Disclaimer: There's another chapter? There is! There is! And it is printed by this author because he does not own the rights to the Harry Potter franchise and is thus non-profit, nor any gain in revenue! Maybe besides some self-gratification. Don't think I can claim that as cash.
Chapter 7: Say Hello to Umbritches! Wait...
Harry didn't know how to speak for a moment, before looking down slightly. "I...know. But I may be regretting it. He may hate me, but I wanna know for sure that it's completely impossible," Harry muttered, before sighing. Hermione rolled her eyes, as Neville looked at him for a moment. Harry glanced back up at Neville, before looking back down again with his eyes shut.
"Harry..." Neville said, gathering Harry's attention from the inside of his eyelids and making him open them to look at Neville. "If you want to try, that's your deal. I don't know what good it'd do, but I can understand not wanting to turn your back on a friend," Neville finished, shrugging slightly. Luna flicked through another page before speaking herself.
"I'm not sure how you'd go about it, but I'd want to keep my friends too. It's difficult on your own, especially if you're away from everything you used to know," Luna responded, confusing Harry slightly.
"Wait...what?"
"Oh, nothing significant Harry," Luna responded mysteriously. Harry wasn't sure how to take it, and was rather nervous. He wasn't sure about whether or not he was allowed to let other people know about the dimension-hopping thing. If they would even accept that would be another, doubtful matter in itself. And it partially struck him at that exact moment exactly what he left behind. Granted, he was told that he would be left in a place similar-but to think that the exact people he knew wouldn't exist shook him. Without warning, he felt a hand on his shoulder.
He very nearly jumped, his mind jumping to Bellatrix before he realized it was Hermione. He let out a breath before nodding. Whatever it was worth, he was happy to have at least one Hermione around, even if the last was...Harry shuddered slightly. How in the world are you supposed to cope with losing everything and gaining everything within the same hour? And thinking on that whole situation, what is Bellatrix doing?
His thoughts abruptly ended as Hermione checked her watch-and mentioned it being time for them to put on their robes.
Bellatrix had no idea why, but even while getting new robes, books, and other things she'd need (while also having hired someone to help her get her stuff), she kept thinking back to the goblet in her bag. Even while getting herself a new wand from Olivanders, where some simply couldn't think beyond getting their wand. She simply felt drawn to it, which was unusual. She needed to figure out what was different about it. She barely remembered getting it-the Dementors having made it far more difficult to remember happier occurrences such as that show of rewarding her vast loyalties to the Dark Lord
But when she held it in the vault, it made her feel comfortable...but unclean. It was unusual. She felt it ring out to her in the dissonant feelings, so she simply decided to take it along with a very hefty chunk of gold. The 'H' on it and the feel of it...slightly heavy, possibly enchanted magically...it made her figure it was likely Hufflepuff's. And what's the bet the Dementors took the Dark Lord's words? I barely remember how happy I was after I felt the Mark strengthen.
She stepped out of Malkin's, and frowned for a moment again before moving on through Diagon Alley to the Leaky Cauldron. From there, she absentmindedly dropped a couple sickles onto Tom's counter. There, a teacher was waiting for her at a nearby table. Toad-like. Ugly. I remember her somewhat. Bridget? Dolly? Something like that?
The woman in front of Bellatrix gave a 'hem-hem', before waving slightly to the chair. Bellatrix raised an eyebrow at her, glancing to the chair before sitting down. "So I take it you're a Hogwarts teacher then," Bellatrix lead in with. Wait! No! Doralyn! Shit. Not her. She was done in by Rudolphus. That was...interesting. Bellatrix barely shook from her musings when she noticed the toad in front of her speaking.
"-as such, I am teaching at Hogwarts as an official capacity from the Ministry," she finished, as if reading from a notecard with false cheer, barely noticing Bellatrix hadn't even paid attention.
"Fine. What are you teaching again? And name again? I've been finding it hard to concentrate. You know, magical coma and all that," Bellatrix gave her excuse, sighing in her mind. You know what would be great? Casting a jinx. I bet she'll be at the feast. Wait! Now I remember! Delles, the girl with a male name!
"I am Dolores Umbridge-Undersecretary to the Minister and the Defense Against the Dark Arts professor," she replied once more. Does she have something magic she reads off of? "And you will not go far, Miss-"
"Black"
"Miss Black, if you do not pay attention. Especially not in my class," she said sternly, before morphing back to her little giggle. Bellatrix felt unnerved, before realizing something.
"Damn, I was wrong,"
"Language, Miss Black!"
"Oh. Yeah. Professor's here. Hi prof," Bellatrix grinned, taking some enjoyment from tormenting the squat toad. Underneath the table, Bellatrix drew her new wand. She went over what she wanted to do, before grinning again. This set Dolores off, as Bellatrix muttered a small curse.
"-you have no respect for authorit-"
"I apologize, must by my magical coma that I entered into! I don't mean it at all!" Fat chance of that. Wait, all I need's the chance, don't I? The other portion of that statement's across the table. Thankfully to her in a way, Dolores didn't notice the charm and accepted the apology. If I'm stuck as a student, I'm going to make sure I enjoy it. Though I want to put a big middle finger at whatever this higher power's face is-preferably into the eye.
"I am to take you to the Welcoming Feast, and invite you to tell me about anything suspicious. I have a direct line to the Minister, and we can get the Ministry involved quickly," Dolores said, her smile back again. Ugh. Smile. Bad. Anyways, Ministry stooge-check. Thought she was in Ravenclaw though? Or was that Gryff-ha. No. I must get past this, I'm stuck in odd thought patterns again.
"Very well. Will I be Sorted with the Firsties?" Bellatrix asked. She hoped to simply be in the middle. It would be...easier.
"Yes. Though please keep in mind they are First Years, not Firsties. Where did you pick up that abominable slang?"
"Previous students I talked to while shopping," Bellatrix lied smoothly.
"Of course. Please follow me," Dolores commanded. Bellatrix rolled her eyes, before deciding to follow. Umbridge stopped at the fireplace, and Bellatrix automatically tuned out the teaching she gave about Floos as if she were a Muggleborn. Pah! I know how to do this and most likely far more gracefully than a toad!
She took a handful, and glanced at Dolores. "Address?"
Dolores started, before frowning. "I would much prefer to be on the other end, ensure you get through fine," Dolores argued, before Bellatrix smirked slightly.
"I know how to use a Floo. Address?"
"The...Defense Against the Dark Arts and Senior Undersecretary's-"
"DADA office!" Bellatrix called out as she went through, cleanly taking a step forward. She immediately felt assaulted by the colors that seemed to be pressing in on all sides. Pink? And...okay, this is creeping me out. Someone get me out of here.
Dolores followed within a second, nodding slightly at the fact that Bellatrix had gotten through fine. "Now, Miss Black, I will escort you to where we will have the First Years. Please do not make them rowdy," Dolores said, beginning to walk Bellatrix down. Bellatrix rolled her eyes behind Dolores' back, shaking her head. Just because of that, I'm going to change one of their hair colors to neon purple and make it last five weeks. Before convincing another that I'm that insane editor Xenophilius. I wonder if he's still around...
A few hours later, a Harry grasping at straws to describe what had gone on at the feast was left without words. 'Marcia', actually Bellatrix, was Sorted. And by something with a voice obviously not the Sorting Hat's that had declared a latent "Gryffinder!'. The feast itself went fine but the declarations by Umbridge had his head reeling. Or maybe more correctly, Bellatrix's and Hermione's interpretations. Those were troubling.
Bellatrix was far better in that department. Granted it was left to those around to determine it all. "Why the hell am I in Gryffindor? I swear these things aren't right," she muttered again as Hermione frowned at her.
"You do know it's not such a bad thing being in Gryffindor, right?" Hermione asked, finally at her breaking point. Bellatrix stopped, laughing openly and slightly insanely. She looked at Hermione, before patting her on the head in a condescending fashion.
"Aw. Someone who doesn't understand. Gryffindor is notorious. Some of the best of the Light, in fact, most of them. Dumbledore for one. But always reactive. The Dark is always proactive. When you look for intelligence and planning, you head to Slytherin or Ravenclaw. Yes, excellent at combat...but weak at things done on the sly. Gryffindor has and will always be the house that does things loudly and proudly. The Slytherin is the one who will take the quiet moment and ruin the Gryffindor," Bellatrix said, her teeth bared a little in her smile. Hermione's eyebrows were still raised.
"Most Transfiguration-based magic was found by previous Gryffindors, and a lot of styles reflect a Gryffindor thinking based on physical and magical effort. And a Gryffindor can have those qualities, Marcia. It's just that their bravery, loyalty and pride come first," Hermione retorted, obviously fairly annoyed at 'Marcia'. Bellatrix's smile took on a hint that Harry remembered in Azkaban.
"Wonderful, a challenge! I will have the most fun completely tearing your hopeless ideologies and goody-goody attitude into shreds," she said lightly, betraying her rather skewed mindset. Hermione gaped at her, before glaring at Harry.
"Why is she even walking with us Harry?" Hermione asked, a little venomously. Bellatrix clucked happily at her, as Harry's hand ran through his hair and he looked down.
"How am I supposed to know? I just want to sleep. Today's been something else," Harry muttered, looking back up and moving faster than Hermione and Bellatrix. Hermione's generally displeased look turned to a bigger frown.
"What's going on? You've not been the same since you ran into the Dementors. We spent all of last year working furiously, and we went to the Yule Ball together. I know something is up, Harry James Potter!" Hermione called out. Harry looked up at the portrait to the common room, before sighing.
"Hermione...I'll tell you. Tomorrow. Some parts I can't, but...I seriously just want to sleep. We'll talk tomorrow, I swear," Harry responded weakly, before finishing his climb and muttering the password. He didn't know if it was excitement, if it was stress, or even if someone had slipped him something. All he wanted was sleep. "G'night Hermione," Harry finished, walking slowly up the stairs. Bellatrix's eyes kept on him, frowning.
Hermione glanced at Bellatrix, then the spiral staircase. "Why are you so worried about him? You don't even know him. I don't feel like I know him either right now, but he's still Harry," Hermione asked, giving something resembling a civil conversation. Bellatrix's head turned slightly, before she looked back at Hermione.
"If I knew, Hermione, I would tell you," Bellatrix said simply, before glancing back up. "I don't really know him either..."
Harry awoke rather late that next day-happy that it was a weekend. Ron was still snoring, he could hear, and Neville was just finishing putting his shoes on. Neville glanced from Harry to Ron's curtained-off bed before frowning and leaving the dorm, letting Harry have the dorm almost to himself. He sighed, before getting ready. Due to Ron's lack of snores and some odd bumps in the curtain, he knew Ron was awake.
"Ron-"
"Shut up! I don't want to hear it!" Ron's voice came from the inside of the curtain, angry and insistent.
"Ron, I just wanna-"
"I already told you that I don't care! Leave me in peace, or else I'll turn out like Cedric, won't I?" Ron called viciously, before he growled. Harry sighed as he felt more weight on his shoulders. At least the Ron he had known supported him. He finished pulling his robe on before going back to the stairs slightly slumped, missing the sound of Ron's curtain opening just a little bit behind him.
What he received when he actually walked down the steps surprised him. Half the Gryffindors were standing there waiting for him, with an obviously happy Hermione at the front of the pack. "Harry...I know that over the holiday, it was mostly just us, Snuffles and a rather immature guardian...but I wanted to let you know something," Hermione started, before glancing at the people behind her. She smiled a little wider. "You've still got people who want to help. Even if Fred and George still want to prank you."
Harry's head bowed for a moment. While he knew Hermione didn't know, he didn't have any support in Azkaban. He wasn't actually at Sirius' house with her. But it gave him some extra hope. He took a breath in as his posture straightened, and he smiled in return. "Thanks, Hermione," he said happily, letting little words speak as Fred and George winked at him.
"Let us handle our brother, we've been wanting a...test subject," they said together, grinning rather evilly. There were numerous other calls from the group as Harry walked towards them. He truly was awed by it, closing his eyes once more and opening them to see them all as they were.
"Thanks, all of you," he replied. The group began to dissolve, most leaving the room. George and Fred walked up to him with a glint in their eyes, a rather dangerous one.
"We really will follow through on it. He's been a right git. If it wasn't for our mother he would've come to school with a blazing pink 'Ponce' badge stuck to his forehead."
"Unfortunately, we did it just a tad bit early. We thought he was going off in a huff to board the train, but instead he came back after the charm kicked in," George lamented, continuing what Fred had mentioned.
"Ah, all will be well brother of mine! We will have much we can do," Fred declared, George giving a melodramatic sniff before smirking.
"And our dear unsavory brother will never know what hit him! Come George, off to planning!" George called out, both walking away quickly. Harry's mouth opened, then closed again. He didn't want to know. Instead he turned to Hermione, who still was looking at him with a knowing smile. He gave one in return.
"I had hoped it would work. I knew not everyone could believe the Prophet, not after last year or any other year," Hermione told him, giving him a hug. "And I'm happy that they all joined in."
Harry did little beyond close his eyes and hug her back tightly. Really, at this moment, he felt like he could do anything. Even if it was only Hermione by his- "I get the idea, break it up you two! I leave for two minutes Potter, and here you are all over her," Bellatrix's voice rang out, causing Harry to stumble back as Hermione began riling up.
"You! I'm already getting tired of you!"
"Get used to it girly, I'm not going anywhere. As it is, I'm stuck. So let's make the best of it. As much as I abhor the idea, I suppose if I'm to work with Potter there I need to at least grudgingly, resentfully accept you. Who knows? Maybe you'll even be useful. Terrible spellwork though in a pinch," Bellatrix sniffed, frowning. "Hopefully Umbridge is at least moderately competent in that area," Bellatrix finished. Hermione was not put out with this, being even more riled up. Hermione turned to Harry.
"Why is she stuck with you! I asked for answers yesterday! I know it's wrong to force answers out of you, but I might not get them otherwise," Hermione hissed at Harry. Harry drifted over to a chair and sat down. Bellatrix glanced at Harry, her frown and gaze meeting his. Bellatrix's eyes narrowed, before she huffed and lightly waved her wand.
"There, you imbecile. Speak your part. I'm hungry, and I want to get this over with," Bellatrix said spitefully, sitting on a couch opposite Hermione. Harry rolled his eyes, before he began to explain. He finished in about twenty minutes. Hermione's face had altered considerably as she attempted to flatten herself against the back of the couch. She glanced at Bellatrix, fearful, before looking back at Harry.
"Any questions?" Harry asked, knowing in reality what was about to happen.
"Really? Bellatrix Lestrange?" Hermione asked. Her answer was not from Harry, but Bellatrix. In laughter.
"Oh! Am I really Bellatrix? What a riot. I mean, 'brightest witch of our generation' and THAT is your question? I truly pity them then, that makes Harry one of the top performers. Wait. He is. Huh," Bellatrix mumbled, looking back down. Harry sighed. It felt quite common by now.
"Don't worry. She's always been this insane. Especially for the month I roomed with her in Azkaban," Harry muttered. He flinched before he even felt Bellatrix tackling him into a hug.
"Aw! I knew you woved me!" Bellatrix cooed sarcastically, drawing a portion of Hermione's ire. Harry gestured over his shoulder to where Bellatrix was. Hermione decided to ignore it for the moment.
"Fine. Then a different question, what's a Horcrux?" Hermione retorted, apparently to Bellatrix. Bellatrix frowned.
"Aw. Potter, do I have to? Fine, fine," Bellatrix relented at Harry's questioning look.
"That'd be good. I can't fully understand it myself," he muttered, sitting back upright as Bellatrix lifted off the chair. And him. She frowned for a moment.
"A Horcrux stores a portion of a person's soul in a container. In this case...I stored a portion of my soul in Harry Potter here. Worked beautifully," Bellatrix said, quite happy about the results. "Greatest piece of magic I've ever done. Well, maybe besides..." Bellatrix's voice trailed off as she felt a tremor of guilt. She frowned, forcing it down. "Anyway, not important. Horcruxes are draining, even with a proper ritual. I'm merely lucky in that while my reserves were harmed, using blood for the runes lightened the load enough for me with a rather improper one."
Hermione's frown was obvious at that remark. "Ignoring blood magic for just one moment, how are you even sure you didn't screw up the runes? And it sounds like it wasn't intended for living beings," Hermione retorted, unhappy about the obvious leaps in logic. Bellatrix frowned.
"You're sitting here talking to a mad woman. You're expecting logic? Wait. Wait. Oh, right. Madness does not mean entirely without logic. I looked up the rune formula in a book, and while the idea intrigued me...at the time its cost was too significant before I was married to Rudolphus. Wait, am I still under that contract...?" Bellatrix asked thoughtfully, before Harry flicked her arm with a sigh. Bellatrix shook her head quickly. "Anyways, it's a dark ritual for a reason. With insanity from Azkaban, a theoretical innocent, murder and torture under my belt...the humanity cost was insignificant. As to the living being part...I'unno," Bellatrix's sidetrack ended as she smirked rather evilly at Hermione's face.
"You're just sitting there...and admitting to all that?"
"I should take credit for my work, no? But as it stands, I had decent motivation. When I served the Dark Lord appropriately according to Rudolphus, I wasn't raped or beaten. Wait. Nope, sorry, that's not a stipulation. Yes, I will admit to it. I'm a terrible piece of fucking humanity. My maiden name speaks of my own soul, Black. I half-believe my mother or father did a ritual to ensure all the possible insanity on the firstborn. Just so happened to be me," Bellatrix commented as Hermione glared at her.
"So you're irrevocably evil?" Hermione questioned, her voice dropping into the 'absolute seething' territory. Bellatrix, for some reason, felt rather ashamed and remorseful. She fought it down.
"Maybe not. Boy wonder here might fix that. And I don't kick puppies. Or owls," Bellatrix offered, her smile obviously being about tormenting Hermione. Hermione glared at her. Hermione looked over at Harry.
"So you followed this completely ax-crazy woman from one dimension to this one? When we already have one?" Hermione accused Harry. Harry sighed once more. He wished he was still on the sidelines. He really didn't like the spotlight where Bellatrix was concerned.
"No choice. According to that parent vision I was doomed with her due to the Horcrux bonding. Something about the piece of soul possibly tearing mine to bits between dimensions or similar. I'm just as unhappy about it," Harry responded, his tone showing the annoyance at being accused. Bellatrix pouted at Harry.
"Aw. No kissy-kissy time for you, mister," Bellatrix teased, before standing up. "Alright. I'm tired of this, and quite frankly you children are not terribly entertaining at times. To food! Maybe I can torment my nephew instead of you deadbeats! Oh, and Harry, I need an escort!" Bellatrix trilled, before laughing.
Harry groaned, but followed. Bellatrix put her arm around his, as if he actually was taking her to a ball, before Bellatrix winked at Hermione. Hermione noticed the slight force behind it on Bellatrix's end, but also noticed that Harry barely even tried to stop her. Hermione's face went even more red in response. Mostly anger, but some jealousy.
The walk down was merely wearying compared to Azkaban to Harry, but he hated the palpable feel of a fight ready to happen between Bellatrix and Hermione. He just knew it wouldn't be too long, and as unfortunate as it was he felt Hermione had no chance. Surprisingly to him and Hermione both, Bellatrix opened up with a different topic: Umbridge. "You two do realize that with her here we're at a distinct disadvantage against the Ministry? She was a Hufflepuff when I went through, but she wasn't a good set for her house. Her 'work' was sucking up. Hate to know if she's married-guy probably tastes ass with every kiss on her lips. Wait. Would they even kiss?" Bellatrix's mind sidetracked again. Only when I'm hungry does my brain go off in more directions than a Reductor.
"I don't want to think about that, Marcia. Bad enough she seems to be intent on interfering. Harry, what do you think?" Hermione asked, Harry shaking his head.
"I think we're going to be getting into a lot of trouble, and she'll be trying to get me into trouble as much as physically possible. Based off what I can tell, at least, that you've said," Harry responded evenly, but in a low voice as they crossed into the Great Hall. Bellatrix groaned.
"Aw, but if my plaything's in detention how do I entertain myself?" Bellatrix asked in a deadpan manner, grinning. Hermione nearly growled in response.
"It's simple. Help me keep him out of detention, we deprive the Ministry of more mud to sling."
"Don't I have a choice in this?" Harry asked the two, leaving Bellatrix to give him a very seemingly sweet and innocent smile as they sat down.
"No."
"Great. Nice to know I have such freedom. I can only hope and pray that instead of all this vast quantity of freedom I find myself chained to you instead," Harry quipped. Bellatrix's smile dropped off before she laughed for a moment. She smiled, genuinely and playfully, this time.
"Kinky, huh?" Bellatrix teased softly, before taking a seat. Harry rolled his eyes slightly as he began putting food onto his plate. Hermione's face flushed even that slightest bit more red, but she spoke instead of being quiet.
"If you two are quite done, I'd like to eat my breakfast without having this conversation right now," Hermione said as she began filling her own plate. Bellatrix's grin came back just as quickly, as she moved to whisper to Harry rather loudly. She picked now simply because he had begun drinking as well.
"Oh my, if I knew she'd be that accepting I'd have gotten a second pair of handcuffs. Threesomes are fun," Bellatrix commented, her loud whisper easily being heard by Hermione, who glared at her as Harry spit his drink out. It was at this point he looked down at his cup and sincerely wished for Firewhiskey. Maybe if I promise to never wake up again, Snape would give me the Draught of Living Death...
So yeah, another chapter down in this real slowly updating story. Sorry it's taking so long. I spiral off and on with writing, and the Feast proved to be a real bitch to try and write. I went the other way with it instead, since we all know how it basically went anyways.
So to recap, I'm not. Oops.
I always get the funny idea of Bellatrix and Luna as friends. Harry's gonna be swamped. As if he's not already in the position of 'long-suffering companion'...well.
One more chapter down, indistinguishable amount left. Yay!