✧SUPRISED GUESTS✧

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Rabastan thought it was stressful when the babes couldn't walk, but gods he didn't think he would have to start thinking about their ability to walk, run and climb things.

He was relieved that Rory had already charmed their room to be fall-proof, because the first time he saw Halsey almost face plant into the floor, he swore he would've had a heart attack.

"It's like they have no sense of gravity!"
"Of course they don't, they're babies." He groaned, still not getting the full concept of what it meant to be a parent.

Unfortunately with the summer finally with them, it called for more attacks on muggle-born families.

Rabastan had been off for the past two nights, which was a shame. But partly because Rory did really need help wrangling the twins, bless the elves. And bless those like her father who wanted to see the kidos.

"Four children, I'm bloody insane." She scoffed to herself, though she still had hope in herself with managing this, especially when her mind lingered at the fact that the Dark Lord had a prophecy conspiring against him.

Once this baby comes will she take all her divination teachings to really find the ending of what the prophecy would have been.

Had it changed?

This was only one-tenth of what went through her mind as she had taken the elevator downstairs to greet a visitor. And it confused her greatly on what he was doing in her foyer.

Lucius Malfoy.

"Ah, Cassiopeia...Beautiful as always." It made her feel sick in hearing a comment coming from his cousin's husband. It was one thing for Rodolphus to tease her as it was more to anger his brother...But this?

She felt a second purpose pop into her mind.

"My husband is at a meeting...As I assumed you all would be at...I'm not being summoned, am I?" The wizard shook his head in a quick downplay to her anxiety.

Honestly she doubted her bladder would be able to handle an hour meeting without getting up three times.

"Not summoned, but I could do with a quick word." Was this the second purpose she felt fester? But in her position, heavily pregnant and without a wand...It's best that she listen to the extend.

And if anything, she could manage to summon a bit of her nexus to call her husband by the bracelet.

"Of course." She offered an extended arm to direct him to the sitting area. Daisy had instantly gotten the hint when checking on her mistress, who began prepping a kettle of tea and finger food.

Though Rory couldn't rightly stomach anything, and Lucius was too posh to really eat sweets that she usually craved.

Aurora took a long sip of her tea as she eyed him once again. "A quick word? Or are you debating with yourself?"
"Not even a surprise that you're a Ravenclaw Cassiopeia, you are really smart for your own good." She didn't take it as a compliment as he had meant, instead he had sighed and placed his partly drunken tea to the table.

"I come with a proposition..." He started, his body relaxed but what was really telling was that he was propping up this question like a business venture.

"I have been married for close to eight years, as you and everyone have noticed...That I am without an heir." Aurora remained silent, dulling her face of course, but she remained silent.

Knowing that it's best to hear it all before lashing out.

"What I am asking, Cassiopeia...Is that you carrying my heir." Cassiopeia Aurora Lestrange nee Black had taken the unfortunate sip of her drink.

And she couldn't hold back as she spat out that gently sip.

"Are you mad?!" She hissed, and he tilted his head before disagreeing.
"Not at all. I am thinking practically. I am the only one of my line, Rodolphus would have surely looked for other opportunities had his brother not created heirs. Two sons as I've heard." Wiping her lips from the remains of tea did she shake her head.

"Not only is this an act of adultery, what makes you think it's smart to talk to a woman about another woman's possibility of being barren? What would Narcissa think, or myself? That you take our child?" Her questions were too telling to the future, and he smirked. She indeed asked the right options.

"You would be praised, the mother of two heir lines?... My Cissy would be given a chance to be a mother." Aurora rolled her eyes, entirely out of character for purebloods.

"And my husband? You took this opportunity when he is out."
"Ask directly if you want directly." Mrs.Lestrange allowed herself a moment as she rallied her options.

"And what suspects that I will be able to give you an heir?" He knew exactly what she was saying, and she smirked.

"For someone who owns a well renowned Apothocary Malfoy, you know nothing of potions or the medical side of it all. Wizards are just as likely to be infertile than witches."
"How dare you—" Her chuckle interrupted him.

"How dare me? Yes I suppose asking to commit adultery and carry your babe is not at all an odd Tuesday afternoon request over tea. Please, Lucius, I'm not thick...But with this mention, I suppose you've been giving your wife a hard issue as well?" He remained silent, completely guilty over the arguments they've had.

"After our incident, I have been attempting for a new sort of potion. But in my condition and my husband's fear, I am unable to continue. Though I am sure Severus would adore a project to rally behind..."
"What is it?" Desperation lingered in his voice as he leaned in further to hear what this potion may entail.

"I would need certain—"
"Take it all. My blood. Narcissa's blood. Anything." She smirked.
"I need your sperm and blood. Though my trials have been anything but empty possibilities." The man was about to sell his soul to Aurora, but in complete character did she lean backward.

"Though this was for Cissy, I don't rightly have any need of helping you Lucius. Especially after you asked me so bluntly to commit adultery." The wizard who was known for carrying his cane with his person had eyed the floor.

"What do you want?" He had given her the power in having the upper hand, so she smiled. "Money." She easily spoke, and that had utterly confused him.

"Money...That is the price for—"
"Lucius, I don't think you understand the life a witch lives. I would have to ask my father for an allowance, and now I have to go through my husband to purchase things. Not that I have anything to hide, but constantly explaining to him why certain ingredients are ungodly expensive. Write it off as a donation. I want my own funds." He cocked a grin, gods was she a damn smart witch.

"Ten million."
"Oh tisk tisk Lucius, we aren't done...I can make the child be a son." Lucius had never grown more excited than hearing those words come from Mrs.Lestrange.

"Ten million for the child...But anything could happen, should the child be a son...I want 25% of your business." Mr.Malfoy's jaw had officially dropped, indeed it was a good offer.

"Very confident in your work aren't you?"
"I'm curious, what did you expect my answer to be Lucius?" His question had been toppled by another, he has been rarely denied. But the idea of a son?

"Twenty million, no percentage."
"No percentage? Are you sure? If I had a bit of the percentage, why would I have to look elsewhere to sell my products? Again, pity." Winking to her cousin's husband did she start to walk away.

"Come back with a better bargain, and nothing will be needed until after this babe is two months...Get out of my manor Lucius." She hadn't bothered to turn back as she needed to check on her babies.

However, it had been barely an hour until another guest had shown up downstairs. And it worried her on the fact that Daisy couldn't recognize who it is nor had asked for a name.

Part of her wanted to dismiss them, but what if it was one of the Order members? Fear overtook her body as she hurried along downstairs.

But instead she too couldn't place who the hell was in her foyer.

"Mrs.Lestrange...Could I have a moment?" She didn't want to pry into his head but she sighed. "I'm sorry, but my husband is busy at the moment and I'm already—"
"Just a moment?" Whether it was the soft spot Rory had for those in need, she allowed a second sitting for tea.

Though she didn't know who the hell this man is.

"Mr.Handson said that you were his favorite student, he talks about you in class."
"I'm sure he's just boasting about his own teachings, I didn't know he went ahead with this semester in teaching again?" This should have been the first red flag, but when talking potions the young girl certainly had too much excitement.

But when asked what she was working on, she knew what he was getting at.

He wanted to know secrets.

"Mr.—"
"Oh please, call me Maximus. Or Max." She gritted her teeth, now she was losing her patience. "Maximus, I am sure you are a very well versed student...And I am glad you came to visit. But I think it's time for you to be heading home." The worry that spread across his face spoke volumes, and before she managed to reveal her wand full.
He shot a paralyzation curse to her body.

"I cannot do that Mrs. Lestrange..." He spoke with a drastic change in pace, almost...Sinisterly. But compared to everyone else in her life, it seemed like child's play.

"...You see, you wronged my family...My brother?" Maximus had been relatively surprised to see how calm Aurora had been. His taunts did not do anything to lay in fear, instead he saw amusement in her eyes.

"Damocles? That ring a bell?" He questioned her as though she could response, the silence was indeed a tick off his sanity as he groaned in damnation.

One thing she could do was change her hair appearance, and perhaps to scare him she changed it to her regular platinum grey.

Aurora had grown fond of the original color she woke up with that morning, and it did indeed get the reaction she craved.

He thought it was his own doing.

"Think you're funny do ya? After what you pulled with my brother, you think I have a chance in the potion field now that you ruined the name Belby?" He inched his face closer, her cheeks catching his decided spit as he was talking far too openly.

And loudly, merlin did he even know how to threaten someone?

From the countdown in her head, the spell that he sent her way should only last about another two and half minutes. But the sudden rip of her sleeve had lost her train of thought.

"No mark...I apologies Madam Lestrange but my brother was convinced that you were apart of them...But then again, witches get a different mark." After yanked her wand from her frozen limb she gulped at his touch in between her legs. How dare he touch her so close to her—

"Not even a wife mark!" He yelled in damnation, his entire demeanor had jumped from calm to this wild animal. It was a solid attempt in drawing her nexus to the charm bracelet, and she begged—prayed that it gave some sort of burn to Rabastan.

And it had. Gods did his wrist burn, and it took all of three seconds to understand what was burning him.
Aurora!

Though he appeared stoic, he was indeed dying in the inside.

What happened? Is it the babe? Is it the twins? Was it the Order?

The meeting was far from done, or for him at least. His brother was being deployed off on a rally attack, and so he signaled his brother from his position.

Causing Rodolphus to wave off his men for a moment to lean forward. "Rory called me on the bracelet." He spoke, gritting his teeth as he looked around the room.

"And? Does she need help picking out the curtains for the nursery or—"
"Aurora doesn't ever use the bracelet." Rodolphus had finally recognized his brother's anxiety, and with the need for Rabastan to his own fleet. It was up to the eldest Lestrange.

"I'll check on her, not to worry brother." Without any delay had the uncle kicked into gear, so soon after had he arrived at the previous summer home of his parents did he plow through.

"Bloody damn what is their elf's name?" He spoke into the air, but the sound of a male's voice instantly brought him into gear.

Perhaps her SOS had been telling to her situation.

He continued cautiously, but seeing the image of a stranger anywhere near his sister or his nephew caused him to throw a curse.

Maximus had toppled off towards the far wall, groaning once he had finally stopped his momentum. Roldophus had revived Aurora's limbs and she graced her lungs with a long breath.

The curse never gave the victim enough to really breathe, but as she was catching her breath she clutched her heart.

"Before I kill him...What has he done to you sister?" A cough settled her throat as she looked teary-eyed to her brother. Though she kept up her image, she had been truly terrified.

Especially when he had threatened her child.

"He's Damocles Belby brother." She whispered out, her throat still feeling utterly constricted. Rodolphus had held her shoulder and kneed down beside her, attempting to gain her attention. But her hands had wrapped around the likes of her stomach.

"He threatened the baby, Rodolphus he—" She hadn't been able to finish her sentence before the Death Eater fired another curse in the intruder's direction.

"What gives you the right to keep breathing...Speak! What have you done to my sister?!" It was far too obvious, with her dress parted between the less, her sleeve ripped and the sleeves unbuttons.

"Everything." He coughed up, spitting blood onto his attacker's coat, he was sent to find a Death Eater and here one is. Though the wizard was not going to be let off the hook.

Nor was any help coming.

"He was looking for my mark...Going to turn me into the authorities to—" Another curse had been fired. And there was going to be no subtle release.

Or not until Aurora had gained herself a little better, though everything was indeed fuzzy. "Rodolphus...He wants evidence of the Dark Lord...Let us give him the evidence." A dark grin spread across his face, but then concern rallied him back and away from the unconscious man.

"Shall I call a healer? Cissy? Snape? What do you need?" The poor woman was shaking, and while she had taken her hand to wipe away a tearing eye, it didn't stop her from leaning her head forward, looking for a bit of comfort.

The rigid man of Rodolphus Lestrange had locked any and all movement, he wasn't the type to seek out affection nor give it. But he did wrap a further hold around his sister, after something so damn close...He was sure to be protective of her.

"I'll send Mrs.Avery on over, I'll take him to Rabastan and the Dark Lord." She mouthed a thank you as there wasn't any voice left in her.

Master Lestrange had barked orders left and right, he hadn't left his sister completely alone. Setting her in the family room, an elf guarding the babes, plus Loki and Nymira coddling the likes of their mum.

When he did leave, Mrs.Avery was already rushing to her friend's aid with the need of getting a proper story to it all. But it was exhilarating being able to drag a jelly-filled wizard off into the snake pit.

He didn't bother with setting him down gently, instead he threw him into the center as the Death Eaters parted ways and stared at the stranger.

McNair could've sworn some around him licked his lips at the sight of fresh meat to torture.

"Rodolphus...What is this newcomer?" A dark chuckle ranked his entire body as he bowed to the higher authority.
"This one decided to snoop and threaten my unborn Nephew, Cassiopeia is alright." The last comment had been more for his brother than the rest of the crowd.

"He was looking for evidence to see if she has the Dark Mark, I thought it best he gets the attention he deserves." Voldermort had held his crooked grin as his eyes trailed to Maximus.

"Indeed. Rabastan, come here." The wizard wasted no time to come closer to the scene, especially after hearing all that had transpired.

His son and wife, threatened?!

"What would you have me do Rabastan?"
"Killing him is too kind, my Lord. I'm sure everyone could get a go." The rally of Death Eaters had shouted and cheered their agreement.

But Rabastan had the first strike of his strongest curse, was the nuptial rites coming into play in coursing an extra dose into his magic? Yes. And Voldemort had instantly caught wind of this.

And he wanted to get to the bottom of it.

They left Maximus on the brink of death, but the sweet release of Death was not in his favor as they settled him in the Malfoy's cellar.

Avery had joined Rabastan to his manor, especially after hearing that his wife had joined Aurora in support after what happened. The two rushed in, and almost instantly had he thrown orders off to the house-elves.

Bitter comments about how they failed him and their mistress in not protecting her, they had been guilt-ridden at this scolding.

Either wizard hadn't been able to get near the family den before Amelia had come out with a shake of her head. "She hasn't spoken a word since your brother left Rabastan..." His fists clenched further at hearing how his wife was coping, he ordered for Snape to be called, just in sight of having someone to brew a quick potion at the ready.

When Rabastan entered the family room, he caught his wife getting some rest. But when she finally heard someone come in and it sent her into a panic.

"Rory, it's me. It's Raba...Breathe for me love." It took him cupping her cheeks rather forcefully in order for her to see reason. She had, she began melting into his hold, even leaning forward to hideaway.

There was little to say between the two, it was as though Aurora could never catch her breath for even a moment.

Whomever Maximus Belby is, he had retained a surplus of information. He knew about the two dire wolves, knew where to look in hopes of finding a mark, wife or otherwise.

While Rabastan tortured the bastard to the ends of his sanity, he thought about his wife. How she was trapped in a shell of her body without being able to move.

Had the man done anything worse? Could he have? Rabastan doubted that there was a darker level than threatening a pregnant witch.

A pureblood pregnant witch.

"Snape is coming, I want him to check you over love...Tell me love, are you in any pain?" She shook her head, opening her mouth and failing to voice herself.

Though he watched like a hawk as her hand rubbed her tum, her shaking hand interlocked with Rabastan as the baby had started to kick.

A breathy sob escaped Rabastan as he bowed his head down, a failure. He was going to hear it from everyone, though the bracelet was his idea, he was still at fault.

"I've failed again Aurora...I've failed you and Ronan, there was nothing you could do. He confessed to it all, the Dark Lord is after Damocles." She remained silent, even her sobs had been quiet.

Rabastan could only sit beside her, and soon after she had slipped to lay her head into his lap. He had never been happier to know that exhaustion had gotten the best of her than now, it meant that her body forced her to relax.

A knock had sounded softly, and far too quickly had a head popped in. Regulus. He had been present at the rally, even threw a few curses to the poor bastard bleeding out in the cells. But he shared that Snape has arrived and Rabastan allowed the two to join while Avery and a few others such as Bella and his brother attempted to fix the shields...

They were tampered with.

Snape hadn't brought more than basic tonics and otherwise, but running a quick diagnostic allowed him to realize how much anxiety had wracked her small body.

"Your wife is fine Rabastan, he accomplished nothing more than a panic attack...Though she seemed to have used wandless magic, it drained her." The husband hadn't stopped running his hand through her hair in an attempt to soothe her away from the close voices.

"Her wand is—"
"Rodolphus has it," Regulus explained, it must've been swiped whilst she was paralyzed. Had his wife not been lying on him, he would've returned to the Malfoy maner and killed him had there been any sexual abuse against her.

Even a sliver.

Severus claimed he wanted to use Aurora's potion labs to brew a few tonics, claiming that would aid her in relaxing and rejuvenating all the magic that she lost.

With her metamorphic abilities still trying to combat down, especially since she still had her grey hair from trying to distract Maximus.

This ability paired with housing the baby and nursing two others?

"Avery's right, she needs a vacation."
"She's too far into the last trimester to travel anymore Reg, could you tell your father what happened I can't—" Regulus agreed, though he wanted to stay a bit longer, or until Severus administered the potion and followed the couple to the master bedroom.

There most of the house had been emptied, however Rodolphus and Bella remained. They stuck close to the babes and gave them the attention that their parents couldn't at the moment.

Not that it was much of a difference, either was a Black or a Lestrange by birth and the similarities in Aurora and Bellatrix were more than half.

Rabastan had been delicate while changing his wife from her lounge dress into something comfortable, but even after the potion enacted and his wife settled...Her hair did not return to normal.

*

The following day Aurora didn't want anything to do with the events of yesterday. Thoughts of listening to Maximus' intentions on ripping out her unborn baby to feel the same kind of pain that they felt?

Not to forget Lucius' proposition.

All Aurora wanted was a full English breakfast, she wanted to be in the presence of the garden, and she wanted her babes close to her.

Rabastan stayed close as well, this was entirely similar to what happened the previous year where she had almost been captured.

And have it be the Order to question this odd disappearance of a potion student.

Aurora explained the situation, now feeling numb just two days after it all...Sirius and Remus were indeed outraged that this was able to happen, and now it boosted up security tenfold.

Whatever Maximus had done to the shields was damaging, but now it was a grand trap to anyone who dared enter the Lestrange Maner with damning reasoning.

At this point whenever Rabastan is called to the Dark Lord, one of the many in line would babysit Aurora. Amelia would, however she too was getting to the point in her pregnancy where traveling was rough on the babe.

Orion was at the top of the list right beside Narcissa, either informed about the incident. But neither of them questioned her directly about it, which was a blessing...Though that didn't stop the fear from growing in the pit of her stomach that her children are always going to be in danger.

Why hadn't that hit her before?

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Date Posted: 10-16-19

Time: 11:20

Words: 4095