Too Much That Time Cannot Erase (Rabastan)

Rodolphus’ baby brother was remarkably well suited to entertaining children. Aurora absolutely adored her uncle, and it was clear the feeling was mutual. Not only was Rodolphus’ first born – currently his only child – a little princess in the eyes of Britain's wizarding world, she was most definitely a princess to those that loved her. A spoiled little princess with hidden presents in her bedroom a mere three days before her birthday which, as it always was, would be a spectacle to behold, with a guest list that rivaled the paramount of any social elite’s parties. Rodolphus’ secretary actual had a list of names who had not been invited who were still clambering to attend and offering all manner of bribes to receive an invitation. The highest bidders may, in fact, find themselves in the Lestrange ballroom come Sunday but nothing was for certain, especially with Rodolphus currently in such a foul mood.

His daughter and his brother had their little back and forth, and Rodolphus watched with a detached sense of warmth. He worked hard to keep his anger from Aurora’s sight, but so many years of allowing his home to be the sanctuary that did not require the well-mannered gentleman façade he portrayed to the rest of the world made it difficult, particularly when Aurora’s mother liked to push his buttons. Aurora squealed and dashed up the stairs towards her bedroom without a backwards glance towards her father. It was for the best. Mopsy followed along silently and Rodolphus’ gaze turned towards his brother.

Crossing the foyer into the living room, Rodolphus was greeted again by the servant, this time with the glass of scotch he had requested. When Rabastan declined a drink, the servant scurried from the room. Rodolphus moved with heavy footsteps toward the window, staring out over the property his brother called his own. He could hear the creaking of springs as Rabastan’s slender frame sank into a chair behind him. In one large gulp, Rodolphus had drank nearly half his drink, not even really tasting it but more needing its effects to sooth the beast inside that threatened to break free. “Murder would be simpler,” he said darkly, his eyes fixated on the trees at the edge of the well-maintained property. “It would require less questions from my daughter and be swifter in freeing me from this Hell.” Another large sip and his fresh glass was now nearly empty. Rodolphus drank too much, too often but there were times that called for alcohol and this was certainly one of them.

Roddy turned away from the window slightly, finally looking at his brother over his shoulder, the same furious rage in his eyes that Rabastan had seen in the foyer. “But I have been advised to take legal maneuvers to rectify my situation, which means a drawn-out divorce and the scrutiny of the public as they determine for themselves who is to blame for the demise of my marriage.” Rabastan was not unaware that Rodolphus and Bellatrix were on bad terms for the last half a decade. Rodolphus would often show up at his brother’s doorstep in need of an ear and someone to listen to him make threats against his wife without calling the MLE on him. The idea of a divorce had been thrown about casually between the brothers before but Rodolphus’ tone made it clear to his younger brother that this was not a hypothetical scenario any longer. This was different. He had brought Aurora with him, after all, and that had never been the case before. She was always safe with her mother or their own servants at home when Rodolphus came to moan about his selfish bitch of a wife to his brother. There were reasons now that Roddy had deemed it necessary to bring Aurora along with him, to keep her under his watch. She would not be turned against him by her mother’s influence.

"You're finally going ahead with it." The word ‘finally’ struck a chord. He took another drink and sat in the armchair nearest his brother. How many times had Rodolphus intruded upon his brother’s solitude to bemoan his failing marriage and laugh at the idea of killing her or disgracing Bellatrix by dragging her name through the mud and mentally torturing her in a way that would far exceed the shit she had put Rodolphus through over the years. Ten years they had been married, and not only were they parents to a single child – a daughter, no less – but Bellatrix was now adamantly refusing to give him anymore children. For years it wasn’t something discussed at all, then it was only discussed when tensions were already high, and tempers flared. It was a way for them to hurt each other. Rodolphus truly thought the winds had changed. She was acting different lately, more romantic and supportive. And yet when the subject was broached yet again she put her foot down. He had closed the door on the opportunity for more children by his behavior when his daughter was born. A reaction now that Rodolphus regrets, but he was young and foolhardy, and was so certain that it was Bella’s family curse that had stolen away his heir, his son, and left him with a daughter who’s only worth would be in marrying her off to another family and losing the Lestrange legacy.

Leaning forward in his chair, Rodolphus rested his forearms on his thighs, his drink in his right hand. He heaved a heavy sigh as his brother graciously offered to murder his wife to avoid a public divorce. Rod gave a single burst of laughter at the suggestion. “Thank you, brother.” He clapped his free hand on his brother’s knee. “If anyone could do it cleanly, it would be you.” That was the truth, if you didn’t include Rodolphus himself in the pool of potential murderers. Rabastan very much looked up to his older brother and as such he followed Rodolphus into the service of the Dark Lord where he honed his skills as a murderer and spy. “But I’m afraid I cannot ask that of you. I want there to be nothing that could possibly come between you and Aurora. She needs her Uncle Horse Arse, or whatever the fuck she calls you. Besides,” Rodolphus straightened himself, resting his glass on the arm of his chair, “the Dark Lord wouldn’t be pleased if his little pet wound up dead.” In the chasm of his relationship with Bellatrix had grown a new relationship between his wife and their master. Rodolphus wasn’t certain it was sexual, but he could see that Bella wanted it to be. She had said as much straight to his face, claiming she would give Voldemort as many children as he wanted but Rodolphus would have none. Selfish fucking cunt.

Rabastan made a joke and Rodolphus gave another short chuckle. He raised his glass to his face and stop just before the rim touched his lips. “She’s been trying that for years,” he retorted, then took a large swallow of his scotch.

Yes, Bella would need to be brought down a peg or eight before they could do anything fun with her. Who knew, perhaps disgracing her in the eyes of her beloved Lord Voldemort would be enough that Bellatrix would take her own life and leave Rodolphus to raise his daughter in peace, but Rod knew he was hoping for too much. If they couldn’t kill her, ruining her reputation would have to do, but why stop with the Dark Lord’s opinion of the psychotic bitch? Why not ruin her standing in the wizarding community as well? The Blacks had already lost one of their daughters to disgrace, and with Narcissa’s inability to produce a living heir it was likely they would soon turn their backs on another. Throw Bellatrix into the mix and wipe out the whole line. Bella’s uncle and aunt’s family were hardly fairing any better. They at least had sons, but Sirius was a complete loss and they were left with only a single Black heir to carry on the entire family’s name, and as far as Rodolphus was aware, Regulus wasn’t settling down anytime soon.

“Thank you, brother.” Rodolphus already knew that his brother would assist in protecting his daughter, without question, but there was a sense of relief that came with hearing it say aloud. For all the dramatics Rodolphus had gone through at his daughter’s birth, he truly loved her and would be beyond distraught should anything ever happen to her. She was his little princess, and he didn’t even want to think about the sort of influence her mother could have on her should Bellatrix retain custody of their child.

Rodolphus regaled his brother with the details of their latest argument and the glorious conclusion that left Bella with a stack full of legal papers. The story began much in the same way as many of the stories in which Rodolphus complained about his wife. The topic of more children was not anything new, and with Bella finally beginning to let him in again, he was optimistic about broaching the subject once more. He was wrong. So very wrong. Their argument lasted all through the night and was more of a war than an argument. She had thrown things at him. He returned the favor with a few purposely off-target blasting spells; close enough to singe her hair and make his point. She might have been the Dark Lord’s favorite, but when Voldemort needed someone important murdered, he called Rodolphus to get the job done. The only real difference in their fight this time was a single sentence uttered by Bellatrix that sent Rodolphus over the edge; a threat against Aurora. After soothing his rage with a little double homicide, Rodolphus, instead of following his traditional routine of easing the annoyance of his marital woes with several rounds of rowdy shagging with his mistress, found himself at the home of his family’s barrister. He demanded divorce papers be drawn up and noted that the man would quite literally lose his head if Rodolphus didn’t obtain full custody of his daughter.

There was no point in waiting until the next morning. Returning home in the dead of night, Rodolphus barged into their bedroom where Bellatrix was sleeping and woke her with a violent yell. He threw the papers at her and with a dark, vicious snarl he commanded her to pack her things and be gone by the next evening.

Rodolphus agreed with his brother’s statement. Fuck it, indeed. He wasn’t concerned about finding another partner to bare his sons. That would be the easy part of it, and Rodolphus would greatly enjoy taking every potential match for a test drive in the proverbial bedroom – if he hadn’t done so already. No, Rodolphus would not be single for long and for that at least he was happy. The news of her eldest son’s divorce was likely to traumatize his mother and knowing he would have a good woman to take care of him would ease her mind greatly, even if she did fully and truly believe no one could love her son like she did. While Ceres wasn’t completely in the dark about her son’s marital woes, he had tried to spare her any unnecessary worry but limiting his public complaints about Bellatrix to mostly his brother and on occasion his father. Women only needed to know what directly affected them, so Ceres was informed on occasion that another grandchild would be in the future but the precise time was uncertain. If she ever began asking too many questions, Rod could easily shut her up by distracting her with some news of Aurora’s recent accomplishments. Even the most benign detail was like the cherry on an already sweet sundae for the proud grandmum.

Rod lifted his glass and gave a slight nod in his brother’s direction as Rabastan topped off his drink and began discussing Rodolphus’ future prospects. “Maybe I’ll make it a hat trick,” he remarked of the Burke sisters, though he hadn’t actually slept with his baby brother’s wife-to-be he was quiet familiar with what laid between her legs and if her sisters were half as sweet as Lilith Burke, Rodolphus wouldn’t mind giving them a go.

Clinking glasses, Rodolphus gave a weary smile. “Freedom,” he repeated. The word sounded sweeter on this end of the paper trail that led to an official divorce. Freedom from the psychotic cunt he called a wife. Freedom to bring more Lestrange heirs into the world. And – for a few months at least – to not have to hide his affairs in dark corners and shady pubs. He could flirt freely, within reason, and not worry that he was going to end up on the front page of the Daily Prophet in some scandal he’d have to pay and schmooze his way out of. It was going to be a glorious time and Rodolphus would enjoy every sodding moment of it.

The Burke sisters were all lovely in their own way, but Roddy had only had the pleasure of fooling around with one of them thus far. Rabastan was in the dark about his older brother’s affair with his fiancée and for peace in the family, Rod knew it should remain that way. He couldn’t help it though, if it came out in a drunken stupor one night, but he’d hold it in until after the pair were married. Rabastan, ever the dutiful son, would be sure to not disgrace the Lestrange family further by being the second man in the family to lose his wife, even if Rodolphus wasn’t so much “losing” his as he was chucking her in the bin with the rest of the spoiled rubbish. Rod could fool himself into believing his actions wouldn’t tarnish the Lestrange name but in truth it would only be a speck of dust compared to what could have been if he had bothered to wait around and allow Bellatrix to make good on her threats against his daughter. If she managed anything, Rodolphus wouldn’t hesitate to kill her and while he had dissuaded his brother from doing just that, there was a not so hidden part of him that wanted someone to take care of it nevertheless. Aurora would never see her mother again, if Rodolphus had anything to say about it. How he would address it with the little princess was something he hadn’t bothered to ponder yet. He would deal with it in time.

A devilish grin flashed across his brother’s face and Rodolphus quirked his thick brow at the expression. He couldn’t tell exactly what Rabastan was plotting but it looked to be something rather amusing, at least for Rabastan. The brothers had no problem taking the Mickey out on one another and their pranks sometimes went a bit far, though it was always done with a twinge of love set firmly behind a very heavy veil of black humor. He would have asked Rabastan what wicked games were rolling through his mind, but his brother spoke first, and the conversation was detained. “Brilliant plan,” though Roddy was certain this idea for a bloke’s night out was not the plan that had caused the evil glimmer in Rabastan’s eye. “I’ll need to arrange a security detail for Aurora. I’m not letting that cunt anywhere near her.”

As if on cue, Aurora’s voice broke through the room. “What’s a cunt?” she asked innocently.

Rodolphus burst into laughter at the question as Aurora came around to their chairs and crawled into her uncle’s lap, sniffing at the liquid in his glass. “You get the lads. I’ll ring father and tell him he’s got company tonight,” Roddy said to his brother. Then, turning his attention to his daughter, Rodolphus asked, “want to go visit grandad?” to which the little witch nodded excitedly, knowing lollies and chocolates were always provided without having to ask when she was at her grandparents’ castle.