An American Wizard at Hogwarts

by Flurry of Freezing Flames

Nick Negron was a regular guy, until he died and woke up almost fifty years in his past, halfway across the globe from where he had always lived. Oh, and he's a Wizard during the rise of Voldemort, as well as Lord to an otherwise extinct House. Then there's Bellatrix Black, trying to figure out why Nick is so different. Hopefully, Nick can stop the War before it truly begins.

18. Ch 17- Returning to New Faces

Chapter Seventeen

Returning to New Faces

January 1st, 1976; King's Cross Station, London; Platform Nine and Three-Quarters..

Nick sighed as he waited on the magical side of the platform entrance, wondering what was taking Bellatrix and her kin so long to arrive. Time was slowly but surely ticking down to the time the train would have to leave, with or without the Black clan on board. Come on, Bella. Where are you guys? He thought as he spotted Donna waving at him from a short ways away, gliding over to him through the sea of students flocking to the train. Ah, shit. Here we go again.

"Morning, Nick. No need to worry about your dear Trixie, I assure you. She's allowed to sleep in a little, especially with what you two have been up to when you think no one is aware."

"It isn't your business what me and Bella get up to, younger version of yourself or not. And it's technically just making up for lost time. Years of repressed feelings, you know."

"I guess that is true. Still, you both have to be careful. Contraceptive charms are only as effective as condoms, in the long run. Too much use and, well, quality of spell work doesn't equal impervious."

Nick grimaced. "Yeah, I really didn't need to hear that, although that was the logic I drew from thinking of just that. If it happens, it happens. Now, why exactly are you here?"

"Trixie is still my daughter, like it or not Nicholas. So it's perfectly within my rights to see her off to Hogwarts. I was too busy setting your rise up to see you both off in September. I just hope we haven't caused some shit ripples in the pool of time. Voldemort was all too quiet during the holidays, not even a sighting other than the attack on that poor clan in China."

"Yeah, that's a tragedy. And while it is Voldy's style, it came as a huge shock since no one was expecting him to suddenly be in China, of all places. I'm still unsure as to why."

"If my time in the future taught me anything, it's that the Chinese hold ancient secrets even in modern times. Most likely? Riddle found something of note in that clan's history and went after it to get an upper hand. As long as he doesn't show up able to use Ancient Magic.."

"Ancient Magic? What's that, then?"

The older Bellatrix shook her head, frowning. "Nothing you need to worry about. I think. I'm pretty sure you couldn't see them the last time around but someone had to have.."

"You've lost me, Donna. Any idea when the family might be arriving? I'd rather not go back to Hogwarts missing anyone from our group. Especially not if you're going to be cryptic about something that sounds both important and ominous."

Bellatrix smirked. "Hilariously, you have an ancestor in the Gaunt family named Ominus. Went to school at Hogwarts at the turn of the century. If I were you, I'd find a way into his things. He was very much a supporter of the Muggle-borns and such. Maybe something of his could interest you. I'm sure the Room of Requirement could help. Maybe you'll even find out what Ancient Magic is, although that's doubtful."

Nick clicked his tongue, about to answer as he felt a weight shove into him as the teenage Bellatrix and her brood finally arrived. "Hey, Bella. I was getting worried."

"Yeah, sorry we're late. Sirius and Marlene overslept, only waking up as the rest of us were finishing breakfast, even the surprise guests of James and Lily. But, we're here now. Have you seen any of our other friends?"

"Everyone is already on board. I told them I wasn't getting on without you lot, and honestly I'm surprised eye rolls were the height of their reactions."

Bellatrix giggled as she kissed his cheek. "Concentrate on school, love. You still have some catch up to do on your spells before you're ready for the N.E.W.T.s."

"I'll concentrate fully on tests once my cousin is out of the picture. At least bring some peace to this world before seeing where I go from here. Remember, I still don't have an answer as to what I want to do after Hogwarts. Nice seeing you, Donna." Nick said as he led his Bellatrix and the rest of the Blacks towards the Hogwarts Express as the warning horn was blown, meaning they only had a few more minutes to board.

"What's my mother doing here?" Vellatrix whispered into Nick's ear once they had all boarded the train, Sirius breaking off to find the other Marauders and the sisters and Regulus off to find their own friends and leaving the couple alone.

"No idea, really. She was being very vague about everything. Were you serious about the studying? There's much better things we could be up to."

"Nope, I'm not letting our hormones get the better of us this time. Merula will get her sibling after graduation and finding our future places in this time, and no that doesn't mean we stay the course and keep screwing at every opportunity. It was fine during the vacation, but now we need to rein it in. Remember, Voldemort has been doing something the entire holiday break, and it couldn't possibly be good."

Nick sighed, frowning. "Aw, Trixie, ruin the fun. Fine, you have enough of a point, anyway. Although it still socks. I still feel like we've only just found each other."

"You're such a sap. You've always had me, Nicky. Now, I'm just.. more."

"Yes, and it seems she comes out more often than not when it comes to our bedroom romps."

Bellatrix giggled. "Maybe. Maybe it's more me than you think. Anyway, how was the rest of your visit with your brother and sister?"

"Weird, really. Like, I knew they existed in some way but the memories just never clicked into place like others did. Growing up an only child in the future made me sort of anxious in the moment, I think."

"Well, I think they're both great. And they both took to Merula so well.. Some real shit is about to happen, I just know it."

"What do you mean? More visions?"

"No, nothing like that. It's just.. everything.. hmm. Everything just seems to be adding up in our favor too well so far. That warrants the worry that something is upon us, something that- maybe- we brought on by changing so much already. Rabastan was apparently still a Lestrange in the first cycle of events, although this time around there was no other choice but to excommunicate him for still blindly following Voldemort. Thankfully, I don't think too much else in the way of our allies has changed, unless people start pleading Imperius."

"Oh, now that would be a game-changer, huh? The hero made out to be a slave himself to Voldemort in order to make the snake bastard look better. Where have I seen that story before? Nevermind. So, either way, we need to- whoa!" The couple stumbled as the train began rolling, not having found a suitable compartment yet. "We need to be careful of accusations floating around, nip them in the bud. Even if that means going full on Assassin on whoever breathes such words."

For Nick back home in the future, this sort of talk would be attributed to reading too much fanfiction or playing too much of a single video game at a time. And for Trixie, it was standard enough not to get a rise out of her other than the physical eye roll. Bellatrix was different, though. The seriousness of Nick's words- and her unfamiliarity with his nature prior to him arriving in 1975 in addition to the effort Nick had already put into stopping Voldemort- actually turned Bellatrix on despite her own words just moments earlier. "Cool it a bit, stud. Wouldn't want me changing my mind so soon. Come on, let's just go find a compartment." Nodding, Nick followed Bellatrix down the corridor of train cars.

Minutes later found the two huddled together on one side of a compartment as there was a knock on the door, sliding open to reveal Sirius holding a small mirror in his hand. "There you two are. Always going off alone. Anyway, it seems we finally have some news from the castle about the state of things there over the holidays."

"Who's calling you on your mirror? Those things are rare enough at the moment."

"Aunt Euphemia, actually. She says she has news from the school, how she got it I wouldn't be able to tell you."

"Alright, so what's the news, since the call is dropped anyway." Bellatrix asked, both sides of herself annoyed at the interruption to her and Nick's peace and quiet.

"All she said was to watch out, because there are a couple more new students for the second half of the year. She said be careful of the one who seemed too good to be true and trust 'him who was scorned by Vodemort'. Honestly, that Seer shite scares me. Does she know how many kids I'll have in the future?"

Nick shrugged. "Wouldn't surprise me. She already saw James and Lily's future family. Multiple times. Thanks for the heads up, Sirius. Was there anything else?"

Sirius paused, seeming unsure for a moment before he smiled. "Yeah, I proposed to Marlene. I know theres no need to seemingly rush into such things, but I can't help but feel afraid for the future. It's like.. there's something biting the back of my neck, warning me things are about to go to shite. But, I have no other evidence of such, so I can let it go. It keeps coming back, however."

"Bloody hell, Sirius. Everything is fine. And you and Marlene deserve it. Just don't hurt that girl, Siri!" Bellatrix said, pointing at her twin brother.

"I wouldn't dream of it, Bella. I'll see you two once we hit Hogsmeade. The Marauders have to plan our big return to school prank."

"You don't really need one! But make sure Severus knows about it. He feels left out and you know it, Sirius."

"Yeah, yeah. Of course Sev can join the meeting. He's quite devious when he needs to be." Sirius walked off as Bellatrix looked at Nick, who picked up on what his girl was thinking.

"New year's fears?"

"No, no. Just.. Wondering. Hoping things aren't going to escalate any further. We're halfway through this year and with the track record we know of? I'd rather see the year end without major deaths or some shite."

"Agreed. Unfortunately, we won't know the true state of things until we get to Hogwarts and investigate ourselves. At least, if nothing else, the Horcrux hunt is almost complete."

"That's true, too. Hopefully we can get our hands on the last couple before school lets out. It's our easiest and best chance to stop Voldemort once and for all." Nick nodded as their friends knocked and entered, more train ride gossip shared between them as the engine chugged along its tracks.

Hogsmeade Station, Later That Evening..

As the students filed off of the Hogwarts Express and made their way to the carriages back up to the castle, Nick noticed a shady individual hanging around the station, ducking out of sight when Nick looked in his general direction. Filing it in his brain for later, Nick nodded at what Bellatrix had told him as they walked arm-in-arm onto the nearest carriage to them.

The couple weren't alone, however, as a boy their age or thereabouts was already present in the carriage. The boy was dressed in Slytherin robes, but neither Nick nor Bellatrix recognized the boy. "Who are you, then? We don't recognize you around Slytherin." Nick asked, automatically suspicious of the newcomer.

Kazuya smiled as he looked over at the couple. "I was hoping you two would be the ones to come into this carriage. My name is Kazuya Kirishima, the last remaining member of the Wu Shien Long Clan of wizards, and I am here to offer my help in your endeavors." Nick raised an eyebrow in curiosity at the fellow. "Against Voldemort. I want to help you kill him, as revenge for destroying my clan and stealing ancient magical research we were meant to protect from the outside world."

Bellatrix snapped her fingers. "You're the boy who survived the massacre in China.. But, they never found out what Voldemort stole from your family archives. Do you actually know?"

Kazuya shook his head. "Unfortunately not, but I have my suspicions after the last day or so. I'm sure you'll find out what I mean, but both Dumbledore and my Ravenclaw friend Pepper told me that you two were the ones to seek out in all this."

"I guess that's true.. Alright, but shouldn't you be up at the school waiting? Dumbledore probably took you here almost directly after the massacre."

"He told me to come down, said it was easier to speak with you both, especially regarding a certain shifty student in our midst."

"Oh, Merlin. Now what's that little shite gotten up to?" Bellatrix asked, already knowing exactly who Kazuya was speaking about.

"I don't know, all I know is that he sneaks off for hours of the day and is otherwise unseen, not even the professors know where he goes. I just know that whenever I see Rabastan skulking around, I get a bad feeling and a horrible shiver down my spine."

"We'll look into it. Outside of Voldemort himself, Rabastan is probably my top priority to keep an eye on. And I think I may know how to figure out where his excursions go.." The Map Sirius and the other Marauders kept, it would show where Rabastan was at any and all times of the day in the school, unless.. "So you know Pepper?" Nick had only spoken to the girl a couple of times all throughout the school year so far, but she was definitely good company.

"She's.. Been a good friend since I arrived. And she speaks highly of the two of you."

"Everyone speaks highly of me, if not in jealousy." Bellatrix giggled as Nick rolled his eyes.

"Come on, love, stop antagonizing him. It isn't my fault women wanted to throw themselves at me when I first arrived. Thankfully, that ended quickly enough. Whether by way of territory or otherwise. Either way, welcome to Hogwarts, Kazuya. I'm just sorry it had to be under such harsh circumstances."

Kazuya nodded. "Thank you, and may the Ancient One be with you in your endeavors." Accepting the sort of prayer, the three fell into silence as the carriage rocked back and forth up the long winding road towards Hogwarts.

As the students filed into the castle towards the Great Hall, Nick felt Bellatrix tug at his arm, pulling the boy into a side hallway to see Dumbledore with a smile on his wizened face. "Ah, I was hoping one of you would spit my attempts to sequester you away from your peers. I hope your holidays were less.. problematic than they were for me."

"We heard about the massacre. I mean, it would amaze me if someone didn't know about it, to be honest. So, why did you bring Kazuya here, exactly?"

"He was more.. passed on to me, I'm afraid. Chinese wizards orphaned so close to graduation are very limited in the magic they can perform outside of a school setting. While the exact details escape even me right now, I have gathered that Hogwarts stands as a fine institution for learning wizardry, and as such he may attend without the need for his parents, while other schools more locally would find his attendance an all-around hindrance.

"It also stands that Tom targeted his family specifically. I have yet to discern the reason, or what sort of magic he stole knowledge of from his Clan's archives. But, I'm sure you'll figure it out soon enough. You are a very resourceful couple, after all." The older wizard said, making both Nick and Bellatrix roll their eyes, the two meeting each other's gaze smiling as they recognized their usual reaction to such statements before their time in the seventies.

"I feel a bit used, honestly, but I dug this grave myself, haven't I? I really don't know how I could possibly help, but I guess I'm also a good choice to figure it out. Just call me Sherlock."

"Oh, Nicky.. Anyway, professor, while we have you. What is this about another new student apart from Kazuya?" Bellatrix asked the headmaster.

"Hm. It's best you meet the lass for yourselves. She is.. I have no appropriate assessments." With that, the headmaster bowed to the couple in farewell as he seemed to melt back into the shadows of the corridor.

"What do you think, Trixie? Voldemort disguising himself as a teenage girl now?"

"As hilarious as that idea sounds, I highly doubt Voldemort would do such a thing. No, but the way he described this new girl? It seems Dumbledore is uncomfortable, for one thing."

"Yeah, I got that impression, too. Strange, since the man never seemed capable of such an emotional state in the original continuity of this shit, as mysterious as this Era of time was. Either way, I guess we should get to the feast before we get detention for being tardy."

"Probably." Giggled Bellatrix as the two made their way to the Great Hall, thankfully just trailing behind the last of the flood of incoming students. Taking their seats at the Slytherin table next to Severus, Rudolphus and their other same-House friends, they listened as Dumbledore made his customary speech, welcoming everyone back for a fruitful spring term. There was also a warning to avoid the Forbidden Forest again, making it seem as if someone had decided to get up to trouble in Centaur or- even worse- Acromantula territory. As the headmaster sat back down after his announcements and the commencement of the feast, Nick nudged Rudolphus. "You seen Rabastan since we arrived?" He asked, noticing the ex-Lestrange wasn't sitting at the table with the rest of their House.

Rudolphus shrugged. "Not that I care, really, but no. I haven't seen him. Why do you ask?"

'I heard he's been even more of a shut-in over the holidays, barely ever seen. I have an idea where me might be, but I have to speak to the Marauders about that possibility."

"No, you don't, luv," Bellatrix interjected. "I believe Sirius and them gave you a copy of the item in question."

Nick looked at her before groaning. "Shit, you're right. Then, just let any of the others you see know we're having a meeting over the weekend." He said, looking back at Rudolphus, who nodded in reply.

"Of course, general. At your command." Rudolphus laughed as everyone began eating.

It wasn't long until the feast was over, with Dumbledore taking his spot up at the podium by the Staff Table once again. "As it is our first night back together in the castle, while unorthodox, us professors have decided to push classes back by a day, with twice the workload for the rest of the week," There was murmuring across the Great Hall as Dumbledore held up one hand. "Not to worry, students. We have decided on this course of action due to the horrific events that occurred over the holiday and it would do us all some good to just.. hang out with our friends and loved ones. Keep them close, as we never know what tomorrow might bring, or whom it may take away." With those somber words, the Great Hall began emptying, students hanging about in groups all over as Nick and Bellatrix opted to take a walk up to the Astronomy Tower.

As they entered the otherwise ground floor of the tower, Bellatrix sighed. "I can't believe it's only been a couple of months since that night.. It still feels so fresh.." She said, referencing her attempted rape by Rabastan and his little cronies.

"At least I was there. I wouldn't have been able to live with myself if something had happened to you that night."

Bellatrix stopped mid-step, smiling softly. "I never deserved you, Nick, but I'm happy you were brought here. I.. I never would have known such love as you and Trixie hold for each other had you never gotten thrust backwards in time."

"While that may be true, all you really needed to have a better life was not getting married to the dark side of this asshole." Nick laughed as Rudolphus appeared next to them.

"Oh, thanks." Rudolphus replied, rolling his eyes. It was unknown if he had heard any of the brief conversation already spoken. "What do you guys think of that new guy? Kazuya?"

"He doesn't seem so bad. I mean, I don't think Dumbledore would take in an orphan for any old reason. I feel his family was important to wizardkind, and the loss of the archives they held make Kazuya invaluable to us all, even if he didn't have access to some of the more.. Voldemort-esque magic. Do you have any idea what he could have stolen from them that would incite a possible international incident?"

Rudolphus sighed. "No one does, but that's easy to determine. Absolutely no one these days readily knows about forbidden magics or the acts which make that category up. Except maybe Nicolas Flamel, being the only modern wizard to have dabbled in Alchemy since they shut the class down while he attended. I think I'm gonna go to bed. Not really sure why the headmaster thinks all of us need a day off for someone else's benefit, but at least I can finish up on my summer assignments."

"Yeah, you get to bed, man. We're just going to stay here for a bit longer, then we'll probably head back to the Common Room for a bit before bed. We have no idea what to expect once classes start back up."

"Preaching to the choir there, man. Night."

"Goodnight, Rudolphus." Bellatrix waved the boy off as Nick turned to her.

"Do wizards even have religion like that?"

"Oh, yeah. A new cultish sect forms every couple decades or so. I believe the last one believed Merlin would be reincarnated into the form of a Quintaped.. I read three expeditions to the Isle of Drear ended with only one survivor, and the rumors said even they transformed into one and had to be destroyed."

"What, are Quintapeds contagious now? Like some perverse zombie virus?"

"Apparently. It's rare enough to find someone who survives an encounter against that cursed family, let alone kept alive after the fact. Makes whoever cursed that family in the first place a terrifying person, to be sure."

"I could see that. It's like how some form of ancient, lost magic was what actually caused the first werewolf to come into existence. That hallway was a real surprise."

"I've seen it. Took me until third year to figure out the trick. Strange how many uses you can give for Lumos."

"That is true. I even found some weird butterfly decorations hidden around the castle. They come to my wand when I use Lumos but as soon as I snuff the light back out, they fly back to wherever they first came from. So many little things to investigate in this castle. If Sir Arthur Conan Doyle were a wizard, this school was the real inspiration for Sherlock's many nigh-unsolvable mysteries."

"I could see that." Bellatrix giggled as a gust of wind blew around the two, followed by a girl their age, strikingly resembling Bellatrix but with a dark pink, almost red hair color and eyes that reminded Nick of a very iconic and argumentatively insane video game villain, at least in their teal-like shade.

"I finally found you two. I mean, you are the power couple of the school, right? Bellatrix Black and.." The girl met Nick's eyes and it sent a shiver down his spine. "Lord Nick Gaunt."

"It's Negron, actually. I only go by Gaunt on official business. Who are you, then? Definitely not one of our classmates we usually bump into."

The girl giggled, a somewhat devious sound as she replied. "I'm Seraphina Delphi, seventh year Slytherin just like you two. I was told to come introduce myself to you, if I needed anything you know."

"Does seem like something Dumbledore would do these days. I seem to be some stand-in or a second Head Boy."

"It's only natural for an Heir of Hogwarts to be considered a top choice to guide new students. You mind taking me on a little tour? One-on-one?"

Nick narrowed his eyes. "Very few people know of my status as an Heir, and I don't think it would be appropriate towards my future wife that I be seen with another woman in such a situation. Rumors and all that."

Before Seraphina could retort, Bellatrix stepped forward. "Back off of my man, bitch. You don't want to know what you're dealing with if you cross me."

"Hmm. You don't look so tough."

Nick held Bellatrix back as Trixie emerged, ready to fight a bitch. "Say that again you cunt!"

"Ooh, but this puppy bites. I guess this will be fun, after all. Toodles." Before wither member of the couple could reply, the girl was gone as fast as she'd appeared.

Nick looked towards the staircase leading back down to the main castle. "I'm not bugging, right? She said her last name was-"

"Delphi, yeah. But that doesn't make sense. You don't think..?"

"Absolutely not. Delphi absolutely loathed her father and the circumstances behind her conception. Remember, she was the one who tried going back in time and fixing her timeline by erasing herself."

"Very noble of her, though. That Seraphina gives me the creeps. Stay away from her, Nick, at least not without someone else with you."

Nick nodded. "Of course. If she is somehow connected to Voldemort, then we need to be extremely wary of her."

"Agreed. Now, let's turn in. Hopefully there isn't another surprise tomorrow."

"I second that." Nick laughed as he looped his arm with Bellatrix's before they left the Astronomy Tower, unaware of the new girl eavesdropping on their conversation with a devious smirk on her face.

The Next Morning, Slytherin Common Room..

Nick looked at the large clock that hung on one wall of the Common Room, frowning that Bellatrix wasn't awake yet. It wasn't like her to sleep in at all, let alone two days in a row. He was surprised Trixie was just as passed out, as she was the one who would sneak into his house as preteens and make sure he was up and ready for school that day, so that half of Bellatrix should have gotten herself awake if nothing else.

He looked back to the Daily Prophet in his hands, the day before issue in fact. He'd picked it up on the front page headline alone: Continued Coverage: Massacre of the Wu Shien Long Clan. Voldemort, Gaunt or Third Unknown Party? He'd thought it comical someone was still out to get him involved in Voldemort's bullshit. Then again, Nick was involved after all as the one trying to stop his madman cousin.

He heard large swimming in the lake, turning his head around to look through the huge windows into the underbelly of the Black Lake, seeing the triangular pads of the giant squids tentacles finish their pass, cursing. "Fuck. Is it too much to see the damn thing in more capacity then the ends of its damn legs?"

He turned back to the paper, jumping in fright as he saw another girl he didn't recognize right away sitting on the table directly in front of him, this girl having mint green hair. Another Metamorphmagus? He thought as she also spoke up.

"Good morning, Lord Negron." She hummed as her eyes scanned the newspaper in Nick's hands. "Honestly? Like you seem the type to do something so horrid. It's obvious that the Dark Lord is behind it all, right?"

"Um.. Do I know you?" Despite his popularity among the student body, Nick definitely didn't know everyone presently attending Hogwarts. Not to mention, this young woman was dangerously close to Nick, more so than any woman their age dare go, thanks to a certain ebony-haired beauty.

The mystery girl frowned for a moment before gasping lightly. "Oh! I get it, you don't recognize me like this." She scrunched her face in concentration for a brief moment, her hair changing from the light green it currently was to the same almost-red pink he had seen the night before and back to mint. "I'm a Metamorphmagus. I know it's rare, but surprisingly plenty of wizarding families have them somewhere in their genealogy. So, what's on your agenda for today? Strange having an entire free day off of classes so soon after a vacation, isn't it?"

"A bit, I guess. And there's really nothing planned out for today. Why do you ask, Seraphina?"

"Oh, come on. Call me Sera, it's so much simpler. But, I'm asking because I was serious about wanting that tour last night. Unless you really can't handle talking your woman down." The girl smirked at him. "I don't bite. Much."

"See? If you weren't making blatant statements like that, then maybe I'd consider letting you go off with him alone. Good morning, love." Bellatrix said as she practically glided onto the scene, sitting in Nick's lap and placing a kiss on his cheek before turning back to Seraphina. "Get lost, Seraphina. We have a wedding to plan, after all."

Seraphina continued smirking. "Oh, I don't know about that exactly. You know that, technically, Nick here is the last Gaunt, other than Voldemort. Once Voldemort goes, if things play out how you guys apparently think they will, then what's to stop the very supportive Wizengamot from enacting the Marriage Clause stated under the Pureblood House Charter?"

Nick and Trixie didn't know what that meant, the term unfamiliar to them both as Bellatrix bristled visibly. "They wouldn't! The Pureblood families have been on the verge for years already, and blood prejudices aside, do you really think everyone will stand for that sort of shite? I for one am not one to share, least of all my Nicky."

"Oh, believe me, I don't think anyone wants to share their significant other, not unless they're real freaks in bed. No, it will happen if things go your way, I know it. Our government isn't going to stand for future wizards as powerful as they could be if they were Nick's- at least according to rumors- not being born, let alone the possibility to grow an entire Ancient House back to its former glory with new blood. Just think about it. Toodles." The girl gave the two a salute as she left the Common Room, giggling to herself.

Bellatrix shook her head. "Bint is as loony as they come. There's no way those laws would get reinstated.."

"What laws, exactly? Where me and probably Trixie stand right now, that doesn't sound familiar."

"To you and Trixie, it would be akin to what they called a marriage contract, which would lead to you having a harem." Bellatrix whispered in his ear, giggling as she heard Trixie rage in the back of her mind. "Not the worst outcome possible for saving the entire wizarding world from imploding in on itself, honestly."

Nick chuckled. "That's true enough. Thank you for getting rid of her. Seraphina is.. very odd."

"I can tell. Granted, she doesn't rub me the right way, either. Now come on, we have the entire day to ourselves and I want to go find some Occamies."

"Occamies? Are those even found around here?"

Bellatrix nodded. "There are pockets of them here and there. They especially like the clearing out by Hagrid's Hut for their frolicking."

"Hmm. Nice to know. But, we'd have to wait until nightfall for that, anyway. The Occamy is a nocturnal species."

"Mhm. And tonight is a full moon, which makes it even better. I've tried to go see the Occamies at least once per term since second year, when me and Marlene stumbled upon a nest of them during a detention."

"During a detention? I'll have to hear that one another time. Anyway, do we actually have any form of plans yet for the day?"

Bellatrix shook her head. "No, not really. We could go and explore around a bit, if you'd like. I know you're always looking for your next Hogwarts Mystery to solve."

"Ugh, and now you remind me that in ten years Merula is going to be a total brat."

"She won't, Nicky. Not with us raising her. That girl is going to be a princess this time compared to the original version."

"Don't spoil her too much, love. Either way, she won't be risking her life time and again her entire time here, even if I have to teach here at the school to keep an eye on her and whatever friends she makes."

Bellatrix smiled at Nick's determination and resolve on the matter, Trixie swooning in her head that Nick was already such a wonderful father and the adoption wouldn't even be final until the end of term. "I'm sure you'll do a great job at it, too. And I can only imagine once you hear about her dating."

"I swear to Merlin if she brings Barnaby home I'm going to smash my head against a door. Unless he's a bit less thick I the head this time around, which the changes we've already set in motion."

"And if she happens to bring a girl home instead?"

"Then I will have to make sure they're worthy, either way. Although Tulip would be good for her. Merula always did seem a bit rash."

"True. Oh well, enough dwelling on the future. Let's go see what kind of trouble we can get up to, eh? I heard there's dueling going on in the Clock Tower."

"Ooh, that sounds like danger. I'm in." Laughing, the couple got up and made their own way from the Common Room as Seraphina watched from the corner where the stairs led towards the dorms.

The girl hummed as she watched them leave, still thinking nothing was wrong. Oh, how wrong they truly were..

Minutes Later, Room of Requirement, Room of Broken Things Configuration..

Rabastan groaned, slamming a fist into the side of the still-broken two-way cabinet. He turned around, wand drawn as he saw the new girl, Seraphina. "The fuck are you doing here? How did you find this room?" He asked the girl, who smirked at him deviously.

"Oh, plenty of graduated alumni know of this room, it's just a matter of digging out what way it'll look when you summon it. My father told me of it before he sent me here." She said father while making air quoting gestures.

"That doesn't explain why you're here, right now, in the Room."

"Doesn't it, though? I'm here to help, Rabastan. The Dark Lord needed someone else on the inside with the knowledge to fix this damned thing. And, being a part of him, I know just what to do. Now step aside so I can figure out what's wrong. Father grows warier of you every day without positive news."

Clock Tower..

"Glacius!" Came the voice of a Ravenclaw student as they sent a large wave of ice down the line of the dueling platform, right towards Nick.

"Too easy. Depulso!" Nick pointed his wand to the ground, sending himself flying up above the ice as the floor froze over, Nick casting a cushioning charm as well as a sticking charm, making his regain his footing easily. "That all you got? Petrificus Totalis! Flipendo!" The Ravenclaw frowned as they suddenly froze and fell to the ground, brought down further by Nick using Flipendo, sending the petrified body across the chamber under the clock tower gears and outside of rhe dueling perimeter the students had set up for this impromptu dueling club.

"Duel complete! Winner, Nick Negron of Slytherin. Smashing match, mate! I've never seen anyone use Depulso like that."

Nick shrugged. "It's all about strategy there, really. I mean, no one wants to get hit with a spell like Glacius, right? Unfortunately it's an Area of Effect spell, so you have to think outside, or above in this case, the box."

"Thinking like that would get you far within the Auror ranks." Said Kazuya as he approached Nick at the same time as Bellatrix.

"I don't think so. I'd much rather have Nicky stay alive, thanks. Where's Pepper? I know she likes a good duel." Bellatrix remarked to Kazuya, who looked away slightly.

"She said she had some things to take care of before classes tomorrow," The Chinese student shrugged. "I told her we'd meet up later."

"Hopefully not in a broom closet. At least, not the one two doors down from the Transfiguration classroom."

"Babe, hush. That's no one's business." Nick said, flicking his wand towards the large clock chime, frowning as the bell did not ring. "Kazuya, I don't mean to pry, knowing how your culture reveres its knowledge. But, would you mind me asking you a couple of things about your family's magic know-how? I want to get a grasp on what you kept hidden away so maybe we can figure out what Voldemort was after. The way I see it, it isn't much longer before the bastard finds a way to storm into the castle."

"But isn't Hogwarts heavily warded? Voldemoet would be keyed to be kept out."

"Yes, that is indeed the regular case of the matter. However, there are ways around those wards that, ho estly, a lot of people don't seem to think even exist. Like a Portkey. Anyone who can create one van essentially make it bring them here right through the wards, because wards can be fortified but for some reason, a simple little Portkey can bypass them. I like to think they work like Elf magic or even Goblin. Then there's bypassing by way of House Elf or other magical object that essentially does a similar function of teleporting someone between two points."

Kazuya nodded. "Alright, I see what you're thinking. That's cool, maybe sometime later? I was about to go down to the boathouse."

Nick nodded. "Cool. Maybe we'll join you down there, if you stick around the boathouse a while. It's one of the few places I haven't really seen yet."

Nodding, Kazuya walked off with a salute of farewell as Nick and Bellatrix contemplated what to do next during their free day.

A/N: Hey, everyone! Sorry this is so late, I keep getting ideas to write up and I can't help but start them otherwise I lose the idea and who knows when it'll show up again. Unfortunately, while I wanted this chapter to end up much longer, I really had no idea where I was going after Seraphina confronts Rabastan. As for Seraphina, I've made it somewhat obvious already what she is, but the reveal will come closer to the end of this half of what I'm dubbing as Part One: Marauders because it takes place during the Marauders Era, or at least my take on it. There won't be too many more chapters until we come to Part Two, aptly named the Hogwarts Mystery Era which will take a slight backseat with Nick and the gang we've gotten to know so far and instead will try to focus more on Merula and her friends getting into trouble which I now have to figure out because no one wants a rehash of the mobile game, although I won't be making it all seven years anyway. And that isn't going to be the end, as I have stated before, this story will go through everything leading up to the original point in time where Nick 'dies' and is sent backwards through time, although with luck, it won't be another cycle beginning lol. Even I'm not sure if I'll manage that.

Also, I know I've stated multiple times that this would be a one-on-one story in terms of MC relationships, but I can't really help myself. Be glad I lasted this long already without starting a small harem, not to mention it won't be brought up again (mentioned as a possibility in this chapter) until this Era's main event is finished, which will come about in a few chapters. I think this part of the story has gone on long enough, it's already the longest single story (based on number of chapters) I've written, and I plan on making the full story just as lengthy (to me, at least, there's no way I'm hitting more than 1000 pages of this story if I typed it up in one single document) as the novel of IT. Back to the to-be-formed harem. Bellatrix/Trixie, Seraphina is involved but because of her situation there is an upcoming plot point that will rectify such things even if it seems nonsensical. Not that that bothers too many people, judging by the reception on this story (and yes, no fave/follow/review is fine, I just seriously wish people don't come at me like jerks about it like I've already been hit with and otherwise ignored other than discussing in the Author's Note from that other chapter. Sameera will make an appearance and be brought into the fold and I think I'm putting one more in (Not Lucina, damnit! Not every gender bender has to be involved in a harem, that opinion is just that and not a fact (sorry, got a review about that, too lol)) but again I'm not entirely sure, yet. Just stay tuned, people, as you already have.

One more thing, and I promise this is it. I have a DeviantArt account under the username ChocoboFarron2012. I have been dabbling in AI art (again, no flames about how it's stealing from others if it was considered that bad then they should never have let it grow to the scope AI art generating has already) and have galleries over there for multiple fics of mine. There's one for this story which has mostly just character pics and a small synopsis of the story as I've yet to post any chapters up there. If anyone's interested and/or dabbled with DA (if not, I recommend it there's a million and one amazing pieces of art there, something for everyone) I encourage you to check them out, maybe leave a comment idc really. The characters for this story all have actual little bios specific to the story so far and a couple small(ish) spoilers. Alright, I'm so sorry this extended to such a length I really don't care for dragging things on as such, but it's a bit of announcements. Enjoy your day, everyone, I'm off to sleep.