Time doesn't heal all wounds

[Asparuh Zhefarovich III]

It had appeared that something had gone wrong in the Zhefarovich Manor. Another death had occurred and Asparuh could sense it. That shouldn’t have been an issue, but it for some reason got under Asparuh’s skin. His black eyes darted from each date on the tree, but he just couldn’t find which one had died. There had to be an easier solution to seeing if someone died than just having the death date fill out. Asparuh shrugged finally and turned around. With a snap, he summoned an elf, and said, “Get Kalif, Arnost, and Raisa in here immediately.” This would require others’ inputs.

Asparuh now had his back to the tree, and he went to the middle of the Patriarch’s Lair, and he stood, waiting for the people to arrive. He lifted the charms to allow those to floo in, just in case Kalif or Arnost would happen to use that form of arrival. He folded his arms against his chest, and he narrowed his eyes toward the entrance of the room. Soon, Raisa would be coming from that end, more than likely holding his son. As a Guardian, she had to devote time and such to the child himself. A few pops were heard, and Asparuh turned and faced those who had arrived.

Arnost and Kalif had arrived, but there was another unexpected one. Chavdar. The elf that had he had stared up at its master, then running. But it was obvious that the elf had not retrieved Chavdar, that he had come on his free will. Asparuh could care less, but this was a matter between only important members of the family. It wasn’t long before Raisa graced her presence, arms wrapped in a bundle of blankets the color of black, no doubt she was holding the Future Patriarch in her arms. Asparuh was about to address to them, but something else happened that shot his anger through the roof, but he said nothing, and did nothing to act upon it.

 

[Chavdar Zhefarovich]

Chavdar had just left the office, and he didn’t bother going home first. No, he had to inform the family of Jaken being in the Auror, and ensure that the Death Eaters of the family are well hidden and safe. Upon arriving, he was rather surprised to see such a big meeting in the room, and immediately knelt down in the presence of his father. Chavdar was not about to inform Asparuh though of the circumstance. He and Jaken never really saw each other. Instead, after rising, he put his hand on Kalif’s arm and turned his half-brother around. Chavdar held a finger up to Asparuh to tell him to hold off on the meeting.

Chavdar turned his gaze to Kalif and he murmured, “I just had a talk with Jaken. You might want to keep your Death Eater status…quiet. Everyone here needs to. Our little package of love who started a family way too early went out and became an Auror.” Chavdar rolled his eyes and wondered just how things will be handled. That means that everyone in this room would have to become quiet. Thankfully, none of which were unintelligent. Jaken was clueless on just how many Death Eaters were in his family. But that didn’t make him any less that was a threat. Chavdar’s eyes met with Arnost’s for a moment, debating on breaking the news to him that his love was dead.

 

[Professor Kalif Styx]

An elf had to come and fetch Kalif while he was tending to the twins. Getting Hades to watch the kids, he apparated to the Manor just to see what exactly was going on. He stared at his father for a moment before his eyes went over to Arnost, and finally to Raisa holding his new brother. Kalif didn’t find the situation at hand disturbing, nor did he approve of such matters. However, Kalif’s mood soured when someone forced him to turn around. Facing Chavdar with an irritated expression, but he listened closely to the words. His son. Went out. And became. An Auror. Kalif’s fists curled into fists, and his black eyes swirled with hatred. He needed to break someone’s neck, or Jaken’s, but he said through clenched teeth, “After Nicolette is taken care of, I’ll handle my son.” He then turned to face his family once more and muttered in Bulgarian, “Idiot.”

 

[Raisa Zhefarovich]

Raisa graced her family of men with her presence and she smiled openly toward them, which was also a dark smile that could be very well venomous. She held the bundle close to her breasts, and she smiled down at the future killer. “Oh, you will do the family just proud. You are already on my good side for killing Liyla.” Her onyx eyes glistened with evil and deviousness. But what she heard her nephew say was a little unnerving. Her smile faded, and she murmured, “They let that wuss into the Aurors? I thought they had higher expectations than that. Guess their standards have really lowered over the years. Pity. I would miss a good, decent duel.” Raisa turned to Asparuh, as she was holding the future Patriarch, she could not kneel. She wondered if he would understand this.

 

[Arnost Zhefarovich]

Arnost apparated into the Zhefarovich Manor, kneeling down in front of his brother and raising to bow to Kalif, before he said to his brother, “Pardon the urgency, but we do have someone arriving. I assume the floo travel to this Manor hasn’t been cut off. Something…arrived and it is urgent.” He had a bad feeling about this all. Something wasn’t right. Little did he know, and little did Asparuh know, that the one person that had died, was the one person Arnost loved the most. Thorine Dolohov. Emerald flames emerged from the fireplace, and Arnost, same with everyone else, turned to see who it was that had arrived.

 

[Goia]

He felt like crying, wanted to with every inch of his wizened little body but for the sake of the children in his care he would not. His mistress was no more and as if she had known something like this would happen, she had given himself and the squib Nastasia the task, the honor of taking care of her children. They were of course to first go and see if the children's fathers wanted the care for themselves and this was what they were about now. They had sent ahead an urgent letter to expect them and now stepping through the disgusting green floo powder with Vixen asleep in the crook of his arms Goia stepped out of the fireplace of the Zhefarovich manor.

Before him stood just about every single member of that household that Goia felt deserved as much honor as his mistress but only one would actually get it from him in spades. Spying Arnost he hobbled over and without saying a word held up the babe to him. His breathing was ragged in his chest and he hoped he would not choose now to break down the way he had wanted to since he had heard the news. The shuffling of feet behind him let him know the others had come through safely.

 

[Nastasia Caliburn]

Nassie was shaking as she stepped through the fireplace, through the green smoke and into the strange room. In her right arm cradled lovingly was the youngest Dolohov, Ivaylo fast asleep while holding her hand and insisting he could walk still and that he was not tired was Christian, the eldest of the Dolohov children. With pride and love she had allowed him to do so, he was as yet unaware of the news. Nastasia did not need any magical abilities to know that something awful was going to happen, when her cousin had sent her off with her beloved children and the house elf.

Strict orders to keep them save, to always tell them about her, that she would see them soon (though that one was said with haste as if she had not truly believed it herself) and to bring the children when they possibly could to their fathers. Nastasia hoped with all her heart that none of the fathers would want their children's care falling to them and that they would all stay together but she feared greatly that this hope was in vain. She had come to love the three as if they were her own and because of her, they had been given maternal love that they might not otherwise have received. Stepping through and looking about her, she saw a sea of extremely foreboding, tall and extremely handsome men. The one woman that stood with him and held a baby as well, was equally as beautiful. Tempted as her body was to faint at the sight of such menacing beauty she steeled herself to be brave for the children's sake and to see this through.

"I am Nastasia Caliburn" she swallowed hard, noticing then Goia with Vixen already held up to her father and the tears filled her eyes instantly "I am the carer for the Dolohov children. I am under orders to bring Vixen and Ivaylo here ..." her gaze went to Arnost but dropped to the ground, she could not bear to say this aloud but knew she had too.
"Thorine Dolohov has been killed".

 

[Raisa Zhefarovich]

Raisa glanced up at the two figures in the fireplace, stepping out. Immediately, her face twisted into disgust and she didn’t like the look of the house elf. Raisa knew Asparuh more than anyone, and she smirked. So, he too bore a child with this Dolohov. The very one that she had brought to Arnost and take him from the Zhefarovich Manor. She had acted so innocent at the time when Asparuh questioned, but other matters were more important at the time. Arnost was in the clear. Raisa’s face had fallen slightly when she heard the news. There weren’t that many honorable Death Eaters that were female left, and she had fallen? Raisa approached Kalif and handed him his older brother, and she approached the woman. “It is understandable that you are going through a hard time, and I am…” Raisa fell silent. No, she wasn’t sorry… But she changed the subject, “I handle the infants around here, and I would be honored to take Ivaylo to another room, if Asparuh wants him that is.” Her onyx eyes glanced over at Asparuh, and a cold smirk flooded her gorgeous face. Upon her arm, the mark was unhidden. Raisa gazed down at the oldest of the children, and from the features alone, she could tell that he was no Zhefarovich. Her own concern for him severely decreased, and she could careless if the boy had died right along with the mother.

 

[Chavdar Zhefarovich]

Chavdar’s gaze landed toward the fireplace, and he narrowed his eyes upon the woman and the house elf. He didn’t know either of them, and he wanted to simply walk away. However, the devastating news must be delivered to Arnost. However, the woman spoke, and said the key word ‘Dolohov’. So, he wouldn’t have to deliver the news after all. Sighing, he murmured, “I am unneeded here, and Arnost, I am terribly sorry that you lost your love…” Chavdar added, “Jaken told me just moments ago, and well…I am still incredibly sorry.” Turning, he disapparated from the Manor.

 

[Professor Kalif Styx]

Kalif rolled his eyes irritably when Raisa basically handed Asparuh IV to him without a warning. He sighed and he shifted his arms so the child was resting comfortably. Kalif’s black eyes went down and saw liquid silver of his little brother’s. Both equally as cold, and Kalif sighed and he glanced back at the company that had been brought in. Kalif was not much for elves of the sort, but he could careless. His black eyes landed on Christian, and he knew that immediately, that was Tristan’s. He recognized him from when he went to go meet Olivia. He was…related to Ivaylo and Vixen. Kalif muttered, “Can this day get any worse?” Kalif managed to shift his glare from the two strangers, and keep from insulting the stupid man.

 

[Arnost Zhefarovich]

Worried eyes narrowed upon Goia first, and the elf held Vixen up, in which Arnost took her into his arms. Holding his daughter who was just over a year old now, twenty months to be exact, Arnost turned his attention to Nastasia and Goia. What in the world was going on? Then, it was said, and Arnost had to stare at the woman just to see…it was true. His breath had caught in his throat. His love… Was dead. Did she know what was coming? Why didn’t she let him assist her? Someone has to be there to take care of Vixen and Ivaylo… a thought murmured in his head. Arnost was in shock. Why take someone so young…so beautiful? Who would do such a damned thing?

Instantly, Arnost had to sit down in his chair. If blackened eyes could return to silver, they would have now. He gazed down at his daughter, before he stared down. Cradling Vixen with one arm, his hand covered his head, shielding his eyes. Never had he felt so alone, and only a tiny thread was holding him to this world, holding him from going and attacking the ministry so foolishly was the little girl in his arm right now. “Who…who killed her?” Arnost’s voice was obviously cracked as a few mournful tears had escaped. Thorine would have wanted him to remain strong, but Arnost couldn’t. The only woman he truly loved was killed off like trash. This was not the way it was supposed to end.

 

[Asparuh Zhefarovich III]

Asparuh wanted to just use the Cruciatus Curse against his twin brother acting so foolishly. Asparuh wanted to flourish his wand and allow Arnost to return to his love that he so evidently wanted to be with forever. All it took was two little words… Wasting tears upon a dead woman who dared to drug his brother and spawn a child with said brother. Asparuh held his jaw tight, as looks to kill were upon Arnost. It was as if Asparuh had tear ducts or a soul to sympathize with. He couldn’t even care for his own brother, and that was saying a lot considering twins usually had a bond that no one could sever. Asparuh glanced down at Vixen and he thought, I assume she will grow up to be just like her damn mother. Perfect.

Dark, soulless eyes glared upon Nastasia, unknowing she was a squib, but he didn’t enjoy the aura radiating from her either. When Raisa had pointed out that she would take Ivaylo to his room, if Asparuh wanted him, he had to release all hatred he had against Thorine Dolohov. Thinking rationally, Asparuh stated formally, “It is in our laws to have the children with the Zhefarovich blood raised by a Zhefarovich lest they be killed. Ivaylo and Vixen will be raised accordingly to pure-blood laws and to honor both powerful families of which they had descended from.” Asparuh wanted still to just smack some sense into Arnost and tell him to grow up, but for now, it had remained inside.

Speaking like a true Patriarch, Asparuh turned to look at Kalif and saw his reaction to the setting. Even he was uncomfortable with someone crying over a dead woman. Asparuh muttered to Arnost, rather dark and in Bulgarian, “You are disgraceful. You were taught better than to share a single tear for someone, even a love. Pathetic and frail you had become, because you refused to listen to your older brother. To your superior.” Asparuh turned toward the elf and the woman once more. After the children were left, excluding Christian for he had no business here, Asparuh expected them to leave as soon as possible. Goia, Asparuh wouldn’t mind, but the woman was a complete stranger. Asparuh restricted his use of Legilimency upon her, and he waited without another word said.

 

[Nastasia Caliburn]

Nastasia heard the different voices about her and wished to heavens that she had not come here at all. If her cousin had not demanded this final favor from her, she would not have bothered but they were the fathers and they had the rights, she did not. Her charges would be taken from her and they would most likely never all see each other again. Nassie's heart felt like breaking but there was nothing she could do about this. Or was there?

From what she had heard from the portraits hanging in Carrow Hall gallery, Asparuh was the patriarch of the family and one to be feared greatly. He was Arnost's twin but other than an uncanny resemblance that had not fooled Goia for a moment but had startled her unconscionably, there was little else to distinguish them as twins, let alone brothers. With hesitancy she walked slowly to the woman before looking down at the baby in her arms. For a brief moment she released Christian's hand to stroke the head of Ivaylo.
"Essere coraggiosi mio figlio, ci rivedremo" she whispered to him kissing the top of his head before passing him gently to the woman.
"I am also his distant cousin, as I was Thorine's" her Italian accent was unmistakable, she wanted to say more. That she believed the children should not be seperated that they should grow up together, knowing all about one another but she could feel the dramatic change in the air. She glanced up at Asparuh as he spoke about Vixen and Ivaylo and she gasped. She could perhaps have bared to part with Ivaylo because he was still so young and new to her but Vixen was like her own daughter. When he turned to his brother, Asparuh's words though foreign to her, held an undeniable tone behind them that sent shivers through her. He was not someone she could beg, he would want his child reared here with his family but perhaps Arnost would see reason.

Grasping Christian's hand again she willed Goia to look at her. They could not leave both children here, they could not surely be expected to forsake them both to this family. Pureblood laws, lest they be killed?! The words made her quake. Perhaps Arnost would not wish to have Vixen around, perhaps she would remind him too much of the mother. Nastasia stood silently waiting for the final outcome.

[translation: be brave my child, we shall meet again]

 

[Goia]

Goia held the baby girl for her father to look at and stood in awe of him that he was strong enough to cry in front of the other Zhefarovich family members. Perhaps many saw the tears as a weakness but if these were not shed now then it would be worse later. It was best to grief for his beloved now while he could, the child would need him though Goia had not really expected either father to claim their children. He had expected them to send them on their way with good riddance but not this. How could Goia be expected to leave all three children? They were his, well not technically but they were Dolohov's through and through.

When Nastasia did not answer the question posed by Arnost, Goia looked at her. She was as gutted as she by Asparuh's words. This was not how they had foreseen things at all.
"We do not know master" he told Arnost wishing he could withdraw Vixen from her father's arms but did not dare though his wizened arms ached now to have the little girl back again, "she left two days ago with direct orders to bring the children to their fathers if anything happened to her. She knew the ministry were drawing close to her, suspected her and felt it best for her children to get somewhere safe. My mistress wears a locket with a picture of her grandfather. When we heard nothing, he went to check and that was when he discovered she was dead. No other facts have been made known to us as of yet."

He bowed as he spoke, showing the respect he had always given to Arnost Zhefarovich the great and only love of his mistresses life yet not once did his eyes move from Vixen.

 

[Vixen Zhefarovich-Dolohov]

She whimpered at first being passed from the little green person she knew as Goia to someone else but as she turned her beautiful face, the face of an angel, with blonde hair and silver eyes she smiled. It was her father.
"Da ... da" she reached out a tiny hand and touched his face that seemed to be getting wet. Vixen had never seen him cry before, she had seen Goia and Nassie cry alot in the past few hours but never once had she seen her father or her mother. Her pudgy little hand wiped at his cheek and she shook her head furiously. She loved saying 'yes' and 'no' above all other words she knew and now as she wiped his cheek clean of the tears she said very flatly.
"No, no da da" another voice spoke to her father and she scowled up at the man until she saw that it was also her father. It was as if a mirror of her father stood there glowering at himself. Vixen giggled then and reached a hand out for him instead but as he spoke harshly to her father she glowered at him.
"No, bold" her tiny arms hugged her father then, as her silver orbs flashed warning signals at anyone who attempted to use another harsh tone to her father. Vixen was famous in the Dolohov house hold for her temper and her extremely short fuse.

 

[Professor Kalif Styx]

Though Kalif knew that the Patriarch was indeed correct, there was also no doubt that Raisa would be at her edge if she were to watch over three infants, including the other young ones. Arnost was in no shape to raise his daughter, not until he grieved, and was done with it. Watching Raisa back away with Ivaylo in her arms, Kalif stepped forward, his voice cutting through the air but almost softer, if able, "If I may so bold to intercede. Arnost is in no shape to raise Vixen." Kalif received a look from his father, which was countered with his own. "The laws are clear, no doubt. But there are exceptions, especially because we all have our hands full here."

Not even he was able to look out after Vixen. Kalif stepped in and looked at the woman dead in the eyes, "Take the girl. Allow some time to pass and let Arnost get over this unfortunate event, and she can be raised by her father. Just," Kalif paused, looking over at Asparuh, "not here. There is no law that states that they have to be raised in this Manor, from birth to adulthood." Kalif glanced down at Arnost, and felt no pity for him. Kalif had seen enough drama in his lifetime, and he didn't need anymore. The little terror in Kalif's arm stirred and glared at the woman. Kalif's eyes gazed down on the eldest of children in the room, before his gaze locked on Nastasia. "Unfortunate it is that children would have to be separated, but know this, our family is connected to the Drage's. There would be no doubt in mind that the children would grow up without knowing each of their siblings."

"Arnost, give him Vixen. Even you know you can't give your daughter the attention and caring she deserves." Kalif knew that Arnost would have no other choice but to obey. Another law stated that he would have to listen to Kalif. Kalif failed to show any emotion, at all, during his speech, even if Asparuh did seem to disagree. However, nothing was said, and it was to be. "At least your daughter will be cared for by a woman and...servant that she trusted so obviously with her children. For the time being." Kalif just hoped that Vixen won't be cared for by Tristan. Knowing the man, Kalif assumed that he had about ten other children at his home. That was no place for Vixen Zhefarovich-Dolohov.

Lovely Kalif has the most rational of minds. Go on ahead, the others have nothing so say

 

[Nastasia Caliburn]

If she were foolish she would have flung her arms around the other man and hugged him dearly for letting them leave again with Vixen but she was not, and the past few years living with her cousin had tempered her cautious nature greatly. She instead inflicted a bow of her head in his direction before walking to Goia and Arnost, she passed Christian's hand to Goia who took it gladly while she most carefully prized the toddler from her fathers arms. Vixen fought each step of the way, she adored her father and mother though neither parent had given much to her in the way of parental devotion. Yet as far as either of them could she knew as sure as she was their daughter, she knew that they loved her. She trusted them completely, eventually Vixen released her grip and huddled against Nassie with a petulant expression. There was no way she would cry a single tear drop, especially after telling her daddy not to cry.

"We are bringing Christian to the Drage household as well but we hope that he will be allowed to stay with us. We will be returning in a few months to Carrow Hall when everything here in New Zealand has died down. There will be no enchantments on the house or land against any one of you. So you may enter to see Vixen when you choose. Will it be possible from time to time to see Ivaylo?" she looked directly at the man who had spoken to her hoping that he would agree to this. Glancing at Goia she smiled as he beamed now from ear to ear, he was much too close to the children of course but he was determined that they would be taught everything that his mistress had and she could not do any thing of the sort. It still bothered her greatly that she had only discovered a few days before that her cousin was a death eater, she had seen the mark on the woman Raisa's arm as well and now knew her to be one. Wishing she had not had to see that she sighed looking back at the man once more. Her own family had a few death eaters in their closet and it was not something she was proud of at all but the less said on any of that the better.

 

[Professor Kalif Styx]

“A few months will be all the time Arnost needs to get over Thorine’s death, to put it bluntly. I assume only Arnost and his…other two daughters would be the only ones to see her, unless the others see fit.” Kalif wasn’t at all keen on seeing a child, not even he had his own to take care of. Asparuh was much too busy to see a niece, so he wouldn’t. It would probably only be Arnost and his own family. Kalif glanced over at the Patriarch before he answered the woman, “This Manor can only be accessed if you are a descendant of the family and can apparate well. Otherwise, you will have to floo in when the charms are lifted. You will have to schedule a date with either myself or him,” with a hand motion to Asparuh, “for you to see Ivaylo. Permission should be granted.” He had ignored the whole ‘going to the Drage household’ on purpose. It was a known fact around here why Kalif had to change his name, lose such a good reputation, and go into hiding. All because of Tristan Drage.

 

[Goia]

Goia had not told the entire truth of course, he had wanted to speak with the man he considered part of the Dolohov home now and a master. The others though he respected them as the purebloods they were, did not need to know how his mistress was found face down in the dirt. He did not even want to tell Arnost this in case it enraged him but perhaps that was what the man needed. They were given permission to see Ivaylo once they wrote ahead first, Goia took it for granted that he was allowed to visit as well. The children were too important to him to think any different.

Taking one of the wands he had retrieved from her body, Scott Anderson's wand to be exact he placed it on Arnost's lap.
"I think they avenged him" was all he said as he moved back to where Nastasia stood. The house elf, woman and two children looked on sadly wishing they could have said a proper farewell to the youngest but it was not meant to be. Goia shuffled around in his pouch and handed some floo powder to Nassie not having to remind her this time what it was she was supposed to do.