I love Delphi and Elara together so much xD and poor Roddy. His troubles have barely begun. :D

Andromeda Tonks felt her daughter return to the wards, though she couldn't go to the witch because she was trying to explain more to Teddy about his powers. She'd known when Dora had left and understood that Rodolphus had gone with her. The woman couldn't help being slightly amused at the thought of Rodolphus attempting to protect his unborn child if Dora was sent on a mission.

Soon enough, however, it was time for lunch and Andromeda and her grandson walked to their makeshift dining room to eat with the rest of the family. "Where's Mum?" Teddy frowned, looking at her and Narcissa.

"I think she was summoned," Andromeda answered with a small sigh. "She'll be all right: Rodolphus went with her."

"Just because he went with her doesn't make it all right," Teddy said, his eyes narrowing at his grandmother. "How can you say that?"

"Well," Andromeda said simply, "I have confidence in Rodolphus' ability to protect anything that he considers his. As long as he wants your mother to stay around, she'll be okay."

"I hate him," Teddy grumbled. "One day, I'll be big enough to keep him from hurting Mum."

Andromeda barely heard herself murmur, "Of course" as she thought that there wasn't anything any of them could do for Dora, no matter how powerful they were.

Teddy scowled, realising the woman didn't believe him. "And now Elara's gone too!" he said. "She's never coming back now that her dad's allowed her outside of the wards."

"She'll be back to see your mum," Andromeda reassured him. "She's just really excited about being out of here for a while."

"I never get to go out," Teddy complained, crossing his arms as he ignored his food.

"Teddy," Narcissa said quietly, "I have not been out but two days since I became a prisoner in my own home. Those two days, Bellatrix called upon me to take care of her daughter while she was away. We do not have freedom either."

"It isn't fair that Elara gets to go out!" Teddy snapped.

"Teddy, do not yell at your aunt," Andromeda sighed. "Go to your room."

"No!"

Andromeda got to her feet. "I said go to your room, Edward. Now."

Teddy moved the instant he saw her reach for her wand, running from the room as she watched him go. Narcissa sighed, looking over at her sister. "It really wasn't that bad, Dromeda. We all know how he feels."

"He just voices what we all feel and it makes it worse," she sighed. "He needs to learn to internalise it like we do."

Narcissa sighed and nodded, the two turning back to their meal.

Elara giggled nervously at Delphi's impression of her father, glancing toward the door as if she expected someone to walk in on their fun. Delphi gave her friend a knowing look, then imitated her father's voice again: "What are you afraid of, child? That you'll get hurt? No one dares harm one of my loyal followers."

Delphi burst into giggles at the look on her friend's face. "You're amusing, Elara," she said after a moment or two. "You don't have to worry about getting in trouble as long as you're with me. I can keep Mother and Father from hurting you. Besides, it's normal for children to try to mimic their parents. Don't worry so much."

"Dad worries," Elara answered. "He's afraid that Bella's going to hurt his second child. He always tells me not to talk to you. My mother says the same thing, of course, but she's afraid of everything, so there you are."

"But you're not the second child," Delphi pointed out. "And you're alive already. Come on: let's go to my room. It has better wards if you're that worried I can't protect you."

Elara frowned. "Mum said you would be mean," she told Delphi. "She said I just didn't know it yet."

Delphi rolled her eyes. "I'm not mean. I can protect you from everyone, and you're still acting like someone's going to walk in and attack." She grinned mischievously. "Avada Kedavra!"

The younger girl jumped at the words of the incantation, wondering why Delphi liked to mimic her father so much. "I have to 'be careful,'" she sighed. "Dad will get mad if I don't."

"I'll be careful for you," Delphi promised. "Now come on!"

Rodolphus was just leaving his room to make his way to the Prisoners' Ward when his heart nearly stopped. He held back a yell of annoyance (his daughter was too much like her mother) as he realised Elara was walking down the hall toward him with Delphini. "Elara?" he called out. "Where are you going?"

"The dungeon," Delphini answered haughtily. "I told her I'd show her around."

"Yeah," Elara giggled, suddenly recalling something. "I heard Mum say that Grandmum once killed a Weasley down there."

Rodolphus started in alarm, wondering when on earth Elara had been in a place to hear such things from her mother. "Well, are you sure you want to do that?" he asked his daughter. "It's a filthy place, filled with blood and all."

Elara glanced from Delphi to her dad, then ran to the man, throwing her arms around him as she giggled, "We're joking, Dad. We're going to play in her room since it has better wards. Then no one can bother us."

He forced himself to think for a moment before he answered. Pressing a kiss to her dark curls, he murmured, "Okay. I'm going to visit your mum. I'll be back in a little while."

"Okay," she grinned, then wriggled away from him and disappeared down the hall with her friend.

Rodolphus growled under his breath as he walked to the Prisoners' Wing. Perhaps it hadn't been the best idea to give his daughter full run of the house, but as long as she was happy, even if it meant she was protected by the Dark Lord's daughter, he would be glad. He wanted to make sure that his children had everything they wanted. Well, as much as he could get them, anyway.

He found Greer waiting as he approached the Prisoners' Wing and led him into the ward, only a nod for a greeting. As they walked into Nymphadora's room, Rodolphus scowled at Andromeda. "Get out," he told her.

Andromeda squeezed her daughter's hand gently, then got to her feet and left the room without acknowledging the two men. Nymphadora looked at the men for a second, then down at the floor, protectively placing a hand on her stomach. She lay down on the bed at Rodolphus' command, lying there limply as she waited for the Healer to do what he would.

"Not in the best health now, are you, Nymphie," Greer mused as he began to examine the witch. "Seen better days?"

"Perhaps," Dora muttered. "I can't remember."

Rodolphus smirked down at her, but she closed her eyes and ignored him as Greer continued his exam. "How is the child?" Rodolphus asked impatiently.

"Better health than its mother," Greer mused, seeming to enjoy his never-ending game with Rodolphus and Nymphadora. "Anyway, the child does seem to be doing all right, but it will only continue this way if Nymphadora eats the correct diet. She seems weaker than usual...she'll need to take these potions for the child's sake."

"I don't want it," Dora murmured, quietly enough that Rodolphus thought she might have been talking to herself.

"What is the gender of the child?" Rodolphus asked the Healer.

Greer looked up from Nymphadora, a half amused look on his face. "Boy. Happy at all, Rod?"

Nymphadora gave the smallest of whimpers, closing her eyes with a look of near pain on her face. Rodolphus looked at Nymphadora with the strangest of expressions before reaching down and touching her stomach reverently.

The Healer ignored them for a little bit while a tear trickled down Dora's cheek, and Rod wiped it away absentmindedly. "You know," he said quietly, "It wasn't so bad with Elara. You'll survive this one too. The only thing is, I won't put up with any foolishness of yours about my son. Do you understand?"

"He's mine too," Dora whispered as defiantly as she could while despairing of her future. She didn't listen as the Healer set down the potions she would need to keep the baby safe until he was born, knowing Rodolphus was listening far more closely than she ever could.

She was glad when Greer left, though she immediately regretted this as Rodolphus sat down next to her and drew her into his arms, placing a kiss on her cheek as he rested one hand on her stomach. "Nymphie, you've finally done something right," he murmured, turning her face to his. "I almost can't believe it...you're going to give me a son..."

Nymphadora shivered as he placed the most tender kiss on her lips, his hand on her face as he held her there. The man whispered, "I will keep you safe, no matter what I have to do. Nothing will happen to you while I'm around."

She knew better than to imagine he was talking to her, and was relieved that he was concentrating on the child now instead of her. It was safer that way, she had learned with Elara. "Ah!" she gasped, and Rodolphus started in alarm.

"What's wrong?" he demanded, snapping out of his daydreams.

"N—nothing," she answered, though she winced as her Mark burned fiercely.

"You're lying," he hissed at her. "What's wrong?"

She sighed and tried to get up, only to have him pull her back. "My Mark is burning, you idiot!" she snapped at him. "Now let me go!"

Rodolphus' eyes narrowed, and he helped her to her feet. "I'm going with you," he told her. "And I will hear no argument, Nymphadora."

She groaned, pulling away from him as she Summoned her mask and robes. "Fine," she mumbled. "Just don't slow me down." Nymphadora hurried to get ready and left the room quickly.

Rod followed very close to her, making her nervous as she rushed towards what she assumed would be the meeting room. She entered the room quietly, trying not to draw much attention even though several of the Death Eaters looked up and smirked at her.

"She won't do it," one of the Death Eaters muttered, and Rod shot him a warning look.

One of the other senior Death Eaters Dora didn't see very often glared down at her. "So nice to see you, Nymphie," he said to her. "Bella warned us you'd have a shadow."

The other Death Eaters smirked at Rodolphus and Nymphadora, chuckling to each other. Rod glared at them, but Dora kept her eyes on the one seemingly in charge of the mission. "What are we doing today?" she asked.

"A stealth mission," the man answered. "Which I am not sure you and your shadow are capable of, Nymphie."

"You'd be surprised," Nymphadora retorted. "He tends to perform better under pressure."

The others laughed at this, and Rodolphus stepped closer to her, his eyes dark with anger, though he did not speak. Nymphadora didn't say anything further, nearly flinching as she half expected to feel his restraining hand on her hip, though he did not touch her.

"We've picked up news on the whereabouts of the Weasley girl," the man continued.

Dora's heart sank, especially as she felt Rodolphus' eyes on her. She could almost hear him whispering to her that he knew she had lied about the Weasley's escape, and that it would be different this time. "Pay attention, Nymphie," Rodolphus growled in her ear, and she startled slightly, catching herself before her hair could pale at all.

"We'll be going in silently, seeing where they are and finding out how well they are protected," the lead Death Eater said. "We won't attack unless they notice us—"

"Which won't be too difficult," Dora grumbled under her breath.

"—which shouldn't be a problem." The man scowled at the two whispering in the corner. "Lestrange, as you seem to want to join us, do listen to the briefing, at least to remind Nymphie of what was said."

"I heard every word," Rodolphus said in a bored tone. "Shall we get on with it? Where are we going?"

The man glowered at Rodolphus before giving them all the final details. "Disillusion and go," he ordered, leaving immediately.

Rodolphus turned to say something to Nymphadora, but her image had already faded before him as her charm fell into place. "Need help?" she smirked, her voice strong even though he could barely see her.

He swore under his breath, performed the same charm, then grabbed her arm and disapparated. Nymphadora attempted to wrench herself away from him the second they arrived, but he wrapped his arm around her, pulling her to him and hissing, "You will stay close to me, and you will not do anything stupid. Do you understand?"

"Only if you don't," Dora hissed in reply. "Let me go so we can search!"

Rodolphus bit back a sound of frustration and nearly pushed her away as they hurried after the lead Death Eater. Dora jumped in shock as someone brushed by them, glaring at him when she realised it was Avery. "You two are disgusting," he said, "and I've seen a lot of shit."

"Move along, Avery," Rodolphus snapped.

"You're not even supposed to be here," the other man sneered. "You're not giving orders this mission because you have to play nursemaid and protector for your little toy."

Nymphadora sensed Rodolphus' anger, but didn't do anything except wonder if she should try to calm him. After all, if the mission failure was his fault, she couldn't be blamed, especially the way Avery was acting.

"We all know Nymphie's pregnant again," Avery said casually as they strode along. "We have also been told that if she misbehaves on any mission, we are to curse her and take her straight to Bellatrix. Bella said if our curses don't destroy the child, Nymphie, then she'll cut it out of you herself—depending on what you've done, of course."

"I think the child might last a couple missions," said a Death Eater on Rodolphus' other side, making Rodolphus start slightly. "Though Dolohov said Nymphie might surprise us. He thinks four or five missions, but he's going to lose."

"You placed wagers on my son?" Nymphadora said, sick at the thought and angered at the further plans that had been laid to trap her.

"Well, it is totally in your power," Avery shrugged. "Though Dolohov did get a little carried away in his wager...three missions would be quite profitable to us, Nymphie. Think you could manage that?"

"Though really, Rodolphus," the other Death Eater said, shaking his head, "a half-blood weakling for the mother of your heir? The House of Lestrange seems to be heading in the same direction as the Malfoys."

Nymphadora lifted her head and glared at the men. "Until you have proper pureblood children, or even a pureblood woman, your words will be meaningless."

Rodolphus stared straight ahead as they continued walking, and finally said, "The House of Lestrange will remain faithful to the Dark Lord, no matter the cost."

Dora looked away from Avery in time to catch sight of some sort of building in front of them. "There's something here," she said. "Wards. People." She swallowed hard as she hurried forward to the leader. "There are Weasleys in there," she told him.

"We know that, girl," he sneered. "That's why we're here. The problem is the wards and how many it will take to break them as we kill those who try to escape."

Rodolphus did not stir from Dora's side as they approached the warded building quietly. "Now you're going to stand here and watch your old friends be destroyed," he said softly.

Nymphadora growled at him threateningly, but said nothing. To their surprise, someone appeared in one of the upper windows. Dora's heart nearly stopped as Rodolphus grinned, "It's the Weasley girl!"

Two or three of the Death Eaters made sounds of recognition before the girl called out a greeting to them. "And Roddy, glad you could be here," the red-haired woman said thoughtfully. "So thoughtful of you to protect Dora most of the time."

Dora just shook her head in worry as she watched, Rodolphus frozen for a moment as the Weasley girl looked right at them. Rodolphus moved quickly as the other man began to issue orders. Dora yelped slightly as Rodolphus grasped her by the arm and pulled her aside. "You are not going in there," he hissed at her. "You'll jeopardise everything!"

"But I have to—"

"You aren't going," Rodolphus growled at her, pulling her further away as they heard the sounds of more apparitions.

Nymphadora watched in horror, Rodolphus' arm wrapped around her carefully, as the newcomers began to help bombard the wards. Some of the others raised their wands, ready to break the ward when it was weak enough. "Oh no," Dora whispered, and felt Rodolphus lean his head against her shoulder.

"The way it should be," Rodolphus murmured. "The rest of the resistance crushed as you watch, Nymphie. And nothing you can do about it."

Dora stood frozen in place as she watched the wards fall, and her friend duel for a few seconds before falling to a Flaying Hex. "No, no, no," Dora whispered, her body shaking as Rodolphus' arms tightened around her. "That could not have just happened. No..."

The Death Eaters rushed the building, a few explosions before a couple of them yelled in anger. Dora bit her lip, not knowing what was happening. "They're gone!" someone yelled. "She was a distraction!"

Dora fought back tears as she thought of how brave the girl must be to stand up against all those Death Eaters in an obviously losing battle. Someone came out of the building followed by two Death Eaters. A woman's voice said, "That was not the Weasley girl. It was a body enchanted to look and speak like her. Someone had to have been controlling her, the last person to leave the scene. Depending on the power of the person puppeting, they had to have been close. We need to search the area."

"You're not giving orders," Avery growled at her.

"But she's right," Mulciber growled back at Avery, who immediately agreed. "We're going to need trackers." He whirled and looked right at Rodolphus and Nymphadora. "Take Nymphie back to the house and get your brother and Nott. We will track this scum in spite of their tricks."

"What about Andromeda?" Avery said. "She shouldn't be left out here, should she?"

"She can track pretty well," Mulciber answered. "We'll send her out with Rabastan to keep her out of trouble."

Nymphadora looked up at her mother, her eyes widening in horror. "Mother?"

Andromeda shook her head at the witch. "Get her out of here, Rodolphus."

Rodolphus sneered at her before disapparating. Dora yanked herself away from him as soon as they arrived and fell back against the wall just before the Prisoners' Ward. "Go away," she hissed at him.

"I'll be back soon," he promised her, reaching out and touching the front of her robes. "I've got to find Rabastan and let him know he's got to play tag-along with Andromeda for the next couple hours."

Dora stumbled back through the wards, horrified at what seemed to be happening.

"Dora?"

She jumped in shock, turning to see Draco standing there, a strange look on his face. "What do you want?" she demanded of him.

He frowned. "Elara was here looking for you, but when we told her you'd gone out with Rodolphus, she left again," he answered. "She wouldn't say what she wanted."

"Great," Dora sighed, shaking her head wearily. "The one time she returns and I'm not here. Of course that would happen."

"Mum?" Teddy peeked out of his room. "You're back!" He ran at her and gave her a hug, surprising her. "I love you," he said as she hugged him in return.

"I love you too," she answered. "Mum's got to sit down, Teddy, so let's go to the sitting room."

Teddy agreed, and the two entered the room, Narcissa looking up and greeting her niece. "Are you all right?" she asked the young woman.

"Yes," Dora answered. "I was only dragged along for the fun of it. The rebels got away, but they're being tracked now...Mum's helping them."

Narcissa nodded slightly. "I'm sure it's not what it seems," she told Dora. "But we'll have to see when she gets back."

Rodolphus scowled angrily, turning away from his brother as he stormed down the hall of the castle. He wouldn't be blamed if his idiot brother and Andromeda completely messed up the mission. He walked down the hall toward his daughter's room, wanting to spend a little time with Elara before supper time.

To his surprise and annoyance, Elara was not alone in her room. "Rodolphus," sighed a young girl's voice, "must you always forget to knock? One might think you weren't raised properly."

"Father!" Elara said before he could reply. "Why were both you and Mum gone? You never go on missions together." She looked up into his face, tilting her head as she frowned.

"Well, we did this time," Rodolphus answered rather sharply, receiving a hurt look from his daughter and a raised eyebrow from Delphini Riddle.

Elara drew her five-year-old self up as tall as she could and said, "I'm playing with Delphi. I'll see you when we eat."

Rodolphus was startled at her words and said, "What?"

Elara frowned at him, trying to decide if he really was confused, then walked forward into his arms, being lifted into his embrace. "Delphi's here now," she whispered in his ear. "I'll play with you later."

He hugged her carefully, though his heart wasn't really in it. "I love you," he murmured, then set her down and turned and walked to the door. A small giggle from Elara made him turn and look at them once more, though neither of them seemed to be out of place. Anger surged through him and he left the room, though not before both girls had seen the look on his face.

Delphi sighed dramatically, falling back onto Elara's bed as the door shut behind the man. "Why, I do believe I've made him angry," she giggled.

"He didn't see you though," Elara frowned. "He didn't know what you did."

"Elara darling, your father does not want you talking to me because he thinks I'll hurt you," Delphi said, looking over at Elara as she climbed up onto the bed to sit next to her friend. "I left the room last time he walked in on us, but I'm not doing that ever again. I will only leave if you want me to and if I think I should."

"He didn't look happy," the younger girl said with a shiver.

"Pfff." Delphi sat up and regarded Elara for a moment. "He's just annoyed that I didn't leave so he could talk to you like he wanted. He'll be fine." She grinned. "I mean, he's an adult. He can't be as much fun as I am, right?" The girl tucked a strand of her silver hair behind her ear. "And I have an idea, too."

Elara grinned too, leaning in to hear what Delphi had in mind for them this time.