Prices Rise and Gossip Dies

When the Lestrange family entered their dining room, the Curse-Breaker was already seated. Bellatrix thought he was looking nearly up to par, only a bit tired and drawn, but his movements were steady.

"I will take my leave after dinner," he said.

"If you'd like to make more money, we have another client for you," Rodolphus shared as everyone else took their seats. "Turns out Lucius Malfoy wants his Dark Mark removed as well. He stopped over to drop some books off for us and was very interested to hear of your work."

"He's a proper ass, so I do not suggest recovering at his place," Bellatrix said.

"For sure," Lyra chimed in.

"We can accompany you to Malfoy Manor if you want the job, and then bring you back here to recuperate if you like," Bellatrix said. "And were I you, as he's such a git, I'd charge him double."

"I'm already doubling the price for the removal of those marks, now that I know what an utter motherfucker it is to remove them," the Curse-Breaker said firmly.

Rabastan smirked. "Very well, quadruple it for Malfoy then. He's likely to cause you to emotionally regret it if you don't."

The Curse-Breaker nodded. "Advice taken."

"So you want the job, then," Rodolphus asked, and the Curse-Breaker shrugged.

"Why the hell not? It's gold, and he may be a right git, but his gold is as golden as anyone else's. I will take you up on your kind offer to rest here after I remove his mark, and thank you." He glanced to Bellatrix as he said that last bit, as she'd been the one to extend the invitation.

She nodded. "Sure. You're no trouble."

"So what's your actual name," Lyra asked the goblin. "You hardly talk, and I get you not wanting to be social, but a name could help the politeness situation in case we need it."

Bellatrix wondered if it made them particularly rude that they'd never bothered to ask. But he hadn't offered it either.

"The name is Gorse, but please do not feel the need to converse," the goblin said and Bellatrix gave him a smile. A Curse-Breaker after her own heart. "I can take care of the Dark Mark removal for Malfoy in the morning if it works for you all," Gorse said and Lyra nodded.

"I can take you there, then bring you back here to recuperate." She turned to her parents."Then you lot won't have to miss any time at work."

"And that's good, because we really hate being away from fucking Azkaban," Rabastan drawled.

After dinner, Bellatrix sent Narcissa a note informing her that Lyra and the Curse-Breaker would be coming round tomorrow morning to remove Lucius's mark. She included the quadrupled price, of course without saying that it was quadrupled. It would be more convenient if Lucius already had the money ready so that Lyra and Gorse wouldn't have to sit about waiting for him to collect it.

The next morning, the Curse-Breaker was already at the breakfast table when she and Rod came down with Rhadamanthus faithfully at their heels. He was looking far better. The color had returned to his cheeks and his eyes were sharp and alert. A pity that would only last until he removed Lucius's mark.

"The morning paper is here if you care about it," he told them, gesturing to where it was folded in the center of the dining table. "There's a really interesting article on the front page. Apparently that lying viper Rita Skeeter has gone and offed herself." He lifted his mug of coffee in an air toast. "I must say, it's quite refreshing to read good news for a bloody change."

"Brilliant," Bellatrix breathed as Rodolphus reached for the paper.

How convenient! Skeeter's drowning was taken as a suicide! Bloody brilliant! Rod began to read the article and Bellatrix leaned to see it as well. As she read, she found herself laughing out loud because it was getting better! It seemed Dumbledore had already started the process of suing Skeeter for her book of slander about his life. Skeeter being found drowned in her bath, coupled with the note they'd made her write, led Aurors to the conclusion that she'd offed herself as a result of her lies coming home to roost.

The author speculated that Rita did not have enough money to pay Dumbledore off if he won his case against her. The author likewise speculated that others would follow Albus's example and sue if he won, because she'd lied about so many people so blatantly. She wouldn't have been the first to off themselves due to debt, a career crash, and discredit.

"It's like the gods were smiling on us," Bellatrix murmured, then chuckled in pure satisfaction.

"You're not the only ones who wanted her dead," Gorse said. "I'm sure many a witch, wizard, and goblin will be buying a pint tonight to celebrate."

Bellatrix nodded. Though she'd have loved to brag that they'd actually tortured and snuffed out the foul flame that was Rita Skeeter, she kept her silence. She didn't see the Curse-Breaker as the type to spill secrets, but handing another person something to hold over your head just for bragging rights was stupid. The Lestranges had their faults, but they weren't bloody stupid!

Due to Rodolphus being extra hungry and having three helpings of breakfast, Lyra and Gorse ended up departing for Malfoy Manor before Bellatrix, Rodolphus, and Rabastan left for Azkaban. Rod was just polishing off his final plate when Rhadamanthus cleared his throat. Waving a foreleg to get their attention he stepped away from the table.

"There is a voice calling out from...I think the library. It doesn't belong to Harold," the Acromantula rasped.

"Sounds like someone is calling from the fire," Bellatrix said. "Perhaps one of our parents. I'll just go check. Thank you, Rhadamanthus."

The spider was certainly a useful guard with most excellent hearing, she thought as she hurried out of the dining room.

Bellatrix entered the library just in time to hear Lyra's name being called. Turning toward the fire she saw a face ringed in the flames that she'd never seen before. The young man's head was framed in short brown curls and his eyes were blue and lively.

"Lyra isn't in," Bellatrix snapped. "Who the hell are you?"

The young man's eyes widened at the sight of her. "I know who you are! You're Bellatrix Bloody Lestrange! Why if we weren't talking through a fire, I'd ask for your bloody autograph!"