A/N: I think this one is kind of cute, really. I was going to bring up the mystery on whether or not a certain Dumbledore actually survived a certain battle, but honestly I just didn't want to put too much what if at the moment (as if this whole story isn't a What If, lmfao). Ended on a cute note because it is coming up to the climax of the whole Bellatrix/Trixie mind meld subplot as well as the officiating of their relationship to everyone. Next chapter should have a bit more of Voldemort's once again changed plans, possibly the short and probably poorly written Walburga interrogation and I may decide to throw in a class or two with professors teasing the would-be couple because why not? I could see Sprout teasing couples, although I don't know whether she would have been the Herbology teacher in 1975 so I may decide on another professor to take the spot. Oh, and some future stuff, because I have to flesh that out eventually too, right? Anyway, thank you everyone for the follows and favorites this story has blown up so quickly and it all means a lot to me. Enjoy!

Chapter Seven

Family Matters

Prefect's Bathroom, Fifth Floor..

Bellatrix wiped her mouth with some water as she looked at her reflection in the mirror above the sinks, eyes bloodshot already from the combined effort of crying and vomiting. It wasn't fair, it couldn't be the end of her father so easily. She had always seen Arcturus as a strong leader, a quality she saw in Nick and was sure her father had seen in the boy as well. "But a damned contract? No one here would even dare touch me with Nick around, not after last night. It's unnecessary, father."

He's just being a father, Bellatrix. You're lucky to have yours, really. I never knew mine, personally. Mom said he was a hero, but she always told me he would be proud of the woman I had grown into..

"Wow, Trixie, I'm sorry.. I couldn't imagine life without dad before now. And he wants me to just take over the House? And Rudolphus said on the train that mother intended for me to marry him.. Just how badly is my mother trying to turn us into Death Eaters? Into these monsters Nick's warned me about?!"

Pretty damn badly, I'd guess. But, that should probably have been obvious when Rudolphus said it. It doesn't matter though, as you said. No one would dare touch you after last night. None of them were even in class today.

"That is true.. Damn it, and father intends for me to make the right choices? How the bloody hell am I supposed to know what the right choice even is?!"

"Well, you have me." Came Nick's voice as he entered the bathroom, coming behind her and encircling her in his arms. "I won't let you make a bad or, dare I say stupid, decision about anything, I think we can handle this. If you decide you want it, anymore. It seems your dad was under the impression you may not have wanted to take over the House anymore."

Bellatrix hummed as she felt herself relax, the nausea that had been threatening to come back again finally subsiding bit by bit. "I told him I may not want to but I would, should the need arise. And then there's the contract.."

"Is that really so bad, though? I mean, was it not already somewhere in whatever plans you have going through your head?"

Bellatrix scoffed. "Yeah, maybe. But it would be on our terms, not some written contract. Father knew how much I hated even just the idea."

"It'll be fine. Now come on, we have to have a chat with your siblings about all of this after curfew breaks. They deserve to know what's going on at home, if they don't already. Sirius probably already does, seeing as how your mother's already after him being excommunicated from the family for being in Gryffindor."

"But then where-"

"Just come on. It's just a walk."

Bellatrix took a deep breath, trying to steady her emotions. She could grieve later, for now Nick was right. Her and the rest of the Black kids needed to discuss what to do from here on out. She nodded, slipping out of Nick's arms while keeping a hold on his hand. Instead of rejoining the others in the Great Hall, the duo made their way upstairs, aiming to wander around for a bit before meeting with the others.

Seventh Floor Corridor, Two Hours Later..

As Bellatrix and Nick made their way up to the seventh floor, Bellatrix looked at him. "Where the bloody hell are we meeting the others? This is Filch territory right now."

"Right here, as it'll only appear knowing we need it." Nick said as a door materialized from the otherwise normal brick stonework. Bellatrix had a dumbfounded expression as Nick pushed the door open and revealed the shapeshifting room, today being a bit on the small side with enough seats for the few that would be there. Regulus was already there, along with Lucina and Narcissa. Andromeda entered followed by the unexpected presence of Ted Tonks, her boyfriend. Sirius and James arrived moments later, nodding to Nick as they took their seats around the room. "First time being here, Bellatrix?" The girl nodded mutely, looking around the room.

"Welcome, everyone, to the Room of Requirement. This room, for those here unaware of its existence, creates an ideal room for whatever your needs, in this case a nice spot for a meeting. It is also Unplottable, but that's beside the point as there are other rooms hidden away as such in this castle." The Marauders looked at each other in curiosity as Nick continued. "This meeting is of the utmost importance as it will solidify how your family goes forward in this coming war."

"What are you on about, mate? Why am I here, then?" James asked, the odd one out other than Lucina.

"Easy, James. You're here because I know if I had to ask, your father wouldn't hesitate to fight Voldemort down a peg or two and I trust your family as allies even without a formal agreement."

James shut up dutifully as Sirius sighed. "Then what is this all about, Nick?"

"Good question, Sirius. Now, you all saw Bellatrix get up and rush out of the Great Hall," The others nodded. "Well, there's some bad news coming. It would seem that your father is soon to meet his end. By way of, on his own admission, your mother dosing him with poison more and more over the last year or so. He's sent the family ring to Bellatrix and I for safe keeping, whether Bella decides to take the responsibility or if not, one of you other four. This was to ensure your mother had full control of you all, including but not limited to marrying each of you off to a Dark-aligned family and in some cases, total mental recalibration." He looked at Bellatrix as he said it, and while she didn't need the reminder of what he was fighting to prevent, Trixie decided to pop into her head and told her as much.

"What's that one mean, then? Mental calibration? Are you talking about mind control? Hypnotism is just a cheap Muggle magician trick." James said as Nick shook his head.

"We would be so lucky. No, I don't mean hypnotism. While I can't say exactly what the spell was intended for originally, as that knowledge may as well be lost to time, I can tell you it's not dissimilar to the Imperius Curse, but on a more permanent and more.. custom level. All Voldemort would have to do is point his wand at his target, think about the parameters of such a new personality and that's basically it. And once the damage is done, it can never go away. Someone this curse is used on could be the nicest Hufflepuff in the world and they then become something like a cold-blooded assassin. It's no joke, and a top reason I have for fighting Voldemort as hard as I want to."

"But why tell us? What if one of us is already turned as you say? Or if one of us is already being targeted in that way?"

"Another great question, Narcissa. In short, one of you has not only been targeted by Voldemort for use with this spell, but it succeeded. In one future, anyway."

"What do you.. Bella?" Sirius asked, seeing Bellatrix's growing discomfort about the subject.

She looked at him, frowning as she nodded. "It's why Nick originally chose to stick with me, once he met the rest of the family bar mother. He isn't a seer, though. He just has knowledge of one future where our world is much closer to the brink of nonexistence, all because of Voldemort in these times. Part of that, which I wish wasn't true at all, is that in this particular future, I.. I did a lot of horrible things. Torture, maiming, murder. That me had no qualms doing anything Voldemort told her, and Nick was rightly apprehensive towards me when we first met for that reason. Then, he saw how I truly am and now, along with taking Voldemort down and stopping everything he's seen from happening, he's.. well, we haven't exactly quite figured that out, yet."

"Oh, shove off," James said, chuckling. "It's obvious you two are together just from looking at you both together. Not gonna lie, mate, you had a few of the Gryffindor girls looking at you this past week."

Bellatrix frowned deeper. "Give me names and maybe they'll just be stunned for looking at my man-" She covered her mouth, stopping Trixie from putting any more words in their shared mouth. "Sorry."

The others all looked to Nick, the only one who seemed to ever have answers these days, for an explanation. "Look, guys, I have no idea why that is happening, just know Bella will be a bit different than she is now at some point. Not by much, but you'll probably notice it from time to time. But, that's not important right now. Back to the discussion at hand. Arcturus also put Bellatrix and me into a marriage contract, but only knowing that Bellatrix can annul the arrangement whenever, if she wants that responsibility. As some of you know, Rudolphus had been in talks to be contracted to Bella, but Arcturus enacted our contract so that couldn't happen. Now, however, Rudolph isn't a threat, and if his brother is then he can meet the heel of my other foot."

"Wait, what? Why are we threatening that slimy git, exactly?"

"Right, it hasn't been told in the rumor mill yet, thankfully. Last night, Bellatrix was attacked by Rabastan Lestrange, Avery and a third would-be Death Eater up in the Astronomy Tower. No one has heard about it yet, most likely due to the three boys' absence from class today. It wasn't a fair fight and her amulet alerted me to the conflict. I stepped in and stopped them at the expense of Rabastan's family jewels."

"Ouch. That should definitely show him. Rabastan has no idea what Muggle fighting can accomplish." James laughed as Nick rolled his eyes.

"While that's true, it's also dependent on the element of surprise. So, none of you find it odd that your parents are literally killing each other?"

The sisters shook their heads. "No, Reggie told us mum has been acting strangely for months, or more like extremely eccentric. Always saying the Dark roots of the family must survive or some shite like that. It's why I'm dating Ted, for mum to fuck off."

"Andi! She's still our mother, though. Shouldn't we ask her about it?" Narcissa asked as Sirius shook his head.

"Cissy, you're smarter than that. Father outright knew he was being poisoned and still held this family together, somehow. Mother is the cancer that we need to root out, and it seems father already thought ahead." He looked at Nick and Bellatrix, more serious than Nick had ever seen him before. "You're the heiress, Bella. What do we do?"

Bellatrix looked down. "How do you know I'll make the right choice, Siri? I can't fuck this up.."

"We're Blacks, Bellatrix. Fucking things up is how we've functioned as a family for centuries. You're just smart enough to give us motivation to be better. You and your boyfriend." He smiled teasingly as Bellatrix and Nick both rolled their eyes.

"He's not my boyfriend."

"He's not," Lucina said, smiling. "It's even worse. He's your betrothed." She giggled.

"Ugh, really, Lucina? Honestly, you bint."

"Love you too, sister."

"Seriously, though, Bella. We follow your lead. Although, if you'd rather not deal with the political headache, I'm available."

"And here I thought you were being totally serious that time." Bellatrix mumbled. "What about you, Regulus? You're the youngest of us. Are you alright with what I'll have to do to our mother?"

The youngest Black sibling looked to Sirius, being the only other boy in the generation. Sirius nodded. "Just speak from your heart, pup." It had been a nickname for him ever since Sirius had first seen Regulus as a baby, and it had stuck with him since.

"I don't like the idea that mother is even capable of doing something so evil, but it makes sense. When I was little, she was still normal, but then everything changed when this Dark Lord character showed up. It's like you said, Nick, it's like her old self was erased and we were left with a wrong copy of her."

Nick nodded. "Yes, I was afraid he may have learned how to use the spell in such ways already. I hoped not, because then it would make things easier. Killing him is the only way I have found to stop the spell from being in effect, but most victims of its use were left unchanged due to the length of their reconditioning." He was looking at Bellatrix again, her own unvoiced questions answered. Even if it happened to her again, there was the chance it wouldn't fix her, in the end. "But, I commend your honesty, Regulus. It takes a lot of courage to say such things about one's parents."

"I follow my siblings in the case of what's right. Bellatrix, especially." He beamed at the black haired girl, who smiled back and opened her arms for her youngest brother to hug her.

Andromeda scoffed with a giggle. "He's only saying that because she sneaks him licorice wands."

"Andi!" Regulus groaned as the rest of the assembled teens laughed.

Nick sighed. "Alright, well it's good to know the family is otherwise united. But, now comes the hardest part of this little meeting. What is it going to be, Bellatrix? Will it be you protecting the family? Or will it Sirius-ly be your brother?"

"Oh, Merlin, that was horrible." Bellatrix muttered, staring at the ring in her hand. After a pregnant pause, she jerked her hand back as the ring began to glow hotly, a white light emanating from it with as much heat as the fireplace at Grimmauld Place. "Shit. What the.. Oh, no."

The ring, still glowing, jettisoned a beam of light high into the sky, seemingly penetrating the stone ceiling of the castle before dying down again and allowing Bellatrix to pick the ring back up. Sirius had a forlorn expression on his face. "Doesn't that mean..?"

Nick had no answer, as he'd never seen such an event before, but Bellatrix was already crying, making it less likely the light was just for decoration. "Father.. he's dead.." Was all she could manage to say as she sobbed into Nick's shoulder, the boy shushing her with gentle circles rubbed into her back.

"And that means the ring is already yours, Bellatrix, by default." Sirius said as Bellatrix nodded, holding the now cool ring between two of her fingers.

"And to make it official, all I have to do is slip it on." Bellatrix said, hesitating before putting the ring on, the Black family crest glowing in a similar manner to the way her pendant had as a sign of her ascension to Lady of the House. There was a sudden pop and, as Nick looked around for the House-Elf that must have apparated into the room with them, a letter appeared instead on the table in front of Bellatrix, her name scratched onto the envelope in what Nick could only think was the handwriting of a goblin. Bellatrix slid the letter to Nick, who nodded at her and opened the letter, which read:

To Lady Bellatrix Black,

This letter is more of a formality, you understand, but business must be conducted with haste. As you are no doubt aware, your father (Lord Arcturus Black) has passed away, and the future of the Black family has now been passed onto you. Tomorrow, as your headmaster is already aware, we are Gringotts expect you to attend a meeting to go over your new duties and anything of note that may need to be heard. There is no need to reply to this correspondence. Just know that I, Hooklip the Haggard, am awaiting you as the Black family account manager. All our condolences on your loss, signed Hooklip of Gringotts.

"Does that mean you get to skip class for part of tomorrow? Not fair!" James complained as Nick laughed.

"I don't think you or the others involved in the Marauders deserve a day off according to Dumbledore. Either way, I'll go with her. I have some business to attend to with the goblins, myself."

"Of course you do. What do you possibly need to see the goblins about?" Sirius asked.

"It seems my family plot of land in Little Hangleton is now ready for refurbishing. I'm thinking of a nice little general store, oddities for the average witch and wizard and whatnot. Nothing too fancy. I also have to check on my investments."

"That reminds me. How rich is your family, exactly? The Gaunt name is about all you should have from such an old family, since there's been no official Lord or Lady in years."

"Oh, the Negron family is pretty well-off. Not as rich as your family or the Potter's, but with my upcoming investments, I'll be in more money than Scrooge McDuck." The others looked at him. "Nevermind. Too early for that one, too. Man, I have to work on my references."

One by one, Bellatrix's siblings and James left the room, until it was just Nick and her alone. Nick looked at her as she put her head on his shoulder. "Are you alright, love?"

The girl sighed heavily. "Yes.. No.. Maybe? I never figured I'd be running the family from behind a school desk."

Nick chuckled. "No, I'd imagine not, although I'm in the same boat, really. I can have jackets made up, make it a little club."

Bellatrix giggled despite herself, slapping his arm. "Don't tease me! This is serious."

"I know." Nick said, laughing fully now. "But so was I. I'm here for you, Bella, for whatever that's worth."

"It means everything, Nicky," Bellatrix huffed before her regular voice came back. "Jeez, I thought you said the spell wasn't permanent?"

"It's not. I don't think it's the spell anymore. It's more like I unlocked it from being something permanent, at least until you and Trixie are one mind and body."

"You mean I'm stuck with her coming out here and there? What are the others going to think when I start spouting off like that?"

"I don't think they were really caring much, anyway. Seemed more like confirmation we're an item to me as far as they're concerned. Not that we haven't already talked about this.."

"Yeah, I know.. One day though, right?"

"Yes, eventually. Either when I stop being irrational or l.. well, you know. Either way, I think we should head to bed. We have a long morning ahead of us. Perhaps if you're good I'll get us some ice cream."

Bellatrix's eyes lit up. "I'll be good, promise!" She grinned as Nick helped her up to leave the Room of Requirement.

Gringotts, Diagon Alley, London, The Next Morning..

"Ah, Lady Black, I presume?" Asked the goblin Bellatrix and Nick had been pointed towards as they bowed in greeting.

"Good day, master Hooklip. I got your letter."

"And I'm here as counsel. There's something you need to know before any sort of reading of a will takes place." Nick said before Hooklip could tell him he couldn't go with Bellatrix.

The goblin looked like he wanted to say something but nodded anyway. "Very well. To my office then, Lady Black. Lord Gaunt." Nick sighed, he really had to ask his own account manager about changing that title to his birth name.

Once inside the goblin's office, he clicked his tongue. "Now, this is not an ordinary meeting, as I'm sure you both know that the circumstances behind the Lady's ascension aren't as regular as most families participate in. Case in point, how much do you know about your father's death, Miss. Black?"

Bellatrix frowned. "He had been poisoned over a prolonged amount of time by my mother, Walburga Black. And I stand by those words because I know she probably contacted you about the ascension already, demanding for my family's ring. Am I right?"

The goblin nodded. "Yes, we promptly told her she was not in the ascension lineup. You're saying she caused your father's death? Lord Arcturus was a friend to us goblins, where most wizards and witches aren't. His death is even felt within the walls of this bank. And a serious accusation-" He stopped when Bellatrix took the letter from her father out of her robe pocket and slid it across the desk. "What's this?"

"Proof of my mother's shite actions, for one. Tell me, Hooklip, this Dark Lord parading about these days.. He's tried recruiting you all, hasn't he?"

The goblin nodded. "Yes, I daresay he has. However, the goblin nation does not subscribe to terrorists, especially those dabbling in dark magic as he is. Why do you ask?"

Nick answered. "Voldemort is a Gaunt as well, Hooklip, sir. He's actually more closely blooded then I am, making my own ascension to Lord of House Gaunt a mystery as to why. He's not listed as such, however, because his mother Merope Gaunt cavorted with a Muggle using love potions to seduce him into getting her pregnant. I do not know how or when he found out the truth about his heritage, but he has it in his head that being heir to Slytherin is the most powerful position he could be in."

"Does he..?"

"Yes, he also speaks Parseltongue. His familiar is a snake, Nagini, who used to be a girl with a blood curse that caused her transformation. I don't know whether she's told him she used to be a woman, mind you. However, with his agenda, you can understand why I put it on myself to make sure he never gets a true foothold in this society. A fucking half-blood leading people over Pureblood supremacy. Stupidest fucking thing I ever heard."

The goblin seemed perturbed by this information. "Well, it seems you have a lot of work ahead of you, my Lord. If there's anything us goblins can do to help, it's rather bad for business when the population starts dwindling."

Nick nodded. "Very good. If I'm to need anything from the goblin nation, it would be on par with that of the Sword of Gryffindor. There's a very specific purpose I'm fairly sure something of the sort would be most useful for, if you know what I mean."

The goblin nodded. "I shall bring it up with the King later today, however I would expect an audience with his Majesty to further explain such needs."

"Of course. Now, back to the topic at hand. Bella, anything you want to ask?"

"Yes, actually. Is there anything I should know now? Any affairs that may need to be put in order?"

Hooklip picked up a piece of paper in front of him, something similar to what Brookaxe had read out to him during his first visit to Gringotts during the summer. "There isn't much in the way of current affairs, I'm afraid. There is the writing up of a.. Oh, marriage contract between the two of you. Interesting, a very powerful match indeed and with little chance of inbreeding defects when it comes to children," Both teens felt their cheeks heat up as the goblin continued. "There are pending contracts for you as well as both of your sisters, although the one pertaining to you was annulled by way of Lord Arcturus."

"I'll gladly cancel those. My mother wrote those up as per her agenda, and I have no such wishes. My sister's would hate me if I kept or even accepted those contracts. Anything else?"

The goblin looked at the sheet again. "Hmm.. No, that's about all there is for now. We can go over alliances another day, as I have a feeling you have some strong thoughts about such things. Are you going to do something about your mother's actions?"

Bellatrix nodded. "I'm to report her straight to Alastor Moody of the Auror Corps. He'll make sure she gets what she deserves."

The goblin nodded and dismissed the two, allowing Nick and Bellatrix to go about the day. "Should we go report that now? Anything to cripple my cousin is a win for me, and a worthy use of our time outside of school." He smirked mischievously, making Bellatrix giggle.

"Trixie says you're enjoying the situation all too much, but she agrees. What's really mental is.. so do I. Let's go." She smiled just as mischievously.

"Yes, let's. But, we're taking the Floo. I'm tired of apparating, honestly. It actually takes a hella lot of energy and magic to actually breach the Hogwarts wards."

"I mean, I don't doubt that, but we're still apparating to Hogsmeade later, yeah? Enjoy a nice walk up to the castle?"

"Okay, now who's enjoying this all too much, miss all-O student."

"It's in my nature. You have met my family, right? Specifically my twin brother and Andromeda."

"I guess, but I figured you were a bit different than that." He laughed as she slapped his arm again. "Ay, I'm kidding, obviously. Jeez, we act like Cindy and Jimmy, sometimes." Bellatrix looked at him with a look of concentration before bursting out laughing. "Ha, Trixie told me about that one the other night when she wouldn't let me bloody sleep. Jimmy Neutron." She smirked proudly as they made their way into the Leaky Cauldron.

Nick nodded, impressed. "Touché. You know, that's so far off that it would be our grandkids, if any, watching that back in the time when I was just a kid."

"You really think something is going to happen to you by the end of this, don't you? Where you don't get to see that? Where we won't see that?"

Nick found that he couldn't look at her, instead focusing on the wood and carpet of the pub floor. "Even if I didn't, I would always have that fear. Despite how I act, this whole situation is so otherworldly and just plain odd that I'm scared. Deathly afraid that one wrong thing said, done, thought could ruin everything I want to achieve. And among other things, the elephant-sized ramifications of changing literal history like the end goal will are things I honestly don't want to think about."

"Nicky, you're not gonna stop this psycho if you keep doubting what you're doing. Where's the faith?"

"I'll have more faith when this is over and you are out of harm's way. Or at least, for now. Even if I kill Voldemort, we may very well start a war."

Bellatrix squeezed his hand as she pinched the Floo powder on the hearth. "Whatever happens, I'm not going anywhere.. Alright, fine, we." She giggled as she threw the powder into the fireplace. "Ministry of Magic Atrium!" She said as she stepped into the now emerald green flames.

Ministry of Magic UK, London, Atrium..

Bellatrix smiled as Nick half-tumbled out of the Floo in the Ministry atrium. He looked around as she took his arm. "No distractions, the Auror Department is.. this way." She said, making her way with Nick towards the wall of elevators along one wall.

Surprisingly, the elevator ride saw the teens alone as the glass chamber flew through the hundreds of back alley paths the elevators at the Ministry took, like some blown up version of the Wonka elevator. When they exited on the level the Auror office was located on, Nick followed behind Bellatrix again until they reached what appeared to be Moody's desk according to the small nameplate. The Head Auror looked at the teenagers and groaned. "You two again? Why is it whenever I think I'm going to have a good day, you two screw that up with some hijinks?"

Nick chuckled to himself. "If it makes you feel any better, I'd rather go take action myself, but this one here would either kill me or beat me to it if we didn't go through proper channels."

Moody narrowed his eyes at Nick. "What the devil are you on about now, boy?"

Bellatrix held up a finger as she dug into her pocket again, taking the letter from her father out and handed it to the older wizard. "I formally request my mother be brought in and questioned under Veritaserum. You'll understand why after you look at this."

Moody looked skeptical as he took the parchment from her hand, but his eyes widened the longer he looked at the letter in question. "Is this real? Not a horrible prank?"

Bellatrix frowned. "Do you honestly think my father would fake his death just to get my obvious Death Eater of a mother out of the house? Alright, from her behavior I would agree with that sentiment, but that isn't the case. Test the damn letter if you need to, it's not been doctored at all."

Moody took his wand out and waved it dismissively over the parchment, his frown deepening as he got those exact results. "Damn it. You two are really trying to overthrow this supremacist regime, aren't you? What's in this fight for you anyway, Negron?"

Nick shrugged. "Not the game, I'll say that much. I just want Voldemort to realize that he won't win this war. Not now that I'm here in the UK. He'd have to flee to another country like Grindelwald did."

"I understand that, but why? You only just moved here, I would think you'd want more on the side of peace and quiet."

Nick nodded. "You're not wrong, Auror Moody, and that was what I was aiming for when I first arrived," Kind of, at least. "But, I quickly came to realize that even being new, there was something here for me to protect."

The Auror rolled his eyes. "Sometimes, young love really ticks me off. But, I will say you're lucky to have him looking out for you, Bellatrix. The boy is reckless, but I can see his heart is in the right place. Rarer and rarer to see in this day and age."

Oh, he would hate the lack of respect boys have in the future, then. Bellatrix ignored the other voice in her head and smiled at Moody. "Thank you, Alastor, but I believe he's the lucky one."

"We can argue about that all day, Bella. So, will you get Walburga in here?"

Alastor nodded. "Aye, and I'll even make sure no one but me can even get to her until her trial. Is there anything else?"

Nick nodded with a gasp. "Yes, actually. Voldemort plans, somehow, on turning the dementors to his side, and they'll go without a debate. I think, as illegal and risky as it could be, they all need to be destroyed. I know the Department of Mysteries has a spell for their destruction."

Moody growled. "Your knowledge defies that of most other teenagers. What do you expect us to do about guarding Azkaban, then?"

Nick shrugged. "I don't know, every possible ward and booby trap to ensure that, even if a prisoner escapes their cell, they won't leave the prison at all. Or, you know, move the location underground and make sure no prisoner knows exactly where you are. But what do I know?"

The Auror grunted and waved the two off. "Oh, bugger off the two of ya. I don't want you two in this office again during school hours, got it?"

"No guarantees, but thanks for taking care of my mother for me! Keep her locked up for a while, too. I want her to suffer like she put father through."

Moody sighed as the office door closed behind them. "Those two kids are going to give me an aneurysm. Or worse, gray hair!" He said, ensuring his hair was still brown as he got to work on arresting Walburga Black.

Hogsmeade, Hog's Head Inn..

Nick and Bellatrix apparated inside the pub, Bellatrix giggling about something as they approached the bar. "This isn't the Three Broomsticks..?"

"Oh, no. It's the Hog's Head. Which, fun fact, is run by Dumbledore's brother, Aberforth. Or, more directly, the man coming to take our orders. You alright with a tiny bit of day drinking?"

Bellatrix looked at him smugly, and he couldn't tell whether it was more from Trixie's influence or Bellatrix's herself. "You're a terrible influence. And I kind of hate that I love it at the same time. Merlin, I'm more like my brother than I thought." She said in mock dread.

"Honestly speaking? I like that that's different about you here. Makes you a bit more relatable to a regular teenager. Just make sure you know what you want for lunch, alright?"

Bellatrix smiled. "You know, this is seeming more like a date than something you're doing to stop Voldemort. I can only imagine that's why you brought us to the one place in Hogsmeade that doesn't sell butterbeer."

"Well, I started the courting with that necklace, right?" Nick smirked at Bellatrix's shocked face. "I honestly wasn't sure about that one, the rules could have been different here. That wasn't a highly-used trope of the ridiculous amount of fanfiction I used to read."

Bellatrix shook her head. "You know, Trixie told me of a few of those too, you pervert."

"Those were unintentional. They really hadn't started out that way."

"Say what you want. Trixie's having a great time in here right now." She tapped her forehead before smiling again. "Oh, hello."

"How we doing? You two still up at the school? Delinquents playing hooky, maybe?"

Nick looked appalled. "Oh, no sir, Mr. Dumbledore. You see, the Headmaster recommended this place to bring my betrothed here for a date. You see, her father just passed away and as a fellow Lord of House, I offered to bring her out this morning to cheer her up some. We've just come from the Auror office, telling them what old Arcturus wrote about his- at the time- soon to be death. I'm sure the Prophet will be covering all the details soon enough."

Aberforth Dumbledore wrinkled his nose with a hum. "Well, Albus was always a softie that way, I guess, especially since.. nevermind. Two firewhiskeys, I take it?"

"Yessir. And I'll take a cheeseburger, a double with the fixings if it isn't too much trouble. And for you, Bella?" Nick said, looking over at Bellatrix with a soft smile which she returned.

"I'll take whatever fish you have on the menu, please. Lemon seasoned."

Another grunting him. "Very well, not the worst imaginable. Drinks will be out in just a moment."

"Take your time." Nick said, tossing a gallon to Aberforth who caught it.

"You don't act like a Slytherin, you know?"

"I'm only as much as I need to be. I'm more of a jack of all trades, really." Nick laughed as the brother of Hogwarts' headmaster seemed to smirk as he turned back away.

A short while later, Bellatrix and Nick had gotten and eaten their orders, the firewhiskeys still burning their throats slightly as they left the pub, intent on getting back to the castle as quickly as possible. As they began walking the long way uphill to Hogwarts, Bellatrix sighed, leaning her head on his shoulder. "Didn't sleep much last night, huh?"

"Nope. I was still in shock a bit. Everything keeps changing so fast this year. First you show up, the attack in the Leaky Cauldron, the necklace, father's death and my ascension as Lady of the House.. What's next, Sirius becomes an Auror?" Nick stayed quiet. "He doesn't?!"

"Not sure. Things between him graduating and.. certain other events closer to the present I'm from are somewhat hazy, again something only guessable due to fanfiction."

"Hmm. Well, if he applied himself enough I guess I could see it. This hill is so high. Why can't we just apparate back to the school again?"

"Well, we could, but I already apparated us out of the school this morning. Another apparition inside and Dumbledore would probably find us."

"Not that he'll do anything. You are actively acting against Voldemort, and Dumbledore considers that a personal vendetta."

"It's understandable, he taught Voldemort almost everything he knows. Either way, Merlin forbid Filch catches us instead. Plus, it's a nice scenic walk and it isn't like we're cold, we have warming charms on our clothes."

Bellatrix hummed with a short giggle. "Yeah, I guess you're right. Plus I get you all to myself, well for the most part."

"This is true. But look, we skipped all our classes today. Is that going to set you back any?"

"Possibly, it'll mean a good bit of homework assignments. I'll be fine, just as I know you will be. So, tell me, is there a Halloween ball or something going on this year? In the time I know more of, there was only one dance in all seven years of schooling that was heavily recorded and it was during the Fourth year documented and was a Christmas ball, the Yule Ball."

"Oh, I love the Yule Ball! Such pretty decorations. There should be something coming up. Why? Thinking of celebrating Samhain to the fullest?"

"Hell yeah. I have so many costumes I can do, as long as my Transfiguration is on par. And, only a handful anyone will even understand."

"I wouldn't have it any other way, since Trixie will let me in on anything I need to know about whatever costume you decide on."

"Ah, two minds against one. You two are both lucky I.. care so much."

"Aw, come on. I know that wasn't what you wanted to say." Bellatrix teased, poking Nick in the arm.

"Maybe, maybe not. At the moment, both of you will just have to figure out for yourselves. The fact I knew what I was doing with this," Nick flicked the pendant, the onyx orb dangling back and forth above the modest amount of cleavage Bellatrix was showing in her school uniform. "Should be more than enough to know I'm serious about you, at the least."

"Ugh, can we please just consider ourselves official? I just want to show the other girls I chose up."

"That is incredibly vain, love. But, I see the appeal, I guess. Back home, I wasn't the most popular in that regard."

He just didn't know about them. No one dared try after they had me on them about it. I was very protective of my Nicky..

A sentiment we both inexplicably share.. Bellatrix thought back as she leaned up to press her lips to Nick's cheek. "Well, we're here for you, boo, even when it seems no one is."

"I don't think that scenario is possible. I mean, I've already turned at least two Death Eaters against Voldemort, which is much easier now that he hasn't started initiating the Dark Mark tattoos. If this keeps up, he'll have a bare minimum of Eaters even on his side by the time graduation rears its head, although I'd hope I kill him before that."

"As long as he doesn't kill you, because even if it breaks me, I'll take him out in revenge. He won't get the chance to turn me against what I have chosen to fight for." They had stopped, and Bellatrix was pressing herself to Nick's body, her arms wrapped tightly around him. "I won't let you be forgotten, even if the worst happens."

"Bellatrix.. Fuck, why do you make it so hard for me to resist the urge to.. Merlin, help me." Nick said, his eyes darting between Bellatrix's own and her lips, the girl biting her bottom lip. "You both are going to be the death of me."

Bellatrix giggled, backing off of him. "As long as we get to spend a long time at your side before that, I'll gladly take that scenario. Trixie too."

Nick smiled. "Good. I like it when my girls are in agreement." He hadn't meant it exactly as it sounded, but Bellatrix's radiant smile as they continued going back to Hogwarts made him glad he was here, even if he didn't know why.