A/N: A new chapter in the story of Lycans. Inspired by stories from Whitetigerwolf and Kaleb-yamato, and the challenge from timbarney110, challenge not followed. This story starts near the end of CoS 2nd year. While preparing this chapter for posting, I noticed I had a little tunnel vision with the start of Third year. So some rework for the school year has started. Hogwarts is a school full of students and wonder, and some of this should be seen in the story.
Thank you for the read and reviews. So on with the story
I only play in the sandbox created by JKR.
"Normal speak"
'thought'
[bond speak]
§Parselmouth§
'French speak'
Lycans and a new start
Ch 11
8 Aug
Potter Manor
Harry and Katie were reflecting on the note from Lord Black, informing them that he had made it to Grimmauld Place and found several documents and a journal or two and was now working with Gringotts to rectify several issues and would like to meet with them on 9 Aug at Gringotts at 1100 AM. They were both eager to learn what Lord Black had found and how they could of help to him, as they waited in the front garden for the arrival of some of their friends and family for a joint late birthday party for Neville and Harry. The invited friends and parents included Neville and his grandmother, Hermione and her parents, Luna and her dad, Susan and her Aunt, Daphne and Astoria Greengrass with mother, Angelina, Alicia, and Hanna Abbott and her mother.
The party was to start at 1200 and would end when they all were ready to leave. Their was no true plan for the party other than to enjoy each others company and camaraderie. Dobby had the grill going for a large muggle style cook out.
As the guest arrived Harry and Katie greeted them and showed them to the patio and the waiting refreshments. Once every one was present they relinquished all of the pretence of Lord and Lady and became teenagers at a party. Elvina and Philip were also home and visited with other parents while the kids interacted with themselves.
Harry and Katie both noted that Astoria was staying close to her mother, and when ever they were near her they noted a strange smell. They also noted something was off with her magic.
They approached Lady Greengrass, when she was away from others, and asked if they could talk with her in private, and also to see if Astoria would like to join the rest of them for some games coming up.
"Lady Greengrass, what is wrong with Astoria?" inquired Harry, once they were in a more secluded corner of the garden.
"We do not mean to pry," added Katie, on seeing Lady Greengrass's reaction to Harry's question. "Both Harry and I have noticed something off with her when we get near her. It is like something is wrong with her magic."
Seeing the concern in the young Lord and Lady was real, Lady Greengrass quickly raised some privacy wards and explained some of the issues with Astoria and the blood malediction she suffers from.
[Harry, can our gift heal Astoria and remove this problem from her? She is such a sweet witch, I would hate to see her die young.] commented Katie.
[I do not know, but the goddesses did say the gift would heal a new member if they were sincere about accepting the gift.] answered Harry. [Lets talk later and see if we can help her.]
Harry and Katie inquired if there was any thing that could help cure Astoria?
Lady Greengrass indicated that they have not been able to find a cure for the malediction and she has not been able to locate the cause in the family history. She believes that it may be magical in nature that now plagues the family line.
"Lady Greengrass, we have an idea on something that may work, but we need to do some more research on the topic before we will comment further on it to you," stated Harry. "We do not want to get Astoria's and your hopes up. Do that and not able to carry through would be cruel and mean spirited."
"Thank you for showing concern for her feelings. Also, thank you for inviting her and including her in the activities," replied Lady Greengrass. Her smile and facial expressions show the deep thanks and gratitude she has for the young Lord and Lady's concern.
"Your welcome Lady Greengrass," responded Katie. "We will owl you in a few days with our answer on whether we will be able to help or not."
With the discussion over they went their separate ways, with Lady Greengrass moving to observe Astoria as she participated in the games.
[Katie, have you given any thought as to who you would like to be sister/pack wives, and pack members?] asked Harry looking at their friends and team mates as well as some of the adults, while they walked.
Katie looked at all who were in attendance and quickly asses who she would like in the pack as sisters and as members. [Hermione as a sister, as she is very close to you and I know that you are protective of her,] commented Katie. [I could see Angelina and Alicia as members that could go with the leaders of a secondary pack.]
[I could see them to, as pack members, and them leaving to form a second pack,] agreed Harry. [You are right about Hermione. Have you thought on any adults?]
[No,] answered Katie.
"You two look to serious, over here by yourselves," commented Susan as she walked over to the pair.
"No, we were discussing family concerns," replied Harry. "With the number of house seats we have, we were discussing who may be possible and do we want to take up all of the houses."
"Yeah, that is a long and hard talk," agreed Susan.
The three teens talked some before Hannah drug Susan away to talk with her mum and Madam Bones.
Katie drifted over to talk with the rest of the flying foxes and left Harry to drift through the people and hold some small talk with them.
Harry drifted around and made his way over to Luna who was near one of the fountains in the garden looking at the rainbow cast by the spray.
"Hello Harry," greeted Luna, as he approached.
"Are you enjoying yourself Luna?" as Harry
"Yes. You have a beautiful garden," replied Luna. "Harry, you and Katie can help heal and protect two sisters if you act quickly and use your more Slytherin traits." as she looked at him.
"Luna, which sisters?" asked Harry.
"The ones you and Katie were discussing," responded Luna, in her dream voice and looking in the distance.
Harry looks at her whimsical smile, "Only you Luna could see that. Never change," replied Harry, giving her a hug and a kiss on the head. "Thank you." Luna beams with her smile and acceptance she received from Harry, before heading off to where the food and drinks were. 'I thought I heard some fairies tinkling earlier. I wound if they will visit?' reflected Luna, as she moved towards the food.
'How does she know that Katie and I were discussing how to help Daphne and Astoria? She must have some type of gift that allows her that insight. She is precious and needs protected to allow this gift she has to grow, not sheltered nor caged,' reflected Harry over the short exchange. Harry watched as she went to the food and then started to wander towards the edge of the garden and the small semi-secluded hollow. He knew there were many magical types on the grounds and he has not met them all yet.
The teens and parents had an enjoyable day with the party. For the teens it was time to leave behind blood status, heritage and social expectations and just be kids and teens. Laughter was heard throughout the gardens of Potter Manor. The house-elves and animals that could hear the laughter all felt the waves of happy and light hearted magic that was being given off by the kids. Even the parents had an enjoyable time. Many of the magical family members learned more of the modern mundane world in talking with Phillip, Emma and Richard. Amelia was intrigued by what Phillip and the Grangers had to say. 'I should start meeting with Phillip, Elvina, Emma and Richard and discuss more of the muggle world. Their world is changing faster than we are and well beyond the abilities most pure bloods think they are capable of,' thought Amelia.
=x=x=x=x=x=x=
9 Aug
Gringotts Bank
Harry and Katie met up with Lord Black in the Black Family Account Managers office after meeting and greeting Rockclaw.
Rockclaw lead Harry and Katie through the passageways of Gringotts to Manager Lugragg office. Rockclaw knocked on the door and opened them, allowing the three to enter, when they were given permission.
"Lord Black," greeted Harry, with a nod at seeing Arcturus.
"Greeting Lord and Lady Potter," replied Arcturus. "Allow me to introduce Lugragg, Black Family Manager."
"Greetings Manager Lugragg, may your accounts ever grow," stated Harry, as he greeted the account manager.
"Well met Lord Potter, may gold always flow," answered Lugragg.
The two goblins and three magicals all took seats in the office and began to discuss the findings of the goblins on the marriage contracts and what Arcturus found at Grimmauld Place. The goblins pulled up both of the current marriage contracts for Bellatrix Lyra Lestrange nee Black and Narcissa Brígh Malfoy nee Black. Arcturus removed the documents he found at Grimmauld place and they began to compare and inspect the documents. Harry and Katie remained quiet and only observed the discussion between Lord Black and the goblins.
The goblins quickly sensed the presence of extra magic on the marriage contracts, more so on Bellatrix's than Narcissa's, that Lord Black found at Grimmauld Place. Further investigation of the magic showed it to contain two different compulsion charms, both keyed to Bellatrix. One had the magical signature of Cygnus and the second from Renard Lestrange. These charms were not on the copy of the marriage contract stored inside the vaults. Lord Black became infuriated as he read through the contract for Bellatrix. If his nephew was not already dead, he would be once Arcturus was done with him for what he had done to his daughter.
Through all of the anger and disbelief in the readers it became clear that the Lestrange had violated several clauses, or failed in their duties of the contract. The biggest being the failure to produce the two required heirs within five years of marriage and their actions bringing shame onto the Noble House of Black, by their conviction and imprisonment. These two violations, by them selves, were enough for Lord Black to annul the marriage contract and to reclaim the dowry and seek damages and penalties. The remaining violations only added to the amount of damages claimed.
The review of the marriage contract for Narcissa showed several of the same clauses and the main violation was the failure of Lucius to produce the required two heirs. Lord Black would have a meeting with Narcissa to discuss if there were any other violations. Arcturus was certain that there were unknown violations of the contract.
"Lord Potter, after the careful review of the marriage contracts in question, I would like to meet with you and your lovely wife tomorrow to discuss the aid you can give Bellatrix Black," inquired Arcturus.
"Lord Black, my wife and I are able to meet with you tomorrow at your convenience. Would guest be allowed?" replied Harry.
"Yes. That would be wise," answered Arcturus.
Arcturus then turned to the goblins and asked permission to use his wand. Manager Lugragg gave permission, knowing what was about to happen.
"I Lord Arcturus Charles Black here by dissolve the marriage between Bellatrix Lyra Lestrange nee Black and Rodolphus Lestrange for violations of the marriage contract clauses 4a-i and 5b, return of the Black dowry with damages and penalties, so I say, so mote it be," stated Arcturus, and with a flash of light magic accepted the annulment.
At Potter Farms Bellatrix woke up from her slumber and felt pain and warmth at the same time as the Lestrange magic and connection was removed and Black family magic resettled on her, thicker and encasing. She collapsed back on the bed from the pain of the removal.
The breakage of the marriage contract also removed the effects of the compulsion charms, but all the damage done or caused by them remained.
In Azkaban Rodolphus felt the change in his magic as the connection to Bellatrix was severed and the magical boost of marriage was ripped away. He fell back onto his thin sleeping mat hitting his head on the wall as he fell back from the pain. The system shock of the marital magic being forceable removed, suppressed the limited self healing magic Rodolphus could muster, for the concussion. This suppression leads to prolong problems and issues.
"Lord Black, with the return of the dowry to include the penalties, damages and fees the Lestrange account is 126,485 Galleons and change short," reported Manager Lugragg. "How would you like to proceed?"
"Does that number included Bellatrix's vault?" asked Lord Black.
"No. Bellatrix's vault was always separate from the rest of the Lestrange vaults, and was transferred back to Black with the annulment," answered Lugragg.
"Manager Lugragg, secure the remaining funds from House Lestrange by what ever means you choose," directed Lord Black.
The goblins, gave Lord Black large toothy grins as they loved this type of directive. The goblins have no lost love for House Lestrange and would use extreme prejudice in their execution of collections.
Seeing this issues was complete, Lord Black along with Lord and Lady Potter completed their other business with the goblins and left the bank. Lord Black returned home to review the remaining information that he had collected and the goblins gave him and to set up a meeting with Narcissa to discuss her marriage with Lucius. Lord and Lady Potter left for Potter Farms to check up on Bella and to let the elves know that they would be going to Blackmoore Manor tomorrow with Bellatrix to meet with Lord Black.
-x-x-
It is during their audit of the now depleted Lestrange vaults that a golden cup heavily wrapped in dark and forbidden magic is discovered. Once the goblins learn what the cup is and the magic placed on it, there is no longer a Lestrange vault at Gringotts.
=x=x=x=x=x=
Potter Manor
Harry and Katie arrived back at the manor and were enjoying sitting out on the patio eating a light lunch and discussing several items of concern for them. One being the upcoming discussion with Lord Black and the Bellatrix, another was a meeting with Lady Greengrass to discuss the help for Astoria. They knew that they can heal the young witch with the gift. Harry sat back and reviewed what they had learned in one of their visits to the dreamscape.
=#=#=
"Children the gift that you give, must be accepted by the individual voluntarily and the decision made by them. They cannot be ordered or coerced into accepting the gift," stated Mórrigan.
"The gift will heal the individual of any injuries, disease or curse," added Freyja. "The gift will not do more if the receiver is not part of the family. Offering the gift and accepting will make the receiver part of the pack, which is different that part of family."
"What Lady Freyja is trying to say is that the full power of the gift is reserved for those that are deemed worthy to become part of House Potter by blood, marriage or fidelity," said Hecate.
"So if Harry and I offer the gift to say Bella and she accepts 'of her own free will' the gift will cure her of the mental damage caused by the contracts and abuse," summarized Katie. She received nod in agreement. "But she would still be connected to Tom by the master/slave connection that is the dark mark?"
"Yes, you are correct in your thinking," replied Hecate. "To break that connection you and Harry would have to make her part of House Potter, the sad part is that she needs to be a consort or concubine at a minimum, substituting one type of bondage for another. The same would go if you were to try and help remove a family curse."
"We do not wish to own anyone. What do you mean by the last part?" inquired Harry.
"If you gifted a person in the family and nothing more, only that person and their descendants would be cleaned of the curse," responded Diwija. "To remove the curse from the family line, the one carrying the curse/affliction would need to be offered the gift and made part of House Potter, again by adoption, marriage, odalisque or helot/serf."
"We understand, that neither of you like the idea of owning someone, but to break a slave bond the recipient of the gift would have to take a similar place in the family/House of Potter at a minimum," replied Hecate. "How you act or set those limits are on you as the new owner, if that is what is decided."
=#=#=
Harry and Katie talked over the different ways to mention the gift and what it could provider during the upcoming discussion. They also touched on which line to use during the contract negotiations. Neither of them wanted to announce the other houses Harry has control of. Harry also brought up the topic of pack members and who they would like to see added to the pack. This analysis included possible older witches to start growing the pack as well as what to do if they find any children newly bitten by Greyback and his pack.
Once lunch was done and their talks the two teens started on summer studies for a while before doing their afternoon physical training and katas, before having diner with Katie's parents.
=x=x=x=x=x=
10 August
Blackmoore Manor, 1000
Harry and Katie arrived at Blackmoore Manor for their meeting with Lord Black and Heir Black to finish discussing the healing of Bella and what it will entail. The two teens were lead to the Lords Study by Vodkey.
"Lord Black, Lord and Lady Potter," announced Vodkey, after opening the study doors. Harry and Katie proceeded into the room to greet Arcturus.
"Lord Black it is good to see you again," greeted Harry.
"Like wise Lord and Lady Potter," replied Arcturus. "Please sit. Would you like something to drink?" Both teens politely declined for the moment.
"Lord Black, we have checked in on Bella and it appears she is free of the compulsion charms, but any damaged caused by the charms or whatever else her ex-husband has done to her was not," stated Harry. "We were able to hold, a longer than normal, friendly conversation with Bella this morning, before Bellatrix showed up. Bella was able to tell us, that she was against the marriage to Rodolphus or his brother." Arcturus nodded, as this information matched what he had learned from the documents and journals. Walburga, Cygnus and Druella were fanatical in their desire to tie the future of House Black to the charlatan. They went so far as to see their oldest and youngest daughters and nieces sold into a slave marriage contracts, all to gain a little favour.
"Tell me more about this gift you offer and will it give me back my great niece?" inquired Arcturus.
"Lord Black, may we get a oath from you and Sirius, that what will tell you will never be repeated without our permission?" asked Harry.
Arcturus looked at the two teens in front of him and saw the resolve in their faces and bodies that nothing more would be said without the oath. Lord Black called Vodkey and requested he bring Sirius to the study. Once Sirius was present and the oaths given Harry and Katie explained the gift.
"Lord Black, the gift that we offer to heal and restore Bella will also change her," started Harry. "I was visiting with Katie at the beginning of July and while were walking in her village we were attacked. There was a full moon..."
"How dear you enter my House you filthy creatures," raged Arcturus. As Arcturus reached for his wand, both Harry and Katie transformed into their hybrid forms, stunning and silencing both Arcturus and Sirius. Before either could react both Blacks had their wands taken from them and the two teens were standing before them once again.
"Now, may we continue to discuss this without hostilities?" asked Harry.
"How did you do that, there is no full moon present," stammered Arcturus.
"It is part of the gift that we have and are offering," answered Katie. Both Arcturus and Sirius looked at the teens and then they all sat back down. As they sat down a full tea service appeared on the low table before the fire place.
"As I was saying. We were attacked and bitten by the creature, my house elf Dobby came to us and took both of us to my tent," continued Harry. "Dobby healed and cleaned our wounds. It was during this time in the tent that our bond was forced to form. As we slept we met six very special ladies or goddesses; Mórrigan, Bastet, Freyja, Hecate, Diwija, and Selene. They informed us that we had been attacked by Greyback, and had been infected, but we would not become werewolves. Due to the presence of numerous magical forces/energies, the forced near completion of a soul bond and some magic from the six of them the disease/curse that is lycanthropy was changed and we became a new species, Lycan." Here Harry stopped to allow, what he had just told, the older Lord and Heir to process.
"You spoke with the goddesses?" asked Sirius.
"Yes. They explained what happened to us and how we would change," replied Harry. "This is the gift we will offer Bella. If she accepts then she will become Lycan, and the deranged person of Bellatrix Lestrange will be gone."
"She will be a creature. That is no life of a Black," stated Arcturus.
"Lord Black, she will not be a creature," rebutted Katie. "The moon does not control our transformation and we do not respond to the bloodlust. We will give you your wands back and you can caste any detection spells you like to prove that we are not creatures, but a new species."
Harry and Katie gave Arcturus and Sirius their wands and the two Blacks started to cast multiple spells, even using family magic and through all of the charms, detection spells and short identification ritual nothing showed Harry or Katie to be any type of creatures.
Then Sirius cast one last spell that will identify, but not force them to change, if the witch or wizard is an Animagus and that spell glowed on both Harry and Katie. Both Arcturus and Sirius stared at what they were seeing. Harry changed into his wolf form and then back, and the glow remained in both forms.
"We informed you that we are not creatures," commented Katie. "What was the last spell you cast Sirius?"
"It is a Animagus detection spell. It must be cast at the witch or wizard and will only show that they are an Animagus, with a soft green-blue glow. It does nothing else," answered Sirius.
Arcturus watched the two teens and his grandson and was thinking over what he has just seen and learned. The new Lord and Lady in front of him were a new species, a new form of witch and wizard and they only detected as Animagus and not as a creature, like werewolves. The gift they have allowed them to change into a hybrid form that was strong, agile and not dependent on the moon. It was a gift from six goddesses to correct the actions of one for forcing their soul bond to form prematurely to protects its pair. It could mean a whole new beginning for his niece. "What of Bella's Animagus form?" asked Arcturus.
"She will retain the ability even after the accepting the gift, as it is part of who she is," answered Harry. Arcturus nodded to this.
"What contract is needed for this to occur?" inquired Arcturus.
"No contract is required. Bella must accept the gift we offer. But for us to free her from Voldemort's hold she must accept her new status with the gift," replied Katie.
"What status must Bella accept?" asked Sirius, as he was unaware of the previous offer.
"For us to free Bella from the ID of Bellatrix Lestrange and remove her from Tom's control, Bella must willingly accept the gift we offer and to become a concubine/consort of House Potter," answered Harry. "The dark mark makes her a slave/owned by Tom and he has some control over her, and the rest of the Death Eaters, through the mark. She would change, the old person would be gone, we do not know how her new ID would be listed in family magic. Sirius if you went to look for Bellatrix Black at the Ministry records office or at Gringotts you would find her date of death being the day she accepted the gift."
"But we would have the young care-free Bella I knew as a teen back?" stated/questioned Sirius.
"Yes," answered Harry. "If she does not accept the change in status, as consort, only her mind would be healed and her connection and ties Voldemort would remain. Katie and I would have to think long and hard before gifting."
"I give my blessing and consent as Head of House Black to free Bella from this prison she is in," said Arcturus, firmly and with resolve. He wanted the young full of life Bella back and not this monster she has become.
Harry then called for Dobby and Twinkle. Once they arrived he asked them to bring Bella to them and to include two more House elves to help in case she gets violent. Shortly after Dobby and Twinkle departed they returned to Blackmoore Manor with Bellatrix floating behind Dobby. Dobby placed Bellatrix on the sofa in the study and waited for direction to wake her.
Arcturus and Sirius moved over to the couch with Harry and Katie staying off to one side. Harry looked at the to Lord Black waiting for his indication that he was ready. Arcturus was looking at the form before him and was sadden by what he saw. The Bellatrix he saw before him was so thin and her hair did not have any of the lustre it had when she was at Hogwarts. Her face was sunken and hollow, with her skin being extremely pale. He could see the effects of the nutrient potions and their effects on her body in her arms and hands. Arcturus nodded to Harry that he was ready, to greet his niece. Harry instructed Dobby to wake Bellatrix and to remain near by hidden.
Bellatrix slow woke up from her elf induced nap and was startled as she was not in her room or the living room at the farm. She slowly looked around, as she sat up, and then noticed two people standing near her. One was a cleaned up Sirius and the other looked old but still carried a aura of authority to him. As her eye adjusted to the light and looked at his face she noticed the grey eyes, the greyed black hair, high cheek bones with a long face, all of which pointed to being a member of the Black Family.
"Where am I?" Bellatrix softly asked.
"Bella, welcome home to Blackmoore Manor," answered Arcturus, with a soft but authoritative voice.
"Lord Black?" Bella asked. She received a nod from the elder Head of House. "How did I get here? The last I remember is lying down for a nap at the farm."
"Bella, two of the house elves brought you to Blackmoore Manor, so that we can talk with you," answered Katie. Turning Bella saw the two teens standing off to the side, that she had talked with earlier this morning and both had been kind and helpful to her.
"Bella, your marriage contract with Rodolphus Lestrange has been annulled and you are once more part of House Black," stated Arcturus. "I found the original marriage contracts and a couple of journals kept by Walburga and Cygnus. The journals talked about what they had done to you and their intentions to tie House Black with the fraudulent lord. The charms found on the marriage contract caused you to change and were in conflict with each other and causing damage to who you are. Also we do not know what mental damage was done to you by Rodolphus and his brother nor the fraudulent lord."
"I'm free of Rodolphus?" asked Bellatrix.
"Yes," answered Arcturus. "Now Lord Potter and Lady Potter have a proposition for you. It is your decision to make, but they are offering to heal you and free you from any remaining charms, spells or other magic placed on you by Rodolphus and the fraudulent lord."
Bellatrix started to answer, but Harry and Katie interrupted her to explain more.
"Bellatrix, the gift we offer must be accepted by the person receiving the gift by their own free will and understanding," started Harry. "For the two of us to heal you from all of the damage done, to include mental, physical and magical injuries, and remove the slave connection to Voldemort you will change and you will become a concubine/consort of House Potter."
"I must become a slave to be healed?" questions Bellatrix, starting to get angry after just finding she was free of her ex-family abuse.
"To be healed no. To be healed and free of the fraudulent lord, yes. You will be a concubine/consort in name only," responded Katie. "You will become a concubine/consort to the both of us, but you will be family and allowed to pursue your dreams or masteries you want. We will never demand of you nor belittle you."
"The gift we offer will change you and in the process heal you and free you from the injuries and damage done to you," added Harry. "But the choice is yours. If you decline the gift then we will leave you with Lord Black and Heir Black to determine your fate. If you accept the gift we offer, Bellatrix Lyra Black will be no more. All records will show that Bellatrix died on the day you accept the gift."
Bella looked at Arcturus and Sirius for help. She wanted away from the horrible person she became, and still haunts her dreams day and night. Can she be a concubine/consort, she just got her freedom back. But concubine/consorts are there to provide pleasure to their masters and to give them children. 'I cannot give him a child, not after what Rodolphus and Rabastan did to me,' reflected Bella, as she felt her body curl in on itself as she remembered what they did after she lost the baby.
Arcturus watched Bellatrix's face and body language as she learned of the options given to her. He saw the hatred of becoming a slave again, and the relief of learning it would be in name only, mostly. Then he saw the fear and the sadness as Bellatrix collapsed in on herself. 'Something terrible has happen to her to cause this,' noted Arcturus.
"Bella, what happened to make you so sad, withdrawn and fearful?" ask Arcturus. As Bella looked up at Arcturus there was a flash in her eyes, and both Sirius and Arcturus saw it.
"How dare you ask what happen to her," raged Bellatrix, at the question. "Dumbledore's supporters are responsible for the damage Bella has suffered, and the death of her child. It is my job to protect her from him and his followers."
Before Bellatrix could move, the Potter House-elves immobilized her on the couch. Everyone in the room looked at one another and then at Bellatrix reflecting on what she said. It was Katie who pieced the parts together enough to start to ask questions.
"Bellatrix, how did Dumbledore or his followers injury Bella or cause her child's death?" asked Katie.
Bellatrix looked at the young girl and sneered at her while she formulated a biting response and explanation, after seeing the house crest. "What would know of suffering and pain, Potty bitch?"
"Bellatrix, my husband knows more of suffering than I do and he has kept a civil tongue towards you," answered Katie. "I may not have suffered under the abuse of a madman and his followers, and for that I am thankful. We, indicating those around Bella, would like to know what you mean Dumbledore caused the suffering of Bella?"
Seeing that she was not going to terrify the group, Bellatrix reflected a little more on her response. "Dumbledore's actions and/or the response of his worshippers caused Rodolphus and Rabastan to fail a mission for the dark lord," started Bellatrix. "They were both punished for the failure and when they returned home Bella was ill-treated."
"You mean she was battered and tortured?" clarified Katie. Bellatrix nodded. "How does this cause a loss of child?"
"It may have been a year and a half or two years after Bella was forced to marry Rodolphus when she found out she was pregnant," answered Bellatrix. "She was a few months into the pregnancy when Rodolphus and Rabastan came home and beat and abused Bella. She lost the child a few days later from the beatings and exposure to the Cruciatus curse. When she told Rodolphus that she had lost the baby, the two brothers beat, assaulted, abused and battered Bella, worse than last time, and causing permanent damage."
"How do you blame this on Sirius, or Frank and Alice Longbottom or my parents? They were not the ones to hurt Bella." asked Harry.
"Bella could not strike out against her husband. The loss of the child and damage done to her shattered her mind. She so wanted to be a mother," responded Bellatrix. "The weak little girl was buried and I was formed to seek retribution on those that harmed her. I could not strike at Rodolphus, so I went after the ones who caused his failure."
"Those two injured her so bad that she can no longer have children," stated Katie. Bellatrix stared at Katie and the look was enough for them to see the statement was true.
"Bellatrix, Lord Black nullified the marriage contract between House Black and House Lestrange based on the violation of several clauses," stated Harry. "I understand that you exist because of the trauma Bella suffered at the hands of her ex-husband and his brother, and possible Voldemort. Katie and I need you to allow Bella to return and to remain in control for the next few days. With the removal of the marriage contract Katie and I want to offer Bella a gift that will help heal her, but she has to be the one in charge and to make the decision. Sirius cannot make it for her. Lord Black cannot make it for her. She has to hear all of the facts of what the gift we offer and to make the choice."
"If this gift heals her, what becomes of me?" inquired Bellatrix.
"We do not know," answered Harry. "Since you are part of Bella, your skills, knowledge and protectiveness may continue on, but I cannot say for certain this will happen."
"What will become of Bella?"
"She will be healed physically, mentally, spiritually, and magically from what has been done to her, even allowing her to carry a child," answered Harry. "Bella will become a concubine/consort in House Potter to Katie and myself, in title and the barest requirements, to break the connection to Voldemort. I have told her that she can seek what profession she would like to include any masteries. I will not treat her as a slave and sex toy as many pure-bloods would. I have been treated worse than a house-elf by my relatives."
Bellatrix studied Harry and Katie as Harry explained what Bella's status would be in her new family if she accepted. Bella was being given the chance to make a choice on what her future would be, and protector Bellatrix would still be there in some form to continue to protect her other self. Seeing and detecting no deceit in the two teens, Bellatrix nodded her understanding and agreeing to allow Bella to return. As Bellatrix slowly faded into sleep, a flash could be seen in her eyes before she succumbed to the land of nod.
After a few minutes of watching Bella sleep the house-elves removed their spells immobilizing Bellatrix. Shortly after this Bella slowly stirred and returned to the conversation with the other in the study. Bella asked several questions about the gift and what would happen to the mark/branding on her left forearm. Bella was informed that the mark would be removed, but that they did not know when it would happen, it could be the night she accepts the gift or during her first full moon. Bella asked to have some time to think on all of the information she had been given before giving her answer. Harry and Katie did impress that the next full moon was coming up soon. With that being said the group tabled all discussion of the gift and they visited as a new family getting reacquainted or learning of the new members. It quickly became apparent to all, that family was most important to everyone present.
Bella, Katie and Harry left for Potter Farms late afternoon to allow Bella time to walk the gardens and to relax before dinner. Harry had Dobby take a message to their parents to let them know that they would be having diner at he farm before coming home. Katie and Harry felt this was best, that way Bella could ask any questions she had or developed since leaving Blackmoore Manor. Also they did not want to leave her by herself, now that Sirius was with Lord Black.
Potter Manor
Harry and Katie had a nice visit with their parents after returning from the farm They talked about the visit with Lord Black and a little of the upcoming Wizengamot meeting, and how every bodies day went. Philip updated Harry about the happenings with his relatives, that he could share, and that currently they would not need Harry for any court proceedings. Soon it was time for bed and the teens went up to their suite. The two talked more about what Bella's status would become. Would she be a concubine, a consort or is she a wife consort to Katie. They also talked more about helping Astoria and Daphne, along with who they could see joining the pack, as well as other possible wives for his multiple titles. Harry starts to write a letter to Lady Greengrass to inform her that their research had shown that the gift they have would heal Astoria and remove the blood curse from her. Harry included that to receive the gift Astoria would have to become part of the Potter family. Knowing summer holiday was drawling closed he proposed a face to face meeting at the first Hogsmeade weekend, if a agreeable time could not be found before then, and to continue correspondence until then.
-x-x-x-x-x-
11 August
Hedwig arrived with a reply from Lady Greengrass, stating that they would be in Diagon alley on the 13th before leaving for final summer holiday and would not be back until 31Aug. Harry quickly penned a response and sent it off to Lady Greengrass for a initial meeting on 13 August at Gringotts, with a time of her choosing.
"Love, Lady Greengrass can meet us at Gringotts on the 13th. How about we meet with her and get our school supplies and such," called Harry.
"Sounds like a plan," replied Katie.
