✧HEARTFELT PHOTOS✧

♕♕♕

◊━━━━━✥━━━━━◊

***

━━━━━▼━━━━━

 Cassiopeia still fairly ill, and just being on the porch of her manor gave him some options. Though it was difficult as she still stayed in his lap contemplating whether or not she needed to vomit.

"Come on love, Rabastan will be able to take better care of—" Her sob came out in and out as she shook her head in denial, the last person she wanted to see right now was her husband.

After all that was said at the safe house? No.

"Can we go to your manor? Please? Raba panics over everything." Rodolphous wasn't that well-rehearsed on what to do when a witch cries, but his heart tugged roughly in all directions as he couldn't help but throw a protective hold over his younger sister.

The apparition wasn't light on her stomach, but being laid down onto a bed certainly did enough for her nausea as she couldn't let go of the awful view she had from the dank little cell.

It was cold, beyond a normal winter. Whomever she saw huddled in the corner made her shutter, who was it?

Was it Rodolphous? She was near him when it happened?

Was it Rabastan? She had just been yelled at that that was his future.

She curled up further into the pillow of the bed as she looked up to Rodolphous. "I don't want this gift...Not anymore, I—I can't." The man sighed, he hadn't realized being a seer was so...draining.

She looked purely miserable as she wiped her tears away, maybe seeing the horrors of Azkaban was too much for her.

"Cassi, you were given it for a reason. Now we know to be careful." The woman pushed herself to exhaustion as she fell rightly asleep in his bed.

"Huh, in another lifetime aye?" He cooed, summoning an extra blanket just to put over her to tuck her in. Although he favored not taking care of a wife all the time, he didn't mind doing these little tasks.

Not when she was adorably in his bed like she was.

He sighed, his loyalty to his brother was stronger than that of his attraction to Cassiopeia. Though that didn't stop him from thinking of a long list of things he wished he could do, but his place was in waiting for her to wake up.

And that was off to an armchair just a few feet away, from there he picked up his last place from the novel he had been reading for quite a while.

Yet never had the chance to properly finish.

It was one thing to get too enthralled with a novel, that was one of Cassi's many talents. But Rodolphous failed to notice was the burning hiss coming from his sister until she shot up and threw something across the room.

"Fuck." She grumbled, looking to both the small imprint on her wrist and hand of what had burned her. "Goodmorning to you too love, suppose we can skip the pleasantries and get straight to business." His joking manner didn't pass over on her end, it was rather a confuse wake up as she couldn't understand why the bedroom completely changed.

"My brother was trying to contact you through the mark, best get you back to him." Rubbing the burn did she continue to look around, and sighed. Part of her knew it wasn't Rabastan, but then it still took a moment to clear her blurry eyes from the sight of her older brother.

"He's never done that before, are you sure?" Picking up the bracelet had he taken the liberty to repeat the style, weak and in pulses.

"When he calls me it's in pulses, we have our signature style. I'm surprised he hasn't tried it with you yet." She wasn't rightly with it enough to start a conversation with her brother, instead she took refuge for another few moments before making the attempt to get up.

"Did you eat today love?" She shook her head and he sighed. "Merlin, what are you doing to yourself?" 

"I didn't feel well after I was in Knockturn Alley, I thought the potion market was brewing something odd."
"Yes, but are you usually like this after a vision?" She nodded, claiming that she fell asleep on Rabastan at dinner when it happened the last time.

And it had been a happy viewing.

Rodolphous didn't want his brother to call an army on his missing wife, so he once again picked her up and apperented off to the hallway just before Rabastan's study, and of course the Lestrange heir hadn't bothered to knock.

"Papa when is—Rolf!" Aurora hitched in pain as she came closer to her brother's chest in fear, Halsey might've ignored her mum's presence at first. But now as she came closer had she pouted up to her uncle.

"Rolf? Is mummy owkay?" He nodded down to the young child, though it wasn't long before Rabastan had taken control of the situation and demanded an explanation.

"I spotted her in knock turn Alley, claimed that they were brewing something funny? Sure a good bit of rest will set her straight." She was transferred to inpatient hands that cuddled her fondly and whispered to her tenderly.

Which allowed Uncle Rolf to give the attention to little Halsey, while Romulus was silently waiting for his mum to speak.

"Auntie Evie has sleepover, Auntie Evie told a secret." Being a Death Eater caused major suspicion, but it was far too easily as nobody rightly babysits the children unless they are expecting.

Amelia had been the first, but not an official sleepover that Evelyn had accomplished.

Her motherly qualities were a bit advanced considering she had younger siblings. "No! Hals, Evie said no telling Mummy and Papa." Rolf had smirked, kneeling down to his eldest nephew and ruffled his hair. Making it fluff with a tint of green for the man who caused it.

"You might've promised Romulus, but we're family. And family is loyal until the end." The words could've passed over the young heir's head, but instead he narrowed his brows and questioned his uncle.

"So it's owkay?"
"You don't want secrets between mummy and papa. What if it's important and they should know?" Partially in tune with the conversation did Rabastan smirk, perhaps his brother would be a good father given the chance.

But right now was not the time for babes.

"Auntie Evie having a baby! Uncle Nair is happy." Rabastan smiled, his mates were all having babes and it was indeed a joyous time, had there not been so much stress and war around their doorstep.

"McNair hm, didn't take him too long did it?" Rabastan could challenge that Evelyn was still a little worried about getting with child as she thought they weren't ready, but McNair had used the words given to him by both himself and Avery to get Evelyn inspired for being okay with it.

And they seemed to be doing just fine.

"Let me put Rory to bed, Romulus do you want to stay with mummy for a bit?" The boy nodded, and it earned him a few mumbles from Aurora.

"You make sure your mummy sleeps little lad...I best get going to—"
"No! Rolf stay! Playyyyy." To be far the man didn't have much else to do, so he was at the mercy of his niece as she led him through the manor and to her room.

"And I thought Halsey had you wrapped around her finger..." Rory mumbled, a silence hum escaping her as Rabastan kissed her lightly. "Lets go lad, perhaps you can take a bath with mummy."
"Bathbath!" He was ahead of his son just a bit before the little lad ran ahead and opened the door for them.

"Mummy's a wady." Oh sweet Merlin had that been far too precious to miss, but of course Rory was suffering from the start of a migraine.

"Daisy, fill the bath for Aurora and Romulus...And prepare a small meal. Has she eaten today?" "Yes Master, Mistress eat fruit." He had hope in hearing something of a full meal, but it had been just a nibble.

"Mummy eat dinner!" Romulus cheered, but Rabastan politely shushed his son.

"Mummy eat dinner." He spoke, whispering, which caused Aurora to smile.

"What did I deserve to have you two?" She mumbled, and it elated Rabastan's heart to hear it, especially to see Romulus curl up to his mother in solitude.

"Bath tomorrow. Mummy eat and go night-night." He heard the order from his son and stopped the elf from one task to push the second.

The two fed Aurora, and Rabastan only left a bit later to see Halsey changed once again in another outfit of her choice, and Rolf's recommendation.

"You look just like your mummy when she was a lil one like you," It was a compliment, that the Lestrange line would keep their gorgeous genes. Black mixed with Lestrange.

There was no better combination of the lot.

"Perhaps Aurora should look for a witch to carry your child, stir-crazy aren't you?"
"How could I just ignore the opportunity of having a little bundle of perfection like her?" Rabastan knew that his brother didn't even need a son now that Rory had given plenty of heirs.

Rodolphous wanted a daughter.

"You did good brother. Cassi alright?"
"Mummy sick?" Rabastan shook his head down to his daughter, relinquishing her worries.

"She's just finishing up eating and then going to sleep." The two brothers kept Halsey company, while Cara soon joined them after her bath. A freshly clean babe had been a bumble of joy trying to play with her sister, but Halsey now had someone to dress up with. Even if she did have to be careful, the creativity shined brightly between either.

Since Romulus had taken refuge with his mum, Rodolphous had said he'd stay with Halsey for the night. Yet only joined his niece after his brother had left.

Aurora hadn't had much of a peaceful sleep as she spent the time running her hair through her son's hair.
His curls coming in beautifully as a smile plastered onto her face.

They once dreamed about their son having curls like his father's, and they were indeed identical. Actually, it was Ronan who was starting to be the exact clone to his father. Before Clarissa had passed she shared old photos of both Aurora and Rabastan playing with one another, it was as though it was Halsey and Ronan if one didn't know better.

Nobody wanted to mention how Romulus had gotten the Black family genes like his sisters, as the boy was coming to look like Sirius and Regulus.

With her mind too wired and frustrated, it caused her to leave the beautiful comfort of her bed before she continued to her study.

Following the report of Otto she smiled. Everything was coming together perfectly with the release of her potion. The board didn't rightly care that she left the team, they still held her in high regard with her scores and what she did during the potion explosion.

Still a sore topic for everyone.

Instead she was very distracted by the glowing responses from whoever was trying to contact her. Her downfall of a Ravenclaw caused her to look, damn her curisioity.

Of course it had been both Sirius and Remus.

So she started with her brother, because at least he hadn't mentioned that she was fucking a Death Eater.

___
Rory I'm sorry I haven't written back, I was away on missions and forgot the book. Next time I'll take it with me, I solemnly swear. I'm seeing James, Lily and Harry this weekend, would you want to come? Lily could use a gal friend, think the three of them are starting to feel the pressure of being stuck in the house together.

Could you spare an hour?
___

Could she actually spare an hour?
She'd have to make plans with Otto afterwards, or something that would be checkable if Rabastan caught suspicion. The last time she saw Harry was when he was born, a year...The Chosen one was a year old.

The harsh reminder caused her to grip the book further.

-Siri it's fine. Don't take the book with you, it'll draw suspicion to the both of us. Next time please warn me? Just a quick note is better than nothing brother.
As for the get-together with the Potter's I have to make a plausible outing so Rabastan doesn't get suspicious. Maybe I'll plan to go to Evelyn, Romulus and Halsey said she was expecting.

I'll take Cara with me, so you could meet her properly and Harry could meet someone his age.

It was a plan set in motion, Ronan wouldn't be the best option. He barely tolerated Draco or Wyatt, instead he favored just those in his family. His socialization reminded Rabastan how Aurora and her siblings acted in the beginning.
Both Sirius and her were defensive of one another.

But that was because she grew up in that damned manor.

But now it was time to see Remus' response, and she sighed, rubbing her eyes in preparation to read what he had to say.

___
I know sorry won't cover it this time Rory, and there's no excuse on Moony's part for what I said. Dumbledore's task for me is time-consuming and I've had to be living with my own people. It's taught me to be grateful for what I had growing up, for my parents not abandoning me or for you lot to accept me.

I hated the pity you've given me, that's why I never bothered to tell you. But now the truth is out to your Death Eaters and I fear that Greyback will remember me.

My father did try to put him in Azkaban after all.

What you said in the Library made me forget I'm a monster, and being here with my own people just proves what I have been saying and trying to forget for years.

I am a monster.

Nothing anyone could say or do can prove otherwise Rory, I appreciate what you and everyone had done in Hogwarts. But we're past Hogwarts. We're past the kiddy bullshit, for Godrics sakes Rory you have children of your own. The new generation, Harry's generation for that matter.

Lily always says it, the Order needs to come first. And that's what Sirius and I have agreed to, but I still have doubts. I still have the sick and twisted feeling that it is Sirius.

I hope one day you can forgive me for what I said and not hate me for what I said.
___

How would she dictate her response? She did pity him, but not for the reasons he thought. She hated that he had so much self-doubt in himself and others that it warped how he felt about those around him and how they perceived him.

The sweet man who still knits and is inflicted with the most hardship even before the war.

Rory wasn't surprised that he was being influenced by his people, but even then wasn't he outcasted? He had an education, though she supposed he would help more than boast about his life.

Meow!

The startling cry of Omen caused Aurora to flinch. "Sweet Goddess Omey, you cannot sneak up on me like that." Rory sternly replied, all while picking up her little feline friend and snuggling her close to her chest.

"What should I do Omen?" The cat continued to blink and make herself comfortable, completely ignoring the fact that her mother asked a question.

-It upsets me that the lack of trust has been taken over by your own self-pity Remus. You're better than this, tell Dumbledore that you cannot go back to the Werewolf community. They won't be any aid to the war, I can tell from here that they aren't going to help either side. Their hatred to wizards is as heavy as the one they have directed to Greyback.

I've told Dumbledore this but he thinks otherwise. Make your choice and separate yourself from the werewolf hideout. It's not good for you nor good for them to join the war.

Aurora hadn't mentioned a see you soon, because that was more than she could handle at the moment. Instead she relished in the idea of finally having talked to them.

But was disgusted at the fact that she hid the vision from Rabastan. She'd need to talk to Rodolphous soon, just to make sure he didn't tell him, sweet Merlin was this starting to be a problem.

And of course, her brother had been the first to respond.

____
Please Rory? I need to see one of these little Munchkins of yours, I can only be Uncle Paddy to one kiddo.

She smiled and agreed, asking for a date and planning for the weekend as she should be free in that regard.

*

Aurora had woken up to the movement from her stomach, to that of her neck as Omen always favored the closeness of her mum. Although Rory adored the affectionate cat, she didn't want to wake up this early in the morning.

So instead she said her proper goodnights to her brother and claimed to check back later for confirmation to the plan. Returning to the bedroom did she catch Romulus firmly at her pillow, while Rabastan curled around his son in a protective grip to make sure he wouldn't fall off the edge.

It was indeed the perfect sight, so she summoned her camera and took a picture. Making Rabastan groan at the obnoxious amount of light that suddenly sparked.

Smirking in victory did she take the eldest son and hurried off to the twin's room to return him to his bed. Only to see a fully grown man in the likes of Halsey's.

And it drew her for another picture to be taken.

Yet this Lestrange had awoken to the bright flash, and huffed in damnation.
"Better burn that photo."
"Uncle Rolf doesn't want to be in the photo album?" She whispered back, and he sighed further into the pillow. Pulling his niece closer to his chest. A Slytherin green flashed through her locks as she knew who was with her.

And it warmed Aurora's heart to see this.

"Nobody better see it."
"And Rabastan? What did you tell him about—" Rodolphous peeked his eyes out and whispered an explanation, which was perfect.

"Get some sleep brother."
"And get back to my brother." She smirked, kissing Halsey's cheek for a moment and tucking the both of them in.

"Kiss for Rolf?" Aurora held her smile as the little girl had woken up from the commotion.
"Yeah, kiss for me?" Moving aside his locks did she kiss his forehead as well.

Halsey squealed and cuddled further to her uncle, which allowed Rory to retuck in Romulus before finding comfort in the arm of her husband.

Who decided that now was the perfect time to ravish her.

◇──◇────◇────◇──◇

Date Posted: 11-28-19

Time: 6:57

Words: 3216

Happy Turkey day!
I actually don't like turkey all that much so I had some Salmon,  yum yum.