Chapter 29: A Forceful Request

Disclaimer:

Harry Potter and all of its characters belong to J.K. Rowling.

I own nothing but the original characters I create.

"Dialogue"

'Thoughts'

-Author notes-

Chapter 29: A Forceful Request

"I'm very good at moving around without being noticed," Bella told him. "A skill I learned very early in my life."

James frowned. After attending classes together for a few weeks, he had almost forgotten how dangerous this woman was.

He should never have lowered his guard around her.

"What do you want?" The tone of James's voice had become cold and sharp.

He was not a person fond of violence, but he would not hesitate to do what was necessary.

During his childhood, Dumbledore had taught him about offering mercy and second chances.

During his adulthood, he learned that not everyone deserves second chances.

Bellatrix did not show it, but she was shaken by James's reaction.

She had been expecting him to be upset, of course, but not this level of hostility.

She stared at his cold amber eyes with mild shock. That look was not new to her… she had seen it many times in different members of her family, but mostly on her parents.

Bella had not expected to see it tonight, on the one who had become known as Hogwarts' jokester.

"Potter…"

"You've been following me, and now you've found this place… what do you want?"

"I…" Bella stopped. She had the feeling that if she said the wrong thing, she would be the one getting cursed.

'Am I afraid… of Potter?' Just that thought alone was making her angry.

"I didn't come here to fight you, Potter," she kept her expression unchanged as much as she could, at least. "But if you try anything, I'll—"

"Do I have to repeat my question a third time?" James asked her.

"Tsk! You know what I want," Bellatrix responded.

"Don't tell me this is all about that ridiculous request for me to teach you potions."

"How is that a ridiculous request?!" Bella snapped. "I'm an excellent student in every subject, and that includes potions."

James observed her outburst. She had always been a prideful one. "If you're such an excellent student… then you don't need me to teach you."

"This isn't about getting an Outstanding in potions. I can do that without anyone's help!" Bella exclaimed.

"Then what is it that you want… to impress your grandfather or something?" James said out loud the first conclusion he arrived at after learning about Pollux Black from the professor.

Bellatrix had managed to keep her expression from changing… until now.

"Did I actually hit the nail on the head?" He had just made a random guess.

Bellatrix looked away from him.

'Did I just make Bellatrix embarrassed?' James thought. Not to mention the fact that she would go this far just to gain the approval of a family member.

"It doesn't matter why," Bellatrix brushed his comment away. Now she finally had some leverage over him. "I want you to teach me that brewing method you used in class. In exchange, I will never speak of this place to anyone, and I will leave you alone." She was a Slytherin at heart, and she always got what she wanted in the end.

"No," James responded.

"What?!" Bella didn't expect such a quick refusal.

"You think I'm bluffing? I'll tell the teachers you're illegally brewing potions inside the school. You'll be lucky if you avoid being suspended."

James didn't care about that. He could remove every trace of him in this room in a matter of minutes… but then he would need to find another place, and there weren't any other options as good as this one.

The Room of Requirement would be fine for quick brewings, but if he left all his equipment in there as the room changed forms… it would all go to waste. He couldn't receive owls in there, either.

The Chamber of Secrets was also out… the basilisk was still in there, and he did not feel like fighting that snake without a better reason. And again… no owls could get there.

'I'd need to spend who knows how long scouring the castle for a substitute room… how annoying.' That was a waste of time he'd rather avoid.

"Well? Are you going to say anything?" Bella spoke after seeing him pausing for too long.

"You won't be able to learn that method, even if I agreed to teach it to you. It may have seemed simple at first glance, but there are a lot of techniques that one would need to master first in order to perform it." This is why he didn't care about using it in class.

There was no chance of anyone copying him. Not even the professor.

"Are you calling me stupid? I'm the most talented witch you will ever meet," Bella huffed.

'And the most dangerous…' James thought.

"Besides… Last year, you were useless in potions, and now you can brew potions like you're roasting peanuts. How hard can it be to learn?" she added.

He raised two fingers. "Two classes a week for the rest of the year. No more than that. Whatever you can learn in that time will be up to your own skills. If you cannot learn the method, you can only blame your own incompetence."

"That's more than enough," Bella smiled, feeling satisfied she got what she wanted.

"If anyone ever finds out about this place… the deal is over," James added.

"Wait, even if I don't tell anyone? That's not fair," she complained.

"Then you better make sure no one sees you coming in here," James said.

She frowned. "You were the careless one, not me."

Sounds of something bubbling fiercely broke the background silence.

"What is that?" Bella pointed at the large crystal jar in the corner. "That seems too big for a potion… what else are you doing in here?"

"Your lessons start tomorrow. Now go away," James told her.

"Don't shoo me away. You're supposed t—"

"And just for the record, there was never going to be any fight between us. The moment you entered my lab in such a careless manner… you had already lost."

"What are you talking abou—ahhh!" Bella found her body turning upside down, as if her feet had been grabbed and lifted with tremendous force.

"You see… there was a powder on the ground as you entered. That powder is in your shoes right now, and… well, I think you can figure out the rest."

"Let me down!... Potter!" Bellatrix shouted furiously.

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