Chapter 282 - Rosier Wake (2/2)

”And what of you, Nott and Mulciber?” Rosier Sr. asked.

”I have a cousin that is a Death Eater, Devante Nott, but my two boys remain untouched. I promised my deceased, Suzette, that I would keep our two sons away from my cousin's interests. And I've kept my promise all these years as I have been wary of his true intentions all this time,” Nott Sr. confessed. ”But none of you would listen. I told you, there was much more to him than initially met the eye.”

”Yes, well, it's too late now to be pointing fingers,” Avery Sr. drily said as Nott Sr. shot him a dark look. It was no doubt a sore spot for Rosier Sr. considering all the aid that he had supplied the Dark Lord with. The sheer mortification, guilt, and rage must surely be consuming the man.

”You've not said a word, Mulciber,” Rosier Sr. chillingly pointed out.

Mulciber confidently smirks at them. ”I have not lost anything as such, I'll remain where I stand. Neutral, but I'll lend a hand if it's in my best interest. We are Slytherins, Rosier, surely you would know better than anyone else. If not for his trifle little incident, you would not have suddenly grown a conscience. Let us not pretend otherwise.”

Rosier Sr. whirls around with such force that the three men take a step back. Pure and utter rage can be seen in the depths of his eyes. ”My eldest son is dead,” Rosier Sr. hissed. ”He was a mere boy of fourteen. And I know that you'd all be that much more furious than I had it been any of your sons. After all, I still have a second son, but you, Mulciber only just have a sole heir.”

”Is that a threat?” Mulciber Sr. icily asked as his handsome featured narrowed dangerously.

”Had it been your sole heir? What would you have done?” Rosier Sr. spat back.

Even Mulciber doesn't dare answer as Rosier Sr. growls, ”I know that we will shortly be receiving the Prince summons and I will be in attendance. No matter, what happens I will side with him. He's called for Sanguis Enim Sanguis, and I will demand no less.”

”What is that you're saying, Rosier?” Nott Sr. slowly said rather wary.

”It is a fair and clear warning,” Rosier Sr. straightened up. ”If you should side with Him, we will become enemies. And I will show no mercy.”

Nott Sr. does not show any surprise as he slowly nods his head and says, ”I have no intention of siding with him as I've said before the blinds fell off a long time ago.”

”As I've stated before, I'll remain where I stand but maintain ties via third parties. I will not aid him, but I wish to remain aware of the situation,” Avery Sr. replied.

All three men turn to stare at Mulciber Sr., who coldly says, ”I do not like to be threatened, Rosier. You really should know better than that. That being said, I will accept to attend the Prince's summon. After that, it is my own business to know.”

”Then we have nothing more to speak about,” Rosier Sr. said as the three men excused themselves with a simple head nod and left. The door clicked firmly shut behind them as their footsteps faded away.

Rosier Sr. tremblingly reached into his pocket and pulled out a golden pendant. Snapping the pendant open to reveal a small portrait of his smiling son with a lock of hair enchanted to stick on the other inner side of the pendant. ”I'm so sorry,” Rosier Sr. whispered as he kept the guilty tears at bay.

For it had been him who'd aided Rodolphus Lestrange in acquiring said invitations for the other Death Eater's. And it had been him who'd paid for the Polyjuice potions. And it had been him so had so foolishly been the other mastermind behind the attack that had killed his. He'd never forgive himself not ever. And though he could never atone for his past sins, he'd ensure that justice if not vengeance would prevail.

Clutching the pendant in his hand, Rosier Sr. swore to himself to see Tom Marvolo Riddle dead even at the cost of his own life. With a new fire burning in his eyes, Rosier Sr. tenderly put the locket away and squared his broad shoulders back. Mourning or not, he'd not show his weakness again. The other purebloods were like sharks like that instantly scenting blood in the water and attacking the weakened prey. And he was no prey.