A/N: Another shorter chapter, but again I hit the story beats I wanted to so this is satisfactory. I know the relationship forming is kind of on a sliding scale, but it'll clear up by the time they do get together. I think a bit of cat-and-mouse is fun for a bit of emotional development lol. Enjoy everyone, next chapter is full of school-related bullshit and shenanigans. We'll see what kind of trouble our heroes can find before classes even really start.
Chapter Four
Hogwarts Arrival II:
Gaunt Goes To..
Hogwarts Express, Location Undetermined, Around 4pm, August 31st..
Bellatrix was panting, in a panic as she looked around the now dark compartment, the diminishing daylight making it harder to see as she tried to get up. It was then she realized that, as the explosion in the not-so-far distance had rocked the train, she and Nick had wound up in a very compromising position, the ebony-haired girl straddling Nick's waist as she pushed herself up into a sitting position.
Nick hissed, the Black heiress' movements awakening something he'd been hard-pressed to ignore to the fullest extent. "Bellatrix, don't. Move." He warned. "What was that?" He asked, able to still see the rising plume of smoke from wherever the blast had occurred.
Bellatrix shook her head. "I don't know, but that's not normal.." He revoice trailed off as she finally felt Nick's offense and nudged at it unthinkingly, biting her bottom lip to stop the moan that tried escaping her lips. "Nick? Is that..?"
Nick nodded slowly, making Bellatrix yelp as she climbed off of him quickly, helping him up.
Thoom! Thoom! The teens jumped back in surprise as they heard two consecutive booming sounds, followed by simultaneous tremors. In the rapidly fading light, Nick saw what looked like the mountains in the distance themselves had gotten closer, despite running parallel (and far) from the train. "Nick, what is that?"
"Don't get cold feet on me now, Bella. Looks like Tom's using his big guns."
As the thumping grew louder and the tremors more extreme, it became evident to Bellatrix what Nick was talking about. Giants. "The Express doesn't have anyone on board with Auror training, how the hell are we supposed to stop that?!"
Nick grimaced. "Come on, we gotta find your siblings. We're gonna need some help if we want them to go away." Nodding, Bellatrix and Nick left the compartment. "Oh, and we'll talk about that later, alright? We have more pressing issues to attend to."
"Yeah, alright.."
The two found Sirius along with the other Marauders, all still in the same seats Bellatrix had found them in earlier. Nick smiled. "Good, I could use both of your help as well. Sirius, go and take Bella to find your sister's, Ted and Lucina. Let Bellatrix deal with Lucina's attitude."
Sirius nodded, having seen the approaching giants. "Of course. But, what do you plan to do?"
Nick was about to answer when the emergency power to the train engine finally kicked in, bathing the students in pale red light as an announcement speaker beeped. "Attention all passengers, the train has been stopped by a power outage caused by nearby Giants. I urge everyone to remain calm until the Auror Corps can arrive."
"Fuck that, these giants will be all over us before they get here. Bella, after you get Lucina, gather the rest of the Prefects and tell them, quickly, to find anyone with warding experience."
"I can do that alone. I help my father put up our wards every year." James said, Sirius nodding along.
"Good. I want this train moving as soon as possible. Tonight is the first of three full moons, after all. You drank your potion today I wager, Remus?" Nick said, laughing internally at the young Marauder's shocked expression.
"Hold on, how do you know about-"
"No time, James! Just move." Sirius said, having heard Nick knew some things from Bellatrix. Hesitantly, Remus followed Sirius and James as the other teens all went their separate ways to find their targets.
Lucina had been in the locked compartment where Bellatrix and Nick had left her. "Bellatrix?" She asked the heavily breathing girl at the door. "What's going on? The conductor said something about-"
"No time.. Giants.. We have to get the other Prefects. Nick has a plan."
"Oh joy. Nick again."
"Lucina, we don't have time for you to dispute who I choose to spend my time with. We need to go to the front cars now."
Lucina rolled her eyes. "Fine." She got up and followed Bellatrix to the front of the train, where the Perfect and Head Student compartments were.
Once the two had reached the Perfect cabin, they found it in chaos as the sixth year Prefects ran around, head in their hands and some were screaming bloody murder. "The fucks going on here, then?" Bellatrix said with a frown, the other students all stopping and regaining composure.
"Bellatrix? Why aren't you panicking like the rest of us? There are giants out there! The Dark Lord-"
"Is going to fail tonight, Sullivan. Lord Gaunt has a plan to get rid of them, but we need everyone capable of casting warding spells to help out. Anyone that qualifies, follow me. And I mean now, we don't have much time before those giants are on top of us, then where would we all be other than dead?"
Unsurprisingly, the other Prefects all truly sobered up as most of them followed Bellatrix, while Sullivan and a few others opted instead to protect the train itself.
"Nick!" The boy turned and was promptly tackled to the ground by Bellatrix, making the teens who knew them both chuckle. "I brought everyone I could. What's the plan?" She asked.
The teenagers were lined up across the side of the train, from engine to caboose. Even the train conductor was outside, wand at the ready. Nick nodded at the nearest teens to him. "Alright, guys, the conductor is going to give the signal with three rapid casts of Lumos and on that third, the rest of us are all erecting a shield ward. Then, knowing these are probably Albanian giants, they have one large weakness that is, honestly, embarrassing. See, Albanian giants live so closely to nature that they could be considered on par with the centaurs of the Forbidden Forest. And they do not use magic unless necessary, making their knowledge of spells as limited as their interaction with other wizards." And with it being 1975.. "As of now, the only human the giants have met is Voldemort, and with that, I doubt they know much about what a wizard can actually do. One such thing the giants are afraid of, according to the books? Bright as fuck light, so that's what we'll do. Everyone here, using as much magical power as possible, is going to cast Lumos simultaneously. Hopefully that sends them back off where they came from."
"What if that doesn't work? Why should we even follow your lead? None of us know you here!" Came Rudolphus' voice from further down the line, followed by a grunt of pain.
"Quiet, Rudy. Don't you see the bloke has a point?" Came Severus' voice from next to Nick, making him turn around in shock at the boy's appearance.
"Thank you, Severus. By the way, I want to talk to you later, at the castle."
Severus nodded, whispering back to him. "If it has to do with what you said earlier and Lily, then you can count me there."
"Good, mate. So, is everyone ready!" There was a chorus of agreements from the other teens. Nick looked back into the train and saw both Argenta and Robin, both looking at the others outside, giving the two a thumbs up as he called out. "On three!" From the engine car, the conductor cast the light spell once.. twice.. three times. On the third flash, Nick shouted. "Now! Lumos Maxima!"
Nick heard the casting of the spell from the rest of the teens gathered, and the level of light would have blinded a god as the giants were illuminated as if a rift in time and space had opened feet in front of them. The giants otherwise leading the charge covered their eyes and let out horrific growling roars, several leaving the line of attack immediately. It seemed the two leaders weren't as fazed from the bright lights as Nick had hoped. "Fuck." He groaned. Think, think.. that's it! "New tactic, anyone with a dangerous creature for a Patronus, just fucking send them out. Maybe true scare tactics will get them to leave us alone. We have a school to get to!"
Suddenly, there were blue wispy creatures creating a line in front of the teenagers. Nick's Hungarian Horntail patronus roared as it was joined by those of a Manticore and Thestral, then several breeds of magical snakes including a basilisk appeared, all appearing much bigger than they should thanks to whatever memories the teenagers were using. Nick flicked his wand, and the dragon flew off towards the giants, streams of false blue flames jetting from it's mouth as it began circling one of the two remaining giants. Then, he saw the Horned Serpent patronus that, looking for its caster, he found belonged to Bellatrix. Odd, since he thought it would be something a bit more.. feminine, maybe.
After what seemed like forever as the teens felt their magical cores draining by the second, the giants finally seemed to get the hint and turned away, growling back towards the train as they lumbered back across the countryside.
Sighing in relief, Nick slumped down to the floor, drained as Bellatrix knelt down next to him. "You did it, Nick. We're safe."
"Yeah.. for now, at least.. Oh, this again." Bellatrix, confused, looked where Nick was looking and saw several dark shapes flying through the air, landing on the grass nearby as Alastor Moody pointed at Nick. "You again? Lord Gaunt, what's the meaning of this?!"
"Auror Moody, step back!" Bellatrix said, helping Nick up. "He's exhausted. You want the story, then you and your Aurors can escort the Hogwarts Express to the school and we'll explain everything after the festivities. Rumor has it you used to sneak to the kitchens for food after hours." Bellatrix had heard no such thing, but had to suppress a laugh at the way Moody's face changed from an angry expression into a shocked one.
"There's no proof of those accusations!" Moody growled, literally. "Fine, we'll make sure you kids get to school alright, and after the feast you explain to me just why all you kids are outside the train making a light bright enough that the Muggles will be thinking aliens have come to Earth."
"I agree to that. Bellatrix.. I can't keep standing, yet. I need some treacle fudge. Think the trolley has any?" Nick said, trying to laugh but still feeling drained as all hell.
Bellatrix smiled affectionately at him. "Oh, what am I going to do with you?"
"If you had your way? No comment." Bellatrix rolled her eyes as she brought him back into the train, followed by the throng of students that had helped. The talk with Nick about Trixie being inside her head could wait until the school, right now she just wanted to make sure Nick was alright.
God, you really are like me.. If she could, Bellatrix would love to strangle Trixie for all her meddling thoughts and statements. Then she saw Rudolphus looking at her and Nick from further down the train, having slipped inside as the Aurors had shown up. But he wasn't angry, in fact he looked apologetic, an emotion Bellatrix hadn't thought he'd even possessed.
He nodded at her as she passed him with Nick, on her way to the Prefect cabins. She might as well just get changed now before the train arrived at the school in a few hours.
Hogsmeade Station, Hogsmeade, 9:45pm..
The train hissed to a stop in the station, allowing the Hogwarts students to finally get to the school, and only a bit later than usually expected. Nick stepped off the train, arm linked with Bellatrix as she hadn't left his side since fending off the giants. "Finally here." He said, taking in the small town feel and look of Hogsmeade Village.
"Yeah. So, any idea what House you'll be going to? I won't judge you on it, except maybe for Hufflepuff." She giggled as Nick hummed.
"I've thought about it, yeah. Honestly, I know I could fit in anywhere, but unfortunately, there's only really one place I need to be."
"Oh? And which House has need of your wisdom, master?" She teased, making Nick blush.
"Don't do that!" He hissed. "We aren't together, Bellatrix, whether you want everyone to think so or not."
"Oh, come on! You're cute when you're flustered, you know. And you want me." She whispered the last bit into his ear, making him sigh.
"In my defense, I'm a teenage boy in the company of a beautiful woman. A hard-on is the least of what I could do to show I was into someone."
Bullshit! He had the same reaction when we were in that same position.. Bellatrix's eyes widened. Fuck off. We had been wrestling because he was playing keep away with my notebook and I needed it for school.
Why are you defending yourself? Nevermind.. Bellatrix stopped as she saw the Headmaster approaching, the Deputy Headmistress behind him. "Professor Dumbledore, Professor McGonagall." She greeted.
Dumbledore smiled at the girl. "Ah, Miss. Black. How was your summer, Bellatrix? I hear you and him had quite the lunch at the Leaky Cauldron." He said, motioning to Nick.
"Evening, Professor. Sorry about all this, I wouldn't put it past Tom to have sent them to kill me, everyone else would have just been collateral. Can't have that, now can we? But where are my manners, Nick Negron, Lord of House Gaunt."
"A pleasure, my Lord. It humbles me to welcome such an.. old family back into Hogwarts' halls. I just hope that trouble won't follow you as it does some of your company." By now, Sirius, the rest of the Black brood and the other Marauders had arrived behind Nick and Bellatrix, even Lucina was shyly standing in the back of the group.
"Oh, we'll be on our best behavior. Perhaps we can really talk once the opening ceremonies have concluded? I also have to talk to Auror Moody about the incident on the trip in, so might as well kill two birds."
Dumbledore nodded, wary of this new Lord but he knew that the boy was powerful if the message he had received just before the children's arrival was to rely upon. "Of course, of course. Now, there will still have to be a Sorting, you understand? Including you, despite this being your seventh year."
"I understand that, Professor. It'll be fine. I think I'll go exactly where I need to be." He said it knowingly, and Dumbledore chuckled as he turned around.
"Perhaps. Until after dinner, Lord Ga-"
"Mr. Negron is fine. I honestly hate being associated with such a name, after I did my research into them after learning of my Lordship. But, it gets the job done when it's needed, you understand."
Albus could tell this young man knew what he was talking about. And from what Moody had told him at the Order meeting after speaking with the boy.. Albus had no doubt he could be useful to helping rid them of Tom's toxic ideals.
With that, everyone began trekking up towards the castle, the late hour meaning the first years got the rare privilege of riding in the carriages instead of the boats, but they still got separated from the older students so everyone else could settle in. Dumbledore insisted Nick ride in the same carriage as Bellatrix, who were further joined by Lucina, Argenta and, surprising even Dumbledore, Severus Snape. Before getting in, however, Nick leaned into little Robin's ear and whispered something that made the boy's face to white, but he still nodded as Nick patted his shoulder and then climbed in.
Bellatrix, as she'd been all day, had decided to be bold and sat on Nick's lap, which made Lucina roll her eyes dramatically even as Bellatrix cackled and stuck her tongue out at her best friend. "You know I hate you, right?" Lucina said, frowning. "And stop climbing all over him!"
Bellatrix smirked cheekily. "Oh, what are you gonna do? You know, there's more than enough room for two if I shift over to one leg." She said, patting Nick's leg for emphasis.
Lucina sneered. "You're acting like a horny fourteen year old."
Bellatrix stuck her tongue out at her again as she turned to Nick and whispered in his ear. "Bella likes this game of flirting." She giggled as she pulled away, Nick shifting in his seat however he could manage to avoid another incident such as earlier, although he suspected that was Bellatrix's goal anyway.
Argenta giggled from her seat next to Lucina. "I think it's cute. It's like a fun little romance novel, innit?"
Ooh! I agree with the Hufflepuff, except I have to watch it happen to my best friend with another girl who just happens to look like me..
Bellatrix didn't stop giggling the ride to the castle, Nick smiling at her enjoying her life. And it's up to me to help keep her on this track.. I won't let her go dark, but do I risk letting myself admit and act on being attracted to her so soon? If Arcturus is indeed being poisoned by his wife in a bid to take over the family, then claiming Bellatrix would be the only way to make her back off, whether she wanted to or not. Decisions, decisions..
As they got out of the carriage at the front gate of the castle that was Hogwarts, Nick was separated from the others by Dumbledore, who led him to where McGonagall stood by the door where the first years usually entered the castle from, where he was apparently starting a line as those students starting entering bit by bit as more carriages arrived at the castle.
Bellatrix huffed, her hand holding her head up as she scanned the great Hall, waiting for Nick to arrive with the other new first years. She knew he would be the first to get sorted into a House, being customary for the few exchange students that came through the doors of Hogwarts. She was hoping he would choose Slytherin, even if he wanted to tell her his only reason was to keep an eye on her for her protection.
Narcissa and Andromeda nudged her shoulders. "Come on, Bella. Interact a bit more. You'd think someone had just shot your puppy."
"She's just upset her master isn't here to order her around." Lucina said, her attitude starting to upset Bellatrix.
"You know, Lucina, you can stop with that shite. Did you not see what he did to get the giants away from all of us? If that plan had failed, Hogwarts may not have even had a student body this year. So suck it up and actually talk to him, and I don't mean offhandedly shoot down every little statement he says like you would most any boy our age." Bellatrix narrowed her eyes at Lucina. "You should get to know him a bit anyway, he is officially considered your brother now, isn't he?"
Lucina said nothing and turned the opposite way in her seat, Bellatrix giggling playfully at her friend. "It doesn't mean I have to like him. I still think you're betraying yourself, Bellatrix."
Bellatrix shook her head. "Whatever, Lucy. Nick will never let me act like just another stuck-up rich girl looking for a trophy husband. He'd never think like that."
Not consciously, but in a sense he would think that, but only because he'd find himself lucky to have someone as gorgeous as us on his arm.. Or in his bed..
Bellatrix was really growing tired of having Trixie in her head..
Nick hadn't known what to really expect when the Sorting Hat had been placed on his head, but he was gladly surprised as it seemed the Hat could in fact speak with the wearer at will mentally. Ah, another enigma lost to time and space, eh? Just like everyone thought Merlin to be.. And a Gaunt no less? Hmm.. Brains of a Ravenclaw, no doubt about that.. Courage to stand up for what's right, a real Gryffindor there.. Compassion that could change history, it seems, hmm.. And then there's the Gaunt specialty: the Ambition to get what you need done, even if you have to sacrifice yourself. You could go anywhere, yet it seems that you already know where it is you want. But are you absolutely sure about your reasons? It's a tricky thing to attempt, changing fate.. Came the Hat's voice in Nick's mind.
His eyes found Bellatrix, who noticeably straightened as their eyes locked onto one another and Nick sighed mentally. I am. She's.. Too different from that psycho. She deserves to have someone there to protect her. Even if my reasons are selfish as they are..
As you say.. "Better be.. SLYTHERIN!"
The Slytherin table, despite the divide between those sitting there after the display Nick had shown with the giants, erupted into cheers as Bellatrix released a breath she hadn't known she had been holding in. Narcissa giggled from next to her. "About time. You were starting to turn blue." Bellatrix frowned at her sister. "What? I like you being all lovesick. It's cute how you just turn into a whole 'nother person when he comes around. Hey, Nick." Narcissa giggled loudly as Bellatrix turned the other way, a huge smile on her face, to find no one there, the statement being nothing but a ruse to make Bellatrix prove Narcissa's point for her. "I'm sorry, I had to."
"Piss off, Cissy!" Bellatrix said as Nick did then appear, plopping down next to her and placing his hand on the exposed part of her leg between the bottom hem of her skirt and the tops of her thigh highs, squeezing it gently.
"Did I worry you, love?"
Bellatrix smiled coyly. "Nope, not at all." She said with a sweet smile.
Nick grinned. "Sure. So, that was something. I wasn't under that hat long, right? The process of sorting at Ilvermorny is much more direct.. and quiet."
"How does Ilvermorny sort its students? I know there are four Houses like Hogwarts." Andromeda asked, curious.
"We stand on top of a set of tile to we call the Gordian Knot. It is connected magically to four portraits, one for each House. When you stand on the Knot, it glows and the corresponding portrait glows to match it. So if it was here, it would be like a portrait of a snake or a badger most likely, if not the Founders themselves. The sentient hat is a nice touch, though. Oh, Robin's up already. Must not have been a lot of kids with names starting before L."
Bellatrix gasped as the hat hummed before shouting out where Robin would be sorted into. "Slytherin!" She looked at Nick.
"Did you tell him to follow you wherever you went?" She asked him as the eleven year old bounded to the table, sitting down next to Nick on his other side.
"Yeah, I actually did. See, the way I'm trying to change things, we need a Muggle-oriented Slytherin to start cozying others up to the fact they aren't different from the rest of us here except for their parentage."
"You seem to have this all planned out already, don't you? Except, you forget where is the protection from the bullies once we leave?"
Nick shrugged. "I'm crossing that bridge when we come to it. Now where's the food? I'm starving after feeding off those giants." Several moments later, the tables were filled with every food imaginable as the students began eating.
Meanwhile, Little Hangleton..
Voldemort fumed as he saw the now empty lot where the Gaunt family house once stood, a sign this new Lord intended to recreate the family how he saw fit, as the pathetic shack had been but a reminder of the Gaunt family's darker days. "No! I buried it here! That little brat.. My Death Eaters couldn't stop him, the giants couldn't stop him.. just how powerful is this upstart?" He sighed, blasting a tree apart with a bombarda. "No matter. Once my plan is complete and I have all six, no one will stop me! No one will be able to kill me." He cackled into the night as he apparated away. He would have to find a new location to use as a safehouse for the time being.
Headmaster's Office, Hogwarts, An Hour And A Half Later..
Nick finished recounting his tale of the sudden attack on the Hogwarts Express, Auror Moody, Dumbledore and McGonagall all listening to the tale, Bellatrix interjecting where she thought needed. "And that's how we managed to scare the giants off, although I wouldn't throw that tactic into any Auror playbooks just yet. It took a lot to get them away."
Dumbledore nodded. This new student was very powerful, advanced in a way he hadn't seen since the last man who shared Gaunt blood walked the halls of Hogwarts. It seemed, however, from the time he watched Nick during the feast, that he truly was nothing like Tom had been. Perhaps a bit antisocial, but nothing it seemed young Bellatrix was unable to attempt to rectify. It seemed she was the only one who he didn't really mind being in the company of. It seemed old Arcturus had also taken a shining to the boy, according to the Black heiress. "Very well. Alastor, while it may not be needed, I would like to request a squad of your best and most loyal to come and help defend the school if need be." Moody nodded with a grimace. Now he was taking cues to do his job at the insistence of just another Pureblood teenager. He had to admit though, the boy had gotten results already with the apprehended Death Eaters they already captured.
"Of course, Albus. The children are important, after all."
Dumbledore hummed. "And as for you, Mr. Negron. I would like to award Slytherin fifteen points for your quick thinking and the ability to rally your schoolmates into a cohesive enough unit to save the lives of them and the livelihood of this school. Now, it is late, and tomorrow you will be tasked with selecting your elective classes, so off to bed with the both of you. And Bellatrix, please remember you are still subject to getting caught in the halls by other Prefects for anything.. uncharacteristic."
Bellatrix nodded. "Of course, headmaster. Wouldn't dream of it." Liar, liar..
Nick got up from his seat, holding his arm out at an angle for Bellatrix. "Shall we then, my lady?"
Bellatrix smiled brightly as she looped her arm in his. "Yes we shall, my Lord." The two laughed as they left the room.
Dumbledore leaned back in his chair. "Alastor, what have you heard about the situation within the Black family these days?"
Moody grunted. "Not much. Arcturus is getting more frail, and I think anyone who knows the truth can figure out why that is. Walburga is starting to take over Wizengamot meetings starting next week. Why do you ask, Albus?"
Albus sighed. "Because it already seems young Bellatrix has met the man she would deign to choose for a husband."
"Yes, I noticed it as well when I met with them at the Cauldron the other day. Thick as thieves, even though he's only been in the country a month or so. Just watching them, you can see there's something there between them. Whether that's inherently good or not is anyone's guess at this point. Nick says he's not trying to have a relationship right now, as well. Too busy fighting off Voldemort's attacks which are now increasingly looking like Nick is the actual target and anyone else is just collateral damage. Voldemort is scared of that boy."
Albus nodded with a laugh. "Yes, it would seem Tom will be coming full force after him. The best we can do for him right now is help him and the rest of these children finish the year without anything worse happening."
"Agreed. Did you figure out what was going on with those accursed Vaults?"
"I did not, but I and Minerva were able to further seal them all off, so hopefully none of that will be going on, either." Moody just nodded as the two older wizards continued talking.
Outside Slytherin Common Room, Hogwarts Dungeons..
Bellatrix and Nick approached what Nick figured was the entrance to the Slytherin common room, a rather unassuming and honestly rather randomly-placed archway. Nick did take notice of the snake motif the arch's border seemed to take, however. Bellatrix had already gotten the password earlier and cleared her throat. "Basilisk Fang."
The snake on the archway hissed as it began moving, the stone of the wall shifting along as the snake went from one end of the arch to the other, a door appearing as the stone melted away as if made of water. "Alright, that's pretty cool, I'll admit." Nick said as the duo made their way down the flight of stairs beyond the door and entered a huge antechamber, one wall made mostly of two large floor-to-ceiling windows, on the other side of which was most obviously the underwater landscape of the Black Lake. "Damn, an aquarium is honestly a cooler backdrop than the mountains, so you're lucky I chose to come to Slytherin."
"But you said you hadn't thought of going anywhere else.. Why did you choose to come here, then?" They had stopped by the fireplace, only two other students in the common room other than the two heirs.
Nick sighed. "Well, you are a big part of it, honest. I have to protect what I promised to, right?" Bellatrix giggled, looking away with a blush. "But, there's no better place to be, really. Not for dismantling my cousin's little cult. Plenty of the Slytherin students around us are from known families, and their children as well in a lot of cases. I want that prejudice to cease, as well as the one between Houses. Yes, each House has its own specialty, but if we all got along and stopped making some stupid rivalries get between us? This school united could do anything we put our minds to."
Bellatrix hummed, tilting her head as a grindylow swam close to the window nearest to them, the dark yet oddly bright underwater illumination bathing Bellatrix in a teal light. "I hope my brother and those idiots of his are alright tonight.. The first night of the full moon is the worst for Remus."
"Yeah, I noticed he wasn't with us all coming up on the carriages. Dumbledore probably whisked him away to the Shrieking Shack so he could stay safe, then the other three would join him after dinner to keep up appearances." Bellatrix was impressed. "It's easy to know what they do for Remus. Those boys are thick as thieves, but they need to be careful. And, be more inclusive with little Peter."
Bellatrix frowned then. "I don't much care for Pettigrew, to be honest. Anyone who willingly chooses to be a rat is someone to watch out for, it's inherently untrustworthy."
Nick laughed as they moved from the fireplace, now making their way down a corridor off to one side, where doors lined the hall from end to end. "We each get our own rooms in Slytherin, did you know that?"
Nick hummed. "Not exactly. It was thought to be that way, but it was never explored technically. Nice to not have to hear someone snoring two beds away though, I guess."
"Got that right. Now, come on. Your room will be right around.. here." She looked to the sides of the door she'd indicated as Nick's room. "Huh, I didn't figure out rooms would be next to each other, too."
"Coincidence, I'm sure." Not likely. Nothing here seems to be much of a coincidence as it is planned. Now, Bellatrix, what were you trying to tell me? Before the giant attack?"
Bellatrix smirked, shaking her head. "Nope. I'm not telling you now. As you said, it's already late. We'll meet up tomorrow. I might as well bring you around the school a bit myself, if you want to."
Nick smiled. "Yeah, I'd like that. Goodnight, Bellatrix." He said as he opened his door, smiling back at the girl.
Bellatrix, however, was still on her bold streak as she rushed into the room behind him, giggling as she pinned him to the back of his door. "What, no kiss goodnight?" She asked in a sultry tone, giggling as Nick shivered at the sudden closeness for the second time that day.
"Bellatrix.. You might be a bit too headstrong about all this. You don't really know me, you said it yourself.."
"Oh, pish. It's only a little kiss, it's not like I'm asking you to rut me like a pig." She pointed out as Nick groaned.
"Jeez that wording sounds so weird. Fine, if it'll please the lady to have a kiss before bed, I guess I could obl-" He didn't finish his sentence as Bellatrix mashed her lips to his, grinning a Cheshire smile as she separated a few moments later, pulling Nick off the door to open it back up.
"Night, Nicky. See you at breakfast." Bellatrix cackled as she closed the door behind her, Nick sighing.
So much like Trixie.. It's like they were always one and the same, but that's impossible.. Isn't it? He thought as he grabbed his quill from his trunk, opting to write to his mother about the day, despite knowing a Howler might be in play for the morning's mail.
Bellatrix's Room, 3am..
So, uh.. You still awake? Trixie's voice said in Bellatrix's head, loud enough to wake the girl as her eyes snapped open.
"Ugh, I am now. What do you want now, Trixie? We'll tell Nick all about this and see what he thinks of it tomorrow, can't you just let me sleep?"
I will, I will, promise.. But, have you ever wondered why people do the things they do? Not out of habit, but like with how you and I are almost exactly alike, even though you would be considered non-existent in the grand scheme of things..
"Oh Merlin, what are you talking about?"
What I said. I think there has to be a connection between this should be fictional world and the one Nick and I actually came from, and somehow it seems like you yourself are the catalyst. But why would this happen? Last I remember, I was.. Shit, what was I doing?
Bellatrix sighed. If even her dimensional variant didn't know how she wound up lost in whatever caused Nick to wake in this world, then how would Nick have any idea? "Just don't think about it, then. Maybe Nick will have an idea as to what's really going on here. Just.. Do whatever it is you do to otherwise rest, I guess. You can't possibly be staying conscious all the time, now can you?"
Probably wrong on that note, Bella. I don't think I've actually been unconscious in your head at all since I first woke up when you used that spell to look into Nick's mind the first time. But, I was only able to interact with you after you learned of the old Bellatrix, so maybe the connection is that I'm maybe supposed to be like Jiminy Cricket for you.
"Jiminy who now?"
That's right, it's a Muggle story. Is there a fairy tale for you witches about a boy made of wood? Or something else but is granted his wish to be a real boy at the end?
Bellatrix frowned, trying to think of such a story. "No, I can't say we do. It doesn't sound so familiar, at least."
Damn it.. Alright, well Jiminy is a Cricket, obviously, and he acts as the wooden boy's conscience. He was there to make sure the boy didn't do anything wrong and keep him in the right. Obviously that didn't go completely as planned but it worked out in the end. What I'm suggesting is, possibly, I'm supposed to keep you from becoming, well, her. Just a thought..
Bellatrix didn't find sleep easily after that, and knew she would feel it in the morning. I guess I'll need a Pepperup potion during breakfast.
