Warning: AU for all the books, whilst it will follow them in some events.

AND THE TRUTH SHALL SET YOU FREE

By

SilverSkies

CHAPTER ELEVEN: Delusions of Grandeur and Other Things…

She eyed the milky white potion with distaste; she was most definitely not looking forward to purifying herself. The last time she'd had to drink one, she'd spent the day alternately vomiting and trying to swallow enough water that she wouldn't dehydrate or over-abrade her throat from all the acid. It hadn't been a nice sight to see either, thick black ooze working its way out of her – a sort of Dark Magic given physical form, only it was more than that – it was emotion and magic and toxins and that is what made it purifying. When it was done all that had been left was herself, pure as the day she was born, perhaps purer. Gritting her teeth, she uncorked the bottle; face twisting into a grimace as she swallowed the sickly sweet potion.

She blinked once, twice in surprise, before feeling bile rise up in throat.

Defence against the Dark Arts had to be the worst class was what was currently being thought by Harry as they left after another fruitless lesson filled with stuttering and a lack of anything he considered true Defence. Bella had taught him more about the Dark Arts and defending against them, granted she was a Death Eater or had been, but still Harry had expected a little… more from one of the top schools in Europe.

He was still miffed as Neville and Hermione took him by his arms and led him to a seat at the Gryffindor table for lunch.

"Rough day?" Neville asked, looking somewhat bemused.

"I just had Defence against the Dark Arts. It was pointless."

At which point Hermione opened her mouth to begin a tirade on how classes are not pointless, but was interrupted by a redhead gesturing wildly with a drumstick.

"Defence is better than Potions, at least. You probably don't need to know much about that though, I guess." The redhead said rather thoughtlessly.

Harry twitched at the sight of half-eaten food as the boy spoke. "I don't believe we've been introduced." He said in lieu of anything else to say, "Though I think I prefer Potions to Defence, at least in Professor Snape's class I feel I'm learning something useful."

"Lessons aren't useless, Harry. And you Ronald, you should chew with your mouth closed, I mean really." Hermione chided the two boys.

"I didn't say lessons were useless, Hermione. I merely stated that the lesson I just had was pointless. I spent the entire hour bored, since I've already read ahead, and listening to the Professor stutter along and not encourage any practical work is rather discouraging. I mean, Potions is a lot of practical work and in Transfiguration we're already attempting a basic transfiguration from match to needle." Harry calmly said in response, whilst Ronald sputtered at Hermione's scolding.

"Why don't you just practice more outside of class, if it doesn't suit you?" Neville suggested mildly.

"That's not the point, though I'm already using your suggestion. The school has a responsibility to provide us with good teachers who are able at their craft. Granted, we have a responsibility to learn, but hindering us with sub-standard teachers isn't a particularly brilliant idea."

"Blimey, no wonder you're in Ravenclaw. I'm Ron Weasley by the way." He held the hand, which had previously held a drumstick, out for Harry to shake.

Harry stared at the hand. He was saved from having to shake, by the arrival of Draco Malfoy at the table.

"What's this? Harry Potter eating with the Gryffindors? I rather think the Slytherin table would be more to your taste." He drawled.

"Hello Draco." Harry's lips twitched as he took in the other boy, not currently dwarfed by the presence of his bodyguards.

"You're on first name terms with him!" came what Harry thought was a rather predictable outburst from the Weasley boy.

"What's it to you?" Malfoy sneered, looking the boy up and down, "Let me guess, red hair, freckles, hand me down robes – you must be a Weasley!"

The expected blow-up didn't turn out as expected at all. Two hands clamped down on Malfoy's shoulders and in stereo came, "Now our ickle Ronniekins may be a bit messy, but lumping us all as alike and in the same category as Percy," they shuddered in unison, "Prefect Percy – is a bit much."

Malfoy flushed and tried to escape their grasp, but the Weasley twins having experience in tackling their younger sibling, easily resisted his attempts.

"Now, now young Malfoy." Began one twin.

"You don't think we can let a comment like that go unpunished…" the other continued.

"Do you?" they finished in unison, peering in closely at the younger boy, eyes bright with mischief.

"Hexing a student is against the rules." Hermione said sharply, crossing her arms over her chest.

"And Professors Snape and McGonagall are heading this way." Neville added helpfully.

"Ah, we weren't planning on anything too awful." The twins' mischievous grins as they spoke reassured none of those present.

"By Merlin. We'd best get to it, they really are on their way." Cried out the twin on the right, peering over to the approaching teachers.

In a single fluid motion both twins released Malfoy from their grasp, and placed their hands in gel-slicked back hair, ruffling it into a state worse than Harry's. The look of absolute horror on the blond boy's face left those at the Gryffindor table bent over in peals of laughter.

"Well George?"

"Yes, Fred?"

"I'd say our work here is done."

They looked critically at the Malfoy boy, and with twin nods, they informed him, "Perhaps a tad too messy, but a fair bit better than before." With a last wink and nod towards the first years, the two scrambled out of the Great Hall.

The first years just looked at each other.

"Interesting characters, your brothers." Harry remarked to Ron Weasley, whose angry flush has turned into an embarrassed one at his brothers' antics.

Draco Malfoy also bore an embarrassed flush, contrasting sharply with his white-blond hair and pale skin. Harry's remark served to wake him from his shock.

"How dare they! Who do they think they are? To manhandle me in such a fashion!"

Hermione eyed him critically, "You realise that if you protest too much, they'll merely do it again and again, right?"

"Perhaps he wants that reaction, Hermione." Harry suggested blandly to her.

Draco stared at them agape even as the younger Weasley sibling snorted. "Yea, if you react like you just did, they'll keep doing it."

"Is there a problem here?" Professor McGonagall addressed them, with Snape glowering at her side.

"No, Professor." Neville told her mildly, "Just inter-House discussion."

Harry picked up Neville's thread, "Well… there's been some wondering as to where we could meet outside of mealtimes and classes. The Library is bit too restrictive for meeting friends there."

The two professors seemed taken aback.

"Well… I'll see if a classroom can be arranged." McGonagall managed to say.

"Professor, with all due respect, we'd like something that acts as an inter-House common room." Hermione informed her, her quick mind able to follow Harry's idea and its possible applications.

"I'll see what I can do, Miss Granger." McGonagall smiled at her student, "I'm pleased to see students from different Houses getting along so well." Despite her words she glanced at Malfoy with some concern.

"It's improving, Professors." Harry added with a slight nod, to indicate his respect for their positions and also that they weren't needed at the table any longer.

Alphard smirked at her as she joined him in his study, "Enjoy the potion?"

Her response surprised him.

"It wasn't as bad as the last time," she frowned considering her earlier experiences, "there wasn't a great deal of that awful gunk to cough up."

He pondered her words for a bit, before speaking, sounding somewhat unsure. "Perhaps, the majority of the Dark magic had already left your system somehow."

Bella's eyes widened in realisation, and at his questioning look she explained. "It was sometime after I'd escaped Azkaban and made a somewhat friendship with Harry." She laughed bitterly, "I was his first friend. His relatives are appalling and even as insane as I was, I wasn't happy with leaving a wizarding child with them. Despite my lapses into thinking the Dark Lord present and various other slips. Then I got ill, badly. I thought I would die." She paused reflecting on that time.

"What happened?"

"He healed me. No more hallucinations, fewer flashbacks," she snorted, "even less nightmares."

Alphard stared at her slightly aghast, "He managed intentional wandless magic? Wandless Dark magic?"

"It was to heal me. He was willing to risk everything. I told him about Dark Magic soon after, he won't turn – he's seen the dangers." She told him in strident tones.

He nodded accepting her words. "Nevertheless, you should still keep an eye on his magic use. It may have been several years ago, but if he's that powerful then using emotion to further power his magic may come instinctively…"

"He's learning Occlumency." Bella butted in.

"He is? Why?" Alphard was beginning to wonder if he'd ever stop being surprised by this double act of Bella and the Boy Who Lived.

"Both Dumbledore and Snape," the latter name was spoken with extreme distaste, "are practitioners of Legilimency."

"You believe that Snape will use it on him." Alphard nodded as he thought about what he knew of the man's character.

"I'm not sure Dumbledore will resist the temptation either."

"Ah, Severus. Tell me, what do you think of our young Mr. Potter?" The older man leaned back in his chair as he spoke.

The other man sneered, "He's not as arrogant as his father, though his budding friendship with the younger Malfoy might be a cause for concern." Pursing his lips slightly he thought about his next words. "I think he may have some teaching of Occlumency."

The Headmaster sat upright in shock. "What makes you think that?"

"While I was asking questions in his first class… he kept his mind remarkably clear, though he didn't manage to repel my probe."

"Hmm. This is an interesting conundrum. It would appear that Hagrid was not his first exposure to the Wizarding World."

"Not necessarily, Headmaster." Snape began. "I have met a Muggleborn with no knowledge of Occlumency able to keep his mind rather clear, though not to the ability that Potter shows."

"Indeed, that is interesting. Are you aware of how he did it?"

"I believe it's something learnt whilst studying certain ways of Muggle fighting."

"Hmm, then we'll just have to keep an eye on Mr. Potter."

Snape snorted, "Something we'd be doing anyway."

"Time to get this thing underway then." Alphard stated with some uncertainty. They were both physically ready for the ritual, but that didn't make their nerves any steadier, even though the ritual was a simple one. It had to be, adoption usually involved a child and as such it wasn't an overly difficult ritual.

Moving into the centre of the ritual circle, he beckoned to Bella. She took her place kneeling before him.

"I, Alphard Black claim that Bellatrix Black be of my flesh by blood and magic. Do you accept the claim?"

Head high, she met his eyes directly. "By blood and magic, I, Bellatrix Black accept the claim. I renounce my former parentage, and claim Alphard Black as my father."

Taking a prepared potion, Alphard sliced his wand hand allowing blood to drip into the simple goblet. With a graceful motion he held the goblet to her lips.

"Drink of my blood, and become my daughter and let the magic bind us." He intoned the ritual words, carefully guiding the goblet as she swallowed the liquid inside.

She was paling as she drank, and when the last drop was gone, she swayed slightly before collapsing to the floor.

It was before dinner and Harry, Neville and Hermione were in a disused classroom. Hermione sitting properly at a desk whilst Neville was slumped on a chair and Harry leant against the teacher's desk. It had been rather dusty but a few well-aimed cleaning spells had rid them of the worst of it.

"Do you think Malfoy realises that by not reacting to the twins, it just means they'll try harder?" Neville inquired idly.

Hermione sniffed and in an imitation of Malfoy's tone said, "It'll be a useful learning experience for him."

The trio shared grins, before Hermione addressed the other two boys.

"Do you really think they'll make an Inter-House common room? I mean, in Hogwarts, A History, there's very little mention of mixing between the Houses."

"Well, I think it's a good idea…maybe. I suppose the problem is what will happen when fights break out."

Hermione looked startled at the thought. "Fights?" she voiced.

Neville nodded. "There are a few family feuds currently going on, and mixing Gryffindors and Slytherins rarely works out well. Even the Heads of House don't seem to get along all that well."

"It would work better if we could limit the numbers of people to those trusted not to fight." Harry mused, "I suppose what we really want is a club of some sort – then we'd have some authority over the members being its founders."

"Well there's already a Gobstones club… We could be a Homework club!"

Neville gaped at Hermione, whilst Harry just gave her a look.

"Well isn't that what we're currently doing? We came here to practice spells and work on our knowledge of magic. If that isn't a homework or study club, then what is it?" She asked indignant at their less than lukewarm response.

Neville turned to face Harry, "She's right." He said in a voice lightly tinged with awe. To Hermione he added, "I've never considered myself as studious though. Are you sure I should be in this club?"

"Often when one has trouble in a class, in understanding or retaining the concepts, it's recommended to find a tutor, and get things explained in a different manner." Harry input.

Neville straightened slightly. "So that was a yes?"

The sole girl in the room sighed. "Yes, Neville. What Harry meant was if you're having trouble you should get help and the club counts as help."

"Hmm." Harry seemed lost in thought to the others.

"What's the matter?" Neville inquired.

"I was just wondering if forming a study group with non-Ravenclaws would be considered a betrayal of my House. Though we don't have any, the younger students are encouraged to ask help and questions from the older students or research in the House library."

"You have a House library?" Hermione all but shrieked.

He frowned in response, "Gryffindor doesn't?"

"No." Hermione slumped at the news, "Maybe I should have gone with Ravenclaw instead, since I don't really have much in common with any of the Gryffindors."

Neville commiserated with her, "Me neither. I'm not too sure how I ended up in Gryffindor. I thought I would end up in Hufflepuff."

Harry pre-empted the question he knew one of them would probably ask. "I asked the Hat not to place me in either Gryffindor or Slytherin."

The other two seemed startled.

"Okay." Hermione began, "I can see why you wouldn't want to be in Slytherin, but what's wrong with Gryffindor?"

He opened his mouth to reply but Neville held up a hand.

"Wait. Think about it Hermione, if Harry were in Gryffindor everyone would be far more into the whole Saviour ideal, as a Ravenclaw he seems more… ordinary, though Hufflepuff would have worked best for that. Plus he'd have had to be at odds with Malfoy, and they aren't a family you want as your enemy… or your friend really." Neville's round face scrunched into a frown as he spoke the last.

"How do you know all this Neville?" Hermione's curiosity was easily read, from her eager tone to her leaning forward to gather every word.

Neville blushed slightly at the attention. "Well, it's all the Pureblood politics and traditions I was taught, I mean it's simpler when you apply motivations and underlying traditions and ideas to schoolchildren, but I suppose it's the same thing."

"What about the Muggleborn students like me? Are there any classes on wizarding traditions? I know there are some classes, which don't start until third year, once we've got a thorough grounding of the basics…" She trailed off as Neville shook his head.

"So, technically, you and I are at a disadvantage when it comes to these matters." Harry added in smoothly.

"Yet you have some knowledge of them. I guess it was felt you would need to know, but for Muggleborns it isn't as necessary since they're unlikely to be moving in pureblood circles."

"Pureblood circles?" Hermione's eyes narrowed, "You mean to say all that aristocracy/nobility rubbish is still abound in the wizarding world?"

"It's still around in the Muggle world too, Hermione. It's just more prevalent here. An insular society, with little addition of new blood… it's stagnating and quite elitist. Even our governing bodies are so… and with the prejudice against other magical species and against half-humans it's only going to suffer more."

Hermione turned thoughtful, one hand playing with a lock of bushy hair. "So perhaps our club should be something different then, raising awareness? Though there's plenty of research we'd have to get done. Ways to improve the wizarding world? Though I suppose that will immediately limit our numbers to just us, and will the teachers really sponsor a club with only three members?" Before the boys could raise objections to the possible involvement of the faculty, she added, "With it endorsed by the teachers we'd have some token authority so that we could kick people out."

"Hermione, perhaps you should look into becoming the Minister of Magic or something." Harry suggested with a grin.

"That wouldn't be possible." Neville pointed out, "The position has to be held by a pureblood."

"What! That's… that's horrible! Why is there such stigma against Muggleborns?" Hermione seemed upset now.

"Because they're a threat to the current way of life. Those on top, want to stay on top, and they're the ones with the money and political sway." Harry stated darkly.

Neville looked at Harry somewhat aghast. "Ar-are you planning some sort of revolution?"

"A revolution! What a wonderful idea! Thank you Neville." The bushy haired girl bounced up from her seat and caught him in a hug.

"Er. I wasn't planning on one, but I think you'd best ask Hermione what her plans are."

"Right." Neville's tone was sarcastic, a rarity from the chubby boy. Then again, Hermione hadn't yet let go of him and was currently muttering about plans, and research and he thought he'd heard 'guillotine' in there. Gently releasing himself from her grasp, he softly asked her, "Is killing a good thing?"

Her reaction was immediate, "No! Of course not!"

"And how likely are we to have a peaceful revolution…?"

She visibly deflated. "Yes, well… I suppose the quickest way isn't always the best. We'll have to put in a puppet Minister and be the one's arranging things." She looked at Harry thoughtfully, "As the Boy Who Lived, your endorsement would be a good sell… Oh! Maybe you could be Minister?"

The two boys shook their heads. Harry gestured for Neville to explain.

"Harry's mother was muggleborn, as such he would be excluded, though an exception might have been made in his case if he'd been older when You-Know-Who was vanquished."

"Right, then you'll have to be Minister then." Hermione stated in a no-nonsense-manner.

Harry clasped Neville round the shoulder with a grin. "Congratulations on starting planning on your campaign for Minister, Neville," He remarked loudly, then quietly whispered into Neville's ear, "It's probably best for us to just go along with her… even if not you, Hermione's sure to find someone who'll agree in future."

Neville just nodded, a falsely bright smile on his face, as Hermione started writing up a list of things that needed to be done.

As the world faded into being, and the numbness left her limbs, Bella found herself staring up at an off-white ceiling listening to the scritch-scratch of a quill as it went across parchment. It continued on for a moment until she sighed softly. Then it stopped.

"How are you feeling?" Alphard sounded concerned, and dare she think it? A little amused?

"Fine," she told him, struggling to sit up. She was on a couch, in his study. A half finished letter of some sort lay on his desk, amidst a clutter of other papers.

He studied her face carefully, "You haven't changed all that much. I've just been filling in a Birth Certificate, I suspect you want to make sure your name is somewhat similar?"

"Isabella Black." Her voice was a little hoarse and she was pleasantly surprised to see him pouring her a glass of water.

"Here," he said handing her the glass. "Your chosen name works well, I can always claim I based it off Isla Black's name, and it would serve to show you don't hold with all that Muggle-killing rot."

The next thing he handed her was a mirror, and she swiftly steeled herself to view her new face. Which wasn't so new. Actually her eyes were a little wider; her hair was back to its rich black colour and texture, her skin as fair. There were only slight differences – her cheekbones were slightly higher, her nose a little pointier. She looked at Alphard wonderingly.

He shrugged. "I guess the Black blood runs true. You'll have to take care back in England. Act astonished the first time someone points out the resemblance to your former deranged cousin."

"Yes," her voice startled her, it was somewhat higher to her ear, and sounded softer, younger even. "Do I sound different to you?" She asked frowning.

He nodded, "That'll probably be something you're thankful for later. It's something that puts you apart from your other self. We'll finish the last of these papers and I'll have them put in the right places. You'll be Isabella Black, born in France to Alphard Black and a muggle woman who died at your birth. Raised in hiding."

"Yes, yes. I get the idea. I wonder what Harry will think of this."

Alphard glared at her. "Can you put your attention on the present difficulties rather than wondering what your little lost boy is going to think?"

"But of course, father," she said smiling sweetly. "You'll be dealing with all the paperwork and putting it in place, whilst I wander around Europe looking for a disembodied Dark Lord…"

He grimaced, before plastering a proud smile on his face, "How wonderful daughter. I trust you'll take care of yourself, it wouldn't do for my beloved only child to come to harm."

"Beloved only child?" she asked pointedly with a single arched brow.

He snorted in response. "And Bellatrix Black, dark witch, smiling sweetly and addressing her father in dulcet tones is any better? You'd best appreciate what I'm doing for you."

"Oh believe me. I do." Bella informed him solemnly. Then with a grin that displayed pure mischief she said, "I'll always appreciate you, Father."

"Brat." He sneered at her and was puzzled by her response, widened somewhat teary eyes. "Are you well?"

She laughed, "We were reminding me of myself and Harry."

"Is this where you say asinine things about wondering what he's up to and doing now? Really Bella…"

"Hmm" she idly murmured agreement as she stood and walked over to his desk to view the papers. She stared at one of the letters. "Is this?"

"Yes. A report of significant dark activity, though how reliable that is, given the location…"

"I see. I suppose I should get going soon then."

"I have some supplies you can use. A tent, compass… we'll package some food for you. Try to avoid any officials for a bit, so I have time to get your identity in place."

"Yes. I should probably travel Muggle style then." She agreed, and then sighed "I'm going to have to exchange some more money."

[AN: I realise Hermione seems a bit… ah extreme? But the girl has long term goals… and dedication… and I think the boys have realised it's best to have her working on something… Yes, Bella's off again. She can't be resting at Alphard's all the time. This is the longest chapter yet I believe… actually it went a bit off tangent… or rather later plot asserted itself in the present… or something. Anyway, I hope you all enjoyed it!

And I'm possibly evil for not mentioning Animagus at all… well it's all in Bella's hands there really… Where do you think she's off to actually?

(blinks) I haven't yet seen OotP… I reckon it's going to be odd seeing Bella… (makes note 'Silver, pay lots of attention during her scenes.') My muse is supposed to be going with me to see it… However my muse also seems to have disappeared off the face of the earth however…) sigh

And once more many thanks to everyone who reviewed!