Noble House of Black

Chapter Fifteen

(James Potter above)

In the end, I wasn't able to meet with Rodolphus privately to speak about what he had discussed with the others. Not when so many people kept coming up to us and asking about our own upcoming ceremony. Something that I found slightly annoying.

Thankfully, they were easily dealt with and sent off.

By this point, I knew I'd wait to discuss what he talked about this evening as he wouldn't stay long after dropping me off. It would also give me time to speak with the others as well.

So, I believed it worked out for the best.

"You seemed stressed?" mused Rodolphus later that evening as we returned back to Black Manor with Sirius and Regulus heading to their rooms. "Anything I can help with?"

"You're already doing enough," I answered with a light shake of my head and a small smile while reaching up to caress his cheek. "Things are just going to be stressful until the old fool can be dealt with. Without him in the way, and causing problems, we can get our plans set in motion."

Easier said than done though.

The power that Dumbledore wielded wouldn't be easily removed, I can easily name three titles he held alone that held significant power. But if we could chip away at his power, it would go a long way in helping us achieve our goals.

Slowly sharing his dirty secrets was just one way to accomplish this.

Mainly as it would plant seeds of doubts in his followers.

Sadly, we had no current way of removing him as headmaster of Hogwarts since we had no current solid proof to show he had been hurting the students.

He really was a formidable enemy.

"We'll get there," stated Rodolphus with a shake of his head before he motioned towards my closed bathroom door. "Go take a hot bath, and then get some sleep, we can meet again in the morning. I wish to discuss with you our wedding plans."

Right, because that was another thing that had to be handled soon.

Especially with me taking my N.E.W.T.S at the ministry soon.

"Alright," I sighed out before watching him leave as I headed for the bathroom, where it seemed a house elf had already started the water for me. "Today had truly been a long day..."

"Syrina," called out James the second I got comfortable in the tub causing me to hold back the urge to scowl. "Are you in there!?"

It seemed that he had been freed from the spells and potions in his system and was back to his normal self. Though I had figured that his mother would keep him close to home for now.

I barely had time to cast a wandless spell to conceal my body as James burst into the bathroom.

From the scowling Sirius a step behind him, it seemed that he had been waylaid for a moment.

"Do you realize how disrespectful you're being right now?" I questioned lightly with a narrowed look even as I reached for the wine glass set on the low table by the tub.

There was zero chance of me letting James ruin my downtime, especially since I knew for a fact, he couldn't see anything due to the spell. Not that I wouldn't get back at him for this.

Mainly as I would inform Rodolphus of this.

"I needed to see you," rushed out James only to grunt as a moment later Rodolphus himself was there and holding the other by his throat. "I can't breathe..."

"Let him down," I ordered already about done as a moment later Regulus showed up as well, meaning he had likely been the one to get Rodolphus. "All of you leave, now."

Because it seemed I wouldn't be getting that bath I wanted.

Moments later I was in my room, dressed in a robe and nightgown, glaring at the four men before me who wouldn't meet my eyes. 

Well, two of them wouldn't.

James was watching me with a frantic look and Rodolphus just scowled.

Seems he really wasn't happy at the moment.

"I want to apologize," rasped James hand moving to rub at his throat, where a bruise was already appearing, "and I know that you're aware that I wasn't myself, but even still."

He had always been the type to admit to wrongdoing and stepping up when needed. I just wished that he would have waited and realized that this talk could have happened later.

Now, because of him, I would have to speak with Rodolphus and calm his rage.

Right at this moment I truly wanted to murder all three of them.

Only Regulus would be saved as he hadn't really done wrong in seeking Rodolphus.

"You know that any move you make right now could cause Dumbledore to be suspicious," I finally said slowly as I watched all four of them. "We cannot risk that, James. I need you to go home, now and stay there until told otherwise."

Watching him slump and gain a kicked-puppy look wasn't going to change my mind.

Too much was at stake for James to act like a loose cannon right now.

"Potter if you ever walk into the bathroom while Syrina is bathing," added Rodolphus with a low growl and magic spiking, "I will not hesitate to rip your eyes from their sockets and feed them to you. Am I understood?"

Well, at least he put it nicely.

Sirius didn't wait long after James nodded to drag his best friend from my room, likely to give him a personal scolding, while Regulus rushed after them.

"Even if he couldn't see anything, you should have banished him from the room."

"Don't take that tone with me, Rodolphus," I warned as he turned on me next over the whole issue making his frown deepen. "I'll do as I please and I had already made sure he wouldn't be able to see anything nor come a certain distance to me."

In no way shape or form was I taking James' side right now.

But I also wouldn't take a scolding either.

"Fine," sighed out Rodolphus as the anger seemed to drain from him as he stepped closer towards where I stood to pull me into his arms. "Your father has agreed to you moving into the Lestrange Manor before our marriage to settle in."

Somehow that doesn't surprise me.

Even then, I'd still need to stop in at the Black Manor for family gatherings and meetings along with when dealing with business. Something I was sure he was also aware of.

But by this point I just wanted for this night to be over.