Yes, I am still alive. Yes, I'm a bit of a horrible, horrible person.
My muse was all 'psh, let's ignore this story' and then all 'oh, wait, let's continue' and then all 'nah, just kidding'. She's mean like that.
I won't say I'll update more again, we all saw how that turned out. But I WILL post a progress-overview and some more details about what to expect from this story on my profile once I find the time, as I think there might be some misconceptions as to what the general idea is.
Rant over.
New chapter.
Sorry again, my darlings.
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By the time Bellatrix reached the nursery, the toddler had calmed down somewhat and was merely giving little sniffles every now and then.
As she pushed open the door, she was glad for the first time that her mother-in-law was disgustingly sentimental, hence never having cleaned out the nursery.
The elves had kept the room not only clean but in perfect condition for a child; the cot was practically waiting for a child to sleep in it.
She couldn't surpress a smirk.
Even the servants were hoping desperately for a Lestrange heir...
Closing the door behind them, Bellatrix pulled a sleepsuit from the bag the Dark Lord had given her and changed the child into it.
"No!"Harry wailed as she tried to put him into the cot, clinging to her as though his life depended on it."No down!"
"I'm assuming you mean 'Don't put me down', titch,"Bellatrix said, raising an eyebrow at him."That's certainly out of the question. You're sleeping. Now."
He whimpered in despair, clutching her robes frantically."No, pwease, no."
Bellatrix had no idea why he would be so horrified at the idea of having to go to sleep and she found herself having some qualms at the idea of just prying his little fingers of her robes and sticking him into the cot.
Maybe, she mused, his objections had nothing to do with sleep.
The evening's events were far from ordinary, afterall.
Hadn't Cissa said something about Draco being unable to sleep the first time he had experienced a thunderstorm?
Perhaps this child was having similar troubles with his new surroundings?
"How about I stay with you?"she said in the gentlest tone she could manage."Would you go to sleep with me here?"
The boy's grip on her slackened and he nodded.
He still seemed slightly anxious but did not resist as she lowered him into the cot.
She conjoured up a chair and sat down next to the baby bed; the toddler's face relaxing as he saw the she really did stay with him."Henwy?"
He earned himself a confused look from Bellatrix."Henry? Who's Henry?"
"Henwy bear,"the boy answered promptly and Bellatrix dug through the bag until she found the fluffy toy in question.
She giggled to herself, half at the thought of her Master actually thinking to pack such a thing, half at the boy's admittedly cute squeal of delight at seeing the teddy.
"Gimme!"he demanded and Bellatrix tutted, dangling the bear just out of his reach."Now, now, that's no way to talk to your elders! Say 'please' if you want something from me."
Harry pouted but quickly realised that this didn't make the woman more likely to hand over Henry, so instead he obeyed her order."Pwease gimme Henwy."
"See? That wasn't so hard, was that?"said Bellatrix, giving him his teddy. He cuddled it happily, nuzzling his face into the bear's fur.
Bellatrix couldn't help but smile at his charming reaction."Will you sleep now?"
He shook his head vigorously."No wanna!"
"It's 'I don't want to'. Really, Phineas, I don't see why you children all are set on talking before you can even do it properly,"sighed Bellatrix, getting a confused look from the kid.
He had no idea what she was trying to tell him, so he just picked out a part he remembered."What Phin?"
"Oh, that's you,"the woman replied cheerily."Phineas Rodolphus Lestrange, that's your name."
Again, the child shook his head, pointing at himself.
"Hawwy,"he declared, making Bellatrix frown."Well, it used to be, now it's Phineas."
How in Merlin's name was she supposed to explained this to a toddler?
Then again, she didn't have to...
"Okay, just say it,"she told him with what she hoped was a motherly smile."Phineas Rodolphus Lestrange."
"Phinphus Ange,"the child said, eyebrows knitted together in concentration.
Laughing softly at his attempt, Bellatrix realised that he probably would do better with smaller pieces.
"That wasn't too bad,"she said encouragingly."Phin will be fine for now, but the rest should atleast sound something like a name, you know. It's Rodolphus."
"Wophus,"he tried again.
Bellatrix let him repeat it a few more times, eventually moving on to their surname.
After several more minutes, the boy produced a satisfying enough result.
"Phin Dolphus Stwange,"he said, earning a smile and a tousel from the Death Eater.
This kid din't annoy her as much as children usually did and it was definitely due to his obedient behaviour.
She vaguely wondered whether he always did as he was told or if it was just with her.
Well, that was easy enough to find out...
Gently stroking the child's hair to keep him calm, Bellatrix prodded into his mind carefully.
As he didn't show any sign at all of being aware of her presence, she riffled through his most recent memories.
They were alight with a mixture of confusion, fear and curious excitement.
The Dark Lord had terrified him to no end and Rodolphus's outburst had scared him almost as much.
Bellatrix had taken him away from both men, which in his childish logic meant she was his protector, good and kind.
And now he wanted her to be happy with him so she would keep protecting him.
When she pulled out of his thoughts again, the boy was asleep.
Bellatrix left the room with a smile on her face.
This was going to be a piece of cake.
