Lestrange Journey Part 1

Chapter 3

Harry supported Rodolphus carefully as they made their slow, unsteady way back to their room. Rodolphus leaned heavily against him, every step draining what little strength he had left. By the time they reached the door, Rodolphus barely had the energy to stand. Harry guided him gently to the bed, and with a weak sigh, Rodolphus collapsed, curling up against Harry like a fading flame.

The next morning, Harry shook Rodolphus gently. His partner’s eyes fluttered open—groggy, unfocused, and heavy with fatigue. With sluggish movements, Rodolphus took his anti-nausea and nutrition potions before they began their morning routine. As they moved through the halls, every Death Eater they passed instinctively stepped aside, avoiding unnecessary contact, the quiet tension thick in the air.

Entering the dining room, a heavy silence fell over the space. All eyes fixed on them, the weight of their stares almost physical. Rodolphus growled low, irritation roughening his voice. “Didn’t you learn last night? Use words, not faces. Geez.”

From the head of the table, Tom chuckled, turning with lazy amusement. “Rodolphus, they will never learn. I warned them.”

A sly smirk crept onto Rodolphus’s lips as he turned to Harry, eyes gleaming with mischief. “Harry, dear, may I have my wand, please?”

Harry raised a skeptical brow. “Is that really a good idea?”

Rodolphus pouted like a spoiled child. “Please? I swear I won’t hurt anyone.”

With a resigned sigh, Harry handed over the wand. Rodolphus flicked his wrist with practiced ease, sending sharp, stinging hexes darting across the room. Yelps of surprise and scramble filled the air as the Death Eaters dodged, their faces twisting in annoyance and pain. Rodolphus handed the wand back, his smirk now a triumphant grin.

Harry laughed softly. “Feeling better, love?”

Rodolphus exhaled, the irritation fading. “Much. Their staring was unbearable.”

Harry’s smile softened. “Good. Now, sit and eat.”

As they settled, Tom’s voice cut through their moment. “How are you after last night? We were worried.”

Rodolphus shrugged, rubbing the fatigue from his face. “Better. Got some sleep.”

Harry turned to Severus. “Sev, can you prepare a month’s supply of anti-nausea potions?”

Without hesitation, Severus nodded. “Of course. Should I stock nutrition potions as well?”

Harry answered with a nod. “Yes, please.”

Rodolphus absently picked up a cracker smeared with peanut butter, taking a cautious bite. A low hum of surprise escaped him—it was oddly comforting. More crackers appeared on his plate as his mind wandered, considering a thank-you for the attentive house-elves.

Suddenly, the dining room doors burst open.

Tippy, a frantic house-elf, hurried in, her small frame trembling. “Master Rodolphus! Someone’s trying to break into the manor!”

Rabastan shot up, alarm flashing. “What? Who? How?”

Tippy’s wide eyes flickered with panic. “It’s her! She’s provoking the wards—trying to break through!”

Rodolphus growled, low and dangerous. “Are the wards holding?”

“Barely,” Tippy whispered. “Mistress and Master are furious; their magic is activating!”

Rodolphus and Rabastan exchanged a sharp look, their grips tightening around their wands. The air buzzed with charged magic as they chanted, forcing the intruders to materialize before them.

Four figures stood in the room.

Rabastan’s voice was cold steel. “Who are you?”

Rodolphus narrowed his eyes. “How did you find the manor?”

The first answered quickly. “We were hired to break in.”

The second confirmed grimly, “It’s true.”

The third added, “She paid us.”

All four gestured at Bellatrix.

Rodolphus and Rabastan’s eyes locked on her, simultaneous venom in their voices: “You bitch.”

Harry’s incredulous voice cut through the tension. “Bellatrix, why?”

Tom’s gaze hardened, icy and sharp. “A very good question.”

Bellatrix sneered, unbothered. “There’s something of mine in the manor. I couldn’t get in, so I hired these fools.”

Rodolphus scoffed. “What could possibly be yours here?”

Rabastan rolled his eyes. “Last time we checked, you didn’t belong.”

Bellatrix’s smirk widened. “My ring. The Blacks gave it to the Lestranges—it’s a Black artifact. I want it back.”

Rabastan barked a laugh. “Oh, that old thing? Not even in the manor—it’s in my pocket.”

Rodolphus blinked. “What?”

Rabastan pulled out a simple but elegant ring. “This.” Without hesitation, he snapped it in half.

Magic erupted, swirling around Rodolphus like a shimmering shield. He stumbled, stunned. “Um, what?”

Bellatrix shrieked in fury. “No! How could you? It was mine!”

Rabastan smirked. “No, it wasn’t. It was made for him—or his chosen spouse. The Blacks crafted it as a protection charm. Now it’s bound to him, and no one else can use it.”

Harry pulled a similar ring from his pocket, frowning. “The Potters have one too.”

Rodolphus and Rabastan stared in unison. “Break it.”

Without hesitation, Harry snapped his ring. Magic swirled, wrapping Rabastan in a shimmering shield. He gaped at Harry. “Um… why?”

Harry’s voice was steady. “Potter blood attracts twins. I was waiting for the right moment to mention it.”

Bellatrix, consumed by rage, hurled a curse at Rodolphus. It rebounded violently, striking her. She screamed and collapsed.

Harry exhaled sharply, patience snapped. “What is wrong with you? You’re insane.”

Rodolphus rubbed his temples, exhaustion clear. “Can we be done with this? I’m drained.”

He leaned against Rabastan, who handed him a recovery potion. Rodolphus drank gratefully, his body relaxing. “When was the last time we dealt with this nonsense?”

Tippy returned, panting. “Master, wards are repaired. The elves will keep the manor secure.”

Rodolphus nodded faintly. “Thank you, Tippy. Give my regards to your family.”

The elf beamed, vanishing with a small pop.

Rabastan snorted. “Did she finally get laid?”

Rodolphus chuckled, yawning. “Last year. Met her kids—they’re just as loyal as she is.”

Harry raised an eyebrow, caught off guard. “Um…”

Rodolphus waved a hand lazily. “Our family created blood wards. When the house is threatened, the elves, connected by magic, activate ancient protections. Only we can control them. Parents made sure of that.”

Harry nodded slowly. “Right.”

Rabastan leaned back, smirking. “Well, now that the drama’s over—can we eat?”

Rodolphus sighed deeply. “Finally.”

Breakfast resumed, but the tension lingered—Bellatrix’s shadow wasn’t done yet.