is it complicated ... when someone wants you so much they kidnap you and your friends? (yeah, it's complicated)

is it complicated ... when someone wants you so much they kidnap you and your friends? (yeah, it's complicated)

Chapter 3

Previously on is it complicated ... when someone wants you so much they kidnap you and your friends? (yeah, it's complicated):

“Go fuck yourself, Lestrange.” Sirius hisses, storming out of the room. Rodolphus swallows.

“Well, you fucked that one up, brother.” Rabastan murmurs, smirking as he took a sip of tea with barely any sugar nor milk. Rodolphus shot him a look.

“Oh shut up, Basty.” Rabastan snorts.

James glared at the elder Lestrange. “Do that again and I’ll skin you alive. Sirius is his own person, not your shackled spouse. He’s free to do as he wishes and if you disagree then I swear on my magic, you won’t live to see tomorrow.” The vow takes hold and his magic blasts through the room, the walls rattling and the furniture trembling. Rodolphus swallows heavily again. Voldemort watches on in intrigue. Fenrir’s smirking and Rabastan is watching is brother be scolded with greedy eyes. It wasn’t often the male was told off, so he’d got a big head and a big ego in Rabastan’s opinion.

“He’s not safe out there, once he leaves the wards.” Rodolphus protests.

“Then you should’ve said it like that.” Remus interjects with a roll of his eyes. “Honestly, Slytherins.”

“He was raised a Black,” Rodolphus snaps, agitated at the nab at his Hogwarts house, “he should’ve known the difference.”

“And you think he wants to remember being raised as a Black with the bitch of the mother he has?” James says incredulously, scoffing a little. “No, every lesson as a Black and a Slytherin he’s tried to push out of his mind. The only reason he’s stayed long enough as it is, is for baby Black. Otherwise he would’ve ran ages ago.” James said. Regulus stared at him with wide eyes, feeling Evan’s hand squeeze his in reassurance.

James stands, tight smile on his face. “Excuse me. Before I slap Lestrange.” He gives a tight nod and then exits. Remus rolls his eyes and takes another slip, grabbing another piece of toast. He registers the eyes on him and glances up.

“What?” He said in response to the stares. “I’m fucking starving.”

As soon as breakfast was done, the dirty plates and cutlery disappeared, likely back to where the house elves were in the kitchen. Remus stood, grabbed Sirius’s wand that he’d dropped and exited the room without another word to those inside, sliding it behind his ear. He could hear the footsteps of the guard sanctioned to him and then the hurried footsteps of what sounded like a group.

“Are you … are you going to look for Sirius and Heir Potter?” Rodolphus asked hesitantly.

Remus snorted. “What’s it to you, pretty boy? Want to put your foot in your mouth again?” Remus sent him a judging look. Rabastan frowned.

“Put … his foot … in his mouth …?” Rabastan’s lips twisted in disgust.

“It’s a muggle saying. Merlin help me with you bloody purebloods.” Remus turned the corner, focusing. His ears pricked up when he heard the soft laughter coming from Sirius when James made a joke. He could tell that they’d made up and that Sirius wasn’t so … well, angry at the world.

“But what does it mean?” Rabastan prodded.

Remus sighed. “It means to say or do something tactless or embarrassing. Something such as to tell Sirius that he has no will to go where he wishes in the Manor or do what he wants.” Suddenly, he stopped outside a door and turned to face Rodolphus, eyes amber. “And for your information, Sirius knows not to go anywhere outside of the grounds that he’s not strictly prohibited too. He wanted to know what you were doing today because if you were free then he’d likely had asked you to do something with him.” Rodolphus’s eyes widened and then his face fell.

“Well, you definitely fucked that one up.”

“Piss off, Basty.” Rodolphus groaned, rubbing his face with large hands. Remus snickered and grabbed the door handle, twisting it and pushing it open. Entering the room, he sighed once more when he saw James and Sirius interacting with the house elves, lounging on the floor, a slice of cake between them. Two forks were in their hands and James was waving his around, cackling when a piece of chocolate flies off and smacked Sirius in the cheek. Sirius yelped.

“You two didn’t wait long.” Remus said, marching over to them. He sat down gingerly, grimacing when his left knee started to ache a little from the previous moon. He’d tore some tendons there and although Pomphrey had healed him right up, she’d said that it would take months, if not a year, for the ache to go away completely.

“Moony, look!” Sirius shoved a piece of cake over, ignoring the splatter of chocolate on his cheek. “It’s your favourite. We saved some for you—did you know that some of these elves have been here since Salazar Slytherin’s sons life?” Sirius demanded, shoving a piece of cake into his mouth.

“Thanks, Pads, Prongs. But no, I didn’t actually. That’s interesting.” Remus glanced around, sighting the older, weary house elf standing and directing the others. “It’s probably the wards around the Manor, they lend magic to them that replaces the magic that a house elf and their master share, so they don’t die. Just until they get a new master—I’d imagine now that Voldemorts,” he ignores the sharp inhales and carries on, the two Gryffindors hanging onto his words, “that they’ll get physically better as their magic isn’t being syphoned off.” Remus finished, humming at the taste of the cake.

“Our little nerd.” James teases, pinching his cheek. He screamed when Remus reared forward, snapping his jaws around the air where James’s hand had previously been. The Potter heir rolled backwards, pouting when the duo dissolved into laughter. “Okay, okay, it wasn’t that funny.” James sniffed.

“Was to.” Sirius commented, shoving another piece into his mouth. He chewed slowly. “So what’re we doing today?”

“Library.” Remus said, smirking. He didn’t look up when the other two groaned.

“Of course, I should’ve known!” Sirius rolled and kicked his legs into the air, frowning at the ceiling. He tilted his head to peer at James. “Want to play a game of Quidditch with me? That is, if I’m allowed to head out of the Manor to go to the Quidditch pitch.” He snipped. Rodolphus groaned.

“I didn’t mean it like that!” He grumbled loudly.

“Can you hear something, lads? Sounds like a pesky bug.” Sirius said with a blank face. “If it comes near me, I’ll either smash it or squash it with my wand.” Remus slides the wand out from beneath his ear and hands it over, Sirius taking it with a relieved look. He cradles it in his hands. “Oh, my love, how I’ve missed you so—I’ll never leave you again!” He kissed the wood and gathered up his hair into a bun, securing it with his wand. “How do I look?”

“Alright.” The two chorus. Sirius pouted.

“Beautiful.” Rodolphus murmured softly, staring at the male. James and Remus shared a look when Sirius went pink, clearing his throat.

“The bug spoke again, lads.” Sirius announced. James snickered. Rabastan snorted, placing a hand over his bright grin. It really had been the best day so far; he’d never seen someone scold Rodolphus like this before and he was living for it.

“Merlin and Morgana, Sirius, I didn’t mean it like that!” Rodolphus groaned. Sirius huffed, turning his face away. “I just meant that you’d be safer in the Manor. Do you think I want you getting hurt after I finally get to see you everyday?” Sirius bit his lip. “All I want is for you to be safe and sound and if you never get to leave the Manor then so be it.” Rodolphus said.

Remus sighed. “You put your foot in your mouth again.”

“You were doing so well.” James fell back, covering his face with his arm. There’s a smirk on his face. Rodolphus frowned.

“I don’t understand.” He murmurs with a frown. Rabastan shrugged when his brother turned to him.

“Don’t look at me. It sounded alright to me.” He said. Regulus pursed his lips.

“We couldn’t leave Grimmauld Place either.” Regulus pitched in. Barty and Evan grabbed onto his hands and squeezed soothingly. Rodolphus groaned and slapped a hand over his eyes.

“Of fucking course it comes back to bloody Walburga fucking Black.” He snarled. Sirius snickered. “Fine, fine. You can leave the Manor but have a guard near you because they know where the wards cut off, where you’ll be safe and where you’ll not. Luckily, the Dark Lord added some wards around the Quidditch pitch even though he’s not interested one whit in it—”

“You’re joking.” James shot up, eyes staring at Rodolphus with horrified indignation. “Please tell me you’re joking.”

“Nope. He’s more interested in other things.” Rabastan smirked.

James groaned and rolled over to shove his face into Remus’s lap, the male not startingly or even seemed fazed. “This is the worst—my worst nightmare! How the hell does he not like Quidditch? And I’m expected to marry and bond him? What the hell are we going to talk about?”

“Murder?” Sirius proposed.

“Sex?” Remus chimed in.

“Love.”

“No, no, definitely murder.” Remus said. Sirius nodded sagely.

“It is how I thought,” he said in a fake whimsical voice, “you and your love will be destined to always talk about murder and gore.” Then he stopped, a thoughtful look in his eyes. “Do you think he has a blood kink? Or a sadism kink?”

“Probably.” Remus said, laughing when James squeaked, eyes wide and cheeks bright red.

“I’m doomed.” He whispered.

“Hey, don’t knock it until you try it.” Sirius said, dissolving into cackles when James groaned and shoved his face harder into Remus’s lap, the male patting the Potter Heir’s head. Sirius rolled on the floor, clutching at his stomach with the weight of his mirth. Remus shot him a warning look that had the Black Heir sobering. “Hey, Prongsie, I’m sure that you’ll have something in common with him. Besides you don’t have to bond with him, remember?”

“You’re right!” James said, his voice muffled from where it was pressed into Remus’s lap. He lurched upwards, Remus dodging so he doesn’t get smacked in the chin. “Oh, you’re so smart, Pads!” Sirius’s chest puffed up smugly.

“Course I am!” He grinned.

“Well …” Remus grumbled, trailing off as he smirked down at his plate. Sirius paused and pouted.

“Meanie.” Sirius stood, stretching, stratching at the pale skin of his thigh, making the area go pink. James nudged Remus, discretely gesturing to Rodolphus, who’s jaw was pratically on the floor with the way he was ogling the Black Heir. Remus snickered at his wide eyes.

“Hey, Moony?”

Remus hummed, taking another bite of cake. “Yeah, Prongs?”

“What are you going to do in the library?”

“Read obviously. Can you imagine how many books and tomes will be in Slytherin Manor? I’d imagine there would be a fair many that’re in Parslescript but that doesn’t bother me so much, what with Voldemort here. Maybe you could nudge him to translate them for me, Prongs.” He smirked at the male, who blushed.

“Don’t be a tease, Moons. You’re being mean to me.” James grumbled.

Remus shrugged. “Worth a shot. And I want to take a look at some of the laws being passed in the Wizengamot. I quite like a debate and there should be some transcripts there or even in the Daily Prophet in the politics section.” He told them, standing and grabbing James, lifting him up. Sirius snorted.

“I don’t know how you deal with politics, Moons, they’re ghastly and boring.” He groaned the word.

“Everything that doesn’t include pranks, dirty and crude humour and Quidditch is boring to you, Padfoot. Which means that quite a lot of the world is going to bore you.” Remus countered, walking over to one of the guards and requesting to see the library. The one he smacked with the book gave him a wary look before leading him away.

“Bye, Moons!” Sirius and James call. Remus gives them a wave over his shoulder before they turn the corner.

“So, are we going to the Quidditch pitch or do you want to explore the Manor?” James asked. Sirius frowned, glancing around the Manor, his frown deepening at the sight of it. Everything was just so cold and it reminded him startingly of Grimmauld Place, even if it wasn’t as dark and gloomy nor was it filled with dark items and chopped off house elves heads. It didn’t feel like a place Sirius wanted to stay in. James seemed to agree with him with the look on his face.

“Lets explore the Manor. I think some redecoration is due, don’t you think, Prongsie?”

“Oh, I do agree, Paddy!” James cooed. They bounce off towards their room to gather things, smirks on their faces. The guards rush to stay in view of them whilst the others just watch them go.

“Does anyone feel like we’ve just unleashed hell on the Dark Lord?” Rabastan asked.

Rodolphus sighed. “Yes, but there’s not much I can do. I need to get to the Ministry for work and then head over to Lestrange Manor. Father will want to know what’s happening and whether Sirius and his friends arrived at the Manor safely.” Rodolphus explained. Regulus glanced at him.

“Any news on my mother?”

“She’s … pushing on seeing Sirius but that isn’t going to happen, father told her that. That we’re going to get Sirius ready for the wedding and such. She wanted to plan it, the shrew. Well, Narcissa took her down a few pegs, not that she realised it until Narcissa was gone, where her face went a truly ugly shade of red.” He smirked at the memories. Regulus pursed his lips to hide his grin. “I’d imagine once she realises that she’s got no hold on Sirius, she’ll start demanding to see you. Right now, that’s not an option, especially considering you’re staying with the Dark Lord but you’ve got to do something to limit her control over you.”

“There’s always my father, Reg.” Evan reminds him.

“We’ve told you, darling, we’ll marry and bond with you, whether it’s tomorrow or twenty years into the future.” Barty told him. Regulus smiled sadly.

“I know but I don’t want to marry you just to get out of my mothers thumb.” Regulus said to them. “But I will take you up on that offer of seeing your father, Evan. Maybe we’ll ask for his advice; he’s quite a good politican, I’m sure there’re some laws that’ll help me stay with you both.” He squeezed their hands, dragging them away and down the corridor to their rooms. Rabastan glanced at Rodolphus, seeing him staring at his pocket watch with loathing.

“He’ll still be here when you come back, brother.” Rabastan reminded him.

“I know.” Rodolphus groans, rubbing a hand down his face. “I just …”

“Wanted to spend time with him, I know.” Rabastan nudged him towards the direction of the floo. “Now go and get to work. I think I’ll join Lupin in the library, I’ve got some work I need to do.”

“Swot.” Rodolphus grumbled.

“Just go work, you asshole.” Rabastan shot back, punching his brother on the shoulder before walking away. Rodolphus sent one longing, lingering look to where Sirius had disappeared to with the Potter Heir before sighing and turning. He walked over to the floo in the next room, in the parlour, grabbing a handfull of the green dust.

Throwing it inside, he took a step and shouted, “Ministry Atrium,” and disappeared in a swirl of green fire.

Rodolphus stepped elegantly out of the floo and into Lestrange Manor, seeing no one inside the parlour of Lestrange Manor. He frowned, expecting to see his father, Corvus Lestrange. Walking further into the room and then out into the corridor to peer around, he could see no sign of the elderly man. “Mippy.”

“Mippy being called, Master Rodo.” Said the small voice after a pop. Rodolphus smiled down at the elf.

“Hello, Mippy, I was wondering where my father is. Have you seen him?”

“Master Corvus be in the dining room with Lady Black.” Mippy said, wringing her eyes. She hesitated. “If Mippy be allowed to say, Mippy believes that it is about Master Rodo’s betrothed. Lady Black be not acting nice towards Master Rodo’s bethrothed and Mippy saw her send curse to Ditsy.”

Rodolphus’s lips down tilt at that. Whilst his father was a bit dismissive towards the elves, neither harsh nor particularly loving towards them, his mother had adored the ground the creatures walked on. Rabastan and Rodolphus had grown up next to them as though they were their siblings or aunts and uncles and due to that, when their mother had died, the two boys had taken over the protection of the house elves if guests were to abuse the privilege of them being in Lestrange Manor.

“Thank you for telling me, Mippy. I’ll deal with Lady Black. Is Ditsy alright?”

“Ditsy be bleeding but we elves help. Ditsy very shaken, Master Rodo as Lady Black be targeting Ditsy. She does not like Ditsy. We elves do not know why.” Mippy frowned a little. Rodolphus also frowned as well, wondering why Walburga was targeting a house elf in their home. Unless … she viewed Ditsy as a weak link, which to be fair, Ditsy was, being so young and all, just a tiny little thing. Rodolphus sighed and dragged a hand down his face, pondering.

“Okay. Mippy, could you ask Ditsy to meet me in my room once Lady Black has gone and I’ve spoken to my father?” Mippy nodded.

“Mippy be doing that. Would Master Rodo like a cup of tea?”

“Yes, please, Mippy. You are a saint.” Mippy smiled up at him.

“Master Rodo, you being too kind. Mippy be doing as ordered.” And then she popped away. Rodolphus sighed once more in exhaustion, pulling his shoulders back and taking a deep breath to put on his pureblood mask when dealing with Walburga. The shrew would likely take digs at Sirius and he’d have to endure it, if only to get her out of the house faster. His father could manage the rest.

He swept into the dining room, seeing his father at the head of the table. Walburga was sat, a glass of wine in her hand. She was almost done with the liquor in the glass whereas his father, nursing a glass of firewhiskey, had not drank a drop. “Ah, Lady Black, what do we owe the honour of you being in Lestrange Manor?” Rodolphus walked over to his father and sat on his left, the other on his fathers right reserved for Rabastan when they were eating meals. Walburga was two seats three seats down from him.

Like all purebloods, they’d have two male heirs minimun if it was a traditional arranged marriage. The heirs would sit on the left and right to the head of the table, the eldest on the left, the youngest on the right. The it would be the bethrothed or bonded of the sons next to the heirs. On the other side of their bonded would be their father (the Lords of the House most often) and their mothers (the Lady of the House). On the opposite end of the table would be were Rodolphus’s mother would sit had she been alive, along with any daughters they’d had, the eldest on the left, the youngest on the right. And then their bethrothed, their mothers, then fathers. And right in the middle would be any siblings their bethrothed had, most often than not it would be male siblings.

“I’ve come to inquire about my eldest. Has he been obeying you, Heir Lestrange?” She took a sip of wine.

Rodolphus felt bile rise in his throat at the way Walburga had phrased the question, as though Sirius was nothing more than a mule for him. “He has. The match is a worthy one, Lady Black.” He said calmly. A cup of tea popped in front of him and he lifted it up from its saucer, taking a sip. He feels the tense muscles in his shoulders and back relax a little from the hard and stressful day of work. Not to mention, a bloody real life harpy being in his dining room.

“That is good to know, Heir Lestrange.” Lady Black said demurely. A smirk rose on her face. “I’d like to offer a gift for the match. Our house elf, Kreacher, just loves my eldest so and he was rather upset that my eldest is gone.”

“Well, that is much gracious of you, Lady Black.” Rodolphus told her. Walburga nodded. “Would you like to summon him?”

“Of course.” Walburga barked Kreachers name, making Rodolphus and Corvus both wince at the shrill note of it. Rodolphus took another sip of tea, swallowing thrice when he threatens to choke at the sight of Kreacher. Kreachers a sallow, hunched mess of an elf, skin weathered and lots of cuts and bruises on his body. Rodolphus swallowed back anger, feeling a hand grip his knee warningly beneath the table. “Is he up to your standards, Heir Lestrange?”

“Quite, Lady Black. This is a thoughtful gift for mine and Sirius’s engagement,” he sees the flash of disgust in her eyes at Sirius’s name and abruptly, he realises that not once has she referred to Sirius by name, “I thank you for it.” Walburga nodded with a small smirk on her face and he wet his lips as he pretended to glance at his pocket watch.

Corvus pretended to look at the time. “Ah, Walburga, you’ve been here nearly two hours! Surely Orion’s missing you?”

“Oh, yes, I’d imagine he would be.” Walburga said, rising to her feet. Kreacher hunches into himself as she brushes past. Corvus stood and lead her out of the dining room, towards the parlour where she could floo away back to Grimmauld Place. Rodolphus sighed and finished the cup of tea, standing.

“Follow me, Kreacher.” The elf tensed as he walked past him before following after him stiffly, the elfs breathing loud in the silence over them. Rodolphus peers into the parlour and sees the green flames of the floo dying down, his whole body relaxing as he stepped inside. “Father, my star has arrived safely at the Manor with his friends. Though he won’t be coming to Lestrange Manor, they’ll be staying at Slytherin Manor instead. The Dark Lord’s allowed it as he has taken interest in the Potter Heir. And Greyback’s taken an interest in the Lupin boy, apparantly he’s a werewolf, Greyback bit him to cure him of a muggle disease.”

Corvus stared at him for a long moment, laughing softly after his minds caught up with his ears. “That must’ve been an interesting meeting.” He took a solid look at Rodolphus and waved him away, chuckling. “Go and get what you need and return to Slytherin Manor, Rodo, I can see how eager you are to see your bethrothed.”

“How did you know?” Rodolphus grumbled, cheeks pink.

“Because you look exactly as eager to see Heir Black as I remember being when going to see your mother.” Rodolphus softened and nodded, saying his goodbyes and walking towards his room, Kreacher following along silently. He pushes the door open, seeing a small body lying on the floor, rushing over.

“Damn it.” He cursed. He looked towards Kreacher, gathering Ditsy into his arms. “Kreacher, do you know where Slytherin Manor is?”

“Yes, Master Lestrange, Kreacher took young master Reggie there several times to see Heir Rosier and Crouch.” Kreacher nodded. Rodolphus stood, balancing Ditsy in his arms and reaching out with another to get Kreacher to hold. “Does Master Lestrange want Kreacher to take Master to Slytherin Manor?”

“Yes, Kreacher. And if you’re going to call me Master, then call me Master Rodo, not Lestrange.” Kreacher nodded, popping away. The familiar magic of house elves wash over him and then they’re in Slytherin Manor’s parlour. “Alright Kreacher, can you take us again to where you feel Rabastan Lestrange is in the Manor?”

“Yes, Master Rodo, Kreacher be doing that.” He said. The magic washed over them again. Rodolphus blinked and then they were in the library where it seemed everyone had migrated to. Regulus and Evan were chatting softly over an Ancient Runes tome whilst Barty was lying on Evan’s lap, watching Regulus speak with a soft look on his face. James and Sirius were throwing paper aeroplanes at each other, charming them to hit Remus in the head. The werewolf didn’t even bat an eye, continuing to scribble.

Though the one Rodolphus needed wasn’t there. He growled a curse, making everyone start and turn to face him. They focused on the elf still gripping his hand. “Kreacher?” Regulus demanded, eyes wide.

“Master Reggie, you here!” Kreacher walked hurriedly over to the male, shooting a venomous look to Sirius, who looked pale in the face of the elf.

“What the hell is he doing here?” Sirius hissed, looking close to getting up and storming over to Rodolphus. Rodolphus just shook his head, retrieving his wand and placing it to his throat, casting a sonorous.

“Basty, get your ass here now!” Rodolphus snarled. There’s a pause and then Rabastan comes charging out of the bookcases as Rodolphus summons a pillow, lowering himself to his knees. He lowers Ditsy onto the floor carefully, the others inhaling when they see what he’s doing. It seemed they hadn’t noticed the young elf in his arms.

“It wasn’t me, Rody, I swear—I promise—Ditsy!” Rabastan flew over, falling to his knees. His wand is in his hand and he’s quick to heal anything that ails the young elf. “Who did this, Rody?” Rabastan breathed. Rodolphus said nothing, stroking Ditsy’s ear as the young elf roused.

“Master Rodo, Mippy said you needed—”

“Not now, Disty, just rest.” Rodolphus soothed softly, face open. Ditsy blinked at him, nodding. He’s quick to fall back unconscious. “Mippy.” Rodolphus whispered, the pop of Mippy coming quieter than the last. Mippy gasped when she saw Ditsy on the floor and Rabastan healing him.

“Ditsy hurt but elves healed him?!” She sounded frantic. “Master Rodo, what—?”

“Calm down, Mippy.” Rodolphus soothed, drawing her over gently, pulling her into a hug when he registered how much she was shaking. “It was a witches magic, so it was us who could heal it permantely. I have no doubt it would’ve worked on a wixen if you chose to heal them but on another elf? The magics just too different. You did a great job though, you and the others. I’ll be by tomorrow to check with you to see if you’re alright.” Rodolphus told her.

“Oh, Master Rodo, we elves be happy to see you again. You be too busy at the Ministry, too stressed! Even Master Corvus noticed! And Lady Black be visiting more often—make you more stressed!” She scolded him. “Mistress Elena would—” She cut herself off, eyes filling with tears. “Forgive, Mippy, Master Rodo.”

“No, it’s alright, Mippy, I don’t mind you mentioning mother.” Rodolphus whispered. Mippy nodded. “Anyways, I called you to tell my father that Ditsy will be staying at Lestrange Manor for a time. If indefinitely whilst I stay here. Walburga has chosen Ditsy as a weak link to get to Sirius and I will not endanger both Ditsy and Sirius.” Mippy nodded, placing a hand to his cheek.

“Good, Master Rodo, you be thinking like Mistress Elena.” She smirked at his shock and popped away. Rodolphus stared at where she had been before a rasping laugh escaped his throat and he turned to face a furious Rabastan.

“So Walburga did this? Hurt Ditsy?”

“Yes, she did, Basty. But there’s nothing we can do about it.”

“Like hell there’s nothing—”

“Rabastan.” Rodolphus warned, the male slumping.

“Fine, fine.” Rabastan’s eyes go to Kreacher. “So what’s he doing here?”

“I’ll explain at diner. I think the Dark Lord might want to here this as well.” Rabastan nodded, standing and collecting Ditsy into his arms. “Hey, no, I’ll take him, you continue what you were doing.” Rabastan hesitated, glancing down at the elf before sighing and depositing Ditsy into his brothers arms gently. Rodolphus exited the room, sending a pointed look to Evan that had him glancing at Kreacher and nodding. They both knew why Kreacher was there and both of them were wary on things that the elf would learn before they could sever the bond between the elf and Walburga.

He laid Ditsy into his own bed and placed the covers over the young elf before exiting the room and shutting it softly. He’s walking down the hall when he gets tugged into a spare room, the door clicking shut behind him and whoever had grabbed him.

He turns and squints through the dark, frowning.

“We need to talk.”

There’s the click of the fire roaring to life and candles before lighted and in the sudden light, Sirius stares defiantly up at him.