Chapter 7
The next morning Bellatrix announced that the fruit they had found was fit to eat and then she bit into one and moaned with a smile as the juices trickled down her chin. As Hermione and Harry finished climbing down from the tree she announced "Breakfast is served."
Hermione bit into the fruit and then fed Harry a piece as she smiled up at him. Harry looked into her eyes and realized how happy she was. "You know I have it made here. I have two women to feed my male hungers. One to feed me and one to satisfy my male urges. I don't think life gets any better than this." Hermione's eyes flashed open in surprise and her mouth was open. Harry started to laugh at her expression and Hermione thought about it and then she began to laugh.
A few minutes later she said out loud "Harry, I don't ever think I heard you talk like that before and I find it very invigorating. I like that you express things more and that you are starting to express your emotions." Hermione bowed her head "I have wanted you to show more emotion for a long time."
Harry leaned against a tree "I thought about it when Fate first mentioned that my lack of expression was what caused you to leave and to hide your emotion. It made me wonder how a boy who can face down a sixty foot basilisk and Voldemort could be afraid of his emotions. It didn't make sense because I am a Gryffindor, a house known for Bravery and being away from you made me realize that I fear losing you much more than I fear giving you the emotional support you need."
Hermione leaned next to him and faced him as Harry finished "I am working on conquering those fears and I very much want to give you whatever you need to stay with me."
Hermione placed her hand on his chest "I have issues too Harry and I want the same thing as you. I will not walk away from this, from us this time. We have the rest of our lives to work on these things. I am always on your side… always." Harry nodded his understanding.
Bellatrix who had been sitting on the log that was their table watched with interest. "I am very happy… no that's not quite correct… ok I am mildly amused that you lovebirds have your issues all worked out but I have a complaint that needs to be heard and some other things we need to discuss." She leaned back as she bit another fruit and smirked at them.
Bellatrix then casually took a knife from underneath her arm and flung it at the middle of the log table where it stuck. Harry's features darkened as he looked at the knife. "Where did you get that knife?" he asked in a cold tone.
Bellatrix did not lose the smirk "I have had it since I came here." She stated firmly. Harry looked surprised and then pushed Hermione to be a little behind him so he could protect her. Bellatrix eyes narrowed as she looked at Harry "I could have killed both of you in your sleep last night or the night before." She flippantly added "Gods know I wanted to last night as you were making enough noise rutting like animals for half the night. By the way stud you have quite the stamina there. I can see why Hermione looks…so satisfied!" She gave them both a wink.
Harry stepped forward "So why didn't you?"
Bellatrix jumped from the table and stood in front of Harry "Because I realized after our little talk on the first day and the talk I had with Hermione on the second day that I was on borrowed time. I had died and was given a second chance. Harry you are not the only one who felt pressure to be something you did not want to be." She stated with firm resolve.
Bellatrix then took her left sleeve and rolled it up to reveal that her Dark mark was completely gone. Hermione gasped in surprise. Bellatrix turned to face her "Surprised? I was too but it is definitely gone." Bellatrix turned and sat back on the table and then while looking at Harry she removed the knife and re-sheathed it under her arm. She smiled coyly at Harry "It has a special sticking charm and cannot be summoned."
Harry raised his arm "Accio knife." The knife looked like it was being pulled towards him. Bellatrix grabbed the handle and jumped up "Stop!" she yelled before ranting at him "If you are able to it will kill you. It is spelled if it does come out that way a poison is on it that will kill you with a mere scratch. If you want it that badly I will hand it to you so it is safe."
Harry raised his eyebrow at hearing this and then dropped his arm. Bellatrix took the knife out and then turned it so the handle was facing him. Harry looked at it and then into Bellatrix eyes before Bellatrix smirked at him "What does the caveman trust the psycho just a little bit or are you just confused?" Bellatrix turned to Hermione "How about you Bookworm, do you trust the Psycho?"
Hermione's eyes flashed in anger but she did not see mean intent in Bellatrix façade only…strangely enough…laughter. Hermione sighed "I suppose if we are not dead, then perhaps you have reason not to kill us."
Bellatrix smiled at her "So what is my selfish motivation for not killing you?"
Hermione gave a little grin "You want to live I suppose instead of being alone."
Bellatrix sheathed the knife and nodded in agreement "Yes, a world with no one is not a world it is just a boring place. It is much more fun to have others to torment and mess with." She added. Bellatrix sighed as she leaned on the log "I am not sure why but for some reason the anger I felt from before is not there. The reasons I used to justify my actions…seem very unimportant. I am not even sure they were really ever mine."
Hermione had been chewing her lip "Is this because you no longer carry the dark mark."
Bellatrix looked at her for a moment "That is part of the theory I have. However, I am not Lucius and will not take the easy excuse. It was part of it but not all of it. I do have the personality traits to be cruel but generally it was only directed at someone hurting my family. I think somehow that trait was enhanced."
Harry sat on the other end of the log "Like your family was only those of pureblood?" he asked her.
Bellatrix looked down "Perhaps that is possible but I am not certain." She shook her head to clear unwanted thoughts "All I know today is that I am not as angry and I don't hate either of you." Bellatrix smiled "Actually you both have impressed me greatly the last few days. For seventeen year olds and all the crap you have dealt with. You have it together."
Harry smirked "So the Psycho is impressed? I suppose I should say thank you."
Bellatrix looked at him with an expression she was expecting something. Harry looked over at her confused. Bella smiled "I am expecting a grunt or something isn't that what cavemen do to say thank you?" she laughed out. A second later she stated between laughs "You can keep your club to yourself. The bookworm has dibs on it already."
Pretty soon Harry began to laugh and then Hermione began to laugh as well. It took the next ten minutes for them to settle down. Once they had started breathing normally again, Harry looked at Bellatrix "What was the complaint by the way?"
Bellatrix grinned "Do you think you or your wife could place a silencing charm around yourselves at night. It is very hard to hear the night predators with the noise you make."
Hermione quipped "I will talk to the hotel management for you…see what can be done." This started another round of laughter.
Bellatrix had been sipping water and in thought "Harry, I might have a way that both of you can gain a little more trust in me. I am not sure if it will work here because of the difference in magic but if you are willing I would be too."
Harry looked up "What would that be?"
Bellatrix stated "You are the current lord Black and it is customary that Black family members make a fealty oath to you. Since Hermione is now your wife, she is considered as Lady Black to all Black family members. If family members swear fealty, then they cannot harm the current Lord and Lady of their house."
Hermione looked troubled "The problem is that magic did not manifest itself with our declaration this morning. Harry and I consider we are married but magic does not."
Bellatrix sat there stunned "Are you serious? You had a golden glow around you when you first kissed after the vows. Magic has recognized your union. I can't believe you didn't see it." Bellatrix looked perplexed and then thought of something "Harry use your mage sight and see if you can sense it?"
Harry pushed magic to his eyes and then was surprised to see a bright aura around Hermione and many lines of magic going back and forth between them. Harry asked "Do you know what it looks like."
Bellatrix answered "The only physical manifestation is a golden glow that surrounds the couple and it is described as a sharing or blending of their magic."
Harry responded "I don't see in colors with mage sight and there are a lot of magical lines moving back and forth between us."
"Imagine your mage sight is in color and then look again." Bellatrix stated.
Harry closed his eyes and then pictured the scene in colors. When he opened his eyes he was bombarded with brilliant colors all around him. Hermione and he both had a golden ribbon of magic that was wrapped around their bodies and the ends were wrapped around their hearts. "I think she is right Hermione. We have a golden ribbon wrapped around us and our hearts. I think it is a bond. We are also drawing magic from our local environment.
Harry turned to look at Bellatrix and found many lines of magic collecting around her. "Bellatrix when did you start feeling your magic again?"
Bellatrix looked shocked "I…I…" Bellatrix slumped down and sighed "Last night before I went to sleep. I felt my connection to magic again." Bellatrix looked at Harry "I know you have problems trusting others and if you felt more comfortable with me around and without magic I was ok with that."
Hermione looked at her with curiosity "You weren't going to do magic until Harry gave it back to you?" Bellatrix nodded her agreement.
Harry looked over to her "I could probable take it away again now that I understand it." Harry watched her reaction and she smiled "Ok, if that makes you feel better. I can handle it." Harry just looked at her in shock. That was certainly not what he expected.
Hermione sat beside Harry and held his hand "Or we could place her back in the family and have her swear fealty to us." Hermione looked into Harry's eyes "That could actually be better as then we could have a third magical to get this place going and defend it if we have too."
Harry smiled at her "Then it shall be as milady says." Harry stood up and held Hermione's hand to help her up as Bellatrix came towards them and went to one knee. Harry called for his sword Ethereal. He looked at it and had a strange thought "Bella, would you swear fealty or an allegiance to House Potter as well. If you don't it won't affect you coming back to the Black family but perhaps it would be a good thing if you do."
Bellatrix looked up at him "Are you sure Harry. I have much baggage that comes with me and by doing this any issue I have with the Ministry you will have too."
Harry smiled at her "Bella we are the last two Black family members." Harry felt choked up "All the others are dead. I think it is important and if Sirius saw you as I see you today. I think he would want it."
Bellatrix looked thoughtful for a moment "Harry I will accept Allegiance to House Potter on one condition." Harry nodded to her to continue "That we wait one year to see if I have truly earned it. If you feel I have, then one year from today I will gladly accept it." Harry smiled at her.
"I can live with that." He stated.
Harry then raised his sword and brought Bellatrix back to the Black Family. He then listened as she swore an oath to the new Lord Black and promised her allegiance to house Potter at sometime in the future.
Bellatrix stood before the two and then looked serious "I know you have your stuff together but I must point out that you are being to cavalier when we are in a place we know very little about." Bellatrix paused "I think we should all carry our weapons with us at all times or at least one sword and one dagger each."
Harry spoke up "But I have my magic so I can defend myself." He stated.
Bellatrix raised an eyebrow "Tell me Harry how many spells can you fire before you tire? One, Two…ten?"
Hermione smiled and smacked his head "She has a point Harry. If we want to get things done then we can't all stay together for the whole day. It is better to be prepared than not."
They moved to get their things but Bellatrix stopped them "Wait; there are some other things we need to get straight." Bellatrix looked at Harry "I know you have a few skills with the sword but you need to practice to get better and your wife definitely needs to practice with one."
Bellatrix turned to Hermione "That fight stuff you used on me…you called it muggle style fighting, I think?"
Hermione answered "It is actually called Karate and it came from Japan."
Bellatrix smiled "Perfect, can you teach me and Harry?"
Hermione grinned "I think so."
Bellatrix clapped her hands together "Each morning we get up go for a little run, then practice swords for an hour. After breakfast we do what we need to do for the day and meet for another hour of Karate before dinner."
Harry asked her "Why do we need all this training?"
Bellatrix place her hands on her hips "Because we have been here three days and I am with Harry Potter. As I here tell you face danger on a constant basis. With you it's not a matter of if but when it will occur." She said with a laugh.
Hermione could barely contain her laughter as she walked away quickly. Harry turned and started walking away muttering under his breath "I think I liked the psycho bitch much better…." Harry mimicked Bella's voice "Being with Potter is dangerous…" Harry turned to her "I am telling you it's not my fault, trouble finds me."
Bellatrix laughed "You keep telling yourself that…big boy." Harry kicked the dirt in frustration.
For the rest of the day they stuck to their routine and Hermione had been working on a trench from the river to deliver water to each meadow, the new house, and for bathing. She was using her magic to dig a three foot wide by six foot deep trench to make a channel for water. She ran into a problem when she found a slight rise and since water does not go uphill she had to go around or through it.
She decided to go through but this brought many issues as well. She had to magically dig some and then banish the dirt to clear it out. She had also lined the bottom and sides with rock to help keep the water moving and clean. She was half way through the hill when she realized it was getting late and she would not be able to finish that day.
Harry and Bellatrix had been busy with moving, cutting, and setting the stone. Harry had set the first row and then looked back only to find that the heavier stones had settled much faster than the rest and this left an uneven mess. He removed the first row and then dug a trench down to a layer of rock about ten feet below where he had original thought it should be. Once he reset the first row, the stones that Bellatrix had already cut began laying much like legos. Harry applied a sticking charm to each side to make sure everything was firm.
By the end of the afternoon when Hermione returned, they had completed three sides of the interior walls to a height of ten feet. Hermione was duly impressed and said so. Within ten minutes they entered the new interior area and began Karate practice. Hermione ran them through several conditioning and punching skills. She next had them doing the basic kick. While Bellatrix was kicking, Harry would block thus getting practice for both people. All three were winded from the work out.
Harry was elected to cook dinner which consisted of fish and a little rice they had left over from their kit bags. That was the last of their food stores. The various plants they had found were found to be a mix bag of poison and edible greens. So they had the makings for salad and as Harry stated the fish were plentiful.
It was during their dinner that they finally met another life. A small lizard or dragon looking animal wandered close to their camp. They each watched the curious animal as it approached. It did not stop or delay its pace but kept moving steadily towards them. Harry set his small dish down and stood smoothly up to place himself before the animal and the camp.
Upon seeing the thing rise and stand between him and the delicious smells, the animal stopped and stared at the thing with curiosity. Harry did not move to approach and neither did the odd creature. Soon the creature moved a little to the side and began his pace again. Harry moved to step between himself in the camp to block him. The animal barked a little which sounded something like a cough or a sneeze.
Harry didn't move and it backed away and then went to its left to go around him. When Harry moved to block it again, it began a series of barks and coughs to show its displeasure. The creature did not move when Harry took his sword and turned the creature on its back. The creature became agitated and barked quite often. After five minutes of thrashing around and trying to roll over, it stopped its motion and breathed in and out heavily.
Harry felt sorry for it and took his sword again and flipped it over. The creature looked up at him and barked before taking off the way it had come from. Harry sat back down at the camp and shook his head "Interesting little creature and very persistent." He stated with a chuckle.
It was Hermione that spoke up and surprised everybody "We should have killed it and tested if its' meat was edible. Bellatrix and Harry looked at her oddly. Her cheeks blushed a little "Well, there is no telling what types of animals we will find here. I don't think we will find cows and chickens any time soon or if they even have them at all."
Bellatrix added in "She is right you know. That may have made a lovely little stew. If we see it or something similar again, we should kill it to test if it is edible or not."
