Rabastan Lestrange's POV.

Sometimes Rabastan read newspapers and speeches of politicians. He laughed every time Albus mentioned "the power of love." But it seemed that the Dark Lord took Albus's words seriously. First, Sirius Black received the Dark Mark. Yes, that same Gryffindor and blood traitor. It is true that accepting the mark, that wedding—everything for Sirius was collective and unconscious. It seemed that his whole life was like that.

But the main thing is not that—Alecto Carrow will give birth this winter. And formally, it will be a pureblood Black. Narcissa Malfoy was going to give birth. How? Probably, the greed of the Malfoys is stronger than some curse. Lucius probably took the Lord's words about increasing the number of purebloods very seriously. Or is this a peculiar way to wipe the Weasleys' nose—by giving birth to more children than they have?

At first, Rabastan thought it was an absurd coincidence. Then the father announced that he would soon marry Diana Crouch, who was given the "Love Poison" potion without regaining consciousness. At this point, Rabastan began to tense up.

When Bellatrix went to the Dark Lord, it didn't surprise him. But the fact that the Lord married her and that they would have a child—that amazed him. Poor Wizarding England! I hope Albus dies before Delphi goes to school. I wonder if her first word will be "Crucio" or "Imperio" with parents like that? I need to think about buying new house elves... And talk to Bellatrix: "Hogwarts is a disgusting place. Your child should go to Durmstrang!" Let Karkaroff deal with her...

Death Eaters: give us more children! Only he didn't really understand how a crowd of toddlers would help win the war. This didn't help Weasley. Although... Dumbledore has prejudices about murder. He'll be a human shield. And he'll be able to shout at the trial that "we didn't do any of this, we didn't have time for terrorist activity."

Time... His fingers automatically squeezed the Time-Turner chain under his clothes. My precious... He finally got some sleep! Never before had he rushed to kiss the Dark Lord's robe with such haste and sincerity as when he received the Time-Turner.

But while he was thinking, the merciless power of love continued to collect victims among the Death Eaters. Right now, Rabastan was carrying out the order of the Head of the House. He really didn't want to do this, but gathering his will into a fist and squeezing the folder with documents tighter, he still decided to knock on the door.

"Come in!" he heard his brother's voice. Rabastan entered Rodolphus's office. Rodolphus looked slightly rumpled and tired, but sober. His desk was littered with some ritual schemes. Calendar and network schedules lay nearby. Naturally, everything was encrypted. As his tutor from Russia used to say: "You can't figure it out without a bottle." As if to confirm this, there was a bottle of wine on the table, two thirds of which remained. Moreover, the bottle was the same as yesterday, which meant that the brother was completely immersed in his work.

"Hello, Rodolphus. May I distract you?" he asked.

"Yes, speak," they answered him without looking up from their work.

"But may I keep your wand while you talk to me?" he suggested. Rodolphus looked up from his work and stared at Rabastan.

"I hope you are not going to tell me that you have defected to the Order of the Phoenix and now want to deliver them a particularly valuable prisoner?" Rodolphus joked.

"Of course not. But I will be calmer if your wand lies with me," he said. After a second of hesitation, Rodolphus handed his wand to Rabastan.

"Are you aware that after divorcing you, Bellatrix married the Lord on the same day?" Rabastan immediately asked.

"Yes. It was expected," they answered him. In his opinion, this was completely unexpected.

"She is pregnant. The magical scan says it will be a girl. No pathologies were found." For a brief moment, Rabastan thought he saw a shadow cross Rodolphus's face. Maybe it was his imagination, or maybe he immediately pulled himself together.

"I'm happy for them. Bellatrix always wanted a child. And the Dark Lord will get an heir," answered Rodolphus.

"Do you know how the Lord solved her problem?"

"No. He did not explain anything to anyone. As always. Bellatrix became pregnant in less than a month after the marriage. If she had any problems, the Lord did not notice them. Although it may be much simpler: Rodolphus simply could not find his wife's vagina in more than ten years of marriage. That is why Bellatrix was so angry all this time: sometimes simple promises, sometimes everything through the ass. Yes, Wizarding England has a great future with such an administration..."

"If that is all, then you can give me back my wand," offered Rodolphus.

"So you have nothing else in common with Bellatrix?" Rabastan asked.

"No, there is no connection," they answered him.

"That is only half the news. Father decided that it was time for you to make an heir for the Family. And he chose a pair for you."

"And?" Rodolphus asked, hiding his excitement.

"This is also to be expected. The first time my father allowed me to choose myself, but since the marriage was unsuccessful, now he will choose himself."

Rabastan was silent.

"What, so ugly? We can improve her appearance; in extreme cases, there is the opposite. In extreme cases—'Madness of Passion.'" Rabastan was silent.

"Poor? No big deal, we are a wealthy Family, and lately, the money has become even better." Rabastan was still silent. Now he had already felt the effect of Legilimency on himself, but as far as he understood, it was not possible to pass its protection. And this is good— their house will not withstand another omniscient Legilimens.

"Cursed? Why would Father need this? Okay, the Lord managed to cure us and Diana Crouch, and he will cure this one too." Interpreting Rabastan's silence as "No," Rodolphus began to guess further.

"Half-blooded?" Rodolphus suggested with horror. The most Muggle-lovers considered those who had both wizard parents to be purebloods. Normal wizards considered those who had wizard fathers, mothers, or grandparents to be purebloods. Naturally, these "purebloods" are not their equals; to have a chance of becoming related to the Lestranges, one has to be the most ancient and noble— that is, have at least ten generations of pureblood wizards.

"No, Rodolphus. It's much simpler," Rabastan said, putting a folder with documents in front of Rodolphus. Rodolphus began to nervously look through the papers.

"So, an ancient Spanish family," Rodolphus said with relief, slowly leafing through the contents of the folder and looking diagonally. "Fourteen generations of wizards... No curses. Not rich now. They are giving the youngest fourth daughter to me to improve their financial situation. A usual marriage of convenience," he noted, finding a photo of his bride.

Here he found a photo of his bride. "Hm... a bit dark, but basically okay. And why only the face? No full-length photo? 

"You can read the whole thing at your leisure." Rabastan replied.

"So you don't mind?"

"I don't mind. What did you expect? That I'd start throwing a tantrum? That I'd leave the Family, refusing the inheritance?" Rabastan really wanted to just leave. He knew that honesty was not the best policy, but he'd better say it right away; otherwise, his brother might get carried away with work and miss this moment. During the newlyweds' introduction, there would be… embarrassment. He didn't care, but he felt sorry for the girl — his brother might lose his temper, and they'd have to live with it later.

"The de Torquemada Family. Her name is Isabella. And she's thirteen years old," he said. There was an awkward silence for a second. Soon Rodolphus began leafing through the folder until he got to the part about age.

"Thirteen years old? And what should I do with her? Play with dolls?" he asked.

"Father guarantees your biological compatibility and healthy children." Rabastan let out a sigh. "Let me remind you that no one trades their own children. If they marry her off, it means they are sure that she is already an adult and capable of bearing children," he said. "And age... It will be easier for her to get used to a new place of residence."

"Engagement? Wait four years with the wedding. And then she is an adult!" Rodolphus suggested aloud.

"They need the money now. Besides, with so much death no one can guarantee that you will live these four years, or that the Dark Lord will be able to resurrect you. Goyle is dead, Rosier has disappeared. And Father needed heirs ten years ago," Rabastan informed.

"Brother, maybe you should marry her? You are younger; then you will be less of a pedophile than me," Rodolphus mumbled hopefully.

"I have to refuse. Look at the report — she is one meter and sixty centimeters tall. She will still grow. by the looks of it."

"As a last resort, try Polyjuice or an aging potion."

"What if I say that I'm gay?" suggested Rodolphus.

"Not an option. You can't fool Father. And even if he has affection for you... Father will just start looking for a male lover for you. And for the heir, he will look for a masculine woman for you. So everything will only get worse," said Rabastan.

"As I understand it, Father has already agreed and I was simply presented with a fait accompli?" suggested Rodolphus.

You don't have to be brothers and live under the same roof your whole life to understand that Rodolphus is boiling. "You guessed it. Look at things positively," he suggested to his almost married brother.

"Positively? How so?" they asked him. How can I reassure my brother so that it doesn't look like mockery? At least she's definitely a virgin, thought Rabastan to himself, backing towards the door. No, Rodolphus won't appreciate it. A name similar to his former wife? Easier to remember? He won't appreciate it either. Unlike Bellatrix, she won't torture you with the Cruciatus when she leaves? Isabella won't leave you for the Overlord? I can't think of anything useful...

"I don't know. You can prepare her for the OWLs when she grows up," he said out loud. "There have been so many new directions lately; maybe something will be useful to you in your professional activities. I need to get out. Quickly."

There was an unprintable cry.

Then Rodolphus began to throw things from the table at him. They were stopped by Rabastan's passive protective charms. There was nothing heavy or sharp among the improvised Bludgers, which meant that his brother loved him after all. But Rabastan still hurried out of the office, calling the house-elves and ordering them to calm Rodolphus down.

Soon he was knocking on his father's office. Instead of the usual "Come in," his father personally opened the door for him.

"How did it go?" they asked him.

"Delightful. Her photograph awakened an animal passion in him," he lied.

"The house-elves have already told me everything," his father told him.

"And?" he squeezed out of himself. Just don't tell me that his happy bachelor life is over. He is too young and promising to marry. Watching his brother's family life has put him off marriage.

"They will get along. I am sure," Edward replied.