By Reason of Insanity
A/N: I just wanted to say that you guys are the best reviewers ever. I love the constructive criticism and how you guys tell me what you want to see in the story. I take all of your reviews into consideration and try to apply them to my story. P.S. I don't own Harry Potter or anything, that's all J.K. Rowling. I just own this silly plot.
Harry walked down the passageway opening door after door, searching for his new housemate. After reaching the end of the hallway without any luck, he spied the large wooden door. Harry trekked the same journey Bellatrix had naught an hour before and came to the dungeon like room before his nose was assaulted by the mixed scents of brewing potions.
Bellatrix stood hunched over a cauldron with her back to him, completely absorbed in her brewing. Harry almost laughed at her appearance. Her already curly hair frizzed out of control from the humidity of the room, giving her an afro-like mane.
"Bellatrix, we need to talk." Harry announced from behind her.
Big mistake.
Bella's hand, which held a fist full of Rhodiola Rosea, released its contents in her jump of surprise. Without warning, the light lilac potion turned a violent shade of red before exploding all over its mistress.
"Potter!" Bellatrix screeched. "What have you done?!"
"Oh my god, I'm so sorry!" Harry apologized profusely.
They looked on in horror as the liquid began to bubble over her clothes and skin, eating through the fabric.
"Harry quick, give me your wand!" she yelled terrified.
He quickly handed her his wand without a thought and stood back as she tried to rid herself of the offending potion.
"Evanesco! Scourgify!" Bellatrix shouted in vain as the spells did nothing.
Within moments, the last remnants of her clothes had vanished and the botched potion began on her skin. The red substance was absorbed into her flesh and her cells began to shrink and transform. Her abused, pale, skin began to take on a healthier glow as did her hair. Before their eyes, the forty-five year old woman physically morphed into a much younger woman.
Harry stood staring at the woman in complete shock. Her black curls fell in lustrous ringlets about her shoulders and her gaunt cheeks were plump, highlighted by a light blush. Her blush was mimicked by Harry tenfold when he realized he was staring at her when she, in fact, had no clothes on. Embarrassed, he quickly spun around to give her the opportunity to cover herself.
"Merlin's beard!" he heard her gasp.
He felt her small hand rest on his shoulder, urging him to turn around. Bellatrix held his face in her hands, staring deep into his eyes. Harry met her gaze and noted the unshed tears that glistened in her violet eyes.
"Look at me." She whispered.
Every wrinkle, every blemish, ever scar had vanished from her body. Every sign of her true age and years in Azkaban disappeared. She couldn't be more than twenty years old. And she was beautiful.
He took in her lithe body with awe as she laughed euphorically. Suddenly, she trapped him in a fierce hug as tears rolled down her face.
"Harry, you're brilliant. You've given me a real second chance." Bellatrix whispered into his ear.
Harry awkwardly wrapped his arms around the naked woman, returning the hug. He was completely speechless.
"This is just, amazing." He breathed as he released her.
"Amazing? You've just invented the fountain of youth!" Bellatrix exclaimed as she fumbled with a set of her new robes. "We've got to write this down!"
"No, Bella, we need to talk first." Harry said, remembering why he came down in the first place.
She immediately ceased her hurried writing and threw him a sidelong glance. "Talk?"
"I need some answers." Harry explained boldly. "I don't know anything about you. I don't know what happened after your…attack. I don't know anything, and I'm just supposed to let you stay in my house?"
Bellatrix continued to avoid looking into his eyes. This was not what she was expecting.
"I don't know if I should trust you. You're a death eater, you tortured Frank and Alice Longbottom, and you've killed people!" He continued. "I need answers."
"Potter, you're venturing into some very dark places you do not want to go." She said lowly, eyes glued to the ground.
"I need to know!" Harry protested. "I think I've earned that right."
Finally Bellatrix raised her eyes to meet his, her expression unreadable. "Quid pro quo, Potter."
He nodded in defeat and gestured for her to lead them upstairs.
"Wormtail!" Voldemort hissed ominously. "It has been too long without new news."
"My lord, no one saw anything. Those who did are dead!" Peter Pettigrew tried to explain.
"Where is she?" The enraged wizard asked angrily.
"I don't know my lord. There have been no sightings."
"Crucio!" Voldemort seethed.
The pathetic man writhed on the ground in sheer agony, screaming as the curse attacked his body.
"I'll find her my lord, I'll find her!" Wormtail panted from the ground.
"Find her and bring her to me. This greatly sets back our plans."
A/N: Short chapter, I know, but it's setting the framework for the chapter of all chapters for the next one. Can you wait long enough for the next chapter? Is the suspense killing you? A large majority of the questions will be answered in the next chapter.