"Do you think he bought it though?" She asked and suddenly there was a strangled and choked gasp from the side as one after the other, both Narcissa and Rabastan clamped a hand to their chest in pain. "Oh yes" Rabastan grunted through the discomfort, as an almost tearful Narcissa was tended to by Lucius.

"Yes, he bought it alright...Rodolphos is dead"

and with a shuddering gasp Narcissa added. "And Bellatrix too"

Though Rodolphos' death echoed in the pureblood circles, causing mass whispers and unease, it was Bellatrix Lestrange's death that had the most far reaching impact. The wizarding world was alight with the news that Voldemort himself had killed his ever faithful lieutenant. The whole of wizarding Britain was talking about it... they'd made sure of it . A few well placed order members and the whispers had spread, the articles were printed and the gossip exchanged. A few galleons in the right hand, and the Department of Magical Births and Deaths had confirmed her and her husband's demise , and the gossipmongers and news printers made sure that everyone knew it. It was all over the Daily Prophet, the Quibbler and even mentioned in most academic journals like potions monthly.

The Auror office in a public display of strength and power, in a very Churchill-esque manner, announced a crackdown on Death Eaters and dark sympathisers, promising the kiss for the worse offenders and harsh, unforgiving lifelong sentences, in a newly fortified and all the more terrifying Azkaban for all the others. Large and looming posters of Azkaban , Dementors and shackled prisoners strewn all about the stage.

At the same time, a few notorious low lifes had conveniently overheard that what the Auror office really wanted was the generals, higher up and more depraved individuals , rather than those who had been enjoying a bit of petty crime and arson. Rumour had it, that for a few galleons in the right Auror's pocket, and some information on the more dubious characters in Voldemort's service, there were a couple of aurors who'd take you in on the sly, even if you were marked, record you as being 'Compliant' and list you as a Voluntary Surrender, that way they could have your sentence knocked down to 6 months in a ministry holding cell, community service, and a ministry mandated rehabilitation program. You'd never even have to step foot through the doors of Azkaban. A veritable slap on the wrist, compared to what happened if you were caught. Rumour had it,that if you completed the rehab, they could even get rid of your mark and you could make a new go of life without the stigma of the Dark Mark or an Azkaban tattoo following you around.

No one actually knew that the 'fortifications' at the prison were actually renovations. The Dementors were only guarding lifelong dangerous prisoners and all the magic the old building held was being rerouted for warding, protection and safety. All the curses, hexes and dark wards that caused misery, discomfort and anguish were pulled down and instead the magics were all focused on keeping the prisoners in and corruption out.

And then suddenly there was quiet in the wizarding world.

Cowed and afraid by the death of Bellatrix Lestrange, what little following Voldemort retained, dwindled to nothing but the most depraved.

Death eaters were lining up, to line the pockets of certain aurors to take them in to ministry holding, and after a quick veritaserum test to ensure they weren't guilty of more serious crimes than they claimed, they were safely detained in newly created Ministry holding cells, which rather than the bleak outlook of Azkaban, were plain and neutral rooms, more akin to a Muggle prison. Containing a simple bed, bookshelf and their own bathroom.

Conveniently enough, it had all been paid for by the 'Bribes' the aurors had been taking from the death eaters, who wanted the leaner sentences and the chance of an unstained future… or even a future at all.

There were more than a few aurors and ministry members in the new order of the phoenix, and a few questions had been raised on this, before Hermione had shut them down.

The idea is not to punish, but to reform. Hermione had told them through Severus. These people in the Ministry detainment cells aren't killers, or torturers. They're people who've had a few duels, or started a few fires or stole from a few shops. We're at war , these are petty crimes at the most. How can you expect someone to change their ways if you always treat them like an animal or a villain? It's not like we're giving these people a second chance, For Merlin's sake for most of them it will be the first time they've had a chance to be treated as equals. Most Slytherin students face bias and ridicule from the time they are 10 to the time they leave school, they have a choice of being ruthless or being ruined. Is there any wonder so many turn to a life of crime? In a world that's treated them like villains and criminals since they were children. This war may be over many things, but at the root of it are these deep seated problems and prejudices that we need to address on BOTH sides, and if the purebloods and Slytherins alike can admit they were wrong in their bigotted views, then we need to admit we were also wrong to treat EVERY slytherin like they were death eaters! There are Death Eaters in every house, of that we all know well, just as the new order stands here now with members of every house! it's time to put petty schoolyard rivalries behind us and move on.

"Well said that Girl" came the voice of Phineas Black from the wall after Severus had spoken for Hermione and there was murmured ascent throughout the room and even a polite applause which made Hermione blush, which amused Fawkes to no end.

"It's not often I would say this to a Gryffindor" Kingsley spoke with jest in his tone. "But you would do extremely well in politics, Granger. Though I daresay it would be a waste of your considerable talents, should you ever wish to consider a ministry career, do speak to me won't you?" Hermione just politely inclined her head, but Severus knew she had no aspirations as such, though he could see her perhaps volunteering with some ministry rehabilitation programs, as she had already done so with the agreement to remove the marks of any who showed true growth and remors, she was far too academically minded to settle with a career in the Ministry.

Their guerrilla warfare plan was moving faster than they could have dreamed possible, and it was looking more and more like they would be able to end the war, and Voldemort with it, within the year.

After some digging by some of their agents in the ministry, they'd also gotten an unexpected win on their side. It was only a couple of days after the death of Rodolphus and Bellatrix , that Rabastan had requested a meeting. Under Severus's rule, the New Order of the Phoenix could be gathered at the request of any member, so after speaking to Severus about it , the meeting had been called.

"I think... that I can evict Voldemort from the Lestrange Manor" There'd been excited mumbling and hushed whispers throughout at that.

"I didn't realise what it was at first, this nagging at the back of my head and this feeling of magic that was my own but wasn't… when Rodolphus died, because he had no children, the Manor should have passed to me. I believe what I can feel is the blood wards at the Manor, they're currently untethered, but if it shows up in the Ministry archives as being rightfully mine, it only takes a drop of my blood on the deed to confirm it and I can raise the wards and evict him just by stepping on the land, I shouldn't even need to be in the house itself"

The excitement was palpable then, but Hermione watched with affection as Severus took control of the meeting, not allowing people to get too excited as they then discussed this new development in depth and how it would affect all their plans. Potentially, it could expedite their plan and see them reaching a conclusion much sooner than expected but it also added more unknowns to their plan, so the majority needed to be in favour. After a length discussion, the vote was positive and the new plan was spread amongst all players.

While the order had been making sure everyone believed that Voldemort had simply gone even more insane, house elves in the order had been busy planting small and inconsequential items belonging to Voldemort, in the chambers of both Bellatrix and Rodolphus , to ensure the furious Dark Lord's paranoia, felt at least to him, entirely justified. How could he not believe that Bellatrix had stolen from him when he had found one of his quills, some of his books and one of his robes in her chambers?

As the players gathered for the next part of their plan though, they had struggled amongst themselves to decide who would be able to take part, until a much needed game of quidditch, boosted morale and gave an excuse for some levity with the victors getting the sought after roles, and the losers extracting promises of a pensieve of the event to watch on their return.

So it was with some great amusement that after confirming his ownership with the Ministry, Rabastan Lestrange stepped over the boundary to his land , and ruthlessly reset and raised all the blood wards he was able to...which were many, as the centuries old house answered the call of it's blood, and with a yawning groan of wood and brick, forcibly evicted those who trespassed in it's walls, and one Luna Lovegood who as it turned out was an excellent seeker, managed to snap a photograph of the Great Dark Lord Voldemort, flying arse over teakettle out of the second floor window and landing in a winded pile outside of the property's boundary with his robes rucked up and everything underneath on display.

Their quick return heralded much amusement and celebrations from the new order, and the moving photograph was released on the front of the Quibbler , playing in a loop under the Headline "Voldyshorts Evicted!"

Hermoine had never seen Alastor Moody laugh so hard that he couldn't breath, and Minerva had to open her whiskey because she'd gone lightheaded from the mirth.

The only one not celebrating was Severus and that night, alone she comforted him in their chambers.

"I know you don't like to humiliate Severus, and especially not in this manner. It wasn't intentional on our part, you know that we never had any designs to do this, but they simply took the opportunity they were given to use it in the smear campaign against him. We need to shift the public opinion, we need him to feel like he's losing control and this will play against his vanity, I don't like to humiliate anyone and I certainly wouldn't de-pants anyone to do it, but I think considering his crimes as a whole, I am willing to overlook it this once"

"He could retaliate for this, become more unpredictable"

She nodded, sleepily setting Fawkes up for the night in the little nest beside them.

"We know, but we've planned for that as you well know"

He pulled her into his chest and pressed a gentle kiss to her hair. "I don't blame you, and I don't blame them. I understand the need for it, but I cannot help but sympathise. Even with him. I've felt this particular flavour of humiliation after all and the shame of it still burns in me even now, though at least he got to keep his underwear on " Severus said with a frown as red suffused his face, and Hermione tucked herself further into his embrace with soothing kisses and touches as though she could heal his past hurts.

"At least one good thing came of this" her tired voice came.

"What's that ?" Confusion clouded his tone and he felt her smirk into his chest.

"Neville and Tonks finally got an answer on if Voldemort wears boxers or briefs"