Chapter 22: Late-Night Meetings

Harry peered around the corner of his doorframe and quickly pulled his head back in the room. He only had one shot, he'd have to do this right. Stealthily, he slid along the wall, pressing up against it at every little noise. It wasn't until he got to the end of the corridor that he smacked himself.

'Where better to hide than in plain sight,' he thought, as he realized how suspicious he'd look if he was spotted. He strolled causually down the stairs towards the front door.

Still, Harry mentally grinned to himself and hummed the Pink Panther Theme Song.


The cool breath of the night air felt like freedom. He hadn't met anyone on the way out the door and was certain he could make it to the -

A dark shape obscured his path. Harry could faintly make out the shillouette of a women. She took out her wand.

"Lumos," Harry heard he whisper before the garden was bathed in light. Now he could see her feautures. Heavy lidded eyes peered at him as she gave him a lazy smile.

"Going somewhere, Mr. Potter?"

Harry shook his head. "Just out for a walk. I can't sleep, Miss ... ?"

"Lestrange. Mrs. Lestrange. But you can call me Bellatrix."

'Lestrange, Lestrange. Where have I heard - ' Then it clicked. Bellatrix Lestrange, the woman who had tortured Neville's parents into insanity.

"Ah, yes. I've heard many things about you," he said coldly.

"All good things I hope."

"Now," said Harry, hoping to change the subject. "What brings you out here so late at night?"

"Hunting for innocent victims." At Harry's startled look, she smirked. "I'm kidding. Death Eaters can have a sense of humor you know."

"Yeah, and Malfoy's Santa Clause."

"Well, it does make for an interesting mental image." She laughed. "See, you're funny."

"So?"

"I think you just proved my point."

Harry glared at her. "I'm not one of you."

"That mark on your arm says differently."

"What do you want from me?" he asked abruptly.

"How about I walk you back to your room."

"I can find my way back myself, thanks."

"Maybe, but will the Dark Lord be happy to hear that you were out here, by yourself, in the middle of the night." It wasn't a question.

Harry grudginly followed her back into the house.


'Well, one good thing came out of this evening,' he mused later, after Lestrange had escorted him back to his prison.

He had seen, on the distant horizon, a tower. So, unless he was very much mistaken ....

They were in London.