Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter or anything in the Harry Potter Universe. I just like to play in the backyard a bit.

A/N: Thanks to all of you that reviewed. A lot of positive comments! I hope you enjoy this next chapter; it is a little shorter than the last chapter. But I promise the next chapter will be much longer, a lot of exciting things are about to happen. Stay tuned! I also would like to thank my wife for the punctuation corrections and proof reading, luv ya! Still Looking for a Beta though.

Chapter 4

The last thing that Harry Potter remembered was an intense pain localized around his head, and then waking up into an inky blackness. It was very disorienting, every which way he turned he found blackness. The only thing visible it seemed was himself, but even that didn't feel right.

Harry stared at his hands that were now held in front of him, unsure what to make of them. Surrounding his hands, indeed all of his body, was this strange aura of light. It was bluish in color, with hints of white. The colors swirled around each other and seemed to glow.

It appeared to him to be like how mariners described seeing St. Elmo's fire on board their ships during electrical storms. It illuminated his whole body. Harry watched mesmerized as he slowly moved his hands back and forth, watching the echoes of where his hands use to be disappeared into the blackness.

It was while he was watching this display; he noticed something just on the edge of his sight. It appeared to be a lone figure of someone or something walking toward him. He lowered his arms, and began to strain his eyes to bring into focus the image he was seeing.

It seemed to take whatever it was forever to draw close enough for Harry to make out any features. To Harry's utter surprise the form of his deceased godfather came into view. "Huh…I knew it! The Dursley's finally snapped and must have done me in." Harry stated sarcastically shaking his head. An amused barking laughter came from the form of Sirius Black.

"Well pup, you are almost right."

"Sirius…is that really you?" a misty eyed Harry asked.

"It is pup, it's really me." Harry ran to embrace his godfather but passed straight through him. A confused Harry looked at Sirius as Sirius just chuckled.

"What's so funny you old mangy mutt? You look solid. How is it that I went right through you?" Sirius gave him an apologetic look.

"Harry, take a good look at yourself and tell me what you see?" A confused Harry lifted his hands in front of him and looked very closely this time. He gasped in surprise, he could see right through his arms and hands, he looked down at the rest of him and noticed that indeed he could see right through himself.

Harry looked at Sirius "I don't understand. You're solid, but I'm not. I…how…?"

"I'm no expert here Harry, but let me try to explain it the best I can. You see, the physical world and here the spiritual world, for lack of a better word, occupy the same space but in different phases or planes of existence. In this plane things are as solid to us as the things are in the plane of the 'living', do you follow me so far?" Harry nodded but his face was scrunched up in confusion.

Sirius shot him an understanding smile. "All things Harry, spiritual or physical have form and mass. All things are made up of energized matter that creates cohesiveness, binds things together in other words. All living things you see in everyday life such as trees, plants, animals, water, and people, are made up of this energized matter Harry.

The difference between the land of the living and the land of the dead is very miniscule, it is merely a separation of matters, not a complete destruction of one or the other. I still exist even though the body has perished; in essence I have lost the shell that housed this part of the energized matter which you see before you, but I am still me, with all the thoughts and emotions that I had before, just now existing on another plane."

"I think I understand Sirius, but that does not explain me. Why am I not solid here if I'm dead?"

"Ah…well technically you are mostly dead, not all dead." smiled Sirius. "

"I can't believe you just quoted the Princess Bride Sirius."

"Hey it was a good flic! Besides, it does kind of help explain your situation."

"So, what exactly is my situation?" Harry asked a little disgruntled.

"You have as they say 'one foot in the grave.' You are caught between two worlds Harry." Sirius sighed, putting his hands through his dark locks.

"Your magic is what is keeping you bound to the mortal plane at the moment, but just barely. Once it fails, you will leave the mortal world behind and become part of this one, but you do have a choice in the matter. You still have enough life in you, that if you fight, you can go back and have the life that you were destined to have."

"Destined to have! What, being beat to death! Being hunted by Tommy boy and his ilk? Being lied to and kept in the dark by a person I thought was a friend and mentor? Having the people I love torn away from me! That's no life Sirius! Not one worth living anyway." Harry raged.

"I won't lie to you Harry there are many more hardships that lay ahead of you…"

"Brilliant! Just Brilliant!" Harry yelled throwing his hands in the air. "And you want me to go back!" Harry spat out.

"Let me finish Harry…please."

"Fine, fine, go ahead." Harry said, waving his hand at him.

"As I was saying, yes, there will be hardships, but there will also be happiness, joy and love Harry, and you will defeat Tom in the end."

"Is that a certainty Sirius or are you just blowing sunshine out of your ar…"

"Harry, the future is not written in stone. It is always shifting, but I have faith in you, and so do your parents Harry." Harry stopped his tirade and looked sternly at Sirius.

"Are you trying to guilt me into going back? If you are, that's in poor taste Sirius." Harry said dangerously.

"And while we are on the subject. Where are my parents? Why are you here and not them?"

Sirius looked down toward his feet in apologetic resignation. "I'm sorry Harry, I didn't mean to offend you, and I am not trying to guilt you into going back." Sighing heavily Sirius continued.

"The reason I'm here and not your parents is a little complicated, but it has to do with the manner in which I died; not having died in the normal way allows me to come here to this waiting room if you will.

I don't know all the finer details Harry, but I can tell you that your parents wanted desperately to be here, and they wanted to tell you how much they love you and tell you also that they are very proud of you." Sirius' eyes misted over and looked deeply into Harry's eyes.

"Harry, I love you as much as any father could love their son, and if I were a more selfish man I would just say screw the living and join us here. In the end it is your decision, but your parents and I wanted to give as much information to you as we can so you can make an informed decision."

Harry softened his posture toward his godfather. "I'm sorry for blowing up at you Sirius; this is just all a little much to take in all at once."

A smiling Sirius looked at his godson with love and admiration. "You've grown so much Harry, your becoming quite the young man." Harry gave an appreciative smile.

Sirius became serious for a moment as he explained to Harry what would happen in a world where he was absent, the lives that would be destroyed. He told him about the chaos and destruction that Voldemort would visit upon the wizarding and muggle world.

"I know you hate it Harry, but you give hope, and inspire others to action. Without you, there will be no resistance, no one to challenge Tommy and his minions. You are a banner that people will rally behind; you can be a powerful force for good and change in a world that has fallen into moral decay, a ministry that is only interested in keeping the status quo. You Harry, can bring that change that is desperately needed."

"I'm just a boy Sirius with no real political savvy or power. I have a few friends that believe in me, and little real knowledge of the inner workings of the wizarding world. Not to mention, I am no match for Riddle. He is much more powerful than I am, with years more experience. How can I hope to beat him?"

"You have more political power than you know Harry", Sirius said with an enigmatic smile.

"What do you mean I have political power?" Sirius just smiled.

"If you go back, you will know soon enough. Let's just say there are a few surprises for you and others. Your true place in our world has been kept from you. Dumbledore has made sure to keep you in the dark about your family heritage. He even threatened me with a return to Azkaban if I mentioned it."

"But, he can't touch me now can he?" Sirius laughed briskly before fixing his gaze once more upon Harry.

"I know you don't think of yourself as powerful Harry, but you are, you just have to believe in yourself and surround yourself with people who can help you develop your power and push you beyond your limits. We have little time left Harry, and you must soon make your decision."

"I just don't know Sirius; there is nothing for me there now. Everyone I love and care about is here."

"Not everyone. There is someone who cares for you deeply and would be crushed if you didn't return. Take a look behind you."

Harry turned and saw Sirius wave is hand at the nothingness, and slowly he heard a distant voice calling to him as an image came into focus. A kneeling Bella was sobbing over a body…his body. He barely recognized the broken and bloody form that now appeared before him.

"Please be alive Harry, please be alive. I can't lose both you and Sirius," Bella whispered. Harry looked at the beautiful witch and his heart tightened within his chest. He had forgotten about her. He chastised himself for forgetting the one person who had shown him such compassion and such…love.

They had spoken often, and written to each other when they could not see each other. They were each other's strength and comfort. And they were friends; no …they were much more than friends, though Harry could not define accurately what they were to each other, but labeling it as just friends somehow diminished what they truly had, and what he truly felt for her.

"She cares a great deal for you Harry, and I know that you care a great deal for her. I'm not trying to influence your decision, but I wanted you to see what is still there for you. You are not alone Harry, and she can help you along your journey. She is very powerful in her own right, and I know that she can help you achieve your true potential."

Harry stared at his godfather for a moment, tears threatening to fall from his heavy eyelids. He turned back once more to see Bella, but the image had changed. He now watched as a singing Bella began to clean his blood coated face. He saw the fear and heartbreak in her eyes, but also the look of tenderness mixed in.

That familiar tune that Bella had often sang or hummed to him went straight to his heart, and he could no longer stay the tears in his eyes. He watched as she ever so gently continued her ministrations.

He watched her as the scene continued, and fell to his knees as his Bella made her vow to him. "I promise Harry, I will never let anyone ever do this to you again. I vow on my magic, that I will always love and protect you. I will train you in all that you will need to know to defeat all your enemies, whoever they may be. This I vow, so mote it be."

In the next moment Harry was completely sobbing. He looked upon the woman who had done so much for him, and witnessed as she made one final admission.

"You have been a light in the darkness that has been my existence Harry. Watching over you has been my greatest pleasure and honor. Who knew that this icy cold heart of mine could have been melted, but you love, have not only melted it, but are the one responsible for giving it new life and new purpose.

I don't know what the future will bring, but a future without you in it is a future I would not wish to be part of. This is how much you mean to me Harry; I am willingly tying my soul to yours in the slimmest of chances that you will live. If I don't survive, I wanted you to know…that I love you Harry."

Silent tears fell from Bella's eyes and gently fell on Harry's bruised cheek. Bella slowly leaned forward, and placed a very soft chaste kiss on Harry's lips.

Harry reached up with his left hand to his lips and felt a warm tingling sensation upon them, his gaze never leaving the image that was the dark haired beauty.

" I love you too Bella." Harry whispered. In that moment, clarity had come to Harry. He finally realized what he had been feeling for Bella all this time. He knew he cared for her, he knew that he missed her when she was not around, the joy and smile on his face when she would visit, and the pleasure in receiving her letters.

She occupied his thoughts often, but never gave word to the emotions that he felt when he thought of her. As he witnessed this beautiful and amazing woman declare her love for him; he knew that he returned those same feelings.

He loved her, but he knew that he could not say or delude himself in believing it was romantic love, not yet. He was still unsure of these new emotions. Could he fall in love with Bellatrix Black or was he already in love with her?

He could not give himself a definite answer. Love was such a new and foreign emotion to him, he needed time to sort it out. That meant he would need to go back and discover it for himself. It was not the only reason that he had to go back, but it was by far one of the more powerful.

Bella was special to him and the rest of the magical world could bugger off as far as he was concerned. After all, didn't Bumblehead mention that 'the power he knows not' may be his capacity to love? Well if love was the power, he could not think of anyone better to explore it with than Bella.

Harry stood and turned toward his godfather. The look in Harry's eyes told Sirius all he needed to know. Harry would be going back.

"Harry, before our time is through, there are some things you should know. The headmaster does not have your best interests at heart Harry. He sees you as nothing more than a tool to dispose of Voldemort with, and then cast you away when he is through. Don't trust him Harry.

I know this might be difficult to hear but the Weasley's are also not as they appear to be, at least some of them, they have their own agenda where you are concerned. If you look carefully enough at how they have come into your life you will see that it was not by coincidence.

I'll let you discover the rest. Also, don't limit yourself with just the friends you have. There are many others who would be willing to help you, and who will be loyal. Don't let past prejudices influence your decision Harry, you may find allies in the least likely of places.

Oh, and Harry…just in case things ummm…connect so to speak between you and Bella I approve." Harry blushed slightly, which made for an interesting affect on the mostly translucent young man.

"She is a smart and very capable witch. Don't let the age difference influence your decision to pursue her, not that I think she will be very difficult for you to catch. Many others will flock to your banner Harry; you will know them when they come. I wish I could tell you more, but the powers that be think that I have said too much already. Good luck son, we will all be watching over you."

With those final words, Sirius faded away back into the black. Harry did not have time to reflect upon the visit with Sirius, or on the fact that he did not know how in the hell he was going to get back to his body, when he fell to his knees. Indescribable pain hit him, as he felt his body being lurched from side to side, then felt he was quickly being pulled to some unknown destination.

Bella and Narcissa began to prepare Harry's body for the core binding ritual. They removed his clothing and placed him flat on his back on a raised altar. They carefully washed away the remaining blood that covered the rest of his body, Bella cleansing him almost reverently. Bella placed a cloth over Harry's exposed lower half to give him some modicum of privacy.

Once the body was clean, Narcissa began the painstaking work of drawing the runes on Harry's body, and in the process, chanting the incantations that would activate them. The runes covered the width of his brow, down both sides of his face and neck, across the collarbones and down his arms, then the hands, and each finger.

There were runes placed on his hips, and his legs all the way down to his feet and toes. The last runes to be drawn, were over the naval, and two runes over each breast. When Narcissa had finished with Harry, she had Bella disrobe and lay next to Harry. She then repeated the same runes on her sister's body.

The chemical makeup of the ink was a closely guarded secret within the Black family. The ink had a green metallic color, reminiscent of dragon's blood and a viscosity of olive oil, but the ink was very acidic in nature and burned the flesh as it touched skin. However, the burns would completely vanish as the ink was absorbed. The runes, once inked into the body were absorbed into the flesh, becoming a permanent part of the recipients' physiology. The runes themselves would no longer be visible to the naked eye.

Bella had tensed somewhat as the acidic ink burned into her flesh, but otherwise gave no other sign of discomfort. Eventually, as it had happened to Harry, the runes were absorbed into the skin leaving it flawless as before. The altar was centered in the middle of the circular room, the roof having been retracted back, and moon beams from the celestial body flooded the chamber with pale light.

"Bella, once I begin the ritual it cannot be stopped. Do you understand?" "Yes." "Are you sure you want to proceed with this?"

"I do Cissy. He means the world to me, and I'm willing to make the ultimate sacrifice to save him." Bella stated, with no hesitation in her voice. Narcissa sighed heavily, but nodded her acquiescence.

"Once the cores are combined and stable, the runes will begin to take effect. You each have corresponding runes on your bodies. Runes for bone, muscle, sinew, and the organs of the body, there are also runes for strength, sight, taste, and sound, and others related to your magic.

The final rune is placed over the navel, and represents your magical core. It is accompanied by a bonding rune that acts as a catalyst. It will actually be the first to activate; it will literally mesh your two cores together making them essentially one.

Once meshed, the combined cores and runes will begin to activate and begin the process of healing Harry's body. One by one his bones will be completely broken down and then re-grown. Damaged tissues will be made whole and strengthened. It will be very painful…for the both of you. It will draw upon both yours, and his magic.

It is very important Bella that when you feel Harry's core begin to assert itself, that you sever the link. Otherwise his core, if strong enough, will overpower yours and permanently be absorbed into his own. Do you understand?" Bella could only nod as she tried to mentally prepare herself for what was to come.

"If it is successful Bella, you and Harry may experience issues relating to the meshing of your cores. Like I said before, not a lot is known about the side effects of this ritual, and you could assimilate some of his traits, characteristics, and magic's and he could take on some of yours.

We know that our ancestor awoke with memories that weren't his own, personality traits that were new, he also received a boost in his overall power. But that may be only due to the complete absorption of the others core. In short, I don't really know what will happen to either of you afterwards."

Bella looked into the concerned eyes of her sister, and gave her a gentle smile. "Cissy, I know it seems like I'm taking an unnecessary risk, but I feel it in my very soul that I should do this. He has a destiny before him, and I feel that somehow I am to be a part of that destiny.

I don't know what role I will play, if any, but I know that I will be whoever he needs me to be in his life, whether that be friend, teacher, mentor, mother, or lover, my life and destiny are tied to his."

"You love him… don't you?" It wasn't a question; Narcissa saw the truth of it in her sister's eyes. There could be no doubt of the sincerity in Bella's words, she would do anything, and give up everything for the young man that lay next to her.

A pang of sadness entered Narcissa's heart as she wished that she felt a small percentage of the depth of feeling for Lucius, or anyone for that matter, that Bella had for Harry. Narcissa gave Bella a watery smile as she nodded her head. "Let's begin."

A/N: I know I know short chapter, but I think we learned somewhat of how Harry feels about Bella and the depth of love Bella has for him. Next Chapter will be "The Ritual" I have a good idea how I want this to play out but I'd like to hear some suggestions from some of you on some possible side effects, problem or benefits from the bonding you would like to see. Voldemort to make an appearance soon!

Again I'd like to thank all those who took the time to write a review, I really pay attention to your suggestions and critiques, so keep them coming.