A/N: Hey, another update within a week? Not bad for me, not bad…
I'm so glad a lot of you seemed to like the last chapter. Bellatrix is really hard to write; I want to keep her as IC as I can.
And I'd like to thank the following people:
Katty008, Piece of Toast, PleiadesWolfe, Raven-loves-Sanji, crimzin-shinobi, Kaya (anon.), kyokoaurora, cola1012003, Master Keto, and hisanachan
Hugs and cookies for all of you for taking the time to review. :D
NOTE: Remember, this isn't based on DH at all, so that accounts for the people I assigned to certain Quidditch parts (as you'll see in the chapter). Also, I know Fred and George left Hogwarts, but I decided let them remain in the school, just because. xP
Okay, I hope you all enjoy this chapter!
"Well because we're doing fine/ And we don't need to be told/
That we're doing fine/ 'Cause we won't give you control
And we don't need anything from you/ 'Cause we'll be just fine
And we won't be bought and sold/ Just like you."
-- Underclass Hero, Sum 41
Part 2: Those Fun School Days
----
Chapter 8: Of Detention and a Midnight Walk
"Detention, Mr. Kurosaki!"
The shrill, angry voice of Bellatrix shot into the tense atmosphere. A hundred pairs of eyes turned to face Ichigo at once.
Ichigo noticed he was receiving mixed looks. Some students (the majority of them being Slytherins) were grinning at him smugly, as if to say 'this is what you deserve'. Others were shooting him stares of admiration and gratitude, as if they were thanking him for commenting on Bellatrix's unusual teaching methods. Hermione and Harry were among those grateful students, yet their looks were also mixed with fear and worry for Ichigo.
A mocking laugh sent Ichigo's gaze towards Bellatrix who was twirling one of her many unruly curls around her long, pointy finger. "Did you hear me, Mr. Kurosaki? Or are you not going to say anything?"
After hesitating for a split second, Ichigo shrugged and said, "Of course I heard ya. Detention? Whatever. There are worse things that could happen."
Bellatrix smiled in glee and rubbed her hands together slowly. "Are you sure about that, Mr. Kurosaki? We'll see later, we'll see…Eight o'clock tonight, my office."
With that, she let out another maniacal laugh and waved her hands at the students in dismissal. "Class is over!" she yelled, and marched into her office, slamming the door behind her.
Streams of Gryffindors rushed out first, eager to get away. Many muttered words of encouragement to Ichigo as they passed him. When it came time for the Slytherins to head out, numbers of them rudely nudged Ichigo and spat variations of, "You'd better learn your lesson, idiot."
Soon, only Harry, Hermione, Renji, Rukia, and Ichigo were left inside the classroom. Hermione shook her head in worry. "What were you thinking?" she lightly scolded Ichigo, concern shining in her brown eyes.
Harry and Renji, on the other hand, both slapped Ichigo on the back, congratulating him. "No one's ever talked like that to Bellatrix before," remarked Harry, a wide grin on his face. "And thanks for defending us, you know, with that shield of yours. That was amazing! I thought you said you didn't know any spells…"
Ichigo gave Harry a sheepish grin and mumbled, "Oh, well….it was nothing really…"
Hermione threw him a slightly suspicious, thoughtful look while Rukia went up to him next.
"Oh Rukia--" Ichigo started.
She cut him off, grabbing him tightly by his arms, her mouth set in a thin line of worry. Her violet eyes telling him a silent thank-you, she slowly murmured, "Just what have you gotten yourself into now, Strawberry?"
Ichigo didn't know how to answer.
The trio, having followed Harry and Hermione, were now outside the castle for some fresh air during a free period they had before their next class. Ichigo and Harry were sitting under a tree, talking, while Hermione had dragged Rukia off somewhere, Renji following.
So far, no teacher had mentioned anything about the trio taking extra help classes during their free time. Harry said that was probably because Bellatrix had been too preoccupied after hastily dismissing her class, and that Snape really couldn't care less, unless he didn't notice that Ichigo and Renji's potion had blown up.
"But don't be surprised if next class he mentions something about 'Remedial Potions'…" muttered Harry. "I had it with him one year. It was…." He trailed off, shuddering at the memory.
Ichigo laughed, seeing Harry was clearly disgusted at the mention of that extra help, and turned away from him to try and catch sight of Rukia, Renji, and Hermione.
They were a little off from where he and Harry were sitting. Renji had his hands stuck in his pockets as he looked on while Rukia imitated Hermione's movements with her wand. Chuckling to himself, Ichigo watched in amusement at Rukia's attempt with wand-work…until half of the lake froze over with ice. Rukia's loud whoop of accomplishment reached his ears; her short figure dancing around Hermione in excitement reached his stunned eyes.
"Hey Ichigo, did you see that?" said Harry, astonished. "I thought you guys said you didn't know any spells…Rukia just turned half of the lake into ice!"
Ichigo laughed uneasily. "Uh…yea. We really don't. I guess we're just fast learners…? And Rukia…well she--"
"Hey Strawberry, did you see that?" yelled Rukia, her eyes shining with pride. She and Renji approached Ichigo and Harry. Hermione followed, looking disconcerted but impressed.
"Yea Rukia, that was--"
"Amazing!" Harry cut in.
Hermione offered, "Yes, it was. And that was a non-verbal spell, too."
"Wow…" Harry trailed off, looking at Rukia in admiration.
Ichigo, who noticed Rukia had a slight tinge of pink on her cheeks (whether it was from Harry's praise or her excitement, he didn't know) let out an impatient grunt.
Rukia's eyes shot towards him, narrowing mischievously. "Jealous, Strawberry?" she asked, an innocent smile tugging at her lips.
And Ichigo, not knowing whether she was referring to Harry or her ability to freeze half of the lake, felt his face heating up. "N-no!" he shouted in defense, waving his hands in front of his face in a desperate attempt to distract his friends from looking at (what he felt to be) his beet red cheeks.
Stifled laughter spread around the group, causing Ichigo to go even redder. "I-I'm not! I bet I could do the same thing, too! Freeze the lake, I mean…"
"Oh yeah, Strawberry?" scoffed Rukia. "Let me see you do it."
Ichigo jammed his hand in his pocket, in the process of searching for his wand when a relieved-sounding voice called out, "Oi! Guys!"
Five heads turned in the direction of the voice, seeing none other than Ron running down the hill towards them.
"Guys, you won't believe what my punishment is," Ron panted, bitterness hardening his voice, as soon as he reached the tree. Without waiting for them to answer, he went on in a rush, "I'm suspended from playing Quidditch until the match against Slytherin is over!"
Hermione and Harry shared Ron's dismayed, crestfallen look. "Oh Ron!" Hermione exclaimed, giving him a supporting hug.
Harry ran a hand through his untidy black hair, obviously disappointed. "That's a horrible punishment; the Headmaster must know how valuable a player you are to us….Remember that victory of yours?"
"Yeah, the one that you two missed…" Ron muttered.
Harry and Hermione gave him small, guilty smiles.
"Yeah, sorry about that…" Harry mumbled. "…Anyway, now we're going to have to find a temporary replacement for you. That's sure to be a hassle."
Ron snorted. "Especially if that McLaggen guy shows up again."
Frowning in disgust, Harry said, "Well, if he does, we'll just get Hermione to distract or jinx him and--"
"Oh no, I'm not doing that again!" interjected Hermione, her face showing obvious dislike of McLaggen as well.
Harry shrugged and gave Ron a look. "Well, it was worth a try…Okay, I'll announce tryout times later one, then. There must be another decent player in Gryffindor…"
"Hey, sorry to interrupt, but what exactly is Quidditch? Care to enlighten us?" Ichigo spoke up, raising an eyebrow. Renji and Rukia nodded, wanting to know as well.
Ron's mouth fell open is disbelief. "You mean you don't know what it is? You've never seen any matches? Never even heard of it?" He gave the trio an incredulous look.
"Nope."
Shaking his head, Ron exclaimed, "It's only the best bloody sport ever!"
Harry nodded in agreement and added, "It's boring to listen to if we try to explain it. You three have to see it being played sometime! Hey, I know. You three could come watch a few of the tryouts I'll be holding."
"Yeah, you really have to see Quidditch in action," said Ron passionately. "It's amazing, you three will love it! It's only too bad I won't be playing in the next match, 'cause, you know, I'm pretty good of a player...and Harry's our team's Captain! He's bloody good, too – the youngest Seeker in Hogwart's history!"
"Okay Ron, I think they get your point," cut in Hermione, sounding slightly amused. "You can tell them more about that later." Noticing Ron's dejected look, she stated, "We're going to be late for lunch!"
At that, Ron instantly brightened up and started walking towards the school. "C'mon, guys. Let's go, I'm starving!"
About five hours later, Ichigo found himself making his way towards Bellatrix's office for his detention. After lunch, he, Rukia, and Renji had had classes in Care of Magical Creatures, Herbology, and History of Magic (which was so tedious he, Renji, Ron had fallen asleep for half the class).
When they got back from dinner, Ron and Harry introduced them to other members of the Gryffindor House including Ginny, Ron's little sister (who he had proudly called, "Chaser of the Gryffindor Quidditch team", and Fred and George, Ron's twin brothers (who Ichigo thought were possibly the funniest people he had ever met).
Ichigo had reluctantly left his new group of friends, who were playing a game of Wizard Chess, saying it was time for him to meet Bellatrix. That had brought up a round of vehemently expressed mutters, groans, and pity for him as everyone told him to be careful of what he said and wished him luck.
---
Ichigo made his way slowly down the hall, not too eager to be with Bellatrix any more time than he had to. When he noticed all the corridors were eerily deserted, he tried to remember if anyone had said anything about a curfew. Failing, he glanced around, starting to feel uneasy.
There were no voices to be heard at all; the same ghostly things that had escorted Ron were floating in the shadows of the hallway, their hooded heads turning back and forth ever so slowly, their breath coming out in short rasps.
Unnerved, Ichigo sped up his pace, figuring he could spare being a few minutes early. When he reached the Defense Against the Dark Arts classroom, he slowly opened the doors and walked down the aisle towards a winding white marble staircase at the front. The marble was cold to his touch, spreading an icy shiver up his body as his ran his hand along the banister, following the steps up.
Now standing outside the door to Bellatrix's office, Ichigo took a deep breath and knocked. Once. Twice. Three times.
"Come in!" a high pitched, false sugar-coated voice called out.
Grimacing, Ichigo slowly opened the door and walked into her office. A shock of black met his eyes; everywhere he looked there was black – black chairs, black paint, black curtains, black rugs… Ichigo promptly decided it was like walking into a Halloween costume shop.
"Ah, Mr. Kurosaki! How nice of you to come so early!" Bellatrix greeted him, standing up from her empty, black desk wearing clothes that were appropriately black and shades of grey.
Ichigo had a hard time distinguishing her from her surroundings, as she blended in quite well. "Actually, I'm on time, I believe," he muttered.
Bellatrix broke into a toothy grin, sending shivers down Ichigo's spine. "How right you are," she corrected herself briskly. Motioning to one of the chairs in front of her desk she said, "Sit down, please."
As soon as Ichigo did, he immediately wished he hadn't. The chair's bank and arms magically fitted tightly against his body, crushing the air out of him and trapping him in place.
"Would you like a drink?" Bellatrix asked, gesturing to a glass filled to the rim with a thick red substance.
"Um, no thanks…" said Ichigo, averting his eyes from the sickly-looking liquid.
Frowning, Bellatrix flicked her wand towards the glass, making it fly towards Ichigo. "No, I insist," she whispered, her dark eyes boring into his amber ones. "After all, then you'd be refusing my hospitality…And that isn't very nice is it?" She made a mock sad face and rested her hands on the desk, waiting for Ichigo to drink from the glass.
Feeling Bellatrix's heavy gaze and figuring he had no choice, Ichigo reluctantly grabbed the glass out of the air and took a hesitant sip. The red liquid rushed into his mouth, instantly setting his head on fire. Crying out in shock, Ichigo dropped the glass on the desk as he clutched his pounding temple.
The glass shattered into thousands of tiny shards, spilling out over Bellatrix's desk and onto the rug. The red liquid spread slowly across the black surface, looking like freshly spilled blood.
Bellatrix let out a sigh. "Oh dear… Has the drink gone to your head, Mr. Kurosaki? So sorry," she said, smirking, not sounding a bit regretful at all.
With a wave of her wand, the shattered glass and the liquid disappeared, leaving the desk as clean as ever. "Now, why don't you tell me about yourself?" she asked, as if the incident with the drink never happened.
Ichigo raised his eyebrows in confusion. "What?"
Bellatrix let out a 'tsk' of impatience. "You heard me, Mr. Kurosaki. Tell me about yourself, or about the school you came from, perhaps."
'Damn…can't tell her too much without giving our mission away…' Ichigo cleared his throat. "Uh, well…my friends and I transferred from a school called the Shinigami Academy, as the Headmaster mentioned when we first came. We were the top in all our classes, and our principal thought we would benefit from more experience by coming here to learn."
"Ah, I must have missed that little tidbit…perhaps I wasn't present when you three arrived…" mused Bellatrix, leaning forward. "And tell me, Mr. Kurosaki: what kind of disciplining did you receive in your old school?"
Taken aback, Ichigo replied, "Well…I'm not sure, seeing as how I was never given detention or anything back there."
"Is that so?" she asked, raising an eyebrow. "Well, I guess things change, don't they, Mr. Kurosaki?" Frowning, she went on, "And back in your old school, did you ever for once think that the way your teachers were giving their lessons was the wrong way to do it?"
"Um, yes, occasionally…"
"And did you ever feel the need to so rudely state that in front of your old classmates, having the nerve to contradict your teachers?" Bellatrix asked, her voice getting shriller with every syllable.
Ichigo shrank back. "Um, no, not really…."
"Then why did you to that today, during my class?" she hissed, her eyes narrowing.
Starting to sweat in nervousness, the chair clinging too tightly to his body, Ichigo mumbled, "B-because….I felt you weren't treating us fairly. Weare new, after all. How'd you expect us to know how to defend ourselves properly?"
Bellatrix burst out in laughter, he eyes raking over Ichigo disgustedly. "Oh, a persistent one, aren't we? Your incapability to defend yourself isn't my problem! The Headmaster was right about you…"
"And just what would the Headmaster have to say about me so soon?" exclaimed Ichigo, glaring at Bellatrix.
She slammed her hands down on her desk and leaned forward, her face inches away from Ichigo's. "He's told me enough."
"….Like?"
"You really want to know?" Bellatrix asked in disbelief, her face alight in amusement at Ichigo's persistence. Pausing for a second, she went on, "…Oh, I remember now. I wasn't present at Hogwarts for your little Sorting Ceremony. I missed your little outburst, I believe."
The confusion left Ichigo's face, a shadow crossing over it once realization settled in.
Bellatrix smirked in satisfaction. "Ah, yes, you know what I'm talking about now, right? How utterly mind-blowing. How could someone actually refuseto be placed in Slytherin?" she leaned even closer to Ichigo, so close he could feel her breath touching his face. "…Then again, that is expected, from someone of your rank. You wouldn't have done well at all in that House…Mudblood."
Ichigo's eyes widened at her last word, so quietly said, yet with so much venom behind it. Hearing it said from a Professor stung more than he imagined it could.
His hurt must have flickered in his eyes, for Bellatrix let out a satisfied laugh. "Aww, have I offended you, Mr. Kurosaki? I must apologize once again. Blame it on my parentage if you must – I have been taught that people of your rank are worthless. But you mustn't worry, I won't hold too much prejudice against you…after all, that would be going against the school rules."
Her eyes narrowed once again threateningly before she straightened up. "Now, before you leave, I'd like you to write me a few lines."
Ichigo, not believing what he was hearing (was the woman seriously going to hate him because of his freakin' rank??), could only manage to stutter out a, "S-sure…"
"Good." Bellatrix reached into her desk drawer and pulled out a quill and a roll of parchment. "These were used by a good friend of mine…" she said, admiring the small quill in her hand.
Placing the yellow parchment in front of Ichigo, she explained, "You won't need any ink, trust me." She handed him the quill.
Ichigo held it in his unsteady hands, waiting to hear what Bellatrix wanted him to write. There was something about the way she said "you won't need any ink" that made him uneasy. Then again, what else was expected of her?
"I'd like you to write, 'I will obey those above me'," she said quietly.
"How many times?" asked Ichigo dully, afraid of her answer.
Bellatrix hesitated, tilted her head slightly. A smile came back onto her face as she said, "Let's say…as many times as it takes for the message to sink in."
Ichigo shrugged and pressed the tip of the quill to the parchment.
I will…
Grunting, Ichigo shook his hand in slight irritation. Why wouldn't it move faster?
Obey…
He felt a sharp prickling sensation coming from somewhere…
Those…
It was getting more insistent. Wait – his hand…it was coming from his hand. Ichigo slid his eyes towards his left hand, the one resting besides the parchment, and was shocked to see thin red lines forming on it. Looking closer, he realized they were forming words: I will obey…
Drawing in his breath sharply, he glanced up to Bellatrix. She was watching him with her arms folded, her eyes betraying her sadistic excitement.
"Something wrong, Mr. Kurosaki?" she asked, looking at him as innocently as she could manage.
Feeling like he wanted to gag, Ichigo replied just as innocently, "No, nothing at all." He moved back to writing.
Above me…
With each letter, the sensation in his hand became even more and more painful; the lines in his hand became deeper and deeper.
He was on to his third line now. Already, his breath was coming out jerkily, as he tried to control his anger and pain.
"Good, Mr. Kurosaki," praised Bellatrix, obviously enjoying this. "Excellent. I'd say…thirty more lines and then you're done."
Thirty more?!Breathing through his nose, Ichigo swallowed his bitter resentment and refused to say anything, only moving his quill to write.
I will obey those above me…
His hand was aflame now, intensely burning, feeling as if it had been stuck over open flames for an hour.
C'mon, Ichigo, you can do it…he coaxed himself. Just twenty-five more lines to go…
Dark red blood flowed freely from his hand, staining Bellatrix's desk.
Only twenty-five more to go…
Blood was everywhere. It filled her nostrils with its sickening metallic scent as she stumbled towards the cries of battle.
'Kuchiki, if you go to his aid now, his life will be saved. But you would end up killing his pride. He is fighting for his own honor; let him fight this battle alone'.
Damn his pride. Damn his honor.
There's no way she'd let him die.
Kaien-dono…
"Did you call my name, little girl?"
Those pitiless, soulless black eyes…hollow.
"Why'd you come back, Kuchiki? Do you want to die?!"
"Run, Kuchiki! Run!"
"Kill him!"
Kaien-dono…
The blood was on her hands now. It splattered on to her face, staining her vision. Rain fell down from the open sky, blurring her tears. There was a heavy weight in her shoulder…heavy, strained breathing was heard by her ear.
"Kaien-dono!"
Her scream shattered into the night. It dawned on her – the blood on her hands was HIS blood. She drove her sword right through his chest.
She was a murderer.
"Thank you, Kuchiki. Now I can leave my heart behind…"
No, no, no! There was nothing to thank her for! She'd done nothing…
He breathed his last breath, his head still leaning on her shoulder, his body still impaled with her sword.
No…please, no.
"KAIEN-DONO!!"
----
"NO!"
Rukia shot up in bed, sweating and breathing hard. Her violet orbs opened in closed in momentary confusion and fear. After realizing she had just had a dream, she sighed in relief. It was dream, that's all.
Looking around to make sure she hadn't disturbed anybody, she slowly got out of her bed and walked downstairs to the empty common room. She had had the same dream again….this must've been the fifth time already. Feeling her eyes fill up with tears, she hastily wiped them away and tried to distract herself.
'I wonder if Ichigo is back yet…' Rukia wondered. He still hadn't been back by the time she had been ready to go to bed.
Her eyes roamed towards the portrait that was the entryway and exit to the common room. Maybe she should take a walk…?
Deciding that was a good idea, she quietly made her way out into the chilly, deserted hallway. There were no lights; Rukia found herself squinting to try and distinguish things around her.
She had no idea how late it was, though it must've been way past the curfew Hermione told her about. Luckily, no one seemed to be around, so it was highly unlikely she'd get in trouble.
Her light footsteps seemed loud and heavy, their sound echoing off the corridor walls. She had no idea intention of going to a particular place – she just wanted to walk. She was just like Byakuya, Rukia thought wryly. Midnight walks helped both of them clear their minds.
Rukia found her legs leading her to head to the left of the Gryffindor common room. The hallway seemed to stretch on forever, like one long black portal. After what seemed like an hour passed, Rukia was able to see two large shapes in front of her – statues, by the look of it.
She wondered if they were guarding something. They sure looked menacing enough. After hesitating for a moment, Rukia stretched out her hand to touch one.
Suddenly, a thin icy hand closed around her throat, stifling her startled cries. A long, drawn in breath, like something sucking in air, was heard by her ear as the bony hand tightened its grip, holding Rukia up in the air.
Rukia twisted and struggled with all her might, but she couldn't get the hand to relax its iron grip. She tried to kick her attacker, but, strangely, her well aimed kick met thin air. Her eyes widening as she felt she was almost out of air, she managed to choke out a strangled, "H-help…"
Her cry was only in vain, she felt. Cursing, she realized she was beginning to feel dizzy – her vision was slowly going. She could distinctly feel breath on her face – cold, rotten, hungry breath. It was getting closer…like the embrace of death.
"Lumos!"
Rukia's eyes shot towards the voice with her last strength. A blurry figure was approaching, a light held in its hands. As it got closer, as the glare got stronger, the grip on her neck weakened.
"Let go. This girl is not whom you want," said a cold, commanding voice.
The grip weakened even more; Rukia felt herself being lowered to the ground. She could no longer feel that icy breath. She shuddered in relief and massaged her sore neck as her vision cleared up.
Rukia slowly looked up to the face of her attacker…only, there was no actual face. It was that hooded thing again – the one she had seen during the Ceremony and the one that had escorted Ron. It's dark, empty gap beneath the hood was facing a person wearing long, luxurious robes and holding a wand in his hand – her rescuer. Rukia recognized him as the Headmaster.
"There is no need for you here right now. Go patrol down in the dungeons."
The hooded figure moved its head in what Rukia realized to be a nod. Without another glance down to her, it floated off in the direction the Headmaster told it to go.
A gloved hand was held out to her. "Are you okay, Miss Kuchiki?"
She drew in a shaky breath and got up on her own, refusing to act weak. "Yeah, fine," she muttered.
"What are you doing out here so late?" the Headmaster asked, frowning.
Rukia cringed, preparing for a punishment of some sort. "I was…taking a walk."
The Headmaster only shook his head and warned, "These halls are no place to be wandering at such a time of night. You're lucky I was here, or that dementor would've sucked your soul out."
Shuddering in disgust, she said quietly, "I'm sorry. I'll go back now."
"That would be the best thing to do," he said, smiling slightly.
Rukia turned around, feeling uneasy. What if that thing came back for her? She clenched her fist, not wanting to show her fear. Feeling the Headmaster's eyes on her back, she started making her way back to the common room, calling over her shoulder, "Thank you, Headmaster."
"You're welcome," came the response. "Goodnight, Miss Kuchiki."
A/N: Ahem…well…what is up with the Headmaster? Why did he help Rukia? And what did he mean by "she is not the one you want"? oO So many questions! … All of which will be revealed eventually! xD
So, how'd you guys find Ichigo's detention? Yeah, I stole Umbridge's little method of disciplining her students… And poor Ichigo...his hand will be scarred for life.
