rabastahn

[rabastahn]

nvrcissa:

she head turned immediately when she sensed someone beside her, lips stretching into a smile when she realized who it was. “ bas! same to you, it’s been quite the week, hasn’t it? ” cissa echoed his sentiments, mood lifting in the presence of one of her closest friends. “ care to join me for some ice cream? you can catch me up on what’s been going on. ”

“You could say that.” He smirked, knowing it was the understatement of the century. But then being around her always lifted his mood, she had that effect on him. “Ice cream is what has you looking so serious? But I’d love to join you, though I don’t quite share that sweet tooth. I do like the blueberry flavor--” 

[rabastahn]

expectantmary:

Mary shook her head when he said that it was alright. “It’s not,” she said, her voice surprisingly firm. Perhaps it was being annoyed at Rodolphus for everything that had happened, his rejection of their son, but she was annoyed. And suddenly, she wasn’t feeling like the tired, meek girl that she had been just a few moments over. “You shouldn’t have to. Rodolphus is a grown man…you shouldn’t have to fix all of his mistakes…his problems,” she said. She looked at him and took a deep breath. “I’m sorry,” she said, realizing that, maybe, she was overstepping her bounds. “I just…i’m really frustrated with him,” she said, looking down at her son.

He did his best to understand her frustration and though her reasons were different he felt the same way. He shouldn’t have to but then he had no choice. As long as Rickard breathed rabastan did not belong to himself but to the family, to the name, to his father. “It is my role as dutiful and obedient son and brother. I am second born, my place is to help Rodolphus however he and my father see fit. And unfortunately I have learned just how much control my brother has had over my life. I’m angry, Mary and I can see you are too, but unless circumstances change there is nothing we can do. If only we could bring about those changes ourselves.” he gave her a half smile.

[rabastahn]

thevixenn:

Alice nodded her head in agreement. “No, you’re right. That wouldn’t be appropriate by any means,” she said. Alice bit her bottom lip in thought. Something quite natural for the blonde. “I’m not a member of staff,” she added. “Would it be out of line for me to ask you to accompany somewhere with better coffee?” she asked. “I’m sure Frank wouldn’t mind me using his french press,”

He nodded, eyes heading to the ground before meeting hers once more. “I can help you find some, yeah.” He let his lips form a thin line as if in smile. “I don’t really know Frank, so I can’t speak to that but Rod has some fancy equipment for coffee and tea in his office, if you’re okay with that?”

[rabastahn]

blxckhcle:

Her brows knitted together, her head dipping to the side ever so slightly. She cast her gaze down for a minute. She felt her pulse quicken. She blinked in succession, trying to figure out what to do.

Don’t fuckin’ make a scene.

Don’t do it.

Keep it together.

She hadn’t seen him in almost a year. When things had been getting worse for her, suddenly he was no longer around. She hadn’t realised she’d noticed his presence in her life, albeit casually, until he was no longer there. 

Just like his brother.

Bellatrix grimaced.

Fuck, I hate Rodolphus.

Bellatrix inhaled, combing her fingers through messy curls. “Bas.” she replied. How she’d managed to balance disbelief and anger she didn’t know. The sour taste of abandonment sat on her tongue.

“Hi,” she mumbled.

Her reaction said it all. Years of watching her impassioned fits and tantrums, years of calming and soothing her when he could, when no one was looking, years of hearing people talk about her behind her back and seeing the toll it took. He knew she was upset, how could she not be? And how in the world would he ever fix it?

“Where’ve you been Trix?” That wasn’t what he should be asking but he remembered one day he realized she hadn’t been around for awhile and the next moment he was worried and the next he was handed paperwork for Rod’s budding campaign and swatted for letting his mind wander. “I mean---I should have---” damn, he sucked at this. “Are you alright?”

[rabastahn]

fiercelily-evans:

It hadn’t taken her long to rise up in the ranks of the Auror department. When they offered her the promotion, she offered them a new position. After a few weeks of figuring out the logistics, Lily was put as the lead and only current detective in the department. She had a team of her own, and for that she was grateful. Lily was looking at his facial  expressions, the way he was carrying himself, and he didn’t hold the signs of a guilty man, but that didn’t mean he wasn’t. 

Lily raised her eyebrow, “Ah, yes. I’ve never heard that line before” she responded, though she fought to keep the teasing quality out of her tone. Lily couldn’t afford to be unprofessional, but his borderline flirting tone was making it hard not to tease him back. Nodding, she grabbed the pitcher of water from the corner and poured him a glass before setting it in front of him. 

Most of the time, Lily got annoyed when people were cheeky in investigations, but his was playful. It wasn’t condescending or an attempt to cover something up, at least not that she could tell yet. “Top thirty best hiding spots? Here I thought there were only ten. I’m finding some discrepancies in your story Mr. Lestrange,” she deadpanned, but after a moment a hint of a smile pulled at her lips to show that she was only joking - mostly. “Right, so there wasn’t anyone that appeared to be searching the house. Can you give me a list of people that would know the house well?” she asked. It was most likely someone that would know where the money would be kept, and how to retrieve it, but unlikely it was actually one of the Lestrange members. Her nose scrunched up, “That’s very unfortunate and I’m sorry you had to be a witness to such distasteful behavior.” 

He coughed for a moment, clearing his throat for further conversation. “It wasn’t---it wasn’t a line.” He said seriously, brow furrowing. He saw how she’d think that but sometimes, oh, sometimes it was just true. Rabastan was not like the others, he had not fallen prey to his fathers politics and to the near brainwashing that was attempted. He held tight to his hope and to his morals and for years he waited. He waits still but soon he knows, he has a feeling he’ll be free to make the right decisions without fear of punishment.

Eagerly he drank the water once she poured it, admiring the way she did it, like a muggle might have without a wand. He had to grin when she mentioned the hiding spots, remembering the brief time they’d spent during the ball as he showed her one or two, he couldn’t pinpoint how many it had been. Her deadpan had him grinning wider, almost chuckling, almost.

And then it was back to business. “No, not at all, that is something I definitely would have noticed. I’m not exactly a party person so I spent most of it observing or checking rooms for---stragglers.” He grimaced shortly. “Yes, I can get one together for you.” He pulled his wand from his sleeve and waved it, a piece of stiff paper appearing and a list in dark blue ink manifesting there. “It isn’t a long list, my father is a private man and trusts very few with his----belongings.” Rabastan being one of those things; he handed her the list. 

This time he laughed. “I’m not entirely sorry, got an eyeful a few times.” He was just teasing, he had averted his eyes best he could but even so, it had been difficult to miss some of the couples antics. He knew he shouldn’t be joking right now but it was helping him not be so tense.

[rabastahn]

fiercelily-evans:

Of all the scandals to happen during the ball, this hadn’t been the one she’d been expecting. A fight to break out? Sure. A domestic dispute? Undoubtably. All the money from the fundraiser being stolen? It seemed a lot less likely. The thought hadn’t crossed her mind, and yet, it made for the perfect crime. Truthfully, she didn’t think the Lestrange brothers were involved at all, or even the Opposition at that, but she needed to check all of her bases, and rule out all the obvious suspects before digging into her more complex theories. 

As he spoke, she looked him over carefully. Lily was in work mode, and her mind was working to take in every detail of the situation that it could. Her back was straight, head held high, but there wasn’t a coldness that surrounded her. Though she wasn’t overly warm, Lily spoke in a respectful tone that also deterred any nonsense. “I’m glad to hear that. Usually people aren’t so happy to comply with questionings,” she told him honestly. Lily set her own cup of coffee down on the table as she sat across from him. She could remain standing, but she knew it could come off as overly intimidating. “Can I get you anything to drink; water, coffee?” she asked. 

Once they were settled, Lily started, “Given that the manor is your home, I’d assume you know it quite well. Was there anyone throughout the night that was in a place you knew they shouldn’t be? Did you catch anyone wandering the halls in a way that would suggest that they were trying to familiarize themselves with the space? Was there anyone that you saw that was acting completely out of the ordinary or otherwise suspicious?” she started. 

He’d never been interrogated before, ironically enough.Working on the campaign, doing errands for his father, he was surprised this was the first time. The fact it was Evans was almost funny, after their meeting at the ball in question, but he would go with it of course, he respected her position and the fact it had literally been created for her, quite impressive. 

“I’m not like other people, I suppose.” He said with a half smirk, realizing it might sound flirtatious but Rabastan was not the flirtatious type. “Oh, some water would be good.” In case his throat went dry with the conversation, or internalized guilt. 

The questions came quickly and he blinked in surprise, right to business then. He cleared his throat and replied. “I do know it well and made it my job to check, at least, the top thirty best hiding spots.” He grinned, trying not laugh, but knowing this was serious as he continued with his answers. “The manor was full of contentious individuals, but none I thought would steal funds from victims of the massacre. I didn’t witness anyone anywhere they shouldn’t be, unless it was for---alone time unfortunately.” He hated that, he had walked in on at least four couples. 

[rabastahn]

expectantmary:

Mary understood why things had to be the way that they were to a point, Rodolphus didn’t want anybody to know the truth, and she knew that he didn’t want his father to know the truth, but beyond that, she thought that it was more for his pride than anything else. She looked up to him, not used to hearing him talk in that tone, and it frightened her to a point. “I know,” she said, although…she didn’t really know. “I do. I get it. I want to protect him, Rabastan. I would never do anything that would put him in danger.” She looked up to him and then shook her head. “It shouldn’t have to be your job,” she said softly. “Don’t think that I don’t appreciate it. I do. More than you even know. I just…you shouldn’t have to feel responsible for what your brother has done,” she said. “That’s not fair to you.”

He knew this conversation was much deeper than any they’d had before and he was grateful, she was family now. Even if no one else acknowledged her as such he would, he always would. He wasn’t sure she understood entirely, Rickard would actually kill her, but he’d do anything to prevent that and he knew she wouldn’t do anything to put her son in danger. “It’s alright.” he responded though he felt tired, tired of bearing the weight Rod shrugged off on to others. But he’d had no choice and before he had had no issue with it. But after Rod’s confession he found himself growing more and more bitter. “It is what it is.”

[rabastahn]

Spotting Cissa was a treat, he’d been so busy he hadn’t had time to even shoot her a quick text and he missed her being around. He approached her quickly, catching up to her on the street and falling into step beside her. “I feel like I haven’t seen you in ages.” He remarked with a smile, wondering where she was headed looking so serious.

the past few weeks had felt like a whirlwind, and narcissa didn’t know whether it was a sigh of relief or disappointment that left her lips. accomplishing a goal always gave her a rush, especially when it was something that would definitely have not been approved by the people she called her parents, but at the same time she couldn’t help but feel sorry it was over, the feeling of monotony threatening to set in again.

she wasn’t quite sure where she was planning to head to, but it seemed her sweet tooth was in charge this afternoon as she found herself walking in the direction of Fortescue’s, hoping to see a familiar face.

[rabastahn]

It had been months on end since he’d last seen or spoken to Bella, something he hadn’t even realized until he saw her by chance in the same establishment he got his morning coffee at. Guilt coursed through him as he paid for the drink and approached her seat after she’d ordered, she looked like hell and he was worried. “Hey.” he said nonchalantly, his brow furrowed, she’d be mad at him he just knew it and it wasn’t like he didn’t deserve it. If he had been a good friend he’d have reached out but so much had happened lately, it had slipped his mind.

Dragging her head up to meet the eye contact of whomever had spoken to her, was proving incredibly difficult. It felt as heavy as a stone sodden with rain. Behind her eyes clouds settled, refusing to let up regardless of how many times she blinked. The headache settling between her temples grumbled like thunder, clapping with every slight movement. At first, the headaches had knocked her out for six. Heavy medication would do that. However, she hadn’t realised what an awful thing it would be to mix alcohol or medicinal potions with her tablets. 

Well, now she knew.

Was she hungover? Partly, probably, but mostly it was her body adjusting. A low moan escaped her lips as she brought a hand to her head, pressing her cool palm to her hot skin. She exhaled. 

“Yes,” she finally answered. “But I’m not staying long,” she informed them. “I just need a greasy breakfast and a strong coffee,” Finally she raised her head, pressing an awkward, forced smile to her lips. She was trying, you couldn’t say she wasn’t. She’d kept a low profile since re-emerging from the unknown; working hard and working on herself. 

[rabastahn]

thevixenn:

“It is?” she asked. The wind in her sails let out a little, that was certainly a disappointment. “And all I was hoping for was a good strong cup of coffee to keep me sane,” she admitted, a small laugh pressing past her lips. “Don’t suppose we could find someone elses’ coffee to acquire?” she wondered, a brow arching in question, a smile pressed to her lips.

Alice was a force of nature, he’d heard enough about her to know not to be fooled by any act, or intoxicated by her limitless charm. He raised an eyebrow however at how effortlessly she moved and spoke. “Well, you won’t find it here.” he half stammered, feeling flustered. “You could, but I wouldn’t recommend wandering into empty offices.” He’d escort her though, if she asked. 

[rabastahn]

fiercelily-evans:

What was supposed to be a heartwarming ceremony had turned sour quickly. The idea that someone had stolen the money was gutting and it had taken her department mere moments to toss her the case. Since the Azkaban debacle, they’d been redoubling their efforts to keep her. Lily hadn’t planned on leaving, but it was a nice perk none the less. Running her fingers through her hair, Lily had given everyone the game plan. There were a few people on her team, but only one other was allowed to conduct interviews. Currently, he was going to work on Rodolphus. Lily knew eventually she’d have to question him herself, but it was a better tactic to allow him to feel as though it would be a cake walk. 

Instead, she focused on his younger brother. Though the time they’d spent during the ball hadn’t been terribly long, she’d enjoyed his presence. He didn’t seem like the type to steal from such a worthy cause, but she also couldn’t make that assumption based on a small interaction. She was a realist, and she knew that people harbored many sides to them. Stepping into the hallway, she caught his eyes immediately, “Rabastan Lestrange, please come in for questioning” she summoned, stepping aside so that he could come in. Once in the room she shut the door and motioned for him to take a seat, “Please sit down. I need to ask you a few questions about the night of the ball and the following morning,” she explained. 

So it was his turn already? He sighed heavily, tossed the abysmal coffee and stepped into the room. Whens he told him to sit he obeyed, not trying to not look guilty but knowing he had nothing to do with it definitely made him feel secure. Still, he chose to appear relaxed as opposed to relieved, though relaxation was not quite possible he was trying. 

“Of course, I’m happy to answer.” He would give all the information he had, holding nothing back. This was an official investigation, if he could shed light on the truth here he’d do so. Every other outlet to spill secrets was dangerous but here, with Lily and her detective skills, maybe he could let something slip.

[rabastahn]

thevixenn:

Alice was not political. She’d made a point of not being so, and when asked, reaffirmed her neutral status. It was best for her business and livelihood. So, she hadn’t the slightest idea why she’d been escorted to be questioned. She hadn’t the slightest idea why it had to occur somewhere when people had to wait in an underlit hallway, with seats just uncomfortable enough for you to be on edge as you waited. When she’d cycled through her mobile apps and emails for the third time, she resigned herself to the fact that she could be waiting the rest of the day here. She needed sustenance, or at least a strong coffee to keep her occupied and her hunger at bay. 

She wasn’t too familiar with the ministry, she’d tried to keep her distance, know it purely from her own eyes, when she needed to be there. She’d visited a client once or twice; in their offices, or for a lunch meeting. But her knowledge wasn’t vast when it came to the corridors and levels of the building. After wandered for a few moments she came across something of a break room. At least, she assumed it was as such. Tables, chairs, coffee, a fridge. It wasn’t until she took her first step into the room that she noticed she was not alone. Rather than speak out and startled the person whose back was to her, she stood in the doorway, regarding him. When he finally turned around, a small, sheepish smile found her lips. Ah, Rabastan.

“Did they escort you here for questioning, also?” she asked him.

Alice, he knew of her vaguely personally, but there  was enough gossip in the ministry for him to recognize the stunning blonde in the doorway. “Not quite, I’ve been allowed to wait in my office, not quite as bad as out there.” he gestured to the hallway she had likely been sequestered to. “The coffee is rubbish though.”

[rabastahn]

expectantmary:

Mary knew that he was right. She was afraid, and she hated that about herself. But there was just so much on her mind these days. “You’re not wrong,” she said. “I just…I’ve had a lot on my mind…ever since I got pregnant. It’s been hard. I don’t like keeping so many secrets, the truth about my son.” It was one thing to lie about where she got a necklace or about why she skipped class. It was another thing to lie about her son’s father to the people that she loved. “I worry that I won’t be a good enough mother, that someone…someone will take him from me,” she finally admitted. As irrational as it was to fear that, she couldn’t help it. 

He tried to understand but the truth was that he never would, not fully. Fear he could grasp easily but not this kind, for her child, for her future. “It’s for your safety, you must know that. My father, if he found out----I know it’s hard but you have to understand the danger you’d be in if my father found out. Better to lie to your friends, to your son, than lose your life.” It was stern, more so than before, but if she slipped for a single moment. And then he understood the fear better, how imperiled her life had been for the last ten months. How could he fix it? He couldn’t. “I wish I could reassure you better, that that would never happen but I don’t---I don’t trust my brother much these days. All I can say, again, is that I’ll do my best to protect you both.”

[rabastahn]

The ball had ended, he’d sunken into his bed at the manor and hoped the elves had erased the evidence of the evening by the time the sun rose. He was up earlier than he wanted to be, showered and back in a nice suit to be present at the ceremony. The ceremony where his brother and possible future minister, would present the money raised at the ball. He stood tall and proud, like he’d been taught.

The moment came, camera shutters flashed, the red lights of video equipment pointed at the people on the stage were easy to focus on. And then shock, outrage all in a matter of moments. Rabastan was being moved so he could be questioned, he found himself in a hallway outside the offices he usually visited, waiting his turn. He wasn’t allowed to leave the ministry but he needed a distraction and sought out a cup of coffee. He found a small lunch room for lower level employees, poured a cup of what was likely trashy coffee and turned to see he was being watched. He raised an eyebrow at the other but didn’t say anything, not yet.

[rabastahn]

fiercelily-evans:

Raising her eyebrow, she couldn’t help but grin at his candid response, “Is it rude to say that I’m not either? Not that your family doesn’t throw a lovely ball, because as far as balls go I’d imagine this is top of the caliber, but I have to admit they aren’t really my thing” she admitted. Lily enjoyed a good house party though, even if she didn’t really have time for them anymore. The red head remembered him from school, at least for the few years they’d crossed paths. “I’d imagine in a place this big you’ve got many to choose from. I can’t say I’m not curious,” Lily responded honestly, smiling warmly. 

He nodded, grinning at her. “Not rude, honest.” which he appreciated, though most didn’t realize. Rabastan couldn’t stand being lied to, deceived or led on. It didn’t happen often but when it did he felt at his most murderous. “And I understand, even as a seasoned veteran---I hate them.” he admitted, feeling quite sarcastic in tone. “Yes, big and ---” he dropped what he had been going to say and lifted himself off the wall. “If you have time, I could show you at least three.” Anything to get away from the party, to talk to someone about anything but politics and tragedy.

[rabastahn]

helena-rosier:

There were few people that Helena could truly trust anymore, but Rabastan was at the top of her list. He’d been there for her through the election process and afterwards as well. Helena was able to find a moment of calm in these moments, and she appreciated that while he was able to make her look regal that she could take a moment to just breathe. Knowing that she wasn’t alone in this was comforting, and he was the only person she’d been able to be open with thus far. How far their friendship had grown in the last few months was astounding to some degree. Giving a small laugh she grinned, “I hope she can as well, though depending on who it is she might just be content to let you do it” she grinned. 

“I don’t know what I’d do without you, Bas,” she hummed. If she wasn’t currently working against his brother’s policies they could be more public with friendship, which his involvement in her decisions. However, it wasn’t safe for either of them, so their friendship stayed minimal in the public eye. It was depressing to some degree. Helena had a big heart, she always had, but it beat harder for certain people. Her brother, Bas, Cissa, Reg - they were the people that she’d do anything to protect. She smiled as he finished her makeup and she looked forward to seeing the finished product. “I hope so. I really do. We deserve better than this” Helena murmured. There was a darkness to it, and she knew that there were some that wouldn’t end up with such a lovely fate, but she hoped beyond hope that Bas, and to some degree herself, did. 

For a moment, she allowed his touch to comfort her. It wasn’t often anymore that physical affection brought her peace, but from the right people it was soothing. Nodding she answered softly, “It does; I don’t feel so much like a monster if you’d have made the same choice.” At least she wasn’t alone in her decision. Loosing her grip she started to pull out of the hug some, “You’re not a monster, Bas. I’ve met monsters, and you certain aren’t one,” Helena answered honestly. “Do you want some tea? I think we still have a bit of time to kill before we’re expected,” Helena offered. 

What she said to him left him a little stunned but perhaps it shouldn’t. Deep down he knew he was a good person, one who had done bad things, one who felt lost. But he was good and he wanted to be better, to be his best. If only his circumstances were different, if only he were brave enough to lose his family in the process of finding himself. Rabastan had to remind himself that he and Helena were not simply coworkers, they were friends now and ones who understood and respected one another. He had not expected this to become what it was but he was glad it had. Helena was smart, she was strong and she was compassionate without being too sympathetic. Their friendship was one that only came along every so often and not for the first time he lamented missing so many years of his own life. “Yeah, you’ve become pretty important to me too Helena and not just because you’re undersecretary now.” 

Bas looked over his work, satisfied she was ready to get dressed. “Hope, I think as long as we still have that we know---it’ll be okay, someday.” If he ever lost hope he’d try to tell her, maybe that would be the day he’d run. There had been dozens of times he considered it, running away, ever since he was fifteen. But the last four years hadn’t been so imprisoned, though freedom was still something he stole in small doses. 

He felt her pulling away and immediately let her go, Rabastan hated being touched and yet, when it came from the right people, he craved it. “I’m glad to help.” He let himself chuckle and wondered how long it had been since he’d heard his own laughter, real laughter. He wanted to be reassured by that but she didn’t know and to some degree neither did he, just what kind of monster he was. “I wish I could explain it to you but now is not the time for such a thing. And tea would be great.”

[rabastahn]

captaincaughtlove:

A good party was something that Greta seldom said no to, and despite the fact that this was a classy ball, she took the opportunity to dress up nicely and donate to a great cause. However, after making small talk with one too many politicians that she used to work with on a daily basis, Greta excused herself so that she could have a moment to recollect her bearings. The coldness of the tile against her palms was soothing and it gave her the minute she needed to let the negative energy go. It was strange to be here, especially since she hadn’t entered the manor before, despite having dated someone that occupied it. However, her eyes snapped open at the familiar voice, and her heart nearly stuttered as she looked him over. “Oh, um hi. Well it’s a very nice hiding spot, and I was just trying to get my bearings for a moment. There’s a lot of people that I haven’t seen in a long time, and it’s been a bit taxing. Not you, I wasn’t implying that you were one of them. I mean it has been a while and it is a bit of a surprise, though it really shouldn’t be, I knew you were going to be here, I just didn’t expect to run into you, but it’s not a bad thing. I’d much rather see you then some of the other people here, well a lot of the people here. I’m rambling, oh Merlin, I’m sorry” she rushed, knowing full well that if she kept speaking she’d dig herself further into a hole.

Greta. his heart ached as she rambled, the behavior all too familiar despite the near year it had been since he’d seen her, heard her voice, held her close. He never expected she’d come to the ball, less so that he’d run into her in such an intimate sort of setting. She looked lovely and he averted his gaze from her image lest he hurt himself by looking. If he didn’t look, if he kept his eyes closed and head pressed to the cold stone he could imagine he was daydreaming her voice, something he’d done for the months following their breakup, a breakup he still mourned. 

But he had to laugh, she spilled words like rubies from her mouth and he would eagerly pick them up. He still couldn’t meet her eyes but he looked up toward the ceiling as the chuckle fell from his lips. “You haven’t changed.” he said in a misty voice, fondly in a way. It was a miracle they hadn’t crossed paths at the ministry, she’d changed jobs, departments and he had begun to wonder if she actively avoided the atrium so as not to run into him, but that was a little too paranoid. Things in his life had gotten so dark, he hadn’t had time to reminisce in months but being so near her, without being able to touch her, was going to drive him mad.