Chapter 140 - – Malfoy Betrothal Ⅴ (2/2)
Revealing his ambitions, Corban Yaxley continues, ”And now, we have not only caused Malfoy to raise his guard but involved the ministry as well. What was once a simple task is now a highly difficult one. But if I may presume, Milord?”
Lord Voldemort dismissively waved his hand as he gestures for Yaxley to continue. ”We can still turn this to our advantage, Dark Lord,” Corban ambitiously said with a trace of pride. ”Those that had withdrawn to follow Malfoy may very easily change their minds. He would have fallen tonight if not for the Princes. All it will take a whisper in the right ear the rest will follow once more.”
”Yes,” Lord Voldemort mused. ”Thank you, Yaxley. I trust that you will be able to fulfill this task?”
”Thank you, Milord, I shall not fail,” Yaxley promised as he snuck a triumphant smirk in the direction of the fuming Dolohov and the blank-faced Lestrange.
Turning his cold gaze back onto Lestrange and Dolohov, Lord Voldemort icily says, ”It would seem that I sent the wrong individuals for this task.”
Turning to stare at the Death Eater's, Lord Voldemort asks, ”And which of you my loyal followers will take up this task?”
”I will, Milord,” Said a thin dark-featured young man as Rodolphus Lestrange forces himself not to panic and interrupt his younger brother.
”The younger Lestrange? And what makes you fit for the task which your older brother failed at along with my most trusted aide?”
Hiding his agitation, Rabastan Lestrange does not swallow at the question. ”I unlike my elder brother, Dark Lord, have friends among the younger youths of the pureblood families. Whereas my brother is untrusted, I still retain the trust of several youths. I am certain that I can arrange to be brought as a guest to an event Malfoy will be attending in the future. And even if that fails, I know exactly where he will be next spring at his son's wedding. And without a doubt, I will be present.”
”Your idea has some merit,” Lord Voldemort mused as Rodolphus Lestrange trembles and hides his clenching hands in his sleeves. Dolohov does not fail to notice the tremble but quickly puts it out of mind.
”Very well, I shall allow you to regain the honor your brother has lost.” Rabastan Lestrange moves to thank the Dark Lord, when Lord Voldemort interjects, ”But no more than a year, Rabastan. I will not tarry beyond Malfoy's son's wedding.”
”I understand, Dark Lord,” Rabastan gratefully said. ”I will not fail you.”
”No, you will not,” Lord Voldemort said with a finality that none of the Death Eater's missed. ”Now go and rest.” The Death Eater's bow and murmur their thanks as those still wounded go on to be attended too as the rest scatter to their own rooms.
Rodolphus Lestrange limps forward despite the exhaustion and pain from the cruciatus curse. Slamming the door open to his younger brother's quarters, Rodolphus roars, ”What were you thinking?”
”I was thinking about you, brother!” The younger dark-haired Lestrange hissed!
Rodolphus face loses some of its anger as he locks the door behind him and casts a non-spying spell around. ”Rabastan, I do not need your help.” Rodolphus coldly blustered trying to hide the growing fear in his heart.
”Is this the thanks I get?” Rabastan spat at his older brother. ”I am trying to restore the honor and glory, which you lost us, brother! And yet why I am still treated like a child? I am no child, brother! I do not need you to care for me as you did when we were children!”
”Rabastan, you do not know what you are doing!” Rodolphus tiredly pleaded as he watched his brother slam his bedroom open.
Holding the door open, Rabastan said, ”Get out! You are no longer welcome here!” Seeing his older brother fail to move, Rabastan raised his wand. ”Do not force me, Rodolphus!”
Seeing the maddening sincere anger in his younger brother's eyes, Rodolphus turns to leave but stops at the threshold. ”Rabastan, please,” Rodolphus asked again for Rabastan to only coldly point his wand at his own brother. Seeing that it was useless to continue, Rodolphus left the bedroom as the door slammed shut behind.
Limping away, Rodolphus carefully kept his face blank as he hid his growing fears beneath a mask of iciness. Things were becoming more complicated and complicated. And soon, he feared that he may have to make a poor choice for an equally poor choice.