Chapter Eighteen

Mounting Dilemmas

Three days later, Nick and Bellatrix were sitting in an otherwise unused classroom, their usual haunts being literally haunted by Seraphina, the mysterious girl only adding to the mystery about her. One minute, she would be all pink hair and hate-fueled towards almost anyone- but Nick- and the next she'd have the mint green hair and be docile and kind to everyone, even apologizing for her own actions. However, both sides were equally enamored with Nick and thus forced the couple to hide out at times like now as they did their homework. "Kelpies lure travelers to their domain because.." Nick said, reading off of the short list of questions Hagrid had prepared as a sort of remedial lesson to help him settle in as the new Care of Magical Creatures professor, since Kettleburn decided he could retire and go get himself killed from some wild Chimera hunt (possibly). "Even for a remedial lesson, this one No-Maj kids would know, if they even began to look into mythology like I did back as a kid."

"Yeah, you were all about the cryptids, and then now they're practically all real. And no, you are not hunting a Thunderbird nest down just to get an awesome pet."

"Why not? No one would dare mess with our house with a Thunderbird for protection."

"True, but the thing will scare Merula.."

"No it wouldn't. Merula was very much a slightly earlier version of the original Draco, so a Creatures incident could still be likely. And she would grow with it, so there'd only be a reason to be scared when it reaches adulthood and its five times bigger than her. What about a Niffler, then? I know they're hard to truly tame, but once we do it'll protect any valuables without hesitation."

Bellatrix looked at her own copy of the questions Hagrid had had everyone in class write down to answer for homework, frowning. "What question are these answers for?"

Nick shook his head. "None, I'm asking for us. Hagrid literally asks us 'what creature supposedly originates from a curse placed on a greedy family?' That's definitely Quintapeds. I'm already done with these questions."

Bellatrix looked at him, surprised. Usually it was her finished first with homework, even when Nick knew more about something than Bellatrix did. She was about to reply when the door opened and Seraphina stood there, with messy pink hair and arms crossed over her ample chest. "Here you two are. How in Merlin's name do you both hide so easily?"

Bellatrix groaned. "It's easy to hide when you don't want anything to do with someone, Sera. Namely you. We don't know what your game is, but we aren't playing it."

The smile that spread across Seraphina's lips was sinister and serpentine. "Oh, honey, you wish you could figure out the truth about me. Here's a hint, though: I was born specifically for him. In or out of the bedroom is totally up to your own interpretation." She shrugged and laughed as Bellatrix stood up from the table, Trixie's piloting of their body evident by the wild magic sparks around her hands.

"The fuck did you just say?! There's no chance in hell Nick would ever choose you over me. Where in Merlin's saggy balls would you even conceive such a notion?" She raged, hands slammed flat against the desk she stood at.

"Don't hate the Seer, luv. I never said you weren't invited. In fact, I reckon I'd enjoy it more than he would."

Nick, who had stayed stoic and neutral to the fight thus far, was caught off guard by the statement as he fell to the floor, his chair having suddenly gained a mind of its own as it smacked against the stone wall several feet behind it. "I'm scared to even acknowledge I even heard that, so I'm just gonna.. ow, that actually fucking hurt."

Bellatrix and Seraphina hadn't paid him any mind, and if either of them did, they didn't even look his way as Bellatrix had her wand drawn. "I'm really going to enjoy ending you, you stupid bint. Fuck with me or my family and we'll see how tough you really are, fucking cunt. Give me a goddamn reason!"

"Trixie, come on. She's not worth it." Nick's voice said in Bellatrix's ear as he was suddenly standing behind her, holding her arms in his looped around her waist. The tactic worked, as Bellatrix deflated into a warm mass in his arms.

Seraphina frowned, looking hurt as her hair shifted to mint green now, the style also lengthening due to the mess it previously was being tamed into long, straight strands. "You know.. It shouldn't.. but seeing that still really hurts, that you can't find it in some way to trust me. I'm.. I'm not all bad.." The girl left the room as quickly as she had appeared, confusing the couple.

"What the.." Nick began.

".. Fuck was that about?" Bellatrix finished, frowning. "She's so weird!"

"Eh, so am I. It shows she isn't just some odd construct of magic. She is human, Bella. She has feelings just like the two of us. Alright, three, but you two are a single entity these days so either way. How are we doing on time, anyway? We have a call with Merula in the Common Room soon, don't we? We promised we'd check in with them today since yesterday was double time for classes."

Bellatrix checked the time with the clock on the classroom wall, humming. "Shoot, we're late. Alright, let's go see our little girl."

Nick smiled as he got up and followed Bellatrix out of the classroom, neither noticing the eavesdropping Seraphina still hanging around as she slunk around in the shadows after them.

In the Slytherin Common Room, Nick and Bellatrix had sequestered their fellow students away from the main fireplace in the large room, some just eager to learn more about the rumored daughter the current power couple were now always talking about around school. Just as the call over the Emerald flames came through, the adorable little girl's face appearing, Slughorn entered the common room. "Ah, good, you're both here. Sorry to spring another charge on you all of a sudden, but another student has been transferred over from Ilvermorny. Well, actually there's two but it seems you both were asked for by them. Bit odd, really, but either way, are you both available for a beginner's tour before dinner?" He asked the two seventh years as Merula smiled from the flames. "Oh, how adorable."

"Yeah, Professor, we should be fine with that. I'm guessing you brought the two with you? Not bringing other Houses into the Den of Snakes, are you?" Nick joked.

Bellatrix giggled, Merula mirroring her. "These days, these snakes would rather sunbathe than go to war over another House being in here. Bring them in."

Slughorn nodded with a chuckle as he called out from the bottom of the entrance stairway. "It's safe to come down. No drawn wands down here."

Seraphina watched as a girl in her mid-teens that had a resemblance to Nick enter, followed by a girl her, Nick and Bellatrix's age, dark-skinned and with a figure to die for. She also wore a garishly large red witch's hat, which Nick seemed to recognize as he saw the two. "Hey, Angie. Why did you.. get.. Oh, fuck."

Merula chimed in from the fireplace, giggling. "Daddy said a bad word."

Bellatrix hushed the girl as the dark-skinned teen gaped at the couple and Merula's bisembodied face. "Daddy?! Nick, you haven't even been here long enough to have a kid that old?! The fuck?!" Sameera Sehkmet said as she looked from Nick to Bellatrix. "What did you do to my man, you whore?!"

Angelina Negron looked at her older brother nervously, mouthing. 'Sorry, she wouldn't believe me when I told her everything'. Bellatrix growled, loudly enough to make Merula look at her mama with wide eyes. "What the fuck in Merlin's beard did you call me?! I'll have you know that adorable little thing in the fire is adopted, but she's as loved as if she had been birthed from me, so fuck off! Vain bitch, you blew your chance. Nicky knows who he really wants." To make her point, Trixie- Nick could tell it was the modern side of Bellatrix at work- kissed Nick long and hard, the two embracing each other as Slughorn cleared his throat nervously.

"I'll.. I'm just gonna go get back to preparing for classes tomorrow. Good evening, children." More drama than a Muggle play.. The wizened wizard thought as he made his way out of the Common Room, followed by anyone who wasn't trying to deal with Bellatrix-related drama, knowing better, perhaps. Slughorn would excuse them for it tonight, at least.

Meanwhile, the girls continued to fight. "Please, bitch. You look the type to keep your legs open. No one with a body like that ever really wins, honey."

Bellatrix turned away from the girl, to Merula. "Sorry, sweetie. We'll try again tomorrow, alright? Mummy and daddy need to work things out over here at school."

Merula nodded. "Night, mama. Love you and daddy!" And like that, Merula's Visage disappeared from the fire as Bellatrix rounded back on Sameera again. "Now where was I? Oh, so you're the pot calling the kettle black, are you? We have similar fucking body types for Merlin's sake! I don't appreciate you ruining the call to check in with my lovely little daughter, and Nick is done with you, he's already told Angelina as such. I'm sure she told you once she arrived back at Ilvermorny. Just how did you both get such sudden transfers? This year really does get curiouser and curiouser.." She looked at Nick, who shrugged at the unspoken question that it very well could have been Donna manipulating things again. But to what end or higher purpose could that possibly serve?

Saneera smirked. "The Headmaster owed my older sister a great deal after Nick helped us end the reign of my father, the maniacal American Wizard serial killer known as Auron Sayle. My sister was the only other family I had thanks to the man, and Nick's ending him last year was the greatest thing he ever could have done for me. I came to repay him, although it seems I have to fight for him this time. It was easy dating him at Ilvermorny, you know? We'd been best friends since first year, when Nick found out I was Sayle's progeny.."

"I don't give a hippogriff's ass how you two ended up dating, he's with me and he only wants me, whatever silly notions are flying through his head right now. This isn't meant to be a harem, Nicky.."

Nick put his hands up. "I know that! It's not my fault my love life in this time is actually the total opposite of what we knew, Trixie. Just cool it, alright? She isn't worth your wrath. At this point, there is no plan in my head that involves Sameera alongside us like that. Seraphina either, as I know you're wary of her. I'll give her this, though; she really knows how to be determined, as insane as her methods seem."

"Don't defend her, Nick. Seraphina Delphi is horrible news, it's plain as day. There's no way in hell I'm sharing you. Not after all of that."

"Yes, yes, love. Of course you're right. We're destined. Sorry for trying to make obviously miserable women happy, if possible."

Bellatrix sighed, holding her cheek in her palm. "Your heart is all too big sometimes, honey."

Seraphina frowned, her hair flashing back and forth a few times. "I'm not miserable.."

Sameera laughed. "Come on.. Bellatrix, right? Nick is no ordinary guy, he would make a great harem master." Nick groaned. "His heart is more than big enough to make a couple of girls happy at the same time. What? You never wanted to experiment with another girl before?"

Nick looked at Bellatrix before stepping away, taking Angelina with him as he saw the Gryffindor emblem on the breast of her robes. "Good, stick close to Lily, James, Sirius, Remus. Any of them. They'll make sure you're settled in right. I think I've personally had enough of this conversation." Laughing, Angelina nodded as the siblings left the Common Room, unbeknownst to the two bickering girls.

"Whether or not I've ever had such thoughts or tendencies is none of your concern or business. Nick is not one to do something like that, even if he says it wouldn't be that bad. And believe me, he has told me such before. The point is, you bint, step off my man. Ask the rest of the school whether or not it's a good idea to cross me." With that, Bellatrix huffed off, sparks flying from her fingertips again. This stress was completely unneeded, and she'd die before she really let something like Nick's apparent ex-girlfriend- from this time period at least- get to her so badly. So, she did what she was best at: blowing off steam with the use of her wand.

Sameera frowned as she looked at the Slytherin emblem on her own robes. "Ambition comes in many forms, bitch." She said, now fuming as she went to find her room.

A While Later, Great Hall Corridor..

"So what do you think so far? It isn't too different from Ilvermorny, huh?" Nick asked Angelina as the siblings stopped atop a set of stairs that overlooked the rest of the torch-lit and mostly empty corridor.

Angelina shrugged. "We'll see once I start attending classes. The castle is nice, though. I do think the old gothic style fits. Are you sure we should have let those two diffuse whatever situation was happening by themselves? Sameera is volatile enough, but Bellatrix seems.."

"A bit unhinged? Yeah, she is. Most definitely. But, she also has a clear mind and knows what's really important. Despite how she feels about it, Bellatrix won't hurt Sameera. For my sake, at least."

"I don't know. I think Sameera had a point. Her vanity may well help balance Bellatrix out even more."

"Maybe, but that's not the point. I don't want to be a part of a harem, Angelina. This isn't some Japanese cartoon or something." Nick realized he was too early again, as referencing anime wouldn't be truly relevant until either Transformers, Dragonball or Fushigi Yugi debuted worldwide, whether the Manga or anime adaptation and even then, Nick didn't think any of the early manga to release in Japan had harem plots. "But again, not the point. It would be too much stress for me, juggling Bellatrix and Sameera, let alone any other girls."

Angelina laughed. "Stress? I'm pretty sure Bellatrix is already planning on making this summer full of anything but stress. For you, at least. I mean, the apple usually doesn't fall far from the tree, right? And Bella's sister is already pregnant, yeah? I would imagine Bellatrix won't want to wait too long to make her own kid, not with how she was with little Merula." Angelina sighed, realizing what they had walked into in the Common Room. "I'm sorry we ruined your call home."

"Nah, don't be. Mom loves that little girl too much to make Merula unhappy about not being able to talk to us. Plus, we'll check in another day. Does mom even know you came back?"

Angelina shook her head. "No, but if Merula saw me, she might know now. Did Dumbledore manage to find anything to help you guys, yet?"

"Nope, actually. Kinda sucks, but then again I'm pretty sure I know where the last pieces are. Oh, and if anyone hasn't told you, yet, apologize to Kazuya when you meet him. The man just lost his entire family over the holidays." Angelina nodded, frowning sympathetically.

"Wait, he's from that Chinese family Voldemort decimated?" Nick nodded back. "Fuck.. yeah, alright. So, why are we in different Houses here? Back home we were both Thunderbirds."

Nick chuckled. "Because, kid, despite my mission to kill Voldemort and end this war- a brave decision to be sure- I have much more ambition than you. You're a hell of a lot braver than me, Angie. You came all the way here to Hogwarts, a totally new location, and for what, exactly? I doubt you really just decided to follow Sameera across the ocean."

Angelina laughed nervously, scratching at her cheek. "Yeah.. about that. It was more that than anything, really. Also, I knew someone would have to help you out with her, and since I'm practically her best friend, that job fell to me by default. I don't mind it, though. She's.. she's just lonely, Nick."

Nick hummed, his eyes focused on a portrait of one of his ancestors, one Ominus Gaunt, who while blind was able to create the first spells capable of detecting dark magical artifacts after a tragedy that happened in the Hogwarts area when Ominus was still in school, something that caused a friend to have their wand snapped after using an Unforgivable Curse on their family. "Yeah, I guess I can see that. But it's.. it isn't how she should go about this shit, that's all. She had enough flak given to her back in Ilvermorny because of her vanity. If she wants even a semblance of friendship with me or Bella, then Sameera has to really check herself and her vanity. It isn't all about her."

"As it isn't all about you, yet you're the center of practically everything going on in this Castle, it seems."

"I didn't ask for the extra attention, Ang. Although, curb-stomping a classmate for attempted rape is surprisingly docile for me." According to his memories, students who crossed him or Sameera back in Ilvermorny met the end of his wand or fists more often than not.

"For the crime it is. You literally castrated Sebastian for calling Sameera's sister a whore, just because he didn't know her and didn't bother learning anything about Sameera. Oh, Selene also says hi and wanted me to give you this," Angelina fished a letter out of her robe pocket, handing it to Nick who recognized the handwriting of Sameera's older sister Selene. "She said it was only for you to read, but I'm not sure if it's charmed against prying eyes or anything."

Nick nodded. "I'll take a look at it when I get a moment. For now, let's get you to your Common Room." Nick summoned his Patronus, a smaller-scaled version at least, and sent it along to Gryffindor and his friends there, notifying them of his imminent arrival.

Minutes later, Angelina shrieked as her and Nick hit the seventh floor landing, tackled by a large black dog as a rat scurried around in circles. Nick rolled his eyes and flicked his wand, causing the two Animagi to shift back to human form, Nick transfiguring a large cloth in his pocket into two blankets for the now naked students. "Didn't Bella tell you to cut out your shit, Sirius?"

Sirius chuckled. "Yeah, but what can I say? I like causing mayhem."

Nick scoffed. "Right. Definitely Bellatrix's brother. Angelina, the dog that just tackled you would be Bellatrix's twin brother Sirius Black. The would-be rat over there is Peter Pettigrew. Both, obviously, are Animagi and also pranksters. Honestly, you'll probably feel right at home in Gryffindor. Sirius, Pete, this is my younger sister Angelina. Make sure she's welcome, yeah?"

Sirius saluted Nick, as he would. "Of course, Capitan. Come Peter, back to the Common Room!" Nick rolled his eyes, transfiguring the blankets into simple clothes for his friends as he nodded to Angelina to follow after them.

"I'll see you in the morning, Nick. And seriously, talk to Sameera. She misses the way you two were before you dated."

Nick nodded. "As long as Bella isn't right there to chew my head off of my shoulders, you got it, sis. Sleep well, and keep an eye open around these two. They're the worst of the group."

Sirius looked hurt. "You wound me, Nick. I wouldn't harm a hair on her head. Not with your wrath being the result. Give Bella a kiss for me." Rolling his eyes, Nick walked off back towards the Slytherin Common Room, hoping Sameera and Bellatrix weren't still at each other's throats.

Nick was thankful the Common Room was both deserted as well as intact as he walked down the stairs into the spacious area. He sat down at one table by the windows into the underbelly of the Black Lake, tapping the glass with his wand and chuckling as a mermaid swam up, copying his taps with the trident in it's hand. After it got bored and swam away, Nick took the letter from Selene Sekhmet out of his pocket, humming as he flipped the envelope over and undid the wax seal. He looked at the multiple pieces of parchment present, unfolding the letter which read:

Nick,

I hope you're doing well, as your mother has been very cryptic with her letters and will not tell me exactly how you have been since you all moved across the Atlantic. Unfortunately, as much as I wish this was a letter to just say hello and catch up with you, it has another, more important purpose pertaining to my sister..

As you probably are not aware- unless your mother or Angelina has told you- MACUSA is attempting to make an example out of Sameera due to the sheer power she innately possesses because of her relation to Auron Sayle. This has resulted in- so far- three attempts at marriage contracts with her, but these are invalid. The reason being that.. there's already one active for her..

Nick almost threw the letter to the desk as he picked up the other pieces of paper present in the envelope. No, don't say it.. He thought as he cursed loudly. In his hands, included in the letter from Selene and written in clear black ink, was an active marriage contract that stated him and Sameera be wed. Dated two years earlier. "What did you do, Selene?" He asked as he picked the letter back up:

I know you're probably fuming right now because of the falling out you both had together, but please just listen to me. I wrote up that contract, along with your mother, a couple of months before you managed to kill my bastard of a stepfather. It was in more desperation than anything, as you know both our family and yours were targeted by the Puritan regime. Due to this, your mother and I prepared for the worst case scenario in case us as your parents didn't make it out of that conflict. When it was all said and done, however, you and Sameera broke up while I forgot the contract was even around.

Now, marriage contracts are supposed to be one per couple, but your mom has said your heritage has become a bit more.. complicated since you were living here in the States. And with higher status there, technically you are already in the running for- oh, how do I say this..? Ah, the multiple wife clause, for lack of better knowledge of what they may call it there in the UK. Therefore, despite your mother mentioning to me you have another active contract,this one never tore itself up as they will when the agreement is dissolved.

I'm sorry it's come to this, Nick, but I must find it in myself to ask your help to protect my sister. You're the only one I can truly trust with her safety, even though I know Sameera's.. newer personality traits drive you insane to no end and are what caused your breakup in the first place. Talk it over with her, dear. She's been dreadful and a horror ever since you left, and I'd think perhaps some civil words from you will make her ultimately listen. All love to you and yours, Selene Sekhmet.

"Oh, Trix is not going to like that.. Together again, then, Sameera?" He asked no one in particular, folding the two papers up and stood to go to bed, first checking on Bellatrix- sound asleep in her room- and shaking his head with a heavy sigh. Tomorrow is not going to be a calm day..

The Next Evening, Room of Requirement..

Seraphina groaned as the door closed and disappeared from sight as she watched the other new girl in Slytherin- Sameera- entered the secret room. "Fuck, what is with this door? Merlin himself never made anything like it." She grumbled, her plan to see just why Nick had orchestrated this meeting between him and his friends- now oddly including his ex-girlfriend- now foiled.

Inside, chaos began to ensue. "What is she doing here?" Bellatrix asked, anger seething just below the surface.

Nick sighed. "I needed her here, as the conflict we are engaged in now involves her, albeit indirectly. Sit, Meera. This is a safe space."

Sameera took a seat on one side of Nick, Bellatrix sitting on his other side. "Seriously, Nick, why all this secrecy? And what is this place?"

"It's like the Secret Garden back at Ilvermorny," Angelina looked at him before turning to Sameera, eyes wide and mouth agape. "And unless I want others here, they can't even find the room."

"You two found the Secret Garden?!" Angelina exclaimed.

Nick chuckled. "Yeah.. Totally by accident actually but it did help us.. cement our feelings in fourth and fifth year before everything started going off the rails." Seeing Bellatrix huff, he shrugged. "Anyway, the only difference is the Room here alters everything about it for those who need it. And, to be honest I don't know if you could have, say two different configurations of the Room active at one time. But, I called us here and not the entire group, because this only concerns those of us in the Room right now."

Bellatrix glared towards Sameera. "Everyone but her, I understand. Why is your ex here, Nicky?"

Nick placed a folded piece of parchment on the table, Sameera looking at it like she'd been struck by lightning. Then he looked at Sameera. "You know exactly what this parchment is, don't you Meera?"

Sameera shook her head in denial. "That's impossible! It tore itself when we broke up."

Nick unfolded the parchment. "No, unfortunately. What rather happened, according to what your sister believes," Sameera tilted her head. "Is that MACUSA are still up to their bullshit with you, keeping your name in the multiple wife clause, so the contract has stayed intact. My mother probably thinks that, because I'm now engaged to Trixie, the contract didn't mean anything anyway. However, that apparently isn't the case because this isn't just our old contract, anymore. Look."

Everyone gathered looked at where Nick was pointing, gasping as the contract was indeed no longer pertaining to just Nick and Sameera, but it seemed the contract Arcturus had written up also combined its contents with the first, now reading that Nick was set to marry both Sameera and Bellatrix, but the odd part was the comma behind Bellatrix's name in that particular section. "As you can tell, this is now a joint marriage contract, and I'm afraid it's.. not finished. The comma after Bellatrix can only mean, since the next line in the contract is another paragraph altogether, that because of my elevated status in the Wizarding World- can't stress how much I hate the attention- I'm now expected to have multiple wives. I could fight it, of course, but what's the use?" Bellatrix glared at him. "Don't, Bella. Think about it. We don't want this, I was planning everything for the two of us. But, this can help the Wizarding World more if we don't fight dissolving the contract as is."

"What are you talking about, Nick? How can marrying more women help.. Oh, oh! I get it." Angelina snapped her fingers. "The bigotry here is so thick you'd need a chainsaw to cut through it, and you're the wild card to that order already set. You already have powerful friends in Wizengamot thanks to what you've been up to since you and mom moved here in the summer. The more women marry you, the more you help keep the bigotry and bullshit out of the Pureblood agenda. Am I right?"

Nick smiled, nodding. "That's my little sister. That's exactly right. It's like what I already did, Bella, for Luce but just more personally involved. I'm not saying I'm fully onboard with this, mind you. But I would like it if you two could try to find it in yourselves to put your differences aside. If not for me, then for Merlin's sake do it for the future. Even your vanity can't see the failure in that logic, Sameera." Sameera didn't answer, instead opting to just get up from her seat and walk to the door, exiting the Room of Requirement with a resounding slam. "I should have expected that. Maybe I should-"

"No, Nicky. I'll go." Bellatrix said, standing up to leave while giving him a small smile. "Her issue lies with me being with you. Like how your mother has stated she doesn't approve of Sameera, Sameera doesn't approve of me because she feels entitled to think such things because you already dated."

"Are you sure? Dumbledore has enough problems with me causing distress in his halls, but you're a special case with him knowing you all these years since you first came to Hogwarts. And Sameera will fight."

"I can handle another girl, Nicky. And I promise, we won't start a fight. This situation requires a woman's finesse."

Bellatrix left the room, which left Lucina, Angelina, Nick and Sirius. "Those two are going to kill each other. Bellatrix will send herself into the Black Madness."

"Nah, have faith in your sister, man. Bella will be just fine."

Sirius shrugged. "I trust your judgment, Nick. Why aren't you worried?"

Nick laughed. "Enough has happened to me since moving to London to desensitize me to a lot of the chaos that's gone on. Granted, the stress is mounting due to the number of.. dilemmas currently going on but I'm dealing with each item in turn. Including our new stalker."

"You mean that Seraphina? She's a looker, but she's suspiciously obsessed with you and Bella. She asks everyone about the two of you like she's doing some report on you."

"Don't let Marlene hear you say that about another woman. Either way, Sera is probably the most challenging mystery to solve at the moment." The friends continued conversing about what else was going on since they'd all returned to school.

Meanwhile, Clock Tower..

Sameera looked out over the clock tower courtyard, sighing as she tried being alone. Selene had known the contract hadn't dissolved? Why hadn't she told Sameera about it? She was brought out of her thoughts as she heard footsteps approaching, the telltale clicking of heels on the wood and stone floors. "Why are you here?" She asked, her words venomous as she turned to face Bellatrix.

Bellatrix crossed her arms in front of her. "I came to talk. Listen, Sameera, I know you don't like me. I don't like you, either. But, for all that is holy and magical in this world, Nick is quite literally my soulmate. Maybe it seemed the same with you back in America, I can't possibly know that. But Nick is right when he says we shouldn't fight, you and I. You obviously still mean something to him, and I know from years of personal experience just how big that boy's heart is.."

Sameera turned back towards the window of the clock tower face, huffing. "How can you possibly know that? You've only known him for all of what? Maybe a little over half a year? You know nothing about how I feel for-"

"Nuh uh, stop right there. I don't know? Let me tell you what I do know, then. I know that whenever I was around him before we got involved, he was stuck in my head like a horribly catchy song. When I kiss him, I never want to let his lips go. My stomach flies into my throat when he looks at me. He makes me laugh even when I'm truly not in the fucking mood. And he can keep me calm just by wrapping his arms around me. Nick is the most selfless man I've ever met in my life, and I include my own family in that category. While I rather wouldn't, I'll gladly sacrifice myself for that sweet boy. So before you try to tell me I don't know something, get your fucking-"

"I'm sorry.." Sameera's voice was barely audible even in the silence of the night. "You don't understand what we went through for those six years, alright? But I can tell you do indeed know Nick and what it feels like to be so in love with him.."

"Then explain it to me, Sameera. For all of our sake, Nick wants this situation to work itself out and for that, I have to be mindful that others feel some type of way about my man. I don't want to hate you, but the jealousy is still there."

A/N: The Following lore dump is an alternate telling of what I kept trying- and failing- to write an exclusively Ilvermorny-based story series.

Sameera nodded. "I understand, Bellatrix. You really want to know? Fine. It all started, as cliché as it is, with love at first sight in Vertic Alley, our version of your.. Diagon Alley, I believe. I was a little obsessed with him back that summer, as young girls will be, but that changed into a comfortable friendship by the time Halloween came in our first year. Nick defended me against a Legacy of my father's cult, an asshat named Jack Looper, and from them on we were inseparable. We didn't start dating until second year,but when was when things got.. complicated. Our Headmaster was.. eccentric and aloof to most of what happened outside of the school, but I was a vested point of interest due to my father, and he felt one wrong step would send me down whatever path my father once tread. Because of that, despite how obviously smitten and for each other Nick and I were, he cast an advanced memory manipulation spell. One that didn't just change my memories to those of antagonistic intent towards Nick, but also my emotions stunted themselves because of conflicting emotions everywhere.

"The result was that, by the time we went back to Ilvermorny for our third year of schooling, I outwardly wanted nothing to do with Nick, although that sweet boy kept running to my defense. Even after I hung him from the ceiling of our own Great Hall after one particular dispute he saved me from. Then, shit hit the fan in our fourth year. The Puritans were going nuts with robbing shops and killing No-Majs. My mood kept worsening the longer the year dragged on. Then there was the final exam we had in Charms that year. No one had known our Charms professor had been working with the Puritans, but he rigged Nick's exam items to be portkeys. That resulted in both of us, as well as Nick's sort-of girlfriend at the time, being transported to the very cemetery in Salem where my father was buried.

"Once there, the Puritans did some ritual and brought my father back to life using my blood and several other bits and pieces. The first thing Auron Sayle did when he was aware he was alive again was he killed the third member of our unlikely trio, sending me into a horribly depressed mood because despite her relationship with Nick, she was still my friend, too. Nick saw me about to attack Sayle and did it instead, and they dueled for a while until my father forced Nick to hide in cover. It was then that the spells the Headmaster had put on me snapped and everything flooded into my brain. I was overwhelmed, but when I finally regained my wits, I kissed Nick and, due to some power hidden within my and Nick's connection to each other, it boosted his magic enough to get us the fuck out of there.

"Things were troublesome for a while, with me and Nick keeping my regaining of old memories secret from everyone for a good year until our friends and most of the staff found the two of us making out. Then, it was our sixth year and.. honestly I have no idea why I let my fears control me, let me think I would end up like my father without a doubt and kill Nick myself. All I know is it made me go crazy until I just.. broke up with him. Gave him some bullshit excuse about it and walked away. Needless to say I've regretted that decision every minute of every day since."

Bellatrix wasn't entirely convinced, but Trixie must have been judging by the sadness Bella felt from herself. "Wow, that.. really is a lot to take in. Your own Headmaster altered your memories in mere paranoia? He needs to be sent to prison for that shite."

Sameera nodded. "Oh, he was, just after Nick and his mother moved from home. What really hurt was that I was the only one not to know where to or even that Nick was even moving, although I understand why I wasn't told. I broke up with him, hurt his heart. I hate it, but I'm happy he was able to find someone else."

Should we tell her? Bellatrix asked herself.

Fuck that shit. Remember, we need to keep a low profile about our status as being not just two women in the same body but also about Nick and me being time travelers. Trixie retorted back.

Well, it isn't fair to her, Trixie. She's been through shite I would hate to be involved in, and yes I realized how similar her story about her father being brought back is to the original telling of how Voldemort comes back. We owe it to her not to keep secrets, even one as big as the truth about our boyfriend.

There was a growl from within her mind. Fine, but I don't approve. Bellatrix sighed. "Listen, Sameera.." Sameera turned to her again. "While I'm not fully sure I should be telling you this, because Nick wants this kept as secret as possible, for all of us. Unless Nick is there and says so, everything I'm about to tell you is top secret, to be kept secret."

Sameera looked at Bellatrix oddly. "What could possibly be needed to be kept secret like that?"

Bellatrix laughed. "Oh, honey. Well, first thing's first, Nick isn't exactly the same boy you went to Ilvermorny with and dated," Sameera looked at her with narrowed eyes. "He is, really, but also not. Tell me, what is your opinion on time travel and multiverse theory?" Thus began a conversation Sameera would swear for weeks after couldn't possibly be true.

Later, Slytherin Common Room..

Nick sighed in relief as he heard Bellatrix's giggling from the entrance stairway, somewhat surprised to see both her and Sameera seemingly getting along as they entered the main chamber of the Common Room. Bellatrix smiled at him and nudged Sameera towards the girls' dorm rooms. "I'll be along in a minute. Just keep it in your head that he is different, but still the same Nick. I promise."

Nodding, the dark-skinned girl made her way towards that side of the Common Room as Bellatrix approached Nick, wrapping her arms around his neck and kissing him. "Hey."

"Hi. What did you do?" Nick had known both sides of his Bellatrix well and long enough to know she had done something to make his ex look like she'd been hit by a train.

"Whatever do you mean? We just talked, like you wanted us to." Bellatrix replied innocently.

"Nah, not with how Meera eyed me when you two entered. Trixie, what did you two do to her?"

Don't you fucking tell him-

"We may or may not have told her everything about us in the future and the weird paradox you find yourself at the center of." Nick looked at her like she'd sent him to his death. "No, no! It's okay, I promise! Nick, Sameera is just like us. The only difference between us and her is that she doesn't remember. Sameera is Jasmine from back home."

Nick took a step back, shocked. "Wait, so it wasn't just us? Seriously, what is going on with all of this? Could this be your mother's doing?"

Bellatrix huffed. "I don't know and it frustrates me to no end, Nicky. Either way, I told her to think about what I told her and, when she's ready, she'll approach you about it. Now, is there any chance my big, strong wizard will bring me to bed tonight?"

Nick chuckled. "Not tonight. Seems like you have to go check up on someone first. I'll see you both in the morning, I need to go sleep before something else is revealed. There's enough dilemmas around here at the moment to make Nelly write a second part."

"You're adorable when you talk future-talk. Goodnight then, Nicky. Don't keep yourself up too late."

Smiling, Nick kissed Bellatrix to her resulting giggle. "Goodnight, Trixie. Don't antagonize her too much, alright?"

"Nothing of the sort, Nick. I'm all for supporting Jasmine in this, whether or not she remembers knowing us from before this fucking paradox." With that, Bellatrix walked off towards the girls' dorms as Nick made his way to the boy's side.

A/N: I'm so sorry you've all waited so long for this, but other stories and some writer's block caused me to pause the writing of this one multiple times. The marriage contract thing was purely out of left field, I'll admit but for the purpose of moving the harem forming plot along it worked. And the whole Sameera/Jasmine thing came to be because I figured it made more sense to make the girls involved (other than Seraphina, probably. Time will tell if I rescind that opinion) somehow related to the (more) modern life Nick and Trixie loved before both being engulfed in the paradox that is this story's entire reason for being. Anyway, I'll try to get another couple chapters out sooner rather than later but that depends on how long the Muse decides my Zelda story needs immediate attention. Hell, I have most of the latest chapter of my Pokémon story (Trainer School Chronicles) queued up to finish as well as my FNaF series which has taken such a back burner lately that I don't blame anyone for just ignoring the fact it or any other story of mine that's been stagnant actually get updated at all. Have a good rest of your night (it's currently 4am where I am) or day and I hope you enjoy the latest shenanigans that AWaH offers. Also, I promise I'm going to give some more love to the otherwise invisible characters like Peter like maybe there'll even be a portion of a chapter dedicated to Marlene and Sirius since I like having my still-living Sirius lmfao.