DISCLAIMER. None of the characters used are a creation of mine. They belong solely to JK Rowling.

'You aren't welcome here.'

Rodolphus chuckled in a sinister manner that made Hermione's skin crawl. Her blood boiled at the very sight of him. She itched to reach out and crush him.

Standing hidden behind the doorway, she peered in.

'That's no way to greet your brother, Rab,' he simpered.

Rab snarled, rising up to his feet and looking him in the eye, 'Don't call me that, you scum!'

Rodolphus merely raised a brow and raised his hands in submission. Walking around, he dropped his furnished cane onto the side and seated himself on the sofa.

'You do realise you are speaking to the Head of the House, don't you? The estate is mine. The funds are mine. The name is mine', he said, mild interest showing in his voice.

Rab yelled, 'You don't deserve any of it! You killed your own blood. You dare come show your face and take his place?' He pulled out his wand from within his robes, aiming at his brother's face. 'Give me one good reason not to kill you. I will end you tonight! I swear I will.'

'Well, what's stopping you then?' Rodolphus laughed. 'Here I am. Come and finish me.'

Various painful curses at the tip of his tongue and yet Rab couldn't find the courage to utter even a single one of them. His hands faltered though his heated gaze still penetrated the man before him with venom pooling out of his entire being.

'And that is where you're wrong. You don't have it in you.' Rodolphus stood up, all mirth gone from his visage. 'You wish for revenge and yet you think the way to do it must be righteous and just. If you want something in this world, Rab, you have to have the guts for it. You don't have it in you to kill someone. Pathetic, really.'

Rodolphus shook his head and smirked, 'You believe killing is beneath you? I have murdered oh so many of those filthy Muggle vermin. Killing me would be a wise move on your part. I will never stop. I will go for so many more. But you're so caught up in your little moral parade. It'll be your undoing.' He cackled, 'You're a spineless little boy. Your pansy feelings for your brother, someone who murdered your dear grandfather, are hindering you from destroying him. Grow up, kid.'

Scrunching up his face and curling his fists, Rab struggled to maintain his composure. He knew he was on the brink of exploding and yet a part of him couldn't take the last step towards insanity. As much as he wanted to put an end to him, his conscience wouldn't allow it. He was a coward.

Rodolphus stepped behind Rab, breathing down his neck. 'I will ruin you, brother. Join me. Join the Dark Lord and help restore the glory of our House that was besmirched by such foolhardy support of the muggles that Grandfather has shown.'

Rab pushed himself away, 'What does your Dark Lord want with me anyway? He has you. Is that not enough?'

'Oh, but each drop of pureblood is a waste if not put to the right means. You and our dear sister will do wonders with your skills. Imagine the glory that awaits you. The Dark Lord will fill your life with privileges not even our blood status could muster up.'

'None of it interests me. You can shove your offer up your ungrateful arse.'

'I urge you to think again.' Rodolphus glared, 'You are bringing shame to the family. You are soiling my dignity. The Dark Lord has waited long enough. He's been gracious. He mustn't always be thus.'

Rab muttered, 'That's enough. Leave now.'

He smiled serenely, 'And go where? This is my home now. The Dark Lord shall be extremely happy when he sees the new Headquarters.'

Rab seemed unsure for just a moment. He had expected it but the reality hadn't really sunk in. There had been no time.

'Defiance from one of his most loyal follower's family will cost me greatly. Do your brother proud and join us.'

'Never!', Rab spat in his face.

Rodolphus glared at him, 'You bring me shame! You will join us or I shall disown you.'

Rab laughed, 'Even if you did I have enough lands and finances to last myself generations. So does Hermione.'

Rodolphus had had enough. Before Rab could register, he had him by wandpoint.

'You will do as I say.' Rodolphus said.

Hermione sensed the rising danger in the air. She knew things could get out of hand any minute now. She entered the room, looking equally regal as her brothers, her own wand pointing at him in warning. 'Let him go.'

Rodolphus' face brightened up. 'My lovely sister! Ages! It's been ages since I last saw you. Haven't you grown into a beautiful young woman!'

She spat, 'You're in the wrong, Rodolphus. You've lost yourself to your wife's maniacal whims. Following a harrowing man will do you no good. Leave him. Your sterling reputation will never be enough for him to spare you. He will get rid of you the moment you stop being useful. Leave him and perhaps you can seek redemption.'

Rodolphus chuckled as he lowered his wand and stepped aside, 'Your moral code really is pathetic. Leave the Dark Lord? What would you have us do? Mate with muggles and muggleborns and let our bloodlines be diluted? Why do you think there's been a sudden rise in the number of squibs? Our immunity weakens.. our magic weakens with such alliances. It's a sin against nature. Would you have Magic leave god's green earth entirely?'

Rab muttered furiously, 'Nothing can be a good enough reason for the inhumane ways with which you murder innocents. You're a monster!'

Angered beyond reason, Rodolphus thundered, 'I am only trying to protect you! And here you are acting like ungrateful little children! Soon the good for nothing Ministry will fall and the Death Eaters will rule the world. Pardon me if I care for my family's interests.'

'You justify your psychotic ways by twisting your actions into something honourable?' Hermione felt incredulous. 'You disgust me! You really think this is the way you protect your family? You dare say you do it in the name of love!'

Rab whispered, 'You killed the man who raised you. You killed the man you worshipped for the entirety of your life. You killed him in cold blood. Your own family. He loved you the best and you know it. You broke his heart and he still loved you.. still hoped you'd come to your senses. The poor man never stopped believing there was still some good in you. Never.'

'I did what I had to. Grandfather would have led you into ruins. He would never have heen able to save you. The Dark Lord will decimate the world. And above all, blood traitors. I shall hate to stand over your graves and mourn the loss of two of my most beloved.'

'Have some shame, Rodolphus. You have gone far beyond the rational bounds of this world,' Rab said sadly.

'Why must you make this so unbearably difficult for me? Don't you see? Look around yourself! Everything is falling apart and you will too if you keep standing at the eye of this storm. Your side will never win.' He laughed, 'Not when you keep upholding such righteous ways of battling us. You fools refuse to use Unforgivables. The Dark side is proficient at curses that can render the mind useless and yet your side resorts to inconsequential hexes. You really believe that's the way of winning a war?'

Hermione sighed, 'This is getting nowhere. You're a deranged man.'

Rodolphus sneered, 'You've always had a penchant for the Dark Arts. I've seen you reading tomes of the vilest nature. Don't deny the pull you feel towards them. You act so mighty but your heart speaks differently. I can see the hunger in your eyes. I see your drive for power. I know of your silly dalliances with the Potter boy and that miserable excuse of a pureblood heir. I shall have the Dark Lord pardon you for your grievances. Hoe stupidly you stoop down to talk to mudblood and halfbreeds. They will never do you any good. Come with me. I can tske you to heights you shall never be able to imagine.'

No, it isn't the time. Not yet.

'All the riches in the world shall be yours.'

Rab placed a hand on his shoulder and guided her outside. 'This discussion is over. You shall have neither my support nor Hermione's. You can have the manor. We're leaving.'

'You should watch your back, brother.' Rodolphus said gravely. 'It's not just I who'd want to come after you. Many would envy the status you have but choose to throw away so carelessly.'