Magical Miracle
by Teddylonglong

Please refer to chapter 1 for my disclaimer and warnings. Thank you.


From September 1969 onwards, Bella and Arthur became the Defence professors and heads of Gryffindor and Slytherin. They had decided and convinced the headmaster to use a completely different classroom and also rename the class to simply "Defence" instead of Defence Against the Dark Arts, so as to perhaps break the curse that was on the position, even if they intended to take turns teaching on a yearly basis.

While Arthur taught the first year, Bella attended training with the Unspeakables on a daily basis. Only after the end of the last afternoon class, she returned to Hogwarts and saw to her head of house duties.

Bella was grateful that Professor Slughorn did not mind her being the head of Slytherin, as he had enough work as the Potions Master and Potions professor. Professor McGonagall was equally busy teaching Transfiguration while being the deputy headmistress. Every evening after dinner, Bella took over the head of house duties for the Gryffindors in addition to her Slytherins, when Arthur returned home to his wife.

To her relief, Arthur had introduced her to the Gryffindors, where Andromeda was a sixth-year prefect, and the students immediately accepted that she and Arthur shared the head of house position.

'It might be more difficult with the Slytherins,' Bella thought, knowing that after her looming wedding during the Christmas holidays, she would have to spend the weekends at Lestrange Manor.

'Thank Merlin Rodolphus accepted that I'll only be there during the weekends,' she thought, knowing that her soon-to-be husband was not overly pleased at the idea. 'At least as long as we don't have an heir,' she repeated his words in her head, resolving to take all precautions that she would never become pregnant. 'At least not from him,' she thought, inwardly smiling at the idea of possibly having a baby with Arthur – as far-fetched as her wish was.

HP

The first year as professors at Hogwarts passed uneventfully, and soon, Bella saw herself in the position to teach Defence. She felt extremely proud, when Andromeda became the head girl together with Edward or Ted as his friends called him, who had been Drommie's best friend from their first year onwards.

"I wished we could simply share the Defence position, so that I could teach the first four years and you the three advanced classes," Arthur said to her during the last staff meeting before the welcoming feast. "You're much better than me."

"We could always practise together," Bella suggested, smiling.

"You could try dividing the position among yourselves," Flitwick suggested. "Arthur, you did not have to resign from the position or anything at the end of the school year now, did you?"

"No," Arthur confirmed.

"Perhaps the curse is already broken, considering that you changed the name of the class, the classroom, the office and are sharing the position," Dumbledore spoke up in a firm voice. "Why don't you try it out? I will see to it that you'll be able to continue teaching."

'Is that all right with you?' Arthur thought to Bella, who immediately agreed.

"That's a good idea," she replied aloud. "It would give us both more time for the head of house positions, and I believe that just at this time, the Slytherins need me more than ever.

"Be careful dear," the headmaster said to her in a small voice, causing Bella to nod in determination.

"I know. I have to keep up appearances," she said, sighing. "Still, I will try to prevent students from taking his Dark Mark."

"I appreciate the effort," Dumbledore replied, warmly.

HP

In November, Arthur's and Molly's son, Bill, was born, and Arthur proceeded to spend more time at his home – until the Christmas holidays, when to Bella's enormous annoyance, her wedding with Rodolphus took place.

Bella did as was expected from her, however, lacked the smile that a bride usually showed for her family and friends. Even when Rodolphus kissed her after exchanging the rings, her expression remained emotionless. The fact that the Dark Lord was among the wedding guests did not help to improve her mood, before a sudden thought crossed her mind and she resolved to speak with her grandfather about her idea at the next opportunity.

She endured her wedding night, feeling consoled by Arthur's thoughts of understanding coming through their friendship rings and the knowledge that she would be able to return to Hogwarts first thing in the morning.

HP

At the next opportunity, she spoke with Ra in the room of Team 5.

"Do you perhaps know a spell or charm, which I could repetitively cast at the Dark Lord to weaken his magic or such?" she enquired.

"I shall check the Black library," her grandfather promised. "I believe that it's a brilliant idea in any case. I'll get back to you, when – or rather if – I have a solution."

HP

It was a few months later that Andromeda visited Bella in her office after curfew.

"Drommie," Bella blurted out in surprise. "What are you doing here? Did something happen?"

"Not really," Andromeda admitted, letting out a long sigh. "During the Hogsmeade visit on Saturday, Ted asked me to become his wife," she then blurted out, tears welling in her eyes.

"Oh Drommie," Bella said, feeling extremely happy for her younger sister, who had admitted to her having feelings for her classmate years ago. "Congratulations," she added, smiling. "How wonderful."

Andromeda let out a scoff. "Wonderful? Do you know what Mum and Dad are going to do to me?"

"Nothing," Bella replied, calmly.

"Nothing?" Andromeda repeated, wide-eyed. "You know as well as I do that they're going to kick me out of the family."

"They won't," Bella stated, smirking.

"Bella," Andromeda replied in clear annoyance. "Are you drunk or what? You know how they are."

"I know," Bella replied, "but is any of them head of the family?"

Andromeda stared at her, wide-eyed. "No," she then admitted. "Grandfather Arcturus is the head of House Black, but does that make any difference?"

"Oh yes," Bella reassured her.

'Granddad,' she contacted her grandfather through telepathy, which had been one of the first things that the Unspeakables had taught her. 'Drommie wants to marry a muggleborn. He's brilliant and head boy this year. Will she have your permission against Mum and Dad?'

The response came immediately. 'If you approve of the relationship, I shall agree.'

"Bellatrix?" Andromeda asked, seemingly angry due to Bella's absentmindedness.

"Sorry," Bella apologized. "I just contacted Granddad through telepathy, and he told me that if I approved of your relationship, you'll have his permission against Mum and Dad. Congratulations Drommie."

"I can't believe it," Andromeda replied in apparent excitement. "Is that really true?"

"Yes," Bella confirmed. "By the way, what are you going to do after your NEWTs?"

Andromeda smiled. "Ted wants to study Law at a muggle university, and I've thought about doing the same, but on the other hand, Professor McGonagall asked if I wanted to become the professor for History of Magic, and I feel inclined to accept. Ted said that he wouldn't mind sharing quarters at Hogwarts, as he could simply puff himself to the university and back. Thank Merlin he became a Miniature Obsidian Magic Dragon just like you and me."

Bella cast her favourite sister a genuine smile. "I'd be extremely happy to have both of you at Hogwarts," she confirmed. "The students will also be very happy to be rid of that stupid ghost. Perhaps we could even convince the headmaster to arrange Magical Law as a new elective subject in a few years' time," she added as an afterthought.

HP

As could be expected, their parents threatened to kick Andromeda out of the family, when she informed them about her intentions on the first Sunday of the summer holidays, when Grandfather Arcturus visited them for dinner. Even Bella was present, however, without her husband, as Rodolphus' presence was required for a family outing of some distant relatives of the Lestrange family.

Cygnus and Druella even undertook a huge fight with Grandfather Arcturus, who as the head of House Black refused to kick his granddaughter out of the family.

"She is a brilliant witch, she received best marks in her NEWTs, she was head girl at Hogwarts, is going to be a professor at Hogwarts soon and wants to marry the head boy, who according to Bellatrix had best marks just like herself. Why would I kick her out of the family? Because her soon-to-be husband is muggleborn? I'm sorry, children, but no, and that's my last word in this matter," he said in a firm voice, causing Andromeda to step around the table and pull her grandfather into a bear's hug.

"Thank you, Grandfather, you're the best," she replied, smiling happily.

"He will not set a foot into our house," her mother roared.

"That's fine, Mum," Bella replied instead of her sister, "as Drommie is going to move to Hogwarts tomorrow."

"You're disgusting," Narcissa commented. "Mum and Dad are right. You should marry a pureblood wizard just like Bellatrix."

Andromeda scoffed. "And be unhappy just like Bellatrix, who takes all precautions to not get impregnated by the monster who is her husband, an arse licker of the Dark Lord and an imbecile?"

"Andromeda, that's enough," her father scolded her lightly.

"She is right though," Bella spoke up.

"Exactly," Arcturus agreed, causing Cygnus and Druella to stare at the old wizard in apparent shock. "However. Andromeda, I have one request, by the way. Please keep the Black name. Do as you wish, such as using a double name, but please keep the Black name. It is sad enough that Bellatrix is a Lestrange now."

'True,' Bella thought, nodding sadly.

"All right," Andromeda agreed. "His name is Tonks, so I will be Andromeda Black-Tonks."

"Very well, Miss Black-Tonks and Mrs. Lestrange," Arcturus addressed his favourite granddaughters, "my grandson Sirius is going to be a first-year at Hogwarts this autumn. Please be so kind and keep an eye on him. Apparently, he doesn't get along well with his parents, but I believe that he's a good boy."

Druella let out a scoff. "Sirius? That scum a good boy?" she replied, rolling her eyes in apparent annoyance.

"Oh well, Granddad, we'll look after him," Bella promised, smirking. She had always liked Sirius, as he was friendly, not bigoted and funny.

Little did she know that it was going to be a tough task to look after her mischievous cousin.

HP

To Bella's amazement, Sirius was sorted into Gryffindor, where he quickly seemed to become friends with James Potter.

It was on the second day of classes that Sirius received a Howler from his mother.

"How dare you let yourself be sorted into Gryffindor? You're a disgrace for the family…"

Bella tuned the rest of the Howler out. 'Aunt Walburga,' she thought in disgust. 'She's even worse than our parents. Oh well, I don't know what would have happened if one of us had been sorted into Gryffindor.' Later the same day, after Arthur had returned home in the evening, she called Sirius into her office.

"Sirius," she addressed her cousin in a soft voice. "How are you fairing?"

Her younger cousin's expression hardened. "If you've called me here to step into my mother's footsteps…"

Bella let out a scoff. "Definitely not," she replied in disgust. "Please believe me that in spite of being a Slytherin and married to a Death Eater I am not as bigoted as your and my parents. My best friend is a Gryffindor, and Andromeda's boyfriend was in Gryffindor, too. I simply want you to know that I'm on your side and that I will support you if you ever face problems because of your parents' attitude."

"Thanks," Sirius replied in apparent surprise.

"So how is Hogwarts so far?" Bella enquired, casting her cousin a genuine smile.

"It's all right," Sirius replied, grinning. "I've already become friends with James Potter, and there are some others, who are really nice. It's relaxing to be in Gryffindor, far from all that pureblood shite."

Bella smiled. "I so understand," she agreed, deciding to forego scolding him for the bad word. "Oh well, I won't keep you longer, but if there's anything I can help you with, feel free to come to me at any time. Or to Andromeda. She will help you as well. As the wife of Rodolphus Lestrange and the Head of Slytherin, I'll have to keep up some appearances, but feel free to speak with me in private."

"Thanks," Sirius replied, grinning. "I appreciate it."

HP

Bella kept a close eye on Sirius and the other Gryffindor first-years. There was one student, who caught her attention. It was not because he was a werewolf, like the headmaster had informed Minerva, Arthur and her. He was a nice and diligent boy; however, he seemed to be unhappy. 'Perhaps, he's worried that his classmates will find out about his problem and despise him,' she thought, wondering how she could help the boy.

On the day of the October full moon, she used her free period during the second morning class to visit the boy in a small room behind the hospital wing, where he was resting after the nightly transformation.

"Hello Remus," she addressed him in a soft voice, "how are you fairing?"

"I'm fine," he replied, sounding uncertain.

Bella let out a small scoff. "I've known Madam Pomfrey for a decade," she replied, smirking, "and she wouldn't keep you here if you were fine. Now, I know about your little problem, so you don't have to hold back in front of me," she continued in a soft voice.

"And?" the boy asked, seemingly timid.

"And?" Bella repeated, giving him a surprised look. "I was just wondering how you were doing? After the full moon is one thing, here at Hogwarts in general is another question."

"I like Hogwarts very much," Remus replied in a soft voice.

Seeing that he seemed to be hesitating, she asked, "But?"

"But I'm afraid that the others will notice what's wrong with me," Remus blurted out. "They won't want to be friends with me if they know. They'll be afraid, and their parents will demand that the headmaster kicks me out of Hogwarts."

"Nonsense," Bella replied in a firm voice. "I know of two boys in your year, who have problems at home. One of them comes from a pureblood bigoted family like myself, while the other has a muggle father who dislikes him because of being magical. Ever since I have come to Hogwarts nine years ago, I've found out that students or even professors who have their own difficulties are much more able and willing to understand others' problems."

Seeing that Remus was hanging on her lips, she continued, "Both of them are in dire need of friends, too. Oh well, one of them is fairly able to play down his problems, the other isn't. If you wish, I can pair you with one of them for a while and then with the other, so that you can get to know them a little and might be able to speak to each other."

"Excuse me, Professor, but who are they?" Remus enquired with apparent interest.

"Sirius Black from Gryffindor and Severus Snape from Slytherin," Bella informed him, causing Remus' previous excitement to vanish from his expression.

"I won't have a chance with Sirius," he informed her. "He's already friends with James Potter, and most of the girls are looking after him. Severus is always grumpy…" He slowly trailed off.

"Is that so?" Bella asked, more to herself than to the student. "Very well then, I shall speak with them, separately, about your problem without telling them your name and ask if they wish to get to know you, and if they agree, it's fine. Otherwise, I'll obliviate them."

Remus stared at her, wide-eyed. "You'll obliviate them? Is that even possible to obliviate them just about me?"

Bella smiled. "Will you keep a secret for me if I tell you one?"

Remus nodded. "I promise," he replied in a firm voice.

"I am an Unspeakable," Bella informed him, "so yes, I am able to do this."

HP

At lunchtime, she strode by the Gryffindor table and said to Sirius, "Mr. Black, please come to my office after the last afternoon class."

"Yes Professor," Sirius replied, looking horrified.

"What did you do now?" James Potter blurted out, smirking.

"Did you play a prank on someone?" Peter Pettigrew questioned him, causing Bella to roll her eyes in annoyance, as she left the Great Hall to head to her classroom.

HP

After the last afternoon class, it took a while, but finally, Sirius appeared in the doorframe to her office.

"Please come in and close the door," Bella instructed him, before she cast a series of privacy charms at the door.

"It wasn't me," Sirius blurted out.

"What wasn't you?" Bella enquired with interest.

"The duplicating prank?" Sirius replied, questioningly, causing Bella to blurt out laughing.

"What duplicating prank?" she enquired. "Please tell me, although I can assure you that I didn't call you here to scold you about anything."

"Oh thank Merlin," Sirius replied and informed her that two fifth-year Gryffindors had placed a chocolate frog into the headmaster's office and cast a duplicating charm at it during lunchtime.

"Ah, too bad that we can't witness what happened," Bella replied, chuckling, before her expression sobered and she told her cousin about Remus' problem without mentioning the boy's name.

"Professor," Sirius replied upon hearing the story.

"In private, you may still call me Bellatrix," Bella interrupted him, before she mentioned him to go on.

"I understand what it means to have a problem and not wanting others to find out about it," he said, pensively. "I don't want anyone to find out about how horrible my parents are. Oh well, I received that Howler, but I still hope they won't know," he added as an afterthought. "Can I talk to him? Would it help him?"

"I believe it would," Bella replied, warmly. "Thanks Sirius, I knew I could rely on you. In fact, it's Remus. I believe that you are acquainted with him."

"Remus?" Sirius asked, his eyes widening in shock. "All right, I will talk to him and ask him if there is anything I can do to help him."

"I have an idea," Bella said, pensively.

"Tell me and I'll do it," Sirius replied in apparent determination.

tbc ?

Thanks to the few kind readers for reviewing the previous chapter. Please share your thoughts about this story with me.