Downfall | Lestrange

Chapter Seven

[Chapter Seven]

The night was plagued with horrible nightmares of being kept under the Cruciatus Curse and eventually, losing his mind, making it difficult for Roderick to remain asleep. Several times, he found himself waking up in a cold sweat, preparing to call out, but as soon as he felt the movement beside him, he peered down to see that Elizabeth was still at his side. Her arms were still wrapped around him, a sign that she didn't want him to leave during the night even though he was fearful about staying there and being caught by any of her family members. Yet, she had made it clear before that she didn't care, she just wanted him to stay so she could keep an eye on him.

Roderick didn't remember the final time that he had fallen asleep, but he did actually remain asleep until morning. Unfortunately, he did not get to wake up in a peaceful way as a thunderous knock shook Elizabeth's door the next morning. He woke with a fright, his eyes darting around the room, especially as he found a soft hand placed over his mouth to silence him. Instantly, he spotted Elizabeth sitting next to him, wide awake, as the two were still on her bed. Her eyes pleaded with Roderick to remain quiet for the benefit of the both of them.

Contrary to what many practised outside of the pureblooded families, couples were told to wait until the evening of their wedding, after they were wed to consummate their marriage. And while the two had not engaged in any sort of evening romp, anyone would walk into that room at the moment and saw the two in bed would think otherwise.

"Elizabeth!" A voice rang out from the other side of the door. The two could clearly make out Evan's voice as he knocked on the door again. "Elizabeth!"

Quickly, Elizabeth pushed herself up from the bed, motioning Roderick to do the same. "Yes?" She called back before a huge scene developed with Evan wreaking havoc on her door. "What is it?"

"Are you decent?"

A question that meant that he wanted to come into the room, leaving her to wear a panicked expression. "Just a second, I'm not dressed!"

She turned to Roderick, still wearing her night robes, her hair an absolute mess before she motioned him to hide somewhere as she went to approach the door. She covered herself, tying her hair back before looking over her shoulder to see if Roderick had found a hiding place. Fortunately, as she looked around, he was nowhere in sight, leaving her hand to reach out and turn the doorknob.

As Elizabeth opened the door, she didn't allow her brother full access to her room as she only opened it enough so that her head was poking out, meeting his gaze. Evan didn't look pleased at all, and she was certain it had everything to do with Roderick and the night before. 

"Have you seen Roderick?" Evan asked her, his eyes scanning his face as if he was waiting to catch any hint of her lying to him.

However, Elizabeth kept her face extremely calm and poised. "I haven't seen him since yesterday. He stopped by here just before he left on business, where I'm assuming he met up with you and the others. Why? What's wrong? Is he alright?"