"What are we going to do next?"
Harry shrugged. "I thought your plan was to stick around London until the morning, and then sneak back into the castle. I'll take this bench. You can sleep on the other one over there."
"No wonder you got captured," Bellatrix sighed in exasperation. "Tell me, were you born this incompetent, or do you have to work at it?"
"I'm kidding," Harry calmed her. "Your father and uncle hired me to poke around Hogwarts and try to find out what was going on with all the recent acts of anti-muggle violence. They had a feeling that something might be brewing among the purebloods, and that the students might be involved somehow. Obviously, I knew precisely what was going on, but I needed proof before I could approach them with answers. I reckon I should start approaching them right about now. They wanted to know as soon as I found out something."
"Are you sure that's the best option?" Bellatrix suddenly appeared worried. "I mean, you've got to consider these things carefully. My uncle doesn't involve himself in just anything."
"I reckon that a dark lord rising is something he'll want to get involved in. Don't worry, it's part of my plan. If all goes well, they'll react the way I want them too."
Bellatrix glanced at him skeptically. "Are you sure about that?"
"You'd be surprised. Like you said, how well do you know me?" Harry smirked. "There's things you don't know about me, Black." He smiled in satisfaction when that seemed to reassure her a bit. "Now, is there a way to get your uncle out of bed that won't let everyone else in the house know that something is up?"
"Not a problem," she replied, and snapped her fingers. "Kreacher!"
The house elf appeared. "Mistress Bella," he crooned.
"Rouse my uncle Orion. Tell him only that Ashworth here needs to see him urgently. Tell him where we are. Go," she ordered him. With a quiet pop, the house elf was gone again.
Harry was frantically looking around, trying to see if any muggles had spotted the house elf. "Are you crazy?" he hissed at Bellatrix. "We don't need the Ministry coming down on our heads for the improper use of magic!"
"Give the little bugger some credit," she replied, rolling her eyes. "He knows that muggles aren't supposed to see him."
It didn't take long for quiet footsteps to echo down the deserted tube station. Harry had one hand on his wand, but relaxed somewhat when Orion Black walked into sight. Despite the late hour and the urgency with which he'd been woken, he was dressed impeccably, albeit in wizarding attire. When he spotted his niece, his gaze hardened a bit. "Bella, Mr. Ashworth," he greeted them curtly.
"I found what we've been looking for, with Bellatrix's help," Harry explained, choosing his words carefully. "We're dealing with an up and coming dark lord."
When he remained silent, Bellatrix decided to enter the conversation. "It's definitely a dark lord."
"I don't doubt him," Orion said slowly. He turned away from them and began to pace. "This is not good. Bellatrix, take Mr. Ashworth to your home and get your father out of bed. Wait for me there."
The young witch winced. "I don't think mother would appreciate company, especially not at this hour."
"It is fortunate, then, that she is in London and spending the night at Grimmauld Place," her uncle responded dryly.
"All right then." She walked over to Harry's side, visibly relieved. With a quick glance to ensure that no one was watching them, Bellatrix drew her wand and apparated herself and Harry away. They appeared in front of a Victorian-style mansion that Harry figured must be at least a hundred years old. It certainly didn't look like the more ancient wizarding dwellings. "So, this is where you live," Harry commented. "Looks nice."
"Yeah," she replied, letting go of his arm. "Father loves it, but mother hates it."
"What about you?"
"It's a house," Bellatrix shrugged.
Harry wasn't sure what she meant by that, but he was reminded of his own childhood home. The Dursleys' house on Privet Drive was just that to him, a house. A building, a place of dwelling where he happened to have resided for ten years until he had left for Hogwarts. He held very little actual attachment to the building, unlike the way the Weasleys were attached to the Burrow, or the way Sirius was connected to No. 12 Grimmauld Place.
As they reached the door, Bellatrix fished a key from her pocket and opened the front door. It opened silently, something Harry hadn't expected. Old wooden doors of this size always made a sound, but apparently, there were enchantments in place to make it more pleasing on the ears. She led him inside and told him to take a seat on the couch in the living room while she left for her father's upstairs room.
"Father!" she yelled moments later, from the bottom of the stairs. "Father!" she called again when there was no reply. With a shrug, she headed upstairs. "I'll be right back."
"Right." Harry wondered why he was sitting in complete darkness when the large chandelier hanging from the ceiling suddenly lit with magical fire, casting a warm glow over the room. Now that he could see, he glanced around the living room. The decor was elegant, but simple. Apparently, whoever made the decisions on furniture around here had good taste, though they did appear to have a tendency for dark colors. It wasn't long before Bellatrix returned with her father. Unlike Orion Black, who had appeared immaculately dressed, Cygnus was wrapped in a fluffy white bathrobe and looked rather sleepy.
Upon seeing Harry, Bellatrix's father smiled. "Mr. Ashworth, how are you?"
Harry stood and offered his hand. "As well as can be expected. We're sorry to bother you at this hour, but it's a matter of urgency."
Cygnus waved the apology off. "If my brother thinks it's important, then I don't mind at all. Besides, I don't often get to see my daughter." He smiled at Bellatrix fondly, causing her to blush as she sat down on the couch Harry had just vacated. Before either of them could comment further, a knock on the door drew their attention.
"Orion, no doubt," Cygnus said, covering up a yawn and leaving to open the door. When he returned, both Orion Black and Romulus Malfoy were following him inside. The elder Black's demeanor was rather dark and brooding, which was a stark contrast to Malfoy's relaxed, almost sleepy state. Once settled, he turned towards his host. "I don't suppose you have a bottle of firewhiskey around?"
Cygnus chuckled. "Of course." Reaching over, he opened a cabinet and pulled out a tray holding a decanter of the alcohol along with several glasses. He filled three of them, handing two to Orion and Malfoy, before turning to Harry. "How about you, Mr. Ashworth?"
"No, but thanks," Harry said.
....
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