Crimson Ink

To the Soot of the Problem

Last Time:

Bellatrix scoffed, "She and Mary will be pissed if we mourned them. They'll be far more pleased if we end Dumbles soon. Who do we need for healing my idiot cousin?"

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"Umm you're the one ..." Bellatrix blinked as Rabastan came in with Barty and Rodolphus.

Rabastan pouted as his brother smirked, "I was training to be a mind healer in school. When I joined as a Death Eater I focused on dueling, but I still finished my training. If I wasn't arrested I wouldn't have lost my license. That's no problem though since I redid my training once my charges were cleared. Had to do something to stay busy while waiting for any news on Dumbles. It took longer because the people in charge didn't trust me, but Rodolphus went with me to make sure no one tried anything and it worked. I finally got it today!"

Barty chuckled, "So that's why Bells and I couldn't find you when we went to look at the portkey location." He and Bellatrix flinched as they recalled the horrifying episode with the acromantulas. "We just never knew."

"The old dark lord wasn't interested in healers, just fighters. I made a point of keeping it quiet ... plus our father would never have approved. Keep in mind I was the first to notice Voldemort's mind going." Rabastan pointed out.

Bellatrix hummed in thought, "Actually, I do remember you being able to talk him down a couple times ... nice job!" She said with a slap on Rabastan's back that nearly sent him falling to the floor. Perhaps she was more annoyed that her friend didn't say anything to her before this than she let on.

"Yeah. I better get started... I'll analyze you another time." Rabastan exclaimed cheerily as he rolled up his sleeves.

Bellatrix twitched, "Why you! I-" she blinked as she saw Rabastan begin rolling up his sleeves. "What are you doing?"

"Sirius is against Death Eaters. He needs to see that my mark isn't the dark mark. Hold this. Can't very meet a mentally ill man with a weapon." Barty said casually as he handed Rodolphus his wand. "Leave us alone for an hour. Flippy, Flopsy, Dobby, don't interfere or let anyone get near the door and only ever pop me in and out, but leave his meal behind right after you take me out."

Dobby and his two fellow elves pop in and nodded, "We will have a meal from the recipes you provided ready in an hour. Just so you know, he has tried breaking through the window and door. Dobby reinforced everything and had to charm everything to lock them in place so he wouldn't throw the furniture."

Rabastan chuckled nervously, "This won't be easy, but it has to be done." He said as he took Dobby's hand and disappeared with a pop. Now it was time to try to convince a madman that he isn't a Death Eater, like everyone thought before he was released from Azkaban, and start the healing process. Rabastan found himself appearing in a dark room, which shouldn't be possible at this time of day with a widow. "Dobby, you did put him in a guest room, right?"

"Dobby did." The house elf jumped when he heard a growl followed by Rasbastan yelping. He snapped his fingers to light the fireplace in this room. The light revealed soot all over the floor and smeared on the window to block the light from outside and Rabastan on the floor with a large black dog on him. The beast was doing everything he could to rip out the wizard's throat.

Despite the huge jaws snapping at him Rabastan looked at the elf, "Stick to your orders! One hour!" Dobby hesitated when Rabastan actually let the beast bite down on his arm just to get the leverage he needed to flip the beast off of him. However, after a moment Dobby did snap the windows clean and left, but he added healing potions and replacing the sooty heat source to the list of things to do ...