trust me this is going to hurt.

The woman leaned in and softly planted a kiss to his cheek. "You sound about right. We should be finding that location." However, it had showed incredibly hard. Doing it at the Lestrange Manor did not sound like a good idea. The amount of people who could arrive. It would be obvious if someone noticed that many people arriving at the house of two former Death Eaters. Especially when the people who were arriving, were also former Death Eaters.

"Show me the way, Rod."

When she kissed his cheek, he grinned. A kiss on the cheek. So innocent. Innocence combined with chaos made him chuckle. "Well, aren't you so pure?" He teased.

Now to answer her question -- an answer he had yet to have but wasn't willing to give into. "Let us go." He turned and walked toward Knockturn Alley.

You'll never know the psychopath sitting next to you You'll never know the murderer sitting next to you You'll think, "How'd I get here, sitting next to you?" But after all I've said, please don't forget

All my friends are heathens, take it slow Wait for them to ask you who you know Please don't make any sudden moves You don't know the half of the abuse

"You're so demanding Roddy." Alecto teased, shaking her head. She was used to him being demanding, just like she was used to most men being demanding. "I mean I am working." She pointed out with a laugh. "But I am also the boss. So you know. I get to do what I want." Which was right now, drinking with a friend. "So lucky for you. You won't be drinking alone tonight.

"I'm always demanding. Is that anything new? You sound surprised." He replied shaking his head as he growled, "Roddy." He raised his glass to his lips to drink. "What do I have to do to stop being called Roddy? It's Rodolphus, fiery one," he reminded her.

"Yes, you are the boss and should be able to drink whenever you like," he sniggered, "and can do whatever and whoever you want," he winked.

But despite his usual pleasure in walking alone, Rabastan was not in a good frame of mind. He hadn't been for some time. Resentment brewed through his veins, a simmering anger that he could barely force to remain latent. He was infuriated by the end of the war. He could not accept that the Dark Lord had gone. With a stubborn unwillingness to address these emotions, he'd thrown himself into his work and had taken to disappearing without notice, accepting any job as long as it involved a lot of gold and a lot of violent curses.

Tonight was a rare night that he was home, and so it was with bland amusement that he noticed his brother on the same street. What were the chances? That empty entertainment became more genuine as Rodolphus's prey walked away. Rabastan almost expected him to follow her. If she had stayed, he would have remained quiet, far be it for him to interfere with his brother's games. But since the interaction was cut short, he announced his presence. It would have been rude not to.

"Good evening, brother." Stepping down from the pavement, Rabastan crossed the road. His gait was languid, lazy almost, imbued starkly with the natural arrogance that their name declared. He would not have been so relaxed with anyone except Rodolphus. "Such a pity. She was rather a pretty sort of thing." He tsked, looking slowly at the young woman's retreating figure. A curl inching at the corner of his lips, he glanced wryly at Rodolphus. "Perhaps I could have done better."

It was then that he heard Rabastan's voice. "A pretty thing, sure. I'm more interested in the sultry sort. Hadn't checked on her enough beforehand. But maybe she was more your type. Please feel free," Rodolphus raised an arm in the direction the young woman went. "It wouldn't bother me in the slightest."

Rodolphus was pleased to see Rabastan. They had an interesting relationship. He was the heir putting him first in the family, higher than Rabastan and Rodolphus knew it and flaunted it with care. Unbeknownst to Rabastan Rodolphus was always looking out for his little brother. He never wanted anything to happen to him. Though as they grew older, the young Lestrange began to show his worth. Otherwise the Dark Lord wouldn't have reached out to him for work, a fact that made Rodolphus proud.

He knew that Bellatrix was priming Rabastan to become their right hand man for what they had decided to do, do bring everyone back together again so Rodolphus kept his lips shut as hard as it was. He had allowed his wife to take the reigns. He would pick up the rest later. However, he couldn't resist poking questions.

"What would you do if the Dark Lord came back? I'm tired of the uneasy feeling that he is gone."

"A lady is also allowed to have some secrets to herself, doesn't she?" The fact that the only reason Bellatrix had been out and about was one of boredom of sitting alone in the Manor was one that she was not going to share with her husband. He did not need to know that boredom was taking over more than often now in her life.

"Where will this stroll take us? Because I don't think your original destination will be one I would prefer."

"She is allowed to have secrets," Rodolphus answered truthfully. He knew Bellatrix had secrets, just as he did. Their relationship was built on them having their own space but now -- now --- they were heading in feet first for a greater cause. That was something they couldn't keep secrets about, not if they wanted to succeed.

They were bringing the Death Eaters back together.

"This stroll will find us somewhere to have that glorious first meeting," Rodolphus said looking straight at Bellatrix. "What do you think?"

If only Fenrir hadn't been a werewolf. He was huge, imposing and could strike fear in anyone's eyes. Of course being a werewolf he could do the same thing, but with magic he could do so much more than maul people. He could maul people and use magic. How wonderful would that be? Rodolphus would have welcomed the change, alas there was nothing he could do to change it. Pity.

"The world has changed, yes, but not all of us have changed. Plenty of us haven't changed at all. Myself included -- obviously. Though I'm so glad you think I could be useful. You finally got something right." He took another swig of the drink. "I'm glad to hear your goals haven't changed, however, why not still fight? That's what we have been made for after all," he said, echoing the sentiments of his father.

The woman started walking down the road once more, continuing her way. "Can't a lady just enjoy a stroll during the night? Why would I need an alternative reason for it?" The fact that she was searching for a matter of pleasure, either in the form of pain or pleasure... She wasn't so certain about which of the two was most needed.

"Are you going to join me on this late night stroll?"

As Bellatrix began to walk, he followed. "Of course she can but I like to think I know her slightly. Late nights usually lead to something. Or at least having great things happening in her mind. Otherwise, why the walk?" he looked at her, "Walks are often a good time for all kinds of different things to happen. I can't blame you. I'm out here myself after all."

Rodolphus rolled his eyes. "I'm already following you, Bellatrix. Obviously I would like to join in you on this stroll."

Selma's eyes left no doubt that this wasn't an encounter she enjoyed, yet she lacked a certain fear or worry that some may have seen healthy in such a situation. "Not a pickle at all." Her own voice held a certain level of disdain for the other, masked very little. This was her way of keeping her promise to herself: No more pretending to be something she wasn't. And gladly so. "I'm sure you'll find some good use for it."

There was an abundance of words that came to mind when it came to Rodolphus. Not only to describe the wizard in front of her, but also things that under different circumstances the young witch would have loved to have thrown his way. "Is there anything else you need before I continue this shopping trip?" Her words certainly left no doubt that her preferred way of going about this would be without him. "Or is there anything else I can help you with?" Politeness at best.

Selma tried to hold her composure. He could see it all over her face. He was a reminder and knew it. He was the definition of pureblood and was proud of such a fact. Seeing her fight it amused him.

Rodolphus looked at the herbs in his hand. He had no need for it but didn’t know if he should hand it to her or keep it as a child would. “Good use for it, eh?” he pondered aloud. “I’m sure I could find some use for it,” he shrugged turning the vile around in his hand. He probably could take it to work and play with it but did he want to? That was the question.

When she asked if she could help him Rodolphus’ lips turned upward. He had to take the opportunity. “I could use some guidance and would love your help, Miss Avery.”

"Always good with my tongue," Rodolphus winked. "If only you knew. You must be a little jealous." The double entendre amused him but it could have easily gone over Fenrir's head -- Rodolphus hoped not. "It would be a shame, but luckily I still can do magic without it. Plenty of magic actually." He could do silent spell work, including legilimency and occlumency. He was a master spell caster.

Rodolphus scoffed. "Nothing has changed? I would say at least a few large things have changed," Rodolphus argued with a raised brow. He picked up the firewhiskey and took a drink. "Not poisoned."