If there was such a thing as the universe, Rodolphus was now convinced that it hated him at the moment. What had gotten into the Dark Lord to demand such a specific task of all at them at the day before Midsummer was also a very good question to be asked. And then there was the inconvenience, because Rodolphus wasn’t going to let it become more than that, of being paired off with the Lestrange’s disappointment of the family to fulfil said task while Bella was off murdering people with her high school sweetheart.
Rabastan and him agreed to meet at the Crouch Estate during the Midsummer Eve Fire Ritual. It was crowded and just about everyone existing in the wizarding world was going to be there, so numerous people could comment on having seen the two of them there. It was the smart thing to do. Pairing him off with Rabastan wasn’t and something had to be smart about it. It was with a glass of Firewhiskey in hand that Rodolphus approached his brother as soon as he spotted him. “Brother,” he greeted the other with a smile. “Long time no see. Rumour has it I punched you in the face, did you hear? The Daily Prophet really comes up with strange things these days.” He shook his head a little as though in disbelief, having made sure that people in the surrounding idea heard him.
The next words he spoke were much softer and only for Rabastan to hear. “I have a suggestion for you. Why don’t you let me do the task on my own? You can go off and just do whatever,” or whoever, “you want.” He knew already that Rabastan wasn’t going to agree with it. Maybe it was a matter of pride. Maybe Rabastan wanted to be useful (not to Rodolphus, of course; he had learned not to expect anything), he didn’t know.