The Difference One Choice Makes
4th June 1994
Bellatrix taking several deep breaths, stood up to face the two figures who walked down into the clearing with their wands pointed at her chest.
"Cissy" said Bellatrix calmly as Cassiopeia stood up as well but remained by her Mothers side.
"Bellatrix" said Narcissa as she and James moved away from each other to cover all of Bellatrix's escape routes.
"You look well" said Bellatrix.
Narcissa took a few steps towards her Sister looking shocked and slightly disgusted at what her eldest Sister had become.
"I wish I could say the same of you" said Narcissa flatly.
Bellatrix stretched her arms out and looked down at herself.
"This is what fifteen years of Azkaban does to you… at least my sanity didn't wither away as my body did" said Bellatrix.
"Are you sure about that Black… we both remember your trial, how you proclaimed that your Master would spring you from Azkaban and reward you for staying loyal to him, how you were proud to serve him from your cell" said James frostily.
This wreck of a woman standing before him might have been his Sister In Law and the Mother of his Niece, but he had little love for her and would feel no regret in turning her in even if it resulted in her death.
Bellatrix straightened up.
"I made my mistakes, and I have lived with them for many years… but I'm not that same woman anymore, I've changed" said Bellatrix with a slither of regret in her voice at the first part of her speech.
James scoffed.
"Have you?" said James, dark amusement in his voice.
"Yes… I wouldn't be here if I was still the same person I was all those years ago" said Bellatrix bitterly.
James moved closer to her tightening his grip on his wand every time he took a step.
"And you expect us to believe that?" said James.
Bellatrix glared at him.
"Bella" said Narcissa in a weary voice.
James kept his eyes on Bellatrix as she and Cassiopeia turned to Narcissa who had lowered her wand.
"Let her go" said Narcissa glancing at Cassiopeia.
Bellatrix looked into her Sisters eyes and nodded.
"Go on Cassie, go with them" said Bellatrix softly.
Cassiopeia stepped forwards slowly before quickly moving in front of her mother to protect her.
Narcissa stepped closer to her Sister and Niece.
"Cassie, come here" said Narcissa quickly.
"You can't take her… you can't" said Cassiopeia determined not to see her Mother be taken from her again.
"Cassie, don't… you know she has to come with us" pleaded Narcissa.
"Can't you just let her go, please Auntie" pleaded Cassiopeia in desperation.
Narcissa frowned and James let out a weary sigh.
"You know we can't do that" said James wearily.
Bellatrix turned Cassiopeia around and looked down at her, only being an inch or two taller than her Daughter.
"Go with them" said Bellatrix softly.
"But" said Cassiopeia before Bellatrix pressed a finger to Cassiopeia's lips.
"Go… I'll be alright" said Bellatrix in a more forceful voice.
Cassiopeia frowned and wiped a tear from her eyes before Bellatrix gave her one last tight hug.
After a few seconds, the Mother ushered the Daughter over to Narcissa who moved her behind her.
"So… how did you escape Azkaban Bella?" said Narcissa testily as James moved closer to Bellatrix.
Bellatrix straightened up.
"Dementors can't sense the emotions of animals, even witches and wizards in animagus forms… I managed to slip out of my cell door when the Dementors opened it to give me what little food they saw fit to give me" said Bellatrix.
"Since when have you been an animagus?" said Narcissa in shock.
Bellatrix rolled her eyes.
"A long time Cissy… and I managed to fly away from the island and then made my way up here" said Bellatrix flatly.
"And destroyed a Common Room" said James icily.
Bellatrix sighed.
"I lost my temper when I couldn't get inside… I just wanted some of the things that belonged to my Daughter, so I could have something of hers with me at all times" said Bellatrix regretfully.
"And attacking Miss Farley?" said James.
"I just stunned her… so I could get my Daughter alone, she's the reason I broke out of Azkaban in the first place, I just wanted to see her" said Bellatrix.
Silence fell between the four for several seconds.
"So what happens now then?" said Bellatrix warily.
Narcissa sighed.
"You know what happens now" said Narcissa with a hint of regret in her voice.
"You are coming with us, hopefully not by force" said James glancing at Narcissa who didn't want to see Bellatrix get unnecessarily hurt.
Bellatrix remained still for several moments before looking at her daughter one last time.
"I love you Cassie, I always have… the day you were born was the best day of my life" said Bellatrix softly.
Cassiopeia wiped some more tears from her eyes and ran over to her Mother to wrap her in a hug.
James moved next to Narcissa and slowly took her hand as they watched Cassiopeia hug her Mother and say her goodbyes.
He conjured his majestic stag Patronus and had it deliver a message to Dumbledore that Bellatrix had been captured before repeating the trick to deliver the same message to Amelia who would have been working late this evening.
Forty-five minutes later…
James and Narcissa were walking either side of Bellatrix who was now bound by ropes with their wands pointed at Bellatrix as they made their way back into the courtyard to find a small crowd waiting for them.
Cassiopeia had been taken away from them less than ten minutes ago when they had encountered Hagrid on their way back up to the castle who agreed to take the Slytherin Fifth Year Prefect back to her Common Room when asked.
The crowd they found in the courtyard were Dumbledore, Professor Mcgonagall, Amelia, two other Aurors who James and Narcissa recognised as John Dawlish and Carter Williamson while the other two people in the courtyard surprised James and Narcissa slightly.
Cornelius Fudge and Lucius Malfoy the latter of whom had an almost triumphant look on his face at the sight of his former Wife.
"What are you doing here Malfoy?" said James spitefully as Bellatrix glared at her former Husband.
Lucius straightened up.
"I was invited by the Minister… he thought I would want to see this" said Lucius stiffly.
"Come to see me fall Lucius… I wonder if the Minister knows exactly what type of person you are, what lies you told him" said Bellatrix spitefully.
"Silence Black!" snapped Fudge.
"But he doesn't know you like I do does he… he doesn't know your deepest, darkest secrets" said Bellatrix which caused Lucius to turn slightly pale.
"Silence woman!" snapped Fudge.
"Let's take the prisoner back to the Ministry for further questioning Minister, and find out exactly how she was able to escape Azkaban" said Amelia sternly before nodding to Dawlish and Williamson to go and take Bellatrix from the Potters.
As both Aurors started to move towards Bellatrix with their wands drawn, Fudge cleared his throat.
"That won't be necessary Amelia… we will deal with Bellatrix here and now before she has the chance to escape again" said Fudge proudly.
"And I told you I would not permit you to carry out such a thing on school grounds Cornelius" said Dumbledore with a hint of edginess in his voice with Professor Mcgonagall also looking as angry as her mentor and friend.
"Be quiet Dumbledore… your not the one giving the orders in this situation!" snapped Fudge.
"This is a school Minister… it's not appropriate to do what you wish to do here and now" said Amelia bitterly.
"Do what?" said Narcissa warily.
Suddenly their attention was drawn to the sight of a single Dementor flying down towards them.
Bellatrix went pale when she realised what was going to happen to her.
The Dementors Kiss
She looked back at the crowd and took a step back.
"Not today" hissed Bellatrix.
With that, she morphed into her raven animagus form catching everyone off guard and bolted towards Dawlish scratching his eye and cheek with her sharp talons.
As he screamed in pain Bellatrix grabbed his wand in her talons before flying up into the sky towards the side of the castle walls to get some cover as several spells shot towards her with some missing her by millimetres.
"DON'T LET HER GET AWAY!" roared Fudge.
Narcissa and James sent their own stunners at the fleeing raven missing it again as it disappeared by the castle walls before shooting up high into the sky making its escape.
After several seconds the spells stopped being fired at Bellatrix and Fudge turned to the Potters with a look of pure rage on his face.
"You should have informed us she was an animagus Potter!" snarled Fudge with all of his rage being directed at Narcissa who glared back at him while Dumbledore conjured his phoenix Patronus to get rid of the Dementor.
"You didn't give us the chance to tell you… all you cared about was making yourself heard about giving her the Dementors Kiss, which I don't remember a Kiss On Sight order being ordered for Bellatrix Black" snarled Narcissa.
Fudge moved towards them causing James to step in front of his Wife protectively.
"And your negligence has caused the escape of a dangerous prisoner… I should have you suspended on the spot, and you should count yourself lucky that I won't bring you up on criminal charges for causing her escape Potter" spat Fudge.
"If you threaten my Wife again you'll really regret it Fudge" snarled James moving towards Fudge towering over him.
Fudge backed away slightly in clear fear of the magically powerful Auror and Wizerngamot Member.
"Narcissa Potter will not be subject to any suspension Minister" snapped Amelia.
Fudge boiled up in anger and he looked past James at Narcissa who was looking at him with a heated look on her face.
"I'm overruling your authority Madam Black… Auror Potter, you're on suspension until I deem you suitable to come back to work" said Fudge harshly.
Narcissa moved past James with her Auror badge in hand.
"Screw your suspension Fudge, I quit!" spat Narcissa before throwing the badge at Fudge which did little to calm his anger.
As the shock was still felt around the courtyard, James ripped his own Auror badge from his robes and threw it at Fudge's feet.
"Given that Miss Black has unfortunately escaped once again… you will remove the Dementors from my school at once Cornelius" said Dumbledore sternly changing the conversation.
Fudge slowly calmed down before turning to Dumbledore and nodding.
"Of course" said Fudge taking a deep breath.
"Something you should've done months ago… when my Son was attacked for the second time" retorted James bitterly as Narcissa took his arm leaning into it.
Fudge turned back to the Potters once again looking angry.
"What happened to your Son was an isolated incident… no other students ever got attacked by the Dementors!" said Fudge angrily.
"An isolated incident that forced my Son to relive his worst memories and nearly killed him!" shouted Narcissa spitefully.
No one could deny that a small amount of regret could be seen on Fudge's face but it did not change his angry demeanour one bit.
"What happened to your Son was unfortunate, but don't make your situation worse Potter… I had my doubts about your suitability for teaching Defence this year, given your connection with Bellatrix Black, and it seems I was right to doubt you" said Fudge spitefully.
"Make an insinuation like that again and I'll shove my boot up your arse so hard that you won't sit down properly for months" snarled Narcissa angrily.
"Don't you threaten me Potter, or you'll be in a lot of trouble" spat Fudge as the rest of the people in the courtyard watched the conversation with uneasy looks on their faces.
James spat at Fudge's feet.
"Threaten her again and I'll take that bogus Order Of Merlin Award you gave yourself and make you choke on it!" growled James.
Fudge went white with rage and turned to Dumbledore.
"I was right about her from the start Dumbledore… hiring her was a huge mistake!" said Fudge angrily.
"Hiring Narcissa Potter was no mistake Cornelius, if you threaten my staff again I'll have you removed from my school by force if necessary" said Dumbledore angrily.
Fudge spluttered before turning back to James and Narcissa.
"Fine… by order of the Minister For Magic… I use the powers awarded to me by my position to dismiss Professor Narcissa Potter effective immediately" said Fudge proudly which caused gasps of anger around the courtyard.
"You can't do that" spat Professor Mcgonagall, voice full of venom.
Fudge straightened up.
"I am well within my power to do that, and I just did" said Fudge proudly.
With that, he chose to walk towards the exit of the courtyard followed by Lucius, Dawlish and Williamson.
Once he was gone Dumbledore walked over to James and Narcissa.
"I can reinstate you if you wish Lady Potter… and the job is yours next year if you want it?" said Dumbledore.
Narcissa remained silent before shaking her head.
"Thank you for the kind offer Headmaster… but I have to refuse" said Narcissa politely.
Dumbledore sighed and offered his hand for her to shake.
"It is unfortunate to hear that… but I respect your decision, thank you for all your hard work this year" said Dumbledore kindly as Narcissa shook his hand.
Narcissa and James then exchanged their goodbyes with the others before walking back into the castle.
Later that night…
James was stood with his arms resting against the doorway watching Narcissa neatly fold and pack her clothes into her trunk with a flat look on her face while James had a frosty look on his own face at what had just happened.
Mentally, he cursed Fudge for his actions that not only cost Narcissa her job at Hogwarts but also led to both of them quitting the Aurors on the spot.
"Are you going to stand there all day… or are you going to help me pack?" said Narcissa as she folded her jeans up and placed them in the trunk.
James made his way over to her and wrapped his arms around her stomach pulling her into him and pressing a kiss to her neck.
"I'm gonna kill that corrupt bastard" said James.
Narcissa managed a small smile and took his hands squeezing them.
"Only if you can avoid Azkaban James" said Narcissa softly.
James pressed himself against her neck.
"What now then… we're both out of work, and I'd be surprised if Fudge wasn't planning to make more trouble for us" said James.
Narcissa squeezed his hands again.
"We go home" said Narcissa flatly.
"Tonight?" said James.
Narcissa shook her head whipping him on the cheek with her hair.
"The kids deserve to hear the truth from us… not whatever fabrication makes tomorrow mornings paper" said Narcissa softly.
James pulled her tighter into his chest.
"Do you want me to stay here tonight?" said James.
Narcissa smiled and twisted her head around so she could kiss him softly.
"Please" said Narcissa.
James held her for another minute or so before the two separated and resumed packing her trunk.
As James closed her trunk Narcissa finished getting into one of her favourite nightgowns having started to get changed a minute or so ago.
James shed his outer robe and shirt along with his shoes leaving him in just his trousers and socks as Narcissa climbed under the covers.
He quickly joined her in the bed holding her in his arms and kissing her before he stroked her arm tenderly.
"Love you Cissy" said James softly.
Narcissa smiled and snuggled into his side.
"Love you too James" said Narcissa.
She rested her head against his chest, relishing the chance to be close to him again having missed him since they last saw each other on Valentines Day in Hogsmeade.
James brought his arm up to her shoulder.
"Are you going to miss this… teaching?" said James.
"A bit yeah… but I think I enjoyed being back here more than I enjoyed the teaching side of it" said Narcissa softly.
"Are you looking forward to being back home though, back in our bed?" said James.
Narcissa glanced her eyes up at him and nodded.
"Yes… this bed is nice enough, but I missed our bedroom, I missed sleeping next to you like we are now" said Narcissa softly.
James bent his head forward and kissed her forehead.
"I missed you being in our bed, I missed your scent, your touch, your warmth, and pretty much everything else" said James softly.
Narcissa moved up to kiss him allowing him to brush some of her hair out of her face.
After a few minutes of kisses and touching, Narcissa got comfortable against his side with her arm and head on his chest.
Few words were exchanged between them before they both went to sleep in each other's arms.
5th June 1994
When Edward, Harry and Euphemia heard the story from their parents they were far from happy and even slightly upset that Narcissa was not coming back to teach them next year but the words from their parents calmed them down before Dumbledore arrived in Narcissa's office to escort them down to the courtyard where he had arranged for a carriage to take her and James down to Hogsmeade Station where he had arranged for the Hogwarts Express to take them back to Kings Cross.
Narcissa was surprised when she and James walked through the castle doors into the courtyard arm in arm to find the courtyard full of students and teachers who started to applaud her.
"It looks like you'll be missed" said Dumbledore with a lot of pride in his voice as a few comments could be heard around the courtyard at how good Narcissa was as a teacher as well as being the best DADA professor they ever had.
Narcissa smiled and thanked the students and professors as James led her over to where their carriage was waiting for them in the centre of the courtyard.
Edward, Harry and Euphemia remained next to Dumbledore near the doors applauding their Mother as she and James climbed up into the carriage.
Another minute or so passed before part of the crowd made way allowing the carriage to leave the courtyard while the applause continued.
20th June 1994
"Do you miss it?" said Narcissa softly as she relaxed against James's arms looking up at him with a soft smile on her face.
James shifted himself closer to her as she traced her hand on his bare chest with the two of them having shed all of their clothing the previous night while the covers were concealing Narcissa from below the top of her cleavage while everything below James's upper abs were hidden beneath the covers.
Their clothes and Narcissa's lingerie were scattered across their large bedroom and on the edge of the bed while there was a half-empty bottle of champagne and two empty champagne flutes were by the bed.
"Working?" said James pecking her on the lips.
Narcissa nodded and gave his chest a gentle scratch with her nails.
"A bit… but it feels like I've lifted an enormous weight from my shoulders by giving it up… are you missing work already?" said James.
Narcissa got comfortable against him.
"I thought I would miss working, I loved being an Auror… but being away from the Ministry when fools like Fudge are running things is making me feel better" said Narcissa softly.
"Sirius said he's still going on a rampage through the Ministry insisting that you had something to do with Bellatrix escaping" said James looking her in the eyes with concern.
Narcissa rolled her eyes.
"He can say what he wants, it's not like he can prove something that didn't happen" said Narcissa sarcastically.
James scowled.
"Maybe… but you know what it does to me when I find out someone is threatening my wife?" said James frostily.
Narcissa smirked and pushed him onto his back.
"Gryffindor nobility at its finest" said Narcissa cheekily placing her arms on his chest propping herself on his chest.
James looked down at her as she pressed kisses to his chest.
"Are you going to make good on that threat to take that phony Order Of Merlin of his and choke him with it?" said Narcissa teasingly as she traced her tongue on his chest.
James smirked.
"Are you going to make good on your threat to stick your boot up his arse?" said James amusedly.
Narcissa's face scrunched up in disgust.
"Not unless I want to burn my boots after" said Narcissa in disgust.
"Best you don't put those boots anywhere near him then" said James jokingly before he kissed her softly.
Narcissa then climbed onto his lap bending down and letting some of her hair fall onto her chest which tickled him.
"Could you look any sexier than you do right now?" said James cheekily.
Narcissa smirked.
"Probably" said Narcissa teasingly.
James smirked and leaned up to kiss her.
After they separated Narcissa looked down at him with a teasing look on her face.
"You missed me while I was gone didn't you?" said Narcissa cheekily.
James shrugged as he brought his hands up her arms tenderly stroking them.
"Just a bit… but I got used to you being gone after a few days" said James cheekily.
Narcissa smirked as she looked down at him.
"You really are a terrible liar James" said Narcissa wickedly.
James gripped her arms and pulled her down slightly.
"You missed me though didn't you?" said James huskily.
Narcissa leaned down into his ear.
"What did you expect… I had to go most of the year with barely any intimacy from my husband… and before you say it, I don't just mean sex" said Narcissa teasingly.
James placed his hand on her cheeks turning her to lock eyes with him.
"And there was me thinking you were just happy to see me, not that you were extremely randy because you were starved of intimacy" said James teasingly.
Narcissa smirked and kissed him passionately before James pushed her off of him and pulled her back into him.
Glancing around at the state of the room, James smirked and kissed her neck.
"And last night?" said James softly.
Narcissa smirked and pushed herself into him before taking his hand and holding it against her stomach.
"What… is waking each other up three times in the night for another round forbidden?" said Narcissa teasingly.
"Unexpected more like" said James.
They stayed there in silence enjoying the feeling of each other's bodies for a good minute or two before Narcissa twisted around so they were face to face.
"Are you ready for tomorrow?" said Narcissa softly.
James dropped his hands to her waist.
"It'll be nice to have the kids back home for the summer" said James softly.
"More like it will be nice to have the kids home for summer without either of us having to rush off to work" said Narcissa softly.
Sure they would enjoy the time during the summer where they did not have to work and could spend it with their children, but when the children were at school they knew it would become a test of what they could fill their time during those long months alone at Potter Manor.
"Maybe a romantic holiday is in order… New York, the Caribbean" thought Narcissa as she let her mind imagine the possibilities for romantic holidays for the two of them.
A holiday with the kids was probably on order as well but she did want some time away from the kids, just so she and James could have some time alone.
James started to trace circles on her back.
"I got us a private box for the World Cup Final as well" said James.
What he was referring to was the 422nd Quidditch World Cup Final match which would be taking place in the Wiltshire countryside next month and that he had gotten them a private box so they could watch the match.
"Just for us, or are you planning to share?" said Narcissa tracing circles on his chest in return.
"Remus, Julia and the kids will be joining us, so are the Tonks's… and Frank's bringing Neville and Frank Jr as well… and perhaps we should go down the day before the final, let the kids experience as much as they can, including the fantastic atmosphere in the campsite" said James.
Narcissa smiled and kissed him before nodding.
"Sounds amazing" said Narcissa softly which caused James to chuckle.
Narcissa raised her eyebrow at him questioning his amusement.
"Who'd have thought that the prim and proper Narcissa Potter would want to spend two nights in a tent?" said James amusedly.
Narcissa smirked and kissed him.
"Looks like you don't know your Wife as well as you think James Potter" said Narcissa teasingly.
James pulled her closer to him.
"Or maybe your willingness to sleep in a tent is something you've kept secret all these years" said James cheekily.
Narcissa basked in being this close to her Husband having really missed his company during the school year.
"You didn't mention Sirius when talking about the World Cup… I thought you'd have wanted to watch it with him" said Narcissa.
James chuckled.
"He and Amy are sitting with his parents in their own box… said if it wasn't for the kids getting to sit with their Grandparents they would have joined us instead… Susan and Jamie are sitting with them as well" said James.
"I bet Sirius will love that" said Narcissa sarcastically.
"All he said was that he was glad his Parents were just apparating there for the match, staying in a tent is beneath them apparently" said James.
James rested his head on her shoulder and inhaled his Wife's scent.
"I think it's about time we got out of bed" said James.
Narcissa absent-mindedly traced her hand on his chest.
"You don't want to cuddle some more?" said Narcissa softly.
James kissed her neck before moving his head so he was level with her face.
"I would… but you reek of sex and desperately need a bath" said James cheekily.
Narcissa glared at him and slapped his chest.
"So mean" said Narcissa before she pressed her foot into his chest and pushed him towards the edge of the bed.
James chuckled before reaching out and grasping her ankles to pull her over to him which made her scream and laugh.
"Run me a bath for me James, with that lavender bath salt" said Narcissa softly as James dropped down on top of her.
"Anything else?" said James teasingly.
Narcissa squeezed his arms.
"And get in the bath with me" said Narcissa softly.
James smirked and gripped her wrists tightly before pulling her out of the bed and dragging her towards their private bathroom.