Author's Note: Hello everyone and welcome to chapter ten. Sorry for the long wait but I wanted to get this chapter just right. I love Bellatrix and I really hope I captured her and her insanity just right. -opens a bag of Doritos and a container of cream cheese- I really hope you all like how she turned out. I know I do, and I can't wait to have even more fun with it. As always this is J.K's world I'm just playing in it. -Dips Dorito into cream cheese.- On with the show!
"Speech"
~Parseltongue/foreign language~
"Thoughts."
Chapter 10: The Gem of Madness
*Beatrice's point of view. *
Beatrice had just come out of the bathroom in her new mortal home. Her home didn't seem to be too bad as far as homes went. It was no fancy manor just a nice three-bedroom two-story house. There were pictures on the wall of people she'd never met but they seemed like a nice couple.
Beatrice heard noises downstairs and quickly rushed back to her room. Her room was small but twice the size of what Harry had grown up in. Which was the only real reference she had to go on since she wasn't really allowed to watch mortals. The three Peverell brothers had been an exception but only because their mastery of runes led to them bridging the gap of the living and the dead. She had had to intervene, or they might have broken the laws of death. Harry had been the only other exception, because of the prophecy she had requested from her mother about him. Otherwise, she only waited for mortals to come to her and listened to their stories. Some mortals had taught her things like how to flirt and say things that would make people blush. Not that she fully knew why they blushed, but it was fun to watch.
The thought of all the stories she was missing at this very moment caused her to freeze as she fought the urge to start crying again.
"All those poor souls." She whimpered as she broke down and cried for several minutes before she regained control of her emotions.
She looked around her room and tried to get a sense of who she was so she could play the role for the people downstairs. More than likely these people didn't even have a daughter before her mother threw her into this arrangement.
Beatrice walked up to her closet and opened it. Inside she found a lot of muggle style dresses and shirts. In her dresser, she found a variety of jeans, pants, skirts, and underwear.
"Well going by what I've seen watching Harry's life, this must mean I'm either half-blood or a muggle-born," Beatrice commented as she looked around the room. Her walls were white with purple trim. There were a few pieces of art on the walls that looked professionally done but she couldn't be sure. One looked like something she remembered being described to her a few times over the centuries. It looked like a starry evening night, but it was blurred like it was being looked at through water. She turned to her to look at the rest of her room and found a desk with a bookshelf next to it. As she looked over the titles, she noticed some of them were magical schoolbooks while others seemed to be muggle stories.
Beatrice sighed and went to the dresser to grab matching underwear and bra. Putting the underwear on was easy but the bra proved difficult. Eventually, she got the hooks right and turned to her closet. After a few minutes of searching, she grabbed a purple sundress with white flowers on it and put it on.
She then went to her desk and looked at herself in the mirror. Her hair was a mess from sleeping in the bed which had been an experience in itself. She'd never slept before as far as she could remember. Beatrice looked in all the drawers of her desk but didn't find the thing she knew mortal women used to tame their hair. She got up and quietly opened her door. She was nervous to meet the people downstairs and she wanted to make a good first impression since she'd probably have to be around them for the next however many years they lived in this realm. She snuck back to the bathroom near her room and luckily found the object she was looking for. It took her a bit to get the hang of it but eventually, she tamed her hair and steeled herself to meet her mortal parents.
Beatrice slowly started to walk downstairs and as she did a very wonderful smell greeted her. She assumed this smell must have been food since it made her mouth water and her stomach growl. However, all thoughts of eating went right out the window when she reached the bottom step and looked in the kitchen.
"Hiya sleepyhead. I was wondering what was taking you so long. Did you figure out all the plumbing in the bathroom?" The woman in the kitchen had strawberry blonde hair with blood-red eyes and looked to be in her early thirties. Her face looked hard despite the smile on her face and her body was all muscle except for the rather large amount of cleavage she had. She was wearing very tight black jeans and a dark red blouse, covered with an apron that said, 'Victory on the battlefield starts with a good breakfast.'
"Err." Was all Beatrice could get out in response.
"What?" The woman looked down at herself. "Are the red eyes to much?" Beatrice nodded mutely still in stunned shock. The woman shrugged before blinking her eyes and they changed to a reddish-brown. "There, that better?" Again, Beatrice nodded in shock. "Excellent! Now my dear sister, sit down we have a lot to talk about."
"War?!" Beatrice asked finally finding her voice. "What are you doing here?" The woman in the kitchen called War laughed.
"I'm doing my duty of course. Mother tried to stop me, but you know me I never listen." War chuckled as she turned back to the food she was cooking. "You know I swore centuries ago that I would always help my sisters when then chose their first champions. It took you forever, but you finally did it. The favorite child finally pissed our mother off." War laughed loudly as she flipped a few pancakes in the air.
"I am far from mother's favorite and you know it." Beatrice sat down at the table feeling miserable and confused.
"Not anymore maybe but before you chose a champion you were definitely her favorite." War turned and started placing plates of food on the table. It all smelled heavenly to Beatrice as her stomach growled which caused War to laugh. "You better start eating but go slow. Eating too fast can make you sick or choke." War said as she set the last plate of food on the table and sat down herself. "Do you know how to use a knife and fork?" Beatrice nodded but was truthfully just guessing so she waited to see what War did. War smiled as she picked up her knife and fork and cut up a pancake. Beatrice mimicked her right down to the last detail of putting syrup on her pancakes.
When War finally took a bite, Beatrice followed and instantly her brain exploded as the flavors hit her. She let out a purr of satisfaction as she started putting more and more in her mouth.
"Hey! Remember what I said, or you'll choke. You're mortal now so breathing is a thing." Beatrice froze and slowly chewed what she had, savoring it, then swallowed with a smile on her face.
"That was amazing," Beatrice said as she pulled more food on to her plate ready to try everything. War chuckled as she continued to eat.
"Wait till you try Harry's cooking. Man's a genius in the kitchen. Probably the one good thing that came out of living with the Dursleys." War said with a slight grin. "Well, that and a crap ton of ammunition for that pain transfer spell of his." Beatrice looked down at the table for a few moments before looking back up.
"War, why are you here? Really?"
"I'm here to keep my word." War sighed as she leaned back in her chair. "I was the first one to claim a champion and it ended badly. The next ten or so weren't much better, but eventually, I figured it out. After that, I decided that I would help the rest of you when you claimed a champion so you wouldn't make the same mistakes I did." War explained and Beatrice nodded. "You're probably going to be the hardest to work with especially given the restrictions on you. Luckily thanks to your champion aside from a few battles here and there, there isn't going to be a war this time around if everything goes right. So, I'll have the time to help you unless he screws up in a catastrophic way." War grinned as she picked up a piece of bacon.
"What are my restrictions?"
"You can only use your angelic powers for two hours each day. Also, it can only be while you're with Harry and in the Room of Requirement." Beatrice was about to say something, but War silenced her with a look. "This is not negotiable, and I've been informed that if you try to use that time to listen to soul stories, she'll add a hundred years to your sentence!" Beatrice paled as she nodded slowly. War sighed as she looked at her.
"Look I know this is rough for you but maybe if you can train him, so he won't cause problems. Mom might let you go back and get the stories you missed." Beatrice actually laughed at that, but it wasn't a happy laugh.
"Our mother would never do that, and you know it." War made a face like she didn't know where Beatrice got this idea from. But Beatrice knew better than War did. Fate was indeed a bitch and would never give her those stories back. Beatrice shook her head as she fought down the urge to cry again. "Okay, so what's the plan? Are my parents upstairs sleeping?" Beatrice asked as she helped herself to more food.
"Oh yeah, I got rid of them. Not that they were real mind you. They were just golems really that mom made to get you through school then get rid of. I chucked them and now I'm gonna be mortal right along with you. Mom forced me into the same kind of deal, but I have more freedom than you when it comes to my powers. To the world, I'm your cousin who lives here in England while you lived in America. However, when your parents died in an accident you came to live with me and that's why you're transferring to Hogwarts for fourth year. Paperwork is already signed and taken care of. I'll be using the name Wendolyn Alexandra Ravencrest, Wendy for short." War or Wendy grinned at Beatrice. "I work here in Godric's Hollow at the local pub and inn." Beatrice snapped up at that.
"We're in Godric's Hollow?" Beatrice knew that this was right near where Potter Manor was. Granted it was several miles out of town, but it was still nearby.
"Don't even think about it!" Beatrice jerked back in shock at her sister's shout. "You have to wait until Hogwarts."
"Why?"
"Why did you pick Harry to be your champion?" Wendy questioned and Beatrice just stared at her for a moment before opening her mouth to answer. "And don't give me that bull shit about him calling you his best friend." Beatrice closed her mouth since that was exactly what she was about to say. "That's just one of the reasons why you can't go to him yet. How can you train him to be your champion if you don't even understand or know why you picked him? Secondly and on a more personal note do you even know what a woman's period is?" The question threw Beatrice for a loop.
"A woman's what?" She asked and Wendy chuckled.
"What about hormones? Do you know what they are? Do you even know what sex is?" Beatrice felt insulted.
"Well, of course, I know what…"
"Have you ever seen it or experienced it? If a man asked you for a blowjob do you even know what that is or how to do it?" Wendy asked her with a raised eyebrow as Beatrice shut her mouth. Beatrice had only ever heard stories of sex and Harry's life was the only one she'd ever actually watched. However, she was never able to watch that because his mother could shut the screens down whenever she tried. She had tried to overrule her on that but for some reason, Harry's weigh station always seemed to agree with Lily.
"I…umm…well I've…you know…heard stories." Beatrice said feebly causing Wendy to roll her eyes.
"Never mind that what are you gonna do when your mortal hormones finally kick in. Remember you're in the body of a teenager and they are gonna be all over the place." Wendy explained but Beatrice had no idea what she was talking about.
"What do hormones have to do with sex?" Wendy's mouth just fell open in shock before she started laughing uncontrollably.
"Oh, thank Merlin I got to you before you ran off to that school or who knows who you would have ended up shagging." Beatrice glared at her sister.
"What makes you think I would just start…what was the word you used? Shagging? Is that like sex?" Beatrice questioned losing her glare and causing Wendy to laugh even harder.
"Oh, sweet Merlin we've got a lot to cover before the summer is over," Wendy said as she waved her hand and a book appeared on the table. Beatrice looked the title and her mouth fell open in shock.
"War's guide to having a mortal body. You wrote a book?" Wendy shrugged as she got up and took her apron off.
"I have to go to work now so read that book cover to cover. There's lunch in the fridge for you and I'll be home to make dinner. DO NOT ATTEMPT TO COOK ANYTHING!" Wendy shouted making Beatrice jump in shock. "I don't need you burning down our place. Also, remember no magic since your underage and have the trace on your wand. Luckily for you, you should have knowledge of schooling for the first three years of magical schooling." As Wendy said this Beatrice found this to be true so she nodded, and Wendy smiled as she put on her leather boots. She then picked up her wand and her dagger. She secured the dagger in her left boot while her wand went in her right.
"Okay, I'm off to work. Start reading that and commit all of it to memory." Wendy stressed as she opened the door. "Especially the potty-training part because I'm willing to bet you didn't wipe this morning did you." Wendy laughed as Beatrice blushed bright red. "Have fun sis! See you in a few hours." Wendy closed the door and left Beatrice alone with her book. Beatrice sighed as she picked it up and opened it. The first chapter was titled 'Your Body and You' with a naked diagram of Beatrice's own body. Beatrice sighed again as she started to read.
-Scene Break-
*Harry's point of view. *
Harry was currently running in his new workout clothes around Potter Manor's ward lines. His mind going over everything that had happened after he blew out Olivander's store. The old man wasn't even mad at Harry for it. Especially when he realized he had somehow made a wand whose loyalty could never be won. He wanted to inspect the wand but even when Harry permitted him to use it, it still wouldn't work for him. All it did was allow him to hold it, but he said it still felt like it weighed twenty pounds. The best part was the wand went completely haywire when Olivander tried to put the trace on it. The bad part about this was it led to several lectures from everyone about not using magic outside of school. Not that Harry cared the trace was easy enough to remove and inside the Potter wards it wouldn't even register anyway.
After they fixed the store and Harry bought new wand holsters for everyone present, they left. Harry then portkeyed several of the adults to the property line. They then went back and side-along apparated everyone else to the ward line. Potter Manor's wards identified him and pulled the house out of stasis. Once inside he erased everyone from the ward list and added everyone who was outside.
The manor itself was larger than Harry had expected with three floors and two basements. The third floor held the main family rooms like the master bedroom. There were nine rooms total on each second and third floors. Each with their own bathroom though they were half the size of the master bathroom. The rooms were styled in a modern renaissance style with mostly Gryffindor colors but there were accents of other colors here and there. The second floor seemed to be for guests as all the rooms were designed the same way. Except the colors were just a nice warm welcoming white with accents of gold.
The first floor had the entrance hall and family room and a dining room down the hallway that led to the right of the main staircase. The hallway to the left led to the library, which Harry locked when they got there so Hermione wouldn't be in there all night. Next to the library was a study for the Lord of the family. Only Harry could enter it as the Heir to the family. At the end of the hallway led to the kitchen, where there was a smaller less formal dining area. Another door at the back of the kitchen led down to the second basement or dueling chamber complete with practice dummies. Dora had to be dragged out of that room.
The part Harry loved most was the statues that decorated each of the hallways. These statues were a part of the Potter family's magic. Every one of them was made by a previous head of the family and to this day could still be activated to protect the manor if needed. Unlike the ones at Hogwarts, the ones at Potter Manor actually had their own personalities and battle styles. Harry couldn't wait to sit down and read the family grimoire so he could master the spell and make his own guardian.
Harry had to explain to Hermione about grimoires since she'd never heard of them. Harry himself only knew about them thanks to Narcissa and Andromeda when he found the Black family grimoire after gutting Grimaud place number twelve. When he found it, he went right to the two of them to find out what it was. He was shocked by how happy they had been to see it. It turns out that grimoires, for the most part, told the story of the family. How they started and what eventually led them to create their own unique magic that would be sealed in their blood.
The Black family grimoire showed how they started and created the mind arts. While Occlumency and Legilimency could be used by anyone the Blacks could master it to levels far beyond the norm. To put it simply while Dumbledore could use passive Legilimency to get your surface thoughts. A Black family member who mastered it could find thoughts twice as deep with passive Legilimency. Not to mention their one truly unique spell that you had to be a Black to use. Harry wished he had been more dedicated to learning it in his previous timeline. Now he had to find the book again, luckily, he was putting his money on Bellatrix's knowing its location. Since when it was found the first time Harry wasn't the one who found it. One of the curse breakers he hired to rip the place apart had found it.
The rest of the evening had been spent enjoying a nice dinner and the feeling of an actual family. Unlike the Weasley house, the diner was relaxing and comforting, instead of being loud and crazy. The only hitch was when Errol flew in with a letter from Mrs. Weasley to Professor McGonagall wanting to know where they were since it was so late. McGonagall left saying she would stop by the Weasley and let them know that she left Harry and Hermione with Hermione's parents. She would also explain that Hermione used the floo to join them at Diagon Alley because of the incident involving an experimental portable swamp. The whole house was laughing when Hermione explained that to everyone.
Rita had left right after Aunt Minnie but not before Harry stopped her to talk about their arrangement. He also asked her to hold off posting anything until Monday. She wasn't happy about this but since he promised her the chance to join him for his meeting with Bellatrix the next day, she quickly changed her tune. She left saying she would meet Harry in the atrium at nine-thirty.
After that everyone slowly went to bed, minus the slight argument with Narcissa who wanted the master bedroom, mainly the master bathroom, to herself. It wasn't really an argument more than it was Narcissa begging Harry to let her have it. Harry couldn't blame her for this since all the other rooms only had showers, but the master had a huge tub. Harry won the bedroom since it is his house after all, but he promised to let her use the tub whenever she wanted. He got smacked by multiple people when added on the condition that it was only as long as she didn't mind the company with a wink. Sirius was on the floor laughing at that while Dora told him she wouldn't mind the company. This caused her mother to smack her and Harry to laugh. Hermione was also an issue since she planned to sleep in one of the guest rooms. Harry had to pull her right up to one of the family rooms and make her pick one.
All in all, it was a great evening Harry thought as he slowed to a walk at the front of the house. Harry stopped to look at the statue he knew his father made since all the statues had nameplates beneath them. His was a humanoid stag in a kneeling position, its arms crossed its chest. There was a stone katana attached to its waist along with several stone daggers. Harry placed his hand on the statue's head as he smiled. One day he would add to this amazing collection.
"The only thing I don't get is why he lied to me." Harry wondered out loud as he sighed.
"Who lied to you?" Harry spun around and had his wand in Sirius's neck so fast with a curse on his lips that Sirius was lucky Harry had managed to stop himself.
"Sweet Merlin Sirius! Are you trying to give me a heart attack?" Harry asked as he sent his wand back to its holster on his arm.
"You?! What about me? You nearly took my head off. Where in the name of Morgana's left tit did you get reflexes like that?" Sirius asked while rubbing his neck.
"Years of living with the Dursley's. Then going to Hogwarts school of Witchcraft, Wizardry, and people who want to kill you." Harry deadpanned causing Sirius to look at him like he wasn't sure if he should laugh for not.
"I'm starting to think about buying a pensive so I can see those years." Harry shrugged as he turned to head inside.
"Won't bother me none. Just make sure you don't eat before you watch them." Harry walked inside and headed towards the kitchen. Harry was thankful that Sirius had forgotten about his question. Harry knew he'd have a hard time explaining the fact that his father had told him a lie about the family's credo. The truth was the Potter's credo was actually amicis et morte, which roughly meant the friends of death. Which was adopted to the Potter's when the first male Potter married the daughter of Ignotus Peverell.
Sirius followed Harry to the kitchen, and they started to eat breakfast as everyone slowly joined them. When Dora joined them, she tripped and landed face first in Remus's lap.
"Can't you two keep that in the bedroom?" Harry asked as he slipped his wand back into its holster after firing a tripping jinx at Dora. Sirius let out a barking laugh while everyone else chuckled. Even Dora's parents were chuckling as they shook their heads in exasperation.
"Hey! It's not my fault! I'm a metamorph and my body keeps shifting on me." Dora snapped before turning to Remus who was bright red. "Sorry, Remus."
"You do know you could probably stop that if you practiced Occlumency?" Everyone just stared at him.
"Harry, what makes you think that?" Hermione asked and Harry took a bite of his food to give himself a chance to answer that. In his previous timeline when they found the grimoire Andromeda used it to teach Teddy how to control his morphing abilities.
"Well the mind arts are not just used to protect one's mind they are also used to organize it. If you were to create a well-constructed mindscape, then you should be able to put your controls over your morphing powers there. Once there then you theoretically should be able to prevent them from acting on their own." Everyone just stared at him as he finished. "What? It popped into my head while I was planning how to deal with my meeting today." Hermione slowly smiled at him as he got more uncomfortable.
"You know you're never going to be allowed to play stupid with me anymore, right?" Harry groaned and then slammed his head into the table causing everyone to laugh.
"Speaking of your meeting we should start getting ready soon. I have to have them moved for the meeting before it can happen." Amelia said before she turned to Dora. "Tonks, can you be Harry's escort while I handle that and just give him a tour of the ministry or something?"
"Sure thing, Boss Lady. I can show him and Susan all the prime snogging locations." Dora said with a wink at them causing Susan to turn bright red and Harry to grin.
"Oh, are you and her going to be putting on a show for me?" Hermione hit him upside the head for that one as Dora's jaw dropped. Sirius, however, was wiping a fake tear away from his eye.
"James would be so proud." He said with a fake sniffle.
"And Lily would be washing his mouth out with soap," Amelia added with a grin at Sirius. Harry was surprised at the peace treaty the two had come to. Harry thought for sure it was going to be an awkward situation with the two of them but at some point, last night, the two of them talked it out. Sirius told him later that they agreed to just be friends. Sirius also said that if something did happen again then it would happen. Though Harry doubted this because while he was sure he would eventually see Amelia as a good friend no way would he date her again. It was just a hunch really, but Harry would put money on it not happening.
Harry got up and stretched before going to shower. When he came back, he was dressed in his new wizards' robes. The pants were black, and his shirt was green with long sleeves and skintight. He had a gothic style vest on over his shirt. His robes were basically a long black coat with a hood. His boots were similar to Dora's but where hers were purple, his were dark green. Harry made sure Zeus and Hestia were with him, then Amelia, Dora, and Harry left for the Ministry. Susan decided to stay behind and browse the Potter library with Hermione.
-Scene Break-
When they arrived at the ministry via side-along apparition it was for the most part empty. Harry had to resist the urge to wave at Kingsley when they walked past him. Amelia and Dora greeted him but Harry hadn't met him yet so he couldn't. After Amelia left to set things up for the meeting, Dora grinned at him.
"So, Wonder Boy where do you wanna go first," Dora asked and Harry rolled his eyes at her nickname for him.
"The hall of prophecies in the department of mysteries." Dora just blinked at him.
"The what?" Dora asked and Harry chuckled.
"In one of my mother's journal's she told me there was a prophecy made about me and it should be in the hall of prophecies," Harry explained but Dora still looked like he'd lost his mind. "Can you just take me to the department? I'm sure someone there could help us."
"Yeah, I can take you there, but I doubt they'd help us. They never help unless they absolutely need to." Dora explained and then proceeded to lead the way. When they arrived at the spinning room with all the doors, there were three hooded figured in there as well.
"What are you doing here?" The middle figure asked, and Harry stepped forward.
"My name is Harry James Potter and I would like to enter the hall of prophecies," Harry said and the room began spinning rapidly before it stopped, and a door opened behind the three hooded figures.
"What is your purpose in the hall?"
"I came to retrieve a prophecy about myself." The three hooded figures looked at one another before the middle one motioned for them to follow him. He led them right to the prophecy Harry was there for and pointed it out to him. Harry reached out and picked it up without a problem. The cloaked figure pulled out his wand and looked like he was about to activate the orb. However, Harry smashed it and before the vapor form of Sybill Trelawney could start speaking, Harry waved his hand through it banishing it.
"Why did you do that Harry?" Dora asked as she noticed the unspeakable's body language suggested he was not happy.
"Because I already know what it says but it's too dangerous to be left around. So, I got rid of it and now only two people in the world know it's contents." Harry smiled at her before turning to the unspeakable. "Thank you for leading us here. We're ready to leave now." Harry could tell the unspeakable was pissed but he didn't care. As they left the department Harry heard the unspeakable start complaining to his coworkers. Harry chuckled while Dora just stared at him like he was her hero.
"It's official Wonder Boy. You're my hero! I've never seen anyone piss off that department the way you just did. That was amazing!" Harry shook his head as he chuckled. "So which department do you wanna piss off next?"
"Actually, I was hoping we could go see the Auror department. I mean it is a part of my goals to become one for ten years before going back to teaching."
"Sure! Just walk this way." Dora started to walk towards the Auror department but tripped on nothing and fell. Harry shrugged and proceeded to do the exact same thing.
"Hey Dora, do you think this is the best way to walk towards the Auror department?" Dora glared at him as she got up. They walked the rest of the way in silence, well mostly silence since Harry was chuckling. When they got there Harry got introduced to Shacklebolt and a few other Aurors. One he had to force a smile and a handshake with was an Auror named Corban Yaxley. Harry hated this man for what he did to Colin Creevey. However, he let the man walk away because he knew the box in his front pocket would put the man away for quite a while. Apparently, after Yaxley got divorced he went into the underground market of sex slaves. Lucius was one of his regular customers and some of the pictures Dobby had taken made Harry want to throw up.
Dora showed him her office and then the rest of the department. They even got to have a small practice duel in the training room. Harry threw the duel since it was still to soon to show off. However, he got a distinct feeling that Dora noticed. Then they went and registered Hestia and Zeus which only took a few minutes despite the shock of the person in the magical creature's department. Eventually, they headed to the atrium to meet up with Rita and Amelia. Rita was already there waiting when they arrived.
"Good morning Harry dear. Is everything in order?" She asked but before he could answer Dora responded.
"Harry dear huh? Careful, Harry, I think Rita might be looking to get into your knickers." Dora said while nudging him with her elbow.
"Better her than a clumsy crotch sniffer like you." Harry stuck his tongue out at her.
"You're just jealous that I didn't fall into your lap," Dora responded with her nose in the air.
"Oh please. If I wanted that to happen, I would just do like I did this morning and put you there," Harry said with his lop-sided smirk firmly in place while he waggled his eyebrows at her. She stared at him for a moment before it clicked, and she smacked him upside the head.
"If you ever pull a stunt like that to me again, I promise you are in for a world of hurt." Harry grinned as he rubbed his head.
"You loved it and you know it," Harry said with a wink causing Dora glare as she blushed.
"Oh, do I sense the makings of a relationship starting between you two?" Rita asked and the two of them turned to her at once.
"No!" They both said firmly causing the two of them to raise their eyebrows at each other.
"Are you sure? You two do seem to flirt an awful lot." Dora rolled her eyes at Rita's insinuation.
"I'm a playful flirt. I can't help it usually. It tends to keep people off balance which is fun." Dora said with a wink to Rita who smirked.
"As for me after reading my dad's journals I guess I just kinda picked up on the flirt he used to be. I won't lie it's a lot more fun to make people blush then being the victim of it."
"Well just be careful you don't let it get you into trouble the way it used to get Snuffles in trouble," Amelia said from behind him causing him to turn around.
"Me? Get into trouble?" Harry asked in mock hurt. All three women shook their heads at him.
"Okay it's all set up are you ready for this?" Harry nodded and with that, they headed to the floo.
-Scene Break-
As the boat pulled up to the dock Harry felt the cold hit him like a brick wall. On instinct, he pulled out his wand and summoned his Patronus. It circled them before resting on his shoulder. Seeing it brought a smile to his face as he thought of Beatrice.
"You can maintain it as well?" Amelia asked in shock as they started up to the prison. The dementors ran away from the entrance as they approached. The Aurors who were there just stared in shock at Harry's Patronus as they passed. Azkaban turned out to be much worse in this time than the one he came from. After the second war, they didn't trust the dementors as much, so they restricted them to the high-profile prisoners and the rest got human guards.
They slowly made their way to the high-profile area, dementor's running in fear as they did. Eventually, they reached two cells that each contained a single prisoner. The one on the left was male with dark hair and dark eyes. He was nothing but skin and bones but that didn't stop him from glaring at them. All he had on was the black and white prisoner wizard's robes.
The one on the right was a woman with dark black hair that was long, curly, and filthy as could be. She was just as skinny with the witch's prisoner robes barely holding up on her. She was staring at the ground and muttering. Harry noticed, unlike the male she seemed to flinch randomly as if in pain.
"Well, what a fine pair you two turned out to be," Harry said with a sigh.
"What's it to you, blood traitor? Or are you mudblood filth?" The man spat causing Harry to narrow his eyes at him. Harry flicked his wand and caused his Patronus to float in the air above them.
"Are you Rodolphus Lestrange?" Harry asked and the man growled at him.
"What's it to you, trash?" Harry reached into the bars and grabbed Rodolphus by his robes. Harry pulled with everything he had and slammed the man's head into the bars of the cell. He did this so fast that Amelia and Dora never even got the chance to react before Harry was standing in front of Bellatrix's cell.
"Bellatrix Lestrange?" Harry asked in the same voice. Her only acknowledgment of him speaking to her was a slight raising of her head. "Good you both are still coherent enough to acknowledge your names. I will now introduce myself. I am Harry James Potter." That got a reaction all right. Rodolphus Lestrange recovered from the blow to the head and was now up reaching his arms out through the bars trying to get at him. All while spiting and cursing Harry's very existence. Harry, however, was focused on Bella who glanced up to look at him but only for a second revealing dim crystal blue eyes. She then went right back to staring at the floor and muttering.
"I am here as the Heir to the Black family." This got more of the same from Rodolphus, but Bellatrix looked up and glared at him. Harry held his gaze on her as he stood in front of her cell just out of Rodolphus's reach. "Rodolphus," Harry started while still staring at Bellatrix. "Your actions have been found to be disgraceful and have brought shame to the Black family name." Harry watched as Bellatrix's glare slowly disappear as she raised an eyebrow at him. "We gave you one of our most precious gems and you dragged her down into the garbage right next to yourself." More cursing and spitting as Rodolphus continued to try and reach him. Harry ignored him as he watched Bellatrix. Her other eyebrow had joined the first in a raised shock position.
"I am here today to correct the mistake that was your marriage." Harry reached into his robes and pulled out the contract. "I, Harry James Potter, Heir to the Black family annul this marriage on the grounds that Rodolphus Lestrange is unworthy of the precious gem our family gave him." Harry tore the contract in two. There was a bright flash of light and the black family emblem appeared over Bellatrix's head. She stared at it like she didn't believe it was there.
"YOU BLOODY FUCKING BASTARD WHEN I GET MY AHHHHHHH!" Bellatrix had come out of her shock at his words and launched herself at his outstretched arm. She yanked it with more force than Harry thought was possible for someone in her condition. She pulled it right into her cell through the bars breaking several bones in his arm in the process. She began clawing and biting at it like a rabid animal. Harry watched with a slight grin on his face as Bellatrix ripped Rodolphus's arm to shreds. Eventually, a knockback jinx flew past Harry's left ear and knocked Bellatrix back and off Rodolphus's arm. Rodolphus pulled his arm back into his cell cradling it like you would a child. Harry turned to see Amelia with her wand out and still aimed at Bellatrix.
"Please Madam Bones." Bellatrix started as she crawled towards the cell bars. "You have no idea what that man has done to me." The madness and rage in Bellatrix's eyes were terrifying. "I'll do anything if you let me at him and his bastard of a brother." Bellatrix cackled and it was clear she was planning all the things she wanted to do to the brothers. "You want me to be a whore for your male Aurors? You want me to sell out Death Eater secrets? How about you? Are you a witch's witch? I'd be happy to be your plaything?" Bellatrix looked Amelia up and down as Amelia paled. Harry, however, turned to Dora.
"Witch's witch?" He asked in confusion having never heard that expression before.
"Do you know what a lesbian is?" Dora asked and Harry nodded as it clicked.
"Ah got it," Harry said as he turned to Amelia. "Are you a witch's witch?" Harry asked and Amelia glared at him as Dora chuckle. Unfortunately, this caused Bellatrix to turn her attention on her.
"Is that little Nymphadora? I haven't heard that laugh in forever. How are you doing sweetie?" Bellatrix asked and Harry was shocked to see the madness seemed to have left her eyes. She looked sane like she wasn't in the most horrible prison on the planet. That is until Rodolphus whimpered again and the madness came back full swing.
"Be silent filthy bastard! When I get my hands on you, I'm gonna do everything you did to me and more." She turned back to Amelia. "Please Madam Bones let me at him, and I'll have sex with every Auror and Dementor under your control!" No sooner had the words left her mouth did she do a complete about-face. Her eyes wide in shock as she backed into the corner as far away from them and Rodolphus.
"No please I don't want that. I'm too young for sex please don't make me do that. I'm a good little girl and good girls don't do that." Bellatrix curled up in the corner trying to make sure every inch of her was covered with her robes. "Please, I don't want to be touched like that again." Before Harry could even process this it was like a switch had been flipped again.
"Stay out of this child I will have those two and that bastard of a dark lord punished for what they did to us," Bellatrix shouted as she stood up her crystal blue eyes glowing with power. That was when her eyes locked on Harry. Harry saw the change in her this time. Her eyes faded for a second before the glow returned and she squealed like a little girl as she rushed to the bars smiling at him.
"Oh my god, Harry you grew up so cute. Auntie Lily was right you're gonna total heart breaker." Harry felt the blush creep up his neck as she was leaning over letting the front of her robes fall open slightly. Harry could help himself as he looked and didn't regret it one bit. Except for the fact that Bellatrix noticed and looked down too. When she came back up, she was blushing slightly as she smiled at him. "See something you like Harry?" She asked as she reached out her left hand to touch his face. Before she touched him the sleeve of her rope fell and revealed her faded dark mark. The sight of it caused her eyes to fade again and when the glow returned so did the anger.
"Please, Harry you must hate these monsters too. Let me help I know too many wonderful ways to punish them." The glow in her eyes faded again and then returned.
"No! Harry don't listen to her. I just want to go home and see my sisters." Again, the glow faded and returned.
"Yay are you gonna take me home Uncle Harry? Can I play with Andi and Cissy again? They promised we could build snowmen at Christmas but only if mommy and daddy don't see us." She giggled and then the glow faded again before returning. Both hands reached through the bars and grabbed Harry's robes.
"Harry please the mad one may want to keep hurting people, but I just want to go home. You're the Heir to the Black family please help me." Harry reached his hands through the bars and grabbed Bellatrix's head.
"STAY!" Harry commanded with as much force in his voice as he could. The Bellatrix currently in control nodded as she let go of him and held on to the bars like her life depended on it. Harry took a deep breath and turned to look at Amelia and Dora. Both hand their wands out and looked terrified. Harry sighed as he motioned for them to lower their wands. Rita was hiding behind Dora which almost got Harry to chuckle. Harry sighed again as he turned back to Bellatrix who was still struggling.
"Okay, Bellatrix I have some questions for you. Do you think you can answer them for me?" Harry asked.
"We'll do our very best Heir Black." Harry was both happy and concerned about this answer. The fact that she seemed more than willing to answer was great. The fact that she said we and not I concerned him greatly.
"Okay, then first things first who are you loyal to? The Black family or the man who gave you that mark." Normally Harry had no problem saying Voldemort but who knew what kind of reaction saying it would get from her. Bellatrix flinched as if Harry had struck her, but the glow in her eyes didn't fade.
"We have always served the Black family. Even after the Black family forced us to marry the thing in the cell next to us." Bellatrix glared at the cell wall for a moment before returning her attention to Harry. "I would gladly cut my arm off if you'd lend me a knife." Harry stared at her for a moment. There was no madness in her eyes, only pure honesty, and seriousness. There was also a struggle like she was just barely holding control of herself.
"If that's the case why did you serve him?" She glared at him for a moment before her face relaxed.
"You read the contract correct?" Harry nodded to her question and she looked down at the floor. "Then you know I had no choice. I fought it where I could but between the contract, the potions, charms, and the Imperious curse…I know I belong in here for the things I've done but…" She looked up with tears streaming down her face. "I swear I didn't mean to do any of it. I just want to go home and see my sisters." The glow faded again and when it came back the tears still poured but her face was pure rage.
"You dare to call yourself the Heir to the Black family and ask that question of me. The Black family is the reason we exist. They sold us like cattle to those filthy monsters…" Bellatrix was cut off as Harry reached through the bars without fear to wipe the tears away.
"I am so sorry Bella. You didn't deserve any of this and I'm afraid the only consolation I can offer you is that all the ones responsible for this are dead." Harry watched as this Bellatrix stood still in shock at his touch. Like she just could register a touch of compassion. Slowly she nuzzled into his hand like a cat with her eyes closed. When they opened, she backed away from him with fear in her eyes.
"No! You're just trying to trick us. They always did that!" She glanced at the wall in between them in terror. "They would always act kindly when we were out of control. The moment we calmed down we'd find ourselves bound to a table while they…" She trailed off as she tried to cover herself. But Harry was starting to lose his grip on his emotion as Rodolphus chuckled causing Bellatrix to cringe into the corner. "Why did you have to calm her! She protects us from him." Harry turned to Amelia who was looking so lost.
"Madam Bones, I am quite finished with that man would you please remove him, have him kissed, or just throw him through the veil. I don't care as long as he's gone." Amelia nodded as she stunned the man and then called for two Aurors to have him moved to another cell. Harry turned back to Bellatrix. "Okay Bella he's gone now can we continue talking?" Harry asked and Harry watched as the glow faded again and returned.
"I'm sorry Heir Black." She said as she stood and attempted to make herself less disheveled. It didn't work but that didn't seem to stop her from looking like it had which made Harry smile. So far was sure he counted maybe five different personalities.
"No need to apologies. Do you prefer Bellatrix, Bella or Ms. Black?" Harry asked and she smiled softly at him.
"Actually, I prefer Bell, Bell Black at your service my Heir." She curtsied to him and Harry couldn't help but bow to her.
"Please call me Harry. May I call you Bell?" She smiled and nodded at him. "Bell, I want you to know that your sisters miss you greatly." Her smile at that seemed to light up the room. "I have also promised them that depending on how this meeting goes will determine how much I help you." She nodded as her face matched the seriousness of his tone.
"Whatever you need Harry I will happily give it." She flinched at her own words. "Sorry, Harry the others are yelling at me."
"Why are they yelling?" He asked genuinely curious despite the fact he was playing this whole situation by ear.
"They're afraid of the things you'll demand of me in return for what we want. But I'm tired of suffering! I'll take whatever you have to give and give everything in return." She flinched again and began to rub her temples.
"Bell please look into my eyes." Bell looked up at Harry and stared into his eyes while holding her head. "I promise I only want to help you and all I want in return is to hopefully count you as a member of my growing family," Harry said with a soft smile. The look that came over Bell's face was pure joy before the glow faded and reappeared.
"Are you really rebuilding the Black family? Are my Andi and Cissy apart of it?" The new person asked.
"Yes, they are miss…"
"Bella, Bella Black. I'm only six and I like unicorns." She said with a blush as she held her hands behind her back while shuffling her feet. Despite this being done by a woman in her thirties it was still somewhat adorable. Or at least that's what Harry thought.
"I'm Harry, Harry Potter." Harry bowed. "It's a pleasure to meet you." Harry reached behind him and grabbed Dora. "This is Nymphadora Tonks. She's Andi's Daughter." Dora looked at him with absolute terror in her eyes. Bella giggled as she looked at Dora.
"If you're Andi's daughter then that means Andi got old." She giggled even louder which brought a smile to Harry's face.
"Would you like me to tell her that?" Harry asked and her whole face lit up as she nodded. "Consider it done. Now, Bella, can I talk to Bell again please?" Bella frowned.
"I'll try but I can't promise she'll come out. It just depends on who gets to the ball first." She said and the glow faded. Harry had no desire to ask what she meant by the ball. To be honest he wasn't sure he could handle the answer. Harry noticed the glow was back and she was backing away from him while making sure every bit of her was covered. Harry already recognized this one and looked to Amelia.
"Can you conjure a blanket for her please?" Amelia nodded in a stunned like manor. With a flick of her wand, a warm blanket appeared in Bellatrix's cell. This one grabbed the blanket and covered herself in it almost desperately. Harry smiled at her as he bowed. "Hello, again I'm Harry, Harry Potter. May I please have the honor of knowing your name?" Harry asked as nicely and politely as he could. When Harry looked up, she was looking at Amelia with a smile.
"Hello, my name's Ella, Ella Black. What's yours?" She asked Amelia who looked like someone knocked the wind out of her.
"I'm Amelia, Amelia Bones. The head of the Department for Magical Law Enforcement." Amelia said and Ella's smile faltered for a second before she looked at Rita who was still somewhat hiding behind Dora.
"You look familiar. May I ask your name?" Rita looked pale at Ella's question.
"I-I'm R-Rita, Rita S-Skeeter." Ella's whole face lit up as she started to move closer to the bars but stopped when she remembered Harry was there.
"I remember you. You were a saucy minx at Hogwarts. And I remember you doing anything for a good bit of gossip." Ella smiled almost lustfully at Rita whose eyes went wide. Harry bit into his tongue so he wouldn't laugh.
"I-I'm s-sure I d-don't know what you're talking a-about." Rita stammered as Ella winked at her. Harry hated to save Rita, but he cleared his throat none the less. When he did Ella returned her attention to him with a fearful glare.
"I have nothing to say to you!" And with that, the glow faded again as Harry mentally sighed but kept a smile on his face as he hoped for Bell to return. Sadly, the blanket fell as whoever took stretched then sauntered up to the bar. She held her hand out to him as she smiled and bent over slightly so her cleavage would be somewhat exposed to him.
"Names Trixie, Trixie Black. I hope you're as please to see me as I am to see you." She said as Harry took her hand and against his better judgment, he kissed the back of it. He mentally made a note to wash his lips later. Her skin was covered in dirt and who knew what else.
"Harry, Harry Potter," Harry said as he came back up.
"Harry, do you think you or one of these beautiful ladies could perform the mouth cleaning and freshening charms on me?" Trixie asked sweetly, and Harry looked to Dora who winced but nodded. A few moments later Trixie was licking and smacking her lips happily. "Thank you so much. Granted it's not as good as a toothbrush but still when in a bind." Before anyone could do anything, she reached through the bars and grabbed Harry. Trixie then proceeded to snog him for all he was worth. Harry was shocked at first but didn't know what to do besides go with it. Eventually, he felt a spell hit her and send her stumbling backward onto her bum. Harry just blinked not sure what to do as he was pulled back by someone. He looked to see Amelia holding his robes with a look of rage on her face.
"How dare you do that. Harry is only thirteen…"
"So? I'm only fifteen. It's not like there's a major age difference between us." Trixie stated in a matter of fact tone that made Harry laugh.
"Yeah, we're only a year apart so it's not a big deal," Harry said as Amelia turned and looked like she wanted to smack him. Harry stared intensely into her eyes and shook his head subtly and thankfully she seemed to take the hint. Amelia turned back to Trixie with her wand pointed at her.
"Be that as it is you are still a prisoner and I'm telling you no!" Amelia glared at Trixie who shrugged.
"That's fine. I'm sure once Harry gets me out of here, he'll want me all to himself." She said with a wink at him before rolling over and getting up slowly. It was clear she was trying to get Harry to look at her bum. Which he did, but sadly with how skinny she was there wasn't much to take in. "Well I've had my fun and I know you want to talk about boring stuff." She smiled at Harry, "When you want to talk about or do the fun stuff just say the word." She winked at him before the glow faded again. When it came back, he instantly tensed while the others backed up and raised their wands.
"What did you do with the bastard?" She asked as she walked up to the bars and placed her face against them like she was trying to squeeze through. Her eyes were filled with rage, anger, and hatred. If there was any control at all Harry couldn't see it. This was the person that gave people nightmares. This was the woman who made people run in fear of her. The one who could take on any opponent and eat them for dinner.
This was, "Bellatrix Black." Harry said as he approached the bars and stared into those sick sadistic eyes.
"Oh, goody a brave one I like the brave ones they're fun to play with. Do you want to come in a play with Auntie Bella?" Harry smiled at her as he let out the side of him that had dark wizards dropping their wands in fear. The side of him that had Severus Snape running away with his tail between his legs. His power rippled off of him as he stared into her eyes without fear or worry.
"Trust me it's safer for you if I stay out here." Bellatrix's eyes widened in shock as she licked her lips. She gripped the bars tightly as she pressed herself against them.
"Tell me! What are your goals and desires? Who are your enemies? What will you do when you find them?" Her eyes were alight with madness as she begged for the answers to these questions. Harry smile wickedly at her as he spoke.
"My goals are to repair and rebuild my family. My enemies are those who get in my way or everyone like the type who took the mark you wear." She glared at that but stayed silent. "As for what I will do to them." Harry leaned forward as she turned her ear to him so he could whisper. "I will crush them beneath my boot until there is nothing left of them worth killing." Harry leaned back and saw Bellatrix shudder. She turned to look at him with a sick and twisted smile.
"The others spoke of wanting to get out of here. What would you do if I got loose?" She asked and Harry flicked his wand into his hand. Harry waved it at the bars then grabbed Bellatrix by the throat as he walked through the bars. Once through, he flicked his wand again and making the bars solid as he pinned Bellatrix to the wall by her throat.
"If you rejoin this family you are only to come out in the defense of this family and nothing else. Is that clear?" Harry's voice made it clear that there would be no debating this. Harry recognized that the other sides of Bellatrix could be handled with understanding and passion. This side, however, was the madness, the monster she created to protect herself from everyone around her. This side needed to be contained and controlled. Showing weakness to this side would get you chewed up and spit out. Harry watched as Bellatrix seemed to analyze him as if trying to find a chink in his armor. There wasn't one, not anymore anyway, not since Ginny. Harry's look and power intensified at the thought of her. Bellatrix's eyes widened in shock as she held her body as still as stone. It was clear she didn't want to do anything that came off as an attack. Eventually, she nodded, then she slowly held out her left arm to him as she rolled up the sleeve.
"Make it go away and I will serve only you and the Black family." Bellatrix the monster pleaded desperately. Harry nodded as he placed the tip of his wand on the tattoo.
"Harry the mark can't be removed…" Dora started but Harry cut her off.
"No, it can't." Despite its weakened state, Harry could feel it fighting against him. When Voldemort died his mark, for the most part, went with him. All that had been left was a burn mark in the same shape. However, Draco discovered that the mark had been slowly killing him. It took a lot of research on Hermione's part, but she figured out how to save him. "But! It can be replaced. I am Harry James Potter, Heir to the Black family. You are Bellatrix Black and you belong to me, my family and no one else!" Harry slowly poured the magic into it burning away the old mark as he replaced it. The image slowly began to form of Harry's wand surrounded by three flying crows. This was the Black family's crest except because Harry was reclaiming Bellatrix from Voldemort, it was his wand that appeared in the tattoo. When it was finished Harry release Bellatrix and took a step back from her as she hit her knees. She reached out to grab his robes more than likely in an attempt to kiss them, but Harry pulled them back.
"Rise and stand tall Bellatrix. We are Blacks we bow to no one!" Bellatrix looked up at him with madness and ecstasy in her eyes. She slowly stood and raised her chin in pride.
"What do you need of us my Lord?" She asked.
"I need whichever one of you who knows where the location of the Black Family Grimoire and I need your diary from the war." Bellatrix's eyes went wide at Harry's last comment. Harry could see the internal struggle within her. Eventually, she looked like she came to a decision.
"They are together in the house of Black behind the one who always screams. The one who screams needs the password Sirius was a Slytherin."
"And the password for the Longbottom's?" Harry asked and Bellatrix's face was pure shock.
"You know?"
"Yes!"
"Can you undo it?"
"Yes! Now, what is the password?"
"Family!" Bellatrix said with tears in her eyes. Harry nodded and turned to walk out of the cell. "Please don't forget about us!" Harry turned back and saw Bell standing there looking at him with desperate and pleading eyes. Harry smiled as he waved his wand and walked through the bars.
"I wouldn't dream of it oh precious one. I will see the final gem restored to its rightful place." Bell smiled at him as she picked up the blanket and wrapped it around herself as she curled up in the corner. Harry turned to the other three who were in stunned silence. Eventually, Amelia looked at Harry with rage in her eyes.
"What were you thinking, walking in there? Do you have any idea how bad it would have been if she had gotten out? If she had grabbed your wand…"
"She would have found herself in the same position you were in when you tried to use it yesterday," Harry said simply as he cut her off. As Amelia slowly remembered that Harry's wand could only be used by him, Dora came out of her shock.
"Harry you probably shouldn't promise her that you can help her. I mean she's committed…"
"No crimes that she's truly aware of," Harry stated plainly. "If Lucius Malfoy can get out with a claim of being controlled why can't Aunt Bella?" Harry asked and Dora looked to be at a loss of words.
Amelia, however, wasn't, "True but Bellatrix was tried and convicted. You'll never get her out of hereafter what they made her do to the Longbottom's. Augusta would have your head if you tried."
"I don't doubt that one bit, but what if I could provide the courts with eyewitnesses to the fact that the only reason the Longbottom's are alive is because of Bellatrix? Eyewitnesses so good that Augusta will be leading the charge to get Bellatrix released." Harry asked with his lopsided grin and Amelia just stared at him for several minutes. She seemed too stunned to speak at least until a small giggle from Bellatrix broke her out of her shock.
"If you could do that, I could probably have her out by dinner the following day. But where are you going to get evidence like that?" Amelia asked in clear disbelief.
"Why from Frank and Alice Longbottom of course." Harry deadpanned causing Bellatrix to laugh.
Author's Note: -licks fingers clean of Dorito mess.- Well, I hope you all enjoy her as much as I did despite the headache, I got from writing it. I also since a couple of people have said something if you want to leave recommendations for me to read please do, I love finding new stories to read. That and I can't wait to read your reviews. See you next time on Death's Champion.
Fanfic Recommendation: 'To Date a Metamorph' by Just a Lonely Lorekeeper. This is a Tonks/Harry fic. I've been enjoying this and while it's just starting up, I think it's got a good foundation and could be an amazing story.
Second Recommendation: 'His Loyal Pet' also by Just a Lonely Lorekeeper. This is going to be a harem story, but the main contingent so far is Harry/Bella. Bella is an Animagus in this story and she breaks out at the same time as Sirius. The only difference is when they both go to Harry Sirius wants to protect him and Bella wants to kill him. However, Harry saves Bella in her cat form and then she becomes his newest familiar. Every chapter constantly leaves me wanting more.