Chapter 2 – The Aftermath

As Bellatrix awoke the next morning she saw the back of a black haired teenager in blue over-large jeans and an over-large T-Shirt in front of the bed working at a small desk and cooking up something. It smelled foul to the black haired woman.

He must have heard her stirring because without turning around he said quietly, "Wait for another minute, please!"

After some time he turned around with a steaming cup in his and. He cast a cooling charm on it and handed it to her.

She looked warily at the red liquid and sniffed at it.

She scrunched her nose at the horrible smell.

"Blood replenishing potion. You need it." He stated as a matter of fact.

She gulped it down and shuddered.

"Sorry about the taste, it is one of Snape's receipts." The teenager in front of her stated. Her eyes widened in recognition as she saw the black haired and green eyed teen, "Potter!"

"Yeah. You called me that yesterday too. My name is Harry." He took the cup back and placed it back on the desk. Then he sat down beside her, felt her head and looked intensely into her pupils.

"I think the blood loss was all you got." He stated after that and smiled.

"What am I doing here?" she asked confused. She saw flashes of images of the night before in her mind but wasn't sure what happened.

"You are lying in my bed of course." he said, but then grinned, "I am hurt that you don't remember our first night together, sweetheart." He pouted, "Even if we had such a hot night together."

She blanched and looked beneath the bed sheet.

Bellatrix gulped and her eyes became wide as saucers as she saw, that she was indeed in her underwear.

"What... what did we do?" she stammered, „Did… did we actually…?"

Harry scrutinized her, "Would it be a problem, if we did? … Anyway, we had some fun but not of this kind. I stumbled over you and your black robed friends in the park. You were protecting a little girl, but I don't know why. I killed most of the bunch, you killed two and after a short explanation I killed your husband. After that you swore a witch oath and after you cleaned the area of our signature, you passed out from the blood loss. I carried you here and evaded my guard. I treated your wound, placed you in my bed and let you sleep. Alas, I had to remove your bloody robe. I didn't touch you or anything. I wouldn't do such a thing."

He blushed as he said that and added quietly, "But you do have a hot body."

She caught it nonetheless and teased him, "So you liked what you saw? What a naughty boy you are Mr. Potter."

"I told you already to call me Harry. Hey, how old are you? You look fairly young."

She looked down on the sheet and said in a quiet shaken voice, "I was fifteen as I was married off to Rudolphus. I hated him!" she spat, "For a year I learned all I could of dark magic under the tutelage of the dark lord himself intended to pay him back. I had already learned much before of that, courtesy of my aunt. I was seventeen, as Rudolphus tortured the Longbottoms. As I could not disobey him, I could not help them. I was caught with him and shipped off to Azkaban. Now I am twenty-nine."

"You are in good shape, Bellatrix. I bet you could give most of the teenagers a run for their money, at least, if we take care of your paleness and put back some flesh on your bones. Azkaban isn't a nice place for vacation I think." He added with a voice of determination.

She smiled a little bit at this, "Same for you, Po… Harry."

"Well, it is good then, that I got rid of my lovely relatives for some time. We only need some money."

"As if you would have a problem with that. From what I know of Sirius, you are his heir." the woman snorted.

"I don't know about that."

"Not? You should hurry then! If you don't claim your heritage within a month, it goes to the next mentioned people, probably Dumbledore."

"Well, that would be a reason for him to keep that bit of information from me." Harry spat.

"For sure. Are you going?"

"What would I have to do?"

"Get a goblin and tell him you are there to claim your heritage. You don't know much about the wizarding world?"

"Nearly nothing."

"Ignorant fool!" she spat, "Well, as the last heir to Potter and now Black you can become head of both families with sixteen. Then you are legally an adult by wizarding right." she explained with an evil grin.

"Nice to know, that is not even two weeks away. Something I have to do for that?"
"Not much, tell the goblin you want it that way, give him ten Galleons and it will be done. They are a greedy folk and do nearly anything for money, at least if it isn't against the law."

"Thank you, Bella."

She stiffened, "Sirius used to call me that." But then she smiled, "I liked it as we were younger."

"Well, you are young at least for a witch. Could you take the tracking charm from me and put it on a chair or something? So dear old Dumbledore will believe that I am still here."

She grinned wickedly, "I like your way of thinking."

"Thank you."

She did as asked and firstly he glowed and after that his desk.

"Thanks again. Now, you will be a nice witch and sleep! There is food below the bed under a loose board. When I am back, I will cook something for us. It may take a while. If I am out of the house for once, I have to get some things done."

"You want to leave me here alone?" she asked slightly concerned.

"Nobody will come, Bella." He assured her, "There wasn't anyone here in the last weeks and there won't be today. If there is, stun him or disapparate!"

She nodded uncertainly as he gave her the wand back.

With that he took his cloak and run out of the backyard of the house.

He quickly covered nearly a mile before he took the cloak of and got into a bus to London. There he used the subways until he got to the Leaky Cauldron. In there he ducked into a shadowy corner and put on his school robe.

He tapped his head and muttered a small charm which turned his hair a hazel brown. He took also off his glasses and put them in his pocket. His vision blurred and he cursed silently under his breath but it would have to be enough to get to Gringotts.

He merely guessed his way through Diagon alley and had more than once a nearly crash with another wizard or witch.

But he reached the white building unrecognised and unharmed.

In there he had enough and used his glasses again.

He walked up straightly to the next goblin and asked in a demanding voice: "I am here to claim my inheritance!"

"And who are you?" the goblin snarled.

Harry gave him his key and showed his scar, "I see. Sadly to say you are still in time. Follow me!"

He was led into a small office with an old looking goblin.

"Mr. Potter. Sit down! Here is the will of Mr. Black. He decided that his house is going to Mr. Lupin plus 10.000 Galleons. He received this already. Ms. Tonks received her 10.000 Galleons as well. The rest in the vault belongs now to you."

"How much?"

"Around a half million."

"What about my inheritance of my parents? The trust fond isn't all I own is it?"

"Surely not! Aren't you informed about your family vault?"

"No."

"Well, there is one full of money and some books, I believe. As stated per the will of your parents, you aren't allowed to take any money out of it until you are an adult."

"Well I don't need to. I have Sirius vault now. I have three wishes. I want to take over on the thirty first as head of Potter and Black."

"Well, we could do that…"

"Second, I want, that no one will be informed of anything that is concerning my property!" he stated coolly.
"But Dumbledore…"

"Especially Dumbledore!" Harry interrupted him with an icy voice.

"Third, I want a possibility to get money in Galleons and Muggle Money out of Sirius vault and later my other vaults. And then you will get your fee for arranging my takeover as head."

"Ah, now we speak the same language. You will get a purse and a bag. From the bag you can get up to thousand Galleons at once, you have only to think about the value. Same with the purse. Think about the currency and amount! That both will cost…"

"Nothing because for that I will maybe forget your indiscretion …"

The goblin nodded, "I see. Well, we have a deal then. You will get access to all your money with July 31th. But your properties will take some days longer. We could send you the deeds per security eagle."
"I would appreciate that."

The goblin took a key out of one of the drawers and pressed it against a black bag and a black purse. Both had an imprinted Gringotts-Seal. After that he handed the key to Harry, "The key of Mr. Black."

"Thanks. I have another question, two to be precise. I need a competent and independent attorney and I would like to know if there is any possibility to get my eyes corrected."

The goblin rolled with his eyes, "Bloody wizards!" then he fixed Harry with his eyes and said, "I could do it… every Goblin could. Wizards think, they are so much better…"

"I know, but I do not. I have a friend who is a house elf, one half giant and I know a centaur."

"We know, Mr. Potter. If you allow it, I will do it for you. It takes only a minute. But you have to allow it because we are restrained from doing magic on wizards after the last rebellion."
"Bastards!" Harry muttered, "I allow you to correct my eyes with your magic!"

The goblin snapped his fingers and his glasses landed neatly on the desk. He snapped his fingers twice more and Harry felt a stinging sensation in both eyes. He blinked rapidly for some seconds and then gasped. He could see more clearly than with his glasses, "Bloody hell!"

"If you allow, I could also remove this scar. You would still fell it's effects but the scar itself would be gone."

"I would appreciate that and I allow it!"

Seconds later, his forehead burned madly for a minute and after that he felt over the place where his scar was once. It wasn't there any more.

"Thank you very much." Harry said and offered his hand to the small creature.

He took it and shook it.

Harry then grinned and thought about hundred galleons before he emptied the bag on the desk of the goblin.

"Thank you, Mr. Potter. You are very generous."

"No, I have to thank you. I trust you in the matter of my status."

The goblin nodded.

"Very well, I have to leave after a short visit to the Potter Vault. You said nothing about the books."

The goblin grinned, "That is right. I like you, Mr. Potter and we goblins… well you seem to know what we think of wizards."

"Yeah, the same as me." Harry growled, "All stupid bastards with few exceptions."

Half an hour later, he left the bank with a bottomless bag full of valuable books on certain topics he wished to learn.

At first he went to Webster&Webster, master attorneys and engaged them for a special case which would be brought before the court on July 31th.

Three hours later, he was on his way back to his home after a bit of clothes-shopping and a visit at a hair stylist.

As he opened silently the door to his room, a wand was pointed between his eyes and an icy voice snarled: "Who are you?"

Harry chuckled, "Bella, I am disappointed in you! Firstly you don't remember our first night together and now you don't even recognize me?"

He still had brown hair and no glasses.

"Cast a finite!" he demanded.

She did and his hair went back to black but it kept short and styled with gel.

"What's with glasses and your famous scar?" she asked.

"Courtesy of goblin-magic. Sometimes it pays to pay respect to other creatures." he answered smirking.

"How do I know…"

"Ask me something! Or you can try to hurt me a bit and feel the consequences of your witch oath."

She grinned and slapped him hard on the arm.

Both yelped, "Okay! You are Po… Harry! .. I like your new style."

"Thanks. Can you teach me how to apparate in an hour? We could go out for dinner." Harry asked her as if it would be nothing.

"If you put it this way… normally not but in your case, I think you will get it in time." she said determined.

She explained the theory on apparating and after a half hour he summarized it down to: "Basically I concentrate on where I want to go and will myself over?"

"Basically, yes. Advanced apparition contains then coordinates or apparitions points." Bellatrix explained in a tone as he should have known that already.

"Let's try it…" He closed his eyes and disappeared with a pop and reappeared behind her.

"Ok. Now we only have to get ready, Bella." He grinned, grabbed one of his many bags and her hand and dragged her to the bathroom.

"What…"

He pressed the bag in her hand, grinned, said: "Shower and get changed! You have twenty minutes!" and closed the door in her unbelieving face.

He grabbed a bag too and went down to the basement to the second bathroom. He was back in his room after ten minutes, freshly showered and with black slacks, a dark green button-up shirt made of silk and had a black blazer ready hanging over the stool.

He froze as the door opened and Bella stepped in. For now he ignored her deathly glare and looked over her petite body.

She had long legs, a small waist and well toned but not overly large breasts.

That all was very well emphasized by the dark blue shining silk dress she wore. It was carried by two small straps over her bare shoulders, nestled up narrowly her upper body and flowed more freely from her waist downwards to shortly beyond her knees.

He whistled and grinned, "Very nice. Now we only have to tame your mane a little bit. Come over and sit down!"

She growled, "You bloody bastard! Next time I go shopping for myself! Such a girly dress!"

He grinned and lectured her "But you are a girl, Bella! I did see it quite clearly last night... and well right now as well."

She blushed for a second before she slapped him on his head again, ignoring her own pain she received as result of her magical oath.

He took her hand and pulled the surprised woman over to his bed and shoved her down.

Then he grabbed a hairbrush from another bag and knelt himself down behind her. He cast a hair drying charm on her long black hair and began gently to brush it. Strand after strand he brushed with soft and constant movements.

He took his time and he enjoyed it. It was soothing for him and for the first time he did such a caring task for a person. It didn't matter to him, that he had hated this person a day ago with all his passion. That was the past.

He brushed her hair for over half an hour before he was ready. The hair was now shiny and silky and felt very soft as he stroked it gently with his hand.

She shook slightly and he went around her visibly concerned.

Tears dripped down her cheeks from her moist eyes. She was sobbing and from the traces of the tears he would say she was sobbing for a while already.

He softly stroked with his thump over her cheek and wiped a new tear-drop away.

"What's the matter, Bella?" he asked softly.

She shook her head and denied an answer.

He sighed and sat down beside her. He laid an arm around her shoulder and pulled her gently to him. He hugged her and stroked her back.

"Talk to me!" he encouraged her.

She shook her head again but he had already realised what was bothering her.

"I take it, never had anyone done this for you?"

She looked up in his eyes and blue eyes with a slight violet streak met green ones.

"No." she whispered, "Never had anyone cared enough for me at least for the last fourteen years. Before that, Cissa did it sometimes or even Sirius did."

"For me it is the same. Nobody cared for me and as far as I know, no one does. Remus maybe or Hagrid. I realised this summer, that even my friends don't care. I tell you what, Bella. I enjoyed it and I would be happy, to do it again." he said with a reassuring smile.

"No one cares about you? I find that hard to believe." she said and wiped her last tears away, "I mean, you are the bloody boy who lived."

"Yeah, for the most a hero for a week and a maniac for the next. For the half of the rest I am a tool and for the other half target number one." he spat.

"You are right, that sucks."

She looked down and smiled, "I enjoyed it too, Harry. But …" she gulped, "What is between us? You are thirteen years younger than me… I mean…"

He blushed, "I meant nothing behind it, Bella. I don't really know you and around me is and was nothing but lies and betrayal. It is hard for me to really trust people now. I would like to become friends with you and get to know you better. What is beyond that… nobody knows it. Your age is truly no matter for me. You are beautiful and the age difference is a lesser matter between wizards than muggles. Besides, do you really think I am mentally as old as my body is?" he asked seriously.

She looked deeply in his emerald eyes and what she saw was great pain, loss, hard experiences, a great burden, determination and raw power.

She shook her head, "No, you aren't. You have seen and suffered far more than most adults, … partly because of me." she whispered.

"That may be, but you were right. I thought a while over the battle this night and you did cast a stunner. So you are maybe responsible but it was an accident. I…" he gulped, "I… don't hold it against you any more, Bellatrix."

She searched his eyes and found some pain but otherwise only sincerity.

He hugged her once again and stood up after that.

He pulled her up as well and cleaned her dress with a flick of his wand.

Then he guided her over to the mirror in his closet and showed her her new self.

"Do you like it?" he asked with a sincere smile.

She shook her head and her now silky hair was whirling around.

"I am not sure, Harry. I appreciate your effort but I really am not the girly type. I does look nice and,…" she hesitated and added quietly, "I feel beautiful." She cleared her throat and said more sure, "But it is not my style."

He snickered, "Yeah, your style was all black and haunting. It is time to loosen up a bit. But I don't force you to wear it… but I would ask you to wear it tonight. I don't want to cook because I am tired. We go to a fancy restaurant and tomorrow you can wear what you want. I don't even know if you want to stay with me or whatever."
She nodded, "I am going to wear it tonight, Harry. Tomorrow… we will see."

"Then let's apparate out of here. We will head two street intersections south of the park where we met. Do you know where it is?"

She nodded and both disappeared with a pop.

He held his hand up and a taxi stopped beside them.

„Could you suggest a nice restaurant for us?" Harry asked the driver.

„Hmm, you look dressed for a restaurant with more style. Any preferences?"

„No."

„Well, I know a nice restaurant which has international cuisine and form there you have a nice look over the tower bridge and the Thames. However it isn't the cheapest."

„That's alright." Harry said easily.

After twenty minutes the driver stopped in front of a nice looking house.

Harry paid him and gave him a generous tip.

After that Harry escorted his new acquaintance into the house.

A clerk awaited them and guided them over to a table for two.

The driver got it right, they sat beside a window with a romantic look over the great river.

„You know, I am not the romantic type either." she joked.

„I can truly believe that." Harry replied laughing, „But I am not the torturing for fun type so we have to find something between."

„Harry, you need to loosen up a bit!" she teased him.

„Not in that way." he said thoughtfully, „Besides, we are here as companions or maybe friends, not on a romantic date."

She pouted, „Not? And I thought, you like me!"

Harry raised an eyebrow, „You were concerned about the age difference, not me."

„That was then!"

„You are weird!" Harry said and grinned.

„What else is new?" she asked and grinned as well.

„Will I ever meet a sane Black?" Harry asked.

„That are two words who don't belong in the same sentence!" she said vigorously.

The waiter came and asked for the drink.

„We would like to drink a cabernet-sauvignon." Bella said before Harry could answer.

„As you wish."

The waiter handed them the card and disappeared.

„What is a cabernet something?" Harry asked.

She stared incredulously at him.

„That's a wine you fool." she spat.

„Thank you." he said with a sweet smile ignoring her arrogant tone.

She rolled her eyes.

Then they chose something to their liking.

Bella ate roasted breast from a wild duck while Harry chose a filet-steak.

They both enjoyed their meal.

„Bella, I have to admit that I am not used to alcohol. The wine is herb but after the first glass I enjoyed it. Do you know much about wines?"

„Yes I do. The most noble families do, Harry. It is kind of a status symbol to know which wine is good and which is not. I will teach you."

„Thank you. Would you teach me other things too?" he asked seriously.

„I wasn't sure that you had the guts to ask me for help, a known dark witch." she eyed him carefully for a reaction.

„I have thought about that as well last night." he said absolutely serious, „I did use an Unforgivable last night, I try to avoid to use dark magic, for some cases the light spells are as effective. But I am now sure, that I don't care if I have to use it for Voldemort. I want him dead for the murder of my parents and I want him dead for what he did to you."

His voice was once again made of steel.

„If you really want it... really want it Harry, I will teach you. I... if you want, I could teach you the blackest of all magics." she said in a no nonsense voice.

„I know that Voldemort is powerful and I need all I can get, Bella."

„You are right. Okay, I help you. The Black's have their name not without reason Harry. They have ancient knowledge even beyond the dark lord. But it is only accessible by the head of the Blacks in that case of you. It is hidden in the library of the House of the Blacks but for some reason I can't remember where it is."

„I know, it is under a Fidelius."

„Shit."

„No problem for me. My problem is, that I have to get back there. But it is possible. Do you know something about animagi?"

„Well yes. I am one." she said with a smirk.

„Great. Care to tell me what animal?"

„I will when you found your form." she teased him.

„You!" he accused her but then he became serious and got a far away look.

„What is it, Harry?" she asked him.

„You are a labile personality, Bella." he said absently.

„I know." she sighed, „I hope it gets better now that I am free. But it takes time."
„I didn't mean it so seriously, Bella." he said with a smile, „Sometimes you are hard and cruel... not to me any more. Then you are fragile and I know there are reasons for it. But in situations like that... you are like Sirius. You both have much in common."

Her expression became sad but she smiled, „That means very much to me, Harry."

„To me too, Bella. You are like a lost link to him and I feel at these times that I got something of him back with you."

She smiled now, but it became a little bit uncertain.

„But you are different too. I don't know how, but you are." Harry told still with a far away look but then he looked at her and smiled.

She didn't understand him, she liked it that he saw something of her cousin in her but it seemed to her that he didn't really want that from her but why?

AN: Thanks for all your reviews. It is fun to look eagerly into my mail account again and look for new reviews. It has been far too long ;-)

Dragon Sword Master: No, this one is not going to be multiple partner.

Ivan the terrable: Behave, Kiddy or I am going to send you a little skull crushing curse! And shouldn't it be 'The terrible'? Anyway... I am just making a little bit fun ;-)

Condor: Ich werde die Story nicht noch mal auf deutsch schreiben! Das wären noch mal 100.000 Wörter... no thanks. Aber so weit ich weiß, hat meine gute Freundin, die werte Lady Shadow mit dem Übersetzen der Story begonnen. Es besteht also noch Hoffnung ;-)