Embracing His True Self
Chapter 57
A week had gone by since Luna had come to the manor and Dumbledore had been put in Azkaban. They'd heard nothing yet, at least nothing Voldemort was sharing anyway. Harry suspected that he would tell him, especially given how dangerous Dumbledore was to both of them a free man. Wanted wizard or otherwise, it was pure luck they'd managed to get Dumbledore arrested the first time.
"Anything?" Harry asked, entering the dining room, only Voldemort was there, sitting at his chosen spot. They wouldn't be alone for long, those that had remained behind would soon join them. Most of them had previously been incarcerated in Azkaban. Free men only because the world was under the impression they had died upon the island. The reality was, the worst sort of Muggles had actually died there. Soon, they would be able to hold their heads up high and walk in the light of day without fear that a single stray curse could unveil them and put everyone in danger of being discovered. At least those with a miniscule of Black blood running through their veins.
"A Court date has been set, yes," Voldemort drawled in amusement, the boy had been asking him that every day since Dumbledore had been put in Azkaban. He understood the concern, it was rather…terrifying thing to behold that potion. Considering Dumbledore had planned on using it on Harry, he did understand the constant worry. Which was why he had banished the potion within the boy's sight. He couldn't allow distrust to begin breeding now, not after all the work that had gone into giving Harry the freedom to run his own life. Something Dumbledore had refused him.
"When?" Harry asked, his shoulders unconsciously relaxing, he'd be glad when the news got out and the world saw Dumbledore for what he truly was. There would be people less likely to help Dumbledore when they heard just what he was like under the influence of Veritaserum. He also knew when that happened, Dumbledore's death was going to be planed with retribution and swiftness that would stun the magical world. He'd successfully made sure Voldemort didn't make him a martyr, which wasn't something he wanted to see happen. It made his stomach churn at the mere thought of it, but what happened after…well Harry only hoped he got to see it in action.
"September the tenth," Voldemort revealed, his lips twitching at the unamused look on Harry's face. "You should be grateful, without our…input it would have been next year at least, six months' time."
Harry grunted, annoyance souring his face as he claimed his seat, scooping up breakfast foods as his stomach grumbled hungrily. "With such a small community, I'm surprised it takes so long, that's the sort of time you'd think Muggles take, and Muggle trials take weeks if not a month to come to a conclusion depending on the case."
"The same goes for Wizarding trials, as most people avoid memories and Veritaserum if they can help it, especially if they are guilty." Voldemort pointed out wryly, unsurprised Harry was less familiar with magical trials than Muggle ones. Dumbledore had kept the teen tightly tethered to Hogwarts or Privet Drive. Harry had been fine with going with the flow until he was old enough to get the hell out of there – if he managed to survive. This much he got from the memories he'd seen when he raked through Harry's memories when he first got dumped in the front cells here. His lack of knowledge on the laws had been his downfall, since he'd been legally an adult since his entrance to the Triwizard Tournament, which meant he could have ran the moment school ended. Thankfully though he had not, and thus a new era was about to be born.
"So Dumbledore will get away without having to use it," Harry scowled, gritting his teeth, his mind trying to figure out a way to see that it was used. As far as he knew the Lords and the council were the ones to aim for, if he could use the right incentive he could get them to demand its use. He said as such to Voldemort, who's eyes just gleamed with pride and glee, as he so often did actually.
"Lucius and a few others are already gathering blackmail material for the council of magic, to ensure that Veritaserum is pushed through." Voldemort replied, as always the boy was on par with him in ensuring their plans went through without a hitch.
"It will need to be good, isn't he really good friends with some of them?" Harry asked, Dumbledore might seem to have a lot of 'friends' from all walks of life, but they were strategically placed. He was smart, he hadn't lasted this long by being stupid. Harry would have admired his skill set if it wasn't being used on him, and had been used for years. "Well letting them believe he sought highly of them anyway."
"Indeed," Voldemort stated, and in that he and Dumbledore were quite alike, although he didn't fake kindness. What people saw is what they got, at least now anyway, back then he used to charm everyone to get what he wanted. One could even say he was just a con wizard back then. Dumbledore was still one now, it was almost as if this entire thing was one big con. Whatever Dumbledore wished to truly accomplish…well he wouldn't get that chance. Decades of work just crumbling down around his ears, Merlin, he must be absolutely furious, he knew he would be.
"They better get some good leverage," Harry murmured around his scrambled egg.
"The best," Voldemort declared, having complete confidence in his people to see it done, plus they had months to ensure they had the best of the very best. His trial wasn't for just over a month yet. It was already through the first week of August. They already had information on some of them anyway, giving the others a chance to dig up on the others to ensure mission orders were met. "Have you created enough of the potion yet?" he didn't need to elaborate for Harry to know what he was referring to.
"It's the last day, today," Harry told him, washing down his hash brown with some orange juice. "It will need a few hours to cool before it can be given out to those who want it." something he'd left up to Severus, since he was here full time now, he needed something to do and Potions was his things. Albeit, Severus wasn't known for his people skills, but informing everyone about the new potion wasn't quite the same as having an extended friendly conversation with them.
"Good! I can't wait to take it, I've been dying to go out and really investigate Muggle London," Barty said as he confidently strode into the room.
"You want to take Veritaserum to investigate Muggle London?" Harry fibbed, biting his tongue at the face Barty made at the pronouncement. Voldemort coughed a little, and Harry could have danced in sheer smugness. He loved getting a reaction out of Voldemort. It used to be anger, or annoyance really, those who anger Voldemort didn't have the tendency to live long. But getting him to nearly laugh? It was almost unheard of.
"Wait, what? What? Eh…What are you talking about?" Barty flushed bright red, utterly embarrassed by his embarrassment and the inelegant way he'd just spoken.
Harry sniggered which tipped Barty off to them lying, flicking his wand, he hit Harry with a smacking jinx, the jinx was like an invisible smack being delivered to the back of the head. In retaliation, Harry picked up one of the apples and with vicious accuracy pelted him with it. It didn't take long for Barty to squeak in both pain and surprise. Cupping his privates to stop any other retaliatory measures Harry might have up his sleeve.
"Such gaudy Muggle displays shouldn't be allowed," Barty grunted out as he made his way towards breakfast. Deciding against sitting right next to Harry right now, quite frankly, he wanted to keep his balls exactly where they were thank you very much.
"You're just annoyed I've got perfect aim," Harry retorted, but there was no heat behind it. "Don't forget Hermione likes her Muggle displays now and again, isn't that right Draco?" he raised his voice then, and only then did Draco stride in as if it's all he had been doing, and not eavesdropping.
"Why what did she do?" Barty asked, ignoring the fact Harry had figured out why he wanted to go to Muggle London and focused more on what the likes of a young Granger could have done against a pureblood wizard like Draco. Yes, she was brilliant now, but she couldn't have been back when she…they were younger.
Harry froze, as a memory came into clear focus, Barty had been going on about the Cruciatus Curse…and it was only when Hermione had gotten involved did Barty back down, sort of. Oh, bloody hell, he'd liked her even then. Part of him wanted to gag, but the reality was…Rodolphus was the same with Luna. There was no way Barty had a chance with Hermione though…she was too loyal to the light, she'd never contemplate dating a dark wizard, even if his ideals had changed.
"Nothing," Draco stated curtly, glaring at Harry, daring him to reveal what really happened that day. He'd made sure it never got around Slytherin dorms. He was surprised Weasley hadn't revealed what happened, then again if he had, then Granger would have gotten into trouble, his one saving grace.
Harry barked out an incredulous laugh, "Yeah, you wish," he stated derisively, "Hermione called him a foul loathsome little cockroach and punched him in the face. You didn't even get your wand out did you? Too stunned at being hit by the little Muggle Born girl," his teasing wasn't kind here, it was mocking and sarcastic.
Voldemort suddenly found himself using all his self-control not to laugh, Draco looked exceedingly like his father at that moment. The indignant look on his face was reminiscent of the time Harry had also taunted Lucius about Dobby. Barty however, wasn't quite so restrictive and did indeed find merriment in Harry's mocking, laughing out right much to the boy's embarrassment. The boy he was convinced could rile up a saint and make him commit murder.
"She punched him?" Barty asked, almost asking for the memory to see for himself.
"Yeah, two and half years isn't long enough to let go of all those Muggle instincts to use ones fists instead of magic." Harry shrugged, clearly not caring at all.
"Did you ever do something like that?" Barty asked, his laughter gone but his curiosity definitely wasn't.
"Nah, its always been magic for me," Harry said, his emotions always got the better of him, and he usually did something quite accidentally. He paid for it too, and he would never have gotten away with raising his hand against Dudley growing up so he actually had self-restraint which Hermione evidently ran out of. He'd gotten the last laugh though and made sure they had feared magic with their dying breath. It was just very satisfying to make sure they knew true fear before they died. They deserved everything he'd done to them.
"You miss her," Barty observed, which surprised him. The cold cool greeting he'd given her when he'd met her for the first time – when he wasn't playing a professor – gave that away.
Draco snorted, muttering about 'Mudbloods' under his breath.
"That Mudblood you so deride Malfoy is a descendant of yours," Harry snarled, a parody of a feral grin on his face.
Draco gasped in shock, "You lie! Take that filthy lie back!" Draco hollered at Harry, standing up ready to fight after Harry besmirching his name.
"Draco Malfoy, that is enough!" Narcissa stared sharply, never once raising her voice, but Draco shot to attention as though she had. Her voice was deceptively mild but with just a sharp tang of sternness.
Damn, Harry thought, not even Lucius had such control over his son. It was quite obvious who wore the trousers so to speak in that family. His lips twitched as his green eyes gleamed taking in the situation Draco had found himself in.
"Looks like I need to have another talk with Lucius," Rodolphus muttered as he wandered in, he didn't come alone, he entered with Luna directly behind him with his brother at her back. Making it clear without saying a word that Luna Lovegood was under the protection of the Lestrange family.
It was as if his brother and Rodolphus were guarding her completely. He couldn't help but approve, even if he didn't really want to. Luna was like a sister to him, so he wanted to protect her and he knew it wouldn't be accepted not fully. Luna could look after herself, he had learned that the hard way. She was a Ravenclaw and she had proved it, she was nowhere near his level, not yet, but the duelling they'd been doing for two hours each day…she was improving past Hogwarts level – just – but they had time. Well, not really, who knew what the Death Eaters had the potential to do.
He couldn't delude himself into thinking he and the Lestranges could be with her every minute of the day.
"He's trying to imply that the Mudblood Granger is related to me!" Draco whined, well, a mild whine, he would have been ten times worse at Hogwarts.
Barty growled low in his throat, looking ready to kill Draco.
"I'm not implying anything, I'm outright stating it," Harry retorted, "You didn't tell them?" he asked Voldemort enjoying the spectacle he was creating.
"I'm surprised you haven't sprung it on him earlier," Voldemort said dryly, he should probably feel annoyed by the racket Harry was creating. Yet it happened so often now that he was impervious to it. Well, the racket maybe, but the amusement he got from it had definitely not faded.
"What's that supposed to mean?" Harry said in feigned innocence.
The Lestranges and Barty were unable to help themselves, they snorted, loudly. Not buying Harry's innocent portrayal for a second. Draco was still frothing at the mouth, and Narcissa stood next to her son, trying not to worry too much. Which was an impossible thing, she and her husband had spoken to Draco, cautioned him. Yet here he was not even a fortnight later causing more trouble.
"Is Granger related on the Malfoy of the Black family?" Narcissa asked, a hopeful tide rising within her. There was a girl actually related to the Malfoy family. A girl young enough in need of correction, with connections to a pureblood family…their family, it was more than she ever expected. She was the same age as his son, he had a few years before he was legally an adult, Granger was the same.
"Malfoy family," Harry said respectfully, wondering at the look on Narcissa's face.
"Do not approach her, Narcissa, she wasn't raised with our ways, she will rebel against anything you try," Barty warned, he knew Narcissa better than most. Barely paying attention as Luna and the Lestrange brothers took their seats.
"But she's family," Narcissa pointed out, lips pursed.
"Yeah, so is your sisters, niece and cousins, didn't stop you abandoning them did it?" Harry drawled out sardonically, "Stay away from Hermione." Thinly veiled warning in his tone. What was the woman thinking anyway? That Hermione could be easily manipulated? The girl was smarter than the entire Malfoy family combined, and that was easily admitted to, even if he had hated her. Which he didn't he sort of understood where she was coming from.
Narcissa flinched a little at the dig, causing Voldemort to raise an eyebrow, that was interesting. She didn't even so much as startle when he threatened her husband, yet here she was actually visibly showing some signs of the words getting to her at what Harry had said.
"Like anyone wants anything to do with the Mudblood," Draco muttered derisively, wincing as his mothers fingers dug into his shoulders.
Narcissa said nothing, as she pressed her son back into his seat, taking the one next to him. She would discuss this with her husband who might be able to convince the Dark Lord that it was a good thing. The thought of having a girl to dress up, teach and perhaps tutor in all ways was quite exciting and hopeful. She'd always wanted a daughter, although she had never let Hermione Granger she found herself wishing to. She wasn't sure how her husband would take it, but it was family and Lucius cared about family more than anything else. She suspected he would want the girl as well, she was a Malfoy after all even if she was somewhat distant relation. There weren't many Malfoy's never had been, there had been hope she might be able to give him more than one heir, the Blacks had no problem giving at least three kids. Unfortunately, it wasn't to be, it was hard enough getting Draco. They'd almost given up hope when she got pregnant.
"I heard you're tutoring Luna," Rodolphus questioned Harry, as after a few tense moments cutlery began to clatter as everyone began to eat breakfast.
"Yep," Harry replied barely glancing Rodolphus' way.
"I'm going to help," Rodolphus stated, not asking but stating.
Harry glanced up at him with a stink eye.
"Please?" he added startling Voldemort, Barty and Rabastian badly, they'd never heard a pureblood beg before in their lives. They didn't plead, well to anyone except their Lord, and if it was something worthy of their attention. And for that they're usually alone so nobody witnessed their humiliation – or rather what they saw as a humiliation – had Azkaban changed him that much or did he truly care for Luna enough to allow himself to be witnessed as weak?
Harry glanced over at Luna, raising an eyebrow in silent query, wondering if Luna wanted this.
Luna nodded eagerly as she ate, absolutely famished.
Harry shook his head in amusement, "Alright," he agreed, honestly, it had taken him months to relax here, especially with all the Death Eaters but Luna looked very at home right now. How unfair was that? She'd been here all of a week, and half of that week had been spent in his rooms, never venturing out. Mostly due to his paranoia until Luna got annoyed with him.
Breakfast went quite quickly after that, the sight of Luna and Rodolphus, heads together talking quietly was enough to make Harry almost gag in disgust at the display. Everyone pretended not to notice Luna handing him the calming draught with a stern look on her face.
Yeah, she was going to keep Rodolphus on his toes. Not that Rodolphus had minded, he'd seemed stunned over her watchfulness on him. With Luna, Rod would begin to understand true partnership, and realize just how toxic his life with Bellatrix had been. Although Harry wasn't sure how long of a married life Bellatrix and Rodolphus actually had before Azkaban.
Merlin, he was so glad Luna was here.
It felt good. Would she think the same when she learned everything he'd done since coming here? Or did she already know and not care? No, he wasn't going to worry about things like that. He was never going to be the 'golden boy' everyone once was deluded by, and if Luna liked Rodolphus despite all he'd done…well, all would be good.
"You ready to get going?" Harry asked Luna as they situated themselves in the duelling room, which he had booked for three hours. Yes, you could book the training room, although all requests had to be brought by Voldemort. He was the only one who could get everyone to stay away when ordered to do so. Not that it was required now with nearly everyone gone.
"Yep, what are we learning today?" Luna asked, very eager to learn. Harry was a great teacher, she'd learned more from him than she had in four years of Hogwarts education when it came to Defence Against the Dark Arts.
"Well, you were quite quick at learning the Patronus charm so we can move on to something else," Harry said, ignoring the three Lestranges in the room. The father was there today, his face impassive and his attention mostly on Luna, it was almost as if he was judging her. Trying to figure out if she was worthy of the Lestrange name.
A strangled noise drew Harry's attention, "Can she cast a full Patronus?" was the strangled reply.
Harry laughed, "Of course she can," he scoffed, "I don't start something I can't finish, you're acting like it's hard, I had it perfected when I was thirteen." he informed them imperiously. He'd managed to teach Luna who was only fourteen at the time to conjure one. Only a year older than he was, which showed her magical abilities perfectly if he didn't say so himself.
"A fully-fledged Patronus?" Rodolphus enquired his tone reverential.
"Show them," Harry encouraged her, wanting her to make a good impression on Lestrange Senior, who was obviously wanting to judge her on her abilities today.
A Thestral leaped from Luna's wand, fully fledged and flexing its wings as it roamed around. When it found no threat to its 'Mistress' who had conjured it, the winged creature relaxed and sailed through the room before Luna allowed it to fade.
The look on the Lestranges was amusing to say the least.
"Luna is the best and brightest of her year, if not for Hermione she'd probably be the brightest witch in Hogwarts," Harry explained smugly, "She didn't get sorted into Ravenclaw for nothing," he added as an afterthought.
After that their lesson began in earnest as Harry taught her spells that were bordering on 'dark' but not quite on the spectrum. She had to be taught the basics before he jumped her into the darker stuff. He'd need to make sure she didn't get addicted to the feeling of the dark arts even though he suspected that Luna would surprise him.
"She's good, for her age anyway," Rodolphus was informed by his father, without even a hint of condensation in his voice.
"Anyone smart enough to gain Harry's attention would have to be," Rodolphus stated, watching Harry and Luna 'mock' duel. "What are you doing here?" he growled, causing both Lestranges – father and son – to look at him as if he was insane. One glance at the doorway revealed the cause of Rodolphus agitation. Quite rightfully so, considering it was Bellatrix.
"Better question is why are you here?" Bellatrix asked suspiciously, glaring at her ex-husband, which she didn't consider her 'ex-husband' just because they'd been forced apart. She didn't love him, but she had been a Lestrange for so long that she didn't like being shoved aside. It didn't help that the Dark Lord had been giving what she saw was pathetic missions even the most newbie could accomplish without fail. It was almost like the Dark Lord wanted her away from here, and she did not like that thought at all. With those thoughts in mind, she had returned and immediately begun snooping.
"Why, the same reason you are," Lestrange senior insisted, ignoring the look of pure panic Rodolphus had aimed his way, hidden from Bellatrix's sight. "Idle curiosity, and I'm not sure if you've heard or not, but Potter is of Lestrange blood," and it was as true to the truth without being the actual truth. He had been in a constant state of curiosity over Harry Potter, especially after finding out he was a Lestrange. Even if somewhat distantly.
"She going to be a problem?" Harry whispered to Luna, unwittingly looking quite…intimate as he watched Bellatrix over her shoulder.
"Depends on your definition," Luna replied, hair looking like the ying to Harry's yang.
"Luna," Harry quietly reprimanded, Bellatrix could be a danger to anyone, heck they didn't even need to bother her. She was clinically insane, had been since she was a kid he'd bet.
"She will be for a moment," Luna sighed, giving into Harry's demands, "But in the long run…it's exactly what's needed."
"Yes, but for who?" Harry asked suspiciously, not of Luna itself but the conversation. He suspected Luna was being deliberately obtuse with him.
"Wouldn't that be telling?" Luna teased him, lips pulled up in a smug smirk.
Harry grunted, "Very well," he sighed, knowing he wasn't going to get anything else from Luna right now. Which was ironic, he hadn't known she had the ability to see things as they come. Yet, he knew her well enough to know that when she got even more vaguer there would be nothing forthcoming.
Rodolphus growled under his breath, clenching his fists at the sight of Harry and Luna so close together, whispering intimately. Glaring heatedly, unable to help himself, even if he knew better, that those two were more like brother and sister. Harry Potter wasn't his competition, but the caveman inside of him didn't get that memo, as he continued to metaphorically pound on his chest with grunts.
"Ease up, brother," Rabastan grunted out in annoyance.
Rodolphus was easily brought out of his thoughts by his brother, whom he was very close to. Stunned to realize just exactly what he'd been doing. He'd never been possessive of anything other than his name and perhaps the family fortune. He'd married Bellatrix but the reality was, he honestly didn't care what she got up to. Not even when she tried to get the Dark Lord's attention constantly. So this feeling was entirely foreign and new to him, so much so that he honestly wasn't prepared for it…and partly didn't know what the hell to think about it. Inhaling sharply, grateful for his brothers interference.
Rabastian Lestrange was surprised by the fact Harry remained silent on that front, perhaps he wasn't too embarrassed to have Lestrange blood running through his veins as he first thought. Not that it mattered, he doubted very much that Harry would desire to take on the Lestrange name. He was already having to sort through two estates as it was, with the goblins help no doubt, but still, it was an awful lot of work. He couldn't imagine having to tiresomely work through two sets of books and keep the estates up and running. "Perhaps we should give Ms. Lovegood some decent training now?" the eldest Lestrange added, unwittingly insulting Harry's training.
"I will not just throw her in the deep end," Harry retorted swiftly, green eyes flashing angrily, "As important as it is to ensure she can protect herself, to just begin teaching her the Dark Arts is at the height of idiocy!"
"He does raise a good point, Father," Rodolphus stated, somewhat reluctantly. He wanted nothing more than to train Luna swiftly. So she could defend herself at least partly from everyone that might mean her harm.
"May I also add that the light arts are just as dangerous as the dark arts," Luna added lightly, "And the counter-spells are not addictive." She threw there way.
Harry laughed, "Of course, why didn't I think of that?" shaking his head.
Bellatrix however, scoffed at the pretence that the light arts were anywhere near dangerous.
"You don't believe the light arts can be just as dangerous?" Luna questioned Bellatrix, staring at her unafraid.
"Going to kill someone with an alohomora little girl?" Bellatrix cackled at the question, almost cooing at her the way she had with Harry with condescension written across her face.
"An Alohomora? No, but if I kept a tickling charm applied for long enough I could asphyxiate you," Luna pointed out, with her sunny personality still showing through. "Levitated you high enough or onto something pointed…well that would kill you too. The right moment to wait then use a tripping jinx would be a sight to see, might not kill you but it would paralyse you, effectively making you useless."
"Damn," Rabastan murmured impressed despite himself.
Rodolphus meanwhile was staring at Luna starry eyed, grateful for his cloak hiding a rather pressing problem that was…normal as of late when he was around her. How could she talk about death with such a sweet look on her face? It gave him Goosebumps and reminded him vividly of a succubus. She was magnificent, she truly was and he'd never wanted anyone more than he wanted her at this very moment.
"I could go on really…there are so many spells that could be misused, even a simple cutting charm pressed in the right location can have you bleeding out within moments before help could arrive." Luna said sweetly, smiling at the enraged look on her face. Bellatrix had been subtly warned, and she knew it, it was her only chance of coming out of this entirely unscathed. Plus, she was needed for a little while long…just to ensure that happening happened.
After that, well she wouldn't be a problem anymore.
Rabastian rose a grey eyebrow, rethinking his stance on the youngster, she might be young but she certainly seemed to have the same sort of bloodthirstiness that his family was renowned for. Not that he would have complained or forbidden it, he had already ruined his sons life and refused to do so again. He couldn't lest he end up with the Lestrange name finished once and for all.
Harry sighed, "All magic is just that magic, it's society that's deemed them dark or light, it's quite pathetic really," Harry said loud enough to snap all their attention. "Rodolphus, go ahead and teach her a few spells, nothing drastic," he warned, he definitely didn't want Luna to suffer through an addiction to the 'darker arts' which was, yes, very addictive. "I only have another thirty minutes before I meet up with Severus." By then the potion should be cool enough and he'd get to see the potion he'd created himself, albeit with some minor help from Severus in action.
"Oh?" Luna asked, turning her attention back onto Harry, effectively dismissing Bellatrix and 'not dangerous' which Bellatrix saw as a personal affront.
"Yeah, you can come if you like, Barty, Rod and Rab will all be there," Harry explained to her, not seeing the look of surprise on their faces, it wasn't very often nicknames were used. Pureblood's had been brought up 'respectively' anything remotely 'normal' was seen as plebeian. For the lower class so to speak. Only really close friends and family ever gave nicknames to one another. Barty and their father were the only ones to use Rodolphus and Rabastan's nicknames, although Rabastan's was 'Bastian' by their father not Rab. Their father only did it when he was feeling particularly nostalgic, Barty only did it sometimes now.
"What kind of potion?" Luna asked, wondering why that particular trio would be there for it…something to do with Azkaban? She knew he had created a potion to help them, but hadn't' they already received that? It was rather annoying not knowing everything, especially since she was getting more and more information these days from her visions. Which excited her very much, she'd never expected them to get so clear, so vivid. She almost felt like fate, manipulating happenstances around her to get to her goal. Although, saving Harry had been the first time she'd directly interfered.
"You'll see, come on we only have twenty-five minutes now," Harry gestured for Rodolphus to come forth, stepping aside, curious to see what Rodolphus would teach her.
Unfortunately, he didn't really get a chance to watch them, instead the breathless mutter of 'My Lord' caught his attention. He was slightly surprised to see Voldemort down here, not only did he know they were here, oh, that explained it. He was curious about Luna, about her abilities, and he wasn't subtle about it. Yet, it wasn't as if he could talk to her here while duelling so yes, still a surprise.
From the corner of his eyes he watched Voldemort and Bellatrix interact, and he felt pure unadulterated fury course through his veins. Keeping his face impassive all the while, his face impassive all the while, easy to do, due to the fact he'd had to do it so often with Dumbledore. He hadn't had to do it in such a long time though, not since he'd gained his freedom from Dumbledore and the expectations they tried to force upon his shoulders.
The extent of his feelings surprised him, and he spent the next twenty minutes trying to decipher just why the hell seeing Bellatrix all over Voldemort pissed him off.
The conclusion absolutely terrified him.
Sure he'd had dreams but he was a guy, for Merlin's sake it happened to everyone…but this had gone from attraction to pure bloody insanity. He'd liked him from the get go, for enabling him to get free, telling him everything Dumbledore kept from him and his looks…well he wasn't bad to look at, but he'd never expected this.
'Fuck me' he thought, 'I'm fucking crushing on Voldemort'
But even as he thought that, he knew, deep down, that it was more than just a mere crush.
"Hey, we ready?" Harry asked Severus as he stepped into the potions lab, as always there were a few other potions brewing. Even the one brought in by Dumbledore was shelved on its own, with a few warning labels. Severus was actually enjoying himself, despite the fact the potion was dangerous. Not to their health, well, yes, their health at the end of the day. Harry heavily suspected what that potion would do, as did Severus it was just not mentioned. Considering the other potion that had been banished…neither one were overly shocked at this particular one. It was obviously an altered love potion, and knowing Dumbledore…they suspected a normal antidote would do sweet fuck all in reversing the damage.
"Will you tell me what it is now?" Luna asked, quite impatiently.
"You'll see," Harry said distractedly, as he had been since his earlier 'revelation'.
"We are," Severus replied, already moving to gather three of the potions still sitting cooling at the corner. Placing them on the table in front of Barty, Rabastan and Rodolphus, all of whom had Black blood running through their veins.
"You're sure this will work?" Barty asked cautiously, "It's more than six generations removed for me," he wanted the full effects not a cheap rendition. He didn't even bother insinuating that it wouldn't work full stop. Not only was this potion brewed by the Youngest Potions Master in the world…the creator could have very well have become his successor as Youngest Potions Master in the world. Harry was…he was downright amazing, a genius really, when it came to spells and potions. He certainly left him in the mud when they got talking, and he was smart himself.
"It will," Severus declared, "Any speck of Black blood is enough to activate it,"
"It worked on Esmerelda?" Harry asked, surprise evident in his tone.
"Of course it did," Severus replied, barely refraining from rolling his eyes, "You knew it would." But he understood having concerns about potions, and worries that it might not have the higher standards you'd wish to set. He and Harry hadn't half had a rocky relationship with that potion, but they'd got there in the end. Although, he did ponder on the prospect of Harry having given up at the first hurdle. He certainly had before, but he had been younger without the resources he could bring to bear now.
"I hoped it would," Harry corrected him, "It just seemed unlikely to work that far back, especially fully, diluted blood doesn't work as well as the full score,"
"Evidently not," Severus drawled, gesturing towards the potion as if to say, 'that there is all the proof you need' no, without them Harry would have eventually gone back to it. Judging by all the potions and spells he had created he wasn't one to give up, not completely anyway.
"I'm glad," Harry revealed sincerely, he was really glad that they had worked out all its kinks and made freely available for those who need it.
"Me first," Barty stated, grasping one of the vials he uncorked it and swallowed it in one go.
The Lestranges watched closely, but absolutely nothing happened.
"Well, that was strangely anticlimactic," Lestrange senior stated, lips pursed, wondering if it just hadn't worked.
"What did you expect? Barty to start bubbling in the face before clutching over in agony as he changed shape? It's not Polyjuice potion you know." Harry said wryly, smirking at the elder Lestrange who probably presumed the potion hadn't worked.
"From the information I've gathered, it's easiest to change the colour of your hair, why not try something simple to kick-start it?" Severus suggested, unperturbed by everyone's reactions. Mostly because it too was his reaction, at first, but the more they dug they learned and expanded their knowledge on this particular potion.
"You've written everything down?" Luna queried, seeing the stacks of parchment beside Professor Snape.
"Of course," Severus said dryly, "That's the point of fact gathering while experimenting with the draught,"
Rodolphus gnashed his teeth at Severus, warning him from mocking Luna. She'd suffered enough in school without adults doing the same thing to her. Severus was startled by his…feral actions but not overly surprised. Anyone with eyes could see how this would turn out.
"May I see it?" Luna asked, truly curious to see what Harry had created fully. She preferred knowledge over visible evidence so to speak.
Severus waved her forward, letting her see for herself.
Barty's hair meanwhile turned bright neon green, this was where Bellatrix made herself known.
"Where is mine?" Bellatrix demanded, wanting the potion, for no other reason than the others had them. She stood in the doorway, so both Rodolphus and Rabastan were quick to uncork their own vials and drank the contents. Knowing from personal experience, that she would just take what she believed belonged to her – which was anything not nailed down – even something she had already of her own. Case and point to Rodolphus' calming draughts. Which had led to a longer recovery period to which Rodolphus was extremely angry about.
"I'm afraid that there is no more of the potion available, yet," Severus explained, it was much too complicated to brew two or three batches at a time. Very time consuming and required a strict watching and timeline, not enough time to prance from cauldron to cauldron.
Bellatrix's face contorted into rage and anger, becoming increasingly redder.
"But it will be brewed again," Rodolphus explained calmly, trying to stop the inevitable explosion. Nine times out of ten this was his life, trying to talk Bellatrix off the edge. "It only takes a few days,"
Luna ceased reading, watching the scene in front of her with quiet contemplation. Severus, the three Lestranges and Barty were all tense, ready for a confrontation. Hands very close to their wands, but not quite touching. They were either scared or wary of Bellatrix and her…tantrums. She knew how bad the outbursts could be, she'd seen one in a vision and it wasn't pretty. She could see how the woman had managed to lose her cool and turn Neville's parents into a drooling mess, the question remained…was Barty and the Lestranges anywhere near as guilty of the incident like they'd been led to believe? What if it had been Bellatrix that actually broke the Longbottom's minds by her own actions with the three trying to talk her down? Only Voldemort could manage to curtail her completely.
"That it does," Severus replied, his black eyes narrowed slightly, regarding Bellatrix with suspicion, he grudgingly added, "I'll set aside the first dose for you," Harry was carelessly standing with his back to the insane woman, his wand not even out, honestly he could quite frankly kill the idiot for his actions. Bellatrix was dangerous when she went into one of her moods, but if Harry hadn't been here, he wouldn't have pandered to her whims. He loathed when the Lestranges did that, it just pandered to her, made her worse, she was like a spoiled brat.
Harry just gave him a bland look in return, giving away how he felt about Bellatrix having the potion without words.
"Fine," she huffed, before turning on her feet and stomping out, exactly like a child having a temper tantrum.
"Do you do that often?" Luna questioned them, her blue eyes filled with blatant disbelief.
Rodolphus relaxed fully when Severus nodded that she'd left the vicinity. "Quite often," he revealed tiredly, "Too often," the good mood as always destroyed by just her mere appearance. It was better than enduring her endless fits to be frank, which were even more exhausting.
"This is awesome," Barty said, having conjured a mirror and begun to change his features, copying the glamour charm he often erected while following Harry around Muggle London. Now he could finally meet Hermione without fear of discovery. Hermione was able to do magic, with any hints of suspicion she would have used it, that much he knew. She was too smart, so Barty would rather be cautious than getting caught out.
"Same still stands, Barty, anything happens to her, I won't be responsible for my actions," Harry said pointedly.
"What are you talking about?" Barty blurted out in surprise.
Harry just gave him that look, his lips twisting into a smirk, he wasn't stupid, he knew what Barty was planning. He also knew that he and Hermione had kept in touch, he recognized her bloody writing for Merlin's sake. Sure, he hid the letters but his name was emblazoned on the front.
Barty deflated, "I'm not going to do anything," he said defensively, quite angry that Harry would think he'd go into all this trouble to hurt her.
"Never said you would," Harry said quietly, "Just keep her safe," if the Death Eaters found out Barty was spending time with her they might take action to 'save Barty from himself' or something just as stupid. The light might find out and have her imprisoned in Azkaban or worse kill her just because.
The Lestranges, Luna and Severus all stared between the two in curiosity, wondering what they were talking about. After a few moments and it became apparent neither would elaborate on the subject, Rabastan followed Barty and begun to change his appearance. Elation coursing through him, his life would be his own again. It was more than he could have ever hoped for.
Luna sidled closer to Rodolphus, "How often does she do that?" Luna was very curious, and not afraid to ask Rodolphus anything. They'd been talking all week, often with Harry in the room, Rodolphus wanted to keep it 'proper' so to speak.
Rodolphus glanced at Luna, mesmerised by her blue eyes, "It depends," he confessed, cautious as to why she was asking. Was she regretting spending time with him? Looking for a reason not to? Was she worried about her own wellbeing and was trying to decide if it was worth spending time with him over the danger that Bellatrix represented? Despite the worries that she might, Rodolphus was completely honest with her. "She has her good and bad days,"
"So she's always been that way?" Luna whispered quietly, an intense look on her face.
"I believe so, we were…unaware of her condition when my father agreed to the contract to bind the Black and Lestrange families together again." Rodolphus explained. "She grew steadily worse as she aged, Azkaban has…ceased all her attempts at hiding it."
"How much to do with the Longbottom situation did you have?" Luna then asked, her tone barely above a murmur.
Rodolphus inhaled sharply, he knew of Luna and Harry's friendship with the youngest Longbottom. Barty had informed him of his time at Hogwarts as 'Professor Moody' although mostly just to brag that he had duped Dumbledore himself. After all Dumbledore was meant to be very close to Moody and he had successfully portrayed himself. Perhaps his earlier thoughts had been correct. He would miss talking to her, she didn't treat him like an escaped convict, or as if he would break, they talked about everything and anything and he loved it.
He, Rodolphus Lestrange, loved spending time with Luna Lovegood.
Thank Merlin nobody could read his thoughts, he would have been mocked to hell and back.
"We aren't innocent in it all," Rodolphus stated, his voice colder than he would have liked, but Luna didn't so much as flinch. "We took part, we cast those spells, yes we tried to get her to ease up, but only so we could question them… but ultimately we could have stopped her but we didn't." This was it then, no doubt she'd avoid him. It shredded him to bits just thinking on it.
Go figure I'd have no problem getting Luna/Rod together with easier time than the main pairing . that has only happened once! Once! Walking Dead Wizard I believe. Ugh, anyway I'm sorry for the slower updates, I'm only getting on for an hour or so at a time (I got a puppy! Husky I named Luna) but in a few months I should be able to get back to my normal routine! After she's house trained :P Hmm, so will I skip to Dumbledore's trial or will we have Bellatrix and Draco dealt with before the trial? Hmm...anything to pass the time so I am more comfortable with the story...will Luna's father accept Rodolphus' contract on his daughter? or will it take Luna to convince him? Xeno really isn't a light wizard...he was more of a Harry believer I think or let his daughter have her way...they didn't fight so I wouldn't say he was pro light making it a little easier...I suppose you'd like to see some Hermione/Barty scenes along with Harry/Voldemort ones...only problem really he needs no training and Voldemort's busy taking over magical Britain… how do I get them to spend time together? Food I'll need for thought later :P in order to think of some way to get them together ;) hmm its potentially still sunny in the UK in this story maybe a half naked Harry seen going on a run or something ;) Read and Review please