Harry Gaunt - Chapter 25

Harry was on his way to breakfast, he'd woken early and so had decided to get up and begin the day. He didn't expect many other people to be up yet though, which was fine by him as he arrived by the open doors to the Great Hall.

"Huh?"

Harry stopped. The place was empty. "Hmm."

He may have underestimated how early it was, and on the first day of term no less. "I know."

An idea came to him, one that brought a pleasant smile to his face as he hurried off back through the corridors. Harry had a pretty good idea where everything was now thanks to Bellatrix, who in the time before curfew the day before had managed to show almost everything in the castle.

It had been a different experience for Harry, and not least because of her but because of how vague everything seemed to him. Apparently, Hogwarts liked to change just as much as its stairs and hidden rooms did. Bellatrix had taken him along different corridors that he didn't recognise, opened doors to different rooms and different walls.

They had different pictures on them; faces, scenes from another time that Harry had never seen before. It made him wonder how the map stayed up-to-date, not that he could check since he didn't have it anymore, as he went down the stairs to a brightly lit basement. He'd lost it years ago.

Click.

Harry tickled the pear within the fruit bowl, then stepped back as the portrait swung open. It let out delicious smells as he peeked inside, picturing the delicious foods as he saw house elves move around the homely room. There was a fire to the right in a large fireplace, then to the left many kitchens where the elves were cooking.

Harry had no idea how many worked here, just that Dobby was surely absent, which saddened him. Dobby had been a good friend.

"Wizard sir!" came a voice filled with awe as Harry stepped inside. "Honoured we are."

The house elf bowed to Harry in his Hogwarts pillow case.

Harry inclined his head, then found himself jolting when the elf made a noise, overwhelmed that a wizard had acknowledge him. "Hello," he said back to it. "Can I get some breakfast please? I woke up too early."

The elf bobbed its head, starting a domino of bobs as Harry watched the other elves appear from the kitchen. Then their ears starting flapping, and then they looked at him, their soulful eyes staring up as if a gift had just been bestowed upon them.

Barely a moment later one of them appeared with a pop beside Harry. "Sit here wizard sir!" it said, tugging on his trouser leg to sit at the table near the fire. "We gets you breakfast!"

Pop.

Pop pop pop pop pop.

"What in merlin's-"

Harry had never recalled the elves being this enthused when he'd come before, they were practically falling over themselves to even be the one to serve him. Harry couldn't get his head round it, surely many of the elves he was seeing were the same one's he'd met before.

"Here sir!"

"Try this sir!"

"HERE SIR!"

Harry leaned away as plates and bowls were placed on the table, then drinks of pumpkin juice and something else that smelt funny were placed beside them. "Thank you." Harry glanced at them. "You're very kind."

It was as if… everything had changed after Voldemort's first reign of terror, the people and things far more jaded than they were now.

"You're welcome sir!"

Like those people in the alley when he'd first arrived, saying 'good morning' to almost everyone they saw. Even the Goblins, who'd not faired well in the eyes of Voldemort either.

Harry began to eat, starting with the bowl of porridge that had been first to arrive. He'd think on it later, he was being watched by the elf who had given it to him. Students didn't often come to visit the kitchens, yet this one had.

"Back to work," said an old looking elf from the edge of the kitchen. "Leave 'im be."

The elf then clacked a saucepan, dispersing the rest who had been watching as they all hurried back towards the kitchens. Harry let out a relieved sigh, they didn't need to watch him eat as the older elf looked at him for a moment, then soon enough turned away like all the rest.

Harry returned his focus to the food and finishing it, which he did a short time late. "Thanks everyone," said Harry as he left.

The elves said thank you too, waving from every which place in the room with spoons in their hands.

Harry chuckled as he left through the portrait.

It was time for another poke around. He wanted to confirm if the secret passageways were still working, and if they were, block them one by one over the coming weeks. Harry didn't want just anyone being able to come and go from the castle, only him and not would be Death Eaters trying to please a Dark Lord.

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Bellatrix made her way to Slytherin common room feeling refreshed and ready for the day. She'd slept well and had told Harry to wait for her here the night before.

He'd promptly ignored it of course, then walked off with a casual wave.

Bellatrix shook her head, supposing that she'd just have to get used to it as she waited for Cissy to arrive instead, who would always be late so she could style her hair and look presentable. It was getting worse if Bellatrix was being honest, 16 now and all she seemed interested in was her appearance.

"Good morning Bellatrix!"

Bellatrix turned with a smile at Professor Slughorn's voice. "Professor. Good morning." She held her hands primly in front of her, pleased the man had been so accommodating the day before.

"And Harry, where is he? Don't tell me he slept in." Slughorn chuckled good-naturedly, he and Bellatrix beginning to draw attention from her fellow Slytherins as they lingered nearby.

"I expect he's up early," explained Bellatrix. "Lord Gaunt is an early riser." She of course had no idea if he was, but the quiver of annoyance from the watching Slytherins was just too tempting to pass up.

She was probably right. Harry seemed the type who woke up early.

"And how would know this Bellatrix?" Slughorn gleamed with interest as he asked her.

The others seemed to lean in too.

"House Black and House Gaunt are close allies," enunciated Bellatrix so the whole room could here. "We know each other well."

It was remarkable thought Bellatrix, how straight-faced she'd said that, and not because it was a lie but because it was what she wanted, and by saying it aloud somehow made it truer than if left within her thoughts.

Professor Slughorn also believed it readily, which would prevent him from looking elsewhere for help and to other… less savoury options.

"Remarkable," he breathed, nodding with appreciation. "That certainly makes things simpler for him, I am sure Lord Black is enjoying showing him the robes." Slughorn shook a fist with vigour, paying no mind to the many onlookers as he reached into his robe. "This is Harry's class schedule."

He handed it to Bellatrix.

"I am unfortunately too busy with the first-years to go and find him, wherever it is he has wandered off too." His eyes therefore, looked to Bellatrix. "Will you give it to him? And if he asks about the sixth-year classes, tell him sorry, but Dumbledore insisted."

Bellatrix almost scrunched the paper. "Sixth-year?" she repeated, being forced to restrain herself. "But sir, Lord Gaunt is a skilled wizard. He does not need to attend-"

Slughorn raised his hand. "It is not up to us I am afraid," he said. "It is Dumbledore's decision, do not ask me to explain his logic."

Far greater men than he had already tried and failed to.

"Chin up Bellatrix," he added as he turned away. "I expect he'll breeze through and re-join you soon."

Slughorn strode away, leaving Bellatrix to be stared at by the whispering on-lookers.

"You'll be sure to tell him, won't you Bellatrix?" said a girl in her sixth-year, tall and without blemish as she sauntered up to her. "Lord Gaunt can enjoy class with us sixth-years."

Bellatrix looked at her, keeping the slip with Harry's timetable firmly in her hand. "Greengrass." Bellatrix paid no mind to the two girls standing with her. "You can of course be assured that I will inform him, along with everything else he needs to know about Slytherin sixth-years."

"Will you truly?" returned Greengrass with a further step near. "I had wondered. Since you and Lord Gaunt seem so well acquainted."

She tried to look down at Bellatrix, but it just didn't work as Bellatrix returned the girl's glare with a look of indifference. "We are." Bellatrix turned away. "Now if you'll excuse me, I have other matters to attend to."

She turned on her heel and left the blonde flagpole behind, heading out from the Slytherin common with confident strides. She couldn't show any sign of weakness, which soon left Bellatrix's mind as she itched to open Harry's schedule.

Why shouldn't she? Slughorn had given it to her. "Just one look," she said to herself, slowing to a stop within the dungeon corridors.

She opened it, then blinked as her rage bubbled up the more she read. It wasn't just some of Harry's classes that were in sixth-year, it was all of them - bar one. "Muggle Studies."

Obviously Dumbledore wasn't concerned about Harry being behind in that course, joke that it was to any upstanding Pureblood.

"No no this is bad…" Bellatrix worried her lip at how little time she'd have to watch him, how easy it would be for him to simply not show up, her be unaware and for him to then gallivant off and do…

…whatever it was he was up to. Which she was sure pertained closely to her house and future happiness.

"This isn't on."

Bellatrix stuffed the paper into her pocket, then continued with a strut down the empty corridor.

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Harry was grinning as he appeared from a whole in the wall, his wand in hand and his robes covered in dirt as he squeezed out through the small gap. He was a little too big though, his chest was currently mushed against the behind of the one-eyed witch.

"C-come o-on-"

Harry exhaled, then slipped out like a bean from a pod onto the Hogwarts corridor. He shuffled clear of the passage, which he'd just meticulously warded to allow only him to pass. "Close." Harry hissed, sealing it shut with a thunk. The passphrase was now: "Dissendium."

It opened again. "Close."

Harry smiled in satisfaction as he climbed to his feet, more than pleased that he'd been able to ward it successfully. Now it was so that whenever someone tried to gain access, it would record the attempt and let Harry know. "Okay, time for class."

Breakfast would be well underway as walked back down to the Great Hall, keen to receive his timetable so he could continue with his plans. He assumed Bellatrix would be there waiting for him, something he knew couldn't be avoided as he approached the enormous doors.

The hall was filled with students, all chatting and eating on their first day of term. It was a nice thing for Harry to see, it made him happy as he walked towards the Slytherin table.

He saw Bellatrix straight away. She was waving him over.

"Lord Gaunt, good morning."

Harry stopped, then turned to the prefect he'd met before. "Mr Rowle," he returned, looking down as the blonde-haired boy peered up at him. "Good morning."

"That it is." Rowle agreed. "How are you finding the Slytherin dorms? Did the fish disturb you? They like to butt the glass sometimes."

They were cheeky buggers.

"Oh no, not at all," said Harry. "They stayed well away."

Harry shifted slightly, feeling not Rowle's but Bellatrix's gaze burning a whole in him. "I'll be sure to silence the window in future though."

"My advice exactly." Rowle nodded affably, returning Harry's before he watched him walk away. Rowle turned back to his breakfast a moment later. "That's rather amusing," he commented. "He's being pushed around by Bellatrix."

Himrick wasn't sure whether to envy or pity him, since little was known about the very private nature the girl seemed to hold. They seemed quite close though.

"They're allies apparently," said a boy across from him, another Pureblood by the of Yaxley. "Who knew."

He plopped his spoon within his bowl, seemingly annoyed at whatever this alliance meant.

"You can't blame him for not approaching either of our families," returned Rowle. "Our fathers weren't exactly inviting, they took the money they were owed and went on holiday." Rowle sniffed disapprovingly. "To be expected really."

Both their fathers held much to be desired when it came to being an actual Lord, and had simply treated the enormous sum of money they had received from Lord Gaunt as a… a prize money. They were still yet to return from their trip.

"They missed their chance," grumbled Yaxley. "And now instead of us showing Gaunt what's what, it's a middle daughter from a dying family." Yaxley gripped his spoon. "Who knows what she's telling him."

He cast his eye subtly down the table, in the best position to see as Bellatrix pointed at a piece of paper, appearing to demand something from Lord Gaunt. "Ridiculous."

Yaxley looked away, knowing that his best-friend thought precisely the same.

"We'll leave him be for now," decided Himrick quietly, finding many of the things Lord Gaunt seemed to do rather interesting. "Just observe."

That's what he'd been told to do.

"Fine." Yaxley agreed begrudgingly. "We'll do it their way."

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"It's fine Bellatrix," said Harry for the fourth time. "It doesn't matter. Sixth-year or seventh makes little different."

So long as it wasn't fifth-year, Harry could take sitting amongst 16 and 17-year-olds. "Besides, Dumbledore's probably right. We need to establish where I am first."

The man had inadvertently done him a favour too by keeping Bellatrix away. Now Harry could skip class without the prospect of her following him.

"It's far from all right Harry," denied Bellatrix while holding the paper. "It's insulting to you. Dumbledore knows you're good enough.We all do." Bellatrix leaned towards him, whispering in his ear. "Everybody saw the Daily Prophet, so to assume you cannot attend seventh-year classes because of lack of skill, is entirely unfounded."

Bellatrix jabbed the paper into Harry's hand. "Fix it." She demanded. "Or I will."

She then returned to her breakfast, hearing while she did as Cissy tried not to giggle just beside her.

Bellatrix tutted.

"I'll think about it." Harry placed the paper neatly inside his pocket. "But for now, I'll attend sixth-year classes."

Harry plucked a grape from a bowl of fruit upon the table, chewing while he looked around at the many heads lowered towards their bowls. He could feel Bellatrix looking at him, and he could understand her perspective - really, he did.

She'd told him everything that had been on her mind when they'd been alone in the carriage, how she feared for her future and the direction her family was taking. She didn't want to be away from him, because through Harry, Bellatrix had the only means to control where her life would lead.

Arcturus was no good anymore, he was reclusive and she didn't know why. Walburga was taking over, pushing her family towards a man that Harry himself, had declared to hate above all others.

He was her best option, that's why she hadn't given up.

"It's time to go Harry." Harry felt Bellatrix touch his arm. "Harry?"

"Yeah." Harry broke away from his thoughts, rising with her from the bench before following her out.

"Bye Harry," said Bellatrix, the two parting ways in the busy corridor. "Find me later."

Bellatrix held onto the strap of her back, the people around brushing past as she dared to listen for Harry's answer…

…

But what was the poin-

"Alright." Harry looked back at her with his emerald eyes. "I'll find you."

And then he was gone, turned away and disappearing within the crowd. He'd left Bellatrix in a stupor, her hand held tight around the strap from her bag.

She smiled.

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