Chapter 9

Author's Note: For anyone wondering, I have a solid schedule for posting now: 2 Chapter per 4 days. Each 4 days, I'll be posting the next Chapters of my fics (except Lamb to emperor) in rotation. So my next update will be on 10th, for Mystique Soldier.

I've also created a pat reon account for anyone interested. Visit www.Pat reon/Robs511 if you want to read chapters ahead of time. For $2, you can read my next chapter i.e Mystique Soldier Ch.7. And for $5, you can read the next chapter of all three of my fics: Mystique Soldier, The Mortal God of Olympus, and The Strange Old World.

Now on with this chapter!

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Scowling in irritation, Jacob left the fireplace and stepped inside the Potter camp.

Both of his parents were already moving towards the tent flap, having just recieved a patronus from aunt Bella claiming they've arrived.

Jacob didn't need to be told who 'They' were.

It wasn't all bad really. Sure Harry might try making his life difficult but atleast Jake would get to meet aunt Bella. His dorm-mates were so going to die of envy when he tells them who he met this summer.

Bellatrix Black was widely regarded as the most sought-after witch for marriage. Not only was she supposed to inherit the lordship of one of the most feared houses in England, she was also considered as the most beautiful woman in Europe for the last decade.

The only thing that kept people from scheming for her hand was the fact that she herself was extremely feared across the entire continent, having been named the strongest duelist of this generation.

All of this didn't matter to Jacob. What mattered was the tightening of his breeches whenever the woman came in his thoughts. She alone had filled his dreams on all those... lonely and desperate nights in castle.

Jacob stumbled forward as he felt someone push him from behind.

"Why in Merlin's name are you blocking the fireplace like a statue, dummy?" Dorea's irritated voice barked in his ears.

"Oh shut up, Rea. I'm not in the mood to fight." Jacob muttered, straightening his clothes from any wrinkles. He wanted to look his absolute best today.

"First of all, I wasn't trying to fight." His elder sister sniffed haughtily. "Second of all, you wouldn't have won anyway so your mood doesn't matter."

Annoyed, he swiped at the redhead, entangling his fingers in her hair before pulling hard.

Dorea shrieked like a banshee before wildly waving her wand in his direction, and suddenly he found himself being knocked out of his feet and thrown across the room.

Jacob groaned, pushing himself to sit up. "You're so going to be in trouble for using magic, you absolute moron."

His sister stared at him confused for a second before breaking out in uncontrollable giggles. "D-didn't...hehehe... didn't dad tell you? Oh you stupid git. We are free to use magic here."

"What? Why?" He asked bewildered.

Dorea shrugged, unconcerned. "Who cares. We can use magic even in the stadium, and that's what matters."

He grunted dismissively, but inside he was fuming in anger. Of course James forgot to mention it. And Lily, for that matter. It wasn't like informing him about things like this took priority in their life right?

Whatever. He wasn't going to make an issue here. Especially not in front of aunt Bella.

James suddenly poked his head through the flaps.

"Everyone, gather around." He said with a clap of his hand as Rose reached them last. "Bella is here with your brother, so drop your scowls and put a big smile on your faces."

Dorea ignored him, Jacob showed his teeths in a grimace, and Rose tugged her lips up with her fingers in a creepy little smile.

James sighed. "I guess that's the best I can make you do. Maybe if I ask your mother..."

All three of them began smiling widely. Jacob was sure the world has never seen a more nervous smile than what the three of them were sporting.

"Great." James clapped again. "C'mon then."

They followed after their father, entering the first section of their massive 3-bedrooms tent.

James and Lily were waiting with baited breaths, actually looking a little nervous. Jacob felt a small pang of sympathy for his brother.

Knowing how quite and antisocial his brother usually was, this was gonna be a very very awkward meeting. He wondered if maybe his parents and him would end up just staring at each other silently, neither knowing what to say.

Just the thought was enough to make him smirk.

This might actually be a good day for him.

Finally, after another deep breath, Lily walked forward and opened the main tent flap, revealing the potter family to the outside world.

Jacob's breath quickened as he took in the absolutely stunning figure of Bellatrix Black standing outside, looking bored. He didn't even notice the taller figure next to her, such was the mysterious spell that the gorgeous woman wove on him.

"H-Hello Harry." His mother stuttered slightly, making Jake cringe in his shoes. Lily's face gained a deep shade of red, a perfect picture of the shame Jake himself was feeling inside.

Instead of being similarly flustered as Jake expected him to be though, Harry surged forward with a slight smirk and tightly embraced Lily.

It took a moment for Jake to realise what was happening and he still couldn't believe it.

What. The. Hell.

"It's good to meet you again, Lily." He spoke softly in her ears, but Jake and his sisters were close enough to hear the murmuring.

Jake quickly looked away from the scene. The way Harry was hugging his mother was making him uncomfortable. He just couldn't help but notice how her... substantial chest was being squeezed against Harry.

When he looked back, they were still locked in the embrace and he just caught aunt Bella winking and sending a thumbs up at his mother.

'For Merlin's sake, this was so inappropriate!' A small part of his mind protested.

The larger part was just wondering how on earth Harry had the balls to do this. Just the thought of hugging either of his parents made Jake cringe in his shoes. He didn't get how Harry could be shameless enough to act like this in front of a whole audience.

Thankfully, they let go of each other soon after and Harry moved to shake hands with their father.

"That was sweet of him, wasn't it?" Dorea whispered from the side. "Do you think he might've actually changed? I'm beginning to think so."

He stared at her, uncomprehending. How in Merlin's soggy pants was that even remotely 'Sweet'? It was cringy and inappropriate is what it was. Seriously, the way they were behaving, you'd think they were reuniting after years of long distance or somethings...

Which wasn't exactly untrue, but he was too pissed off to consider that.

"Well, my job here is done, I'll pick Harry up at seven." Aunt Bella said, turning to Harry. "I take it you would be fine staying with Lily if the match finishes early?"

"Actually," James interrupted. "We have a portkey for France at 5 in the evening, regardless if the match finishes or not. We'd be glad to have you with us Harry. It's a Dueling tournament, one of the most famous infact. Maybe you would like to participate?"

"Oh, I would be thrilled to." Harry replied casually, oozing with confidence.

"Okay, now that's definitely not Harry." Jake muttered under his breath.

"Great, that's settled then." Aunt Bella wrapped her arms around Harry in a quick hug, muzzing his hair lightly. "Send a patronus if you need me alright?"

"Sure thing, Bella." Harry waved, looking absolutely unconcerned with being in such close proximity with the hottest witch of the decade.

Jake stared away again, this time the discomfort was much sharper and painful. Almost like a demon was clawing out of his hollow chest.

'Goddammit!' He cursed in his mind. He knew his godmother for half his life and yet he never had this close a relationship with her, ever.

Whatever. Not like he cared about petty stuff like this anyway...

Aunt Bella soon left for her work with a goodbye wave towards Jacob and the girls, and Harry seamlessly joined along with them as if he'd always been a part of their family, and hadn't spent the better part of 3 years scorning and taunting the Potters.

Still, Jacob kept his doubts and feelings to himself, not wanting to be a spoilsport in case his brother actually did want to start over freshly with them.

Who knows, sometimes miracles does happen.

Jacob wouldn't be holding his breath for it though.

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"Now it's Alexandru with the Quaffle and she's off towards the English posts, but Martin is there to tackle her..Oh what a splendid dive there, Poor Martin is still confused what happened but Alexandru is already away, and here comes her iconic long pass! The Quaffle is off of her hands to the other side and Ana-maria is there to catch it...Ana-maria is looking to take the shot! But no! That's just a feint! And the English keeper has fallen for it! Marius is there from behind to smack it to the left post, what a slippery fella he is! Another beautiful goal from Transylvania, and they make it look so easy too! 240-10 is the score now, and England must be looking to just end this day without further embarrassment. Even a miraculous snitch-catch couldn't save them here."

Harry smiled in satisfaction, quite happy to realise that there wasn't any difference in his world and this when it came to quidditch.

Beside him, James groaned in despair, burying his face in his hands. Jacob on the other hand, broke the England flag that he'd been waving in two and threw them away.

"Let's just go, dad." Jacob muttered hopelessly. "England's a boatload of rubbish this year. Andrei is probably getting the snitch too, so there's no point in wasting time here."

"You're right." James sighed, before turning to Harry in annoyance. "You happy now, Harry? Told you it was bad luck to bet on those Gypsies."

"James!" Lily whacked the man.

"Alright alright, I'm sorry!" The man raised his arms. "You were quite right to bet against England Harry, I was just joking! Oh yeah, totally right..."

Lily whacked him again for good measures.

Harry gave the man a very dishonest smile. "There there, james, it's alright. Atleast I'm going to make almost 9000 galleons from it, eh?"

Jacob, who had been trying to ignore him all day, snapped his head towards him instantly, his eyes bulging to comical degrees.

He wasn't the only one though. Even James and Lily looked shocked when they heard that, and it was understandable. 9000 galleons was a lot. Almost a small inheritance, really. If he'd calculated it right, then as the head of hit-wizards it would take James a whole year to earn that much.

"How much did you bet exactly?" James asked, the others turning to him curiously.

"300 galleons on England losing with a goal difference of more than 350."

The man whistled with raised eyebrows. "That's a big gamble there, Harry. You could lose a lot if England gets the snitch, you know?"

"Nah, it's alright." Harry waved it off. "I have faith in Transylvania's ability to absolutely thrash England."

The man winced painfully. "That's harsh, but can't deny the results. We still have an hour before our portkey, so I guess we can wait till the match finishes."

"Thanks."

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The sudden force that turned their world upside-down came as no surprise to Harry, making him one of the 6 people to land on their feets when the portkey finished transporting them.

Sprawled upon the ground were his 2 new siblings, and Neville Longbottom.

The Longbottom family had joined them just after England's shameful defeat. Apparently they'd made these plans with Potters quite a while back.

Now 9000 galleons richer, Harry was in a very happy mood, and was looking forward to test his skills in the dueling tourney.

Honestly? Today was shaping up to be a bloody decent day. Lily was as charming as ever, and always fun to talk with. James was surprisingly clingy, and for all his attempts at casual attitude, couldn't hide his own excitement and happiness at Harry's presence.

His siblings on the other hand were...wary. And understandably so, considering their history. But both of his sisters quickly warmed up to him without any problems, even though he barely put any extra effort in healing their relationship.

Dorea was a perfect combination of James and Lily; blessed with her mother's hair and father eyes, and with a spitfire personality that reminded him of the adult Ginny. She seemed the most relaxed around him out of all his siblings, trying to engage him in conversations multiple times.

Rose, on the other hand, was a loud chattermouth and wannabe prankster, who just couldn't keep her mouth shut for even a second. He mostly ignored the youngest Potter due to how white and black she viewed the world as, though even he couldn't escape the nonsense shower of blabbering that the little hellion launched at him.

His twin was the one to prove most stubborn of the lot, always holding himself at an arm's length from Harry. Not that Harry actually tried to talk.

To tell the truth, while he liked Lily, the Potter family mattered little to him. He would definitely want their help should he fail to finish off Tommy and a war breaks out, but he didn't have any emotional bonds with them.

And he couldn't care less about creating new ones either. He doubted anyone in this world could ever fill the massive chasm that the previous life had left in his heart.

Except perhaps Bella and Lily. Bella herself could never hope to replace Sirius, but she had taken a unique position in his heart. A position of friend and trusted partner.

Though he'd be lying if he said her stunning beauty didn't have a part to play in that.

Lily, on the other hand, he wasn't so sure about. Did he consider her his mother? He didn't believe so. He was fond of her of course, she was everything he would've wanted in a mother had he actually been 14. But he wasn't. His need for parents had long since vanished.

He still wanted to experience it...but it simply didn't matter to him as much as it did once. Whatever the case, Lily was still the only person beside Bella that he remotely cared about so she certainly occupied a small portion of his cold heart.

"Everyone alright?" Frank Longbottom asked, helping his son up.

The narrow-faced man looked more alive than the last time Harry saw him. Though that wasn't saying much; anyone can be more alive than a vegetable.

"C'mon then, let's go." The man beckoned them as he started marching onwards. "We're wasting time."

"What my husband means," Beside him, his wife dug her fingers in his arms, stopping him in his tracks and making the man wince. "Is that you'd be surprised by how quickly this place is going to be filled up. It's better to find some seats as fast as we can."

Alice Longbottom looked nothing like the woman he'd seen in St. Mungo's so long ago. In fact, she looked very pretty. Her hair were long, sweeping past her shoulders, and her face sported two cute dimples as she smiled at them comfortingly.

James snickered at her words, only to be silenced by an elbow to the gut from Lily.

"I agree." His mother said while James wheezed beside her. "We also need to register your names as participants so let's be quick."

The kids seemed embarrassed by their parents antics, exchanging grimaced looks. Jacob in particular made sure to avoid Harry's eyes, looking beyond mortified.

Except for Rose that is. The girl was crouched behind James, trying to tie his shoe laces together but failing miserably cause the man kept absently pushing her away. Not that it seemed to discourage the girl, who simply giggled and went right back to it.

Finally, James became aware of what was happening below him and peeled the girl off of his shoes with a sigh.

"Well then, come along." The bespectacled man waved them over with forced enthusiasm, a dangling Rose cheering in his arms.