Delphini. "Do you think the Delphini girl is even real, or is it just something they made up in order to screw with us?"

"It appears she is the reason they're asking us all these stupid questions, so I'd be surprised if she wasn't real," Bellatrix replied thoughtfully. "What'd he ask you then?"

"The same things, basically," Rod replied. "If you had a relationship with the Dark Lord, then when I spoke of the lessons he gave you, the bloke asked about shagging. I said that you had not, but they said I wasn't fully answering so I had to dig deep. I said I supposed if he'd asked you to I wouldn't have minded, but, to be fair, I'd have done the same if he'd asked it of me because we did whatever he wanted no matter what. If we killed for him and would die for him, what is a bit of shagging? It would mean nothing, and we'd suffer through it and only belong to one another in the end, right, babe?" He threw an arm around Bellatrix's slender shoulders. "It's always you and me, no matter what."

"Right here in the Ministry," he demanded, the growing bulge between his legs announcing that he was perfectly willing. It was no more than the asshats deserved for keeping them waiting.

"I can't believe you'd just hand me over to him!" she exploded, eyes flashing. "Just hand me over like it didn't matter!"

Rodolphus made his situation worse by gaping at her in honest surprise. Apparently, he wasn't going to get laid right here and now at the Ministry, after all. "What's the big deal? You loved him more than anyone. If he'd wanted that of you, would you not have been honored? I mean, you'd have done anything for him. You said that over and over."

Bellatrix glared at her husband, sputtering wordlessly as she struggled to find words through her rage and sudden feeling of hurt betrayal. It stabbed at her chest with a pain that she didn't find at all pleasant. If the Dark Lord had asked that of her, Rod would not have objected! He was her husband, and he loved her! It was his job to object. What the fuck was wrong with his head?

"People are supposed to love their god more than anything, but not like that, and I'd never have taken it into what you and I have," she said through a suddenly constricted throat. It was surprisingly difficult to breathe, but one thing wasn't at all difficult to do. Lifting her wand she pointed it at her husband's chest. "Crucio!"

"Crucio! Crucio! CRUCIO!" Bellatrix screamed out the word, meaning it with her entire being. Her eyes flashed with rage, and her wand stabbed toward various areas of her husband's body as she vented her hurt and rage. "You wouldn't have protected me!" Needing more suffering, she flew at him, striking his chest, arms, and even throat. For now she avoided his face due to the fact that it was extremely attractive and looking at it all swollen or bloody would only make her more angry.

Rodolphus had to admit to being confused. On one hand, Bella chose to berate him. Yet her actions seemed to contradict her mood. The Unforgivable Curse made him writhe in delicious pain, smiling in open pleasure that he could not contain.

"So you are pleased then? Oh Bella, I love you too. You're the best!" Rod declared through his own exclamations of wonderful agony. "So glad this is all behind us…whatever it was," he added hopefully, the final bout of pain making him slur some of his words as he struggled not to orgasm. He'd prefer Bella to be touching him down there when that happened, after all. If she kept striking him and hitting him with Cruciolike this, though, he may just lose control and soil his clothes. Ah well, that's what cleaning charms were for, he supposed. He never performed them as well as elves, but one took what one could when it came to orgasm-free clothes.

Bellatrix kicked Rod in the side, face twisted with rage rather than passion. "No, this is not behind us!" she screamed.

"The fact that you don't give a shit about me is not behind us! And how can you love me if you'd have just stood there and let him… and not even fought for me!"

Bellatrix hated herself for the hot tears that sprang to her eyes, the sob that broke from her, and the fist of pain pressing into her chest. Stupid feelings…she hated them, hated herself for being weak enough to feel this rubbish and hated Rod most for his part in them! "I thought you had my back. That you'd always fight for me…I thought this meant something. Gods! I'd have done anything for you! Even over our Lord, I'd have done anything for you!"

She wanted to tear the raven skull from her neck and hurl it at him, but she just couldn't bring herself to. She'd never taken it off, and it was a symbol of his love and the place she held in his heart. She'd even managed to keep it in Azkaban.

With nothing more to say, Bellatrix broke into wordless sobs of rage, aiming her wand at Rodolphus's head. Somehow she doubted he'd enjoy a headache, but at the moment she was too upset to work up a good Crucio to make that happen. She felt empty inside and miserable and lost and betrayed and let down and hell, things she couldn't even name. Shaking her head, she dropped her wand to the carpeted floor and sank into the room's only chair. She felt lost and worse, just wanted this to stop.

"It's not behind us? I don't understand. We were good back then. We were devoted, but we were also happy..." Rod said, puzzled. "You never said I needed to defend you from anyone. Hell, I always assumed everybody would need defending from you," Lestrange feebly smiled. "Of course I would defend you with my life if you said you needed it. What's wrong, babe?"

Bellatrix nearly relented at the true concern in his voice, but she just didn't feel like making him feel better when she was so very upset and empty inside.

"Oh, I get it. The test messed with you, didn't it?" Rodolphus rambled on desperately. "Some unexpected emotional effect it had on you? It probably doesn't affect other people because they are all pathetically boring, so the Ministry blokes didn't know their little detector thing could mess emotions up. That's what I think," he suggested, looking to Bella for agreement. "They scanned your emotions, and it messed them up, isn't that right, love?"

He had never seen Bella like this and didn't know what to do. "You will get better soon, we'll be just fine, Bella. Of course I love you. You know it. You don't mean any of that stuff, not really. You're just upset now because of that stupid emotional scan thing, but a good Cruciatus would fix that, and you'll be just dandy. Alright, babe?" Rod pleaded.

"They performed some sort of mental scan on me after the other one on the wall to see if the Dark Lord had tampered with my mind so that I'd perhaps forget having his bloody child," Bellatrix said flatly. `"Of course nothing was done to my mind in the late nineties, but… but in the late seventies something very bad was done to my mind. A sort of harsh compulsion. They're sending a Healer around to the manor later to try and uncover what it was. I suppose if they can restore my memories, they will. Didn't they test you for that?"

"No, but we will next. We wanted to double check the first results," Mr. Rat said from the doorway. "As I thought, Mr. Lestrange was speaking the truth. If you are ready now, Mr. Lestrange, I will perform the same mental scan on you. Your wife may remain with you."

"Will it make me as upset as it has her," Rodolphus asked resentfully, giving the man a baleful glare.

"That isn't why I am upset, idiot. Of course I am upset about something having been done to me in the late seventies, but this current situation is all you," Bellatrix informed darkly.

Mr. Rat's lips twitched. "Yes…we even heard you out in the corridor, Mrs. Lestrange. That was good stuff… and I'm sure he deserved it all."

"Hey!" Rod protested.

"Not my business, of course," Mr. Rat added hastily, approaching Rodolphus. "If you'll just sit there on the floor, Mr. Lestrange," he requested when Bellatrix did not offer to vacate the chair.

Shrugging sullenly, Rodolphus sank down onto the floor.

Mr. Rat hovered his wand over Rod's head for around two minutes, then stepped back with a slight nod. "Like you, Mrs. Lestrange, your husband's mind was only tampered with once, and that was in the late seventies."

Rodolphus frowned. "Well, that sucks."

Mr. Rat's lips twitched ever so slightly again. "Aptly put, Mr. Lestrange. I suggest you both go home and try to relax. We'll send someone around to you as soon as we can to hopefully set this straight."

Rodolphus stood and offered Bella a hand. She stared at it for a long moment before taking it and rising to her feet. She felt weak and shaky all over. It had to be from all the damned feelings!

Chapter 6: Raise Your Glass, If You Are Wrong In All The Right Ways

Chapter 6: Raise Your Glass If You Are Wrong In All the Right Ways

Rodolphus Apparated them out of the Ministry without another word. Bellatrix stood stiffly while he flicked his wand at the layers of hexes that locked the door of their family manor.

"Want a drink, then," he asked as the heavy oak door swung open with a properly menacing creak. Bellatrix shrugged as she brushed past him to walk inside. Swearing, Rodolphus allowed the door to slam shut behind him as he followed after her. "I don't know why you're so angry with me. My asshole would've hurt more if he'd called on me for the task, and yet I still would've done it. My asshole feels it is more important considering how torn it would be."

Normally, Bellatrix would've laughed and maybe said something snarky to top Rod's comment. Right now, though, she just didn't have the heart for it. "You shouldn't have been alright with it if he had wanted to drill your asshole, Roddy," she said dully.

"I'm just saying it isn't as if I would have expected you to do something I wouldn't have done," Rodolphus attempted to clarify. "It isn't as if either of us would've liked it. We'd have just suffered through it because he was him, and one didn't fucking tell him 'no' if you recall." Rodolphus let out an explosive breath. "Damn, Bella, you're all angry at me over something that didn't even happen! The Dark Lord probably never even beat his prick off before, much less put it into anyone. He was above all that and just wanted to focus on dominating the wizarding world...with his clout, not his prick."

"Did he even have one," Rabastan asked, wandering into the front hall to join them. "And why are we speaking of the Dark Lord's prick?"

"I don't know," Rodolphus grumbled. "Ask Bella." He stalked toward the kitchen, and Bellatrix paused in the front hall, uncertain what she wanted to do next. If she went upstairs to continue giving Rodolphus the silent treatment, she'd be left alone in her own head, and for some reason that she did not fully understand, that was a frightening prospect at present. Instead she turned to Rabastan, who was still waiting for her explanation. "Some girl thinks I shagged the Dark Lord and that I am her mother."

He snickered. "This is some kind of joke or is said girl off her rocker? If it is a joke, it's very poorly done. Both of you have done far better without even trying."

She sighed. "If it is a joke, it isn't ours." She filled him in on their unpleasant little interlude at the Ministry, including the fact her mind had not been tampered with in the late nineties, but had been, along with Rodolphus's, in the late seventies.

"It's quite likely yours was as well, as we were always together back then," she added, almost happy to share the unpleasant weight of dread with another. A pity it didn't make it any lighter in her mind.

"Does that mean the two of you won't be in the mood for company," Rabastan asked. "Because Kreacher's little friend is here waiting in the parlor with big news."

"What news," Bellatrix asked. The only friend Kreacher had who was particularly little was Kereston Boxwood, a tiny blonde girl who worked in the Department of Magical Accidents and Catastrophes at the Ministry and had aspirations of becoming Minister. She was a former Slytherin, of which Bellatrix approved, but one of her goals for improving the Ministry involved killing high security prisoners rather than locking them up only for them to escape later and return to the crimes that got them locked up in the first place. The concept Bella could admire, but if the three Lestranges were still prisoners, they'd be the first to die were this carried out... and that was just no good.

"I think she should explain that," Rabastan replied carefully, and Bellatrix felt a tightening of annoyance in her stomach. Hadn't they had enough rubbish today? "Tell her we'll be right in," she told her brother-in-law, then hurried into the kitchen to take Rodolphus up on that drink. They'd probably need it.

"We'll both want that drink extra strong," she told her husband as she entered the kitchen. "Boxwood is here about something."

"What's going on now," Rodolphus asked, reaching for another glass.

"I have no idea. We'll be finding out together."

Rodolphus glanced over at her with a smile. "As it has always been, we do everything together. We're good, right? I mean nothing even bloody happened, Bella."

She sighed. "What if he'd wanted to shag me, and I wasn't willing... Rodolphus, I wouldn't have been." His next words mattered a lot. She needed to know he wouldn't have simply stood by while the Dark Lord forced her to do anything, no matter what he was apparently willing to put his own poor asshole through!

Rodolphus gave a wide grin. "We'd go out together in a blaze of glory, babe. Because I'd never stand by while you had to do anything you didn't want to, and you know he'd have killed us for saying no, but we'd at least die together."

Bellatrix felt a stupid lump rising in her throat, but she merely nodded. "Good. Now hurry up with that drink."

He did and soon they were walking into the parlor, each holding a large crystal goblet shaped as a skeletal hand clutching a skull. Rabastan lounged on the sofa while the little blonde sat on the edge of an armchair looking edgy. To her credit, the sight of the Lestrange couple still spattered in dried blood from the day's work didn't cause her to bat an eye. Perhaps that came from living with two vampires, Bellatrix guessed.

"What's up," Rodolphus asked, flashing a charming smile.

"You've heard of Delphini," Kereston asked directly.

"A little," Rod answered carefully. "None of us shagged Voldemort if that's what you're about to ask."

He and Bellatrix joined Rabastan on the sofa as Kereston looked on. "I wasn't about to ask that, actually, but that's good to know." She chuckled. "According to reports, she's blonde and doesn't look anything like you or Voldemort either." Her last comment was directed to Bellatrix. The statement caused Bellatrix's head to snap up from where she'd been staring into the depths of her drink.

"Wait, a blonde girl?"

Kereston nodded. "Yes. Why?"

Bellatrix exchanged a look with Rodolphus. "Because the Muggle we tortured and killed today, for your precious Ministry, said the blonde girl had given him the potion that would not allow his mind to be Obliviated. In essence, she killed him. Do you believe that blonde girl and this Delphini person could be one and the same?"

Kereston looked grim as she nodded. "It is highly possible, I'm afraid."

"So that's why you're here," Bellatrix asked, lifting her glass to take a soothing sip.

Kereston nodded. "Yes, but at this point I'm not on official Ministry business...yet." As the three Lestranges watched, the small blonde drew in a deep breath and let it out slowly, steeling herself to continue. "I came here on Kreacher and Regulus's request. If you aren't interested in what I'm about to share, I ask that you don't stand in our way."

Bellatrix blinked in confusion. "Sure...why the hell we would care what the three of you are up to is beyond me." The other two Lestranges nodded.

Kereston swallowed. "It isn't just the three of us...it's us, some other Dark wizards, some goblins, elves, and even a few Acromantulas."

Rabastan snorted. "It's not an orgy, is it? That really may have to be stopped."

Rodolphus snickered. "Bro really needs to get laid... but it isn't, is it?"

Kereston shook her head in annoyance. "Of course not! It's just that if this Delphini is going to be another big wizarding threat, as it seems she is, we're not playing the same inept Ministry games that were played when Voldemort terrorized us all twice."

Bellatrix nodded. "Sounds good." She gave the blonde an amused look, but when she said no more, Kereston continued.

"We're going to be on this situation, and that requires harsh measures because many wizards aren't going to do what's necessary."

"Got it," Rodolphus said. "It all sounds logical so far. But what do goblins and such have to do with it?"

"Have none of you ever considered how much more powerful goblins and elves are than wizards, especially when it comes to some specific spells and branches of magic," Kereston asked. The three exchanged a glance.

"Most elves are silly little buggers without the brains the gods gave a grasshopper," Rabastan said. "Kreacher being an exception, of course," he added, before the blonde, Kreacher's best friend other than Regulus, could angrily spring to his defense. "And goblins are traitorous little buggers. That is what we know. It's dangerous to fuck with them too much unless you're into getting burned. While it may sound kinky, I played around with hot wax once with this one girl and trust me, it's not all it's cracked up to be."

Kereston raised her hands to cover her ears. "Stop, please."

Rabastan snickered gleefully, settling back on the sofa in satisfaction, proud that he'd upset the nice girl.

If one could call a best friend of Kreacher's a nice girl, Bellatrix thought in dry amusement. Still, a human befriending an elf was special enough, she supposed. When Regulus returned, revealing that he'd faked his death by becoming a vampire, he had reunited with a few choice friends in an attempt to help in the fight against the Dark Lord. This had been in Harry Potter's final year at Hogwarts...the one he didn't really show up for.

Of course everywhere Regulus went, Kreacher was sure to go. Kereston was in the social circle with the children of a few of Regulus's school friends so ended up meeting him. Seeing that Kreacher did not always seem entirely comfortable, the blonde had, for some reason, gone out of her way to befriend him. The only major things Bellatrix saw that the two had in common was a love of words – both talked more than anyone else she'd ever seen – and a fondness for the Dark Arts.

As Kereston worked at the Ministry, it was she who helped Regulus and Kreacher sneak into Auror Headquarters so that Regulus could vampirically HeadFuck the Head Auror into using the Lestranges for Shadow Ops. Though she was Kreacher's best friend due to the elf traveling in social circles with Regulus, Bellatrix still didn't know her very well. They hadn't really bonded and generally traveled in different social circles, Kereston's larger than Bellatrix's. Not to mention, Bellatrix rarely formed friendships with other women for some reason.

Pretending to be dead did narrow the hell out of one's social circle for one thing, but, in truth, Bellatrix had never really had that many friends. When it came to it, she preferred to hang with her husband and brother-in-law, the two people who truly got her. Regulus and Kreacher were alright too, at least for short periods. The fact that they were apparently coming out of the woodwork to get themselves involved in politics was interesting.

"Goblins are willing to do what needs to be done, and elves are strong enough to do what needs to be done," Kereston told them. "We're not dealing with another insane wizarding tyrant, we're going to overthrow the current Ministry and make a better one."

Rabastan grinned. "Well damn! Why didn't you just say so? Of course we're in!" He glanced around at his elder brother and sister-in-law. "Right? We're in, aren't we, because this sounds like fun."

"Aside from the Unbreakable Vow they made us take, sure, that sounds delightful," Bellatrix said drily.

Rodolphus nodded. "It does sound interesting, but that vow involves us never betraying the current Ministry on pain of death. As you've likely observed, we aren't interested in dying."

Kereston nodded. "Of course, we've got that covered. For one thing, you won't be doing anything against the current Ministry, and, for another, we're going to get that vow taken care of for you if you agree to support our cause. Regulus and Kreacher did not wish to have to work against you so wanted you given the opportunity to stand with us. If you're willing, we'll take care of that vow, and you can make a different vow to me afterward."

"To you?" Bellatrix blinked.

Kereston nodded. "When our plan is in place, I will become the new Minister. It should happen by tomorrow morning."

Chapter 7: Everybody Wants To Rule The World

Chapter 7: Everybody Wants To Rule the World

"How are you taking over the Ministry by tomorrow morning," Bellatrix asked.

"With a bit of goblin assistance and a lot of organization and planning," Kereston replied. "There is a goblin potioneer, a nephew of Griphook's, and he's even better than Severus, if you can imagine that."

Bellatrix shrugged. "He's alright, but he isn't a potions god," she drawled.

"Can any of you come close to matching his skills," Kereston asked, then smirked when none of them spoke up. "As I was saying, Griphook's nephew is even better... He has come up with a potion that can strip any person or creature with magic, of said magic."

"You trust that?" Rabastan demanded. "That shit is dangerous! Do you know what the little buggers could do with that?"

"We're about to see it in action tomorrow morning," Kereston said. "It is dangerous, but it's also useful, especially right now. He has an antidote as well, so eventually everyone who loses their magic, or at least most of them, will have it restored."

"Who is losing their magic?" Rodolphus demanded, and Kereston shrugged slender shoulders.

"Around eighty percent of the magical population, at least," she replied casually.

"Why," Bellatrix asked.

"Because it's the only way we'll be able to take over the Ministry and form a better one...a more equal one for all magical folk, not just wizards. That's the goal, because right now we need all the help we can get and many magical folk are more powerful than wizards."

"So it's a good idea to give them power while stripping wizards of theirs?" Rodolphus demanded, voice rising slightly.

"The other magical folk are willing to do what needs to be done...to take the new magical threat calling herself Delphini seriously while many wizards are not. So, yes, we are casting our lot with those willing to take action," Kereston told him.

"What if the goblins and elves just take over and strip the remaining twenty percent of wizards of their magic as well? Then no humans would have magic. I'm sure the goblins would adore that arrangement." Rod speculated.

Kereston sighed. "Not when we're perfectly happy to work with them. Besides, goblins would have to run everything magical then, and, trust me, they don't want to bother with all that. Besides, Griphook was the one to approach me on the matter of becoming Minister. It wasn't as if he wanted to do it. We plan to restore magic to everyone willing to help sooner than later. We just want to allow people to see that everyone with magic can and should work well together. Eventually most of the wizards who lose their magic will have it restored."

"And you don't think they'll be angry with you for stripping them of it in the first place," Rabastan asked and Kereston gave a short laugh.

"Oh, we won't be telling them that we took it. We're going to call it a wizarding plague. Wizarding because it acts by stripping wizards of their magic while giving them flu symptoms."

"That's rather brilliant," Bellatrix murmured, both horrified and impressed. "I suppose we're honored that you trust us with this... We owe Kreacher and Regulus a thank you, certainly, but what do you want from us, because it's got to be something." She gave the little blonde a knowing look, before raising her glass to take another sip.

"We want you to use your skills to help in the fight in any way necessary and to run Azkaban. That last bit was all my idea," she added, looking pleased. "Just consider the implications... Anyone will think more than twice about committing a crime that will land them in Azkaban if they know the Lestranges are now in charge of it with free rein to torture prisoners when they get bored ."

"Wait, we get to torture prisoners," Rabastan asked and Kereston nodded.

"I consider it you doing your bit to repay society for your crimes, and it also serves to keep you in line. It is my hope that you'll be less likely to snap and torture Muggles if you know you have prisoners on whom to take out your aggression."

Bellatrix laughed. "I may be starting to like you. You're a little hardass. No mercy for the prisoners from you."

"They shouldn't have done whatever put them in there," Kereston said, a firm set to her small chin. "I want to be fair, but only to those who deserve it. Soft leaders rule a crumbling kingdom in the end. On the other hand, tyrants get themselves killed eventually, and I'm trying to be in the middle while remaining tough enough to do what needs to be done for the best and safest outcome for the world at large."

Bellatrix shrugged, still amused. "Well, it will be very interesting to see how it all plays out. As for us paying our debts to society...we aren't going to pretend to be sorry. We don't care about those idiots."

Kereston nodded. "I am aware. It's why I don't particularly trust you, and why you'll be giving me an Unbreakable. It's only because of Regulus and Kreacher that we don't strip your magic along with the Malfoys."

Bellatrix opened her mouth in shock, then shut it again. Her sister was going to lose her magic... but what could she do about it? If things progressed smoothly, they were all likely to have their magic restored anyway, and Cissy would survive without it for a while.

"How is that going to happen anyway," Rabastan asked. "Stripping magic?"

"Through the water and drinks supply," Kereston said. "It can sink into the skin when people wash or be ingested when they drink. It occurred to Kreacher that there are a few nasty people who don't bathe enough and that don't like to drink water, so the magic stripper potion is also being Apparated into all the Butterbeer and milk in any wizarding shops."

"Brilliant," Rabastan said with a grin. "And how do the twenty percent of wizards who get to keep their magic avoid catching this wizarding plague?"

"By being given an antidote in advance," Kereston said. Reaching into a shoulder bag in the shape of a spell book, she produced three green glass bottles. "Just like the famous Dr. Jekyll's potion...the red will strip the magic, and the green will restore it or, if taken in advance, prevent one from losing it."

"Wait, Jekyll knew how to strip magic," Rabastan asked and Kereston shook her head.

"No. I meant the colors work as his did. Red kept him inhibited, and green freed him not to be, if you recall." She chuckled. "It's amusing how Muggles misunderstand the concept of Jekyll and Hyde."

"Not really, because they're all stupid," Bellatrix sneered. "Their brains are lacking. They are little better than animals and at times worse than some."

"True enough in many cases, I suppose," Kereston said with a sigh. "So are you all in?"

The three exchanged a look and Rabastan laughed. "Sure."

"That's right," Rodolphus said. "We're always down for being on the winning team."

Kereston smiled. "Good. Then may I offer you all a drink?"

Of course none of them were thrilled by the prospect of working with goblins and elves, but nor were they interested in losing their magic or playing ball for this Delphini person when they had no idea what her game was. If Kreacher and Regulus were involved in this... Well, they were family, and when they shared some of the same values, family of their sort stuck together. If Delphini did have anything to do with their former Dark Lord, they'd found out enough disturbing things about him in the end to remain thoroughly disillusioned.

The Dark Lord was now nothing more than a painful memory, a reminder of all that the three of them had wasted of their own lives in his service. Service for which he'd never really been grateful. The worst part of it was that he'd been nothing but a sham. He'd never truly cared about their pureblood values, and he'd twisted himself into something unrecognizable with all those Horcruxes which Regulus had told them of in the end. They'd woken up far too late, but at least the Ministry had seen their potential and allowed them to use it.

In a way, as Bellatrix saw it, they were still serving the original pact with the Ministry now. They were helping to take down someone who needed to be stopped, someone that the current Ministry couldn't handle alone. So they were, in fact, still doing the exact job they had been asked to do.

Rodolphus reached out and took all three bottles, passing two to Bellatrix and Rabastan before opening the third for himself. Bellatrix opened hers and tossed it down as if it were a shot. It was like water, utterly tasteless. "If the stripper is red, won't people notice a color change in their drinks," she asked.

"Oh, it's only red when on its own," Kereston replied. "When mixed it becomes colorless. Griphook's nephew is quite clever."

No sooner had the three downed the contents of their bottles than a knock sounded at the door.

"Harold will get it," Bellatrix said.

Harold was their house elf. They'd killed his former owner for the Ministry in around two thousand, and he'd come to work for them. Bellatrix rather liked the little shit. He was quiet and efficient, and, best of all, grateful. His former master had worked him tirelessly, and the Lestranges asked little of him.

Not only that, they had even made him fashionable. One night in two thousand and two around a week before Halloween, when all three of them were high on Merlin's Cap magical mushrooms, Bellatrix decided that Harold should dress as a plague doctor rather than wearing the elf sack. It gave him character, and, though the elf never commented, she thought he rather liked the look. He wore a long black velvet robe topped with a cloak, hat, and raven's beak plague mask, complete with round glass goggles. It kept him expressionless, which Bellatrix liked, and made him appear more frightening to outsiders. To Kereston's credit, her eyes only widened slightly when he entered the room.

"There is an Auror here to see all three of you, and he has three others with him. A goblin, and two wizards, but those are not dressed as Aurors. Should Harold show them in?"

Bellatrix stiffened until she remembered that the Ministry was sending a Healer around to attend to whatever was done to their minds in the late seventies. Rodolphus nodded. "Yes, show them in and offer them tea."

The elf departed and Kereston asked, "Harold? That seems rather an ordinary name for an elf."

"I changed it after we killed his former master," Bellatrix said. "I kept forgetting whatever his original name was...it was something foreign or gibberish... It just wasn't sticking in the mind, and I kept wanting to call him Harold so I ended up telling him he was going to bloody well answer to Harold." She chuckled. "He doesn't seem to mind." Not that she would've cared if he minded, but the point was that he didn't seem to.

Chapter 8: London Bridge Is Falling Down

Chapter 8: London Bridge is Falling Down

As Harold led their guests in, Bellatrix's eyes widened in surprise. Two of the four she knew, at least a little, and they were the last two people she expected to see walking into their parlor with an Auror and a goblin. She, Rod, and Rabastan had met Gellert Grindelwald around two thousand when Kreacher began working with him and his partner Blaise Zabini on enchanted items for their shop. Their first project with the Black elf had been a concept of Kreacher's: pillows that granted the sleeper an uninterrupted eight hours of sleep.

"Hi!" Kereston greeted, springing to her feet at sight of them. "We thought you were sent from the Ministry to fix whatever mental tampering was done to the Lestranges, but you're obviously here about something else. What's up?" The little blonde's expression went from pleasantly surprised to concerned about whatever may have brought them here.

For her part, Bellatrix wasn't worried, at least not about the new arrivals, because they, themselves, did not look worried. All four appeared relaxed. She was more concerned about whatever was done to her, Rod, and Rabastan's heads in the late seventies and by whom.

"It's alright, Little Bit," the Auror spoke up reassuringly, directing a fond smile to Kereston. "I was given the order to bring a trusted Healer to the Lestranges and oversee the process. Considering you'll be Minister tomorrow, I decided to stop off at Grimmauld and run the order by you, to see what you wanted done. These three were there, going over a few details with Kreacher and Regulus. As Grindelwald is a Healer, I asked him if he'd check the Lestranges over if you were good with that... You know, in case some information comes out that you may not want one of the St. Mungo's Healers to be aware of."

Apparently, at least some of the current Aurors were willing to work with goblins and elves... and Acromantulas to entirely restructure the government. Bellatrix wondered how many. In her experience Aurors weren't, as a rule, the most cooperative or open to change. This particular one seemed average and basically nondescript, so there had to be more to him than met the eye.

"Actually, yes, Greg, that's great," Kereston said, giving the Auror an appreciative smile as she sank back into her chair.

"Considering the St. Mungo's Healers have to deal day in and day out with our Longbottom leftovers, I doubt they'd try very hard to help us anyway," Bellatrix said, unable to suppress a cackle at the memory of breaking the stupid blood traitors.

"I really didn't want to include you in this new endeavor of ours," Kereston told her with a frown. "So please stop trying to remind me of what shining models of kindness and stability that the three of you most definitely aren't! Right now, I am really tempted to question Regulus and Kreacher's good judgment."

Bellatrix tossed her head and smiled at the little blonde. "Right... Sorry."

"What's the goblin doing here, then?" Rabastan wanted to know. "Did he bring dinner?"

The goblin in question scowled. "I thought he could fetch the Curse-Breaker if the three of you are willing to work with us, because the Curse-Breaker is also a goblin," the Auror Greg replied calmly.

"Well, that works out, because we did agree," Bellatrix said.

The goblin turned to Kereston, dark scowl fading slightly. "Shall I go for the Curse-Breaker, then?"

"Yes," Kereston nodded. The little blonde was beginning to look mildly harried. "Thank you, Griphook." He Apparated away with a crack.

Griphook was a familiar name. Perhaps they'd dealt with the goblin at the bank, Bellatrix mused, sliding Rodolphus a sidelong glance. They all looked alike to her anyway.

"So shall we turn our attention to restoring your memories," Grindelwald asked, and the three Lestranges nodded nearly as one. He nodded back briskly. "Good. So who's first then?"

"Ladies first. I'll do it," Bellatrix spoke up, ready to get this over with so that she could stop worrying. The feeling of dread and impending doom in the pit of her stomach was growing, and causing her to feel upset and agitated in a way that made her want to scream. She didn't like these sorts of feelings. They were unpleasant and foreign. She had felt miserable in Azkaban, but that was a different sort of emotion entirely.

In Azkaban, it had been all about despair. This feeling that gripped her right now was more of an alert, active, bad feeling, and she hated it! The three Lestranges were formidable magic practitioners, and if they liked, they mucked about with the heads of others. Others did not dare to try doing it to them, so the sooner they had answers about exactly what was done to them against their will, the better. Bellatrix was glad that it was Grindelwald attending to the situation rather than some Healer she knew nothing about from St. Mungo's. Granted, she didn't know much about him either, but he was trusted by Regulus and Kreacher and that meant something. He was also apparently in on this new takeover or uprising or government restructuring.

If she was being honest, and Bellatrix always was with herself, the fact that Grindelwald was in on this new situation did make her feel better. He had the right values and priorities, even if he hadn't actively practiced them since being freed from Nurmengard in the late nineties. A Dark wizard from Germany whom the Lestranges had never met worked with the Zabinis and some others to free Grindelwald. He replaced Grindelwald with an elderly ailing decoy that the Dark Lord had later killed, believing him to be Gellert. It seemed there were a good number of Dark wizards unwilling to follow Lord Voldemort who had wanted an ace in the hole against him in case Potter failed.

Potter had somehow managed to succeed, though, so Grindelwald was home free with no particular dues to pay. When in town, he co-ran his shop in Knockturn Alley that sold the enchanted items made by himself and his...partner, Blaise Zabini. He stood beside Grindelwald now, expression bored and impassive. To Bellatrix, Zabini was uninterested and uninteresting. Apparently Grindelwald saw something in him, so perhaps still waters ran deep after all.

Gellert came to stand in front of Bellatrix, blue eyes narrowing in concentration as he studied her.

"How are you going to do it," she asked, hearing the tension in her voice.

"I am already doing it," Grindelwald replied. Alright, that was impressive. She felt nothing and there wasn't a wand in sight, so he was doing whatever it was with pure Grindelmight. Bellatrix sat waiting and watching his face as he worked. Seconds passed and she was just relaxing back into the blood-colored satin cushions when his eyes widened in surprise and his expression grew concerned.

Before she could ask what the matter was, he was telling her. "Well, I must admit, this is different and unexpected," he murmured. His German accent thickened slightly as he focused deeply on his task. "Not only was a harsh and violent form of compulsion used on your mind, but it goes even deeper than that, I am afraid. It appears that your perception of reality was also altered."

He frowned and shifted slightly, unhappy with his own explanation. "That is, it was altered to such a degree on the mental and emotional level that your perception of your own values could have changed as much as your memories."

"Well, hell," Rabastan said. "That isn't sounding at all warm and fuzzy."

Grindelwald smiled drily, gaze flicking momentarily to the youngest Lestrange. "Not at all," he agreed.

"What does it mean, exactly," Bellatrix asked, frowning.

Grindelwald shook his head, blonde curls falling across his slender shoulders. "I am afraid that is personal. It is something you will have to discover for yourself as the memories return to you. It could manifest as an opinion that you believed that is not truly yours, or an action that you believed you wanted to take that you would not feel the same about now that I have restored your mind to its natural state."

"I don't feel anything different," Bellatrix said. "Am I supposed to?"

Grindelwald nodded. "In time. I have never worked on something quite like this before, but I should think your mind needs time to adjust and process. In the meantime, I can continue with the next Lestrange... Who's up?"

"I'll do it," Rodolphus said, and Grindelwald shifted a few steps to stand in front of Bellatrix's husband.

Bellatrix opened her mouth to assure Roddy that it wouldn't hurt, and that's when it happened. It all started rushing back in a sudden horrifying burst of information and devastating emotions. It didn't build up naturally as it would have done when it all actually happened in nineteen seventy-nine. Insead it returned all at once as memories often did, rather than the slow unfolding of natural events.

Bellatrix felt as though she'd been hit with a ton of bricks made up entirely of emotional upset. Her breath was coming in short bursts; her head lowered, and she drew in on herself, arms coming up to cross defensively over her chest. "Oh gods," she murmured, head beginning to shake side to side in horrified denial.

"I remember it all now... At least I think I do..." If that wasn't all of it, she really couldn't take any more at present.

"Gods, I remember how Uncle Orion died! Roddy, do you remember?"

Rodolphus blinked, shaking his head. "No... Not really. Fighting for the Dark Lord, I assumed. Sometimes we lose some of the best ones fighting the good fight for what matters. It just makes us want to fight the blood traitor bastards and Muggles all the harder, though."

Bellatrix made a low sound of distress as her mind struggled against the new information that was just restored. "No. That isn't what happened at all."

Rodolphus turned to her. "Oh? What happened then?"

He reached for her hand, tugging it gently off of her other arm, where it was clutching tightly. Gripping her husband's far larger hand hard in hers, Bellatrix squeezed her eyes closed against the horrifying revelations, but that didn't help because they were in her mind, and she could no longer close an eye to that. She never had, had she? NO. None of them had. He had made them forget!

Chapter 9: Keep your Friends Close, And Your enemies Closer

Chapter 9: Keep your Friends Close and Your Enemies Closer

"We knew about the Horcruxes... No," Bellatrix corrected herself, still struggling to process the information that had always been waiting, locked away within her mind. "We knew about the one Horcrux... The one that ruined Kreacher and Regulus and nearly cost Kreacher his life. Regulus eventually went to his father about it, and that's how we found out."

Bellatrix felt her breath coming faster as she spoke. She kept her gaze on her husband, struggling to hold onto the here and now as her memories and emotions wandered to a far more unpleasant period in their lives.

Drawing in a deep breath, she forced herself to go on. "Uncle Orion thought we should know who we were serving, because it turned out none of us truly did. He came with Regulus and Kreacher, and they told us all of it. Of the Dark Lord's mission for Kreacher, how he was left to die, and finally about the Horcrux. Regulus would've been frightened enough of the Dark Lord to continue serving him in spite of his Horcrux, because we all knew there was no going back once one took the Dark Mark. The fact that he would've killed Kreacher while knowing how much he meant to Regulus, though...it sent him over the edge a little."

"You lot actually cared about that?" The dry question came from Zabini. He stood leaning against the door, expression cool and removed as always.

Bellatrix frowned. "We all liked Kreacher. He was always better... Somehow more than many others of his kind, a cut above the rest, as it were. So no, of course, we didn't think he deserved to die like that when he'd committed no wrong. More than that, though, the way he treated Kreacher showed clearly how little the Dark Lord truly valued any of us. Kreacher was just as loyal as the rest of our family, but even if he had no regard for elves, the Dark Lord did have a seeming regard for Regulus... and Regulus doted on that elf. So as a leader, why would you kill someone a devoted follower of yours doted upon if said follower had done nothing to displease you?"

She shook her head, still baffled by that concept even now. The Dark Lord had demanded loyalty but had given absolutely none in return. "Regulus was justifiably upset and went digging around. As you know, he discovered the Dark Lord had made a Horcrux. That, plus the fact that he wanted something kept from his followers enough to kill Kreacher, got Regulus curious in the worst way. Then there was the Dark Lord's open disregard for his followers which he'd shown with his willingness to toss Kreacher aside like garbage rather than even bothering to alter the elf's memories. This had opened Regulus's eyes. As Uncle hoped, it opened ours as well. We understood that we had no idea who we were dealing with or what his true limits were, if he had any. Uncle feared his plans would get us all killed in the end."

Bellatrix paused to drain her glass before leaning over Rod to place it on the small, ornately carved table beside the sofa. This was more than difficult to think about, but speaking of it somehow helped. It was freeing, therapeutic for others to finally know even if experiencing the horror of it threatened to shatter her a little. Rod kept a grip on her hand as she spoke, and that was enough to anchor her so that she could finish.

"Uncle came to us because we were family and Voldemort's most loyal. He knew he could trust us and because he believed the Dark Lord did as well, he thought that together we could easily corner and trap him. Uncle Orion wanted the six of us to strike out at him and take him down before things grew worse. You know, looking back it's ironic and even quite funny!" She gave a mad cackle. "No one would ever guess in a million years that we were the first to try to take him down, but we were! Everyone wants us locked away for what we did, but we were the first damn heroes. But guess what?"

She glanced regretfully at her empty glass. Though she longed for a refill, she knew it probably wasn't a good idea. This was bad enough as it was, and if she lost control right now, destructive shit would probably happen to their manor or perhaps half of the wizards in London or Hogsmeade just for fun...

"What," Kereston asked obligingly. The little blonde's gray-blue eyes were wide, and she leaned attentively toward Bellatrix, not bothering to hide the shock on her face.

"We all threw the Killing Curse at once and somehow it turned in midair, Little Minister... It hit Uncle... I was standing there in horror watching him fall, then not get up. We all realized then how badly we'd just messed up, but it was too late. He did something to Regulus and Kreacher ,that I still can't recall, and then turned to the three of us. And do you know what he said?"

Bellatrix's chest was tight, and she was finding it difficult to breathe, much less talk. Still she forced the words out anyway, because they needed to escape in the way the six of them had been unable to do back then.

"He said... And as for the three of you, why, I'm going to forgive you.

"He ordered us to kneel then and as we did, he knelt among us and embraced us. He said 'You know what they say... Keep your friends close and your enemies closer.' I remember being unable to look away from Uncle Orion lying there dead, even as the Dark Lord did whatever he did to our minds."

Gods, was she crying? Bellatrix felt so oddly removed from her body while vitally in it at the same time that she'd hardly noticed. The restored memories and the feelings of trapped horror that accompanied them affected her nearly like a drug, making her somewhat aware of her body and surroundings while experiencing them in stark contrast to the past at the same time. Adding to the concept of a weird high, she was adrenalized by the horror and stunned by it all.

Finished with Rod, Grindelwald took a seat in a nearby armchair to listen rather than continuing with Rabastan's memory restoration. Bellatrix noticed this as if from a distance. Now wasn't the time to care that Grindelwald actually took an interest in what she had to say.

"He did something to our minds while embracing us," she went on. "We now know how freely he used compulsion on members of the government, and others who stood against him, but now I think he used it on enough of his followers as well. At least to some degree. He had this way about him that made you love everything that he said...as if you were high on it! Now with my mind free and him dead, looking back I guess that isn't natural, even if you admire a great leader."

Saying that should've made her feel a little stupid, but it just didn't matter after all they'd been through. "He certainly used heavy compulsion on the three of us that night. I know this because we all completely and suddenly forgot about what I just told you, and we were beyond devoted. Ten times more than we were originally, at least. It was as if serving him became the only thing that mattered in our lives... The only thing on which we wanted to focus."

She drew in a breath, glancing around at the others. "It's like if you thought I was good today and tomorrow I'm absolutely the best thing in the world... and in the heavens and anywhere else. If I smile at you or say you did a good job, you get to feel a little of that greatness. It was like a drug, I suppose. And what Grindelwald said concerning whatever the Dark Lord did to our minds altering our perception of reality... I understand it now."

"I never wondered why we all were so much more obsessed with serving him in that moment than we were the day before. I never wondered what happened to Uncle and only wondered over Regulus a little before deciding there was nothing I could do about it but serve our Lord even better. That's why we continued to obsess even when everyone else thought he was dead. That's why everyone thinks we're insane. No one even bothered to wonder why or what happened to us," she concluded, voice rising indignantly on that last bit.

She glanced from her husband to her gaping brother-in-law. "Are you sure, Bella," Rabastan asked and Bellatrix shot him a fierce scowl.

"Of course I am quite bloody certain, and you shall be as well, as soon as Grindelwald has had at your mind."

Rabastan straightened, suddenly turning a look of suspicion on Grindelwald. "How can we be certain he's not having at our minds in a wrong way... The sort of way that plants false memories?"

Grindelwald replied with a contemptuous toss of his blonde curls. "Because I don't care about any of you, nor do I have a reason to plant anything in your heads. Besides, it isn't that simple even for me. With all of you sitting here, were I doing such a thing, it would be noticed."

"That and the Ministry already said something had been done to my and Rod's minds earlier, if you recall," Bellatrix reminded him.

"Yes, but the Ministry is working with us, so they'd certainly not be above working with Grindelwald," Rabastan pointed out.

Gellert made a sound of exasperation. "I can take a truth potion on the matter if you really need it to sleep at night," he retorted.

"Gellert isn't helping the soon to be former Ministry, I can assure you," Kereston Boxwood spoke up. "That Ministry played a part in his takedown all those years ago. They weren't the ones to free him from prison as they did you, and they aren't even aware that he is alive. He has been my friend for years, however, and I trust him with my life. Those of us working together on this...new government endeavor, could all meet and question one another under Veritaserum at least once though, I suppose."

"There is an even better spell that would more expediently accomplish the same goal," Gellert said. "You can place it on a room so that whoever enters will automatically be compelled to speak anything that they are holding back. If a person is entering a room of people and lying to them, that is going to be the first thing their mind would consider something to withhold. Considering the threats that Delphini has already posed thus far, I suggest using this at every gathering of import to assure that those in your inner circle aren't being tampered with," he told Kereston.

The little blonde nodded. "Very well."

"But if they were tampered with, they'd not know it," Bellatrix objected. "We certainly didn't."

"This spell overrides such compulsions, and you would be forced to speak out about it regardless," Gellert replied. "Deep inside, you were always aware of what was done. You simply couldn't access that part, but this spell would ensure that you did."

Bellatrix shuddered, feeling a new wave of horror sweeping over her. "So you're saying that part of us always knew?" Grindelwald nodded. "That's why people always thought we were so bloody insane," Bellatrix snapped, a sudden surge of anger replacing the horror at that thought. "Our minds were always dealing with both!"

Gellert nodded again. "It would be a lot for the mind to handle. What I just undid...was rather twisted magic applied with vicious brute force that could not have done much for your sanity. It distorted your perception of reality, not to mention interrupting your mental processing."

"Do you remember now, Roddy," Bellatrix asked and her husband nodded.

"It came back as you were telling it. It felt rather...as if I forgot what we did last week and you reminded me. Like one of those aha moments... I suppose mine was gentler than yours because you reminded me, but you had to remember alone." He gave her an apologetic look. "I guess that's why you were so weirdly upset earlier over the Dark Lord doing something that you knew he'd never done. He did something else and that was another sort of invasion."

"He mind fucked all of you in the worst way," Kereston said, shuddering in horror as Gellert rose and moved to stand in front of Rabastan.

"Ready to remember yours," he asked and the youngest Lestrange nodded.

"Well, no, but it's like taking that morning shit just after you got clean in the shower... It isn't pleasant, but still it's just something that's got to be done." Bellatrix wished she wasn't too upset to laugh at Rabastan's antics, and she hoped he'd still have his sense of humor after he re-experienced the horror that had forever changed their lives.

Chapter 10: Shit like that makes my skin crawl

Chapter 10: Shit Like That Makes My Skin Crawl

Harold led Griphook in with another goblin trailing behind. "This is our Curse-Breaker. Let's get this taken care of," Griphook said briskly and Kereston nodded. The other goblin had slightly longer hair, and it was either white-blonde or just white, but Bellatrix couldn't tell. His face didn't look particularly old, but, hell, she didn't know how goblins aged.

He produced a thickish, rough looking black wand and approached her and Rodolphus. Lifting her hand, he pressed the wand to the mark made by the Unbreakable she had given to the old Ministry. The wand was cold on her skin, appearing to be carved out of a black stone of some sort. It traced the mark all the way around her wrist and once it was done, a white light flashed from the wand's tip and struck the goblin in the chest. He screamed, body arching backward in pain.

Bellatrix frowned, for it was a pity she hadn't caused it. Pain wasn't so much fun if she didn't dislike a person, and she wasn't causing it, she thought with a sigh. The goblin moved to Rod next, repeating the same process. Grindelwald paused in his work on Rabastan to allow the process to be repeated on him last. Promising grimly to collect his fee from the Lestrange bank vault tomorrow via Griphook, the Curse-Breaker departed, expression drained and tired.

"That doesn't look like a fun job," Bellatrix drawled and the Lestrange men nodded.

"Will you want dinner within the hour as usual," Harold asked a little hesitantly and Bellatrix shrugged.

"I suppose. Recalling immense trauma probably shouldn't affect our need for sustenance... Although it's a new experience for me," she concluded a little lamely.

Even as she spoke, she wondered if she would actually be able to eat. If not, Rod and Rabastan surely would. Men and their appetites were never separated, after all.

"I should probably go," Kereston said with a sigh. "I need to see how much Kreacher remembers of this...because Bellatrix said something that worried me."

Bellatrix gave the little blonde a knowing look. "The bit where I said I don't remember what the Dark Lord did to them?"

Kereston nodded. "Precisely! I'm thinking you don't remember because it wasn't done to you so you wouldn't know. It, like yours, was probably internal, something he did to their heads. It may be wise to know what, especially considering the new threat."

"Do you truly believe this Delphini girl actually has something to do with... Him," Bellatrix asked, obvious doubt in her tone.

Kereston shrugged." I don't know. I don't believe anything, but her power is...strangely freakish in how immense it is and the unusual things she has been able to do. We will have a folder for you that briefs you on it in the morning. Everyone is getting one. The old Ministry was keeping it very hush-hush until they learned more, but I want everyone in the new Ministry to be fully aware of the danger this...girl poses," Kereston said.

"Sounds good," Rodolphus said with a nod. "I'd like to say we're looking forward to it but..." he grinned and Kereston chuckled.

"Indeed."

"We'll come with you. I'm finished here," Grindelwald said, turning to Kereston as he stepped away from Rabastan.

"Thank you," Bellatrix said, glancing from Grindelwald to Kereston.

"Sure," Grindelwald said and Kereston nodded.

"I think I'm going to issue all of you a formal pardon that could somewhat clear your names," she said, surprising them. All three Lestranges gaped at her. "Well...though you did commit many of the crimes for which you were imprisoned, many were under duress as it were, so it's hardly your fault. Even if you could've committed some of them on your own, you did not, and I think you've been through enough."

"Well, that's certainly something we've never ever expected from any sort of Ministry," Rabastan laughed. "Thanks, Minister!"

Kereston nodded. "Just don't make me regret it. I'm not going to make you take Unbreakables under the circumstances, because enough has been forced upon you. Before I thought you deserved, and even required it, but now not so much... I am quite aware that you were perfectly happy killing Muggles for Voldemort, though, and I am telling you there will be none of that shit! I don't expect you to be white light Gryffindors...I'm not myself and that's not what I want. I just don't need you lot committing crimes that any Ministry, even one like ours, would have to lock you up for because right now I need you free."

"Sounds good," Rodolphus told her and Bellatrix and Rabastan nodded.

"Thanks for that as well," Rabastan said.

"Yes," Bellatrix agreed, "Thank you." The words felt odd to say, but she did mean them. For quite some time no one had given her a reason to thank them for anything, Bellatrix realized.

"We're your thugs, Minister. We are loyal, and we won't make you regret it," Rodolphus told her. "And yes, thank you."

"Good," Kereston said, rising to her feet. "Thank you. We will see you at work tomorrow. Just report to the ground floor because we're having an assembly there where I introduce everyone and all that."

They nodded and Harold led her, Grindelwald, and the still silent Zabini out. Bellatrix glanced from her husband to her brother-in-law. All three sat in silence for a moment, no one seeming to know what to say in the face of all they'd remembered... and all they'd previously been made to forget.

"So...we've been pardoned, and you're saying we've still gotta be thugs," Rabastan told his brother with an amused grin, always going for levity. Bellatrix supposed it worked for him, though. It had kept him sane in Azkaban, after all, where at times she and Rod definitely both had their moments of...not so sane, especially her.

"Being thugs is always so much more fun than being gentlemen... and Bellatrix can be thuggish with the best of them while still remaining the perfect lady," Rodolphus told his brother.

"So true," Rabastan agreed. "On that note, this thug is going for another drink... Either of you want one?"

"I am getting a shower," Bellatrix said. "Come with me, Roddy... We still have to make use of all this blood before I wash it off."

Rodolphus stood eagerly. "I am always and ever at your service, my lady."

Upstairs on their large four poster bed, with Rod's mouth on hers and his hard body covering her more slender one, Bellatrix was able to lose herself in passion and almost forget. Rod felt incredible, and he knew just how to move within her to make her explode with pleasure over and over. When at last he joined her in orgasmic bliss, the two just lay together for a time, catching their breath. Rod was the one to speak first.

"We made it, Bella. We survived all of it, and we're still here, and we're alright."

That sounded lovely, but was she alright? Her mind felt so scrambled. "Come shower with me," she said.

While she always enjoyed showering with her husband, tonight she needed to do so. She didn't want to be alone. Tonight the shower, or was it her mind, felt like a very vast place to face alone. Standing together under the warm spray, Bellatrix was eager to focus on getting clean. She scrubbed herself from head to toe twice, then washed her hair. Perhaps she did that twice too, she wasn't sure. Her mind wandered over each forgotten detail as she applied soap and shampoo. Then it examined each obsessive action they'd taken in the Dark Lord's name after he'd bent their will to believe him to be greater than all the gods.

"It's as if I can't scrub it off no matter how hard I try," she said. "I know it's because it's all inside..." She tapped the side of her head with a fingertip for illustration. "But thinking about who he really was, and all the years we wasted...were forced to waste... All that we might have been or done without his influence...it's all gone, Roddy!

"Even the memory of him embracing us... and then how he looked when he returned from the dead, I always found that disconcerting. We all did, but now...in the face of everything we knew, that memory is somehow even worse! The idea of him embracing us when he twisted our minds, or later showing us favor when I now know that he considered us enemies, just makes my skin crawl!"

Rodolphus drew her close, rubbing her back. "But it's all over now, babe," he said, not getting it in classic guy style. It had happened to him too though, so Bellatrix didn't know how he didn't get it.

"I know," she said, sighing as she leaned against his shoulder while the warm spray cascaded over both of them.

Chapter 11: Nice to meet you

Chapter 11: Nice To Meet You

The next morning the Lestranges were quiet at breakfast, far more subdued than usual. There was the shock of Voldemort severely fucking with their heads to process, as well as the fact no one had any idea what would be waiting for them at the Ministry this morning. Perhaps not even Kereston, although she was obviously one of the main instigators of this new forced government reform. No one could predict how the wizarding world would react to the 'plague' that not only made wizards mildly ill but stripped them completely of their magic.

For all anyone knew, there could be panic in the streets, and when there was panic, people ended up dead. Rather than deal with any potential street mobs and the trouble they'd get into for killing anyone who annoyed them, the Lestranges Apparated directly into the Ministry, landing right in the middle of Auror headquarters on level two. Though they weren't precisely certain where the main meeting that Kereston spoke of was being held, they figured if it was where everyone bloody was, they could find it without trouble. The fact that laughter was the first sound they heard reassured Bellatrix. No one was fighting, at least not inside. Not that she minded a good fight, but, in this case, it was a bit too early, considering things hadn't even gotten going yet with this new government.

"It's called a safe space," a girlish voice was explaining somewhere off to the right. The Lestranges exchanged a curious glance and followed the sound. "Everyone has to be extremely nice to one another in this safe space, and, like, you can't say anything that will upset anyone. Lots of Muggles have this safe space in their places of work."

"But how does one know what will upset people?" That voice with its light German accent belonged to Gellert Grindelwald. As the Lestranges turned into the doorway, they saw a small assembly, seated.

The girl who was speaking stood in front of her chair. She looked like an Amazon. She was tall and wide shouldered with a slender waist and long legs. She wore a flowing silver dress that was striped in green, indicating that she'd been in Slytherin. That, or she was just a fangirl. "I'm not exactly sure," she answered Grindelwald. "They seem to be offended by quite a lot these days... That's the strange bit, and part of the reason we feel SHE may be tampering with them."

When no one else asked a question, she sat down.

"Thank you, Millicent," Kereston said. "For those of you who have just arrived, this is Millicent Bulstrode. Though she is not a Ministry employee, she is a consultant that we hire for specific areas of research when it comes to Muggles. She studies their technology for her own uses and can learn what their masses are doing at all times."

An Auror seated in the back raised his hand, and Kereston nodded to him. "Why do we need to know what the Muggle masses are doing?"

"Because we fear that Delphini is bespelling them and, or possibly, using them for some sinister plot as Millicent mentioned. I hate to sound dramatic, but it is a valid concern. She has been giving Muggles potions that keep us from Obliviating them and making them aware of magic."

"That we can attest to," Rodolphus said to the Auror's skeptical look. "We were asked by the former Ministry to...handle one of those Muggles. Because he could not be Obliviated, we killed him. Before we did, we interrogated him, and he spoke of the blonde girl giving him a potion."

Bellatrix supposed Kereston had already briefed the new Aurors on who they were and why they were free, because no one was screaming or panicking at their presence, which could otherwise be expected. It was a bit disappointing, really.

"So you see," Kereston said to the Auror, who nodded. Then to the rest of the group, she continued, "I would like to introduce everyone and have each person state why you are here so that everyone is aware of everyone else. I want all of you aware of everyone's skills so that when trouble strikes, you will know who to go to for what. I am Kereston Boxwood, your new Minister. This is Gellert Grindelwald JR, my adviser, and due to the current Delphini situation, also Head of Defense."

Bellatrix searched the faces in the room for any looks of disbelief, but saw none. Instead some seemed a bit too knowing, and she took this to indicate they knew this Grindelwald was the one and only. He nodded in acknowledgment to the Minister's words then turned to the room. "Nice to meet you."

Kereston then indicated the group of three people and one elf who sat around him. "These are Gellert's family, and I shall let them introduce themselves."

An almost fragile looking willowy blonde woman rose. She appeared almost fragile only until one looked into her steely blue eyes. "I am Sabra Zabini... The Black Widow. Gellert is my adopted son, and I am here to protect him if necessary. Considering that I apparently killed seven men and escaped prison, I believe I am qualified." Her lips twitched slightly. "My skills are in poisons, and I can even use them as a long distance battle weapon so if you lot would like to be equipped, I'm your spider. Aside from poisons that can kill rapidly or slowly, there are also poisons that can simply debilitate a person or make them ill. Just so you're aware."

Many Aurors made low murmurs of interest as she took her seat. A short, stocky, muscular man with short, curly, dark hair stood next. "I'm Geo Zabini. I've returned from the dead seven times, so obviously I don't mess around, and I am difficult to kill. I may even be more of a badass than my wife, considering." He grinned and resumed his seat. He spoke in a heavy Italian accent, and though he didn't look very dangerous, Bellatrix assumed he likely was, considering who he was married to.

When the other two didn't speak, Gellert nodded to each in turn. "This is Mr. Blaise Zabini, my partner in all things, and our family elf, Bramble, who I fondly call Little Evil, if that tells you anything." The elf shot him an annoyed scowl and Grindelwald pretended to cringe back as he obviously struggled not to laugh.

"Blaise makes enchanted items with Gellert, and as they are adept in the construction of complex charms I wanted them to study the items in the Department of Mysteries as well," Kereston said. "I have asked all the workers in that department to accommodate them, giving them free access to any item they wish to study. This is because I feel we will need all the weapons against Delphini that we can marshal."

She turned to a young looking goblin with neatly combed shoulder length black hair and a sharply pressed black suit, who sat at her side looking mildly uncomfortable and out of place. "This is my Senior Undersecretary, Goriandor. He's the first goblin to hold an office in the Ministry of Magic! I have hired other goblins since, and I am excited to see what wizarding and goblin magics can do together to keep us all safe!" Goriandor smiled, but his expression was a bit strained as he nodded to the room.

"This is our new Head Auror, Romeo Valdez, direct from Spain." Kereston continued with a slight smile. "I stole him from the Aurors there,"

"The job sucked," Valdez said with a grin as he stood. He was tall, strongly built without being too bulky and had dark hair and eyes that likely had many ladies interested. "I went through a lot as a teenager at the hands of Voldemort's followers when they infiltrated my school, posing as professors. As a rule, when it comes to violent criminals, I am one to kill first and ask questions later rather than have innocents endangered. In these trying times, this trait is apparently something our Minister values highly. I hope all of you who will be working with me will see the merit in it as well, as I'd hate to see good lives wasted by Delphini's minions. They certainly will try."

He resumed his seat. Kereston turned to the Lestranges next. "As everyone probably already knows, these are the Lestranges. Bellatrix, Rodolphus, and Rabastan. They worked as Shadow Ops for the former Ministry and will do similar work for us as well as Ministry security and the overseeing of Azkaban."

"In which we spent much time," Rabastan said with a grin.

"If any of you would like to speak?" Kereston concluded, arching an amused brow at Rabastan. It was Bellatrix who stood, though. She intended to be amusing rather like the Zabini parents in order to break the ice a bit. "Everyone already believes us to be mad so..." But her throat stuck on the next words she intended to utter. It was something about how that meant they could use extreme measures to get the job done, and were now quite mad for the Ministry... Instead she found herself staring out into the small sea of faces blankly as she floundered for words.

Suddenly she felt quite cold and small and alone as she realized that the joke was no longer funny. "We were believed to be quite mad," she tried again, words coming out faint. "We...were..." Well, she certainly looked mad now. And this engendered a mad cackle. Her own mirth served to ease her nerves... Girl still had it!

"Voldemort had us all under compulsion since nineteen seventy nine, and we were actually the first to try to kill him while every-fucking-one-else was too frightened to do so! We discovered that he was taking apart his own soul whilst having absolutely no loyalty for his own, and we knew he needed taking down. It was the three of us, Regulus Black, Kreacher, and my Uncle Orion Black, gods rest his soul! Voldemort kept us alive, though...to remind himself that no one could be trusted, but he twisted our minds to ensure that we would be his most trustworthy dogs from then on." She stared at the faces that stared back at her until many of them dropped their gazes. "That's all I have to say," she said, then sat back down.

To her surprise it was the goblin Senior Undersecretary who started the applause, but everyone followed. Then to her shock and mild horror the room began to swim because her eyes were full of sudden tears. Apparently she could still be moved by a little fucking support! Kereston proceeded to introduce various goblins, elves, and even four Acromantulas who were working as Aurors or in the Department of Magical Accidents and Catastrophes.

Chapter 12: The Evil That Won't Die

Chapter 12: The Evil That Won't Die

When the general meeting was over, people broke up into their respective departments to take orders from their heads and continue organizing everything. The Lestranges weren't precisely sure where they belonged until Romeo waved them over.

"Though your duties won't be those of an Auror, unless we are all in direct combat, you will be taking your orders from Gellert, so come along with us to level two for now." They all nodded and followed Romeo Valdez to the Department of Magical Law Enforcement then to Auror Headquarters. Aurors surrounded them, and it was odd not to have to fight the buggers off. In fact, it made Bellatrix's skin itch a little.

"I just wanted to say that this new Ministry is intended to be a better one," Romeo began, dark eyes scanning the little group that surrounded him as they stood in the center of Auror headquarters. "As we're working with people like the Lestranges and Mr. Grindelwald, it should be clear that we won't be aiming to abolish all Dark Arts. I don't expect them to stop using them, and I hope no one else here is stupid enough to either."

There was a bit of polite laughter. "Dark Arts have their place. To put it bluntly, as we have no time for anything else, Dark Arts get shit done," Romeo continued. "What I will not tolerate is Dark Arts being used against the innocent. To hurt or torture the innocent or force them..."

He met the gaze of each Lestrange on that bit. "That goes for all of you... or anyone we apprehend. However, the use of Dark Arts to track criminals and get your job done safely and efficiently is fine. The use of them to defend yourself or others, or even to get information from the enemy, so long as they are not innocent, is acceptable. If you see others using the Dark Arts and they're not harming anyone, the Ministry doesn't care."

"And if we aren't sure," Greg, the Auror who had brought Grindelwald to them last night, asked.

"Then you investigate cautiously," Romeo replied, and Greg nodded. "Now I will brief you on Delphini before giving the floor to Gellert. He is our Head of Defense, and the Minister wants everyone following his instructions with no bullshit or bickering no matter what because whatever he wants will be necessary. I understand that some of you have reservations, but this Delphini...thing, is a danger I still have yet to comprehend."

"Isn't she just a girl," a stocky, dark haired Auror asked dubiously and Romeo chuckled. For his part, Gellert looked grim, standing off to the side of the group, surrounded by his family.

"She looks like a girl, but her power...is something unlike anything I've ever seen," Romeo Valdez said with a slight shudder.

Though Bellatrix did not know the man, she had a feeling that very little made him shudder. Okay, now she was curious.

"Delphini was discovered to be a danger whilst at Hogwarts. She attended posing as a seventh year. That was roughly a year ago. Three students ended up dead. That's when the shit hit the fan and rightfully so. Speaking of that, Kereston has called Albus Dumbledore out of hiding to resume his post as Headmaster and Hogwarts shall reopen in the fall. With Dumbledore back, nothing like this will ever happen again, or so it is strongly believed. I have personally never met the man, but those I trust seem confident," Romeo said.

"Wait, isn't Dumbledore dead," Rabastan asked, and Romeo smirked.

"Not exactly. He just got tired of...a lot of things and at the time, felt it was best that it appear so."

Rabastan shrugged, obviously not truly caring. Bellatrix supposed it was logical though. Old Dumbledore should be harder to kill with all that genius rattling around in his brain.

"The newspapers never mentioned a Delphini in the unexplained deaths at Hogwarts," A female Auror with long brown hair commented, frowning. "They just mentioned an unknown breed of poisonous snake."

"Yes, because the former Ministry didn't want problems outed which they could not solve, not even to their Aurors... At least not all of them. The unnamed snake is a Maledictus named Delphini and that is what they didn't tell you," Romeo said.

"They knew Hogwarts would likely be closed if all the parents realized that it was a student doing it who somehow went undetected. She was imprisoned in Bulgaria as their prison has even darker wards than Azkaban. They believed those darker wards could contain her, though we're uncertain why they felt Azkaban could not. Considering her powers are something I can't explain, though, I rather see their caution."

"I'm telling you, she is a Snake-Baby! That's proof right there," Millicent the Amazon said firmly as she hurriedly approached with a sheet of strange white paper in her hand. Extending it to Grindelwald, she did a little jig and sang, "Snake-Baby, check it and see. Voldemort had snaky sex with Nagini."

Rabastan snickered. Bellatrix and Rodolphus exchanged a look of shock. No, it couldn't be!

Grindelwald let out an amused laugh at Millicent's antics as he casually took the sheet of paper from her hand. "Thanks, Troll. Good work. I shall be in touch soon."

At being called a troll, Millicent gave Grindelwald a dark glare which made Bellatrix decide they must be friends.

At Romeo's raised brows Gellert casually waved the paper. "I asked Millicent to give me a...they call it a printout from online of all the Muggle news or behavior that she finds the most disturbing. I intend to have the Misuse of Muggle Artifacts lot looking into it to see how much, if any, smacks of Delphini."

He turned back to Millicent. "I may eventually need you to work with them on that, but you may go home for now."

Millicent nodded and Apparated out eagerly, seeming eager to do so. "She just loves being helpful," Gellert commented with another chuckle.

"Delphini escaped a few months back," Romeo continued. "Even those in charge of the case have no idea how she managed it, but she did not appear to have outside assistance. Their incompetence is frankly embarrassing. Azkaban didn't feel confident enough to hold her and apparently Bulgaria could do no better."

He glanced to Gellert who nodded in understanding. He'd made his own prison of Nurmengard strong enough to hold even him when it was used against him during his nineteen-forty-five capture.

"Who raised the girl, and when did she start claiming to be Voldemort's daughter," Greg asked. Bellatrix nodded eagerly. She was certainly interested in the answer as well as why the girl claimed to be her daughter. The very idea made her skin crawl. The way the Dark Lord had looked in the end... Well, he was their god back then, and one never minded how their god looked, but were he to think of shagging, finding a partner should've been a bit tricky considering he looked rather like a reptilian...creature.

No lips...no hair...those eyes! They were not at all sexy eyes! It had not horrified them back then, though, because one's god was greater than human so should not look sexy... or even particularly human for that matter. Not only that, but their minds were bent, twisted into the shape of obsessively worshipful minions. They'd not have cared if he had three heads! She wondered then how many others of his followers had had their minds tampered with to ensure their constant unwavering loyalty after what her family had done.

"Delphini was raised by the family of one of his loyal Death Eaters. She grew up with the given name Delphini Dolohov for some reason, but she was raised in complete isolation by an old lady called Euphemia Rowle." Romeo turned to the Lestranges. "Do you know who she is? Your thoughts could be helpful."

They all shook their heads.

"There was a Death Eater named Thorfinn Rowle, but he was a bloke, not an old lady," Rodolphus offered. "Not sure what happened to him, maybe dead, escaped, or in Azkaban, because the Aurors took us away before the dust had settled. Perhaps the old lady was his mum or aunt or something."

"You weren't friends, then," Romeo asked and Rodolphus shrugged.

"He was alright if not the brightest so...not really." He gave an apologetic grin and Bellatrix sighed.

"It's the three of us. We have no friends," she explained, hoping this would save them from being questioned about every bloody Death Eater.

Of course they knew most of them, if not all, but not much of import about any of them. They hadn't exactly had time to socialize in the service of the Dark Lord back in those days. Not to mention most were out for themselves unless, like the Lestranges, they'd brought friends and family in. In which case, also like the Lestranges, they stuck with their own.

"So she was raised by a Rowle, but given the name Dolohov...strange. Why did Voldemort leave her with the name of that particular family?" Greg wondered.

"Probably because the name had the proper wizarding alliteration that some families so enjoy," Rabastan said with a dry smirk. When everyone in the room gave him a dubious look, he stared defiantly back. "Well? It's as good a reason as any and the Dark Lord was weird about stupid shit like that! Perhaps it really meant something to him. Also he may have believed giving her a fake name would protect her."

Grindelwald nodded. "Possibly."

"I did find it strange that Voldemort didn't leave her with someone in the Lestrange or Black family, considering you were his most loyal, but now knowing that he knew you were not willingly on his side, that makes sense," Romeo told the Lestranges.

"As for when she proclaimed herself to be Voldemort's daughter, that was during her incarceration. She made grandiose statements about...well, doing what we're trying to do now," Romeo said, looking mildly disturbed. "Changing the world for the better, that is. But in a highly creepy way, something about being the new past and the new future and being what the world is looking for. It gets worse, though. Even more disturbing, she spoke of...well, killing those students in her serpent form to resurrect her father from the dead with Dark necromancy."

Bellatrix had been thinking that for a badass Head Auror, Romeo was a bit too expressive at times, then he went and said that last bit and her blood ran cold. Her knees went weak and not in a good way. "No," she breathed, clutching at Rod's arm with one hand in a nearly frantic attempt to ground herself in the moment. "He can't come back! All the Horcruxes are gone, and he has to bloody stay dead! If he comes back he could lay hold to our minds again!"

Her chest was suddenly tight. It was hard to breathe, and the bloody room was beginning to spin. This was not good. She had to get it together. She was no hysterical little girl! Still they were speaking of the Dark Lord, not a god, but a monster who truly disliked them, so in light of that, perhaps her response was perfectly reasonable.

"That will not happen. For a start, you will all have bodyguards," Grindelwald assured. "So shall everyone holding a high ranking position here or in any other place that could be in danger from this Delphini."

Bellatrix nodded, relieved, but still concerned because it would just be stupid not to be.

"As for you three in particular, I will also remove your Dark Marks. I understand that it is said to be impossible, but I'm Grindelwald." He tossed his blonde locks confidently, then at a concerned frown from Romeo he added, "Son of The Great Grindelwald, of course, the Most Accomplished Wizard of all Time! He taught me well during all those times I visited him in prison, so you're going to be fine."

Bellatrix struggled not to smile at his antics and gave a slight nod. "Thanks," Rodolphus said, and Rabastan nodded his agreement.

"What is it about her power that you find so impressive," Bellatrix asked, turning to Romeo.

"Well, from all accounts she has a bloody lot of it. I mean more than any single wizard has ever had, even The Great Grindelwald God or whatever." He smirked at Gellert. "She also accomplishes feats that are difficult to comprehend."

"Plus, all of her powers don't seem...precisely human in nature," Gellert added. "The Bloody Baron told me he sensed fire, perhaps some sort of dragon magic or elemental magic like a type of...ingrained Fiendfyre. Odd and impossible as it sounds."

Bellatrix opened her mouth to ask how the Bloody Baron had seen the girl, then remembered she'd attended Hogwarts long enough to kill some students.

"The other odd bit in the reports I have is that she claims to dislike her father, yet still wants to resurrect him," Romeo said.

"Ah," Zabini drawled, giving an amused smirk from where he stood protectively at Grindelwald's side. "So she's bloody mad as well as powerful as all get out."

Romeo grinned. "That's about right. Kereston is also concerned that she is Voldemort's final Horcrux." He turned to the Lestranges. "Which brings me to your next assignment. Kereston wants you upping the defenses on Azkaban and training a few new Aurors to help guard there."

He gestured toward two Acromantulas and two goblins. "I'll be sending these with you for training along with two wizard Aurors. The wizards can help with the training as well, for they are aware of protocols that you would not know."

"Why are you worried about Azkaban right now," Bellatrix asked, struggling against the sinking feeling in the pit of her stomach at the very concept of another Horcrux. The possibility of the Dark Lord returning was terrifying at the very least, considering what he'd already done to them. How would he react to seeing them free and thriving now in spite of that? One could always hope he had better things to do, but the Dark Lord tended to remember enemies, even if he had more than fairly earned them. The feeling coursing through Bellatrix's body was a strange one, and it took her a moment to identify it as anxiety. That was annoying!

"We are concerned that she would attempt to free prisoners to gain more followers," Romeo replied. "Especially since she likely believes you to be among them."

"Yeah," Rabastan said. "Snake-Baby likely wants to get to know the great lady she believes to be her mummy."

Bellatrix considered smacking her brother-in-law, then realized he was probably speaking the truth.

"Yes. So we are sending you plenty of back up. We hope she will come to see you and that you can take her down. We're not a 'lock them up' Ministry. We are a 'kill them if they're extremely dangerous' Ministry so if she arrives, try to get any information you can and then do that."

"Will do," Rodolphus said, giving Valdez a confident smile. "Do we have Basilisk fangs to do that with, because if there is a Horcrux, we'll want to do this right."

Romeo nodded. "Of course. We have Basilisk fangs on emergency order, meaning we paid a great deal to get them here fast, and crafted weapons shall be forthcoming. Obviously you're one of the first on the list for one."

Chapter 13: Prisoners build the best prisons

Chapter 13: Prisoners Build the Best Prisons

It was difficult returning to Azkaban. Bellatrix thought it may be better now, returning as those in charge, but it was not. Even with the Dementors gone, despair seemed to cling to the place as if it had its own energy. That or her memories of the misery they had felt while incarcerated there permeated her mind at the mere sight of the place.

Knowing what she did now, the long incarceration chafed at Bellatrix's mind even more because, in truth, they hadn't deserved it. As soon as they arrived, Rodolphus took charge, setting defensive wards in place that they'd learned from Uncle Orion. Defenses had been his specialty, and Grimmauld Place was always very well guarded. As Rodolphus layered the wards, he instructed the human and new goblin Aurors on how to cast them.

As the Acromantulas didn't have the sort of magic that would allow them to cast wards, Rodolphus asked them to weave webs around the perimeter of the prison walls. He incorporated the webs into the defenses by weaving wards through them. This kept intruders out as well as serving to catch and hold any prisoners attempting to escape. They would hang there like spider food until someone recaptured them.

Rabastan worked with the Aurors, taking orders from Rod as though he were one of them, while Bellatrix stood to the side, watching. She would've helped if Rod asked her to, but he did not, and she was dealing with her own inner struggles while admiring her husband's sharp skills. His strong personality as well as his free spirit and intricate skill with Dark Arts were all things that made her love and admire him. She was damned proud to have him as her husband and even though she was upset, she could still appreciate the efficient deadly skill with which he armed Azkaban's new defenses.

Stepping up to his side, she idly ran a hand up and down the muscles of his upper arm. Turning from asking a goblin about what defensive wards they used on Gringotts, Rod gave her a warm smile. He placed a hand over hers as he returned to his conversation with the goblin. "So you can place alarm wards like those at Gringotts over those we have just set into place?"

"Yes," the goblin replied with a nod.

Rod smiled. "Good. You and your friend go and do that then, while I see what wards I think would work best on all the individual prison cells."

Bellatrix liked the respectful way the goblins, humans, and even spiders were listening to Rod. It was hot. "I'll come with you," she told Rod. "Perhaps torturing some prisoners will make me feel better. I'm sure there are a few in there on whom we have personal grudges."

Rodolphus grinned. "Good. I'm glad to see you feeling better."

"I could've helped, you know," she said, but her voice lacked conviction.

Rodolphus shrugged. "I just didn't think you were interested, and we had it covered. It's alright."

She shrugged. He knew her well. She hadn't been able to muster up the interest, and she just couldn't care at the moment.

As it turned out, a bit of torture made her feel much better! It was fun to practice different techniques on each prisoner and served to sharpen her skills. She was even inspired to come up with a new ward that would've definitely made Uncle Orion proud. It involved layering the Cruciatus Curse with a general locking ward so that anyone trying to break in or out of a cell would suffer excruciating pain. The longer a person tampered with the ward, the more the pain would increase.

"That is brilliant," Rod said admiringly when she placed it on the door of a prison cell and made the prisoner inside scream with agony when forcing him to attempt to open it.

"Even if he goes all Sirius and turns into an animal, it'll get him from under the door as well," she said happily.

"Do you think he can turn into anything," Rod asked and she shook her head.

"No. I was just saying that as an example... Just if anyone can, and attempts that method, it won't work."

He nodded. "Like I said... Brilliant!"

Drawing her close, his mouth met hers in a passionate kiss. "I was so proud when the Dark Lord chose to give you personal training. You were always the brightest star, Bellatrix Lestrange."

"So are you," she said, running her hands up his chest. "That's why we're the perfect match, leagues above the others."

"I made sure he never thought I was too good, though. I didn't think he'd like another male being anywhere close to his league. A woman he could forgive, so I never minded when you showed off, though had Rabastan or I done so I did not feel it would've been safe."

"Even when we were completely loyal...before the...thing," she asked, surprise distracting her from her lust.

Rodolphus nodded. "Yes. Always."

"But didn't you trust him then?"

He nodded. "Of course. It's just polite to allow the alpha, as it were, to always be the best in everything."

"Hmm." Bellatrix had never thought of it that way. She hadn't understood why Rod wasn't given personal lessons with her, but now it made sense. She had shown Rod everything she'd learned later, because the Dark Lord hadn't said not to, and she'd assumed he'd want Rod to always be at his best.

"Do you think the Minister wants us to come here every bloody day until the girl shows up?" Bellatrix wondered.

"Probably," Rod replied. "Or until it becomes apparent that she isn't going to."

"I don't think I can pretend to be her mother... I just don't think that I am good at pretending," Bellatrix said with a shudder. "Especially if it involves any sort of scenario where I shag him, which is usually how one makes a baby!" True though it was, it made her feel selfish nonetheless. They needed to get rid of her for the safety of their own family even if they didn't give a damn about the wizarding world, which they did not. "If you think my doing so would make it easier to lull then kill her, though, I will try."

Rodolphus shrugged wide shoulders. "I honestly don't believe it's necessary. They didn't tell us to pretend anything, and if the girl is as good as word has it, she would see the lie. He could always see when people were lying to him."

"If she's even his," Bellatrix said with a baffled shake of her head. "That's still quite difficult to believe."

Rodolphus nodded. "True."

"So if I don't have to pretend, how are we going to handle her if she shows," Bellatrix asked. "We should form some sort of plan."

Rod shrugged. "I figure we'll have to play it by ear to some degree, because, when it comes down to it, we know nothing about her or what she really wants with us. I plan to be polite and friendly without seeming too eager for her demise."

Bellatrix nodded with a faint smile. "You're in charge of that, and I will follow your lead," she said gratefully. She knew her instincts may not be the best on the matter, considering.

An elf in Ministry robes brought them lunch, and considering the Acromantulas were also eating, there was a ton of food. There was also a letter from Romeo asking that they report their progress to the elf before he departed. Valdez also requested that the Acromantulas remain as prison guards overnight and gave everyone else permission to leave daily at six and return to work in the morning at nine.

Everyone gathered together to eat sandwiches and swig down bottles of pumpkin juice. Rod stood beside one of the Acromantulas, watching him tossing sandwich after sandwich into his mouth, each only serving as a bite. Watching the spider eat was fascinating, and he didn't bother not to stare.

"You know, I was going to ask the Head Auror if we could eat anyone who ended up in the webs we set up, but I'm really liking these sandwiches instead," the spider rasped.

Rod chuckled. "They are rather good. Fat with lots of meat, vegetables, and cheese."

"Cheese," the spider echoed. "Is that what it's called? It's sharp and creamy and tastes far better than blood."

"Just wait until you try it all warm and melted over mushroom pasta," Rodolphus told him. "Our elf makes an excellent cream cheese mushroom pasta. Perhaps you could come to dinner some time. I would like to see how your webs can work with defensive attacks in direct combat, and we could practice."

All eight of the spider's eyes glittered with interest. "That sounds very promising. I accept."

"Rhdar," the other spider rasped, coming over and poking Rodolphus's new friend in the side with a leg. "Leave some of those cakes for me."

"They aren't cakes. They're sandwiches."

The other spider blinked at least most of his eyes. "Indeed? How is that? They don't look at all like witches. They look like cakes!"

"Well, the elf called them sandwiches, and they aren't cakes because they have meat and vegetables and cheese in them," Rhdar said peevishly.

"Also they don't look like witches because the sandwich word lacks the T," Rodolphus explained.

"Ahh," both spiders said in unison.

After lunch, Rodolphus gave the elf a brief progress report on the wards they'd laid and the methods he was using. The elf took notes and then gathered up all the now empty lunch baskets and climbed back into the boat he'd used to reach the island. Once the boat sailed past the wards, elf and boat vanished in a crack of Apparition.

"I wonder if the boat will reappear right in the middle of Auror headquarters?" one of the spiders wondered with a snicker. It was the one whose name Rod did not yet know, he decided, hoping he could tell them apart.

"There's probably a parking garage somewhere for such transport, so likely not, though the idea is amusing," one of the goblins replied with a grin. They all got back to work then and the day actually passed quickly.

When they took breaks from layering the wards, Rodolphus worked with the wizard and goblin Aurors on methods of dueling to kill. He enjoyed sharing his own knowledge as well as seeing what methods they used. The goblins had some rather impressive ways of killing, some of which involved swallowing a person with earth. One of the goblins offered to demonstrate on Rabastan, saying he'd probably be fine, but the youngest Lestrange strongly declined.

Rodolphus noticed that the wands the goblins used looked to be made of stone rather than wood. They were even multi-faceted like a crystal and had silver bands around them bonding one stone to another. One of the goblins had a red and clear wand while the other's was clear green and black. "I suppose with this new Ministry, goblins are now allowed wands," he asked and they nodded. "I've never seen wands like those you have. Did you craft them yourselves?"

Both shook their heads. "These came from Enchanted Odds, that shop Zabini and Grindelwald run... or rather ran, before they started working for the Ministry. They probably pay someone else to run it now," one of the goblins offered. "A woman named Snape makes the wands, though. She'll even custom them for you if you fill out a form. We did that, but there are some in the shop that you can just buy as is."

Rodolphus nodded. "Why stone rather than wood, though?"

"Because the crystal amplifies magic and it's twice the strength of a wooden wand," the goblin replied, eyes sparkling with a greed for more power behind his spells that Rod could well understand.

"Thanks. I'll have to check them out." He glanced over at Bellatrix who was busy teaching one of the human Aurors just how little he truly knew of deadly dueling practices. The man's face was showing open strain, and his eyes were a little wild with fear.

Bellatrix was smiling gleefully, though, and Rodolphus was relieved to see her in better spirits. An upset or disconcerted Bellatrix was just too much for him, and he didn't like it one bit. Even worse, it made him feel insecure and uncertain within himself. As if he didn't know what would happen in the next moment, or what he should do about it, and that was the absolute worst because he hated feeling uncertain.

Before they went home for the night, the three Lestranges made a final round of the grounds together. All the wards turned out beautifully. The spiders had spent all day weaving huge webs that covered the entire outer edge of the island, and the wards were layered into them so well that they weren't even visible. Of course one could not defend against that which they could not detect.

Chapter 14: Girls Just Wanna Have Fun

Chapter 14: Girls Just Wanna Have Fun

"I want to stop off at my parent's place before we go home," Bellatrix told Rodolphus as the three Lestranges stepped into the boat that would carry them past the wards for Apparating home. Rod had enchanted the boat to float back to the island when its passengers Apparated out of it. Once it returned, one of the spiders or goblins on duty would chain it to the rock Rod had placed at the edge of the water for anchoring.

"Sure," he agreed easily. "You coming, Rabastan?"

The younger Lestrange shrugged. "Sure, I guess."

"Alright then, see you there," Bellatrix told her brother-in-law before snatching Rod's arm and Side-Along Apparating him with her to Black Glass, her parent's manor.

Of course Rodolphus knew the way, but Bellatrix did not even wish to separate from him long enough to Apparate alone. When they arrived, she released her grip on his arm and turned to face him. "I am aware that you noticed my state of mind being more off than usual, and you've been kind about it. I also see that it worries you, and I am sorry. I am trying to work it out by... perhaps understanding," she said carefully. "I love you, Rodolphus, and right now, you're the only secure thing in my life. You always were the most important thing."

His steady gaze flashed with relief at her words but before he could speak, Bellatrix grabbed his face and kissed him hard. He responded readily, catching her waist and hauling her closer. "Gods, I thought we were visiting Bella's parents! I didn't come to watch the two of you shag on their bloody lawn," Rabastan grumbled.

They hadn't even heard the crack of him Apparating in. Bellatrix sighed, regretfully drawing back from her husband.

"I love you too, Bella, and I'll always be here... Always. I just need you to be alright," Rod told her, then turning to Rabastan he growled, "Quit your bitching or I'll send you home."

Rabastan arched dark brows, but fell silent, acquiescing to his older brother as he always did.

Bellatrix took Rodolphus's arm and marched up the long flight of stone stairs to her parent's front door. When she began to angrily pound on it, both Lestrange men gave her looks of startled surprise. Orb, the Black family house elf, did not look at all shocked upon opening the door to see Bellatrix on the other end of the angry banging.

"I want to see my parents," Bellatrix told the elf before she could speak. Orb bowed and silently gestured them inside.

"They are having pre-dinner drinks in the dining room, Miss Bellatrix. If Misters Rodolphus and Rabastan and Miss Bellatrix wish to stay for dinner, Orb has made plenty."

"I haven't decided," Bellatrix said, brushing past the elf as she swept inside.

When she stalked into the dining room with Rodolphus at her side and a bemused Rabastan trailing, her parents glanced up in surprise. Each had a glass of wine at their elbow, and her father had the evening newspaper spread out before him on the table.

"Hello, you three," Cygnus Black greeted pleasantly. "I'm glad you stopped in, actually." He pushed the newspaper away from him with an expression of distaste. "You can never believe what you read in the news, and you lot are more in the know with the Ministry these days so you can likely give us far more accurate details." He gave a dry chuckle. "Now that's a sentence I never expected to utter, especially in your younger years."

When Bellatrix spoke, she nearly chilled herself by how calm her voice came out. "Those younger years are just what I came to speak with the two of you about," she said.

Again both elder Blacks looked surprised. "Oh," her mother asked. "Well then, come in and sit down. Who would like wine?"

"Me for sure," Rabastan replied eagerly. "Please."

"For both of us as well," Bellatrix said, still holding Rod's arm as the three approached the dining table to join her parents.

Druella Black called Orb and asked for three more glasses of wine before turning expectantly toward her daughter. "Is it true, about that Delphini girl?"

"Which part," Bellatrix asked, the deadly calm still in her voice.

"The part about her attacking Durmstrang and Hogwarts, of course!"

"Oh... You aren't curious about the part where she claims to be my child with the Dark Lord, then?"

Druella Black frowned. "Of course not, Bella! Why would I be? It's obvious nonsense! If you'd had a child with anyone I think I'd know, and you never showed that sort of interest in the Dark Lord."

Though yesterday Bellatrix would've drawn comfort and validation from her mother's words, today they enraged her. They set a fire within her like a match to a flame, and it ignited in her eyes, reflecting in the glare she shot her mother's way.

"I hadn't heard of any attacks, but we were working at Azkaban all day to fortify its defenses," she said, speaking in an extremely careful tone...because she didn't want to explode until she was good and ready. It was what she'd come here for, after all. It was her personal explosion, and it would be on her damned terms. While it was very kind of her parents to play into her hands as they had, she wasn't ready to let them have it quite yet.

Something important like this should be allowed to build...to be savored, so that when it was released, it would be extra satisfying... Almost like an emotional orgasm, but not really. Though speaking of that, she had big plans for Rod later too. Plans he would very much enjoy.

"It's very good that you didn't think I was shagging the Dark Lord, Mother. The only thing that would've been better is if you'd bothered to notice that the three of us weren't at all alright after the summer of nineteen seventy-nine. That would've been very nice indeed."

Druella blinked. "Not alright? Whatever do you mean?"

"I mean that while we were always quite passionate about the Dark Lord's goals, as was Regulus, no one fucking noticed when that passion skyrocketed literally overnight to a near mindless obsession," Bellatrix shrieked.

One hand shot out, swiping her mother's wine glass off the table. It shattered on the floor with a satisfying sound, so she went for her father's glass next. Her hand wrapped around the stem, and lifting it she hurled it into the nearest wall. Red wine flew out, spraying the floor and wall as the glass struck and shattered. Noting the change in her mood, neither of the Lestrange men took a seat at the table.

"Something happened in nineteen seventy-nine," Bellatrix said. Her voice had lost its calm edge and now shook slightly on each word. "Long story short, when the Dark Lord nearly killed Kreacher to hide a Horcrux, Regulus discovered that we were serving a twisted monster rather than another Grindelwald!

"He and Uncle Orion came to us with the situation, because as those highest in the Dark Lord's ranks, we would be the best to help trap and kill him. Also, as family, they knew we could be trusted. So that was great, we summoned him with no problem and all cast the Killing Curse at once! There were six of us. There was Kreacher, Regulus, Uncle, Rabastan, Rodolphus, and myself. It should've worked, but instead something...happened that I still don't understand, and the Curse twisted and struck Uncle. At least, that's how it looked. He was dead, and the five of us were left with the fallout. And trust me, Mummy and Daddy, there was one hell of a fallout!"

Even sarcastically referring to her parents in the way she had as a very young child caused Bellatrix's breath to hitch. They hadn't protected her, and weren't parents always supposed to protect? And to know their children, and thus notice when their fucking minds had been twisted and bent? Perhaps? Her breaths were now coming raggedly, and she looked around in her need for something else to smash. Choosing the framed painting of a nature scene on the far wall, she drew her wand and shattered it, then the grandfather clock flew across the room to smash into the doorway.

"Bellatrix," her mother nearly shouted. "You must stop so we can understand what you are telling us!"

"Oh, I can make you understand," Bellatrix said, noticing that the deadly calm had returned to her voice. Good. This was getting fun! As she spoke, Bellatrix's eyes swept the room for her next target. "While I still can't remember what he did to Kreacher and Regulus, he forgave the three of us...while twisting our minds with compulsion and other fun spells that distorted our reality."

She aimed her wand at the glass panels of the door that led from the dining room out into the hall and shattered each in turn. Still unsatisfied, she began ripping the doors off their frames. Now those sounds were satisfying! Splitting hinges and ripping wood as shards peppered nearby walls.

"The compulsion made us worship him to a level that caused us all to become a bit stark raving mad with the fervor that everyone, but you, apparently noticed, considering that most people thought us quite insane. The distortion of reality caused us to somehow forget the fact he'd just killed Uncle and probably a lot of other horrors that I don't even remember yet. Grindelwald said it takes time to process, so there's probably more," she said in a falsely gleeful tone.

She was satisfied to see her father's face was drained of color. "What has Grindelwald to do with this," he asked, and she shook her head.

"Don't worry about it. It doesn't matter." Waving a dismissive hand, she used the other, the one holding her wand, to hurl the heavy oak dining table into the far wall. "What matters is that none of you noticed! No parents noticed, no fucking family members noticed what happened to us!"

She hated the fact that her voice broke on that final bit and hot tears began to spill down her face. Druella Black rose from her chair and approached, face twisted with horror. Gods, was she horrified by her, Bellatrix wondered, hand tightening on her wand as her attention went next to the painted tiles of the ceiling, shattering one then another and another.

"Bella...Baby!" Bellatrix's wand hand fell limply to her side because Druella's voice cracked on her words just as Bellatrix's had. "Baby... I'm so sorry! It's just that you were all out so much those days! You didn't have time for us. We hardly ever saw you! When you weren't partying, drunk, or on drugs, you were murdering Muggles for him or breaking into the Ministry for him. You seemed happy! Whenever we did see you, you seemed happy! You were always speaking of making our family great and... but that is no excuse...I...we should've noticed."

"We didn't do drugs or party that much, Mother," Bellatrix said icily.

"We kinda did," Rabastan muttered. His grin wilted under Bellatrix's glare.

She turned back to her mother. "And don't pretend that you thought our mad obsession was just us being high on something."

"It's true, though," Druella defended. "Hell, you and Rod were still happy together, so nothing appeared amiss!"

Bellatrix turned away from her mother, ignoring her last statement as the pathetic attempt to avoid personal responsibility that it was. Turning her glare on her father she said, "And you, Daddy? Always on me to be more responsible whenever Rod and I would sneak out to drink and party on the weekends before we got married? You noticed that shit, but you didn't notice when my mind got broken, Daddy?" She sobbed and drew roughly away when Druella tried to take her into her arms.

"Well, there was no fun after that, Daddy, because thanks to what the Dark Lord did we spent all our best years in Azkaban, and that shit was no fun at all, Daddy! I could've been more! All three of us could've been...who knows, because that time is wasted and gone, Daddy!"

She was shrieking again and bringing chunks of the ceiling down with satisfying swipes of her wand. Her rage was sweet, and she rode it like the high it had become.

"I'm so sorry, baby," Cygnus Black whispered, face showing evident strain as he searched for a way to make the impossible right. It was a bit too late for that because there were some things that Daddies just couldn't fix.

Tears now streamed down Druella's face as she cried with her daughter. Once more she reached for Bellatrix, and this time she didn't bother to move away. "Please, Bellatrix... We love you so much... We are sorry. We..."

Dropping her head to Druella's shoulder, Bellatrix let herself cling to her mother for a moment as they both cried. "Mummy," she choked out. "Mummy, it was so bad...he was so evil and his...energy or magic or whatever it was...when it touched us it felt beyond foul," she sobbed. "And after that we were alone... Hell, we didn't even fully have us anymore, and no one knew! None of you knew!"

Druella rocked her back and forth as they clung together, and Bellatrix wanted it to help...really she did. When it didn't help, she gently pushed her mother away and flung herself at Rodolphus. Her husband was startled and cringed back momentarily as if expecting her to fly at him in anger as she had yesterday at the Ministry. When she only clung to him and sobbed, though, he wrapped her in his arms and held her tight.

Chapter 15: Unapologetic

Chapter 15: Unapologetic

Bellatrix cried until there were no more tears, at least for the moment. Her rage-fueled adrenaline had faded, leaving her tired and drained. Reluctantly, she stepped back from the protective shelter of Rodolphus's arms and smiled to see a similar look of regret on his face. Being close to him always made things better. They were so connected, so in sync, literally two halves of a whole, and through this unwanted trauma they were perhaps growing even closer. Threading her fingers through his, she stood shoulder to shoulder with him as she turned to face her parents.

"Well," she said, tone overly brisk to overcompensate for the uncomfortable moment through which they all suffered. "Do we all still get that glass of wine?"

"Of course," Druella said, giving Bellatrix a warm smile, as if the dining room wasn't in shambles around them.

"I think we can eat in the kitchen today. It will be more comfortable than the library. Of course you all are staying for dinner," Druella continued, her tone now as brisk as Bellatrix's had been only a moment ago.

Bellatrix nodded. "We do need to fill you in on the latest, after all."

Her parents were not going to yell at her for wrecking their dining room, and she was going to not wreck the rest of the manor. There was a truce. Bellatrix had made her point, and expressed herself in classic Bellatrix style. Her parents now knew what had happened, and hopefully they felt dreadful for not knowing. If not, at least Bellatrix felt a little better.

Cygnus led the way into the kitchen and explained to a cowering Orb that they would be having dinner in the kitchen. The elf must have heard their little family chat earlier, considering she hadn't come in with the wine, Bellatrix thought with an amused smirk.

Orb hastened to bring in dining room chairs and arrange them around the large stone table that stood in the center of the brightly lit kitchen. When they were all seated, she then served everyone a glass of wine before returning her attention to the large wood stove against the far wall. The kitchen was large though not as vast as the one at Grimmauld place.

Thinking of Grimmauld Place made Bellatrix remember that she wanted to speak with Regulus and Kreacher soon. She needed to ask what Voldemort had done to them that night after he'd compelled her, Rod, and Rabastan. Whatever it was, it certainly hadn't kept Regulus from wanting to destroy his Horcrux. It would seem that for some reason the Dark Lord had not compelled Regulus and Kreacher to worship him, but why? He'd kept the Lestranges alive and compelled them to serve as a reminder to him that he could trust no one, so why leave Kreacher and Regulus aware of what he was?

"So Delphini is attacking the schools now," Rabastan asked, glancing curiously at Cygnus Black.

"So the paper says," Cygnus replied.

"Does it say what she wanted," Rabastan asked and Cygnus shook his head.

"That's why we were hoping you lot were more in the know."

"We are more in the know with this new Ministry than with the old one, but we've been working at Azkaban all day and other than the Head Auror asking for a progress report at lunch and giving us our schedule, we've had no word," Bellatrix told her parents.

"We can assume if the news affected us they'd have written," Rodolphus said with a shrug. "If she attacked the schools, though, there could be a few reasons. Attacking children is a great scare tactic for the children as well as their parents. If they close the schools, she could also be overthrowing standard education as we know it. She could also be making herself known to a younger generation to gain new malleable followers."

"All good thoughts," Cygnus complimented Rodolphus. Bellatrix smiled, leaning contentedly back in her chair as she sipped at her wine. This almost felt normal.

"Hey, Voldemort just obsessed over Hogwarts. If Delphini did go after both schools, at least she's being fair," Rabastan observed with a chuckle.

"This morning we were briefed, along with all the Aurors, on everything the Ministry knows when it comes to Delphini," Bellatrix told her parents. She then proceeded to repeat everything Romeo and Gellert had shared. As they had not said to keep silent on the matter, she didn't think it was expected. It seemed this new Ministry approved of the public having a solid understanding of the danger they stood against.

As Bellatrix spoke, Orb silently served dinner. It consisted of veal with onions and mushrooms, and tender baby potatoes on the side.

"I was grateful to the former Ministry for releasing the three of you from Azkaban, even if they did make you work for them and keep yourselves hidden. Still, this new Ministry does feel more stable," Druella said.

"Letting goblins in, though," Cygnus asked, giving his wife a look of open skepticism. "Can we truly trust them?"

Rabastan nodded. "I know! I was wondering the same thing!"

"They have Grindelwald, though," Druella said. "And that's a definite plus to my mind."

"You lot are already rather in the know," Bellatrix commented, and her mother shrugged.

"Regulus has been keeping us updated over the past few weeks." She gave Bellatrix a slight frown. "That is extremely kind of him considering the three of you haven't bothered to come around in months! Just like the old days, and yet you still want to be upset with us for not being aware of...things we still probably should have." Druella's annoyance faded even as she spoke, giving way to upset as her lower lip trembled on her final words.

"Fine, Mother," Bellatrix bit out. "I take your bloody point." She viciously stabbed a piece of veal with her fork as though killing the baby cow all over again.

"We don't really blame you, Mum," Rodolphus told Druella, giving his mother-in-law an apologetic smile. "We don't blame any of the parents. It's just...that it happened, and it's going to take a bit of working through."

Druella and Cygnus both nodded. "If there is anything we can do," Cygnus said. "Anything at all, please know that we are here."

Bellatrix knew her parents were trying, but she didn't know what to say that wouldn't be fake. She was still upset that no one had noticed that something wasn't right with the three of them. She knew she'd just have to work it out on her own time.

"Just try to notice if someone buggers our brains again, would you?" she requested drily, then drained her glass of wine.

"Do you believe this Delphini will make an attempt to do so," Druella asked carefully, and Bellatrix shrugged.

"Who knows? The Minister believes Delphini is interested in us, though. She's going to get us bodyguards, but she did not say when that was happening. We are well guarded at Azkaban, though, and the Minister believes Delphini may come there to speak to us if she discovers we're now in charge of the place."

"They put you permanently in charge of Azkaban," Druella asked incredulously. "How dreadful! You had to spend enough undeserved time there!"

Bellatrix shrugged. "Yes, but we know the place and what would make it better. Plus, we get to torture prisoners," she said, not bothering to hide her gleeful smile. The torturing of prisoners had definitely been the highlight of her day.

"We did have enough criminal caliber fun back in the day before Voldemort had at our heads, if we're being honest," Rabastan spoke up thoughtfully. "So our years in Azkaban weren't completely undeserved."

"Really," Bellatrix asked, turning on her brother-in-law. "You're suddenly interested in taking responsibility for your actions?"

Rabastan grinned, lifting his hands in a placating gesture and shaking his head. "Of course not! You know me! I'm just speaking from the point of view of society...because I'm a well-rounded, open minded chap."

Bellatrix shook her head in dismissal. "Right. Well, we paid our debt to society by attempting to kill Voldemort first so to hell with that."

"True," Rodolphus agreed.

"I know," Rabastan said. "I was just playing devil's whatever, because I want to rise in the ranks and not always be working at bloody Azkaban."

Druella chuckled. "A man with aspirations. Very good." Turning back to Bellatrix, the amusement left her face as her expression grew concerned. "If Delphini does come to speak to you at Azkaban, are you protected?"

Bellatrix nodded, then shrugged. "Goblins, Acromantulas, other Aurors...us... We are quite vicious, after all. Not that it did us any good against him... So yes, we should be fine, but honestly we can't be sure. If we feel too threatened, we'll just Apparate away," she decided.

Not ones to run from a fight, they weren't foolishly brave Gryffindor types either. Considering what had already been done to them, they weren't willing to risk the same a second time. One's own will was a precious thing and losing it obviously did things to one's sanity. They were living proof of that.

Rodolphus nodded in agreement. "We will not underestimate her as we did her father," he told Druella. "We will be careful and put our safety first. Though it was reasonable to believe six of us could take him out with the Killing Curse, we now know that overconfidence can get us killed, as it did Orion."

They all exchanged a silent look of sorrow for the fallen Black. The rest of dinner was spent speculating about Delphini. When it was over, they promised to return soon. Bellatrix did not apologize for trashing the dining room because...she wasn't sorry.

Chapter 16: Delphini is not my daughter

Chapter 16: Delphini Is Not My Daughter

Though Bellatrix wished to speak with Regulus and Kreacher on the matter of their newly restored memories, the visit with her parents had been draining. She'd had enough for the night and had a feeling the boys had as well.

"Let's just go home, alright," she asked when the large front door of her parents' manor had closed behind them. Both Rabastan and Rodolphus nodded eagerly and the three Apparated to Raven's Nest without another word.

A good shag and long hot shower later, Bellatrix lay drowsily in bed in Rodolphus's arms. She was nearly asleep when a sudden thought struck her, and she brought herself fully back to wakefulness with a laugh.

"What," Rodolphus asked, chuckling in response.

"I think your brother dislikes pleasuring himself," Bellatrix said.

Rodolphus choked. "What?"

Bellatrix giggled...actually giggled! But this new realization was just too much! "A few days ago he was telling me about shagging a girl and telling her he had a thing where he liked to pretend to be Rabastan Lestrange. I asked him why he would enjoy pretending to be himself, and he said that it was in case he called his own name out during... The reason he is concerned that this might happen is because in Azkaban, he apparently pleasured himself a lot and when he did, he apparently called out his own name!"

"Alright," Rodolphus said slowly, obviously trying to follow the crazy train of thought and failing.

"So, he couldn't have enjoyed self-pleasure, or he would've drawn unwanted Dementor attention."

A long perplexed silence followed, then Rodolphus chuckled. "So he doesn't enjoy self-pleasuring, but did it to keep the Dementors away?"

Bellatrix giggled again at the sheer preposterousness. "Apparently so! I didn't get that at first, because most men do it because they like it, right?"

"I had you, so I wouldn't know," Rodolphus said. "You met my needs quite well when we were teenagers. I had no strength left for myself, and your body was far more interesting anyway."

"That's nice to know, Roddy. Quite the opposite of how disturbing it is to know how your brother feels about self-pleasuring!" She giggled again, suddenly feeling strangely younger. For once in two days, she wasn't thinking about the Delphini situation or what Voldemort had done to their minds.

As a result, she fell asleep happily. That's likely the reason she had no nightmares. The next morning, they headed to Azkaban after breakfast. The goblin and human Aurors arrived around the same time, and two elves joined the crew. Rodolphus got to work at once working with the elves to layer their elf wards into the defenses he'd placed the previous day to provide an extra level of protection on the prison. Bellatrix watched as he worked.

Today, she was more focused and centered, so she could truly appreciate the precise and deadly skill with which Rodolphus built his wards and protections. Of course, she'd always known how skilled and brilliant her husband was in general, but watching him take charge of the place that had held them for so long was particularly satisfying. When he was content with the wards the elves placed, everyone returned to the combat practice they'd begun the previous day.

Rodolphus worked with the spiders, wanting to see how fast they could make a web during combat, and Bellatrix turned her attention to the elves. As she suspected, they needed to be trained in dueling, and she was happy to do so. Without truly hurting them, at least not much, she showed them how little they knew and got them interested in learning more.

For his part, Rabastan was dueling both of the goblin Aurors at once while the human Aurors watched, properly impressed. Under Rodolphus's guidance not only did they all practice dueling, but they learned about the magic of the other races present so that they could all better work with one another. As Regulus Black had concluded back in the nineteen seventies, elves were the strongest and their magic seemingly the most effortless. Bellatrix had only to hone them in using their skills for killing rather than cooking or cleaning. Goblins perhaps had magic equal to that of wizards, but their spells, by large, were of a different flavor.

When the Ministry elf of the previous day arrived with several large baskets of lunch, they were all ready for a break. This time, the lunch elf did not ask them for a progress report, so Bellatrix turned the tables.

"Is it true that Delphini attacked both Hogwarts and Durmstrang yesterday," she asked, recalling that her parents had inquired about that the previous night.

"She attempted to but, in both cases, could not pass the defenses to enter either school, only making it onto the outer grounds of both," the elf answered readily. "Both schools are keeping the students inside and not allowing them onto the grounds for classes or recreation."

"I just bet they love being shut up inside," Rabastan said. "I wonder how long before some little shit sneaks out, and she catches them to use against their parents for leverage."

"If that's even what she wants," Bellatrix said doubtfully. She had a feeling the girl was after something bigger than a child to hold hostage. Gaining followers like that would take ages, not to mention forced loyalty would eventually backfire. Unless Delphini was even better at bending the minds and wills of others than her father, she thought, a cold chill running down her spine.

As they ate, Rodolphus chatted up one of the spiders, expounding on the benefits of roast chicken over roast duck, which was apparently far too dry. For her part, Bellatrix would love to serve the spiders roast Delphini! The elves questioned Rabastan and the goblins on some of the hexes they'd used during their duel, and Bellatrix wondered how long Delphini would take to figure out that they were here and come to play. When lunch was over, the Ministry elf collected the baskets and departed without comment.

They were just getting back to their dueling practice when the alarm wards flashed red, indicating that someone was approaching Azkaban who did not have Ministry authorization. They went together to investigate. As they watched, the girl floated above the water, stopping just before she reached the island. Her hair was silver and her eyes were...difficult to see. They were hidden in what Bellatrix could only describe as a veil of shadow. Weird.

"I came to see Bellatrix Lestrange." Delphini's voice was soft even though she was far enough away that she should've had to shout. She must be using a spell to project her voice. Rather obvious, even if Bellatrix could not see the spell. Why was she thinking about stupid obvious magic at a time like this, she wondered angrily. Perhaps because this thing before them may be part of the Dark Lord, and he had done very bad things...in general and to them especially. Bellatrix felt frozen and hated it.

"At your service," she said. Her voice was confident, and she felt the familiar mad grin spreading across her face. Somehow it was soothing.

"I wanted to see you," Delphini said. Bellatrix waited, but the girl simply stared as she stood, floating a few centimeters above the water.

At last Bellatrix cracked under that calm blank stare and turned to Rodolphus who stood close at her side. Catching his hand in hers, she met his eyes and hoped he'd see she was silently asking how they should bloody proceed. Ask the girl to come onto the Island, and if she did have the vaunted superpowers everyone spoke of, they could be screwed. Don't ask her onto the island, and they couldn't kill her. There was a quandary.

"Well, it's nice to finally meet you face to face, Delphini," Rodolphus said, tone light and friendly even. Bellatrix was impressed. Glad to remain silent for the moment, she watched the interaction with fascination. "We've heard quite a bit about you from some very great wizards, after all," Rodolphus continued.

Delphini's lip curled. "Grindelwald is a shadow of himself, too focused on his boy toy than any true goals, if that's who you mean. Dumbledore is old and tired, and he won't keep me out of his school forever." She gave a soft chuckle full of confidence. "In fact, likely not even for a week, because I have a plan."

So she knew that Grindelwald was THE ONE AND ONLY, Bellatrix noted. Interesting. Unable to resist, she asked the question. "How did you know?"

Delphini arched a brow, the rest of her body remaining eerily still just above the water. She wore a long green and silver cloak that remained as still as the rest of her, not even shifting in the slight breeze. "How did I know that it was Grindelwald, you mean? Because it's all over him. I can see it. The power, the history, the open disinterest in repeating it. That's alright, though. I don't mind if he doesn't give me a real fight."

"What of us," Rodolphus asked. That was good, Bellatrix thought. He'd put it far better than she would have, and with such ease. Left to her own devices, she'd have probably just blurted out how she wasn't Delphini's mother right away and sent the girl into an uncontrolled rage. Yes, Rod was...a bit more of a people person. Far more diplomatic, certainly. Who'd known that Rodolphus had such tact? Then again, she'd never gotten to see him under pressure, never gotten to see him truly at his best or highest potential. They'd been young and free, proud, wild, and rough. Before they could grow up to be more, Voldemort had twisted their minds to basically be his, and his alone, only saving what was left for one another. Now Rodolphus's mind was his own once again, and Bellatrix was enjoying watching her husband bloom into a powerful man in his own right.

"That's up to you," Delphini told him with a small smile. "Though I mostly came to see Bellatrix, I hoped you and Rabastan would be willing to be friends. If you serve me, I will give you true freedom and power as my father never did."

"Interesting," Rodolphus said, giving her a polite smile. "We have this little agreement with the new Minister, though, and as she's a family friend, I would feel wrong betraying her trust."

Delphini made a tsking sound, expression disappointed. "You will be betting on a losing team, then. She is limited in her goals."

"She's new to the Ministry," Bellatrix said. "Are you even aware of her goals?"

"I am aware that they are not mine," Delphini replied simply. "For example, I see no Dementors here. Has she banished them?"

"Indeed she has," Rodolphus said, not bothering to hide the pleasure in his voice over that fact. "And I must say, it is a definite improvement on the place."

Delphini gave her head a slight shake. "Ah, but Dementors have feelings too. They, like your goblins and elves, are also suppressed beings, never given a fair chance or proper rights in life."

Bellatrix tried to stop her eyes from widening and guessed that she probably failed, at least to some degree. Dementors were worthless slugs! She, Rod, and Rabastan had had to fight daily to keep their souls free of the monsters during their time in Azkaban. Keeping herself unhappy so that the Dementors couldn't feed had spiraled Bellatrix into depressions that made her scream endlessly until Rodolphus finally managed to talk her down. His depressions were the silent types. When he stopped answering her, it meant it was really bad for him. All because of Dementors!

Every time it got bad, though, they'd pulled one another out of their own personal black holes of despair. They certainly knew more than most about Dementors as a result, and one thing the fiends did not need more of was bloody rights! Had the girl just made a joke? Dementors having feelings was as ridiculous as Sirius Black not being a git, prat, prick, asinine idiot!

"You see, I wish for all magical beings to work together so that we can bring about a true utopia," Delphini explained.

As Bellatrix feared, the girl hadn't been joking about the Dementors having feelings.

Chapter 17: The Eye Of The Serpent

Chapter 17: The Eye of the Serpent

"Do you intend to continue your father's legacy," Rodolphus asked Delphini carefully.

The girl shook her head, lip curling in distaste. "Voldemort was a madman with small selfish goals. I truly want to make the world better for everyone, even Muggles. He hated Muggles, so there is your proof that he and I are quite different."

"If you dislike him so much, why tell everyone that he is your father," Bellatrix asked.

"So that they might understand my level of power, and my abilities in order to make an informed decision," the girl replied calmly.

"Why is it that you wish to change the world so badly," Rodolphus asked in a reasonable tone. "Even if you don't feel it is enough, our Minister is progressing in leaps and bounds nonetheless. People need time to adjust to change if it is to truly stick. Why not allow her to start the changes, then pick up where she left off later if you feel it necessary?"

Bellatrix had never seen the debating diplomatic side of her husband, and it was hot. The brains and the control were hot or rather the mix of those qualities in a man who could also be fierce and brutal was hot. Realizing that she was gazing lustfully at her husband instead of watching Delphini, Bellatrix hastily returned her gaze to the girl. It was never wise to look away from someone dangerous and miss them hurling a deadly spell at you, after all. Or worse...because the Dark Lord had most definitely shown them that there were worse things to do to a person.

"I am unable to wait," Delphini told Rodolphus. At last an edge of something that wasn't quite so calm entered her voice. "I want to redeem the blood of Slytherin and change the world while I am still able!"

It was then that Bellatrix remembered the girl was a Maledictus. This was discovered when she was murdering students in her snake form at Hogwarts in order to perform a right of dark necromancy to resurrect her father. Though in what form, Bellatrix did not want to imagine. His last body had been beyond dreadful, and she could only assume, due to there being less soul involved, that it would only be worse now were Delphini to succeed.

"I do have one question," she said. "If you dislike your father, why resurrect him?"

Delphini clasped her hands almost primly in front of her stomach as she regarded Bellatrix. "Because I believe he may know how to help me. If not, he will be the only person who can understand me when I am eventually unable to regain my human form. Without him, I will have no one to talk to. The loneliness would be unbearable. Maybe I planned to make him my toy in the end if I am unable to find a cure for my condition," Delphini concluded with a teasing wink.

Was she playing with them or telling the truth in a way that would make them wonder if she were playing with them, Bellatrix silently wondered. "Are you aware that the Maledictus Curse is passed from mother to daughter," Bellatrix asked Delphini carefully.

"Oh, Bellatrix." Delphini's tone was conversational. "I know that you aren't my real mother. It's just that you and Rodolphus were intended to be my host parents, and I know he chose you because you are special. So, I wanted to know you. The fact that you were almost my mother makes you the closest living mother I have. Don't worry, I plan to kill the pathetic wizard who killed my mother. And guess what? I plan to use the sword of Gryffindor to do it because sometimes I believe in poetic justice, when I'm not being even more creative."

That was very much in line with the way the Dark Lord would think, and Bellatrix tried not to shiver. Gods, they had all admired him so once, for his power, skill, and deadly lack of limits in achieving his goals. Of course the discovery that he was a deceitful monster with no soul, who had no loyalty in return for that given to him, had changed all that before he'd changed it back by force. "Who told you that the Dark Lord intended for us to be your parents," Rodolphus asked.

Delphini gave a mysterious smile that said plainer than words that she knew far more than they. "I know this among many other things. I see the future but also the past and at times the present. Did you know that the priests and priestesses of many ancient cultures used snakes for divining? It is because snakes can see far and deep and on many levels of possibility."

That probably wasn't supposed to be creepy as hell, but the lulling tone in which the girl spoke, full of calm knowing coupled with the powerful words, was certainly doing the job. "I could help you to remember if you would like," Delphini offered. "As it did not go his way, it was a thing he did not allow you to remember."

Though Bellatrix did not at all like the idea of not remembering dreadful things, in case they were sitting somewhere very deep inside and screaming, she didn't trust Delphini not to plant memories instead of restoring them. Besides, Grindelwald had repaired the damage done to their minds, so eventually they would likely recall the horror on their own if it had even truly happened at all.

"If you wish me to restore the memory, I will need to come closer to do so. I would hate to shred your pretty wards if I forced my way past. They look so new and shiny, after all. If you allow me onto the island, I give you my word not to harm you," Delphini told them. Bellatrix exchanged a brief look with Rodolphus as the Acromantulas and goblins shifted a bit closer. They should take this opportunity to get her closer and kill her, but Bellatrix was leaving the decision to Rodolphus.

"How can we be certain that you won't put something into our minds instead," Rodolphus asked Delphini.

"Because I am not my father. If I wanted to do that to you, I would not politely ask to enter. I can break your wards if I wish," she boasted.

Bellatrix struggled to keep a frown of doubt from her face, but so many wizards and different types of creatures had layered those wards over the past two days that she just didn't see anyone, not even Delphini, breaking them easily.

Delphini sighed, eyes on Bellatrix, obviously reading the doubt on her face. "Very well. Apparently I need to show you. But please don't think I am being rude," she said, floating closer. The wards shuddered. Bellatrix could feel it in the air...then the Acromantula webs snapped, and a slit appeared in the wards in front of Delphini through which she slipped.

One of the new elf Aurors muttered something that sounded like a curse from where he stood just behind Bellatrix. The reason for this was clear. The girl's level of power was obscene. Bellatrix was jealous.

"I don't blame you for not wanting to be my host parents," Delphini told them with an understanding smile. "My father wasn't very nice to you, was he?" She chuckled softly. "He was so angry when you were able to resist him even under compulsion! Don't you want to remember that? You should be proud of yourselves!"

"How did he manage to have you without our help," Bellatrix asked. She was definitely stalling for time while trying to figure out how they were going to stage this attack. It may have to be a just go for it and hope for the best sort of situation. Those were usually right up the Lestrange alley, but this was a bit more dangerous of a game than they usually played, considering the girl had the strength of at least thirty, which should be impossible by all bloody rights!

"He managed to get me hatched instead," Delphini explained cheerfully. "It worked out. He didn't think my mother could manage, but she was able to lay an egg. Most Maledictus are born human style, but my magic was strong enough to conform."

"Do you know how that is," Bellatrix asked. "How you have such strong magic? I must admit to being rather envious," she flattered. She wasn't good at lying, but though she didn't want this girl's sort of power, being that strong would be quite soothing. Not to mention a great deal of fun! Delphini seemed willing to talk, so though Bellatrix was stalling, she was also quite curious about the girl's origins and thought the Minister would be as well.

Delphini gave that mysterious smile that Bellatrix was beginning to find familiar. It seemed to be one of the girl's trademark expressions. "Now, I can't tell you all of my secrets," she chided gently. "Not until you agree to join me, that is. I can give you far more than this Ministry ever will."

Were they going to attack the girl or what, Bellatrix wondered. The tension was beginning to get to her. She dared a quick look at Rodolphus, who gave his head of short, wavy, dark hair the slightest of shakes. Kereston had put him in charge of Azkaban, and Bellatrix could readily admit that he was more level headed than she. So if he said hold off, they would hold off.

"Why don't you let us get to know you first" Bellatrix asked, trying for a gentle tone. She approached Delphini and smiled, allowing the sadness over the time she, Rod, and Rabastan had wasted on the Dark Lord to show in her eyes. "We never had children, you know. We could always practice the family thing together. I am curious to know how you grew up with the Dolohovs, and though you know quite a lot, perhaps there are still a few magical tricks we could show you."

Chapter 18: Don't Call Me Your Sweetheart

Chapter 18: Don't Call Me Your Sweetheart

Something akin to wary hope flickered in Delphini's expression. "You reject joining me in making the wizarding world a utopia, but you want to be a family?"

Bellatrix nodded slowly. "It is just that we need time, and we think you need time to see what is already being accomplished. If you dislike the Dark Lord as well, perhaps we were all victims, and as such we should stick together."

Knowing that it was now or never, Bellatrix stepped forward and reached to embrace Delphini. The girl hesitated then with a shy laugh reached to embrace Bellatrix in return.

That was when Bella made her move, drawing the dagger from her belt at lightning speed and thrusting it into Delphini's chest while holding her waist with her free arm. Rodolphus struck then, hitting Delphini with a spell that had her stumbling backward with a pained cry tearing from her throat.

Bellatrix went with Delphini, her arm still clutching the girl's waist. She reached to withdraw the dagger from the girl's chest so that she could stab her again, to ensure the job was properly done. Delphini's head flung back, and she coughed, blood staining her lips as she struggled for air. The veil of mist previously covering her eyes had faded. Her eyes were blue as they met Bellatrix's, and her gaze held an amused challenge. As Bella watched, one hand moving to the hilt of her dagger, Delphini's gaze went from blue to red.

Sighing out a breath, she reached up a hand to touch Bella's cheek. Bellatrix yanked the dagger from her chest and plunged it in again.

"Bella... Sweetheart." The girl's voice was huskier now, and Bellatrix felt her hand freezing in place as dread and shock gripped her at the all too familiar tone.

"You wound me for the second time... Betrayal doesn't become you. Before Delphini you were the closest thing I had to a daughter, but children can be so unappreciative. You pretend to hate me, but I made you what you are... I made all three of you!" Delphini's head came up, and she gave Bellatrix a hard glare before casting her gaze to Rodolphus, then Rabastan.

"That dagger won't kill me, and that combustion spell you tried is so primitive, Rodolphus. It seems you haven't recovered from my cowing of you as well as you assumed."

"Don't call me your sweetheart," Bellatrix whispered. Though she knew that her dagger would not destroy a Horcrux, and that a Horcrux was obviously what spoke to her through Delphini's mouth, she stabbed her/him in the chest again. "Actually, don't call me at all! The girl who worshiped you as a god and was so honored to be personally trained is dead and buried because you were no god at all. You were, and are, just a pathetic lie. You are nothing! When I saw the way you treated loyal followers, I couldn't love you anymore. I already have a father. A god I did not have, but I am good without religion, as it turns out. All three of us are."

Rodolphus nodded and Rabastan agreed with a fervent, "Damn right!"

"I almost feel sorry for you," Bellatrix continued. "But then I think about Kreacher and Uncle Orion and it's just time for you to die. We're all so much happier without you sucking up all of our energy. We are free."

As Bellatrix spoke, the goblin and Acromantula Aurors were surrounding Delphini's body with webs and bindings. Surely the Ministry had some sort of Basilisk fang weapon at the ready, and they'd use it on her and it would be over, Bellatrix thought eagerly. Just let it be over! The sound of several Aurors Apparating in flooded her with sudden relief, and that was when she noticed how much she was shaking. Withdrawing the dagger once more, she stepped back from the bound body of Delphini and glanced around.

Valdez, Grindelwald, and his Zabini boy toy approached with wands drawn and several Aurors trailing them.

Delphini coughed blood again and smiled manically at Grindelwald. "I hate to bleed and run, but I must recover. Not today, Grindelwald." With a wink from one of her amused eyes, that were once more blue, she Apparated away, causing the island itself to shudder as more wards were broken that should have been, by all rights, impenetrable.

"Well, that was dangerous of her," Grindelwald complained. "How the hell did she break through all those wards anyway?"

"I've never seen power like that," Romeo muttered, looking ill as well as dazed.

"It isn't just her amount of power...it's the way it feels," Grindelwald said, frowning and looking both unsettled and disgruntled.

Romeo nodded. "Are we speaking of the crazy part or the 'what the hell is she' part where it feels like several different types of magic at once?"

Grindelwald smirked and nodded. "Yes, exactly."

"I need that knife, at least for now, Mrs. Lestrange," Blaise Zabini spoke up, ice blue eyes flashing eagerly. That was the most animated Bellatrix had ever seen him, so it was...almost interesting.

"Are you giving me a replacement," she asked, extending it hilt first to the tall dark wizard. "As you can see, it comes in handy when you want to attack someone without alerting them to it via flying hexes."

"I won't be keeping it for long, and if plans change, we'll have a replacement to you by the morning," Blaise told her. "I just need her blood from the blade. Good job for getting that, by the way! It shall be very helpful for tracking spells as well as magical attacks we can perform on her now from a distance."

Grindelwald stepped closer to Zabini, meeting his gaze in an intimate glance as he smiled. "Sharp thinking, my boy," he praised. "Did I not tell you that you would be a natural at war tactics?"

"Well, I'm glad my failed attack accomplished something other than having the Dark Lord pissed off at us," Bellatrix said. "In case you missed it, he was talking to us through her. He claimed that my dagger wouldn't kill him, so obviously this is Horcrux number eight."

"Eight unless he had something set up for each Horcrux to jump to another predesignated item if its host item was destroyed," Blaise said. "That's something Kereston suggested, and we're all hoping that it isn't possible."

"We really are," Romeo murmured with a slight cringe.

"How did you all know that she was here anyway," Bellatrix asked, curious.

"I sent Rhadamanthus to the Ministry for help," Rodolphus said, turning to nod to the Acromantula who stood at his side. "I was hoping you could hear me whispering to you. I hardly dared make a sound, so I was betting on excellent spider hearing, and you did not let me down, my man," he praised the giant spider whose mouth opened in what Bellatrix could only guess was a smile...unless he was hungry, of course.

"I could tell by the way she tore an opening in those wards that even with our skills we could not take her alone," Rodolphus went on, and Romeo nodded.

"Good bloody call. I still can't wrap my mind around what I saw of her abilities, so it's no fault of yours. We'll probably need an army to take her."

"Not just any army, but a specialized one," Grindelwald said grimly.

"Say, wasn't your name Rhdar or something like that," one of the goblin Aurors asked Rodolphus's favorite Acromantula.

The spider waved a leg negligently in the air. "It doesn't matter," he rasped. "I like Rhadamanthus better anyway. It sounds impressive."

"My apologies," Rodolphus said, chagrined. "I truly thought that was your name."

The spider opened its mouth again in that way that made Bellatrix hope it wasn't hungry. "It is now."

Chapter 19: More Security Than London's Lloyds

Chapter 19: More Security than Lloyd's of London

With all the Azkaban defenses basically torn down, they spent the rest of the afternoon, and evening, rebuilding them. As Delphini had broken them so easily, and they wanted to keep her out as well as prisoners in, much more was needed. It was Bellatrix's concern that the girl may attempt to return to free prisoners in hopes they would follow her, which they very likely would for the favor. As Grindelwald and Valdez didn't disagree with Bella's reasoning, they remained to help strengthen the defenses and lay even more nasty traps for anyone who broke them.

"How she got through the ones we had up, I still honestly don't comprehend," one of the goblin Aurors complained, and Rodolphus nodded.

"Morning thinks it took her a while," an elf Auror that Bellatrix took to be named Morning replied thoughtfully. "She was studying them intently during the first part of her chat with the Lestranges before she approached. It was as if she found the defenses a puzzle to solve... or rather, to break"

"We had Gringotts level security on this bitch," Rabastan complained, frustrated.

"I'll go and get Filius Flitwick to help out," Blaise Zabini said suddenly. "He is responsible for all of the advanced wards on Hogwarts, and she wasn't able to get inside. Only onto the grounds when she attacked."

Grindelwald nodded, smiling at his man as their eyes met. "Brilliant thinking!"

Zabini smiled back then Apparated away. Everyone continued laying wards without speaking much, the mood glum and dour considering they still had few answers when it came to how the hell the girl was able to do...basically everything she did. Within ten minutes, Zabini was back with little Flitwick.

At the sight of the small Charms Master, Bellatrix couldn't keep her lips from twitching upward into a small amused smille. The expression had nothing to do with any fondness for the man. He was alright. He knew his craft well, and she'd learned some useful things from him. This reaction was more about the fond memory of giving Rod a hand job in the back of Charms class during their sixth year, though.

Of course they hadn't gotten caught. Rod had joked then that it was as close to getting laid as little Flitwick was likely to get. From the grin on his face, Bellatrix could tell they were wandering down memory lane together. Before Bellatrix could murmur anything into her husband's ear, one of the goblins was approaching him. "I had an idea, Mr. Lestrange, inspired by the way you were incorporating wards into the spiderwebs. It involves a shield that absorbs any magic thrown at it. It won't be able to use the magic, but it can take it and not break... Rather like with the sword of Gryffindor."

Rodolphus nodded, though, of course, none of them understood just how the sword of Gryffindor's magic worked.

"Show me," he invited, and he and the goblin moved to the edge of the island. As they went, Rodolphus called for the two Acromantulas to accompany them. In no time, the spiders were weaving webs at lightning speed while the goblin cast magic into them as soon as they were formed. As he worked, he explained what he was doing to Rodolphus who used more spells to fortify them. The four moved around the edge of the island, working until the webs were once more encompassing it all.

Meanwhile, Valdez explained to Flitwick what wards had already been done, and the little man listened with a frown of concentration. "I will place evading wards under and above those in place," Filius decided briskly. "Those protect and when one attempts to break through them, the wards actually shift to avoid being broken."

The Charms Master gave a small smile at the Head Auror's impressed look. "Come and I will show you," he said, gesturing to Valdez as he walked toward the edge of the island. Zabini and Grindelwald were quick to follow and Bellatrix trailed along as well. She also wished to see how these wards were done. Unfortunately, this wasn't to be because she was unable to track most of what Flitwick did. She saw the way the ward began, then it seemed to simply vanish, yet Flitwick was still casting.

Valdez and the goblin that had come along were in the same boat. Even Grindelwald and his Zabini boyfriend had difficulties as well, but asked a few short questions at various points and unlike anyone else there, seemed to have clarification. "We will break it down for the rest of you later when there is time," Grindelwald commented to the frustrated expressions of the other three.

Bellatrix reminded herself that everyone here, herself included, was quite accomplished. Complete genius was on another level, though. Apparently, Grindelwald had company in that department with his boyfriend and the short stuff of charms. Before she could continue to brood silently on the difficulty of Flitwick's wards, Gellert turned toward her and spoke.

"I am going to assign...Rhadamanthus to the three of you as a bodyguard for home conditions if that suits you. I assume you can make him comfortable in your manor?"

"Sure," Bellatrix said, wondering if the Acromantula was simply supposed to eat anyone he believed to be a danger to them. "How did he get to the Ministry to let you know that Delphini was here," she asked. As far as she knew, Acromantulas didn't have the sort of magic to allow them to Apparate, but in truth, she hadn't exactly paid attention all the time in Care of Magical Creatures class.

"We made the Acromantulas Portkey leg bands that take them directly into Auror Headquarters at the Ministry," Zabini replied. "They go around the leg like a ring with a blue chalcedony stone in the center where the Portkey itself is located."

Bellatrix nodded. "It is good to know the Acromantulas can reach the Ministry in times of emergency. Does the Ministry have a night guard in case there are problems afterhours?"

"Of course," Grindelwald said.

"With the Dark Lord in Delphini's body...I fear he may return for us," Bellatrix said, forcing the uncomfortable words out as she met Grindelwald's blue eyes. "In retrospect, I probably shouldn't have stabbed her, but I was hoping we could just take her down and bloody have it over with."

"Understandable," Grindelwald nodded.

"You did well, though," Zabini spoke up. "That blood on the knife is going to be useful to us in many ways. Gellert and I will get to work on it tonight."

Bellatrix smiled. "Good. It helps to know I didn't lose it and make things worse."

Bellatrix didn't lie to herself regarding the fact that the Dark Lord twisting her mind, plus the time in Azkaban, had quite likely damaged her sanity. Of course, most of the time she was fine, and in complete control, but she had her moments.

"What with him apparently inside of her... It's got to be a Horcrux, because she certainly wasn't dying," Bellatrix observed darkly. "Can you imagine what that does to her head? She said she hated him, and considering how dreadful a Horcrux can cause one to feel when just having it on their person... She has it in her person!"

"Can't be good for her stability," Rabastan spoke up. He'd wandered over and now stood beside Bellatrix. "Do you think she knew he was in there before we brought him out with our esteemed presences?" he wondered, and Bellatrix shrugged.

"From the way she spoke of him at first, I would say no, but she didn't appear at all shocked when he began speaking through her, so who knows?"

"Unless she was only pretending to be him to catch us off guard," Rabastan said slowly.

"While that is a comforting idea, we still have the matter of my multiple stabbings not hurting her nearly enough," Bellatrix said. Rabastan nodded glumly.

"I'd like some help placing similar wards to these new ones for Azkaban on our manor, please," Bellatrix said, turning to Grindelwald. "I won't feel safe otherwise, as we can't be certain what he will do."

"He certainly has less soul now so is likely even more insane," Romeo pointed out.

Bellatrix gave Romeo her signature mad grin. "Thank you, Mr. Valdez. I feel so much more at ease."

"Always glad to share," Romeo replied drily.

Rod approached with his goblin and two Acromantulas surrounding him. "Well, with Gringotts, meets Hogwarts, meets sword of Gryffindor level wards on this place, it should be Delphini proof by now," he said. Bellatrix could see the tiredness in his face though he was holding it back well.

"Grindelwald wants your spider to guard us at home, and he has agreed that everyone can place similar wards on our manor," she told him.

"Good," Rodolphus said with a nod.

"Me," one of the Acromantulas rasped eagerly.

"If you are Rhadamanthus, then yes," Bellatrix replied. "If not, you're out of luck."

"I am...Rhadamanthus that is," the spider replied.

"They don't all look alike, you know," Rodolphus told her, mouth twitching as he obviously held back a smile. Bellatrix frowned, uncertain if her husband was having her on or not, because of fucking course they all looked alike!

With the newly repaired wards on Azkaban complete, they left two human Aurors there to guard along with one elf, one Acromantula – the one who wasn't Rhadamanthus – and one goblin. Everyone else went with the Lestranges to Raven's Nest manor and covered it with enough wards to hopefully keep ten Delphinis at bay.

"Must we continue at Azkaban now that we've properly served as Delphini bait," Bellatrix asked, gaze moving from Romeo to Gellert.

"We will need to check with Kereston," Gellert replied. "I do know she wanted you three in charge of the prison, but she spoke of other duties for you as well, so likely she did not want you there constantly. Come to the Ministry in the morning, and we'll take it from there."

"I will be returning your dagger then, or providing you with another, depending on the success of our work with it tonight," Blaise added.

Bellatrix nodded, glad her failed murder attempt was at least going to be useful.

Chapter 20: The Sound Of Silence

Chapter 20: The Sound of Silence

When Grindelwald and the others left, Bellatrix realized that she was now stuck with her feelings...which were currently fearful. With no more wards to put up or future plans to make about work and such, she had nothing else to think about other than the fact that she had, in essence, stabbed the Dark Lord today.

Letting out a breath, she turned to Rodolphus, who was giving Harold his instructions for the evening meal.

"I screwed up...you know, with the stabbing him bit, didn't I," she asked apologetically.

Rodolphus shook his head, slipping an arm around Bellatrix's waist and drawing her close. "I don't see how. You had an instinct to act and went with it. It was what the Ministry wanted, else they wouldn't have had us waiting there at Azkaban for the girl to show. Of course they were hoping we'd kill her, but the extenuating circumstances seem to be understood even by Grindelwald, so we're good."

Bellatrix leaned into his touch, snuggling her head against his shoulder and drawing comfort from his solid, familiar presence. "But it was him in there, speaking through her mouth. He won't take that slight lightly, and you know it."

Rodolphus gave a small nod. "Likely not, but what else were we supposed to do? At this point, I doubt any move we made when it came to him could've been right. Besides...he has bigger fish to fry at present. He has Grindelwald and even Dumbledore to worry about so he won't have time to fret over us."

Bellatrix wasn't so sure. "We tried to kill him twice, though. He brought up that point today, so it isn't as if he's forgotten or anything," she said drily. "He knows we tried to kill him, and now we remember that he knows. He could've made us forget again, but enough people are aware now, and it wouldn't have lasted." She reached toward the spot on her arm where the dormant Dark Mark lurked, then dropped her hand before it could make contact. "I'd like to speak to Grindelwald in the morning about getting our Dark Marks off. If anyone can make that happen it's his Machiavellian ass."

"Good idea," Rodolphus said approvingly.

"So do we get to relax with a pre-dinner drink or is that no longer an option due to us needing to always be alert in case he... or...she comes after us? While we're on the subject, how are we going to think of him...her now? Are they trans or something?" Rabastan wondered, sounding too light hearted for Bellatrix's liking.

"Stop taking this seriously and you could end up dead, Rabastan," Bellatrix warned peevishly.

"Once again, she's right," Rodolphus told his younger brother.

"Fine, fine, no fun until the bitch is dead. It is as I thought, but you can't blame a bloke for just fucking checking to be certain."

Until she was dead...until he was dead...one in the same... Like that old prophecy said, both had to die? Though Bellatrix couldn't decide which sounded right to her. Both could, and very much should, die. "He really doesn't want to die," she complained, as the three wandered into the parlor with Rhadamanthus following like a good guard. "Do you think he believes in hell or something? If so, he could be rightfully afraid to go there."

"There ought to be a hell made for him specifically," Rabastan said, flopping down into an armchair near the fire.

"There are worse wizards, you know," Rodolphus remarked as he settled onto the love seat with Bellatrix. "Only a few, though. Herpo and Ekrizdis right off the top of my head."

"Well, Voldemort would've invented Horcruxes and Dementors if he could've, so he's just as bad," Rabastan said and Bellatrix nodded in agreement.

"It isn't even really about being bad, if you ask me," she grumbled. "We're bad. We don't mind killing Muggles or giving gits a good torture to teach them a thing or two, but Herpo, or the Dark Lord, or anyone else similar...they're just twisted. Like something went wrong in their brains from birth and they have no loyalty for anyone at all, perhaps not even themselves."

"You don't think Voldemort is loyal to himself," Rabastan asked, giving Bellatrix a look of surprise.

"Not truly. He split his soul, for Merlin's sake! That isn't a very loyal or self-loving act."

Rabastan nodded. "There is that."

Harold came in then to announce dinner was served. The three rose silently as one and walked into the dining room. The meal was mostly eaten in silence. A glass-like fragile tension hung over the room, ready to shatter at the first sign of a surprising interruption from the outside. Though they remained undisturbed, Bellatrix's thoughts made it difficult to relax. Mostly unformed, they were full of uncertainty concerning the Dark Lord's moves and those of Delphini. Would they differ, and if they disagreed, who would win? It seemed Delphini believed she was in control. Was she correct?

Bellatrix didn't bother to voice these thoughts aloud because at present, no one could truly form an educated answer anyway. That and she guessed the men were having similar thoughts even if both liked to pretend to be emotionless and unconcerned. She didn't understand why this was such an important facade for them to maintain, but as they were clinging to it, she didn't have the energy to dissuade them of the luxury tonight.

Even the spider remained silent, obviously being socially apt enough to catch the drift of the mood. He stood at the table at Rodolphus's other side from where Bellatrix sat and tossed pieces of roast chicken into his mouth with a foreleg. The salad gave him a bit of pause, but after studying how the three humans used their forks, he wound the tip of a foreleg around the fork's handle and began to stab awkwardly at the salad. The movements were clumsy at first, but he got the hang of it quickly enough and soon his plate was empty. When dessert was served, he made short work of his strawberry cake, finishing it even faster than Rabastan, which was an accomplishment.

Due to expending so much magic on the rebuilding of the Azkaban wards, then placing them on their own manor, all three were exhausted and went directly to bed after dinner. Though the Aurors had helped them, the work had been constant and taxing. Rodolphus asked Harold to get Rhadamanthus settled in a guest room and bring the Acromantula anything he required.

"Feel free to ask Harold for anything you would like," Rodolphus told Rhadamanthus. The spider thanked him and followed Harold toward the guest wing.

Less than five minutes later, Bellatrix was asleep with her head on Rodolphus's chest. She wasn't sure which of them woke first, but the room was dark, and she was fully alert. She could tell by Rodolphus's breathing that he was awake as well. For several seconds, she listened, but heard nothing. No alarms had gone off so their new wards were still firmly in place.

"Did something wake us, do you think?" she whispered. "Did you hear anything?"

"I just had a bad dream that startled me, I suppose," Rodolphus replied. "Sorry if I woke you."

"What was it," Bellatrix asked unwisely. Sharing nightmare details then returning to sleep probably wasn't the best idea right now.

"Oh, he was just torturing us," Rodolphus replied, a shrug in his voice.

"Only that," Bellatrix said, grinning in spite of herself. "Good. At least he wasn't killing us." It could always be worse.

Turning fully to face her husband, Bellatrix wound her arms around his neck and kissed him hard. With a groan, Rodolphus responded hungrily. Flipping Bellatrix onto her back, he was inside of her in an instant. As his mouth ravaged hers, his body drove into her, insisting that hers respond in kind which it did. Her nails raked his back as she thrust upward, her body arching to meet his every movement. They slammed into one another, animal sounds escaping from both as their bed rocked. As always, his body made hers feel so incredible. Shocks of pleasure raced through her as she built toward her first orgasm. She was nearly there when their bedroom door burst open. The cry that escaped her was a startled shriek rather than the one of pleasure that had been building.

Rodolphus raised half off of Bellatrix's body to turn toward the door. He cast a silent spell of wandless magic to light the room, revealing Rhadamanthus standing in the doorway.

"What's the matter," Rodolphus asked their guard, his voice coming out breathless.

"I don't know," the spider replied. "That's what I came in to check...I feared from the sounds that you were under attack, but it appears that you're only mating, so forgive the interruption. I shall try to get back to sleep now."

"Sounds good," Rodolphus said, then chuckled. The spider was out of the room in an instant, using a foreleg to softly close the door behind him. For being the size of a horse, he moved quite fast, Bellatrix noted. Raising a fist she punched Rodolphus in the arm. "That was not funny!"

Rodolphus snickered again. "Kinda was."

Pushing at him until he was off of her, she flipped Rod over onto his back and climbed atop him. "I was not amused," she said, sliding herself onto his erection as she spoke. Gasping in pleasure, her head flung back as they once again began to move together.

"I don't like being interrupted," she managed as Rodolphus's hands came up to cup her breasts, skilled fingers lightly pinching and twisting her nipples. That was when she forgot to think at all, simply giving way to sensation. When a few hours later they at last fell back to sleep, neither had nightmares.

Chapter 21: Queen Of The Quills

Chapter 21: Queen of the Quills

Despite the looming Delphini threat, Bellatrix woke in better spirits. Her improved mood only lasted as long as it took her and Rod to get dressed and make their way down to the breakfast table, however. Rabastan was already there with the morning addition of the Daily Prophet spread out before him. "What's up? Any Delphini news," Rodolphus asked his brother as he seated himself at the head of the table. Bellatrix tried not to stiffen in concern as she slid into the chair to Rodolphus's right. Surely the girl hadn't had time to cause another newsworthy issue yet!

"Not exactly," Rabastan said carefully. His glance was nervous as he lifted his head from the paper to regard his brother and sister-in-law before hastily glancing away.

Before he could clarify, Harold approached to pour two cups of coffee for Bellatrix and Rodolphus, politely asking for their breakfast order. "Just eggs and toast for me," Bellatrix told the elf.

"Same for me," Rodolphus said. "Only add sausage, beans, and fried bread to mine as well...oh, and extra eggs...and mushrooms."

Harold bowed and departed, leaving Bella and Rod to turn their attention back to Rabastan.

"Well, it isn't so much Delphini as Rita Skeeter," Rabastan said carefully. Shrugging, he pushed the paper across the table toward Rod. Snatching it up, Rodolphus read quickly, then moved to crumple the paper in his fists. "It's nothing," he told Bellatrix a bit too quickly for her liking.

"Let's just see it then," she said, and snatched it from his hands. He resisted, and the paper tore. "Rodolphus! Give it to me."

"Fine, but please promise not to get worked up again. I don't like it when you get all upset," he complained. "We have real concerns and this is rubbish."

"Whatever, Rodolphus," Bellatrix snapped, straightening the paper to the page Rabastan had opened it to. The headline screamed at her. and she felt her blood pressure rising.

BELLATRIX LESTRANGE'S DAUGHTER WITH VOLDEMORT COMES TO VISIT HER IN AZKABAN!

It was then that Bellatrix decided to take care of Rita Skeeter for her stupid lies. She'd just told the one that was going to get her killed. Furious, Bellatrix read the article that snarkily spoke of a family reunion between two of the most evil women in the wizarding world.

"Come on, Bella, you promised," Rodolphus said.

"Did I," Bellatrix asked calmly. "That's interesting, because I thought I only said whatever, Rodolphus."

"Yeah, but that meant you promised," Rodolphus persisted.

"It's time for that woman to get what's coming to her," Bellatrix said. "But don't worry. We'll go to the Ministry first. That is obviously more important. While I may not have promised, I can prioritize."

Rodolphus frowned, but as Harold arrived with their breakfast just then, he turned his attention to his food after casting Bellatrix a baleful glance that said he'd be continuing this discussion later. Bellatrix finished her own far smaller breakfast quickly and taking her coffee with her, she left the dining room and headed for the library.

"What are you doing, dearest?" Rodolphus called after her.

"Writing a letter in the library," she called over her shoulder without pausing. "Don't worry, I'm not leaving to kill bloody Skeeter now."

As she entered the library, she could hear Rhadamanthus coming down the stairs from the second floor and idly wondered how much breakfast the spider could eat. As she seated herself at the desk with her cup of coffee, she decided that she was vaguely curious about what Harold thought of the giant spider. He hadn't seemed to think much when Rhadamanthus came home with them last night, but then again, the plague doctor mask the elf wore did hide his expressions. Ah well, thanks to the Lestranges the elf had a very interesting life, which was more than most elves could say.

Kreacher probably had the most interesting life of any elf, but most elves weren't at all on Kreacher's level, for good or ill. The thought of Kreacher reminded her that she'd intended to call at Grimmauld Place days ago, but there was always something more pressing that needed attending to. She still had a few memory holes that she was hoping her cousin and his elf could fill in. Hopefully Gellert had attended to Kreacher and Regulus's minds concerning whatever Voldemort had done to them. After everything with Delphini the previous day, she'd quite forgotten to ask Gellert about it when he was helping with the wards.

For now, there were more pressing matters that required attending to, so Kreacher and Regulus were put on the back burner of her mind once again. Snatching a quill from the beak of an ornate quill holder shaped like a raven that sat on the desk, Bellatrix drew a piece of parchment toward her and began to write her letter to the Daily Prophet.

She began by threatening, politely, to sue if the letter was not printed at once. She then recounted everything about what Voldemort had done to them when they'd all attempted to take him down. She then stated clearly that Delphini was not her daughter, and that indeed she had never had, nor wished to have, any sort of physical relationship with the Dark Lord, who had been more of a god than a man to her. She concluded with the fact that Nagini was Delphini's mother, and that she doubted the child had been made the ordinary way because Voldemort was never normal in anything. She cited her proof in the fact the girl was a Maledictus. She then signed her name to the letter and went to the attic where they kept a few ravens for delivering mail.

Once the letter was on its way, she returned to the dining room where Rodolphus was just polishing off the last of his eggs with a bit of fried bread. Rhadamanthus, for his part, was happily shoveling eggs, sausage, and fried bread into his mouth. He was only half way through a huge platter, so Bellatrix poured herself another cup of coffee.

"I wrote a letter to the bloody Daily Prophet, giving them the real facts," she told the two Lestrange men before either could ask. "Word will likely get out sooner than later now that we're walking free, so I thought it was wise that the masses understand why."

"Good idea," Rodolphus said with a nod.

When they arrived at the Ministry half an hour later, Bellatrix told the Minister what she had done and why.

Kereston nodded. "That's good. Thank you. It makes my load a bit lighter if I don't have to handle everything, and people will eventually see you out and about so it's good that they know you're not as guilty as they thought. I already intended to have an official pardon issued to the three of you for the crimes for which you were imprisoned, due to your being under compulsion at the time."

Because she was not stupid, Bellatrix only thanked the Minister rather than saying that they'd likely have committed enough of those crimes either way. They certainly hadn't been innocent before the Dark Lord twisted their minds, after all. They may not have been innocent, but it didn't mean they'd serve someone like him once they discovered who he truly was, though. Casting your lot with a leader who cared nothing for you, his own soul, or anything that he professed to hold dear was dangerous and pointless.

"I also want it known that if Rita Skeeter goes missing..." Bellatrix broke off, giving the little Minister a meaningful glance. "Regulus cleans the streets of criminals, and you aren't locking him away for it, so I'm just...helping him out one time."

"I really wish I could object." The voice spoke from behind her, and Bellatrix turned to see Albus Dumbledore standing in the doorway of the Minister's office, looking drawn and haggard.

Bellatrix blinked. Had he just said he would look the other way if she killed Skeeter? Did he think she was joking?

Of course the new Minister was darker than most, and being close friends with two vampires who killed criminals on the sly for their sustenance, she knew how to overlook justified crime. Dumbledore, though.

"Oh, yes, she did write that book about you," Bellatrix suddenly recalled. Giving Dumbledore a grin, she added, "You're not looking bad at all for a dead man."

"I was just going to say he didn't look well, but you just gave me a new perspective, Bella," Rabastan said. "I mean, he may not look well, but he certainly does look quite alive."

Rodolphus grinned in amusement at his brother's antics.

"Yes, Ms. Skeeter did write a book of lies about me. Well, ninety-five percent of it was lies, and the other five percent regarding my family was none of her business. Can you imagine how much that rubbish about my nonexistent friendship with Gellert Grindelwald has ruined my good name?" Indignant fire practically seemed to shoot from the old man's eyes, and Bellatrix was a little impressed. She'd never seen Dumbledore good and fired up before, and it made him slightly more interesting.

"Because of that dreadful selfish woman, people believe me evil, dark, and twisted over something I did not do and would not have done! Anyone who knows me at all knows I could not possibly appreciate someone like Gellert Grindelwald. His values are misguided at best, and the way he carried them out was reckless and immature to say the least."

"Don't kill Skeeter," Kereston told Bellatrix with a tired sigh.

"Can I at least torture her?" Bellatrix demanded, feeling her own annoyance rising. "It isn't like I wouldn't be making the world a better place if I at least make her stop writing garbage."

"Why don't you start by suing her to teach her a lesson?" Kereston suggested, reaching up to clutch dramatically at her own head. "I mean, it's what a civilized person would do, and that's the role you three are playing these days, if you recall."

"Well, Dumbledore is pretending to be dead, so he can't sue her. Does he not deserve justice in this matter as well," Bellatrix asked, obviously grasping at straws by this point. She still very much needed to hear Skeeter's screams of pain and sobs of apology, though.

"Actually no," Kereston replied. "Dumbledore has returned to Hogwarts so that I will know the school is being properly guarded during these trying times. As a result, the fact he isn't really dead is rather old news." She gave Bellatrix and Albus a bright smile. "The two of you can sue her together if you like."

Bellatrix shook her head and gave a short laugh. She'd never in a million years have believed she and Dumbledore would be doing anything together. The old Headmaster perked up, though, and nodded at the Minister. "I think that's a lovely idea, Miss Boxwood. Rita Skeeter needs to be held responsible for her hateful and inconsiderate actions."

Chapter 22: Break in at Gringotts

Chapter 22: Break in at Gringotts

"I actually know a very good lawyer if you'd like to pursue a case against Miss Skeeter," Albus told Bellatrix. "For my part, I certainly shall. She wrote that book on me over twenty years ago, but I think my being dead for that long can excuse my not having done so earlier." The twinkle in his blue eyes as he laughed off his fake death nearly made him look a little younger...nearly but not quite. "Now that I am in the public eye again, I have a few things to attend to, and this is one of them," the old Headmaster concluded.

"I would appreciate the name of your lawyer, and thank you," Bellatrix said. She would most likely sue Skeeter, but eventually she was going to kill the woman and make it look like she did it to herself for all the vicious things she'd written over the years. Yes indeed, before very long Miss Skeeter would be quite unable to live with herself.

"Albus is here today to work on adding extra wards to the Ministry at Gellert's request," Kereston said. "I'd like you three to watch what he's doing and help. If you're able to learn anything to use for Azkaban, that'd be great. I understand it's extremely warded now, but more is never too much when dealing with someone like Delphini. We still don't comprehend how she's able to manage most of what she has been doing. So, I think it's a safe bet to go for excessive when it comes to wards and protections because we never know what she can somehow manage to break through."

The three Lestranges nodded nearly as one. Considering what they'd already gone through with the Dark Lord, they weren't about to argue with that.

"I asked him to place the wards which lean most heavily on transfiguration to keep them from being broken," Gellert said. Bellatrix turned to see him standing in the doorway of the Minister's office with Zabini at his side. "Right now we're using everyone's strengths, so that is what I, as Head of Defense, will be utilizing."

"Good, so that means we'll be engaging in a lot of killing and torturing," Bellatrix said, not bothering to hide the fact that she found this pleasing and deeply satisfying.

"You all have many other far more admirable talents and abilities," Dumbledore pronounced gravely, ruining the moment. Bellatrix opened her mouth to retort something about how he'd been rather open to her getting rid of Skeeter when a goblin wearing official Ministry robes came barreling up, shouting as he ran.

"Mr. Grindelwald! She's attacking Gringotts! Griphook said she's using something explosive!"

"Could that be Muggle tech?" Kereston wondered, gray-blue eyes flying to Grindelwald in open worry. No one had needed to ask the elf who SHE was because it was rather obvious.

"Perhaps," Gellert replied grimly. "But there are magical methods that could accomplish a similar effect as well. As we don't know what we're fighting, we will combat her from a distance this time," he decided. "It will be far safer, and I won't waste good lives going directly up against unknown odds."

Turning quickly to the goblin he asked, "Can you get us into a lower level of Gringotts?" The goblin quickly nodded. Grindelwald told him to wait, then sent several copies of his Patronus, a giant red and black spider, to summon Aurors to Kereston's office. "Of course the Minister must remain here, but the rest of you can come with us," Grindelwald said, taking in Dumbledore and the three Lestranges at a glance.

"Please be careful," Kereston said and Gellert nodded. The personal way their eyes met told Bellatrix that Kereston's concern was at least in part due to watching someone she cared for going into danger. That caring did not seem romantic, but rather, a brother and sister relationship. That was good, because Grindelwald and his boyfriend were practically joined at the soul from what Bellatrix had heard.

When the hall outside the Minister's office was jammed with Aurors, Gellert divulged his plan. "We are going into a lower level of Gringotts where she won't see us arrive. We are using projection charms to fight from a distance. I have a Monocle of Farseeing for combat, and I will use it to see outside the bank or on the top level, wherever she happens to be. Once we are ready, I will cast a projection charm on everyone's wand that will allow your spells to fly fifty times further than they would without this charm. Unfortunately, it won't make the spells stronger, but distance dueling is our main goal at this point. While more strength would be nice, that must be a project for another day. The inconsiderate girl has given us extremely short notice," he complained, and Bellatrix felt her lips twitch.

In truth, she was looking forward to this battle eagerly and already riding the early stages of an adrenaline battle high. Gellert excused himself to retrieve the Monocle he'd mentioned, then Apparated away.

"Did the two of you make this Farseeing Monocle," Kereston asked Blaise, and he nodded.

"I suppose soon we shall be making more. It appears we now have a need," the lanky wizard said drily.

"Blaise and Gellert are always making such brilliant enchanted items," Kereston said to the room at large. "I just wish they'd make something that could swallow Delphini up."

"That makes two of us," Romeo Valdez said fervently as Gellert Apparated back in, Monocle in hand. At once he got to work placing the charm of projection onto everyone's wands. This took less than two minutes, and when it was done, they took the Floo Network from Kereston's office into the office of the President of Gringotts. This was located midlevel in the bank and from there they were led downward by the Ministry goblin who had said he could take them. Though Bellatrix doubted he could do much in this battle, Rhadamanthus had come along, staying close to Rodolphus's side.

As they ran, one of the goblins who worked at the bank accompanied them, filling them in on what was happening. Delphini was outside, still attempting to batter down their defenses and slowly succeeding. She had suggested that they simply surrender all of the gold to remain unharmed, but no goblin was going to do that. A fact for which Bellatrix was exceedingly grateful considering all of the Lestrange and Black wealth was in Gringotts vaults.

When they were three levels from the very deepest crevice of the bank, Gellert indicated that he was satisfied with their location. There was a short wall made of solid gold in the middle of the corridor, and carnivorous plants lined the top of it in golden pots. They were obviously part of the bank's defense, and Bellatrix rather liked the aesthetic. The gold wall screamed obscene wealth, and the carnivorous plants were just soothing.

"Levitate yourselves and come down on the other side of that wall," Gellert instructed everyone decisively. "And mind the plants."

At once, everyone did as they were told, the group moving like an efficient machine. Bellatrix had to hand it to Grindelwald, he had the Aurors working well together and actually appearing competent. "Crouch down behind the wall so that it is blocking and shielding you," Gellert said, and everyone complied. Bellatrix crouched between the two Lestrange men, Rhadamanthus at their backs. Dumbledore flanked them on one side, Romeo on the other.

As everyone watched, Gellert held the Monocle to his eye, frowning in concentration as he searched for Delphini. "She was attempting to break in through the back, but that has apparently proven too difficult so she's headed back to the front again," he reported at last. "Let's strike her before she can make another attempt at the main door." He used a magnification spell on the Monocle so that the rest of them could see what he saw, Delphini's progress toward the front of Gringotts. She had others with her, faces deeply cowled in dark red robes.

"Well, at least the style is different than her daddy's Death Eater robes," Rabastan murmured with a smirk.

"When she is at the front door, we will allow her to tire herself down getting through it, then when she has, we will hit her with everything we have. Do what you're best at until I command otherwise. Blast her back, use the Killing Curse, petrify her, whatever you've got," Gellert instructed in a matter of fact tone.

To many that may sound disorganized, but as Delphini would be difficult to kill without a Basilisk fang, the aim was to knock her out or at least restrain her at present, then kill her later.

"No matter what, everyone stays down," Gellert commanded. "Do not rise for any reason. We have a chain of defense here. She cannot see us behind this wall. There are protections in place to keep us safe that she will be unable to break if no one stands up. While I was looking for her, Blaise and I were also setting up deflection wards. We will be safe from her direct attacks, and if for some unforeseen and insane reason things go entirely wrong, the wards will allow us enough time to escape with our lives and regroup."

Bellatrix rather liked the sound of that and from the relieved expressions on the faces around her, so did everyone else. Grindelwald looked after his own in a way the Dark Lord never had, she thought a little sadly. They waited in silence for nearly fifteen minutes, each collecting themselves and making their own battle strategy internally. Ready for action, Bellatrix was relieved when with a crash the massive front door of Gringotts finally gave way. Delphini stepped inside with nearly fifty red robed figures behind her. On Gellert's count of three, everyone struck at once, but Delphini struck back. Her spells tore through walls and even caused pieces of the stone floor itself to crack.

Bellatrix noticed some of Delphini's followers falling and not rising again, so some of her Killing Curses had hit home. She knew she wasn't the only one throwing them either. With the new Ministry's policy to kill hard criminals to keep the wizarding world safe, most everyone present was letting Killing Curses fly freely. Dumbledore was the only one who sought to disable instead, but of course he would, Bellatrix thought with an inner eye roll.

That was when it happened. Delphini had somehow gotten to Rod, and she held him in front of her like a shield, wand pressed into the back of his neck. His eyes were on Bellatrix's own, mouth contorted in a silent scream for help. Bellatrix answered his silent scream with a loud shriek of her own. She threw herself thoughtlessly over the wall, ready to Apparate directly in front of Delphini and tear her face off. "NO!" Bellatrix screamed again. She would not lose Rod. Not now, not ever. Hadn't they already been through enough? She just couldn't take any more and in sweet seconds that stupid girl would feel the Lestrange wrath for this.

A carnivorous plant snatched and snapped at Bella's sleeve, and someone snatched her by the waist from behind, swearing in Rod's voice. "God damn it, Bella! What the fuck are you doing?"

Feeling as if she were waking from a dream, she let out a sob and twisted around to see Rodolphus glaring down at her in perplexed shock. She blinked in confusion. He was here... Not there with Delphini. "But she had you," she insisted lamely. "I was coming after you. I was going to kill her for..."

She was interrupted by Grindelwald shouting angrily into her face, blue eyes snapping with rage. "I TOLD YOU TO STAY DOWN!"

Bellatrix actually cringed. His words were like a hard slap in the face, and it wasn't what she needed on top of the unnecessary emotional upheaval of thinking she'd nearly lost her husband.

"You didn't see," she asked, then looked around at everyone else. "Did no one else see that?" she demanded.

"See what," Romeo asked.

"She had Rod... Or she made me think I saw him being held in front of her like a shield. She was about to kill him!"

"How did she get him all the way there from here," Grindelwald asked and Bellatrix shook her head.

"Fuck! How should I know? She's been doing the impossible all week, hasn't she?"

"There is that," Romeo conceded. "No one else saw what you did, though, so it had to have been some mental trick."

"Like a snake charmer, all hypnotic," Bellatrix said darkly. As they conversed, everyone continued to fight while Blaise and Gellert recast the deflective shields. Currently they were still safe enough because Delphini was still quite far away and did not seem to be able to see their precise location as clearly as they could see hers. Bellatrix assumed she didn't need a precise location to screw with the mind of a chosen target if they were close enough, and she didn't like that one bit. No, it wouldn't do at all. She would have to really work on her mental shields. Until five minutes ago, she had believed them quite good, but now she was more than ready to make improvements.

A goblin Apparated in about five minutes later and vaulted over the wall to join Gellert. "We can retreat now if you wish, Mr. Grindelwald. We have removed all of the gold and property. If she ransacks the building now, she will only find desks and ledgers."

Gellert gave a satisfied grunt as he wiped sweat from his brow with the sleeve of his Ministry robe. "Let the bitch have it, then. Back to the Ministry, everyone."

Chapter 23: Don't Let Me Go

Chapter 23: Don't Let Me Go

Everyone Apparated to Auror headquarters, abandoning Gringotts to Delphini. Bellatrix grinned, imagining how enraged the girl would be to find nothing but vacated vaults. It would appear that they'd given way to her, but then she would find that they'd left her nothing.

"We really need to work up some sort of mental shield for everyone against whatever she's doing," Zabini stated. He was the first to speak when everyone arrived. That suited Bella fine as it meant Grindelwald wasn't yelling at her again for what she'd done. It wasn't her fault, after all. The girl had done something to her mind, and she was getting bloody tired of her mind being messed about with!

"It was just Bellatrix's mind which was attacked, so perhaps I can work with her on shields personally," Romeo said.

The Head Auror had a rare talent for natural telepathy so Bellatrix actually did have confidence in his ability to produce flawless mental shields. Hopefully, he could teach them as well.

"Not just Bellatrix," Blaise corrected calmly. "She also did something to me. It lasted about half a minute. Gellert and I had just finished with the deflecting shields when it happened. It was as if I was stuck in a nightmare... or rather several nightmares. It felt as if it lasted for months and months, yet when I returned to awareness at Gringotts with the rest of you, only half a minute had passed according to the wall clock. I understand what Bellatrix went through, because it was so vivid." Zabini's eyes briefly closed, and he visibly fortified himself before continuing. The man never showed emotion, so Bellatrix found this interesting as well as alarming.

"It was as though I experienced all manner of different situations, all horrible. In one, I somehow went back in time to the twenties, and when I attempted to approach Gellert, he was only interested in my assistance in his cause and nothing more. He was appalled by the idea of a relationship with a man, and was very reluctant to admit to his feelings for me. I knew that he had them because...well, to be frank, physical interest is a thing men literally can't hide."

Bellatrix knew everyone would've laughed at that one were the situation not so worrisome, and even Rabastan didn't make a wisecrack.

"I ended up...going a bit psychotic and killing a lot of his followers in rather graphic and brutal ways in order to get his attention. Keep in mind that I've never actually killed anyone. In the end, I think in that one instance, I managed to take mental control of the illusion Delphini was spinning, because Gellert didn't really try to stop me. In the illusion, I knew that this was because he loved me. Of course Gellert would always protect his followers, so I think that was my way of adjusting the situation to show Gellert's caring so that I could stop going bloody mental. That one ended, and in the next I was back in present time. I watched Delphini kill my parents, and it was so vivid and dreadful. Unfortunately, thanks to her, I now know what that would look and feel like, and for that she will pay," Zabini said grimly.

"She repeated that one over and over in different ways before moving on to Gellert being killed." He closed his eyes again, and Grindelwald reached for his hand, uncaring of all the gazes upon them. "I know what your body looks like when it's dead. When rigor sets in and...how foul it can smell. I wouldn't accept that I couldn't restore you to life somehow, and I held onto your body. People kept trying to take it away from me, and I wouldn't let them," Blaise told him.

"Good," Grindelwald said. This caused Zabini to smile, and he relaxed a little as he let out a breath.

"I can't tell you how vivid and real it all felt," Blaise said, turning his gaze from Grindelwald to sweep the rest of the group. "With that being said, it wasn't a matter of Bellatrix being careless."

Damn, was she really being defended? Actually de-fucking-fended?

"It really is a matter of being inside the reality Delphini creates when she grabs your mind. There is no breaking through the illusion. There is no way at the time to even consider that it may not be real. It's not just a vision. It's entirely sensory. You hear, see, touch, and emotionally feel." He shook his head as if still attempting to clear it of the visions of which he spoke. "It is horrible. I can't stress that enough. We need to work up some sort of mental shield that will be able to block such forms of attack. I also think we should be physically bound together with sticking charms when in a battle formation like that again. Had that been the case today, Bellatrix could not have leapt up and disrupted our shield. Although our deflection obviously doesn't protect against that sort of mental attack, it at least keeps us safe while our minds are under attack. In the end, that may be what saves us if the situation ever manages to repeat."

"Good thinking," Gellert praised. His gaze on Zabini's face was intense and full of concern, but he still managed a genuine smile. Blaise returned the smile, and gave a slight nod. "Thanks."

"Brilliant thinking, considering you just went, at least in your own mind, through several months of trauma," Romeo congratulated fervently. "Fuck, it's a wonder you're even thinking at all!" He grinned. "That's your general lack of emotion keeping you stable, if you ask me." He glanced around at everyone else as he explained. "When I first met Blaise, while his family was vacationing in Spain, I actually wondered if he was pretending not to feel shit about anything. So, I broke a rule of mine and looked into his head and...nope, he really doesn't give a shit. The second time I saw him, though, he was already with Gellert. I think his entire ability to feel all goes to him," Romeo concluded with a laugh and an eyeroll.

Bellatrix ended the light hearted moment with a hard truth that everyone needed to be considering. "It's obvious. She's hitting us right where it hurts."

"Balls," Rabastan asked, and she shook her head, not even bothering to tell her brother-in-law to stop mucking about while shit was getting real.

"No. In our love. Zabini obviously loves Grindelwald and his parents. I love Roddy." She glanced around allowing her gaze to pause on each face that surrounded her. Humans, elves, goblins, and Acromantulas stared back thoughtfully as they took in what she said. "The question is, who do you love? She's going to use it."

"So... We put up those shields on the Ministry that we were about to place before Delphini decided to rob Gringotts, then I train everyone in heavy mental wards," Romeo said briskly, giving Bellatrix a nod. She was satisfied to see that her words of warning had rattled even the Head Auror. That was good, because they all needed to be rattled.

"If you have some ideas to add during my mental shield training, I would welcome them, Headmaster," Romeo added to Albus, who nodded.

"As it happens, I already have one thought," the old man said quietly. "When Mr. Zabini spoke of taking some control over the illusion, it put me in mind of a dream versus a lucid dream. It was as if she sent him a dream, and he was able to fight back by becoming lucid to some degree in it and altered it to suit his needs.

"A lucid dreamer can change a nightmare into something less frightening, and this is what he did. There are shields that one can place around their minds before sleep if they are concerned about mental attacks on their dreams. These shields block them from recalling their dreams or having them tampered with. Adding these shields to whatever Mr. Valdez has in mind is what I recommend, and I will be happy to show them to everyone."

"Sounds good," Grindelwald said, nodding. "Dreams aren't a forte of mine or Blaise's, so we are definitely in need of that knowledge." Everyone else nodded eagerly, including Romeo. Bellatrix found herself even more eager to learn from Valdez because he wasn't too proud to take instruction from someone else to expand his own knowledge. Some specialists in a particular field weren't so wise, and she respected him for it.

"But how did Zabini become lucid if he never knew that it wasn't real," Rabastan asked. "Lucid dreaming begins with realizing that you are dreaming in the first place, or so I've read."

Dumbledore merely shrugged. "It is different for each person."

"I suppose, I just didn't like it so much and wanted it to change so badly that I was able to change it, perhaps out of sheer desperation," Blaise said slowly.

Dumbledore nodded. "That's one way, and it seems to have worked at least to some degree."

"Let's get to work on the shields here, then we'll break for lunch, then begin working on the mental wards," Romeo said.

There were so many levels of the Ministry, and each had to be warded separately. Of course, it already had protective alarms and such, but considering those Delphini had already broken through on Azkaban and at Gringotts, Romeo had them basically pretending that there were none at all and starting from scratch. This meant that lunch was very late, and everyone was exhausted. As the mental shields still needed to be learned, that meant energy potions were in order for all.

Chapter 24: Wide Awake In Dreamland

Chapter 24: Wide Awake In Dreamland

Kereston joined them for the mental shielding lesson at Grindelwald's request. A Minister should be well protected, after all, and the small blonde girl apparently agreed, for she seemed very eager for the lesson. Once everyone had downed their energy potion, Romeo began his instruction on building up mental wards to keep anyone out of a person's mind.

"This isn't about Legilimency or Occlumency, though being skilled in those forms of mind magic should make you stronger. Being able to read or block someone else from reading your thoughts isn't the same as protecting yourself from having someone work other forms of magic on your mind that alter your own thoughts or perception," Valdez began.

"Our deflecting shields would have been able to prevent the typical attacks, such as one based on Occlumency, for example, so I understand what you mean," Gellert told him.

Romeo nodded, giving the blonde German a brief, appreciative smile. "The sort of magic they use doesn't need a wand in most cases, and so it wouldn't be directly seen or recognized as a spell as we know it. A mental attack of this or similar forms can be emotional in nature or as with Bellatrix and Blaise, involving many of the senses to change one's mental awareness and perception.

"So when you think of blocking this sort of attack, you can't think with spells either. You think with a form of wandless magic that is a bit more abstract, but in some ways easier and stronger. You imagine stone walls around your mind, built from the inside out. If you prefer another material, something that you feel is more solid than stone, use that.

"Hell, if you feel you could make parchment strong enough to hold, and that's what feels right to your mind, form walls of parchment around your mind. This is literally whatever works best for each person because it is you who will be holding these walls in place. Just make sure to do it from the inside out rather than trying to build it from the outside in, as that can leave more cracks through which an attacker can break."

Romeo paused and when no one asked a question he went on. "I will have you all begin by building your mental walls, and then I will examine each and try to break through them. I will give pointers to each of you as it is required, then we will add another layer of a different sort that forms an attack against those who will try to break your shields. After that, I will hand it over to Albus."

Everyone silently got to work on their shields. Bellatrix decided to make hers from glass so that she'd be able to see anyone coming. A very strong glass that could not be shattered, though. When Romeo approached, he studied her then nodded, passing to Rodolphus, then Rabastan without a word. Idly, she wondered what the other two Lestranges had used to make their shields and made a mental note to ask them later.

Romeo moved around the room speaking to the Aurors, quietly advising some on how to adjust their shields. When he got to Blaise he frowned. "You aren't confident enough. It shows. I can push your shields. Come on, give me that confident bloke who gives less than a fuck about anything. " Romeo encouraged.

Zabini attempted and failed to smile. "It's knowing what she can do that has me more doubtful in my abilities than is wise," he admitted. He was obviously uncomfortable with anything that engendered such emotions.

It was interesting to see him acting a bit more than bland, Bellatrix noted, though not completely without sympathy. Unpleasant feelings were no fun, especially when there did not seem to be a way to immediately fix them. Feelings inspired by having one's head mucked with were even worse.

The thought caused her hands to ball into fists, bunching themselves in the fabric of her skirt. The warm pressure of Rod's hand rubbing her back made her sigh and lean against him. He was alright, and Delphini couldn't get to him, she silently reminded herself. They were learning what they needed to keep her from getting into their heads. She only hoped these lessons would be good enough to keep Voldemort out as well, because he was very good at getting into people's heads. He used spells, though, and this was different. Hopefully these shields would hold him back.

Once Romeo had run the circuit of the room, he was ready to begin instructing them on the next layer of the shield. Bellatrix took this to mean that he was pleased with the adjustments everyone had made to his constructive criticisms.

"We are ready to begin the next layer. This is the layer an enemy will encounter first. It will hopefully harm and weaken them, and if it does not, at least breaking through it will tire them, making the true shield even more of a challenge. Again, this isn't so much a spell as raw magic from your mind and imagination. In truth, this is all typical spell magic as well, but spells are more structured so you have more of a guiding process that does not have to come from you. This is all you, your will, and your creativity."

Romeo paused, allowing everyone to consider that before continuing. Bellatrix felt surprisingly eager to learn this, to use her will and imagination as it was what she most enjoyed. Working magic from her feelings was far more freeing and made it even stronger. She nearly smiled to see a similar eagerness on Grindelwald's face.

"Imagine a wall of thorns all around your initial shield," Romeo instructed. "Imagine now that those thorns will pierce anyone attempting to pass, and when it pierces them, it will drain them of their own magic and energy. This action should repel them and cause them to back off because no one wants to hang about and be drained," he said with a slight smile.

Bellatrix closed her eyes, placing all her focus inward and into the mental shield of energy draining thorns that she constructed around her glass shield. She did not open her eyes until she felt the thorns were real, activated, and doing their job in her mind. When she opened her eyes, she nearly felt dizzy for a moment. Though this form of magic was a matter of envisioning rather than direct spell casting, she felt it was, in a way, even more draining. Perhaps it was simply a matter of practicing more, though. Learning a new branch of magic would feel more draining until the mind became familiar with it, then when used enough it could be second nature.

Romeo began circling the room then, checking on everyone's progress. This time he stood in front of Zabini for quite some time, obviously struggling to break through his shields. Rather than speaking when he was done, Valdez merely gave a satisfied smile and nod, before turning his attention to Grindelwald, who, as always, stood close at Zabini's side. Something in Grindelwald's shields made him chuckle, but he nodded and moved on to the Auror to Grindelwald's other side, obviously satisfied with whatever the blonde German had done.

When he reached the Lestranges, he only paused briefly at each, nodding at what he saw. He didn't seem surprised that they were good at this, and that was a pleasing testament to their skills. They were the Lestranges, and they had it, Bellatrix thought with a pleased grin at her husband.

Rodolphus grinned back and slipped an arm around her waist. "You've all done very well," Romeo said with a warm smile. "I shouldn't be surprised, though, because Aurors and Shadow Ops Operatives had better be badass, am I right?"

"I hope you are," Greg, the Auror who had brought Grindelwald to them rather than one of the Healers the old Ministry dealt with, quipped and Romeo chuckled.

"Now I give the floor to Albus." The Head Auror stepped back to join everyone else, and Albus Dumbledore stepped forward.

"When casting this shield, it is also done with your imagination," he began. "It is done with your will power as well, but in this case more along the lines of a mental suggestion to yourself. You tell yourself that no one will get into your dreams, and they shall be safe. Even if you place this shield when you are about to come to work, rather than when you lie down for bed, your mind will still interpret it properly. Your mind will recognize this form of attack as a dream attack because you have given your mind the dream association, and now it knows what to look for."

The old, white haired Headmaster chuckled. "Your mind, your subconscious, is truly brilliant. It recalls much that you do not. Trust it, and it will take care of you if you give it the proper commands."

"But what form should the shield take," an Auror asked.

Albus smiled. "No form at all. It is a thought form, an action you have told your mind to perform. If your mind, in turn, chooses to place some sort of shield to carry out this command, a dream catcher shield or something of the like, that is fine so long as that shield holds and understands the command. No shield shape is required to perform this shielding action, though." After pausing to see if there would be more questions he said, "Why don't you all try it now? You should feel a certainty in your mind that it is done, and that it will work if you have performed it properly. If you have trouble reaching that feeling after two minutes of attempting my instructions let me know. You may begin now."

He drew out a pocket watch and after two minutes had passed, he addressed them again. "Is everyone satisfied?" They all nodded, except the few Acromantulas who simply spoke their 'yes' aloud as nodding was a bit trickier for them.

Albus smiled. "Good. I want you to perform this twice daily. Once when you are lying down to sleep, and once when you are getting out of bed in the morning. If it is working properly you will recall your dreams less until your mind adjusts to the shield. Then you will simply have far fewer nightmares." He smiled. "You see, the shield can even protect you from yourself."

"Sweet," Rabastan muttered. "Cause Azkaban and all." Bellatrix gave a small shudder. Yes, Azkaban had been a breeding ground for nightmares, and those memories were hard to forget even now. Being free for twenty years meant that the nightmares that had one sitting up in bed and screaming were few and far between, sometimes even years apart, but they still happened. She definitely looked forward to seeing how the shield worked on her dreams tonight.

"I would like the shield layers I trained you all in today to be applied twice daily as well, at the same time as the dream shield," Romeo said. "Though all of you applied them properly, keeping the shields strong against attacks means being consistent, so stay shielded all the time. Shielding twice a day will ensure that the shields grow stronger through constant practice," he told them gravely. "Now it's been a long day, and you've all done splendidly. Go home."

Chapter 25: We Belong Way Down Below

Chapter 25: We Belong Way Down Below

Though Bellatrix very much wanted to go home after such a long day of constantly performing complex magic, she wanted to speak to Regulus and Kreacher more. She'd intended to do so for days, but with their new hectic schedule, plus working through all these new unwanted emotional issues thanks to recalling what the Dark Lord had put them through, it just hadn't happened. It was nearly time for dinner as the day had run late, so Kreacher and Regulus should be awake. What with them having had a late lunch at the Ministry, they wouldn't be wanting to eat yet.

"I would like to stop at Grimmauld before we go home," she told Rabastan and Rodolphus as they prepared to depart.

"Are we trashing their place like your parents' dining room," Rabastan asked, and Bellatrix shot him a glare.

"Open your bloody mouth again, and your ass can go home," she snapped, and Rodolphus chuckled, slipping an arm around her waist. He and Bellatrix Apparated together to Grimmauld. Rabastan had joined them by the time Bellatrix lifted the snarling gargoyle door knocker and let it fall several times. A stressed looking elf wearing a simple black tunic opened the door and bowed. "Come in," he said, stepping back at once. "If Mistress Bella, and Masters Rodolphus and Rabastan would like to wait in the library, Stormy will inform his masters that you are here."

"Thank you," Bellatrix told the elf distractedly, and they showed themselves into the library. Kreacher and Regulus were family, so the Lestranges were quite familiar with Grimmauld Place and were always free to make themselves at home whenever they visited.

In the library, Bellatrix sat pensively on the sofa while Rodolphus wandered around peering at the spines of various books. For his part, Rabastan headed for the liquor cabinet in the corner and poured himself a tumbler of scotch. No one spoke until Kreacher and Regulus entered.

In her usual fashion, Bellatrix got right to the point. "Did Grindelwald see you after he fixed our heads?"

Regulus smirked. "I don't think fixing your heads is possible," he told his cousin.

Bellatrix scowled. "Your jokes were never funny, Regulus."

Rabastan chuckled and raised his glass to Black. "Perhaps not funny, but so fucking true!"

With a sigh, Bellatrix waited through the small talk, bored. Rodolphus continued to scan the books on the shelves, seemingly more interested in them than anything else that happened to be going on.

"Gellert did come to see us yesterday, yes," Regulus said, turning to Bellatrix. "He worked on unclouding what was done to our memories."

Bellatrix frowned at the use of the word unclouding for what Grindelwald had done, then nodded slowly. It made sense, though the concept was new. "So? Did you remember what Voldemort did to the two of you? We don't." She shuddered. "We remembered enough, though. Gods, Regulus, Uncle Orion!"

Regulus nodded. "Worst time of my life. It didn't get better until I returned to Kreacher nearly twenty years later."

Regulus hadn't died as most believed or even ended up in Azkaban as the Lestranges had, he hadn't escaped. Regulus had been extremely ill after ingesting too much of the water from the black lake while trying to destroy Voldemort's Horcrux. Although a newly made vampire at the time, the Infiri had still given him a struggle. Even though his vampiric maker had dragged him from the water, she hadn't known how to contact Kreacher so she took Regulus to her place in Rome where he could heal.

He took two weeks to recover from what the indescribably foul water had done to his body. By the time he could hold a quill to write Kreacher, Walburga Black had placed a charm on the house that misdirected all letters not from an address personally approved by her, in advance. With Orion, then Regulus, vanishing within less than a week of one another, she was afraid for her safety and rightfully so. Kreacher, believing that Regulus would return in person, never suspected that he'd attempted to write instead.

When Regulus never returned, Kreacher began to fear him dead, though the elf always held out hope. Regulus, believing that Kreacher wanted nothing to do with him for nearly getting him killed by Voldemort, stayed away when, to his mind, his letters were ignored.

Of course, Voldemort leaving Kreacher to drown in the lake of Inferi was not Regulus's fault, but Regulus was quite emo, as they said these days, and there was no telling him that it wasn't his fault even to this day.

When he discovered that Voldemort was still alive in nineteen ninety-seven, he secretly returned and, with Kreacher, helped as best he could behind the scenes. Of course, while the Lestranges had been warned by Regulus and his elf to play along at the end of the battle, they weren't truly aware of all the goings on until the day Voldemort died and they began working Shadow Ops for the Ministry. Now here they were, over twenty years later, still shoveling through Voldemort's shit.

"We remembered some things," Regulus replied carefully, exchanging a look with Kreacher. "Kreacher remembered a bit more about the time Voldemort took him to the cave for a start." Regulus moved across the room and settled into a gray armchair in the corner. Kreacher drifted over to perch on the arm, expression nearly as pensive as Bellatrix felt.

Bellatrix was more interested in what had happened the night they'd all attempted to kill the Dark Lord, but she was listening.

"Kreacher recalls something strange that happened once he and the Dark Lord were in the boat on the way to the dread cave," the elf began, linking long fingered hands together in obvious discomfort. "The Dark Lord struck up a conversation with Kreacher as they crossed the lake. He spoke of Kreacher's relationship with Master Regulus being similar to that of his with Nagini. Kreacher wondered if the Dark Lord understood exactly how close he and Master Regulus were... and in truth, he was alarmed. Kreacher agreed, though, saying that he was as faithful to Master Regulus as Nagini was to him. Before long, though, Kreacher got the strong impression that the Dark Lord was no longer speaking to him. He began to murmur and back then Kreacher thought he must have misheard."

The elf paused to shift nervously as his discomfort grew. "Kreacher thought he heard the Dark Lord say that he, in truth, did not have a special rapport with Delphini. Kreacher thought he had to have meant Nagini, but now... Now he thinks he must have heard correctly. Only Delphini was not born then in nineteen seventy-nine." The elf looked at once apologetic and embarrassed. "Kreacher has to have remembered that wrong," he said hastily. "As that particular memory did return to him when Grindelwald performed the mind clearing magic, he felt it best to share it, though."

"Of course," Regulus said, placing a reassuring hand on Kreacher's shoulder to soften the doubtful looks from the three Lestranges. "You recalled the name Delphini, and she does indeed exist now so it must mean something. He likely had future plans or...if Delphini is some spirit with whom he had dark dealings in the past and... and with whom he apparently did not have good rapport. If she is the one in that body...well, she said that she did not like Voldemort." Glancing at the Lestranges he added, "Kereston said she told you lot that when she came to see you in Azkaban."

Bellatrix nodded curtly, and Regulus went on. "It is unclear, but it still connects, and it means something. I believe Kreacher's memory should not be quickly disregarded by him or anyone else." He smiled reassuringly at Kreacher, who smiled back in relief.

"What else," Bellatrix asked. "That isn't particularly useful and makes no sense besides," she complained. "Did the two of you remember why he allowed you to live that night without twisting your minds as he did ours?"

"Somewhat," Regulus answered slowly. "We believe he had plans for us that never had an opportunity to be realized."

"What sort of plans?" Bellatrix demanded, and Regulus shook his head.

"We don't know, and we aren't sure we ever did. What we recall was that he made us perform some dark rights...disturbing and improper in nature, on one another."

Bellatrix snorted. "The two of you have done enough of that that I shouldn't think you'd be bothered."

Regulus frowned. "Not like that... He said he would allow us to do what we enjoyed the most, but he made us...with magic, not with commands, and it was as if we were puppets. He was studying the results while working magic over us." Man and elf both shuddered, reaching to clasp hands for support, and Bellatrix found herself looking away. Watching Voldemort inspire trauma on the faces of others she cared for was nearly as disconcerting as remembering her own.

"So just creepy shit that isn't directly useful," Rabastan asked, effectively summarizing.

"That's about the long and short of it, I am afraid," Regulus admitted with a sigh. "If we recall more, of course, you will be the first to know. It's only right and fair, after all we've gone through together at his twisted hands."

"So did Grindelwald tell you what happened to us, then? What we remembered," Bellatrix asked, suddenly realizing that Regulus and Kreacher seemed to already be aware. Were she not so exhausted, she would've caught that earlier, but if she put off the visit until work wasn't exhausting, it would never happen.

Regulus cleared his throat and shifted uncomfortably in his chair, gaze sliding away from Bellatrix's. "Not exactly. We already knew."

"YOU WHAT?" Bellatrix howled. "AND YOU NEVER SAW FIT TO TELL US?"

At last Rodolphus turned away from the bookshelves to regard Regulus with a studied frown.

"I didn't want to do more damage to the three of your minds by telling you," Regulus said. "I did not know how to undo it. Neither did Kreacher. The Dark Lord did not make us forget as he did you, for whatever reason, and we still have no idea why other than that his plans for us were different. We saw what he did to you, though."

Regulus shook his head, horrified at the memory. "He told you all to go home and sleep. That Orion Black had died well in service to him, and that you should remember him proudly. Your faces changed so quickly from horrified to nearly blank automatons. Your eyes were staring and empty. They no longer even saw my father dead on the floor."

"We recall that now," Bellatrix snapped, and Regulus nodded.

"Yes, but I'm saying you didn't see from our side how your faces looked when they changed. He worked your minds over! I simply did not wish to cause more damage attempting to fix it. You believed me when I told you, for a second time, about the Horcrux situation, so what was the point? We were still close, you were free of him, he was dead, and you were out of Azkaban," Regulus reasoned. "So what was the point? I could see how unstable all of you were due to the Dementors and isolation of Azkaban, compounded with what the Dark Lord originally did. I just didn't want to make it worse." His blue gaze pleaded with them for understanding, and Bellatrix let out a breath as she relented, no longer seeing his years of silence as a betrayal.

"It's cool," Rodolphus assured with a small nod, and Rabastan shrugged. "Yeah, we're good."

Chapter 26: Heathens

Chapter 26: Heathens

While it greatly disconcerted Bellatrix that Regulus and Kreacher remembered they'd all tried to kill the Dark Lord and just went along like normal. Allowing the Lestranges to remain ignorant of all the implications that were involved, she was glad they hadn't attempted to tamper with it if they had doubts concerning their abilities to do so. Grindelwald did have a healing gift, plus he was, in his way, a bit of a genius, or so people said. Personally, other than a few impressive magic tricks and some admittedly powerful artifacts he'd made with Zabini, Bellatrix hadn't seen much of that genius herself. She was no more insane than usual after he helped them to recall their disillusionment with the Dark Lord, though, so she definitely recognized his abilities as a Healer.

"You were right," she said, gaze on Regulus and Kreacher. "Grindelwald said Voldemort did a number on our minds, so my guess is that he also made sure no one could undo it easily."

"At least not without causing significant damage," Regulus said. "I could see him considering that his final payback, if anyone noticed and attempted to help you."

"I sort of trashed my parents' dining room for not noticing and helping us," Bellatrix said. "I suppose if they had, it would've ended badly for our poor minds."

Regulus nodded. "Yes... But I can understand your anger that they did not notice regardless."

Bellatrix found herself smiling in gratitude at her younger cousin. "Thank you, Regulus. I appreciate that."

He shuddered, drawing in on himself in the chair, suddenly looking small and defeated. "If only I hadn't dragged my father into it, he'd still be alive."

"Perhaps, but it wasn't your fault, Regulus. You and Kreacher were just the messengers," Bellatrix told him.

Rodolphus nodded. "Yes, and your mother not knowing didn't keep her safe, did it? Orion may have died after you if not before you for all you know."

Bellatrix nodded thoughtfully. Walburga Black's death in nineteen eighty-five was sudden. The Lestranges were unaware at the time, not exactly getting newspapers in Azkaban. When they began working Shadow Ops for the Ministry and consequently reunited with Kreacher and Regulus, the news had been shocking. Aunt Walburga could be fearsome at times, even for Bellatrix, but she was good people and hadn't deserved to die so young of a liver disease.

"It's too ironic that she needed a liver transplant and the Healers could only find a match from a Mudblood, which, of course, she'd rather die than accept," Regulus said, and Kreacher nodded despondently in agreement.

"Though, Kreacher does see where mistress was coming from, it would've been nice had a Mudblood been useful for something."

"Why don't the three of you stay for dinner," Regulus asked suddenly. "We haven't seen nearly enough of you these days."

"Yeah, Delphini keeps a bitch busy," Rabastan drawled with a grin.

"Kereston keeps us informed," Regulus said, nodding. "I've been scouting nightly for followers of hers, but no luck yet. She obviously has them, but where they live, we've yet to discover."

As a vampire, Regulus made his meal out of bad people, criminals of the worst sorts, so the fact he was attempting to hunt Delphini's followers was no surprise.

"You do know to get any information you can from them before making a pig of yourself, yes?" Bellatrix demanded and Regulus frowned. "Yes, Cousin, what do you take me for?"

Rodolphus gave a happy smile and straightened in his chair, obviously ready and willing to answer that question. Grinning, Bellatrix left it to him. "A well-meaning emo who allows feelings to cause him to...make unwise choices, for a start," he replied.

Kreacher looked very much as if he wished to agree, but he bit his lip and kept his silence. Bellatrix did not need to be a mind reader to know he was more than likely recalling his years of misery alone in 12 Grimmauld Place believing Regulus to be dead, and then being under Sirius's thumb until she kindly killed the little shit.

"What about you, Kreacher," Rabastan asked.

"Kreacher doesn't think Master Regulus is any of those things, of course," the elf hastily reassured, turning an adoring gaze to Regulus.

"No one cares," Rabastan assured drily. "I meant have you noticed anyone thinking unusual shit while you're hunting down your evening meal? It's only that sometimes you appear to notice small details that Black does not. Like... Perhaps someone isn't even a follower of Delphini's, but they saw something important that they didn't even know was important. You'd probably be the fucker to catch something like that." He chuckled. "I swear, a vampire elf is so badass, especially you! I bet you scare the shit out of people when you go all grabby for their throat. You always look kind of pissed off anyway, so I bet that shit is brilliant."

Bellatrix thought the enhanced mind reading abilities of vampires was useful and rather impressive, but nothing she personally cared about enough to dine on blood for ever and ever. It was fun to be covered in it when she killed someone in an especially spectacular way, but drinking it? It just didn't appeal.

Kreacher shook his head, expression thoughtful. "Kreacher has not noticed such a thing, but he will look even more carefully now that Rabastan has brought it to his attention. Like his dearest Master Regulus, he was only searching minds for a direct connection to Delphini, but he will look for more subtle oddities from now on as well." He smiled. "Rabastan is wise even if he often appears a bit frivolous."

Bellatrix's lips twitched. She never failed to be amused by the subtle jabs Kreacher tended to make if at all displeased. Though Rabastan had not made the comments about Regulus, he was guilty by family ties and not objecting, so he got Kreacher's backlash for his brother's words.

"So when do we eat," Rodolphus asked.

"As soon as Kereston gets home," Regulus replied. "Usually she is the only one eating, but the elves make enough for her to have seconds or leftovers, so there should be plenty."

When Regulus first returned, he had insisted upon freeing Kreacher. The elf was concerned about the proper upkeep of the manor with him no longer being allowed to care for it, so Regulus had allowed him to get as many elves to replace himself as he liked. Kreacher ended up settling on four. He now had four unfortunate elves to bully and boss about Grimmauld Place. Regulus had freed them, and he paid them well, but Bellatrix was quite certain they earned every coin.

Kreacher obviously enjoyed being a little tyrant, though he pretended that he was always ever so kind to his elves. He even tended to expound on how much they appreciated dear kind Kreacher, but from what Bellatrix saw they avoided him like the plague whenever possible. They appeared to dislike and fear him, depending on the day or perhaps the elf. They all looked alike to Bellatrix, aside from Kreacher himself who had always had distinct features that set him apart from the rest.

Chapter 27: Lyra Lestrange

Chapter 27: Lyra Lestrange

"I wasn't even sure if I believed Delphini truly had any followers until the attack on Gringotts," Regulus said. "Gellert told us she had a good sized group fighting with her there."

"Yeah it was...interesting," Rabastan mused, wandering over to the liquor cabinet to pour himself another drink. The library door opened then, and an elf stepped inside.

"Miss Kereston is home," he announced. "Will the Lestranges be dining with us?"

Regulus turned to the elf and nodded. "Yes, Piper, they will. Thank you for checking. Is the food ready now?"

The elf nodded. "Yes, and Miss Kereston has someone with her that she was hoping you could escort to the Lestranges, but as they're here, that's sorted itself nicely."

Bellatrix felt herself stiffening. Who would need to be taken to them and why? She honestly didn't feel she could deal with any more right now. It was something right after something else right after something else all bloody week!

"Where are they," Regulus asked.

"In the dining room. Miss Kereston thought she should give the girl a meal first, and that it would give you time to meet her and such, before taking her to the Lestranges... But again, that's sorted."

"Girl," Bellatrix asked. The first horrified thought that occurred to her was Delphini, but Kereston wouldn't exactly be bringing her home... Unless she was under the Imperius Curse, of course! Why did her mind have to immediately jump to the worst, Bellatrix wondered darkly. Because it had been a fuck of a week, that's why.

Sighing, she rose to her feet, all four men fast to follow. "Let's get this over with, shall we?" she said grimly, moving toward the door. The elf hastily backed up as she approached. "Is this girl blonde, by any chance," Bellatrix asked him and he gave her a surprised glance.

"No, Miss... Indeed she has black curly hair much like your own."

"Well, this is getting interesting," Bellatrix muttered, exchanging a perplexed glance with Rodolphus. Rhadamanthus lumbered to his feet from his spot in the corner and followed as they left the room. Until the giant spider moved, Bellatrix had basically forgotten that he was there. He was so quiet that it was easy for her to forget, or overlook, him in spite of his size. Perhaps that was a good trait in a guard, though.

"I should lead the way," the spider rasped.

"But Kreacher and I are even harder to kill," Regulus told him with a quick grin at the Acromantula over one shoulder. "Plus we know the house better, what with living here our entire lives and such. I'm sure it's alright. Piper would've noticed were something amiss."

The elf nodded. "Miss Kereston seemed tired, but quite herself...you know, with a lot of talking."

Bellatrix smirked. She often wondered how Kreacher and the little blonde Minister managed to be such fast friends when both talked so much she didn't see how the other ever got a turn. Regulus and Kreacher led the way down the hall and into the dining room, the others following close on their heels. As they neared, Bellatrix could hear Kereston babbling at whoever this girl was. "They're not truly as bad as everyone says, and a lot of what happened wasn't their fault, really. It has to do something to a person to be forced against their will and not even be aware, you know?"

Looking uncomfortable at the fact the Lestranges were being spoken of while they were about to enter, Regulus cleared his throat and sped up his steps. "Hello, Kereston," he called as he entered the dining room. "As it happens, the Lestranges came to visit and are also staying for dinner. Who have we here?"

Bellatrix moved up beside Regulus to stare at the girl seated at the long ebony wood dining table across from Kereston. She had curly black hair like Bellatrix's and Rodolphus's strong jaw, stubborn chin, and long straight nose. Her eyes were dark, but as Bellatrix and Rodolphus both had dark eyes, who she got them from wasn't so obvious. Rather than Rodolphus's trademark hard, blank stare, the young woman's eyes held an expressive alertness much like Bellatrix's own. As Bella stared at her, memories came flooding back.

Little, nearly one year old, Lyra angrily hitting her father in the face with her broom shaped baby rattle when he didn't stare at it in open fascination the fiftieth time she showed it to him. Rod had grinned, saying she already had the family fighting spirit. Bellatrix had been so proud. Then there was the day they tried to leave three weeks after that. Bellatrix and Lyra had both cried, and Rod had been close to tears himself. They put off departing until the next day when Bella and Rod took the coward's way out, slipping away while Lyra slept.

"Baby," Bellatrix ran forward, and the girl in the chair broke her heart when she shrank back a little, extending a hand to shake instead of opening her arms for a hug from her mother.

"I...just...when I saw that article you wrote I thought I should see you. My aunt and uncle believed you were dead until then. They also believed my father was in prison. When did both of those things change?"

Bellatrix blinked. So her article to the Daily Prophet had made it all the way into the Australian newspapers! That or else Australians just got the Prophet there, as well. Either way, the word was spreading and that was good.

"We've been out for over twenty years," Rodolphus said, tone and expression a bit dazed. "We made ourselves forget you to keep HIM from being aware of your existence. We could've had you this entire time had we only known..." Rod shook his head sadly. "We missed raising you!"

"Want to tell us what's going on," Regulus asked, and Bellatrix approached the dining table, taking a seat beside her daughter. Rodolphus came to sit on the girl's other side.

"This is our daughter," Bellatrix began. "To make a long, strange story slightly shorter, we forgot we had her in order to keep the Dark Lord from knowing."

Regulus gaped at the girl seated beside Rodolphus and Bellatrix. "Oh...Well then..."

"I am Lyra Lestrange," she said, meeting his gaze with her own steady one. "You're my cousin or something, right?"

Regulus nodded. "Yes. Regulus Black at your service." He smiled. "I see your parents kept up our family tradition and named you for a constellation as well."

"I suppose so," Lyra said drily. "I didn't get to grow up around that side of the family, as you are aware, so it's a bit hard to appreciate the significance. Thank you for having me to dinner, by the way. I arrived through the Floo to the Ministry from the Australian Ministry. My aunt and uncle wanted me to travel with Ministry protection in case Delphini decided to look for me to get at my parents."

"Wise thinking," Rodolphus said, nodding. "She shouldn't know about you if we didn't, but she seems to know a great deal more than she should."

"It was convenient that the Minister happens to live with some of my family," Lyra added. "I was unaware of that until arriving here today."

The girl spoke carefully and a bit too coldly for Bellatrix's liking, but she had come to see them and that had to mean something, didn't it?

"We conceived Lyra when the Dark Lord asked Rod and I to perform a sex magic ritual for him," Bellatrix said, beginning to tell the second strangest story of her life. The first, of course, was the night they all attempted and somehow failed to kill the Dark Lord. "It was nineteen ninety-six. We were out of Azkaban for about a week when he asked this of us. He said he required the magic for a long term project of his that would ensure his victory. Though the request was an odd one, Rodolphus and I were, of course, honored to acquiesce."

"Wait, the two of you weren't doing it with him, right? It was just the two of you without him, wasn't it," Lyra asked. "If I am in any way his daughter, I probably don't want to know."

Bellatrix shuddered and shook her head violently. "No! He wasn't the sexual sort, no matter what that trash mouth Rita Skeeter says."

Lyra sighed, shoulders relaxing. "Good!"

Bellatrix gave her daughter a slight smile before continuing. "We were on our bed at Malfoy Manor. It was strange doing it with him in the room, but...Rod and I have always been passionate, so eventually we were able to almost forget the Dark Lord was across the room working some sort of magic. At least he didn't seem to be looking on very much, which helped," she recalled.

"It still seems gross," Lyra commented. Kereston nodded and Bellatrix shrugged. Though this memory wasn't as disturbingly twisted as the one where Voldemort killed Uncle Orion right before their very eyes then rearranged their minds for them, it was still a horrifying recollection nonetheless. Remembering it and experiencing the feelings it engendered again on top of everything else was unpleasant to say the least. Drawing in a shuddering breath, she clung to the edge of the dining table for something to do with her hands and forced herself to continue.

"So Rod and I are performing the sex bit of the Dark Lord's sex magic ritual, and he's doing some sort of spell across the room. Suddenly this shadowy cloud floats over to us and..." she shuddered as the memory became clearer in her mind as emotions of pure revulsion gripped her. Oddly enough, though, they were emotions that needed to be shared and understood to perhaps be released. "Here is where it gets difficult to explain, but this thing flew out of the cloud... Like a bug with clicking pincers. I remember the sound of the wings and the pincers, but, to be honest, I can't be certain it was a bug. Perhaps my mind is only associating the sound with bug wings and pincers. It was a whirring and clicking, of that I am sure."

She glanced to Rodolphus for confirmation, and he nodded. "Yeah, I remember the same."

"It flew at us really fast, and it just didn't feel like a good idea to let it touch us so Rod and I reacted at once, throwing up a spell of deflection that bounced it off." Bellatrix gave a proud grin. "Your father and I fought together so long for the Dark Lord that throwing spells as one was second nature to us," she told Lyra. "The Dark Lord didn't fancy it working against him, though. He shouted that we'd ruined it, and then Rod came because..." Bella shrugged. "Guess he was close then the Dark Lord shouting startled him. Then everything was over and you were on the way. Of course, we were unaware of that at the time. Upon later reflection, though, we came to the conclusion that at least part of the magic the Dark Lord worked was a spell of fertility."

Lyra blinked. "But...I'm surprised you kept me after all that... Weren't you worried I was somehow part of whatever that thing was?"

Bellatrix shrugged. "A little, but we had a Healer check you out when we arrived in Australia. You were pronounced healthy and normal and all ours. We had every test run under the sun!"

Lyra rubbed her own arms and shivered as if chilled. "I read once in a book on dark spirits and demons that there is a fear demon that looks like a bug and makes clicking sounds with pincers when it flies. When summoned, it flies into the mouth of a person to possess them. I wonder if he intended it to possess one of you then through the sex magic go into me."

Bellatrix felt her eyes widening as a new level of horror hit her. Rod's expression was much the same. "Unfortunately that makes sense, though, of course, we can't know for sure," he told Lyra. Grinning, he added, "You're a smart girl. That's only to be expected of a Lestrange, but you do us proud."

"Glad to hear it," Lyra muttered resentfully. Still, she looked pleased at the compliment in spite of that.

"Kreacher believes that Lyra was intended to be Delphini, basically," the elf spoke up. "Considering the memories he recalled from the cave where Voldemort mentioned her, perhaps at least part of her is an entity summoned from elsewhere."

"Great, we're not even fighting an extra strong witch," Kereston said flatly. "We're fighting a fucking unknown entity with unknown powers! I'm really feeling up to the challenge," she concluded in obvious sarcasm.

"Well, it unfortunately explains her unusual abilities, if Kreacher is at all correct," the elf said, giving his blonde friend an apologetic glance. "Perhaps the Dark Lord did not plan to be her father at first, but when Bellatrix and Rodolphus ruined his plans, he might have decided, as they say, that if one wishes a thing to be done properly, one must do it oneself."

"So now the girl is part entity, part Nagini and part Voldemort's Horcrux," Rabastan asked.

"At least," Regulus said, nodding.

"Perhaps Kreacher is wrong, though," the elf murmured, but no one, Bellatrix included, seemed to feel overly optimistic on that matter. Too many things added up in the worst of ways, after all.

"So," Lyra prompted. "Let's have the rest of the story."

Bellatrix nodded. The worst bit was already out, at least. The rest wouldn't be that bad. "Hiding you with the Australian branch of the Lestrange family seemed the wisest thing to do. We suggested to the Dark Lord that we visit Rod's family in Australia in order to gain him more followers in that part of the world, and he allowed it for eight months. That gave me time to have you and spend some time with you."

"But how did you keep Voldemort from knowing you were pregnant," Lyra asked, and Bellatrix smiled.

"Simple enough for a woman. I used slimming charms and wore voluminous dresses. We went to Australia a week or so before you were due. You were our precious little dark secret, and we kept you well. We knew if the Dark Lord won, it may not be safe for him to know about you, and if he lost, we'd likely end up in prison again. We wanted you safe and away from all that until or if we could get out and get to you. We had your aunt and uncle help us to place the spell of recall on you so that seeing you again would restore all of our memories. They promised to bring you to us if we were able to take you."

"And technically they aren't your aunt and uncle," Rodolphus added. "They're distant cousins, but good trustworthy wizards with the proper pureblood values, and we trusted them to raise you properly. We owe them much, for thus far it seems they have done an excellent job."

"They never told me the story of how I was conceived," Lyra said.

"That's because they didn't know. We only told them the basics to keep them safe," Bellatrix explained. "The less anyone knew the safer everyone was. They didn't have any children, so were perfect to take you in."

"They do now. They had a daughter, Lillian, when I was six. She's like my sister," Lyra said.

"But she is your cousin," Rodolphus said, obviously territorial. Bellatrix liked that and nodded her agreement.

"True, but she feels like my sister, just as Agrona and Jehan Lestrange feel like my parents because they raised me while you were out doing who knows what," Lyra said darkly.

Her eyes now held a hard resentment that put Bellatrix in mind of Rodolphus in a mood. "You aren't being fair," she chastised. "We did that to protect you. We had no idea the Ministry would keep us out of prison to work Shadow Ops. As we had to see you to reverse the Memory Charm, we had no way of recalling your existence until now."

"Perhaps if you hadn't felt the need to follow a madman in the first place, I could've grown up with you," Lyra shot back angrily.

"We made that mistake long before you were born, and it was an easy mistake to make at the time," Bellatrix defended.

Regulus nodded. "Unfortunately, she is right. If you were a pureblood wizard tired of being under the Muggle thumb, feeling you should have far more rights in this world than you did, it was all too easy to believe that following the Dark Lord was the obvious way to achieve that goal. Kreacher and I followed the Dark Lord as well, for that very reason. As a result, I nearly got the person I love most in the world killed, my father is dead, and it's probably the reason my mother is dead. Not to mention it's because of that that your parents got their minds twisted as well," Regulus told Lyra sadly.

"In other words, everyone paid for serving him, and at least you paid least of all, kid," Rabastan said, speaking up at last. "I'm your Uncle Rabastan, by the way," he added with a grin, reaching across Rodolphus to grasp Lyra's hand and shake it a bit too vigorously.

Rabastan got the first warm smile that Lyra chose to bestow, and Bellatrix had to struggle a bit not to feel jealous.

"Hi, Uncle Rabastan! I suppose you're right, but while the rest of you did suffer far more, you chose to serve him, and I did not."

"True, but we did pay," Rabastan reminded her. "Your parents did make sure you had a good life, and while it's a drag we missed your childhood, we can all still have a lot of fun now. Even more now that you're grown up!" he said with a grin. "For example, we can go out drinking, and you can be my wing woman!"

Lyra grinned. "Sounds like fun."

While recalling and reconnecting with their child was wonderful, Bellatrix sincerely hoped she didn't have anything else to remember this week. One's mind, especially hers, could only take so much.

Three elves entered the dining room then and dinner was served. Dinner was a delicious venison stew with slices of thick, flaky bread on the side. Rodolphus's Acromantula really enjoyed the bread, inhaling two pieces in between his first three mouthfuls of stew. Everyone ate besides Regulus and Kreacher, who were just there for the conversation.

Chapter 28: All The Best People Are Crazy

Chapter 28: All the Best People Are Crazy

"So how long are you here for," Rabastan asked Lyra as he reached for another wedge of bread.

"Maybe a few weeks," Lyra replied, shrugging.

Bellatrix's eyes narrowed. "I think not! We just got you back. You aren't going anywhere."

"The hell I'm not," Lyra shot back, turning a surprised look on her mother that quickly turned into a glare. "I have a life back in Australia. I can't just leave that because you suddenly want to be my parents!"

Her words felt like a slap in the face, which only angered Bellatrix and caused her to glare right back. Rod spoke before she could come up with a properly terrifying threat.

"Brattiness at your age isn't appealing, just in case you were wondering," he told Lyra calmly. "You are our child, and the heir of house Lestrange at this point. You will remain here to learn what that means and get to know all of your family. For example, you still have Grandparents to meet on both sides. Australia is not your true home. You are home now."

Glad that Rod had taken the girl in hand, Bellatrix nodded her support. Where she'd allowed Lyra to make her angry, Rodolphus had remained calm, yet firm, leaving the girl no room to argue.

"Australia is my home now, thanks to you," Lyra shot back. Apparently, she was good at finding room to argue.

"WAS," Rodolphus corrected firmly. "It was your home, and you may visit frequently, but your home is here now." He matched glare for glare with his daughter for over five seconds before Lyra mutinously looked away.

Rodolphus sighed, gaze softening as he reached to touch her shoulder. "We just want to catch up on all we've missed, and we would like you to have the opportunity to do the same. You may like us if you get to know us."

"I'm sure I probably will," Lyra said. When Rabastan snickered, she grinned. Her look of amusement was short lived, however, as a resentful frown soon took its place. "It's just that you can't expect me to forget about my life back in Australia," she insisted.

"Actually, we can," Bellatrix snapped.

"We don't expect you to forget anything," Rodolphus said reasonably. "We just expect you to move forward. What were you doing in Australia that was so important anyway?"

"I have a job working security for my man's family's business. I work with him. They allowed me the time off to come here and get to know you all."

That was when Rodolphus finally lost his cool. "YOUR MAN?" he roared. "WHO IS HE, BECAUSE HE'S ABOUT TO BE DEAD!"

Kreacher cackled gleefully, leaning forward in his chair as if he were being personally entertained by a fine troop of actors.

"Oh, and that's really going to warm my heart toward you," Lyra shot back angrily. "I know and love my man which is more than I can say for either of you! What everyone says about you is true! You're both crazy." The venom in her tone matched the look she shot at Bellatrix and Rodolphus.

Hearing those words from her own daughter served to both enrage and hurt Bellatrix, but Rodolphus only smiled. "Good. I am glad we understand one another, then."

Lyra blinked, confused. "What?"

Rodolphus chuckled. "We're crazy, and you're a brat. Didn't you ever hear that it does no good to argue with someone who is crazy," he asked.

"Wow," Lyra grumbled under her breath as she reached for another wedge of bread and dipped it into her stew. Peering over it at Rod she added cautiously, "You aren't really going to try to kill my man, are you? That's just psycho."

"Have you slept with him yet," Rodolphus asked conversationally, and Lyra's brows shot up. "No!"

Rodolphus nodded. "Good. Then he lives for now."

"We have had some extremely heavy makeouts though," Lyra clarified with a tiny grin as she turned her attention deliberately back to her stew.

"Don't push your luck with too many details," Rodolphus warned.

"What's this bloke of yours like anyway," Rabastan asked. "He'd better be special. I can't have just anyone having heavy makeouts with my niece."

Lyra smiled at her uncle. "He's very nice, and he's smart and funny, and I like the way he looks at things, you know?"

Bellatrix found herself nodding. She liked the way Rod looked at things as well. The way his mind worked was hot. "Perhaps if you're good, we can have him to visit, and we'll see for ourselves," she said.

"Gee, thanks," Lyra drawled. "If you promise not to kill him."

"Probably we won't kill him," Rodolphus said, grinning at his daughter.

One of the elves came in then to clear away all the empty dishes, and another followed with a fluffy looking orange and white pumpkin cream cake for dessert. It was small and pumpkin shaped with a stem made of nuts and frosting. It stood in the center of a large crystal platter that was covered in facets that sparkled and caused the cake to appear to sparkle as well. Bellatrix watched Lyra studying the effect appreciatively. Catching her mother looking, Lyra smiled.

"I like pumpkins," she said, and Bellatrix chuckled at the incongruity of the normal moment in the midst of such an otherwise strange conversation. Strange was normal when it came to the family of Lestrange, though, and Lyra seemed to be fitting in better than she had expected.

As the elf sliced the cake and served everyone, Lyra looked on eagerly. "It's so pretty," she told him, and he bowed and smiled in appreciation before leaving the room.

"Kreacher can do better, but it will do," Kreacher said, watching the elf depart with a slight frown. "Kreacher thinks Piper could've added more nuts to the edges."

"I'm sure it's wonderful," Lyra said and Kreacher gave a slight nod, though his expression was skeptical. Bellatrix assumed he'd lost some of his precision in the kitchen when becoming a vampire made him unable to enjoy the taste or even the smell of food. Having to leave his culinary art to be carried out by those he believed to be lesser elves must gall. Then again, Kreacher believed any elf who wasn't him to be lesser.

"So you work security," Rabastan asked Lyra curiously as he lifted a forkful of pumpkin cake to his mouth. "You must have some sharp defense skills."

"I believe so," Lyra said with a slight smirk. "My aunt and uncle said they've never seen anything like it. Later when I began my formal education, my professors agreed. I couldn't really get much training in school for my specialty. There was a telepath who showed me a few things, but most of it I discovered on my own. I'm not sure if it has a technical term, but I call it Mind Ripping."

"Yours or someone else's," Bellatrix asked, smiling in amused interest.

"Oh, definitely other people's," Lyra said. "A little gives them a very unpleasant headache, and a lot makes them utterly useless forever. A telepath would see no thoughts at all anymore if they looked into the mind of someone I ripped all the way."

"How do you know that," Rabastan asked. Lyra had the unwavering attention of everyone at the table.

"Because someone broke into our house when I was sixteen. My aunt and uncle were away for the weekend, and I was looking after my sister... Cousin, hell, whatever Lillian is." She frowned in annoyance, then continued with her story. "He was climbing in through the window and had a nasty curse ready to knock me out with. I let loose, and he just stopped moving and stared into space. I called for the Aurors and told them what had happened. They brought in the telepath my school hired to try to train me, and he said the burglar had no mind left. Like he was an empty shell, but his mind looked torn. That made sense to me because it's how I think of what I do... Just reaching with my mind and will into theirs and...ripping."

"Well, that's pretty," Rabastan said. From the appreciative look on his face, Bellatrix could see that he was being entirely sincere. He smiled at Lyra, who blushed. "My niece is a total badass," he announced, and she laughed. "I'm glad you approve."

"We all do," Bellatrix said and Rodolphus nodded. "It's faster and far more efficient than what we did to the Longbottoms," Bellatrix concluded. "Probably less fun, but still...sometimes it's about being expedient, I suppose."

"Oh, it was still fun," Lyra assured with a grin. "Like that satisfying feeling you get from tearing paper."

"You're already doing the family proud with such an unusual and dangerous ability," Rodolphus said, giving Lyra a pleased smile. Lyra frowned. Somehow she didn't seem as warmed by her father's praise as she was by her uncle's.

"Am I supposed to be pleased that you approve," she asked and his expression slipped.

"Well, that would be nice," he drawled.

"What you don't understand is that forcing me to be here isn't going to make me want to be," she told him.

He grinned. "I have confidence in your ability to adjust."

Lyra glared, and Bellatrix sighed, giving her daughter a pleading look and suddenly feeling tired. "Please, Lyra. We didn't want to leave you. We did it for your own protection. I don't know how to make you understand that if you insist on not caring."

Lyra shook her head in disbelief. "But you still did! You left me and... Do you know how heartbroken I was?

I had nightmares for years after! Until I was seven or eight, I would wake up crying as though my world had just shattered, and I didn't know why!"

"But leaving us now won't fix that," Rabastan told her gently. Bellatrix felt her heart twisting in hurt and frustration as she looked into her daughter's beautiful and unrelenting face.

"Were you even there when I was a baby," Lyra asked Rabastan.

He nodded and grinned. "Yeah...I looked after you some, but your parents wanted you most of the time so I didn't get much of a chance. They knew we would have to leave, and they wanted all the time with you they could have."

"I can only say that parents are a precious treasure," Regulus said. "As children are as well. I had parents that loved me very much, and now both of them are dead. I miss them every day, and even now, on those particularly difficult days, I find myself wishing they were still here to look after things." He gave Lyra a sad smile. "You were blessed with two sets of parents. I think that makes you a very lucky, loved, and protected young woman, and you should allow yourself to enjoy that."

At least Lyra was polite enough not to lash out at Regulus. Instead she asked, "Did Voldemort get to your parents?"

Regulus nodded. "Yes. My father most definitely, and probably my mother as well, but since she died after Voldemort's first death, I can't be certain. Her death was unexplained, though, and it doesn't add up."

"I am sorry for your loss," Lyra said, giving him a look of genuine sympathy, and he smiled.

"Thank you."

"Where do you live," Lyra asked, turning back to her own parents.

"It's called Raven's Nest. It is one of the old Lestrange family properties, and my father gifted it to me when Bellatrix and I were about to be married," Rodolphus answered. "We have fifteen extra bedrooms, so you will have plenty to choose from."

Chapter 29: In The Mind Of A Lestrange

Chapter 29: In the Mind of a Lestrange

The Lestranges went directly home after dinner, promising to see Kreacher and Regulus again soon. They always visited frequently enough, but it felt all the more important to keep close now that HE was back...sort of. When they arrived at Raven's Nest, Lyra was quiet as they showed her around her family home. When they got to the second floor, Rod smiled. "Here is the part where you pick your bedchamber from any of these guest rooms. If you wish to redecorate, we'll have Harold, our house elf, take care of whatever you'd like done."

"Why bother? I am a guest so any guest room will do," Lyra said coolly. "I will only be staying a few weeks, after all."

Rodolphus stopped in mid step to turn and arch a brow at his daughter over one shoulder. "You don't strike me as the thick sort. You're a daughter of ours, after all. So why we need to have this conversation for the second time in less than an hour is beyond me. You aren't going anywhere."

"And as I told you less than an hour ago, I have a life and a job back in Australia," Lyra shot back, dark eyes flaring with sudden anger. "You're bloody mad if you think I'm just going to allow you to tell me what to do and control my life! I am twenty-three bloody years old. So sorry you didn't get to raise me, but I'm all grown up."

"That's interesting, because you're acting rather childish right now," Rodolphus shot back calmly.

"As for your ridiculous job," Bellatrix chimed in, giving her daughter a cold glare. "You have no need for a menial career. Working security? You are a Lestrange!"

At that, Lyra was happy to turn her rage-filled glare on her mother. "As it happens, I enjoy working with my man. It isn't about the need for money or a career! And considering you made a career out of being a bloody prisoner of Azkaban, I can't believe you're talking about the choices I've made. I'm sorry all of them were legal," she concluded, voice dripping with venomous sarcasm.

Bellatrix's hand twitched, where it hung at her side. It itched to slap her daughter until the girl's head spun, but a tiny...very tiny voice inside claimed that this wasn't the way to form a functional mother-daughter relationship. "Please let it be noted that I am struggling against every instinct to slap you silly," she announced.

"Oh wow, that really makes you seem stable," Lyra shot back, hostility radiating off her in waves.

"Hey, it really does," Rabastan defended lightly, his grin attempting, and even succeeding a bit, to break the tension of the moment. "Our Bella is never one to restrain herself from acts of violence when the urge comes upon her."

Lyra smiled at her uncle, but the expression faded quickly as her gaze returned to her parents. "See? That's psycho. It doesn't make me particularly proud to be your daughter."

"I really thought they would raise her well," Rodolphus said, giving Bellatrix a glance that was half frustrated, half apologetic.

This only served to make Lyra angrier. "They did raise me well," she practically shouted. "They gave me a happy childhood, and no thanks to you!"

Was she ever going to stop pushing it into their faces that they'd had to leave her? "Please, Lyra," Bellatrix said, anger suddenly draining away to leave her feeling cold and small inside.

"What?" Lyra demanded. As her eyes met Bellatrix's, they shared a look of honest frustration.

"Just let us get to know you... We need this time with you, and even if you don't understand that yet, you need it with us as well," Bellatrix said. Stepping forward impulsively, she reached to embrace Lyra. The girl stood stiffly as Bellatrix clung to her tightly for several seconds. When this grew too awkward, Bellatrix released her and stepped away.

"What do you want," Lyra asked in frustration.

"We want you to get to know us before you make any decisions. We want more time than a few weeks," Bellatrix said.

"But no matter what you decide, we aren't allowing you to go back to Australia," Rabastan told her. When Lyra glared he grinned. "Who will be my wing woman if you leave? You've got to consider my feelings in this too, you know."

"You're ridiculous," Lyra told him with a laugh.

"Yeah, but I'm awesome," Rabastan retorted.

"Fine," Lyra said with a sigh. "How do you suggest I get to know you?"

"There is so much you missed, and that you don't...probably can't understand," Bellatrix said. "Perhaps if we showed you some things in a Pensieve, you would understand a little more."

"I'll just go get it from the attic while Lyra chooses her bed chamber," Rabastan said. Bellatrix nodded and he Apparated away with a crack. Lyra took her time peering into each room before opting for the one decorated all in purple and black.

"We can go clothes shopping tomorrow if you like," Bellatrix told her daughter with a forced smile. "I am sure you will need more than you brought with you. If you like we can invite your Aunt Narcissa along as well so you can get to know her."

Bellatrix didn't miss the look of sympathy that Rodolphus sent her way. He knew she wasn't at all into girlie girl things like excessive clothes shopping. She enjoyed being fashionable, but didn't take hours over it as so many other women did. She had better things to do with her time and attention.

"Alright," Lyra said tentatively. "Thanks. I don't really have a lot of warm clothes, actually."

"We'll go after work," Bellatrix said. "I'll write Cissa in the morning, if not later tonight. I want you to come along with us to the Ministry tomorrow. Grindelwald may be interested in your Mind Ripping ability."

"Oh yeah," Lyra said. "He's the son of THAT Grindelwald, right? What's he like?"

Bellatrix frowned thoughtfully. "Well...he's human, which I suppose is good." Lyra gave her a strange look and she continued. "To clarify, what I mean is thanks to the Dark Lord, I have come to appreciate a great and powerful Dark wizard being human...real...approachable, and not someone we consider god-like."

Rodolphus nodded, slipping an arm around Bellatrix. "She's right," he told Lyra. "No man should appear to be a god. It is a definite mark of severe instability and not of the good sort."

Rabastan Apparated back, Pensieve in hand. "Library," he asked his brother, and Rodolphus nodded.

Lyra studied the Pensieve her uncle held with interest as Bellatrix and Rodolphus led the way to the library. There was a large table in the middle of the room where they could all sit. That way everyone can look into the Pensieve and travel memory lane together.

"Where should we start," Bellatrix asked as everyone settled into chairs around the circular oak table. "I think showing Lyra Uncle Orion's murder is a bit...graphic, but I do want her to understand what we were up against. Perhaps something like that, but not exactly."

"I can watch a murder, I am no longer two," Lyra huffed. "I'd rather not, though."

"How about how it was with the Dark Lord in the end when he was unkind even to his favorites?" Rodolphus suggested.

"Yeah, I was just really uncomfortable back then," Rabastan said, and Rodolphus nodded. "Bellatrix was always more...reactive, so hers would probably be more illustrative."

"Fine," Bellatrix said, and closing her eyes, she focused her memories on the summer of nineteen ninety-eight. Drawing her wand from the right sleeve of her dress, she began extracting memories from her head and placing them carefully into the Pensieve.

The first memory showed Bellatrix, Rodolphus, and Rabastan readying to depart Australia. They all hugged baby Lyra in turn, Rabastan and Rodolphus tickling and playing with the baby as they told her farewell. A happy natured baby, Lyra giggled and clapped, enjoying the attention. Bellatrix was last to hold her and when she put her down, the child must have sensed something for she began to cry. Reaching out her arms for Bellatrix and Rodolphus, she wailed in a way that affected everyone. Rabastan looked miserable, Rodolphus scowled to keep his lip from trembling, and Bellatrix snatched the child up again, holding her close as tears sprang to her eyes.

Standing in the background, Rodolphus's cousins, Agrona and Jehan Lestrange, looked uncomfortable and sympathetic.

"Do you see how difficult it was to leave you," Bellatrix asked and Lyra scowled.

"I see how heartbroken I was when you did. I don't remember that, though. You seem to expect me to feel all loving now, but I don't remember that! I don't remember loving you so much I could feel that something was up, and that something was going to take you away from me."

Bellatrix sighed and shook her head then moved to the next memory, a meeting of Death Eaters.

"Wait, where is this," Lyra asked. "I like the decor."

"That's Malfoy Manor, where your Aunt Narcissa lives with a dull prick named Lucius to whom she is married," Rodolphus answered. "Your mum and I call him Lucy...because...well, you'll see when you meet him if this memory isn't telling enough." He smirked.

Together they watched the meeting unfold. Bellatrix was nearly bored until the Dark Lord turned his attention onto her family. He was obviously displeased with the Malfoys, but her own reaction...she'd forgotten a lot of that. The Dark Lord's displeasure actually made her CRY! She could remember the horrible feeling of abject misery that squeezed at her insides whenever she thought he was displeased. At the time she'd believed it was a normal reaction. One was at terrible fault to displease one's god, after all. However, with her memories now intact, she understood and saw it all for what it was!

What everyone else saw as an insane reaction was her mind attempting to follow the compulsion that Voldemort had laid on it to worship and adore him no matter what. When he appeared displeased this was even more distressing because it meant that she was not following this order, and thus she was at great fault. Nearly like a bloody house elf, she thought with a shudder! The feeling of adoration was so vast that it could also bring her to tears with the sheer intensity of it. The sheer abnormal intensity, but, of course, none of the motherfuckers gathered at those meetings ever noticed or cared that something was a bit too off with the dear old Lestranges!

When the two feelings combined, misery at his displeasure and extreme adoration, it made her feel as if her skull would explode. That never mattered, though. At those times, he was the only thing that mattered... He was the world, the sun, the storm that could sweep them away. In the memory, it broke her heart when the Dark Lord indicated that no one wanted him at Malfoy Manor. How could he think that? Seeing her own over the top reaction made her cringe now, because she understood exactly why she was moved to bloody tears. She was moved to tears because of how hard he'd compelled them to worship him!

Bellatrix was a badass bitch who liked it rough, who loved to torture and kill and party, and she wasn't the sort of girl who cried! Of course, that was taking into account who she was before he'd twisted all three of their minds. In the Pensieve, the Bellatrix at the meeting insisted that having the Dark Lord staying at Malfoy Manor was the highest of pleasures. Indeed, having him in the room with them, bestowing his vast amounts of wisdom was, in fact, a religious experience and, as such, the highest of pleasures, quite literally. So she was speaking nothing but the truth as tears of worshipful adoration spilled down her face.

That amount of feeling wasn't normal for anyone under any circumstance, Bellatrix thought with a shiver. She continued to stare in horror as the Dark Lord turned to her and spoke in a cold sarcastic tone that she, nonetheless, ate up gratefully as though it were candy.

"No higher pleasure? That means a great deal, Bellatrix, from you."

As the full implication of his words hit her, Bellatrix wanted to scream. Everyone else present would've simply seen the Dark Lord being sarcastically cutting to one of his top favorites who was slipping in the ranks. With her memories restored, though, Bellatrix saw it for exactly what it had been.

"That was him reminding himself that we tried to kill him, while verbally spitting in our faces," she whispered. "He was saying it right there in front of everyone, knowing that only he would understand... Basically telling us and knowing that we wouldn't remember! It meant a lot coming from me considering I was one of the six who had once tried to kill him!"

She let out a hysterical laugh. Only then did she realize that Lyra was squeezing her hand hard.

Chapter 30: Those Were The Days

Chapter 30: Those Were the Days

Rodolphus suddenly rose from his chair, nearly knocking it over. His expression was strained and his entire body was tense.

"Rod," Bellatrix said, the word half question, half demand. "Where are you going?"

"Nowhere," he replied. "I'm just standing up. I needed to stop looking at that. I needed space from...that memory, to put physical distance between me and it."

Finally he was showing some emotion about what happened to them, Bellatrix thought. She supposed looking at it gave him no choice.

"He was horrible," Lyra breathed. "So inhuman. His expressions were even cruel! If I didn't know better, I never would've believed he was sitting among loyal followers. He didn't give that impression in the least."

She still held Bellatrix's hand as she spoke, and Bellatrix clung back, glad of any affection or support from her daughter, even if it was inspired by the horrors of their former Dark Lord.

"Yeah, he seemed to be slipping for sure, and we were all frightened and confused most of the time," Rabastan said.

Taking a deep breath, Lyra returned her gaze to the Pensieve, and Bellatrix forced herself to do so as well. She watched as the Dark Lord insulted her family because of the stupid Tonks girl. She watched herself cry and cringe, recalling the acute shame and humiliation she'd felt over that. More than that, though, she'd felt entirely worthless because she belonged to the family that so displeased the Dark Lord. It undermined all of her accomplishments and everything she'd done for him. It must, else why would he be so disgusted and unkind?

Everyone except for Rod watched as Bellatrix's tears switched from those of shame to those of gratitude when the Dark Lord ever so kindly allowed her to wipe the blemish from her family tree. She was so elated and grateful! She could've kissed his boots and, in fact, very much wanted to do so in order to fittingly display her gratitude. She knew he was volatile, though, and did not wish to do anything he may consider unnecessary. Recalling those memories made her shudder in horror and disgust. "It's horrid recalling those feelings while now understanding why they were so all-consuming," she murmured, huddling in on herself in the chair.

"I...umm...I now know you did what you did to keep me from him, and...just...thank you," Lyra said, voice shaking slightly. "I'm sorry he messed with your heads like that. I can see it in everything you do in these memories. Knowing what I do now, it's so obvious."

"Thanks," Rodolphus said tightly, but the smile he gave his daughter was genuine. Lyra nodded and extended her free hand to him. "Come and sit with us again. Let's look at a better memory. I want to see you all when you were younger."

Rodolphus nodded and resumed his seat as Bellatrix returned her memories to her head. She was glad those were over, though re-examining them had been...enlightening. Rodolphus extracted some of his own memories and placed them into the Pensieve. Curious what he considered worthy to show Lyra, Bellatrix leaned forward eagerly to see.

In the memory, Rodolphus and Bellatrix were ten and Rabastan was five. The families had gotten together for some sort of summer solstice party at the Lestrange home. Bellatrix quickly grew bored with the other girls talking about dresses and hair styles so wandered outside to look for Rodolphus. He and Rabastan were going up into their tree house, and she asked if she could join them. Rod was such the gentleman as he carefully placed his hands onto her waist to swing her up and inside.

"You made me feel so safe and protected," she told him with a fond smile. She liked this memory. In truth it was one of her most cherished.

"Good," Rodolphus said, grinning back. "I was thinking how pretty you were, even then, but at that point I was too young to know what I wanted to do about it."

"Yes. We didn't get there until four or five years later," Bellatrix said with a chuckle.

"You were shagging at fourteen or fifteen?" Lyra squawked indignantly.

"Of course not," Bellatrix snapped. "I just thought of kissing him around that time."

Rodolphus nodded in agreement, pointing a mock finger at Lyra. "Don't be a perv brat."

Lyra giggled, and they all returned their attention to the memory in the Pensieve.

Bellatrix and Rodolphus were helping Rabastan to make a castle from building blocks. The youngest Lestrange was obviously enjoying the attention and exuberantly made the castle as extravagant as he could. When it had literally become all it could be, due to the fact they'd run out of blocks, he secretly knocked it down so they had to build it again.

"I didn't want the two of you to stop playing with me," Rabastan said with a grin. "I made it fall from behind so you wouldn't see me do it."

"That's actually sweet," Bellatrix said warmly, giving her brother-in-law a soft smile. "It's nice to be wanted, and you were a good kid really."

"Yeah, you were cool," Rodolphus agreed gruffly.

They moved on to his next memory then, and it nearly made Bellatrix tear up. She and Rod were sixteen and he was presenting her with the silver raven skull necklace that she still wore. He'd gotten it made just for her so that everyone at Hogwarts would see her wearing it and know she was his... That she would someday be a member of the Lestrange family.

Watching as Rod pulled her close and kissed her hard in the memory stirred Bella's blood, and she smiled. "You made me feel safe, but you also made me feel wild and primitive in a way nothing else ever could. None of that has ever changed," she told him, hearing her own voice come out breathily.

"That's good," he replied with a smile.

"Eww," Lyra complained. "You're my parents. I don't need to hear you talk like that."

"Why not?" Bellatrix snarked, grinning at her daughter. "You're of age."

Lyra shuddered. "Maybe I'm not," she decided. "Maybe I can never be old enough for that."

"What's next," Rabastan asked.

"I know," Lyra said, turning to Bellatrix and Rodolphus. "I want to see a memory of when the two of you first...knew. You know, that the other was the one. As long as it isn't nasty."

"I've got it," Bellatrix said happily. "I remember precisely when I decided your father was the hottest thing ever, and the only one for me." She extracted the memory as Rodolphus replaced his own. Placing it into the Pensieve, she leaned forward, as eager as Lyra to see it.

They were fourteen, and Rodolphus was beating the fuck out of some Hufflepuff near the lake, one autumn day at Hogwarts. Bellatrix watched on in mild interest as the Hufflepuff got smashed by Rod's fists. The best part was when Rodolphus stopped pummeling the kid and studied him, staring into his face as though searching for something before punching him hard one final time and turning away.

Obviously he'd been looking for something in the kid's face to indicate if he'd had enough yet, and Rod was unsatisfied with what he saw, so he hit him again. Bellatrix watched herself looking up into his face and telling him how brilliant that had been. She smiled to see the way her teenage eyes heated, her lips slightly parted. Rodolphus looked surprised for an instant, then grinned, shyly slipping an arm around her waist as they strolled away together.

"Aw," Lyra said. "That's almost sweet if it weren't so twisted!"

"That's what made it all the sweeter," Bellatrix said.

Rodolphus nodded. "Quite right," he agreed.

"Want to show her our tormenting the Longbottoms now," Rabastan asked eagerly.

"Why do I want to see you hurting people," Lyra asked.

"Because it was awesome," Rabastan enthused. "Bella! Rod! 'Member how we took turns seeing who could hit them with a harder Crucio? And when we got bored with that we made them harmonize their screams! Remember that?" Rabastan cackled with glee, rocking back and forth in his chair as he rubbed his hands together.

Bellatrix chuckled. "Yes. I recall that fondly. We told them if they harmonized well, we would stop... Then after we made them hit various different notes, we told them we'd lied!"

Rod grinned. "Yeah, that was rather brilliant of us! Those were the days!"

"Weren't you under his compulsion when you did that, though," Lyra asked. "Considering that, why doesn't the memory bother you?"

Bellatrix shrugged. "We could've done that particular bit anyway. They were blood traitors and needed to suffer. It was fun and it was us exercising our creativity."

Rabastan snickered appreciatively as Rodolphus nodded. "Damn right."

Chapter 31: Taking Shots

Chapter 31: Taking Shots

"You were all so cute as little kids! What happened," Lyra asked.

"I am still extremely cute, thank you very much," Rabastan huffed, but his wide grin said that he was amused.

"I think I'm still cute," Rod said seriously. "And your mum is very, very cute, especially with a wand in her hand and a Killing Curse on her lips."

Lyra scoffed. "You know what I mean... What happened? What made you all become so hardened? Why do you like torturing people?" Before anyone could reply, Lyra held up a slender hand. "Wait...I have an idea! Let's play a drinking game. One person asks questions, and the others take a shot. So we go around and everyone gets equally drunk in the end! It's a fun way to get to know one another, and I need to know you lot and you need to know me. I'd honestly rather do this than watch your fond memories of torture, if it's all the same."

"She doesn't like torture," Rodolphus muttered in glum disapproval. "This right here is what comes of not being able to raise one's own child, Bella."

"I don't mind torture if the person did something personally to me," Lyra said, then shrugged. "I mean, I guess I don't mind, I've never exactly done that before, the Mind Ripping aside."

"Bella said 'no drinking' 'cause Delphini and being off our guard," Rabastan said, tone openly resentful.

"Well, we can make an exception for just one night, can't we," Lyra asked, looking expectantly to Bellatrix. "After all, if you want me staying here, you need to give a little."

Bellatrix sighed. "We do have a bodyguard and a ton of wards on the manor so I suppose, but just this one night."

"This is the complete wild child of the Black family, and now she's being all fucking responsible," Rabastan complained. "That right there is scaring the shit out of me more than anything else." Even as he made this complaint, Rabastan was already heaving himself up from his chair to go and fetch a bottle of whiskey and some shot glasses.

"You aren't going to allow the poor spider to drink? That's mean," Lyra said disapprovingly.

"Do you want to drink," Rodolphus asked curiously, turning toward Rhadamanthus who silently crouched in the doorway.

"Though I admit I am curious, it probably would not be professional under the circumstances," the Acromantula rasped back. "Besides...you probably don't have enough whiskey."

Rodolphus chuckled. "Point taken. But as soon as we're able, we'll get a case and get you drunk with us," he promised. "I, for one, would love to see you drunk!"

Bellatrix nodded. "As long as we drink at home, I think we could take the bitch drunk if she came to fight. I have never been too drunk to cast a Killing Curse or stab something, after all."

"I'm sure I could Mind Rip drunk," Lyra said with a grin as Rabastan came back into the library.

Once everything was arranged on the table with the bottle in the center and a shot glass in front of each of them Lyra nodded in satisfaction. "Okay, I ask the question, all three of you pour shots and drink, then answer. Then you can ask me a question, and I'll answer and drink."

Bellatrix felt a thrill of excitement at the idea of getting to know her daughter, and she did enjoy the way they were going about it. It seemed Lyra had fire in her blood after all. Rod poured their shots, and Bellatrix tossed hers back before forming her reply to Lyra's question concerning what had hardened them. "Nothing happened to us. I always had a temper, and I always found the Mudbloods and their sympathizers a frank embarrassment to the wizarding world, not to mention the reason for most, if not all, of the problems throughout history. Give Muggles and Mudbloods a goddamn drop, and they take the entire ocean!"

"Damned right," Rodolphus said. "And they need to see who's in charge, proper pureblood families with the correct values to form society into something strong, rather than weak and fearful."

Rabastan nodded. "Yeah, they just make everything suck if you don't keep them in line. Weak shit like what the Mudbloods and their little pure and half-blood sympathizer friends do is why we are cowering in the shadows because of Muggles today!" He pointed at Lyra. "Now it's time for you to answer something for Uncle Rabastan."

"Okay," Lyra said a little nervously. Her expression was eager as she eyed the bottle then poured herself a shot.

"Is this man of yours a Mudblood or a blood traitor?" Rabastan demanded suspiciously, and Lyra laughed, shaking her head and downing her shot.

"No way! Aunt Agrona and Uncle Jehan would've never gone for that, don't worry! They didn't go soft while you were in prison just because they gave me a good life."

"Good to know," Rodolphus said. "On that note, I'm having another shot!"

"Hey! You can't do that," Lyra objected. "It's breaking the rules."

Rodolphus grinned at his daughter. "Fuck the rules. That's one of the Lestrange family mottos, though not precisely with that exact phrasing."

"I suppose that's convenient," Lyra said, grinning in spite of herself. "It's your turn to drink anyway while I ask a question." As they poured she drew in a deep breath as if steeling herself. Bellatrix wasn't worried, though, because there was nothing she could think of that she'd mind telling her child. "Do you love me? Or is it just that you want me here because I'm yours, and I should be here?"

"Of course we love you," Rodolphus said. "Don't be ridiculous. You're our baby girl."

"For sure," Rabastan said, tossing back his shot.

For her part, Bellatrix was struggling against tears. "Lyra...I carried you and had you and protected you from HIM. You are our baby, and we loved you always. The first time I looked into your tiny one second old screaming face I connected with you, and it tore me apart to leave you."

"Yeah, probably didn't help her sanity, or Rod's either... We're all quite fragile, you know," Rabastan told Lyra, pointing a mock chiding finger though something serious did flicker in his eyes. Bellatrix sighed. Rabastan always behaved as though she was fragile, and that annoyed her because obviously she was not. She was Bellatrix Fucking Lestrange, after all.

"Our turn," she said, gesturing to Lyra's shot glass. "Pour up." As she spoke, she plundered her mind for a question to ask her daughter. As it turned out, one was right there waiting on the surface. "Are you still angry with us for leaving you?"

Lyra downed her shot and shook her head. "I guess not. Granted it is complicating everything and screwing up my life, but after getting a glimpse of Voldemort I get it." She shuddered. "Which leads to my next question… Why the fuck did you even follow that monster?" Her last words came out a bit slurred, indicating that she didn't drink very much. Bellatrix was barely feeling it herself.

She poured and tossed back her shot as did Rodolphus and Rabastan. It was Rod who answered Lyra's question first while Bella and Rabastan were still collecting their thoughts. "That's simple. He promised us power and glory with his very agenda. He promised us everything we ever wanted for the wizarding world, and if you were good enough to follow him, you got to be a big part of making that change. In short, he offered us everything we ever wanted…excitement, thrills, glory, power, and lots of fun."

"Fun," Lyra asked, arching a skeptical brow. "How so?"

"Well, we got to kill Muggles, burn their houses down, give them what they deserved. Plus, the questioning blood traitors and Mudbloods for information. That was good too because it obviously involved lots of torture."

"Yeah, we really got to sharpen our skills," Rabastan said fondly. "That was good, and I agree with everything Rod said, but I did it mostly because Rod and Bella did, and I didn't want to be left out."

Lyra choked on her shot. Following her father's earlier example, she'd decided to cheat and take one early. "You did all that just because my parents did?"

Rabastan shrugged. "Pretty much."

"Wow," Lyra said, shaking her head in bemusement before turning her eyes to Bellatrix who still hadn't spoken. "What about you?"

"I had the same reasons as your father," Bellatrix said slowly. "And once we were in his service, he had a way of treating us in the beginning that made us like and trust him. We really wanted to please him which meant we'd risk most things, including imprisonment, to carry out his wishes.

"In part, he made us feel that we were above the law, and pleasing him felt so good, almost like a high, that it was nearly a need. Of course it got far worse after he twisted our minds. Then it literally became an obsession, but I am speaking of the earlier days. He looked entirely human then, you know. Like a trustworthy father that was going to take us by the hand and lead us down the path of glory and power in the light of his wisdom."

Even as she spoke, Bellatrix cringed a little inside because the shadow of former adoration was still in her words. She knew the act of remembering to properly answer Lyra's question had brought it up, but it was disconcerting nonetheless. Reaching for the bottle she poured another shot, then refilled Rod's glass without having to be asked.

"That's my girl," he said with a grin, and she grinned wickedly back. "Always."

Chapter 32: We're Survivors that keep on surviving!

Chapter 32: We're Survivors Who Keep on Surviving!

Everyone was quite drunk and the hour was very late by the time they all headed up to bed. Bellatrix kissed Lyra's cheek as she passed her in the upstairs hall. "Goodnight," she said, and Lyra smiled.

"Good night, Mum."

The unexpected words caused Bella's breath to catch in her throat. Lyra had yet to refer to her parents by anything other than 'you' when addressing them until that moment.

Rod paused with a hand on their bedroom door and turned back to Lyra. "Night, brat," he said with a grin, and Lyra gave a little wave as she turned down the hall to her own room.

"Night, crazy Dad."

"Well that's progress," Rodolphus said cheerfully as Bellatrix entered their bedroom behind him and closed the door.

"It would appear so," she agreed, a small smile tugging at the corners of her mouth. "We'll just have to see how she treats us when she's sober tomorrow."

"True," Rod agreed as Bellatrix crossed the room toward the bed where he sat, tugging off his pants.

"Seeing that memory where he said that to me was...so surreal. It was coming from such a different perspective." Bellatrix knew there was no need for her to clarify which memory she was referring to. Even then she, Rod, and Rabastan had been confused. Their lord was angry with the Malfoys, sure, but the three of them were always his most loyal and steadfast. Including them in his disapproval had stung and perplexed them.

"Now that we remember everything, having that knowledge, knowing what he was really saying to me..." She shuddered. "It's so horrifying! I wish this would all stop feeling so dreadful," she confessed.

Now that they were no longer distracted by their drinking game, the revolting horror was creeping up on her mind again and gripping it in a vice. The Dark Lord's cold sarcastic words echoed over and over in her mind. "That means a great deal, Bellatrix, from you." What he was really saying was so evident now, even in his sarcastic tones. He was really saying, "I remember, Bellatrix, you were one of those who attempted to kill me once, and I richly enjoy making you pay for that."

He kept them alive as a reminder to himself, but he obviously relished the fact that he had made them his puppets. A horrifying and never-ending punishment. An eternal silent scream!

"I wish you would stop," Rodolphus said. His harsh tone was almost like a slap, and Bellatrix blinked at him in shock.

"What?"

"You heard me, Bella! I wish you would stop. He's gone, and we survived. It's no longer him doing this to us. It's you with your refusal to just drop it. If we don't let it go it will break us, Bella. Why can't you when we've come this far?" Rodolphus demanded. "I truly do not understand!"

Bellatrix shook her head, struggling to understand how Rod thought this was her causing the problem. "But he isn't dead. He's in her."

"A tiny twisted fraction of him is in her, and eventually, with Grindelwald leading us to victory, we'll kill that too," Rod said firmly. The confidence in his voice made Bellatrix smile, though the cold feeling in her stomach, at what she perceived as him unfairly blaming her for being justifiably upset, persisted.

"Do you truly believe he can die, though," she asked darkly, wanting to hope and not sure that she could. "He hasn't thus far, after all."

"He has," Rod disagreed. "Just a little at a time. Now there is only very little left, so this third time should be a charm."

Bellatrix remained silent while Rodolphus continued to undress for bed. She hoped he was right, wanted him to be right, and hated that she still feared that he was somehow wrong. "What if he somehow gets at us again," she asked, voice coming out smaller than she liked through a throat constricted by fear and anxiety. "How does it not get to you, Rod?" she demanded.

Even as she asked the question, Bellatrix recalled him abruptly rising from the table after they'd all viewed that memory tonight. He had been rattled, yes, and yet he could just shake it off where she obviously could not.

"It gets to me and you know it," Rodolphus snapped. "I just can't allow it to sweep me away. I won't give him that, and you'd better not either."

"I don't know if I know how not to when it grips me," Bellatrix admitted numbly.

"It's simple," Rodolphus said, rising from the bed. "Let. It. Go!" He reached out and drew her hard against him, roughly covering her mouth with his in a way that caused her to groan against his lips with need. The kiss deepened, and her slender body arched against his far larger one. As his touch always did, it made unpleasant memories retreat. Nothing mattered but the feel of their bodies together.

With a growl, he tore her dress down the front, exposing her breasts then lowering his face to them, covering them with nips and kisses.

"Oh Rod, yes," she breathed, head thrown back as her body basked in his touches. The feel of his warm mouth and sharp teeth combined with the nearly rough grip of his hands had her so close already. Hurriedly, she relieved herself of the rest of her clothes and sighed in contentment as he pushed her back on the bed and loomed over her.

When he thrust inside, Bellatrix's body arched up to meet his. "Let. Go," he demanded. Grasping both of her wrists in one hand, Rodolphus stretched them above her head, holding them there as he drove into her again, and again. Gasping in pleasure she bit hard at his lower lip. His eyes glazed with primal lust, and he picked up the pace, drawing nearly tortured sounds of ecstasy from them both.

Twisting one hand from his grip, Bellatrix raked her nails down his back, drawing blood.

"Gods, yes," Rodolphus encouraged. "More!"

She swept her hand across his back again, crying out in pleasure as he thrust into her hard enough to cause the headboard of the bed to slam into the wall. "Alright," she gasped. "I'll let it go." She didn't know exactly how, but she would because he was right, and she knew it.

"Good," he growled, and the world exploded. Bellatrix's scream of pleasure thundered through her own ears as she clung to Rodolphus, riding out the waves.

They slept deeply and woke to the sound of an insistent tapping on their bedroom door. Bellatrix's eyes fluttered open only to discover that the light was far too bright and slammed themselves closed again. She didn't quite have a hangover, but she was perilously close. Her eyes threatened to bring on a headache if she made them look at any more god damned light for several more hours. More sleep...that was it… they needed more sleep.

"Yeah, what is it," Rodolphus asked groggily.

"Aurors are downstairs to check on you. They were worried when you didn't show for work." The voice was a near growl, belonging, without a doubt, to Rodolphus's spider. Bellatrix sighed, then her lips twitched up into a small smile.

"Normally, if Aurors were at our door, it would mean we had a fight on our hands," she muttered drily. "Having them basically on our side is going to take a lot of bloody getting used to."

"For real," Rodolphus drawled his agreement. "Tell them we'll be into the Ministry in an hour," he called to the spider. There was no reply, so Bellatrix took that to mean the spider had gone off to deliver the message.

The last thing she wanted to do was be in to the Ministry in an hour, but she knew Rod was right to be responsible. Kereston would bitch that they couldn't afford to take drunk days while Delphini was quite likely staying sober and busy, after all.

Chapter 33: Dueling like Grindelwald!

Chapter 33: Dueling like Grindelwald!

Bellatrix and Rodolphus managed to get dressed and stagger downstairs where Lyra was already at the breakfast table slumped miserably over a cup of coffee, clutching her head.

"This is your fault," Bellatrix growled at her daughter as she took a seat across from her. "Thanks to you and your uncle we're going to have a bloody miserable day!" She glared around, noticing that said Uncle was not yet present. "If Rabastan isn't down here in five minutes I am going up stairs to Crucio him awake," Bellatrix promised. "We all have to go into the bloody Ministry today, and that's about the last thing I want to do. Whatever they'll have us doing will involve a lot of complex magic, I'm sure, and right now I can barely cast a curse."

"Sorry," Lyra said. "That is probably going to suck for you."

"Oh, no…for all of us," Bellatrix promised, smiling triumphantly at her daughter. "You are coming with us. I want Grindelwald to meet you. He will be interested in your mental abilities."

"Sounds great," Lyra said in a falsely cheerful tone. The smile she gave her mother was strained as she clutched her cup of coffee. "I won't be so impressive when I'm not feeling well, though, so tomorrow would be better."

Bellatrix smirked. "I agree, but we have to go in today. Therefore, you get to go in too, because it's your fault we feel rubbish right now! If you recall, I was against getting wrecked."

"You were just worried about Delphini! You weren't thinking about work, so you're being unfair."

"Ask me if I care," Bellatrix dared. Rabastan came stumbling in then, and Lyra turned to him. "Yea, you avoided my psycho mom waking you with a Crucio," she said, and Rabastan shuddered.

"She's in one of those moods then?" he muttered, slumping into a chair.

"Bloody right I am, because it's your fault and Lyra's fault that we're up having to go to work hungover. Where we will certainly be performing a lot of complex magic to deal with one catastrophe or other."

Rabastan groaned. "Aren't you a ray of fucking sunshine?"

"I'll show you sunshine," Bellatrix growled, reaching into her corset for her wand.

"Now, now, you know we don't have time to play, love," Rodolphus said, leaning to kiss Bella's cheek as he reached for the coffee pot.

After downing two eggs and a slice of toast for breakfast, along with three strong cups of coffee and a headache-away potion, Bellatrix was feeling a bit better…mostly. They got to the Ministry fifteen minutes later than Rod's promised hour, but at least they got there. They Apparated directly into Auror Headquarters. Grindelwald was in the middle of addressing the Aurors. He stood at the head of the room, gesturing with his wand for illustration as he spoke. When the Lestranges appeared, he completed his sentence, and turned to them.

"Here is a perfect example," he said grandly, pointing at the Lestranges as though they were an exhibit he wanted everyone to get a good look at. Bellatrix bit back a sigh. She knew this was going to be a hellish day!

"They are quite good at dueling. They put terror into the hearts of brave men with their very names! Not me, of course," he added, laughing blue eyes regarding them with amusement. Bellatrix stared back suspiciously, wondering what the fuck he was playing at.

Grindelwald gave her a cheeky wink before turning back to the group. "In short, they're big bad fighters, but I could take them all alone, without any effort whatsoever." He flashed a grin. "I don't expect you to be me, because let's face it...who could be?" He tossed his blonde hair, and Bellatrix rolled her eyes and sighed. It was going to be a long day indeed.

Grindelwald paused for a moment. In that brief silence, the laughter left his face, and he regarded the group of Aurors with an almost grim expression. "You don't have to be me, but if you wish to have the highest chance of surviving the current madness, you may want to get as close to being me as you can when it comes to combat."

"How are we supposed to do that," an Auror asked from the crowd, doubt clear in his voice.

"I thought I'd try to teach those of you who can learn a few tricks," Grindelwald said. "Before that, though, I'd like you to watch me duel these three. I want to show you what they're doing wrong so that you can understand what you should not be doing."

And now Bellatrix was offended! They may not be bloody Grindelwald, but they were good enough to make grown men shit and piss themselves, so they hardly deserved the honor of being Grindelwald's example of bad fighting!

"Don't sulk," he chided Bellatrix with a chuckle. "Just because I can beat all three of you with my wand hand tied behind my back doesn't mean you aren't better than everyone else here."

Bellatrix was mildly mollified by that admission, but the fact he wanted to wipe the floor with them to prove a point to a bunch of bloody Aurors still galled.

"Alright, then, all of you against me. Go!" Gellert called, laughing. Rodolphus and Rabastan struck first while Bellatrix watched. Grindelwald's wand swept from side to side at lightning speed, hurling spells that caused whatever Rabastan and Rodolphus attempted to slide off.

Annoyed at the fact she couldn't make out what he was doing, Bellatrix stepped forward. "Crucio," she hissed. Grindelwald hadn't mentioned limits, after all. She wasn't trying to kill him, because he was Grindelwald, and as such useful, but in her book anything else went. Rodolphus and Rabastan were jumping on the Crucio train with Bellatrix when they all three began to slide backward, seemingly pushed by a wall of air. Bellatrix gritted her teeth as she struggled to remain on her feet.

"Come on," Grindelwald taunted, a mildly frustrated scowl on his face as he glared at them. "That's all you've got? Are you sure you're the Lestranges everyone knows and fears, or did Voldemort manage to break you, after all?"

With a scream of rage, Bellatrix hurled herself forward, wand flashing as she threw the worst hexes she knew, only to be pushed back by the same wall of air. Rodolphus threw his own hexes with the same lack of results. For his part, Rabastan attempted to dismantle whatever shield Grindelwald was using to push them away, but the effort only got him pushed harder.

All their attempts failed, yet they continued to attack. "Alright," Grindelwald called. "I'm bored. Stop. Lower your wands." They did, and he smiled. "Now I want one of you at a time."

"Why?" Bellatrix demanded.

"To demonstrate another aspect of what one should not do if they hope to be nearly as good as I am," Gellert replied with a smirk.

Glaring, Bellatrix stepped forward.

"Romeo, Crackle, come and fight her with me," Gellert invited. The Head Auror and an elf stepped up to flank Grindelwald to either side, and Romeo Valdez gave Bellatrix a nod of greeting.

"We sent Aurors to check up on you in case...Delphini had attacked your place or something."

Bellatrix nodded. "Sorry about that. My daughter and stupid brother-in-law wanted to get drunk and play a getting to know one another game last night, and we didn't wake as planned."

Romeo grinned. "I suppose that's understandable...once."

"Alright, Bellatrix, you are to duel all three of us at once," Grindelwald called out. "And go!"

The elf and Head Auror were good, but Bellatrix felt she could hold her own for a bit at least. Grindelwald, on the other hand, was another matter. Apparently he had another point to prove, however, because this time, he was fighting normally rather than in his usual Grindelwald style.

"Do you know what you're doing wrong, Bellatrix," he asked after several minutes. Bellatrix frowned. She was actually beginning to enjoy herself and holding off all three of them due to Grindelwald obviously not trying very hard.

"I was having fun, and holding my own, but you've ruined it now, so go on... What am I doing so wrong," she asked, sparks flying as her hex met his blocking charm.

The four-way duel continued as he answered, no one missing a beat. "Simple," he said, giving a satisfied smirk. "You are attending to all three of us as individuals. That is more difficult. You are good, though, so you will hold your own. This method shall tire you far too fast, though. You could probably continue to handle it if two more joined me, but again you will tire soon enough. The way to avoid this is to handle everyone's attacks with one spell at a time rather than one for each of theirs. With this method you use far less magic."

"It really is far easier." The comment came from Blaise Zabini. He approached with a cup of coffee in either hand. Extending one to Gellert, he kissed the blonde on the cheek.

"Thanks," Gellert said, gaze softening briefly as his eyes met those of his partner.

"Rest for a moment," he told Bellatrix. Romeo and the elf retreated, rejoining the other Aurors.

"Blaise is the only other wizard who can match me," Gellert said, addressing the entire group once again. "I always saw his strength and potential just in the way he worked enchantments, but he was never confident that his dueling skills could come anywhere close to mine."

"I mean I was good, but as you've all seen more than once, there is good, and then there is Gellert," Blaise said. "Then I discovered that I was going about it all the wrong way in my mind. By that, I mean, I thought I'd have to duel a ton of people individually, yet all at once... Rather like Bellatrix was just doing. I believed Gellert could hold off forty Aurors by having super speed and knowing how to transfigure spells in the air. I can work with that, to a degree, but the general concept of holding my own against more than five or so was mentally overwhelming. When he showed me a few tricks that allowed me to do one thing that held several spells at bay, it was far easier."

"Of course, none of you will be as good as he is, but if you learn half of what he could, you should survive," Gellert said with a smirk. "Today I will teach you a few simple blocks, shields, and dispersion spells that will handle several dozen attackers at once if you cast them around you in a wall shape, which I will also show you."

Chapter 34: Too Exhausted To Hex Anyone

Chapter 34: Too Exhausted To Hex Anyone

The Lestranges used the Floo to get home, too tired to Apparate safely. The day's work had been taxing to say the least. Grindelwald had trained them in dispersion walls and other interesting blocking wards, many of which when struck by magic caused the magic to explode or rebound on the caster. Such tricks certainly made one feel safer, but learning them, casting them, and at last holding them in place for prolonged periods was certainly draining!

Bellatrix stepped out of the hearth in the library and gratefully collapsed into the nearest chair.

"Do you think Grindelwald gets tired too, or is he just like a bloody magical battery," Lyra asked, stumbling a little in her exhaustion as she left the fireplace, dusting soot from her orange skirt.

Bellatrix opened her mouth to ask her daughter why she felt the need to dress like a fucking pumpkin but shut it again, too tired even to be properly bitchy.

"He isn't a man," Rabastan said dramatically. "He's pure magic made flesh, or perhaps a Lethifold!" Lyra giggled. "Want a drink," Rabastan asked, glancing around the room to include everyone in the offer.

"No, and neither do you," Bellatrix snapped. "You have to wake up and go into Azkaban tomorrow, if you recall."

That had been the order from Romeo Valdez for tomorrow's activities. They were to play with the prisoners and make sure none would defect to Delphini, if ever given the opportunity. Though the prison had wards upon wards, one could never be too safe. Romeo had asked the Lestranges if they believed they could make the prisoners too terrified to follow Delphini even if given the opportunity. Of course they could!

For once, Bellatrix was excited about the prospect of going into Azkaban. For the Lestrange family, torture had become an art, a beautiful painting of pain to work on the mind and body of each victim. My, how she had missed being creative! Working Shadow Ops hadn't provided much opportunity for torture. It was all about killing, and that was all well and good, but the art involved in that was so short lived. Of course, when one needed a quick release of anger, or to make a lovely point, killing was perfect, but if one wanted a prolonged activity...

"I am not going to work with you tomorrow," Lyra said firmly. Bellatrix sighed, too tired to fight. The Rodolphus-like firm set of Lyra's chin said she would make it an issue if anyone tried, and Bellatrix didn't care enough at present. Her daughter did need to learn the joys and benefits of torture, but if tomorrow wasn't to be that day, so be it.

"What will you do while we're at work, then," Rodolphus asked and Lyra shrugged. "Unwinding sounds nice," she said drily.

"You sure you don't want to come in with us," Rabastan asked his niece. "You're missing a grand opportunity to learn how to make sure a person will always do exactly what you want without the involvement of an Imperius Curse."

Lyra's eyes widened incredulously. "So you're saying that torturing someone with Unforgivables, and worse, is preferable to hitting them with the Imperius Curse?"

Rabastan shrugged. "It's certainly more fun! But yes, I am saying that torture is better... The Imperius Curse can be lifted, but the shit we will do to them tomorrow will NEVER fade!"

"I suppose not," Lyra said with a shudder. "I am not going to that place, though! I can just imagine how foul the energy is there with all those miserable prisoners who will be made a lot more miserable tomorrow by the three of you! All that will gunk up my Aura for weeks, and I'm not interested in feeling yucky for that long."

"Gunk up your what," Rodolphus asked, blinking at Lyra as if she'd just proclaimed herself to be an alien. Bellatrix understood his sentiment well!

"My Aura," Lyra enunciated carefully. "Please tell me you learned about Auras in school," she begged.

"What the fuck was she learning in Australia," Rabastan asked with a snicker, casting a gleeful glance at Bellatrix and Rodolphus that had Bellatrix itching to draw her wand on the little shit.

"In fact, we never studied Auras," Bellatrix told Lyra with a frown. "What the hell are they, anyway?"

Lyra heaved a sigh and clutched at her head. "An Aura is the unseen spiritual energy field that surrounds all living things. I have one, you all have one, your Acromantula friend has one," she said, casting a glance at Rhadamanthus. The spider's hulking bulk took up the corner of the room nearest the door, and Bellatrix had basically forgotten he was present. As he was generally silent, it was all too easy to do so in spite of his size.

"That sounds rubbish," Rodolphus scoffed. Harold entered the room then, announcing dinner.

"Do you know what Auras are," Lyra asked him hopefully. "Please tell me elves are a bit more enlightened than wizards!"

The elf's expression could not be seen under the plague doctor mask he wore, but he gave his head a slow shake. "Harold apologizes, but he has never heard of this Aura."

"Apparently it is the unseen spiritual energy field that surrounds all living things," Rabastan drawled.

"Interesting," Harold said. He bowed slightly and left the room.

"You have a nice, strong, powerful Aura," Lyra called after the elf. "That's a true feat since you deal with them daily!"

Bellatrix rolled her eyes, following the elf from the room. "Dealing with us isn't a problem for him. Unlike you, he knows how to behave."

"So, not only do you know what these Auras are, you can apparently see them," Rabastan asked. He, Rod, and Lyra were trailing Bellatrix toward the dining room. No one was moving very quickly as they were all thoroughly exhausted..

"Oh, yes," Lyra replied, nodding. "We learned how to do that in school. I think it was my third year. Auras are very important. You can work some rather nasty magic on a person's Aura, but you can also tell a lot about a person by looking at it."

"Like what," Rodolphus asked skeptically.

Lyra gave him a sidelong glance, frowning. "Well, yours doesn't look very clean, to be honest. Mum's is worse, and Uncle Rabastan's is the best-looking, though that isn't saying much as his doesn't look great either!" Her frown deepened as they entered the dining room, and she regarded Rodolphus and Bellatrix thoughtfully, her head tilted to the side rather like a bird… A Lestrange raven, perhaps?

"Actually, that's not quite right," she said, taking a seat at the table. "It isn't that yours is better," she told Rabastan. "The damage is just…more subtle. All of you could use a good cleansing."

"Wait, you said one could do a lot of harm to a person through their…Aura," Rabastan asked, and Lyra nodded. "So we could fuck Delphini up through her Aura?"

Now Bellatrix was interested. "Probably," Lyra said. "If we can get close enough without her fucking us up first."

"This is definitely something we should share with Grindelwald," Rabastan said excitedly. "If you don't want to come with us for torture and cookies at Azkaban tomorrow, perhaps you should go to the Ministry and mention this Aura business to the Minister, or Grindelwald, or at least Valdez."

"I still can't believe you lot weren't taught anything about Auras," Lyra marveled, giving her head a baffled shake.. "But yeah, okay, sure I'll go to the Ministry and tell them whatever you want me to. I'm saying you sent me, though. So if they're not in the mood to hear me out, or something, they'll know who to bitch at."

"Sure, whatever," Rabastan said, shrugging dismissively. "So, how does one learn to see these Auras anyway? And what do they look like?"

"Well, as far as learning to see them, one must learn to open their third eye and, at least in part, see through that. It's sort of like looking sideways. As for what they look like, each Aura is like a bubble of energy that surrounds every living thing. It can be different colors, and levels of transparency, and all of that is indicative."

"Of what," Bellatrix asked around a bite of venison.

"A lot of things," Lyra said. "One's magical strength, one's health, one's state of mind... Sometimes you can even pick up psychic impressions about a person through their Aura if you have the ability to read it."

"Still sounds rubbish to me," Rodolphus complained. "Like a lot of silly hocus pocus."

"That's what Muggles say about our magic, and you, like them, are wrong," Lyra chastised.

"Do Muggles have Auras," Rabastan asked.

Lyra sighed. "Is a Muggle a living thing, Uncle?"

Rabastan grinned. "Sometimes...until we get our hooks into them. The only good Muggle is a dead Muggle, you know," he opined.

"Yes, Muggles have Auras," Lyra said with a roll of her eyes.

Chapter 35: We're The Lestranges, Bitch

Chapter 35: We're The Lestranges, Bitch

Bellatrix found herself thinking over torture strategies during breakfast the next morning. Normally, the art came naturally to all three Lestranges, but this time the goal was a bit more complex. This time, they were to terrorize with the intention of enforcing loyalty. It was extremely unlikely that Delphini would ever get to any of the prisoners, but in case she did, those prisoners needed to know that being on the insane girl's side was the absolute wrong thing to do for their own well-being. Not to mention that of their family and close friends.

"So I'm thinking we begin with a bit of torture to serve as a warning, an example, then the talk," Bellatrix said, putting down her empty cup of coffee and turning to Rabastan and Rodolphus.

Rodolphus nodded. "Sounds reasonable."

"I was actually thinking torture, then talk, then a bit more torture to cement the deal," Rabastan said enthusiastically.

Rodolphus frowned thoughtfully. "Well, only if the talk isn't received well."

Rabastan nodded. He always acquiesced to what his older brother said. That was good as it meant there was never dissent within the ranks and, therefore, things flowed smoothly.

"Would you like us to accompany you to the Ministry before we go to Azkaban," Bellatrix asked Lyra.

"I think I can manage the act of walking into a Floo all by myself and saying Ministry of Magic," Lyra replied. "It would be embarrassing if my parents and uncle had to drop me off as if I was three."

"Very well," Bellatrix said with a reluctant sigh. "If you happen to finish up there in time and change your mind about coming to Azkaban, just have one of the Aurors escort you."

Lyra shuddered. "I won't be changing my mind about visiting that horrid place! I am sure the energy of each and every prisoner there would offend my senses and pollute my Aura!"

"That sounds so bloody weird," Rabastan said with a snicker. "Damn you, random prisoner, for polluting my Aura with your energy!"

"I bet your Aura will be polluted for sure," Lyra shot back. "You just aren't attuned to it enough yet to be aware."

"Do you really think we can learn to actually notice things like that," Bellatrix asked. "As in, does anyone have the aptitude or is it specialized?"

"It was a general class at my school, so everyone has the aptitude to a degree," Lyra replied. "Some are better than others, and they go on to be more specialized, using the Aura for various forms of work from healing to psychic readings, to attacks and hexes."

"That last one sounds more like our thing," Rabastan said.

"I actually work with the Aura in all of those areas, but my abilities at healing are limited. I can mainly cleanse and balance the Aura and detect obvious illnesses."

"How psychic are you, then?" Bellatrix wondered.

"It's called reading Auras, and I can only do that if the Aura has something to say, which isn't always the case so as a psychic method it isn't particularly dependable."

"So you're more advanced in Aura attacks and hexes, then," Rabastan asked and Lyra shrugged. "It's called Auric attacks and hexes, and… Yeah, I guess so."

Rodolphus gave his daughter a pleased smile. "A true Lestrange, through and through!"

"You do know most people would consider that to be an insult, right?" Lyra muttered. In spite of her words, she did look almost pleased by her father's compliment.

"Only the sorts we'd torture anyway," Rabastan smirked. "They're just afraid of us is all, and that right there is power."

"What, is that, the 'make them fear you if they won't respect you' bit," Lyra asked drily. "Personally I prefer respect. Do you know how hard it is going to be for me to make friends or even generally interact with people here?" she suddenly demanded, glaring around at all three of them. "People dislike you for what you did! They fear you, and they don't trust you, and all of that is probably going to trickle right down onto me."

Bellatrix smiled. "You're welcome. No one will ever trifle with you because of us."

"Thanks," Lyra drawled ungratefully. "They won't like me either."

"Of course they will," Bellatrix said. "If they're worth anything at all, they will, and if not, they are utter idiots, and you don't need them anyway."

Lyra sighed. "I'll keep that in mind."

With breakfast over, they went their separate ways for the day, Lyra to the Ministry and Bellatrix, Rodolphus, and Rabastan to Azkaban. Bellatrix always hated returning to the place, to some degree, even if the Dementors were gone. The memories those walls held were complete shit. Walking free on the island, and being the jailers rather than those imprisoned, was obviously an improvement, but it still wasn't good enough for her to relish her new job in any way.

Of course all three of them enjoyed walking down each line of cells with their heads high, and the power in their hands. Sure, it was a rush, and one had to take their kicks where they could get them these days. Perhaps eventually the shit memories would fade enough not to plague them, at least a little, at the mere sight of the prison.

"So how is this going down," Rabastan asked. "Are we splitting up and taking various cell blocks, or having family fun time together?"

"Family fun time is best, I think," Rodolphus decided. "It's better for the intimidation factor if each prisoner sees all three of us at once while they are being...convinced."

"Alright, let's play!" Rabastan said, eyes dancing eagerly. Bellatrix was sure her own eyes looked much the same. Rod's were hard and cold, but that intensity was only there when he was enjoying himself. All three Lestranges were ready for the game! They stopped at the first cell, and Bellatrix smiled at the gaunt young man inside as she struggled to remember his name before realizing that it didn't matter.

"Good morning," she crooned as Rodolphus hit him with a nice hard "Crucio," that had him doubling over and puking a little as he sobbed out in pain. Bellatrix gave a dreamy sigh. That was hot!

"I always appreciate how my husband likes to get to the very heart of the matter," she murmured.

"What did I do?" the young man screamed. "I ain't done nothing! How the fuck am I supposed to do anything locked up in here?"

"Come again," Rabastan asked, flicking his wand idly to cast a body bind on the man. This would effectively rob him of the pleasure of thrashing around in his pain. Bellatrix smirked. Nice. A tried and true move of a psychological nature, but no amount of times something was applied made it less beautiful to behold.

"It isn't about what you have done," Rabastan explained. "Crucio," he added casually, then waited politely for the gaunt young man to finish screaming and soiling himself. "It is about what we do not wish for you to ever, ever do. If you do this very bad thing, we will inflict things like this, and more, on your nearest and dearest. Now isn't that something to have on your hands? Knowing that you hurt everyone who loves you...hurt them so very bad, because unlike with this little situation here, if you do the very bad thing and we get at your loved ones, we won't stop."

Bellatrix leaned forward toward the bars on the cell door, a happy smile on her face. "We may not even kill them. No, I think we'll leave them alive and richly wrathful. Then we will send them out on your trail after letting them know that you wanted them to be hurt so very much!"

"What are you talking about?" the man demanded. He was crying. Bellatrix sighed, lip curling in disgust. Weak...so weak.

"We are speaking of the potential betrayal by you of your nearest and dearest," Rodolphus explained. "Weren't you paying attention?"

"How would I do that from in here?" the young man demanded.

"Well, you probably won't," Bellatrix said almost soothingly. "But if a blonde girl named Delphini, or anyone coming in her name ever happens to offer to spirit you away if you would only serve her, very bad things will happen. You can't save everyone from us. We have too many resources," she promised.

"Why would I serve this Delphini bitch, whoever she is?" he demanded.

"Because she will probably offer you freedom and a better world or some rubbish," Rodolphus said dismissively. "But you must remember that we offer you something far better."

The man blinked. "What's that?"

Rodolphus smiled. "We offer you the knowledge that you will never play a part in ruining those you love with a great deal of pain and suffering."

"Sounds good," the man said quickly. "I'm in."

Rabastan cast a doubtful look at Rodolphus then Bellatrix. "I don't know," he drawled, drawing out each word slowly. "Do you think he really means it?"

"I swear I mean it!" the man screamed.

"Good," Bellatrix said. "Delphini is an insane Maledictus who is all for Dementor rights in her perfect world agenda."

The three visited every cell in the prison, having a similar conversation with each prisoner. They took turns taking the lead in the torture bit. This was no problem as they always played well together and knew how to share their toys. The process took the entire work day save for a break for lunch. It was a job well done, though, because by the end of the day, the Lestranges were quite certain that no one there would follow Delphini even if she offered them a golden goose to do so.

The Minister would be pleased with them. That was good, but even better was the knowledge that they were striking back at the Dark Lord in ways they never could before. What made it all the sweeter was that they were doing it in style...their style!

Chapter 36: New Magic Tricks

Chapter 36: New Magic Tricks

"It's like we've made a thing out of coming home tired," Lyra said as her parents and uncle staggered into the Lestrange library just before dinner.

"How long have you been home," Bellatrix asked as she sank down onto the sofa with an exhausted sigh.

"Not very long," Lyra said, carefully marking the spot in the book she held before closing it and setting it on the small table beside her chair.

"How did it go at the Ministry, then," Rodolphus asked, settling down beside Bellatrix and slipping an arm around her shoulders.

"I suppose I discovered that I can teach, " Lyra said with a chuckle. "I don't think I'd like doing it all the time, but I can clearly convey a concept when necessary."

Bellatrix nodded, smiling at her daughter. "You should be pleased to discover new talents and abilities. It's part of developing your arsenal and expanding your options and opportunities."

Lyra nodded. "Very true."

"Who were you instructing, and did any of them learn to see these Auras," Rabastan asked curiously.

"To my surprise, I was let in to see the Minister herself when I said I was sent by you all," Lyra said, straightening in her chair to tell her story. "As could be expected, she had never heard of Auras either. When I told her of the various ways in which one can work with them, she was interested in trying to learn as well as speaking to Grindelwald about learning. So as it happened, I taught the Minister, Grindelwald, and his man Zabini, isn't it?"

"Yeah, that's right," Rodolphus nodded. "We're so proud of you! You taught something to the Minister herself and to Grindelwald! That's something to brag on right there," he told her, and she gave a proud grin, pleased by her father's praise.

"I worked with the three of them for nearly four hours today, before Grindelwald and his man had to go work in the Department of Mysteries for the afternoon."

"What's happening with the Department of Mysteries," Bellatrix asked.

Lyra shrugged. "Grindelwald and Zabini are studying the objects there in hopes that some of them can be used as weapons against Delphini."

"That's a very good idea, actually," Rabastan said.

"Those two make enchanted objects, so if anyone can figure out more about the direct uses of the artifacts in the Department of Mysteries, it's them," Bellatrix told her daughter.

"What do they make," Lyra asked, intrigued.

"Many different things… they have their own shop where they sell what they make as well as other items of interest they either find or consign," Bellatrix said. "The shop is called Enchanted Odds. We can take you there when we have a moment if you'd like to look around."

Lyra nodded. "That would be interesting. I'd like to have something made by the actual Grindelwald." Then as if suddenly recalling some offense her parents and uncle had committed, she gave them all a piercing glare. "And why didn't you tell me he is the real Grindelwald? It isn't his son, and you know it!"

Bellatrix shrugged. "He's telling people that he is his own son in order to avoid a ton of legal entanglements from several countries. His secret was not ours to tell, and we knew he would let you know who he truly was if he felt like it or found it necessary."

Lyra sighed, nodding grudgingly. "The less most know the better," she agreed. "If any of those other countries try to take him in and imprison him once again we won't have him to help fight against Delphini."

Rabastan nodded. "Yeah... I don't believe they could actually capture him, but if he had to suddenly haul ass that wouldn't help us against Delphini one bit."

"They should've left Grindelwald alone back in the bloody forties," Rodolphus said. "He could've made the world a far better place, and the Dark Lord probably would never have risen to power. We could've worked in the Grindelwald regime."

"Ah, the glory," Rabastan agreed wistfully.

"And his followers just wore pendants of his symbol rather than being branded like bloody cattle with Dark Marks," Bellatrix said. As if of its own accord, her right hand went to touch her left forearm where the Dark Lord's mark still rested.

"So did you see that he was the real Grindelwald in his Aura or what," Rabastan asked and Lyra shook her head.

"He was concerned that I could, though, because if I could, so could others," she replied. "So he asked me to look, and then he told me why later because he wanted to make sure no one could see that truth in his Aura."

"Could anyone else, even if you could not?" Bellatrix wondered, and Lyra shook her head.

"I don't think so. A really good psychic may know, but that wouldn't have anything to do with the Aura. He looks the age that the youthening potion made him, even in his Aura, so there is no trace of his true identity there."

Bellatrix nodded, feeling relieved that this Aura thing didn't show and tell too much about a person. That wouldn't be good at all. It wasn't that she had any particular secrets, but the idea of one's own energy field broadcasting their personal business was disconcerting.

"If you only taught Grindelwald and the Minister for four hours, what did you do for the rest of the day," Rabastan asked Lyra.

"Well, I had lunch at the Ministry, then I spent the afternoon teaching the Head Auror and the Minister's Senior Undersecretary. The Senior Undersecretary, Goriandor, is a goblin, which was particularly interesting," she enthused. "I wondered if goblins would be better at seeing Auras than us, and perhaps they are. Goriandor learned very fast. Romeo is decent, but the goblin was the best all day, with Grindelwald a close second, probably due to his psychic abilities."

"That's interesting," Rabastan said thoughtfully. Harold entered then, announcing dinner.

"I'd like to include you in the lesson on Auras when I teach my parents," Lyra told the elf. "It would be interesting to see if elves have the same abilities as goblins with Auras, and if not, how they differ."

"If the abilities of humans differ, would it not be the same with elves and goblins," Rabastan asked as they all rose to head to dinner.

"Oh sure, but the more I can teach, and in turn study, the better informed we shall be on the matter," Lyra said.

Harold's expression did not show under the plague doctor mask, but he made no objection so Bellatrix assumed he was not uninterested. Of course, he was being paid to do what they wanted, so he likely would not object regardless.

"When are we doing this, anyway," Rabastan asked his niece as they entered the dining room.

"As soon as we all have a few uninterrupted hours together where we aren't completely exhausted from working all day," Lyra said. "You will need focus and being tired won't make that likely."

"Well, tomorrow is Saturday," Rabastan said. "Thus far they haven't made us come into the Ministry on Saturdays… Not this new version, at least. Our Shadow Ops work could be twenty-four-seven back when we were doing that, or it could be completely dead if no shit was going down. It was more chaotic, less routine." He sighed. "I miss it."

"They said we shall still be doing Shadow Ops as well, when it is needed," Bellatrix reminded him.

"Yeah, on top of fucking everything else," Rabastan complained. "They've turned us into work mules!"

"It is a pleasant change to have our skills in demand and appreciated, though," Rodolphus said as they settled around the dining table. "And we won't be nearly as busy once SHE is dead."

"So shall we work on doing whatever with Auras in the morning and go shopping with your aunt after lunch tomorrow," Bellatrix asked Lyra and the girl nodded.

"Sounds good," she said.

As they had for several nights now, they headed upstairs directly after dinner, each retiring to their own rooms for a hot bath and straight to bed. Lying in Rodolphus's strong arms, Bellatrix slept like a stone. To her regret, she had no sweet dreams of the day's torture sessions at Azkaban, but neither did she have nightmares of the Dark Lord.

The next morning everyone, including Harold, gathered in the library for a lesson on Auras.

"Umm… Would you mind taking off that plague mask for this," Lyra asked Harold. "I fear those goggles could block your Auric sight."

Rabastan snickered. "Sorry, that just sounds so weird," he said when Lyra shot him a frown.

"If Mr. and Mrs. Lestrange do not mind, Harold shall, of course, do as Miss Lyra wishes."

Bellatrix shrugged, waving a hand negligently. "That is fine."

When Harold tugged off his mask, Lyra smiled. "Well! It's nice to see your face."

Harold looked mildly flustered. "Thank you."

For Bellatrix, it was odd seeing his expression as she was so accustomed to the mask ensuring he never had one.

"I want to give you all Aura cleansings first, if that's alright," Lyra said. "I'm sure it's about the Voldemort trauma... It makes your Auras look dirty. And probably all the torturing of people doesn't help," she added with a frown.

"Doubtful," Rod said dismissively. "We like that bit a lot."

"I'd like to cleanse yours as well, Harold," Lyra said. "Perhaps it looks dull due to whatever you went through with your former owner, but I'd like to see it looking cleaner. All of you will find the Auric work easier if your own Aura isn't all gunked up. A polluted Aura makes it harder to see and sense other things. When your Aura is clogged and unbalanced, it can affect so many things, from your energy level to your perception and even your physical health."

Lyra had everyone sit down and make themselves comfortable before moving to each in turn. "I'm beginning with the worst and concluding with the least befouled Aura," Lyra said, stopping in front of Bellatrix. "Sorry, Mum, yours is the worst."

"What are you going to do," Bellatrix asked, frowning.

"It won't hurt," Lyra assured and Rodolphus smirked. "Well, that's no fun," he complained.

Lyra ignored her father's comment, focusing on Bellatrix. "I shall work a cleansing spell from my mind to your Aura, and it lifts all the gunk out. It may be a slow process or it may happen quickly, depending on how hard your psyche wants to hold onto the issues. Just lean back and relax."

Bellatrix sighed and did as Lyra requested, trying not to feel pensive about whatever weird thing was about to be done to her...Aura. She saw no magic being performed as Lyra stood calmly in front of her, an expression of intense concentration on her face.

"I don't see you performing any magic," Rabastan complained.

"I said it was from my mind," Lyra replied. "That means it is more subtle to detect... Now let's play the quiet game while I work, Uncle. I am the only one who gets to talk, and I only do that if I see something in the Aura that I feel needs commenting upon."

"Like what," Rabastan wanted to know and Lyra frowned.

"You'll see. Now be good and sit quietly," she said firmly.

Rodolphus snickered as his daughter schooled his baby bro on manners.

Chapter 37: What The Fuck Is A Chakra!

Chapter 37: What the Fuck Is A Chakra?

"The more you relax, the easier this shall be," Lyra told Bellatrix as she redirected her focus to her once more.

"What if it's hard? What does that mean," Rabastan asked and Lyra sighed.

"No," Bellatrix told her daughter firmly.

Lyra arched a brow. "No what?"

"No, he cannot shut the fuck up," Bellatrix clarified, lips twitching in amusement.

"Nope, probably not," Rabastan agreed. "It's all those years I was serving the Dark Lord and feeling unable to ask questions or to speak my mind." He attempted a soulful expression which caused both Bellatrix and Rodolphus to roll their eyes in mutual disbelief.

"Rubbish," Rodolphus said. "You'd be like that regardless."

"Perhaps," Rabastan conceded. "Now back to my question," he told Lyra who sighed again in resignation.

"If it is difficult it simply means that I have to exert more effort and strain myself. It could also take longer." When Rabastan appeared to have no more questions, the intent, focused expression returned to Lyra's face. As no magic could openly be seen, this was their only indication that she was…cleansing Bellatrix's Aura.

Several seconds passed in silence, and when Lyra spoke her tone was quiet and nearly soothing. "Take slow, deep breaths," she instructed Bellatrix.

Bellatrix did so.

"Now imagine your body relaxing bit by bit," Lyra continued. "Start at your head, then slowly work your way down, imagining each set of muscles letting go and sinking back into your chair as you go entirely limp. Let each breath be a signal for a muscle group to let go."

Bellatrix directed her mind to each part of her body, imagining her muscles relaxing with every exhalation.

"Very good," Lyra said. Several more seconds passed in silence. Bellatrix felt pleasantly relaxed, her mind focused on her breathing.

"Your first and second chakra actually look surprisingly good, but the third one is very clogged," Lyra observed. "That one is located near your belly button, and it is connected to letting go. I think you need to try harder to let go of the damage Voldemort inflicted, because if you don't, it will make current circumstances harder to cope with."

Bellatrix's eyes were closed, but she could practically feel the satisfaction coming off Rodolphus in waves at that, as it echoed what he'd told her a few nights ago in their bedchamber.

"Smart girl," he said, proving her right.

"I did," Bellatrix snapped, turning her head to glare at him.

"You may have, but the energy imprints can last until they are cleansed, and your energy may need to know that it's safe to let the pain go. I am telling it now that it is safe," Lyra said.

"So what the fuck is a chakra?" Rabastan wondered.

"It is an energy wheel in the Aura that connects to various parts of the body, and each is linked to an emotion or function," Lyra replied. "Each has its own color. The first one is the lowest, and it is red. It symbolizes the survival instinct. The second is orange and is connected to sexuality and creativity."

Bellatrix smirked. No wonder those two looked great.

"The third, the one I'm cleansing now is yellow and as I said, connects to letting go. The fourth is green and connects to the heart. The fifth is blue and connects to the throat. The sixth is purple and connects to the third eye, located on the brow. And finally the seventh is on the crown of the head and is white. It connects to one's higher self or higher intentions."

"Damn, I'd like very much to be high right now... I miss getting high," Rabastan lamented.

Lyra snickered, rolling her eyes. "Damn, Uncle! You really live on another planet sometimes, don't you? I don't mean getting high, though I don't particularly object. I mean higher self as in the truest, pure, wise you that has lived many times and recalls your greater goals and intentions and is unhindered by your baser needs."

"Oh...that's boring," Rabastan proclaimed.

"I am so sorry that you are bored," Lyra said drily.

"Thanks for that," Rabastan acknowledged, ignoring her tone.

Silence prevailed for several minutes before Lyra heaved a sigh. "Good! Your third chakra finally looks clean. I think it's ready to let go now!"

Bellatrix didn't really feel different but made no comment. Unlike Rabastan, she found it unnecessary to do so.

"The heart is a bit clogged, but not as badly as the third chakra," Lyra observed. "I think the family love and unity that you three obviously always had shows a lot and kept you stable."

Bellatrix smiled, unable not to feel a bit of warmth in her heart at that, because it felt very true. The Lestrange Three had always been a united family, solidly kicking ass as one for as long as she could recall.

After several more minutes Lyra spoke again. "Now we move onto the throat. It is clogged, but, in this case, it's under the surface. That means that the current you has been able to speak her mind, but the past you, not so much. I am sending healing energy to that part along with assurances that it is safe and free to speak now, and that it is heard. I'm sure this is a build up from Voldemort's mistreatment."

Bellatrix gave a nod of understanding. That made sense.

"Now we move on to the third eye. Wow, it's really closed! I don't think you listen to your intuition nearly enough! I'm going to cleanse it and coax it open, but really start trying to think of how you feel about things...as in your gut feelings and listen to them."

Bellatrix shrugged, not knowing what to say to that. She'd never gotten high marks in divination.

Reading her expression, Lyra said, "Everyone is a little psychic, and most can develop it even more at least for practical daily guidance. Your Divination professor was rubbish if you didn't learn that."

"Well, she was rubbish," Bellatrix said, not surprised. "We only learned bloody stupid tea leaves and crystal gazing."

Lyra tsked. "No. There are many other ways to develop one's intuition."

Several minutes went by before Lyra spoke again. "I am cleansing your crown chakra now, and it is blocked, as could be expected. You have been focused on your lower needs, and this has removed you from your more evolved self. This means that your inner guidance system can be compromised just as if your third eye is not open."

"So, like, if her third eye and higher self chakra thingies were more open, she may have thought following the Dark Lord was a bad idea," Rabastan asked and Lyra nodded.

"Exactly. You're getting it, Uncle!"

Before long she stood back from Bellatrix with a sigh. "You're all finished. Your Aura is looking far better."

"Thank you," Bellatrix said. "I do feel...oddly lighter."

Lyra smiled. "Good. That's how you're supposed to feel. And you're welcome. I'm going to get a drink of water, then I'll clean yours," she told Rodolphus.

"Sure," he said, nodding. Lyra left the library and returned with a large glass of water that she placed on a nearby bookshelf.

"To keep me fortified," she said, then moved to stand in front of her father. Her face took on the same look of concentration that it had worn when she stood before Bellatrix. When she spoke, it was with a mild look of surprise.

"Like Mum's, your first chakra looked decent and required minimal cleaning, but the second one is really blocked. It's the one that links to creativity and sexuality," she reminded. "The orange one... It links to your inner fire."

Rodolphus squirmed on the sofa, expression uncomfortable.

"You look as if you might shit," Rabastan snickered and Rodolphus shot him a glare.

"At times, when the Aura is being cleansed, feelings could come up," Lyra said. "It is perfectly normal."

"Well, I don't like it," Rodolphus growled.

"It's alright," Lyra soothed. "As we're on your second chakra, there could be issues around sexuality or creativity. I want you to know that you are in a safe space where you are loved, and it is perfectly natural to feel whatever is coming up and to talk about it if you like."

She shot a glare at Rabastan. "And I firmly request that there be no bloody comments from the peanut gallery."

Rodolphus scowled. "There is nothing to talk about."

"Your second chakra begs to differ," Lyra said and he sighed.

"I guess I may have felt a bit dull in the later years of the Dark Lord's service," he admitted. "As if I weren't the brightest. I didn't mind, truly. I was comfortable in my role as the steady rock, and I didn't need to flash or shine. I didn't need to be a diamond in the crown."

"But you always were!" Bellatrix objected. "I would never settle for a mediocre wizard to spend my bloody life with, and you know that!"

Rodolphus shrugged. "I do know that... Or I did. I just stopped thinking about it like that. I suppose I thought you liked me for other things… My body and my winning personality." He grinned and Bellatrix smiled back.

"While all that is true, I also always greatly admired your skills with a wand."

"I can't believe I forgot how good I am," Rodolphus marveled with a shake of his head. "I know that it's because the Dark Lord made me forget all that, but still."

Lyra arched a brow, and Bellatrix quickly filled her in on their theory that the Dark Lord had quelled Rodolphus's drive due to not wanting male competition. "I believe he saw your father as the next big Alpha threat after killing Uncle Orion," she said and Lyra nodded.

"That sounds right. Now your second chakra looks a lot better," Lyra told Rodolphus with a pleased smile. "Speaking about it helped you to release...combined with my excellent cleansing skills, of course."

The state of the rest of Rodolphus's chakras were similar to Bellatrix's, according to Lyra. When she was finished with him, she drained half of the water in the large glass then began on Rabastan's. "Wow, your third eye looks good," Lyra said in surprise after working silently for some time. "Your time in Voldemort's service didn't seem to damage you as much."

"I spent a lot of time as a raven in Azkaban, and before that, things were mostly good," Rabastan said with a shrug.

Lyra shuddered. "Oh yeah... I somehow forgot about the Azkaban years, probably intentionally… That's got to be at least half of the reason my parents' Auras were so clogged. I bet Dementors had awful energy!"

"Do they even have energy," Rabastan asked and Lyra shuddered.

"They have to. Everything does, and I can only guess that theirs was beyond foul. Your crown chakra is very disconnected, so in that one particular area, your Aura isn't any better than Mum's or Dad's, sad to say," she said, then worked for several more silent minutes before stepping back and turning toward Harold.

"Alright, let's get you cleaned up," she told him, and the elf nodded with a bemused expression. As Lyra studied Harold, her expression became one of open fascination. "Your Aura looks so different. Your chakra wheels are smaller looking, but that's probably because you're smaller. The interesting thing about them is they don't really spin like those of humans do. They're more still, or...no that isn't right, just really slow moving," she corrected herself. "That isn't a bad thing, it makes them easier to work with," she added quickly, responding to the look of concern on the elf's face.

"Your Aura itself is yellow, which indicates concentration and attention," she continued. "Does that sound accurate for your personality? I don't know you so..."

Harold shrugged, and nodded. "Harold tries to pay close attention to things."

"So the Aura has colors too," Rabastan asked, and Lyra nodded.

"We'll get into that in the upcoming lesson. I only mentioned it because Auric yellow is more of a golden yellow, but his Aura is more of a middle shade, a topaz sort of yellow. It's denser, and...just different. It has a lot of magic in it, and I am impressed by that." Lyra did not speak again as she cleansed Harold's Aura. When she was finished she sighed, rubbing at her eyes. Then she reached for the glass of water and drained it before sinking down into a chair.

"How did his chakras look," Rabastan asked curiously.

"All seven needed a bit of cleaning, but they were all open and active. He is not blocked in any particular area, though his higher self needed the most work." She sighed. "None of you Brits are spiritual enough."

Rodolphus grinned, slipping an arm around Bellatrix. "Oh, we're plenty spiritual. Why, just last night..."

Lyra gave a mock scream and covered her face. "Stop or you'll totally infect all of my chakras in one fell swoop!"

Chapter 38: The Mind's Eye

Chapter 38: The Mind's Eye

"Alright," Lyra began. "Now let's get you all seeing Auras. First, you must learn to still your mind so that you can concentrate. This bit of sight comes from somewhere deeper within. From your mind's eye, or third eye. Then, your other two eyes translate what you see into colors and other information as you saw me do when cleansing the four of you. To still your mind properly, you must learn to meditate. I shall instruct you in this first, unless your school covered that," she said doubtfully.

"No, it did not," Rabastan said. "All that clearing the mind and thinking about nothing is rubbish! Thank the gods it's one thing Dumbledore didn't shove down our throats."

Bellatrix was inclined to agree with her brother-in-law, but Lyra frowned.

"That's not actually what it is," she told her uncle, a note of forced patience in her voice. "When one meditates properly, it allows one to go deeper into oneself and in many cases, gain knowledge or at least be able to think about a situation or problem with more clarity. The goal is not to empty the mind. Instead, it is to calm and still it so that more productive thoughts may enter. This is accomplished through a process called visualization. It provides excellent mental exercise as well as rest for the brain."

"Both at once," Rodolphus asked.

Bellatrix couldn't tell whether he was being sarcastic or not. That was new because she could always tell with Rod, but this Aura business was just too new for all of them. In part, she thought it was mostly rubbish and a pointless waste of time. Then again, if there was anything to it, and they could use it against Delphini or anyone else, it warranted investigation.

"Actually, yes…both at once," Lyra answered her father. "You'll just have to give it a proper go and see what you think. I want all of you to make yourselves comfortable right now. You can sit if you are leaning back or you may lie down if you prefer. We are going to meditate, or rather you four are and I shall guide the visualization process."

Bellatrix and Rodolphus leaned back into the cushions of the sofa while Rabastan retreated to the chaise. Harold went to lie on the fur rug near the fireplace, looking up at the ceiling with a blank expression.

"I want all of you to slowly breathe in through your noses and out through your mouths," Lyra said in a quiet soothing voice. "While you breathe in, think of all the people and things that you love, breathe in that feeling. Think of it as an energy that fills you with light… or darkness if you prefer," she added, a note of amusement in her voice.

"When you breathe out through your mouth, think of anything that stresses you and breathe it out. Breathe out the energy of stress, releasing it so that it may no longer have a hold on your mind. Breathe in love, and breathe out stress. No matter how silly you think it sounds, try to do it anyway, because if you do not, you will never truly know if you can see Auras or not. Lestranges are not quitters!"

"It's as if she's been here her whole life," Rabastan said proudly.

"Oh, and there can be no talking during meditation or you will not be fully relaxed," Lyra said. "And thank you."

For several minutes they were quiet, breathing in through their noses and out through their mouths as Lyra had instructed. As she did, Bellatrix breathed in love for her husband, her brother-in-law, her daughter, for her cousin and his elf, for torture… And as she breathed out, she breathed out the fear of Delphini, the disgust at all the Dark Lord had done, and her concern that Lyra would not be happy here with them. She did this again and again and eventually she did begin to feel better...lighter… or perhaps she was only becoming lightheaded from all the deep breathing.

When Lyra spoke again, her voice was calm and soft. "Picture yourself walking down a path. It could lead to a crystal cave, or to a beach, or to a dark forest. Decide where your path takes you and go there. Allow yourself to notice your surroundings. Is anyone with you? How do you feel? You do not answer these questions aloud," she reminded, definitely for Rabastan's benefit. "The questions are here to encourage your mind to notice these things."

Bellatrix considered her options as she walked down the path in her mind. Where did she want to go? A crystal cave could be interesting, but if Merlin and Nimue were sleeping in there, she didn't want to piss them off. A dark forest was intriguing but could also be lonely. A beach, then.

She saw the brush on the path gradually give way to sand. She heard the ocean waves crashing and decided to go for a swim. The waves carried her on their surface before she dove down, swimming deeper and deeper until she reached an underwater cavern. A great sea turtle-like creature was resting there. It had long spikes on its shell. Rather than attacking or attempting to eat her, it remained still and calm, watching her with liquid eyes.

As if on cue, Lyra spoke again. "If there is a message from spirit, or anyone else who would like to talk to you, they should give it now. Be still and allow this message to come to you. If no message comes, enjoy the surroundings wherever you are."

Bellatrix stared back into the turtle's eyes and waited. She knew this was only her imagination, but she still expected something from it. "You are stable," the turtle told her. "Turtles symbolize stability. Stop worrying that you're so insane… You are, but it guides you to the proper places, and insane does not have to mean unstable. You are quite predictable and strong within yourself. Fuck what anyone else thinks."

Oddly touched by the turtle's words, even if it was just her talking to herself, Bellatrix thanked it and impulsively threw her arms around its neck, careful not to impale herself on any of the spikes while she was at it. Lyra began instructing them how to return from their meditation. As Bellatrix withdrew from the spiked turtle, she had a feeling it would always be there with her.

"Now I want you to return from your special place," Lyra said. "You will bring your feelings of wisdom, peace, and tranquility back with you. You return by putting your focus back onto your body. Return to your body as you begin to once more focus on your breaths. Begin to feel your feet and legs again, then your hips and chest, your arms and finally your neck and head. When you are fully aware, slowly open your eyes and return completely to the room."

This took Bellatrix longer than she expected. She enjoyed the peaceful undersea cavern, and returning made her feel heavy and reluctant. When she at last became aware once again of the sofa under her, she opened her eyes. Rod looked mildly dazed, and Rabastan was slowly sitting up on the chaise.

"Very good," Lyra said. "Now that your minds are centered, I shall teach you to see Auras. We will split you into teams. Rhadamanthus, if after watching their progress, you are interested, I shall work with you when they're more alert and don't need guarding."

Only when Lyra addressed the spider did Bellatrix recall that he was there. Forgetting the blasted thing was annoying, but he could be so still and silent for a huge Acromantula! She supposed that made him an excellent guard, though.

"That is fine," Rhadamanthus replied.

"Dad, you can work with Uncle Rabastan, and Mum, you with Harold. Face off, please," Lyra instructed.

Rabastan rose and came to stand in front of Rodolphus, and Harold did the same with Bellatrix. "Now look away from your partner, cutting your eyes to the side to see them. Look just above them, and open your mind for impressions. Don't hold back, speak of anything that you receive. Knowledge, colors, even feelings… Anything that you get is valid because we are learning, and there is no wrong in learning."

Bellatrix attempted to study the elf in front of her as Lyra instructed. Rather than seeing anything in particular, she was struck in the chest with a sense of hurt and fear that had tears springing to her eyes. On top of that was a hard blank wall of defense. She discovered right there that she did not like feeling other people's feelings even if she only imagined it.

"Aren't we fair to you," she asked the elf who blinked in surprise.

"Yes, Miss Bellatrix."

"Then why are you so fucking...hurt," she asked, searching for the proper word to describe the feelings she had perhaps picked up from the elf.

"Harold is no longer hurt."

"Then why am I feeling it?"

"He… He remembers the hurt, but he does not think of it often," Harold said. "He fears more if anything happens to his current family, he supposes. He fears if something happens to the Lestranges, that he may be hurt again. He felt safe until recently."

"If Delphini kills us," Bellatrix asked, stating what the elf seemed unwilling to. He nodded.

"Don't worry, Little Plague Doctor," Rodolphus assured jovially. "We aren't planning to allow that to happen."

"What did you pick up from her, Harold," Lyra asked and the elf considered as he regarded Bellatrix.

"Green?"

Lyra grinned. "That often indicates nurturing. I doubt anyone would consider you nurturing, but perhaps that's because I'm here," she told Bellatrix. "Green is often a color associated with Mothers or teachers." Bellatrix was gratified to see that Lyra looked pleased about that.

"What did you see from Uncle Rabastan, Dad," Lyra asked and Rodolphus frowned.

"Nothing, really. I got the impression of dark blue, I guess."

Lyra nodded. "That indicates zeal. That seems to fit Uncle Rabastan." She turned her attention to the Uncle in question. "What about you?"

Rabastan looked thoughtful as he studied Rodolphus. "I don't know. Light blue I guess with maybe some red?"

"Red means angry and light blue means tranquil, so he can be tranquil unless made angry."

She smiled, finally sinking into a chair with a tired sigh. "You have all done well. There is a lot to learn, and much of it takes practice. We will continue this, but for now, just practice by trying to see different people's Auras when you are around them long enough to focus. Simply walking by them on the street won't give you enough time to learn much, especially as a beginner."

"Do any of us have a true ability, though," Bellatrix asked. "Or is it too early to tell? I recall you saying everyone can see these Auras to an extent, but by ability I mean can any of us actually use it for battle attacks?"

"It is too early to tell," Lyra said with a shrug. "Grindelwald and Valdez did see more and faster, but many would not. All of you had valid experiences. Auras can give a person a lot of information, from emotions to knowledge to colors that indicate mood or personality traits."

"Well, if we're done with that for now, are you still up for shopping and meeting your Aunt Narcissa," Bellatrix asked.

Lyra nodded, giving her mother an eager smile. "I would like that very much." Turning to her father and uncle she widened her smile. "Coming along? I plan to try on loads of dresses and coats! I really need a fabulous coat!"

Rabastan cringed while Rod only looked away in open disinterest. "We've got stuff," Rabastan said.

"YOU can afford to have stuff," Rodolphus corrected his brother. "I will come along, though, in case there is trouble."

Chapter 39: Not Like Other Girls

Chapter 39: Not Like Other Girls

Bellatrix shot Rodolphus a grateful look when he said he planned to go shopping with them. Not because she felt the need for protection due to the situation with Delphini, but because she'd always hated clothes shopping. She enjoyed nice clothes, but she could select those in five minutes. Spending longer in a dress shop made her want to scream with boredom. There were only so many dresses one could examine before it quickly became redundant, especially for Bellatrix, whose preferences were narrowed to shades of green and black.

How some women spent hours painstakingly examining dress after dress had always been beyond her understanding. Narcissa was one of those women. Bellatrix's first explorations of Knockturn Alley as a girl were during those times Cissy took far too long shopping for clothes, leaving bored Bella to wander and explore on her own. She had no idea if Lyra's own shopping tendencies reflected hers or those of her sister, but in case it was the latter, having Rod along for emotional support was nice.

"So did you actually have a moment to contact Aunt Narcissa about going shopping," Lyra asked and Bellatrix shrugged.

"Not exactly, but I doubt she's busy. We'll just stop off at Malfoy Manor and invite her along."

"Would Miss Lestrange prefer to have lunch first," Harold asked, lifting his plague doctor mask from a corner bookshelf where he'd placed it for the lesson.

"That would probably be best," Bellatrix admitted with a sigh as Harold slipped his mask back on. "While it would be nice to actually take Lyra out to lunch, it probably isn't safe."

"Very good, Miss," Harold said, giving a short bow. "Lunch shall be ready soon."

Lyra scowled darkly at Bellatrix as the elf left the library. "I don't want to hide all the time," she complained openly frustrated.

"Yeah, it's no fun," Rabastan agreed, and Bellatrix fixed both with an icy glare.

"Delphini is too much of an unknown, and we don't want her attention drawn to you," she told Lyra.

"Be grateful that we're taking you out shopping. That probably isn't especially safe either, so consider it a concession," Rodolphus added.

"Oh, wow," Lyra complained. "I'll not have a normal life until this Delphini is dead? Let me have at her. I'll just tear her bloody mind up! My talent should be useful for something. I didn't bloody come here to be kept shut away like a princess in a bloody tower! I had an actual life back in Australia."

"I'm getting bored," Rodolphus complained. "Haven't we had this conversation before? You aren't going anywhere because we want you here with us, and you aren't being shut away like any bloody princess. You're going to the Ministry to teach Aurors about Auras."

Rabastan snickered. "That sounds funny. Aurors...Auras..."

"Shut up," Bellatrix said.

After lunch, they all Apparated to Malfoy Manor, with the exception of Rabastan. Bellatrix believed taking the Acromantula shopping would draw too much unwanted attention, but Rodolphus insisted. "He's here to guard us, so leaving him behind would make that difficult," he pointed out with a frown. "Anyway, if he's noticed, focus will be on him, and not Lyra."

"IF he's noticed?" Bellatrix arched her brows incredulously.

Rodolphus shrugged. "You know what I mean."

At Malfoy Manor, Bellatrix banged the snarling bull door knocker several times, then stood back with an annoyed frown as she waited for the door to be answered. When at last it opened, it wasn't an elf on the other side. Instead, it was a drawn and haggard Narcissa.

"Bellatrix, Rodolphus, come in!" Not until she stepped back to allow them to enter, did Narcissa take in Lyra and the Acromantula. "You brought guests," she said, her expression flustered.

"Our daughter and bodyguard," Rodolphus said. Normally, he would've left it to Bellatrix to explain the situation to her sister in her own way. He was having fun with this one, though, so she left him to it.

"You're joking!" Narcissa gasped, her flustered state giving way to shock.

"No, the Ministry thought we should have a bodyguard," Rod assured, a small grin playing across his lips.

"You couldn't have a daughter," Narcissa protested. "I would've known!" Turning to Bellatrix she demanded, "What is this about?"

"He isn't having you on," Bellatrix said. "I was able to keep my pregnancy from showing until we could get to Rod's relatives in Australia. This is our daughter, Lyra."

"Hi, Aunt Narcissa," Lyra said. Narcissa looked ready to faint.

"Narcissa? Who is here?" The voice belonged to Narcissa's annoying husband, Lucius Malfoy, or as she and Rod called him behind his back, Lucy.

"That would be your Uncle Lucius," Bellatrix told Lyra. "As it turns out, he's now home in the afternoon," she added pleasantly.

It felt good to have magic and a job as well as being fully in the know for once while Lucy Malfoy floundered, magicless in a sea of uncertainty. It felt very good! He'd always behaved as if he believed himself to be better than Bella and Rod while having a general and constant case of stick-up-his-ass-itis! He lorded it over them when they escaped Azkaban, issuing orders to them as if he was the Dark Lord's right hand. It was Bellatrix, Rodolphus, and Rabastan, along with the afterthought that was Crouch Jr., who continued to search for the Dark Lord when he first vanished.

"It's Bella and Rod, Lucius," Narcissa called back. "And they have brought guests. An Acromantula and their daughter!"

Bella's lips twitched in amusement as she pictured the constipated look now crossing Lucius's face.

"I hope they don't expect tea with us having no bloody house elf," he huffed. His voice grew closer as he approached the door.

"I shall make tea," Narcissa said quickly.

"That is unnecessary," Bellatrix told her. "We just had lunch. We stopped in to invite you to come shopping with us. Lyra just arrived and is in need of some warmer clothes."

"Have you acquired a flying carriage," Lucius asked as he entered the front hall where they all stood. He looked even more haggard than Narcissa, and his robes were rumpled. Bellatrix did not feel sorry at all for the surge of gloating that filled her chest.

"You're looking well, Lucius," she gushed, and Rod chuckled. "Truly you do," he agreed.

Narcissa frowned reproachfully at both of them, and Lyra looked uncomfortable and confused.

"You are both looking quite well yourselves," Lucius replied, tone openly resentful of that fact.

"No, we have no flying carriage," Bellatrix said, at last remembering to answer his question.

A small quizzical smirk played over Lucius's mouth as he came to stand beside his wife. "Riding the Acromantula then, are you," he asked silkily.

To his credit, Rhadamanthus let out a low warning hiss that turned into a rumbling growl.

Lucius took a stumbling step backward, and Bellatrix tittered, suddenly deciding that she now liked the spider very much. At first, she was perplexed by Rod's initial interest in the thing as she wasn't exactly one for animals. The spider's presence presented a mild annoyance, but thanks to his zeal for terrorizing Lucy, she was quite over that.

"I'll ask you to take that creature outside," Lucius bit out sharply.

"No, we aren't riding him, actually," Rodolphus said, giving Lucius a casual, friendly smile. "And I am afraid he cannot go outside, because he is our bodyguard. He is sure you understand." Rod's smile gave way to an amused smirk as he struggled not to laugh at Rhadamanthus's hiss of aggressive agreement.

"We are Apparating to Knockturn Alley," Bellatrix told Lucius, at last deciding to satisfy his obvious transportation quandary.

"You have magic?" Lucius practically shouted.

Bellatrix nodded calmly as she basked in the sensation of gloating. "We didn't catch the magical plague," she said. She was proud of herself for not forgetting that particular lie issued by the new Ministry to cover up the loss of magic for eighty-five percent of wizarding society in Great Britain.

"How fortunate for you," Lucius said, icily polite.

"Indeed," Bellatrix agreed breezily. "Cissy? Are you coming along with us? I wanted you to get to know your niece."

"Yes, of course," Narcissa said hastily. "Just give me fifteen minutes to get myself ready. Lucius, take them into the library, will you?"

A look akin to resignation came over Lucius's face, and he nodded. "Of course, Darling," he told Narcissa. As he led the way to the library, Bellatrix almost found herself feeling sorry for him...almost.

Chapter 40: Malfoy Manners

Chapter 40: Malfoy Manners

"Narcissa has been trying to write you for days," Lucius said as they entered the library.

"We haven't had much time to check mail," Bellatrix drawled with a sigh. "We come home late and go to bed."

"You couldn't bother to stop in and see if we were alright?" Lucius demanded. "You with your magic could not bother to see if we needed anything?"

"You have plenty of money, and it can buy you whatever magic can't make happen, Lucy," Rodolphus snapped. "Sorry not to play nursemaid to you when we had other things going on."

From the growl in Rodolphus's voice, Bellatrix found it obvious that he wasn't sorry in the least. If Lucy knew what was good for him, he'd realize it too and ease off his complaining. If not...things would get interesting. Rodolphus could've handled him any day, and now that Malfoy had no magic, Rod wouldn't even have to try.

Glaring icily, Lucius settled himself into a chair on the far side of the room. "So did you have your child during this magical pandemic and douse her with a bit of fast grow potion," he asked drily as his gaze traveled skeptically over Lyra.

Lucy's mention of a fast grow potion reminded Bellatrix of the time they'd used it on a baby Mandrake in Herbology in her and Rod's fifth year at Hogwarts. They'd intentionally poured too much, and the Mandrake had quickly towered over Rod, and continued to grow until Sprout angrily reversed the process. Effectively ruining the fun, as most professors were wont to do.

"Now, Lucy! You know very well if we used such a thing on a baby, she still wouldn't be able to talk yet. She would remain a baby mentally, which would just make her a larger bother," Bellatrix chided.

"Do stop calling me Lucy. It does not amuse."

"Oh, but it does," Rod said with a snicker. "See? I am amused right now."

"Have you heard about...Delphini," Bellatrix asked carefully. She wasn't sure how much she dared to go into, or how much they could trust Lucius, but she supposed it may be wise to find out.

Lucius blinked. "We've read the papers, if that's what you mean, but we have no idea how true any of it is."

"Well, she obviously isn't my daughter," Bellatrix snapped, and Lucius arched a brow.

"Clearly not... I meant the rest. We have no way of knowing if she is truly His, though I can't imagine him having a relationship much less a child with anyone. I assumed they pinned the mother tag on you because you were so open with your devotion to him, Bellatrix."

"Well, it wasn't that sort of devotion," Bellatrix bit out, and Lucius arched his brow again as he lounged back in his chair, relaxing now that she was more uncomfortable with this new topic.

"Yes, of course, but the masses seek an explanation that requires little thought," he pointed out, his tone dripping with feigned boredom.

"Lucius… How do you feel about the Dark Lord now," Bellatrix asked. She heard the caution in her own voice, a result of not knowing who to trust among the Dark Lord's former followers. Granted, he and his family had defected in the end, but would he have the courage to do so again if he knew the Dark Lord had returned...sort of?

"What's this about, Bella?" Lucius snapped, straightening in his chair to frown at her. She couldn't help but smile. He was no longer enjoying the conversation.

"It is about potential trouble to come," she replied.

Lucius sighed. "Fine. Why don't you tell me how I am supposed to feel about him?" The sudden resentment and anger in his eyes caused her caution to retreat, and Bellatrix sighed as she felt her body relaxing.

"It would be nice if you wished none of us had ever served him," she said in a rush. "It would be just grand if you remembered how poorly he treated those who loved him and served him well, yourself included."

The anger on Lucius's face quickly turned to shock. For any former follower to speak so was obviously blasphemy, but for Bellatrix to do so was the last thing he expected.

"Is this some sort of set up?" he demanded. "Because I am not going to..."

"No," Bellatrix cut in, already bored with whatever ranting or threats he had in store. "He made Horcruxes, Lucius."

Lucius nodded. "Yes… Narcissa told me when Regulus told you and you told her." Bellatrix couldn't help but grin at the fact he'd kept all that straight.

"Very good…one of them is inside Delphini. We had a bit of a conversation with it when I stabbed him… her repeatedly a few days ago when she broke into Azkaban to chat us up."

Lucius's jaw dropped. "What? You did what? That's declaring war on him! Fool! You'll get us all killed. All you ever do, Bellatrix, is think of yourself!"

Rodolphus took a single step toward Lucius. His expression was friendly and a little gleeful, which meant he was about to fuck him up. Rod always got really happy when he was about to throw down some serious torture.

It was Lyra who spoke, however. "Hey! You don't get to talk to my mum like that! That's my job, and besides, you have no bloody idea what they went through because of that monster!"

"Really," Lucius asked silkily, turning a hard glare on Lyra. "I know my family went through enough to defect while the Lestranges, his favorites, did not."

"I assure you they went through more than you ever did at his hands," Lyra said venomously. She stood glaring at Lucius, hands on slender hips, and Bellatrix's heart swelled with pride. "He is the reason they couldn't raise me and had to leave me in Australia! He..." Here she paused, turning her head to her parents. "May I tell him?"

Bellatrix gave a small nod. "I was going to out of necessity, but I would enjoy hearing you do so instead," she said with a small amused smile. The story poured out of Lyra then. She told Lucius of how Voldemort had intended to kill Kreacher, and how the six of them attempted to take him down only to have Orion die instead.

She concluded with Voldemort's…'forgiveness.' Even hearing the story from her daughter's lips made Bellatrix shudder at the memory of Voldemort embracing the three of them, speaking of keeping his friends close and his enemies closer as he twisted their minds to obsessively, maniacally adore him.

"So, I think he was even less fond of them than he was of you, and I dare you to disagree," Lyra told Lucius. The stubborn set of her chin was very reminiscent of Rodolphus, whom Lucius never dared to argue with for long.

Bellatrix realized that her hands were clenched into fists at her sides, clutching the fabric of her skirt as she clung to her composure.

"I don't know what to say," Lucius said. His blank expression was difficult to read, and Bellatrix found that she didn't truly care what he thought on this particular matter.

"That's alright. I'd prefer you shut the hell up anyway," she drawled. "What I need for you to do is to promise not to follow her no matter what. She doesn't need more help."

"Delphini," Lucius asked and Bellatrix scowled darkly.

"Yes, genius! Who bloody else?"

"And what am I to do instead?" he demanded. "Stab her repeatedly as you did? As you're speaking of her as though she is alive and well, that doesn't seem to have worked!"

"We need to kill her with a weapon that contains a Basilisk fang because of the Horcrux." That word tasted no less foul the more times she spoke it.

"Sorry," Lucius said breezily. "We're fresh out of those at Malfoy Manor. What else?"

Bellatrix counted to three for patience before speaking again. "The Ministry is having weapons made up as fast as they can. I will speak to them on your account."

She felt a stab of guilt that she hadn't done so earlier. Truly, she did. So much had happened, though, and in truth, due to the more than disturbing nature of the memories Grindelwald had helped to restore, they'd been deep into their own issues. That sort of thing didn't allow much room for thinking of others.

"We should have checked in earlier… I am sorry, Lucius. I also honestly thought Regulus would have." She definitely planned to speak to her cousin on that matter the next bloody time she saw him. If anything had happened to Cissie… Bellatrix sighed before she could even finish the thought. If anything had happened to her sister, she would have herself to blame.

Lucius's lip curled. "He is a vampire now, Bellatrix, and thus a predator. Predators don't look after anyone but themselves."

"Ah," Bellatrix said, giving her brother-in-law a wide smile. "Now I see why he didn't consider coming here to check in. If you treated him as a predator rather than family, I doubt he felt very welcome."

Before Lucius could formulate a reply, Narcissa entered the library looking far more presentable. She wore a long green silk dress and low heels. Her blonde hair was pulled into a neat bun at the nape of her neck, and she wore sparkling emerald snake earrings that swung and caught the light as she moved.

As always, Bellatrix felt a bit rougher and more uncouth beside her delicate flower of a younger sister, though her black dress was just as elegant.

"I'm sorry," Narcissa said in a rush. "I'm afraid I was listening at the door for quite some time. I heard what the Dark Lord did, and then...I didn't know what to say so...I just…waited in the hall hoping that something would come to me, and...it didn't. Oh, Bella…I wish I'd done something when I noticed that you and Rod weren't quite right in nineteen seventy-nine!"

"You noticed?" Bellatrix hissed. "Mother and Father did not, so they had some sort of excuse, but you...actually noticed?"

"I didn't know what was wrong," Narcissa insisted, face twisted with regret and misery as she reached slender hands out to her sister. "I thought it was the deaths of Uncle Orion and Regulus. I thought it just made you harder...angrier… You never wanted to talk about it."

Bellatrix remembered Narcissa's tentative attempts to bring up the losses of their uncle and cousin during those early days. It had upset Bellatrix in ways she'd been unable to understand so she'd always cut the conversation short. She'd believed it was herself being uncomfortable with grief, but now she understood that there had been far more roiling under the surface.

"It's alright, Cissie," she said, reaching to take Narcissa's outstretched hands in her own. "I love you for noticing and trying. You couldn't have guessed what really happened." She sighed, knowing the truth of her words. No one could've helped them, dreadful as that truth was to contemplate.

"I could've looked harder, and perhaps noticed that something had been done to your minds," Narcissa persisted.

Bellatrix shook her head. "He was good. I'm sure he didn't make his work easy to detect. We are all here now, and we are all alright. Let's just go shopping for my daughter's clothes."

"I don't think so," Lucius huffed. "What about us?"

Rodolphus arched a brow. "You need clothes, Lucy?"

Narcissa gave her brother-in-law a look of reproachful disappointment but remained silent.

"If you don't want us working with Delphini, should she come asking, I need a Basilisk fang," Lucius replied tartly.

Chapter 41: Cissie's in the front seat picking up trash

Chapter 41: Cissie's in the Front Seat, Picking Up Trash

Bellatrix sighed. Lucy was really trying to rain on their shopping trip, due to that stick up his ass. It wasn't as if she cared about the trip for itself, because shopping only interested her for five minutes or less. She did want to spend time with her daughter and sister together, though. Of course he had to make himself a wet blanket today of all days.

"We can ask the Ministry to put protections on your home," Rodolphus told Lucius. "I don't think they're in on the weekends, though, but we'll speak to them about it first thing Monday morning."

"And until then, we just hope Delphini doesn't have time to come calling," Lucius snapped.

Rodolphus sighed. "Do me a favor. Don't start talking until I've finished."

Lucius sat back, resentment in every line of his face, but he remained silent.

Rodolphus gave a pleased smile before continuing. "Our home is protected. You allowed us to remain with you when we escaped from Azkaban in the nineties so we owe you. We have plenty of room at Raven's Nest, and you're welcome to come and stay with us until Malfoy Manor is safe."

"Thank you," Lucius said.

"Do remember not to treat our elf as if he were yours during your stay," Bellatrix said tartly. "Be polite to him and realize that he doesn't have to do a bloody thing that he doesn't wish to for you, because you don't pay him."

Lucius gaped at her in mild horror. "You pay your elf?"

Bellatrix shrugged, mildly uncomfortable. "Sort of. We provide him with whatever he needs."

"What happened to your elf," Rodolphus asked.

Narcissa shifted, agitation on her face as she glanced pensively around the room. "The day after we fell ill and lost our magic, an elf came here and ordered us to free Star. Star and the strange elf spoke privately and left together. Star has never returned."

Bellatrix frowned. "That's interesting… and strange." She would definitely be asking Kreacher and Regulus about that, as they were usually in the know.

"Pack your bags, and we'll get you settled in at Raven's Nest," Rodolphus said. "Then we really need to take our daughter shopping!"

"Of course… and I still very much wish to come along," Narcissa said. "Come, Lucius, let us pack a few things."

Lucius nodded and rose from his chair with his usual fluid grace. "We will be ready shortly," he said, and left the library with Narcissa.

"Do you think all the elves are being freed?" Rodolphus wondered.

"I wondered the same," Bellatrix said. "We will speak to Regulus and Kreacher on the matter soon."

"If they're using elves and goblins as Aurors, they probably do want as many as they can get," Lyra said. "So what's this Lucius's deal anyway," she asked suddenly, leaning forward in her chair toward her parents where they sat together on one of the library's two sofas. "He sort of seems decent when he's not being a prick… Like he wants to be decent, but then he gets in his own way with his strong belief that he should be a complete prick."

Rodolphus grinned. "You are very discerning. You have the Lestrange brain!"

"The Blacks are just as brilliant, I'll have you know," Bellatrix said sharply.

The family rivalry comments were nothing new to her and Rod's relationship. He'd started them over Sirius's dreadfully embarrassing and shameful behavior. Of course, Bellatrix had retorted at once with a comment about Leta Lestrange which had shut him up for a little while. Obviously, when her sister Andi's marriage caused so much trouble, he'd started in again on the Blacks. Only when Bellatrix reminded him sharply that he'd chosen to marry one did he shut up.

Rodolphus chuckled. "Yes indeed, she has plenty of Black in her, as well. Whenever she becomes all emo, I can see those black stripes proudly shining."

Bellatrix smacked him across the chest with one hand. He crowed with laughter as he caught her wrist and drew her close for a kiss.

"Not in front of the child, please," Lyra shouted, covering her face.

"You're hardly a child, as you keep reminding us," Bella said. "And it was just a bloody kiss," Rod chimed in.

"Let's look at the books," Lyra suggested. "Then the two of you can keep your hands off one another."

Book browsing was an acceptable family activity they could all agree upon. It kept them occupied until Narcissa and Lucius returned. Each carried two trunks, one in each hand. Bellatrix was shaken by the quiet rage that shot through her at the sight of her sister lugging trunks. Cissie hadn't deserved to lose her magic. Perhaps Lucius did, but not her Cissie!

"Put those trunks down now, Cissie," she snapped angrily. Narcissa started as Bellatrix slammed the book she'd been holding back onto the shelf. "I will levitate them."

"And mine," Lucius demanded.

"You need to build some muscles," Rodolphus told him. "I mean look at mine… It wouldn't hurt you to make yourself a bit more desirable for poor Cissie, now would it?" he chided.

"Rodolphus," Narcissa snapped as the blood rushed to her face.

"Indeed, Daddy," Lyra told Rodolphus sweetly. "Don't ask the impossible of poor Uncle Lucius. He's far too thin to have any hope of developing real muscles."

"She certainly didn't learn how to behave in Australia," Lucius snapped.

"I think I learned to behave far better than you did," Lyra shot back, chin lifted as she locked eyes with Lucius. "Now be nice. You are about to be a guest in my home, after all."

Bellatrix found herself smiling as she flicked her wand to levitate Narcissa's trunks. Lyra was calling Raven's Nest her home. Perhaps she was planning to stay. Not that she had a choice, mind, but if her plans matched Bellatrix and Rodolphus's, it would be easier all around.

"Let's go, then," Rodolphus said, and grasped Lucius's arm for Side-Along Apparation. Bellatrix took Narcissa's, and Lyra moved to place a hand on each of Narcissa's trunks. "I'll get these home, Mum," she told Bellatrix who nodded her thanks.

"Apparate directly into our library," Rodolphus told Lyra. "I don't want anyone seeing us bringing Lucius and Narcissa just in case Delphini has anyone spying on our manor. We do have the place encased in wards, but they have built in family recognition so you can get past with no problems."

Lyra nodded and they Apparated together out of Malfoy Manor.

"Hey, I didn't know you were bringing guests!" Rabastan said, sitting up on the sofa, hair wildly askew as he blinked at them. "And right into the library too! What if I'd been wanking it or something?"

"Wank on that sofa where Rod and I usually sit, and guests will be the least of your problems," Bellatrix promised. Her eyes narrowed with warning as she shot him a glare.

Rabastan laughed. "I was joking, Bella! Damn."

"That's right, Bellatrix," Narcissa said gently. "Just look at the state of his hair. He was obviously napping."

"I always thought you were very smart," Rabastan told Narcissa, giving her a sweet smile as he picked up the book that had fallen across his chest. "I was trying to read this book on advanced transfiguration, and I just nodded off. Hi, Lucius."

"Good afternoon, Rabastan," Lucius said, nodding.

"I'll call Harold to show you to a guest room," Bellatrix said. "And don't fuss over unpacking right now, Cissie. We want to get to the stores before it grows too late."

When Harold arrived, Bellatrix told him to show the Malfoys to a room far away from her and Rodolphus's own.

Both Lucius and Narcissa gaped at Harold in his plague doctor mask, but Narcissa gave him a polite smile and murmur of thanks as he led them out. Lyra set Narcissa's trunks to float behind her with a flick of her wand while allowing Lucius to lug his own.

"So you're taking Lucy shopping too, right," Rabastan asked hopefully and Rod grinned, shaking his head.

"Nah, Bro, he's all yours!"

Rabastan groaned. "Well, we will most definitely be drunk when you return," he proclaimed.

Chapter 42: The Normals, They Make Me Afraid

Chapter 42: The Normals, They Make Me Afraid

"Cissie, where should we start," Bellatrix asked. "I haven't had to shop for clothes in ages." For all Bellatrix knew, the stores she most frequented may not even be around anymore, it had been that long! As in, at least, ten years!

Their little group stood together in Knockturn Alley, having just Apparated in. Rhadamanthus hulked just behind them, looking vaguely ill from Side-Along Apparation with Rodolphus for the third time that day. Bellatrix couldn't quite explain how a spider could look vaguely ill when their expressions weren't easy to read, but he definitely did. Perhaps, it was that all eight of his eyes were drooping. Maybe, it was the fact that his mouth was slightly opened, or the fact that his breath appeared to be mildly labored. Idly, she considered asking if he needed anything, then decided not to bother. The spider was Rod's pet, or whatever, so he could deal.

"I enjoy BlackHeart Boutique," Narcissa said and Bellatrix nodded.

"Fine, lead the way."

"BlackHeart is a very stylish shop with a bit of everything from dresses to shoes to jewelry and purses," Narcissa said, speaking to Lyra as they walked.

"Perfect," Lyra said, smiling at her aunt. "I enjoy all of those things."

Bellatrix slowed, allowing Cissie and Lyra to walk a bit ahead. Rod kept pace at her side, and Rhadamanthus brought up the rear. Of course people stared at the sight of a huge spider walking calmly along with them, but not as much as she'd expected, honestly. No one even screamed! This made her wonder just how much shit went down in Knockturn Alley. They needed to hang about here more often. This alley where all Dark wizards went to find anything from a rare book on curses to a drink that would give you a very illegal, yet amazing, high had once been her favorite hangout. It was a little sad to consider how they'd had to give up their wild partying, brawling, and hexing ways thanks to Azkaban, and then the tight leash of Shadow Ops.

Going undercover had given them enough anonymity to party from time to time, but what was once a lifestyle for the Lestranges eventually became a luxury they could rarely afford. Even while partying over the past few decades, they had to keep a low profile. Disguise charms allowed them not to look like the Lestranges, but they had to be careful not to behave like themselves either. Taking such care tended to dampen a mood when one had to party on pins and needles, as it were.

Though freedom was definitely exhilarating, Bellatrix noticed that it could also serve to make one, namely her, a little anxious in open spaces. Walking down an open street, even in a place like Knockturn Alley, made Bellatrix feel mildly uneasy. She knew she should've felt eager now that they were free to walk about, but instead she was on edge.

Though she, Rod, and Rabastan were technically free for over twenty years, they'd still basically belonged to the Ministry. With undercover Shadow Ops being their lives, they were only free to an extent. Free to go out to a limited degree, and only if no one discovered who they were.

With the pardon from the new Minister, and Bellatrix's appearance in the new paper taken into account, she knew she should expect at least a slightly less hostile reception from the general wizarding public. Still, dealing with people on a normal level had become so foreign that it made her uncomfortable. Bellatrix and Rodolphus wore long green hooded cloaks in an attempt to keep a low profile. With any luck, everyone would pay more attention to the giant spider than the little humans walking along with him.

"Here it is," Narcissa said, waving at a sign that proclaimed it to be 'The BlackHeart Boutique… A shop for the black-hearted.'

"Will they give you and Mum a discount because you are both daughters of House Black, do you think," Lyra asked, and Narcissa giggled.

"Wouldn't that be a charming honor?" she said.

Bellatrix rolled her eyes. "It isn't as if you need a discount, Cissie. You have plenty of gold, and if you ever run out, Lucius shits it, or so some say."

Lyra choked as she attempted to hold back a laugh. She did try hard to be polite, Bellatrix thought with a frown of disapproval.

"Did you get the dress that you're wearing here, Aunt Narcissa," Lyra asked as Rodolphus came forward to politely hold the door to the boutique open for the ladies to enter.

"I'd better wait out here with Rhadamanthus in case he is harassed for loitering," Rodolphus said. Bellatrix nodded. There was no way the Acromantula would fit into the dainty little boutique.

"I shall join you shortly," she said, and Rod's lips twitched. He knew how little tolerance she had for shopping. Bellatrix kissed his cheek before hurrying inside where Cissie and Lyra were already looking through a rack of dresses.

"I should get this translucent one just to watch Dad go mental," Lyra said, holding up a bit of gauze that was obviously being sold as a dress. "Can you picture his face?" she giggled.

"So red...so angry," Narcissa said gleefully. They obviously didn't see Bellatrix behind them, so she made her presence known by reaching around Lyra and snatching the rubbish 'dress' from her hands.

"Hi, Mum," Lyra said, turning innocently to Bellatrix. "Don't you like the dress?"

"No," Bellatrix drawled. "It isn't your color."

Lyra nodded. "It isn't short enough either."

Bellatrix glared, and Lyra burst out laughing. "Mum… You're far too easy to vex," she said happily. "Come help me find a few warm winter things." She looped an arm through Bellatrix's and drew her deeper into the boutique.

The walls were decorated in various styles of black hearts. There were some paintings, some glittering black crystal sculptures…some still beating. Some were stylized with black wings, and some had skulls in the center. Bellatrix had to admit the place was cute. Narcissa paused at a rack of cloaks, and she and Lyra began to sort through them while Bellatrix watched. "How do you think I would look in this orange one," Lyra asked and Narcissa smiled. "Like fire! Lovely."

Lyra smiled happily so Bellatrix didn't share her thoughts that rather than fire, she would look like a damned pumpkin. The girl seemed to enjoy looking like a pumpkin, though, having sported the horrid orange skirt the previous day. Lyra took down the cloak and held it against her chest. "I will take this one."

"Would you like another color," Narcissa asked. "In case you're wearing something that won't look as lovely with orange?"

Lyra nodded. "Should I go with black or green?"

"How about silver?" Narcissa suggested, lifting a shimmering silvery velvet cloak and holding it up to Lyra. "I think this one will look lovely on you. Here, come to the mirror and see for yourself."

Lyra happily followed her aunt, and Bellatrix found herself growing painfully bored as expected. "Have fun and bond, you two… I'm going to wait outside with Roddy," Bellatrix called. Lyra turned to give her mother a perplexed glance over one shoulder, but Narcissa laid a hand on the girl's arm and shook her head.

"It's just Bella's way," she murmured reassuringly. "She never stays in any shop for long if it isn't full of books."

Lyra gave Bellatrix an understanding nod. Though the disappointment in her daughter's eyes was brief, Bellatrix had caught it and vowed to make it up to her later by breaking one of her own rules and allowing everyone to have a drink once they got home. Tomorrow was Sunday, so they could even play another getting to know one another drinking game if Lyra liked. That would, at least, make dealing with Lucy more tolerable...perhaps. One could hope.

Three boutiques later, Lyra had several winter dresses, a pair of elegant winter boots, three cloaks, and even some warm winter pajamas, and slippers. Narcissa had covered all the bases as Bellatrix knew she would, and Lyra appeared to like her aunt very much. For her part, Bellatrix had remained outside each shop with Rod. They contributed by watching over Lyra's packages so she didn't have to worry about losing them while shopping.

Once they were back at Raven's Nest, Bellatrix turned to Lyra and smiled. "I figure I owe you for not shopping, so if you'd like to drink tonight, we may. We can even play another drinking game if you wish."

Lyra gave Bellatrix a pleased smile. "Great! I can get to know Aunt Narcissa and Uncle Lucius far better when they have a bit of drink in them!"

"Oh, I don't know," Narcissa said with a chuckle. "I don't drink much."

Lyra gave a gleeful crow of laughter, throwing an arm around her aunt's shoulders. "Ah! A girl who can't hold her liquor! You're going to be so fun!"

Narcissa drew herself up proudly. "I said that I don't drink much. I never, ever, said that I cannot hold my liquor!"

Lyra's smile grew. "This is going to be awesome!"

Chapter 43: It Would Eat You Like Poison If You knew What I Knew.

Chapter 43: It Would Eat You Like Poison If You Knew What I Knew

"I've got it," Lyra crowed gleefully. "Let's play spin the bottle for our drinking game, only when the bottle points at someone, they have to take a shot instead of kissing anyone."

"Seems harmless," Rodolphus said.

Lyra gave her father a suspicious look. "Is that a good or a bad thing?"

His lips twitched. "In this case it's a good one, because there is only one person in this manor that I plan on kissing!" He threw an arm around Bellatrix and headed for the library to look for Rabastan and Lucius, while Narcissa and Lyra went upstairs to put Lyra's things away.

"The spider should get to drink tonight too," Lyra called over her shoulder from the top of the stairs.

"Probably unwise, I may eat the obnoxious blonde man if I get too drunk," Rhadamanthus rasped.

"He's definitely drinking," Bellatrix drawled, and Rodolphus chuckled. "Yes! Lucy needs to learn to live on the edge."

When they reached the library, they discovered that Lucius and Rabastan had already gotten rather drunk.

"Were we gone that long," Bellatrix asked drily. She stood in the doorway, one brow arched at Rabastan.

The younger Lestrange shrugged. He was slumped in a corner armchair, a half full glass in his hand. "Probably not, but getting drunk doesn't take very long when one is determined."

Bellatrix smirked, thinking that Rabastan and Lucius had likely had vastly different reasons for being determined to get quite drunk in this situation. Lucy, because he'd lost all his magic and now felt unsafe thanks to Delphini, and Rabastan because they'd left him alone with Lucy.

"Well, can you explain to your dear niece why you can't play her latest drinking game," Bellatrix asked.

"I didn't say I couldn't play," Rabastan objected, a grin dancing across his lips. "I can always drink more."

"As can I," Lucius agreed, speaking each word carefully in an obvious attempt not to slur. "I am not one for games, though."

Bellatrix frowned, though her eyes were laughing. "Well, you can't drink if you don't play."

"Fine," Lucius grumbled. "I'll drink."

"He means he'll play," Rabastan said with a chuckle.

"I said so, didn't I?" the blonde huffed, giving Rabastan a peevish glance.

"Leave Lucy alone, Rab," Rodolphus said, giving Malfoy a negligent smile.

Rabastan sighed. "Fine."

"We should probably have dinner first," Lyra said as she and Narcissa entered the library. "I plan to drink a lot and food on the stomach usually makes the outcome a bit brighter."

Narcissa chuckled. "You are very much like your parents in your enjoyment of celebrating," she told Lyra.

This caused Bella to smile. Seeing that Lyra was like her and Rod even after having grown up on another continent was touching and filled her with something strange that she could only assume had to be motherly pride.

"See? If I'm so much like the two of you, you should party more with me, and stop being such sticks in the mud," Lyra complained, turning a pointed glance on her parents.

"She's right," Rabastan chimed in. "This new responsible Bellatrix both bores and frightens me at the same time."

"Watch it, Bro," Rodolphus warned, flashing an amused glance between the two. "If you offend her and she decides to teach you a responsible lesson, don't think I'll be getting in the middle because that's not happening."

"You're always so sweet, Roddy," Bellatrix said, turning a smile on her husband.

"And wise," Rodolphus added. "I am also very wise."

"I need another drink," Lucius said.

Ignoring him, Bella turned a dark scowl on Rabastan and Lyra. "What part of Delphini could attack at any time didn't you remember?" she demanded. "You," she pointed an angry finger at Rabastan. "I do believe you were there when we lost to him in a big way the first time. I recall my uncle dying, and our minds getting twisted." Turning to Lyra, she directed the same finger of accusation at her. "I also recall you seeing that memory. Did you forget already?" she demanded. "She appears to somehow be even more powerful than he was, not to mention having a little of him inside of her to top it all off."

"For my part, I believe strongly in the success of drunken fighting," Rabastan said. "You know, no inhibitions and all. One can pull off some very brilliant shit at such times. Trust me, I know... and I recall both of you participating drunkenly in a few such fights at my side," he concluded, daring to point a return finger of accusation at his sister-in-law, if briefly.

"While Uncle has a point, I was more banking on the strength of all the wards that are on this manor allowing us enough time to Apparate away," Lyra said. "I'm not saying we should drink every day, Mum, but you really should loosen up a little," she coaxed. "If we're all wound too tight, we could make foolish mistakes at the worst time."

"The girl is thinking," Rodolphus said.

"I did loosen up a little," Bellatrix snapped, glaring at Lyra. "That's why I suggested drinking tonight!"

"Yes, and I appreciate that, but you know what I mean," Lyra said gently.

"Dinner is served." The hollow voice came from Harold, who stood in the doorway of the library, speaking from the depths of his plague doctor mask.

"Thank you, Harold," Bellatrix said, ready to eat and hopefully be done with the conversation for now. Taking Rod's arm, she swept out of the library and toward the dining room.

"Something smells delightful," Rhadamanthus said eagerly, the tips of his feet whispering along the carpet as he scuttled along behind them.

"I'm betting roast chicken and mashed," Rodolphus guessed. "Which happens to be one of my favorite meals," he explained, casting a glance over his shoulder at the spider as he spoke. "Harold is so thoughtful...making my favorite food during times of Lucy-induced stress."

Bellatrix smirked. Lucius hadn't yet joined them. He along with everyone else was lagging behind, probably to talk rubbish about how overly cautious she was being. It was a good thing she never gave a damn what anyone but Rod thought when it came down to it.

"You'll want a large spoon for the mashed potatoes," Rodolphus was telling his spider. "Those are very good, but rather soft, so not something you can easily nibble or just throw into your mouth."

"Yes, thank you," Rhadamanthus murmured seriously. "You have been a great help in how well I have adjusted to doing things as humans do, and it has been quite a treat."

Bellatrix nearly laughed at that but restrained herself, knowing that her amusement may not be understood. The idea of a creature finding Rodolphus helpful was a new one. The fact that said creature was a huge predator made it a bit more understandable, though.

Dinner passed quietly and without event. Everyone seemed to be in his or her own thoughts, other than Rabastan briefly asking how the shopping trip went, and Lyra and Cissie keeping their answers just as brief, understanding that a man wasn't likely to be curious about any boutique. Rhadamanthus handled the potatoes well, and enjoyed them enough to have a second serving.

After dinner was over, Lyra asked Harold to bring at least fifteen bottles of fire whisky up from the cellar and to the library. Lyra gestured for everyone to gather around the large round reading table in the center of the room where they'd played their last drinking game. "It will be easy to spin the bottle on the table," she said.

"If we need an empty bottle, Lucius and I nearly finished one while you lot were out," Rabastan said. "Wait just a moment and I'll..." He snatched a nearly empty bottle of fire whisky from the edge of a book shelf. Unscrewing the cap he downed it in two long swallows then presented it to Lyra with a pleased grin. "There we are!"

"Thanks, Uncle Rabastan," Lyra said drily. Harold Apparated in with a case of fire whisky floating at his side. Placing it beside Rodolphus's chair, the elf bowed and turned to go.

"Wait!" Lyra said. "You should stay. Drink with us! Rhadamanthus is drinking, and if you don't, you'll be the only one sober."

"Which might be a good thing," Harold murmured.

"Come on, please?" Lyra coaxed.

"It is up to the master and mistress," Harold said after a second of hesitation. "Harold has no particular desire to drink, but he will do as they wish."

"Don't do anything you don't wish to do," Bellatrix said, waving the elf away. Rodolphus nodded. He bowed and left. Bellatrix decided he was the wisest one present.

"So how does this game work," Narcissa asked, eyeing the empty bottle now in the center of the table. "How does one win?"

"By not puking," Bellatrix suggested, smiling at her sister's ill expression.

"You win if the bottle isn't pointing at you when it stops, so there are always more winners than losers," Lyra said with a laugh. "If the bottle points at you, you take a shot, then it's your turn to spin it, and whoever it points at gets to drink, and it's their turn to spin and so on."

"What if a person drinks, then spins and it points to them again," Lucius asked, speaking for the first time in quite a while.

Lyra grinned. "I guess they get really drunk."

"Yeah," Rabastan crowed, conjuring six shot glasses with a wave of his wand. "Wait! How's the spider going to take shots," he asked, glancing at Rhadamanthus, perplexed.

Lyra frowned in thought. "I think half a bottle should make a shot, considering his size… So he gets his own bottle and drinks half when it's his turn."

By the time Harold entered the library to announce the arrival of guests, Rhadamanthus had finished three bottles, and the humans had polished off two. Everyone was pleasantly drunk, more than pleasantly in the case of Rabastan and Lucius, who had begun far earlier.

"Guests," Bellatrix asked, blinking a bit blearily at the elf in his adorable plague mask. While drunk, she always thought the mask looked especially charming. "I assume it's no one dangerous, because were we in danger, you would not appear calm."

"Harold will make a special point never to appear calm during times of danger, Miss Bellatrix," the elf said politely. "As far as who is here, it's Regulus and the elf Kreacher."

"Show them in, then," she said, wondering what they wanted, and why they hadn't just come in. She just walked in when visiting their manor, after all. It was annoying when Reg was all polite.

Harold bowed and hurried out. Soon he was back, Regulus and Kreacher following behind. Bellatrix frowned at the mildly shocked expressions on their faces.

"What's the matter?" she snapped. "No one is dead."

Rodolphus smirked. "And by that she means that no one has killed Lucius."

Narcissa frowned reproachfully at her sister and brother-in-law, but Bellatrix was more interested in Regulus and Kreacher's reason for being here.

Chapter 44: Reading Rainbow

Chapter 44: Reading Rainbow

"We remembered something else," Regulus said, and with those words, he effectively ruined Bellatrix's drunk.

"Oh, shit," she groaned softly. From the pensive looks on their faces, the memory did not promise to be a pleasant one. Of course, that was all they needed, more mind-melting fuckery!

As if reading her thoughts, or at least her mood, Rabastan poured another shot, abandoning the game with the gesture. "And this is why we drink," he said drily, before downing it.

"Hi, Cousin Regulus… Kreacher," Lyra said, and they both gave her a polite nod and forced smile to match.

"You may as well come and sit down," Bellatrix said with a sigh, gesturing to two empty chairs at the table.

Man and elf hesitated. Regulus gave Narcissa and Lucius pointed glances, and Bellatrix shrugged.

"Fuck it. It hardly matters who knows now. All secrets are out anyway after my article to the paper. I had many reasons to put the truth out there, and now that it's done I can't say it isn't a relief."

Regulus nodded, and he and Kreacher seated themselves side by side near Narcissa. "Hello, Cissie… Lucius," he murmured.

"Yes, hello, Miss Cissie," Kreacher said, giving Bella's sister a polite smile. "Lucius." His smile for Malfoy was a little colder. Kreacher was never fond of Dobby, considering him annoying at best, but knowing how Lucius treated elves did not warm him to the man. Bellatrix supposed she understood that. She may have killed Dobby, but she certainly had not kicked him beforehand, and Kreacher seemed to have no problem with the little annoying shit no longer being around.

"I finally got to meet Aunt Cissie today, and we went shopping," Lyra said, giving Regulus and Kreacher a cheerful, if drunken smile. "Uncle Lucius wanted wards put up around Malfoy Manor, and as that won't happen on the weekend, they are staying here."

Bella found herself being proud of her perceptive daughter who obviously noticed Regulus and Kreacher's confusion at a party they seemed to have been left out of. "Yes, this was an unplanned party," Bellatrix added.

Regulus nodded. He rarely saw Narcissa and Lucius, being fully aware that they were uncomfortable with one of their own having become a vampire, even if only to survive Voldemort. In Bellatrix's opinion, Regulus wasn't always comfortable with his own choice, and this allowed him to understand and respect that discomfort in others. Though, there were times when he seemed almost disturbingly comfortable with his vampirism, using it like the weapon it was because he'd literally earned it. She supposed she could understand that too.

"When we had our memories restored, we were told that they may not all return at once, but instead they could filter in over time," Regulus began.

Bellatrix nodded, feeling herself stiffen at the potential prospect of more memories hitting her. Those she'd already regained were quite disturbing enough, and she didn't relish more. Little disturbed her so this was saying something, but Horcruxes, having her uncle murdered, and their minds bent could do it.

"So we remembered that previously we both had a false memory," Regulus said. "Even Severus commented some time ago about it not making sense at one point when he heard the story. Kreacher and I always felt we were missing something, but until recently we had no explanation for it. Until tonight, we both had a memory of how we discovered that the Horcrux was a Horcrux. I believed it was a guess of mine, but that I had to test it out with a spell. I believed Kreacher, my father, and I all returned to the cave once before that final time that Kreacher and I went. We did this to run the Horcrux identifying test on the locket."

"Is there such a test," Lyra asked and Regulus shrugged.

"I don't know, but there certainly should be. I never performed it, though, because I am not aware of how to do so. Why I would believe that Kreacher, my father, and I had done so is beyond me. Kreacher shares the same memory. Tonight, however, I remembered how it truly happened, and Kreacher's memory returned when I recounted it to him."

Even Lucius was leaning forward in interest at this point.

Bellatrix blinked, perplexed. "Wasn't it because of something in one of those books we stole from Durmstrang for the Dark Lord? It was your first assignment as a new Death Eater, and Kreacher helped us get into Durmstrang. It was me, you, Rod, and Rabastan."

Regulus nodded, giving a faint smile. "Yes. I remember that very clearly now, but before our memories were restored, that was completely gone. I am thinking the Dark Lord tampered with that memory the night he bent your wills so that you would obsess over him. The question is why? Kreacher and I are thinking it may have something to do with the books themselves. They could hold information he did not want us to have. Perhaps having it now wouldn't be useful to us anymore, but with Delphini being who she is, one never knows."

"So you think we should find copies of those books and study them," Rodolphus asked, and Regulus nodded. "It certainly can't hurt."

"You both remember our little midnight thieving trip to the Durmstrang library, don't you," Bellatrix asked, casting a glance at Rodolphus then at Rabastan. Both nodded.

"Do you remember the titles of all four books by any chance," Rabastan asked Regulus and Kreacher. "I am a little hazy there."

Bellatrix and Rodolphus nodded to indicate their own haziness on the matter. "I recall one being about unicorns," Bellatrix said with a shrug. "At the time, I thought it was a surprising topic of interest for the Dark Lord."

"The book titles were Necromancy, Advanced Mind Altering Potions, Unicorns, and Soul Transference and Skinwalking," Regulus said. "I made my guess about the Horcrux from clues I picked up in the one about soul transference and skinwalking. I now wonder if the skinwalking was how he managed to possess Quirrell."

"Good thought," Lucius said with a nod. He looked impressed,and Bellatrix felt a sudden stab of pride for Regulus. He was always a smart little shit, at those times involving Horcruxes, but not always for his own good.

"Jot the titles down, and I'll see what I can do to acquire copies," Lucius added. "I have some connections."

Regulus gave a grateful smile. It was obvious that he was not expecting help from the Malfoy corner. "Thank you, Lucius. That shall be a great help. I have someone I can check with, as well. Perhaps with our resources pooled, we will track them down quickly. With them having come from the Durmstrang library, I am guessing they are rare and specialized, but hopefully not one of a kind. One of a kind books aren't usually left to the hands of students, at least not without special permission and a locked vault."

"True," Lucius said as he leaned thoughtfully back in his chair. "And I must say, I am rather curious to see what the Dark Lord was so interested in reading!"

"Perhaps the mind altering potion was how he controlled certain people that required something a bit more special than the Imperius Curse," Regulus mused. "After all, while the Imperius Curse can be detected, a carefully crafted potion could all too easily go unnoticed even if a person was magically examined. If Delphini is using something like that now, it would be quite useful to be aware."

"Master Regulus is brilliant," Kreacher said proudly.

"Perhaps so," Bellatrix admitted thoughtfully. "Perhaps so." Imagining what Delphini could make people do against their will was certainly enough to give her nightmares, Bellatrix thought darkly.

Chapter 45: We're Not Broken, Just Bent

Chapter 45: We're Not Broken, Just Bent

The next morning, everyone was relatively hungover, but no one was pussy enough to complain too much. A good breakfast and hangover potions, both of which Harold had at the ready, set everyone to rights.

"Are you ready to meet your grandparents," Bellatrix asked Lyra as she poured herself a second cup of after breakfast coffee.

"I have grandparents," Lyra asked, looking sluggishly up from the newspaper over which she was hunched with her own second cup of coffee. Apparently her hangover potion was working a bit slower than everyone else's. "Well, obviously I have grandparents. I mean...it's nice that they're still alive!"

"We aren't that bloody old," Bellatrix pointed out with an offended frown.

"If you say so," Lyra muttered dubiously.

"Hey, watch that filthy mouth or you'll stop being my favorite niece," Rabastan warned, struggling not to laugh. "And being my only niece doesn't mean shit. I can still banish you from the favorite zone at any time."

"That's right," Narcissa murmured, lip twitching in a slight smile. "We tend to wipe smudges right off of our family tree. Insulting the age of an aristocrat is very dangerous, and may just get you blotted out."

Lyra sighed. "Very well, I'd better apologize. I apologize, beloved psychos."

Lucius choked on his coffee, and Bellatrix strongly suspected it was because he was actually trying not to laugh.

"Apology accepted," Bellatrix drawled. "Now I shall go and write a letter to my parents and Rodolphus's father to invite them to lunch. I won't tell them they have a granddaughter in the letters. They can discover that when they arrive."

In part, Bellatrix felt unsafe writing such news in a letter just in case Delphini wasn't already aware of Lyra's presence yet had the mail watched. A paranoid thought, but these days she was quite comfortable with her paranoia. It also seemed a bit wrong to inform her and Rod's parents via letter that they had a granddaughter they had never heard of. At times, and to the right people, Bellatrix could almost be sensitive.

"Your mum is dead," Lyra asked Rodolphus, turning to him with a look of sympathy.

Growing up around their other relatives had made their daughter very expressive...a practical open book, Bellatrix noted. She still wasn't certain how she felt about that.

"She died not long after your mum's Uncle Orion," Rodolphus replied with a slight frown. "There was an attempt at robbery of our old family home, a magical accident, the robber was never caught. Another interesting thing is that there were four witnesses to the robbery and not a single one is alive now. What started out as obvious foul play quickly got more foul."

Lyra's eyes were wide. "How long were the other four dead after your mum was killed?"

Rod gave her an approving smile. "Sharp thinking," he murmured with a nod. "Not very long. They made their report to the Ministry, and in less than a year none of them were alive. My mother's death was caused when they were defending themselves, and the robber was also throwing spells. They chased him off, and he was never caught. Since he wore a white mask, he was also never identified. The four witnesses were killed in various ways, all seemingly accidents or mishaps, but we never believed it for a moment."

"I bet you didn't," Lyra murmured, shaking her head.

"The elder Lestranges were always supporters of the Dark Lord, if not outright followers, so at that point we did not suspect him," Rodolphus said. "We weren't sure who had done it or why. We suspected the Ministry at one point but, of course, could not prove it. We had no particular reason for the Ministry doing such a thing other than wanting to stop support for Voldemort." He sighed. "Looking back, I am thinking it may have been the Dark Lord himself, though I have yet to understand why."

"I'm sorry," Lyra said sincerely. "Gods, is there no end to the harm this monster has done?"

"Probably not," Bellatrix muttered as she swept from the room to write her letter and send it off to the Blacks and Rod's father. When she returned, everyone was still lazily gathered around the breakfast table though the food was long gone.

"So who were the other witnesses," Lyra asked, refilling her coffee cup.

"Four of my parents' old school friends," Rodolphus said. "My father was away helping my grandfather move, and they were keeping Mum company for dinner."

Bellatrix gave her husband a look of sympathy, dropping a hand onto his shoulder before resuming her customary seat at his side at the head of the table.

Rabastan's face was a blank mask as he sat at the table's foot. His posture was stiff as he stared at nothing. Though he was the most laidback of the three of them, the youngest Lestrange did have feelings, and they were speaking of the still unsolved murder of his mother. It had to bring things back for him just as it had for Rod.

"Perhaps we can discover who was behind it yet," Bellatrix said, including both her husband and brother-in-law in her optimistic glance. It occurred to her then that perhaps it had been tactless of her to go off on her parents for not seeing that something had been done to the three of them when Rod and Rab didn't have a mother to go off on.

In her defense, though, she had been going off for the three of them. They'd all deserved help, and none of them had deserved what was done to their minds. While they had chosen to follow Voldemort so had many, and they were the only ones to make a stand against him once they discovered what he had done. In hindsight, perhaps they should've included others in the attack, she thought.

Then again, would it have mattered? What if the Dark Lord had simply defeated all of them? At the time, they'd believed that six was enough! By all rights five wizards and an elf surprise attacking at once should've been enough to take any single person down, even one as skilled as the Dark Lord himself. Apparently not, though.

Lyra scowled, setting down her coffee cup with a decided bang. "This makes it inconveniently difficult to stay angry with the three of you," she complained darkly. "You've gone through more in half a lifetime than anyone should."

"How could anyone be angry with the three of them," Lucius asked drily. "They're all such peaches, after all."

"Watch that shit or I will throw you out, leaving you cowering with your tail between your legs, hoping Delphini isn't interested in you after all," Bellatrix threatened, perfectly willing to take out her bad mood on Malfoy. He was a perfect target. He gave her a scowl but wisely remained silent, so she gave him a pleasant smile in return.

"Just for the record, we shall be ever grateful for your kind mercy," Rodolphus told Lyra with a grin. She gave an exasperated sigh, but smiled back at her father nonetheless. Harold came in then to ask about what he was making for lunch, and everyone moved into the library so that the elf could clean up without them in the way.

Chapter 46: Blacks And Lestranges

Chapter 46: Blacks and Lestranges

Corvus Lestrange was the first of the parents to arrive for lunch. His expression was pensive as Harold showed him into the library. "What have the three of you done," he asked in concern, words spilling out in a rush. As his gaze took in Narcissa and Lucius, he nodded a greeting at them, clearly as an afterthought.

Corvus, like his eldest son, had a wide stocky build and strong jaw with sharp intelligent black eyes. One to take care of his health, he had aged well with only a bit of gray at his hairline.

"Hi, Dad," Rodolphus said, lips twitching slightly. "Nice to see you too."

Before Corvus could reply, Rabastan spoke up in his usual cheeky fashion. "Well, Bellatrix and Rodolphus technically did do something, but it was back in the nineties, so you can relax." He grinned at his father.

"You were so vague in the letter, Bellatrix, it had me worried," Corvus said. "What's going on?"

"Sit down, and relax, Dad. It's alright," Bellatrix said, giving him a warm smile.

The man was like a second father to her. He'd seen her as a daughter from the time she and Rod had begun to seriously date in their fifth year at Hogwarts. Though Corvus was gruff and didn't often express emotion, it was obvious that he cared a great deal for all of them.

"I simply did not wish to share sensitive information in a letter in case it got intercepted," Bellatrix explained. "I also didn't want to give you that sort of news in such an impersonal way."

"What sort of news," Corvus asked, sinking into an armchair beside the fire.

Bellatrix drew in a deep breath, realizing that she hadn't exactly decided how to say it nor had she brainstormed with Rodolphus.

Interpreting the look on her face, Lyra leaned forward, winking at Bellatrix before turning to Corvus. "Hi, Granddad. I'm Lyra Lestrange."

Bellatrix watched Corvus's dark eyes widen as he took in the similarities to both Bellatrix and Rodolphus in Lyra's face. His startled expression made it clear that he hadn't even noticed her sitting in the corner beside a tall bookshelf. "And why was I not aware of you before, young lady," he asked.

"Because we only knew ourselves a few days ago, and then things got rather insane, so we haven't had much time to share the news," Bellatrix explained.

Together she and Rod told the story of Voldemort's request to perform sex magic for him, the odd winged clicking thing that may, or may not, have been his Horcrux or something worse that they had kept from entering them. Along with how they'd had Lyra in Australia when visiting that branch of the Lestrange family. At last they concluded with their choice to forget about her in order to keep her safe from the Dark Lord.

Corvus shook his head when they stopped speaking. "That's a lot to take in. I wish I had known. You kids have had to deal with so much on your own."

Rodolphus shrugged, waving his father's concern off with a casual gesture of one hand. "Nah. We didn't want anyone to know. The more people who did, the more challenging it would've been to keep her safe."

Corvus nodded reluctantly. "I suppose you're right. How did you reunite, then," he asked.

"I saw the article about Mum's article in the paper and my aunt and uncle encouraged me to come and see them. They said the way the spell worked, they'd remember me as soon as they saw me."

Bellatrix nodded. "The forget spell was linked to Lyra so that if we ever saw her again, we'd remember. Jehan and Agrona promised to return her to us if Voldemort died and we ended up evading prison. Unfortunately, as we were working secretly for the Ministry for all this time, they never knew and as we had no memory of Lyra, of course, we didn't consider letting them know."

Corvus nodded. Though he kept in touch with his Australian cousins, he never would've mentioned that Bella, Rod, and Rabastan were working Shadow Ops for the Ministry. The Ministry only allowed them to tell immediate family members, and those had to swear a blood oath never to speak of it to anyone else.

"Want a drink, Dad," Rabastan asked and Corvus nodded.

"Yes. Thank you, Son." He turned to Lyra as Rabastan moved over to the liquor cabinet. "How are you finding London, Granddaughter?"

Lyra looked thoughtful. "I suppose it's nice enough. Aunt Narcissa showed me some charming shops, but other than the Ministry, I haven't had an opportunity to see much else." She gave him a coaxing smile. "You could always show me around. Mum and Dad and Uncle Rabastan work so much I never get to have any fun."

Corvus's usually stern face broke into a pleased smile. "I would love to!"

It was then that Cygnus and Druella Black arrived, so Bellatrix and Rodolphus had to repeat the entire story all over again. Both were extremely pleased to have a Granddaughter, having never acknowledged their other one when she lived. Once someone was burned off the family tree, they were gone for good. Neither Andromeda nor her child had seemed to mind, judging by their shameful behavior.

Before Druella and Cygnus could do more than welcome Lyra to the family, Harold was announcing that lunch was ready. Soon they were all settled around the large dining table.

"It is so wonderful to see everyone in one place for a change," Cygnus said expansively. "Narcissa, you and Lucius don't visit nearly enough," he chastised. "Corvus, it's good to see you! I thought you were avoiding me after that last loss at chess."

"You were drunk, and I did not lose," Corvus said, biting back a smile at the same time as Narcissa said, "How were we to visit without magic to Apparate, Father?"

Cygnus swallowed a bite of broccoli and replied to both without missing a beat. "I was sober enough to remember winning, Corvus. You had magic for the past month during which you remained absent from our home, Narcissa."

He grinned over at Lyra, who watched the spectacle in open fascination. "See, girl? That's how it's done." To her immense credit, Lyra did not ask what was being done, nodding to Cygnus instead.

"I've been saving back some family heirlooms in hopes that Bellatrix and Rodolphus would someday produce," Druella told Lyra in her lightly French accented voice.

"What? You didn't give me and Bella everything?" Narcissa teased, giving her mother a look of mock horror.

Druella frowned slightly, shaking her head. "I wanted the Grandchildren to have a little something without having to go through the morbidity of waiting for you to die first."

Lyra choked on her drink, spraying it out her nose which set Rabastan to laughing like a hyena.

Bellatrix smiled, shaking her head. "Very considerate of you, Mother," she said.

Druella gave a regal nod. "I thought so, as well."

Corvus cleared his throat. The table fell silent as he regarded Rodolphus, Bellatrix, and Rabastan. "About that article in the paper… Are the three of you truly alright after what he did?"

Bellatrix swallowed and dropped her gaze. "Sure," Rabastan said with a shrug.

"I'm good," Rodolphus assured his father.

Silence stretched out as Bellatrix bit into a dinner roll. "Bellatrix?" Corvus pressed.

Bellatrix's gaze darted to her own parents who had dropped their gazes in what she hoped was shame for not realizing there had been something amiss all those years ago. Somewhat to her surprise, she couldn't find it in her heart to be as angry with Corvus. Not when he'd lost Rodolphus's mum so soon after. She sighed, swallowing the bite.

"I suppose I am alright," she said quietly. "Thank you for asking. It was a violation, and it seems those are unpleasant to recall." She gave him a forced smile.

"You all seemed so taken with what he was doing, it just never occurred to us that anything else was going on," he said, a look of shame on his face that made her heart swell with love for him.

Hastily blinking the liquid emotion from her eyes, Bellatrix nodded briskly. "Thanks for caring all the same."

Obviously seeking to lighten the moment, Lyra smiled brightly at Corvus. "You should've seen the way she stabbed Delphini when they discovered Voldemort's Horcrux was inside of her, though! That was awesome!"

Corvus nearly dropped his fork. "You were there?"

Lyra shook her head. "No, but I saw it in the Pensieve. It was epic Bellatrix! She kept stabbing and stabbing while basically telling him to sod off, and they no longer needed a god."

"Yeah, so...apparently he has a Horcrux in her," Rabastan said, grinning at the shocked look on the faces of Corvus, Cygnus, and Druella. "I guess we forgot to tell you. We did say it's been busy, though."

"What's interesting to me is that Delphini said she doesn't like him," Rodolphus said. "Makes me wonder how sharing space as closely as they are will work out."

Chapter 47: The Graeae

Chapter 47: The Graeae

Bellatrix, Rodolphus, and Rabastan headed to the Ministry first thing Monday morning. Normally, they would've at least checked in at Azkaban, but there were no reports of trouble and everyone wanted the cold fish, otherwise known as Lucy Malfoy, out of their manor and back in his. They also planned to speak with the Aurors about having Rodolphus's dad's and Bellatrix's parents homes warded as well, just in case Delphini decided to get at them through those they loved. For all they knew, Voldemort was responsible for the death of Rod's mum, and they weren't interested in a repeat.

They Apparated directly into the Ministry. After receiving clearance from the two goblins guarding the inner door, they went directly to Auror Headquarters.

"Ah, it's my little Dark Triad," Grindelwald called, waving a pastry-filled hand at them from where he sat at a corner table with a cup of fragrant coffee in front of him beside a stack of reports.

Bellatrix couldn't help giving a pleased smile at that. She liked the sound of Dark Triad. It fit them perfectly.

"As it happens, there is a gift for each of you," Grindelwald continued before taking a bite.

"Ooh, it feels like Christmas," Rabastan enthused as a goblin approached with a shiny gold colored name badge for each of them.

"It's clearance for all departments here so that you can Apparate into anywhere in the Ministry directly," Gellert explained. "To activate it, you merely need to prick your finger and drip a drop of blood onto the back of the badge. This ensures it always recognizes you and no one else can wear it with the same results. If someone steals your badge and attempts to Apparate in here wearing it, it won't work and will set off some nasty alarms!" The German gave a pleased smile.

"Blood magic," Rabastan said approvingly. "Dark stuff... I love it!"

Gellert grinned. "It's the only way to go when it comes to proper security."

"Did you and your man make them," Bellatrix asked.

Gellert gave her a pleased smile. "Indeed. That is how we spent our entire weekend, as a matter of fact. There was little rest and no fun for us. Instead, we slaved away for the greater good of Ministry security."

"Just in time to provide something for you all to prick your fingers with, I finally have a replacement dagger for you, Mrs. Lestrange," Zabini said, presenting an ornate dagger to her, hilt first. "I do apologize for not getting this to you sooner," he said. "What with something unpleasant happening every day to demand our attention, there was less time to attend to anything else than I expected."

Bellatrix nodded, giving a dismissive shrug. "Indeed it has been chaotic, and I have it now." Taking the dagger, she examined it closely. It sported an intricate Celtic Triquetra on the silver hilt with a large oval emerald in the center. "This is nice," she murmured. "Thank you."

It had a definite Slytherin touch with the combination of the silver dagger and the green emerald. The Triquetra, Irish along with the emerald, represented the Lestrange Three beautifully.

"We picked it up on a supply hunting trip last year and had yet to decide what to enchant it to do, but it seemed perfect for you," Blaise said.

Bellatrix put her new dagger to work right away, activating the blood magic spell on her security badge, before passing it to Rodolphus, who did the same then passed it to Rabastan. Meanwhile, Rodolphus explained their request for security for the Malfoy's home as well as the homes of their parents.

"We understand that you lot are very busy, but if we don't get Lucy Malfoy out of our manor soon, we're likely to slip up and kill him," Rabastan explained in all seriousness. He passed her new dagger back to Bella.

Giving the hilt of her new favorite weapon a fond squeeze, Bellatrix slipped it into the wide black leather belt at her waist. Though she knew her wand held the true power, having a blade on her again did give her a pleasant surge of the warm fuzzies.

"We don't really have the resources, but enough high risk people are going to want this done for their families, so I guess we're going to have to make it happen anyway," Romeo Valdez said with a sigh. The Head Auror entered while Rodolphus was making their request. "Ooh, pastries!" Valdez added eagerly, hurrying to the table where Grindelwald sat. "Is there more coffee?"

"Good question," Bellatrix said. It did smell wonderful, after all.

"There is," Gellert replied. "Greg brought the pastries."

"Bless him," Romeo said, snatching one from a tray and stuffing half into his mouth. "My wife has many talents, but cooking is not among them. Thankfully for all of us, she doesn't try," he said, after chewing his huge bit of pastry.

Bellatrix approached the table and poured three cups of coffee, taking one and passing the others to Rodolphus and Rabastan. The pastries were tempting, but they'd just had breakfast, so she left them alone.

"Gellert, I suppose we should work out a schedule for getting homes warded," Romeo said. "I am thinking sooner rather than later before more shit hits the fan and our resources are too low to be able to spare anyone."

Gellert nodded. "Write Flitwick, and ask him to help after school. His additions will speed the process significantly."

Romeo nodded. "I'm on it...as soon as I've eaten the rest of this," he waved the pastry in his hand before taking another bite.

"Well, the good news is that Kereston got the Basilisk fangs ordered," Blaise said, moving around the table to slide his elegant lanky frame into the chair next to Grindelwald's. "The bad news is she cleaned out the three suppliers who carry Basilisk fangs, and there still aren't enough for everyone to have one."

"Not surprising," Romeo sighed. "Lately that's been the way with everything. Two steps forward, and one back just to make it a bitch."

Gellert flashed an appreciative grin.

"Well, in all fairness, no one usually needs that many damn Basilisk fangs," Rabastan said with a chuckle.

"Thanks to Delphini, it's all about the unusual of late," Romeo said drily. "From excessive home warding to Basilisk fangs, she's making us scramble, and I hate it."

"So how are you deciding who gets fangs with the supply limited," Bellatrix asked.

"And why isn't someone giving the Basilisks horny potions so they will shag more?" Rabastan demanded. "The more babies there are, the more fangs there will be." Romeo sputtered into his coffee, shaking his head at Rabastan.

"For now, we will be providing Basilisk fang weapons to those who are most likely to be attacked by Delphini," Gellert replied to Bellatrix. "Fangs will also go to those who guard high security places that she is most likely to attack. These fangs will remain property of those places rather than to the particular guards, so when the shifts change they will just give the weapon to the next guard."

"Sounds good," Romeo nodded. "When should the fangs be in?"

Blaise shrugged. "Well they're coming from three different places, so not at the same time. They're arriving by magical post so that shouldn't matter too much. We should have them all in two days, but some will arrive sooner, perhaps even this afternoon."

"Good," Romeo said. "We can start distributing them today then. I will have one, Gellert and Blaise will have one to share as they're always together, the Minister herself will have one, and we will give them out to those who guard the Ministry, Hogwarts, and Gringotts. Of course, the three of you will be given a fang," he added to the Lestranges. "As you're usually together, you can also share it between the three of you."

Rabastan grinned. "Like the Graeae. You know, the three Greek sisters who shared the eye."

"They also shared a tooth, which is the point here," Rodolphus told his little brother.

"Exactly," Gellert said.

"We won't be giving one to the Malfoys, so tell Lucius not to come up here asking," Blaise said. "We will, however, give an alarm device to anyone who is concerned for their safety when it comes to Delphini. They can use it to notify the Ministry if she approaches them. Those Gellert and I can craft relatively quickly so they can go to anyone who wants one."

"That sounds reasonable," Bellatrix said. She exchanged a look with Rod as she spoke, because, of course, that didn't mean Lucy Malfoy wouldn't bitch nonetheless. He was accustomed to having anything he wanted being swiftly handed over, but this new Ministry was different, and it did not give a fuck about him.

Chapter 48: Your Head Is Running Wild Again

Chapter 48: Your Head Is Running Wild Again

"We'll be at Malfoy Manor to begin the wards at eleven," Romeo said. "All of you including the Malfoys should be there to help. Lucius and Narcissa can at least provide refreshments and do anything else they can to help that doesn't require magic. Then they can do the same at all of your parents' homes."

Rabastan grinned. "Fuck yeah, make them work for it!"

"Damn right," Romeo agreed, grinning back at the younger Lestrange before dropping his eyes back to the form on which he was scribbling. "The more civilian help we have, the fewer Aurors are out doing this. If Delphini strikes somewhere and we're all out protecting homes, that won't do at all."

Grindelwald nodded in approval. "Indeed."

"We'll see you at eleven then, at Malfoy Manor," Rodolphus said before draining his coffee and tossing the disposable cup into a corner wastebasket.

"Thank you," Bellatrix nodded to Grindelwald and Valdez before turning to Rod. "I'll just pop into the lady's. I'll be right back."

She hated Apparating on a full bladder and right now hers had some coffee to get rid of. She tossed her own empty cup into the wastebasket to join Rod's on her way past.

Pausing at the desk of a young female Auror with spiky blonde hair, she asked for directions to the closest lady's.

"Well there is one right down the hall, but..." the young woman paused, leaning toward Bellatrix and speaking in a hushed whisper. "Fat Penny Pug just went in there to drop a massive poop, and you really don't want to experience that."

Bellatrix felt her eyes widen as an incredulous laugh escaped her.

"So I'd go down a floor to level three, just to be safe," the girl advised. "There, the lady's is just a hall over on the left. I'll have to wee in about five minutes tops, and trust me, I'll be going there as well." She gave Bellatrix a wink.

"But how do you know she went in there to do that," Bellatrix asked.

"Because she left five minutes ago, and she isn't back yet," the young woman said, glancing pensively at the clock as she spoke. "Penny takes a long time to drop a poo and trust me, it's bloody toxic!" She covered her face, giving a heartfelt shudder.

Bellatrix noted the young woman's name tag said Valdez. "Are you Romeo's sister or wife," she asked, recalling the man had one of each.

The spiky haired blonde grinned. "Wife."

"Ah, you're the one who can't cook," Bellatrix said with a chuckle.

The young woman gave an indignant squawk. "Romeo been talkin' shit again, has he?" she demanded.

Bellatrix laughed. "Trust me, I can't cook either. There's no shame in a lady having better things to do."

T. Valdez grinned appreciatively. Thanking her for the lady's room tip, Bellatrix gave a little wave and Apparated down a floor as the woman had advised. The lady's was indeed down the first hall on the left, as promised. Not one to go in a public restroom if she didn't have to, Bellatrix was relieved to find this one decent enough. It was quiet and pleasantly warm with a reassuringly clean smell. It appeared she had the place to herself. Hurrying into the nearest stall, she slid the lock on the door and was settling down to void herself of too much coffee when the door to the lady's opened, and by the sound of it, several women entered.

"I mean!" one of them squealed. "They're just letting those Lestranges walk around loose among us! I'm just holding my breath waiting for them to stop playing nice and slaughter us all!"

Another giggled. "Yeah, or at least start throwing Crucios like wildfire, while laughing maniacally!"

"I don't think they're all that bad," a third voice chimed in. This woman wasn't laughing. "I don't know what to think of Rabastan, but Rodolphus seems to have a steady head on his shoulders. All the Aurors are singing his praises for his improvements to the security of Azkaban. I really think he was dealt a bad hand being saddled with an insane shrew of a wife like Bellatrix!

"He probably has to struggle constantly just to keep her insanity restrained. It makes me sick for him! That poor man doesn't deserve the trouble she brings down onto his head. I can't imagine someone as dependable as he appears to be doing that to those Longbottoms. I bet it was all her! She's probably always dragging him down."

Bellatrix didn't hear the rest of their conversation through the roaring in her ears and the pounding of her heart. She couldn't tell by that point if she felt extremely upset or extremely furious. She was simply too overloaded to know. As the women stopped talking and entered stalls she was finally able to attend to her own business. She was at the sink nearest the door washing her hands when she heard one of the stall doors open. A woman even taller than Bellatrix herself, with black hair pulled back into a tight bun, emerged from one of them, and Bellatrix could see her reflection in the mirror over the sink in front of her.

Turning, she gave the woman her famous mad grin, then calmly dried her hands as Bun-Lady's two blonde friends emerged from their own stalls. Bellatrix relished the widening of their eyes as they took her in. The chubbier of the blondes looked as though she may faint, and that felt good. The three nearly tripped over their own feet to get past her and out the door. The nasty cows hadn't even washed their hands. Of course, they were likely too afraid to stick around that long knowing she'd overheard their trash talk, she thought with a smile of smug satisfaction.

Bellatrix never cared what people thought, and she didn't now. Of course she didn't, but they'd been treated surprisingly well by all the current Aurors, so those stupid women and their equally stupid comments had rattled her in a way they probably shouldn't have. When she burst through the door of the lady's she Apparated back downstairs at once and nearly crashed into Rodolphus's chest.

"You alright, babe," he asked, hands coming up quickly to catch her upper arms.

"I'm sorry," she managed. Her voice came out breathy, nearly in a whisper. This was due to the fact her entire chest and throat felt constricted. Her breath was coming fast, and she felt tears stinging the back of her eyes. She silently vowed that if she began crying here, she would return to the third floor and kill absolutely everyone there! At least she could be sure of taking the three catty bitches out who'd upset her.

"For what?" Rod demanded. "What's wrong?"

Bellatrix looked up into his face, and saw concern written there. "For...for...oh, Rod, am I that terrible to deal with?" She swallowed, shaking her head in an attempt to clear it as he gave her a look of purest confusion.

"Are you? What are you talking about, Bella? I never have a problem dealing with you."

"Are you sure," she asked, hating the stupid way her voice trembled.

"Of course I am! What is this about? You'd better tell me right now."

Sighing, she did, and as she spoke, his expression went from shocked to positively stormy. "Where are they?" he demanded.

Bellatrix shrugged. "Probably somewhere on the third floor, I used the lady's there. What does it matter?"

"We're going to find them right now," Rodolphus said. Taking Bellatrix's hand he Apparated down to the third floor. An instant later there was a crack and Rabastan stood at Rod's other side. His face wore a concerned look as his eyes met Bella's. Gesturing down the hall, Rod nodded for her to lead the way. Feeling mildly bemused, she shrugged and began

walking up the hall toward the main corridor she'd Apparated into. "We'll walk every bit of this floor, and when you see one of them, you point her out to me," Rodolphus said.

Bellatrix assumed he wanted to check their name tags and report them to the Minister for whatever that was worth. The thought was sweet, though she doubted it would quell everyone's rude comments. It was only a pity they weren't free to handle people the good old fashioned painful way, she silently lamented.

She spotted the chunkier of the two big haired blondes first, and pointed her out wordlessly to Rodolphus. Smiling happily, he approached her desk.

"Excuse me," he said politely. "I was wondering if you could fetch your two girlfriends. You know, your friends that said such nice things about my family. It would mean a great deal to me if I could speak to all three of you at once."

The blonde looked ill, and Bellatrix smiled. She hastily scrambled up from her desk and murmured something that may have been 'of course,' but she was already hurrying away so Bellatrix couldn't be certain. Idly, she wondered if the woman would even return, but she did, and in less than a minute, with bun and other blonde trailing. Both regarded Rodolphus with wide eyes, and he flashed them a charming smile. "Good morning, ladies. I just wanted to clue you in on a little secret."

As he spoke, the friendly look left his face and that Rodolphus Lestrange blank stare which terrified the shit out of anyone he wished to intimidate took its place. "I simply thought you should know that it is, in fact, Bellatrix who keeps me together, keeps me from turning stupid little fluffbunnies like you into pathetic broken things when the sound of your obnoxious laughter begins to annoy me."

They gasped, and he smiled coldly. "She's worth fifty of any of you. She knows how to make me feel alive in ways that you small minded parrots in heels could never imagine."

He leaned forward slightly. "And now I'll tell you a final secret. What people fail to understand about the Lestranges is that we are very nice to those who are nice to us. Otherwise, we lose a little control and when that happens...well, let's just say that we're the only ones who find the results pretty."

Tossing an arm around Bellatrix's shoulders he turned away. Rabastan followed, giving the three a cheeky grin as he did.

"Now stop allowing rubbish people like that to get into your head," Rodolphus murmured, giving Bella a little squeeze before Apparating them back home.

Sighing, she nodded, snuggling against his strong muscular side. "It's really you who holds everything together, though. I'm just glad you don't mind."

Rodolphus shook his head. "I couldn't and wouldn't without you at my side, so it's you," he argued, giving her a careless grin.

"Fuck that," Rabastan said firmly. "I'm always the one looking after the both of you!"

Chapter 49: Hurt So Good

Chapter 49: Hurt So Good

Upon entering their library, the Lestrange Three found Lyra, Lucius, and Narcissa having tea. Rhadamanthus, who they'd left to guard the manor, was hunched in the corner, holding a huge book of maps in his two front legs.

"You're home early," Lyra exclaimed with a pleased smile. Then worry clouded her eyes as her face fell. "You're never home this early! Is anything wrong?"

"Not this time," Rabastan said with a grin. "The Aurors are going to meet us at Malfoy Manor at eleven, and we're all helping to place the wards. They don't have time to spare so everyone needs to contribute."

That should be obvious, but Bellatrix knew it was wise of Rabastan to state the obvious before Lucius opened his mouth to complain, and she had to smack him.

"Oh, that's nice," Narcissa said, relief all over her face. Bellatrix gave her sister a slight smile. Of course Cissie, would want to be back in her own home where everything was familiar and comforting during these trying times.

"Whatever is wrong, Bella," Narcissa asked, expression growing alarmed as she took Bellatrix in.

Bellatrix made a face. Did it show that much? Sighing, she flopped into the nearest chair. Rodolphus came to stand behind her, strong hands falling onto her shoulders and beginning to massage.

"I don't want to talk about it," Bellatrix said. Giving a sigh of pleasure, she leaned into Rodolphus's touch. His strong fingers worked relentlessly at the knots in her shoulders, and she closed her eyes as the tension flowed out of her. Rodolphus didn't give tension a choice, Bellatrix thought, a small smile curving her lips.

"I love you," she murmured and Rod chuckled.

"You too. Always." He kissed the top of her head, and the heat from his lips caused her lower belly to tighten with sudden desire.

"So you can tell me here, or I drag you upstairs and make you do it in private," Narcissa said sweetly. "Which shall it be?"

Bella sighed, casting her sister a resentful glance. "I was hoping Rod would be the one dragging me upstairs."

"Sounds good," he growled, hands sliding from Bellatrix's shoulders to caress their way down her arms.

"Bella," Narcissa warned.

"I'm on Aunt Cissie's side," Lyra at last chimed in. "What's the matter?"

Bellatrix hadn't wanted to go into the uncomfortable lady's room incident in front of Lucius. It was too painful, and too personal, and opened up too many insecurities she wasn't aware she had. She didn't like Lucy Malfoy enough to show him that, but Cissie and Lyra's persistence sparked her temper, annoying her into answering.

"Just some cows mooing in the lady's today at the Ministry," she snapped.

"About what?" Lyra demanded.

"About you," Narcissa asked when Bellatrix didn't respond immediately.

Sighing, she nodded tightly.

"Well, considering the wild past you Lestranges have, can you honestly blame them," Lucius asked smoothly. He arched a brow at Bellatrix, and, as could be expected, this sparked her anger.

"Have you ever actually had fun, Lucius," she asked. Standing before he could reply, she shook her head. "Never mind, of course, you haven't."

With that she strode from the room and upstairs. She couldn't look at Lucius any more right now. She heard feet on the stairs behind her as she headed for her bedroom, hoping it was Rodolphus while suspecting it was her sister and daughter. Unfortunately, her suspicions proved to be correct.

"What did they say, Bella," Cissie asked, as Bellatrix pushed open the door to her bedroom.

"It must really be something if you actually cared," Lyra added in a worried tone. "I'm the only one who gets to be snarky to you, so if they were mean, I can go up there and let them have it."

"There's a girl," Narcissa praised her niece.

"Rod already told them about themselves, and probably gave them nightmares for a month too," Bellatrix said with a chuckle as she moved further into the room. With a sigh she turned to face her daughter and sister as Lyra closed the bedroom door.

"It's just that...well, I can't honestly imagine you in need of defending, Bella," Narcissa said gently as she approached her sister. "You terrify everyone...that is, you always manage to hold your own in a fight," she explained, her lips twitching as Lyra snickered. "Right now, though, you look shaken up, and that has me worried." The look of concern on her face caused Bellatrix to scowl.

"I don't need defending. I was fine. Rod simply took it upon himself to..."

"Well, what did they say?" Lyra interrupted impatiently. The girl was actually bouncing up and down on her toes as if Bellatrix were withholding some monumental bit of news.

With a sigh of resignation, Bellatrix briefly summarized the comments the cows had made in the lady's. She found herself toying with her skirt as she spoke, for something to do with her hands. "I don't know why it got to me like that," she admitted with an exasperated shake of her head. "It was stupid."

"Well, I'm glad Dad put them in their place," Lyra said, then frowned. "You know when I was angry with you, I was all set to call the two of you Bio-Mom and Bio-Dad… Getting trashed with you like friends and looking into your memories sort of wrecked that," she said, sighing and making a face.

"So sorry, but not," Bellatrix said drily, glad for the subject change.

"But Bella! Why ever would you think that you are a problem for Rod," Narcissa asked, dropping a warm hand onto Bellatrix's shoulder.

"For sure," Lyra quipped, waggling her eyebrows at her mother. "He's almost as crazy as you, after all."

Bellatrix felt her eyes glazing over, a small smile turning up the corners of her lips as she fondly recalled those times when Rod had lost control with her while torturing someone. He was always so deliberate with his violence, but sometimes their fervor caused him to hit that delicious high peak and cross that line she always knew was there, and it made the experience all the more heady. His movements became more violent and less deliberate. His eyes lost that steady gaze and went wild, and he could quickly press a mark or Muggle far beyond their point of endurance in less than a minute.

"Mum?" Lyra called, waving a hand in front of Bellatrix's eyes.

"Yes?" Bellatrix replied.

"What's going on," Lyra asked.

"I am simply recalling how your father..."

"No! Never mind!" Lyra interrupted hastily.

"It wasn't about shagging," Bellatrix assured with a chuckle. "Not yet." She looked to Narcissa and sighed, shrugging as she finally answered her sister's question. "I don't know why I let the cows make me wonder if I was a problem for Rod. I never thought I was, but I never thought anyone else thought I could be either. It was always the Lestranges as a group that everyone wisely feared. This time, though, they put a spin on us that surprised me. Hearing that they believed Rod was being dragged down by me, and I was the bad one was just… I don't know, a bit jarring."

She didn't say that Rod had been annoyed with her lately over what he considered to be her unnecessary upset about things that hadn't even occurred with the Dark Lord. Somehow all that felt too private to share with even her sister and daughter. It was between her and Rod. She knew that he'd been hurt by Voldemort as much as she had, and that while she may be overly emotional about it, he was bottling. Pushing him before he was ready would not be good, though, and if he was keeping his inner balance up better than she was hers, more power to him for as long as it lasted.

"Well, I don't think Lucius would've actually bothered to speak to those women had it been us in your place," Narcissa said quietly. "I know he loves me, but I want to cheer for the loud and proud way Rodolphus shows the world that he loves you!" She threw her arms around Bellatrix in a warm, sudden embrace. "Know that he loves you very much, Sister. It's quite obvious."

"I know that he does," Bellatrix said, swallowing as she squeezed Cissie back hard. It felt good, if strange, to hold her sister close. She toyed with the idea of telling Narcissa that she'd get her her magic back. She remained silent, though, because if she did, she'd have to insist that Cissie not breathe a word to Lucius and how fair was that?

Lucius was her husband. Somehow she'd found something in him worth loving, and Bellatrix didn't want to drive a wedge between them when she could help her sister without clueing her in on things that the new Minister wouldn't want Lucius knowing. She could hardly blame Kereston for that. Lucius was no champion of goblins or elves, and the idea of them working jobs that respectable wizards used to have, only a week ago, would set his blood to boiling. Bellatrix couldn't help but smile at the picture that sprang to her mind.

She'd never been as bigoted as Lucy, but she still stood with him on the same side of the fence in most matters, as did Rodolphus and Rabastan. Rod liked working with the goblins and elves at Azkaban, though, respecting their skills more and more. Bellatrix found herself more thoughtfully indifferent on the matter where she may have once resisted. What the Dark Lord had become, plus Delphini's existence, tended to put most other things in a better light and give one perspective.

"So is everything all good now,"Rod asked in a muffled voice, speaking from the other side of the closed door.

"How long were you listening?" Bellatrix said with a chuckle.

"Most of the time," Rodolphus replied unabashedly.

"Everything was always fine, but I think these two hens are finally satisfied," Bellatrix replied.

Lyra made a mock clucking sound as Rodolphus opened the door and came in. "Good," he said, catching Bellatrix in his arms, and covering her in a passionate kiss that had her melting against him.

Narcissa let out a shocked squawk and backed hastily out of the room with Lyra at her side. One of them banged the door shut behind them, and Bellatrix gave a low laugh as she twined her fingers in Rodolphus's short, dark wavy hair to draw him closer. He growled with desire against her mouth as their bodies pressed full length together. They tugged at one another's clothes, stumbling toward the neatly made bed between impassioned kisses.

Soon Bella was stretched out on her back atop the dark green coverlet with Rodolphus's gloriously muscular body looming over her. Her breath caught with anticipation as her gaze hungrily drank him in. His mouth claimed hers as he slid his impressive length into her. As his hips rocked deliciously, her eyes fluttered closed in pleasure, and she whispered, "Crucio."

His head flung back in pleasure and one hand tangled in her hair as he replied in kind. "Crucio." Delicious tingles of pain tangled with her building orgasm as he drove into her.

Chapter 50: The Muggles Are Restless

Chapter 50: The Muggles Are Restless

An annoying bang, bang, bang and then thump at the door caused Bellatrix's eyes to flutter reluctantly open.

"For God's sake, get yourselves downstairs! The Aurors will be at Malfoy Manor soon, and we have to get there as well, in case you've forgotten. It's five minutes before eleven! I'm certainly not going to be the one to tell them you're late because you're still at home shagging." The voice calling querulously through the closed door belonged to Lyra, and Bellatrix wondered idly if having a child had been such a good idea.

Bellatrix and Rodolphus lay sprawled together across their bed, happily drifting in that pleasantly exhausted state one achieved just after indulging in quite vigorous and fulfilling shagging.

"I'm sure the Aurors could learn a thing or three from us," Rod said, lips twitching up into a wicked grin. "None of them look as though they know how to shag properly anyway."

With a smirk of agreement, Bellatrix dragged herself up and, pushing her hair back from her face, peered about for her discarded clothing. It, like Rod's, was all over the room. Swinging her legs over the side of the bed, she rose lazily and began to pick up garment after garment, tossing them on the bed until everything she and Rod had been wearing was in a heap beside Rod's naked, supine form. Rod watched her with a glint of appreciation in his eyes and sighed with regret when she plucked her bra from the pile.

They were dressed and downstairs at exactly one minute after eleven.

"The Aurors are probably at Malfoy Manor right now, bitching," Lyra grumbled.

Rabastan approached before Bellatrix could decide if she wanted to bother with a snarky reply. "While the two of you were...busy, I wrote all the parents to tell them we're having their homes warded today. I asked them to meet us at Malfoy Manor so they can help get it all done faster like Valdez wanted," Rabastan said.

"Thanks, Bro," Rodolphus said, giving his brother a nod of approval.

"Take Lucius, Rabastan," Bellatrix commanded, grasping Cissie's arm. Rodolphus placed a hand on the back of his Acromantula and vanished, Lyra Apparating just after. Soon everyone stood together in front of Malfoy Manor, where as Lyra had predicted, the Aurors were waiting along with Corvus Lestrange, and Cygnus and Druella Black.

"Sorry we're late," Lyra apologized, shooting a pointed glance at her parents.

"An entire minute," Bellatrix said with a roll of her eyes.

"It's fine," Romeo Valdez grinned at Bellatrix, dark eyes glinting with amusement. "One minute, we can work with… Even three. If it edges past five, though, we just leave, and you're out of luck for the day."

Bellatrix found herself smirking back. She liked Valdez in spite of the fact he wasn't only an Auror – she hated fucking Aurors – but Head Auror.

"Grindelwald says he'll show up in the evening with Flitwick to check everything over and add any finishing touches he finds necessary," Romeo said.

Rodolphus nodded. "Thank you all."

Lucius nodded as well, stepping forward to shake Romeo's hand. "Indeed, thank you...thank all of you."

As he spoke, Lucius gazed at all of the gathered Aurors. His smile slipped and his eyes widened as he took in the few goblins and elves in the ranks. Bellatrix wondered if he would have a fit and refuse to have their 'lowly' magic on his home wards, but he remained silent.

Once again she felt almost hypocritical for looking down on Lucius for his attitudes, but he had always been so bloody insufferable. Not to mention, she'd recently witnessed the power of goblins and elves and had surprisingly come to respect them as pureblooded people of magical society. It was truly something she'd never considered before other than when it came to Kreacher. The elf had somehow always been one of them due to Regulus bringing him everywhere, and he was always smarter, more outspoken, and darker than other elves. She could easily see Kreacher as valuable and even an equal of sorts where many others seemed child-like and frustratingly empty headed. Those elves at the Ministry as well as those who'd come to work at Azkaban, while not Kreacher, were more focused and stoic than many others she'd met. Not that she'd met a ton of elves, to be fair.

"Let's get to it, then," Romeo said, breaking her train of thought.

Thus began a long day of warding three houses. After they finished with Malfoy Manor, they broke for a late lunch at the Three Broomsticks. Then it was on to Corvus Lestrange's manor, and the day ended with warding the home of Bellatrix's own parents. There they met up with Grindelwald, Zabini, and Flitwick who came to place finishing touches as promised. Grindelwald looked as tired as Bellatrix felt. The blonde wizard stood erect and alert in long black dress robes embroidered with silver runes and interesting looking sigils. Though he cut a sharp image, his face was strained. Bellatrix itched to ask what was going on elsewhere, but restrained herself as she didn't know how much he'd say in front of those not working directly with the Ministry.

Zabini remained, as always, at Grindelwald's side. His dark face was impassive and distracted, as though his mind were elsewhere, even while he laid skilled wards over those set in place by Flitwick.

"Thank you," Bellatrix said, approaching the three men. "We really appreciate the help."

Grindelwald nodded distractedly, turning a brief glance to her as she moved to stand at his side. "We already visited the Malfoy and Black residences to place these final wards, so it is all done."

"That's right," Zabini drawled. "If Delphini kills any of you, it won't be while you're at home."

"Good to know," Bellatrix retorted, shooting the tall, lanky wizard a dark look before returning her attention to Grindelwald. "What's happened," she asked quietly. "Am I allowed to ask that here, or should I wait until we're at the Ministry tomorrow morning?"

Gellert sighed, shaking his head. "There is nothing to report. Not directly, anyway."

Bellatrix frowned. "Why is it then that you don't look your usual chipper and mildly obnoxious self?" she demanded. "And your man looks even more removed than usual."

Blaise made a choking sound that may have been muffled laughter as he glanced down. Flitwick didn't bother to hide his quick grin of amusement.

"I believe by mildly obnoxious you meant perfect or even god-like?" Grindelwald corrected, smiling for the first time since arriving.

Bellatrix shook her head. "No. Definitely not. I meant mildly obnoxious," she assured.

Gellert's smile widened, and he chuckled, tossing back his blonde locks. "Everyone makes mistakes. The term that best describes me is PER-FECT. Not obnoxious but PER-FECT," he enuciated unnecessarily.

Bellatrix rolled her eyes and sighed. "Well, what has you looking so singularly un-perfect right now?"

"The Muggles… Or rather what we suspect Delphini is doing to the Muggles," Grindelwald replied with a sigh of his own.

His shoulders slumped briefly in frustration. Straightening almost at once, he continued speaking, gaze scanning the area as if for threats. "Millicent has continued to bring us disturbing reports from the Muggle internet of their increasingly strange activities and mental behaviors."

"Alright, but what's that got to do with us? The Muggles are always doing something. That's why any self-respecting witch or wizard wants them dead," Bellatrix snapped. "They are a plague in human form, and we all know it!"

"Not that I particularly disagree, but this isn't where you go all psycho, is it," Zabini asked, arching a brow.

Bellatrix decided it was no wonder he was with a man. No woman would put up with that mouth for more than three sentences before slapping him!

"The concern is that the Muggles are being stirred to a frenzy of epic proportions," Grindelwald answered before she could decide how to answer his obnoxious man. "It isn't just a disagreement between a few countries. It is far more strange and chaotic than that. It is the majority of the Muggle world at odds over not just one or two major issues of import but many small and ridiculous ones instead."

Bellatrix recalled the Millicent girl reporting some strange news concerning Muggle activity at that first meeting of the revamped Ministry. "It's gotten worse, has it," she asked, still trying to sort out why it should matter to them.

"As I said, it isn't countries fighting among themselves for territory or rights or money. It is factions. Liberals and Conservatives are divided across the world no matter the country. Their problems mainly seem to lie in what they call social justice. It seems to create far more problems than it solves, which is why we fear Delphini's hand. If she stirs the Muggles to mentally deteriorate into emotionally driven insanity, she can probably control and use them. For what, we do not yet comprehend. As we have no spy in her ranks, it appears as though we'll just have to wait for her to make the first strike." Grindelwald scowled, eyes darkening with a mix of anger and frustration. "I hate that! I hate just waiting, and I hate giving her the first move, but we can't make a decent strike until we see her plan!"

"What the fuck is social justice?" Bellatrix demanded.

Blaise shrugged. "That is rather unclear, but the end result appears to be a desire to tear down a working society. If this happens, the Muggles will descend into anarchy. How she can use this against us is unclear, but it would appear she's banking on turning the Muggles on us somehow."

"They seem to consider the act of being offended the worst possible violation that can happen to them," Flitwick finally spoke up, expression grave. "This exaggerated and emotionally fragile state makes them extremely susceptible to magical influence."

Bellatrix blinked, suddenly confused and annoyed by that fact. "What? I don't understand! That...well, it makes no sense."

Flitwick smiled, nodding. "Precisely!"

"Her magic feels very chaotic at best, so we believe her influence is heavy here," Grindelwald said. "The Muggles appear to be embracing chaos right now, and they are tearing down and restructuring facts to validate their feelings. These feelings, it appears, are likewise heightened and exaggerated, so again we see Delphini's influence. She is planning to use them for something…something she can draw magical fuel from. As we have no idea what, though, there is nothing to report, and unfortunately no direct action to take."

Chapter 51: Dinner With Grindelwald

Chapter 51: Dinner with Grindelwald

So Delphini was somehow driving the Muggles completely apeshit, and then using them! Bellatrix hated Muggles! All the Lestranges hated Muggles, and now they were just handed a shiny new reason to hate them! Zabini's former comment asking if this was where she went psycho rang in her mind's ear again, causing her to scowl.

"Excuse me. If you are available, we would love to have you to dinner for your kind help in having our home warded, Mr. Grindelwald." The words came from Druella Black who had approached as Bellatrix's conversation with Grindelwald was concluding. "Of course your...Mr. Zabini is also welcome, as are you, Professor Flitwick. Bellatrix, you and Rodolphus and Rabastan should come as well, it was so thoughtful of you to consider the safety of our manor," she added.

Gellert moved to shake his head, obviously feeling the need to politely decline, but his blue gaze grew suddenly shrewd and thoughtful as he hesitated. "Why, I think that could be arranged," he said. "I shall have to send word home to our elf that we will not be dining with the family so he won't hold dinner for us."

"I can stop off and deliver the message," Filius offered. "I shall have to decline your kind invitation, Lady Black, for my wife would worry did I not appear for dinner with her."

Druella nodded. "I quite understand."

"Thank you, Filius," Gellert said, turning to give the little man a grateful smile.

"Of course." He returned the smile, then gave the group a little wave before Apparating away.

"It shall be an honor to provide a meal to Gellert Grindelwald," Druella gushed. "I'll just make sure our elf has everything attended to." Turning to Bellatrix she added, "You, Rod, and Rabastan take Mr. Grindelwald and Mr. Zabini into the library. Your father will join you all with drinks soon."

"Of course, Mother," Bellatrix said, lips twitching in slight amusement at how gleeful and flustered her mother was over having Gellert Grindelwald at her table. Granted, she may have felt nearly the same once, but Bellatrix had since gotten to know the man a bit. He was far too approachable to inspire awe other than when it came to his impressive magical skills.

She glanced around for Rodolphus and Rabastan. They were in the middle of the yard conversing with Valdez and one of the goblin Aurors.

"Hold on," she told Gellert and Blaise. "I'll just go tell them to meet us in the library once they're done."

Both men nodded, and Bellatrix moved across the lawn, lightly touching Rod's deliciously muscular arm to gain his attention. His body was always distracting in the very best of ways and certainly served to raise a girl's spirits as well as her libido.

"Yeah," he asked, turning to her with that familiar attentive look that always made her feel listened to."Apparently, we're staying for dinner so meet us in the library when you've finished up here."

Rod nodded and Bellatrix turned to Romeo. "Thanks so much again."

"Sure," Valdez smiled and nodded.

"I'll write the little plague doctor so he can put whatever he made for dinner away for us to eat tomorrow," Rabastan said, and Bellatrix nodded as she walked back across the lawn to join Gellert and his man.

"Come on. Let's go have a drink in the library then," she said, and led them into the front hall of her parents' manor. "It's been a long day, and we all deserve one," she commented over her shoulder.

Zabini smiled slightly and both nodded. The men walked very close together, so though they weren't overly public about their relationship, Bellatrix felt it should be evident to anyone with eyes. They were quite literally joined at the hip.

As the hour was growing late, there were candles lit in the gargoyle shaped sconces on the walls of the library. They were placed above the shelves to send light cascading down onto the books, with magical enhancements, of course. Druella originally wanted the candles to be scented, but Cygnus had insisted that a library should smell like old books and nothing else. Bellatrix agreed with her father.

"Make yourselves comfortable," Bellatrix said, settling herself onto a loveseat, where she planned for Rod to join her when he arrived. Zabini and Grindelwald moved to the sofa. They sat together, Grindelwald's hand idly on Zabini's thigh near his knee.

"You aren't going to shag before my very eyes, are you?" Bellatrix drawled with a mock shudder and Grindelwald smirked.

"I'm afraid we don't allow people to watch."

"Thank the gods," Bellatrix said sincerely.

"Just shows your poor taste," Gellert shot back with an unbashed chuckle.

"So why did you agree to have dinner when you were obviously about to politely decline," Bellatrix asked. She was curious and the question would nag at her all night long if she didn't ask.

Gellert's expression was thoughtful as he regarded her. "That's the second relatively important thing you've noticed today. I like that."

From the calculating expression on his too-pretty face, it was clear that he was filing that observation away for later use, Bellatrix thought, but she only shrugged.

"I would like to see what your parents may have for me," Gellert said, answering her question with frank honesty.

While this honesty didn't surprise Bellatrix, it did please her. While they had hoped Voldemort would be a Grindelwald, Grindelwald certainly was no Voldemort. He treated people far better, and was far more open with those with whom he chose to work.

"What could my parents possibly have for you," she asked.

"That is what I am here to find out," he replied lightly. "Trust me, I am sure they had their own reasons for inviting me to dinner, and not all of those reasons stemmed from the usual curiosity of those who only know me from what lying newspapers wrote of me in my youth."

"No. I am certain enough stemmed from gratitude. You did get their home very well warded! Uncle Orion was brilliant at protective wards, and you've gotten this place locked down just as tight as 12 Grimmauld. It would've taken Uncle several days to do that to one manor much less the three that you lot helped us get done today."

Grindelwald nodded thoughtfully.

"Indeed. I always appreciate gratitude for hard work done, but when an old family like the Blacks seek a meeting, there is usually some sort of politics involved that is often mutually beneficial to both parties. As we all currently seem to have the same common enemy, this should not be difficult to arrange in this case." He flashed a sudden grin. "As it appears you have no idea what your parents may have to broach to me, I find myself even more intrigued."

"As am I, if you are correct," Bellatrix murmured.

Before the discussion could progress further, Cygnus Black entered. "It is such a pleasure to have Gellert Grindelwald in our home," he said, giving the egocentric blonde a slight bow, which caused Bellatrix to struggle not to cringe in embarrassment.

Her father bowing to anyone for any reason felt ridiculous, but when Cygnus continued, it made the little girl in her want to hang her head in embarrassment for the thought.

"You were not only kind enough to ward our home, but you healed Bellatrix's mind from what that monster did to her. I can't thank you enough for being there for our baby when we were unable to help her."

Bellatrix hated the sudden lump that leapt into her throat! She, likewise, hated the tears that stung at her eyes as her hands balled themselves into fists in the folds of her long black skirts. Were it Cissie in her place, she would be careful not to wrinkle her skirts, but Bellatrix was never one to bother with such things when her head got into another place. That just didn't matter to her, while Cissie never allowed her head to get away from her. Therefore, her fastidious nature was never challenged or disrupted.

"Daddy, I..." she began, then her breath hitched as she realized that she probably couldn't talk without crying. That was just as well, for she also realized that she had no idea what she planned to say anyway. She gazed at Cygnus, her eyes swimming with silent tears. Covering the space between them in three strides, he clapped a large firm hand on her slender shoulder, squeezing gently as if to just as silently tell her that all would be well somehow.

"I am glad to help anyone to recover from what Bellatrix and her husband and brother-in-law suffered," Grindelwald said quietly. "But it is the steady parental loving foundation that she as well as Rodolphus and Rabastan had which allowed her the strength to pick herself back up as quickly as she did. In that you helped her more than you can know. I can tell you first hand that my own recovery from fifty years of solitary incarceration happened as quickly as it did thanks to my loving and supportive parents." He turned his blue gaze to Zabini then and gave a soft smile. "And the love and reassurance of my life partner was what gave me the strength to try again. Bellatrix has Rodolphus and she has you and Mrs. Black. She will be fine."

"Such wise and kind words are rarely spoken so well, Mr. Grindelwald. I thank you," Cygnus said. Then he added, "Your parents...they still live then?"

Gellert smiled. "It depends on how you look at it, I suppose. I referred to my adoptive parents, Sabra and Geo Zabini. They are both so like me in different ways that were they not generations younger than I, they could have easily been my parents. I am truly blessed, as is Bellatrix to have you."

Bellatrix reached up, placing a hand over her father's and squeezing gently. "He's right, Daddy," she said carefully, vowing not to cry as she spoke.

Cygnus kissed the top of Bellatrix's head then moved to the liquor cabinet in the corner. "I was sent in by Druella to serve drinks, and have been remiss," he said a bit gruffly.

"Yes, please," Bellatrix said, with a strained and uncharacteristic giggle. A stiff drink sounded nearly as good as a heap of dead Muggles right about now.

"Thank you," Grindelwald murmured. Cygnus took drink requests and soon everyone was settled with a glass in their hand. Cygnus had just arranged himself in his favorite armchair by the fire when Rodolphus and Rabastan came in, so he rose to take their drink orders as well.

"May I have one for each hand, please," Rabastan asked with a quick devilish grin.

"That bad a day," Cygnus asked and Rabastan chuckled.

"Not as such, but Bella won't allow us to drink so much anymore, so I may as well get 'em in where I can."

Bellatrix frowned when her father cast her a confused look.

"We can hardly afford to be wrecked if Delphini takes it into her head to pay us an unwanted call," she pointed out drily.

"My Bella is being all responsible," Rodolphus said, giving her a proud smile.

"I've said it before, and I'll say it again," Rabastan proclaimed. "That shit scares me!"

Chapter 52: Of Connections New And Old

Chapter 52: Of Connections New and Old

The group in the library engaged in light small talk, sipping at their drinks idly while awaiting dinner.

"Where is your dad," Bellatrix asked Rodolphus. He was with them helping to ward the Black manor, so she'd expected he would stay to dinner.

Rod shrugged. "He was talking with Valdez when we left. I'm sure he's around somewhere."

Corvus Lestrange chatting up Aurors was...different, and Bellatrix planned to ask him about it at dinner to satisfy her curiosity.

The door to the library eased open and Orb, the Black family house elf, poked her head in to peer around the room. "If everyone is ready to eat, dinner is arranged in the dining room," she said quietly.

As the elf spoke, she studied Grindelwald with open interest. Being possessed of proper breeding, she did not linger, however. Instead, she bowed and withdrew when Cygnus nodded. Seeing quiet little elves like the one she'd grown up around only made Kreacher stand out more for Bellatrix. Even in the old days, he'd gotten on with his precious Regulus far better than with other elves. In fact, Kreacher was known to get into physical scraps with other elves that involved vicious ear pulling and head thumping if he ever had to share a kitchen for any sort of family gathering.

"Well, you heard the elf. Let's go eat!" Cygnus rose from his chair and moved toward the door. Everyone else rose to follow, and Bellatrix suddenly felt surreal. Dining with her family and Grindelwald should've felt amazing! It should've made her feel important and on top of the wizarding world! Her younger self would've shrieked with glee to know this day would come. Hell, she may not have even bothered to follow Voldemort if she'd known that Grindelwald would be in her future.

Then again, this current version of Grindelwald was entirely too comfortable and too disinterested in getting rid of the damned Muggles. Of course, he'd claimed back in his early years not to hate the Muggles, but everyone with a brain knew that was complete rubbish! Muggles were the reason they were forced...even MADE to hide, so, of course, he hated them!

Corvus stood with Druella at the dining room door chatting and obviously waiting for the rest of them.

"What were you talking to Aurors about," Bellatrix asked her father-in-law with an arched brow.

Corvus shrugged. "I volunteered my services if they need help with other warding, or hexing securities, or even research. I'm retired, and sometimes I grow restless. I begin to feel, at such times, that I should be doing more. And with us, perhaps, approaching another bloody war, I have decided to make myself useful in any way I can."

"So long as it doesn't involve you being in direct combat or placing yourself stupidly in danger," Rodolphus growled as the group entered the dining room.

Bellatrix couldn't help but remember how she'd torn the place to bits the last time they were here, and she almost felt bad for that now. To her relief, the elegant dining room looked completely undisturbed. That was good. What was done was done, and it didn't need to matter.

The table was set with cut crystal goblets of wine that sparkled in the light spilling from the chandelier. Ornate silver dinner plates were set with grilled salmon, roasted potatoes, and rice. The sight and pleasing aroma reminded Bellatrix just how hungry she was.

"You don't think I can fight," Corvus asked Rodolphus, mock punching his son on the arm before they took their seats.

Cygnus gestured for Grindelwald to sit at his right hand, and the blonde smiled slightly, inclining his head as he acquiesced.

Rodolphus scowled. "I didn't say that," he told his father. "It's just that I have enough going on without worrying about losing you."

"Yeah," Rabastan chimed in. "It'd be great if that didn't happen."

Corvus's eyes softened as he gave both of his boys a warm smile. "While I feel I could still hold my own, I wasn't going to throw myself into any battles. I know that I'm all you boys have left, and I'm not trying to go anywhere."

Rodolphus sighed in obvious relief as his expression relaxed. "Well...thank you."

Gellert smiled in fleeting amusement at Rod, his expression growing grave nearly at once. "I understand you well on that one. Our parents insist on helping, and we insist on keeping them safe, so it gets complicated." He gave Blaise a sidelong glance before returning his blue gaze to Rodolphus. "War is all about losses and as a result, it has us defending against worst cases when it comes to those we love." He sighed, spearing a piece of salmon with his fork. "The last time I did anything like this, I had no one to lose. Of course, I cared for my followers, and went well out of my way to keep them safe, but it isn't at all the same," he admitted.

"Yes," Corvus said. "Losing a follower hurts in its own way, but losing someone you truly know and love as your own will tear your heart out."

Bellatrix swallowed and glanced away like a coward, unable to face the pain in her father-in-law's eyes. She knew Corvus was speaking of his wife and the idea of losing Rod made her want to tear her own heart out. She knew she couldn't live without him, no question.

"Yes," Gellert said. "I can only imagine. I am sorry for your loss, Mr. Lestrange."

Corvus gave a tight smile, obviously attempting a brave face. It made Bellatrix want to hug him, but she knew that comfort may only open old wounds he was currently struggling to keep closed so she remained still.

"Thank you," he replied, giving Grindelwald a nod.

"Speaking of followers," Druella said brightly. It was clear she was trying to change the subject, and Bellatrix gave her mother a grateful look. "If you're looking to reconnect with any of yours, I could check into that for you. I assume that doing so yourself may be rather tricky, considering you're supposed to be dead," she told Grindelwald. "My aunt may know some people."

Gellert gave a slight smile, nodding. "Ah, yes. You were a Rosier, were you not, Lady Black?"

Druella nodded.

"Then I would very much appreciate that. As it stands, we need all the help we can get. If any of those who followed me once, are willing to stand with me against Delphini now, I would gladly have them."

Chapter 53: Sisters Of House Black, Always

Chapter 53: Sisters of House Black, Always

"I need to talk with the Minister before we go to Azkaban," Bellatrix announced over breakfast the next morning.

"Do I need to go," Rabastan asked around a mouthful of eggs. "That bloody place makes me nervous. I keep expecting them to change their minds and start hating us at any fucking moment."

Rodolphus shrugged. "Take Rhadamanthus and go ahead to Azkaban. Bella and I will meet you there. As for the Ministry hating us, I hardly see why we should care how they feel as long as we're free."

"Yeah, that's just it," Rabastan replied drily. "They suddenly remember to hate us and we don't stay free."

"New Ministry," Bellatrix reminded, pushing back her hair with one hand before it fell into her eggs. "They've got Grindelwald as Head of Defense. We're fine."

"Yeah, but enough people respected him back in the day even if he did get taken down," Rabastan protested. "We get no respect at all. Mugglefuckers have never respected us. Feared us, yes. Respected us, no."

Bellatrix drained the last of her coffee, then set the mug down on the table with a decisive thump. "Alright. My self esteem has taken enough of an ass kicking from you this morning, you little shit," she told Rabastan with a laugh as she rose to go. "Besides, neither the Minister, nor the Head Auror, nor Grindelwald happen to be Mugglefuckers, so as long as we help to keep them in power we're good. It's just your PTSD acting up."

"My PTS what? And what do you want from the Minister anyway?" Rabastan wanted to know.

Bellatrix arched her brows at the frown of suspicion he aimed at her over his own coffee cup. "I want to see if I can get Cissie back her magic," she said, deciding to go for the latter question and ignore the former as it would take far too long to answer.

"Good luck with that, because you're going to need it," Rabastan said. "Because Lucius."

Bellatrix sighed, nodding as Rodolphus stood from the table. "I am aware," she told Rabastan drily. "It's a bit difficult to trust the little shit, so speaking on his behalf will be somewhat impossible."

While Malfoy had defected, it hadn't been because he'd become a better person overnight or anything, and the Minister was no fool. While the Lestrange three weren't better people either, they were certainly more honest, and to Bella's mind far more likable.

Rabastan grinned. "Well, good luck with that, then."

Bellatrix wanted to say that she didn't need luck because she had a plan, but as that wasn't precisely the case, she merely nodded at her brother-in-law before she and Rodolphus Apparated to the Ministry. When they flashed their name badges and walked straight to the Minister's office without being stopped, Bellatrix had to admit that felt good. The Minister's door wasn't completely closed, so Bellatrix pushed it open.

"What," Kereston asked pensively when she and Rod walked inside. The little blonde Minister sat at her desk with a globe sized clear crystal ball on a stand in front of her and what looked like strange crystal earmuffs on her ears which she removed when she turned to peer at Bella and Rod.

Rodolphus closed the door behind them, and Bellatrix drew in a deep breath.

"Nothing has happened," she assured. "But I wanted to talk to you about my sister."

"Alright," Kereston said slowly.

"She hasn't done anything," Bellatrix said, and Kereston's face relaxed a little. "It's just that I hate seeing her struggle without her magic when she never did anything to anyone to deserve losing it!"

"She followed Voldemort and unlike you, she didn't try to kill him after she found out what a monster he was," Kereston pointed out.

"She wasn't given the opportunity," Bellatrix defended.

"Why not," Kereston asked, frowning. "Why didn't Orion go to her as well when he approached you as part of his family?"

Bellatrix sighed and shrugged. "Probably because he didn't trust Lucy either. At the time, I was too upset and shocked to hear that the Dark Lord, who we all worshiped, tried to kill Kreacher and probably made a Horcrux too. Also if you haven't noticed, Cissie is the softer type. She doesn't have whisky and nails for breakfast like I do. She doesn't spring to mind right away when you think you need someone to help you do a good sound killing, though I bet she could manage it."

Kereston's gray-blue eyes widened slightly. "Wait...you didn't really have whisky for breakfast, did you?"

"Not today," Bellatrix said. "Not for a long time...I think the last time I was twenty-four or so." She couldn't help a grin at Kereston's relieved expression. "My sister isn't trying to help Delphini, and I know she would help you if she had magic with which to do so."

"If we return her magic, we have to return it to Lucius as well, and I don't want to do that. Not now at least. He mistreats elves, and I don't trust him," Kereston said.

Rodolphus nodded. "We don't call him Lucy Malfoy for nothing. He's a little shit, but he shouldn't screw you over. It isn't to his advantage to do so, plus I could bully him for you. In fact, I'd be absolutely thrilled to!"

"In his defense, Dobby was obnoxious," Bellatrix added, lips twitching slightly. "But, in general, I understand your concerns and agree with them. What Rod said, though."

Kereston frowned. "I really want to help you, but if we return magic to the wrong person too soon, things could go south in a bad way, and we're scrambling enough as it is right now."

Bellatrix expected this, but she had to do something for Cissie. "How long until we can try? If Lucy starts shit, I'll personally kill him, I promise! It would be my pleasure."

"If it comes to that, I promise, you'll be the first assassin I call," Kereston said. "I may have just had another idea, though. We could give them both the cure, and Lucius's just won't work...because, obviously, it won't really be a cure."

Rod and Bella exchanged a slow smile. "Perfect," Bellatrix said. "That's perfect! Thank you so much."

"If your sister becomes a problem, though, you will be responsible," Kereston said firmly, and Bellatrix nodded.

"I promise. I will tell her that, and she will do precisely as you say and nothing else."

Kereston gave a strained, tired smile. "Good. That is good. I don't need anything else to worry over just now."

Though Bella's heart was singing because she'd been able to help her sister, the high was dampened a bit by the current shitstorm situation.

"Anything we can do to help at present," she asked and Kereston shook her head. "Nothing that you aren't already doing, thank you."

"What's all that," Bella asked, indicating the globe sized crystal ball and the crystal quartz earmuff looking things with a gesture of her hand.

"Those are the devices with which I scry and communicate with Merlin and Nimue," Kereston said. "And as for helping… Actually, if either of you could do a better job than I, or Severus, or Gellert and Blaise have done, that would be perfect! It would really take a load off, to say the least."

"Those crystal things communicate with the dead," Rodolphus asked. "Neither of us are ghost whisperers, if that's what you mean."

Kereston gave a faint smile. "No. Merlin and Nimue aren't dead. They're just hiding."

Chapter 54: Merlin and Nimue

Chapter 54: Merlin and Nimue

Bellatrix blinked, trying to take it all in. Merlin and Nimue weren't dead, and the Minister and her friends were trying to communicate with them? When Rabastan heard about this, he'd so wish he'd come along with them to the Ministry!

"Whatever they're using for longevity, I want the recipe," Rodolphus said, and Bellatrix gave a fervent nod. "Put all three of us down for a bottle," she chimed in.

Kereston gave a tired smile as she shook her blonde ringlets. "It isn't like that. They died plenty of times, but they still are Merlin and Nimue; or rather, the people who were once Merlin and Nimue. The souls of Merlin and Nimue as it were."

"Ah...reincarnation," Rodolphus said and Kereston nodded. "Exactly."

"So what is it, precisely, that you want from them," Bellatrix asked, still working on taking it all in.

"Help on the current situation would be absolutely brilliant," Kereston said drily. "They are bloody Merlin and Nimue, after all. They beat down the Saxons and did a lot for Muggle wizarding relations back in their day, so our issues with Delphini now seem right up their Knockturn Alley, as it were."

"But if they're Merlin and Nimue reincarnated, how much do they actually remember? And why aren't you just speaking to them in person?" Bellatrix wanted to know.

Kereston sighed. "Well...when we originally cast the spell to seek them out, we had no idea that they were reincarnated or that they may not have all of their memories. We have no idea how much they remember, but they do remember who they are so that's more than some may recall after several lives. As for why we aren't speaking with them in person...it's simply because they are no longer living in this world."

"But I thought you said they were alive," Rodolphus said, giving the blonde a perplexed look.

"They are, but I said they're hiding, remember? The way the two of them in particular chose to hide was by laying low in another world, quite literally."

"But how," Bellatrix asked, shaking her head in confusion. Not only were they never taught anything even resembling world travel in school, she'd never even seen a book that mentioned the art!

"Apparently there are countless worlds, and we know little about most of them," Kereston said. "Albus theorizes that traveling between them is possible, but he hasn't managed it yet. Merlin and Nimue managed it by simply being born into that world. Between lives, in spirit, we all go to the same spirit realm, or astral realm. Then when we go into different lives, we enter whatever world through the astral. So doing it from world to world is either quite uncommon or impossible."

"Sounds promising," Bellatrix said drily. At this point she was still struggling to take all of it in. Not because she didn't understand it, but because it was so odd and unexpected. "We certainly can't say you lot aren't thinking outside of the box," she said and Rodolphus gave a fervent nod of agreement. "For sure!"

"For all the good it's doing us," Kereston said tightly. "But thanks."

"So we can't travel to other worlds, but those crystals allow us to communicate between worlds," Bellatrix asked, gesturing at the quartz ball and odd quartz earmuff looking things on the desk in front of the Minister.

"Yes. Through an enhanced combination of location and tracking spells combined with Occlumency and Legilimency."

"And all that is enhanced by the crystal quartz," Rodolphus said.

Kereston nodded. "It certainly isn't foolproof or simple, though. It's all too easy for a person to misunderstand something or not to hear clearly."

"So does it work like a Muggle...phone thingy thing," Rodolphus asked, gesturing vaguely at the crystal contraptions.

Kereston shook her head. "Not so much," she said regretfully. "It's more like thought and concept exchanges with some mental imagery. That's why it's really easy to mishear or misunderstand, or somehow not hear at all at times. If we're at all distracted, or if they are, and they don't know we're trying to get through to them, things can come through partially or not at all."

"Like how," Rodolphus asked.

"Well, it can happen in many ways. For example if I tell you I WOULD go out to dinner at the Three Broomsticks, if it's just a thought concept, perhaps you'll not understand that I WOULD and think that I DID. Silly example but I didn't want to get too complicated just to demonstrate," she said with a casual gesture of her hand.

Bellatrix nodded. "Got it...I think."

"So how is it that you suppose we may be able to help," Rod asked.

"Perhaps you'd be better at hearing or getting through to them for all I know," Kereston said with a shrug.

Bellatrix had to admit she was intrigued. It was Merlin and Nimue, after all. Even if they were Merlin and Nimue a long time ago, it was still bloody impressive and interesting. Who else could say they had mind chatted with Merlin and Nimue, after all? "So how does it work," she asked.

"You put the crystals on your ears and look into the ball to start," Kereston said. "Then you send out the thought that you are, insert name, and tell them whatever you want them to know about yourself. Then you ask them whatever, and listen for their response. The response will sound like a thought, but it won't feel like your own."

"Why are they hiding, anyway," Rodolphus asked with a frown. "That's quite inconvenient, you know," he added peevishly.

"For real," Kereston agreed. "And as for the why… As it happens, they don't exactly remember."

"Why not," Rodolphus asked carefully.

Kereston sighed, giving a nod of understanding. "I know. It's frustrating, to say the least… and you haven't even tried talking to them yet! They forgot because of the reincarnation bit, though. You know we lose a lot of memories when reentering the body. At least they're aware of who they are and that they have forgotten much."

"So whatever or whoever they're hiding from is so dangerous that they felt it safer not to even remember themselves," Bellatrix asked. "That must really be bad!"

Kereston nodded. "That or they believed they could remember and were wrong."

"Are you speaking of the distractible magpies?" The low resonant voice came from the doorway of the Minister's office, and belonged to Blaise Zabini.

Kereston nodded. "They aren't that bad," she defended lightly.

"Yes, they are," Zabini disagreed firmly. "Are you letting them have a go at trying to get through?"

Kereston nodded.

Zabini turned to Bella and Rod. "In that case, you'll want to be aware of the fact that they're a couple of distractible magpies in human bodies!"

"Not literally, of course," Kereston said and Blaise scowled.

"I strongly disagree! Trying to talk to them is exactly like trying to communicate with a bloody magpie who keeps getting distracted by pretty shinies!"

"I can't bloody wait," Rod said drily.

"What do you want anyway," Kereston asked Blaise.

"I just came to see if the Basilisk fangs you ordered from that new supplier have come in yet. Gel and I have used up all the fangs that you ordered a few days ago, and we still don't have weapons for half of those who need them."

"Including us," Rodolphus said, scowling.

Blaise shook his head. "Not true. I sent yours to Azkaban. It's there waiting for you."

"Sorry, then," Rod said gruffly. "Rab is there now, so he likely has it."

"No, the ones from the new supplier aren't in yet," Kereston told Blaise regretfully.

Zabini sighed, and left without another word.

"Such a friendly chap," Bellatrix said with a smirk. Stepping closer to the Minister's desk, she pointed at the crystal orb. "So how do I use that? I may as well give it a go now. No time like the present."

Chapter 55: The Greatest Wizards Of All Time

Chapter 55: The Greatest Wizards of All Time

Bellatrix could hardly believe she was actually about to speak to Merlin and Nimue, even if it was the reincarnated versions.

"Just put the crystal earphones on your ears and look into the crystal ball while performing the locating spell that I will teach you now." Kereston gestured at one of the empty chairs on the other side of the desk from her own. "Have a seat." When Bellatrix sat, Kereston carefully pushed the quartz earphones over to her, then slid the huge quartz ball on its stand after them. "You perform the location spell once the earphones are in place," Kereston explained.

As Bellatrix carefully lifted the band of what appeared to be ornate copper and slid it over her hair, settling the flat shards of quartz over her ears, Rodolphus settled into the chair beside her to watch.

"Are sounds actually going to come out of these," she asked with a skeptical frown.

"It doesn't work like that," Kereston said with a shake of her head. "You are communicating with them in thought form. We just went for the earphone concept because we are mentally hearing them, and the spell helps the crystal enhance our mental hearing." She shrugged apologetically. "You shall just have to try it and see for yourself. In this case, experience provides the best explanation." She gestured to the quartz ball. "Once the spell is cast, you will see them there, and their thoughts will be amplified through the earphones. Sometimes the spell must be cast more than once," the Minister concluded apologetically.

"Probably comes of communicating with them from another world," Bellatrix said drily and Kereston nodded.

"You point your wand at the crystal then draw it backward toward yourself and say, Merlin, Nimue, I seek thee. Say your name after I, it will help them to know who you are."

Nodding, Bellatrix took her wand from her corset and aimed it at the crystal orb, then drew it backward toward herself, saying "Merlin and Nimue, I, Bellatrix Lestrange, seek thee."

/Ah, you're finally talking to us, then? We've heard so much about you. In fact, I may be a little frightened./ The young woman who appeared in the globe had long red hair and green eyes.

"You used to have black hair," Bellatrix commented. "Rather like me...without the curls." She was babbling and probably sounded silly, Bellatrix noted in some mild horror.

"You don't have to speak aloud, but if it helps you to focus your thoughts toward them, by all means," Kereston said.

"Yeah, but I wanna hear what's being said at least on one end, so keep it up," Rodolphus interjected.

/As it turns out, I have black hair in some lives and red in others,/ Nimue replied. /I think blonde once or twice…/ she murmured as an afterthought.

Nimue's words, as Kereston had said, spilled into Bella's mind more as thought forms, though very clear ones, with a very different feel than her own.

"Why would you be frightened of me," Bellatrix asked, recalling the last bit.

/Well...the torturing people could be frightening to some/ Nimue replied slowly.

"Come off it! I am fully aware of the druidic sacrifices you and Merlin made back in the day when performing your war magic for Arthur," Bellatrix said. The more she practiced this, the stronger she felt her thoughts were becoming when directed to Nimue. Still she spoke aloud for Rod's benefit.

/But you lot aren't known to be particularly stable, so...it seems as though you could just torture at the drop of a hat./

Bellatrix scowled. "Many people believed you to be insane, you know...with those three druidic wounds, the wound of the spirit, the wound of the body, and the wound of the mind that you had to go through to become a full initiate?"

/Yes. The wound of the body can be any physical injury, the wound of the spirit would be any painful loss, and the wound of the mind is any sort of mental trauma,/ Nimue confirmed. /I don't recall torturing people as a result of mine, though. It just makes one feel that you could turn on them for no reason./

From the hesitant way the other woman spoke, Bellatrix could tell that Nimue wasn't saying that she was quite certain that she had not tortured people, just that she didn't remember it.

Bellatrix smirked, ready to push her victory home. She had read her wizarding histories, after all.

"But didn't you and Merlin have that thing," she began and Nimue nodded, one hand coming up in a mildly apologetic gesture. /Oh yes, there was that, but it was necessary. It was vengeance, you know, and that's quite different./

"I want to talk to Merlin," Rodolphus said suddenly, obviously wanting his turn.

"It doesn't always work like that," Kereston said apologetically. "You get who you get. That is, whoever can hear you. I actually got in contact with Morgana first when I was going for Merlin. The spell really isn't reliable."

"But aren't they enemies? I don't want to wonder if I am speaking to bloody friend or foe," Rodolphus complained.

/Are you still there,/ Nimue asked Bellatrix.

"Oh, they were friends," Kereston said. "That bit about Morgana not helping Arthur was all screwy politics and not at all true. She didn't try to shag him either, that's nasty."

Bellatrix bit her lip, trying not to laugh. "Good to know," she said and Rodolphus nodded fervently.

/What,/ Nimue asked, and Bellatrix frowned. Having two conversations was stupid, and she silently vowed to stop it this instant. If only Rod and Kereston would shut up!

"So," Bellatrix asked, directing her attention completely to Nimue. "What is it that you're doing to help against Delphini?"

Nimue hesitated, frowning in consternation. /Well...we aren't exactly sure. Our magic is different in this world, and we aren't certain how helpful we can actually be./

She was bloody kidding, Bellatrix thought, struggling not to grind her teeth in frustration.

Removing the crystal things from her ears, she passed them to Rod before pushing the large crystal ball to stand in front of him. As she did, Nimue's image faded, leaving the orb clear once again. "I heard her just fine, and she has no idea how to help us," she bit out to Kereston.

She was disappointed, let down, angry...wasn't that basically all the same thing? It certainly felt like more than one negative emotion. Merlin, Nimue, and even bloody Muggle Arthur were supposed to bloody return and bloody help Britain when it was bloody well threatened! Right now Delphini was a bloody threat so...

"It's just that they've forgotten a lot, as I said before," Kereston said a little tightly. "They believe their magic is different now and weaker, but we believe they can do far more than they recall. Blaise and Gellert have begun working on...retraining them to open their memories."

Bellatrix's eyes widened as she struggled against her frustrated rage. "Seriously?"

Kereston sighed. "What other recourse do we have? We did find them, so we have to try! We need help."

"Hey, I got Merlin!" Rodolphus crowed, and Bellatrix leaned forward to see a young-ish man with wide shoulders, short curly black hair, and intense blue eyes regarding Rodolphus with curious, thoughtful interest.

"That's some skill," Kereston said, openly impressed. "I can never get Merlin, just Morgana or Nimue. They're both quite nice, though so that's alright," she added hastily.

Bellatrix made a scoffing sound. "Nice, but useless."

Chapter 56: Plans within Plans

Chapter 56: Plans within Plans

Rodolphus and Merlin stared at one another in the crystal orb as they silently communicated. Kereston and Bellatrix watched without speaking so as not to disrupt whatever flow Rodolphus had going with the old druid. At present Merlin didn't look at all old, but still...

Around six minutes later, Rod gently removed the crystal earpieces from his head. The ball went blank as Merlin's image faded from its depths.

"Well," Kereston asked eagerly.

"Seemed like an alright bloke," Rod replied. "He found me interesting, so I like him. As for our current situation, he is willing to help, but he is a bit unclear as to how he can do so from where he is."

Bellatrix frowned. "How is that different than what I got from Nimue?"

Rod shrugged. "Didn't say it was." He grinned over at Bella. "I did get to actually talk to Merlin, though!"

"He has a point. Not everyone can do that," Kereston said. "Thus far, Snape's wife Mag has achieved that feat, along with Grindelwald, Kreacher, Millicent's husband Wolfgang, Dumbledore, and I think that's it."

"My Roddy is among the best," Bellatrix said, smiling proudly at her husband.

"I knew he was talented enough to make Azkaban more great and terrible than it has ever been," Kereston said. "So I'm not really surprised."

"Thanks," Rod said, flashing a grin at the Minister. "So what's the Merlin and Nimue plan anyway?"

Kereston sighed, leaning back in her chair as her gray-blue eyes listlessly scanned the room. "Well, Albus has attempted contact with them only to accidentally fry some of their equipment, and we have no way to world travel as of yet."

"Fry some of their equipment," Bellatrix asked and Kereston shrugged.

"I think he broke a clock and something they play music on during two of his attempts."

"So they're useless to us," Bellatrix said flatly.

"I didn't say that," Kereston said. "Just not as useful as we'd originally hoped when we thought they were still here, sleeping in a crystal cave." She sighed. "We have been communicating with them regularly enough, and Merlin has helped us to discover some things through his rune readings, or bone casting, or whatever it is that he does to divine."

"Things like what," Bellatrix asked.

"Well, for instance, that the Elder wand, in fact, contains three Horcruxes, one belonging to each of the three Peverell brothers. That's why it could screw people over at times. Not only did it have a mind of its own, it had three!"

"Well, I'll be hexed," Rodolphus murmured, giving a low whistle. "That makes a lot of bloody sense."

"So with that in mind, is Grindelwald over pining for it now," Bellatrix asked with a smirk.

According to Regulus, Dumbledore tucked the Elder wand away for safekeeping after Grindelwald was defeated in the forties. After allowing Voldemort to hang himself with it in one of his famous Dumbledore coups, he supposedly tucked it away again.

While some may be surprised that Dumbledore didn't use the Elder wand as his own, Bellatrix expected nothing else from the sanctimonious old wizard. White Light Dumbledore wouldn't want to taint his precious self with a Dark wand, and everyone knew that only Dark wizards wanted that wand. The Death Stick it was called and for many good reasons, Bellatrix was sure.

"Yes, Gellert appears to be over it now," Kereston said. "He is still taken with the symbolism of the Hallows and has even theorized that the symbol may mean even more than most think, but the artifacts themselves hold no draw for him. Not even the Elder wand, now that he is aware of where its power comes from."

"So you're thinking of allowing it to fall into Delphini's hands," Rodolphus asked, making the connection of why the Elder wand would even be considered at this point.

Kereston gave a slight smile, nodding. "Yes… Well, possibly. We understand that there are risks. It will probably screw her over, but if for some reason it does not, it will really help her screw us over!" She sighed. "We aren't ready to take that risk without a lot more ways to screw her over in play at the same time, if we even take it at all."

"Is Merlin able to help with that? With more ways to screw her over, that is," Rodolphus asked.

"Sort of," Kereston said pensively. "He and Gellert are working on piecing together the proper actions to take. Gellert's visions combined with Merlin's divining are allowing us some headway."

"So for us to have needed to seek out Merlin, we're really in trouble, aren't we," Bellatrix asked, trying to ignore the sinking feeling in the pit of her stomach.

"Well, yes, we rather are, but we were working on tracking Merlin and Nimue down before we were aware of Delphini, if that helps."

"Why," Rodolphus asked.

"Because at a party way back in the early two thousands, some of us were drinking this Egyptian liquor that is supposed to induce visions," Kereston began, having the grace to look mildly embarrassed. "Long story short, Gellert, Parvati, and even Kreacher felt some bad shit coming. So we got creative when it came to bringing in help."

"Who is Parvati?" Bellatrix wanted to know.

"A witch whose family is from India," Kereston replied. "She is a diviner, mainly with tea leaves, but Gellert is also interested in her knowledge of the magic and deities particular to her people."

"That knowledge is also helping against Delphini," Rod asked.

"At least to some degree, but I don't know precisely how," Kereston said. "You'll need to ask Gellert for more on that if you're truly interested."

"So divining? That's all Merlin has for us right now," Bellatrix asked.

Kereston nodded slowly. "Yes, at present, but we hope for more in the future. Any time you'd like to talk with them, feel free to come and use the communication crystals. Eventually, you may be able to reach them with the spell alone. Severus and Blaise were the first to talk to Nimue without it, and Mag and Gellert to Merlin.

"It just takes strength in the mind magics and a great deal of focus. I can to some degree, but without the crystals, Nimue doesn't always hear me as clearly. Many of the others who have made contact with them have similar results so most of us still use the crystals from time to time for extra clarity."

"If I wish to practice, I can eventually hear Nimue with the spell alone now that I have made contact," Bellatrix asked.

"Theoretically," Kereston said with a nod. "Probably."

Bellatrix didn't know what she thought to gain by speaking to the druidess again, but they needed all the help they could get right now, and it couldn't hurt. Perhaps if she was lucky, she and Nimue would stumble upon something useful.

"Well, we'd better get to Azkaban," Bellatrix said, rising from her chair reluctantly. "No rest for the wicked and all that." She wasn't especially looking forward to another day at Azkaban. Running the place was in some ways sweet, but having been confined there for so long made the idea of never setting foot on the damned island ever again far sweeter.

"When do you think Cissie will get her cure?"

"I will contact the goblins, as it's Griphook's nephew who has that potion," Kereston said. "I should think in a few days or less. We won't involve you, though, because that will be too much of a tip off that this was a coup rather than a wizarding plague. The cure will be delivered to them under the guise of Healers making the rounds."

Bellatrix nodded, giving the Minister a quick smile of gratitude. "That sounds perfect. Thank you so much again, Kereston."

Kereston sighed, nodding. "I can't fault you for being loving and loyal to your family," she said, though from her dubious expression, it looked as if she wished that she could.

There Lucy was being a thorn in their asses again, Bellatrix thought, sharing an understanding glance with her husband.

Chapter 57: Taking Care of Business

Chapter 57: Taking Care of Business

When they arrived at Azkaban, Rabastan was actually putting the Aurors through a combat drill! Bella and Rod exchanged a surprised look as both had expected him to be lazing about.

"Baby Bro is growing up a bit," Rodolphus muttered, stepping close to Bellatrix to murmur into her ear. "I don't know if I'm proud or sad," he admitted.

As she completely agreed, Bellatrix could only nod silently.

When Rabastan caught sight of them, he lowered his wand and waved a cease and desist motion. "Okay, the boss is here, and I can't appear too useful, now can I? All of you fuck off and check the perimeters or something."

Bellatrix grinned and leaned to whisper into Rod's ear. "There he is being himself again, Dearest."

Rod nodded. "I am soothed," he whispered back.

Rabastan approached them as the Auror guards scattered.

"Lookie what came for us today," he said, drawing a dagger with a Basilisk fang for a blade from his robe pocket and waving it in front of their faces. "We can now officially fuck up a Horcrux!"

"That actually makes me breathe easier," Bellatrix said with a sigh.

Rodolphus's lips twitched into a flirty leer. "But I like it when you breathe hard."

Rabastan made a face. "SO," he said loudly, "How'd it go at the Ministry?"

"Well, actually," Bellatrix said. She explained the plan to give Lucy and Narcissa the 'cure' and how it would only work for Narcissa, at least for now.

"That's gonna be a fun aftermath to watch," Rabastan said with a chuckle. "While I am glad things went favorably for Narcissa getting her magic back, I think I had the more interesting morning, considering the fact I was the first one of the three of us to get my hands on our Basilisk fang."

"Ah," Bellatrix drawled. "You think you had the most interesting morning, do you? Well, what if I told you we got to talk directly to Merlin and Nimue?"

"What, necromancy? For real," Rabastan asked. His expression was intrigued but skeptical. Bellatrix and Rodolphus loved to have him on during their younger years and when he'd fallen for whatever line of shit they fed him, they laughed for days, much to his annoyance.

"No, it is even weirder than that," Rodolphus said.

Rabastan frowned. "What, the Ministry discovered some portraits of them stored away somewhere, and you talked to them through those? But I guess that's not specifically weird."

Rodolphus nodded. "Right. That would be neat, but not weird at all. No, we're talking reincarnation, other worlds, and Merlin and Nimue hiding from someone who's so bad that they had to forget who it is for their own safety or something along those lines."

At that, Rabastan's eyes widened. "You're shitting me."

"No. Not this time, we swear it," Rodolphus said. He then filled Rabastan in on what they'd learned, and how they'd spoken with the reincarnated Merlin and Nimue through the crystal devices.

"That's some weird shit indeed," Rabastan agreed when his brother had finished.

"Told you," Rod said.

"So...you two think he'll actually divine or rune cast us to a Delphini free world? Don't we need more help than his psychic guidance or whatever?"

Bellatrix shrugged. "It's all we've got for now."

"We also have a Basilisk fang, and right now, I'm feeling a bit better about that," Rabastan proclaimed. "Though I must admit, I wish I'd gotten to talk to the old druids too, even if it was just their reincarnated versions."

Rod nodded. "Yeah, it was pretty sweet."

"Rhadamanthus just ate two prisoners!" The shout came from Azkaban's other Acromantula guard.

"Ah, fuck," Rabastan groaned. Then he grinned. "Well, I'm at least glad that happened after you got back so I'm not blamed for it."

"Let's go and see what happened," Rodolphus said. He didn't look nearly as worried as Bellatrix expected.

"You don't have a problem with him eating prisoners? Because the bloody Ministry might," she said and Rodolphus shrugged as they set off in the direction of the Acromantula who'd announced Rhadmanthus's latest snack.

"He doesn't seem the type to just eat prisoners for no reason," Rod said easily. "Take us to him," he called out to the other Acromantula. Bella assumed he had a name, but she didn't know it and didn't care.

The huge spider lumbered off, faster than one might expect, and the Lestranges hurried after.

They were led through the prison, stopping at the end of a row where Rhadamanthus stood in front of two cells. A giant web stretched from where the spider stood, up to the top of each cell door then down into the cell itself. Each cell was now empty. Bellatrix understood at once that the Acromantula had used the web to capture and withdraw each prisoner. He was obviously able to ingest everything, for not a trace was left.

"What happened," Rodolphus asked him.

"They were talking of working with Delphini and having nothing to lose if they gained their freedom in doing so," Rhadamanthus replied, turning to Rod. "I simply showed them that they were indeed wrong, and that they did have something to lose after all."

Man and spider chuckled together in a way that would've chilled the bones of a Gryffindor, had one been present. Bellatrix only smiled. It was a good message that the spider had sent the prison at large.

"I'm glad to know that you lot can act without needing to be spoon fed," Rodolphus said. "I'll write the Minister directly. I'm sure she'll agree that the proper measures were taken."

Fortunately, Rodolphus was correct. While Kereston Boxwood didn't send Rhadamanthus a medal, she didn't raise a complaint about how the Acromantula handled the situation either, and that was enough for them.

Chapter 58: Pure Blood Family Values

Chapter 58: Pureblood Family Values

"Well it turns out, the Aurors and I can't sort a way to use Auric magic for battle, be it for defense or injuring another," Lyra lamented over dinner that night. "Grindelwald's man did manage to incorporate it into disillusionment which allowed some of the Aurors who could almost pull it off to finally go full on invisible. The Aurors who can see Auras are also incorporating Auric colors and what they indicate about a person into criminal profiling. I guess that's something, so I was at least able to contribute."

"Of course you were," Bellatrix said. "You'll contribute even more with your Mind Ripping talent. You just need a bit of practice. Perhaps over the weekend, we can take you to play with some Muggles."

"Yeah, we could all do with some wholesome violent family fun and old-fashioned emotional release," Rabastan said eagerly.

Lyra frowned at her uncle as she stabbed her knife into a dinner roll, lifting it from the bread basket to plop it onto her roast and gravy. "It isn't as if I'm a fan of Muggles or anything, but I just see no point in sullying my Aura by tormenting them for no reason."

"I thought the reason was to hone your Mind Ripping skills," Rabastan pointed out with arched brows.

"I would prefer to do that to someone who actually deserves it," Lyra said. "It just feels wrong to walk up to any Muggle on the street and start in ripping their minds simply because they're a Muggle. It isn't as if they did anything particularly, and they can hardly help being born Muggle." She frowned at the silent look of horror Bellatrix and Rodolphus exchanged while Rabastan gaped. "Sorry for taking a more stable stance on the matter," Lyra said drily.

"Foolish and careless and bleeding heart," Bellatrix corrected. "I believe that's what your stance is."

Lyra glared at her mother. "No. My stance is merely stable."

"Have you not read your histories at all?" Bellatrix demanded, feeling her indignation and anger rising.

"A lot has changed," Lyra began.

"And more has not," Rodolphus interrupted sternly.

"Their technology gives them more power. It's practically magic. They'd not need to feel so inferior to us anymore. There could be peace," she objected.

"They aren't fond of peace," Rodolphus bit out. "They tend to use their technology to make very destructive weapons, in case you weren't aware." Turning to Bellatrix he added darkly, "I think her history classes were lacking in Australia."

"They were not," Lyra said sullenly. "I didn't say I'm pro-bloody-Muggle! I simply don't see why I have to hate every one of them indiscriminately! To intentionally destroy a person, I simply need to feel they've done more wrong than just existing!"

"Showing mercy to those who would come for you simply for being a witch will get you killed, Lyra," Bellatrix said darkly.

"When they come for me, I will have an excellent reason to rip their minds, and I shall do so gladly," Lyra said.

"You'll only stay on top if you remember that you are a predator," Rabastan told his niece. "As a witch, you are more than Muggle or beast. You are at the very tip top of the food chain. Get too soft on Muggles, and you will get yourself killed. They're like roaches… but deadly ones," he elaborated. "They come at you in numbers, and each seems like a harmless cockroach on which you can easily step, but get them all together, and you have a bloody deadly infestation. I've seen many a Muggle-loving wizard get killed."

"Probably by wizards like you," Lyra snapped.

Rabastan smirked. "Not always."

Before the conversation could progress, Harold entered with the dessert, a decadent chocolate cream pie. There was a second, slightly smaller pie for Rhadamanthus to have all to himself, and the spider began to make short work of it.

"Miss Narcissa and Mr. Lucius are here. They just arrived as Harold was readying the pie to serve. Should he invite them in for dessert or keep them waiting in the parlor until the meal is completely over," he asked.

Rodolphus considered for a moment, then shrugged. "Invite them in for dessert. And bring us some coffee. It will go nicely with the pie and keeps us from having brandy instead." He grinned at Rabastan's eye roll, and the elf bowed and departed.

Bellatrix hoped Cissie was calling to share the news of her magic being restored.

Soon Harold was back with Narcissa and Lucius. The elf cut the pie and served everyone a slice. "Harold will return with coffee shortly," he said, then left.

"What brings the two of you out," Rodolphus asked, easily summoning fake curiosity.

"The most wonderful news! " Narcissa gushed, then she flashed Lucius a guilty look, and her gaze dropped.

"What?" Bellatrix couldn't help goading. "Lucy doesn't think the news is wonderful?"

"Bella! Do stop calling him that. It's vexing! You don't see me calling Rodolphus anything demeaning," Narcissa said.

Bellatrix, completely unfazed, lifted her dessert fork and chopped off a bit of pie. "One, it's rather difficult to produce a demeaning pet name from Rodolphus, and two, nothing about Rodolphus as a person screams demeaning pet name," she snarked, lips twisting up in dry amusement.

Lyra gave a short laugh which she attempted to smother with a bite of her own pie.

"The news is indeed good," Lucius said. "A Healer showed up at Malfoy Manor today, claiming that there is a cure for the magical plague with a sixty-nine percent success rate. We were given the antidote after signing a contract stating that they are not responsible for any side effects. Narcissa's magic returned, and mine did not."

"Ah, that's a pity," Bellatrix said, attempting sincerity.

"The Healer said that at times, the magic could return at a later date. The late kick in of the antidote is actually a side effect," Narcissa said, optimism clear in her voice.

"That's good to know," Lyra said, giving Lucius a warm smile. "Never give up hope, Uncle Lucy... Lucius." The embarrassed flush that sprang to Lyra's face made it clear that the slip up was more an honest accident than an attempt to be snarky. She shot a glare at Bellatrix and Rodolphus, likely for instilling the pet name into her mind.

Harold entered then with a tray of coffee cups and a steaming fragrant pot.

As he poured, Narcissa and Lucius seated themselves to enjoy dessert and coffee. Lucius made a point to settle them as far down the table from Rhadamanthus as possible. Bellatrix idly wondered if Lucy was disgusted at the idea of Rod allowing the spider to dine at the table, or if he feared the spider would eat them.

"Mother and Father shall be thrilled that you are in possession of your magic again, Cissie," Bellatrix said.

"Indeed," Lucius drawled. "Wasn't she the only one in your family to lose it? The Blacks and Lestranges have very strong genetics indeed not to have fallen ill with the plague."

"I think we were keeping to ourselves more than most. It is believed to be a contagion, after all," Bellatrix said. "You and Cissie are far more social than the rest of us, Lucius. The more people you are around, the more chance you have to catch something unpleasant."

She couldn't help wondering how Lucius and Narcissa's marriage would hold up until, or if, he got his magic back. Would he eventually grow to resent her? While Bellatrix hated the idea of this situation costing Cissie her marriage, it was really Lucius's fault that he'd lost his magic in the first place.

He'd likely be sickened if he knew a goblin made the potion that could cure him, after all. Of course a goblin had also made the potion that stripped him of his magic in the first place, but it was all in a day's work. Bellatrix was almost coming to respect the crafty Slytherin-like behavior she was seeing from the goblins. So long as it didn't come to negatively impact her, perhaps that respect would continue to grow, but for now she would remain cautious. Even as that thought passed her mind, she remembered it was a goblin who'd begun the applause for her at the Ministry that first day.

Chapter 59: Nevermore

Chapter 59: Nevermore

The very last thing Rabastan expected was a personal letter to him from the Minister herself arriving at breakfast the next day.

"A pity she isn't my type," he drawled, smirking at Rod and Bella as he tore it open. "Apparently she doesn't wish to speak to either of you."

He wondered if she was going to give him his crack at talking to Merlin and Nimue. While the prospect was vaguely interesting, it was more for bragging rights than anything else. He didn't see how he could improve the limited dealings their lot had established with the old druids.

Bellatrix bit into a slice of toast, a mild look of curiosity in her eyes.

"Well?" Rodolphus prodded. "What's it say?"

Rabastan took his time scanning the letter just to be a prick. After nearly a minute, Rod finally broke and reached a muscular arm across the table to snatch it away.

"She wants me to go raven and fly around to spy out what the Muggles are doing," Rabastan said. "I get a day off from Azkaban while you two sods get to go into work!"

"I see that," Rod said, tossing the letter down onto the center of the dining room table. "Took me an entire five seconds to read it, prat."

Rabastan snickered. "It was fun making you wait."

After breakfast, Rabastan went upstairs to his bedroom while Bella and Rod headed to the Ministry. He opened the window above his bed, then promptly stripped off his clothes. Once naked, he transformed into his Animagus form, that of a raven, and flew out the window.

The air was cold and crisp, and the streets of London were teaming with Muggles. Though this would've annoyed him on any normal day, because Muggles, today it was pleasing. He'd been sent out to spy on the activities of the Muggles, so having a ton of them out in droves as usual made his fucking job doable. Not to mention it appeared normal.

Muggles were always out in droves, there were so damned many of them, so seeing this today gave him a much needed sense of normality. It was the concern of the Minister and Grindelwald that Delphini was tampering with the Muggles, so the more normal they appeared, the better… Unless their normality was merely a guise under which they hid the really weird shit. There he went being paranoid, but wasn't that healthy to a degree?

Rabastan was distracted from his musings by a flash of light that nearly hurt his eyes. It was the sun bouncing off a flat little thing with a screen that one of the Muggles walking in the street held in his hand. After spotting that one, he noticed that more and more Muggles had these little flat devices. They either held them against their ear and talked into them like a phone, or read from them like a book, all while walking. Some even ran into one another or, in a particularly astounding case, caused cars to blast their obnoxious horns when one walked into the middle of the road while reading the thing in her hand.

He wondered idly if Delphini could be using the flat things to somehow control or command the Muggles. He'd have liked to swoop down and have a read of what was on the screens that every Muggle found so fascinating, but the one time he tried, the Muggle in question screamed and nearly shit herself. Apparently, she feared he was about to peck her eyes out… Which, frankly, didn't seem like a bad idea. Her screaming was shrill and hurt his ears!

After that incident, he didn't try again, assuming the little Minister wouldn't want him to draw untoward attention to himself. Eventually he landed on the ground beside a trash can, pretending to peck about for fallen scraps outside a restaurant where a group of Muggles clustered to talk.

If he was fortunate, they'd say something interesting or useful. Sadly, fortune did not see fit to smile on a poor raven that day, for the Muggles were only bickering about politics. It appeared the tendency to bitch about politics was one thing Muggles and wizards had in common. With a caw of disgust, Rabastan flapped his wings and launched into the air.

Though he diligently flew around London all day, he didn't see anything else that he considered noteworthy. From time to time, he'd rest high in the branches of a tree to better watch the Muggles pass, and at one point, even on the sill of an open window, to listen to a Muggle news broadcast but nothing. To his annoyance, not even the news spoke of what was on the little flat screen things that had the Muggles reading them so avidly.

His day among the Muggles did teach him that their taste in music and fashion was getting worse and worse. Their children were little wild animals with no discipline or social graces. What would such little savages grow up to be but big savages? By the time the sun began to set he was more than happy to wing his way back the hell home to Raven's Nest. His bedroom window was still open. Fortunately, Harold hadn't closed it. If the elf had, it would've been Rabastan's fault for not telling him to leave it alone.

Once inside with the window shut, Rabastan took his human form again and got dressed for dinner. Flying around all day had given him a huge appetite to go right along with his huge Muggle-induced headache. As he headed downstairs to look for Rod and Bella in the library, he noted how sore the muscles in his arms were from all the damned flying when they'd been wings. He was in shape, because working Shadow Ops made being in shape a must, but flying activated a different group of muscles entirely and those bastards were out of shape.

"How was it," Bella asked as soon as he walked in. "Anything interesting?"

Sighing, he flopped into his favorite chair and told them of his day. When he was finished, Bellatrix smirked.

"So was it preferable to working with us at Azkaban, then?"

"Fuck off," Rabastan growled and Rodolphus chuckled.

"We take that as a no." Grinning happily at his brother, Rodolphus lounged back in his chair as if it was a throne. "Looks like Baby Bro will be happy to join us sods at work tomorrow, Bella," he observed. "He may have discovered a new appreciation for our work after slumming among the Muggles all day."

"I should think so," Bellatrix drawled.

With a sigh, Rabastan hauled himself up out of his chair and went over to the large oak desk in the corner of the library. "I'm going to get my report to the Minister over with while it's all still fresh in my mind," he muttered as he started writing. He concluded by saying that if anyone at the Ministry knew what the Muggles read on the flat things on which they also seemed to talk, he'd love to know.

His answer came the next morning at breakfast. When Harold handed him the letter, he hoped it wasn't another request from the bloody Minister that he fly around bloody London all day again bloody Muggle watching! He breathed easier when he saw that it was just a reply, thanking him and answering his question about the Muggle device that had so perplexed him.

"The Minister says that little flat thing is one of those Muggle telephones," he told Bella and Rod incredulously. "The blasted thing didn't look a bit like a telephone to me. I do recall those from Muggle studies, they had two bits and a curly cord thing."

Rod nodded. "Yeah, I remember that."

"Well, she says now they show written text as well, like the news or personal correspondences, but I can't for the life of me grasp how that'd work," Rabastan complained.

"It's a stupid Muggle thing. We truly would not understand," Bella said.

"She says she has no idea what they all could've been reading so intently that they weren't even looking up or watching where they were going enmasse like that. She considers that a useful observation, so my day was not a waste at least," Rabastan concluded.

"And now, it's off to Azkaban, where you can release the frustrations of yesterday by torturing a prisoner or three," Rodolphus said, giving him a cheerful smile.

Chapter 60: A Prisoner of Circumstance

Chapter 60: A Prisoner of Circumstance

"So...I was torturing one of the new prisoners, as you suggested, Bro, and there's a bit of a problem," Rabastan said.

Rodolphus sighed, and gestured to the Aurors who now guarded the Ministry to pause in the defense drill they were running.

Bellatrix opened her mouth to tell Roddy she had it, and that he could go and talk to Rabastan but then she closed it. When it came down to it, she'd rather hear what Rabastan had to say than watch the Aurors hammer at one another.

"Did you kill it," Rodolphus asked about the prisoner. "Because I can explain away one or two, but you get too kill-happy, and the Minister will be upset with us. I see no reason to have her upset with us now."

Rodolphus was using his overly calm and reasonable tone, which meant he was about to royally fuck it up if Rabastan had done something stupid. Bellatrix smiled in eager anticipation. Roddy was always so very attractive when he blew his top.

"No," Rabastan said, giving Rodolphus an affronted glare. "It's just that he was saying some things that worry me."

"Interesting," Rodolphus said, gesturing for Rabastan to continue.

Rabastan hesitated, glancing at the gathered Aurors. "Perhaps in private, in our office or something?" he suggested.

If Rabastan wanted privacy, this was good, Bellatrix thought, feeling a surge of adrenaline at the prospect of a little excitement.

"Alright, you lot. Continue your practice, and don't kill one another," Rodolphus said, then turned and headed toward the small administration office with Bellatrix and Rabastan following.

When they were inside with the door firmly closed, Rodolphus turned to his brother. "Very well, then. Let's have it."

"The bloke on whom I was releasing my frustrations says he was working for Shadow Ops…you know, like we were," Rabastan said. "He claims to have been imprisoned wrongly for carrying out an order."

That wasn't difficult to believe. The Lestranges wouldn't have known anyone else who worked for Shadow Ops. If they had, how would it be a secret organization? The Ministry placed their Shadow Ops members in teams of two or three, the Lestranges were told when they first began working Shadow Ops themselves.

"What was the order," Rod asked.

"Well, it's like this," Rabastan began. "He was ordered to kill an owner of a Murtlap supply company and his colleague was commanded to kill the owner of the Fire Crab supply company. No reasons were given to either of them and after that, the third member of his group got his orders in complete secrecy. The person giving them the orders had the identifying number of a senior official, but they never got to see what this official looked like, because they were completely covered head to toe."

Bellatrix and Rodolphus were silent for several seconds after Rabastan finished speaking, taking it all in and sorting through what each element could indicate in itself.

"How did things go from you torturing the fuck out of him to him sharing Shadow Ops information with you," Rodolphus asked.

Of course, the prisoner could not have known that the three Lestranges were Shadow Ops as well…because secret organization.

Rabastan shrugged. "He thought I was torturing him for information so he spilled like a tipped cup of tea so I'd stop."

"The new Ministry likely doesn't have all the old Shadow Ops files, as most of them were kept solely in the heads of those former officials," Bellatrix murmured.

On certain matters, paper trails were never wise, even for the Ministry.

"So it's no wonder if he was wrongly imprisoned for a killing. I shall write the Minister about it now. She will likely send over some Veritaserum or if she wants a mind probing on an even deeper level, a vampire once the sun sets, Regulus likely as not. We'll get all the information he has, including that which he may not be aware of having, and if he is innocent we'll let him go." She smiled. "And if he is not, we will make him pay for wasting our time and having us on."

Both men chuckled eagerly. "I almost hope he was lying because if not..." Rabastan trailed off.

"Because if not, we have to wonder if this so called official was Delphini, and what the fuck she wants with seemingly trifling magical creatures," Rodolphus suggested and Rabastan nodded.

"Fuck yeah! And that's a puzzle rather than something we can attack."

"You used to like puzzles," Rodolphus said and his brother made a face.

"Yeah, when they weren't crazy-bitch Delphini shaped, they were great."

Bellatrix moved to the desk to write the Minister. Soon, before lunch, they had a reply in the Minister's own hand. They paused their combat drills for the second time that day, the three Lestranges retreating to their office. Opening the letter hurriedly, Bellatrix read aloud.

Thanks all of you for being so on things. It is truly a treasure in these trying times to know that we can count on you. I am sending an Auror with a bottle of Veritaserum as soon as possible. Not only do I want to know if he is telling the truth, I also wish to see if he has had any unknown magic performed upon his person, so Regulus will be around after sunset to check him over. Gellert will come with him. I would like the three of you to be present in case they require assistance, so please wait for them. You will be paid overtime.

Sincerely,

Kereston Boxwood,

Minister for Magic

"Well, that appears to indicate she didn't know about at least some of the other members of Shadow Ops," Rabastan observed drily.

"With no paper trail, there would be no way to know," Rodolphus said.

"She only knew of us because of Regulus and Kreacher," Bellatrix added. "I'm sure we had no paper trail either."

"I honestly didn't think there were that many of us," Rabastan said. "I wonder how many Shadow Ops are left floating around out there."

Bellatrix smirked. "We'll find out if they turn up here."

They returned to the Aurors who were still performing the combat drill Rod had set them to practicing. Bored with watching from the side, the Lestranges began training each one on one while the others watched.

Bellatrix discovered she most enjoyed dueling one of the goblins in particular. The elves were strong and learned fast, but one of the goblins was particularly and pleasingly vicious. To her most goblins looked alike, but this one had a hard set to his jaw, and she thought she'd probably recognize him in a crowd of his fellows. The wizarding Aurors were, surprisingly, the least interesting of the lot. Due to Rod's persistence, their skills had improved, but they had no particular style or flair.

Less than an hour after they received the Minister's letter, an Auror showed up with a bottle of Veritaserum. Bellatrix presented it to the prisoner in question whose name turned out to be Alec Aetos. He downed the potion willingly, and the Lestranges began to question him, this time with no torture. He repeated the story he'd initially told Rabastan earlier that morning. As Bellatrix suspected, he had no other information. At least none that he was aware of.

When Regulus arrived nearly two hours later, Grindelwald and Zabini were with him. Both looked as if they felt the very air of Azkaban could dirty them. Bellatrix arched her brows at them as Regulus moved in to give her a hug.

After what they'd all experienced at Voldemort's hands, Regulus was far less restrained with his affection when it came to her. "Hi, Reg," she said, embracing her cousin in return.

Silly though it may be, having a close family meant even more after all she'd remembered. Unlike with Sirius or Andi, they'd always been close, but believing him dead while being locked away made time spent together matter all the more. Comfort as well as strength could be drawn from mutual shared knowledge of a fucked up past.

"Don't call me Reg," he chastised. Regulus had always been too dignified to tolerate any shortening of his precious name. That was probably the reason Bellatrix found it so very natural to call him Reg or Regi… It just rolled off the bloody tongue so well!

"No hugs," Rabastan drawled, backing away, and Regulus laughed, before saying, "I wasn't going to hug you."

Turning to Rodolphus, Regulus smiled, clapping him on the shoulder. "Hi, Roddy," he said fondly, and Rodolphus grinned and nodded. "Hi, prat."

With the greetings out of the way, Regulus turned his mind to the task at hand. "Lead the way to this prisoner, and we'll check him over."

Once at the prisoner's cell, Regulus greeted him politely, explaining that they were going to give him one final check over before releasing him.

"We apologize for the...inconvenience that you have obviously suffered, Mr. Aetos," Grindelwald added, stepping forward to give the prisoner a warm, engaging smile. "The Ministry has recently undergone many changes due to a plague that has struck much of wizarding society, leaving many without their magic," he explained. "As a result, we were unfortunately unaware of the delicate nature of your work. I can assure you that you shall be compensated."

As the three Lestranges watched, Regulus locked eyes with Alec Aetos to delve into his mind while Zabini and Grindelwald passed their hands in front of the prisoner without touching him, murmuring words together under their breath. The spell was wandless, and perhaps linked to the magic used by Healers, Bellatrix guessed. If they were making sure nothing had been buried in the man's consciousness, it was likely linked to the mental healing arts.

After around four minutes, Regulus stepped back. "Nothing."

"Same for us," Grindelwald said. "I am almost relieved, because the girl is causing enough trouble, but now we need to discover the bloody import of Murtlaps and Fire Crabs."

Chapter 61: Let's Drink About It

Chapter 61: Let's Drink About It

"Why don't we all go out for drinks or something so we can relax and talk?" Regulus suggested, glancing from Gellert to the three Lestranges. "We can brainstorm the situation."

Gellert nodded, gaze resting thoughtfully on their former prisoner as Rabastan opened the door to his cell.

"Want to come along, Mate," Rabastan asked, and Alec shrugged, before nodding.

"Why the hell not?" He hesitated, glancing down at his prison uniform. "Mind stopping off at my place first so I can change? Hopefully my things are still in order. I assume the Ministry has my wand?"

"Oh, surely," Bellatrix said. "Why don't you let my dear cousin Regi Apparate you home to get more clothes, then to the Ministry to collect your wand. We'll meet you..." She glanced at Gellert and Blaise with arched brows. "Where do you wish to imbibe, gentlemen?"

"How about The Alchemist's in Knockturn?" Zabini suggested lazily. "They also serve a nice meat and cheese platter."

Blaise turned to Regulus with a frown of concern. "Are you alright being roped into this, or would you like Gellert and I to take care of it?"

"Regi can just look into Alec's head and get his address to Apparate him home. It's more efficient to have him attending to it," Bellatrix said impatiently. Regulus had slept all bloody day while everyone else worked, so he could bloody well be useful.

"It's alright," Regulus assured Blaise. "It isn't as if I can actually drink, so do feel free to get started without me. I only suggested we go out because a bar felt like a good place to brainstorm, and I supposed everyone else could use a drink."

"Very well then, If you're quite sure, thank you," Blaise told him, giving him a grateful smile. "We promise not to start the important talk until you arrive."

"Of course," Bellatrix agreed, smiling at her cousin to soften the fact she'd sent him off to help a strange bloke that no one knew but still had to deal with.

"We'll join you all soon," Regulus said. Turning to the former prisoner, he began asking for his address as the rest walked away.

Once off the island, they Apparated to The Alchemist's in Knockturn. The place was dim with an impression of cozy confidentiality that any Dark wizard could appreciate. Alchemical symbols were carved onto the walls, and all drinks were served in goblets of fake gold, styled like the holy grail. It was quite busy, but there was one large empty table in the back that provided everyone enough room to settle down comfortably.

A goblin girl with her hair in pigtails and a neon sweater hurried over to take their order. The owner of the establishment made his own brews as well as having some imported from interesting faraway places, so drinking at The Alchemist's was always an experience. To Bellatrix's surprise, everyone ordered some variety of fire whisky. She and Rod ordered creamy vanilla, Rabastan opted for black cherry, and Gellert and Zabini chose buttercream. Bellatrix had taken Blaise and Gellert for wine men, and when she said so, Gellert nodded, flashing a grin. "Yes, but it's been a long day."

"Too bloody long...not to mention frustrating," Blaise drawled his agreement.

They sat in silence, each taking in the room as best as he or she could. Bellatrix thought it was amusing how each of them had natural tendencies that led them to scrutinize their surroundings for information or danger. It made her feel that she, Rod, and Rabastan fit in with Grindelwald nicely. Then that thought annoyed her...because why did they need to fit in with Grindelwald or anyone else? Especially after all they'd gone through, practically breaking themselves for a mad soulless man who had, when it came down to it, truly valued nothing, not even his own soul!

Because he was Grindelwald! The one they'd really wanted, the one every Dark wizard had really wanted when following Voldemort initially! Rodolphus's family had often bragged that Grindelwald particularly wanted the Lestranges in his corner. Now, though, when it came to the three of them, he hardly seemed to care that they'd gladly kill Muggles for him or fight for wizarding rights. He may be free of Nurmengard and young again, but Bellatrix believed he may have lost that initial fire of youth. He seemingly had no interest in picking up where he'd left off.

She also didn't quite know what to make of his personality. He seemed a bit too playful and nearly careless at times, yet with that dangerous edge which caused you to look again. Also Regi liked him quite a lot, and Bella trusted his judgment. Still, the fact that she was tempted to do it again, to follow anyone, even Grindelwald who had all of his soul, was as disappointing as it was tempting. The goblin girl returned with their drinks, luckily breaking into Bella's thoughts.

"Bottoms up, motherfuckers," Rabastan growled, tossing back half of his glass.

Grindelwald and Zabini sipped at theirs. Rodolphus took a deep swallow as did Bellatrix, both opting for the middle ground...just to see what it felt like.

It was always interesting for Bella to see her and Rod doing the same things nearly at the same time. The thought made her smile, and she reached to cover his hand with hers on the table. He turned his dark eyes to her, taking her in with open appreciation and a fierce pride that made her stomach clench in anticipation of the night to come when they were alone.

"I wish Black would hurry his ass," Rabastan complained.

"Could be that our boy Alec is the one dragging ass," Rodolphus defended Regulus lightly. "He's the one needing clothes and a bloody wand, after all," he pointed out, smirking in mild amusement at his baby brother.

"We can order something to eat while we wait," Grindelwald said. "I'm glad to spend a bit of time unwinding before mentally returning to work. Regulus won't be eating, so we won't be leaving him out of anything."

Bellatrix nodded, realizing that she was starved, or perhaps the drink was making her hungry. That often happened with strong drinks. When next the goblin girl was near their table, Grindelwald smiled and waved her over. "We'd like two of your platters, please." The girl nodded and hurried off.

"So what do we talk about while saving the productive topics until Regulus is here," Bellatrix asked. Raising her glass, she took another swallow, peering over the rim at Grindelwald.

"How about my stunning good looks?" the blond quipped.

Bellatrix made a face. "No one cares."

"Untrue," Gellert protested. "Blaise..."

"Excuse me," Bellatrix interrupted quickly. "What I meant is that none of the three of us give two shits!"

"Too right," Rabastan agreed, polishing off the contents of his glass.

Gellert laughed, pleased to have gotten a reaction.

Thankfully the goblin returned at that moment with two laden platters floating ahead of her. They were made of gleaming silver and piled high with thinly sliced meat, cheese, bread, olives, fruit, and even chocolate.

Rabastan grinned in approval. "Suitably posh and mildly odd. I love!"

"Agreed," Rodolphus said, adding his own verbal stamp of approval.

"What happened to the stuffed pears," Blaise asked the goblin waitress.

"We ran out so you got extra of everything else," she replied apologetically.

"Fair enough," Zabini conceded.

The Lestranges had their platter, and Blaise and Gellert the other. Gellert set a third of it aside, presumably for Alec.

"You trust this Alec bloke," Bellatrix asked and Grindelwald shrugged.

"Why not, we know he was speaking the truth. We'll just keep him on as Shadow Ops, and have him working against HER."

"You don't think he'll be more willing to turn on us after we accidentally put him away and got him just a little tortured?"

Grindelwald chuckled appreciatively. "Paranoid! I like it. Seriously, though...we will make it worth his while, give him a promotion and some inside information. Of course, it'll be up to the three of you to make it up to him for that bit of torture."

"Hey, that isn't how it works!" Rabastan squawked. "We never make up for torturing anyone! And besides, we believed we were well within our rights."

"This is a case of you play, you pay," Blaise drawled. "At present we need all the allies we can get. Just ask him what he'd like in recompense. I doubt it'll be your first born or anything."

Rabastan heaved a sigh, waving the waitress over again. "I need three more refills, please."

By the time Regulus and Alec joined them, they were nearly finished with dinner, and Rabastan was four drinks in. Bellatrix and Rodolphus were nursing their second, while Blaise and Gellert were almost finished with their first. Alec wore ocean blue robes, and his short dark hair was neatly combed. He no longer had the harried look of a prisoner. The right clothing did do wonders for that. It took Bellatrix a moment to notice that Kreacher stood just behind Regulus. The room was dimly lit, after all.

"Where were you earlier," she asked the elf with an annoyed frown. "You're always together, after all."

In truth she'd entirely forgotten to wonder about that previously, so much was going on. So much was always going on of late. They'd really needed this unwinding session before the brainstorming that was about to commence, she realized with a slight sigh.

"Kreacher was talking with Kereston," the elf explained. "She works such long hours, he does not get to see her as often as he would like."

It was Kreacher's close friendship with the new little Minister that had gotten the Lestranges where they were today, so Bellatrix wasn't going to complain about that. Regulus was always more focused when Kreacher was present, but the elf was here now.

"We saved you something to eat," Gellert told Alec, pushing the platter toward him.

"Thank you. That was very thoughtful," Alec replied, his tone one of polite reservation. "While I did get locked up and tortured for a crime I did not commit, at least, not without being ordered to do so by the very Ministry who put me away for it, I was released and treated fairly when I spoke up. That's more than would've happened with the old Ministry, so if you've all been shitting yourselves, we're square as far as I'm concerned."

Bellatrix wondered if Regulus had done some vamp mind trick on Alec and planned to ask her cousin later, so she could give him kudos for being extra careful if he had.

"What about the torture? Don't I owe you my right nut or something so you don't go following Delphini for revenge," Rabastan asked cautiously.

Alec barked a laugh and shook his head. "I'm not following anyone claiming a connection to Voldemort. Just buy me a glass or two of whatever you're having, and we're good."

Rabastan sighed in relief. "Right… Thanks!"

Chapter 62: Fighting Fire With Fire

Chapter 62: Fighting Fire with Fire

"Now that everyone is here," Grindelwald said, and everyone immediately became slightly less happy hour and a bit more focused. "The Murtlap situation is my biggest concern at present, due to my suspicions regarding how she plans to use them. Tomorrow I shall have some of my best investigative Aurors checking into the availability of Murtlaps. We need to know if she has managed to buy or harvest them all. If she has not, we shall need to hold the rest in captivity ourselves until she has been dealt with. If I am correct, she could be using them, or rather their parts, to turn herself as well as some of her followers into living weapons."

"Unfortunately, that sounds rather badass," Rabastan said grudgingly.

"Unfortunately," Grindelwald agreed, blue eyes narrowing thoughtfully. "Do allow yourself to take comfort in the fact that, as we're now onto her, we are even more...badass."

Rabastan sipped his drink, and nodded thoughtfully. "Yeah, that does comfort me," he decided.

"If I am correct, and I usually am, she is using Murtlap parts to improve methods that can make her immune to magic as well as fast healing so far more difficult to harm or kill."

"So you believe she's enhancing the jinx protection property of Murtlap tentacles to cover all magic," Bellatrix asked and Grindelwald nodded grimly.

"As for the Fire Crabs, I must research them further," he continued with a sigh. "I speculate that she has discovered some unknown alchemical use for the gemstones in their shells as they obviously differ from regular gemstones, but as of right now, this is only vague speculation."

"What about the correlation between Murtlaps and Fire Crabs when it comes to farting fire," Rabastan asked. "What if she's trying to make fart weapons...like she's impervious to magic, she is hard to kill, and she is farting fire to burn down wizarding society. In other words, burn us alive just as the Muggles once did!"

Bellatrix choked on a bite of cheese and took a large swallow of her fire whisky to wash it down. Getting drunk wasn't the wisest move, but at present, it certainly couldn't cause the conversation to make less sense, she decided.

Grindelwald laughed, tossing back his blonde locks. "That would certainly be unconventional," he admitted. "But when it comes to her, I'm banking on a bit more finesse."

"Yeah, and while you're banking on that, she's banking on you banking on that," Rabastan said.

"How are Fire Crabs and Murtlaps both linked to fire excretions," Zabini asked carefully.

It was then that Bellatrix recalled hearing Kereston bitching to Regulus that neither Grindelwald nor Zabini respected or knew much of magical creatures. She could hardly blame them, it wasn't something to which Bellatrix had paid much mind either.

"While Fire Crabs fart fire, Murtlaps can cause wizards to do so," she replied, managing not to smile when Grindelwald and Zabini's expressions grew more confused.

"This can occur if one is bitten by a Murtlap," Rodolphus clarified, and Grindelwald exchanged a look of understanding with Zabini before they both nodded.

"We see," Gellert said.

"But wouldn't that damage her insides if she combined the abilities of both creatures for prolonged use," Blaise asked, expression still incredulous.

"We really aren't actually having this conversation, are we?" Alec spoke up at last. He had been busily eating while the others talked, making short work of the platter portion Grindelwald and Zabini had set aside for him. He'd also managed to toss back both of the drinks Rabastan ordered for him. Apparently, he was still paying attention to the conversation, though.

Gellert chuckled. "Though unlikely, one can't afford to overlook any facts. While I don't believe Delphini is planning to expel fire from her bottom to burn us all alive, perhaps she has other plans that still combine the fire factors from both of these creatures. One can never tell so we must keep as informed as we can. I am now beginning to worry that she is making a specific type of magical fire based weapon. Such fire could be difficult to extinguish so could still be a huge bother, even if it is not coming from her bottom."

"For the record, I am still saying she could eventually be farting fire everywhere," Rabastan muttered.

"Noted," Gellert confirmed, lips twitching as his blue eyes flashed in amusement.

He was very likable, Bellatrix silently admitted. She understood how he could charm the masses simply by being himself. Hopefully he could charm everyone who wasn't on the inside of their new Ministry take over into taking the Delphini situation seriously, rather than believing whatever rhetoric she would be spouting to gain followers.

"She had the importers of those creatures killed in order to have access to them, then," Rodolphus said, his rich deep voice breaking pleasantly into Bella's thoughts. She dropped a hand under the table to his thigh, giving it a squeeze that caused him to inch closer, brushing his knee with hers.

Grindelwald nodded. "To their companies. That means the creatures as well as any other information or connections the companies had."

Alec sighed. "I just hate the fact I bloody helped her."

"Had you not, someone else would've, if it makes you feel better," Rabastan said with a casual shrug. "You aren't the only one working Shadow Ops that she could've slipped in and utilized."

Of course, the Lestranges had not told Alec that they were also Shadow Ops because one simply didn't. That wasn't how it worked. Still as persons obviously in with the new Ministry, they would, of course, be aware that Shadow Ops existed.

Alec nodded, giving Rabastan a tight smile. "I suppose you're right. It was me, though, and if I ever come face to face with the bitch, I owe her one for using me against my will to kill someone who was surely innocent."

Rabastan grinned and nodded back, just as if he gave a shit about the lives of innocent people.

"The fact that she was able to infiltrate the Ministry thoroughly enough to access their records for Shadow Ops operatives makes me worry too," Alec said, turning to Grindelwald.

"As it should. The old Ministry has been slack and willfully ignorant for centuries as have many other Ministries around the world, wizarding and Muggle alike," Gellert replied.

His expression was full of honest conviction as he spoke. The truth was a powerful motivator for him. What moved him, he used to move others, whereas Voldemort had only lied to them. There she went comparing the two again, but Bellatrix couldn't help it. Voldemort had only appealed because the real deal was locked away in Nurmengard. To appeal, Voldemort had to be a good actor. Unfortunately for them, he had been.

Hopefully Delphini would not have his charisma. If the girl disliked him as much as she claimed, perhaps she was different. Although considering her inexplicable level of power, she likely had something going on for her in order to draw her followers, and what that was, Bellatrix had a feeling they'd all be discovering the hard way.

"Fortunately, the current Ministry is smaller, tighter, and more interested in providing a safe community for all magical folk to thrive so long as we respect one another. We can be a harsher Ministry as well, but only where it is deserved, and only to stop crimes from reoccurring that threaten us all. As you yourself have experienced, we are also a fairer and more just Ministry, looking out for truth rather than convenience," Gellert concluded.

Alec nodded, gaze moving suddenly to Bellatrix. "Speaking of fairer and more just, I saw your article, and I was frankly floored that it was you lot who first tried to kill Voldemort. I mean, considering you were all so nutters over him back then, you know."

Bellatrix shuddered, reaching for her glass, only to scowl when she discovered it was empty. "It's amusing, really. The fact we were so certain he wasn't dead that first time is so clear now," she mused almost lightly. She glanced at Rod, then Rabastan as she continued.

"When he healed what Voldemort had done to us, Gellert said that part of us always remembered and always knew. That horrified me at the time to think part of me was locked in some area of my brain endlessly screaming her bloody head off. That part remembered that HE could not be killed, at least not by the Killing Curse. So when they said he was dead...those bits of us that knew better didn't believe. As for our conscious minds, we didn't know why we didn't believe it, we just couldn't. He was unkillable, but ask us why and we had no answer...so I suppose to the common mortal, we would seem a bit insane." She shook her head.

"Well, good on you for doing your parts now," Alec said. "And don't worry, Mr. Grindelwald. I'm Shadow Ops and, as such, I won't breathe a word of any of this."

"Of course," Grindelwald nodded.

"We'll just have to kill everyone here before we leave," Blaise said. "You know, in case anyone has overheard."

Alec's jaw dropped, and everyone else burst into laughter.

"We always use anti-eavesdropping spells around our table when out in public," Rabastan explained through his mirth. "We, as in anyone currently in the know," he clarified, and Alec nodded, joining in the laughter as his face flooded with relief.

For her part, Bellatrix couldn't decide if it was that funny, or if it was all due to the drinks.

Chapter 63: I Wanna Hurt You Just To Hear You Screaming My Name

Chapter 63: I Wanna Hurt You Just To Hear You Screaming My Name

Regulus Apparated everyone home in turn because wizards should never drink and Apparate! Once home, Bellatrix dragged Rod upstairs to their bedroom. She had not misplaced any of her earlier lustful thoughts. She had Rodolphus sized needs that most definitely required satisfying. They were halfway up the stairs when an accusing voice rang out behind them.

"Just where have you been? I had to eat alone! Harold wouldn't eat with me. He said it was improper."

"I don't care where he bloody eats," Bellatrix grumbled, turning to peer over her shoulder at Lyra. She stood, hands on hips in the night dark hall at the bottom of the stairs, glaring balefully up at her parents.

"I forgot to tell Harold we would not be eating at home," Bellatrix said, feeling a brief stab of guilt.

She was usually very good at remembering to inform the elf when there was a change of plans, though she was uncertain as to why she cared. It was rude to put anyone to work for no reason and silly to waste food, but he was well paid, and they were quite rich so they could waste on occasion if it happened by accident.

"Who says we can't eat dinner?" Rodolphus wanted to know. "It was just a bloody cheese platter. I'm good to go. Tell Harold..."

"You'd better be good to go for something else first," Bellatrix interrupted, clutching Rodolphus's hard muscular arm tightly enough that her nails dug in.

"Of course, but afterward I shall have worked up even more of an appetite than usual, so there is no concern that we will not be dining," Rodolphus said reasonably. Turning to Lyra he said. "Rhadamanthus will be quite hungry. He waited outside earlier while we had our after work meeting at a bar with Grindelwald. We'll fill you in at dinner if your uncle doesn't do it first. Tell Harold we'll dine in an hour."

"An hour and a half," Bellatrix corrected, and Rodolphus gave a smirk as she dragged him lustfully to their bedchamber. Inside with the door firmly closed, he dragged her hard against him, devouring her mouth with his. He tasted like fruit and fire whisky, and as always, the hard lines of his larger body pressed into hers and had her blood singing.

"Rod," she practically groaned against his mouth as she tore at his jacket in nearly desperate frustration. He assisted, shrugging out of the jacket while continuing to kiss her, only breaking the contact of their mouths for an instant to fling his robe over his head. Bellatrix made a low sound of desire as her hands ran over the sculpted muscles of his naked chest.

"So beautiful," she murmured.

"That's my line," he said, lips trailing kisses down the line of her throat as his hands yanked at her corset. "You're always the most beautiful woman in the room, and you're mine."

"Always," she managed, as his teeth fastened onto her right nipple, drawing a primal cry from her as his tongue flicked over the surface. With two impatient gestures, she dispensed with the rest of her clothing.

As he drew her left breast into his mouth, she reached down to run her nails lightly over his towering erection. The growl of satisfaction that rumbled up from him vibrated against her nipple in such a way that tingles spread from her chest to her toes.

"Yes," she murmured.

"Say it," Rodolphus directed, tongue tracing teasing patterns over the swell of her breast.

"Crucio," Bellatrix gasped, and Rodolphus's body shuddered as he groaned his satisfaction against her skin.

"Again," he demanded, sweeping her up into his arms and impaling her onto his hardness with one powerful thrust that had her eyes rolling back in her head.

Splaying her slender hands out over his chest she allowed her nails to dig furrows into his skin. "Crucio!"

"Gods," Rod gasped, his head flinging back in ecstasy as the pain shot through him. He arched his hips, thrusting up into her as he at last spoke the word in turn.

"Crucio, mon amour," he said, and Bellatrix screamed out her pleasure as he thrust into her again and again.

Eventually he got them to the bed, and they tumbled onto it, their bodies still locked together. Bellatrix's body strained upward toward his as he met her with long slow thrusts. One hand tangling in her hair, Rodolphus yanked her head back while his tongue flicked across her earlobe. "Crucio, Bellatrix," he whispered.

"Rodolphus," she screamed, clinging to his hips as another orgasm swept over her.

Pleasure and pain clashed in a maelstrom of sensation for them both as they shattered and continuously put one another back together again and again. When at last they were spent, Rodolphus lay collapsed atop Bellatrix on the rumpled bed and she drifted in a haze of utter contentment. His body was warm and completely covered hers, and the bed under her was soft and cozy. Eventually Rod's stomach gave a rumble, and she sighed against his shoulder. She would've been perfectly content just drifting to sleep, but it was obvious that he needed to go down and eat. She supposed those magnificent muscles needed their bloody protein.

"Fine," she grumbled, pushing at his shoulders. "Get up then so Harold's efforts won't have gone to waste."

"Wonder what he made," he said eagerly, before giving her neck a final kiss and rolling away to seek out their clothes.

As it turned out, the elf had made roast pheasant, baby potatoes, a salad, and blueberry pie for dessert. Though Lyra had already eaten, she sat with them in order to bitch a bit more.

"I was worried about you," she said, giving all three of them an indignant glare.

"I'm worried about me too," Rabastan agreed fervently. He paused to grinned and took a deliberate swig from the bottle of fire whisky in his right hand. "Do you know how hungover I'm going to be tomorrow? Because I don't, but something tells me it's going to be epic."

"I meant that I was worried when you all didn't come home," Lyra snapped. "Not only did you not come home, you didn't even bother to message that you were going to be late! That is so irresponsible, not to mention inconsiderate. You didn't even think of me or the fact that I would worry. I had to go to Azkaban to check up on you. One of the Aurors there said that you'd left with Grindelwald. That's the only reason I knew that you were alright! Because I took it upon myself to check!"

Rodolphus grinned as Bellatrix snatched the bottle out of Rabastan's hand.

"See? You're going to be a very good parent some day," Rodolphus told Lyra just as Rabastan gave an indignant, almost raven-like, squawk while staring at his now empty hand.

"Hey! Grindelwald already got us drunk! What's one more gonna hurt?" he demanded, turning his glare on Bellatrix.

"Too right, and Lyra is effectively ruining my drunk," Bellatrix said before swigging from the bottle then passing it to Rod.

"Hey, let's drink some more then drunk duel," Rabastan suggested, annoyance forgotten as a sudden gleam of excitement sprang to his eyes.

"After we eat we can," Rodolphus said.

"Good, because I'm not finished berating you yet," Lyra said. "It's good I can act the parent because you are all behaving like prats." She paused, frowning at her father who still held the bottle of fire whisky as he cut into his pheasant with his free hand. "Hey! I wanna drunken duel too, and I'm quite sober so give me some of that!"

Rodolphus grinned, passing his daughter the now nearly empty bottle. "That's my girl!"

Rabastan glanced worriedly from Lyra to the bottle as she lifted it to her lips. "It's nearly gone," he complained.

Bellatrix smirked. "Looks like we need another bottle."

Chapter 64: Poetry In Motion

Chapter 64: Poetry in Motion

"I say we should not be drinking right now, then something happens, others insert themselves and I cave," Bellatrix muttered half to herself, half to the pounding behind her eyes as she dragged herself out of bed the next morning.

"We always have hangover potions and strong coffee," Rodolphus said carelessly. His muffled voice came from somewhere in the mammoth sized wardrobe they shared where he was rummaging for fresh clothes.

"Always the one looking at the bloody bright side, aren't you?" Bella snarked, and Rodolphus chuckled. "Yep!"

Bellatrix laughed in spite of herself. "Get a dress out for me while you're in there."

A few seconds later, a cloud of black fabric was sailing over Rod's shoulder toward Bella, and with a flick of her wrist she caught it. "Thanks." She was scanning the floor for her bra when a tap came at the bedroom door.

"What?" she snapped peevishly as Rod exited the wardrobe clutching a black robe in one hand and a matching black cloak in the other. Bellatrix arched her brows, wondering why in the fuck it had taken him that long just to find those.

"Someone is downstairs for you. Harold wants to know if we should offer him breakfast," Lyra muttered. Her voice sounded sluggish and a little pained, Bellatrix noted with some satisfaction. That was good. Others should suffer for drinking against her better judgment as well.

"What does he want," Rodolphus asked.

"I don't know," Lyra replied around a yawn. "Something about Grindelwald and international travel. Do we feed him or not?"

"Why not?" Rodolphus decided. "It gives us some time to put ourselves together. Hangover potions are waiting downstairs for us, are they not?"

"Yes. Harold is on it, bless his soul. I'm almost glad I couldn't talk him into getting trashed with us last night, because if his head felt like mine right now, who would take care of us?" Lyra opined. "I did really want to see how he'd duel drunk, though. I bet it would've been bloody epic."

Bellatrix dragged on her clothes while pondering the implications of the current situation around the pounding in her head. Grindelwald hadn't mentioned anyone coming around to their place last night, nor had he spoken of giving them a new assignment. This must be a result of the Murtlap/Fire Crab situation.

"Grindelwald works fast," she muttered to Rod as they exited their bed chamber together.

Rod grinned over at her, casually slinging an arm around her shoulders. "That's what makes him Grindelwald."

When they entered the dining room, they found everyone else gathered around the breakfast table. Rhadamanthus was shoveling fried potatoes into his mouth nearly at the speed of light. Rod grinned in appreciation and Bella rolled her eyes.

Rabastan was hunched over a large plate of food and clutching his coffee in one hand like a lifeline. For her part, Lyra nibbled at a wedge of toast with an ill expression on her face. The new bloke was enjoying his own plate of sausage, toast, and eggs and looking far more comfortable at the Lestrange table than Bellatrix had expected.

He wore Ministry robes and was tall and muscular. Perhaps he was even taller than Rod, but as he was seated, Bellatrix couldn't be certain. His hair was short and dark, and he was clean shaven. He looked around their age.

"So who are you?" Bellatrix greeted in her customary tactful fashion. Rod grinned as the two of them slid into their chairs at the head of the table.

"Good morning, Mrs. and Mr. Lestrange. As I have already explained to your brother, your daughter, your elf, and your bloody spider, I am Roger Bulstrode, head of the Department of International Magical Cooperation. Mr. Grindelwald has decided that I need bodyguards when traveling and as it happens, the two of you are up!"

"While I am apparently stuck in charge of Azkaban by myself," Rabastan bit out.

"Not technically by yourself. You have tons of prisoners and a handful of Aurors to keep you company," Lyra pointed out.

"And you," Rabastan decided vengefully.

Bellatrix smirked in open amusement as Lyra squirmed.

"Umm, no. Can't do it. The energy of that place… and of those prisoners will really clog up my Aura, and none of you are able to help me cleanse it. I will feel disgusting for weeks."

Rabastan rolled his eyes expressively at the table at large, then fixed his niece with a mock perplexed look. "Did I ever give any sort of indication that I give a fuck about Auras?"

"I'll give a fuck for you," Lyra said firmly. "I am not going into that place."

"But I don't wanna be there all by myself," Rabastan actually whined.

Lyra glowered. The silence stretched as Rabastan waited, making it clear that he could be patient. Finally Lyra huffed a sigh. "Fine, I'll go! But you'd better teach me some bloody awesome dueling tactics."

"I taught you some last night during drunken dueling," Rabastan insisted. "So did your dad."

Lyra nodded, considerly. "I am aware, but see, the thing about that is I was so drunk the memories are rather fuzzy. As a result, I'm not actually sure I could use anything I learned now. So if I go into that foul place, you better teach me something brilliant."

"Right, and you can also practice your Mind Ripping on some of the prisoners if you like. It isn't as if they're innocent."

Lyra brightened. "Alright! I can be down with that."

"Family unity is restored," Rodolphus proclaimed dramatically, then flashed a grin at their guest. "Do you see what Bellatrix and I deal with daily, Mr. Bulstrode? After this, guarding you shall be a delightful breeze."

Bellatrix cackled.

"I must ask, though…" Rodolphus continued as he reached for the bottle of hangover potion that stood in front of his heaping plate of breakfast. Harold knew precisely how much food Rod could put away. "How often will you be traveling, and where are we off to today? Do I need to bring a swimsuit?"

Bellatrix smirked as visions of tropical islands came to mind. The question was legit because during their assignments for Shadow Ops, there had been a few times when they'd traveled to faraway tropical islands to kill someone. To keep their cover, they were told to make use of the amenities, so swimming and tropical food had been enjoyed.

"Nothing as enjoyable or restful as swimming, I'm sure," Bulstrode said drily. Pausing, he lowered his fork to the plate before him as he surveyed everyone at the table in turn. "What I am about to say must stay locked inside your head. Tell anyone outside this room, and bang, bang, you're dead!" As he spoke, he aimed his fingers like some Muggle...what was it called, gun thing?

Bellatrix gave an incredulous laugh. "You're a Mudblood?" For a moment that trumped the fact he'd just threatened to kill them.

"Of course not," Bulstrode sneered. "I'd just use one of their weapons to kill you if I had to do it, because it leaves no magical traces."

"That's smart," Rabastan said admiringly. "If it wasn't eight in the bloody morning, I'd say I want to have a drink with you, but as it stands, I'll need a few more hours before I can justify it."

Bulstrode chuckled. "I think I may like you lot. That's good because I detest most of the people I work with," he admitted drily. "Today we visit the French and American Ministries to talk them into halting any trade in Murtlaps and Fire Crabs for the present. It isn't likely to be easy as losing money, even for their greater good, never goes over well with either of those countries."

"Ah, so we're there to torture them into agreeing if they insist on being difficult," Bellatrix asked excitedly. The day was already improving, and her hangover potion hadn't even kicked in yet!

"I'm afraid not, Mrs. Lestrange," Roger Bulstrode said, regarding her with an expression of mild regret that caused her opinion of him to rise a few notches. "At least, probably not. Such methods of persuasion never work well long term and we can't afford anything to blow up in our faces down the line at a time like this."

"So if this is so top secret, why tell all of us," Lyra asked. "Why not simply wait until you're alone with my parents and tell them, as they're the ones set to guard your body? Then you would only have two lives to threaten, which is far less work."

"Because Mr. Grindelwald said that I am to inform all of you due to your close family ties. He knew that you would not be able to keep such secrets from one another," Bulstrode replied and Lyra leaned forward eagerly.

"Oh, this is gonna be good!"

Chapter 65: Dream On

Chapter 65: Dream On

"I'll make my job a bit easier by asking how much you lot know about Victor Frankenstein or Dr. Henry Hyde Jekyll," Roger Bulstrode said.

Everyone exchanged a glance before anyone spoke. Well, everyone except for Rhadamanthus, who was still occupied with his immense plate of breakfast. That or he had no idea who Frankenstein or Jekyll were. Bellatrix decided it was probably the latter as Acromantulas had no cause to care about obscure wizarding history.

"I know that Muggles believe both are fiction, as do many uneducated wizards," Lyra said carefully.

Bulstrode nodded. "But do you know why so many wizards believe them to be fiction as well?"

"Because both were working in some rather dark fields that many Ministries wanted hush-hush?" Rabastan speculated.

"Both became famous fodder for conspiracy theories, but that was only to contribute to the belief that they weren't real," Bellatrix chimed in.

"Anything else," Bulstrode asked, glancing around the table hopefully. "The more you know, the less I have to explain."

"I know that Victor Frankenstein is dead, and I am guessing that perhaps Jekyll is not," Rodolphus said.

"Very good," Bulstrode smiled. "You are all correct. Now I shall explain what all that has to do with current times. This gets us into the bit where you aren't ever allowed to speak of this to anyone outside this room. Are we understood?"

Everyone nodded.

"What about the spider," Bulstrode asked.

He was an observant fellow, Bellatrix thought in mild amusement. Her hangover was finally receding, so she had a bit more room to be amused. The spider in question, who hadn't nodded due to not specifically having a neck, glanced up from his nearly empty plate.

"What?" He blinked all eight eyes in confusion as he was generally left alone to enjoy his food at breakfast without being dragged into conversation.

"Do you agree not to speak of what you are about to hear to anyone outside of this room so that I don't have to kill you," Bulstrode asked.

Rhadamanthus chuckled. "Oh, but you cannot kill me," he explained kindly. "For I am far bigger and could easily..."

"He plans to use a Muggle weapon," Rabastan interjected. "It kills from a distance, and the only warning you get is a loud bang just as it happens."

Rhadamanthus blinked. "Hmm… Well then, I suppose that's something to consider," the Acromantula rasped. "I will not speak of whatever it is that you're talking about anyway, but there is no reason to go around threatening with Muggle technology," he complained.

"Whyever not," Bulstrode asked in a perfectly civil tone.

The spider's giant jaws gaped slightly for an instant as if he had trouble processing that the question had actually been asked. "Because it's simply bad form." He shot a questioning glance at Rodolphus. "Is it not?"

Rodolphus grinned. "Indeed it is." Glancing at Bulstrode he added, "You see? Even my Acromantula has better form than you international Ministry lot!"

Rhadamanthus's focus returned to his plate, and it was empty in seconds.

"That's right," Bulstrode agreed. "We're a bunch of monsters, really. But we're fighting even bigger monsters, which you should keep in mind."

"What, Jekyll and Frankenstein?" Rabastan scoffed.

Bulstrode shook his head in response. "Not Jekyll. And as we've already established, Frankenstein is dead fortunately. His creation, however, not so much, but he's not a monster so that's alright." He chuckled. "Or if he is, it appears he and Jekyll are on our side, though we honestly have no idea where the hell they are."

"I do hope your explanation is going to gain some clarity very fast," Bellatrix said drily.

"Yeah, for real," Rabastan chimed in. "I'm fucking sober and right now I'm honestly not getting sober vibes. Not good when I need to be at bloody work in an hour or something," he complained.

"I understand," Bulstrode nodded. "I'll just cut to the chase, then, shall I? Jekyll is a dream wizard. As you are likely aware, those are a very rare breed indeed."

"He used his potion to unlock dream abilities which gave him enhanced senses and the ability to change the appearance of his form without the use of transfiguration, or so the black market magic books say," Bellatrix said.

"And those books would be right. A brilliant thing, black market trade," Bulstrode said cheerfully. "After Jekyll learned how to access the powers gained in dreams for his own ends, he was a dark and unstoppable force that was kicked out of wizarding London. He didn't care though, because he had no designs on London or anywhere else. He simply sought hedonistic pleasures. He just went his own way."

"Sweet," Rabastan said with a wistful sigh.

"Indeed," Bulstrode said drily. "At any rate, he vanished… Slipped under the radar and many believed him to be dead or unreal in the first place. Recently some documents were discovered in America that suggest Jekyll has met up with the family of Frankenstein's creation."

"But I thought the bride never came to be," Rabastan objected, indicating that he did actually read while drinking in the library.

"He married someone that Victor Frankenstein did not create," Bulstrode said. "And that is where it links back to Jekyll. He married a dream witch. Apparently Frank, as he calls himself after his bastard of a creator obviously, has dream abilities as well, due to the way in which he was created. So Frank married a dream witch, they had children, one of those children had another child, she married Jekyll, and it's a big dreaming family."

"Cute, but what does that have to do with us?" Bellatrix drawled. "None of us have dream abilities."

"Hell," Rabastan protested."I'm dreaming of a big fat drink right now to help this conversation make sense!"

"It does not have to do with US as much as it has to do with Delphini," Bulstrode explained.

"Are they working with her," Rabastan asked. "I mean, I kind of wanted to admire Jekyll so that would really be a pity."

"No," Bulstrode said. "They are not at all. They are, in fact, working against one of her allies, but the problem is that they are losing. Or at least they are not winning."

"She has allies who are dream wizards," Rabastan asked.

"One ally," Bulstrode replied.

"Fuck, doesn't she have enough going for her without adding shit we do not know at all how to work against?" Rabastan banged the table with a frustrated fist.

"It seems you understand the situation," Bulstrode said with a humorless chuckle.

"So what is the plan," Bellatrix asked, arching her brows. "I assume, as you are sharing this information, there is some sort of plan."

"A plan of sorts," Bulstrode said. "Frank's son has contacted Mr. Grindelwald as well as some of his close associates via dreams. He has offered to spy on Delphini and pass on any information he can. As we are having a great deal of difficulty tracking her movements before they actually happen, this is a great deal better than nothing."

"That's true," Rabastan agreed.

"So you are telling us, in particular, why," Rodolphus asked.

"Because the latest tip off is that she will infiltrate a wand supply house in America today, and as we'll be in the area on Murtlap and Fire Crab business, Grindelwald wants us to deal with it."

"Wand supply house," Lyra asked."You mean a wand maker?"

Bulstrode shook his head. "America is big enough to require a supply house," he said with a slight chuckle.

"Why is this creator of Frank a bastard," Rhadamanthus asked.

The question caused Bella to understand how little creatures actually followed wizarding history. Logical really, because why should they give a shit? "Because Victor Frankenstein created him then fled, abandoning him to become a feared and shunned target of Muggles."

"I always found that bit of the story perplexing," Lyra said. "I mean, he wanted his creation to be the perfect human and even believed him to be beautiful until the magic worked and he actually came to life!"

Bulstrode shrugged. "Two words. Mad scientist."

"So as you are apparently in the know, were the Shelly's dream wizards too," Rabastan asked.

"No," Bulstrode replied. "They were Merlin and Nimue reincarnated. Only in an ironic turn Merlin was Mary."

"How do you know that," Bellatrix asked, unable to hide a bit of skepticism.

"We do not have time to get into everything that my department knows today, Mrs. Lestrange," Bulstrode replied somewhat curtly. "For now I want to wrap this day up by showing you what Jekyll and Frank look like on the off chance that any of you happen to encounter them. We have yet to locate them in the flesh, and Grindelwald's dreams are too unclear to pin down a location when Frank's son sends him information."

"Do they not wish us to know where they are," Lyra asked.

"It is more a matter of being unable to clearly communicate their location," Bulstrode said vaguely.

Drawing his wand from his robe, he flicked it at the air in front of the table. An image of a tall man with wide shoulders and a barrel chest appeared. He wore a long black duster much like Grindelwald's. His hair was short and black. His hands sported long, blood red claws and his face looked like that of a hag. The skin was green, the chin and nose were long and pointed, the teeth sharp, and the smile delightfully wicked. Somehow, Bellatrix found herself smiling back.

"Jekyll, I presume," she said and Bulstrode nodded before vanishing the image with another flick of his wand.

"Now for Frank." The man in the next image that sprang forth from Bulstrode's wand was very tall and willowy thin, with waist length gleaming black hair, and glowing pale blue eyes. His skin was extremely fair save for the slightest of yellow tinge. His face was elegant, delicate, and nearly pretty. His lips were black as were his nails, providing a stark contrast even if they did match his hair.

"We fondly call him the first ever Goth. And unlike all the Muggles who paint themselves up to achieve this look, his is natural," Bulstrode said almost proudly.

"Well, if we run into either of them at the bar, we promise to report it directly," Rabastan said breezily.

"Good," Bulstrode replied, voice and expression entirely serious. "Dream communication can be spotty at best and nothing beats face to face conversation even with the use of magic."

"I assume you are unable to speak to them as we can with Merlin and Nimue," Rodolphus asked.

"You assume correctly," Bulstrode agreed. "We aren't sure why that is, but things work differently with this lot." A flick of his wand and Frank vanished away just as Jekyll had.

With their unique appearance, Bellatrix seriously doubted they'd be showing themselves at any bar, even in Knockturn Alley, but one never knew.

"The main problem at present involves Frank's concern that Delphini's ally and their dream enemy, the Doctor, could be using negative dreams to affect the Muggles," Bulstrode said. "The gods know their bloody minds are easy enough to control, so it likely would not be that hard."

"Well, that's certainly going to make me sleep easy tonight," Rabastan drawled.

"Why shouldn't it," Bulstrode asked, arching his brows nearly to his hairline in a comic gesture. "You aren't a Muggle."

Rabastan scowled. "No, but we are all Delphini's enemies, and we all dream, so by all rational rights wizards will be next."

From Bulstrode's expression, the one a person might have if choking on a very fat frog, he had not considered that possibility.

"We could always use dream shields for protection," Bellatrix said. "There are those Grindelwald taught us."

As she spoke, she wondered what the blonde had known at the time. Had he already guessed that risk and moved to prevent it?

A brief look of hesitation crossed Bulstrode's face that he was quick to cover. Bellatrix smirked. She just bet he'd be visiting Grindelwald as soon as possible and asking to be taught the shields that he'd apparently just heard about for the first time.

Chapter 66: The Unexpected Pitfalls Of International Travel

Chapter 66: The Unexpected Pitfalls of International Travel

"We won't be traveling directly to the French or American Ministries because Mr. Grindelwald does not want our activities traced," Bulstrode said. "When the two of you are ready, we will Floo to a transfer point before proceeding."

Bellatrix and Rodolphus exchanged a glance. "I'm ready when Bella is," Rod said. Bellatrix drained the last of her coffee and stood with a sigh. She had a feeling today was not going to be particularly thrilling, not to mention she was still processing the ton of weird Bulstrode had divulged about Jekyll and...Frank.

"I am also ready to go," Rhadamanthus said, scooting back from the table.

Bulstrode frowned. "Why?"

"Because I am their bodyguard," the spider replied firmly.

"I am afraid that today you will have to take the day off. We must travel under a cloak of subtlety, and with all respect, we can't manage that with a horse-sized bodyguard along."

Rhadamanthus gave him a belligerent glare before turning inquiringly to Rodolphus, who sighed and shook his head. "While I would feel better with you along, we shall have to do it his way this time. Enjoy your day off. You've earned a bit of a rest."

"If you are certain," Rhadamanthus said.

Rodolphus chuckled. "Well, no, but so it must be regardless."

"He can come with us to Azkaban if he wants," Lyra said.

"Lucky him," Bellatrix drawled.

Rod led the way into the library and gestured Bulstrode toward the fireplace. With a flick of his wand, the man set the logs ablaze, then extracted a pouch of Floo powder from his pocket. "First we're going to a place called La Magie in France."

"A magic shop," Bellatrix asked, interested in a bit of browsing if that were the case.

Bulstrode shook his head. "No. A printing establishment for magic books. Less fascinating, but also far less noticeable for entering the country undercover."

He extended the pouch of Floo powder to Rodolphus and when he took a pinch, extended it next to Bella. When she'd taken a pinch as well, he pocketed it and gave a business-like nod. Tossing his powder into the fire, he stepped up into the hearth. "See you there," he said, then stepped directly into the now green flames, shouting, "LA MAGIE!"

Rodolphus followed with Bellatrix close behind. They stepped out into a small stone room, empty save for the fireplace.

There wasn't a book in sight, but considering that books were flammable, she supposed it made a bit of sense. If people traveled in and out repeatedly, sparks could fly and potentially cause a problem. Bulstrode led them out into a larger room where pages were literally flying about, nesting themselves into open book covers that were stretched out in rows upon rows on long wide floor to ceiling shelves.

"You'll want to duck," Roger Bulstrode called before bending over and sprinting for the door. Though he looked rather silly, it was clear that if one walked upright through the storm of flying pages, they'd be likely to get many paper cuts. Smirking, Rod grasped Bella's hand and ducked. She followed suit and they ran like carefree children to join Bulstrode at the door.

"That was fun," Rod said as they walked out and into the Paris morning where a long black Muggle car was waiting. Bellatrix felt her eyes widening in shock that hastily turned to horror as Bulstrode moved to open the back door of the thing. He slipped inside before impatiently gesturing for them to follow. When neither moved, he leaned out of the still open door to glare.

"What is it?" he demanded.

"We don't do Muggle transport," Bellatrix said flatly, before making a disgusted face to better illustrate her point.

"I truly doubt Grindelwald expected…" Rodolphus began and Bulstrode cut him off with an annoyed snort. "Grindelwald has no idea how things work, and he did not ask, so we can only assume that he does not bloody care! Using limousines allows us to travel in style and comfort while not leaving magical tracks. This method has worked for centuries. We upgraded from very posh carriages to limousines in the thirties."

"This is stylish," Bellatrix asked, nose wrinkling as she gestured at the limousine car thing.

"Indeed," Bulstrode said, speaking through gritted teeth. "It beats walking by far. Now get in! The ride is only about fifteen minutes long."

"There appears to be no choice," Rodolphus said, and with a frown of distaste joined Bulstrode inside the limousine. Bellatrix drew in a deep breath and followed with a shudder. "I wasn't counting on engaging in bloody Muggle Studies today," she complained as she dragged the door shut behind her.

"Well, just think of it as one of those 'life is full of surprises' moments and smile," Bulstrode suggested.

Bellatrix and Rodolphus regarded him with matching wide smiles...that is, if one turned their expressions upside down, they would somewhat resemble smiles.

There was a partition drawn down between them and the elderly wizard seated behind the wheel. His expression was placid, and he did not even turn to glance their way. Bellatrix found this mildly odd until she noticed that he had a mirror near his face which allowed him to see into the back without having to turn. The long bench style seat on which the three of them sat was oddly soft and comfortable. When the car proceeded forward, it was with a surprisingly smooth gliding motion.

"You might as well sit back and relax," Bulstrode said.

Rodolphus took Bellatrix's hand and gave it a comforting squeeze. "We can shower as soon as we get back home," he said soothingly, and she nodded. "We shall most definitely have to."

No one spoke again until the car drew to a stop at the back of a building that looked to be constructed of gold bricks.

"The French Ministry for Magic," Bulstrode explained as he opened the door on his side and slid out, leaving it open for the Lestranges to follow. They exited the car quickly without looking back. Bulstrode led the way into the Ministry with confident strides, indicating that this wasn't his first time visiting the place. The Ministry was prettier than theirs, Bellatrix noted silently. It was all marble floors and attractive moving murals of nature scenes and magical creatures on the walls.

The place was full of witches and wizards bustling here and there, all speaking in French which Rodolphus understood perfectly, and Bellatrix had never bothered to learn more than a few phrases of.

"Roger! Over here!" A slender woman of average height and mousy, long brown hair waved at them from a corner before moving in their direction. Bellatrix noted that she wore British Ministry robes and her name tag was stamped with the same department as Bulstrode's. According to the tag she was a Bulstrode as well, Ali Bulstrode.

"This is my wife and travel partner," Roger introduced curtly. "In our line of work, it's safer and more efficient to partner in teams of two. And, of course, she knows well who you are, so we can skip all the basics of that."

"You met our daughter recently," Ali Bulstrode said with a smile. "Her name is Millicent Bulstrode Adler and she assists Mr. Grindelwald in technical matters with her Muggle computer laptop thingy-thing."

Bellatrix recalled the tall Amazon-like young woman who brought papers in reporting all the unusual Muggle activity. She'd referred to Delphini aptly as Snake-Baby.

"Yes, she was quite charming," she said.

"This way," Roger announced before setting off through the large lobby-like room.

"We report at that desk that we've arrived, and the Minister should see us soon," Ali explained, keeping her stride slower to keep pace with Bellatrix and Rodolphus. "We have an appointment, and they never keep us waiting for long."

"Well, that's something," Bellatrix muttered.

The desk looked to be made entirely of crystal. The French certainly did have style, Bellatrix thought as Roger spoke to the small witch with huge hair seated behind the desk. She smiled and handed Roger a silver tag.

"That is our hall pass," Ali explained helpfully. "It looks as if we don't have to wait at all! We can go directly in to see the Minister."

Chapter 67: A Lestrange With An Unexpected Flair For Politics

Chapter 67: A Lestrange with an Unexpected Flair for Politics

Roger Bulstrode led the way down a short hallway to the Minister's office. The room was small and plain. The French Minister rather matched the room, or at least his mouth did, for it was small and pinched. The rest of him was larger, his build being stocky bordering on fat. His short, yet bushy, iron gray hair was combed back from a wide forehead. His eyes were beady, and Bellatrix couldn't decide if she found them to be stupid or mean.

He waved at the only two chairs in the room, other than his own, as he wished them a good morning in heavily accented English.

The Bulstrodes took the chairs. Bellatrix closed the door, then she and Rodolphus flanked them, slipping smoothly into bodyguard mode.

"We are here on a matter of international concern," Roger Bulstrode began.

"Aren't you always?" the Minister drawled, and Roger gave a humorless chuckle.

"This matter is even more pressing than usual, I am afraid. You are aware of Delphini and the threat she poses to the wizarding world, I presume?" The pained expression on Bulstrode's face clearly stated that he bloody well hoped the French Minister was aware, because he certainly wasn't in the mood to make him aware if he was not. Bellatrix got the reasoning behind that, because it was quite a lot of mind bending information to make someone fully aware of Delphini.

The Minister frowned, nodding. "Yes. Miss Delphini Dolohov, or is it Riddle?"

Roger smirked. "Precisely. And it has come to our attention that she has an excessively strong interest in the acquisition of Murtlaps and Fire Crabs."

After a slight pause, the Minister spoke. "I am listening."

"Our Head of Defense believes that she will use the magical properties of both of these creatures to make herself and her followers immune to magic," Bulstrode said bluntly. "If she does, she can obviously use magic on us and we will be hard pressed to retaliate in time to do much good. Our Minister is requesting that you put a ban on the sale of either of these creatures and collect any in your country by magical decree, housing them somewhere protected."

For several seconds, the French Minister stared blankly. "Have you any idea just how costly such an effort will be?" he demanded coldly, giving Bulstrode an expression that clearly said he wondered if the other man had lost his mind to bring him such a request.

"It shall cost even more if Delphini manages to use the beasts against your country," Bulstrode shot back, bristling.

"Is Mr. Grindelwald even certain that she can block magic with the use of these creatures?" the Minister pressed. "You said that he BELIEVED she would do so, not that he KNEW it. Consider this. What if we invest all the money and effort your Minister requests, and Mr. Grindelwald is mistaken, and Delphini does something else that we no longer have the finances to prevent?"

Bulstrode looked as if he may strangle on his own rage, or perhaps it was his tongue. Bellatrix wasn't sure.

"You're exactly right," she told the Minister, giving him a warm smile. "The bitch could bankrupt us all trying to protect against her if we aren't careful."

The Minister nodded, expression tentatively appreciative.

Smelling blood, Bellatrix smoothly went in for the kill. "Mr. Grindelwald is a seer, though, so his hunches are more valuable than most." Of course, Grindelwald had not indicated that he'd had a vision about this situation. and Bellatrix did not believe he had. She had not said he had, though, simply allowing the French Minister to read into it what he would.

"To win this war, we must all work together. If he sees something that you can use, he will make certain that you are aware. As for this situation, though, what if we sent some of our Aurors to help? We could also house the creatures as long as you return the favor of general assistance whenever you are able, if our Ministry requires it."

To Bella's immense satisfaction, the Minister's look of appreciation deepened, even blooming into a smile of relief. "You can do this," he asked, gaze moving from Bella to Bulstrode.

Bellatrix replied hastily, just in case Bulstrode was tempted to open his mouth and ruin her beautiful act of political perfection. "Indeed."

Rodolphus smiled then, addressing the Minister in French. The only two words Bellatrix understood were Lestrange and good. Being brilliant at putting two and two together, she gathered that her husband had said something about the word of a Lestrange always being good.

The Minister seemed pleased, giving a congenial smile as he replied to Rod in French. "We'll send someone around to finalize arrangements by late afternoon." Rodolphus concluded in English.

The Bulstrodes rose and thanked the Minister for his time. Bellatrix remained calm as the four of them walked out of the Ministry together. Her spirits were so high that walking around the back of the building and entering the Muggle car didn't dampen them much.

Though the partition was still up between them and the driver, Roger drew his wand and cast an anti-eavesdropping charm before speaking. "Nice work, Mrs. Lestrange," he said, face breaking into a grateful smile.

Bellatrix gave a pleased nod, though in truth she was a little surprised that the man took it so graciously. She'd basically stepped in without being asked and saved his ass.

"Do you get the truly brilliant bit," she asked, allowing her excitement to show as she looked from Bulstrode to Rod.

"I think so," Bulstrode said. "You just got us all the Murtlaps and Fire Crabs in France in case Grindelwald decides to use them to prevent Delphini from using magic on us instead!"

"Exactly right!" Bellatrix crowed. "Aren't I bloody brilliant?" Rod gave her a proud grin, clapping her on the shoulder.

Bulstrode laughed. "Indeed you are, Mrs. Lestrange. Indeed you are."

The car returned them to the magic printing shop where they used the Floo again, this time going to a wizarding bar in America called Merlin's Cap, where Roger insisted they have lunch even though by the look of the night sky, everyone else was having dinner. At least they weren't eating Muggle food, Bellatrix told herself in an attempt to self soothe. The United States was so uncivilized, but they did need food to keep up their strength.

The bar was pleasant enough, if casual. The tables were covered in blue cloths sprinkled in silver moons and stars. The salt and pepper shakers were shaped like Merlin and Nimue which was a little ridiculous, but she gave them half a point for trying. The actual bar itself, in the back of the room, was far more impressive. It was carved of redwood and took up the entire back wall. It was a three dimensional rendering of Merlin's red dragon. The barstools looked like piles of treasure, the gold velvet cushions even ringed in sparkling rubies and emeralds.

"The bar is the best, but trying to keep your plate of food from sliding off the dragon's back while eating is especially annoying," Ali Bulstrode said when she noticed Bellatrix staring at it. "Sticking charms work on the plate itself, but then the food slides around." She made a face. "If you're just having drinks it's fun, but otherwise a table is the way to go."

Rodolphus and Bellatrix nodded together in understanding. "So what's good to eat," Rodolphus asked hungrily.

"Their fish sandwiches are huge and really amazing," Ali said. "Fresh tuna piled with loads of vegetables. The deer stew is good as well, and the apple pie is literally swimming in cinnamon and the best thing ever, you simply must try it for dessert!"

"The fried chicken and fried potatoes are heaven," Roger chimed in.

Rod grinned. "Good. I'll have it all."

Roger chuckled. "Why not, it's on the Ministry's tab!"

They seated themselves at an empty table in a corner and before long a small blonde waitress hurried over. She wore druid robes to match the vibe of the place and a huge crystal quartz on a chain about her neck. Bellatrix was relieved that she did not seem to recognize her or Rodolphus when she took their orders.

As he'd promised, Rodolphus ordered everything the Bulstrodes recommended. Bellatrix chose the deer stew and apple pie as did Ali. Roger got the fried chicken and potatoes. The Bulstrodes ordered sweetened and iced tea to drink, so the Lestranges followed suit out of curiosity as the concept sounded so odd.

As the waitress hurried away, Ali complained to her husband about his unhealthy food choices.

"Aren't you glad I'm not a nag?" Bellatrix whispered into Rodolphus's ear, biting down on his earlobe. Rodolphus leaned closer with a low growl of desire, one hand dropping to squeeze Bella's thigh under the table.

Thankfully, the Bulstrodes were so busy bickering about who was in better health that they didn't notice. The food arrived within minutes, and Bellatrix felt her eyes widening at how huge the plates were and how much food was on them! It was all very good, though.

"It's no wonder most Americans are fat," Rodolphus said with a contented sigh as he polished off his last bite of cinnamon apple pie. "Oh, sorry," he added, shooting an apologetic look to a very fat wizard at the next table over who gave him an affronted glare.

Bellatrix chuckled happily, thinking that if the man knew who they were, he wouldn't dare to glare like that. Instead. he'd be soiling himself and pleading with them not to hurt him.

Chapter 68: We Never Shoot To Stun

Chapter 68: We Never Shoot To Stun

When the meal was over, Bulstrode led them back into the kitchen, where there was a Floo against the back wall. Rather than elves, wizards and a few goblins were doing the cooking over several open fires. The room was full of delicious smells, and Rodolphus eyed the dishes in progress as they passed.

"We are going to the wand factory now. It is called Elemental Mages," Bulstrode said before tossing a pinch of Floo powder into the fire and stepping through.

"Here you are." The voice came from a goblin near Bellatrix's elbow. His face was flushed from the heat of the kitchen, and his shoulder-length white hair was held back in a hairnet. He held an open can out to them with a Floo powder label on the other side.

Bellatrix and Rodolphus each took a pinch, then the goblin extended the can to Ali Bulstrode. The three went through the Floo one at a time with Rod in the lead and Ali bringing up the rear. The fireplace on the other end was just as large, located in the back of what appeared to be an office.

"Tell Mr. Grindelwald thanks for coming through on the help!" The voice came from a muscular wizard wearing forest green robes who sat behind a huge desk across the room.

"Yes, of course," Bulstrode replied distractedly. He was glaring down at his Ministry robe, feverishly trying to shake the soot off the front of it. Turning to Bellatrix and Rodolphus, he added, "And you lot aren't allowed to kill everyone. Just half." Bellatrix's jaw dropped.

Bulstrode scowled. "What? You can't just stop at half? Because we need to question some of them, you know! How else do you expect us to get an upper hand on the cow's activities?"

"She didn't look fat to me," Rodolphus muttered with a smirk.

"She doesn't have to be overweight to be an emotional cow," Bulstrode shot back. "Her personality is cowish."

"True enough," Rodolphus grinned.

"It's just that I didn't think we were going to be allowed to kill at all," Bellatrix said. She shot a look at the man behind the desk, obviously unmoved by the conversation, which Bulstrode apparently did not mind having in front of him.

"The Minister and Grindelwald want to send her a message, so you are allowed to kill half," Bulstrode explained.

"Your new Minister doesn't fuck around! I like it. That's exactly what we need these days." The wizard behind the desk lit up something to smoke. It didn't smell like anything Bellatrix recognized; though she, Rod, and Rabastan could do some aggressive partying, none of them were smokers.

Taking a heavy drag, he leaned back so that his chair tipped onto its back legs as his eyes focused happily on a point on the ceiling.

"That's our girl," Rodolphus agreed with a proud nod, as though the Lestranges had handpicked the new Minister themselves.

"And letting you lot out." The desk wizard blew a smoke ring, then let out a chuckle that turned into a cough. "I bet that scared the shit out of everyone! Really keeps fuckers in line, though, don't it? With you lot running Azkaban."

"That's the idea," Bellatrix murmured. Americans were an unsettling mix of blunt and strange, half refreshing and half uncomfortable. Bellatrix was amused.

"Well, there are three invisibility cloaks behind the door there. Help yourselves, and thanks again for the assistance."

Bulstrode nodded, taking one cloak which he draped over himself and his wife, promptly vanishing. "We wait outside for the strike," he told Bellatrix and Rodolphus. "We thought we'd leave you each a cloak in case you need to do a lot of moving about and don't find it convenient to stick together."

"Thoughtful," Bellatrix said, catching the cloak Rod tossed her.

"We will share, though, so there will be an extra in case any of the workers here require it," Rodolphus said. "We always fight close together so we know where we all are." He slipped under the cloak with Bellatrix as he spoke, and she took his hand.

One of the Bulstrodes opened the door, but with them being under their own cloak it looked as if the door moved of its own volition. Bellatrix and Rodolphus moved out into the factory proper where there were racks upon racks of wands of all kinds. Some looked like the sort one would find in any wand shop in Europe, while others were quite different. One large redwood wand was engraved with a rather gaudy American flag. Others had animal heads on top carved of the same wood as the wand, as if it was one solid piece. Some of those heads were animated, snapping their teeth and twitching their noses as the Bulstrodes and Lestranges passed. They could sense that someone was there even under the invisibility cloaks, which was impressive.

"Do you think there are any raven wands," Bellatrix asked Rodolphus.

"That would be interesting," he replied. "We should have a look once we've done killing exactly half of whoever Delphini sends to raid this bitch."

Bellatrix cackled as they reached the front door which swung invisibly open. It was dark out so they couldn't even watch the world pass as they waited. Ah well, at least they would get some good fun killing out of it, Bellatrix reminded herself, feeling boredom setting in. Rabastan would really be sorry he missed out.

Bellatrix briefly considered going down on Rod for fun while they waited because no one could see, then realized just how unwise that would be. If someone were to sneak up and neither noticed, something unpleasant could happen even if they were invisible. Sighing, she leaned close to Rodolphus's ear. "Do we prowl the premises or just wait near the back door while ordering the Bulstrodes to prowl?" The back door was always the favorite entrance when someone wanted to break in, after all.

"I don't get the impression they'd be the best prowlers," Rodolphus whispered back. "We'd better do it."

The two placed silencing charms on their shoes then proceeded around the building in a silent stalk, hand in hand. Frequently they paused to listen. Nothing happened for hours. It was boring as well as tiring. When something did happen it was big… As in a literal small army of people. Where Bellatrix had expected no more than ten, a line of roughly one hundred people came up the street toward the shop.

"Sweet," Rodolphus hissed into her ear, his tongue flicking out to trace her earlobe.

Bellatrix shivered in anticipation, made all the sweeter by all the dull drawn-out waiting. She ground her bottom against his front as he reached around to cup her breast in a large hand. The group's approach was silent, indicating that they also had silencing charms on their shoes. Well, at least they were trying a little, Bellatrix thought, smirking as she and Rod dodged out to cut them off before they reached the shop.

"Let's stun them all, then kill half," Rodolphus whispered, and Bellatrix squeezed his hand in wordless agreement, her wand coming up in the other. It turned out stunning fifty people as fast as possible was like dueling in itself as it involved quite a lot of rapid-fire spell work.

What Bellatrix learned from the experience was that even dull, basic spells could be fun if performed at lightning speed. As the last wizard fell, the dimly lit area around the wand factory blazed with light, and the bulky desk wizard followed the now visible Bulstrodes over to the Lestranges.

Impressively, the light was coming from whatever the wizard was smoking, somehow surrounding the entire building. Interesting, Bellatrix silently admitted. Not interesting enough for her to want to take up smoking, but impressive all the same.

"Go ahead and kill your fifty before we call the Ministry to bring in the rest for questioning," the desk wizard said before blowing a smoke ring.

"Don't stop to torture them," Roger added with a peevish frown. "We don't have time. We still have to meet with the American Minister…in less than two hours, and I'd like to stop for coffee. That helps when pulling an all-nighter."

Bellatrix admired the casual way Bulstrode spoke. Cackling in appreciation, she began killing. Only part of her mind was required to focus on such basic magic so she remembered to ask the desk wizard about the raven wands while she worked.

"We do actually! Ravens are rather popular so we have several in stock. If you can't use any of them, we'll have some personally made for you. Fuck, you're the Lestranges, so it'd be somewhat of a twisted honor!"

Sadly, killing twenty-five people each didn't take Bellatrix and Rodolphus very long at all. The fun was nearly over before it began.

"Damn, a lot of people got themselves killed during an attempted break in," the desk wizard said, then turned and casually kicked in the nearest window. "That shall sound off an alarm that will have Aurors here within five minutes, if they aren't too busy eating donuts."

Chapter 69: No Rest For The Wicked

Chapter 69: No Rest for the Wicked

Bellatrix turned her new raven wand around in her hand as the limousine pulled away from the wand factory. She and Rod had examined a few then each found one that they connected with. The energy and feel of these wands were different, more sentient. Considering all the animal heads on the wands in the shop had turned to watch them even when they passed by under the cloak of invisibility, this wasn't surprising. Though some of the raven wands were entirely brown or black, she and Rod had both chosen redwood wands with a fire blackened raven head as the tip.

The raven head was carved of the same piece of redwood with glittering, black jet stones for eyes, great for physical protection. Of course, this made it a perfect dueling wand. The bird's beak was slightly open as if in mid-caw, and it tapered to a delightfully sharp point. Idly, Bellatrix ran a forefinger over the carved feather detailing on the back of the raven's head. The wood warmed in her hands, and she could almost feel the bird's head arching in pleasure under her touch. Like any pet, it enjoyed attention.

"Ah, the two of you are matching," Ali Bulstrode observed cheerfully as she glanced from the wand Bellatrix held to the one in Rodolphus's hands.

He nodded in acknowledgment with a satisfied smile. "Red and black are our colors, and the raven is our Lestrange family symbol so they're bloody perfect."

They all sat on the long bench-like limousine seat together. It was a bit of a tight fit, but as the stupid car was quite large it managed to work. They were driving to a coffee shop, and Bellatrix was far too excited by the prospect. She supposed the time difference and all the magic she'd used to stun fifty people, then kill twenty-five might be catching up with her just a little.

The limo pulled up at a coffee shop, where a sign above the door proclaimed it the Coffee Bean. Bellatrix's eyes widened in horror. There were so very many Muggle transportation vehicles in front of the place!

"Is...this a Muggle coffee shop?" she managed to choke out.

"Afraid so," Bulstrode drawled. "They have good sandwiches, and I'm starved. Look on the bright side, though. The buggers should be useful… Just think of them as non-magical house elves or something," he grunted, popping open his door and sliding out.

Frozen with shock and disgust, Bellatrix's mouth opened and closed wordlessly in silent rage.

"In our line of work, one must be a bit accustomed to and familiar with Muggles and their culture," Ali Bulstrode said, patting Bellatrix's arm sympathetically, before sliding out of the limo after her husband.

"Just wait here," Rodolphus said, and thrusting his new raven wand up a sleeve, he exited the limo.

Bellatrix leaned out the door of the limo to watch as he hurried after the Bulstrodes. Moving in front of them, gesturing sharply, Rod cut them off before they could go inside the coffee shop.

Rodolphus's expression was calm as he spoke to the Bulstrodes. Roger scowled in open exasperation as he gestured angrily. Rodolphus spoke again, remaining calm and implacable. Finally Roger shrugged and flung his hands into the air before heading angrily into the coffee shop, his wife trailing behind. With a smirk of open triumph, Rodolphus raised a hand to Bellatrix in a victory salute as he returned to the limo.

Bellatrix slid across the seat to allow Rodolphus back into the car. "What happened," she asked.

"I simply told him we aren't soiling our palates with Muggle swill," he replied. "I told him if he feels the need to do so himself, he may get it to go so we can go somewhere civilized for our caffeine fix."

Bellatrix hugged him. "Thank you. Riding in this rubbish heap is dreadful enough. Ingesting disgusting Muggle coffee and food would simply be too degrading."

Rodolphus grinned, obviously pleased by the praise. "Exactly. Not to mention it would tear up our stomachs...probably for weeks!"

While they waited for the Bulstrodes to return, they chatted about their new wands and speculated what the American Ministry would be like. When Roger and Ali returned five minutes later, Roger was still scowling. For her part, Ali looked mildly amused. Both carried paper cups of steaming coffee covered in odd lids.

"That looks disgusting," Bellatrix complained, lip curling as the two slid into the back seat with her and Rod.

"It's called a to-go cup," Roger snarled, drawing a paper packet from his pocket that gave off a surprisingly fragrant smell, causing Bellatrix's stomach to rumble.

Ali tapped on the glass and spoke to the bald wizard driving the limo. He nodded, and the car began to move. Roger opened the packet, extracting something that vaguely resembled a muffin. Biting into it he made a sound of pleasure.

"Smells like egg," Rodolphus said. "What is it then?"

"It's a breakfast sandwich with egg, cheese, and American bacon, which is rather different from the stuff we have," Roger replied, not bothering to do so without a full mouth.

"It's still covered in Muggle filth and germs," Rodolphus stated flatly. "We shall get something to eat at the wizarding coffee shop."

Roger laughed, still with a full mouth. "Good luck with that. The wizarding coffee shop doesn't carry food."

"Well, that's alright," Rodolphus said after a moment of hesitation. "We'll just get a quick cup of coffee, then grab something to eat elsewhere."

"Afraid not," Roger said a bit too cheerfully. "We shan't have time to get both before our appointment at the Ministry. So I am assuming you still prefer coffee?"

Bellatrix glared, nodding tightly.

"Are we sure," Rod asked, a slightly frantic look in his eyes. "I'm pretty hungry!"

"Yes, but coffee suppresses one's appetite," Bellatrix said. "We need energy more than food right now."

Rodolphus sighed. "I suppose."

The Magic Bean had very good coffee and indeed no food at all. Being civilized, they did not have to-go cups so Bella and Rod had to drink their coffee there. This time Roger and Ali waited in the limo, drinking their Muggle coffee while having their delicious smelling Muggle breakfast that, as Rod said, would surely have them shitting water for weeks. This comforting thought made it easier for Bellatrix and Rodolphus to go hungry. Their coffee was delicious, and was laced with an energy charm that made them bright eyed and bushy tailed when they rejoined the Bulstrodes in the limo.

They were off to the American Ministry, or MACUSA as they called it, which sounded unsurprisingly stupid. It turned out that MACUSA, like everything else in the country, was large and otherwise unremarkable save for lots of eagle statues everywhere. The Minister, or rather President, saw them at once, which was gratifying. He was a short squat man with a bulbous nose.

"I know who you are," he said, peering around said nose at Bellatrix and Rodolphus as they slid into guard mode, flanking the door as Ali and Roger sat across from the Minister at his desk. His tone was rather gleeful and Bellatrix frowned suspiciously. He chuckled. "I never thought to have the bloody Lestranges in my office!"

"We're clean today," Rodolphus drawled, managing to keep a straight face. "Not a single speck of blood to be found."

"I read that article… The one where you said Voldemort twisted the three of you to completely obsess over him," the Minister continued to Bellatrix. "Now that I have you right here in front of me I've gotta ask..."

"For our autographs?" Bellatrix wondered, arching one dark brow in open amusement.

He chuckled, giving his head a slight shake. "I gotta ask what the worst part of all that was."

Bellatrix exchanged a look with Rodolphus as she considered. He shrugged, indicating that he didn't care enough to answer the question.

"I think it was looking back on everything later and gaining a new understanding of certain things," Bellatrix said slowly, uncertain why she'd chosen to answer.

The man had a ghoulish curiosity, so she knew she would've been well within her rights to decline to go into it. "Like what," he asked, eyes glittering with an avid hunger to know more.

Bellatrix frowned. "We aren't being paid for a book deal, to my knowledge. If I answer, will you promise to accommodate our request to the best of your ability?" She gave him the hard cunning smile of a proud Slytherin.

She was pleased when Roger Bulstrode gave her an eager, if wolfish, smile and slight nod. It was obvious that she dangled a bait before the American President that he couldn't resist.

"What the hell! Sure. I'll do what I can for you. But first...back to my question."

Bellatrix nodded. "Very well." She paused to consider the question. May as well give the bloody President his money's worth, after all. "I think perhaps it was the fact that we looked for him so hard after he supposedly died that first time, back in nineteen eighty or so." Bellatrix hugged herself as a form of self soothing as she spoke. No matter how many times she considered that time and their feelings around The Dark Lord, the horror always opened up like a darkly blooming flower inside her chest.

"Now I know why we were so bloody certain that he wasn't dead." She shuddered. "We tried to kill him, so we should know! There were six of us! Six death curses were flung at him and he not only managed to bloody survive them, but somehow turned them on my Uncle Orion instead! So no, I suppose we didn't believe that the stupid Potters or anyone else could kill him."

She shuddered. "At the time we didn't know why, but we knew...deep down, we knew. Recalling that feeling of driven certainty now coupled with the knowledge we have regained is..."

"Unpleasant," the President supplied, almost sympathetically, and she nodded. "Thank you, Mrs. Lestrange," he said, giving her a respectful nod. "That is all very interesting indeed!"

"Good," Roger Bulstrode said, tone brisk and business-like. "Well then, President Quahog. You won't mind keeping your word and helping us out, I presume. All we need is for you to halt any trade in Murtlaps and Fire Crabs and to keep any that you have in the country under lock and key."

Bellatrix smiled cheerfully. "Or give them all to us to look after."

President Quahog's eyes nearly bulged out of his head. "But why?"

"Mr. Grindelwald believes that Delphini plans to use them to make herself immune to magic somehow," Bulstrode said.

Quahog sighed. "Well, that isn't very American of her," he complained. "Then again, she isn't American." Tipping his chair back, he peered thoughtfully at the ceiling. "It looks to be a bothersome kettle of fish either way we boil it, I think." He sighed again and dropped his gaze to the desk in front of him when no answers appeared on the ceiling.

"We can help if we can keep the Murtlaps and Fire Crabs until this is all over," Bellatrix said and the President nodded.

"That could work. Of course, if Grindelwald JR. discovers a way to become immune to magic, we want in!"

"But of course," Bellatrix drawled.

Of course, if Grindelwald discovered such a thing, she was quite certain that most people, including everyone in America, would not be made aware.

Chapter 70: Work As Usual

Chapter 70: Work As Usual

"Did Mr. Grindelwald make you aware of the other favor we have done for the United States today," Roger Bulstrode asked President Quahog. As he spoke, he leaned slightly forward in his chair toward the President across the large square oak desk.

"Indeed he has," Quahog said enthusiastically. "Thank you all for that, by the way! The last thing we want to do is harbor her followers here. I probably should feel that it's a pity half of them got themselves killed, but I just can't bring myself to."

"Mr. Grindelwald asked that we be briefed when the fifty your Aurors brought in have been questioned," Bulstrode said and the President nodded. "Of course. If you lot have finished with me, I will get you settled in the break room where I shall have my Head Auror, Mr. Edison, come and see you as soon as he has things wrapped up with them." He smiled. "There is coffee if you'd like and even sandwiches as well if they aren't already eaten up by those piggish Aurors."

Rod perked up and Bellatrix felt herself straightening in her chair in interest as well.

"That would be brilliant! We haven't eaten yet and I'm famished," Rod shared.

"Well, let's get you fed right now," Quahog said, grinning at Rod as he rose from his large leather chair. "The break room is just down the hall." Smiling cordially, he opened the door to his office and led them to the promised room of breaks and sandwiches… and coffee!

More coffee was a good thing considering the lack of sleep, but the turkey sandwiches were amazing. Fortunately there were six left on the snack bar. Roger, Ali, and Bellatrix each got one, Rod got three and everyone got full.

The Head Auror had yet to join them, though, so there was time for another cup of coffee. As the four caffeinated themselves, they mostly sat in silence. For her part, Bellatrix had nothing to say that she wanted to risk the Americans' hearing if they happened to have magical eavesdropping devices in their break room. Mostly, though, she just had nothing relevant to say.

Bellatrix was considering a third coffee when the door to the break room opened and a small woman with a lot of bright red curls hurried in.

"Have you all left any coffee," she asked with a cheerful grin.

"Are you Edison?" Bellatrix countered.

The woman's intense focus was on the coffee rather than Bellatrix, though. "Good, there is some left," she said with a blissful sigh as she filled a cup.

"Edison?" Bellatrix prompted.

"No, I'm MacFee. You're waiting for Edison?"

Bellatrix nodded. "We are waiting to speak to him about the fifty prisoners."

MacFee shuddered, then slurped from her coffee. "Fuck, that's hot! I just burned the fuck out of my mouth! Yeah, I just got finished questioning those poor unfortunate bastards. There were five of us, Edison included. They were a mess! All fifty of them...you'd not believe the shit she has them thinking! It's insane."

"Has them thinking," Rod asked. His voice was quiet and nearly toneless, but he arched a questioning brow.

"It's some sort of spell, but it isn't an Imperius! It also isn't anything we've been able to fix or crack even with the help of Healers. So we're just going to hold them in custody...for their own safety, of course." She took another careful sip of her coffee. "Good, that shit cooled down some!"

"What does she have them thinking, though," Rod asked.

"Weird shit like Muggles should be given reparations, we should use our magic to literally serve them so that we can all live in harmony, better treatment for Dementors, no hierarchy among wizards. One of my favorites was no law enforcement, that'd go over just brilliantly!"

"I see you've already filled our British guests in on the current situation, Hildegard." The amused words came from the average looking man who entered the room. His orange and green uniform was similar to that of Hildegard, but his nondescript brown hair and brown eyes somehow looked even duller against all the color.

"Probably not all of it, but they thought I was you, and I had to vent! That was just some weird shit. I did tell them that I'm not you, though."

"They could've just read your name tag to figure that out," Edison said.

MacFee grinned. "I'm sure they'd have gotten around to it eventually."

Ali Bulstrode leaned forward, peering at the chests of the two American Aurors for said name tags. "Eventually...they're rather small, though. And the writing is difficult to see from across the room."

"What are you doing about it," Roger Bulstrode asked. Edison and McFee exchanged a brief glance.

"Enlargement spell," McFee suggested.

"No, the prisoners and what was done to their minds. What are you doing about it?" Roger clarified querulously.

"Ah," Edison said. "We're still sorting that. Nothing has worked thus far."

"How do you know they simply don't agree with her ideals," Ali asked.

"Because we have detected several layers of magic having been used on them, just not what spells or how to remove any of them," Edison explained. He gave a frustrated sigh. "It certainly isn't anything we've ever seen before."

"Shall we request that Mr. Grindelwald come and have a look," Bellatrix asked.

"Do you think he would?" Edison looked hopeful.

Roger shrugged. "I don't see why not."

After promising to have Mr. Grindelwald get in touch with the American Aurors as soon as possible, Roger led the way out of the break room. "We can use the Floo in Auror headquarters. It's down the next hall to the right," Roger told Bellatrix and Rodolphus over one shoulder.

"It was nice venting to you," McFee called.

"Enjoy your coffee!" Bellatrix called back, for lack of anything better to say. As she liked the strange little red haired Auror, it didn't feel right not to come up with something.

Less than two minutes later they were stepping through the fireplace and into Kereston's office at the Ministry, which was dark and empty.

"Fuck," Bellatrix complained as she dusted ash from her skirt. "What time is it?" Lyra and Harold would be up in arms, Harold more politely so than Lyra, of course.

"Indeed. Grindelwald likely isn't even here anymore, and I don't have his home address," Roger grumbled, misunderstanding the reason for Bellatrix's expletive.

"My cousin has his home address. I can send the message if you like," Bellatrix told him tiredly.

Somehow the dim light served to drain all the caffeine from her system and cause her to realize just how tired she was. She was light headed, feeling almost as if she floated as she moved with Rodolphus toward the door. This international travel rubbish really did a number on one's inner clock!

"I would greatly appreciate that. Thank you, Mrs. Lestrange," Roger Bulstrode said.

Bellatrix nodded, vowing to add a few sentences of complaint into the report to Grindelwald concerning the disgusting Muggle transportation. The so-called necessity to utilize it was a disgrace to any self-respecting witch or wizard!

"Good evening and it was lovely to meet the both of you," Ali Bulstrode said warmly.

"You as well," Bellatrix said with a tired smile and Rodolphus nodded his agreement.

Ali was alright, and Roger would do if the Muggle transport bit could just be sorted. Taking Bellatrix's hand, Rodolphus Side-Along Apparated her to Raven's Nest. They were home! Bellatrix sighed. The day felt insanely long...because of course it had been.

The day played over in her mind as she walked into the library to write Gellert. It felt nearly dream-like in its strangeness from the Muggle transport to the odd yet colorful owner of the wand shop to the American Aurors.

Not so strangely, killing those twenty-five wizards each had been the most normal feeling part of the day. Considering said wizards were technically bespelled rather than willing, she wondered if they'd get into trouble for that one.

Well, they were acting under orders, so of course not, she assured herself. Working Shadow Ops for twenty years had taught her more than once that sometimes people got killed for being in the wrong place at the wrong time.

The message still needed to be sent to Delphini, and more lives would be saved in the end. Still the memory of long years spent in Azkaban made her less confident on the matter, though. If this backfired, would Kereston toss the Lestranges to the wolves for the error? No. They were following orders! Besides as far as the American Aurors knew, anyone killed had brought it on themselves by not properly surrendering.

Sitting down at the desk in the library, she flicked her new raven wand angrily at the wall sconces, causing the room to fill with a warm light. Why hadn't Harold left a bloody light on? Once again, she realized that she had no idea what time it was.

The report to Grindelwald ended up being longer than she expected. Two pages later she'd filled him in on the entire day, bitched for three paragraphs about the filth and germs they'd likely picked up in the Muggle limousine and concluded by stating that they'd better not go down for killing half of those carrying out Delphini's orders.

Rising from the desk with a tired sigh, she went searching for Harold so that he could take the letter to Kreacher and Regulus who could in turn take it to Grindelwald. After that she was having an extremely long bath to wash away any Muggle germs she'd acquired from that car, then she was going directly to bed. If Rod had already gotten into bed without bathing, he would be sorry.

Chapter 71: The Screams All Sound The Same

Chapter 71: The Screams All Sound the Same

She was so cold. So desolate and alone and cold. It was far too quiet both inside and out. Then it just exploded out of her. The scream! Then after that one there was another and another and another. The act of releasing the building madness born of silent despair made her heady. She was alive again even as she became lost in the screams that tore from her. They were expressive of her despair and misery and emptiness. They were expressive of her fears. Fears of never seeing anyone ever again, of growing old in this place, her beauty slipping away until she was an old hunched crone and then finally died.

"Bella! You've got to be quiet or it will get their attention. They'll come over here and you know we don't want that. Talk to me, babe. Come on!" The insistent pleading voice came from Rod. He was in the cell directly to her left. The final scream became a sob on which she choked as Bellatrix fell to her knees, hands pressing flat onto the ground as her head dropped, wild black curls falling over her face. The curtain her hair provided served to shelter her in darkness, allowing her not to see her bleak surroundings at least for a moment.

"Alright," she acquiesced, resigned once again to this fate, at least until the next time the inner pressure became too great and she began to scream again.

"Talk to me," Rod insisted.

"I love you, Roddy." That was it. At times her love for him, for the life they'd once had and the life they still very much wanted, was all that held her together.

"You too, babe. Always."

In that moment, she wanted him to hold her in his arms more than anything else. That wasn't going to happen though, and she sobbed. That was alright as long as she wasn't screaming, though, because the Dementors only fed on joy, not misery.

Misery didn't taste good so they didn't care about it. Misery was a bitter draft and anyone who wanted to survive in Azkaban drank it daily, in part to keep themselves alive and unkissed by the foul fiends. It wasn't difficult thinking of things to inspire misery, though. Not when it was doubtful that they'd ever see freedom again. The thought was too much and she gave another low cry of despair.

It was then that she felt his arms come around her, drawing her hard against the warmth of his chest. How could he touch her when they were separated by the stupid cell wall, though?

"Come on, Bella, babe, wake up. Wake up!" Rodolphus shook her gently as he held her close. He smelled of soap and his hands were warm as they rubbed her back.

"Roddy," she gasped, suddenly feeling as though she was coming up from under water where she may have been drowning.

"That's right...I'm here," he replied and she clung to him for several wordless seconds before kissing him hard. He was quick to respond and soon he was deep inside of her as they busily reaffirmed their freedom.

There were never conjugal visits in Azkaban, after all. Pleasure shot through Bellatrix with every thrust of Rod's generous erection and her nails raked his back in encouragement. He filled her, his weight crushing her into the mattress as they strained toward completion together.

Only afterward, when she lay curled in Rodolphus's comforting embrace, did her mind stray back to her Azkaban nightmare. She must be more concerned than she'd initially thought over the killing of those fifty wizards in America.

"If they lock us up for killing that lot I swear I shall make someone suffer," she vowed, conveniently overlooking the fact that when locked away in Azkaban, no one could make anyone pay for anything ever again.

"You are concerned about that," Rodolphus asked, tone sleepily incredulous. "We were acting under orders, and I doubt Grindelwald, Valdez, or the Minister herself are trying to put themselves in Azkaban so we're safe. Besides...what sort of people do you believe those were, anyway?"

Bellatrix shifted slightly as her mind took that question in along with all of its implications. "People who were easily influenced, perhaps, or those too downtrodden by society to be missed?"

"Or both,"Rodolphus agreed.

"Good, then," she said, giving a sigh as she allowed relief to flood over her in a relaxing wave that promised a return to slumber very soon.

Rodolphus snickered. "I wonder precisely what she believes we should give Muggles reparations for? Not allowing them to burn more of us?"

"Who the hell knows," Bellatrix said, making a face of disgust that faded into a yawn. "To be honest, it's still difficult to wrap my mind around the fact that she's even bloody real. I shall never be able to imagine the Dark Lord shagging. It just doesn't happen. It's right up there in the realm of completely unthinkable, right beside us remaining sober at a holiday party!"

"So true," Rodolphus agreed. "How do snakes do it anyway?"

"I don't know, and I don't care. What's more, it isn't a thing I wish to contemplate before going back to sleep," Bellatrix told him firmly.

"Fair enough," Rodolphus said before kissing her in apology. One kiss turned into another and another and before long he was inside her again. They did not return to sleep for at least another hour.

When they woke, it was to the now all too familiar sound of Lyra banging on their bedroom door. Bellatrix knew it was Lyra because while Harold had to wake them from time to time, the elf always knocked politely rather than banging like a Neanderthal. "Grindelwald and his man are here. Harold is giving them breakfast," she called.

Though Rod's words on the matter last night were logical and had comforted her, Bellatrix felt her stomach flip. What if Grindelwald was here to take them in for killing fifty bloody people! Something deep within her survival instinct screamed for them to get the hell out of there to avoid capture. She couldn't stand returning to Azkaban again!

"Right. Tell him we'll be down shortly," Rod called back to Lyra as he rolled out of bed.

"This is like the second time I've had to go to the Ministry to make sure you're alright and see what's going on when you didn't come home on time," Lyra said belligerently, instead of moving away to deliver Rodolphus's message to Grindelwald.

"I knew you'd be upset when I noticed how dark it was when we returned to London," Bellatrix told her with a sigh. "You weren't around when we got home so I assumed you were in bed and did not wish to disturb you."

"Whatever," Lyra grumped. The ensuing silence indicated her departure.

"Good," Bellatrix grumbled as she dragged herself out of bed. "She can snark at Grindelwald instead."

"She won't. He likes her," Rodolphus said as he tossed Bellatrix a dark green dress from the wardrobe beside which he was still standing.

He was a good husband as well as her best friend. "Thanks."

Bellatrix stretched out an arm to catch the dress, and simply held it for a moment as she stared at Rodolphus, love swelling in her chest for her other half. Of course she loved him, but with constant chaos happening daily, she rarely had time to ruminate on that fact.

"I love you, Roddy," she said quietly.

"You too, babe," he replied, snatching a comb from her dressing table and running it through his hair.

"Fuck, we've slept in and with Grindelwald waiting I don't even have time to shave," he complained. "Fuck it."

Bellatrix grinned at him, then pulled her dress over her head. "Just go with the rugged look. It works."

Downstairs, Rabastan and Lyra were seated at the breakfast table with Gellert and Blaise. Coffee and plates of food waited for Bellatrix and Rodolphus, and it all smelled like heaven. Bella reached eagerly for her coffee as she slid into her chair.

"Are you going to give us shit for following orders," she asked directly, giving the blonde wizard a resentful glower over the rim of her coffee cup.

Grindelwald bit into a slice of toast and blinked at her. "What are you on about?"

"Those we killed yesterday… Didn't you go to America to check into them? You did get the letter last night, did you not?"

Grindelwald blinked again, then sighed as he glanced over to Rodolphus. "She's a lot, your wife."

Rod grinned, placing a hand on Bellatrix's thigh. "Yeah...isn't she brilliant?"

"She's...a lot," Grindelwald reiterated.

"So aren't you here about the bloody people Delphini had screwed?" Bellatrix demanded. "She's a bit too much like her father when it comes to that for my comfort."

She sighed as she took in the fact that she'd just realized why the entire situation was bothering her so much, at least in part. "I suppose they were like us...and we didn't know. They may have stood against her were they given a choice," she said, forcing the words out. "Instead she twisted their minds as her father twisted ours."

Grindelwald shook his head dismissively then took a swig of coffee.

"No. What she did to them wasn't at all the same," he assured calmly. "What she did to them would not have worked had they not agreed to a degree. That isn't to say they deserved death, but we did need to send her a message and war is war."

Suddenly he gave Bellatrix a sharp look. "You actually thought I would toss you under the train? Use you two as scapegoats if we made a bad call? I spent longer than you in a literal prison of my own making. I'd never do that to anyone! Not to mention I am very loyal to my own."

Was he putting them in the category of his inner circle? Bellatrix smiled. "Sorry."

Grindelwald nodded. "Good."

"So we weren't like that lot we killed, then?" she persisted, still needing to be certain on the situation.

"Of course not," Grindelwald said. "No part of you wanted to worship Voldemort when you attempted to kill him. She just had to nudge them a bit to be more of what they already were. To push boundaries they once had."

"So did you find out any more from them today," Bella asked, and Gellert shook his head.

"No. I fixed them in order to understand what she'd done, then left them to the American Aurors who will set them free after placing trackers on them."

"That's exciting! If Delphini contacts them, we'll know," Lyra enthused and Grindelwald nodded.

"That's the idea. We were pleasantly surprised by the competency of the American Aurors."

"And you just came to tell us this personally," Bellatrix asked, beginning to feel special.

Grindelwald nodded. "I didn't feel like writing it in a letter. Besides, I got free breakfast out of it."

Somehow Grindelwald's mention of breakfast reminded Bellatrix of the highly offensive issue she wished to broach, probably because the Bulstrodes had eaten that disgusting Muggle breakfast food before visiting MACUSA Headquarters.

"Were you aware that the Bulstrodes use Muggle transport as part of their international travel," Bellatrix asked Grindelwald. The memory caused her to shudder as though she sat in the limousine again.

"No, I was not. All of that is cleared with the Minister, but be warned, she is a supporter of Muggle McDonalds." He made a face. "Before you ask, it is the most disgusting Muggle food you can imagine and she, a respectable pureblood with otherwise quite suitable values, eats it for lunch daily. In other words, if you take your complaints to her, she may not care."

"We had to ride in a Muggle car more than once, and the Bulstrodes actually ate Muggle food at a bloody Muggle coffee shop," Bellatrix persisted. "It was as horrifying as it was disgusting."

"I shall try not to imagine," Grindelwald said with a shudder as Zabini nodded in silent agreement, a look of well-bred disgust on his haughty features.

"On the bright side, you were brilliant to get us the Murtlaps and Fire Crabs," Gellert told Bellatrix warmly. "That was some good quick thinking on your part."

She wouldn't bother to pretend that his compliments weren't pleasing. He was Grindelwald, after all. "I am glad. I thought if you couldn't figure out a way to make some sort of magic-proof ointment or potion out of the things, at least we'd keep them away from her."

Blaise frowned. "Now that's interesting… We hadn't yet considered an ointment."

Chapter 72: The Power In Words

Chapter 72: The Power in Words

Bellatrix was in high spirits during the entire work day at Azkaban. Zabini and Grindelwald hadn't even considered her ointment idea before she'd mentioned it! They were both geniuses so that really said something about her. She was being appreciated for her mind! Grindelwald even said he may want her to pose as a bodyguard at specific political meetings and interject any ideas she had. GRINDELWALD! And he apparently trusted her enough to allow her to just speak out when she felt she had something productive to say.

Considering most of the world believed her to be insane, and as such likely never to be trusted, that really felt nearly shockingly good. Of course, Rod had always thought highly of her, but he would. He was her tribe. Both of them, along with Rabastan, had hoped to rise in power with the Dark Lord, but there hadn't been time for that before everything went to shit. Now, though, it was finally happening, and under Grindelwald as well! Their skills were at last being appreciated and even better, allowed to flourish!

Such thoughts kept her spirits high, so Snape showing up at Azkaban at the end of the day just as they were getting ready to go home put a bit of a damper on things. She'd never really liked Severus. His personality wasn't interesting or engaging and he was generally annoying. Of course, Rod agreed and he wasn't thrilled by the sight of the greasy git either.

"What do you want, Snape," he asked, but Severus's obsidian gaze rested on Bellatrix.

"You're almost looking good for a dead man," she drawled.

Severus frowned down his hooked nose at her as though she was a wayward student. She remained unimpressed.

"I am not about to start caring what you think today or any other," he bit out.

The large white owl that was perched on the shoulder of his black robe was vaguely familiar. Then it clicked. He'd started bringing it to meetings with him that last year for some reason. Severus Snape with a pet was still a strange idea for her to grasp, so she looked away in order not to put her imagination through unnecessary strain.

"I came to speak with Bella, but the matter is not private from you," Snape told Rod.

"That's good because I wasn't going anywhere," Rodolphus said, flinging an arm around Bellatrix's slender shoulders.

Smirking, she leaned into him. "What is it that you want, Snape," she asked, not bothering to hide her impatience.

"I want you to take care of Rita Skeeter...now," he said, his expression highly annoyed.

There were so many sarcastic things Bellatrix could've said to that, but she was too shocked so she merely asked, "Why?"

"Because she needs to be stopped! There is...there is some sort of twisted power in her words. Blaise Zabini, Albus, and I believe it is being used against us."

Though Bellatrix wanted to dismiss this out of hand because Snape annoyed her, she hesitated. Not because two other names were dropped, as honestly her opinion on both Blaise and Albus was vague or sketchy. It was because she thought they may be onto something. She wanted Rita dead because the so-called journalist had hurt far too many people with her blatant and outright disrespectful lies, Bellatrix most of all as she saw it. There was more to it, though.

"Twisted power," she mused, leaving the words hanging there for Snape to pick up and turn into something she could get behind.

"How did you feel when you read the ridiculous article that she wrote about your...more intimate involvement with the Dark Lord," Severus asked.

Bellatrix bristled. For some reason, her mind just could not grow accustomed to those lies to the point that she did not have an adverse emotional reaction when hearing of them.

"Obviously it made you angry, but dig deeper and do not be shy about what you felt, because it is very important," Snape prompted.

Bellatrix glanced away from his probing gaze, frowning in thought. "It was highly unpleasant but otherwise difficult to describe," she admitted, suddenly uncomfortable exploring her emotions in front of Snape of all people.

"Would you use the phrase violating on a primal emotional level?" Severus suggested and she felt her eyes widen. Picturing Snape experiencing that amount of emotion, not to mention being able to describe it, was beyond disturbing.

"Um, that sounds about right," Bella answered distractedly. In fact, the more she considered the strikingly descriptive words the more accurate they sounded to her.

"Rita not only tells lies, but she does it in a particular way. This is where we feel the magic comes into play," Snape explained. "In each case, the type of lie is exactly the same. It involves a person doing the opposite of what they would do or believe. There are lies, things that simply aren't true, and then there are the kind Skeeter tells.

"Were I to say you had lunch with me, that would be a lie. Were I to say that you had lunch with your sister Narcissa who happens to be a Muggle supporter, because secretly you are as well… Well, that would be a bit closer to what she does with her lies. It is our belief that she links us to this twisted magic with her words, and then draws on our power to some extent."

"How?" Bellatrix wanted to know, horrified and confused at the same time.

"We're still trying to sort it out, but basically her lie must have three elements to gain the corrupt or twisted power. One can think of it like a three part spell, but as it is presented as one lie, all mixed together in a dark combination, I see it as a sort of potions concept. It requires a pinch of something that means a great deal to you personally, a large dollop of something that you dislike or that would be rather the opposite of who you are, then it's all linked together with some sort of personal issue that you have not overcome."

"So how does that apply to the rubbish she said about me, for example," Bellatrix asked. "Break it down so that I might better understand."

Severus nodded, his expression thoughtful as he considered. "Well, the thing that meant a great deal to you personally was the Dark Lord himself. The twist that equates to the opposite of who you are was placing him, wrongly, where Rodolphus lives in your heart, because Voldemort was not sexual or capable of love and your love for him was quite obviously not that sort of love."

Bellatrix nodded, lips twitching slightly in amusement. "I see you've read my article."

Snape gave a slight nod. "It was very...enlightening. Honestly, I was surprised."

Bellatrix did not care that he was surprised. She did not care what he must think of them as they didn't think much of him either. When she made no reply, he continued.

"The third and final element, the personal issue that you have yet to overcome is what drew you all to the Dark Lord in the first place. Your unresolved fear and hatred of Muggles."

"We don't fear Muggles," she hissed, disgusted and offended by the very idea.

"Of course not," Rod agreed, giving Severus an incredulous look.

"Fear has many facets," Severus explained calmly. "It has levels. If you did not fear the Muggles, you would not hate them. You fear what they can do if we're ever caught out again because of what they have done in the past. I understand that you only experience this as hatred, but that is simply the way the fear presents. It is a hatred born of fear and the hatred is the emotion you feel you can actually work with."

"Well, aren't you surprisingly deep?" Rodolphus snarked, but Bellatrix noticed her husband did not object to Snape's line of reasoning.

"You said she is using this power, though. To do what," Bellatrix asked, perplexed.

Severus shrugged. "We aren't precisely certain," he admitted.

"So you want me to kill her to stop it," Bellatrix stated and Severus nodded. "I do. I also wish for you to...question her first. Ask her exactly what she is doing, and why she crafts her lies in the precise manner that she does."

Bellatrix nodded slowly. "Very well." She'd already planned to torture Skeeter before killing her in order to make her pay for her lies. Being multi-talented, Bellatrix could easily question and torture at the same time.

"I shall need three cloaks of invisibility," she told Severus decisively. "We could get them easily enough from those in charge of Shadow Ops when they were required for assignments, but I don't wish to involve the Ministry by asking for them now. Kereston has made it understandably clear that the Ministry can't afford to be mixed up in such a scandal now. She likely can't defend us if we are caught so I was biding my time until there was a suitable opportunity to strike, but with a little arranging, I can make my own opportunities."

Severus inclined his head. "I trust that you can. Just be a bit more discreet than you were with the Longbottoms."

Rodolphus frowned as Bellatrix bristled. "We weren't exactly operating under our full faculties then," Rod said peevishly. "Having your mind twisted with the compulsive need to serve can make one a bit hasty, and as a result careless."

Bellatrix nodded. "But this time, it is all us. We are only operating under our own willpower and it shall be glorious!"

Already, her mind was returning to the plans she'd previously started percolating on the back burner of her mind for when the right time presented itself. She decided to put Skeeter in her own bath so that the blood would be contained…because there would be blood. That lying cow had earned that.

After they'd punished her properly and gotten all the information out of her and then some, Bellatrix planned to make the woman write a note, retracting all her lies, and claiming that she was ending herself out of guilt for all the awful things she'd done to ruin the lives of others just to profit. The dreadful power in her quill may as well serve those she'd hurt for a change. Bellatrix found that satisfyingly suitable.

"I understand how Albus Dumbledore has suffered at her quill, but what's she said about Zabini," Bellatrix asked. "I don't think she was ever brave enough to write about all his Mum's supposed murders - what was it, seven?"

Severus nodded. "His issue is the same as Albus's at least in part," he answered. "Blaise doesn't like reading that Gellert and Albus were involved any more than Albus does."

"It's odd that it bothers people that much," Rodolphus said, shaking his head in frustration, likely for the times Bellatrix had gotten so upset over the whole issue.

"Not so odd," Severus said quietly. "It isn't just a lie, remember. It is a literal magical twist on who we are when it is directed at us and it feels extremely unpleasant."

Bellatrix nodded fervently. "That it does. Do not worry, though. She will pay and her words shall be stopped."

The smile Severus gave her was relieved and he nodded. "Very good. I'll have those cloaks to you tomorrow. Shall I bring them here?"

"That's fine," Bellatrix said.

She, Rod, and Rabastan could pay an invisible call on Ms. Skeeter tomorrow after work. If she wasn't alone, they could simply return another time.

Chapter 73: 1 Corinthians 13

Chapter 73: 1 Corinthians 13

It was not Snape who arrived at Azkaban the next day at lunch with the three promised cloaks of invisibility. The Lestranges were having sandwiches in their office when one of the goblin guards showed the woman in.

"You're not Severus," Rodolphus observed before taking a large bite from his second sandwich.

The woman did rather look like Severus, though. She had dark hair like his, though hers was shot through with white. She also had a similar long hooked nose and thin face. Her build was tall and slim. She wore black pants and a fuzzy red sweater.

"I'm his Mother Eileen." Her voice was warm and soothing, and her smile was charmingly disarming. Bellatrix found herself smiling back. "He asked me to bring these three cloaks of invisibility to you because Albus didn't want him leaving Hogwarts in the middle of the day at this point in time," she explained. "He has dinner plans for the evening so coming at the same time as he did yesterday would present a scheduling jam. I have always wanted to get a look at Azkaban, so I was eager to offer to help out." She chuckled. "Until recently you didn't get in unless...you got in, and of course I didn't want to see it that badly!"

"Yes, we can imagine ," Bellatrix bit out.

Eileen flushed, eyes widening as if suddenly remembering who they actually were. "Yes...I can imagine you can. It must be dreadful working here," she added sympathetically.

"It is," Bella said at the same time as Rabastan said, "Nah, it's cool, we can torture prisoners."

Eileen blinked in shock but recovered quickly enough. "If they're here I'm sure they deserve it and hopefully it shall cut down on crime."

Bellatrix nodded. "Yes, that is the Minister's hope."

"Is it alright if I take some pictures," Eileen asked, dark eyes shining with an eager interest that Severus's cold gaze never showed.

"Sure," Rodolphus said with a shrug.

Eileen smiled gratefully, reaching into a shoulder bag to withdraw a large camera. "Oh, thank you so much! I brought my camera just in case! Here are the cloaks, by the way," she added, offering the three cloaks.

"Thanks," Bellatrix said, reaching to pluck them up.

"Would you like a tour," Rodolphus asked.

"Really? Well, if it's no trouble!" Eileen gushed, cheeks flushing slightly.

"We're finished with lunch, and need to make the rounds anyway," Rodolphus said. "It's no trouble at all."

"Well, thank you!" Eileen said.

Rodolphus grinned. "We'll even stop whenever you say so you can take pictures."

Bellatrix noted how polite he was being to the older woman, and realized how much he must miss his own mum. They spent the next hour wandering the entirety of Azkaban while Eileen Snape took pictures.

As they neared the end of the tour, she asked how they were handling things, and expressed how sorry she was that they went through what they did with Voldemort. The woman was shockingly kind and sincere. She'd raised Severus, after all, and the contrast was stark.

When she was ready to leave, she gave each of them a quick hug. "Thank you so much for showing me about and allowing me to take so many pictures. I shall treasure them forever," she said earnestly.

"It was fun," Bellatrix assured as the two men looked a charming mix of pleased and embarrassed.

"Be careful, all of you," Eileen admonished gravely. "It's just making me heartsick to know that man is still alive inside of anyone, even that dratted Delphini!" She swallowed, suddenly blinking back tears. "I thought Severus was finally free...I was so worried he'd get himself killed playing double agent for Albus. It was over and now this."

"It certainly isn't fun, that's for sure," Bellatrix agreed grimly. "We never really had time to deal with the aftermath of Voldemort due to working constantly and now a lot of things are coming up."

Eileen gave her a sympathetic nod. "I shan't insult you by telling you that I can imagine. We all go through our own trials, and yours is particularly unique. You have your husband, though, so you hold onto him and don't allow her to kill him. You all stick together at all times. It seems to have worked for you thus far."

Eileen's lip trembled as she spoke. Bellatrix felt her heart going out to the older woman, suddenly realizing that her husband must be dead. The thought of there being no more Rod caused her to feel worse than empty, quite beyond miserable. "I'm so sorry," she said, reaching to lightly touch the other woman's arm.

"Thank you, dear," Eileen said, giving her a grateful smile. "Tobias died when Severus was six. That is why he served as double agent...for revenge."

Bellatrix blinked in confusion. "Revenge?"

Eileen nodded, wiping at her eyes with a sleeve. "Voldemort killed him. I had a dreadful cold and Tobias went to the nearest potions shop to pick up a few things for me, and he happened to be there. He killed my Tobias for being a Muggle in a wizarding shop. Just like that he killed him, and he never did any harm to anyone. Severus and I had to go live with my father after that. He and I were always fighting so poor Severus was miserable."

To her horror, Bellatrix felt tears streaming down her own face as she clasped Eileen's hand in comfort. "He killed my uncle," she found herself saying. "And probably Roddy and Rabastan's mum, we still don't know." She gave a small broken laugh, shaking her head as she took her turn wiping at streaming eyes with a sleeve. "Hell, he's done enough so if we blame him for one murder he didn't commit, I hardly think it matters."

Eileen smiled, sniffing and wiping at her nose with a handkerchief that she produced from a sleeve of her red sweater. "Right you are."

They walked her out, and Rodolphus asked her to write to let them know she got home alright, giving her the Raven's Nest address.

She gave him a warm smile and promised to do so before thanking them again and taking her leave.

"I can't believe she was Snape's mum," Rabastan marveled. "Talk about vastly differing personalities! She seems all nurturing and shit, and somehow he still managed to be him!"

Bellatrix chuckled. "For sure." She sighed, pushing her hair back from her face. "Gods, I hate crying," she complained. "I hate it when things come up."

"Nothing needs to come up if we don't think about it," Rodolphus growled darkly as they walked back toward their office.

"Well, sometimes they do, Rod," she snapped back, glaring at him. "People can't just pretend that bad experiences don't affect them."

Rod scowled back mutinously. "Nothing needs to bother you when it's over. Just move on."

"We are impacted by life, Rod, and we can't move on without processing that!"

"Why not?" he demanded. "What is there to process? Gods, I hate it when you get like this!"

Bellatrix gritted her teeth and averted her gaze so as not to slap him. He was bottling, she silently reminded herself.

"If you get all into your feelings, I never know what you'll do," Rod continued, each complaint striking Bella's heart like a stone of condemnation. "Then I wonder when you'll finally tear your raven skull necklace off and throw it at me, and what will come after that? I don't know what you'll do. Do you?"

Letting out an explosive sigh, she stopped walking and turned to look at him. He stopped walking as well. "I know I won't throw my necklace, Rod. I only considered it when I was enraged that one single time over the Voldemort thing. You knew I was upset! And I didn't throw it, I didn't even take it off. I don't plan to, so I'll just swear to never do so right now. I swear to never take it off even if I am furious at you. You know I'll never leave you. Don't be ridiculous."

"I don't know that," he declared. "I don't know anything about what you'll do when you get so upset! You got all mad at me over something I didn't even do and I said I'd have done the same thing if… Never mind, I am not doing this again." He turned but did not move away.

"You're turning my issues around and making them about you," she snapped angrily.

"The hell I am! You made them about me first when you got mad over something that never even happened and never would've bloody happened."

"You don't understand," she said flatly, disappointed and unable to hide it. She and Rod always got one another on a level that no one else did.

"I understand that you are making yourself upset and creating bloody problems where there are none. And when the hell did you care what anyone else thought? That goes for Skeeter or anyone else. We never give a shit what idiots think and you know they're all idiots."

Bellatrix nodded. She knew he was right, but it didn't matter. "You are right. I don't care what anyone thinks, especially Skeeter. It's not that… It's more than that, and I don't know how to explain it, Rod." She gave her head a frustrated shake.

"Well, if you can't bloody explain it, and you don't understand it, just stop."

Taking a deep breath, Bellatrix did something she'd never done before. Letting the breath out slowly, she counted to ten. It had never been necessary, because she always knew exactly what she wanted to do even when angry in the past, but then she was never angry with Rod.

So she counted. When she got to ten it hit her. She knew what was wrong with Rod and turning to him, she slipped her arms around his waist, resting her head against his solid chest. "It's alright, Roddy. It isn't your fault... and it was never your fault. If I ever made you feel it was, I am sorry. We all made our mistakes equally."

His breath hitched as his arms tightened around her, drawing her hard against him. "But babe, I didn't take care of you! Apparently you didn't feel I…"

"I was upset and of course you did! Who do you think kept me from completely slipping over the edge during our time as prisoners here," she asked, blinking back tears as her throat tightened. "We're each other's rock, and that's something Voldemort, Skeeter, or most other people can never understand. Don't ever feel that you should've done more. You did perfectly."

His arms were trembling around her and when she lifted her face to his, she saw a hopeful pleading in his eyes that twisted her heart. "Are you sure?"

She nodded before kissing him hard. "I swear."

"Cool, can we get back to work now," Rabastan asked hopefully.

Chuckling, they turned to the younger Lestrange and spoke in unison. "Yes."

Chapter 74: We Are Monsters

Chapter 74: We Are Monsters

The three left work a few minutes early so they would have time to stop in at the Ministry. They still needed Skeeter's address and didn't know where else to get it without being obvious. The woman had enough enemies not to publicize it and Severus obviously didn't know it since he hadn't provided it the previous day.

They went directly to the Minister's office. Kereston called for them to come in when Bellatrix tapped at the door. Once inside with the door shut, she flicked her wand around the room, casting a charm of silence so they would not be overheard.

"We need Skeeter's address. Don't worry, we have made arrangements to avoid getting caught and we shall be extremely careful. Have you heard from Severus what she's doing? As Grindelwald's man is aware, I assume you are as well." Bellatrix knew that where Zabini was, Grindelwald would be no more than a millimeter away. She didn't see Gellert keeping secrets from the Minister, considering their friendship was close.

Kereston's expression was tight with concern as she nodded. "Yes. I have seen the power of what happens when she bends her words the way she does. It is ugly and I don't believe we fully understand the repercussions. I can get you the address. I'll just pop into Auror Headquarters where all the files are kept on wizarding residents. Wait here."

The small blonde hurried from the room. This broke Bella's anti-eavesdropping charm, but that didn't matter now as anything private that needed saying by either side had been said.

Now that it was finally about to happen, she allowed herself to feel the expected rush of anticipation. She'd wanted Skeeter from the moment that article in the Daily Prophet about her and bloody Voldemort was published. Due to the direct order from the Minister not to kill her at the time, it had been a slow simmer in the back of Bellatrix's mind.

For the first time in far too long she was actually about to unleash on someone who had it coming! There were many people she wouldn't mind unleashing on, but to avoid being imprisoned again, she had to hold herself back...most of the time.

Not this evening, though, and she was nearly high with the anticipation of it. The best was yet to come. The three waited for Kereston to return in a silence thick with the eagerness they were all feeling. The men had missed their play time just as much as Bellatrix and the night would be a sweet one.

Kereston returned in less than ten minutes, silently handing Bellatrix a sheet of paper.

"Thank you," Bellatrix said, and the three left. "Let's go home first and tell Lyra where we'll be," she said once they were out in the hall.

Rabastan and Rodolphus nodded, and they Apparated to Raven's Nest. Lyra was in the library and they briefed her on the fact they would not be having dinner until late because the powers that be had asked them to torture and kill Rita Skeeter.

Lyra's eyes widened in shock and Bellatrix spared them the questions that were sure to follow by giving her a quick rundown of what Severus had told them the previous day.

"Have Harold keep three plates warm for us," she concluded. "We shall be home late and we'll likely be hungry." She grinned, feeling her anticipation rising to a pleasantly heady level. "Extreme magical exertion does that to one."

"Make that four plates," Rodolphus said.

"Yes, very well," Lyra said a little weakly, obviously struggling to process the unusual information she'd just been given. "Umm… Be careful and please don't get caught out. That would be extra stupid after all you've been through."

"Obviously," Bellatrix drawled. She tossed Rabastan and Rodolphus their invisibility cloaks. "Let's get this party started, boys. Grab my sleeves and I'll Side-Along Apparate so we all arrive together."

She decided to use the new raven wand just in case the other could possibly be traced. When they stood outside Skeeter's flat, she knocked, planning to Apparate them all away if Skeeter wasn't alone. That way it would merely appear to be a prank of the sort that children or disgruntled readers might play. Fortune was on their side, though, because she was alone. Perhaps Rita Skeeter had no friends.

When she opened the door, they could see a small table set for one in the front room. It appeared Rita was having roast chicken and potatoes. Bellatrix smirked as the woman peered through her glasses out at the stoop, down the stairs and into the street with a perplexed frown.

"Hello?" she called, stepping outside to see if a note had been stuck on the door. The three Lestranges used this opportunity to slip silently inside.

Finally Rita gave a shrug and headed back into the flat. As soon as she closed the door, Rabastan cast a locking charm on it at the same time that Rodolphus hit Skeeter with a hard stunner. Bellatrix placed a charm of silencing on the room because it simply would not do for Skeeter's neighbors to hear her screaming. The three had this routine down because they'd used it not only in the service of their former Dark Lord but when questioning and ending someone for Shadow Ops.

As the three flung their cloaks of invisibility to the floor, Bellatrix kicked Skeeter hard in the ribs as Rod struck her in the chest with another stunner.

"Get her wand, Rabastan," Bellatrix commanded.

Aiming her new raven wand at Skeeter, she hissed, "Crucio." Though she spoke softly, Bellatrix put all the hatred and venom she had for the woman into the spell. Skeeter sobbed in agony in the first second as she writhed on the floor.

"I don't feel comfortable touching her. She's icky. You do it, Bella," Rabastan protested.

"I'm busy right now," Bellatrix pointed out. "Just do it."

"For fuck's sake," Rodolphus growled. "Accio Rita Skeeter's wand!" As he spoke, he extended his free hand and Rita's wand sailed out of her pocket and into his open palm.

Bellatrix smiled and aimed her wand at Rita's right eyeball. "Crucio," she breathed and Skeeter howled.

"You know, her voice is unpleasant," Rabastan observed. "I bet she doesn't sing well at all. Say, do you think she has anything good to drink around here?"

Bellatrix kicked Skeeter in the side."Well? My brother-in-law wants a drink. Where is your whisky?"

"I guess wine would do in a pinch," Rabastan said generously. "She looks too fluffy to be the whisky drinking type."

"Right top kitchen cabinet," Skeeter gasped on a sob. "What...what do you monsters want," she managed to ask after several ragged gasps.

"Where are the glasses?" Rabastan called from the kitchen just off the large front room in which they held their little gathering.

"The shelf just under the one with the bottle," she replied, struggling to rise from the floor.

"Thanks," Rabastan said cheerfully and Bellatrix watched as Skeeter rose up onto her knees, pushing disheveled blonde hair out of her face with one trembling hand.

Bellatrix allowed her a moment to collect herself before ruining it all with another hard stunner that sent her sprawling back onto the gleaming marble floor tiles once again. "Wasn't that a fun exercise in futility," she asked brightly as she cackled. "Don't worry, you shall have worse things to trouble yourself over very soon."

Skeeter's mouth opened in silent horror as her eyes widened. It appeared that she was finally beginning to process what was happening to her and exactly who was involved.

"Want a drink, you two?" Rabastan called.

"You better not have touched a cabinet or anything else with your hands," Bellatrix said darkly. "They'll be looking for fingerprints."

"Of course not, that's what my wand is for! Relax, Sis. I didn't suddenly become stupid," he grumbled. "Now do you want a fucking drink or not?"

"Not at the moment," Bellatrix said. She was high enough on what they were about to do and getting higher by the minute on the adrenaline that the hunt gave them all.

"Same here," Rodolphus agreed. Though he outwardly appeared calmer, the glitter in his dark eyes said to anyone who knew what to look for that he was as excited as Bellatrix.

"I only wanted a little one to take the edge off the day," Rabastan said, wandering back with a small snifter in one hand. "I bet Skeeter wishes she had a good stiff drink right now," he added with a cackle.

"I suppose it would be polite of us to give her something to take the edge off," Bellatrix said. "My brother-in-law is very thoughtful," she told Rita, prodding the blonde's ribs with the toe of her pointed black boot. "Crucio!"

This time Rita choked, rolling onto her side and curling in on herself.

"Oh...I forgot," Bellatrix murmured, lowering her wand thoughtfully to her side. "That only takes the edge off for us, not so much for the one receiving the Crucio."

Rodolphus nodded just as sagely. "There is that."

"Please!" Skeeter sobbed. "Please just stop, I'll do anything! Anything you want!"

Rodolphus gave a low chuckle as Bellatrix's lips spread into a rictus grin. "Oh, you'll do that anyway before we're done," he promised calmly and Skeeter shivered.

"That article you wrote about me was disgusting," Bellatrix hissed between gritted teeth. "Crucio!" She screamed the word this time and Skeeter fainted from the pain.

"Easy, Bella," Rod warned tightly.

Bellatrix sighed. "Yes, yes. You're right."

Staring at Skeeter's supine form on the floor, she considered how to proceed next, as just rolling with her emotions would end things before the job was properly done. As she considered, Rodolphus cast a watering charm that they'd learned in Herbology at Skeeter's face to bring her around. After a few seconds, the blonde began to splutter and wipe at her face.

"We do hope you're feeling refreshed," Rodolphus said almost pleasantly and Bellatrix smirked.

"Yeah," Rabastan chimed in. "That's always our goal, after all."

"I thought it was to kill and torture," Skeeter retorted.

"You're either brave or stupid," Bellatrix observed with a chuckle. "I'm going to guess both."

Rod nodded. "I agree."

"For my part, I don't give a shit," Rabastan said.

"Alright. Time to get started," Bellatrix said, fixing Skeeter with a studied glare. "We want to know what you're doing and who you are doing it for."

Skeeter blinked stupidly up at her. "What?"

"Who is asking you to write about me, Albus Dumbledore, Severus Snape, Gellert Grindelwald... You'd better think carefully and answer honestly," she warned in conclusion.

Skeeter blinked. "I don't know what you're talking about. If you want to know my sources, I don't give those out."

"Wrong answer," Bellatrix called as her wand flashed out in front of Rita Skeeter's eyes, and she bent to lean into her face.

"Cru-ci-o," she whispered, and Rita's back arched in pain as she screamed. Her eyes were wide and streaming with tears, and her mouth was an O as she gasped and screamed in turns as Bellatrix continued to whisper.

"Cru-ci-o, cru-ci-o, cru-ci-o."

Systematically she hit Skeeter with the curse and then gave her ten seconds or so to catch her breath before hitting her again. Admittedly, it was getting boring, but the point was to wear Skeeter down so that she'd be begging to talk.

"Let's get her into the bath now," she said, straightening and turning to Rodolphus.

Flicking his wand at Rita, he lifted her into the air as Bella led the way in search of the bathroom. It couldn't be that difficult to find in such a small flat. It was just off the bedroom and messier than she'd expected, towels and makeup containers everywhere.

"Right in here," she called, moving out of the small doorway to allow Rodolphus to enter with Skeeter floating ahead of him and Rabastan trailing behind. With a flick of her wand, Bellatrix began to fill the tub with cold water.

"You gonna add some bubble bath," Rabastan asked curiously, pointing at the array of pink bottles lined up on a shelf above the bath.

Bellatrix considered for a moment before shaking her head decisively. "No. She doesn't deserve to die in anything she likes."

Chapter 75: The Wild Hunt

Chapter 75: The Wild Hunt

At the casual mention of her impending death, Rita Skeeter began to scream.

"I've already cast a silencing charm in here, so go ahead and howl your throat ragged," Rabastan called to the blonde over her own racket. "No one shall hear you but us, and we enjoy the sound of screams."

Rodolphus smirked. "That we do."

Bellatrix smiled in satisfaction as Rod lowered Skeeter into the bathtub with a flick of his wand. With a flick of hers, she thrust the woman under the water, effectively silencing her screams. She struck her with a body bind when she started to thrash. After around five seconds, she yanked Skeeter back up with another flick. While Skeeter choked, spluttered, and gasped, Bellatrix drained the bath with a final flick, leaving the woman sopping wet and huddled in her tub.

"Move and I kill you," Bellatrix said calmly. "Now are you ready to answer my questions?"

Skeeter's hand was shaking as she used it to push dripping hair out of her eyes. "I told you, I don't know what you want!"

"Well, that isn't exactly what you said, and we don't believe you regardless," Rabastan spoke from where he idly leaned against the door jam.

"Why did you say I shagged the Dark Lord," Bellatrix asked carefully. She was struggling not to lose it, because she hated the very thought so much. She wanted to make Rita Skeeter pay for writing those words until she was beyond sorry.

"I mean she said so, didn't she?" Skeeter demanded. "Delphini. So I wrote it."

"She said it first, not you?" Bellatrix demanded, truly not knowing what to believe.

Rita blinked in confusion. "That is...I think she did… Sometimes I have dreams that give me ideas, so if I had a dream… but no, I think she said it first."

She didn't sound fully certain of herself. The comment she made about dreams unsettled Bellatrix, due to what Roger Bulstrode had revealed about Jekyll and his family having some dream enemy who was dealing with Delphini for whatever fucked reason.

"Crucio," Bellatrix screamed, and Skeeter screamed back only with no words as she thrashed in the tub.

"Watch she doesn't hit her head," Rabastan warned and Bellatrix turned to glare at him.

"You bloody watch her head! Use a padding charm or something. Can't you see I'm busy? Make yourself useful!" Turning back to Skeeter she continued, her voice restored to calm, until Skeeter set her off again. "What about Dumbledore? Why did you say he was gay with Grindelwald, of all people? It isn't even as if the two would be friends, for Merlin's sake. One sickeningly kind, wise, and open minded. The other a respectable Muggle-hating soul who had plans to fix the wizarding world until he was so rudely interrupted."

Skeeter blinked in surprise. "I… Well, that one I honestly didn't think anyone would believe! Besides, he was dead at the time or at least everyone bloody thought he was! That's hardly my fault that he faked his death. Rather inconsiderate of him, I might add," she complained. "I just wanted to...you know, write something that would sell. Please stop hurting me! I...well, I hadn't sold anything big in months, nearly a year, actually, and...I need to pay my rent too, you know. Besides, if we're being honest I missed the sensational attention."

She peered up at the three Lestranges incredulously. "I'm expected to believe that you really care about what I say of Albus do-gooder Dumbledore? And if it's Grindelwald whose reputation you care about, which is frankly more logical to my mind, he's long dead so I should hardly think he'd mind a girl making a galleon or two."

As she was the last person on earth, or any other world, that they'd tell Grindelwald was actually alive, they made no comment. Instead Bellatrix asked her another question. "Why the Lily/Snape rubbish? Because we all know that wasn't true. I mean it's bloody Snape," she sneered.

Skeeter looked momentarily confused, but when Bellatrix scowled impatiently and lifted her wand, the blonde gasped and began talking. "Just...I don't know...it came to me one night, you know… And I knew how he'd hate it, you know people thinking he was after James Potter's lady. And most important of all, I believed him dead at the time, just like with Dumbledore!"

There went the dream rubbish again, Bellatrix thought darkly. It was beginning to give her a headache, mostly because at this point it was quite beyond her comprehension. She should speak to Grindelwald on the matter as gaining a tighter grasp on it may not be unwise if it was possible.

"You believed me to be dead when you wrote that filth about me shagging the Dark Lord too. Talking about powerful wizards only when you believe them to be dead and unable to defend themselves is disgusting and pathetic. You make me sick," Bellatrix hissed, leaning over the tub to jab her wand into Skeeter's face.

The woman shrieked and cringed back satisfyingly before Bella even cast a curse. She chuckled.

"So afraid of a little well deserved pain, but not too afraid to keep your mouth shut or your quill still," she said scathingly. Leaning closer, backing Rita into a corner of her bathtub, Bellatrix continued. "Shallow perverts like you who confuse religious fervor with animal lust, or romantic interest, taint the very concept of true religious commitment to a cause and thus to its grand leader. That is a thing you are too shallow to grasp. When it truly comes down to it, you believe in nothing but fear."

Laughing, Bellatrix leaned into the tub, jamming her wand into Rita's chest. "And tonight, Queen of the Quills, we will teach you all the ins and outs of fear!"

Bellatrix traced little circles on the wet fabric of Rita Skeeter's business style blouse as if idly considering what to do next. In truth, she was just drawing out the woman's fear, making her wait for it, and allowing her dread to build.

Skeeter began to scream sob as Bellatrix chuckled, relishing the woman's rising hysteria as though it were a drug. In its way, it was… and for the other two Lestranges as well.

Rodolphus and Rabastan pressed in on either side of Bellatrix against the edge of the tub, their wands also pointing at Skeeter.

"Formidilosus," Rodolphus murmured and Bellatrix cackled with glee, because her husband had just cast a very potent fear spell on Skeeter. As was the case for all of Rod's spells, it was beautiful in that it served to enhance what the woman already held closest to her heart of hearts. If she wanted to live a life of fear, twisting the lives of others to suit her needs, she would die the same way.

"Crucio!" Bellatrix screamed, jabbing her wand wildly at Skeeter's chest, throat, and face while the woman thrashed in an attempt to evade her.

Sighing in boredom, Rabastan hit her with a body bind.

"And this is for Snape," Bellatrix said, smirking at her own wit as she spoke the next curse. "Sectumsempra."

Skeeter's chest was suddenly peppered by small cuts, and the sight of the pretty red blood seeping through the matching holes in her shirt made Bellatrix's eyes glitter.

"How do you get that twisted wrong energy into the words that you write, Skeeter," Bellatrix asked, her voice mostly calm but still testy. "If you don't want this to get way worse, answer truthfully and answer well."

Skeeter's eyes rolled up to Bellatrix, and the look in them was crazed with pain and terror. "I don't put anything into my words," she cried. "You bloody crazy..."

"Wrong answer," Bellatrix sang out, interrupting the pathetic excuse for a journalist with another Crucio followed up by a far more vicious Sectumsempra than the last one. Causing far deeper cuts on the woman's arms and consequently shredding the sleeves of her boring blouse.

As she opened her mouth to scream, Rabastan cackled and leaned forward, aiming his wand at her open mouth. "Watch this," he told his brother and sister-in-law. "Sectumsempra!"

The next time Skeeter screamed, blood came gushing from her mouth from the cuts Rabastan had made on her tongue and the insides of her cheeks, as well as her lips.

"Sweet, Bro," Rodolphus murmured with an appreciative chuckle.

Rabastan grinned at his older brother before turning back to Skeeter. "That means stop lying, Cow," he told her, fixing her with a hard glare as he shook his wand menacingly at her mouth. "More lies come out of there and I bleed it again. Got it?"

"I didn't lie!" Rita screamed, hysteria rising in her voice.

"Ah," Bellatrix crooned. "So you're just too stupid to understand the truth we need you to tell. I see." She scowled. This was going to get complicated and thus require a bit more finesse. That always tended to put a damper on the fun, but they were all intelligent and skilled wizards. They would manage.

"Are you aware that your words have magic and can cast spells that negatively affect those about whom you write," Rodolphus asked carefully.

Skeeter blinked, seemingly struggling to piece Rod's words together into something she could process. This was her night for looking stupid, Bellatrix thought in frustration as she scowled darkly down at her.

"I won't break your mind as we did the Longbottoms. You shan't receive that mercy," Bellatrix said in a nearly gentle whisper.

Skeeter must have seen the solid promise in her glittering gaze, for she dropped her head and began to sob in racking terror-filled hitches. "I don't mean to DO anything to anyone with my words," she managed after a few seconds. As she spoke her eyes were pleadingly on Rod. He had asked her the question, after all. "Of course I don't expect people to like what I write about them, but who does when it's the sort of stories I report? I am aware of that, but it's journalism."

"No," Bellatrix said tartly. "Yours is far worse in so many ways." Lunging forward, her wand flashed out at Rita's face again. "Crucio! Crucio! Crucio! Sectumsempra!"

The cuts on Skeeter's upper body deepened and the blood began to flow down her torso like tears. Bellatrix smiled, appreciating the concept of Skeeter's body crying. Her gray blouse was nearly in shreds and the blood pattered down onto her matching gray pencil skirt.

Perhaps the woman was aiming for some classic style from the early fifties with her business outfit, but to Bellatrix it reeked of Muggle fashion influences. Of course it would, she thought contemptuously. Her reporting tactics, if one could even call them that, were very Muggle-like as well. This didn't truly bother Bellatrix, though. It was just one more thing Rita Skeeter deserved to suffer for.

"I suppose she might be telling the truth," Rodolphus mused idly as he tapped his wand thoughtfully against his right thigh. "If she does believe those she writes the worst things about are actually dead, I suppose she can't intend her words to do anything unpleasant to them."

"Exactly," Rita bleated desperately. "And I wouldn't know how to do anything to anyone with mere words if I tried! If I could, would I be sitting in my own bloody bathtub allowing myself to be tortured by you lot?"

"Good point, actually," Rabastan said with a grin.

For some reason, Rita was encouraged by this and attempted a weak smile in return. "I mean, you know what they say about sticks and stones breaking bones and that words can never hurt us," she said.

"Well...as it turns out, they were wrong," Bellatrix hissed, leaning toward Skeeter again. "In fact, this one right here is going to hurt you quite a lot. CRUCIO!"

Rodolphus gave a low chuckle and aimed his wand at Skeeter's feet. "Infernium."

Bellatrix cackled gleefully because that was a good one! The spell would not cause the feet to physically burn, but it certainly made them feel as if they were on actual fire.

Rita kicked and screamed, heels pummeling against the bottom of the tub in agony.

"Talk about the magic in your quill or I shall make you dance on those feet," Rodolphus promised flatly.

His eyes were now glittering just as eagerly as Bellatrix's. He caught her right hand in his as her left held her wand, and the two began to sway together to the rhythm of Rita's drumming heels. Bellatrix grinned happily up at Rod. Now things were getting fun. It was exulted moments like these when the Lestranges truly felt alive.

Chapter 76: To Kill A Mockingbeetle

Chapter 76: To Kill A Mockingbeetle

"I DON'T KNOW WHAT YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT!" Skeeter howled, heels still drumming the floor of her bathtub as she screamed.

Rodolphus grinned happily, obviously hoping that she would flub the question. Bending at the waist in what might have appeared a sweeping bow, Rod's wand aimed at Rita's feet as he spoke a French spell. "Tu danseras."

Bellatrix licked her lips, one slender hand coming out to snake around the hard muscles of Rod's upper arm as he straightened. "I do love it when you use French spells," she purred.

"And I love it when you love it," he replied, lustful gaze meeting her own.

Rita gave a cry of pain that drew their eyes back to her. Rita's body jerked from side to side in her bathtub as if having a seizure.

"Oh, fuck," Rabastan said, laughing. "I forgot I put her in a body bind. Guess I better undo that so she can shake her booty." Rabastan flicked his wand at Skeeter. With the body bind removed, she was free to leap to her feet and Bellatrix supposed it almost looked like a dance. The woman hopped from foot to foot as tears of pain streamed down her face.

"Come, Bella," Rod said, drawing Bellatrix into his arms. "We shouldn't make her dance alone. It's rude. Rabastan, sing something, won't you? Dancing is always better with music, after all."

Rabastan grinned, nodding obligingly before beginning to sing an old war song said to be from the time of Salazar that wizards had later turned into a rousing drinking tune.

"We'll bathe in your blood,

If it's made of mud

Cleanse the world of fear

All in good cheer.

Our spirits are high,

as the Muggles do die!"

While Rabastan sang, Bellatrix and Rodolphus swayed together, transfixed gazes on Rita Skeeter's delightfully tortured gyrations.

"Oh, for fuck's sake!" The annoyed hiss came from behind them.

"Grindelwald?" Bellatrix struggled to come down from the natural high that well deserved torture and killing gave her. The light raspy voice with that slight breathy undertone and German accent was unmistakable, but what was he doing here… and where was he?

"As I suspected, you lost a little control," Grindelwald drawled. "If you're planning on it to appear that she killed herself, all those cuts on her body aren't going to mesh with that narrative."

Bellatrix's eyes widened slightly as that realization hit her. She scowled. "We would've eventually bloody realized that and called you to come heal her. That's why you're here, isn't it?"

"Exactly."

Fortunately Skeeter hadn't heard that bit over her own screams of pain because it would be more difficult to make her cooperate if she knew absolutely for certain that they were going to kill her.

"Want to drop the invisibility cloak?" Rod grumped. "Talking to thin fucking air is becoming annoying."

"You want fat air?" Grindelwald snickered.

"And it isn't an invisibility cloak. It is a disillusionment charm." The deep resonant voice belonged to Zabini, and Bellatrix wasn't surprised as the two never separated. She wouldn't be at all shocked if they even took a shit together.

"I was just asking Skeeter about the magic in her quill," Rod divulged.

"Did she admit to that, then," Grindelwald asked. Judging by his tone, Bellatrix could just picture his blue eyes narrowing with interest.

"No, I just asked and she got stupid so I made her dance on her burning feet just as I threatened to do if she did not cooperate," Rodolphus answered.

Grindelwald sighed. "You burned her feet as well? It's a good thing I came to do any necessary healing!"

"It is a spell that only makes it feel as though she's burning," Rodolphus said with an affronted frown. "What do you take me for? Never mind, don't bother answering that."

"Thank you," Grindelwald said and Bellatrix could hear the smirk in his voice.

Rod rolled his eyes and turned back to Skeeter. He flicked his wand a few times at her in rapid succession, removing the burning and dancing charms and allowing her to collapse to the bottom of her bathtub in a quivering sobbing heap. "So is there anything special about your quill," he asked, tone only mildly annoyed as if he had not just tortured her for not giving him the answer to that simple question earlier.

"I use different quills all the time, so I should think not," Rita managed, tone incredulous as she peered up at Rod through a tangled curtain of blonde hair. "They're just quills! What do you want me to say?" she demanded desperately.

"Do you get them from anywhere special," Rabastan asked.

That was a smart question, Bellatrix thought.

Skeeter shook her head. "Just anywhere and everywhere that sells them. Sometimes I accidentally steal them, you know if I'm writing with someone else's and forget to give it back. Everyone does that, though."

"I have, in fact, never done that, actually," Rabastan said. "What about you two," he asked, glancing at Bellatrix and Rodolphus.

Both shook their heads gravely.

"No," Rodolphus said. "We've done a lot of illegal, wild, and some would say crazy things, but never have we stolen a quill, accidentally or otherwise."

Bellatrix could hear Grindelwald choking on a laugh behind them.

"Perhaps it isn't what the quill does on its own, but what it does only when in her hand. What she and the quill do together rather than separately."

The voice was unfamiliar, but from the compressed sound and the fact it came from around the level of Bellatrix's hip, she guessed it was an elf. Likely the Zabini elf, Bramble. According to Regulus, he often helped Gellert and Blaise with specific types of tricky magic. In fact, that explained how they'd gotten in here without drawing outside attention, as Grindelwald would not wish to do that.

"Good, then," Bellatrix replied without bothering to turn around when replying to the elf. He was obviously under disillusionment as well and she didn't feel like talking to empty air again. "We were just about to make her write a note apologizing for all the foul things she's said. We shall get to see her and her quill in action."

"I can do that," Rita said desperately. "Just stop hurting me, I'll write anything you like."

Bellatrix smiled happily. "Done."

Skeeter made to stand and Rodolphus jammed his wand into her face with lightning speed. "Crucio, Bitch," he snarled, and she screamed and fell back. "Don't. Fucking. Move," he explained almost calmly.

The glitter in his eyes caused a shiver of pleasure to travel the length of Bellatrix's spine. He was usually so calm and it was especially hot when he lost it.

"I thought you wanted me to write," Rita sobbed. She lay shivering on the bottom of her bath, apparently at last smart enough not to move without being specifically instructed.

"Where are your parchment and quills," Rodolphus asked.

Skeeter opened her mouth once then closed it as if the stress of the moment had her quite beyond words. When his wand shot out again she gasped and then the words began to spill forth. "I have a quill here in my pocket! And there is parchment on the desk in the front room!"

"Fine," Rodolphus snarled. "Rabastan, go and get a piece of parchment. Of course do not touch anything with your hands, not even the parchment," he reminded.

"Obviously," Rabastan snarked as he headed from the bathroom. "Last I checked, I wasn't stupid, you know."

"Of course you aren't, but we can all get a little forgetful during play time," Rodolphus replied mildly. "Just having your back, Bro. All of our backs just in case."

"Alright," Rabastan said, mollified. He was back soon with a sheet of parchment floating in the air ahead of him.

"You may sit up now," Rodolphus told Rita.

She did, movements slow and stiff. Rabastan floated the parchment down to land in her lap.

"Get out that quill now and start writing," Rodolphus said.

"The letter is to be an apology for all the lies you wrote," Bellatrix informed firmly. "You shall apologize in particular for the lies you wrote about Albus Dumbledore and Gellert Grindelwald, as well as myself and Lord Voldemort, and Severus Snape and Lily Potter. You will explain why you told those lies and apologize to all of us."

"Yes, of course," Rita said, nodding quickly before reaching into her pocket for a quill. Ducking her head over the parchment, she placed it on the tub's floor then got to work. Bellatrix could feel figures brushing past her and assumed Grindelwald, Zabini, and the elf Bramble were coming closer to study Skeeter at work.

A few minutes later, Rita held up the parchment. "Here you are."

Rodolphus flicked his wand and the parchment floated toward them to hang at eye level so they could read.

"Give us the quill as well," Bellatrix said, and Rita held it up. With a flick of her wand, Bellatrix had it hanging in the air beside the parchment. Better to strip her of anything she could even potentially use...just in case. Turning her attention to the parchment, Bellatrix read it aloud.

I, Rita Skeeter, write this retraction letter as an apology for the lies I wrote about any and all persons presumed to be dead at the time.

I deeply apologize for what I said about Albus Dumbledore and Gellert Grindelwald, Bellatrix Lestrange and Lord Voldemort, otherwise known as Tom Riddle, and Severus Snape and Lily Potter. None of these persons had relationships with one another, and I basically made it all up for convenience, spite, and money. It is my deepest and most sincere hope that they can forgive me.

Sincerely,

Rita Skeeter

Bellatrix nodded. "That works for me."

"You'll leave me alone now," Skeeter asked.

"Almost," Bellatrix said. "Very soon. Rabastan, bring her a bottle of whisky."

Rita's eyes widened as Rabastan wordlessly left the room. Soon he returned with a bottle of fire whisky bobbing in the air ahead of him.

"Now drink it all," Bellatrix said flatly as Rabastan lowered the bottle to the floor of the tub with a flick of his wand.

"What?" Skeeter squawked, eyes flying wide.

"If you don't, I shall begin hurting you again," Bellatrix sing-songed happily.

"I'd like that better myself," Rodolphus drawled, and Skeeter snatched up the bottle.

After several deep swallows she began to cough, lowering it to her lap. "I can't drink anymore! I shall be ill if I do! Why do you want me to drink it anyway? What is it that you want of me now," she demanded in open frustration.

"Crucio," Bellatrix said flatly, jabbing her wand at the side of Rita's head. Rabastan was quick to levitate the bottle because Rita's consequent thrashing would've surely toppled it and wasted the rest of the whisky.

"Want to drink more now," Bellatrix asked with a low chuckle, and Rita snatched the bottle up with shaking hands.

"I would almost feel sorry for her if I didn't know who she was and exactly how evil she is," Zabini said invisibly from the doorway.

They were all silent as Rita chugged more from the bottle. When she lowered it again it was two thirds empty and she was swaying from side to side. "Please," she moaned and Bellatrix nodded.

"Yes, that should do," she said. She cast a hard body bind on Rita before turning to other matters.

Flicking her wand in a circle then aiming it at Skeeter's throat, she cast a recording charm. "Speak now," she told Skeeter.

"Apologize to Albus Dumbledore for tainting his name."

"I am sorry, Albus, for saying you were gay," Rita said, voice shaking.

"And now to me," Bellatrix continued.

"I am sorry, Bellatrix, for writing that you shagged Voldemort. Please..."

"And to Snape," Bellatrix concluded.

"I am sorry, Snape, for insinuating that anyone would want to come near you," Skeeter snapped and Bella's lips twitched.

"Crucio," she said sweetly and Skeeter screamed and writhed.

Once more Rabastan saved the bottle from spilling with a quick flick of his wand.

"Now let us try again," Bellatrix suggested, aiming her wand once more at Rita's throat and recasting her recording charm. "Apologize to Snape."

"I am sorry, Severus, for claiming that you ever loved the wife of your enemy."

Bellatrix lowered her wand and smiled.

"Is that good enough?" Rita snapped.

"Yes," Bellatrix replied before turning to regard the empty doorway where she knew Grindelwald and co. still stood. "Anything else before we...let her go," she asked.

"I think that is all," Grindelwald said after a thoughtful pause. "I will heal her cuts now."

"Thank you, whoever you are," Skeeter said, voice shaking.

"Don't mention it," Gellert said drily.

The woman obviously had no idea that she was about to die which proved just how stupid she was, Bellatrix thought. Anyone who believed they'd be tortured by the Lestranges and left to talk had to be stupid.

"There, I'm all done. Bramble, come and mend the tears in her clothes now, please," Gellert said.

Though Bellatrix could not see the elf at work, she did see the tears in the fabric of Rita Skeeter's outfit that the Sectumsempra curses had caused rapidly closing. When all was perfect with Skeeter's clothes, Bellatrix flicked her wand at the bath, filling it as she'd done earlier in the evening.

With another flick of the wand, she allowed the nearly empty bottle of fire whisky to fall into the tub. It would appear Skeeter had drunken herself into a stupor and then drowned, probably intentionally considering the note she'd just left. As the tub filled, Bellatrix cast a weighting charm on Skeeter's still bound body, holding it under the water.

"A rather dull way to kill such a foul person, but we must be careful to avoid it looking like anyone did this to her but herself," she said.

"Very good," Grindelwald replied.

Soon bubbles were disrupting the surface of the water as Skeeter struggled unsuccessfully to breathe. It took far too long in Bellatrix's opinion but at last the bubbles stopped. Bellatrix lifted the binding and weighting charms and turned away. With a wand flick she lowered the parchment to the floor beside the tub. "Do you want the quill for any reason," she asked Gellert.

After a moment of hesitation the quill was snatched from the air by an invisible hand. "May as well study it just in case," Grindelwald said.

"Well, now that it's done, does anyone want a drink," Rabastan asked cheerfully. "I mean, we should celebrate."

Blaise, Gellert, and their elf came into view as their disillusionment fell away.

"Why not," Blaise drawled. "We do need to hear what you got out of her, after all."

Chapter 77: Live And Let Die

Chapter 77: Live and Let Die

"You want to stay here and have a drink? Is that safe," Bramble asked, disapproval in the elf's every word.

"No one's going to visit Skeeter, so it is indeed safe," Rabastan said, heading for the kitchen. "What better way to celebrate than by drinking the fire whisky of your enemy?"

"Victim," Bellatrix corrected with a cackle. "She is our enemy no more, and as we have quite thoroughly killed her, she is now our murder victim."

" I'll drink to that," Rabastan called from the kitchen.

"Murder victim… How crass," Gellert complained, leaning against the bathroom door. "She is a prisoner of war that we have executed."

Bellatrix shrugged. "Whatever allows you to sleep better at night, Boss," she retorted almost fondly. "I think we should keep the glasses as souvenirs," she added after a moment.

"Brilliant idea!" Rabastan called. "So are we going to drink in the bathroom over her dead body or are you lot coming in here?"

Bellatrix sighed. "I'm for drinking over the body and toasting her death repeatedly while smiling into her dead eyes, but I doubt Grindelwald and his boy toy have the stomach for it."

"True, we don't," Grindelwald said. "And I am HIS boy toy, I'll have you know." The two men smiled at one another in a way that made Bellatrix's stomach turn.

"Gods, get a room," she drawled, moving toward the bathroom door, forcing Grindelwald to dart to the side and out of her way. "Goodbye, Rita, you worthless cow," she called over her shoulder before exiting.

"Yeah, enjoy your bath, Beetle Brain," Rodolphus added as he followed.

When they entered the kitchen, Rabastan passed around short crystal glasses filled with fire whisky. "Rot in hell, Rita Skeeter, how we will not miss thee," he intoned happily, raising his glass in a toast. Everyone touched their glasses to his, even the mildly disapproving Bramble.

"Well," Gellert asked eagerly after taking a sip. "What did you get from putting her to the question?"

Bellatrix sighed dreamily, allowing her eyes to flutter closed for a brief moment. "Lots of interesting screams...and there was dancing!"

Grindelwald's lips twitched. "Yes, yes, but what did Skeeter do?"

Rabastan snickered. "Good one! She screamed and danced too, though."

"And did she confess anything interesting?" Gellert pressed, unmoved by Rabastan's humor.

Bellatrix shrugged, glancing over to see Rod doing the same. "It seems she isn't working directly for anyone, but she had some dreams that perhaps drove her stories, or at least some of them," Rod said. He frowned. "It was all bloody vague and annoying," he complained.

Blaise frowned back. "What? Couldn't you lot get better out of her than that? Couldn't the amount of pain you inflicted pierce through her veil of vagueness?"

Bellatrix scowled, but Rod replied before she could do so which was probably a good thing. "The point was that she was vague, because she did not seem to know herself," he explained a little tartly. "Oddly she wasn't certain if it was her or Delphini who made the ridiculous claim concerning Bellatrix first, as if her memory was tampered with."

Grindelwald frowned thoughtfully. "Interesting indeed."

"Fuck, should we have told you that before we killed her so you could check her head," Rabastan asked worriedly.

Gellert shrugged. "Perhaps, but if she was being used, she obviously knows nothing of how or by whom so she couldn't have told us. The best thing is to remove her from the equation and you all did that."

Bellatrix gave him a mad grin before downing the rest of her drink. "Always happy to serve."

"Glad to hear it," Gellert said drily, then turned to the elf at his side. "Bramble, could you make sure the note that Rita kindly left for the world has no blood spatters on it?"

The elf nodded, then polished off his own glass before passing it to Blaise and walking from the room. He wore a sort of long, black tunic covered in spider web designs. Not as impressive as Harold's plague doctor getup, but it would do, Bellatrix thought.

"There was more blood on her clothes than the tub," Rodolphus observed. "I don't think the tub got any on it at all. We didn't bleed her that much."

"Yeah," Rabastan chimed in. "We were trying to be good, only losing a bit of control along the way."

"True enough," Bramble said, walking back into the room. "The paper was clean."

"Good," Gellert said with a satisfied nod.

"So do you think Rita's vague mention of dreams has anything to do with Jekyll," Bellatrix asked, taking a sip from her glass.

"More likely his dream enemy," Grindelwald said. "I shall have to speak with him on the matter to be certain, or rather, with the uncle of his lady. His name is Felix. He can communicate with us the best. He is a truly gifted dream wizard."

"So he talks to you in your sleep," Rabastan asked and Gellert nodded.

"Weird but impressive and intriguing," Rabastan said, pouring himself a second glass. "Anyone else want another?"

"The glasses are small...why not?" Rodolphus said, and with that everyone held out their glasses for a refill. As Blaise still held two, he passed one to the elf when Rabastan had filled it.

"What will you do with the quill, then," Bellatrix asked Gellert after taking a swallow from her glass.

"Run some magical tests on it," he replied.

"She didn't know what we wanted when we asked about the power of her written words," Rodolphus said with a frown of frustration. "How can the cow be so evil and not even understand the true power she wields?"

"Many in her place do not, believe it or not," Gellert said gravely. "Someone else is pulling their strings and they aren't even aware. At other times, their own pasts do it."

"What the hell's that supposed to mean?" Rabastan complained.

"As my therapist has explained to me, the opinions of many are formed by their childhoods. If this childhood was lacking, at times the person can use those lessons they have learned negatively in their adult years, warping their perceptions."

Grindelwald had a therapist? Bellatrix downed the rest of her drink.

"You mean like how we all learned to hate Muggles," Rabastan asked.

Bellatrix was suddenly extremely uncomfortable.

Grindelwald nodded, obviously correctly including himself and Blaise in Rabastan's inclusive 'we'. "I'm sure you could all benefit from my therapist as well, if you chose to do so," he said and Bellatrix hastily extended her glass to Rabastan for more drink.

"The bottle is empty," Rabastan said with a shake of his head.

Chapter 78: Inside The Spider's Web

Chapter 78: Inside the Spider's Web

"We really should get out of here," Bramble said.

"Listen to the elf. He's in charge," Grindelwald quipped with a grin as Bramble scowled at him. "Why don't we finish this conversation at ours?" Gellert added.

Bellatrix scowled, feeling suspicious. "The therapy bit or the Skeeter bit?" It would be interesting to see the inside of the famous Zabini Black Widow's web, though, she had to admit.

Grindelwald chuckled. "Both."

With that said, Bramble Apparated them all to the Zabini family library. At least, Bellatrix assumed that was where it was. It was a large room with bookcases lining the walls and Gellert had just mentioned going to his, so it stood to reason. Odd that Blaise and his man still lived with the parents, though. She and Rod were very happy to have their own place. They'd invited Rabastan to come along because he was still unmarried and the three liked to party together. Then everything had gone to hell.

Bellatrix forced her mind back to the now. She opened her mouth to ask why Grindelwald was going to therapy as he'd brought it up, but Bramble spoke first.

"Bramble would like to share what he saw while studying Skeeter using her quill."

Gellert gestured for everyone to seat themselves. "Please do," he told the elf eagerly.

He and Blaise settled on one end of a long-ish sofa and Rabastan took the other end. Rodolphus flopped down into an overstuffed armchair and Bellatrix sat herself on his lap. He wound his arms around her waist, and sighing with contentment she snuggled her back against his warm, solid chest. It felt nice and the two hadn't had time to sit together in that way for far too long. The Zabini elf perched on the edge of a straight backed ebony wood chair with a huge spider carved into its high back.

"When Bramble watched her writing with her quill, he observed something rather strange," he began slowly. "Because it is strange, it shall also be difficult to describe."

Grindelwald nodded, giving him an encouraging smile.

Bramble continued, a frown of concentration on his face. "It was as though the quill, or rather the act of using the quill, opened something in Rita Skeeter that allowed her to in turn...open something else, or perhaps access something else. Unfortunately, Bramble could not see that something, but perhaps it is linked to the same method that she sensed in her dreams?"

Gellert nodded. "Likely. Thank you, Bramble." As he spoke, the blonde wizard was already drawing the quill out of his robe. As everyone watched, he began to perform magical detections on it. Likely the same ones he'd used on the Lestranges to detect the fact they'd been tampered with, Bellatrix thought. It didn't take him long to lower the quill and shake his head. "No. Nothing special in this thing at all," he said with disappointment. "It was only a weapon when in her hand and she was only a weapon when holding it. A twisted combination but powerless alone."

"Guess it shall just be another souvenir along with all our glasses," Rabastan said and Grindelwald nodded. "I suppose so."

"At least her reign of defacing and enraging others is over now," Bellatrix said grimly.

"Hopefully she won't be replaced with anyone else by Delphini or whoever was using her," Rod said.

"I should think not," Gellert said, thoughtful as he stared into space. "If fuel is added to the fire that we forced her to abandon, it shall probably wear another guise and serve a different function that we may not even recognize. If one thing doesn't work, another can always be tested out, after all. It is the way of war."

He would know, Bellatrix thought with an inner sigh of weariness. They would all know to a degree, but Grindelwald more than most as his had been fought the longest before he was taken down. She was tired of war, but since they all were, she didn't bother to say so?

The door to the library suddenly opened and a woman of average height and a willowy build entered beside a short stocky man with dark hair and skin. The woman's far lighter skin and blonde hair made her appear as ice beside him. Bellatrix could see both of them in the haughty features of the tall Blaise Zabini.

"How did it go, boys," the ice queen asked.

"You got back rather quicker than I expected," Blaise's father chimed in, voice thick with a heavy Italian accent.

"As they literally drowned her, I suppose one could say it went swimmingly," Blaise drawled.

His father laughed, shaking his head. "I can't say she didn't deserve it. Good riddance to bad journalism!"

"Bad writing in general, Geo, don't forget her books," the black widow reminded. As she spoke, she sauntered over to another high backed chair and slid into it.

"Mum's right," Grindelwald said with a laugh. "She had more plot holes than London has Muggles."

The blonde witch chuckled before turning to the Lestranges. "How interesting… A room full of Dark wizard rogues, just unwinding after a murder," she observed. "And for once I was no part of it."

"You probably got bored after killing me all those times," Geo said with a grin.

Perhaps it was that they were still on a torture high, but for Bellatrix, the particular group of wizards and witches all gathered cozily together did feel a bit surreal. All of them infamous, but in starkly different ways, made it beautiful in the best and most twisted of examples of Dark Art.

"Did she admit to working for Delphini, then," Mrs. Zabini asked.

Bellatrix shook her head. "No. And if she was, she was unaware."

"Oh?" Mrs. Zabini arched her brows.

Grindelwald filled the parents in as Bellatrix slowly felt her adrenaline crashing.

The evening had come to a close far too soon. Had this not been a delicate situation, they could've dragged it out for hours. It was an art for them as well as playtime and she hoped the Ministry would require someone to be questioned and killed again soon. Someone who wasn't so key so they could afford to have fun rather than working the situation for magical angles and traps.

"It certainly is a quandary, isn't it," Sabra Zabini said with a perplexed frown. "I just wish we knew more about what Bramble saw."

"That would be nice, but the important fact is that it's stopped. We have stopped her, and that's a big win for us," Gellert said, blue eyes flashing briefly in triumph.

"One challenge down, many more to go before Delphini is gone," Blaise said grimly and Gellert nodded.

"But look at us! We're all brilliant and amazing. Each of us has our specialties and we will persevere. We always do. Though Delphini may hate it, she is her father's daughter… or at least his creation. As such, I have a feeling she may be more like him than she likes. This means she will also have his flaws and weaknesses. If we are careful, we can catch and destroy her."

For an instant, Bellatrix was distracted by the mental horror Grindelwald's words had conjured of Voldemort creating a person without having to shag by the fact he'd just complimented them again. Go Lestranges!

Chapter 79: That's What My Therapist Say

Chapter 79: That's What My Therapist Says

"Well, now that you boys have made it home safe, we can take ourselves to bed," Geo Zabini said as Sabra covered a yawn with a slender hand. Her long sharp nails glittered with an iridescent red polish that was charmed to sparkle.

Bellatrix had never been a sparkle girl herself, but she supposed the look suited The Black Widow well enough.

"Yes," Sabra murmured, nodding in agreement. "I was up at 5am making poison misters for the Aurors and Geo was kindly helping me so we're both rather done in."

"Like poison spray?" Rabastan inquired in obvious interest.

Sabra nodded. "It should serve as an unexpected form of defense and protection that doesn't require a spell so won't set off any magical alarms," she explained.

"Good shit," Rabastan said, nodding in approval.

Sabra arched one brow in mild amusement and gave a slight nod as she rose gracefully from her chair. "Good night, everyone. Well done on ridding the world of Skeeter."

"Yes, thanks for that," Geo grinned, moving to the door and opening it for his wife.

"Good night, parents," Blaise called and Gellert grinned.

"Night," he echoed, his gaze fond on the Zabinis as they left the library together.

The couple would never have bothered making poison sprays for the Aurors were Gellert not Head of Defense, Bellatrix thought. They were never ones to interfere, being more into saving their own skin.

"It isn't odd thinking of people as your parents, who could technically be your grandchildren," Bellatrix asked Grindelwald after the library door closed behind them.

Gellert gave a careless shrug. "I don't think of it in that way. To me they are my parents, the only ones I ever knew."

As it turned out, the potion of youth had a slight danger. Unless you knew the exact age of the one who'd given their life to make the draft, you may end up younger or older than desired if too much or not enough youth was in the potion.

As the one Gellert took had been bought and was rather old, the amount of years it would give was unknown. When Gellert was youthened, he ended up around seventeen years old. As he quickly became attached to Zabini's hip, the parents took him under their wing. At the time, to hear Regulus tell it, Grindelwald was skittish and uncertain from fifty years in solitary in Nurmengard.

With all that considered, someone wanting to look after him in parental roles probably felt a bit reassuring in spite of the fact he was Gellert Grindelwald, Bellatrix supposed. According to The Minister, Grindewald's inner child was far too outer. Perhaps he would've always been young and carefree had he not felt the need to change the wizarding world. If only he'd take an interest in that again, because for Merlin's sake it certainly still needed changing.

"Your birth parents died when you were very young, then," Rodolphus asked sympathetically. Though he hadn't lost his own mum as a child, he was a young adult when it happened so could relate to a degree.

Gellert nodded.

"Sorry for your loss," Rod said.

"I don't remember them except for a few vague impressions, but thank you," Gellert said.

"So...is that why you see your therapist," Rabastan asked. "Not to be rude or anything, mate, but you did mention it, and of course I'm curious."

Bellatrix was not curious at all. She wanted no part of therapy or any Mugglefucker rummaging about in her mind, pretending to understand her.

Grindelwald smiled slightly and shook his head. "No, not about that. At least, not directly. It's perfectly fine to ask. I did mention childhood patterns being brought into our adult lives when I spoke of therapy, so I understand your reasoning. I see my therapist because of something she calls a mild case of PTSD."

"You think Skeeter had a shitty childhood then," Rodolphus asked. "Not that it excuses her shitty actions or anything, I'm just curious."

Gellert nodded. "Almost certainly so."

Bellatrix smirked, pushing back a tangle of black curls. "She was likely just as insufferable then, so probably was neglected out of necessity."

Everyone chuckled in appreciation before Grindelwald ruined the light moment by turning the conversation back to a more uncomfortable topic. "My therapist says that not only my time in prison but the surprise manner in which I was captured affects how I see and interpret situations today. Particularly when under stress. It sounds silly and even annoying, but perhaps it is true." He shrugged uncomfortably. "My point being, if this is the case with me, it is quite likely the case with all of you as well, considering how much worse Azkaban was than solitary in Nurmengard. I had no Dementors, after all. Not to mention what Voldemort did to warp your minds in nineteen seventy-nine."

Bellatrix felt her stomach sinking, because she knew he was probably right even if she didn't like it one bit. She knew Azkaban had unhinged them at least a little. Not to mention being locked away for so long made it harder to function in the world when free, especially when it came to confrontation or mundane activities. It was harder to think in certain situations, and everything could get weird when emotions she couldn't explain interfered with things. Working Shadow Ops usually kept them too busy for anything to really come up. However, with the newly discovered knowledge of what Voldemort had done to them, and attempted to do to their baby, her inner foundation was feeling a bit more shaky.

"So you're saying we should go to your therapist," Rabastan asked, expression wary and doubtful. "I mean that shit really isn't our thing, you know?"

Gellert smirked. "And you think it's mine? Because trust me it isn't! I just felt it interfering with my relationship and at times with work at the Ministry."

As he spoke, Blaise took his hand and the two smiled softly at one another.

Bellatrix opened her mouth to tell them to get a room, but as they were now in their own home, they may do just that.

"How can it affect your relationship," Bellatrix asked. She certainly didn't want that happening with her and Rod. "Forgive the personal question, as it is obviously none of our business...I simply do not wish to suffer the same effects." She glanced nervously at Rod to find him wearing a frown that was surprisingly difficult to interpret considering how well they knew each other.

"It's nothing really," Blaise spoke up. "We can just get stupid over little things and decide the other doesn't love us." His lips twitched in embarrassment as his icy gaze dropped to regard his own lap with evident fascination.

The dark green robe he wore was stylish enough but nothing to contemplate that hard, Bellatrix thought with an inner smirk. Witnessing Zabini showing discomfort was a novelty, as the man generally seemed all blank, cool boredom. "We can also become jealous to insane degrees when there is zero need," he concluded.

"Yet oddly over entirely different things," Gellert added with a fleeting grin.

"Well, you weren't imprisoned, so what's your damage," Rodolphus asked Blaise openly.

Good question, Bellatrix thought. She was just as curious as Rod to hear that answer.

Zabini shrugged. "Our therapist says it is a result of living in fear over Voldemort for so long. She said it had me even more insecure than I knew. Oh, and the bit where my dad faked his death seven times apparently did something to me as well. Perhaps it made me resentful, I forget." He gave a dry smile that didn't quite reach the level of cocky he intended. "I am learning to identify and explore my emotions with far more success than I expected, honestly."

Now that was a surprise. Zabini actually had emotions?

"I suppose it may be useful, but...I still don't know if I trust it," Bellatrix said.

"Well, I know, and I don't trust anyone poking about in my feelings," Rod said. "Not even me, come to think of it."

"What if we did...I don't know, a group therapy sort of thing," Rabastan asked. "Like where we all share our fee-fees about being in prison and shit… See if anything comes up. Would you do that with us," he asked Grindelwald.

The blonde wizard nodded. "Sure, why not?"

Bellatrix nodded slowly, trying to ignore the reluctance in the pit of her stomach. She knew this was probably necessary if they wanted to understand everything and have full control once more. Or at least as much control as they cared to have. Not being in complete control could be a great deal of fun at times, after all. "I suppose I could try that out."

"I don't see the point," Rod complained. "Who's your therapist anyway?"

Grindelwald smirked. "It's Snape's wife. It's rather informal, and Blaise was the one to ask her to do it when she said I had a bit of this PTSD thing."

Bellatrix blinked. "Anyone who would marry Snape is crazier than we could ever be, so on that note, no thanks."

"Don't be silly," Grindelwald chastised with a frown. "She is a very together young lady, a powerful wand maker with a good head on her shoulders. She's studied psychology extensively and I find her therapy to have merit."

"It has really helped," Bellatrix asked, not bothering to hide her open doubt and incredulity.

Blaise nodded. "It has."

Bellatrix sighed. If Zabini even benefited, she supposed she should give it a try. "Alright, let's do it, then. The group therapy, that is. We'll see what we think of that for a start."

"Must we," Rodolphus asked, expression pleading.

Bellatrix grinned. "We must."

Chapter 80: A Heart To Heart Talk Among Friends

Chapter 80: A Heart to Heart Talk among Friends

"Blaise and I have our next therapy appointment in three days, so I can speak to her about group therapy with the three of you if you're serious about giving it a try," Gellert said.

The two Lestrange men frowned uneasily, but Bellatrix nodded. Though she felt nearly as worried about the process of therapy, she also felt this needed to be done.

"Who the hell would marry Snape, though?" Rabastan complained.

Grindelwald's lips twitched. "You shall find out soon enough."

"Wait, you said earlier that she makes wands," Rodolphus asked suddenly. Grindelwald nodded and Rod's interest grew. "Out of gemstones by any chance," Rod asked and Grindelwald nodded again. "One of the goblin Aurors at Azkaban spoke of a woman named Snape who makes gemstone wands that are twice as strong as wooden ones. I'd been meaning to check into it, but everything has been so hectic recently, as you well know."

"Tell us about it, " Blaise said with a heartfelt nod.

"You can speak with her about wands when we have our first group therapy meeting," Grindelwald replied.

"That a bribe," Rod asked suspiciously, and Grindelwald grinned.

"Not at all. Your wife is clearly going to make you attend therapy regardless. I was just trying to soften it for you."

"Speaking of being busy," Bellatrix said as a thought occurred to her. "Did you manage to use the blood on my dagger to make any progress?" Part of her was still hoping she hadn't severely fucked up by stabbing the shit out of Delphini / Voldemort repeatedly, so if it managed to count for something big, she'd feel a lot better about it.

"Unfortunately, some of the plans I have for the blood can't be implemented without me having a better hold on her location or some pictures of her," Blaise said with a sigh. "I'd hoped the blood would allow us to track her at least to some degree and I've attempted that three different ways thus far with no success. On the bright side, we're working on a fourth and it hasn't failed yet." He gave a dry smile.

"But it hasn't succeeded," Bellatrix asked, because obviously it hadn't else he'd have said it had.

Blaise shrugged. "It's a work in progress, so the fact it hasn't failed is something. We're trying to use blood magic with elementals."

Two very powerful practices combined. Very well, Bellatrix was impressed. Summoning elementals was nearly a lost art. In part, this was due to the fact that schools didn't want to teach real power anymore, and one had to have an affinity with elementals to command them.

"How's that working," Rod asked, eyes narrowed in interest as he leaned toward Zabini. "Which elementals are best used for that sort of thing?"

"Fire, air, and earth elementals are all on her trail. Salamanders, Sylphs, and Undines. We've yet to discover which is best," Blaise said.

Gellert sighed. "It's yet another up in the air thing with not much more actual, tangible progress being made than the dreamwork," he complained. "At least the dreamwork has given us contacts who at times can give us useful information."

"Like the warning about the wand shop break in," Rabastan asked, and Grindelwald nodded.

"Yes, like that."

"So, how's she working with Jekyll's dream enemy or whatever," Bellatrix asked, frowning because things she had no answers for annoyed her.

"It deals with the way she headfucked Bella and your man, right," Rabastan asked, eyes on Grindelwald who nodded.

"Yes, we believe so. As Albus pointed out when we did the shielding work at the Ministry, the state Blaise and Bellatrix were in was very dream-like."

"But we've learned to shield against that at least," Bellatrix said and Gellert nodded. "Though I've had at least one nightmare, so perhaps I'm not doing it properly at all times," she admitted after a slight second of hesitation. She was referring to the Azkaban nightmare she'd had after the trip to the wand shop.

Gellert gave a frown of concern. "What sort of nightmare?"

"It was after the wand shop affair...when I was worried about being used as scapegoats and thus being returned to Azkaban. I had a nightmare about Azkaban and how I felt when imprisoned there." She shrugged uncomfortably, not being one to sit around in a circle and share her latest nightmare.

"Therapy will help with things like that just so you're aware," Blaise said.

"And that isn't the type of nightmare you need to worry about, for what it's worth," Grindelwald added, face relaxing into a relieved smile. "We're more concerned about nightmares from the outside… Those that could be sent by others as they could pose possible threats. Those inner cries from ourselves aren't the sort we need to worry about, annoying though they are."

Bellatrix opened her mouth to ask how therapy was helping with his inner nightmares, because from the look on his face he knew them well. She closed it again before the words could escape, though. He was being decent to them and she liked him, so there was no need to snark about an issue they shared.

"That's good to know," she said instead. "It's just grand to have one less thing to worry about."

These days, it truly was.

"Speaking of things to worry about," Grindelwald said. "I haven't forgotten that I promised to help you all get those pesky Dark Marks removed. I've been researching them more extensively, plus theories on how they're formed. I believe the mark itself is placed like a curse. With that in mind, I think we should have that goblin Curse-Breaker we used to remove your Unbreakable Vows to the former Ministry take a crack at removing them. Otherwise, it's cutting a big hunk out of your arm. That's the route Severus and Regulus both took, but you're all so pretty I didn't want to mar you," he concluded with an amused smirk.

"A curse," Rabastan murmured thoughtfully. "We all heard how impossible those are to remove, but if it's a curse, probably with alarm layers set to go off if tampered with, that makes sense! Hey, how do we know having a Curse-Breaker fucking with them won't just kill us?"

Blaise arched his brows at Rabastan. "Well, it's the Curse-Breaker's job to know what not to…as you say, fuck with. The way the magic works involves a bit of rebound so it would kill the Curse-Breaker instead. With that in mind, I'm sure ours has a method of checking before he does anything deadly."

Rabastan grinned. "Cool. I'm down whenever you can get us an appointment with Mr. Breaker." Rodolphus and Bellatrix nodded in agreement.

"I'll have one of my Gob-Gobs at the Ministry send him a note to pop round to Azkaban and see you as soon as he's able," Gellert said with a cheerful smile. "From my understanding, he has a busy schedule, so if he's only free in the evening, I'll send him around to your manor instead."

"Sounds good," Rodolphus said, smiling back. "Thank you. Also...do you actually call them Gob-Gobs to their faces?"

Gellert nodded, amusement dancing in his eyes. "I like and admire goblins quite a lot, from their astounding abilities to their work ethic, and I get the impression that they like me too. They're my favorites. My little Gob-Gobs."

"So they take the name as a badge of honor and not derogatory," Rabastan asked dubiously.

Gellert nodded. "Yes, but I'd not try calling them Gob-Gobs were I you. I am special, after all."

Bellatrix rolled her eyes and smirked. "That you certainly are."

Chapter 81: Dream The Impossible Dream

Chapter 81: Dream the Impossible Dream

The Lestranges spent a few more hours in the Zabini family library chatting with Blaise and Gellert. Most of the time, they forgot that Gellert was The Legend Grindelwald. He was just an amusing person with whom they had discourse on everything from Dark magic to Regulus not living up to his potential. Gellert complained that Black was too depressive and unmotivated. As such, he wasn't participating in the fight against Delphini nearly enough for Grindelwald's liking and he flat out asked the Lestranges to prod Regulus to do more.

Bellatrix wasn't aware that Regulus was being such a wet blanket, but Shadow Ops kept them busy so they didn't see Regulus and Kreacher daily, sometimes not even weekly. She knew he'd never quite been the same after Voldemort, but who was? Gellert was a rather close friend of his, though, so if he was concerned about her cousin, Bellatrix supposed she should be concerned as well. She promised to address the matter with him and Grindelwald seemed happy with that.

"He figured out Voldemort's bloody Horcrux," he said fervently. "He's a bloody genius and I need him doing more."

Rabastan grinned. "Sure thing, Boss. The more he does, the less we have to do, after all."

"Dream on," Blaise said with a smirk.

"I try," Rabastan said.

When they got home it was rather late. Lyra, Harold, and even Rhadamanthus were already asleep, so they quietly took themselves to bed as well.

The next day the goblin Curse-Breaker paid them a home visit in the evening just after dinner. Bellatrix appreciated that Grindelwald kept his word, and so quickly.

"It's most definitely a curse," the goblin said, staring in fascination at the Dark Mark on Rabastan's arm. "It's seemingly dead...inactivated due to Voldemort being dead, but if he escapes her body or finds a way to grow stronger within it, this ugly tattoo could present a problem."

"Then let's get it off us, shall we?" Rabastan suggested.

"I take my payment first," the Curse-Breaker said.

He named a sum for the three of them that made Bellatrix choke. Still, it would be worth anything to get rid of the marks once and for all.

"For that bloody price, there better not even be a scar left," she declared.

"No scar shall remain, I assure you. Your arms shall be as smooth and flawless as they were before you swore your allegiance to a madman."

"Obviously we were not aware at the time," Bellatrix informed through gritted teeth. The goblin shrugged as though he couldn't care less. "We were told that these marks cannot be removed, so are you entirely certain the attempt shall not get us or you killed," Bellatrix asked.

"Voldemort was wrong about many things, and many things are believed to be impossible by those who lack proper knowledge," the Curse-Breaker said. "He likely was unaware of the abilities of goblins when it comes to curse breaking. Something tells me he wasn't the sort to educate himself about races he incorrectly considered to be lesser."

Bellatrix and Rodolphus nodded in unison, exchanging a quick smile when they both noticed they'd done so.

"That's true," Rodolphus said. "He was certainly overconfident, among other things."

"He likely set wards in place against a wizard using typical means to remove a tattoo or unwanted mark, and assumed if he knew of no other way, neither would you," the goblin said. "Though this curse has a few complexities to it, I've seen worse."

Satisfied that lifting this curse would apparently not get them killed, Rodolphus nodded and stood. "I'll go get your payment," he said, and Apparated from the library. Though they kept the bulk of their gold in Gringotts, Bellatrix and Rodolphus kept an emergency stash in a secret compartment in a bedroom wall.

"Is it going to hurt," Rabastan asked.

"Yes," the goblin replied, face impassive. "For a curse as complex as this one it shall likely hurt very much. But you won't feel a thing."

Rabastan grinned. "Well, that's alright then. Especially considering you're about to make a small fortune."

The goblin was indeed about to make a small fortune, but Bellatrix knew he would earn it. His skills were extremely rare and specialized and curse lifting literally was painful. For whatever reason, many people didn't enjoy pain, so that had to make the work more of a chore. While the price was a shock initially, she'd adjusted to the fairness of it.

Rabastan, Bellatrix, and the goblin Curse-Breaker sat in silence for the rest of the two minutes that it took Rod to collect the payment from the bedroom wall and Apparate back down to the library.

"Here you are," he said, depositing two fistfuls of gold beside the goblin who was seated in an overstuffed armchair. The goblin nodded and scooped the gold into deep pockets in the suit jacket he wore. Goblins did have hideous fashion sense, Bellatrix thought.

"Let's get started, shall we?" As he spoke, the goblin reached for Rabastan's arm without standing, as their armchairs were side by side. "Of course you should remain very still no matter how much I scream and writhe, else we shall need to start over and I do charge double for that," he warned.

Rabastan smirked. "That's what she said."

The goblin smiled then closed his eyes, placing his palms on Rabastan's forearm. It may have been her imagination, considering the fact that she knew what was being done and how difficult it was, but to Bellatrix the air seemed to thicken, becoming tense and nearly elastic. Sitting stiffly on the edge of her seat, she found herself holding her breath. The Curse-Breaker's face was blank, his eyes unfocused as he worked with whatever magic was in the mark on Rabastan's arm.

When the goblin's body suddenly stiffened and arched away from Rabastan, Bellatrix started. The scream that issued from the Curse-Breaker's mouth was raw and full of agony. Rabastan, Rodolphus, and Bellatrix exchanged horrified glances, hoping the bloke wasn't about to die!

Gasping and shaking, the goblin collapsed into his chair, huddling in on himself. "Mother...fucker!" he snarled.

"You alright," Rabastan asked hastily.

"Do I fucking look alright?" the goblin demanded, shivering as he curled in on himself.

"Right, but are you going to die? What do you need us to do?" Rabastan pressed.

"I told you earlier that I'm not going to die! I was, however, incorrect as to just how difficult this curse would be to remove," the goblin said. Though his words came out tart and clipped, he was still shivering and looked utterly miserable.

"Did you manage to remove it, though," Rabastan asked, and the goblin nodded weakly. "Yeah. The fucker is gone."

"Let's see your arm, Rabastan," Bellatrix said to her brother-in-law.

Rabastan presented his arm. His robe sleeve was pushed up to reveal smooth flawless skin.

"It's really gone!" Rodolphus breathed, leaning over Bella's shoulder to gaze upon the marvel of his brother's arm.

"Bloody right it is," the goblin retorted weakly. "That did me in, though. It'll be tomorrow before I can remove the next one, then I'll do the final one the day after that. I'll be staying here tonight and probably until I've finished."

"You expect us to take care of you?" Bellatrix demanded. The goblin gave a short laugh.

"Bloody right I do. Just be happy I'm not charging you more gold. I certainly would've charged more had I had any idea it would wipe me out this much, but I stand by my original price quotes because I am an honest businessman."

Bellatrix sighed and rang for Harold. The elf Apparated in right away, causing her to suspect that he was hovering just outside the library door. She couldn't blame him for being curious, but they'd sent everyone out of the room earlier just in case anything backfired while the marks were being removed. "Our guest shall be staying the night and perhaps even for a few days, so we'll need you to ready a room for him and then Apparate him into it as he is feeling rather weak. Please attend to anything he may need."

"That will only be tea and hot soup, then I just need to rest," the goblin said.

"Very good," Harold said, bowing and heading from the room.

Bellatrix could hear him speaking quietly to someone in the hall, then Lyra and Rhadamanthus hurried in to admire Rabastan's arm.

"Are you quite certain you will be alright," Lyra asked the Curse-Breaker, un-Lestrange-like concern on her face. "If you'd like I can call for a Healer."

He shook his head tiredly. "No, I shall be fully recovered by tomorrow. It just took a lot out of me. This has happened before but rarely, and only after I removed too many curses in a single day."

As promised, he was in top form the next morning, and removed Rodolphus's Dark Mark before they left to work at Azkaban. The Curse-Breaker would remain at Raven's Nest, resting up and readying himself to remove Bellatrix's mark the next day. She found herself eager to be rid of it. The day at Azkaban was uneventful, for which she was grateful, considering the general shitstorm lately.

They decided to stop off at 12 Grimmauld before heading home to avoid entertaining the Curse-Breaker. They had promised Grindelwald to speak to Regulus about being more productive and this seemed like a good time to do it. Fortunately, Regulus and Kreacher were home. After sharing the exciting news and showing off Rodolphus and Rabastan's clean arms, Bellatrix got right to the reason for this visit.

They were seated in the library and Bella waited impatiently for one of the four elves to serve tea. Even after so long, it was still weird having tea while Kreacher and Regulus couldn't drink it, but nothing could be done for that. At least they weren't having cups of blood instead, she thought with an inner shudder. Though the sight of blood could be pleasing, watching her cousin and his elf slurping it from tea cups would've been disgusting.

"It's actually far better straight from the warm tap," Regulus told her, a smirk playing around his lips. "I can read minds, remember," he said, snickering at Bellatrix's startled expression.

She scowled. "Well, perhaps you can tell us why we're bloody here then," she suggested.

"I don't try to read your mind, Bella," Regulus chided almost gently. "That would be rude. It's just that when some thoughts are particularly vivid, I can't help but see them."

"What aren't you doing for Grindelwald that he wants you to do?" she demanded and it was Regulus's turn to look startled.

"I don't know."

She sighed, regarding Regulus thoughtfully. He was of average height with a slight build, neatly combed shoulder length black hair and deep blue eyes. His face was as youthful as it had been when he'd first become a Death Eater back in nineteen-seventy-nine. Sometimes looking at him could really bring the past back home.

"He feels you aren't living up to your potential," she said. "You know, you started off with such a bright shiny future, and you haven't done anything particularly remarkable of late."

Regulus shook his head. "It isn't like that. It doesn't work like that and Gellert Grindelwald of all people should know! One doesn't just suddenly do brilliant things. They must be inspired, often by circumstance. I was inspired by Voldemort for good or ill, motivated by his actions in various ways. Likewise, Gellert was inspired by his need to be out from underneath the Muggle thumb."

"Well, I think he expects you to be inspired by the need to get rid of Delphini," Rabastan suggested drily. "He also seems to think you're depressed?"

Rodolphus arched his brows at Regulus who shrugged. "I have my moments of regretting the past."

"Far too many of them, if anyone asks Kreacher," the elf muttered morosely.

Bellatrix smirked and sipped her tea. Kreacher was never one to hold back and she was sincerely glad that all the hell they'd gone through hadn't changed him.

"Gellert wants Kreacher to come into the Department of Mysteries a few evenings a week and check some of the items for anything they may have missed, so perhaps I'll go along with him," Regulus mused and Bellatrix smiled.

"I'm sure Gellert would like that."

They visited for a bit longer then went home, arriving just in time for dinner. As it turned out, the Curse-Breaker was not in need of entertainment, preferring to eat in morose silence… or perhaps that scowl was just a normal expression for a goblin. While they ate, Lyra chattered about her day at the Ministry where she continued teaching the Aurors about Auras. Obviously some of them had more of an aptitude than Bella, Rod, and Rabastan, else Lyra wouldn't need to keep going to teach them. Bellatrix wasn't particularly envious, as the process of working with Auras felt rather tedious and likely something more attune to Healers or strong psychics.

After dinner, everyone retired to the library to read and the evening was spent pleasantly and quietly. The next morning, Bellatrix woke excited to have her Dark Mark gone. As she dressed, she scowled down at it, glad to know that very soon, she would never have to see it again. Perhaps with it gone, the unwanted memories could fade as well. After breakfast the Curse-Breaker reached for her arm while they were all still seated around the table.

"Let's get this done, Mrs. Lestrange," he said.

Bellatrix nodded, pushing up the sleeve of her dress. The goblin's hands were warm on her skin. Trying to relax, she drew in a deep breath and let it out slowly. It felt as though the goblin's palms were pulling at her skin as if trying to unstick from it, but when she glanced down, his hands hadn't lifted from her arm in the slightest. In spite of this the sensation of tugging on her skin grew more intense. Though odd, it wasn't at all painful. With a now familiar scream of agony, the Curse-Breaker arched back into his own chair before collapsing into it in a heap.

Bellatrix glanced down to see the creamy skin of her arm unblemished and unmarked. "Wow," she said, letting out a little laugh.

Though she'd seen Rodolphus and Rabastan's arms perfectly free of the Dark Mark, having her own gone was somehow a bit of a surprise. She'd believed it would happen, but knowing she no longer had it was freeing in a way she'd never expected. Once someone was marked, they were marked for life and everyone knew it. Or so they'd believed. They were tied to the Dark Lord, and he could find them forever. He had a claim on them forever. They were his property. This was understood among the Death Eaters more and more as time had gone by in his service. Now she was free, though... completely free!

"Thank you," she said, turning to the goblin with a warm smile. At one point, being marked was an honor, then it had become a tracker, and now she was simply fully herself again.

"You have a gift, and we are fortunate to benefit," Lyra said, giving the Curse-Breaker a warm smile.

"Right, and now I just want to lie down," the goblin muttered darkly. Harold stood and hastily moved to attend to the Curse-Breaker while everyone else headed to work.

Chapter 82: Money, Power, Respect

Chapter 82: Money, Power, Respect

Later that evening when Bellatrix, Rodolphus, and Rabastan returned home from Azkaban, Harold met them at the door. That in itself was telling, as the elf usually had better things to do unless there was a message to be delivered or unexpected visitors were present.

"Your sister and her husband are waiting to see you, Miss Bellatrix," he said with a slight bow. "Harold put them in the library with some tea. Would you like them to remain for dinner?"

"Our day at work was fine, thanks," Rabastan said drily.

"Harold is pleased to hear it," the elf replied. He always seemed to feel dubious about being drawn into any sort of casual conversation. That was one reason Bellatrix suspected he may relish the plague doctor mask that kept his expression hidden.

Rodolphus gave a brief grin of amusement at the exchange, but Bellatrix frowned, wondering what Narcissa and Lucius wanted. Paying an unannounced visit in the middle of the week didn't feel like a social call.

"I'm not sure if they shall be staying for dinner. I will tell you as soon as I know," Bellatrix told Harold.

The elf nodded. "Yes, Miss."

"Is Lyra in the library with our guests," Bellatrix asked.

"Indeed so," Harold agreed.

"Let's see what's going on, then," Bellatrix said. The three headed for the library where they found Lyra having tea with Narcissa and Lucius. Though no one looked amused, due to Lucius being present, all three seemed relatively relaxed so Bellatrix assumed the world wasn't ending. That was a relief, because these days one never bloody knew.

"Yo, Lucius! How's it hanging?" Rabastan crowed.

Lucius's face turned purple. "Good evening, Rabastan," he replied after a strained moment. "Bellatrix, Rodolphus."

"Good evening, Lucius," Bellatrix said, and Rodolphus nodded as he took Bella's hand and moved to sit on the sofa.

Rabastan headed cheerfully to the liquor cabinet and took down an ornate snifter. "Anyone else want brandy in their tea," he asked, before moving across the room to the tea pot that rested on a low table between Narcissa and Lyra's chairs.

"Are we having tea," Rodolphus asked, and Bellatrix considered for a moment before shrugging. "I suppose. Are we having brandy?"

It was Rod's turn to shrug. "Why not? We can celebrate having our Dark Marks removed."

"Oh yeah, we still gotta celebrate that," Rabastan grinned. "I was just having a drink for the fuck of it, but that makes it sound so much bloody better!"

"You what," Lucius asked.

"Oh yes, I forgot to tell you," Lyra said apologetically. "It really has been an exciting several days."

"You got your Dark Marks removed," Narcissa asked, eyes widening. "How? That's supposed to be impossible."

Bellatrix rose and pushing up the sleeve of her dress, approached her sister's chair to show off her clean left arm.

Narcissa leaned forward to take a close look, fingertips lightly tracing the spot on Bella's arm where the imprint had so recently been. She made a soft sound of amazement, then glanced up into Bella's face. "It's truly gone," she breathed. "Look, Lucius!" Lucius glanced over as Bellatrix presented her arm for his perusal.

"We had a Curse-Breaker remove them," Rabastan explained as he handed Rodolphus a silver brandy snifter with his well-spiked tea. "Yours is coming up, Bell," he said, heading back over to the liquor cabinet.

"How much did that run you," Lucius asked Rodolphus.

"It was pricy but well worth it, I think," Rodolphus replied.

"I don't see why you'd bother when it hardly shows now," Lucius stated. "It doesn't even look like a snake now that the Dark Lord is dead."

"Yes, but who knows how long he shall remain dead," Narcissa said as Rabastan approached Bellatrix with her drink in one hand.

Taking it with a grateful smile, Bellatrix nodded in grim agreement as she moved back to the sofa to take her seat at Rodolphus's side. "Indeed, Lucy, better be nice to the goblin Curse-Breaker long enough to get yours off unless you potentially want her tracking you some day," she said, relishing the suddenly ill expression that came over his face.

"He's upstairs resting now if you'd like to speak with him," Lyra suggested.

Lucius's brows shot up. "You have a goblin staying in your house?"

"No. We keep him on the roof, actually," Rodolphus said, managing to keep a completely straight face as he spoke.

"We prefer not to share air for too long with the vermin, but the Dark Mark was such a powerful curse that he could only remove one per day. After doing so he was entirely wiped out and unable to do much. As we needed him to remove three, he remained here with us. I wasn't going to actually give him a room though. A blanket and pillow was enough."

Lucius actually nodded in agreement and understanding before everyone else burst into laughter.

"He's in a guest room, Bro," Rabastan managed through his guffaws. "Damn! Even we aren't that bad, but you obviously are… Good to fucking know!"

As the laughter continued, Lucius glared icily.

"Would you please speak to the Curse-Breaker on our behalf?" Narcissa said, her cool politeness cutting the mirth as effectively as any knife.

"Sure," Lyra said, giving her aunt a polite smile. "If you'd like to remain for dinner, though, you could speak to him yourself," she suggested.

Narcissa shot Lucius a worried look. "I think not. If you would speak to him on our behalf and give him our address if he is willing to remove Lucius's mark, we would appreciate it immensely."

Bellatrix nodded. Likely her sister was rightfully concerned that Lucy would manage to offend the Curse-Breaker so thoroughly that he would refuse to remove the mark.

"We came to bring you all copies of the books Regulus gave me the titles for," Lucius said a bit stiffly. "I was able to track them down. I gave Regulus the originals and made duplicate sets for our library and yours."

"Thank you, Lucius. That was very kind of you," Bellatrix said, honestly a bit touched and surprised at his thoughtfulness on the matter.

"Here is a receipt for your bit," Lucius said, passing a crisp slip of parchment to Rodolphus. "They were pricy."

Well, that was more like Lucy. Not at all generous, Bellatrix thought. She could read clearly on Rodolphus's face that he was contemplating telling Lucius to consider the Curse-Breaker referral their payment, but after a brief hesitation, he shrugged and stood.

"I'll get you the gold right now. Lacking magic as you are, I can only imagine things are more difficult and thus more expensive for you in many areas." He smirked and left the room. Bellatrix knew she was smiling and she didn't care. Rod was brilliant and when he got the last word in on people like that, it was sexy as hell!

"Let's see the books then," she demanded and Lucius drew a package wrapped in brown paper from under his chair.

He passed it over to Bellatrix who took it eagerly. Just holding the books in her hands without even opening the wrapping that covered them transported her mentally back to the past. To the Durmstrang library into which she, Rodolphus, Rabastan, and Regulus, along with Kreacher, had broken. All but Kreacher had been on assignment from the Dark Lord to steal four books. However, Regulus had brought Kreacher along to help, feeling that his elf magic could come in handy if they were discovered breaking into the library of a school none of them had attended.

One of Rod's French cousins had helped them to get in and the job was relatively easy, all considered. Bella and Rod had even stolen an extra book for themselves on sex magic but never read much of it. Idly, she wondered if they still had it around. They should as they never got rid of books. Perhaps if she ever had a bloody moment, she'd find it and give it another look. The concept had interested them, but the writing style was incredibly dry, which did not seem at all fitting for sex magic. As if on cue, Rod reentered the room.

"There you are," he said, handing Lucius a handful of gold.

"Very good then," Lucius nodded. To his credit, at least the git didn't bother counting the coins, Bellatrix thought.

He stood and Narcissa followed suit. "We shall leave you to your dinner," she said, moving across the library and bending to give Bellatrix a quick embrace.

She smelled of floral perfume, and Bellatrix smiled, embracing her in return. She hadn't visited with her sister nearly enough of late, and realized that she'd missed her. "Be safe," she said and Cissie nodded.

"Promise." She straightened and moved to Lucius's side, bidding Rabastan, Lyra, and Rodolphus farewell. Taking his hand, the two walked out and Bellatrix drained half of her brandy-tea, then rose to tell Harold that there would not be two extra for dinner. She'd nearly forgotten. When she returned to the library, Rodolphus was unwrapping the new books.

"Talk about a trip down memory lane," she said with a smirk and he nodded.

"I'm feeling left out," Lyra lamented.

"Don't worry, you weren't even born yet," Rabastan told her.

"Alright then, I feel better," she decided.

"We've got to comb these books for anything we can discover of what Delphini could be utilizing," Bellatrix told her daughter. "The Dark Lord sent myself, your father, your Uncle Rabastan, and Regulus to break into the Durmstrang library for copies of these books in nineteen seventy-nine. Being the knowledge whores we are, and considering he did not tell us not to, we had a quick peak into them before delivering them to him. It was in one of them that Regulus read something that allowed him to put two and two together concerning Voldemort's creation of a Horcrux. With that in mind, we hope there are other tidbits in these pages that we can use to discover more of what he was planning with Delphini and consequently more of what is happening now."

"Ooh," Lyra said, reaching for one of the four books that Rodolphus had placed on the nearest table. "That's exciting. These must have some super rare knowledge for him to want them so badly."

"Indeed," Bellatrix nodded. She, Rabastan, and Rodolphus all settled down with a book as well, and everyone read in silence until Harold appeared to announce dinner.

Chapter 83: Prices Rise And Gossip Dies

Chapter 83: Prices Rise and Gossip Dies

When the Lestrange family entered their dining room, the Curse-Breaker was already seated. Bellatrix thought he was looking nearly up to par, only a bit tired and drawn, but his movements were steady.

"I will take my leave after dinner," he said.

"If you'd like to make more money, we have another client for you," Rodolphus shared as everyone else took their seats. "Turns out Lucius Malfoy wants his Dark Mark removed as well. He stopped over to drop some books off for us and was very interested to hear of your work."

"He's a proper ass, so I do not suggest recovering at his place," Bellatrix said.

"For sure," Lyra chimed in.

"We can accompany you to Malfoy Manor if you want the job, and then bring you back here to recuperate if you like," Bellatrix said. "And were I you, as he's such a git, I'd charge him double."

"I'm already doubling the price for the removal of those marks, now that I know what an utter motherfucker it is to remove them," the Curse-Breaker said firmly.

Rabastan smirked. "Very well, quadruple it for Malfoy then. He's likely to cause you to emotionally regret it if you don't."

The Curse-Breaker nodded. "Advice taken."

"So you want the job, then," Rodolphus asked, and the Curse-Breaker shrugged.

"Why the hell not? It's gold, and he may be a right git, but his gold is as golden as anyone else's. I will take you up on your kind offer to rest here after I remove his mark, and thank you." He glanced to Bellatrix as he said that last bit, as she'd been the one to extend the invitation.

She nodded. "Sure. You're no trouble."

"So what's your actual name," Lyra asked the goblin. "You hardly talk, and I get you not wanting to be social, but a name could help the politeness situation in case we need it."

Bellatrix wondered if it made them particularly rude that they'd never bothered to ask. But he hadn't offered it either.

"The name is Gorse, but please do not feel the need to converse," the goblin said and Bellatrix gave him a smile. A Curse-Breaker after her own heart. "I can take care of the Dark Mark removal for Malfoy in the morning if it works for you all," Gorse said and Lyra nodded.

"I can take you there, then bring you back here to recuperate." She turned to her parents."Then you lot won't have to miss any time at work."

"And that's good, because we really hate being away from fucking Azkaban," Rabastan drawled.

After dinner, Bellatrix sent Narcissa a note informing her that Lyra and the Curse-Breaker would be coming round tomorrow morning to remove Lucius's mark. She included the quadrupled price, of course without saying that it was quadrupled. It would be more convenient if Lucius already had the money ready so that Lyra and Gorse wouldn't have to sit about waiting for him to collect it.

The next morning, the Curse-Breaker was already at the breakfast table when she and Rod came down with Rhadamanthus faithfully at their heels. He was looking far better. The color had returned to his cheeks and his eyes were sharp and alert. A pity that would only last until he removed Lucius's mark.

"The morning paper is here if you care about it," he told them, gesturing to where it was folded in the center of the dining table. "There's a really interesting article on the front page. Apparently that lying viper Rita Skeeter has gone and offed herself." He lifted his mug of coffee in an air toast. "I must say, it's quite refreshing to read good news for a bloody change."

"Brilliant," Bellatrix breathed as Rodolphus reached for the paper.

How convenient! Skeeter's drowning was taken as a suicide! Bloody brilliant! Rod began to read the article and Bellatrix leaned to see it as well. As she read, she found herself laughing out loud because it was getting better! It seemed Dumbledore had already started the process of suing Skeeter for her book of slander about his life. Skeeter being found drowned in her bath, coupled with the note they'd made her write, led Aurors to the conclusion that she'd offed herself as a result of her lies coming home to roost.

The author speculated that Rita did not have enough money to pay Dumbledore off if he won his case against her. The author likewise speculated that others would follow Albus's example and sue if he won, because she'd lied about so many people so blatantly. She wouldn't have been the first to off themselves due to debt, a career crash, and discredit.

"It's like the gods were smiling on us," Bellatrix murmured, then chuckled in pure satisfaction.

"You're not the only ones who wanted her dead," Gorse said. "I'm sure many a witch, wizard, and goblin will be buying a pint tonight to celebrate."

Bellatrix nodded. Though she'd have loved to brag that they'd actually tortured and snuffed out the foul flame that was Rita Skeeter, she kept her silence. She didn't see the Curse-Breaker as the type to spill secrets, but handing another person something to hold over your head just for bragging rights was stupid. The Lestranges had their faults, but they weren't bloody stupid!

Due to Rodolphus being extra hungry and having three helpings of breakfast, Lyra and Gorse ended up departing for Malfoy Manor before Bellatrix, Rodolphus, and Rabastan left for Azkaban. Rod was just polishing off his final plate when Rhadamanthus cleared his throat. Waving a foreleg to get their attention he stepped away from the table.

"There is a voice calling out from...I think the library. It doesn't belong to Harold," the Acromantula rasped.

"Sounds like someone is calling from the fire," Bellatrix said. "Perhaps one of our parents. I'll just go check. Thank you, Rhadamanthus."

The spider was certainly a useful guard with most excellent hearing, she thought as she hurried out of the dining room.

Bellatrix entered the library just in time to hear Lyra's name being called. Turning toward the fire she saw a face ringed in the flames that she'd never seen before. The young man's head was framed in short brown curls and his eyes were blue and lively.

"Lyra isn't in," Bellatrix snapped. "Who the hell are you?"

The young man's eyes widened at the sight of her. "I know who you are! You're Bellatrix Bloody Lestrange! Why if we weren't talking through a fire, I'd ask for your bloody autograph!"

Chapter 84: Meeting The Criminally Strange Parents

Chapter 84: Meeting the Criminally Strange Parents

Bellatrix blinked. Then she smiled. Then she gave a cackle of pleased amusement. No one had ever expressed an interest in her autograph before. This little fucker had to be deranged! This was a quality she could respect, were he not probably dating her daughter.

"I suppose you're the boyfriend," she said suspiciously.

'Yes, ma'am. I'm Cassius Winterhaven." Deranged but polite, Bellatrix observed. Interesting.

"Well, Winterhaven, Lyra isn't here. She's gone to take a goblin Curse-Breaker to my sister's manor. As it probably isn't safe to leave him there, she is waiting for him to break a curse, then she is returning here with him so he may recover in peace."

"A goblin Curse-Breaker! I'm missing all the good stuff," Cassius declared. He leaned forward eagerly, cheeks flushed in excitement or perhaps from the heat of the fire, Bellatrix couldn't be certain.

Bellatrix sighed. "Oh yes, things are just thrills around here," she said drily. "You are aware of Delphini, are you not?"

Cassius nodded, then hastily put a finger to his lips in a hushing gesture, eyes wide. "She could have the Floo networks hexed to notify her when her name is spoken… Like He Who Must Not Be Named had some hex placed on his name, or so legend says. You were in his inner circle, though, was there any truth to that?"

Bellatrix shrugged. "No bloody idea."

"Lyra said she's been teaching the Aurors about Auras for combative magic."

Bellatrix nodded. "It's interesting but not really for us. Her father and I, that is," she clarified with a little shrug.

Cassius grinned. "Auric work can be useful to add another dimension to spellwork, but you lot are so badass you can easily survive without it."

Bellatrix felt one corner of her mouth twitch. She liked the kid, so the fact he was most probably going to die soon was almost unfortunate. "Rodolphus will probably kill you, you know," she said with a chuckle.

"I do hope not," Cassius said sincerely. "Did Lyra tell you of my many impressive abilities? I am a most excellent catch for her, you know."

Bellatrix frowned. "If it's something perverted, we don't talk about that. In our minds, our child is pure, and if you say it is otherwise, I might have to kill you myself."

Cassius smiled, but he drew back a little. "If anyone could make a Killing Curse work through the fire, it's you, Mrs. Lestrange."

"Bloody right," Bellatrix said.

"And, of course, it's not perverted," Cassius said, returning to his abilities. "I developed a few useful skills working magical security, is all. But about Lyra...is she being safe," he asked, switching topics.

The sudden worry on his face made Bellatrix like him a little more. He cared for Lyra, else they would not be a couple, but the fact that his care showed...well, she liked that a lot. "Of course she is. We take very good care of her, and she is always with family or Aurors."

He sighed in relief, and gave her a smile. "That's good to know. She said as much, but I wanted to hear it from you, because I still worry. Perhaps it's just that I miss her. We've never been apart this long."

"You went to school together like Rod and I?" Bellatrix said, and he nodded. "That's touching and I can relate. He'll still probably kill you, though."

As if talk of killing had summoned him, Rodolphus entered the library. "I'm finally full and ready to go be bored at Azkaban...who's that in the fire?" Strolling forward to stand at Bellatrix's side, he peered suspiciously at Cassius.

The boyish face framed with soft brown curls that smiled at Rod out of the fire was all too easy for Bellatrix to picture on the top of some pole after Rod chopped it off.

"It's Lyra's boyfriend. We are finally introduced. Insanely enough, he's actually a fan of ours."

"Are we ready?" Rhadamanthus rasped, hurrying in after Rodolphus.

"Wow," Cassius said. "That must be the Acromantula bodyguard Lyra told me about. Hi there, big guy! Like those you protect, you are quite the badass."

Bellatrix would have taken all Cassius's comments as an obvious and transparent way to suck up, save for the eager light in his overly expressive eyes.

"Urm… Well, hi, then," Rhadamanthus rasped, seeming confused as to how he should behave. All eight eyes seemed to rove about as he spoke, and Bellatrix realized that it was annoying not to know precisely what or who he was bloody looking at.

"He was just about to tell me of his many impressive magical abilities," Bellatrix told Rodolphus. She couldn't help but smile as she spoke, because this was going to be amusing, even if it ended badly.

The young man held out a hand, and bowed at the waist to Rodolphus. "Cassius Winterhaven at your service, Mr. Lestrange, sir."

Rod's lips twisted… but not up into a smile. He scowled belligerently at the boy, eyes studied and calculating. "Magical abilities, is it," he asked. "Do any of those abilities involve the talent to survive your head being torn off and shoved up your own ass," Rodolphus asked conversationally.

"No, sir, I don't think so," Cassius answered hurriedly. "I can disable most hex locks, though. My Mum says I'm rather a genius at it. She calls it the damnedest thing. I am also quite good at putting up locking wards, and I have adapted them to hold not only locks in place but spells as well. It's very hard to take any spell down on anything once I've locked it down, sir."

Rodolphus's glare did not waver. "And how is that supposed to help, exactly, when I remove your head and place it ever so unkindly up your ass?"

Cassius shook his head regretfully. "It won't help one bit, sir."

Rod nodded. "I didn't think so."

"Were I ever so kindly allowed to live, though, I could use those abilities to help your Ministry in the current fight."

"I'm not known for my kind nature," Rodolphus said with a smirk. "Didn't you hear?"

"Yes, but I was hoping you were kinder to those who might become family someday."

Bellatrix and Rodolphus choked in unison.

"My abilities can be useful to the family as well as to the Ministry," Cassius went on, unperturbed.

"You just want to see Lyra," Bellatrix said with a frown. "We aren't stupid."

"Of course you aren't, and of course I do, but I could still help nonetheless."

The boy's abilities put Bellatrix in mind of those of her Uncle Orion and that made her sad. Normally when she was sad someone had to pay.

the Ministry had required an entire team to lay the wards on her family's homes, Azkaban, and the Ministry itself, yet her uncle could've done it all on his own. Granted it would've taken Orion longer but still.

Cassius could place wards alone if there was no immediate hurry, she supposed. Then the amount of time spent wouldn't be an issue. And if he worked with a team, the work would still surely go faster than without him. With a sigh, Bellatrix grasped Rodolphus's upper arm and pulled him from the library, closing the door behind them. She wanted to talk in private without Winterhaven hearing.

He was useful, and the gods knew they needed all the power they could get, but he would take their baby away, and she hated the thought of that! They'd just gotten Lyra back, after all.

"Should we see if Grindelwald is interested," she asked Rod quietly.

"No. If Grindelwald is interested, it will make it far more difficult for me to take his head off and stuff it for him," Rodolphus growled.

Bellatrix sighed, nodding. "But if he could truly make a difference, I suppose we should consider that. He does seem a decent sort even if he does intend to marry our baby. I do hate that bit, because we've just gotten her back, but it would be worse were he insufferable and useless."

"Who says he isn't?" Rodolphus growled.

"If the Ministry wants him, I could just eat him after the war is won if you don't like him," Rhadamanthus rasped.

To her credit, Bellatrix did not start, though she was mildly startled by the huge spider's presence. She hadn't noticed him following them. He'd been fast too, because she hadn't even shut the door on one of his legs.

"Who are we killing," Lyra asked, approaching with a cup of tea in hand. "Everything went well. Lucius's curse is removed and Gorse is resting upstairs." Her lips twitched. "He did charge the four times raised price too!"

"Good," Bellatrix said. "Was Lucius polite?"

Lyra nodded. "Not friendly or anything, but yes, surprisingly restrained. So whose life is being threatened?"

"Your boyfriend's, as it happens," Rodolphus said tightly.

"You are not serious," Lyra said, glaring daggers at both parents. "And you too, Rhadamanthus?" she added, turning her glare on the Acromantula."You're better than that."

Rhadamanthus blinked all eight eyes. "I am? I really don't think I am."

"Come on, prats! We'll be late for work and the Aurors shall come a bitching," Rabastan shouted from the front hall.

Rodolphus opened the door to the library and stalked in. "We have to leave for now, but this conversation is far from over, soon to be headless one," he told Cassius, who was still patiently waiting in the fire.

"Please, sir," Cassius began, then he caught sight of Lyra and his pleading expression bloomed into a boyish smile.

"Cassius! Hi! I'm sorry my parents are being psychotic," Lyra said, hurrying toward the fireplace.

"Don't set your dress on fire trying to bloody hug him," Bellatrix said drily and Lyra shot her a frown.

"She thinks I'm stupid," she told Cassius. As Lyra spoke, her gaze returned adoringly to his face in a way that made Bellatrix's stomach turn.

"Prats! Come on!" Rabastan bellowed and Rodolphus sighed.

"This is not over," he growled as he and Bellatrix left the room.

"It was epic meeting you both," Cassius called after them and Rodolphus growled a threat under his breath that involved ball mutilation and feeding the little shit to the spider.

Chapter 85: To Kill Or Not To Kill

Chapter 85: To Kill Or Not To Kill

"What took you so bloody long?" Rabastan demanded as Bellatrix and Rodolphus met him at the front door, Rhadamanthus close on their heels.

"Lyra's boyfriend," Bellatrix said with a frown of distaste twisting her lips.

"As it turns out, he's almost tolerable," Rodolphus said. "A shame he'll be dying and all."

Rabastan snickered as they headed out and was still laughing as they all Apparated.

Throughout the first half of the workday, Rodolphus and Bellatrix were both brooding, neither even interested in torturing any of the unfortunate prisoners.

Neither spoke much after filling Rabastan in on the conversation with Cassius. Rodolphus put the Aurors currently on guard through terse defense drills while Bellatrix checked the wards on all the prison cells, just in case. For his part, Rabastan busied himself in their shared office checking mail and reading over the report left by one of the night guard Aurors. The mail consisted of news updates from the Ministry for the most part.

The three didn't meet up again until lunch in the newly built break room with all the Aurors.

"Oh yeah, Grindelwald had a note in for us with the Ministry reports this morning. He wants us to meet him at Regulus's for dinner tomorrow," Rabastan said, speaking unabashedly around a full mouth of turkey sandwich. "He said it's just a catch up on intel, nothing to worry about."

"Good to know," Rodolphus said. "The last thing we need is more to worry about."

Bellatrix nodded. She was curious to know what Grindelwald had to share.

"You think Regulus will be cool enough to have drinks for us," Rabastan asked, and Bellatrix's lips twitched.

"There should definitely be tea, milk, pumpkin juice… You know, the usual." She shrugged, struggling not to laugh at the scowl on her brother-in-law's face.

"Now you're just being mean," Rabastan chastised.

"Well, she has to take our mood out on someone, doesn't she," Rodolphus asked.

Bellatrix sighed. She did have a very good reason to be in a foul mood. For a moment she'd almost forgotten. "What are we going to do about that," she asked, turning a worried gaze to Rodolphus.

"I suppose we'll be asking Grindelwald tomorrow night if he has a use for the boy's talents. If he says no, I can just kill him and have done with it," Rodolphus said, an eager light glimmering in his eyes.

"He has useful abilities," Rabastan asked in open interest.

Bellatrix shrugged and Rodolphus silently glared.

"He can unlock any hex lock if he speaks the truth, and he can lock things just as thoroughly as he can unlock them. The ability isn't limited to wards. He can also lock spells in place. If he can lock an attack or defense spell in place SHE can't unravel it," Bellatrix said.

"Sweet," Rabastan acknowledged regretfully. "Killing him will be a waste if it comes to that, but what can you do?"

Rodolphus nodded. "Exactly! I can't let him take my baby girl away when we just got her back."

"Plus the idea of her doing adult shaggy things makes me all sick," Rabastan said, making a face. "It's like in my mind she's still three if the boyfriend topic comes up."

"Exactly," Rod and Bella agreed in loud unison.

After lunch, they got back to work, and the rest of the day went far more cheerfully. At least more words were exchanged with far less sulking. When they arrived home in the evening, it was to discover a fuller house than usual waiting for them. Druella and Cygnus were present as well as Corvus. They were all in the library having pre-dinner drinks and chatting with Cassius through the fire. Gorse was even present, looking almost recovered from the morning's curse removal for Lucy.

"So how the hell does this come to be that I meet the boyfriend last?" Rabastan demanded, giving Lyra an affronted frown.

The three Lestranges stood in the doorway of the library, united in their displeasure.

"You could've met him this morning if you'd wanted," Lyra said. "And besides, Cousin Regulus has not met him yet, nor has Aunt Narcissa or Uncle Lucy."

"None of them matter and you know it," Rabastan dismissed, not giving an inch.

"You must be Rabastan," Cassius called from the fireplace. "It is wonderful to meet such a famous and interesting wizard. Lyra has spoken of you often, of course in the fondest of ways."

Rabastan stepped further into the room to get a better look at the fireplace where Cassius's boyish face ringed in soft brown, messy curls was framed in crackling orange flames.

Idly Bellatrix wondered if they'd ever killed anyone so cute before. Probably not, but she was certain they could manage.

"Flattery will probably get you nowhere," Rabastan said firmly. "But yes, I am Rabastan."

"I wanted the grandparents to meet Cassius too," Lyra said, turning a suspiciously intense gaze on both of her parents. "Now that the two of you have met him, it only seemed fair."

Rodolphus scowled. "Fair for what?" he demanded.

"Fair that I got a chance to plead for my life to all family members, I think," Cassius replied. "Good evening, Mr. Lestrange, Mrs. Lestrange," he greeted as a polite after thought. "What's it like working at Azkaban? I mean, I can see it as dreadfully dull considering you already had to spend so much unwanted and undeserved time there, but then again it could be cathartic being in charge."

Undeserved! He was really trying to suck up, though his voice did seem oddly sincere, Bellatrix thought. "Dreadfully dull for the most part," she replied drily.

"Although a little cathartic at times," Rod added.

"Come and sit down, the three of you. Have a drink with us before dinner," Druella said, gesturing them over to the long sofa.

"Actually, a drink sounds good," Rabastan said, heading over to the liquor cabinet.

"I'll get it, you sit," Druella said and he gave her a grateful smile.

"So are we expected to dine in here so that Curls can dine with us?" Rodolphus demanded darkly as he and Bellatrix settled with Rabastan on the sofa.

"Of course not," Lyra said, frowning in exasperation at her father. "I did ask Harold to make your favorites for dinner, though."

Rod perked up at that, but he tried to hide it with another frown. "Why? What have you done? And how do you know our favorite foods anyway?"

"To butter you up a bit. I haven't done anything, so I am offended that you asked, and I asked the grandparents for all your favorite dishes," Lyra replied.

"If I might say so, I rather like the nickname Curls," Cassius said a bit shyly. "Especially because it was given to me by the famous Rodolphus Lestrange."

Famous, not infamous. The kid was definitely at least a little warped, Bellatrix thought happily.

Rodolphus grunted in reply, and somehow Cassius took this as a form of encouragement, so he continued.

"I really admire each and every one of you and being in your company is a true honor. I know we already have one thing in common, and I hope it can bring us together. It is our love for Lyra. She is a wonderful girl, and we all know this.

"I don't want to take her away from you, so if you are concerned about that, please don't be. If your Ministry can use me, I will gladly move to London. I would never expect Lyra to return to Australia when she's finally reunited with you all. Besides, London is way cooler anyway," he concluded, breaking into a roguish grin.

Bellatrix felt tears springing to her eyes, though if at his understanding of the situation or her fear of losing Lyra, she couldn't say.

"What a darling boy," Druella said, giving Cassius a doting smile as, with a flick of her wand, she floated the three drinks she'd just poured over to Rabastan, Bellatrix, and Rodolphus.

It was obvious that Curls had won her over. "Your grandma has such a precious French accent, Lyra," Cassius said.

"Unlike Rabastan, I am completely open to flattery," Druella said with a chuckle.

Lyra gave a triumphant smile. "I knew having him meet the rest of the family would work. They see how brilliant he is, and they won't allow you to kill him," she told her parents.

"While that was a brilliant idea, I was hoping I could manage that on my own merit," Cassius said, gaze moving worriedly between Lyra and Bellatrix and Rodolphus.

"We'll see," Rod said cryptically and Bella nodded.

Chapter 86: Delightfully Dysfunctional

Chapter 86: Delightfully Dysfunctional

Harold walked in then to announce dinner, and Lyra waved him over. "I'd like you to meet my man. His name is Cassius. Cas, this is Harold. He works for my family."

Harold peered at Cassius through the goggles on his plague mask. Bellatrix somehow got the feeling his expression was stoic, though, of course, not a bit of his face showed through the mask.

"So bloody badass," Cassius breathed. "You completely rule!"

Harold turned toward Bellatrix and Rodolphus as if uncertain as to how to react and Bellatrix grinned, shrugging. "Harold appreciates the sentiment," the elf said, turning back to Cassius with a slight bow.

"We'd better go eat before my dad gets truly grumpy. The man likes his food," Lyra said.

After bidding a farewell to each individual in the room, Cassius faded from the fire.

"At least he didn't blow kisses at Lyra," Rabastan said. "I'd have to kick his ass."

Lyra scowled over at her uncle as she rose from her chair. "I am not a baby and you are all being insane about the fact I had a life before coming here. My parents were shagging at sixteen, and this double standard is ridiculous! Now let's go eat."

"They most certainly were not," Druella gasped, eyes widening. Corvus shot her a confused look, and she glared, rising to place her hands on her slender hips. "Are you telling me that you were aware of our sixteen-year-old shagging, Corvus Lestrange?"

At that, Lyra gave a very Bellatrix-like cackle of glee from the doorway.

"I'm really hungry," Rodolphus said. Grasping Bellatrix's hand, he tugged her up from the sofa as he hastily rose himself.

"They were in my house," Corvus said, staring dumbly at Druella. "I thought everyone knew. It wasn't as if they asked permission. Bellatrix was in Rod's room almost every night of that Christmas break when they were sixteen. She was at breakfast nearly every morning, then she'd go back home for whatever you lot were doing that day."

Druella's mouth worked in silent shock.

"I knew they were going to get married. He'd already given her that raven skull necklace she still wears," Corvis said. "It hardly matters, Druella. She and Rod were thick as thieves anyway, and besides, they looked after Rabastan."

"Well, we'll see you all in the dining room whenever you decide to join us," Rodolphus said. Hand still in Bellatrix's, he walked toward the doorway of the library, but Lyra was blocking it and did not step aside.

"No," she told her father with a wicked grin. "This is too good. I'm sorry…almost."

"So you just allowed them to turn your manor into a sex den?" Druella squawked at Corvus.

"No, that was not how it happened, Druella," the elder Lestrange retorted, obviously struggling for patience. "Bellatrix was already there and already in his bed by the time we noticed. The deflowering, as it were, had already been done, and I knew they would marry someday, so what was the point of objecting?"

Rodolphus released Bellatrix's hand and stepped forward, scooping a squealing Lyra off her feet. Setting her down a few paces away from the door, he took Bellatrix's hand again and strode from the library.

Bellatrix grinned. "Were you embarrassed, then?"

"No. Just hungry."

Bellatrix grinned again.

"Well, maybe a little embarrassed," he admitted after a moment. "It isn't as if it's that big a deal anyway. What was I supposed to do, shag outside on the cold ground or wait until we're bloody married?"

A laugh rang out behind them but was hastily turned into a cough. Bellatrix turned to see Harold following at their heels. Rhadamanthus was nowhere in sight, which was odd when food was concerned, so the spider must have stayed behind for the drama.

"I wonder what they're saying now?" Bellatrix said as they entered the dining room.

"When Harold left, Mistress Bellatrix's mother was going on about parenting skills," Harold said. From the way the elf's voice shook slightly on the last few words, Bellatrix could tell that he was trying not to laugh again. "Rhadamanthus suggested it was her own skills that she perhaps should be questioning, considering it was her daughter slipping out of the house nightly."

Rodolphus let out a gleeful laugh as he pulled Bellatrix's chair out for her and settled into his own. "I love that spider!"

Before more could be said on the matter, everyone else at last filed in, settling around the table. Druella gave Bellatrix and Rodolphus a dark look, but Bellatrix spoke before her mother could. "Well, in other news, Grindelwald invited us to dinner tomorrow night at Regulus's."

"Why, because the Minister lives there," Druella asked, and Bellatrix gave Rodolphus a wicked grin. She'd learned the art of distracting her mother at a young age, and damn it, she still had it down to a bloody art!

"I hadn't considered that, actually," Bella replied honestly. "He and Regulus are also close friends. As he recently asked us to speak to Regulus on a personal matter, I assumed it may, in part, be about that."

"Is Regulus well, then," Cygnus asked. "So many dreadful things befell that family. And I truly believe he never recovered, the poor boy. He always seems so… I don't know, subdued?" Cygnus gestured expansively with his water glass, splashing a bit over the sleeve of his black robe.

"Cygnus," Druella gently chastised, dabbing at the damp spot with her napkin.

"His eyes are always so sad," Cygnus continued. "All of those horrors the poor lad went through seem to have broken him, and it's such a waste how he always stays so to himself."

"He has Kreacher," Rabastan observed with a casual shrug. "It's all he ever wanted anyway. He's fine, just a little lazy is all, and Grindelwald has us moving on that for him." He grinned. "We're his favorite thugs, you know," he bragged.

"That's nice, Dear," Druella said.

"Regulus just had so much potential," Corvus said. "I truly expected him to do more with himself."

Cygnus nodded. "All that rubbish with Voldemort just beat it out of him."

"Grindelwald is aware and it's being attended to," Bellatrix assured.

"I hope so," Cygnus said.

"I have been working on locating some of Mr. Grindelwald's former followers, and I expect news very soon," Druella said. "I will pass any information on to you, and you can pass it onto him," she told Bellatrix and Rodolphus, who nodded dutifully.

Thankfully the meal continued peacefully, as Bellatrix, Rodolphus, and Rabastan caught their parents up on current goings on, or at least those they could freely speak of. Then Lyra turned talk back to Cassius, but in such a way that Bellatrix found herself more intrigued than annoyed.

"Did Cassius have a chance to tell you how his locking ability compliments my Mind Ripping," she asked.

"He did not," Bellatrix said, openly interested.

Rodolphus managed to cover any interest he may be feeling with a dark scowl.

"When combining Legilimency and Occlumency with his locking ability, he can basically lock down the mind. Just, sort of, shut it down. It's rather brilliant!"

"So the person is alive but basically non-functioning," Druella asked and Lyra nodded happily.

"That's it."

It was then that Bellatrix realized that having Cassius around to protect Lyra might not be a dreadful idea.

"I worry about HIM living inside of Delphini and how that will all turn out. If he grows more dominant, how he may influence her and who shall be stronger in the end?" she admitted with a sigh. "I worry that he is angry that we escaped him, and his influences, and that we managed to save our child from him. He had to have intended us to carry his Horcrux in our child. Knowing that if we did ever regain our memories of that night, we still would never kill our child just to get rid of him. We've thwarted him more than once, and he won't forget it. He certainly won't forgive it! I fear for Lyra's safety any time I have a moment to worry, and if this ability of Cassius's can protect her, I won't object too strenuously to his presence," she said, glancing at Rod.

Admitting this twisted her heart and caused a lump to rise in her throat. She hated letting her baby go, even if only as a concept. She knew Lyra would still be here, but she would be sharing her attentions with Cassius once he arrived. They would no longer have her entirely to themselves, and she wasn't ready for that. It was preferable to Voldemort getting to her, though.

"I suppose you have a point," Rodolphus said reluctantly and Lyra smiled.

Chapter 87: Kings And Queens

Chapter 87: Kings and Queens

"Do you know what this dinner meeting is about," Bellatrix asked Regulus and Kreacher once they were settled in the library at 12 Grimmauld. They were having pre-dinner drinks while waiting for Grindelwald and Zabini to arrive. Rather, the Lestranges were having drinks while Regulus and Kreacher looked on politely.

Regulus shrugged slender shoulders in seeming unconcern from where he sat on a dark green sofa with Kreacher at his side. Black may be a bit depressive, but that didn't prevent him from at least keeping his physical appearance in order, Bellatrix observed. Regulus wore a dark gray dress robe that contrasted nicely with his pale complexion and neatly combed shoulder length black hair. Kreacher sported a dark green tunic, providing a suitable contrast.

"Not really," Regulus said casually. "Gellert said it wasn't anything majorly concerning, whatever that means."

"It means though it is concerning, it isn't majorly so," Rabastan said cheekily, and Regulus arched his brows. Kreacher frowned at the younger Lestrange in mild disapproval.

"Thank you, Rabastan. It always helps when you repeat what I just said," Regulus said drily, with a reluctant grin.

Feeling herself losing interest in the conversation, Bellatrix sighed, causing Regulus to glance in her direction.

"What's the matter?" The genuine concern in her cousin's voice had her answering readily enough.

"It's Lyra's blasted man. I think Grindelwald will be interested in his services once he is made aware of them, which means she's won. She was all triumphant about it last night and it galls."

After dinner, Lyra had gloated silently all evening, an insufferable happy expression all over her face for bloody hours.

"What has she won," Regulus asked, exchanging a confused look with Kreacher.

"She's won the right to have him here, and in our lives if Grindelwald wants him here," Bellatrix replied. "We'd all sort of wanted him to stay in Australia...forever and ever!"

"So what will Grindelwald find so useful that would bring him here instead?" Kreacher wondered.

Bellatrix summarized Winterhaven's locking and unlocking abilities and how they could be used on a person's mind. To her annoyance, both Kreacher and Regulus looked fleetingly impressed.

"Even worse, he actually seems to relish us in all our twisted glory," Rabastan complained. Bellatrix and Rodolphus nodded together in glum agreement.

Before Regulus or Kreacher could ask for clarification, the door chime sounded, resounding through the entire downstairs of the manor. It seemed Grindelwald and his man had arrived.

"Well, we're about to discover what isn't majorly concerning," Rodolphus drawled, lounging back on the blood red loveseat.

"I can't bloody wait," Bellatrix said, meaning it. She was far more interested in that than speaking to their glorious blonde leader about Cassius Winterhaven.

When the library door opened, one of the four elves who worked for Kreacher entered first, Gellert and Blaise following. They still wore their Ministry robes and name badges. Like the Lestranges, they'd obviously come straight from work.

"May Stormy offer Mr. Zabini and Mr. Grindelwald a pre-dinner drink," the elf asked politely, and both men nodded.

"Yes, thanks," Blaise said. "That would be nice," Gellert added appreciatively.

The two settled side by side in matching arm chairs near the fire as everyone exchanged general greetings with them. While Stormy moved to the liquor cabinet in the corner to attend to the drinks, Blaise and Kreacher exchanged a few words about some project on which they were working together.

One of the ways Kreacher added to the Black family wealth was to craft magical items with Blaise that were sold in the shop Zabini co-owned with Grindelwald. Blaise had asked Kreacher to work with him nearly two decades ago when wishing to study the ways wizarding and elf magic could mesh to craft powerful magical items.

Even when they were all young, Bellatrix had expected Regulus and Kreacher to go far together, but Kreacher was mainly the one to venture into activities with others. Thus expanding the family wealth and his own credentials and knowledge, while Regulus remained a silent supportive partner. Since his return to wizarding society, Regulus remained subdued. Kreacher on the other hand had flourished with Regulus's return, bringing him into a circle of Dark wizards who saw him as an equal because Regulus did.

When Stormy presented Blaise and Gellert with their drinks, Kreacher and Blaise wound down their shop talk so that Gellert could get to the reason for the visit.

"There is a bit of worrisome news," the blonde began slowly, his gaze moving to the Lestranges. "In light of everything else that we are currently dealing with, it likely isn't that important, but it's still worth filling you all in. The third Shadow Ops member who got the secret orders from Delphini was killed the day the Ministry exchanged hands, probably by Delphini or on her orders. Obviously that means we shall never know what his orders were."

"The one who partnered with Alec and the other bloke when they got the Murtlap and Fire Crab company extermination orders," Rabastan asked, and Gellert nodded. "That's a situation I'll never forget," Rabastan chuckled. "I mean, I've never been forgiven for torturing anyone...then again, I've never apologized for it before either. How's Alec doing anyway?"

Gellert shrugged. "Fine, I suppose. I didn't send a counselor around to check or anything."

Bellatrix snickered appreciatively.

"He did give us the name of the third partner who was given the secret orders, and that's how we discovered his death. At least if he was forced to feed Ministry intel to Delphini, he is no longer able to do so," Grindelwald concluded.

"So the good news is he's dead, and no longer able to work against us in any way, and the bad news is if whatever Delphini had him doing was important enough to keep his partners from hearing, we'll never know," Bellatrix summarized.

Gellert nodded, a worried frown creasing his brow in spite of his relaxed demeanor. "Exactly."

"If it was so secret she didn't want the other two Shadow Ops partners to know, it's probably at least mildly epic," Rod stated unhappily.

Gellert nodded. "I have a guess that it involves magical explosives due to visions I have had," he admitted reluctantly.

"Magical explosives! Where," Bellatrix demanded. She knew of some spells that could be magically explosive, and those were only fun when used on others. If Delphini could perform a similar function that one could just stumble upon... Well, that was no good at all.

Gellert frowned. "I'm not sure yet. Perhaps they have not yet been placed. I have placed my own detection wards with the aid of some specialized goblins, though. They should alert us to the presence of such devices if they are placed in the Ministry or Azkaban, as well as the homes of anyone I consider to be important."

Bellatrix frowned and drew herself up, but Gellert was speaking again before she could. "Your house has been covered along with this one, plus the homes of your families as well. Settle yourself."

Bellatrix sank back into the loveseat with a sigh. "Thanks." Grindelwald considered them to be important! That would probably never get old even if they were deserving.

"Sure," Gellert shrugged. "You are useful." He grinned, and Bellatrix found herself returning the smile.

"Damn right we are."

Stormy entered then to announce dinner, and Bellatrix realized just how famished she was. Regulus and Kreacher led the way into the dining room where the Minister was already seated near the head of the table.

When Kreacher and Regulus took their seats, it put her at Kreacher's right hand. The little blonde greeted everyone warmly, as casually as an old school chum rather than the Minister for Magic. Having connections with those in power did have its cozy moments, Bellatrix thought. Not so much for the reasons she would've once considered relevant, though.

Where once she'd valued such high connections to climb the ladder of power with Rodolphus, these days it simply served to make her feel safer. A wall of friendship and loyalty around them in these dark times could only serve each and every person who was a part of that wall. Power meant protection, and mutual trust only strengthened that power. The fact they were all friends meant a lot.

Friends would go further for one another because they cared. In the old days, Bellatrix had only cared for family and had no friends. Getting to know Grindelwald better, and working with this new Ministry, had changed that in ways she had never expected.

"The food smells good," Rodolphus observed. "What is it?"

Plates were already set at the table, and everyone settled down into empty chairs. Blaise and Gellert sat across from Kreacher and Kereston, while the three Lestranges sat in a line at Regulus's other side. Bellatrix lifted her fork, peering at her full plate as she did so. The smell was indeed appetizing, but the layout was not familiar as such. The rice and vegetables were mixed with chicken and pineapple. While she knew each item individually she had never seen them combined in such a way, and the aroma, though oddly appetizing, was strange as well.

"It's Chinese," Gellert answered with a happy smile.

"Pineapple rice, Kreacher believes," Kreacher added thoughtfully. "Kreacher got his elves a Chinese cookbook so that he might surprise Gellert with his favorite dishes." The elf grinned in a satisfied way as Gellert eagerly dug in.

"Your elves got it exactly right! I owe you one, my friend," he told Kreacher after finishing his first bite.

"Not at all," Kreacher assured. "Kreacher is happy to provide."

"It is really good," Rodolphus said, looking up from his own now half empty plate. "I approve of China."

"I'm sure they will be glad to know it," Bellatrix retorted, flashing her husband an amused grin before taking a bite herself. It was very good!

"I never thought of pineapple with rice before as it sounds fucking weird, but it really works," Rabastan announced.

"It's also good on pizza, believe it or not," Blaise said.

"We shagged on a giant pizza once, you know," Gellert shared, then grinned happily at the disgusted expression on Bellatrix's face as she lowered her fork to stare at him.

"Dude, that's fucking nasty," Rabastan cackled.

"Not at all," Gellert assured. "It was delicious."

Bellatrix never thought she'd be eager to bring up Cassius Winterhaven, but if it took the topic off Zabini and Grindelwald shagging on a giant pizza, it worked for her. "We finally met our daughter's man, and unfortunately, you may find him useful."

"Oh," Gellert asked, interest now firmly averted.

Bellatrix sighed and gave a brief summary of Winterhaven's abilities, again. When she finished, Gellert grinned.

"I knew the Lestranges were my favorites for a reason! How soon can you have him here?"

Chapter 88: Love Is The Hero

Chapter 88: Love Is the Hero

Bellatrix found herself enjoying the interesting Chinese food less and less. She ate slowly as conversation flowed around her. At her side, Rodolphus was also noticeably silent. He obviously shared her mood, or at least a similarly unpleasant one. She was more stunned and dejected than precisely angry for once.

She didn't know why she felt so crestfallen at the confirmation. Of course Gellert would want Winterhaven here. His skills were rare and useful, two things that could not be turned down these days. Still, the realization literally gave her the sensation of her daughter emotionally slipping away when they'd just gotten her back!

When Winterhaven arrived, Lyra would be spending enough of her time with him, and not dedicating her entire focus and attention to her family anymore. Bellatrix hated feeling as though, in a sense, she was losing Lyra all over again. It was ridiculous and for the most part untrue, but her feelings did not give one bloody damn!

"I would like the two of you to come to the Department of Mysteries over the weekend to have a look at the brain room, the love room, and a few others," Gellert said, his gaze on Regulus and Kreacher. "The place is far less crowded on the weekend, so you won't have as many distractions. It's dead in the evenings save for the guards, and no one will be in the rooms I would like you to study," he explained. "I would like to see if wizarding vampires can sense anything that the rest of us mere mortals cannot."

Something in his words caught Bellatrix's focus, though he wasn't addressing her. "Why the love room," she asked.

It seemed odd to be worrying over love at a time like this. The Dark Lord certainly hadn't understood the concept. Not for himself or anyone else. Perhaps for his snake, but then again, feeling kindred with something did not necessarily mean one had to love it if one did not truly have the capacity to love oneself. It could be a cherished possession, but only as something to own and talk to as he never could to a human rather than something to truly care for in any sentimental way.

Losing the snake meant losing a strong general, and something he could trust, that could not betray him. Considering all that, she hardly saw how love could help to defeat his daughter who had him in Horcrux form, all warm and cozy inside of her.

"Love seems to have killed him the last time so it bears studying, even if the same thing may not work twice," Grindelwald answered.

Bellatrix frowned as she considered. "I suppose it did at that."

"Mum seems to feel it may have been some sort of sacrificial magic instead, which would mean gods were involved, so we are researching other possible options," Gellert said. "As love is more accessible than gods, though, we're hoping we can discover something useful in the love room."

Bellatrix nodded. Though to her mind a bit of a stretch, she supposed they couldn't rule out the gods possibility. Especially considering what Kreacher had recently recalled of his time in the boat with Voldemort and the unsettling conversation they'd had.

Who knew what dark goddess Voldemort would choose to sacrifice to! She gave an inner shudder of repulsion over the fact that even remembering someone else's past conversation with Voldemort could make her skin crawl. At times like this, she couldn't comprehend how they'd ever found him in the least bit charismatic. Then she reminded herself that he was just that good. What he could do to the minds of those he managed to draw in was like a piper calling his ensorcelled townsfolk to him. Not to mention hindsight was a sharp toothed motherfucker, as Rabastan would say.

Grindelwald was too right, though. The love route would be far more manageable, complex as it was. As such, she turned her own mind in that direction as it beat sulking over her daughter's love life. What was it about love that could save another person from the most vicious Killing Curse? How, precisely, did it work?

"Could we come along," Bellatrix asked suddenly.

"Sure," Gellert said. His tone was expansive and he gave her a lazy grin. "Wait… Where?"

She chuckled, shaking her head and arching her brows in mock annoyance. "To the Department of Mysteries to study the love room with Kreacher and Regulus."

Gellert shrugged. "Sure. I don't see why not. Just meet up with Kreacher and Regulus and go in with them. It makes clearance faster, and the guards will have to open up fewer times to allow you lot to come and go."

"Meet up with us here around seven Saturday night," Regulus suggested. "That should give us all time to grab a spot of dinner beforehand while not being out too late at the Department of Mysteries."

Bellatrix nodded even as she made a face at the concept of the "spot of dinner" Kreacher and Regulus would drink for their evening meal, red and coppery. For his part, Rod didn't miss a beat, shoving another spoonful of Chinese pineapple rice into his mouth. It seemed the thought of a blood diet didn't rattle him in the least.

"What are we supposed to be doing in the love room again," he asked Bellatrix, frowning.

"Yeah," Rabastan hastily chimed in. "I don't get it. It sounds stupid, really. And for what it's fucking worth, I can't manage to make myself believe that a heaping dose of WOVE killed the former Dark Lord, either."

"I didn't say all that," Rodolphus said, and Rabastan shrugged.

"I don't know exactly," Bellatrix said. "I just started wondering if we could use love as a weapon. A weapon of the sort that doesn't get anyone killed or sacrificed unless they're the enemy, that is. I'm not trying to turn anyone into Potter's parents, but there should be another way to weaponize strong love if it worked for them."

Gellert studied her with a considering expression, nodding slowly. "I would be extremely interested in that."

At his encouragement, the wheels in Bellatrix's mind began to turn even faster. "What if the six of us could work as some sort of set? Me and Roddy, you and Zabini, Kreacher and Regulus. We've all gone through hell for one reason or other that would've broken lesser people, yet we're here.

"Well, Zabini hasn't gone through as much as the rest of us, as far as I am aware, but the two of you were apart for a very long time, considering he wasn't born yet for most of your life. If the six of us are some sort of destined fighting team as I speculate we could be, the reason you're so far apart in age could have a meaning... Like you could serve as two ends of the spectrum of time, to end this and bring it all full circle."

She fell silent then, a little embarrassed lest she'd just gone out on a very long limb of conjecture. Gellert didn't laugh or object, though.

"They are the furthest apart in age, yet ended up the same age when Gellert took the youthening potion," Kereston said thoughtfully. "That sort of closes the time circle of their prolonged separation if you look at it that way, which ties in with what you said. So far apart, and then it goes around to being the same age again, anyway."

Gellert and Bellatrix nodded their mutual understanding, and Kereston gave a pleased smile. "I like studying and connecting patterns," she told Bellatrix in way of explanation.

"It makes her quite useful," Gellert said and Kereston put down her fork to smack him on the arm. Gellert gave a happy laugh as he attempted and failed to dodge a second arm smack from the little Minister.

"So you're thinking of using our love for one another as a weapon or a shield," Blaise asked Bellatrix, who nodded.

"Yes. Both perhaps, but we shall have to study the room before my thoughts can become more concrete."

"Gel and I have studied it as much as time has allowed, and it keeps feeling as if we're right on the edge of something, but we can never get to it," Blaise said, shaking his head in frustration. "That's why we're having Kreacher and Regulus take a look. Hopefully you three can add something as well."

"Hey, I'm not in one of the loving couples, so I can just stay home," Rabastan declared.

Blaise arched his brows. "You don't have to be involved to make an observation or have an idea, so you should still come along."

"Fine, fine," Rabastan said, heaving a sigh.

"Is Bella thinking that the love shield will work because we have all suffered from Voldemort," Kreacher asked. " If so, it only applies to the four of us, not so much Blaise and Gellert."

Bellatrix shrugged. "That could be one pattern, but there are others. Gellert, for example, could've been pivotal in Voldemort's rise for all we know. Unintentionally and unwillingly, of course, but had Gellert not been imprisoned, I doubt the Dark Lord would've ever risen to power. He was trying to be another Grindelwald, at least he made us believe as much. With Grindelwald still free and active, the world would have no room for another."

Kereston nodded. "Yes, I thought of that before, and I agree. If something is stopped unnaturally that should've perhaps been allowed to happen, the natural repercussions can be nasty, and in this case, Voldemort-sized. Things get way out of hand, and we all have a huge evil mess to clean up."

"If we all do need a direct Voldemort connection, though, Blaise did grow up in fear of him," Gellert said.

"Of course it isn't anything close to what the rest of you went through," Zabini said hastily, an apologetic expression on his face. "But I can't deny it did have some psychological impact whether I like it or not. Not to mention, it certainly did make my parents lose their bloody minds with their killing seven husbands game!"

Kereston's lips twitched. "That was kind of funny, though."

Blaise shot her a scowl. "You didn't have to live with them. Trust me, it got old faster than you'd think."

"Alright, all six of us have some connection that leads back to Voldemort. And all of us have the proper sort of love that can be used as a weapon, if my speculation is at all correct," Bellatrix said.

"What sort is that," Rabastan asked.

"Crazy devoted. It's the sort of love that would die for one another, but instead struggles to live for one another, because we know the one we love wouldn't live without us. It is all. It is psychotic, which is why it could make the perfect weapon."

Chapter 89: Group Therapy

Chapter 89: Group Therapy

"Speaking of psychotic love," Grindelwald said, deftly spooning up the last bit of Chinese food from his plate. "We have our first group therapy appointment tomorrow at eight in the evening."

"Where," Bellatrix asked.

"Would Gellert like more?" Kreacher offered, eyeing the blonde's empty plate.

"Regulus and Kreacher were kind enough to allow us to meet here," Gellert told Bellatrix. "It seems neutral enough, and these two are quite aware of all of our issues." He turned to Kreacher then. "I would actually, thank you," Gellert said, smiling warmly.

"Me too," Rodolphus said, and Kreacher rang a small silver bell that sat in front of him on the table. One of his elves appeared and he requested seconds for Gellert and Rodolphus. Kreacher's pleasure that his foray into Chinese food had gone over so well was evident in the satisfied glint in his eyes as he regarded all the empty plates.

"That's kind of you both, allowing us to meet here," Bellatrix said, glancing from the elf to Regulus.

"Yes, Kreacher is very kind," the elf murmured rather immodestly, causing Regulus to grin.

"It's no trouble at all, Bella," he assured. "Kreacher and I could probably use some group therapy as well. It isn't anything we'd ever considered before, but as you're all doing it, can't hurt to try it out. We all suffered at Voldemort's hands. Kreacher and I both have guilt issues that could use sorting." He glanced uncomfortably down at the empty bit of dining table before him as he spoke.

"Besides," he added, brightening as he glanced around at the group at large. "It gives us all the opportunity to spend more time together, which seems to be a bit of a luxury these days."

Blaise nodded, placing his fork down onto his freshly emptied plate. "Indeed. I've really missed working with Kreacher. I never thought I'd be a Ministry drudge, but Delphini has managed to make things different in the most difficult of ways for anyone fighting against her."

"Isn't that the truth," Rabastan agreed fervently. "I've cut my drinking by fifty-seven percent because of that bitch!"

Kereston gave an incredulous laugh. "How do you figure fifty-seven percent?" she wondered.

Rabastan shrugged. "It's just an educated guess, but I'm rather educated, so I feel it's relatively accurate."

Bellatrix snickered, shaking her head. "Gods!"

Grindelwald smirked. "Though I am the only god present, I will do what I can to help you, my Dear."

Bellatrix rolled her eyes as the elf returned with Gellert and Rodolphus's second plates of food.

With all the news shared for which Grindelwald had called the meeting, the rest of the meal was relaxed and uneventful. While Regulus and Gellert spoke of various topics of magical research, Bellatrix found her mind wandering ahead to tomorrow evening's event.

She found herself a bit fretful over the concept of group therapy, but it was something they should at least try. They could tolerate everyone in their group, and knew them well. She couldn't bring herself to sit about with a bunch of strangers talking of her feelings or any traumatic events that were none of their bloody business.

By the next evening when the three returned to 12 Grimmauld Place after a rather tedious day at Azkaban, Bellatrix was still feeling uncertain. Mostly, it was that she had no idea what to expect. It left her rather agitated. As it happened, the group therapy was being held in the library.

"I find that our sort are always comforted by books, and I figure this calls for a comforting environment," the redhead who Gellert introduced as Mag Snape said, giving the three Lestranges a shy, yet equally friendly smile.

She was tall and willowy with long red hair that fell to her waist and large green eyes. She wore green robes, and her hair was tied back with a silver scarf, proudly stating her Slytherin pride.

She wore a long crystal wand about her neck on a silver chain. The crystal itself was studded with seven stones of various colors. It reminded Bellatrix that they wanted to speak to her about getting wands. Rod must have noticed the wand pendant at the same time, as he stepped forward eagerly.

"I was told by a goblin who works for us at Azkaban that you make crystal wands double the strength of wooden ones. We'd like to buy four of them if we may."

"Four," the redhead asked, glancing at the three Lestranges and arching delicate brows to ask where number four was.

"Our daughter could use the extra protection as well," Rodolphus explained and she nodded.

"Oh yes, the Aura girl. That was impressive! Very few wizards are aware of Auric magic. Her idea to use them for physical attacks and such was a very good one, but it's a specialized art. A Dark shaman or Astral Traveler would likely be the best at such arts I am thinking, but that's only a guess."

She knew about Auras and was married to Snape. On the other hand she could make bloody strong wands which was wonderful, so Bellatrix didn't know what to think. The being married to Snape bit in itself was odd, as she was pretty and a bit younger while Snape was...Snape.

"I can sell you four wands, sure. Would you like standard crystals or would you prefer them specially made for each of you," Mag asked.

"Made for us would be nice, depending on how long it takes," Rodolphus said. "Not to rush, but our work is dangerous."

Mag nodded. "Understood. I should be able to come up with something in a few weeks or less. I just need to sort which stones would suit each of you best. Your daughter is easy as she works with Auras, she is going to need lapis lazuli with her clear quartz, I think. It does so many things that would aid and strengthen her in her manner of work."

"Are you aware of her Mind Ripping ability?" Bellatrix inquired, and Mag nodded a bit distractedly.

"Yes. Lapis lazuli is a stone of air, so it should assist nicely in that as well."

"Do I get something black like my soul," Rabastan asked eagerly, and Mag chuckled.

"I could use black agate with clear quartz for yours, I think, yes," she nodded. "I was thinking aventurine, but it may give you more pep than you need, as you seem to have quite a lot on your own." She chuckled.

Rabastan grinned, nodding. "Indeed, Pep is my middle name."

"Especially when he's torturing someone," Regulus smirked. "Now, are we getting to the therapy part of this, or talking wands all evening? Come and sit down, all of you." As he spoke, he waved the three Lestranges over to a row of empty chairs beside Grindelwald.

Mag along with Kreacher, Regulus, Blaise, and Gellert were seated at the square reading table in the center of the room. It was then that Bellatrix noticed that rather than books the table held four bottles of wine and a tray of snacks.

"That's our little Gnerd," Rodolphus said, smacking Regulus fondly on the head as they passed him to take their seats.

"Wine and food! That's nice," Bellatrix observed as Regulus began to pour glasses for those who could imbibe – everyone but himself and Kreacher.

"Yes, I thought therapy may flow better with a bit of wine, at least for the first time," Mag said with a chuckle.

"Is that typical," Rabastan asked happily. "For therapists to recommend booze?"

Mag chuckled. "Probably not, but I'm not a real therapist."

Rodolphus feigned an alarmed look. "You're not?"

"I've studied Muggle psychology extensively, and Blaise and Gellert came to me for help when they needed it. They felt I was beneficial, so recommended me to you all."

"It's all good," Rodolphus drawled, flashing a brief grin as he reached for an olive and cheese cube appetizer. "Just don't mess our heads up more than they already are, and we're good."

"Speaking of messed up heads… You're married to Snape," Bellatrix said, frowning at the redhead. "You're pretty, intelligent, a skilled witch who could obviously have her pick of men, so why? Have you checked into the fact he may have used a love potion or mind spell on you?"

Mag laughed, shaking her head. "Oh, no. Severus would never do anything like that. He doesn't love attention, so it would never occur to him to force anyone to give it to him. I loved him for years before I was able to do anything about it. When I finally could, I am afraid I gave him little choice in the matter."

"If he did the spell properly, and Snape would were he to do such a spell, you would believe you were the one to initiate," Bellatrix said.

"Have you ever seen him doing such things before," Mag asked, and Bellatrix shook her head.

"Gods, no! He hates everyone."

Mag chuckled, nodding. "And there you have just proved my point."

"She just head shrunk you on that one," Rabastan cackled, rocking in his chair. "Thanks, man," he added when Regulus passed him a glass of wine.

"Of course," Regulus said, passing Bellatrix her glass. "Don't trouble yourself, Bella. As Severus was always a friend of mine, he was one of the first people I saw upon my return back in ninety-eight. He and Mag were together for two years then, and as a vampire who can read minds, I can assure you that neither has bespelled the other. Their love is quite natural."

"Severus could have anyone, though, so I am quite fortunate," Mag gushed, green eyes shining with obvious love for bloody Snape.

Bellatrix wrinkled her nose, sitting back so that Regulus could pass a glass of wine to Rodolphus. "If you want Snape with no magical encouragement, perhaps it's you who needs the therapy," she said quietly.

"Alright, everyone has a drink now, so let's get this party started," Mag said.

Bellatrix tried not to smile when the redhead took a small sip from her glass of wine. The Lestranges, perhaps, could make one want a drink.

"Shall we begin with you, Gellert, so that you can help the rest warm up?" Mag suggested.

Grindelwald looked startled and a little uncomfortable, but after a moment of hesitation, he nodded.

"Great then," Mag smiled at him before turning to the others. "I will talk with Gellert for a bit, and then if any of you wish to pitch in with any thoughts, feel free as long as they are supportive. Starting with him, we'll go around the table to each of you in a similar fashion," she explained.

When everyone else nodded, she smiled and turned back to Gellert. "How has this week been for you at the Ministry so far?"

Gellert shrugged. "Well enough."

"Have you had any issues?"

He shook his head. "I don't think so. As you suggested last week, I have reminded myself that I can lean on those friends I work with rather than fearing they are a liability."

Mag gave him a nod of encouragement. "Very good! I'm proud of you."

She turned to the others. "Gellert has been working on dealing with war situations again after being away from such for a very long time. As he has likely told you, it has brought some things up for him. Not only that, though, he has much to adjust to that isn't at all like what he's accustomed to.

"In some ways that makes it easier but in others, more difficult. I am explaining this because it is likely the case with all of you, which is why we are all here, sharing this space together."

She took a sip of her wine then continued. "Currently Gellert is processing the realization that working with friends is entirely different than working with followers. Friends don't follow blindly, but they do love you like no one else does. On the other hand, losing them can hurt far more and in a vastly different way. So considering that he has never had to put true friends in the line of fire during a war, it has put a strain on him."

Once again Grindelwald's vast difference from Voldemort struck Bellatrix. Voldemort had never had a friend unless one counted his snake. Bellatrix remembered Grindelwald shouting at her during the Gringotts attack when she'd fallen for Delphini's mind trick. She'd believed the bitch had her man with a wand to his throat, and Grindelwald had actually rage screamed at her!

It had hit her like a slap in the face. Somehow it hadn't put her in mind of the former Dark Lord's more snide rages with them near the end, though. Instead it had stung even more in that it had shocked her, and even hurt her feelings a little.

"So you didn't want to lose me when you shouted in my face like that at Gringotts," she asked slowly, her gaze moving to Gellert. "You weren't angry that I'd broken rank, but instead upset because you didn't want me to die?"

Gellert gave her an annoyed frown. "Don't be thick, Lestrange. Obviously it was both."

Chapter 90: My Brain Is Scattered!

Chapter 90: My Brain Is Scattered!

Mag studied Bellatrix with a thoughtful frown. Something in her large green eyes flickered, and she seemed to make a decision. "When Gellert shouted at you, how did it make you feel?"

Gellert frowned. "It wasn't," he began defensively, then interrupted himself. "It was her fault for breaking ranks! People could've died!"

Mag gestured him to be silent, then gave him an apologetic smile. "It isn't about who is wrong or right. It is about how Bellatrix felt about it. Feelings form thoughts which form beliefs, then choices and then issues, as you should know by now," she said, tone calm and gentle.

"I wouldn't have broken ranks or endangered anyone, had I not believed she had Roddy," Bellatrix said, eyes resentfully on Gellert. She heard the frustration in her own voice and didn't care. "Obviously this was incorrect, but I didn't see Rod where he was standing behind me. I saw him with her, and her wand was at his throat. Had she had your bloody man, you'd have done the same. And I do believe it was your bloody man who told you how difficult it is to see through those mental illusions of hers, and how they can work on a person's mind."

Gellert scowled. "I don't care. I care about what you should know, no matter what you saw. That… Matters," he enunciated drily.

Sighing, resentful glare still in place, Bellatrix slumped into her chair.

"Let's repeat what I just said, shall we," Mag said patiently, green gaze now on Bellatrix rather than Gellert. "You, like Gellert, are stating facts as you see them, and I asked how you felt, not what happened."

Bellatrix stewed for a moment in silence before pondering the uncomfortable question. As it happened, it was rather uncomfortable indeed.

"I felt upset. Hysterical crying, hurt feelings upset, and that isn't at all like me," she admitted. Suddenly embarrassed, she snatched up her glass of wine and had a swallow. Everyone remained silent, allowing her to continue, so she replaced the glass on the table before her and dug a little bloody deeper. "I knew he was right, but I didn't feel it was exactly my fault. I didn't enjoy him shouting at me over something that wasn't my fault when I'd just been terrified for Roddy's bloody life!"

Mag nodded thoughtfully. "Yes, and what else did that, perhaps, remind you of if you think about it? It doesn't have to make sense," she assured quickly. "Often feelings make connections that logic may not."

Bellatrix sighed. "Voldemort. It reminded me of Voldemort, and how unreasonable he was to us. How unfair it felt, and how when in his company I suppose I also feared for Rod's life. Considering what he did to us, and the fact Gellert said we always remembered it very deep down in our subconscious, I had good reason."

Mag nodded. "Very good! The fact you were fighting his daughter, who also probably has a bit of him inside her, didn't help that trigger, I'm sure."

"I understand that isn't fair to Gellert," Bellatrix freely admitted. "He's loyal to his followers, and I truly believe that my life is never in danger when it comes to him, no matter what. That isn't how I meant it." She flashed a quick look to Gellert who nodded, giving her a slight smile.

"Of course not," Mag said. "Remember feelings and facts don't speak the same language. They don't always share information either. They are literally coming from two completely different parts of the brain."

"No shit," Rabastan asked, and Mag smiled.

"No shit at all." Returning her gaze to Bellatrix, she continued.

"Your feelings aren't saying that Gellert would hurt you. They were saying they were hurt that someone you care for and look up to made you feel, even for a second, in any way like Voldemort did, no matter the reason. This doesn't mean that you, or Gellert, were particularly wrong. Sometimes things happen, and two humans respond in reasonable ways that can be problematic to one another if they did not share the same past experiences that formed their actions."

Bellatrix nodded. She supposed that made sense.

"It's about being able to connect our reactions to past issues, which helps to deflate them a bit, and give them less power over us," Mag said. "Knowledge is always power, after all. Knowing that your mind is adding more weight to a thing now, due to past hurts, strips both past and present issues of some of their pain."

Mag paused to take a sip of her wine before continuing.

"All of you have had some form of trauma in your pasts, so things will come up. Be open to and aware of this, and you can sort it without causing more damage. Ignore it and as these things don't sort themselves, more harm than good will be done in the way you handle situations."

"And we handle it by talking about it," Rabastan asked.

"In part," Mag said. "It's a start, and self-awareness is a huge help in this sort of thing. It helps you to put things in their proper places with proper perspective, and then you're processing and handling things better."

He nodded and she gave him a smile.

"Is there anything you'd like to talk about?"

Rabastan considered for a moment, then shook his head. "Nope. Things have been good. I mean, we're all overworked and not drunk enough, but that's just how it is until we get rid of the disease that is Delphini."

"And you, Rod," Mag asked.

Unlike his younger brother, Rodolphus didn't even pause to think before shaking his head. "I'm good."

"They're bottling," Bellatrix stated.

"If so, that isn't good," Mag said. "But the two of you must be ready to talk in your own time, and when things come up. Do me a favor, though. If you have any feelings, worries, or concerns throughout the week, even if they seem irrational, write them down, and when we meet again next week at the same time and place, we'll talk about them."

Rabastan and Rodolphus both nodded.

"How about you, Blaise," Mag asked. "How have you been feeling?"

Blaise shrugged, giving a tight smile. "I haven't had time to feel much, what with all the work we've been doing in various departments of the Ministry, thanks to Delphini."

"Such a whore," Rabastan muttered darkly, and everyone chuckled in appreciation.

"I suppose if anything, I'm most concerned over the parents at present," Blaise admitted after a moment of consideration. "They're trying to help, which involves keeping secrets, and perhaps endangering themselves." He sighed.

Gellert nodded. "I hate having to worry about them. It makes me just want to... Well, I understand that it sounds twisted, but I just want to lock them up to keep them safe! I know that I shouldn't, so I won't, but..."

"The way you locked your enemies away in Nurmengard," Mag asked gently, and Gellert shook his head before expelling a sigh.

"No, of course not. Not to keep them out of my way, but to keep them safe," he reiterated.

"To keep them from hurting you if they get hurt?" Mag corrected. Her tone was quiet, calm, and free of judgment, Bellatrix noted admiringly.

The redhead did have a talent for this shrinking problems business after all.

"Enemies can hurt us, and if your parents are putting themselves in a position that you feel may hurt you, you may wish to control their actions as you would an enemy's. Be careful with that as things can get twisted in the emotional department. Feeling helpless is not the place from which you want to make decisions. You're too good for that."

"They're trying to protect me! I don't need their protection. I need them to keep safe," Gellert exclaimed in obvious frustration.

"Like, I know that you're all young and shit now, but don't they know that you're bloody Gellert Fucking Grindelwald and, as such, are literally old enough to be their grandfather," Rabastan asked with a chuckle.

Gellert shrugged. "That doesn't matter to them. In truth, it doesn't matter to me either." He grinned. "You haven't seen our mum angry. I don't even dare to stand up to her."

Blaise nodded, chuckling. "She's as insane as the Cheshire cat, that's for sure."

"To you they are your parents, and at times, we very much need to try and protect our parents so that we never lose them," Mag told Gellert. "You and Blaise have perfectly normal feelings when it comes to that."

Blaise gave the Lestranges a slow lazy grin. "She's saying none of our other feelings that bring us to therapy are normal."

Mag chuckled. "You said it. I didn't."

"So what are we supposed to do about it," Gellert demanded. "How are we to keep them safe?"

"Communicate persistently and don't be afraid to show your emotions. Either of you," Mag said. "Let them know that your worry for them could place you in more danger than they know if they aren't completely open with you."

Gellert smiled. "That's good. They never like the idea of us in danger."

"And also it's true," Mag said. "If you are busy worrying for them, you may miss attacks coming from other fronts that you would otherwise have noticed."

Next, Mag turned her gaze to Kreacher. "How have you been?"

The elf shrugged, long slender fingers twisting nervously together. "Kreacher worries… Worries for his family in these dark times, but he has not been feeling any guilt over the past of late if that is what Magritte is asking."

Mag smiled. "Good! Now can we say the same of you, Regulus?"

Regulus glanced down, his shoulder length dark hair falling like a curtain over the left side of his face with the gesture. "I have been putting my thoughts more firmly on the future rather than dwelling on my past mistakes," he said quietly.

Bellatrix arched her brows at her cousin. "Wouldn't it be nice, though, if you actually focused on the real mistakes you made in the past rather than rubbish ones that mostly weren't even your bloody fault? I mean, the real mistakes you could actually take a lesson from?"

Kreacher perked up at once, beaming gleefully at Bellatrix.

"This is why group therapy is good," Mag said happily.

"Alright, Bella. I'll bite. What real mistakes," Regulus asked.

"Well, the fact you've been moping about depressed the entire twenty-three years that you've been back home, for one," Bellatrix said. "Most of your family are here, alive and well. At least three of us survived thanks to you. Yet, you still mope, and blame yourself for things Voldemort was responsible for. You've spent twenty-three years being depressed over mistakes you made that were for the most part unavoidable, when life is right here waiting for you to live. That should be your biggest regret, and you don't even see it."

"The mistakes you made in your youth, following Voldemort and not seeing who he was, were mistakes anyone in your position would've made and did make," Mag said quietly. "Just because you can look back and see how wrong you were, you have no right to mentally flog that boy. Where he was in life is not where you are now with the knowledge that you now possess. It is a very cruel punishment to judge yourself for being where you were at a particular time in your life."

Regulus sat in stunned silence. When he made no comment, Mag turned her gaze to the three Lestranges. "That goes for all of you as well."

Chapter 91: The New Romantics

Chapter 91: The New Romantics

"Do you think we mentally flog ourselves for the shit we did in the past? I mean the following Voldemort shit," Rabastan asked Bella and Rod as soon as they all Apparated into their own library after the group therapy session was over. "You'd think mentally flogging ourselves would be more fun if we did," he complained.

"I don't think we do," Rod said, shrugging.

"Bottling," Bellatrix hummed under her breath. She tried not to laugh.

"He's here," Lyra sang as she darted through the door of the library. "He insisted on staying at the stupid Three Broomsticks so as not to annoy you lot, but I really don't think that's safe."

Lyra's narrowed eyes screamed blatant manipulation and Bellatrix frowned. "So what if he isn't?" She could comfort herself with daydreams over someone wiping Winterhaven out before he could take away their baby.

"Well," Lyra said. "Grindelwald wouldn't like it if something happened to his potential golden boy before he even got to use him."

Bellatrix scowled because her daughter was right.

"Sorry," Lyra said, almost seeming to mean it. "My point is still valid, though."

Pointedly staying out of the conversation, Rabastan sauntered over to his favorite armchair and settled into it to watch the show.

"Well, the boy isn't shacking up with you here, and that's that," Rodolphus said firmly. "I'll write Grindelwald, and tell him where Boy Wonder is. I will also ask if he wishes him to be placed elsewhere."

"I'm going to stay with him wherever that is," Lyra announced belligerently.

Rodolphus laughed. "Oh no, you are not. If you want him breathing, you will conduct yourself properly, and in case you were curious, properly means as we tell you to do until you are married!"

"I am well above legal age," Lyra nearly shouted. Her chin, so like Rod's own, was set in that angry stubborn way her father adapted when especially angry, and at the moment they looked very similar as they glared at one another.

"Still my baby," Rod announced implacably and Bellatrix nodded. "Please, Lyra," she said, suddenly tired. She sighed, struggling to keep her shoulders from slumping as she gave her daughter a pleading look. "Just...we aren't ready to let you go yet."

Lyra sighed as her face relaxed, the anger suddenly draining away. "I'm not going anywhere. But the two of you are going to have to realize that I am an adult. I will be spending private time with Cassius. He loves me, and I love him. And considering the two of you were animals at sixteen you shouldn't talk."

Rodolphus turned pointedly away and walked over to the desk, presumably to write Grindelwald about Winterhaven's accommodations. As far as he was concerned, the conversation was obviously over.

"Where did Winterhaven arrive," Bellatrix asked Lyra.

"He came in through the Ministry Floo from the one at The Australian Ministry. When he applied to the Ministry for his travel visa on our end, he had to explain that he was requested by Grindelwald. The Australian Minister was impressed and wanted to speak to Kereston, so she came through with him." She grinned. "Made him feel important traveling with the Minister, which you've got to admit is impressive."

Bellatrix shrugged. "If you say so."

"I was there working with the Aurors so I got to see him for a bit, but he insisted I come home and he go to The Three Broomsticks," Lyra complained.

"He is wiser than you," Bellatrix said.

She wandered over to the sofa and sank down upon it, idly wondering what the Australian Minister was like and how useful her country would be to theirs in this crisis. Delphini was a worldwide threat, so it was comforting to know more countries were willing to work together against her. One single little girl really should not be such a threat, but with the Dark Lord, or a sliver of him, inside of her and whatever abilities she inherited from her serpentine mother, she presented quite the horror.

It didn't take Grindelwald long to respond to Rod's note. When the reply came, Rod read it at once, giving a slight smile and nod of approval. "He wants Winterhaven to stay at Malfoy Manor. He says there, he can keep an eye on Lucius to make sure all remains on the up and up with him. I like that."

"How are we supposed to explain that to Lucy and Narcissa, though?" Rabastan wondered.

"He's writing them a request that they harbor Winterhaven," Rod said. "When they agree, we will be contacted, and will go fetch him from The Three Broomsticks to Malfoy Manor."

"Good. I shall get to see him again today," Lyra said smugly.

"He shall have the opportunity to see me and my fist as well," Rodolphus said just as smugly.

To Bellatrix's satisfaction, Lyra's pleased smile slipped.

An hour later, they'd gotten the go-ahead from Grindelwald and were Apparating to The Three Broomsticks to pick up Winterhaven.

"We shall ask Madame Rosmerta to fetch him from his room," Bellatrix said as the four Lestranges entered the warm, crowded pub.

"No need," Lyra said, excitement flashing in her dark eyes. "He's right there at the bar."

Winterhaven was taller and wider in the shoulders than Bellatrix expected him to be from the baby face and angelic curls she'd seen in the fire. The face and curls were the same, and his eyes lit up when he caught sight of the four of them. Rather than standing, he eagerly waved them over.

"I've just met Wulfric Dumbledore and his girlfriend Graven," he said excitedly. "Wulfric's father is nearly as famous as the three of you," he told Rodolphus, Bellatrix, and Rabastan enthusiastically.

A pretty faced young man with the red hair and blue eyes of Albus Dumbledore gave them a slightly confused smile. From the way he swayed slightly on his bar stool, Bellatrix wagered a guess that he was drunk.

A bad boy unlike his overly studious father, she noted rather gleefully. The goblin girl at his side wore a long black dress and corset in a style similar to Bellatrix's own, though the goblin's was a bit lower cut. Wait, was Dumbledore's boy dating a goblin?

Bellatrix cackled, idly wondering what old Dumbledore thought of that. Then recalling how exceedingly badass goblin Curse-Breakers were, she decided he quite likely approved of having that power close.

"We're getting Cass drunk," the goblin said, giving a happy laugh as she lifted a hand in a wave of greeting. Her black nail polish flashed with the gesture. Then she blinked, a slow look of shock and mild horror crossing her face as she took in who they were.

Bellatrix knew that look. It was the 'Oh shit! Are they going to start torturing us right now?' look they'd seen all too often. She supposed the girl may have the right to look uneasy because often the answer was yes.

"Cass, you didn't tell us that your girlfriend was a Lestrange," she half groaned, turning away in either fear or embarrassment, Bellatrix was unsure which.

Lyra drew herself up as she marched up to stand directly in front of young Dumbledore and his little girlfriend. "It isn't my fault that my parents are criminally crazy. If you're going to be awful to me, just get it over with," she said resentfully.

The goblin girl blinked in confusion, and it was then that Bellatrix noticed that her eyes didn't look quite right. Could she be high as well as drunk? This was too good!

"I hate it when girls babble for attention," she grumbled with a sigh. "Sit your ass down and stop babbling."

"I didn't want attention," Lyra stated sullenly, but she took a seat on the other side of the goblin girl.

Bellatrix, feeling petty, was rather pleased that the Dumbledore boy and his girlfriend sat between Lyra and Winterhaven, as Winterhaven sat on the other side of Dumbledore who was sitting beside his girlfriend.

"You made friends quickly," Bellatrix told Cassius with a smirk.

"We heard him ordering his dinner, and noticing he was from Australia, we struck up a conversation," Dumbledore said. "Graven and I have spent the last year traveling, but we haven't gone to Australia yet, so..." He trailed off, seeming to have forgotten he was speaking at all.

"Sorry, we're really high," the goblin girl said with a laugh. "There is this pain killing potion and one swig has you in the sky way up on a happy cloud. Add a few drinks to that and...that's us right about now."

"Sounds like a great place to be," Rabastan said. "What's old Dumbledore think about it, though?"

"He mostly pretends not to notice," Wulfric said with a slightly embarrassed grin.

Graven looked thoughtfully over at Wulfric. "Do you think it's because he's all stressed out over the Delphini thing?"

He considered then nodded. "Probably so."

"Are we going to have to be the responsible ones and get you lot home," Rabastan asked, a look of mild horror on his face that made Bellatrix smirk.

"Oh no, we have a room here," Graven assured. "But thank you."

"Speaking of rooms," Lyra said. "Cassius, we've made other arrangements for you, because I didn't feel you were safe here."

"It's quite safe here," Graven protested.

"Just as Hogwarts was safe when Delphini..."

"Lyra," Bellatrix warned. "Be careful what you speak of in public!"

Wulfric nodded. "She's right."

Lyra turned to him, face lighting up as she seemed to realize who he was. "Your grandfather is Albus Dumbledore, right? I got to meet him when we did shields and stuff at the Ministry! He's very talented, and it was an honor to learn from him."

Wulfric chuckled, shaking his head. "He's my dad, actually. My mum is the Headmistress of Durmstrang, and they met when she sought an alliance between the schools right there at the end of Voldemort. Dad came to Durmstrang after faking his death so I grew up there."

Bellatrix bit back an amused smile at Lyra's look of embarassed horror.

"Oh, I'm so sorry!" She turned to her parents, horrified look still in place. "Why didn't anyone tell me?"

Rodolphus shrugged. "You didn't ask."

Wulfric chuckled. "It's really alright," he assured. "We should hang out more as you're both new here," he added, turning to Cassius with a friendly grin. "We can double date or something."

Cassius grinned back. "Hey thanks, man! That'd be great."

Chapter 92: All In The Family

Chapter 92: All in the Family

When guests arrived at Raven's Nest manor as early as breakfast, it was usually someone from the Ministry. This time, though, it was Cassius Winterhaven. When Harold showed him in, Lyra lit up and gave a squeal of joy, launching herself away from her chair at the table and into his arms. Cassius grinned, giving her a quick embrace as his eyes lit up. Before Rod could do more than glare, he was stepping back. "Though I am happy to see you, love, do keep in mind that my life is still very literally on the line when it comes to your parents."

Lyra pouted, flashing them a resentful look.

"Are the bloody Malfoys refusing to feed you?" Rodolphus growled at Winterhaven, not bothering with a good morning.

"Actually they did offer breakfast, but I told them I'd like to pop in and dine with you all," Cassius replied cheerfully. "I figure it gives me time to get to know everyone considering all of our days will be busy with work. Also, to be honest, though the Malfoys were polite and relatively gracious, I can't say that I feel as comfortable with them as I do with you."

"So you're comfortable living on the edge," Bellatrix asked. Lifting her raven shaped coffee mug she took a sip before turning her attention to the eggs and toast on her plate.

"It honestly depends on the situation," Cassius answered. His grave expression suggested he actually put some thought into the question."Getting to know the bloody Lestranges is worth a bit of danger." He grinned.

"So does Harold give him breakfast," the elf asked, the round goggles of his mask fixed on Rodolphus.

Rodolphus sighed. "I suppose so, if Bella doesn't mind."

Bellatrix shrugged.

"Thank you, oh great and crazy ones," Lyra said, taking Cassius's hand and pulling him to sit in the chair beside hers.

"Be nice to them," Cassius chided lightly, then grinned at Bellatrix and Rodolphus. "Thanks."

Harold left to bring Winterhaven a plate of breakfast.

"So you're off to the Ministry today, then," Rabastan asked, and Cassius nodded.

"I get to meet the actual Grindelwald. I mean, compared to the three of you, it shall definitely be a little anticlimactic, but I am looking forward to it nonetheless. It is quite certain that he shall work me within an inch of my life, though, so breakfast will really help to fuel me up for the rigors of the day."

"Flattery will probably get you nowhere," Rabastan said with a grin.

"Not even if it's completely honest and heartfelt," Cassius asked plaintively.

"Is it wrong to feel myself relenting a little," Rabastan asked, turning to his brother and sister-in-law.

"Perhaps not," Rodolphus said grudgingly. "He is protecting Lyra, after all. Aren't you, Boy?" he demanded, turning to Winterhaven.

"Of course," Cassius said. "Sir, I would protect Lyra with my life, I swear it."

"I can take care of myself, you know," Lyra grumbled under her breath. "I have a very nice Mind Ripping ability in case anyone forgot."

"And if Delphini is somehow able to turn it back onto you?" Bellatrix shot back, a lump rising in her throat at the very idea of something befalling her baby.

She would never forget her Aunt Walburga's soul deep misery at the loss of Regulus. She knew she would break under such grief were something to befall Lyra. The fact Walburga had died before she knew that Regulus hadn't, made the entire mess more depressing. Bellatrix's feelings must have shown clearly on her face, and fortunately Lyra thought they were all about her rather than in part about Walburga and Regulus.

"Alright, mum," she said, heaving an exasperated sigh. "Just don't look like that."

Bellatrix gave her daughter a tight nod as she forced a smile. "Thanks," she said, meaning it. If Lyra were careful, it was one less thing she'd have to worry about.

"I'm taking Cassius to the Ministry today, just so you know where I am," she said.

"And you'll be home for dinner," Bellatrix asked.

Lyra nodded. "Can Cassius come too? I mean, you don't want to make him digest his food while looking at the probably disapproving face of Uncle Lucy, do you?" she coaxed.

"My stomach is hurting at the very idea," Winterhaven proclaimed dramatically.

"You can come to dinner IF you stay and drink then drunken duel with us," Rabastan said.

"Brilliant," Cassius enthused happily. Then his face clouded as his eyes filled with concern. "Say, the three of you aren't going to gang up and kill me during this admittedly fun sounding drunken dueling, are you?"

Rodolphus smirked, shaking his head. "Nah."

Cassius heaved a sigh of relief. "Good!"

Rod's smirk widened into a happy smile. "Any of us could take you on our own."

"Dad! Do stop," Lyra said, giving Rod an exasperated glare over the rim of her coffee cup. Draining it, she stood.

"Hurry, Cas. I need to get out of here before they drive me as crazy as they are."

Cassius grinned. "If I eat too fast, I shall get indigestion. Don't you remember learning that in health class?"

Lyra sighed. "Yes I remember, but with my sanity slipping, it hardly seems as important."

"You took health class," Rabastan asked curiously. "The Australian curriculum is vastly different from ours here. We didn't learn about chakras or Auras or how to fucking eat. You lot got some weird shit for your education over there! Plus Auras are weird." He laughed.

Cassius grinned back. "Health class is for Healers and psychics, and in our first year we all have to take it to see what level of potential we can develop," he explained.

Forking the last bite of egg up from his plate he popped it into his mouth, then washed it down with a swig of coffee. "Auras aren't that weird if you look at it right," he said easily. "They're made of the same sort of matter as the mind. Not the brain, but the actual mind, where thoughts are."

"What, like, because you can't see or touch it, but it's still there," Rabastan asked after a second of consternation.

"That's right," Cassius nodded. "Ever felt someone thinking about something? Like if you ask them a question, and they pause to think, you can tell they heard you even if you're not looking at them because it's like a loaded pause?"

Rabastan nodded. "Yeah, I guess so."

"That's because if the thoughts are hard enough they're tangible on your mind. It's something you sense with that intangible part of you that is still very real. Auras are just an extension of that. Psychic ability is in the mind so things reflect in the Aura sort of the same way."

"Why didn't you just say that," Rabastan asked Lyra. "He teaches it better."

Lyra shot her uncle a glare. "I did basically, but I am glad you can appreciate the way Cassius explains things because he is rather brilliant. He can make things all simplistic but super deep at the same time." She gave Winterhaven a loving smile, and Bellatrix found herself glancing away.

"Thanks," Cassius said. "I just explain things the way I think about them."

"So the locking and unlocking thing you do with your mind, that's with the part that one can't touch, the part you're saying can feel someone else thinking," Bellatrix asked.

Winterhaven nodded, smiling at her as if she'd just won the grand prize to something. "Yes, that's exactly it!"

"But isn't that where all magic comes from, then," Rodolphus asked, and Cassius nodded again.

"Well, at least half of it."

"Which is why Auras are important," Lyra interjected.

"And emotions," Bellatrix asked, suddenly thinking of the love room and the work they were to be doing there.

"That's the other part of where magic comes from, yes. Some believe it is still a part of the mind, and others believe in other layers of the soul. It's all dark matter, if you ask me, but others can split hairs," Cassius said with a nearly careless shrug. "I suppose everyone is right when it comes down to it. All theories I've heard on the matter have their valid points, after all."

He stood from the table and gave Bellatrix, Rodolphus, and Rabastan a warm smile. "Thanks again for breakfast," he said with an open sincerity that made him hard to hate. "I look forward to chatting more at dinner. And I'm super excited to drunken duel with you lot! Are there any rules, though?"

Rabastan shrugged. "No killing. Anything else goes."

Chapter 93: Another Bloody Prophecy

Chapter 93: Another Bloody Prophecy

Something Winterhaven said kept nagging at Bellatrix's mind as she, Rodolphus, and Rabastan headed off to Azkaban. Once there, she hurried into the office to write Grindelwald.

Gellert,

Cassius compared Auras to the mind today, and it made me think of the love studies. Dreams are also in the mind or Aura or whatever, so if Delphini is using dreams, perhaps we can use something Winterhaven or Lyra knows to counteract it. Can you see if Jekyll's people have a use for Lyra or Winterhaven's abilities? Do you think we should bring them to study the brain room this weekend?

Bellatrix L

She sent the letter off then tried to change her focus to the present day's work at Azkaban. She didn't want to be there, though, so it was a struggle. She never wanted to be there save for the occasional torture sessions she got into and enjoyed. Being a prisoner there for so long just made it a place not to be in her book. Perhaps someday that would change, but not today, Mugglefucker! Today was even more difficult. The love room and ehe Department of Mysteries in its entirety had far more appeal when she placed it in the category of defensive measures to crush the enemy.

As she wasn't interested in continuing to train the Aurors with Rodolphus and Rabastan, she decided to go torture whichever prisoner looked like he, or she, needed it most. A good solid torturing session would hopefully clear her head and have it ready to get to work on a real challenge later. Making someone scream in agony beat being frustrated.

Gellert's reply letter came while she was wandering up and down the lines of cells, before she'd settled on a torture toy.

Dear Strange Bella,

Good ideas all, and I'm on it, as they say. Your child is here now so I will speak to her and her boy wonder about the brain room directly. Perhaps they can play in there today if there is time after I've given his locking and unlocking skills a good work over. We will speak more on this Saturday. Blaise and I have decided to join you all in the love room because we found something years ago on an old scroll that may be relevant. It appears to be a prophecy, and it is very old. Your thoughts about the six of us caused me to recall it, and I have come to the conclusion that it may be referring to us and our time.

Gellert

Bellatrix read the note over twice, then folded it carefully before sliding it into her corset to show Roddy and Rabastan at lunch. While the idea of another bloody prophecy was enraging, the fact Grindelwald valued her opinions enough to remember said prophecy was something to be proud of.

With her mood mildly improved, she at last decided upon two women and one man to torture and distract herself with until lunch. When she shared the letter with the others as they ate in their office, Rodolphus remained thoughtfully silent.

For his part Rabastan wasn't so silent. Letting out a gusty sigh of exasperation, he put down his sandwich to toss his hands into the air. "Anyone else tired of this shit? He's living inside some freakish creation of his that, by the way, I still can't manage to convince myself to think of as an actual daughter! And now just like with Potty, there is a Mugglefucking prophecy? Seriously?"

Bellatrix shrugged then nodded her agreement, because helpful or not, he was right.

The next two days dragged by with Bellatrix's mind playing with this and that possibility, only to end up frustrated because she could act on none. There were far too many unknowns that had to be explored so it was all about waiting. Winterhaven began a routine of coming to breakfast daily, and he and Lyra were out nightly until late with Dumbledore's son and the goblin girlfriend.

This caused Rod and Bella to worry in a very parental fashion. They reassured one another that Winterhaven would keep her safe and out of any Delphini-shaped trouble. It was odd to find themselves fretting more than their own parents ever had back in the day, and that caused Bellatrix to feel both annoyed and old. At least until she reminded herself that in their day, they were on the side of what many perceived, rightfully as it turned out, to be the current danger.

They were those to be feared, which worked out for them at the time. As the right hand of the current danger, they'd been safe. Safer than Lyra, who now opposed it openly along with the rest of them. How things changed. Such changes would've seemed odd to the young Bellatrix and Rodolphus until, of course, they were made to understand just who they served. Now the very thought made it hard for Bellatrix not to start screaming. She struggled against the urge, though, because there was the fear that perhaps once she started, she wouldn't be able to stop.

When Saturday evening at last rolled around, Bellatrix, Rodolphus, and Rabastan met Kreacher and Regulus at 12 Grimmauld. The five went to the Ministry together, then directly to the Department of Mysteries. Blaise and Gellert were waiting just inside the general department rather than in any of the rooms. Gellert held an old looking scroll in his hands.

"Well, let's have it," Bellatrix said.

Grindelwald nodded, carefully unrolling the scroll. "Some of the letters are too faint to make out properly, so this will be a bit choppy in some places," he warned. He began to read.

"And there shall come a time when enemy must unite with enemy to fight an even greater evil that will span several… Perhaps it is worlds, but it is one of those words that is too faint to see properly so that is my best guess. When I originally worked the translation spell on this eighteen or so years back, I was doubtful that there were multiple worlds, and I thought the word had to mean land instead, even if it translated closer to world. Considering Nimue and Merlin may be hiding in another world, though, if they are being correctly understood, I had to rethink that," he explained.

"Merlin, Nimue, and Arthur must be called then retrained in that which they already know, by those most like them who now live. The enchanter, the mage of wind and fire, and the Muggle of... And here, there is another word that is so unclear and faint that the translation spell I used has nothing."

"As Arthur was a Muggle, we are wondering if a Muggle is needed again for a similar sort of conquest against evil," Blaise said carefully. The look of mild trepidation on his face as he studied the Lestranges made it clear that he was quite aware of just how displeased they would be with this concept.

"You're saying we'd have to fight alongside a bloody Muggle," Rodolphus asked. His expression was a mix of perplexed and doubtful as he regarded Grindelwald's boy toy.

"Perhaps," Zabini shrugged.

"But what the hell can a Muggle do that we can't?" Rabastan demanded. "Of what use could a Muggle possibly be?"

"Especially against the likes of Delphini," Bellatrix said.

"That depends on the Muggle," Grindelwald stated thoughtfully. "A person's experiences and training gives them different abilities, as you know. As we are unaware at present who this particular Muggle is, we can't know how it can help."

"It," Rabastan snickered. "That's about right."

"How are we to find this oh-so-special Muggle anyway?" Bellatrix demanded peevishly. She hadn't counted on her bloody mood growing worse at this meeting. Gaining answers was supposed to improve things!

"We don't know. At least not yet, but things seem to be unfolding bit by bit every day as we progress," Zabini said.

"Would anyone like to hear the rest of the prophecy," Grindelwald asked drily. "Morgana the wise supports their efforts with earth and feelings. When three worlds meet, victory shall be reached. Love is the weapon to strike at the heart of evil. Three groups of three make the mystical power of three to become the power of nine in each world."

When Grindelwald lowered the scroll, Bellatrix shook her head.

"So do you know what any of that means?"

Gellert hesitated, then nodded slightly. "At least we believe we do… Know what most of it means," he clarified and Bellatrix scowled.

"Brilliant. I suppose most has to be good enough," she muttered.

"We can get it all eventually," Grindelwald said optimistically. "The bit about enemy joining with enemy to fight an even greater evil could indicate something as simple as you lot working with Dumbledore to fight against Delphini. As you were once not quite on the same side," Zabini explained. "Or even Gellert and Albus working together as they don't precisely have the same values as a general rule." Gellert smirked.

"And if it doesn't mean that," Rabastan asked. He regarded Grindelwald and his man with suspicion.

"Then it could mean all of us having to fight shoulder to shoulder with filthy Muggles and blood traitors!" Kreacher nearly spat out the words.

Blaise and Gellert nodded, expressions dark as they exchanged a glance.

From the fact Kreacher and Regulus had remained relatively unmoved during the reading of the prophecy, Bellatrix assumed they'd already heard it before.

"That would suck," Rabastan said and Kreacher nodded.

"Indeed."

"We will do what we must to keep our people safe," Grindelwald said firmly.

Bellatrix sighed and nodded, though the idea of fighting shoulder to shoulder with blood traitors and Muggles provided enough nightmare fodder to last several lifetimes. "What else have you figured out," she asked, though now part of her didn't exactly wish to know.

"Well, the fact Delphini's evil is spanning three worlds is disturbing, but we think it is more about her working with those from other worlds, as we are doing. The dream enemy of Jekyll's, for example," Blaise said.

"As Merlin and Nimue have forgotten most of what they know, Gellert and I have been reteaching them. So that bit of the prophecy that speaks of the enchanter and the mage of fire and wind training them has already been enacted. This means that in this world, Gellert and I are the closest to Nimue and Merlin that you'll get," Blaise concluded with a pleased smirk. "I was even mentioned in old texts as Merlin's teacher, but that's obviously a bit of a time mix up on the part of whoever wrote it. Little threads like that are what guide us to figuring things out, though. It led me to understand that I am to teach, or rather reteach him now."

"So if you and Gellert are most like Merlin and Nimue, our mysterious Muggle will be most like Arthur," Rabastan asked and Gellert nodded.

"Yes, but don't go looking for a copy of Arthur. I'm no Nimue, after all."

Bellatrix cackled, waving a negligent hand in the blonde's direction. "You look like a girl to me."

"And you don't," Gellert shot back. He gave Bellatrix a smile that held a playful challenge, but she was in no mood to take the bait. She didn't have the heart to banter at present.

"What else," she asked, her mind having never left the puzzle presented by the blasted prophecy.

"Morgana's strongest element is earth, and perhaps this helps to ground the necessary connection of the three worlds," Gellert said.

"It said something about earth and feelings, though, right," Rabastan asked. "What's that supposed to mean?"

"Feelings in this case indicate the fact she is an empath. She is documented as one of the most powerful empathic witches ever, if not the most," Grindelwald said.

"So she could use feelings as a weapon against Delphini and whoever is working with her," Bellatrix asked.

Gellert nodded, giving her a pleased smile. "Very good, Strange Bella!"

"But why do the three worlds have to meet for us to be victorious," Rodolphus asked.

"Probably because to win, we need something or some talent from those in each world," Bellatrix speculated unhappily. It all seemed so daunting. It wasn't as if they could simply world hop to get everyone together, after all. The growing complications were beyond frustrating.

Grindelwald nodded. "Correct again. You'd get a cookie if I had one to give you."

When Bellatrix only scowled, he grinned then continued with his explanation of the prophecy. "The bit about love being the weapon to strike at the heart of evil, along with the groups of three times three finally fell into place for me when you spoke of us all serving as some sort of love weapon," he told Bellatrix.

"You see, it all falls a bit more into place each day," Blaise said, nodding in satisfaction.

"Would you read the entire prophecy again from the beginning, so I can try once more to take it all in," Rabastan asked gloomily.

Gellert nodded. "Sure." He raised the scroll again and began to read.

"And there shall come a time when enemy must unite with enemy to fight an even greater evil that will span several worlds. Merlin, Nimue, and Arthur must be called, then retrained in that which they already know by those most like them who now live. The enchanter, the mage of wind and fire, and the Muggle of...missing word. Morgana the wise supports their efforts with earth and feelings. When three worlds meet, victory shall be reached. Love is the weapon to strike at the heart of evil. Three groups of three make the mystical power of three become the power of nine in each world."

With the prophecy concluded, Gellert lowered the scroll and began carefully rolling it up.

"Damn," Lyra's voice complained from the doorway, causing Bella to start and whirl angrily around to face her child. The fact she'd started served as an unpleasant indication of exactly how on edge she was.

"We were in the brain room and heard you lot talking," Cassius said.

"It was trippy in there," Graven said and Wulfric Dumbledore nodded. "It really was."

"Simply because you weren't mentioned directly in the prophecy does not mean you aren't involved," Gellert told the youngsters.

"Which of us," Lyra asked.

Grindelwald smirked. "All of you."

Chapter 94: Righting Old Wrongs

Chapter 94: Righting Old Wrongs

"How are we to be involved," Cassius asked.

Grindelwald shrugged. "I'm still working that bit out where you and Lyra are concerned, but I have stronger inclinations for the tasks of Wulfric and his lady."

"I'm in it?" Graven squawked. "I mean, what's it all got to do with me? This isn't supposed to be a goblin thing." Then not quite under her breath, she added, "I am way too fucking high for this."

"If I am correct, you could be descended from the first goblin king, King Ragnuk. My guess is that Wulfric is descended from Godric Gryffindor, perhaps from both parents."

Graven let out a sigh as she blinked blearily at Grindelwald. "So Wulfric and I are supposed to right the past wrongs done to the goblins by old Gryffindor over the stupid sword?"

Gellert flashed her an amused grin. "And here you were thinking you were too high," he chastised. "Though I do recommend not being so high for a while, as you shall likely be working with some very complex magic on a regular basis very soon."

"Motherfucker," Graven groaned, her shoulders slumping in dejection.

"Oh, not being high isn't that bad, really," Gellert told her with an offhand shrug. "And if it makes you feel any better, you've already righted the wrongs between Gryffindor and the goblin king with your relationship alone. What I need the two of you to do now is to kill Delphini for me."

"Oh, is that all?" Graven drawled.

Gellert grinned. "Yep, that's it. Only a small inconvenience really."

"So what was the deal with Gryffindor's sword and the goblins anyway?" Rabastan wanted to know. "Didn't Gryffindor commission the sword to be made by the king, but the king liked it so much after he made it he wanted to keep it?"

Gellert nodded. "Something like that."

"Well, fucking why didn't Gryffindor just let the goblin make him another, and avoid a war?" Rabastan complained.

Gellert nodded. "Indeed, that would've been the logical thing to do."

"I always thought Gryffindor didn't want anyone else to have a sword as powerful as his, so he wouldn't go for that," Graven speculated. "Otherwise what was to stop the king from just making another sword for himself after giving Godric's to him?"

"Perhaps they had no more of one of the necessary components used to make it," Wulfric suggested. "Either way, even if you're right, what can Graven and I do as their descendants now," he asked Grindelwald.

"Dude, I could be royal," Graven murmured with a high, bemused smile.

"How, when there aren't kings anymore," Lyra asked, and Graven shot her a frown.

"Way to ruin my self-glorification moment."

Lyra's lips twitched. "Sorry. Carry on."

"Never mind now, you've already fucking ruined it," Graven complained. "So how are we supposed to kill Delphini for you," she asked, returning her focus to Gellert.

"I just need you to make a sword for your man to use on her," he replied casually.

"You JUST need me to make a sword when I have no fucking idea how to do that," Graven said flatly. "Like… I've never fucked with metal before. I have no inclination, thus likely no talent for it. Aren't people supposed to feel particularly drawn to a skill if they have it?"

Gellert shrugged. "It can work that way, yes, but it doesn't have to. I've discovered myself to be quite good at several things I never had a specific interest in. There was a need and once I put my mind to it, great things happened."

"Be still your ego," Bellatrix said, chuckling.

"Never," Gellert declared with a proud smile. "My ego has earned every bit of the pride that swells it."

"Okay, that somehow sounds perverted," Rabastan tittered.

"It's actually perverse, and yes it does," Lyra said, grinning at her uncle.

"Perverse and perverted," Rodolphus commented with a laugh.

"My husband, the peacemaker," Bellatrix said, smiling at Rod.

"So you really want me to try making a sword," Graven asked incredulously.

"That would be nice, yes," Grindelwald said.

"Why can't I just use the sword of Gryffindor," Wulfric asked. "Presuming that I could even kill her, of course."

"You probably can use Gryffindor's sword, but if she makes one just for you, it may be more powerful for you specifically," Grindelwald answered. "Besides, if possible I would like it to have extra protections in it that the sword of Gryffindor likely lacks."

"What sort of protection," Graven asked.

"Something that stops the unraveling of magic, if you can manage it," Gellert said thoughtfully. "In fact, if you can make the sword solidify any magic she tries to unravel, so it is even stronger instead, that would be optimal."

"And I'm supposed to know how to do that?" Graven demanded incredulously.

"It is my hope that the skills you require will come to you when you begin," Gellert said. "Just give it a go and see what happens."

"And you want it to destroy Horcruxes like the sword of Gryffindor does," Graven asked.

Gellert nodded. "Definitely."

She sighed. "I'll have to study the sword for a while to figure all that out."

"I can get it from my dad any time," Wulfric said. "He likes you, and he'll be fine with you studying it for as long as you need, I'm sure."

"And I shall send you one of the pendants I make that unravels magic so that you can study how to do the opposite with the anti-unraveling," Blaise spoke up. "You may even keep it."

"Thanks," Graven drawled.

"Those take a bit to make and as such are rather expensive so...you are welcome," Blaise replied with a dry smile.

"We'll get one to you as well, Wulfric," Gellert added. "We want our little descendants of destiny to remain safe, after all."

"Descendants of destiny?" Graven repeated with a frown. "I'd like to tell you to stop with the bullshit flattery if only the words didn't make me shiver with dread."

Gellert nodded. "As they should. With power comes many headaches, but you'll get through it."

"Speaking of all that," Bellatrix said. "I was thinking about the 'three groups of three that make nine' mentioned in the prophecy. If the three couples are six, who are the other three?"

"Well, my guess is it's a power of three thing. So whoever the couples work best with," Gellert said.

"For you and Rod, it should be Rabastan. For Regulus and Kreacher, it's Kereston, and for me and Blaise, it's Bramble."

"But not for any sort of kinky threesome shit, right, cause I don't fuck my brother and sis-in-law," Rabastan said.

Gellert's lips twitched. "Gods, no! It's about a magical working relationship, my twisted henchman."

"So it's power of love with just the six of you, and power of three in groups of three when it's the nine," Rabastan asked.

"That's it!" Grindelwald said, as if the younger Lestrange had just won a grand prize. "It will likely depend on the magic we're working at the time. Three is a very powerful number, and right now we need all the power we can get."

"Speaking of, are we going to study the love room, or did we just meet here to talk about prophecies all night?" Bellatrix demanded.

"A single prophecy, and yes, we are going to study the love room right now, Strange Bella," Grindelwald replied.

"We're off home, then," Wulfric said.

"That means home, and not out drinking all night," Bellatrix called to Lyra as the four young people walked away together.

"What was that she said? I couldn't quite hear her," Lyra said, glancing at Graven with arched brows.

"Lyra," Bellatrix began angrily and her daughter laughed.

"Yes, yes, got it."

The four Apparated away with a crack, and Bellatrix glared momentarily after them.

"She'll go home and be good," Rabastan assured. "She wouldn't have acknowledged she heard you otherwise."

The six of them walked to the love room, and Bellatrix peered around in interest. The walls were lined with glass cases that held all manner of strange objects. There were some jars containing hearts floating in clear liquid.

The liquid had what looked to be ice chips floating about in it. There were even larger jars that held what appeared to be a single heart and a single brain. The heart and brain were connected by a thread of green light. Other cases held sets of wedding rings and one held two wands.

"The matching objects belonged to couples with remarkable relationships," Bellatrix guessed, and Gellert nodded. "That's right."

"The brain and heart connections are to study love and if or how it dwells in the heart and mind," she guessed again.

The blonde nodded. "This has been the attempt for over a century, so I am told, though it has not been very successful even for the best of Healers thus far. Kereston was hoping I could make more progress, but, unfortunately, nothing in this room has been useful in the least to my studies."

She turned her attention to a large green marble fountain that dominated the center of the room. It bubbled with a potion that appeared as liquid moonlight. "How the hell is a love potion going to do anything useful? That isn't real," Bellatrix exclaimed.

Gellert nodded. "I agree, but for those unlike us who don't have their own obsessive, psychotic love connection, studying its effects is the best they can do."

"It won't really work for the sort of magic we need, though," she said scathingly. "If they believe it will, they've wasted a lot of time on stupidity and empty efforts. Potter's mum couldn't have saved him if her love was inspired by something like Amortentia. It can't work if it isn't real, no matter how it makes a person feel. Such true magical connections can't be forced."

Gellert nodded. "If it could, I would've given everyone in the Ministry a dose and sent them against Delphini," he said with a dry smile. "For those studying the means love can make one go to, though, it is helpful. For understanding alone rather than practical use, in other words."

"So what are we studying specifically," Rodolphus asked.

"Anything that draws your interest. If nothing does, we can work with casting spells as couples, then studying the magical imprint against those cast by people who aren't couples. The magical signatures are something we don't have in this room as of yet, and they could be useful," Gellert said.

"So I cast a spell with Bella, and then for a non-couple spell, Rabastan could cast one with you," Rodolphus asked.

Gellert nodded. "The type of spell being cast is also relevant for this experiment. Today I would like to work on shield charms for defensive maneuvers. We brought sponges that absorb magic at which to cast the spells. They will do their job and absorb the magic, and then we will have the spell forever preserved to study."

"They're sponges from the Baltic Sea, of a specific magical breed to absorb magic cast at them," Blaise explained.

Moving to a slab-like shelf of marble in the far corner of the room, Zabini lifted down a case made of what looked to be ice. As he did not shiver, Bellatrix assumed it was not cold to the touch.

"The magic can't be retrieved or reused once the sponge absorbs it, but for our needs, that's actually good. It means the spells we cast at each sponge will be preserved forever, or at least as long as the sponge is," he explained.

"For reasons of study, we only want to cast one spell at each sponge," Grindelwald said.

Zabini folded back the lid of the case and handed each person a flat rectangle of greenish, gray spongy material. Bellatrix held hers gently. It was damp and cool but not unpleasantly so.

"One person holds the sponge while two others cast at it in unison," Grindelwald explained. "If errors are made, don't worry. We have plenty of sponges."

"Kreacher, would you and Regulus like to go first while Bellatrix holds the sponge," he asked, turning to the elf.

Kreacher turned away from a case which held one of the connected hearts and brains. "Yes, Kreacher is ready. Kreacher wasn't able to sense anything from the hearts or brains. Not love, not life, no sort of residue, nothing at all. Kreacher thinks whoever thought up this room got it all wrong."

"Surely someone long dead doing their best," Rabastan theorized.

Chapter 95: Our Love Is A Weapon for Knocking Them Dead

Chapter 95: Our Love Is a Weapon for Knocking Them Dead

"Alright," Gellert said. As he spoke, the blonde straightened, voice taking on a note of focused command that brought all lighthearted banter to a halt as everyone became fully focused as well.

"Let's start with a basic Protego Charm with Kreacher and Regulus casting it together at Bellatrix's sponge. I want the rest of you to watch. Try to see if you notice the magic looking at all different when the two cast it together as one. Kreacher and Regulus, I want the two of you to clasp hands in order to deepen your connection. Before you cast the spell, I need you to focus on your caring for one another, and the fact that you will use that caring to protect."

Kreacher and Regulus exchanged a glance before nodding and reaching for one another's hands. With his free hand, Regulus reached into a pocket of his silvery robe and withdrew a wand that was obviously made by Mag Snape. It looked to be around fifteen centimeters long, and comprised of a polished clear stone that appeared to be the power magnifying crystal quartz and a porous black stone. Both had six long sides, or facets, and both tapered to a point at either end of the wand. The crystal looked far smoother than the black stone that seemed, to Bellatrix's eyes, to be rough in spite of the fact that it was cut to have six facets to match the crystal. The two stones were held together in the middle by a band of silver, setting them back to back to form one solid wand, one half clear and the other black.

"Nice," Rabastan said, noticing the wand as well.

"Thank you. It's quartz and lava rock," Regulus said. "Lava rock is similar to obsidian, but it forms far slower within the volcano where obsidian forms far faster during eruptions."

"So is it really double the strength because of the quartz," Rodolphus asked, and Regulus nodded.

"It definitely is. It even makes the most difficult spells far easier."

"Don't count on it with this one," Grindelwald said, bringing the attention back to the task at hand, and away from Regulus's wand. "I want this spell as strong as you can get it, so don't lean into the extra oomph the wand gives you. Instead, put your all into it as if working a wandless incantation."

Regulus nodded. "Got it." He and Kreacher turned to face Bellatrix, and she held the sponge up in front of her like a hand sized shield.

At first, she'd wondered why these sponges weren't used more in duels, but it had to be the size. It was nearly the length of her hand, so with it extended in front of her, it left most of her body open to attack. If someone hit her in the leg or the eye with a stunner, the sponge certainly wouldn't cover that unless she knew precisely where to hold it. Which, of course, in a duel she would not. Perhaps if the sponge could be enchanted to throw itself repeatedly at any incoming magic, but that was a thought for another time and likely not practical to implement on short notice. It was, however, the sort of thing Grindelwald and Zabini crafted in their shop, so she made a mental note to herself to bring it up to them before departing the Ministry.

She held the sponge steady and stared at Kreacher and Regulus. Following Gellert's instructions, they stared at one another. Pain flickered across Regulus's face, and Bellatrix was relatively certain he was thinking of how he'd unwittingly sent Kreacher with Voldemort to nearly die in the black lake. Kreacher's expression as he looked up at Regulus was nearly desperate. He was likely recalling all of those years spent alone, or worse with Sirius when he believed Regulus had died. Unlike Regulus, the elf held no wand in his free hand, having no need for one.

"And… Go," Gellert called out.

As one, Kreacher and Regulus turned toward Bellatrix, casting Protego together. The sponge in her hand gave a small jolt as the spell impacted but otherwise remained the same with no visible change.

"Alright, Bella, as you held that sponge so professionally, I shall have you do it again while your brother-in-law and I cast Protego together," Gellert said.

"Oh goody," Bellatrix drawled, lips twitching. "It's always nice to be appreciated."

"I thought so," Gellert said, grinning cheerfully as he moved to stand beside Rabastan.

"We can skip the hand holding and soulful gazes, right," Rabastan asked and Gellert nodded.

"Most certainly we can. While I could never blame anyone for staring at me, I can't say I care to return the favor."

"I'll take that," Blaise said, moving up beside Bellatrix and removing the sponge from her hand. "We brought small envelopes from the shop to place each sponge in so that we can properly label it," he explained. As he spoke, he slipped the sponge into a small white envelope. Withdrawing a quill from his robe, he labeled it R/K. Moving to the icy case that held the unused sponges, he removed another and handed it to Bellatrix.

"On the count of three," Gellert told Rabastan.

When they cast Protego at Bellatrix's sponge, the jolt wasn't there. "There was no impact like with Kreacher and Regulus," she shared as Blaise took the sponge from her hand to label. "It sort of jumped before when the spell impacted."

Frowning thoughtfully, Gellert nodded. "Very good. That means there is a difference, which in turn means we're onto something!"

"About bloody time we had a bloody break," Blaise said, clapping Gellert on the shoulder. For a moment Zabini's reserve slipped as the two grinned at one another like lovesick loons.

"In part thanks to Bellatrix, I might add," Rodolphus said proudly. "She's the one who thought of weaponizing love as a group rather than generally, after all."

"Indeed so," Grindelwald said, giving Bellatrix a smile. "It appears you have your uses outside of the torture chamber, Mrs. Strange Bella."

Regulus held the next sponge while Rodolphus and Bellatrix cast Protego. Before they did they clasped hands and looked into one another's eyes. As she gazed at her husband, Bellatrix focused her mind on how much she loved who he was as well as the way she felt like a single unit with him.

She was just lifting her wand hand to cast Protego when Rod drew her hard against him, suddenly covering her mouth with his in a heated kiss that had her momentarily forgetting the current assignment. Making a soft sound of desire, her wand hand fell to her side as she leaned into Rodolphus's deliciously solid chest. Even as he deepened the kiss, Rod raised his wand hand, and with the other lifted hers as well. The instant he drew back he gave a slight nod. Understanding what he had in mind, she spoke the Protego Charm with him with the desire still coursing through their veins. The sponge in Regulus's hand jumped, and she gave a proud smile of satisfaction.

"Getting one another all worked up was supposed to make it stronger," Rabastan asked, making a disgusted face.

"Damn right," Rodolphus replied with a satisfied smirk.

"It seems to have worked," Regulus observed as he passed the sponge to Zabini to label. "You and Gellert are next, right? I can hold that one for you as well if you like, unless Bellatrix is of a mind to do so."

Bellatrix shrugged, leaning against Rod's side. "No," she purred. "I have other things on my mind at present. Have at it," she told her cousin.

Blaise handed Regulus another sponge and moved to stand beside Gellert. The two linked hands, and gazed into one another's eyes, faces softening as they did. As their wand hands rose to cast the charm, they dropped their clasped hands and embraced with their free arm. The sponge in Regulus's hand jumped satisfyingly as the spell struck, and Bellatrix found herself giving a little cheer.

"Why not get every romantic couple in the Ministry to work on love attacks, or whatever, as well," Rabastan asked.

"Because love isn't enough," Bellatrix said. "It has to be psychotic love, I told you. Most people have more limits than they think, even if their love is amazingly deep." She tossed her head scathingly at the thought of everyone who believed they had the best relationship ever, yet could never make a weapon from their love.

"She's right. This can have no limits if it is to work," Grindelwald agreed. "And romantic is a particular brand of love that Voldemort can never understand or relate to. Likely Delphini has this in common with him. You have to fight the enemy with what they don't know in order to win. This is the unknown."

"And what makes all your loves so strong," Rabastan asked. "This shit is weird, plus confusing," he muttered not quite under his breath.

"Because we'd die with one another and not have it any other way, while most people would eventually move on, prat," Bellatrix snapped. "Do you never listen? Didn't I explain this theory a few nights ago at dinner? This edge is what makes our love so strong."

"I guess you did. I sort of drifted in and out cause I don't really care," Rabastan told her with a cheeky grin.

"I'd like to try one final thing before the two of you get into a hexing match," Grindelwald said cheerfully.

"I'd like Rabastan to hold the sponge while all six of us cast Protego at it at the same time. Hold hands or anything else you'd like to connect properly for the spell," he said, nodding at Bellatrix and Rodolphus as he slipped an arm around Zabini's waist. Regulus and Kreacher stood close clasping hands, while Rodolphus drew Bellatrix against his chest.

"On my count of three," Gellert called out.

When the spell was cast, Rabastan staggered backward as the sponge bucked in his hand. Bellatrix gave a crow of delight as Rodolphus pumped his fist into the air. They'd done it! They'd truly hit onto something! Blaise took the sponge and labeled it while Gellert officially called it a night, praising everyone for a job well done. They all went home in high spirits.

Chapter 96: White Rabbit

Chapter 96: White Rabbit

As soon as she woke the next morning, Bellatrix was vexed. This was because, to her annoyance, she realized that in her glee over the previous night's success, she'd quite forgotten to speak to Blaise and Gellert about her idea for enchanting the sponges to respond to magical attacks for defense. Deciding to write directly before she could forget, again, she headed for the library even before her morning coffee. Harold intercepted her at the bottom of the stairs with a letter that had just arrived from Grindelwald. It requested them to drop by Enchanted Odds that evening to pick up their wands that Mag Snape had just dropped off along with the bill for them.

"Brilliant," Bellatrix breathed. She couldn't wait to get a wand into her hands that promised to make her spells twice as strong. That and it was likely to be very pretty. Though a fox Animagus, she considered herself more of a raven at heart after marrying into the family Lestrange, and all ravens liked their pretty shinies.

Continuing to the library with a spring in her step at the prospect of her new wand, she hastily wrote a thank you note to Gellert, confirming that they would definitely be there that evening. She'd speak to him and Zabini about the sponges then. After giving the note to Harold to send off, she stumbled into the dining room for that much needed cup of morning coffee. Though it was Sunday, and Sundays were usually lazy days of recovery from parties or the week in general, this day she felt invigorated by the prospect of their new wands combined with the previous night's success.

Excitedly she shared the news that their wands were ready while Rodolphus and Rabastan were busily shoveling breakfast into their faces. They still managed to look pleased.

"Freaking awesome," Rabastan said around a full mouthful of egg. "Why can't we go get them now?"

Bellatrix shrugged, scowling over at him. "Because they said to come in the evening, prat. I assume they're working or something if they're at the shop, but if you care, why don't you write and ask?"

Rabastan shrugged, scooping more eggs into his mouth. "Because I don't care that much."

"What wands, and why didn't I get one?" Lyra demanded as she slunk into the dining room.

She looked disheveled, large dark circles under her eyes. If she'd gone out drinking with her little friends when Bellatrix had told her to come home, there were going to be issues. Being out of control in public with Delphini and hers at large was stupid at best.

"I was up all night reading before you get all trifling," she told Bellatrix, evidently noticing the look she was being given. "I was trying to study up on crafting artifacts in case I could help Graven, but I couldn't learn anything she couldn't by getting better information from her own people. I even tried to research a bit on love but didn't find much on that either. I did find an interesting book on sex magic, though."

She arched her brows inquiringly at her parents and Bellatrix shrugged. "We stole that when we broke into the Durmstrang library for the Dark Lord back in seventy-nine," she recalled. As soon as the words left her mouth she realized she'd slipped up and called Voldemort the Dark Lord. She'd felt nothing reverent for the monster in a long time. Still, the title they'd used for so long left the tongue too easily, which was annoying.

"HE wanted a book on sex magic?" Lyra squawked, eyes wide.

"No. Your father and I thought it may be a lark so stole it for our own personal use but never got around to it," Bellatrix replied, glad Lyra's antics had momentarily distracted her from her own annoying thoughts of self deprecation.

"That's almost good to know," Lyra said with a shudder. "What about the wands, though?" she pressed, mind returning to the original topic that had drawn her interest upon entering the room.

"Didn't we tell you," Rod asked. When Lyra shook her head, he gave her a look of chagrin over his cup of orange juice.

"We must have forgotten, what with something constantly needing to be done. Anyway, as it turns out, our shrink makes wands. That's her actual career or whatever. The wands are rather special, as they're made from crystal quartz and other stones. The quartz enhances magic twofold, and before you begin squawking like a raven that's choked itself on a bit of glass, yes, we got you one. She even custom designs them and asks a bit about each person to get a feel for them. She was rather impressed with your work with Auras or chakras or whatever."

"Really? That's so awesome! Thanks, both of you," Lyra said. Then she stunned Bellatrix by rising to give both her and Rodolphus quick hugs.

"Do you think she would make one for Cassius," she asked, and Bellatrix shrugged.

"We can ask at our next shrink session."

"When is that," Lyra wanted to know. "I'll feel better knowing Cassius is safer with a stronger wand."

"We'll find out from Grindelwald this evening when we meet them at their shop to pick up the wands," Bella replied.

They spent the majority of the day poring over the books Lucius had tracked down for them. Though Bellatrix understood in hindsight how Voldemort had applied the knowledge within them to extend his non-life – as she thought of it – she had no inspiration concerning how he or Delphini could be applying it today.

As a result, by the time five o'clock rolled around, she was feeling exasperated and glad to be done with the day's research. Rod told Harold to put three plates of dinner in the oven for them and not to wait up just in case they were at the shop later than planned. Bellatrix planned to speak to Blaise and Gellert about her idea of using the sponges for defense, after all. Though that shouldn't take long, one never knew, and it was better to be safe than keep Lyra and Harold waiting about all evening.

They Apparated to Knockturn Alley just outside of Enchanted Odds. The sign's ornate lettering read 'Closed', but light shone behind the glass window in the top of the door. Bellatrix tried the ornate brass door knob before knocking and it turned easily.

"Hi, it's us!" she called, slipping into the shop and pausing just inside the door to wait for Rodolphus and Rabastan. The lights were on and soft music played from the back.

"Oh wow! I think the floor is moving!" The feminine voice that spoke from the floor not far from Bellatrix's feet was unfamiliar.

She glanced down to see a slender figure with long dark hair clad in a royal purple robe lying face down on what looked to be a fur rug that was surely made from some extremely rare magical creature. Her face was cradled in her folded arms, and one slender sandaled foot kicked idly in the air.

"Well, hello," Rabastan greeted pleasantly as Rodolphus closed the door quietly behind them. "Even from the back you look far more attractive than the two blokes we came here to see."

"What..? No… I can't… Can't talk to you right now, whoever you are. Can't process. Do you think perhaps you could just kindly go away," she asked plaintively.

"I think she might actually need help," Rabastan whispered. "And while I am not usually the helpful sort, I may just be changing my ways for at least a minute if she looks as good from the front."

"We're rather tripping balls at present," Blaise Zabini's voice called from the back room. He and Gellert walked out into the front of the shop together, eyes a bit brighter than usual.

"I wanted to talk to you about perhaps turning those magic absorbing sponges into defensive...you're doing what?" Like the girl on the floor, Bellatrix was having a bit of trouble processing, though for an entirely different reason. Blaise Zabini and Gellert Grindelwald were about the last two blokes she could picture tripping balls. They just didn't seem to have whatever it took for her to imagine them being able to appreciate the experience.

"We needed...to see more...to see something we aren't seeing yet. We hoped with the help of this new tea, we may have a breakthrough or three," Gellert explained.

"Did you," Bellatrix asked curiously.

He shook his head. "We didn't. If Parvati did, that'll be good enough, though."

"No," the girl, still face down on the fur rug, muttered into her folded arms.

Gellert sighed.

"You're a seer," Rabastan asked Blaise, and Zabini shook his head.

"Trips can also help one process and compute patterns that the mind is already aware of, so I was hoping to make some new discoveries by connecting some dots that were previously unconnected," he explained.

"Whatever you say," Rabastan said with an easy shrug. "Can we trip too? We enjoy tripping."

Gellert chuckled. "Sure. I don't see why not. The teapot and extra cups are in the back. Help yourselves."

"Ooh, the back where all the good shit is," Rabastan said, and moved eagerly in that direction with Rodolphus following behind.

"Are our wands here, then," Bellatrix asked, and Gellert nodded, gesturing toward the long wooden counter and a small pile of long velvet bags that sat in its center.

"Bring me a cup too, please, Roddy," Bellatrix called as she went for the wands. Each bag had a parchment tag with a name and price attached to its satin drawstrings, along with a note that told what stones comprised the wand. At once, Bellatrix snatched up the bag with her name on it.

Her wand was made of clear quartz and black tourmaline. Both stones were polished and each had six sides tapering to a point at either end. The two were bound together back to back in the center with a band of silver like Regulus's.

The glossy, high polish feel of the stones in her hand was extremely pleasant to the touch, and Bellatrix found herself mesmerized. The note card on the bag informed that black tourmaline amplified magic, protected, was a stone of healing, and also transmuted negative energy into positive, which could work well against attack spells.

Roddy's wand was the same as hers, as it happened. Rabastan's was very similar in style, only the black stone on his was black jade rather than tourmaline. Lyra's was clear quartz combined with blue and gold lapis lazuli. Bellatrix really enjoyed the feel of all of the wands and would've used them all if it were possible.

"Here's your tea," Rodolphus said, coming up on her right with a steaming cup that smelled strongly of mushrooms and other herbs. "Which wand is mine?"

Bellatrix took the cup into her free hand and handed him the velvet bag that held his wand with the other before picking her own wand up again. She really enjoyed the feel of it in her hand. "I think it even feels stronger just holding it," she murmured.

"If you're going to try out a spell, please do it before you drink the tea." The voice had come from the dark-haired girl. Though she was still on the floor, she was now sitting up. Her lovely dark features looked Indian, which matched the name Gellert had used when mentioning her… Parvati, wasn't it? "Trip spells can either go very well or very wrong."

Bellatrix nodded. "That's reasonable."

She glanced around, wondering what she could try the wand on that would be safe. If the thing was twice as strong, it had to be something that couldn't be damaged with that much magic. At last she settled on the velvet bag in which the wand had come. Though boring, a levitation charm would do for a start. Pointing the quartz end of the wand at the bag she spoke the charm. "Wingardium Leviosa!" The bag shot upward and smacked hard into the ceiling, remaining there.

Rabastan laughed as he approached. "Come on, Bella. What's the point of overdoing that one? It's basic."

Bellatrix opened her mouth to say that she hadn't, but before she could, Parvati rose and smiled widely at Rabastan, causing the younger Lestrange to catch his breath. Bellatrix felt her brows shooting up. Rabastan never showed reactions to pretty girls.

"Are you already drinking the tea," she asked him, and he shook his head.

"Not yet. I wanted to try my wand first too." So he wasn't tripping… Interesting.

"No spell is basic with twice the strength behind it until you get used to it," Parvati told Rabastan.

"I checked all the prices for the wands and paid that plus a bit extra as Mag was so fast," Rodolphus told Blaise and Gellert, gesturing to a pile of gold on the counter where the wands had been. "Lyra's is in my robe pocket so we don't forget it," he commented to Bellatrix before turning his attention to his own wand.

"Good thinking," she said before glancing back at Rabastan. "Let's see what hot-shot here is going to do with his first spell."

Rabastan flicked his quartz and jade wand at Bellatrix's velvet bag, still happily hanging out on the ceiling. It smacked into the counter and he laughed. "Damn! Every spell is going to need a bit of practice!"

"Not every spell," Rodolphus said. "We'll get the hang of it soon enough." He directed his wand at Bellatrix. "Wingardium Leviosa."

Picturing herself slamming into the ceiling, Bellatrix let out a shriek. Gellert and Blaise cursed as Parvati, looking a bit confused, screamed as well. Rather than slamming into the ceiling hard enough to send her to a Healer, or worse, Bellatrix only floated a hand span or so off the ground.

"It only takes a bit of focus and the awareness that you want to be exact," Rodolphus said casually.

"You didn't even spill my tea," Bellatrix said, impressed. Feeling the need to be in an altered state now, she took a deep drink from her cup.

"Want to put me down, Roddy," she asked, her voice still shaking slightly. When she drifted down to gently land on the floor, Bellatrix let out a sigh of relief before draining the rest of her cup.

"Hey, wait for us," Rabastan protested. "Come on, Bro," he added, pushing Rod's shoulder before beginning to chug.

With a grin, Rod saluted with his wand, raising his tea cup with the other hand.

"Why were we screaming again?" Parvati wondered. "And who are you people anyway?"

Chapter 97: Feed Your Head

Chapter 97: Feed Your Head

"We," Rabastan answered Parvati haughtily, "are the Lestranges, Bitch… Only you're not a bitch, it's just a phrase, you know…" he added hastily.

Parvati smirked. "How do you know I'm not a bitch?"

"Good point," Rabastan said. "Though I'd not call you one unless I knew for sure, so it still wasn't meant like that."

Parvati grinned again. "Got it, that's very polite of you… Wait, the Lestranges...as in THE LESTRANGES?"

He nodded. "Yes, one and the same." He glanced at Rodolphus and Bellatrix who were both leaning against the counter. "Are either of you tripping yet?"

"Just a little, but it hasn't really hit yet," Bellatrix said, and Rodolphus nodded. "Same."

"Yeah, me too," Rabastan nodded, then looked back at Parvati.

"So..." Parvati blinked slowly, struggling to focus on the current situation. "I'm tripping such balls," she moaned. "So...do you three know that you're known for torturing and killing, and that everyone is always afraid you'll just suddenly snap and lose your shit and start torturing and killing them randomly?"

Rabastan laughed. "Are you part of that everyone?"

Parvati grinned, allowing her eyes to roll back in her head briefly as she tipped her head back. "MAAAAYBE," she said, drawing out the word before laughing again. "Then again, MAAAAYBE not. Gellert and Blaise aren't stupid, after all. Not only did they let you in here and allow you to have Mag's wands that give you extra strength, they also let you trip with us. So they appear to be relatively certain that you won't lose your shit… Unless...unless they're tripping too hard to be wise."

She flashed a worried glance in Gellert and Blaise's direction from where she sat on the rug near Rabastan's feet. Blaise and Gellert sat on a small couch along the side wall that was likely intended for anyone who had to wait for service.

"They're all good," Gellert assured.

"I'm feeling my trip now," Rabastan announced. "I think I need to sit down." He glanced down at Parvati's rug. "May I sit there with you?"

Parvati shrugged. "Well...since you asked… Sure."

Rabastan sat down beside Parvati, crossing his legs Indian style.

Parvati ran a finger over one of the brass raven skull buttons that studded the length of his green duster. "Wicked."

He nodded. "Yep. Thanks."

Bellatrix glanced around for a place for her and Rod to sit.

"There are my and Gel's stools behind the counter, but I don't know how comfortable they'd be while you're tripping," Blaise said lazily. "Parvati's is smaller so that wouldn't do at all. There's that bench in the back you could drag out here that Regulus and Kreacher use for..."

Bellatrix choked.

Parvati grinned. "Yep, that's why I use the rug."

"I'll just transfigure the bloody stools into comfortable overstuffed chairs," Rodolphus said. "With my new wand giving me twice my usual skill and strength, they should therefore be twice as comfortable."

"Brilliant," Bellatrix said.

She wondered why none of them had considered doing that, but in the midst of a trip the mind did take strange twists and turns, which was the fun of the thing. She watched as he floated the stools out from behind the counter and placed them beside Parvati's rug with a flick of his new wand. He then transfigured them into large overstuffed armchairs in a shade of comforting blood red. Bellatrix felt her face stretching into a grin as she plopped herself down into the nearest.

"Nice. Thanks." She lightly touched Roddy's arm as he settled himself into the one beside hers.

He grinned, covering her hand with his after pocketing his wand.

They sat for several seconds in silence. Bellatrix allowed the sensations, both mental and physical, to wash over her. The light in the room had taken on an interesting blue and purple quality, and time seemed to be something they were currently unaffected by. She stared at Blaise and Gellert, mostly because her and Roddy's chairs faced their little couch.

"I wanted to talk to the two of you about an idea I had concerning those magic absorbing sponges," she began slowly.

"The Moopkas," Blaise asked and she shrugged.

"If those are the ones we worked with yesterday in the love room, yes."

"Yes, they're called Moopkas," he nodded. "What was your idea?"

"I thought if you could enchant them to block any spell thrown by an enemy in a duel that would be useful against her… or anyone else for that matter."

Blaise nodded. "If only. When we attempted it, it was no good for close distance dueling. It works to a degree for long range but not consistently, and close range isn't viable. The sponge can't tell your spells from those of your opponent, and it absorbs all of them. They don't get you, but you can't get them either, and it leaves you open to a degree."

Bellatrix frowned in disappointment. She should've assumed they'd already considered it, but one never knew. "What about grinding it up into a potion? If a person absorbs the magic, would it make their own magic stronger?"

Gellert gave her a startled look and chuckled. "I don't know! We never thought of that, but having a human try it wouldn't be safe. We could, however, experiment on an animal and we will."

Bellatrix smiled, feeling better. She'd had a useful idea after all. "Maybe grinding it up into a paste to put on the skin like a cream?" she suggested.

"Now that's brilliant," Blaise said. "We could totally try that. Though Moopkas are nearly as rare as amber, so we won't be getting as much as we'd like. Cream is harder to reuse, but for an emergency supply, we could definitely give it a go."

"Better not tell the Russian wizards if it works, or they won't sell you more," Rabastan said. "They'll want it all for themselves. Understandably so, I suppose."

Gellert nodded. "If any of our ideas succeed, the fact we're using Moopkas will be the secret of all of us here. Only to be shared with our closest and most trusted associates."

"Agreed," Parvati said dreamily. "I see a face on the ceiling. It's getting bigger and bigger, and it's smiling. Its eyes have different pictures in them. The right one is a spiral, and the left is a giant dot."

Blaise sighed. "And here I thought she was getting a useful vision about Delphini."

Bellatrix closed her eyes and reached into her mind for Nimue. Things were so busy of late, she hadn't had a moment to spare to continue communication with the druids. It would be interesting to see if she could use the trip to gain even clearer contact with them.

Nimue responded to her thought call at once. Bellatrix could receive images of her and Merlin without the crystal scrying device. The two sat on a sofa watching some square crystal thing with moving pictures. Nimue asked how things were there and Bellatrix caught her up to speed. As it turned out, speaking silently with her mind worked just as well as speaking aloud, which was nice as it meant she didn't have to disrupt the conversation of the others flowing around her. Gellert was talking to Rod about something involving transfiguration and the molecules of an object.

Bellatrix realized suddenly the thing Merlin and Nimue were looking at was a Muggle television. She'd nearly forgotten about them though it was something they'd learned of in Muggle Studies at Hogwarts. Damn, that was ages ago.

Nimue asked if they knew which goddess Delphini may be getting help from, and Bellatrix said no. Nimue then asked if they'd considered using a mongoose, and Bellatrix turned to Gellert. "What about a mongoose? Nimue is asking if we ever considered using a giant one against Delphini?"

Gellert's eyes widened slightly as he stared at her. "No… but that's a lovely idea." He smiled. "Especially if we can feed it Moopkas successfully! A serpent killer that absorbs its enemy's magic is exactly what we need!"

"But I thought Dumbledore's son was going to kill her?" Rabastan protested. "I thought we had this shit sorted!"

"If only," Gellert said with a laugh. "And trust me, he will need all the help he can get."

"Speaking of help, of course Lyra is asking if her man can get a wand like ours," Bellatrix said with a resentful sigh. "She's really trying to not let him die," she complained.

"Neither am I. He could be important backup when we need it. He could keep us all alive," Gellert pointed out, giving Bellatrix and Rodolphus a hard look. "So I will write Mag about a wand for him. If she has any questions you can answer them at our session Wednesday."

"Another shrink session already?" Rodolphus complained.

"Once a week is customary," Gellert said, lips twitching in amusement.

"So the kid gets to live, and I'm also stuck talking about emotions once a week?" Rodolphus pressed.

"Afraid so," Gellert replied somberly. "But it could always be worse."

"How?" Rodolphus demanded, and Gellert laughed.

"I was hoping you'd just take my word for it."

Chapter 98: Reverse Psychology

Chapter 98: Reverse Psychology

Somehow, the next three days managed to pass uneventfully. Bellatrix, Rodolphus, and Rabastan spent their days keeping all the criminals but themselves safely locked away and properly terrorized in Azkaban. Lyra and Cassius busied themselves with Grindelwald and the Aurors, honing their particular talents to work against Delphini. At least they were safe while at the Ministry, so Bellatrix was satisfied.

Lyra was out late each night, but she was always with her new little group that consisted of Winterhaven, young Dumbledore, and the goblin girl. At least with all four of them having powerful magic as well as particular specialties, they should be relatively safe, or at least able to get away from danger quickly. Bella and Rod would, of course, prefer that Lyra just stay home, but they couldn't keep her home if she was intent on going out.

When Wednesday evening rolled around, Bellatrix, Rodolphus, and Rabastan were at 12 Grimmauld Place for their shrink session with Mag. Right away, Bellatrix remembered to ask her if Cassius could buy a wand.

"Your wands are amazing as you know, as is his lock, unlock ability so with the two combined, we're hoping it can lay a hurting on Delphini. " She forced a slight smile for Mag, though the idea of Lyra's man having more power wasn't entirely a thrilling idea.

Mag nodded. "Yes, Gellert mentioned it to me already and I'm planning a labradorite, hematite, and quartz wand for him. The labradorite works with the psychic. Hematite, though usually healing, grounding, and protective, also assists with persuasion. Though these aren't his specific abilities precisely, I feel the combination with the amplifying crystal quartz will serve him well. I have the hematite and quartz pieces, but I had to order the labradorite. It should be here tomorrow, so with any luck, I'll be done with the wand by this weekend. If so, I'll send it to Enchanted Odds again."

Bellatrix thanked her and everyone settled around the table again for their group session. Just as there had been last time, there were snacks and wine.

"Did anything happen this week that anyone would like to talk about first," Mag asked. She sat at the head of the table, slender hands folded on the polished wood in front of her.

When no one spoke up she shot Bellatrix a happy smile which gave her face a nearly girlish cast. "In that case, I'd like to begin with you, Bellatrix!"

Bellatrix reached for the glass of wine sitting on the table in front of her and took a fortifying sip. "Yea," she said drily and Mag chuckled.

"It isn't a bad thing," she assured. "It's intended to be helpful, and it shall be if you allow it."

When Bellatrix didn't respond, the redhead continued.

"I wonder if you dislike Mr. Winterhaven as a person. If he wasn't dating Lyra, in other words, would you like him far more?"

Bellatrix nodded. "Sure. He treats us like rock stars! Who doesn't like being appreciated? Especially when you're feared by most people, perhaps rightfully so."

"But it takes a special person to see you as a rock star instead," Mag said and Bellatrix nodded.

"Exactly."

"Perhaps someone like Mr. Winterhaven is even worthy of your respect, considering he values you as much as he does."

"Sure, if he wasn't trying to take my baby away, he'd be great," Bellatrix said. "He could be our little monster in training."

Rod grinned and nodded in agreement.

"Sure," Rabastan agreed. "We could do that."

"Another question, then," Mag said. "How would you feel if your parents had been hard on Rodolphus because you wanted to date him?"

"Obviously there would have been a problem," Bellatrix said.

Mag nodded. "How about you, Rodolphus? What if Bella's parents had refused to allow you to be together?"

Rodolphus frowned. "I hardly see why they should. I'm perfect for her. I love and respect her. I would do anything to keep her safe. We're best friends, and we're obviously quite compatible. Same values, same hobbies, and we enjoy one another's company."

Mag nodded. "Yes, but if they had objected, perhaps because they didn't want their daughter growing up so fast?"

Rodolphus shrugged. "Well in that case, they'd need to adjust to reality. People grow up. They have needs, and they should be grateful that Bellatrix found the right person to meet hers. That really cares for her and treats her properly."

Mag nodded. "And if the parents hadn't gotten on board, do you feel your relationship with them would suffer? Or would you have just complied with their wishes and broken up, or perhaps simply held hands forever, remaining innocent?"

"Obviously, we'd stay together and do as we please," Bellatrix said impatiently. "Roddy and I were always a perfect match, and they should know that and stay out of our business."

Mag nodded. "I understand that. My parents were only a little difficult about me and Severus, but it stressed me out a lot. I probably wouldn't say this to my parents, but I felt their reaction was very inconsiderate. They made their views known once, but then they kept at it and Severus would react, so things weren't peaceful, which I hated. My point is, I understand where you're coming from, but you aren't the only ones in this situation. Lyra and Cassius are in it as well, and, inconvenient as it may be, they also have feelings."

Bellatrix was thinking that she probably would be on Mag's parents side, because Severus, but decided for once, to keep her thoughts to herself because Mag was alright in spite of her foul taste in men.

"Yeah, but Lyra and Cassius's feelings don't matter because those feelings aren't ours," Rodolphus explained patiently.

"Good luck trying to adapt in a world where your feelings are the only ones that count," Mag said gently. "That world simply doesn't exist."

Gravely she regarded Rodolphus and Bellatrix's matching scowls of defiance. "Yes, I understand that you were able to make the world adapt to you when you were followers of Voldemort, freely terrorizing and torturing anyone you chose or perhaps just who annoyed you. That worked out well, and I am sure you enjoyed it. It worked for you...until that is, it didn't. Because Azkaban."

From her tone, it was clear that she was obviously striving for tact. "But then you were released thanks to Regulus's vampiric machinations, and allowed to work for Shadow Ops, where, in many cases, things probably went by your rules as well. But now that you are in more complex situations of family life and even government, you are going to have to learn that this isn't always, or even frequently, practical," she concluded.

Bellatrix opened her mouth to say that things were usually fine at work, then closed it again as she remembered the trip with the Bulstrrodes in that dreadful Muggle car. And the Muggle food was something she'd never forget even if she'd only had to smell it.

Mag's seemingly honest sympathy was what kept Bellatrix's temper in check.

"You didn't really get the chance to properly grow up in all areas due to the lifestyle you had as Death Eaters. Then that was compounded in its way by Azkaban," Mag pointed out. "Even later with Shadow Ops, you worked a lot and your social interactions were short and simple with family mostly, is that right?"

They both nodded.

"You simply need to learn skills for emotionally and socially adapting to your interactions with others. This is because the three of you are your own private little network. When it comes to dealing with others long term, especially in adverse or challenging situations in which you are not entirely in charge, you are placed into territory to which you are unaccustomed. Unfortunately, this puts you at a disadvantage."

"And you can teach us these skills," Rabastan spoke up.

"Most definitely," Mag said, smiling warmly. "That's what I'm here for."

"In my own experience, I can say that the fact my parents fully accepted Gell meant a lot," Blaise spoke up. "While they were surprised I ended up with a bloke, and in a nearly overnight serious relationship, they were supportive nonetheless. They could see how much Gell and I had in common, and how quickly we connected. They know that I don't connect to people easily, and they correctly guessed that such was the same for Gell.

"They like him and, in the end, were just grateful I'd ended up with someone they liked and could consider part of the family. Most anyone else would've felt like an intruder. It's just how our family is. Granted, I doubt I'd have ended up with anyone at all had I not met him, but my point is if Winterhaven appreciates you lot and can feel like family, be grateful that Lyra isn't with someone that truly doesn't fit your mold."

"Thank you for sharing, Blaise," Mag said, giving Zabini an appreciative smile before turning her green gaze to Grindelwald. "And had his parents not accepted you as one of them, do you feel things would be more strained and less harmonious all around?"

Gellert nodded. "Unfortunately so. I would never want to come between Blaise and his family, but I am sure they would still have a relationship."

Mag nodded. "But not as close as it is now?"

Gellert shrugged uncomfortably. "I suppose it couldn't be if they were at odds with us, as we are such a large part of one another's lives."

Bellatrix scowled, bristling. "But Zabini's parents didn't have to lose him when he was two! We want our time with Lyra."

Mag nodded. "Talk to Winterhaven. Tell him that you'll need alone time with her and the two or three of you, at least once a week. I bet he'll understand, especially as he thinks so highly of you all."

"What about the social and emotional adapting stuff," Rabastan asked.

"I'll find a nice short article or two and have it for you next week, plus we can go over some things together after you've read over the materials," Mag said.

Bellatrix was still unhappy, but she nodded wordlessly because she had no defined objection. For his part, Rodolphus did not nod, but he remained silent, not directly objecting either. His expression was stony, and his gaze belligerent, but that was normal.

Mag glanced around the table. "Does anyone else have anything they'd like to bring up," she asked.

Regulus grinned at Kreacher. "I think we're good. After hearing all that, we're feeling quite balanced and stable, aren't we Kreacher?"

The elf nodded. "Kreacher is balanced and stable."

Bellatrix shot them a glare that neither was wise enough to fear.

Chapter 99: Birds Of A Feather

Chapter 99: Birds of a Feather

The rest of the week was uneventful. Bellatrix wished she didn't find that fact so unsettling. It felt as if Delphini was psychologically playing with them, and Bellatrix didn't like to play games that she and hers weren't running. Things weren't just peaceful in Azkaban either. In general, no news came from the Ministry of any new disruptions there or elsewhere. Either Delphini was playing snake and mouse with them, or she was busy with something that would make itself known in the worst of ways when the time was right… or rather, wrong. Either option plagued Bellatrix with a gripping feeling of dread when she allowed herself to dwell on it.

That Sunday, they had a note waiting at breakfast. It lay on the table between Bellatrix and Rodolphus's plates, and it was from Gellert.

"It came nearly an hour ago," Harold divulged as Rodolphus unrolled the scroll.

"Mag left Winterhaven's wand at the shop. Grindelwald says we may pick it up any time today."

"Ooh," Lyra squealed. "I'll write Cassius that it's ready. May we come with you to pick it up? I'd love to see the shop and besides, he'll need to pay for the wand anyway. I doubt you will be trying to pay for anything when it comes to him," she added bitterly, giving her parents a baleful look.

"He's been green with envy over my wand all week," she continued giddily, her eagerness returning.

"I suppose you both can come along," Bellatrix said. "He does need to pay for his own wand, after all."

"I'll just go write him now," Lyra said, springing from her chair after only casting Bella the slightest of dirty looks.

"After breakfast. Finish eating first," Rodolphus said firmly before gesturing Lyra back to her chair.

"Fine," Lyra said and slouched back into her chair. Snatching up her fork, she began attacking her breakfast.

"Eat like a lady," Bellatrix snapped.

"If you don't, you shall have indigestion," Rod chimed in, but where Bellatrix was frowning, he struggled not to smile.

Lyra slowed a fraction, glancing at her mother briefly before returning her gaze to her plate. "I'm just sorry you both forget what it was like to be young," she grumbled.

The comment brought their recent session with Mag to mind with a pang of discomfort, which only caused Bellatrix's frown to deepen.

"Oh, we didn't forget," Rodolphus informed his daughter calmly. "In fact, as far as we are concerned, we are still young."

"Damn right," Rabastan agreed enthusiastically.

Lyra looked up from her plate to give Rod an incredulous glance. "First of all, you all aren't young!"

"Shut your mouth," Bellatrix said, aghast.

"Second of all, do you know how psycho it is to have different rules for young you waaaay back then and young me?" Lyra continued relentlessly.

"Oh fuck, did we say we weren't psycho," Rabastan asked his niece, grinning.

"Tell Winterhaven when you write to be here within an hour, because I'd like to leave soon," Bellatrix said in an attempt to keep the peace by changing the subject.

Lyra nodded, brightening. "Good. The sooner we go the better. I can't wait to look around that shop! I mean Grindelwald owns it and makes enchanted items for it, so it's got to be BRILLIANT!"

Rabastan nodded. "Yep, it's pretty sweet, especially the back room. That's where all the really dark items are."

Lyra hurriedly scooped up the last few bites of her breakfast, then rose. "I'll tell him to hurry," she promised, then dashed off.

Bellatrix sighed, suddenly feeling tired. "Should we ease off, do you think," she asked, gaze straying nearly desperately to Rod's face. She hated feeling as if she would lose Lyra if they did.

Rodolphus shrugged and gave a quick dry grin. "Not yet, but maybe soon."

Winterhaven arrived half an hour later. At least he was punctual. Today, for once, he'd chosen to eat breakfast with the Malfoys, Bellatrix thought as she frowned at his sunny smile of greeting.

"Thanks so much for asking Mrs. Snape to make me a wand," he told Bella and Rod. His expression was humble and grateful, causing Bella's scowl to deepen.

"Has Lucius done anything suspicious," she asked.

Winterhaven shrugged apologetically. "Not that I've noticed. Granted I don't know him well, so let's be safe and say nothing obvious."

"That'll do," Bellatrix replied. "Now let's go get your wand and look around the shop a bit."

She, Rod, and Rabastan hadn't actually gotten to browse Enchanted Odds in quite a while, what with the constant work before and after the new Ministry takeover. Lyra eagerly led the way to the front door.

"Rabastan, you Side-Along Apparate Winterhaven," Rodolphus instructed once they were outside the manor.

He grasped Lyra's upper arm and gave Bellatrix a nod. "Meet you there."

Bellatrix nodded back and with a pop they were off.

"This is going to be epic for sure," Lyra whispered excitedly to Cassius as they pushed open the door.

Rabastan hung back so Rodolphus and Bellatrix hesitated as well. The door swung shut behind Cassius and Lyra, leaving the three of them outside.

"What is it," Bellatrix asked with an annoyed frown in Rabastan's direction.

For his part, Rabastan was peering covertly through the window that was set high in the door of the shop. "She's in there," he whispered. "I'm going in as a raven."

"But why?" Rodolphus wondered as Rabastan shifted.

"Because it'll be cool," Rabastan the raven croaked. "Someone open the door, because now I can't."

Sighing, Bellatrix pushed it open, and Rabastan flew inside first with her and Rod following. Lyra and Cassius were at the counter as Cassius paid for his wand.

Rabastan flew directly to Parvati and tried to land on her shoulder. Giving a little shriek of surprise, she dodged away. "What the hell!?"

"It's only Rabastan...playing at something," Bellatrix explained drily.

"Oh," Parvati gave a slight chuckle and allowed the raven to land on her shoulder. "Hello, then."

"Hello," Rabastan croaked.

"Oh, you can talk! How neat."

"Of course I can!"

"Well, most Animagus forms can't. Then again, those animals I've seen can't naturally talk and ravens can, right," she asked.

Rabastan nodded. "They are the most intelligent of birds...just as Lestranges are the most intelligent of wizards," he bragged.

"That's right," Gellert called cheerfully from the back of the shop. "My favorite guards are the smartest and most vicious to be had."

He appeared from the back of the shop with Zabini trailing behind. Gellert held a thick wooden wand in one hand nearly as long as his arm. As Bellatrix had seen him use a crystal wand from Mag, she assumed this was something the two were crafting rather than a personal wand. Though it looked different, being thicker and smoother with a high red polish, she wondered if they were trying for Elder Wand 2.0.

"This is our daughter Lyra and her...Cassius Winterhaven," Bellatrix introduced, hesitating over how to refer to Cassius then avoiding it entirely.

"Parvati Patil," the young dark skinned woman said, smiling a friendly greeting to Lyra and Cassius.

"Oh, you're from India," Lyra enthused. "We studied the magic of your culture extensively in Australia! I bet you know a ton about chakras and Auras."

Parvati gave a slight shrug, a faintly apologetic smile crossing her lips. "A bit."

"You do," Gellert demanded. "Why was this never mentioned? I could've had you at the Ministry helping ages ago with the Auror training in such matters. We're trying to use it for defense, but the process would've been far easier with a native expert on the scene."

Parvati shook her head. "Oh, I'm far from that," she assured. "Whatever Lyra is teaching is far more than I could offer."

"How do you know that," Lyra asked.

"Because I didn't have extensive training as you did. I just read a few books. My parents were born here, so they were not as exposed to the culture as they perhaps should've been. It's the grandparents that came directly from India on both sides. I can see a few things when I look at a person, but it's like my readings, open to interpretation and nothing I can really teach others. What I have is a skill. You have it or you don't, and I have always had it, I just didn't understand what I was seeing around people until my parents gave me the books on pranic energy after I graduated Hogwarts."

She chuckled. "Why, my friend Mag knew about chakras before I did. In my defense, her father's library does practically have every magical text known to man, though."

"So how does your skill with Auras and chakras or whatever help you?" Rabastan croaked from her shoulder.

"Well… It helps me to see who a person is where it matters, I suppose," Parvati answered thoughtfully. "What I see of their Aura makes my natural instincts about them stronger."

Lyra frowned. "I never thought of using it that way, but I'm certainly going to try now."

"I'd love to see what you're teaching at the Ministry," Parvati said. "Perhaps I could go in like one day a week or something to get an idea." She glanced toward Blaise and Gellert. "We'd have to close the shop, though, and that would be no good. Do you think Bramble could come in at least one day?"

Blaise and Gellert exchanged a doubtful look. "He's really always such a prat about helping in the shop," Blaise complained.

"We'll do it," Rabastan said hastily. Bellatrix flashed her brother-in-law a surprised look before nodding in agreement. She did hate working at Azkaban, and if they could get out once a week she was glad to keep an eye on Enchanted Odds for a change of pace.

Blaise and Gellert exchanged another look. "If Kereston doesn't mind the three of you being away from Azkaban once a week, I don't see why not," Gellert said.

"I've practically primed the prison to run itself," Rodolphus said. "It can certainly hold its own for a day. My Aurors are well trained and ready for whatever comes."

Chapter 100: Tough Love

Chapter 100: Tough Love

"I can't believe someone who's actually from India wants to learn about chakras and Auras from me! That's humbling!" Lyra squealed. They'd just returned home to Raven's Nest after spending nearly two hours exploring the wares of Enchanted Odds. "I mean that sort of thing is integral to their culture, and she wants to learn from me!"

"She's third generation, so that hardly counts," Rabastan informed his niece drily.

"I guess that's true," Lyra admitted. "It's still cool, though."

"It is," Cassius agreed, giving Lyra a warm smile. He was being supportive and encouraging, Bellatrix thought darkly.

"Thank you," Lyra said, turning to Cassius with a smile. "Now I'm going to put all my new things upstairs in my room. Want to come along?"

"No, he does not," Bellatrix snapped. "He can wait for you in the library."

"Unless he's after dying today, then he can march right upstairs with you," Rodolphus counter offered with a smirk.

Lyra glared. "I am grown! And you are all psychos! This is becoming ridiculous." Her eyes narrowed. "Especially after what I learned about the two of you sleeping together when you were bloody sixteen! I can't even believe you're talking. But like I said, in-bloody-sane."

Rod's smile never wavered. "But we are also powerful and skilled, so we get to do as we like. This is our home, and I say no shagging your boy under this roof until you're married."

"For one thing, that's unreasonable," Lyra said, holding up a single finger for punctuation. "Secondly, and most importantly, we were not going upstairs to shag," she concluded, adding another finger to her mathematical demonstration. "I really was just going to put my things away," she huffed, giving her parents an affronted glare as she swung her large paper bag from Enchanted Odds. Which sported an image of an ancient tome whose pages were half open with a spiderweb peeking out.

"You are more than welcome to go upstairs and put your things away," Rodolphus stated generously. "Alone."

"Yeah, we'll be waiting with Cassius in the library," Rabastan said, and set off in that direction, gesturing for everyone else to follow.

Lyra rolled her eyes and headed upstairs. Bella, Rod, and Cassius followed Rabastan to the library.

"So," Rabastan began as he wandered over to the liquor cabinet. "What's Dumbledore's son like, and do you want a drink?" He looked over at Cassius with a quirked brow.

"He's actually a neat and fun guy," Cassius replied. "And is the drink thing a trick question? As in, is there a wrong choice, because if there is, I don't want to make it."

"It's never the wrong choice to have a drink. I'm having one, after all," Rabastan said, pouring a glass of brandy.

"Well, if you're having a drink, sure," Cassius said, sinking into an armchair near the liquor cabinet.

Bellatrix and Rodolphus moved to their usual loveseat.

"Want drinks," Rabastan asked, and Rodolphus shrugged.

"We might as well. It's the weekend."

They had to go to work tomorrow, but Bellatrix didn't want to always be a killjoy so she remained silent. Besides, with Lyra being difficult, a drink did sound like a grand idea. If Delphini attacked they could always use Winterhaven as a meat shield while they got the hell out of there.

The idea caused a smile to tug at the corners of Bellatrix's mouth, but it fell an instant later because Lestranges did not run. Never did they run from a fight, but Delphini had part of HIM in her and they'd already lost to him before. Uncle Orion had lost his life, and they'd lost their sanity, all of them. Perhaps Regulus and Kreacher weren't aware that they were in the numbers of the slightly mad, but they were...at least Regulus. The way he'd botched the entire lake situation which kept him needlessly gone for years was proof of that.

Rabastan passed her a drink, pulling her from her dark thoughts. "Thanks."

She downed half of it in two swallows, then leaned back into the soothingly blood red cushions of the loveseat. She gave a sigh as her body relaxed and worrisome thoughts faded.

"That was a brilliant shop," Cassius enthused. "Of course, I would expect no less from Grindelwald. The fact he's actually set up shop, creating things for us to actually own is amazing. I never thought I'd own anything made by the one and only fucking Grindelwald!"

Rodolphus's brow quirked. "I'm hurt. Your flattery of us was heartwarming, but if you're going to suck up to Grindelwald too, I am no longer as moved."

Cassius laughed, shaking his short dark curls. "Why? Because I put you lot in the category with Grindelwald, one of the greatest wizards ever? I always mean my compliments. I try to be decent and polite, but a dishonest suckup I will never be. If I say something, I mean it… Unless I have to be polite to Delphini in order to distract her or something, then I don't mean it," he assured hastily and Bellatrix found a smile tugging at her mouth in spite of herself.

"Well, as you've just put us into the category of Grindelwald, I guess that's alright," Rabastan said.

Cassius gave a dry smile. "Thanks."

"Any time," Rabastan assured cheerfully as he flopped into his favorite chair near the fire, drink in hand.

"Those anti-wand theft charms Gellert and his man made are my current favorite item in the entire shop," Cassius said and Bellatrix nodded in agreement.

The charm prevented anyone else from Accio'ing your wand or applying Expelliarmus to you either so it was impossible to be magically disarmed. The charm itself was sold as a one use only miniature scroll. To activate it you wrapped it around your wand and spoke your name. This let the charm know that any spell performed on the wand from a distance was only to work if cast by the person who'd spoken the charm. As she and Rod had three wands each now, they'd had to buy six of the charms. With Rabastan, Lyra, and Cassius each buying one for their new wands from Mag, the group had made a bit of a dent in Blaise and Gellert's anti-wand theft charm stash.

Lyra had also gotten herself, on their coin, a self-playing dulcimer that she claimed was soothing, an anti-spill goblet for when she became drunk and careless, and a scrying mirror. The shop was full of fascinating items, but many of them were more along the lines of points of interest rather than something Bellatrix needed to own. She'd have gotten a set of the anti-spill goblets, but there was only one and Lyra had grabbed it up first.

"How often do they get new items in the shop, do you know," Cassius asked.

"Well, as they make the majority themselves, and right now they're busy trying to kill Delphini and her followers, production has slowed," Rabastan said. "They do pick up some things on their travels from my understanding, but again Delphini, so they won't be flitting around the globe any time soon vacationing and hunting for cool shit to sell us."

"They also consign a few things from various suitably skilled wizards, so that may be the main source of new items," Bellatrix said.

"Like Mag's wands and gemstone jewelry and her husband's potions," Lyra said as she entered the room. "I wanted one of Mag's pendants, but I couldn't decide which so I thought I'd mull it over for a few days then go back." She settled herself into the armchair closest to Cassius's. "I hope it's alright to sit beside him," she shot at Bella and Rod.

"For now it is," Rodolphus said, a clear warning in his tone that Lyra completely missed.

"I left my home and everything I knew, and you don't seem to get or appreciate that! I tried to understand you and what you went through with Voldemort and even for me, and I set my resentment aside. I stayed with you even though you were rather bullying about it because I knew you cared, and I just didn't know how to show it considering you never got to have a daughter until now. Also you're psycho, so I figured you'd come to Australia and get me if I left," she added. "But I did stay and the least you can do is let me have an adult life! I am a person, not just your child. It is not your right to take away all of my bloody choices!"

Rather than wisely quitting while she was ahead, Lyra angrily continued. "And Delphini is hard to kill. I get that, but she's just one person, and I doubt that many people are crazy enough to follow her considering... So you not wanting me out with my friends because of some danger, when she likely doesn't know who I am can stop any time, and I'd be grateful."

Rodolphus drained the rest of the brandy in his glass before speaking. "You...might be surprised. Although I am too young and handsome to be considered wise, having a thrilling life does teach one a few things from time to time.

If there is one thing I learned, it is that for every ridiculous opinion, there is a group of people who believe it. Like people believing that Muggles… Muggles of all things, have equal rights too, considering how obviously inferior they are, and all they've done to us over the centuries! Sometimes it doesn't even matter how strongly one believes in it.

If whoever raises an issue has some power, that could be enough for some to consider it beneficial to agree. In this case, we're speaking of Delphini and those who follow her. The fact that such preposterous ideas as hers could be raised and not outright rejected tells me not everybody would openly call it crazy anymore," Rodolphus said thoughtfully.

He shrugged. "Booze puts me into a philosophical mindset, so I'll bite. Choices. Do we choose to be born or die? Do we choose to be born into a particular family? Does everybody who is rotten, poor, or stupid choose before they are born to be intentionally poor or thicker than a horny giant?"

Rabastan tittered and Cassius glanced away hastily to hide a smile. Rodolphus grinned, extending his glass to Rabastan for a refill. Not to be outdone, Bellatrix downed the rest of hers and passed it over as well. Rod was being so hot right now, she was of a mind to drag him upstairs when the conversation was over. When he talked like this, she remembered that she hadn't just married him for his looks and because they had fun together and he was one of the few people she didn't strongly dislike. Rodolphus was a brilliant man, and the way his mind worked was sexy.

"Can one choose to be the most brilliant wizard of their generation?" he continued to Lyra. "If they can, it is somewhat strange that people don't make better choices before they are born, or after for that matter, if it is all about who chose what."

Bellatrix found herself struggling not to cringe as she wondered if Rodolphus was thinking of their own choices or only those of their enemies and other worthless wizards. When Rabastan returned her now full glass, she gave him a grateful nod of thanks before downing half of it. When Rod took his, he paused to take a drink before continuing.

"Choices are usually overrated. Besides, you didn't discover that you were some lowly Bottom, get it, like Longbottom, but…nevermind, tough crowd. You found out you are a goddamn Lestrange, of the direct and purest bloodline. And a Black too. You inherited great ability, and when not bratty, an extremely talented mind. And you got riches.

You can have the best education if you wish to continue that, and anything else you want. Being disrupted by something, in this case coming here, is one thing. Being thrust into greatness and being the object of envy by your peers is a different matter. The surprise is not that unpleasant. Most people go about their lives, and nobody outside of their small social circle knows their names. Your name will be known, and you are welcome," Rod smirked, raising his glass in a cheer.

"And nobody ever says, I shouldn't be moping, I am having a good stroke of luck, and I shouldn't be such a brat. Oh no, it is always I have this reason or that reason. That is why it is still moping," he said, and held up a firm hand as Lyra at last opened her mouth to object.

"And no, your reasons don't matter too much. I mean, if your heart was broken, if you were imprisoned, or messed up badly, or had your magic taken, or had to talk to Muggles... Give me something horrible I can work with here that has actually happened to you," Rodolphus asked.

"The worst thing that can, but did not happen, is if you underestimate the danger to yourself or to our relatives that you can bring onto them by going out and behaving irresponsibly, which could draw her attention like it or not. Not only do you have family here, but you have family in Australia, and if you returned and she noticed, that could be quite messy for them, literally. That is a burden I can sympathize with, nobody wants family getting hurt. But hey, as you are not going back to Australia, this is not going to happen either, so once again, you are welcome, another problem solved, another moping session averted," Rodolphus concluded.

Lyra opened and closed her mouth like a fish several times, glaring at her father.

"That was wisdom right there," Cassius said and Lyra turned her glare on him.

"Just whose side are you on?" she demanded.

"Yours, of course," he said. "Your father is on your side as well."

Rodolphus chuckled. "Wise boy. He understands."

"Indeed," Bellatrix agreed, then finished off her glass before turning to Rod. "Drink the rest of that," she commanded.

He complied and she took his glass, placing it on the small table beside the loveseat. Standing, she grasped his arm and tugged him to his feet.

"We'll be upstairs," she said and dragged him from the room.

Grinning, he went along with no protest. In fact he didn't say a word at all. When the bedroom door was closed behind them, Bellatrix dragged him onto the bed, falling backward onto it and pulling him down on top of her.

"That was wise talk," she complimented before kissing him breathless. "Now get our clothes off… At once!"

Fabric tore and buttons flew as Rodolphus obliged. Soon he was driving hard into her as her teeth caught deliciously at his lower lip. They'd been so busy of late that there wasn't nearly enough time for this.

Chapter 101: Merlin's Cave

Chapter 101: Merlin's Cave

/No! It can't be!/

Bellatrix sat bolt upright in bed as these thoughts went racing through her mind. What couldn't be? What the hell was she thinking about? Or had she been dreaming? Then she felt it...sensed her.

"Nimue?"

She murmured the question and Rod groaned and rolled over, reaching out to wrap a muscular, warm arm around her waist.

/Our cave! You said Voldemort tainted everything… Personal possessions from the Founders, though I told Gellert the locket couldn't have really belonged to Slytherin, but still. He even tainted the Hallows by shoving part of his foul soul into the resurrection stone thingy. And now this!/

Nimue was pouring too much into her mind at once!

"Wait… The locket wasn't Slytherin's?"

/Oh, it likely belonged to a Slytherin, just one a few centuries younger than Salazar. Lockets weren't popular until the fifteen and sixteen hundreds./

"Oh… That's nice, I suppose," Bellatrix decided. "Better that he didn't befoul Slytherin's actual possessions...I wonder if there are any of those left floating about somewhere...things that actually belonged to Salazar himself?"

/I don't know, but can we get back to what I want to talk about,/ Nimue asked peevishly.

"Sure, but you're the one who brought up the locket," Bellatrix muttered, frowning.

"Bellatrix. What the fuck are you talking about… Lie back down," Rodolphus complained, giving her a gentle tug.

"Wait," she hissed. "It's Nimue." He grunted, but left off.

/Bellatrix! Are you listening to me?/

"Yes."

/The cave with the black lake… Do you know if that was our cave? Our crystal cave in which legend has it we sleep until we're required again, but in actuality where I died after poisoning myself and our bird with hemlock when Merlin died of the coughing sickness?/

"Wait, you what? Is that how it happened?"

/Yes. All romantic and such… I wrapped his dead body up in his cloak so I didn't have to see it, then I scried for three days in the fire as I promised him I would, using all the proper divining herbs. I knew we would lose to the Saxons and I was correct. I saw loss no matter what Arthur did without us there so I went. I couldn't do it without Merlin, and I knew the bird would miss us so I took him too./

"Not extreme at all," Bellatrix murmured, a smile twitching at her lips. "I approve. While softer souls would take issue, I find that romantic. I wouldn't live without Roddy either."

"Wait, what are we talking about," Rodolphus asked, at last sitting up in bed to join Bellatrix.

"Not sure yet," she told him. "So far I gather that there is a far darker story behind the legend of Merlin and Nimue sleeping in the crystal cave until they, and Arthur, are needed again to save Britain. Instead, it seems that Merlin died of pneumonia or something. Nimue ended herself and their bird because she didn't want to go on without him, and her scrying efforts said she'd not be of help to Arthur anyway as he was going to lose against the Saxon hordes."

"Damn," Rodolphus said eloquently and she nodded. "They had a bird?" he added after a slight, thoughtful pause. "What sort?"

Bellatrix's brows shot up. "Why do you care? Are you going to want a bloody bird now because they had one?"

"No," Rod assured calmly.

That was good because they weren't really pet people.

"I just didn't think they were the sorts to bother with pets, so I wondered what kind of bird it was."

"What sort of bird," Bellatrix asked, focusing her mind back on Nimue.

/Ah, we're talking again./

"Yes, sorry. Rod was asking to be caught up."

/He was an eagle-hawk. Merlin found him as a baby. In this life he was a parakeet who seriously thought he was an eagle-hawk. He lived for eleven years. That's far longer than most parakeets live, you know, but it's only because the idiots who are just allowed to walk into any pet store and buy them don't know how to care for them properly. They feed them on a diet of seeds which kills them because that's basically snack food./

More than she ever wanted to know, Bellatrix thought, tossing a dark look at Rod as she repeated what Nimue said.

Rod blinked as he mentally tracked the progress from eagle-hawk to parakeet. "Poor bird, must have had severe identity struggles."

Bellatrix sighed. "So why are we talking about all this," she asked Nimue.

/Aren't you listening,/ Nimue demanded.

"Yes, but the conversation is going everywhere," Bellatrix explained, struggling for patience, because it was Nimue. She vaguely recalled reading some historical recollection at Hogwarts that claimed Nimue to be a bit insane. She was beginning to believe it, not that she had room to talk.

/It occurred to me that Voldemort may have turned our crystal cave into his foul cave with the black lake, and I am asking if that is true./

"How should I know? No one knows where your cave is. Why would you think it was your cave, though?"

/Because Voldemort tends to relish befouling the property of great wizards and witches. As we are the greatest, and we had a cave, and he used a cave, it was a thought. Also, our cave had a lake as does his. Merlin dedicated the lake in our cave to his magical patron, Vivian, Lady Of The Lake./

Bellatrix nodded. "We are aware of her and the lake, but we didn't know it might be your cave. I understand your concern now. I'll write Gellert, if you like, and have him have a look."

History had it that Merlin was a water mage and so served the fairy goddess of water, Vivian, Lady of the Lake, while Nimue, being an air witch, served Vivian's sister, Queen Maeb of the Fae. That was back when wizards specialized more exclusively in elemental magic forms, but things had changed over the centuries. Many would say they'd evolved, but some darker wizards, including Bella and Rod's families, were more interested in the ancient and often frequently lost magic forms.

/I was hoping you'd already know,/ Nimue said, mild disappointment in her voice./But thank you./

"Sure." Bellatrix thought perhaps Gellert could have Parvati scry if he couldn't get any visions about the cave when he paid it a visit. She was betting he'd be visiting after her letter, so that ought to be interesting. She had never seen the place and didn't plan to. Even if it had once belonged to Merlin and Nimue, it was ruined now.

As if reading her mind, Nimue spoke darkly. /If he fucked up our cave, I swear I'll find a way to help you kill him./

"Aren't you already trying to help us do that?"

/I'll work harder!/

Bellatrix got up and wrote Gellert directly, even before getting dressed. Once that was done, though, she did get dressed, and Rod finally rolled out of bed with a sigh of resignation.

"It's nearly eight, and we'd have to get up in half an hour for work anyway," Bellatrix told him with an amused smile.

"What if it is their cave?" he wondered. "Think there is anything useful in it?"

"I don't know. Let's see," Bellatrix replied, mentally reaching for her connection to Nimue as she and Rod headed downstairs for breakfast and a lot of coffee.

"Did you leave things in the cave? Anything we could use, perhaps?"

/Probably/ Nimue answered. /That is yes, we left things there and you can probably use them,/ she clarified.

That meant Bellatrix had another letter to write to Gellert, because he'd certainly want to know that. Though she was curious about whatever rare magical treasures the cave held, she would not go. Not after what Regulus and Kreacher had gone through in it. It just felt too...wrong.

Chapter 102: Shop Keepers Three

Chapter 102: Shopkeepers Three

Grindelwald had written back by the time Bellatrix and Rodolphus were finishing their second cup of morning coffee.

"He thanks us for the information and plans to look into it today," Bellatrix said. "He also wishes us to work at Enchanted Odds today. He says it's fine to arrive at ten. This leaves us time to stop in at Azkaban, and let them know we'll be away for today."

Rodolphus nodded. "Sounds good."

Rabastan gave a whoop of glee that caused Lyra to start. "No fucking Azkaban today!"

Bellatrix grinned, sharing his sentiment.

"That means I'll be working with Parvati," Lyra said. "I bet it'll be interesting."

"Not as interesting as us working at the shop all day, and looking at all the intriguing items as much as we like," Rabastan countered.

"Probably not," Lyra admitted.

"How shall I ever fit into the shop," Rhadamanthus asked in a worried tone.

"You can hang out around back," Rodolphus said. "You'll hear us screaming if there is trouble, then come on. Damaging the shop would be the least of our issues if we are screaming for help." He smirked and the spider grinned.

"I see. That sounds fine. What about lunch?"

"I'll have Harold bring it," Rod said, glancing at the elf who was picking up the breakfast dishes. "Can you handle that?"

"Of course," Harold answered easily from behind his plague doctor mask.

"Thanks, you're a champ," Rod told him. "You can come along with us this morning to Enchanted Odds so you'll know where it is." Harold nodded.

"I'm sorry," Lyra said. "That means you'll have to see Azkaban first at least for a minute. Just thinking of that place dirties my Aura." She shuddered.

"There are no Dementors there, and now it feels fine," Bellatrix assured Harold, who shrugged.

"Harold was not concerned," he said.

"Thanks for the lunch," Rhadamanthus rasped to the elf who nodded before exiting toward the kitchen, the stack of breakfast dishes floating in front of him.

By the time everyone had polished off their final cups of coffee, Harold was back and ready to go.

"Try to at least shield yourself from that place," Lyra told him worriedly, and the elf gave an uncomfortable shrug.

Perhaps she was learning to read Auras a bit, Bellatrix thought drily. She had no other way of being so certain the shrug was an uncomfortable one. One couldn't see the elf's expression under the mask, after all.

The family left the manor together, and went their separate ways outside the front door. Lyra Apparated off to the Ministry to work on Auras with Parvati and the Aurors. Everyone else went to Azkaban. Harold remained silent the entire twenty minutes they were there.

Rodolphus gave his Aurors instructions while everyone else waited. The elf stuck close to Bellatrix's side but did not appear to be bothered by the place. Though the plague doctor mask hid his face, his body posture was relaxed.

When Rodolphus had checked the wards over to his satisfaction, they Apparated to Enchanted Odds. As they had when going to Azkaban, Rodolphus Apparated Rhadamanthus and Bellatrix Apparated Harold. Rodolphus had his hand on the door of the shop to push it open when Rabastan grasped his arm. "Wait...I gotta get ready."

Bellatrix scowled at the holdup and Rod arched his brows. Rabastan wordlessly shifted into raven form. "Now you can go in," he croaked.

"Bloody thanks," Bellatrix replied as Rodolphus pushed open the door.

Rhadamanthus moved around to the back of the shop as the others went in. Rabastan flew directly to Parvati who was behind the counter. He landed on her wrist and let out a wordless caw of greeting.

"Good, you're all here," she said, rising from her stool and giving a quick smile. "I put a pot of tea on for you, and there are random snacks in the cupboard in the back near the tea pot."

"Is it trip tea," Rabastan asked, cocking his head to the side in obvious interest, black eyes gleaming.

Parvati laughed, flicking her wrist to toss Rabastan into the air.

He flew to Bellatrix as an automatic response, claws catching in her dress as he scrambled at her shoulder. "That wasn't nice," he squawked, giving Parvati a wounded look.

"Neither is tripping at work when you're supposed to be looking after the shop," she laughed. "And no, it's just ordinary black tea with a touch of honey and cinnamon. I make quite good tea, though, even if it shan't cause you to see anything."

"I wouldn't trip at work...unless you provided the trip, in which case, that ought to be different," Rabastan croaked haughtily.

"Thank you all for holding down the fort so I can work a bit with Lyra," Parvati said as she moved toward the door.

"How is it all three of us are needed for doing the job of one, anyway?" Rabastan demanded. "Do Grindelwald and his man think you're better than three Lestranges or something?"

Parvati gave a short laugh, pausing with her hand on the door. "Of course not. He just knew the three of you don't like to separate. Also, he is aware that you all hate working at Azkaban and wanted to give you a break."

That was nice, Bellatrix thought, touched.

"Everything has a price tag on it, so just charge them and put the money in the register there," Parvati said, gesturing to the large metal monstrosity on the far end of the counter. "It's not hard at all. Everything has anti-theft charms on it, and if someone is asking stuff you don't know the answer to, just tell them to come back when Gellert and Blaise are in. That's what I do, because they're the Enchanters and when people want to talk trade I'm not expected to have any idea."

The three Lestranges nodded. It seemed simple enough.

When Parvati exited, Rabastan took to the air, claws catching in Bellatrix's dress a final time again.

"You little shit," she snarled as he resumed human form.

"I'm a big shit now," he quipped, giving her a cheeky grin.

"You're an idiot," she returned darkly.

"I didn't want to change back in front of her," Rabastan said. "Somehow it just didn't seem...cool."

"And it seemed cooler to land on me and piss me off by ruining my dress?" Bellatrix demanded. At last Rodolphus laughed, and she shot him a glare.

"You were closer than Rod and Harold is too short. I'd not be able to see everything if I landed on him. You know, I'd be giving up my bird's eye view."

The elf in question was browsing the shop, curious to see what sorts of things Zabini and Grindelwald crafted.

Perhaps he'd actually find something he wanted to buy, Bellatrix thought. They paid him and he never seemed to buy anything so he should have a nice nest egg squirreled away. Rodolphus moved around the counter to take a seat on one of the three stools lined up on the far side. They were comfortable looking padded velvet with high ornate brass backs. Bellatrix could easily picture Blaise, Gellert, and Parvati seated there on the days the two men weren't working on something in the back.

Feeling a bit in awe at the concept of sitting in Grindelwald's shop, she moved to take the stool beside Rodolphus's. Rather than joining them, Rabastan began to browse with Harold. When the door chime rang, Bellatrix turned in that direction, hoping they'd know what to do for the first customer. Suddenly, she felt a shot of nervousness. She wasn't really a people person.

Not at all, in fact, and nervousness was quickly transfiguring itself into panic. Normally, she'd tell Rod to deal with whatever she didn't want to handle, but in this, he wasn't much better. Perhaps Rabastan could be the one to deal with the day's first customer! If only she'd told him that before the bloody door had opened! When it was only Grindelwald and his man, she actually let out a sigh of relief.

She could face down a room of Aurors back in the day with a smile on her face and a laugh in her heart, but not a fucking customer in a dark magic shop? She sighed in self-disgust as Grindelwald gave them a cheerful smile before rushing into the back. "I just stopped in to grab a new voice box I made," he called. "We're off to the cave and I want to try to communicate with Merlin once we get there to see if it's the right spot."

"What's the matter with your voice box?" Rabastan wondered. "Seems to be working fine."

Blaise made a sound that was almost a laugh. "It's something Gell made to project his actual voice into wherever Merlin is. He is hoping to project what he is seeing as well in hopes that Merlin will recognize the cave. If he does not it means it isn't his, of course."

Gellert returned with a small shiny metal box in his hand whose lid slid open and closed rather than flipping back on hinges. It was currently open, protruding from one end, allowing Bellatrix to see that the box itself was empty.

"You're just going to talk into it," she asked, and Gellert nodded.

"In part. There is a little projection magic involved as well, but that's already woven into the box. We're off, wish us luck."

"Good luck," everyone said, even Harold.

After Zabini and Grindelwald were gone, Harold asked, "What, exactly, are we wishing them luck for? Luck that it isn't Merlin's cave that was defiled, or luck that it was and they find something useful?"

Bellatrix shrugged. "Perhaps either."

Harold browsed for a few more minutes, then left to make lunch without buying anything. Did he simply need more time to decide on something, or was he just not impressed with anything Grindelwald and his man had made, Bellatrix wondered.

With nothing to do, she found herself restless. The counter top was empty save for the register since most of it was glass, covering items of enchanted jewelry. As there was no book to read, Bellatrix found herself scanning the tag of each piece.

There was a bracelet that made its wearer drunk without drinking, which likely meant no hangover. There was a mood ring that could literally change the wearer's mood. There were green beaded anklets to promote speed and a square crystal necklace that promised to energize the wearer. There was even a warning to take it off in order to sleep.

"So..."Rodolphus said. Bellatrix looked up to see him regarding Rabastan. "What's got you behaving so oddly around that Parvati girl?"

Rabastan turned from a shelf of wands and shuffled his feet a little before speaking. "Nothing. I just like to show off, I guess."

"Hmm," Rodolphus said, clearly doubtful. "I've never seen that side of you."

"We can grow new sides," Rabastan said. "She just seems mellow and a bit unimpressed with most things." He shrugged. "Just getting noticed so I can get laid is all."

"Speaking of getting noticed," Bellatrix said, artfully turning the conversation to what she actually cared about. "When a customer comes in, you deal with them."

Chapter 103: Living On The Edge

Chapter 103: Living On The Edge

As it happened, they didn't have to wait long for their first customer. He was a tall gaunt wizard with a sharp nose and thin face.

"Where's the pretty girl," he asked, and Bellatrix scowled. She nearly opened her mouth to say she was quite pretty when she recalled that she had no desire to interact with customers. Anger did provide a quick fix for anxiety, though.

"We ate her," Rabastan said with a wide grin and Bellatrix let out a laugh. And here they thought he'd be better at dealing with people!

The man peered at them, unimpressed. "I'd give you Lestranges credit for a lot of twisted activities, but cannibalism I can't see. Not posh enough for you. You'd think you're too good to put anyone lesser in your mouth, and if you didn't consider them lesser, you wouldn't eat them," he observed.

Bellatrix had to admit the observation was a correct one. She wasn't very surprised that he recognized them due to their hard earned infamy. The fact he wasn't running out of the shop and caterwauling like a little bitch was mildly more impressive.

"So really," he asked, as he wandered past the counter toward the nearest row of shelves. "Where's the pretty girl? And why are you lot here instead? I mean, it does keep things interesting and all."

"She's taken the day off for personal studies and we're sitting in for her," Rabastan said.

The man paused to peer over his shoulder at Rabastan and waggle his brows questioningly. "She's as good as three Lestranges?"

Rabastan chuckled. "Never. She doesn't need to be, though. We just come as a set when possible and the shop owners kindly kept that in mind."

"Ah," the man said. "I see."

He wandered about for fifteen minutes or so and finally bought a book called Deadly Wards. Wards were placed to guard a person, place, or thing, so anyone breaking them meant no good or at least had their nose or other parts stuck somewhere they knew they had no business being. Of course, if anyone mucked about with someone's wards they deserved to die, but the fact that Blaise and Gellert so casually sold such a direct way to use wards to kill those who broke them was impressive. At least Grindelwald hadn't gone as soft as Bellatrix at times feared.

Rabastan rang up the wizard's book and handed it to him with a friendly smile.

"It was nice meeting all of you, but when is the pretty girl coming back," the man asked.

"Tomorrow," Rabastan assured with an eye roll.

"Well, I won't need anything by then, but it's nice to know she won't be out every day," their first customer said, then motioning as if to tip a hat he wasn't wearing, he left.

"Yea," Rabastan crowed. "We survived our first customer! And they survived us."

Bellatrix chuckled. "He was certainly an odd one."

"At least it keeps things interesting," Rodolphus chuckled. "The man has poor taste in women, but at least I didn't have to beat the hell out of him for eyeing you." He put an arm around Bellatrix, and she felt herself smiling as she leaned into him. Roddy always knew just the right things to say.

The next customer who came in actually asked for their autograph. It was nearly an hour after the first. This wizard was older, close to Dumbledore's age, though with an admittedly darker air about him with long black robes and claw-like fingernails.

He wanted them all to sign the paper bag Enchanted Odds provided for larger orders. He bought a wand, a few books and a self-refilling wine goblet. After Rabastan bagged all the items up, all three signed their names around the design on the bag's front.

The third customer was a middle aged witch who seemed a little frightened of them, which Bellatrix didn't exactly mind. She gave them no trouble and bought quite a lot of jewelry, greatly diminishing the collection under the glass countertop.

Gellert and his man would need to restock. Bellatrix considered leaving them a note to say as much, but the empty bits under the glass countertop would speak for themselves. The next customer came in close to lunch time. She was a chatty young witch with a giddy personality. She was very intrigued by the Lestranges, even more so than the items she saw in the shop, asking them about the most interesting things they'd done with fascination on her face. She was a waif-like little thing, thin and of average height with long wispy silvery blonde hair and a flowing dress of gossamer green.

Rabastan waited until she was paying to ask her out. Giggling like a schoolgirl, she clapped her hands happily as she shook her head. "Dear, no. You're far too old for me, but it was sweet of you to ask," she said before lifting her large bag of items and breezing out with a cheery wave.

"Old?" Rabastan sputtered. "But she was all interested in us! And I am most certainly not old! I'm five years younger than you lot, and you don't look that old."

"THAT OLD?" Bellatrix nearly squawked.

"Those are fighting words right there, little brother," Rodolphus warned darkly. "We are most certainly not old. We are still quite beautiful and virile, in fact."

"Sure, sure, but this is about me," Rabastan said, waving away their objections.

"What happened to your interest for Parvati," Rodolphus asked.

"Yes, the interest that in fact makes you an annoying insufferable prat," Bellatrix clarified.

"Oh it's still there, but she's not shagging me yet, so you know."

When Harold arrived with food, they closed up the shop for lunch which took half an hour. He'd brought chicken sandwiches, which while very good, did not take very long to eat. As they reopened, Bellatrix came to the conclusion that while the day had been somewhat interesting, the shopkeeping experience was growing dull.

"Perhaps we shall always require more excitement," she told Rod, who nodded.

"I'm glad you said that, because I've been bored for over an hour," Rabastan said with a sigh that caused Bellatrix to grin.

"And if we can't handle a job with no thrills or kills, we could never handle retirement," Rodolphus pointed out.

Rabastan nodded. "Yep. Fuck dying in bed. We'll go out fighting the good fight at three hundred with wands in our hands and Crucio on our lips."

Bellatrix felt that familiar, comforting mad grin spreading her lips as she raised her cup to that. For now, though, they had the rest of the day to get through and a shop to keep for at least six more hours.

As it turned out, it was only four more hours. Parvati was back just after four, flashing them all a pleased smile as she took in the shop. "Everything is still in one piece! I'm proud of all of you. Thanks for looking after things for me. Can you do it again next week, same time? I'm really enjoying working with Lyra."

"No!" the three shouted in unison.

Parvati laughed. "Very well, I'll sort something else. Perhaps I can work with Lyra and some of the better Aurors on the weekends." She chuckled. "To be honest, I'm surprised you all lasted the entire day. I couldn't believe you wanted to watch the shop at all."

Rabastan grinned. "See," he said, turning to Rodolphus and Bellatrix. "She already understands us better than we understand ourselves!" When Rod and Bella just stared, he shrugged and returned his focus to Parvati. "So… Wanna go out some time? Just with me, of course," he added hastily.

Parvati laughed. "Sure."

All in all, Bellatrix felt it had been a rather productive day. They'd discovered something very important about themselves, and Rabastan finally got a date with the only girl she'd ever seen him transform into a raven to impress.

Now if they could just sort a way to get rid of Delphini while everyone who mattered remained safe. And they would. They had Grindelwald, the goddamned Lestrange Three were helping, and a goblin was apparently about to make a new badass sword to even trump that of Gryffindor, so things had to work out!

Chapter 104: Know Thyself

Chapter 104: Know Thyself

"Have you heard anything from Gellert today," Bellatrix asked Parvati. She was curious what they'd found in the cave.

Parvati shook her head.

She'd just write him when they got home, Bellatrix decided. "Let's get your spider and head home," she told Rodolphus, who nodded.

"What day is good for you," Rabastan asked Parvati.

It was then that Bellatrix recalled that Parvati had said yes to his offer of a date. She couldn't keep her brows from climbing. Being around Rabastan while he asked a girl out was...weird. He usually "hit it and quit it" as he so classily tended to put it, so this more civilized act from him was just…weird.

Parvati shrugged. "Any day is fine except for Sundays. I have dinner with my family on Sundays."

"Yeah, Sunday I don't fuck with going out because no reason to go to work Monday all hung over. Takes the fun edge off torturing the prisoners," Rabastan explained.

Parvati's brows lifted. "You really get into that for fun?"

"Sure we do," Rabastan said. "Besides, it's not like they don't deserve it. How's this Friday?"

Parvati pretended to think, then flashed a grin. "I'm free and down for whatever." Her smile widened, turning into a laugh. "I'm sure you'll traumatize me somehow. I mean I'm technically asking for it, going out with a Lestrange."

"Can we go now," Bellatrix asked.

"How is eight Friday night," Rabastan asked, ignoring Bellatrix save for an annoyed frown before returning to Parvati.

"That's fine. We can meet here and go from there."

Rabastan nodded. "Sounds great. See you then." He turned to Bellatrix with a roll of his eyes. "Now we can go."

Parvati bit back a grin as Bellatrix wordlessly turned toward the door. Rodolphus stepped up hastily to open it for her and they exited with Rabastan trailing. No one spoke as they walked around to the back of the shop to meet Rhadamanthus.

Rodolphus placed his hand on the spider's back and they vanished with a crack. Bellatrix and Rabastan followed, joining him at the front door of Raven's Nest. It was good to be home, and back in her element again, Bellatrix thought as Rodolphus flicked his wand at the hex locks on the front door. As it swung open, she breezed past him and headed for the library to write Gellert.

Her letter was brief, consisting of only one line.

Did you discover anything in the cave?

Bellatrix

Surprisingly the reply came before Harold served dinner, less than an hour later.

We did. As it happens, the cave was that of Merlin and Nimue, and Merlin told me where his stash of personal items was located under the cave, hidden deep in the earth. While it is unfortunate that their cave, and Vivian's lake, were defiled so grievously, we now have some very powerful items to work with. Granted we're still working out how to use some of them, but still. Hopefully we'll have more information to share when we meet Wednesday.

After reading, Bellatrix silently passed the note to Rodolphus. They sat in the library sipping pre-dinner wine as Rabastan told Lyra of their day.

"So, as it happens I do not look old," he concluded with a satisfied smirk. "Parvati is at least as young as the witch who rejected me and called me bloody old. I should've hexed her," he lamented and Bellatrix laughed as Lyra's eyes widened.

"Every time I think perhaps I was wrong about just how psycho you three are, one of you will come out with some shit like that," Lyra complained. "My day was interesting, thanks for asking," she added drily.

"No need to ask, we knew you'd tell us," Rodolphus said with a grin.

"Parvati showed me a few other layers to reading Auras, like a personality intent," Lyra said. "It's interesting. It's probably how she knows you three are relatively safe, at least for family and friends."

At that, it was Bellatrix's turn to grin. "I'm glad you only consider us to be relatively safe. We do have a reputation to uphold."

"Oh gods, sure," Lyra laughed, then grew more serious as she regarded the three of them. "But now that everyone knows Voldemort head fucked the three of you, don't you want people to think better of your intentions? Perhaps you could have a new start in the eyes of general wizarding society. You don't have to be the loathed and feared baddest of the bad."

"Why not," Rabastan asked with a grin. "It's fun."

Bella and Rod nodded as one. "And people don't muck about with us when they understand clearly that they will never come out on the winning end," Bellatrix said.

"Never," Rodolphus agreed.

"Most people aren't ever going to approve of us. Even before serving Voldemort we were always different," Bellatrix said. "We never fit in with most people, and didn't care to. Usually people don't like or trust those who don't fit in any more than we like or trust them."

"In other words, they aren't worthy of our time and we know it," Rodolphus grinned.

Lyra tossed her hands into the air with a bemused smile. "Have it your way. You always do."

Rod's grin widened as he gave her a pleased nod. "Damn right. And so can you. You're a..."

Lyra's smile widened as she spoke over her father. "Goddamn Lestrange!"

Rod nodded with pride as he reached to give her a quick embrace. To Bellatrix's surprise, Lyra returned it, clinging for a moment, smile still in place. For a moment, they looked like a normal family. Bellatrix shuddered at the though, but smiled a little as well.

The next several days dragged by. They were all eager to know what sorts of things Grindelwald and Zabini had found in Merlin and Nimue's cave. When Bellatrix tried to ask Nimue, the druidess was unhelpful because she did not remember.

"It must suck to be someone that powerful and remember so little of it," Lyra commented sympathetically Tuesday night over dinner.

Bellatrix nodded in agreement.

"Who knows, we could've been someone great in a past life and forgotten it too," Rabastan said.

"I think we're pretty great now," Rodolphus said with a grin.

"Too right we are! We're goddamn Lestranges," Lyra said, smiling at her father.

"You know that means you'll have to remain unmarried," Rodolphus told her thoughtfully. "Lyra Winterhaven won't have near the same clout as Lyra Lestrange."

Lyra shrugged. "I'm not worried about it. Once a Lestrange, always a Lestrange...unless you're kicked off the family tree, of course. But you'd not do that to me."

"At least Winterhaven isn't a Muggle. I'll give him that," Bellatrix said.

"Is that all that does it," Lyra asked. "I mean, doesn't anyone ever do something not involving Muggles to get themselves kicked off family trees? Drowning babies or something?"

"Muggle babies," Rodolphus asked. "Because we'd not care about that."

Lyra sighed and rolled her eyes. "I'm sure some psycho wizard other than Voldemort has drowned wizarding babies."

"Wait, he did that," Rabastan asked, and Lyra rolled her eyes.

"Not that I know of. It was just a figure of speech, but probably. He's done everything else, so I'd not at all be surprised if Voldemort drowned a ton of babies, wizard and Muggle alike."

"People are kicked off family trees for doing things that shame the family, so yes, extreme crimes in poor taste such as drowning wizarding babies would be cause," Rodolphus said.

Lyra thought for a second while they ate in silence. "So what is an extreme crime that isn't in poor taste?"

"You know, like the sort of thing we got locked up for," Rabastan said with a grin. "No one valid cares about what is done to wizarding trash, especially for what seemed, at the time, like a good cause."

Lyra's brows shot up. "Can't say I follow the logic, but if I plan to do something extreme, I'll run it by everyone to make sure it's kosher," she said, trying not to smile.

"Sounds good," Rabastan said cheerfully.

Chapter 105: Merlin's Horde

Chapter 105: Merlin's Hoard

For once, all three of the Lestranges were looking forward to their shrink session. As soon as Kreacher led them into the library of 12 Grimmauld to join the others, Bellatrix spoke eagerly.

"Well," she demanded, seeking out Gellert where he sat across from Mag at the large reading table in the middle of the room. "What did you find in Merlin's cave?"

"Was there anything to help us kill Delphini," Rabastan asked hopefully.

Gellert replied "Yes, we found things, but we don't know if we can use them to help in our fight or not. We're still trying to figure out how to use them, if indeed they have uses at all."

The open skepticism in that last bit caused Bella to silently arch her brows.

"Stands to reason they would have uses," Mag murmured. The redhead was studying an array of stone items that were spread out on the table in front of her.

"Are those the things you found," Rabastan asked Gellert, waving a hand at the items holding Mag's attention.

When the blond nodded, Bellatrix moved closer to the table to study the trinkets in more detail. Some were set into silver as jewelry, and some were loose stones. One large fist sized chunk of stone was carved into a statue. It was a squat looking seated figure crudely carved but with a definite feeling of power.

"Isn't that Crom Dubh," Rodolphus asked, gaze following Bella's to the strange little statue.

Gellert gave a slight nod. "Or Crom Cruach, if there is a difference."

At that, Bella's mind went back to the class called Old Ways and Ancient Religions that she and Rod had taken as an elective in their final year at Hogwarts. "That's a harvest god, yes? Or god of the dead."

Gellert gave another slight nod. "And also of leprechauns according to Merlin and Filius."

"So is Ole Crom going to be lucky or something," Rabastan asked.

"I hope so," Gellert said gravely.

"Leprechauns aren't lucky. They're mean little shits who give you fake gold that vanishes away. I read a book about them when I was seven, and it scarred me for life," Rodolphus declared.

Mag chuckled, glancing incredulously up from an amber pendant wound with heavy silver wire that she'd been regarding. "Not Voldemort," she asked Rod.

He shrugged. "No, I suppose he isn't lucky either."

Mag's lips twitched. "No. I mean a book about nasty leprechauns scarred you for life and not Voldemort?"

Rod grinned, shrugging. "Sure he did, but the leprechauns were first."

"Fair enough," Mag said, chuckling.

"I didn't consider that," Gellert murmured half to himself. Reaching out, he ran his fingertips lightly over the squat statue of the harvest god in the middle of the table with the other finds from the cave.

"What," Blaise asked, speaking up for the first time since the Lestranges had entered.

"I didn't consider reversing the aspect to be unlucky," Gellert replied." I was thinking of how the leprechaun can bring luck to itself and thus to us. But if it bestows bad luck to those who take what should not be theirs, such as gold, I can work with that even better." As he spoke, his blue eyes flashed with an eager light, excitement beginning to creep into his expression as the thoughts formed. "Rodolphus, you are a genius, no matter what people say!"

Rod frowned. "Hey! Who the hell says I'm not a genius," he demanded.

Bella's lips twitched. "You, sometimes," she reminded him.

"Ah, well...don't listen to me," he said, waving a hand dismissively and she laughed.

It was only after Voldemort's twisting of their minds that Rodolphus had, at times, become nearly submissive to Bellatrix, thinking her more skilled and brilliant than he by far. It left her encouraging and pushing him, but he was always an outstanding Death Eater for all that. They were equals.

They were a power couple, complimenting one another's strengths with supporting ones. What she'd seen as his odd lazy streak had utterly baffled her until, of course, they discovered what Voldemort had done to them the night Orion was killed. Considering how intolerant Rod was of her being in the least emotional about anything these days, it seemed he'd recovered his self-confidence enough to be annoyingly assertive, Bellatrix thought with a small frown.

"So you plan to use that to bring bad luck to Delphini," Rodolphus asked Gellert.

"That's the idea," Gellert replied, tone and expression calmly thoughtful. "I need to talk to Filius. Perhaps he can help. I'm thinking of bringing her bad luck in a particular sort of way. General bad luck could be too wide spread to properly serve our goals and as such would not be bad enough. I am aiming this toward bad luck for her specifically when she works her magic in our direction or, of course, against us. I don't need her to stub her toe three times a day. I need her to lose her following or get eaten by one of whatever pet monsters she keeps."

"So do you believe there is some power specifically imbued into that statue, or are you going to try working directly with the god Crom Dubh himself," Mag asked.

"Am I the only one who finds the idea of attempting to work directly with gods unsettling?" Blaise wondered. He arched one brow elegantly. He probably believed it made him look extra posh, Bellatrix thought, trying not to laugh.

Kreacher, who sat silently in the corner of the room on a small loveseat at Regulus's side, shook his head vehemently. "Gods make Kreacher nervous. They give him unpleasant risings of dread in his stomach."

"I'm not eager to seek aid from gods, but nor am I willing to allow Delphini a victory," Gellert said.

Blaise sighed, nodding. "I know. You're right. I just don't have to like it."

He gave a dry smile and Gellert smiled back, causing Bellatrix to sigh and roll her eyes. "I'd say get a room, but we're having a shrink session right now."

Gellert winked. "We could always be excused while the rest of you get shrunk," he offered.

"I don't think so," Mag said firmly but with a tolerant smile.

"Where did you find the items in the cave," Bellatrix asked, gaze drifting back to the glittering array of jewelry, stones, wands, and statuary.

"It was all in a chest buried in the earth under the cave," Gellert replied. "Merlin had to tell us where to look, and we had to get one of Blaise's school chums who excels in herbology to help with the earth magic."

"The chest has a very nice carving of Cernunnos on the lid, and you can tell it's bloody ancient," Blaise said admiringly.

He lifted what looked to be a simple wooden box from the floor. When he closed the lid it was evident that the box was an ornately carved druid's chest. The slanting lid was covered in elegantly carved runes surrounding a raised relief carving of the horned god himself.

"Badass," Rabastan breathed admiringly.

"So why aren't you certain all the items can be useful," Bellatrix asked Gellert.

Gellert shrugged, giving a sulky frown. "Because Merlin and Nimue don't remember what all of the items are or what they do. Merlin is certain they are all powerful and important and in their ways do great things, but we're still working out what those great things are and it isn't easy."

Blaise gave a slight nod of agreement. "If Merlin and Nimue were crafty enough not to make the purposes of their treasures obvious, or if said treasures were more focus tools than items that held true power of their own is yet to be decided." He sighed. "If Merlin and Nimue don't remember, they can hardly help."

"Perhaps you can cast some sort of extra strength memory enhancing charm for them," Bellatrix suggested in a thoughtful murmur.

Gellert gave a dry smirk. "Casting all the way from another world? That shouldn't be in the least difficult."

Bellatrix shot him an amused smile. "You're Grindelwald, so for you it should be elementary."

"So are we going to have a session or just spend the hour studying these items," Mag asked. "Because all of us here are gifted enough to perhaps figure a few of them out if we combine our efforts."

Rabastan gave the cluster of items on the table an eager glance. "I'm ready to give it a go," he said, eyes lingering on a thick oak wand with a round crystal set into its tip.

Bellatrix and Rodolphus nodded.

"I sort of...wanted to talk first." Regulus spoke quietly from his spot on the sofa with Kreacher in the corner of the room.

"Alright," Mag said. At once she turned her attention from the items on the table to Regulus. Her large green eyes were alert, attentive, and concerned. "What's going on?"

Regulus shifted on the loveseat, glancing self-consciously around at the group before dropping his gaze. "Kreacher and I had to take Gellert and Blaise to the cave so they'd know where it was. That, and Voldemort had set up a very difficult method of transport that involved one adult and one person under eighteen years of age or at least small or not human." He shrugged. "I'm not certain of the requirements, but it was strange, the way he had it arranged. Either way Blaise and Gellert wouldn't have been able to go alone. Voldemort never bothered to educate himself on the powers of most beings that weren't directly useful to him, so he was unaware that elves could simply Apparate in and out.

"Kreacher or any other elf can just go to the cave and take anyone they like. So today, the four of us went. I knew I would not relish seeing it again because of all the memories surrounding it. With what happened to Kreacher and then...with myself, but...just... I noticed that I disassociated while we were there. It was so disconcerting! It felt so strange, like part of me was stretched out on a string floating above the rest of me, looking down. I was detached, feeling far less emotion than I knew I should. The sensation was even physical, not quite like vertigo, but definitely noticeable."

He glanced up at last, embarrassed. "I'm quite certain I'm not explaining it properly, but it's a difficult thing to put into words," he concluded, tone apologetic.

"I'm just impressed you knew the term disassociate," Mag said with a soft smile. "That does seem to be what happened, and it's perfectly normal."

"I did read the psychology books that you recommended to me on trauma," Regulus told her with a small chuckle.

"Good. I wasn't sure that you would," Mag said.

"I always seek to learn," Regulus told her. "If the Muggles sorted out how the mind works, I will consider what even they have to say."

Mag nodded. "Knowledge is power no matter from where it comes. As for you, how are you feeling now?"

Regulus shrugged. "I'm not really sure. I think I'm still disassociated a bit. The surprising thing is, I didn't even think I was that upset. That was the odd part. I suppose after all that happened disassociating should be expected, but I'd think I would've felt upset on a conscious level first."

Mag nodded in understanding. "The mind is a funny thing, and a complex one too. At times, things happen, and even process, so fast that we aren't aware of on the surface, or conscious level as it were. To come back, as it were, you will need to focus on grounding back into your body and on things that make you feel safe and comforted."

Kreacher reached for Regulus's hand and Mag smiled, nodding. "Yes, that's good. He always responds well to you," she told the elf.

Somehow Bellatrix found herself moving across the room to her cousin. Bending, she reached to draw him into a hard embrace. "It's alright now, Regi," she crooned softly, and he clung to her hard with one arm as he held Kreacher's hand.

Chapter 106: New Discoveries

Chapter 106: New Discoveries

"Thanks, Bella," Regulus said, giving her a warm smile. "That helped. I'm sure I'll feel myself soon. Perhaps working on trying to discover the uses of Merlin and Nimue's items will bring me fully back to myself."

Bellatrix nodded, and trying not to look as embarrassed as she felt, headed back over to her chair beside Rod. All that hugging rubbish wasn't even in the realm of her comfort zone.

Scanning the array of items on the table, she decided to just begin trying to work with the item to which she was most drawn. Her gaze kept returning to a large raw crystal quartz point, set into a chunk of gleaming silver just at its top. Lifting it into her hand, she wrapped her fingers around it and closed her eyes, focusing only on how it made her feel. Often with wands, how one felt when holding it was an indication of what it did best. A crystal pendant wasn't a wand exactly, but the same concept might apply.

The crystal seemed to nearly hum or vibrate in her hand. It was power. Perhaps it enhanced a person's power.

"May I keep this and play with it for a while," she asked and Gellert nodded distractedly.

"I suppose so," he said. His grudging tone led her to believe that he'd wanted to keep all the items for himself but probably felt a bit like a git for not sharing with friends. Were they friends? That would be nice, she supposed.

"I'd like to do the same with the amber," Mag said, extending the large dark yellow chunk of amber wrapped in heavy silver that she still held.

"Fine, fine," Gellert said, still grudging to share though obviously he saw the necessity for it. He and Blaise couldn't use or even figure everything out at once, after all.

"I doubt every item is enchanted to do something specific," Rabastan said. "I mean they were running around having wars against the Saxons. I'm betting they didn't have time to enchant shit constantly. Likely some of these things do something rather impressive, but the others could just be ornamental or for general standard magic, like this wand here. It just feels like a strong wand," he said, waving the wand in question.

It was the large polished oak wand with the clear quartz ball set into the tip that he'd been eyeing earlier. A small explosion erupted from the tip and Rabastan swore.

"Fuck! Perhaps not standard," he amended. "It appears to be more like a power tool… A fucking blasting rod."

Mag chuckled. "You were saying?"

"Thanks for figuring that out for us without killing anyone," Gellert said drily. Leaning across the table, he plucked the wand from Rabastan's hand. "I'll just be taking that."

"That's right. We do all the work and you reap the rewards," Rabastan grumbled.

"Yes, please. I do enough at the Ministry every day to keep everyone, including you, safe. As such, I hardly have enough time or energy left over at the end of the day to study all this." He gestured at the table of items. "Blaise and I do what we can, but what we can is around ten minutes a day most days."

That blasting rod could be useful if Delphini happened to show up at Azkaban again, Bellatrix thought regretfully as she watched Gellert slipping it up his sleeve. He was probably in more danger than they were, but he was definitely more likely to run into trouble faster.

"What have you discovered thus far that you find useful from the cave," she asked.

"We've focused most of our attention on the Crom Dubh statue, and after Rod's insights, we shall do so even more thoroughly," Gellert answered.

"We've been wearing a bit of their jewelry, but if it does anything in particular, we haven't discovered it yet," Blaise shared. "Hopefully this weekend we will have time to explore some items further… Provided we get decent sleep, of course."

"Which is why we offered to help," Bellatrix pointed out.

Mag gave a nod of agreement.

"He just doesn't wanna share," Rabastan snickered.

"I'll share," Gellert growled. "It isn't as though you could ever put the blasting rod to as good a use as I will. Petty crime is not as important as..."

Rabastan cut Grindelwald off with a belly laugh, reaching to clap the blonde on the shoulder. "Fuck it, Grindelwald. I don't really care. Keep the blasting rod. Plug your ass with the fucker for all I care. I was just fucking with you."

It struck Bellatrix then that Grindelwald was no longer a god for them and likely hadn't been for a while. He was just one of them, a human, even if he did have a few remarkable abilities, and their friend.

"Why are you staring at me like that," he asked her suspiciously. "Stop. I don't like it."

Bellatrix smiled apologetically. "Sorry. It's just...you're right. If there is anything else any of us can do, just say."

"I've noticed you three coming in enough days looking as if you're not getting enough sleep either, so you're doing your bit," Blaise said. "No one ever said you weren't."

Grindelwald nodded. "Just helping to study these items will ease the load some."

"How's it going with Dumbledore's son and his shiny new sword? Is that in progress," Bellatrix asked and Gellert nodded, turning to regard her thoughtfully.

"Yes. Graven is studying the sword of Gryffindor, and I think she's already made a few trial efforts. She is unsatisfied with them, but practice allows things to happen so progress will be made the more she practices."

"And did you ever sort the roles for Lyra and Cassius in all this," she asked.

Grindelwald shrugged. "Somewhat. Things are always subject to change, as Delphini is still such an unknown. My goal is to form such a strike, that it can still work against an ever shifting unknown variable. Though this might sound rather impossible, it isn't if you consider that destroying is always easier than building, and in this particular case that is all we need to do. Destroy the creature that is Delphini."

Bellatrix nodded.

"My goal now is to use Lyra and Cassius as back up to the others, cementing what Wulfric and co. are doing with their abilities. Cassius can lock things into place and Lyra can add her attacks once Delphini is already down as well as using her abilities on the well-deserving minds of any of Delphini's followers."

"Who is the co.," Rabastan asked. "Is that like the six of you?" He looked inquiringly from Blaise and Gellert to Bella and Rod, finally casting his gaze to the corner of the room where Kreacher and Regulus sat on the small sofa.

"We're part of it, but not the main attack. The six of us will combine our powers to form a sort of love shield to protect the others. The others being Wulfric, and Loughness."

"You're involving my son in this," Regulus asked darkly.

"Don't behave as if you didn't know," Grindelwald chided almost gently. "You're a bloody vampire. You can see inside of our heads and you know everything."

He smirked, but the scowling Regulus was anything but amused. "You know I've never been able to read you. Hasn't my family lost enough without more of our lives being risked? Haven't we unwillingly spilled enough blood because of Voldemort?"

"I thought you made Loughness to be special and do great things. I do recall that's what you and Kreacher both said when you decided to have children for house Black, in spite of the fact vampires are technically unable to breed," Grindelwald reminded.

"Your child is lingering in Hogwarts being bored out of his mind just as I was at his age in Durmstrang," Gellert said.

"Just as I was at Hogwarts," Blaise added with an amused smirk.

"The boy's abilities are required." Gellert's tone was matter of fact. "He can help take her, and he will survive it as long as the rest of us do," he promised, blue eyes intense as he leaned toward Regulus.

Bellatrix hardly thought of Regulus's children these days. For the past seven years, they'd been away at Hogwarts, and as children weren't really her bag, it had been easy to almost forget about them. Still, she supposed Gellert had a good point.

Kreacher and Regulus had wanted to create a special child who had the best of wizard and elf blood and as such was better than both. Bellatrix, Rodolphus, and Rabastan had been horrified by the idea, of course. To them it was sullying the pureblood of their family, but to Regulus and Kreacher, the blood was being made even purer. Both insisted that this mixing was combining two powerful magics to create something even better. Whereas mating with Muggles was what weakened the blood.

Though the idea had some logic to it, Bellatrix hadn't been able to overcome her stark horror at the time, so had overlooked, intentionally she supposed, any potential in such a thing. Regulus and Kreacher didn't require Lestrange approval to go ahead with their experiment, however. Working with Dumbledore, and a very expensive goblin Healer, they both donated sperm for artificial insemination and Albus transfigured one sperm into an egg. This ensured they would not need the egg of a woman, and the child would be entirely that of Kreacher and Regulus to continue the line of Black. The Healer did some sort of genetic reversal spell on the sperm and egg so that there would be no trace of vampirism in the genetic code. Granted the magic was advanced and impressive, Bellatrix could only feel horror at the time. The witch that Regulus and Kreacher paid to carry the child birthed twins, a boy, Loughness and a girl, Hydra.

The babies had been tiny, and to Bellatrix's mind, hideously ugly. They had Regulus's soft black hair and many of his human facial features. Their hands sported long elf fingers, though, and they had Kreacher's ears, large round eyes, and distinct long hooked nose. Whatever Albus and the Healer had done with genetics had worked, for at least the babies weren't vampires.

Seeing the distaste of the Lestranges for what he'd done, Regulus kept the children at a distance for the most part. That wasn't too difficult, for children tended to go to bed early, and their Shadow Ops job always had the Lestranges working rather late. Any visits they had with Regulus and Kreacher tended to be well after the children were in bed. They saw them on the holidays, but Loughness and Hydra tended to keep to themselves, giving the Lestranges plenty of room as if they'd heard some unsettling rumors about them or something. Bellatrix couldn't imagine what could frighten children when it came to their past deeds. They'd let the Longbottom brat live, after all.

Chapter 107: Knowledge Is Power

Chapter 107: Knowledge Is Power

"What is it that you want Loughness to do in this," Regulus bit out.

Though he spoke to Grindelwald, her cousin's hard glare was on the wall to the right of the blonde German's head, Bellatrix noted. She felt a pang of sympathy for what Regulus must be going through, considering he'd already lost both of his own parents.

"He will be working to assist Wulfric's efforts. Covering his tracks, as it were," Gellert said. "Wulfric will directly engage and strike the killing blow. Loughness will make sure that she stays dead with the unique combination of his wizard and elf magics."

Well, that sounded relatively safe, Bellatrix thought.

"We all have to do our part, and the brat wouldn't appreciate being sheltered," Rodolphus said casually.

Bellatrix felt her lips twitch as she recalled Loughness bragging when he was around seven years old that he'd be a great Dark Lord someday to surpass the great ones of ancient history.

The boy completely disregarded Dumbledore, who was partly to blame for his own existence, though this did not win him greatness apparently. Nor was Loughness particularly impressed with Voldemort who had run roughshod through the family as well as the entire wizarding world. Not even Grindelwald, who traveled in the family's social circle, counted as a great, though Loughness had expressed a very strong interest in the Elder wand itself. Regulus and Kreacher just as strongly admonished him for this interest, but Loughness remained singularly unimpressed by the cautionary words of his parents.

"And if we refuse to allow him to participate," Regulus asked darkly.

Grindelwald shrugged. "I have my opinions, but that hardly matters. He is old enough to legally make his own choices, and he's surely heard about everything from Wulfric already so he will do what he wishes, I should think."

Bella gave a nod of silent understanding on that one. It only stood to reason. As Dumbledore was like some father figure to Snape and Snape was close friends with Regulus, Snape and Dumbledore's children had grown up with Regulus's own.

Loughness and Hydra had grown up playing with Wulfric Dumbledore and Serpensortia Snape. There were likely no secrets between them. Growing up with half elf children as playmates was what had made Wulfric open enough to date a goblin, Bellatrix thought. That or he had his father's freakish overly accepting blood to a fault. He was darker than Albus, though, and goblins weren't nearly as bad as Muggles. They might be ugly and greedy, but one didn't have to hide their magical abilities in front of them.

Grindelwald sighed, gaze resting on Regulus in mild resentment. "Do you really think I'd allow anything to happen to your family, Regulus," he asked tiredly.

Somehow Bellatrix almost felt a little guilty, and she wasn't the one with the bloody problem. This caused her to shoot an annoyed glare in Regulus's direction. Voldemort could make you believe he cared, but if he got angry or something else became more pressing, that could shift in an instant. Even then, he could make you feel terrified, and as if it was all your fault. The suddenly tired, worn, and sad look in Grindelwald's eyes was nothing like that, and it touched Bella on a level of humanity that Voldemort never lowered himself to. If he'd remained a god, that may have been alright, but he'd sunk lower than a demon and tried to drag them with him.

Letting out a breath, she shook herself and turned to Gellert. "He doesn't mean..." Why was she bothering to defend Regi when he could defend himself? Probably to make bloody Grindelwald feel better, she realized.

Of course they'd tried to make the Dark Lord feel better as well, but that was more out of a scrambling terror that one not get themselves smited by their angry bloody god… This was different. Gellert was under a lot of pressure, and it wasn't as if any of them wanted to step into his shoes on this one, herself included.

Gellert gave her a strained smile as he shrugged.

"Of course I don't believe you would intend for anything to happen to my family," Regulus told Gellert tightly. "I simply feel that you consider getting rid of Delphini to be the most relevant goal, and rightfully so. If lives are lost in the process...well, you are accustomed to war. I, however, am tired of it. Of course I see that a world that Delphini runs will not be a safe or pleasant one, but...I can't lose my child! I can't."

Gellert sighed again. "I have come to learn more than most how valuable family is. You are my friend, and I could never take yours from you. Not even for any great and worthy goal. Loughness is as safe as my own parents or myself. Of course I want her dead for the safety of us all, but I do not wish to die to achieve this goal. While I only had myself to look out for when it came down to life and death in my younger days, I had enough practice at keeping myself alive to learn a few tricks when it comes to expanding to my close circle. In other words, it will be fine."

"Perhaps some of Merlin's artifacts could help Loughness in whatever he shall be doing to assist Wulfric," Kreacher said. As he spoke, the elf rose from the loveseat where he sat at Regulus's side and wandered over to the table where Merlin and Nimue's artifacts were spread. He regarded the lot with a shrewd, intense interest.

That sort of behavior, among other things, was what had always set him far apart from, and above, other elves in Bellatrix's eyes.

Gellert smirked in satisfaction. "Well, at least one of you is making himself useful."

Taking the not so subtle hint, Regulus rose and joined Kreacher at the table where everyone else was gathered. This turned the session back toward artifacts and away from shrinking.

"I think I'll make certain all the other wands aren't blasting rods as well, just in case," Regulus said with an amused twitch to his lips.

He turned his attention to the other five wands on the table, holding each and silently casting toward the far wall of the room. He kept far out of range of everyone, but none of the wands made the odd explosion the one Rabastan tried had done.

"Only one blasting rod then," Regulus concluded as he lowered the last wand. "I do get the impression some of these have other specialties, though."

"Why don't you keep them for a bit, and see if you can discover what they are," Gellert suggested.

The blonde had seemingly gotten over his reluctance to share, Bellatrix noted.

Regulus nodded. "I can do that. I will work with them for several hours a day and report any breakthroughs to you. Of course if a wand has a specialty that would help you I will have it sent to you directly."

"Thank you," Gellert replied.

Meanwhile, Kreacher silently studied several chunks of raw clear quartz and smoky crystal quartz. They weren't jewelry, being nearly fist sized, and far too thick and short to serve as wands.

"What do you think those do, Kreacher," Bellatrix asked.

The elf looked up slowly, a thoughtful frown on his face. "Kreacher doesn't know, but he gets the impression that each once had its own leather bag. Or perhaps he just feels it should be thus now." He shrugged. "As odd as it may sound, Kreacher senses the strong impression of a soft leather bag around each crystal. Almost as if it was once there and left an imprint."

"Wait, you aren't usually psychic, are you," Blaise asked, and Kreacher shook his head.

"Kreacher doesn't even know why the idea occurred to him," the elf admitted. "Blaise is correct. Kreacher is not at all psychic as a rule, but the impression was very strong. Perhaps Kreacher was only being fanciful." His expression grew embarrassed as his gaze dropped.

Blaise's full lips twitched skeptically. "Doubtful, as that's no more in your character than psychic is. I think you're picking up on something. If the crystals are made for scrying tools, or no, spying tools, they could imprint anything close to them."

Gellert turned to Blaise, eyes suddenly alert with an eager interest. "You mean the crystals were spelled to pick up images of whatever they were exposed to?"

Blaise nodded. "Possibly."

"Brilliant!" Gellert's now bright smile flashed from Blaise to Kreacher.

"Perhaps those under Merlin's command planted the crystals in the pathway of the Saxons, or even in their camps, and linked them to other scrying crystals," Blaise mused and Gellert nodded enthusiastically.

"Or these are the crystals that are linked to the Saxon ones in order to spy on them," Kreacher mused. "If the crystals originally placed with the Saxons are the ones in the leather bags that Kreacher was seeing."

"That could very well be," Blaise agreed, nodding.

"Kreacher thinks it would be more difficult to retrieve any crystals once they managed to get them into Saxon territory," Kreacher continued.

"Unless there were battles and the crystals led them to the proper place," Gellert pointed out.

"Ah," Kreacher nodded. "There is that."

"So the point is these crystals could be useful if we planted them somewhere to spy on Delphini," Rabastan asked and Gellert nodded.

"Of course."

"Well, that ought to be easy," Bellatrix said drily.

"It's merely an option, and we've had little luck spying on her with other means," Gellert replied with a slight shrug. "We can place them in areas she's likely to go, at least."

"If that doesn't work and we aren't able to use them for spying on her, we could try to see what else they hold from the past in case it's useful. Perhaps the Saxons used tactics we'd find interesting," Blaise speculated.

"Doubtful," Rodolphus said. "Mostly they were Muggles. Merlin was helping the Muggle war lord Arthur, remember. He was helping to fight a mostly Muggle war, not a wizarding one."

Bellatrix smirked. Roddy had stayed awake in that old ghost's history class after all!

"Yes, but mostly is the operative word. The Saxons had a few wizards as well," Blaise pointed out.

"At that time it was druid wizard against druid wizard nearly as much as it was Muggle against Muggle. The druids who betrayed Merlin did so for power, just as people have done throughout human history," Gellert said in agreement with Zabini.

"So if these crystals can spy on Delphini, how will we know what they are seeing if we don't have the crystals that match up to them," Bellatrix asked. "If they're buried in some Saxon grave, that's hardly helpful to us."

"That's just it, though," Blaise said, reaching to run a slender dark skinned finger over one of the darker crystals in the lot. "There are six here. Three clear quartz and three smoky quartz. Perhaps they are three sets. Perhaps the three clear are connected to the three smoky, reflecting what they see."

He frowned thoughtfully. "The trick, though, will be discovering the spell to activate them. Without this, I doubt they will fully reflect what its match is seeing. Merlin wouldn't make it too easy, or his enemies could too easily steal information."

"You are so bloody amazing right now," Gellert said, giving Zabini a lustful look that had Bellatrix making a disgusted face.

"This weekend, Blaise and I shall test the crystals, and if they work as my boy seems to believe, you three can place them in certain Muggle places of import for a start," Gellert said, turning to the Lestranges as he spoke.

"Because we just so love venturing out among the Muggles," Bellatrix said drily, and Gellert grinned.

"Exactly," he agreed happily. "Besides...better you than me."

"How are we supposed to know places of Muggle import anyway," Rodolphus asked with a grumble.

"Now that's a reasonable question for a change," Gellert said with a chuckle that caused Rod's frown to deepen.

Apparently talk of venturing out among the Muggles did not put him into a joking mood. It looked as if they'd all be miserable together, Bellatrix thought darkly.

"If all goes well, I'll have all the addresses for you Monday morning with directions," Gellert assured.

"We can hardly bloody wait," Rabastan muttered.

Chapter 108: Blasting Rod

Chapter 108: Blasting Rod

The meeting broke, not because there wasn't more that could perhaps be accomplished or figured out, but mostly because everyone was tired. When one was too tired, thoughts became muddled and things were missed, as Gellert pointed out. Before everyone Apparated away to their respective homes, Gellert handed out assignments.

"Bella, you and Mag have stones to study while Blaise and I sort out the potential of the scrying crystals. Rodolphus, I would like you to research Crom Dubh a bit more when it comes to luck and being unlucky where he can be involved. Regulus, I would like you to research druid magic, as it may help us to more quickly figure out the kind of magic used to enchant these items. We all know magical techniques change over time greatly, and this matters in such a case. Kreacher, take a few more of the items to study if any particularly grab your attention. Just bring them back next week. Rabastan...I'd like you to take a few moments before you go home to study this blasting rod." As Grindelwald spoke, he drew the rod from his sleeve and proffered it to Rabastan.

"You were the one to figure out what it does, after all, and that means something. Blaise and I have played with each of these items at least once, but neither of us made the blasting rod discharge. You did, so it makes me believe you have an affinity for such magics. I think, perhaps, you could even produce blasting rods if given the proper time. I'd at least like for you to give it a try."

Rabastan blinked in mild surprise but nodded. He hadn't thought his figuring out the thing really meant anything since it was a complete accident. The fact that neither Grindelwald nor Zabini had managed to make the blasting rod do anything made him feel a bit impressed with himself.

"I could give it a go but no promises," he warned. "Just because I could make it work, doesn't mean I can make another."

However, as he'd love one of his own, he would bloody sure give it a good hard go. In fact, he was already working over the logistics of the thing. Did the material matter, or was this simply what Merlin and Nimue had available at the time? He supposed he could try metal and wood to see which worked better, if he even came up with any ideas of how to construct a blasting rod in the first place. Before that, though, he'd have to put his mind on where to get the materials.

She must have read something on his face, for Mag Snape spoke up. "I can get you some short wooden staffs and some metal wands that haven't already been charged to do anything if that would help? Then you would have some material to practice with."

He smiled gratefully. She was a wand maker, and though a blasting rod wasn't precisely a wand, he supposed it was close enough so he'd take any help a wand maker was willing to give. "Yeah, that would be great. Thanks."

"The sooner you can get them to him, the better," Gellert said, and Mag nodded.

"Tomorrow should be possible," she said. "And, of course, I get to keep one if you end up being able to make them," she told Rabastan.

He grinned. That was Slytherin enterprising for sure, and he could appreciate the fuck out of that. "Of course," he agreed readily.

With his quandary over materials out of the way, Rabastan was able to turn his full attention to studying the rod in his hand. He couldn't help wondering if metal wouldn't conduct better than the oak Merlin and Nimue had used. What if he could make an even stronger blasting rod with even more BLAST to it? If so, that would be bloody brilliant! The quartz orb in the tip did seem like the best stone choice, since it amplified.

"Umm, can you get copper rods," he asked Mag without glancing up from the heavy oak rod in his hand.

"I think so," Mag replied thoughtfully. "I'll need to get started on it tonight, though, just to make sure I can have them to you by tomorrow. I shall write my goblin contact as soon as we're done here."

"Thank you," Gellert told her.

"No problem. I am glad to help," the redhead replied.

Rabastan frowned in concentration as he tried to feel how the rod had been constructed. It just felt like a very strong wand, though, as it had before he'd accidentally discharged it, believing it was only that.

"I need to try this again," he decided. "Otherwise, I won't get the feel for it that I need." He stood up. "I'll just go outside so that I don't kill any of you good motherfuckers in my attempt to make something great."

"That is much appreciated," Grindelwald said drily.

Rabastan grinned. "I thought it would be."

He strolled from the library and out of Grimmauld Place. As he left, he could feel the silence in his wake. He knew everyone was hoping he could figure this out, because if all the Aurors had blasting rods to use against Delphini, that would fucking rule. Plus, every one of those motherfuckers in there wanted one as did he. So like them he was hoping he could do this.

If he couldn't, though, he knew they'd not be pissy about it. It wasn't as if he'd ever even made a wand before, much less a blasting rod, something quite specialized and not even seen today! In fact, he didn't even think he'd ever heard of one before. It made the fact that Grindelwald hoped he could create one all the more flattering.

He'd never been interested in making wands, so perhaps a blasting rod wasn't at all like a wand, even if the one in his hand had originally felt like one. That thought made him a bit more hopeful that he could figure out how it worked and thus how to make one of his own. If he started on a personal level, just thinking of one for himself, perhaps there would be less subconscious pressure on himself, he thought. Fuck, had he ever even thought the fucking word 'subconscious' before this fucking shrinking shit, he wondered darkly. Fuck if he'd ever tell anyone, Roddy and Bella included. He'd be laughed at for that shit.

That decided, he was able to return his focus to the blasting rod. Standing on the lawn of #12 Grimmauld, he directed it into the night, and unlike the previous go when he'd had no idea what he was holding, he actually attempted to send out a blast of magic. It worked, though the blast wasn't as strong as the accidental one inside had been. Fuck! Perhaps he was trying too hard. He'd not try then, he decided. He'd just let go and...yes, that did it! That was a good one. The boom caused by the erupting magic was bloody impressive! It would've surely fucked Delphini up but good had she been standing in its path. On the next go, he'd actually attempt to feel the power as it left the rod. That way, he'd hopefully understand how the process worked. To his annoyance, though, when he attempted the blast not a fucking thing happened!

"Fine," he growled through gritted teeth.

He'd just try again. Again, nothing happened. It was then that he figured it out. The rod needed refilling or recharging. The magic to make the blast had to be stored in advance! Simple, yet brilliant. Now all he had to do was sort out how to store magic in it.

"Fuck!"

This was far, far easier said than fucking done. If storing magic were that easy, everyone would have a blasting rod or at least its fucking equivalent in some form or other.

What if there was a spell for depositing magic in a thing though? Grindelwald was right. Magic was different now, and like anything else with cultures as they came and went, knowledge got lost. Right now, though, the rod was blasted fresh out of magic, and Grindelwald was going to be pissed. The German had wanted to keep the rod for himself, and it wasn't particularly useful at the moment.

Rabastan sighed and braced himself to go inside and share the shitty news. He was just turning to walk back up the front stairs when something about the rod in his hand tickled his awareness. It felt somehow hollow, though he knew by the weight and heft of the thing that it could not be. It felt like solid oak. So why the impression that about ten centimeters of the bottom end, furthest from the crystal orb, was hollowed out? What if it wasn't physically hollow but magically hollow? What if the wood had slight internal fractures to allow magic to seep into it more thoroughly? That was weird, he thought, feeling mildly annoyed. Weird thoughts were fine, except when he did not fucking know how to use them. What the fuck was he supposed to do with that?

Closing his eyes, he wrapped both hands around the rod, allowing himself to sense the empty spot that had grasped his attention. It had to be where the magic was stored. But how did one produce raw magic? Then once one had done that, how the fuck did one put it into the rod? Taking in a deep breath, he let it out slowly, thinking of the concept of the magic he used when shattering the shit out of something. He loved releasing magic in violent ways. It felt good. It felt powerful! He focused his mind on the hollow bit he felt in the now empty blasting rod, and allowed himself to feel the magic of violent casting.

Squeezing the rod, clinging to the hollow spot with his mind, he imagined depositing that violence into the empty spot over and over. Oddly within three or so minutes of this he was utterly exhausted. With a sigh, he loosened his grip. He'd gone and tired himself the fuck out, probably for nothing. He had no good reason to believe he'd done anything that had really worked, after all.

Just for the fuck of it, though, he turned away from the manor again and sent a blast into the night. The boom of magic that issued from the quartz ball on the tip of the rod caused him to whoop with joy. He'd done it! That meant once he worked out how Merlin and Nimue had made a hollow spot in the rod, when it wasn't actually hollow at all, he could probably make one… and then several! Now, at least, he wouldn't have to go back in and tell Grindelwald that he no longer even had one functional blasting rod. Instead, he could explain that he'd discovered that the blasts could run out and also how to restore the power! He wondered if people could learn to refill their own rods, or if he'd be paid to do that too. Because if other people weren't able to do it, he was certainly getting paid. That shit had been tiring!

Chapter 109: Channeling The Violence

Chapter 109: Channeling the Violence

Rabastan was still feeling drained as he walked back into Grimmauld Place. Entering the library, he passed Grindelwald the blasting rod without a word.

"Well," the blonde asked, arching his brows expectantly.

Rabastan grinned. "There is one element I have yet to sort, but I think I have most of it figured out. As it happens, the fucker eventually runs out of blast, and you have to refill it. I am here to say that I nearly shit myself when I realized that at first, because I wasn't in the mood to come back in here, and tell you that you were not going home with a shiny new toy after all."

"He isn't Voldemort," Mag said quietly.

The look of open sympathy in her gaze took Rabastan by...well, by shock because it was more than by surprise. What the fuck? "Of course he isn't! Voldemort would've never allowed me to play with his new toy!"

"Not even to make more," Mag asked, and Rabastan shook his head.

"I don't think so. He's not at all the sort to share power. He'd never want others to know how to make one if he could help it."

Kreacher, Reg, Rod, and Bella all nodded their agreement at the same time and Rabastan grinned. Every fucker liked being supported.

"I didn't think Grindel would fuck me up or anything, I just thought I'd get shit about it, and that's a drag, you know." He gave Mag a slight smile. "I know he's no Voldemort."

"So I learned how to refill it, but it was stressful as shit," Rabastan continued with his story. "If I can refill it, I figure I'm two thirds of the way to making one. There's just this funny bit in the bottom that feels hollow, though I know it probably isn't due to the fact it's quite heavy, so I am stuck on how to make a thing hollow so I can store magic in it while leaving it solid..." He grinned. "One of those typical fucked magical riddles I guess, but I'll sort it eventually."

Grindelwald quirked a brow. "Why not just ask Merlin? As you also could've done about the refill that you got yourself so worked up over."

Rabastan blinked. It was that simple? "Well, fuck," he complained. "I never thought of that!" He flicked a glance to Rod who was giving him a pleased grin for some reason. "I never handle pressure well at all," he admitted. "Besides I never talked to Merlin or Nimue the way it seems most of you have, if not all of you."

"Yes, all of us by now, it seems," Mag said.

"I happened to have been working when Bella and Rod made their first contact with them through the crystal thingies at the Ministry," Rabastan said. "So mentally dialing in and asking Merlin just never fucking occurred..."

Grindelwald flashed a quick smile. "Fair enough, and you did well on your own. Sometimes figuring a thing like that out on your own gives you a deeper understanding of the process."

Rabastan considered that for a moment, then nodded in agreement. "Yeah! I get that. So should we ask him about the hollow part at least? Shit may go faster."

Gellert nodded. "We can definitely try. At times communication between them and us on complex magical matters can be...a bit hazy."

Blaise frowned. "They seem to have the focus of distractible magpies, and it's rather vexing," he complained.

"Indeed, but even when the focus is there, the explanations are so different from what we understand that it can be tricky. Merlin has used the magic of a communication rune more than once and this has been helpful, though."

"So how do we ask him about the hollow spot in the rod that isn't hollow," Rabastan asked, and Grindelwald held up a hand.

"I already did, and he's answering," he murmured. "Hold on a moment while I attempt to understand what he is saying..."

For several long seconds, Grindelwald stared into space before returning his gaze to Rabastan. "He says it isn't hollow? Wait..."

They all waited.

"It's almost hollow… There is a tiny hollow spot in the wood at the lower end, narrowing toward the tip where the crystal is set. The hollow spot is made with magic."

"Like sort of blasting a hole in the same way you blast the magic into the hole for storage," Rabastan asked excitedly, suddenly feeling the concept click in his mind.

Another long pause, then a smile sprang to Gellert's face. "Yes! Yes, he says that's precisely it! He is impressed with you."

Rabastan felt his cheeks heat. That was bloody Merlin after all.

Suddenly, nearly like a little fucking kid...okay, exactly like a little fucking kid, Rabastan couldn't wait to tell his dad that he'd somehow managed to make Merlin proud! MERLIN of all fuckers! Then it got even better when Roddy rose to clap him on the shoulder and Bella reached to squeeze his arm, smiling fiercely.

"We're proud of you, little brother," she said.

"What she said," Rod agreed, grinning from ear to ear. "That's some impressive stuff. We didn't know you had it in you… No offense, mind, we're all three brilliant, but Bella and I don't even have that in us so..."

Bella chuckled at her husband's explanation but nodded.

"And thanks in advance for my blasting rod," Rod continued happily. "It shall certainly help to keep all those prisoners in line at our home away from home."

The next day, Rabastan had a package in the morning post. Harold brought it to him at the breakfast table. Mag must have told her goblin metalsmiths that they were to skip her as the middle man, because the return address on the package was Gringotts.

Rabastan hurriedly opened the heavy cylindrical bundle to find several twenty-millimeter, perfectly clear, round crystal quartz orbs and several heavy sticks of raw copper half as thick as his own wiry forearm.

There was an enclosed note signed by Griphook saying that if this worked, there would be more copper and quartz where this came from, donated free of charge, were he to make a few blasting rods for bank security. Of course the little fuckers wanted blasting rods. They were denied wands for ages, so stood to fucking reason they'd wanna go bigger. He didn't give a fuck, though. If he managed to make these work, he'd write Griphook directly for more supplies and gladly give the goblins some blasting rods.

He assumed the wood he'd asked for would come separately, but this right here was plenty to work with for now. Besides, he was sort of feeling more excited about the concept of copper anyway. If he could manage to construct an even better blasting rod, it would likely be made of copper."You should stay home and work on the blasting rods today," Rod said. "Bella and I can handle things at Azkaban without you. We have plenty of help."

Rod grinned over at his huge Acromantula, who was currently shoving a plate of eggs hungrily into his face. The spider muttered something in what Rabastan took to be agreement, though he couldn't be sure.

Rabastan nodded eagerly. "Works for me." He didn't bother with a polite thank you, because Rod was definitely benefiting from giving him the day off.

As soon as breakfast was over, he got to work. Taking the materials outside, he settled down with his back to a tall tree in the backyard. Working outside made him feel more at ease because if any shit went wrong he wouldn't be breaking anything priceless and valuable in the manor.

Eager to begin, he hefted one of the copper bars in his hand. It was nearly as long as his forearm, and, as such, slightly longer than the one they'd gotten from Merlin's cave. He began by using a heating charm to soften one end of the copper rod to hold one of the crystal orbs.

Once the stone was settled into place, with a little copper melted around the edges to keep it from moving, he turned his attention to the other end of the rod. Now it was time for the tricky bit where he attempted to hollow out this fucker just a little with magic. Squeezing his focus down to a fine point and thrusting it into the end of the copper opposite the crystal, he focused the heat magic on softening a spot just in the middle.

Then very carefully he widened it out just a fraction of a fraction. Did it work? He'd not know until he attempted to store energy inside, but, at least at this point, it felt a bit hollow. Not quite in the same way the oak rod had felt hollow, but then again oak should feel different than copper. Storing the energy in it was likely to feel different as well, he thought. Here went nothing.

Fifteen minutes later, he stood on slightly shaky legs to try out his first ever blasting rod! He didn't know if the energy he'd poured into the copper would blast anything, but he'd certainly done something, because like last night when he'd refilled Merlin's he was tired as fuck. Also like last night, he was reenergized quite a lot when the fucker worked but good! The boom of the blast elicited a whoop of glee that had Harold hurrying out of the manor.

"Everything is fine," Rabastan assured the elf. "I just did something awesome, that's all!"

Having used both now, he did think the copper worked even better than the oak. Perhaps the oak was a bit more stable, though, so perhaps he could combine the two by hollowing out the oak more and slipping a thinner copper rod inside. He could produce some of copper, some of oak, and some of both just to see the differences in how they worked...the pros and cons in each, as it were. If each had its upsides, he could sell them eventually for different prices and individual needs.

"May Harold try," the elf asked, and Rabastan grinned.

"Fuck yeah, you can!"

What with the badass plague mask, it was always impossible to read the elf's expressions, but the fact he was impressed right now was more than obvious.

Chapter 110: Practical Magic

Chapter 110: Practical Magic

"It feels violent," Harold commented as he sat across from Rabastan eating lunch a half hour later.

He'd strongly suggested immediate food to restore Rabastan's strength, and that had sounded like a bloody brilliant idea. The elf hadn't spoken for nearly ten minutes as they ate, which had been fine with Rabastan because he was still rather drained. He knew what Harold referred to without having to ask.

"It has to be. You're making the thing to do violence."

"Not just power," Harold asked.

It was weird seeing the little fucker without his plague doctor mask, but, of course, he had to take it off to eat. He just looked like any other elf without the mask which oddly seemed to diminish him somehow in appearance. It took away the mystery and slight edge of creepiness.

"A strong wand is power," Rabastan told him. "Blasting the fuck out of something is nothing other than raw violence."

Harold paused for several seconds, taking another thoughtful bite from the sandwich in his hands. "So Harold must feel violent to refill a blasting rod?"

"You want one, then," Rabastan asked, half flattered and half annoyed. "Damn if every motherfucker in the world isn't going to want one," he complained. "Those are a bitch to make!"

Harold gave him a slightly apologetic look. "Harold may feel safer with one under the current conditions. He would likely feel even more capable of defending the manor. But he was also thinking of refilling those rods that when made shall belong to Mr. Rodolphus, Miss Bellatrix, and, of course, you."

Rabastan's face softened. That was nice. Refilling those rods drained a lot of energy, which he'd made no secret of to the elf, yet Harold was still willing to do that for them without even being asked...because, of course, they never would've asked that.

"Well fuck, that's nice of you," he said a bit gruffly. Then after a moment of thought, he asked "What? You don't like feeling violent? If I had to do boring shit all day like you do, I'd be feeling violence a plenty."

Harold snickered. "Harold finds it peaceful here."

"Before you were here?"

The elf shrugged.

Rabastan gave him a smug, knowing grin. "You could remember that shit and feel violence, then channel it into the blasting rod," Rabastan explained. "Or like if shit wasn't going right in the kitchen one day, and that annoyed you, you could bring that shit up and maybe enlarge it a little when refilling a rod. It'd probably work."

Harold chuckled with a bemused expression. "Things in your kitchen truly present no challenge."

Rabastan grinned. "Okay, but I bet Rod and Bella's bedroom is quite the fright! You've really gotta hate making their bed. I mean, who knows what the fuck you might find… and knowing them, I literally mean that!"

Harold's face became blank as he paused to slowly draw in a deep breath. Rabastan could tell the little shit was struggling not to laugh.

"Their bed only has sheets and blankets," Harold stated gravely. "It seems similar to your own, in truth."

Rabastan huffed an exasperated sigh. "Well, whatever pisses you off, just think about it when you fill your fucking rod that I will eventually make you. Speaking of..." He drained the last swig of tea from his mug. "Thanks for lunch. I'm feeling far better, and now I should get back to work."

"Is there anything Harold can do to help?"

Rabastan considered for a moment, then nodded. "Yeah. You can write Mag and tell her I need more of everything, and also someone who can help me drill into the wood."

"Harold can help Mr. Rabastan drill into the wood, he believes. Should he just write her about the supplies?"

Rabastan nodded, giving the elf a pleased smile. "Yeah, that's great. Thanks. If you're going to be helping like that I'll make your rod first as soon as I have the wood here. I want you to see all the options before deciding what kind you want."

Harold nodded, looking oddly touched. To Rabastan's immense relief, the elf hurried away to write Mag before that emotional shit got uncomfortable.

Rabastan spent the rest of the day using up all the copper rods and quartz orbs that he'd received from the bank. More arrived just before Bella and Rod got home from Azkaban along with the wood.

There were several types of wood, each piece labeled clearly as oak, blackthorn, camphor, ash, or beech. The pieces ranged from as thick as Rabastan's wrist to twice the thickness of his thumb.

He was more dubious about the thinner ones, but still interested in giving them a go to see if, and how, they operated differently than the thicker pieces. Each was roughly wand or staff-like in shape, some more polished than others, and the lengths ranged from as long as Rabastan's forearm to as short as his hand. The little ones would be easier to hide. A person could blast shit while it was still hidden up a sleeve if they were really good. Then other fuckers would have no idea where the blasting was coming from!

Though Bella and Rod were eager to receive their own rods, they reluctantly agreed to wait until he'd made several types so they could decide which worked best for them. Lyra was a bit too excited about the blasting rod concept for Rabastan's comfort, but he'd give her one anyway. Like any good Uncle, he knew damned well if shit went awry, it was the parents' job to deal with the fucking consequences.

As soon as dinner was over, Rabastan was back to work. He was a bit beyond tired, but the rods needed to be made, and he couldn't afford to wimp out. If he was unable to charge them, he would have to stop, but until then he'd just push on...for the greater good… or whatever.

Now that there was wood available as well as copper, he decided to try a combo rather than starting slow with a bit of wood to see how it worked on its own first. He was too eager to see if the wood and copper together were actually better. Recalling Harold's offer to help, he asked the elf to come outside with him to hollow out some of the wooden pieces. Harold was eager to help which made Rabastan wonder how bored he usually was. He hollowed out the wood by Apparating out a bit of the center, which was impressive. Rabastan knew he'd have shattered the wood if he'd tried that shit.

"Now I just need to sort how to keep the copper from falling back out of the hole in the wood," Rabastan mused aloud. "I could use a sticking charm, but for all I know the blast could dislodge it."

Harold frowned in thought. For some reason he'd left the plague doctor mask off for this work so Rabastan was aware of his expressions for good or ill. "Harold could melt the copper just a little so that it melds to the wood."

Rabastan grinned. "Brilliant." After a moment of watching the elf work he asked, "So like you use cooking concepts a lot in practical magic, then?"

Harold chuckled softly. "No. Elves use practical magic concepts to cook. We use things most wizards have forgotten because they are so basic. Some of the greatest power is. It merely involves truly seeing and understanding how a thing works."

"That shit is getting deep," Rabastan said.

Harold worked fast, and soon Rabastan had a copper and wooden rod from each wood type to work with.

After he made each into a blasting rod, he then made rods from each type of wood without the copper added. Harold helped with those as well, melting the wood around the quartz ball as Rabastan had done with the copper. Again, this was impressive shit for Rabastan, for if he had attempted to melt wood rather than just burning it, that shit would burn baby burn!

"How do you melt the wood rather than fucking burning it?"

Harold shrugged. "Harold mixes a bit of water with the fire to slow the process. This action, when applied from the inside of the wood out, simply melts the molecules of the wood rather than allowing them to catch fire. Elves have applied it in the kitchen when putting out accidental cooking fires."

"How do you know this shit?' Rabastan asked. "I mean, I don't ever see you hanging out with other elves to get all this deep elf lore and shit."

Harold grinned. "Elves are all born with a DNA code that allows each of us to gain all the knowledge our ancestors have amassed over the ages."

Rabastan felt his jaw dropping. "Wow! Really? That's bloody awesome! It's not fair that wizards don't have that shit!" He leaned forward eagerly. "What else did you learn from these codes that I might find useful?"

Harold laughed. "Harold learned that humans will probably believe anything! Mr. Rabastan should be careful of that!" The elf slapped his knees, still laughing as he rocked back and forth in a state of glee that Rabastan had, of course, never seen from him before.

He frowned, because the little fucker was laughing at him! "So there is no DNA code," he asked darkly.

Harold shook his head. "Not in the least. Harold learned from his parents, and an aunt, when he was a child."

Rabastan suddenly stood, snatching one of the blasting rods from the completed pile at his feet. "Well, you're about to learn a new lesson," he said, making his tone low and ominous. His own smile of glee grew as the laughter slowly faded from Harold's face. "Lestranges do not at all take kindly to being laughed at. In fact, we torture the fuck out of anyone who laughs at us, ever!"

Harold's amusement was replaced by an expression of shock, and it was Rabastan's turn to laugh.

"Ha! Got you! We may torture people who laugh at us, but never if it's friends or family. As you're fucking family, you get to fuck with me without any consequences other than being fucked with in return."

Harold laughed, but Rabastan could see in the elf's large blue eyes that he kinda liked being considered part of the Lestrange family. That was all nice and shit, but for the emotional rubbish that Rabastan really, really detested!

"Right then," he said briskly. "Let's try all these rods to see which we like best, because you and I get first fucking pick!"

Chapter 111: Custom Made TMI

Chapter 111: Custom Made TMI

Harold ended up choosing a blasting rod of copper and oak, as did Rodolphus. Lyra opted for beech with no copper and Bella for camphor with copper. Grindelwald and Zabini came over that evening to check the wands out too.

In fact, they showed up five minutes after Rabastan wrote them that all the options were complete if they wished to have a look. Apparently, they really wished to. Zabini chose copper and blackthorn, while Grindelwald opted for copper and ash. It seemed Rabastan's idea of combining the copper with the wood was a big fucking hit which made him feel quite pleased with himself.

"You haven't chosen your own wand yet," Lyra observed as they all sat in the library, having a glass of wine.

Gellert shot Rabastan a look that was all raised brows. "I'd have thought you'd take first pick and rightfully so."

Rabastan shrugged. "I think I need a custom design. Hopefully Harold can help me make it."

The elf was sitting with them, plague doctor mask back in place. He nodded sagely. "What did Mr. Rabastan have in mind?"

"Just copper with no wood. I want something smaller and fatter… Unlike my huge dick," he added a bit hotly when everyone, but Harold and Lyra snickered.

"The size of a rod or wand in no way reflects the size of one's dick," Zabini drawled. "The smoky quartz wand Mag made me is only ten centimeters, and it's the strongest, best wand I could ever ask for. It in no way reflects what I'm packing."

Gellert gave a fervent nod accompanied by a dreamy look that Rabastan hoped was intentionally overdone because if not...

"It certainly does not," Gellert murmured, blonde lashes lowering suggestively.

"Come on," Rabastan begged. "No gay shit. It tends to make us straight men feel all crawly and uncomfortable."

"Sure does," Rodolphus agreed, making a face.

"My quartz wand is even longer than what I am packing at nearly twenty-six centimeters, but it is far, far thinner than what I am really packing, in case anyone was curious," Gellert said.

Blaise nodded sagely, a hand dropping to Gellert's thigh in a way that caused Rabastan to puke in his mouth a little. "Indeed, Gel is packing something far thicker than his wand."

"Come on! Not in front of the children," Rabastan begged and Grindelwald snickered.

"Would Mr. Rabastan like to make his blasting rod now," Harold asked, and Rabastan gave the elf a grateful look.

"Yes, please."

Man and elf downed the rest of their wine and headed outside to get started. Harold helped Rabastan to melt and reform one of the unused pieces of copper into a shorter, thicker bar in which Rabastan then set the crystal ball. He then hollowed out and charged the rod while Harold idly watched on.

"I'm excited to let this fucker go off," Rabastan said as he sprang eagerly to his feet.

He was, in fact, so excited that he didn't even notice the drained feeling that always came hand in hand with filling a blasting rod. Grinning, he hefted the piece he'd made just for himself in his right hand. It felt good, powerful, solid, and a perfect size to fit into any deep robe pocket. It felt...like a friend...an extension of himself, and he liked the fuck out of it. When he sent a blast into the night, the boom was fucking spectacular as was his whoop of glee.

"Thanks, Harold," he added in a more moderate tone, turning to the elf with a grin.

Harold shrugged. "Harold was glad to help, but Mr. Rabastan did most of the work, and he is the one who knew what sort of rod he needed."

"Still, you made things go far more smoothly, and I appreciate the fuck out of you."

Harold nodded and the two went back inside. It was then that Rabastan recalled he had a date with the hot Parvati bird the next night. Where the hell was he going to take her? What with things to do constantly, he'd had absolutely no time to give that shit any thought.

He wasn't exactly the sort to go on what one would call normal dates, so this was sort of a first for him. Of course, he'd been out with a girl before, many times, but knowing she was only a shag and probably knew as much made things different and a hell of a lot less stressful.

This time there would be more conversation involved...more normal human interaction of the sort he didn't feel good at. Of course he could talk to Bella and Rod, but they were family. Grindelwald and his boy weren't, but they didn't really give a fuck so he could relax around them. Then there was Kreacher and Regulus...well they were also family, but those two were such little fucking freaks that they'd better never judge anyone ever.

Having no idea what to do on this damn date thing was giving Rabastan so much anxiety suddenly, that he decided he'd better not give a fuck. That would be far easier. He knew little about the hot bird, so they'd just have to get to know one another before he could craft the perfect date anyway. He wasn't expected to know what she liked to do. He'd just take her out to a nice dinner where they could talk and go from there. She didn't seem to be the type who liked the rougher sorts of bars for drinks and dancing that he, Rod, and Bella went for, but what the fuck did he know? He'd just wing it in true Lestrange raven fashion and see where the night took them.

Chapter 112: I Just Want To Take Your Innocence

Chapter 112: I Just Want To Take Your Innocence

When readying for his date with Parvati, Rabastan opted for black and silver dress robes over a black suit.

"Lookin' good, motherfucker," he told himself in the mirror with a grin.

He was clean shaven, his collar-length wavy black hair combed straight back in what he always considered to be a nineteen-twenties gangster style. Wizard gangsters had been the most badass back in their day. No one fucked with them, and likewise no one fucked with him, so it worked. Strolling from the room, he whistled a tune under his breath as he headed down stairs.

"Looking sharp," Rod called in rare encouragement.

Shit! Was his mild state of nervousness that apparent?

"Thanks," he said, nodding at Bella and Rod, who were headed upstairs as he moved down. They were probably going to shag, an activity that he would also be enjoying if the night went well.

"Be careful," Rod called and Rabastan waved over one shoulder to indicate he'd heard. "Always," he bellowed back as he headed out the manor's front door.

Once he'd locked up behind him, he Apparated to Enchanted Odds where he was to meet Parvati. When he entered the shop, Mag was leaning against the counter, idly chatting with Parvati. The large white owl that Snape usually had with him rested on her shoulder.

"Not a raven this time," Parvati asked in mock disappointment.

Rabastan grinned. "I try not to use the same tricks too many times in a row. Besides, it got me the date, so I'm good."

Parvati winked. "We'll see about that." She could shoot the shit and keep up with him. Rabastan liked.

Glancing at Mag, he frowned. "Everything alright?" He hoped she wasn't going to shrink him without Bella and Rod there. That shit would be weird.

"Oh, everything is fine as far as I know," Mag assured hastily. "I just wanted to see if I could go by yours and look through the blasting rods?"

"Oh yeah, of course. I was so wiped out from making all the fuckers, I forgot to let you know that a lot are ready," Rabastan said, embarrassed to have neglected to get Mag one sooner, considering she was the reason he had supplies to work with! "I guess Griphook will need one too, so let him know they're ready if you don't mind."

Mag nodded.

"And I think Bella and Rod may be shagging so tell Harold that you saw me, and I said it's okay to show you all the rods and let you take one."

Parvati made a choking sound, but Mag's calm expression never wavered at the casual mention of Bella and Rod's sex life. "I discovered the rods were ready when Gellert and Blaise showed theirs off at a dinner meeting tonight," Mag said reproachfully.

"Really sorry," Rabastan reiterated. "You try making these fuckers! They wear you out."

Mag gave a faint smile. "Alright," she relented. "As I'm relatively certain I couldn't make one as good as yours, considering wand making is entirely different, I'll forgive you this time."

"Thank you," Rab said humbly and Parvati snorted.

"I'll just go and pick out my blasting rod now, then," Mag said, and left the shop with a cheerful wave.

"So weird to think of Snape being married to anyone," Rabastan said with a bemused grin once the shop's door had swung closed behind the redhead.

Parvati rolled her eyes, grinning fondly. "I was there when it all went down, so not so much for me."

Rabastan felt his eyes widening. "Really?"

Parvati nodded. "Oh yes! I was two years behind Mag in school. She had this weird psychological game she liked to play where she'd smile at Gryffindors and be all friendly just to screw with their heads. You know, because they all expected Slytherins to be horrid. So I was young when we met, third or fourth year, and she smiled at me so I thought she really wanted to be friends. I liked the idea of having a Prefect friend with so much shit always going down between the houses, and she looked nice so I started talking to her." She chuckled. "Though that wasn't at all in Mag's plans, she didn't have the heart to be mean to sweet little me for no reason whatsoever, so we ended up becoming friends, long story short."

Rabastan grinned, as it had really been long story short. Many women couldn't manage long story short to save their fucking lives! Instead, it was a lot of repeating entire long and drawn out conversations of he, or she, said verbatim which bored him out of his fucking skull.

"So you saw her and Snape get all romantic? When was this? That's still really difficult to fucking imagine, you know."

Parvati laughed, nodding. "He isn't exactly approachable, is he? He isn't so bad once you get to know him, though. I think he likes me."

The way she said that, it was like it was some achievement. Who the fuck would want Snape liking them?

"So you don't think he put some sort of love spell on her, then? That's what Bella thought."

"Gods no," Parvati laughed as she came out from around the counter and began turning down the lights in the shop with short sure flicks of her wand. "She was always big time obsessed over him, and like plotted how to get him for years."

Rabastan laughed. "It wasn't as if she had any competition."

Parvati grinned back. "True enough. Well, I'm done closing up as soon as we leave and I lock the door behind us. Are you ready to go?"

Rabastan nodded, moving to the door and holding it open.

"Where are we going anyway," Parvati asked, closing the door and locking it with her wand.

"I thought we'd go to the Crystal Cave."

That was one of the most posh restaurants in Knockturn Alley. It was full of fucking crystals and magicked to look like Merlin's famed crystal cave where legend said he and Nimue still slept. Of course, he knew the legend was bullshit, but most of them probably were, to one extent or another.

"Ooh, they have the best salmon ever," Parvati gushed.

Somehow Rabastan wasn't surprised that she knew about the fine dining in Knockturn. Gryffindor or not, she had enough dark in her to be fun, else she'd not have friends like the Snapes and Grindelwald.

"I'll definitely try the salmon, then," he said. "I usually go for the loaded potato cheese soup, cause it is fucking LOADED, but now you have me curious."

"You won't regret it," Parvati assured as she placed a hand on his arm to Apparate. Now that she was close, he noticed she wore flowing dark red dress robes that were drawn in tight at the waist and looked good as fuck. They were made of some sort of filmy shimmery material which showed off her figure and her skin to perfection, making her positively scrumptious.

"Um...you look nice," he told her.

She grinned, tilting her head to the side, like a curious bird. "Why, thank you."

He Apparated them to the Crystal Cave before he could say anything stupid. A couple dressed as Merlin and Nimue ushered them to a table. They ordered drinks, and Rabastan figured they may as well order the food too, considering they both knew they wanted the salmon.

When the couple glided away to fill their order, Rabastan sat wondering what to say. Parvati sat across from him, slender fingers idly toying with one of the large raw crystal quartz shards that appeared to be growing directly from the wood of the table itself.

"So," she began, looking up from the crystal to lock her dark gaze with his. "What's up with all the torture?"

He blinked. "Because it's fun, and quickly quells your enemies. Contrary to popular fucking belief, we don't do it randomly. I mean sure, we do it more than you, but again we have found that it has its uses. I do other things too. Like as you likely gleaned from my conversation with Mag, I recently discovered that I can make blasting rods."

He glanced around, but the place only had a few other diners, and all at tables far away from their own. Reassured that no one would overhear him talking about blasting rods, he turned his attention back to Parvati.

"I like Lyra a lot, and she doesn't seem down with the torture."

Rabastan nodded. "Our cousins did their best bringing her up, but they aren't us."

"I think I like you a lot too, and the torture is going to be something I will probably struggle with." She let out a breath. "I try to be very honest when I like someone."

He nodded, not knowing what to say. Honesty was good, but he didn't know what he could say about her torture issue to fix it. He wasn't changing, and he didn't expect her to either.

To his relief she changed the subject, asking about his work in Shadow Ops.

"Of course I get that you can't tell me top secret stuff, but anything would be interesting," she said.

As they waited for their food, he told her about what it was like to work for Shadow Ops. Soon their wine arrived, of course, in goblets cut from crystal quartz. The wine they'd chosen was called Druid Fluid, and it was strong and sweet. They had two glasses each by the time the food arrived. As it turned out, the salmon was delicious. It came with a thick flaky bread whose flavor put Rabastan in mind of thick cream. There were potatoes on the side along with sliced grilled vegetables. As they ate, Parvati told Rabastan what it was like to work for Blaise and Gellert in Enchanted Odds.

"Whatever you do, though," she said, peering at him over her crystal goblet with a traumatized look in her eyes, "never sit on the long leather bench in the back of the shop. It's what Kreacher and Regulus use for..."

Rabastan choked on his wine, then coughed as he attempted to swallow. "No! Say no more. I shall gladly avoid the bench, just no more! I can't take it."

Parvati giggled, nodding. "I so understand!"

For dessert they had dark chocolate cream pie with strawberries. Both were trying it for the first time and both vowed to have it again very soon.

"So...you want to go dancing or something," Rabastan asked awkwardly as he was paying their tab.

"Sure," Parvati said brightly. "I hope you didn't think you were getting rid of me this early."

Rabastan gave her a sidelong look. "Well, I could've scared you off over the torture bit."

She shook her head, leaning into his arm in a way that caused him to catch his breath a little. She smelled very good. Like some sort of flower mixed with vanilla cream.

"That would hardly be fair when I brought the torture up," she murmured, gazing at him through half lidded eyes.

Her dark lashes were so long that they brushed her cheeks. He found himself swallowing hard as he pressed his hands to his sides to keep from reaching for her. Trying to shag too soon would not be good. It would come off all ungentlemanly and shit.

"There's a place called the Glass Slipper. It's a little rough but kind of fun. It's just down the alley from here, so we could walk."

Parvati grinned, slipping her arm through his. "A romantic walk to a mildly rough bar. Sounds perfect."

The night was pleasant, as was her closeness as they walked down Knockturn Alley in the slightly chilly air.

"Do you know how to dance," he asked and she chuckled. "I can get around without stepping on your toes."

From the outside, the Glass Slipper looked like a ballet flat made of sparkling clear glass. One could see dancers from the outside as well as other patrons sitting at a bar made like a pumpkin coach carved of dark wood.

"Oh, this is brilliant," Parvati whooped. "I wish I had a camera! I need a picture of this place." She turned to Rabastan. "Can we come back again next time?"

So she already wanted a second date. That was good! "Sure. We'll go anywhere you want," he promised, and laughing, she threw her arms around his neck and kissed him. He groaned as the poised to be erection in his pants sprang to full life against her slender yet luscious curves.

"Mmmm. You really like me," she murmured against his lips, then wiggled against said erection.

Fuck!

"Yeah, I like you," he rasped, then lowered his mouth to hers once again, tongue running across her lower lip to taste her sweetness.

Gasping she clutched at his shoulders, her eyes sliding closed as she leaned into him. A loud cat call from inside the bar caused her to jerk back, glancing in horror over one shoulder. "Oh! I forgot that they could see us just as we can see them!"

"Yeah, so did I," Rabastan said.

Everyone in the bar who had been looking, had just received an eye full of their hot makeout. Ah well, probably taught the fuckers a few things.

"Let's go dance. We'll just give them a closer look. You want a drink first or later?"

Parvati grinned. "Both."

Rabastan grinned back. She was his kind of girl.

There wasn't much more conversation, due to the loud rock music in the Slipper, but the drinking and dancing were fun. Parvati made for a great partner, easily keeping up with him in both areas, and she felt good as fuck in his arms. From time to time, they forgot to dance, becoming lost in heated kisses instead, but cat calls from other drunken patrons always served to bring them back from makeout land.

"The only problem with the Slipper is it closes at midnight," Rabastan said, leaning to murmur into Parvati's ear in order to be heard over the music. "You know, because of the old fairy story where Cinderella had to be home at midnight."

"Yeah, I know," she called back. "I did read that one a few times as a child."

Rabastan pretended to hex her and she giggled, slumping against his chest.

Instead of straightening, though, she slid her arms around his neck. "We'd better go before they throw us out, then," she said, and he nodded.

He Apparated them outside, wondering if he was expected to take her home or if she wanted to return to Enchanted Odds or what. Before he could ask, though, she was kissing him hungrily.

Groaning with the need of the throbbing erection in his pants, he returned her kisses with an equal hunger of his own. Making a low sound of desire, she tangled her hands in his hair and wound one leg around his waist.

Fuck! Arching against her, he tangled a hand in her long silken tresses, pulling her head back hard to nip at her neck. She made a small sound, and attempted to straighten. He'd hurt her. Stepping back he let her slide gently to the ground, releasing her once her feet were planted on the cobblestones of Knockturn Alley.

"Are you sober enough to Apparate," he asked.

"I...yeah, but…"

"Then do that. Go home," he told her, then Apparated to Raven's Nest. He could swear she'd shouted "Wait!" as he'd left. Instead of going inside, he slumped down onto the top step with his face in his hands.

Tonight never should've happened. He was too rough for her sort, and it would only end in a bunch of fucked up shit. He'd hurt her and not even meant to. She'd never understand him. Not truly. Rod was lucky to have someone so much like him, but that shit wasn't for everyone, and Rabastan had never thought it was.

Parvati was innocent compared to them. She may dabble in the dark, but that didn't make her one of them, and he'd only wanted to take her innocence. He knew this, and earlier in the day, he hadn't minded that. Getting to know her, though, made it somehow different. Pushing her away was the best thing to do for both of them.

Chapter 113: You Ache For Things You Don't Understand

Chapter 113: You Ache For Things You Don't Understand

Rabastan sat on the top step of the manor for some time with his head in his hands. He wasn't exactly thinking, more like just sitting and feeling dull and vaguely empty. Or perhaps it was just that he had to piss. With a sigh, he heaved himself to his feet and headed inside, hoping Bella and Rod wouldn't be awake and about to ask how his date had gone. For once he just wasn't in the mood to talk. He was closing the front door behind him when the crack of someone Apparating right outside reached his ears. Who the fuck could that be? Hopefully no one he'd have trouble dealing with while a bit drunk. Probably just Lyra returning from an evening out with her little friends, he realized, pushing the door open again.

Parvati stood there, hand raised to knock. Her frown turned into an angry glare when she saw Rabastan. "Just the wizard I was looking for," she spat. "What the fuck was that about back at the Glass Slipper?"

He sighed, blinking in confusion. "You are here," he said flatly. "Why?"

Parvati shook her head. "I am here because I deserve answers, obviously! First you're talking a second date, then you're leaving me to Apparate myself home! That was really rude, by the way. I stupidly thought you had a bit more class than that."

Rabastan frowned. "I asked if you were good to Apparate home. I was being gentlemanly enough to make sure you didn't need help. If I had taken you, I may not have remained gentlemanly."

He couldn't believe he was having to explain this shit. He did the thing he thought was right, and she was angry? What the actual fuck! For once he'd tried to be the good guy and that hadn't paid off worth shit.

Parvati shook her head incredulously. "You really thought that was being gentlemanly?"

"I… Yeah, considering what I could've done, yeah. I made sure you were safe, and trust me you were safer without me."

Parvati gave him a look that managed to mix exasperated and disgusted quite nicely. "I thought we were really connecting! I was wrong?"

"We were connecting," Rabastan said, frowning. "Then I scared you. I realized that we couldn't work even casually. And don't ask me why because that is also obvious."

"When did you scare me? Because I don't scare easily, and I don't recall you doing anything in the least scary," Parvati said. The look she gave him on that last line was sultry enough to have his prick twitching in his pants.

"Have you lost your mind? I scared you when I pulled your hair and...whatever."

Why the fuck were they having this conversation? He scuffed his boot on the doormat as he looked away. This right here was uncomfortable and the faster it was over the better, as far as he was concerned.

Parvati paused to blink incredulously before bursting into laughter. "You thought you scared me? That's how...you…th-think...I'd act when scared?" she managed through bursts of laughter.

By this point she was doubled over, pounding her slender thighs with her palms, her long dark hair spilling over her face as she laughed. Rabastan had to admit, it was hot. She looked really hot.

"Dude, I had a cramp in my leg! I suppose that's what I get for dancing in heels then winding said leg around your hips like that. And you got all bent out of shape over a cr...cra...cramp!"

She fell prey to another bout of hilarity then and all words stopped. It was Rabastan's turn to blink, but unlike Parvati, he did not burst into laughter. She'd had a cramp? She'd had a cramp, and he'd overreacted like your average crazy bastard, hadn't he? He was just about to consider feeling stupid and apologizing and perhaps even having a laugh as well when he realized that it didn't really matter. This time had been a rather amusing misunderstanding, he had to admit. Next time would not be, however. Next time, Parvati would wish to be leagues away from him and who he really was.

And next time would most definitely come sooner than later, because they were just too bloody different for any long term or deep socialization. He'd really just wanted to hit it and roll, but discovering that he really liked her made the concept more difficult to enjoy.

"You shouldn't have followed me home," he said flatly.

"I didn't, exactly. I went to Gellert's and asked for your address."

Rabastan opened his mouth to ask exactly what she'd told Grindelwald and shut it again. He didn't really give a fuck. His choice was still made, so that hardly mattered. If there were complications with Grindel, he'd just have to deal with them later. Instead he asked, "Wasn't he sleeping? I'm sure he loved getting that late night visit."

Parvati gave a dry smirk. "He was, and he did not."

Rabastan just stood staring at her for a moment, not knowing what to say that would get her out of there without being hurtful.

"While I am glad that I did not frighten you, I think it was still a good idea to stop when we did," he said at last. "You are...I like you a fuck of a lot, and I don't want to hurt you or cause you problems, so we're ending this now… Right here. It was fun, though. Thanks for going out with me."

Parvati blinked, then frowned darkly. "The last guy who gave me the 'I really like you and don't want to hurt you' speech ended up being gay with Gellert Grindelwald. Are you gay then?"

Rabastan choked. "Fuck no! I mean, I guess there's nothing wrong with that. It's just really wrong for me."

Parvati's lips twitched. "No, there isn't and that's good to hear."

She stepped closer, dark eyes intense and determined on his own. Soft light spilled out from the open front door, bathing her dark features in a way Rabastan found distracting. She was a bit raven-like herself, wasn't she? But no...not truly. She could never rule over death as true ravens did, and she could never thrive on being top bird as it were. No magical predator was she. She would never understand the thrill of putting a Muggle, or weaker wizard, in their place. She just didn't have it in her, and that was alright, but would never work in his fucking world!

"Why are you rejecting me," she asked. "If you like me, why not kindly allow me to make up my own mind on the matter of who I choose to date?"

"Because I know myself and you do not," Rabastan explained as patiently as he could. "You seem to have this impression that you can roll, but you have no fucking idea what you're getting into. You do not understand my world, yet you appear to want to play in it."

"I'll figure it out as I go along," she said.

Instead of going home as he'd intended, she fucking stepped closer! What the fuck?

"If I'm wrong, it's on me, Rabastan, not you." She was so close now.

"You can't handle..." he began, but she'd dragged his head down and was hungrily kissing him.

"Shut up," she murmured against his mouth, and that was it.

Her closeness was intoxicating, or at least it mixed well with the drinks he'd had, and there was no more fighting. He'd tried, damn it! For fucking once, he'd tried to be the good guy for a minute, and well...see how that had worked out? Nearly without thinking, he was scooping her up into his arms and kicking the front door shut. Carrying her upstairs, hungrily returning her kisses all the while, he went directly to his bedchamber. By the time they were inside with the door closed behind them, she already had his shirt most of the way off. Fuck! Her hands on his skin felt very good.

He devoured her mouth as he quite literally tore her dress off. It had to go, and it couldn't do so fast enough. She made short work of his pants as they fell to the bed together. There were no niceties. Their passion was demanding and there was no time for that. He was inside of her, thrusting as their mouths tangled, moans of frantic need wrung from both as they clashed together like repetitive ocean waves. It was hot… and so fucking necessary!

"More," she gasped, throwing her head back. "Oh, gods, Rabastan… Harder… Harder! Yes, like that."

His only response was a low guttural growl of satisfaction as he thrust within her. It was quite literally all he could manage. She was so delicious. This was unfortunately going to be addictive, and he didn't even care. She ached for things she didn't understand, and he'd tried. He really had tried to push her away. Her body suddenly clenched around him as she screamed out her pleasure, nails digging into his hips as he spilled his own release.

Chapter 114: No, don't say a prayer for me now Save it 'til the morning after

Chapter 114: No, Don't Say a Prayer for Me Now, Save it 'til the Morning After

Bellatrix, Rodolphus, Lyra, and Rhadamanthus were halfway through breakfast when Parvati made her way into the dining room. She wore one of Rabastan's work robes, which was far too large. Though he was thin, Rabastan was tall, far more so than Parvati's average height. The sight caused Bellatrix's brows to shoot up.

"We were just wondering how your date went. Of course we didn't know that you were here, so you can just tell us," Lyra said brightly. "Good morning!"

Parvati smiled, having the grace to look a bit embarrassed. She also looked a bit hungover. "Hi."

Rod waved her to a chair. "Sit. Relax. There is plenty of food."

She smiled again, this time at Rod. "Thanks."

"Soooo," Lyra said, drawing out the word as she allowed her gaze to pointedly linger on Rabastan's robe. "You guys must have had an interesting date! What happened to your clothes?"

Parvati flushed. "I don't usually...I mean, I don't generally shag on the first date or even the fourth!"

"That's my lil bro," Rodolphus said, smiling proudly.

Lyra choked. "So it happened during shagging? As this is my uncle we're talking about, I probably shouldn't have this conversation."

"It was just before the shagging," Parvati clarified. "The dress is extremely torn though, so I just grabbed one of his robes for now. He's still sleeping, and didn't appear interested in waking at present. Mending clothes magically has never been my strong suit, and they never fit properly after," she complained.

"So are the two of you, like, going to go out again," Lyra asked.

Parvati gave a small smile, dropping her gaze almost shyly to the plate that Harold had just set before her. "I hope so. I mean, we have plans as far as I know, yes. Thank you," she added to Harold, who was retreating.

"So before the shagging, how was the date," Lyra asked eagerly. "I mean I assume good, thus the shagging."

Parvati frowned, then sighed as she picked up her fork. "It was, then it wasn't so much."

Lyra, Rod, and Bella all exchanged a surprised glance at that, for it wasn't at all what they were expecting, considering the shagging. For his part, Rhadamanthus did not seem to give a damn, as he continued to eat without glancing up even with a single eye.

"So you always shag when a date goes bad," Bellatrix asked, lips twitching. After the shock faded, she decided this strange situation was amusing.

"Oh, it improved by then," Parvati said with a chuckle. "We were out dancing, and he just suddenly left out of the blue. I didn't like that because I thought we were really getting on well considering he even mentioned a second date, so I went to Gellert's for your address. I felt he owed me an explanation, and I wanted it right away."

She flushed. "Had I been a bit more sober, I would've considered the possibility of waking the rest of you and waited for morning. As you're all asking how things went, though, I assume no one was disturbed."

They all shook their heads. Parvati gave a relieved smile, then continued. "Long story short, he thought he'd physically hurt me while we were fooling around outside the club, but I actually just had a leg cramp. He's not very good at communicating."

"It's a man thing, and we men are very proud of it," Rodolphus said drily.

"Odd him worrying that he hurt you rather than intending to do so," Bellatrix drawled. "It does seem you have him behaving strangely. I don't know if I like that."

Parvati studied her for a silent moment, not seeming to know what to say. When she did speak, her words came out slowly, as if she composed her thoughts as she went. "I get that you three are very close. No matter how things go with Rab and I, I don't plan to ever try changing that."

Bellatrix raised her chin. "That's good, because you couldn't."

Parvati sighed.

"Mum, be nice," Lyra chastised.

"If she's like Rabastan, she thinks I'm this dainty flower that will break at the slightest thing," Parvati said, casting an exasperated glance at Lyra.

"I actually don't know what I think about you," Bellatrix admitted honestly.

Parvati nodded. "Fair enough, and I feel the same about you and Rod. Lyra I got to know at the Ministry, though, and I like your daughter very much."

Lyra grinned at her parents. "See? I rule," she said smugly. Turning to Parvati, she added, "And thank you. I like you too. So what happened, pre-shag? You arrived here and explained about the leg cramp and all was well?"

Parvati shrugged. "Sort of. First there was a lot of blah blah about how I don't know what I'm getting into, and how I can't handle it or whatever, and how he likes me so I should leave or whatever." She laughed. "As you can see, I did not."

Rodolphus grinned, raising his coffee mug to her. "Respect."

The girl was friends with Grindelwald so perhaps she was alright, Bellatrix thought. A date with Rabastan was one thing, but as she was sitting at their breakfast table in his robe, Bellatrix had to wonder if this was going to be more serious or if Parvati just wanted it to be.

"So… What are your hobbies," she asked, deciding that perhaps she should at least get to know Parvati a bit if possible.

"Well, I'd love to work a Shadow Ops case with you lot," Parvati said. "I think that could become a hobby real quick were I given the opportunity."

Bellatrix frowned, intrigued at least a little. "What makes you think you'd be able to handle that sort of thing? What are your skills?"

"I'm decent at dueling," Parvati answered without hesitation. "I'm not afraid, but I don't jump in too quickly either. I study magics that aren't as commonly known that you may find useful, and I helped kill a Death Eater during my fifth year at Hogwarts. He got onto the grounds and was attacking Mag and I because we'd seen him."

So she wasn't too prissy to kill when there needed to be killing done. Very good.

"You're friends with Snape's woman," Bellatrix asked, and Parvati grinned.

"Yeah… That was one of the things Rab and I talked about during our date. He wasn't impressed by the fact that I actually won Severus's respect and friendship, as much as he gives it to anyone."

"I suppose that's impressive," Bellatrix said. "After all, he does basically hate everyone."

Parvati nodded. "Yeah! So the fact he likes me is an accomplishment."

"Want to see my blasting rod," Lyra asked, and Parvati nodded eagerly.

"Oh, yes, please! Rabastan told me he'd made those recently, and I heard about them from Mag as well."

"Maybe if you shag him super extra well, he'll make you one," Rodolphus suggested cheerfully.

Parvati frowned, arching her brows at him. "Thanks. I'll keep that in mind," she said drily. "Or I could just buy one."

"Not as fun," Rod objected and Parvati laughed.

"True. We went dancing at The Glass Slipper last night, you know. Rab said you three liked to go there back in the day. Why don't you come with us next time? He promised to take me again."

Well, at least she was trying to be friendly. Bellatrix nodded. "Sure." At least she and Rod could get to know her.

"I'll be right back," Lyra said, rising from the table. "My blasting rod is upstairs. While I'm up there, I think I'll wake Uncle Rabastan just to be annoying."

Chapter 115: Crystal Ball On The Table, Showing The Future The Past

Chapter 115: Crystal Ball on the Table, Showing the Future the Past

Parvati stuck around for about an hour after Rabastan managed to drag himself from bed. Lyra loaned her a dress, so she could leave in properly fitting clothes. As she was professing that it had been very nice to spend the morning with them, Bellatrix's mind turned to her own plans for the day.

She still hadn't managed to work out the intended use for the crystal pendant that Gellert had allowed her to study. That's when it clicked. Parvati was a psychic! Wasn't that part of the reason Gellert liked her around?

He was a powerful seer, but he could not bring visions on by choice. Parvati had her abilities in scrying, if Bellatrix recalled properly. This meant that at times she could bring on her visions via scrying them out rather than waiting for them to come to her as Gellert had to do.

"Wait," Bellatrix said as Rabastan was rising to walk Parvati out.

The young woman stopped, turning to Bella with an oddly hopeful look in her dark eyes. Eyes as raven dark as those of everyone else in the room, Bellatrix couldn't help but notice.

"You are aware of the items Gellert and Blaise got from Merlin and Nimue's cave, are you not," Bellatrix asked.

Parvati nodded. "I haven't seen many, other than whatever the two have been wearing in the way of jewelry because they don't bring them to work, but yes, I am aware."

Could she actually be the first to consider using Parvati's abilities to discover the secrets of the treasures in Merlin's cave, even before Gellert?

"Gellert allowed me to keep one of the crystals for a bit to see if I could figure out what it does," Bellatrix said. "Rabastan had luck with the blasting rod, so we thought if more people tried to help sort what the artifacts do, we'd learn more faster. Blaise and Gellert admitted to only having ten or so minutes a day to study them due to their Delphini sized workload," Bellatrix explained.

"I have the crystal here." She touched the large raw crystal quartz point pendant that hung on a heavy silver chain just below the raven skull necklace from Rod that she never took off. Parvati stepped closer to have a look.

"I was wondering if you could have a look at it...psychically that is," Bellatrix asked. "Any impressions you get would do, but if you are able to detect what it was used for specifically, that would really help."

A look of surprise flickered over Parvati's face, but she nodded. "I'm flattered that you asked, actually. If I'd thought of it I would've suggested it to Gellert, but I didn't and neither did he or Blaise for some reason."

Bellatrix smirked, not hiding that she was pleased with herself. If nothing else, this entire Delphini madness had been very good for pushing her limits, and causing her to think outside of the box.

From discovering her skill in working politically with other countries when guarding the Bulstrodes to things like this, she was uncovering levels of mental flexibility and creativity of which she was previously unaware. Of course she'd always highly valued her own intelligence. She, Rod, Rabastan, and Regi were among the brightest and best, and they knew it. She believed she knew all of her strengths, but of late she was discovering new talents, and that was honestly invigorating.

"I usually work with tea leaves to tap into a situation, but I have used other drinks and herbs," Parvati said. "I've never just held an item to see what I could get from it, but I'd love to try."

Bellatrix lifted the chain over her head and cautiously passed the crystal over to the other woman. Parvati chuckled. "You have this 'be careful' look on your face! Don't worry, I'm not going to drop it."

Bellatrix had never been good at keeping her thoughts off her face. "Thank you," she murmured drily. Then feeling a bit rude as she was the one to ask Parvati to look at it, she shrugged uncomfortably. "I feel oddly attached or personal with it, which is unfortunate as I have to return it to Gellert. Either way, if anything befell it, he'd have kittens so I must be cautious."

Parvati snickered at the idea of Gellert having kittens, then frowned thoughtfully at the stone as she resumed her seat at the table. "I think it likes you too. Stones, being magical, can feel sentient, at least to me," she added, a slightly embarrassed expression flickering over her face.

Bellatrix nodded in understanding. "Working with gemstones in such a way is a bit new to me, but I'm well aware it's an old art, just one I've never paid much mind to until recently when we met Mag and got our wands."

Parvati's face relaxed as she smiled, glad of a bit of common ground on the matter. "I got into stones because of Mag as well. Though my people use them, those in India do so far more than the British branch, so I had little knowledge before Mag."

Bellatrix nodded. Rabastan helped himself to another cup of coffee from the pot on the table as Parvati wasn't leaving yet. Mug in hand, he resumed his seat, curiously watching Parvati and the crystal in her hand with raven-like interest.

"Is there anything you need to facilitate your...viewing or whatever you call it," Bellatrix asked a bit awkwardly.

"I'm not really sure," Parvati admitted. "I've never done this before in such a way. It feels right to just hold the stone and see what impressions I get from it. If nothing happens, I can try to scry with tea leaves on what the stone does. Did the chain come on it, or is it yours?"

"It is my chain," Bellatrix replied.

Parvati nodded, then unfastened the chain and removed it from the pendant, carefully placing it on the dining table. "I'll put it back when I've finished, but as it's yours, any impressions I may pick up from it will not answer the current question, and its energy would only be in the way."

That made sense. Bellatrix nodded.

Parvati leaned back in the chair, one slender hand wrapped around the crystal so that it vanished inside the cocoon of her fingers. Her face relaxed as she took several slow deep breaths in and out, seemingly turning her attention fully inward and toward the stone in her hand. Everyone watched in hopeful silence as several minutes passed.

"Nimue wore this crystal a lot," Parvati murmured at last. "She used it for prophetic dreams of the past mainly, but at times the future as well. It enhanced her spells and gave mental clarity and focus. It will work with Gellert, but it would prefer to go to you, Bellatrix. It would most prefer to return to Nimue, actually, but as we have no idea how to physically reach the world in which she and Merlin are hiding, you're the next closest it prefers."

Hearing that the stone to which she'd felt so connected was basically hers filled Bellatix with relief.

Parvati slowly opened her hand from where it was clutching the crystal as she straightened in the chair. Replacing the chain she extended the stone to Bella.

"Thank you," Bellatrix said. "I'm telling Gellert you said it wants me too. Hopefully he will acquiesce."

Parvati shrugged. "I should think he would. He has a ton of other items from Merlin and Nimue, after all, and if it prefers you, I should think it would work better with you anyway." She smiled. "That was interesting! Thank you for the opportunity to discover that my psychic can work when I tune into items like that."

Bellatrix nodded. "I suppose circumstances force us to expand our potential. I've discovered quite a bit about myself of late as well."

"Hopefully I can help Blaise and Gellert to make more progress with the other items now," Parvati said excitedly. "I can't wait to get home so I can write and tell them."

"So can you, like, psychically see if my parents will ever let up on me and Cassius," Lyra asked Parvati hopefully as she stood for a second time to go.

Parvati smirked. When she spoke her tone was flamboyantly mystical, causing Bellatrix's lips to twitch in amusement. "Given enough time, even the strongest mountains crumble to the sea," she intoned.

Chapter 116: Learning From The Master

Chapter 116: Learning From the Master

While Rabastan had been busy making blasting rods, Rodolphus was researching Crom Dubh as Grindelwald requested. This research wasn't as straightforward as he would've liked, but in truth he hadn't expected it to be.

It took him down several rabbit holes beginning with leprechauns and ending in luck magic. In the end, he found some facts, just none he felt would apply to what Grindelwald wanted to do. There were ways to draw luck, and ways to curse an enemy, for what was bad luck if not a curse, but none strong enough to tackle the likes of Delphini.

None seemed to connect to the god-like strength that Gellert was looking for, not even any in the darkest books he could find that demanded hefty human sacrifices. For Rod, such wouldn't be a problem… The greater good and all that, but regardless of his willingness to kill a ton of people for the greater good, no spells or curses were to be found that were linked to luck.

Gellert had mentioned speaking to Flitwick on the matter, so Rod planned to wish him better luck with that because there was no Crom Dubh luck magic to be found in the books of his library or the library of anyone else he knew. He'd checked with Lucy Malfoy, without explaining why plus, his own parents, Bella's parents, even a few of his old school friends who hadn't gotten killed or Azkabaned. Bella had helped, hunting through her parent's library and his father's at his side, but as he'd been her only real friend at Hogwarts, she'd had no former school chums to ask.

At least Rabastan had had better luck over the past few days, Rod thought as he was settling down at the large oak desk in the library to write Grindelwald of his lack of success. Rab had created a ton of blasting rods, and seemingly gotten himself a girlfriend, while Rod and Bella's research had yielded fuck all.

It was then that it hit him! Thinking of Rabastan's successes reminded him of Grindelwald's comment concerning simply asking Merlin. At the time, he'd been referring to refilling the blasting rod, but the concept could obviously pertain to any question about any of Merlin's artifacts.

He'd only spoken to the famous druid with the odd contraption at the Ministry, but Bella had learned to speak to Nimue without it, so perhaps he could do the same. Closing his eyes, he focused on the concept of Merlin, recalling how he had looked and sounded during their conversation.

"MERLIN! Can you tell me how you used the Crom Dubh statue," he asked. "Or no...wait," he hastily amended. "I don't really care how you used it if it isn't what I want to use it for. So...did you use it to bring bad luck to your enemies?"

He thought the words hard, also murmuring them under his breath for good measure. He was in the library alone, so no one was going to hear him, and ask why he was talking to himself. Fortunately he was in luck, as Merlin heard and replied at once.

"I used it to win battles against my enemies, if that is what you mean."

The tone was smug. Rather than annoying Rodolphus as it may have done had it come from anyone else, it was somehow reassuring coming from the druid himself.

"Did you use it to bring luck to your own side or misfortune to the enemy," Rod asked.

"Both," Merlin replied.

Rod nodded in satisfaction as this matched what they'd intended to do now. He'd hit gold in asking Merlin. How Gellert had overlooked doing so when he was the one to laughingly suggest it to Rabastan was another question.

"He and Blaise can be hyper focused, which means they are very, very good in a few areas but can be remiss in others," Merlin replied, catching the thought.

"Good to know," Rod said drily.

"That it is," Merlin agreed. "They are brilliant men, but they are best served by a team of colleagues like you who can pitch in with your own strengths rather than followers whose only jobs are to do what they're told. That didn't serve Gellert so well in the past no matter what he thinks. I was always glad of the team at my back, Arthur, Nimue, Geraint, Taliesin, Morgana and so on. Each brought their own strengths to the situation and filled in any gaps I could've left had I attempted to work alone, which, of course, I never would have done."

"Where are the rest now," Rodolphus asked. He knew this was drifting a bit off topic, but he was curious.

"We haven't found Arthur or Geraint yet. Taliesin found me last year and he now lives with Nimue and I. Morgana lives four streets over in a charming little antique house that suits her quite nicely."

"So you, Taliesin, and Nimue are like me, Bella, and Rab," Rod asked.

"Yes, except without the torture," Merlin replied, sounding amused.

Rodolphus couldn't help but feel especially badass, mentally putting himself in the same category as Merlin and his group.

"So we want to use the Crom Dubh statue to bring ill luck to Delphini and good luck to us when it comes to her defeat. I was trying to sort out how to do that with no luck, so I sought you out."

There was a long pause in which Rod suddenly got the odd feeling Merlin was rifling about in his mind.

"Hmm. It seems you already know what to do. Have a bit more confidence in yourself, Rod. You, especially, have a brilliant mind for this sort of thing. It's what you do… The natural way you think."

This was both exciting and terrifying. Exciting because this made him even more brilliant than he'd assumed and terrifying in case he somehow got it wrong.

"Very well...I thought Grindelwald would link the Crom Dubh statue to your spying crystals or whatever," Rod said.

"I don't know if that's what Grindelwald was thinking or not, but it is precisely the right idea!"

Rod let out a breath of relief, grinning from ear to ear. "Any linking charm will do?"

"Yes, as long as it is subtle." Was the response from Merlin.

"Of course. How do we direct the good luck to us and the bad toward her? We certainly don't want those going in the wrong directions!"

"Of course not. That's simple. It's a mere matter of linking the good luck to your army and the bad luck to her and hers."

Rodolphus nodded. He finally understood and that feeling was a good one. It gave him a much needed sense of direction and purpose that he found exciting...empowering. They could do this!

"That's right. She is nothing as long as you all use your abilities and do not give way to doubt and fear. Were I there, I could strike her down easily, and that means so can you. Now go away," the druid concluded. "It's my bed time." His thought ended in a yawn.

"Thanks," Rod said, knowing he'd just learned from the master.

"No problem," Merlin replied. "Oh, and Rod… Tell Regulus and Kreacher to teach the rest of you where home is. You will need that in those love shields you've been working on."

"Sure… Okay. Thanks."

Rather than writing Gellert about his lack of success as he'd originally intended, Rodolphus began hastily scribbling down notes. He didn't want to risk forgetting anything from his conversation with Merlin. The old legend about him returning to help Britain in its time of need still held true, if not in the way most would expect.

Chapter 117: Jeepers Creepers, where'd ya get those peepers?

Chapter 117: Jeepers Creepers, Where'd Ya Get those Peepers?

Sunday night, Gellert sent a brief note asking the Lestranges to report to the Ministry Monday morning rather than to Azkaban. He said that he and Blaise had sorted the crystals and were ready for the Lestranges to do their bit. The note was intentionally vague, just in case. Bellatrix strongly approved.

These days, with Delphini's abilities so inexplicable, being paranoid was being safe and wise. Though she was curious how they'd sorted the crystals, she'd prefer waiting to find out Monday morning in person to Delphini finding out now if she'd somehow intercepted their mail. If the six crystals were their own set, or if Blaise and Gellert had managed to retrieve others from some former Saxon settlement, they'd know tomorrow morning.

"Well, Monday's going to be a drag," Rod grumbled, reading over her shoulder.

"Why don't you write Parvati and ask her to come along with us, Rabastan?" Bellatrix suggested as she passed her brother-in-law the letter. "She expressed an interest in running Shadow Ops with us, after all. This would give her a tiny taste of what she could be in for."

Rabastan grinned, lanky figure stretching like a cat before he rose. "Thanks, Bella. That's a bloody fantastic idea."

"I know," Bellatrix said with a smirk as Rabastan left the room.

"Tell her I can run Enchanted Odds for a day if she goes with you all, presuming Gellert and Blaise don't mind," Lyra shouted after Rabastan.

"Thanks," Rabastan called. "You were always my favorite niece."

"Still your only niece," Lyra sang out, but she laughed.

"You'll find the shop dull," Rodolphus warned. "I suppose you may have Winterhaven shopkeeping with you, so we don't worry ourselves over your safety while dirtying our Auras among the filthy Muggles." He shuddered, and Lyra grinned.

"Just because you remembered about Auras enough to make that comment, I will give you all Aura cleansings when you get home if you like."

They were in the library, where they'd been having after dinner drinks when Gellert's note arrived. Standing, Lyra approached the fire.

"I'll just Floo over to Malfoy Manor and let Cas know," she said.

"No you won't," Bellatrix snapped. "You still don't know if Grindelwald will allow it."

Lyra sighed. "Fine."

"Consider yourself fortunate that your father even allowed Winterhaven to accompany you," Bellatrix said tartly.

"He did that to keep me safe, not to be nice," Lyra shot back. "Not that I need to be kept safe. I have abilities of my own, if you recall."

"You do, and they are impressive, but Delphini has abilities as well, and we don't even know them all. Now stop making me tell you things that you already know."

"Very well. I was being obstinate and difficult," Lyra admitted, causing Bellatrix's jaw to drop.

Rod pretended to choke. "She's killing me," he wheezed.

"But it's because I get tired of you treating me like a child when I'm an adult," Lyra continued, ignoring their antics. "I am YOUR child, not A child. I am sorry that you missed my childhood. I'm even sorrier that you made the stupid decisions that had you serving Voldemort in the first place so that you had to give me up. But it's time to get a grip and come to terms with the fact that I'm an adult."

Rod yawned. "I'm bored now," he told Lyra.

"What he means is that no one tells us what to do," Bellatrix said, a smirk playing over her lips.

Before Lyra could retort, Rod turned to the large Acromantula crouching in the corner. "As you shan't be able to come with us tomorrow due to Muggles, I'm sending you to Azkaban to keep things in order."

"Very well," the spider rasped.

"Just have everyone practice drills, and have the goblins in charge of those and any attacks if there is trouble," Rod instructed. "Of course if the trouble gets out of hand, go to the Ministry for Aurors."

"Got it," Rhadamanthus replied.

The next morning, Parvati met them at the Ministry. They gathered in Gellert's office where the resentful looking Zabini house elf provided everyone with coffee.

"I'm so excited," Parvati said. Her face wore an eager grin as she looked from the Lestranges to Blaise and Gellert. "Thanks for letting me off work, Bosses," she added.

"Having a seer along can only help," Gellert said. "So if you have a bad feeling about any of the three places you're going to hide the crystals, don't hesitate to speak out."

Parvati nodded. "I don't usually get feelings like that, but I have a few times and they've been right, so sure...if something feels off I'll speak up."

"In such a case, just report back to us, and we'll find another place to utilize," Gellert said, his gaze sweeping from Parvati to the three Lestranges, who nodded.

"So what did you end up discovering about the crystals," Bellatrix asked.

"The three clear quartzes are linked to the three smoky quartzes as it turns out," Blaise replied. "We worked a few charms to detect connections, and those are the connected sets as we suspected. Gellert did some scrying with the clear ones, and the leather bags that Kreacher saw were the last place the crystals were before they rested in Merlin's cave. The crystals must be cleared of the last thing they saw in order to pick up new information. Gel asked Merlin how to do that, and now they're all clear and ready to work for us on this current situation. We keep the clear ones, as they show what the smokies are seeing."

"So we'll be planting the smokies among the Muggles," Bellatrix asked, and Blaise nodded. He pushed a sheet of parchment across the desk to her.

"There are three locations with directions to each plus safe Apparation points to come and go, with directions. In all three cases you shall have to walk a few blocks to get to where you need to be."

"Yes, no Apparating around the Muggles," Rod said with a curl of understandable contempt twisting his upper lip.

Something close to agreement flickered in Gellert Grindelwald's eyes before he glanced away a bit too casually. Zabini's ice blue gaze remained detached, but his expression showed no indication of sympathy for the Muggles whose feet, in their cheaply made shoes, still rested on the necks of witches and wizards.

"It's a dirty job, but someone's got to do it," he said, and Bellatrix laughed. She scanned the parchment before passing it to Rodolphus, who passed it to Rabastan after glancing over it. Rabastan gave it a look, Parvati peering to read over his shoulder.

The first location was in London, the second in Washington, D.C., and the third in Oslo, Norway. Each location had an entry point to reach via Floo. Gellert pushed an envelope across the desk at them as Rabastan downed the last of his coffee and stood, parchment in hand.

"That's the Floo powder," the German said. "And finally I have invisibility cloaks for you to use for this as you did on your last mission. Bella, you and Rod under one, and Parvati and Rabastan under the other, as there are only two."

Bella's lips twitched. "Thanks. We would've sorted that out, but you saved us the trouble."

Gellert snickered.

"But why can't we Apparate if we're using the cloaks, then," Rabastan protested. "We could use silencing charms to cover the bloody sound!"

"Because SHE may have magic detectors out in those areas just as we do, and we don't wish to alert her to our activities," Gellert explained with a frown.

"Oh… Yeah, okay then," Rabastan relented with a shrug.

Finally Zabini presented Rodolphus with a wooden box. "This holds the three crystals that you are placing for us. Place each in a prominent spot in each building, where it seems the most activity goes on. Place each stone on the ceiling with a sticking charm. That keeps them out of reach, yet easily able to peer down at what is happening. Once the sticking charm is activated, the crystal shall appear to vanish because Gel and I cast disillusionment charms on the crystals that shall kick in when they are placed with the sticking charm."

Rod nodded. "Does it matter which crystal goes where?" Blaise shook his head, and Rod grinned. "Good. That keeps it easy."

"You may use the Floo in Kereston's office," Gellert said. "And be careful," he called as they left.

"Always," Rodolphus called back.

"Plus, we have our blasting rods," Rabastan added cheerfully over his shoulder. "So they better be careful of us if THEY'RE out there."

"Who are THEY," Parvati murmured curiously as they walked the few steps to Kereston's office, one door down.

"You know, THEY…" Rabastan reiterated. "Delphini or her mad dog followers."

The job was quick enough. For two of the three locations, they used the Floo to come and go. Norway was first, and the Floo led to the Ministry there. The smoky quartz for Norway was to be planted in their Muggle Ministry, which was surprisingly located close to the magical one.

The Muggles in the area felt a mix of stupid and aggressive to Bellatrix, which made them standard Muggles in her eyes. They returned to the Floo in the Norway Ministry, once again, when they'd planted the crystal successfully, going next to America.

That Floo was in a wizarding coffee shop, so of course they stopped to have a cup. The magical folk there were chatty, and elves were customers along with wizards, while a wizard and a witch worked behind the counter. Bella and Rod had chocolate raspberry coffee that was quite good. They didn't pay attention to what Rabastan and Parvati ordered, but as neither complained, Bella assumed they were satisfied.

As the four had their coffee break, they kept their ears open for anything interesting being said around them, but the conversations at nearby tables seemed standard and uninteresting. In less than half an hour, they were finished with their coffee and back to work, out among the American Muggles.

The Muggles there were no less stupid or annoying, and Bellatrix expected as much. At least the second crystal was planted quickly as well, so they got out of there in record time. For the London spot, a Muggle Night Club, they only had to walk a few blocks from the Ministry, then sneak into the closed building...as Night Clubs weren't open during the day. That was, at least, one thing that Muggles used logic for, Bellatrix thought resentfully. They certainly didn't use it for much else.

As they worked the job, no one spoke unless it was entirely necessary. Instead they kept their focus on their surroundings, constantly on the lookout for potential trouble. Bellatrix had to admit that the extra pair of eyes from Parvati was nice.

The other woman watched what everyone else was doing and easily followed in their lead. The only magic performed was a levitation charm for whoever placed the crystal on the ceiling, and the sticking charm to keep it there.

Rod placed the first and Bella the second, leaving Parvati the third. Rabastan was ever on the ready with blasting rod in hand under the invisibility cloak in case there was trouble. Whoever placed the crystal on the ceiling had to take one cloak to avoid being seen so the remaining three had to share the other.

The jostling to make that happen was always a bit awkward because if a cloak slipped a tiny bit and someone's sleeve was spotted floating in the air, there could be unnecessary talk that couldn't be risked. They managed, though, and were back at their own Ministry in under two hours.

"I kind of wish it had taken longer," Parvati said as they shed the invisibility cloaks in Gellert's office. "That was fun."

"Fun is not the word I would use," Bellatrix said disdainfully. "I need a bath from being among the Muggle filth."

"Understood," Grindelwald said, nodding. "Feel free to go home and do that."

Bellatrix smiled. A bath and lunch at home sounded grand. "Thank you."

"Who is going to watch the crystals for interesting activity," Rabastan asked.

"Blaise and I will some," Gellert said. "Aurors mostly, though, as we're usually occupied with other matters. Valdez and his wife agreed to watch frequently, and a few other trusted Aurors will take other shifts."

"Does it have to be constant," Rodolphus asked and Gellert shook his head.

"No. One can play back the information the crystals pick up. The point of watching things while they happen is for concise attacks.

"If Delphini is spotted somewhere, it won't help as much to be aware of that tomorrow. We need to know at that moment so that we can attack at once. She's bloody hard to find, so we'll get her any time we can."

Rod nodded, his smile wolfish. "Sounds ducky. Count us in, of course."

Gellert smiled back. "I wouldn't dream of fighting her without you." Turning to Rabastan he added," And speaking of fighting...we need more blasting rods. All of the Aurors want one, and, of course, they're willing to pay."

Rabastan chuckled. "I am rich, but I always aspire to be richer. As soon as I've had a bath and a bite of lunch, I'm on it, Boss."

Blaise chuckled. "A man after our own hearts. Eventually, when there is time for you to make a few spare rods, we can put them in our shop if you like. We'll raise the price quite a bit, because our shop only carries the most rare items, meaning they are always pricey and hard to find. This makes them even more sought after which is, of course, the point."

Rabastan grinned, pleased to have something he'd made being sold in Grindelwald and Zabini's shop. "Sounds ducky."

Chapter 118: Where Home Is

Chapter 118: Where Home Is

Bella and Rod returned to Azkaban after lunch while Rabastan remained at Raven's Nest to work on blasting rods. When Bella and Rod got home from work, Rabastan was still working outside so they left him to it. They didn't see him until dinner.

"I'd like to go see Kreacher and Regulus when we've finished eating," Rodolphus said after swallowing a large bite of roasted chicken. "I understand that you're probably quite tired from making blasting rods, but I'd like you to come along and hear whatever they have to say. Sitting and listening won't take much energy, after all," he added to Rabastan.

"What are they saying...about what," Rabastan asked, blinking in either exhaustion or confusion, Bella couldn't be sure which.

Rod shrugged. "Not sure. Merlin told me to ask them to teach us where home is, whatever the hell that means. He said it's something we can use in the love shields we're working on."

"Sounds...weird," Rabastan decided. "Sure I'll go. Hopefully it'll be good. It was Merlin who said to ask, after all."

Rod nodded. "Yeah."

"Should I attend you," Rhadamanthus asked and Rod shrugged.

"We'll just be Apparating so I shouldn't think it's necessary. If you wish to go you're welcome to, and if you'd rather just rest here, you're free to do so. I think I'd like you to go, though. Harold," he said, glancing at the elf as he set down a fresh pot of tea. "As it's Regulus and Kreacher, I'm not sure if we'll be talking about weird love shit or elf magic. In case it's elf magic, though, it may be worthwhile for you to hear it as well. If it isn't, well, you got out of the house for a bit."

"As you like, sir," Harold said with a slight shrug.

Rod grinned. "That's always nice to hear."

The elf chuckled, then turned the sound into a dignified cough.

"Am I supposed to go," Lyra asked with a slight frown. "I will if you want me to, but I already asked Graven to come over and hang out for a bit. Cassius was invited to some dinner thing at the Malfoy's that is supposed to go on until later, and Wulfric is stuck hanging out with his parents for the evening."

"Oh, what a chore," Bellatrix drawled and Lyra rolled her eyes.

"That isn't what I meant… If you need me to cancel with Graven, I suppose I can, but only if it's necessary."

"I see no need for you to go," Rodolphus said. "The two of you will be staying in for the evening, then?"

She nodded. "Yes. We'll be here all evening, I promise. We're doing our nails and looking through some clothing catalogs that she just got in the mail."

"Goblin clothes," Rabastan asked, arching his brows. "Because I don't think they'll fit you."

"No. Just clothes in all sizes," Lyra said.

"I think I'll remain here as well," Rhadamanthus decided. "Only without the nails and clothes. I'll be here to keep the girls safe if there is trouble, though."

"Brilliant," Rodolphus said, giving the spider a warm smile. "I appreciate you."

Rhadamanthus waved a foreleg in a casual gesture before using it to lift a large chicken leg. "Sure, sure," he rasped. "It's no problem." He tossed the chicken into his mouth and bit down with a crunch.

They Apparated to Grimmauld just after dinner, and for once it was actually Kreacher who opened the door. The hooked nosed elf looked preoccupied, but gave them a warm smile nonetheless.

"Hi, Kreacher," Bellatrix greeted, smiling back.

"Yeah, hi," Rodolphus added jovially. "We came to talk to you and Regulus about where home is. We were sent by Merlin."

Kreacher's large eyes narrowed, his expression becoming thoughtful. "Kreacher sees." Turning, he gestured for them to follow him and wordlessly headed for the library.

"You're actually supposed to teach us where home is. Hopefully you know what that means," Rod said.

"Yes," Kreacher responded simply.

Regulus and Kereston sat in the library, each holding a book. Regulus looked as preoccupied as Kreacher, while Kereston merely looked drawn and tired.

"Oh good, it's only you lot," Regulus said, giving a quick relieved smile.

"Yes," Kereston agreed. "We were hoping it wasn't another afterhours problem."

Bellatrix's brows shot up. "Do you have a lot of those?"

Kereston shrugged. "Not too many, but the last one was in the middle of the bloody night. Someone interrupted a magical working Flitwick and his wife were performing, and it had dangerous consequences." She sighed, small hands coming up to briefly hold the sides of her head. "It's enough to give me a headache just thinking about it."

"Fortunately we don't have any afterhours trouble at Azkaban. We just need to talk about home, whatever the fuck it is," Rabastan said with a grin. "Merlin told Roddy to ask you lot to tell us about where home is. Obviously this is yours and we know where the fuck we live so what's it really mean?"

"In part, it means where we live, but only in part," Regulus began thoughtfully. "Albus, Kreacher, and I began studying the connection between elves and their home some time ago in an attempt to discover what lies behind elf slavery. If elves can be freed, they obviously don't start out that way, after all. We were trying to sort if the link to enslave the elf has to do with the family land or the family blood."

"So what did you discover," Harold spoke up. The elf still wore his mask so his expression was hidden. The attentive way he leaned forward in his chair clearly indicated his level of interest, however.

"Both, in abstract sort of ways," Regulus replied. "Take you, for example. You weren't bound by the slavery curse to the Lestranges, but I can see that you care for them."

At that, Harold shifted in his chair, glancing away in obvious embarrassment. "They were always decent to Harold and treated him well when many wizards would not have," he said quietly.

"Yes, but it's more than that," Regulus pressed. "You have come to care for them. You would be distressed if something were to befall them."

The round glass eyes of the goggles in Harold's plague doctor mask glinted as he turned his head to regard Bella and Rod in a nearly anxious gesture. "Harold would," he agreed. "They do not deserve any more...enough has already befallen them. Harold would not wish to be without their presence. They...they treat him like family, and he enjoys that in a way he did not expect," he said slowly.

Regulus smiled. "Yes, exactly. That is what I wanted."

"So Merlin wants us to do some sort of magic with Harold," Rodolphus asked, struggling to understand. "Something with Raven's Nest, more defenses or something? If so, I don't see what that has to do with the love shields we're working on because he said it deals with that."

"I doubt it's about your home in that case, then," Regulus said. "And I'm not certain if he wants you working with Harold on the shields or not. The connection of home can also be between two humans, or a human and a goblin I should think, if we consider Wulfric Dumbledore and his lady.

"The concept of home is what we discovered through studying the elf slavery situation, but upon further exploration, we believe the concept was used willingly between elves and humans before the elves were enslaved. As such, the same connection can work from human to human, or humans and goblins, and so on. It is being extremely connected to a person to a level that they are your home. Home is where the heart is… If another living being holds your heart to a high degree, they are home."

"So, what? Elf slavery was a twist on that," Bellatrix asked. "You said this was used before, so if the pure form was used before, what? The twist is forcing someone or some place to be home that you do not want?"

Regulus grinned, nodding. "Brilliance runs in the Black family," he said. "You've got it exactly, Cousin."

Bella gave a pleased smile, settling back in her chair. "So we use our home and heart connection with whoever to strengthen the shield," she asked.

"I should think so," Regulus said. "Merlin spoke of it to Rod, though, not me, so it is only a guess."

"Sounds like a good one," Rodolphus said. "I shall confirm with Merlin later on the matter to be sure, though."

Regulus nodded. "Good."

"How do we know if we have that connection with someone, though," Rabastan asked.

"It's something you feel deep within," Regulus said. "You certainly have it with Bella and Rod. It's that person you'd be lost without, that one you love very much. The love can be romantic, like with Bella and Rod, or of a family nature like you with the two of them," he told Rabastan. "Gellert has it with the Zabini family elf even though he isn't born into the Zabini family as Blaise is. In that, if the two form a close attachment, it does not need to conform to the rules of family and home that the elf enslavement does. The curse, for it was certainly that, needed rules to which to conform, you see, but this home connection was originally based on a general deep caring, and that can't be controlled. Gellert and the elf see themselves as brothers, and that goes deeper than most things."

"So he treats Gellert like family because he chooses to," Kreacher clarified. "In that, his choice is stronger than the elf enslavement. Kreacher understands this well from his own personal experiences. Kreacher HAD to serve Sirius Black, but he did not wish to do so. His heart was not in it, so Sirius Black, ,aster or not, was never Kreacher's home. Master Regulus on the other hand..." The elf paused to swallow as tears of emotion sprang to his eyes. One hand reached over to cover Regulus's own as the two locked gazes. "Kreacher would do anything for him...anything."

"As I would for you," Regulus said quietly.

"Why do I feel the fuck like this is a private conversation that I did not ask for," Rabastan complained.

"Right," Bellatrix agreed drily. "This is an old song, you two. No one cares, as we've all heard it too much. The fucking lake incident is long gone, you're both fine. We all made it out of hell, unless Delphini drags us back, so can we put our minds on that, please? I assume that's why Merlin wants us to know about this home thing."

Rodolphus gave Bellatrix a proud smile. "That's my girl!"

"That's just it, though. Kreacher returned to me after that lake incident," Regulus said. "He did not Apparate into the kitchen. He Apparated nearly into my arms, extremely and understandably upset after what he'd gone through. His connection was to me, so when I said to come home, meaning it as more of a casual comment rather than any real order, because who really orders Kreacher, he came home...to me."

"So if Harold needed to, he could come home...to Miss Bella even if she is not at Raven's Nest," Harold asked.

Regulus nodded. "Yes. If you feel that she is home, that should be the case."

"What if she, Mr. Rodolphus, and Mr. Rabastan are not together," Harold asked.

"Then you would have to decide which to go to first, I suppose," Regulus answered thoughtfully. "If the goal is to locate them if they were separated unwillingly, you could find one at a time and take them with you to find the others."

Harold nodded, so Bellatrix assumed that was why he was asking. She liked the fact that he was already thinking of how to get them out of bad trouble if they ever happened to fall into it again.

"You focus on the person in such a case rather than the place, of course," Regulus said and Harold nodded. "We discovered the scope of this home phenomena when Gellert commanded Bramble, with Bramble's permission to locate something that had been taken from him when he was imprisoned in Nurmengard. Gellert believed the elf could find the item for him on pure instinct, and Bramble did not believe such was possible. He gave Gellert permission to command him to find Gellert's mirror, and it worked."

"How," Harold asked, awed.

"Well, Bramble described it as something tugging at him. The magic nearly forced him to Apparate to a location where the mirror was being held," Regulus explained.

"But how is that possible if Bramble nor Gellert knew where the mirror was," Harold asked and Regulus nodded.

"Indeed. That is the point. The home connection is a powerful thing. Love can move mountains, and this is love to the highest degree there is, applied in a particular magical fashion."

"Okay, that's giving me a headache," Rabastan said, clutching his head much as Kereston had earlier.

Chapter 119: People Get Ready

Chapter 119: People Get Ready

"So if two people need to find one another, it can work the same way if they love that one enough to have the home connection," Rod asked.

"Yes," Regulus said. "In theory, if the two of you were separated, you could find Bellatrix by focusing on your love for her and Apparating. I do believe there must be a pressing need rather than a simple casual interest to activate it, though. It's driven by emotion...strong emotion. If you're thinking of practicing, I doubt it would work, as it's rather difficult to produce such a strong need on cue."

Rod nodded. "Understood."

"So if you'd known about this home shit way back when Regi had first gone missing, you could've thought hard about him and homed your way right to his ass," Rabastan asked Kreacher.

The elf gritted his teeth and glared at Rabastan. "That is correct," he ground out. "Rabastan is not nice to get Kreacher angry for no reason. The past is gone, frustrating though it is that so much happened, seemingly needlessly."

"It's called hindsight is twenty twenty," Regulus said gently, giving the elf at his side a sad smile. "And Rabastan, do not call me Regi! You know how I hate it."

"Yeah, but it's just more practical," Rabastan said.

"Merlin brought all this up to me when he was explaining how he used the Crom Dubh statue against his enemies," Rodolphus said. "That is about good luck for one side, ours, and bad luck for the side of our enemies, hers. Because the home connection was twisted to form the enslavement bonds for elves to wizards, it is probably how the luck concept is twisted to bring misfortune to the enemy."

Regulus nodded. "That sounds right. When used properly it strengthens us, and when used against the enemy it weakens them just as it weakened the elves."

"Good," Bellatrix said fervently. "Because we certainly aren't playing fair."

Regulus chuckled. "Bloody right we aren't. That wouldn't be very Slytherin of us at all."

"Well, I need to get home to write Grindelwald now that I've gotten what I want from you lot," Rodolphus said, nodding at Kreacher and Regulus as he rose to his feet. "Thanks."

Once back at Raven's Nest, Rodolphus hurried to the library to write Grindelwald. First he spoke of his findings from Merlin, then of the conversation he'd had with Regulus and Kreacher, concluding with a question concerning when they were going to link the crystals to the Crom Dubh statue.

Gellert wrote back saying that Merlin had told him how to do the linking after speaking to him, so he and Blaise had already attended to it before the three smoky quartzes were placed in the Muggle ministries. He thanked Rodolphus for his helpful research.

"It looks like now we're just keeping things together while we wait for her to make a move we can use," he said, speaking to Bellatrix without turning to see her leaning over his shoulder to read Grindelwald's reply. He could feel her nearness and the heat from her slender, perfect body so close to his own. Leaning back slightly, he pressed into her soft warmth, while reaching an arm around to draw her closer against his back.

"Mmm," she murmured as one slender hand came around to caress the muscles of his chest. "Upstairs?"

Turning, he scooped her into his arms before Apparating into their bedroom. "Sounds like a plan," he replied with a grin, before crushing his lips to hers.

For weeks there was no word on Delphini's activities in the crystals. Things at Azkaban were peaceful and Rod settled into a comfortable rhythm. When everyone met at 12 Grimmauld for their shrink sessions, Grindelwald and Zabini gave updates on any progress.

They were working with alchemists, including Severus Snape, on formulating a cream that blocked magic much like sunblock did the sun. The cream was comprised of components of Moopkas, as well as key Murtlap and Fire Crab bits. The stuff wasn't fast to make, and it could not be produced in large batches, so Rod hoped they'd have enough by the time an actual battle happened. He very much liked the idea of being able to kill as many of the enemy as possible while their magic could not touch him. Due to the scarcity of ingredients to make it, the cream would be insanely expensive. As the Lestranges were quite rich, Rodolphus planned to buy a nice supply as soon as possible for those lovely moments when one just wanted to stay alive.

The next bit of interest Zabini was working on alone. While somewhat intriguing, the concept was a bit odd for Rodolphus. Zabini had procured photographs of Delphini from the old Ministry records and was using them rather like voodoo dolls. He literally stuck the photos with pins, claiming the spell he was working when doing so weakened her very essence which in turn would gradually affect her body. This would prime her for Wulfric's strike when the time came. It could also negatively impact her luck, causing inconvenient situations to come to her more times than not. Anything to weaken the enemy was good, but Rodolphus had always thought voodoo pins did physical damage. When he voiced this, Blaise just chuckled.

"Her spirit is what I want to go after because for her to truly die, we need to kill her the right way. If she simply gets herself crushed under a building, she could return in an unforeseen way that none of us would enjoy."

Rodolphus nodded, unable to not shudder at the recollection of how the Dark Lord had returned...both times.

At their next shrink session it was Regi who at last had findings to report on the wands from Merlin's cave.

"Basically they're just good, strong wands, each with its own personality or feel," Regulus reported as he returned the wands to Gellert. "What makes them special, though, is that they are all linked to one another. This seems to allow the users to communicate with one another more rapidly than with a Patronus and to share magical strength if casting the same spell at once even from different locations."

Gellert frowned thoughtfully. "Interesting," he said slowly. "They would be very useful for Aurors...or even for our close group of friends."

It felt nice to be included in that group, Rod admitted to himself. "Were you able to see how the link between the wands was done, Regi," he asked. "In other words, is it one basic link or is the link for the communication separate from the spell sharing one?"

"It is one link that branches off into two functions, so it is two in one," Regulus replied. "And don't call me Regi! Is it that bloody hard?"

Rod grinned, exchanging a brief look with Bella and Rab. "In fact, it is," he drawled, feeling his grin widening. He couldn't help it. Regi just made it too fun and easy to vex him. If he would only loosen up a little…

"Did you discover exactly how the link is done, or are you just aware of it without having discovered the actual mechanics," Gellert asked Regulus.

"I believe I can replicate it," Regulus said thoughtfully.

"Without altering how our wands already operate," Blaise asked, concern in his voice.

Regulus nodded. "Of course," he assured.

"Said by the prat who has never actually attempted the link on any wands at all," Bellatrix drawled, and Regulus shot her an annoyed glare.

"I am certain I could reverse any process I attempted on any wand, Bella. So even if the method I have in mind doesn't work, the wand will remain as it was. That is what I meant."

"Do you know how they activated the wands for communication or linking spells," Gellert asked. "Meaning are the functions triggered by a spell?"

Regulus nodded. "Yes. I could not tell what spell, so perhaps you can ask Merlin and Nimue. I attempted to do so but was unsuccessful. Either they don't remember, or they didn't hear me." Regulus shrugged. "I understand the concept, so I could invent my own spell when setting up the functions if necessary."

Rodolphus closed his eyes, because that helped his focus, and silently reached out to Merlin, asking him about the wands.

"Oh, those. Yes. We didn't remember at first when Regulus asked, but now I do. Those wands were very beneficial in battle. One belonged to me, one to Nimue, one to Taliesin, one to Morgana, and another to a druidic Healer whose name you would not recognize."

As he listened to Merlin, the conversation flowing around him faded into the background.

"The spell on the wands is comprised of runes. I did much of my crafting with runes. Basic and simple but it bloody works wonders! Begin with the rune Tir, the rune for victory. This allows the various bits of the linking spell to work together without interference, and without interfering with the wand itself.

"Next comes the rune Rad, for the communication aspect. In a sense, this rune not only allows for communication, but it allows the spells to communicate in such a way that they can actually develop memory and learn from one another. Much like a Muggle computer's programs, or neural networks in the brain, would."

"And the sharing of magic," Rodolphus asked.

"You don't require another rune for that, because you're already communicating and the Rad rune is enhancing all," Merlin replied peevishly.

"Rod, are you even listening," Bellatrix asked, poking him sharply in the ribs with an elbow.

"Actually, no I wasn't," Rodolphus said proudly. "I was asking Merlin how the spells on the wands were done. Now would you like me to finish that?"

"Yes, of course," Gellert said. "Everyone else shut up."

Rod gave a satisfied smirk as Grindelwald spoke.

"Thank you," he thought to the druid. "Now how do we activate these runes when they're needed?"

"With any word for Victory," Merlin replied. "The language does not matter when the intention and understanding of the meaning is there."

"Which did you use," Rod wondered.

"Usually the Cornish Viktori, but at times the Welsh Buddugoliaeth," Merlin replied.

"Sweet," Rod said. "The more the better. We need a ton of victory after all, and words have power."

Rod felt the druid's nod of agreement in a way he couldn't quite explain.

"And it's soon, Rod," he warned.

Chapter 120: Third Kill Is A Charm!

Chapter 120: Third Kill Is the Charm!

The alarm came when they were at their next shrink session. Mag had just asked Rodolphus how he was doing, and for once he had something to say.

"Well, I really miss the pleasant popping sound someone's head makes when I give them a good shaking, you know?"

Mag blinked and Bellatrix felt her lips twitch. Rod was obviously just poking the shrink to get a rise out of her.

"This is when you torture," Mag asked calmly.

Rod shrugged. "Sure, or when I just beat the hell out of someone deserving. I just haven't found myself in a situation that calls for such violence lately, and I miss the release it gives."

He gave a wistful sigh, and Bellatrix began wondering if he was simply being honest rather than messing with their shrink for a reaction. If so they'd have to go out over the weekend and find a fun way to take out some of that aggression. At the moment, though, Bellatrix was just interested in how Mag would respond to Rod's...sharing. No one else at the table had reacted much save for Gellert's brows arching skeptically at Rod's announcement.

Before Mag could speak, the Patronus of an Auror appeared in front of Gellert, in the form of a panicked looking lynx. "I was watching the crystals, and she's in Washington, D.C. in the United states. She's using the Imperius Curse on a lot of high ranking politicians right now!"

"We go," Gellert said.

He touched a Hallows signet ring that he wore on his right forefinger, and a green light flashed. Lifting his hand so that the ring was at the level of his face, he spoke directly into the green light issuing from it. "To the Portkeys at the Ministry, now!"

"That will summon all the Aurors," he explained.

"Mag, go and tell Severus. I'll get in touch if the two of you are required. I'd appreciate it if you alerted Kereston as well, just so she is aware. Tell her I will get in touch if any action on her part is necessary at this point. The rest of us are going directly to the Department of Magical Law Enforcement to meet up with the other Aurors. We shall then Portkey to say hello to Delphini."

The redhead nodded and Apparated away.

Mag and Severus were both experienced duelers, but they weren't trained Aurors, so Bellatrix understood why Gellert did not include them as civilians. Luckily, their Shadow Ops training served as an in for the Lestranges, because she wasn't planning to miss this one.

"She's really there in the flesh," she breathed, and Gellert flashed a hard eager smile.

"It seems so." Grasping Blaise's arm, he gave the group a nod. "To the Ministry."

The two vanished with a crack. Rod, Bella, Rabastan, Regulus, and Kreacher Apparated on their heels, meeting up in the designated department. Other Aurors were Apparating in right and left so the place was full of loud cracks.

An elf began hurriedly passing out bottles of cream. "Cover yourself and pass it on," he told Bellatrix, pushing one into her hand before hurrying away.

"It's the magic blocking cream," Gellert said. "It fades in an hour or so, so it is imperfect to a degree, but it will give us a quick edge. Everyone hurry and get it on. We don't want to give her time to leave. Just now she has no idea that we are aware of her, so there should be time, but I wish to take no chances."

Bellatrix slathered herself with cream as quickly as she could then passed the bottle to Rodolphus. Everyone around them was either oiling up or waiting for their turn with one of the bottles. Excitement was thick in the air, but thus far all the Aurors under Grindelwald's training were moving like well oiled machines.

Bella's hand tightened on her wand. It was the one from Mag, and she was glad she'd chosen to bring that one along. When fighting Delphini, or anyone else for that matter, having twice the strength was the way to go. It was finally happening! Her mind kept repeating this as adrenaline built up within her, screaming for action. Delphini's M.O. for the most part had been playing it behind the scenes. The idea that they had a personal shot at her was finally sinking in. This could actually be over! Bellatrix was nearly euphoric at that idea until Lyra showed up.

The look of horror on Bellatrix's face didn't go unnoticed by her daughter.

"Cassius and I are working behind the scenes to help Wulfric," Lyra told her, tone half soothing, half warning.

Wulfric was there as well, a gleaming sword in an equally gleaming metal sheath in his right hand. His expression was hard and set into a look of blank determination. His goblin girlfriend stood at his side, her expression more pensive.

"We'll be alright, Mum. We have the magic blocking cream," Lyra soothed.

Bellatrix bit her lip, but before she had time to react or even decide exactly how she wished to react, Gellert was addressing everyone.

"We go to Washington, D.C. in America, to the White House, via the crystal Portkey. Everyone grasp onto the person beside you for transport," Grindelwald directed. As he spoke, he grasped Bella's arm. "Rodolphus, Rabastan, grab her," he snapped.

As Rodolphus grasped Bellatrix's hand, Rabastan's hand closed around her shoulder. Blaise took Kreacher's arm and the elf grasped Regulus's hand. All around them Aurors, goblins, humans, and elves alike were making a long chain. Grindelwald activated a Portkey that he drew from his pocket that looked to be another clear crystal, only a far smaller one than those in Merlin's scrying set.

Portkeying in wouldn't be as loud as Apparating. That was good, because they needed the element of surprise. When the Portkey's magic dumped them out, they were in a spacious lobby. After a moment, Bellatrix recognized it as being the room in which they'd placed the scrying crystal of Merlin's.

The room was full of Muggles, all staring fixedly at Delphini. She stood in the front of the room, slender arms spread wide, and a blissful smile on her young face. Oddly, rather than wizard robes, she sported what Bellatrix believed to be called a Muggle business suit. Many of the women in the room wore the similar attire of a narrow skirt, top, and jacket.

"Together, we are going to fix the world!" she proclaimed, and the room cheered.

Wordlessly, Wulfric made his move. Tossing the sheath of the sword to his girlfriend, he strolled toward Delphini, blade in his hand. To say it was gleaming would be an understatement, though, seeing as it actually glowed. For a moment, Bellatrix found herself distracted by the blade as Wulfric directed it, in a very businesslike manner, at Delphini's chest.

"Love shield now," Gellert directed. "Feeling the love for those you love best is the shield that keeps back the serpent of fear, hate, and death!"

Regulus and Kreacher moved up beside Bellatrix and Rodolphus. Blaise and Gellert stood to their other side, and they all moved as one toward Wulfric. Bellatrix clutched Rod's hand, focusing on how much she loved him. He was her world. He was half of her...the best half. The emotions this focus brought up caused tears to spring to her eyes as her hand tightened on his.

"We will do this," Kreacher choked out. "It won't get us again!"

Bellatrix wondered fleetingly if he spoke to Regulus, or all of them.

Though time seemed to slow down, it all actually happened in a matter of seconds. As they moved, the room broke out, momentarily, into a state of pandemonium, but soon things quieted again. All the elf Aurors placed sleeping charms on the gathered Muggles with impressive speed. Elves were absolutely the best at sleep charms. In a matter of seconds, the floor was piled with the bodies of slumbering Muggles.

Delphini murmured a spell, and Wulfric's sword froze mid jab as though it had hit a wall. It was then that Bellatrix noticed Cassius circling them to move up behind Wulfric, likely unlocking Delphini's spell. When Delphini's eyes went suddenly wild, and she took a step back, Bellatrix nearly crowed with delight.

Delphini had to be confused by what Cassius was doing, and if she'd attempted to strike directly at Wulfric, thanks to the magic blocking cream, it would not work! It was all Bella could do not to dash forward and help, but Wulfric's blade would kill a Horcrux, and she didn't have the blasted Basilisk fang dagger with her because it was at bloody Azkaban!

Stepping forward in pursuit of Delphini, Wulfric struck out, Cassius still presumably continuing to unlock any spell Delphini threw so that it would not work. Wulfric's blow missed, however, because Delphini was no longer there. Instead a giant serpent writhed, hissing on the floor. Her tail wrapped around Wulfric's feet, jerking as he adjusted his angle to stab downward. As she dragged him off balance, his lips drew back in a silent snarl of rage before he vanished as well, shining sword clattering to the floor. Instead of Wulfric, the serpent's tail was now wrapped around a giant mongoose whose jaws snapped at her. Bellatrix let out a gleeful crow of laughter. Wulfric's Animagus was a bloody mongoose!

In a blink, the two became a battling ball of scales and fur. Wulfric's girlfriend darted forward and called the sword to her hand with a murmured word. For a moment, the goblin girl stood watching the fight, an expression of anguish on her face. At first Bellatrix wondered why Graven did not just stab Delphini while Wulfric had her distracted, but then she understood. Such a thing would be impossible without stabbing Wulfric as well, so closely were the two entwined.

"Do it! Kill her," Romeo Valdez shouted. "Grindelwald can heal him."

Graven shook her head at the Head Auror's words without taking her gaze from Wulfric and Delphini's struggle. Her trembling hand caused the sword to waver in midair.

"No!" The tormented cry came from the throat of Albus Dumbledore, and, a mother now herself, Bellatrix cringed in sympathy.

Albus rushed forward, Kereston following with her undersecretary at her side. Bellatrix remembered the goblin's name. It was Goriandor. She recalled because he'd been the first to clap for her when she announced to the Aurors, and most of the Ministry, that she and her family were actually the first to strike at Voldemort.

"Parvati says you've got to destroy Delphini's dragon to diminish her magical power," Kereston shouted to Gellert. "I came to tell you, plus as Minister I should be here for political reasons when the shit hits the American fan over this one."

Gellert turned angrily to Kereston. "You are not safe here!" he snapped. "Get yourself home."

"But thank you," he added.

"Her dragon is at the original oracle of Delphi in Greece, far under the earth. Its name is Python," Parvati called. "I saw it in the tea leaves last week but only figured out what it meant today!"

Bellatrix turned to see her bringing up the rear of the small group of newcomers, hurrying just behind Goriander.

"And you can't send us home!" Parvati addressed Gellert then rushed to Rabastan's side, where he stood at Rod's shoulder with his blasting rod at the ready.

Gellert glared, apparently about to insist that he actually could when one of the Acromantulas hurried up. "We studied how to kill dragons in our Auror training. Three Acromantulas trapping it in webs, and six elves freezing then boiling it alive is said to do the trick. We have six Acromantulas here. I suggest all six of us, and twelve elves just to be safe and we're on it, Boss. All we need is someone to accompany us who knows where the Oracle of Delphi actually is."

"I can take you there," Albus spoke up. "Keep Wulfric safe!" he shouted to Graven as the elves and spiders surrounded him.

"To the Floo in the Minister's office," one elf howled excitedly before they all vanished.

Bellatrix wondered how the Minister's office was going to fair with six Acromantulas being Apparated into it. Ah well, if it got them all to Greece quickly, it hardly mattered.

Chapter 121: Unstoppable Today!

Chapter 121: Unstoppable Today!

"Delphini!" Lyra suddenly called out from her place behind Cassius.

Bellatrix drew in a sharp breath. What the hell was her daughter doing? Had she lost her bloody mind? Ah well, if so, she'd fit in grandly with the rest of the Lestranges, but right now wasn't the time to embrace one's insanity when it could be a matter of life and death. Bellatrix was turning to Lyra to demand that she shut up this instant when Delphini's serpentine head rose from the struggle with Wulfric.

"I am Lyra Lestrange, Bellatrix and Rodolphus Lestrange's daughter. Bellatrix isn't your mother, but I can tell you who is! I know a psychic and she scried it in her tea leaves. Trust me, she's always right."

Wulfric's huge mongoose jaws snapped onto Delphini's neck as he used the distraction Lyra provided.

Hissing in rage, Delphini's focus returned to Wulfric, as her great serpentine coils began squeezing him.

"Pay attention to me, Delphini!" Lyra screamed. "I am telling you who your damn mother is, and it's rude not to listen to such important information. We all want to know where we come from, after all."

Delphini's head rose again, though this time only partially. She wasn't so distracted this time. She had decided to squeeze Wulfric and listen to Lyra at the same time, multi-tasking.

"She was a Maledictus just like you. She was also your father's pet, which is likewise all you'd have ever been, because the fucker had no soul," Lyra said. "Her name was Nagini, and just as he did to you, he turned her into a Horcrux. She is now dead. So you see what happens to those he…I can't say loves, because he can't do that. He just knows how to use and kill the things he values, because of the way in which he values them! No part of him could ever do otherwise because he is pure evil."

Wulfric's sword arced suddenly through the air, the point of its blade hurtling toward Delphini's eye. Graven had thrown it when Delphini raised her head to regard Lyra, giving the goblin girl a proper target. Her daughter's tactic had worked, Bellatrix thought proudly. Alas, it was wasted, for Delphini's reflexes were faster than Graven had counted on. The snake dodged aside, and the sword clattered to the floor beside her. Delphini's dodge permitted Wulfric the proper amount of wiggle room required to free himself from her coils, however.

The mongoose was hurt though, swaying as he stood, obviously slowed down. "To me," Gellert snapped and Wulfric staggered over.

Screaming curses, Graven summoned the sword to her again as Delphini shifted back to her human self. The goblin girl hurled the sword at Delphini again, and Delphini vanished.

"Motherfucker!" Graven howled.

"My sentiments exactly," Rabastan muttered. Cursing under his breath, he blew a hole in the nearest wall with his blasting rod...evidently to release a bit of frustration.

Gellert was bent over Wulfric, a soft light emanating from his open palms. Wulfric's right foreleg jerked, then he stood straighter. "Just a dislocated shoulder," Gellert said as the mongoose became Wulfric again.

"Thanks," he offered a bit breathlessly, and Gellert nodded.

"There are a ton of people outside," Regulus called. "I can hear them shouting. Delphini is rousing them into some sort of frenzy. They are chanting about utopia and I think about killing us?"

Bellatrix was grateful to have her cousin's vampiric hearing at that moment. It would give them an advantage or two in this situation. Perhaps the choice to ruin his blood by becoming something other hadn't been such a stupid idea after all, she decided grudgingly.

Gellert gave a dry chuckle in response, and nodded. "Alright," he called, raising his voice so all the Aurors could hear. "We Apparate outside to...where precisely are they, Regulus?"

"Front of the building," Regulus answered at once, and Gellert nodded.

"You heard him. First subdue the crowd with stunners. If they have weapons, and any of you appear to be in danger, feel free to do more than stun. Wulfric and those trained to work with him, go after her again."

"Kreacher, you and Regulus can't go out there," Kereston said. "We're five hours earlier here in America, and the sun is still out."

They were deep in the heart of this building where no sun reached them, so the vampires were currently safe.

"We can just wait in here," Regulus said. "If you need our help, you can force her back inside."

Gellert nodded. "Sounds good."

It was clear from the frustration on the faces of Regulus and Kreacher that they hated having to literally sit and wait while everyone else went out to take down an evil who had terrorized them all for far too long, but it couldn't be helped.

"Kereston, wait here with Regulus and Kreacher," Gellert commanded and the little Minister scowled.

"I am wearing one of Blaise's magic unraveling amulets. I'll be fine."

The amulets were great for protection, but they could make casting certain spells tricky. They functioned by unraveling all magic in the radius of the wearer, but, at times, unless cast very carefully, this included that person's own spells. For this reason, the magic blocking cream was preferred in a fight. The Minister was no Auror, though, so likely not spoiling for a fight today. With that in mind, Bella thought she should be safe. Gellert must have disagreed, though, because with a silent snarl of rage, he pointed at the little Minister and she crumpled gently to the floor.

"If anything happens, we need a leader," Gellert told Kreacher and Regulus with a warning look. "So don't wake her unless it is entirely necessary!"

"How did you get around her magic blocking amulet" Bellatrix asked incredulously, and Gellert smirked.

"Blaise and I made all the later batches of those amulets together. Don't you think we'd have made sure they didn't block us?"

Bellatrix laughed as they all Apparated outside. Grindelwald was a Slytherin all the way, Durmstrang be damned.

The first thing that hit Bellatrix was the overwhelming noise. So many screaming and chanting voices attached to pushing stampeding bodies. The word 'riot' was an understatement! The outside of the White House was teaming with people.

Bellatrix had no idea if they were Muggles, wizards, or both. As Gellert had ordered, his Aurors began stunning right and left. As a response, some of Delphini's followers began hexing in retaliation before they were stunned, showing themselves to be wizards. Others opened fire with guns, showing themselves to probably be Muggles. Unless, that was, wizards had opted for guns over wands for some insane reason. The wizard and goblin Aurors continued to stun while the elf Aurors deflected flying bullets with impressive speed.

Where the hell was Delphini, though? There were too many people everywhere to get a good view! Hopefully the Aurors would clear a path via stunning before she got away. It was then that it hit Bellatrix.

They needed a distraction. Something to get Delphini's attention. There was nothing like a shock of the unexpected to freeze a person up. Glancing around for inspiration, the rapidly moving car things on the busy street in front of them caught her attention.

One bit of the street was rapidly moving while another seemed frozen in place. Muggles sat still in their various sized vehicles gaping from behind their car windows at the mayhem. Moving out close enough to the mass of moving cars, Bellatrix began to wave her arms in a gesture that she hoped at least one stupid Muggle would properly interpret as 'stop!' Fortunately, after nearly twenty embarrassing seconds of this, one did. The sound of screeching tires as the sleek chocolate brown car drew to a stop was accompanied simultaneously by the sound of a door popping open.

"What's going on?" The Muggle who called to Bellatrix had jumped from his car and run to stand in front of her, face full of concern. "Has someone been hurt? What are they carrying on about?"

Bellatrix just shook her head. The man was youngish and taller than Rod, but not quite as muscular. "I need that car for something...life and death, you know. I need to know how to make it go very fast."

The man blinked. "Just put your foot on the accelerator and push it all the way down to the floor," he said, looking shocked that he'd answered her.

"Where is the accelerator," Bellatrix asked.

"Pedal on the right," he replied.

"Thanks, Muggle," she said, and sprinted around toward the car's still open door.

The motor was running and, for some reason, today the sound was one of power, and it exhilarated and thrilled her. It may be clunky Muggle transport, but today it was so much more than that. It was going to be a weapon that Delphini wouldn't see coming.

As she slid into the car, she caught sight of Goriandor standing near the edge of the street looking stressed. He'd come in handy, she decided, waving him over. "Hurry! Get in!"

Goriandor blinked in shock before nodding and Apparating into the car, ignoring the doors as well as the International Statute of Secrecy. Smirking, Bella slammed her door and looked for the accelerator.

There were two pedals on the floor, and she pressed her foot down hard on the one on the right as instructed, grasping the wheel as the vehicle shot forward. Driving wasn't so hard. It was actually quite fun. The speed was the most unexpected part, almost like magic of its own! She experimentally turned the wheel and fortunately the car responded as she hoped it would, jerking around rapidly toward the crowd outside the White House.

As she sped directly into a screaming group of Delphini's followers she shouted to Goriandor. "Keep us safe! I'm going to distract her by running them down, and I need you to keep their guns from punching through this car. I need you to keep magic from hitting it as well if you're able. I brought you because goblin magic is stronger and you can do this!"

She caught Goriandor's terse nod out of the corner of one eye as the car slammed into, then over, the first screaming cluster of Delphini's followers.

Thump thump thump thump thump! The car passed over the bodies so fast it almost seemed to lift off the ground. The motor grew even louder as if growling in triumph, and Bellatrix crowed with gleeful laughter.

This was a new sort of high, even better than torture, or shagging, or fine whisky, or good Merlin's cap mushrooms! She pressed the accelerator even harder into the floor, wild joyous laughter bubbling out of her like crashing ocean waves. This was good. Thump thump thump thump thump thump. More of Delphini's followers falling to her wheels, their screams muffled by the closed car.

Then it happened. The car rocked as spells slammed into it. She'd gotten Delphini's attention! Good! She and Goriandor had the magic blocking cream on, so she knew they'd survive. They had this. If the goblin just kept the car safe for long enough to kill a ton of Delphini's dangerous followers and distract her long enough for Wulfric to strike Bellatrix could at last feel she'd made her Uncle Orion proud. Her star was supposed to be the hand of Orion, and after failing so badly to kill the Dark Lord that it got Orion killed instead, Bellatrix could no longer feel proud of the title.

Goriandor swore, his face taking on an expression of strain as the spells stopped rocking the car. With a whoop of glee for the goblin's prowess, Bellatrix continued the unharmed and very fast vehicle on its ride of destruction. As Delphini's followers finally caught on to the fact that Bella was running them down, they began moving out of her way.

Still screaming with laughter, she began jerking the car's wheel from left to right, catching the moving bodies under her wheels. They were pathetic, soft, running targets and she'd always had good aim. Gods, this was fun! They didn't have a chance! Thump thump thump. Suddenly the car seemed to go even faster, and Bellatrix noticed Goriandor's hand on the wheel with hers.

In that moment, she felt the connection of a shared burden. Someone had her back and was here in this moment of strange exhilaration with her. In a way she couldn't quite explain, even to herself, that somehow felt very good. Though the goblin wasn't laughing with glee as she was, due to the strain of all the magic he wielded to keep the car protected from magical attacks, he obviously approved. He did not look at her in horror, and he had no qualms about doing what needed to be done.

With both of their hands on the wheel, the two zigzagged the car from right to left in long sweeping arcs, running over Muggle and wizard alike who followed Delphini. Fortunately all of Grindelwald's Aurors were smart enough to be far out of the way.

Suddenly a burst of light above them caught Bellatrix's attention. Goriandor swore as a huge ball of fire hurtled down at the car. The goblin dropped the wheel, grasping Bellatrix's arm instead. He said something in an urgent tone that she couldn't understand, but she shot forward and to the left, striving hard to avoid the fire. Then they were standing outside in the fresh air, the sound of an explosion behind them. Bellatrix turned to look, and as she suspected it was the car. Only now it didn't at all look like a car, just a charred still burning ball.

She glanced around to see Loughness Black standing directly in front of her and Goriandor. She blinked, registering what must have happened. Half elf and half human magic was good for a lot of things, and now it was time to add saving people from a burning car that was being magically attacked to that list.

"You got us out, then," she asked, the fact that she and Goriandor may have just very narrowly escaped death at last hitting her. Their magic blocking cream may block magic, but it probably wouldn't block fire so well.

"Yeah." Loughness nodded.

Feeling her body beginning to shake with shock, Bellatrix pulled the kid close and hugged him hard. Looking embarrassed, Loughness returned the embrace, his muscular arms reminding her that he wasn't so much of a kid anymore. He was an adult and doing a damned good job of being the skilled dark wizard he'd boasted that he would be for as long as she could recall him being able to talk.

"You should've seen Grindelwald! He looked horrified when he saw you jump into that car!"

The voice came from T. Valdez. The spiky haired Auror, wife of Romeo and adviser of which bathrooms were best to use at the Ministry, threw her arms around Bellatrix, bursting into tears.

"You're one of the good ones...you know… and we all thought you were going to die," she sobbed. "It wouldn't have been right, not at all! You shouldn't have to sacrifice yourself. We're all so tired of injustice, and it wouldn't have been right!" the young woman cried into Bellatrix's shoulder.

Gathering herself, she continued "Your husband wasn't worried, though. He said you knew what you were doing. Your daughter, though, she's pretty upset." T. Valdez stepped back, looking embarrassed.

Bellatrix patted her shoulder awkwardly with a strained smile. "Thank you. I wasn't trying to sacrifice myself at all, so I'm glad that worked out. Slytherins plan out their battles so they survive them. They don't go charging in like bloody Gryffindors. Er, you weren't a bloody Griffindor, were you?"

T. Valdez giggled. "Probably not. I went to school in Spain, and I like to steal books from libraries so..."

Bellatrix grinned. "Well done."

She realized that she was still clutching Goriandor's hand, and she didn't let go. At times like this, having a friend to hold onto was just bloody necessary. "You… You kept the car safe," she told him, hating her stupid voice for breaking as she spoke. "We did it!"

He nodded. "I guess we did. As long as we have Loughness in the wings for when things go really south, we've got this killing with Muggle cars business in the bag!"

Bellatrix let out a hysterical laugh and gave the goblin an impulsive hug, because it was good to be alive. Suddenly Rodolphus was standing in front of her with Gellert at his side. "That was brilliant, babe!"

Rodolphus caught her in his arms and kissed her hard. She wrapped her arms around his beautiful muscular body and clung hard. His nearness confirmed, like nothing else could, that she was alright.

"Gellert, where is she," Goriandor asked, and Bellatrix knew he was referring to Delphini.

Of course, she'd been asking the same thing in the back of her mind but too much was happening at once! Her own life hanging in the balance had captured her focus more than Delphini's fate for a moment.

"Dead and quite gone...literally," Gellert assured.

"Wulfric finally got the sword into her while you distracted her with the car, then I burned the body to ash and beyond ash," Loughness said. "It went just as planned once we finally caught the cow!"

At that, Bellatrix's shoulders began to shake. She couldn't be certain if she was laughing or crying. Perhaps she laughed at Delphini being called something as basic and common as a cow, and perhaps she cried from relief and sheer mental overload that said cow was at long last dead and all traces of HIM with her.

"Please, you're sure," she asked, looking pleadingly from Gellert to Loughness.

Both nodded and properly reassured, she nodded back. "Is everyone else I know alright? Where is Lyra? And Winterhaven?"

Rodolphus frowned. "Curls is looking after Lyra. I had to knock her out with a spell when restraining her became too difficult. When your car was being attacked by Delphini's followers, she became hysterical, screaming that she wasn't going to lose you again. She was trying to get to the car, and there was no way. She would've gotten herself killed, so I stopped her by knocking her out."

Bellatrix swallowed, wiping at the tears that spilled down her cheeks. Lyra cared… She really cared. She loved them no matter how angry she was that they'd had to leave her as a baby.

"Well, that's alright then," she told Rod, smiling through her tears.

Chapter 122: I Am The Champion!

Chapter 122: I Am the Champion!

Bellatrix was just opening her mouth to ask where Wulfric was so she could get more details on Delphini's demise when a very strange and very loud sound distracted everyone. They all turned to see the White House shaking then slowly crashing down. Bellatrix's mouth opened in silent horror. Regi and Kreacher were in there with a sleeping Kereston who Gellert had been so intent on keeping safe! Delphini's followers were in there, but they should still be knocked out, so what could be happening to cause the building to come down?

"Make it stop," Bellatrix screamed at Gellert. "Get your Aurors to make it stop! Regi and Kreacher are in there!"

Gods, Regi and Kreacher! All feelings of victory were forgotten in the face of such a devastating loss.

"The elves would be better at that and most of them are gone," Gellert snapped in frustration as he stared in horror at the falling building.

"I'll go get them out," Loughness said.

Gellert looked doubtful as another part of the building crashed. The look in Loughness's eyes was one of desperate fear for his parents. Bellatrix wondered if sending him in to likely get killed as well was what Regulus or Kreacher would want.

"They're vampires. Hopefully they will be alright," she said, having no idea if such was the case. They'd certainly have more of a chance than the little Minister. In all honesty, she spoke the words as much to reassure herself as she did to reassure Loughness.

"Kereston is in there, and she isn't a bloody vampire," Loughness shouted over the sound of rumbling as the building continued to fall.

The look of anguish on Loughness's face as he spoke was no surprise. He'd always had a huge Kereston fixation, swearing he'd marry her someday. The fact that she was twenty years or so older than he didn't phase him in the least as she still looked eighteen due to a bond with Kreacher, who as a vampire, never aged.

"You don't even know where they are, kid," Rabastan said. "You weren't in there with us, if you recall."

"Well, tell me!" Loughness shouted at him.

"No!" The call came from Albus Dumbledore. What with all the sounds of demolishment around them, the cracks of he and the rest Apparating back had gone unnoticed.

"It's Morgana causing the building to fall," he said. "It isn't intended to be stopped. She sent me to get Kereston, Kreacher, and Regulus out before she began her work. They are safe at 12 Grimmauld."

Bellatrix sagged in relief, exchanging a happy look with Rodolphus and Loughness as Albus continued.

"Well, she didn't exactly know they were in there, but she told me what she was about to do, and why, so we would not stop the process. She knew I would object so she spoke directly to me. I told her to hold off long enough for me to get them out and she did."

"She knew you would object, why," Bellatrix asked. Her gaze was still fixed on the building. It had nearly toppled completely and was now mostly rubble.

"She wanted all of Delphini's followers inside to die. She said no one left inside was innocent. She felt that if they were left alive, they would cause more trouble."

"All the Muggle politicians," Romeo Valdez exclaimed in shock. He'd come up to join Grindelwald as Albus was speaking, likely to ask instructions as to if anything should be done about the current state of things with the Muggle building.

"Many of them already cleared out when the rioting began outside," Albus said. "I suppose everyone left inside was guilty. Certainly everyone in that room that we first entered." He looked stricken, and Bellatrix wondered if he ever believed someone was worthy of death.

"Did you keep Kereston asleep," Gellert demanded, obviously caring no more about the bloodshed of those who would cause trouble later than Bellatrix did. "I wanted her asleep for a very good reason."

"He did, but Kreacher woke me up because Albus told him and Regulus that it was over. I got Stormy to Apparate me back to learn what happened, and as I told you earlier, there will be a political shit storm that I must help to handle, Gellert." The annoyed voice of Kereston spoke from just behind Grindelwald. Bellatrix turned to see her standing with one of Kreacher's four elves at her side, apparently Stormy.

"Gods, you silly little girl," Gellert grumbled, but swept the Minister into his arms and hugged her tight.

Kereston returned the hug, laughing and crying as she did. Bellatrix understood the sentiment. "You did it! You brought her down just as I knew you would. Gellert Grindelwald, you are the champion!" Kereston spoke the words into Gellert's chest, but they came out loudly enough to garner applause from everyone around.

"Bloody right he is," Wulfric Dumbledore called as he jogged up with Graven at his side. Cassius, carrying a still knocked out Lyra, brought up the rear. Wulfric still held the gleaming sword in his hand, though the blade was blackened in many spots as if it had been burned.

"Hi Dad," the red haired youth added as Albus grasped and embraced him hard. "Loughness and I couldn't have done it without Gellert's guidance," Wulfric continued to Kereston as he awkwardly patted Albus's back, his young face flushing with embarrassment. "I'm okay, Dad. I promise."

"Having children is the most terrifying thing in the world," Albus proclaimed shakily, and Bellatrix caught his eye and nodded.

"We continue to agree on things, and I'll have to get my head examined, Dumbledore," Rodolphus quipped.

Albus chuckled. "Don't worry yourself too much on that front, Rodolphus. I am quite certain that we shall always disagree on enough important fundamental principles."

Rod grinned back. "Well that's good then. I feel much better."

"I'm always glad to help," Albus said drily.

"Let's have every single detail on her death," Bellatrix said, turning to Wulfric.

Delphini was dead, and though Bellatrix knew it in her heart to be true, her mind needed a blow-by-blow of the event to solidify that reality and know precisely how the girl had died. Never to return and plague them with his eyes, or her destructive ambitions ever again.

"If you recall, Goriandor and I were busy distracting her for you, and Kereston was out so we missed the action!" Her words to Wulfric were flippant and nearly casual, but she could see the understanding in the young man's eyes nonetheless.

"Just call him Gori. I do," Gellert said, grinning at the goblin. "It suits him far better."

"I once preferred the dignity of Goriandor, but he's broken me into answering to whatever," Goriandor admitted with a look of chagrin.

"Well, thanks to all Gellert's planning and coordination, it was sort of simple if you ignore the general stress and terror over worrying what we'd do if things went entirely wrong," Wulfric said. "It would've been more of a scramble without your awesome distraction, so thank you both for that!"

Bella and Gori exchanged a brief smile as they nodded to Wulfric.

"Wait, distraction," Albus asked. "What did you do, Bellatrix?"

"It was bloody spectacular," Rabastan said excitedly. "She actually did the thing no one would expect her to ever do! It was brilliant! She took a super fast Muggle car and used it to kill a ton of Delphini's followers. Keeping our side safer and distracting Del for your boy, all in one beautiful act of rampant violence!"

Albus cringed. "Thank you, Bellatrix," he murmured.

"It was insanely impressive." Parvati spoke her agreement from where she stood at Rabastan's side.

"Can we return to the killing of Delphini, please," Bellatrix said a bit testily.

Everyone kept talking about other things, and she just wanted Wulfric to finish his recounting.

"Well, when you had her distracted, and she was attacking your car, I put on one of the magic unraveling amulets that Blaise and Gellert made," Wulfric said.

"Cas was unlocking a lot of her spells, but, by that point, she just had a sort of air shield around her to protect her from being physically touched. If he kept unlocking it, she'd just notice and keep moving. We wanted her to think we'd let up on her and were going after her followers. So Cas and the others were also fighting her wizards and Muggles, because some were on the other side of the building where you and Gori couldn't run them over. I figured if I put on the magic unraveling amulet I could get to her fast, and she'd not notice that in the way she would Cassius unlocking her spells. It worked. When she threw that giant ball of fire at the car, I stuck her with the sword."

"In the back," Bellatrix asked and Wulfric frowned.

"I had to take the opening I was given, and it isn't as if she'd have fought with honor. She just kept running when I faced her head on, and we still don't even understand all the power she was working with! Hell, we'll never understand all the power her damn father was working with. Who knows what that soulless monster was utilizing. We all know he had no limits!"

Bellatrix's lips twitched. "Easy, Dumbledore. I don't care where you stabbed her. I only wanted clarification so that I could envision it properly."

Wulfric's defensive expression relaxed and he grinned. "Okay then. When I stuck her with the sword, I ran her all the way through just to make sure it was done properly. Where I stuck her, the sword blackened, but so did she. It was the weirdest thing I'd ever seen the way her skin blistered and bubbled!"

"It even sizzled," Graven chimed in. "I was right there, so I heard."

Wulfric nodded. "It did sizzle!"

"That had to be the Horcrux dying too," Kereston said, and everyone nodded.

"Then I burned the body just as we planned," Loughness concluded. "I burned it to ash, then burned the ash. There is nothing left. I used the hottest fires elves have ever used in a kitchen."

Bellatrix nodded, giving him a proud smile.

Loughness had refused to learn how to cook or clean when Kreacher wished for him to learn how elves did things. Loughness refused, that is, until Stormy told him that the charms used for cooking and cleaning could also be used for battle. When the elf said one could boil a brain with the same method used to boil an egg, the boy was suddenly interested in learning his way around a kitchen. Likewise, when Stormy said one could remove the skin from a person or animal in the same way an elf removed dust from a table, Loughness was ready to learn cleaning as well.

The little Minister huffed a sigh and frowned at Gellert. "Thanks to your overprotection, not only did I miss the actual death, but I missed Bellatrix's wild ride too. Everything epic I missed!"

"We can share pensieve memories all around," Romeo suggested, and Bellatrix brightened as did Kereston and Gori.

"That would be brilliant," Gori said, grinning up at the Head Auror.

"Good," Romeo said. "Let's do it as soon as possible at the Ministry… At a much deserved party!"

Kereston smiled. "That sounds wonderful! For now, though, there is much diplomatic cleanup to be done, in both magical and Muggle sectors."

Bellatrix let out an inner groan, and from the looks on everyone else's faces, they'd done the same.

Chapter 123: The Once And Future Muggle King

Chapter 123: The Once and Future Muggle King

"Speaking of diplomatic clean up," Rodolphus began. "There is the matter of the Arthur fellow."

"Who," Bellatrix and Kereston asked in unison.

"The bloke who lent you his car, Bella," Rod explained. "He says his name is Arthur. He started talking to me and Rabastan when you and Gori were speeding over Delphini followers in his car."

"Yeah, he could tell we knew you because we were trying to get as close as possible, and bitching that we couldn't Apparate into the car when we tried to join you lot. Good going on blocking that sort of spell on the fly, Gori. Impressive shit," Rabastan added. "Back to the Muggle, though. He was exposed to our world, but I still don't think we should Obliviate him. It just wouldn't feel right. For one thing, it seems unnecessary. He's handling things pretty well."

Rod nodded in calm agreement with his brother. "He seems a solid sort."

"Yeah, and considering there's supposed to be a Muggle version of the nearest thing to Arthur here, and his name is actually Arthur," Rabastan enthused. "I mean, Arthur knew about magic back then so our Arthur should probably be allowed to know about it now. Perhaps he can even be useful sorting out this current mess."

He turned to Kereston. "You did say there is much diplomatic cleanup to be done, in both magical and Muggle sectors alike. He could probably help."

Kereston's lips twitched. "Repeating my words to me just like a talking raven," she teased and Rabastan grinned, nodding.

"Damn right. I listen and repeat."

The amusement faded from Kereston's small face, a thoughtful frown taking its place as she considered. "And you think this Arthur will be willing to assist us?"

"He appears to have the temperament for it," Rodolphus said. "The intelligence too."

Bellatrix shot her husband an incredulous look. He was speaking relatively highly of a bloody Muggle. Recalling the calm steady way the man had handed over his car had her considering, though.

"When I told him I needed the car and asked how it worked, he answered my question at once and readily. I recall that he looked a bit shocked that he did, which I found interesting. I used no magic to compel him in any way, mainly because I was too focused on the car to think about it, though I certainly would have had he not given me the information quickly.

"My point is he answered me willingly and looked surprised so...perhaps fate was moving him. If he is the true Arthur, here while Merlin and Nimue are a world over, or even if he is just a near version of Arthur, he was moved to play his part. He was chivalrous enough to stop when I waved him down while many other crass Muggles simply ignored me and sped by. His actions at least seem to be the sort of which King Arthur would approve."

Rod nodded. "Yeah, we thought about that, and it appears to be the case if you take into account his reactions to magic, elves, and all the killing he was seeing."

"What were his reactions," Kereston asked. Her blue-gray eyes were alight with curious interest. Bellatrix was just as intrigued to know that answer.

"Well, he asked if the goblins and elves were aliens or demons," Rabastan said with a chuckle. "He was interested, though, not frightened as one might expect."

"What did you tell him," Kereston asked.

Rabastan chuckled. "We told him they were goblins and elves, of course. We don't know anything about demons or aliens, after all."

"Unless you count bloody Dementors," Bellatrix murmured with a shudder.

Rodolphus chuckled. "Too right," he agreed.

"So how did he react to the fact that goblins and elves exist," Kereston inquired with a slight lift to her brows.

The tension in her posture said that it had been a long day that would just get longer. After all it was night for them in the UK, even if it was only late afternoon here in Washington, D.C.. For her part, though, Bellatrix was feeling quite relaxed. Apparently running down a ton of people did that to one! Who knew?

"He said the elves were far uglier than in the books and movies he'd seen, but he didn't comment on the goblins," Rodolphus answered thoughtfully.

"Do you know what he does for a living," Kereston asked. "It may help us to know how much assistance he can give in various situations."

Rod shrugged. "If he said, I don't recall what with so much happening at the time, but I do remember that he was vastly concerned about his car. He said it was very expensive. I reassured him that we could cover it. The car was an interest of his so perhaps he works with cars."

He shrugged. "He spoke of how powerful and fast that particular type of car is. I had no idea cars had names other than car, but his is...rather, was a Porsche. It is a power sports car or something like that. I remember laughing and saying my wife was certainly enjoying the sport in it. She certainly picked the right one for driving people over, according to Arthur, due to its speed and power or something like that."

Kereston's eyes shot wide. "He was alright with his fellows being run down?"

"Not exactly," Rod replied. "He was more shocked than anything else in the beginning over everything he was seeing, which was a lot of magic and killing and stunning. We told him the people were bad, and that Bella was saving lives. In turn, he told us about the advantages of the Porsche for that sort of war maneuver. He said he'd never think of a Porsche the same again."

He and Rabastan both chuckled, and Bella found herself exchanging a thin smile with Goriandor who still stood at her side.

"Where is he now," Kereston asked.

"With Hydra," Rodolphus replied. "She was telling him all about the Ministry and Hogsmeade and the various things magic is used for."

"Ah… So it's a good thing we won't be getting rid of his memories, else she'd have wasted all her time," Kereston said drily.

Rod grinned. "Right."

"But we haven't actually decided that yet," Kereston reminded. "We need to talk to this guy more. Really see what he's about and what he's capable of handling. If he has a family, secrets will be harder to keep as well, and we need our secrets kept."

"Well, perhaps you should come and talk to him," Loughness told her. "Get to know him for yourself. My sister is a good judge of character, so she'll likely have some insights to offer by now."

Kereston nodded.

"They're over there behind that pile of rubble," Loughness indicated with a muscular arm before dropping a hand to Kereston's shoulder to walk over with her.

Bellatrix smirked. He was finally flirting, it seemed.

"Let's go meet the probably once and future king," she drawled to Gori.

"Umm… Are we waking Lyra up yet, sir," Cassius asked, glancing at the sleeping girl in his arms.

Rodolphus regarded Lyra thoughtfully. "No. She can miss everything interesting and learn her lesson," he decided.

Cassius bobbed his head. "Yes, sir."

Rod smiled, clapping him on the shoulder. "That's my boy! I don't think I'll kill you, after all."

Cassius gave a boyish grin. "Thank you, sir!"

Rod nodded kindly. "You are very welcome."

Bella and Gori led the way over to join Kereston where she stood with Loughness and his twin sister Hydra. They were chatting quietly with Arthur, but when Bella and Gori approached, the tall man turned in their direction.

"There's the woman I allowed to destroy my car for some entirely unknown reason!" he exclaimed.

The friendly smile on his face as he spoke was unsettling. It made Bellatrix smile back. "Hello there. Thank you for the use of your car. It was surprisingly enjoyable to drive."

"It's not a drive worth driving if it's not a Porsche," Arthur said fervently. "Sweetest most powerful car made, at least in modern times." He chuckled. "Though until you, I never thought of it as a weapon before. I can never unthink that now, but I won't use it in such a way."

"So are you a car salesman or something," Bellatrix asked and Arthur laughed. The sound was low, warm and oddly comforting.

"No. Not at all. I don't think I'd be good at selling much of anything. I joined the army to pay my way through school but ended up teaching martial arts. I have a studio in the next town over."

"Does he know he's the closest thing there is to the original King Arthur," Bellatrix asked Hydra.

"I explained that a bit, yes. He wants to talk to Merlin and Nimue, but I said I'm not sure that can be done without magic."

Rodolphus laughed. "A Muggle with requests we can't meet. He must be a king! Kings always make impossible demands, after all."

Bellatrix smirked. He was right. Any Muggle would want things that magic could easily afford them, but this one had to be different.

"Is the young lady hurt," Arthur asked, nodding to Lyra, still cradled in Cassius's arms.

"No. That's just our daughter. She was naughty so I had to knock her out. Now she's just being punished by not being allowed to meet you."

Arthur chuckled. "I don't have children."

"No family, then," Kereston asked carefully.

"I have two brothers," Arthur said. "Both live out of state now so it's just me and my students."

"We were wondering if you could help us with whatever aspects of cleaning up this mess are Muggle related," Rod said.

"If I can," Arthur said willingly. "What kind of mess are we talking about? Hydra told me about this Delphini snake woman and everything she was doing, but she's dead now so what trouble is left?" He shook his head. "I keep waiting to wake up in front of the TV after having fallen asleep watching some weird fantasy movie. It will explain how all this could be a dream."

Kereston smiled apologetically. "Believe it or not, I've felt the same way for weeks, minus the TV. Delphini's powers were so vast and unexplainable I kept thinking it couldn't be real… but it was. The more we uncover, the more we understand where she derived her power from."

"Speaking of that, we were able to kill the dragon easily," Albus said. He'd joined them without Bellatrix even noticing. "Elves and giant spiders are a marvelous dragon killing combination as it happens."

Arthur blinked. "Damn! Dragons are real too? Let me ask you something. What isn't real?"

Rabastan grinned. "We don't know nothing about demons or aliens."

Chapter 124: Tidying up

Chapter 124: Tidying up

Before more could be said, an elf Auror rushed up. "We are doing damage control, but we are unsure as to how long it will be feasible."

"That means they're using magic to mask all the shit that just went down," Romeo explained in response to Arthur's perplexed expression. "Thank the gods we have elf Aurors now, as covering up something this huge would be far more difficult without their particular brand of magic."

"What, you didn't have elves previously," Arthur asked.

"Oh, we had them, just not working as Aurors," Romeo explained. "Before our faction took over the Ministry, elves were slaves."

"Damn," Arthur exclaimed. "But how did that work if their magic is better?"

Romeo nodded. "Exactly."

Very smart for a Muggle, Bellatrix thought. That was good, because if this were any reflection of King Arthur and he wasn't smart, that would be a big letdown.

"So what are you going to say happened here," Arthur asked.

"Any ideas," Kereston asked.

Arthur glanced around, taking in the rubble that used to be the White House, a thoughtful frown on his face. "I'd go with an earthquake if you can manage it, or terrorism."

Kereston nodded. "Got it."

Turning to the elf she said,"I require transport to the British Muggle Minister. Not sure if anyone in charge here even made it, so he'll have to sort it."

Turning to Gellert she added, "You're in charge here until I return."

Gellert frowned, but Kereston and the elf Auror vanished before he could even draw in a breath to protest. He obviously enjoyed organizing battles more than being in charge of the aftermath, Bellatrix observed, amused.

"That is amazing," Arthur said, staring in astonishment at the empty spot where Kereston had just been standing.

"What are you going to do about everyone without magic who saw the goblins and elves and magic and Bellatrix killing people with my car," he asked Gellert.

"The elves and goblins used enough befuddling and clouding magic that no one still living other than you should've registered any of that," the blonde replied.

"How was I able to," Arthur wanted to know.

"Because you were inside the sphere of influence with us," Gellert replied. "Also as you were talking with the Lestranges and Hydra, your mind was left untampered with as well."

Arthur nodded. "What now," he asked.

"Well you can speak to the Muggle authorities whenever Kereston returns with the story we decided upon. She, the Muggle Minister, and whoever in this country is truly in charge must sort that out," Gellert replied. "If you just corroborate it with any Muggle who asks, that would help a lot."

Arthur nodded. "Sure, it seems this Delphini person was causing a lot of shit, and helping to clean up the fact that you all made it stop would be my pleasure."

Gellert flashed an approving grin. "Now that's my kind of Muggle! There aren't nearly enough like you."

"That is true," Arthur said. "Too many people have gone stupidly soft, ignoring reality and logic in the name of 'wouldn't it be nice if…'"

"Believe it or not, some wizards are the same way," Gellert said regretfully. "In that, magic won't cure stupid."

Arthur grinned. "It's nice to know that wizards don't have everything perfect. Now I don't have to be too envious."

"Hell, if we had everything perfect, we wouldn't have had Delphini," Romeo said.

"Speaking of imperfect," Arthur said. "As I can't simply magically transport myself, when am I getting my car replaced? Even if you lot believe I'm the closest thing this world has to King Arthur reborn, I have no Merlin to take me places magically."

"I'll pop back to London and pay a visit to the bank now," Rabastan said, and Rod gave him a grateful look.

"Thanks, Bro."

"How much do you need to replace the car," Rabastan asked Arthur.

"Around two hundred thousand," Arthur replied.

Rabastan nodded and waved one of the elf Aurors over. "I'm going to need a bit of help getting to Gringotts and back here quickly," he said, and the two vanished.

"So much better than a car," Arthur said, staring at the empty spots where Rabastan and the elf had just been standing.

"Definitely," Bellatrix agreed. "But cars, at least the Porsche, are really fun for killing people."

Arthur's lips twitched in a dry amusement, but he made no comment.

"Damn," Cassius said suddenly. "I wish I'd thought to have Rabastan drop Lyra off at home." As he spoke, he shifted Lyra's inert form in his arms.

Bella supposed having to hold someone that long, even if a charm were used to make her weigh nothing, had to put a strain on the arms and shoulders.

"Oh...that…I suppose she can wake now," Rodolphus decided. Drawing his wand from a sleeve pocket in his robe, he flicked it in a sharp, short gesture at Lyra. Her eyes popped open, and she squirmed out of Cassius's arms.

"What the hell!" she shouted, throwing herself at Bellatrix. "You could've gotten killed! You'd have left me for a second time."

It took a moment for Bella to realize that her daughter was embracing her, rather than attempting to violently tackle her to the ground.

"Why do you have to do crazy things like that," Lyra asked. Her voice cracked on the last word and she buried her face in Bella's shoulder. "You don't have the right to leave me again. You don't!"

"Good thing she missed the car bursting into flames," Arthur mused.

"What," Lyra shrieked.

"I'm fine. I'd never leave you. I knew what I was doing," Bellatrix assured, awkwardly patting Lyra on her back.

Fortunately, Rabastan returned then. "Here you are," he said, passing a hefty looking burlap Gringotts sack over to Arthur. "I hope you're alright with gold bars. There wasn't enough Muggle money available, and we didn't want to short change you."

Arthur gaped. "That was fast...gold bars are fine. Thanks."

"I'm mad at you and Cassius too," Lyra declared, drawing back from Bellatrix and giving Rabastan a dirty look. "For letting him put me to sleep." She jerked her head to indicate Rodolphus.

"It was a wise idea," Rabastan said, giving her an amused grin. "Perhaps in twenty or so years, you will agree."

The elf Auror who'd taken Kereston to the Muggle Minister appeared before Gellert with a crack. "They decided on an earthquake to save political clean up, but for an earthquake to register, they need to actually cause one. Kereston is sending an earth mage to attend to it, but she wants everyone cleared out, so you are all to return to our Ministry."

Gellert nodded, glancing to Arthur. "I think it would be safer for you to come with us for now. We'll see to getting you back home later."

Arthur's eyes widened. "I get to see the wizard side of things? Sure, that'd be great!"

Chapter 125: A Muggle Amongst Us

Chapter 125: A Muggle Amongst Us

Gellert had all the Aurors, plus Arthur, grab onto one another before activating the crystal Portkey back to the Ministry.

"How the hell does that just happen in a second?" Arthur marveled. "And what aspect causes it to feel so uncomfortable?"

Everyone stood in the Department of Magical Law Enforcement.

"In short, it's another aspect of science that deals heavily with mental energy," an Auror that Bellatrix did not know replied. "I'm a half-blood, so I know enough about both worlds to lend a useful perspective," he explained.

"Okay, what's a half-blood," Arthur asked. "The more I ask, the more I don't know," he added with a chuckle.

"You'll get there," the Auror replied kindly. "A half-blood means that one of my parents, in my case my dad, is a Muggle like you and my mum's a witch." He moved forward, extending a hand. "I'm Vincent Vaun, by the way."

Arthur shook. "Arthur Pendragon at your service," he proclaimed, grinning over at Bellatrix and Gori as he spoke.

Vincent gaped. "No shit? That's really your name?"

Arthur laughed. "Just the Arthur bit. I'm Arthur Arconti, actually. I was just teasing my friends over there."

Vincent shrugged. "Very good. Always fun to give the friends a good tease. It's lucky you were on hand to help them out today."

Arthur chuckled, nodding. "Sure was."

Good, Bella thought. He knew how to play it. They hadn't exactly spread the Arthur thing around, or the talking to Merlin and Nimue thing either, not to those who didn't need to know. It was a relief that this particular Muggle could pick up cues and roll with them.

"Arconti is an Italian name meaning warlords, if you can believe that," Blaise murmured to Gellert.

As she was standing to Gellert's other side, Bella was able to easily make out Zabini's words.

"It's fascinating how the patterns work," Blaise mused and Gellert nodded.

"That it is. Those significant meanings and truths always find a way to insert themselves into the fabric of our reality. Though I know this, it never fails to fascinate when I see it in play."

Blaise nodded. "It even works when it comes to Muggles, it seems."

That bit was a surprise to Bellatrix. Muggles, for the most part, hardly seemed relevant enough to matter to the fabric of reality. Like giving special meaning to giant cockroaches, what was the point?

"There is much power in a name," Bellatrix commented, her mind returning to Arthur. Both men nodded.

"What are we talking about," Rabastan, who obviously hadn't heard the brief conversation, asked curiously.

"Later," Bellatrix said, flicking a glance to Arthur, who was still chatting with Vincent.

It would be interesting to find out if he was aware of the meaning behind his surname, because Arthur was indeed a grand warlord having defended Britain from the Saxon hordes.

"So what happens now," Arthur asked, turning to regard the group at large.

Though he'd just posed a question, it provided direction, saving everyone from just standing around like idiots. Another mark of a true leader, Bellatrix couldn't help noticing.

"It would appear that a spot of tea is in order, then perhaps back to work as usual for all." The statement came from Albus Dumbledore, who stood a few feet away.

Bellatrix noted that Grindelwald shot him a brief look of resentment for speaking up. It was he who Kereston had put in charge, after all. As the suggestion was reasonable, though, he made no objection.

A few elves volunteered to put the tea on, saying they would do it far faster and better than any wizard or goblin. In a short time, everyone was settled at their work stations or in the break room with cups of tea and plates of small sandwiches and raspberry scones. Arthur sat with the three Lestranges, Goriandor, Blaise, and Gellert at one of the tables in the break room.

"So who's the old guy that suggested tea and mentioned killing a dragon earlier," Arthur asked in a low murmur, leaning toward Bellatrix. "He's not Merlin is he?"

Albus sat at a table across the room, chatting quietly with Wulfric and Graven. Cassius and Lyra sat with them, but neither spoke, and Lyra kept giving poor Cassius dirty looks. She was likely angry at him for not interfering when Rod had put her out, Bellatrix thought, amused.

Bellatrix smirked, shaking her head. "He doesn't like killing nearly enough to be any version of Merlin! His name is Albus Dumbledore, and he's one of the geniuses of our grandparents' generation."

"One of them," Arthur asked.

"Yes. He's the other," Bella said, nodding at Gellert, who was happily shoving a scone into his mouth.

Arthur's eyes widened. "But he looks so young! Is that some sort of spell?"

Bellatrix shook her head. "More like a potion. Because of this rare and very illegal potion, he is as young as he looks. Be careful who you mention that around, though, as all the stupid people believe him to be dead."

Arthur nodded agreeably, but his face was baffled. "How would even the stupidest people believe him to be dead when he's sitting right here, though?"

"They think I'm my own son," Gellert explained before shoving another scone into his mouth.

Everyone was making short work of the food, Bellatrix noticed. This was likely due to the vast amounts of magic used to deal with Delphini's followers and, of course, Delphini herself. Gori was working his way through a plate of sandwiches, and Rod had a larger plate piled high with sandwiches and scones. Though she was hungry, Bella wasn't famished. Gori had used all the magic, while she'd focused on driving Arthur's car over Delphini's people, an act which took no magic at all.

She was emotionally drained, her mind stunned by everything going on, but at least she had her magical strength up in case anything else went down today. That thought was comforting.

"So if there is a real king Arthur reborn somewhere, and I may be him or may be the closest thing this world has, where is Merlin," Arthur asked. "I understood Hydra to say the real Merlin reborn was hiding out in another world, but who is the closest person to Merlin here in this world if it's not the old guy over there?"

"Probably him," Gellert said, stunning Bellatrix by nodding at Rod. "He's a raven, which is, of course, a bird just like Merlin's name; it means a sort of falcon, also a bird."

Arthur nodded. "And Bella's the closest thing to Nimue," he asked. Out of reflex, Bellatrix reached up to touch Nimue's crystal that hung about her neck as Gellert nodded.

"But," she began, and Gellert waved her off, turning back to Arthur.

"Good," Arthur said happily. "Because in case some shit goes south I need a Merlin to look after things for me. I like Rod, so I'm glad it is him." He turned to Rod, expression suddenly all business. "I need a way to contact you fast when I'm back home. You got a phone number or something?"

Rodolphus shook his head. "I have an address. Will that do?"

"Hell no, it will not," Arthur insisted loudly. "When I am back in the United States, an address won't get me help from you lot if I need it fast!"

"Alright," Rod said, nodding. "That is true enough. Gellert, can you enchant something we can use to communicate and a Portkey that will get me to him fast as well? Are you even able to make something a Muggle could actually use?"

Gellert frowned in thought, glancing at Blaise. "Let us think about it," he said, and Blaise nodded.

"Until we get it sorted, though, why not get Millie's email for him," Blaise suggested. "I think that's what it's called. Something you can write, and it arrives on the other person's computer nearly at once if I recall her explanation. I wasn't very interested so I didn't fully pay attention to be honest." He glanced over at Arthur. "Do you have an email?"

Arthur nodded. "Yes. That will work if she checks fast enough."

"Good. I will contact her about that tonight," Blaise said. "For now, I shall get you a quill and parchment, and you can write down your email which I will pass to her. Gell and I can make Rod a Portkey to reach you quickly as well. I will just need a few of your hairs."

"Sure, but what's a Portkey? And you people still use quills and parchments? That's amazing."

"A Portkey is a method of quick magical transport that is connected to a place, but can be connected to a person as well. We used one to arrive here," Blaise explained.

"Ah," Arthur nodded.

Blaise rose to get the promised quill and parchment, and Gellert snatched one of the scones from his plate with a hungry grin.

"I'll get him more," he said to Bellatrix's reproachful look.

"I'd like the three of you to take Arthur home with you for tonight. We'll send one of the elf Aurors who knows the way to take him back to Washington, D.C. tomorrow."

Bellatrix nodded.

Once not so long ago, all three Lestranges would've bet their entire fortune that never would they ever allow a Muggle into their home. This wasn't just any Muggle, though.

Chapter 126: Shades Of Wisdom

Chapter 126: Shades of Wisdom

"Gellert!" Wulfric called, jogging over, unsheathed sword still in his hand.

"Didn't your mother tell you not to run with big sharp objects," Bellatrix asked with a smirk.

Wulfric grinned."Probably."

"Yes, what is it," Gellert asked, directing his attention to Wulfric.

"I was thinking we should burn the sword… Or rather that Loughness should, because elves can really burn the fuck out of shit."

"That's Dumbledore's son talking with that mouth," Rabastan said happily.

"Yeah, isn't it bloody brilliant," Rod asked. Leaning back in his chair, he grinned at Wulfric, as if the red haired young man were there just to entertain him.

"I mean, I like the sword a lot, and I want Graven to make me another… It's just that I don't want this one to exist anymore after it's been in her," Wulfric said. "Graven could probably mend the blade, but now that it's gotten Delphini's Horcrux gunk into it I just won't ever enjoy using it. Plus, it honestly feels safer to just get rid of it and anything else to do with her entirely."

Blaise nodded, giving Wulfric a, for him, warm smile. "At times, paranoia is often the way to go. It's kept my family alive and thriving for many years."

Wulfric smiled back. "I just wanted to get Gellert's okay in case you lot had some use for it I hadn't considered. I didn't want to mess anything up…you know." He shrugged awkwardly.

"Your instincts are brilliant," Gellert told Wulfric. "Have Loughness burn the hell out of it."

"So… Is that sword supposed to be some Excalibur or something," Arthur asked as Wulfric waved happily to Loughness, who was standing across the room, talking with his twin and a goblin.

"Hopefully not or it probably won't burn," Rodolphus replied. "A goblin girl made this one recently, and the Faerie king Oberon was said to have crafted Arthur's sword as a favor to a fellow fae, Vivian, the Lady of the Lake. If Excalibur is still around it's probably in that godforsaken black lake now."

"What black lake," Arthur asked and the three Lestranges exchanged a meaningful look.

"We're going to have a long night once we get home," Rabastan said."We have lots of shit to explain to you."

Arthur grinned. "Great! Because I have lots of questions."

Bellatrix smiled approvingly. "Good. Because you'd be stupid if you didn't."

Arthur chuckled. "I strive not to be stupid."

Loughness approached, and Wulfric extended the sword, hilt first. "Grindelwald is good with us getting rid of it."

Loughness plucked the sword from his hand and tossed it into the air with a flick of his wrist. His face was calm and businesslike. As soon as the hilt left his hand, the entire thing burst into flames that heated the entire room to an uncomfortable degree.

Concerns for their safety had Bellatrix rising and opening her mouth to instruct everyone to get outside. The fire vanished in around three seconds, though. There was no trace of the sword, not even ash.

"I love watching that shit every time," Graven said with a satisfied sigh.

The room was already beginning to cool down. With the last trace of Delphini's existence now gone, the fact she was truly dead was starting to sink in for Bellatrix. It had previously but on a superficial level. This felt even more definite and less dream-like, which was good. At last she felt her own body finally relaxing from the inside, beginning with the emotions.

"Good going, brat," Rodolphus told Loughness. "I know your parents are going to be quite proud of you." His tone was gruff, as he usually left it to Regulus and Kreacher to praise their own kids. Only they weren't here at present, so it was nice of Rod to do the honors, Bellatrix thought.

"Thanks," Loughness said, giving Rod a slightly surprised smile.

He didn't look as if he'd helped to rid the world of an extreme evil, Bellatrix noted, wondering in some dry amusement how she herself looked. Loughness's shoulder length black hair was smooth and organized without a strand out of place. His green robes weren't in the slightest rumpled, and though it was nearing midnight, he didn't even look tired. Ah, the joys of youth.

"We should get a message to Regulus and Kreacher that we're here," Gellert said. "They'll want to see that you're alright for sure, Loughness."

"If you don't need anything else from me right now, I'll go home and tell them personally," Loughness said. "I want to be here when Kereston returns in case she needs help, but I can just bring them back with me. I'm sure they'd like to help as well. And they'll want to meet Arthur for sure."

He grinned at Arthur. "My dad's middle name means guardian of the bear, and you're the bear, so maybe he'll be protecting you too."

"Well, that sounds nice," Arthur said. "Especially if he's protecting me from magic, considering I have none. His middle name is Arcturus, then?"

Loughness gave Arthur a surprised look, then nodded enthusiastically. "That's right! How'd you know that?"

Arthur chuckled. "I studied astrology in college. Muggles, isn't that the word, get an education too."

"I suppose," Loughness said with a vague shrug.

Bellatrix understood the sentiment. Considering all the stupid things Muggles did daily, it was difficult to imagine most of them being properly educated.

"I'll be back shortly," Loughness said, then Apparated away.

Arthur blinked at the spot where he'd stood, then slowly shook his head. "Even though I sort of knew that was coming, it still completely screws with my concept of reality! I think that's going to take a lot longer to get used to than I'd expected. I mean, you think once a person knows that magic is real, and actually travels from the United States to wherever the hell we are in like three seconds, not much would phase them, but I am rather still phased."

"London," Bellatrix said helpfully. "We're in London."

"Thank you," Arthur said. "I'll be sticking to you all like glue, because I have no passport. I don't want to deal with legal trouble."

"A what," Bellatrix asked.

"Probably a stupid useless Muggle thing," Rabastan clarified.

"You don't use passports," Arthur asked, obviously surprised by this, considering the perplexed look on his face.

"Obviously not," Rabastan said.

"As you'll soon see, our worlds are quite different even though we technically share the same one," Rod explained. "When it comes to general daily existence, the way Muggles go about most things is just useless to us, or impractical, or inefficient, or just downright bloody confusing."

Arthur nodded. "I can imagine it would be if one could use magic instead. Take travel for example. Do you know what a bitch it is to use airports these days? And the airplanes are no better! Meanwhile you wizards can just get anywhere in a few seconds. That's got any of our modes of travel beat hands down!"

"We don't know about airports or whatever, but we are, of course, well aware of how backward Muggle life is," Rabastan said. "Those airplanes you use to get around, for example, are so slow and loud. Not to mention dangerous when they bloody crash!"

Arthur blinked. "But how can you people not know about airports or passports or whatever else you don't know about? How can you share the world with us and be aware of so little? I'd think with magic affording you so much power, you'd know far more than we do."

"Oh, we do know far more than you do," Bellatrix assured. "We simply don't care about Muggle things, so we never bother learning about the latest useless Muggle invention."

"Muggles have tried to kill us enough in the past, so although we do share the same planet, we have basically had to separate our worlds so much that it hardly matters," Rabastan added. "We will give you the big history lesson about all the Muggle wizarding wars throughout the years when we get to our place."

"You mean like Salem," Arthur asked. "I thought none of the people killed there were actually witches. Is that even true?"

"Yes, that is. Salem was just an example of Muggles turning on one another through their usual fear and stupidity," Bellatrix said.

"But still, knowing so little about Muggles just seems, I don't know, dangerous," Arthur said. "Because we do share the same planet, it just seems… Unsafe, at least, potentially."

Gellert's eyes narrowed in thought. "I've been told that more than once by our Minister," he said drily. "I admit my disinterest in Muggle affairs cost me a giant victory once. The Lestranges can fill you in on that later as well. As it stands, I have come to believe that perhaps losing was a good thing for me. In losing then I have gained more now. That doesn't mean that you do not have a point. Perhaps you can give us a proper education on all things Muggle which you feel important to know." Smiling, he glanced from Blaise to the Lestranges, amusement in his blue eyes. "For the greater good."

"I can certainly try," Arthur said. "I have no idea what would be important for you to know, though."

"Perhaps after the Lestranges have shared the most relevant points of our society, you will have a better idea," Gellert suggested. "I recall you have a business back in America, but perhaps you and Rodolphus can work out a time for you to return here in order to gain a proper understanding of how things are with us."

Arthur nodded, eyes full of interest. "Sure! I'd love to do that. I can close my studio for as long as is necessary to stay here and learn whatever it is that you're willing to share."

"Perhaps after a few weeks," Gellert said. "I would like to have you in Washington, D.C., with an ear to the ground on the current situation just to make sure the dust remains settled after what happened today. If not, we will need to take action, and in that we could use your help."

"Would I be looking for news like in the papers and on TV," Arthur asked. "Because if it's more top secret than that, I wouldn't be privy to it. I don't work for the government or anything."

Gellert nodded. "Yes, the news, or any posts on those strange online forum things...twittergram and instabird, or whatever Millicent calls them."

"Millicent is our tech witch, and the one in our circle who is most in the know about all things Muggle," Blaise explained. "She still wouldn't know nearly as much as you, though."

"I think I understand," Arthur said, trying not to smile. "And just in case it matters, it's twitter and instagram. I have neither, but I can look into it if it would truly help you all out. Know that it's where most of the idiots go to flaunt their lack of good sense, though, so I am making a true sacrifice."

Chapter 127: One alive to spread the word

Chapter 127: One Alive to Spread the Word

"Excuse me. It seems I have an announcement." The quiet words came from Albus Dumbledore, who had come to stand beside their table. "I need all the Aurors who are still present and aware of the aid we were given by Merlin, Nimue, Morgana, and so on to hear this, as it may be relevant to future Intel."

Gellert glanced around."Kereston isn't here so we will have to tell her later." Raising his voice, he called, "Valdez. Come here a moment, please! Lestrange, Winterhaven, Graven, Wulfric, come here please!"

Lyra and Cassius hurried over with Wulfric and Graven trailing. Gellert took in the Lestranges with Goriandor still to Bella's other side and Arthur with a satisfied nod.

"Everyone is here," he told Albus as Romeo and his wife T. Valdez approached, apparently uncertain as to which one of them Grindelwald wanted.

"Thank you," Albus said.

Just then, Loughness, Regulus, and Kreacher Apparated back in.

"Shhh, Dumbledore is telling us something," Bellatrix whispered before any of them could speak.

They nodded and sat down in a row on the other side of the table.

"I just received another communication from Morgana. She did something that she wished us to be aware of. She left one of Delphini's followers alive."

"But why," Romeo Valdez nearly whined.

"In part to spread the word," Albus explained. "Delphini had a widespread following, so we didn't kill them all. Morgana wanted this follower to live to spread the word. She wants anyone alive who followed Delphini to know what happened to those present today. She wants those still alive to know how utterly and completely their fellows were obliterated from all sides today."

"Damn right," Romeo said in a hard, satisfied tone. "We did that, and we'll do it again."

Albus nodded. "Precisely. She wants them to understand that so they will be properly, and thoroughly, terrified to associate themselves with the memory of Delphini or any of her causes. She apparently made the one she left alive aware of this in some way."

"I guess that's a good idea," Romeo said reluctantly. "I'm really down with Kereston's ideas of kill them before they regroup and come back to try killing us again, but as you said we didn't get all her former followers so if someone is left to put terror into their hearts, that is a good thing."

Albus glanced over at Arthur, giving a slight ironic smile.

"The person she left alive is also a Muggle, so it seems there is a balance. One for her, and one for us."

"She may have more Muggles elsewhere who still live, even right here in London," Rabastan said.

"Yes, but this particular Muggle was touched by Morgana, so in a way, is marked by magic just as Arthur is, simply for being himself."

"So is this other...Muggle Mordred or something," Arthur asked skeptically.

Albus shook his head. "I should think not. Morgana said the individual poses no threat, so I don't get the impression their power is significant."

"Well, that's a relief," Blaise said drily, shifting so that his shoulder brushed Gellert's. They both looked rumpled and a bit worn, as if they could do with a good night's sleep. Bella supposed they'd earned it.

"The final thing Morgana asked me to impart involves the particular way in which she marked the Muggle," Albus continued. "She wanted any follower of Delphini to recognize the Muggle as Delphini's so they shall be able to spread the word. I am unclear as to how that will work, but it's Morgana, so I am sure it will indeed work.

"Apparently this marking also allows us to know if the Muggle and any others rally together to continue in any way where she left off. Again, I am unclear as to how this will happen, but, again, it's Morgana so I trust that it will.

"I hope we never find out, and that Delphini's followers have folded as Morgana believes they shall when the news spreads of what happened today. If, for any reason, they do not, though, she marked this Muggle so that we will be made aware."

"Now, that I like," Romeo said enthusiastically. "Thank you for letting us know, Mr. Dumbledore."

Albus nodded, suddenly looking tired.

"I wish the manner in which we are to be made aware wasn't so vague," Gellert complained. "I have a feeling she may just contact you herself if there is a change. My guess is that she may have linked herself to the Muggle in question in order to trace its activities."

"That is likely," Albus said, giving Gellert a scandalized frown, likely at his use of pronoun for the Muggle. Bellatrix couldn't help grinning appreciatively and Arthur arched his brows.

"Its? You really dislike those without magic."

Gellert smirked. "I do not dislike you."

"I wanted to thank you again for getting us out of that building before it crashed down earlier, Albus," Regulus spoke up.

"Of course," Albus said, smiling warmly at Regulus and Kreacher. It was obvious to Bellatrix that the old man was quite fond of them both, and their children as well.

"And Bella, you crazy bitch!" Regulus reached across the table and dragged Bellatrix in for a tight hug. "You know absolutely nothing about Muggle cars! You could've gotten yourself killed, which would've been very inconsiderate to the rest of us. Loughness told me everything."

"Hey, I gave her all the basics in like...two seconds," Arthur interjected with a laugh. "She did great for what she was using it for. She didn't hit a single pole."

"That's Arthur, Dad," Loughness said excitedly.

"Hi! Apparently you're another of my guards," Arthur told Regulus, giving a happy smile as though he'd just won something big.

"One of," Regulus asked, confusion on his face.

"Oh, I think he should be the main one, being the closest thing to Merlin and all," Arthur said, nodding at Rod.

"He is?" Regulus blinked.

"I caught you up on everything, for the most part," Loughness said, stressing the last two words as he grinned at Regulus. "I mean, otherwise we'd have been talking at home all night, and you wanted to meet Arthur and check in with the fam so..."

Regulus nodded, reaching to give Loughness a hug. "Of course! That's fine, son. And I can't say enough how proud I am of the part you played in all of this!"

Loughness looked as if he wanted to be uncomfortable with the hug but relaxed into Regulus's chest instead before hugging back hard. Apparently parental approval meant a lot no matter how he acted most of the time.

Regulus was still holding on to Loughness as he turned to give Gellert a tremulous smile. "Thank you for keeping our children safe."

Gellert jerked a terse nod. "I told you I would, didn't I?"

"Alright, alright, I amm sorry. Is that what you want," Regulus asked, and Gellert grinned.

"Yep."

Regulus laughed. When he at last released Loughness, Kreacher took his turn embracing the young man. "Without Loughness's magic, she may not have been fully destroyed for all we know. Kreacher finds it fitting that he and Master Regulus created that which took any final trace of HIM out for good, after what he did to us."

"As do I," Loughness said gravely. "I'd always take care of the fam, but now I've made my first step on the path to greatness!"

Bellatrix gave a snicker that she tried to pretend was a cough and Loughness grinned over at her.

"So are we all done here for tonight, or is another catastrophe going to strike, do you think," Wulfric asked, glancing from his father to Gellert.

"I'm done in and good and ready for a hot tea with brandy and bed," Albus said.

Gellert nodded. "For my part, I have other bed plans, but the sentiment is there," he said, exchanging a suggestive look with Blaise.

"I'll lock up here once everyone's cleared out," Romeo said. "See everyone tomorrow, then. We should all meet here first to check the newspapers and get a hold on whatever is going on, I think."

"Sounds good." Gellert nodded to the Head Auror as he stood. "You all did good today."

"Because of you, for sure," Romeo insisted and moved to give Gellert an embarrassed one armed hug.

"Are you lot coming to Raven's Nest with us to fill Arthur in on all he needs to know," Bellatrix asked, turning to Regulus, Kreacher, and Loughness.

"That would be great," Regulus said, and Kreacher nodded.

"I may stop in later, but I want to wait here for Kereston," Loughness said.

Bellatrix grinned. "That's cute."

Loughness reached to poke her in the shoulder. "Don't make me regret getting you out of that car."

They both burst into laughter.

"I think they've both lost their minds," Hydra commented. She'd approached while Bellatrix and Loughness were laughing like loons. "I'll come along if that's alright."

"Of course it is," Bellatrix said. "You were the first to begin explaining things to Arthur, after all."

"That's our Ravenclaw," Regulus said, smiling proudly at Hydra.

The Blacks never minded a Ravenclaw in the family. Hufflepuff was dubious and Gryffindor was scandalous, but Ravenclaw was, in many ways, as respectable as Slytherin.

Chapter 128: One Small Step Forward

Chapter 128: One Small Step Forward

Kreacher Apparated everyone to Raven's Nest, and this time Arthur didn't even react.

"You're like a pro already," Rod grinned proudly.

"I'm almost getting used to that...at least, for now," Arthur muttered half to himself.

"Harold! We're home," Rodolphus sang out.

"We killed Delphini, and all of us survived without even a bloody scratch," Rhadamanthus called to the elf.

"Mainly because we didn't have to do anything but provide shields, but still," Rabastan concluded.

Being surrounded by the familiarity that was home felt surreal to Bellatrix considering the evening they'd just experienced as well as all its implications.

Harold made tea while everyone sat around the dining table. Somehow the solid support of the heavy oak table felt more suitable than the formal parlor for what was probably going to be a long night of talking.

Rabastan caught Harold up on everything, and somehow the elf managed to convey a sense of being impressed over Bellatrix's wild ride even with his plague doctor mask hiding any expression. "Harold is sorry to have missed it," he said.

Bellatrix grinned. "It would've been brilliant to have you along for back up."

"Next time," Harold said with a smile in his voice.

"So is the plague doctor mask magical," Arthur wondered.

Rabastan smirked. "No. It just looks creepy as hell, don't you think?"

Arthur nodded. "It certainly does," he agreed. "And it matches your Gothic aesthetic," he added, glancing around the dining room.

Bellatrix found herself glancing around with him as if seeing the place for the first time through his eyes. The dark wallpaper was covered in abstract raven designs, and the chandelier above them was heavy twisted iron and shimmering black crystal. Harold certainly fit in as he moved about pouring tea and setting out sandwiches and cakes.

Though there was food at the Ministry and they'd only just eaten, Rod dug in as though he hadn't eaten in hours. Arthur took a sandwich, giving Harold a smile of appreciation.

"I'm not sure if magic food is better or if it's British food, but this is very good! Thank you, Harold."

"Arthur is welcome," Harold replied politely. "Harold has never eaten Muggle British food, so he cannot help to answer Arthur's question."

"None of us have," Bellatrix added.

"Some other wizards we know have tried Muggle food for various reasons and to various degrees, so the next time we're around any of them, I'll try to remember to bring it up," Rabastan said. "I should think wizarding food is better, though."

Realizing that she was hungry now that the adrenaline crash was beginning to happen, Bellatrix ate a sandwich. Rabastan took one as well and two cakes. Hydra thanked Harold, saying she'd already eaten at the Ministry, but she did have a cup of tea. Regulus and Kreacher simply watched the others eat in that weird vampire way that said food was now a foreign entity to which they could no longer relate.

"So where do we start," Rodolphus mused, leaning back in his chair. "We have a lot to tell you," he said, regarding Arthur thoughtfully as he spoke. "It's a matter of where to start, though. With the things you may personally be interested in or the history of it all."

"I'd say history, as that shit always repeats," Arthur said.

"Sounds right," Rabastan agreed with a grin.

And so they began by explaining the Muggle vs wizarding wars, so Arthur would understand why Muggles were awful and mostly needed to die. "So that's why Muggles are mostly evil and need to die," Bellatrix concluded.

Arthur frowned skeptically. "And you don't believe the wizards could've had a hand in any of the problems that led up to these wars? You don't think maybe the wizards used the magical power they held over…Muggles to their advantage?"

"Like how," Rabastan asked doubtfully.

"Well, let's say you really like my Porsche, and you just take it from me with magic because you can when I refuse to sell. Or maybe you don't even ask if I'll sell it because you can just take it from me with magic because I have no magic, so I can't very well stop you.

"People are fundamentally shitty for the most part, if we're being honest. Wizards are people so you know they played their part in the shitty behavior that went down between Muggles and wizards.

"Muggles is such a silly sounding word, by the way," he complained.

"Well, we didn't make it up," Rabastan assured. "It's been around forever."

"Perhaps wizards use a silly sounding word to belittle something they fear," Harold murmured, then flashed a look to Bellatrix and Rodolphus. The light glinted off the round glass goggles in his plague mask as he moved his head. "Harold is sorry," he said hastily.

Bellatrix blinked. "Sorry? What'd you do?"

"Harold just said..." the elf trailed off.

Bellatrix shrugged."As Rabastan pointed out, we didn't invent the word. Why would we care?"

Harold hesitated, then drew in a deep breath. "Just...Harold didn't mean that the three of you are frightened of Muggles. Just he thinks some wizards are, and perhaps the name was invented by people who needed to diminish that which they fear. Like calling magical, powerful beings the fair folk and little people to make them appear more harmless."

Arthur looked back and forth between Harold and the Lestranges with an expression of open fascination on his face.

"Why would wizards fear Muggles," Rabastan asked.

Harold shrugged. "Because they won the war. And the war after that and the one after that and..."

"We take your point," Bellatrix said through gritted teeth.

"How did the Muggles keep winning, though," Arthur asked.

"By vastly outnumbering us," Rodolphus said. "Muggles breed like bugs while we take far longer to do so, for some reason."

"Ah," Arthur said. "That makes sense. If wizards outnumbered Muggles, or even had similar numbers, magic would win out for sure. Do you think it's something about magic in the genetics that makes it harder to breed?"

"Certainly, though precisely what is unknown," Rodolphus said. "Magic doesn't appear to show up in blood as a tangible phenomena. Instead it appears to be an advancement of the mind. It shouldn't interfere with breeding, yet it seems to do so anyway."

"That is odd," Arthur mused. "Well, apparently not even magic provides all the answers."

"Not all of them," Rabastan agreed with a sigh. "If it did, we'd have no trouble with the Muggles."

"You have trouble with one another too," Arthur pointed out. "Wasn't this Delphini person magic?"

They all nodded, even Harold.

Bellatrix gave a happy sigh. "It sounds so beautiful when you say 'was' like that."

Arthur grinned. "Compliments will get you most places, m'lady."

"You're right. Humans are fundamentally evil, but we can stop the wizards faster than the Muggles, because again there are fewer of them," Rodolphus explained.

"What gives wizards more of a right to be evil than Muggles, though," Arthur asked. "I mean, you dislike Muggles basically because they won, right?"

The Lestranges exchanged a glance. "It gets more complicated than that but in part, sure," Rodolphus said.

"Well, what gives wizards more rights, especially if they keep losing," Arthur asked.

"Because we're better," Bellatrix exclaimed, drawing herself up in her chair. "You know we are. We just brought you to our home in less than three seconds, and your airport thing would've taken far longer. Wizards are like diamonds, and Muggles are like common rocks on the ground, valueless and too plentiful to matter."

Arthur just stared at her blankly. Or was that disappointment on his face?

She sighed, then glared. "Well, you're different, obviously."

"Why?"

"You already know why! Because you helped us. Because you're bloody Arthur."

Arthur shook his head. "I may not be. We don't really know. And so I helped you. What if other Muggles would've helped you?"

Bellatrix shook her head. "I doubt it. No one stopped their cars but you."

"Alright," Arthur said. "Fair enough. Most of them don't stop their cars for one another either."

"So they may be shittier than wizards," Rabastan said happily.

"Well, with them...us being far more plentiful, unfortunately, they have far more chances to be shittier if you do the math," Arthur said.

"There are fewer elves than there are wizards, yet elves are more powerful," Hydra spoke up quietly. "Just as wizards are more powerful than Muggles, elves are more powerful than wizards. It has a messed up symmetry, doesn't it? There is a stone more rare than a diamond, Bella. It's called Painite, and it's usually a pinkish to pinkish red, but it can come in brown and in some lights can even look green."

If one ever forgot that Hydra was a Ravenclaw, they'd remember when she started speaking like that, Bellatrix thought. "Interesting," she said.

The girl certainly knew how to make people feel uncomfortable. Well, Bellatrix hadn't enslaved the damned elves, and Harold was free, things of which Hydra Black was well aware.

"Hey, is that shit real," Rabastan asked. "I mean it sounds like it has the word pain in it, and you know how much we enjoy hurting people… So are you just fucking with us?"

Hydra laughed, shaking her head. "No. That's really the name of the stone. It's so rare that Mag doesn't even have any." Hydra flashed a quick apologetic look to Arthur. "Mag is a friend who makes wands, among other things. Her wands are made of crystal and other stones and have twice the strength of the wooden wands most wizards and witches use."

"Why are wands necessary at all, if the magic is in you people, though," Arthur asked.

Hydra exchanged a grin with Regulus. "We still have a lot to explain to you tonight," she told Arthur. "Harold, we may need coffee."

Chapter 129: The Purest blood of All

Chapter 129: The Purest Blood of All

While everyone explained more about magic and wizarding society to Arthur, Bella's mind kept playing over the conversation about wizards versus Muggles, and elves versus wizards. The symmetry was undeniable, but what the hell were they supposed to do with it?

They weren't just going to give Muggles the upper hand because wizards were also shitty. There were far fewer wizards, so less shittiness had to come from them as a result. It was simple math. Muggles were always, always going to be more of a problem. She opened her mouth to rant about that, then closed it again. Arthur had basically already said as much, so he'd probably not be arguing anyway.

The conversation strayed from history for a bit while everyone, but Bella, explained wands versus wandless magic to Arthur, and how the wand chose the wizard unless Mag Snape made them one.

It was Rod who returned to the topic of history, picking up with the founders of Hogwarts creating the school after the last wizarding versus Muggle war. He told of the American school as well since Arthur was American. Then he touched on Durmstrang and the other European schools.

"There are magic schools in most countries," he concluded.

"It's fascinating that there is so much hidden in plain sight," Arthur marveled. "I mean, I knew there were things that exist that I can't see, like ghosts. I just never considered magic to be one of those things. When...we Muggles read of magic or watch stories about it on TV, it's called fantasy, because it all seems so wonderful. It doesn't seem anything but dangerous right now, though the fast travel is really nice!"

"Magic is just a way of life for us, but the few times I've had to venture out and exist, even for a moment, like a Muggle, it most definitely seems wonderful," Bellatrix said. "It allows us to do things far easier and faster for one thing. For another, it allows us abilities that Muggles will never possess, such as invisibility."

"Too right," Rod agreed, nodding fervently.

"Invisibility," Arthur breathed. "Yeah, that is a good one."

"And life extension, all sorts of neat creatures, and preserving ancient books," Hydra was quick to add. "I could go on and on. For us all that is normal, but that's why Muggle life seems so horrifying."

"Fine, fine, magic is great," Arthur conceded with a chuckle. "Point taken. Just the bits where wizards even go after one another and other magical creatures made it look not so enticing for a minute."

"Why," Hydra asked. "Muggles do the same, as we've already established."

Arthur nodded. "Yes, but wizards have ways of doing it that I could never combat so I feel unsafe when I think on it for too long."

"Yeah," Rod nodded. "There is that. A good thing you have us to keep you safe, then."

Arthur nodded back, grinning at Rod. "Too right."

Hydra picked up the history lesson by expounding on the various Dark Lords who'd risen to power over the centuries. "The last few were Grindelwald, who you met today, Voldemort, who we're about to get into, and Delphini I guess, who we just killed the hell out of."

"Spoken like a Slytherin, even if you are a Ravenclaw," Rabastan told Hydra with a pleased grin.

"I killed faster than my Slytherin brother when we did simulations in Defense class at Hogwarts," Hydra bragged proudly.

"Damn, we never got kill simulations in Defense class," Rabastan complained. Rodolphus and Bellatrix nodded in glum unison.

"School has become far more productive," Regulus said with a pleased smile. "After Voldemort, more of us parents on the board pushed for a bit more practical knowledge against serious threats."

"Good for you," Bellatrix said with approval. She wondered if she and Rod would've been school board-type parents if Lyra had attended Hogwarts. On one hand, no, but on the other, like Regulus, they'd want to ensure their child got a proper education.

"So all these Dark Lords want to stir shit up for one reason or other," Arthur asked.

"Some just wanted to gather a lot of power, but these latest three, yes," Hydra said. "Grindelwald, at least, really did intend to help wizarding kind, where Voldemort and his baby girl were just evil and messed up."

"Baby girl," Rabastan snickered in appreciation. "Some fucking baby girl."

Rod smirked. "To become a Dark Lord you have to be above the rest in more ways than one, or it won't work," he told Arthur. "In Grindelwald's case he's a genius, and stronger in most areas of magic than anyone else, but there are a few on his level, though he lacks his former ambitions."

"Yeah," Hydra enthused. "The great thing about him being around to help against Delphini is, like, it was a matter of who could out Dark Lord whom, and he is older with more experience so we lucked out."

"Hey, it was more than that," Rabastan said. "All of us helped, yourself included, young lady, and we're all very brilliant wizards, I'll have you know."

Hydra nodded. "That's very true. The cream of the crop of several generations was here to help Gellert, yet Delphini still gave us a hell of a struggle."

"We had lots of things in the bag that we never even got a chance to use," Rabastan grumbled. "Like the linking of wands that Regi never sorted how to do in time, and the finding home shit."

"I'd not worry about that," Hydra said. A pensive frown suddenly crossed her face as she propped her arms on the heavy oak table. As she leaned forward, her long, black hair fell across one shoulder and Kreacher reached fondly over to push it back.

"As was said earlier, everyone is inherently shitty so things won't remain peaceful for long. The wizards that don't have their magic are going to start some sort of trouble that we likely won't be able to predict, because who can predict crazy ever? And if we restore their magic, they'll start trouble in a different way for another reason. At least that one is more obvious."

"You mean the elves, Acromantulas, goblins, and such being given proper jobs and opportunities etc.," Bellatrix asked, and Hydra nodded.

"Exactly. So any contingencies that we worked out with Grindelwald that we didn't get to use against Delphini will likely still be needed. Nothing was wasted."

"I would prefer some wasted effort if it meant a break," Rabastan whined, and Bellatrix nodded in agreement.

"Indeed," she murmured.

"Why don't a lot of the wizards have their magic," Arthur asked.

"Because we decided to completely restructure the rubbish Ministry that never protected us against Voldemort," Regulus explained.

Taking turns, they told Arthur what Grindelwald had attempted to do, and how he'd failed, then explained Voldemort and his downfall. The Lestranges and Regulus freely divulged their part in everything, and Arthur didn't seem to think less of them for it.

"Everyone fucks up," he said. "You all got yourselves out of it, and you're okay. That's all that matters."

"I think they're even stronger for it," Hydra said, reaching to cover Kreacher and Regulus's hands briefly with hers, before glancing around to include the Lestranges. "And certainly wiser. Considering how you were raised, what were you all supposed to do? It was Voldemort's fault for being evil. You all were just trying to help another Grindelwald give wizards the rights you believed they deserved."

That was more understanding from the young generation than they gave themselves at times, Bellatrix thought, giving Hydra an appreciative, slightly tremulous smile.

"So after Voldemort's reign of terror, Kereston and some others began making plans for how to make a better Ministry for when this sort of thing happened again. Also just a better Ministry in general," Rabastan told Arthur. "They worked with the goblins to create a stripper potion that when taken removes the magic from a wizard or witch. This is because they knew many magic users would not accept the improvements they felt it was necessary to make.

"Thing is, though, without said improvements, shit will never change, and we'll never be safe even in our own nooks of the world. Fuck, if we can't be safe from the Muggles, we, at least, deserve to be safe from our own wizarding bullshit!

"Though goblins, elves, and spiders are in many ways better at structuring defenses than wizards, many still would not trust them to work alongside us. Granted goblins and wizards have had wars too, but it's the same as any wars, both have a side, and shit gets out of hand.

"The spiders were made by wizards from little ass spiders like tarantulas or whatever, and they've eaten wizards before, sure, but if they're given opportunities, the ones who are interested are totally willing to play nice."

"Indeed," Rhadamanthus rasped from his spot at the end of the table. "I've never eaten a wizard that didn't have it coming. Aurors are now allowed to kill if they feel threatened, which is a great improvement on locking them up so they can break out to take a go at you again."

"It's true," Hydra said. "We took Delphini down way faster than the previous Ministries got Grindelwald or Voldemort. Not that I feel Grindelwald was wrong, mind you, but he still had several Ministries across the world chasing their tails for decades."

"So are these wizards who had their magic…stripped, ever getting it back," Arthur wanted to know.

"Most of them will, yes," Hydra replied. "Eventually and slowly, once our new order is firmly established, and they can see it's actually working out fine. Our victory against Delphini should go a long way toward proving this, at least, to the smart ones. It only took us a few years instead of a few decades."

"Hopefully they will see through our successful actions that magical divisions aren't working, and that the strength we have in unity is the way to go," Regulus said.

"This is a lot to take in," Arthur said, clutching at his head. He was grinning, though, so no one was truly concerned. "So the wizards don't like Muggles because they have no magic and were shitty to them. They don't like the goblins, and spiders, and probably elves, considering they made them slaves, because they have more magic and can potentially be shitty to them?"

"Didn't we decide earlier that it's basic human nature with everyone being fundamentally rubbish," Bellatrix asked and Arthur nodded.

"Yeah, I guess so. So your goal is away with the Muggles, but all magical races should unify? That's the message of your new order?"

Bellatrix grinned, shaking her head. "No. It's some of our personal messages, sure, and we're always going to feel that way, but many, our little Minister included, feel that Muggles are too plentiful and dangerous to do anything about. So we're back to leaving them alone and avoiding them."

"Yes, Kereston uses the term avoiding over hiding from, and we all like that a lot better," Hydra said brightly. "It's intent and energy. Everything has it, and avoiding something isn't as fear-filled as hiding from it."

"So back to Grindelwald, because I'll probably see him a lot, and so I want to understand him. He wanted to help wizards, and they weren't interested," Arthur asked.

"Some were, and some were too afraid to move forward… or rather move back to when Muggles knew of magic," Hydra said. "In some ways, he wanted to help Muggles too. He has psychic abilities and knew both Muggle world wars were coming. He wanted to stop them and was not allowed to do so."

"Stop them," Arthur asked. "By using magic?"

Hydra nodded. "Yes."

"Like a pissing contest of 'put your guns down because I have a spell for that,'" he asked and everyone laughed in appreciation.

"Yes," Hydra said. "Only now with Muggle technology so advanced, they have so many deadly weapons that unless done very carefully, we're not sure who would win, so it isn't worth the risk."

Arthur nodded. "So what gives some people magic and some not," he wondered.

"One would think genetics, but some Muggle-borns have it," Hydra said.

"Well, it could skip several generations and still be genetics," Arthur said. "Sucks I didn't get any if my family have any wizards way back in the blood lines."

"It has to get into the genetics, though," Bellatrix said dreamily.

She was tired...suddenly so tired. There must have been even more adrenaline than she'd realized involved in her earlier participation in the fighting. Perhaps in the love shields too, for everyone else was looking rather tired as well.

"Magic is in the genetics, but what put it there?" she continued. As she spoke her musings aloud, her gaze rested on Hydra. "If you ask me, it was probably humans breeding with goblins and elves long long ago. There were likely no Muggles or wizards, just humans, and humans had no magic.

"They weren't called Muggles as there were no wizards to call them anything. No wizards at all until the humans began to breed with elves and goblins. Then they had half-breeds and those half-breeds had children and so on. If the half-breeds had children with other humans, over time they'd just look entirely human again. And yet the magic is still in the blood. So a human with magic breeds with another human with magic, then more and more wizards are born."

"Now that's a theory," Hydra exclaimed. "And a bloody good one too. I bet it's even true! You're very smart, Bella."

Bellatrix smiled. It was always pleasing to receive compliments, but especially so from a bloody Ravenclaw, even if it was family. "So if I am correct, which I quite probably am, that means that the true purebloods are goblins and elves,' she said. "The ones who have been shit on the most by wizarding kind."

She cackled, then the laughter became more intense until she was shrieking with hilarity. Wizards, herself included, were so stuck on pureblood, and they had no true bloody idea where they'd likely come from!

"At least I was always nice to you," she told Kreacher, wiping the tears of laughter from her eyes as she struggled to catch her breath. Gods, but her sides hurt! "And the goblins...I was nice to them too, so that's alright then." She chuckled, unable to keep the laughter down, though her sides truly wished she would.

Rod grinned at her. "What? Is Kreacher king now?"

"Well, hopefully bloody not but his blood is purer than ours," she said, then surrendered to another bout of hilarity as it swept over her.

Chapter 130: Hard Day's Night

Chapter 130: Hard Day's Night

"You all look like rubbish warmed over," Blaise Zabini complained, gazing across the table at the three Lestranges and Arthur who sat in a row, slumped over their cups of coffee.

"Perhaps that's because we only got around four hours of sleep last night," Bellatrix suggested.

"Three," Rabastan corrected around a yawn. "I think it was three."

"Well, in that case, it was two, considering we took one to shag," Rod told Bella with a grin.

In spite of the headache beginning behind her eyes, Bellatrix couldn't help but smile back at the memory of Rod's delicious body against hers in bed...apparently three hours ago. It had been more than necessary to feel him driving hard inside her after the day they'd had… and all the killing. Killing and shagging always went together for them, after all. That and the death of Delphini had to be celebrated.

"Around here, we call that T.M.I.," Gellert drawled and Rodolphus choked.

"No. After having to hear about your dicks when you were at our place a few weeks ago, we don't care," he said, glaring icily from Grindelwald to an implacable Zabini.

"That was at your home, though, and not at work. This is an upstanding place of business, I'll have you know," Gellert said, and from across the room, Romeo Valdez snickered.

"Sure it is," he muttered under his breath, causing several other Aurors to chuckle quietly. "I had to put wards on the bathrooms so those two wouldn't shag on break," Romeo said, pointing toward Blaise and Gellert.

"Am I awake right now," Arthur wondered.

"Unfortunately you are," Goriandor said, coming to take a seat on Bella's other side. The goblin reached for the pot of coffee in the middle of the table and poured a cup.

"Did you get more than two hours of sleep," Bellatrix asked him brightly.

Gori frowned, taking a moment to count on his fingers. "Yes."

Bellatrix chuckled. "Well, that makes one of us."

"It was practically four, unless you count my sister coming in, and waking me up to demand what happened in Washington."

"You live with your sister," she asked, surprised.

Gori shook his head. "No. She just breaks into my home to ask stupid questions whenever I'm sleeping if I don't update her frequently enough."

Was he joking or being sarcastic? With goblins it was sometimes hard to tell. Bellatrix frowned as she tried to decide, and Gori arched his brows at her skeptical look.

"What? I'm serious! My sister is annoying as hell."

Bellatrix laughed. "Fortunately for her, mine knows better." She couldn't imagine Cissy breaking into Raven's Nest to demand a news update while they were sleeping.

"Lucky you," Gori said sincerely.

"Well, now that everyone seems to be here, we can get down to business," Kereston said.

The little Minister sat beside Gellert, huge dark circles under her eyes. When this much was going on, no one who had any part in it was getting sleep, it seemed.

"The earthquake angle appears to have worked well," Kereston began, smiling appreciatively at Arthur. "I've given the Muggle Minister as well as the Muggle US President your name so they can contact you if they need to get information to us on the Muggle front, in case any of hers are still around seeking to cause trouble."

Arthur's jaw dropped. "You did what? Are you saying the President of the United States and the Prime Minister have my information? Also the President actually survived the White House being wrecked?"

"Yes, I am saying all that. He survived because he was out to lunch," Kereston said.

Arthur rolled his eyes, frowning. "They're always out to lunch," he muttered darkly. "I wonder if I'll actually talk to the President!"

"More like a special agent that deals with such matters and is in close contact with the President if we're being technical, but he was also out to lunch so I figure it's the same thing," Kereston said.

Arthur gave her a skeptical look. "Not really. Special agents are likely far smarter and more competent."

Kereston smiled brightly. "Well, good then. He's the one who has your information. Special Agent Hammersmith to be exact."

"Sounds like a dwarf," Arthur said with a grin.

Kereston arched her brows. "Do those really exist? Either way he's rather tall."

"How the hell should I know if dwarves really exist? You lot are the ones with all the magic."

"If we're speaking of the Snow White fairytale, I think it was actually goblins," Gellert said.

Arthur nodded. "Okay, that makes sense."

"Does it," Gori wondered. "Because right now I'm wondering how..."

But the goblin was interrupted when Loughness Apparated in holding a bulging leather bag in both hands. "You are all welcome in advance," he announced with a cheeky grin. "I come bearing energy potions from Severus."

Every Auror in the room made happy sounds, and Bellatrix practically lunged for the leather bag like it was the holy grail itself.

"Whatever an energy potion is, I think I want one very much," Arthur said.

"You most certainly bloody do," Rabastan agreed as Loughness took a seat beside Kereston. The little Minister gave him a fond smile, reaching to place a hand on his arm.

"Thank you. You've been such a help," she murmured.

To Loughness's credit, he simply gave a modest nod.

Bellatrix handed one of the small glass bottles in the bag to Grindelwald first, then to the Minister, and then to Blaise who was glaring at her. She took one for herself next, and one for Gori, then grabbed three and passed them to Rod for himself, Rabastan, and Arthur. She then passed the bag to an eagerly reaching Romeo Valdez so he could distribute the rest among the Aurors.

"What, did no one get sleep?" She laughed.

"Too much to be done in the aftermath," Romeo said around a yawn as he cracked open the wax cap on an energy potion and downed it.

"I'm finally feeling human again," his wife, T. Valdez proclaimed, waving her slender arms in the air.

"It's way better than coffee or even an energy drink," Arthur marveled. "It works far faster and feels so good and clean. Like the natural energy I had as a kid, when I just wasn't tired."

"It isn't something to fall back on every day, though," Grindelwald warned. "The brain still needs sleep to perform properly, and there is no substitute for that."

Arthur nodded. "It's almost a relief to know there is something magic can't do."

"Speaking of magic," Bellatrix said, excited to share her theory with Gellert. She'd nearly forgotten it for a time, exceptionally tired as was she. The energy potion was kicking in, though, and her brain was starting to move actively once more.

As everyone listened, she shared her theory of how humans ended up with magic. She watched the faces of the elf and goblin Aurors as she spoke, eager for their reaction to her origin concept.

"So if Bellatrix is on to something, the idea of keeping wizarding blood pure that so many Mudbloods bash would be the way to go wouldn't it," T. Valdez speculated. "Excuse me if there are any Mudbloods in the room," she added hastily, cheeks flushing. "Also excuse me for using the term Mudbloods, it's just that...well you know..."

Kereston snickered, and covered the sound with a hasty cough.

"She's right," Bellatrix said. "There is always a reason for any tradition that foolish revolutionaries attempt to tear down. In this case, if I am correct, the more wizards that breed with Muggles, the thinner our blood becomes and eventually the weaker our magic will grow. Of course, the eventual Mudblood shall continue to pop up as the magic skips several generations, but still."

"Of course too much inbreeding can cause issues as well, so there is the fine line to maintain," Kereston said.

"Or, at least, more cross breeding like Loughness," Bellatrix added, honestly preferring that to diluting their blood with weak Muggle filth.

"So you heard her," Gellert said. "Mrs. Lestrange is hereby encouraging everyone single to shag an elf or goblin today! Likewise for every single elf and goblin not to limit your urges to your own race and just..."

"I'm serious," Bellatrix snapped, annoyed by Grindelwald's flippant approach to her theory.

"Oh, so am I," Gellert assured. "I think your theory is sound and very impressive actually. You know how it is, though. The words just popped into my head, and so I had to."

"If word spreads, hopefully the magical community outside of this Ministry shall begin affording more respect to goblins and elves," Bellatrix said, her gaze returning to the goblin and elf Aurors in the room.

"One can hope, but many wizards who enjoy hating more than they relish truth will never believe it," Gori said.

"I really think you should write the theory down in essay form, though, and pass it on to Dumbledore. He has good working relationships with several magical journals, and he'll make sure it's published and that you receive your proper credit for it," Kereston said. "It'll get the word out, and hopefully people shall wise up sooner rather than later."

Bellatrix nodded. That sounded good. "I'll do that," she said. "Today, even."

"Great," Kereston smiled. "Right now, though, I want to get an information gathering system set up to keep very close tabs on the wizards as well as the Muggles. We need to know what they're all up to, in what direction the wizarding heads are leaning over this entire Delphini thing, as well as the other races being given their proper rights."

Romeo nodded. "I'll get some of the Auror Animagi on it, as they make the best spies in general open areas where people commonly talk and news is spread. No one pays attention to an innocent looking animal, after all. Of course if there are any panther Animagi or something, I'd not be using them," he added hastily.

"Why not," Arthur wondered with a grin at the Head Auror. "I spill my top secrets right away if I encounter a panther outside my favorite coffee shop or at the gas station. It's just the thing to do."

Romeo chuckled.

"My sister can spy on many of the wizarding families. It's an easy way of gathering pertinent information," Bellatrix chimed in, volunteering Cissy without hesitation. What else did she have going at present, after all? She wanted Lucy's magic restored, so she'd be willing and eager to cooperate, and make herself useful if that got things to happen for him any faster.

Kereston nodded, giving Bellatrix a pleased smile. "Brilliant! Arthur, I have a friend I'd like you to work with on the Muggle aspect of our needed Intel. She's a witch who enjoys using Muggle technology to commit white collar crime. Her name is Millicent Bulstrode-Adler, and she should be here any time now. In fact, she's late."

"No, I'm not. I was just sitting here in the back with my parents being quiet and well behaved for once. I came in while Bellatrix was explaining how we all got our magic from goblins and elves which is...really logical, come to think of it." Millicent grinned as she strolled up to the table at which they all sat. "I always did like Kreacher more than most of the people I know."

Stopping in front of Arthur, she gave a slight bow. "Hi, your Majesty."

"I'm not really...that is...I mean...Hi," Arthur managed. Though his face was flushed with embarrassment, he did not look displeased.

Chapter 131: Magical Liberty and Justice For All

Chapter 131: Magical Liberty and Justice for All

Theory of human magic,

By Bellatrix Lestrange

As published in: The Daily Prophet, The Quibbler, Witch Weekly, and The Journal Of Advanced Magical Research

Because most humans (Muggles) lack magic, I postulate that witches and wizards have come by it through crossbreeding with other magical beings, i.e goblins and elves. This began many thousands of years ago, before sentient beings were prone to form prejudice.

If a human breeds with a goblin or elf, the child produced will have magic. If that child breeds with a human and then the child resulting of that union does the same, the human appearance is usually completely restored within the third generation. When those children continue to breed within the pureblood lines, (with other witches and wizards), magic is properly preserved.

The result of Muggle-borns occurs when magic skips several family generations of Muggles. This is a result of wizards breeding frequently with Muggles, who then breed with one another, continuing to weaken the bloodlines.

This is a common occurrence with genetic factors such as hair and eye color or even health conditions. Magic, also being genetic, behaves in a similar fashion. When a Squib is born to wizards, genetics are, of course, also a factor, and it could very well be related to weakening of the bloodlines through wizard/Muggle crossbreeding. If this is true, I propose that goblins and elves are indeed the true purebloods of the magical world.

To allow the bloodlines to remain strong and thus for magic to continue as an active power in the world, it appears most likely that keeping the bloodlines pure between wizards is, indeed, the correct way to accomplish this. Breeding with goblins or elves will also keep the magic flowing strong in wizarding blood. Keep in mind that if the altered appearance of the children is a concern, breeding with wizards for the next few generations should have the third generation or so looking completely human again.

Due to the fact that goblins and elves are the reason wizards quite likely exist, and are most surely the reason they will continue to do so over the centuries, it seems only logical and just that they always be given full and equal rights within our magical society. What is given, after all, can eventually fade if not helped to thrive. Wizards did not begin alone, and nor shall they thrive alone.

Chapter 132: Unpredictable Predictability

Chapter 132: Unpredictable Predictability

While Arthur went with Millicent to do whatever it was that Gellert wanted involving Muggle technology, the Lestranges took themselves to Azkaban for another day of work. It felt so odd returning to normal, when nothing precisely felt normal. As they made the rounds, checking on all the wards, prisoners, and such, Bellatrix found herself wondering just what the hell normal felt like.

That led to thoughts of what was coming next. "Do you think those wizards without their magic will begin using Muggle contraptions to make their pathetic lives easier," she wondered, glancing first at Rod, then Rabastan.

"Probably." The voice hadn't come from Rod or Rabastan. Instead it had come from the cell they were passing. The cell in question held a thin, aging wizard with scraggly white hair and a beard to match. "Why are wizards without magic?"

Bellatrix glared, aiming her wand at the wizard. "Why are you bloody asking questions?"

"Same reason anyone does. Curiosity," he replied.

"Well, don't expect answers," Bella said darkly.

Even though the prisoners weren't ever getting out into the world to use any knowledge they may gain from having questions answered, there was no reason to take the risk of passing information to them needlessly.

"Did Delphini take the magic? You know, the one you tortured us not to help if she ever came asking?"

Bellatrix gave a hard smile. There was one bit of news she was all too pleased to share. "Not at all. And she's dead. We helped to do that."

The old wizard gave a congenial smile. "Good on you for that."

"Come on, Bella. We have the rest of the grounds to check, unless you're going to torture him," Rabastan said. "I'm getting bored."

As Bellatrix wasn't actually in the mood for torture, she nodded to Rabastan and the three of them continued their inspection. She was still adjusting to the aftermath of no more Delphini or traces of Voldemort, so she wasn't in the proper state of mind to enjoy a good solid torture session.

Mag would surely have some psychological term for it, but Bella was having a difficult time truly believing it was over, and that they were finally safe. She was happy and shocked at the same time and the mix was unsettling. On top of that, she wondered if there would even be time to process before the shit started to fly again.

"I wonder what the wizards without magic will do," she said again, returning to the conversation she was trying to have before the blasted prisoner had taken it upon himself to join in.

They were walking on the edge of the grounds near the water and so weren't close to any cells. As there were no Aurors in sight either, the chances of them being disrupted again were minimal.

"It will probably be something we'd never suspect rather than something we can predict," Rabastan said.

"We can predict it to an extent, but, in general, you're probably right," Rod said. "If we are very fortunate, they will rest on their laurels, and we will have proper time to integrate the changes before the magic starts to trickle back. This is possible due to the fact they've never had to do for themselves in the way they will have to do for themselves to cause a problem now. On the other hand, fear is a powerful motivator, and if they're frightened enough by all our changes, they will feel forced to change in response."

He glanced from Rabastan to Bellatrix. "Then Bella's concern could become relevant about them utilizing Muggle contraptions to either better their own lives or worsen ours."

"Bettering their own with, like, Muggle cars or something as they can no longer Apparate, and worsen ours with Muggle explosives or something," Rabastan asked, and Rodolphus gave a slight nod.

"Possibly."

Bellatrix frowned. At least now she had a name for the sinking feeling in the pit of her stomach that had been growing all morning. Rod had skillfully painted a very concerning picture of all the ways things could quickly go pain in the ass with only a few well-constructed sentences.

"If they do use Muggle items, it could put us at a disadvantage," Bellatrix said, speaking the main concern that kept cropping up in her mind.

"Perhaps not," Rod mused. "We have Arthur, after all."

"Yes, in America. He'll be in America watching for trouble there, but the wizards there have all their magic, so it won't be the same sort of bloody trouble," Bellatrix complained.

"Yeah, but what about the Muggles that Delphini headfucked," Rabastan reminded. "Won't he need to keep an eye on that sort of thing? Because I doubt their headfucked brains will become virgins again just because she's dead."

Bellatrix shook her head at Rabastan. "That's true enough. But whatever happens in America can be monitored via those scrying crystals we helped to place."

"Oh, fuck," Rabastan groaned. Even as he spoke, Bellatrix realized that the scrying crystals were gone. They'd certainly gotten crushed when Morgana demolished the building.

"Zabini and Grindelwald can probably make more now that they've studied those," Rodolphus said. "They still have the other set that those were linked to, so they can just get three more and hook them up again to form a new set. Merlin had to hook them up originally, after all, so I don't see why Blaise and Gellert can't manage that."

Bella nodded. That seemed logical.

"So we could use Arthur more here," Rodolphus continued. "He and Millicent can keep tabs on Muggle America through the online thing, and, of course, Blaise and Gellert can have the Aurors watching through the scrying crystals for that extra touch once they get them up and running again."

"They'll have to decide upon an entirely new place to put them," Bellatrix said. "Considering that building will have to be rebuilt, and Muggles are far slower at such things than are we magicals."

"How are you just going to talk Arthur into leaving his life in America," Rabastan asked skeptically.

"What talk," Rodolphus scoffed. "Here is obviously way better. He'll be with us, after all." He grinned. "And if we get him a hot babe, he'll never want to leave. Hey, Rab, doesn't your girl have a twin who's a Ravenclaw or something? He ought to like that."

"Yeah, I think so, but I don't even know if she's single."

"Well, find out!"

Thankfully, the day was uneventful. Bellatrix tried to take the time to process that everything was over, and that she could relax. She only realized an hour before it was time to go home for the day why her mind wasn't buying that rubbish at all. One catastrophe, one threat was ended, but another still loomed, and this one had many faces, all of which were hidden in shadow. They had no way of knowing which wizards would present a problem.

"Perhaps it would be useful to return Lucy's magic in exchange for his spying skills," Bellatrix said. The idea just occurred to her, and it was a reassuring one. It felt proactive, and she enjoyed being any sort of active, instead of being stressed and simply sitting about waiting for someone else, not on their side, to throw the dice first.

She and Rodolphus sat under a tree watching the Aurors go through a drill.

Rabastan had gone to write Parvati about her sister, because Rod hadn't let up about finding out if she happened to be single in case Arthur wanted to date.

"Lucy may not be motivated enough now, but if he had a reason..."

Rod nodded thoughtfully. "Perhaps. We'll bring it up to Gellert and the Minister as soon as we're able."

Bella was sure they'd see them soon enough. With everything so uncertain, she had a very strong feeling that there would be many meetings in their future.

When they arrived home a little over an hour later, they found Arthur in the parlor chatting with Lyra and Cassius.

"Now I'm mad at you all over again after hearing in yet more detail about all I missed," Lyra complained. "I can't wait for the Pensieve memory exchange party Romeo suggested at the Ministry!"

With an effort, Bellatrix refrained from saying that the pot of trouble may begin boiling over again before they could take time for a party, because hopefully it wouldn't. Hopefully, they'd been given a grace period by the damn universe, because they'd bloody earned it.

Chapter 133: I'm In Love With My Car

Chapter 133: I'm In Love with My Car

"While I was at Millicent's, Grindelwald wrote and said that you three can take me to get my car today," Arthur told the Lestranges excitedly. "He said to send him a howler when we're ready, and an elf Auror will come here to take us."

Bellatrix nodded, exchanging a look with Rod. "Would you rather after dinner, as we've the time difference anyway?"

"YES," Rod said. "I simply must eat first."

Arthur chuckled. "Good. As eager as I am to have a car again, I was hoping for more of Harold's cooking first."

Soon they were seated around the table eating Harold's thick lamb stew with an equally thick slice of bread on the side stuffed with seeds and nuts.

"I feel like I'm at a freaking renaissance fair, and it's awesome," Arthur said.

"A what," Lyra asked, and he spent the next ten minutes explaining to them that Muggles dress up and pretend to be Muggles who lived centuries in the past.

"It seems you lot go for living in the past all the time instead of just when a festival is on," he concluded with a chuckle. "Your food is sure better though."

"We do not live in the past," Bellatrix huffed. "We simply see no reason to change with Muggle times that do not affect us."

"Okay," Arthur replied dubiously.

"How was your time with Millicent," Rabastan asked. "We've only met her a few times, but Rod and Bella worked with her parents before since they do international shit."

"It was fine," Arthur said. "We exchanged emails, and I got online on her computer to send myself her email and address. We did a news search, but nothing unexpected on the Muggle end and the earthquake went well, meaning no one is raising questions."

Rabastan cackled. "The earthquake went well...words spoken only in this house! I bloody love it!"

After dinner, Bella sent the howler to Gellert saying they were ready for the elf who knew how to get to Washington, D.C. She was glad he'd offered them a faster way than dodging about through the Floo network. Could Muggles even use the Floo network? Well it didn't matter, and Grindelwald probably didn't know either. Arthur went upstairs to the guest room in which he'd spent the night to collect his things, including the bag of gold bars that he still had to deposit into his bank account. The doorbell rang just as he rejoined them in the parlor, and Harold ushered in an elf Auror. The metallic name tag on his robe read Juda.

"Thanks for helping to take me home," Arthur told him, giving a slight bow. His expression was mildly uncomfortable, as if he didn't know how he should be addressing the elf, yet he still felt as though he should say something.

Bellatrix exchanged a look with Rodolphus, and Rodolphus gave a knowing smirk. Bella knew they were thinking the same, as was often the case. Arthur was behaving like the gallant king even when so far out of his depth. It was reassuring… Especially if things went south and the magicless wizards used the Muggles. There was now a worthy Muggle on their side that they could count on.

The elf bowed stiffly back, and smiled. "It is Juda's pleasure to assist, sir." He drew three filmy invisibility cloaks from a black bag slung across his shoulder. "As we may be Apparating near to where there is Muggle activity, the Minister sent these and said to return them tomorrow."

Rod nodded.

"Are you coming, Rabastan," Bellatrix asked, and Rabastan shrugged.

"Yeah, I guess."

"You and Arthur under one cloak, me and Bella under the other, leaving the third to Juda," Rodolphus said. "In case he needs to leave and return for any reason while we're getting Arthur settled, he can do so easily. Not to mention, of course, we can't have an elf walking about Muggle Washington, D.C. in plain sight."

Rabastan nodded and everyone vanished as they draped themselves in their cloaks.

"So no one can see us?" Arthur whispered.

"No," Bellatrix said, voice shaking with restrained laughter.

"Sorry, I probably sound dumb whispering. People can't see, but they can obviously hear, so I guess I'm just practicing trying to be quiet in case we happen to appear around people," Arthur explained sheepishly.

"That's smart," Rod praised.

"And we're off," Juda said.

"Bye!" Lyra called.

A few seconds later and Bellatrix felt Muggle style gravel under her shoes. They stood for several seconds in silence, taking stock. Juda had Apparated them in back of the rubble that was so recently the White House.

"Do we...uhm, uncloak now?" Arthur whispered.

"Everyone but Juda, as he hasn't yet practiced illusions to appear human," the elf whispered.

"Grab my hand so we can keep track of you then," Bellatrix told Juda as she and Rod shrugged out of the cloak. Rod draped it over one arm as Bellatrix felt Juda's small, long fingered hand closing around hers.

Arthur led the way from the rubble with Rabastan at his side. Bella noticed that the White House wasn't the only toppled building. Much of the block was a mess. Had Morgana done that or had the Ministries cleared out the buildings when they'd arranged the earthquake?

She didn't remember the entire block being in shambles. She hadn't looked around that much at the time, though. Not to mention there had been far more people in the way, and a lot of general chaos.

As they moved closer to the street, she noticed herself looking around rapidly, eyes darting in all directions. She felt exposed and unsafe in this Muggle territory, perhaps because things were still so unsettled. Sometimes being too aware of what was boiling behind the scenes wasn't pleasant. In that, power could be unpleasant, but she and Rod would still always want it so she should stop mentally bitching, she told herself peevishly. Anxiety be damned, because it was stupid, pointless, and in her bloody way.

"I'm going to call a cab," Arthur said, drawing a flat rectangle from his pocket. Bellatrix recalled Rabastan mentioning seeing such things when spying on the Muggles.

"I had a chance to charge it at Millicent's," Arthur continued, adding an explanation that didn't help in the least. Bellatrix didn't care enough to ask, though, not seeing how it would ever matter to her. Rod and Rabastan obviously concurred, as neither spoke either.

"The Porsche dealership is in Arlington, the next town over, it's only about a twenty minute ride," he explained. "And, of course, I need to stop at the bank first."

"Sure, sure," Rod said, waving a hand in a negligent gesture. "Whatever you need. No hurry, we've got the time and nowhere else to be at present."

Arthur gave Rod an appreciative grin. "Thanks." He then began touching the flat thing in his hand, causing colors and letters to shift on its glassy surface.

"That is calling a cab," Bellatrix asked.

"Well, it's actually texting one. That's what we do these days, writing instead of calling," Arthur said. "I just still say call, because as a kid and teenager, even as a young adult, that's what one did." He chuckled. "Technology changes so fast and when it does, it changes our entire way of life...how we think and speak. It's fascinating, really."

Bella exchanged a glance with Rod and Rabastan. They weren't particularly fascinated with Muggle ways as they'd never served them once and had inconvenienced them more times than they could count.

"The cab will be here in approximately two minutes," Arthur said happily. "That's certainly gotten faster over the years! I used to have to wait nearly twenty minutes for a cab."

"How old are you," Rabastan asked. "Wizards live far longer than Muggles, so with you lot unless you are very young or very old, it is difficult to tell."

"I'm thirty-eight," Arthur replied. He frowned, looking from one Lestrange to the other. "I thought Merlin and Nimue were a bit older than Arthur, but you all look close enough to my age. Of course, we're not the real Merlin, Nimue, and Arthur, but still."

A large yellow car drew up in front of them and Arthur waved at it. "Good! It's here," he said unnecessarily, ushering the Lestranges to follow him. "I'll sit up front if that's okay so I can more easily direct the driver where to go."

"Of course," Rod said. "And we're still around twenty years older than you, though you are quite correct in that we do not look it."

"Well, I'd be impressed except you just said you all live longer, so I will just be envious instead," Arthur said with a grin as he opened the doors of the cab on the passenger side, the back door for the Lestranges, then the front for himself.

After everyone was settled inside, with the still invisible Juda wedged onto the floor at Bella's feet, Arthur spoke to the driver, and the car began to move. Bella bit back a sigh, but she couldn't keep herself from making a face of distaste.

She'd somehow forgotten quite how horrid these car things were. The ride was loud, bumpy, and unpleasant not to mention quite primitive. It also felt painfully slow, considering how fast she'd driven Arthur's over all those Muggles. When they reached the bank, which looked nothing like Gringotts, Arthur turned to the Lestranges.

"Would you all like to wait here in the car or go into the bank with me?"

"We'll wait here," Rod decided. "Unless you need us in there for any reason?"

"No. It may just take a bit is all."

Rod shrugged. "That's alright."

Arthur nodded and exited the car.

"You folks going to some magic party or is it one of those fantasy cons," the driver asked, turning in his seat to peer curiously at them. He was a young, beefy man with thick brown hair that fell across his forehead and thick bushy brows.

"Both," Rabastan said with a cheerful grin, though they had no true idea what in the hell he was talking about.

Either their answer satisfied or confused him, because he stared for another second, then gave a slight nod and turned to face front again. They waited, then waited, and at last they waited some more. Bellatrix was nearly ready to scream when Arthur finally emerged. He was empty handed.

"Where's your money, Bro," Rabastan leaned up to ask as soon as Arthur was back in the car.

"In the bank," Arthur replied.

"But how are you going to buy the car," Rabastan asked. He was confused, and he wasn't alone because Bella and Rod were right there with him.

"With my debit card," Arthur said, turning to frown at them.

It appeared that Rabastan had said something wrong, but as they had no idea what, none of the Lestranges spoke. Arthur turned back to face the driver, giving him quiet instructions. The car began to move, so Bellatrix assumed they were off to buy the car now.

After another ten minutes of riding, the driver stopped at a place with a lit sign reading Arlington Porsche. Bellatrix thought the lights in the Muggle signs that were up everywhere about everything looked magical, though, of course, they weren't. The fact they were emulating magic for whatever reason annoyed her vigorously, though.

Arthur withdrew a flat rectangle from his pocket that looked like paper only thicker and shinier. He passed it to the driver. The driver ran it across his rectangular screen, much like the one Arthur had used to call...no, text the cab in the first place. He smiled, thanking Arthur as he passed the small rectangle that looked shinier than paper, back.

Arthur nodded politely, and wished the driver a nice day as he got out of the car and opened the back door for the Lestranges. As soon as everyone was out, Juda clinging to Bellatrix's hand again so she'd know where he was, Arthur's face lit up.

"I'm so excited! I was going to try getting a car like my baby that Bella...used, but maybe I'll see what else they have in stock just for the hell of it. Just about every Porsche is awesome, after all. I think I'll even test drive a few unless I fall hard for something right away."

As he spoke, a tall slightly graying Muggle in a dark suit approached.

"How may I help you fine folk today," he asked cheerfully.

"I want to buy a car," Arthur said happily. "Only I haven't quite decided on which model yet."

Bellatrix wondered if he would also ask if they were headed to a con or whatever the driver had asked about earlier. Fortunately, though, he seemed far more interested in selling Arthur a car than worrying about what they were wearing or where they were going.

"New or used," he asked.

"New, of course," Arthur said, tone incredulous.

"I understand," the suited Muggle said.

"We did get in a sweet ride from the forties just last week that you may at least like to check out. Porsches in the forties were some of the most beautiful cars ever made!"

Arthur was interested at once. "Oh, yes, I'd love to look!"

He gestured eagerly for the Lestranges to follow where the suited Muggle led, and they did. The cars were sold outside, so they had to walk around a large lot to look at every car on display. They saw the Porsche from the forties, and to them it just looked like a car, though they were not rude enough to state this obvious fact considering Arthur was so impressed and in awe over the thing.

He was allowed to test drive it, and the Muggle rode with him. He shot the Lestranges an apologetic look, but Rod shrugged, waving to indicate that it didn't matter, which it didn't. They certainly had no desire to ride along. After Arthur drove the nineteen-forties car around the lot a few times, he returned to the Lestranges with a thoughtful look on his face.

"I love it, but it won't be as fast as a new one. Still it's so beautiful, and it's history, and it is a smooth ride! Every Porsche is a smooth ride, but this is a very rare car. Granted it's priced far higher than a new one, so I would have to make payments, but it'd be worth it! Sorry I'm babbling. I'm going to look around at the rest of the cars while I think."

Rod nodded and the suited Muggle continued to show Arthur cars while they trailed along.

Eventually, after much agonizing and test driving of many, many Porsches, Arthur settled on a shiny new model he called a 911. He went on about why it was the best, but none of the Lestranges understood most of the words he used. The words they did understand, such as two cylinders, hardly seemed to apply.

Once Arthur had decided upon his 911, he had to pay and fill out many forms for some reason. During the payment process, Bellatrix realized that the small shinier than paper rectangle was the debit card with which Arthur paid. She made a mental note to ask him how this worked instead of money, when anyone who took it in payment simply returned it again, seemingly unchanged. She'd ask later, that was, if she still cared later.

"Now you get to experience the sweet ride of power that is a Porsche," Arthur told Rabastan and Rod eagerly. "Bella already knows, after all."

"Oh, indeed Bella knows," she cackled, fondly recalling the thump, thump, thump, of Muggle bodies under the wheels.

Arthur happily waved a strange looking key as they approached his new Porsche. "My key, my baby, it's all mine, and it is so beautiful!" he said gleefully.

"You wanna shag it or something," Rabastan asked, lips twitching.

"Maybe," Arthur drawled as he opened the driver's door, then reached across to open the passenger side. "Come on, Merlin, ride shotgun with me," he told Rod with a grin.

"What?" Rod blinked.

"That is shotgun, aka the second best spot in the car," Arthur pointed at the seat beside his. "Bella, Rabastan, and little guy Juda can get into the back."

"Maybe Bella and Juda can," Rabastan said doubtfully. He peered from the tiny back seat to his own long legs.

"Oh, just scrunch up. You'll be fine," Arthur said encouragingly.

Rabastan made grumbling sounds under his breath as he wedged himself into the back seat. Bellatrix wedged herself in beside him, her knees nearly ending up at her chin. She wasn't as tall as Rabastan, but she wasn't short and this damned back seat was tiny!

"Juda, you'll have to sit up front with Rod. There is more room on the floor there," she said.

"Yes," Juda agreed and released her hand.

"This is going to rule," Arthur said, voice thrumming with excitement.

Once everyone was in, he started the car and just sat there. "Isn't that a smooth engine," he asked.

"We don't know," Rabastan groaned. "Where are we going anyway? My legs are about to fall off soon due to lack of circulation."

"I thought we'd go to my house. It'll provide a safe spot for you guys to...what's it called Apparate back home, and you'll get the chance to check out my sweet, sweet love ride."

Juda tittered.

"Sounds like a plan," Rod agreed.

"Good. Sit back and enjoy the ride of your lives," Arthur said.

"Oh wait...seat belts, please, because I'm gonna be going fast."

"What? I can't even move back here, and I don't know how to do that shit," Rabastan groaned.

"Fine, fuck it," Arthur said, and spun out of the car lot or whatever it was called. For Bella, the spinning departure was the best part of the ride.

"Isn't it smooth," Arthur asked, after navigating traffic for three or so silent minutes.

"Can you make it spin again," Bellatrix asked. "That was fun."

"It was," Rod agreed.

"It was okay," Rabastan said.

"No," Arthur laughed. "Not in traffic! I'd hit someone or they'd hit me, and we'd be right back where we started. I will not put my lady of glorious wheels in danger."

Rabastan snickered. "He is definitely in love with the car!"

"Damned right he is," Arthur agreed fervently.

Chapter 134: A King In His Castle

Chapter 134: A King in His Castle

"You all don't seem to feel the love," Arthur said disappointedly. "You really don't think this is a sweet ride?" His face was crestfallen as he looked from Rod to Bella and Rabastan scrunched into the back seat.

"Umm… It hurts?" Rabastan managed.

"Not for me but I just don't get the car thrill I suppose," Bellatrix said apologetically… Well, it was apologetic for her. "And Rabastan, stop being bloody dramatic!"

"I suppose I don't get the...car thrill either, but I'm sure it's nice," Rod added. "Hey, you love it, and that's all that matters," he concluded, giving Arthur a bright smile.

"I guess," Arthur said, still crestfallen.

"Juda enjoys it," the invisible elf piped up from the floor at Rod's feet. "It is quite interesting. He thinks he can even feel the gears moving in the engine from where he is on the floor."

Arthur grinned. "I knew I liked you, little elf!"

"All elves are little," Rabastan grumbled desperately. "And I'm going to be little too if we don't get out of this thing soon. My legs will be all pinched off in a matter of minutes, I am sure. How much longer?"

"Well, I was taking the long route so we could all enjoy the ride so..."

"You were what?" Rabastan practically howled.

"In less than a minute, we'll be at my place," Arthur said. His tone was measured and soothing.

"How much less than a minute?" Rabastan demanded.

"Oh, for Merlin's sake," Bellatrix snapped, and Arthur chuckled.

"What's he like anyway," he asked. "Merlin, that is. You all have talked to him, right?"

"Not me so much, but Nimue is alright if crazy and mildly judgmental," Bellatrix said.

"That doesn't sound at all familiar," Rabastan said.

"I will smack you," Bella promised.

"I've talked to Merlin a few times," Rod said. "We're on a first name basis and such," he drawled with a grin.

The car slowed, turning into some sort of building with a door that seemed to rise magically on its own.

"What is this," Bellatrix asked, annoyed for some reason by all the Muggle contraptions and lights that appeared to be operating on bloody magic.

"It's an indoor parking garage. It's far safer than leaving a car like my precious baby parked outside for some dreadful fiend to steal or vandalize," Arthur explained.

The garage was full of other cars of varying shapes and sizes. As soon as the car stopped, Rabastan began snatching at the door handle. When his door sprang open, he practically rolled out. "Almost better than sex," he groaned.

"He is dramatic," Arthur said, chuckling.

Once everyone was out and Arthur had used the odd key looking thing to lock the car without actually touching it, he led them from that building into another.

This one had no cars. It seemed to be a lobby with couches and small, low tables scattered about. There was a tall metal looking machine in the corner with pictures of unappetizing looking drinks and snacks on its front.

Bella nearly asked Arthur what it was, then realized she didn't care. It was Muggle and looked unappealing. One could only fill one's awareness with so much bloody Muggle info, after all, and she planned to ask Arthur about the lights, moving doors, and magic seeming key that locked his car from a distance as soon as they were alone. Other Muggles were in this lobby thing, which was confusing, because she'd thought they were going to his house.

"You have housemates," she asked quietly, stepping closer to Arthur and Rod.

Arthur shook his head. "Oh no, it's just me."

Bellatrix scowled, because now she was confused. Deciding to wait until the five of them were alone before insisting upon more clarification, she remained silent, following Arthur and Rod. Rabastan trailed behind her, peering about in bemusement.

Of course she couldn't see Juda, but assumed the elf had enough brains to stick with them without clinging to her hand. Hopefully the Auror training he'd received had done something useful when it came to the basics. She didn't think the elf was stupid, but this strange Muggle place could be distracting and confusing. If he got separated from them, finding him would be a challenge, considering he'd need to remain invisible.

Arthur led them to what appeared to be a closed door in the wall with numbers on a panel to the right of it. He pressed a button and the door slid magically open! What was it with all this magic that obviously couldn't be magic, Bella wondered darkly. What she did not understand was more difficult to control, and she knew it. The door revealed a closet sized empty room which Arthur led them into without hesitation.

"No way this is your house," Rod said, eyes widening.

Laughing, Arthur shook his head as he pressed another button from inside the tiny room which caused the door to slide closed. Then the room gave a lurch that caused Bella's stomach to drop, and she let out a little scream. So did Juda, from somewhere in the vicinity of her right hip.

"There you are, you little shit," she snapped, reaching for his hand.

"Oh sorry," Juda said, and she felt his thin warm fingers grasping her own.

"What the fuck are you doing to us?" she demanded of Arthur, who, for some odd reason, was looking rather stressed.

"Nothing," he replied. "You really need to..." He broke off when the door slid open to expose a long hallway of gleaming marble. Somehow the lurching room had transported them. There were a few people walking down the hallway toward the small transporter room in which they all stood, so Bellatrix was relieved when Arthur led them out of it.

"My place is this way," he said calmly, turning left and proceeding along the gleaming marble tiles. There were doors along either wall, and each had a large metallic number on it. Arthur stopped at the door that read B 133.

"That's me," Arthur said. As he spoke, he dug into his pocket and produced a set of keys that actually looked like ordinary keys even if smaller and far less ornate than those to which Bellatrix was accustomed.

He opened the door and led them onto an expanse of thick dark brown carpet that put Bella in mind of an autumn forest. The room was as high ceilinged as the large marble corridor outside and smelled pleasantly of strawberries for some reason. The walls were light blue, dotted with framed pictures. Some were landscapes and others were mostly of people in various poses that Bellatrix assumed had to do with Arthur's martial arts school.

"Make yourselves comfortable,"Arthur invited as he closed and relocked the solid looking front door behind them. Juda suddenly came into view as he drew the invisibility cloak from himself. Releasing Bella's hand he went to sit in the nearest chair. There were several overstuffed chairs and a matching sofa scattered around the room, all covered in a soft seeming thick velvet in a pleasing dark green.

"Does anyone want anything to drink?"

"Why do you live inside of a castle with other people," Rod asked, openly perplexed.

Bella gave a fervent nod. That was an excellent bloody question.

Arthur laughed. "It isn't a castle. It's an apartment complex. Are you telling me that wizards don't have apartment complexes? And if you are, are you also telling me that you managed to live in the world for sixty some years and still have no idea what an apartment complex is? Or are you just fucking with me, because I'd be okay with that. I'd actually prefer it because the other options are going to be really hard for me to wrap my mind around."

"Well, sorry then, because the other two options apply," Rabastan said. "Some wizards are aware I'm sure, but those would be Muggle-borns or Mudbloods or blood traitors."

Arthur clutched his head. "Okay, what is a blood traitor?"

"Someone who associates or sympathizes with Muggles, of course," Rodolphus clarified.

Arthur frowned. "But we're associating right now, so how is that not going to turn you into a blood traitor, and if it does are you, like, in some sort of danger?"

"Only of losing our good standing in proper wizarding society if you weren't you, but you are indeed you, so don't worry about it," Rodolphus said carelessly.

"But I am no king," Arthur insisted, frustration stamped all over his face.

"Yes, but you are," Rodolphus drawled. "It all fits. You were right there when we needed you to provide the final distraction against Delphini. Now what do you have to drink," he asked, returning at last to Arthur's earlier offer of refreshment.

Taking Bella's hand he moved across the room to the sofa. As they settled themselves, Arthur asked, "What would you like? I have water, wine, whisky, tea, lemonade, and fruit punch."

"Let's try fruit punch," Rod said with a grin. "It sounds properly violent."

Arthur froze in place, then let out a sigh as he shook his head. "I would beg you to tell me that you really do know what fruit punch is, but I have a feeling that isn't going to happen."

"What's the big deal," Rod asked. "You haven't heard of a lot of our drinks either, I'd bet."

"That's true," Arthur conceded. "Sorry. It's just so difficult to grasp that our worlds are that different, considering we share the same one!"

Chapter 135: When Muggle Studies Is Finally Useful!

Chapter 135: When Muggle Studies Is Finally Useful!

"Why do the doors move like magic and how do you lock your car without touching it," Bellatrix asked.

Arthur was moving about in the kitchen, attending to their glasses of fruit punch. "Does everyone want punch," he asked.

"Is there anything softer," Juda asked and Arthur laughed.

"It's just a sort of mix of fruit juice."

"Oh, then that's fine," Juda said.

"So fruit punch for everyone," Arthur asked again.

"But I thought it'd be harder," Rod complained.

"Seriously," Arthur demanded.

"Alright, alright," Rod relented. "Fruit punch for everyone it is. Are you having some?"

"I guess so," Arthur said, a mild tone of sulk to his voice.

Bellatrix frowned, wondering just what he thought he had to sulk about.

When he re-entered the sitting room, he carried two glasses of red liquid, one in each hand. The glasses were dark amber and short and fat in structure as if they should hold whisky rather than fruit juice. He presented one to Rod and one to Juda then turned and hurried back to the kitchen. He was back at once with two more similar glasses for Bellatrix and Rabastan. Bellatrix took hers, murmuring a thank you.

"Sure," Arthur smiled. Turning he headed back into the kitchen.

"The doors are automated. Electronic. It's technology, sort of like Millicent's computer, only different," he said, finally getting back round to answering Bellatrix's questions. He joined them, settling into a chair near Juda's with his own glass of punch in one hand.

"As for my car, it locks with a system that connects the key fob to the car via a built-in Radio Frequency Identification system. This barcode system utilizes an electromagnetic field to locate or identify stored information called tags. The tag provides the information to the remote device, in this case my car, though it can work on other doors like garages."

Bellatrix blinked. "What?"

"More computerish stuff," Arthur explained with a shrug.

Rod sipped his fruit punch. "Never had anything like this before," he said.

"All of our fruit juices are separate. Like apple, or orange, or pumpkin. I've never considered mixing them. Perhaps we'll have Harold give it a go."

"That pumpkin juice is amazing," Arthur said. "I really liked it."

"So if these computers break, all your magical seeming items won't work, yes," Bellatrix asked. She didn't really care about the fruit punch. It was overly sweet and not particularly satisfying. Whatever Harold made would surely be better. Her current focus was on the Muggle items that had caught her attention, because those wizards without magic would likely be more than eager to get their hands on anything even close to a substitute for magic that they could get.

"Yes. If the power goes out, nothing works. It's a major drawback to all our advances, unfortunately," Arthur said.

"So you've seen some of what magic can do, and we've seen some of what your Muggle technology can do," Bellatrix said. "If the wizards currently without their magic go for Muggle technology to make their lives easier during these current times, what will they want first?"

"Why," Arthur asked.

Bellatrix shrugged. "I'd sort of like to know if we'd find anything they'll be using threatening or dangerous."

"Smart woman," Rodolphus murmured approvingly as he slipped an arm around Bella's shoulders.

Arthur nodded. "Okay. Good thinking. Let me see...I'd think they'd want things like telephones and microwaves and cars if they don't take Muggle public transport. Of course, cars are in no way as fast as your Apparating, but it's far better than walking or horseback riding." He chuckled. "Cars don't shit everywhere like horses do, and they go far faster!"

"What is a microwave," Bellatrix asked. "Of course we are aware of what a telephone is."

"Of course," Arthur murmured sarcastically.

Bella shot him a frown, but before she could speak, he was answering her question.

"A microwave is another thing you may consider to be nearly like magic. It's a small box in which one can cook food far faster than on a stove."

"For those who don't have house elves, of course," Rabastan said.

Arthur nodded. "Of course. Nothing beats a Harold, after all." He grinned at Juda. "Or a Juda. I'm sure you cook well too… Err that is… Do all elves cook?"

Juda shrugged. "All of us once did. We were forced to serve wizards, and that included making their meals."

"You did that," Arthur asked.

Juda nodded. "Juda's parents served a family, and he was being trained to do so as well, for whenever that family's young children grew up and had children of their own."

"What changed that plan," Arthur asked curiously.

Juda smiled. "The new Ministry did. They sent in free elves along with goblins, and sometimes Acromantulas, to force the families to hand clothing over to any elf who wished to be free and come work with them. As it happened, Juda wished to be free."

Arthur nodded in understanding. "Sweet."

Juda grinned. "Yes."

"Speaking of that, do you want my punch," Bellatrix asked Rodolphus, seeing that his own glass was empty.

Rod grinned. "I'll take your punch, your Crucio, your nails, give it all to me, baby!"

Bellatrix laughed, handing Rod her glass. "Well, I suppose cars, telephones, and microwaves shouldn't present problems for us if the magicless wizards start using them," she said, returning the conversation back to her concern. "Anything else they could use that we should concern ourselves over," she asked Arthur.

"Well, if they feel their safety is at risk, there are always guns or more violent explosives. You do know what guns and explosives are, don't you?"

The Lestranges exchanged a look and Arthur let out a wordless yell of frustration, then began to laugh.

"Do you know what a Thestral is," Rodolphus asked, and Arthur stopped laughing to shake his head in confusion.

"What? A bird?"

"No," Bellatrix sneered. "That's a Kestrel!"

"Oh well, I am so bloody sorry," Arthur grinned, unperturbed. "What the fuck is a Thestral, please?"

"It sort of looks like a horse shagged a dragon, and you can only see it if you have seen someone die," Rodolphus replied.

"Wow! That sounds weird. But what's it got to do with me," Arthur asked.

Rod grinned. "Nothing at all. Just we don't know about guns, and you don't know about Thestrals."

"But guns aren't being hidden from you, and Thestrals are being hidden from Muggles, so that is hardly a fair comparison," Arthur pointed out.

Rod sighed. "Oh well, I suppose you win," he conceded. "It's just that we don't care about your things."

Arthur smirked."Oh, but right now you do. And guns can kill people at long distance range. They used to be quite loud, so shooters could get caught, but now they're even made with silencers on. Some countries even have laws against common citizens owning them because crazy people would bring them into public places like stores or schools or post offices and start just randomly shooting people."

"Damn," Rabastan said. "Muggles are crazy!"

"That isn't normal behavior," Arthur said. "So only a few Muggles."

"Shooting," Bellatrix asked. "So the gun works like a bow and arrow, or a cannon?"

Arthur blinked, then chuckled. "Closer to a cannon, I suppose. They fire these little cylinders called bullets, but it's very fast and hard, so if it enters a person on impact at the wrong point, like the chest or head or throat, they're likely dead."

"Okay, that sounds like something we should totally be concerned about," Rabastan said, and Bella and Rod nodded glumly.

"We'd better get home and write Grindelwald about it at once," Rod said.

"Wow, it's weird, but it will feel so strange being here back in my normal life and my normal apartment with no magic in sight," Arthur said. "I'll miss you guys," he concluded sadly.

"Hey, you can contact Millicent any time, and we'll visit whenever you like," Rodolphus assured. "Blaise and Gellert will have things sorted with an amulet or something where you can get to us faster soon as well. And maybe once we see if there will be any trouble in America from any Muggles that Delphini may have tampered with, perhaps you could even move to London with us."

Several seconds passed as Arthur gaped at Rodolphus, processing his words. "You want me to live there? Why?"

"We obviously need help with this Muggle stuff," Rod said. "You could open your martial arts school in London, couldn't you?"

"I… Well, I never thought about it," Arthur said. "That's a lot...a big change."

"We could help with the funding," Rod quickly offered.

"I...I don't know. I suppose I could," Arthur said.

Rod grinned, reaching to happily clap him on the shoulder. "Good man! We kind of like having you around."

Arthur chuckled. "I kind of like being around you all as well. Perhaps I could even teach you some martial arts. It's fun and a great method of self defense. And yes, you have magic, but the more tools you can add to your arsenal, the better."

Bellatrix nodded slowly. "Good idea. Thank you."

Arthur smiled. "I'm just glad to be able to offer you all something. You have magic, and as you've said, Muggle things interest you not at all, so..."

"Muggle things may not interest us, but what you, in particular, can teach us interests us very much," Rod assured. "You shall be invaluable when it comes to teaching us what we need to know about what the magicless wizards may use. You in particular can best guess what they will find useful."

"I'm sure a lot of people could," Arthur began and Rod waved his words away with an impatient gesture.

"Stop short changing yourself. As I was saying, what you can share about Muggle technology is invaluable, and these martial art things sound really interesting as well. Say can you use them to kill people?"

Arthur nodded. "Of course. It's illegal, and I never have, but there are places you can punch or even touch that will knock a person out or even kill them."

Rabastan grinned dreamily. "Awesome!"

Chapter 136: It's My Life

Chapter 136: It's My Life

Juda Apparated them home, and Rod went directly to write Gellert about their gun concern.

"Juda lives at Gringotts, or rather under it, where the goblins rent apartments on many of the deeper underground levels," the elf explained. "But it's the Gringotts address where letters go, if the Lestranges ever wish to return to visit Arthur, they can write Juda there, and he will take them so long as he is not at work at the time."

Bella smiled, nodding. "Thank you."

It would be nice to return with the same person if they went to see Arthur again. That and she supposed she'd taken a bit of a liking to the elf Auror. He seemed to have a good solid head on his shoulders. Besides, they'd all had a crazy bonding experience with being surrounded by so much insane Muggle activity.

"Juda likes Arthur, and all his odd contraptions are interesting," the elf said.

Bellatrix bit back a tart comment regarding Muggle contraptions, because what was the point, and besides, she was tired. What with traveling between five hour time zone differences, she felt Apparation lag on top of the generally long day.

"He seemed to like you too. Perhaps the two of you can hang when he moves here," Rabastan suggested to the elf. "The more magical folk who learn about any Muggle shit at all, the more on our game we will be if magicless wizards indeed begin using it."

Juda nodded, his expression thoughtful. "Very well. Do keep Juda up to date on any new developments on that front."

"Will do," Rabastan promised.

Juda gave a slight bow. "Until next time, then. Goodbye."

"Goodbye," Bellatrix and Rabastan said as the elf Apparated away.

"It's been a damn weird day," Rabastan complained. "I need a drink. You want one?"

Bellatrix considered for a moment before shaking her head. She followed Rabastan into the library anyway, slumping into the chair nearest the door. Idly she watched as he poured himself a drink.

"You want one, Bro," he asked, glancing over to Rod where he was writing Gellert.

"No thanks," Rod answered distractedly. "Harold!" he called. "Could you take this letter to Gellert's place? I want him to see it right away."

Harold Apparated into the room with a crack. "Certainly," he said, taking the letter.

"Thanks," Rod said. He smiled gratefully at the elf and passed the letter over.

Harold nodded in acknowledgment and vanished with a crack.

Bellatrix stared after him then gave her head a slight shake to clear it.

"Is everything alright, babe," Rod asked, a note of concern in his voice.

Bella turned in his direction, forcing a tired smile. "I'm fine...I think." Always best to put that in there just in case she realized she was upset later or something. "I was just thinking that elves make life so much easier...but that's because they're so much more powerful than we are. That's how they make things easier, yet all of us somehow managed to overlook that for centuries upon centuries. Of course it's easier when it comes to elves like Dobby who often appear nearly simpleminded if we're being honest, but not all elves are like that. Harold isn't simple. Perhaps overly restrained and not really interested in most things that wizards are, but that is hardly the same."

Rod blinked. "So you're sure you're okay?"

Bella chuckled self-consciously, giving Rod another smile. "I'm fine. It's just...now I can't forget what I know. After my article is widely read, I hope no one else can either. It just feels so...dependent of us to rely on them the way we do."

Dependent and more...more that was worse but she didn't have the proper words at present to define what she was coming to see as a horror.

"Harold doesn't seem to mind," Rodolphus observed. "He enjoys living here and working for us. His job is easy, and we treat him well."

"But they're so much more powerful," Bellatrix said with an exasperated shake of her head. "How can they not feel we should be serving them instead, especially now that so many of them are free?"

"Because, to be honest, wizards would make dreadful servants. As Miss Bella has already pointed out, we do everything better, so why have inferior servants?" Harold spoke from the doorway, having returned without them noticing.

"Fine, but why lower yourselves to serve us," she replied.

Harold chuckled. "Well, as you are aware, for centuries we did not choose. Now though, it is what most of us know, and if the situation is an easy one, we prefer it. Harold, for example, has plenty of time for his own pursuits and does not mind keeping the Lestrange manor in good condition.

"He likes the Lestranges and considers them family so he does not mind making good food for them to enjoy and generally looking after them. He enjoys living here in exchange, and he has few wants that cost him money. If his tastes ever change, the Lestranges pay him well enough that he can afford anything he may want. So why would he wish to be anywhere else?"

"So you've got it easy, but what of the others?"

"Harold cannot answer for those others who wish to be free. Harold is free, but he has no interest in fighting, save to defend himself and his family. He does not wish to be an Auror or work at the bank. Neither activity interests him."

"But keeping house does? That's more interesting," she asked, unsure.

"Bella, are you trying to bloody drive him away?" Rod laughed, and Bella shook her head.

"Of course not. I am simply attempting to understand."

"Keeping house is not particularly interesting, but it is quick, leaving Harold time to do whatever he likes with most of his day," the elf reasoned.

"What do you like other than reading," Bellatrix asked, genuinely curious.

"Harold likes to cast charms on things. He also likes to watch the trees grow, and he likes to see the patterns the leaves make when the wind blows them. Harold considers nature the best artist there is, and he loves to study the art of nature."

"Nature as art...that's poetic and quite nice," Bella murmured. "What do you like to put charms on?" Finally she was getting to know a bit more of Harold. The elf was always polite and genuinely seemed to care for them, but he was never forthcoming when it came to himself.

"Harold likes to put charms on anything that could benefit from them. He placed anti-rust charms on anything metal in the manor including the family jewelry, for instance. He put anti-tear charms on all the fabric from clothing to curtains to the furniture upholstery. He likes the shape of charms."

"Thank you...for the charms you placed on our things," Bellatrix said, feeling oddly embarrassed for not thanking him earlier. She hardly could have, though, as she didn't know he'd placed them until now.

"Blaise and Gellert asked Kreacher to work with them on enchanted items years back because they were interested in elf magic and wished to combine it with wizard magic for enchantments," Bellatrix said. "I wasn't sure if you knew. Kreacher began doing this before Regi finally turned him into a vampire. Now due to the schedule differences, I hear the three have a more difficult time working together, though they still make it happen. I'm sure Kreacher wouldn't mind if you would like to work with Blaise and Gellert as well. You'd make a ton of money, and they are two of the most brilliant wizarding enchanters to have ever lived, but don't tell them I said so."

Harold shrugged. "Harold will keep it in mind. Though he did not mind helping Mr. Rabastan with his blasting rods, he is not so certain he would enjoy working with others in general. Honestly, he had a look around the shop when the Lestranges were there, and he wasn't very impressed." He chuckled. "If Miss Bella does not tell them that, Harold will not tell them that she complimented their skills."

Bellatrix laughed, loving the mad irony of their extreme views and the want to keep both secret. "You've got yourself a deal."

She'd noticed that Harold hadn't seemed very impressed with the shop at the time, but assumed that perhaps she'd read him wrong, or he was simply having an off day. She'd then promptly forgotten about it. For, what had felt like forever, there had always been some rubbish stressful thing happening that required their mental attention in some form or another and constantly drew her mind away from that thought.

"Were you unimpressed because you feel you could do better," Bellatrix asked. "If so, I want to open a shop with you!"

"For real," Rodolphus murmured with a grin.

"Count me in," Rabastan said before slurping the rest of his drink and setting the empty glass down.

"Oh, not necessarily," Harold said. "Harold has had no particular ideas of his own… He simply wasn't especially impressed with theirs either."

Bella didn't need to see his face under the plague doctor mask to hear the amused smile in his dry tone. "Fair enough," she chuckled. "And honest. I like that."

"Yeah… We're kinda honored that you consider us family and shit," Rabastan said awkwardly.

Harold placed a hand on his own heart as he nodded. "As Harold is honored that the Lestranges consider him family. With that said, he wishes to live in his family's home and attend to it as he sees fit without being pressured to do other things with himself simply because other elves are. It's Harold's life, and he is living it as he likes for once.

"He never believed, or even imagined, that he would have that option until the Lestranges rescued him. He does not wish for them to think he looks after them out of gratitude. Perhaps at first he felt safe with them and had nowhere else to go, but this was only the case because they were kind to him. Now he would not wish to go elsewhere."

"Did we make you feel that you should be doing more," Bellatrix asked, dismay creeping into her stomach.

"No, but just in case any of the Lestranges feel the need to do so, Harold wishes them to know that he is doing just as he wishes already and requires nothing more."

"Good," Rodolphus said firmly. "We'd be lost without you. Were you to leave, I am quite certain that I would cry." He spoke with an entirely serious expression, leaning forward in his chair to meet Harold's gaze through the goggles of the plague mask. "If you do ever decide to do anything extra with your spare time, though, know that you always have a home here."

Harold nodded, the awkward jerk of his head indicating his rising discomfort with the sentimental turn the conversation had taken.

"Want a drink?" Rabastan offered. "With Delphini gone, we don't have to fucking constantly be on guard all the time!"

Chapter 137: Bullet Proof

Chapter 137: Bullet Proof

"At least we got to have one drink before the shit hit the fan," Rabastan said, sighing dramatically.

The letter came from Gellert just as they were finishing that drink. He called an emergency meeting of the Aurors at the Ministry...right away...quite afterhours. He said that he was sending Juda back to theirs so they could go get Arthur, as he was also wanted at the meeting.

"He's going to just love that," Rabastan cackled as Bella read the letter aloud.

"Perhaps he misses us already," Rod said with a grin.

As it happened, Arthur was in baggy red pajama bottoms and nothing else when the three Lestranges arrived with Juda in the middle of his sitting room. He sat in an armchair in front of his television watching something that involved a lot of group laughter from an unseen audience.

"What on earth?" he said, straightening and lowering a bag of something from which he'd been apparently eating.

"What is that in the bag?" Juda wondered aloud.

"Funyuns," Arthur replied. "They're yummy, and crunchy, and shaped like onions when they're sliced into rings. Want one? Also want to tell me what the hell is happening? Because I hope something is happening. Otherwise you people just think it's okay to show up at someone's place...right inside of someone's place without knocking, or writing, or calling in advance...I say calling because I also emailed Millicent my phone number just after you guys left earlier.

"I really hope something is going on, because otherwise it is going to melt my mind if posh British wizards feel it is socially appropriate to just show up, literally, in the middle of my relaxed evening at home completely unannounced."

Rodolphus grinned. "See? Told you he missed us." Then to Arthur he added, "Did you know that you complain as much as our daughter? I'm not sure that we wanted another child. Also we haven't spoken to Millicent, and we have no way of using your phone number."

"Yes, Juda would like to try a Funyun, he supposes," Juda said, extending a small hand.

"And yes, there is a reason we have arrived so suddenly," Bellatrix said. "Grindelwald has called a meeting at the Ministry and he wishes for your presence as well as ours."

"Also we didn't knock because to do so we would have to Apparate outside where someone may see us, and we forgot the invisibility cloaks in our rush," Rabastan added sheepishly.

"In our defense we were also unwinding at home with a drink," Rod added. "We actually talked Harold into having one with us, and it was a lovely moment until Grindelwald decided to call a blasted meeting!"

"What's it about," Arthur asked. "The gun thing? Because I can't imagine another reason he'd want me there. I don't have a gun, by the way. I prefer swords. No one ever accidentally killed anyone else with a sword and accidents happen with guns all the time, real and fake."

"What's a fake accident?" Rabastan wanted to know.

"It's where someone lies and says the gun ACCIDENTALLY went off so they can get away with killing someone on ACCIDENT," Arthur said.

"Amateurs," Rodolphus murmured scathingly.

"Indeed. Only sometimes they actually get away with it," Arthur said.

"Because Muggles are stupid," Bellatrix asked.

Arthur considered for a second before nodding. "Basically, yeah."

"We assume the meeting is about the gun information you passed on to us, yes," Rod said. "Gellert didn't ask if you have one, though."

"Fine," Arthur groaned. He passed the bag of Funyuns to Juda. "Have as many as you want while I go get myself dressed."

Juda murmured his thanks before reaching into the bag and drawing out a round hoop. After studying it carefully, he took an experimental bite. His teeth made an audible crunching sound as he bit down and chewed.

"What's it taste like?" Rabastan wondered.

"Onions...almost," Juda replied after a few seconds. "Want one?"

"Probably not," Rabastan said slowly. "Well...maybe."

"Do you think the chaos will ever stop," Bellatrix asked Rod.

"Fuck, I don't have to eat it if you care that much," Rabastan grumbled.

"Shut up," Bellatrix snapped. "It isn't about the stupid Muggle trash food. We can't even have an evening at home to unwind even after she's bloody dead."

"Probably not," Rod said.

Bellatrix gave him a startled look. "You don't think she's dead," she asked incredulously. "After what Wulfric and then Loughness did to her, I don't see how she can't be!"

Rod shook his head. "Oh, I believe she's quite dead and very gone," he assured. "I meant I don't think the chaos will end any time soon, no."

Bellatrix sighed, nodding. "I didn't think so. I just wanted to hear you say it."

Rod grinned. "Always glad to help."

"Does that mean my life is going to be all chaotic too, just because you lot are in the midst of some damned revolution," Arthur asked, emerging from the back of the...what had he called it earlier...compartment? Apartment?

"What sort of word is apartment? It's stupid," Bellatrix grumbled. "It seems compartment would fit better, as there seem to be many compartments in this one building."

"Yeah, but they're...apart from one another," Arthur grinned and Bella scowled.

"Muggles are stupid. Compartments are also apart from one another, that's why they're bloody compartments!"

"Words are indeed weird," Arthur agreed. "And indeed, many Muggles are stupid. I bet some wizards are stupid too."

"Actually, yes," Rod nodded. "There are some that consort with Muggles that aren't at all...special, like you. They feel those Muggles have rights equal to our own, and many even shag them! They utterly lower themselves! They forget all the suffering and trouble they've caused us for centuries upon centuries."

"Though compartment is an accurate word, many things have compartments, so if we also use the word for living spaces like apartments, it would quickly become confusing," Arthur said. His slow and patient tone annoyed Bellatrix, causing her scowl to deepen.

"Fine," she bit out. "Then living in a building with hooked together homes is stupid."

"It's a matter of space and convenience, so it's actually practical," Arthur corrected patiently. "In my case, for example, if I owned my own home, I'd be responsible for any repairs, and that can quickly get expensive. If there is a roof leak or a serious plumbing problem, it isn't cheap. With an apartment that I don't own like this one, the landlord's maintenance team is responsible for fixing any issues and I pay nothing other than rent."

"So apartments are for poor people," Bellatrix asked.

"How can you be poor and afford to spend so much bloody gold on a car," Rodolphus asked incredulously.

Arthur sighed and Juda took another Funyun from the bag, crunching into it.

"Alright! Fuck it, I'll have one," Rabastan said, reaching for the bag.

Bellatrix made a face of disgust, and Rod nodded in silent agreement.

"I am not poor, but I consider owning a house a waste of money at this point for reasons exactly like my Porsche. I make good money, but I'm not rich. So the Porsche comes before a house on my list of priorities. I get more pleasure from a smooth fast ride than a house when the apartment is far more convenient and meets all my needs. This is a very nice apartment building. Though poor people also can live in apartments, they aren't nearly as nice." Arthur said, going into more personal detail with this explanation.

Bella nodded. It was beginning to make a bit of sense, she supposed, though the Muggle lifestyle was still beyond her comprehension, and she did not care to change that.

"When you move to London, you can live with us, and things will be far more civilized all around," Rod said.

Arthur raised his brows, but shrugged, making no direct objection.

Rabastan thoughtfully bit into one of the round Funyun things. He chewed, swallowed, and took another bite.

"Well," Arthur asked. "What do you think?"

"I think I could eat a shitload of these if I were drunk," Rabastan said.

Rod raised his brows. "And that means what?"

Rabastan shrugged. "It means it's good drunk food, and if you fucking ask me what that means, I will smack you."

"On that pleasant note, are we leaving now," Arthur asked. "I'm ready if you all are."

"Are we taking these," Rabastan asked, rattling the bag of Funyuns.

Arthur's lips quirked. "Sure."

Juda grinned happily, snatching one more before Apparating them all to Auror headquarters at the Ministry. Bellatrix was more than grateful when the smell of coffee greeted her.

"Good, you're finally here," Gellert said.

"Where's the coffee?" Bellatrix demanded.

"Would someone please get the Lestranges, Arthur, and Juda some coffee," Gellert called.

"I'm on it," T. Valdez called, nearly tripping over her own feet as she rushed across the room.

"Thank you!" Bellatrix said gratefully. Coffee was going to make everything all nice and clear and manageable. The magic of good strong caffeine was hard to rival.

"Sure," T. replied cheerfully. "No trouble at all."

Everyone was seated at work tables around the room. Bella settled down with Rod, Rabastan, Arthur, and Juda at the table with Gellert and Blaise, who sat with Gori and an exhausted looking Kereston.

"Arthur's information about the guns was concerning," Gellert began. "It puts me in mind of the Muggle weapons used in their two world wars." He frowned, looking as though he'd just bitten hard into a lemon. "Wizards have been taken unaware by such weapons and killed in the past, sometimes by accident, sometimes not. I had no idea they were in common use when there were no wars on." He sighed, his expression quite put upon, as if the Muggles who insisted on using guns offended him personally. "I see no need for such, after all."

"Oh, there is a need," Arthur said. "They love killing each other, and robbing each other, so they need guns for that. Then those who wish to protect themselves against such likewise require guns for self defense."

"Except for you," Bellatrix said. "You said you have swords."

Arthur nodded. "Yes. Some people choose to defend themselves with other weapons. Those take more skill to use effectively, though, so most just opt for guns." He made a face. "They're faster to learn but far more dangerous, especially in the wrong hands."

"Well, we need to devote our time and energy to learning to protect against guns magically," Gellert said. "And we begin tonight… Right now, in fact. Only we'll need to practice. For this, of course we'll need a gun."

He looked expectantly at Arthur who sighed. "I don't have one."

"Here's your coffee," T. Valdez sang out as several cups floated over until everyone who'd arrived from Arthur's place had steaming cups of strong coffee in front of them.

The Ministry coffee didn't have fancy flavored creamers, but it was very strong, and at present that was more important.

"So can you get us some guns," Gellert asked, turning expectantly toward Arthur. "And can you shoot them so that we can practice placing defenses against their projectiles?"

Arthur carefully set his cup of coffee down on the table as he turned toward Gellert with a sigh. "The projectiles are called bullets. And getting my hands on guns isn't that easy. There are procedures. One must get a permit and register the gun and..."

Gellert waved a hand dismissively. "I'm bored with all that. I just care about how fast you can make it happen."

"I don't know how fast I can make it happen," Arthur nearly shouted in frustration.

"There are some Aurors who have Muggle families. They can probably help, and, of course, we'll give you all the money you require up front," Gellert said.

"That won't get gun permits any faster," Arthur said. "Guns are expensive so the money will be useful for that part. There are also several types, so what sort of gun you want will matter."

"How about one of each," Gellert said. "That will protect us against anything those wizards without magic may consider using."

Arthur stared at him for several long seconds as he considered. "Alright. I have a student with a vast gun collection. He loves all sorts of weapons. He comes to me for sword training, but he has often mentioned going to the shooting range after class. This means that he already has a lot of guns, a permit to legally use them, and a place to use them. I would have to at least share some of this information with him, and you're probably not going to want that, but he's the fastest idea I have. Any guns he doesn't have you can buy, but he is a collector and has a lot."

"We can just make him forget," Romeo told Arthur. He spoke from across the room where he sat beside his wife. "We can give him limited information, and he'll forget it when we're finished. It won't hurt him."

Gellert nodded. "We can do that, yes, but we could also just ask him to demonstrate the guns while we watch, and we won't have to tell him anything. After we understand how the guns function, we can surely emulate something similar to test the shields and other protections we come up with. Eventually we can use actual guns to test them, but perhaps Arthur can just borrow a few from this student for that bit."

"I don't know how to shoot them, but aside from that, it sounds like a plan," Arthur said drily.

An Auror with mousy brown hair and a thin build who was seated at the table with the Valdez couple raised his hand. "My Muggle uncle can shoot and he knows about magic, so he could help with that bit."

Gellert smiled. "Wonderful!"

"Great," Arthur said. "I'll just go home and call my student now. We'll have you lot bulletproof in no time, or at least in a few days." He looked to Juda. "If you can take me home, we'll get this started.

"Can we see these guns tonight," Gellert asked.

"I'll try to make that happen," Arthur said, expression mildly strained. "I'm sure I'll be able to make up some sort of harmless, believable lie. Maybe saying my friends are going to be trying out for some movie that involves lots of gun knowledge...or something."

Rabastan extended the now nearly empty Funyun bag to him. "Want a Funyun for the road? You're probably gonna need it."

Chapter 138: Defense Against The True Dark Arts

Chapter 138: Defense against the True Dark Arts

They kept the group small when they met Arthur's student at the indoor shooting range an hour later. It was just Arthur himself, the three Lestranges, Gellert and Blaise, Romeo and his wife, Juda, and Gori.

The later two came along because Gellert wanted input from various types of magical practitioners, as he hoped that elf and goblin magic could add more elements to whatever shields they would build against these guns.

The guns ranged in size from longer than Bella's arm to as small as her hand. They were all equally deadly, only they performed the task in different...sizes. The bullets always blew holes into someone, but the holes got bigger as the guns did. The small guns made small holes, but if the hole was put into the heart or into the brain, a person was just as dead. The gun that disturbed Bellatrix the most, Arthur's student referred to as a machine gun. It shot many of the bullets in rapid succession, even nearly at the same time, whereas the others only shot one at a time. These machine guns could kill far more people in a short amount of time.

To Bellatrix's relief, Grindelwald didn't seem more concerned about this machine gun than any of the others.

"A shield to protect from one bullet will work just as well against a barrage of them," he commented calmly when she expressed alarm over the rapid fire abilities of the troubling machine gun. After studying the various guns firing for several hours, Gellert formed his plan of defense. This plan involved weaving motion sensor type shields into clothes. The shield would be able to move to a degree.

So if it was placed on a robe, and it sensed a bullet moving toward the wearer's head rather than the chest, the shield would have the flexibility to shift its coverage to defend the area. It would sense the bullet coming, by being programmed to detect a projectile flying at rapid speed. It would then deflect it, thus protecting whoever wore the enchanted garment. Though the concept sounded simple enough, Bellatrix hoped it wouldn't be as hard to make as she feared. Many things sounded simple, but when one actually attempted to apply the concept to practical magic, it often became more complicated.

They were all gathered at Arthur's again, having parted ways from his student after several hours of studying various types of gun fire at the shooting range. "So how do you plan to make bullet proof clothes," Bellatrix asked Gellert.

Gellert and Blaise were enchanters, but she had her doubts that they could go up against Muggle guns with a shield they wove into clothes. They were brilliant wizards, but...she supposed it was just that Muggles had won before...and before that...and before!

She did not trust guns, and to be certain the bullet proof shields Gellert had in mind would work, they'd have to try them out against a bullet. Of course the clothes could be on a statue, she reminded herself. It was then that she realized she wasn't thinking as well as she normally did because the guns had made her panic a bit. She was feeling just a little anxiety at the thought of the damage the Muggle weapons could cause from scarring to a dash of death. Especially the stupid, overly loud, hideously ugly machine gun.

"Blaise and I will work with elves and goblins. It'll happen far faster with all three forms of magic involved, and the results will be harder to unravel if anyone powerful of any race happens to try." Gellert replied.

Oh great, Bella hadn't considered anyone attempting to unravel their bullet proofing!

Gellert smiled. "Yes, it will be great indeed. They won't be able to harm us yet we will know they tried. Then we can identify them and take them down."

Bella nodded. Now that sounded good.

"We'll need to get to work on it at once, then test the results before we make more," Gellert went on. "Romeo is in charge of everything while Blaise and I focus entirely on this project with Gori and Juda to assist us."

"I don't enchant things," Gori exclaimed, frowning at Gellert. "Go to Graven, or one of the Gringotts metalsmiths."

"I can do that," Gellert said.

"Then there is this one defensive ward we put up at the bank that may work nicely if tied in with other measures," Gori mused and Gellert grinned.

"Thought you'd have an idea," he said, not bothering to hide his satisfaction. Turning to Juda the blonde added, "Are you also planning to try talking yourself out of being helpful now?"

Juda blinked. "No."

Gellert smiled. "Good. Did you have any ideas on how you would stop bullets when we were watching them fire at the range? Fire is such an odd term, but that's what the little Muggle man said, so I will use it," Gellert grumbled dubiously.

The little Muggle man was Arthur's student, and the fact he was so small made his enthusiastic, near obsession, with weapons even more charming. Any Muggles that thought him to be an easy target would live just long enough to regret the hell out of that assumption. Bellatrix found this amusing.

Juda frowned, considering for several seconds before replying to Gellert's question. "Juda was thinking more about transfiguring the bullets into soft cotton balls that do no harm, but this would be likely too difficult to weave into a garment."

Blaise gave a slow lazy grin. "I take that as a challenge."

Now that a course of action was decided upon, Gellert thanked Arthur for his help, and everyone began Apparating away to their own homes or to begin working on the first test versions of bulletproof robes. Soon only the three Lestranges and Arthur were left sitting in the middle of his front room.

"Personally, I'm glad your student fell for the line about us working on some movie about guns," Rabastan said and Arthur nodded.

"I never knew I was such a convincing liar," he said with an uncomfortable chuckle.

"Likely you didn't have to be," Rod assured. "The excitement of the thing probably spoke for itself, as your student seemed quite interested in the concept."

Arthur grinned, nodding. "That's true."

"So when am I seeing your magical faces again," Arthur asked. He sounded almost suspicious, causing Bella and Rod to frown in mutual affront.

"You should always want to see us," Rod said.

"That's right," Bella agreed darkly. "It isn't as if we don't provide all the bloody excitement in your life."

Of course many people would not be pleased if the Lestranges showed up on their doorstep, but Arthur was supposed to like them! He was Arthur, after all.

"Sure, but if I'm in the middle of an evening in pajamas, a bit of notice would be good. And what if that Grindelwald fellow sends a goblin next time instead of you? I'd just like a bit of warning or something. Isn't that at all possible?"

"While that's an entirely reasonable request, I'm afraid we have no fucking idea how to do that between wizards and Muggles," Rabastan explained. "We don't have those annoying weird phone things, and you can't get our letters or howlers, and you can't communicate through the fire or an enchanted mirror without magic. So you see, the advanced warning is fucked unless Grindelwald and his man can come up with a magic two way mirror that doesn't require magic to activate."

"So I may not see you for weeks or you could pop in tomorrow while I'm dropping a load in the bathroom if Grindelwald needs something," Arthur asked flatly and Rabastan snickered.

"Seriously sorry, Bro, but we don't know any other way to work it."

"The faster you're living in London with us, the faster you'll have privacy, because then we'll always know where one another is," Rodolphus pointed out.

"Great," Arthur growled. "I'll be looking into the logistics of that in my free time. I need to sort out how to get my car there and what sort of registration it will need as well as what I'll need to do to set up my school in London." He sighed. "I'll really miss my students," he said slowly.

Rod smirked. "You'll have us, though, and who could ask for more than that! We're the Lestranges, bitch!"

Bellatrix cackled in delight at Rod's antics, finally relaxing for what felt like the first time in days.

Arthur rolled his eyes. "Yeah," he muttered. "There's that."

Chapter 139: Head Games

Chapter 139: Head Games

The Lestranges left Arthur to get some sleep and went home to get their own. As per usual recently, Lyra woke Bella and Rod the next morning by banging on their bedroom door.

Bella groaned as she dragged the blankets up over her head. It didn't feel as though it should be time to wake yet. She was still so very sleepy. It had been a long tiring few days, and didn't they deserve to catch up on their sleep a bit? Apparently not. Lyra banged again.

"Are you hearing me?" she yelled. "I've only been talking to you through the door for forty-five seconds!"

"Is that why I was having a dream about an obnoxious talking woodpecker?" Rod muttered sleepily.

"When people don't get enough sleep, they aren't as sharp. In our line of work, that is dangerous," Bellatrix shouted back. "If you don't let us get enough sleep, that could get us killed!"

"Okay, well I'm not the one sitting in our dining room with a worried look on his face, asking for you both."

"Grindelwald?" Rod called the question as he sat up in bed. His hair was sticking up everywhere, which made Bella grin.

"Romeo," Lyra replied. "So if you'd like I can tell him that you don't care about whatever has him so concerned, and that you'd prefer sleeping to hearing about it."

"Contrary to your unpopular belief, being a brat does not at all become you," Rod grumbled as he tossed back the blankets with a resigned sigh.

"I hope it isn't about the bloody guns," Bellatrix muttered as she regretfully rolled out of bed.

She and Rod hastily dressed and hurried downstairs to discover what had brought Romeo out to speak with them so early. They entered the dining room to find the Head Auror seated at the table with a mug of coffee in front of him, and large dark circles under his eyes. Bellatrix decided not to grumble over being woken up when it appeared Romeo had gotten even less sleep.

"One of Delphini's people turned himself in two hours ago," he began, not bothering with one of those annoying good mornings, which Bellatrix greatly appreciated, considering it really was not. "He wanted to exchange information for a pardon now that Delphini is dead. We weren't interested until he dropped your names, saying he knew exactly why Delphini believed Bellatrix was her mother."

"Skeeter," Bellatrix said. Even after they'd thoroughly killed the woman, she couldn't speak the name without making a disgusted face.

"Though Skeeter did put the word out to the public, someone else put it into Delphini's ear as a possibility first. He says his name is Aymer Dolohov. He professes to be the cousin of Death Eater Antonin Dolohov. He claimed that Voldemort paid him personally, through Antonin, to find Delphini when she was older and suggest that you, Bella, were her mother." Bellatrix shrugged, but Romeo held up a hand, indicating that he wasn't finished. "He was ordered to do so while transfigured into Rodolphus, claiming to have escaped Azkaban just to give her the information and any help he could."

Bellatrix felt herself giving a slow blink as she processed this.

"But why in the hell wouldn't I have broken out of Azkaban earlier if it were that bloody easy?" Rod grumbled. "Convenient timing, wasn't it?"

"She likely wanted to believe so didn't think it out," Bellatrix mused.

"That and she probably knew little of how Azkaban rolls," Romeo added with a tired smirk.

Rodolphus and Bellatrix joined Lyra, Romeo, and Rabastan at the table and Harold breezed in to serve breakfast.

Bellatrix had a sneaking suspicion the elf wasn't tired at all from the fast way he moved, but if he had any bags under his eyes, his plague doctor mask hid them well. Perhaps she should get herself one of those, Bella thought drily. It'd come in useful if their sleep remained this bloody sparse.

"She never mentioned that she supposedly already knew Roddy when she came to Azkaban," Bellatrix told Romeo. "I wonder why."

"Perhaps she knew it wasn't me by then, or perhaps she wanted to keep our little secret," Rod said with an amused grin.

"Perhaps," Romeo nodded.

"But what's the point," Bellatrix asked.

"I figured it was intended to be Voldemort's way of making sure that his daughter tracked down his favorite toys so they'd never get away from him. If she thought she was your daughter, Bella, she'd have an attachment to you that, of course, you wouldn't want, and obviously he'd know that. It was a way to keep sticking it to the three of you." Romeo answered.

"That sounds fucking wrong," Rabastan groaned, making a face.

"I have him cooling his heels in Azkaban so that you three can have a chat with him," Romeo said. "I'd like you to report the details of said chat to Grindelwald. He'll have you question him more if he feels he can get anything else out of him, and if not he'll give you the go ahead to kill. Anyone who served him, and then her, is an obvious danger and needs to go."

"While I'm completely good with that, many people could say we three likewise present such a danger," Rabastan said with a grin.

Romeo chuckled. "So what if you're crazy? All the best people are."

Bellatrix smiled. "I knew I liked you."

Bella was eager to get to Azkaban to question this particular Dolohov. Hopefully, he could give them something useful. If not, he'd pay for it. She made a mental note to ask him about what Delphini had been doing with the Muggles as well, in case whatever it was ever came to bite them. When it came to Muggles, at least wizards like the Lestranges, Grindelwald, and Zabini were more than happy to bite first.

Once breakfast was over, Bella and Rod thanked Romeo for filling them in and allowing them to handle the questioning. Then they were off to Azkaban. To Bellatrix's surprise, Lyra wanted to come along.

"I thought the place annoyed your Aura," Bellatrix drawled, arching dark brows at her daughter.

Lyra frowned back, hands on hips. "I can override that when it comes to the safety of my family. I want to be there just in case he withholds anything and requires a little mind twist."

"Now you're behaving like a Lestrange," Rod said with a proud grin.

Dolohov was waiting eagerly at the bars of his cell when the four Lestranges approached. He was tall and wide shouldered with short dark hair and sharp green eyes. "Why'd they put me in here when I promised to talk," he demanded, tone whiny.

Bellatrix shrugged, smirking. "Why does it rain on a sunny day? Why do assholes pretend to be my husband so they can set Delphini on us? All extremely valid questions, don't you think?" She tapped her wand thoughtfully against her thigh as she spoke.

"But I already explained that to the Aurors. I was told to do so."

Bellatrix nodded. "Yes, but why?! Are you saying you were given no reason whatsoever?"

He gave a nervous laugh. "Did you usually get reasons from your precious fucking lord?"

Bellatrix had to admit that rarely happened, if ever, but she admitted that silently, only shrugging at Dolohov. They were the ones here to get answers, after all.

"What about Delphini, though," Rodolphus asked.

Dolohov blinked. "What about her?"

"Did she tell me...you, anything useful?"

He shook his head. "Not when I was you. Then she just had a lot of stressful questions about Voldemort and your wife. Stressful because I didn't know any of the bloody answers! You know, stuff like what they were like, did they love and want her, basic orphan rubbish." He rolled his eyes. "I just said they never spoke to me much about it, but I was certain they loved her very much."

"Why did The Dark Lord...Voldemort, why did Voldemort leave Delphini with that old lady Rowle to raise, do you know," Rodolphus asked suddenly. "If he left you instructions, it's clear he didn't intend to raise her, but I seriously doubt he knew he'd be killed by Potter in the battle of Hogwarts."

Dolohov shrugged. "He never struck me as the sort who'd want to raise a baby. I figured he planned to deal with her after the raising was all done, you know?"

Bellatrix nodded. That sounded accurate enough. "Do you know who her mother truly was," she asked.

He shook his head. "No bloody idea."

"Try that great big snake he always had with him," Rabastan said, an amused smirk on his lips as he eagerly watched Dolohov's expression for a reaction.

The man made a face. "Well...I can buy that considering some of Delphini's bloody abilities!"

"Speaking of that, you said she didn't give you any useful information while you were posing as Rod. You served her later as yourself, though, did you not?"

Dolohov nodded. "Yeah. Then she had moods where she could talk more. Sometimes she liked to boast. You know, she'd tell us what she'd done to others. In a way, I think it was sorta her subtle or not so subtle way of saying she could do the same to us if she ever wanted to. She always had this friendly, like, nearly sweet way of telling us whatever she wanted us to know though.

"Like the time she told us how she got into the Ministry and headfucked the former Minister...the Granger one. She said she pulled a big one on her, her entire family, and a few of her friends just to see if she could. She said it was to test the limitations of her power, and she discovered that it had no limitations. That made us feel invincible and excited, let me tell you. Even more so than...you know, you lot what served Voldemort in his closest ranks. She was truly something else. She could do so many grand things without even trying."

"What sort of big one did she pull on the former Minister," Rodolphus asked.

"Well, she made her and her closest people believe they'd found a time turner that went back as far as they wanted, not just an hour at a time. She made them believe that they were skipping through timelines with it for various reasons of their own.

"Their hearts' desires were fixed with a little time travel...don't we all want that? She really knew how to give people what they wanted. She played with their minds...even the minds of their kids, making them think various things were happening, things that spun in our favor. Where we were winning, where her father was alive… She did that because they'd all seen her father, and she wanted to look into their minds as they imagined these time journeys so she could see her father from their eyes." He smiled wistfully. "She said it excited her to see her father from the eyes of those who truly knew to fear him. She enjoyed making them see that he could've won, and that she would win now. She let them even believe they'd captured her again, so they weren't even looking for her anymore!"

Dolohov chuckled, eyes gleaming with near pride. "Now that was some genius, you have to admit!"

Bellatrix found herself growing from annoyed to enraged at the way he still talked about Delphini. Oh yes indeed, he was going to die as soon as they'd squeezed every drop of info from him.

"Bella," Rabastan whispered into her ear, leaning into her right shoulder. "You've got the crazy eyes. Ease up, or he'll get scared and stop talking."

She grudgingly nodded and let out a breath. Before anyone could form another question for Dolohov, though, he was asking one of his own.

"How did you lot keep her out of your heads, though? She never admitted it, but she could never get in. We knew this because she never considered the former Minister, or the Ministry itself a threat. She made a joke of getting into it and playing with the Minister just because she could, but she never got to the current lot. That young Grindelwald's old man must have taught him something she couldn't crack."

"He taught us shields, and we had amulets to unravel magic being done in our vicinity," Bellatrix said. "We also made magic proof ointment to apply to our skin." She smirked when Dolohov looked impressed.

"We don't need snake hypnotism to get our shit done," Rabastan said proudly.

There was no harm in telling Dolohov a bit of what he wanted to know, because it would make it easier to get him to talk. They could and would torture him, but the fast willing flow of information at a time like this could even be more immediately satisfying.

Dolohov nodded regretfully. "She may have had the best head games ever, but Grindelwald is better at the art of war. How'd he kill her anyway?"

Bellatrix shrugged. "A pretty sword."

Dolohov's eyes widened as a confused and doubtful look crossed his face. "It can't have been that easy, though."

"Okay, also a touch of something even hotter than Fiendfyre," Rabastan added.

Giving a dead man information was no risk, and he'd be dead as soon as Grindelwald gave the word.

Chapter 140: War, What Is It Good For?

Chapter 140: War, What Is It Good For?

"So what was she using the Muggles for," Rodolphus asked Dolohov.

"For wizarding freedom, of course," Dolohov answered, as if that was the most obvious thing.

Rod arched his brows and waited.

"You know, by stirring them up, making them fight from the inside! You know, tearing their own societies down so we don't have to! Doing our job for us!"

If he went on again about how bloody brilliant Delphini was, Bellatrix would not be able to restrain herself! She gave him a warning glare that he didn't notice.

"She set them up to tear down their own society in the most brilliant way. She planned for wizards to step in when the Muggle world was at war, because then they'd be too divided to stand against us. A house, or country, or non-magical world divided against itself cannot stand, she said, and she was right. Where old Grindelwald wanted to prevent a Muggle war back in the day, Delphini, with her fresh new perspective, saw the usefulness in allowing them to tear themselves apart so that we didn't have to!"

"How did she cause the Muggles to lose their minds," Rodolphus asked.

"She put something in their electronic devices. Something that twisted the way they see things, because you know their little electronic devices have pictures in them. You know, the puterphones. Pictures everywhere, and somehow the Muggles were already very addicted to their puterphones so she used what they were already doing to make them see things all wrong, but wrong in a way she could use to dismantle their entire societies. Sure it may not work on all countries, but it's working already on the most powerful ones! I don't see your precious young Grindelwald doing any of that. He's certainly not his father, but his father was no Delphini. She was going to take us far until you lot killed her! Why'd you do that anyway," he demanded, suddenly looking at all four of them as if they were completely insane.

While Bellatrix was accustomed to people thinking she was insane, his look annoyed her, because as Delphini's henchman, he'd surely done more than the Lestranges had ever bloody contemplated.

"Seriously," Lyra asked with a dark laugh that caused Bellatrix and Rodolphus to exchange a proud smile.

The look Dolohov gave them was one of pure confusion. "Yes… Seriously. I can't understand why the likes of you would want her dead? After all, she was doing precisely what wizards and witches like us always wanted."

Bellatrix needed to Crucio him so badly she was literally shaking with the effort of self restraint. Closing her eyes she drew in a slow breath and let it out even more slowly. When she addressed Dolohov, her words were slow and very careful. "Because she was evil. Perhaps more evil than her father. She did not want what Grindelwald wanted for wizarding society. She wanted rights for Dementors. How can we live safely in a world where Dementors have equal rights to us? That wouldn't be equal, their rights would always be greater. They would always be hungry, and we would always be food."

"Not to mention she wasn't precisely human," Rodolphus added. "And when I say not human I mean in a way that will never relate to humans ever. She had vast quantities of power that she planned to put toward things like Dementor rights. So no, we weren't interested in that, or in her, or in the Horcrux of her father that lived inside of her and still wanted to take us down."

"But that's rubbish! You were his favorites." Dolohov seemed to have chosen to ignore everything they'd said other than the bit concerning them and Voldemort. Like crazy leader, like crazy follower, Bellatrix thought drily.

Rodolphus quickly summarized the situation with Kreacher, the Horcrux, and how the six of them had attempted to kill Voldemort only to have Orion die instead at the Dark Lord's hand.

"So you see, he never truly cared for his followers," Rodolphus concluded. "Not even for himself...not in the proper way at least. He only sought to keep himself alive even if that life made him less on all fronts. He was too gone to see it, too gone to be a leader, too gone to do anything but die. His daughter was different but no more human and no better."

Dolohov shook his head in silent denial and all four Lestranges stared him down just as silently. "No… You've got it all wrong," he managed after several seconds.

"What about the Muggles now?" Bellatrix demanded. "Is her influence on them gone? Are any of her former followers still using them?"

Dolohov sighed regretfully. "Alas, her work died with her. None of us were able to carry on with it. That was all her ability. We couldn't even if we wanted to." He hesitated, then lifted his hands to them imploringly. "Look, I'm sorry for what Voldemort did to you, but she really treated us better. Thank you for explaining what happened with you all and Voldemort. It does explain a lot."

Rodolphus narrowed his eyes at him in silent question.

"I mean, it explains why he didn't leave Delphini with the families of his favorites," Dolohov said. "I wondered why she wasn't put with the Malfoys at least, but now it makes sense."

Bellatrix nodded. "Indeed. But why the Dolohovs and Rowles?"

He shrugged. "Because we had no reason not to do as he asked for the proper amount of money. Because he kept Antonin and Thorfinn's secret, or so I always believed."

"What secret," Rabastan asked.

"They were gay, and back then, a lot of people still frowned upon that shit. Hell, it was even weird for me to get used to, you know, having a gay in the family. Voldemort didn't seem to get sex or care either way, so Antonin always said. He said Voldemort thought it was all weird, straights or gays. So what you said about him somehow making a wonder baby with his snake actually made sense to me."

"Well, I'm glad something adds up for you," Lyra said. "Because the fact you could actually serve Delphini doesn't add up for us." She turned to Rodolphus. "If there is nothing else you want of him, I think I'll go report to Grindelwald now if that's alright."

"Where is Thorfinn now," Bellatrix asked.

"He got real reclusive after Flitwick killed Antonin in that last battle. I wasn't there, but I heard tell. He went up into the mountains and no one ever saw him again. We have no idea where he is."

"You're saying that he didn't want to help raise your precious Delphini," Rodolphus asked skeptically.

Dolohov shook his head. "She wasn't his Delphini. She was just a baby that Voldemort hired his family to look after. Voldemort was dead as was Antonin, so Thorfinn probably wanted no part of any of it, and no reminders of you know...any of it."

Bellatrix exchanged a silent look with Rodolphus and Rabastan who shrugged and nodded. It appeared they were done with Aymer Dolohov unless Grindelwald disagreed.

"Yes, go ahead," Rod told Lyra. Lyra Apparated away and Dolohov placed his hands expectantly on the bars of his cell.

"Well? Are you going to let me out now?"

Rod gave a low laugh. "Afraid not."

Obviously deciding to play good Auror to Rod's bad Auror, Rabastan stepped forward with a friendly grin. "At least not yet."

Chapter 141: The Old Guard Returns

Chapter 141: The Old Guard Returns

"I don't understand why you lot didn't explain to him that if Delphini used Muggle wars to win, we may not have a bloody world left," Lyra complained.

They were back at Raven's Nest having dinner. The work day was over...basically. Bella had invited Blaise and Gellert to share the evening meal mostly so they could discuss Dolohov. Lyra was, for some reason Bellatrix failed to understand, speaking with her mouth full of roast chicken.

"Why must you speak with your mouth full," she inquired, frowning.

"Because I'm hungry, and I wanted to say that before I forgot, again. I was thinking about it all day, but we've been so busy I haven't had an opportunity to say it out loud," Lyra explained...still with her mouth full. Bellatrix sighed and looked away.

"Because if someone is already that gone, there's no reaching them with basic logic, or they'd already know it...because it's basic," Rod said, answering Lyra's initial question.

"Guess that's true," Lyra said, after a thoughtful moment in which she chewed her food and actually swallowed it.

"Those who followed her believed they were like the old guard, but they were nothing like us. Gellert wanted to preserve the wizarding world and if Muggles are allowed to ruin the world in general, that can't happen. Only a complete idiot would fail to see that… So I was hard pressed not to hurt him more than once during that bloody conversation," Bellatrix ranted with an exasperated shake of her head. "Hurt him too soon, however, and the information won't flow as swiftly."

Lifting her glass of wine, she downed most of it before slamming it back down onto the table. "She was the complete opposite of what Gellert stood for and what we all wanted."

"Thank you for that, and for your amazing self restraint, Bella," Gellert said, flashing a grin in her direction.

"I'd say stands for, but you got lazy and sat down on the Muggles versus us issue," Bellatrix complained.

Gellert shrugged. "Perhaps I did… Utter satisfaction can do that to one. Then again it could've been perhaps, just perhaps, that I was kicked in the face far too many times by general wizarding society for my attempts to do the right thing."

"Fucking fair enough, I suppose," Rabastan said. "I mean it leaves wizards like us shitting in the cold, but we get it."

Gellert smirked. "Feel free to shit inside where it's warm any time you like."

"You don't need to free us from Muggle mass hysteria to be the greatest wizard I know, and write that down because I'll only say it once," Bellatrix told Gellert.

"Delphini wanted to use the Muggles to fight her war. Undependable, unreliable, insane, and unstable Muggles. You, however, wove a complex net of magic to draw her in, and you knew the proper wizards to utilize in order to kill her - Wulfric and Loughness.

"You did that, and you could do it again, and you kept us all safe. That is impressive and in the end it's worth more than a new society that I've finally begun to realize will eventually only be ruined again anyway. Nothing stays. Empires fall because people ruin everything they touch, so getting rid of the worst evil while keeping us all safe is what everyone should truly value."

Gellert gave her a hesitant smile that she returned. "Thank you, Bella. I did have a lot of bloody magical irons in the fire from blood magic to magical alarms to Crom Dubh luck spells, voodoo, and goblin magic networking around Delphini to track her. Otherwise we'd never have known where to place those scrying crystals that finally located her. I didn't do it alone, though. Having a partner like Blaise at my side has truly augmented my skills far more than I ever could've imagined." He turned to Zabini and the smile he gave him was dazzling, causing Bellatrix to sigh and roll her eyes.

Blaise caught Gellert's hand in his and pressed it tenderly to his lips before turning to Bellatrix. "Speaking of blood magic, I had Loughness burn your dagger. I figured with her blood on it, you'd not want it back even were it thoroughly cleaned."

Bellatrix nodded, giving a slight shudder. "Indeed. Every trace of her should be gone, beyond the shadow of a doubt."

"While I agree, you all know evil is like shit and tends to float to the surface, right? She's gone, but it doesn't mean that more like her won't come along," Lyra said.

"Your point is," Rodolphus asked.

"Nothing just...everything will be better… Likely way better with her gone, but we can't get too comfortable."

"We are aware," Bellatrix said. "Happily ever after is only as happy as we make it. It's about protecting our happily ever after by all means necessary any time we need to."

Gellert nodded, raising his glass to Bellatrix. "Well said."

"Speaking of that, did you want us to ask Dolohov anything else before we end him," Rabastan asked Gellert.

Gellert nodded. "Yes. I want to know every name and location of any of Delphini's former followers that he is aware of. We'll want to bring them in as well for questioning before we dispatch them."

They really were sticking with the get rid of them rather than locking them up, Bellatrix thought in satisfaction. Good.

Before more could be said, the door chime rang.

"What bloody now?" Bellatrix groaned. "We aren't expecting anyone to my knowledge. Is it Cassius, Lyra?"

"I don't think so," Lyra said. "He was tired so planned to turn in early."

"It's your mum with a surprise for Gellert," Rabastan said. "She wrote to ask us to invite him to dinner at hers at his earliest convenience because she has something for him, so I told her he'd be here tonight if she wanted to stop over. I must have forgotten to say what with the day being so busy," Rabastan concluded with an apologetic shrug.

Gellert straightened in his chair, blue gaze suddenly alight with intrigue. Bellatrix recalled then that her mum was supposed to look for some of Gellert's people...what was it they'd called themselves? The Alliance?

Harold knocked at the dining room door before poking his head in. "Miss Druella is here with several people. May Harold show them in and should we feed them?"

Did they have that much dinner prepared? Bellatrix doubted it. "No. Please show them into the library and offer them drinks. Tell them that we will join them shortly."

"Very good," Harold said, nodding as he hurried away.

"We're nearly finished with the meal and dessert can wait," Bella offered in way of explanation.

Gellert nodded. "Of course."

As they finished up with the meal, Bellatrix noted that Zabini looked a bit pensive. Likely he was on edge about meeting Gellert's old guard. He never seemed the insecure type, so it was odd for Bella to picture him wondering how, and if, he'd fit into Gellert's old life.

"Are you wanting us to come with you or would you prefer to meet your people alone," Rod asked Gellert as everyone was rising from the table.

Gellert shot him a surprised look. "It's your home so I should think you'd accompany me. Even if it wasn't, I'd like you there," he added, after a second of hesitation.

The smile he gave Rod made Bella think Blaise wasn't the only one feeling a mild touch of nervousness at the situation.

"We're honored," Rabastan said with a cheeky grin, but it was clear that he meant it.

"Good. You should be," Gellert said, tossing back his curls.

And just like that, he was back to himself again, Bellatrix thought, biting back a chuckle.

Rodolphus and Bellatrix led the way into the library with Blaise and Gellert following, Lyra and Rabastan bringing up the rear. Blaise and Gellert were basically surrounded by an honor guard of Lestranges.

The library was fuller than it had been in ages. Bellatrix's mum sat near the door chatting with several older wizards and witches on the various sofas and chairs.

The only witch who wasn't seated threw herself at Gellert with an inarticulate cry, tears streaming down her face. Unlike the others, she seemed almost ageless. Her face was unlined, and she looked distinctly Japanese. Small with long dark hair that was only peppered with a bit of white, she had something unusually youthful about her.

Looking as if someone had hit him with the strongest stunner there was, Gellert embraced the small witch in return. "Is it truly you?" he managed, voice coming out incredulous and breathless...though perhaps the breathless part was a result of her squeezing him so hard.

"I don't know," she said, then drew back and slammed him hard in the chest with a small fist.

Frowning in alarm, Blaise took a step closer.

"I thought you were dead," the little witch shouted angrily, tears still streaming unchecked down her face. "But you weren't dead, and you didn't even come to find me!"

Gellert shook his head, tears standing in his eyes now as well. The moment was becoming uncomfortable, and Bellatrix found herself exchanging an uneasy glance with Rodolphus.

"I did," Gellert said. "I looked all over for you and came up with nothing. I believed they'd killed you because of me...I had to carry that, so whatever you feel I've done, I've paid for it."

"I didn't want you to pay," the witch sobbed, pressing her face into his chest. "I wanted to be with you! That's all I wanted! Once, five or so years after they locked you up in your own prison, I even tried to scale the wall, but the bastards caught me half way up. I tried everything...I didn't forget that you took care of me, and I tried to take care of you...I tried." Her words gave way to sobs as she simply clung to him.

He stroked her hair, rocking her gently as though she were a child. "It is well now...all well now," he crooned.

Bellatrix wondered why she had the impression that he was talking to himself as much as to this little witch of whom they'd never heard until now.

"This is Atsuko," Gellert said, directing his words to a still frowning Blaise. "She is the first Obscurial I ever trained."

"Saved… He saved me," Atsuko managed. Raising her head from Gellert's chest, she drew in a shuddering breath.

"I got married. That's why you couldn't find me. My last name changed," she told Gellert. "My husband...he's great. I know you'll like him."

Gellert grinned. "Same here… His name is Blaise, and he's a great deal like me, so I am certain you shall like him as well."

Turning to Blaise, he gave the dark haired wizard a quick smile. "Blaise, this is Atsuko. The closest thing I ever had to a pain in the ass little sister, before Kereston."

Blaise and Atsuko blinked at one another in shared shock. After several seconds, Blaise was the first to speak. "He really did believe you were dead, and it hurt him more than you can know."

Atsuko wiped at her eyes, considered for a moment, then nodded. "Okay. The man on man thing is going to be a little hard to get used to, but if you're like him, I can work with it."

Blaise flashed her a quick grin. "That's precisely what my mum said."

Gellert turned to the other nine witches and wizards with a chuckle. "Well, now that the hard part is over with..." Laughing, they all stood and moved in to embrace him.

Gellert exchanged warm greetings and hasty explanations as he shared how Blaise and some of his friends helped him escape Nurmengard in exchange for assistance against Voldemort were it required. The elderly witches and wizards explained how they'd been under close surveillance for decades after his imprisonment lest they attempt to free him.

"I never believed Voldemort killed you for a moment, though. I kept waiting for you to resurface like you always do, you sly fox!" The comment came from an elderly wizard with brown hair peppered with a great deal of white and an American accent. The accent made Bella think they should speak to Gellert about having him perhaps networking with Arthur if it became necessary for their new pet Muggle to connect with American wizards.

Gellert laughed happily. "You were always a wise man, Abernathy."

Turning he glanced around, obviously searching for Blaise, who stood quietly beside Atsuko near the far wall. "Baby! Get over here! I need you to meet everyone."

Blaise's eyes widened in horror as his usually tan features turned scarlet. Atsuko snickered, clapping a hand to her mouth. Abernathy grinned, waving expansively at Blaise. "Hi there, baby! It's nice to meet you."

At that, a laugh burst from Bellatrix that, unlike Atsuko, she didn't bother attempting to hold in.

"And these are my Lestranges, everyone! I finally got some good ones. As you can see there are four of them," Gellert said, smiling proudly as he gestured the Lestranges forward.

Chapter 142: It Was the Best of Times, It Was the Worst of Times

Chapter 142: It Was the Best of Times, It Was the Worst of Times

The gathering of Gellert's Alliance, or what appeared to be left of it, remained in the Lestrange library late into the night. None of the Lestranges minded a bit. They sat with Harold and Druella just taking it all in. It was like...well, history in the making, or at least the remembering of it from the mouths of those who'd actually been there!

It was fascinating listening to them reminiscing about the good, or bad, old days… That depended on who was speaking. It was clear that the only person to have ever seen the relaxed and more outrageous sides of Gellert, other than those wizards who had spent the past few decades around him, was Atsuko.

Gellert's laughing demeanor with the Lestranges and Blaise garnered bemused looks from every old guard follower gathered save for the little Japanese witch. It was clear the others had only seen a far more serious and determined if charismatic Gellert. Waging a war for wizarding freedoms wasn't exactly a laughing matter, after all. Atsuko sat close to him on one side with Blaise on the other, and he held each of their hands possessively in one of his as if he didn't ever wish to lose sight of either of them.

If Atsuko was sort of his Rabastan, Bellatrix understood exactly where Gellert was coming from, and she was happy he'd found her again.

Surprisingly, or perhaps not so surprisingly, Gellert frequently looked to the Lestranges and Blaise while interacting with his old followers. When someone from the old days spoke of a time they'd all shared, he'd usually glance to his man or the Lestranges, adding in a detail they may find particularly interesting to know. This effectively kept them included and a part of the conversation. Currently the old group was taking turns sharing the telling of a story of how they'd slipped Veritaserum to some high ranking Muggle nazis in the early nineteen-forties in order to disable their plans.

"They told us things we'd never want to know," a gray haired witch wearing frilly silver dress robes cackled happily. "Things that had nothing whatsoever to do with the war. Things their grandmothers would've tanned their hides for ten times over! We only wanted information about their next moves in the war!"

Everyone laughed until their sides hurt. Even through their own laughter, the Lestranges exchanged a silent glance, all wishing they could've been there to share in such greatness. Never were there moments like that in Voldemort's service. Never moments that allowed them to pull off the biggest stunts...to expand themselves and be more...

Oh well, that was the past, and they still had the future for all that, Bellatrix thought. The thought felt comforting and optimistic. They still had a lot of life to live, and there was plenty of time to have many thrilling experiences in which they could stretch their magical wings. Especially since the Muggles and magicless wizards weren't likely going for peace any time soon.

Though the war wouldn't be the same war, they'd still get to fight at Gellert's side, and even unlike the very old guard, they were also his friends, a thing that never would've even been considered with Voldemort. Bellatrix had almost stopped accidentally calling him the Dark Lord in her mind, and that felt freeing.

It was Abernathy who spoke into the silence everyone was using to allow their aching ribs to recover before anything made them laugh again. "There's just one thing none of us have been able to understand to this day," he told Gellert.

Gellert nodded, but waited for Abernathy to speak, though his expression said he suspected what the question was going to be.

"How did they capture you? Though the duel with Albus Dumbledore is the story everyone was fed, it makes no sense! For one none of us remember it. We woke up captured with no idea what happened. The duel was the story they were feeding us, along with everyone else. But it's rubbish! It doesn't fit. Why would you duel one on one, agreeing to throw away everything we worked for if you lost? It just didn't sound like you, and we never believed it."

Gellert nodded. "Of course you didn't," he said, tone both gentle and proud at the same time. "Like you, I woke already captured. There was no duel. They loosed a Muggle sleep gas called chloroform into that building we were breaking into. It knocked us all out and they used our incapacitation to capture us.

"They made up the story of the duel because they didn't want wizards to know they'd utilized Muggle means to bring down their strongest opposition. They didn't want other wizards to know to use such methods, nor did they wish to admit to using them themselves.

"Dumbledore actually had nothing to do with it unless you count not correcting the story, which they basically bribed him to do by promising to leave him and his precious school alone… Which, if you ask me, they should've always done regardless," Gellert concluded with a look of fleeting disgust.

Abernathy blinked as a confounded look crossed his face. "Chloroform? I'd say we all should've paid far more attention in Muggle studies, but they never taught us the useful stuff!"

"That's so true," Rodolphus agreed. "Why, the three of us learned more about bloody Muggles working Shadow Ops than we ever did in any capacity before that!"

Abernathy turned toward them with open interest. "Wait...you work for Shadow Ops?"

"Bitch, we basically were Shadow Ops for twenty years," Rabastan said with a grin.

"Ooh! I bet you've got some good stories too!" Atsuko said, bouncing in her seat with a childlike exuberance.

Bellatrix had the distinct impression that she'd prefer to hear about their adventures in Shadow Ops than to continue reminiscing about what had, for her, been the bad old days. Where people like Abernathy had reveled in the thrill of always being three steps ahead of various wizarding governments and causing them to trip over their own robes nine times out of ten, Atsuko had spoken of her lonely and terrified struggles as an Obscurial.

Even when Gellert found her and took her in, things didn't fully improve. Their life of constant travel and action didn't sit well with a young teen girl. She had to constantly practice calming exercises while struggling to learn her magic as Gellert used meditation and healing arts to incorporate her Obscurius. Earlier she'd complained of having no social life, nor permission to leave Gellert's side even to investigate clothing or jewelry at a street fair.

"Well, it's a little bit of everything," Rabastan said expansively. "You get your spying, your undercover, that one often gets me laid, and your torturing for information and good old fashioned killing. Everything a human needs to remain mentally balanced throughout the week, you know."

Some of Gellert's former followers chuckled appreciatively while others looked perplexed or even mildly frightened. Bellatrix smiled. That was good.

Atsuko grinned at Rabastan, obviously taking his words for half serious. "But did you ever get to hunt for lost rare items?" Her dark eyes sparkled with enthusiasm as she spoke.

"Actually yeah, a few times," Rabastan said, and she leaned forward in eager interest. "Those dangerous magical objects, be they old or newly crafted, that have particular uses that could be considered risky would be assigned to us to procure if they're believed to be in the wrong hands."

"Sometimes such items are guarded by very dangerous people or even creatures, so that's where our Shadow Ops skills come in," Rodolphus added. "When less dangerously guarded objects are being hunted, that sort of thing usually goes to treasure finders, and the really good ones are most frequently goblins."

Gellert grinned happily as he glanced around the group, ready to take part in the conversation once more. "Speaking of goblins or as I fondly call them, Gob-Gobs, I have many who would gladly stand at my side should trouble raise its head again."

As the Lestranges were aware of the goblins working at the Ministry, he clearly addressed this bit of information to his former followers. "Their talents are extremely useful and would've been extremely useful when we fought our war. I value them highly, and I believe you would all enjoy working with them."

He paused, straightening, where he sat between Blaise and Atsuko. His usually laughing expression was serious as he regarded the elderly witches and wizards. It was evident that he was about to say something important. As it turned out, it was more asking than saying. "My question is, have you just come to say hello and catch up on what happened in the past, or have you come to join me in future endeavors?"

"Join you in… Are we waging war against the Muggles again? Because if we were, that would certainly make me feel young...a thing to which I would not object," Abernathy said. "We've all rather missed the purpose you gave us, to be honest."

Everyone gave short embarrassed nods, and a small part of Bellatrix hated that she related to that even as she tried to be better and realize that too much had changed.

Gellert paused, and drew in a slow, deep breath. "We aren't waging war, but if others do, we will make them regret it...because we must. In a sense, we still fight for the same thing, for magical rights, but not in the same way as in the past. Not against Muggles, or at least not solely or directly against the Muggles though they were being used, and still may or may not be. We are fighting against other wizards… Wizards who currently are without magic."

"Oh, because of that wizarding plague thing that took magic from all the wizards in Britain!" Abernathy exclaimed. "I read about that, then somehow nearly forgot… Perhaps because it was so far away at the time with me living in America, or perhaps the thought of being able to catch a plague that steals one's magic was so disconcerting it wasn't comfortable to think about." He shifted in discomfort.

Gellert gave a slight smile that quickly faded. "That, I can assure you, is not a risk that any of you will be facing."

"It is no longer contagious," Abernathy asked.

"Or is it that you can heal it," Atsuko asked knowingly, giving him a proud smile.

"Well...neither and both," Gellert said cryptically, then chuckled. "What I am about to share cannot leave this room. Do you all swear?"

With grave expressions, everyone swore. Gellert then summarized, with the help of Blaise and the Lestranges, the government takeover and the 'plague' they'd loosed into the water system with the help of the Gob-Gobs. He promised cures for everyone who wanted to stay. Anyone who left wouldn't be at risk so they wouldn't require a cure.

"Working with goblins, elves, Acromantulas, even the centaurs when we can coax any cooperation out of them has been more fascinating and empowering than I can describe," Gellert concluded fervently. "Wizards are stronger than Muggles, but when all magical folk work together, we are stronger than each on their own, and it is marvelous! It feels wondrous mixing the various types of magic… Extra powerful in a way one must experience to truly understand."

Bellatrix and the other Lestranges nodded in wordless agreement. Bella knew that working with the goblin and Acromantula Aurors was perhaps the main reason Rodolphus enjoyed running Azkaban so much. The mingling of the various magics to make even better wards and defenses thrilled him. Not to mention, Bella had entirely enjoyed having Gori and his particular brand of magic in Arthur's former car with her. It provided an extra power high that, as Gellert eloquently stated, was hard to put into words.

"Well, I'm in," Abernathy said, giving Gellert a ready smile.

"Good," Gellert said, smiling back.

"Oh my god, I am so very in," Atsuko squealed, bouncing excitedly in her seat. "My husband is going to love this!"

A chorus of agreements rang out from Gellert's other followers, and his smile grew.

"I'm glad to hear that you're in," Rodolphus told Abernathy. "We have a friend in America who may need someone with magic there to network with. I warn you, he's a Muggle, but he's also King Arthur, so be nice to him."

Though Bellatrix agreed entirely with Rodolphus's words, hearing be nice and Muggle in the same breath did make her ears ring just a little.

Abernathy gaped at Gellert who nodded. "That's right," he agreed calmly. "He has been a great deal of help to us, and we have been able to be entirely honest with him besides! He is a truly rare find, so a king among his kind for sure."

"Well this just keeps getting better and better," Atsuko breathed.

Chapter 143: We're kings of the Kill and We're Out For Blood

Chapter 143: We're Kings of the Kill and We're Out for Blood

The next morning at Azkaban, getting more information from Dolohov was the first and main order of business.

"We could give him Veritaserum, and make it fast, but I'd prefer to draw it out and play," Rabastan said. "We're in need of a spot of fun, and we deserve it."

Bellatrix frowned over at him as the three exited the boat which provided them transportation to the prison. "I've been thinking… Torture is overrated, and we should consider being more humane."

Rabastan scowled. "You'd better be joking!"

Bellatrix laughed, giving him a shove toward the prison. "You just said we're in need of a spot of fun."

Rod grinned, slinging an arm around her shoulders as they went to torture the hell out of Dolohov. They gleefully and thoroughly tortured him until all of Grindelwald's questions were answered. By the time they stopped, the man was coughing blood and begging tearfully for death, and Rabastan held a sheet of parchment that was covered in a long list of names Dolohov had given.

"Just kill me," he sobbed, spitting blood onto the floor of his cell as his body shook.

"No," Bella said almost sweetly. She leaned on the bars of his cell. When she spoke again, her tone was reasonable and mildly coaxing. Though she was riding the sweet high that torture always gave the three of them, this was still work, and they always took their job seriously. "First we need to actually look into these names. We need to be certain that they're true former followers of Delphini and not just people who rubbed you the wrong way over the years. Because if these aren't the proper names, we'll need to spend more intimate time with you until we have the names we asked for."

"I gave you the proper names! All of them!" Dolohov screamed.

The desperation that caused his voice to crack made Bella smile as the two Lestrange men chuckled from behind her. The sound of their laughter, wild and on the edge from their morning's fun, caused her to give a slight shiver of anticipation. Merlin's beard, but the scent of Dolohov's terror was practically in the air. This was her favorite part, even more so than the actual killing, and she almost hoped he was holding out so they could work him a bit more.

"Aurors will be checking into the information you gave even today," Bella murmured. "Rabastan is sending this list he's jotted down of the names you gave us to the Ministry right now."

"Why didn't you let me go like they promised?" Dolohov demanded suddenly. "You promised, and those fucking Aurors promised too!"

"Perhaps we're forgetful," Bellatrix crooned and Rabastan cackled.

"No, we just lied!"

Bella laughed. "Yes, I remember now. That was it. We lied!"

"We're not sorry," Rodolphus added. His tone was apologetic, as though he'd said the exact opposite of what he had.

"I'm going to take the names to the Aurors now, though," Rabastan said. "And I'm not lying this time." Waving the parchment list, he jauntily hurried away.

"We'd better go put the guards through a drill or something while we wait," Rod said with a regretful sigh. "Rab will be vexed if we play without him."

Bellatrix knew he was right, but walking away from their prey was difficult. She let out a matching sigh as she gave a regretful nod, turning away from Dolohov's cage with a concerted effort. Seeing a similar strain on Rod's face, that shared struggle, made it easier to walk away. Taking his hand, she forced a smile. "Let's go drill the guards. I'll gladly help. I need to do something with this energy."

Rodolphus stopped walking and suddenly Bellatrix was in his arms, drawn hard against his chest as his mouth covered hers. Bellatrix arched hungrily against him, making a sound into his mouth half of need and half of relief as her arms wound about his neck.

"Perhaps there is something better to do with our energy… and perhaps the guards can put themselves through their bloody drills," Rodolphus suggested as he trailed rough kisses down her neck.

Never before had clothing on her body felt like such a hindrance. She wanted him skin to skin inside of her...devouring her right now. She made a sound of frustrated need as she pushed the wide sleeves of his dark gray robe aside as her hands slid up his muscular arms.

"Beautiful," she managed between kisses as he backed them up to the very bars of Dolohov's cell. "You, Rodolphus Lestrange, are a beautiful rock of a man." She nipped at his lower lip, causing him to give a growl which made her nether regions tingle in expressive and demanding anticipation.

"You are beautiful, wild, and brilliant, and as far as I'm concerned the only woman in the world," he replied, kissing her feverishly between every other word. "I'm going to have you right up against his cell. Let him watch. It isn't as if he'll live to talk about it," he added, adjusting his robe with one hand and lifting her by the waist with the other.

Snatching her own robe up, Bellatrix wound her legs around his hips, grinding against him as his back hit Dolohov's cell bars. While the concept of anyone seeing them shag would've been mortifying in any other situation, Roddy was right. Dolohov was a dead man so he may as well go out being aware of what real shagging looked like.

"You're welcome, Dolohov," she said, hearing her own voice coming out breathy with need.

"Indeed," Rodolphus agreed as he tore a convenient hole in Bella's Victorian style long, lace pantalettes. "We are truly doing you a kindness, mate."

He let out a breath, eyes closing as he impaled his hard length within her. Groaning, Bella rocked her hips, throwing back her head. Both forgot about Dolohov...until he began to shout.

"Fuck you! Like I give a fuck! Neither of you are even hot!"

"Now you're just being mean," Rod managed between impassioned thrusts. "Only a mother could love your face, and we are bloody beautiful. Gods, Bella," he added as she swiveled her hips, driving them both harder toward the edge of ecstasy.

Three minutes later and they were slumped together in a tangled sweaty heap against Dolohov's cell bars. That had been good… and necessary.

"What the fuck are you doing?" The voice belonged to Rabastan. Bellatrix was glad they'd kept their robes on! They hadn't expected him to return so soon.

"Never mind that," Rodolphus replied coolly. "Why are you back so soon? Aren't they going to check the info for accuracy?"

"Sure they are, but tracking everyone on the list down will take a day or two," Rabastan said. "Romeo said to just leave him breathing until then. Just think. If everyone else checks out, we'll have loads more new toys to play with!"

Chapter 144: No Life Wasted

Chapter 144: No Life Wasted

A few hours later, the three Lestranges were putting the Aurors through their drills. It was just after lunch, and Rod liked to put everyone through their paces on a full stomach so that too much good food didn't make them lazy and soft on the job. An elf in Ministry robes Apparated in and presented them with a letter.

"A message from Mr. Grindelwald," the elf said and Bellatrix took it from his hand. "Thank you." The elf nodded and Apparated away, an indication that no reply was required.

Bellatrix cracked the wax seal. It was in the form of a spear for the Head of Defense. As she opened the scroll, her eyes glanced briefly toward Rod and Rabastan. The Aurors had been faster than expected. Prepared to read about the progress made to find those whose names Dolohov had given, Bellatrix was mildly surprised when the note was addressing a slightly different matter.

Dear Lestranges,

Before you kill Dolohov, or any of the other incoming prisoners, I want you to make them assist us in making extra Draught of Life potions like the one which returned my own youth. Their deaths should count for something. No lives wasted, and all that, when we can use them.

I wish to gift a few to my favorite followers, Atsuko and Abernathy, and the rest should be set aside for when any of us, you three included, may need them. I have ordered the supplies required for the potion's making, and they should be here by tomorrow. The potion takes only a few days to brew and Snape is grudgingly on it. I say grudgingly, because even though I told him he and his family could also make use of them when the need arises, he was still mildly bitchy because of how illegal this potion is.

Then again if Snape weren't bitchy, he wouldn't be Snape and we all know it. When the potions are ready I will have them sent over with instructions on how to add the last stage as that will be your bit. In essence, though, you torture the prisoner in question until he or she very much wishes to die, then you tell them you will grant that mercy if they only breathe their last into this bottle.

The bottle will, of course, be full of the draft I shall send over, only requiring the life breath as the last ingredient. It is important to kill them just as they breathe their last into the bottle. It is a bit of an art, I am told, but I am certain you three are entirely up for the challenge. I will be sending over more bottles of the draft when we have prisoners to kill, but making large batches is easier and you can store them in the office there.

Gellert

Bellatrix chuckled when reading the bit about Snape, and smiled through the rest, pleased at the prospect on many levels. Torturing worthless gits and making them breathe their last into a Draught of Life sounded like challenging fun she was certain they would enjoy.

The fact that they would be allowed the drafts themselves when the years at last turned them gray was definitely something to smile about as well. She passed the letter to Rod, who read it with much the same reaction before passing it to Rabastan.

The younger Lestrange let out a whoop upon reading that they were allowed to take the draft as well when needed. "It's been a damn good day," he said happily, and Bellatrix and Rod nodded. Indeed it had been a good day and it was only half over.

Chapter 145: The Good, The Bad And The Ugly

Chapter 145: The Good, the Bad and the Ugly

The next month passed swiftly, mainly due to it being uneventful. As it turned out, the Lestranges found making the Draught of Life rather simple. Everyone was more than happy to breathe their last into a tiny glass bottle if it made the torture stop. Dolohov was permitted to pass from this world once all the names he'd given them were found, confirmed, imprisoned, and allowed to give their lives so that others might live longer. Considering they'd served Delphini, the Lestranges considered it the very least they could do to apologize.

Arthur was slowly wrappinging things up in the States for his inevitable move to London. Though he wouldn't be moving for a few more months, he enjoyed visiting with the Lestranges at least once a week, usually on the weekends. During those visits, they showed him about, allowing him to get a feel for wizarding society and the magical side of things. They even went as far as to introduce him to the Malfoys, mainly to annoy and horrify Lucy. This was smoothly accomplished by bringing him to Sunday tea at Malfoy manor.

For her part, Narcissa treated him like some novelty, a rare animal cultivated from a far land and turned into a well-trained pet by the Lestranges. Fortunately the interaction seemed to amuse rather than offend Arthur.

"So you are able to be Apparated without feeling too frightened or angry," Narcissa asked him, her blue eyes fascinated.

Arthur grinned. "I never experienced those feelings when it came to magic, actually. It's more a sensation of being in a dream, or on some weird trip, but it all turns out to be real. That sort of state of mind is becoming less and less frequent, though. I suppose I adjusted rather quickly."

"What is a… Oh, is a trip some sort of Muggle thing," Narcissa asked, struggling out of pure politeness not to wrinkle her nose, though it did twitch.

Arthur flashed a perplexed look to the Lestranges. "No…anyone can trip if they take the proper substances. It's not a thing I care for much, in truth."

"It's our thing, though," Rabastan, always willing to share information with trusted sources, spoke up.

Narcissa nodded, expression smoothly, politely blank. "I see." Turning to Bellatrix she suddenly smiled. "Bella! I nearly forgot to say...we're having a party for you, myself and Mother, that is. It was my idea. After all, you did with that Muggle car to help bring down Delphini! It was so heroic."

Bellatrix blinked in surprise. "I… Well, that's...that is...thank you, Cissy."

She didn't feel heroic, but the pride in her little sister's eyes as she smiled at her was nice. It felt good. She knew she and the Lestrange men had made enough mistakes, and that their families weren't likely always proud. They'd turned that around in the past twenty years, but, in part, that was not specifically their choice to do so. They hadn't sought out work in Shadow Ops, but rather it was forced upon them for their freedom.

Narcissa smiled. "Good. Because I've had Mother write Mr. Grindelwald for a list of your friends from the Ministry so I can invite them too."

Did she have friends, Bellatrix wondered. There were people she did not hate, and even said hello to when she passed them in the halls now, but were Gori and T. Valdez actually friends?

"I assume the two of you shall be kind and give Lyra her verbal invite from me as well," Narcissa said, turning to Rod and Rabastan.

"Of course," Rabastan said. "It's not just girls, is it? As in we can come, yeah?"

"Of course you can come," Narcissa said. "Bella never goes far without Rodolphus, and I'd never make it an all-girls event anyway. Bella doesn't get on with most women well enough to make it more than a party of four or so, which is far too small for the celebration I have in mind."

Bellatrix flashed a smile at her sister. "Agreed."

Cissy dominated most of the rest of the visit with polite small talk, asking the Lestranges how things were at Azkaban now that they were running it and questioning Arthur about the various fighting styles in which he trained his students. As he spoke of Taekwondo, Karate, Krav Maga, and others, Cissy's eyes practically glittered with fascination. When he spoke of training those with a smaller build like hers to flip a far larger man over their shoulder, she leaned forward, her gaze literally mesmerized.

"In fact, I've talked the Lestranges into allowing me to train them up a bit once I've moved here," he concluded. "It's like I told Rod, if there comes a time when you lot can't use magic, knowing some defensive or even deadly moves would be wise."

Narcissa, who had been without magic for a time, nodded her fervent agreement. "Would you consider teaching me as well," she asked eagerly. "And Lucius?"

"I hardly…" Lucius began, but Narcissa silenced him with a steely glare. She was polite enough to refrain from stating the obvious aloud in front of everyone, but they all knew that Lucy's magic had not yet been restored.

"We should at least watch him train the Lestranges if they will allow it. Then perhaps you will warm up to the idea."

Lucius gave a tight nod, and Rodolphus finally broke and released the snicker he'd been holding back with a supreme effort of will for the past several seconds.

"Of course I am glad to train anyone who wishes to learn," Arthur answered Narcissa with a kind smile. "As soon as I've moved and set up a dojo I'll begin training the Lestranges, and you are both welcome to join any time."

"Wonderful," Narcissa gushed. "We're looking forward to it."

"I think learning more forms of self-defense is a grand idea," Bellatrix said, smiling at her sister.

That was true, and Lucy was still scowling, so giving Cissy a bit of support felt necessary. While some may find it strange that delicate Narcissa Malfoy wished to learn to fight, Bellatrix knew that her sister, though admittedly a flower, had a stem of steel. Push her enough and you'd find that out.

"Even with magic, there are times when using said magic could have us noticed when we don't wish to be," Bellatrix added.

Arthur nodded. "I'm glad to see you coming around to the idea, Bella."

At first she'd strongly objected to learning Muggle defense, but the more Arthur talked it up the better it looked, especially as Rod seemed keen on the idea.

After tea at the Malfoys, they headed to Diagon Alley. Arthur was curious about the wizarding parts of London, and thus far the Ministry was the only exposure to it he'd had.

"Remember not to behave like a Muggle," Rod whispered to Arthur as they slowly walked down the row of shops.

"We aren't supposed to have Muggles here. While the Minister won't mind, she can still catch hell for it from others, so we must have a care."

Arthur nodded. "I will be careful not to stare, and I will hold back on any questions until later, Boss."

Rod grinned. "Very good."

"The Lestranges out for a stroll with a Muggle?" The words were hissed like a whisper, but far too loudly not to be easily overheard. Bellatrix whirled to see a gaggle of Weasleys with the Granger Weasley stuffed in the middle like some bushy-headed overgrown plant on legs. The shock must have been clear on her face, for one of the redheaded weasels flushed under her stare.

"Extendable ears," he explained in an embarrassed mutter. "From the joke shop."

Bellatrix blinked, confused and still trying to process what was actually unfolding here. She was facing down her enemies and couldn't kill them! She'd regained her standing in society and couldn't risk losing it by causing the stir such would make for the Ministry to deal with. Even with friends in high places, there was only so much they could get away with.

She breathed in and out, aiming for slow but the shocked constriction in her chest made it difficult. Gods, this was hard!

"Bella," Rabastan warned, properly interpreting the signs of her silent struggle to keep it together. He pressed a hand into the small of her back, his other reaching for her shoulder.

Where Rodolphus usually reacted along with her in tandem, Rabastan, at times, could remain cool headed while the other two slipped into a haze of violence. Rather than turning to look at him, she shrugged and silently nodded, indicating that he'd been heard and heeded.

"Is it common practice in London to go about eavesdropping with joke shop gadgets?" Arthur suddenly spoke up, addressing the Weasleys. "And you lot say we Americans are uncivilized," he drawled.

"Listening to what witches and wizards talk about while shopping does provide a bit of entertainment," one of the redheaded Weasleys admitted almost shamelessly. Almost because he did have the grace to appear very mildly embarrassed to be caught out.

"I hardly think it could be as offensive as anything these three do on a daily basis, though," he added, jutting his chin at the Lestranges. "The fact they aren't torturing you is actually shocking. Don't count on it lasting."

Bellatrix felt tears spring to her eyes at the indignant glare Arthur gave their enemies. "Those are what you lot call wizarding trash, is that right," he asked, turning to Rodolphus, who nodded sagely.

"You are learning quickly, making me proud. Now if you just stop eating that Muggle trash snack food, you will be splendid."

Arthur chuckled. "Your brother likes chips."

"Just for getting drunk," Rabastan defended, as if that changed something.

Bellatrix shook her head in disgust, exchanging a look of shared indignation with Rodolphus.

"Did they tell you they tortured me for being Muggle-born?" At last the bushy-headed overgrown plant on legs stepped forward to toss her hat into the verbal sparring ring.

If only the sparring could be real, all of them would be dead now, and the Lestranges would be satisfied, Bellatrix silently lamented. She sighed, turning a withering glance on Granger. "It was also because of the company you keep. Get it straight, do."

"I know how the Lestranges feel about Muggles, and I know why. I know far more about them than you do, and while they aren't perfect, they are human, with motivations that history has instilled into them. As you appear to remain unharmed, I wouldn't bother myself about it were I you. Instead, were I you, I would be glad they are part of the team of wizards keeping you safe from people like Delphini. You all, and your lot, were unable to truly deal with her, after all." Arthur gave a slight smile, and Bellatrix was so very proud of him in that moment, and honored that he called them friends. Of course he was bloody king Arthur! Naturally, the Weasleys weren't nearly as impressed, but there was no accounting for the low class.

Granger-Weasley shook her head in open disgust. "They've really got the wool pulled over your eyes. That or you're as bad as they are." She tossed her bush of a head. "Either way, be warned. I don't care what the papers say about how they were forced by Voldemort. They're still bad people. They served him, and they haven't changed. Watch your back."

Turning, she gestured for her redheaded gaggle to follow her, and they did. Arthur and the Lestranges watched as they headed off down the street in the opposite direction. Once they were out of sight, Bellatrix let out a breath. "It was so hard not to kill them. It isn't fair!"

"I know," Rodolphus crooned, reaching to draw her into a hug.

Shivering with the toll that self-restraint had taken on her, Bellatrix sagged against his chest. "Thank you, Kid," she said, grinning as she glanced at Arthur.

Shrugging, he nodded. "It seems we're all one another's people. We stick together. And besides, I meant it. Other than the wizarding trash bit, that is. I truly have no idea about all that, I just thought it's what you all would call them and though I am a nice guy, I had to defend my people."

Rodolphus grinned. "Just like a good king should."

"I'm not," Arthur began and Rabastan shook his head, grinning.

"Don't bother."

Chapter 146: Life Is Just A Party

Chapter 146: Life is Just a Party

"It breaks my heart that she never knew her death was coming, and that Gellert won," Bellatrix lamented.

She was happily drunk, but so was everyone else around her. It was almost a week after Arthur met the Malfoys and the Weasleys. Romeo and Kereston had finally had time to put together the promised pensieve party so everyone could share memories of anything they'd missed during the final showdown against Delphini. Bellatrix and Gori had just finished watching Wulfric's memory of killing Delphini with a sword in the back.

"It nearly feels too easy, but I suppose the big battles are mainly in books," Gori said.

"Oh, trust me, it wasn't easy," Wulfric groaned, raising his glass and draining it.

"You can say that again," Gellert said with a tired sigh.

"I could, but she isn't worth it," Wulfric grinned. Turning to Bellatrix and Gori he added, "I was scared shitless, though, that she'd turn around right when I was ready to give it to her good."

"That's what she said," Rabastan called from across the room and Wulfric laughed. Yes indeed, everyone was quite drunk.

"I really enjoyed your memory of driving over those Muggles in Arthur's car," Gellert told Bellatrix with a nearly embarrassed smile. "To my horror, it looked fun. Don't ever do it again...unless there is another emergency, of course." His lips twitched and Bellatrix laughed.

"It was a great deal of fun," she admitted shamelessly. "I shall very much miss the experience. It's one I could perform at least once a week if given the opportunity. You know, for like therapy or something. Only on Muggles, though," she added hastily.

She wouldn't like anyone present to fear for themselves. Though she may enjoy running over particular magical folk in a Porsche as well, none were present, and there was no reason to convolute things.

"It's a pity you couldn't enjoy the experience by driving superfast over dummies or something for practice," T. Valdez told Bellatrix. She sat across the table from the Lestranges at her husband's side.

Bellatrix sighed and shrugged. "It could make for good battle driving practice, but it just wouldn't be the same."

"Ah well," T. grinned good-naturedly. "It shall just have to be one of those moments you cherish for what it was, holding it close to your heart and looking back on it fondly after a hard day." As she spoke, she reached for her drink and accidentally knocked Romeo's glass into his lap. "Sorry… Oh, I am so sorry!" she exclaimed, snatching up her wand and aiming it drunkenly at Romeo's balls. "I'll clean it!"

"No, no. I've got it," Romeo assured hastily. The momentary look of wild terror in his dark eyes caused Bellatrix to wonder if T. happened to be dangerously accident prone.

She chuckled both at T.'s comment concerning savoring a fond memory on a bad day as well as Romeo's fear-filled reaction to the prospect of his wife cleaning up her own spill.

"I suppose so. Speaking of fond memories...I nearly forgot. My sister is having some sort of party for me next Friday. She said she's sent out invites, but if anyone here didn't get one, you're all welcome to come. It's at Malfoy Manor."

"Oh yeah, I got my invite, and Romeo got one too," T. Valdez said, nodding.

"If we didn't get one, is it alright for you to just invite us, though," Wulfric asked hesitantly. "I mean, wouldn't that be rude if we just show up?"

Bellatrix shook her head. "No. Cissa told me to invite whoever I liked because she didn't have time to pass out invites to everyone I know here at the Ministry." She waved a dismissive hand. "She doesn't have an elf anymore after Harry Potter freed hers, then I killed it. So things are a bit more difficult for her when it comes to anything she once made him help with, party invites included."

"You...killed the elf," Graven asked, eyes wide with shock. "She killed the fucking elf," the goblin girl yelled at Wulfric, laughing as she drunkenly slapped his shoulder. "I mean, she seems to like Kreacher and the elf Aurors, so that's kind of fucked up."

"He was a dreadful elf and could've gotten my family killed by helping the enemy," Bellatrix explained drily. It hardly mattered that the Lestranges would also consider the Dark Lord their enemy now. That lot would never be true allies. So Bellatrix would never be sorry for any attacks she'd made on Harry Potter or his little friends either, Dobby included.

Graven smiled. "Okay, well that makes sense. I just need shit to add up, you know?"

Wulfric chuckled, shaking his head at both of them as he put an arm around Graven, before kissing the top of her head. "It's like she's scary as hell, then she'll say something adorable," he explained in the way only a drunk man can.

"Remember, your children shall be helping the wizarding race to remain pure," Bellatrix told them with a grin. "I wrote an entire article about it."

Wulfric nodded sagely. "I really enjoyed that article. It also makes sense."

Graven's dark eyes widened. "We're not trying to have children… At least not for quite some time."

Wulfric nodded. "Not for five or ten years. We have a lot of traveling we want to do first."

"Cas and I plan to travel with them," Lyra spoke up. She pushed the Pensieve toward Gori and Bellatrix. It held Rabastan's memories of talking to Arthur while Bellatrix and Gori were busy driving over Muggles in his car. Considering she was knocked out when all that was happening, Lyra had missed it, so she got the first go at that particular memory today.

"Plan in one hand and shit in the other and see which fills up first," Rod advised with a smirk.

"I think they should travel if they like. They should be young in the way we weren't able to be," Bellatrix found herself speaking up almost against her own will.

"Ah, thank you, Mum," Lyra said, giving her a warm smile.

She'd called her Mum, a rare thing, and Bellatrix found herself smiling back until Lyra continued speaking, ruining the moment. "Thanks for understanding and not making things difficult."

Bellatrix scowled. "You are aware that we call you Lyra-Brat when you aren't around," Rodolphus shared.

"I am very aware now," Lyra replied drily. "Wanting to be young and enjoy life isn't being a brat, in case you weren't sure."

"It's the attitude," Rodolphus explained. "It needs to go."

"You won't allow it to," she shot back. "Constantly stonewalling everything."

"That's how my dad is too, which is one reason we're looking forward to traveling," Wulfric said with an easygoing grin. "But mostly because we want to explore the world and discover new things."

Bellatrix nodded. She understood that.

"If you all ever get any time off work, you're welcome to join us. If you can behave and not act too much like parents," Lyra said almost shyly.

"We'll try," Rod said, smiling at their daughter, mood suddenly softening.

Bellatrix nodded, feeling a thrill of excitement at the prospect. Eventually with things calming down, Kereston should be alright with the Aurors running Azkaban at least for a week or so. Perhaps the experience of traveling and exploring the world without it being work related could somehow serve to restore what they felt they'd lost of their youth.

"I need everyone to show up at Bella's party," Rabastan announced suddenly. "I need all you Acromantulas there, fucking goblins, elves, fuck even come drunk already if you can, but if you can't, don't worry, we'll keep the drink flowing. You'll all need it to deal with Lucy for any extended period of time."

Gori arched his brows, peering at Rabastan suspiciously over his own glass of fire whisky. "I'd have come to support Bellatrix anyway, but the way you're talking doesn't make it sound like the most thrilling of prospects, I must admit."

Rabastan nodded. "Right. But it will make Lucy Malfoy even more uncomfortable, and I need more of that shit in my life, right up there with fun traveling to reclaim our youth and all that."

Bellatrix smirked as she exchanged a gleeful look with Rodolphus. Suddenly, she was quite looking forward to her party. Lucius would simply detest offering up his home and hospitality to goblins, elves who weren't serving him, creatures, and if Arthur could make it, a Muggle!

Chapter 147: Here we are now, entertain us

Chapter 147: Here We Are Now, Entertain Us

To Narcissa's credit, she never batted an eye as not only Aurors, but goblins, Acromantulas, elves who weren't servants, a Dumbledore, and a Muggle, all passed through her door on the night of Bella's party.

She greeted each and every one pleasantly, her gracious smile never wavering. Lucius, on the other hand, wore a strained, constipated smile almost constantly and kept disappearing into the library when the party was being held in the parlor. Rabastan, with Parvati as his plus one, drank up Lucius's unease with open glee, introducing a giant spider or goblin to him every time he made a brief and reluctant appearance.

Rod and Bella watched on in amusement, Rod shamelessly devouring finger sandwiches and cheese cubes. Gori stood beside Bellatrix, a bemused expression on his face.

"What are goblin parties like," Bellatrix asked, bending slightly to speak closer to his ear so as to be heard over the room full of conversing individuals.

Gori shrugged. "I don't know. I rarely attend them."

Bellatrix felt her brows come up. "Why? Don't you get invited?"

He seemed nice enough, at least not the sort to make problems at a party. "I try to avoid it if at all possible," he said with a slight dry smile.

She hesitated before asking, "So why'd you come to this one?"

The question was uncomfortable, and she wasn't accustomed to that. That is, she was unaccustomed to uncomfortable situations that she wasn't gleefully the reason for. She'd always had few friends and never attempted to be accepted by anyone not in her narrow inner circle. Too many didn't comprehend her, or anything she valued or stood for, outside of family and their pureblood friends of like minds.

And even they shied away once she and the Lestrange boys grew up and got a little wild, but it only came with the territory. When you stepped up to fight for your right to be magical, you learned to enjoy the ways of war. If you didn't, you'd hate it, and it would break you. That's why people like Cissy worked from the wings where it was comfortable, and Bella got her hands dirty because she liked red.

Making friends outside of that, though, made her feel uncertain in a way that was oddly disconcerting. Gori was a pureblood as she saw it. Goblins were as magic as they got. Still, for whatever reason, goblins and wizards hadn't united until now, and she knew little of their ways or temperament even if it did seem they could match her own. She wasn't quite sure where she stood with Gori yet.

"I suppose I thought...it was the thing to do," he answered carefully, and she smiled when she saw he was as uncomfortable as she.

"It's alright," she said, giving him a warm smile. "All this rubbish is strange for me too. I never fit in anywhere truly, except with Rod and Rabastan. Finding that I enjoy the company of others, even if only a few, is surprising."

Gori nodded, shoving his hands into the pockets of his black suit jacket.

"I was good working at the bank. I knew what I was doing, and I didn't have to think about it much. Then Griphook put me in the bloody Ministry, right under the bloody Minister, with too much authority as if I actually belonged there and knew what I was doing!"

Bellatrix blinked. "You didn't want the job?"

He shook his head. "I didn't want it and wasn't at all qualified for it, as I still see it even today. And I was bloody terrified as a result! I guess that's why I related to you when you lot came to the Ministry that first day. You seemed about as uncomfortable there as I did."

Bellatrix nodded, then smiled as she remembered how surreal it was to be surrounded by Aurors and not fighting them! "We're quite accustomed to each and every Auror bloody hating us. Granted, we may have given them reasons later on, but in the beginning it was simply because we had different politics. They didn't even try very hard to find out who killed Rodolphus and Rabastan's mum.

"It was categorized as a burglary gone wrong, and she was the only one home at the time, but had it been one of their own, rest assured they'd have found out who did it and fast. We proved that when we took the Longbottoms, and they were quick to use all sorts of nifty location charms to find their precious own. Showing they have skills when they wish to have them."

Gori gave a short laugh. "So you're the goblins of wizarding society, then. Aurors would care no more were we to report crimes to them and expect help."

"Don't you lot report crimes," Bellatrix asked.

Gori shrugged. "I suppose sometimes, if we believe a wizard did it. Otherwise, we handle our own. If a wizard did do it, unless it was a criminal that the Aurors are already after, they'd not care any more than they did about the death of your mother-in-law."

"Well, we're as rich as goblins, so I like that," Rod commented as he handed Bella a drink with one hand and passed one to Gori with the other, before he snatched one for himself.

He'd taken the drinks from a laden tray as it floated by. Narcissa had acquired the self-serving trays from Enchanted Odds. Apparently Blaise, Gellert, and Kreacher chose to benefit from the fact that many families had…lost their elves… Or, rather, been forced to free them when the revolution began.

"Thanks," Gori said, giving Rod a quick smile before gazing down into the drink.

"Sure," Rodolphus nodded. "Any time."

"Hey, Rhadamanthus," Rabastan called.

The Acromantula crouched behind Rodolphus in the nearest corner but shifted forward at Rabastan's voice.

"You promised," Rabastan reminded.

The spider let out a low rasping chuckle as he rolled all eight eyes at the youngest Lestrange. Then as quick as the predator he was, he slid around Rodolphus and leapt into the air. He snatched up a glass from the floating tray in each of his eight legs. Opening his mouth, he tossed all eight drinks back at once, like they were really Acromantula-sized shots, while sitting on his bottom, moves as practiced as if he did it daily, before throwing the glasses into the air.

Lucius choked on his drink, and Rabastan clapped happily as he floated the empty glasses to the nearest table before they fell from the air. "That was just to fuck with you, Lucy," he admitted.

"He actually called him Lucy," Rod whispered loudly into Bella's ear. The party wasn't even an hour old and everyone was quite drunk.

"I mean… but it sort of suits him, doesn't it," Gori asked with a laugh.

"It does," Bellatrix replied with a smile, pleased that he'd noticed through his obvious, and justified, lack of interest in humanity.

"Only he is somehow unaware of that, though, so we keep trying," Rodolphus chuckled.

Just then, Harold hurried up, giving a slight bow as he stopped in front of Bellatrix. "Miss Bella, Miss Lyra is helping your sister manage the replenishment of refreshments and such. Should Harold assist?"

Though he still wore his plague mask, the elf still managed to look guilty for not helping. Perhaps it was his posture, but Bellatrix could literally feel the guilt radiating.

"No. It's a party. My party. Enjoy yourself. I thought Cissy was hiring help. If she didn't hire enough, it isn't your problem. If Lyra chooses to help, it's her business, and I don't care."

"Not to mention she'll be bratty if we attempt to forbid her," Rodolphus chuckled.

"Children are complicated," Gori shuddered. "I'm never having them."

"Have a drink," Rod told Harold, snatching another drink from a tray as it floated by and passing it to the elf.

Harold took it eagerly, nodding his thanks and lifting his mask to down half the glass.

Bellatrix gave him an amused smile. "Feel more comfortable now?"

He considered, then nodded slowly. "Harold believes so."

"Hey Harold, did you see what I dared Rhadamanthus to do?" Rabastan called, waving happily at the elf, causing Lucius to cringe again and murmur a frantic 'excuse me' as he slipped from the room.

"Rab is a bloody genius," Rodolphus murmured, chuckling.

"Harold did," he called back, nodding. "Please do not ask Harold to drink eight classes at once," he added after a second of consideration.

"I'd never ask you to drink eight glasses," Rabastan said with an injured expression before he ruined it with a grin. "At least not all at once."

Parvati laughed, waving a greeting to Harold as well. "Hi, Harold."

Harold smiled at Parvati before finishing his drink and lowering his plague mask again. "Hello, Miss Parvati. It is nice to see you again."

Chapter 148: For All Those Brave Warriors

Chapter 148: For All Those Brave Warriors

The next time Narcissa went to answer the door to new guests, she returned with Blaise and Gellert. Gori greeted them warmly. He exchanged a few pleasantries with Gellert about what they'd had for lunch, and Bella got the impression from their demeanor that Gellert and the goblin got on well.

Bella opened her mouth to complain that they were late, but Blaise handed her flowers, giving her a slight bow as he did so. Then Gellert gave her a quick hug. They both wore green dress robes and looked quite dashing, with Blaise making a pleasing dark contrast to Gellert's fair blond. She blinked from the flowers in her hand to Blaise, wondering just how drunk she was, because this was weird. Zabini bringing anyone flowers seemed…out of character. Then again, how well did she bloody know him anyway?

"Why the flowers? I'm already quite drunk, by the way, but so is most everyone," she warned. Because she was drunk, she had no filter. "Not that I don't appreciate them," she added hastily.

"Thank you. The flowers are from both of us," Blaise explained. "I just happened to be carrying them."

"Because I look too pretty if I do," Gellert interjected with his usual bright grin.

"Hmm," Bellatrix said.

"The party is being held in your honor, so we thought we should bring you something," Blaise explained, as if that ought to be obvious.

"Well, thank you," Bellatrix said, unable to hide her surprise as she smiled at both men. They just didn't generally strike her as the thoughtful gift giving sort...then again who was she to talk?

When Lucy next emerged, his expression warmed considerably when he caught sight of Grindelwald. Rod lifted his glass and made a loud slurping sound as he rolled his eyes at Gellert.

Gellert laughed. "What is that?"

"It's the sound of the ass kissing that is about to commence," Rod explained helpfully, nodding in the direction of Lucius who was gliding over as best he could through the milling throng.

"Aaaaah," Gellert said, nodding in understanding.

Bellatrix snatched up a drink from the nearest floating tray and presented it to Gellert with a slight bow. "You'll need it," she said, then snagged one for Blaise and passed it to him.

"So we're getting drunk," Blaise asked drily.

"I advise it," Bella said and Rod nodded sagely just as Lucius arrived.

"Got it," Blaise said, and smoothly tossed back half of his drink. Somehow, he managed to make such a simple act look elegant and posh. In her drunken state, Bella found herself hoping that she, Rod, and Rabastan looked as noble when they were in the act of imbibing. Sloppy drunks were annoying, after all.

"Mr. Grindelwald. Welcome to Malfoy Manor. It is such an honor to have you."

Gellert glanced idly from Bellatrix and Rodolphus to Gori, as if wondering what the goblin thought of this before finally glancing to Lucius. He gave him a slight nod, and an even slighter smile.

"Thank you. Bella invited me so perhaps you should thank her. Actually, your wife did if we're getting technical, but it's because she knew Bella wouldn't be able to have a party without me," Gellert concluded with a happy smile.

Bellatrix chuckled as Lucius gave her a forced smile. "Then thank you, Bellatrix."

Bellatrix nodded, biting her lower lip to keep from laughing, because Lucius needing to thank her for anything was probably blowing his mind. It was no secret that he considered the Lestranges trouble at best and only tolerated them as family and at one point as the Dark Lord's favorites. If he only knew.

"This is my partner, Mr. Blaise Zabini," Gellert continued, nodding to Blaise. From the blond's suddenly cold expression, it was clear that he was annoyed that his man had been ignored.

"Ah yes, Mr. Zabini," Lucius said. "I attended Hogwarts with your mother."

"Hmm," Blaise nodded, smiling politely. "She's never mentioned that."

Rod snorted back a laugh, hastily raising his glass to hide his face.

"Thanks for allowing us to have the party here, Lucy… Damn it, Lucius," Bellatrix corrected herself, then burst into giggles because she was that drunk. She truly had accidentally said 'Lucy.' As a rule they only sparingly used it to his face lest the name lose its charm or he literally explode.

"You're drunk, Bellatrix," he sneered and she gave him a wide smile.

"Of course I am! It's a party and everyone is drunk." She glanced about for the nearest drink tray and found one floating near Rod's back. Snatching up a glass she passed it to Lucius. "Please have a drink. It may dissolve that stick up your ass for at least an hour or two."

"Half an hour, Bella, be realistic," Rod murmured.

She leaned into his arm companionably as she nodded. "Half an hour," she corrected herself, her mind now mostly on her husband's delicious body.

Idly, she wondered if Rod would want to go shag in Lucy's study or something, because that would be amazing! This was her party, so there should be some perks, shouldn't there?

She was just twisting round to whisper the suggestion into Rod's ear when Arthur came into view, tugging T. Valdez along by her slender wrist. Both opened their mouths at once to address the Lestranges, but at sight of Lucius, they snapped them shut again.

T. wore a shimmery blue dress and a shiny diamond collar that somehow went really well with her short spiked blond hair. The outfit made the haircut far more flattering than the Auror uniform. Interesting the observations one made when one was drunk, Bella thought, and had to bite her lip to avoid a mad cackle. Arthur wore a black suit, which somehow came across as odd… Perhaps because it looked as if it would be difficult to fight while wearing it.

"May we speak to the two of you alone," Arthur asked, nodding at Rod and Bella.

Bellatrix sighed, because her shag plans were drifting away, at least for the time being.

"Yeah, sure," Rod said.

She didn't miss the curiosity in his eyes as he excused them to Gellert, Blaise, and Lucius. Putting an arm around Bella's shoulders, he followed Arthur out of the room. Their favorite Muggle was still practically dragging T. along by the wrist, and she was beginning to squirm, twisting said wrist in a pointless attempt to extricate it from his grip.

"Behave," Arthur chastised, and she gave him an indignant glare as she twisted her wrist again.

"You behave," she shot back. "I wasn't doing anything to you. In fact, I was minding my own business, but you, in fact, were not."

Rod grinned. "This is sounding good already," he said happily.

Arthur frowned. "You were stealing books from a home to which you were invited! That is wrong. Do you lot have no morality, or what?"

"Hey what'd you get," Rod asked, interested.

Bellatrix laughed and Arthur's scowl grew. "I thought I was being nice to allow the two of you to handle it without bringing it to the attention of the Malfoys."

"We are handling it," Rod assured, then returned his focus to T. "So..."

She sighed and shook her head. "I wouldn't steal from the Malfoys… At least not unless they did something illegal. Then I could get away with it."

She shot Arthur a dark scowl and he frowned defensively. "I heard Romeo commenting once about her stealing books, so when I found her skulking in the library, I was concerned."

T. shrugged. "My brothers and I were book thieves from a young age. My brothers said that the Aurors always got the best opportunities to claim rare contraband legally, so I decided that's what I'd do."

Bellatrix chuckled. "Yes, I knew I liked you for a reason."

"So Romeo is down with stealing," Rod asked, clearly intrigued by the idea of future prospects.

"When I rescued him from that school, I was actually there to rob the library. I sort of became an Auror after that."

Arthur stared in confusion. "What?"

T. chuckled. "Sorry. You wouldn't know about all that, so I'll quickly catch you up. Romeo and some other students in a school in Spain called El Lobo were being tortured by Death Eaters. This was in Voldemort's last year of life. I helped them escape, then went into Auror training after that.

"I'd broken into the school to steal some books from their library. Romeo stopped me from stealing the books and ranted about how there were enough bad things happening in the school. When I asked what he was talking about he told me how the professors were tormenting the students in various ways until they gave up their magic by means of a dark spell.

"The professors were apparently planning to give that magic to Voldemort in order to make him stronger. So I went and turned the school in to the Spanish Ministry, and they took me in for training. I decided to go for the training because of what my brothers said about how I could legally steal things if I did. So that's my story. Romeo knows I take books, and he thinks it's cute. He says there are lots worse things in the world. And now I only take from crime scenes...mostly."

She grinned and the Lestranges chuckled. Turning to Arthur she added, "Keep up with the honorable thing, and we'll have to make you an Auror...the first Muggle one ever!"

Arthur shuddered. "No thanks."

"Smart man," Rod praised, clapping him on the shoulder.

"Bella!" Narcissa's call floated to them through the partially open door, and they all turned in that direction.

"Yes?" Bella called back. She was already moving down the hall toward the door as she spoke. It appeared their little interlude was over, and it was probably time to return to the party.

"I'd like to make a toast in your honor," Narcissa called back.

Bella flashed a quick look to Rod, T., and Arthur, wondering what that was going to be about. "Coming," she called back.

Rod came up to walk at her side, sliding his hand into hers, and she smiled. Any party, any moment, was always made better with Rodolphus at her side. Love was great, and not just because she was drunk! Ooh, and speaking of that, a toast meant they could get another drink which sounded fantastic and caused her to speed up her steps.

"It feels so weird being here," T. Valdez whispered, snatching Bellatrix by her upper arm as she hurried along behind her. "Makes me want to make up a joke that begins, a Muggle, a Malfoy, and an Auror walk into a bar..."

Arthur snickered. "It won't end well."

"Yeah, but that's the funny part," T. said, grinning over at him.

Apparently the two were friends again, which was nice. At times it still felt more than a little odd to be rubbing elbows with any Muggle or Auror. Then again, Bella reminded herself, the Aurors in this particular incarnation of the Ministry were different and Arthur...well, he'd allowed her to ruin his precious car without question due to his sharp instincts, so he was practically adopted.

As their little group rejoined the party, her eyes fell on Wulfric with his girlfriend the goblin, chatting with Lyra and Cassius. Hobnobbing with Aurors if they were a different breed and connecting with a special Muggle who was the closest they'd get to bloody King Arthur were fine and good, but socializing with Dumbledores… Well, that was rather odd even now. Wulfric was darker than his father, but even Albus was alright. They'd have invited him and his wife, but they were away on vacation.

"Bella," Cissa called, waving at her from where she stood at the head of the long banquet table in the front of the room which held all the food that wasn't already floating around the room on charmed serving trays. "I need you up here, please."

Bellatrix nodded, suddenly feeling nervous. She didn't want to be up in front of everyone! What would Cissa expect her to do? She snaked a hand around Rodolphus's upper arm, nails involuntarily digging in. She was only made aware of this by the low growl of pleasure he gave as he flashed a desire-filled smile her way, before beginning to walk her up the room toward her sister.

She attempted not to stare at what felt like far too many people who appeared to be staring at her as she and Rod threaded their way through them. These were all her friends to one degree or other, she reminded herself. There was no reason to be nervous or to feel strange. It was then that she realized she still held the flowers from Blaise and Gellert in her other hand! Where had her drink gone? The situation was becoming dire! Her sister wanted her in the front of the room, and she had no drink.

"A toast," Narcissa called and the room fell silent. "Everyone get yourself a drink." As she spoke, she extended a crystal goblet to Bella.

Bella opened her mouth to ask what was in it, but decided she didn't care. If she didn't like the drink, she'd just chug it quickly and get another. She stuck the flowers into her hair in order to free up her hand. T. Valdez laughed and clapped. Yes indeed, they were all drunk, and it was good.

Narcissa began to speak as soon as Bella took the goblet from her. "I wanted to have this party for my sister, because she deserves it. She is...is the strongest woman I know, and I am so proud of her."

Narcissa's voice began to crack and Bella gripped Rod's arm harder in panic. Her little sister was crying! Even worse, somehow Cissa was making Bella's own eyes sting!

"She survived Azkaban, then stood up to the evil creation of the man who broke us all, especially her, Rodolphus, Rabastan, Regulus, and Kreacher. She is a credit to all women, and I'm proud to call her my big sister. Thank you, Bella, for...for just being you. We all love you!"

Tears were streaming down Narcissa's face and Bellatrix realized she was crying too. Why? That was annoying!

"So we drink to Bellatrix," Narcissa called out, and glasses clinked.

"TO BELLA!" Gellert bellowed, and Bellatrix found herself laughing through her tears, because he sounded quite drunk. That had happened impressively fast. Lucy must have been extremely annoying, or boring.

Bella peered blearily up into Rod's face as she touched her goblet to his. Though he was smiling proudly at her, his eyes were oddly soft and tender. "That's my girl," he said proudly, and it made Bella's chest hurt.

"I love you, Roddy," she said, sobbing briefly into his excessively delicious chest as she embraced him before rushing to throw her arms around her sister. "And you too, Cissy. I love you too, so very much."

Narcissa laughed as she squeezed Bellatrix in return. "I know. I have one more toast," she added, raising her voice on that last bit so that the room would fall silent again, which it did. "Though this party is for Bella, it's also for everyone who is here for her, because you are all...we are all brave. We have all stood up more than once against evil, and disappointment, and things that we believed to be one way, turning on us and showing themselves to be another. Each and every one of us here has experienced this in one form or other, and we have all come back from it each time to stand strong. So I raise this next glass to all our brave warriors! To all of us!"

"To us!" everyone shouted.

Then Bellatrix was being hugged a great deal. First by her parents, who she was somehow too drunk to notice earlier. "Mummy! Daddy! I love you both, and I'm so sorry I was such a prat about Voldemort."

"Don't apologize, baby," Cygnus said and Druella nodded, pressing a tear-streaked cheek against Bella's own as she held her close.

Bella doubted she'd be sorry the next morning. Really, all their parents probably should've noticed something, but tonight, the world was soft and rosy, and everyone loved her and she loved them. So, for right now, she felt very sorry for being mean to her parents, who were really good parents when it came down to it. Speaking of good parents, Corvus was next, embracing her and then Rod, before Rabastan made his drunken way into the throng.

"Love you guys!" he bellowed, clapping Bella on the shoulder with one hand and Rod on the shoulder with the other. Regulus and Kreacher hugged her at once like some freakish four armed monster, and she hugged them back hard, because they were her freakish four armed monster.

"We did it, Bella," Regulus whispered into her ear. "We survived it all, and we'll keep surviving."

She nodded, smiling at her favorite cousin.

Next came Gori, Loughness and Hydra, Gellert, T. Valdez, Romeo, and even Wulfric. Lyra was last, and like Cissy and Druella, she was crying.

"I'm sorry, Mummy," she sobbed. "For being such a prat."

Bellatrix laughed as she held her daughter close. "You'll probably change your mind tomorrow. I just said the same thing to your grandma, and I'll probably change my mind tomorrow."

"Yes, but we shouldn't," Lyra said, laughing through her tears.

The party went on long into the night, and it was glorious! It was more fun than Bella could ever remember having. She'd had a lot of fun, so that was saying something! This was special, though. It was a coming together to celebrate strength and victory and unity. It came with its own high that, in its way, was sweeter than torture.

[Dear Reader,

The Lestrange book has come to an end, but as Bellatrix suspected, sadly it's not the end of the trails for the wizarding world. Here is a sample of the next book to come in which the Lestranges also play a large part. It is also uploaded here with all the other BlaiseGellert stories, so we do hope you'll read it as well.]

Chapter 149: Heirs Of House Black, Pureblood Squared, Prolog

In The Year 2022

Hydra Black stood on the stage, the rest of her band around her. There was a witch on fiddle, a goblin on guitar, an elf on drums, and Hydra herself on lead vocals and enchanted keyboard. She'd programmed the thing with the song set and let it play itself so that she could dedicate all of her energy to her vocal performance and connecting with the audience. As the only half elf she knew of other than her twin brother, Loughness, she was extremely proud of having the most diverse band in the wizarding world. Even better, she'd done that without trying.

Each band member had just fallen into place, and only when they were all there did it occur to them that they were a perfect poster band for the diversity rage. Granted that was mostly a Muggle thing, but these days it was more important than ever in wizarding society. With the 'plague' that had been loosed onto wizarding society robbing most people of their magic, the new Minister had called for goblins, elves, even Acromantulas to come forward and take their rightful, and equal, place in wizarding society if they'd a mind to do so.

Of course most elves had literally been unable to do so due to the fact they had been enslaved at the time, but the Minister had taken that into consideration. Being a former Slytherin, and having always believed the Ministry was too soft, she'd been ready and eager to make it better and stronger in order to keep the wizarding world safe. Wizarding Aurors, along with those goblins and Acromantulas who had already come forward to show an interest in bettering their situation, visited homes with elf slaves and 'encouraged' the masters to free them. Most of the elves were eager and grateful to leave their shackles of slavery when they were promised paid work at the Ministry.

"It is a new world we're building...as equals together! It's going to be a better, brighter, and stronger world for all of us as long as we DON'T STOP BELIEVING!"

As Hydra called out the final few words to the audience, it was the band's cue to begin playing the music. Tonight she had a guest singer at her side for this single song in particular. He was her boyfriend, and though he terrified most others, Ballan made her heart race for an entirely different reason. The elf hailed from Germany, but that was the least of the reasons he was so different from other elves.

Several years back, he'd been rescued by Millicent Bulstrode (née) Adler's husband, Wolfgang. Wolfgang had flat out bought him from a horrifically cruel master then freed him. While in the service of said master, however, Ballan had gotten himself a slightly mangled right leg and a drooping right eye from his years of abuse, but Hydra thought both only gave him character and made him look entirely badass.

Ballan hated singing, and he hated crowds, and he hated most people, but he loved Hydra, so had allowed her to rope him into this performance as it was a duet about a boy and girl from different walks of life connecting. The song wasn't just a song about love, though. It was an anthem of hope for everyone in all walks of life, a message for them to never stop believing. Right now in this time of change, Hydra felt it was something everyone needed to hear.

As she began to sing, Hydra felt the music sweeping her away as it always did. She was proud to have inherited her bardic gift for song from her human father. When she sang, music was like a wave of life giving power and magic that she could ride, much as one could ride the crest of a wave. As a swimmer moved through water, she moved through and inside of the music. It was glorious! When Ballan chimed in with his part, her heart leapt with pride. His clear, strong tenor belied his equally strong belief that he was no singer. Many in his place who didn't believe in themselves may have given a weak performance, but Ballan didn't do anything by halves, which was what had initially drawn her to him.

She was beginning the second verse when it happened, striking out of nowhere! The spell slammed into her chest, knocking her off her feet! She stared at the ceiling of the Three Broomsticks in shock as the sound of a scream rang in her ears. Distantly, she recognized the voice as belonging to Mag, the band's fiddler and other lead vocalist.

"Do something! Don't just let her die!"

Hydra didn't have to open her eyes to know the shouted words came from her twin brother.

Was she going to die? She hoped not. That would be no good at all. There was still so much she wanted to do. Loughness sounded terrified, though, and that wasn't at all like him. Who had attacked her, though and why? She'd never done anything to anyone.

"I won't do that unless I have to," Ballan replied. "Grindelwald is here tonight. Let him attend, and if he is unable, we'll go from there."

Ballan spoke to Loughness, who cursed under his breath. Hydra felt her eyes fluttering closed as her mind strove to escape the pain.

"Hydra, come on, keep your eyes open for me," Ballan said.

His voice was closer now. He was bending over her. Forcing her eyes open, she searched for his face, but Grindelwald's came into view instead, and the blond looked worried. That wasn't good. The great Grindelwald could usually perform fantastic feats of magic without blinking, she thought as she struggled not to panic.

"Ballan! Put up Anti-Apparation blocks now! We're not letting anyone out of here!"

The enraged scream came from Hydra's third cousin, Bellatrix. Even in spite of the fact that she was quite certain her ribs were broken, the fury in Bella's voice made Hydra give a small smile through the pain that gripped most of her upper body. The Lestranges would make whoever had done this wish their mummy never met their daddy.

"Already did," he called back. "It was a fucking elf. I felt the magic."

The enraged snarl in which Ballan delivered those last words made Hydra hope the elf in question got to live long enough for the Lestranges to torture answers out of him or her. She opened her mouth to tell Ballan not to kill said elf but found herself laughing weakly instead. This was insane! Why would an elf attack her? Not only was she half elf, but she did more than most anyone to assist the newly freed elves to be everything they always should've been!