Disclosure Hp belongs to JKR. The storyline, new character development, new events, and new characters are my intellectual property. Glorioux
The Longest Day- 7
Lucius's thought of waiting till the next solstice to better plan, but he imagined the portal wouldn't diminish the compulsions, and restraining their desires would be impossible. Lucius thought it would be good if he told everyone what he knew.
"Now, time's a-wasting; I'll tell you the 1978 events short version. I was engaged to marry your mother, though it wasn't a love match, at least not for her. She was beautiful, no doubt, and I had learned since I was a young child of my duty as a Malfoy heir. Hence, I would marry whoever my parents chose for me, and I would be happy. That is exactly what I did. When I knew she was to be mine, I was on my way to love her. " Lucius looked far away.
Draco understood his father; he would have married Astoria had it been forced upon him; he would have made do and would have tried to love her. Though he wasn't so sure, he had nightmares when he betrayed Hermione, so she married Henri.* A chill went down his back remembering. All his life, after that, was terrible, regretting.
Lucius paused and noticed that Miriam was sitting. He moved and sat by Hermione, who held his hand, but first, she pointed her wand at his head, then whispered a healing charm. His migraine was nearly gone now that she was next to him; the witch held his and Draco's hands, which drew as a snarky snicker from Miriam; and, in turn, Miriam got a dirty look from Draco. Lucius needed Henri to keep Draco in check.
"Draco, your mother went away to France, a five-month stay, to learn gourmet cooking. I was busy assisting the Dark Lord in a mission in Australia, which took me away for over seven months. I had asked your mother to come with me since Bella and Rodolphus were coming. I was disappointed that her class was already planned, so I was told." Lucius had everyone's attention; Camellia and L'roy were back, and Camellia jumped onto Draco's lap sensing his distress. L'roy surveyed, glad Sari, the vicious demoness, wasn't back yet.
Camellia kept an eye on the newcomers, they looked rather friendly, but her blond wizard came first. Camellia also kept an eye on the couch on the other sitting area, hoping the other blond would wake up; she liked him as well. Her life would be filled with the blonds to play with her, give her snacks, and pet her. Cross would like this; what a great life.
"When I was back, we married within four months. During the ball held for our wedding, she decided to come 'clean.' In tears, she told me a sordid tale of one of the Black uncles forcing her and of pregnancy when she was a teenager. It is a true story, but not hers, it was Bella who was the unlucky one, and it wasn't an uncle who had been responsible; it was much closer to home. It made her sterile because she hid the pregnancy and nearly died delivering on her own; the baby died." Lucius stopped; he hated Cygnus Black. Cygnus and the Dark Lord had used young Bella, monsters.
The room was quiet for a minute. Hermione had a moment of forgiveness for the Dark witch. Bella was damaged; however, others also are, and they don't go around killing others. Draco was subdued. He could guess where the story was going and had known since the moment he laid eyes on the Lestrange witch.
"I had fallen for her, wanting to believe her, so I dried her tears, consoled her, and felt even closer to her. I was in love, and it never occurred to me that she might have been untruthful. I think she was afraid." Lucius looked at Draco; he was upset and angry with his mother; his hands were cold, and so were Lucius's. Hermione wasn't sure how she felt. Lucius looked in Miriam's direction; the young witch was visibly distressed, twisting a curl.
He addressed her directly, "Miriam, know Cissy was forever sad; I knew something was missing in her life but couldn't even start guessing; I am certain she regretted her actions. I am sure that she understood the unforgiving world of the Pureblood witches, and she chose not to be rejected." Lucius wanted to console the young witch who reminded him so much of young Cissy. It made him ache for all the tragedies they all had lived. He shook his head and continued.
"I wouldn't have married her, mostly because my father would have forbidden me to do so. Yes, Rabastan would have paid the bride price, but Bellatrix would have killed one or both, and you wouldn't be here. She wanted your father, always had, and probably still does, but it was an impossible proposition. " Lucius breathed deeply, trying to calm himself.
Miriam cried; Draco was stiff, harrumphing. Hermione huffed and smacked his leg so hard that Camellia growled, then sweetly licked Draco's leg.
"Behave," Hermione whispered angrily. Why was Henri still asleep? She could see how Henri might be needed to run interference; plus, he was incredibly hot. Goodness, she wanted to kiss Henri; what was wrong with her?
"Make me," Draco smirked; Hermione nearly growled, furious. She saw the old-time Draco, but what if this were the intent of the Portal?
"Miriam," Lucius continued, annoyed with Draco, "I didn't find out about you until a few days before the battle. Rabastan told me; he wanted me to be aware if they were to die. He feared Bellatrix's reprisal; yes, he also has loved you with all his heart. I know he always did. He told me the only thing that kept him sane at Azkaban was your memory." Lucius looked at Miriam.
Rodolphus Story
Miriam was now openly crying, and Draco looked in the opposite direction. A bonding day never to be forgotten, and not an auspicious day at that; those were Hermione's thoughts.
"Narcissa had been the Lestrange brothers' first love. She wanted to be married to both, as is often the case between brothers in their family, but Bella wanted Rodolphus and Rabastan. So the Dark Lord forced the marriage upon Rodolphus, but Rabastan refused."
He took a short pause to drink the tea just brought by one of the house-elves.
"Suffice to say, life was never good for either Rodolphus or Rabastan. She would torture one to get the other to do the dirty work of Voldemort, and I know she was Rodolphus' wife in name only. Her lover was the Dark Lord. Those were bad times for all of us." Lucius looked down sadly.
Rodolphus was devoid of color, and Hermione was amazed to see the nasty Dark wizard's eyes all teary. He needed to be forgiven. She would fight for their absolution.
"She was beyond cruel, so it was that after several tortures Rabastan sought Narcissa, and she became pregnant. Rabastan knew the baby would be in mortal danger if Bellatrix ever found out; he wanted to marry Cissy and go away. Sadly, Cygnus refused to break the contract with my father. He needed the larger bride price. So Rabastan's parents offered to take care of the child." Rodolphus appeared very upset with Lucius's words.
"Their offer carried a high price. They demanded that Narcissa let the child grow with them and never ask to see her. They didn't want to love a Lestrange's heir, to have later a Malfoy raise the baby. They hoped that Rabastan and Narcissa would eventually marry." Lucius looked up to Rodolphus for confirmation.
Rodolphus's Tale
Rodolphus decided it was time to disclose the past. "He is right. Narcissa had loved us as teenagers. I think that love was forgotten; later, she felt sorry for Rabastan, and in a moment of weakness, she gave her body to him. Cissy wasn't a bad witch; the Black sisters had the misfortune to be born to Cygnus, the worse of the lot. He wanted a male heir, and Druella only produced daughters. Flawless beauties, powerful witches, but their father abused them and even gave Bella a toy to Voldemort when she was very young. Any other house would have been proud of them. Bella had a tragic childhood, but that is a story for another time."
"Alas, Rodolphus, you're right. The real love of Cissy was Severus Snape, who only had eyes for Lily Evans. Severus was six years younger than Cissy, the same age as Rabastan. But when he finally saw Cissy, after Lily had died, it was too late for them." Lucius faced showed the bitterness of being second best for years now. He hadn't been proud and took the little she had to offer. He had loved her until the last betrayal with Harry, which had been just too much.
Miriam sobbed loudly, but Rodolphus wouldn't dare come near her; he was afraid she would push him away. Finally, Hermione stood up, sat by the witch who was just a little older than her, and put her arms around her while she cried. After a few minutes, Miriam was calmer.
"I am sorry for hurrying you along, but what brings you here. You mentioned Bella. I assume you have been hiding her in Cissy's body." Lucius asked.
"Not by choice. It has been difficult." Rodolphus told them she appeared at one of the Lestrange properties to contact them. It had taken them a day to figure out it was Bella, but they played along. Although they'd needed to go home, they'd still feared for Miriam. Afraid Bella would make the connection
"Finally, we had to tell Miriam what we suspected, and she played the part of the award, a second cousin, she uses a concealment charm. My father found the magic she had used. It was very dark. She had to find a virgin to make it permanent. Mr. Potter was the one. "
At this, Hermione, Draco, and Miriam appeared a bit flushed.
"It was a year ago when we 'discovered' her to be Bella. She had been working on a ritual, something quite dark, to bring Voldemort back. She had hidden her notes, but we looked and couldn't find them. I wanted to contact you, but Rabastan knew of your change, now supporting the Light, and talked me out of it."
Lucius looked at him with regret; he wished to have been told before. They were his family, in a way, distant cousins, but he couldn't handle to think of Narcissa with them. Rodolphus had control of his emotions and continued.
"She is such a demented witch. She approached me about sacrificing Miriam for her Lord. She needed a worthy sacrifice and targeted Miriam, who kept trying to get her love without success. Miriam wasn't convinced there was nothing left of Cissy and that she still must be inside somewhere." Rodolphus explained.
"Were you living with her as her spouse?" Draco asked. He thought Rodolphus was lying.
"No, it was the best part of her game. She wasn't staying at the main home but at the city home where Draco visited. Sorry son, I know she told you she didn't have time for you. She was afraid you would find out. We can talk more about it later; I know you have an event today. Bella didn't want us; she surrounded herself with the worst of the Death Eaters. Neither of you would know most of them; she met them during the different missions to Australia, Romania, and other countries." He took a pause, looking worn out.
"It is all making sense, now I understand her refusal to live in a Malfoy home, even the one I gave her. She also moved her vaults out Gringotts, I guess so I wouldn't track her expenses." Lucius interjected.
"Yes, and she also brought her books, some from your library, the Black's library, and others; as far as I was able to ascertain, they dealt with Necromancy, youth potions, even walking into the Death Kingdom to bring the dead back. She had read about the Veil, but it wasn't an option." He saw the Malfoy Wizards nodding their heads at his words.
"Voldemort will never make it through the Veil if what she said was true, not through a love bond. But yes with the blood of a child from her womb, and the blood of a virgin, and before you ask, the body she inhabits gave life before." Rodolphus looked a Draco who was revolted, they all were. "You are that child my dear nephew."
Draco felt sick, "She is a fucking lunatic and must be killed." It was his response before he broke down, "What can you expect from a witch that killed her cousin, her niece, and her sister? I am loose change, a sickle's worth or less," Draco's voice was bitter, "she is worse than Voldemort."
"You are right, son," was Rodolphus' compassionate answer. He should know, he had lived with the monster, and everyone believed that he loved her, so far from the truth. He had never stopped loving Narcissa, even if she had. A tragic and sad truth, both Lestrange brothers, loved Narcissa Black. Lestrange only loved once, something they carefully hid from everyone.
Hermione was still holding Miriam's cold hand. Drexel sensed her needs, as he supposed to. Thus, he brought her a throw from the chiffonier where blankets and throws were kept.
"Yesterday, we were all helping our Resident-Chef to bake for the ball we are having in two days. She runs a tight ship, and was upset when she saw her alleged mother/aunt, Bellatrix, come as a gust of high winds into the kitchen to bring a little of her holiday un-cheer. It was a foreboding sight amongst other things. I remember being afraid." Rodolphus laughed, and Miriam joined him; it had to be something hilarious.
"She was dressed unlike as Cissy as it would be possible. We all had to control our laughter; if there were any doubts as to whom now occupied Cissy Black's body, we doubted no more. " He had to stop in fits of nervous laughter at the memory. Only the Lestrange guests were laughing; the Malfoy residents watched them with interest; the warm room with the merry fires burning felt cozy. Best of all, Miriam had stopped trembling. Rodolphus finally stopped laughing long enough to continue.
"So, getting back to Bella; she wore Cissy's clothes, that much was true, but how she wore them, was the giveaway. She had the corset over the robes, resembling the attire now seen in Muggles. She wore riding boots, with very ugly grey woolen socks, under a black heavy silk skirt more appropriate for a night at the opera, torn gloves, her hair a la-Bellatrix meaning not a grooming spell touched those tresses, dark kohl around the eyes in a messy manner. And as a finishing touch, Cissy's spider brooch held a strange wrap around her torso. You get the picture. I would say it was as if Cissy had either gone mad or dressed for Carnival."
He had everyone laughing, something all of them appreciated. Hermione was happy to see the other witch laughing so hard, even if it wouldn't last long.
"That was the only funny event. She was rambling and raving as a lunatic." Rodolphus told them, his voice tinged with sadness.
Rodolphus story-
"We were all in the kitchen baking and preparing pates, tarts, hams, breads for the Fête coming up. My father was hunting with cousins, and everyone was following the command of our resident chef.
""The home sweet home, everyone surrounding the bastard child, Lady Lestrange, tsk, tsk, I am disappointed that you let your husbands go around and drop their seed in other fields. There is no doubt that she is one of you."" The evil witch cackled.
My mother ignored her, refusing to take the bait. Both Rab and I noticed the nasty witch's appraising look. Rabastan was pale and upset. Rab and his daughter have grown very close, and his fear of Bella was very apparent.
I prayed to the gods of my youth that she wouldn't make the connection; you see, when Miriam hides her hair underneath a scarf, her face is young Cissy's, the only disguise at that instance was her floury face.
"Cissy, what brings you here?" I asked feigning disinterest, trying to draw her attention away from Miriam; but Bella's eyes were now lit with recognition.
"Lucius, the ponce, and the fruit of this womb, found a room that I've been seeking for years now. I saw them and their manor staff finding the hidden room. Imagine, one of the Veils, is right at the Manor. It is one of many; just nobody knows where they are located. They are the entrances into other realms; particularly to where the dead reside." She never said Draco was her son, and didn't even realize it. Any doubts I might had at that time, ceased. It was Bella, all right.
How could have she 'seen' into the manor, she has something allowing her to keep a tab of this home. She said that you and your men found the hidden room with the veil. She was sure of it and was frantic
She obviously feared to be 'found,' but more because she wanted to enter the veil, and she had told us that it can only be used once every so often.
Ah, you must know the portals can only be entered every decade. Even if yours can only be entered by Malfoys; they know, they will not 'enter;' instead, they will breach the entry by spilling innocent blood.
In her version there is a sex-rite, similar to the one you will perform, but you already know which blood will be used to force the veil to admit them. Afterward, that entrance will be lost to mortals, unleashing demons and dark forces into this world. That portal becomes dammed, thus, she must be stopped at all cost.
She came for Miriam and for Rabastan, not for me. She grew to hate me because I refused to touch her after the first time she tortured my young brother. He was just twenty when she started. Rabastan will be forced to complete the rite with her, and it is also her intent to spill Rab's blood. She hates him more than anyone else."
Once again, Rodolphus was crying and had to stop. Hermione and Lucius were thinking the same. What a sad life, living with a monster that never releases its hold. Lucius already knew much of what Rodolphus was telling them, but he let him continue. One thing was clear, Bellatrix had to be killed on sight.
Miriam released Hermione's hand to sit by Rodolphus, placing her hand on his back. He, in turn, held her other hand gratefully, his eyes full of paternal love. She was his beloved child, and it made the house residents' hearts ache for them, at having to live with the Bellatrix threat for years; it must have been a nightmare.
Rodolphus Story resumed
'"Ah, yes, it all fell apart within seconds. Four of her nasty followers, were there with her, one is a werewolf; they followed her in. It wasn't Fenrir because he hated her in the end, but a wolf from Romania.
Bella went straight for Miriam with her wand. My parents already knew everything. My mother called her a monster, "Bella, you killed all your family and destroyed mine. Leave your niece alone; you already murdered your other niece, the young lady with the baby; you don't deserve to be alive."
My blood ran cold at my mother's loose lips, and at Rabastan's fury while being held by one of the wizards with a wand. Bella's anger at the word 'niece' scared all of us. We could see that Bella understood either Rabastan or I was the father, and Cissy was the mother. Dark twirls of angry magic filled the room with the stench of spilled blood and rotten corpses. Our fates were sealed.