Chapter 119: Changing the Future

Disclaimer:

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

I own nothing but the original characters I make.

"Dialogue"

'Thoughts'

-Author notes-

Chapter 119: Changing the Future

James had to politely refuse being escorted back to school and made his way out through the front door of the house, carefully measuring his pace to ensure that Bella could follow him outside.

Then, he returned to the same dark alley where he had previously apparated and placed a Muggle-Repelling Charm.

"I'll give you credit. It is impressive that you managed to stay under the cloak and keep quiet despite what happened," James said.

He saw the image of Bella appear in front of him as she removed the cloak.

The girl had a complicated expression, and he wasn't sure if she was angry or scared.

"You okay?" James asked. The Bellatrix he knew from the past would have probably laughed and patted his back for a job well done, but this young girl was still far from that murderous psychopath.

"I can still smell the stench of blood…" Bella said.

"Yes. Things went a bit out of hand back there." James was now regretting bringing her along. This was not a side of him that he liked to show people.

He couldn't even recall at what point of his life it was, but somewhere down the line, James discovered that he had a real talent for taking lives. It just came easy to him… using magic as a weapon.

This is why later on in his life, he decided to dedicate himself to something more productive, like alchemy. And maybe help the world while living a fulfilling life where he didn't have to dirty his hands.

Now he was back here, and it was thanks to the same man.

"A bit out of hand?" Bella looked at him. "You killed the current Lord Rosier and almost ended Lord Malfoy and Lord Lestrange. By the way, Lord Rosier was my great-granduncle."

"Right… your mother is a Rosier." He had forgotten about that fact. "Were you two close?"

Bella scoffed. "That old man was a bastard, and not even my mother liked him. But that's not the point. You killed a Lord from an ancient house. Aren't you worried about what is going to happen to you because of this?"

"If you're worried about the Aurors, then—"

"No, not them… families like the Rosier are not going to take something like this without seeking revenge. They will come for you… three of the most powerful wizard families are going to make you their target. How can you be so calm?" Bella asked.

"Oh, that. It's best if you don't concern yourself with those matters. They won't be making any reckless moves. As long as I am in Hogwarts, I should be safe."

"And when you leave?"

James smiled. "We should return to the castle."

Bella frowned. "Are you going to ignore this?"

"No, I'm just ignoring your question. Today, I did what I came here to do. I made sure your grandfather was not killed. I will deal with the consequences myself."

"Ah…" She had almost forgotten about that. It was true that she had originally come here because she was concerned about her grandfather. "I should have thanked you for that first… sorry. You saved my grandfather's life. And I no longer have to marry that fool of Rodolphus."

James made a gesture with his hand for her to approach. "No problem. Now, grab my hand and I'll take us back to the castle grounds."

"Do we have to ride the broom again?!"

James shrugged. "I cannot apparate inside the castle. And returning through the front door is not an option."

"Uuuuu…" Bella made some noises of complaint.

<><><><><><><><><>

The way to Hogwarts went smoother than expected. Bella just shut her eyes and grabbed onto his waist with all her might.

It was getting late, and the halls were mostly empty already, making it easier for them to move around.

James accompanied her until the entrance to the dungeons.

"I'll take my leave now." He was about to turn around when he heard her calling for him again.

"James, wait… there is something I need to ask you." Bella looked somewhat hesitant.

"What is it?"

"I don't want to seem ungrateful, but… why did you take such a risk for my family? I just don't understand it."

James seemed to consider his answer for a moment before speaking again. "For a better future."

"A better future? What do you m— hey!" Before she could ask anything else, James covered himself with the Invisibility Cloak and disappeared from her sight.

She stood there for a long moment, thinking about what happened tonight.

If it wasn't for James, it was likely that she would have lost her grandfather. She did not believe for a moment that her father had the guts to fight against those three Lords to defend him.

And her mother was more likely to side with Malfoy and the others.

Since she had learned of the new Dark Lord, her mother Druella had been making plans for their future.

'The future…' She wondered what James had meant by that.

<><><><><><><><>

The next day, the Ministry of Magic had become a very animated place.

On the night before, the Lords of two noble houses had appeared in the hospital of Saint Mungo's, presenting serious injuries. And a third Lord was dead.

Lord Malfoy and Lestrange had refused to elaborate much about what had occurred, other than that they had a disagreement with the Lord of another house.

After some pressure from the Aurors and encouragement from the Minister, they discovered that the Lord in question was Lord Black and that the 'disagreement' had taken place at his manor.

The reason for Malfoy and Lestrange's hesitation to speak about what happened was due to the fact that they had been the ones who initiated the attack by taking their wands out while inside Lord Pollux's manor, and Lord Rosier had even attempted to use the Killing Curse on James before he died.

If Lord Pollux and the other occupants in that room began to share the memories of what had transpired… they were the ones who would be on the losing side of the law.

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