19 June '76: The End Of The Beginning - Lestrange Bros/Bella

[Deleted]

June 19

It had been years since the Slytherin alumni graced the walls of Hogwarts with his presence. Four years had gone by to be exact, though the heir to the Lestrange family usually didn’t care to keep up with such matters, and the only reason he had been there earlier today was for his brother’s graduation. He certainly hadn’t been there for their estranged parents. Rodolphus and Rabastan, along with Bellatrix and Cordelia were the only family they needed. Everyone else was simply extra.

And while the graduation itself was filled with all sorts or riff-raffs, the pureblood luncheon at Aeternum Pura was the real event that mattered today, owing to the fact that only purebloods were allowed in with the blood ward that had been installed previously by Rodolphus himself. The older Lestrange son had, of course, been brought up on pureblood beliefs, but the scandal that was his birthright, along with his father’s many teachings of the brothers over the years had managed to beat that particular interest out of him long ago. While the pureblood wizard wasn’t about to announce his love for mudbloods any time soon, he didn’t particularly care for the taint they brought upon their world. Being the bastard son that he was, Rodolphus knew what it was to be singled out and belittled just because of one’s birth status. No, Rodolphus commanded respect due to his own raw power and brilliance, an achievement he was proud of because it came from himself, not his father’s or fore-fathers’ name.

The social gathering had been uneventful, with the exception of some formal introductions now that the new graduates were to step foot in society and claim their families’ rightful places. Rodolphus had been his usual charming and posh self, making acquaintances with the more prominent and potential heirs while keeping an eye out for any black horses amongst the newbies, though predictably, there were none that had caught his eye. The whole affair had been tedious and dull, but it had been a necessary evil.

You had to play the game in order to be in the game.

With all the excitement in their family of having the rightful heir graduate with honors, their parents had held a ball in celebration of his brother’s coming of age and beginning in society in their own private little party with a selected group of friends that basically made up high pureblood society. Rodolphus, had been excused from the whole event after he had made an appearance and toast in his brother’s favor, something that had suited him just fine. He had long-since stopped caring about his parents’ lack of concern for him, and was relieved that he needn’t keep up his façade for the entire day. His face was starting to ache from all the fake smiles.

Besides, the older Slytherin had something much more important in mind, and all he needed now was his brother. Bella was, by all means, family to him, but she hadn’t lived through the cruelty that was their father. No, this had to be Rabastan and him.

It was time to take back what was theirs.

[Rabastan Lestrange]

"Don't tell me you're running off. I need someone to keep me sane through this nightmare." Rabastan entered his brother's suite with a goblet in hand for each of them, chuckling as he handed one of the ridiculously ornate things to the other. Mother and Father had spared no expense for this party in "his" honor, which meant that all of their family antiques were polished like new. Thankfully, since he needed to survive this embarrassment, this also meant that their stores of wine had been opened generously. But while the elder Lestranges were all for putting a pretty face forward to the guests, they did nothing but turn Rodolphus aside at the first opportunity to do so.

After his toast and dismissal, Rabastan had stayed to socialize a little longer; it would look bad for him to take off after his brother disappeared from the veritable banquet hall within the manor. No, no - he could be more discreet than that. Once everyone was deep into their third cup, who would even notice that the quiet "guest of honor" was gone? He hoped for as much, anyway, and had slipped away down the all too familiar path to his brother's section of the manor. Rodolphus would not have left without a goodbye, he assumed, and was thankful to be proven right. They had much to discuss, the pair of them; now that he was out of school and preparing to assist wizardkind to reaching its full potential, he needed details about the Dark Lord and the work his brother did, more than he had before. He needed to know how to act in the Ministry, how to hold in his disgust with wizards turning a blind eye to their struggle, or worse, those who were ignorant and brainwashed enough to fight against him. Rab took a stand with his brother at the window, overlooking the dark grounds of the family estate; he clinked his goblet against the other's in a mockery of earlier toasts and drank, grateful at least for the bottomless libation. 

[Deleted]

Rodolphus simply reached out for the intricately designed cup his brother handed to him and dumped half the contents in his mouth in one fluid motion. How he had managed to make that look posh and composed was beyond him, but it wasn’t like he cared about his image when in the presence of only Rabastan. His brother had seen much worse from him, and they had managed to struggle up to this point had they not? A little loss in composure wasn’t going to ruin him tonight.

Clearly, his brother had the right idea of making the most of this tediously boring day, what with their father’s rare generosity with their treasured booze, it seemed awfully indecent of them not to empty their reserves. Oh, how vindictive alcohol made the elder Lestrange brother. But despite his opinions of the day, Rodolphus was genuinely happy for his brother. He felt pride for his brother’s accomplishments and excitement for the younger man’s long-awaited presence in his life on a much more permanent day-to-day basis, seeing as neither of them had to attend school anymore. Thank Merlin for that.

“Sanity is overrated.” Having lost his since the beginning. But Rodolphus would never have left his brother or his wife behind, because they were the only things that had ever held meaning to him in this Merlin-forsaken world. Everything else was simply annoyances or a means to pass the time until the end.

It was just as well that Rabastan had ditched his betrothed and everyone else at the celebratory party. They had much to discuss and plan before they could take action. There was so much they could do, now that they were reunited once more without the castle walls separating them, as it had for the past couple of years.

“Congratulations brother.” raising his goblet in a toast for Rabastan’s coming of age. “Funny you should mention running off.” The elder brother turned towards the left to gaze out at their gardens, noting the statue of Hieronymus Lestrange and remembering the story of how his ancestor had ruthlessly slaughtered his own father to gain power…“I think Father may be planning my demise soon, as he will no doubt want you to become the head of this family after he passes.” his voice sounded bored, as if he was addressing the weather or something equally as mundane, rather than his own death. “I’m more than willing to let you take the reigns of this family Rab, but I will not sit idly and wait for him to kill me.” And his loyalty to his brother was genuine, just as his decision to step down and give Rabastan his birth right, if he wanted it. “So…brother. ” downing the last of their fine wine.

“Are you going to help me?” It was time to put an end to the man responsible for the pain and hell they had been forced to endure their entire lives.

[Rabastan Lestrange]

His brother did not seem surprised at the intrusion, and Rabastan was grateful for it; Rodolphus knew him, his habits, his preferences. An elaborate and loud affair orchestrated for him would be termed a living hell, if he had not gone through the flames already. While it was evident that leaving the gathering was hardly Rodolphus' choice, it suited the pair of them to be here in privacy instead. And so Rabastan simply smirked slightly as the taller of the pair spoke and drank, raising his goblet in turn at the toast. This was a congratulations he could honestly appreciate, rather than the flowery words thrown his way by others in the presence of guests. The young man watched his brother curiously, face impassive and back straight, not a waver in his gaze, as Rodolphus spoke of a plan of their father's. He had to agree that it was unlikely Rodolphus was far off in his assumptions; their father had made it clear since their youth that he despised his existence. 

Was it time to make his own allegiances known?

"I don't want the title," Rab said shortly. Becoming the Head of the Lestrange family meant spending his life here, a place of nightmares; a life of making appearances, of making sure their name wasn't soiled; of handling the money. He wanted to be left alone to follow the only true wisdom Father had passed down; their kind were shackled, and needed to be freed. He would pledge his wand to the cause. What else mattered? If his brother was willing to keep the public role of heir, he would let him. It wasn't as if Rodolphus would lock their coffers from him. He did have a lifestyle to upkeep.

Patricide is on the table, and you're thinking of money?

    If he hadn't wanted this to happen, he shouldn't have let us both live this long.

He and his brother could take on the demon responsible for the shaping of their lives. This, Rabastan knew. And who would dare question the story they put out about the cause of their father's death? 

"I don't expect you to wait for him to make a move." The younger Lestrange looked down to the wine swirling in his goblet, suddenly feeling that he should keep more of his wits about him for the evening, and faced his brother. "What did you have in mind?"

[Deleted]

Heir of Lestrange was never a title and position that Rodolphus sought. The hardened young man rather thought it a burden and nuisance more than anything, though it did have its uses when it came to pureblood society and getting one’s way with things. The high social standing and respect his family name commanded might very well be a dream to most wizarding families, and even in the Sacred Twenty-Eight, the Lestranges were in a class far superior to riff-raffs like the Weasleys and Malfoys. No, they were born different from the mediocre maggots that littered their country. The Lestranges were real wizards that had the magic and power to control this wretched world.

The bastard was no fool. He had known since his birth that Radolphus Lestrange despised his very existence, and his father had made it clear on more than one occasion that the only reason Rodolphus was alive was to save face for the family and to be a step in for Rabastan before he came of age and became the true heir. Unfortunately for the old man, Rodolphus Baldasarre Lestrange was not one to keel over and die. No, he would rain hell on the man that had never wanted to be a father.

Having long suspected his inevitable end at the hand of his father, the young man had had years to think about the perfect plan to eliminate one Radolphus Lestrange. If the elder Lestrange had thought that Rodolphus would go down without a fight, then he was far dumber than even Rodolphus had anticipated. There was no place in this world for the weak, there was only power, and those that wielded it.

And while the older Lestrange brother could care less as to the title of Lord Lestrange, he still felt oddly touched at his brother’s refusal of his own birthright and his unspoken loyalty. Yes, no matter how crazy or hopeless the world got, Rabastan would always be there by his side, just as he had been with him through all the suffering and pain.

It was time to put an end to everything.

“No, I don’t.” swirling the crimson liquid in his hand before taking another healthy dose of fine medicine. “Mind-rape him with legilimency and break his mind before destroying his body…” his eyes never leaving the gardens outside as the corners of his lips curled up into a rare smile. He was tempted to tie the older man against a post and let him feel every single thing they had both been through, though Rodolphus had decided against that particular plan, seeing as it would be a little too hard to explain when the healers received their father in a pile of rotten flesh. No, they needed something easy and simple, yet elegant at the same time.

“…feeding his pieces to Cerberus would cover up anything else…” Cerberus, was, of course, their family three-headed-dog that guarded their estate and grounds from when their ancestors had settled in this place. Its name the same as its namesake in Greek mythology.

“Do you have any ideas?”

[Rabastan Lestrange]

Besides having to shoulder the burden that came with being the Lord of House Lestrange, Rabastan knew that if he suddenly held the title, questions would be asked that the brothers wouldn't care to give answers to, or to have people thinking about too deeply. The resemblances among the Lestrange men were great, and had kept suspicion off of the affair that brought Rodolphus to life; their acceptance into society, perhaps even further into the Dark Lord's service, could be in jeopardy if it was found out that Rodolphus wasn't a true-born Lestrange. No, it was best to keep things as they were...

The graduate mimicked his brother's pose on automatic, blue eyes fixated on the shadowy grounds outside as Rodolphus gave suggestions on their father's disposal. He caught his brother's cold smile in reflection, but refrained from nodding along to the plan just yet. As much as Rodolphus had thought this over during their years of torment, Rabastan had had quiet thoughts of his own. It was no secret that their father was a violent, unhappy man; hanging him like a muggle, poisoning him, or finding another way to disguise murder as suicide had its appeal to the youngest Lestrange. And while he had no doubts that the monstrous three-headed creature would enjoy the meal...

"It would," Rabastan agreed quietly after a few moments of thought, "but we need the body. A funeral will be necessary to appease the others." It wouldn't be acceptable to simply declare Radolphus Lestrange dead without evidence; people would create their own far-fetched theories, think that he was alive and undercover somewhere... "We can visit Shyverwretch's tomorrow, undercover. Find something he'll have no hope of recovering from. Something that takes long enough for him to suffer, but fast enough for it to be believed he chose it himself. If we project it as self-inflicted..." He turned to his brother with a raised brow, the rest of his thought continued in silence. How could we be to blame?

[Deleted]

The idea of feeding the left-over pieces of Radolphus Lestrange to their loyal and trusty pet had flashed through his mind on more than one occasion over the years, seeing as Cerberus quite liked the bastard son for some reason and had always disliked the elder lord. Mutual hate was a strange thing was it not? Or perhaps misery loved company? Rodolphus couldn’t say as he remembered leaning against the huge canine’s body, but he was grateful for the support nonetheless, even if it was of no use when his fate was concerned.

And here, several long years later, they were finally planning what would, quite literally, be one of the biggest turning points in their lives, and Rodolphus couldn’t help the sliver of excitement ignited in his soul. They’d finally made it. All of them. The years haven’t been kind to the Lestrange brothers, and Rodolphus simply hated the fact that Bella had had to stand back and watch all these years – granted the young man was still peeved about his wife’s pet roaming about in their lives without a collar or leash, and it irked him to no end that he couldn’t get rid of her without enraging Mea…but then again he had Violet now, and what started out as revenge grew to be more with the younger beauty, so it wasn’t as if Rodolphus was suffering all that much these days – but from this day forward, Radolphus Lestrange will cease to be a nuisance in their lives.

The older brother sighed at his brother’s logical response to his fantasy, knowing that the younger man spoke the truth, albeit still a pity that they couldn’t enjoy the gory satisfaction at hearing the old man’s screams and the sickening crunching of bones. “Agreed.” Smiling to himself at his brother’s intelligence and well-thought-out plan, feeling a sense of pride at the man’s growth. “If we do not find anything suitable, we could always create a potion or spell of our own to fulfill our needs.” They were brilliant, were they not?

“I suppose we should summon Bella in here…she would murder us if we keep her out of the loop any longer.” the snake turned towards his brother, chuckling slightly at the thought of his enraged wife and how she’d likely storm in here in a fit of rage and disgust at their leaving her out of this important discussion. Or perhaps not, seeing as the b*tch was occupying his wife’s time more often than not these days…he really didn’t know. He did not want to know the details of her betrayal, and Violet more than made up for the empty space his wife should have been occupying, both figuratively and physically, so it suited the young heir just fine that they knew little of the other’s activities these days. Rodolphus Lestrange would not be hurt or let down by anyone anymore, even if it was his own wife. “And what are your thoughts for mother?” leaving the decision completely to his brother, as it was his mother, after all.

[Rabastan Lestrange]

Practical to a fault, Rabastan knew that his suggestion was much less thrilling than what his brother wanted. However, it would lead to the same end: the end of Radolphus Lestrange. Was the how truly that important so long as the desired effect was met? And so he gave a nod and small smile back as Rodolphus assented, looking forward to working more closely with his brother now that he was out of school. The Dark Lord had invited him into the ranks before his sixth year at Hogwarts began, but his reach had been so limited during that time. Now he would truly have the chance to prove himself of worthy of working at his brother’s side. They were the best of partners in planning and in the field, surely it would not take too long for him to rise enough to make partnership a reality. He chuckled slightly as Rodolphus continued, indulging in a drink now that he had gotten the elder Lestrange away from the Cerberus idea. "I have no doubt about that."

Rabastan smirked, his brother’s wife’s involvement in their plot an obvious asset to him. Even as a child, Bellatrix had not been quiet about her hatred of their father, and revenge would be sweet for them all. "I suppose we should." He went to the door, ringing a slight silver bell to call an elf. Upon its arrival, Rab instructed it to find Bellatrix and direct her here, and returned to his brother’s side at the window. He would do his best to ensure that Radolphus’s death led to as little suspicion as possible, but questions certainly would be asked by the authorities. Those tied closely to them would likely be brought in for investigation, and it was best that no one beyond the three of them knew. Not even Annette…It’s better to keep her out of this. He would come forth with some version of the truth later on, and she would understand. It would free them all, this act...

"For Mother?" Rabastan shrugged, the response easy. "Exile. She can go to the family in France, not to be heard of or seen here again." While he did have love for his mother, the woman was a cancer; her lasting presence in this house would impede the changes he and his brother sought to make.

[Bellatrix Lestrange]

Bellatrix wasn't a fan of parties, not when they were being thrown by Radalphus and Lysandra Lestrange. Every event spent with them was a bore, but events where she was expected to stay after her husband had been silently sent away? Those weren't common, but it wasn't unexpected. Rabastan was now done with Hogwarts, which meant that her father-in-law was done pretending to give a damn about his eldest child. And after her trip to the hospital the month before - Bellatrix was more than done with him as well. She was tired of not being the only Madame Lestrange, the rightful owner of the manor this party was being held in. While things had become more tolerable around the place once they'd started keeping Raladphus and Lysandra under the imperius curse, it was well past time for both of them to be out of their lives.

She had waited, patiently, for years. Endured hearing the screams of both the boys when their father disciplined them, endured the pain at the end of the Elder Lestrange's wand herself. And finally their Dark Lord had relented, and realized that the old man wasn't of any use. Now that Rabastan would be joining them, they would be an unstoppable team. There was no use in the Dark Lord's ranks for an old man who was often so drunk he could barely even hold his wand. Even now, as Bellatrix watched him from across the hall, she could see the man wasn't in his right mind. If it wasn't for the house full of guests, she had a pretty good idea what exactly would be going on.

And she wasn't going to let it happen again.

Her hand tightened around her wand, eyes carefully watching the Elder Lestrange's every move when an elf was tugging at her dress. "What?" she snapped as she crouched down, not bothering to hide the smirk that crossed her face at the message. It seemed she now knew exactly where the guest of honor had run off to, and it was without hesitation that Bellatrix headed toward the section of the house that she was far more familiar with. She found them right where the elf had told her to go, a smirk on her face as she entered the room. “You’re missing quite the party. Timsey said you two needed me?”

[Deleted]

Rodolphus had known little affection in his short life, and what little love he felt, whether it was towards the few that he cared about, or received from the only two people considered family, he cherished. Of course, they had had their differences and their own little indulgences here and there though some indulged way more than others, but they trusted each other to have their backs, and that was rare and unheard of in times like this. “Then we’ll leave that to you. She is your mother, and you shall decide the details and terms of her arrangement and exile.” the older brother felt quite pleased at his brother’s decision, not at all missing the disagreeable woman he had been forced to call mother since birth. He would not miss her.

The doors suddenly flew open with a flair, and in came his gorgeous wife, head held high as she stalked in with the air of a queen… Well she might very well be the queen of Lestrange Manor very soon. “If by party you mean the fun you have with your pet…” rolling his eyes as the image of one Alecto Carrow doing unspeakable things with his wife flashed through his mind. Oh he had walked in on them on more than one occasion, and needless to say, he had told them to, quite literally, get a room at the opposite wing of the manor. “It’s time. Rab suggested a trip to Shyverwretch’s tomorrow.” Going straight for the kill. There was no need to waste words on the wretched man. “I know you wouldn’t want to miss a second of our revenge.” smirking as their eyes met across the room. They had been waiting for this day since forever.

“Two will go to Shyverwretch’s tomorrow and one will stay to maintain the imperius. We will need polyjuice, some hair, and some peasant clothing…” Rodolphus listed out, not wishing to miss anything and risk leaving it all to chance. There was no chance or luck involved this time. It was pure will, and the steel resolve to make their thoughts a reality.

Failure was unacceptable.

[Rabastan Lestrange]

Rabastan nodded to his brother, relieved that Rodolphus felt that exile was suitable. Speaking of such things, it felt like the air around them was thickening, time slugging by with the increased weight of it all. There would be relief in the coming days, to be sure, after all was said and done. Their plot simply had to remain undetected until then. Each piece carried out with surgical precision, each of them playing their parts without fault. He had dreamed of this, as he knew his brother and sister-in-law had - vividly. To live free of the yoke that had tethered him to people who had dedicated so much of themselves to making his and his brother's lives unbearable - to make his own choices, standing on his own, without fear of retaliation.

Tantalizing and terrifying in equal measure.

They just had to keep their heads.

Annette won't believe this. We can walk away.

    You'll set up some funds for her. Wouldn't do to leave her with nothing after all of this. She'll be fine.

You'll both be fine.

To say that the Hufflepuff had never fit in their world would be the understatement of the century. But while she had never wanted him to take care of her, he felt that he owed her something. He had been no joy to be tied to for all these years, Rab knew - he could have, had she moved an inch on her "principles" - but there was no need for bad blood...

Bellatrix joined them and Rodolphus was quick to fill her in. Rabastan watched the exchange carefully, unmoving as his brother spoke of pets, and nodded as he finished. The woman was a sister to him, had seen the terrors of their youth and stood by them - she would want to exact her own revenge, and he was glad she was here for this, an integral part of the planning process if they were to succeed. "Mother will be exiled," he added, hoping that she would agree to the relative leniency. "I can stay tomorrow to monitor them and make the arrangements. Is there anyone here tonight that could be impersonated?"