✧(NOT) A DAMNING MISTAKE✧

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Rabastan had been slightly bummed at how busy Aria had turned, the potion—While a huge success and turned a small town potion's student into a world-renowned name, had caught the wizarding world by storm.

The Lestrange family and the combined Blacks all held their own parties to commemorate the lost Black Heir, yet it was awful that he was standing here with their combined family while she was off enjoying the fame.

Though Rabastan was going to join both her and Wyatt at the Lestrange manor in France, he had that to look forward to. Even if it'd be the last time he'd see her for a few weeks, it allowed him to settle his nerves without worrying about other mishaps.

One involving the order and the Dark Lord.

Aria never asked and he never spoke out loud, he was thankful on that end because there were certain times he caught both her brother and that Lupin fellow.

Was it a second instinct that he just felt on Remus? Yes. The two were far too friendly together for him to just believe that there hadn't never been anything between them, and once again he regretted not knowing about Aria in the earlier years.

Currently though, he was beyond ecstatic—After getting a parcel from Aria just the other day, he was going to be heading to the French manor on his own. The thrill of this was running through his veins, it'd been the first time he'd be allowed to go without a parental figure...Course his mate's wanted to go, but this was going to be the last time he would be seeing her for another month and he truly wanted to make the most of it.

Even if Wyatt was there, Aria said that the lad was so exhausted half the time that he fell asleep everywhere.

Having arrived an hour or so early, he was able to unpack and relax like he usually would while also preparing for a late lunch—Knowing full well Aria would surely not have eaten properly since her tour started, and when the voices downstairs announced anything—It truly brought a smile to his face.

"Whoa, look at how tall the ceilings are!" The excitement was showcased across the two guests and he certainly felt like a host. "Welcome...To the Lestrange manor." He said with a slight bow and she Aria laughed all the same.

"It looks beautiful, and to think you're bored during the summer."
"Says that gal who can mull over a book for the entirety of the summer I'd say you're right at home. I wouldn't mind a tee-vee—What do you call it again?" The question caused Wyatt to chuckle again as he walked towards a portrait almost hypnotized by it.

"Television." He whispered, and Aria rolled her eyes. "He's been running on nothing but caffeine the last few days..." She whispered, coming closer to kiss either of his cheeks and it startled him. Especially when she snuck one on his lips, lightly and quick, but they're all the same.

"Wyatt gets whiny if he sees kissing remember."
"Well then to stop him from losing his innocents, let's hold off until later with a glass of—Non-alcoholic wine." It earned him a grin, as she picked up her case and followed him up the stairs. Though she hadn't been allowed to carry anything, not that her bag was at all heavy.

"Mum said you'd like this room, it faces the West side of the property...How did your meetings go?"
"Grand, I've made arguably enough to never work again. Funny how that works right? Though I plan on giving my team a pay raise, they deserve it...It's been hectic."
"Damn, to have you as a boss." She rolled her eyes and peeked out the window, sure enough it looked beautiful.

"What do you usually do in France?"
"Eat out, eat-in. Mother adores the outlets and father likes the uh...The scenery." Aria knew just what Rabastan meant when his father's interests were out of the realm of tourist attractions.

But it was certainly an attraction.

"Oh? I'm might like to see some French Scenery, I did brush up on my dialect so perhaps I can purchase myself a coffee. And the Effie tower, that's always been on my bucket list."

"A bucket list? What the bloody hell is that?" Aria shrugged and went to go hang up the dress she chose for the convention, distracting Rabastan from his asked questioned and it caused her to roll her eyes.

"It's a type of list that's like a 'before I die' type of thing. Bucket list it just a nicer phrase." He hummed along, not entirely sure what else could possibly manage on the Ravenclaw's bucket list, but it surely was enough to make her smile in her own little world.

"So, any plans on spending your estimated multi-millions yet darling?"
"I'm moving—Not far, I found a beautiful house that I think fits me very well. Course I haven't told Wyatt yet, he's fond of the one we have now." The mere mention of her moving had sent sirens in his head, but he managed to pass off his drained face when she finished her sentence.

"A proper manor?"
"One for a potion mistress at the least, and I wanted to open a endanger beast sanctuary—Though that was just a late-night thought last night." Rabastan hummed, not allowing his thoughts to push towards a certain older hufflepuff.

"I know Ghost would be enjoying the freedom, does it come with a plot of land?"
"Course, perhaps if I'm in need of a lawyer you'll find yourself over the house." He chuckled, knowing full well he had every intention of doing just that.

It was rather endearing, the events that Rabastan found himself escorting his date too—Or was it the other way around? He was invited on the invitation of Aria's behalf, course it would be that way after all that's happened.

Pulling out all the stops in making sure that she ate, and kept the glass in hand full the entire time became a rather loving task. Especially when her face would brighten up at each little thing, as no amount had been measured. He always received the same smile.

"Up for an award...Goddess love, I don't think I know a drink up for that accomplishment."
"Now you understand why Otto said my blood will be half wine by the end of the tour." He couldn't help himself when he placed a kiss on her cheek, yet Aria had pulled away just a second after his lips touched her as she went to greet a witch that came up with a camera.

Rabastan did his best to translate where Aria needed it the most, but otherwise he felt like a trophy husband. That his mother's words of Aria not needing the Lestrange or Black family name behind her to raise her ranks, she did it all by her intelligence and charms.

And he certainly couldn't deny that she had a way with words and drew in a crowd, then again those around her were all potions fanatics. Eager to work with her, but she informed him just that early morning that not many were too eager to work with her prior to the potion release.

She would remain with Otto Hanson and his advisement for a long time coming, and Rabastan surely knew that relationship of Opa and granddaughter were going to skyrocket.

Especially when she was going to be working on another potion team soon enough.

Which built up the thought in his head.

"When do you plan on joining that new research team of yours?"
"I've only gone to a few brainstorming meetings, perhaps after I'm all settled into the new manor. Or after my three-day nap I plan to take."
"Now I'd like to be invited to that love." She perked her lips and eyed him.

"I thought you were taking a break from the sexual jokes, Rabastan."
"I have, but I sleep better when I'm beside you...And I—Well—I'm much more well-rested after." She hummed into her glass of wine, and he knew full well he was going to be bugged for an explanation. So he went along and spilled it.

"I've never stayed the night with a gal, or not on purpose at least."
"I'm the only one?" He nodded, quietly easily and she gave him a small smile. But a genuine one, not the polite and friendly one that she had plastered on for the majority of the night.

This one was downright happy.

The heartfelt evenings and seeing her thrive in such an environment dawned on him, that she wouldn't rest until her creativity ran dry. And even then she'd find something to occupy her time wtih, did marriage fit at all in her life?

There were certainly some business men, those working in a similar field as him that haven't made the decision to marry someone so why should he? He had plenty of time. The possibility of an heir to the Lestrange line shouldn't have to rest on his shoulders, but besides that. He felt empty when returning home.

The weeks that followed after her tour were much the same, he'd see Aria here and there but the conferences and interviews seemed to take up the majority of her time. He was just thankful that she was getting a decent bit of sleep, and better yet—She ignored Randal when he came and offered to celebrate.

Whatever happened between the two was none of Rabastan's business, but he was thankful for it. If Aria was going to have a distraction than he should be the one to take the pleasure of being it.
Not Randal Scamander.

He did have one thing to look forward to, the little Hufflepuff's return to Hogwarts. Though he knew Aria was upset to see the bloke go, Rabastan promised that she would feel much better knowing that he wasn't bored around the house the whole time.

And it was even better when Wyatt came to himself for questions on homework, it was as if everyone was bloody mad! Aria was the smartest in the year and beyond, even with those she graduated early with could agree.

Though he could sort of see the point, Aria would turn the help into lectures and the lad simply wanted it done and over with.

However it'd been a good few days since he's last gone over the the manor, the last was having dinner after their adventure to Diagon Ally where Wyatt needed to secure his supplies for the semester.

And low and behold, Wyatt had managed to save up enough money from chores and so on to purchase a new broom. As well as placing it as a birthday gift for the remaining balance he didn't have, Aria simply wanted him to have fun while in school and this surely would be it.

Rabastan could see the little badger dominating the field, he was almost sad that he wouldn't see it for himself.

When he strolled into the fireplace, he called out—Much like he usually would. However Aria was not in her regular armchair nor her spot at the counter, he frowned. Especially when he didn't hear any music coming from her study in the attic or the jittery voice of Wyatt telling him he's too smitten to stay away any longer.

No. Something was wrong.

Rabastan withdrew his wand and turned the first corner to survey the kitchen, course he checked the calendar but nothing seemed to be covering this date.

Especially since Aria had cut back hours to spend the last few days with Wyatt, however it was the blinking coffee pot that truly caused him to frown. The unsettling beep suggested that whomever was home made coffee but did not stay long enough to wait until it brew.

"Loki?!" He called out, and close to instantly had the mutt come barreling down the stairs.

"Wouldn't know where those two gone off to, huh lad?" The Slytherin questioned, though it did help him to know that they weren't on a walk.

However it was then that his eyes caught something out of place, an opened piece of parchment—And goddess have mercy, but with the recent investigation that him and his father were doing right beside Hanson over Aria's stalker.

He expected the worse.

Yet ultimately he had the same reaction as the previous reader, allowing him to take the given strides towards the fireplace and appear at the addresser. "Saint Mungoes." He deemed, dropping the floo powder and hurrying off towards the front desk.

"I received a letter about Aria Crawford, where can I find her?" Was all he instated, and the witch behind the counter took said letter and told him the given floor.

Of course it would be 'potion related incidences,' why did he expect anything else? Well then again, Aria had been a patient previously over other health issues. Though he hadn't been able to hear more on that front, he'd need to ask Regulus.

He thanked the healer in pointing out the room, and frowned to see another wizard just sitting in the corner. Course when he caught the small cuts and burns on his face and compared them to Aria's, It was clear that he suffered the same— "Bas'! Goddess can you believe it, a potion explosion?" The lad explained, and Rabastan had indeed heard it.

Though he robotically moved forward towards Aria's bedside and wrapped his hands into hers. "How bad?" He whispered, and Wyatt gulped. Not knowing the true extent of the injuries as he looked over the other wizard.

"Healer's going to tell us when they come back with the tests. Dumbarses are likely to be expelled—Hanson said as much." Lestrange hummed, he knew that the Darthmont would be protective of their little potion mistress as they grew to house the royalties.

'Aria Crawford, the youngest potion mistress, studied here. Our professors are that qualified.'

Or that's what he pictured it to come off as anyway, she was an alumni after all. "I'm Zane Winchester, you must be Lestrange?" He nodded, but in seeing the offered hand—Rabastan couldn't refuse the offer of an injured man.

"Winchester, you're the one who taught classes with her?"
"That's me, I was just keeping Wyatt here company...Don't suppose anyone else caught the parcel?" Wyatt shook his head and then looked to Rabastan.

"How'd you know?" The boy questioned and it earned him a smirk.

"Left it on the floor, course I figured with an empty pot of coffee at home someone must've been in a hurry if you didn't get the chance to touch it." The silly grin on Wyatt face caused Rabastan to smirk once more, and before long he brought his lips to Aria's hand.

There was hardly a wait before a healer came in and diagnosed either Zane and Aria. And the glum look on the healer's face hardly did anything in terms of informing them before she left.

"You'd think they'd share anything, my skin feels like it's on fire." Rabastan turned back to the wizard and sighed. "Rather not sue the hospital for its incompetence, how long have you been here?"

"Three hours, just about." Rabastan nodded and then frowned when Wyatt explained he was here for an hour and was notified but not explained.

The efficiency of the hospital was starting to get questioned, especially one of Aria's rankings.

However what Rabastan was not prepared for, was Wyatt rising to his feet with his arms crossed over his chest. "What are you doing here?" Turning around did either elder wizard stand in confusion as to who was at the door.

But it didn't take long for Rabastan to understand.

"I saw her name on the list—What—What happened?" The American accent rang in his ears that he needed to find the will to relax. But it was clear that he wasn't the only one that was pissed on his appearance, and the healer robes were surely another sign.

"Didn't know you worked here."
"I'm an intern—" Wyatt huffed and plopped back into his seat, though that didn't stop Rabastan from eyeing the male.

"You must be Siri—"
"No. And I suggest you take your uneducated arse out of this room before I truly lose my last wit of control." Aidan blinked before he narrowed his eyes.

"Ah. Lestrange."

"Proctor."

"I wondered when I'd get the chance to finally meet you, only two to a room."
"He's a patient and Aria's his guardian, and if you say another word that doesn't involve finding her healer then I can promise you'd I'll find your supervisor and—"
"And what? You know I never believed Aria when she said that rankings here mean something but gods you just proved it in under to sentences. You're a joke, Lestrange." Wyatt bit his tongue, knowing his mum wouldn't want him to throw his two sense into this spat.

"Gents, I think this is better to take this—" Zane attempted to be the white flag, but ultimately it fell through.

"A joke? You couldn't keep up with her mate, what's a potion mistress going to be doing seen with a low leveled intern?"
"At least she knows I've worked for the title I'm striving for. Pay to sway the court's opinion is—"
"Against law and oath, subjected by rule 3.2.5.9, get out of this room. Now." Aidan had hardly any reason to be afraid, and the only sign of pure distress is when he caught Aria's gaze.

And Wyatt sucked in a breath, both in relief and in worry as to what Aria would say. But her brows scrunched as she turned to look at everyone in the room.

"Ar—Ms.Crawford, I'm going to perform an eye exam. Can you follow my finger?" He said, his voice much more personal and soft than Rabastan liked to admit. Surely the bloke didn't go around with all the patients with that voice.

With a lot of blinking and twitches from the light coming from his wand, it was clear that she was indeed still slightly induced with medication and would need another hour or two before it's out of her system.

Was it strange to wake up in a room filled with wizards? Two of which she slept with? Yes. For sure. The only damning benefit is that Randal wasn't here, otherwise she doubted that Rabastan could manage.

"I'm going to ask you to leave Mr.Lestrange, hospital policies don't account for blood."
"You little—"

"Gods, it feels like there's a spike in my head could you take that measuring contest somewhere else?" She questioned and Rabastan huffed, knowing full well he was going to stay beside Aria.

Though Aidan had a similar approach.

However her eyes wandered off to see Zane in the corner. "If you look like that, I doubt I look any better." Aria teased, and that lead Aidan to check her vitals. The pain wasn't bothering her yet, but it would in the coming minutes.

It was hard to deny Aidan the benefit to perform his job, especially when Rabastan was basically seething in the corner. Every time she flinched, it struck a cord. And Aria couldn't help but roll her eyes as Wyatt was adapting to the Slytherin traits off in the corner.

"Burning a hole in the back of his head isn't going to help me get better Raba."
"No, but it did make him leave quicker. Couldn't you request a different healer?" He questioned and Aria sighed.

"No, he's one of the interns on the specialist teams. I'm still not fully healed and am prone to illness, he focuses on people with those types of difficulties. That's why I get a private room as apose to the others who suffered chemical burns. Or because I got some in my eye." She said, her strange blinking coming from the reaction to the natural light coming from the window.

It was rather hilarious to see the fussing of either Wyatt and Rabastan as they tried to make the hours in the hospital bed enjoyable. And the Slytherin went as far as to return back to her home and secure a few books for her to read, along with her glasses.

Further testing showed that her eyes were slightly blurred, and it started one of the dozen eye drops she was prescribed. On the dot every hour, Wyatt would get the dropper ready and do it for her, which was undoubtedly sweet but caused Aria to think that she was indeed an invalid.

Otto had come just as the healer had left and Aria was on her way to sleep, and with one of Darthmont's board members in range. Rabastan was able to learn the logistics, and perhaps aid her in the future if she was indeed going to bring this to court.

While it was hard for Rabastan to take the notion that it was a general accident, it didn't stop him from reciting what he recalled from Aria's contract with them. That she's entitled to full compensation, work leave, and a whole other list of possibilities.

Which caused the elder to smirk and slap Rabastan on the back. "I didn't like you in the beginning son, but you might've swayed me over." It hadn't hit the bloke as to what that meant, but Aria's mentor giving a thumbs up to their relationship was strangely...Accepting.

Course it was not either of her fathers, but it was a start.

And speaking of father's, seeing either Orion and Regulus coming into the room caused Wyatt to smile. "She fell asleep a bit ago." He deemed, but his explanation didn't stop Orion from glaring his heart out to Rabastan.

"How is it that I didn't get an owl from you, Rabastan?"
"I asked the hospital to write one. Give Procter something to do." Mr.Black narrowed his brow and Regulus sucked in a breath.

"Aidan's working?"
"Course, and he's thick-headed as could be. Almost have half the mind to owl my father and get things sorted quicker." The elder wizard in the room bobbed his head, wondering if that was the best plan.

But instead he bent down onto the chair and came closer to Aria, holding her pale and peppered burns on her hand. "We'll get this all sorted, my little light. Not to worry." While the Ravenclaw was half awake, she knew that there was a whole list of things that she needed to worry about.

First, she didn't want any affiliating party to be expelled or penalized, as accidents are the natural way of life. If anything she wanted to push the anger that everyone was feeling to put more ethics on cauldron manners, course that didn't settle well with Rabastan—Or their father's for that matter.

So the three of them were caught yelling as Aria sat on the couch the following week, three days after her relief and she was to make a public statement regarding her stance on everything.

"The whole world is watching Aria, it isn't just Britain—don't you think the others who've gotten hurt deserve a chance?"
"A chance at what? Rabastan this is just a fluke, don't you remember when Avery cleaned the cauldron's wrong back in fifth year? That it almost blew off a Hufflepuff's face? That is suppose to be taught in Hogwarts. That needs to be changed." To say she silenced the room was breathtaking, especially when Senior Lestrange couldn't come up with anything to retort.

"Then I rest my case, meeting adjured. I need a nap." Rabastan shook his head, it was truly a wonder how Aria felt so laid back now with either her father or his own.

But he certainly wouldn't change it for the better.

"When is your healer coming?" Orion asked, and she shrugged. "Soon, hopefully...I don't think the treatment is helping all that—Oh honestly, could you two knock it off. Everything doesn't have to lead to lawsuits, most of this is trial and error." It was certainly father like son as either of them halted their clean up in putting away the dozens of parchments to hear what she had to say.

But hushed them without a second thought.

"Will you be staying here with Aria?" Rabastan was asked, and he looked to his watch and nodded—Though the mistake was made in seeing how Orion reacted. "Don't think this lets you off the hook, Rabastan, I wasn't made aware of the dinner you invited my daughter to." Aria's brows rose as she turned her head away from her father.

"Father says that's what betroths do." She whispered, lacking her confidence and it made Rabastan almost sick to see the small presence of what Aurora could've been.

"Orion that was never our intent, it was the perfect opportunity for her to meet Rodolphous and Clarissa in a much more quiet area."
"And the attendance of her father and brother wouldn't have made it a bit quieter? Rabastan I have said my piece on the matter but you cannot visit this manor without another person—I rather have the badger around than it being alone. Is that understood?" Aria licked her lips and darted her eyes towards him, it was clear that she put up a fight...But how far could words go when this was standard.

"Of course, and I think mother would love a sit-down dinner with all of us. Perhaps Narcissa could come the next time." While it sounded believable it certainly was not at all an understanding notion that an invisible restraining order was placed on Rabastan.

Hopefully when Aria purchase her new manor that all would be well.

"Though I do want to stay and make sure that healer of her is as competent as they claim he is." Aria rolled her eyes and continued to sip at her tea, though it seemed to be a running joke.

Aidan Proctor seemingly found himself being hated on both sides, both on her father and dad's.

"The point of his shadowing is so that he's learning, Raba, it's—Rabastan. I'm sure you shadowed your father." It was rather endearing to hear that nickname fall so easily from her lips, course in the company of her father it certainly did make his cocky grin appropriate.

"Yes but he's American, those across the pond are—" Senior Lestrange stopped red-handed as it earned him a tilted head from Aria herself. Perking her lips. "And believe me, they hate us there too."
"My apologies dear, I'm sure that Crawford fellow isn't too bad." A kind smile took over her expression and then she squeezed her eyes.

"Shite, they're coming next week!" Aria said, making her way towards the fridge. She ignored Orion's attempt at reigning in proper manners since there were guests at the house, but all things considering...It was most likely her future husband and in-law.

Orion knew his daughter well enough that the feelings she was trying to hide wouldn't manage much longer, that and he knew a little more than most about the Scamander issue.

"I wouldn't mind meeting Mr.Crawford, you said you have brothers and sisters?" Aria nodded, but then her panicked eyes turned to Rabastan.

"It's probably best we don't meet Mr.Crawford, father...I don't think he particularly fond of me." It took Senior Lestrange all but a moment to see Aria's perked lips trying to find something to distract her in the pile of mail she already looked through prior.

But it was Orion's glaring stare that caused Radolphus to frown. "Knock it off Orion, my son's paid his dues."
"Yes, because there is no possibility of adultery in the future with that pairing? I'd say he's quarter of the way through with those dues." Rabastan had to bite his tongue, especially when Aria was laughing into her hand.

How bloody embarrassing this was, to hear his father defend his cheating—To Aria's father claim he'd commit adultery.

"I wouldn't dare do that again sir, I've learned my lesson."
"Yes, but my daughter is beyond forgiving. You haven't learned the lesson from either of her fathers. Perhaps it'd be good for you to meet Mr.Crawford." Aria had caught Radolphous gaze and the two chuckled with one another, this was certainly a mess in itself.

"It's alright father, I don't think Rabastan would do anything in the sort again. I can be a real bitch when I want to be, isn't that right love?"
"Yes." He instantly replied and the impending closeness of Aria had gone so far as for her to pull down his tie in a yank and lean into his ear.

"And if that's the case, I have loads of wizards and non to find comfort. Remember that love. Starting with Fabian." Either elder wizard knew that look, and the pairing smirk on one side while the other filled with an enraged one could only suggest as to what was happening.

With their father's soon leaving, Aria had gone to make herself another kettle of tea—Though she was hardly able to get the water to a bowl before Rabastan trapped her against the counter.

"Fabian?... I don't believe I ever asked how far the two of you—" Aria blinked up to him, silently asking him he truly wanted to know. "I think you can piece together, my virgin little self...And like my father says, six feet." A rather rough chuckle escaped Rabastan and Aria swallowed at the way his hands reached out to lean against the counter.

"Six feet? You sure love?" It was getting rather challenging to keep denying the man, especially when he smelled so heavily like the cologne she gifted him however many holidays ago. "No strenuous activities Rabastan, you heard the healer."
"Yes...But I was thinking—"
"Raba? I'm menstruating, leave it be." It took a moment to long for the Slytherin to realize what the word meant, but he simply took the directed step back before eyeing her in suspicion.

"I'll believe you this time Aria, but I don't take kindly in being lied to." She rolled her eyes before tossing him a jar to catch, he did it flawlessly and read the label. The tea that she'd been downing all morning was to help battle the cramps, thus making him frown.

"I can draw you a bath?"
"Now there's a suggestion, but I can handle that myself after the healers come...And you're off for the day."
"I can't tempt you?" She perked her lips and shook her head, frankly ever since the explosion she'd been feeling run down and tired. Not to mention the burns weren't all that pretty to look at, considering she was covering them up.

"No, Wyatt's leaving soon and I want to spend more time with him before he leaves..." She felt awful for picking between the two, but she needed to make it clear that her son was first. And Rabastan nodded.

"Then could I tempt you with dinner? I'll have Rose bring something over and we can eat together, the three of us." Rabastan hadn't realized that the smile on Aria's face had been purely genuine, and it was such a long time since he'd seen it like that. Or last through next words.

"That'd be lovely." She whispered, and it took all that to realize that Aria didn't need to be seduced in a natural way, just doing things for her or making these sort of plans was enough for her.

It didn't always need to be sexual, even if every fiber in his body was fighting the urge in between his trousers.

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Date Posted: 12-12-2020

Time: 11:27

Words: 5432

Hey guys!
So I made the decision to skip ahead from Immer Mutter to the next book in the series.
I haven't found much inspiration as of late and I'm stuck, but I've got plenty to start the new one:) 
With that being said, it'll start with a Prologue and then skip ahead to the start of Prisoner of Azkaban since it means all the Lestrange children will be in school.

I still have a few chapters left for Immer Mutter, so be on the lookout for those. Otherwise expect a new book either Christmas or New Years.

What is this third book called, you may ask?

IMMER ENDE