I do not own Harry Potter that's J.'s Job.

This is AU, I'll try to stick to the main parts of the story but there are no promises. I know some of this will be like she would never do that but that's why I choose he. She may be evil but she can't always have been.

Hogwarts is a very different place. Muggle Studies is compulsory and it's relevant. The wizards learn how to adapt to the Muggle world around them, they learn of their customs and cultures. The older years are encouraged to spend time in their world as often as possible. The History books have also been updated with an entire chapter devoted to those who lost their lives in both wars. The deaths of everyone are included in that list.

The fifth year Slytherin and Gryffindor history class where reading this particular chapter and discussing the lies and truths. This lesson was always taught with Slytherin and Gryffindor, the teachers found in they were in there together it would help them understand why some people where in there. Mostly the death eaters.

"Bellatrix Lestrange nee Black was one of the most powerful witches of her time. She was one of the last generation's of Black's. She was of great intelligence but with a fierce personality. Loyal to Voldermort's campaign she was sent to Azkaban for the mental torture of Aurora's Frank and Alice Longbottom. She was one of the escapee's in the breakout of 1996 with other prisoners. She was never caught but later killed in the battle to end the war by Molly Weasley on May 2nd 1998."

A Slytherin boy at the back of the room with dark hair, pale complexion and muddy eyes stopped throwing his gum at girls to listen to the description of Bellatrix Lestrange. Once it had been read he started laughing. When his classmates looked on with surprise, he choked out "That makes her sound nice instead of being a complete Psycho. She had no heart so she deserved to die." This one comment allowed the room to break in to utter chaos, shouting out what they knew of the woman.

A blonde round face girl squeaked "she played with her food before she ate it."

A stocky boy with glasses at the front bellowed "she was loyal to, to, to you know, him." He glanced around with eyes like a deer caught in the headlight.

Fifth year history was always taught by Professor Grazeville, he was also the Muggle Studies teacher. A few red sparks brought the attention back to him. "Mr. Johnson he was called Voldermort, if you cannot bare that name call him Tom Riddle." Bellatrix was not always evil as you put it, she did have a heart but extreme situations led her to that life. Just like the extreme situations what shaped Harry Potter's life. Many a student looked outraged at Bellatrix Lestrange being compared to the savior of the wizarding world. The only ones who nodded where those related or honoree members of the Potter-Weasley clan. "Bellatrix was particularly skilled at the crucio curse; she was very talented especially with non-verbal magic, even using a wand what was not in allegiance to herself. Yes she was loyal to Voldermort and many of us will never fully understand why, because we cannot ask her."

"This class is to make you realize we are all human. Our motives are not Black or White and, during that time we were loyal to our family. Her family for the most part loyal to Voldermort."

The bell rang, and the fifth years bustled out, rushing to lunch. Professor Grazeville loved teaching this class but it hurt too. All the memories of the war came rushing back and every year more would come with the new questions the children asked. As he watched the children leave he smiled to himself. Groups of both Slytherins and Gryffindors mingled together, there were still groups but those where based of different things. Evan at meals houses mingled together unless it was a big feast. The progress just in the last 20 years was amazing. A Gryffindor girl walked up to his desk, he noticed it was Riley, she was the quietest and most studious of her group and very popular, in her first week many thought of her as a baby or weakly because of her disposition but she was found to be talented and quietly confident. This girl had black hair and black eyes, he often heard boys talk of her as a goddess. She was so similar to Bella at that age.

"Sir, did you know her, I mean Bellatrix Black, when you where at school."

This one innocent question nearly stopped his heart, it was like another Bella, and she would ask that.

"You should get to lunch, you'll be hungry." His voice became robotic his brain still in shock.

"But sir…"

"Yes I was in school with her, now to lunch."

"Really what..."

He gave a loud sigh, this was not what he wanted to discuss, he was never ashamed but it lead to painful memories because the whole school would want to know. Looking at her he found it hard to say anything else, maybe this would help them understand the past better.

"I'll tell you next lesson, answer anything you want."

"Thanks sir." She skipped out of the room excited about learning something new.

This was going to be a long year.