A Chance For a New Life

by sonofsouth

Time-Travel. AU. OCC. Dorea and Charlus lives suddenly changed with a new arrival, and now a new future can be made for them. Harry never thought his life could be peaceful and worry-free, so magically Fate and Death gave him a new chance in life where he could change everything. Rate M to strong language and possible scenes in the future. Rated M for strong language

8. Chapter 8

AN: Just to tell you all that my main language is not English, but please give me feedback and what I need to improve, thank you!

Disclaimer: This work of Fanfiction based on Harry Potter universe. All recognizable characters, plots and settings are exclusive property of J. K. Rowling. I don't own anything just my OC's

Pairings: Harry X The Black Sisters

AN2: Sorry for the delay, this CH is long. I had problems wrting him, but I hope it's good. IMPORTANT, Johnathan is now Florian, as I google it said Daphnee's father is named Florian. I will respost ch3 with the changes.

AN3: I also posted another time-travel fic, go check it out.

AN4: I also want to know wich name I give to Harry's followers. And I'm still open for the animagus ideas.

Chapter 8 – Gathering allies from Dark and Light

Harry was feeling his body drown in water, all the confort and warmth of his body was being washed away by what seemed a waterfall falling onto his head, but he couldn't understand how this was happening, he rememberd he was in the comfort of his queen sized bed and now he was all wet and cold, this must only be a… dream. Harry eyes shot open to see Charlus Potter casting a water spell on him.

Shadowing his eyes Harry asked. "Why?"

Still casting the spell, Charlus shrugged. "I called you."

"How many times?" Harry asked while starting to shake a little.

"One" He answered simply.

"So I asked you again, why?" Charlus was still casting the spell.

Raising an eyebrow Charlus stated. "You're living with a Potter."

Silence filled the room, Harry stared at him annoyed, but then he smirked. "I'm also living with a Black."

Then the spell fadded. Charlus froze. "You wouldn't."

Harry nodded slowly, his smirk widening. "Oh, just try me."

"You can't, she is too scary." Charlus looked affronted. "What if I obliviated you?"

Harry wanted to laugh, that's how much Dorea was scary, his father would obliviate his own son just to escape his wife's wrath. Thinking what to say he spouted a mock hurting look to try and blackmail his father, but before he could say anything, he heard a cold voice.

"Is that so Charlus? Go on, obliviate my son. But if you do, know this, I will also obliviate you, but it will not be only your mind that'll be obliviated. And it will be done with dark curses." Harry could see Charlus visibly flinch.

Harry and Charlus glanced at each other, but the son was quicker. "Help, mom. dad's saying the next will be you."

Charlus widened his eyes, with a betrayal look on his face. His father was ready to retort and deny but his voice got stuck on his throat when he felt a hand on his shoulder. "Now husband, let's have a chat, shall we?" The menacing smile coming behind him made him nod.

"I asked you a question husband." Her grip thighned.

He swallowed and nodded slowly. "Yes, dear wife."

"Good. C'mon then" she started to drag out of Harry's room. But then she stopped at the door and turned to Harry and smiled sweetly. "Go take a shower dear, today starts your second year at Hogwarts."

Harry nodded. "Yes, mum." He smiled back, then gave a faint smirk towards his father.

The next few minutes he could hear a screaming Charlus somewhere in the house.

Like his mother said it was time for him to go back to the castle. His summer was, like Christmas, one of the best he ever had. He went to the Potters again, he passed more time with James and the rest of Potters. Henry and Fleamont even gave him permition to make use of the private library and for the rest of the summer he read a lot of books and found some interesting spells to work on.

That summer Xeno also invited Harry to his birthday party, it was not actually a party, more like a gathering of friends. But the only one Harry knew there, was the blond boy. Xeno said he invited their group of friends, but it seemed they couldn't or weren't allowed to come. The rest of the guests were friends of the Lovegoods and seeing a Potter in there made the majority of them raise their eyebrows. The party served as well to Charlus talk with Lord Lovegood and maybe improve his relashionship with the man. While the Lovegoods were not specialized in battle they were known by their intelligence and knowledge about the magical and muggle world.

Harry also started to tell some of his plans to Xeno, telling he wanted to create and lead his own side of the war and like Luna, Xeno scared him, as he already suspected of his plans. How? Harry didn't know, but he should've expected this. But Xeno like Luna proved to be extremely loyal, as well an excellent friend, but it annoyed him that Xeno just let things play, but he could understand as he was trying to make their friendship better.

During his leisure time at home, Bellatrix would be there with him. She practically was living with them. As the time passed he got used to her company, he tried to shoo her away but she told hi she was having at home, not getting too much into details. Pitying her Harry and Dorea offered for her to visit them as many times she wanted but denied her resquet to 'live' there.

He also exchanged letters with his friends, mainly with Andromeda. Apparently, she was having a good summer, he wanted to invite her to go out, make something fun, but with Voldemort out there he discarded the idea. She also seemed very excited to learn his lessons, so he sent her some knew books in various subjects never forgetting Occlumency.

Charlus also apparently had a frutifying summer. Charlus quitted the Aurors and went on a search to find some of his old war comrades. It took him some time but he found some of them, whom like Charlus, were not very kin to Voldemort whjen he convinced them the man was pure evil. As the war veterans weren't fans of Dumbledore as well, Charlus took the opportunity saying there was knew side forming, they were very relucant but with some talk and a little bit of money made at least, the veterans sit down and listen to Charlus.

Charlus told them a new Lord rising, nor Dark, nor Light, but Grey. The grey would respect laws, would protect people, protect the secrecy of the wizarding world, and would not judge the wizard or witch fot it's origins. Altought, they would use force, dark spells, kill, torture, to protect what they hold dear. To summarize, they were light and dark mixed, but not being extremely to any of the sides. They would protect people, but they would do anything to achieve it, even if breaking laws.

At first the older veterans wanted to know who this guy was. Charlus replied saying to know his identity they would have to win his trust, he could not risk betrayal. With this conversation less then half denied being part of this, the more interested ones wanted to know what they would do. And Charlus spoke. "Horcruxes." From that moment an uproar took care of the place, from the ones who knew what a Horcrux was. When they calmed down, Charlus informed the first task was hunt down the Horcruxes and immediately everyone who still stood there, accepted Charlus proposal. It seemed the Horcruxes made them not just angry but very disgusted. For them, Voldemort needed to die.

After the amusing morning, Harry was preparing to leave to Kings Cross, in his head Harry had a lot of plans regarding how he would gather followers, the only ones who know about all of this was Bellatrix and Xeno. Other problem was the Diadem, Harry was still having som problems in casting Fiendfyre, he was like a baby dragon trying to show it's mother he could spit fire, but Harry also knew it was just matter of time.

Andromeda never saw her sister so excited to go back to Hogwarts, if the evidences like being ignored by her family, not being home for much part of the day and the sudden spike of magic improvement wasn't already signs that something was off, then her older sister, Bellatrix, the one who always looked bored or disinterested was excited to go to Hogwarts for wathever reason, showed that indeed something was wrong, very wrong.

The whole morning, her older sister was impatient, she did not stood still, going from one side to another. When she tried to ask, Bellatrix just changed subjects and made some light jokes with her name. But one thing Andromeda knew for sure, was that today something would happen and she had bad feeling about it.

Walking with her mother and father while Bellatrix strode forwards clearing their path Andromeda looked at the adults and asked.

"What's happening to her? Why she's so happy?" She tilted her head at their direction.

Her father sighed deeply. "Just ignore your older sister, daughter. It only will give you a headache if you try and question about the things your sister does."

Then her mother complemented in cold voice. "Bellatrix can't see how lost she is, it is all his fault."

Cygnus inhaled deeply. "You know this isn't entirely true, we also have fault in this."

Her mother stopped abruptly. "What you want me to say Cygnus? That I was a bad mother? That a let your father control my daughter, is that it? Maybe you're saying I'm an incompetent." She was almost yelling.

Cygnus scratched his head and glared at her. "Do not put words in my mouth Druella, I never said that. Don't you think I don't feel responsible for this either, don't you think I hate the way she talks about 'him'. Like she did to you, she did with me. She also threatened me, threw me away from her life like I was garbage. But the thing is une is right, it is all our fault." He finished breathing hard.

Druella and Andromeda were stunned in place. Like her mother, she was also gobsmacked at her father's outburst. It was rare to see him almost shout at them in public.

Looking around Andromeda and her parents were being stared by curious eyes, they looked at them with wonder and curiosity, seeing this, her father urged them to leave to their destination, they even lost sight of Bellatrix.

Andromeda didn't knew who this Lord was, but it seems he was giving trouble to her family, she just hoped it wasn't the Dark Lord.

The rest of their walk was made in a silent tension, it was not a fight her parents had, but it still caused the mood turn sour. They still couldn't see Bellatrix but the trail she left was evident, she opened a path through the crowd.

Spoting the train she turned to her parents and gave them a small smile. "Bye mother. Bye father, I'll make sure to write after the sorting ceremony."

The two scowling pair also softened their expression turning into a smile. But her mother spoke first. "Take care of yourself Andromeda. You make the Blacks very proud." Her mother piched her cheek and then hugged her

Then her father. "Always remember Andromeda we are proud of you, and stay safe." Then her father hugged her.

Giving a hug a few moments, Andromeda gave them a respectful bow in acknowledgement before turning around and leave, after a few steps she found her sister. Andromeda fastened her pace still following the path the witch made.

Like always the Plataform 9 3/4 was crowded, even if they arrived early, there was a crowd of people and this time she could see new faces, and new prospects, maybe she could find a female friend.

Inhaling deeply she rushed towards Bellatrix. "Wait Bella" She whined.

Her sister didn't even spared her glanced, Bellatrix walked forward to suddenly came to a stop, Andromeda frowned, she saw her sister take a deep breath and turn towards a compartment direction and stood in front of the door. She knew that compartment, it was normally the one Harry stayed during the travel.

Andromeda had a sense of dread seeing her sister standing there, it just got worse when Bellatrix took a deep breath and smiled, not a mocking one, but a true happy smile.

For some reason Andromeda started to fastening her pace, her sister's hand reached her hand to open the door, her legs sped up. Then she saw, for whomever stood in the compartment, her sister Bellatrix… bowed. The words that reached her ears made her stop and hope it was not Harry. "My Lord." A jolt of electricity ran through her spine.

But even in her frozen state she confirmed her fears. "What did I told you Bellatrix, we're in public." Harry Potter, his voice was unmistakable

Her sister affronted by the stern voice, lowered her head even more. "But my Lord, you said I could be near you." Andromeda heard a loud groan after that.

"Yes I said that, but as friends." He explained.

Bellatrix head snapped up so fast that Andromeda could hear the bones crackle a little. "Friends?" It was above a whisper.

Her sister's reaction told her one thing, she never expected have Harry as a friend. "Yes for the hundredth time Bellatrix… now come on before anyone can see bowing to me."

That was her cue to make herself known. Andromeda walked until she stood behind her sister. "Too late for that, M'Lord." Andromeda coffed angrily.

The only answer that came from his mouth made her turn to leave. "Oh fuck." But unfortunately for her, Bellatrix was faster.

Andromeda was grabbed by the arm. "Oh no you don't."

"Realese me Bellatrix." She shouted then she turned to Harry. "You're a liar." She didn't know why she said that. "My family's acting all strange and differently, Bellatrix is saying some crazy things about a Lord, and to think it's you. Are you some sick bastart, a wannabe Dark Lord?" Why she was saying this, her family just got closer in the past months. But still something snapped in her. "You say you're my friend but then you lie to me?" She kept spouting things like this even if her heart asked for her to stop.

"I lied to you? When?" He asked after minute of slience, that made her froze. It was true, he never lied, she just didn't know.

"B-but you kept secrets. Aren't we friends?" She stuttered still angry.

"Please Andromeda just listen to me, there are things I can't just tell you… and I thought it was not a really big deal..." Harry pleaded never finishing his words.

Andromeda snapped. "Big deal? My sister looks like a crazy dark witch, following a Dark Lord and even my whole family is different. And it all started after she started to say some bullshits." Andromeda glared at the two of them, Harry's face showed concern, but her sister's… if looks could kill. But Andromeda was not affected by it.

Harry opened his mouth but Bellatrix was one who spoke. "Watch your tone sister, no one has to give you explanations."

"I can't believe this. What in Merlins name I'm hearing?" Andromeda eyes were wide at her sister murderer tone, the same she used with their mother that day.

"I'm sorry Andi. For not telling you, it's just… I just didn't want you to be involved in this right now." His eyes shoned apology.

"So you were planing to drag me on this? Do you want me to call you Lord to?" She mocked furious. But seeing his face change to concern to hurt she felt really bad, but in her mind he hurt her more then she hurt him.

Not wanting to spend more time with them she snatched her arm from Bellatrix strong gripe and said. "I need time to think, if you excuse me."

"Andromeda? Hi." A voice made her neck snap. Standing there was her friend Ted Tonks.

She gave him a forced but polite smile. "Oh, hi Ted"

After a minute of silence he asked. "You look a bit angry? Are you alright?" He asked in concern.

She sighed. "It's nothing. Are going to find somewhere to sit?"

Ted nodded. "Yeah, me and my friends normally sit togheter that way." He said pointing farther inside the train.

Andromeda clreared her throat. "Can I come?" She asked relucantly.

Blinking Ted felt akward, but couldn't help but ask. "Where's Harry?"

Her face darkened. "I don't know." It was not a cold tone but a dismissive one.

Ted frowned, but then nodded. "Alright, then let's go."

Andromeda's somber face vanished to show a polite smile again. "Thank you."

The highly expected Hogwarts feast did not seem to catch Harry's attention, Andromeda did. The girl kept her distance from him, she sat at the far end of the table alone, it worried him, but Harry could only watch. He knew Andromeda was angry, he would be too, but Harry would prefer to lose his friendship then to see her die, that's one of the many reasons he didn't told Andromeda about all this. He was afraid of involving her and something or someone took her life away from him.

When the girl said she wanted to be alone, Harry got worried that she would be alone in the train, he could not send Bellatrix after her either. For the simply reason, it would not help. But apperantly she found Ted and shared a compartment with the boy and his friends during the travel, that made Harry a little more relieved and less worried.

This year Harry also recognized some people, actually two expecifically. The first one was Amelia Bones, being sorted on Hufflepuff, Harry thought she was older, the only difference between the older and younger version was the stern woman, was reduced to a shy and meek girl. She still kept the same hair style.

The other was Scrimgeour. Rufus Scrimgeour was sorted in Ravenclaw, he still looked a serious guy. Shoulder length hair, mainly the same guy just younger. If there was someone else he didn't recognized immediately.

It seemd that the Professor Against the Dark Arts also changed. The previous one for some reason suddenly resigned being a Professor.

The new Professor was a woman, apperantly in her mid twenties, Dumbledore presented her as Pietra Pizzotti an american-italian pure-blood witch, very capable and seeking more knowledge in the art of teaching.

After the brief announcements, Dumbledore directed the introduction to the new DADA Professor.

"We are delighted to welcome Pietra Pizzotti as the new professor of Defense Against the Dark Arts of Hogwarts Witchcraft and Wizardry." Everyone started to applaud an clap hands.

Taking a better look Harry could see a gorgeous woman, literally. She could perceive the modeling career instead of being professor. She was tall for woman, blue ocean eyes, fair skin, straight platinum blond hair and she was not ashamed of showing her curves by the robes she was wearing, if they could be called robes. She had sharp features, like a business woman. She also weared a lot of jewelry in her hands, ears and neck.

"Well…" She started with a sharp voice. "You all know who I am, but you don't know me. I'm strict and demanding. I like hardworking students, and those who will attend my classes with the intention of not learning you will find yourselves in serious trouble... Mark my words." She then turned on her heels graciously and walked back to her seat. Everyone stared everyone knew she said with the intention of keeping her word. It was clearly a threat.

Harry wanted to laugh seeing the despleasure on McGonagall's face. "I think I'm love." Harry turned to the drooling David sitting at his side.

Deadpanning Harry glaced at the new Professor than at David and shrugged. "Go on champ, you surely can do it." Harry said sarcastically.

David blinked. "Do you think she's into younger man?" What the fuck… Puberty, Harry mused laughing a little. "You have quite the imagination there… you? a man? You just got out of your mother's womb."

David looked at Harry scandalized. "Thank you for supporting your friend's love life. There are no discriminations in love my friend." David pointed out.

Harry snickered. "That's fair, but I didn't say she would recipocrate. That's the thing about love, you can love her but doesn't mean she will love you back, it's a two-way road, Davis. And she seems the type to like rich and handsome guys, no offense you're a little chuby."

"Thast's my charm." David muttered. The chuby boy spouted a mocking hurt look before grinning. "Rich and handsome, like you?"

Harry snorted. "I'm rich, but handsome… why in Merlin's sake I'm discussing this with you?"

David then stopped smirking and glanced curiously at Harry. "I saw you with Andromeda's sister today. The scary one."

Harry sighed. "Yeah, we are kind of friends." Harry never imagined himself being friends with Bellatrix. But this Bellatrix, even being a little crazy and twisted, didn't even started to be compared to her Lestrange counterpart.

"She's hot." David never restrained himself when the subject was the opposite sex, even for his age. It was not a surprise for Harry hearing his comments, but it still made him a little uncomfortable. After all Harry never had an active sexual life, he still could be considered a virgin. Another reason was his relucancy when talking with Ron, the boy was as clueless as him when they were in Hogwarts. Crazy Dark Lord trying to kill you didn't bring much time for a normal teenage life.

"I mean, she's the prettiest between the Slytherin older girls, maybe some from seventh or sixth year can be compared to Black, but overall she's very hot." David continued his musings while Harry groaned at this. Thinking of Bellatrix in this way, Harry refused to do it. "But she scaries me."

Harry chuckled. "Who she doesn't scare?" Harry asked rhetorically.

David blinked. "You apperantly, and some of her friends." he finished directing his gaze towards the girl.

Deep inside Harry feared Bellatrix for more than one reason. But he decided that he could give people second chances, expect Riddle. "Well, she scares me a bit."

"Wow, you actually fear something, and you adimitted." David voiced his surprise.

"Hey, I fear a lot of things." He was not especific with this, but his mind traveled towards the foulest creatures in the world, Dementors.

"What exacly?" David curiously asked.

Thinking fast on a answer Harry smirked. "My mother." Harry laughed a little when he saw realization creep on David's face.

Nodding a little pale he said. "I understand you, mate. Her and her howlers" David shuddered at the memory. "Doesn't help she's a Black either." Harry added.

After some chewing David pointed at Andromeda. "What's her problem? Did something happened?"

Harry looked down and let a sad sigh escape from his lips. "I kept some secrets from her, she's a litttle mad at me."

Raising his eyebrows. "And this secrets you kept from her, also includes me on the list?"

Harry looked at him in the eyes and nodded. "Yeah, I had to. But I promise soon you'll know."

David gave him a ghost smile. "I'll be waiting. But you better talk to her, it will not be the same without her."

"Yeah, thanks mate." Harry felt better after his friend's support.

Putting the fork on his mouth David said while chewing on the delicious food, not a very pureblood like manners, but he did. "That was friends are for."

Eating his food slowly he scanned the table looking for the last Slytherin memebr of his group. Sitting with the first years Tarou looked down shyly seemingly shiffting in place.

"What's with Tarou, why he's sitting there?" Harry frowned, sometimes the boy was so quiet that if he disappered Harry would only realize when it would be to late, and Harry felt really bad for this.

David leaned towards him. "Oh, you see… it seems Tarou has a bethored now." Harry raised his eyebrows. "She's from China, prettty cool, huh? But I think she isn't so found of being bethored to him." Harry looked at the petite black haired girl at Tarou's side, she was scowling. "Tarou said his mother made a contract with her family."

"I never seen her before, is she a first year?" Harry asked looking at the Slytherin girl.

David nodded then looked thoughtful. "Yeah, I think her name was Ziang, Siang, Liang… I- I don't remember." He pondered while Harry looked indignantly at his friend who raised his hands in surrender. "Look mate, she is the kind of girl that keeps glaring at you disgustingly."

Then Harry nodded. "Can't blame her. I'm not so found of arranged marriages either."

David scowled. "But that's not reason for her to treat us badly, is it?"

Harry glanced at his food before resuming his eating, keeping quiet.

Meanwhile not to far from where Harry was sitting, Bellatrix sat with her elbows on the table and her chin resting on her hands almost sulking in boredom, but since the feast started she never stopped glaring at the girl sitting alone at the end of the table, her sister Andromeda.

She was such a drama queen, always jumping into conclusions without knowing what really happened, or why she was in the dark about it. Truth to be told Bellatrix was more annoyed than angry at her, and the conversation with her Lord during the train made her realize that her sister deserved to know, so she let her sister disrespect 'unpunished'.

Oh yeah, the train ride was incredible, this time she did't slept and stood the whole ride discussing all sort of things with her Lord. He finally would start with his plans… it was finally time to corner that bitch Skeeter. Sincerally, she wanted to make Skeeter suffer for the things she wrote on that little 'newspaper' of hers, all it's contents were all bullshiting lies, what made her even more pissed was some ignorant fools who believed in that crap.

Not that a little bit of her touch doesn't make it better.

While imaging ways to make Skeeter suffer a voice caught her attention. "You seem angry Bellatrix, what are you thinking about with that angry mixed with evil kind of smirk?" Rodolphus was never subtle with his words.

Sighing she looked at him and waved her hand signaling it was nothing of his business and took a bite of her food.

Rodolphus seeing this looked at his brother who sat on his side and asked. "You seemed happy when you arrived? What happened?"

Bellatrix looked at him but didn't said anything, chewing stronger and slowly to let a hint she was eating. The Lestrange brothers did not get the massage.

Rabastan being a little more forcefull asked. "And what's with you and Potter, are you friends with him now?" It was more of an accusation than a question

Bellatrix's chewing ceasead she slowly glared at Rabastan, who shivered a little at her gaze. "Now little Rabakins you should mind your own business, no?"

Rodolphus raised his eyebrows. "We're just curious, Bella. And a little worried"

The fork on Bellatrix's hand suddenly fell from her hand, she sighed annoyngly as she glanced up at the ceiling trying to calm her nerves down. "Look… I get it, you and your brother like to keep your noses on my fucking business so here the answer he's my family, duh. My auntie's son. Now if you want to know the details of our train ride you can ask him, maybe he will tell about how my mouth tastes… "

Rabastan raised his arms shaking furiously. "We don't need details, please spare us."

Bellatrix shrugged. "You asked." Then she cackled.

However, Rodolphus was looking at Bellatrix clearly knowing about her lie, it was normal she made remarks like this but the sudden action and defensive stance, something was wrong and he would find out what it was. But he couldn't deny the discomfort he felt at her words, even knowing it was a lie.

The rest of the feast was eventual. Finally, being led to the Slytherin common room, where Slughorn made his speech and then came the hierarchy bullshit, the diffence only being the change on the leadership, this time being Yaxley. The older boy showed a little more boldness then the last head of the hierarchy, for the ones linked to Voldemort he pratically worshiped the man in front of everyone whithout letting a hint of his true motives.

Harry kept silent, he would let this play out until he got a firm grasp on his objectives, but he had Bellatrix spying for him. The witch was one of the highest in the hierarchy and she was only in fourth year, Harry discovered this hierarchy system to be led by the oldest students, but those being 'highborn' had privileges like the Lestrange brothers, Malfoy and the Blacks. Actually, Harry thought this hierarchy scheme was only a way of gaining reputation among the House of Snakes. He couldn't see this led direct to Voldemort's inner circle or army, but didn't mean he couldn't see who already was in, like Yaxley and Nott, who Harry could see was Theodore Nott's father as he was identical to his son, even the name was the same, so he would have keep an eye on these boys.

Backing on track, Bellatrix was already part of the hierarchy last year, but she was at the bottom of the list, she quickly rose on the ranks because of her grades, improving skills and of course origins, being a Black brought a lot of privileges to her. Now she was almost at the top. With her there Harry had an advantage of knowing about meetings, what they talked about and the secrets that were held by them. When Yaxley dismissed them he went straight to his dorm room.

Rita Skeeter was cursing inwardly, the curly haired bitch was following her, not like the other times, this time she was literally a few steps behind her while grinning viciously. She was currently on the second floor running desperately to find somewhere to hide, somewhere safe, safe from the psycho Bellatrix Black who was the source of her nightmares. She thought going to some of the Professors but dismissed the idea, seeing Black would likely tell them she was crazy.

When this madness started, she didn't mind it, because for her it was all a coincidence. Then she started to feel a little awkward, it was like she was being spied on. Skeeter considered herself as a good 'reporter', so she discarded this possibility. After some weeks she started to feel invaded, her privacy being stolen from her by Black. Suddenly she was feeling paranoid, Bellatrix's grin, her eyes, her body movements, her aura, Skeeter felt like a prey, a defenseless prey in front of the most dangerous predator ever seen. Bellatrix Black frightened her to no end.

Last year was a living hell, she could not understand what was happening, every time she closed her eyes, she saw Bellatrix Black smirking.

The Boggart day was funny though, she somehow got her regenge seeing 'the Bellatrix Black', pass out in the middle of the class after being confronted by some hooded figure that made everybody confused but feeling something akin to satisfaction, at least those whom were bullied by the girl. But since that day she started to stalk her even more.

While walking hurriedly an idea came to her mind, hide in Moaning Myrtle's Bathroom. It sounded crazy, but it was a ghost or Bellatrix Black, for Skeeter there was only one choice here. Rushing towards the bathroom, she could hear the ghost already groaning and moaning, like she was in deep and profound pain.

Gathering her last piece of courage, she opened the door and rushed towards one of the cubicles in the bathroom. Closing slowly and silently she started to control her own breath. What didn't help her was the ghost shutting her mouth making all silent again.

Calming herself, she heard footsteps reaching her ears getting closer. The tension and desperation she was feeling at each step she heard could not be measured. Her heart clenched when the bathroom door opened, Skeeter started to hold her breath with both of her hands.

One, two, three, four steps then a bang, one of the cubicles doors burst open. More steps and another bang, when the footsteps resumed again, Bellatrix's voice echoed through the bathroom. "The fly was caught in the spider's web." Came the voice in a sing-song manner.

Skeeter heard another bang. "Come one little fly, the spider already got you." She snarled as the sounds of Bellatrix's steps got heavier and louder. Her heart suddenly came to stop when she saw her stalker's shadow coming from the bottom part of the cublicle.

Skeeter gasped and screamed when Bellatrix banged her fist on the door, more laughter was heard. "Found you." The bitch said in that disgusting baby voice.

Skeeter automatically curled and brought her head between her knees… she was going to die. That moment Skeeter for the first time in her life begged and prayed silently for someone to save her.

Suddenly the laugh and the bang noises stopped, complete silence once again ovwewelmed the bathroom, hope coming back to her while she slowly started lifting her head and waited a little. When she only met silence, Skeeter glanced at where the shadow stood… it was gone.

Swallowing, she shifted herself to a more comfortable position and kept her attention on the smallest of the noises, unfortunately her eyes caught something first. The door lock started to move, making a click noise. Slowly the door opened making that old and slow screech noise, revealing her hunter, the girl responsible for her nightmares, her stalker. "Found you Rita." She pissed herself at that, literally.

But before anything else could happen the front door opened again. "That's enough Bellatrix." She regarded the sounds of footsteps, identifying not one but two people entering the bathroom.

It was a boy's voice that Skeeter didn't recognize it. Skeeter saw Bellatrix turned towards the door and bowed. "My Lord."

Then a groan echoed through the bathroom, Skeeter just kept wondering what they would do to her.

Burying her head deeper between her knees she waited for the worst to hapen. A minute passed and the same voice spoke. "Well, I didn't want to come this far. She even pissed herself." The voice sounded genuinely worried and sympathetic.

"Forgive, my Lord. But I did what you instruct me to." Bellatrix voiced in uncertain tone.

"It's okay... here... " Skeeter suddenly felt clean, cleaner then before, even her sweat vanished. There was a pause when the same voice continued. "Rita Skeeter?" The voice called for her attention, but she still kept her face buried.

After some silence she felt her hair being grabed and yanked upwards revealing, Hadrian Potter with a shocked expression om his face and at his side grabbing her hair, was a furious Bellatrix Black. "Answer him, you worthless bug."
Before Skeeter could yell, Potter exasperadly choked. "Bellatrix, realese her, no violence."
Reluctantly she was realeased, but no before she heard Bellatrix whisper in her ear. "Obey him… in front of you is your Lord, and like a bug you are, you should just listen and do as told." Skeeter gulped and gave a slow nod before turning her attention to Potter, who was still shocked for some reason.

A minute passed before the boy stumbled on himself before composing completely. "We are not going to hurt you." She wanted to snort, she was already mentally hurt. "I want you to work for me." He said bluntly.

Weakly she tilted her head and looked attently towards him. "Work for you?" That perked her interest even if it sounded absurd.

He nodded. "Yes work for me. You see, I want to raise my image between these walls, I need my reputation to go… up." He signaled towards the ceiling with his index finger.

Processing what he just said. "And pray tell how I am gonna help?" She asked faiting ignorance.

Potter snorted. "Please Rita, I know you are the gossip girl around here, how you didn't get caught yet, I don't know. But that's why I came to you, somehow you manage to keep low profile, and that's why you got my attention." He chuckled.

"Not so low, if I got discovered." She mumbled. "And what if I say no?" She asked relucantly.

He shrugged. "Well it's simple. I obliviate you, you will not remember this conversation, but your memories of Bellatrix will still be with you."

Skeeter glanced at Bellatrix who smirked. Gulping she asked carefully. "And if I accept. Surely I need to gain something from this."

She saw Bellatrix face distort but Potter chuckled a little. "Of course. You want money? Perhaps you want your own newspaper company when you graduate? Just name your price."

At the moment he voiced having her own newspaper company, her mind shattered. "You're lying." She would not believe this.

"Am I? Then name your price." He said confidently.

Skeeter gave him a disbelieving look before saying. "How're you going to give me what I want?"

"Oh, so you do want your own newspaper." He said rhetorically while grinning. "Simple, money. I have a lot o money and connections. I can make it work, only if you work for me."

"I don't believe you." She almost yelled.

"Is that so? Then I Harry Potter swear on my life and magic that I will not break the promisses made before a contract with Rita Skeeter." Her jaw hit the floor. "I can do it, I'm Potter. I have money, you just need to promise as well." If you want to make a formal agreement upon a contract, I can also do it. Damn Potter was good in negotiating. Rich bastard.

She glaced at Bellatrix who was also grinning again, but her eyes told a different thing, disgust.

Then came to her mind, she glanced at the two of them and said. "Wait, that's why you're following me?" Skeeter was indignant.

"Rita, you lied about me." This time his voice got serious, very serious. "You told people some nasty things about me, and this was prejudicial to me. And I am here in good will to offer you the easiest way to achieve your dreams, I could simply force you to do it, but I won't… so? are you going to accept or not?"

She swallowed glanced back and forth between the serious Potter and a angry Bellatrix. "But why you need this so much? It's not like anyone is bullying you."

Potter took a deep breath and frowned. "Right now it's not your fuckying business, if you make the vow, we will work together. If not, then I'll let you be and Bellatrix here will still be on your head."

That snapped something in her. "You can't."

"Then bow" Growled an angry Bellatrix. "My Lord is loosing his patience, he's offering more than you deserve… a chance to be in his service and yet… you deny it?"

Skeeter was not shocked about the animosity she was showing towards her, but rather what she called Potter and the meaning behind her words. And she was sure this was not the first time she referred Potter as such. She glanced at Potter and saw his gobsmacked expression. "Lord? What the fuck? I knew it, you're some kind of Dark Lord." Skeeter was shocked, she couldn't help but accuse him.

"Dark Lord or not… show your bloody respect. Get your head on the ground and bow like a filthy dog you are… Dog?" Bellatrix looked thoughtful. "An evolution already, from bug you became a dog. Congratulations" Bellatrix cackled while chanting 'Rita the dog' repeatedly.

Skeeter should felt insulted and angry at this. But Bellatrix was to scary so she kept quiet.

Unconsciously at the heat of a moment and with the fear she was feeling, Skeeter moved to bow but a hand caught her shoulder. "You don't need to bow, just tell me if you accept or not."

Potter said making her body relax a little. She looked at him. "You have the proposal, you just need to help me." She then glanced at Bellatrix again whose eyes were daring her to deny Potter.

Skeeter started to think, if Potter kept his part of this 'bargain' she would have what she always wanted. Altought she suspected the price she had to pay was to high. "What you want me to do?"

Potter smiled, he then looked at his side and motioned with his hand, seemnly calling someone. Then she remembered. When the door opened earlier, she heard two pairs of footsteps.

Not a second later a blond boy, with the Ravenclaw colors made himself known. "Hi. I'm Xenophilius Lovegood" He said happily.

Potter chuckled. "Xeno, this is Rita and Rita this is Xeno. He's going to be your boss while working for me."

She blinked. "What? You can't be serious. And I didn't said I accepted."

Potter glanced at her then smirked. "Well, then let's obliviate you then." He moved.

Skeeter started to pale. "I accept, I accept. Please, just don't realese the wolf on me." Skeeter said while looking terrified at Bellatrix.

Hearing a sigh her eyes glanced back at Potter. "We just want you to cooparate, your help." His voice sound very truthful. "And of course your vow of secrecy."

Skeeter wanted to deny because of fear, but the earlier proposition was to tempting and made her accept. "Ok..." She mumbled and soon after no need to be asked she vowed on her magic as well.

Potter smiled. "Good. Your contact will be Xeno here, soon we will discuss what your job will be."

"Just like that?" She asked suspiously.

Potter nodded. "Yes." He said stoically. "Just like that."

She started to get up to her feet and asked looking warily at the furious Bellatrix beside Potter. "Am I excused?... Can I leave?" She glanced at Bellatrix who mouthed 'show your respect, you filthy liar.'

Potter nodded. "You can. But remember, this conversation stays between us. And only us." She nodded quickly.

Slowly walking past them she reached the door handle and heard a growl, without looking back she fled the place.

Watching Skeeter exit the bathroom made Harry sigh heavily. This could have gone better, maybe asking Bellatrix to stalk the girl was too much. She literally pissed herself. Looking at the curly haired girl she was there staring at the cubicle angrily. Harry knew the girl was being passionate about all this, well more than passionate. But he didn't want her to bully Skeeter, or harm her. Altought he didn't like the gossip girl, he just wanted to steer a little fear on her to make things easier, for the negotiotions, now she would think twice before ratting him out. And Bellatrix being who she is did not make easier, but he could not change Bellatrix like day or night changed… and only if he could change her. Only if.

Clearing his throat and getting Bellatrix's attention he smiled. "Well done, you did a good job Bellatrix."

Bellatrix angry look changed to a proud and happy smile. "Thank you my Lord..." Before she could continue Harry raised his hand making her jaw snap shut with an audible click of her teeth.

"But." Her breath hitched. "This could be done smoothly." He chatistised her, but to say the truth it was very smooth, he could even take satisfaction at seeing Skeeter pissing herself from fear, she deserved… didn't she? Well what's done is done.

Bowing even more the smile vanished from her pretty face, she bit her lip hard. "Forgive me, I got angry when that insect denied you." Harry sighed again, well it would take a little more time for him to get used to her language and animosity towards everyone, at least it was not direct at him like Lestrange did.

During the transition between the first and second year of Hogwarts, Harry got some grip on young Bellatrix's personality, while still crazy like her otherself she was still a proud witch from a pureblood house, so she had standarts of her own. He tried to do everything he could to make her stop being this way, but whatever he tried to do she would still treat him as a figure to be highly respected. So, instead of trying to correct her, he played along and tried to interact with the girl that way. Maybe it was not his place to change others. So Harry's only choice was adapt to the situation.

"It's fine Bellatrix, you're still learning." He said the first thing that came to his head. Bullshit, the girl was sharp, very smart, the sad thing she was crazy and liked to be feared.

She gave a ghost of a smile. "Thank you my Lord, for your kindness." Perhaps he made a good choice of removing her from Voldemort's hands, the more he took from him the more he felt satisfaction in it, in Harry's perspective, he was saving a life after all.

Scratching the back of his head Harry turned to Xeno. "Are you sure you want to do this?"

Xeno removing his curious gaze from Myrtle nodded. "Yes, no problem... " He then smirked. "My Lord."

Harry opened his mouth then shutted with an audible click. "Not you too!" Harry whined.

"Who's he?" Bellatrix suddenly asked with a hint of suspicion.

Harry turned to her and said. "Well, Bellatrix, this is Xeno, my friend. Xeno this is Bellatrix..." He would said friend and companion but she was quicker.

"His most loyal servant." She cut Harry off narrowing her eyes at Xeno. "Are you sure we can trust him, my Lord?" She glanced at him. Yes she was too passionate… devoted.

Harry simply nodded and explained how Xeno was on their side and how he came to know about his plans. When he finished Bellatrix grunted satisfyingly with his anwwer and explanation, but did not diminish her suspicion.

"While Xeno here isn't a soldier per se, he's very smart and he will be the one leading new people to us." After Harry explained that, Bellatrix seemed to look the boy up and down before nodding in acceptance.

Then an awkward silence reigned in the bathroom. Harry already planted the evil seed, he only needed to wait for results to show themselves. Before he could say anything more Myrtle awkwardly cleared her throat. "That was intense, but it surely was fun." Harry deadpanned at her bubbly remark.

"It's better I get going, come Xeno. See you later Bellatrix." Harry called Xeno while giving his farewells to Bellatrix.

She again bowed. "Farewell, my Lord, if you need your servant I will always be at your disposal." Groaning again he exited with Xeno at his side snickering hard.

Harry could admit Pietra Pizzotti was good in what she did, she understood well the Dark Arts, but for him she was not good at teaching, her classes were boring, the only ones who kept their attention to the class were the ones really interested or the ones that needed better grades, the rest were the perverted boys and the envious girls. While the pervs kept their attention at her instead of the classes and the envious girls that kept snorting silently, glaring hatefully at her and accusing the woman of showing herself off.

DADA, for Harry was the best subject taught in Hogwarts, why? It was fun, a lot fun and he understood it better than the others. While he liked transfiguration and charms it was most likely because of the Professors. Even if Flitwick was not the Charms professor yet, the one teaching for now was good as him. And he would never forget Minnie, she was brilliant.

While deeply distracted with his thoughts he felt a gaze on him. "Well, well if isn't the prodigy of Hogwarts. Mr. Potter, I thought you would be more attentive in my classes. After all, the majority of the Professors speaks highly of you." The italian-american accent echoed in the classroom.

Harry straightened himself before speaking. "Sorry Professor, I didn't get much sleep yesterday, and there's some personal matters that seems to keep on my mind." Harry said lied smoothly.

Raising a delicate eyebrow she asked. "And pray tell what these problems are?" She inquired.

"Sorry Professor, it's family problems." Again he answered with straight face.

Clicking her tongue she said. "Well, surely you will have time to think later, now answer the question."

Harry innocently tilted his head. "What was the question Professor?" He then smiled awkwardly.

The professor annoyed thought a little before smirking. Harry was sure she changed the questions. "Tell me about the unforgivables."

Harry gave a ghost of smile but then frowned. "I'm not sure we're already allowed to know about these kind of spells professor."

Her smirk got wider. " Perhaps there was a misunderstanding on the part of the other Professors about you being smart and a prodigy. Or maybe you know and you are afraid to tell us, if you feel more comfortable we can make and exception to this class, right?" She asked in sweet tone.

Harry sighed. "Well there's the killing curse, green nasty thing. If hits you're dead, there's no way to shield it just dodge it."

Her smirk vanished a little to show a faint surprise. "Good, the next one?" She really though he didn't knew about them.

"Imperius, control completely your target, but you can break it from the curse if you have a good will." Harry explained.

Nodding still impressed she motioned to him continue. "Cruciatus. The worst of the three, attacks your nerve system, and surely hurts a lot." Harry said while shivering inwardly.

Professor Pizzotti raised her eyebrows curiously. "You seem to know a lot about the curses and you said it hurt, how do you know?"

Harry waved dismissively. "I only spoke what I heard Professor."

She narrowed her eye. "Uhum, then tell me mister Potter, why they are called the unforgivables."

Harry spouted a thoughtful look, before answering. "Well, surely is because the ministry deemed them as unforgivables." He said with a smile.

Silenced reigned in the classroom, even the stern Professor looked rather mysteriously at him. After some more silence Professor Pizzotti asked him slowly. "Why you say that Mr. Potter. I thought you would say it's because their are dark magic."

Harry chuckled. "If you want my personal opinion Professor, so be it. I don't believe in dark and light." He gave a pause looking at the intrigued Professor then glanced at a slacked jaw David who sat beside him. "For example, Davis here. He's my friend, let's just say he would do something very stupid without thinking and I had the power to stop it. I surely would Imperius him and stop his dumb ass to do anything rash. Actually, the three of them works with intentions and emotions, even good emotions, if strong enough, can manage make the unforgivables work. Like it was told me one day, you have to mean it."

No one said anything, so Harry continued. "If I killed someone with a simple spell, I would be punished only for killing this person, not for using magic. What if I alegated my actions as self defense? I wouldn't be punished at all. But if I cast the killing curse allegating self defense the thiongs would be more complicated. Do you understand what I'm trying to imply?"

She just stared him, her face emotioneless, after a minute she turned to the shocked wide eyed class and continued with her lessons.

Harry said this with one intention, his new Hogawarts newspaper. Harry talked to Skeeter some days after the Myrtle's bathroom situation and the girl didn't seemed very enthisiastic when he explained why he wanted to 'recruit' her, but Skeeter assured him that she would do his part.

Now in classes like this were the Professor gave him the opportunity to speak his mind he would gather attention, maybe bad or good, but with time he could gather the right people.

When Pizzoti classes finished finished for the day, Harry gathered his things, exited the room and started to walk towards his next class, but a blond boy, he recognized stopped him. "You're quite the enigma huh, Gray Lord. Not too easy to find but easy enough" Harry abruptly stopped. He locked eyes with Florian Greengrass

He never imagine got someone to reach him this fast. "You like it then. My ideas I mean?" Harry asked in complete curiosity.

"What if I told someone about this, someone that would put you in trouble." Greengrass emotioneless face mirrored his tone.

"The newspaper article is for the right kind people, the ones I know to discover it, those who thinks about the future." Harry shrugged.

"Interesting." His face didn't change. "And you are so certain of that?"

Harry grinned. " The question is, are you certain of this? If you deciphered this 'code', you don't agree what's going on with our world. I want to change that. But you? I want to know what do you want."

Greengrass emotioneless face changed for a brief second to a smirk. "I want the same thing, but I also want to be Lord Greengrass."

Harry raised his eyebrows. "Lord Greengrass? I tought you were the heir."

Greengrass shook his head. "The Lordship of the Greengrasses are different, you have to prove yourself worthy, and currently my cousin is the heir because of his accomplishments. We don't like each other very much, but he's infatuated with Voldemort's way of thinking. I'm against it, but also I will not let her take Greengrass mantle." Greengrass explained. So the Greengrasses believed Voldemort to be a real thing. It was good to know.

"So why come to me, Dumbledore is the champion of the light. Isn't him a better choice over a boy like me?" Harry asked trying to grasp more on Greengrass intentions.

"My father, current Lord Greengrass doesn't like Dumbledore very much. We know war is coming, so we need to choose a side. My cousin chose dark, if I chose light I would be in desvantage. So my final choice would be you, even it seems ridiculous. I know what you are capable of, I spied on you, so if you want a reason, would be a shot in the dark." Greengrass explained.

Harry nodded he then motioned for Greengrass to follow him. "This cousin of yours, do you think he would kill a member of your family, just to be Lord Greengrass?"

Frowning Florian replied. "He's not that wicked, maybe if the Dark Lord ordered then maybe he would do it. But he's in advantage only because he's older, way older than me. I can say politically I'm smarter, but I need allies." Harry could see the boy was not boasting, he was confident.

Harry nodded. "So you want to join? And if yes , what can I do for help." Harry asked.

"What's your plans?" Greengrass asked.

"Gain reputation, gather more allies and prepare for war." Harry told him.

"Simple enough." Greengrass grunted.

Harry smirked. "I will also try to unite the Houses in the future be the king of Hogwarts."

Greengrass looked at him with raised eyebrows in a surprised manner. "That's going to be difficult."

Harry shook his head. "While hiding my true intentions from Dumbledore, yes. But unite the houses in one banner, no. I have the newspaper, and with your help, we can make things easier and smoothier. We just need time."

After a long silence Greengrass asked. "Do you need a magic vow? And when we do start?"

Harry smile. "Yes please. For precautions only. You are free to hang out with us, if you need time I will contact you if I need anything." Florian Greengrass was now a gray wizard.

Another christmas approached and Arcturus made some plans for it, this time he not only asked Marius and Alphard to come but also his cousins and daughter. Like Lucretia promised the previous year, his little girl would attend the family gathering with her husband. Arcturus received a letter not only from Lucretia but also two of his cousins that he didn't saw in a long time, unlike her daughter's letter, Callidora's and Charis's only informed him of their attendance and nothing more, while his daughter's told him, when she would come, how she was doing and other radom informations, it made him really happy.

The last letter he received, was from Dorea, yeah Arcturus also invited his sister asking for her to bring her husband and 'son', guessing she would decline Arcturus expected nothing from her but suprinsingly she accepted. That would make this an interisting, if not a rather noisy and akward Christmas, maybe even hostile.

Currently Lord Black was sitting with his wife in his studies having a light conversation while they waited for the rest of their guests to arrive. The ones already in attendence were Marius with his wife and children, Callidora and her husband, Charis as well with her husband and Alphard making his daughter and sister yet to arrive.

"You think it was wise to invite Dorea, husband?" Melania asked softly.

"If I could only invite her, would not be a problem. Actually, I think will be fine, I only worry about some minor things, like Bellatrix and Walburga." He kept the girl in the dark about inviting Potter to their house, as for Walburga, it was Walburga.

"Well, I just hope this goes well, after all your objective here is unite our family." Melania pointed out.

"Exacly and my sister is part of this family too." He exclaimed.

"And what about Cedrella?" Melania asked already knowing the answer.

Scoffing Arcturus exclaimed. "Cedrella hate us, Melania. If looks could kill we would be dead by now."

Sighing she looked at radom direction. "I just hope we can succed on this plan, and this Christmas can be a peaceful one."

Nodding he looked at the same way his wife was looking. " Me too, beloved, me too."

After a moment of silence, a knock on the door broke the two of them from their thoughts. "Enter." Arcturus allowed.

The door opening revealing a smiling Orion. "Father, mother. Excuse me." He excused himself before continuing. "Lucretia and her husband arrived.

Arcturus smiled ever so faintly back to his son and nodded. "We will be there shortly."

Hearing the door close Arcturus turned to Melania. "Shall we greet our family?"

It was rare for him to see her smile like that, after all they already were at age, but the smile she gave him remembered him to much of their younger days. She gave him a smile of pure happiness filled with innocence and puritness. "Yes, let's see our family."

Lucretia didn't know if she pitied or laughed at her husband demise. The two of them were currently standing in front of, in Lucretia's opinion, one of the most imposing and scary man in the world, her father, Arcturus Black. Her husband, Ignatius was shifting and fidgeting while trying to avoid that damn harsh but also hidden mocking gaze, her father was messing with her husband, like always.

"Daughter." Her father spoke keeping his gaze towards her husband. "It delights me to see you well, your mother and I missed you." After finally having his fun messing with her husband, her father turned to her with a big and fatherly smile on his face.

Lucretia felt warmth spread to her body, giving him a huge smile, she went to hug the elderly man. "Father, is so good to see you. How are you? And how mother's doing?" She asked in a rushed tone.

Before he could answer a voice came behind her. "Lucretia, my daughter." Lucretia head snapped towards the sound to see her mother standing there clearly happier than ever. Melania approached her slowly while staring at her daughter eyes. Mimicking her mothers movements they approached each other with eagerness and longing.

"Mother." Lucretia shouted like a little girl and wrapped her arms around her mother. She knew this was an attitude unbecomimg of her status, but she didn't care.

"Oh, my sweet girl. You look beautiful." She smiled even more at that, how she missed her mother.

While the mother and daughter were exchanging pleasentries, Lucretia's attention shifted when her father spoke again but this time towards her husband.

"Finally sparing some of your time to let our daughter visit us, uhm." He said in a harsh and cold tone.

There was a brief silence. "Is good to see you too, Lord Black." It seems her husband lost his patience and answered in an annoyed tone.

Lucretia closed her eyes waiting for her fathers tantrum but after some seconds of nothing but a chuckle her eyes snapped open.

"Is good to see you in good health as well, boy. Hope you are taking care of my daughter as always. And please call me Arcturus." Lucretia's eyes were wide, so wide that they were threatening to fall from her sockets. She slowly turned to her father and husband to see an equally wide eye Ignatius and a smiling Arcturus.

"A-are you sick, father?" Lucretia had to ask.

His smile didn't falter and so nonchalantly he answer. "Of course not, daughter. I'm perfectly healthy."

"B-but you just asked my husband, a Prewett... to call you by your... name." She stuttered. "I think the rumors were true."

Arcturus smile faded a little at that. "What rumors?"

She cleared her throat akwardly, almost choking herself. "W-well, that the Blacks are not the same. That you all got soft, and you... we are a light family now, supporters of Dumbledore and the blood-traitors." Ignoring her answer, Arcturus smiled inwardly at her remark that she still tought them as her family.

Arcturus sighed while mumbling profanities towards whoever started this rumors. "There were changes yes, but not so ridiculously like being Dumbledore supporter and a… blood-traitor." The last word got out bitter than it was supposed to.

"H-how so father?" She sweatdropped.

He sighed again then looked at her. "There were changes in this family, and I hope it's for the best."

She didn't know how to respond, she looked at her husband for help but the man was still frozen in place.

"Well, things happened, and Arcturus had a change of mind." Melania answered while hiding her smirk of amusement with her hand.

A silence filled the room again, the family just kept staring at each other. But Arcturus knew this wouldn't get anywhere so he motioned towards the door. "Shall we meet the rest of the family." Lucretia looked at her husband a little worried but nodded politely.

After a few steps they entered a new room, it was spacious, perfect for guests and there sitting on diferent corners of the room Lucretia could see her family chatting lightly. They were not in Grimmauld Place, they were in another of the Black properties that resided in France. It was a big manor with a beautiful garden that gave and air of welcoming.

Immideately a smile bloomed in her face and her eyes landed on her brother who rarely showed his own smile.

Lucretia and Orion were very close, like all Black siblings they were quite inseperable, but the day she departed to live with her husband, she left the house with their relanshionship very stained, both of them didn't like each others bethored. More her than him.

Lucretia hated Walburga with passion, she didn't showed though but the woman sitting beside Orion knew it, the scowl on her face showed that very well.

But even after so long she walked direct towards her brother and enveloped him into a hug. Witch was wholeheartedly reciprocated.

"Brother/Sister." They said at the same time.

Breaking the hug her brother said. "It's very good to see you Lucretia, I missed you."

Her smiled widened and the warm feeling of seeing her family once again she replied. "It's good to see you too Orion, I missed you as well. All of you." She looked around at everyone present.

Her gaze went to everyone in the room stopping at her Uncle Marius, a scowl apperead on her face but quickly disaperead after what her father's letters informed her. He smiled at her but she didn't recipocrated, she would not question her father's decisions but if she would have an opinion it would be a negative one.

"So everyone is present…" Whatever Orion would say was cut short by her father.

"Not quite, Dorea still has yet to come." Lucretia didn't know why but after her aunt's name left his mouth a dread silence invaded the room. But because of the faces her family she could see that the silence came for different reasons.

"What?" Two different voices shouted making her instinctively jump in place. One of the voices she recognized as the banshee Walburga, but the other one was, one of her nieces who seemed very outraged by the new information.

Lucretia watched as Walburga stuttered under her breath clearly in disbelief what she was hearing, a shocked expression on her face. As for the younger Black, she saw her face show so many emotions that she couldn't even imagine what was going through her mind. First came the shock that quickly turned to disbelief, then anger escalating to rage, but quickly vanished turning to… happiness, finally finishing in an expression that could be described as 'I should have expected this'. What surprised her even more was the members of her family seemed more worried about the girl's reaction than Walburga's.

Bellatrix's mind was on fire, she didn't knew what to think. Again her family hid things from her, she was not prepared to receive her Lord today. First her appperance was one of a girl who recently woke up, she did not bother to dress like a proper lady in the presence of the people she didn't cared about, second she didn't have nothing planned to make his stay comfortable and suitable to his needs, but now everything changed.

Lucretia saw the young Black's mouth open and close several times, but she could never have imagined the words that came out of her mouth. "Fuck you." It came out in such distate that she forgot to breath for a second. "Why didn't you told me?" She demanded in a somber tone.

Lucretia looked at her father not believing what she just heard, the girl was to confident or to stupid, she actually didn't know what suited her more. Suprinsing Lucretia even more, her father just glared at the young witch and nothing more.

"I have no obligations to you Bellatrix, you should well remember that." He replied making Lucretia confusion and disbelief burst in her mind.

Again a swirl of emotions passed throught Bellatrix face before she huffed and stormed out of the room leaving a dead silence for the next five minutes.

Like her, everyone else stood in shock, her trail of thoughs were broken when Druella cleared her throat and sighed in shame. "Uhm, I'm really sorry Lord Black, I will see it to my daughter." She went to got up from her sit but a second voice stopped her.

"Let me go after her, mother." Lucretia looked at the voice to see Andromeda Black, a little more matured since the last time she saw her, with a scowl on her face. "I will try and talk to Bella."

Druella looked… relifed for a moment, but she saw the woman was going to deny the request but that didn't happen, Andromeda insisted making Druella relent.

After the other girl left, the stunned Walburga finally expressed her thoughts. "Why would you invite them?" Suprisingly she didn't shout.

"My reasons are my own and you will obey because it's the head of the house, your Lord's will, do you understand Walburga?" Arcturuss glared at her with narrowed eyes. Walburga huffed but stood silent.

Lucretia now could see the changes on her family and until now her opionions were beyond negative. "What was that? You will let that girl disrespect you just like that father? If it was me, you would not have a second though and punish me." She couldn't cotain her thoughts.

Her father sighed while looking at his feet in disappointment. "Don't mind Bellatrix, just ignore her." He waved his hand in dismissal not quite answering her demands.

"Do you truly invited them?" The question came from Druella's mouth.

"Indeed, Dorea is still a Black after all. And like I said my objective here is unite the Blacks trough this dark times." Arcturus explained with conviction.

"What's happening? Why you all seem reluctant to invite Dorea?" The question came from Charis Crouch who was sitting beside her husband Caspar Crouch.

Again silence filled room, some of them were even shifting in place, clearly uncomfortable with the subject in hand.

But one man just scoffed. "It's not Dorea the problem but her filfhy son." Pollux distate was clearly recognizable on his voice.

Charis, her husband and all the newcomers blinked. SON?!

"Son? Since when she has a son?" Callidora Longbottom asked in surprised, she like all the Longbottoms were close to the Potters, and making Dorea a Black just add to the closeness of the two witches had.

This time Orion answered. "Apperantly since last year, he is adopted."

That made the newcomers gasp and mirroring the thoughts of everyone, Charis asked Arcturus. "You allowed this? Where the boy comes from?"

Again Arcturus didn't answer instead Irma voiced her displeasure. "He's a filthy half-blood."

Silence, no one belived her words.

"A half-blood?" Ignatius asked dangerously.

Before hell broke loose Arcturus held his hand up and said dangerously. "You'll respect my wishes. The ones who already met the boy know he is not to be taken lighly, so for those who don't know, be warned don't cross paths with Hadrian Potter and you should be fine, he is a very smart boy and very skilled in magic, so keep your thoughts to yourself. This house must change and for that I will welcome my half-blood nephew to our home as I welcomed my squib brother Marius and his family." Arcturus looked at Marius and nodded who got an appreciative nod back. This time Marius and his wife brought his two children with them a twenty-two-year-old son and a sixteen-old-daughter.

Lucretia couldn't be more surprised, she had mixed feelings about this, she was educated like all the Blacks were before her, about their superiority over muggles and those who were born with no magic or sired from people that came from dubious origins. She would have asked again what in Merlin's name was happening but a pop was heard makimg Kreacher appear.

Kreacher bowed to Arcturus and said. "Lord Black, guests arrived."

Arcturus sighed and didn't glance at the elf but instructed. "Show them in."

The rage inside her could only be containded by the happiness that she was feeling. Now that Bellatrix was not in the presence of her relatives she let herself a sigh of annoyance. The news of her Lord coming to spend christmas with 'her', made her happy but to be informed of such ordeal this late made her anger flare to a point that she almost exploded. She suspected that the Potter's were invited in the last possible moment, so her Lord didn't have the time to inform her of his arrival, but she also had to remember herself that he did not had to inform her of his whereabouts. But the thought of her relatives hide this from her made her anger boil.

She walked through the big manor towards one of the rooms that she claimed as hers, she would have to prepare herself, after all one of the reasons for her anger was her own appearance, she looked horrible. She knew about the other guests but they didn't matter to her so she didn't worry about manners and apperances, now with the news of the new arrival she darted towards the room to shower, find a nice dress and get her hair and make up sorted to look at leat presentable in the presence of her Lord.

First Bellatrix took a quick shower, it was still morning and she already took one earlier but she took another to make sure, then she chose one of the best black dresses she had, she placed some light make-up, then she moved to her hair. To be honest Bellatrix looked exactly like she looked everyday but a little more formal, more elegant.

While going through her hair a knock on the door made her mood sour a little. "Bella, are you in there? It's me Andromeda, can I come in?"

Bellatrix didn't answer her sister and returned her attention to her hair.

After a minute, another knock was heard and again Belatrix stopped when her sister's voice came through the door. "Bella, I know you're in there."

Again, Bellatrix ignored, but when a third knock came she got up trashing everything and opened the door with a screech. "WHAT?!"

Andromeda stood there unfazed by the animosity of her sister, she somehow expected this, the scene she saw earlier made Andromeda expected to see Bellatrix pissed. "Bella, are you alright?" She asked in concern with a slight annoyance.

Bellatrix said nothing, for a moment she just glared at her sister, but seeing she didn't budge at her glares, Bellatrix sighed and answered with two questions. "Do I seem alright? Why are you here anyways?" She returned to sit in front of the mirror giving passage to her sister.

Andromeda walked slowly in the room taking note of the mess the bedroom was currently in. Dresses and robes trashed all over the place, broken furniture, wet floor and footprints that she assumed was from Bellatrix after she got out of the shower, and a variety of other objects were out of place. If her mother saw this she would be very displeased.

"What happened Bella?" She asked in concern.

"What do you mean what happened? They are all ignorant dimwits. It was on purpose, they chose not to inform me of my Lord's arrival." Bellatrix scoffed.

Mentioning now what Andromeda knew it was Harry, her face shadowed. "Why you call Harry this? Why are you like this, Bellatrix?" She demanded.

Bellatrix glanced towards her sister and sneered. "Now you want to know don't you? When my Lord tried to explain to you, you didn't listen." She glanced at Andromeda with narrowed eyes. "Not that he needs to explain himself to you." Bellatrix sneered quietly but Andromeda heard loud and clear.

Andromeda was taken back. It was true though, that day, her bad mood made her dismiss Harry's explanations. "Still, this is…" She was cut off by Bellatrix dark chuckle.

"You should worry with yourself, sister. I made my choice. After he came to our lives Hadrian Potter made our mother all lovely-dovey, before him she only cared about how we portrait ourselves, now out of nothing she wants to partake in our lives like a muggle loving mother. And our mother is only one of the examples I can give you." Bellatrix then sighed. "Andromeda… we are purebloods, we are Blacks, when in our whole lives we would see Marius Black, a squib, a disowned man, sitting with the rest of the Blacks chatting like we are a muggle family? I say what happned, Hadrian Potter happened." Bellatrix smiled fondly at the name and Andromeda blinked several times and tried her hardest to digest the information, for months her sister didn't say more than a couple of words to her. "And what makes me want to murder all the liars that I once called family, is that they don't recognize him as the true Lord of the magic world." Again Andromeda just listened gobsmacked. "Here a piece of advice sister, you should ask for his forgiveness and listen when he's is talking to you."

Andromeda shook her head. "W-what happened to you Bella?" For some reason Andromeda felt annoyed by all this… the devotion her sister was showing towards her best friend, Andromeda couldn't digest this very well.

Bellatrix sclowled again and looked Andromeda in the eye. "Like I said sister, concern with yourself…" Bellatrix didn't get to finish when a pop was heard and an elf that was not Kreacher apperead before the dark haired witch.

"Missy Bella, guests arrived." The elf was instructed earlier to report to Bellatrix when Harry arrived.

Andromeda saw the scowl on her sister's face, suddenly turn into a happy smile, and out of the blue her sister, Bellatrix Black, started humming some words she didn't quite understood, a song perhaps? It was so strange to see her like this, only the mention of Harry's arrival made her sister's mood improve a lot.

Moments later, satisfied with her hair, Bellatrix got up and start walking back towards she came from, stopping suddenly at the middle of the door not looking back. "You should trust him more." And with that she was gone. Leaving Andromeda to her thoughts.

After Kreacher was gone an excruciating silence invaded the room, all Blacks were waiting nervously for the Potters to arrive. Lucretia couldn't believe what she was seeing, it seemed that her family was waiting for the final judgment. She was relaxed at first but the tension made her start worrying as well about the Potters arrival, she didn't know what to expect of it.

Her father seeing the tension cleared his throat and warned. "Again, this is a moment of confraternization, peace and to bond as a family. Dorea has her reasons to adopt the boy, so I warn all of you again, be respectful and welcoming."

Lucretia scanned the room, trying to find someone daring to speak upon her father's warning. Like she feared, she saw some of them wanting to protest but before they could voice it a knock was heard in the door.

"Enter." Her father said.

At the permission, the door opened slowly revealing her favorite aunt Dorea Potter in all her youth and beauty, showing a big and loving smile. Like all the Blacks she wore a fancy and expensive dress a little too colorful comparing to the other woman, but nothing extravagant. After all the Blacks wore only black. Her aunt swiftly entered the room and embraced Arcturus in a big crushing hug thanking him for the invitation. She then started to say her greetings to everyone one in the room. What amused her was when Walburga's turn came her aunt gave her a cold and murderous glare and nothing more.

The second to come inside was her uncle, Charlus Potter. The man looked like someone gave him the beat of the century he seemed grumpy and a little depressed but she knew why, Dorea forced him to attend and he tried to fight her, so she showed him who was the boss. He was dressed in formal clothes but very differently from what the Black man were using, Potter standarts. He like Dorea greeted everyone but a lot more formally.

But all the greetings and noises in the room stopped when the boy entered. Her first impressions were that he was deffinetly Charlus and Dorea's son, at least it was hard to tell he was adopted, the only big difference was the vibrant green eyes. The boy had the same black hair of his mother with the features of his father, he was a mixture of the two in her opinion. He stopped at the door while everyone glared at him, some with disgust, others in curiosity and even some with a little fear. The boy scanned the room looking at everyone's eyes without leaving anyone. When his eyes had gone through every single face he walked to her father and bowed politely. "Greetings Lord Black, I like to thank you for your invitation and I like to wish you and all your family a happy Christmas." The boy was carrying a tray that contained some kind of dessert. The boy then offered to Lord Black. The simply gesture could be an insult to a pureblood family, for various resons but mainly because this same gesture was from muggle culture.

For some minutes Lord Black just stared at it but Lucretia notice Dorea glaring at him daring him to refuse, so without much choice he grumbly accepted. "Thank you, young Hadrian."

"Harry." The boy said. "Just Harry." He smiled at the older man.

"Right, then you can call me uncle." Silence, everyone was staring at them.

The akward moment was broken when the door again swang open showing Bellatrix Black standing proud and properly dressed and tidy. The girl's eyes searched furiously for something or someone only stopping when she landed her eyes on the boy in front of her father.

For a moment Lucretia thought the girl would apologize for her previous behavior, instead she strode forwards until she reached in front of the boy and without ceremony she bowed, it was clear as day, she didn't bow to her father, she bowed to Potter, the boy, the stranger that came out of nowhere. What shocked her even more was the bow the girl was performing, it wasn't a polite one or like the one Potter gave Lord Black earlier, it wasn't a mocking one and it wasn't to show respect either, at least not completely, what the bow truly meant was complete and utter submission. Lucretia's jaw started to open, her astonishment only overpowerd by shock and disbelief. Now she understood why her family was so strange lately. This boy was clearly the cause of it.

A minute passed and Lucretia kept her eyes on the girl, she only relaxed when the boy smiled and greeted her back. "Hey Bellatrix… uhm… How are you?" He looked around confused because of the silence. "You can lift your head, Bellatrix." He urged her.

She did as told. "I'm much better now in your presence, and yourself?" Everyone could see her mood skyrocket when he asked her that.

Lucretia saw that the girl standing right in front of her right now, was the complete opposite from the one she saw earlier. This Bellatrix was smiling, a true happy smile on her face and what made her snort at what she was seeing, was the pink blush on her cheeks, Bellatrix previous mood completely vanished.

As silence once again conquered the room. Lucretia could see the girl was expecting something and she knew what it was. Making even her, wait patiently for what the boy would say next. Potter looked around for a moment and then looked at the girl again before saying. "Uhm… you look lovely today, Bellatrix." Finally, Lucretia could breath again.

Bellatrix's smile and blush grew and she bowed again. "Thank you my Lord, you look magnificient as always." Inwardly Lucretia snorted again at the comment, but when she saw the confident boy shift and look uncomfortable at the words she snorted once more, but this time it was audibly while holding her laugh.

The complete honest answer brought all Blacks to silence, they just stared at them in an awkward silence, but after a moment Sirius Black broke the solemn mood. "Is she serious? Did she just called a 'Potter' Lord?"

His question was not answered by anyone so not wanting to waste his opportunity Harry smirked and said pointing in his direction. "You're Sirius."

Sirius mouthed dropped, he stared at him wide eye, did Potter just made a joke with his name? Challenge accepted. "What's your name again?" Sirius need to ask his opponent's name.

"Harry Potter. Nice to meet you Sirius." He said still smirking.

Slowly Sirius slacked jawed closed turning into a grin. "Same. So you're the one who are making everyone here weird."

Harry raised an eyebrow not really knowing how to take this information, so he looked around but before he could see everyone's reaction Lord Black intervened. "Alright, it's almost 10 am, we have some time until lunch, so I invite you, gentleman, to have a drink with me." And just like that the males were gone.

The same was done with the Black woman, but they're invited by Lady Black saying she wanted to show them the house, the usual rich and pureblood action trying to show off.

After the females left, leaving Harry, Bellatrix, Sirius, Andromeda, Narcissa, Regulus and Nigella who was the sixteen-year-old daughter of Marius and Esther Black, alone in the room, an uncomfortable silence made the young wizards and witches glance at each other awkwardly, but Sirius being Sirius he grinned after a moment and asked. "So anyone want to play some board games?"

For some reason everyone looked at Harry so he just shrugged and nodded his head. "Sure." He answered quite excited to spend time again with his godfather that was now his nephew again. Weird right. But it didn't matter to Harry, he wanted to befriend Sirius as much he wanted to befriend James, after all Sirius was the paternal figure he had, his only family and being here spending time with Sirius. The hole Christmas day with the Blacks gave him the opportunity to reconnect with Sirius Black, that's why he came.

Narcissa Black stared at her oponents waiting for her turn, it was the third game they were playing and until know she and her duo won the two games so far easily, to Sirius Black dismay. Narcisa was paired with Andromeda, Sirius with Nigella and the boy who stirred terror in her family was paired with her eldest sister Bellatrix, the later insisting in playing together with Potter all the games. What made her incredulous was that her insistence overpowered her sister competitivity, Bellatrix Black didn't like to lose, but now she was not caring about losing.

Since the earlier interactions of her family, she kept in silence just taking the information she was hearing. When the boy entered the room she couldn't stop staring, he was cute in her opinion of course, looked rich with the way he dressed and looked confident while walking, very polite as well, but it wasn't her girly fantasies that draw her attention to him it was the mystery he represented to her.

All she heard were rumors, but then Narcissa's mind blown, her sister Bellatrix bowed to the boy in front of everyone, she couldn't believe in what she was seeing. A proud witch like her sister didn't bowed to a no one like that, so it infatuated her, the mystery just grew in her mind and more interesting Hadrian Potter was to her.

After every adult left the room they settle down to play some games, Sirius was the one leading them always talkative and like her he seemed very interested in the new boy, so while they were playing her cousin started to bothering him and asking him questions. If it was Narcissa being questioned she would be annoyed by the boy, but Potter seemed very calm and patient with her cousin.

"So Potter, wich Hogwarts house you've been sorted, Gryffindor right, like all Potters?" That was his fourth question in span of a second.

Potter chuckled he opened his mouth to answer but her sister Bellatrix cut him off. "Don't be presumptuous cousin." Bellatrix held her chin up wrinkling her nose at the mention of Gryffindor and continued. "My Lord's in the house of cunning of course."

That made Narcissa and Sirius jaw drop, Sirius looked frightened for some reason, as for the blond girl, this information seemed to add one more piece to the puzzle that was Hadrian Potter.

Potter chuckled at their reactions and said. "Please call me Harry. If you call me Potter all the time, I may mistake when people are trying to talk to my father."

A silence lingered before Sirius nodded slowly. "Alright."

After another wave of questions, she could determine that Harry, like he asked to be called, was a nice boy, he repled to all the qestions and he seemed interested in them as they were in him. They continued to play for the next few hours until lunch was ready, unfortunately Narcissa was far from discovering the mystery that was Harry.

Dorea sighed tiredly after she and the ladies finally settled down in a nice room to do whatever purebloods do in her age, mostly gossip, she sighed in relief. Her feet were killing her, she walked almost two hours through the house while all the ladies were being shown the new manor that Melania acquired recently, that probably would never be used again.

For the hole tour she just listened while they talked about the different things that didn't matter to her, it was not like she wasn't interested in their conversation, but she only could worry about Harry at the moment. Dorea knew the impact the boy made already and staying all day with people that didn't trust him, didn't like him, made her rethink about her own decision in coming. And the decision of bringing a homemade dessert for them, insulted the entire House of Black.

Harry came with that idea, she was against it at first, but when he challenged her to cook for them, she almost felt insulted and take in the challalenge, for all purposes it was nothing especial so what harm could be done offering some o her cooked meal. They should be grateful that she took effort to stay in the kitchen for hours testing the best receipes and made it perfect.

Then like she already suspected the girl that practically lived with them came running and bowed to her son like everyday. The faces of her relatives were priceless. Dorea wanted to smack Harry when he was to late to praise the girl that cleary dressed for him, and only him. Dorea just giggled silently at his awkwardness at praising the girl and being praised back.

Dorea actually debated with herself if it was worth coming, she didn't know what to expect of this Christmas, maybe it was a wrong choice but Harry insisted in going, he gave some reasons for comig but she knew the main reason was to meet Sirius Black. The invitation came on a late date so she didn't had to much time to consider her options, making her accept at the last moment, if her brother would be rude with her she would be rude with him to.

"Dorea, where's the boy come from?" Charis Crouch, a slightly overweight woman, very proud pureblood woman like the other Blacks, removed Dorea from her thoughts making her surpress a groan. It actually took a while to they start with they rude questions.

"Harry, Charis. My son has a name and I expect you to use it." She glared at the woman.

Charis huffed and snorted. "He's a half-blood Dorea and you bring him to this house."

Dorea's anger started to rise. "That's why Cedrella hate you, you can't see past the blood, can you?"

"My sister is much of a disgrace as this boy…" Charis cockly remarked but was cut off by Melania before Dorea could lash out at the woman.

"Charis, what did my husband has asked of you?" Melania glared at Charis as well.

She huffed and kept her mouth shut, Dorea still glared at the woman with anger. Fortunatelly another voice broke the tension.

"I don't mean to pry aunt, but why adopt him?" Dorea's niece, Lucretia Prewett asked.

Dorea looked a little solemn for a moment and replied while looking at her niece's eyes. "Well, I can't conceive a child, Lucretia. "Being unable to conceive a child, Charlus and I decided to take Harry under our wing."

Lucretia looked at the woman with pity for a second, before she could ask, Callidora was faster. "But why him? Couldn't be a pureblood from a good family? It's not to difficult to find one."

Dorea shook her head at their stubborness. "Harry is special, he always will be. He's not only a very powerful and intelligent wizard but he has a very good heart as well. Unfortunatelly, he had to go trough a lot. No one can imagine the emotional demage that made to him. I feel connected to him, for me he is my son and always will be. For me and Charlus both."

Callidora stared at Dorea and a small smile appeared on her lips hidden from everyone. "I see."

"He's a polite boy, that I can say about him." Melania added with sincerity.

Dorea glanced at her sister-in-law and smile before turned to the other woman again, she then caught Druella looking direct at her. "Something wrong Druella?" She asked with raised eyebrows.

Druella forgot to breath for a second before furrowing her brows and say accusingly. "Your… son, stole my daughter."

Dorea had to stop herself from laughing. "Wrong. She came to him willingly, because of your own mistakes and teachings, she forgone all of you and clinged to the first thing she saw in front of her, and that was my son."

Druella bit her lip not having an argument to shot back. But the one, Dorea was wiaiting to say anything finally opened her mouth, Walburga Black. "He just should've ignored her then, she's a Black and should act accordingly. Bellatrix threatned her own mother, Dorea."

"Shut up Walburga, you will not speak of my son in my presence, I wil never forgive you for torturing him." Dorea threatened. "I should do the same to you right here and now." She hissed.

Walburga didn't seem affected by the threat, but the tension made a bead of sweat form in her eyebrow.

"You changed Dorea." Comented Cassiopeia who was amused by their squirmish.

"No, I grew up, too late, but finally I grew up." Dorea answered cripitically.

"What do you mean?" Cassiopeia tilted her head.

"Blood, traditions, old sayings that make us stuck in time. One thing that Harry thought me, one thing that opened my mind, this family admires power, seeks power, but in the end what truly gives us all power, and we don't completely have is 'Knowledge'. And I'm not saying magical knowledge but overall knowledge." She finished with pride, remebering her talks with Harry. "I changed, because it made me happy, made my family happy."

They stared at her for different reasons, Cassiopeia was clearly interested in more but before she could ask again a pop was heard and Kreacher appeared announcing lunch.

It didn't take long for everyone to be reunited in the lunch area, sitting in a traditional pureblood way Arcturus sat at the head of the table with Orion at his right and Melania on his left. Following a line with the elders to the youngest making Harry sit between Bellatrix and Andromeda.

After some words from Lord Black the dishes started to pop on the table and Kreacher appeared listing the menu. Before he desapered Harry thanked the elf making everyone stared at him agin in a shocked silence. "Thank you Kreacher." He said smiling.

Dorea after a moment seeing her boy being glared at, went to his aid. "Yes, thank you Kreacher."

Bellatrix looked at her Lord and huffed quietly. "I supposed the elf has my acknowledgment as well."

One after another Kreacher was being aknowledge by his work, of course not everyone, but this made the elf stare at Harry wide eye before poping out.

Andromeda couldn't contain the smile that threatned to spread on her face, Harry was one of a kind. His way of dealing with things never cease to amaze her, since he got here he made friends with her cousin, her sister Narcissa looked comfortable around him, even the quiet one Regulus Black was fascinated with his tales. However, there was still Bellatrix, the way she acted, it confused her so much, the hate she had for her family, in her opinion, was ridiculous. But deep down Andromeda knew what was bothering her the most, was Bellatrix closeness to her best friend, the friend she avoided since the start of her second year at Hogwarts, deep down she knew it was jealousy, but couldn't admit it.

Andromeda missed his lessons, she felt bad for not going to ask what was happening between her sister and best friend, suddenly her older sister voice came to her mind, 'you should trust him more', yeah, she knew this, but the closeness of the two made her heart decide things for itself and start ignore the rest of her feelings. Glancing at the boy at his side she could see him having problems eating like a pureblood should, he was currently using the wrong utensile to eat the currently dish, she also could see her auntie trying to guide Harry through silent movements, she could't countain a giggle escape from her lips.

Light conversation lingered on the table to suddenly be overpowerd by Cygnus voice who looked directly at the green eyed boy. "So young Harry." He started with his 'nickname' after the pleads from the boy. "Last year my daughter Andromeda receive quite a gift from you." Harry looked at the man and nodded while tilting his head to the side. "Are you perhaps courting my daughter?"

Unfortunately for Harry he had his mouth full and it came everything out, he started to cough violently, Sirius who was in front of him was unfortunately hit by the chewed food. Harry coughed in dasparete manner trying to catch a breath, he could here voices of disapproval and disgust and his mother yelled at him in a worried but warning manner.

He stared at Cygnus who's gaze never left him he had that fatherly stared who dared him to say yes. "No!" He almost shouted. "Andromeda and I, we are friends, best friends at most." He glanced at her who nodded as well while looking worriedly at him. "I bought the necklace to make Andromeda remember she always will find a friend in me, a person who will help her regardless of her decisions and situations, and of course to offer her guidance." He said while looking her in the eye as she stared back bewildered by his words.

Cygnus still not convinced exclaimed. "If you hurt her or she come back home with a child on her belly you will regret being born." Harry sweatdropped at the coment.

Arcturus snorted at Cygnus idea but added. "Not if I get him first." Now this made him nervous, are they serious?

For Harry's surprise and demise even Dorea glared at him. "You'll have to wait in line, if my son brings a girl, any girl pregnant back home he will have to deal with me first."

Stutering Harry shouted. "MOM!"

And with that, surprisingly little by little a round of laughter erupted in the room, as always with some exceptions. Harry surprise by this smiled, maybe it was worth it come to the Blacks for Christamas after all.

Thankful that Harry made a scene no one saw the scarlet face of Andromeda who kept the fantasies for herself, struggling to not hex everyone in the room and forget about this conversation. Andromeda again glanced at the boy at her side wondering why she avoided him for this past months, why she was so stupid to cast him away, she would have to get things right, yes she missed his company.

After an hour or so of lunch and family confraternisation, the groups were made once more and they went their separate ways. The youngligs where together once again this time to enjoy the big garden with some games. Andromeda saw this opportunity to talk with Harry, approaching him she took a deep breath, gathered her courage and caught his attention.

"Harry can we talk?" She sounded demanding so she added after a few moments. "Please?"

Andromeda saw him looked at her then give her a small gentle smile and nodded.

"Here let's go somewhere private." Andromeda walked and led him to the kitchen where had a small dinner table. Sitting in one of the six chairs she waited for him to sit. Andromeda watch his every movement and she saw him a little stiff, at least he had a decency of being nervous as well, because she was too.

When Harrry sat in front of her she froze, she didn't know what to say to him, no, it was more like she didn't know how to start this conversation. While gathering her thoughts she shifted in place, finally gathering enough courage she was interrupted by the boy who looked at her with patience.

"I'm sorry Andi… I'm sorry for not telling about all the Bellatrix stuff. I just couldn't." He said weakly.

"Why? Did you know she threatened our mother?" She saw his eyes widen confirming her suspiscions.

"I-I', sorry Andromeda, I really am." He really sounded apologetic.

"I just want to know why." She said almost begging. "After you arrive, after that day that you were here my family changed…" She explained.

"You know I was here?" He asked surprised.

"Yeah, Bella said you were here." She anwered.

"Andromeda… " He started to talk but a hand made him closed him mouth.

"Listen Harry, before you give your reasons for her behavior, for my family's behavior I want to apologize. I shouldn't be rash and get to the wrong conclusions so fast that day, I said some hurtful things to you and I apologize. Really, I'm sorry Harry." She said making his eye soften in such a way that took a weight from her shoulders.

The room then fell into silence, she looked at him expectantly for his explanation, she saw him gather the words to start.

Andromeda saw him took a shaky breath. "Alright, first things first, please let me speak without being interrupted I will answer your questions after I told you everything, is that exceptable?"

Andromeda looked at him for a moment then nodded. "Alright Harry."

Again another shaky breath and then he started with an odd question. "Do you remember that four Slytherins that died in gruesome way, that all the newspapers where talking about some time ago?"

Andromeda looked oddly at him and nodded. "The ones that were murdered by 'the enemies of blood', yeah I remember, they were in our house after all."

"The thing is… I killed them." Harry said blunty with confidence and a truthfulness that made her shiver involuntarily.

Andromeda's brain shut down, she had problems processing the information, she looked at him for questions, to yell at him and stop joking around but the resilience in his expression made her eyes widen and then narrow. He was very serious with his exclamation.

The next few minutes he started to explain what happened that day at the bar. What were his objectives and what really happened. Then he explained his conection with Bellatrix and his own voluntary involvement in the war. He was seriously telling her he would make his own side for the war and that he was trying to get her family involved.

"Any questions?" He asked.

Andromeda wanted to hit him, of course she had questions, but she was surprised at herelf at her own very first question. "Are you alright?... I mean you and Bella?"

He smiled lightly at that. "Yes Andi, we're alright."

Now she wanted to hit him, why this boy in front of her was so mysterious and so reckless.

"To be sincere with you Harry I have lot of questions, but I don't know where to start." She really was overhelmed by the story Harry told her. "I can't believe it, are you really serious about this… recruitment of yours?"

Harry nodded with determination. "I thought it would take more time but I already found people who know the uncertainties of the future and the dangers it holds." Harry explained making Andromeda furrow her brows.

"Who? David?" She asked trying to get more information out of him.

Harry shook his head. "Greengrass."

"Greengrass?" She asked in disbelief. "He just came to you and asked."

Harry chuckled. "Yeah, but Greengrass is very astute, for the short time I spent with him, he's very smart and crafty. It surprised me too, I think every single soul who joins me… us, will have a goal in mind and see the seriousness that is the future."

Andromeda looked at him in wonder. "Who else?"

"Bella, Xeno and Skeeter… Maybe Skeeter not so much, I practically bribed her for some small job, and I know I lost too much for it. I could threaten her but I didn't want to." Harry explained bluntly.

Andromeda ignored all the Skeeter information and exclaimed in surpise. "Xeno? But he seems so…"

"Airheaded? Yeah I know, but trust me when I say Xeno is beyond magical, I'm sure when he looks at you he can see your deepest secrets." He chuckled. "It scares me sometimes."

Andromeda looked at him with her jaw slightly opened. "I understand Harry, but you really have to do this?"

Suddenly Harry's face shadowed. "I must. That man… Tom Riddle, took everything from me and he will take not only what belongs to me but from everyone that cross paths with him." It came with such venom that Andromeda could just listen, it saddened her to see her friend like this.

"I want to help you too." The next words just came out of her mouth unknowingly to her, but came with confidence.

Harry stared at her with mixed emotions. "Andi, I…"

Andromeda hold her hand up cutting him off again. "Save it Harry, I want and I will help you. If you say no, I will just follow you around. I really can't understand what you are going through, and I really can't understand this… plans of yours." Confidence was radiating from her now. "But I will help you."

Harry stared at her eyes who stared back with a burning determination. After some moments of silence, he chuckled. "Alright Andromeda, I understand." He paused before saying. "Thank you, really Andi, you are a very good friend."

A small smile appeared on her face and her cheeks got warm, she made a mistake of turning her back to him, but now before she could decide anything more, about this situation. She would try to understand it first.

"I should get back to my sisters and cousins… again Harry, I'm sorry for everything I said that day, but promise me that you will let me help." Andromeda got up from her sit and already stood at the door.

Harry looked at her with understanding. "I promise."

With a last and big giddy smile, she turned and left the room, when she turned the corner she came face with face with Arcturus Black.

"You're a good friend Andromeda, I'm sure you will be a explendid witch and woman in the future." He said warmly and she could just stare at him in slightly shock.

Arcturus seeing this chuckled a little to himself and got passed her to enter the kitchen Harry Potter stood still sitting on the table looking thoughtful. "Po… Young Harry." He said making himself know to the boy who snapped his head towards him.

"Lord Black?" He asked with surprise at seeing him.

"Can I sit?" Arcturus asked suprising even himself.

"Yeah sure, please make yourself comfortable." Harry gesture to the chair where Andromeda sat earlier.

Moving towards the chair Arcturus looked at the boy who stared back at him quenstiontly. "You are robbing another of my great-nieces." Arcturus stated, when he saw Harry open his mouth, Arcturus raised his hand up. "I hope you take good care of the two, if anything happens with them, specially Andromeda I will seriously hunt you down Potter, and no Voldemort will ever be compared to me if it happens." Harry gulped while nodding his head vigirously. "Also how's Bellatrix doing? Even if she lives with us we know that she spends more time with you."

Harry looked at him apologetic. "She's hard to handle."

"I can see that, but I suppose you're better than him." Arcturus exclaimed.

Harry nodded, for a moment he didn't catch the information right away, but after a moment he understood. "You know… but how?!" He whispered.

"Dorea showed me." Harry nodded his head in understanding. "It was hard for me to see all of that, but I understand mine and my family's mistake." There was a silence for some minutes. "I heard you got the Greengrass to join you, at what cost?"

Harry looked at him for moment before answering. "He's disputing his Lordship with a cousin, he really doesn't want to join either of the sides but he need to do something to ensure he is going to get it. So he came to me, I promise I would help him and he in return he would help me. It seemed a one-way agreement to be sincere with you, but I think he cares a lot about his house and family."

Arcturus nodded. "I can respect that…"

After his coment there was silence and Harry looked with suspicion. "What can I do for you Lord Black?"

"Uncle… we talked about this." Arcturus chided Harry.

"Alright uncle, what can I do for you?" Harry asked.

"Why do you think I need something from you?" Arcturus asked tilting his head slightly.

"Then you wouldn't come to find me when I'm alone, and sure you have a lot of guests to entratain." Harry answered making Arcturus chuckle.

Arcturus then got up from his seat and motioned to for Harry to follow him. "Come boy, let's talk in private."

Harry glanced towards the older man and followed without ceremony. Harry followed Lord Black until they got to a room who seemed to be Lord Black private office. "Take a sit." Arcturus said motioning to a chair in front of the middle desk.

Harry again without saying anything just sat down and waited patiently.

When Arcturus sat down he dabated with himself if he really should be doing this, but he needed the boy's opinion, he need the opinion of someone who lived in a world differently of his own. "The Malfoy's…" He started talking gaining a grunt mixed with a scoff from the boy. "I need your opinion with this, can you help me?" He handed a piece of parchment to Harry who hesitated a moment before grabbing it.

Harry read the contents of the parchment while Arcturus stood in silence. "It's a letter from the Malfoys telling they didn't ally themselves with Voldemort and now Malfoy seeks to ally himself to the Blacks. What of it?" He asked handing it back.

Arcturus took a deep breath before continuing. "So… last year at the Minister party, where you told Bellatrix to gather information to you…" He paused seeing Harry's shocked expression.

"Calm down boy, Bellatrix didn't say anything, I know her more than you think. She only stood there watching everyone for hours like anylising every single movement of all guests at that party. Normally, she would never act like this." Harry nodded in understanding.

"In the party, I have this talk with Lord Abraxas Malfoy about the contents you see in this letter, I suggested this alliance with him, if he decided to deny Tom Riddle's proposition. The letter arrived some days ago, and I suppose you know how we purebloods agree to an alliance between families?"

"Marriage." Harry replied.

"I want your opinion in making this arrangement between Lucius Malfoy, Abraxas heir and young Narcissa. Abraxas is not a friend per se but I know him enough to know his intentions are genuine, the problem is his son. So I want to know your opinion on this matter." Arcturus looked at the boy intently

For a moment Harry said nothing. He wanted to laugh, he really didn't know how to answer Lord Black's question, but he promised one thing to himself, he wouldn't hold grudges aside from Riddle, sighing Harry replied.

"In my opinion, Lucius, as you could've seen is a prick, his olderself I mean. But I promise myself that I will only hate Riddle until I'm proved wrong. Like I said before, no one is born evil, and I will see how it plays out. An example… I didn't planned to get ahold of Bellatrix like that, it just happened and the time I spent with her I can see she's different from 'Lestrange' even if she hides in that grin of hers. So I think you should do what you believe it's best for your House. If you trust Abraxas, and the Malfoys, will fulfill their end of the bargain, so be it. I'm just afraid of betrayal, you know how it is." Harry said and Arcturus nodded taking his every word. "But… I'm a person who deslikes arranged marriages, but I understand them. So I think you should talk to Narcissa first and ask if she's okay with this, you also could try and maybe improve this contract to a certain extent that can be beneficial for both sides and easily broken if there's deceit from any one of you."

Arcturus sighed but nodded, Harry's answer was not what he expected but he supposed it was fair with the future Death Eaters, everyone can be changed, especially those whom Riddle didn't get his hands on. "Thank you, nephew. I will certainly take your words at heart." Arcturus words carried so much sincerity that Harry stared at the man in shock, but a warm feeling spred through his body. "Before you leave, keep in mind the way you treat Bellatrix… I'm not saying for you to be soft nor violent, but for her you are the ultimate authority, if you keep this muggle way of thinking and doing things this wau it may shatter some day. With her you need to act like a pureblood, a real Black."

Befora exiting Harry looked at the man in understanding and digested his every word. Leaving the room with one objective, find Bellatrix Black and give her his piece of mind regarding her actions and threats she made against her family. One thing was threatening people like Skeeter, the other was her own family who were also his own. Harry just needed to think how he should act when he's with her, he didn't want her to act violently, but that's impossible, Bellatrix Black was violent to the core, but she was not insane, so he could control it.

While Harry walked to find the black haired witch, he could not help but think about his conversation with Andromeda, he could see the hurt look in her eyes that day on the train, but he didn't want to push it. Now, he only could see confusion and worry as he told her everything that happened. For Harry the simple thought of Andromeda getting hurt made him choke, the sentiment was strong and that made him never want to disclose any information with her. But her pleading eyes made Harry consider her resquests. But he still kept his mind on her safety, he would protect her no matter what.

When he finally found Bellatrix she stood in a big room that was open to the garden. She sat there alone looking bored while her sisters and cousin played in the garden with magic and runned around like normal kids. She was with her back towards him so he reminded himself of the things she did and took a deep breath hoping to get her by surprise. But everything went to a stop when a scream filled his ears.

Harry's head shot towards the noise to see young Narcissa on the ground staring at something with wide eyes, instintevly he rushed towards the girl a million thoughs running his mind, what could have happened, when he got closer he asked. "Are you alright Narcissa? What happened?"

She pointed towards the high grass and the group of flowers nearby and back away dirtying the dress she wore. "S-snake."

Harry indeed saw a snake there it was small and he knew it was a harmless type of snake, even so he could not dismiss the girl's fears, it was not only rude but he respected that, he had his owns after all. Looking back at the girl he assured her trying to make her to calm down. "It's okay now Narcissa, it's a harmless snake you don't need to be afraid."

She glared at him not convinced at all and went to stand up but froze in place when a hiss came from his mouth. The mystery that it was Harry Potter now blown her mind, even the foul sound scaring hiss noise he was making did not scared her like the snake did, instead it intrigued her.

At the sidelines Sirius, Regulus and Andromeda stared wide eye at him, goosebumps filling their bodies as the hiss echoed through the garden. Between the three of them, Sirius was really scared of Potter now, but still was thinking it was a cool ability to have.

Andromeda again kept her cool but thoughts of reminding him of their talk invaded her mind as well ways to punish the boy, maybe cutting his tong of will remind him to inform her he could talk to snakes.

Inside the manor Bellatrix was already on her feet when her Lord passed through her in full speed, she heard her sister scream and was going to help but when she heard her Lord pass her and hiss she froze and her eyes slowly got wide, her mouth open slightly and she shivered as well but for an entire different reason than the other three, in her mind she was witnessing something marvelous. Her attention was broken when the half-blood girl, Nigella was it? Bellatrix didn't care, storm out running clearly afraid of her Lord and his wonderful ability.

Harry finally dismissing the small snake turned to the stunned Narcissa and reassured her. "It's alright now Narcissa, the snake won't harm you, she was just lost."

Narcissa stared at him without saying anything she was too shocked and stunned to do so, but she could at least nod at his assurance.

Harry sighed at his demise and the look on the girls face, Harry wouldn't say she was scard of him, but more like relucant or too surprised to a certain point where she would avoid him, he really had no clue. Offering his hand she slowy took it, when she was on her feet he asked her to be careful. Glancing aroung Harry locked eyes with a flushed Bellatrix, he still needed to confront her. Glancing at the other three gobsmacked kids he could not help but snicker to himself and wave his hand. "It's alright you can go back to your… activities now. And yes Andromeda, I'm sorry, sometimes I forget I'm a Parselmouth."

After a brief silence she harumphed and turned her head with a cute pout, like a spoiled child. He chuckled at her expression and send her an apologetic face and srug, as for Sirius and Regulus they just stared at if he was an alien who they couldn't tell if he had come in peace or to destroy everything.

Dimissing his funny thoughts he took a deep breath and sighed heavily, composing himself he put his best cold and merciless mask and faced Bellatrix again, and he started walking.

It was funny how things turned upside down for Bellatrix today, going to annoyance to boredom then to happiness and now boredom again, Bellatrix watched as her Lord's demeanor changed to relaxed to anger, anger directly at her. As he strode towards her at each step she wondered why he was looking at her that way, she was not dumb, she knew 'that' look on his face the one he showed their enemies, the one that made her shiver in fear, now directly at her.

It was funny though, not a minute ago she was watching as her relatives, meaning her sisters and cousins, running around smiling and shouting while using magic baubles or simple spells in Andromeda's case to steer more giggling from everyone. Even her half-blood of a cousin in her sixteen-years-old of age stood there looking like a happy puppy. While she stood there wondering what to do in such a boring afternoon while her Lord had a private chat with Lord Black according to her sister was now facing the angry scowl of Harry potter, her Lord.

Her initial guess was her slow reaction to help Cissy, but she soon dismissed as he bared his fangs at her showing his displeasure at something she did. Different scenarios played in her head and probabilities were discarded to her growing frustation as she could not find an answer. An involuntary whimper came out of her mouth as her bottom lip began to tremble, unfortunately she could only wait while her fear started to grow.

Harry glared at the girl in front of him, seeing her expression of fear Harry was sure she understood the massage that his expression sent, the trembling bottom lip of hers was all he needed to confirm that she was afraid of him. "Bellatrix." He said more coldy and harshly than he expected but the visible flinch told him it worked.

Not expecting an answer, he continued. "I heard whispers around here you threatened your mother. Is that true?"

She kept silent quivering a little at his gaze. Harry waited for an answer but when he only met silence again, he showed her his fangs and snarled. "I asked you question Bellatrix and when I do I expect an answer."

Her bottom lip trembled furiously as she opened her mouth to speak letting out a pathetic whimper in her opinion. "Y-yes, that's correct Master."

Normally she always used Lord, te only occasions she use Master was when they were training, a normal formality in the pureblood world between a teacher and a student on a apprenticeship relashioship. But now the reference was totally in different aspect, she was afraid of him, and Harry didn't like it, but he needed to bare with it and get himself accustomed to it. "I see… why?" He asked after a brief silence.

"Master, the ignorant fools were saying things about you that it was unforgivable. That woman, she had the guts to tell me what to do after lying to me, she expects me to be a…" Her mouth snapped shut when he raised a hand.

Harry already could understand it, the regection of her family towards her choices, a little exaggerated but it was what he could gather. To say the truth Harry felt that familiar warmth spread through his body, it was rare someone defend him like this, few people he knew in his past life did this, even Ron his best mate at one time doubt about him telling the truth and sided with all the people who wanted to see him fall. And again, loyalty was Bellatrix's best trait. But right now he had to keep an act.

"Bellatrix, I don't excpect you to understand this, but I have plans for the Blacks and their being my family also adds to my desire of not seeing them harmed, do you understand me?" He met silence again. "I asked if you undarsta…" His voice was interrupted when the door opened showing the ladies of the House of Black in a very distressed manner.

Druella was the first. "Cissa, what happened?" She rushed to her youngest daughter.

The girl who was now talking to Andormeda, Sirius and Regulus shook her had and assured her mother she was fine but whined about the state of her dress. Harry glanced at the sudden arrival then back at Bellatrix who was still staring at him. "Control yourself Bellatrix or you'll have to be punished, understood?" He whispered to her who only nodded in acceptance still trying to process what happened.

For a minute he glared at the witch while she bowed to him waiting for anything to happen the sudden whispers not far from him made him more aware of what was happening. Dorea's voice seemed to break the tension. "Harry, are you okay? What happened?"

"I… Mum, Bellatrix here…" He was interrupted by Nigella who was pointing a shaking finger at him while she stood behind every woman in the room.

"He hissed at the snake as if he was talking to it." She exclaimed a little fearfully gaining groans and more surprise exclamations.

Sighing in relief he went to explain but the door opened again now showing the Lords "He's a Parselmouth child, you don't need to be afraid or wary of his ability, as foul and dark it sounds it doesn't define who he is." Arcturus came to his help.

"He's right daughter, you don't need to be scared." Marius also came to his aid, very worried for his daughter.

Harry always received these kinds of comments and stares when a new person learned of his ability, even if it seemed a little exagarated he couln't blame Nigella. Fortunately, he was in front of the Blacks and him being a Parselmouth only add for a positive imprssion on his person, those who did not know about his ability stood shocked and impressed by it.

"So, it's true then. I'm really impressed." Said Caspar Crouch.

Harry shrugged and murmured something akin to 'It's nothing' while he felt akward by all the attention he was getting. Fortunatelly he was saved again by Arcturus. "Everyone… attention please, I was talking to the gentleman here, and we decided to entratain ourselves in a little duel contest between ourselves, everyone is allowed to participate." At that he briefily glanced at Harry, terning to glare at Ignatius Prewett. "And to start. I, Arcturus Black Lord of the Most Ancient and Noble House of Black challenge Ignatius Prewett to a duel." Formal and direct making the earlier shocked Lucretia glare at her father promising harsh words to him later.

Ignatius normally would start to shrink at Arcturus gaze but give him an opportunity to have a duel he would not back down. They moved to the spacious garden and they set a ring duel right there without trouble.

When the duel started Harry could easily tell Arcturus Black was on pair with Voldemort and Dumbledore, he was powerful and skilled the duel was fierce and the two wizards almost fought in equal grounds, almost. Arcturus Black was more experienced and smart while dueling giving Ignatius a lot of trouble. Arctrurs Black got out victorious in the first duel.

As soon as Arcturus finished with his duel, his mother Dorea Potter got up from where she was sitting and declared with such hate and distaste that a shiver rin through his spine. "I, Dorea Potter challenge Walburga Black to a duel."

Silence met the room, they could clearly see the anger and the longing to hurt Walburga in Dorea's eyes. What surprised Harry was Walburga's response, the woman smirked visciously. "I accept."

Madness that was what he concluded after watching the two duel, as much as he hated to admit Walburga could duel as she could scream at others, but her abilities were not enough to surpress the anger and fury his mother was feeling, of course during the duel it was forbidden to use Cruciatus but he knew the Black had ways of torturing people without using the said curse. At the end Walburga got exhausted and Dorea practically destroyed her soon after, while yelling at the woman and daring her to hurt him again.

When the fifth duel ended, wich was between Cedrella and Charis, with Cedrella winning, Harry stepped in the ring and looked at the spectators. "I, Hadrian Charlus Potter, challenge anyone who wants to duel me."

No one spoke they just stared at him, after a minute Harry could hear whispers but when he thought of mocking and challenging again, Harfang Longbottom, Cedrella's husband got on his feet and walked to the circle. Harry's first thought of the man was battle-hardened. Yes, the mas was intimidating.

"I, Harfgang Longbottom, accept your challenge." It was the first time Harry heard his voice, it failed sometimes between some words as he spoke.

When siled at the man and stood facing him analyzing his movements the way he portaided himself. It was going to be a tough fight he mused. Like his throat was dry.

Harfgang couldn't believe he was doing this, dueling with a boy. Arcturus Black kept talking to not underestimate the boy, don't be mistaken he wouldn't, that was he thought until he saw the image in front of him. A scrawny and innocent looking boy while smiling at him, made Harfgang shake his head.

When he bowed in respect to the boy and he returned it he knew it was time to get started, what he didn't expect was the boy's speed. Potter drew his wand in mere seconds and in these same seconds white powder blocked his senses and he found himself spinning on air, another second later he could feel air leaving his lungs and feel pain on his back. Harfgang Longbottom was defeated in two moves and now he stood on the ground confused, impressed and certainly frustrated.

The scruciating silence made him groan in shame until Arcturus voice broke the silence with a laugh. "I warned you Harfgang, do not uderstimate the boy." Damn Arcturus.

Slowly getting up he looked at the boy who had a serious expression on his face still on combat stance. "I understand that now." He trailed off while looking at Harry again. Getting himself in a fighting stance like the boy before him, he was ready. "Care to have another round?"

Harry looked at him and smirked. "Embrace yourself."

A soon as those words got out from Harry's mouth the spectators could agree that was the best duel they saw in a long time. Now that Harfgang seem more prepared Harry was having more difficulty to defeat the older man.

However, everyone who stood there watching could think one thing about the boy… frightening. Even Dorea who was shouting and cheering like a cheerleader couldn't keep her eyes of her son, now she could see what Bellatrix meant all these times she spoke in utter devotion about him.

As Harfgang shielded and attacked the boy, tatics played in his head while he tried to find the perfect opportunity to disarm his opponent. Actually, Harfgang was trying to tire Harry down, the older man knew he had more energy then the boy, even if winning against a boy in this manner was pathetic, the boy in front of him was not so little and fragile as he seemed. A tatics played on his mind, Harfgang caught Potter slip out of his stance a little giving him the opportunity to finally get him down. So, Harfgang moved, dodging a spell from the boy and quickly moved to cast his, then he saw Potter smirk and from his lips he could read the spell the boy used. 'Accio: Wand'. Harfgang's wand disappeared from his loosened hand, unfortunately for Harry it was enough time for the spell Harfgang casted to be realesed and reach its target sanding him flying back.

Everyone stood in shock, eyes wide in disbelief as silence dictated the whole garden, even the small birs and insects stop with their noises and singing. For a minute no one said nor did nothing, until Harry raised his hand clutching Harfgang's wand tightly. Then a loud cheer came from Dorea, followed by Bellatrix, Charlus, Sirius, Andromeda. The rest started to clap their hands in acknowledgement with Arcturus leading it. It was a great duel.

Harfgang walked to the boy and held his hand offering help Harry stand. "Good duel Harry Potter. I admit my deafeat."

Harry chuckled and grab the man's arm and shook his head. "If this was a real fight I would be dead by know, I'm too tired an if the spell was a killing curse I would be done." Harry sighed seemingly scolding himself a little.

Harfgang smiled at the boy. "But this was just a friendly duel so I admit my defeat."

Harry smiled back at the man as he heard the cheering from his family and friends.

When Harry sat down groaning a little because of the pain while Dorea clinged to him in a worried manner and Melania healed his bruises, Bellatrix walked to the center and looked confidently at the spectators.

"I, Bellatrix Black, challenge my father, Cygnus Black, to a duel." She said with a confident smirk.

Cygnus looked at her really suprised by this, his daughter was very inthusiastic. "Very well, I Cygnus Black accept your challenge." He got up from where he was sitting and walked to stand right in front of his opponent.

Bellatrix was giddy, excitement filled with adrenaline pumping through her veins. Finally she could test her skills against a powerful foe. It passed some time since the last duel with her father.

Cygnus standing in place looked at his smirking daughter. "Are you ready Bellatrix?"

"I'm more than ready, the question is, are you dear father?" Cygnus knew about this mocking baby voice she used, but she never used with him. Initially his daughter developed this irritating way of mocking others when she took care of her sisters and cousins, she liked to tease them but as she saw it bother others she started to use as an insult.

Cygnus grunted in aknowledgment and bowed in respect while Bellatrix did the same, the smirk never living her face.

As soon as Bellatrix straightened herself she satrted to cast spells, her father was not to be taken lightly. Cygnus was fast at casting a shield to block her offensive spells.

Cygnus could see that Bellatrix's way of dueling was completly different from the last time they dueled. Instead of throwing the more powerful spells that took more of her energy and effort to cast it, she chose the simpliest using her imagination and criativity to take him down. Her stance also changed choosing a little more speed than full power. Overall, Bellatrix's way of fighting mirrowed Potter's scary moves.

Without him knowing he was already sweating, she was very realible with her spells, beyond being smart with how she use it, she also took his flaws and mistakes to her advantage. Cygnus until now never felt so helplessly in a duel.

"C'mon dear little father... only defending yourself won't help you." Her mocking didn't stop, it was getting on his nerves, but Cygnus knew he couldn't let her get to him, or else he would lost.

Cygnus while casting shields started analysing his possibilities. While Bellatrix's skill skyrocket it wasn't flawless, and when he saw an oppoertunity he took it.

In a motion of changing her feet and a longer movement of her hand, Cygnus saw an opening, she was getting annoyed with his defensiveness, but that was what he need it. In a motion he shot a spell hitting her hard in the chest making her stumble backwards and hit the floor.

He won, but Cygnus was very impressed with his daughter, Potter did good in training her.

Bellatrix's annoyance got better of her and she knew it, she committed this shameful act against her Lord while in training and he warned her several times she shouldn't let get into her head, but casting endlessly spells just to be blocked or dodged, was getting her drained and she wanted to win, no she NEEDED to win, to prove to not only to herself but to her Lord that she made progress, that she was worth his time.

She was doing fine when she made one mistake and her father's spell hit her, ashaming her, defeating her. In that moment she saw red, she was angry... no furious, she needed to finish her oponente of, she need him dead.

Her crooked wand stayed beside her, she groaned in discomfort, reaching for her wand while grinding her teeth together, Bellatrix looked at her father who was breathing heavily clearly distracted, she scoffed at the notion of him leaving his eyes of her.

Smirking viciously she moved fast. The movement and incatantion came to her head, she read about it, in secret from everyone, even her Lord. She studied and learned about it but never tested it, she would finally cast... the Killing Curse.

"AVAD... " She never finished, suddenly she saw the world spin two time befoew she felt pain, hitting hard on the ground. Feeling humiliated one more time she glanced at the spectators trying to find the fucker who got the guts to stop her.

With an angry glare she saw that everyone was looking at one person and she froze. Standing in the middle of everyone, with a clear vision of her, Bellatrix saw Harry Potter aiming his wand at her. Bellatrix's eyes widened like saucers. His eyes made her shiver. When her Lord took the first step towards her she started to tremble, she wanted to ask for forgiveness but her body didn't move, she was frozen in place.

While he slowly walked up to her, a train of thoughs passed trough her mind, the earlier conversation, the promise, her disrespect, her foolishness, her wrongs. Right now at his cold gaze she felt fear, untamable fear.

When her Lord stopped in front of her, giving her that look, the look she never wanted to see him direct at her again, she tried to voice something but she found her words stuck on her throat.

Absentmindedly to her, tears flowed through her cheeks, messing with her perfect make up as she cowered on the ground like a scared animal.

When her Lord didn't say anything and just stared at her waiting, her words finally started to come out. "My Lord... I-I... M-my ap..." She never finished.

"Punishment... You disobeyed me Bellatrix... " Her Lord raised his wand poiting at her. "You tried to kill him... " He sighed in disappointment, disappointed at her.

Her wide eyes quickly shut awaiting for her 'punishment', a well deserved 'punishment' she thought. Again, she lost control of her emotions. She waited and waited, after some minutes passed she felt nothing, no pain, no discomfort, nothing.

When she opened her eyes again, the cold gaze from her Lord vanished and changed to his soft normal expression, for her utmost relief. But thinking better now she felt nothing and she began to panic, Bellatrix didn't know what her punishment was, she had no idea what happened.

She locked eyes with her Lord, the beautiful green eyes that entranced her, trying to searched for his emotions, but she couldn't find it. Quickly averting her gaze in shame she looked passed her Lord and saw everyone stunned in place with shocked expressions while staring at her.

Then her cousin Sirius started to laugh, he clutched his belly while laughing hard. One after another, they began to laugh like they were in a circus, with some exceptions who seemed despleased about whatever happened.

While she stared at her laughing family, Bellatrix quickly came to a conclusion, they where laughing at her. She frowned and looked at her Lord, who's eyes traveled to her body and she followed his gaze making her gasp in horror.

Bellatrix felt anger rise up to her, shame and humilation. Yeah, humiliation was the word, she felt utterly hummiliated by this. Bellatrix Black was wearing fucking pink. Her black beautiful dress was now a sparkling pink. And this fucking dimwits were lauging at her.

She moved to get her wand to return her dress to normal but a hand caught hers. She looked around to see her Lord's eyes buring into hers, the cold look back into his eyes. He moved right next to her ear, his hot breath making her shudder.

"You will stay like this until your punishment is over. I'll decide when you can change it back, Bellatrix... " She gulped and nodded slowly. "Tomorrow we will discuss your poor behavior, understood?" His voice cold and merciless, making her shiver again.

When he straighned his posture she buried her head on the ground bowing deeply while murmuring ashamedly. "As you wish Master... Forgive me for my... behavior." She paused then looked into his eyes. "Thank you for your mercy."

When she said all that her Lords eyes softned, almost saddened a little, and he moved to grab her arm pulling her from the ground. She couldn't stop staring at him, her family still laughing at her but she didn't care anymore. Her shame and humilation was her punishment now and she knew it, she failed her Lord, disobeyed him, went against his orders and while her family laughed at her he still stared at her in the same way he always did, this warmed her heart. Bellatrix thought again, in her perspective she could take whatever punishment he gave her, with pain, with humiliation or wahtever, but she only would fear one thing, being forsaken by him, being left behind.

Harry Potter was her master, her foundation, her truth, her world, he was all of this because she chose to. She chose him. And she couldn't imagine a world without him anymore.

The hours passed and Harry felt relieved as everything settled down after Bellatrix's 'mistake' as he put it. He knew she lost control to her emotions, but he promised himself he would deal with her, the proper way, the way she understood things. And for the rest of the Christmas day she wore her pink dress. It took some time for Sirius to stop laughing, Bellatrix glared at him the rest of the day with a twitched hand and eye, she wanted to curse him so bad that made Harry smile in amusement.

When the day ended everyone went to their homes with something ponder about, to process it, Arcturus left them to think and the majority of them could think in one thing, and that was 'Harry Potter', and the decision if they would really follow him.

If someone stared at her they could clearly see a lifeless walking doll without a destination, who did everything in auto mode. But few knew what she had been through and that cursed day changed her, from someone cheerful, happy, spoiled and full of life to a despaired and lifeless being full of hate and rage inside.

She walked through the halls of Hogwarts aimlessly. She never thought of being so hopeless and desparied as she was feeling since her mother's murder. She always had everything she wanted and now she had nothing, even her closest friends, her family and own father abandoned her.

But this time instead of aimlessly wandering around, her legs dragged her towards one objective. Harry Potter.

Earlier that year, she came across an article in the 'Hogwarts secret newspaper' and while the article seemed an invitation for a small group of studies, looking more carefully and solving a simple but yet tricky puzzle, showed another thing, it was like a recruitment? a call for help? A search for friends or allies? She was not certain, but she was going to find out, because he needed to help her.

For weeks she debated if she would indulge herself into looking for what this hidden message meaned. But she was desparate her heart craved 'justice'

Finally, letting herself fall even more in desperation she decided to look for Potter.

She looked everywhere for him, as the time passed and classes went by, she was almost giving up for the day, when she saw, in the second floor, Potter exiting the... girls bathroom.

Exiting with him was two girls, one that made her uneasy, that was Bellatrix Black. The other was Potter's faithful companion, Andromeda Black. Seeing the three of them exiting the girl's bathroom together made her face quickly heat up, she blushed heavily as she stared at them.

During her obscene musings, a pair of green eyes landed on her, seemingly appraising her carefully, making her blush fade instantly. They stared at each other, for a long moment, she waited for him to speak first, but the face he was making hinted that he was waiting for her to speak first.

"Hadrian Potter? I read the article, I want you to kill a man." She said in a emotionless voice mirroing her face.

There was a brief silence a look of shock on Andromeda's face while her older sister smirked and Potter seemed a little taken aback, after a moment of silence he moved his wand and with a simple gesture and muttering 'Tempus', he looked at her and said. "Let's talk in here." He gestured towards the bathroom waiting for her to move.

She hesitated a little before walking forward and entering the bathroom. Her hesitation would be more visible if the faces of Potter and Blacks weren't one of pure curiosity.

Entering the bathroom the first thing she saw was the fucking ghost of Moaning Myrtle standing there tilting her head waiting curiously and patiently, with a little giddiness behind it.

After she heard the door close, Kathelyn turned to see him tranfigurate four simple objects in four chairs, she motioned for her to sit as he sat himself in one of the chairs. Andormeda did the same, but Bellatrix chose to stay on her feet right behind Potter holding her head high, nose and chin up, looking down on her. She slowly complied and made herself comfortable while staring at him.

"So, did you really understood 'all' of the contents of the article?" He asked and she nodded. "What's your name?" Potter asked.

"My name is Bell, Kathelyn Bell." She saw his expression change to one of surprise for a minute than changed it back.

"So what's with your need to kill a man?" Potter asked her in a curious and worried manner.

Kathelyn took a deep breath and pondered if she really should be here. "This 'man' killed my mother, but before that he abused her in every way he could, I want justice to be done."

"Justice? Alright, what's this man's name?" Potter asked.

That stuck her in the chest, she saw the man once when she was four or five years old, when he barged in her house she was already hiding in a place her mother instructed her to, her mother ordered her to be quiet as she saw all the abuse her mother suffered, and she struggled to remember the face he saw between the cracks that the hideout had. It was everything blurry for her, the only thing she remembered was his big robes that barely fit in him, and the lascivious smirk on his face.

"I-I don't know. I only remember a name, 'Wit' that was what my mum shouted before…" She answered Potter who pursued his lips, Andromeda had a pitty look on her face and Bellatrix scowled.

"That doesn't help me… but I want for you to understand one thing miss Bell, we are not mercenaries." Harry said with an even tone, frowning.

Kathelyn's face distorted. "What are you then? Kids playing hitwizards, dark lords and ladys perhaps? All this mysterious act, hiding in places the students don't come, this is a game isn't it, a game of being a secret dark group." She accused in anger glaring at the three.

Andromeda looked the same, the pity in her eyes were clear as a sunny day, Bellatrix scowl turning into anger and Potter lips thinned even more.

After a minute of silence Harry spoke. "Look miss Bell, I understand your frustration, I really do. But we can't help you, we are not a mercenary group, believe it or not." She looked at her lap clenching her teeth and fits that were folded on her lap, she was raging now, the desperation engulfing her other emotions, how dare him say he understood what she felt? What she was feeling now?

Kathelyn snapped her head up and went to launch herself and scream at his face, but she froze. A wand was shaking slightly in anger, pointing directly at her, right between of her eyes. Bellatrix Black growled and showed her fangs at her. Potter stood beside Bellatrix in a relaxed manner but his eyes showed no emotion, as for Andromeda she seemed to be panicking while waving her hands.

"Sit back down miss Bell, I didn't finish talking." She immediately did as told. The shaking wand still stood aiming at her until Potter put a hand on Bellatrix arm and lowered it down. "I understand what you are going through and I'm sorry. But, like I said we will not do 'justice' as you called, for you. But I think I can help you in another way, all I need is your permission to see your memories. I promise only too look for the man you mentioned."

Kathelyn glanced at the two Blacks before settling her gaze on Potter. "My memories, how you are going to do that?"

"Legilimency." He replied.

Kathelyn snorted. "What the heck is Legilimency?" When she finish asking she sweared she heard Bellatrix mutter 'dumb bitch' quietly.

"Legilimency is one of the various sections of the mind arts, I will simply cast a spell and I will be able to see the memories of the day… you know." He trailed making her snort in disbelief, but Potter continued staring at her and she had nothing to lose.

"Fine." She agreed.

"Very well, I just need you to relax." Harry instructed and she raised an eyebrow, but a look from him made her grumble and relax a little.

Suddenly she felt Potter enter her mind, it was akward, she felt vunerable and invaded. Her memories played in her head like lightning flashing on the sky. It was fast, the memory she wanted to forget started playing on her mind, but this time the blurriness faded, she could clearly see her mother and her mother's abuser. He was really fat, a big moustache on his face almost bald and a big vertical scar on his chin, his grin nauseated her. Then her eyes focused involuntarily on a mark on his arm, a skull and snake she didn't know what meant it and why her eyes stared direct at that.

After a moment she felt the invader get out of her mind as the memory faded away. Coming back to her senses she stared at a scowling Potter, he seemed troubled. "The only thing I can do for you miss Bell is give you information on the man, I will gather everything I can on him then I will give it to you."

Then he got up from his chair and walked towards the door. When he opened, he looked up from his shoulder and said. "I'm sorry mis Bell, I'm really am." Then he left.

Kathelyn stood there with a blank expression, she didn't know what to think as Andromeda also quickly got up from her sit, leaving soon after Potter. Clenching her fistis again she tried to control her emotions, again people left her, she needed justice, she needed help. Tears started to fall form her eyes, she started sobbing uncontrollably.

"Pathetic." Kathelyn froze. Slowly she glanced up to see Bellatrix Black still there playing with her black curls while looking at the wall. Kathelyn completely forgot about her and the ghost Myrtle.

Her tears immediately stopped from flowing down her cheeks, the sadness and frustration she was feeling were now replaced by anger. She wanted to scream at the girl in front of her, hit her, curse her, making her beg for making fun of her. But she couldn't, she was weak, and she knew it. The only thing Kathelyn could do was glare hatefully at Bellatrix Black.

The black haired witch then glanced at her, and Kathelyn saw Bellatrix blank face change to anger, clearly not liking the hateful glare she was sending her. As Bellatrix stepped towards her furiously, she froze. It took three steps for Bellatrix to be right in front of her. Kathelyn, like most of the students in Hogwarts was afraid of Bellatrix, her eyes held such intensity promising her pain that she couldn't do nothing but try and avert her eyes, but she was so frozen that even her head didn't move.

Suddenly, Bellatrix's hand reached for her right cheek, she traced the back of two fingers down her cheek, then her jaw and finally grabbing her throat, she wasn't squeezing it or causing her discomfort, unless the coldness of Bellatrix hand could be classified as such.

The witch's thumb then traced her jaw line making her stiffened body shiver in fear. With a gentle move Bellatrix cocked her head to the side and her head came to Kathelyn exposed ear.

Kathelyn could fell the girl's breath touching her skin, she wanted to brushed her off, wanted to get out of there, but she couldn't.

"I can see your true face Katykins, such a weak mind." Again shivers run down her spine, the mocking tone made her anger flare a bit. "Just like a poor street dog, frail and desparate."

Kathelyn wanted to retort but the gentle yet cold grip, tightened. "If you are that desparate, don't come here with those eyes demanding things. You are lowest of the low, show respect next time, arrogant bitch." Black snarled and her grip loosened walking away.

Kathelyn was a happy child, had friends, had a lovely home, but after she witnessed her mother's death she closed herself, her emotioneless mask glued to her face, but today it cracked. She needed someone, she already went to Dumbledore, friends of her mother, her family and her own father, all of them turned her down, they all denied to help her. Her final hope vanished.

After the bathroom door closed, Kathelyn only could clench her fists and teeth in frustration. Kathelyn cursed herself for her weakness as she heard the ghost mutter in sadness. "You can trust Harry, he's a nice person, in the end he might help you, if you help him of course." Then she vanished from her sight. Letting Kathelyn to her loniless.

When Harry got out of the bathroom he sighed in frustration, he was conficted right now. When she asked for 'help' he didn't care about her demands, but now seeing her memories it all changed. The man who killed the girl's mother was a Death Eater, immediately making the man a target.

"Harry, wait." The black haired boy snapped his head towards the voice seeing Andromeda rushing towards him.

"Hey…" He started, but was cut of by her huff.

"Don't 'hey' me… Are you not going to help her? You need to help her Harry." She said sternly.

"No. I don't need do to nothing Andi." He contered.

"Wha… Harry, she's begging for our help, weren't you looking for people like her?" Andromeda said with furrowed eyebrows.

"Begging? People like her? Don't be mistaken Andromeda. She's broken, weak, she's not begging, more like demanding. She's desperate, but she wants people to get revenge. The 'justice' she spoke about is nothing more than revenge, she names it justice to convice herself people need to help her from their good hearts."

Andromeda was beliwered, confused, a little hurt, but she knew it was true. She went to speak again but Harry was faster.

"You see Andromeda, while I was in her mind I could briefly see her 'begging' Dumbledore for his help, I know he would help her in good will, but he can't help her. These are Aurors grounds. And her family is afraid of this man, she even asked her father what he would do about it, he only orderd her to forget about it, it is sad, but I can't do anything." Harry sighed a little before continuing. "And I really doubt if I put this man in front of her today she would do anything, she puts this emotioneless face to hide her weakness and anger. I promised to help her with information, and that's only thing I will do, if she really wants help, she will come to me with a new face, determined to change her views on things. Our group is about trust Andromeda, and a girl like her will sell us out at the first opportunity to get what she wants." He finished speaking leaving a wide eye Andormeda frozen in place.

After a brief silence, Andromeda asked. "And what if she tells other people, right now?"

"Tell who? I already said to you, she's unfortunately alone, it saddens me really. But with her attitude I can't do anything for her." He concluded but didn't finished speaking. "But keep relaxed Andi, she still will get the help she wants from me because the man is a Death Eater. But not the help she expects" He stated.

"What's a Death Eater?" A second voice asked. Harry looked at the source to see Bellatrix curious face.

Harry blinked at her, she actually sneaked up on him, she was getting good. "It's the knight's elite per se."

Bellatrix made an 'O' face before nodding in acceptence. Harry then glanced back to Andromeda to see her clearly struggling with her emotions.

"Can you two do something for me?" Harry asked garning attention from the two girls. "Actually, one of you is enough. I need either of you to write a letter for Lord Black with some informations I will give you later for me. It's about the descriptions about the man on Kathelyn's memories, we need to find him."

Andromeda seemed to finally settle down her emotions as she nodded with conviction, as for Bellatrix, she smirked wickedly and bowed gracefully as Harry walked away.

A mix of emotions and a swirl of thoughts raged inside Harry's mind, from a simple tour with Andromeda showing her where he normally had his 'meetings' and introduce her to Myrtle, to a discussion with a broken and hopeless girl. He understood her, he really did but he couldn't do anything and he didn't want to either. But now he had no choice the man was his enemy, he also maybe has information on the other possible Death Eaters and their hideouts. Unfortunatelly, Andromeda's saddened face didn't get out of his mind. He needed a friend to talk to, besides the girls.

As Harry walked into his dorm room lost in his thoughts, he didn't realized David laying in his bed reading a book. David glanced at him and greet him. "What's up." Harry didn't answer, so David greeted him again. "Hey, Harry." Again David was ignored. Taking a deep breath, he greeted Harry once more, but a little louder. "HEY!"

Harry jumped in place a little in shock with the sudden scream. "W-what?" He asked a little confused before seeing it was David. "Oh… Hey, mate."

"For Merlin's magical tits Harry, do I really need to shout?" David asked a little annoyed.

"Sorry, mate. It's… well… can we talk?" Harry's question make David raised his eyebrows.

"Aren't we already?" David joked.

"Yeah, but like serious talk." Harry frowned a little. "No jokes."

"The thing you are keeping secret from us?" David asked with a knowing look.

Harry just nodded making David got up on a sitting position gaving all his attention to his friend.

"I had a talk with Andromeda and I realized that as my friends I need to tell some things that been happening. Initially I though I was protecting you all, but the best way of protecting is holding you all close to me and open your eyes to what's happening. So I will be blunt… I'm preparing for war." Harry paused and waited for what David would say, but the boy had a serious and attentive look on his face. David just waited for him to continue.

For the next minutes, Harry explained what he was doing, his plans, and who he was fighting against. All of it.

David took a moment to digest all the information, at first he didn't believe in what he was hearing, but the seriousness on his friend's face told him otherwise. "So let me get this straight, you're like gathering students to join some kind of army?"

Harry nooded and David sighed. "You surely are something else man. Look, I know you can handle yourself just fine, but you are my friend and I worry about you…" Suddenly he grinned. "I can't let you face Voldy bastard alone, can I?"

"Look, David I…" David raised his hand making Harry shut his mouth.

"Harry, if you told Andromeda all you told me. I know she gave you a piece of her mind, so you'd better include me on this little group of yours." He finished with a grin letting Harry absorb the information. David got back to his previous position.

Harry didn't have the intention to bring the boy to aid or anything like it, but he already promise to tell him what he being doing, it was eating him from inside, and he didn't want to went through what happened with Andormeda anymore. Losing a friend like this was the worst.

"I'm a half-blood, adopted by the Potters…" Harry confessed out of nowhere.

David who was laying now on his bed with his legs crossed book reaised slowly pute the book down but didn't stood quiet for a moment. "The Blacks know?"

Harry nodded. "I told you you're something else." David chuckled while shaking his head in disbelief.

"You don't mind?" Harry asked.

David pursed his lips and took a deep breath contemplating what to say. "I'm a bastard, Harry."

"A what?" Harry asked.

"I'm a final product of an affair. My father who was married with this witch suddenly fell in love with another and I'm the result of their 'forbidden' love." David frowned with a thoughtful expression but Harry kept silent waiting for him to continue. "After my father's wife discovered the affair she killed my mother and was locked in Azkaban. As for my father, some months later, he killed himself in grief and shame. I was still a baby and my grandmother took pity on me, so she decided to raise me as a Davis, otherwise I would be dead or a nameless child lost in the world." He paused again as Harry stood frozen in shock. "I'm still a pureblood though, but I'm no different for you."

As David returned to his book, Harry in his frozen state just sat there looking thoughtful, he was very glad to have incredible friends like his old ones.

The next day when Harry passed all the informations he could remember from Kathelyn's memories to Andormeda and Bellatrix, the two were sitting together currently looking at a piece of parchment ready to write the letter to Lord Black.

"I don't know about this Bella…" Andromeda frowned.

"What? If you don't want to write it, let me do it then." Bellatrix raised her eybrows.

"It's not the letter sis, this whole situation with Bell. I really think we should help her." Andromeda's frown deepened.

Bellatrix tensed her jaw, and clenched her fists a little. "Didn't our Lord already told you she's a weak pitiful girl? She comes to us demanding things and she don't even bow in respect. She should be begging. And don't deny it Andromeda, I saw the look of pity on your face as she talked."

Andromeda's sorrowful frown turned into an angry one as she glared at her sister heatfully. "Harry's my friend, not this bullshiting Lord you keep babbling about." She sighed before looking at the piece of parchment again. "I know and that's why whe should help her, she looks so desparate."

Bellatrix's fists unclenched, but she still snorted angrily. "Just write the letter, Bell is practically a dead girl walking by now, she needs a lesson in humility."

Andromeda scoffed. "Humility? As if you knew better."

Now it was Bellatrix's turn to glare at her sister. "Whatever baby sister, you just write the damn letter that MY Lord ordered you to. I'm out." Not giving opportunity for Andromeda to respond, she exited her sister dorm room and started to walk towards the Great Hall thinking deeply about the situation.

After the Christmas and her humiliating punishment, her Lord had a converstion with her, he made her apologize to her mother and he forced her to focus even more on the Mind Arts, explaining he couldn't have her losing her temper because of a simple duel with her own father and then try and kill. He told her she was threathening her family, he didn't care her threats to others like Skeeter, but to her… his family he wouldn't tolerate. After his scolding, she apologized to him first then her mother a little grudgingly of course, but for her relief he said she didn't need to like them, just ignore them. But he added, if they tried to harm her she could defend herself.

As Bellatrix walked towards the Great Hall, her thoughts shifted towards Kathelyn Bell, the pathetic broken girl, at first she wanted to make her pay for her disrespect, but looking at how miserable she was Bellatrix let her be.

Altough, Bellatrix had some ideias after she left the bathroom the previous day. What if she pushed the girl a little more to insanity? What if she made the girl realize her mistake and made her go back begging for her Lord to let her kill the man? But she couldn't that for several resons, but he most important, she knew the girl would not do it out of fear. So, Bellatrix had a plan to bring a reborn Kathelyn Bell to their side, she would change her, train her, bring the girl under her wing, Bellatrix Black would make Kathelyn Bell her 'loyal pet'. But first she need to inform her Lord of her plans.

Weeks passed since Kathelyn had her encounter with Potter and the Black sisters. After a few days she coulnd't stop crying and sobbing, she really felt weak and vunerable, Kathelyn knew things couldn't get worst. She very was wrong, oh how she was wrong. Until the oldest Black sister came looking for her.

The girls who she once called friends quickly told where Bellatrix could find her, at first Kathelyn was curious, did Potter already got information on the man and send Black to deliver the information? Wrong. Black started humilitating and tormenting her just because it amused her for weeks. Every single day she had to endure the girl and she couldn't do anything. Kathelyn was no stranger to bullying, since she lost her mother and closed herself the same girls who ratted her out to Black, tormented her everyday, and they called her a friend before, but Bellatrix was on a different level, she made her soul quiver in fear.

When she was almost giving up, Black came to her with a piece of parchment containing instructions. Intructions to the the one and only Cruciatus Curse. When she read the parchment, she stood in shock, Black informed she would teach her, she would help her achieve her dreams, that her Lord was powerful, wise and he could grant her wishes. She could kill the man, or at least see him die suffering. She only needed to succumb, she only need to bow before Harry Potter.

Currently Katlyn held the letter containing all the information on the man who murdered her mother, Bellatrix was the one who delivered to her and she did nothing but to smirk invitingly at her before leaving.

As she read the letter she couldn't stop think 'what now?' she didn't know what to do, she had his name, where he lives, where he works, where he goes, literally everything, his whole life history in her hands. Words from Bellatrix played on her mind over and over again. 'You're to weak Bell, but I can make you strong. Harry Potter can make you strong. You only need to bow.'

Justice finally could be done, no, it was not justice, it was revenge and know she knew it. Folding the parchment on her pocket she picked another piece of paper, the one who contained the instruction to one of the Unforgivables. Finally succumbing, she went to find Bellatrix Black.

AN: Again, my main language is not English, but please give me feedback and what I need to improve, thank you!