Chapter 804 - An Unusual Circumstance Ⅳ (2/2)
”No,” Rodolphus gruffly answered. ”The Dark Lord must never know of the child's existence nor for the knowledge of the child to be ripped from my mind.”
”Then-,” Andromeda's voice faltered in surprise.
”Regardless of whether the request is refused or not, I will oblivate tonight's events from my memory,” Rodolphus flatly answered with a stern expression. ”I will be aware that memories are missing based on prior plans and thereby will not seek out the missing memoires out.”
”I see,” Andromeda murmured in understanding, before turning towards her husband. ”Ted, I would like to do this in memory of my sister, please,” she had a pleading expression on her face.
Ted's face contorts with mixed feelings. He had never liked his wife's family at the start, but they were not as bad as he previously thought after getting to know them, and admittedly not got along rather well with them. Personally, he would never change his mind about Bellatrix, but he knew that his Dromeda still missed Bellatrix.
However, the child would be raised as their own, and his little Dora had been clamoring on about for a sibling. Still, his pride as a man and as a husband stung a bit painfully. And he had never been able to say no to Dromeda especially when she stared at him with those pleading gray eyes. He really was a whooped dog….
Ted lets out a troubled sigh and rubs his face with one hand, before finally relenting, ”Alright, but I don't want HIM involved in the upbringing of OUR child,” he gestured rudely at Rodolpohus Lestrange.
Andromeda's face lights up beautifully and squeezes her husband's hand, before her face becomes solemn. ”Do you agree to my husband's request, Rodolphus?”
”The child will be the heir to the Lestrange lineage,” Rodolphus coolly replied, ”I expect for the child to be properly taught in our ways. As long as that requirement is meant, regardless, of what the future may bring I shall not intervene.”
Rodolphus hesitates for a mere second, before saying, ”Should we live at the end of it all, I would ask that I be permitted to visit with the child upon occasion.”
Andromeda turns to gaze at Ted, who purses his lips pensively. ”I don't mind three visits per month not excluding the holidays,” he drily muttered, ”and perchance once the child is older maybe for even part of the summer holidays.”
Ted hesitated before his gaze becomes steadfast and determined. ”I don't like you, Rodolphus Lestrange nor can I believe your audacity to ask such a thing from us.” He let out a loud breath. ”But that being said, I can understand your convoluted logic no matter how unbelievable it may sound. Should we be alive at the end of this all as you say, you are still part of our family, and I would like for Dorea to get to know her uncle someday.”
Rodolphus is unable to hide his astonishment and for a moment his emotions are transparent. For just a moment, Rodolphus looks like the young man that Andromeda remembered. A young wizard, who was cool and confident, but who would always stare at her older sister, Bellatrix with a burning affectionate gaze. Even if, Bellatrix had never returned Rodolphus's feelings, he had never cared. It had been enough for him to simply to have her at his side.
Andromeda had heard Ted once say that a muggle poet said, ”Tis better to have loved and lost than never to have loved at all.” Yet Andromeda could not help but wonder if that kind of one-sided love had truly been worth it in the end. The love that burns so fiercely setting the forest ablaze, what is left in its passing wake, but a mouthful of ashes?