#valentinanott

Rabastan Lestrange was rotting in a cell on heresay and Rodolphus refused to stand for it anymore. He’d been patient for a time, trusting that the truth- or their ministry allies- would come through. Instead there was nothing, and he wasn’t subtle about his motivations for inviting Valentina to his London flat in the coming days. He’d done his part as her friend to care for her after her time in Azkaban; it was time for her to tell him the truth about Rabastan’s circumstances. Rodolphus would not allow his brother to fall to Dementors- Rabastan wouldn’t survive, and then all of Rodolphus’ efforts would be for naught. 

“Why hasn’t he been released yet?” he snapped, sparing little time for pleasantries. He’d already had a drink or two, and the third sat in his hand, a crystal glass of amber liquid that burned and fueled his anger.

Rodolphus had had enough. Between the recent wedding madness, and the general dealings with his wife and brother, and the stress of swallowing his pride to reconnect with Zahi, he needed another break. So, having politely asked his chaotic family not to burn down the manor while he was gone, he apparated to one of his favorite establishments in London, made exclusively for those who needed a relaxing escape from their everyday lives. 

“I’m glad you accepted my invitation,” he grinned, approaching Valentina. The auror was composed as always; there was a reason that, after a few days to calm down, Rodolphus had chosen not to hold her brother’s actions against her. Especially since she hadn’t been at the Potter wedding, where Rodolphus witnessed firsthand how difficult it was to keep his compatriots from getting overenthusiastic and out of line. “Recent events have made me.... unfortunately aware of how trying some of our company can be.”

He grimaced at the memory of fire, and Bellatrix blowing holes in every wall she could see. Of Miriam Clearwater hiding in a bathroom and Malcolm Greengrass trying to dump a body and Nigel Twycross vanishing completely half way through. 

“So I decided we both deserve a spa day, of sorts. Perhaps we’ll be less likely to die young of stress, this way.”

Ceridwen’s Cauldron shop, located in the middle of Hogsmeade, was an old cauldron and potion supply shop that needed to be rebuilt and restocked after the attacks. When Jian arrived on the scene, they were shocked by the state of the store. The walls were crumbled and falling in, broken bottles and cauldrons littered the floor, and the front window lay in pieces around the storefront. They frowned as they surveyed the damage, knowing that the owner had to be devastated. Luckily, the community was coming together to help restore life back to normal.

Jian had volunteered to help at Ceridwen’s since they knew the owner of the shop, often trading products with each other, Jian’s potions and supplies for some quality cauldrons for them to make potions. They had to find some ingredients for their own store as well, so getting extras for Ceridwen’s was just a simple way they could help for the time being. There were a few other people at the store starting to clean up the rubble, when someone approached them.

“It’s such a shame what happened. But I’m glad we’re here to pick up the pieces!” Jian smiled. “I’m here to take inventory and gather some supplies for the shop. Do you know what you’re doing yet?”