greedy soul

character name: Rodolphus Lestrange age & birthday: 34, January 2nd. Capricorn sun, capricorn moon and virgo rising. pronouns: he/him blood status: pureblood faceclaim:  Michiel Huisman

☠

“Or maybe they’re just convinced there’s nothing wrong with them and don’t feel the need to see their healer.” Rabastan replied, trying to think of any reason their parents might not want to go. “If there’s nothing causing them pain or ovbiously wrong with them, maybe they just think they’re perfectly fine and don’t have a reason to visit.” His shoulders shrugged, “Either way, get me their schedule.” Rabastan wasn’t overly concerned, it wasn’t as if their parents had done him any favours in his life. But they were still the people that raised him and he still loved them, he supposed, it wouldn’t hurt to bring them to the hospital every now and again.

His eyes narrowed at his brother for a moment. Why was he bringing up marriage? Rabastan knew Lyanna was a good option, in fact he’d almost considered asking her on a date to see if they could work in that sort of dynamic. Rabastan had promised himself if he were to get married, it would be out of love. He didn’t want to end up with somebody just because, he didn’t want his future children growing up in a household where their parents hated each other. But he wasn’t getting any younger and he did love Lyanna in some sort of way. “Why are you bringing that up? Did she say something?” He questioned, wondering just how much information he could get out of his brother.

Laughing again, Rabastan nodded his head. “I’m just worried if you take her to a mental hospital, they might never let her leave.” It was always rather fun to tease Bellatrix, but it wasn’t quite as satisfying without her in the room. “Next Friday… Alright, you might have to give me a reminder, though.”

.

“That’s very likely as well” he agreed. Rodolphus didn’t necessarily care about his parents’ health out of love, but out of responsibility. He was the eldest son, he was in charge now and he had to act like it. In all fairness, Rodolphus didn’t care for too many people. His brother, Ophelia and his wife were on the top three of people he cared for, and sometimes he felt he cared for Bellatrix just because she was his wife. After all, he did not choose her as his wife, his parents did.

“She didn’t, it was just an observation” he responded, shaking his head slowly. That wasn’t technically ture, Lyanna didn’t say anything about his brother, but she did say something about wanting a baby. Not that Rodolphus would tell him that, it wasn’t his place and if she wanted Rabastan to know that, then she should tell him. He knew he should pressure his brother to settle down, or at least that it was expected of him, but he wasn’t going to do that, Rabastan was old enough and he was his own person. He wasn’t going to tell him what to do with his personal life. Times had changed.

“Sometimes I think that would be a good idea” he commented, smirking slightly. His wife was unhigned and volatile, and while he was able to handle her, it didn’t mean that he enjoyed her rage fits every other day. “I will” he nodded his head before sipping his coffee. He then tilted his head to the side and noticed a vase with fresh flowers. “I heard your Hufflepuff friend is back... what was her name again? The one with the dead brother...” he commented cautiously. “Have you seen her?”

—

“Oh….” Alecto thought for a moment, and then she smiled at him. “That would be lovely actually.” They hadn’t talked too much about where they wanted to go, but a starting point would probably be a good thing. Then they could plan where else they would like to go. “Does good to stay on your good side.” She teased with a little smile. Things did feel awkward though, and she hoped it wasn’t going to stay like this forever. “Oh. I love my brother, but he is much help as a chocolate teapot when it comes to business.”

.

He shrugged his shoulders, Alecto was his friend, he wouldn’t mind lending her his home for a few days. “Of course” he said simply. “You are still my friend, Alecto” he responded as if it were the most obvious thing in the world. Personally, Rodolphus didn’t feel any different towards her. “And that is why you do need to train someone to be your right hand” he pointed out before sipping his drink.

-

“Glad we agree on that.” Dirk grinned, humming to himself as they walked down the Hogsmeade street towards the sweetshop, “Buying some treats in Honeydukes is the equivalent to live savings?” he asked, “Maybe starting a trust wouldn’t be a bad idea, I could talk to some of the goblins about it, frame it in a way that benefits them in the long run and I think they’d be willing to go for it.” After all, Wixan-Folk with more money in the future means more business for them now, it was all a matter of perspective; the thought made him chuckle.

“What? Nah,” he waved a hand and laughed again, “Goblins are super hard to work with sometimes and I really struggle to see their point of view on a lot of things. We may not be taking the best way, but this is the quickest and I’m guessing you want this business sown up lickity-split or I wouldn’t be here. So,” he paused a moment, “Think of this as the lesser evil this go around. Maybe next time, in a different situation we can approach things differently and compromise.” Unlikely, but he could hope.

“Are you sure?” Dirk asked, cocking his head a little, “Suit yourself.” Dirk paid for the quill (he wasn’t gonna make Mr. Lestrange pay for his treat) and let the other man get the butterflies, “See, our mutual acquaintance has a weakness for this little things, gimme a few minutes with him and I’ll have you deal sorted, then you can get back to work, I’ll bet you’re super busy.” Work would hate to work with money, too much pressure, he liked working with the Gobins around money, “Are you doing anything tonight?” he asked casually, holding a hand out to apparate them to Diagon.    

.

“This is the first time I encounter with a goblin who wants sweets, Mr. Cresswell, but I’ve ran into some that ask for an extra comission or heirlooms in the past” he knew what he was doing, trying to find holes in his argument, but Rodolphus despised goblins not just because they were goblins, but because most of them were little shits who liked to bribe his clients and himself. Not that he was the one to talk about morality

He nodded his head slowy at his proposal. Clearly this was an urgency, the money needed to enter the country as soon as possible. Once in the store, he was ready to pay for his quill, but Dirk paid it himself and Rod didn’t even have time to insist. So he just paid for the butterflies instead.

“I appreciate that” he nodded his head again. “I am indeed” he responded. “The economy is starting to blossom again and people want to invest their money” he explained. Rodolphus, in his pro-bono cases, actually helped a lot of people who were struggling and he did make a difference in their lives. Had him being a decent person, he would’ve felt proud of himself, but he didn’t find it in himself to care. His questions about his plans for tonight caught him completely off guard. “Tonight?” He blinked. “I’m having dinner with my wife” he responded. “Why?” He then questioned before taking his hand and apparated back in Diagon Alley. The second his feet hit the floor, he let go of his hand.

☠

Rabastan furrowed his brows at Rod’s words, confused. He didn’t have any idea that their parents health had been any concern, or that they had been missing appointments. Why were their healers writing to Rodolphus and not him, considering he lived with them? Perhaps they had been writing and his mail was being intercepted, he certainly wouldn’t put it past their parents to tell the elves to snoop through his letters before giving them to him. “No, I hadn’t a clue.” He answered honestly, head shaking slightly. “But if you can get me their schedule I can make sure they end up at their appointments. You’d think they’d wanna go just to be away from me for a little bit, but I had been out of town for a week.” Rabastan shrugged, taking the last bite of his apple and tossing the core into the bin.

“Lyanna went to see you? What’d she want from you?” Rab asked, leaning forward with interest. He wasn’t aware Lyanna was having financial trouble and wondered if there was anything he could do to help her. His shoulders shrugged at his next question, “Not sure, I just go where I’m told. As far as I’m aware the riots in Ireland have settled for now. Hopefully I’ll just be stationed in town, all this traveling gets a bit tiring.” As much as he enjoyed seeing different places, it wasn’t quite as exciting being there for work rather than pleasure. Rabastan snorted, laughing rather hard at the thought of Bellatrix holding someone else’s baby. “Bellatrix? Held a child? Willingly?” He asked, still laughing as he relaxed back into his seat once again. “Yeah I’ll go with you this time, but only for Bella’s sake. Wouldn’t want to subject her to such hardships again. When is it?”

.

Rodolphus sighed, shaking his head. Old people... adults acting like fucking children, or even worse. “Apparently they missed two appointments” he shook his head slowly. He looked up at him and nodded his head. “Yeah, I’ll give you their schedule” he nodded. “I mean, they can end up going so they’ll be away from you” he joked but then shook his head slowly. “I wonder if those two are hiding something about their health” he wondered before sipping his coffee. “Or if them not going is because they are having some cognitive issues...” if that was the case, the two of them would have to do something on the matter.

When he asked about Lyanna, he shrugged his shoulders. “I’m handling her finances” he said simply. He wasn’t going to tell him about the things she told him. He thought it was her thing to tell Rabastan if she so desired, after all they were close friends and Rodolphus was an outsider. “You know, if you ever plan on getting married, she is a good option” was all he was going to say on the matter. While his marriage with Bella had been successful, he would never, ever, forgive his parents for forcing him to marry her. The fact that he was not able to have a say in his own life had been humiliating and, as head of the Lestrange family, he promised himself that he would never force his brother to marry anyone unless he wanted to. 

He then nodded his head understandingly. “Well, willingly... I mean, she had to” he smirked playfully. For a moment, he considered on letting him know about his intentions of having a child with Bella, but that was still very premature and on the works. “In her defense, I have the impression she would much rather go to a mental hospital than an orphanage...” he mused before finishing his coffee. “Thank you... next friday, around eleven” he told him.

Rodolphus Lestrange, a playlist 1/?

–

She’s not sure freedom is the word she would use to describe being the spare and not the heir. The expectations were different, the rules of engagement altered but they were there. Lyanna knew she could never understand what Thorfinn or Rodolphus had gone through to be the perfect son, but she thought, they also would never know what it was like to live in the shadow of another simply for having been born second. “He’s my friend, I care for his safety and happiness very much,” is all she can offer in rebuttal; meek demeanor once more superseding her desire to make Rodolphus understand that Rabastan is so much more than his tardiness. He is exciting and smart and brave and a Ravenclaw like her. 

“I love spiders,” she says quickly, as if that’s enough to make it make sense. A million words rattling around in her head and she really never picks the right thing to say. She fidgets nervously under his scrutiny, as kind and welcoming as it might be. “That would be very helpful if your friend is amenable. I’m always interested to meet another interested in the art,” her hands wring one another, creating red spots on her ghost-white skin, “well I thought the Dark Lord for all of us, but I can’t find him no matter how much I look… maybe he was too small. In the end? Maybe he doesn’t want me to find him…” she sucks in a deep breath, courage faltering and grateful for the change of subject. Although her reason for visiting is just as nerve wracking, the examination of another failure to put beneath his lens. 

“I want a baby, Mr. Lestrange. I want a family. I’m tired of waiting and I was wondering if I had enough money maybe I could buy a husband? Like sometimes how men buy wives? It doesn’t matter what language he speaks… but I thought we could look over my finances and see if I have enough?” 

.

He was tough on his brother, yes, he knew and it wasn’t unfounded. However, Rodolphus was always protective of him and he had done almost the impossible to keep him safe and away from Azkaban. His relationship with his brother wasn’t the easiest, but the two of them cared and vouched for one another. As kids, Rodolphus would try to divert his father’s attention so any form of punishment would rely on him and not on Rabastan, and there were marks on his body that proved that. However, none of that was something he’d like to dicuss with Lyanna Rowle or anyone, simply because it was none of their business.

“Of course, I’ll talk to her and let you know” he promised and he intent to keep that promise. Admittedly, he couldn’t say he was surprised to hear the Dark Lord’s name in there. As someone deeply invested in the dark arts and an insanely curious person, Rod had many theories regarding the Dark Lord’s death. Surely a man as brilliant as him didn’t just die or wasn’t just killed. He paused for a moment but then shook his head. “I don’t think that’s the case, my dear, I think that he’s simply... gone” he responded. And no one could accuse him of anything, he and Bella had been some of his most loyal circle as well as closest confidents.

Lyanna’s answer, however, caught him completely off guard. “I see” he responded after a moment. He had to give it to her and her determination. “Uh... yes, of course” he said simply and pulled out his wand. With a simple swish, a folder filled with papers flew right to him. On it’s cover, it was labeled as ‘Lyanna Rowle’. “I am afraid I do not know of anyone whoud eh... help you to get a husband with that method” he commented. “So I wouldn’t know how much it could cost you” he explained as he opened the file.

—

Alecto just raised an eyerbrow, but chose not to comment. She’d learnt over the years when to challenge Rodolphus, and she honestly could not be bothered with it right now. Their friendship had changed, and she really couldn’t face anything that would break it apart even more. Both the Lestranges were important to her, and it hurt that she was losing them. “We’ll probably go travelling somewhere.” She mused with a shrug. They hadn’t really talked much about a honeymoon. It was another part of a wedding that Alecto really did not understand. There was no surprise that the Macnairs had gone down a very untraditional wedding path. “It’s hard to leave the bar. I need to find someone I trust to over look it whilst I’m away.” He probably would have been the one she’d have asked in the past, but she wasn’t so sure now.

.

As someone who was constantly having to deal with adults who acted like children, Rodolphus was not given enough credit. His brother and his wife, plus all the things that he had to do on daily basis, the last thing that he wanted was to keep on listening to people bitch about things. “Any specific destinations?” He asked. “I could give you the keys to my family’s home in Capri so you can stay there for a few days” he offered. “I see... can’t your brother do that?”

.

Bellatrix had never shown the discipline her husband possessed. Never. It was why they made a good team. He was maybe the only person she would ever willing follow rather than lead, although she wasn’t sure that she was capable of admitting it out loud. It was a trust she had for nobody else, perhaps fostered by his protection in the immediate aftermath of the war when she had all but fallen apart. Days spent in their rooms, unmoving and refusing to talk. She had barely eaten. What was the point? They had lost. She was so sure that they would win, had been certain, and then they had lost. If not for Rodolphus then she would have surely rotted in Azkaban when the Aurors eventually came for her. So yes, she trusted her husband - the man with the plan. After all, putting all her faith in their Lord hadn’t worked. Clearly it was time to try things her husbands way. And so she smiled for photographs, gritted her teeth when the filth she hated mingled around them, and generally played the role he’d designed for her. She had expected herself to be resentful - and she was in a way but more towards their situation, the need for a charade, than she was towards Rod. “I wouldn’t be too flattered. They set the bar very low,” She teased, taking another sip from her glass, “I can’t have your head getting much bigger Rodolphus. You’ll struggle to fit through even our doorways.” It wasn’t as if either of them had a problem with ego, they were both quite healthy. 

She couldn’t help the small but genuine smile that tugged at her lips at her husband’s words. She had lost so many - family, friends, even her dreams that had once seemed so close to reality - but there was a comfort in the idea that she would not lose him. Her own dependence, no matter how small or understandable, almost made her sick. “We’ve already last much longer than anybody thought - I believe my grandfather was the highest bet. What was it? Three years before one of us went mysteriously missing?” Others had not been as kind, an old aunt had insisted that nobody would even make it to a honeymoon with Bellatrix and her unladylike manners. Poor Rodolphus, stuck with such a difficult wife. She resisted the urge to pout, knowing it made her look like a child, and insisted let out a sigh. “If you insist,” She conceded, already wishing the auction along. “I have seen more valuable items mixed in with the cheap tat at Borgin and Burkes,” She claimed, clearly uninterested in most of the items that were up for bidding. Everything seemed so vanilla. “But I suppose there are some things worth considering. We have to be seen participating, don’t we?” Lest rumours start about the Lestranges thinking they were too good for charity work. Oh how she missed the good old days of them just simply being who they were.

.

Most of their sentiments and feelings towards the other remained implicit, but they knew. They didn’t need to be shouting it in the open nor wanted to. They were both people who’s actions spoke louder than words and he prefered to keep it that way. Sometimes Rod thought that this relationship was constantly being tested, first when they were forced to marry each other, then during the war, then right immediately after the death of the Dark Lord. Rodolphus had never properly taken care of anyone until that time when Bellatrix was in bed, unable to speak. He would check up on her in spite of her not speaking to him, sometimes he would lay down next to her, the two of them in silence, but letting her know that he was there. “Ah, there is the Bellatrix we all know” he chuckled softly before sipping his drink. “If my head is big it’s only because it’s filled with good ideas and knowledge, my dear” he quipped with a playful smirk.

It took him a moment to realize that Bella was not talking about their stay at the auction, but their marriage. “Well, we do like proving people wrong, my dear, don’t we?” He smirked, taking her hand to his lips and pressed a charming kiss on her knuckles. Rod shrugged his shoulders. If she didn’t want anything, then he wasn’t going to buy her anything. There was a necklace his mother may like, shiny with emeralds. “We do, but don’t worry, I’ll buy something” he said simply before an idea crossed his mind. His eyes went from the dance floor to his wife. “How would you feel about one waltz?” He asked.

☠

Rabastan had been, thankfully, facing away from Rodolphus as he went on about being the breadwinner of the family. His eyes rolled and he mocked him under his breath, “I’m the one filling the family vault.” Rabastan shook his head as he turned the corner into the family room and sat down. In reality, Rabastan knew he shouldn’t be freeloading off his parents money, but it’s the least they could do for him after giving him a shitty childhood. He didn’t feel bad about it, and he would certainly stop when the house and money went entirely to Rodolphus. It wasn’t his brother’s fault for the way their parents treated him.

“What about?” He questioned curiously, getting comfortable in his spot on the sofa by slouching back and putting his feet up on the table. Stretching one arm behind his head, Rabastan let out a soft sigh, fully relaxed. “Work’s fine, just got back from Northern Ireland, actually. Riots broke out and they needed crowd control for a couple weeks. Wasn’t quite as exciting as I’d hoped it be, but I managed to get in a bit of combat.” That wasn’t the point in him being there, but it was always nice to practice his dueling skills. “Got home yesterday, had lunch with Lyanna then slept until a couple hours ago. They gave me the rest of the week off, so I’ll probably be an annoying houseguest until I have to go back.” Rabastan chuckled slightly before taking another bite from his apple, “What about you?” He asked through a full mouth.

.

Rodolphus often wondered to himself if his punishment for being... well, whatever he was and whatever he had done, was being surrounded by adults acting like children. Between Bella and Rabastan, it was a miracle he hadn’t lost his shit yet. Rod took it as a permanent test. One couldn’t have everything, right? And in spite of every single annoying thing his brother did, Rodolphus would protect him fiercely. In fact, he did after the war was over. None of them had an easy childhood, though Rodolphus could say that Rabastan had it difficult because he craved for his parents attention. The fool never learned that no attention was better than bad attention. As opposed to that, Rod was under constant scrutiny and any thing less than perfect earned a punishment. 

“His and mother’s health... I recieved an owl from their personal healers that they had been both missing their appointments” he explained. “Did you know anything of that?” He then asked. After all, he lived in the house, he could at least keep an eye on those things. Rodolphus nodded his head when his brother explained what was going on with his life. He quirked an eyebrow when he mentioned Lyanna Rowle. “Ah, she came to my office the other day” he commented non-chalantly. “A week off, huh?” He hummed. “Where are you supposed to head next? Northern Ireland again?” He asked curiously as he sipped his coffee. “With a lot of work” and most of that work wasn’t even that exciting. “I’m making a donation on behalf of our family to this mental institution in Cardiff... it would be important if you come with me” he told him, eyeing at him cautiously. It was part of the plan of clearing out his family name, and that included visiting places. “Bellatrix joined me in this orphanage a few months ago” he then added. “He even had to hold a child and everything” he added with an amused smirk.

-

While he had no idea what exactly was being thought, it was easy enough to tell wheel’s were turning in Mr. Lestrange’s brain; he doubted they were particularly charitable ones but so long as they stayed in his brain Dirk wasn’t gonna make a thing of it. The world was a different place now, tolerance had to be given a chance to grow.

“Oh you’ll see.” he grinned, enjoying making a little adventure out of it, “C’mon! We ca apparate outside and we’ll there in a flash.” He walked to the door and opened it gesturing the other to follow and offering a cheery wave of goodbye to the receptionist as he went. “Killing muggle-borns and tiny bribery are two very different things,” he said with a peaceable expression, “Besides, you’ve never had a small gift or favour done for you in exchange or part exchange for a larger agreement?” he asked.

“Considering we’re dealing with, as you said, important Russian clients, with a lot of money you’re not to touch, I doubt we’re dealing with a pro-bono case,” he added lightly, showing that (despite his airy demeanour) he’d not missed a single thing Rodolphus said. Once they were outside, Dirk grabbed the taller man’s shoulder and, with a twist, they were in Hogsmeade, right outside, “Hi Mr. Flume!” Dirk grinned at the owner as he walked inside, “Could I get oh… eight tins of sugar-coated butterflies?” he asked, “A deluxe sugar quill and-” he turned to Rodolphus, “Anything for you Mr. Lestrange?”    

.

Rodolphus was dreading this, but nevertheless, he put on his coat and walked out of his office, following Dirk. “Killing any creature is a horrible act and anyone who did that should be in jail” he said and sounded so sincere that even he bought it for a moment. Granted, he had kill his few share of people, but Rodolphus body count was quite discreet in comparison to his wife’s. He was more of a planner, a thinker, while Bella was the brute force. “And those aren’t just tiny briberies, Mr. Cresswell, it’s a life time of savings of working class people” he commented.

“This may not be a pro-bono case, but I do have many pro-bono cases in which this same thing happens” he responded coolly. “But I do understand that it must be hard for you to see that your friends are at fault here, it’s hard to see the wrong doings in the people we care about” he said simply. They may not transfer money from one country to the other, but they did want to open a vault or a deposit box and the fare rates and all the bribery were ridiculous.

The two of them apparated in Hogsmeade and Rod immediately let go of the young man. What on earth were they doing in Honeydukes? But he followed him inside nevertheless and let him do the talk. He observed him move and treat everyone like they knew them their entire life and he resisted the strong urge to scoff and instead, he smiled politely. “No, nothing for me” he shook his head and took out a small bag with the galleons to pay for these things.

♞

Contact with other humans is something he let himself become unfamiliar with – which only makes it that much HARDER to jump back in. When Rodolphus suddenly moves towards him and pulls him into an embrace, Callan freezes, eyes wide. His arms   s l o w l y   close around the other man, however, and he holds the position awkwardly, wholly unsure of how long to stay like this.

He thanks a god he doesn’t believe in when Rodolphus FINALLY pulls away. He clears his throat, trying to hide the light fluster which has spread baby pink across his cheeks.

“Sure.” He just barely manages to get the singular word out. As he takes the glass from Rodolphus, he lowers himself into another chair.

“Only just got back a few days ago.” Having seemingly found his words again, he takes a deep sip from the glass before he continues. “It was a bit   h a i r y   there for a moment, but I think things have calmed down enough. Thought I’d pay everyone a VISIT since it’s been so long. Those group meetings were awfully convenient,” he jokes, smiling as he brings his Firewhiskey to his lips once more. Convenient so that he could see everyone all at once and be DONE with it.

.

Rod failed to notice the awkwardness, only because he wasn’t a hugger and is not like he cared that much. There was also a part of him that knew that he had to act differently, like a more approachable man. He trusted his secretary to a certain extent, one could never tell if she were going to accidentally tell someone what she saw in here. So he did have to play a certain act.

He passed him his drink before sitting down on his usual seat behind his desk. “Permanently?” He asked curiously. He nodded his head understandingly. It wasn’t easy, he had been donating so much gold to so many charities. The PR campaign to clean up his family name was agressive. 

He nodded his head understandingly. “And now you go looking for everyone to say hi?” He smirked before sipping his firewhiskey. Just because he was a death eater, it didn’t mean he liked everyone in the ranks. In fact, Rodolphus wasn’t know for being too friendly or approachable. “Many things about the past were convenient” he then nodded his head. Like the power they had.

—

“In your opinion dear. Not in mine.” Alecto just mused, a smirk on her lips. She would never be impressed by the alcohol that most places served, but she supposed that was due to the her owning a bar. At his next question Alecto just shrugged. “Not really. I was practically married to you and Bella.” She pointed out. It might not have technically been official, but it was practically a marriage. Alecto’s features softened into a smile though. “But I’m happy, and that is all that matters.” Being a wife didn’t feel any different to when she hadn’t been a wife. She didn’t get when people talking about being married changing everything, because it hadn’t for her. But she was happy, and Walden was a good husband, so that was all that mattered to her.

.

“Well, it’s a good thing I didn’t ask for it” he responded, not unkindly. Is not like he wanted to be here in the first place, but to be here and listen to people complain about it made it even more unbearable. He had been listening to his wife complain the entire day and now her? Someone give him a break already. He nodded his head when she said that she was happy. Rod agreed, she deserved that. It had been tough with Bellatrix and, once again, it was Rodolphus job to pick up the pieces and mend them together, but he didn’t say anything. “Are you going anywhere for your honeymoon?” He asked curiously.

–

“Santorini? How exciting that must be for him! I’ve always wanted to travel more but it seems so frightening on my own. Don’t be too mad at him, Rudolphus. Give him a little more patience, for me. I think second siblings are cursed to always be running behind, or else why wouldn’t we be born first,” her hazel eyes are wide, a very mild but genuine plea on Rabastan’s behalf, “I am sure he’s happy to see you. Maybe he just gets distracted on the way. I do, usually by spiders.” 

She stops abruptly, realizing she’s rambling and those things are impolite. She’s always happy to talk to the Lestange’s about themselves, such an admirable family. She nods politely when she receives her drink and small snack. She’s not especially hungry, but she hasn’t eaten much and she knows she should have something in her stomach to help settle her nerves. “I’ve been alright. I’ve been learning a lot about Necromancy but the resource material isn’t as accurate as it ought to be so I’m also having to go way way back to really early magic. My ancient Pict and Sumerian have improved. How are you Rudolphus? Not too overworked I hope!” 

.

“I’ve been giving my brother patience since before you were born, Miss Rowle” he responded, flashing her a charming smile. He didn’t go into details on how his little brother was basically parasiting the family vault while he had his own money to use. “They are also blessed with freedom, Lyanna” Rabastan could do pretty much whatever he pleased that it wouldn’t matter, as opposed to Rodolphus who was constantly under the most strict scrutiny. “You are too kind and my brother certainly does not deserve such kindness from a wonderful lady like yourself” he responded before taking his coffee and sipped it. “Spiders?”

Rodolphus nearly choked with his coffee when she said she was learning necromancy. “Necromancy?” He asked, raising a brow but visibly interested in what she had to say. “Who are you planning to bring back, my dear?” He smiled. “I have a friend who might be able to help with that, if you’d like me to, I can ask her if she has good material on the matter” he offered. “Me? I am always overworked” he laughed and waved his hand dismissively. “Normally it’s a good thing, I like my job and I like living the way I do” he told her, winking at her playfully.

“So, my dear, what brings you here? What can I do for you?”

☠

“Not your house yet, mate.” Rabastan replied, chomping down on his apple again. As long as their parents were still alive, the house didn’t belong to Rodolphus and he liked to take every opportunity to remind him. “Besides, I don’t really think it’s fair that you’re getting the house. You get everything else, you can’t just give me the house? Won’t you be getting the Black’s house, anyway? No need for two.” The grin on his lips was the obvious tell that he didn’t actually care, but what were little brothers for, if not to annoy the shit out of their older brother?

“Yeah, I’ve got my own home.” He answered, “But why would I go there? My bed here is much more comfortable, and there’s all I can eat free food in the kitchen.” Rabastan smirked, moving from his spot against the doorframe and heading down the hallway, intentionally running into Rodolphus’ shoulder with his own. “Be honest, you’re only here because you missed me.” He teased, turning into the family room and plopping down on the sofa.

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“That’s debatable, considering I am the one filling in the family vault with the gold that’s used to cover the expenses in here... including that apple” he reminded him, pointing at the fruit his brother had in his hand. “I think it’s perfectly fair, and that is exactly how things work” he and Bellatrix were going to have a baby sooner than later and he wanted the child to grow up in the Lestrange Manor, as it was supposed to. He would be the head of the family, not Rabastan. “You have your own house” he said simply. And it didn’t matter whether Bella got or not the house. One thing was to be a rebel, but other very different is to live off their parents’ money. There was nothing rebelious about that, merely him parasiting off the family money instead of using his own.

Rodolphus rolled his eyes when Rabastan went past him like that. He was such a baby, it was annoying, but he avoided giving him the satisfaction of reacting to each and every one of his childish antics. Rod then called one of the elves and instructed him to make him a coffee and take it to him. Naturally, the elf was delighted to fulfill that task.

“I am here because I needed a word with Father” he responded before sitting down on his usual spot by the fireplace. Soon enough, the elf was back with his coffee and Rod nodded his head, thanking him. “So, what’s up? How’s work?” He asked curiously.

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Rodolphus had always been a thinker, at least as far back as Bellatrix could remember. Certainly for as long as they had been married. They played two distinct roles in their marriage; brains and muscle. He was as logical as she was impulsive, as calculated as she was ruthless. She wasn’t sure that her mother had given much thought as to what perfect match made in hell the two of them might be, but Bella certainly couldn’t deny that her husband was perhaps the only man who could have levelled her out. A perfect puzzle piece to slot against her own rough edges, but she would never be as sentimental to think of something as inevitable as twin flames. No, simply a bit of good luck that the whole thing hadn’t gone wrong if you asked Mrs Lestrange. Would it heal your pride a little if I said you were the only person here I can stand to be around for more than a few moments?” It might have counted for little, but little wasn’t nothing. A chuckle rumbled against her closed lips, shoulders shaking for a single second. She was clearly entertained by the very thought of Rodolphus enjoying himself. It might have been cruel, but she found herself feeling fortunate she wasn’t the only one who found the whole affair lacklustre. “I was worried I might have lost you to the dark side for a moment,” She teased, comfortable in his touch with the knowledge that they had surely both crossed to the dark side long before that night. “How much longer?” She asked, knowing that he wouldn’t keep her there longer than necessary.

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Rodolphus mastered the art of pretending ever since he was a young boy. He would charm anyone that cross his way. It was either that or being punished by his father back home. In a way it was all about survival, but now he took that skill and used it for his own personal gain. He would be dragged to the most boring balls or events and he would smile and act like the good boy he wasn’t. “Aw, don’t get sentimental on me now, Bella” he responded to her comment with a playful grin. Their relationship was strange to most people, sometimes even to Rodolphus himself. However, on the other hand, they worked so well together. He was relieved when she listened to him, especially after the war ended. Rodolphus could tell, even before the war ended, maybe the last months prior, that things weren’t going well, so he immediately began to plan, to erase any kind of traceable evidence, to be more careful, to keep an eye on both Bellatrix and his brother, make sure they wouldn’t do anything stupid that could potentially incriminate them later. So, when the Dark Lord was finally defeated, all they had to do was navigate through the turbulence until things settled down. And Rod happened to be a great captain. 

“You’ll never loose me, so don’t you worry” he responded. He was who he was, no matter how many times he would pretend to be someone else. He knew that this society wasn’t ready for people like him or Bellatrix, and since he happened to enjoy his privileges, he was willing to play the part in order to keep them. “We just arrived, Bella” he rose a brow. “We can leave after the auction... is there any item you’d like for me to purchase?” He asked. “I saw some manuscripts that could be potentially interesting” he would show them to Ophelia later since she was the expert, but he had his eyes on it for a while.