Roger Bulstrode led the way down a short hallway to the Minister's office. The room was small and plain. The French Minister rather matched the room, or at least his mouth did, for it was small and pinched. The rest of him was larger, his build being stocky bordering on fat. His short, yet bushy, iron gray hair was combed back from a wide forehead. His eyes were beady, and Bellatrix couldn't decide if she found them to be stupid or mean.
He waved at the only two chairs in the room, other than his own, as he wished them a good morning in heavily accented English.
The Bulstrodes took the chairs. Bellatrix closed the door, then she and Rodolphus flanked them, slipping smoothly into bodyguard mode.
"We are here on a matter of international concern," Roger Bulstrode began.
"Aren't you always?" the Minister drawled, and Roger gave a humorless chuckle.
"This matter is even more pressing than usual, I am afraid. You are aware of Delphini and the threat she poses to the wizarding world, I presume?" The pained expression on Bulstrode's face clearly stated that he bloody well hoped the French Minister was aware, because he certainly wasn't in the mood to make him aware if he was not. Bellatrix got the reasoning behind that, because it was quite a lot of mind bending information to make someone fully aware of Delphini.
The Minister frowned, nodding. "Yes. Miss Delphini Dolohov, or is it Riddle?"
Roger smirked. "Precisely. And it has come to our attention that she has an excessively strong interest in the acquisition of Murtlaps and Fire Crabs."
After a slight pause, the Minister spoke. "I am listening."
"Our Head of Defense believes that she will use the magical properties of both of these creatures to make herself and her followers immune to magic," Bulstrode said bluntly. "If she does, she can obviously use magic on us and we will be hard pressed to retaliate in time to do much good. Our Minister is requesting that you put a ban on the sale of either of these creatures and collect any in your country by magical decree, housing them somewhere protected."
For several seconds, the French Minister stared blankly. "Have you any idea just how costly such an effort will be?" he demanded coldly, giving Bulstrode an expression that clearly said he wondered if the other man had lost his mind to bring him such a request.
"It shall cost even more if Delphini manages to use the beasts against your country," Bulstrode shot back, bristling.
"Is Mr. Grindelwald even certain that she can block magic with the use of these creatures?" the Minister pressed. "You said that he BELIEVED she would do so, not that he KNEW it. Consider this. What if we invest all the money and effort your Minister requests, and Mr. Grindelwald is mistaken, and Delphini does something else that we no longer have the finances to prevent?"
Bulstrode looked as if he may strangle on his own rage, or perhaps it was his tongue. Bellatrix wasn't sure.
"You're exactly right," she told the Minister, giving him a warm smile. "The bitch could bankrupt us all trying to protect against her if we aren't careful."
The Minister nodded, expression tentatively appreciative.
Smelling blood, Bellatrix smoothly went in for the kill. "Mr. Grindelwald is a seer, though, so his hunches are more valuable than most." Of course, Grindelwald had not indicated that he'd had a vision about this situation. and Bellatrix did not believe he had. She had not said he had, though, simply allowing the French Minister to read into it what he would.
"To win this war, we must all work together. If he sees something that you can use, he will make certain that you are aware. As for this situation, though, what if we sent some of our Aurors to help? We could also house the creatures as long as you return the favor of general assistance whenever you are able, if our Ministry requires it."
To Bella's immense satisfaction, the Minister's look of appreciation deepened, even blooming into a smile of relief. "You can do this," he asked, gaze moving from Bella to Bulstrode.
Bellatrix replied hastily, just in case Bulstrode was tempted to open his mouth and ruin her beautiful act of political perfection. "Indeed."
Rodolphus smiled then, addressing the Minister in French. The only two words Bellatrix understood were Lestrange and good. Being brilliant at putting two and two together, she gathered that her husband had said something about the word of a Lestrange always being good.
The Minister seemed pleased, giving a congenial smile as he replied to Rod in French. "We'll send someone around to finalize arrangements by late afternoon." Rodolphus concluded in English.
The Bulstrodes rose and thanked the Minister for his time. Bellatrix remained calm as the four of them walked out of the Ministry together. Her spirits were so high that walking around the back of the building and entering the Muggle car didn't dampen them much.
Though the partition was still up between them and the driver, Roger drew his wand and cast an anti-eavesdropping charm before speaking. "Nice work, Mrs. Lestrange," he said, face breaking into a grateful smile.
Bellatrix gave a pleased nod, though in truth she was a little surprised that the man took it so graciously. She'd basically stepped in without being asked and saved his ass.
"Do you get the truly brilliant bit," she asked, allowing her excitement to show as she looked from Bulstrode to Rod.
"I think so," Bulstrode said. "You just got us all the Murtlaps and Fire Crabs in France in case Grindelwald decides to use them to prevent Delphini from using magic on us instead!"
"Exactly right!" Bellatrix crowed. "Aren't I bloody brilliant?" Rod gave her a proud grin, clapping her on the shoulder.
Bulstrode laughed. "Indeed you are, Mrs. Lestrange. Indeed you are."
The car returned them to the magic printing shop where they used the Floo again, this time going to a wizarding bar in America called Merlin's Cap, where Roger insisted they have lunch even though by the look of the night sky, everyone else was having dinner. At least they weren't eating Muggle food, Bellatrix told herself in an attempt to self soothe. The United States was so uncivilized, but they did need food to keep up their strength.
The bar was pleasant enough, if casual. The tables were covered in blue cloths sprinkled in silver moons and stars. The salt and pepper shakers were shaped like Merlin and Nimue which was a little ridiculous, but she gave them half a point for trying. The actual bar itself, in the back of the room, was far more impressive. It was carved of redwood and took up the entire back wall. It was a three dimensional rendering of Merlin's red dragon. The barstools looked like piles of treasure, the gold velvet cushions even ringed in sparkling rubies and emeralds.
"The bar is the best, but trying to keep your plate of food from sliding off the dragon's back while eating is especially annoying," Ali Bulstrode said when she noticed Bellatrix staring at it. "Sticking charms work on the plate itself, but then the food slides around." She made a face. "If you're just having drinks it's fun, but otherwise a table is the way to go."
Rodolphus and Bellatrix nodded together in understanding. "So what's good to eat," Rodolphus asked hungrily.
"Their fish sandwiches are huge and really amazing," Ali said. "Fresh tuna piled with loads of vegetables. The deer stew is good as well, and the apple pie is literally swimming in cinnamon and the best thing ever, you simply must try it for dessert!"
"The fried chicken and fried potatoes are heaven," Roger chimed in.
Rod grinned. "Good. I'll have it all."
Roger chuckled. "Why not, it's on the Ministry's tab!"
They seated themselves at an empty table in a corner and before long a small blonde waitress hurried over. She wore druid robes to match the vibe of the place and a huge crystal quartz on a chain about her neck. Bellatrix was relieved that she did not seem to recognize her or Rodolphus when she took their orders.
As he'd promised, Rodolphus ordered everything the Bulstrodes recommended. Bellatrix chose the deer stew and apple pie as did Ali. Roger got the fried chicken and potatoes. The Bulstrodes ordered sweetened and iced tea to drink, so the Lestranges followed suit out of curiosity as the concept sounded so odd.
As the waitress hurried away, Ali complained to her husband about his unhealthy food choices.
"Aren't you glad I'm not a nag?" Bellatrix whispered into Rodolphus's ear, biting down on his earlobe. Rodolphus leaned closer with a low growl of desire, one hand dropping to squeeze Bella's thigh under the table.
Thankfully, the Bulstrodes were so busy bickering about who was in better health that they didn't notice. The food arrived within minutes, and Bellatrix felt her eyes widening at how huge the plates were and how much food was on them! It was all very good, though.
"It's no wonder most Americans are fat," Rodolphus said with a contented sigh as he polished off his last bite of cinnamon apple pie. "Oh, sorry," he added, shooting an apologetic look to a very fat wizard at the next table over who gave him an affronted glare.
Bellatrix chuckled happily, thinking that if the man knew who they were, he wouldn't dare to glare like that. Instead. he'd be soiling himself and pleading with them not to hurt him.