Harry supported Rodolphus as they stumbled back to their room for the night. By the time they reached the door, Rodolphus was barely able to stay upright, his exhaustion almost tangible. Harry guided him to the bed, where Rodolphus collapsed without hesitation, curling up against him with a weak sigh.

The next morning, Harry shook Rodolphus awake, the older man's eyes fluttering open with a groggy blink. Rodolphus sluggishly took his anti-nausea and nutrition potions, and they went through their morning routine together, walking quietly through the halls. The Death Eaters they passed stepped aside, avoiding any unnecessary contact.

As they entered the dining room, the silence hit them like a brick wall. All eyes were on them. Rodolphus growled, his voice raspy with irritation. "Didn't you learn last night? Use words, not faces. Geez."

Tom chuckled, turning around. "Rodolphus, they will never learn. I warned them."

Rodolphus turned to Harry with a mischievous grin. "Harry, dear, can I have my wand, please?"

Harry raised an eyebrow, clearly wary. "Is that really a good idea?"

Rodolphus pouted. "Please? I won't hurt them, I promise."

With a resigned sigh, Harry handed over the wand. Rodolphus flicked his wrist with an air of finality, casting stinging hexes at the onlookers. He handed the wand back, his satisfaction apparent.

Harry chuckled lightly. "Feel better, love?"

Rodolphus nodded, his expression softening as the irritation seemed to melt away. "I do. Their looks were driving me mad."

Harry smiled softly. "Okay, my love, sit down."

As they settled at the table, Tom's voice interrupted their quiet moment. "How are you feeling after last night? We were worried."

Rodolphus shrugged, his voice still rough. "Better, actually. I got some sleep."

Harry turned to Severus. "Sev, can you prepare a month's supply of anti-nausea potions?"

Severus nodded without hesitation. "Of course. Does he need the nutrition potions stocked as well?"

Harry confirmed. "Yes, thanks, Sev."

Rodolphus eyed his plate of crackers and peanut butter, nibbling on it cautiously, surprised at how agreeable it was. As he ate, more crackers appeared on his plate, and he found himself feeling more satisfied, his hunger starting to ease. He looked up, his mind drifting as he thought about thanking the house-elves.

Suddenly, the door swung open with a frantic appearance of the house-elf, Tippy. "Master Rodolphus! Someone is trying to break into the manor!"

Rabastan jumped up in alarm. "What? Who? Why? How?"

Tippy panted, her eyes wide with panic. "It's her! She's provoking the wards, trying to break them!"

Rodolphus's growl rumbled in his chest. "Have they been hurt?"

Tippy's voice quivered. "The wards are nearly down. She's almost in. Mistress and master are angry; their magic is activated."

Rabastan and Rodolphus exchanged determined glances, both raising their wands. The air seemed to crackle as they chanted a spell to expel the intruders and bring them before them.

Four figures materialized before them.

Rabastan snapped, "Who are you?"

Rodolphus's voice was sharp as he asked, "How did you find the manor?"

The first figure responded quickly. "We were hired to break in."

The second confirmed. "It's true."

The third added, "It was she."

The fourth, with a gesture, pointed directly at Bellatrix.

Rodolphus and Rabastan glared at her, speaking in unison, "You bitch."

Harry's voice cut through the tension, incredulous. "Bellatrix, why?"

Tom's icy gaze was piercing as he added, "Good question."

Bellatrix sneered, unfazed. "There's something of mine in the manor. I couldn't get in, so I hired these people."

Rodolphus grunted in disbelief. "What the hell is yours in our manor?"

Rabastan scoffed. "Last time we checked, you didn't belong here."

Bellatrix smirked, eyes glinting with malice. "My ring, of course. The Blacks gave it to the Lestranges; it's a Black artifact. I want it back."

Rabastan laughed, shaking his head. "Oh, that old thing? It's not even in the manor; it's in my pocket."

Rodolphus's confusion was evident. "What?"

Rabastan reached into his pocket, pulling out the ring. "This." He broke it, and the magic swirled around Rodolphus, causing him to blink, stunned. "Um, what?"

Bellatrix shrieked in fury. "No! How could you do that? It was mine!"

Rabastan explained with a calm smirk. "It was created for him or his chosen spouse. The Blacks designed it with protection magic. Now it's connected to him, and no one else can touch him."

Harry, his expression serious, asked, "Did Orion create that?"

Rabastan nodded. "Yep."

Harry pulled out a similar ring. "The Potters have one too."

Rodolphus and Rabastan stared at him, shocked. "Break it," they said in unison.

Harry did so, and the magic surrounded Rabastan. He stared at Harry, clearly stunned. "Um, why?"

Harry explained, "Potter blood attracts twins. I was just waiting for the right moment to discuss it."

Bellatrix, in a rage, cast a spell at Rodolphus, but it rebounded, hitting her instead. She screamed in agony.

Harry couldn't hold back his shock and anger. "What is wrong with you? You're truly insane."

Rodolphus sighed, the exhaustion clearly evident in his tone. "Can we be done? I'm exhausted." He leaned heavily on Rabastan, who quickly handed him a recovery potion. Rodolphus drank it gratefully. "When was the last time we did that?"

Tippy reappeared, panting. "Master, the wards are fixed. The elves will keep the manor safe."

Rodolphus nodded, too tired to do more than acknowledge the elf's words. "Go, Tippy. Send my regards to your family."

Tippy responded with a hurried, "Thank you, Master."

Rabastan snorted, a bit of laughter slipping through. "Did she finally get laid?" He chuckled to himself.

Rodolphus let out a tired laugh. "Last year. I met her kids—they're as loyal as their mother."

Harry raised an eyebrow, unsure. "Um…"

Rodolphus gulped, his exhaustion creeping into his words. "Let me explain. My family created blood wards for the manor. When the manor is threatened, the elves, connected to it, activate the ancient magic. Only our family can activate the wards, which are designed to expel attackers. Our parents set it up this way for protection."

Harry nodded, understanding now. "Right."