7 April ‘86: Unbreakable Vows: Alecto

[Alecto Carrow]

"F*cking hell, you Gryffindors never grow out of that bravado, eh?" Alecto commented as Dobby scurried away after Prewett’s declaration, amusing herself with looking at all of the pretty and unnecessary things in the Malfoy’s parlor. "You won’t find anything useful just laying about here, he’s not that daft." Raids on the manor by this one’s brother-in-law weren’t altogether uncommon, and if "trained professionals" with "access" to the manor’s hidey holes hadn’t found incriminating evidence, one has-been Auror wasn’t going to put them in Azkaban with a few moment’s looking about. Speaking of pretty and unnecessary... Alecto quietly pocketed a small obsidian dragon, reminiscent of the Malfoy crest if she wasn’t mistaken, as the master and mistress of the house stormed in, and tried not to laugh at the look of them. If ever a pair were more aptly suited to one another, she wouldn’t know where to find them. Their matching long blonde hair did give some value to the half- and mudblood mutterings about inbreeding being bad for the gene pool, after all.

She met Lucius’ eye cooly as he let some of his irritation out, shrugging before turning her eye to his wife. Why Bella had always been so protective over the narcissist was beyond her, and she was about to retort when Prewett felt like it was his moment to chime in. Her frown was instinctual, visceral, and short-lived. You need him. For a few more minutes, you need him. And he needs you.

And so she put away her frown, making a face before snapping, "You people are exhausting. Yes, it has to be now, otherwise we wouldn't be here. And shut it, Prewett, or we’re done, and you can forget the deal. For good. Understood?" Don’t talk about Bellatrix like you know anything about her. She took a knee and held out her right arm, gesturing for him to follow suit. "All you’ve got to do is act as Binder, Lucius," Alecto instructed, looking up at him, "we’ll take care of the rest. Get out your wand."

[Lucius Malfoy]

While many years ago he had feared being a father, having a son had brought him and Narcissa closer than they had been before. He’d despised the idea for so long, but there was something about having someone so small need him that had softened him. He would do whatever was needed to protect his family, and when the war had ended...he’d done just that. There was no protecting Narcissa and Draco if he’d ended up in Azkaban, so they’d come together and gotten their stories straight. Forced to do the Dark Lord’s bidding, under the influences of an unforgivable curse. It had been easy enough, the Ministry had been in his pocket then. And they still were, because who would dare to cross a Malfoy?

And in the years since, that bond had stayed strong. Even through every single time Alecto came to his door, demanding that he help her in some other foolish plan. It wasn’t surprising that she had shown up tonight, but bringing an Auror? He was glad to have Narcissa at his side, her words to the pair venom that he was glad to here. They were not some common trash to be trifled with, to be disturbed at such a late hour. But it was so typical of Prewett to have some sort of retort, addressing him with a familiarity that made Lucius’ grip on his wand tighten. He could kill the fool, bury his body on the property. It wouldn’t be the first person he’d disposed of since the wars end.

It wasn’t the least bit surprising that man across the room of him brought up his sister-in-law, the woman sentenced to Azkaban for attempting to kill both of the Prewett boys. But the words didn’t sit well with either of the woman in this room, and he reached out to pull Narcissa towards him to kiss her temple as he looked at the intruders in his house. It seemed that Alecto wasn’t going to drop it, and so he gave a sigh as he moved away from his wife, waiting for Prewett to kneel across from Alecto before he raised his wand. “This is the last time you come here with your requests Carrow. After this we are done.”

[Narcissa Malfoy]

When the war was finished and they’d given their testimonies and walked free, that was supposed to be the end of it all. The Dark Lord was dead and gone, so they no longer needed to have him or his affiliates in their lives. And while there were some so faithful, so devoted, so blinded by the cause that they threw their lives away, Lucius knew better than to even think of doing that to them. But for some reason, he and Carrow had maintained a relationship. It was true that there were few they could speak with who understood their interconnected pasts, but he had her. When had Narcissa ever failed to meet a need of his? She was preparing a talking-to to her husband once their ungrateful company had vacated the premises, seeing as her demands were going wholly ignored.

But then the Prewett brought up her sister, daring to smile as he did so.

A suppressed rage, one that the devoted wife and mother had done her best to temper in these last five years, rose within her, and Narcissa wished she’d had the presence of mind to take her wand off of her nightstand. Who was he to speak of Bella? Of the sister she’d never see again? Locked away in Azkaban because of his and his brother’s quest for revenge? How did you find her but not Alecto? Her sister’s companion had never been near her equal; brute force in place of brilliance only got one so far. But knowing that one of the men who had bested Bella was in her parlor, baiting her with their shared knowledge, was almost enough to force her into doing something regrettable.

Feeling this, likely, Lucius brought her to him; although she barely felt his comforting presence, the message was clear.

He’ll take care of this. He always does.

    But he must end it. Tonight. I will not suffer through this again.

While Alecto did nothing with her face or words to compliment her looks, demanding that Prewett and Lucius obey her, Narcissa forced her breathing to slow. Her heart steadied behind it, and at Lucius’ release she moved so that she could look Alecto in the eye. Lucius’ affirmation of her thoughts assisted her in calming, for he was asserting that whatever had been between him and the other Death Eater was through. Using her sister’s teachings, she pried into the woman’s scattered mind. Visions of a woman on the street, in cafes, through a window. A little boy almost always by her side, cheering at a park, hand-in-hand. The flashes of memory were filmy and tainted with disgust, but the duo Alecto was stalking had to be the same as the mother-and-son Lucius and Draco were accosted by today in Prewett’s company. So you must be giving them to him, in exchange for… Narcissa moved quietly to gain access to Prewett’s line of sight, but her attempts at probing into his mind were hardly as easy as breaking into the distracted, unprotected, one of the Carrow. A small smile flitted to her lips as the man caught her at it, and while she didn’t have a way in - seeing as she could hardly stand to break in while Lucius was around - and would only have his word during the Vow for his reasons for being here…I’ve seen them. What’ll you do with that?

[Fabian Prewett]

This had to be a first, him chuckling at something Alecto said. Maybe it was Gryffindor bravado that had caused him to make sure Lucius knew who he was, or maybe it was simply the satisfaction in knowing the blonde idiot would be an absolute mess at having him here. Fabian wasn’t a Weasley, but he’d protect them until the day he died. It was hard not to dig at the Malfoy’s when he got the chance. “You think he’s not daft? You have met the Malfoys, haven’t you?” he jested, any further conversation between them drawing to an end as the Malfoy’s arrived. Lucius and Narcissa were upset, poor things, and it was hard not to poke fun at them. His words didn’t sit well with Alecto either - although he’d been aware they wouldn’t - and he gave a chuckle as he nodded. Don’t tell me you don’t like getting under their skin as well, Carrow. How anyone could be friends with the Malfoy’s was beyond him, but that wasn’t the issue at hand.

He took his position across from Alecto, kneeling in front of her as Lucius gave an annoyed sigh. His hand was clasped in Alecto’s when he felt it, the prodding at his mind. Eyes wandered across Alecto and Lucius, before they settled on Narcissa. She’d moved to be in his line of sight, but was she really capable of legilimency? If he was remembering correct, Bellatrix had been quite skilled at it. Perhaps the youngest Black sister was a total fool after all. It didn’t matter, for whatever leverage she thought she had against him with that smile she was giving him wouldn’t matter. He was sure whatever Alecto had on the pair, it was well worth Narcissa keeping her distance. He gave her a smile, before turning his attention back to the matter at hand.

“Let’s get on with it then, I’m dying to know what secrets you have to share with me about these two,” he said to Alecto, before taking a deep breath. Words were powerful, and words that went into an Unbreakable Vow had to be perfect. “Will you, Alecto, cause no harm to my wife Kyra and my son Griffin for as long as they both live?”

[Alecto Carrow]

"Oh no, I never said that. He’s got no more subtlety than that elf he kicks around." Filling the intermission with jokes at their unwilling hosts’ expense wasn’t anticipated by the former Death Eater, but she was deep enough in the drink for it to be appreciated. Narcissa and Lucius were positively peeved at the "disturbance," Fabian not helping matters as he baited them all. Lucius’ snap her way was met with a roll of the eyes. "Fine. What a pity. Wherever will I get my gossip now?"

She knelt and almost instantly felt a probing in her mind upon meeting eyes with Narcissa. While the men got into position, she smirked and let her mind race through thoughts of Prewett’s loved ones. While she’d never been disciplined enough to master the arts of protecting her mind or interfering in others’, it was proving to be to her benefit tonight. Make of this what you will, Narcissa. No Vow yet, no consequences coming my way. But when Prewett joined her, hand firmly around hers, and spoke, she looked away from the mistress of the house in irritation.

"Oh gory hell, Prewett. You are the worst," Alecto groaned. "And I know some truly terrible people." While Lucius had already stated that their dealings were done once the Binding was completed, she knew now that there would be no going back, ever. I was going to tell you in private, you idiot. But she’d already clasped hands with the man, and he was busy thinking through his part of this, and the time had come…

After a few moments’ consideration of his words, Alecto responded simply. "This, I Vow." From Lucius’ wand fled a thin flame that coiled around their hands, and she looked over its light into the Auror’s calculating eyes. "Will you, Fabian Prewett, keep the secrets of mine you have loyally kept, for as long as you live?" At least this would get Fabian - and any web he may have - off of her back for good. Nothing incriminating about her Death Eater involvement could be spread from him, traced to him. And all she had to do was also let him off the hook? Easy enough. They were dull to watch. While she was thinking she perhaps had been rash in accepting the terms, severing the Malfoys from her life was hardly something to pout at, and while Prewett had a chance at a family...he would forever be silenced about the truth of the Bones’ demise. That weight couldn’t be denied, not for all the reconciliation in the world. You haven’t won, Prewett. And you may never win.

[Lucius Malfoy]

While he wouldn’t say he hated many people, Lucius was starting to hate Alecto Carrow. It was just like her to show up uninvited and demand things of him.They weren’t friends by any means, no matter what they had been through together. No, Alecto was still the fanatic who’d loved Bellatrix - a woman he had truly only kept up with for the sake of his wife. Just because of the chaos they’d caused together after the war, for some reason it seemed Alecto felt she had a right to even be in his presence. Still, it wasn’t the place of Prewett to bring Bellatrix up, and Lucius would deal with the man later for causing Narcissa pain. He would - and had - done anything in his power to protect his family. And that wouldn’t stop, regardless of the end of the war. They were the Malfoys, and they would be respected and feared at all times.

He left his wife’s side to start the spell, stalking over to the two on the floor with anger in every step. Lucius counted stop his face from twisting at Prewett’s words, glaring daggers at Alecto. What information exactly had she promised the Auror? His mind was filtering through the options, but he needed to focus. Flames escaped the tip of his wand, twisting around their hands as they came to their agreements. Once they were done, he took a step back, keeping his wand trained on Fabian. “Now what information did you promise him Carrow? I’d like to hear it for myself.” He needed to know exactly what to prepare for, another Weasley raid on the mansion perhaps? They’d never find anything here, that much Lucius was sure of. And surely Alecto wouldn’t give the Auror anything that would incriminate herself. He looked between the two of them, uneasy as he waited.

[Narcissa Malfoy]

Secrets? What does she know, Lucius?

Narcissa looked on with trepidation as the Unbreakable Vow solidified, knowing better than to interrupt the magic in process, but mind awhirl from the threat to the peaceful existence she shared with her husband. Could the case against the Malfoy family be reopened? The result of their testimony directly following the war's end couldn't be revoked, could it? Because she knew that Lucius would not be found without fault if the Wizengamot knew the truths of his deeds during the war, that they were done of his own free will. As it would seem to them. But who are they to judge what a man does for the survival of his family? It was a choice, yes. But had he not been involved, we would be on the streets! He did what he had to do, nothing more. 

The easy access that Alecto had granted into her mind had stopped at Prewett's words, and while Narcissa attempted to probe, without a direct line of sight, without her wand, gaining entry again was proving impossible. She was distracted herself, now, and dismayed at the prospect of what the other woman knew. That she would deign to work against them should not have been such a surprise - the Carrows had never had honor to speak of - and time and motherhood had not changed her as much as Narcissa would have hoped. Thankfully Lucius was keeping the Auror in check, demanding to know the details that she could not rest without hearing. But as her attention turned from the witch to Prewett, a sharp laugh and a crack disrupted the rising tension in the room. Aghast, Narcissa whirled around to see that Alecto had vanished, and turned to her husband in fear such as she had not felt since the Dark Lord walked among them. You cannot be taken from us, Lucius, I will not allow it. Make this go away.

"Mother? Father? What's going on?"

The quiet voice came from the door, the sleepy innocence of their son, and Narcissa cursed the misfortunes of their past daring to disrupt their present. With a whispered hiss of, "Deal with this, Lucius," she swept through the space to take Draco's hand and gently lead him back to bed. 

[Fabian Prewett]

Having a civil conversation with a Death Eater, while standing in the house of another Death Eater, is not a situation he thought he’d ever been in. Since the war, he’d avoided those he had known were on the other side, except when his job required to go after him. Things had been so messy at the end of the war, with Aurors using unforgivable curses on those who they thought had information, no better than the Death Eaters themselves. And how was he really any better, after changing Kyra’s memories so many times? His brother-in-law was right to be angry with him, he’d always thought himself better than the other side. Maybe it was fitting that he had ended up in this situation,

As many ties as he could sever between “former” dark wizards was a plus, so Fabian didn’t particularly care if Carrow thought he was the worst. He needed Malfoy to hate her enough that one day he might give her up if questioned, and Fabian had a feeling it would be easier to get to Malfoy than it would be to Carrow. The plan was already forming in his brain, and assuming Arthur ever forgave him perhaps they could take down Lucius together. Alecto was considering his words carefully, and he watched the flame coil around their hands as she agreed. “This, I Vow,” he said, grateful for her choice of words. Another flame wrapped around their hands, and Lucius took a step back to demand answers.

Before they could be given though, Alecto was gone with a crack. Fabian had his wand out in moments, annoyed and yet entirely too surprised that she’d gone back on her word. He would be fine without it, because there was an interruption at the door. Lucius wouldn’t duel in front of his son, that much Fabian was sure of. He watched as Narcissa left with the young boy, eyes going back to Lucius.

“Get out of my house.”

Fabian didn’t hesitate, and with a sharp crack he was gone. Tomorrow, he’d start the task of finding Alecto to have her make good on her word. Malfoy would fall, and then so would she.