"That doesn't change the fact that you're apparently becoming very close to Harry Ashworth," Orion said. "Perhaps too close."
"I'm seventeen, Bellatrix said. "I'll do what I want."
Orion was silent for a long while. Bellatrix did her best to ignore him. Finally, Orion found something to say. "What do you know about Harry Ashworth, Bellatrix? Why do you trust him implicitly? Why are you so insistent at throwing yourself on him?"
Bellatrix looked away from Orion and refused to answer.
"You've already given him your loyalty, haven't you?" Orion said tiredly. "Whatever he's told you has you sold."
"I have every confidence that Harry Ashworth will one day be a wizard of astounding power and influence," Bellatrix said quietly.
"Is that the only reason you've set your loyalty for him?" Orion asked gently.
"I guess he's pretty nice," Bellatrix admitted. "Kind of handsome, too. Very companionable, anyway. I could have chosen worse."
"I suppose you could have," Orion admitted. "Look, Bellatrix. I can't say that I approve of your methods of choosing a husband, but I can't deny that you seem to have chosen moderately well. Perhaps we can come to a compromise. We can talk to Ashworth about a marriage contract. You can marry him straight after your seventh year-assuming you still feel the same."
Bellatrix arched an eyebrow, but didn't reply.
"If we did follow that path, there is an issue about which I am curious," Orion said slowly.
"Who said we're following that path?" Bellatrix asked.
"Just hypothetically," Orion said. "Ashworth has admitted that he isn't an Ashworth-that you picked the name."
"So?"
"I was wondering if you planned on becoming Bellatrix Ashworth." Orion said.
"You want to know his real surname," Bellatrix snickered. "Nice try."
"Do you know his real surname?" Orion asked.
"No. However, circumstances are such that if I married him, I could probably twist him into taking my surname. We could be Harry and Bellatrix Black." Bellatrix was thinking back onto the day when Harry had appeared in the Black vault. He may not be a Black, but he certainly was already tied closely enough to the family that it would be reasonable to have him become a Black officially.
"I'm afraid you've confused me," Orion said.
"Good."
"Put on your clothes," Orion directed, deciding to give up the point of his discussion. "We've got an appointment with the nurse, and after that, we'll be seeing Professor McGonagall."
.....
The Marauders were all sitting in Gryffindor Tower when the portrait hole opened to reveal Professor McGonagall. She entered, followed closely by Bellatrix and Orion Black.
"Sirius!" James whispered. "Isn't that your father?"
Sirius looked over and gaped at the sight. "What's going on?" he muttered as they watched McGonagall lead Bellatrix up the staircase to the girl dorms.
"I think she might be moving in," Remus observed.
"Don't be ridiculous," James scoffed. "They'd never let a Slytherin in here!"
Further speculation ended when Orion Black approached the group. "Sirius," he said, "I want a word with you."
"Here I am, then," Sirius said, a mischievous grin on his face.
"Alone," Orion amended. "Come."
Sirius traded significant glances with his friends. They all knew that Sirius and his family didn't get along well. Not only did they disagree about blood purity, but Sirius was simply an obnoxious child. For Orion to seek him out, the situation must be grave. Sirius stood and led his father over to a quiet corner of the common room.
"All right, what the matter?" he asked.
Orion drew his wand and cast silencing charms. "Sirius, your cousin Bellatrix was nearly killed last night."
Sirius raised his eyebrows in surprise. "What'd she do? Sneak out to the Forbidden Forest and pick a fight with the centaurs?"
"No, she snuck out to the Forbidden Forest and was assaulted by dark wizards," Orion explained.
"The centaurs was more believable," Sirius said.
"Look, Sirius, this is a very… grim situation," Orion said.
Sirius grinned evilly. "What, the situation isn't serious?"
"This isn't the time for your stupid name games," Orion hissed. "What I'm about to tell you is to be kept secret, do you understand?"
"I guess," Sirius said.
Orion grumbled to himself before beginning. "Sirius, there is a new dark lord on the rise."
Sirius's eyes widened with shock. "A real dark lord?"
"So it would seem," Orion replied. "Professor Ashworth and Bellatrix have been attempting to sabotage his rise to power. Last night, Bellatrix attempted to infiltrate a group of students that have pledged themselves to the dark lord. Her ulterior motives were discovered and she was brutally chased through the Forbidden Forest."
"So what are we going to do now?" Sirius asked, shocked enough that he had forgotten his contempt for his father.
"The ringleaders have left Hogwarts. However, I'm concerned that certain Slytherins might have it in for her. Professor Dumbledore has agreed to move Bellatrix into Gryffindor Tower. Obviously, Professor Ashworth will do his best to look out for her, but I want you to keep an eye out, too."
"What do you expect me to do?" Sirius asked. "It's not like I can face down dark wizards."
"I think you underestimate your abilities greatly," Orion said. "The amount of trouble you get into on a weekly basis suggests that you have plenty of ingenuity. Stick to her when you can. I expect you to watch her in this tower and I expect you to sit with her at meals."
"She'll sit with us," Sirius said. "I refuse to go to the Slytherin table!"
"That's what I meant," Orion said smoothly. "If she decides to do something risky, find Professor Ashworth and tell him. Will you do that?"
"I guess," Sirius answered, feeling slightly stunned.
Lily was perusing her potions text when the door to her dorm opened to admit Professor McGonagall. Instantly, Lily sat up. "Professor, an extra bed appeared in our dorm this morning," Lily began, but was cut short when she saw Bellatrix Black enter the room behind McGonagall.
"Yes," McGonagall said stiffly. "It has become necessary to find Miss Black alternate accommodations in the castle. It has been decided that this will be her dorm for the time being."
Lily's mouth sagged, but she quickly recovered herself. "But professor, Bellatrix is in sixth year!"
"I'm well aware of that, Ms. Evans. Your dorm is the only one that has space for an extra, however. Do try to make her feel at home," Professor McGonagall said. She turned to Bellatrix. "That's your bed. The house elves will arrange for everything to be transported shortly."
"Thank you, Professor," Bellatrix said as McGonagall turned and left.
Lily stared at Bellatrix, her facial expression showing a mixture of confusion and suspiciousness. Bellatrix did nothing but coolly arch her eyebrows at Lily and depart from the dorm room.
....
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