"Look at her, my perfect little angel." Rabastan Lestrange spoke as he sat in a wing backed chair, set near the fireplace of the main living room in of Lestrange Manor while a storm raged out in the dark night of September 19, 1979; a house in which he shares with his brother and their wives. The manor, though near the coast and darkly decorated in deep rich, reds, browns, greens and the occasional purple, showing their family's colors despite having been sorted into Slytherin for generations, was warm and welcoming. To those not privileged to know the wealthy and powerful family beyond rumor it would be of a great shock to find such an atmosphere associated with them.
Anyone who had seen the large burly man, with strong aristocratic features framed by long thick wavy black hair and beard would never believe that the powerful dark wizard could ever be this gentle and loving no matter who was concerned, even his new born daughter.
"It's such a shame who her mother is. At least she has mostly Lestrange physical characteristics. Let's hope that the same is true in personality. The only good things that could come from her mother are her brains and strength in magic. Those traits coupled with yours will make her a powerful witch." His sister in law, Bellatrix, spoke up from the chaise lounge she was seated on with her husband and, Rabastans brother, Rodolphus.
Bellatrix, a beautiful and powerful witch, with black hair of lustrous wild curls, flawless smooth white complexion, piercing ice, almost steely, blue eyes and a talent in dueling, in her own right could tell her niece would be a force to reckon with. As much as she would like to protect her yet to be named niece from the horrors of the world she knew she could not but, she would help to raise her and try and be the mother the baby would be unlucky enough not to have unless the healers were able to save her.
Either way Bella felt she would be taking up the role seeing as the birthmother has no want for the child she should feel blessed to have instead of mourning the temporary loss of her figure. While Bellatrix Lestrange nee Black has no children of her own it is not by design but, by horrible luck that the negative effects of inbreeding have afflicted the eldest Black daughter of Cygnus and Druella in a way to make her barren and unable to bore children for her loving husband.
"While I will be one of the first to admit that Ursula has many faults, we cannot deny that she has helped provide a beautiful and powerful for the Lestrange line. Our parents did well in negotiating a marriage contract between Rab and the Вук's when they had not only a daughter but she was their second after already having a son, who has moved the family back to Serbia as head of the family; which means they are not part of the war the Dark Lord is waging." The second comment came from Rodolphus who, beside the fact of being a year barely a year older than Rabastan, could be mistaken to be him, the similarities being so great except the eyes of which Rodolphus' are light brown and Rabastans' dark brown, almost black. The only other difference is their hair; where Rabastans' is wavy, Rodolphus' is straight.
"Be careful of what you say husband, we wouldn't want to anger anyone until we know which way things will go and how we will need to maneuver and change things to how thy should be. The Dark Lord and Tom keep fluctuating.
There's been word that Dumbledore plans to steal away Rabs' daughter and pin it on some of his own to provoke the Dark Lord into action. We all know how he dotes on those he considers part of the first generation to freely enjoy what he hopes to make a better world for all of us in the magical world.
If we don't keep whatever is attached to him soon it will be a slaughter and Dumbles will be allowed to keep controlling the government from safely inside of Hogwarts. All for the greater good and, to of course cover up one of his greatest mistakes, I say we leave the Longbottom's alone just in case they are contorted orders, try and postpone the plans more than the year we have been able to talk him into recently. We should warn the Potter's by way of Sirius of what plans are afoot."
"Rodolphus is right. Besides, maybe if Ursula survives she will feel the need to be more loving and motherly. It doesn't help her to know that all of her family is in Serbia so close to the death of her parents, after being born and raised here when her parents moved here to avoid the feud her grandparents on each side were having about whether her parents should live in Serbia, her father's home country or Germany, her mother's homeland once the marriage was official.
I'm thinking that if she survives I'll let her return to her family and live how she wants; without breaking the marriage of course. I supposed I'll have to provide a handsome allowance to keep her from breaking all ties from us in case we are ever in need of a safe haven." Rabastan thought out loud while making plans to keep his precious daughter safe during the changing times of reshaping the wizarding world.
"Bella, my heart, agree with you about leaving the Longbottom's alone. About the Potter's, I believe we have enough time to plan something that will protect them and give us all time to go into hiding until we can destroy whatever is attached to our dear leader and causing all of these problems. I don't fancy the fact that the magic in our marks was twisted to act like an Imperio controlled by the being. Contact your cousin and your sister Andromeda. I'll gather Lucius, Narcissa and the others. First though we must know the name of our own personal beacon of light dear brother."
"Hermione Aradia Artio Вук Lestrange; Hermione is Greek for messenger, Aradia is the daughter of the Roman moon goddess and Roman sun god. She is the goddess of and protector of those persecuted for religion and in ancient Roman times believed to have been the first to teach humans witchcraft and earned the title of a Queen of Witches. Artio; an ancient pagan goddess of the continent of fertility and protector of bears; that's not the main reason why I chose it though, it was also believed that she was the goddess of prosperity and harvest. Finally Вук to honor her mother's blood and family line that runs through her; it means Wolf. All names of strength and good will of some sort. I name her these names in the hope of a good life for my angel and that she be protected and loved in all she does. I name her these with the blessing of her mother, given before for birth. I pray that these names have already woven their magic without me needing have voiced them and that my child doesn't have to grow up with me, a bear of a man, as her only birth parent. I also pray that my wife learns to love our daughter and we learn to love each other." Rabastan finished the naming ceremony, blessing and impromptu moment of prayer, with all of the words and more reflecting in his heart that only family and close friends are privileged enough to see.
"Master's Lestrange, Madam Lestrange. Madam Ursula Lestrange is askings for the babe. She wishes yous all to come toos." A well-mannered seasoned house-elf announced after discretely popping in during the moment of silence following the ceremony.
"Well shall be right there Gigurls. I will need to know which elves if any have had baby's recently or are pregnant and would happily, willingly be nurses for Hermione and allow their child to be an elf of Hermione's when the time is right. I'll need multiple nurses for her so if there aren't many that fall under what I asked for bring others you think would be suitable and are willing. We'll have trial runs starting tomorrow and I'll let you know when I want them to begin. It won't be for a while yet. I do wish to have an actual part in rearing my angel." Rabastan replied to the elf he named as a toddler.
He still gets grief from Rodolphus about him not being able to pronounce giggles when he was naming his elf. He gives as good as he gets though whenever his older brothers elf, Nucky, comes in to report to him. He was told Rodolphus was trying to name him Ducky after becoming fascinated by them at the park.
Once the elf left the three adults left the room to sweep up the grand marble staircase and a private set up to the suite Rabastan and Ursula receive as Rabastan is the youngest and not considered Lord of the manor. Nor does he wish to be, he'd much rather mock his brother for his obligations of hosting parties due to his being head of the family with their father and mother choosing to pass on the titles and enjoy life and see their sons succeed in society and life.