✧UNFRIENDLY ENCOUNTER✧

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***

Rabastan Lestrange had an accounted times from when he felt like utter crap in the morning, whether that be the times he spent nursing a hangover before a morning tonic—Or the occasional Quidditch injuries, but no, this was much worse.

The only plus side to all this was that his eyes awoken to the picture-perfect display of Aria, who was curled up in her blanket just a good distance away. However her fingers were just lightly intertwined in his, and just this amount of contact was enough for him.

Yet the strain that it caused him to simply hold onto her hand was mind-boggling, and unfortunately the groan he let out instantly woke Aria beside him.

She hadn't said anything yet, truthfully she doubted he was awake yet—Thus she acted much more like a caregiver than a doting girlfriend, however when his chuckle relayed she jumped.

"I don't know if I should be angry or should just break down into tears at this point, Rabastan." She said, sleep covering over her voice, and he hummed along.

"All I know is that Dolohov outted you at a meeting with the Dark Lord, and you took a punishment—For me." His eyes shot open at the prospect of what she said, yes, that did sound familiar.

"Your father sent a letter, apparently we're having a family meeting once we're awake enough...Are you hungry at all? Any pain?" Truthfully, he felt like he was in a daze—The willingness to turn and face her was unreachable and he hummed once more. As though he couldn't find his voice any longer, and so she sighed.

"I think I gave you too much of the tonic last night, you were convulsing pretty badly Raba...Can you move your fingers at least?" He did as she asked and she smiled.

"Alright then, one-finger tap for pain, two for no pain." Two taps.

"Lovely, and are you hungry? One yes, two no?" One tap.

"You know, I sort of like you this quiet and responsive...I wonder how long this tonic will last." She thought out loud, her head going to lay on his chest with a flirtatious smile, and it only grew when she felt one tap at her wrist.

"I'm going to make us some breakfast in bed, rest a little more. Sure the tonic will wear off in a bit." He hummed once more, his eyes following Aria as she grabbed hold of her morning robe and walked right on out the archway of her room. It was only then that Rabastan had the idea to look around the room, and he was not at all stunned by the layout or decor.

This is what he imagined Aria's bedroom to look like, for sure.

Stone walls, a beautiful chandelier featured in the room, beautiful artwork, and a rather large library nook just in the corner.

Over the course of the next few minutes, he managed to get the better part of his arms moving. Granted, it wasn't enough to aid him into sitting up—But it did help him in the near future when Aria would ask questions, and he knew she would be coming in back up soon.

Bit by bit, he started to regain the will to be able to sit up, but unfortunately his right arm was still facing the ceiling and numbed straight down to the fingertip.

Just as he was about to curse up a storm for his body's weakness, Aria had appeared through the double doors with Loki in tow. And just as the mutt was about to jump onto the bed, her order to stop had him almost fall back on his bum.

"Sorry about that, he gets excited for cuddles—And I had to kick him out last night because someone else was taking up his spot."
"Sounds unfortunate."
"Ah, I was wondering when you'd get your voice back." She said with a pleasant smiling in his wake.

Settling the tray over his waist he caught the beautiful display of her cooking and smirked up a storm to see his favorites. A breakfast sandwich with bacon, egg, and cheese—Something that she introduced him to. As well as fruit and a coffee to add to the wonderful display, course it caught him off guard that all Aria had to herself was a cup of tea.

"I snacked on some fruit downstairs when I was cutting it, eat up." She urged, knowing his thoughts before he could even formulate a sentence—And the bloke didn't hesitate to stuff his face filled with said sandwich.

It was as if the tonic had masked his true hunger until the bite awakened it. Causing Aria to smile into her mug as she watched him devour the entire plate in under a few minutes, coffee and all.

"Are you still hungry? I have a few house-elves, they don't mind."
"I think I'm set for now, love...What time is it?" Aria's eyes flickered off towards the clock and she sucked in a breath, nothing about the breakfast would've told him it was close to one in the afternoon.

"What the—"
"You father woke me up downstairs at about seven, I guess we both needed the sleep. It's alright, I sent him an owl that we should be coming just when you get feeling back in your legs." In an attempt to surprise her, Rabastan threw over his legs and attempted to stand, yet had it not ben Aria's quick grab of his nightshirt, then he would've fallen flat in his face but her quick thinking allowed him to fall back into the bed.

"Yeah, so maybe don't do that again?" Aria said with a tempting smirk on her face and he grumbled his anger. However it all evaporated when her soft hands began running through his hair in a soothing motion.

"Better rest up, from what I know we're having a family meeting."
"Ever—"
"Hmm, close your eyes love. I'll wake you up in ten minutes for a shower." She deemed, though his eyes followed her off to said shower and caught the mirror's blessed sight of the reflection of her nude body.

"Perhaps there is a goddess..." He deemed, settling back into the pillow and listening to the roaring sound of the shower, allowing his mind and body to heal.

What felt like mere seconds caused him to groan when Aria attempted to wake him up, though he took the sight of Aria in a towel any day. "You know, we could've showered together—In case I fall."
"I'll be in the bathroom you naughty lad, lets go...My father's already going to go off the railings that you spent the night." He did all he could to stand on his own, but thankfully he managed to gain a bit of strength by the time he managed to head off towards said bathroom.

"You didn't skip a detail, did you?" She snorted just beside him and settled him right underneath said showerhead.
"I think it was well deserves, and it's a lovely shower fall. I'll be right through the glass alright? Do you need help undressing?" She questioned honestly, and to give himself some dignity he attempted the best he could. Though there was no hesitation in helping, and he stood in complete awe.

As if there was any doubt she'd still be there beside him.

"Your brother dropped off some more clothes, tell me when you're finished." She instated, waving her hand for the shower to turn on. And sweet mother Merlin had he thought she underplayed said shower, but it was downright beautiful.

The embedded sweat from a night of torture, it felt reviving to wash off, in addition he caught sight of Aria getting ready for the day as well. Which she didn't hide herself, course she probably thought he'd be distracted.

"Do you suppose this is what couples do?" Aria turned to the side, only one eye done with makeup and she laughed as she continued to apply mascara.
"What? Get ready beside each other or split the bathroom while one is showering?"
"Both? I dunno. It sounds very couple-like to me." He claimed, and she shook her head. Already knowing he was smirking up a storm.

"I suppose, but we're about to get yelled at and possibly banned from seeing one another. So unless you get a secret way to come to my manor, this might be the last time we see one another for a bit."
"What about Christmas? I thought my brother and I are going to come and join you?"
"Oh, I'm sure Wyatt will love if Rolf comes. Considering my Badger threw your brother against the wall just last night for upsetting me. That might be a raincheck, or never."
"Wyatt attacked Rodolphous? Why? I thought they were getting along?" Aria sighed and placed her mascara down to the counter, now focusing on the sink rather than her reflection or himself.

"Because he rained down on me that it was my fault that you were hurt last night."
"What?!"
"It's nothing to worry about, I'll talk to him today and sort it out. I'm sure it was just the stress talking, there wasn't really anything more we could've done for you last night than give a tonic and wait." She informed, which caused Rabastan to remain staring through the glass.

"Wash up, the last thing I want is my father unimpressed by your appearance." He instantly started to get properly washed, and thankful she didn't have to remind him from then on.

Funny enough she had walked in at the wrong time, not used to having someone in her bathroom as she jumped. "Sorry, forgot my wand," Rabastan smirk her way, his towel nowhere near his lower half and she groaned in the air.

"Celibacy is a great way to live Rabastan! You should try it!" He laughed, a guttural laugh as Aria was left running from the room with red in her cheeks. Course they couldn't keep the peace longer than a few days, but realistically—Rabastan had a taste of the beautiful sex they used to have that now he was close to desperate.

Though perhaps the sense of rekindling was making his soul more inclined to crave it, either that or the fact that he was smelling her shampoo like a damnable lad would.

The shower did wonders to his sore and aching muscles, but alas that took time out of their given window to arrive. And when they did, however, they were met with a steady gaze of everyone in the room.

Though Aria had taken a seat right beside Regulus, while Rabastan found himself across the ways—Thus starting the meeting.

"This better not be another attempt at asking for a betrothal—Radolphous, I already told you. It's up to my daughter." Orion deemed and Walburga scoffed.

"Cassiopeia just needs a little push in the right direction, surely we can come to an agreement if—"
"The last time someone gave you any direction over my life, I was lost to this entire family. So I'd appreciate it, Walburga, if you'd lower the opinions and allowed Mister Lestrange to speak on more pressing matters than when I'll be getting married." Whatever sure fire response Walburga had thrown back at Aria, she simply took with a smile and a nod.

"Please, tempt me. I bloody dare you."
"Aria, that's enough." Orion settled, though his eyes were still on Walburga in the meantime to lower her anger.

"While I would love for this conversation to be about the union between your child and mine, we have much more pressing concerns that might involve it—As a last resort. Late last night, Rabastan was punished under the directive notion that the Dark Lord wants Aria in his midst. Whatever that might mean, Rodolphous and Bellatrix tell me it's simply because he wants a popular household name to be under rank, or he is looking for a potion's mistress to aid him with tasks that I cannot even begin to imagine." Radolphous spoke, gauging the table. And that had caused Walburga to simmer down and Orion's frown to innate further.

"And why was Rabastan punished?" Orion dwelled further, and it was explained that the relationship of Aria was taking it's toll in how far the Lestrange family was willing to protect her name and how risky the next few days would be.

"Dolohov?! You must be mistaken." Rodolphous shrugged his shoulders and Bella cackled.

"We've taken good care of him, Uncle. No worries." She said, the alluring amount of torture caused Aria to raise a brow. But Regulus' hand gripped onto her underneath the table suggested that she remain quiet.

"I don't see the issue, Cassiopeia has been recognized by the Dark Lord. We should be celebrating, we should be—"
"I think you are missing the point here, Mrs.Black. That the Dark Lord cannot find out who Aria is, not when she doesn't want to return to the public eye as Cassiopeia just yet." For someone like Walburga, it was an outrage to hear. Which caused Aria to sigh further.

"I don't believe I have to tell you my political stance Walburga, but I rather stay away from the war." She deemed, and that set course for Bella to persuade her otherwise.

"I assume neither of you lot were bullied in Hogwarts in the record of blood? No? Just me then?" Rabastan looked downright guilty, knowing how hard this topic was for her to begin with.

That he had almost pushed her to the brink of losing her sanity.

Aria sighed in her hands and restarted her train of thought. "The Dark Lord wants me for something and I don't know what it is, right now all I know is that I don't want to be apart of something that blatantly leaves loyal members close to death. The Lestrange's have done right by me, Father, I owe them my thanks. I have half the brain to trust them into making up a plan." It was clear that not only was Orion surprised by his daughter's words, but the rest of the Lestrange's as well.

Though, her thanks would not go as far as a marriage with their son, no. They'd have to do a lot better than protect her from whispers.

*

It was settled from then on that the break in public appearances would hopefully shave off the idea that their available, and making little spits and spats would caused Dolohov and whomever else to bugger off.

Aria was advised by her father to cancel her party, however, it would look more than suspicious on the sudden tip. In needing a date however, Avery had taken the strives and provided the Dark Lord with a warning that he would entice Ms.Crawford as much as he could, though he issued the idea that he doubted it.

It was a rather funny venture, having Avery there for last-minute preparations teasing her like a proper date would. And perhaps it finally sparked the beginning essence of a friendship between them that hadn't managed anytime before that.

"Did you invite Harper?"
"You mean her or her parents?" He shrugged his shoulders and she managed to deny that sort of drama, the exclusivity managed to range-wide—And Avery couldn't deny that he thought the idea was brilliant.

Using her name, title, and reach throughout to have them all together and gamble.

"Where'd you get this idea anyhow?" He questioned and she smirked.
"I never did get to play cards that night, Avery." Their laughter continued, or would've had Orion not popped up out of the blue with a frown on.

"I don't want to worry about another bloke pining for my daughter, Avery."
"No of course not sir! I'd never—"
"Good." Orion deemed, coming to greet his daughter properly when Avery took his stance by backing up.

It was hilarious to see how her peers would quake in the presence of her father, and she couldn't but feel elevated that if she did take back the name...Perhaps some good would come with it, right?

As she sat through another installment of proper eidetic from the hostess, she seemed finally deemed ready to act the part. Course it helped tremendously that Avery was by her side, and while Rabastna would've calmed her down and snuck a few flirtatious comments here and there. Her date for this evening managed to make it all the more uplifting, as well as attentive to be a proper hostess' date.

They danced, ate—Which wasn't a formal sitting and dining, whenever one was hungry they could simply grab food from the Buffett. This surely caught the attention of everyone, and the slip in of American finger food had been the perfect addition.

"How long do you think he'll stand there sulking for the evening?" Avery questioned, which caused her to pout. "This sucks, I was looking forward in having a normal date with him."

"Yes, but now you're on a date with me. I could always slip him a message, to meet you in the other room?" While she thought about it, she didn't want to appear neglectful to her guests and told Avery to tell Rabastan that perhaps they could sneak to see one another sometime later this week.

Though unfortunately, Avery thought it best to tell him after the meeting tonight. As he didn't want it to plague his thoughts and get him in trouble.

Orion watched right alongside Radolphous how inventive Aria was to her guest, enjoying her time in the spotlight right alongside Avery. And of course Radolphous was sulking, as that could be his son had everything been set right the previous nights.

"She's certainly shining bright, perhaps you named her correctly—Cassiopeia."

"A beautiful queen—And if it's not without effort. I want a suitable marriage for her. As you can guess." He offered and the father hummed along. "We both want what's best for our children, yet it seems like your daughter has the view of what is best for everyone." Orion nodded along, but during their conversation, he lost sight of her.

"Relax, she's moving miles a minute. Surely she needs a breath of fresh air." That allowed Orion to breathe in relief, but realistically Aria needed to use the restroom for the past hour.

And goddess she thanked her architect, urging her to connect a communal bathroom near the ball. It was the best decision, right alongside the fact that there were certain doors that wouldn't open for the guests—As it lead to her home.

The last thing she needed was guests getting too comfortable in her house.

"Ms.Crawford, should we start laying out the dessert?" She looked to the head caterer and shook her head. "Take your time, perhaps in the next twenty minutes or so." It was beautiful to organize this event, and her publicist already came up to her saying that it was surely going well—To the front page of the Daily Prophet for sure!

The positivity was radiating off of her, and sure enough, she caught Rabastan across the road aways. It was a beautiful temptation, and it certainly didn't catch Dolohov's cautious glances here and there.

She was finally given a moment by herself, in the hiding spot of a beautiful bathroom stall—It was her first time using it, all things considering.

But her attempts at making everyone comfortable and happy was what drew her to wait until the last moment. Thankfully Avery had pulled her wine glass away and directed her to her own bathroom.

Apparently it was a thing for women to get too wrapped in hosting, better yet—She had forgotten to eat. So she'd have this little break from the public and then get a plate of snacks with Avery, hopefully that would settle the rumble that shot through her.

However what she hadn't been prepared for, was the splash of red wine to her dress, and it was hard not to be on purpose.

"Oh noz, I'm zo zorry!" Well certainly that accent had been ingrained in Aria's head. But never did she expect Ms.Denault to appear in her own house of all places.

"No worries, darling." The surprise was etched all over Ms. Denault's face, and Aria smirked as she gestured her wand around the length of the spill and suddenly it disappeared.

As if magic could simply erase such a petty act.

Aria offered another smile and attempt to move away from the young witch, but was met with her stepped in a mirrored image. "I'll ask you kindly and only once, Ms.Denault, to step aside." She said as nicely as possibly, but clearly that didn't register in her mind.

"What iz it you vant? Money?"
"Whatever for? And curious to why you think I'd need money to—" 

"Vor 'Baston. He'z vating for you. But you're vith Avery." So while Ms. Denault didn't know who she was from the distance, she had simply been following Rabastan's line of sight.

Tempting, but Aria truly didn't have the patience.

"I am not with anyone at the moment, yes, Avery is my date for this evening as he's a friend. And personally, I haven't had the chance to talk with Rabastan, but thank you for the reminder." She said with a subtle wink before this time pushing through with a swift knock to Claudette's shoulder.

This certainly called for reinforcements, though funny enough—Potions weren't the only topic that the witch couldn't manage. As the sudden blast of a curse had left a mark on her wall just at the height of her head.

"Now I know you didn't just try to fire that at me, Ms.Denault," Aria said through gritted teeth.

"Datz a varning, to stayz 'way from 'Bastan." It earned the French guest a few blinks, and thankfully the gods have been watching over Aria. Because the second Claudette had turned into a fit of tears, it caused Crawford to make a face.

What in the hell—

The acting had been for one Mrs.Lestrange, and the mother had looked between the two gals as well as the markings on the wall with a frown. "What is going on here?" She questioned, and before Aria could get a word in, Claudette had beaten her to the explanation—All in French as well, to segregate her from the conversation all the bit more.

"Is that true?"
"Unless she told you that she spilled wine on my dress, bribed me to stay away from Avery and your son, and did that to the wall...Then yes, that'd be the truth, Mrs.Lestrange." Aria said, biting the inside of her cheeks.

This could be it, Rabastan's mother didn't have to believe Aria—At this point it hardly looked as if anything else happened other than the curses markings on the wall.

Yet the issue of tears didn't make a thread of sense, yet the firm voice of Clarissa had shined through.

"I doubt Aria would raise her wand at anyone, Claudette—Or ruin this gorgeous wallpaper."
"She did! I'll report her to zee host!" It was then that Mrs.Lestrange laughed and shook her head.

"That's pointless darling, the hostess will be asking for the downpayment on those." And Aria sighed with her hands about to ruin her night's makeup in running down her face.

"And that'd be pointless as well, because those were originally from the house." That caught Claudette by surprise and Aria shook her head.

"You aren't welcomed in my home any longer, Ms.Denault. Unless of course, you'd like for me to press charges?" Now that was certainly a few words that she understood, but Clarissa had intended to fully have a word with either her husband or whomever invited Denault.

Course when Aria returned to Avery with a plate of food, something with the way she shoveled a the potato fingerlings into her mouth caused him to frown. "Everything alright?"

"No, Claudette spilled wine and ruined my wall with a curse. So technically it's not alright. And I forgot to eat." She claimed as she passed him his own plate, had he forgot as well?

Sitting at one of the barstools she laughed in the surprised look, he hadn't been prepared for how attentive she herself was in terms of this 'date'.

"Next time McNair comes we'll cycle the message through. Eat. I don't need him on my arse that you didn't get enough." She snorted into her neck bite and rolled her eyes.

"I wonder how it'll work out, when you and him get married. What the hell is he going to do then?" That didn't come out as he planned as he attempted to retract it, and she simply kept her focus on her plate. "So you agree, that he'll get tired of me once he has me?"

"The two of you shagged just last month, can you really stand there and tell me that he hasn't been on his best behavior to win you back or to get another night with you?"
"And what's a night with me in the long run of things, Avery? This back and forth until I find myself wanting a ring on my finger?" Her question hadn't caused him to remain quiet in thought like she'd hope, instead he lagged and took another bite of food.

"You forget love, you told me he's your future husband."
"And did you tell him that or—"
"Of course not, you've proven yourself more than enough to earn my loyalty to and respect. Even if you and 'Bas weren't together."
"We aren't."
"You keep telling yourself that princess." Speaking of Rabastan, he was trying to make out what the hell his best mate was saying to Aria.

For the entire night he had been playing the game of 'reading lips,' or would've if Orion and his father reminded him outright twice to stop making it obvious.

And as his father strolled up this time, he only offered the chance to spoke to allure his son off and away from the gal's range.

"She's more than safe, the Dark Lord doesn't want to cause her harm." His father mused, and Rabastan scoffed. "The whole room is looking at her."

"Of course, she's a gorgeous witch—Single, wealthy, smart, and awfully generous with it all. You have your work cut out for you." The laughter pursued as Aria's father had come strolling in as well.

"Work plus an added sway of my views, and while they're growing lighter. I still don't find myself all that thrilled of you being my son-in-law." Orion dwelled on and that caused Radolphous to laugh.

"Wait until you're a grandfather—We'll be grandfathers!" The excitement had been too much for either Rabastan and Orion to really see a positive. "I can barely get her to go on a date with me—A child? Father that's long down the road."

Orion's hum had followed after Rabastan's words. "For once I agree with your son, but it's farther than 'just down the road,' it's—"

"It's across the bridge and buried deep underground." The shocked expression of all the wizard's eyes had caused them to dull out their cigar's smoke. "Is everything alright, did Avery say something?" She rolled her eyes at his worries.

"Not at all, perfect date. Oh cheer up, it'll only be like this for a bit longer." She said, making her wink only for his eyes only in an attempt to be discreet, he did have plans with her in the following few days. But that was only if the Dark Lord would relax.

When the party finally ended, the catering company had gotten a steady tip for dealing with the snottiest party they probably ever saw in their life. But besides that, she had made close to a quarter of a million galleons for charity and research.

She couldn't wait to stake the claim and thank everyone for coming, the only issue here is...Her possible brother in law came forward with a frown.

"You're being politely requested to join the Dark Lord this evening." He said, his voice steady and in slight desperation that she did not reject it this time. And thus, she nodded.

"How badly will this affect you and everyone if I keep denying him? I don't expect you know me that well. But you knew Cassiopeia, was she ever...Bad?" The eldest Lestrange brother had stopped for a moment and sighed.
"You were possibly the kindest witches I've ever known, even from a young age. And I hardly needed a few months to know that you haven't changed, a name doesn't phase out who you are or were. Besides, I like you better this way. Much sharper tongue." She began to shake her head and offered out her hand for them to apparent away.

"You almost said something worth listening to." She deemed, and he smiled with her confirmation as he took the lead off and away.

Right into the snake den.

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Date Posted: 02-27-2021

Time: 9:15

Words: 4875

Oof this is a long chapter, but things will be picking up soon and I can't wait🤗
Hope everyone is well💕