Malfoy sighed and shook his head.
"It is something we are still working on, but we are confident we have found the right man" he replied confidently. Dolohov simply nodded as he summoned a couple of glasses from a nearby cabinet and allowed Abraxus to pour them both a drink.
He waited for the other man to sip his first, just to be sure that it was not tinted in any way. Although they were friends, he would not put it past Malfoy to attempt something underhanded.
When he was content that the drink had not been tampered with, he drained his own glass and smacked his lips appreciatively.
He of course could afford such things himself, but could never understand why people would spend so much gold on a commodity such as alcohol, something he didn't often partake in personally.
The two spent a few hours drinking and conversing amiably enough as they worked their way through the bottle that the blonde had brought with him. Antonin was feeling rather inebriated as he finished his final glass of the liquor and was very much aware of how drunk he had become, yet Malfoy seemed just as sober as when he had entered. The man was evidently much more tolerant to the substance than the duelist.
Before he could ponder his observation any further, Dolohov caught sight of a flash of red light before he knew no more.
"Is he out?" Yaxley questioned worriedly as he removed the invisibility cloak that had been concealing himself and Randolph.
"Indeed" Malfoy drawled as he knocked back the last of his amber liquid before placing the tumbler on the glass with a louder clunk than necessary.
"Are you sure this will work?" Yaxley asked further.
"It will" Malfoy confirmed confidently. "I don't see why we didn't just use the Imperius curse" Randolph interjected confusedly.
Malfoy shook his head exasperatedly.
"Because Antonin is much more powerful than all of us and would have fought it off with ease" he explained for what seemed the hundredth time.
Lestrange just shrugged.
"We will stay here until we are ready to take him and give him the potions before Potter arrives" Abraxus informed them. "Keep him stunned and for Merlin sake, tie him up" he commanded. "I will send the letter to the boy and will be back within an hour".
The other two men nodded their understanding and again stunned Dolohov before conjuring ropes and binding the man.
The next day was spent ensuring the duelist remained subdued, though they were reluctant to keep stunning him, knowing that it would inhibit him considerably during the fight. They instead kept silencing charms on him and made sure that his ropes were secure at all times.
After the morning of the duel had dawned the three men apparated the still bound Dolohov to the abandoned Norfolk farm that Abraxus had chosen for the fight to take place.
Upon arriving, Malfoy removed five vials of various potions and began inspecting them, nodding his approval once he had done so.
"You still haven't explained the plan" Yaxley reminded him. "And when this is over, you know he will come for us" he added worriedly, pointing to a glaring Dolohov.
Malfoy shook his head and pointed his wand at the duelist.
"Obliviate" he muttered. Dolohov's expression cleared immediately and his gaze became vacant.
"Antonin will not remember a thing" the blonde stated simply. "He will wake up and assume that he had been drunk".
Yaxley shrugged.
"So what are those potions?" Lestrange questioned curiously.
"This" Malfoy began gesturing to a vial of blue liquid. "Is a Strengthening solution" he informed them. "We also have an Endurance Elixir, a Regeneration Potion and Vampire Essence" he finished, clearly happy with the fluids he had brought.
"And that?" Yaxley inquired, pointing to the final vial which seemed to contain a black smoke.
"Ahh, now this is very special" Malfoy drawled dramatically. "It is known as Death's Breath, a very powerful potion that will bend any man to the will of those that administer it to them" he explained. "It is extremely expensive and the ingredients are very rare indeed, aptly named for it's ability to turn a person in to a living inferi and allow them full use of their magical ability".
"I've never heard of it" Lestrange cut in.
"It is not a well known concoction" Malfoy replied gravely. "It is at great effort and many called in favours that I managed to acquire it, though I very much doubt I could do so again" he admitted with a frown.
"Then let's get them in him, it's almost time" Yaxley pointed out.
The three men forced the five potions into the other man and watched as his demeanour changed from completely calm to rather irritable as the blonde whispered instructions in to his ear. "I believe that will do it" he declared when he was finished. "Mercutio, are you going to collect him when he is done? I assure you the effects will take a couple of days to wear off" he added comfortingly.
Before the other man could reply their conversation was interrupted by a guttural roar emitting from Dolohov, who was clearly furious and attempting to fight against his binds.
Malfoy immediately noticed the reddening of his eyes and turned angrily towards Randolph.
"What did you do?" he demanded.
"Gave him some Draught of Rage" Randolph shrugged. "It's what I always take before a fight".
Malfoy placed his head in his hands and shook it exasperatedly. "You moron, Antonin is a bloody duelist, he does not fight angry and uncontrolled like you, he is deliberate and fluid" he shouted furiously.
Randolph just shrugged.
"You stupid bastard" Yaxley yelped, realising what had happened. "You've just turned him into the opposite of what he needs to be".
"Well I didn't know" Randolph returned heatedly.
"You've just fucked this up" Yaxley replied disbelievingly. "He would have been fine but now you've probably got him killed".
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