CHAPTER 9: SCARS IN THE MIRROR
The air in the dimly lit room was charged with an electric tension. In the heart of the old Black family home, Harry had given Kreacher explicit instructions to prepare a lavish spread: sandwiches, a crisp salad, and a tantalizing French onion soup. The atmosphere hinted at an ordinary gathering, but the underlying currents spoke of a night unlike any other.
Andromeda, a curious guest at this peculiar rendezvous, had already arrived. Meanwhile, Sirius had departed, his destination a secret shared only with Remus. The ticking clock on the wall marked the minutes with a slow, deliberate pace, amplifying the anticipation that hung in the air.
The events of the previous night still echoed in Harry's mind. Bellatrix, in her cunning animagus form, had stealthily slithered into Sirius's room, a dark serpent weaving through the shadows. The night had unraveled with a crescendo of screams as Sirius fled, pursued by the snake, its scales shimmering ominously. In the flickering candlelight, Harry had glimpsed Bellatrix's sinister silhouette, her laughter taking on a serpentine quality as she passed him in the corridor.
Now, amidst the intricate dance of shadows and secrets, the stage was set for a clandestine meeting—a convergence of destinies that would weave together the threads of their fates in the tapestry of Number Twelve Grimmauld Place.
"Cissa should be here any minute," Andromeda remarked nervously, pulling Harry from his contemplation.
"I know, just relax," Harry reassured Andromeda with a gentle smile.
"I am relaxed. Where is Bellatrix?" Andromeda inquired, curiosity etched on her face.
"Right here," Bella declared as she swept into the kitchen, draped in one of her finer acromantula silk robes. The fabric cascaded over her body, enhancing her presence with a mesmerizing flow.
"Wow, that robe suits you," Harry complimented, his gaze appreciatively lingering on the dark purple garment that seemed to complement Bella's eyes and skin tone perfectly.
"Perhaps, if you're good, you can take it off of me later," Bella purred, her words laden with an alluring promise.
"So, you two have become intimate," Andromeda observed, a slight frown creasing her forehead.
"Yes, Harry gave Bella a good time on this very table after you left yesterday," Bella chimed in, her tone filled with unabashed delight.
"At least somebody is getting some attention around here," Narcissa's voice floated from the fireplace, her arrival having gone unnoticed until that moment.
"Hello, Cissa," Bellatrix exclaimed happily, her attention swiftly shifting to her sister.
"Bella, what would your husband say if he knew you were cavorting with another man?" Narcissa inquired disapprovingly, her gaze stern.
"You'll have to dig him up and ask him. Harry killed him before we left Azkaban," Bellatrix replied with a wicked grin, a hint of mischief dancing in her eyes.
"That is actually very comforting news, considering the service I wish you to perform for me. At least I know you will be able to follow through," Narcissa stated, her attention now shifting to Harry.
"I wouldn't have agreed if I wasn't capable of doing it," Harry assured, gesturing for her to take a seat at the table.
Once the quartet had settled into their seats and lunch had been served, Narcissa brought up another topic. "So, Andromeda, how did you manage to get an invite? If I remember correctly, the last time you and Bellatrix saw each other, she threatened to kill you."
"Sirius sent me here to inform Harry of his capture and to let him know Siri was getting a trial. We talked out some of our problems while Harry spoiled my daughter with ice cream," Andromeda explained before indulging in a spoonful of her soup.
"Harry does seem to like the little snot," Bellatrix mused thoughtfully, her eyes glinting with a mix of amusement and fondness.
"She listens pretty well, and she has the right measure of Sirius," Harry commented with a nonchalant shrug, acknowledging the dynamics between him and Andromeda's daughter.
Narcissa, ever curious, directed her attention toward Harry. "What is it you did for a living before your difficulties?"
"I can't directly 'speak' of it, but I was part of an anti-terrorist team tasked with eliminating threats to magical Britain," Harry answered, emphasizing the word "speak" with air quotes.
"I see. And how did you end up in Azkaban?" Narcissa probed, her interest in Harry deepening.
"I can't tell you at this time. Perhaps after our agreement is concluded, I can fill you in," Harry responded apologetically, keeping a layer of mystery around his past.
"Very well. Since we have arrived on the subject, I will go ahead and tell you that I believe I can remove the mark, though it will be very painful," Narcissa warned, her gaze shifting towards Bellatrix.
"When can you remove it?" Bella asked eagerly, undeterred by Cissa's caution.
"After lunch. It isn't a difficult procedure, but it will be taxing on us both," Narcissa explained.
"Good. If you are successful, I will gladly complete the task, though it might need to wait until after Bella's trial," Harry informed Narcissa.
"Trial? She already had a trial?" Narcissa expressed confusion.
"Andy has filed for me to have another trial. Thanks to Lucy, I will be using the Imperius defense," Bellatrix exclaimed happily, a gleam of anticipation in her eyes.
"Brilliant. The dark faction will have no choice but to vote in her favor," Narcissa remarked, sounding impressed by the strategic advantage.
"That's what got Andromeda an invitation to this lunch," Harry quipped, a playful grin lighting up his face.
"I actually invited myself. If Bellatrix's mark is removed, it will make her case stronger, as the prosecution will have no visible proof she was a Death Eater," Andromeda explained, a hint of satisfaction lacing her words.
"It's good to see you again, Andi," Narcissa spoke softly.
"You too, Cissa," Andromeda replied, her eyes momentarily clouding with emotion.
"It is nice to see both of my sisters together," Bellatrix admitted softly, a rare moment of sentimentality breaking through her usual demeanor.
"Alright, enough of the sentiments. Are you ready to remove that blight from your skin?" Narcissa asked, rising from her seat and discreetly wiping the corner of her eyes.
"Yes, where are we going to do this?" Bellatrix inquired, her nerves palpable.
"The drawing-room," Narcissa announced as she strode through the kitchen door.
The trio swiftly followed her. Upon entering the drawing-room, they found Narcissa arranging a workstation at the back of the room. A desk chair was set up with an array of items placed on a small end table beside her. Positioned in front of her was a chaise lounge meant for Bellatrix.
"First things first, I have enchanted this coin to store magic. I want you to channel your magic into it until it flashes blue," Narcissa explained, picking up the coin from the table and handing it to Bellatrix.
Bellatrix gracefully seated herself on the chaise, accepting the coin from Narcissa. Closing her eyes in concentration, she focused her magical energy into the coin, and soon, a vibrant flash of blue emanated from the gaps in her closed fist.
"That's good, Bella. Now, I need to draw some of your blood," Narcissa said gently, and Bellatrix handed the coin back to her before offering her palm for the required blood.
Meanwhile, Harry and Andromeda occupied nearby seats, observing the unfolding procedure without interfering. Harry's gaze remained fixed on the meticulous process, captivated by the magical intricacies at play.
With the vial of Bellatrix's blood in hand, Narcissa proceeded to pour it into a larger vial containing a clear, premade potion. A deft shake of the vial transformed its contents into a deep, ominous shade of blood red.
"Go ahead and lay down, Bella. I will draw the runes on the vessel first and then draw the reverse runes around your mark," Narcissa instructed, her tone confident as she transferred the potion into the reservoir of a fountain pen.
Harry watched intently as Narcissa commenced the delicate task of drawing ancient runes with the blood-imbued ink. Skillfully, she adorned the rim of the coin with intricate symbols, transferring the magic and essence of Bellatrix's blood onto the surface. A large, central rune soon took shape, pulsating with a latent power that resonated in the room.
Once Narcissa had finished inscribing the coin with the ancient runes, she shifted her focus to the task at hand—removing the dark mark from Bellatrix's arm. With precision, she traced the reverse of the same runes in a circular formation around the faded mark, preparing the canvas for the pivotal moment.
"That tickled," Bellatrix remarked, her voice betraying a sense of amusement once Narcissa completed the initial phase.
"I'm sorry, dear, but this last part is going to hurt a lot. I'll have to immobilize you; I literally have to rip the mark out of you," Narcissa explained, a hint of regret softening her expression.
"Go ahead," Bellatrix replied, her tone unwavering and determined.
Nodding, Narcissa cast a full-body bind over Bellatrix, preparing for the intense procedure ahead. With the tip of her wand resting on the large rune in the center of Bellatrix's mark, Narcissa began the extraction process. The wand seemed to adhere to the rune like a powerful magnet to steel, gradually lifting the dark mark a few inches above Bella's arm. Eerie black tendrils extended from the mark, delving deep into Bellatrix's skin.
As Narcissa applied force, a muffled shriek escaped Bellatrix's closed mouth. The mark, deeply rooted in her magical core, resisted each tug, and Bellatrix's cries of pain resonated in the room. Time stretched out, measured in inches, as Narcissa painstakingly pulled the mark inch by inch, accompanied by Bellatrix's muffled expressions of agony.
Finally, with one last mighty tug, the black tendrils of magic were wrenched free from Bella's arm. There was a distinct sucking sound, akin to the draining of water from a bathtub, as the mark was violently pulled from the tip of Narcissa's wand and absorbed into the enchanted coin. The runes and their reverse images aligned perfectly, and the coin flashed a bright red. Narcissa let out a sigh of relief, signaling the successful conclusion of the arduous procedure.
Harry observed Bellatrix, noting her unconscious state, perhaps induced by the combination of pain and the significant drain on her magical reserves. He rose from his seat and approached her side, casting a concerned glance at the coin, now displaying a faded dark mark on its surface.
"That went well. If my calculations are correct, the mark will survive on the coin until it consumes all the magic she channeled into it," Narcissa informed Harry, acknowledging his curiosity about the enchanted coin.
"How did that work anyway?" Harry inquired, genuinely interested in the intricacies of the magical procedure.
Narcissa, while tidying up her materials, provided a succinct explanation, "The mark is trapped between two halves of a runic array drawn in its original host's blood. The array and the mark both draw magic from the coin, which was powered up by its original host's magic. I am basically tricking the mark, making it think it is still attached to its original host. When it uses up all the magic in the coin, the mark will completely disappear."
As Narcissa concluded her explanation and began putting away her tools, Harry, still tenderly stroking Bellatrix's hair, sought more information, "How long will she be out?"
"A couple of hours," Narcissa replied, her gaze lingering on Bellatrix's arm. The absence of the once-dreaded dark mark left only a faint, pink discoloration resembling a circular sunburn, a stark contrast to the ominous brand that had once marred her skin.
"Well done, Cissa," Andromeda praised, pulling her surprised sister into an unexpected hug.
Narcissa's typically composed features softened ever so slightly as she reciprocated the embrace. In the quiet exchange, she whispered something into Andromeda's ear, words that escaped Harry's hearing but prompted tears to well up in Andromeda's eyes.
"I have to get back before Lucius returns from his meeting with Lord Parkinson. I will be by in the next few days. Maybe I can catch my cousin on my next visit," Narcissa stated, disentangling herself from the embrace.
"Thank you for this, Lady Malfoy," Harry expressed his gratitude.
"Please call me Cissa," Narcissa insisted.
"I will. When you come by next time, could you bring a rough schedule of Lucius' routine? I want to begin making plans," Harry requested.
"I will. Until then, goodbye, Harry," Narcissa bid farewell.
"Goodbye, Cissa, and thank you," Harry replied as Narcissa left the room, escorted by Andromeda. The magical exchange had not only severed the dark mark from Bellatrix's arm but also opened a door to a new chapter in their quest for redemption and justice.
Harry felt a sense of relief now that the dark mark was gone, although he empathized with Bellatrix for enduring the painful procedure. Gently carrying her to their bedroom, he made sure she was comfortable before heading back down to the kitchen.
As he entered, a burst of excitement greeted him in the form of Tonks, her bubblegum-pink hair adding a vibrant touch to the scene.
"Harry, Mum said we were staying over for supper," Tonks exclaimed happily as she claimed her own seat.
"Good, maybe Sirius will be back by then, and I can tell you all about the prank your Aunt Bella played on him last night," Harry shared, a playful smile crossing his face as he recollected the events.
"Did it have something to do with her Animagus form?" Andromeda inquired, joining them in the kitchen.
"It just might have," Harry replied with a mischievous smirk.
"He was always terrified of snakes," Andromeda chuckled, holding back a giggle at the thought.
The atmosphere in the kitchen shifted from the intense magic of the earlier ritual to a lighter, more familial vibe, as they prepared to share stories and enjoy a meal together. The absence of the dark mark had not only brought relief but also created an opportunity for moments of laughter and connection within the makeshift family that had come together in Number Twelve Grimmauld Place.
Sirius sauntered in fashionably late, exuding an air of buoyancy that even the gloomy surroundings couldn't dampen. To Harry's surprise, he brought along Remus, who appeared a tad jittery in the company of the young wizard.
With a grin plastered on his face, Sirius gestured towards Remus, orchestrating the introductions. "Andy, Harry, this is my longtime companion, Remus Lupin."
Remus, trying to mask his unease, offered a polite nod. "Nice to meet you both."
Sirius continued with the pleasantries, "Remus, meet my cousin Andy and my good friend Harry."
Tonks, never one to be overlooked, interjected with a theatrical pout, "What about me? You forgot to introduce me!"
Sirius, mischief dancing in his eyes, chuckled, "Ah, yes. This is my spirited little cousin, Nymphadora."
"Ugh, I hate that name. It's just Tonks," she protested, a scowl etched across her face.
The banter continued, with Sirius savoring the teasing. "You know, when she finally gets her wand, she's going to remember all of this," Harry remarked, a playful glint in his eyes.
Tonks, not one to shy away, voiced her impatience. "I won't get a wand for two more years. It's so unfair."
Harry, ever the troublemaker, consoled her with a mischievous promise, "When you do, I'll be your guide to the stinging hex. You can use it to get back at Sirius here."
Laughter echoed through the room, mingling with the warmth of camaraderie as the group settled into the unfolding dynamics of their newfound alliance.
"Why on earth would you do that?" Sirius exclaimed dramatically, raising an eyebrow.
Harry, with a nonchalant shrug, replied, "Because it will amuse me." He then turned to Remus, diverting the attention, "By the way, are you staying for dinner?"
Remus shook his head, his voice quiet and unassuming. "No, I just dropped by to pick up a book I lent Sirius years ago."
"Alright, I'll fetch it. I believe it's in my room," Sirius declared, already making his way toward the stairs.
"Keep it down in the hall; Bella is asleep," Harry cautioned as an afterthought, ensuring the tranquility of their surroundings.
Andromeda seized the opportunity to engage Remus in conversation, her curiosity piqued. "So, what do you do for a living?"
With a small smile, Remus disclosed, "I work in a muggle bookstore here in London."
"Ah, that sounds interesting," Andromeda replied politely, attempting to maintain a casual tone.
As Sirius ascended the stairs, Remus turned his attention back to Harry. "What's your surname?" he inquired, studying Harry with a curious gaze.
"Peverell," Harry replied smoothly, though he couldn't shake a twinge of discomfort at the lie. Andromeda frowned slightly, sensing something amiss.
"Are you related to the Potters?" Remus persisted, his intuition catching on to the subtle discrepancies.
Harry hesitated, the weight of the untruth settling on him. "Distantly," he finally admitted, his discomfort growing as he found himself lying to one of his father's old friends.
Before the conversation could delve further, a piercing shriek echoed through the house, cutting off Remus midsentence. "SIRIUS BLACK, I'M GOING TO KILL YOU!" Bellatrix's voice rang out, filling the air with a mix of fury and chaos.
A resounding bang echoed through the house, causing everyone to startle. Sirius's frustrated voice followed, yelling, "NOT AGAIN!" The sound of hurried footsteps on the staircase filled the air.
Soon after, the kitchen door burst open, and Sirius dashed in, closely pursued by a snapping king cobra a few feet behind him. Remus, taken aback, gasped and swiftly leapt out of harm's way.
"I distinctly told you not to disturb her," Harry chided Sirius, who had clambered atop the table in a desperate attempt to escape the serpentine pursuit.
Sirius, trying to justify his actions, argued, "I just wanted to get her back for that prank she pulled last night."
Sighing in exasperation, Harry rose from his seat and gently lifted the large snake, draping her over his shoulder. Bella coiled around him tightly, locking eyes with Harry before articulating, "He snuck into my room and sprayed me with a jet of water!"
Harry turned his attention back to Sirius, his expression stern. "You woke her up by spraying her with water. Do you have any idea what she went through not an hour ago?"
Remus, his eyes wide with alarm, interjected, "You can understand the snake?"
With a weary sigh, Harry flicked his wand, and a stunning spell slammed into Remus's face, dropping the man like a sack of potatoes. Sirius, angered by the abrupt action, protested, "What the hell, Harry!"
"I don't trust him not to run off to Dumbledore," Harry explained with a casual shrug, pointing his wand at Remus and uttering, "Obliviate."
"That's not right. I've known Remus since I was eleven years old, and I trust him completely," Sirius vehemently defended his friend.
"Don't give me that load of dung. You suspected he was the spy before the war ended," Harry retorted wearily.
"But he wasn't. You shouldn't have done that," Sirius snapped, his anger evident.
"Just get his damn book and get him out of here," Harry ordered, not wanting to prolong the argument.
"Fine, but this conversation isn't over," Sirius declared, storming back up the stairs in a huff.
Harry, feeling a sense of weariness, turned his attention to Bellatrix, who had fallen back to sleep, coiled around him with rhythmic snoring.
Sirius returned, still miffed about how Harry had dealt with Lupin, but some of the initial anger had dissipated. Once he brought the book down, Harry instructed him to seat Lupin in a chair. With a swift wave of his wand, Harry revived Lupin, having deftly extracted specific memories from his mind. The last name, any mention of Bellatrix, and his ability to understand snakes were now all erased from Remus' consciousness.
After securing his book from Sirius, the werewolf politely excused himself and made his way out through the Floo network. Left around the table, the tension in the room was palpable. Bellatrix, having returned to her human form much to Tonks' delight, still shot angry looks in Sirius's direction.
"Alright, I don't know if we can all live under the same roof and not end up killing each other," Harry declared once dinner had concluded.
Sirius, with a stiff demeanor, spoke up, "I planned on moving into my old flat now that I've been cleared. I think I'll start tomorrow."
Politely, Harry inquired, "Would you mind if we continued to stay here?"
"No, you can be a real wanker, but you're still family, and I have no interest in this dump," Sirius replied, eliciting a giggle from Tonks.
"Language, Sirius," Andromeda admonished.
"Sorry, Andy. So, I suppose I'll head over there tomorrow. I need to get it ready for when I pick up Harry from his aunt's," Sirius said with a hint of excitement.
Harry, ever cautious, warned, "Dumbledore will try to interfere in that."
"He already tried. I had James and Lily's will read after my trial, and it plainly stated that Harry's custody would transfer to me in the event they both died," Sirius revealed quietly.
"Good. My aunt and uncle were horrible people," Harry stated with a serious expression.
Tonks, her curiosity piqued, asked, "I thought you were Harry Potter?"
"Oh god, you're not going to obliviate her too, are you?" Sirius exclaimed worriedly, earning a dangerous glare from Andromeda.
"No, I trust her," Harry reassured Sirius before turning to Tonks and introducing her, "This is the other Harry Potter."
"The one that defeated you-know-who?" Tonks asked in awe.
"Yep, the famous one," Harry confirmed, a hint of modesty in his tone.
"Yes, this Harry is the infamous one," Sirius chimed in, playfully pointing at Harry.
As the evening unfolded, the atmosphere lightened, and dinner became a lively affair with idle chit-chat. Harry took the opportunity to regale them with the tale of Sirius's encounter with Bellatrix in her cobra form the night before. However, the response wasn't as enthusiastic as Harry had hoped, considering everyone had witnessed Sirius fleeing from Bellatrix just a few hours earlier.
Despite the awkwardness, as they all sat around the table, joking and savoring Kreacher's fine cooking, Harry couldn't shake the feeling that perhaps going back in time was a blessing. If he played his cards right, he could change the course of events and potentially save many lives.
"I have to try," Harry resolved in his thoughts, rejoining the conversation with a newfound determination to make a difference.
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