Chapter 104 - Closure Ⅱ (2/2)

”Abraxas Malfoy,” Lord Voldemort icily ordered.

Rodolphus almost chokes and stiffly says, ”Abraxas Malfoy holds great power-. He shan't be easy to attack much less approach.”

Lord Voldemort instantly turns his ruby eyes onto Lestrange. Rodolphus bows his head in apology, ”But it shall be done.”

”Of that, I do not doubt,” Lord Voldemort ominously promised.

”Thank you for the honor, Dark Lord. May I take my leave?” Rodolphus asked.

Lord Voldemort dismisses him with a wave of his hand as Rodolphus bows out, before leaving through the grand doors. The doors slam shut behind him as Rodolphus makes his way through the manor to his younger brother's room. Only a few years younger than Bellatrix, the same age as the disowned, former Andromeda Black.

Before Rodolphus can arrive, he sees his younger brother being slammed into the wall. Rodolphus pulls out his wand and steps before his brother. Thin and agitated as usual, Rabastan Lestrange hides his face in his brother's robes. Rodolphus growls, ”Antonin Dolohov, I should have known.”

”I was merely playing around, Lestrange,” smirked, the dark-haired, broad-shouldered man. ”But it appears your younger brother is much too fragile to be of much entertainment.”

Rodolphus narrows his eyes and sneers. ”I thought that's what muggles and mudblood's were for.”

”Yes, but I do hate to be a dull boy,” Antonin lazily rolled his wand his palm. ”And we have been strictly ordered to lie low by our glorious Dark Lord. But it would be such a waste for my skills to grow wane and dull. We can't have that, now can we?”

”No, I suppose not,” Rodolphus said in agreement as he slowly lowered his wand. ”But there are more than other ample choices such as the Carrow's. They are quite vexing, to say the least.”

Antonin threw his dark head back in laughter. ”I thought for sure you would try to discourage me, Lestrange, not goad me on.”

Rodolphus smiles thinly back. ”As long as it is an appropriate target I certainly do not mind.”

Antonin eyes the tall, thickset man before him. Dark-haired, somewhat attractive, Rodolphus Lestrange was not a wizard to be trifled since the death of his wife. It was as though the soft edges that had existed before had been scraped off and all that was left were razor jagged edges.

”I shall consider taking your words under advice,” Antonin finally concluded without making any promises. Smirking Antonin nods his head at Rabastan Lestrange, before striding out of the hallway.

Making sure, Antonin is out of sight, Rodolphus finally reaches down to aide his younger brother to his feet. ”What were you thinking?” Rodolphus softly hissed. ”Did I not warn you to stay in your room as Dolohov was to be about?”

Rabastan's sleek dark hair covers part of his face as Rabastan apologetically says, ”I'm sorry, but I just wanted to walk around for a bit. I'm sick and tired of being cooped up in my room. There's nothing for me to do and you've been busy doing the Dark Lord's work.”

Rodolphus frowns and hides his reservations. ”Rabastan, your time will come. Just be patient.”

Crossing his arms over his chest, Rabastan says, ”I'm tired of waiting! I want to be of use, brother.”

”This is neither the time nor the place for this conversation,” Rodolphus hissed. ”Now keep your voice down!”

”Please brother!” Rabastan protested. ”I know the Dark Lord gave you a mission. Please let me aid you.”

Rodolphus's hardens his heart against his brother's plea. ”Rabastan Lestrange, you are of no use to me.”

Rabastan's face twists with emotions as he angrily says, ”I understand!” Before dashing into his bedroom and slamming the door behind him.

Rodolphus stills the urge to knock on his brother's door and instead turns away. He had enough on his plate right now than to pacify his younger brother. Striding away, Rodolphus is lost in his own thoughts that he fails to see the shadow in the corridor slip away.