✧GREYING HAIR✧

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Rabastan had been held against his will at Avery's manor in the hopes that when he finally returns, that his wife is calmed down.

When Amelia heard of what happened, she too was about a moment away from slapping Rabastan. With Mrs.Avery's pregnancy, her husband didn't want her to go to the Lestrange manor.

Nor could he or anyone else really go, the only word they had gotten was from Regulus', which was basically an overlay of how the conversation in the family den had gone.

Cassiopeia Aurora Lestrange has given up, after almost dying on account three times. Had her heartbroken from the same man, again and again, there comes a time when it becomes numb and she cannot expect anything more.

Promises? Broken.

With all the information Rabastan decided to stay in hiding at his mate's manor, only to return to his own...Come to find out Aurora had taken the kids to France for two days.

It was a bitter feeling, she took the kids. Did she now think he was unfit to parent? It was simply him withholding information, though now he could sort of see why it would affect the future.

The two days off in France passed far too quickly for Aurora's taste, but she wasn't about to change the date of her return. Running from problems never solved anything, but if she stayed another minute in that house she most likely would've killed him.

Instead she was allowed to simmer down, with only the company of the twins.

Complete and utter calmness, and even better? Rabastan wasn't home when she returned, which allowed her to take the liberty of sleeping in her bed without disruption.

However Rabastan had simply been off with his mates to give his wife a moment to settle into the house once again, only to find his children were asleep and as is his wife.

Tiptoeing into the room and getting ready for bed had been decided last minute, even with the few days apart it was evident that his wife hadn't gotten any good sleep.

Bags were under her eyes, a frown embedded into her expression, even while unconscious. Like she knew he returned.

He all too carefully joined her, and just when he was about to wrap his arm around her, she pushed him away. "Don't touch me Rabastan." He flinched at how cold his wife had turned, had the days away been worse for their relationship?

Why couldn't he have just told her damnit?! Why was he so bloody foolish?!

"Rory—"

"No. I don't want to hear it. Your promises mean nothing. It was one thing in calling me a bitch or wanting to shag when we were far too young. But not telling me my own brother is a Death Eater?... I get there are things you cannot tell me or tell me for my own good. But my brother is for my own good."

She heard him sigh and remain silent, leaving no room for an apology he continued to look up at the ceiling. Though his mere presence was throwing her into a fit, so she rubbed her tired eyes while beginning to rise up to her feet.

Not only did her body beg for sleep, but her breasts also ached to feed her children. And that was exactly what she was going to do, however Rabastan jumped at the first sign of movement and questioned her.

"Love stay, I'll go and—"
"I have to feed them." She grumpled, yawning as she continued to the nursery. Her feet sore as all hell felt as though she was stepping on glass, as though her feet would give out any moment was she thankful for the rocking chair.

The elves managed to hand the children to their mistress, and with them barely awake, it allowed her to hurry along and empty either breast.

However just thinking of her husband in the master bedroom caused her to walk elsewhere, at first she thought the den would be a perfect place. But the comfort she had in his old bedroom provided better, the old cologne she made him back in Hogwarts still could be found on the pillow, and that is how she found sleep.

Rabastan had built an apology, but as he was practicing it he realized that she was taking far too long in the other room. Fear triumphed logic as he raced to the nursery, only to find either of the twins snuggled up in their favorite blankys and teddies.

"Daisy! Where is my wife?" He allowed the elf to take a moment to sense their mistress throughout the house and the elf gave the location.

Partially unwilling considering she's seen her master without the manor's mistress for the small break...

Hurrying off to his old bedroom did he peek his head in, why couldn't he bloody calm his heart and mind. This was all his damn fault, she was feeling betrayed and corner.

He sighed once again, Sweet Salzar he was going to do everything in his power to beg for her forgiveness.

He took the long track back to the bedroom and grab her pregnancy pillow to settle her in better, and all this commotion had Loki come out of his own bed to join his mum.

Handing her the pillow did her sleeping form managing to grab it, and settle her legs around the thing. Loki enclosed her on the other side. But even all the distractions to take his eyes off his wife, it didn't stop from seeing the tears plastered on her cheeks.

All that he attempted to protect her from and care for her, he failed. He failed so terribly that his wife's father stated straight forward that he should've chosen another wizard.

He needed to prove it wrong.

*

Rory woke fairly late the next morning, but she assumed the elves had been ordered to take care of the babes. When raising her head just a tad, had she been met by a bumbling Loki.

The pup had more or less grown four times in size, and she smiled to the big fluff ball.

"Good morning Loki, I'm going to take a quick shower...Go check on Rommy and Halsey for me." A small yelp escaped him as he went and fulfilled the order, whilst she had gone straight to the master bath, her nightgown dropping easily to her feet as she carefully stepped into the massive tub.

Once the bath was at a decent height she stopped the flow and inched herself to be under the surface. Allowing her lungs to release all there examining oxygen did she shoot up with a sense of relief.

The lukewarm water was the second best thing to coffee, and all things considering she couldn't drink any caffeine.

As knackered as she was, she still managed to plan her day. Granted there was a nap further down the line near lunch or after lunch depending on if she could handle that far through the day.

But not a single bit of the day involved Rabastan.

While wringing out her hair did she rise from the tub and managed to dry with one whisk of her wand. Granted it was one of the few spells she allowed herself to do, but she craved the fluff of her robes.

Looking throughout her given lounge dresses did she have a much lesser assortment of maternity dresses, granted being five months pregnant didn't give her the liberty of squeezing into her normal wear like the previous months could allow.

However she flicked away a few strains of grey fabric that managed to tear from one of her other dresses, but she didn't recall having that sliver of a dress unless it was a silk one from the other closest.

What she saw in the mirror was not what she expected.

A sharp gasp was exclaimed from her throat, what sort of sick and twisted joke was this?!

She was far too young to get grey strains, but grey hair?! The whole top of her head was dyed a platinum color!

"What in goddess name is this?!" Aurora hissed, stress be damned. Grabbing her cloak did she hurry along to Dareth academy as she knew Otto would be in his work office. His assistant didn't waste a moment before allowing her entry, luckily he hadn't been with another professor or student. A smile glistened on her second father figure, only to drop in an instant as he rose to meet his favorite student.

"Aurora, sweetheart what is it?" She pulled down her hood and shared the sudden question of why her hair suddenly turned into a silver shade.

Otto stood in horror as he yelled out to his assistant to retrieve Edgar.

The two of them began to brainstorm what the hell was happening to have her wake up with a damnable hair job, especially since she had been away from the cauldron for almost a month.

"Do you think it could be Damocles' potion in my system?" Edgar tilted his head in a long though, it had been a decent theory but it would need to be tested. Her hair would've changed long ago, instead it was Otto who snapped his finger.

"You're children are metaphoric? Am I correct?" She confirmed this and he smirked. "Seems as though yours has been dormant all this time, we can confirm this with a blood test but—" The shock had been written all over her face as she scoffed.

"But sir—"
"Aurora, you are a young witch. There is no other belief in my mind, no cauldron, no odd potions you've taken. It makes sense sweetheart, especially to how your children have it." She ran a stressful hand through her hair, but once the blood had been taken, Edgar excused himself to go and run the tests while Otto remained behind.

"Usually it's triggered by fear or adrenalin, however, pregnancy has been proven to always shift a witch's emotions. Though metamorphics are such a low percentage in our world...There is little to nothing that we do know about them." She rested a cold hand onto her forehead, this is just grand.

Why would this happen now?

"Would a fight with a loved one spark a trigger?"

"Perhaps, how severe was the fight?" She swallowed and blinked her attention away from her employer.

"Aurora, what did that bastard do?"

"It's not just him, it's a whole list of people...I should go, I didn't rightly tell him I left." Well that surely sounded like a red flag, so Otto suggested that he escort her back to her manor and explain it all to her husband.

But just as they were about to leave, Edgar returned with a potion in hand.

"He's correct, I suggest to use this at a minimal...You said you were experiencing heavy fatigue, it's draining your magic Mrs.Lestrange." All of this was countered with a few pregnant friendly potions to steady her nexus.

Otto had escorted her back home, and the first elf he had seen, he ordered to brew their mistress' favorite tea as he revealed the first vial.

"Your hair will revert back when you sort through everything, after the potion I suggest you rest." She let a small smile escape her before she turned to kiss his cheek in a moment of thanks.

Another Elf had alerted Rabastan that there was a guest, and he was utterly confused as to why Otto was here. But it was an even worse picture seeing his wife in her travel cloak beside the elder wizard.

What did she tell him?

"Ah, Rabastan...I was just bringing Aurora home, could I have a moment with you?" The master of the home offered his arm, though his eyes still wandered to his wife. Her face was still hidden underneath her hood, he supposed she was suppressing the urge to throw up like she usually does.

"I mean it Aurora, rest." She nodded and continued up the steps to waddle her way to the main bedroom. Even if she was comfortable yesterday, her favorite blanket and fireplace is still in the room she shares with Rabastan...And she was out like a light seconds after meeting the pillow.

"Sir what happened for Rory to—"
"She awoke with grey hair, from my understanding as well as a few tests. Your wife had dormant traits of a metamorphic witch, the tests proved positive." Rabastan had unintentionally stumbled back, what in gods name was happening?

"Aurora didn't go into detail on what has happened the last few days, and it is not my place to say or pry further. But in hopes of keeping her healthy and your son's life healthy, stress could lead to complications." Rabastan was still trying to wrap his head around the face that his wife has the same ability as his children?

They got it from their mum.

"Could the potion incident have caused it? I remember her debating on how much it affected her genes or...Or something in that sort." Otto smirked, for someone who knew only a handful of the potion world. The man did have his moments.

"Catching on to the potion world Rabastan, Aurora said you took NEWTS classes with her."
"Yes sir, but she could've tackled the class her fourth year." They shared a laugh, but Rabastan was itching to get to his wife.

"She has the potions I instructed her to take twice a day, make sure she takes them Rabastan. As for her control over these new powers, it'll drain her...It's better to practice then allow it to have a mind of its own. Good day Rabastan." Mr.Handson had left, and it caused another swell of emotion to know that his wife was struggling more than what he first believed.

"Master, Daisy bring Mistress tea. Daisy ask that Master help her?" He didn't care how much she hated him, she wouldn't ask him for help with the amount of anger she had with him.

So he followed the elf to meet another who delivered the tea, the vial was placed on her nightstand.

"Rory...Love I know the last thing you wish to do is speak with me, but Otto said you need to drink the entire vial." Her eyes still felt heavy as she rose to sit up, granted the pillows aided her in staying right side up to take the handed off cup.

The slight burn was welcomed as it distracted her from Rabastan.

Taking the vial and dropping the entire contents of the orange color liquid, he was about to question the idea of measurements but stopped the moment her eyes flickered up to him.

She looked miserable. She is miserable.

She downed the rest of the tea in the cup, ignoring the burning sensation of her throat as she began to lean back down into the comfort of the pillows.

"Sirius asked me to run away with him." She whispered, her back now facing him as there was no possible way she could look at him now.

"Regulus told me...He wanted you to run away to the Potters." She gritted her teeth, him knowing made it all the worse.

"If I didn't run away then, why would I run now?" He watched as she hugged the blanket even further, her body shivering as the effects of the potion were driving her symptoms elsewhere to combat the grey hair.

One of which he hadn't seen just yet.

"You know why I didn't run?" He stayed silent for half a heartbeat, wondering if he wanted to know the reason. Her and Sirius were closer than her and Regulus.

So what was the why?

"Because father put an old family curse on me, and by the time I came through...I was already introduced to the Dark Lord..." What the bloody hell does that mean?!

The silence had taken over the room, minding the fireplace and minding her soft breaths. The potion had put her to sleep while it left him in question.

What sort of old family curse?!

Determination shot through him as he rushed out of the room, quietly, but that hadn't stopped his speed as he ran to his study.

His father must have stored something that could be of use. Lestrange was apart of the sacred twenty-eight, so perhaps—Narcissa!

She would know!

Kneeling down beside his personal floo did he call for his sister and she came without a second thought, not even giving him the benefit of rising to his feet again.

"Is everything alright Rabastan? Is Cassi—"
"What is the Black family curse?" Her eyes widened tremendously, as though she had taken a bite out of sour fruit. Where on earth had he come up with that?!

"Rory said that her father gave her the curse, what is it? What does it mean?" Mrs.Malfoy's lips parted for a moment as it all became clear.

"I...I cannot say it Rabastan, it'll affect—" He had simply had enough, after skimming the pages of dozens of books, which now all littered the floor...Had he gotten this far looking for an answer to only be stopped by an afraid Black witch.

He inharmoniously handed her a quill and piece of parchment, finding the first solid surface did she write the two-worded phrase 'Immer Rein' onto the parchment, and just as he was about to speak it out loud. He found her hand pushed against his mouth.

"I don't know why Cassiopeia's parents decided to use it, her father no less. But it means always pure, it's a means of getting us in line. The Blacks are on the top for a reason Rabastan, why the Malfoy's, the Black's and the Lestrange's are higher up on the list." He stared down at Narcissa's words as he tried to shake off the ill-willed feeling.

"Sirius wanted her to run away with him, offered it I mean...Said if she didn't run then she wouldn't run now." Narcissa brought her hand to her forehead and began to shake.

"How long was she under the curse for?"
"I don't know, why does that matter if—" Narcissa took the likes of Rabastan's shirt to gain his attention further.

"She's not under the curse anymore. Rabastan that curse isn't a friendly sting, that curse is designed to keep pureblood like ourselves in the same mindset. It hadn't worked for Sirius, but it worked for Cassi...And now—"
"Now she's out of it, isn't she?" The question rang through either of their minds, never did he suspect that he would call Narcissa for help again after what she had done to Aurora.

But he wasn't about to ask Bellatrix.

"I need to talk to Orion." It was the best solution to take this head-on, though it would be a comfort in having Cissy as backup. This was something that he needed to do himself.

It was fairly easy to apparent from his study to the small alleyway just a minute away from his wives' previous address, he's done this part a million times.

But never had he taken the liberty of starting a fight with his father in law. Yet here he was, disregarding Kreacher and taking the steps two at a time to find Orion's study.

And in the mood he was in, he did not bother to put his fist to the door and knock. He just continued on inside.

The father had choked on his tea as he stared at his son to damnation. "Can I help you Rabastan?"
Father like daughter indeed.

"I was going to pay you a visit to share that your daughter is, in fact, a dormant Metamorphic witch, and that is how our children inherited the gift...However, she explained a small bit of a 'family curse' that you gave her. What does that entail sir?" The issue between these two men was that they were battling for the position of who loves Aurora the most.

Either wanted the best for her and clearly they miscalculated. Massively.

"That is not any of your concern."
"Isn't it? Especially if she woke up from it now?! When did you curse her?" Orion didn't miss a beat when he shared the time, and it was partially clear...

Rabastan didn't want to admit it, but there was a drastic change from Rory from when Sirius left to when she was capable of separating herself from her brother.

So was it selfish to think it was his own doing in healing her?

"I don't even recall going over the curse with her when she was younger, I doubt—"

"You're doubting your daughter? Whose probably read every book in this damn house?" Orion agreed on that notion, and now hands dragged down his tired face as he looked dully up to Rabastan.

"Congratulations son, you've proved another reason as to why I was wrong in choosing you as her betroth...You're young Rabastan, your father hasn't discussed what is appropriate to ask a master of a house just yet. And before I have my daughter return here to live for the duration of her pregnancy, I suggest you ask your father." Rabastan smirked.

"I might not know everything sir, but her pregnancy is exactly the reason why you cannot take her out of my manor. The law is on my side." Orion's dark eyes clattered with his, but soon they darted off to the door.

Regulus had snuck into the room.

"The law doesn't constitute you for being an arse or a git." Orion was thankful that his son walked in, or else something messy would've transpired to his daughter's husband.

"Ah, Reg...Brilliant of you to join us. How about we catch him up to us sir?"

"Regulus, let this be a lesson of what you don't ask a Master of a noble house. Go ahead Rabastan, tell my son all about the curse that Cassiopeia was under." The young master couldn't choke on his swallow, but withholding it was even worse.

"What about it?" He questioned, and now Rabastan had shot his attention to him. "You knew?"

"Not at the time no, but father means no harm...Minding a few times, but anything to do with Rory is—"

"Why do I get the feeling he's now under it as well?"

"It only works on witches, idiot." Rabastan didn't fault Narcissa in not knowing either as it seems to simply be a wizard trick...More or less.

"Regulus, would you go and check on your sister...Stay the night in fact." Rabastan shook his head.

"Rory would barely say a decent bit to me, but if you feel you have better luck Reg...By all means, just mind the fact that her hair is sporting difficult colors." Orion shared that Cassi had been a metamorphic the entire time, though dormant...Whatever that meant.

With Regulus away, it caused a dark cast to form over the two wizards once again.

"Dangerous game you're playing..."
"Then an added bonus to share that Sirius asked Aurora to run away, can you imagine that? Your precious little light leaving?" The usually stoic man had turned chaotic as he had been the first to throw a hex.

And the only response Rabastan had was a burst of soft laughter, his hands dusting off his shoulder before turning back up to the wizard.

"Yes, but she hadn't. And if she leaves now, it is your doing. Yours and everyone else...And instead of picking a fight with her father, you should remain in your own manor. Spent time with your children before she gains the rights!" Rabastan tilted his head in a bow of sorts in a form of a taunt before removing himself from the Black family manor.

While he had gone to his father, Regulus had gone straight to his sister to see what had happened. Rabastan hadn't been kidding that her hair was...Different.

Sure it was normal for his niece and nephew to change their shades, but Rory held platinum grey. Beautiful of course, but strange.

Very strange.

Personally if he hadn't known about the newfound gene his sister has, he'd just assume it was from a potion incident. Peeking his head in could he hear her cries, even muffled into the pillow he could still hear them.

Guilt overtook him, especially when he recalled on how much she had stood behind him. Why the hell had he listened to Lestrange?!
"Rory?" He whispered, and the sob had been replaced by a few sniffles as she looked to the door. What she saw was not what she expected, but never the less she ignored him.

Screw her family. Perhaps she could just move to the states for a few—

"Rory please...I didn't want you to worry."

"'You didn't want me to worry,' grand work...Not worried a single bit." She was lying through her teeth, but as she shifted to face the other way did the sick and twisted feeling come into his gut.

He needed to fix this now.

"What did you tell Lestrange?"

"That I was possessed by Father, why? Did he run to Orion to get the full story?" The amount of disrespect flowing from her mouth surely did not match his sister.

Perhaps Rabastan was right, did the curse wear off?

"They're at each other's necks now, father told me to stay with you for the night."

"Fantastic." Regulus now gritted his teeth as he kneed down beside the nightstand, the New Generation of Black should not be kneeling down before anyone.

But here he is.

"Rory, father is fighting for you to return home with Romulus and Halsey. I'm worried about what's going to happen or what the Lestranges are going to—"

"Unless it's escaped your notice brother, I am a Lestrange now. And I'm a mother, my soul mindset is my children." Her position returned to face her him now, her eyes beyond puffy and red.

Soft strains of the grey blacked her face just a tad as she stared at him, her lips trembling through and through.

"As the universe, so the soul...Is revoked. Get out of my bedroom Regulus."

"No. Not until you tell me how you got out of the curse." She laughed, her throat fighting against her to continue the sound as she looked to the ceiling.

"Suppose I'm better when I'm obedient hm? It only lasts as long as the words are spoken, and don't bother. I found the counter." Regulus smiled, he didn't agree with his father in forcibly feeling better.

"Good. Don't tell father that then, or Lestrange. All the sacred families have it and it's for witches specifically."

"Just repeating information brother, now get out. Go play with your godson." He followed through with her order, she was indeed the mistress of the manner.

The twins were damn excited to see their uncle, especially when he put on the projector and rallied the party with a bit of music as well as playing a game to practice their abilities.

No matter how much he hated Rabastan at the moment, they were indeed adorable and sweet.

Speaking of Rabastan, he hadn't returned to his home until well after dinner. His first action was to see if Regulus was over, he is.

"Making an enemy of my father isn't going to fix your relationship with my sister."

"Nor is your father attacking me going to fix what has happened. How is she?" He chuckled at it, pulling Romulus closer into his lap did he sigh.

"Before she kicked me out of the bedroom she retracted our little saying, so yes Rabastan we're screwed." They were indeed screwed, but there was little to do about it in one day's time.

He seemingly made his way to the bedroom, only to see the bed was empty. Though evidence of someone sleeping was easy to spot.

This prompted him to check her study, which had been the actual winner. However he was prepared to look in three other places.

"Did you take the second dose that Otto gave you?" She hummed, but her eyes didn't deviate from the book she had in her lap.

"Daisy." He called out, turning down to the small elf as he questioned the little thing to see if his wife had eaten and taken the potion.

"Yes mistress take potion, mistress take bath and eat in study...Mistress read, but mistress cry—"

"That's enough Daisy." It had been the harshest comment she's made in an elf's direction, and the little fellow had popped out within the moment.

"Seems like you talk through people instead of talk to your wife."

"And it seems like my wife cannot take my apology at this time...But that doesn't mean I won't stop." Her hair looked partly damp, his eyes taking hold of her ash-colored hair.

Gods did she look striking.

"Whatever my father is doing or what you are doing I want no part of it."

"Orion believes that the law will have you return to him...But he obviously needs to brush up on his bylaws." Aurora snorted.

"Yes, I am bound to my husband. Lovely reminder." It was his turn to bow down beside his wife, his pregnant wife at that. He seemingly forgot that his third child was on the way.

"I wish I could go back and force myself to share it with you, but Aurora...He hadn't done a single act as a Death Eater, he has yet still! Regulus attended two or three meetings, if his position was more—" The book in her lap popped closed as she placed it down beside her.

"Rabastan I do not ask for much, but the involvement of my brother is my business...I am going to owl my father to have him stop whatever divorce or bloody thing he could be pushing at us. This entire thing has gotten out of hand, I did not go to Sirius. I have no plans to go to Sirius. At this point, I cannot look at any of you without feeling angry, and I cannot even feel angry without causing stress on myself and the babe."

Just the tallying of issues that followed through in the coming of days, he bowed his head further down in disgrace of his actions.

Her soft hand had sifted through his long locks, but once she managed towards the back of his head she gripped to get proper eye contact.

"Last strike, use it wisely." Aurora hadn't let go until a nod came from her husband. But she had made the mistake of leaving her hand in reach of his own. He instantly pressed his lips to her skin.

"I don't deserve your kindness kitten."
"No. And I'm in debate on why I am giving you any more chances." He did his best puppy eyes in an attempt to guilty.

Not that he didn't feel guilty.

He did, but his wife is far too empathetic.

"Because you're an—"
"Flattery isn't going to help, peace and quiet will." Rabastan nodded lightly, though he did aid his wife in getting up to her feet.

"I'm going to write a quick parcel, send it home with Regulus when I'm done." He agreed, as well as put in a good aid in redemption with a foot rub.

Regulus was shocked that it was his sister's doing in having him go home. Especially with a parchment addressed for their father.

Of course he read it, and gods did he never feel so damn terrified to bring something to his father.

Rory is indeed far too smart for her own good.

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Date Posted: 10-11-19

Time: 10:49

Words: 5321