DISCLAIMER:- Harry Potter belongs to J.K.R. but this story is mine and a fanfiction.
AN:- Sorry for the short chapter length, but I am instead trying to update as fast as possible. I am also facing problems updating. The chapter is posted but the update time remains unchanged and thus not showing on updated list.
Here it is.
CH 6:- The Black Fall
Harry and Bella arrived somewhere in the middle of nowhere. There was nothing except land in all directions. Just a vast barren deserted field.
Harry turned towards Bella with a confused expression on his face and said, "This is your safehouse?"
But Bella had an amused expression on her face. "Just flow some of your magic into your ring, Harry."
He did as he was told and his confused expression turned gobsmacked.
Out of nowhere, trees were suddenly sprouting and growing in front of him, until all four sides were covered with thick trees. The area he was standing on turned grassy and a flock of birds came into view in the sky. Several animals suddenly appeared including cattle, horses and zebras grazing peacefully on dry grass. A huge mansion grew in the middle of it all and Harry felt Bella's hand on his jaw working to close his continuously parting lips.
"Its Magic, Potter. I thought you'd get used to it by now."
She said playfully while simultaneously moving him forward.
"I can NEVER stop being surprised with magic. Where?" Harry could hear gentle sounds of waves now, so he guessed they were on an island.
"Welcome to THE BLACK FALL." A grand motion of her hands and the large ornate doors opened to reveal the main hall. The first thing Harry noticed was a huge chandelier illuminating the entire hall. Large plush sofas were waiting to be used. Two sets of magnificent round wooden staircases in either direction led to the upper wing. On the left, a door led to the dining Hall and kitchen. On the right, another door led to the basement with several store rooms.
"How?" Harry was still finding it difficult to use more than one word.
"A permanent version of the fidelius, Harry. No secret keepers. Keyed only to all the Blacks. Our Uncle Alphard did this before he was disowned but he was still kind enough to leave it for the Blacks. Its unplottable and only a Black can even apparate on the island. Best wards around. There are no house-elves here. There were charms put for the purpose of cleanliness and the animals fend for themselves. So, what do you think?"
"Its brilliant!" Harry said enthusiastically.
"I know"
"So, what was that you took from the Lestrange Vault?" Harry asked after they were both comfortably settled on the sofas near each other.
Instead of answering, Bella conjured some gloves for herself and Harry and took out the item from the bag. She then gave it to him for inspection.
It was a small golden cup with two finely-wrought handles with a badger engraved on the side and a few jewels.
"Tom gave it to me for safekeeping when I first became a member of his group. He said that its safety was of paramount importance, and that it should never leave my Gringotts Vault. I reckoned that I should have it before I could no longer use that Vault."
"What is it?"
"Its Hufflepuff's famous cup. It is said to possess many magical powers, but Tom tainted it somehow. Its wreaking of dark magic even I have not seen before."
"What did he do to it?"
"I…have an idea what it can be but I am not sure. I will have to run some tests on it. But don't touch it with your bare hands, whatever it is can affect your mind."
Harry gave the cup back to Bella and she chucked it in the bag.
"Sooo…what do we do now?" he asked after some time.
"Its your decision, Harry. Do you want to really face him? You can run and live somewhere else, far away from here, or, you can fight him."
Harry would have felt offended at the prospect of running away before reading Sirius's last letter but now it seemed an option. But sadly, not for him. "I can't run, Bella, not for ever. Even if I do, he'll somehow find me and I'll still have to fight him. Its better to have a face off on my own terms rather than him disrupting my newly settled life. And not only him, Dumbledore too won't settle down until he finds me. You can go though."
Bella's eyes widened but then she relaxed, "That's not an option for me too, Harry." She moved the sleeve of her blouse up so that the dark mark became visible. "Tom has marked me. He can call me anytime he wishes or I'll feel pain. It will be bearable but a reminder nonetheless."
Harry felt anger bubbling inside him. Not at Bella, but for her. It was very hard to know that Tom could keep her in pain any time he wished and she'll be helpless. If only he could DO something for her…
He softly touched her darkened blemished skin and jumped.
"What, what happened?" Bella asked worriedly, thinking that he had finally shown her disgust for her.
"That…that snake moved." Harry answered incredulously.
She was surprised by his answer. "The tattoo?"
He nodded.
"It never moves…unless Tom himself touches it." She said feebly.
And Harry got an idea. He knew there was an unhealthy connection between Voldemort and him. Normal people can't look into each other's mind and feel emotions. That connection always worked against him, but maybe this time he could use it. Maybe, maybe if parseltongue worked, this could too…
He quickly drew his wand and conjured a sheet of paper. Bella watched him quietly with fascination as he brought the paper near the mark and touched it softly with his other hand. Then, he hissed.
"Move" Harry ordered the snake in parseltongue and prayed inwardly that his plan works.
Bella watched as the tattooed snake came to life and started crawling on her skin. Frankly, she was disgusted at first, but felt elated when the snake moved from her arm to the sheet of paper Harry held in his hand, leaving her skin as clean as before.
Harry dropped the paper as soon as the snake was fully off her skin. As he glanced towards Bella, he saw the tears in her eyes. He sat near her and pulled her close. He turned her face towards him and wiped away the tears with a smile. She too gave him a watery smile and said "Thank you."
Bella had a sudden urge to kiss the boy but she did not know how he would react. She closed her eyes and slowly tilted her head sideways and allowed him to take the decision.
Harry saw what she was doing and decided not to use his head just this once and go with his heart. He slowly leant forward and their lips met.
Bella was shocked to feel how soft his lips were and how sweet they tasted. It was as if the first time she'd kissed somebody. He gently took her by the waist and pulled her as close as possible. His other hand caressed her cheek as she wrapped her arms around his neck and grabbed a fistful of his hair. He slowly opened and closed his lips around hers.
Harry already knew how well she smelled but it paled in comparison to her taste. He was unaware of anything resembling pain in that moment. He slowly and carefully darted his tongue in her mouth and Bella felt a shiver of pleasure run down her spine. She responded with equal passion and their tongues danced around each other as each explored the other's mouth.
After an inordinate amount of time, when the need of air became too much, their tongues parted and a wistful smile made its way on Bella's face. Harry on the other hand was grinning stupidly as he sighed against her lips. He wished it could have been his first kiss.
Bella didn't know how he would react in the morning. Whether he would regret kissing her or not. Her age didn't really made her a great prospect for him. But she felt nice when he took her head in his lap and patted her slowly, sweetly humming a tune alongside.
They fell asleep after a few minutes each with a smile, exhaustion of a very long and satisfying day finally showing, but not before Harry kissed Bella on the forehead and whispered "Goodnight, my Bella"
AN:- Huh, What a long day it was! but I couldn't finish it without a kiss. Hope this was satisfactory.
Some may think that I am hurrying along their relationship but think...We don't see Harry doing anything except his assigned chores and brood, in normal summers. But this time, he had done all this in a single day with her help. Some attraction has to be there, plus as I said, MY Bella is too beautiful to resist.
Review please :)