Rabastan Takes Charge!
Rabastan shifted nervously in his seat, feeling the weight of the room pressing down on him. Around the table sat the most trusted Death Eaters, including Bellatrix, Rodolphus, Lucius, and a few others who seemed far too comfortable plotting world domination. At the head of the table sat Voldemort, of course, his snake-like gaze sweeping over the group as he discussed plans that Rabastan barely understood.
Okay, just stay calm. Maybe I won’t have to say anything.
But that hope quickly evaporated when Voldemort turned his attention to Rabastan after about an hour.
"Rabastan," Voldemort said softly, his voice carrying a dangerous edge. "You’ve proven yourself to be an unconventional thinker. What do you suggest we do next?"
Rabastan’s heart dropped into his stomach. He swallowed hard, glancing around the room for some kind of lifeline, but all he got were expectant stares. Except from Bellatrix, who looked like she was ready to pounce if he slipped up, and Lucius, who was giving him a strangely sympathetic look.
Okay, think. Just say something that sounds smart.
"Well," Rabastan began, stalling for time, "we could, uh, focus on the, um, element of surprise?" That’s vague. And everyone likes surprises.
Voldemort’s eyes narrowed slightly, and for a moment, Rabastan was sure this was it—he was about to be exposed. But then, Voldemort nodded slowly.
"Yes," Voldemort said thoughtfully. "The element of surprise has always been one of your strengths."
Rabastan blinked. Wait. What? How?
Lucius leaned in slightly, his voice low and admiring. "Brilliant as always, Rabastan. You never fail to impress."
Rabastan forced a smile, still completely confused. "Uh, thanks." How do I keep getting away with this?
Bellatrix, however, was not as easily swayed. She leaned forward, her eyes narrowing suspiciously. "And how, exactly, do you propose we implement this surprise, Rabastan?"
Rabastan’s heart raced. Oh no. Now I have to explain it. I don’t even know what I just said!
"Well," he stammered, trying to think fast, "we could, uh, split our forces and attack from multiple angles. You know, catch them off guard."
Bellatrix’s eyes gleamed with malicious delight. "Ah, so you mean you want to divide our forces? That’s risky, don’t you think?"
Rabastan’s mind went blank. Was it risky? I have no idea what operation they’ve even been talking about.
Before he could respond, Lucius spoke up, his voice dripping with admiration. "Rabastan thrives in risk, Bellatrix. He understands that the greatest rewards come from taking chances." He gave Rabastan a small, almost pitying smile. "But of course, someone in his position would know all about the demands of taking risks."
Rabastan stared at Lucius, completely lost and hit with the sudden urge to grab the man’s too-fancy robes and shake him until something that made sense fell out of his mouth. What position? What are you talking about?!
Voldemort, seemingly satisfied with the direction of the conversation, nodded. "Rabastan’s unpredictability is one of his greatest assets. You would do well to remember that, Bellatrix."
Bellatrix’s lip curled in frustration, but she said nothing, clearly unhappy with how things were playing out.
Rabastan, meanwhile, was silently panicking. How am I supposed to keep up with this? I don’t even know what I’m doing!
Just when he thought things couldn’t get worse, the doors to the meeting room swung open, and in walked Sanguini.
Rabastan’s blood ran cold. Oh no. Not him. Not now.
Sanguini’s eyes immediately found Rabastan, and a slow, sultry smile spread across his face. "My apologies for the interruption," he purred, bowing slightly. "But I simply couldn’t miss an opportunity to support Rabastan’s brilliant strategy."
Rabastan nearly choked. How did he even know what was happening in here? It’s supposed to be sound proofed!
Voldemort’s eyes flicked to Sanguini, and for a moment, Rabastan thought he saw something close to amusement in them. "Ah, Sanguini. I assume you’ve been impressed by Rabastan’s recent successes?"
Sanguini moved closer, his gaze never leaving Rabastan. "More than impressed, my Lord," he said softly, his voice dripping with innuendo. "Rabastan has proven himself to be quite formidable. In many ways."
Rabastan felt his face flush with embarrassment. Why is he saying it like that?
Lucius, sitting next to him, gave him a knowing look, his voice barely a whisper. "It must be exhausting, Rabastan, managing the attention of such powerful figures."
Rabastan’s brain short-circuited. What does that mean?! Why is everyone acting like this?!
Voldemort, seemingly oblivious to the undercurrent of tension, gave a small nod of approval. "It seems you’ve gained quite a following, Rabastan."
Rabastan forced a tight smile, his mind racing. No, no, no, this is all wrong. I’m supposed to be staying under the radar!
Sanguini, clearly enjoying himself, stepped even closer to Rabastan, his eyes gleaming with a predatory hunger. "Indeed. And I would be more than happy to assist Rabastan in his future endeavors."
Rabastan’s heart pounded in his chest and he sank down further in his chair. He doesn’t have to be so creepy about it.
Lucius leaned in again, his voice soft and conspiratorial. "Don’t worry, Rabastan. I understand how complicated these things can get. But you’re handling it well."
Rabastan’s hands were shaking. What am I handling?
Before Rabastan could respond, Voldemort spoke again. "Very well. Rabastan, you will lead this operation. Sanguini will assist you, and Lucius will ensure the plan is carried out to its full potential."
Rabastan’s stomach dropped. Lead? I have to lead this? With Sanguini and Lucius?!
Sanguini’s smile widened. "I look forward to working closely with you, Rabastan."
Rabastan’s entire body tensed. I’m doomed. I’m so doomed.
After the meeting, as Rabastan stumbled out of the room, still reeling from everything that had just happened, Lucius caught up with him, his face full of concern.
"You must be overwhelmed," Lucius said sympathetically. "With both the Dark Lord and Sanguini so interested in you."
Rabastan gave him a dazed look. "I don’t...I don’t know what’s happening."
Lucius patted his shoulder, his voice low and understanding. "You’re handling it better than most would. Just remember, you have my support, whatever complications may arise."
Rabastan nodded numbly, completely lost. Complications? What complications?!
As Lucius walked away, Rabastan slumped against the wall, his head spinning. I don’t even know what I just agreed to.
Somewhere, deep in the recesses of his mind, Rabastan was starting to realize that no matter what he did in this new life, chaos would always follow.
Rabastan stood at the edge of the forest, his wand gripped tightly in his hand as he tried to steady his nerves. The plan was simple. Well, simple for the others. He was supposed to lead this operation, which involved sneaking into an Auror outpost to gather intelligence. Of course, Sanguini was there to "assist" him.
Rabastan glanced at Sanguini, who stood a few feet away, looking every bit the dramatic vampire lord he always did. His robes billowed slightly in the night breeze, and his eyes gleamed with excitement. Or maybe hunger. It was always hard to tell with him.
"Remember, Rabastan," Lucius said smoothly from behind him, "the success of this mission depends on your unpredictable approach. Don’t hold back."
‘Unpredictable approach’ is one way to describe my constant state of panic. Rabastan nodded, trying to look confident. "Right. Unpredictable. Got it."
They moved into the forest, heading toward the Auror outpost, which was hidden deep within the trees. As they neared the clearing, Rabastan could feel his heart pounding in his chest. Okay, just stay calm. I’m not actually in charge. Sanguini’s probably going to take over anyway.
But just as they reached the edge of the clearing, something went horribly wrong. A loud snapping sound echoed through the forest, and before Rabastan could process what was happening, a magical trap sprung from the ground, sending thick vines shooting up into the air. The vines wrapped around Rabastan’s legs and arms, hoisting him into the air.
"What the -?!" Rabastan yelped, struggling against the vines. "Help!"
The other Death Eaters turned to look, their faces a mix of surprise and confusion. Sanguini, however, immediately sprang into action. Though, as usual, that action was far more dramatic than necessary.
"Hold on, Rabastan!" Sanguini shouted, his voice filled with unnecessary urgency as he rushed toward Rabastan with all the flair of a Shakespearean actor. "I’ll save you!"
Rabastan blinked, completely thrown off by the absurdity of the situation. Save me? From a plant?
Sanguini leapt into the air with an almost comical amount of grace, his robes billowing dramatically as he drew his wand. "Foul vegetation! You will not take Rabastan!" he declared, waving his wand in a series of exaggerated motions.
Rabastan, still dangling helplessly, watched in horror as Sanguini sent a powerful burst of magic toward the vines. The spell missed the vines completely and instead struck a nearby tree, causing it to explode into a shower of splinters.
"Uh, Sanguini?" Rabastan said, his voice strained. "Maybe try aiming?"
Sanguini, undeterred by his failure, waved his wand again after executing a graceful pirouette, sending another spell flying toward the vines. This time, the spell hit its target, but instead of freeing Rabastan, it caused the vines to tighten around him.
"Ow! Ow, no, not tighter!" Rabastan yelped, wriggling as the vines squeezed him even more.
Sanguini, looking genuinely flustered now, tried again. "Fear not, Rabastan! I have this under control!"
Lucius, watching from the sidelines, cleared his throat. "Perhaps, Sanguini, a gentler approach?"
Sanguini shot Lucius an offended glare. "I am a vampire of action, Lucius! Gentleness has no place here!" He turned back to Rabastan, his eyes filled with determination. "I will not fail you."
Rabastan groaned. I’m going to die. Not from the trap, but from embarrassment.
Sanguini raised his wand one last time, his movements even more exaggerated than before, and cast a final spell. This time, the vines instantly loosened, dropping Rabastan unceremoniously to the ground.
Rabastan hit the dirt with a thud, groaning as he rolled onto his back. "Thanks," he muttered, wincing as he sat up. What was that? The plants were doing a better job of killing me than the enemy.
Sanguini, looking pleased with himself, offered Rabastan a hand. "I told you I would save you," he said with a proud smile, his fangs flashing slightly.
Rabastan hesitated for a moment before taking Sanguini’s hand, letting the vampire pull him to his feet. "Yeah, you really… came through," he said, trying to sound grateful despite the fact that Sanguini had nearly blown up a tree and broken Rabastan’s ribs in his attempt to help.
Lucius, watching the entire scene unfold, gave Rabastan a knowing look as if to say, I understand what you’re going through.
Rabastan, still trying to process the absurdity of the situation, forced a smile. Maybe Sanguini’s not that scary. Just dramatic. And not in a good way.
As they regrouped, Rabastan found himself less afraid of Sanguini and more concerned with how to survive the rest of the mission. At least if something goes wrong, I know Sanguini will make it a spectacle.