#i. development: rodolphus lestrange.

[midnightstargazer]

So as I've been working on my Tedromeda-centric WIP, I've also ended up deciding to bring in a subplot for Bellatrix. She's a recent Hogwarts grad, her parents are busy trying to find her a husband, and while Andromeda is making eyes at the sweet boy from Hufflepuff, Bellatrix is falling into the orbit of the Death Eaters.

I've never felt very confident about writing Bellatrix as a POV character, but I'm really enjoying it. And I'm really liking the dynamic that's developing between her and Rodolphus. I'd almost call it sweet if they weren't both such awful people lol

The fic still isn't quite ready to start posting, but here's an excerpt I couldn't wait to share:

The Selwyns’ garden was a dark, creepy mess: hemlock and belladonna growing in the flowerbed, Devil’s Snare creeping up the walls, and venemous tentacula snapping at passersby. Rodolphus turned as they emerged and drew his wand. “Duel me,” he said. “What?” Bellatrix asked. “Oh, I heard you talking to Yaxley,” he said with a smirk. “You like duels and curses? So do I. Let’s see if you can beat me.” “And if I do?” she asked, a note of defiance in her voice, though she was already reaching for her own wand. “What would you like, if you win?” he asked. Bellatrix thought carefully, scrutinizing him through narrowed eyes. His father was a close friend of Bellatrix’s uncle on her mother's side, and she knew enough about him to know what he and his friends were up to. “I want an introduction to the Dark Lord,” she said. “You know him, don’t you? Or, at least, your father does.” A moment passed, then he began to laugh. “I’m not joking!” Bellatrix said, stomping her foot against the ground to emphasize her point. The tall, thin heel clanked against the stones, sounding less impressive than she had hoped for. “No, I didn’t think you were,” said Rodolphus. “Alright. Sure. If you beat me in a duel, I’ll introduce you. And if I win, you’ll go to the opera with me next weekend. Does that sound fair?” Bellatrix had never been fond of the opera, but she found, to her surprise, that she wouldn’t mind spending more time in the company of Rodolphus Lestrange. In any case, she didn’t intend to lose. “Alright. Do your worst.”

#Bellatrix Black Lestrange #Bellatrix Black #Bellatrix Lestrange #Belladolphus #Rodolphus Lestrange #my fanfic

[lostdrarryfics]

THE BIG FIND 2023: Day 2

The Big Find is a 10-day long Drarry fic-finding marathon to celebrate the blog’s anniversary. Below is the Day 2 compilation of lost fics, both old and new, that we’ve been unable to find. Our aim is to get as much attention to these lost fics as possible, to help people finally find their missing fics! Anyone can participate by reblogging, reading through each list, providing additional fic details, and informing us the title, author, or link of a fic, and their respective number in the comment section. Happy finding!

2.1 I’m not confident if it was in portuguese or english. Harry was an auror and Draco was an unspeakable and they were together on a mission were eventually they were captured into a sex traffic scheme. It was HEAVILY angsty and I think they were rescued by Rabastan Lestrange (i’m pretty sure it was him, but I think that it may be Rodolphus instead). It’s been YEARS since Iast read it but it made an impression.

2.2 Fairly sure that the fic was on ao3 and a wip but could be completely off the mark. The only thing I remember is that at Gringotts: the Potters’ will is read and specifically both Lucius Malfoy and Snape’s presence is requested; which is questioned by others present at the time of the reading. The Potters are aware that there is a connection between Harry and Draco - I’m guessing soulmate, mate if creature fic hence the request of Lucius. Possibly anti-Dumbledore but again not positive. fic is not ‘And The Forest Met The Sky’ by Silverhood, The Black Star by Aileen Dickinson, or Lord Thanatos by wonderfulWonderful 505

2.3 veela!Draco fic. Harry is draco’s mate and is extremely unhappy about it. Draco keeps his distance and nearly die because of it (veelas, in this universe, die if they are rejected), and Harry makes a unbreakable vow (i think that it is with narcisa) that he will at least try to be around. They eventually develop a relationship and Harry starts to search a new house for them, but Draco thinks that he is been cheated and die because of the perceived rejection. Harry eventually dies because of the vow he made and they meet again in a kind of heaven, where they also meet Lily, James, Sirius, Severus, Remus and other canon dead characters.

2.4 could have been on Ao3 or Hexfiles. It’s Draco’s birthday. Harry’s pov. Draco is in love with him. They have been friends for some years (and secretly in love, even though it’s only revealed in the end that Harry fell in love too). Draco always dances with everybody at his birthday except Harry. Tonight they dance. At some point Blaise says to Harry something like he should let Draco go so he could be with someone. There are plenty of people interested in Draco. Harry is surprised someone has noticed something is going on between them. Harry is married to Ginny and has kids with her. He can’t leave her. His thing with Draco started many years ago at his birthday party, when they talked about the war in a rose garden. They suddenly kissed. My memory might be failing me here, but I think they started eating lunch together maybe every week. They became friends, but also coudn’t help falling in love. At the time of one Draco’s birthday party (in the past) Ginny was giving birth or just birthed her and Harry’s twins. Harry was at the party without her. The need between him and Draco got too strong and Harry gave him a blowjob in the bathroom. That was the only sexual encounter between them. In the end Harry maybe dashes out of the party and Draco follow and confronts him. Harry admits he didn’t fall in love alone. I’m not sure if it was a wip or oneshot. It was all angst and hurt with strong chemistry and longing.

2.5 Ron is toasting the happy couple, maybe at their engagement party or wedding. He’s giving affectionate anecdotes about Draco’s bad behavior at school. Like, “remember the time he challenged Harry to a duel in the forbidden forest and then didn’t show?” (Not the exact quote.)

2.6 probably (like 90% sure) on ao3, but I read it a long time ago so I can’t remember. The plot was basically Harry forced to be with Draco in marriage or partnership. Initially Draco was very abusive, but slowly warms up to Harry. Harry gets to know the reason behind Draco’s behaviours is Lucius’ child abuse. Draco has secret bondage dungeon. He also has a shrine of Harry. Harry gets pregnant. Lucius is the main villain here. Narcissa & Snape are also here, along with the Weasleys though the later don’t make much of an appearance. Snape is the one who supplied the pregnancy potion to Harry. In one scene Draco admires Ginny’s attitude thinking she would’ve been good for Harry. In another scene, Draco & Harry are having sex, and Draco is clutching Harry by his throat but Harry loving runs his fingers through Draco’s hair. When their child is born Lucius wants to take it away but the healer who helped deliver stands in the way. Earlier in the fic Draco forces Harry to take poly juice so he could fuck a girl. Lucius dies in a fire at the end. The fire is at Malfoy manor. Though I’m not sure, but I think they spent their Christmas at the Weasleys where Draco promises to gift something to Molly. The fic also had an Author’s note on how they’ve forgiven someone for doing something similar in real life, replying to comments on how Draco is abusive to Harry.

2.7 drarry little mermaid AU. It was a dark fic, based on the original little mermaid not the Disney version and it was dark and didn’t have a happy ending. I think Draco was an elf/fae rather than a mermaid

2.8 All I remember is that it was Draco/Astoria, Harry/Ginny. Before it becomes Drarry, it was 50 chapters, and complete, I clearly remember a tag that said everyone gets a happy ending except astoria in all lowercase letters.

2.9 What I remember of the fic is only one scene so bear with me, Draco and Harry are in relationship I think and Draco is also there when order members come to take him from privet drive. And he also attends Bill’s wedding but during the death eaters attack he gets caught and they take him away to the manor, Harry cries alot after that. I this is multi chaptered. In this fic Draco defected I guess and he attends the marriage and disguises like how Harry does, but he is revealed and he is taken to the manor. Harry is devastated and then he keeps seeing him through his connection with voldermort being tortured or something. They are already in relationship at this point. fic is not The Wrong Sort by CaffeinatedFlumadiddle

2.10 harry is getting married to Ginny and he’s sorting out all of the things for the wedding and one of them is the cake. Draco works or owns the bakery that Harry is getting the cake from and they both start to talk and get closer. That’s when Harry realises that he’s not ready to marry Ginny because a certain blonde has his heart. I’m sure Harry, when ever he’s in doubt or just bored he apparates to the bakery and dracos always holding the daily prophet to see what the saviour of the wizarding world is up to.

2.11 it was on ao3 and i read it a long time ago (i wouldn’t be surprised if it didn’t exist any more) but what i remember from it was pretty intense bdsm experimentation (between harry and draco) and they both started developing feelings but weren’t saying anything and i recall them fkin around in an abandoned class room? one scene i remember vividly is harry getting triggered by something draco says or did but it had something to do with his trauma with the dursleys and he calls out the safe word for the first time (which was snitch).

2.12 I’m looking for this specific drarry texting story I read on YouTube over 3 years ago. I think that it’s no longer on YouTube, but I wanted to know if it was ever posted on any other social media. The story goes like - Ron gives Harry the password to use the prefect bathroom where Harry stumbles upon Draco. Draco ends up doing some spells with the water (like a water snake like thing) and it fascinated Harry but Draco doesn’t really indulge in the conversation. When Harry tries to leave, Draco cages him and they end up having sex.

2.13 fic on ao3 where its set in 8th year and harry and draco are still fucked up meet up to (or just end up) fight(ing) a lot and one time harry takes it a bit too far and punches draco in the stomach, and draco throws up blood? And harry has to call madame pomphrey i believe. I dont think it was a particularly long fic but thats all i can remember.

2.14 harry and draco are twins but (i think) they were separated and then they got together like finding out they are twins and also dating lmao and okay then?? they became like rulers of the wizard world by making treaties and stuff w creatures and all that

#the big find 2023 #drarry #drarry fic #drarry fic search #drarry squad

[greenerteacups]

Hi!

First I wanted to tell you how much I love Lionheart and how thankful I am that you are writing and sharing it with us. You really make my fridays better. Fiction has been such a refuge for me all my life, and it one of the things that brings me utter joy. Lionheart is that place of joy for me every friday and for that I don't have words to say gracias (spanish is my first language). I am leaving comments in AO3 every chapter, so I won't repeat myself. I just wanted to ask some thing that has been in my mind and see if you could share a light.

I've been reading Lionheart for the past 4 month, so maybe I forgot but has been say yet what role did Bellatix played in Lucius death? Your Narcissa is one of my favorite takes on her in all dramione and I've been wondering about her relationship with Bella. And with Andromeda. With her being a double agent like Snape I am DYING to see if we will have interactions with her and Sirius in the next book. Anything you can tell me about this would be much appreciated.

Also, I would pay money to read the interaction with Draco and Hermione from the last chapter in her POV.  When Draco tells her “That will be enough,” what was she feeling/thinking? I read it in two ways. In one hand -I heard Lucius so clearly- which is a feat in itself, because he has not appeared in the fic as a live character. That line is something that someone that had power and expects to be obeyed says. And it made Narcissa stop. On the other hand, I read it like her being aware of how much Draco has changed in the year that she hasn't been around him.  She now knows Hermione has an influence that she, as a mother away from his son for the better part of a year, can't compete with. Is that? Is she thinking something else?

I found so incredible the work you have done with how Lucius has influenced Draco with his absence. Mi nono (grandfather) died when my father was 10 years old, so I know all about then influence that mythical father figure can take in a young boy's mind and development. It's especially great with Draco. Did you planned that from the beginning? Is it something you wanted to explore? Thank you for your time!

Carla

Gracias! Me halaga mucho que leíste más de 500.000 palabras en una segunda lengua. Hay un nivel de fluidez que solo puedo enviar en mi propio estudio de Español — puedo leer algas obras cortas, pero no tengo la resistencia de perseverar por tanto tiempo! Algún día me gustaría leer y escribir con la suficiente fluidez para hacer una traducción al español de Lionheart, pero eso está en el futuro.

As for the questions:

(1) Bellatrix's role in Lucius's death: Okay, totally understandable that this gets lost in the shuffle, because it comes up in Book 1 and there has been a lot of stuff since. Bellatrix kills Lucius in 1988, when Draco is 8, before she is caught and taken to Azkaban. Draco doesn't have most of the details there, because he was too young at the time-of and neither he nor his mother have been eager to discuss it since, but the implication from Book 1 is that it was related to Lucius finking after the war. It's noted by Draco and Dumbledore (Book 1, Chapter 9) that Lucius testified to the Wizengamot about his Death Eater activities and gave names in exchange for a shortened Azkaban sentence (five years) and a pardon for his wife. Draco doesn't know what those names are, but he does know that the Lestranges were responsible for his father's subsequent death, and it's why his mother has never brought up Bellatrix or tried to visit her in prison. This is also the LH-canon reason that Bellatrix and Rodolphus were caught — the Ministry opened an investigation into them after Lucius's death, leading to their ultimate capture a few months later (Book 1, Chapter 1, see Narcissa's line about "the aurors are doing all they can"; see also, Book 4, Chapter 48, "The Misfortune of Amos Diggory," where Mad-Eye references the manhunt and Draco names the exact date the Lestranges were captured, which he remembers, ostensibly, because he and his mother would have been among the first people told).

(2) Future Black family interactions: I can't tell!! All I can say is that Order of the Phoenix is the book that spends the most time with members of the Black family, and I intend to honor that.

(3) What Narcissa is thinking in the last chapter: I can't answer that — I leave that up to you as a reader to interpret!

(4) Planning from the beginning: Fatherhood, and parenthood in general, is one of if not the prevailing theme in the Harry Potter series. A work about an orphan almost inevitably ends up being about family, and how different families shape us, and when I was sketching out the plot, it occurred to me how much Draco was shaped by the shadow of Lucius in canon; I didn't want to get rid of that trait, because it's deeply tied to his character, but I also wanted to play with it. So I decided to make it a different kind of shadow. Without actually being there for most of Draco's childhood, Lucius transforms from a powerful but mortal human being into a mythic figure, a titanic predecessor that everyone goes to great pains to remind Draco he must embody and live up to from a very young age. That's why the prologue is sort of a thematic shot-across-the-bow: it establishes what drives Draco, where his grief comes from, and also how it's warped his character slightly even by the time we meet him that first year on the Hogwarts Express.

It also happens to highlight his relationship with Narcissa, which I haven't seen explored as often as his relationship with Lucius is — I've often seen fics either treat Lucius/Narcissa as a thematic unit (Disapproving Parental Figures, a classic) or focus on disapproval coming from Lucius, while Narcissa gets to be the soft/nurturing/reformist pureblood who's willing to compromise. Which is a fair interpretation based on limited source material — but also, she's a Black. Of the same generation as Andromeda and Sirius, both of whom she has shunned for her adult life. Her relationship to blood status and privilege and power is far, far more interesting/rich than her husband's, and her canon backstory involves quite a few more (admittedly, implicit) personal choices than Lucius's does. Narcissa gets more texture than Lucius ever does. I think killing Lucius allowed that texture to come to the fore in ways it couldn't if he were still alive and acting head of the family.

#greenteacup asks #lionheart spoilers #lionheart #thank you!

[siriusly-sapphic]

thoughts on nobleflower i need to know i have so much in my brain

Oh oh oh! Yes!

Okay so I'm a little sick and my thoughts about anything Narcissa femslash related are usually already all over the place so? Bear with me while I type this on my phone?

First: let me establish the specific setting. Since I tend to mess about with Narcissa's age a little depending on the ship bc the canon Black family tree is a right mess that I've decided I can do whatever I want with. For alicissa tho, I tend to just go with Narcissa being 4/5 years older than the marauders, and Alice being like a year older than Narcissa.

And as for any Narcissa headcanon I have, I'm writing this with the idea of trans!narcissa in mind, though it works very similarly if you imagine her as cis. If you want more context for how I see trans!narcissa in canon compliant settings, I have a 7K meta post here but it's not necessary for this (I just like linking it).

Also we're going with some canon compliancy here. No happy endings today.

So.

Alicissa is one of those ships that, for me, starts out genuinely cute. Like... dorcissa starts out as denial and rivalry, narlily can end cute but starts messy. Alicissa starts sweet. It starts hopeful.

It starts in an icecream shop.

I'd say it starts the summer before Narcissa's 5th year, which is the time I headcanon she comes out as trans and has begun her transition. Which means 1. She is quite terrified of making 'another' mistake to embarrass her family and 2. The scariest moments of her life have just been blasted over Witch Weekly and the Daily Prophet. She is scared, she's being very brave about it, and she gets mean when she's nervous. (Well. Meaner than usual.)

Alice has a type of girl she loves and that type is brave and mean and a little sassy.

So you know, when Narcissa comes into Florean Fortescue's, ignores all the stares she gets, and gets snappy when Alice teases her about mint-chocolate chip being the worst flavour to order.... what choice does she really have except to fall in love right then and there?

And I think on Narcissa's side, developing any crush on a girl will always come with a bit of angst. Because from the moment she transitions, she has a very clear path in mind of what to do and what to be in order to make her family proud of them again. (I could go into more detail, but honestly for that if you're interested see the meta linked above.) And dating girls... not a part of that plan.

But she wants to.

And Alice makes it easier to be brave.

They're prefects in different years and different houses and they're good at keeping secrets and Narcissa can get Kingsley, the head boy, to move the prefect schedule so that she and Alice have rounds together. (She knows that Kingsley's into Rodolphus Lestrange like no other, and like I said. She can be a little mean.)

And I think that for that first year. The first two years, even, when they’re still at school and life hasn't gotten quite so tainted with war yet? They're happy. And they're cute. And it feels good. Like it can last.

It can't. Obviously.

One headcanon is that Narcissa starts struggling in school bc yknow she's going through some shit, and maybe there's a subject or two she's never been a natural at and is now falling behind in, and it just so happens that Alice is really good at that. So they can meet publicly in the library while Alice tutors her and Narcissa struggles to get over her embarrassment for needing a tutor.

Narcissa has only ever missed one quidditch game (she hates the game, but her best friends are the Lestrange brothers (oh yes that gets painful later) and they play on the team, sonshe has to go). That's the game Alice convinces her to come into the Gryffindor common room while everyone is gone and they make out in front of the fireplace.

They almost get caught. Narcissa avoids her for about a week. They never take that risk again.

And then the war. Alice graduates first, and I see her as being quite determined to make a difference in the war and unsure how to do it. Obviously the Order is a very secret organisation, and she doesn't know about it immediately, so she becomes an auror.

That's also where she meets her future husband Frank Longbottom (bless that man).

Meanwhile Narcissa is a seventh year, her best friends are losing their parents and are drowning in it and she is trying to balance NEWTs and helping the Lestrange twins and the ever important thing of Not Disappointing Her Parents (Again).

I think, however unjustly so, she starts blaming it on Alice for leaving. Which is obviously not actually Alice's fault bc that's just how gradustion works, but it's easier to blame a girl with who it never could've worked out (and maybe shouldn't have worked out as long as it did), than it is to realise that this is just a shitty collection of circumstances. Or worse, to blame her family. She can never blame her family. (She feels she owes her family too much to blame them)

So by the time Narcissa graduates, she's planning an engagement with Rabastan Lestrange that will fall through soon enough and she hasn't told Alice about yet. Alice, at that point, is an auror who's working together with Frank and feels so very betrayed when she does find out about Narcissa's engagement.

It's one of those things that has always been inevitable. But that Alice couldn't help but secretly hope wouldn't happen anyway.

And I think that's where it goes wrong.

Because Alice tells her not to marry Rabastan, around the same time that Rabastan is trying very hard to destroy everything good in his life because grief isn't kind, and Narcissa is the best damn thing to have happened to him. Druella Black ("you should do better than a miserable second son"), Alice Fortescue ("just get away from all of it"), and Rabastan Lestrange ("why are we bothering anyway?") himself, all tell her to break off an engagement that brought her SO much joy when it became reality.

And so Narcissa decides to hate all of them for it.

Except she can’t. Obviously. But she decides she does anyway.

Because Druella is still the mother she wants to be proud of her, and Rabastan is still her best friend who she wants to protect, and Alice is still the first person she ever really fell in love with. She can’t hate them. But she wants to.

But I think that strains alicissa's relationship a lot. Because it shows that Narcissa isn't just mean, she can be cruel and delusional. And it makes it clear that it doesn’t really matter how much Narcissa loves Alice (because she does. She really does.) Because as brave as Narcissa can be, she's a scared young woman who seeks to protect herself. And protecting herself in pureblood society means marrying a suitable pureblood wizard. It doesn’t mean running away with a halfblood witch and hoping life turns out alright.

Narcissa has always protected herself by planning ahead and following her plan. Alice doesn’t fit into that. And Alice isn't the type of woman who will wait around to see if Narcissa's plans change.

So when Narcissa gets engaged to Lucius Malfoy, and her happy and perfect smile is all over the Daily Prophet, Alice accepts Frank's invitation for a date.

And for a while that's that.

There's some looks, because Frank is a Longbottom and while he's on his way to become a traitor, his great aunt was a Black and he still gets invited to notable pureblood events. Not for long, but long enough. There are some strained conversations and longing glances and even, once or twice, guilt-ridden hookups when their respective husbands are out.

Alice feels a whole lot more terrible about that than Narcissa does. She loves Frank. I swear she does.

Alice is a renowned auror and joins the Order and is a genuine danger to any death eater who comes her way. Narcissa is terrified every day that her husband might die at her lover's hands — or god forbid the other way around.

Alice grows to hate Narcissa during that war. Because how dare she attend charity galas to safekeep the victims of a war, when she damn well knows it's her friends and family waging that war. The hypocrisy and the cruelty too much.

Alice likes her women brave and a little mean. Not cowardly and cruel.

They become mothers around the same time. Two months apart. When they’re both pregnant, they see each other occasionally in the same maternity shops and healer waiting rooms. There's a kinship there and this very strong desire for a closer bond, that ultimately can't withstand the hatred and the mistrust that the war and Narcissa's choices have brought upon them.

And then the war is over.

Narcissa and Lucius manage to escape any time in azkaban. Alice and Frank can finally settle and mourn their loved ones. All four of them can look at these beautiful young boys in their arms and hope with all their might that their lives will be easier.

(It’s unclear when the attack on the Longbottoms happened. We know it happened after the war, and we know it happened when people had just begun feeling safe again. We know there was enough time for Crouch sr to start greying by the time the Lestranges were put on trial.)

But that wrecks Narcissa.

I wanna say that Alice and Narcissa stopped actively seeing each other when the war ended. Alice doesn't want to have an affair when she is genuinely happily married and she has a son. Maybe she's trying for a second child.

But Narcissa’s best friends in the world. The family I tend to describe as "what the Potters and James were to Sirius, the Lestranges and Rodolphus were to Narcissa". And her sister. Two of whom knew just how fucking important Alice Fortescue was to Narcissa, once upon a time.

I genuinely don't think Narcissa believed it, when the Lestranges were first accused of that crime. I don't think she wanted to believe them capable of it. And when it turned out to be true.... I have so many thoughts about that connection I could fill another and longer post. But it wrecks her.

Narcissa only visits Alice once.

It's under the guise of "seeing what her sister has done, to put it behind her". Augusta Longbottom is there, in absolute pieces because her only son is gone. Neville is there, Draco's age. Alice doesn't recognise her. Narcissa thinks it might be better that way.

Narcissa just really doesn't belong there. And she doesn't belong there because of her own choices, her own mistakes. And I think that realisation breaks her even further.

Only one of them remembere what they used to be, and Narcissa selfishly wishes that it wasn't her.

Okay and this is getting long so. The rest is just little moments of pain. Draco writing home about how stupid this Longbottom kid is? The absolute guilt of knowing her darling boy is bullying the son of the woman Narcissa loved most? Post war, when maybe Neville is old enough to want to know more about Alice and find out that there aren’t many people alive who remember Alice when she was young. But Narcissa does.

And don't even get me started on the Lestranges escaping Azkaban. That's agony right there. I have no time. But also I have SO many thoughts and all of them heard more than the other so one day I'll inflict them on others.

This became so long I'm sorry lmao, but I hope you like the thoughts. This is why happier fix it AUs exists.

#alicissa #alice longbottom #narcissa malfoy #harry potter #hp femslash #marauders era #nobleflower #alice fortescue #narcissa black #my headcanons #headcanons #marauders fandom #answered asks #pomegranatepetrichord

[loyaldeatheater]

Bellatrix Lestrange

Bellatrix Lestrange is the most loyal and perhaps even the most powerful follower of Lord Voldemort with a passion none could rival. Born in the Black and Rosier family in 1951, she already had the perfect background for becoming a Death Eater as her mother's family sided with Grindelwald and her father's family was famous for being pureblood fanatics.

Bellatrix eventually married a wealthy pureblood named Rodolphus Lestrange. The marriage however was done out of pure obligation towards her family's blood mentality and traditions. Bellatrix never showed any love or compassion towards her husband and remained childless with him. It is however unclear how exactly Bellatrix and her husband joined Lord Voldemort but during the first wizarding war, the couple became devoted Death Eaters.

Bellatrix' devotion towards Voldemort was however stronger than just the ambition for power and blood status alone. She developed a true crush or even love for Voldemort which only fuelled her passion as a Death Eater to absolute fanaticism. Her passion towards Voldemort and his goals did not go unnoticed as she became the Dark Lord's most trusted Lieutenant, I dare even say Voldemort started to care about her as well and truly respected her.

After the Dark Lord's fall on 31 October 1981, most of the Death Eaters scarpered or were killed. Bellatrix however, together with a small group of followers, remained fiercely loyal towards Voldemort. Bellatrix, her husband Rodolphus and Barty Crouch Jnr managed to kidnap Alice and Frank Longbottom and tortured them to insanity to gain any knowledge on Voldemort's whereabouts.

This attack on the aurors caused so much fury among the wizarding community that the four were quickly captured and sentenced to life imprisonment in Azkaban. Even during the trial, Bellatrix continued to show her loyalty towards Voldemort while other Death Eaters pleaded for their lives.

After Voldemort's return to power in 1995, Voldemort immediately planned a mass breakout of Azkaban to free his faithful followers who instead of running away, remained loyal to his cause.

Now somewhere during the second wizarding war, Voldemort and Bellatrix conceived a child together. Whether out of love/passion towards each other or from necessity to conceive a pureblood heir of Slytherin is unknown. I personally like to think they did this act out of passion as Voldemort wasn't incapable of feeling emotions like love, a common misconception Rowling cleared up in an interview.

Their sexual relationship probably started after the events at the ministy of Magic's department of mysteries as Voldemort himself intervented at the ministry and prevented her capture by the Aurors, she was the only Death Eater not to be apprehended at the ministry, it was a remarkable deed of Lord Voldemort to actually intervene and save one of his own, a sign that he did truly care about her. During the battle of Hogwarts, it was also Bellatrix who was the only Death Eater who seemed to actually care about her master's wellbeing as she was the only one reaching out for Voldemort after he fell down, following the destruction of another Horcrux.

Imagine a stand-alone mature film being made about Bellatrix' life and eventual relationship with Voldemort. Even actor Ralph Fiennes admitted he would be interested in playing as Voldemort in such a mature film.

#Bellatrix Lestrange #Bellatrix #Lord Voldemort #Voldemort #Death Eater #harry potter #Helen Bonham Carter #Ralph Fiennes

[shinynewboots]

In the Aftermath / Hermione x Antonin Dolohov (Chapter 1)

Summary:  In response to the low post-war population, the Dark Lord proposed a solution. The half-blood and blood-traitor women were to be given to the male members of a pureblood house. These women would be chosen by Death Eaters to carry on their family names and blood (for if the Dark Lord gave his blessings for the mixing of blood, who were they to argue?). The muggle-born women were to be left for those of lower prestige and lower rank. Or, more accurately, as willing (unwilling) toys for the most odious of Death Eaters.

Warnings: 18+, Dead Dove Do Not Eat, eventual smut, angst, dubious consent, grief, dark post-war fic, NSFW, implied SA

AO3 Link

Next Chapter

AN: Hello All! This is a major rewrite/edit/revamping of a story (Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow) originally posted on fanfiction.net when I was still in high school. I will leave the old story up there but will be making major changes to the plot and character development in order to better flesh out the story and characters. I hope you all are ready for the ride because this story will be taking a different direction than the original!

Also, very excited to writing Hermione x Antonin once more

Most fugitive muggle-born, half-blood, and blood-traitors had been picked down one by one. In the beginning, after the battle had been lost, they scattered like roaches. There was no true leadership left in the resistance movement and so it was easy enough to find various safe houses. They stupidly hid in hordes, clinging together. Occasionally, one or two would fight, however the others would look on with hopelessness shimmering in their eyes. However, as time passed, it grew harder to find the fugitives, and so the bounties placed upon them were astronomical.

Not every fugitive was returned to Azkaban. Most of the males were killed simply because they brought more trouble than they were worth. The Weasley family, for example, was almost completely terminated except for three of the children.

Life continued.  

It was hard to remember anything before the slaughter. There was killing, raping, torture at every turn. Muggle-born, half-blood, and blood traitors lost all status in the newly built society and faced this societally accepted oppression.

This new reshuffling of society and catastrophic lost of life after the war led to an unprecedented maelstrom of problems: low population from casualties, low fertility among pureblood witches, and a lack of “suitable” partners to conceive children with.

There were whisperings of course, throughout the ranks. Rumors began to spread, and suddenly, the idea of complete pureblood supremacy began to seem impossible.

The whispers remained only that until the scandal of the year broke the headlines: Rodolphus Lestrange had impregnated a muggle woman. This news led to great uncertainty throughout the Death Eater and Pureblood ranks. Would they have to resort to Muggle women to carry their heirs?

The Dark Lord proposed a solution. The half-blood and blood-traitor women were to be given to the male members of a pureblood house. These women would be chosen by Death Eaters to carry on their family names and blood (for if the Dark Lord gave his blessings for the mixing of blood, who were they to argue?) The muggle-born women were to be left for those of lower prestige and lower rank.

Or, more accurately, as willing (unwilling) toys for the most odious of Death Eaters.

April 5, 1999

Antonin Dolohov held an indescribable amount of disgust for the decree declared by the Dark Lord. Of course, he never told this information to his fellow Death Eaters except for a select few trustworthy as even the thought of it would be treason. His acquaintances, if he could even call them such, had lined up at the opportunity to be in possession of their own play toy.

Even Rabastan Lestrange, a man he had come to trust in a short amount of time, seemed to find little problem with the law. After the scandal with Rodolphus, Rabastan seemed to mature overnight. Despite the inevitable wear that sprung from years in Azkaban, Rabastan had still managed to retain a youthful, somewhat cruel spirit. Now, however, the lines in his face had deepened and his eyes had grown weary.

There were many nights that Antonin and Rabastan spent in the Lestrange parlor with a glass of Fire Whiskey and a bitter tongue.

The war had ended with the death of the Potter boy. Once the battle was over, and the spoils of war taken, it did not take long to realize that there was no grand plan of “after”. No one said anything, of course. It would be treason to voice such thoughts aloud. Yet, Antonin found himself somewhat lost (as many others on their side had) as he looked towards the future. What future were they rebuilding?

It was after one of those nights of deep intoxication that Antonin found himself waiting with Rabastan at the Ministry, as lines of women entered the room one by one. The smell of rot and piss carried by the group was only barely concealed by the artificial scent of flowers.

As he and Rabastan looked upon the row of women (girls, really. All of age, but most were only a few months out of Hogwarts) with hollow cheeks and sickly skin, Antonin could not identify who he hated more: Rabastan who convinced him to come, or himself, who agreed.

The girls, though they were imprisoned in Azkaban, were always presented in a special room deep within the Ministry. Initially, the “choosing” room was a damp room in Azkaban, however there was little turn out from the Death Eater population. Few were willing to return to a place where they spent many maddening years.

The girls wore the dirty, striped rags of Azkaban prison. Some had bruised faces. Others still had the tears of dried blood stuck in place that told of past punishments. They were connected by glowing shackles on their wrists that emitted a power surge of energy.  

A few of the girls cried silently, while others held no emotion on their faces. They knew what it meant to be chosen by a Death Eater. It was a coin toss as to whether they would be treated kindly or tortured brutally upon arrival. One of the girls chosen prior had committed suicide a few weeks after being selected by one of the more depraved of the bunch. Since then, curses had been placed upon the girls to ensure that any suicidal thoughts or actions were snuffed out quickly.

It was abhorrent.

Alecto Carrow seemed to take pleasure in her position as warden to the new women’s ward in Azkaban. Her cruel eyes and yellow sneer in the direction of the girls was disconcerting. Upon further examination, Antonin spotted a large, blunt ring on one of her fingers that seemed the exact size as some of the bruises that marred the girls’ skin.

Rabastan looked over the girls, the excitement worn away as he took in the appalling sight.  Antonin chose to stare at the floor.  

They weren’t alone, as a handful of other Death Eater’s had taken interest in the girls as well. Some more than others. There were specific “choosing days” once a month in which interested individuals could come choose (or replace) their chosen mate (or toy).

Walden Macnair looked utterly thrilled at the prospect of picking out a new toy. There were rumors that he had already broken the first one. Young Theodore Nott, followed by his father, was a sick shade of green. It was highly likely he had attended school with most of the girls before him.

“Finally convinced to pick one out, Dolohov?” Macnair sneered. Antonin, the large man that he was, stared down at Macnair.

“Not today,” He stated, his tone stolid.

Macnair scoffed and walked over towards one of the girls, her gaze focused firmly on the floor. He grabbed a handful of her dull, black hair and pulled her head back, revealing her face. She could have been attractive in her past life. However, it was difficult to tell from the scars on her face.

“What’s your name, bitch,” Macnair growled. The girl glanced around, searching for anywhere else to stare besides Macnair’s sweaty face. Her dead eyes met Theodore Nott, who held his hand over his mouth, likely to keep anything unsavory from coming back up. They looked about the same age.

Cold eyes still on Theodore, the girl answered in a raspy voice. “Cho.”

Macnair smirked, releasing Cho from the grip he held. He glanced over at Alecto. “This one. I want this one.”

Alecto gave a shark’s smile. “Maybe you won’t break this one.”

A flash of fear passed over Cho’s features as Alecto removed the restraints placed upon her. The girl would have a better chance at life in Azkaban.

Macnair left with Cho in tow. Antonin could not feel worse for the girl. Theodore Nott and his father left as well, likely because Theodore could no longer hold the contents of his stomach.

Throughout the exchange, Rabastan had kept his eyes locked on a girl that Antonin could only describe as wispy. She had white, blond hair that was matted around her head. Her lip was split and her nose somewhat crooked as though it had been broken.  Antonin watched as his friend took a step towards the willowy girl.

“The nargles seem to have found a hive in you” She said, her voice soft and distant. The trance she held Rabastan in was broken by the barking of Alecto for the girl to “only speak when spoken to”. Rabastan glared at the squat woman.

“Please remove her restraints,” He said.

“You don’t want that one. She’s barmy,” Alecto jeered.

“Remove her restraints,” He growled, the statement no longer a request but a demand. Alecto huffed but did as she was told, though she pulled on the wispy girl more than necessary.  The girl smiled at Alecto as the last of the restraint was removed.

Alecto looked as though she wanted to murder the girl right where she stood, however one glare from Rabastan led Alecto to stand down.

The trio left the cold, “choosing” room and walked towards the office where Rabastan would sign papers official making the odd girl his. It reminded Antonin of purchasing an owl.

At least an owl could defend itself from its owner.

The girl, whose name they learned was Luna, turned out to be pleasant even as everyone around her decided her fate. Rabastan was utterly captivated by her presence, causing him to write down most of the information in his paperwork incorrectly. Dolores Umbridge, or the Toad, as most Death Eaters dubbed her, grew very impatient with his mistakes, though refused to say anything in fear of the Lestrange name.

The Toad eyed Luna up with a curled lip, and Luna did just the same. The blatant loathing was not lost on anyone save for Rabastan. Once the paperwork was done, Antonin was all too ready to leave the tense air that had built.

“Umbridge!” A voice shouted, accompanied by the sudden opening of the office door. In the doorway stood Amycus Carrow with a meek girl in tow. He threw her to the floor at Antonin’s feet.

 A magical signature, his signature, seemed to tease him as he took in the girl at his feet. Her very being seemed to call to him in the same way his wand would. Another extension of his hand. He could feel the magic reach for him as it seemed to bleed from the girl, tendrils of energy pawing at the legs of his trousers.

“What is the meaning of this Amycus?” The Toad shrieked in her shrill voice. Amycus sneered, and glanced down at the tiny girl with a rat’s nest for hair.

“She’s already been claimed, Dolores! She has the fucking stench of another wizard’s magical signature all over her!” He raged, spitting ruefully on the girl. The Toad gave out a ‘tut’. Amycus shoved his way to Umbridge’s desk, stepping on the girl in the process. The cat pictures that covered the office wall meowed in unison.

While Umbridge and Carrow argued back and forth, Antonin and Rabastan made no move to stop Luna as she made her way over to the girl and crouched down. She moved the girl’s hair so that her right cheek was visible. Luna softly touched the girl’s cheek, wiping the spit away.

“Hermione,” She whispered. The arguing stopped as the room became focused on the two girls.

“I will have you know, Amycus, that Hermione Granger has not already been claimed. I saw to that myself!” Umbridge huffed indignantly.

Antonin could not keep his eyes off Hermione Granger. He’d had encounters with her during and after the war, however the most vivid he could recall the was Battle of the Department of Mysteries. She’d silenced him, taking him by surprise. In response, he hit her with a curse of his own design. Her internal organs should have contracted into themselves, crushing her internally.

She should have been dead.

He wasn’t ashamed to admit that he still thought of her occasionally, wondering if his curse had left any lingering effects. It wasn’t everyday someone survived one of his curses. Was this why he could feel his magic bubbling beneath her skin?

“Check then. I tried to bond her to me, and the bond was rejected completely.”

Umbridge scoffed and moved from around her desk, taking her wand out and pointing it at Hermione. She whispered an incantation. The Toad frowned as a glowing line began to form from Hermione’s breastbone to hip.

“How is this possible?” She whispered in bewilderment. She looked at Antonin, suspicion in her eyes. “It’s your magical signature.”

“What the fuck Dolohov,” Amycus growled, pulling his wand from his pocket. Antonin returned the gesture, his eyes glinting dangerously.

“I wouldn’t, Carrow,” Antonin stated, his voice low. Amycus Carrow might have been a brute, but even he had enough sense to realize there was no logic in engaging in a fight he wouldn’t win.

“Remove your magic, Dolohov. She’s a mudblood. My mudblood.” Amycus stated. Through the exchange, Luna had helped bring Hermione to her feet and the two stood in the background, watching the exchange of Hermione’s fate.

“I don’t believe so, Carrow. In fact, it sounds as though she’s mine.” Antonin smirked, eliciting a growl from Carrow. Carrow was quick, but Antonin was quicker, especially with Rabastan behind him, wand drawn.

Wand still trained on Amycus, Antonin backed away until he had reached Hermione, putting a soft grip upon her elbow. The touch alone was electrifying as his magical signature within her was reunited with its master. He felt his blood begin to sing and the hair on his arm stand on end. “I’ll be taking her with me.”

“Mr. Dolohov, there are still piles of paper work to be completed,” The Toad shrieked. Antonin put a steady arm around Hermione and began to guide her from the office.

Antonin gave no response, instead choosing to continue his impromptu adventure. He pulled Hermione further until she simply gave out and fell to her knees. Her breathing was shallow, and her body trembled as she fell. Antonin grabbed her and pulled her into his arms, taking her to her salvation.

Watching the scene, Rabastan grabbed Luna’s hand to leave. Unable to help himself, he turned back towards Umbridge and winked, booming laughter emitting from his lips.

#hermione granger #antonin dolohov #antonin dolohov x hermione granger #rabastan x luna #rabastan lestrange #luna lovegood #harry potter #harry potter fanfic #harry potter fanfiction #harry potter post war #marriage law au #death eaters

[ourpyrrhicvictory]

the lestranges knew about the prophecy

they didnt know all the details, but they knew there was a spoken threat

and they were led to believe it was the longbottoms

they were tom’s failsafe. it’s why they go after the longbottoms when voldemort disappears

because the potters are dead, and it CANNOT be a child that took out voldemort

there had to have been a bigger plan

there had to have been more to it

alice and frank didn’t even know

they had less information than the potters

and they were tortured for it

tortured because they didn’t have the answers

tortured until they had no answers left to offer in their place

#im just #writing shit at this point idk #take it as you will #i. development. #i. development: tom riddle jr. #i. development: the triumvirate. #i. development: frank longbottom. #i. development: rodolphus lestrange. #i. development: rabastan lestrange.

[knowshisowna]

META | the relationship between rod & bella.

one thing i feel like i don’t talk about enough on this blog is the actual relationship between rodolphus and bellatrix. not the perceived relationship , not the one crafted and solidified for them , not the one on paper. no , the real and raw relationship they share between the two of them when no one else is around , when no one else is watching. because it is one of the most important relationships not only to rodolphus but to rabastan and the death eaters as a whole.

first and foremost , they are as close to close friends as either of them can imagine , more so even than rodolphus and antonin although their relationships do not at all look alike and not just physically. bella and rod grew up together , and while he is substantially older , they learned from one another. they didn’t get along at first probably. they are at two opposite ends of a vast scale , and there was a lot of push and pull to start. he was order , and she was chaos. limits had to be tested. lines had to be drawn. and some things had to give.

of course , him being older and a lover of organization , this clashed with a reckless little girl’s idea of fun , but they grew to respect each other , or at the very least each other’s abilities. it was evident to everyone how formidable they could be together under the right circumstances , circumstances tom himself manufactured. and a union between the two of them would offer them both the freedom few others could say they had without upsetting tradition. bella wouldn’t have to bare children , and rodolphus wouldn’t have to worry for his home.

the marriage is of course more to the benefit of tom , but it benefits the two of them as well because at the time of the union , they had the same ambitions. they wanted the same things , and they were focused on the same goals. bella is still up in arms about it , but more so about the marriage itself and the fact that not even she , protege of voldemort , is able to evade the horrid tradition. but she and rod are still friends. and more importantly , they are partners and allies. they aren’t focused on raising a family , they’re focused on raising an army , and whatever may come of that , the foundation still holds. 

and in his canon verse , rod becomes comfortable in his role. he gets to do what he wants , bella gets to do what she wants , and they both reap the benefits of being in tom’s inner circle although those benefits differ between the two. and eventually they grow to love each other , which bella is still bitter about lmao , but it isn’t a love that looks like any other. they aren’t overly romantic and head over heels or anything , but they care for one another. they look out for one another. they worry about getting the both of them home. and they call the other out on their bullshit always. 

most of all , they’re honest with each other and with themselves. tom and bella will always take precedence for bella , and the brothers lestrange will always take precedence for rod ( and narcissa takes precedence for both , but anyway ) , and they have a comfortable understanding. they trust and respect each other , and while they can still be selfish , they accept that about each other.

#aefintyr #tagging you because most of it is based on your bella #at least the latter stuff and you know #bella hating that she cares about him lmao #but yeah if you dont think bella and rod are bros YOU ARE WRONG #i. development. #i. development: rodolphus lestrange. #meta. #i. meta: rodolphus lestrange. #i. meta: the triumvirate. #i. meta: rodolphus & bellatrix. #please just in general leave your fanon at home #it wont fit in here lmao

[artemisia-black]

Bellatrix's Villain origin story

Following on from my meta I wanted to give Bellatrix, a villain origin story that is more nuanced than her simply being ‘insane’.

Note: I’ve changed a few cannon things like her father only being 13 when she was born and given her a birthday (she’s a scorpio like her cousin Sirius)

Part one

Bellatrix’s father Cygnus Black, was a man who was keenly aware of his position as the first-born son of the secondary branch of the Black family. He had always felt second best to his meek cousin Orion and longed to best him by being the first to secure the family line. An accomplishment that would be rewarded by gold and political office. To achieve his end, he married Druella Rosier, a beautiful witch with a good name, in a lavish ceremony which took place three days after his graduation from Hogwarts.

His new bride, was also keenly aware of her position as the only daughter of a family whose only asset was a respectable name. And although Druella had initially set her sights on Orion, she lacked the dowry and charm to secure him, so she married Cygnus instead (a match that her father still considered a coup).

After their honeymoon, Cygnus spent long hours at the Black family estate currying favour with Arcturus Black the titular head of the family, only returning home to deal with his marital duties.

Finally, after three years of marriage Druella fell pregnant and the couple basked in their collective dreams of glory and power. A dream that hinged on the baby having a penis. However, they were sorely disappointed.

Bellatrix Black was born in the drawing room of her parent’s Wiltshire house, on a cold November day, only to be met with the cold-disappointment of both her parents.

After being given a traditional Black family name, the infant girl was handed to a Nanny while her parents returned to the task at hand.

Her early childhood was characterised by loneliness and Bellatrix would often find herself retreating into a vivid fantasy world where she would slay dragons and complete quests. A fantasy which contrasted starkly to the small, featureless nursery to which she was often confined.

By age seven, she had two sisters and with the birth of her cousin Sirius, her parents' tenuous marriage began to fail completely.

Blazing rows would erupt between Cygnus and Druella. Rows which were so loud, they could be heard throughout the cavernous rooms of the manor. Cygnus would increasingly spend his days drunk, berating his wife and daughters for the misery his life had become. And on many occasions, singling out Bellatrix as the useless wretch who had cost him the glory that was his birth right as a Black. An opinion which was the only point of agreement between her parents.

A few weeks after the birth of her cousin Regulus, Cygnus moved his mistress into the property while regularly threatening his wife and children with destitution should they dare report it to Arcturus or their Grandfather Pollux .

Bellatrix was a precocious child and she used books as a means to fill the void inside her. The void where her parent’s love should have been. She read voraciously, and soon realised that her father was wrong. She was not a useless wretch but a member of nature’s nobility. A superior being who was born to rule over others as was the natural order. And Bellatrix, spent many hours recounting her readings to her sisters, as they cowered together during yet another row between his father and their mother, or their father and current mistress.

At age 11, she was sent to stay at the Black family seat in Kent. Here she was taught how to behave in a manner befitting her last name as she prepared for school.

At age 12, Bellatrix attended Hogwarts School for Witchcraft and Wizardry and was sorted into Slytherin house.

Transfiguration and Potions were a joy to her. She sat next to Rodolphus Lestrange in Defence Against the Dark Arts class, where they developed an immediate hatred for each other. In time, she grew to hate her inferior, vapid classmates.

She was a talented student and far surpassed every one in her year, yet she was keenly aware (as her mother before her) that her purpose in life was to make a good pureblood marriage and be her husband’s brood mare.

And the wild thing inside her chafed against this, she longed to make her mark on the world, and finally prove she was not a useless wretch.

At age 16, Bellatrix's beauty blossomed, and although she showed no interest in boys, it was not long before her parents arranged her marriage to Rodolphus Lestrange in exchange for a hefty dowry. The day Bellatrix was called into her father's study and told she would marry was the only time he ever expressed pride in her. Although it was a pride, rooted in her ability to bear children.

At age 18, Bellatrix and Rodolphus were married in a lavish ceremony attended by the more important branch of the family. And for the first time ever, Bellatrix truly understood what it meant to be a woman in this world. The walls seemed to close in on her as she observed the deference given to her cousin Sirius. A mere boy wielded more power than she could ever hope too. Despite her prodigious talent she would never escape the confines of her sex.

#bellatrix lestrange #sirius black #harry potter fanfiction #the noble and most ancient house of black #harry potter #my writing

[vcnityemma-blog]

Emma Vanity + Slythersquad Aesthetics 

Commandeering the commons for weekly game night, girls vs. boys and/or slythersquad vs. slythersquad jr. 

Making posters and banners for Quidditch matches and getting way too over-the-top about them. 

White Elephant secret santa every year !! 

Summers spent at the lestrange pool always ends up with everyone soaking wet, as well as games of chicken and pranks ensue. 

Slythersquad being fiercely protective of Slythersquad jr. 

Everyone’s birthday is on the calendar in the commons and everyone’s birthday is celebrated differently.

No rules quidditch games for fun on the pitch. 

Group holidays to the seaside or the mountains + all the memories. 

Evan constantly taking pictures of everyone. actually being good at it too.

Nobody knows which sweater belongs to which person but they don’t care anymore.

Group study guides + group tutoring sessions for Slythersquad jr. 

Female side of Slythersquad doing that thing where nobody actually says anything but they have a full conversation.

Male side of Slythersquad annoyed by that + talking in their own code.

Amycus is Slythersquad dad, Emma is Slythersquad mom.

Evan makes food for all the parties.

Rod makes sure nobody fails potions.

Tally marks on the wall on the number of times Slughorn looks like he’s regretted every life decision he’s ever made.

Christmas is a huge ordeal and nobody is left out + epic snowball fights.

Halloween is also a huge ordeal, and group costumes are a thing.

Slythersquad girls having cuddle puddles + hair and makeup on point.

Swear jar is a thing. A joke, but a thing.

Douche-bag is also a thing. Evan is currently winning.

Barty and Reg are the unofficial official smols and are therefore in hazing phase.

Rab is sort of still in hazing phase too tbh.

Narcissa is the girl group favorite Slythersquad jr. Emma is the girl squad mom, and has named her princess. 

Group leaf pile laying.

Group swimming.

Group star gazing.

Drunk truth or dare. Drunk game night. Drunk conversations at 4 am in the commons. Drunk singing. Drunk rapping (in Portuguese) 

Girls have shared clothes so many times nobody knows who actually owns what

There are four beds in this dorm but we use one. 

Someone goes to every club/event for each person. Nobody goes to their cool/lame past time alone. 

Everyone has a partner for class, every time.

Too loud in the great hall.

Nose goes. OR everyone look at Barty at the same time.

2 am study sessions before major exams.

Annual scavenger hunt slythersquad vs. slythersquad jr. always gets too intense. Prize is unicorn headband. 

Slythersquad and Slythersquad jr. being ultimate friend goals !! * heart eyes * 

#( not all slytherins. development. ) #( rodolphus lestrange. ) #( amycus carrow. ) #( rabastan lestrange. ) #( barty crouch jr. ) #( regulus black. ) #( bellatrix black. ) #( narcissa black. ) #( alecto carrow. ) #( avianna yaxley. ) #( lucius malfoy. ) #( i'm forgetting people to tag but i tried love me. ) #( slythersquad. )

[camelliacats]

Where Logic Cannot Intervene

Another oneshot, done for a forum exchange.

Fic: "Where Logic Cannot Intervene" [FFN] [AO3]

Pairings/Characters: Regulus Arcturus Black/Gideon Prewett, Kreacher, Fabian Prewett, & Voldemort, with cameos from others

Rating: M

Words: ~10,970

Additional info: romance, slash, angst, violence, AU fic, sequential, Marauder era, 3rd person POV

Summary: Regulus wanted out, and Gideon was the light to lead him there.

      Regulus Black coughed in the midst of the smoke-filled room. He half mused that he had asthma. If that were true, then he had even less business being in this room, with these people.

      His eyes sidled around the room, taking in the familiar faces. Lucius Malfoy looked out of place here, maybe two decades removed from the times with how he gripped the bejeweled top of his walking stick. Rodolphus Lestrange was better, though his love of all-black clothes only made him that much more conspicuous a person. Rodolphus' brother, Rabastan, was one of the younger ones, a few years older than Regulus, and he had a fag hanging out of the side of his mouth as several of the others did. He didn't look particularly interested in being present. The same could be said of Rosier, Avery, Rowle—and their drugs of choice were all something much more potent, judging by the snorts Rowle made in a back corner of the room and by the white tablet Regulus saw change hands from Avery to Rosier.

      Regulus, on the other hand, closed his eyes. The temptation was there, but he had yet to partake. No. Drugs were a last resort.

      The door to the room opened, and in walked a man in his late fifties, though, looking at him, one couldn't tell that. He looked barely older than Lucius and Rodolphus. That had always interested Regulus. It were as though the man possessed the Elixir of Life…as if such a thing existed.

      "Gentleman," the man greeted them. (If what he did could be called a greeting. "Greeting" had such a positive connotation and therefore didn't fit with the man's image.)

      "Lord Riddle," the gathered mass responded.

      Yes. Tom Riddle. In certain circles, he was just another well-off, old-family patriarch, though that was more because he was the last of the Riddles. But, to England these past several years, he was the fearsome visage publicly known as "Voldemort." Regulus thought nothing of the name—it was just a tactic meant to scare people…though he'd be lying if he said it never scared him when he saw Riddle in action.

      "Lord Riddle," Lucius began. "I wanted to let you know that the shipment arrived safely. Distribution begins later this week."

      Riddle nodded. "Good." He shrugged out of his jacket and passed it to his companion, a woman Regulus had only ever known by the name "Nagini." He didn't know if that was her first name or last name, but she was almost always there if Riddle was. Aside from Cousin Bellatrix, she was the only female to attend meetings regularly.

      Regulus mused about that and how Bellatrix wasn't there today. Likely a bit too unstable, he figured. She had always been a little off, and marrying Rodolphus had made her no better. Though…hanging out with an unhinged Bellatrix was presumably better than being here.

      Riddle cleared his throat and began the meeting, talking in coded language about moving more arms and the latest developments regarding his own version of LSD. Of course, the coded talk seemed like a wasted effort when he showed them a little green pill with an "R" carved into it.

      As the meeting continued and each "Death Eater," as they called themselves, reported on their activities and about their territories, Regulus tuned most of it out. Sometimes he didn't understand why he was at the meetings, when all he was capable of was being muscle. Another ludicrous thought, as he had barely any muscle. But…he didn't want to be a pusher or a lord of war. Regulus just wanted not to feel anything. So going out and getting into fights or knocking someone down a peg—it did well to numb him. That was his only reason for being involved with Riddle's organized crime syndicate.

      The meeting wore on, and Regulus, towards the end, was vaguely aware of Riddle's furtive glances his way. When the session adjourned, most of the members left in carefully selected groups, so as not to draw attention. Regulus remained in his seat until it was just him, Riddle, and Nagini in the room.

      The Black son let his gaze drift towards his new master.

      "Regulus," Riddle said. He held his arms out so Nagini could get his jacket back on him. He straightened and flattened his lapels. "You were quieter than an American politician about Vietnam. I take it you've nothing to report?"

      "No, sir," Regulus replied.

      "Good. If you've nothing to say, then I'm not worried about our clients keeping their mouths shut." He eyed Regulus in an oddly fond way, knowing the things he'd taught Regulus. "Keep up the good work, Regulus."

      The young man nodded and waited until Riddle and Nagini left. Then he released the breath he'd been holding, trying not to think of those things he'd been taught.

      There were some things that couldn't be numbed away, after all.

      Leaving the meeting place—the Cave, some of the older Death Eaters called it—Regulus dragged his feet. He had no desire to head home immediately. Home had been the place to force him into the arms of someone like Riddle in the first place. Granted, now that he was a lieutenant in Riddle's organization, home wasn't as scary as it had been even months ago, when he'd been finishing up his schooling. But still…

      He headed up the street, trying to forget the afternoon's events. His eyes flitted past the other people walking, eyeing instead the buildings in the same neighborhood as the Cave. The Cave itself was just another home in a fairly dense residential area which bled into the city square, which had everything people needed. Like a bank.

      Good god. Why couldn't they just rob a bank or something? There was plenty of danger in doing that, and they could make something of it. Frankly, Regulus was all right with that sort of crime. It was quick and easy and done when the task was finished.

      But this other stuff? The drug-trafficking? International arms trade? The hustling? Regulus was fairly certain there were at least half a dozen other things going on that he didn't even know about, and his stomach turned at the merest daydream of what those things were.

      He sighed and slowed to a stop on the pavement, his hands in his light jacket pockets despite the humidity of the midsummer. He closed his eyes and took a deep breath. Eventually his stomach stopped doing queasy flips.

      "I need coffee," he muttered to himself, and his feet took him to the nearest coffee shop before his mind could catch up.

      With something in his stomach (the liquid would have to suffice since he had a bad habit of skipping breakfast and nibbling on the odd thing here and there for lunch), Regulus' nerves settled, and his mind escaped Riddle's grasp. For a nice moment, Regulus felt as though he were just like these other normal passersby. Someone even walked into his right shoulder and tossed back a casual "Sorry" before continuing on.

      Yes, the day could be redeemed with a good cup of coffee.

      Of course, Regulus had spoken too soon. He'd just taken another step forward when a voice called him back. "Oi, wait! Hey!"

      He peeked over his shoulder. The person who'd just bumped into him was coming over. Oh, bloody hell. Regulus faced forward and kept walking.

      "Hey!" the bloke called again, and he easily caught up to Regulus, enough so that he could place a hand on Regulus' shoulder. "Hey. Hi."

      Regulus paused and gave the man a look. "May I help you?"

      The man had red hair, as well as blue eyes that popped on his freckled face when he smiled. "You don't remember me," he stated with a trace of amusement in his voice.

      Honestly, Regulus could care less about this person. "You've mistaken me for someone else," he said, believing that to be the end of the conversation."

      "Regulus Black, right?"

      Now, wait a minute. He knew Regulus' name? Sure, Regulus had an unusual name—everyone in his family did; it was a tradition. But Regulus had never done much to stand out. He didn't exactly like standing out. The boldest thing he'd ever done was play footie for his school, but he stopped that the year before he'd graduated.

      The man's face fell slightly when he realized Regulus wasn't even trying to place his face. "Sorry. I'm Gideon. Gideon Prewett? I shared a dorm with your older brother when we were in school."

      Ah. Now things clicked. "Isn't there another one of you?" Regulus asked.

      "Oh, yeah. I s'pose you don't recognize me without my twin." Gideon scratched the back of his head and laughed a little at himself. "I'm just running errands on my own, though, while Fabian's out."

      Regulus grimaced. He didn't know what Gideon Prewett had hoped to accomplish by stopping him in the middle of the street. They'd never been friends. Regulus had known of him, yes, but just barely. Gideon was a year older than him, and Regulus' brother, Sirius, had been in a completely different dorm at their boarding school. Therefore, their prior interaction had been minimal at best.

      Gideon sheepishly smiled as if he now realized the pointlessness of saying hello. "Erm…how are you? You just graduated, didn't you?"

      Regulus bristled. "Yes," he replied curtly.

      Gideon blinked and shifted on his feet. "Um…how's Sirius?"

      "Dunno."

      It was hilarious. Regulus could see the "Oh, crap, I've stuck my foot in it" look on Gideon's face like neon lights. "Ah… Is that coffee you're drinking?"

      Regulus raised one eyebrow and took a sip. He'd let Gideon flounder a little longer.

      Gideon sighed. "All right, so you're not one for small talk." He sighed a second time and pursed his lips. Then: "Hey…do you still play footie?"

      Well, now, color Regulus impressed. "Not really," Regulus answered softly before he could catch himself. Oh, damn.

      Gideon realized it, too, that he'd gotten his foot in the door. "I envy you. You and James Potter—you blokes were talented at that." He chuckled. "I just trip over my feet—and that's just when I walk."

      The Black son withheld a snort. Oh, damn. When was the last time he'd wanted to laugh? Hell, when was the last time he'd even stopped to converse with someone? Reporting to Riddle didn't count. Getting lectures from Lucius about Regulus' future role in the Death Eaters didn't count. Threatening his parents when they dared to reprise their prior abuse didn't count.

      "So you live around here?" Gideon asked.

      Regulus grumped. "Yeah."

      "Wow. Small world. I used to live in a little town with my parents. Then Fabian and I got into the local university."

      "Ah."

      "Studying just the general stuff right now." Gideon scuffed his shoes on the concrete. "I, uh, don't really know what I want to do with my life."

      Regulus softened a fraction. To that, he could relate. "I get that," he mumbled.

      Gideon glimpsed the time on the large clock atop the bank. "Agh, bugger. I need to get back and cook lunch before Fabian swings by." He shook his head. "Sometimes it's more a burden than a blessing, sharing a flat with your twin. I have to feed him more than my goldfish."

      This time, Regulus did snicker. "A goldfish. Sounds ambitious."

      Gideon gave him a look, but he wasn't really put out. He glanced at the clock again and then locked eyes with Regulus. "Well, nice seeing you. Maybe I'll see you around?"

      Regulus pressed his lips together in a flat line and said nothing.

      "Er, right." Still, Gideon wasn't beaten down. He waved as he turned and headed in the opposite direction. "See you, Regulus!"

      And then Regulus was left standing on the pavement with a cup of coffee that had turned lukewarm and a spark of hope in his gut.

      The week persisted with no other excitement. Things had been quiet on the work front, and Regulus had not bumped into Gideon—literally or otherwise—again since. Regulus didn't know whether he should take comfort in his fortune or drown in the realization that everyone his age around him had all seemed to find their purpose in life.

      He pondered that in his bedroom at Twelve Grimmauld Place after a long meeting earlier in the day that Saturday. He had never had any plans for what he'd do after school because, quite honestly, he'd believed he'd be dead one way or another before his schooling had ended.

      One way or another… It was a light way of saying he'd be murdered or he'd kill himself before long. Once upon a time, Sirius had shared a similar fate, because their parents had abused them. But Sirius was the older one, and meeting James Potter and his other mates had changed his life, and he'd run away from the Black household when his sixteenth birthday came around.

      When they were little, Sirius and Regulus had been inseparable, partly because only they knew what they'd suffered. The verbal abuse and the mental anguish and the physical torture—another Black family tradition. And, when Sirius got older, he started talking of escape, and the closer it got to his sixteenth birthday, the grander his promises to Regulus were. "We'll leave here," Sirius had said, his gray eyes warm and sparkling as they'd never done when they were tiny. "We'll leave here and go where they can't find us or won't touch us. And if they somehow come after us… We'll get the authorities involved. And if the authorities can't help, then we'll just end them."

      And Regulus had fervently nodded, not even batting an eyelash at Sirius' loose plan for premeditated murder. But he'd believed in Sirius. Even when Sirius ran away and took up residence with the Potters, Regulus had believed in his big brother. He'd held his breath and borne the abuse with his eyes on the door, believing that at any minute Sirius would come breaking in to take Regulus with him.

      But that never happened, and Regulus had to find his own way out.

      Thinking back on it now, Regulus had to wonder if maybe he'd played into his parents' hands. They were former cronies of Riddle's syndicate, and they'd always wanted Sirius and him to step in and fill their shoes in Riddle's ranks. Even Bellatrix, the loon that she was, was a part of the whole bloody mess, with actual blood on her hands (not that the coppers knew, no, because she was just that good at not leaving incriminating evidence behind—another fact that made Regulus shiver).

      But he hadn't been counting on Riddle seeing something in him. He hadn't thought Riddle would decide to take him under his wing. He hadn't thought that Riddle would teach him ways to scare people—ways to hurt people and to keep himself from being hurt ever again. And so his parents, knowing what he was now capable of, left him to his own business, even though they continued to share the same roof.

      Still, it was a double-edged sword. Regulus was now involved in something that was beyond him and…he wasn't sure he wanted to be a part of it anymore.

      His dangerous thoughts were interrupted by the knock on his door. "Master Regulus?"

      "The door's open, Kreacher."

      The family butler, with his poor posture and gruff face, nudged the door open and brought Regulus a plate of food. "You've not eaten all day, Master Regulus."

      "No appetite."

      Kreacher frowned. He placed the plate on the bed by Regulus' legs and put a pot of herbal tea on the dresser. "Take better care of yourself, Master Regulus."

      Regulus sighed. "I try, Kreacher, I try."

      The butler sighed, too, and shrugged. With his sallow, wrinkly skin, thinned hair, and slightly pointed ears, he'd always reminded Regulus of a grumpy old elf. But Kreacher was good to him. He hadn't liked Sirius very much, but he'd done what little he could to help the boys. It just didn't help that he was also subject to the infamous tempers of Orion and Walburga Black.

      Kreacher exited Regulus' room, and Regulus turned so that his legs hung off his bed. He picked at the food and looked around his room, his mind returning to his previous train of thought.

      He'd joined Riddle's ranks prematurely, two years before he'd finished school. Sirius hadn't known, though, the few times the brothers had passed each other in the hallways, Regulus had gotten the feeling Sirius suspected. Why else would Regulus suddenly decide to wear long sleeves year-round? He'd never been a cutter…but Death Eaters swore their fealty with a macabre skull-and-snake tattoo inside their left elbows.

      Still, the ink had barely dried, the pain receded when Regulus began to regret his decision. He'd heard the news reports. He'd seen the censored photos on the telly. He'd barely had an idea of what Riddle's group was like. And he'd joined it anyway. All in the hopes that it might be something better than home.

      It was something better than home, but Regulus was older, wiser now. He knew more of the details that the press would never know about "Voldemort's" followers. He knew well enough that, even if he had no plans after school or outside this house…the life of a Death Eater was no life for him.

      Regulus got up and went to his closet. He wondered what he'd take with him if he left this place. On the floor of his closet was an old football, and he nudged it with his toe. That spark of hope in his gut reignited, and he placed his foot on the ball, rolling it out of the closet.

      There. It didn't look so out of place, not as much as Regulus imagined it might've. It was black and white, like much of his room. For the first time in a long while, Regulus felt the corners of his mouth lift up. A mad laugh bubbled up in his chest and throat and threatened to emerge, but he caged it.

      This house didn't deserve his smile or laughter. But maybe…maybe someplace (or someone) outside this house of horrors did.

      Aside from asking Bellatrix to help him join Riddle's gang, Regulus had never done anything for himself before. Well, all right, that wasn't entirely true. He'd tried out for his school's footie team. But, aside from those two things, he had never gone out of his way for himself.

      Which was why Regulus was so easily frustrated the following week and a half as he attempted to "bump" into Gideon Prewett on purpose. The meetings at the Cave were the same as ever—Regulus' ward was still quiet, and no clients needed any roughing up—so Regulus could devote his full efforts into "chancing" upon Gideon.

      Finally, two weeks after he'd first met the bubbly bloke, Regulus saw him as he headed into the coffee shop to pick his usual poison. He bought his drink, checked outside the window, and timed his exit perfectly.

      They didn't crash into each other (good thing, too, as Regulus drank hot coffee year-round, and being scalded in the middle of summer was not high on his list of things to do), but Gideon did skid to a halt. "Regulus."

      "Don't sound so surprised," Regulus retorted as he sipped.

      "I didn't really think I'd see you again."

      "…small world."

      Gideon grinned at having his own words thrown back at him. "Very true. I see you've got another coffee."

      The raven-haired male shrugged.

      "Nice day to be out." He nodded to Regulus. "Well, be seeing you—"

      "Wait."

      Gideon gawked at him.

      Shit. Oh, shit, oh, shit, oh, shit. Regulus hadn't meant to stop him. But—he just wasn't ready for the chatter to stop.

      "Is something the matter?" Goddamn Gideon and the concern in his eyes.

      "No, of course not," Regulus lied.

      Gideon's surprise melted away as he stared at Regulus. Regulus couldn't read whatever it was in his eyes. "Regulus."

      "Mm?" the shorter said over the rim of his cup.

      "Do you want to catch up sometime?"

      Huh. Did he? Regulus wasn't entirely sure. Yes, he'd been looking for Gideon. And he'd like to talk with him. But "catch up"? "Not really catch up," Regulus confessed.

      Gideon nodded, likely having figured as much. "Sorry I bothered you before."

      "But I'd like to talk again, sometime." Regulus chanced a look at Gideon head on, and his stomach turned, happily.

      The taller man had rosy cheeks that made his freckles stick out sorely. "Sounds good to me," he remarked, with relief in his tone. He glanced in the direction he'd been heading and then looked back at Regulus. "Say… Um. I have to take Fabian his textbook," he said, showing Regulus a large biology book, "because he had an open-book and -notes exam today, and the git never takes notes…"

      "As I said, 'sometime' is fine," Regulus hastily added, his hopes dashed.

      "No, it's just—do you want to go for a drink? Or," Gideon rushed when he realized how stupid he sounded since Regulus quite obviously had a drink, "do you want to go for lunch? My treat."

      Regulus furrowed his brow. "But you're heading somewhere."

      "I'll be back in twenty minutes, tops," Gideon promised. He looked up and down the street, and he pointed to a restaurant with a brown awning and a sign that read "Earth Space." "Meet me there in twenty? It's a much better place than it looks like on the outside."

      "I suppose…"

      "Great! See you then."

      And that was how Regulus found himself in a setting that wasn't Twelve Grimmauld Place or the Cave.

      He had nothing else to do, so he finished his drink and waited at an open-window table inside Earth Space. It was nice in there, even if it was obviously owned by former hippies. And, with the windows open, it wasn't stuffy, which was also nice.

      Considering Regulus often had trouble occupying his free time with meaningful things, twenty minutes flew by before it even registered with him that he was bored. Just in time, Gideon appeared. "We meet again," the redhead quipped as he took the seat across from Regulus.

      "Something occurred to me," Regulus said as a waitress brought them water. "It's summer. Why is he going to school?"

      "Oh, we're both taking summer classes," Gideon corrected. "See, Fabian's dating Dorcas Meadowes, who does have a career plan. She's taking summer courses, so Fabian is. Since he's taking summer courses, I am, because I want to graduate at the same time."

      Regulus "hmm"d. He was envious of that part of Gideon who was still so close to his brother. "You can do that when you haven't decided a track yet?"

      Gideon nodded. "Summer courses are more expensive, but Mum and Dad made it our graduation present."

      The waitress returned. She took their orders and disappeared, and then Gideon resumed their conversation in earnest.

      "So did you ever think about university?"

      Regulus scrunched up his nose. "Heavens, no. I did well in school. Towards the top of my class. But university isn't for me."

      "Aw, why not?" Gideon grinned. "I'll be honest, it's a way of delaying adulthood, if you ask me."

      "That sounds nice."

      "Really?" Gideon raised his eyebrows. "I can't picture that, a Black not wanting to grow up."

      Regulus observed Gideon. He meant no harm, Regulus concluded. Gideon was only referencing the airs past Black family members put on. "Well, picture it. It's sitting right in front of you." So what would Gideon say now? That Regulus was odd and not worth the effort? Maybe Gideon liked being childish himself but wouldn't be around someone equally childish.

      Interestingly enough, Gideon released a sigh of relief. "Oh, good. I was wondering what it'd be like, talking to you for real."

      "You did?"

      "Yeah. I knew Sirius, and we got on okay. But it was obvious he was the Black family black sheep. Your cousins—the ones that graduated before me—they always came across as unapproachable. Well, Narcissa not as much as the rest. Definitely not Andromeda."

      "Andromeda's another black sheep."

      "Ah." Gideon stroked his chin in thought. "Hmm. But you… It was still too early to tell. And, knowing Sirius, I confess I was a bit curious about you." Gideon smiled then, a large but easy smile that was comforting at the same time. "So what's Regulus Black like? What's his favorite color, favorite school subject? Does he still play football? Has he ever dressed like a hippie? Is he a peace-loving bloke?"

      Regulus felt his face warm, and he gulped his ice water down in an effort to cool it. "You ask a lot of questions."

      "I'm a curious fellow."

      "Noted."

      Their meals arrived—a salad Regulus could pick at and a burger big enough that Gideon had to cut it in half—and the two men ate. "This is nice," Gideon commented.

      "What is?"

      Gideon gestured to the table. "Eating out with a mate. I'm always with Fabian or Fabian and Dorcas, and then it's not really fair 'cause I'm the third wheel—what?"

      Regulus made a face at him. "I'm not your mate."

      "Oh. Well, sorry 'bout that. Eating out with an acquaintance." Gideon didn't lose his enthusiasm, even after the interruption. "I don't get to do this often. Haven't really made any friends yet at the uni."

      They ate in silence after that, mostly because Regulus was trying to gather his thoughts. He agreed with Gideon—this was nice. He'd never done anything of the sort, either.

      Gideon waited until their food was nearly gone before he spoke again. "I'm trying to figure it out."

      "What?" Regulus looked up from his salad and was startled by the blueness of Gideon's eyes in the late afternoon sun.

      "If you want to do this again."

      Regulus frowned. Wasn't it obvious? "I'd like to."

      "Are you certain?" Gideon frowned, too, and Regulus disliked the sight. Him frowning, Sirius frowning, Kreacher frowning, the Death Eaters frowning—that all made sense. But a frown on Gideon's face somehow looked wrong, even though Regulus barely knew him.

      "Very."

      Gideon stared at him a little longer and then nodded, believing him. "All right. I just—I'm not fond of people who don't mean what they say."

      A lump formed in Regulus' throat. "O-Oh…?"

      "It's a long story," Gideon said, half a grin appearing on his features.

      "For another time, then."

      Gideon's grin mellowed out into that kind smile from before. "Another time, yeah."

      True to his word, Gideon paid for lunch, and the duo exited Earth Space. Regulus stuck to Gideon's side, not certain where they headed but not wanting to part with him just yet.

      "I'd love to do something else, but…" Gideon gave him an apologetic look. "I have some reading to do for one of my classes, and I've been procrastinating long enough."

      "Of course." Regulus cleared his throat. "Thanks. For the meal, and the company."

      "You're welcome, but the pleasure was mine."

      Ugh. Gideon was a gentleman to a sickeningly extreme extent.

      They kept walking until they approached an old-looking, brown brick complex. Gideon turned to Regulus. "Well, this is me. Hey, don't be a stranger, yeah?"

      Regulus nodded.

      Gideon nodded, too. "Erm…shall we do the same again?"

      "That's fine."

      "I have night classes on Wednesdays and no classes on Fridays, so feel free to lurk in the area around then. I'll keep an eye out for you." Gideon winked, and then he went into the building.

      Regulus stared at the door. He lifted his head, looking to the windows and wondering if he'd catch a glimpse of that jovial silhouette.

      Speaking of the devil, Gideon appeared at the third floor corner window on the right. He opened the window and stuck his head out, waving with a goofy grin on his face.

      Regulus waved back, and he had to be the one to leave first when Gideon leaned on the sill, not intending to move. Until he reached the end of the street, Regulus could feel Gideon's eyes on his back. And he rather liked that.

      Regulus now felt as though he was a juggling act.

      The more time he spent with Gideon, the closer he got to the older male. The more he felt as though he'd made a friend.

      But, while some of his afternoons were filled with Gideon, most of his days were still preoccupied with the Death Eaters. And, having befriended Gideon, it made it harder to sit there, in the Cave where the air was half smoke and half hash and the atmosphere was one of hatred.

      The more often he went to meetings, the more Regulus wanted to see Gideon's happy face.

      He did his damnedest, however, to make certain Riddle and none of the others saw him daydreaming. Riddle, unfortunately, was sharp, and he could sniff out the faintest hint of absentmindedness.

      "Regulus," he said lowly after one meeting in early August. As usual, the others had left, and it was him, Nagini, and Regulus in the Cave. "Regulus, Regulus, Regulus, my boy…"

      Regulus' hackles went up.

      "I'm almost saddened there's been nothing for you to handle as of late."

      He knew better than to speak.

      "Perhaps I can find some work for you… Yes, Nagini… Bring me my notebook, from my briefcase…"

      Nagini did so silently (did she ever speak? Regulus had never heard her voice), and she slinked in and out of the room, notebook in hand. Riddle took it from her and withdrew a silver pen from his breast pocket as he flipped through the pages.

      "Tut tut," Riddle clicked his tongue. "Now let's see… Hmm, Meadowes…no, not yet… Bones… No, I'll pay them a visit myself… Longbottom—I'll send Bellatrix… Ah. McKinnon." Riddle scrawled something down and passed it to Regulus. It was an address. "Don't do anything to them specifically yet. But employ the scare tactics I taught you. They've been acting up and need to learn their place."

      Regulus nodded, though his stomach clenched.

      "And have someone go with you. Maybe Mulciber. He needs more to do. He can help. Guide him as you see fit."

      Regulus nodded again and turned to leave, but Riddle called him back.

      "And, Regulus, don't let him bully you around because you're younger. You have higher rank. Put Mulciber in his place, if you need to." Though something in Riddle's reddish–brown eyes told Regulus to rough Mulciber up either way.

      "Yes, sir."

      Riddle nodded his approval and waved the Black son away. "Very well, then. You're dismissed."

      "Hey, did you hear about the satanic ritual on the dodgy end of Carp Street?" Gideon asked Regulus days later.

      Regulus froze and didn't look at Gideon as they walked from Gideon's complex to Earth Space. "No," he lied. "What happened?"

      Gideon shook his head and shivered. "A whole bunch of birds and one neighborhood cat—they were gutted and hung from the branches of the tree in a family's yard." He grimaced. "I know a family on Carp Street. God, I hope it wasn't their home."

      "It probably wasn't," Regulus assured him, though who was he to know? Did Gideon know the police family, the McKinnons? Regulus vaguely recalled a McKinnon girl in Sirius' year, but he didn't know if she was the same as the ones Riddle wanted intimidated.

      "And to hurt those animals… Only someone sick could do that," Gideon added lowly.

      Regulus fidgeted and glanced at his fingernails while Gideon gazed forward. He hadn't been able to get all the blood out from under his nails yet, but at least he wasn't wholly guilty from Gideon's viewpoint. He hadn't done the killing. Mulciber had been more than happy to do the killing. Regulus had just hung them from the branches like morbid Christmas decorations. He didn't really…do killing… Regulus shook some other thoughts from his head. He had to push such things from his mind. He needed to focus on enjoying Gideon's company.

      Gideon glanced at Regulus. "It's scary, what's becoming of the world, don't you think?"

      "Mm" was all Regulus could muster.

      "Regulus, you look pale. Are you all right?"

      "I'm fine," Regulus lied. "I just need something to eat."

      They ate as per usual at Earth Space, but the August heat was quite something. It made Regulus wish he didn't need to continue to wear long sleeves to cover his tattoo, and Gideon mentioned it. "Aren't you hot in long sleeves?"

      "I manage," Regulus said, though he at least gathered his hair up off his neck and tied it back. "There. Better."

      Gideon's eyes lingered on his neck for a moment, though Regulus had no idea why. Gideon cleared his throat and fanned himself as they sat at their window table after lunch. "How about we get some ice-cream next?"

      "Sounds good."

      "Great. I know this good little shop two streets over, if you don't mind the walk."

      Regulus smiled gently, though the expression still felt alien on his face. "After a month of walking up and down Main Street, you finally say that."

      Gideon laughed.

      They went to the ice-cream shop, and the heat felt worse. Two streets over, the road and sidewalks were crowded with people who wanted cool things like ice-cream and iced beverages. As expected, the line for the shop was long, and Regulus and Gideon had to squeeze together to keep their spot lest some parent cut in line for the sake of their child.

      Gideon's hand brushed Regulus' side, and the latter flinched. "Whoops, sorry," Gideon blurted.

      Regulus frowned but shook his head. "No, it's all right." His pulse had quickened at the touch, but the flinch? He knew that was his body recalling the last time someone had touched him, and that had not been a happy memory.

      The line moved sluggishly, but they finally reached the window. Gideon got a cone of cookie dough, and Regulus, who'd never been allowed anything besides vanilla, was adventurous and had chocolate. "You've really never had chocolate ice-cream?" Gideon teased good-naturedly as they moved away from the crowd.

      "Never. And I can't believe what I was missing out," Regulus said between licks. He also wasn't used to eating from anything besides a dish, so he ended up with ice-cream melting all over his fingers.

      Gideon cracked up. He offered him some napkins as they wound their way back to his complex. "Oh, good grief," he chuckled between sniggers. "Just come on up. You can wash up at the flat."

      Regulus' cheeks flushed and not from the heat of the sun. He followed Gideon upstairs—cripes, the stairwell was sweltering—and waited while Gideon got his key out and unlocked the front door.

      "Welcome to Chateau Prewett," the redhead said in a poor imitation of a French accent.

      The younger male snickered. "Nice accent."

      "Oh, shut it, you." Gideon pointed down the end of the short hallway that was the entryway. "Kitchen's on the right, but the loo's directly on the left, so have your pick of sinks."

      Regulus nodded and went for the washroom. He washed his hands, and, once all the chocolate was gone, he took some toilet paper, dampened it, and swiped the sweat from the back of his neck. It felt wonderful to be inside, in air conditioning. "Feel free to turn the AC up, Gideon," he said, leaving the loo and entering the kitchen/living area. He stopped when he saw someone on the couch. "Oh… Hello."

      A face identical to Gideon's stared at him, but something told Regulus right away this person wasn't Gideon. So it had to be… "How'd you know I'm not Gideon?" Fabian asked.

      "Because I'm the good-looking one," Gideon joked from across the breakfast bar beyond the couch. He motioned to his twin. "Regulus, my twin brother, Fabian."

      Fabian gave his twin a scowl. "I wanted to mess with him. You took all the fun out of it, Gid."

      "Yes, yes, now play nice."

      Regulus looked between the two. He wondered if Gideon had been expecting his brother home.

      As if he'd read Regulus' mind, Gideon remarked, "Fabian's last class got cancelled. So here he is."

      "Nice to meet you," Regulus said automatically.

      Fabian tipped his head to him before returning his attention to Gideon. "You should've given me a head's up you were having company over. Dorcas is coming by tonight. I was going to cook."

      "Then it's a good thing I'm here, huh?" Gideon glanced at the Black son. "Between the two of us, Fabian's the one likely to burn the building down. But I can cook. And poor Dorcas. Your cooking is going to force her to cook instead, brother."

      Fabian made a face at him. "Oh, shut it." He crossed his arms in front of his chest and looked again at Regulus. "So you're Black's little brother?"

      Regulus clenched his jaw but nodded.

      "You don't say much, do you?"

      "Fabian," Gideon warned.

      Fabian shrugged. "Sorry, sorry." He still stared at Regulus, who was rooted to the spot. Regulus decided he didn't mind at all when Gideon stared at him, but Fabian seemed to scrutinize him. "So…do you still hang out with those nutjobs?"

      The question came completely out of nowhere. "Sorry?" Regulus said, hating how weak his voice sounded. Gideon yelled at his brother in the background.

      "Well, those types. Bellatrix. Lestranges. Malfoy. Nott. The various others."

      Gideon stomped out of the kitchenette and over to his brother, his face red with anger. "Fabian! Bugger off!"

      "Gideon, I'm just asking. Don't you remember that crowd? Sirius even pointed it out to us in the dorm and told us to stay away, that they weren't any good." Fabian looked genuinely concerned about his twin. "I'm just warning you."

      "And you know what, Fabian? We just don't know Regulus well enough. We didn't back then, and we don't now." He puffed up his chest and walked over to Regulus, placing a protective hand on his shoulder. Regulus was stunned by the warmth of his touch. "I, for one, would like to change that."

      Fabian rolled his eyes and raised his hands in an "Why do I even bother?" gesture. "Whatever. Sorry about that, Regulus," he conceded as his twin continued to glare at him.

      "It's fine," Regulus said, but his response was rather automated, because his mind was fuzzy with Gideon standing so close to him.

      Gideon groaned. "Look, Fab, I'll be right back and I'll cook your dinner for you two after I see Regulus out." He ushered Regulus to the door then, and they left the flat.

      "He's not horrid, don't worry about him," Regulus assured Gideon.

      They were still one flight from the bottom. "No, I should apologize. He's very blunt to the point of rudeness." Gideon shook his head. "I think we look alike partly to make up for the differences in our personalities."

      "Well, if it's all the same to you, I do think you two look different. I could tell he wasn't you right away."

      Gideon blinked, stupefied. "Really? How?"

      Regulus snickered. "You are, as you said, the good-looking one."

      There was a pause, and then Gideon burst out laughing, which worried Regulus for a second. "Oh, wow… You really are a funny one, Regulus."

      "I think I'm being made fun of," Regulus groused with a pout.

      "No, no, never…" Gideon stared at him.

      Ah, yes. Regulus could never get tired of Gideon staring at him, even if it did make him feel a tad self-conscious. Case in point: He tugged the edge of his sleeves down, knowing there was still some dried blood under his nails.

      Gideon glanced at Regulus' hands and took one before Regulus could protest. He eyed the thin fingers in his just-as-pale hand, though Gideon's hands were freckled where Regulus' were not. He thumbed Regulus' nails, and Regulus truly believed he'd been found out and that this momentary happiness would come crashing down any second once Gideon realized it was blood.

      And then:

      "Ah, you've still got chocolate under your nails," Gideon muttered.

      Regulus squeezed his eyes shut tight, guilt weighing him down. He tugged his hand free. "I'll take care of it when I get home," he clarified.

      They marched down the last few steps, and Gideon parted with him at the glass doors. "Hey, Reg."

      It didn't miss his attention, the nickname.

      "I meant what I said, about getting to know you better. More than just lunch dates and ice-cream." Gideon smiled, and pain seized Regulus' chest. "Feel free to drop by whenever you want. I'm sure Fabian will get used to you."

      Regulus didn't trust his voice, so he nodded. Then he turned and headed out. He paused, glanced over his shoulder, and waved at Gideon. Then he headed for home. The trolley ride home was unbelievably long, but it gave Regulus time to think…

      …and the time to realize that it wasn't necessarily pain in his chest but heartache.

      Riddle was proud of the stunt at the McKinnons'. Mulciber kept trying to say that he'd done most of the work, but the other senior members just snickered at him, believing Regulus to have proven his mettle.

      Regulus could care less. His mind was no longer present at the meetings. In this era of drugs and free love and all that other bullshit, Regulus…was actually happy.

      He was happy to have found Gideon. Gideon was someone who could elicit the rare smile from him, someone who'd barely smiled before in his whole life. And it was effortless for Gideon to make Regulus happy. Just being around Gideon did the trick.

      But Regulus understood just how dangerous his feelings were. It might be 1979, but the time of free love was coming to an end, and it would be 1980 in a few months' time. 1980. Who knew what was coming then? Riddle had some new plan, some big plan set up for the end of 1980, though he'd shared no part of his plan with any of them.

      Rightly so. Despite having taken Regulus under his wing, Riddle was right not to confide even in Regulus. Regulus had started doubting his allegiance to the Death Eaters before meeting Gideon. But now that he had met the kinder of the Prewett twins, Regulus had the most dangerous weapon in the world:

      Hope.

      Hope could drive a man to defy the odds and to defy his master. And Regulus Arcturus Black was thinking of just that.

      Still, it was risky. No one left Riddle of their own accord. If they tried, they knew they'd be dead. That was why none of them had ever dared to think it before.

      But Regulus was thinking of it now. "What's it like, university?" he asked Gideon in late August. They were at the flat, having taken over the living room. Not that Fabian minded. Gideon had ponied up twenty quid so that Fabian could take Dorcas to the cinema.

      "Hmm. Difficult work." Gideon sat up from the odd heap they'd made on the floor, taking the couch cushions and throws and blankets to make some sort of nest. But it was comfy, especially with them reading quietly side by side, just enjoying the presence of one another. "But the things you learn—it's amazing. The world's changed so much just in the twentieth century. Can you imagine what it's going to be like over twenty years from now?"

      Regulus didn't touch that. Truth be told, he was still afraid he'd be six feet under somewhere in twenty years, if not well before then. "Do you like it?"

      "I do. The general classes I'm taking now make me feel as though I could be anything I want to be." Gideon laughed at himself. "Do I sound like a child? I sound like a child."

      "You sound like a child."

      "Git." Gideon shoved Regulus' arm, but then he brought Regulus back, hooking an arm around the smaller's shoulders. He reopened his book.

      "Um…Gideon. I can't read like this."

      "Oh, well. I can. So I win."

      Regulus glared up at him. "You're such a prat."

      Gideon raised an eyebrow. "Is that so?"

      "Definitely." But Regulus wasn't struggling to leave the cage that was Gideon's arms.

      "Well, whatever will you do about that?"

      Regulus grimaced as Gideon went back to reading. Gideon always got the better of him, it seemed. So he turned in Gideon's arms, reached up, and—and he touched the side of Gideon's face.

      Gideon's attention was back on him. His book was forgotten.

      Hell. What to do next? Regulus had never been in love before. He wasn't even certain that he was capable of love. He didn't really know the emotion. Sure, maybe he'd loved his brother when they were little and before Sirius had left him to the mercy of their parents. But that was different. And this was Gideon.

      Gideon put his book down. His face moved closer to Regulus'. Once more, those baby blues bored holes into Regulus.

      Regulus held his breath…and then the moment was gone once he caught the sight of his hands. His nails were immaculate this time.

      But last night they'd been coated in Edgar Bones' blood as he'd cleaned up after Avery's torture of the man.

      The Black son turned away at the last moment, and Gideon ended up with his nose in Regulus' ear. The redhead cleared his throat.

      "Sorry," he said, clearing his throat.

      "No, it's—" Regulus stopped. What? "It's fine"? No, it wasn't. "It's my fault"? Well, everything was Regulus' fault.

      But Gideon wasn't convinced that anything had been a mistake. This was made apparent when he simply resettled his arms around Regulus. "Another time, then," he said, and his words were more comforting than they should've been to Regulus.

      Regulus…had never determined how Riddle picked his targets.

      Some part of him believed Riddle liked to choose his victims at random. Other times, it made sense—like the McKinnons. Why wouldn't a criminal target a family of cops?

      Then sometimes Regulus entertained the idea that maybe they were all carrying out the whimsies of a madman whose sole purpose in life was to exact revenge on everyone who had ever slighted him.

      Whatever the case, Regulus knew he'd never fully understand Tom Riddle, and he didn't really want to understand him. He especially began to worry when Kreacher approached him at the end of August with concern lining his aged face.

      "Master Regulus…"

      The house was quiet. Regulus' parents were out, so Regulus was roaming Grimmauld Place freely. But Kreacher's expression had stopped him in his tracks. "Kreacher?"

      "Kreacher's been summoned, sir… By You-Know-Who…"

      Ah. "You-Know-Who." Another name for Riddle, for those who daren't speak his other title. "How? When, why?"

      The butler shook his head. "Dunno, sir… The mistress told me before she left for the evening that he wanted to see me before your first October meeting…"

      How odd. Or maybe not, at least in terms of how Riddle had used Regulus' mother as the contact. But why go through her and not Regulus? A sense of unease developed in the Black heir. "I see."

      "Master Regulus…" Kreacher's eyes were wide with fright.

      "Don't worry, Kreacher," Regulus said with a comforting pat on the shoulder. "I'm sure it's nothing." But Regulus knew that was a lie. Why would Riddle want anything to do with someone's servant?

      He continued to debate the reasons through the next several days, which made it hard for him to pay attention during meetings. Dolohov, greasy Russian git he was, rudely pointed out to Regulus his lack of attention, but at least Riddle didn't call him out on it.

      Gideon noticed, too, his nervousness. They'd begun to have dinner over at Gideon's flat, sometimes with Fabian or Fabian and Dorcas, mostly without, and Regulus preferred to end his days and nights in Gideon's good company.

      "You seem awfully jumpy tonight," Gideon stated, placing a plate of stew and potatoes before the lanky male who sat on the floor in front of the couch.

      "Sorry," Regulus remarked without thinking.

      "It was an observation, Reg, nothing for you to apologize for." Gideon sat on the couch, and Regulus could feel those eyes on him again.

      "Stop staring."

      "Then talk to me."

      Regulus frowned, and he peeked up at Gideon. Hell's bells. He wanted to tell Gideon everything. But…how much could he tell Gideon before Gideon hated him?

      "Regulus." Gideon was imploring him.

      The Black son's shoulders sagged. "I…I'm in a tough spot."

      "What sort of tough spot?"

      "The bad kind."

      "Can I help?"

      Regulus leaned back against the couch, tilting his head left so he could rest it against Gideon's knee. "This helps, trust me."

      "Regulus, I—" He paused and took a breath. "I care about you. I care about what happens to you," he hastily added.

      Regulus weighed his options. He knew he could trust Gideon, someone who'd been so determined not to judge the book by its cover. "I'll only tell you a little."

      "Tell me whatever you feel like telling me."

      The raven-haired man put his plate down, not having even taken a bite yet, and faced Gideon, though he remained on the floor. He fiddled with his sleeves' cuffs again. "I…am involved in something deep."

      Gideon blanched. "A relationship?"

      "What? No."

      "Oh. All right." Gideon breathed a sigh of relief. Good grief, he was beginning to be transparent to Regulus.

      "I…am involved in something. And I want to break free of it."

      "So…leave?"

      Regulus shook his head. "It's not that easy. These people are—" He stopped just short of calling them killers. "They're scary. They're not afraid to hurt others."

      Gideon frowned. He opened and closed his mouth several times. Then, finally: "Is it…your parents?"

      That was surprising. "Why would you ask that?"

      "I…" He fumbled for the right words. "Fab and I knew. About the abuse. Sirius told James and Remus and Peter, and Fab and Frank and I found out when we saw Sirius 'round the dorm. Sometimes he was in rough shape. And then he was better once he started living with James." Gideon reached for Regulus and started gingerly poking and prodding Regulus. "Are you hurt?"

      Regulus swatted his hand away. "No. No, I'm fine. That stuff stopped years ago when I—" Oops.

      "When you what?"

      "I…showed them I wasn't scared of them anymore."

      "Oh."

      Regulus hesitated. "You…you weren't interested in me just because you thought I needed saving, were you?"

      Gideon blushed. "No! No, I…" He cleared his throat. "I have to say, it was strange seeing you after all this time, but I…" He closed his eyes and shook his head, groaning. "Are you going to make me say it?"

      "Yes." Now Regulus was curious.

      "It was…love at first sight."

      Well, hell. Neither of them had said anything until now. "Thank you," Regulus said.

      Gideon gawked at him. "That's all you have to say?!"

      Regulus grinned. "Maybe we can finish talking first?"

      "Oh. Um, of course…"

      Regulus closed his eyes, his grin fading. "It's a bad situation, Gideon. I think my only options are to stay…or to die."

      Gideon gripped his shoulder. "I won't let that happen. You can't die."

      "Then maybe there's a third option: Go into hiding. Or fleeing the country. Whichever works out best."

      Gideon made a small noise in the back of his throat. "You definitely need to leave them, then."

      "Yes. But I've nowhere to go." It was true. He couldn't go home. He had no place to hide—

      "Well…you've got me. Stay here. Come be with me."

      Regulus looked up at Gideon and saw the sincerity in his gaze. It was clear that Gideon meant his words and meant it as more than just having a place to crash.

      But, while Regulus appreciated the offer, he wouldn't feel right. He'd only be putting Gideon in danger. "Fabian, too," Regulus told him.

      Gideon's pout deepened to a frown and was borderline grimace. "Regulus, I…"

      Regulus, timidly, reached for Gideon's hand. He'd learned by now not to look at his own hands, lest he doubt his deserving of this happiness considering all that he'd done in Riddle's name. But Gideon was offering him a new life, and the spark of hope in him was flaming up to become a glowing ember, hard to put out.

      "Reg?"

      Regulus gave Gideon's hand a squeeze. "I've got some things to think out."

      "Please—use the utmost caution." Gideon leaned forward with his elbows on his knees, his supper abandoned. He still had Regulus' hand in his.

      Regulus reached up with his free hand and stroked Gideon's hair. It was the only thing he could "say" at the moment.

      It'd been months, and sometimes it still bothered Regulus that they made no sense. Acquaintances, friends, something more—who in the world had decided that Regulus should find solace in the slightly stocky form of Gideon Prewett?

      Whoever had, Regulus thanked them from the bottom of his heart.

      And it was from the bottom of his heart that he summoned the courage to skulk about the Cave after the meetings, trying to dig up something on Riddle. It was the only way he figured he might make it out alive. Regulus was smart. He could manage blackmail. Probably.

      After all, Riddle wasn't perfect, and he'd slipped up twice recently, mentioning his big plans, talk of "finishing his list" next year or so. So that was how things were. Riddle did have a list of targets he was working on.

      Regulus mused about Riddle keeping such a list on his person. Maybe in that briefcase of his, in that notebook. But the more he mused about the idea, the more he didn't believe in it. Keeping something incriminating with him all the time? Riddle was definitely smarter than that.

      As for the Cave—it was owned by Riddle. No one lived there, but Riddle and his Death Eaters used it. It was like a safe house, and Regulus could easily picture him hiding away his secrets there.

      The weeks passed, Gideon's concerns grew, and Regulus' efforts felt futile when still nothing bore fruit. The Cave was as empty as its moniker implied—maybe there really was nothing there.

      But Regulus' opinion changed when Kreacher came to Regulus before that first October meeting. "Kreacher's supposed to meet him at the Cave," the butler informed Regulus.

      Ah ha. "Kreacher." Regulus rushed to the man standing in his doorway. He spoke in undertones. "When you're done there, come to me immediately and tell me everything."

      Kreacher didn't question him at all. The only person the butler was truly loyal to was Regulus, the boy he'd tried to protect and who'd been the only being ever to show him kindness.

      The wait was the worst, and Regulus tried to calm down by thinking of what might happen after. He had to think he'd live, he had to, for Gideon's sake—Kreacher's, too. After Kreacher was back, he'd send him far away. As for himself—he'd hide with Gideon for a while until he formulated a real plan. And then after… Well, he hadn't gotten that far yet. But something would come to him. He was sure of it.

      And then the night came.

      Regulus had just gotten home from an evening in with Gideon, an evening fraught with autumn chilliness and Gideon being ridiculous and saying he needed someone to warm him up and them being awkward and exploring a new territory that really neither of them were ready for and so had ended with a lot of hands in strange places and mouths just not quite meeting yet.

      Kreacher had scrambled to the door as soon as Regulus had shucked his jacket. "Master Regulus," he bumbled. "Master…!"

      "What is it?" he asked, placing his hands on the servant's shoulders.

      Kreacher was out of breath. "He's… He's booby-trapped the Cave… There's a room… He's keeping things there… It's nothing I'd ever expect to see in Britain, in that calm neighborhood…"

      Regulus waited until Kreacher calmed down. "Kreacher…show me."

      They left at once for the Cave. Regulus halted and checked to ensure the coast was clear. Once certain, they entered. It was as quiet as ever.

      Kreacher led him to the second floor, to a door in the middle of the hallway. Regulus had checked it before, but the door had always been locked. It hadn't bothered him much because, judging by the other rooms on the floor, the footprint of the room wouldn't have been very large, about the size of a closet.

      Regulus tried the handle—and the door swung open silently.

      Kreacher whimpered behind Regulus, who motioned to him to wait outside.

      Inside, the room was no closet. It was deceptively large, about the size of a small office. In the center of the room was a safe. So. Riddle's secrets truly were tangible.

      "Master, be careful!" Kreacher whimpered. And he saw the fear in Kreacher's eyes when he touched the safe.

      Nothing happened.

      Kreacher breathed a sigh of relief. "Can we leave now? Please, Master Regulus…"

      Then the door swung shut.

      Kreacher howled from the other side of the door, and Regulus barely had the time to turn around. He heard a switch flip, and he drew his hand away, expecting that maybe the safe would now be electrified. But that wasn't the case. A metal cage came crashing down around the safe, trapping Regulus. And that was electrified.

      Being electrocuted was, indeed, a new experience for Regulus. He'd been beaten. He'd been cut. He'd been burned—that was a favorite of his father's. He'd been air-deprived—a favorite of his mother's. But electrocution was the best of both worlds—the currents felt like liquid fire through his veins, making him gasp for air.

      Riddle cackled in the background. "Well, well… I've caught myself a rat."

      Regulus could barely turn and face Riddle as the gate lifted. The electrocution had been intended to get his attention. Oh, he was attentive now.

      "You know, Regulus, I had high hopes for you. The others, they're mostly brutes who'd prefer their fists or prudes who won't bother getting their hands dirty—the latter being Lucius' type, of course, and Mulciber the former. But you…" Riddle approached his writhing form on the ground. "You, my boy, I saw in you the possibility to be the next me. I even taught you the ways of the butterfly knife. I taught you how to dissect a person's hand. I taught you how to skin a person. I taught you all the places to slice so that someone might bleed out. But you know what concerned me the most? You took my lessons, but I never got to see you put your learning to good use. And then I thought, 'Ah, he'll grow into it.' Until as of late."

      Regulus gasped for air, but air was returning to his lungs. He could barely get up from the ground yet, however.

      Riddle peered down at him with a frown. "Haven't you ever had my desires? To flay someone alive? To get your own justice?"

      Good grief. Riddle had a warped idea of justice.

      "Come now. I know your parents. I know what they did. Are you telling me that you've never wanted to carve out your mother's eyes and drain the vitreous fluid from them? Or take that lovely knife I gave you—my first, you know—and make a horizontal slice across your father's belly and pull his entrails out like a magician's colored scarves?" Riddle hummed in amusement. "My, I quite like that image, if I do say so myself."

      Regulus sucked in as much air as his pained lungs could handle in that second—and he bolted up, dodging Riddle, throwing open the door, and only wasting enough breath to yell at Kreacher to run.

      They sped down the hallway and flew down the stairs, but Riddle was right behind them. Despite his age, Kreacher passed Regulus. Of course he would. He hadn't been electrocuted—or had he, before?

      "So sorry, Master Regulus!" Kreacher gasped. "He tricked me! The safe was wired! He tried it on me!"

      Regulus didn't blame Kreacher. He had understood the moment the gate had appeared that this had all been one large trap set just for him. Kreacher had only been used as a pawn.

      Something whizzed by Regulus' head and nailed Kreacher in the back, by his left shoulder blade. Kreacher cried out in pain and tripped. The item was a small blade.

      "Don't make me run out of knives," Riddle complained, and Regulus glanced back in time to see the older man draw a pistol from his inside coat pocket.

      Regulus hauled Kreacher to his feet, leaving the blade in, in case pulling it out would be worse. But they were too slow moving.

      Riddle fired off a shot, nicking Regulus in the right shoulder and making him fall forward onto his knees. "Ah, there we are. Groveling is a good place to start, Regulus," Riddle called to him.

      Regulus grunted and tried to get up. But then Riddle was on him, and—with a vicious and audible thwack—he pistol-whipped Regulus hard enough that his head snapped back. Regulus fell in a lump on the ground.

      Riddle tutted at his traitorous minion. Judging by the sounds Regulus heard, Riddle begun to open his butterfly knife. But then: "Hmm, never mind. I find Mulciber's way of doing things lacks finesse, but I just can't find it in me to waste my energy carving you up." He pressed the heel of his shoe into Regulus' chest and bent over, raising his pistol handle out and coming down swinging the handle into Regulus' head over and over and over again.

      Eventually Regulus' vision reddened and then grayed. He stopped moving. He held his breath until it was too painful and until he couldn't hold it anymore.

      Riddle eyed his handiwork and yanked Kreacher up. He wiped the blood off his gun. "You," he said to the butler. "Tell his parents. Tell the other Death Eaters. He's an example." Riddle sniffed. "I don't think anyone else will be turning against me again."

      And so they left Regulus' body for the neighborhood and local authorities to find.

      (But the body wasn't there by the time the emergency responders arrived.)

      If there was one thing to count on when it came to Riddle, it was that his haughtiness got the best of him, and he always thought himself the smartest man in the room.

      It was a small but comforting thought to which Regulus clung as he used back alleys and dragged himself to Gideon's complex. It took him two hours to get there in his current state, but he knew it was worth the pain.

      Riddle hadn't put a bullet through his brain, and that had been his mistake. But, with Kreacher as witness, Regulus stood a chance of starting fresh somewhere new. His only regret was that, as Sirius hadn't done for him, he could not rescue Kreacher. Maybe someday…but not now. And that part of him he despised, because now he finally understood his brother's actions—or lack thereof.

      He could barely open the complex's doors. Once he did, he dragged himself to the bottom step and sat there. God, it hurt to move. Maybe he could nap first. Maybe he could collect his energy before he saw Gideon. He could wash up, make it look not so bad… Then Gideon wouldn't fret so, he knew Gideon would…

      Regulus closed his eyes and rested his head against the banister. He'd just begun to doze off when he sensed someone else.

      "Reg…? Oh, my god, Regulus! Regulus!"

      Shit. Goddamn it, Gideon. Such perfect timing… Regulus struggled to sit up and grin. "'S okay. 'M fine…," he slurred.

      "Regulus! Christ, your head. My god, where have you been?! Your head's bashed in! Oh, my god, Regulus, there's so much blood—!" He could hear the sobs in Gideon's voice.

      "Mm… Hey…you know my plans to leave? Let's have a change of scenery…"

      "What do you mean?! We can't leave, we're going to a hospital, right now! Regulus!" His tone was too heartfelt.

      "No…let's just leave…"

      "What if those people, whoever they are, come after you? They'll come after you as soon as they find out you're still alive—"

      "They won't… They won't find out…and my family doesn't care." Regulus smiled, dazed. "My brother…stopped talking to me a long time ago…and my parents will be glad to hear of my 'death' once Riddle tells them I betrayed him… Oops…" Regulus barely had his wits about him as he realized he'd told Gideon too much.

      But the name "Riddle" meant nothing to Gideon—of course it wouldn't, when the public didn't know that name. "But—"

      Regulus squinted up at Gideon, trying to focus on his face, though it was hard to do when it was so blurry. Regulus' smile was weak. "I hear…Scotland's lovely this time of year, Gid…"

      "Regulus…!"

      Regulus reached up and patted Gideon's cheek, only vaguely aware of the irony of it being his own blood on his hands this time.

      Gideon leaned down, crying, and kissed him. It was a kiss with a promise, the promise that maybe Gideon agreed that it was time for them to start anew, somewhere fresh, someplace they'd start their own journey, safely away from this all…from this mess they'd called life up until this point…

WHOOPS. Cliffhanger. ;P But I kind of wanted to do something similar as I did with "broken bones to bemoan"—kind of open-ended…dangerously so. Is Reg alive? Isn't he? I liked the parallels with canon (even Edgar, who didn't die in '79, so I just had him tortured), though writing this AU of Voldemort's gang was just…wow. And Regideon. Wow. I like to think that Gideon got him medical attention and then they did flee to Scotland, but that's just one interpretation. MAN. The violence…I don't normally write violence, but this… Don't do drugs or commit crime, people! *hence the M rating* Also, I think Placebo is the only band to write Regideon to, man… Funnily enough, this was inspired by their song, "I Do," which is a very hopeful song, and thus befitting of this story… (The title is a line from the song.) Just wow. *still in shock* Hope you liked this, Morghen! ;] Not bad for a nonmagical AU, eh?

Thanks for reading, and feel free to leave an anon/unsigned review via the FFN link or comment via the AO3 link at the top of the post, especially if you enjoyed this!

~mew

2017 note: :') Deffo still one of (if not the) most violent things I've ever written to date, and this fic is 2 yrs old at this point. :O That said, a lot of this is a decent translation of Voldy's doings and believers for a nonmagical AU, I think. I just—I feel for Reg in this, so, so much. And Gideon, knowing about his childhood and sticking by Reg in the end, giving him the time and space to leave his "bad situation." In my heart of hearts, I like to think that they're all right past the ending here (same as the Marauders in "broken bones to bemoan"), but…at the same time, as with the other story, I can't realistically see it ending well. I just. ARGH. It feels great to have written something this dark, but it still really fucking hurts, man. ;w;

#hp #harry potter #regideon #regulus black #gideon prewett #<15k #romance #slash #angst #violence #au fic #sequential #rated: R #marauder era #3rd POV

[juliaswickcrs]

First off love the fcs you chose and second here's a fun question: how does Allison become friends with each of the people in her friend group?

Ahh thank you, I worked very hard to make sure I found good fcs for all of them so I’m so happy people like them! And YES LET ME TELL YOU ALL ABOUT IT

So I actually just finished writing Allison meeting Dean, Seamus and Marissa and it happens on the train ride to Hogwarts third year. Seamus pulls her into his compartment and asks what she was doing over the summer. The Marissa is forcefully evicted from her compartment by Cho (who wants to flirt with Cedric) and joins Allison in Dean and Seamus's compartment. Eventually the three of them just kind of latch themselves onto her for the rest of the year even if doesn't want it. Like they just show up and she's forced to befriend them hahaha.

Theo is actually the next one she meets but doesn't become friends with him for a very long time. See Allison's healer is Theo's Mom (Sara Nott nee Crouch) and they get to know each other through his mom but they don't become friends until after Theo confronts Allison about dating Blaise in sixth year (mainly because they used to date and Theo still loves him) and he's actually the last one she befriends.

Daphne Greengrass she befriends through a Defense assignment in fourth year. Moody/Crouch pairs them up and while they take a while to warm up to each other, Daphne genuinely likes Allison and thinks she's fun to be around once you get past her hard exterior. She's not exactly thrilled about working with a Gryffindor, but Daphne does get along really well with Allison and like Marissa and Dean and Seamus, kind of inserts herself into Allison's life.

Corvus Lestrange is...complicated. He’s an OC that I came up with and comes into Allison’s life in year 5 onward. Context, he’s the son of Bellatrix and Rodolphus Lestrange and he has no desire to be a Death Eater despite the expectation placed upon him and befriends Allison one day after DADA and basically confides in her that he doesn’t believe in Voldemort’s cause but he doesn’t trust Harry due to Harry basically being in Dumbledore’s pocket, but trusts Allison because she knows how unreliable the Hogwarts adults are.

Lavender Brown and Parvati Patil are among the last people she befriends but not for lack of trying. Allison is in the same dorm as them and Lavender and Parvati have a habit for spilling gossip, particularly gossip that involves Allison and the many many toxic men in her life. The first time something akin to friendship begins to develop is when Lavender’s rabbit dies and Allison steps in to help comfort her alongside Parvati after Hermione’s disastrous attempt. Things slowly start to get better but it’s very very slow. It isn’t until fifth and sixth year that they start to get close, and Allison even helps Lavender get over Ron breaking up with her, becoming one of her inner circle that way.

And Blaise frankly deserves his own ask cause there’s a lot there.

[lunasilvermorny]

Maria Black - Harry Potter OC

Introduction:

This is my HP OC that I created a long time ago, when I was around 12-13 y.o.  (so, you know... it’s been a while!)

Over the years I’ve developed her story more and more, changed it as I got older and basically kept the headcanon alive for years - but I never wrote about her. Everything I had I kept inside my head, and all the potential stories remained as nothing but a day-dream.

Until today! (or a few days ago, when I came up with the idea.)

It’s time to document this headcanon, even if it’s not going anywhere serious other than some stories and drawings.

I can’t emphasize it enough - I made most of it during the mid/late 2000′s, waaaay before the Cursed Child. So please don’t associate any part of my HC with this terrible excuse of a canon. JKR already proved that her judgement is questionable, so for me the only thing that is canon are the books and my headcanon relates to them and nothing else!

Anyway, let’s dive in!

-------------------------------------------------------

-------------------------------------------------------

Bonus drawing from baby-OP:

-------------------------------------------------------

General plot:

Maria is the daughter of the Bellatrix and Rodolphus Lestrange and was born a few months before they were sent to Azkaban. Her aunt Narcissa took her in and she was raised by the Malfoy family.

When she was about 5/6 y.o., she went to Azkaban to see her mother. (in the headcanon, her father died in Azkaban). She got scared by the Dementors and when she tried to find the exit, she came upon Sirius’ cell. This encounter changed her life and made her realize that her family is one of the “bad guys”, and she’s decided to leave the first chance she gets.

The day she left to Hogwarts was the last day she spent with her family.

Since it’s a HP OC-insert kind of headcanon, she befriended Harry, Ron and Hermione and was practically the 4th member of this friend group. So most of the plot of the headcanon correlates with the plots of the books, so I’m going to focus more on the individual parts that doesn’t relate the regular plot.

Before she got to Hogwarts she asked to be referred to as Maria Black and not Maria Lestrange. In the future she’d also legally change her name.

Because she’s decided to never go back to the Malfoys ever again, she was basically homeless for the first two summers away from Hogwarts. She mostly relied on magic (around other wizards, so no one will know she’s a minor using magic) and some friends that let her stay with them every once in a while.

(The is a LOT more, so if you’re interested, keep reading ^^ )

After the 3rd year was over, one of her friends that was an exchange student from Beauxbatons, invited her to spend the summer at his house in France. The reason he wanted her to come over was because his father was a coach for the French junior-league Quidditch team and wanted him to let her into the team, so in the future she’d be able to become a professional player. He knew that she plans on filing for Emancipation of minors, that will strip all the legal rights from her family and free her from them - but for that she needed a sufficient income. Her friend’s father was glad to help and after she showed him her skills, he let her into the team. When she was 15, she got into the professional league. (I based this part of the HC on the fact that Viktor Krum was also a student, when he became a Quidditch star.)

Sirius was the most important figure in her life and became like a father figure to her. Through him, she also felt that Harry and her (although not by blood) were related.

For a long time, the ending of the headcanon was that Maria killed herself after Sirius was murdered, but in recent years I’ve reversed this decision and kept her alive for the duration of the book and beyond that.

During her 6th year, after her mother already escaped Azkaban, she was forced to hide in Hogwarts (she wasn’t allowed to keep her role in the Quidditch team anymore), because Bellatrix made it clear that she’s going to kidnap Maria and force her to join Voldemort’s side.

She was able to avoid this fate only up to the plot of the 7th book, that’s when she was finally captured and held hostage in an attempt to force Harry’s hands and save her. However, before she was kidnapped, Maria asked from the Order and Hermione that if she’s ever to fall captive, to prevent Harry from saving her at all cost, since it’s an obvious trap.

Frustrated by the fact that the trap hasn’t worked combined with Maria’s general resistance, Bellatrix tortured her daughter for the entire duration of her incarceration, mostly by using the Cruciatus curse on her over and over again. At a near-dead state, Bellatrix used the Imperius curse on her to try and make her fight on Voldemort’s side at the Battle of Hogwarts, but Maria was too weak and wasn’t much of use to her in the end.

After the fight, Maria was in a coma for a few months and even after she woke up, she had a very long recovery period. The worst expression of it manifested in her PTSD from the Cruciatus curse that caused her to scream in agony almost every time she went to sleep. At some cases she was in such bad shape that no one was able to wake her up.

After a partial recovery, she returned to her pending career as a Quiddich player.

Her relationship with Fred Weasley:

Maria was fairly popular and had dated a few people (in a non-serious way, due to her age), but her first love was Fred Weasley. They’ve started dating in secret when she was in her 5th year.

During the 6th year, she has prepared him for the possibility of the kidnapping and asked him not to come rescue her if it ever happened.

In the summer after her 6th year, to reassure her that they will both survive the war, Fred gave her a ring and told her that after it’s all over, they’ll get married. (It wasn’t a proposal per se, but an attempt to give her hope when she was sure she’s going to die.)

Maria wasn’t aware that Fred died since she almost met the same fate herself at the Battle of Hogwarts, and found out about it from George after she woke up from the coma.

Her relationship with Neville Longbottom:

At the beginning, no one knew she’s Bellatrix’s daughter. People were suspicious of her during year 3 (after all, she is Maria Black) because they thought she was assisting Sirius (and at some point there were rumors that she was his secret child), but it wasn’t until year 5 that the news about her being Bellatrix’s daughter has spread out by Malfoy.

Maria considered Neville a close friend and was afraid of his reaction once he finds out, but even though he had to get over the initial shock, he told her that he knows that she’s nothing like her mother, that she has proven she’s on their side and that he’s not going to judge her over something that is out of her control.

After the Battle of Hogwarts, during her recovery, she’s met Neville’s parents and also spent time with them while she was admitted. The fact that she was tortured by Bellatrix too was a bonding factor and made her and Neville even closer.

After a few years, Neville and Maria have started dating, but their future together in unknown.

PTSD and irreversible damage:

I mentioned that due to the torture she experienced, Maria suffered from PTSD, caused primarily by the Cruciatus curse. She would have recurrent nightmares that caused her to scream and cry in agony, as her body turned and twitched, as if she was under the curse.

In most cases people were able to wake her up, but in more severe cases, she was able to stay in that state for hours. The worst case was a day and a half without a break. She was taken to the hospital by apparition, but the snap switch in location has severely worsen the situation and she was taken to the ER (or a magical equivalent of an ER), where she was under treatment for days until the outburst finally got under control. She was in a coma for two months after that and had to go through the long recovery once more.

In addition to that, Maria also suffered an irreversible damage in her reproduction system. Bellatrix knew she doesn’t share her purist views, so to make sure she doesn’t “taint” the family legacy with a mixed-blood offspring, she completely destroyed the system, to a point that it was almost impossible to reconstruct, even with magic. Maria went through many treatments, but was eventually considered infertile.

Her relationship with the Weasley family:

Maria was accepted as one of the family back when she was still in Hogwarts.

Even though her relationship with Fred was a secret - Molly, George and Ginny knew about it. After Fred’s death, Molly has told Maria that she still views her as a daughter and said she’s always welcome at their house.

She usually spent the holidays with them and came to visit Molly and Arthur almost every weekend. She usually brought game-tickets to anyone that was interested, especially when she’s started playing for the biggest teams. (Nothing will make me do the proper research of all the Quidditch teams, so let’s just suspend our disbelief just a bit more, because I don’t have a specific name.)

Her relationship with the Malfoy family:

During the year she was Bellatrix’s prisoner, she was held captive at the Malfoys’ mansion. Even though Bellatrix showed nothing but cruelty to her, Narcissa secretly tried to help her, mostly by giving her food during starvation punishments, clean her room and at extreme circumstances - heal her wounds.

Even though she hasn’t set her free, Maria appreciated the fact that Narcissa risked herself by helping her, so after she heard about Lucius’s death, she agreed for a reconciliation.

Although there were some push-backs (especially from Ron), she accepted an invitation for dinner at the Malfoys’ mansion, where she reconnected with both Narcissa and Draco.

After that she came to visit every now and then, although not as frequently as she visited the Weasleys.

Maria and Harry:

As I mentioned before, Maria is basically an OC inserted into the main plot, so she’s best friends with Harry, Ron and Hermione.

Harry and Maria always had a sort of sibling connection, that was reinforced by their connection with Sirius. After his death, they referred to each other as the only family they’ve got left. (Even though Maria technically had Tonks, but that’s a story for another time.)

Maria and Ron:

Their friendship was a bit more complicated. Although not romantic in nature, they had a mutual crush on each other at a certain point (but nothing came out of it), and they always had a certain tension afterwards.

They also have very different personalities and got into many conflicts. Ron usually accused Maria of being a fake friend, because she was very friendly in nature and had many friend-groups other than the main three characters. Maria in return accused him of being too judgemental and had a hard time taking him seriously.

However, with all the flaws, they also had many things in common - their love of Quidditch, their disregard to the rules and in general they had a lot of fun hanging out with each other.

Maria and Hermione:

Probably have the rockiest friendship out of the three main characters. They are almost opposites, aside for their academic approach. Maria is more reckless and easy going, and she usually can’t handle Hermione’s stiffness.

Maria was especially sensitive to any criticism of Sirius, and they had many fights over it during their 5th year.

But even though their friendship wasn’t ideal, when it came to real struggles, they were there to support each other, especially emotionally.

Her special connection to Sirius:

Sirius was the catalyst that made her realize that she was born to a dark wizards family. She’s met him only once (before the events of the 3rd book), but it was a strong enough impact that affected her entire world view.

She put Sirius on a high pedestal and saw him as a parental figure. He was the first in the family to openly rebel and she followed his footsteps when she left the Malfoys’ household. This is also the reason why it meant so much to her that she was sorted into Gryffindor and not Slytherin.

During the 3rd year, everyone suspected that she helped sneak Sirius into the castle and was covering for him, since she refused to accept the accusations against him. She didn’t have any proof that he’s innocent and Sirius never told her that he is, but she was determined that he’s a good guy.

After Sirius escaped, he hasn’t kept in touch with her as much as with Harry, but it didn’t discourage her. She had a feeling that he’s hesitant to accept her because she’s still Bellatrix’s daughter and never resented him for it. However, after his death, Lupin told her that Sirius was very proud of her and had greats hopes for her - he just didn’t know how to show it.

Dobby:

Since she grew up with the Malfoys, she has known Dobby her entire life. They were pretty friendly toward each other, but they were instructed not to talk with each other.

Once, she tried to give Dobby clothes to set him free, but because she wasn’t technically a Malfoy, it didn’t work. After that, Lucius forbid Dobby from ever interacting with her again.

AUs:

Did you really think I don’t have like 200 different AUs for this headcanon? Of course I have! I’ve been building this headcanon since I was a literal child!

My favorite AU is the one where Fred didn’t die in the Battle of Hogwarts, and he and Maria got to be together after all. They usually get married (although there is a variation where she broke up with him instead), and in one AU in particular, healers are able to restore her fertility and they have a child together.

Maybe in the future I will make more posts about these AUs.

HPHM

Since Luna is very close with the Weasleys too, in most AUs Maria gets to meet Luna and the two become friends. Luna is also Maria’s private healer, since Maria gets injured a lot during Quidditch games.

---------------------------------------

There is so much more!!

But I will leave something for future posts :)

#my art #drawing #my headcanon #hp headcanon #harry potter #harry potter hc #harry potter oc #oc #original character #hp oc #maria black

[maraudersbutmuggle]

Andromeda Black

Born January 22nd, 1988. She is an Aquarius. Imaginative, idealistic, intuitive. English and French Origins. Raised under Conservative Catholic beliefs. Heteroromantic, Demisexual. Married to Ted Tonks. Hufflepuff. Went to Hogwarts from 1999 to 2006. Member of The Archery Team. Prefect of that house. Suffers from anxiety, social anxiety and low self-esteem. Daughter of Cygnus Black and Druella Rosier. Twin sister of Bellatrix Black (not identical) and older sister of Narcissa Black. Wife to Ted Tonks. Mother to Nymphadora Tonks. Andromeda always followed her family's beliefs without question. She was very close to her sisters. And she grew up stuck in the middle. Bellatrix had always been Cygnus' favorite, while Narcissa was Druella's little girl. Her parents were strict and overprotective but not quite affectionate with Andromeda. Andromeda was shy, quiet and reserved. While Bellatrix was more explosive, outgoing and talkative. Either way the twins got along pretty well. And they also get along with Narcissa who is three years younger than them. But logically, Andromeda and Bellatrix spent more time together. Bellatrix was the one who usually dragged Andromeda to parties and social events. Andromeda didn't like socializing as much as her sister. They both had a crush on Gryffindor Rugby Star and Knight Rodolphus Lestrange. A very handsome, popular and rich lad in their class. Rodolphus had always set his eyes for Andromeda. But it was Bellatrix who always ended up snogging or hooking up with him at parties. After graduation, Rodolphus and Andromeda shared classes at Uni. And Rodolphus was constantly asking Andromeda out, buying her flowers, and inviting her to dinners. Cygnus and Druella were fascinated because The Lestranges were their close friends. But Andromeda was developing feelings for another boy. A boy that none of her family would approve of: Ted Tonks. Ted made her question a lot of things in life. Ted showed her to enjoy life and let herself relax, enjoy music and friends, and different places. Andromeda fell completely in love with him. But she was scared of what her parents might say, or Bellatrix. She'd never disobeyed the rules. And Bellatrix, Rodolphus and their other friends detested Ted. She saw herself forced to accept to marry Rodolphus. But she didn't want to. The day of her wedding, Ted came looking for her. And Andromeda took the decision to run away with him. That caused Andromeda to lose her relationship with her family. After Sirius was disowned, Andromeda felt connected with him. She began writing to him, telling him what it was like and how she was proud of him and that she was there for him. Andromeda and Ted had Nymphadora in 2013. (In this Universe, she reconnects with her sisters. I will explain the Black Sisters' story deeply in another post).

#marauders era #muggle au #marauders muggle au #the black sisters #the house of black #andromeda black #andromeda tonks #bellatrix black #narcissa black #sirius black #ted tonks #tedromeda #rodolphus lestrange

[asktheheirofslytherin]

"My Lord, I have a request." She stepped carefully into the doorway of his quarters, after knocking. She bowed slightly and folded her hands neatly in front of her. "I'll be nineteen in just a few months. I want to learn and to perfect the Cruciatus curse. By your teachings, of course. I.." the initial confidence she had when she entered was steadily draining, as he watched her and said nothing, she started to feel a little ridiculous, like maybe asking was a humiliating mistake. "I'm advanced. You're impressed by me, now. Can't I be ready?"

Voldemort sighed. He really should start imposing a rule against what had started to feel like office hours with his younger followers. His study should be truly designated as a no-fly zone. But still, he nodded, allowing her in. At least Bellatrix Black - no, Lestrange now - was incredibly polite about it. But he could already sense she had developed some sort of a crush on him. Sigh.

He kept his expression unreadable as she spoke, her voice at first brimming with confidence, which seemed to slip away, little by little with each word until her words became a question, lilting upwards in a backwards hesitance. The hesitation amused him - he enjoyed when his followers lost their nerve around him.

"You are a very good student, Bella," Voldemort conceded, cursing himself internally at the use of her nickname. Cygnus used it, Abraxas used, it, Rodolphus used it - it seemed to have rubbed off on him, as well. Osmosis. But it was easier to say, lighter on his tongue. He supposed there was no harm in it. "One of the best, even in this short time since you've taken the Mark," he continued, nodding. "I do wish some of the others would take as much initiative. Certainly, I can teach you the curse."

@crucioslut

#voldemort #bellatrix #crucioslut #cruciatus #dark magic #death eaters #oooh yes #more from this time period plz lol #prescheduled volding

[soothwind]

          is that RODOLPHUS LESTRANGE i just saw in the courtyard? i hear they’re a SLYTHERIN, returning for their SEVENTH school year, but something more juicy is them being CHARISMATIC & FLEXIBLE as well as SADISTIC & IMPULSIVE. if you want some more details on them, i guess i could tell you that they’re PUREBLOOD, and from the rumors i heard, they’re currently allying with THE DEATH EATERS. personally, i think they remind of: unspeakable curses whispered under one's breath, sweet lines to stranger with charming smiles, a slight inclination to maniac nightmares. but that might be just me.

                                 triggers ;  parental neglect , alcohol consumption

𝒇𝒊𝒓𝒔𝒕 𝒃𝒐𝒓𝒏 𝒘𝒊𝒕𝒉 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒓𝒐𝒕𝒕𝒆𝒏 𝒔𝒑𝒐𝒐𝒏,

                                                                        for a pureblood family , the lestrange did not have the fortune to show for it . the grandious manor once filled with life and employees was now in decay , as the lestrange boys were left to luck. rodolphus was expected to be grand and lift the rotten name off the grave , ever since he first got out the womb . but life would show not much easier to the lestrange heir , as he was shoved between poorly paid nannies and given no type of attention unless physical aggression when he managed to “ mess up “ . rodolphus was not taught to distinguish good from bad , but knowing where his family’s morals landed , it wouldn’t matter anyway . he found pleasure in taunting the old buttler the family managed to maintain just to fall under his father’s wrath , only to have some sort of quality time . no , things weren’t ideal at all in the lestrange household .

                        things didn’t change as the lestrange brothers grew up . not having much to show for except raising his younger brother , rodolphus did tackle it as a challenge and grew up . wondering how could he protect and cherish his brother without showing him , because he simply haven’t been taught . regardless , he did what his parents never did , to fix his brother’s issues in silence and trying to protect him any way he could . as he grew up , rodolphus slowly stopped and left to his own accord , indulging in the golden liquid to stop himself for fathering him too much . the friend at the end of the bottle was one rodolphus could never take for granted and the travesty of his behavior was enough to return to his father’s punishments .

                                                                              receiving the letter was , in a way , a relief . of course his name was one that would travel the halls and make people shiver in fear . but by now, rodolphus held himself to have a sweet tongue whenever he got himself into trouble . it was obvious there were certain professors he couldn’t charm , but overall , he always managed to slide between the cracks . whenever charming didn’t work , he resorted to the only languages he knew , which were intimidation and aggression . but at least , staying away from home was a way to run from his father’s wrath . 

                                𝒑𝒆𝒓𝒔𝒐𝒏𝒂𝒍𝒊𝒕𝒚 , 𝒉𝒂𝒃𝒊𝒕𝒔

                        rodolphus is a brute . but it isn’t all to him . he’s a brute because he was shown that route but i wouldn’t say it’s unsolvable . repressed within , there is a sensitive person , but he doesn’t let himself or even allow it to be shown to the world . in his mind , that’s weakness and must remain inside . he cares deeply for his brother , even though and again ,  he treats him like he’s a dumbass . alcohol is still his biggest poison , yet he finds himself roaming the forest alone when he can , for the peace of mind . usually resorting to silence , he ponders a lot about his actions , which is surprising . placing his charming and good looks first place , there is actually some thought to create a more sly persona than one might think . he develops his subjects and studies for them however , his strong suit is enchantments and magical creatures . go figures how . 

                                   𝒘𝒂𝒏𝒕𝒆𝒅 𝒄𝒐𝒏𝒏𝒆𝒄𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏𝒔

                friends ( house friends , his close group of friends , study partners , club friends , unlikely friends , good influence , bad influence , friends with lingering feelings , friends to enemies ) , love ( someone he’s crushing on , someone is crushing on his , exes in good and bad terms , friends with benefits , casual hook ups , exes with lingering feelings , will they won’t they trope , enemies to lovers , lovers to enermies ) , misc ( cousins, acquaintances , someone that pranks him way too much ) or let’s discuss !

#ehqintro #» * rodolphus lestrange : character development #tw parental neglect #tw alcoholism