Hermione was a half-step behind Rabastan the whole way to the study. She was racking her brain for ideas on what this plan could include, and coming up blank. The only way to completely rid the world of people who believed in the same ideals as the Dark Lord would be to kill them all, and that was impossible, wasn't it?
As soon as she entered his study, he warded the door keeping everyone out except for Milsey. Although they were alone, she assumed it was for their protection. He had mentioned the night before that it was possible that other Death Eaters would come calling without prior notice.
Hermione sat in the same chair from last night and crossed her legs. Rabastan pulled out several manila folders, bulging with information. He beckoned her closer, needing her to examine the documents in front of them, then left her be and wandered to the window as she scoured the documents. If she was reading everything correctly, the plan was to eliminate Death Eaters in the inner circle and any others who posed a threat. Only then, when Voldemort was at his weakest, would they be able to murder him.
"Rabastan," she called. He came closer and placed his arms on the back of her chair, leaning over her. With him being so close, her heart surely would beat out of her chest. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath before she began to speak.
"I am concerned only about one thing. How are we sure You-Know-Who hasn't created any more Horcruxes in the past three years? We destroyed all of them before, but…" she said, trailing off. If he had created more Horcruxes, she was going to be sucked back into the nightmare they had started during their sixth year. Before she could think about it further, Rabastan grabbed ahold of her shoulders, seeing in her eyes that she was in turmoil.
"Hermione," he said, his voice low. "I am sure he hasn't created any more Horcruxes. If you're looking closely enough it becomes obvious how weak he is, and I know a witch or wizard has to be extremely powerful to create a Horcrux."
She nodded her head, not trusting her voice not to give her emotions away. Talking about Horcruxes brought on an abundance of emotions. She heard Rabastan speaking to one of the portraits, but couldn't make out the words.
Hermione looked up, and the portrait gave her a small smile. "My lady," the portrait addressed her. "I assure you, the Dark Lord has not created any more Horcruxes."
"H-H-How do you know," she whispered, choking out the words.
"I have a portrait in Lionheart Hall, where Bellatrix and Rodolphus resided. Bellatrix still lives there, but now she shares the home with the Dark Lord. I am disguised as another portrait, or they surely would have taken me down long ago. But I have heard them speaking, and I am certain there are no other Horcruxes that we need to worry about," the portrait assured her.
"Why would they throw you out?" she questioned.
"Hermione. I would like to introduce you to my Uncle Florin," Rabastan said, formally introducing her to the portrait.
"Oh," was all she said, unable to comprehend anything at the moment. Hermione took a deep breath—she needed to pull herself together. There was no way she could accomplish this plan wearing her heart on her sleeve. She needed to shove the light down inside and let the darkness reign.
She could feel Rabastan staring at her, probably questioning whether or not he chose correctly when picking a side-kick. Taking another deep breath, she felt her magic purring under her skin. She had finally balanced her emotions out, and her magic was happy with her feat.
"I officially agree with your plan," she told Rabastan, formally. "I also think it would be a good idea to take a wizarding oath to protect both of us. If used correctly, it could make us stronger when together."
"I agree. Not as dangerous as an unbreakable vow, but still effects how potent one's magic is."
She held out her arm for him to grasp and he took it without hesitation. "I, Hermione Granger, take this Wizarding Oath and promise on my magic to assist, to the best of my ability, Rabastan Lestrange with his plans as previously discussed," she said as a whisk of magic encircled them.
"I, Rabastan Lestrange, take this Wizarding Oath and promise on my magic to fulfill the plans as previously discussed with Hermione Granger. I also do so swear to protect her to the best of my ability, allowing no harm to come to her while assisting me with this plan," he said as another whisk of magic encircled them, finally disappearing leaving a cloud of smoke in its wake.
Her magic hummed once more as they continued to hold each other's forearms. She gasped at the feeling—she had never taken a wizarding oath before, and if she assumed correctly, some of their magic was combining. When the feeling passed, a heaviness encompassed her arm, and it fell to her side, gravity taking over.
Hermione wanted to jump Rabastan at that moment and wrap her body around his. She could feel desire burning in the pit of her stomach, slowly coursing through her veins. As a flush crept up her cheeks, she timidly raised her head and looked right into Rabastan's eyes. Her breath caught in her throat when she saw he was just as affected as she was. She looked around in confusion—this wasn't supposed to happen during a wizarding oath, was it?
Before she could rack her brain for information, Rabastan grabbed her and pulled her against him. She could feel the bulge straining against his clothes and wanted nothing more than to take care of it for him. He kissed her with such fierce passion, their teeth clinking together from their aggressiveness. His tongue invaded her mouth, battling with her tongue, not allowing her control.
She went to unbuckle his belt to grab his member when they heard the whoosh of the fireplace. Someone had just arrived unannounced and adrenaline coursed through Hermione's body. She briefly looked at Rabastan, and he had already schooled his features to seem like he was just working in his office and not about to ravish a woman. He waved his wand briefly, and she assumed he was lowering the wards around the study. She dashed underneath the desk, casting a charm around her that would prevent them from discovering her if they were to cast a revealing charm.
She held her breath, awaiting what was to come. Rabastan took his place at the desk, and it so happened that she ended up right between his legs. The desire had died down but knew it could quickly build back up with some coaxing. She would have to control herself while she was under the desk. Doing anything but sitting there could put them both in jeopardy.
"Rabastan," she heard a voice say with a thick Russian accent. "I thought we might find you here."
"Dolohov," Rabastan responded. Hermione had to hold in a gasp—he was the one who cursed her in the Battle of the Department of Mysteries. She had a deep, purple scar running from her left shoulder down to her right hip. Shuddering at the thought of that horrid man being in the same room as her again, she brought her attention back to the conversation.
"—I don't know what happened with his witch, but he seemed pretty angry. What he needs a good night out with the boys. Are you in?" she heard Dolohov ask.
Rabastan didn't respond right away and clearly was trying to make a decision. She intentionally squeezed his thigh, telling him that he should go. She knew he couldn't read her mind, but hoped he would pick up on the subtle signal she was leaving. If he went, he could continue to keep suspicion off himself and keep the other Death Eaters happy.
He laid his hand on hers and squeezed it in return, almost as a sign of comfort. Hermione didn't know what he was trying to tell her, but she continued to sit as still as possible, hoping the other Death Eater would leave soon.
Hermione didn't pay attention to the rest of the conversation but instead laid her head down on Rabastan's knee. Before she realized what was happening, Rabastan was trying to push the chair back from the desk. She lifted her head and smiled at him, feeling a blush creep up her cheeks thinking about what they had been doing earlier.
"Come out from there, little witch," He said, his voice low.
"Is he gone?" she whispered back. He nodded his head, and she crawled out of the space beneath his desk. "I forgot about him," she said, wrapping her arms around her body.
"I promised to protect you, remember? I won't let him hurt you," Rabastan assured her.
"He already did," she whispered, tightening the grip on her body. He had a confused look on his face, but she didn't feel like sharing at the moment. He didn't push the subject any further, and for that she was grateful.
Rabastan wrapped his arms around her in an act of comfort. "Well, I won't let him hurt you again Hermione," he promised. She still couldn't wrap her head around it, but she felt safe wrapped in his arms. They had only met the previous day officially, but she felt at home with him. She didn't know where this would take them, but she was going to take what life threw at her and run with it.
She pulled away from him and looked up into his dark eyes. "I missed the last part of the conversation; are you going out with them tonight?"
"Yes, I thought it would be a good idea. Keeps my alibi in check if anything were to happen," Rabastan sighed. "I don't want to leave you here alone, but no one should bother you since they'll all be out."
"That does make me nervous, but I agree with you going. I was trying to signal you to bow to Dolohov's demands, so to speak, and go out with them," Hermione admitted, laying her head back on his chest.
"So I felt," he laughed. "Let's talk game plan for the rest of the afternoon before I have to succumb to Death Eater talk."
They broke apart and resumed their original places across the desk from one another. Talk of strategy filled the rest of their afternoon, planning each detail so it could be executed without hesitation. Dinner rolled around, and Milsey delivered it to the study, so they didn't waste any time. By the time Rabastan needed to leave for a boy's night out, Hermione felt extremely confident with the plan.
"I'll ward you in, little witch, but I also want you to ward your door as an extra precaution," he told her, a look of worry in his eyes. She hoped he was as brilliant at Occlumency as he was at everything else. Anyone who had the opportunity to invade his mind would immediately see her, sealing both their fates.
She wrapped her arms around him once more, assuring him she would be fine. "I'll be okay, Rabastan," she promised, pulling out two golden coins. "I made these back in school; they have a protean charm built in. If one of us needs the other, all you have to do is hold the coin and think of the words you want to send. When receiving a message, it will burn against your skin." She placed it around his neck, letting it fall beneath his shirt.
"You're brilliant," he complimented, placing a kiss on her forehead. She blushed at his compliment, loving the little touches they exchanged. She watched him walk out the door and strengthen the wards before he left.
Hermione hurriedly walked to her room, scared to be alone. She knew if needed, Milsey would come to her, but she didn't want to put her in danger. Warding her door, she collapsed on the bed and allowed her thoughts to drift towards her feelings surrounding Rabastan.
She found him attractive, even though he was a bit older. Despite the actions of their afternoon, she wanted to start as just friends. She wanted someone she would be able to confide in; someone she could find comfort in if necessary. After being on the run for so long, human companionship was something she deeply desired. Hugs and small kisses on the forehead were okay, but she would stop it if either of them tried to go further, for now.
She smiled to herself, grateful for her inner dialogue. Having no one else to go to for these types of issues, the voice inside her head would have to do. One might call her crazy, but—
Her thoughts were cut off by a knock at the door. She was hesitant to answer because Rabastan had just left and if Milsey needed her, she would just apparate directly into the room. Maybe whoever it was, Rabastan trusted. Gripping her wand tight, she decided there was only one way to find out.
Her wand at the ready, she flung the door open ready to pounce if danger presented itself. A hooded figure stood in the hallway, unmoving.
"Show yourself," she shouted, grabbing the coin around her neck with her free hand. She sent a quick message to Rabastan alerting him of the strange presence inside the home.
"I'm surprised to see you here Hermione Granger," the voice told her, slowing lowering their hood. "Especially in one of the Lestrange's ancestral homes."
Hermione gasped, her jaw dropping. She thought at first that Rabastan had come back early and was trying to frighten her. After the initial shock passed, she realized it couldn't be him. This person had lighter hair and looked much older than Rabastan with grey streaking his beard. If she wasn't mistaken, she was standing in front of a very alive Rodolphus Lestrange.
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