A Secret Friendship

Chapter 1-A Bond Before Hogwarts

Hermione Granger was not a happy girl right now. Again, she had to deal with bullies.

This was not Hogwarts. In fact, this was before Hermione ever got her Hogwarts letter.

This was the Muggle world...and even here, her thirst for knowledge was mocked. Teachers liked her, but students...hated the "know-it-all."

And so, how surprised was Hermione when she saw a boy reading a book on a hill!

His name was Rodrigo Lestrange, the son of the infamous Bellatrix Lestrange. The one who had no qualms torturing anyone, regardless of age...except her own son, who she often simply spanked when he displeased her. And displease her Rodrigo often did, not intentionally, but for some reason, he just didn't feel right with the Death Eater philosophy.

Why must be muggles their enemies? Are Muggle Borns not just witches and wizards like anyone else? Do they all not share magic?

Either way, Rodrigo knew his mother loved him, and for all her many issues, Rodrigo also loved his mother. He was sad when she was taken away to Azkaban, but knew it was probably needed. The saddest thing to him was to see how his mother looked, last he visited her. Azkaban is not a nice place to be, and Rodrigo could feel the cold and darkness even on the visitors area, away from the Dementors that guard it.

Now, normally, visitors aren't allowed in Azkaban, unless they are high ranked Ministry officers. But Rodrigo was able to visit with his uncle Lucius's help.

Once Bellatrix was taken away, Rodrigo was taken in by his aunt Narcisa. Life on the Malfoy Manor wasn't that bad, surprisingly.

Rodrigo's cousin Draco often disapproved of his softeness to Muggles, but despite ocasional arguments, they had a somewhat civil relationship. It helped that Rodrigo's wish to know every spell in the world was rather ambitious, and both boys could be cunning in their own ways, as well as skilled.

Either way, Pansy Parkinson, Draco's friend that ocasionally came to visit, was somewhat less tolerant of Rodrigo's opinion. She'd probably take him over her knee if she caught him befriending a muggle!

Haha, like it would ever happen...right...?

His relation with his uncle and aunt was different.

Lucius spoiled and loved both Rodrigo and Draco. However, he could be cold when he thought strictness was needed. He set expectations, and wanted the two to meet them.

However, he also rewarded them often.

He wouldn't hug Rodrigo and Draco or tell them kind words, no. But he would give them anything they ask, such as toys, books, and so on.

Draco, after all, was his son, and Lucius also had respect for Bellatrix, which is why he took Rodrigo in. Ultimately, Rodrigo WAS family, as Bellatrix was Narcisa's sister. Plus, if the Dark Lord ever returned, and Bella somehow was unable to be freed from Azkaban, it would be wise to keep one of the last living Lestrange in good condition, alive and well.

As for Narcisa, who was the one who first suggested to Lucius to allow Rodrigo to live with them, she was loving and protective of her son and nephew. She also took over much of the spankings on the house, since Lucius would never bother with this.

She always was there to listen to her nephew's concerns, however, she held the same blood purity views as the remaining Malfoys. Rodrigo knew that.

Narcisa knew Rodrigo's views on muggles, for she saw Bellatrix spank her son for them quite a few times. But Rodrigo, despite feeling guilty for it, started hiding such views from his aunt and uncle as time went on. Rodrigo loved his family, don't get it wrong. But his heart ached every time Lucius or Narcisa say how Bellatrix will be proud of him from outgrowing his "phase", knowing he is lying to them.