A/N: I don't own Harry Potter or anything contained therein.
Belladonna - The Devil's Club
The music at Ministry balls was always older, requiring skill to dance to. Waltzes were commonplace. Bellatrix kept Harry dancing for three songs before he broke it off.
"Bella," he began.
"I know, I know, business calls," she said stepping away, feeling colder from the loss of contact.
"You can help by talking about me to your peers," Harry said, "especially the ones who tell their parents everything."
'Don't fall for the pouty lips!' Harry chanted as he looked at the disheartened Bellatrix. She broke off her pouty gaze, and sighed.
X x X x X
The Pouty Gaze was the ultimate weapon for most girls. Many men would fall for it faster than the gravitational constant of Jupiter could make them fall. It was a young woman's tactical nuke. One that could be used liberally and often. Only men who had little sisters could resist and only until they had a baby girl.
Incidentally, Helga Hufflepuff always looked rather youthful. And she got everything she wanted when she wanted it. It helped that she had HUGE... tracts of land.
X x X x X
"Alright, I'll go tell all the other girls what a charming, dashing, and resourceful man you are. More than capable of the odd jobs their parents might have. And a good dancer to boot," she said neutrally before spitting out the next words, "Maybe I'll send some your way."
"Bella," Harry's tone was one of warning, "You're leagues ahead of most of these girls already, I can tell. We are here for business not pleasure. Besides, I might not be a Low Man but I am a 'full-blood' Lowborn. I don't fancy going to jail."
Bellatrix chewed on her lip, an old nervous habit almost as bad as her baby talk, before nodding.
"I apologize, I was out of line."
"Your not really sorry, so don't bother with apologizing. And, yes, you were out of line. We might be moving towards being friends, but without a Count or better backing me nothing more will ever come of us," he explained seriously.
"Fine," she hissed, "Business before pleasure and all that rot."
"Thank you," Harry said as she glide-stomped away from him. Somehow he didn't think anyone would notice the anger in her movements, until a voice came from behind him.
"Well, if she doesn't want to dance with you after that, I will."
Harry turned to see a young woman of about Bellatix' age standing there. Her hair was a healthy blonde, and her eyes blue and piercing.
"I'm sorry, M'lady, I don't believe we've been introduced," he said with a winning smile and a small bow, "Hadrian White, at your service."
"And I am Amelia Bones," she said with a small curtsy, returning his smile, "The service I require would be a dance."
"I can do that," Harry answered the implied question by taking her hand in his and pulling her close enough to dance.
X x X x X
"Really?" Alecto gasped, "Thank you, Bella!"
"Yes!" Bellatrix said exasperatedly, eyes darting over to the form of her escort dancing with her, "Now, go! Before I change my mind!"
X x X x X
"You are an information broker," Amelia spoke after a moment.
Harry twirled her away just as the song called for it, luckily giving him time to formulate an answer. When he twirled her back she took a large step, placing her chest gently against his. Harry idly noticed she was about a half-cup size bigger than Bellatrix.
"And why do you assume that?" he asked.
"Why else would the Black Duke keep you for so long? You had information of value, even if it was to only bringing yourself to his attention."
"An astute observation, but hardly proof," Harry mused. The Bones girl was observant, probably why she got to head of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement in his own time.
'Or is it reality?'
"I have a proposition for you," she told him.
"Do tell."
Amelia leaned in slightly pushing her chest firmly against his.
"I can give you information from the Ministry."
"I believe, Ms. Bones, that would be sedition."
"It would be, if the price wasn't one the Ministry was willing to pay," her answer came smoothly.
"And what is the price?" Harry's eyebrow arched. A Ministry informant would go a long way in the beginning of his operations.
"The Ministry would turn a blind eye to your... business if given a fair exchange."
"I see."
The two danced for a moment in silence. Harry's mind turned. The Ministry was offering temporary immunity when it came to information and maybe the smuggling in exchange for a cut. A government sanctioned protection racket. It could work.
"And how would we exchange our information, were I in that business?"
"On the dates you would take me on, many reputable and inexpensive restaurants offer private booths."
"Dates, Ms. Bones?"
Amelia smiled.
"Yes, dates. You are an attractive man, and I, a woman. And we are not so far removed politically removed so it would be no scandal. I think -"
"May I cut in? Bella said I could," came a voice to Harry's left.
Amelia disengaged from Harry and gave both him and the newcomer a small smile.
"Of course," she nodded at the girl, "Mr. White, I would love to continue our conversation. Maybe I could send you post?"
"I would find that agreeable Ms. Bones," Harry nodded before turning the the new girl and extending a hand, "May I have this dance, Miss...?"
"Carrow, but you may call me Alecto," she gave him a winning smile. A far cry from the horrid woman from Harry's memories, Alecto pulled it off quite well.
"And you may call me Harry," he answered with his own smile pulling her into the dance.
"Oh, but I think it would be improper," came her teasing voice before it turned slightly husky, "and I rather like calling you Mister White, it makes you sound... experienced."
Alecto shuddered slightly in his hands and pressed her bosom against his. Harry smiled his best dogfather playboy smile. This could work.
X x X x X
While Alecto was much better for Harry to dance with than Amelia, she was far too close for Bellatrix. She fought down her seething thoughts and assumed her political persona. As much as she hated it, he was here for business. If she was lucky, pleasure would come later.
"Bella," came her father's voice.
"Yes, Father?" she turned to greet him. He wore a curious expression.
"Why aren't you dancing with your escort? Shall I have a word with the man?"
Bellatrix's impassive face melted a little, and she allowed a small smile through. Her daddy was one of the best. Always protective, but never overly so. Honesty was always a good policy, if she wished it to remain unchanged.
"No, Father, while I do wish I was dancing with him, it is better than sitting, he and I have a business agreement first. He must attend to it, before we can have our fun," Bellatrix' eyes slid to Harry out on the dance floor for a moment, "The night is still young, and he did dance with me first."
Cyngus nodded.
"Do you want me to speak with him before or after your dances?"
"Maybe it would be best if you caught him on a break. He's nearing his third song, that's when he rested last time."
"I have spoken to my Lord Brother. He finds that young Mr. White is a good sort. Good for the family, as well."
Bellatrix perked up slightly upon the news.
"Do your best to keep him as a friend. And do not worry overmuch about what he and I will speak of. You are a grown woman, and capable."
Friend. The word echoed in her head, even as she and her father parted. Friend, meant even if he had the backing, her father would likely not bless off on them. The same feeling that would drive Bellatrix to Knockturn rose in her chest.
"Oh, he'll be a friend, alright. Now, if I can just keep her away..."
X x X x X
Bellatrix Black and Amelia Bones were rivals, in almost every way. They had taken an instant dislike of one another their first year. The Slytherin Warrior Queen and the Hufflepuff Valkyrie, they called them. But truly, their rivalry ran deeper than that.
The Bones were of an Earldom, and the Blacks were granted a Duchy for a shared battle. One that required both of the family heads, in equal parts, to win. And for that the families have always ended up hating each other. The fact that both families shared many of the same qualities was an even bigger blow to the Bones when they were rewarded.
And so was the rivalry perpetuated in Bellatrix and Amelia. They were neck and neck for Head Girl, so close in fact, that the position went to a third choice. They even had the same taste in men and often fought over them.
This would likely be no different.
X x X x X
Amelia was watching her new prey-attraction from the bar, when her uncle walked up.
"Amelia," the tall broad man said, every inch more imposing than Orion Black's smaller, more lithe form. Though the Black Duke was said to make it up in presence.
"Uncle," she said with a small curtsy.
"What have you ascertained?"
"He would be a great asset to the family. He is very skilled at the Game."
Her uncle nodded.
"Your father and I are in agreement. Turn him to our cause. You may use whatever means are at your disposal."
Without waiting for an answer, the man walked off.
'Justia, Veneratio, Fortitudo'
Or as it was taught to all young Bones: 'A willingness to do whatever it takes to do what is morally right, even if it takes walking in the shadows.'
The fact he was Dear Bella's was just icing on the cake.
X x X x X
Harry extracted himself from Alecto, much to the young woman's disappointment. Managing a charming apology that left the girl blushing, Harry made his way to the bar, feeling confident that the Carrows and their associates would likely know of him within the week.
"Mr. White."
Harry looked to his side and saw Cyngus Black.
"I suppose it is time for our talk then, Mr. Black?"
"It would be."
Cyngus stepped up to the bar and ordered himself a drink. The pair of men stood there for a moment, each weighing his words.
"Orion assures me you are a good man. Honest, at the very least. And it is because of that honesty that I would also assume that you are adept at double speak," Cyngus said.
"That would not be an assumption but a fact," Harry replied, unsure of how this was going to go down.
"Do not speak doubly to my daughter. Be straight with her. One truth. Though you may or may not be adverse to any advances she might make, do not lead her on."
Harry shook his head.
"I won't. While we trade barbs, occasionally of... a flirtatious manner, I do my very best to... dissuade her from thinking of me like that. I've been exposed to dementors, and I don't fancy a stay in their permanent residence."
Cyngus arched an eyebrow at the younger man.
"You make no mention of not thinking of her in a more romantic manner yourself. Do you find my daughter unattractive?"
Harry just snorted.
"A homosexual blind man would find your daughter physically attractive, and only those without a mind would find her unintelligent, though her tongue could cut a bit less."
Cyngus raised glass and nodded his head in acquiescence.
"If I have romantic thoughts of your daughter, Mr. Black, I keep them to myself. No one needs to know what goes on in my head. Least of all a naive teenage woman."
"She is not as naive as I'd like," Cyngus grumbled, "None of my daughters are. I wish I could place them all in safe bubbles and away from the world, and, more importantly, men."
Harry filed that away for future blackmail usage. And then he chuckled.
"I made a funny," he said at Cyngus' glare.
"Let me guess, blackmail?" Cyngus said wryly
"Oh, your good."
"Who do you think taught Sirius? Its why my brother was groaning when you did it earlier. He's grown up with it."
The two men shared a laugh, and shared a comfortable silent moment.
"I have a job for you, Mr. White."
"Do you have regular business in Knockturn, Mr. Black?"
"Yes," Cyngus answered.
"Prominently display a white accessory. My lads will alert me, and I will come collect you."
"Should you deliver the wares I am looking for," Cyngus began, "I will see you have a shop on the First Level, and Bella as a clerk."
"As payment?" Harry asked.
"Partly. The cost of the shop will be deducted from your pay, and Bella will be a token of good faith."
"I find that agreeable. I will see you to discuss terms, after the hols?"
"After the holidays," Cyngus tipped his glass to Harry before draining the last and leaving.
'I'd say that was a good thing, but the job might be a giant pain in the ass. We'll have to see.'
X x X x X
Another trio of dances with various peers of Bellatrix saw Harry back at the bar, when a pair of velvet gloves covered his eyes.
"Guess who," came her voice.
"Morgana?" he ventured.
"No, but I have been compared to Le Fae before," she answered.
"Pussy Galore?"
"Who is that?"
"Bellatrix?"
The hands were removed and a hand smacked his shoulder.
"Why was that a question?" she demanded hands on her hips.
"You told me to guess!" Harry defended himself, "Would you like more wine while we're here?"
Bellatrix thought for a moment.
"Can I get a sip of what you're having?"
Harry held out the glass for her, a glint in his eye. She wrapped her hands over his and took her sip. Bellatrix pulled a face.
"Wine, please. And what is that vile stuff?"
Harry ordered and drained his glass.
"Bourbon Whiskey. I picked it up in America," Harry got a good look at Bellatrix. She was flushed and had a gentle, happy smile on her face that reached her eyes.
"How much wine have you had?"
Bellatrix gave a slight giggle before holding her thumb and forefinger a little apart. At Harry's glare she spread them.
"Last glass for you then," Harry ignored her protests and checked his pocket watch, "For me as well if I'm to bring you home."
Bellatrix received her wine from the bartender, and held it with both hands. She giggled into it while looking at him with big, wet eyes.
"Your home?" she ventured playfully.
"If I wouldn't be arrested," he answered smoothly.
"I won't tell anyone!" Bellatrix protested.
Harry just shook his head and held out his hand.
"Dance with me?"
When she nodded her carefully removed the almost full glass from her hands and lead her to the dance floor. She swayed gently but did not seem drunk enough to actually need his help. But when they began to dance, she was very close to him.
She placed her head on his shoulder and breathed him in.
"You smell good," she murmured.
"You don't smell so bad yourself," Harry said, chuckling, enjoying her scent as much as she enjoyed his. Lavender, with an edge. Something Harry couldn't place.
For the next few dances they enjoyed the closeness, Bellatrix to her not-crush, and Harry to a beautiful woman. However, it wasn't very long until Orion came to collect Bellatrix. It seemed they had to get up early the next day. Sirius and Regulus loved Christmas and woke everyone up at an ungodly hour.
Bellatrix protested, but grudgingly said her goodbyes and told Harry she would visit on Boxing Day. She also threatened his manhood if he didn't get her a gift. He watched them leave with a grin on his face. They might be dysfunctional as hell, but the Blacks were a close family.
"So it seems I find you alone again, Mr. White. Care to share a few dances?"
Harry smiled charmingly at the young witch.
"Of course, Ms. Bones. It would be my pleasure."
X x X x X
For the most part, the two only shared in small talk, and Amelia stayed far enough away that her chest only occasionally rubbed against his. Enough to leave a man, who wasn't wise to the action, wanting.
And then the last dance of the night finished.
"I shall send you post with the date, time, and place for a date, if that would be agreeable."
"Ms. Bones, it is usually the man who decides," Harry protested.
"I am not one for tradition in all things," Amelia pointed out. She then leaned forward pressing her chest fully into his, and cupped his cheek. On the other she planted a not-so-chaste kiss.
"And you may call me Ami," she said as she turned and left.
"Harry, then," he said absently watching her backside sway more than what was necessary, and putting a hand to the spot she kissed.
X x X x X
A/N: Belladonna is a pretty plant but wicked poisonous. The Devil's Club is a rather ugly plant that is used in medicine, especially TB medicine.
I hinted a bit better at the fact that, yes, Harry can, and has already, change the future/create a new reality. I'm sorry if that was unclear to anyone. And as to a marriage contract or summat coming from the Blacks, Bella is gonna have to push for it and try to get Harry some backing. Ami on the other hand can marry 'down' without the political ramifications that the Blacks face. Oh and the start of the semester is coming soon. How will this triangle survive?
Please review.