RP: So Many Plans
Date: 15 July 2006 Characters: Rodolphus Lestrange Location: Greengrass Manor Private/Public: Private Rating: PG Warnings: Evil plotting Summary: Rodolphus continues to recover and starts making plans. That isn't good for anyone.
Rodolphus cast a quick Blood-boiling hex followed by a powerful Reducto. He spun around and wavered, unsteady on his feet, his Cruciatus going far astray of the target. He growled under his breath and sent a final Killing Curse towards the practice dummy before coming to a halt. He was dripping with sweat and he felt exhausted but he was unconcerned with either state. The exhaustion was to be expected and would pass soon enough. It was the problems with his balance that were still frustrating him. He had never expected the loss of his arm to have such a profound effect.
He glanced down at what remained of his right arm and the usual wave of frustrated anger swept over him. He swiftly brought it under control and pushed it aside. It did little good to dwell on it right now. He could indulge in that anger when he found out who had done this to him. For he would find out and they would pay for their presumptuousness in maiming him.
He raised the wand he now held in his left hand and glanced around at the destroyed targets and practice dummies. His plans were working well. He had cast aside the frustration, doubts and despair brought on by his maiming and turned his thoughts and will to what was important. His plans and the Death Eaters. Let the Death Eaters think he had been weakened. The first one to speak or act on such foolishness would find out that nothing, not Azkaban, not the loss of an arm, would stop Rodolphus Lestrange.
His first priority was to regain his strength and fitness. The latter would not be too difficult since he had been fit enough prior to the battle, though adjusting to his maiming was proving a challenge. The former would come with time. He had lost a great deal of blood and even the best of blood-replenishing and healing potions could only do so much. But he was improving every day and he predicted a quick return to his former self.
He tucked his wand into his robes and headed for the door, leaving the mess for the house elves to clean up. Thankfully his ability at magic had not suffered once he had regained the bulk of his strength. He had always been adept at wandless magic and he was well used to using his wand with his left hand due his previous penchant for using a sword. The right hand-sword and left hand-wand combination had been one he’d found particularly powerful.
That was a thing of the past now, of course, unless he could bring one of his plans to fruition. He had not forgotten Wormtail’s silver hand after all. He still possessed the bulk of Lord Voldemort’s books and papers. He hoped that between those papers and books as well as the ones in his own library and the Greengrass library, he would be able to discover precisely how Voldemort had achieved that.
But that was not a short-term plan nor was it a sinecure and he would not put other plans aside while he searched for that answer. Magic would suffice to compensate for his maiming for now. He returned to his rooms and summoned a house elf, ordering it to run him a bath. Once that was done, he stripped off his sweat-soaked clothes and sunk into the hot water. He tilted his head back and closed his eyes as he contemplated what needed to be done.
Vaisey’s mother was still languishing in the cells at Lestrange Manor and he would need to take advantage of her presence there. Vaisey’s information had been almost fatally flawed and had cost them the battle and him his arm. It was entirely possible that Vaisey needed to learn the price of deceiving the Death Eaters. He would have to ponder precisely what he wanted to do though perhaps reminding Vaisey that his mother was Rodolphus’ guest might be a good start. A lock of hair was so trite. He was tempted to send Vaisey one of his mother’s fingers or perhaps an ear or maybe an eye. A sharp reminder of who would pay the price of Vaisey’s treachery.
He pondered for a moment the possibilities inherent in Vaisey’s relationship with Percy Weasley but finally set that aside. Intriguing as it was, he had little use for Weasley at this moment. As long as Umbridge was bound and determined to ignore the Death Eaters, they could afford to ignore the Aurors. No doubt Umbridge had them chasing shadows and arresting the non-human and Muggleborn. It was entirely possible that the situation could change so he would not dismiss the idea entirely.
He glanced lazily around the room then scowled. The room, while lavishly decorated and elegantly appointed, was nevertheless not his own. It was still too dangerous to return to Lestrange Manor, especially with Bella so far along in her pregnancy. But he was reluctant to stay here for too long, Imperius or not. The Greengrass family was able to mix with polite society and he did not trust the purebloods to stay sheeplike and un-noticing for too much longer about the... change in arrangements at Greengrass Manor. All it needed was one visitor that they were not able to intercept and all would be undone.
Ideally he needed a new base until he could ensure Lestrange Manor and Upper Slaughter were once again safe. He would have to start looking for a new secure base of operations. Bella would likely be displeased about moving yet again but that could be managed.
He also needed to deal with those responsible for the attack. He had let that slide in favour of seemingly more important plans but it was now time to reconsider. The names of the ringleaders had been easy enough to determine: Terry Boot, Stephen Cornfoot, Severus Snape. No doubt Pucey had been involved as well somehow. He considered that list for a moment then smiled cruelly. Just as Vaisey had a hostage to his good behaviour, so too did those on that list. Boot and Severus had sons and Cornfoot had a niece and a nephew. Yes, that was definitely something to consider.
He finally turned his thoughts to his nephew. Draco would need to be dealt with though that may well prove troublesome. Draco was no fool and he had been taught by Severus. He would not be easily lured into the open. The girl, Violet, was a potential bargaining chip and if he recalled correctly she attended the school in Hogsmeade, which made her accessible. He would have to consider Draco most carefully and move only when it was most advantageous.
Rodolphus shifted in the bath and began to slowly wash himself. Yes, he had much to think on and plans to make. His enemies may believe they had bested him but they would soon discover that they had merely honed the blade and made it more deadly.