Somehow, the next three days managed to pass uneventfully. Bellatrix, Rodolphus, and Rabastan spent their days keeping all the criminals but themselves safely locked away and properly terrorized in Azkaban. Lyra and Cassius busied themselves with Grindelwald and the Aurors, honing their particular talents to work against Delphini. At least they were safe while at the Ministry, so Bellatrix was satisfied.
Lyra was out late each night, but she was always with her new little group that consisted of Winterhaven, young Dumbledore, and the goblin girl. At least with all four of them having powerful magic as well as particular specialties, they should be relatively safe, or at least able to get away from danger quickly. Bella and Rod would, of course, prefer that Lyra just stay home, but they couldn't keep her home if she was intent on going out.
When Wednesday evening rolled around, Bellatrix, Rodolphus, and Rabastan were at 12 Grimmauld Place for their shrink session with Mag. Right away, Bellatrix remembered to ask her if Cassius could buy a wand.
"Your wands are amazing as you know, as is his lock, unlock ability so with the two combined, we're hoping it can lay a hurting on Delphini. " She forced a slight smile for Mag, though the idea of Lyra's man having more power wasn't entirely a thrilling idea.
Mag nodded. "Yes, Gellert mentioned it to me already and I'm planning a labradorite, hematite, and quartz wand for him. The labradorite works with the psychic. Hematite, though usually healing, grounding, and protective, also assists with persuasion. Though these aren't his specific abilities precisely, I feel the combination with the amplifying crystal quartz will serve him well. I have the hematite and quartz pieces, but I had to order the labradorite. It should be here tomorrow, so with any luck, I'll be done with the wand by this weekend. If so, I'll send it to Enchanted Odds again."
Bellatrix thanked her and everyone settled around the table again for their group session. Just as there had been last time, there were snacks and wine.
"Did anything happen this week that anyone would like to talk about first," Mag asked. She sat at the head of the table, slender hands folded on the polished wood in front of her.
When no one spoke up she shot Bellatrix a happy smile which gave her face a nearly girlish cast. "In that case, I'd like to begin with you, Bellatrix!"
Bellatrix reached for the glass of wine sitting on the table in front of her and took a fortifying sip. "Yea," she said drily and Mag chuckled.
"It isn't a bad thing," she assured. "It's intended to be helpful, and it shall be if you allow it."
When Bellatrix didn't respond, the redhead continued.
"I wonder if you dislike Mr. Winterhaven as a person. If he wasn't dating Lyra, in other words, would you like him far more?"
Bellatrix nodded. "Sure. He treats us like rock stars! Who doesn't like being appreciated? Especially when you're feared by most people, perhaps rightfully so."
"But it takes a special person to see you as a rock star instead," Mag said and Bellatrix nodded.
"Exactly."
"Perhaps someone like Mr. Winterhaven is even worthy of your respect, considering he values you as much as he does."
"Sure, if he wasn't trying to take my baby away, he'd be great," Bellatrix said. "He could be our little monster in training."
Rod grinned and nodded in agreement.
"Sure," Rabastan agreed. "We could do that."
"Another question, then," Mag said. "How would you feel if your parents had been hard on Rodolphus because you wanted to date him?"
"Obviously there would have been a problem," Bellatrix said.
Mag nodded. "How about you, Rodolphus? What if Bella's parents had refused to allow you to be together?"
Rodolphus frowned. "I hardly see why they should. I'm perfect for her. I love and respect her. I would do anything to keep her safe. We're best friends, and we're obviously quite compatible. Same values, same hobbies, and we enjoy one another's company."
Mag nodded. "Yes, but if they had objected, perhaps because they didn't want their daughter growing up so fast?"
Rodolphus shrugged. "Well in that case, they'd need to adjust to reality. People grow up. They have needs, and they should be grateful that Bellatrix found the right person to meet hers. That really cares for her and treats her properly."
Mag nodded. "And if the parents hadn't gotten on board, do you feel your relationship with them would suffer? Or would you have just complied with their wishes and broken up, or perhaps simply held hands forever, remaining innocent?"
"Obviously, we'd stay together and do as we please," Bellatrix said impatiently. "Roddy and I were always a perfect match, and they should know that and stay out of our business."
Mag nodded. "I understand that. My parents were only a little difficult about me and Severus, but it stressed me out a lot. I probably wouldn't say this to my parents, but I felt their reaction was very inconsiderate. They made their views known once, but then they kept at it and Severus would react, so things weren't peaceful, which I hated. My point is, I understand where you're coming from, but you aren't the only ones in this situation. Lyra and Cassius are in it as well, and, inconvenient as it may be, they also have feelings."
Bellatrix was thinking that she probably would be on Mag's parents side, because Severus, but decided for once, to keep her thoughts to herself because Mag was alright in spite of her foul taste in men.
"Yeah, but Lyra and Cassius's feelings don't matter because those feelings aren't ours," Rodolphus explained patiently.
"Good luck trying to adapt in a world where your feelings are the only ones that count," Mag said gently. "That world simply doesn't exist."
Gravely she regarded Rodolphus and Bellatrix's matching scowls of defiance. "Yes, I understand that you were able to make the world adapt to you when you were followers of Voldemort, freely terrorizing and torturing anyone you chose or perhaps just who annoyed you. That worked out well, and I am sure you enjoyed it. It worked for you...until that is, it didn't. Because Azkaban."
From her tone, it was clear that she was obviously striving for tact. "But then you were released thanks to Regulus's vampiric machinations, and allowed to work for Shadow Ops, where, in many cases, things probably went by your rules as well. But now that you are in more complex situations of family life and even government, you are going to have to learn that this isn't always, or even frequently, practical," she concluded.
Bellatrix opened her mouth to say that things were usually fine at work, then closed it again as she remembered the trip with the Bulstrrodes in that dreadful Muggle car. And the Muggle food was something she'd never forget even if she'd only had to smell it.
Mag's seemingly honest sympathy was what kept Bellatrix's temper in check.
"You didn't really get the chance to properly grow up in all areas due to the lifestyle you had as Death Eaters. Then that was compounded in its way by Azkaban," Mag pointed out. "Even later with Shadow Ops, you worked a lot and your social interactions were short and simple with family mostly, is that right?"
They both nodded.
"You simply need to learn skills for emotionally and socially adapting to your interactions with others. This is because the three of you are your own private little network. When it comes to dealing with others long term, especially in adverse or challenging situations in which you are not entirely in charge, you are placed into territory to which you are unaccustomed. Unfortunately, this puts you at a disadvantage."
"And you can teach us these skills," Rabastan spoke up.
"Most definitely," Mag said, smiling warmly. "That's what I'm here for."
"In my own experience, I can say that the fact my parents fully accepted Gell meant a lot," Blaise spoke up. "While they were surprised I ended up with a bloke, and in a nearly overnight serious relationship, they were supportive nonetheless. They could see how much Gell and I had in common, and how quickly we connected. They know that I don't connect to people easily, and they correctly guessed that such was the same for Gell.
"They like him and, in the end, were just grateful I'd ended up with someone they liked and could consider part of the family. Most anyone else would've felt like an intruder. It's just how our family is. Granted, I doubt I'd have ended up with anyone at all had I not met him, but my point is if Winterhaven appreciates you lot and can feel like family, be grateful that Lyra isn't with someone that truly doesn't fit your mold."
"Thank you for sharing, Blaise," Mag said, giving Zabini an appreciative smile before turning her green gaze to Grindelwald. "And had his parents not accepted you as one of them, do you feel things would be more strained and less harmonious all around?"
Gellert nodded. "Unfortunately so. I would never want to come between Blaise and his family, but I am sure they would still have a relationship."
Mag nodded. "But not as close as it is now?"
Gellert shrugged uncomfortably. "I suppose it couldn't be if they were at odds with us, as we are such a large part of one another's lives."
Bellatrix scowled, bristling. "But Zabini's parents didn't have to lose him when he was two! We want our time with Lyra."
Mag nodded. "Talk to Winterhaven. Tell him that you'll need alone time with her and the two or three of you, at least once a week. I bet he'll understand, especially as he thinks so highly of you all."
"What about the social and emotional adapting stuff," Rabastan asked.
"I'll find a nice short article or two and have it for you next week, plus we can go over some things together after you've read over the materials," Mag said.
Bellatrix was still unhappy, but she nodded wordlessly because she had no defined objection. For his part, Rodolphus did not nod, but he remained silent, not directly objecting either. His expression was stony, and his gaze belligerent, but that was normal.
Mag glanced around the table. "Does anyone else have anything they'd like to bring up," she asked.
Regulus grinned at Kreacher. "I think we're good. After hearing all that, we're feeling quite balanced and stable, aren't we Kreacher?"
The elf nodded. "Kreacher is balanced and stable."
Bellatrix shot them a glare that neither was wise enough to fear.