"I'll meet you in the Great Hall, Bellatrix." Harry told the girl before turning around and heading back the way they had come.
Harry started to boil with anger as he drew closer. "I can't believe they let you back in here, Snivellus. Dumbledore must really be as mad as they say." The boy with brown hair joked to his friends.
"Shut up, you do not know what you're talking about. His name is Severus and he is a better wizard than any of you will ever be!" Lily exclaimed passionately.
Harry heard some gasps from the boy and his friends before he saw him reach for his wand. Harry got there just in time and spoke up. "There's no reason for that, calm down boys."
Truthfully Harry wanted to curse whoever was bullying Lily and one of her friends, even if it was…Snivellus. Harry's eyes widened slightly as the group of four boys turned around to face Harry.
"Look at this, Snivellus needs his girlfriend and another snake to protect him." Sirius mocked as he glanced back at Snivel- Snape, he corrected himself.
Harry tried his hardest to get over the shock of seeing his father and the Marauders bullying Snape and his mother. Harry hadn't ever thought about it much. But a nickname such as Snivellus, how Snape acted in third year, all those stories. Of course the four had teased him. Perhaps it was just a schoolboy rivalry? Harry had had the same thing going on with Malfoy. He would hardly say he bullied Malfoy or that Malfoy bullied him.
"Look at this, a Black acting so outrageously. Your cousin and I are good friends, you know?" Harry managed to say.
"I- I don't care." Sirius stuttered out slightly.
"C'mon let's go, let's not skip lunch again." The pudgy boy who Harry could only name as Pettigrew spoke up.
Remus latched onto the escape and said, "yeah let's go. I'm hungry."
Harry watched, still shocked, confused, and slightly hurt. Don't meet your heroes.
Harry turned back to Lily and Snape after a moment. Lily looked crestfallen still and Snape Just looked like… well Snape.
"I didn't need your help." Snape bit out at Lily. "Yours either. I don't need anyone's help." He said to Harry before brushing past him and walking in the direction of the Slytherin common room.
"Severus!" Lily tried before beginning to chase after him.
"Wait, let him go. Let him cool off. He's just going to snap at you again." Harry tried to hold his mother back.
He wasn't entirely sure if it was because that's what he truly believed was best or if it was because he just didn't want his mother chasing after Snape.
"How do you know?" Lily snapped at Harry before looking quite guilty.
"I am sorry." She continued.
"S'fine im Harry, Harry Agnello." Harry said before sticking out his hand. He felt his heartbeat increase as he watched his mother take it. Harry had never touched his parents, never even been within feet of them, he wasn't even positive he had ever been to their grave.
"I'm Lily Evans. Thank you for trying to help." She said after a moment. Harry nodded and restrained the grimace from forming on his face.
"It's no problem-" Harry began before seeing a tear starting to fall from her eye. "Cmon." He said before hiding in a nearby empty classroom.
"Why do they do it?" The girl asked, desperate. "Tell me!" The girl demanded, seeing his pained look.
Harry didn't know how to respond. What could he say in a situation like this? He doubted anyone else had ever been in this scenario before.
"Perhaps there is some bad history between them. Perhaps your dark haired friend did something in the past to provoke them." Harry reasoned, hopeful. The only one who could be at fault was Snape, surely it was Snape.
"And me? Have I done something to provoke them?" Harry's mother asked with red rimmed eyes.
Harry's heart clenched at seeing his own mother this way. It hurt even more knowing who made her feel this way.
"Perhaps one of them just has a crush on you, did you think of that?" Harry asked, trying to joke a little.
"You are not mean to the people you love." Lily argued.
"True, you shouldn't be mean to the people you love. But who said anything about love?" Harry asked with a smirk. Lily blushed slightly. "Perhaps one of them just likes you a little bit-" Harry was cut off before he could finish his argument.
A woman's voice carried out from behind him. "Lying to a little girl, Harry? How devious of you. Do not listen to anything he has to say, little lion. Harry is mean to me all the time and I am his favorite person. He loves me in fact." Bellatrix said after she walked into the classroom.
Lily looked at Harry, almost betrayed. Harry's heart clenched before burning in anger. Even when she didn't know what she was doing Bellatrix tried to ruin his life. Here, right now, she was turning his own mother against him.
"How can you be mean to someone you love!" Lily demanded angrily.
"I'm not- I don't love her! And I'm not mean to her either. She just… doesn't understand my sense of humor." Harry defended while unconsciously positioning himself between the two girls.
Bellatrix's eyebrows scrunched together as she nodded along mockingly. "Let me tell you why those little boys are mean to you and your friend, little lion. They're mean because they can. People do things because they can. That is the only reason. They tease you because they can. They bully your little friend because they can. And until they are taught that they can not, they won't stop." Bellatrix said as she continued to inch closer, only standing a few feet from Lily.
"They do it… because they can?" Lily asked, confused.
"No-"
"Yes! And until they're shown they can not, they'll continue." Bellatrix continued.
"Bellatrix, what are you doing?!" Harry asked furiously.
Bellatrix wasn't given an opportunity to respond as Lily interrupted. "But how can they be shown that? I can not do anything!" She exclaimed, a wave of fresh tears starting to form.
"Lily, if you must, go to a professor, go to McGonagall." Harry tried once again to redirect the conversation. He didn't want to get his father in trouble but he could tell where this was going.
"I can help you, Lily. I will teach you how to defend yourself. Protect yourself and your friend. So that they will never tease you again." Bellatrix promised.
"You will help me? But who are you?" Lily asked Harry, looking at him for the first time.
"Don't listen to her, Lily. You don't need her help, you don't-" Harry tried once again.
"But I want it! I want them to stop!" She said furiously.
"Then I'll help you! I'll teach you!" Harry finally exclaimed.
Lily shut up for the moment and looked at Harry with raised eyebrows. Before either of them could say anything Bellatrix cut back in.
"Splendid, the more the merrier. We will both help you, Lily. Both of us!"
"Wait no-" Harry tried, suddenly confused.
"Once every weekend, in this classroom. How about 12pm on Sunday. It will be like our own club" Bellatrix said excitedly.
"No-"
"Yes! Thank you so much!" Lily exclaimed before squeezing both Harry and Bellatrix with a hug and running off.
Harry realized he had been duped. His chest burned with pain and anger.
Harry remained calm for another few seconds before roughly shoving Bellatrix against a wall. "What in the name of Merlin do you think you're doing?" Harry asked, furious.
"You know, when I called you a predator at that store, I wasn't serious. But now I am rethinking it. Are you mad that I invaded your alone time with her? I did not realize how young you liked them, Harry…" Bellatrix taunted.
The thought of Harry being a predator, one preying on his own mother was ludicrous enough to shake Harry out of his rage. Harry let go of Bellatrix and backed away slightly.
This wasn't how it happened in Harry's old time. It couldn't have been. He surely would have heard that THE Bellatrix Lestrange had helped Lily with bullies. No, this was a result of Harry's actions.
But why was she doing this? Harry had never even talked to Lily before this. So why did she involve herself in this. Harry briefly remembered his theory that Voldemort had used legilimency on him right after he arrived. Could he have given Bellatrix a mission and told her of Lily's significance? Surely not. That would be entirely too complicated.
"What, are you simmering in guilt or in anger at being caught?" Bellatrix prodded as she too stepped away from the wall, readjusting her robes.
"Neither, I'm not a predator." Harry responded in as polite of a tone as he could.
"You're not?" She asked with a smirk.
"Why do you even care? This has nothing to do with you." Harry finally asked.
"I care because you care, Harry. I'm just trying to help you." She responded and Harry's heart fell. It was proof that because of his actions, he had turned the future Death Eater Bellatrix's eyes onto his own mother.
He wanted to curse his stupidity. He wanted to go back again and stop this. What additional harm would befall his parents now? Perhaps… he should really start thinking about ways Bellatrix could "accidentally" take a tumble down the moving steps. He had joked about it with himself months ago, but now?
With a clenched throat, Harry responded. "Thank you, I overreacted. You're just trying to help. Shall we eat?" He asked calmly. If Bellatrix had been any other pureblood elitist he likely would've been screwed. But if Bellatrix thought they were still playing their "game" then she wouldn't suspect him of anything more nefarious than rude comments.
"We shall." Bellatrix repeated with a thick posh accent before leading the way out of the classroom.
"You know why I care but why do you care, she's not even in our house. If anyone, you should help that boy. You just have a thing for pretty faces like hers and mine?" Bellatrix asked after a moment.
"That's it exactly" Harry replied, refusing to let her anger him anymore. He wouldn't blow up again. If he had done that on daddy Malfoy or Rudolphus then his mission would surely be over before it began.
Would Bellatrix tell someone? About how he assaulted her? Rudolphus would not appreciate that in the slightest.
Harry had no strong desire to hurt someone with their guard down, even Bellatrix. But what else could he do? How could a duel be explained? How would he even go about that in Hogwarts?
"You're no fun right now, Harry. Sit by yourself." Bellatrix said after they entered the Great Hall.
She left him to sit with Rudolphus, Malfoy, and some of their friends. He should really join them but he just couldn't bring himself to at that moment. His afternoon was pretty much ruined and he couldn't trust himself not to make any more mistakes.
…
The days went by slowly after that. They inched ever closer to the Sunday of their first "meeting." Bellatrix seemed to love to remind him of it. Harry just wanted to forget… or makeherforget. He wasn't at all confident with his obliviation skills, probably because he didn't have any. If it was just him and his mother then he wouldn't be able to contain his happiness and eagerness. Any time he got to spend with her Harry viewed as a blessing. But being in different houses and different years didn't allow for much.
But with Lily, Harry, AND Bellatrix? She would no doubt see that Harry acted differently around Lily. She would, wouldn't she? Perhaps it would be best if he just didn't go. If he didn't then Bellatrix didn't have any reason to either.
Harry had taken to following Bellatrix down stairs in the following days, rather than leading. He wanted to see if he even had the courage to do something so heinous as to give her a push or cast a spell at her back.
So far he hadn't.
"Took you long enough." Bellatrix spoke as she leaned from the wall beside the doorway.
"Have another girl you're "tutoring" that I don't know about?" Bellatrix continued at his lack of response. She had become a little more brazen and crude with Harry becoming less responsive the last few days. Harry really believed she did it just to try and anger him.
"I'm here now aren't I?" Harry responded before pushing his way into the classroom.
"You are but she still isn't." Bellatrix commented as she followed Harry into the room.
Harry nodded before sitting at one of the desks.
The two remained peacefully quiet for a few minutes before Bellatrix had to ruin it. "Why don't you like me, Harry?" She asked with a smirk.
"Because you're not real." Harry responded, tiredly.
"And you are?" Bellatrix asked.
"What?" Harry managed to ask as he turned to face her.
"Sorry I'm late, guys. I was finishing an essay and didn't notice the time. I'm so sorry!" Lily apologized looking on the verge of tears.
"That is okay, Lily. Are you ready?" Bellatrix asked.
Lily nodded eagerly.
"Okay let's start off with something not too dangerous… how about the tumor forming hex?" Bellatrix asked seriously.
Harry stood up at that comment and took over. "How about the shield charm?" He said, leading Lily away from Bellatrix. Lily looked at Bellatrix oddly for a few moments before nodding along with Harry.
Harry began showing Lily the wand motion when Bellatrix interrupted.
"That is so boring! The best defense is offense! Watch." Bellatrix said to Lily before her eyes seemed to focus on Harry and lose a bit of their teasing shine. But she was still a far cry from the woman Harry had known.
"Diffindo!" She cast at Harry, which Harry was quick to block with the shield charm.
"What are you doing Bellatrix?!" Harry shouted as he blocked the cutting curse.
"The best way to learn is through observation… unless you think learning by doing is actually the best way, hmm?" She taunted.
"Don't you dare! Stupefy!"
Bellatrix easily dodged his spell before returning one of her own. "Accio desk!." A desk which sat directly behind Harry launched forward.
Harry didn't have enough time to react. Harry tried to jump out of the way but only managed to partially. The desk hit Harry's leg, nearly knocking him over. Harry groaned in pain but he couldn't check his leg yet.
Blocking out the pain, Harry quickly cast the shield charm, just in time too. A body bind curse smashed into Harry's shield. Using Bellatrix's surprise against her, Harry pressed his advantage.
Harry cast the newly learned ringing hex from the Agnello Grimoire. Bellatrix easily sidestepped it which didn't matter as Harry had been prepared for that. "Stupefy!" Harry cast a moment after the ringing hex.
Bellatrix was launched a few feet backwards before crashing into the ground.
Harry took a few breaths before turning to Lily who looked at him wide-eyed. "I do not want to do that to James or his friends," was the first thing she said.
Harry smiled slightly at the comment. "I don't think you should." He said simply before taking a few steps towards Bellatrix.
Harry gazed down at her knocked out form and wondered if it was really that easy. One more spell and he could be rid of her.
"Are you gonna wake her up?" Lily asked eventually.
His mother was there, Harry reminded himself. He couldn't kill someone in front of her… and he doubted she would look at Harry forgivingly if he did. Besides, Bellatrix was defenseless, he couldn't just kill her like that. Another time.
"No, let's let her sleep. She looked a little tired earlier, didn't she?" Harry finally decided as he looked back towards his mom.
Lily looked unsure for a moment before nodding her head in agreement. "So what are you going to teach me then?" She asked eagerly.
Harry smiled at her looking so excited. He had never seen his mother's smile outside of a photo album.
"Tell me, how many schoolyard hexes do you know?" Harry finally asked.
Lily looked confused for a moment before she responded "not many, I think."
Harry nodded his head like he had expected the answer. "Let's change that then." He said with a mischievous smile.
…
Harry spent the rest of the day with a large smile plastered on his face. How could he not? He had spent a few hours alone— mostly— with his mother. She was still young, which wasn't ideal. He doubted they would ever have the relationship he had dreamed about as a child. But something is still better than nothing.
He hadn't had to deal with Bellatrix since that afternoon either. He debated briefly, once again, waking her up. In the end he decided to write a note and leave her there. She would've done the same thing to him. Besides, it was nothing short of what she deserved.
He knew she was fine as Harry had seen her briefly at dinner. But she seemed to make a point of ignoring him.
Harry wagered that she might be a tad bit angry with him.
The thought helped balance Harry out as he listened to Malfoy talk about the "important" work his father was doing. Even Rudolphus seemed a bit bored with the discussion.
They were in the Slytherin common room. Some were finishing up assignments last minute, others just hung around to help or talk.
Harry was about to call it a night when he noticed Malfoy start to look around suspiciously. "You all, get lost." He ordered a few students. Harry noticed the ones he was telling to leave were all half-bloods or pure-bloods not as "distinguished" or "loyal" as his own family.
Malfoy locked eyes with Harry for a moment as he seemed to hesitate. Finally Malfoy spoke again. "It's late, Harry." He said, nicer than he had been with many of the others, but a dismissal all the same.
Harry hoped he hid his disappointment well as he began to stand. Perhaps he could disillusion himself and hide nearby? Close enough to hear but not too close to be noticed in any other way.
"Wait, Lucius, let him stay, I trust him. Besides, he is an Agnello, is he not?" Rudolphus spoke up.
Harry stopped halfway and looked back at Malfoy. Lucius didn't seem entirely happy with being overridden but he relented all the same. With a nod of Malfoy's head, Harry sat back down.
"We are missing a few of us, are we not?" Rabastan Lestrange asked.
"Yeah but we can tell them later if they do not get here soon." Malfoy said dismissively.
Malfoy cast a few silencing charms around the couches they all sat at. After a few more paranoid glances, Malfoy began. "In my most recent letter from my father, he told me things are really going to start to change. No longer will we be denied what's ours, the Muggle Borns who dare to ask for more than what they already have been given will be silenced, he says Magical Britain will return to her golden ages." Malfoy said dreamily. You could practically see the drool dripping from his mouth as he went on about his perfect society.
"The group that my father is in, that many of our parents are in. They are going to start to be more… forceful in their approach. My father asked me-" Malfoy was cut off by loud echoing footsteps coming closer and closer.
"Guys! Bellatrix is in the hospital wing! I saw it! Someone cast a spell on her and she tripped and fell on the stairs! Come quick!" Evan Rosier shouted before turning and rubbing back the same way.
Their previous discussion forgotten, the group jumped up and ran after Evan. Harry joined them but he was left feeling a little confused.
Someone had made Bellatrix trip on the moving stairs? What? Why? Who? Well besides Harry, who would do that? Harry hadn't heard of Bellatrix "tripping" on the stairs during her Hogwarts career. He doubted he would have heard it either way though so he couldn't be sure.
Harry felt a small amount of guilt form in his chest. He hadn't done it to her personally, but he had wished it on her. It wasn't the same thing, not even close to the same thing, but he still felt guilty. Of course, he also felt a bit relieved. Perhaps she would die or, though not preferred, she would suffer injuries debilitating enough to not be a concern.
The group of Slytherins arrived at the hospital wing in short order and filed in. Madame Pomfrey protested but was quickly silenced by the glares sent her way. Harry sent her a weak, apologetic, smile he was sure was actually a grimace as he walked by.
Near the end of the wing, they found her. Harry would describe Bellatrix on a bad day as beautiful. But laying on that bed, Harry couldn't help but think she was anything but.
Her once smooth and shiny hair was now frizzled and even a bit clumped with blood. Her forehead had a large scrape on it colored a deep red and her nose looked to be broken. Her once plump red lips, which so often curled in disgust at him, had scrapes and cuts of their own. Harry couldn't see under the bed sheet but he wouldn't wager her to look much better there.
"I've done all I can for her for now. She took quite the fall from what I've seen. I won't tell you that she's fine or out of the woods yet. But I will tell you that I'll take good care of her. So don't worry about your friend. Now go, you've seen her, you still have classes tomorrow." Madame Pomfrey ordered before shooing the group away.
"Has whoever attacked her been caught? What is Dumbledore doing about that?!" Another sixth year Slytherin demanded.
Pomfrey looked hesitant for a moment. "Her attacker is not yet identified. But I'm confident Dumbledore will find out. Additionally, Ms Black's parents have been informed and will be arriving at the school in the next few hours to talk with Dumbledore. Now go! Before I send you all off to detention!" She threatened.
A few of the more… passionate Slytherins looked like they wanted to argue. But Rudolphus silenced them by speaking. "Thank you, Madame Pomfrey, I will visit her tomorrow,"
Everyone slowly followed Rudolphus away, some almost begrudgingly. Harry shot Bellatrix's injured form one last glance before following along with everyone else.
The trek back to the Slytherin common room felt much longer and quieter than the run to the hospital wing had been. At some point, Harry found Rudolphus and Malfoy walking beside him.
"Was it you?" Rudolphus asked bluntly.
"No," Harry responded.
Rudolphus nodded as if he hadn't truly thought Harry had done it. Which… How could he have? He had been with him for the last few hours at the very least.
The three walked quietly for another minute before Lucius reached his limit. "Do you know who did it, then?" He demanded.
Harry thought the question over for a moment. Did he know who did it? Who had the motive to try and kill her?
"How should I know?" Harry asked, curious.
Lucius' face seemed to redden even more in anger and annoyance. "He doesn't know anything, Rudolphus, let's go." He whispered, managing to not shout at Harry.
Rudolphus held up his hand slightly to Malfoy. "You were with her today, were you not? She bragged about how she had a date with you. Did you see anything or anyone?" He asked, much calmer than his counterpart.
Harry unconsciously cringed at that but he managed to hide any visible disgust. "It wasn't a date." Harry replied defiantly.
The tips of Rudolphus' lips curled in annoyance. "Regardless, you were with her. Did you see anything or anyone?"
Harry first thought of Lily, but he wouldn't mention that to the two of them. He didn't need their eyes on his mother as well as Bellatrix's… that is… if she woke up. Harry tried to think back to anything that might've been suspicious. He honestly did, he was curious to know who or what happened as well.
"No, no one, it was just us, mostly." Harry replied.
"Are you going to try to find out whoever did this to her? You will not leave it to Dumbledore?" Harry asked after a moment.
Lucius scoffed at that before replying. "Leave it to the coot? He would sooner-" Lucius was cut off by Rudolphus.
"We trust Dumbledore but more eyes and ears could not hurt, right? Besides, are you not angry? You two are rather close, are you not?" Rudolphus asked without a hint of suspicion.
Harry's stomach jumped. He was too used to being in Bellatrix's company. He wasn't acting his part.
"I am angry." Harry replied simply, hoping that his coldness and short responses would be taken as anger.
"I want to help." Harry continued after a moment. He really did. If they found whoever did this to Bellatrix Harry had no doubt over what would happen to them. They certainly wouldn't be going to Dumbledore with their findings. If Harry's and this mystery person's goals lined up then he could warn them. If not, then Harry could build some trust for himself among his Pureblood friends.
"After what little help you have been so far? How could you help us?" Malfoy asked with a snort. He's a lot more like Draco than Harry would've originally guessed. Perhaps there was hope for little Draco yet.
Harry thought for a moment. If whatever had happened to Bellatrix happened after he left her then perhaps he could help them retrace her steps. But alas, he had seen her at dinner.
Harry smirked internally when he came up with what to say. "More eyes and ears couldn't hurt, right?" Harry asked, echoing their earlier argument.
Malfoy looked ready to burst a lid but Rudolphus spoke up before him. "Right you are, Harry."
…
The news had circulated to pretty much everyone by lunch the next day. It was all the older Slytherin students were talking about. Harry watched some shoot hateful glares at the other houses. He listened as some swore vengeance would be two-fold.
In Slytherin, the consensus seemed to be, unsurprisingly, that it was an attack on Slytherin House and Purebloods as a whole. The house was invigorated to find the culprit and punish them, for the honor of their house.
That was what everyone was saying, at least. But to Harry, the only ones he saw actively searching and trying to deduce who did it was Harry himself and Rudolphus' group.
Not that they had made much progress either. It was easier said than done when they had little to go on and less time to do it.
Harry stood with Rudolphus as they made to go to their afternoon classes.
"Harry!" A voice called out after they had left the Great Hall.
Harry's stomach churned uncomfortably as he saw Lily running up to them. There was no time to make excuses and Rudolphus made no move to leave.
"Harry!" Lily exclaimed, out of breath, after she reached the pair.
"I can not believe what has happened to Bellatrix! Can you take me to see her after classes? Please? I really can not believe it! I must have seen her just a few minutes before it happened… if only I had stayed with her a bit longer. Perhaps-" Lily rushed out, nervously looking between Harry and Rudolphus.
Harry really wished she hadn't said that, or had waited until they were alone. Rudolphus didn't waste any time to latch on.
"You were with Bellatrix minutes before she was attacked?" Rudolphus asked politely.
Lily looked a little confused for a moment, perhaps not realizing she had been cut off.
There was nothing Harry could do now, Rudolphus wouldn't forget her now. He decided to stand by and intervene if he needed to but he did not think forcing his way in between them would not end well.
"Yes, I saw her at dinner but I wanted to check with her after…" her eyes widened as she trailed off. She unconsciously looked towards Harry, guiltily, an action which didn't go unnoticed by Rudolphus.
Rudolphus seemed to let it go. Instead he asked her another question. "Did you see anything? Anyone?"
Lily's eyes widened slightly before she seemed to think deeply. "No… I mean we passed by some other people but there was not really anyone acting weird besides-" Lily abruptly stopped. Her eyes widened once again, this time in panic.
"Besides… who?" Rudolphus pressed.
Harry wanted to step in but he also wanted to know who she saw. Besides, Rudolphus wouldn't let this go so he couldn't just ask Lily later in private.
"Oh… oh, no one. It was just other students. No one really stuck out to me." Lily replied, looking like she was ready to bolt.
Harry saw Snape lurking away in the distance. He looked like he wanted to intervene but from the nervous glances he shot at Rudolphus, Harry doubted that would happen.
Harry looked back at Lily for a moment before his eyes snapped back to where Snape was standing. He was gone. Harry looked back down to the nervous Lily. She wasn't trying to protect him? Was she?
Who else would she not wish to reveal to Harry and Rudolphus? As much as Harry hated to admit it, the pair seemed close. They seemed to be best friends from the limited amount of what he had seen.
"You are in Gryffindor, a third year, correct?" Rudolphus asked.
Harry was surprised that Rudolphus knew, at least generally, who a Muggle born Gryffindor was. He kept his face straight, however.
Lily nodded, appearing almost confused.
"So let's say, hypothetically, you saw another Gryffindor do something very bad to another student. You know that the right thing to do would be to tell someone, right? Even if they were an older student, they would still have to be punished, right?" Rudolphus slowly asked.
Harry didn't feel all too good about the manipulation of his mother. Not that she was his mother, Harry reminded himself. But it still felt wrong. Though, in another world, Harry might've manipulated his mother into getting him his first broom or perhaps dessert before dinner. It's a nice thought, Harry decided.
Lily looked even more guilty, he could practically see her sense of justice and loyalty warring. He could tell her sense of justice was starting to win.
Yes, tell us who attacked her, it was Snape wasn't it? He was probably angry that you were spending time with someone else, Harry thought bitterly.
"I am not a child, I know that." Lily said a little defiantly.
"It's okay Lily, you can tell us. You won't get in trouble, we'll help you." Harry reassured her.
Lily looked Harry in the eyes, and for a moment he felt like his entire soul was laid bare in front of her.
She hesitated for another moment before nodding slowly. "Molly… I saw Molly Prewett. I saw her behind us a few times, I thought she might be following us at the time but I swear I did not know why! I would have tried to stop her if I had-"
"It's okay, Lily, it's okay!" Harry rushed out before hugging the girl who had begun to cry.
Molly Weasley… or as she was known in this time, Molly Prewett. She couldn't have been responsible, Harry was certain of that. He had known her for most of his teenage years and he knew there was no way Mrs Weasley, who knit him sweaters, would attack Bellatrix like this.
Harry turned his head to look at Rudolphus who seemed deep in thought.
"Ah, Messrs Lestrange, Agnello, and Ms Evans. Five points to Slytherin, for being good and kind people. Ms Evans, dear, perhaps you would like to accompany me to my office. We can talk more about what's made you so sad? Perhaps Mr Agnello wishes to join us?" Dumbledore spoke, coming from nowhere and surprising no one.
Rudolphus seemed more on edge than his usual calm, collected self.
The way Dumbledore looked at Harry made him think that it wasn't as much of a request as an order. Harry stiffly nodded before turning to Rudolphus.
"We'll talk later." Harry said, hoping his implication of 'don't do anything yet' got across.
Rudolphus slowly nodded after a moment and turned away.
"Do not worry, I shall inform all of your teachers that no punishment will be given for tardiness. Now, would you like to lead the way, Ms Evans?" Dumbledore asked the girl who was trying to hide her tears in front of the headmaster.
"I… I do not know the way, Headmaster…" Lily replied looking almost guilty for such an offense.
Dumbledore nodded, not seeming surprised in the least at the answer.
