Harry Gaunt - Chapter 29

Bellatrix was sat beside Harry inside the great hall, the two chatting quietly while they waited for Evan, who Harry would apparently have to endure as well. He looked at Phyllida sat across from them, clearly interested in whatever Bellatrix was whispering to him about.

"Who is it?"

Harry felt her tickle the fabric across his shoulder. "It's not Martha is it?"

Bellatrix had a growing look of alarm, then followed it with a scowl when Harry guffawed at her expression. "No, it's not Martha," he said quietly. "It's…"

Bellatrix slid towards him along the bench, their legs bumping together without her notice. "Yes?" She said quickly.

Harry remained quiet.

"Harry, you can't just invite anyone to eat with you." Bellatrix adopted her lecturing tone.

"We all eat together anyway." Harry didn't see the distinction she was making as he gestured to the Slytherin table. "And no, it's not Martha. You already know him actually, he's friends with Cissy."

Harry just wanted to meet him. They'd fortunately not been at all close during the future.

"Snape?"

Harry felt her hand tug his sleeve again. "Why do you want to invite Snape?" she demanded. "Have you spoken to him already?"

"No." Harry stated as he gently pried his sleeve away. "I just thought I would."

Bellatrix was forced to release him, but stayed put on the bench beside him. She felt that if she didn't, he'd disappear and she'd never find him again. "He doesn't always come here," she offered as they both looked across the hall, which was beginning to fill up before dinner was served.

"What about Cissy?" Harry looked for her too among the Slytherins walking in. "She seems very sociable." She was at the centre of a group, both boys and girls all chatting around her. "Hm."

Bellatrix looked as well, only to frown when a boy with blonde hair was revealed beside her. Harry frowned as well.

"Malfoy…" Harry murmured, unable to hide his distain for the pompous seventh-year. Voldemort really had recruited from Hogwarts, the fifth, sixth and seventh years were overflowing with heirs and prominent families.

He felt Bellatrix stiffen, her leg twitching into his as she Cissy followed them still, then sat much further down the table.

They always sat together.

"I didn't know they were friends," said Phyllida with a narrowed gaze. "Shall we go over?"

She seemed more than ready to appease Bellatrix's desire, which seemed to grip her unusually tight.

"I'll get her."

Harry made to get up, but he could Bellatrix grabbed him and held him down. "No, it's fine." She let go of his arm, looking down from Harry's gaze. "Really, she's fine."

Bellatrix wouldn't stop her if she wanted to court Lucius Malfoy, it wouldn't be right.

"Aha, there he is." Harry spotted Severus enter the great hall, alone as he expected. "Wait here."

Bellatrix blinked as Harry got up, then tried not to gape as he strode up and around the table, then down along the aisle to intercept him by the doors.

"He's a bit different than I expected," giggled Phyllida. "But nice. He's very nice Bellatrix." She smiled warmly at her from across the table, hoping Bellatrix knew how important that little fact was.

Bellatrix nodded. "He's very kind," she admitted quietly. "But he's also stubborn and complicated Phyllida." Bellatrix pinched her eyes shut. Harry was already very different than when they'd first met. "It shouldn't be this hard."

"My mother said that once," smiled Phyllida. "But most seventh-year are not Lords, nor to one's with so rich a history." She leaned against the table slightly. "Harry has lots to think about, and whilst we're on the subject, can he…" Phyllida did a strange tongue sound. "…speak?"

Everyone had been wondering, or at least those who were aware of the talent his bloodline held.

"I can't tell you," answered Bellatrix diplomatically.

Phyllida's eyes lit up, but was quickly hushed as Bellatrix tried not to laugh. "Phyllida. Not a word."

Bellatrix looked at her cousin sternly, who nodded wholeheartedly. "What's it like?" she whispered. "So few have actually heard it, does it cause Goosebumps like they say?"

"Later Phyllida." Bellatrix looked across at where Harry had finally convinced Snape to come. "They're coming back."

Phyllida straightened up, still abuzz with the knowledge that Harry was a Parselmouth. The skill was legendary, as were the people that spoke it.

Bellatrix was so lucky, Phyllida could already see that Harry cared about her, more so than perhaps he realised.

"Bellatrix, Phyllida." Harry stepped up with Snape by his side, presenting him with a gesture of his hand. "Well, you already know each other." Harry stepped behind him. "But this is Severus Snape."

Severus nodded. "Greetings." Then took a seat beside Phyllida at Harry's insistence. "

Harry disappeared from behind them, apparating without a sound beside Bellatrix. "Excellent." He climbed in beside her, hearing her sigh as Phyllida and Severus stared at him. "Now it's just Evan we're waiting on."

It wouldn't be long before he showed up, Severus had seen him about the corridors on the way here.

"May I call you Severus?" asked Phyllida as she turned to him. "I so like the name, one of my ancestors was called Severus." She smiled at him. "You can call me Phyllida too."

He was a curious looking young man; his nose had a touch of aristocracy to it.

"No." Severus set his book bag on the floor. "Snape will do." He looked away from her, focusing squarely on Harry. "Did you apparate just now?"

It hadn't made a sound. "I didn't know that was possible inside Hogwarts."

"It isn't."

Harry took a sip from his Pumpkin juice, saying no more as Phyllida took over.

"Severus it is then," she confirmed, on the verge of giggles when Severus turned to her with a scowl. "Thank you for agreeing to join us. Lord Gaunt was very keen to have your company."

Phyllida looked across to Harry, who along with Bellatrix had been watching their interaction. "Cissy mentioned you," supplied Bellatrix, explaining away Harry's interest him. "How has she been lately?"

Bellatrix hadn't been aware of Lucius, or perhaps hadn't been told as Severus remained indifferent. "She's been busier of late." Before adding. "As has Malfoy."

He let nothing through as Bellatrix looked at him, but inside agreed with Bellatrix's caution on the matter, even if that didn't extend to Lord Gaunt.

"Lord Gaunt." Severus turned his attention to him. "Cissy and I haven't been friends for very long, nor am I acquainted with anyone else apart from Bellatrix in the Black family."

"Your point being?" posed Harry.

"I don't want you to be misinformed," explained Severus, not wishing to perpetuate whatever had encouraged Lord Gaunt to seek him out.

"Don't worry about that. I merely wished to meet you after hearing Cissy's account." Harry had a pleasant air about him. "I understand too that you have a knack for Potions?"

Nobody had told Harry this, which he assumed was why Bellatrix was now looking at him from the corner of her eye.

"Did Slughorn tell you this?" Severus raised a brow. "You've only been here a day."

It seemed odd for it to come up.

"No, I asked Trimble during Transfiguration." Harry was getting hungry, and he'd run out of Pumpkin juice. "He said you were the best."

Severus understood now. "McGonagall isn't normally like that," he stated. "And Trimble should know better than to spread gossip."

Harry chuckled, that sounded more like Snape as Phyllida asked him if he knew how to brew 'Living Death', then proceeded to quiz him on it while Bellatrix leaned towards Harry.

"Harry," she whispered suspiciously. "Are you trying to find allies? Is that what Arcturus asked of you in his letter?" She grew steadily alert as Harry didn't answer, instead appearing pleased as Phyllida told Severus about Slughorn's challenge.

He looked at her eventually. "Hm? Sorry, I wasn't listening."

"Clearly."

Bellatrix made sure she had his full attention this time. "Did Arcturus tell you to do this?" she asked with an edge.

"Do what?" returned Harry. "Make new friends?"

"Find allies." Bellatrix finished. "It's a good idea. I'd have told you the same if you'd just include me!"

Bellatrix hushed, then felt Harry's magic swirl around them as a ward was placed. She didn't know he could do that.

"I am not gathering allies Bellatrix," explained Harry now no one could hear. "I don't need anymore people following me around, it's bad enough that you do it."

He gave her a pointed look.

"Then why are we sitting together?" she fired back.

"Because you won't go away."

"No, because you know you need my help. That's why." Bellatrix's hand threatened his sleeve again. "Now tell me what was in that letter."

She hooked a finger down the end of it.

"Stop doing that." Harry tried to discreetly tug his arm away. "It's inappropriate."

Bellatrix ignored him, holding on.

Harry used his other hand to try and unlatch her, which proved very difficult as her fingers wove into his. She had the upper-hand, she knew Harry wouldn't hurt her as she brought their hands beneath the table.

"B-bellatrix?" Harry's hand was in her lap, touching softly between her thighs. "What you-"

Bellatrix peered up at him, the blush upon her cheeks concealed by her hair. "I don't care." She met his eyes. "I am not letting you go until you tell me. And you must tell me Harry, because if it wasn't clear enough for you in the carriage, then it should be now."

She soothed her fingertips against his hand, holding on as he threatened to jolt away. She didn't care if people noticed, she needed him to understand.

"You're not being fair Bellatrix," he said softly over shallow breaths. "There are things you don't understand. Things I cannot tell you."

Bellatrix let out a breath a slow breath. "I accept that, of course I do." She relaxed her hand, feeling warm when he didn't pull away.

She fiddled with his fingers, a far better choice than her own. "I am not asking for everything. I just want to be safe, safe with you."

Bellatrix didn't want all of Harry's secrets, she just wanted him.

"And you think I can give that to you?" Harry said as if that was the last thing he could give her.

"Yes." She gently opened his hand and touched his palm, stroking him softly in little circles. "I like you, Harry." Bellatrix would make him see. He was hers. "Please let me help you."

She guided his hand towards her thigh, holding him below as she leaned into his chest. There was no sound but their own breath within the ward. "Harry-" Bellatrix felt his hand gently feel her, his fingers holding her softly.

She wanted him to touch her.

"-ellatrix?"

But then his hand slipped away. And the sound came back with audible snap as Phyllida's voice wedged them apart.

She looked between them in confusion as the ward came down. "Are you all right? You didn't answer."

Harry seemed a little out of it, Bellatrix too as she leaned away from him. "W-we're fine Phyllida," she said, controlling the breath that caught up with her. "Is the food nearly ready?" Bellatrix glanced at the other tables, it had to be time soon.

"Almost, though I think Evan might have other plans this evening." Phyllida put aside whatever she and Severus might have seen, and instead gestured with a nod towards Lucius and the others down the table.

Avery. Mulciber. Lestrange. And Evan.

"He ignored me," she added, looking away from her smiling cousin. "He'd rather sit with them, bloody Lucius."

She grumbled softly, which brought a slight quirk to Severus's lips. "What do you think Lord Gaunt?" he asked, his eyes flicking to Harry who seemed to have come to his senses again. "Should we go over?"

It did feel as if most of the Slytherins were down that end, the four of them up here weren't all that far from the teacher's table, which was mercifully empty.

"You can call me Harry." Harry glanced over at them, Bellatrix two still close beside him. "And no, we'll stay here."

Harry much preferred smaller company, nor did he wish to involve himself in whatever popularity quest they all seemed to be on.

Lucius appeared to be the leader, or Lestrange who sat across from him.

"My thoughts exactly," said Bellatrix, turning away herself as the food began to appear. "Sorry Phyllida, things didn't quite go to plan."

Bellatrix sent her a smile, which Phyllida returned without hesitation. "Oh no this is much better," she said, glancing between the three she was with. "I'd just be on the edge over their anyway. So let's begin."

She seemed very happy as she passed Severus a bowl full of carrots, which he reluctantly took before spooning some to his plate.

Bellatrix did the same for Harry, yet this time it was cabbage, and she did it for him.

She glanced at him as she did.

"Thanks." Harry reached for another bowl. "And…" Harry spooned a few potatoes onto his plate. "I'll tell you later. I promise."

He passed Bellatrix the bowl, she took a moment to assess his honesty.

"Thank you." She gave his sleeve a playful tug. "My lord."

She smiled as he shook his head.

~

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Lucius flicked his eyes towards the only Lord within Hogwarts, a young man he'd never seen hide nor hair of as he chatted with Cissy's sister. "Cissy." He leaned towards the beautiful girl sitting beside him. "Am I right when I hear that Lord Gaunt has formed an alliance with Lord Black?"

He'd been told about it, but wanted to know more of how this came to be.

"Indeed Lucius," returned Cissy after swallowing her mouthful. "He came for dinner during the holidays, quite unexpected really."

Cissy remembered how Arcturus had hurried to their room on the top-floor.

"And what was he like?" Lucius topped up her glass with more pumpkin juice. "Did he show any signs of… aggression?" Lucius whispered it. "I was shocked at what he did."

What happened at Diagon Alley was no secret, and it was clear that it was him that had done it, and no other Gaunt.

Cissy set her fork down. She could trust Lucius. "He's not quite…" she began, searching for the right word. "Stable. At least not all the time."

"Stable?" returned Lucius. "How so."

He cut a piece of chicken from his plate, showing not how truly interested he was.

"Harry fled before the dinner had truly started," explained Cissy, still perplexed by the event herself. He'd still not offered them a reason why, at least to her. "He broke through the wards though."

Cissy took a peek at Lucius's expression.

"And the alley?" Lucius had discussed it with his father, who had then discussed it with another far wiser than them both. They'd confirmed only one thing, and that was that Lucius would need to find out while at Hogwarts. "There had to be a reason for him to do that."

"I don't know for sure." Cissy hedged, but continued at Lucius's encouraging look. "But I think it was some sort of test, like he was judging how good the Aurors were." She shrugged a little. "But that does sound a little silly now that I say it."

She looked down at her plate, taking her time as she cut through a piece of sausage.

Lucius appeared to be thinking. "Fascinating," he said a moment later. "It seems he does live up to his family's reputation." He poked a few pieces of chicken onto his fork. "I should like to meet him."

He wondered if she'd do the honours.

"Of course, I can introduce you." Cissy was more than happy for everyone to become acquainted. "I'll probably have to go through Bellatrix though."

Which as they both knew, wouldn't make things easy.

"If it's too much trouble, then I will simply approach myself." Lucius made it seem like he didn't want to cause her trouble. "Thank you for the offer, Cissy."

"I'll speak to her." Cissy hastened to add. "I'll speak to her as soon as I can."

Lucius smiled. "Perfect."

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