Bellatrix Lestrange

Taking the glass of scotch from the house elf that silently walked up to them, he quickly waved him off. Sipping from the glass, he let his mind begin to work. Even without many people on this search, they had gotten a significant amount of places searched. Not that he was surprised, knowing Bellatrix, she only had the best people around helping her. “Have people been questioned? Maybe someone around those areas have seen or heard something that we have not.”

“Two days before New Year’s,” she answered, idly switching two of the papers. It was to give herself something to do while he studied more than anything, but there was no telling if a new idea could come out of it. She was always processing things differently, finding new paths to check had he decided to travel on foot. There were just too many possibilities. They could look forever and only tap the surface, more options surfacing with every one of Regulus’s decisions since.

Bellatrix pointed to a few spots on the map, tracing invisible lines between them as she spoke. “There aren’t many people in this area. A few at inns or taverns, anywhere he could have spent more than a passing minute. Very few were magical establishments at that.” She had felt dirty coming out of the muggle ones. Memory charms were used to keep from them questioning it later, but the foreign and almost empty nature of the places had made them even more unpleasant. To think of her cousin, the heir of the Black family, staying in one of them had only added to it. “There is probably more that could be done. It was a hard trade off when questioning meant stopping.”

There always are. [Bellatrix bit her tongue at the mention of Sirius, all too aware of how little he knew himself] One of the few things I can be sure of is he has not run off to join the blood traitors. [She shook her head] It is alright. I have heard it all at this point. 

Rodolphus opened his mouth to argue back, but instead threw his hands up in defeat. He knew if he continued to press on that, it would just start a whole other argument, which he was far from the mood for. Pinching the bridge of his nose, he once again began to pace. “I know, I know. We’re not going to lose him, we’ll find him. I know we will.”

Crossing his arms, Rodolphus leaned against the nearest bookshelf as he watched her gather up her items. Not saying a word, he simply followed behind her, making sure to shut the library door behind them. Nodding at a couple of the elves cleaning as they passed, he pulled out Bellatrix’s seat for her in attempt to be  sort of gentlemanly. “Dessert as well?”

Without really waiting for an answer, he stomped off to the kitchen, shouting out for one of the elves. Demanding a meal along with a nice cake for dessert, he snatched a glass of scotch off the counter before joining Bellatrix  in the dining room once again. “Okay, so what’re you walking me through?” Grabbing the chair nearest her own, he took a seat beside her.

Bellatrix rolled her eyes as he walked off without giving her a chance to respond. While part of her was still looking to pick a fight, she didn’t so much as mention it when he returned - some things were too petty to so much as acknowledge - already completely engrossed in her work again. Maps and notes were spread out in a careful order, and she gave him a warning look to not touch anything. 

“What I have and what’s next,” she offered as a partial explanation before standing to better survey it all. “You have the place he was last seen as well as the other two he was supposed to touch on his assignment. The rings going out are labeled with travel time by foot in case he was injured or running and couldn’t apparate. We’ve checked the areas themselves and have been working outward then i-” she motioned to the map above it, the points marked far more specifically, “- have been checking spots he was known to frequent on my own. They have been even less productive which is why I haven’t taken others along.” It was partly true, at least. She couldn’t ignore how people needed rest, it just typically came far earlier than she was ready to stop. Combined with not especially wanting others around on these expeditions, it was the perfect opportunity.

She leaned forward on her palms and stared at the papers as if a new room and yet another new layout would expose some form of pattern she had missed. “If you have any brilliant revelation, now would be the time to share it.”

[Though Alecto had a good deal on her plate, she knew there were people with far more to tend to at this point. While she was off in Malta for a mission that required a good deal of relaxation time, a final ruling on the Regulus Black case was released. She was pleased not to be around when any sort of drama arose as a result. Still, she had to return sooner or later, and part of that meant speaking with Bellatrix, who she could only imagine needed a good deal of distracting right now. The invitation was a most welcome one, and she arrived perfectly on time, seating herself across from the other young woman.] I am more than happy to provide it. I’ve heard of nothing but continuous news of all kinds. A dinner out with only me should do you some good.

How much of it is true is an entirely different matter. [She made a face at the thought] But yes. A few hours with you almost always does. How have you been? Though where may be a better question.