Chapter 3: Gringotts

Harry let the hot water of his shower pound onto his head. Its warmth was soothing, and he had quite a few thoughts buzzing in his brain. Bellatrix LeStrange was in his house, asking him for asylum. She had claimed that she had not meant to kill Sirius, she had cast a wizards oath that she would not harm him, and had denounced Voldemort.

That was proof that she was serious about leaving the death eaters, but Harry was still unsure if he could trust her. Finally he turned off the shower and dried himself off. When I open that door, Bellatrix will be standing on the other side, Harry thought as he put on his clothes. When he opened the bathroom door and stepped into his room Bellatrix was gone, replaced by an unfamiliar but attractive witch closer to his own age.

Bellatrix had used her time well, she had performed the glamour charm in order to hide herself as they left Grimmauld Place. She had chosen to keep her hair the same black as her normal state. Her eyes though were now a bright blue, she'd given herself a more rounded, innocent face. She was a little shorter in this form, standing an inch shorter than Harry. Bright red bow shaped lips and powder blue robes completed the look.

"What do you think?" She asked him, her voice disguised in a light Irish accent. "Josephine Reed, at your service!" She bowed theatrically before him. "I told you Potter, I'd have a better face for going out when you came back."

Harry was stunned, Bellatrix had made herself beautiful. It wasn't hard, she was kind of cute before... a treacherous voice in his head whispered. Harry frowned for a moment and then looked to her.

"What about when we get to Gringotts? They have ways of knowing who is who don't they?" He asked her, trying to keep his thoughts straight.

Bellatrix grinned, in this face the smile was warm and welcoming. "Indeed they do, and I'm counting on that. I have a gift for you at Gringotts. The first one is free, well two of them will be free, the rest you will only get after you secure my annulment and formally bring me back into the Black family."

Seeing Harry was still quiet, obviously taking stock of this mornings events she continued, "Now, since I'll be staying here at least until the end of this war, we need to get our story straight. I am a half-blood witch from Belfast, we met when I was coming out of Flourish and Blotts, you were captivated by me then and there. We've been meeting secretly for a few months and you've asked me to live with you. I am employed as a freelance curse breaker, not working for any major firm, but available to those who need and can pay for me."

"Is there anything else?" Harry asked. Bellatrix smirked in response,

"I was home schooled due to being very ill as a child, if anyone asks I'll think of a proper ailment at that time. I would recommend learning this backstory Potter, I'm sure one of the members of your female fan club will want to know all about the young lass who stole your heart. We'll be together, possibly even marry during the course of the war...then at a suitable time, we will quietly divorce, I will take a share of our fortune and then vanish. You'll be free to live your life as you see fit, so long as you do nothing to jeopardize our status. In return, as promised I will inform you of the Dark Lords tactics, numbers, and provide you with the names of hidden Death Eaters your ministry friends can apprehend."

Now finished, she led him out of the bedroom and towards the front door. There in the foyer was Tonks. Sensing a chance for a little harmless mischief, Bellatrix leaned in and kissed Harry, pretending she hadn't noticed the young Auror. "Harry love, who's your friend?" Bellatrix-as-Josephine asked with a wide smile, Harry sputtered out of shock from being kissed by Bellatrix LeStrange and was no help.

Bellatrix held out her hand to the stunned woman, "Hello there, Josephine Reed, you must be a friend of Harry's!"