Poor Rodolphus XD I love him, no matter how awful he is. He's just so sweet with his baby girl.

Dora


Draco left the prisoner's wing for the second time, much to his distaste. He knew why he was the one who had to go and tell Rodolphus that his bastard child was finally born yet that did not make it any more pleasant. Luckily it was nearing midnight now, so the corridors of Malfoy Manor were empty of the stray Death Eaters that were previously wandering its halls. Still, he moved quickly just in case. He never thought that he could feel so unsafe, so uncomfortable, in his his own home. Yet here he was, lurking the hall like some villain to inform his disgusting excuse of an Uncle of the birth of his half-blood child. He shuddered at the thought. As he reached the door to the room Bellatrix and Rodolphus Lestrange shared Draco took a deep breath before knocking on the door. The old oak door opened slowly, though as the scene before him revealed itself Draco Malfoy sincerely wished that it hadn't.

Bellatrix smirked from her position laid across her husband as she traced circles lazily on his chest. "Hello, Draco." She purred.

"Get off of me, Bellatrix." Rodolphus growled, wriggling against the magical constraints of his wife. "You've had your fun."

"Oh really?" Bella pouted as she shifted off of him, sitting up. "I can never have enough fun."

Rodolphus growled in frustration before he looked to his nephew as best as he could. "Is she born? Is she safe? Healthy?"

"Is she a freak?" Bellatrix chimed, giggling at another growl of annoyance from her husband.

"She—" Draco hesitated as he looked between the two, wishing more than anything that he didn't have to be the one stood there right now.

"Spit it out, boy!" Rodolphus snapped.

"She's fine. I—I haven't seen her but mum said she seems healthy." Draco stuttered. "I—I don't know if she's like Nymphadora or not."

"Maybe I should go investigate." Bellatrix chimed as she jumped off of the bed, grinning down at her husband.

"Bellatrix Lestrange you let me off of this bed right now!" Rodolphus yelled in fury. Draco felt a shiver go down his spine at the ferocity of the man's request, though his Aunt merely giggled then continued to pout at the man.

"Oh, but we were having such an interesting time together." Bellatrix sighed, making the most of her husband's awkward position before with a roll of her eyes she drew her wand. "Hold still, I may lose my temper and hurt you."

Rodolphus glared at the woman, waiting patiently for her to remove the bonds until he finally sat up for the first time in hours. It took a moment for him to stretch out to regain feeling in his unused limbs though the moment he managed it he quickly summoned his wand. He got off the bed, turning on Bellatrix as he was soon looking down the tip of her wand.

"Oh we could most certainly argue this one out now, I'll have fun," Bellatrix smirked "though don't you have some bastard freak scum to go and meet?"

Rodolphus glared furiously at her, his entire face lit with anger before he let out a yell of fury. "I will get you back for this Bellatrix—and believe me, you will not be having fun when I do." With one last glance, the man stormed from the room, barging past Draco to get to his newborn daughter as quickly as possible.

Draco stood awkwardly, frozen to the spot in his shock and confusion of the events he had just seen unfold until the shout of his Aunt soon snapped him from his thoughts.

"Well?" Bellatrix demanded. "What are you doing here still? Go back to your mother, little boy! I have beauty sleep to catch up on."

Draco jumped back into action, quickly fleeing from the room and running after Rodolphus with all intentions to stay behind him and sneak back to his room without further disruption to his miserable day. It was without a doubt that Draco Malfoy came to the conclusion that he led a terrible life now, a situation that he was sure he would never get out of.


Nymphadora sniffed back tears as she held her brand new daughter close, trying to stay calm. "Mother," she whispered, "he can't—he can't come here—he'll hurt her! I can't let him; I've got to keep her safe!"

"I know," Andromeda said softly. "We'll keep the child safe..." She looked away from the child, the shame of it all making her bow her head for a moment.

"No!" Nymphadora cried in a panic as they felt the father of her child enter the prisoner's ward. "He can't!"

"Dora, this is his child," Andromeda said firmly. "You cannot stop him, but stay calm, and don't be hysterical."

Nymphadora was about to retort when the door opened and Rodolphus rushed in, a half look of anger and of excitement on his face. He went to Nymphadora's side after pausing after the door a moment. The man stared down at his baby in the witch's arms, his mouth slightly open in awe, the anger gone from his face.

He didn't move for several moments, finally reaching out to touch the child's face. "My daughter," he breathed, seeing her dark eyes open. "My baby girl..."

"Obviously because there is no man in you," Andromeda sneered.

"Get out," he snapped at Andromeda, finally realising she was there.

Andromeda leaned down and kissed her daughter's head, then rolled her eyes at Rodolphus and swept from the room.

Nymphadora held her baby closer, trying to shush the child's beginning cries. Rodolphus frowned at the witch. "What is wrong with her?" he demanded. "What does she want?"

"She—she's probably hungry," Dora stuttered nervously.

"Then feed her, Nymphie," Rodolphus glared at her. "Or we could always forget to send food to your cub."

Numbly, the witch tried to obey, but the baby didn't seem hungry. Dora looked up at Rodolphus as he scowled at her. "She's probably crying because she's afraid of you," Nymphadora said in annoyance.

Rodolphus glared at her before muttering, "She has no reason to be afraid...she's mine...my only child, and perfect daughter." He reached out yet again, touching the baby's hand gently.

To Nymphadora's shock, the little one quieted almost immediately, looking up to her father's adoring gaze. "May—may I hold her?" he asked, sounding awed.

"No," Nymphadora said, cradling the little one protectively.

"Nymphadora," the man hissed, seeming to snap out of his daydream, "I will hold my daughter. Give her to me, else you'll soon forget the pain you've just been through."

"But—" Nymphadora gave a small cry as the man easily took the child from her arms. She was left to stare at her abuser in fear as he held their newborn baby.

Rodolphus watched his little girl, a small smile of pride coming to his face as she reached out her tiny fist toward him. He gently touched her soft cheek, catching his breath sharply as she turned toward him. He leaned down, kissing his daughter's head.

Nymphadora shivered as she watched the two, wondering at the man's long silence. She was terrified of what he could be thinking, but knew she was powerless to do anything.

Rodolphus lovingly held his baby girl until the child's mother motioned him to sit on the bed. He sat, still watching the child until he finally whispered, "I love you, baby girl."

Dora shook her head in disbelief, unable to say anything in her concern that she would upset the man or the child—or both. She did not speak, shivering again as she watched the man adore his long-desired child. Rodolphus seemed to be enthralled by the tiny human in his arms, ignoring Nymphadora until she finally figured out something to say.

"What—what did you want to name her?" Nymphadora asked nervously.

"Her name is Elara," Rodolphus pronounced, looking up after a moment and frowning at Nymphadora.

The witch didn't speak, sniffing a little as the man looked back to the baby girl. Elara. Of course the man had to give the girl the worst name possible. It didn't sound remotely like anything Nymphadora had ever heard, but she knew the man had researched for hours to find the "perfect" name for the child, or so he had told the child.

Elara made a soft sound as she reached out a tiny hand toward her father's face, Rodolphus smiling back happily, absolute joy in his countenance. "Yes, Elara," he laughed softly. "I'm your father...you know me, don't you?" He kissed her head softly. "I knew you would. You're a smart little girl."

Nymphadora closed her eyes as Rodolphus continued to talk to his baby girl, tears falling down the witch's face. He seemed so happy with the child, but at the same time, the child was nothing but a symbol of shame and abuse to her. It broke her heart to watch the little one innocently look up at the evil man who had fathered her. Nymphadora knew she couldn't keep Rodolphus away from the child, but she swore on every deity she knew of that she would keep her daughter safe, no matter what.


Early the next morning, Andromeda looked in on Nymphadora to find her already awake, sitting up to feed her baby girl. "Did you get much sleep?" she asked the young Metamorphagus.

Dora sighed. "A little." She held her little girl close, a small look of fright crossing her face.

"What is it?" Andromeda queried, frowning slightly.

"He—he said he'd be back this morning," Nymphadora muttered. "You shouldn't be here, Mum."

"Nonsense," Andromeda said briskly. "You need a bit of help with the child before—what was her name, again?"

"Elara," Nymphadora sighed. "Mother...just go."

Andromeda gave her a stern look. "I'm not going anywhere. Now. Teddy wants you. I told him I'd come make sure you were okay, and then bring him to you. He needs to meet Elara, Dora."

Nymphadora looked down at the child she was cradling, then sighed. "Fine. Bring him to me. It'll be okay. It'll be fine."

The older witch regarded her daughter with concern, seeing that Dora was nearly talking to herself. She stepped out of the room and was soon back with Teddy, who yelled out excitedly when he saw his mother.

"Shh!" Dora said in a panic as Elara cried out in surprise.

Teddy stopped his rush toward his mother to stare at the little baby, and Andromeda walked up behind him, lifting him onto the bed beside his mother. "Teddy, this is Elara," Andromeda said gently.

Nymphadora looked up at her mother cautiously, then back at Teddy. "Teddy, this is your baby sister," she told him firmly.

"Rodolphus will not like that," Andromeda warned her.

Teddy looked between the two witches curiously, and Nymphadora glared at her mother. "I will not have that attitude, and I don't care what he says!" Dora snapped. "Elara, shh, baby. It's all right, Teddy. She's just a bit cranky because her meal got interrupted."

The boy looked nervously at the child, then looked up at his mother and gave her a small smile. "But Mum's okay?" he said, watching her for a moment.

"Of course," Dora said, giving her son the best warm smile she could before she reached out and hugged him into her side. "I love you, Teddy."

"Love you too," Teddy grinned, hugging her back carefully as he looked down at the baby. "Teddy's sister?"

"Yes," Andromeda sighed, deciding to go with her daughter's decision despite the possible consequences. "Elara is your sister."

"'lara," Teddy said with a nod.

"Elara," Dora corrected.

"Said that!" Teddy protested with a pout. "'lara!"

Andromeda couldn't help laughing a little. "Well, she's destined to be 'lara Lestrange for the rest of her life."

Nymphadora groaned. "Mum, that's not funny!"

Her mother merely turned to Teddy and said, "Come away now, Teddy. Mum's got to take care of Elara and rest."

"Can I play with Cissa?" Teddy asked immediately.

"Yes," Andromeda said, holding out her hand to the boy. "Come along."

Dora sighed a little, looking down at her baby. "What am I to do with you?" she asked despairingly. "I don't know how to protect you."

"Protect her?" came a male voice, and Nymphadora almost yelled in fright. "Protect her from whom, Nymphie?"

"Um," Dora said, biting her lip nervously. She wasn't sure if she dared to say what she was thinking.

Rodolphus Lestrange walked to Dora's side, sitting down and looking to his daughter immediately, reaching out to touch her soft little face. Dora knew she must have let thoughts of fear or anger escape, because he sudden looked at her with the most insulted expression. "I would never hurt my daughter, Nymphadora," he said, sounding pained at the thought. "No...she is my only child, my heir." He reached out to touch her cheek again and made a small sound of delight as she turned toward him, her face lighting up when she saw him. "Your father loves you, Elara," he said softly, almost laughing in his delight.

Dora sputtered in protest. "You are the most vile man who ever existed—barring the Dark Lord—Rodolphus Lestrange! How dare you say you would never hurt her? What would keep you from treating her as you treat any other woman in your life?"

"I waited years for a child," Rodolphus growled at her. "I daresay now is as good a time as any. I have always wanted to be a father, but things have been...difficult. But you're a good girl, doing what I taught you—and doing it well, I might add. Like to get back to that. Even though I didn't intend to conceive a child with you, I cannot deny that Elara is a great blessing. I love her."

"Ha!" Nymphadora ridiculed him. "I love her more than you ever could anything, including yourself!"

Rodolphus gripped her shoulder, a fiery Curse threatening to break from his hand through her body. "Do not forget, young Nymphie, that it was you who wanted the child dead when you learned of her. Do not forget that it was you that had to be restrained because of your violent thoughts against my daughter!"

"She is my daughter!" Nymphadora half screamed at him, her hair shooting bright red, and Elara began to cry, alarmed at the sudden disturbance.

"You didn't want her," Rodolphus hissed, his face very close to hers as he gripped her shoulder firmly. "You were going to get rid of her, Madam Lupin—" he spat at her "you wanted her dead!"

Nymphadora stared at him, struggling for words but unable to come up with something to say. "That's right," Rodolphus chuckled softly, pressing a kiss to her cheek. "I'll not forget having to keep a careful eye on you to make sure you were good during all that time. When we're talking about protecting my daughter, you are the villain."

She squeezed her eyes shut, refusing to look at him or Elara, even though the baby was crying quite loudly. "She is pain," Dora whispered. "She is shame. But it isn't her fault. I accept that now."

"If it weren't for her father," Rodolphus said darkly, "it would be too late to accept that, Nymphie. Now. Get her calmed down and taken care of. I'll be back to stay with you tonight."

"I'm not well enough!" Dora snapped.

"I see you miss me," he chuckled, getting to his feet. "No. I think you still need watching, Nymphie. My daughter must be protected, as you say."

He barely left the room when Nymphadora had to cut off a roar of anger from deep inside her. She hated him. She wanted him dead. A thoughtful glance down at the child made her wonder what would happen to Elara without Rodolphus in the picture. Dora almost smiled, clutching the child to herself. Maybe one day she could find that out for herself.


"Mum!" Teddy said excitedly as he saw the sitting room door open and Dora walk in. He grinned at her, making her smile back slightly before she noticed Narcissa and Draco.

"Hello," Dora said quietly, walking to a seat beside her mother as she held Elara close.

Draco wouldn't look at her, but Narcissa looked to her niece and said quietly, "Hello, Dora. I'm glad you're able to be up and about."

Dora nodded. "Thanks," she said, returning her gaze to her baby girl. She couldn't help but notice that Draco got to his feet and slipped silently out of the room, making her feel absolutely filthy. It wasn't her fault.

Andromeda reached over and grasped her daughter's hand. "At least you have a while to rest until you've got to return to duty."

"Duty," Dora spat, surprised at the huff of amusement from Narcissa.

"Sorry, dear," Narcissa said with a slight smile. "You do sound like your mother sometimes."

"I don't like you going out there," Andromeda frowned. "It's dangerous."

"Not that it hasn't been," Narcissa added. "Just that, we have two little ones that need their mother. And I don't feel entirely sufficient to deal with them."

Andromeda frowned, seeing her daughter look over the two little ones in despair. "Nothing is going to happen to you, Dora," she said in a strange voice.

Nymphadora closed her eyes tightly. "You can't stop him."

Andromeda watched the girl for a moment, her heart aching in dread. "I will do what I have to."

Narcissa seemed curiously for a moment before she shook her head with obvious distaste. "Don't do anything rash now, Andy."

"Don't call me Andy!" Andromeda rolled her eyes at her sister. "I will do anything to protect my family, and you have said the same thing to me! I don't rush into something without a good reason; I'm not like that."

"Of course not," Narcissa agreed. "You plan it for ten minutes. Whatever idea you have, you had better at least sleep on it."

"Oh, Narcissa," Andromeda sighed in exasperation. "No. I don't even have a specific idea in mind. I've just got to keep Dora—now where did she go?" For Dora was no longer in the room, Teddy gone as well.


Nymphadora bit her lip. "I know it's awful," she said to Draco with a cringe, "but—well, she is my daughter."

Draco nodded awkwardly, though he seemed slightly intrigued by the little one. "Do you think she'll look like him?"

She shuddered. "Well, at least she can morph it away if she does. Do you want to hold her? I suppose she is your...first cousin once removed?"

"It doesn't matter," Draco shook his head. "Maybe just a minute or two?"

Dora stared at him for a moment, surprised at his willingness to actually hold the little girl. She carefully placed the little girl in his arms, trying not to act nervous as she watched him look down at her. He seemed to be thinking about something quite hard, though she wasn't sure why he'd have that sort of a reaction to her.

"She really is okay," Draco nodded, glancing up at the child's mother. "Pity about the father."

"And about yours," came Rodolphus' voice from the door. "And also a pity you didn't go the same way."

Draco suddenly looked so frightened and angry that Dora was surprised he hadn't instantly dropped the girl. She moved to get Elara from him, but Rodolphus had already reached out and taken the child from Draco's arms.

"Now run along, boy," Rodolphus smirked. "Why dwell on what you will never have for yourself? The House of Malfoy will fall, purely because of you, and your father. Weak, and pathetic. After how perfect your mother was—and oh, I heard about that from Lucius, by the way—you have all individually failed. But I waste my breath on you. Leave."

"While there is life..." Draco said, his face dark with fury, then turned and left the room.

Nymphadora turned toward the man holding her daughter, hiding her fear as she tried to think of something to say or do. The instant she went to say something, Rodolphus shook his head at her. "Don't defend him. If the boy can't stand up for himself—which he never has—then he won't survive. In fact, Nymphie, you obviously understand how things work better than he does."

Dora didn't speak, sinking down onto her bed and clasping her hands together in her lap. Rodolphus ignored her for a few minutes as he talked to his baby girl, encouraging her softly and laughing delightedly at her adorable gestures and expressions. Nymphadora bit her lip slightly, seeing Elara give her father a big smile.

"Rod," Dora breathed, motioning him toward the bed. "Come here. Sit."

He eyed her carefully for a moment, then went ahead, cradling the child cautiously. "Perfection," he sighed, kissing her short black curls. "Something most fathers could only wish for."

Nymphadora couldn't help but scoff at him. "She's a halfblood, Rodolphus," she spat. "Like me. That is not perfection, and you cannot pretend."

Rodolphus looked up at her as if annoyed at the interruption. "Always knew you could talk the talk," he smirked. "Your mother's influence, I'm sure. But against your own daughter?"

Dora just looked at him. "You should hear Mum when she gets going. None of us could handle her. I just...wouldn't want you to be delusional."

He leaned over and kissed her cheek, grabbing her by the hair with one hand as she tried to pull away. Dora froze, worried that he would drop Elara. "Nymphie," he murmured against her cheek, his hand sliding down to rest on her hip, "no matter what you or anyone else says, Elara is my perfect little girl." He squeezed Dora's side, amused as she tried to pull away.

"Ah," he chuckled, and Dora jumped in shock as her daughter was suddenly gone from the room.

"Where's Elara?" Dora half screamed at him.

"Oh, don't worry," he sneered. "She's protected." He pushed her down onto the bed, laughing as she yelled out, all her old memories and fears of him rushing back into her mind. "Nymphie," he laughed, pinning her down with his weight as he bound her magic, "don't panic. You know that if you cooperate, I can be...kind."

"I hate you!" Dora yelled, though Rodolphus merely cut her off with a kiss, determined to play with her at least for a little bit before he abandoned her to her terror.

She was a shivering, pained mess by the time he left, stroking her hip deceivingly gently. "Soon," he whispered, leaning in to kiss her as his careful Curse died away. "Soon we will be back to normal. I look forward to it."

Dora curled onto her side as he walked away, the witch wrapping her arms around her knees as she struggled not to lose herself to her fear. "N—no," she sobbed as he walked out of the room, silently shutting the door behind him. "No more."


Andromeda froze in the doorway, Elara in her arms as she stared at her only daughter, lying curled on the bed, a vacant expression on her face. Andromeda drew a steadying breath, then stepped back out of the room. "Cissa!" she called urgently.

Narcissa's door open, the witch looking out into the hall. "Yes?"

"Could you take Elara?" Andromeda sighed. "Please? Dora's in bad shape..."

"Certainly." Narcissa walked forward, taking Elara into her arms. The child immediately began to cry, and Narcissa rolled her eyes. "Of course she hates me. Just my luck." The blonde turned around and went to her room without another word.

Andromeda went back to her daughter's room, her heart pounding in concern as she approached the bed. Dora's eyes were open, her mouth moving slightly, though there was no sound coming out. "Dora?" her mother asked, thoroughly alarmed. She reached down and gently pulled the girl's top to cover herself, wandlessly replacing and doing up the buttons.

Nymphadora lay silently, staring aimlessly forward as Andromeda watched her. "Please," Andromeda breathed. "Dora. Don't." Andromeda forced herself to close her eyes and take a deep breath to make sure she didn't panic as well. She knew exactly what Dora reminded her of: finding Bellatrix in nearly the same state when they were children at home. "Don't go that way," Andromeda whispered, gripping onto the fabric of her dress with one hand. "Dora, I can't save you—but I'll stand by you. I'll take care of you."

The girl did not move, and Andromeda stood there, fear flooding through her mind and body. She was going to lose Dora unless there was something she could do to help make things easier on the girl. The weight of shame, the pain, and all that Dora had been through was destroying her. I've got to, Andromeda thought, clenching her fists tightly. She needs help.

The older witch knew that Dora would be called back to "training" very soon, and that her missions would be getting more dangerous, and definitely more Dark. I would make a better Dark witch than Dora, Andromeda thought with a calculating look at her suffering daughter. I can handle the Dark magic betterit's natural for me.

Andromeda watched her daughter intently for a few moments, then decided to stay in the room for the night. She doubled the bed, blocking the door, and lay down, facing away from her daughter, as it was difficult for her to look at Dora so distraught.

Gritting her teeth and dragging up her left sleeve, Andromeda examined her bare arm. "I'm proud of you," she said, then grinned. "But the plans. Oh, the plans."