Chapter 6
Chapter 6
Rudolphus was granted an audience with the Dark Lord just after lunch. When he arrived he entered the room and stood near a wall waiting to be acknowledged.
Several minutes pass before the Dark Lord looks up.
‘Ah, Rudolphus. Lovely to see you again, Lucius mentioned you needed to see me?’
Rudolphus walks over to the center of the room and bows before his Lord. ‘Yes my Lord. This is a sensitive matter. May I speak freely?’
‘Sit with me. Tell me what is so sensitive.’
‘Bella and I have found our daughter. It has been confirmed that Dumbledore was directly involved. She is now living with us. Her adoptive parents have been obliviated. And I need to request that we have the opportunity to enact punishment on Dolohov. He severely injured her and she will be recovering for weeks to come.’
Rudolphus explained it all quickly. He knew that the Dark Lord reacted better to knowing all the information up front.
‘I can see why you needed to speak with me urgently. You did leave out a very important detail. WHO is your daughter?’
‘Hermione Granger.’ Rudolphus says this in a hushed tone. In all his rambling he didn't realize that he had missed that important detail.
‘Oh really? That is interesting. Are you, as a family, keeping this a secret?’ Rudolphus nods his head. ‘Did she say why she wanted to have her parents obliviated?’
‘No, my Lord but when I was performing the spell I found very few fond memories in their heads of her. I can only assume that she had always felt a disconnect with them. She did mention that she only learned recently of her adoption.’
‘Will she agree to meet me?’
‘Not yet, my Lord, she is healing. Soon, she will meet family. After she has had time to heal she requests to assist in finding whomever helped with her kidnapping. Sometime around that it will come out who she is. In the meantime, we will try to explain to her that a meeting with you is in her best interest. She will not be ordered around. She is however open to discussions regarding herself, her safety, and possibly many other topics. She loves to do research and is top of her class.’
‘I look forward to seeing how the world acclimates itself to your daughter. You will not seek revenge on Dolohov until she is known to the world. After all it wouldn't do for him to be attacked without knowing why he was being punished, now would it?’
‘Thank you my lord. I will continue to update you on this situation as it progresses.’
‘Do that. I presume you will be sticking close to home for the foreseeable future?’
‘Yes my lord.’
‘Good. tell your daughter that we hope for a speedy recovery. Let me know if there is anything else you need. Have a nice day.’
Rudolpus stood, and left the room quickly. One did not dawdle when the Dark Lord had dismissed you. Moments later he arrives at home intending to search for his wife and daughter.
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Bella left Lyra outside on a lounge chair with a book to relax until dinner. After checking on the meal Bella headed to the sitting room knowing that Roddy would be home soon. A few minutes later he arrives through the floo. Bella stands to greet her husband with a kiss.
‘I'm so happy you are home. I have so much to tell you about my day. Lyra called me mother after you left. I asked and she said we could invite family over one at a time. I think she is concerned about getting overwhelmed and she is still recovering. She also told me about school. I will tell you about it this evening after she is in bed. It didn't seem like she wanted to tell it all twice.’
‘That is good Bella, and I look forward to learning more about our daughter's time at school. Everyone wants to meet her but they understand her condition. Draco was shocked to hear about a cousin. Moreso, when he learned who she was. I think we should have him over tomorrow. He is eager to apologize for his behavior to her over the years. Do you think she will be up for it?’
‘Roddy, let's ask her at dinner. If so, I can floo Malfoy Manor before bed. What else did you do today?’
Bella leads Roddy through the house and outside to where Lyra is reading.
‘Lyra? Your father is home and it is almost time for dinner.’
‘Hello father, how was your day?’
‘It was long but overall I think it was a productive one. How was your day? Did you get some rest?’
‘I did, thank you for asking. I'm going to go inside and get ready for dinner. Excuse me.’
‘Oh course darling. We will see you inside.’
Over dinner, Roddy talks about his day. He explains about his conversation with the Dark Lord. Lyra agrees that at some point in the future she will have a meeting with the Dark Lord. Dinner is finished and Lyra is about to say goodnight when her father stops her.
‘Lyra? Before you go, your mother told me she talked with you about meeting the family one at a time?’
‘Yes father.’
‘Would you be able to meet with Draco tomorrow? He is eager to meet his cousin.’
‘I suppose. I may need to rest in the morning but is it possible he could visit for lunch?’
‘I'm sure that can be arranged. Good night daughter. I will see you at breakfast.’
‘Good night father.’
Bella walks up to her husband and wraps her arms around him.
‘I'm going to go talk to Cissa. I will be home later.’
‘Enjoy,’ he says as he kisses her. A moment later Bella disappears into the floo.
*.*
When Bella arrives at Malfoy Manor she sees Draco reading in the sitting room.
‘Draco. Where are your parents this evening?’
‘I think they have already retired to their room. Is there anything I can help you with Aunt Bella?’
‘Yes, are you busy tomorrow?’
‘No, I don't think so.’
‘Good. you must come over for lunch. It will be a good time to meet your cousin.’
‘Are you sure she wants to see me? We don't normally get along. I plan to apologize.’
‘She agreed to see you. Anything further will be between you and her. Understood?’
‘Yes Aunt Bella. I will be there for lunch.’
‘Good. Tell your mother I will owl her about tea later this week. Enjoy the rest of your evening.’
‘I will. Night Aunt Bella.’
A moment later Bella was back in her home. She began to search for her husband. She found him in their room. As she gets ready for bed Bella begins regaling her husband with the story her daughter shared about school. By the end, neither of them were fond of ‘Ron’ but knew there was nothing they could do about the friends their daughter chose to keep.
*.*