life eternal

—

Alecto had to be admit she liked being in Rodolphus’ presence. He was nice to be around, and to look at too. Of course, looks were not everything. But it did certainly help. The man also didn’t seem to care about her families misfortunes. She appreciated that. Alecto was tired of people sending her pitying looks, or treating her differently because they had no money. They might be poor, but it had not changed who Alecto was a person. She hadn’t changed. And she was more determined than ever to get her name back up there. She was going to make the Carrow name better than it had ever been before.

“I don’t read very much…..” The red head mused with a little shrug. “I don’t really have time.” Alecto knew that she worked too much. But she didn’t really have much else to do. And she certainly didn’t want to be spending too much time at home. So, at work was the place to be. “A night cap? How very splendid….” She murmured with a little smile. She wouldn’‘t exactly call night drinking that, but she did work in a bar when she tried to make people drink asmuch as possible after all. “Oh….” There was a little smile at his words. “I would love to join you Rodolphus. Such a  kind offer.”

journeying through someone else’s point of view hadn’t been the only focus of rodolphus’ evening. his concern over rabastan was poking at his mind, and no matter how much he tried, he couldn’t let it go. his younger brother had talked to him weeks ago about what had happened and rodolphus assured him that he would protect him. it wasn’t an assurance that rodolphus took lightly, either. however, that didn’t mean that he didn’t want to ask rabastan where the hell his common sense was and why’d he allowed himself to get into that position in the first place. 

“it’s no trouble, but i hope apparating doesn’t affect you too much?” rodolphus replied, holding his arm out for her to take. rodolphus didn’t invite his friends or family over often as he enjoyed having a space that was primarily his, rarely bothered by anyone else, but he didn’t see the harm of having alecto over for an hour or so. the pair arrived on his doorstep moments later and upon crossing the threshold, rodolphus used nonverbal magic to open the doors to his liquor cabinet as he draped his jacket over a chair, putting his book down on the counter. “pick your poison,” rodolphus said, nodding his head in the direction of the cabinet. “i think i’ve got some of the wine you had last time, but of course, the choice is yours. help yourself.” 

–

Alecto was kind of hoping that he was not going to berate her for nearly bumping into him. So far, she had thought he was pretty decent, especially when compared against his brother. But, she wasn’t so sure if maybe it was a Lestrange trait, and he’d just been nice so far. But, he seemed to not mind her nearly bumping into him. So, maybe that was a good sign. The red head just smiled at him. Rodolphus was a pretty decent guy, and he wasn’t that bad to look at either. It was a great combination in her opinion.

She just smiled at his words. Part of her was a little disappointed she hadn’t fallen, because it wouldn’t be a bad thing for him to catch her. “It’s good to see you too.” It was. She’d had fun when they’d spent time in the Leaky. It had felt nice to be treated by a guy. It felt nice to be wanted, which Alecto really needed after all of the Caius Drama. “I’ve been busy with work…. but apart from that I’ve been fine. How about you?”

rodolphus would be lying to himself if he said he hadn’t been hoping to to see alecto again. she’d been a distraction he hadn’t foreseen the last time and he found himself interested in learning more about her. he also wondered how difficult it was to walk around with everyone knowing exactly how and why your family had fallen from such a high place. the lestrange’s own story wasn’t even as mortifying as the carrow’s but rodolphus would find a way to kill whoever took it upon themselves to spread business that wasn’t theirs. 

“ah – yes, me too,” rodolphus answered. “however, i did take some time off this evening to get into some literature,” he tapped his book with his finger, “and i was about to head home for a nightcap.” rodolphus very well knew that he couldn’t walk away without extending an invitation, employing the manners that were taught to him at a very young age. “you’re more than welcome to join me – if you’re able.” 

Alecto sighed, rubbing at her eyes as she wandered down the road. It was unusual that she did this shift. She usually worked late into the night, but she’d finished at a pretty decent time tonight. It meant, that she was either going to have to head home, or find some fun other way of spending the evening. And she really did not want to go home. Alecto detested being in Carrow house, especially when Amycus was not there, and he was still at work. So, she was taking a quite slow walk down the road.

And she wasn’t quite paying attention, so she very nearly walked right into Rodolphus. “Oh… Rod….Sorry…” The red head stopped in her tracks, luckily managing to avoid bumping into him. She took a step back, and then just smiled at him. “Lovely to see you. Not my intention to nearly fall into your arms.” Although, considering how handsome he was, that might not have been a bad idea. @rodolphus-lestranges​

rodolphus very nearly dropped the book he was holding, about to unleash a severe comment of annoyance but held his tongue once realizing who it was. “alecto,” rodolphus greeted, his voice carrying a tone of surprise. rodolphus had been careful to avoid human interaction for the evening, opting to delve into a book one of his mother’s friends had recommended to the lestrange family called ‘the muggle conspiracy’ by sinistra lowe. it was just what he’d expected, it’s main focus muggle- born discrimination, and although he agreed with many of the chapters, rodolphus found it quite brazen for his taste. 

“it’s, uh, quite alright,” rodolphus assured, gathering himself and clearing his throat. “it’s good to see you. i trust you’ve been well since we last spoke?” rodolphus had spent quite a bit of money that night at the leaky cauldron and it wasn’t often that he shelled out galleons but it felt good in a way to spend it on someone else, on her. it was a strange feeling he wasn’t sure how to describe. 

The topic of defence cases was safe, it avoided the potentially polarising topic of the two sides that had emerged from the Ball. The prophecy loosing Order and the mask wearing figures. Naturally, Regulus wanted Rodolphus to come to their way of thinking but it was important to not make a blunder that might drive someone not certain on their cause away.

“No doubt.” He agreed, nodding. “It’ll be a case worth watching, whether involved or not.” Watching lawyers at work was always a fascinating exercise. Regulus liked reading the notes from old trials, picking up on the individual voices and tones that they used to further carefully built cases. Regulus took in a breath, deciding to see if he could broach the difficult topics. “I wonder if we’ll see more cases in further years. We’ve not had good luck with Balls the past year and with two secret societies…”

~ @rodolphus-lestranges​ ~

rodolphus couldn’t agree more – the last year had been a complete shit show and he assumed it was only going to get worse from here on out. an auror had been arrested for the death of a prosecutor, something no one had seen coming. it was a peculiar scenario and part of him was itching to take on the case, but hadn’t said anything to his boss as he didn’t want to appear over eager. 

“i wouldn’t be surprised,” he told regulus, sitting down and using nonverbal magic to pour himself a steaming cup of tea from the cart he kept in his office. he poured one for regulus, placing it in front of him. “the ministry as a whole is probably facing a lot of shit if the ones with masks having anything to do about it.” at least, that’s what he’d understood from the words that were spoken to the crowd that night. 

—

If she was at all honest, someone like Rodolphus was probably someone she wouldn’t have approached. They didn’t exactly run in the same circles, and they certainly weren’t on the same financial level anymore. But, she was quite liking this. Rodolphus was certainly a lot nicer than his brother was, and he wasn’t too bad to look at. Though she kept that fact to herself for not anyway.

Alecto just rolled her eyes. “A requirement to belittle everyone? Lovely.” Although his brother certainly fitted into that category. But, she was joking, and her tone was more teasing than annoying. A smirk graced her features though at his words, and she leant forward, the alcohol giving her a little more confidence than usual. Not that she really needed more confidence. “It can?” She murmured, twirling a strand of red hair around a finger. “I’d like that.”

it wasn’t often that rodolphus gave himself breaks, opened himself up to distraction. but alecto was providing one that he wasn’t turning away from. he’d enjoyed the time the two talked at the solstice before it all went to hell, despite finding out his brother wasn’t behaving like the adult he was. his parents wouldn’t approve of him even being seen out in public with her, considering the carrow’s status financially. he supposed it didn’t bother him as much with the lestrange’s own former money problems. 

he watched her over his drink as he lifted it to his lips, catching the glint in her eye. “you’re a mischievous one, aren’t you?” he asked, but he already knew the answer. rodolphus was put together, collected – and from what he observed, she was the opposite. perhaps he needed a dose of someone like alecto in his life, expand his horizons slightly. “it’s settled, then.” he paused for a moment. “however, i’d like for you to do something for me, if you’re comfortable. i want to know something about you that no one else knows.”

.

Regulus couldn’t hide the smile as Rodolphus complimented him. He rather felt like he was too young to be able to offer the business much. He had enthusiasm but youth was still a liability. He did not know as much as the others and his focus was still on the research.  “Thank you,” He said with a nod, managing to get his expression under control. “That means a lot coming from you.”

Listening to the outline of the situation on the McKinnon and Delacour front, he nodded seriously. Right, so no word as to who it was.  “Their loss, if they don’t engage you.” He said.  “Certainly arrests had to be made. Delacour was seen to cast that curse and there were witnesses for McKinnon as well? I suppose that maybe they don’t want to look guilty by getting a lawyer too soon, a show of confidence?”

~ @rodolphus-lestranges​ ~

sometimes rodolphus forgot how influential he was when it came to the department. there were those older than him with more experience but even then, his win to lose ratio was, on average, better than their’s. he tried not to be smug about it, but it was a trait he’d inherited from his father. 

regulus still had a lot to learn when it came to researching and law, but rodolphus saw plenty of potential in the younger man. he’d offered his help multiple times when rodolphus hadn’t asked, and unlike some of the others who assisted him, he didn’t sense that regulus was the sort to brown nose. he leaned more towards regulus wanting to lend a hand pick up more knowledge, but he’d been wrong before ; however, not often. rodolphus wasn’t convinced by regulus’ possible reasons, but wouldn’t completely rule it out. “it’s definitely feasible,” he replied. “bones was well-liked – her defense will be an uphill battle, no matter whose desk the case lands on.” @regulus7​

.

Years of being dragged to social gatherings and weddings of family friends, Bella had witnessed many marriages from the generation before them. Some were arranged and ended up finding some kind of love in the time they grew together, others were not so lucky but held it together because of duty to their families, and then there were the unfortunate ones that almost everyone in society knew was a shit show, mostly revolving around the people who had obviously married for duty and never tried to make things work. Part of her grew up thinking that she’d fall under the second category, maybe first if she was lucky, but as the cause grew larger and larger everyday she was beginning to think that her dedication to the Dark Lord was going to result in her finding a loveless marriage that only worked because it was what she was supposed to do. Doubtful that her other friends thought of it like that, but not everyone had worked their way up to the number two position in the Death Eaters.

“You mean to tell me that dance was not the highlight of your night?” The brunette mockingly gasped, placing a hand over her heart as if the very thought hurt her almost nonexistent heart. As he switched to speaking about the masked figures, Bella bit her tongue quickly as she had no idea what was going to come out of his mouth and she didn’t need to out herself being involved. “You think you knew a few people under the masks?” She questioned casually, raising a hang to signal to the bartender she wanted another round. “From what I gathered they were showing they were more for equality than the Ministry has been lately.” It was hard not to just open argue for the cause right now, it was what she had all but dedicated her life to the past few years, but after all that had happened she needed to play things safely and patiently. “It may have been a bit out there start to it all,” She smoothly lied, “But I’d rather take anything other than whatever that patronus was talking about, some Order who got their asses handed to them right?”

growing up, rodolphus was sheltered – for a long time, his parent’s view of the world was all he knew. they lived far from any sort of civilization and just like each generation before, taught their family tree/genealogy and importance of blood purity. every book that he’d read before hogwarts was looked over by his mother and she would determine if he was allowed to even take in the first page which he didn’t mind. she was his mother after all – she knew what was best for him. as he got older, rodolphus realized that unlike most of his friends, he wasn’t obsessed with who was pureblood and who wasn’t – it wasn’t any of his business and he didn’t care. rodolphus knew he was better than anyone who wasn’t a pureblood and that was good enough for him. it still was. plus, he had to keep that same stance/attitude if he was to do his job objectively and remain impartial. 

“you seemed a little rusty out there,” he pointed out jokingly. “not as smooth as i’d expect from one of the black girls.” he nodded as he took another swig of his drink, clearing his throat before speaking as she asked her question. “i just think it’s a bit careless to try and cause a... hysteria, if you will,” he shrugged. “that voice mentioned ‘true equality’ – a bit broad if you’re trying to reign people in. not everyone’s as intelligent as, for example, you and i, are. what exactly is their vision of a different society?” rodolphus liked having all of the information before him, not just bits and pieces. with his job, it was almost like putting the pieces of a puzzle together. “you could say i’m indifferent – of course, you know my stance on certain issues but you also know that i’ve always tried to keep to myself and leave others to their own devices.” bellatrix was the one who led their group at school, always letting anyone who would listen know what she thought about almost everything – repeatedly. rodolphus, on the other hand, didn’t see the point in beating a dead horse again and again. 

—

Alecto had to admit, she was kind of enjoying Rodolphus’ company. They hadn’t spent much time together. He was a little older than she was after all. But they’d seemed to get on pretty great at the ball. And he was certainly much better company than his annoying little brother was. So, she certainly did not spending time with Rodolphus instead, especially if he was going to buy her expensive wine. It was much more her taste.

“No need to call me out on my inability to buy nice wine.” The tone was dangerous, but the pout on the red heads lips signalled that she was only teasing. And she wasn’t about to insult the man buying her the expensive wine. “I might have to spend more time in your company….” She mused, a little smirk on her lips as she took another sip of the wine.  “You clearly have good taste.” And she was referring to both herself, and the wine in that sentence.

this was a nice change of pace for rodolphus – talking with someone about a subject other than work. his career was important to him, but he didn’t want it to be the only thing in his life. he didn’t want to only be known as rodolphus, the defense barrister or rodolphus, the eldest lestrange with the responsibility of maintaining their name in a positive light once his father passed. 

rodolphus picked up on the change in her timbre, raising his eyebrows but her facial expression told him that he needn’t worry. “call it a requirement of being a lestrange,” he chuckled, starting to feel the effects of the alcohol just enough. he had no plans of getting drunk or completely tipsy, but the light buzz was a welcome feeling. “but i’m sure that can be arranged,” he added, referring to her previous sentence. 

Reorganising case files… Regulus wondered where Crump was. Having run away from the aurors and with all the drama that had happened at the Ball, might he not be so high up in their priorities? He wondered where it might leave him and his work. “Have you spoken to either of them?” Regulus asked, wondering if Rodolphus had offered his services. High profile cases could bring prestige although these were people who might better be kept out of the way. 

“I wanted to see how you were after the Ball. I… well, so many people have ended up in St Mungo’s… I wanted to make sure that you were ok.” He was also meant to learn of Rodolphus’ allegiances and how sympathetic he might be to their cause. This might provide the opportunity.

~ @rodolphus-lestranges​​ ~

rodolphus nodded, actually appreciating regulus’s sentiment. “it was quite a bit intense out there, wasn’t it?” he asked, but not really asking – more of a rhetorical question. “luckily, i came out unscathed. i’m glad you did as well – there’s not many people who can replace you here.” he ignored regulus’ other question at first, but rounded back to it with a sigh. “i haven’t – it’s been very quiet over there. i’m wondering if the arrests were pre-mature or some information gathered or seen was incorrect, but i haven’t heard. i’ve been put in charge of all these,” rodolphus pointed to the pile, “since they need the most thorough and reliable barrister. but what can i say? i am the best,” he said, the last two sentence in a somewhat joking, but also serious tone. @regulus7​