DISCLAIMER:- HP belongs to J.K.R. and this is a work of fanfiction.

CH 3:- Dumbledore's Pawn

"WHAT DO YOU MEAN THERE ARE NO WARDS?" roared Harry Potter.

But the witch on the floor neither flinched nor scowled. She just sat there calmly in a very relaxed manner and answered the angry boy. "Harry, I meant there are no protective wards around this house. But there is an Owl Ward, to not allow unauthenticated Owls and a Magical Detector Ward keyed to several locations. In short, any magic in this house, and the entire ministry would be on your rear in a matter of seconds. That's it."

Bellatrix would have taken a picture of the expression on Potter's face if she had a camera. A mixture of confusion, anger, betrayal, and sadness all in equal proportions. She thought it was cute, but wisely kept her mouth shut.

"That's it?" Harry asked in a defeated tone, after several moments.

"Yup"

Harry sighed deeply and then out of nowhere-

"THAT WHITE BEARDED, GOAT SUCKING MANUPULATIVE OLD MAN. I WILL BLOODY KILL HIM BEFORE VOLDEMORT. I WILL MAKE HIM EAT PETTIGREW'S BLACK DROPPINGS AND SHOVE VOLDEMORT'S NON EXISTING DICK IN HIS MOUTH. I WILL MAKE SNAPE STRECH HIS WRINKLED ASS AND CUT IT BIT BY BIT TO MAKE USE IN A POTION THAT OLD FOSSIL WILL-"

Bellatrix couldn't help it anymore. She started laughing so hard that her lungs burned for the need of oxygen but she didn't stop.

In the meantime, Harry had stopped his rant and was observing her. She wasn't doing her insane cackle thing but this was a very genuine and pure laugh, as if she hadn't really laughed in years. And probably, she hadn't. Harry felt glad that he could at least bring this small amount of happiness for this witch who had been tormented her entire life. This thought brought a smile to his own lips and shortly afterwards, they were both going on it like mad.

Soon, the laughter was replaced by tears as each was reminded of the suffering life had endured upon them. Of the betrayal they felt from the ones who got their utmost loyalties. And the fact that it was far from over.

They sat their for some time without a being word.

Then Harry got up and offered her his hand. She took it after a moment's thought and they both went to kitchen, hand in hand. Harry made themselves a nice lunch of whatever remained in the fridge.

"I don't understand, why would Dumbledore do that? Why would he lie to me?"

He wasn't expecting her to answer but she did anyway.

"Well… from what I understand, The Dark Lord and the goat fucking headmaster both are playing a game of tug and war from I don't know, when. You are important in the defeat of the dark lord-"

"Wait, how did you know that?"

"What, about your importance? Don't be a fool, Potter. Everyone knows there is a prophecy. The Dark Lord couldn't kill you, even when you were a baby. Dumbledore is adamant on keeping you in control. And the Dark Lord knows the first few lines of the prophecy. It doesn't take a genius to conclude that you ARE very important to Dumbledore to somehow defeat the Dark Lord. The Dark Lord just wanted the prophecy to confirm his predictions."

Harry nodded his consent. It all made sense, so he told her something she didn't know. "Only I can kill him. The prophecy says either he lives or I. In the end, one of us has to kill the other."

Bellatrix nodded simply and then continued her explanation. "I am not surprised. Now, to what I was saying. You are important, that is, as I know now, only you can kill the Dark Lord. Since Dumbledore lied to you regarding your safety, it means he wants to keep something hidden from you. A logical person, in this situation would try to make his most potent weapon against his enemy as sharp as possible. That is, he should have trained you from the start. But, I'm sorry, Mr. Potter, you wouldn't last ten seconds in front of the Dark Lord. Plus, you cannot do a single spell in this house without the world knowing. It means-"

"He doesn't want me to win." Harry completed.

They both knew the unsaid words "and die fighting". So, Bella just nodded. She knew Potter thought of Dumbledore as the world before today. It must have been a great shock that you were just being trained to be a pig to slaughter at the right time. But, why? Neither Harry nor Bella could answer this.

"Harry-" Bella started but Harry cut her off.

"You either call me Harry, Potter or Mr. Potter. Its annoying when you change it so often."

"So, what would you like me to call you?" Bella asked batting her eyelashes.

Either Harry didn't like the joke or he didn't get it, as he replied stiffly "Harry's fine."

"Then you must call me Bella"

"Alright" Harry answered with hint of a smile this time.

"Harry, when I was coming here last night, I saw someone snoring under an invisibility cloak. One of his legs was peaking out."

"Must have been Mundungus. He's an order member. He likes to sleep more than guard."

Bella snorted. "Great. So…what use is this Order's guard when he can't protect you?"

"I couldn't have answered that question before today, but now…I think they are to inform Dumbledore if I hang myself by the roof or stop me from trying to move somewhere out of this prison, for my safety, of course."

"Come with me, then" said Bella, as nonchalantly as possible.

She didn't expect him to take up her offer but he seemed to be honestly giving it a thought.

"Where?"

"There is a place. Its safe, even from Dumbledore and the Dark Lord. We can be there for as long as we wish and I can teach you what I learnt."

Harry knew it was an honest proposal and the witch really wanted to help. Hell, she had already helped him more than she knew. He couldn't have understood Dumbledore's manipulations like she did. And if the old man wants to keep him here, then he was definitely leaving.

"Alright, I'll come with you, BUT, I have a condition."

Bella sighed. "Yes, Yes. I am ready to give you an unbreakable vow and you can have my wand till then. Alright?"

Harry grinned. "Nope. Keep your wand yourself and I don't want any vow. I just wish that you won't use The Dark Lord for Voldemort every time."

Bella's expression became serious. "You shouldn't say his name, whatever Dumbledore taught you. The name was tabooed in the first war. We…the Death Eaters killed several men just by that one tool. That's why so many people fear the name now. If he decides to taboo it again, he'll find you through any protections, no matter what"

"OKKKK, I didn't know that." Harry said incredulously.

"You don't know many things, Harry. I can teach you."

"I'd like that. So, a truce then. We call him by his real name. Tom."

"Really, I didn't know that. And right, we'll call him Tom."

"You probably don't know much about him either." Harry decided to tell her. "He's a half blood. Muggle father"

Bella's eyes widened and then narrowed.

"That bastard, what else do you know about him?"

"Nothing much, just that his full name is Tom Marvolo Riddle. I am Lord Voldemort is just an anagram he made using his full name. And that he is the heir of Slytherin."

"Last part doesn't surprise me. We can find out more about him later. Let's get out of here first. Pack what you need."

Bella said while motioning for him to move up, to his room.

But before Harry could depart from the kitchen she stopped him.

"Harry, how can you trust me after " Bella said slowly"I-"

"You know, Bella. Dumbledore must have controlled my life from the moment I was born. I am the caricature he drew on a blank sheet, one of his pawns. Tom must have cursed me and my entire existence innumerable times. I would have died several times by now if he had any say in the matter. Both of these great men treated me like shit for the last sixteen years. They took everything away from me. My parents, my thoughts, even my emotions up to some extent, everything I held dear. But there was one thing they couldn't have taken away. My instincts. My instincts haven't failed me once up until now. That's why I KNOW I can trust you."

And with that, Harry went upstairs, leaving Bella alone with a gaping mouth.

AN:- And that was chapter 3. Glad you people are enjoying this story. Thanks for your support. It keeps me motivated to continue.

To Man Of Constant Sorrow:-

Thank you for your suggestions, I appreciate it.

I won't make Harry distrusting towards Bella as I explained in this chapter. I always thought of Harry as a white or black person. He either trusts or he doesn't. Yes Sirius, No Snape, until the very end. He either loves or he doesn't. He can die as well as kill for 'his' people. Plus, my Bella is an exceedingly beautiful older lady who, as of now, connects with how he feels.

I know Dumbledore is not evil but all his manipulations ultimately leads to Harry's death, which was pre-planned. He does not know that Harry would live or die. And it is a little difficult to break the notions of an old man, trust me, I know. What would you think of a person who first lied to you, then said sorry and then lied again? However good someone is, if he is dead set on stabbing you in the back...

I won't bash Hermione in this, maybe not even the Weasleys but they are Dumbledore's staunchest supporters and his word is final for them. If he says "KILL HARRY", they would. Maybe reluctantly, but they'll come around. So, lets see...

Review please :)

potterheadcharles