Upside Down

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The next morning at Grimmauld Place was….well….interesting to say the least. When the newest addition to the house, currently stationed on the sofa, was discovered, the house went into a fit. Lucius and Narcissa refused to believe that Rodolphus had led a rebellion against the Death Eaters. Harry wasn’t quite sure how to handle a fourth known Death Eater living in the house he shared with his Godfather, and Sirius was just annoyed that there was another mouth to feed. He had been a lot mellower since his return from the Veil.

Of course Kingsley had to be contacted immediately, and another meeting of the Officers called. This was a bit more exasperating, as Rodolphus wasn’t awake, and couldn’t speak for himself.

Kingsley was a bit tweaked that the leaders of Group Alpha 3 had brought the man to HQ without proper authority. He could have been Traced for all they knew. But several diagnostic spells ruled that out… But the new question was whether to keep the man there, or just transfer him to Azkaban.

“What is this, a Death Eater Half-Way House?” Ron snapped.

Along with the officers, the Malfoys and Bellatrix had been called in, because the opinions of the Malfoys could sway their decision, as well as any testimonials from Bella.

“Why don’t you sit over there and twiddle your thumbs like a good boy.” Draco growled. He had been furious when Ron had sent Hermione a Howler denouncing her as his friend. Apparently the red-headed fuck-tard had heard the news from his walking uterus of a mother. Hermione had refused to come to the meeting, because Ron was too immature to apologize to her. Kingsley was a bit upset at Ron for that, because Hermione was one of their main strategists.

“Fuck off, Ferret.” Ron snarled. Kingsley drew his wand, and flicked the tip, causing a sharp cracking sound. The two looked up at him.

“Enough. Both of you. This is no time for arguing amongst yourselves. This is serious. If Rodolphus Lestrange and countless others were swayed to fight against their own comrades, maybe it can be done again. We need to find out what made them rebel.” He said.

“We need to get him awake first.” Harry said, looking over to the sofa where the injured Rodolphus was resting. “And without proper healing that’s likely not to happen.”

“Big loss….” Ron said sarcastically. Bellatrix growled at him.

“That’s my husband you’re talking about, you little worm.” She said, her voice low and dangerous. Ron sneered at her.

Sirius stood from his seat. “We might as well take him in. Hell, we’ve got three other Death Eaters here. When the Final Battle comes, what better way to piss Voldemort off than to dangle four of his own in front of his face? I’d personally pay to see the look on his face when cousin Bella steps out.” He said, a small smirk on his face. Bellatrix chuckled.

“Why Sirius….you flatter me….” She said, fluttering her dark lashes at him. Sirius rolled his eyes.

Kingsley looked over at Dumbledore, who like before, was silent. “What do you think, Albus?” he asked.

“Most every suggestion so far is correct. We do need to heal him, and we do need to find out what caused his change of mind. If we can get him on our side, we may be able to shift the favor of this war to us faster than we thought.” He said. Snape frowned at the old wizard.

“But that’s assuming he’ll take our side. There are quite a few witches and wizards in the Order who aren’t fond of him and what he’s done to their families. We can’t just clap a phoenix to his robes and call him ‘brother.’” Snape said. Bellatrix looked up at the tall dark wizard.

“You called him brother once before.” She said softly. Snape sneered at her.

“That’s before I came to my senses and sought the Order on my own.” He retorted.

It appeared a fight was about to break out between the two, so Kingsley quickly interrupted. “I say we vote. All in favor of packing him off to Azkaban after he wakes…” he said. Tonks, Ron, and Snape raised their hands. “All in favor of keeping him here to extract information and add his services to the Order’s if he is so willing…” Dumbledore, Remus, Harry, and Sirius raised their hands, and were finally joined by a reluctant Kingsley. “The majority rules….Mr. Lestrange stays.” He said.

Ron stood, disgusted with the outcome.

“That’s fine….but don’t come crying to me when who find out you’ve signed your own death warrants.” He said, and Apparated noisily out of the room. Draco sneered at the spot he had just been standing in.

“Stupid weasel…”

~~

Bellatrix had been put in charge of taking care of Rodolphus until he woke up. Her duties mainly included keeping the lacerations on his face and body from becoming infected by applying medicine and changing bandages. She found the work rather boring.

He had also been moved to her room for easier care. She slept next to him, just as she had for years. The fourth night he was with her, she laid on her side beside him, studying his heavily bruised face.

“What were you thinking, Rodolphus? What is it that drove you to rebel?” she asked aloud, reaching over to brush a strand of his shaggy brown hair out of his face. “What will you think of me when you wake? We were loyal to Him together. You introduced me to Him. We’ve served for years, and fought towards the same goal, and now I’m fighting with the Order, who have thwarted us for as long as we’ve served.” She said. She sighed softly, laid her head against the pillow, and began to contemplate her marriage.

She had been married one week after graduating Hogwarts. Theirs had been a proper marriage. Two purebloods coming together with the hopes of continuing their family lines. They had never fallen in love like Lucius and Narcissa…but she supposed she could have had it worse.

He could have been abusive. There were lots of women, even wives of Death Eaters, who were subjected to their husband’s hands. Her own mother had often sported bruises beneath her voluminous robes because of her husband’s temper. Bellatrix supposed she had received her own temper from her father.

But she would have never stood for being struck. She had even told Rodolphus on their wedding night that if he so much as laid a finger on her with the intent to harm her that he would wake up with his bits on the pillow next to him. And she had been serious, too.

He could have cheated on her. Rodolphus was a handsome man, and had been quite popular with the ladies back in Hogwarts. Bellatrix had known for years that she would marry him, and often held it above his flings’ heads, much to his displeasure. But as soon as their vows had been said, he had been with her and only her, even when she didn’t want to be with him.

She supposed she wasn’t a very good wife. She had never been very intimate…and their encounters were often unsatisfying for both of them. They had pretty much given up altogether. But true to their vows, they had stayed together.

Perhaps all she needed was an attitude adjustment. Maybe she could make this marriage work. It would be something to fight with her husband in the Final Battle, and on a side that neither of them had started on! Rodolphus had never been unkind to her…but she had been to him. She often referred to him as her prison guard… Perhaps if she were kinder to him…

She leaned over, and pressed a gentle kiss to his forehead.

“I’m sorry, Roddy, for being such a shoddy wife. Perhaps when you wake, we can make this work. It would be nice to grow old with someone I was fond of…” she said, and lifted his arm, and nestled herself under it, pressing close to his side. He grunted unconsciously, and his fingers flexed against her side. Bellatrix felt her eyes grow wet, and she buried her face into her husband’s robes.

“We can make it work, Roddy…I know we can…”

~~

Draco stood at the door to Hermione’s flat, clutching the bouquet of flowers in his hand. He rang her doorbell, and stepped back.

Hermione was in the main room, watching television with Ruby. She stood from the couch, and chuckled when Ruby fell over, fast asleep. She checked the disappearing slot at her wall, and smiled when she spotted the handsome blonde wizard standing in the hall.

She opened the door, and he gave her a gorgeous smile.

“Happy anniversary, dove.” He said, and held out the flowers. She tilted her head to the side.

“Anniversary?” she asked, curious.

“We’ve been together for a week. I thought we should celebrate.” He said. She took the flowers from him, and leaned forward to wrap her arms around him. Mmm….he was wearing cologne….and he smelled so good. “I have us reservations at a fancy Muggle restaurant in two hours. I thought we could we could get a bit of oral exercise in before we had to make an appearance.” He said, raising his eyebrows suggestively. Hermione laughed.

“Sure. Let me put these in water.” She said. She looked at the bouquet. There were beautiful bright blue flowers, with orange centers. “Draco…they’re beautiful. Wherever did you get them?” she asked.

“Malfoy Manor.” He said. Her head snapped up.

“What?” she said, her voice flat with disbelief. “You’re not supposed to go there. There could be Death Eaters still there…” she said softly. He reached out, and stroked her face tenderly.

“There were. But I wanted those blossoms for you, and I knew they wouldn’t last much longer. I braved it to have something nice for you.” He said. Tears welled up in her eyes. Ron would have never done something so nice for her. He cupped her cheek in his palm.

“Now, now, dove. Don’t cry. Beautiful women deserve beautiful things. Here….Let me get the water.” He said. She nodded mutely, and sniffled when he gently took the flowers from her, and went into the kitchen.

“He’s somethin’ else, ain’t he?”

Hermione turned to see Ruby leaning over the sofa, a sappy grin on her face. Hermione wiped her eyes, and nodded at her cousin.

“He is indeed.” She said. Draco returned from the kitchen, carrying the flowers in an elegant vase. Hermione took the vase, and displayed in proudly on a side table.

“Now…” Draco said suggestively, and laced his hand in her hair, pulling her gently towards him. He pressed his lips against hers, kissing her breathless. Her arms wound around his neck, and she parted her lips for him, gasping with pleased pleasure when his tongue swiped into her mouth.

“Eeww…”

Draco broke the kiss to see a bemused Ruby still staring at them. He raised a blonde eyebrow, and she sighed loudly.

“Fine…I’m goin’.” She said, and flounced off the sofa, and trudged to her room,mumbling the whole way. “Kick out the American just so they can swap spit….I was watchin’ TV first….should get a room…”

Hermione chuckled softly when Ruby’s door closed.

“So what will she do?” Draco asked.

“Probably surf the web on the computer I got her. She’s electronically competent.” She said. Draco twined his fingers with Hermione’s, and led her to the sofa.

“Well…she’s gone for now. So shall we….exercise?” he asked.

“We shall…” she replied.

He led her to the sofa, and sat down, pulling her into his lap. She settled herself with her knees on either side of his legs, straddling him.

“Sooo.” He drawled, and pressed a quick, closed-mouthed kiss on her lips. “Have you thought about doing anything more….adventurous than kissing?” he asked. Her brow crinkled slightly.

“Such as?” she asked. Here it went….he was going to bring out the oral sex card. She really wasn’t too eager for it….Draco was quite large, and she would most certainly choke. *Sigh* And everything was going so well, too…

“I was wondering if you might be amenable to a little oral sex.” He said, the corners of his mouth curling upwards. She pulled back, and stood from his lap. His blooming smile faded quickly. “If you don’t want to, Hermione, I won’t press you. I just thought you might like something different…” he said softly.

“I hit this road block with Ron. He wanted to receive, but he wasn’t willing to give.” She said softly. Draco chuckled softly, and stood as well, wrapping his arms around her from behind.

“I don’t really like to receive. I had a bad experience with that….didn’t think I’d ever be able to have sex again…” he said with a shudder. “I like to give, though.” He said, and nuzzled his nose into her hair. He felt her shiver.

“You…like to give?” she said, her voice croaking slightly.

“Yes.” He replied, his voice dropping low next to her ear. Hermione felt her knickers moisten almost immediately. “What say you and I disappear into your room, and I…give a little…?” he asked gently. Hermione shivered again.

“Um….yes…” she said. He released his tender hold on her, and took her hand, leading her towards her bedroom.
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*dodges bullets and rotten fruit* EEK!!!! You guys know that I would never leave you hanging completely like that. Just wait for the next chapter...it will be.......yummy.

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