Chapter 1 — The Black Sisters
Bellatrix twisted on her heel and apparated to a muggle street. It was dark, but their street lights made everything visible, nonetheless. It felt lifeless to her.
Or that might be because every house on this boring street was the exact same. Privet Drive. The muggleness positively dripped off the name.
She shook it out of her mind. She had a job to do, and she'd do it well. She was Lord Voldemort's most loyal follower, and would find her Lord. Her husband and brother-in-law were heading towards those Longbottom blood traitor aurors to discover if they knew anything.
Meanwhile, Bellatrix would get their collateral. She would kidnap Harry Potter. A mere babe heralded as destroyer of Lord Voldemort. It was completely insane, of course, but the rabble believed it, and that made him valuable.
She walked up to number four. Hm, there was a ward. It wouldn't let her kidnap the Potter boy, but that didn't mean her mission failed. After all, that fool Dumbledore undoubtedly set it up, and he'd link it into the muggles as proper authority. So all she had to do was convince some weak-willed muggles to give her the child, which couldn't be that difficult.
She unlocked the door with an absentminded swish of her wand and walked in. Instinctively, she pulsed a divination spell to sniff out living people. Two were on the top floor, and two in the living room. She silently opened the door and entered.
The muggle woman was haggard, big bags under her eyes. She was topless, attempting to nurse a fussy Harry Potter at her sparse breast.
Bellatrix allowed herself a moment of pride. Her Cassiopeia was ten months, and never declined when she nursed her at her own, larger breast.
But it gave her an idea. "Mrs. Dursley?" She asked.
Not having noticed her before, the muggle started, and looked her way, before covering her bare chest. "Why are you just barging in here? Don't you people ever knock?"
Bellatrix smiled condescendingly. "A magical alert went off about the child's health. Even though I see you don't intend any harm, you'll agree that knocking on doors isn't important when a child might be in danger."
"I don't know what it is!" the harpy wailed. "I tried my best, I promise! But he's not used to solids left, and he drinks a single sip before just… stopping."
Bellatrix schooled her expression to a concerned but sympathetic frown. According to Narcissa, who'd heard from the Accidental Magic Registration Office, the boy had been placed two days before. "Hm, I understand. In fact, I'll check out who placed him here. Magical children sometimes need special care. Shall I just take him?"
The muggle frowned at her. "First prove you'll be better able to take care of him."
"And how do you suppose I do that?"
"Nurse him."
Is… is this dumb muggle for real? She knows that's not how government officials work, right? She raised an eyebrow at ignorant woman. "I literally cannot." She could, because Cassie wasn't entirely on solids yet. But that was none of her business.
"Humor me."
Well, she needed the kid, and to do it without setting off alarms. If this is what it took, then so be it. "Okay, fine."
The muggle woman nodded and held the child out.
With a wave of her wand, Bellatrix used a fabric unpicking spell to deepen her neckline, from full coverage to easy breast access. It should be easy to use a calming spell on the child when she nursed it, and then convince the muggle she could find a better home for the child. That'd count as consent, and wouldn't trigger the kidnapping wards.
She gently picked the Potter boy up and aligned it at her breast, preparing the calming spell at the back of her mind. It'd take a few seconds, as often the case with wandless magic.
She didn't exactly like offering her breast to a filthy halfblood, but if that's what it took to find Lord V—.
Bellatrix relaxed as the Harry's lips touched her nipple. He latched on strongly, and she could feel the magic in her very bones react to him. She cradled him to her breast firmly. This was amazing. For a moment, she wished he'd never stop drinking from her. Harry calmed down as he drank for real, and an intense pleasure and satisfaction flowed through Bellatrix. She let out a soft gasp of surprise. Her magic rose, and she felt powerful.
Bellatrix patiently let the most important being in her life drink until he had his fill.
Harry pulled back. "Not bland." He said. Then he snuggled up to her and drifted asleep in a minute.
She exchanged a glance with the muggle. Muggle she might be, but Bellatrix felt a kinship, a certainty that, like her, this muggle would do everything in her power to improve Harry's life.
"I'll take him." She told the muggle.
The muggle nodded. "I know you'll take good care of him. He just kept calling me bland, and refusing to drink more than a swallow at a time."
"I think he tastes my magic." Bellatrix explained. "Oh, and I'm Bellatrix Lestrange."
"Petunia Dursley. Pleased to meet you."
"I'll get this little one home. I got a lot to do, like getting rid of my husband."
"Yeah, I think it only works on us women. Good luck."
Bellatrix grinned. "I'm the most feared witch in this country. I don't need luck."
—Harry Potter and the Coven of Life—
Bellatrix headed home, plans whirring around her mind, growing and getting discarded, before she settled on a course of action.
First point of action, their house-elf, currently bonded to Rudolphus. Once Bellatrix betrayed her husband, it would fight her for revenge and potentially harm Harry, which was not allowable.
"Mispy!" she called.
In front of her, the house-elf appeared, wearing an elegant curtain. "What can Mispy do for Mistress?"
"Yes, I need you to nurse this child. Right here and now."
Mispy looked puzzled, but it was a direct order from her mistress, so she gently took Harry. On the opening for her arm, she pulled the curtain aside to reveal her breast. She offered her nipple to the child, and he latched on. Immediately, Bellatrix felt the same kinship with her house-elf as she had with the muggle before.
Bellatrix could feel the bond snap. She thought back about feeding Harry herself just a few minutes ago, and cast a spell she used to be bad at.
"Expecto Patronus!"
The expected constrictor snake did not come, but instead she got some kind of bird. She'd study it later. She focused on the auror's office in the ministry.
"The Longbottoms are under attack by Rudolphus and Rabastan Lestrange, and young Barty Crouch."
The bird dashed off, and faded. It would appear at its destination a moment later. She refocused on her charges.
Mispy looked at Harry with wonder in her eyes, but they had things to do. And saving a bit of Harry's appetite might come in useful.
"Mispy, that's enough for now. To protect him, we'll need to keep a tight schedule. Can I count on you?"
Mispy looks up, standing straighter already. She gives a nod, and gently pulls Harry away from her breast. "We must keep Master Harry's abilities secret. Mispy will continue playing house-elf."
"Glad I could count on you. And my apologies for betraying your old master."
"Mispy loves old master, but he might be a threat to Harry. It be how it be."
"How's Cassie doing?"
"Mistress Cassiopeia be playing with Mr. Fluffles." Ah, her favorite plush rabbit.
"Can you bring Harry there and introduce them? I need to talk to Cissy."
Mispy struts up the stairs, her new charge in her arms. Harry looking around full of interest in the Lestrange mansion.
Bellatrix headed back to the hall and threw a pinch of Floo powder into the fire.
She sat down, called out "Malfoy Manor", and stuck her head into it.
Green fire consumed her vision, and an instant later, she was looking into the hall at Malfoy Manor. A house-elf popped in front of her.
"Dobby, go tell Narcissa I'm here."
The elf bowed low and popped away.
Bellatrix always hated waiting like this, when there was so much to do. Luckily, her sister knew that, and only a minute later, she came into the room. Since it was in the middle of the night, all Narcissa wore was a nightgown. Still enchanted with all the comfort charms, though, so she could come right away.
"Ah, Cissy. Come on through. I need to talk to you." Bellatrix pulled back from the fire, to give her sister the room.
—Harry Potter and the Coven of Life—
Narcissa Malfoy sighed. Why was Bella always so much… Bella? Like, explain yourself? Nothing to be done about it. She headed to the fire, and tossed in some Floo powder in the green fire that contained her sister's head a few moments ago, and stepped through.
Bellatrix was there when she entered, and started towards somewhere else, gesturing her to come along.
"So, how's my sister doing who hasn't talked to me for two weeks because of being 'busy'?" Narcissa asked.
"Oh, you know, the usual." Uh-oh. That smirk promised nothing good. "I just retrieved Harry Potter from his muggle relatives, and I need to be able to keep him."
Since she was in her nightclothes anyway, Narcissa let decorum slip and facepalmed. She didn't need to look at her elder sister to know she had a massive grin. And of course, she didn't explain anything. She breathed in and out slowly, to calm herself. "Why?" She forced herself to ask.
"Why what?"
"Why did you kidnap the boy christened as boy-who-lived? You know you're a wanted criminal, right?"
"Of course, that's why I got you. You and your husband are great at doing this kind of thing. So what's the plan?"
One breath. Two breaths. Open eyes. Calm. Three breaths. "Fine, we'll try. But it'll require some convincing acting from you."
"Just acting?"
Narcissa shrugged. "The stock of veritaserum has been tragically destroyed in an accident, and they're not waiting putting people on trial."
"Eh, I can do that. So what's our story?" Bella led her to the drawing room, where Cassiopeia was playing with her rattle, while a boy the same age as her Draco was playing with some blocks. When they entered, the watchful house-elf vanished now that she knew the humans were watching the kids.
"For most people, we're using the Imperius defense. However, I'm afraid that's going to be a hard sell with you, your husband, and his brother combined."
"Oh, that won't be a problem. I need to keep the Potter brat here for a while, which they'd never accept. So I called the aurors on them while they were attacking the Longbottom blood traitors. They should be in custody right around now."
"What."
Bella played with Cassiopeia while Narcissa collected her thoughts.
"But… why? Why betray them? Why's that child so important?" Narcissa finally asked.
"It's needed. Sorry that I can't say much more, but this is what our Lord needs."
Cassiopeia fussed, and Bella gathered her close. "Ah, you gotta be hungry. It's been like five hours now. Come on, Cassie."
Narcissa watched her sister nurse her child with a smile. Whatever else, it'd made Bella show her caring side more. Before this it'd been to Narcissa alone, and generally more 'violently protective' than 'hug'. "We can use it, at least. Say the Imperius was broken when the Potter boy defeated our master, and that you waited these few days to find an opportunity to get them arrested."
Bella nodded. "Good idea." Harry Potter fussed when he saw Cassiopeia getting nursed, and Bella turned to her. "Can you feed him for a moment? Cassie got me occupied."
Narcissa blinked. Had she heard and understood that correctly? "Excuse me?"
Bella rolled her eyes. "Pull down your nightgown, grab the boy, and feed him. Judging by Draco not having starved in his first week, you know how it works. Just use that lactation charm your Healer will have taught you just in case."
"I'm not—. He is—. But at his age—… why?"
Bella didn't shrug, because it'd have disturbed Cassie, but it was a close thing. "I don't know. His mudblood mother probably didn't know how to wean a kid off or something. But getting him on solid foods will take a few days or weeks, and right now we don't have time. So stop being a prim prissy, and feed him. You can obliviate him after if you want to."
Sure, it wouldn't actively harm her, but it felt… odd. To be so utilitarian about something that should be intimate. And something best saved for worthy children, instead of filthy half-bloods. Still, she took her wand and cast the charm. She pulled the neck from her nightgown lower, though it slightly bit into her neck before she could get a breast out.
When she reached for the kid, he crawled closer, and happily let himself be brought to her breast.
Narcissa gasped when she felt the relaxation wash over her. She cradled Harry to her breast, wanting the child to drink all he needed. She felt really silly to have been so hesitant, and swore she would make it up.
Wait a minute.
She turned to look at her sister, who wore a smirk that told Narcissa she knew exactly what happened. The insufferable wench had intended for it, and Narcissa had taken the bait and swallowed it whole.
Not that she really minded, she mused. Nursing Harry felt like… completeness. Contentness. She had finally reached what she needed to in life. And she wouldn't throw it away.
While the somewhat greedy sucking on her breast continued, she thought back on what Bella had told her.
"Yeah, this is the right course of action." She told her sister. "Imperius will fly, but first you'll need to go to the Orphaned Childcare Office of the ministry, and swear your oath to care for Harry. It will make the Imperius defense that much stronger."
Harry fussed, pawing at her other breast. So Narcissa tore her nightgown to expose it, and switched Harry to the other one, cradling him into her. She leaned forwards to kiss him on the crown of his head, basking in his closeness and the pure calm and relaxation his drinking caused her.
"I hadn't thought of that." Bella admitted. "I'm glad I brought you in on this."
Narcissa smiled. "Yeah, so am I. I can't bear the thought of not being here for Harry…" she tilted her head. "Are we under some kind of compulsion?"
"Definitely." Bella smiled. "Much stronger than the Imperius, and I bet it's permanent. Something we'll need to test, though, because we can't allow for it to wear off. It'd endanger Harry."
"We could grab a random muggle to make sure. Just compel one to nurse him, and keep checking up."
"That's a problem for later, though. So how do I get into the office when I'm a wanted woman?"
Narcissa smiled at her sister and explained. And at her breast, Harry Potter drank his fill.
—Harry Potter and the Coven of Life—
Bellatrix pulled on a cloak with a large hood to hide her features. She was about to enter hostile territory, but she was confident she could pull it off.
Narcissa was watching Harry and Cassie, and no doubt going to use the opportunity to nurse at least the former.
If, worst case, everything went wrong today, Narcissa would happily take care of both of them, even if she needed to betray Lucius to Azkaban for it. While her sister respected and liked her husband, there was no real love there. Yet even if there'd been, Harry would have taken priority.
Bellatrix knew, because her love for Voldemort had been perfectly real, yet she would rather kill him than risk Harry harmed. Not that she needed to, anymore. Unless he really succeeded in becoming immortal. But she'd murder that problem when she got to it.
She apparated to the alleyway holding the entrance to the ministry for mudbloods that couldn't apparate or floo there, and put her hood on, hiding her face.
She didn't like its bulkiness. In a fight, if you couldn't shield, you had to dodge. And she knew she was a fighter at heart.
She picked up the dirty muggle phone, and held it to her ear, and rang 62442.
"Welcome to the Ministry of Magic. Please state your name and business."
Bellatrix reminded herself of what Narcissa had made her repeat three times, the over-concerned worrywart. "Bellatrix Lestrange, here under truce, to swear an Oath of Care for a child."
A silver badge dropped out of the apparatus, reading "Anonymous — Oath of Care". Bellatrix reluctantly put it on her robe. It'd inform any ministry personnel she was not to be attacked, but would also detect any hostile or manipulative magic cast her herself, in which case it would reveal her name, call the aurors to her, become magically stuck to her, and attempt to stun her.
Still, she wasn't planning to make that relevant.
Meanwhile, the floor had started lowering her towards the ministry, though it was painfully slow about it.
They mostly ignored her once inside. Because the law Narcissa told her about specified that she had the right not to be identified outside the office, she didn't even need to let them scan her wand. She made it to the office swiftly.
There, she arrived at a desk where a ministry worker looked up at her.
"Good Morning, miss…?"
"I'm here to make an Oath of Care for an orphaned child. I know I don't have to identify myself under clause f."
The worker nodded. "And subclause j makes an exception for that for the ministry worker handling the case, who is under an Oath of Secrecy themselves to keep it secret for as long as needed to ensure you can leave the ministry unhindered. I am under that oath, and this office is warded against any forms of divination. You can rest assured of total secrecy until I file your oath."
Bellatrix nodded. Narcissa had told her something like this would probably happen. She pulled back her hood. "I'm Bellatrix Lestrange, here to make an Oath of Care to safeguard a child. I want the most stringent one on the books."
A look of fear came over the bored face of the worker, but he mastered himself admirably fast. Then again, falling back on bureaucratic systems might help with that. He explained on complete autopilot, accidentally ignoring that she'd already said which she wanted. "There are three levels of Oath that this office tracks. The first guarantees you cannot abuse the child, the second that you'll care for him as much as reasonable, but that you're allowed to prioritize your own family. The third requires you to place his wellbeing above any other, including yourself and other family."
Bellatrix grinned and raised an eyebrow.
The worker started as he realized she'd already said which she wanted.
This was just too much fun.
He stood up and went to a book on the shelf behind him. His hands shook slightly while he got the correct page, and then he took a bracelet from a drawer.
It was a fantastic piece of jewelry. Its base was a broad gold band, set with several jewels around it, and elaborately engraved.
Gaudy, but no less valuable for it. Bellatrix waited, and the worker explained the process.
"You need to put on the bracelet in your wand hand while having your wand drawn, and then recite the oath here." He tapped the book. "Then the item will bind it into your magic, for the duration specified."
Bellatrix drew her wand, startling the worker again. She pulled the bracelet over it, resting it on her wrist, and studied the oath. Nodding to herself, she recited it.
"I, Bellatrix Lestrange, hereby swear that I will care for and nurture Harry Potter to the best of my ability. I shall not harm him, nor shall I allow him to come to harm through inaction. His care shall ever be the foremost thought in my mind, above that of me, my family, or any others I care for. This Oath shall bind me forever."
The bracelet glowed gold, and Bellatrix could feel it seal the oath into her very magic. It felt right. This was something she could be proud of.
The worker looked as if he'd seen a ghost. Perhaps surprise. Bellatrix herself would have been surprised if twenty-four hours ago someone told her she'd swear this oath about Harry Potter. Or that she made the oath about forever, instead of just about Harry's maturity, as the book indicated was most common and advised.
Bellatrix smiled at him. "That's the entire procedure?"
"Uhm… I… Yes, thank you. I—, I shall get this filed, then. If this gets filed in one hour, would you already be clear of the Ministry?"
"I will leave right away, so yes."
"Uhm, there's still the matter of administrative costs…"
Ah, right. Bellatrix threw down the single Galleon is cost to have something like this filed at the ministry. "And here's a letter, which I'm officially requesting you to give to the aurors when I get out of here. It contains my side of the story."
"O— of course. I'll make sure they get it. That'll be all, then. Thank you for helping the magical orphans." The worker was getting pale and sweaty, and Bellatrix decided it was time to leave. As fun as it'd be to make him faint, it'd delay the filing of the paperwork.
—Harry Potter and the Coven of Life—
Bellatrix popped into existence, but didn't feel as anxious as she had waking up this morning about this, courtesy of Harry, who'd just completed his second night at her place.
Andromeda had been the middle child, and Bellatrix desperately needed some allies on the other side of the fence, if push came to shove. Despite what Narcissa said about what should happen during her trial — the summons for which she'd received yesterday afternoon, mere hours after visiting for her Oath — Bellatrix wanted a backup plan. Harry's safety could not be risked. Andromeda would make for a fine backup plan, as she was a powerful witch, and on the winning side of the war.
She headed towards the edges of the wards, and let a bit of magic flow into them, letting their holder know someone was there. And then she waited.
Less than two minutes later, she felt a magic presence behind her, but she didn't turn. She really wanted to avoid a fight, if at all possible. And if that presence was anybody but Andromeda herself, she'd be fast enough to defend herself. And if it was Andromeda, well, her sister wouldn't just strike her down. That wasn't like her. But even if… nursing Harry had magnified her power, and made her magic easier to use, more intuitive. Even if, she still stood a chance.
The front door opened, and Andromeda came out, wand aimed unflinchingly for Bellatrix's heart. "What are you doing here." Her tone was curt and tense. No surprises there.
"Andy." Bellatrix maintained her posture, but used the childhood nickname to evoke memories of their happier youth. "I need to talk to you. Please."
The presence behind her — probably Andy's mudblood husband — moved closer, but stayed there.
Andromeda raised an eyebrow. "Well, I'm here. Talk."
"I was under Impe—"
"Bullshit."
Bellatrix held her hands up, palms towards Andromeda. "Please let me explain? You know me. If I truly followed the Dark Lord, would I really lie about it now?" With her hands empty, she wasn't harmless, but definitely less dangerous.
Andromeda tilted her head, but her wand remained steady. "I guess you wouldn't. So continue."
Bellatrix flinched at obviously not being invited inside.
"I—, when under the curse, I knew it was a matter of time before I'd be ordered to kill you. So I drove you away. I bullied you and estranged us. Because you'd live. If they ordered me to kill you, you'd be far away and on your guard." Bellatrix looked her sister in the eye, spine rigid and eyes wet. Tearful, but with that rigid posture all three sisters had been drilled into. "Gods, I'm so sorry Andy. I'd do anything to make it up to you."
Andromeda sighed. "Fuck it. You can come inside. Ted, take her wand."
Success. Ted came from behind Bellatrix and took the wand from her wrist holster. She lifted her robe to show her boot. "There's a backup one on the inside of my left ankle. Packed it out of habit this morning." Bellatrix didn't like having to touch a mudblood, but she'd bear with it. For Harry, she'd bear with everything.
Ted took that one too, and he and Andromeda led her inside.
—Harry Potter and the Coven of Life—
"Oh, there is something I wanted to ask you." Bellatrix said. She'd been talking with Andromeda and Ted for almost an hour now, though their daughter Nymphadora was apparently out playing with some other kid.
"What is that?" Andromeda asked.
"I have my trial in two days. I want to ask you to babysit. My Cassiopeia is an angel, she won't be an issue. Though there's a bit of a surprise as well there…"
Andromeda hadn't lost her incredible skills at the deadpan look, so Bellatrix came to the point.
"I might have adopted Harry Potter a little bit?"
"You adopted Harry Potter. A 'little bit'. What did you do, Bella?"
Bellatrix knew she couldn't look contrite if her life depended on it, so she didn't even try. "It was two days ago. I did a random and checked up on him at the house of his muggle aunt. She was nearly in a panic about caring for the boy, and practically begged me to take him and take care of him. So I kinda did that. And yesterday I went to the Ministry to swear an official Oath of Care."
Andromeda frowned, obviously familiar with the concept. "Which one?"
"Most stringent one, of course. The lesser oaths are for uncertain people, and you know me."
"Should have been a Gryffindor." Andromeda whispered.
Bellatrix pretended not to hear that. "Anyway, I also left them a letter for the wizengamot about the Imperius and everything. And the summons came after. I want to take Cissy with me, so she can't watch them."
"Oh, right. Cissy's law apprenticeship." Andromeda narrowed her eyes. "How certain are you Cissy isn't with the Death Eaters?"
"Hundred percent. As far as I know, she isn't even a suspect for anything. And while I might not remember everything from my time under the Imperius, I don't recall ever seeing her."
"And Malfoy?"
"Lucius is claiming Imperius. Any other circumstances, I'd doubt, but well, since they got me…" she shrugged. It was a good reasoning. Bellatrix knew she had one of the strongest wills ever, so if she couldn't resist the curse, nobody could.
"Okay, I'll watch them for you."
"Thanks. And… if the worst happens, and I get send to Azkaban, I have Narcissa listed first because Cassie's familiar with her, but you're second. You're my sister, and I trust you to be their best chance if I don't get to do it."
"Don't say that, Bella. You'll be there for them. And I'm sorry that I didn't notice you were under the Imperius. If… if I could have gotten it off you…"
Bellatrix smiled in satisfaction. "Thanks, sis. But you're here now, and that's much more important to me."
—Harry Potter and the Coven of Life—
On the morning of her trial, Bellatrix let Harry drink from her long and deep. Despite her not really caring about the opinions of ossified old people, they could make Harry's life a lot worse if she fucked this up. So she needed all the calm she could get.
When Harry's hunger abated, she passed him to Narcissa, who nursed him the last few swallows. Invigorated, and with purpose, they apparated to the Ministry.
An auror delegation was waiting for them, and Bellatrix had to give up her wand. Between her knowing it was coming, and Harry's drinking calming her down, she didn't fidget. Besides, she could still do some tricks with the raw power Harry'd given her. It felt as if he sucked the weakness right out of her.
Still, Narcissa stuck close, and though she'd never admit it, it put her more at ease. They shared their goal of taking care of Harry, and they could do this.
And while the waiting was torture, at last they were called into the courtroom. Bellatrix advanced, spine straight, and posture relaxed. Nothing to be afraid of.
She sat down in the chair of the accused, and its chains bound her. It wasn't exactly comfortable, but she didn't let it bother her.
"Bellatrix Lestrange." A voice sounded from the darkness of the judges' box. Barty Crouch, senior. This might be bad. She'd been the reason his son just got arrested, after all.
"That's me." She responded.
"Your accusations are many. We've read them all, and it would take too much time to list them. A copy of the list was sent with your summons, which you have properly heeded. What do you plead?"
"Guilty, but with extenuating circumstances."
"Explain."
"I can't remember of everything that happened, but the general gist of the list sounded true. However, I was under the Imperius curse. I feel deep sorrow about them, and I will do everything in my power to make up for it. I believe my actions since speak for themselves."
"We have sworn affidavit you committed those crimes, and—"
"Objection." Narcissa interrupted. "My client doesn't contest those crimes, she pleads Imperius. The events are not in doubt — the reason why is what this trial is to establish."
"Fine. Misses Lestrange, why should we believe you?"
"When my husband, his brother, and young Barty Crouch attacked the Longbottoms, I informed the auror office of their intent."
At this, rumor broke out in the room. It calmed down, and another voice continued the questioning. Scrimgeour, perhaps? She wasn't certain.
"The auror office was informed by patronus, which we weren't aware you could summon. Could you elaborate?"
"I've been sporadically able to. It used to be a snake. But when I summoned it, it turned out to be some kind of bird. With how hectic the past few days have been, I haven't been able to identify the exact species. However, give me my wand, and I will show it to you."
More rumor, until the voice cut through the indistinct voices again. "We will vote on whether to risk giving you your wand."
Bellatrix wanted to make a remark about them fearing her even with two full auror squads present, but Narcissa had advised against exactly that when they prepared. So she remained silent. It's stupid to ask for advice and then ignore it.
The voting spells were cast, and they decided in favor — barely. An auror de-activated the chair, and held out her wand for her. She gently took it from him, and recalled the feeling of Harry drinking from her, that absolute trust, and her own absolute devotion towards the kid. Then she waved her wand, and gently spoke the spell.
A silver mist streamed from her wand, jumbling around, and then collapsing into the same bird it had been before. But without a purpose, this time it just took flight, and circled around her, to protect her from any yet unseen dangers it could.
The wizengamot rumor was still indistinct to her, and she suspected the interference of an enchantment. Until again, the voice cut through the noise.
"I confirm this is the bird that showed up at the auror office, directly leading towards the capture of Rudolphus Lestrange, Rabastan Lestrange, and Barty Crouch Junior, suspects currently held in relation to the torture of aurors Frank and Alice Longbottom, and the death of the former."
"Fine, let it be shown on the records that the accused informed the auror office of an on-going attack. Do you have anything else to add?"
"Of course. I have since been essential to the well-being of Harry Potter, who saved me from my enslavement."
Pandemonium. Even whatever enchantment was keeping their words from her didn't keep it all out. Eventually, they were silenced by a magically enhanced voice. And was that Dumbledore?
"SILENCE! Now please, let her elaborate. Miss Lestrange, please tell in your own words what happened."
"On a whim, I checked up on Harry Potter, because he saved me from the Imperius. So I apparated close to his address, and spoke to his aunt. She was giving her best effort to caring from the boy, but she felt incapable. In desperation, she handed the child to me, and I calmed him in mere moments. She practically begged me to take him and raise him. So that's what I did. Harry Potter is currently at my house, being watched over by my sister Andromeda."
The rumor got louder again, but Dumbledore silenced them the same as he did as a headmaster.
Bellatrix continued. "Two days ago, while delivering the letter to the ministry, I swore an Oath of Care to Harry Potter. While I might understand the depth of my dedication to his well-being, I am well aware not everyone would immediately trust me, which is why I swore it."
"Thank you." Dumbledore responded. "Please wait a moment while we verify this with the Orphaned Childcare Office."
More rumor, but she knew she had them. A flash of white occurred, probably someone else sending a patronus message.
It took a few minutes, but she recognized the voice of the ministry worker from the day before, reading out loud the oath on file.
The disbelief among the wizengamot was so strong she could make it out through the enchantment. She hid a grin of satisfaction because she knew she'd won.
After another fifteen minutes of deliberation, including a request for her to name as many people as she could, which she did, though with the caveat that she didn't know who was under Imperius or not, because she hadn't even known it about herself.
When asked why she hadn't immediately contacted the ministry after Voldemort's defeat, she professed being afraid for the safety of herself and her daughter, since she was confident her husband and his brother were not under the curse. She'd instead informed them as soon as she could find a moment alone. Until then, she'd held up the charade, since she was sure they didn't know about her being under the curse.
Then Dumbledore took the word again. "Initially, I had Harry placed with his aunt, Petunia Dursley. The idea was to safely raise him away from all this chaos, to give him a childhood unburdened by fame. I just had someone check up on Petunia, and her side of the story aligns perfectly with that of miss Lestrange. I propose we clear miss Lestrange of all charges, and give her the freedom she deserves."
Five minutes later, over three quarters of the wizengamot had voted to exonerate the woman they'd been terrified of a week ago.
—Harry Potter and the Coven of Life—
Andromeda sat down on the ground to play with the kids and learn to know them a bit better. Nymphadora was with her, as her daughter had wanted to get to know her youngest cousin. Bellatrix had just left for her trial a few minutes ago, after introducing her to Cassie and Harry.
She'd also mentioned something she forgot to mention last time — apparently, Harry hadn't been weaned off yet, so if he got hungry, he'd need breast milk. Until now, she and Narcissa had shared the burden.
While Andromeda definitely considered it odd, if it's the way it was, it's the way it was. She could hardly blame her sister for it, not when Harry hadn't been here even a week. Weaning a child off had to be done slowly, and admittedly, Bella's past week had been hectic. Besides that, she'd still need to gain some rapport with Harry.
Though Bellatrix had told her that if Harry woke up crying or anything, just nursing him brought him all the calm he needed to fall asleep again. Even if he'd just suckle instead of actually drink.
Now, though, the kid was trying to build a tower with blocks, though it fell over before he could get it even three high.
She cast an eye towards Nymphadora, who was currently holding Cassiopeia, and Andromeda couldn't help think that her girl needed a little sibling. Or, well, apparently a cousin would suffice. Still, as gentle as her daughter was, she kept a close eye. Nymphadora had a habit of getting bored and wandering off, forgetting what she was doing, or just dropping things out of clumsiness.
And while Andromeda was certain her daughter had all the best intentions towards the babe, a seven-year-old isn't the most capable of caregivers.
Harry got angry at his blocks refusing to stay in a tower, and threw one at the others.
That pout was adorable, though.
"No, throwing doesn't work." Andromeda explained to him. "You need to stack them carefully, like this." She took three blocks, and with exaggerated carefulness, stacked them on top of each other.
Harry threw a block at that too, knocking her tower down. "Bad bocks."
Nymphadora giggled. "Blocks, Harry. BLocks. With an L."
"Bjoks."
"BLLLocks."
"Tongue like this." Nymphadora stuck her tongue inhumanly far out of her mouth, showing the proper shape. "BLLLocks."
"Bjoks." Then he tried to stick his tongue out as far as Nymphadora, but of course, he wasn't a metamorphmagus, and therefore couldn't.
"BLLLocks."
Harry gave up trying to pronounce it, for now, and tried building with them again. Andromeda sat down by him, and tried to help him as gently as possible, to notice when he was about to accidentally knock a tower over, or sometimes holding the tower still while Harry put one on top.
He absolutely forbade her from building on his tower.
They'd gotten up to four and attempting the fifth when it fell over again, and Harry resumed his adorable pouting. "Bad Bjoks."
Well, it was an attempt.
Harry looked around and asked. "Ere ejjati?"
That was an adorable approximation of Bellatrix.
"Bellatrix will get back in a few hours. Why?"
"Ere Zizzi?"
…that was his attempt at Cissy, Andromeda thought. "She's with Bellatrix. They'll come back together. Is there something you want?"
He nodded in full seriousness. "ungy."
"You're hungry?"
He nodded.
Andromeda pulled the neck of her robe down. While it was a high neck, but unpicked easily when she pulled it down. It'd restitch itself just as easily and seamlessly when she was done. It was the most basic of quality of life charms for nursing women. She bared her breast, and offered it to Harry. "Come here, I'll feed you."
Harry nodded, and with her help, latched on. It was amazing. She cradled the precious child to her breast, wanting him to drink, drink his fill from her. The pleasure and contentness flowing through her was intoxicating and awakening. Emerging from all over her body, flowing to her breast, and into Harry.
She sighed in contentness as, for the first time since their fight in Bellatrix' sixth year, she was happy. Harry grabbed the bit of robe covering her other breast, and pulled at it, unlatching from her nipple. Andromeda quickly bared her other breast, and Harry greedily drunk from it.
In a reflex, she activated her physical meditation, sensing the magic flowing through her body. And it was strong. Every time Harry sucked on her nipple, it surged, becoming more powerful. She felt she could do everything. In several seconds, she was twice as strong as she normally was, but there it plateaued, and Harry's suckling only teased the flows of her magic.
"Mom?" Her daughter asked. Oh, right.
Andromeda smiled at her daughter. "What's up, Nymphadora?"
"How's that work?"
"Nursing, you mean?"
"Yeah."
"Didn't I explain to you before?"
"But I wanna try. And be big like you. And take care of Harry and Cassie like you."
"Sure, why not. Harry, do you wanna try with Nymphadora? She doesn't have milk, though. Just to show her how it feels."
Harry unlatched from her breast. "Djink, hut no mik?"
"Yes, drinking, but you won't get milk. Just to show her how it works."
"tij cam?"
It took Andromeda a second to parse that. "Yes, it should still let you feel calm."
Harry nodded. "Okee."
Nymphadora came closer, and Andromeda transfigured her robes to have a much lower neckline, so there'd be space to get her nipples in the open.
Nymphadora frowned. "I need boobs, right?"
An instant later, her chest swelled. The girl lost two inches of height, everything scaling down, and she suddenly had breasts as big as her mother's. And while Andromeda didn't have the biggest boobs, on to her daughter's smaller body, they'd easily be D-cups.
Just when Andromeda was about to tell her daughter to turn them back, Harry reacted.
"jig!" he giggled. "Hajjy jike jig."
Nymphadora beamed. Andromeda surrendered, because Harry liked them. She'd talk to her daughter about not doing this normally.
Andromeda helped Harry onto her daughter's lap, facing her, and Harry pulled the now large neckline in the girl's robes aside, and eagerly leaned forwards. He latched on, and Andromeda felt a kinship with her daughter snap into place. She knew right away they now shared their devotion to Harry.
Automatically, Nymphadora's arms went around the boy, and she cradled him close. Harry pulled back. "Mik!" he cheerfully said, before diving right back.
"It's true, mom." Her daughter confirmed. "I can feel it flow, and it's not me doing it."
At that moment, Cassie decided they'd ignored her for long enough, and threw her rattle against Nymphadora's thigh. The girl didn't even notice, as caught up as she was in nursing Harry.
Andromeda sighed and picked up the younger girl. Yup, hungry. She put her nice to her breast, and felt the relaxation of her milk flowing.
And while this girl was utterly adorable, and she'd happily and lovingly feed Cassie all the milk the girl needed, it wasn't anywhere near as straight up special as nursing Harry was.
—Harry Potter and the Coven of Life—
Bellatrix came home in a cheerful mood. She was completely free now, and legally owned all Lestrange properties, as they presumed Cassiopeia was now the rightful owner. She almost snorted, as Cassiopeia was Voldemort's daughter. If that man hadn't clearly proven hostile to Harry, she'd still be trying to resurrect him. Still, not relevant.
When she opened the door to the room Harry was in, she felt the kinship — twice. Even better than she'd hoped for.
"Welcome to the club, sis!" she cheerfully greeted Andromeda. "And even my little niece joined!"
"I feel I should be angry with you." Andromeda. "You basically manipulated me all the time, lied to my face to get me here, and enslaved me."
"But you won't." Bellatrix answered. "If I don't get angry at a muggle for tricking me like this, you won't get angry at me."
"You're insufferable when you're right."
Bellatrix smirked. "And enjoying it."
Andromeda sighed and looked at the ceiling. "You never were under Imperius, were you?"
"Nope. I was going to kidnap Harry for leverage, and his muggle aunt ended up challenging me, and I could take him if I nursed him first. And well, you can guess what happened next."
"We're gonna keep the secret, aren't we?" Nymphadora asked.
"Of course we are. Otherwise, they'll take us away from Harry, and we won't be able to protect him anymore."
Her niece nodded. She was a smart child, and Bellatrix thought they'd get on well.
"We're still gonna need a name." The child continued.
"Like what?" Bellatrix asked. "The Black Coven?"
"Other women will join us in time. There might be need." Andromeda countered.
"What binds us together is not our blood, but our service to Harry." Narcissa remarked. "So what about the Coven of Life? There are strong life connotations to breast milk in any primal form of magic you can think of, and there's a couple of potions and rituals that use that connection."
"I'm part of a real Coven." Nymphadora grinned.
—Harry Potter and the Coven of Life—
A/N: I promise I won't make a habit of long author's notes, but I want to make sure my plans are clear.
1) I do not plan to give this fic a high update speed, because I want to first get A Dragon's Game to at least an ending. At least the ending of the Skyrim part, though I got a few things planned for worldhopping there in the future.
2) This is very much experimental for me. I started writing with pure discovery, like in Dimensional Twin. Between that one and Overlord Potter, I noticed that it basically becomes harder to write as it goes on, and I don't like that. A Dragon's Game was much more lined out, but much less than this one, and I often diverged and had to change a lot. For Harry Potter and the Coven of Life, I'm going with a hard outline, the vast majority of which is finished. I'm mostly doing this to see if it lets me write consistently at a high speed, which currently is my primary goal as a writer.
3) In no particular order: This fic will not deeply inspect any issue to deliver social commentary. Harry will never be quite aware how deeply the mind control goes, and it's the girls ensnaring each other. There will be fluff, if mind controlled fluff deserves the name in your opinion. Since it's not a choice Harry makes to mind control them, I think it definitely counts. There will be minor smut, and I won't stick to humans — but I will stick to Harry/F and possibly F/F. Lactation will be everywhere Harry goes, but the remainder will be kind of vanilla. If I'd have to estimate, I'd say the total length of this fic would be 80k to 100k words — but don't put to much stock in that. In summary, I'm going to have a main character who literally sucks the tits of lots of girls, and I'm gonna make it sound wholesome. And after next chapter, Harry won't be anywhere as small and innocent about it as this.