Capítulo 9: Gossip and Truth
"You did what!" Bellatrix shouted throwing her teacup at Harry. Harry ducked, the teacup just missing his head. I probably should have figured out a better way to tell her than 'So, I just challenged Lucius Malfoy to a duel for your sisters betrothal.'
"Bella, I-"
"Don't you Bella me harry Fawkes!" There were angry tears falling freely from her eyes, Bellatrix was shaking with rage, "What? You decided you didn't want to wait to kill Rodolphus so you decided that you would just fuck my sister? Is that it? Maybe you'll go and find my other sister Andromeda and then you can collect the whole fucking set!"
Harry ducked again as Bellatrix threw a butter knife this time, wincing as it clattered behind him.
"I can't believe I was stupid enough to think..I wanted to be your wife...I wanted those little dark haired children..I..I fucking loved you!" She brought her wand up without thinking, "Crucio!" The curse hit him and Harry fell to the ground screaming.
Merlin's beard that hurt...but at least it was quick..Harry thought, as he heard a clatter. Bellatrix's wand rolled towards him, hitting his foot. He heard sobbing and forced his head up, Bellatrix had collapsed onto the floor. Stiffly he rose and made his way to her side.
When he touched her, she flinched. Undaunted he put his arms around her. "I'm sorry I hurt you Bella.." He said, his voice still ragged from his screaming. "I just..I saw your aunt grab her wrist and it was the first thing that came to mind.."
"I..I used the torture curse on you Harry.." Her voice was soft, as if she was trying to work through what she had done, "Even when I wanted to kill you I didn't use the torture curse on you.." She raised her eyes to his. She was crying openly and all Harry could do was draw her in. She froze as she felt the embrace, "I'm not worth this...you know the rumors about the Black family? Madness runs in the family.."
"Bella..you said you loved me.." He said, his voice still trembling slightly.
"I do...I do love you. It terrifies me..I keep thinking what if you come to your senses and decide to toss me away...and then you..challenged for Cissy's betrothal and-" She took in a gulp of air, "and I thought 'this is it'"
"I love you too. Trust me, I know that it scares you, it scares me too.." He sighed and kissed her temple, "I didn't plan any of this..not challenging for the betrothal..not finding you..." He stopped speaking for a time and just held her.
Harry reached into his sleeve for his wand, he muttered the numbing spell he had cast on Bellatrix when she had been injured by the curse. "That's better.." He said quietly.
"I am so sorry..." She started to cry again and Harry pulled her against him. "It's okay Bella..you didn't mean it..."
"I cast the cruciatus on you."
"And if you'd meant to I'd probably still be on the ground screaming. You dropped your wand the second you realized what had happened.." Harry said.
"Of course I did," Bellatrix said softly, "So, what happens now?"
"Now? I've got to get ready for my next class in an hour. After that I will ask a house elf to bring Narcissa to the classroom after dinner and we'll figure it out from there.."
"No, I mean us...what happens with us?" Bellatrix said, looking down at her hands.
"We are together. We'll figure out something.."
"When you kill Rodolphus and Rabastan, if you marry me...I will be Bellatrix Fawkes, the Lady Lestrange, just as Cissy will be Narcissa Fawkes, the Lady Peverell.." Bellatrix said, "If it's all the same to you, I'd prefer to be known as Bellatrix Fawkes though."
"I understand that.." He said, before kissing her gently, "No matter what your last name, I love you Bellatrix."
She smiled softly, "I..I love you too..my Lord Peverell."
Scene Break
Narcissa looked at her new apartment, They closed these suites after it stopped being commonplace for teenagers to be in fifth year and be married...the house elves have done a decent job cleaning them, but it still smells stale.. Complaining like this gave Narcissa a chance to not think, a gripe about the staleness of the air meant she didn't have to think about the fact that her own aunt was ready to drag her into what would have been tantamount to slavery.
There was a knock at her door, "Enter." she called out. Albus opened the door and stepped in, "Miss Black, I trust you are settling in well?"
"As well as can be expected sir." She looked to him, "How did-"
"Lady Black was removed from the grounds with a minimum of fuss. That said, I don't think you will be going home for Yule this year.." Albus said sadly.
"No, I will send an owl to my father later today. Hopefully he can talk some sense into my aunt, and if not, he can speak with uncle Orion or even grandfather Arcturus." Narcissa said, I doubt it though, father is a good man, but he has no backbone when the Black women are concerned...She thought sadly, remembering the times her mother had run roughshod over him.
"Professor Fawkes...I was unaware that the two of you were close enough that he would claim your hand by Rite of Combat.." Albus said.
"I didn't either sir."
"He is a good man, this isn't the first time he's had to choose between what is right and what is easy.."
"Sir, may I ask you something?" This had been bother Narcissa since she realized the smell of her love potion was the same as the scent of Professor Fawkes, "What does the scent of a love potion signify? I mean, Professor Slughorn said that it represents what we find most enticing.."
"That is true, but it's a bit deeper than that. It is the scent that calls to you on an emotional level. It isn't just that it smells like what you find most enticing..or rather who you find most enticing, but it is rather the scent of the person who speaks to your heart." He said then smiled softly, "I assume there is a reason for this question.."
"It was just...a question." There is no way I am telling you that my love potion smelled like the man who is about to risk his life for me..That thought had already been eating at her mind. Professor Fawkes was handsome, she could admit that, and he did have a good heart..and he was willing to risk death and the loss of the House he had just claimed for her sake..I've heard of rockier starts to a marriage...that's why uncle Orion has so many mistresses...
"I have spoken with the other Professors, you have been excused from classes today, however if you wish to practice your skills as a medi-witch in training, I'm sure Professor Fawkes would welcome you." Albus said, "In any event, should you wish it, I will assign a house elf to bring tonight's dinner to you."
"That might be best, I don't know many other students were a part of the scheme to steal my free will from me." Narcissa sighed, "I hope this doesn't mean that I will be forced into exile this year.."
"I doubt it Miss Black. Something tells me that when this is ran its course, you will find that you have far more friends than you did at the start of term." Albus said with a small smile, before turning and leaving her room.
I think I will go see what Profess- I mean, Harry thinks about all this..it doesn't make sense to call him 'Professor' now that he may well end up being my fiancee...With that, Narcissa rose from her chair and exited the room. Her apartment was, handily enough, fairly close to the Dueling classroom. One of the headmasters machinations...She mused as she opened the door and found Harry working with the sixth years.
"Mr. Lockhart, if you cannot keep your stance when I use a simple gyrat spell, how will you keep your stance when someone is actually trying to hurt you?" Harry said, "The blowing wind charm is a basic and frankly harmless spell that any third year would be able to counter with a simple shield charm. Are you telling me that you as a sixth year couldn't manage a shield charm?"
"But sir, I-" The sixth year Ravenclaw began.
"No buts, Mr. Lockhart. You will give me eighteen inches on terrain manipulation spells, due by Thursday." Harry said, then turned to the rest of the class, "Right, that's it for tonight class. Everyone else, please give me a foot on proper shield charm usage in a duel, extra credit to any student who shows me that they've mastered the gyrat charm by Thursday."
The sixth years began to file out, Narcissa watched as Gilderoy Lockhart had a dark look as he grabbed his belongings.
"He looks like he wants to use a switching spell to move your nose to your nethers.." Narcissa said with a little grin, that is one of fathers favorite phrases..She thought, remembering how Cygnus Black liked to use the phrase whenever he was trying to intimidate someone.
"I'm not terribly worried about him Miss Black.."
"Narcissa. After all, you are technically my fiancee.." She said, "Well, you will be after you put Lucius down."
"About that Narcissa...I hope I didn't overstep my bounds.." He sighed, "It was the first thing to come into my head that could keep you from being dragged down the hallway short of setting your aunts hair on fire."
Narcissa laughed at that, "Next time, if the option is setting my aunts hair on fire or not setting her hair on fire, go with the one that ends with her hair on fire."
Harry joined her in laughter then, "What brings you here?" He asked.
Narcissa shrugged, "I was informed that my professors had excused me for the rest of the day, so I decided that if I had the choice of being around my fellow Slytherins, some of whom might also have been in on the scheme, or sitting in my room like a good little girl, I'd come here. At least in your class if they try something, you can stop them."
Harry chuckled softly, "I will admit, I have no idea what I'm doing.."
"I think you're doing fine as an instructor-"
"I mean with this duel...I mean I know more or less what I'll do, but I don't know anyone to act as my second.." Harry thought, "I don't want to involve Minerva...Maybe I could ask Amelia..or...no, Bella would never go for it..
"I cannot act as your second, as the duel is about me...perhaps my father knows someone.." Narcissa began, only to be interrupted by a familiar voice.
"I'll do it." Bellatrix walked out of Harry's chambers.
"Bella, what are you doing here?" Narcissa looked from her sister to Harry, they were right...they are lovers..
"The same as you I would expect. Harry Fawkes has promised to help me become a widow, just as he's promised to help you become a bride." She looked to Harry, Narcissa noticed a fondness in her eyes before Bellatrix turned back to her sister, "So, the duel is to be held at the Manor..that means Mother and Aunt Walburga are hoping the Black family wards will keep Harry off kilter long enough for your dear Lucius to get off a lucky curse.."
"The Black wards?" Harry said, I don't remember anything like that from Grimmauld Place..
"Yes, all the Black properties have wards that affect the magic of intruders. It will dampen your magic somewhat.." Bellatrix explained.
"Wouldn't that be considered a form of cheating?" Harry said, to which Bellatrix snorted, "Of course it's cheating, but since you didn't set the terms of the duel it is considered fair game."
"We'll have to practice after classes tonight.." He said, "I don't plan on losing my title this quickly after getting it."
Scene Break
At Malfoy Manor, Voldemort listened to Malfoy and Nott as they explained what had happened.
"So, Professor Fawkes has challenged for your claim on Narcissa Black...hmm, in that case Lucius you need a proper second.. Rodolphus!" He called out, Rodolphus Lestrange rushed forward, kneeling at his side. "Yes my Lord?"
"You have a chance to take some vengeance my friend..You will serve as the second to Lucius...who will..regretfully incapable of dueling due to a broken arm." Voldemort leveled his wand, "Ossis Effergo!"
Lucius Malfoy dropped to the ground cradling his shattered arm. "Now, return to Black Manor, you and Rodolphus must be ready when our dear Professor comes to call."
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