Author's Note: Be forewarned, this chapter is full of dialogue. I find chapters like this kind of annoying, but it was important to the plot. You will understand what I mean when you read through. Everyone talks too much!
Chapter Thirty Six
Antonin rolled the Dark Lord's words around in his head for the entire walk through the castle and grounds to the Apparition point beyond the gates. It had taken all of his self-preservation senses to keep from launching himself across the desk towards his master's throat and his almost certain death. How dare he use such words to describe Hermione? He would be the luckiest man in their shitty world if he had the opportunity to spend his life with her. Filthy, Muggle whore? Just remembering the words caused his heartbeat to pound in his ears.
Part of him still expected the door to the cottage to be thrown open at his arrival. Hermione usually tried to greet him when he returned from a summons during the day. It reassured her that he was safe when she could see him immediately. Antonin stared at the closed front door for several moments willing it to open and prove that morning had been one giant, fucking nightmare.
The other three members of what Theo jokingly referred to as 'Hermione's Harem' were all just inside the living room. Thorfinn had returned at some point to pilfer more of Antonin's favorite whiskey. Ordinarily he would at minimum raise a disgruntled eyebrow at the theft, but he didn't have the energy. Rodolphus and Theo were silently seated on the sofa staring off into the flickering flames of the fireplace. They looked up and Thorfinn ceased his drinking and pacing at the sound of the heavy door creaking open.
"We know where she's at," Rodolphus announced.
Antonin's stomach lurched at the simple sentence. Before he could ask the man to explain himself in further detail, the horrid little house-elf that used to annoy him endlessly entered the room from the kitchen bearing a plate of fresh biscuits bigger than she was.
"She's at the manor," Antonin said, needing no further hints.
"Yes," Rodolphus answered. "Before you run off to try to pull her out of there, you should know that Rabastan has secured the wards."
"That's not a problem for me."
"Antonin, we all know your talents with wards but I assure you that you will not be able to break through those. He has them set up to not allow anyone except him in or out," he continued to explain. "He even sent that horrible woman he married back to the US for a short time to stay with her mother."
Antonin didn't want to contemplate how serious and dire the situation had become now that Hermione was completely alone with Lestrange.
"But the elves can obviously leave," Antonin suggested realizing he was grasping at quite flimsy straws. "She was saved by a house-elf once before when your blushing bride was torturing her. Can Rosie not bring her through the wards?"
Rodolphus shook his head.
"Rabastan forbid the elves from letting Hermione out. Even I can't override that order as much as I would like to."
Thorfinn pushed a full glass of whiskey into Antonin's hand. It was a bad idea considering it wasn't even lunchtime yet, but he didn't care. The glass was emptied in only three swallows.
"I saw McLaggen at Hogwarts," he declared.
The three men all paused to stare at him following his revelation.
"Is he dead?" Thorfinn demanded, his fair complexion bright red with rage.
"No, but he soon could be if we wanted. He just accepted his Mark."
"Not a problem, mate. I'll be happy to kill him next," offered Thorfinn.
"I had another strange conversation with Yaxley. He told me that his department would be available to help soon. He also encouraged me to figure out how to get the other departments on our side."
"He thinks we can somehow convince the Ministry to turn on the Dark Lord?" asked Theo, his disbelief evident in his tone.
Antonin shrugged his shoulders, a terrible habit he'd picked up after too long in close confines with Thorfinn.
"We need to contact the rebels," said Thorfinn. He ignored the three identical expressions of disgust to continue his thoughts. "There's too much at stake now. For all of us. We are going to have to work together."
No one said anything for several minutes. All four of the wizards were stuck in their own minds. Finally they all voiced their somewhat reluctant agreement one by one. Thorfinn crossed the crowded room to pen a terse note to his sister. He stayed at the open window watching the owl disappear into the distance.
"It'd be a lot bloody easier if we could send patronuses like Hermione and Reina," Thorfinn muttered.
It was a common complaint that they all agreed with. The Order's method of sending messages was efficient and elegant. They had all tried on numerous occasions to complete the notoriously tricky charm. The only one of them that had been able to produce anything at all was Theo and his patronus was only a weak, formless mass that dissipated after only a couple of seconds. Everyone else had too much darkness in them to complete the Light spell.
"Finnie, come back. Bring everyone. We need to meet."
Reina's odd patronus appeared so suddenly that the content of its message was almost missed. Rodolphus stood from the sofa still trembling slightly. Antonin wasn't sure how much different the Cruciatus Curse felt while as an animal, but every single man present in that cottage had experience shaking off the lingering aftereffects to push on through to the next summons.
They all met Reina at the gates again to be led through the cloaking wards. She seemed frazzled and Antonin could swear her eyes were filled with unshed tears. He briefly wondered what was wrong with her, but when her older brother wrapped a comforting arm around her shoulder he ceased his worry. It was her family's place to provide her comfort. He had enough on his own mind to think about anyone other than Hermione.
He really wished Reina had provided some hint of what they were about to walk into. Some warning that perhaps the end of their journey to the old caretaker's cottage would be less than desirable, but she said nothing. Simply held the front door open and allowed them to enter straight into the heart of the Resistance.
All conversations ceased the moment the four Death Eaters entered the cottage. There were at least a dozen members of the Resistance scattered around the room narrowing their eyes at the new arrivals. Every single Undesirable was present: Longbottom, Shacklebolt, Lucius, Weasley, Dumbledore, Other Weasley. There were more Weasleys present if their bright hair was an indication. Antonin recognized the patriarch of the notorious Blood traitor family seated on one of the couches with his eldest son seated next to him. His son's expression was filled with venomous hatred.
When the initial shock of the Death Eater entering their shared space wore off seconds later, the cottage became a chaotic maelstrom. Shouts of anger were hurled in their direction. Calls to have them removed followed. It seemed that everyone present had an opinion of just where the Death Eaters could spend eternity and just where they could shove their wands before leaving. Lucius failed to bring any sense of order to the gathering despite repeated tries. Antonin fought the urge to hex every single person beginning with Lucius. Rodolphus looked as if he would like nothing more than to transform into a dog and run away. Thorfinn was exchanging several particularly nasty insults with the Longbottom boy that made even Antonin's jaded ears burn. Theo stood back quietly observing the scene with a blank expression on his features.
A loud bang from someone's wand startled everyone into silence. When the smoke from the spell cleared, all eyes were on young Theo. He addressed the group in a calm, almost disinterested tone.
"We all want the Dark Lord to be defeated and we all have ones we love in his hands. Like it or not, we are all on the same side. This petty bickering is doing nothing but bringing them all closer to death."
Everyone present felt a tiny bit shamed by his words. At the very least no one could really argue with them. Lucius cleared his throat and turned to address Antonin directly.
"Antonin, do you believe it is safe for me to tell everyone gathered what you and the others have been up to recently?"
He shrugged his shoulders again. Damn it, Thorfinn! The spell cast on the parchment prevented them from reporting their group to those who might wish them harm or want to stop them. He assumed that no one in that room was losing sleep over murdered Death Eaters.
"I think it will be all right assuming no one here is hostile to our cause," Antonin finally said.
"Excellent. I have been afraid to ask Miss Granger what might happen to me after I signed her charmed parchment."
George Weasley snorted. He vividly remembered the effect of Hermione's last charmed parchment.
"These gentlemen have been responsible for the deaths of at least a dozen active Death Eaters over the past several weeks."
Wide, disbelieving eyes turned back to the four uneasy men still standing in the entry. It was clear that there was a begrudging new respect from some of them. Lucius continued his rather detailed account of their activities. As more information was revealed more of the Resistance was impressed. No one interrupted his tale until the very end.
"So the murders of Crabbe and Goyle, those were these guys?" Aberforth Dumbledore asked.
Reina stepped out of Lucius' shadow to respond.
"No, I take full responsibility for those murders," she answered, pride evident in her tone. "And for Macnair too."
Dumbledore whistled in a show of respect and incredulity.
"Quite impressive, lass."
"Yes, it was," she spat. "And don't think I've forgotten what several of you said about me when Lucius tried to include me in your little exclusive Gryffindor Only club."
Antonin felt the corners of his mouth twitch up into a small smile at her declaration. He'd always liked the girl. It was a pity she was Rowle's sister. Even more of a pity that it looked as if she was going to be the next Mrs. Malfoy. Tragic.
"I hope that this will prove once and for all that we are on the same side now," declared Lucius, hoping to calm his witch in the process. She had the almost identical rage-filled expression marring her porcelain skin that her elder brother had earlier in the day. "Antonin, you were at Hogwarts earlier. Can you provide any news about the hostages?"
Antonin cleared his throat before addressing the group. All eyes were on him. It was a sensation he'd never cared for.
"All of the hostages are being kept in the dungeons of the school. They have not been harmed. The Death Eaters are under orders to keep them protected."
"My wife is due any day now," Bill Weasley said, his eyes flashing with anger and fear. "Are you certain she is all right?"
"Yes, I've seen them all: Mrs. Longbottom and the baby, Mr. Sloane, Miss Johnson, Mrs. Weasley and Draco. Lucius, remind me later to give you a private message from your son."
Lucius nodded but Antonin noticed his face grow paler.
"What about Hermione?" asked Reina. "Where is she?"
All eyes were back on Antonin. He didn't know who half the people in the room were and frankly didn't care, but he could tell that they were all interested to know what had become of her.
"She was taken early this morning by Cormac McLaggen," Antonin proclaimed.
There were gasps and muttered swears from most of the Resistance. Only a couple seemed to not be surprised in the slightest. An attractive redhead that Antonin was certain he's seen before scoffed and announced to the room that she'd been saying all along that McLaggen couldn't be trusted.
"That's enough, Ginny," Arthur Weasley warned the girl who was obviously his daughter.
"No, Dad," she argued, her eyes flashing with anger. There was a lot of that going around the cottage. "I've been telling all of you for months that we should've obliviated the arsehole and dumped him out in the North Sea. None of you believed me."
"Ginny, not now. This isn't the time."
The Weasley girl was not prepared to back down or meekly sit in the shadows. Antonin felt a surge of respect for the young woman.
"I told you how he tried to force himself on me after Azkaban, Bill, but you didn't seem to think that was a serious enough offense. 'Emotions were running high, Gin. We'd just had a major victory'."
"Ginny…" Bill began.
"'We need all the help we can get, Gin,'" she spat back. While her brother stuttered in an attempt to respond, Miss Weasley turned her full attention to Antonin. "So what did he do, Dolohov? Kidnapped 'Mione and sold all of our secret safe house locations to old Tom?"
Damn it, he couldn't help himself. Maybe it was his tendency to surround himself with opinionated, strong-willed women, but he liked Ginny Weasley. He could feel his face threatening to betray him by trying to force him to smile at the fierce young warrior maiden. If his heart hadn't been firmly held in Hermione's teeth, he might've had an embarrassing little crush on the girl. Remembering himself, Antonin cleared his throat.
"Yes, he took her to Rabastan Lestrange's manor and then reported to Hogwarts to accept a Dark Mark from the Dark Lord. He is the one who has been passing your whereabouts on. He is the one who told the Dark Lord where your loved ones could be found."
"Hermione is alone with Rabastan?" Reina asked quietly.
"Yes," Antonin confirmed. "We verified with the head house-elf that she is safe."
"For now." Reina turned her attention to her wizard. "Lucius, do you think we could use this opportunity to test out the theory we've been working on?"
Lucius smiled at her. He seemed to be thinking over her question before answering. Antonin could feel his impatience worsen. He wanted to know what they were talking about. Based on how everyone else was waiting to hear his response so were they.
"We believe we have figured out how to create a false summons through an individual Mark. It is tricky, but we were successful once with Draco," Lucius informed the group.
"To what purpose?" asked Antonin. He didn't see why a false summons would be helpful.
"To do whatever we can to keep that animal away from Hermione," Reina said. "No offense, Rodolphus."
"None taken, my dear. He is what you say he is, brother or not."
Rodolphus grasped Reina's hand to assure her he meant what he said. She smiled warmly at him before turning her full attention back to Antonin.
"Lucius and I may have figured out a way to keep Rabastan occupied and away from Hermione. We just need an active Mark to experiment with first."
He had no hesitation offering himself as a guinea pig for their Charms practice if it would keep his witch safe. At this point he was desperate and willing to try just about anything. Reina began reciting a series of chants in a language Antonin wasn't familiar with. He was so entranced watching her intricate wand movements that the sudden fierce burning of his Mark caught him completely by surprise. It felt harsher than he was used to, more like when the Dark Lord was being insistent or panicked. He pointed his wand to his Mark and Disapparated.
If his very life depended on it, he could not identify where his feet landed. He was in the middle of a grassy field. The sounds of Muggle cars zooming down the road could be heard off in the distance. In his years as a Death Eater one of the first lessons he was ever taught was to not question why the Dark Lord summoned. He lost count the number of times he'd Apparated to an unknown location without understanding why or where he was. A loyal Death Eater would simply figure out why they were summoned even if it took hours. The simplicity of dropping Rabastan into the middle of nowhere was brilliant. He would waste hours before conceding defeat.
Antonin was unable to Apparate back into the caretaker's cottage on his return. The closest he could get was just outside the estate grounds. He rushed quickly back on foot. His ears were assaulted with a cacophony of raised, angry voices when he crossed over the threshold. Reina Rowle was in the thick of it giving back every bit as much as she received. Antonin fought back another admirable smirk before trying to figure out why the room was back into chaos.
"What's happening?" he whispered to Theo. Thorfinn had been closer but before he could ask, the burly wizard stepped into the heat of the disagreement to physically pull his sister away from an arrogant looking Resistance member she'd been shouting at.
"Hufflepuff fight," Theo answered, not even trying to hide his amusement. "Macmillan made a comment Reina didn't like. Said that he never thought he'd live to see the day that a member of his House stooped to using Dark magic so openly. She shot back they were fighting an enemy that wouldn't hesitate to use Dark magic and maybe if the Resistance hadn't had their heads so far up their own self-righteous arses, the war could've been over by now."
"I'm sorry I missed so much," Antonin said, chuckling quietly.
"Not to worry, mate. The moment I get my hands back on my father's pensieve I'll show you the memory. I never would've guessed Reina knew so many filthy words."
His admiration of the witch was apparent. They stood back with the rest of the group watching the combined efforts of Thorfinn and Lucius in calming the irate woman. A couple of the Resistance members were doing what they could to pacify the Macmillan boy. It was several minutes longer before there was some semblance of order once more.
"Antonin, I ordered Rosie to keep an eye on Hermione at all times," Rodolphus said, ignoring the continued shouts. Thorfinn and Longbottom were once again hurling creative insults at each other with a rapidity that highly impressed Antonin. "She was ordered to find Reina immediately if Rabastan is alone with Hermione. It will take a few minutes to activate the false summons, but at this point it is better than nothing."
"Thank you, Rodolphus."
Theo seemed unwilling to break up the arguments still raging around them this time. He stood back leaned against the wall thoroughly enjoying the spectacle. It was only when Longbottom landed a fairly impressive right hook to Thorfinn's jaw that Reina and Macmillan ceased their own fight to break theirs up. Thorfinn clutched his reddened jaw with a familiar rage shining in his eyes. Thinking that Thorfinn murdering the poster boy of the Resistance might be detrimental to morale, Antonin cast a compulsion spell on him to come stand between Theo and him.
"Are we about done or should we do like the Muggle women do and find a pit of mud to wrestle in?" Arthur Weasley demanded on the group.
Theo and Thorfinn exchanged confused looks at Weasley's suggestion. Antonin admitted that he too was confused about women wrestling in mud. He made a mental note to remind himself to ask Hermione about this strange custom after they were reunited. His curiosity was piqued.
"Yes, let us get back on task," Lucius said, blinking hard and shaking his head. No doubt his curiosity had been piqued as well. "Antonin, we are all curious as to why our loved ones are being held hostage? Do you have any further information?"
"Afraid not," Antonin admitted. "All I was able to get out of the Dark Lord when I asked was 'Love is a weakness. I am about to prove to those who would dare to rebel just how much of one it is.'"
Every face in the Resistance paled considerably at his remark. No one needed the quotation interpreted. The meaning was clear enough.
"I was approached by Yaxley, the head of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement. He stated that something big was about to happen and when that day came, he would provide the DMLE for help."
Surprised whispers spread throughout the room. It seemed that overwhelmingly, most were unwilling to trust Yaxley's word. Antonin could sympathize. Certainly he had enough trouble on his own trusting the man.
"He also suggested that we figure out a way to get the other Ministry departments to help as well."
Bill Weasley stood up from his spot on the couch next to his father.
"My brother Percy was working on getting the Ministry department heads as allies, but his idea is somewhat controversial. Perhaps we can think of another…"
"I already had Percy put his plan into motion," Kingsley announced to the general consternation of the gathered Resistance leaders.
Whatever Percy Weasley's plan was, it was not well liked. Antonin and his group stood back to watch the Resistance bicker amongst themselves. It was discouraging to see that even their well-organized group had problems. How could they expect to defeat the Dark Lord and get their loved ones back at this rate? Antonin began formulating a backup plan in which he breached the Lestrange Manor wards, tortured Rabastan and saved Hermione. While it wasn't likely a practical plan, it did give him something to think on while the other side shouted.
"It's not appropriate, Kingsley!" shouted Bill Weasley.
"We're past that point now. We can't worry about what is appropriate and what isn't. Your wife's life is on the line. So is your child's."
Lucius stepped between the Resistance leaders to act as mediator. Both men calmed slightly at his urging.
"What is the plan, Kingsley?" Lucius asked. "It cannot hurt for all of us to at least be aware of it."
Kingsley turned to Aberforth Dumbledore to ask the elder wizard to bring the women back.
"All of them?" Aberforth asked.
"Not unless they all want to come. Just bring a couple. You know which two."
Aberforth nodded before rushing out the front door. Antonin was confused once again that horrible day. He was growing weary of the feeling.
"I have a confession I must make," Kingsley declared. "I have been in personal contact with Yaxley for months now."
Everyone was surprised.
"Can he be trusted?" asked Longbottom.
"Charles and I have known each other and worked together for many years. Just after Azkaban he approached me. I have no idea how he found me, but the wizard is good at his job. He's been passing information to me."
"You didn't answer my question."
"Let the man speak," Thorfinn called out.
Longbottom and Thorfinn continued to glare at each other across the room. It was apparent that neither of those men were ever going to be close friends.
"I absolutely trust the man," Kingsley continued. "He was placed under the Imperius Curse and forced to torture and kill his five year old daughter as a punishment. He has no more loyalty to his master. I vividly remember how proud and excited he was when she was born. I saw him broken, so yes, I absolutely trust him."
An uneasy silence fell over the room at Shacklebolt's horrible story. Longbottom at least seemed pacified by the former auror's explanation.
"What is this controversial plan of Mr. Weasley's?" Lucius asked.
Kingsley cleared his throat before he began his lengthy explanation.
"We have been aware that something big was to happen for some time even though we had no details. Yaxley encouraged me to figure out a way to get the Ministry heads on our side. I brought it up quietly with Percy. We all know about the ladies were rescued from the Umbridge Home."
Antonin could feel Thorfinn's entire body tense next to him. He thought it curious, especially when he realized the blonde was holding his breath as if afraid he would miss the next words spoken. Then he saw Theo and Thorfinn exchange silent glances that only made him more inquisitive.
"Some of those women had powerful sponsors. Ministry sponsors."
The mutters began anew. Thorfinn's complexion was steadily growing redder as he took short, staccato breaths.
"Percy wondered if we might not be able to use the influence of some of them to persuade the Ministry to join us."
The outrage was palpable.
"You want these women to influence their fucking rapists? How? Force them to sell their already violated bodies for a little bit of influence?"
Thorfinn's fury was at a level Antonin had never seen it at before and he'd been with the man in battle for their lives. Rowle's raw magic was radiating off of his skin. Antonin worried the kid might have a stroke if he didn't calm down soon.
"I told you it was controversial," Kingsley replied.
"No, it's fucking disgusting!"
Theo put his hand on Thorfinn's shoulder in a gesture of comfort. Antonin hated that he could see the sense in the plan even it was horrible. He asked Kingsley to explain in detail what would be asked of these women.
"A conversation, that's all. Some of these men fancied themselves in love. We exploit that emotion."
Before Kingsley could go into any further detail the front door opened. Aberforth reentered the room with two rather pretty young witches that Antonin didn't know. One was about Hermione's age with straight brown hair and the other was a few years old with a head full of thick, dark curls and a pair of the most striking eyes Antonin had ever seen. Moments after they entered Antonin heard Thorfinn gasp.
"Lottie!"
The woman with the dark brown curls turned instantly in the direction of his voice. Her beautiful dark eyes widened in shock. She and Thorfinn couldn't stop staring at the other. Kingsley introduced the two girls to the group: Katie Bell and Charlotte Rushden. Neither of the names meant anything to Antonin, but it was apparent one of the witches meant a great deal to Thorfinn.
"We've already discussed this plan with several of the young ladies and overwhelmingly they've been in agreement to help," Kingsley explained.
Thorfinn and Charlotte were still staring at each other across the room. She was openly crying. His eyes were watery. Antonin was curious about their connection. Before he could think too long on what was obviously none of his business, Katie Bell stepped in front of the group.
"The Minister believes he is in love with me. I'll admit I've already freely exploited those feelings for extra protection. It's probably something I will come to regret in the future, but for now I feel no shame. I can guarantee that the Minister does whatever I ask him to do."
Several of the assembled scoffed at her statement in disbelief. They didn't believe influencing the top wizard in their government would be that easy. Undeterred by their reaction, Katie bell removed her bulky winter cloak. Her large belly indicated a late term pregnancy.
"I hold everything Pius has ever desired right here. He will do as I ask."
The murmurs stopped immediately. Charlotte Rushden broke her eye contact with Thorfinn long enough to step up next to Katie. She took the younger witch's hand in hers.
"When I was arrested a dear friend of mine used his influence as a Department Head to become my sponsor," Charlotte explained. Her eyes fell back on Thorfinn's. "He hated every moment regardless of his feelings for me, but he protected me. Other girls weren't so lucky."
Her gaze moved from Thorfinn to Theo. The wizard dropped his eyes to his feet.
"Robert convinced all of the other Department Heads and anyone else he trusted with access to the Umbridge Home to become a sponsor to protect as many girls as possible. I have little doubt that if I were to see him again I could get his help."
"Absolutely not!" Thorfinn shouted.
"Thorfinn, I appreciate your concern but you do not get to tell me what I can do."
The ensuing debate on whether or not to agree to move forward with this plan seemed to last forever. It seemed to Antonin that everyone in the Resistance expected to have their chance to voice their opinion. He hated how inefficient it was. With so many, there shouldn't have been so many voices. When they finally agreed that they were going to go forward with asking the rescued Umbridge girls to speak to their former sponsors, Antonin was ready to leave. It had been an excruciatingly long day and it wasn't even mid-afternoon.
Charlotte crossed the room only moments after the debates ended. Antonin was surprised to find that her first stop was Theo. She pulled the young wizard into her arms to hug him tightly. They exchanged several whispered words. The only ones that Antonin could make out were Charlotte's assurances that Ophelia was safe. Theo's voice cracked when he thanked her. She released Theo and stepped up to Thorfinn. Before she could say a single word, Thorfinn ran out the front door. She wasted no time in following behind.
"How soon can we put this into place?" Antonin asked the Resistance leaders.
"Immediately," answered Kingsley.
Soon after the group dispersed. It was apparent that the two groups did not want to mix. Any lingering conversations between the Resistance members were either held in whispers in the corner or delayed until they were outside in the trees.
"They will probably always hate us," Reina said to Antonin as they watched the last of the Weasleys exit. "Our children will never be friends, but there may be some hope for our grandchildren. I'd like to hope that the distrust and the feud won't go further than that."
Antonin wished he could agree. Of course the thought of his having any children and grandchildren to worry about mingling with the sanctimonious Resistance descendants wasn't a present concern. He had to find his witch before he'd even contemplate the future. Without Hermione he didn't want a family.
"I think we should charm your Mark, Antonin," Reina said. "You don't need to go back to that castle. It's too dangerous. If Yaxley is who he says he is, then we already have someone there."
He couldn't disagree.
"This will keep the Dark Lord from finding you," she continued.
"All right," he agreed.
He rolled up the sleeve of his shirt to reveal his hated Mark. Reina's hand was cold, but gentle. She grasped his left arm in her left hand. Her wand was pointed directly at his Mark like he'd done a thousand times before to answer his damned summons. She was serious in her concentration. It didn't take long before his entire arm began to tingle. While the sensation was not painful, it was unpleasant. It was similar to what he imagined a million tiny hairy spiders running up and down his arm would feel like.
"That's it," Reina said with a smile when she pulled her wand away.
Antonin stared down at his glowing Mark. A sense of bittersweet melancholy threatened to overwhelm him. Yes, he was glad to no longer be at the beck and call of the madman, but he still couldn't help but feel strangely sad that an entire section of his life was now over. It was very likely that the remainder of his existence would not last much longer. Reina placed her hand on top of the glowing Mark. He stared up into her kind, warm eyes. She seemed to understand at least part of what he was experiencing.
"We should return to the cottage," Rodolphus suggested. "We can't just sit around waiting for whatever is going to happen next. We still have a list."
He hadn't thought about the fact that without an active Mark he was free to move around like the others. It would finally give him the opportunity to participate in some of the killings of his former comrades. Antonin did not want to analyze what that meant for him as an emotional human being that he was anxious to do his part.
"Thank you for everything, Reina," he said, kissing the witch on the cheek.
He was even charitable enough to shake Lucius' hand before he left. After giving the pompous windbag the message from his son about not risking his life to save his, Antonin followed Rodolphus and Theo out of the caretaker's cottage. Thorfinn had not yet returned from when he rushed out earlier, but none of them were worried. He would come home when he was ready.
"Fuck," Antonin muttered to himself. His cottage was not Thorfinn's home. He couldn't believe he allowed his thoughts to even suggest that was anyone else's home. Hermione's Harem had been living there entirely too long.
Rodolphus was walking ahead of the other two by a few yards. He used the long walk as an excuse to transform back into his dog form. Antonin and Theo watched the dog run through the frozen grass with small smiles on their faces. They both were mildly jealous that they didn't have the ability to frolic with the same freedom. Their small group was about fifty yards from the cottage when Rodolphus abruptly transformed back into a human and turned around to walk back to Theo and Antonin. He had the faintest pink blush on his cheeks.
"Gentlemen, I believe we should take a short detour and head in another direction," he suggested.
He gave no explanation as to why they should go out of their way. Simply took off in another track that would get them to the gates after a longer walk. Interested in what would cause Rodolphus to not want to continue in that direction, Theo continued in the same course. When he approached the same area, he smirked and turned back to follow Rodolphus. Antonin wasn't about to blindly follow without knowing why. He stalked off, lengthening his strides to get there faster.
A few meters off the beaten path Thorfinn had Charlotte Rushden pushed up against the trunk of a rather large tree. Their lips and their bodies were so close together it was hard to tell where she ended and he began. When Antonin caught sight of her hiked up skirt and Thorfinn's rather enthusiastic thrusts, he turned around abruptly. Their attempts at stifling their moans were unsuccessful. It seemed that whatever their past history was together, their current reconnection was going rather well.
"You couldn't have warned us, Rod?" Antonin asked, suppressing a laugh at the animagus' discomfort.
"I thought I was," Rodolphus replied with a sniff.
"No, Roddy, you definitely didn't prepare us for that," snorted Theo.
The three men continued their walk towards the gates of Malfoy Manor breaking the tension of the day with warm laughter. By the time they reached the Apparition point, Antonin's mind was on the next task. Now he could freely start killing the next names on the 'Unredeemable' List lying on his kitchen table. He wasn't sure what the others had planned, but there was a pair of horrid twins he had his eye on.
Hermione watched Rabastan exit her bedroom with a profound sense of relief. It was too perfect that in the moment that he was close to finally raping her as she was certain he'd been planning since at least as long as the day she moved into the manor, he was summoned. How could she get that lucky? It was only a matter of time before he stupefied her or some other disgusting charm that would make it impossible for her to fight back. She hoped that his sudden summons was because of a guardian angel or a higher power.
She stared at the closed door for a long time before she forced herself to get up. A quick test of the door proved that opening it was impossible. She hadn't expected to be able to get very far with just turning the doorknob, but she had to try all possibilities. Even though she knew he could simply blast through the door and its barricade with a single reducto, she spent several hours moving every single piece of furniture she could in front of the bedroom door. At least if he blasted his way in, he wouldn't be able to catch her off guard again.
Sleeping on the bed in the potential line of fire of a destructive curse wasn't a good idea. She pulled the luxurious comforter off of the bed and dragged it into the bathroom. The bathmat was large and fluffy enough that she could find a modicum of comfort. Her exhaustion from the combined effects of fear and physical exertion rearranging the room without magic meant she was asleep almost as soon as her head hit her pillow.
The bright morning sun shining through the bathroom window directly on to her face woke Hermione up. She was pleased to see that none of the furniture had been moved. Her first night with Rabastan was assault free. It was a small victory that she would take until she could figure out a way to get the hell out of that fucking manor.