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Chapter Text

August 30, 1967 

Bellatrix Druella Black paced back and forth in her bed chambers at her family Manor. It was dark and dreary compared to what it used to be. Just last summer there had been brighter greens, purples and silvers adorning the walls with her many Quidditch posters. Now, her room dressed in mostly blacks with bare walls showed how drastically everything could change in a year. One more day and she would be back at school and away from her terrible mother and father. She wouldn’t have to hear anything more about Tom Riddle and his cause and she certainly would have to be forced to spend time with Rodolphus. She would get back to the library, her teammates and her magical creature friends she had adopted throughout her years. The best part of the upcoming school year was the fact that all three Black Sisters would finally be at Hogwarts and away from Cygnus for months at a time. Bellatrix felt that she would finally be able breathe a sigh of relief. She knew better than to get her hopes up that her parents would be proud of the fact that she was named a Prefect this year. Nothing she did met their expectations. Her crooked wand was incessantly tapping against her long skirts as she continued her pacing. She just needed space to think. Hogwarts offered plenty of room for her to get lost and come up with a plan. A shudder ripped through her body when she thought back to the last conversation she had with her father after Riddle had left their house. 

Cygnus paced back and forth in the drawing room. He was uncharacteristically pleased after the meeting with Tom Riddle this evening. The Dark Lord, as he started calling himself, was particularly fascinated with his eldest daughter. Bellatrix stood in the corner of the room, quiet as a statue. She had been that way for most of the encounter while remaining cordial with their guest. She had been taught from a young age the essence of being a good purebread hostess. Cygnus looked at his daughter and she held back her recoil, “he likes you. This is good for us. For the advancement of our household. Tom Riddle is a very powerful man.” 

“Seems like radicalism to me,” the girl mumbled. 

“What did you say?” 

“He was nice,” her fake smile rejoining her face so she wouldn’t get hexed for insolence. “What does he want with me?” 

“He is looking for talented witches and wizards who believe in the pure blood front to fight his cause. Were you not paying attention? If the school named you prefect, I would expect better comprehension skills.” 

So he did read the letter, “what about my future? What I want?” 

Cygnus didn’t exactly laugh but the noise he made was enough for Bellatrix to back further into the wall, “you have wants? No. You were supposed to be my heir but apparently you couldn’t even do that right. You will marry Rodolphus upon leaving Hogwarts and go straight into service for the Dark Lord.” 

“I do not wish to marry Rod. He’s a waste of air and he can barely cast lumos,” a sharp pain crossed her face when a smack rang through the room. Her father had slapped her. At least it wasn’t a crucio this time. 

“He is of noble heritage and you will be a good wife to him. Riddle has requested you specifically and you will not disappoint this family, again.” 

“And if I refuse?” 

A sinister look crossed her father’s face, “I have spare daughters to offer.” 

That was the moment Bellatrix knew she needed to come up with a plan but it was too hard to think at home. Home, if you could even call it that. She always felt like she was about to go mad within the walls of the Manor. This was not a home. Never once in her life could she ever remember feeling welcomed or loved here. No, this was bonafide house of horror with someone waiting to torture you around ever turn. She needed to figure something out and do it fast. Bellatrix was set to turn 16 this year and had just over a year and half to get a plan in motion. She knew her family would marry her off whether she was out of school or not. She was getting ready to start her 5th year and the only thing on her mind was getting out. Her sisters needed her so her focus was on them. 

A knock at the door put a pause on her pacing, “can I come in?” 

“Enter,” she saw her younger sister Andromeda enter the room. 

“Love the decorations,” she rolled her eyes. It wasn’t normal for Bellatrix to allow visitors in her room since coming home this summer. “No wonder you are so pale,” she pointed to the thick curtains closed, blocking out any light. 

“I have candles, Andy. Don’t act like I’m being locked in the basement. You know father only saves that punishment for special occasions.” She saw the flash of fear in her sister's eyes and immediately regretted saying that, “that isn’t for you to worry about. Are you all packed up?” She climbed on her giant bed and patted the spot next to her for her sister to join her. 

Andy jumped up and laid down next to her, “I’ve been packed for ages. My countdown took forever. I don’t think children are actually supposed to want to go back to school.” 

Bellatrix hummed in response, “is the baby packed?” 

Andy started laughing, “don’t let Cissy hear you calling her that. She’ll slit your throat clean across, Bella but yes. She is very excited.”  

“Oldest sister privileges and all that,” Bella shrugged. “And Edward? How is he?” 

“Ted is fine,” Andy rolled her eyes. “We are just friends anyway. I don’t see why it bothers you so much.” 

Bella rolled over onto her side to look at her sister, “are you really that stupid? Or are you just that good at disassociating?” 

“It’s not his fault he wasn’t born a pure blood.” 

“You know I don’t hold father’s prejudice. But you know what will happen to me if he ever finds out you are friends,” she used the term loosely. “I don’t suppose you would.” She rolls up the sleeves of her dress just slightly so Andy could see the deep red marks around her wrists. “Fresh. Mouthing off after Riddle’s visit. This is nothing.” 

Andy’s frown told Bella that she knew she understood, “I wanted to say thank you for enchanting those journals so Ted and I could still talk over summer. You were right about the owls.” 

“I’m right about a lot of things.” 

“Thank you though. Means a lot to me.” 

Bella waved her hand dismissively, “skip the mushy shit, Andy. We need to focus on the upcoming year.” 

“I didn’t take you for one to be so serious about your studies, Bella. Or is there some lucky girl who’s caught your eye?” 

Bella chuckled, “my latest conquest? No. You know I’m promised to that idiot. If I got caught, I might as well just avada myself at that point. Father will see to it that I’m miserable for the rest of my life.” 

“We could always run away.” 

She smiled at her sister’s innocence. This is exactly why she took the brunt of the punishments. She wanted her sisters to have a childhood for as long as they could. “Don’t worry about me. I’ll figure everything out. Once we get to school, I’ll be able to breathe again.” 

Andy smirked, “maybe if you opened the windows and let the sunlight see you then you’d be able to breathe.” 

“Nobody breathes here for free, Andromeda. Tomorrow. We can talk more tomorrow. Go make sure Cissy is ready. Don’t forget your journal either. Salazar forbid the elf finds it. Another death wish.” 

“I already packed it. And the spare. I told Ted that we’d see him tomorrow.” 

Bella deadpanned, “can’t wait to see Edward again.” Andy smacked her leg, “get out of here now. I have to think and you are distracting me.” 

*September 1, 1967*

The Black Sisters were dropped off at the Hogwarts Express precisely on time by their lifelong family elf, Twiggy, as they had been since Bella started school. She had never been taken by her parents and honestly it was better that way. The elf dropped them off and picked them up every occasion. It was a quiet morning and the train ride was uneventful. Bella had to do her prefect duties, patrolling the aisles and cabins but made sure she had time to stop into the cabin where her sisters were sitting with a familiar Hufflepuff, “Edward, how was your summer?” 

He tried to hide his smile, “always so formal, Bellatrix. And it was nice thanks to you.” 

“What did she do?” Cissy was kept out of the loop of most Hogwarts things because as much as Bella loved the girl, Cissy would throw her under the knight bus as fast as humanly possible. 

Ted looked and saw Bella shake her head slightly, “oh well she lent me her notes from when she was in our year so I could do some studying over the holiday.” 

Bella tried to hide her eye roll, “yes I am very magnanimous. Here,” she reached into her robes and pulled out a small coin purse. “Treat yourselves when the trolley witch comes by. Might as well have a small feast before the actual dinner. Oh and Cissy,” she reached back into her pocket and pulled out a small vial. “Take this potion in about an hour so you don’t get seasick on the boat ride to the school.” 

Cissy grabbed the vial, willing her ears not to turn pink and mumbled, “thanks.” 

“See? Magnanimous.”

“I don’t think you can just claim that title. It’s like naming yourself Queen or Brightest Witch of your age,” Andy smirked. “Always bragging.”

“It’s not a brag if it’s true,” Bella sat down knowing full well she was supposed to patrol the other cabins. She also knew that the Blacks make their own rules and she wouldn’t actually get in trouble. “I am the brightest witch of my age and you’d do well to learn a thing or two from me.” 

“I’m learning, Bella,” Cissy’s shit eating grin made Andy roll her eyes. 

“Suck up,” she stuck her tongue out at her baby sister. 

“You two need to play nice,” Bella smacked Andy’s arm, admonishing her childlike behavior. “Plus, I need both of you getting along if we plan to sneak Cissy into Hogsmeade this year.” 

“Sneaking an underage girl into Hogsmeade. Well that’s not very prefect of you is it.” 

Bella’s body immediately seized at the sound of his voice, “I don’t believe this is an open cabin, Rod. Best to keep moving if you know what’s good for you.” 

“Are you going to let the little wifey talk to you like that?” His brother Rabastan made his way to the door of their cabin. 

Andy saw Bella reaching for her wand, “don’t. He’s not worth it.” 

“I’m fine, Andromeda. Nothing to worry about. Wouldn’t want to hurt my future husband now would I?” The sickeningly sweet voice she was using told Andy enough, “sorry Rab. Where were my manners? Would you boys like to come in and have a seat? They were just about to find the trolley witch. Since neither of you made prefect, it doesn't seem like you two have anything better to do than hang out with a couple third years and a first year.” 

“Your family isn’t bad, Bellatrix.” 

“How noble of you, Rod” 

“Yeah,” Rabastan joined in, “it’s that mudblood we don’t want to be around.” 

“I don’t know Edward well but I’m guessing the feelings are mutual.” 

Ted just shrugged, “I’m not bothered either way if I’m being honest. Just waiting for a chocolate frog or two.” 

“See boys,” Bella looked back at the Lestrange brothers, “he’s not bothered.” She stood and walked towards the door, pushing both of the brothers out of the door before turning back. “I have to get back to my duties. Get enough sweets for all of you and don’t let the trash back into our cabin.” She turned and let the sliding doors close behind her. 

The three watched Bella saying things to the boys outside of the cabin door. “Stupid thick glass,” Andy was frustrated. “We can’t hear a bloody thing.” Whatever Bella had said must have satisfied the brothers because they both started laughing with her, “seems it worked.” 

“What’s a mudblood?” 

Andy shook her head. How her pure blood sister made it 11 years in their house of horrors never learning that derogatory term was beyond her. Bella really did keep the outside horrors away from them, “don’t worry about it. It’s nothing you need to concern yourself with.” 

Just when Cissy was about to retort the doors slid open, “anything off the trolley dears?”

“One of everything at least,” Andy stood, holding the bag of money Bella had handed her. “Let her know what you want. We need to spend every last sickle of Bella’s money.” 

“Five sugar quills for me and some jelly slugs.” 

“That’s the spirit, Cissy. What about you Ted?” 

The rest of the train ride went by without any more visits from the Lestrange Brothers though they kept close ties on Bella even going as far as sitting next to her at the Welcome Feast. She wasn’t stupid, she understood the boys were keeping an eye on her. Likely to report back their findings to Cygnus. She was able to convince them that Edward was sitting with them because there wasn’t room elsewhere for him. She said a couple slurs about Muggleborns and the brothers didn’t mention it again so Bella assumed they had forgotten. With those two idiots sniffing so close to Bella, she would have to make time to come up with her plans. Thankfully, she had gotten the best bed in the dorm. It was the biggest one next to the Head Girl accommodations in the far corner. “How’d you manage that?” A blonde headed girl gave her a look when their bags and names appeared outside of their curtained beds. 

Bella just gave her a look, “only the best for the future heiress to the Noble and Most Ancient House of Black.” 

“Sucks to suck,” she heard Andy from behind her closed bed curtains. 

“How about you don’t worry about me and you worry about your subpar grades. Everyone knows you hardly got any OWLs Rita. How embarrassing for your family. Seems like you should really start focusing on your studies instead of passing out that awful gossip rag you produce weekly. Seriously, does anybody even read that trash?” She only stopped when she noticed all of the other slytherin girls had stopped unpacking to watch the show. Bella snapped back into her role of perfect prefect, “okay girls. Unpack yourselves and settle in for tonight. Classes start tomorrow and I won't stand for us losing the house cup again this year.” 

Bella winked at Rita before climbing into her own bed not bothering to open the curtains. She always did enjoy her privacy. “Curious,” she noticed that there were two small parcels wrapped on her bed with a parchment of paper. The outside of the parchment read: open after everyone is asleep. “Okay,” Bella never considered herself a patient person but she could wait an hour or two. Thankfully she wasn’t scheduled on prefect duty so she had all night to see whatever was in those parcels. She had spent all summer working on summoning the Patronus charm and she had finally successfully cast it a few days prior to her return to school. She was excited to show McGonagall after her first Transfiguration class. After all, it was her professor who had given her the texts she needed to complete the task. Bella had inquired about becoming an animagus and while Minerva wouldn’t help her with that task, she was more than willing to help her learn the patronus charm. Bella was determined to become an animagus by the end of the year. If she couldn’t find a way out of her father’s master plan then she could always run away. Still, that wouldn’t solve the problem where her sisters were concerned unless she became one then helped her sisters to do the same. 

Sometimes later she heard a whisper of “Bella?” from just outside her curtains. 

Bella peeled back a small portion, “what is it Cissy?” 

Her baby sister shrugged, “what are we meant to be doing? Some kids asked me to play gobstones with them but I’d rather not.” 

“Getting the stink spray off of you is a chore. I suppose you could study.” 

“Study what? Lessons haven’t even started.” 

Bella honestly couldn’t remember what she had done her first night at Hogwarts. All she remembered was being happy that she wasn’t at home anymore. She reached under her bed and pulled out a book, “would you like to read this?” 

Narcissa took the worn copy of James and the Giant Peach from her sister, “is it any good?” 

Bella looked unbothered, “as good as any muggle literature can be.” She loved to read muggle books but didn’t want her youngest sister to find out because she had a knack of running her mouth around her parents. This was a risk she was willing to take, “it’s good. Just give it a chance.” 

“Do you have more?” 

Bella smirked, “start with that one and if you like it, we can look for more.” 

“Has Andy read this?” 

Always so much competition between the two sisters, “no. I haven’t shared them with her. This will just be between you and me.” 

Cissy’s smile lit up her entire face, “between us.” She hugged the book to her chest, thanked Bella and left her alone once again. 

Bella had thought about sending her patronus to McGonagall but thought it might be weird to send a message to her professor even though she just wanted to show her what she could do. Surely her professor wouldn’t think it was inappropriate. Just as well, the head girl came in two minutes later, “lights out in five ladies. Bellatrix?”

Bella stuck her head out of her curtains, “what!”

“Make sure they follow lights out?” Bella just nodded and retreated back behind her curtains. “Big day tomorrow, girls. Have a good night and I’ll see you all at breakfast.” 

Bella re-emerged after the head girl left, “you heard her. Lights out. That means social time is over for tonight. If she comes back and there’s still girls awake, she will take house points from us. Don’t give that bitch a reason to punish us.” She walked back to her bed before adding, “and if you tell her I called her a bitch then I’ll take away house points. Help me look good and I’ll buy you sweets at honeydukes.” Yes, Bella thought, bribery always worked with the kids. She smiled watching all the kids retreat to their beds, pulling the curtains shut behind them. She did catch Andy writing in that special journal of hers before the middle Black sister pulled her curtains shut, “what am I going to do with you?” She mumbled to herself before casting a spell to dim the candles and climbing into her own bed. “That’s a problem for another day,” she sighed and pulled out those parcels with the note. “Twenty more minutes then I’ll open it,” she cast it aside, hardly being able to focus on anything else. It wasn’t often she got correspondence at school unless it was from a girl who fancied her. Maybe it was from McGonagall. Maybe she finally caved and it was animagus information. “Probably not.” 

After a few more grueling minutes, she poked her head back out listening for sounds that anyone was still awake. When she was satisfied that no snoopers were up, she grabbed the note and read. 

Dear Bellatrix,

I trust you had a splendid summer. We noticed a shift in your demeanor at the end of last school year. Word has traveled quickly around that your father is dealing with an unusual fellow named Tom Riddle. That is also how I know him. He goes by another name or rather he will go by the name of Lord Voldemort soon enough. To explain to you the danger you and your sisters face would take more parchment than I have access to. Specifically you, Bellatrix, are in grave danger. We know you are looking for help. This is that chance. I know you do not know where or when this message is coming from. I would hope that you put trust in me that I am not deceiving you. The first parcel is from myself and the smaller one is from Minerva. Instructions are included in both parcels. I hope that you think it over. Believe me when I say, the weight of the wizarding world truly rests on your shoulders. 

Best, 

Albus 

“What the fuck?” Bella reread the letter. What was the headmaster playing at here? “What the hell does any of this mean? I’m just Bella. I can’t change the wizarding world. Unless he means for worse because all I know how to do is fuck things up. Father tells me all the time how useless I am. Still,” she reread the note. He mentioned Minerva which means they must have had conversations about her and her sisters. “I don’t know how this would help anybody.” She picked up the parcel with a one on it and held it in her hands. 

Slowly, she unwrapped the little box. It contained a single vial with a glowing yellow potion in it with a note. 

If you drink this potion, you must commit to step two of the plan. The consequences of this potion are far too great if you don’t proceed to the second parcel. This Potion is perfectly safe. It is my own concoction. I have made it with the help of my trusted potioneer. If you choose to drink this potion, then we shall see you soon. If you do not, my sincerest luck to you and your sisters. -AD

The second parcel had a handwritten message on it that read, “do not open unless you drink the potion.” 

Bella held the small vial in her hand, “well I suppose I’m fucked it I do and fucked if I don’t. I can’t risk father getting to Andy and Cissy. The note said that I can stop it.” She brought the potion up to stare at it. She took the stopper out, just to sniff it. “Well that’s not pleasant,” she quickly put the plug back in. “Albus could’ve been a little forthcoming about what would happen if I drank this but I guess that’s not his style.” If there was a chance to help her sisters and get out of the situation with Riddle, she had to take it. Didn’t she? “Don’t be a pussy. You are a Black. Drink the potion and see what happens,” she was desperately trying to convince herself. She didn’t want to do this for her. She needed to do this for her sisters. 

Bella made the executive decision to commit to whatever lunacy this would prove to be. “Two steps and done,” she told herself as she uncapped the vial once again. “There’s no going back now,” she said before closing her eyes and shooting the potion. Surprisingly it tasted like lemons going down. Bella sat in her bed with her eyes closed when she started to feel a warm tingling sensation bubbling through her blood stream before she saw a bright flash of light behind her closed eyelids. “Guess that’s why he wanted me to wait until everyone was asleep,” she chucked. 

“You can say that again.” 

Bella’s eyes shot open at the familiar voice talking back to her. She turned to slowly look over her shoulder. Staring back at her on the other side of the bed was a carbon copy of herself. She quickly turned to face the other Bella which is exactly what her other self did. She reached out and touched the other girl, “I don’t know what I was expecting but I can tell you it wasn’t this.” 

Other Bella smirked, “what am I doing here?” She picked up the one note, “ahh am I the consequences of the potion?” 

Bella nodded slowly before reaching for the second parcel, “I’m afraid so. Guess we’d better open this one before anybody wakes up.” 

Chapter Text

*September 1, 1967*

The last thing Bellatrix expected to happen as a result of drinking the potion would be staring into the eyes of another fully formed and functioning version of herself perched on her bed. She really had no choice now but to move onto the second parcel because it’s not like there could be two of her running around without causing suspicion. The other Bella waited for her to pick up the second box. “Okay. Shall we proceed?” 

“I’m not getting any younger,” other Bella rolled her eyes. “Open the damn thing.” 

“Wow I am a bitch,” she mumbled before opening the box. Inside there was a smaller pouch and a note. “Note first,” she told the disappointed looking other her. 

Dearest Bella

It must have come to quite a shock to see another you in the flesh. This is not the sort of ultimatum that should’ve been forced onto a child. I tried to talk Albus out of this but you know how he is once he gets an idea in his head. You are the smartest witch that I had encountered up until the point in which you are reading this. I will tell you more soon. Please leave one of those clever journals you enchanted with the additional you that is with you. You are needed elsewhere. The journals will be used to communicate with yourself over the next year. 

She took a pause from the note to grab two of her journals, handing one to the other Bella. “Here. This is for us to be able to talk to each other. Don’t tell anyone about it or I’ll have to kill you. Or kill myself I suppose.” 

In the bag, you will find an item of mine. It was just returned to me from another student whom I think will be a great resource for you when you arrive. You are reading this is 1967. I have enchanted this to get you where you need to go. It works a little differently than other versions you may have seen. 15 forward turns. Take this letter with you. Included is the address of where you need to go. Best of luck and see you soon. -Professor McGonagall 

Bella opened the pouch and pulled out a necklace with an hourglass in it, “a time turner? I thought these were banned.” 

Other Bella’s eyes lit up, “imagine the possibilities. Can I go instead?” 

Bella shook her head no, “the instructions are explicitly clear. You are to remain here and I’m to use this. I guess we are going to work together to make sure you, Cissy and Andy stay safe from father and Riddle. We need to see this through. You have to be onboard.” 

Other Bella nodded which put a little ease into Bella’s mind. Clearly the importance of her sisters was alive and present in this version of her as well, “I will take care of Andy and Cissy. You can count on me.” 

Whether Bella believed her or not, it didn’t really matter. She took the potion so she was committed to it now. “Don’t say anything to anyone. As far as everyone is concerned, you are just Bellatrix Black future heiress to the Noble and most Ancient House of Black. None of this happened tonight and you didn’t just materialize out of thin air. You are Bella. Do you understand?” 

“Of course I understand. I’m not a complete idiot,” other Bella said with an amused tone. “You can trust me. Can I trust you to fix what needs to be fixed?” 

“I will or I’ll die trying,” Bella was trying to keep the fear out of her voice. “Good luck,” she picked up the necklace and put it on. 

“Write to me as soon as you can,” Other Bella held up her journal. 

Bella slipped hers into her robes, “I will. See you around?” She didn’t really know how to say goodbye to herself. She wanted to go see her sisters but she couldn’t risk anyone seeing two of them so she told her other self to give them extra love in the morning even if they hated it. “Here I go,” she stood just inside the curtains and started twisting the hourglass of the necklace. It started to vibrate and glow in her hand. She closed her eyes and finished counting her turns before she felt herself being ripped from the spot and forced through a vortex. It seemed to take forever but also no time all at once. Before she knew what was happening, she landed hard on a cement ground. “A warning of the landing would’ve been nice,” she stood and rubbed her ass from where she landed knowing that was going to bruise. She looked around not knowing where she was. It was a fully developed looking neighborhood, “okay. Where am I?” She pulled out the note and looked at the address with a few directions on how to get there. “If only I could apparate,” she rolled her eyes and started walking after transfiguring a compass. “I feel like such a muggle.” 

Bella only had to walk for about ten minutes before arriving at a small cottage that was tucked back in a quaint little community. It was late enough at night that she didn’t really encounter any other people so at least she didn’t have to interact with anyone. She stood at the end of the pathway to the cottage. “Who the fuck is in there?” She waited a few moments before traversing the small walkway. Bella knocked on the door and waited. 

A girl with pink hair opened the front door, “can I help you?” 

“Maybe. I was given this address and told to come here.” 

“All right,” she moved out of the way, letting Bella step inside the threshold. “Mum,” she called down the hall. “There’s a lost girl here. She was told to come.” 

“This is going to make me sound mad,” Bella said, unsure of so many things at the moment. “But what year is it?” 

“1994,” the other girl gave her a worried look. 

“Hmm,” was all she could reply. 

“Oh good, here comes mum,” the girl heard her mother’s footsteps. “She’ll be able to help. Mum this is. Oh I’m sorry I didn’t catch your name.” 

“Bella?”

Both the girl and Bella turned towards the voice. Shocked and confused, Bella was staring at the adult version of her middle sister, “Andromeda. Hi?” 

“Mum. You know her? Cool. I thought she had amnesia. She asked what year it was.” 

“Dora, can you give us a few minutes,” Andy couldn’t take her eyes off her older sister standing in her foyer. 

“Sure,” she sensed that mother was uncomfortable. “I’ll go see if Dad’s ready for dinner. Yell if you need me.” 

Bella waited until the girl her sister had called Dora was down the hall, “by the look on your face, I’m going to assume that my visit was not planned.” She waited to see if her sister would say anything but it was clear she was in some sort of shock. “Imagine my surprise when I got to my bed this evening and found these mysterious notes and packages. Then I’m here at your house and a girl I can only assume if your daughter tells me that it’s 1994.” 

“What date did you come from?” 

“September 1, 1967.” 

Andromeda truly looked like she had seen a ghost, “Albus told me a package was going to be delivered that I needed to bring to Hogwarts.” 

“He didn’t tell you it was me?” 

A small laugh escaped her sister, “if he did I wouldn’t have agreed to it.” 

That was the first notion that Andy wasn’t her biggest fan. Whatever happened must have torn them apart at some point, “you hate me. You can say it. Clearly I’ve wronged you. Just tell me.” 

Andy wasn’t surprised by her sister’s straight forward approach. Bella always got right to business, “this might not be a discussion for the foyer. You should probably come in and sit down.” 

“Do you even want me in your house?” 

“I don’t know yet. Let’s see where the conversation goes.” She led Bella into a small sitting room which housed a muggle television, a couch and a couple of chairs. There was a bookshelf which Bella noted had wizard and muggle titles on it. “I don’t really know where to start,” she took a seat on the chair waiting for her sister to sit as well. 

“I suppose you could start by telling me why you looked like you wanted to curse me as soon as you saw me.” 

“It’s just hard for me to believe it’s actually you. Well you from the past,” Andy shook her head trying to right herself. 

Bella nodded and rolled up her robe sleeves slightly to show Andy the same fresh wounds around her wrist that she had showed her the previous night, “just like yesterday.” 

Andy’s mouth dropped open. Those were indeed the same wounds she had seen 27 years prior, “it really is you.” 

“With my gifts from Father and all,” Bella rolled her eyes and fixed her sleeves to hide the disgusting reminders of home. “So, why do you hate me now?” 

“I don’t think it’s just one reason, Bella,” Andy wasn’t strong enough to do this. 

“Just tell me. Obviously I’m here for a reason. Here read these,” she passed her both notes that were on her bed. “Maybe this will help.” 

Andy read the letters and chuckled, “of course you took the potion. But I don’t understand. You were with us the whole time.” 

“Yeah,” she scratched behind her ear. “That potion made a second me. I left her behind with one of these.” She pulled out her enchanted journal. 

“Maybe you are meant to communicate with her to stop what happened.” 

“I still don’t get it. I was meant to protect you and Cissy.” 

Andy looked almost regretful, “I don’t know what happened Bella but you woke up one morning and changed. Everything about you changed. You started hanging out with the Lestrange brothers and bought into all of father’s bullshit prejudice. You joined Voldemort’s ranks. I was disowned from the family.” 

“I don’t know what to say,” Bella truly felt a heavy weight bearing down onto her. “I truly did not mean for any of this to happen. Where am I now?” 

Andy didn’t want to tell her but what choice did she have, “in Azkaban. You along with the Lestrange brothers and Barty were charged with the capture and torture of Alice and Frank Longbottom.” 

“No.” 

“I’m afraid so. They were tortured to insanity and have been at St. Mungos since.” 

Bella hated herself more than she ever had but the worst was still to be heard. She had to ask the question even though she really didn’t want to know the answer, “why were you disowned?” 

“You told father about me and Ted.” 

Bella shook her head, “no. I would never.” 

“But you did,” Andy tried to keep the resentment out of her voice. “During your seventh year you threatened that if I didn’t end things with Ted that you’d tell father. You did just that over Christmas break. I think it was part of your initiation into the death eaters.” 

“Death eaters?” 

Andy shook her head, “and when father found out he told me to pack my things and leave. No money, no contact, nothing. I was entitled to nothing. I had to show up on Christmas Eve night at Ted’s crying. Luckily his parents knew me and let me stay with them until I was done with school. It was hard Bella. Really hard. And I’ve hated you for a very long time. So, forgive me. This isn’t easy for me.” 

Bella nodded and stood, “I understand. I have some money. I’ll take the knight bus to Hogsmeade and walk to Hogwarts tomorrow.”  

“Bellatrix,” Andy was giving her a very motherly look and Bella didn’t like to. “Sit down. You are obviously here for a reason and I don’t,” she paused. “Hate you. I hate the person you became. I feel like whatever Dumbledore and Minerva have planned, it must be important and I will not have you leaving my house on the knight bus.” 

“Hmm,” Bella hummed. “Because you actually want me here or you think the risk of me being seen will thwart their plans?” 

“Can’t it be both?” 

Bella shrugged, “no but we can play pretend if you’d like.” They sat quietly trying not to look at each other before Bella spoke up again, “so that girl. She's?” 

“Your niece. My daughter. Nymphadora.” 

Bella tried to hide her smirk, “you always did love that name. Never quite understood why.” 

“You and her both. She absolutely hates it. Wants to be called Tonks all the time.” 

Bella’s eyebrow lifted, “so you married Edward? Good for you.” 

Andy just stared at her, “this is mad, Bella.” 

Bella smiled, “we always talk about how I was bound to go mad eventually. Seems that we were right. I’m sorry for everything I put you through.” 

Andy waved her off, “you didn’t do anything but love and protect me. If you ever get out of jail and I had the opportunity to confront you then I’d expect some sort of apology. Though, with the way you turned out, I won’t be holding my breath.” 

Bella grimaced, “that bad, huh? Damn. I tried so hard to protect you girls. What happened to Cissy?” 

Andy scoffed, “she married Lucius.” 

“That Malfoy prick? I’ve always hated him.” 

“Everything okay in here?” Both women turned to see Ted standing in the doorway. “Dora told me we had a guest,” it took him a moment to register who exactly he was looking at. “Bella? How are you? How is she? Why is she so young?” 

“All questions I’ve already asked, honey,” Andy handed him the notes. “Apparently she’s what we are meant to deliver to Dumbledore.” 

“Hello, Edward. I feel I must apologize for whatever I may have done to you. Forgive me but I’ve just come from 1967 so I do not know what I’ve done but from what Andy tells me it’s taken me straight to Azkaban.” 

“What is he up to?” 

Bella cackled, “good luck trying to figure out Dumbledore. I swear he is more mentally unstable than me.” She read the faces in the room, “too soon? Noted. So I suppose I’m meant to just be a regular student and then what? Try to convince the other me not to do whatever stupid shit she is planning on doing? Seems simple enough. I am very persuasive. Tell me Andy, when did you notice the first changes in me?” 

She shrugged, “I don’t know probably around Christmas the same year or shortly after when we got back to school. You had another meeting with Riddle and then with father and you were never quite the same.” 

Bella pursed her lips, “so I have four months. Got it. How hard can it be?” But the look on Andy’s face made it seem like it was going to be very hard. “I should probably make use of this journal and see what other me is up to. And tell her I’ll be in touch after I make it to Hogwarts. I’m sure they will bombard me with information.” 

“Or not. It is Dumbledore we are talking about here. He might not give you a single clue.” 

“Very true, Edward. Still I shall hold out hope. I’m here aren’t I?” 

Andy stood, “we have a guest room you can sleep in and tomorrow we will head up Hogwarts. I’m going to fill Dora in on what’s going on and tell her that I think it’s best we keep this between the three of us for now.” 

“If current me is as unhinged as you make her out to be then it’s probably for the best.” 

There was a weird moment where it was clear the sisters wanted to hug but something was holding them back, “come on Bella.” Ted broke the awkward silence. “I’ll show you the room. And the kitchen in case you want a snack.” 

“Yes,” she gave Andy one parting look before following Ted. “I could go for something sweet.” 

Bella resigned herself to the bedroom Ted had told her she was free to use as her own for however long she would be staying in this timeline. That’s what it was and there was no nice way to put it. Eventually she was going to leave and get back to her shitty life in 1967. She was determined to put the most effort into this for her sisters. She only hoped there would be less questions and more answers once she got back to Hogwarts. The look of absolute disgust and betrayal on Andy’s face left her gutted. “I have to make this right,” she had changed into a pair of pajamas that she had assumed belonged to her niece at one point. “The Weird Sisters,” she looked in the mirror, “what a strange looking group.” 

“They are only the best group in the history of the wizarding world.” Bella turned to see the girl in question standing at the door. “May I come in?” 

“Only if your mother said it’s okay. I don’t want you getting in trouble.” 

She laughed, “I believe mum’s exact words were stay away from Bella. She’s had a long day. Which means, of course I’m going to come see what’s going on.” 

“Let me guess,” Bella motioned for Dora to come in and shut the door. “We’ve never met. Before now I mean. You don’t know me in your time.” 

“I know of you and that you are locked up. That’s about it,” Dora walked over and sat down on the bed. “When I opened the door tonight, I swear you looked familiar but I didn’t recognize you. Only that you looked like old pictures that mum has hidden in her top dresser drawer.” 

“She has old pictures of us?” 

“I’m not supposed to know that so please don’t say anything to her.” 

“Wouldn’t tell a soul,” Bella liked the girl from what she could tell. She would’ve been friends with Dora in school. “So Dora,” she saw her roll her eyes at the name. “I’m your auntie. I’ll call you whatever I want and you’ll like it.” 

“I didn’t say a word.” 

“Your face gave your feelings away. Now as I was saying. I bet you were a hufflepuff like your father. Am I right?” 

“Is it that obvious?” 

Bella chuckled, “you just remind me of him is all. It wasn’t meant as an insult. You probably have a lot of your mother’s qualities too. Hopefully only the good ones.” 

“What’s it like in 1967?” 

“It sucks for me, which is why I’m here or so I’m guessing. Though from what your mother says, 1994 isn’t fairing too much better for me.” 

“Here,” Dora reached into her back pocket and pulled out a weird box and it had wires attached to something she pulled from around her neck. “Listen to the weird sisters. You’ll love it. Headphone and a cassette player. The best of 1994.” 

“Mighty big assumption there, love,” Bella shrugged and took the box. She managed to get headphones over her curls and Dora turned the volume down before pushing one of the buttons. Bella was only slightly startled when she started to hear the music in her ears. After a couple moments, she started to enjoy the instruments. The signing wasn’t her typical genre but she was enjoying it. “Kids these days,” she ended up shouting over the sound of the music. 

When she saw Dora give her a look, she took the headphones off. The girl smiled, “it’s good, isn’t it?” 

“It’s not the worst thing I've ever heard.” 

“Coming from her, that’s the highest compliment,” Andy was leaning against the door frame watching the interaction. She always knew her daughter was a lot like the old Bella and seeing them get on with each other was no surprise. She put her mom voice on, “Nymphadora, I thought I told you to leave Bella alone.” 

Bella was shocked when the girl’s pink hair turned red, “don’t call me Nymphadora.” 

“You’re a metamorphmagus? That is really impressive.” 

Andy nodded, “must come from her dad’s side of the family. All we got was mental disorders and prejudice.” She immediately regretted saying it the moment it was coming out, “sorry.” 

“I think that’s my cue to leave,” she handed Bella the cassette player and headphones. “Here. Keep this tonight. This is on and off. When the tape ends, push this to rewind.” Dora looked as if she was going to give Bella a hug before shaking her head slightly and leaving. She whispered to Andy, “don’t take her to school until I get to say goodbye. Okay?” 

Andy patted her shoulder, “we will all have breakfast together in the morning. Goodnight, sweetheart,” she kissed Dora on the forehead. 

“Goodnight, Auntie Bella.” 

“Night, kid,” Bella gave a little wave and heard her sister laugh. “What’s so funny?” 

“Kid? She’s older than you are right now, Bella.” 

Bella shrugged, “what can I say? I’m embracing 1994. So what are the kids like at school?”

“Cissy’s kid is there. Fourth year. From what I’ve heard, he’s a little shit.” 

“Guess I’ll have to play nice if I’m in Slytherin. I better be in Slytherin if Albus knows what’s good for him. But won’t some of the teachers recognize me? This makes no sense.” 

“Albus set up our fireplace so we can floo right to the headmasters office tomorrow. Sybil is a professor now.”

Bella cackled, “crazy Sybil. Are you shitting me? What does he have her teaching?” 

“Divination.” 

Another loud cackle erupted from Bella, “she wouldn’t be able to spot a prophecy if it bit her on the ass. That’s hilarious. Who else?” 

“Snape. He’s head of Slytherin house.” 

“You have got to be fucking kidding me. Snivellus? Head of Slytherin? What does he teach?” 

“Potions.” 

Bella had a disgusted look on her face, “please tell me the potioneer Dumbledore mentioned in his letter wasn’t Snape. I’m surprised the fucker didn’t poison me.” She rolled her eyes, “don’t tell me. Siri is teaching there too?” 

Andy’s face fell, “actually he’s locked up in a cell next to you. Kismet if you believe in that shit.” 

“What did he do?”

“Then pinned him with the murders of the Potters and Pettigrew,” she shrugged. “Seriously this isn’t stuff you should be worried about tonight. We can talk more about everything tomorrow.” Andy made an excuse to exit the room, “breakfast first thing.” 

“Do you think he did it?” Andy just shook her head, “okay.” She watched her sister leave the room. “This is so fucked,” she put Dora’s headphones back on and listened to the strange music as she tried to relax herself enough for sleep. 

*September 2, 1994*

Dora had packed up a few outfits for Bella to have during Hogsmeade weekends and whenever she wasn’t in her robes. Bella tried to nicely tell her that wasn’t necessary but her niece insisted and she wasn’t quite sure how to say no to the girl. She left with a small trunk full of brightly colored clothes, a leather jacket and some pants that also looked to be leather and something called jeans. Bella didn’t have any textbooks and hoped that Dumbledore would have all of that for her when she got there. “Is it weird to be nervous? That’s not very Noble and Most Ancient House of Black of me.” 

“Absolutely not,” Andy stood next to Bella who had just been staring at the fireplace for the last ten minutes. Ted and Dora already left for work wishing her the best for the upcoming year. Dora also mentioned that she expected frequent owls to which Bella agreed only if she sent her sweets. “You never know what to expect with Albus. Brilliant wizard but a bit of a loose canon.” 

“It can’t be worse than going into the basement with father,” she shrugged. 

Andy turned to face her, “are you ever going to tell me what he did to you down there?” 

Bella shook her head, “it’s not something you ever needed to concern yourself with. We should go. We’ve kept them waiting long enough.” 

“Wait Bella,” she tried to catch her sister’s hand but she had already stepped into the floo and announced her destination. “Well this is going famously,” she rolled her eyes before following Bella through the floo, “Dumbledore’s office, Hogwarts.” 

Andy hadn’t even made it two steps from the fireplace when Bella grabbed her, “go back through, Andy. We are leaving.” 

“What why?” She stood strong not letting her sister pull her. “Aren’t we going to hear them out? How could they possibly piss you off in less than five seconds?” 

“They aren’t even here yet. Come on, let's go,” she tried to pull her again.

“No,” Andy removed Bella’s grip. “What’s the problem?” 

The oldest Black sister sighed dramatically and moved aside, “see for yourself.” 

Andy walked further into the office and immediately saw the problem. Laying out on the back of one of the chairs opposite the headmaster’s desk was a new set of house robes complete with a maroon and gold tie, “all right I see the problem now but Bella they must have a reason for this.” 

“I don’t care what the reason is. Albus is mad if he thinks I’m going to be sorted into that subpar house. Me, Bellatrix Druella Black, a Gryffindor? Who do I look like? Siri? Absolutely not. That is the most ridiculous thing I’ve ever heard.” 

Andy shrugged, “I think you’d make a fine Gryffindor.” 

Bella’s jaw dropped, “excuse me?” 

“Stubborn, pig-headed but highly motivated to save your sisters without thinking about your own needs first,” Andy smiled, “very Lion of you.” 

“I hate you so much,” Bella crossed her arms over her chest. “I look horrible in red. Plus if my maths serve me correctly, Arthur Weasley has probably reproduced by now and I’d hate to have to socialize with his spawn.” Andy made a face, “who did he spawn with?” 

“Probably best not to say,” she chuckled. “It definitely won’t convince you to stay.” 

“How many Weasels?” 

Andy made a face that Bella didn't like, “four here at the school. Three more off in the world. One of them is best friends with Dora. Always thought they would get married but as far as I know nothing happened between her and Charlie.” 

“Seven? You don’t even need to tell me who the mum is. There’s no way it’s anyone other than Prewett.” 

“At least you didn’t hear it from me,” Andy cackled. 

“None of this is convincing me to stay.” 

“It might not be that bad,” she tried to hide her smirk at the look of pure annoyance she received from Bella. “Okay it might be bad but Dumbledore knows you. He knows our family. He also knows Riddle. He wouldn’t just place you in Gryffindor without a good reason. Let’s just hear him out and if you want to leave then I won’t stop you.” 

It was Bella’s turn to cackle, “like you could stop me. Fine. I’ll hear him out but he better have a damn good reason for this,” she held up the tie. 

“I do have several reasons for the placement. I can assure you, the decision to put you in Gryffindor was not made lightly,” they both turned to see Albus and Minerva standing just at the top of the steps. “Bellatrix, Andromeda, please won’t you both take a seat? There is much to discuss and I’m afraid that time is truly of the essence.” 

Chapter Text

As if propelling Bella 27 years into the future wasn’t bad enough, the thought of being in Gryffindor made her want to murder people. Maybe she could understand why her future self was currently sitting in a cell in the middle of nowhere. Andy was doing her best to convince her to calm down and hear the headmaster out but it seemed pointless.

“It might not be that bad,” she tried to hide her smirk at the look of pure annoyance she received from Bella. “Okay it might be bad but Dumbledore knows you. He knows our family. He also knows Riddle. He wouldn’t just place you in Gryffindor without a good reason. Let’s just hear him out and if you want to leave then I won’t stop you.”

It was Bella’s turn to cackle, “like you could stop me. Fine. I’ll hear him out but he better have a damn good reason for this,” she held up the tie.

“I do have several reasons for the placement. I can assure you, the decision to put you in Gryffindor was not made lightly,” they both turned to see Albus and Minerva standing just at the top of the steps. “Bellatrix, Andromeda, please won’t you both take a seat? There is much to discuss and I’m afraid that time is truly of the essence.”

“Impeccable entrance,” Andy suppressed a chuckle. “Might want to talk quickly. My sister is a flight risk.”

“Shut up, Andromeda,” Bella had pushed into her sister’s mind so the two other adults in the room couldn’t hear her. “Just because you are currently older than me doesn’t mean I won’t hex your ass.”

“Oh look Albus,” Minerva was watching the two Black sisters. “It seems Bella is threatening her with her mind again.”

“Ah yes,” he noted, “they always did have a penchant for legilimency.”

“Why am I here?” Bella crossed her arms over her chest. “And why in the name of Salazar have you left those forsaken Gryffindor robes. Obviously this is some sort of joke. You bring me to the future just to torture me? Isn’t my present self being in Azkaban enough of a punishment.”

“So you’ve filled her in then?”

“Not entirely, Minerva. Just that she was in prison and her crimes. I really didn’t go into too much detail because quite frankly you could’ve knocked me over with a quill last night when my daughter opened the door and I saw my younger older sister standing there.”

McGonagall rolled her eyes, “I told Albus to be straightforward with you.”

“She never would’ve agreed.”

“He’s right,” Andy wasn’t proud of her feelings when she first saw Bella standing there. “I never would have agreed to help if I had known it was her. Honestly, I didn’t think I’d ever speak to Bella again and this was eye opening. It’s truly like I stepped back into 1967.”

“Lovely sentiments but why am I here,” Bella was getting antsy. She didn’t like expressing feelings or having people express their feelings towards her. “So, I’m in jail for the crimes I committed. Apparently Siri is in jail for something he didn’t do. And now I’m here so I’m assuming Riddle is still alive?”

“That is the question up for debate,” Dumbledore pondered. He told her a brief version of what happened on Halloween the night Voldemort ceased to exist.

“A baby killed Riddle? Don’t know what father was on about if that’s the truth,” Bella took a moment to look at her nails seemingly unbothered by the update. Of course she knew who the Potters were, as well as the Longbottoms and everyone else in Dumbeldore’s retelling. The more she heard even little bits at a time made her hate herself even more. “So we think he might have come back? Or is he in the process of coming back? You said there’s been signs?”

“Correct. The dark mark appeared over the Quidditch World Cup this past summer. That was the most recent sighting.”

“And you think Bella can somehow help? She’s just a child, Albus,” Minerva looked over at Bella with a fond expression on her face clouded by worry.

“It is my hope that you, Bellatrix, will be able to communicate with the other version of yourself that you left last night in 1967. Talk her out of whatever transpired this year for her and what ultimately landed her, you, in prison.”

Andy looked confused, “and what happens to the timeline if she is successful? There would’ve been no war. No unnecessary death, sure. But isn’t changing the past dangerous?”

“I think,” Bella looked at her sister, “that any changes I could make in the past would be far less disastrous than what is going to happen in the future.”

“Precisely,” Dumbledore had his hand folded in front of him on the desk. “Have you written to your other self?”

“I did last night just to tell her when and where I am. I told her I’d write more after I got more details from you. I have a question though.” The three adults just stared at her, “if I’m successful. Do I just not go back? Am I here forever? What happens to the me that’s in prison? Is there something in that potion I drank? I’ll just cease to exist? I feel like I drank it too quickly before I had a chance to really think about the consequences.”

“Bellatrix, do you know what a horcrux is?”

Bella nodded slowly looking at the headmaster, “I haven’t killed anyone.”

“The potion was as you can imagine a soul splitting potion. It is one of my own creations. I’ve been studying horcruxes and have come up with a different take on the concept of soul splitting.”

Andy looked furious, “and you thought the best decision was to experiment this so-called potion on my sister?”

“So if the other me is successful and old me isn’t in Azkaban, I die.”

“That’s not necessarily true. I like to believe that we could meld both halves of you back together. While I was working on that potion, Professor Snape was working on a soul mending potion.”

Bellatrix rolled her eyes, “oh good. Get a man who hates me to fix this. That’s just bloody brilliant.”

“We don’t know what’s going to happen yet,” Minerva saw the tension rising. “And we can’t plan for that right now. You are here and I for one and very happy to see you, Bella. You could choose to live happily in this time if you want. We could attempt to meld the two halves of you but dying is not an option. Do the two of you hear me?” Andy and Bella just nodded, “good. Now that that nonsense is out of the way, we should talk about the logistics of you being here in 1994. The professors here who had known you in the past and would recognize you have been informed of what’s going on. There are a few options for how we proceed from here.”

“And they all include me being sorted into Gryffindor?”

Minerva stifled her laugh, “there are a few notable students that you need to be around in order for all of this to work.”

“I’m guessing one of them is the Potter kid but please oh please tell me I don’t have to socialize with a Weasley.”

“I wouldn’t want to lie to you. There’s another student. A girl, muggleborn. Very smart. Brightest witch of her age. I think you’ll get on very well with her.”

Bella tried not to sneer at her mentor saying nice things about another witch. She was the smartest witch of her age no matter the year. It didn’t matter if it was 1967 or 1994, nobody would have better marks than Bellatrix, “is this whom the time turned came from?”

“She returned it to me at the end of last year. I had let her borrow it to over fill her schedule.”

Bella leaned over and whispered to Andy, “Professor’s little pet.” She spoke up again, “so what are the options?”

Dumbledore pretended not to see the jealousy pouring out of the girl, “the first option is to wear glamor everyday and we will come up with a full backstory of life and family before Hogwarts. It’ll have to be believable because like Professor McGonagall there is a very clever student in the Gryffindor house and she’ll most likely be suspicious of you immediately.”

“Great. Well that seems like an awful lot of work and remembering. What’s the other option?”

“There is no denying that you bear a strong resemblance to your mother.”

Andy chuckled, “because that’s what all 15 year olds want to hear.”

“Are you telling me I look like a gutless idiot?”

Minerva gave her a look, “we will move on without addressing that comment. If you don’t want to do the glamor everyday we can embrace the fact that you have a strong resemblance to your mother.”

“In looks only,” Bella crossed her arms over her chest. “Go on.”

“You had a cousin named Evan Rosier.”

“We’ve heard of the idiot. What of him?”

Andy smirked, “she's big on calling out idiocy right now.”

“He died in the first war. Not much is known of him. We were thinking you could come to light as the long lost daughter of Evan. We could spin it that he died and when your mother found out who he really was, she put you in the Wizarding orphanage here in London. It would explain why nobody has heard of you but it’s believable enough to explain the resemblance to the Rosier family.”

Andy and Bella looked at McGonagall when she was finished speaking, seemingly absorbing the information. Andy spoke first, “it doesn’t seem completely mad.”

“I’d rather claim dead parents than my actual ones. What about this clever little witch? You don’t think she will see through this? Why am I just coming to Hogwarts now? If I was in a Wizarding Orphanage why wouldn’t they have sent me earlier?”

Dumbledore nodded, “you have all the same questions we did when we were coming up with this. You did not know of your past until this past summer. The Orphanage was instructed by your mother not to share any outside information with you about your past so they never told you your last name. It isn’t uncommon for children in the system to only go by a first name. Then over the summer when the Quidditch World Cup was attacked, a news article made its way into the Orphanage. You saw a picture of your father when they mentioned deceased Death Eaters and recognized him in the one picture you have of your mother and father.” He produced a faulty imagine an Evan Rosier and an unknown woman that looked worn that he handed to Bella.

“And the keepers at the Orphanage helped you reach out to Andromeda as a known living relative,” Minerva finished. “You spent the summer with her and her family and she enrolled you here at Hogwarts.”

Bella wouldn’t admit it but it seemed like a pretty solid plan. “You really thought this through. I guess I won’t be a prefect here,” she tried to hide the disappointment in her voice.

“Actually.”

“No,” she shook her head, “I don’t like the tone of your voice. Whatever was going to follow the start of that sentence. Save it.”

“Bella,” Andy put her hand on her sister’s knee. “Remember we are hearing them out. If you want to forget about it at the end, that's fine.”

“Is it though? You heard him. I’m split, possibly for good until someone dies or doesn’t die. No matter what he says, I don't have a choice. I drank the damn potion and here I am.” She turned back towards the headmaster, “what’s the next bloody condition?”

“We are aware that in 1967 you just started your fifth year. However, classes have changed here at Hogwarts and there are a few new additions to the schedule that weren’t offered when you were in school. We will need to start you in fourth year for the reasons I have just stated plus that is the year of the students we need you to interact with.”

“Is Cissy’s kid a fourth year?”

“Mr. Malfoy is,” McGonagall confirmed. “Though, he is not fond of those Griffyndor students, especially Ms. Granger. He has difficulty accepting her blood status.”

“He’s inherited his father’s prejudice. Makes sense. Lucy was a little shit,” she cringed and looked at the adults. “Apologies for the language. I was never a fan of Lucius. Won’t it be weird for a Rosier to be placed in Gryffindor?”

“That is why it is imperative for you to stress you knew nothing of your family up until a few months ago. Once they find out you were staying with Andromeda, it’ll make more sense for the placement.”

Bella gave them another strange look, “Andy’s as much a Slytherin as I am.”

“You wouldn't make a very convincing Hufflepuff,” Andy laughed.

“Make me a Ravenclaw then. I think I could live with that,” Bella wasn’t above begging when it came to suiting her own needs. Hence why she was an amazing Slytherin. “They aren’t budging are they?” She was looking at her sister for any sign of hope before slumping back into her chair, “fine but I better make prefect next year.”

Andy cackled, “looks like you’ll have actual competition in this class.”

“Ha!” Bella laughed, “would you like to bet on it?”

“Owl me after a week with Granger and let me know if you still want to bet.”

“Will I get to play Quidditch?”

McGonagall’s smile was something neither Black had ever seen, “I’ve already spoken to the captain and told him to leave space for a new chaser. I saw how ruthless you played for Slytherin. With you and Potter there is no way we will lose.”

“Minerva, have you forgotten there is no Quidditch this year?”

“No Quidditch? Gryffindor? And a fourth year? You might as well just send me back to 1967.”

“I seemed to have blocked out that memory,” Minerva did not look pleased. There’s always next year.”

“Planning for her long term stay are you, Minnie?” Andy loved watching the back and forth between the group. It reminded her of when they were in school.

“And just why aren’t we playing Quidditch?” Bella was still hung up on the semantics of her stay.

“Quidditch has been canceled for the year due to the fact that Hogwarts is hosting the Triwizard Tournament.”

“I’m sorry. I must have misheard you,” Andy sounded calmer than her body language was letting on. “You brought my sister 27 years into the future to be around a competition where children have died?!”

“I can assure you that Bellatrix will be perfectly safe here at Hogwarts.”

“Sure,” Andy rolled her eyes, “first the dark mark is back and now the Triwizard cup. Why don’t you just take her straight to Azkaban to meet herself? Seems like the same idea.”

“I will be watching over her.”

McGonagall seemed to be placating Andy and Bella could tell, so who was she not to stir the shit pot. She sat up a little in her seat, “I think I’ll put my name in the mix. I’m a brilliant witch. I have no money here though so there’s got to be a cash prize to really solidify my participation.”

“You absolutely will not be entering,” Andy couldn’t hold back her mom voice.

“Why not?” Bella looked at her sister, “no sense of self-preservation isn’t that a key Gryffindor characteristic? I’m just trying to play the part, sis.”

“Unfortunately for you Bellatrix,” Dumbledore interrupted the arguing sisters. “The Ministry has put certain rules in place with certain requirements for participation and one of them is an age restriction. You will not be permitted to volley for a position as you are not of age.”

“Well damn,” she crossed her arms again, “no quidditch. No death risk. I’m in a room full of fun suckers.”

“Have the students already been selected?”

“Not yet, Andromeda. The cup was revealed at the welcome dinner. Names will be pulled in a few days time. I have to set up an enchantment to keep underage witches and wizards from attempting to throw their names in the cup,” he gave Bella a look as if he could read her mischievous thoughts.

“I guess that’s fine then. I just got my big little sister back and I’m not anxious to get her killed.”

McGonagall handed Bella her class list, “we should probably say our goodbyes if everybody is on board with Bellatrix’s back story. Andromeda you are welcome to owl,” her thought trailed off. “You’ll have to pick a name, dear. I don’t think it would behoove you to stick with Bellatrix.”

“I like my name,” she responded defensively. “I think it suits me just fine.”

Andy sighed, “Bella are you going to be a pain in their asses every step of the way.”

“Most likely,” she smirked. “Fine. Something French I supposed if we are going with my mother’s side of the family tree. Well don’t everyone stare at me, start thinking of names.”

“Manon means bitter. It would suit you.”

Bella side-eyed her sister, “now I see why we had a falling out.”

“Marie in French means from the sea of bitterness,” Andy chuckled. “That’s another possibility.”

“If we weren’t in this office, I’d hex you.”

The names started coming in rapid succession from everyone.

“Coraline?”

“No.”

“Suzette?”

“No.”

“Lucille?”

“Ew. No. Reminds me of Lucius.”

“Madeline?”

“Better but no.”

“Josephine? They could call you Jo?”

Bella stopped to think about that one for a minute before shaking her head, “no.”

McGonagall let out a sigh before offering up, “Cosette?”

“Keep in mind,” Dumbledore added, “you’ll only be using this among the students and teachers. Once Ms. Granger undoubtedly figures out who you are then I'm sure she will call you by name but keep your secret.”

“I suppose Cosette isn’t so bad,” Bella finally conceded then saw her sister smile. “Don’t you dare tell me what it means. We will never leave this office.”

Dumbledore wrote the plan on a piece of parchment which he handed to Faux, “you know which professors to take this too. Bring it back when you have finished. Cosette Rosier, are you ready to head down to breakfast?”

“I already ate,” she wasn’t as ready for this as she had let on.

“I’ll walk you down and make introductions. You are going to be just fine Bellatrix.”

Andy stood up, “guess I should be getting back. I’ll owl you some money for Hogsmeade and other supplies you’ll need.”

“We’ve got the basics ready for her. Uniforms, books, school supplies. I see you brought muggle clothing for down time?” She looked at her outfit curiously, “I also see that you’ve made acquaintances with Dora. She always was a free spirited student.”

“A moment?” Andy pulled Bella away from the other two. “Anytime you need a break or if you change your mind about this whole thing, just let me know. I’m here for you, Bella.” She grabbed her little older sister and gave her a big hug, “I’m so glad you are here. I’ve missed you.”

Bella chuckled, “I just saw you yesterday. Send me candy?”

“Of course and I’ve got some good muggle books I think you’ll enjoy.”

A blush coated Bella’s cheeks, “found out about that, did you? Thought it was me and Cissy’s secret. That traitor.”

Andy kissed Bella’s forehead, “now, make good marks, don’t get into too much trouble, keep in touch with me and do try to make friends, honey.”

Bella rolled her eyes, “okay I’m ready to go, Professor.” Andy roped her into another hug before she finally escaped the headmaster’s office with McGonagall, her robes hung over her arm.

“We should stop by the common room first. It should be empty. I can show you to your bed, you can get changed into your school attire and then I’ll take you to meet everyone.”

“I don’t know if you could tell but I’m not particularly thrilled about being a Gryffindor.”

Minerva laughed, “you don’t say?” The walk through the castle, up the changing staircases was rather quiet. She could tell that Bella’s mind was going faster than a stampede of angry hippogriffs. “I really tried to talk the headmaster out of disturbing your studies. I know this isn’t ideal for you. All things considered, you are our only hope. Between you and me, Potter could use a little extra brain power.”

“And what of your smart little witch?”

“I’m afraid even Miss Granger is only one person. Right through here.”

The Fat Lady perked up, “oh it’s you.”

“Happy to see me then?” Bella turned to McGonagall, “she going to keep the secret?”

Minerva tried to control her face, “well Bella. There was an incident in your seventh year with this portrait and it seems she has not forgotten.”

“You would forget being set on fire?!”

“It was never proven that Bellatrix cast the spell.”

“See,” Bell looked smug, “it’s all circumstantial. Let’s let old times go. It’s Cosette now. Don’t forget.”

The fat lady looked her up and down, “I read Dumbeldore’s note. I’ll keep your secrets but that doesn’t mean I have to be nice.”

“You wouldn’t be the first person to not be nice,” Bella cackled. “What’s the password?”

“Jelly Slugs. We had to make it easy for Longbottom.”

The fat lady opened up allowing Bella to follow McGonagall through the portrait hole. The girl whistled, causing her professor to jump, “fancy digs the Gryffindor’s have. So bright and non-dungeony. A witch could get used to this.”

“Oh stop,” Minvera couldn’t hide her smile that time. “That is the boys dormitory. Girls are allowed in there during the day.”

“Don’t see why I would want to do that but okay.”

McGonagall led her to the other staircase, “and this side is for the girls. No boys are permitted inside at any hours.”

“Perfect,” Bella nodded, following her down the hallway and into the bed-lined room that was for the fourth year girls. “Fancy the different years have different rooms. You threw all of us slytherin in together.”

“That’s changed since you were a student. Everyone's house is split by year. We’ve expanded.”

“I suppose that’s nice.” She looked around at the various decorations the girls had already started to hang. “And which bunk is mine?”

“This one over here in the corner by the window,” Minerva walked her back towards her bed.

She noted that her trunk was already there and all her books and spare uniforms. Bella looked over at the nightstand of the bunk next to her, “Granger hmm? Seems we are bound to be friends. Though if you asked me I’d say this bunk placement is forced.”

“Just give her a chance, Bella. She truly is remarkably bright.”

“Mmhmm,” she couldn’t help the eye roll. “So you've said. I’ll just get changed and we can go.” She waited until McGongall stepped into the hallway from the 4th year bunk before quickly changing into her uniform. Tying the maroon and gold tie almost made her vomit but she held it together, slipped her robes on and checked her schedule. She grabbed the books and supplies she would need for her first two classes and headed towards the exit. She stopped when she heard McGonagall talking to someone. Listening in she heard the professor say, “yes our new 4th year is just in there getting changed. You’ll get on well with her. We are heading down to breakfast when she’s ready.”

The girl spoke up, “I just came to get my lucky quill. Can’t start the year off right without it. Do you think she’d mind if I went in and grabbed it?”

Before McGonagall had a chance to answer, Bella opened the door, stepping out ready to go, “ready?” She asked her professor not paying attention to the other girl that slipped in behind her to grab her apparently lucky quill.

“Cosette, perfect. We can all head down together. There’s someone I’d like you to meet.”

Bella groaned inside before turning to face the slightly taller girl with wavy brown hair who already had her hand held out for her to shake, “I’m Hermione. Hermione Granger.”

Chapter Text

Bella had been listening from inside the dorm room already knowing exactly who McGonagall had been chatting with. She didn’t need to meet the girl to know that only a professor’s pet would come back for a lucky quill. Minerva all but made them wear honorary best friends forever necklaces before introductions were made and Bella was determined to hate this girl. 

She had heard enough when she opened the door, stepping out ready to go, “ready?” She asked her professor not paying attention to the other girl that slipped in behind her to grab her so-called lucky quill. 

“Cosette, perfect. We can all head down together. There’s someone I’d like you to meet.” 

Bella groaned inside before turning to face the slightly taller girl with wavy brown hair who already  had her hand held out for her to shake, “I’m Hermione. Hermione Granger.” 

Bella looked down at the extended hand, “pleasure,” before turning back to her professor. “Are you going to show me to breakfast, now? Or should I wander around and find it myself.” She tried to hide her smirk when Hermione’s mouth fell open at the way she addressed the older witch in the room. “I am rather peckish. It’s been quite a travel day.” 

“Cosette,” Minerva had an air of warning to her tone. “I will show you to the Great Hall once Ms. Granger retrieves the item she came for.” 

“Yes,” she nodded, “one moment.” 

Bella scoffed when the brunette hurried into the open dorm. “Ouch,” she said when she felt her professor slap her on the shoulder. “What was that for?” 

“You aren’t even trying to be nice.” 

Bella pretended to be hurt, “me? Not nice? That was me being nice. What did you want me to do? Kiss her? I just met her and quite frankly, she’s a little smug.” 

“She only introduced herself to you. Try, please.” 

“If you haven’t noticed, the Blacks aren't very friendly people.” 

“Well,” McGonagall whispered, “you aren’t you so lucky for all of us, you can be nice.” 

“Got it!” Hermione came back out from the dorm, shutting the door behind her. “Oh,” she noticed the books in the other girl’s arms. “I also have charms first class.” 

“Wonderful,” she was midway through rolling her eyes when she felt McGonagall grasp her shoulder. So she grudgingly held out her hand, “I’m Cosette. Nice to meet you.” She was thrown off by the genuine smile the other girl had while shaking her hand. Nobody had smiled at her like that besides her sisters and whatever girl had shown interest in her. Peculiar, she thought. “Right,” she removed her hand from Hermione’s grasp. She turned back to Minerva, “are we going to breakfast now?” 

“Yes,” she conceded, thankful for Bella’s small attempt at congeniality. “Right this way.” 

“It’s an exciting year to have transferred. Which school did you attend before?” 

Bella saw McGonagall look over her shoulder waiting for her response, “no school. I,uh, spent my years at an orphanage for magical children. Seems neither of my parents wanted to be parents. No bother. I am better off without them.” 

“Right,” she could tell Hermione felt uncomfortable with the statement. “My parents are muggles. Dentists.” 

“Fascinating,” Bella saw the warning look thrown over the professor’s shoulder as they walked towards the Great Hall. “What I meant was,” she cleared her throat, “that’s fascinating. What’s a dentist?” 

“Oh,” Hermione’s cheeks turned pink, “they are doctors for people’s teeth.” 

“A tooth doctor? Muggles really are strange, aren’t they?” 

“Cosette,” Minerva corrected her. Bella had just accepted that this experience would be filled with a lot of correction and guidance. 

“Right,” she attempted the small talk once more. “So do you play Quidditch “ 

“Oh no, I hate flying,” she recognized a look of defeat in Cosette’s dark eyes. “But my friend Harry is brilliant at flying. You’ll get on well with him. He could talk about Quidditch for ages.” 

Bella only nodded and looked down at her schedule, “muggle studies. What is this?” 

“Oh I’m in that,” she pointed to her schedule. “May I?” 

Bella looked at her paper and then at Hermione’s hopefully face, “knock yourself out.” She passed the paper over to the other girl. 

“We have the exact same class schedule,” Hermione sounded more excited than she had wished for. She didn’t really have too many friends that were girls except if you count Ginny and Luna but they are a year younger. She mostly hung out with Harry and Ron but she was desperate for a female friend and Cosette seemed okay from the five seconds that she’s known her. They would at least be spending a lot of time together in classes. “I spend a lot of time in the library. If you ever want to study or anything just let me know.” 

Bella took back her class schedule, “okay.” She was thrown off by the over eager girl. Nobody was ever dying to be friendly with her unless there was an underlying reason. Maybe this girl was just desperate to remain the smartest witch. Well, Bella would have to put an end to that. 

“I see you aren’t taking Divination either. The boys are dumb for taking that. It’s not like it’s actually useful.” Professor  McGonagall cleared her throat, “sorry Professor but it’s true. All last year I was waiting for something, anything to happen in that class but Professor Trelawney seemed just as lost as the rest of us.” 

Bella snickered at the insult. Sybil always did have a couple of screws loose. She was glad she wasn’t in that class though it would’ve been worth it to make Sybil flustered. She would just have to find another opportunity. “Sounds like I dodged an unforgivable there. Is this where the breakfast is?” 

They had stopped just outside of the Great Hall doors, “Ms. Granger, will you take Cosette here to your table and make the introductions?” 

“Of course, Professor.” 

Bella gave McGonagall a look that she hoped conveyed her distaste in the entirety of the situation, “very well.” 

“And Cosette, please check in with me after Herbology.”

“Fine,” she turned towards Hermione, “lead the way.” 

Hermione spotted her friends at the far end of the Gryffindor table by where the professors sat. She waved, “come on. So how do you know McGonagall?” 

“I don’t. Just met the lady when my cousin dropped me off.”

“Oh,” Hermione seemed to accept her answer, until she added, “you two seem friendly for just meeting.” 

“I’m a naturally charming person, Granger,” she hoped her tone ended the conversation. 

Whether Hermione believed her or not it didn’t matter, the conversation ended as they got closer to the group of Gryffindors. Bella felt her heart rate pick up which was strange for her. She didn’t often experience nervousness. Hermione stopped before sitting down, “everyone, this is the new transfer student, Cosette. She’s in fourth year with us.” 

Bella immediately felt eyes on her, “hello,” she said quietly before sitting in between Hermione and another student. Did she want to sit next to the girl? No but she also felt safe which was hard for her to explain. 

“Mostly everyone here is in fourth year except Ginny. She’s third year and Fred and George are fifth years.” 

Bella noticed the student on her otherside had a twin. The one closest to her spoke first, “we are trying to come up with an age spell to enter the tournament. You good with potions?” 

“Yes.” 

“Brilliant,” the other one gave her a wiry smile. 

“Don’t feed into their delusions, Cosette. Dumbledore said he was going to enchant a line around the cup to keep underaged idiots out.” 

“Underaged idiot is what we do best, Granger,” the one sitting next to Bella winked at Hermione. 

Bella found herself chuckling but shaking her head at the antics. These were clearly a couple of Weasley boys but they seemed alright. She was pulled from her thoughts when the other redhead boy spoke with a mouthful of food, “I’m Ron and this is Harry.” 

“Charmed,” Bella grabbed some food for her own plate that appeared in front of her. She noticed everyone looking at her after the introduction. “What?” 

“This is Harry. Harry Potter,” the one called Ron said with more enthusiasm. 

“Is that supposed to mean something to me?” Ron’s mouth fell open and Bella immediately didn’t like the stupid look on his face, “never heard of you.” 

“Never heard of Harry Potter? What school did you go to?” 

“Ronald,” Hermione hissed from across the table. 

Bella just smiled at him, “actually I didn’t come from a school. I was at an orphanage all of my life but thank you. The tact you show towards new students must be the warm welcome that the headmaster was talking about.” 

“Cosette,” Hermione’s tone turned soft. “He didn’t mean anything by it.” 

“Don’t try to talk Ronny out of anything. If the new girl wants to curse him then let her,” one of the twins added. 

Bella rolled her eyes but then turned to Harry, “sorry I’m not a fan like him,” she motioned towards Ron. “I have no idea who you are,” that wasn’t entirely true. She knew enough from the conversation in the headmaster’s office but she was instructed to know nothing. 

Harry shrugged, “it’s actually refreshing that you don’t know who I am. No expectations.” 

Fred whispered to George loud enough for everyone to hear, “I think Harry’s in love, mate.” 

“First Ronny swoons over Krum and now Harry fancies the new girl,” George sighed. “What a great start to the year,” he excused them from the table. “Best be off to double potions. Snape isn’t going to piss himself off.” 

“We should get going too,” Hermione looked at the boys before turning to Cosette. “Walk with us to charms? I’ll make sure you don’t get lost today. The castle can be a bit confusing especially with all the extra students from Beauxbatons and Durmstrang using the spare class rooms.” 

Bella wanted to tell everyone to piss off and that she could find her own way but she knew the whole professors’ table was watching her. Her lips thinned into a tight smile, “okay then. Lead the way.” 

*

The first couple days of classes went by without problem. Bella went to her classes, socialized the appropriate amount but mostly spent time in her bed or in the library, studying and staying out of the spotlight. Everything was going fine until three days in when she had her first class with the Slytherins. Of course it had to be potions. There was no denying which little shit belonged to Lucius. He looked just like him and that was quite unfortunate for him. “Well Mr. Potter looks like you finally have competition for celebrity status here at Hogwarts.” Snape pointed towards Bella and she froze, “seems our new little orphan student is equally talked about.” 

Bella wished she had brushed up on wandless magic over the summer instead of concentrating on her patronus. She was regretting that at the moment. Not even five minutes into the lecture and Draco was up speaking out of turn when Hermione answered Snape’s question. “Different year. Same mudblood.” 

Bella raised her hand and waited for Snape to call on her, “what is it?” 

She noted that he along with the other professors were steering clear of using her fake last name. She supposed it was a good thing in a room full of Slytherins. “I was just wondering if you were going to take house points from Slytherin for Malfoy’s use of a derogatory slur used towards Granger. I mean surely the headmaster doesn’t approve of these terms and what with our visiting schools, what kind of example would that set?” 

Snape looked like he wanted to murder her but Bella found all of it rather amusing, “Mr. Malfoy, 25 points from Slytherin. Save the use of your slurs for when Cosette isn’t in earshot.” 

“My father will hear about this…” 

Bella cackled, “I’m sure he will. Now, back to the lesson please. Some of us are here to learn.” Snape returned to the lesson and Bella caught Hermione staring at her out of the corner of her eye. She didn’t turn but leaned over and whispered, “close your mouth, Granger. You’ll catch Phoenix shit if you keep it open.” 

Bella decided against going down with the rest of her house to watch people put their names in the Goblet. She would rather have had the quiet time to catch up with the other Bellatrix and see what was going on in 1967. Unsurprisingly, there had been several messages left for her in their journal. Andy had been getting harassed daily by the Slytherin boys for hanging out with Ted. She had inquired in her note if it would be wise to start hexing them. Bella also mentioned that Rod and Rab took it upon themselves to act as her personal bouncers. She took to escaping to Myrtle’s bathroom just because she knew it would be empty and the boys couldn’t follow her inside. Her biggest news was that she was getting ready for Quidditch tryouts. 

After Bella got though the messages, she picked up her own quill and began writing: 

Bellatrix,

It sounds like you are really going through it with the Lestrange brothers. I wouldn’t recommend hexing them just yet. We need everyone to think that nothing has changed and unfortunately for you that means worrying about Andy while appeasing father. Things here are strange. The students are putting their names in for the tournament tonight. Granger is still annoying. She always has her hand up in class. I don’t bother competing. My top marks will speak for themselves. Andy is just as much of a shit as an adult as she is as a teenager. She helped me pick my name then had the audacity to send me an owl at breakfast to let me know that Cosette actually means “something small and tiny.” I’ll check in with the headmaster soon to see if he is coming up with a plan for you. Good luck with tryouts. Don't get into too much trouble.

Bella 

She put down her journal when she heard banging around the main common room. “Guess my alone time is over,” she sighed before stuffing her journal back under her pillow. Hermione was the only person who came into the dorm, smiling which looked a little devious to Bella, “why are you smiling like that, Granger? It’s freaking me out.”

“I told them it wouldn’t work,” she flopped down onto her bed, pulling out her defense against the dark arts textbook. They were scheduled to attend that class tomorrow and Bella was actually looking forward to it. This was a class they didn’t have in 1967.

“They didn’t?” 

“Oh but they did.”

Bella held back her smirk. She liked the twins. They were ridiculously entertaining and she was almost positive they should’ve been sorted into Slytherin but when she asked them about that the one named Fred responded “we asked for Gryffindor so we could take the piss out of Percy.” Slytherins confirmed in Bella’s eyes, “so where are they? What happened?” 

“They drank a potion and jumped the line. I guess they assumed they were successful because the line didn’t blast them away but when they went to put their names in, the spell backfired, blasted them from the circle and aged them into elderly men.” 

“I suppose that is what they deserve. Are they here?” 

Hermione shook her head, “no they went to hospital to see if Madam Pomfrey could sort them.” 

“Why wouldn’t they just go to Dumbledore and have him fix it?” 

Hermione laughed, “and face a howler from Molly?” 

Bella rolled her eyes, “Prewett would do that” 

“What did you say?” 

Thankfully she had been mumbling, “just stating how stupid the twins are. You were right and they should’ve listened to you.” She wanted to change the topic as soon as possible, not letting Hermione sit with that slip, “so we know anything about the professor for that class?” While she had to endure a rather long retelling of the past DADA teachers, at least it got Hermione’s mind off of the twins and her little slip. 

*

Bella got to defense against the dark arts later than normal the next day because she had to check in with McGonagall. She assured her everything was going fine and didn’t mention the blunder from rhe previous night. She was less than thrilled to see it was another class with the Slytherins. Unfortunately it appeared the only open seats were one next to a mindless looking Slytherin boy or Longbottom so she would take her chances with the latter. “Oh hi Cosette,” he moved his books over to the side that he was sitting on. “Not many people choose to sit by me.” 

“Well the choices are slim but thanks,” she put her book and parchment down in front of her before taking a seat next to the nervous looking boy. 

“I don’t think this guy will be as good as Professor Lupin but anybody has to be better than Lockhart.” 

From what Hermione had told her about him last night, she was in agreement. As soon as the Professor hobbled into the room, Bella felt that there was something off about this man. “Teaching students about unforgivables?” She mumbled to Neville, “nutter has lost his mind.” There was no way this man’s lessons had been approved by the headmaster. 

“Ms. Rosier, is there a problem?” 

A few gasps and mumbles were heard from the Slytherins. He was the first professor to use her last name. She could hear them whispering, “a Rosier in Gryffindor?” This is exactly what she had assumed Dumbledore had warned the Professors against doing in that note he had sent around. All the more reason to hate this Professor. She would have to start working harder to protect her identity now. 

“Not at all, Professor.”

Professor Moody was forcing the students to participate in his methods to the point of torturing them. Her head whipped towards Neville when he answered the question. She watched the boy struggle as Moody performed the cruciatus curse on the poor spider in front of him. He looked as if he was keeping the tears inside, probably not to be made fun of by the Slytherins. 

“Stop it! Can’t you see it’s bothering him?” Bella turned to see Hermione yelling at the professor. She wondered if the girl knew what Bella had done to his parents, why the torture of the spider effected him as bad as it had. Moody picked up the spider, walked it over and placed it in front of Hermione. He performed the killing curse so casually that Bella had begun to question him again. Sure Alastor Moody was an auror in his day but all those noble types had struggled to really kill people. She turned back to Neville and whispered, “are you okay?” He only shook his head no and they remained silent for the rest of the class. 

Neville was the first one out of the classroom before Bella had a chance to say anything to him. She followed the trio out as they left, stopping when they saw Neville by the weeping mermaid glass. Moody was quick on their heels, “come with me boy. I want to talk to you.” 

“With all due respect, Professor,” Bella had addressed the man, “don’t you think you’ve done enough for one day?” 

“It’s okay Cosette,” Neville looked at the professor. 

“No it certainly is not. You can leave Professor Moody. He’s not going with you,” she grabbed Neville’s robe sleeve, pushed past the other three and marched him out of the back doors of the castle towards the lake. “You don’t owe him anything, not even your time. What he did back there was uncalled for,” she finally said when they sat down near the edge of the black lake. “You don’t have to talk to me about it. I just thought you needed an escape. I’m scary enough to make it happen for you.” 

“I don’t usually come out here. The giant squid doesn’t like me that much.” 

“She’s my friend,” Bella had a baggie of orange slices in her robes she brought out. “She’s just a little testy if you don’t bring her an offering.”

“Does she have a name?” 

“I haven’t given her one though I suppose she does. I don’t speak Squid yet but I’m learning. I assume I’ll find out eventually,” she tossed an orange slice into the water hoping to bait the creature to come over to them. 

“You’ve been here less than a week and you already made friends with the squid? Don’t take offense to this but you seem way too cool to be hanging out with me. I feel like this is just going to be one big prank.” 

He was right and Bella knew it. She would never have been friends with him back in her time. If she were being honest with herself, she wouldn’t say she was friends with him now. She didn’t want to actively murder him so that was a plus, and he was way better company than that Weasley boy who always hung around Hermione. Bella knew she felt an obligation to Longbottom for the things her older self had done to his parents. She was the reason he got so upset in class today. While she can’t understand the absence of what loving parents could feel like, she knows that what her other self had done was wrong. Hopefully she would be successful and he would know his parents’ love one day. 

“I don’t prank people. I’m not a Weasley. I just think Professor Moody was out of line. No ulterior motives. And I get it. I’m also an outcast of sorts. I can’t help who my father was.” Moody planted the seeds so she needed to fertilize it and who better to start with a boy who was desperate for companionship. “I never knew my father or mother. I was sent to the orphanage as a baby. So whatever evil happened because of him has nothing to do with me nor the person I’ve become.” She felt that was true even of her own father. She would not be held responsible for Cygnus’s choices. “Plus, you seem like nice enough company.” 

“Well thanks,” he watched as she continued to throw pieces of oranges into the water. Every once in a while a tentacle would surface and grab the fruit, “my parents were tortured with that curse. Aside from when I was a baby, I never truly met them. The real them. They aren’t dead. Just in Mungos. They don’t have their minds anymore.” He didn’t take his eyes off the water, “you don’t have to say anything back. I just never told anyone and it felt good to get it out there.” 

Bella could hear the sadness in his voice and she hated herself for it. She didn’t say anything because honestly there was nothing she could say to make it better. She just hoped what she was doing would be enough to erase the pain she would cause everybody. “Here,” she handed Neville her bag of oranges and walked a little ways down the other. 

“Where are you going?” She heard him call after her but didn’t respond. 

When she returned she took back her oranges and handed him a plant that seemed to be perfectly foraged, “I saw this out here before and I heard you are really into Herbology. Have you seen this?” 

“Oh wow,” he held the plant in his hands. “Only in books.” 

“It’s gillyweed. I saw it over there along the lake bed a few times before. Don’t worry, I clipped it so you can plant it yourself and it didn’t hurt the origin plant. Who knows it might come in handy one day if you ever want to grow some gills and go visit your new friend,” she gave him a small smile when the tentacle landed between them, sucker side up waiting for a treat. 

Bella was aware that the trio had followed them outside but didn’t walk all the way down the hill to the lake after them. They were about 50 feet uphill trying not to be seen but watching everything that was going on. She doubted they knew a spell to be able to hear from that far away. She assumed they were just being Gryffindors and keeping an eye on their buddy after her surname was unceremoniously announced. 

“What do we know about the name Rosier?” 

Hermione scoffed, “I think you mean what do I know about the family?” 

“Well Ron might be on to something, as soon as Moody said her name the Slytherins started acting weird.” 

“Even weird for a bunch of Slytherins.” 

“Hmm,” Hermione watched the two of them feeding the squid and talking. She wished the boys weren’t with her so she could get closer. “I don’t know. I’ve only ever seen that name before in newspaper clippings when I was researching the dark mark. So whoever her parents were, they probably weren’t on our side.” 

“So how did she end up in Gryffindor?” 

“I don’t think we will find out the answers by standing in this bush watching the two of them like stalkers,” Hermione was probably more curious than the boys about Cosette. The girl was standoffish most of the time but every once in a while she was unexpectedly nice and decent. Hermione couldn’t shake the feeling that there was more to her than just what was presented at the surface. “I’m guessing you boys aren’t going to join me in the library are you?” 

“Oh um,” Harry started to scramble for an excuse. 

“We were going to go visit Fred and George,” Ron offered. “You know. Show support.” 

Hermione rolled her eyes, “fine. I’ll just do a little more digging into the Rosier family.” 

Chapter Text

*1967*

Bellatrix tried her hardest to convince the other Quidditch captain that they didn’t need the Lestrange brothers on the team that year. Truly, she just needed a reprieve from the idiots. After Quidditch practice when the team was going to the locker rooms, Bellatrix cast a squeaky clean spell, put her robes back on and headed for her favorite spot in the back of the library next to the restricted section. “Evening, Madam Pince,” she greeted the librarian when she entered.

“Skipping dinner again tonight?”

She stopped, letting her head fall before turning around and giving the librarian her most charming smile, “one more night? Please. I promise I won’t come back tomorrow.”

“Very well.”

Bellatrix knew the librarian had a soft spot for her after she explained how she needed to get away from the brothers without going into too many details. The last thing she needed was a spy overhearing and things getting back to her father. While she might be a split of the other Bellatrix’s soul, she still had all the memories and scars from Cygnus. Thankfully the Lestrange brothers seemed to be allergic to studying so she didn’t have to worry about them coming after her in here. She was walking back to her usual desk when she turned around to ask but was stopped by the librarian speaking first, “you may have Cricket bring you some dinner.”

“Thank you, Madam Pince.”

“Lock up when you are done and if you or one of your visitors leave a mess then I’ll be forced to take away house points.”

“Nobody knows I’m here,” Bellatrix gave her a cheeky smile, “swear. Except my sister, Andromeda. She would’ve worried if i didn’t show up for dinner.” She waited to see if the witch would try to engage her in more conversation but when she did not, Bellatrix took her leave and headed back to her regular secluded section of the library. She had a couple of assignments that she was meant to be working on which she brought with her but she instead pulled out her journal and a book she had found in her family’s library.

There were a few messages from her other self including the latest one that stated the boy she was meant to be interacting with somehow was entered into the Triwizard Tournament even though he was only 14 years old. “Sucks to be him,” she chuckled to herself. The note went on to say the one Weasley was being especially obnoxious with Potter being entered into the competition. She already had a distaste for the boy and now it was even worse. “I don’t know what's worse. A Weasley or the Lestrange brothers,” she rolled her eyes and continued through the note. The other her didn’t have any more updates from the Headmaster in regards to what she should look out for. Future Andy had said that whatever happened took place around Christmas so to start preparing. “What the hell does that even mean?”

“What the hell does what even mean?”

“Salazar Andy,” Bellatrix quickly shut her journal. “What are you doing here?”

She shrugged, taking a seat across from Bella, “dinner was boring. I saw Madam Pince on her way out. She said not to let you have any visitors but that I was welcomed. I think I’m her favorite Black.”

“Ha,” Bellatrix cackled, “I’m her favorite Black and everybody knows it.”

“So what are you doing in here? You’ve been skipping dinner.”

Bella tried to look innocent enough, “homework.” Andy scoffed. “Okay, not homework exactly. I’m trying to stay away from the Lestrange brothers, okay? They are so annoying and I feel like they are spying for Father. I can’t take them sniffing around me every moment of every day.”

“They have been extra annoying this year. Sucks you have to marry one of them.”

Bella laughed again, “it’ll be a cold day in hell when I marry that useless piece of shit.”

“Speaking of useless pieces of shit,” the segue caught Bellatrix’s attention. “Have you noticed Lucius hanging around Cissy like he owns her? Father didn’t set that up already did he?”

“Wouldn’t put it past him,” she rolled her eyes. “Cissy will never marry Lucy. Not if I have my way. The two of you and your happiness is my top priority this year. I don’t give a shit what happens to me.”

“What are you up to?”

Bellatrix shook her head, “it’s better if you don’t know.”

“Does it have something to do with that journal you are using all the time and hiding poorly?”

“No idea what you are talking about. Now,” she was stopped when Cricket came with two dinner plates. “Two?”

“Cricket saw the young miss leave without eating. She figured she would be with Mistress Bellatrix.”

“That was very thoughtful, Cricket,” Andy smiled at the small elf before grabbing the first plate off of her. “This all looks delicious and much better than on the stuffy old Great Hall.”

“Cricket is happy to serve the house of Black.”

“We’ve been over this,” Bellatrix took her plate. “Just call me Bella. We don’t need fancy titles here. Friends? Remember?”

“Cricket is sorry missus,” she stopped before adding, “Bella. Cricket must get back to the kitchens. Let her know if you be needing her for anything else.” Before she popped away, she conjured up two glasses of pumpkin juice.

“You are friends with an elf?”

Bellatrix waved the question off, “who I choose to socialize with is none of your concern, Andromeda. Besides, I’m very nice to some. Cricket is nice to me. Don’t tell anyone I have a reputation to protect.”

“Oh? Like when I see you outside trying to talk to the Squid?”

“I can talk to her kind of. I need to brush up on my legilimency but we are making small steps. She likes oranges.”

They ate in relative silence, enjoying each others company before Andy spoke up, “can I tell you something?”

Bellatrix shrugged, “of course.”

“I overheard some of the older boys in the common room saying they were going to do something to Ted. I know they didn’t see me because they wouldn’t have said anything but still. I don’t want them messing with him.”

“What are they planning?”

Andy shook her head, “I don’t know but something bad I think. Ted is a nice guy. He doesn’t deserve their shit just because he’s not pure blood.”

“I’ll look into it.”

“But that means talking to the Lestrange brothers.”

Bellatrix took a sip from her juice, “if it’s important to you, I can suffer through a conversation or two. Plus, Edward has kind of grown on me. I wouldn’t want anything to happen to him.”

Andy smiled, “you do care about us.”

“Either help me look up information on horcruxes or get out of my library.”

*1994*

Bella learned that the Lestrange brothers were planning some sort of prank or torture on Edward which honestly made sense to her considering how much they hated that kid. She had no recollection of what it could be though because she didn’t live through it. She wrote back and advised Bellatrix to be careful with her interactions and to keep things as superficial as possible. She considered sending an owl to her sister to find out what happened but she had bigger things to focus on. Those things being Ron acting like a complete piece of shit. They were still waiting for the first task to take place but since Harry’s name came out of the cup, Weasley had been acting even worse than he had been before and Bella had almost had enough of it.

It was the first Hogsmeade weekend and Dora had sent a message to Bella suggesting they meet up at the Hogshead for a butterbeer because she had something she wanted to tell her that couldn’t be said in an owl. When she was getting ready that morning, she noticed Hermione had been laying on her bed reading, not getting ready for the day, “not going out? I thought everyone was excited to go into town?”

Hermione just shrugged, “Harry isn’t going and I don’t really want to go with Ron. He’s not been the best company to keep.”

“You can say that again. You’d think Potter was his boyfriend and broke up with him the way he’s been acting. It’s rather embarrassing for the family line if you ask me. So why don’t you go with your other friends?”

Hermione let out a little laugh she didn’t think Cosette heard but when she saw the look on the other girl’s face she realized she heard it. “I don’t have many friends.”

Bella exhaled. She had no idea why she was about to say, “do you want to come with me? I’m going to meet my cousin’s daughter. She told me all about the town. Plus the kids around here can’t shut up about all the stores. I thought maybe I’d get some candy. Go to the bookstore. Maybe stop by the shrieking shack. She said it was really cool so I wanted to maybe check that out.”

Hermione looked at the girl. What was her angle here? “You aren’t going with Neville? You two seem to have gotten pretty close.”

Bella chuckled, “Longbottom is okay but he’s going to Seamus and Dean. We are friends but we aren't, let's walk to Hogsmeade together, friends.”

“I guess,” Hermione closed her book.

Bella finished getting her robes together and grabbed the money Andy had sent to her, “well are you coming or not?”

“Okay,” she tried not to sound equal parts excited and confused. “Give me five minutes?”

Bella nodded and left to go wait in the common room. The only person left in the whole house was Harry. He was sitting on the couch reading a letter. She quieted her footstep and read over his shoulder. Someone named Padfoot wanted to meet him in the fireplace after everybody goes to bed. Bella decided this was an invitation extended to her. “Not going to Hogsmeade today, Potter?”

He turned around after closing his letter to see someone standing over his shoulder, “how long you been there, Cosette?”

“Don’t worry mate. I wasn’t reading your letter,” which is exactly what someone who was reading the letter would say. This boy barley had two brain cells to rub together though so Bella wasn’t concerned with being caught.

“No, I'm not going to Hogsmeade. Kind of hard to enjoy myself with all the Potter stinks badges going around. I’ll just stay here and catch up on my school work.”

Bella couldn’t help the laugh, “I’m sorry but you catching up on courses? Don’t lie to me, boy.”

“Fine I’m going outside to fly around the pitch when nobody will be out there. Clear my head. Think about whatever this first ridiculous task is that I need to complete.”

Bella only nodded, “for what it’s worth, I think Weasle is being an ass. There’s no way you put your own name in there. Only an idiot would do that and you saw what happened to the twins when they tried. I think someone is out to get you, Potter. Maybe your time is better spent making a list of potential enemies.”

“Enemies? What have you heard?”

Bella rolled her eyes, “you aren’t exactly the quietest person when you are talking to your friends. I think everyone around here knows your business, Potter. Don’t worry I don’t actually talk to anyone but you might want to try a silencing spell when talking about you know who. Especially in Defense. I see the professor staring at you. It’s kind of weird if you ask me.”

“Oh Moody? He’s all right. I don’t think he’s anyone to worry about. He has been helpful with all of this.”

“Sure he has,” Bella had no doubt that there was something off about the professor and if she wasn’t here for her sisters, she might put time and effort into sorting it all out.

“I’m ready,” Hermione had come out of the doors wearing jeans and a muggle hooded sweatshirt.

“Great,” Bella turned back to Harry. “Don’t sleep on that list, Potter.”

“Yeah thanks, Cosette,” he gave her a strange look. “Have fun.” He turned towards Hermione, “bring me back some sweets?”

They said their goodbyes and made their way awkwardly silent out of the castle. Bella didn’t want to be the one to break the silence so she was holding out and it didn’t take long for Hermione to speak up, “so what were you and Harry talking about?”

Bella rolled her eyes, “little curious aren’t you Granger?” She looked over and saw the brunette patiently waiting for an actual response, “I just told him I think his mate is being an idiot. There’s no way anyone without a death wish would’ve put their name in that Goblet. And I told him to keep an eye on Professor Moody.”

“Professor Moody? Why would Harry need to watch out for him? He seems okay.”

“Yeah he’s fine I suppose for a man who likes to torture his students with unforgivables.”

Hermione nodded, “yeah that was a very strange first lesson.”

Bella shrugged, “I’m sure he’s fine. He just rubs me the wrong way.”

“No. I see what you mean. There definitely is something off with him,” Hermione could’ve kicked herself for not picking up on it first. “What do you suppose it is?”

She really didn’t want to continue on that path with their conversation so as they passed the Black Lake she saw an opportunity, “I’m learning to speak squid.”

“I’m sorry, what?” Hermione never quite knew where she stood with Cosette. She was friendly yet standoffish. Nice to her sometimes and completely ignoring her other times. Plus, she wasn’t making any progress researching the Rosier family. Maybe engaging with Cosette would be a good way to figure out what’s going on with her.

“I like dialects and magical creatures. I just want to learn as many as I can so I can speak to them without having to use legilimency.” Hermione’s mouth dropped and Bella realized her confession. She probably shouldn’t have said all that. She decided to play it off, “you are bound and determined to catch phoenix shit, Granger.” She tapped the brunette’s bottom lip essentially closing her mouth.

“You are a legilimens? How? Not to sound rude or anything.”

Bella scoffed, “if your intention is to not sound rude then maybe try not saying the rude thing in the first place.”

Hermione felt her cheeks flush, “it’s only that you grew up in an orphanage. Sure there was magic but legilimency is so advanced for someone our age. How old are you? 14?”

“I’ll be 16 on Christmas,” Bella stopped and crossed her arms over her chest, “just because I’m
vertically challenged doesn’t mean I’m young and stupid, Granger. I’m a very talented witch and it would serve you well to remember that.”

There was definitely an uncomfortable silence that fell over the pair as Hermione watched Cosette turn and continue her trek to the small town of Hogsmeade. “Cosette, wait up,” Hermione needed to work on both her curiosity and her inability to produce a filter when the situation arose. She clearly upset the other girl and did not mean to. The truth was she had been extremely impressed by Cosette's magical capabilities since she had come to Hogwarts. The girl seemed years above the rest of the class and with the confessions of learning dialects and being a legilimens pushed her ahead of Hermione.

When she finally caught up, Bella just shook her head, “I don’t want to talk about it. I get it. You weren’t trying to be rude, it's just part of who you are.” She remembered who she was supposed to be when they finally got to the edge of the town, “I’m supposed to meet my cousin at someplace called the Hogshead. Do you know how to get there?”

“I could walk you there. What time are you meeting? I can show you around first if you’d like.”

“Not until afternoon. I wouldn’t say no to a tour,” Bella saw Hermione’s face finally relax. “Everyone talks this place up so much. They better not have been over exaggerating. What’s your favorite store?”

“Easily Tomes and Scrolls. I love books. Sometimes they have a small selection of muggle literature. I also enjoy the sweets shop. Honeydukes has every candy imaginable. I am rather fond of the quill store. If you are into that we could stop by there.”

Bella hated to admit that they had more in common than she had ever expected, “lead the way, Granger.”

Bella would never say it out loud but shopping around Hogsmeade with Hermione wasn’t as mind numbingly awful as she thought it would have been. One thing she did not like was the lack of pocket money. She only had the pouch of money Andy had sent her with and what she had in her pockets when she came over from 1967 so she had to budget her spending to make the money last until they figured out the vault thing at Gringotts.

“Hogshead is right over there,” Hermione pointed to the questionable looking establishment. “I’ll meet you whenever you are ready to go back up to the castle. I’ll just go read by the edge of the forest.”

“Well that seems like the opposite of a good idea,”
Bella said more to herself than the brunette. “If people are out to get Potter in what brain cell would you think that you are safe out in the open and alone?”

“You said you were meeting family. I don’t want to intrude.”

“It’s just my cousin’s daughter. I don’t think you’ll be interrupting much. Unless maybe you hate The Weird Sisters then Dora might have a problem with you.”

Hermione laughed, “no I think they are pretty cool.”

“A glowing review,” she shook her head trying to remove any fondness that was threatening to settle there. “Come on. She’s training to be an auror. If we play our cards right, we might be able to swindle a couple of butterbeers out of her.”

“An auror? That’s very cool. Who did you say your cousin was again?”

“I didn’t,” Bella pushed the door open and saw Dora sitting at the small table in the back.

“Cosette!” Dora patted her on the shoulder when she sat down. “And Cosette’s friend. It’s nice to see you’ve made a friend.”

“I don’t know her. She’s been following me since I left the castle.” Bella curbed the smile when Hermione’s mouth once again fell open. It seemed to be a common practice, “phoenix shit.”

Hermione closed her mouth and Dora laughed, “for a stranger the two of you seem rather familiar.”

“That’s Granger. She is in the bunk next to mine. Her mates are idiots so she came with me today.”

“I’m Hermione,” she held her hand out to Dora.

“Dora but please don’t call me that. You can call me Tonks,” she shook the girl’s hand. “My mother really did hate me when she came up with my name. I mean seriously. Who looks at a newborn baby and thinks Nymphadora would be perfect?”

“Who is your mum?”

Bella sighed, “don’t answer that. She’s too nosy for her own good.”

Dora gave Bella a look knowing that she was the one Andy had mentioned that would be onto Bella’s identity, “so curious. How did you slip past Flitwick and the other Ravenclaws?”

“I probably could’ve been sorted into Ravenclaw but how would I have ended up bunk mates with your wonderful cousin?”

Dora laughed, “oh so she’s a little smart ass.”

Bella finally cracked a smile, “so are you buying us drinks or what? You have a job and we are clearly two under privileged Hogwarts students.”

“Fine,” she sighed dramatically. “Come help me carry the drinks?”

Bella looked over her shoulder making certain that Aberforth wasn’t bartending. When she didn’t see him she nodded, “sure.”

“Butterbeer Hermione?”

“That would be great but really I can pay for myself.”

Dora waved her off, “might as well make the most of my paycheck while I’m still living with mum and dad.”

“See Granger. She’s a philanthropist.” Bella followed her niece over to the bar, “she’s very annoying and asks way too many questions.”

“Hasn’t figured out who you are yet?”

“No,” she waited for Dora to order some drinks. “I’m sure it’s not due to lack of trying. I’ve seen her with old Hogwarts yearbooks in the library. She’s been researching the Rosier family. Thankfully, you wouldn’t be mentioned.” Dora gave her a look that was not entirely amused, “what? Don’t look at me like that. You look just like Andy when I say something that pisses her off. Besides, your mum did say she was blasted off the tapestry. I’m just hoping she doesn’t come across a picture of me from when I was in school.”

“Maybe you should hang out with her more so she gives up her research.”

Bella groaned, “she’s not my typical company.”

“She’s cute. Mum said you fancied smart, taller girls. Hermione seems like a cheeky little one.”

“Not my type.”

“Okay,” Dora chucked. “Whatever you say.”

Bella spun around to rest against the bar, “who the fuck is that talking to Granger?”

Dora looked over her shoulder to see Victor Krum standing up speaking with the brunette, “oh he’s from Durmstrang. He played in the Quidditch Cup this summer for Bulgaria. Big deal. I’ve heard all the girls are crushing hard on him.”

“Yeah well from what twin 2 said, so is Weasel so the standards aren’t very high for him.”

Dora watched Bella watch the two of them, “yeah she’s not your type or anything. Don’t kill Krum. You don’t need to end up in Azkaban with the other you.”

“Please,” she watched the small smile that played on Hermione's lips after a little laugh. “Like I care if Granger is into remedial meatheads.” There was absolutely no way that Bella was jealous. She didn’t get jealous. That was an emotion that she couldn’t be bothered with. Even so, she didn’t like the way Hermione was smiling at this boy. She had also seen the brunette looking at Weasel in the same light and she also didn’t like that.

Bella was brought out of her own thoughts when Dora shoved two cold drinks in her hands, “all set there, champ? If looks could crucio, Krum would be a blubbering mess on the floor.”

“Ridiculous accusation,” she looked down and saw herself holding two butterbeers. Then she looked over to Dora who was carrying a butterbeer and two shots of firewhiskey, “should I be concerned about your drinking? Is my sister beating you? Just say the word and I’ll hex her straight.”

Dora laughed, “just enjoying my off. Get moving, Romeo.”

“No no no,” they heard Hermione saying, “it’s like her-my-oh-knee.”

“I see. Her-mo-nin-ny?”

Hermione laughed and Bella felt anger rising, “no not quite.”

Bella sat back down and slid Hermione’s drink in front of her, “why are you here?”

“Cosette,” Hermione used her exasperated voice that Bella had become accustomed to hearing.

Bella smirked, “what?”

Hermione saw through the sickeningly sweet exterior, “Cosette this is Victor Krum. Victor this is Cosette Rosier. She’s new to Hogwarts this year.” She turned to look at the dark haired girl, “please be nice,” she whispered.

“When I invited you out for drinks with my cousin, I didn’t know I extended the invitation to the entire Hermione Granger fan club.”

“What means fan club?”

Bella smiled, “it means get lost, Krum. We are having girl time.”

Victor looked at her before turning back to Hermione, “I’ll see you in library, no?”

“Leave.” The three of them watched him walk away before Hermione turned with an exasperated look on her face while Bella just sipped from her butterbeer, “what?”

“That wasn’t very nice of you, Cosette.”

“I thought we’ve established that I’m not a nice person, Granger. Drink you butterbeer. Don’t be rude.”

“Me? I’m not the one being rude. Victor was just coming over to say hi. This whole tournament is supposed to be about getting to know foreign wizards and making friends with them.”

Bella waved her off, “I’ve known guys like him and trust me he is interested in way more than friendship with you.”

Dora sat there watching the back and forth like a tennis match. She really should’ve said something or stopped it somehow but she was invested in the teenage drama now. She threw back one of her fire whiskey shots as the bickering continued.

“Oh and what’s it to you if he is interested in me? Is that such a far fetched ideology?”

“I don’t give a niffler’s ass who fancies you, Granger.”

Dora almost snorted her beverage out of her nose and both girls whipped their heads around to look at her, “what? Niffler’s ass that was a good one.”

Bella tried to hide her smirk, “I know.”

“If you don’t care about who fancies me then why were you so rude?”

Bella sat back in her chair, crossing her arms over her chest, “he will find you in the library. I’m sure I’ve seen him skulking around when you’ve been in the library.”

Hermione didn’t know how to process that sentence. If Cosette noticed Victor noticing her then that meant the dark hair girl had spent time watching her as well. Did she know that Hermione was researching her family, “it doesn’t matter. I’m not interested in him anyway, not that I owe you any sort of explanation.”

Dora let out a long breath, “well now that that’s all sorted can we get to why I asked to see you today, Cosette?”

“Hmm,” Bella relaxed a little, “it wasn’t to be surrounded by my superior presence?”

“Hardly,” Dora leaned in and started whispering, “I have intel about the tournament.”

Hermione gasped, “are we allowed to hear any of this?”

“To be fair I didn’t expect her to come with company but why the hell not.”

“Fair,” Bella chuckled.

“So my friend,” she held her hand up anticipating Bella’s condescending joke. “Charlie Weasley. He is in town and he came here for a reason.”

“Is there a red-headed convention in London something?”

“Cosette,” Hermione reached over and swatted her shoulder. “Why is Charlie here? I thought he was working at a dragon sanctuary in Romania.”

“Yes,” Dora nodded, hoping the girls would catch on but it was clear they needed a little more assistance so she continued. She leaned in and whispered, “the first task is dragons. He brought over a dragon for each champion. I’m not sure the details, just that the champions have to outsmart the dragon to get an egg.”

“Well Potter is fucked,” Bella finished the rest of her butterbeer and reached for Dora’s extra drink.

“Outsmart a dragon?” Hermione sounded horrified. “Well it doesn’t seem too likely for a fourth year, does it?”

“They are only allowed their wand. Does he have any special skills?”

Bella cackled, “he can barely cast a lumos.”

“Stop,” Hermione suddenly felt very nervous for her friend. He wasn’t strong with spells.

“Well he can’t. Though, I suppose he could challenge the dragon to a Quidditch match. He might be able to win that but I wouldn’t bet a sickle on it.”

“That’s it,” Hermione grabbed the other girl’s arm. “His broom.”

“I was joking, Granger,” she tried to keep the blush from her cheeks at the sudden touch.

“Joking or not it was a brilliant suggestion but if he’s not allowed in with his broom he will need another way to get it.”

Dora snapped her fingers, “the summoning charm. A fourth year could definitely learn that.”

“I’ve known that charm for years,” Bella bragged. “Potter though? I don’t know if there’s enough time to teach him.”

“We have to try. The dragon will kill him otherwise,” Hermione didn’t want to think of that alternative, “we can teach Harry.”

“We? I don’t recall signing up for remedial tutoring.”

“Please Cosette?”

Dora looked at Bella knowing there was no way she could say no to a pretty girl asking for help, “wouldn’t hurt you to help, Cosette. Don’t you want to see your house succeed?”

Bella rolled her eyes, “I’ll check my schedule and let you know. I’m a very busy witch.”
*
As Bella expected, it didn’t take Hermione more than ten minutes after getting back to the castle to tell Harry what they had learned from Dora. Somehow she was cornered into helping Potter attempt to learn the summoning charm. They practiced the wand movements and casting but he wasn’t quite there. Bella assumed it would take up until the task day for him to get the hang of it if at all. She pretended to fall asleep with the rest of the girls in her dorm but she was waiting to sneak down to the common room to see who was meeting Potter in the floo. Should she snoop? Probably not but it wasn’t going to stop Bella especially if it would be important for her to report back to 1967.

Once everyone was asleep she cast a silencing spell on her feet and carefully made her way out of the dorm. She could hear muffled voices coming from the common room and one of them was definitely Potter. She couldn’t place the other voice but it sounded older. She creeped down the stairs a little further and listened.

A man’s voice said, “I’m saying the devils are inside the walls. Igor Karakroff. He was a Death Eater and no one stops a Death Eater. Then there’s Barty Crouch. Heart of stone, sent his own son to Azkaban.

“Well damn,” Bella said to herself.

“Do you think one of them put my name in the goblet?”

“I haven’t a clue who put your name in the goblet, Harry, but whoever did was no friend to you. People
die in this tournament.”

Bella slipped further down the stairs and just into the room where Harry couldn’t see her but she could see the fireplace. The sight in front of her almost caused her to make a noise but she held it in. Inside of the floo was none other than her cousin.

“I’m not ready for this, Sirius.”

Bella was dumb founded. He was meant to be in prison. How was he talking so casually to Harry and why? Sirius had said a few other things before he realized they weren’t alone. Bella made eye contact with him and she knew that he knew who she was. No matter what happened now, she needed to find a way to talk to him so he didn’t blow her cover. Before Harry had a chance to turn around, Bella was already up the stairs and in her dorm room. Whatever Sirius had thought of her in the present obviously wasn’t good and she needed to get to the bottom of it. She could talk to the headmaster in the morning or she could do things her own way. Dumbledore was many things but helpful wasn’t one of them. Before turning in for the night, she wrote a quick note for herself in 1967 and made her decision, “I’ll just have to steal Potter’s owl.”

Chapter Text

After spending all week teaching Harry the summoning spell, today was the day. The champions were set to complete the first task. Everyone left out of the dorms early which was the perfect time for Bella to borrow Harry’s owl for a little post of her own. “I only wish I could see the look on Siri’s stupid face when he gets a letter from his long lost cousin,” she laughed as she pulled her quill and parchment out. Sitting down at her assigned desk she began to write.

Dear Siri,

Receiving this correspondence from me will probably come as almost as much of a shock as seeing your face in the Gryffindor fireplace a week or so ago. You were talking to Harry and neither of you knew I was in the room listening. Now, I know what you are thinking? Mad Bellatrix Lestrange is locked away in Azkaban. She is. That fact hasn’t changed. Dumbledore brought me here from the past. Ripped me out of 1967 and here I am. What I don’t get is what Andromeda told me you were still in prison. Does she not know that you somehow managed to escape and have been keeping into contact with the Potter boy? Seems a bit strange if you ask me. I’m here at Hogwarts. Not as me though as a long lost Rosier relative, Cosette. It would behoove you not to give my identity up. I think Dumbeldore is keen on me fixing all of Lestrange’s current mental health problems. I won’t give it all away in this letter but I’d like to meet with you in person. Get Andromeda or her daughter to arrange it. Also, don’t tell Potter I stole his owl. I’ll await to hear your reply from my sister.

Best,
Bellatrix Druella Black (you know the rest)

“That should do just fine,” she folded up the letter after melting down her wax to pour over the letter, placing a seal onto the wax. She reinforced the closure with another layer of melted wax, a stamp and some twine. “Good luck trying to steal my letter,” she laughed at her efforts before throwing her cloak on top of her casual wear and headed to the owlery to find Hedwig.

The owlery was more overrun with owls than in her time. In 1967, owls were the most expensive familiar a student could bring to Hogwarts. It was easy to spot Potter’s as it was the only snowy one in the mix, “hey there, girl,” Bella approached Hedwig with a small treat. “I need you to run this letter to Siri for me. I think your owner calls him something stupid like padfoot. You know who that is?” Hedwig puffed her chest out and hooted. “That’s a good girl,” she ran one hand down the owl’s back. “Don’t wait for a reply. There will be extra biscuits in it for you the next time I go to Hosmeade,” she said as she tied the parchment to Hedwig’s foot after placing a feathlight charm on it. “Off you go and peck him in the eye for me,” Hedwig hooted once more before flying out of the owlery. She watched at the window as Hedwig flew out of sight. Turning, she almost ran smack into Hermione, “followed me up here, did you Granger?”

Hermione was standing at the table behind her, sealing a letter, “no. It’s usually not crowded after breakfast so I came to send this to my parents. What are you doing here?”

“Isn’t a witch allowed a little privacy? Or is all of my correspondence to be run by you first?”

“Sounds like you shouldn’t have skipped breakfast. You are moody this morning,” Hermione finished giving the address to her chosen owl and placed the letter in between its beak. “I was just surprised to see you up here.”

Bella rolled her eyes, “I was writing to my cousin. Just letting her know I was unsure of my Christmas plans.”

“Didn’t you hear? There’s been talk about a Yule ball. I was telling my family that I wouldn’t be home until after the dance.”

“Oh,” Bella shrugged. “Someone ask you already?”

Hermione laughed, “yeah right. I’m just going in support of Harry is all. Are you going Cosette? Is that what you were writing Mrs. Tonks about?”

Bella cringed, “call her Andy. Mrs.Tonks sounds so,” she stopped herself from saying muggle. “Common.”

“Okay,” Hermione could never get used to talking to Cosette. She was always hot and cold. They would study next to each other, eat with each other at lunch but when Cosette got in her moods, she would disappear for Godric knows how long. Not to mention that bloody journal she was always writing in. Hermione knew she was a curious person but she wanted to know what was in that journal more than anything. Her research into the Rosier family was going nowhere and after sitting with Dora, Hermione became less suspicious until that damn journal made an appearance.

“Granger!”

Hermione looked up to see Cosette waving her hand right in front of her. She grabbed it and moved it away, “sorry. Got lost in thought.”

“I had no idea I was that boring in conversation,” Bella smirked when she saw the girl’s cheeks turning pink. She cleared her throat and looked at Hermione’s hand that was still around her wrist, “if you wanted to hold my hand all you had to do was ask.”

Hermione could feel her face turning red before dropping Cosette’s wrist, “you are insufferable.”

“I prefer the term charming but whatever helps you sleep at night, Granger. Should we go see if Potter learned anything the past couple of weeks?”
Hermione nodded still embarrassed from the gentle teasing of the other girl. “Lead me to the pitch,” she was still playing the roll of new student whenever she could remember.

“Right,” Hermione nodded again, “let’s go.”

Bella smirked following the girl out of the owlery. Of course she knew how to get to the pitch but she couldn’t let on. She did really enjoy the way Hermione was quiet and flustered so she figured she would dig it in a little deeper, “you’d think after holding a witches hand you’d at least invite me to the ball.” Bella cackled when Hermione actually tripped. Oh, it was too easy to get the girl worked up. “And now she’s literally falling for me,” another cackle and she reached out to grab the back of Hermione’s arm so she wouldn’t actually fall flat on her face.

“Pitch is through there,” she pointed to the obvious entrance to the Quidditch stadium. “I’m going to check on Harry to make sure he’s sorted for the task.” Before Cosette had a chance to respond, Hermione took off in the direction of where the champions’ tent was located. What was going on? Hermione couldn’t wrap her head around it. She had never been this flustered by another girl before. Surely she wasn’t into girls like that, was she? “Impossible,” she shook her head. She had never been attracted to a girl before. Though, Cosette just wasn’t any other girl. She was brilliant, funny, beautiful, mysterious and just on the right side of mean that had Hermione dying to get to know her more. The roar of a dragon pulled Hermione from her thoughts as she approached an opening on the tent, “psst?” She whispered, “Harry is that you?”

“Yeah,” came from the other side of the tent.

She could hear the dread in his voice, “how are you feeling? Okay? The key is to concentrate. After that all you have to do.”

“Battle a dragon.”

The fear in her friend’s voice was enough to have her pushing back the tent flap and throwing herself into his arms. She was so worried for Harry but didn’t get to express her fears due to a bright flash going off followed by the voice of one very annoying blonde woman, “young love. How stirring. If everything goes unfortunately today, you two may even make the front page!”

Krum inserted himself in between them, “you have no business here. This tent is for champions,” he looked at Hermione and smiled, “and friends.”

“No matter,” Rita waved him off. “We got what we need.”

“I can not stand that woman,” Hermione said loudly as they two were being escorted out of the tent.

“That makes two of us,” Dumbledore entered with the other ministry representatives. “What are you doing here Ms. Granger?”

“I better go find Cosette,” she kissed Harry cheek and whispered, “accio. Don’t forget to speak clearly. we are rooting for you.”

Hermione quickly made her way out of the tent and into the stands, finding Cosette sitting with the twins who seemed all too happy to be there. When she got closer she could hear them conversation.

“Come on. You don’t want to get in on the bet?”

“I’m not going to bet against the guy I just spent weeks training,” Bella laughed at Fred’s attempt to garner some extra cash.

“So bet on his favor,” George sat down on the other side of Fred. He opened his cash box to show his brother the money he had made.

Bella smirked, “I’m also not in the habit of losing all my money.” Hermione smacked her on the arm, “first you are falling over me and now you’ve switched to abuse? I can’t get a handle on you, Granger.”

“And here we thought Potter fancied the new girl. We didn’t know you were into that thing, Granger,” Fred wiggled his eyebrows at the blushing girl.

That caught Ron’s attention, “leave her alone. Mione isn’t like that.”

Bella scoffed, “and what is so wrong with being like that, Ronny?”

“Being like what, Ronald?” Hermione’s blush turned into anger. Of course he would have to chime in at the wrong time. “Attraction is perfectly suited for all types of relationships whether you are too emotionally immature to realize it or not.”

Okay, Bella thought, that was pretty hot. But she wasn’t here for that. She was here to make sure her sisters stayed safe in the past and that she remained out of prison. “Do the two of you share the same pig headed views as your brother?”

“You are on your own mate,” George patted Ronme shoulder.

“Yeah,” Fred looked over at Cosette and Hermione, “these are two women of whom I will remain on their good sides.”

“Smart lads,” Bella smirked and turned back to the other flustered redhead.

“Whatever,” Ron tossed a galleon at his brother, “you know where I’m putting my money.”

“Seriously?” Hermione had enough of Ron’s resentment towards Harry. “You know he didn’t put his name in that Goblet. He’s about to face a dragon. At least pretend to care about your best friend and stop being a baby about all of this.”

Bella leaned over, brushing the back of her hand against Hermione’s and whispered, “good for you, pet.” She didn’t mean for the name to slip out but it had and there was no taking it back so she was going to abort the situation before Hermione had a chance to respond. She turned towards the twins, “so what are you stealing innocent children’s money for?”

Fred smirked, “business endeavor. Purely on the up and up.”

“Nothing to worry about. Everything will work in our favor as long as Harry gets that egg. People really are pulling for the little guy.”

“You two better hope McGonagall doesn’t find you peddling your wares,” Hermione leaned forward to look at the money box.

“And she’s back. There’s the Granger we know and love,” Fred chuckled. “Fear not. We know exactly what we are doing.”

“Oi,” George leaned over and pointed across the stadium to where their brother Charlie was sitting next to Dora. “What do you think about that, Cosette?”

“What do you mean? I couldn’t be bothered with who my cousin sits beside. Little strange that she showed up but she’s a little weird.”

“Georgie and I think they are shagging. They were always so close during school and look at them now. Snuggled up waiting on dragons together.”

Bella shrugged, “there are worse Weasleys she could end up with.”

“Honestly,” Hermione sighed, “I can’t believe the three of your are talking about shagging while Harry is moments away from peril.”

“Oh don’t be like that,” Bella smirked, “there always time for a good shag.”

The trial had started and the first champion successfully retrieved their egg. The stands were going wild with cheers and applause throughout the entirety of the event. When Fleur took to the stadium the crowd momentarily went silent when her clothes caught on fire by a rogue flame from the dragon’s mouth. Bella turned her attention back to Hermione when she heard her gasp, “she’ll be fine. She seems to be quite proficient with her spells.”

“Would I be a horrible person if I said I didn’t care about her?”

“You are worried about Potter?”

“It’s just that even the older students are struggling. I just don’t know if Harry can do it and I’m scared for him.”

“He will be fine.”

Hermione turned towards the dark haired girl, “but you don’t know that.”

“No,” Bella shrugged, “but we’ve taught him as best we could. We have to have some faith in him or else he’s fucked. In that case, I’m sure Madam Pomfrey can help to sort his face out.”

Hermione let out a little laugh, “is that supposed to make me feel better.”

Bella smiled, “not really but you laughed and you aren’t shaking anymore so I’d consider it successful.”

Hermione had been having confusing feelings towards the other girl for weeks now but when Harry took to the stadium and began to face the dragon, Cosette had reached down and laced their fingers together, squeezing to show her support, “use your wand, Harry!” She shouted, never letting go of the other girl’s hand. They stood there clasped together watching while their friend successfully retrieved his golden egg from a dragon.
*
The common room was a crazy mess of a celebration after Harry’s triumph at the first trial. Bella watched from the stairs to the girl’s dormitory as Harry and Ron seemed to make up all the while everyone else was anxious for him to open the egg. The scream that came out of that thing was enough to wake the portraits in the dungeon. Bella knew opening the egg wasn’t going to be that simple. Truthfully, she had been bored most of the day. She was only going along with the celebration because she was meant to fit in. There wasn’t even an opportunity to speak with her niece before she slipped out of the stadium with Charlie. Bella was a little annoyed with that but she’ll just send her a howler about it later. Fred and George could be onto something with their analysis of their relationship. She stood up and made her way up the stairs, quietly leaving the celebration. The best part was the muffling spells McGonagall had cast on the dormitories to keep the noise from the common room out. “Not in the mood for a celebration?” She walked into the dorm and saw the brunette on her bed busy working on what Bella had assumed was homework until she got closer. “You know there’s homemaking spells for that.”

Hermione huffed out a sigh, “I do not know those spells yet and I don’t need them. I’m perfectly capable of knitting and crocheting on my own. If you are here just to make fun of me, please don’t.”

“Why aren’t you down there celebrating with your friends?” She stopped to pick up one of the small hats to examine it.

“I congratulated Harry but parties aren’t really my thing. Plus, I knew nobody would be on here and I could be alone.”

Bella smirked, “is that your nice way of telling me to get the fuck out of here?”

“No. Not at all but like I said, I’m not in the mood for getting the piss taken out of me.”

“Noted,” Bella threw the hat back onto the bed and grabbed her journal out of her locked trunk.

Hermione immediately felt the uncomfortable silence. Cosette had opened that damn journal and started reading, chuckling every so often but otherwise just reading and writing without saying another word. This was her opportunity, “what’s so funny in that book?”

“Nosy one aren’t you, Granger,” Bella didn’t bother to look up. She was learning about everything that was going on in her time including Andy punching Lucius when he put his arm around Cissy during the last Hogsmeade weekend.

“Nevermind,” Hermione went back to her knitting.

“Tell you what,” Bella closed her book and stuffed it under the pillow. “I’ll tell you what’s in here if you tell me what kind of malformed muggle babies you are making those hats for.”

“These aren’t for muggle babies. It’s for Spew. A movement of my own in which I assume you have no interest in. Ron and Harry made it perfectly clear that they were not interested.”

Bella tried to control her smile, “well that’s an unfortunate name for whatever this movement is.”

“It’s not spew. It’s S.P.E.W and it stands for the Society for the Promotion of Elfish Welfare.” She waited to see if Cosette had anything to say, “let me guess you aren’t interested in the topic. House elf rights aren’t important to anybody.”

Bella shrugged, “now I didn’t say that. Tell me about this,” she wrinkled her nose, “spew.” She immediately saw Hermione’s eyes light up as she launched into this very long winded explanation of the rights and lack of rights of house elves. The story included everything that happened at the Qudditch World Cup with Winky and Bagman. Truthfully, Bella had always thought the way the poor creatures were enslaved was unfair but as a pureblood unfortunately there was nothing much she could do unless she wanted extra beatings from her father. She does remember that time Andy tried to set their house elf, Twiggy, free and the punishment she took in place of her sister. Still, it was funny watching the confusion on Twiggy’s face until the crucio started. She shuddered at the memories of basement time with Father. Bella always believed house elves should get a wage and benefits for the hard thankless work they performed day in and day out.

There was no opportunity for Bella to put in her opinion. The brunette really was passionate about this cause and the way she lit up speaking about it was very intriguing to her. She was oddly drawn to this girl and it really made no sense. “Cosette,” Hermione was the one waving her hand in front of the other girl’s face this time. Bella hadn’t even registered that she had moved over onto the bed with her. “Did I lose you somewhere? Sorry I could go on and on but I’ve appeared to have bored you.” She saw a smirk cross the curly haired witch’s face when she finally realized Hermione was on her bed, “sorry,” her cheeks burned.

Before she could get up, the other girl reached out and grabbed Hermione’s wrist, “I didn’t say I minded. And you didn’t by the way.”

“Hmm?”

“Lose me. I agree with you. I think house elves are treated like rubbish. Everything you said about pay, benefits and time off and all that shit that humans take for granted,” she felt something in her chest when Hermione’s smile shined. “Do I think the name needs work? Absolutely. Horrible name, Granger but the cause is a good one.”

“Did you have house elves at the orphanage?”

Bella cleared her throat, “some. I didn’t interact much with them,” she scratched behind her ear. Lying was beginning to make her feel weird but she was keeping up with her side of the story. She would have to pay McGonagall a visit soon to talk about all of this. “So why are you making the hats?”

“Well I was going to see how they elves felt about being set free,” Hermione was chewing on her bottom lip looking at Cosette expectantly.

“You are making the hats for the elves? Hermione,” she tried not to some like a pure blood condescending snob, “it won’t be an easy task. Most house elves love their job without benefits.”

“But Dobby is a free elf. He’s working here because Dumbledore lets him and he pays him too.”

“Dobby? Sounds familiar.”

“He works in the kitchens. Helping Winky. Maybe you’ve seen him around? He was emancipated from the Malfoy’s household.”

Realization washed over Bella. It was Cissy’s elf. Yes she remembered the elf now from when she had the misfortune of visiting the Malfoy’s over this past summer. A get together for Lucy and her sister but of course Bella was forced to attend as a chaperone. “Yes, that must be it. He must have brought food to the table or something.”

“Come with me,” Hermione was getting excited again. She jumped up off of Bella’s bed and started grabbing hats.

“What’s that now?”

“To the kitchen. Help me convince them. You said so yourself. The elfish welfare is important to you. Help me help them.”

The absolute last thing Bella wanted to do was take a trip to the kitchen, “it’s past curfew, Granger. Surely you wouldn’t want to face McGonagall’s wrath and the possible loss of house points. Your friends lose enough of those for us.” She noticed a small smile playing on Hermione’s face that had her more than intrigued, “what’s that face for? Don’t fancy house points anymore?”

“Oh I do but don’t worry about McGonagall. I have a way around her.”

“Fuck,” Bella looked the other girl up and down, “Granger you are a little bit of a slytherin. Has anyone ever told you that?”

Hermione laughed, “been hanging around with a lot of Slytherins when nobody’s been looking?”

Shit, Bella thought to herself. “No. Just an observation. So what do you have that won’t get us caught?”

“Well it belongs to Harry. I kind of stole it earlier before I found you in the owlery.”

“So you were following me. I knew it.”

“I really did go to owl my parents but yes I also knew you had gone to the owlery.”

Bella crossed her arms over her chest, “consider me intrigued. How did I know I was there? It’s a big castle. Couldn’t possibly have followed me by magic.”

“Not by my own magic,” she walked over to her trunk and returned with an old piece of parchment.

“I’m supposed to be excited by a dirty old piece of garbage?”

Hermione rolled her eyes, “have a little faith, Cosette.” She pulled out her wand and tapped the parchment, “I solemnly swear that I am up to no good.” Bella watched in amusement as the parchment seemed to come to life. Words filled the pages as Hermione read them out loud, “Messers, Moony, Wormtail, Padfoot and Prongs are proud to present the Marauder’s Map.”

“Dumb names but I’m listening,” Bella immediately recognized the one name is the stupid name Harry had used with Siri.

“So cynical,” Hermione shook her head and opened the map watching Cosette’s expression when the footprints started moving along the parchment.

“It’s,” she leaned in closer to get a better look at the text, “everyone at Hogwarts?” She looked up and saw Hermione nod. “Real time?”

Hermione pointed to them both sitting on Cosette’s bed, “yes. Look there’s everyone still in the common room celebrating. Oh Mr. Flich is down by the dungeons.”

“Oh look,” Bella laughed, “McGonagall is sleeping.”

“Dumbledore is pacing his office which is the usual case. I haven’t used the map much. Harry is very particular about who even gets to touch it.”

Bella smirked, “so you thought stealing it was a good idea.”

“Borrowed. I borrowed it. I plan on returning it before he notices that it’s gone.”

Bella shrugged, “yes well. With Potter that could take ages. So you used this to follow me earlier?”

Hermione felt herself blushing, “I wasn’t following you per say. I borrowed the map and then just wanted to test it out and see if it worked. I saw you were in the owlery and I had a letter to send anyway so I thought I would do it then. It wasn’t about you.”

Bella looked up at her with a devilish grin, “sure it wasn’t. Keep telling yourself that, Granger, and you just might believe it. So what’s the plan here. You.”

“We.”

“I didn’t agree to anything yet. So, you,” she emphasized the word, “use this map to get down into the kitchens and pitch your spew to the staff?”

“Technically they aren’t staff if they aren’t getting wages.”

“Fair enough,” Bella grabbed the map and took a closer look. It really was a fascinating piece of magic. “Just so we are clear, when we get caught I’m throwing you under the knight bus as fast as humanly possible.”

“Fair enough,” Hermione parroted her words back to her. “Let’s slip out now while everyone is still partying. They won’t even notice us.”

Bella watched Hermione pull something else out from under her bed, “what is that?” The brunette stood and smiled before throwing the cloak over herself and disappearing, “how the fuck did you get your hands on a cloak of invisibility?”

Hermione popped her head out, “borrowed it from Harry as well. Come on now, there’s plenty of room for both of us.”

“Fuck it,” Bella did as she was told and got underneath the cloak with Hermione. It was a little cozy under there and she could feel her arm brushing against the other girl’s when she held out the map in front of it. “The map and the cloak seem a bit of overkill.”

“I think Mrs. Norris can see through it and of course there’s Peeves.”

Bella had almost forgotten about that poltergeist. Somehow she had made it this far into the school year without running into him. She had hoped that Dumbledore had spoken with him but Peeves never did like following rules and Bella wasn’t about to be outed by an idiot. “Lead the way. This is your suicide mission. I’m just coming along to make sure you don’t get caught and to nip a little bit of left overs from the kitchen.”

Hermione laughed, “maybe you should’ve been sorted into Hufflepuff.”

Bella’s mouth fell open, “the utter disrespect.”

Hermione reached out from the cloak and grabbed a few more hats, “aw don’t pout. You’d look cute in yellow.” As if she couldn’t get anymore red, she couldn’t believe she just called the other witch cute to her face. Hermione wished she had that cloak just around herself to disappear from the situation.

Bella heard it and felt the girl tense but decided not to call her out but hold it in her pocket for a later date, “should we go?”

Hermione breathed a sigh of relief, “yes.”

They made it to the kitchen without any trouble which was a surprise to Bella. There was a close call when Mrs. Norris was around the corner but thankfully she turned and went back towards the dungeon. Hermione was stopped outside of where she thought the entrance to be, “what’s the problem?” Bella whispered from her very close proximity to the other witch under the cloak.

“I don’t know how to get in.”

Bella smirked, “for a know it all it seems you skipped over a few important pages in the History of Hogwarts.”

“Okay,” Hermione wanted to smack the smirk off of her face. “If you are so smart Cosette, you open the door.”

“With pleasure,” Bella reached her hand out from under the cloak and tickled the pear in the portrait.

“Oh you have got to be kidding me,” Hermione was embarrassed by being shown up by Cosette of all people. “Wait,” she pulled the other girl’s arm back under the cloak. “How did you know that?”

“Just because I grew up in an orphanage doesn’t mean I’m illiterate, Granger. There were witches and wizards that went to school here and came back to the group home on break. Do you honestly think I had no interest in what they studied? Maybe you shouldn’t be so quick to judge people based on the misfortune of their circumstances.”

Hermione scoffed, “oh that’s rich coming from you.”

When she attempted to leave the cloak, Bella grabbed her wrist and held her under with her, “and what is that supposed to mean?”

“I read all about your father and his part in the first war. He hated muggleborns. Honestly surprised you even talk to me.”

Bella was mad. Even if Rosier wasn’t her father, her actual father held the same beliefs and she’d rather be dead than follow his ideology, “well it’s lucky for you I grew up without parents.”

“Cosette,” Hermione tried to call after her when the other girl threw off the cloak and walked into the open kitchen door. “Damn,” she watched knowing she pissed the other girl off. “Good one, Hermione.”

How dare this girl pass judgment on her? Bella thought as she left Hermione behind her. Sure, she was outwardly lying through her teeth but just the fact that this girl already had her mind made up on what kind of person Bella was upset her and she didn’t know why. “Whatever,” she waved the thought of it away when she entered the kitchen. “I need a snack,” she announced as soon as she smelled the fresh baked bread. “To hell with Granger and her self-righteous efforts,” she found a little table and sat down, waiting for an elf to appear so she could place her late night order. She was staring at the door waiting for Hermione to enter and watched as the brunette came in, the door disappearing behind her. Bella was so caught up in watching the other girl as she turned looking for her, she didn’t feel the elf pop up next to her.

“Mistress Bella? What are you doing here?”

Bella saw Hermione turn towards them before looking down to see Cricket staring up at her.

Chapter Text

“Mistress Bella? What are you doing here?”

Fuck, Bella thought to herself as she looked down at her favorite elf from 1967. Of course Dumbledore didn’t have the forethought to scan the kitchen for older house elves. Though, in the same breath why would Bella be in the kitchens. Still, she was inclined to blame the headmaster. She was simply along to make sure Hermione didn’t get caught. Bella looked up and saw Hermione walking over towards them. She quickly stood and grabbed Cricket’s hand. “I’ll sort this one,” she called towards Hermione before heading off in the other direction.

“She really is the strangest girl,” Hermione mumbled to herself as she watched Cosette leading one of the elves away from her. She truly would never be able to understand the other girl.

Dobby popped up in front of Hermione, “mistress Hermione what is you doing down here? Is Harry Potter alright?”

“Yes Dobby. Harry is fine. I came here for to speak with you. Well me and Cosette did but she went off that way.”

Dobby looked in the direction, “with Cricket. Cricket has been working here a long time. Years and years and years. Is that your friend? What did Miss Hermione be calling her?”

“Cosette? She’s a transfer. From the orphanage.”

Dobby just shook his head. He remembered that girl from a summer at his master’s house but he wasn’t going to spoil her secret. “Do you be wanting some food?”

“Is Winky doing any better?”

“Winky be over that way with Cricket. She is not doing good. Only talks about her Master and going home. Dobby tried telling her that Hogwarts is her home now but Winky has started doing bad things,” he started walking over to one of the small tables waiting for Hermione to sit.

“What kind of bad things?”

Dobby looked over both of his shoulders before motioning for Hermione to bend down and when she did he whispered, “Winky is drinking the butterbeer. Miss Hermione be knowing about this?”

“Oh no,” Hermione was very well aware of the effects butterbeer had on house elves. It effected them the same way alcohol did to humans. “That is not good. Does Dumbledore know?”

“Dobby is trying to take care of winky so she doesn’t get in trouble.”

“I don’t think Dumbledore would be mad at her. He would most likely want to help her,” Hermione knew some of the headmaster’s actions were questionable at best but he did care for the elves. “We should go talk to Dumbledore.”

Hermione tried standing but Dobby grabbed her arm, “we mustn’t! Dobby will help her. Give Dobby time.”

She didn’t want to agree but the elf looked almost desperate, “okay but I will be checking in regularly.” She waited for him to nod before continuing on her mission. Hermione handed Dobby a little pamphlet, “let me tell you about the wonders of spew.”

“Spew, Miss?”

Bella took the little elf to the far corner of the kitchen. There was another elf in ear shot but it seemed like she was preoccupied so she doubt that she was listening. Still, Bella didn’t want to take any risks, “is she okay?”

“Oh,” Cricket looked then started to whisper, “that’s Winky Mistress Bella. She is drunk. She isn’t be enjoying her work here at Hogwarts.”

“I can see that,” Bella made a mental note to tell Hermione about the drunk little elf before sitting down. “Sit, please Cricket.” The small elf nodded before sitting on the stool. “I assumed Dumbledore had talked to everyone in the kitchen but that is giving him far too much credit. I’m here today but I’m also still in 1967. Does that make sense?”

Cricket shook her head no, “Miss is time traveling? Cricket remembers you with Miss Andy eating in the library.”

“Yes,” Bella shook her head. “I was with my sister. Then I got a note from the headmaster and a time turner and now I’m here. There is still a me back in my time,” she saw a confused look on Cricket’s face. “Look it’s confusing to me too. Just now that I’m here too and I needed a different name. I’m going by Cosette. Because the me that belongs here isn’t a good person. You know about Bellatrix Lestrange.”

“Cricket was sad to read about you in the prophet. Why is you here now?”

“Dumbledore thinks I can change the past to help the future. Whatever that means. I just need you to trust me and call me Cosette. Oh and act like this is the first time we’ve met. Can you do that for me?”

“Anything for you, Miss Bella,” her cheeks turned pink. “I mean Miss Cosette.” Even if the elf slipped up, there was no way Bella could be mad at her. It’s not her fault. She would just blame the whole thing on Dumbledore. “Was you wanting some food?”

Bella thought about the reason Hermione dragged her down to the kitchens. It appeared the other girl was deep in conversation with the Malfoy elf but it looked like it wasn’t going well. Just as well, Bella hadn’t excepted any elves to actually want to be free. She was just humoring the girl by coming, “yes. You still remember my usual?”

“Late at night, Miss Bella likes a toasted cheese sandwich, some crisps and a hot chocolate with extra marshmallows. Should Cricket make the same for Missus friend?”

Bella looked back over at Hermione who looked almost disappointed, “go on but pack them in a travel box. We need to get back up to Gryffindor tower.”

Cricket’s eyes somehow got bigger, “but you are a Slytherin.”

Bella laughed, “trust me. I know. Another one of Dumbledore’s oversights. Please don’t forget the pickles. I’m going to try to get Hermione out of here.”

Cricket nodded and walked back to the kitchen to prepare Bella’s request. Before the curly haired witch went back over to her friend she eyed the sad little elf and decided to speak with her. She sat down on the empty stool next to the elf who had been crying and staring into the fire, “hello.”

The elf sniffled before shifted to look at the girl who sat down next to her. She hiccuped and looked back into the fire.

“Okay,” Bella reached over and grabbed the bottle of butterbeer out of her hands, “oh I’ll give this back.” She had no intention of returning the bottle. “I was just trying to introduce myself. My name is Cosette. I’m new here and I wanted to thank everyone for making such delicious food.”

“You are new?” She hiccuped again.

“New just this year. I’m told you are new to Hogwarts too. Is that right?”

She nodded, “I’m Winky,” she said between hiccups and tears.

“Well it’s nice to meet you Winky,” Bella held out her hand that wasn’t holding the butterbeer bottle.

The little elf sniffed, wiped her tears and took the offered hand, “Winky isn’t belonging here.” Winky went into a short retelling of what happened before the start of school and how she was freed from her family. Before she got to the end of the story, she started sobbing again.

Bella reached over and rubbed Winky’s back, “neither do I.” She let the little elf crumble into her arms, “but we are here now and together. Why don’t we cut a deal?” She waited for Winky to stop crying, “I will look after you and you can help take care of me. Now, I may not be a real master of sorts but I do come from a noble household.”

Winky looked up waiting to see if the girl would say more but she didn’t not elaborate, “Cosette will be my new missus?”

“Not quite,” before the elf could deflate again she continued, “we will just take care of each other and make sure neither of us get lost while we get used to this place. Deal?” They elf looked unsure, “you can come find me in Gryffindor towers anytime you feel sad or lonely. This,” she held up the bottle of butterbeer, “isn’t the answer to any question. You’ve got me now and I’ve got you.”

Hermione stopped just behind them and touched Cosette’s shoulder, “everything okay over here?”

Bella looked over her shoulder at the concern in the other girl’s eyes, “yes. Right Winky?”

The small left shook her head, “together.”

Cricket reappeared with two boxes for Bella and looked at the other elf and noticed there was no drink in her hand, “for you,” she paused, “Miss Cosette.”

“Thanks Cricket. Maybe you might want to get Winky into bed. She’s had a long night.”

The watched one small elf lead the slightly inebriated elf towards the back of the kitchen where Bella assumed their sleeping quarters were. To be honest, she never gave much thought to their sleeping arrangements before. Must be Granger’s influence rubbing off of her and she didn’t like it.

“Listen Cosette,” Hermione started to say but the other witch cut her off.

“Save it Granger. I don’t need some half assed apology. Whether it was in the heat of the moment or not you said what you said and that’s it.”

Hermione didn’t mean it though or at least she didn’t think she had. Surely a mudblood like herself couldn’t show prejudice, “still. I am sorry. I do not think of you that way and truthfully, you are the closest thing to a best friend I’ve had here at Hogwarts. Figured I’d mess it up somehow.” She looked down at the small hats still in her hands.

She thinks of me as her best friend? Bella thought that was strange because she didn’t even really know her. Cosette must have made quite an impression. She chose not to follow that conversation and pointed to the hats, “didn’t go so well with your movement?”

“House elves are very stubborn,” Hermione finally relaxed when she saw a smile on the other girl’s face.

“So what you are saying is what exactly?”

“You were right, Cosette. We will have to come up with another plan to talk about their rights with them.”

“We?”

Hermione shrugged, “I mean I heard you with Winky. You were quite brilliant. You can’t possibly tell me that you don’t care about these creatures and their wellbeing.”

“I mean I could,” Bella smirked.

“But that would be a lie. Please, Cosette. I could really use your help with this.”

Bella didn’t know why she didn’t just turn the girl down. Hermione was a pushy know it all. She basically insulted her entire character not even fifteen minutes ago yet for some reason Bella couldn’t stop herself, “fine. But only because Winky and I have an understanding.” She didn’t want to acknowledge that Hermione’s genuine smile was making her own insides light up, “now are we leaving or what? These toasted cheese sandwiches are going to be cold by the time we make it back to our dorm.”

Hermione rolled her eyes, “Merlin, you are so dramatic.” She cast a warning spell on the food. “There it’ll be warm when we get back.”

Bella pushed the warmth as far down as possible, “show off. Let’s get out of here.”

Hermione pulled out the map and opened it only after they were secured under the cloak. Cosette’s dark curls tickled her arm when they were bundled close together looking over the map. “All clear.” With that, the made their way back to Gryffindor tower seamlessly, enjoying their night time snack while their housemates still partied in the common room.

*3 weeks later*

The open study periods were some of Bella’s least favorite moments in this year's version of Hogwarts. They corralled everybody into the library and gave students an opportunity to study or get caught up on homework. That would’ve been okay if Bella wasn’t ahead in all of her coursework. She would’ve brought her journal but she was sitting next to Granger and that girl was too nosy. Other Bellatrix had written to her recently stating that father was having special guests over for her birthday when they went home for Christmas this year. It didn’t sit well with Bella. She had requested to speak to the headmaster about it but he was apparently too busy. Bella asked McGonagall for a meeting to which her head of house agreed and that meeting was scheduled for a few days from now. She would take her journal to the older witch and let her decipher what exactly Father was planning. McGonagall had been preoccupied with the ball and making sure everything was running smoothly with the other schools so she had also been very busy. She was aware that this was a time sensitive issue and promised Bella they would discuss it as soon as they could both meet. She finally sent Bella a message the other night at dinner telling her in four nights time they could meet in her office. Maybe Minvera remembered something that had happened during that Christmas that Bella herself hadn’t experienced yet.

Truthfully, Bella was really missing her sisters. She never really thought about what a big part of her life they were until they weren’t here. Andromeda and Dora wrote to her weekly and would check in on her but she was so curious about what her other sister was like in this time. She missed Cissy and she felt like she was missing out on her sister time since being ripped into the future.

“You are deep in thought,” Hermione whispered after nudging the other girl. “Anything important?”

Bella shook her head no. They had formed a weird sort of understanding after that night in the kitchen and had even become more friendly but Bella kept her guards up around the girl because she was having a hard time trusting anybody. She was looking forward to spending a few days at home with Andy after Yule so she could get more answers from her. Dora had vaguely mentioned something about Siri in one letter back and assumed that was going to be happening around Christmas as well. She rolled her eyes when Ron started whispered to Harry about getting dates. She was tired of his whining. “As someone who has been on the receiving end of many crucios, listening to Ronny complain about girls not wanting to date him is indeed worse.”

“You’ve been crucioed?”

“Semantics, pet,” she waved off the question once again internally berating herself for being too comfortable around the other girl. Parts of herself kept slipping out. She did enjoy the slight pink in Hermione’s cheeks whenever she would use a name other than Granger. Bella leaned slightly forward, “it’s your personality Ronny. Girls aren’t into fucked up little whiny bitches.”

Fred and George who had been sitting across from them held their laughter. “She has a point, Ronny,” Fred spoke up.

“Yeah the whining gets old,” George laughed quietly when he saw Snape walking back towards their table. “I want to slap you and you are family.”

“Seriously,” Fred whispered, “it’s not that hard to ask a girl out. Cosette is probably right. Could be that whiny little attitude you have.”

“If it’s so easy, who are you going with?”

“Angelina,” Fred replied without hesitation.

“What? You’ve already asked her?”

“Oh. Good point,” he balked up a piece of paper before nudging George and throwing it at the girl in question. When she looked up he quickly looked for Snape before miming to Angelina asking if she wanted to go to the dance with him. She nodded in agreement and he looked back to his younger brother with a shit eating grin on his face and a wink.

“I’ve heard even Neville has a date,” George added fuel to the fire. “It’s not hard. Find a girl and ask. Worst she could do is turn you down.”

“Which will most likely be the outcome,” Bella added with a smirk.

“Just find a girl and ask her, mate,” Harry shrugged. He planned to ask Cho later if he could accidentally run into her.

Ron sat and thought for a minute before getting a thought when Fred spoke up, “Cosette. Look. I think he’s having a thought.”

“Godric help us all,” she shook her head, letting her eyes wander back to her book.

“Oi,” he turned slightly to the right. “Hermione. You’re a girl.”

Hermione scoffed, “well spotted.”

“He has eyes,” Bella whispered to the table. “More than I’ve ever given him credit for.”

She quieted down when she saw Severus approaching. Ron didn’t see him though, “come with me,” his sentence was cut off by Snape hitting him in the back of the head.

“Quiet.”

Ron waited until Snape walked away, “come with me to the Yule ball.”

Bella could see the anger boiling to the surface of her friend’s features. The nerve of this guy treating Hermione like a second thought. He should be grateful that she was even his friend. For fuck’s sake, she basically carried his ass through all of his classes, “what an asshole,” she murmured to Hermione.

“Come on. It’s one thing for a bloke to show up alone, but for a girl, it’s just sad.”

Hermione had enough. She started packing up her stuff since the period was coming to an end anyway. “I won’t be going alone because believe it or not somebody’s already asked me. And I’ve said yes.” She slammed her book shut and left the table without looking back.

Bella had to stop herself from letting her mouth fall open. That wasn’t possible. She had spent almost every free moment with the girl whether she had wanted to or not. Who asked her? When? And why was it making her so angry?

“You all right Cosette?”

Fred must have noticed her expression so Bella quickly set her features, “why wouldn’t I be? It’s just hard to concentrate on my course work with your brother’s failed attempts at courting a girl.” She started to pack her own stuff, “and you know Ronny? Maybe if you hadn’t treated Hermione like absolute shit all of the time or just used her for her brains then maybe she wouldn’t have been so quick to turn you down.”

Before anybody could say anything, she left the library, hoping not to run into Hermione on her way to Herbology. As soon as she got down to the greenhouses she stopped in her tracks when something she didn’t want to see came smack right in her field of vision. Hermione was standing outside of the greenhouse, leaning against the wall with her books clutched to her chest smiling and laughing while that neanderthal Krum was leaning his hand against the greenhouse talking to her essentially blocking her in. Bella wanted to march right over there and punch him in the face. Why? Granger wasn’t her property. So what if she was smiling and laughing with another student. Bella stood and watched for a few minutes. Her body not allowing her to leave and her brain fucking with her emotions. “This is stupid,” she decided before turning on her heel and running smack into Professor Sprout. “Oh sorry, Professor.”

Sprout looked over her shoulder, “you okay Black? You look like you’ve seen a ghost.”

Bella was taken back by her last name being used in a public setting even if there weren’t any students in ear shot. “Headache, ma’am. Can I go lay down? I’ll come down tomorrow and work on repotting my Wiggentree.”

Sprout seemed to consider her for a moment before reaching into her robes and handing her a little vial, “pepper up potion. Should take that ache away but yes. You can skip today’s lesson. You are far ahead of everybody else in year four. Don’t worry about making up class time. I would be in shock if you fell behind.”

Bella couldn’t help but feel a little pride in the compliment but just nodded and took the potion, “thank you Professor.” She turned around and saw Hermione looking directly at the two of them before she shook her head and walked off in the direction of the castle.

Hermione waited until her Professor went into the greenhouse before saying goodbye to Victor and making her way inside, “Professor. Is Cosette okay?”

Professor Sprout turned not facing the girl busying herself with some plants, “nothing of your concern Granger. Miss Rosier has been excused from today’s lessons. You however have a Wiggentree in desperate need of repotting. Best get at it early.”

“Damn,” Hermione whispered to herself. She wanted to know why upset Cosette but her brain wouldn’t let her not impress her professor so she went to her workstation and started on her Wiggentree.

Chapter Text

Bella has been actively avoiding Hermione for the better part of the past four days. Even when they had to sit next to each other, she barely responded to her, focusing on whatever class task there was. She was pissed at herself that she had such an adverse reaction to finding out Hermione had a date to the ball and also felt childish for letting it affect her. So, she did what she did best. Bella went full asshole mode around the girl. Brushing her off and giving her the cold shoulder. Was it mature? Absolutely not but Bellatrix Druella Black would not be frazzled by a girl she wasn't even trying to court. “Forget about her, Black,” Bella was talking to herself as she waited outside of Minerva’s office. “You have a reason to be here and it’s not whatever the hell is going on with Granger.”

McGonagall felt only a little guilty that she hadn’t been able to respond to Bellatrix’s request for supervision a week ago when she actually asked her. There was just so much to do with the Yule Ball and there wasn’t much time for that and her classes let alone anything else. Though, she had noticed that sudden distance between Bellatrix and Ms. Granger. She was confident that Hermione hadn’t figured out the truth because if she had, there would’ve been conversations that would’ve occured. So, she wasn’t sure what caused the sudden wrench to appear. If there was time later, she would bring it up.

She found Bella pacing outside of her office in the back of the transfiguration classroom, “Ms. Black, sorry I’m late. I was caught up in a conversation about appropriate dress with Madam Maxine. The Veela girls are a little put off by the recommended dress for the ball but I won’t have our school’s good name sullied by underdressed minors.”

Bella smirked, “what a shame it would be indeed if there were half naked girls running around the castle.”

Minerva didn’t hesitate to smack Bella on the arm, “that one was from Andromeda for when I tell her what you said.” She walked up the stairs in the back of her room expecting the girl to follow her.

“I am but a student who happens to appreciate the female form in all its glory,” she stayed a few steps back to avoid anymore slapping. “Besides,” she smirked again knowing Minerva could hear it in her voice, “we don’t need half naked girls to sully our name. The impending return of the Dark Lord will do that. Truthfully, I’d rather it be naked girls.”

Minerva sighed, while looking over the top of her glasses at her student, “you try my patience in every timeline, Bellatrix.” She sat behind her desk and pointed to the chair opposite herself, “have a seat. We need to get to your request. Did you bring your journal with you?”

Bella huffed, “right to business,” she sat down after pulling the book out of her robes. “Here it is. Bellatrix has been acting weird lately.”

“Weird? How so?”

“Just read the last few messages,” Bella handed the book over across the desk. She sat and watched as her professor pushed her glasses up and got to work reading the messages. Bella had been focusing on Minerva’s lack of facial expressions as she read the past few weeks of messages.

“Hmm,” she placed the journal on her desk. “I see.”

“Weird right?” Bella leaned forward, pointing to a particular passage that gave her pause. “It’s like a weird shift. Do you remember anything happening back then that could give us clues about what’s going to happen?”

Minvera picked up the journal again, “it seems over the past few weeks, Bellatrix is mentioning her sisters less and less and focusing more on this upcoming holiday with your father.”

“What’s the look for?” Bella reached across and snatched the journal out of the professor’s hands. “I do not like it.”

Minerva stifled a chuckle, “just a smile, Bella, dear.”

“Yes,” Bella scoffed, “but I’ve never seen you smile before so it’s strange. Stop it.”

“I was simple going to say that yes while Bellatrix’s messages have changed in tone and temperament it would appear that you’d have as well.”

“What? Ridiculous accusation, Professor. I’m only trying to find out information about my sisters and father.”

McGonagall held out her hand, patiently waiting for Bella to give her back the journal. After a few moments, she relented, “right here,” Minerva opened to a passage, “you started calling Ms. Granger by her first name.”

“That?” Bella waved her hand, “accidentally. I know what you are trying to insinuate but I won’t stand for it.”

“This entry in particular caught my interest,” she passed the open journal back across the table, “who exactly are you referring to as ‘testicle head’?”

Bella cackled when that phrase came out of her professor, “don’t worry about that. Back to 1967 Bellatrix.”

“Of course. Honestly, I’ll tell you everything I can remember from back then. It would seem at this rate I should’ve invested in a pensieve to store everything more efficiently but alas, that is neither here nor there. I would highly recommend you speak with Andromeda when you go home on Christmas. She would most likely have the answers I do not. I’ve heard another close relative of yours might be of assistance.”

The wink from Minvera made Bella question, “do you know something?”

“I know more than people think I do,” she smiled at the girl. “Now, before we start sorting through my memories. Tell me. Who are you taking to the ball?”
*
“This is just ridiculous,” Hermione found herself in the Gryffindor common room complaining to Harry.

“Well to be fair,” Harry was tossing his egg up and down in front of the fireplace, “you aren’t exactly speaking to her either.”

“She hasn’t given me a chance. Anytime I try to talk to her, she mumbles something mean and leaves the room or outright tells me to piss off.”

“She hasn’t acted like that with me. Ron said she hasn’t been as mean to him though so maybe she’s saving it up to use it all on you.”

Hermione let her head fall back against the couch, “lucky me.”

“When did she started acting strange?”

Hermione knew it had something to do with her saying she had a date to the ball but didn’t understand why it upset her so much. It’s not like Cosette had intended on going so why did it matter who she went with. She remembered talking about Yule with her friend and the other witch scoffed and said dances were beneath her. “After that day in study hall when I yelled at Ronald but I don’t know why she’s upset.”

“Maybe Cosette likes you,” Harry caught the egg as it dropped into his arms as he fell back onto the couch next to his friend.

“Impossible. She barely tolerates me,” Hermione felt her cheeks getting warm. “Besides. I don’t even think she fancies witches. Not that it would be a problem if she did, I just don’t think she does.”

“Well she got mad when she found out you had a date. You two had been spending all your free time together and now she won’t talk to you. I know I’m not a clever guy but I’m also not entirely thick, Hermione.”

“Nobody ever said you were thick, Harry. I just don’t think that Cosette thinks of me that way.”

Harry shrugged, “well do you think of her that way?”

Hermione truly didn’t know what her feelings for the girl were. She absolutely loved spending time with her and things had been great after that night in the kitchen but this week had been utterly atrocious, “I never thought about a witch that way.” Okay, that was entirely true but she didn’t have to be completely forthcoming with Harry when she wasn’t even sure why they were having this conversation. “I haven’t really thought about it that much.”

Harry tossed the egg up in the air again, “why did you say yes to someone else? It’s just I’ve never really thought of you as interested in dating. Seemed a bit odd. Maybe that’s why Cosette is acting weird.”

Just then the youngest redhead plopped down on the couch next to Harry, “Cosette is acting weird because she fancies Mione.”

Hermione’s head whipped to look at her, “what did you say Ginny?”

“Anyone with eyes can see it. Cosette likes you. She’s only nice to you and the two of you spend every minute together until you made her mad.”

“So she is mad at you,” Harry smiled, “and she likes you. Told you I wasn’t thick.”

“I didn’t say that,” Ginny laughed. “Maybe you should talk to her instead of trying to talk to this one.”

“Hey,” Harry sounded offended, “I give excellent advice. I already told Mione to just talk to her but she didn’t like my suggestion so what makes you think she’ll listen to you?”

“Because I’m a girl.”

“Well that’s just ridiculous,” Harry rolled his eyes, “isn’t it? Hermione.” When there was no answer he repeated, “isn’t it, Hermione?”

Harry and Ginny looked over and saw the empty seat where their friend was sitting, “well that was rude.” Ginny reached over and grabbed the egg from Harry, “so did you figure this out yet or what?”
*
Hermione had taken a page out of Cosette’s book and decided that if the girl was going to ignore her then she could do the same. She wasn’t going to chase after her when she was almost certain that she didn’t do anything wrong. Her Yuleball dress finally came in the owl post this morning. She really couldn’t blame her parents though. It wasn’t easy for muggles to send things by owl. Thankfully, the dress fit perfectly. Hermione had been standing in front of the mirror for a few minutes admiring the periwinkle blue dress robes that her parents had custom made for her. A few of the older girls helped her put her hair into an elegant updo. She even took time to put on a little bit of makeup.

Hermione was excited for the dance. She had never been to anything like this before but a feeling of dread settled into her stomach and she couldn’t shake it. Cosette hadn’t been back in the dorm to get ready for the evening so it made her wonder if she had gotten some sort of exemption from McGonagall so she wouldn’t have to go. Part of her wondered if she had already left for the holiday but it seemed unlikely since her stuff was still in their room. “I wonder,” Hermione turned away from the mirror and walked over to Cosette’s bed. She reached underneath the girl’s pillow and found what she was looking for.

Hermione held Cosette’s journal in her hands. It felt wrong and she knew that she shouldn’t even be touching another student’s personal belongings but when would she get this chance again. As she was opening up the journal there was a knock at the door, quickly hiding the book behind her back, “I’m coming.”

“Every student entering with a champion has to be downstairs and ready to go in 20 minutes, Ms. Granger,” she heard Minerva call from the other side of the door. “There are no exemptions from the dance.”

“I’m ready now,” she hurried and shoved the journal back under the pillow where she got it from. She smoothed her dress down before walking over to the door and meeting her head of house on the other side.

“The blue suits you Ms. Granger. Take your time. Your date is waiting for you at the bottom of the grand staircase as well as Potter and Weasley. I must go make sure everything is set.”

“Professor?”

Minerva turned back to face the girl, “what is it dear? I am in a bit of a hurry.”

“Did Cosette go home for the holiday?”

The older witch shook her head, “as I said, there are no exemptions for missing the ball. Cosette is downstairs with her date.”

Before Hermione had a chance to respond her professor had already excused herself from the Gryffindor common room, “her date?” She didn’t know why but all of a sudden the dreadful feeling in the pit of her stomach turned to a boiling acidic feeling as she became enraged at the thought of Cosette having a date to the ball. Though, she was an attractive girl so Hermione was stupid to think she wouldn’t have a date. “Well this just became entirely less fun,” she said as she exited the common room.

“Oh cheer up girl. At least they tamed down your hair,” the fat lady called from behind her as Hermione entered the moving staircase.

Hermione crossed her arms over her chest, “Sirius should’ve mauled her more last year.”

She made her way down the grand staircase and saw Ron and Harry staring up at her. Ron’s dumbfound face at the sight of her should’ve been more satisfying but her eyes were already searching for someone else. “Darn,” she thought when Cosette was nowhere in sight. Harry was about to approach her when McGonagall came forward. “All right whomever is standing around that is neither a champion nor their date, please take your seats inside.” She turned with a pointed look, “that means you, Mr. Weasley.”

“Right,” he was waiting to walk in with Hermione but was immediately stopped in his tracks when she walked over to Victor and watched him bow his head then kiss her hand. “Bloody hell.”

“Mr. Weasley,” Minerva called out. “I will not tell you again. You and Ms. Patil will have to wait inside for your friends.”

“Come on, Ron,” Padma Patil grabbed Ron by the wrist and led him into the transformed Great Hall.

“Hello, Harry,” Hermione and Victor walked over to say hi before the whole thing started. “How are you feeling?”

Harry looked at his date, “nervous. They said I have to dance. I can barely walk without falling over. I can’t dance.”

“Just follow my lead and we will be fine,” Parvati assured her date.

Hermione thought it a little strange that they ended up with the Patil twins for their dates but didn’t think too much of it, “I can’t dance either. So we can look like idiots together.”

“I will lead Her-Me-Own-Knee.” Okay, Hermione didn’t hate Victor. He didn’t have very many original thoughts but he was quite charming when he wasn’t just sitting around watching her study.

“Harry, Victor,” Cedric joined them with his date, Cho. Hermione immediately noticed she smiled awkwardly at Harry before she saw her friend blush and attempt to hide it. She knew she had a crush on Cho but Cedric beat him to ask her out. “Is anyone else dreading the dance besides me?”

McGonagall joined them in the group, “you will all do just fine. Is everybody here?” She did a quick scan before throwing her hands up, “I told those girls they needed to be ready for the entrance.”

“Oh I think I see them Professor,” Cedric was looking past McGonagall in the direction of the bathroom.

Hermione turned and immediately wished she hadn’t. Fleur was rushing down the hall, hand in hand with none other than her date, Cosette.

“Your jealousy is showing,” Harry leaned over and whispered to his friend.

Hermione quickly set her face before the two girls reached them. Of course Cosette looked stunning in dress robes that looked a little too risqué for a dance at Hogwarts. It was a black a line dress, open back with bare shoulders. It appeared to be lace up in the back but Hermione didn’t want to be caught staring. She wasn’t sure which was more appealing, the pale skin of her upper body, her black curls swept up on top of her head or the leg slit that went up a little too high. Cosette’s dress also had shimmering stars on it that seemed to be placed there with magic. She seemed almost too pretty to be real and she was brought out of her ogling when Fleur wrapped her arm around Cosette’s waist, “we are ready, Professor.” She wanted to smack the French accent out of that girl.

“Just a quick trip to the loo,” Cosette didn’t pull away from the girl’s embrace, “it seems we didn’t miss the entrance.”

The smirk on Cosette’s face was enough to make Hermione’s blood boil. Did she do this on purpose? Of course she did. “You okay?” She looked over at her best friend who immediately felt the shift in her stance.

“Fine,” she mumbled. She couldn’t take her eyes off of Cosette and it was making her more upset. Hermione registered that McGonagall had started talking but she was preoccupied by her obsessive thoughts.

“Ms. Granger. Did you hear any of that?”

“Yes. Sorry Professor. I’m ready,” she put on her best fake smile and locked her arm with Victor’s extended arm. Thankfully, Victor whispered the instructions to her as they lined up. They were to enter as couples while being introduced and make their way to the champion’s table. After dinner, they were to lead the dance. “Easy enough,” Hermione gave him a small smile.

Bella and her date were last in the line of champions and to her surprise, the Veela wasn’t all that bad of company. She was almost sure Hermione was jealous and that was the whole point of the date. She pulled out the chair for Fleur and helped push her into the table before Cedric pulled out the chair for her after Cho was seated, “thanks,” she mumbled not needing the help of a boy but the gesture was coming from a good place. “Beautiful decorations,” Bella smirked when she saw Hermione trying her best not to make eye contact with her, which was almost impossible since they sat across from each other. Those were the first words she spoke to Hermione in weeks and she could help the small triumphant feeling when Fleur grabbed her hand in agreement and the girl across the table had to shift her eyes away.

Honestly, Bella was there just to get under Hermione’s skin at this point. She tried her hardest to get out of the dance all together and just have an extra night at Andromeda’s but McGonagall wouldn’t budge. So, Bella made it her mission to make the night as miserable for Hermione as possible because she had the nerve to accept Krum’s invitation in the first place. She had considered all her options when selecting a date for the ball even thinking about going alone. Bella wanted to make Hermione jealous. Was it petty? Absolutely but she didn’t feel bad about it. It’s what she gets for saying yes to Victor and then parading it around under Bella’s nose for almost a month.

Bella’s first thought as to who would piss Hermione off the most was to ask that annoying Slytherin girl, Pansy, to the dance. It was a great idea. She hadn’t heard Hermione bitch more about another student than that girl. However, Bella found a flaw in asking her. Pansy almost never left Draco’s side and the last person Bella wanted to subject herself to was the spawn of Lucius.

Bella had overheard Ginny and Hermione one day having a conversation about Fleur and how no girl could be that perfect and pretty. That’s when the idea popped into Bella’s head. It was perfect. Fleur was undoubtedly beautiful, older than Hermione and good with spells but not better than either of them. Plus, the girl was a Veela so not only would Hermione be jealous that Bella was with her but she would also be jealous of how her friends wouldn’t be able to stop staring at Bella’s date. Plus, Fleur was leaving at the end of the year. She wouldn’t give a shit if Bella wasn’t who she said she was. When she felt Hermione’s eyes settle back on her when dessert was served she looked over at her date, leaned in and whispered loud enough for the other girl to hear, “you look absolutely radiant tonight, Fleur.”

Hermione was clenching her fork tight enough to leave indents when she heard the compliment and the fact that Fleur giggled, actually giggled in response. She was going to be sick, “pardon me,” Hermione said to the table and her date, “but I need to step outside.”

“Not so fast, Ms. Granger," Dumbledore appeared behind their table. He pulled out his wand to project his voice and announced, “with dessert coming to a close, it is time for our champions and their dates to lead us in the inaugural dance of the evening.”

“Brilliant,” Hermione slapped a fake smile on her face and took Victor’s hand when he stood to lead her into the dance floor.

She watched as Cosette walked Fleur a few mere feet from them before sweeping the Veela into her arms and saying, “don’t worry, pet. You are in very capable hands. I’ll lead.”

Bella smirked at Hermione over Fleur’s shoulder before the orchestra started the music and she whisked her date around the dance floor. Yes, she was having a pleasant time despite the fact that Victor running his hand down Hermione’s back kept coming into her vision. She was trying not to let it bother her. Soon enough, the ball would be over and McGonagall said she could floo to Andromeda’s house that very evening and she was anxious to talk about the journal with her sister.

“Are you having a good time?”

Bella was pulled out of her internal monologue when the soft French accent whispered during the dance, “I’m having a wonderful time, love.”

“I must admit. I was surprised when you asked me to the dance but the boys here are not noteworthy. You, though, are very breathtaking.”

Bella almost didn’t understand every syllable in Fleur’s thick French accent but she was thankful for her mother’s incessant French lessons for the help, “Je n'aurais pas pu demander un meilleur rendez-vous. Tu es la plus belle femme de la pièce.” Bella was just glad Fleur couldn’t see her staring at Hermione over her shoulder as she was speaking.

“Oh Cosette, tu es assez coquette. N'est-ce pas?”

“Oui, mais je voulais dire chaque mot,” Bella was not expecting Fleur to kiss her cheek before settling her head onto her shoulder as the dance finished. She was watching Hermione watching her and saw the hurt flash across her face before she excused herself from Victor’s arms and took off out of the Great Hall as the rock music started playing signaling the official start of the ball. Bella caught eyes with McGongall who also seemed to notice Hermione leave the hall. Instinct told her to follow her friend but Minerva shook her head no.

“Do you want to keep dancing?”

Bella gave one final look to her professor who shook her head no once more, “sure,” even though she knew she should’ve followed Hermione out of the hall.

After a few more dances, Bella finally was able to pawn Fleur off onto her sister before excusing herself towards the champion table. It seems Weasley had found his way over to the table and his poor date was next to him looking like she wanted to die. Bella sat in the open seat next to Harry and leaned forward to address Padma, “regretting your invitation now, hmm?”

“Oh piss off Cosette.”

“Such strong language, Ronny. I was just addressing the fact that your date looks like she would rather be trampled by feral mooncalves,” she smirked at Harry. “Which would be rather ironic since they can’t become feral. But that is besides my point. I am just saying your date looks like she’s running through a list of ways to get rid of you.” She saw Padma nod slightly in agreement, “you can just go, girl. Take your sister and have fun.”

“Well that was one effective way to get rid of our dates,” Harry didn’t seem upset.

“If it makes you feel better, I saw Cedric step on Chang’s toes at least five times during the waltz.”

Harry shrugged, “I suppose that helps a bit.”

“Why aren’t you out there dancing with your girlfriend?”

Bella scoffed, “jealous Ronny? Upset because you asked her and she laughed in your face. Jealous because all I had to do was sit down by her and take interest and she accepted my invitation without having to think about it?” Okay, she was just being mean now but she didn’t regret it. “She’s not my girlfriend by the way but I’m sure if I asked, she’d say yes to that too.” She was gearing up for another insult when she saw Victor returning to the table, “oh great. That’s what this party needs.”

“Have you seen Her-me-own-knee? We dance and she leave. She no come back,” Victor did his best to speak clearly and Bella was over it before he opened his mouth.

“We don’t keep tabs on your girlfriend,” she crossed her arms over her chest.

“What this mean?”

“Seriously,” she mumbled to Harry. “What does she see in this jackass? He can’t even form a complete sentence.”

“Careful,” Harry smirked, “your jealousy is showing.”

Bella’s mouth dropped open in offense, “I beg your pardon.”

“Look mate,” Ron rolled his eyes, “we haven’t seen Hermione okay? Maybe go check out in the hall. She probably went to the library. Can’t seem to go a day without seeing the two of you in the library.”

“Careful,” Bella leaned over, “your jealousy is showing.”

“Hey,” Harry laughed, “that’s my line.”

“If you see her, you will tell her I miss her?”

Bella rolled her eyes, “sure thing. You can leave now.” The boys got quiet after Victor turned and left. “What! You don’t appreciate my direct nature with Krum? Don’t act like you weren’t thinking the same thing, Ronald. I would just have the guts to tell him his faults to his face if the situation presented itself.” She looked over her shoulder towards the door and noted that the Bulgarian didn’t take their advice to look for Hermione in the hall, “I couldn’t mess up all of McGonagall’s hard work by hurting the poor bloke’s feelings now could I?”

Harry and Ron were just staring at her, “it’s called personal growth. Maybe you two should try it. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’ve got places to be tonight.”

“She’s mad, that one,” Ron mumbled as she walked away.

Bella heard him and flicked him off before turning and heading towards the doors of the Great Hall. She felt she spent the right amount of time that her head of house would let her go ahead to her sister’s house early. She would just pop back into the dorms, get her stuff then head to the Head Master’s office since he said she could access Andromeda’s via his fireplace whenever she needed. Bella finally reached the doors but she was stopped by someone calling her name, “Cosette? Wait.” Bella turned to see Fleur following her and she internally rolled her eyes but stopped to see what the girl had to say, “are you not how do I say? Having a good time with me? You leave?”

She did her best to keep the sigh internal, “I have to go. My cousin is expecting me tonight. I apologize for leaving early.”

“You did not tell me this.”

Bella reached over and brushed a strand of blond hair out of Fleur’s face, “I assure you that this is not a reflection of you. I had a nice time with you tonight.”

“When you get back, would you like to spend more time together?”

No, Bella thought but just smiled, “sure. We could do that.”

Before she knew what was happening, Fleur had leaned in and brushed her lips lightly against her own, smiling brightly as she pulled back only to whisper, “I will see you soon.”

Bella waited and watched as the Veela made her way back into the Great Hall before turning and seeing Hermione standing behind her with a look that was almost indescribable on her face. Say something, Bella thought, anything. “You always just stand there and watch other people share intimate moments, Granger?” Okay, anything but that.

Hermione just shook her head before turning to leave but Bella wasn’t satisfied with that so she followed her, “your boyfriend is in there looking for you. Where did you run off to?” Okay, that also wasn’t what she wanted to come out of her mouth.

“My boyfriend? Victor is not my boyfriend. He’s a friend who asked me to accompany him.” Hermione stopped and turned around with her arms crossed over her chest, “it’s not like people were knocking down our dorm doors to invite me to the dance as if you hadn’t noticed.”

“So you said yes to the first potential suitor with half a brain cell? He’s an idiot, Hermione.”

“Don’t say that. He’s a nice guy. You don’t even know him, Cosette. Why does it even matter? You and Fleur seemed pretty cozy in there. Why do you care who I spend time with?”

Bella shrugged, “I don’t care, Granger. Jealous that I asked Fleur? Seems indignant for you to be jealous when you already had a date. Did you expect me to go alone?”

“I don’t know,” Hermione truly didn’t know what she expected. Seeing Cosette dancing with Fleur was not among her favorite memories and seeing them kiss, it hurt Hermione more than it should’ve and she didn’t understand why.

“Why did you say yes to Victor?” Hermione tried to turn but Cosette reached out to grab her wrist, stopping her. “Answer me.”

At least, the raised voices were done, “I already told you.”

“Okay,” she needed a different approach, “when you said yes to him why didn’t you tell me? I thought we were friends.”

“We are friends, Cosette. And I didn’t tell you because you refused to talk to me. Why?”

Bella dropped Hermione’s hand, “because.” She sighed, tell her how you feel, Bella internally betrayed herself. “Granger, you are just. I wanted to.”

Bella didn’t get a chance to finish any of her thoughts before the headmaster appeared next to them, “I truly hope I’m not interrupting anything important but Cosette, I’m ready to accompany you to your cousin’s house. Is now a bad time? Andromeda requested an arrival before midnight.”

“I’m ready, Headmaster.”

“Oh and Ms. Granger, you friends are inside looking for you. Do run along. Severus is very keen on disciplining students caught in the halls tonight.”

Hermione looked between Dumbledore and Cosette before giving a small nod, “of course headmaster. Happy Christmas, Cosette.”

Bella didn’t get to say anything else to Hermione before Dumbledore started ushering her in the direction of his office, “I believe a wish of happy birthday is in order. I hope you had a pleasant occasion even if I did seem to stumble upon a rather awkward conversation between you and Miss Granger.”

“This was not the worst birthday I’ve ever had. At least I didn’t get beaten by Father this year.”

“Yes well your father always was a do now, think later sort of man.”

Bella scoffed, “that’s putting it lightly.”

“Professor McGonagall has told me that you plan to discuss your journal with your sister over break. Will your furry friend, padfoot, be joining you as well?”

Bella turned to look at him, “you know about that, do you?”

“There is not much that goes on in my school that I am not privy to though I call him snuffles.”

Bella laughed, “snuffles. It suits him. I’ll be surprised if he even wants to see me. Also, did McGonagall tell you things have kind of stopped progressing with other me?”

“Indeed. Just remember, we are only as strong as we are united, as weak as we are divided.”

Bella stopped, “what the bloody hell am I supposed to do with that?”

“You are a smart witch. You’ll figure it out,” they stopped just shy of his office.

“I don’t have my bags.”

“I’ve gone ahead and sent them to Andromeda’s house via Cricket. They will be waiting for you upon your arrival.”

Dumbledore said the password, allowing the stone to turn into the spiral staircase so they could ascend into his office. “Have an enlightening break, Bellatrix and keep an open mind when speaking with your family.”

“Yeah. Right,” she picked up some flop powder and stepped into the fireplace.

Just as she was about to announce her destination, Dumbledore added, “and watch out for Ms. Granger when you go to lunch.”

“Tonks residence,” was already half out of her mouth when she threw the powder down. “Wait what?” It was too late to ask any follow up questions and she wasn’t even sure she heard him correctly. Something about Hermione but she wasn’t sure. She stepped out of the fireplace in her sister’s living room and sighed, “I hate that man.”

Chapter Text

“I was wondering when you would grace us with your presence.” 

The last thing Bella had wanted coming through that fireplace was to be interrogated by her sister as soon as she emerged. The night was already weird enough without the first thing she saw being the shit eating grin of her sister, “heard you had a hot little date with a Veela tonight. Knowing your reputation during school, I’m surprised you even made it this early.” 

“Yes, well I got in a fight with Granger so it was time to go.” 

Andy sat up in the chair and flicked on the light with a wave of her hand, “anything you want to talk about?” 

Bella considered it for a moment, “no.” 

“Oh come on Bella. All my good Hogwarts drama dried up after Dora graduated. It’s been too long since I got to give my advice to pimply teenagers.” 

“Excuse you,” Bella looked offended and for good reason. “I have always had perfect skin. If I recall correctly, you were the one sneaking skin care potions from the older girls illegally selling them in Myrtle’s bathroom.” 

“Remember that, do you?” 

“I’m 16, Andy. It’s hard to forget something that happened last year.” 

Andy smiled and pulled out a little bag with a selection of Bella’s favorite sweets, “happy birthday, Bella. There’s gifts for you but they are under the tree for tomorrow morning. Dora was very excited when she found out it was your birthday today.” 

“My favorites,” she immediately popped a jelly slug into her mouth. “You didn’t have to.” 

“Oh I didn’t get you anything. Dora insisted. I told her that I hate you and she said ‘but mummy it’s her birthday and christmas’ so we got you things.” 

“Oh fuck off, Andy. I swear it seems you’ve gotten more dramatic with age,” she rolled her eyes. “Did my trunk come?” 

“I put it in your room. Well I had Ted put it up there. What’s he good for if I can’t put him to work?” 

Bella laughed quietly, “always thought that about the boy.” 

“You loved Ted whether you’d ever admit it or not. Remember that time on the train?” 

“Andy, that was like three months ago for me.” 

“Right, sorry. It's still so strange to me. You’re in prison, Bella and yet here you are sitting in my living room eating jelly slugs like they don’t feed you at school. Dumbledore mentioned something about your journal.” 

“Yeah, something is going on with Bellatrix. Professor McGonagall wasn’t really any help. She tried but she couldn’t remember anything particular about me that changed that Christmas. We are hoping that you will be able to piece together some of what’s going on for me.” She went to reach into her robe’s pocket and remembered she was wearing her Yule Ball dress. “It must be in my trunk. Long few weeks.” 

“So what’s going on with you and the Veela?” 

“Fleur? Nothing. I think she fancies me and she’s cute but I don’t know. I’m not even from here. Seems irrelevant to think about any witches when hopefully I’ll be back in 1967 by the end of the term.” 

“You mentioned a fight with this Granger. She comes up a lot in your letters. What’s that about?” 

Bella turned her head to look at the fireplace, “would you look at the time? Seems like I should call it a night.” 

“Okay I get it. You don’t want to talk about it. We have a week. I’ll get something out of you.” 

Bella cackled, “good luck with that one. Is Dora already asleep?” 

“You can go on up to bed. Dora could sleep through anything. You won’t wake her up. Even if you went into her room and started shouting at her. She wouldn’t budge but please don’t try that. She’s been working on her defense spells at the Ministry. Getting pretty good.” 

Bella stood up, “maybe I’ll challenge her to one of our Black Family Christmas Duels.” 

Andy laughed, “knock her down a peg. She needs it. Don’t want her to get too cocky when she’s out in the field. Goodnight, Bella. We can talk more about the journal tomorrow.”  

Bella nodded and excused herself up to the room designated for her. She walked straight to her trunk, opening the hidden compartment in the bottom to retrieve her journal. Honestly, she was surprised Hermione hadn’t helped herself to the journal yet. She walked over to the desk in her borrowed room and sat to see if there were any updates from Bellatrix. Her face paled when she began to read. 

Bella,

Happy Birthday! I hope you had an amazing time at the Yule Ball. Did taking the Veela stick it to that Gryffindor girl? She sounds annoying. Plus, who wants to associate with those mud bloods anyway? 

“Mudbloods?” Bella reread the last sentence. She’s heard the derogatory term her whole life but never once used it before. Sure, being pureblood meant a lot of things but it didn’t mean she was classist like her parents. “What is going on?”

Before you ask, yes Andy and Cissy are fine. I know you are worried about them but we’ve been watching them to make sure they are on track. 

“We who?” Bella was trying not to shout at her journal, mindful of her niece sleeping in the room next to her. “Well this fucking escalated.”  

Father said this was a very important year for me. Well for us, really. They are throwing a ball here tomorrow night for the Sacred 28. Well the ones that Tom is interested in. I was told I would be in attendance. Andy and Cissy aren’t invited, yet. Father says only time will tell if they get an invite. 

“You’ve got to be fucking kidding me,” Bella finished the letter more upset and disturbed that she had been during this entire forsaken mission. “Looks like I’ll still be going to prison.” She flipped back to the beginning to read and see if she could tell where the changes started happening. This couldn’t be her. Bella knew something was strange, she just didn’t know what. So she began her reply. 

Bellatrix, 

I don’t mean to sound rude but what the actual fuck is wrong with you right now? Since when do you refer to muggle borns that way? And why are you inserted so far up Father’s ass that you seemed to have forgotten what we are meant to be doing? You are meant to be staying out of trouble. Dumbledore didn’t ask me to come here for nothing. If you were just going to make stupid decisions and fall in with father then I’m just wasting my time here. 

Bella finished her entry after feeling like she properly admonished her other self. She deflated “what am I going to do now?” She shut the journal and looked around the room. Bella noticed her niece must have decorated for her because there were a few Quidditch pennants and weird sister posters that weren’t there earlier. Bella also noticed a picture of her and her sisters from when they were young. She picked it up. The moving picture showed Bella and Andromeda flanking Cissy, holding hands and swinging her into the air. All three sisters have genuine smiles on their faces. If she couldn’t do what she was sent here fix then none of these happy little girls would get their proper happy ending and that was something Bella couldn’t let happen. 

*

Andy and Ted sat at the breakfast table looking at Bella’s journal. Dora was still sleeping so Bella didn’t feel like she ruined the holiday by bringing this up so early in the morning. Thankfully they were already up when Bella emerged bright and early unable to sleep peacefully with so much weighing on her mind. 

“Well something has definitely changed here,” Ted looked up from the journal. 

“Astonishing revelation, Edward.” 

“Bella,” Andy gave her sister a look. “Don’t. This is a lot to process and Ted didn’t do anything to warrant the bitch.” 

They stared at each other in an awkward, silent standoff for a few minutes before Bella conceded, “apologies, Ted. I didn't mean to direct my bitchiness directly at you. Something is wrong with Bellatrix.” 

Andy grimaced. 

“What’s that face for? What do you remember?” 

“I’ve spent many, many years trying to disassociate from any of these memories, Bella.” 

“Fair,” she turned her attention to Andy’s husband. “What about you Ted? When did I start becoming particularly cunty towards you?” 

“Who’s being cunty to you, dad?” Dora came into the kitchen in her Christmas pajamas. 

“Dora,” Andy used her best mom voice, “can we please stop saying cunty in front of the Christmas breakfast?” 

“Salazar forbid we swear in front of the beans and toast. How uncouth of us,” Bella smirked at her sister. 

“Happy Christmas,” Dora sat down at the table next to her aunt and helped herself to a plate full of breakfast heavy on the sausage. 

“Hey,” Bella smirked, “ she eats like me.” 

“I’ve been trying to break that habit for years but it seems one of your qualities stuck with her,” Andy laughed when Bella’s plate also had more meat than anything else. 

“We are women of culture, Andy.” 

“So what’s this?” Dora pointed to the journal. 

“Nothing to worry about darling,” Andy closed it and moved it to the side of the table. 

“Got it,” Dora leaned over and whispered to Bella, “you’ll tell me later right?” 

Bella cackled, “I like her, Andy. You made a good one.” 

*

Christmas morning had come and gone. It was surprising to be surrounded by a family who genuinely seemed to love each other and want to spend time together. This was far different from Christmas at the Manor. Bella had excused herself from the festivities in favor of pacing back and forth in her room waiting to hear back from Bellatrix. So far no other responses had come through and Bella was getting worried. On top of that, Sirius was supposed to arrive soon and Bella was certain he didn’t want to see her. 

“May I come in?” Dora was already inside the room with the door closing behind her. 

“Were you going to give me a chance to say no?” 

Dora shook her head and jumped on the bed, “no. But I wanted you to feel like you had a choice.” 

Bella scoffed, “just like your mother, you are.” 

“So what’s going on? Is it school stuff? Or what?”

“Nothing to do with school.” 

Dora smirked, “so it’s for the mystery reason you are here that mum won’t talk to me about. It’s this journal isn’t it? Some kind of connection. And you are here for Dumbledore but why?” 

“Your mother doesn’t want me to say anything.” 

Dora rolled her eyes, “I’ll be inducted into the order at the end of the year when I finish my auror training. Just tell me.” 

“The order?” 

The pink haired girl smirked, “I’ll tell you mine if you tell me yours.” 

“And there’s your Auntie Bella,” she cackled. “Fine but you go first. What’s this order all about?” 

“The Order of the Phoenix,” Dora looked at her aunt as if that answered all of her questions. 

“I’m going to need a little more than that.” 

“Oh that’s right. Duh,” Dora laughed. “You're still a kid. So the order,” and she went on to describe how the order was established during the first Wizarding War in order to combat the advances of the Death Eaters. “The rumor is that they were going to start it back up. At least that was the rumor Moody was bringing into the office before they took him to Hogwarts.” 

“There’s something wrong with that guy. He’s not right in the head. Or he might be a drunk or possibly addicted to potions. I’m sorting that out.” 

“Pause,” Dora held up a finger, “we need to get back to this theory but only after you tell me what the bloody hell you are doing here. Don’t get me wrong, you are great but why are you here?” 

Bella was about to start talking when there was a knock on the door, “girls? Sirius is here,” Andy poked her head in the door. 

“I think I’m going to pass,” Bella waved a dismissive hand. 

“Oh no you don’t,” Andy came further into the room. “You mailed Sirius. He panicked when he got your letter. Seems quite keen on seeing you.” 

“Well who isn’t?” 

Andy waited to see if her sister was actually going to get up and when there was no movement she turned her attention to her daughter, “Dora honey, go downstairs and make sure Siri doesn’t annoy your father to death. I set out the Christmas pudding for everybody to enjoy.” 

“You can just tell me to leave, mum. You don’t have to beat around the bush.” 

“Please leave,” she kissed her daughter on the forehead before moving to let her leave the room. “Bella. What’s going on?” 

“I changed my mind is all. I don’t know why I sent him that letter. He most definitely does not want to see me. Especially if I had a hand in killing his friends.” 

Andy understood where she was coming from. It was hard for her to accept that this Bella wasn’t the same as the one rotting in Azkaban. This Bella was just a child and she was trying her hardest to fix things for everybody, “that’s not you, honey.” 

Bella cringed slightly at the motherly tone coming from her sister, “then why did you look like you had seen a ghost when I showed up on your doorstep? Bellatrix Black isn’t exactly getting invited to all of the holiday parties these days.” 

“Bellatrix Lestrange is sitting in prison. Bella Black, however, is just as great as I remember her and still quite the smartass. If Sirius didn’t want to see you, he wouldn’t have contacted me. He’s very much keeping to himself and hiding out so they don’t find him and throw him back in prison.” 

Bella sighed, “okay. But if he says something fucking stupid I’m leaving.” 

“Bella.”

“What! Surely you remember Siri in my time. Little shit he is. Always causing problems and getting Reggie in trouble.” 

“In a few years time he’s going to have moved out and in with the Potters.” 

Bella never really took the time to think much about the boys until their forced family functions when she and her sisters would be shipped off to Grimmauld for a few weeks each summer, “just as well. If I had to live with Walburga I’d have ended up in prison earlier or killed myself. She was awful to those kids.” 

“To be fair she was also awful to us.” 

Bella smirked, “I thought you had memory issues.” 

“Nobody forgets Walburga and her closets.” 

“I tried my hardest to keep you and Cissy out of trouble. Another reason to be pissed at Siri. A fucking little instigator he was. Probably just glad to share the special closet time.” 

“I survived,” Andy waved her off. “Come on. Let’s join them before Dora eats all the Christmas pudding.”

“I’ll hex her if she ate it all,” Andy could hear her sister grumbling behind her as they made their way downstairs into the family room where Bella stopped just shy of hitting her sister. “Why did you stop?” 

“Sirius,” Andy said with a soft tone. She hadn’t seen her cousin since before he was taken to prison. “It’s really you.” 

“Who did you think you had been owling these past few months?”

“This has been a very interesting year for me,” she moved over so Bella could come into view, “aren’t you going to say hi?” 

Sirius’s face paled as if he couldn’t believe what he was seeing, “my gods. It’s like she hasn’t aged at all.” 

“I see you haven’t gotten any smarter, Siri,” Bella offered him a smirk while crossing her arms over her chest. 

“Oh she’s still a shit,” Sirius seemed to relax slightly. 

Bella sat down in the chair across from the couch that Andy and Sirius were sitting on, “how did you break out of Azkaban?” 

“Straight in. Always like that about your Bellatrix.” 

She held her hand out, “Bella.” 

“Apologies. It’s hard not to hear mother chirping in my ear correcting me that I needed to use everyone’s full names. Bella, I escaped by slipping into my animagus.” 

Bella’s eye widened, “an unregistered animagus. I don’t believe it. I’ve been asking McGonagall to teach me for a year now. Well in my time I have been. Haven’t asked this McGonagall because she’d probably tell me to go shove off. Can you teach me?” 

“Bella,” Andy got her attention, “one thing at a time. Do you really think now's the best time for animagus training?” 

Bella shrugged, “couldn’t really hurt if the other me busts out of prison. If this jackass could get out then it’s only a matter of time before I do.” 

Sirius let out a long sigh and looked at Andy before he spoke. Bella noticed the interchange but waited for him to speak, “Bella the other you. She’s not in a good state of mind. Towards the end of the war, I tried speaking with you and there were no parts of you left. They put me in the cell next to you and after a while, the screaming stopped.” 

“So what I’m hearing is you found a way out of prison and you left me there to rot?” 

“It’s not you in there Bella.”  

Bella and Sirius found themselves in a mini staring contest when they were pulled out by a simple word, “pudding?” Bella turned to see Dora and Ted standing in the doorway holding trays of various pastries and other sweets. Who was she to turn down dessert? “Yes, please. As the guest who traveled through time to be here, I get first pick, right sis?” 

Sirius rolled his eyes, “still so dramatic.” 

“Yes, Bella. Take whatever you want,” Andy handed her a plate and a napkin. 

Bella’s shit eating grin earned herself another eye roll from her cousin, “mmm,” she took the chocolate cake she knew Sirius would’ve picked, “so good,” she said as she took a big bite. 

Sirius took his favorite from the rest and waited before speaking again, “so you are friends with Harry, Hermione and Rob?” 

“Friends is such a strong term. More like forced acquaintances since Albus sorted me into that house. Luckily for him, I happen to look great in maroon.”

Dora spoke through a mouthful of sweets, “I dunno Auntie. You and Hermione seemed pretty cosy at the dragon event.” 

“You were across the stadium and from where I was sitting it looked like you were pretty cosy yourself,” she smirked remembering how close her niece had been sitting next to that Weasley boy. 

“Do you have someone courting you?” 

“Godric dad. Courting? Try to sound older. It’s not possible and no I was just hanging out with Charlie. He’s my best friend not a,” she pretended to gag, “a courtship.” 

“Didn’t look like that from where I was sitting.” 

“”I’m surprised you saw anything making starry eyes at Hermione and holding her hand.” 

“Children, please,” Andy had to try to stop whatever this was even if she wanted all of the gossip. “Ted, if our daughter was courting someone I’m sure she would tell us and Bella,” she turned to her sister, “it is perfectly acceptable for you to have made friends with your cohorts. I’m pretty sure that was the point of Dumbledore’s assignment.” 

“About that,” Sirius spoke again, “why are you here?” 

“No clue,” she tossed her journal to her cousin. “There’s another me still in 1967. Apparently I’m supposed to be here helping her make good choices and to not join the Death Eaters. Very stupid name by the way. I think I may be failing though. Bellatrix seems to have lost interest in me.”

“How can you be in both places?” 

“Excellent question Dora and one I’m sure your mother would not want me to answer but when have I ever considered Andy’s wishes. Apparently Dumbledore thought it wise to turn me into some sort of horcrux.” 

“Fascinating,” Sirius was thumbing through her journal, “and who exactly is testicle head?” 

Bella snatched her journal back, “none of your concern. My point was Bellatrix isn’t the same as when I left her. Speaking for me, I was going into this year trying to find a way to get us out of father’s house. Apparently she’s not on board anymore. She’s talking weird.” 

“Like a zombie?” Everybody stopped to look at Dora who just shrugged, “what? It could happen.” 

“Siri,” Bella turned back towards her cousin, “I need to see your memory. The last memory. You said you spoke to me before prison. I’d like to see it.” 

Everybody became really quiet, “what?” 

“Do you really think that’s a good idea?” 

“Do you have any better plans, Andromeda? It seems I’m failing at this and I’d rather not have this whole thing be a waste of our time.” 

Sirius shrugged, “she’s old enough to make that decision. 16 you said? Almost an adult.” 

“Almost an adult but still under my care for now,” Andy’s tone became more parental again which didn’t sit well with Bella. She felt that she was the one who needed to be doing the protecting. 

“It’s not going to be easy to watch, Bella.” 

“I didn’t think it would be but that doesn’t mean I’m not willing to watch it. I need to see her and maybe it’ll tell me something.” Sirius and Andy seemed to be having a silent conversation that Bella wasn’t happy about. “Look I know you are both just trying to protect me for whatever reason but the only way to protect me is to stop me from becoming whoever the hell is locked away in prison.” 

Ted elbowed his daughter, “she always was the level headed one of the family.” 

“See, even Ted agrees with me. If you don’t want to see it again I’m sure we can find a penseive or you can just suck it up, push the memory to the front of your mind and I can take what I need.” 

Dora’s mouth dropped open, “you can do that?” 

Bella shrugged, “we all can. Apparently your mother didn’t pass on the skill.” 

“I’ll show you before I leave. Let’s at least pretend to be a happy and normal functioning family for a little while,” Sirius was desperate for normal interactions with people. Those were few and far between since having his freedom. “Humor me, Bella. I don’t get out much.” 

“Fine,” she rolled her eyes. “I can wait.”

“So how’s the cleaning going, Sirius?” 

“It’s almost as dreadful as living in abandoned caves with Buckbeak.” 

Bella seemed to be the only confused one, “cleaning out where and what the fuck is a Buckbeak?” 

Sirius laughed, “Buckbeak is my pet hippogriff I seemed to have acquired. Ask your not friends about him when you get back to school.” 

“You know I can’t do that,” Bella gave him a look. “Hey Potter, how was your holiday? Oh mine? It was fine. I spent Christmas Day with the man I saw you talking with in the fireplace.” 

“Fair.” Bella still hated that smirk oh his. “As to the cleaning, I’ve seemed to lead the Ministry off of my tracks. They are searching Northern England for me.” 

“They’ve always been a bunch of idiots.” 

Bella cackled, “idiots you are training to work for, Dora.” 

“I’ll make them a little less idiotic.” 

“She does have just the right amount of Black in her,” Bella told Andy approvingly. 

“So where are you living now, Sirius?” 

“Since it’s still hidden and most people inside and outside of the magical world are unaware of its location, Grimmauld Place. I know it’s not ideal but the fireplaces for Ministry access were shut off years ago.” 

“Why in Salazar’s name, would you ever go back to that gods forsaken place?”  She noticed everybody looking at her, “what? The trauma that came from that home is enough for anyone to burn that place to the ground.” 

“It’s not ideal but without mother it’s better than living in caves.” 

“Well,” Bella shrugged, “I hope you at least burned her portrait so she can’t abuse you after death.” 

“I have all the portraits covered presently however I am open to light arson if the situation calls for it. Can I count on you?” 

Bella smirked, “nothing would make me happier than light arson.” 

*

Three days had passed since Christmas and Bella hadn’t come out of her room. Andy was worried about her but not until the food she was leaving outside of the door for her started to remain on the plates. “That’s it. I’m going in there,” she announced to Ted while they were in the living room watching the muggle television. “She can’t not eat.” 

“She’s processing, Andy. We all warned her those memories of Sirius’s wouldn’t be easy to watch but you know Bella. She is as stubborn as she ever was.” 

Andy sighed, “I just didn’t expect her to shut down completely. She even turned Dora away. I just don’t know what to do and now she’s not even eating. Should I try to talk to her before I ship her back off to school? I mean what am I supposed to say, ‘sorry Minerva. We broke her but here's Bella. Good luck fixing her.’ That would be so inappropriate. I have to go up there.” 

“Maybe if she had someone her own age to confide in.” 

Andy tried not to get offended, “I’m her sister, Ted. She should confide in me.” 

“I wasn’t suggesting you call up Ms. Granger and invite her around for tea. I was merely suggesting maybe a friend would help get her mind off of everything so she can refocus her energy.” 

Bella had heard this entire conversation as she had been listening at the top of the stairs. Bringing Hermione into the conversation was the absolute last thing she needed. She decided it was in her best interest to act happy until she could get out from under Andy’s eye and head back to school. “I don’t need Granger or anything else for that matter. I can assure you that I’m fine,” she said as she came down the stairs. 

“You have eaten in two days, Bella.” 

“Your cooking leaves a lot to be desired,” Bella gave her a look that Andromeda was very familiar with. “Look,” she handed her a letter. “This came in the post. I guess I need some additional items for the spring semester. Mad Eye had additional bequests for his class. Still think that guy’s on something.” 

“Fire whiskey?” 

Bella laughed, “seems a bit common, don’t you think Ted?” 

“Traveled 27 years into the future and still holding on to biases,” Andy looked over the letter. “It’s not just stuff for Moody. Apparently Snape has requested specific potion ingredients.” She turned the paper over in her hand to look at the address. “This one looks personalized just for you, Bella. Did Snape mention anything about private lessons?” 

“Just avada me now if he did. I can barely stand being in his class.” 

“Maybe it’s per Dumbledore’s bequest,” Ted took the letter from his wife and looked over the items on it. 

“Oh great. Extra work on top of the extra work I’m already meant to be doing. I should’ve stayed in 1967.” 

“We will have to swing by Gringotts. Get some money out then maybe we can go to Leaky for some lunch. Make a day out of it.” 

They watched Ted seem overly excited as he left the living room. “He loves this stuff. Always was so excited when Dora’s letters came and they went out shopping together. I’m surprised he even invited me out with you.”

“You are not leaving me alone with that hufflepuff all afternoon. I’d go bat shit crazy,” she immediately stopped talking when her mind flashed back to the sight of her older self with Sirius. Bella didn’t care what she had to do, that would not become her life. 

Andy reached over, touching her arm, “did you want to talk about it?” 

“I can not stress enough how much I do not want to do that,” Bella just shook her head. She didn’t want her sister to know what she was destined to turn into. Bella was disgusted with herself and she was still processing just what to do about it. 

“It might help.” 

“You know what might help? Some butterbeer, ice cream and maybe a shot of fire whiskey even if it is for the common.” 

Andy sighed, “fine but you better not let Ted see. He’s a stickler for those underage drinking rules.” 

*

Hermione had a standing tradition to go shopping in Diagon with her father a few days after Christmas. It was a nice little father and daughter outing that she had grown to cherish. She would talk his ear off about everything that had been going on at school and he would take her to the bookstore and get her whatever she wanted including new quills and parchment for the second half of the year. They had just sat down in Leaky Cauldron to grab some lunch when her father, Jack, started his questioning, “so tell me about this boy who took you to the ball. Is he your boyfriend?” 

“Victor? Godric no. He’s a friend, dad. That’s it. Though, I’m sure he would like for me to be his girlfriend but the feelings are not mutual.” 

“Are you still hung up on that Weasley boy?” 

Hermione choked a little on her butterbeer, “Ronald? Ew dad. I was never hung up on him and he’s been an utter terror this whole year with Harry in the contest and he’s so rude to Victor and Cosette. It’s hard to even like him as a friend right now.” 

“Noted,” Jack thanked the witch when she brought their orders of fish and chips to their table. “No reason to send out dad threats to gentleman callers.” 

“Dad,” Hermione rolled her eyes, “no. And well,” she didn’t even know if that would ever be a thing for her. She wasn’t sure. 

“What is it, buttercup?” 

“How do you always do that?” He just smiled at her, “you can read me like a book.” 

“It’s my dad super power. Now what’s bothering you?” 

“I’m not even sure of this yet, myself. It’s just been a thought that’s been coming and going a lot recently. I’m not even sure what it means.” Hermione sighed, knowing that she was rambling, “would you and mom be terribly disappointed if one day instead of bringing home a boyfriend, I might maybe fancy girls instead?” She had a hard time meeting her father’s eyes in fear of what she would see, “everything is so confusing right now so let’s just forget this.” 

“Hermione,” her father reached across the table and grabbed her hand. “Look at me, buttercup. All your mother and I care about is your happiness. Whether you find happiness with a magical person or a muggle, a witch or a wizard, a boy or a girl, it doesn’t matter to us. We just want you to be yourself.” 

Hermione was digesting what her father just said when she noticed the girl who had been occupying all of her thoughts sit down across the restaurant with a couple of adults she assumed to be her relatives. Cosette was facing away from her so it’s doubtful she even registered her being there but Hermione noticed an increase in her heart rate, “thanks dad. Like I said, I’m not even sure.” 

“She’s back there isn’t she?” 

“Who?” 

“The girl you probably don’t but might fancy. Is it this Cosette you’ve been writing to us about? Your mother and I were excited you finally had a great friendship blossoming but from the look on your face, it would appear it might be more than friendship.” 

“She drives me mad. Cosette is so hot and cold. One day we are best friends then the next she gets mad at me and doesn’t talk to me for weeks just because I said yes to Victor. She helped me talk to the house elfs about spew and everything. She even befriended one of the little ones who is having drinking problems, dad. She’s brilliant. She knows spells far more advanced than our age. And she’s funny. Effortlessly. I don’t know if I’m jealous of her or if I like her. This is all just so confusing, dad and I don’t know what to do.” 

Jack looked over his shoulder and got a glimpse of the girl in question when she turned to talk to the witch who dropped off their drinks, “the curly headed one?” He saw a blush form on his daughter’s cheeks, “I know what it sounds like to me but I’m afraid your feelings are going to be something you have to work out yourself. Why don’t you go say hi before their lunch comes. From what I heard you telling your mother you didn’t end on a good note. It might be a good idea to extend the olive branch.” 

Hermione looked over her dad’s shoulder and saw Cosette talking with just the man as the woman seemed to have excused herself, “I guess it wouldn’t hurt to say hello. I’ll be right back.” 

“Take your time,” her dad wink at her before she got up and started walking over towards the other side of the restaurant. 

Hermione didn’t even know what she was going to say when she got over there but her feet seemed to be driving her forward without giving her brain a chance to catch up. When she found herself approaching she could just make out what they were saying, “you can’t drink that,” the man grabbed a shot of fire whiskey out of Cosette’s hand when the other woman came back. 

“Andy said I could have it,” Cosette rebutted and tried to grab it back out of his hands. 

“Bella!” The woman smacked Cosette on the hand, “I told you not in front of Ted.” 

“Bella?” Hermione thought to herself as she slipped behind the pillar before anybody could see her. She made her way back to her table, sliding back into her seat. 

“All good? That was fast.” 

“Oh I just said hi. She was busy with her family,” Hermione hated lying to her father. “I’m starting to get a headache. Is it okay if we head home?” 

“Of course, buttercup. I’ll get that nice witch to put this in a box for later. I can’t believe the ice cream place was able to give us a container that keeps ice cream frozen no matter the temperature. What will these witches and wizards think of next?” 

Hermione was nodding in response to her dad but hadn’t been paying attention. She couldn’t get the name Bella out of her head. “Who is she?” Hermione thought to herself as she watched from their table while her dad went to pay the witch for their meals. 

Andy had waited for Ted to go to the bathroom before sliding the fire whiskey back over to her sister, “drink it fast you little brat.” She watched Bella shoot the alcohol back before looking over her shoulder, “isn’t that Granger over there giving you the death stare?” 

“Hermione’s here?” Bella questioned before turning to look over her shoulder and saw Hermione standing up to leave with a man she assumed to be her father. She caught eyes with the other girl and gave a small wave. When Hermione just averted her eyes without acknowledging the wave, Bella shrugged and turned back, “must still be pissed about seeing Fleur kiss me at the ball. Granger is a piece of work.” She pointed to the glass in front of Andy, “can I have your shot too?” 

Andy slid the glass across the table and laughed, “you know all about being a piece of work.” 

Chapter Text

“Do I really have to go back to school?”

Andy just smiled at her sister while they waited for the Hogwarts express to pull up. “Let me rephrase that. Do I really have to go back on this incipient train? Can I not just floo into the headmaster’s office?”

Andy shook her head, “sorry honey. Minerva messaged and said all students must come back via the train.”

“Okay but did you press her on it. I’m hardly a conventional student here, Andy.”

Andy just put her arm around Bella’s shoulder and squeezed, “she didn’t seem to care at all. Seems you are just another student.”

“Fuck me,” she shrugged Andy’s arm off of her shoulders and tried to discretely look around the platform for Hermione. She hadn’t really thought about her since seeing her in Leaky last week. It’s not like they were owl mates. “At least Harry and Ron stayed at the castle so I won't have to sit with them. Maybe it’ll be a quiet train ride.”

“Maybe try to be nice to your classmates. Isn’t the whole reason you are here? You need Potter, don’t you?”

Bella scoffed, “I’m perfectly capable of figuring all of this out without his help.”

“Did Harry figure out the egg yet?”

Bella laughed, “please. I’m surprised he’s figured out how to tie his shoes.”

“He needs to hold it underwater but you didn’t hear that from me. Dora would be in so much trouble.”

Bella smirked, “so the second task it Mermaids then? Got it. I’ll help the idiot.”

“You can probably find some gillyweed along the lake close to the forest. I’m guessing he won’t figure that out by himself either.”

“Fine,” Bella sighed. “I’ll hold Potter’s hand through this task too but he’s on his own for the third one. Besides, I already found the gillyweed ages ago and gave some to Longbottom when he was sad one day. Never saw a guy light up about a weed before.”

“Seems you love helping out all of your classmates. A true Gryffindor,” she laughed at Bella’s disgusted face. “Maybe you’ll even help a Weasley one day.”

“I would rather die. Plus, a girl has her own life to live. Specifically trying to not end up in prison.”

“So any chance you are going to tell me what you saw in Sirius’s memories before you leave?”

“Oh look,” the Hogwarts express blew a warning whistle, “looks like I need to get going. Christmas was great. We should do it again sometime.” She stood up on her tiptoes and kissed her sister’s cheek, “owl me.”

“Cheeky little slag,” Andy laughed as her sister boarded the train. “Where is Granger?” She wondered to herself before waving to her sister when Bella flicked her off from her seat on the train.
*
Hermione had been more than a little confused when her mother came up to her bedroom the night before she was meant to go back to school with an owl from the headmaster. She immediately panicked thinking she had done something wrong but couldn’t recall having done anything to warrant her expulsion. It took a good five minutes of her rambling about school before her mother could calm her down to tell her that she wasn’t in trouble.

Hermione took the letter and read it, “he wants me to come back through the floo? That seems very unconventional.”

“Maybe it’s a good thing,” her mother already knew she would be having racing thoughts.

“I don’t think so mum,” Hermione pretended not to be worried about the letter so her mother would leave. Truthfully, Hermione didn’t get much sleep that night, worried about what the headmaster wanted to speak with her about.

When she exited the floor with her shrunken suitcase and crookshanks, she was met by Dumbledore and McGonagall staring right at her, “oh no,” she whispered to herself.

“Ahh right on time,” Dumbledore smiled. “Have a seat, Ms. Granger.”

“Am I in trouble?”

Minerva knew Hermione wouldn’t be receptive of Albus’s letter and told him as much but that man never listened, “no, Hermione. We just need to have a little chat with you before the other students get in.”

“Okay,” Hermione set her suitcase and her cat in her lap after taking a seat. “Can crooks stay? He can find his way to my dorm if you’d rather.”

“You can let the cat decide,” the headmaster told her. Hermione assumed Crooks understood as he immediately jumped down and made his way towards the hole in the side wall, “I get many visitors when familiars go wandering around the halls.”

“Is this because of the fight Cosette and I had before the holidays? Fighting outside the ball wasn’t the best look for the school and I apologize if that’s the reason I’m here.” Hermione looked up and saw her head of house trying to suppress a smile, “is that not it?”

“Dear,” McGonagall sat down in the seat next to her, “I’m sure it was an important fight but the squabbling of two teenage girls isn’t our first concern.”

“Then why couldn’t I take the train back to school.”

“How was your Christmas holiday, Hermione? Splendid I assume.”

Hermione was thrown off by the headmasters line of questioning but she knew better than to have any expectations when it came to that man, “they were fine. Thank you for asking.”

“And your lunch at Leaky the other day? How did that go?”

Hermione opened her mouth to speak but immediately shut it and turned towards her teacher. “Enough with the dramatics Albus. Get on with it. We all have other things we’d like to be doing.”

“Spoiling all my fun,” Dumbledore smiled at Hermione, “you saw Cosette at lunch? Did you not?”

“How did you know that? I did. And I went over to say hi to her but.”

“You overheard something you probably shouldn’t have heard, is that correct.”

Hermione shrugged, “actually I’m not entirely sure I understand what I heard.”

“May I ask what you might have thought you heard?”

“Well,” Hermione started worrying her bottom lip between her teeth. She would be lying if she said she hadn’t spent countless hours thinking about over the past week. “I thought I heard her cousin call her by a different name which didn’t make any sense to me. She called her Bella. Has Cosette been lying to me, to us this whole time? Did you know? What does it mean? I have so many questions and why did she call her Bella?”

“You are a very bright witch Hermione,” Minerva was giving Hermione a look she couldn’t quite figure out. “I think you already know the answers to almost all of those questions.”

“Precisely,” Dumbledore added. “We were told that you had spent a lot of time after hours in the library researching the Rosier family.”

“When Cosette first came to school, she defended me when Draco was saying disparaging things about muggleborns. I found it strange given her family’s history with you know who and their relation to other formidable families. I just didn’t expect any kindness from her.”

“And did you discover anything?”

Hermione shook her head, “nothing of interest.”

“Until your lunch?”

“I need to look back through the school records which I was planning on doing this week which come to think of it is really strange that I didn’t see anybody named Bella associated with the Rosier family though. So I’m not sure what that means.” She watched as Dumbledore looked towards Minerva. “Okay. Clearly I overlooked something.”

“We asked you here because Cosette is going to need support and we know you will figure out whatever it is you are looking for before Cosette is ready to talk. So we are simply asking you to wait for her to come to you,” Dumbledore responded.

“That doesn’t really tell me much,” Hermione had even more questions now. “Okay. Let me see if I have this right. There is something Cosette isn’t telling me and you know that I’ll figure it out but you don’t want me to confront her until she comes to me and tells me herself.”

“Precisely.”

“You had me floo here so I wouldn’t ask Cosette about any of this on the train.”

“Hermione, dear, Cosette is going to need you. Just be patient with her. Asking for help isn’t her strong suit at all.” McGonagall touched her shoulder, “we are just asking that you don’t make this harder for Cosette than it already is going to be.”

“Of course, Professor. Is there anything else?“

Minerva’s smile turned into a smirk, “do try not to punch any of the veelas out while they are here.”

Hermione tried not to look offended. So they had overheard the fight she had with Cosette, “okay. I’m just going to head to the dorms if that’s all right.”

“We will see you at the welcome back dinner tonight,” Minerva said before Hermione grabbed her bag and left the room.

“Albus, could you have been any more cryptic? Poor Hermione looked like her head was going to explode.”

Dumbledore thought it over, “I didn’t think it was that cryptic.”

“I say she has it figured out by the end of the week and she freaks out. I hope Bellatrix is ready to deal with her.”

“Now Minerva,” Dumbledore grabbed a piece of candy, “Ms. Granger promised her patience and she is eager to please you. I think she will do just fine.”

“Should we warn Bellatrix?”

“Give it a week and let’s see what plays out.”
*
Hermione made her way back to Gryffindor towers, greeting the Fat Lady as she approached and providing the password to gain entrance, “welcome back, Ms. Granger.”

“Thanks,” she entered through the portrait hole and saw Harry and Ron sitting in the common room.

“Hermione,” Harry jumped up, “your back early? We didn’t think the train was back yet.”

Hermione held in her cringe. Of course they hadn’t prepared her with a cover story as to why she beat the train. “My family was on holiday in Scotland so they were permitted to drop me off in Hogsmeade. Professor McGonagall permitted me to floo into her office from The Three Broomsticks. It’s no big deal.”

“No big deal?” Ron spoke up, “I didn’t even know students were allowed to come back any way other than the train. Blimey, that has to be a first in Hogwarts history.”

“I see the Christmas holiday hasn’t made you any less dramatic, Ronald.”

“Anything exciting happen over break?” Harry seemed to be refocusing on the leftover tension from Hermione's rejection of Ron prior to the holidays. “The most exciting thing that happened here was when Seamus lit one of the couches on fire practicing for potions.”

“I suppose it could’ve been worse if Neville had been tutoring him.”

“Seems I didn’t miss much around here.”

“Krum’s been looking for you almost daily. It’s been really annoying actually,” Harry rubbed the back of his head after Hermione smacked him.

“I expect that kind of comment from Ronald but not from you. He’s just eager for a friend here. I’ll talk to him tomorrow. I should go unpack my trunk before everybody else gets back and it’s a free for all in the dorms.”

“Hey Hermione?” She looked back at Ron, “any chance you could help us with our charms assignments? We did them, we just need you to tell us everything we did wrong.”

Hermione rolled her eyes, “we can go over them tomorrow. They aren’t due for a few days. Hey, Harry,” she pointed to the egg sitting on the couch next to him, “have you figured that out yet?”

“Working on it,” he shrugged his shoulders. “I still have a few weeks left, I think. I was thinking maybe I’ll ask Cosette when she has some free time.”

Hermione nodded and turned towards the girls' dormitories and she heard Harry whisper to Ron, “confirmed, they haven’t made up yet.”
*
Bella’s train ride was actually quite nice. It was quiet and thankfully her scowl kept all the other students from joining her in her cabin. The thestrals were waiting for the students to haul them back up to the castle and she stopped to pet the one that was supporting the carriage she eventually got onto, “you can see them too?”

Bella looked over at a blonde girl who had been looking at her with some sort of expectation on her face, “the thestrals? Of course. Can you?”

“I’ve been able to see them this whole time. Nobody believes me when I tell them they exist. It’s rather quite upsetting.”

“Yes,” Bella looked back at the beautiful creature, “I can see them just fine.”

“I’m Luna,” the blonde girl held out her hand but just shrugged and returned it to her lap when the other girl didn’t return the gesture.

“Cosette.”

“Hmm,” Luna tilted her head, “no I don’t think you are but it’s okay to have secrets.”

“What makes you think I’m lying?”

“You have so many nargles surrounding you. They said that Cosette isn’t your name but I won't say anything. It’s not like any one at school would believe me anyway. I don’t really have a lot of friends.”

Bella felt a little relieved, “neither do I. What year are you?”

“Third.”

“Fourth year. I’m older than everybody because of the transfer so it’s not like I’m miss popularity. Maybe if you need any help with your classes you can find me in the library.”

“Yes,” Luna smiled, “I think I would like that very much.”

The rest of the carriage ride went by quietly with Luna getting lost in her issue of the Quibbler and Bella trying to keep conversation to the minimum. She really didn’t want to have to entertain this girl for the whole ride even though she didn’t automatically hate her. “Straight to the great hall with you lot. Your bags will be transported to your dorm room,” Hagrid announced when the carriages came to a stop.

“Oh good,” Bella deadpanned, “dinner with people I don’t particularly want to see.”

“You can sit at the Ravenclaw table if you want,” Luna came up beside her, “we like everybody.”

“As fun as that sounds,” Bella started to walk, “I think I’ll just sit at my table.”

Luna shrugged, “maybe next time,” before skipping off and joining some of her classmates.

“Silly girl,” Bella scoffed. She stopped outside the doors to the great hall deciding if she actually wanted to go in there. She could just go down to the kitchens later. Winky took a liking to her and she was sure she could talk some food out of her.

“I sure hope you weren’t thinking about abandoning us on your first dinner back, Cosette,” Minerva came up behind her.

“Would you believe I wasn’t feeling well?”

“Not for one second,” McGonagall put her hand on Bella’s shoulder and started leading her to the dining hall. “You look perfectly fine to me.”

“Gee thanks,” Bella went somewhat willingly so as to not make a scene. “Am I allowed to sit with the Ravenclaws?”

“Students are permitted to sit at any table they wish outside of the welcome dinner and the close of school dinner. I would suggest sitting with your house tonight though.”

Bella just sighed, “fine. I suppose the twins are good enough company.”

Minerva noticed something off about her student, “are you okay? Did something happen over break?”

“I can’t really talk about it here but let’s just say I was made privy to someone’s memories and it painted me in a horrible light. The other me has stopped cooperating and I’m afraid I’m going to end up mentally insane. Oh and my one friend I had hates me because a girl likes me.”

Minerva tried not to smile at the last part of the mini rant, “come to my office tomorrow after classes and we can discuss the first parts of your troubles. I feel like the other part is something you can manage to sort out on your own?”

“Yes but I really don’t want to,” Bella thanked Minerva for her time and she told her she looked forward to being able to speak with her before making her way over to the table. There was an empty seat next to Hermione and while Bella wanted to slide in next to her and pretend everything was okay, she slid into the less complicated seat next to Harry. “Hello,” she said quickly, hoping nobody would really talk to her.

“Oh hello,” Harry scooted over a little so she would have more room, “good holiday?”

“Good enough and yours?”

“Seamus started a fire in the common room.”

“That sounds about right,” Bella chuckled, “any closer to figuring out that egg?”

“Everybody seems so obsessed with me and this bloody thing,” Harry pointed to the egg on the other side of him. “No. I’m not.”

“No need to bring out Sassy Potter. I have a suggestion. I’ll tell you about it later,” Bella started getting some food after Dumbledore finished his little speech and the food appeared.

“Are you just going to sneak back to school, sit down by Harry and think we wouldn’t notice you haven’t said hello to any of the rest of us?”

George elbowed his brother, “Freddy is right. We are hurt, Cosette. Hurt.”

Bella just rolled her eyes dramatically and flipped them off, “missed you too.”

“Hello Cosette.”

“Granger,” she offered as a greeting. “Other Weasleys.”

Hermione saw a look pass over Ron’s features and decided to be the bigger person, “how was your holiday?”

“It was passable. And yours? Did you have a nice lunch at leaky?”

So she had seen her the other day, “yes Dad and I go every year. I didn’t know you saw us.”

“No offense but your father is kind of hard to miss. He sticks out like a baby mooncalf in a herd of hippogriffs.”

That actually made Hermione genuinely smile, “dad gets super excited about any magical thing he gets to experience.”

“Kind of like our dad when he’s around muggle stuff,” Ginny looked up from the other side of her brothers.

“Exactly. He’s still put out that he’s not allowed to come to a game here. McGonagall said it would be different if I was on the team but I tried and failed explaining that to my dad.”

“Why weren’t you on the train today?”

Everyone turned and looked at Bella who abruptly changed the subject. She was only looking at Hermione now. No longer interested in the background conversation. Hermione had started explaining something about her family’s holiday in Scotland but Bella could see right through the faulty story. How would she have been on holiday and eating in Leaky at the same time. If she was going to lie, at least have a more believable story. Bella wasn’t going to press for more details at the table but she was now slightly suspicious of Hermione.

Fred whispered loudly to his brother, “Cosette must have missed Granger today or something.”

“Yeah,” Bella grabbed a little bit more food for her plate, “something like that.”
*
“Hey,” Harry caught up to Bella who had gotten out of the Great Hall as quickly as humanly possible not wanting to spend another minute when she wasn’t required.

“Listen. Not to be rude but I kind of do not want any company. I need to catch up on my school work.”

“Oh totally get it. So do I actually.”

Bella gave him a look, “weren’t you here all holiday?”

Harry shrugged, “well you know me.” Bella just nodded and continued to walk towards the staircases. “So I was kind of hoping you might tell me what you wanted to tell me about the egg.”

“Shh,” Bella grabbed his arm and pulled him behind a statue, “Potter, say it louder next time. Anybody could be listening. You know, your competition?”

“Oh well yeah. Sorry about that.”

“It’s like you don’t even want to win,” Bella couldn’t help the smirk.

“I do. Mainly to shove it in Ron’s face but a reason is a reason,” he smiled back at her.

“So you didn’t hear this from me but I heard from a very trustworthy source that you need to put it underwater.”

“It’s pretty cold to be in the Black Lake right now.”

Bella wanted to smack him but she settled for a scathing look instead, “I’m going to need you to use the full capacity of your brain here.”

“Well what do you suggest?”

“I suggest that you take that cloak of yours and go for a little walk,” she saw Harry’s jaw drop a little. “Close your mouth, you are bound to catch Phoenix shit that way. Don’t ask how I know about it. We don’t have time for that. Use your cloak and sneak into the prefect’s bathroom. Oh and maybe use your map to make sure it’s not a night Snape or Moody are on duty. They seem to have different agendas regarding you.” Bella peaked her head out from behind the statue, “okay. Now let’s get out of here before people catch us and think we are snogging or something.”
*
Bella made her way into the dormitory hoping that she wouldn’t run into anybody so she could just grab her books and be off to the library. Did she really have work to do? No but she also didn’t feel like socializing with anyone. She got her History of Magic essay that she had been working on, her textbook and her journal. At least this way people couldn’t snoop too much. Madam Pince was already under instruction to allow her to stay late at the library if she wanted and had yet to cash in on the privilege but today seemed as good a day as any.

Bella wasn’t surprised by how many students were in the library scrambling to get their assignments done at the last minute. She chuckled to herself knowing her Andy was probably doing the same back in 1967. She would always join her sister the night they returned to help her get everything finished that she forgot to do over break.

Bella kept her eyes down after giving a little wave to the librarian and making her way back to her favorite table nestled near the restricted section. One aisle before her destination she heard a familiar French accent call her name, “Cosette!”

Bella sighed. The girl seemed way too chipper to see her, “Fleur, how was your holiday?”

The girl leaned in and kissed both of Bella’s cheeks, “it would’ve been better if you had stayed at the castle.”

“My family was eager to have me come home.”

“Not even an owl? I thought we had a nice time at the ball.”

Bella groaned internally but kept her smile, “of course we did. I was just so busy. My apologies. I’m back now. There is plenty of time to catch up.”

“Would you like to sit with us, Cosette?” Fleur pointed back to her table where her sister and a few of Fleur’s friends were giving her little waves.

“I would love to but I should probably finish this essay for Professor Binns. Come find me tomorrow?”

Fleur said goodbye after a few more minutes of holding Bella hostage before she finally left to make her way back to her favorite table. It seemed someone was already sitting at her favorite table, “Granger.”

“Cosette,” Hermione said, not looking up from her books.

Bella didn’t want to unpack whatever Hermione had been feeling but it seemed her sitting at the table she knew Bella claimed as her own was some sort of sign, “you are sitting at my table.”

Hermione looked at her spread open books on the table, “hmm. I didn’t see a reserved sign.”

Bella kept her mouth from dropping at the audacity of the girl. She scoffed, “semantics, everybody knows this is my table.”

“There’s plenty of room for you,” Hermione motioned to the seat she knew Cosette usually preferred.

Bella rolled her eyes before putting her books down, taking her usual seat. She opened her history of magic book but instantly moved her journal in front of her, “why are you even here? You can’t possibly expect me to believe you didn’t complete all of your assignments.”

“It doesn’t hurt to get ahead,” Hermione shrugged. “Plus Ron was already asking for my help with his studies and I wasn’t feeling particularly social tonight.”

“Can’t blame you there. Helping Weasley is the last thing I’d fill my social calendar up with.” When Hermione finally looked up at her and smiled Bella felt herself relax, “I mean I already offered the most basic remedial help to Potter today. We can not be spreading our charity throughout the whole school. I do not know about you but I have a reputation to uphold.”

“You were giving Harry school advice?”

“Something like that,” Bella wrote the word egg on a slip of parchment and slid it across the table.

“Fred was spreading a rumor that he saw you snogging Harry behind one of the statues downstairs. This makes so much more sense.”

“Freddy is talking shit? I kill that Weasley too if I must.” As the words came out of her mouth she felt a twinge of guilt from watching Sirius’s memories, “well I won’t actually kill him but I’ll make him regret spreading nasty little rumors.”

Hermione noticed the sudden change, “are you okay, Cosette?”

“Perfectly fine,” she waved the thought off dismissively. “Anyway,” she continued, “I thought showing up to the ball with a girl would make it clear that I do not prefer the company of men but I guess Gryffindors can be a little thick.”

Bella saw a little blush pink Hermione’s cheeks and waited to see if she would comment but when she did not she just turned her attention back to her journal. It had been over a week since the other Bella had written to her even though she had explained everything that happened during Christmas with Sirius. Bella wanted to light the damn thing on fire and just ask Dumbledore to send her back because clearly whatever was supposed to happen wasn’t happening. Everything was quiet until Bella heard Fleur and her friends get up to leave. She heard Hermione say something under her breath but nothing was said out loud. Bella went back to journaling after she heard the girls saying goodbye to the librarian and the library doors closing.

“Are you really going to date Fleur?”

Bella didn’t need to look up to feel Hermione’s eyes on her, “would it bother you if I did?”

“Yes.”

“Then I won’t,” was the simple reply before she heard the other girl begin to write on her parchment again.

Before Bella had a chance to say anything else, a message came through her journal in all capital letters that just read, “I think we have a problem.”

“Obviously.”

“What?”

Bella looked up to see Hermione staring at her. She hadn’t meant to say that outloud. “Oh. It’s nothing. Just classwork.”

Hermione looked at her for a moment before accepting her answer and continuing her studies.

“Hermione?”

“Yes?”

“Do you think people are born inherently evil?”

Hermione put her quill down and looked at Cosette. She saw something different in her eyes. A flicker of vulnerability that she had never seen before, “what do you mean?”

“Never mind,” Bella tried to turn back to her journal but Hermione spoke again.

“”No. Please. I’m listening.”

Bella sighed, “when a baby is born, do you think if that baby is meant to be an evil person that the evilness is already inside of them? Or do you think it’s something that needs to be learned?”

“Well I guess I never really thought about it.”

“Forget it.”

“No,” Hermione wasn’t going to let her dismiss the conversation so fast. Was this part of the patience that Dumbledore and McGonagall were trying to talk to her about? “I don’t believe babies are born inherently evil.”

“So you think evil is learned behavior?”

“I think that a child’s upbringing has a lot to do with the person they are meant to become.”

Bella nodded, “do you think being evil is something that can be unlearned?”

“Cosette? Are you okay?”

Bella immediately sat up a little straighter, “yes.” They stared at each other for quite awhile before Bella eventually sighed realizing Hermione wasn’t backing down, “no. I am not okay.”

Bella looked back down and another note came across the page, “Andy found the journal. I’ll take care of her.”

“Cosette?” Hermione saw the color drain from Cosette’s face. “What do you need?”

Bella stood suddenly and closed up her book, “I need to go. Sorry.”

Before Hermione could even formulate a response the other girl was already gone from the library. “Patience isn’t my strong suit,” Hermione pulled out a rather large scroll she had tucked under the table when she heard Cosette talking to Fleur. “Stupid of me to be looking only at the Rosier family,” she had started her research there again. She also placed a big book on the table and flipped it open, “Dora is training to be an auror so she can’t be that much older than Fred and George. Last name, Tonks,” she started sifting through recent student logs at Hogwarts prior to her coming to school and finally found a Tonks in the records. “Nymphadora?” Hermione laughed, “it’s cute.” She noted that her parents were Edward and Andromeda Tonks. “That must be Mrs. Tonk’s name. Okay, Andromeda. I feel like I’m getting somewhere now. Surely there can’t be a bunch of Sacred 28’s running around with the name Andromeda.”

Hours had gone by and Hermione was fairly certain the library closed but she couldn’t abandon her research. After what seemed like forever she finally located a listing for Andromeda Black. “Black family scroll it is. Prior to this, Hermione never really researched the Sacred 28 but she was learning about their involvement in the first wizarding war and she was rather disturbed by a lot of what she found. Hermione was walking back to the table when she stopped in her tracks. Cosette had returned and was looking at all of the books, scrolls and newspaper clippings that were spread across the table. “You came back?”

Bella looked at the spread and the over at Hermione’s open notebook which had pages of notes she had written about the Rosier family down to Andromeda Black written and circled at the bottom of the page. She saw the scroll in Hermione’s hand which was labeled The Noble and Most Ancient House of Black. Panic settled somewhere deep within Bella. It was a feeling she only really ever encountered from her Father before and she wasn’t quite sure what to do about any of this but she was here for a reason and she couldn’t do it alone anymore. “Please don’t open that,” she pointed to the scroll in Hermione’s arms.

“Okay,” Hermione handed it over to the girl. “Is there any particular reason you don’t want me to look at it?”

Bella nodded, “look, Hermione. I don’t trust anybody. Well I take that back,” she started pacing, “I kind of trust my sisters but even that’s minimal at best. I need help here and for some reason my brain is telling me that I can trust you. I don’t get it and I tried to push it away but I can’t anymore. Things have gotten bad, way worse than I had originally predicted and I can’t do this alone.”

Hermione made her way over to where the other girl was pacing and reached out, touching her shoulder, “you have sisters?”

“I do.” Bella stopped and nodded, “there’s a few things I need to tell you and I’m not entirely sure you will still like me after you hear everything.”

Chapter Text

Bella spent a good few hours pacing around the common room after everyone else had gone to bed but her mind couldn’t settle. Why did 1967 Andromeda have the book? How did she even get her hands on it? Why hadn't Bellatrix been paying closer attention to sister? What was even happening? What did she mean by she’ll take care of it? Honestly, Bella didn't want to know the answer to any of those questions. She thought about making a floo call to Andy but she figured it was pointless. This Andy would’ve mentioned if she had ever seen the journal so Bella was guessing some sort of obliviate charm though she wasn’t quite proficient at it yet. 

Bella couldn’t believe she would’ve cursed her own sister but there was no other explanation as to why Andy wouldn’t remember this happening. “I know what I need to do,” Bella had been pacing the floor in front of her bunk for awhile now. Luckily all of the other students were sound asleep. She sat down at her desk and pulled her journal out rereading what Bellatrix had written, “I need to convince her to give the journal back to Andy. I need to warn her or talk her into helping me. Maybe getting my sister's help is what I needed to do this whole time. Dumbledore is an idiot.” If Bellatrix had been upfront with Andy from the beginning in 1967 then Andy could’ve helped to ensure that things wouldn’t be this fucked up. “Okay,” she tapped her quill against her chin, “how the fuck do I do this without sounding like I’m not with Bellatrix here.” She cast a spell causing a clock to appear with the time, “I don’t suppose Minerva is awake.” The clock showed it was well past 1 in the morning. She got up and started pacing again, “where is Granger?” She desperately didn’t want to ask the brunette for help. This was something she was supposed to be doing alone but her other self went and fucked it all up. 

“Maybe I can just tell her a little,” Bella grabbed her journal and her wand. She didn’t have an invisibility cloak or the map so she was just going to go for it and claim sleep walking if she got caught. On her way out of the dorm, she ran into Harry coming back from what she assumed to be his bath, “Potter.” 

“What are you doing out of bed?” 

“I could ask the same of you but from the state of you, I’d say you went for that bath?” 

Harry smiled at her, “you are bloody brilliant, I could kiss you.” 

“Then I’d have to curse you and I’m far too busy for that tonight, Potter. What did you find out?” 

He cleared his throat, “oh it’s mermaids. So I guess now I have to learn how to breathe underwater. That’ll be fun. But at least the egg has been sorted.” 

“One problem at a time, Potter,” she waited to see if he was going to turn at walk away and when he didn’t she added, “you should probably get to bed. First day back to class and everything tomorrow.” 

“Yeah right,” he looked at her for a moment. “Goodnight, I guess.” 

“Night,” Bella stood and watched him walk towards the boy dorm and stop. “I’m not letting you kiss me, Potter.” 

Harry laughed, “no. I was just going to say. If you are sneaking out, take this.” Bella caught the cloak Harry had thrown in her direction. “You knew about it so I assume you know what it is. Wouldn’t want to get caught by Flich. Though I think Peeves and Mrs. Norris can see through it so be careful.” 

“Thanks, Potter. Goodnight,” she threw the cloak over herself and headed out the portrait hole. 

Thankfully, it was a clear and easy path to the library and even though she was fully covered, there was nobody that would’ve spotted her, the castle seemed like a proverbial ghost town without the ghosts. She when she got there, Bella quietly pushed the door to the library open and snuck inside. She made her way back to her favorite table and stopped when she saw everything laid out in front of her. Hermione wasn’t where she had left her but it seemed like the Gryffindor had been doing a little research of her own. “Well fuck,” she thought to herself and she grabbed Hermione’s notes full of facts on the Rosier family. When she got to the last page and saw Andy’s name written on the bottom with four lines under the name Black, she started panicking. She closed the notebook and held it close to her chest. All she could do was pace while she thought of an explanation for all of this. She had to try to explain it away. The girl was too close, “didn’t you come here to ask for her help?” Bella laughed, “maybe I am just crazy. Lock me up in Azkaban. I’ve already got a head start on the lunacy.” Bella wasn’t sure but she could surmise that this is what a muggle panic attack felt like. She was in over her head and needed someone. 

Bella was pulled out of her panic only slightly when she heard the other girl, “you came back?” 

Bella nodded. She noticed that Hermione was holding the family lineage for the Noble and Most Ancient House of Black. “Please don’t open that,” she pointed to the scroll in Hermione’s arms. 

“Okay,” Hermione handed it over to the girl. “Is there any particular reason you don’t want me to look at it?” 

Bella nodded, “look, Hermione. I don’t trust anybody. Well I take that back,” she started pacing, “I kind of trust my sisters but even that’s minimal at best. I need help here and for some reason my brain is telling me that I can trust you. I don’t get it and I tried to push it away but I can’t anymore. Things have gotten bad, way worse than I had originally predicted and I can’t do this alone.” 

Hermione made her way over to where the other girl was pacing and reached out, touching her shoulder, “you have sisters?” 

“I do.” Bella stopped and nodded, “there’s a few things I need to tell you and I’m not entirely sure you will still like me after you hear everything.” 

“Okay,” Hermione sat down in her seat waiting to hear whatever Cosette had to say. “I’m listening. No judgement. You can trust me, Cosette.” 

Bella sighed, her head dropped at the name, “this is really hard for me, Hermione. I have never once asked for help from anyone in all of my 16 years of life.” 

“Why don’t we start with that?” 

Bella looked down at the scroll she was holding in one hand and her journal in the other one, “which one?” 

Hermione shrugged, “I have a feeling they are both connected. Why don’t you start at the beginning?” 

Bella nodded and walked over to the table, “let’s start here,” she pointed to Hermione’s notebook where Andy’s name was underlined four times. 

“What are the two of you still doing in here?” Madam Pince came from around the corner. “It is almost 2 in the morning. Explain this to me.” 

Hermione looked at Cosette and panicked, “we lost take of time.”

Bella nodded, “exactly. Wanted to get ahead in our coursework.” 

Madam Pince looked at the vast amount of notes laying on the table and seemed to take the excuse at face value which both girls were happy for, “extra permissions or not, this is unacceptable ladies. I will have a talk with the headmaster about this in the morning. Now, clean this up and head back to the tower. I will follow behind to make sure you go where you are meant to be.” 

Bella nodded and started to help pack up Hermione’s research. She looked at her friend who mouthed “I’m sorry” to her. All she could do was shrug. She guessed her predicament wasn’t going to be solved in one night. 

*

It had been a whole three weeks of classes and other inconveniences that made it impossible for Bella to get Hermione alone. There had only been spotty updates from Bellatrix and nothing more where Andy was concerned and she was getting desperate to attempt to get Hermione on her side. It seemed like there was an obstacle around every corner. January was nearly over and everybody was talking about Valentine’s Day and the golden eggs. All Bella was concerned about was getting more information out of Bellatrix. 

“I’m tired of waiting,” she decided when she strolled into transfiguration and slid Hermione a piece of parchment. 

Hermione just took the piece of paper and tucked it into her robe’s pocket which infuriated Bella even more, “you are meant to read that, pet.” 

Hermione just looked at her and motioned to the front of the class where an already exasperated Minerva was standing with her arms crossed, peering over her half moon glasses, “something you would like to share with your classmates, Cosette?” 

“Of course not. My apologies Professor, I was just lending Hermione my potions notes so she doesn’t fall behind,” her smirk grew when she felt the death stare burning into the side of her head. “Carry on. We are here to learn.” 

Hermione just sat there staring at the side of her head with her mouth open. Bella smirked and whispered, “if you keep your mouth open like that you are bound to catch phoenix shit at some point. That’s good though as we might need to for a spell or something.” 

Bella heard Hermione grumble something under her breath before turning back to the front of the classroom. She looked at the other girl for a moment noticing how cute she looked when she was mad before shaking the thought out of her head and turning towards the front. 

“Cosette, please stay after class, I’d like a moment with you.” 

Bella sighed, “fine,” feeling a satisfied expression on Hermione’s face without having to look. 

Hermione left transfiguration alone since her table mate was asked to stay behind. She desperately wanted to see McGonagall lecture Cosette for being late as well as interrupting class but knew that now wasn’t the time to get on her bad side. Thankfully it was Friday and there was only double potions standing in the way of Hogsmeade weekend. It felt like forever since they got a chance to go to the wizarding village and Hermione had been greatly looking forward to it. 

Since that night in the library, she hadn’t gotten another chance to speak with Cosette alone nor did she continue her research. She noticed her retreating more and more into herself, pacing a lot at night and furiously scribbling in her journal. Hermione wanted to help. She just didn’t know what to do or what the problem even was but it was clearly eating away at Cosette. 

“Coming to potions?” Harry asked when they made it out into the hallway. 

“I’ll be there in a minute,” she waved her friends off. “Oh right?” She pulled out the note Cosette had written her. 

Meet me down by the black lake tomorrow along the edge of the forbidden forest. I have somethings that I would like to show you. 

“Well okay then,” Hermione folded the note and put it back into her robes. “I guess she’s not going to be at the library again tonight.”  

*

Bella had gotten up early and made her way into Hogsmeade with Minerva’s permission, of course. 

“I’m going to tell Granger,” Bella had blurted out as soon as her and McGonagall were alone. “I almost already did but we got kicked out of the library.” 

“I heard something about a couple of wandering Gryffindors. If I may ask, why now?” 

Bella shrugged, “she just about bloody well figured out and something’s happened with Bellatrix. I need her help.” 

“Do we need to have another meeting with the headmaster?” 

Bella shook her head, “I truly mean no offense when I say that the headmaster never really helps. I think Granger might be able to help me come up with something.” 

Minerva noticed the way Bella’s face worried, “but?” 

“I guess I'm scared that when she finds out I’m not Cosette she’ll be afraid of me or something. It’s stupid. I shouldn’t care. If everything works out, I’ll be back home with my sisters and nobody will care or remember.” 

“Bellatrix, everybody will care. If this is successful you have the chance of changing the future through the past. And if it doesn’t work out, you are still loved and cherished by me and Andromeda. We will work out the whole prison thing at a later date. Now, tell me about your plans for tomorrow.” 

“Well I was kind of hoping you’d let me leave school grounds before everybody. I liked to go and clear my head before I meet up with Hermione,” she noticed McGonagall’s half smile, “I mean Granger.” 

Bella had already been sitting along the Black Lake for over an hour. It was chilly but she had perfected her warming charm in her first year and it was keeping her warm enough. She was staring down at her journal. There hadn’t been any real journal entries since Bellatrix told her she was going to take care of Andy, just spotty updates of how she was getting on with the Lestrange brothers. Well that was entirely true, Bella had been writing everyday with her own updates. She knew threatening Bellatrix wouldn’t help the situation so she was just acting like nothing had happened. Desperately trying anything to get the other version of herself to talk. 

“You can do this. Just be honest. Tell her everything,” Bella shook her head, “okay maybe not everything. Just tell her what she needs to know. Get her to help and then go back to 1967. Easy as that.” 

She pulled out a little napkin with some grapes tucked away in them and a couple of orange slices. She waited until she saw small bubbles start to appear on the water. “Hello,” she saw one large tentacle emerge first from the lake, “I knew you couldn't stay away.” The tentacle landed on the grassy area next to Bella. She put a grape on one of the suckers, “here you go. Grapes and oranges. I know they are your favorite.” The tentacle didn’t move, “fine,” she rolled her eyes and gave her an orange as well. “So spoiled.” 

Bella heard a noise to her left and thought it might have been Hermione but it seemed that a few puffskeins had rolled over next to her, “oh hello. I wasn’t expect to see any of you here today. Isn’t it a little cold for you to be away from your nest? Lucky for you, I always come prepared.” She pulled a couple hunks of bread out of her robes that she smuggled from breakfast. 

Hermione stood just out of sight watching Cosette interact with the magical creatures. She heard the other girl start to talk in a different dialect and the tentacle appeared. Cosette laughed and Hermione heard her say, “I’m working on it.” She had remembered on their last trip to Hogsmeade Cosette told her she had been learning different dialects. “She is the most confusing person I've ever met.” 

“I think I will ask her to be my Valentine,” Hermione heard coming from the path leading into the town from school. 

Hermione didn’t have to turn to know it was Fleur. It seems she was still keen on courting Cosette even after the dark haired witch stopped talking to her almost completely besides a few pleasantries. She really did try to not overhear the conversation but her curiosity really did kill her sometimes. Maybe this is why people think she could’ve been a Ravenclaw. “Of course she’s interested in you,” one of Fleur’s friends said, “she has eyes doesn’t she?” 

Hermione scoffed, “she hangs around that Granger girl. You do not think Cosette is interested in that girl do you?” 

Hermione held her breathe waiting for the reply but all that’s came was the laughter from the group of girls as they made their way out of earshot, “do not punch a Veela. Do not punch a Veela,” was she inner mantra as she turned her attention back to Cosette and the creatures. 

“Are you going to stand behind that tree all day and stalk me or are you actually going to come over here and speak with me?” 

“Hi,” Hermione couldn’t believe she was caught snooping. “I wasn’t stalking you. I was tying my boot.” 

“Sure you were,” Bella looked up and noticed that it had started gently snowing. “Come sit down. I have a warming spell on. I think that’s what drew the puffskeins over. They are friendly. No need to be scared of them. Think of them as very large gerbils or whatever muggles keep as pets.” 

“I know they are friendly,” Hermione kept the annoyance out of her voice, “I just haven’t been around them outside of the classroom. Not all of us have a desire to communicate with creatures through their native dialect.” 

“Hmm,” Bella hid her smirk when Hermione sat down and the puffskeins rolled away from her and closer to herself. “Seems you might be a bit jealous that you can’t talk to them, Granger. I can help you learn.” 

“If I wish to learn other dialects, I will be able to figure it out on my own” Hermione hated that Cosette was not only smart but was able to  get under her skin so quickly. “You wished to see me? Along the lake bank near the forbidden forest? Couldn’t have met inside the shrieking shack?” 

“Scared Granger? No need to be. I can keep you safe out here. Plus, I wanted to show you something.” 

“Oh,” Bella noticed a slight disappointment in the other girl’s tone. “What is it then?” 

“Look down there by the water? See that plant?” 

“Yes. But what does that have to do with anything.” 

“It’s gillyweed. Didn’t Potter tell you what was inside of his egg?” 

“Mermaids.” 

“Yes and?” 

Hermione’s face lit up, “and he can take the gillyweed and breath underwater for the duration of whatever the trial is. Cosette you really are quite a clever witch.” 

Bella smiled, “umm thanks. So the gillyweed that is growing down there is rather young. However at the beginning of the term, I gifted some to Longbottom. He was going to replant it. I’m guessing it’s mature enough to have the desired effects for Potter. Maybe you can take some of these baby ones to Longbottom and get some of the mature plant to give to him. I have it on good faith that he hasn’t worked out a way to breathe under water yet. This will help him out.” 

“Why didn’t you just do all this yourself?” 

“And sully my reputation of being unapproachable and bitchy? I don’t think so. Plus, I already told Harry how to open the egg. I don’t want him getting the impression that I like him or anything.” 

Hermione pulled the other girl into a hug, “this is the best news ever,” she squeezed her tighter. “I could just kiss you.” 

Bella cleared her throat. The feeling was mutual but she got nervous, “you may not feel the same way when I show you the rest of what I brought you out here for.” 

“To continue our talk from the library?”

“I know you’ve doubted me since the moment I arrived. I could see it on your face, the comments you’d make, questioning me, my magic and my past.” 

“Cosette, stop.” 

“When I tell you everything I need to tell you, I need you to promise me two things. Okay?” 

Hermione bit her bottom lip. Was she really ready to hear whatever it was Cosette was about to tell her? Sure, she was curious but what if it was something bad. 

“I need you to promise me here, pet. This is important. First, I need you to promise that you aren’t going to go run and tell Potter and Weasley what I share with you. The less people who know the better and before you ask, the professors are already aware and McGonagall knows I’m speaking with you. I’m sure Albus does as well. Second promise,” Bella looked away for a minute. She knew this was going to sound desperate but she honestly didn’t care. “I need you to promise me that you won’t freak out on me. It’s going to be a lot but I truly do respect you as a witch and I think you’ll be able to help me figure some of this out but if you are just going to get all weird and freak out then I’m better off not telling you.” She finally looked back over at Hermione, “can you promise those two things?” 

“Yes,” and Hermione truly believed she could promise those things to Cosette especially since McGonagall apparently already knew what was coming. “I can keep your secrets.” 

Bella took a deep breath in and held it for a moment before exhaling, “I could use a cigarette right now.” 

“Is your secret that you smoke? Because my parents wouldn’t approve of it being dentists and all but smoking isn’t the end of the world.” 

Bella just looked at her, “do you honestly think I’d go through all this trouble to tell you I was a smoker?” She couldn’t help the little chuckle that followed, “you really are something, Granger.” 

“Okay,” Hermione felt herself relaxing a little. “Then what is it?” 

“My name isn’t Cosette.” She looked at Hermione and waited to see if there would be any change to her facial expression and when there wasn’t she continued, “but I have a strong sense that you already know this.” 

“Tell me.” 

“My name is Bellatrix Black. Hi, I’m Bella. It’s nice to meet you, Hermione.” 

Chapter Text

“My name is Bellatrix Black. Hi, I’m Bella. It’s nice to meet you, Hermione.”

She sat there with her hand extended, feeling like a right idiot waiting for the other girl to do anything. Was she in shock? Was she disgusted? Did she want to hex Bella away from her? “Okay,” she put her hand down, “not sure what to do now.” Hermione was still looking at the girl but hadn’t said anything yet. Bella whispered, “do you want me to go back to being Cosette?”

“Bellatrix Black,” Hermione finally repeated, “as in Andromeda’s older sister.”

“Technically yes.”

“But you just turned 16.”

Bella was actually surprised that Hermione hadn’t just slapped her and ran straight to the nearest auror. “I did.”

“I don’t know much about The Blacks except for what I’ve researched about your cousin Sirius. Don’t think me rude but are you not locked up serving a life’s sentence in Azkaban?”

“So you do know who I am? Or I guess who I am in your time. And you are still here talking to me, why?”

Hermione shrugged, “I’ve always been very curious minded. This makes so much sense now when I was searching the Rosier family why I never found you. I knew you didn’t exist. Well you do but Cosette doesn’t.” She saw Bella just staring at her with a slightly amused look on her face. “How are you here? Why are you here? Why were you using a fake name? Does anybody else know who you are? Are you still in Azkaban? I don’t know much about your family but what I learned about Andromeda and Dora, I wouldn’t think you’d want to speak with me given my blood status. I have so many questions.”

“I see that,” Bella only felt slightly upset when she mentioned her blood status. She pulled out her journal, “I guess we can start with this.” She opened her journal and pulled out the letters she received from Albus and Minerva on the first night of term. “This might help a little but honestly it’s done nothing for me.”

Hermione took the letters that were offered to her. It’s not like she could even stop herself from reading them. She needed to know everything now. The flood gates were open and there was no stopping them, “what was in the box?” She hurried to the second letter and gasped, “my time turner. That’s why Professor McGonagall wanted it back?”

“That’s what you got out of all of this?” Bella couldn’t help but chuckle. “You are an enigma, Hermione.”

“Says the girl who is literally split in two in two different times. Wait, so how are you communicating? It’s the journal isn’t it? I knew there was something off about that journal.”

“Oh did you now?”

“Well no but I had a hunch. Couldn’t prove it. So this other you?”

Bella shrugged, "Dumbledore said she’s sort of a horcrux which doesn’t bode well for me in the end but anything has to be better than Azkaban.”

“Wait wait wait,” Hermione handed her back the letters, “start at the beginning and tell me everything.”

Bella started with the train ride to Hogwarts and how she wasn’t particularly looking forward to the year but was excited to be away from home. She went to to talk about how gobsmacked she was when she drank the potion without hesitation and another fucking Bellatrix showed up next to her. She went on to describe the awkward reintroduction to Andy and meeting her daughter. Hermione sat and listened intently with minimal interruptions as Bella recounted everything that she had experienced this year.

“You had Christmas with Sirius?”

Bella nodded, “I overheard Potter talking to him in the floo and wanted to see if there was anything he might be able to tell me about me. You know the crazy lunatic who is locked up. It was truly enlightening and I’d be remiss if I didn’t say that it fucked me up for a few days.”

Hermione sat for a few minutes letting everything the other girl had just told her sink in, “why now?”

Bella laughed, “unsurprisingly Minerva asked me the same question.”

“So?”

Bella let the question hang between them for a few minutes. The giant squid tentacle had reappeared for her next treat and she saw the brunette shift uncomfortably away from the squid, “she won’t hurt you.” Bella handed Hermione an orange slice, “just hold the orange in your palm and she’ll do all the work. It’s not about her being bigger than you or her being scary. It’s about building trust and eventually caring for each other in ways you didn’t think were possible.”

Hermione took the orange and placed it in her open palm. Sure enough after a few moment, the tentative tentacle reached out and slowly took the orange from her hand. She hadn’t realized she had been holding her breath until the squid arm disappeared back into the water, “oh my gosh. I did it. I fed the giant squid!”

“See and she didn’t even think about killing you.”

“Did you use legilmens on her?”

Bella shook her head, “I didn’t have to. I know her, Hermione. She’s a gentle soul just entirely misunderstood. She just needs people to give her a chance.”

Hermione looked at Bella who had been watching the black lake. Snow flurries had fallen and gotten stuck in her black curls. She looked captivating. She felt like she should’ve been mad at the entire situation but regardless she felt something for the other girl and couldn’t help herself, “why me?”

Bella let out a little laugh, “I truly have no idea. Things changed back in my time. I feel it and I see it in the journal. I feel like I’m failing here and jail is inevitable. The only thing that makes sense to me right now is you, Hermione. It is inexplicable and I’m lost but I just feel like you understand me. That you get me. I feel like you won’t judge me and you’ll help.”

Hermione took the opportunity to slide a little closer, “I trust you, too.”

Bella shook her head again, “I’m not the lunatic who is in prison, Hermione.”

“I never said you were,” Hermione’s voice was almost a whisper.

“So,” Bella looked over at Hermione. She had never felt so vulnerable in her life. Not even after a beating from her father, “you’ll help me.”

“Of course,” Hermione wanted to reach out and grab her hand but she didn’t know exactly what was going on with them. “So what’s changed?”

“Here,” Bella handed Hermione the journal. “Some of the stuff in there might be a little upsetting. I apologize if I come off as a bitch at any point. You bring out my competitive side and I don’t have quidditch to work that out.”

Hermione laughed, “you are one of the most infuriating people I have ever met in my life.”

“I take that as a badge of honor,” Bella watched Hermione crack the journal open. “Maybe it would be better if you read that without me sitting next to you. I overheard Potter talking about you slugging my nephew last year and I don’t think I want to be on the receiving end of those fists.”

Hermione looked up from the journal, “your nephew. That’s a bit odd, isn’t it?”

Bella cackled, “you are telling me.”

“I won’t punch you. You can stay.”

Bella turned her attention back to the little puffskeins that were still hanging around. One of them had found their way into Bella’s warm lap. At some point she had absentmindedly starting petting the little creature who was now fast sleep. When she heard Hermione snort she figured she must have made it to the testicle head part of the journal. That seemed to be a big hit to everyone who read through the entries.

Hermione lightly closed the journal, “so you think I’m brilliant.”

Bella’s jaw dropped, “all of that and that’s why you got out of there?”

Hermione reached over and tapped Bella’s bottom lip, “what is it you told me in McGonagall’s class? Oh that’s right, you are bound to catch Phoenix shit if you keep your mouth open.”

“But we might need it for a spell,” Bella smirked at Hermione, throwing her own words back at her.

“Do you think Andromeda is safe back in your time?”

“That’s the thing,” Bella sighed, “this Andy didn’t mention a damn thing to me about the journal. I’m afraid Bellatrix must have obliviated her. And just between you and me, she’s not up to par of memory charms yet.”

“Well it seems your sister does have her memories so your other self didn’t pull a Gilderoy on her.”

Bella’s turned, her face full of confusion, “who?”

“Be glad you weren’t here two years ago,” she briefly told Bella of their second year Dark Arts teacher.

“What an idiot,” Bella cackled. “Even at 16 I’m more talented than that.”

“Why do you think Bellatrix changed so suddenly?”

Bella shrugged, “I was hoping you could help me out with this. I haven’t a clue. The year is slowly escaping me and per my sister, my change happened around Christmas which we are already past. I feel like I already failed.”

“You can’t give up,” Hermione opened the journal again, reading over the last few journal entries. “There has to be clues in here.”

“Your guess is as good as mine,” Bella had been over and over this for the last month and a half and best she could come up with that she finally snapped from all the crucio curses her father gave to her. “I’ve got to talk to my sister.”

“Do you want to floo her tonight? After everyone else has gone to bed?”

“No,” she shook her head, “not Andy now, 1967 Andy.” She looked over and saw Hermione thinking, “careful. You might pull something if you think too hard over there, Granger.”

“You already have an idea?” She saw Bella smirking, “and you aren’t going to tell me are you?”

“Depends on if I’m right or not. Up for another late night castle exploration?”

“You are determined to get us kicked out of school, aren’t you?”

“Please the twins have done way worse. Plus, Albus needs me.”

Hermione looked over at the other girl. She looked hopeful, tired and utterly breathtaking all at the same time. She knew she should be scared and cautious but she didn’t feel anything different knowing the truth. This wasn’t whoever was locked up in Azkaban. Whatever crimes the adult committed weren’t done by her friend. She was just a girl who was trying to do right by her sisters and fix the world for the better. If she was successful, the wizarding world could be a very different place, “okay I’ll help. But what is it you said to me when we ventured to the kitchens?”

“If we get caught I’m throwing you under the knight bus?”

Hermione saw the genuine smile and relief shining across Bella’s face, “exactly.”

“Deal,” Bella took her journal back and stuffed it into her robes’ pocket. “Should we go into Hogsmeade and do normal student things now? I think that’s enough heaviness for one afternoon. Plus, I really need some candy and a butterbeer.”
*
It had been another week of studies and trying to find time to communicate with each other that ended up in failure each time. When they weren’t in class or doing their studies, Potter had monopolized most of their time trying to figure out how to breathe underwater. It wasn’t until Hermione pulled him aside and handed him the gillyweed she had successfully traded with Neville.

Bella had been awake for a few minutes before turning to the window. It looked like dawn was just approaching them. No classes today and most of the students would be in Hogsmeade for their Valentine’s Day dates. Everybody was shocked when Dumbledore announced the bonus Hogsmeade day during dinner at the beginning of the week. “What’s so special about Valentine’s Day?” She mumbled to herself after the announcement. She had different plans for her and Hermione but first she needed to send a letter to her niece before anyone else got up to the owlry.

Bella grabbed a pair of jeans and an old Weird Sisters shirt Dora had given her along with a black zip up hoodie. She made quick work in the communal girls’ bath. She liked taking early baths or one late at night when it was quiet and nobody else was in there with her. “What the hell are you wearing, Black?” She chuckled at herself looking at her reflection. She thought she looked ridiculous but the clothes were comfy. She piled her hair up on the top of her head, securing it with a Gryffindor scarf. Her bun was mostly hair with only a few parts of the scarf peeking out close to the bottom. She brushed her teeth quickly before heading out of the bathroom. Bella smacked right into someone, “oh shit, sorry.”

Bella looked up and saw Hermione staring back at her. She looked equal parts intrigued and confused as she took in her outfit choice, “I take back my apology. Why did you just assault me outside of the bathroom, Granger?”

There was an air of mirth in her tone that had Hermione thinking many confusing thoughts, “I wanted to take a bath before everyone started hogging the facility getting ready for their dates. And you?”

“Same,” Bella looked over Hermione’s shoulder and heard commotion coming from the dorms, “seems you are a bit late.”

“Well if I could just get past you, I should be able to just,” Bella grabbed her arm. “Or I’ll stand right here and talk to you.”

“I just wanted to say good morning,” Bella smirked, “and take the piss out of you. It seems I was successful.”

Hermione relaxed in her grip, “so I can use the bath now? Or?”

Bella cleared her throat and dropped her arm, “all yours Granger. I think I left some hot water.”

Hermione smiled, “good thing it’s magically heated.”

“How else would it be heated?”

Hermione noted that the other girl was serious but didn’t want to get into the intricacies of modern muggle heating technology, “you’ll have to come with me to my parents house one day. Your head may explode.”

Taken back by the invite, Bella had thought it over and found herself wanting to know about Hermione’s home and how she grew up and it confused her, “I’d like that.” Before she could say anything else, she stepped aside and moved past Hermione. What happened back there? She meant to ask Hermione to accompany her later to get started on figuring things about but she got flustered. Bellatrix Druella Black, Heiress to the Noble and Most Ancient House of Black, became flustered by an innocent invitation to a muggle house. She really needed to figure everything out and get back to her own time. Bella was feeling things she didn't particularly need to feel.

When she made it back to the dorm, she quickly sat at her desk and crafted a letter to her niece.

Dora,

I think there’s something going on back in my time and I need to find a way to communicate that with your mother. Not her now but her back then. I’d ask her to do this favor for me herself but you and I both know how nosy your mother is and she would ask too many questions.

So, I’m writing you to ask for your help. I need you to go to Diagon today. Specifically Knockturn and into Borgin and Burkes for me. Try to be as inconspicuous as possible. I would recommend using your metamorphic abilities to disguise yourself. Yes, your mother told me about that and I am really impressed but that is for a different letter.

I need you to go into that store and look around. I’m looking for a big cabinet. It’ll have cogs on it and look foreboding. If there is one in that store, then I will look for its match here. Could you owl me by dinner and let me know if you find it?

If you do and I find its match, I will have further instructions for you. I am grateful for the help as it’s hard for me to just pop to Diagon being in school and all.

Thank you,

Auntie Bella

Bella got the letter sent off without any trouble and decided to spend the day catching up on her studies. The library was pretty empty most of the day and she had assumed it was because everyone was celebrating Valentine’s Day. “Oh hello,” an airy voice caught Bella off guard while she was walking to the Great Hall for dinner. “I didn’t expect to see you here for dinner.”

“And just what is that supposed to mean?”

Luna shrugged, “I just assumed you’d be out for Valentine’s with Hermione. It is clear to me and the nargles that you fancy her. There’s also been rumors that you were together with Fleur and she with Victor Krum but we don’t believe in rumors.”

“We?” Luna pointed to around Bella’s head and she waved her off, “oh right. The nargles. And I suppose in order to have a Valentine, I’d have had to ask or be asked and since we are both going to dinner, we can safely assume that didn’t happen.”

“It’s not too late,” Luna shrugged, “still plenty of hours left to Valentine’s Day.” She turned to look at the other girl, “have a good dinner, Cosette.”

Bella watches the blonde slip towards the Ravenclaw table. She looked towards her own house table and saw Hermione sitting alone at the end near the professors table. There were scatterings of students at every table but it seemed rather empty in the Great Hall for dinner time. “Hello, Hermione,” Bella slid onto the bench seat across from her.

Hermione looked up at saw her smiling at her then felt a pair of eyes watching her. McGonagall was watching the two of them, “hello, Cosette.”

Bella leaned forward and whispered, “there’s hardly anyone here. You can probably call me Bella.”

“We have an audience,” Hermione looked over Bella’s shoulder to the professors.

“McGonagall?” Hermione nodded, “she’s a very nosy witch. Where’s Potter and Weasel? Don’t tell me some poor girls were desperate to spend Valentine's day with them.”

Hermione held in a laugh, “no but they weren’t going to waste an opportunity to go to Hogsmeade. They didn’t seem too put out that they didn’t have dates. I don’t think the Yule Ball was too grand of a time for either of them.”

Bella cleared her throat, “yeah. That was an interesting night.”

“Speaking of the ball,” Hermione closed her book so she could focus her attention on the other girl, “I overhead Fleur say she was going to ask you out today. Did she end up doing that?”

“Well I’m here at dinner aren’t I?”

“So she didn’t ask you?”

Bella smirked, “I didn’t say that. I said I’m here for dinner. Yes, she asked me and I told her I wasn’t interested in dating her tonight or any other night.”

“Oh,” Hermione tried her best to hide her shock. “Okay then.”

“What about you? My sources said something about testicle head asking you to Hogsmeade.”

“I’m here at dinner aren’t I?”

Bella chuckled, “such a smart ass. Let me guess, you turned his ass down? Just as well he’s about as interesting as a wet slice of bread.”

They ate with a nice, easy, casual conversation which earned them many looks from McGonagall over her half moon glasses. Bella looked over her shoulder and gave their professor a little wave before turning back to Hermione, “I don’t want her to read my lips.”

“Oh,” Hermione moved her book, “shoot I don’t have any parchment.”

“We don’t need that. Has anyone ever entered your mind before? I won’t look at anything. I promise. I would never invade someone’s private thoughts.” She shivered at the memories of her own father doing just that. “I just want to tell you something and this way it will be private.”

“Can’t we just leave the Great Hall?”

“I mean we could but where’s your sense of adventure, Granger?” She poked a little harder, “that infamous Gryffindor bravery you all go on and on and on about?”

“Alright,” Hermione relented and closed her eyes, “go on then.” She braced herself not really knowing what to expect and she heard Bella tell her to relax.

“Open your eyes, Hermione.”

When Hermione looked at her, Bella was staring at her intently, “it’s easier when your eyes are open,” she heard Bella’s voice sounding inside of her head. “It shouldn’t hurt. At least not the way I’m doing it. Don’t talk, it’ll break my concentration.” She smirked when she saw Hermione nod, “after dinner I'd like to take you somewhere. Inside the castle. A little adventure of our own. I would’ve asked you days ago but I only just received my confirmation,” she pointed to the owl who dropped her a note which only read “yes it’s here.” She saw Hermione look down to read the note, “so what do you say? Spend Valentine’s night with me, probably not breaking too many school rules.”

“Yes,” she responded out loud without any hesitation. Hermione really wanted to see whatever it was Bella was going to show her. “Do we need the map or cloak?”

Bella shook her head no, “we can go without sneaking.”

If Hermione wasn’t already curious that would’ve tipped her over the edge, “okay when?”

“Now,” Bella stood up and grabbed Hermione’s text, “ready? I brought snacks,” she reached down and grabbed a very muggle looking backpack, sliding in the text. “I had hoped you’d say yes.”

“You surprise me everyday, Cosette,” she saw Minerva looking over at them again.

“Come on,” she motioned with her head towards the door while putting the backpack on, “let’s get out of here before McGonagall invites herself along.”

Once they made it outside, Hermione grabbed Bella’s hand which didn’t really slow the other witch down but she did feel her cheeks heating when Bella laced their fingers together, “where are we going?”

“Don’t slow down,” Bella kept walking them through the castle. “We have to get a head start on the other love birds who might be looking for somewhere to snog.”

“Where are you taking me?”

Bella cackled, “relax I’m not taking you to a secret location to snog.” She felt Hermione relax a little so she dug, “unless of course that’s what you want. I’d be in no position to say no to a little Valentine’s Day kiss.”

“Bella,” she groaned. That witch was always winding her up, “where are you taking me?”

“Seventh floor, left corridor, across from the troll tapestry.”

“Why? What’s up there?”

Bella stopped only for a moment, “we are going to the Room of Requirement.”