InsaneJournal

Tweak says, "watch me nae nae"

Quite honestly Rodolphus had expected this sooner. The DMLE really was struggling to stay afloat. While the request for an interview was casual, Rodolphus had one of the assistants schedule it into his week. He preferred it be more official. Barring the French trade agreement falling through, a chat with Auror Travers was his one o’clock today.

After a quick lunch, Rodolphus took the lift to level two. In his tenure at the Ministry, he had a number of meetings on this level, and was rather non-pulsed by any sort of image issue of a Lestrange walking into the Auror Office. He had little to worry about, not that he was untouchable, but rather he had positioned himself quite carefully to be afforded such freedom.

Once arrived he was ushered into the ‘family room’ and politely told that Auror Travers would be with him shortly. He matched that politeness and took a seat. While the exact endgame wasn’t clear, he could make a few intuitive leaps of why he was here today. It was a smart move that Alice Travers was interviewing him. Nearly everything about this arrangement, except coming to their office, was meant to put him at ease. And while he could exude such an air, he was anything but.

First, Alice had to go pick up the files regarding the ‘accidental’ death of Corvus Lestrange. That’s how it had been labelled about a month ago when everything else had been going to array in the Wizarding World. She had reports from the Floo office to try to correspond to the alleged accident, and she had the Healer’s report from when the body was examined. It was rather frustrating not to see a lot of this fresh. Also, it was really hard to continue arguing to follow this case when it wasn’t explicitly labelled under the responsibly of ‘tracking down Dark Wizard/Witches’.

However, there were enough people that support Alice’s suspicions about the Lestranges. And if they were going to find some real evidence to support those suspicions, they needed to look at every detail. So why not use the death of one of their own that was well… suspicious circumstances. What did they have to gain, and why?

Either way, Alice had decided that the best approach was to go as honest as possible. Follow up like it was an accident. Speak to Rodolphus Lestrange as a grieving family member who deserved answers, but also possibly had more insight so they could wrap this up. That was the plan anyway.

Alice came into the room, holding her files she’d gone looking for (as well as some additional dummy files to look like they had more than they truly did), she went to greet Rodolphus. “Hello, thank you for coming Mr. Lestrange. Just let me begin with I am sorry for your loss. I hope I haven’t kept you waiting long.”

Rodolphus stood as she entered. His upbringing would expect no less, and he shook her hand. “No, not long at all. Although I must say that I was quite surprised to learn there was still an ongoing investigation.” Corvus was buried in the ground seven weeks now. He paused, before his smile shifting, to something more indulgent. “But I serve at the pleasure of the Minister and will gladly assist in whatever way I can. I am at your disposal for as long as you might need.”

If this had been a normal accident to a different family, they would have finished this up weeks ago. Thankfully for them, they had the excuse of a skirmishes breaking out to cause chaos to throw off the daily routine. “I do understand that, and I apologize for any inconvenience.” And for her own part, Alice did sound sincere to match Rodolphus’ charm.

“If you’d like to take a seat, we can get started. I’ll try not to take too much of your time,” Alice said as she took her own seat to and made a show of opening her top folder to look for some of the reports. “As you know, things have been very hectic in Law Enforcement over the last month. We are just making sure that we haven’t overlooked anything that might cause more problems for you family, especially after such an unfortunate accident,” Alice said making that point very clear. “Before the accident, was your father experiencing any health problems that the Healers might not have been aware of?”

Rodolphus followed suit, rueful at the hectic comment. Things in his office were not much better. At least that was on the global scale and he didn’t have to worry about affairs so close to home. “Other than his age, my father was the pentacle of health. My mother would accept no less than balanced meals and routine physical activity.” A beat. Rodolphus rubbed his wedding band, letting himself be quiet for a moment. “He was also quite interested in being a grandfather one day, and he would joke that his good health was to guarantee such a future.”

Alice might have sat there casually, but looking concerned but she was really watching everything. The finger rubbing the ring was an interesting gesture. She was aware of Rodolphus and Bellatrix having difficulties having children. In fact, it was quite common knowledge gossip now that Bellatrix had miscarried around the time of the Battle. That was labelled in Alice’s brain somewhere as an ‘alibi’.

“I see. My condolences again,” Alice offered. It could apply to his father or equally his own ‘tragedy’ as well with his wife that had gone unspoken. “Has your father, or anyone in your family had problems with the floo network connecting the Lestrange estates before?”

He gave a small nod in thanks, to allow himself a moment more of quiet reflection. However, there was work to be done. So he looked back up at her. “Not to my knowledge. We did have the inspector come afterward, to ensure nothing was amiss.” Alice, no doubt, had that report, along with all the other records of the the scheduled maintenance and annual fees to maintain the international connection.

All of these questions did have a purpose. Alice already had the answers, but she wanted to know what Rodolphus’ were. Was there an inconsistency in the story? Was there a convenient excuse? Lestrange didn’t seem to be going that way yet. He did appear reflective in grief, not so much guilt though.

“Thank you,” she said about those answers to her really softer questions. “Now, I do have to ask, did your father have any enemies? Or is there anyone in particular that comes to mind that might have had disagreements with him for whatever reason?”

A small chuckle escaped him. “My father had a long career in politics.” It was a public career in which many of the policies he helped to write or shape was public record, which said little of the charities he supported. “And personally? Well, he and my brother had their differences, but I would be hard pressed to say that he actually see him dead.”

Rodolphus shook his head. It was simply absurd. Or so he would have anyone believe. Including himself.

Alice took note of Rodolphus’ tone, but this wasn’t the type of information she was looking for. She did make a mental note that she’d have to talk to Rabastan as well. “Of course not,” she uttered a casual agreement as she continued to process what else to ask.

“What about yourself?” Alice said looking to Rodolphus carefully. “Do you any enemies or has anyone threatened you?”

Rodolphus considered the question for a moment. Did he have any enemies? None that dared act. Not yet at least. “I would say I have been afforded a certain place of privilege where I find myself rather removed from most of the ... drama.” First son of a wealthy family, who had a secure ministry job? As far as the public knew his greatest tragedies were personal. Of course there would always be those who disliked him for his family and his view of the world. “However,” his tone shifted, lighter, “Now I find myself a little concerned for my own safety with this line of questioning.”

Alice didn’t flinch or reaction otherwise to show any concern. In fact, it would probably do the Lestranges some good to feel at least somewhat concerned for their safety. “I must ask these questions, I’m afraid,” Alice said and only showed some signs of regret then. “We have to look at all possibilities. So your answer is no?”

Rodolphus shifted in his seat. “Then, no. Not specifically.”

Alice noticed the shift but didn’t let on to it. Was she being too forward or was Rodolphus actually nervous? She decided to remain silent for a moment, taking a moment to leaf through the files and even looking to the papers that she’d brought for show. “Is there anything that might suggest to you that this was something other than an accident? I only ask because we can’t be too careful with so many people dying in suspicious circumstances or otherwise.”

“It has been a tough couple of months for many.” Rodolphus let out a long breath. “As nice as it would be to be able to name a terror or monster responsible for everything my family has gone through, I can provide none. And even if I could, I am not sure that naming them would help us any with healing.” After all, the Minister had called for unity, for trust among neighbors. “However, I respect the work you do Auror Travers, and I know it is no easy task to hunt for justice, especially in chaos. Should it be pertinent to your investigation, I invite you and an inspector of your choosing to The Park to assess our floo connection at your convenience.”

“Thank you, Mr. Lestrange, that would be very useful. Again, I regret that we haven’t been able to close this case yet. I understand this is difficult for you and your family still recovering from your grief. If we can come in to investigate sooner, then we can finish up this matter more quickly,” Alice said and took note of that volunteered gesture.

She closed up her folders and was satisfied for now. “Thank you for your time, Mr. Lestrange. That’s all I need to ask, for now,” she said moving to stand and offered her hand to him. “I will be in touch as soon as possible to make arrangements to inspect the Park.”

He rose again, shaking her hand. “I will also be sure to let you know if anything arises.” Out of habit, Rodolphus glanced at his watch, which half obscured the pulsing circle tattoo, before leaving. Once back in the lift, he would text Rabastan.