I'm so sorry! I know I defaulted on my promise to update. Owing to certain problems I'm just starting this chapter from scratch for the Fourth time.
He started it.
Bella sauntered up the front walk of NO. 4 Privet Drive. If there was one thing the Dark Lord had taught her, it was that a little confidence could make you seem so much more powerful. She'd need every edge she could get. Doubtlessly, the boy's guardians had been alerted to possible intruders and were ready and willing to defend their charge with their lives.
She rapped sharply on the door before blasting it into splinters. After all, proper etiquette must always be observed when visiting someone's home. Inside, she was treated to the amusing sight of some women/mule crossbreed trying, and failing, to shelter a massive lump of asymmetrical flesh with her own puny body. She sneered at them to hide her own puzzlement. The hope of the wizarding world lived here? If not for the wards and the guard, she'd have thought she had the wrong address. All doubt was dispelled, however, when the golden child himself appeared at the top of the stairs, taking cover behind a corner. Good, the boy had learned something from their last meeting.
"Potter, I know you won't believe me, but I'm not here to hurt you, or anyone for that matter. But I confess those muggles in the kitchen are tempting me." To prove her point, she tossed her wand to one side and slowly raised her hands. He petrified her and bound her with magical ropes before leaving his cover. He was taking no chances, so much the better.
"You'll forgive me if I find that hard to believe Lestange. Accio Veritaserum!" After a small vial flew into his hands, he dripped a few drops down her throat and sat back. She told him everything, from joining with Voldemort years ago to leaving the ranks less than an hour ago. From her first crush on Voldemort to the terrifying reality of being the Dark Lord's favorite plaything. Throughout her long confession, Harry Potter stared at her impassively, checking every so often that the truth serum was still working. When she was done, he gave her a counter, and stared at her.
"Bella, you've done a great deal of evil things, most of which you still don't recognize as being evil. I'm not your judge, and I'm not your preacher. I can't condemn you and I can't forgive you for your crimes. I can protect you, but one more misdeed and you will not have that protection. Do we understand each other, you and I?" She nodded and spoke.
"I, Bellatrix Black-Lestange do swear on the honor of my family, the Most Ancient and Noble House of Black, that I will not commit any deed contrary to goals of Harry Potter for so long as I live. I will never betray his secrets to any other, even if should I part ways with him. I will not kill save in defense of myself, others, and the honor of myself and my benefactor. I swear all of these things on pain of death at the hands of Leto, patron goddess to the House of Black. This I hereby swear." Harry quirked an eyebrow, a habit he'd picked up from Hermione.
"That's quite a speech."
"I didn't want there to be any doubt in your mind."
"Fair enough, you'd better stay here for a bit. I'm going to meet the Minister."
The Prime Minister of Great Britain was alone in his office. He'd gently and politely thrown everyone else out in preparation for a very special visitor. He'd done it a little early, albeit, because he always felt he needed a couple of minutes to relax and prepare for this man. At the appointed hour, the fire in his fireplace turned a bright emerald green and spat out a red-haired man.
"Albus, it's good to see you again. When I heard about La Rochelle I doubted I'd see you again."
"It will take significantly more than a blood-boiling curse and a few bullets to the leg to bring me down. I should be cleared for combat duty again within the week. On a better note, the Germans lost fifty men, including some of their most talented enchanters. The construction of the sub-shelters has been set back a few weeks."
"Good, good. I'm afraid I have bad news. The ship Hood was lost with all hands on a standard patrol. A radio message dispatched from the Hood spoke of a massive ship, flying German colors, shelling them from an impossible distance. At the moment, it's become the Navy's top priority to locate and sink this ship. Are your proximity wards still down?"
"Quite, and they will be for at least two months time. I'll post a few of my people on your ships, under the cover of new officers. Hopefully they can find your ship using locating charms. Unfortunately, the charms have a limited area of affect, and they could use magic to conceal themselves from it. You'd be better of using that useful radio locating system."
"Sometimes I wonder how we'd get by without you."
"Minister, you shouldn't believe in wizards, at least, not as much as you believe in yourself."
"Are you always full of platitudes or is today something special?"
"I usually am, but now that you mention it, my brother Aberforth's birthday is next week."
"Be sure to wish him a happy birthday from me. Goodbye, Albus."
"Goodbye, Minister." And Winston Churchill was alone again.
End chapter four.
Again, sorry I took so long. A few reviewers got their answers here. For those that didn't…
Perceval23: I'm going to assume that there's some unpleasant history between Bella and Andromeda. Besides, can you imagine the Tonkses protecting her from Voldemort? Andromeda would be a red smear and Bella would have some explaining to do. But you are right, Tonks and most of the Order are going to have some serious problems with the new law.
Lord Silvere: I didn't actually plan on making this AngryHarry. But I neened a pretext for some of the stuff I'm planning, and I figure Harry's entitled to me mad about a few things. There will be some conflict between an ultra-conservative Scrimgoeur and a comparatively free-thinking Harry. And I plan to take this opportunity to bash Liberals and Conservatives alike. Well, okay, I might bash the Conservatives a little more.
Well, That's all, folks! Looney Toons music.
