Disclaimer: I do not own anything you recognize. It's all JKR's. But anything else is mine. There are several passages from the OotP, and they are contained by **
If anyone is interested, the theme song or whatever you want to call it for this entire story is "The Call" by Regina Spektor
Hogwarts Great Hall, September 1, 1975
Albus Dumbledore watched as his students filed into the Great Hall for another year of learning. His eyes seemed to twinkle a bit more when they rested upon four young boys, about fifteen and clothed in red and gold. The tallest had a head of messy black hair that he constantly ran his hand through. Another black haired boy flung his arm around the shoulders of the taller one and threw his head back and laughed. The two others laughed too, but in a more subdued way. Dumbledore hoped that the new transfer student would befriend the four. She was an interesting little thing, and Dumbledore suspected she would be good for the somewhat wild boys.
The "interesting little thing" was thinking the same thing, but for different reasons. She watched carefully from a hidden alcove. This would be her second Sorting at Hogwarts, and much was the same from when she did it the first time nearly a century ago. The Headmaster was different, as well as the students. But the stupid House rivalry was well intact and the Hogwarts herself had changed little. She shook herself out of her memories as the Sorting Hat began to sing. She smirked to herself. Yet another thing that would never change.
She schooled her expression as Dumbledore stood up to speak. "Ah! Another year to cram our noggins. But first, we have a transfer student." Whispers erupted throughout the Hall, but the Headmaster continued on as if they didn't. "She will be placed with the Fifth years, and I do hope that all of you will try to befriend her, no matter what House she is placed in. Please welcome Arabella Mora." Polite clapping echoed throughout the Hall.
Bella smiled as she walked to the Hat. Inside she was scowling because she really hated the dratted old thing. She told Godric that giving an inanimate object that much personality was trouble. But he hadn't listened and smirked at her while he created it.
Bella Sinclair, what a surprise!
Bella rolled her eyes. The Hat did not do sarcasm well. Just put me in Gryffindor please, and I'll be on my way.
It doesn't work like that. I choose the House, and you go where I say.
Bella inwardly snorted. Very likely. You remember too well that I was there when you were created. I know just the spell that would make you Sort as I wish for all the rest of your days.
Let's not be too hasty, yes? Very well, you shall go to- "Gryffindor!" Shouted the Hat. The red and gold table erupted in cheers as Bella made her way to it. She was pulled down immediately by a black haired boy with a roguish smile.
"Why hello there." He gave her an approving look. "My name is Sirius, and this here is James." The taller boy nodded at her. "This is Remus, and that's Peter." Remus barely glanced at her and Peter grinned uncertainly at her. Bella was tempted to raise an eyebrow at her welcome, but refrained. "And this is Lily, but she's always at her books, or messing around with Slytherins." Sirius indicated a beautiful girl to his left with dark red hair. Lily looked up from her book to scowl at Sirius, and to offer a hand to Bella. Once she got a good look at Bella though, her mouth dropped. Bella barely heard Sirius' soft "Whoa…"
The similarities between the two girls was unmistakable, and a lot of people were noticing. Besides the similar hair and eyes, both had heart-shaped faces with a widow's peak. Both were tall and slender.
Her hair was a brighter red than Lily's, while Lily's green eyes were brighter than her own. Bella had created this look as a disguise. She couldn't have people here knowing Bella Sinclair when she went to the future, nor them knowing Arabella Mora from the past. So the green eyes and red hair. It was a tribute to Godric Gryffindor and Helga Hufflepuff. She borrowed the hair from the first and the eyes from the second. And it was rather disconcerting to see the same on another.
Bella thought fast. All muggleborns had a squib for a parent, and those squibs came from two magical parents. Why had no one thought to research Lily Evans magical background? If she really was a relation to Gryffindor, her magical core would be extremely powerful indeed. Especially mixed with "new" muggle blood. Bella inwardly smirked. The wizarding world had yet to figure out something the Sinclair's had known for centuries. Inbreeding was a bad thing and weakened the power of the wizard. And all living things had some magic in them, even muggles. Muggles just didn't have enough to notice or be noticed. But when that small amount of magic mixes with a witch or wizard, or even a squib, it amplifies that magic in the children as a result. Often muggleborns were much more powerful than purebloods. The one thing that tipped Bella off about Lily though, was her hair. Wizarding families all looked alike throughout the generations, a fact that the Weasley's and the Malfoy's proved true. In fact, the Weasley's could trace their bright red hair back to Gryffindor, and the Malfoy's platinum blond hair back to Slytherin. Red hair was actually not all that common in wizarding families.
"You look like me." Lily stated. Her hand had been stilled as she reached for Bella's hand, and now just hung between them. Bella carefully took Lily's hand and shook it.
"Or you look like me." Was Bella's response. Slowly, Lily smiled and then laughed.
"Perhaps." Lily acknowledged. And Bella smiled back. She had made a friend.
"You can call me either Arabella or BBella, it doesn't matter to me." Bella said to the other witch.
"I think BBella suits you better. It means beautiful." Sirius said with a wink. He was not at all deterred by the fact Bella had been talking to Lily. "And you can hang with us." He slung an arm around Bella and took a bite of the food that had just appeared in front of them. Lily looked at Sirius, disgusted, and moved back to her book. By the disappointed look in Lily's eyes, Bella could tell Lily thought she'd be enchanted by Sirius like the rest of the girls currently staring daggers into Bella's head.
Bella obviously shrugged off Sirius' arm, got up, and sat beside Lily. Lily looked up, surprised. Bella shrugged one of her shoulders and grinned.
"I think I'd like to hang out with you too." And in that moment, Bella made five new friends. Sirius was impressed (though his ego slightly wounded) that Bella had the gall to shrug off his arm. James liked the fact that a girl finally chose Lily's friendship over the attentions of Sirius. Remus approved for the same reasons, though not because he was in love with Lily. And Peter. Peter just followed what his friends did.
Bella paid close attention to the dynamics of the group. Lily was still friends with Severus Snape at this point, though she was pulling away because of his friends and his darker activities. Though Sirius was more outgoing, James was the clear leader of the group. Remus acted like he was lucky to be included half the time, and annoyed at James and Sirius for mocking him in his studies the rest of the time. Peter didn't have much of a clue of anything. He was a rather dreamy boy, but sharp at Charms. Bella suspected he did a lot of the charms work on the Marauder's Map.
The next few months flew by. She and Lily became better friends with the Marauders, though both of them did not necessarily approve of all the four boys did.
Bella had decided to stay at Hogwarts for Christmas, despite every single one of her friends inviting her to their house. She wanted a quiet Christmas with no fuss. And she nearly got it, except for one person: Lucius Malfoy.
Bella had been introduced to Snape fairly early on in the year, and had gotten to know him fairly well through hanging out with him and Lily. So when he stayed for the hols too, she hung out with him fairly often. He was an excellent chess player, and challenged her. Bella, of course, loved anything that gave her a challenge. They spent many quiet days playing chess. It was Christmas Eve when things changed. It was Bella's fault, really. She had decided something, and put her plan into action that night.
"Severus, why do you hang out with the people you do? You know Lily hates it." Bella finally felt like they were at a point in their friendship where Snape would answer that question. For a long moment, he didn't. Finally, he looked up at her through his oily bangs.
"Why do you hang out with those bullies? You and Lily. You both know I hate them, yet you do it anyway." Bella fell silent, watching her friend concentrate once more on the board in front of them. As much as she wanted her friend far away from the reach of Voldemort, she knew she couldn't change history yet.
"Severus." Bella leaned forward, intent on catching his eyes. The thin boy looked up, alerted by the serious tone in her voice that he should pay attention. "I wanted you to know that I will always be your friend, no matter what." Severus cocked his head slightly, and his eyes shone disbelief. He bent his head again, but Bella caught his chin. "No, really Sev. You could say anything to me, do anything to me, be best friends with Lord Voldemort himself-" Severus winced at the casual use of the Dark Lord's name. "And I would still be your friend and stand by you. I don't become friends with just anybody, because once I do, they can't ever get rid of me." Severus had been staring at her throughout all of her speech. At the last bit, he laughed and looked away. Bella nudged him and laughed too.
Seeing that he wasn't paying attention, she quickly moved one of her pieces and smirked at him. "Check and mate, Sev." He blinked and looked at the board. When a small smile crept across his mouth, she winked at him.
He smirked back at her. "Funny way of being friendly, that." She couldn't resist. She hugged him. He stiffened up immediately. Eventually, he relaxed and awkwardly patted her back. She let go and started setting up the board for another game. They settled back into the quiet routine, and were undisturbed for a few hours. Before they left for dinner, Severus looked at her.
"Not all my friends are as bad as you think." He looked fairly earnest. "Let me prove it to you?" She couldn't say no.
"Sure Sev." He gave her a crooked grin, and set off for the Slytherin table. She watched him go, and slowly started for her table. No other Gryffindor's had stayed for the holidays, a rather common occurrence for the lions. So she ate alone, quietly reading one of her favorite books. She was, for once, not aware of the conversation happening at the Slytherin table.
"I'm telling you she's alright, Lucius. I would trust her with my life." Snape's usual drawl was lost in his intensity.
The blond haired seventh year looked sharply at the slim girl chewing on a fingernail while she read. "What would be the point of me meeting her again?" Lucius saw no point in introducing himself, only to receive a suspicious glare and borderline rude conversation.
"Listen to me Lucius. She's not like everyone else. She never once acted any different around me just because I'm in Slytherin. Or even for my looks." Lucius acknowledged the younger boy's statement with a slight nod.
"I told you Snape, just use those potions I gave you last year on your hair and your face and you wouldn't look half as bad. And fine, I'll meet your little Gryffindor girlfriend, if that makes you feel better." Before Snape could protest the word girlfriend, Lucius cocked his head and looked straight at Snape. "Hang on, I thought you were in love with Lily? Or does your love transfer to any red-headed female?" Lucius was not trying to be mean, he honestly wanted to know. And Snape knew that.
"Shut up, Malfoy. Bella is my friend, nothing more." Satisfied, Lucius nodded and both boys went back to their meals. Lucius continued to study the girl sitting alone. Lily Evans had always been thought as the most beautiful girl in her year by most of the male population at Hogwarts, including Lucius. However, as a Gryffindor, she was automatically off limits to all Slytherins. With the arrival of Arabella Mora, however, most of the males were split fairly equally between the two. Lucius had still thought Lily the prettiest, but as he looked at Arabella, his mind began to change.
Her hair wasn't as curly as Lily's, but it was far longer and a bright copper. Her skin was very pale, without even a single freckle. Her green eyes were the same hue as the leaves of the darker trees in the Forbidden Forest, while Lily's were a bright green. Her fingers were long and slim, as was the rest of her. Yet she was far more graceful than most of the pureblood girls he had grown up with. And that was certainly a feat indeed.
Lucius had heard talk that she was from one of the older wizarding families in Ireland. Her accent lent fair proof to that rumor. He had also heard that she was genuinely nice, especially from Snape. She was friendly with everyone, but Snape had told him that didn't mean she was friends with everyone. In fact, it was Snape's opinion that she didn't think too highly of the four Gryffindor boys she hung out with the most. Snape seemed to think that she did it to hang out with Lily, and Lily hung out with the boys because Potter just wouldn't leave her alone. And where Potter went, so did his entourage.
And so he decided to introduce himself to her. Why not?
And so Bella was rather surprised (an event that rarely, if ever happened) to have her dinner interrupted the night before Christmas by a rather blond Slytherin.
"May I sit here?" He asked politely, with no hint of a sneer. She looked up, startled. Everyone else had left the Dining Hall, though she spotted a shadow in a corner and took it to be Severus, and it was he, Severus, and this fellow left. Of course she knew who he was. Lucius Malfoy. Head Boy and future second hand man to Voldemort. She stared at him, unsure why this Slytherin, out of all of them, would be asking to sit with her.
"Or I could keep standing here, if you prefer." Her hesitation had been noticed, and he said this with the trademark Malfoy smirk. Her pureblood manners kicked in quite forcefully.
"Oh, please forgive my rudeness. Have a seat!" Blushing (also something that rarely happened), she waved her hand at the opposite bench. With a posture her mum would be proud of, he calmly sat down opposite her.
"My name is Lucius Malfoy. I do not believe we have met before." She tentatively stuck her hand out for him to shake.
"Arabella Mora, pleased to meet you." His large hand engulfed hers, and she was surprised to feel actual callouses on his hand.
"Miss Arabella-" he began, but she cut him off.
"Either Arabella, or BBella please." And she smiled at him. And Lucius found himself quite unable to breathe for a few seconds.
"Arabella, as I am sure you are wondering why I am sitting across from you right now, I will tell you. A certain Severus Snape was under the firm impression that we should meet, though I cannot fathom why. It is unlikely we should find much in common." A slight drawl made him seem more arrogant than he actually was.
"Oh." Was all Bella could say. So this was how Severus intended to show her that not all his friends were bad? To send this arrogant pureblood her way and hope for the best? She snuck a glance towards her friend hiding in the corner. He smiled slightly at her and waved. Yes. That's exactly what Severus had done.
Lucius examined the girl's expressions as she looked over at Severus. She wasn't upset, exactly. If anything, she seemed slightly amused and exasperated. Lucius smiled. It was exactly how he felt. He lifted an eyebrow as she looked back at him. Surprisingly, she had not been rude in the slightest, barring her surprised hesitation at the beginning. And that was something she had sincerely apologized for. Lucius was beginning to think this meeting not all bad.
"So tell me, Arabella, why it is that you alone out of your House, are the only one to stay behind for the holidays?" It was a rather brash and borderline rude question to ask, but Lucius honestly wanted to know.
It was Bella's turn to raise an eyebrow. After a few moments, Lucius seemed to realize that his question was not merely borderline rude, and he shifted slightly in his seat. Bella smirked slightly at this, and deigned to answer.
"My aunt is not used to children, so I thought it best to spend the holidays here, and leave her in peace." It was not far from the truth, but as Bella was so good at lying, she could have been under Veratiserum and still have said the same thing.
Lucius nodded. "I stayed behind to study for my NEWTS. It's rather nice when it's quiet here."
The two continued to talk, only parting to go to their respective Common Rooms. Snape caught up to the older boy on the way back.
"So?" Was his question. Lucius looked down at the greasy haired boy.
"It seems as if you were not incorrect in your assertion of the Lady Mora." Snape smiled to himself. That was fair high praise coming from Malfoy.
Slowly, over the next term, the three began to hang out more together. They kept that fact to themselves, for obvious reasons. Bella made it quite clear though, that she didn't approve of their friends and associations. Both Lucius and Severus would get perturbed by this, and refused to acknowledge her worries.
As the term went on, Bella noticed Lily avoiding James and Severus more and more. Finally, she cornered Lily in the library one day and demanded answers.
"I don't know, BBella. Every day, I realize James is getting worse. He continually bullies people, especially Severus, and I hate that! He's such a toerag! And Severus! How can he not realize how bad his friends are? Is he completely blind? They're practically Death Eaters in the making! Especially Malfoy! They're practically best friends, for all they're two years apart. I don't like it, and he knows it." Lily panted, after having forcefully whispered the entire rant.
Bella shook her head. She knew how this would all end up, and it caused a great deal of pain for both Lily and Severus. She could do nothing to change that. So she left her friend in the library and headed for her favorite spot on the grounds. The upcoming exams meant the weather was getting nicer. As she sat beneath the willow tree, she pondered the Plan.
There were certain events that had to happen. It was her friends' Fates. But that didn't mean she couldn't work behind the scenes. The people here would remember her, unlike the people she had visited from the past. They only had vague memories that they never could remember clearly. Here, people would remember as much as they wished to. That was why she had to have a different identity. She would have both identities in the future up to a chosen point. It was all in the Plan.
Bella sighed, thinking of the Plan. It had been given to her when she was barely eleven, and her whole life was dedicated to it. After seeing what would happen without her in the future, she was glad to have a purpose that would literally make history. But she was only human, even if she forgot that fact sometimes. And she got tired, wished she could do everything her own way, wished she could allow herself to fall in love.
Her eyes flew open as she registered a presence trying to sneak up on her at her right. She screwed them shut again as she realized exactly who it was.
"Trying to skive off on classes, are we?" Lucius' smooth voice whispered in her ear. Bella barely managed to not shiver.
"No, I haven't any for another hour. And well you know that." Bella's eyes were still closed.
"Ah, but if you had forgotten, it'd be a good joke, wouldn't it?" Lucius' voice filled with mirth. She opened one eye enough to peek at him. Though his voice was joking, his eyes were serious. And she saw something in them that made her heart do a funny flip. Both her eyes flew open as he leaned a bit closer to her.
"BBella! Have you seen-" Severus' voice caught as he saw both of them. "Nevermind. I found him." Bella glared at Severus as he smirked. However, her heart was racing. Was Lucius about to kiss her? He couldn't have! They were friends! He was going to get married in two years to Narcissa Black! What was he thinking? Of course, he didn't know he was going to marry her yet, but Bella had seen the girl's predatory glances in the hallway. It was only a matter of time with a girl determined and so well-bred as she. Plus, Bella had the advantage of having been to the future.
Calming her racing heart and thoughts, Bella spoke archly. "Have you two nothing better to do than follow me around?" They both knew she was joking, but Lucius couldn't hide the odd look that crossed his face for less than a second. It was a mix of disappointment, hurt, and longing.
For the next three weeks until the end of term, Bella kept catching Lucius looking at her oddly. Each time it made her feel funny inside. However, she had a Plan to carry out, and had no time for mushy nonsense.
She continued to visit the library often, under the guise of studying. In reality, she was continually planning. She revised until she thought her head would spin off. Things had happened that she hadn't planned for, and now had to. She had to add in her friendship with Severus and Lucius, the odd looks Lucius kept giving her and what she thought they meant. As callous as it was, Bella would use anything to help her change the future. She hated to do it, but she hated what the future would bring if she didn't even more.
Finally, the time for exams came. She had already had several meetings with Professors Dumbledore and McGonagall about them. They had brought in several Ministry representatives to speak with her, but she would not be swayed. She wished to sit her NEWTS early, and by golly she would. All her friends thought she was merely going to sit her OWLS, and she was. She was just going to add in her NEWTS as well. Any other student would have had a hard time of it, but she knew without a doubt she could. She could have done it before she was eleven, even.
And so she did. All her professors were shocked that not only did she pass, but she had O's in every subject she sat. There was much whispering going on behind the walls of Hogwarts. Most wanted to know why she hadn't done better in class, if she could ace all her NEWTS like that. Some, like McGonagall noted that BBella's grades were consistently a few points behind both Lily Evans and Remus Lupin. It took a rather brilliant mind to be able to calculate what her housemates would get on each test, and then modify her own test to be a point or two behind the both of them.
Bella didn't particularly care that her professors were beginning to realize and note her academic brilliance. She would be leaving soon (and didn't that just send a rather painful ache right through her chest), and her accomplishments would only further her Plan.
It was the day after exams, and Bella took the time to rest a bit. Her work was far from over, but at least now, here, she could forget for a moment. Her face was paler than normal, though not from a lack of sun. Rather, it was from eating poorly and not sleeping properly. She had been using her family's trunk more often than not these past few months, carefully organizing all her notes and being very meticulous in the timing of each part of the Plan.
So now she napped in the sun, enjoying the warmth it brought. She was not entirely ignorant of her surroundings, but they were not her first priority. However, she would not get to rest long. Taunts made their way through her sleepiness. Unfortunately, she quite recognized the voices. She was awake in a moment, and making her way towards the Fifth Year boys.
**"All right Snivellus?" James called out loudly. Bella was furious. She knew the boys had ramped up their bullying of Severus, but there was nothing she could do about it. She vaguely remembered Harry mentioning this exact scene. He had snorted derisively and muttered something about his father being an awful bully, and how ironic it really was. Then he had taken a swig of whiskey and burped. Bella had not been impressed with him that day. But she hadn't really blamed him.
Severus moved so quickly Bella knew he had been expecting an attack of this sort. She was so tempted to whip out her own wand, but knew she couldn't interfere. Today had to happen. That didn't mean she couldn't do anything afterwards. Bella grit her teeth as she watched spells being flung about, hissing in frustration. It was really the first time she had to sit back and watch something awful happen. Soon Severus was on the ground, panting, and James and Sirius stood above him menacingly.
"Leave him alone!" Bella winced as Lily entered on the scene. This would be rather unpleasant also. It would cause both her friends a great deal of pain. Soon the dreaded word was flung out into the open with no way to take it back.
"Mudblood…" **Snape's face drained of color as soon as he was done speaking, but he refused to look at anyone as he packed his bags and nearly ran. Bella debated for a full second on who to run after first, Lily or Severus. Luckily, Lucius had caught the tail end of the great bloody scene and with one glance from her, took off after their friend.
So Bella ran after Lily, who was blindly running towards the Quidditch Pitch. No one but Bella knew how well Lily Evans could fly. It was her safe haven, her way of releasing stress. Often Bella had thought that's why little Harry Potter had been such a natural at flying. Both his parents were quite gifted.
Bella didn't mind brooms, but much preferred her own way of flying. Unfortunately, she would cause someone more than mild panic if she were to do it in public, so she kindly refrained. Sighing, Bella mounted one and flew after her friend, grabbing a Beater's bat and a Bludger on the way. The two had spent many silent hours beating a Bludger in between the two of them. Bella had actually found the exercise invigorating.
As was their norm, the two silently hit the wild ball back and forth until they couldn't hang onto their brooms. As one, they sank down to earth, and Bella rendered the ball immobile with a wave of her hand. Thankfully, Lily didn't notice her friend doing soundless and wandless magic.
Lily lay spread-eagled on the pitch and gazed up at the stars. Bella laid beside her, only slightly more dignified. Bella waited for her friend to talk. When she did, her voice was nearly lifeless, like she had already given up.
"A few years ago, I would have vehemently argued that Severus, my Severus would never call me a word like that. These days?" Lily turned her head so Bella could see the tears streaking the other red-head's face. "These days it was just a matter of time." Bella turned her head so Lily wouldn't see her wince. It was a matter of Time, and Bella had known very well and had done nothing to stop it.
Bella could do nothing to hide the rasp in her voice as she spoke. "There is no excuse that can be made for him Lily."
Lily nodded as if Bella had said exactly what she thought she was going to and settled on her back to face the stars. She studied them as if they held great secrets she could unravel if only she stared long enough. Bella sighed and watched them with her. Bella knew all the stars' secrets, vast as they were. But she didn't share this with her friend.
Carefully, knowing Lily would have a hard time listening right now, Bella spoke. "Could you ever learn to forgive him, Lily?"
Lily hiccupped and said nothing. Bella grimaced, but at least she hadn't said no outright. Though Lily was a genius in her own right, she was rather prone to certain Gryffindorish tendencies. Like stubbornness and the unwavering ability to see only in black and white. Lily could not and would not see the difficult place Severus was in. Being a half-blood in Slytherin was almost unheard of, and the rise of a new Dark Lord was making it rather hard for Severus. He would finally be accepted if he joined the Death Eater ranks, something he had always longed for. Though Lily had always accepted Severus, he didn't feel as if he deserved her or their friendship, and so never felt as if it counted. Perhaps the true acceptance Severus had ever found was in her and Lucius. It was surely the only friendships he felt as though he could count on, no matter what. Bella's declaration in the library cemented that. And as Lucius was being practically forced by his father to also join the Death Eaters, Severus knew he'd be accepted in that quarter as well.
In fact, Bella wouldn't be surprised if this was some unconscious test Severus was putting Lily through. If she still forgave him after this, he would know she'd stand by him through thick and thin. Though Severus was probably beating himself up silly right now, there was still a part of him that was hoping against hope.
Bella had been beyond careful in this part of the Plan. If all involved acted the same way as they would have without her interference, Bella was certain Time and Fate would allow her these liberties. But to do so would mean revealing secrets earlier than she had originally planned. The possible benefits, however, heavily outweighed the risks.
Very, very carefully, in terms Lily would understand, Bella explained a bit of what might have been going on in the young Slytherin's head. A bit to Bella's surprise, Lily listened calmly without interrupting. She was silent for more than a few very long minutes after Bella had finished.
"You know," Lily began. "I've been friends with him nearly all my life, and haven't sussed out as much about Severus as you have. It rather makes sense, actually." Bella sighed in relief, albeit quietly. "Especially the part about him being in love with me. I should have seen it!" Bella snorted.
"Er, yeah. You should have." Bella interjected. Lily threw her a withering glance.
"If he apologizes, which you seem quite certain he will do, I will forgive him. But I still don't approve of his friends! He'll be a Death Eater yet." Lily said adamantly. When Bella said nothing, Lily abruptly sat up, tears once more making an appearance in her bright eyes. "He's going to be a Death Eater, isn't he?"
Bella slowly sat up too, tears threatening to prick her own eyes. "Yes, Lily. And you can't talk him out of it."
Bella slowly, hesitatingly, told Lily about the Plan. Or as much as she could have her friend know. Lily listened in shock, in anger, in horror, and finally, quiet acceptance. Bella hadn't told her about her death, or Pettigrew, or anything that would change the future. She told her that she was a Mora Malefica, and stopped Time to prove it. Lily watched in unblinking silence as leaves blowing by froze, as did the light breeze that had been playing with their hair. Bella waved a hand and Time continued on.
She told her of the awful future they faced if Voldemort was allowed to continue as he did. How Severus Snape was crucial to her Plan. She told her of a very brave boy that would sacrifice everything for the good of the world around him, only to have that world shatter into pieces years later. She didn't tell Lily it'd be her own son.
Afterwards, Lily seemed rather shell-shocked by it all. Tears were running down her face, and she hugged her knees to her chest.
Finally, she spoke. "So, he really is completely evil then? And nearly unstoppable, too. Merlin." Lily breathed. But she shook her head, and a rather Gryffindorish look came into her eyes. But Bella was heartened this time. "But you're going to stop him, right? You and this brave boy. Alright. Tell me what I'm to do."
And so Bella did. She told Lily to be friends in secret with Severus. No one, not even James was to know they were still friends. Lily looked at her friend like she had said she wanted to cuddle with a dragon.
"Why in the world would I have to keep that from James bloody Potter?" Bella gave her friend an exasperated look. Horror shone on Lily's face as she figured it out. "No." Lily whispered. "I'm going to marry Potter?!" Bella nodded, and tried to console her friend.
"He matures so much in the next two years. He stops bullying, and rather stands up for the weak. From now on he'll just ignore Sev, though Sev will have to act like he hates him. Not that he'll have much trouble with that part." Both girls shared weak grins. "You'll really love him, Lil. And your wedding will be so beautiful." Pacified for now, Lily nodded for Bella to continue.
"Enjoy life now, Lily. Every moment. Study hard, but play harder. Life is the most precious thing we have, but few recognize it. Love and love abundantly. There is never too much love in the world. Be quick to forgive, and even quicker to forget. People make mistakes, but the beauty comes from the forgiveness despite those mistakes. Be passionate, Lily. People may poke fun at you for it, but it makes you who you are. Never tell anyone about this night. Laugh in the face of danger, and embrace death when it comes as the next great adventure. Join the Order of the Phoenix. You'll hear about it in two years. Don't listen to everything Dumbledore says. There is a great amount of Potter wealth that he would love to get his hands on, saying it's to support the war effort. Persuade James against it. Tell him you have to protect the next generation. And there will be a next generation Lily." Bella smiled as tears threatened to well up again.
Lily shook her head, trying to deal with all this new information.
"Lily, there's one thing I must ask of you. I really wish I didn't have to, but so much is riding on it." Lily nodded, willing to do anything to help her friend. "Say an Unbreakable Vow to me. Or one rather like it. There's no one around to do it for us, so I'll modify it a bit." Lily's face whitened a bit at the last part, but she nodded resolutely. Grasping hands, Bella had Lily repeat after her. A blinding blue light formed around their hands. Bella asked if Lily was okay, and the girl smiled wanly and nodded. The Bond would completely ensure that Lily would tell no one of this night, and would have no desire to.
Bella told her best friend a few more things, then they started walking up to the castle. Before they got there, Lily looked at Bella with dull eyes.
"I suppose you're leaving then, soon. Right?" Lily choked back a sob as Bella soberly nodded. "You wouldn't have been talking about all that unless you were. What about Lucius?" Bella's eyes widened in complete surprise. And her heart actually stopped.
"Don't look at me like a ninny, Arabella Mora. It took me awhile, and it was rather hard to collect actual proof, but I am your best friend. You might not know it, but I know that you are dangerously close to falling in love with that boy. I trust your judgment, but you know it can never happen, right?" Lily was holding her gaze rather intently.
Bella was tempted to shrug and look away, but ladies didn't shrug. "Yes. I know." He answer was curt. "I've allowed it because it was necessary for the Plan." To anyone else, the tall girl's words would sound uncaring and cold. To Lily, it sounded like her friend's heart was breaking. And for the first time ever, Bella actually wanted to cry, to just release everything in a flood of tears. But she didn't. Lily saw the withheld tears and remained silent. She merely linked her arm through Bella's and they quietly snuck to their Common Room. Bella fell asleep rather quickly, drained by the day's events. However, her consistent early rising would not allow the girl to sleep past six the next morning. She was up and packed before her roommates even stirred. She quietly crept out and down to the dungeons. She would be leaving today, but she had a few more things to do before leaving the castle.
She slid into a hidden room several corridors down from the Slytherin Common Room. As soon as she got there, she scribbled two words on a bit of parchment and waited. Soon enough, two bleary eyed Slytherins stumbled through the secret door.
"What in the bloody hell are you thinking, Arabella? It's six bloody thirty!" Lucius growled. She sniffed. Lucius never did catch on to Bella's nickname. He said it was too familiar, and then looked at her with that too familiar heat in his eyes.
"Yes, and considering the events of yesterday, it's a bit of a miracle I was able to sleep in as long as I did." Severus quickly turned his back to the other two. Bella suspected it was to hide his extra red eyes, no doubt from crying himself to sleep.
"Lily is never going to talk to me again, is she?" To Lucius, it sounded like the younger boy was stating a fact, rather than asking a question. Bella, though, heard the hope in the question. However, she wasn't going to mollycoddle the boy.
"She won't if you never apologize, that's for sure." Bella huffed, despite her mother's voice in the back of her head, shouting that a lady never huffed. Just to spite the voice, Bella collapsed in a very unladylike manner on one of the couches. Lucius raised an eyebrow, almost like he too had heard her mother's voice, and joined her.
Severus stopped his pacing and looked at the pair, allowing hope to shine in his eyes. "Apologize? Of course I'll bloody apologize! I never meant to say the bloody word in the first place!" Severus was shouting, and Bella was glad she had placed a Silencing Charm on the room.
She looked at her friend coolly. "Did you really, Severus? I wonder." Before the boy could even think of what she meant, she changed the subject. "Now that that is covered, both of you back to your dorms. Be packed and ready to leave before the graduation ceremony. Severus, apologize to Lily before that too. Be sure to do it in a fairly private place. Cast those wards I taught you. As soon as you can after the ceremony, meet back here. It is of vital importance." As both boys gave her wary nods, she smiled. "Good. It's nearly breakfast, you should have just enough time."
Both boys were gaping at her, but she didn't care. She had never taken command like that before, but it was time the boys got used to listening to it. Severus scrambled out the door in record time, no doubt because of both her tone and his hope that his friendship with Lily could be repaired. Unfortunately, that left Bella alone with a Lucius who clearly wanted some answers.
"So…" She began nervously, her voice completely changed from just moments before. He watched her like a hawk with piercing blue eyes.
"So…" He drawled, folding his arms. She played with a bit of her skirt, unwilling to look him in the eyes. A firm hand touched under her chin and drew it up. She was completely unaware she was glaring a bit defiantly at him. He had shifted so that he faced her on the couch they shared.
"When were you going to tell me you planned to sit your NEWTS and graduate with my year? When were you going to tell me anything, for that matter? Like the fact you have to have been planning this for years, at least. Or how about the fact that you rarely act like a lion, and more like a snake?" His hand moved from her chin to her cheek.
"Are you going to deny your feelings for me forever? Will you leave me and never look back?" Bella bit her lip, that one hit too close to the truth. "I'm not stupid. I know you have some grand plan that leaves little time for anything else. I know that everything you do, every word you speak is because of that bloody plan. Will you tell me anything?" Lucius looked into her eyes earnestly. She could see how much it cost him to be so open with her. His voice wasn't angry, nor was he happy with her. He wasn't revealing much else.
She swallowed, and let herself be consumed by his eyes. He inched closer, and she made no move to get away. He took that as a good sign and slowly pressed his lips to hers. She felt odd, she had never kissed anyone before. It was almost surreal, but the warmth coiling in her midsection brought her firmly to earth. He slowly pulled back and looked for her response. She was looking at him with sad eyes, and his immediately shuttered closed.
"I see." He said roughly, standing to leave. She caught his sleeve as he passed and looked at him pleadingly. He paused, and waited for her to speak. She cleared her throat, trying not to cry.
"I'll tell you everything, Lucius. I promise." She spoke solemnly, her own voice rough.
"When?" His one word question caused her to close her eyes. His trust in her was wavering.
"Most of it after the ceremony. For your safety, the rest of it will come many years from now." She looked at him, tears clinging to her lashes. He searched their depths, willing her to be telling the truth. She let him prod her mind, to a point. Enough to see she was sincere. His entire body relaxed, but his mind did not.
"This is more serious than I think, isn't it?" His worst fears were confirmed as she slowly nodded. He had so many more questions, but it was time to go.
Bella watched his tall form clamber out the small doorway. She hugged herself as she sank down onto the floor. She knew it would all be worth it one day, but the knowing didn't dull her pain in the now.
oooOooo
She and Lily sat together at breakfast. They both completely ignored the four boys to their left. Seeing their tear-stained faces made all but one of them deeply regret yesterday's events. Pettigrew, ignorant as always, happily munched on a piece of toast. It would be the start to the path of maturity the other three boys would venture down. Some would arrive sooner than the others, but that was because of their Fate.
After breakfast was finished, both of the girls went immediately to their dorms to finish getting ready. Many of their housemates had questions for Bella about her sitting the N.E.W.T's, but the longer she ignored them, the less likely they were to ask them.
The graduation ceremony was quick and painless. Family crowded around the graduates after. A stern looking matron came up to Bella and gave her a stiff hug. The story she had passed to everyone was that she was staying with a distant relation, an aunt of sorts. As her aunt was quite accepted in pureblood social circles, no one had much issue with it. The reality was not far from the truth. She had found a matronly descendant from her mother's side, as the entirety of her father's family was wiped out by Grindelwald. The matron had been surprised by Bella's existence, but a simple blood test proved her words true. So Aunt Patricia, or Aunt Patty as Bella fondly called her, immediately but awkwardly took the girl in.
Bella had explained just enough about everything so that Aunt Patty could do her part without questions. So her Aunt was here at her graduation, nodding regally at acquaintances. Bella's mother would have approved of her immensely, Bella thought with a sad smile. The woman was completely unused to teenagers, a large reason for her awkwardness. Her wealthy husband had died a year after they had married, leaving the poor woman with no heirs and no mind to remarry. Aunt Patty was only too glad to finally have an heir she could leave all that wealth to. And she knew it'd be used for good, and not squandered.
Too soon, Bella slipped away. Lily sent her a secret smile as she did. Bella sent one back. All was well between Severus and Lily. Severus and Lucius were already there. Sev had a huge grin on his face that quickly faded as he realized how serious his friends were.
"Please, sit." Bella quickly took a seat so they could too and waved an arm at the couches. "Before we really begin, I must tell you I've been keeping secrets. Not because I wanted to, but because I had to." Oddly, both boys believed her, but continued standing. She took a deep breath.
"I was born a Mora Malefica." Both of the boys' eyes widened. It meant more to them than it had to Lily. They knew history better, knew that Mora Malefica's were rare. That they were often hunted by Dark Lords, or just by those who wished to use their power for bad. Because they were so rare, their power was misunderstood. Those who hunted thought that the power was seeing the future, and they desperately wished to know their future. All recorded Mora Malefica's were tortured to death before they were 25. Both of their faces drained of color, intensely afraid for the witch sitting unconcerned in front of them.
Lucius managed to rasp out, "Prove it." With a small smirk, Bella did exactly that. She froze Time. The only indicator was that Severus was completely frozen. Lucius looked at her, then at his friend. He tentatively touched a finger to the boy's unmoving hand. Severus didn't move. With a wave of her hand, it was Lucius who was frozen, and Severus who was doing the prodding. With another wave, both were released.
"When I was eleven," Bella continued on as though nothing had happened. The boys took a moment to reorient themselves, and then listened intently. "I received a dream from Time and Fate. They told me of a monster that ravaged everything he touched. They told me I was to stop him. They gave me a few guidelines, then left me. All Mora Malefica's, except me, could rarely travel to the future. No more than a week. But because of this dream, I was able to. I have already been to the future more than 80 years from now, and it is dark. Darker than now, darker than you can imagine. It is that future I am to change. But not this one."
She looked at them, too tired to keep up all her defenses. Her transfigured eyes slipped for a few moments, and it was enough for Lucius and Severus to see her real eyes. They both gasped, horrified at what they had seen. Her eyes had already been ancient, but she had also seen death now, and it had aged her even more. She quickly changed them back, but both boys would forever remember those eyes. And suddenly, Lucius understood why he could never be with Bella. Eyes are the windows to the soul, and hers was ancient. Only two things could age a soul. Time and death. Both had ravaged his love's soul. And souls would only love like souls. He had seen neither Time nor death. He had a feeling he would see death soon enough, but it would change him. He knew that, knew his history, knew his family. She could never love him fully, and he couldn't love her the way she deserved.
She looked at him with sad eyes, and he knew that she knew that he knew. Breathing deep, she carried on. "You two are instrumental in my Plan. Lucius, family is everything to you. Your father will ask you to take the mark this summer, and you cannot say no to him. I know this now, because I know you. Before, you were just a Death Eater." Lucius sat down hard, and stared at his clasped hands resting on his knees.
"Severus, dear Severus." She looked at him with sad eyes, and he sat down also. "Your friends in Slytherin will be your downfall. But the task to bring you in will fall to Lucius. In the future I know, you were drawn in by promises of acceptance. In that future, Lily never forgave you." The black haired boy clenched his teeth, but kept her gaze. "And you will take the mark soon after graduation." Her friends were concerned for their own future, but even more concerned for the girl in front of them. Though she was only fourteen, her body slumped like she was fifty years older than that. Both boys realized that day that Bella literally carried the weight of the world on her tiny shoulders, but acted as carefree as any other fifteen year old most of the time.
"Will you swear allegiance to me? Will you be my loyal spies? If you say yes, I will give you numerous protections. Both for you and your family, Lucius." Severus noticed she left out his family, but concluded it meant he didn't have one. "None of you will die before I am allowed to overthrow this monster. I wish I could do it now, before more die." Bella looked away, steeling herself. "But it is their Fate, and I cannot change that." Lucius reached for her hand, and she looked at him with somber eyes.
"If you say no, and that is probably the safest option, I will erase any and all memories of me. It is not safe for me or the future of this world if you could remember." Severus looked at Lucius with wide eyes, and Lucius tightened his grip on the girl's hand.
"I think it is safe to speak for both of us, Arabella. This year is filled with the best memories either of us have ever had. It is the person that makes the memory worth remembering. When the person isn't remembered, the memory is nothing but the past." Severus nodded.
"I say yes, my Lady." Lucius knelt at her feet, flustering Bella.
"As do I." Severus did the same.
"Er, please get up." The two smirked slightly as they did so. "Please hold out your wand arm." Both boys held out their right forearms. It was opposite where the Dark mark would be placed. She pressed her wand tip to first Lucius' and then Severus'. Both times a bright blue light flared, and each boy yelped a bit.
Lucius glared at her. "You could have warned us." He muttered, looking at the new addition to his arm.
She raised an eyebrow. "Like Voldemort will warn you. And the mark is far more painful. Mine was like a bee sting." She smiled at her handiwork. In white ink, two snakes twined around an ornate clock, the hands pointing to eleven o'clock. It was as small as her fingernail, and barely noticeable as the red faded away fast. "No one can see those except me and anyone else who has one. Absolutely nothing besides me can make those visible. And it's very similar to the mark. But I altered it quite a bit to fit my needs. For example, you can summon me or be summoned through it. But you can also send messages and receive messages. Here, let me show you."
With a wave of her arm, she did so. After she was done, Lucius looked at her with stunned eyes.
"Arabella, that is incredible. There's so much complex magic in that I can hardly believe it." Lucius was nearly gushing. Bella raised an eyebrow and he visibly calmed himself. He raised an eyebrow himself. "And you did it soundlessly. That's also impressive." His tone was far cooler now, so as to not embarrass himself. "You've really been holding back on us, haven't you?"
Bella shrugged slightly. "I could have sat my NEWT's before I was ten." The boys shook their heads, completely believing her. "Back to the clocks. Those also serve as an Unbreakable Bond. You cannot betray me in any way, or you and those around you will die instantly. You also have to follow my orders. I hate to do this, but it is imperative you obey me without question. I know so much more than you, and cannot tell you everything right away. Before I leave, I will only tell you to do certain things that will not change the timeline. You must do everything as you would have without my presence, with a few exceptions. We will not get into those now, we have nearly the entire summer ahead of us. When I call you, Lucius, apparate first to Sev, the clock will guide you. Then apparate the both of you to where I am. Again, the clock will guide you. We have so much to accomplish in so little time." She paused and tilted her head. "Speaking of time, it is time to go. We will see each other soon."
oooOooo
Lucius Malfoy stared at the spot where he had last seen whirling red hair and sad green eyes. She would not be back for many years. And he would be married with a son by then. He turned and viciously punched the wall behind him. He was already regretting the angry words he had shouted at her as she left. He almost wished Fate had left well enough alone. But as the years trudged on, Lucius began to see why Fate had to interfere. Eventually, the only thing that kept him going was the hope that one day, Lady Mora would come back and begin to set right that which Voldemort had destroyed.
A/N: I know I promised I wouldn't write any of these, but I've kept my promise so far, right? So from now on, all who leave a review (if you aren't a guest) I'll PM you back with a sneak peek of the next chapter. I'll be posting this note at the bottom of all the chapters for now on. I'm sorry, but just skip past it if you find it annoying.
-Ari