Should Have Seen This Coming

Rabastan’s remarks about Dorcas would have normally earned him a loving punch in the face – not hard enough to do any real damage but possibly enough to cause a bruise, perhaps some blood. They didn’t have the time for their version of brotherly love however, and Roddy suspected Rabby was taking advantage of the opportunity.

The door to the bookshop opened, the familiar tinkle of the bell above the door signaling the boys into action. Sybil Trelawny stepped out onto the street and Roddy stepped forward, grabbing her tightly around the arm and ensuring his brother took up her other side before he smirked. “Hello, love.” They turned and disapparated from Diagon Alley without leaving so much as a muffled scream in their wake.

Trelawney screamed as soon as their feet touched stone floor but Roddy simply released her and walked away, allowing Rabastan to deal with disarming her. He removed his sunglasses and allowed his eyes to adjust to the dimmer light. They were in his dungeon, the silencing spell and other wards already in place around the perimeter. He enjoyed having company here, so close to home and yet so private. No one, aside from the Dark Lord himself, knew they were down here. Dorcas and Aurora were only a floor or two overhead and completely unaware of the goings on beneath their feet. Roddy would have liked to torture the Divination professor with his wife, marital bonding or some shit like that, but Lord Voldemort had instructed the brothers to handle it and to keep it quiet, and Rodolphus complied.

“Ah, let her scream,” he instructed his brother who was already complaining about her shrill tones. He looked at the woman directly and smiled as he stooped to pick up her discarded wand. “I like it when they scream. Go on, love. Let’s hear those pipes.” Sybil continued shrieking, begging someone, anyone to help her. Rodolphus’ smile grew wider and his hands moved back and forth as if he were conducting an orchestra, clearly enjoying himself. Without warning, Rodolphus slapped her hard across the face, knocking the witch to the ground with another pathetic wail. “I’m told you’ve got the sight, Sybil.” The witch’s eyes went wide at the realization that he knew her. This was not a random attack as she had feared, but something worse. “Give us a little fortune, then. Tell us what you know and we can be done with this all.”

From her collapsed position on the dungeon floor, Sybil looked between the brothers, terror in her eyes. “I- I don’t know anything.” Her voice was shaky and weak. “The Inner Eye does not See upon command,” she added almost pleadingly. “That’s a pity,” Rodolphus smirked, though he didn’t seem to find it too pitiful at all. He rather looked quite pleased with her confession, because it meant he got to have fun a little longer. Raising his wand with a theatrical gesture, he grinned, caramel eyes wide with intent. “No! No!” she pleaded, but it was too late. “Crucio!”

Rodolphus laughed boisterously as the witch claimed to see the brothers’ demise. Rabastan’s reaction was splendid, so understated as he always was. He had no flair for these sorts of matters but he accomplished the job nicely and Roddy did enjoy working with him. They made a good pair which was why the Dark Lord often had then team up. It was either that or Voldemort thought Rabastan needed a bit of support and felt his big brother was best to keep the lad in line. Arrogance wanted to say it was the latter but Rodolphus knew it was the former. Rabastan sat back in his chair and Rodolphus spoke up, leaving the woman little downtime. “Perhaps you need a little coaxing, hmm? A new perspective might help.” He slashed his wand through the air and at once the Divination Professor’s feet flew out from under her, stringing her upside down, suspended in midair. “Come on, love. Tell me you see nothing again. Give me a reason to gut you like a worthless little pig and decorate the walls with your intestines. All I need is your sweet silence and then it’s play time.”