CHAPTER 8: FORGING A NEW BEGINNING
Harry leisurely ambled down to the kitchen, a sense of well-being coursing through him, a stark contrast to the gloom that had plagued him for months. His slumber had extended later than usual, but he could hardly be blamed; the sun had already begun its gentle intrusion through the windows, casting a warm glow that hinted at a night well spent with Bellatrix.
As Harry pushed the door ajar to the kitchen, a sudden halt seized him. There, seated at the kitchen table, was Amelia Bones, clad in nothing but one of Sirius' oversized t-shirts, leisurely sipping a cup of tea.
"Seems like everything went smoothly last night," Harry remarked, nonchalantly strolling into the kitchen.
Startled, Amelia nearly spilled her tea at the unexpected entrance, her eyes widening further when she realized her wand wasn't within reach.
"Come to finish the job, have you?" she inquired, attempting to inject confidence into her tone.
Harry, taking a seat at the table, responded with a wry grin, "That little duel in Azkaban? Please, if I wanted you dead, you'd be a distant memory by now."
Indignant, Amelia accused him with a hint of anger, "You nearly killed me!"
Harry waved off her accusation dismissively, "I may have cranked up the power a tad. If I were truly aiming to end you, you wouldn't be here gracing me with your presence."
A plate materialized before him as he spoke, the nonchalant act serving to underscore the casual atmosphere he was aiming to maintain.
Amelia's eyes narrowed as she demanded answers, "Who are you, and what were you doing in her cell in the first place?"
A bite of corned beef preceded Harry's response, "You can call me Harry. As for my true identity and the purpose of my presence there, I'm afraid I cannot divulge that information."
Amelia, catching the cryptic nature of his reply, deduced, "You're a spook."
Harry, maintaining his enigmatic demeanor, replied with a hint of amusement, "I can neither confirm nor deny that, but the gray robes I was wearing should have given you a clue."
The kitchen door swung open, revealing Sirius, with Bellatrix trailing closely behind. Amelia, addressing Sirius with a tone of frustration, retorted, "You could have warned me about the company."
"No one in this house will harm you," Harry reassured, taking another nonchalant bite as Bellatrix, perching herself beside him, shot a penetrating glare at Amelia.
The disgruntled Amelia sighed, acknowledging Bellatrix's presence with weariness, "So she's here as well."
"Yes, I am a Black, and this is the House of Black," Bellatrix declared, her words deliberate and punctuated, as if addressing someone of slow comprehension.
Amelia, shifting to a more official tone, conveyed the pressing news, "I suppose it's fortunate you're all here. The Ministry has approved Madam Tonks' application for the retrial of Ms. Bellatrix Black. The trial is set for July first in courtroom ten. Until then, Ms. Black is to be placed under house arrest."
Bellatrix's eyes flashed with a mix of defiance and resignation, while Amelia delivered the proclamation with a sense of formality that hung heavily in the air.
"How would you know that, Amy? This is your day off," Sirius demanded, a hint of skepticism in his voice.
"Alastor sent me an owl just a few minutes ago. He had a hunch you would be able to inform her," Amelia replied with a smirk, reveling in her knowledge.
"Now that you're here, Auror Bones, why did you try to poison Bellatrix?" Harry questioned, fixing his gaze pointedly on her.
"I didn't know the chocolate was poisoned. Augusta told me to give it to her as a peace offering," Amelia explained, her expression perturbed.
Sirius, attempting to shift the conversation to lighter topics, inquired, "So, what did you two get up to last night?"
"Judging by how Bones is dressed, the same thing as you," Bellatrix chimed in matter-of-factly, her gaze unwavering.
Before Sirius could respond, a pink-haired girl tumbled out of the fireplace, regaining her footing with a shaky grace. She surveyed the room and declared, "Wotcher, Mum's coming right behind me." With that announcement, she took a seat beside Harry.
"I take it your dad's working today?" Harry asked, a playful glint in his eyes.
"No, but he is trying to sleep. He's working nights this week," Tonks explained, taking a casual position beside Harry.
"Ah, makes sense," Harry agreed before resuming his lunch.
Tonks, eyeing Harry's plate, couldn't hide her hopeful expression. "Got any more of that?" she asked.
Turning to Kreacher, Harry requested, "Kreacher, please fix a plate for Tonks and Andromeda." A plate promptly materialized in front of the pink-haired girl, but Harry intercepted her eager attempt to dig in, reminding her, "What do we say?"
"Thank you, Kreacher," Tonks expressed with hope in her voice.
"Good," Harry responded, gesturing for her to enjoy the meal. Tonks dove in with enthusiasm, savoring the food.
As Harry prepared to resume his own meal, he noticed Sirius staring at him incredulously. He sighed before inquiring, "What?"
"You made her tell that toad thank you," Sirius exclaimed, a horrified expression on his face.
"And you wonder why he doesn't like you," Harry remarked with a shake of his head.
"He's evil; everybody likes me," Sirius defended himself.
Before Harry could offer a retort, Andromeda gracefully emerged from the fireplace, assessing the occupants of the kitchen.
"Ah, I see my cousin was successful," Andromeda remarked, directing her words to a blushing Amelia.
"Good afternoon, Andi. I'm just going to go get dressed now," Amelia hastily announced before scurrying out of the kitchen.
Tonks, beside Harry, giggled, and he gave her a questioning look.
"I could see her bum," Tonks stated matter-of-factly, causing Harry to chuckle.
"Don't corrupt my daughter, Harry," Andromeda warned with a playful sternness.
"I would never. This was all Sirius' fault," Harry defended, glancing teasingly at Sirius.
"How is this my fault?" Sirius demanded, feigning innocence.
"Can I have some juice, please?" Tonks interjected before Harry could respond to Sirius. Without missing a beat, Harry reached for the pitcher and poured her a glass. With a flick of his wand, he cast a spell on the glass, presenting it to Tonks.
"What did you do to the glass?" Andromeda inquired with curiosity.
"I put a charm on it, so the only way liquid will leave the glass is if it's drank," Harry explained, a mischievous smirk playing on his lips.
To demonstrate, Tonks accidentally knocked the glass over, resulting in a resounding thunk. However, much to everyone's surprise, nothing spilled out; the liquid seemed to be ensnared behind an invisible barrier.
"Amazing! What spell was that?" Andromeda asked eagerly.
"The never spill charm. It's in 'Child Care for the Everyday Witch'," Harry replied, a grin lighting up his face.
Harry had dedicated months to searching for the spell Voldemort had placed on the basin in his cave. Though he had never found a practical use for it, the spell suddenly proved invaluable when a nine-year-old Nymphadora Tonks came over for lunch the day before.
The charm, originally designed for toddlers to prevent messes at the dinner table, had an unexpected origin. Harry found it in 'Child Care for the Everyday Witch,' a fact that amused him to no end. The notion of Tom Riddle coming across such a spell was absurd, and Harry couldn't help but marvel at the irony of the Dark Lord utilizing a charm meant for childcare.
Andromeda leaned in, her eyes gleaming with a mix of excitement and relief. "I thought it best to inform you that my plea for a retrial has been granted. The Ministry seems to be holding out hope that your innocence will be proven, saving them the embarrassment of acknowledging your escape."
Bellatrix arched an eyebrow, a wry smile playing on her lips. "Interesting. I must admit, I didn't quite grasp that when Amelia briefed us earlier. Clever move on their part."
Harry, deep in thought, chimed in after a moment. "That does make sense. If they can clear my name officially, it's a win-win for them."
Tonks, always eager for a diversion, interrupted with a mischievous grin. "Alright, what's the sweet treat for today?"
Harry looked over at the magically conjured plate, a sly smile on his face. "Ah, that's a secret. You'll just have to exercise patience until everyone's done."
Bellatrix, not one for patience, pouted in response. "I want ice cream."
A hint of amusement danced in Harry's eyes as he shrugged. "It depends on Kreacher's culinary prowess. We'll find out soon enough."
Andromeda, sensing a shift in the conversation, redirected it with a knowing glint in her eye. "So, any other noteworthy developments besides my dear cousin here embracing his Animagus form?"
Before Harry could respond, Bellatrix interjected, her tone teasing. "Well, Harry and Bella have been engaging in some..."
Harry swiftly cut her off, a stern expression on his face. "Not in front of the child."
Andromeda chuckled, conceding to Harry's discretion. "He's right, Siri. Let's exercise a bit of restraint."
The air buzzed with unspoken tales and lingering secrets, creating an atmosphere of anticipation as the group settled in for a meal that held more than just the promise of delicious desserts.
Top of Form
"I apologize, Nymphadora," Sirius said with feigned innocence, a playful glint in his eyes.
Tonks turned to Harry, her expression conspiratorial. "He's what my daddy would call a wanker."
Harry snorted and nodded in agreement with Tonks. "Yeah, that about sums it up."
Bellatrix, intrigued by the whispered exchange, leaned in. "What did she say?"
Harry, ever nonchalant, replied, "She was just inquiring if Sirius had lost his marbles."
Sirius, overhearing the conversation, mockingly protested, "Oi Potter, how dare you turn my sweet little cousin against me?"
Harry rolled his eyes, noting the disapproving looks he was receiving from Andromeda and her daughter. "Good lord, you're an idiot, Black."
Tonks, seemingly unable to believe her eyes, blurted out, "You can't be Harry Potter! You're way too old."
"Thanks a lot, Padfoot," Harry sighed, weariness evident in his voice.
Andromeda, sensing the need to change the topic, interjected after a moment. "Come on, Nymphadora. I need to drop you off with your dad."
"But I haven't had dessert," Tonks protested, a hint of disappointment in her voice.
"I'll have Kreacher bring you an ice cream," Harry offered, only to stop mid-sentence upon hearing a throat clearing beside him.
A stern expression on her face, Bellatrix raised an eyebrow, silently demanding Harry's attention. He cleared his throat. "Okay, thank you, Harry," Tonks conceded, getting up and following her mother, leaving the two wizards behind in the room filled with unspoken tension and the lingering scent of unrevealed secrets.
With the two Tonks women vanishing into the floo, Bellatrix leaned in, her expression teasingly sour. "You're spoiling her, and you didn't even offer to get me an ice cream."
Harry, ever ready to placate with sweets, quickly directed Kreacher. "Kreacher, please fetch a chocolate cone from Fortescue's and take it to Nymphadora. Then, grab three chocolates, one strawberry peanut butter, and one mint chocolate chip cone, and bring them back here."
"Yes, Master Harry," Kreacher responded before disappearing with a soft 'pop'.
Sirius, channeling dramatics, exclaimed, "How come everybody likes you better?"
Harry shot Sirius an exasperated look. "Don't even start with that. I entrusted you with one secret, and you couldn't keep it for a week!"
With another 'pop,' Kreacher reappeared, bearing the much-anticipated ice cream cones, arriving just as a determined Andromeda Tonks reentered the kitchen via the floo.
Stepping in with her own agenda, Amelia Bones strode in, dressed in muggle attire, an 'ACDC' tee-shirt paired with jeans, looking around. "What's going on? Where's the youngster?"
"We needed a private chat without her ears pricking up," Andromeda explained, handing Amelia her ice cream cone.
Amelia observed the scene, her curiosity piqued. "It must be serious if you're breaking out the ice cream."
Andromeda wasted no time getting to the heart of the matter. "Alright, Harry. Why did Sirius call you Potter?"
Harry responded matter-of-factly, as if it were the most obvious thing in the world. "Because that's my surname."
Amelia's eyes widened in realization. "Wait, your name is Harry Potter?"
The air in the room shifted palpably as the revelation settled, leaving a sense of expectation and unspoken questions hanging thickly in the atmosphere.
"Harry James Potter, to be precise," Harry replied, his tone earnest.
Amelia shook her head, disbelief etched on her face. "Impossible. Harry Potter is not even two years old."
"The Harry Potter from this time period might not be, but I am twenty-four years old," Harry asserted, his expression grave.
Andromeda's skepticism was evident. "This time period? You expect us to believe you're a time traveler?"
"I don't care whether you believe me or not. I confided in only two people, and one of them couldn't keep a secret," Harry retorted, irritation edging his voice.
"Fine, let's entertain the notion that we believe you. Why were you in Azkaban?" Amelia demanded, her tone insistent.
"Augustus Rookwood caught my team and me during a raid. He killed my team and sent me back to that cell to endure the Dementors for the next sixteen years," Harry explained, a scowl darkening his features.
"You forgot his other motive," Bellatrix interjected, her voice carrying a weight of withheld information, hinting at a deeper layer to the story.
"Oh, bugger. Are you on the potion?" Harry inquired, recalling the events from the night before.
"I am. I cast the spell too, just to be safe," Bellatrix assured him, a hint of determination in her eyes.
Amelia redirected the conversation back to the crucial details. "What was the other reason you were sent back?"
Bellatrix's anger flared. "To get me pregnant, so the Dark Lord could use my child to control the Black and Potter fortunes."
Andromeda, always curious, leaned forward. "Did you know any of us from your time?"
Harry's expression turned somber. "Just you. Everyone else in this room was dead by the time I traveled back."
"And Nymphadora?" Andromeda pressed, a glimmer of hope in her eyes.
"I did. I was her son's godfather, but she was killed in the Battle of Hogwarts," Harry shared, a shadow of sadness crossing his features.
Andromeda's face reflected horror. "Oh."
Amelia, sensing the weight of the history Harry carried, asked, "The Battle of Hogwarts. Who were you fighting?"
"Voldemort and his Death Eaters," Harry explained, the memory of the conflict bringing a solemn gravity to the room. The revelation hung heavy, prompting a shared understanding of the burdens carried from a time not yet lived by those in the present.
"But you killed him last October," Andromeda objected, her alarm evident.
"No, just wounded. He'll be back," Harry replied with a confidence that hinted at the weight of his knowledge.
"Can't you stop him from returning?" Amelia asked, her tone laced with hope.
"Possibly, but there are a lot of things that need to be taken care of first," Harry explained honestly, aware of the complexities involved.
Andromeda, driven by maternal concern, demanded, "Why are you sitting around then? You need to get out there and stop him before he hurts my baby."
"It's not that simple, and I have already dealt him quite a few blows since I've been here. Five of his Death Eaters are no longer in his service," Harry explained calmly, trying to convey the complexities of the situation.
Amelia, seeking assurance, asked, "Would you swear a vow that everything you have told us is the truth?" The gravity of the situation hung in the air, demanding a commitment to the authenticity of Harry's revelations.
Harry brandished his wand, positioning it solemnly across his chest, intoning, "By my life and the essence of my magic, I, Harry James Potter, do solemnly swear that every utterance regarding my future origins and true identity is an absolute truth. So mote it be!"
In response to his incantation, a brilliant burst of light erupted, momentarily blinding everyone in the room. As the radiance subsided, Harry elevated his wand above his head and spoke the incantation for the Patronus charm, "Expecto Patronum." A magnificent serpent-shaped Patronus gracefully emerged from his wand, causing Bellatrix to gasp in recognition, while the others shielded their eyes from the escalating luminosity of the ethereal serpent.
Andromeda, her tone deadpan, remarked, "I'm reasonably convinced you're not spinning a yarn."
"No kidding, Andy. I think I need sunglasses," Sirius quipped, blinking rapidly as if trying to readjust his vision.
"My apologies, that spell has always been a forte of mine. Although the form was a recent addition, traditionally, it takes the shape of a stag, much like my father's Animagus form," Harry explained casually.
"That new form coincidentally happens to be Bella's Animagus form," Bellatrix chimed in, her features transforming into a massive cobra. The sudden metamorphosis prompted Sirius to let out an involuntary shriek and clamber up onto the nearest table, startled by the unexpected display.
"You're absolutely enchanting," Harry murmured in Parseltongue, causing both Andy and Amelia to flinch involuntarily.
"You're a Parselmouth," Bellatrix hissed with delight as she gracefully slithered up his body, her head finding a comfortable perch on his shoulder.
"Yes, Voldemort bestowed the gift upon me that fateful Halloween night," Harry explained, tenderly stroking Bellatrix's scaled head.
"A Parselmouth?" Sirius queried incredulously from his perch on the dining room table.
"Indeed. Now, let's put a lid on the interrogation," Harry insisted, taking a seat with Bellatrix elegantly coiled around him.
"I might just sneak into Sirius' room like this tonight," Bellatrix hissed mischievously into Harry's ear, prompting him to glance at Sirius on the table and suppress a snicker at the mental image of his godfather's reaction.
"Alright, I suppose we can conclude this discussion for now. However, I expect a more thorough conversation later," Amelia declared in her trademark no-nonsense tone.
"I need to return home before Nymphadora drives Ted mad, but I'll be back tomorrow to talk to Cissa," Andromeda stated simply before taking her leave.
"Alright, Black, it's been a blast, but I need to visit my family. Floo me next Thursday," Amelia remarked to Sirius, who had finally descended from the table but was eyeing Bellatrix warily.
"Goodbye, Bones," Sirius said, giving her a kiss before escorting her to the fireplace. As soon as Amelia stepped into the emerald flames, Bellatrix swiftly slithered off Harry's shoulder and darted towards Sirius. He only realized the serpent was missing when he turned from the fireplace.
Sirius looked down and spotted the cobra advancing towards him, emitting a high-pitched, feminine-like shriek before bolting from the kitchen in a comical escape.
Bella transformed back into her human form and closed the door, pointing her wand at the doorknob. She then turned to Harry, inquiring, "Do you recall the suggestion I made last night?"
Walking over, she positioned herself with her back to him, placing her hands on the table before glancing over her shoulder, waiting for his response.
"Take me, Harry," Bellatrix purred, her voice dripping with seduction, her hips swaying provocatively against him. Harry responded with a sly grin, his anticipation evident as he began undoing the buttons of his pants; there was no way he could resist the allure of the moment.
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