A/N: Another chapter up, and so quick! Thank my day off and the fact this chapter turned out to really not need anything more than what is already written. And this one's a heavy one, at the end. I'm sorry in advance. I love mystery and drama, and the first may not even be fully figured out for a long while.

Chapter Five

Maybe That's Why..

Hogwarts, Great Hall, The Next Morning..

Nick took a bite out of his eggs as he looked at the list of electives, every single one offered at Hogwarts being designated as able for him to attend. He had wondered why until he had seen that Dumbledore had also included a copy of Nick's past O.W.L. results from Ilvermorny, making him realize why he seemed so powerful despite only being a teenager. As it turned out, the Nick who existed in this reality before he had otherwise died or whatever caused Nick to be in this world had been a top student, earning an O in every tested O.W.L. subject except for Potions, which somehow didn't surprise Nick at all. Luckily, he could still take the N.E.W.T. class, the Slytherin Head of House (and Potions Master) Horace Slughorn accepted students into his higher level classes with an E in Potions instead of the required O he would have needed had he ended up in Harry, Ron and Hermione's time.

Come to think of the future Potions Master, Severus had sat down next to Nick, eating silently even as Bellatrix raised an eyebrow at the reserved young man. "Severus? Why aren't you sitting with the rest of your little clique?" She finally asked as the boy stopped chewing the bite of the egg sandwich he had been chewing.

Snape looked at the other two, focusing on Nick. "He said something on the train, while Rudolphus was harassing you, that I feel was directed at me. I simply wish to know what he meant."

Nick, while still concentrating on what classes he would take, hummed. "Sev, if I tell you what I meant and why, you'd honestly be even more confused. Just know that, if you don't want anything to happen to Miss. Evans," Severus narrowed his eyes at the newcomer to Hogwarts. "I would stop being a jerk to the Marauders, for one."

"Those clowns?"

"Yes, because despite what you want to think, confessing is not going to win you any affection with her, it's honestly too late for that ship to set sail," Nick chuckled at his inside joke. "Instead, and I'll handle part of this, I want you to befriend them, if I have to tell Lily off about pushing you to the side through the last year or two, I will. But, in exchange for me doing this for you, I want you to do something for me. Is that agreeable to you, Half-blood Prince?"

Snape looked like he had been shot. "How do you..?"

"Again, you'd only be confused. Are we in agreement, Severus?"

The boy put a hand through his black hair. "What is it you would have me do?"

"Simple. I need you to feed me information on the actions or plans of the Death Eaters here at school. You heard my speech during the incident with Rudolphus, right?" Snape nodded. "Do you truly believe what those morons spout off? I mean, you're a Muggleborn for Merlin's sake, you're literally one of their targets. You're lucky they don't know your heritage. I just need to know when and if Voldemort decides he wants to attack me again here at school. That's it. If all goes well, there won't be any who share that stupid, self-destructive attitude in Hogwarts and, hopefully, for years to come."

Severus nodded but stayed quiet. "I need to think about it." He said, vanishing his plate and getting up from the table. "I have some things to do in preparation for tomorrow."

"Enjoy the day, Severus. Trust me, on this if nothing else; This year is either ending with tragedy, or celebration. Be careful where you decide to stand." With another nod, Snape left as Bellatrix frowned at Nick.

"What happens to Lily?"

"Bella, we've talked about this. I can't just tell you all this future shit. You already know way more than you should about your future."

"Fine, then. Keep your secrets, for now. Eventually, you'll tell me." She said confidently.

Hey! I think I may have an idea why I'm somehow stuck in your head.. Trixie's voice said as Bellatrix chose to ignore her, continuing to attempt and coerce Nick to tell her what she was asking..

Crystal Springs, United States, 2022..

Trixie sighed heavily as she looked at the room she found herself standing in. Nick's old room. It had been just over a month since her best friend and longtime crush had been blindsided by an out of control SUV, but to Trixie it was like it had happened yesterday. Lizzy was trying to be patient with her best friend, but the fact that Trixie had been so sullen since that day had been making Lizzy rather irritable as of late. Trixie, however, had come to Nick's room for a reason: Nella had called her and requested that, if Trixie wanted anything of Nick's, she was free to come over and search his room.

But, she had been standing in the room, hand on the wall as she looked at a picture of the two of them smiling widely, for the last twenty minutes and couldn't stop herself from crying to look further.

She wiped her tears away and suddenly found herself in front of Nick's ceiling to floor bookshelf, her hands lazily grazing the spines of several of the Harry Potter books, the giant illustrated versions. The sight made her almost break down again, as it had been a double feature of Sorcerer's Stone and Chamber of Secrets they had been going to see when Nick had died. She took out the copy of Stone and began thumbing through it, smiling at the first few illustrations until they started changing from what she remembered seeing reading the books before. And snippets of dialogue she was seeing wasn't making a lot of sense, either.

If she read one page correctly, it showed a boy referenced as Draco Malfoy, but he was friendly with Harry and his friends, as if the fact he was never on good terms with them for the entire books series. Then, there was the chapter she was sure hadn't existed before, one illustrated page detailing a class with a Professor Negron, the sight making her drop the book, as it showed an older Nick teaching those kids, and she was there as well. But, leading through the surrounding pages, she realized it wasn't her, but a character who also hadn't been in the good category for the series from what she remembered. In the book, however, she was called Bellatrix Negron, but Bellatrix had never had the same red hair framing her face in bangs as Trixie did. What the fuck..?

She took the copies of the rest of Nick's illustrated set, in total disbelief as she realized these characters were in every book, helping further for the side of good which made no sense. She took out her phone and texted Lizzy to come to Nick's, she needed to show her something as her reasoning.

Across town at that moment, Lizzy received the text and gasped. No. She couldn't have found the books already? Sighing, her wand slipped into her hand as she remembered her father's words.

"You need to watch her, Little Lizard. Make sure that, when she sees the new timeline of events, you need to send her mind back to Aunt Bellatrix, understand?" Draco Malfoy had told her before they had moved to Crystal Springs. "She's the key to keeping Aunt Bella as Aunt Bella, or everything Uncle Nick did originally will be in vain."

"I understand, father. I remember the spell you taught me for it, something of Uncle Nick's design, I thought you told me once. I never would have thought Trixie and Nick really were uncle and auntie when I first met them." With a Crack! She apparated into Nick's bedroom, right behind Trixie. "I'm sorry, Trixie. One day, you'll understand and forgive me. Legilimens temporus. A wave of blue-green light engulfed Trixie as the girl and all she ever had been ceased to exist here in the current time.

First Floor Corridor, Hogwarts, 1975, 2:00pm..

Bellatrix groaned from the headache she felt from sensory overload. Trixie, fed up with Bellatrix ignoring her all morning, had figured out how to and went through with forcing the newfound memories through Bellatrix's own mind, the scenes blurring together and causing the headache she now sported. "Trixie.. What the shite?!"

You weren't fucking listening! You need to see those memories. They aren't all ours, but you'll know why I'm so insistent right now. Please, I'm going insane myself from the ramifications and-

"Fine. Just stay quiet then and let me think." Bellatrix withdrew a breath as she closed her eyes and allowed herself to sort through these new memories.

Second Floor Secret Chamber..

Nick poked his head through the door to the passageway, surprised an old computer game was actually accurate about this particular room. The Weasley twins had mentioned in that game that they'd somewhat inherited the room from their heroes, meaning the infamous Marauders. So, he wasn't surprised to see Sirius, James, Peter and Remus all sitting around a table playing Exploding Snap. "Cheerio, old boys!" Nick said in his best British accent impression, making the four look at him in shock.

"You.. How do you know about..? Oh, nevermind. What brings you to the Marauders, Nick? My sister isn't out there with you, is she?"

"Why? Did you do something to gain her ire? Again, most likely. But no, no Bellatrix out here, it's just me. How you feeling, Remus? Bellatrix is a surprisingly capable Potioneer, isn't she?"

Sirius tilted his head at his twin's source of focus. "Hold on now, how do you know it was-"

"She told me, obviously. Once she knew that I knew about Remus' unfortunate position in life. As for how I know that, that would be spoilers."

"Oh, keep your secrets. I'm honestly just glad you keep Bella occupied. Sometimes, she's a hen, you know?"

"Being motherly is fine, though, isn't it? Anyway, I wanted to ask you.. Fuck." Nick said as he looked at one of the windows, which opened magically as Adria flew down to his arm with a red envelope in her beak. A Howler.

"Damn, is that from your mum?" James asked, his face saying he'd had his fair share of the shouting letters himself.

Nick nodded. "Yeah. Might as well get it over with." He said, undoing the wax seal as the Howler ripped and twisted into an angular face. "Nicholas Anthony Negron! What the fuck is this I hear about you leading the charge against Merlin-damned giants?! And not even at the school yet?! You're lucky I don't come up there and.. Hmm. Either way, you're at Hogwarts and I want you to stay out of trouble. I won't have another incident like with the basilisk in your third year. Just because you can talk to snakes doesn't mean to do it at every opportunity! Oh, and tell poor Lucina she's more than welcome at our house come the holidays, if she chooses to. Such a shame about her father, but you warned me he wasn't in with the right crowd. Say hello to Bellatrix for me." The Howler finished it's message and tore into a thousand pieces, each piece falling to the ground but disappearing without a trace before hitting the stone tiles.

"Huh, that wasn't nearly as bad as I figured it would be." Nick shrugged. "Anyways, I had a job for you guys, if you're interested."

Sirius beamed. "What'll it be?" Nick smirked as he answered.

About twenty minutes later, Bellatrix was still one level down from Nick and the Marauders, sitting on the stone bench as the memories finally stopped blending together. "What the hell is all that supposed to mean? Trixie, that was your best friend, right? That Lizzy?" Bellatrix was lucky she was the only one in the corridor, although that wasn't surprising as most students avoided open corridors on their otherwise free days, lest a Professor see them and assign them some menial task or two.

Yeah, it was. She was magical though, you saw that wand.

"I did, and she mentioned a Draco as her father, and Nick and I as her uncle and aunt.. Does that mean this so-called fictional world is in fact real? Were you just sent back here to be a damn voice in my head?"

I'm sorry, I don't know.. Trixie's voice was crestfallen. We would have to ask Lizzy for confirmation. But, she did say her last name as Malfoy, didn't she?

"She did, but what that really means, right now, is anyone's guess. I'm sorry, Trixie. I wish I could tell you why this happened to you, or why it was so significant it required time travel." Although with that last name, Bellatrix couldn't help but think of Lucina.

It's alright. Once Nick knows about this, he'll probably have an idea. This is all so frustrating. It was bad enough that you and I are so much alike before I saw those memories.

Strange indeed.. Bellatrix thought to herself, sighing as she stood back up. "Either way, we should go find him. Every minute away from him is another minute he could do something stupid."

While I agree, the number of things Nick would just love to do around the castle is too great. He'll be in trouble by the time we find him, guaranteed. But you're right, so let's go find the lovable idiot.

Looking both ways, Bellatrix made her way back down to the main floor, humming. Now, where could he be?

Her eyes widened as she felt a wave of magic pulsing from somewhere behind her, followed by the distinct popping sound of Exploding Snap packets as, suddenly, Bellatrix heard screaming coming from the direction of the library. Sirius!

Bellatrix rushed to the door of the library, where Madam Pince was.. indisposed as she had been stripped of her robes, as well as every other person present in the library. All except one: James, who was leaning against the wall on the other side of the entrance from Bellatrix. "James!" She whispered in a hiss. "What the devil did you guys do now?"

"It's just some harmless fun, Bellatrix, relax. And if you want to blame anyone, blame your boyfriend. He commissioned us to pull the prank. Everyone's clothes will pop back up in a few minutes anyway."

"My.. Nick is not my boyfriend. Ugh, you four are impressionable idiots. Do you know where he is, then? I've been looking for him since he left breakfast before me."

"I think he might have mentioned something about the courtyard, but I can't be too sure. Me and the others were working on performing the prank to pay full attention. Sorry."

Bellatrix rolled her eyes. "No you're not. You love misleading me, like that one time when we were all kids and your parents brought us to that Muggle haunted house. You told me we were going to the zoo."

"In my defense, the zoo was hosting that haunted house, so I didn't outright lie. I just omitted that we were there for a haunted house walk."

Bellatrix was going to retort back when another voice joined the conversation. "James Potter!" The two looked and saw the irate redheaded seventeen year old, James gulping.

"Lily! Hey! What are you doing by the library already? Classes start tomorrow. You need to relax yourself, luv."

"Yeah? Well, James, you're lucky I can counteract your stupid pranks. Why the hell would you target the library anyway?"

Bellatrix cleared her throat. "Evans," Lily looked at her. "It isn't technically James' fault, alright? Him and the other Marauders were hired to do this, and I have a feeling Nick had no idea so many students would actually be in the library before classes even begin."

"Nick? You mean the Lord Gaunt? Why would he.."

"I don't know, but honestly he may not have a reason. It could just as well be something to satiate his boredom." If he ever really gets bored..

"Well, either way, tell that snake of snakes to stop or I will come after him myself."

Bellatrix took a step forward, despite Lily being a few inches taller than the Black heiress. "He may be a snake, but that boy is golden despite what people think of his name. He ensured we could even be here today, Lily. You don't get to talk about Nick like you know him because you don't." But he knows you, more than most of our classmates. "Also, Severus is looking for you. Possibly both of you." James looked ready to curse someone. "Oh, shove it James. Severus and Lily are old childhood friends, isn't that right? It seems a bit of reconnection is needed, according to Nick."

Lily sighed heavily while pulling James' ear as they started walking away. "Thanks anyway, Bellatrix. This new attitude you have this year is a great plus, by the way."

New attitude? Just because of Nick? The heiress thought as she made her way towards the courtyard outside. As she stepped outside and felt the early autumn chill, she shivered. "You'll catch cold, Bella. Here." Nick said, appearing out of nowhere next to her with a thick parka in his hands. Bellatrix took the offered jacket and slipped it on, smiling at him. "Thank you, Nick. Do you have anything to say as to why you had my brother and the other idiots vanish the clothes of everyone in the library?"

Nick chuckled. "Because I wanted to see how ingenious they are. Trust me, if things work out the way I want them to, then those four are going to be the greatest inventors for almost thirty odd years. Anyway, though, you okay?"

"Yeah, I'm.." Bellatrix sighed. "I don't know, really. Nick, how much did you subscribe to about time travel and whatever else before you came here?"

"I was something of a conspiracy nut, admittedly. Especially for things like aliens, cryptids, and time travel. Why?"

"Well.. I mentioned to you yesterday about the little guest in my head, you remember." Nick nodded. "We may have figured something out about all this.. But we don't know for sure. Maybe you can decipher something out of it? You can see the memories if you want."

Nick already had his wand out. "I'm always up to solve a good mystery. Just call me Scoob."

Bellatrix raised an eyebrow at him as he enacted the spell, seeing the memories Trixie had regained just earlier. When he regained his sense of reality, he frowned. "Lizzy is.. Draco's daughter? But then, who is his father, because the only Malfoy capable of having a kid right now is.. Lucina.. Was this all set up from the beginning? Was my death even an accident? Or just the initial catalyst? So many questions and nowhere near enough answers. Here, let me try something I saw in one of the books I picked up from Flourish. Vocalis Mentalis." Nothing seemed to change except Bellatrix's eyes, which glowed an ethereal purple. "Trixie?"

"Nick?" Trixie's said said through Bellatrix, the voice echoing. "How are you.. What is all this, Nicky?" Tears were forming at the corner of Bellatrix's eyes. "I'm scared. I don't get why this is happening!"

Nick frowned, hugging her. "I know, Trix, I'm sorry. I wish I knew what was really going on but I'm still so clueless myself. I'm pretty sure I've only survived the attacks already by sheer luck and my apparently ridiculously honed skills from before I woke up here. It's not all bad though, is it? Look where we are! We never thought this place was real, other than the fact the castle itself was on sale in our time."

"What about the lives we had, Nick?! Yeah, we weren't magical, but things were good. Weren't they?"

"Yes, Trixie, of course things were good. You know all I ever needed was you by my side."

The girl blushed. "Oh, Nicky.. What do we do? As interesting as this all is, I want to go back home.."

"I know, Trixie, I get it.. But.."

"Yeah, I know. You can make a difference here, rewrite history in a way.. Starting with her.. me.. whatever the situation really is. And don't get me wrong, I love that you're trying to help save a shiteton.. Oh, so my voice keeps the accent like this.. weird, anyway. You're trying to save a lot of lives and I love you for it, but what about-"

"Trixie, I know, alright? I know all about the feelings, mutual as they've always been. But, that isn't important right now." He sighed. "I need to deactivate the spell soon, it's not safe to use for prolonged periods of time, otherwise it causes brain damage." Bellatrix didn't say anything, a pointed state the only reaction to his words. "Look, I'm not avoiding the talk we will have about our feelings. It's just that right now, I need to think about how best to proceed. What you just showed me before.. It shouldn't be possible, but what if it all is? I need to reexamine the situation. All I'm asking for is time, okay hun?. Eventually, I don't doubt- by these circumstances- that you and Bellatrix are going to be one and only one person, and this is some screwed up time loop we're all involved in. Just give me.. us some time."

"But.. you knew.. You're gonna fall for her though, it's obvious you already feel something. She's too much like me already without having us fucking mind melded together." She turned away, startling as Nick put his head on her shoulder, his arms around her waist.

"You don't think I haven't thought about that? It's been killing me, ever since I saw how similar you two are. I.. I wish we were back home, where we're comfortable, but I want to save this you as well, from the monstrous version we already knew. And according to those few new memories, it seems we may already have. Just give it some time, try to figure out why you're here. Talk through Bellatrix if it's really important, you know I'll listen to you. I know it seems selfish, wanting you and Bella together, just to get the true you back in some way.. but whether you do merge or not, you needed to know that I was going to make a move that day, had things derailed those plans. Even though I figured you were already doing the same. I'm sorry for whatever this is, as I honestly do fear I'm actually to blame for all this. Don't antagonize Bellatrix over all this, either. I've seen the walls she has up, it's more on your part that she brings them all down when she's with me."

Nick took a breath before kissing Bellatrix's cheek, a tear rolling down her cheek from the confession. "You're so special, Trixie, to me and all this, whatever it is. Never forget that, alright?"

Bellatrix's body nodded while Trixie exhaled deeply. "Of course, Nicky. Just.. figure this all out, please. Later." The glow in her eyes faded and Bellatrix herself gasped, rubbing her throat.

"What the.. Nick, that was.. what was.. No, I know what happened.. That was really heavy, Nick." The walls were back up, and Nick saw them for what they were. "I need to think about all this for a bit.. Fuck.." She walked away, ignoring Trixie's pleas for her to stop and go back, that it wasn't what was really important.

Nick let out his own breath he had been holding in. "Well, this has all become a huge clusterfuck of twists, hasn't it? She'll probably be giving me the silent treatment for a while, having heard all that inside her own mind unable to comment. Merlin, help me out here." He said, off to explore on his own, since his escort couldn't be helped but excuse herself. Maybe he'd find some little first year to scare. They didn't know him like Bellatrix did already, and he did enjoy a good little prank.