Upside Down

Yay! Another chapter!

LadyBlueEyes - YAY!! I'm just glad you're here. I love RUby as well, and Bella is just my style. I actually got the 'Snape-a-doodle' thing from an episode of Potter Puppet Pals. It was great. We'll deal with Draco in a bit, and Rodolphus and Bellatrix have to go through a bit of growing up as a couple before the sparks will start to fly. But fly they will...trust me.

RyGirl824 - I'm proud of her too *wipes eyes*...Our little girl is growing up! *Sniffle*

Ace - *Huggles* I'm just glad you're here! I hope this story is as adventurous and addictive as the last!!

smurphy - Yes...he got quite the surprise waking up to see Bella...and he was doubly shocked to find out the woman he killed some of his brothers for had changes sides!

distinctlyME - *blushes* Yay! I'm glad you though Lucius kept his touch, and Narcissa kept her wiles. She was in Slytherin, after all!! Oh...be patient....I'll have everyone get their turn at Roddy soon enough!
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Rodolphus’ first few days at Grimmauld place were…amusing. He kept trying to draw his wand on various Order Members, only to re-discover it had been taken. And not only that, but there were several of the resident members who thought he should be in Azkaban, not having his entire past forgotten because of one redeeming action.

His first interaction with the Malfoys was one for the books. Lucius and Narcissa were in the sitting room, watching the television that Harry had gotten installed into the old house. Lucius had commandeered the remote, and like most males the world over, had found a sports channel. Narcissa, like most females the world over, watched patiently, waiting for the moment when he turned his back so she could steal the little black ‘television wand.’

Bellatrix had decided that if Rodolphus was to understand anything about the Order, he would first need to be amicable to some of the things Muggles could provide. They weren’t all ignorant savages, after all, and some of their inventions were quite entertaining. Like the television.

She led him into the sitting room, frowning when she discovered Lucius and Narcissa were already there. Ah well…she could still introduce him to the concept.

“Okay, Roddy. Number one on our list is the television. Behold.” She said, and pointed to the flickering box. Lucius’ cool blue eyes flicked up curiously as Rodolphus walked closer the the television, watching it.

He knelt beside the glowing box, watching the people run across the field.

“What sorcery is this? How have they trapped these people in this box? Do they not know they’re trapped?” he said, reaching out to touch the screen.

Bellatrix laughed at him. “No, no. Think of it as a replay of a sports game. It’s like a moving picture, only relaying what’s already happened. Sometimes, though, they can put the pictures through when something is happening in reality. That’s called ‘live.’” She said. He looked back to the box, watching as the men ran across the field, kicking the white and black ball. Lucius pressed a button stealthily, changing the channel. The new channel came up louder than the previous, and happened to be a barking dog. Rodolphus fell back on his bottom, shocked.

“Merlin!” he cursed, scrambling away from the box. Lucius chuckled softly, and received a death glare from Bellatrix. Narcissa clicked her tongue at him.

“That wasn’t nice, Lucius…” she said softly, tucking her head into his lap. He ran his hand over her face, running his fingers through her hair.

“I have never been accused of being ‘nice,’ Cissa.” He replied, tracing her blonde eyebrows. Rodolphus got to his feet, frowning at the lounging blonde.

“Did you make the picture change, Malfoy?” he asked, looking rather annoyed as he got to his feet, brushing off his robes.

“My hand may have slipped…” Lucius drawled, a smug smile on his face. What Rodolphus wouldn’t give to wipe that smirk off…

“My hand may slip in a moment…” Rodolphus said, his fists clenching by his side. Lucius snorted softly.

“I’d like to see you try.”

The threat was enough to make Rodolphus take a step forward, but Bellatrix was between them immediately, toe-to-toe with her husband.

“None of that! You can’t just go around hitting people…” she scolded. Then she turned to Lucius, one of her mad scowls on her face. “Please refrain from goading my husband.” She snapped. “Come now, Roddy, and I’ll show you the microwave. You can cook food in seconds!” she said, pulling him out of the room. Rodolphus looked skyward.

“ ‘Let’s rebel.’ I says… ‘It’ll be worth it’ I says….*sigh*” could be heard as he was dragged from the room. Lucius chuckled, and petted Narcissa’s head gently.

“He needs to sort out his priorities…” he said softly. Narcissa closed her eyes, relishing the gentle touch of her husband.

“No…he just needs to take charge. Bella has a shell of dominance, but if he can break it, she’s one big submissive underneath… Why do you think she fawned over the Dark Lord so? He dominated her in a way her husband wouldn't...” she said softly. Lucius raised an eyebrow.

“Really…?”

~~

Voldemort was furious when he discovered what had happened to his camp of Death Eaters. He glared at the two messengers kneeling before him, both trembling in anticipation of a punishment. Even though they had not been there, it didn’t pay to bring the Dark Lord bad news.

“You are telling me that a Rebel Army of my own Death Eaters rose up and fought with those idiotic Order members?” he said, his voice soft. But Voldemort needn’t yell to terrify his servants. They knew that the softer his voice got, the angrier he was.

“Yes, My Lord.” One of the messengers said shakily.

“Now tell me again who their leader was….I’m hoping that I heard you wrong.” He lisped.

“It was Rodolphus Lestrange, Master. Just before he killed one of his brothers, he said the words ‘This is for my wife. For Bella.’” The other said, still shaking. Voldemort stood from his throne, a skeletal monstrosity made from bones of his victims. Nagini rested in a corner of the throne room, her head raised and her tongue flickering. She could tell when the Master was upset, and it usually ended in quite a tasty treat for her. She was getting a bit peaked…

Voldemort walked around the two messengers, deadly silent. His own forked tongue slicked ever so often, relishing the fear that practically rolled off of the two in waves.

“What happened to Rodolphus?” he hissed softly, still circling the two.

“He got the crap beat out of him by a few of his brothers, before the Order Stunned them and took Lestrange for themselves. I don’t think they knew who he was….by the time his mask was off his face was bruised terribly.” The first messenger said, his eyes firmly on the floor.

Voldemort’s lipless mouth turned up into a mirthless grin. “They think to keep one of my servants, then? How very foolish….because it will hurt all the more when I take one of theirs as a pet.” He said, and went back to his throne.

Nagini lowered her head, a bit disappointed. It didn’t appear that she would be getting any fod tonight. If snakes could sigh, she would have let out a big one.

The two messengers took Voldemort’s silence as dismissal, both standing to their feet. As they backed away from him, bowed at the waist in respect, Voldemort hissed softly, calling Nagini.

Nagini was never one to ignore her Master, so she slithered to his side. The two Death Eaters froze, and Voldemort gave a high, cold laugh.

“I didn’t tell you that you could leave…”

~~

Ruby was upside down over a chair, simultaneously watching the television and Hermione teach Draco to play a Muggle game called Monopoly. Draco was totally kicking her arse, and they’d only been playing ten minutes.

“Shite, Draco! I’ve been playing this game for years and I’ve never beaten anyone this fast…” she complained.

“That’s because you’re not buying the right property.” Ruby said, her eyes flitting back to the screen. “You wait for the most expensive property, the two that almost nobody lands on, while he snaps up the ones right after Go. You always land on them. Me and my mom and dad used to play this game when I was really little. I always won.” She said.

Draco grinned as Hermione forked over her last paper notes. “I win.” He said. Hermione frowned.

“What profit a man to gain the world, if he loses his own soul?” Ruby said suddenly. Draco and Hermione both looked at her as if she were a bit mad. Perhaps that was why she and Bella got along so well.

“It’s a game, Ruby.” Hermione said softly.

“But the way people play games often reflects how they view reality. He used real skills to beat you. Just be careful…both of you.” She replied, and rolled off of the chair fluidly, going to her room. Hermione and Draco were silent.

“That was a strange outburst…” Hermione said. Draco shrugged, but then suddenly grinned.

“Maybe she has PMS…”

~~

A few hours later, the outburst was all but forgotten. Hermione and Ruby had taken Draco back to Grimmauld place, and then went out for a bit of shopping. Ginny’s birthday was coming up, so she took her cousin with her to help pick Ginny out some new robes.

They were in a rather new place called Rags to Riches, which sold robes, and also specialized in repairing them for a rather insignificant amount.

Hermione and Ruby were looking through fabrics, trying to find a color that wouldn’t clash with Ginny’s red hair. Ruby was actually being more annoying than helpful pointing out nauseatingly bright colors that probably shouldn’t even belong in a clothing shop.

“C’mon…I’d love to see the look on her face when she pulls out lime green robes…” Ruby said, grinning.

“Good lord…I’m trying to make her look good….not look like Dumbledore.” She said, frowning. “Look…here’s a few galleons…go find something that catches your eye....it doesn’t even have to be in this store…” Hermione said, handing Ruby a small pouch of coins. Ruby frowned.

“Geez….it’s like you don’t want me or something…” Ruby said. But she mentally clapped herself on the back for fooling her cousin. This plan had worked better than she thought. She hadn’t expected to get money out of the deal!

She pocketed the coin pouch, and practically bounced out of the store. She quickly scanned the names of the shops, looking for someplace that caught her eye. She was bowled over by a stranger, who fell on top of her. She gasped when she looked up into the face of a young man.

He had a angular face, very defined, and thin, masculine lips. And his eyes! Ruby had always loved being part of the magical world, because they had such interesting color eyes. She had seen purple, yellow, silver, and this young man’s eyes were a most shocking shade of red.

“Oh!” Ruby gasped. The young man’s eyes widened slightly, and he scrambled to his feet, holding out his hand to help Ruby.

“I’m very sorry…” he said. He had a beautiful deep voice, and Ruby felt lacewing flies in her stomach at the sound of it. She would never tell anyone….but deep British accents were hot! She actually had to hide her face when that Snape character was over at Grimmauld place….ye gods!

Ruby took his hand mechanically, and he helped her to her feet. He was rather tall, and Ruby onl reached his shoulder.

“Are you all right?” he asked. Ruby grinned, and nodded shyly. “I should have been watching where I was going. You’re not hurt are you, Miss….” He said, trailing off.

“Grangeford. Ruby Grangeford…” she said. He gave her a charming smile, revealing pearly white teeth.

“Thomas Rohan.” He said. Ruby felt her face flush slightly.

“Pleased to meet you.” She said. Thomas nodded.

“The pleasure is all mine, let me assure you…” he said softly.

“Well…where…um…were you going?” she asked. “You were in such a hurry…” she said.

“I was on my way to grab something to eat…would you like to join me?” he asked, his red eyes flashing in the daylight. It was a hypnotic effect.

“I should…tell my cousin…Hermione will worry...” she said. He tilted his head.

“Hermione? Hermione Granger?" he asked.

"Yeah...you know her?" Ruby asked, her smile fading a bit. Her cousin was famous for being one of Harry Potter's friends, and more often than not her cousin stole her thunder. The young man's smile widened.

"I’m sure she won’t miss you for a few minutes…I’m going to eat…not on vacation…” he said, and laughed softly. Ruby couldn’t help it…laughter bubbled up and she laughed along with him.

“No…I guess not…okay, Thomas…lead the way.” She said, grinning. He held his hand out for her, and she took it, blushing fiercely.

“Please…call me Tom.”
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0_o Hn?