Harry nodded. "Basically, I'll just have to do what I can to ensure a better future for everyone."
"Everyone?" Bellatrix asked carefully. "You were in a… dispute with someone. That means two sides. You want to manipulate it so your side wins."
"That is true," Harry admitted, "but the more complete the victory of my side, the fewer people there will be to lose on the other side."
Bellatrix did her best to interpret Harry's cryptic comment, but came up short. "What's your first step then?"
Harry thought carefully. "I haven't entirely decided."
"You must have some clue," Bellatrix retorted, the acidity returning to her demeanor now that Harry's emotion had moved a little further toward the back of his mind.
A small smile crossed Harry's face as he looked at Bellatrix. "Your friends the Lestranges may be cognizant of information that I would find… useful."
Bellatrix got the hint. "And if I help you obtain that information, what do I get out of it?"
"My undying gratitude?" Harry offered.
"You'll have to do better than that," Bellatrix replied, crossing her arms and sitting back in the chair.
Harry frowned. He wasn't ready to develop a habit of paying Bellatrix for every last thing she did for him. After thinking it over quickly, he settled on something that would probably satisfy her but wouldn't tax him too hard. "I'll let you officially be my partner-but on the condition that I tell you information only on a need to know basis."
"How does that help me?"
"Dividends," Harry said.
Bellatrix thought it over carefully. Even if Harry failed to manipulate events in such a way that he profited greatly, she could still take advantage of things on her own. Despite this positive thought, there was the issue that dividends probably weren't immediate. "How about benefits also?"
"What about them?"
"I can't just do stuff with a vague promise of profits in the future. If I'm your alleged partner, I want to feel like it," Bellatrix explained.
"Well… you may come to my… office and talk to me without bratting a detention whenever you feel the need," Harry said. "I'll even let you off this detention." Harry offered.
Bellatrix narrowed her eyes. Harry wasn't offering a whole lot, but Bellatrix wasn't sure just what there was to demand from him. Thus, she found herself agreeing without further negotiation. "I guess that's good enough for now, but I reserve the right to amend this agreement later."
"Whatever," Harry said. Even if he didn't promise to allow her to amend the terms later, she'd make his life miserable until he did.
"All right then."
Harry stood. "You may leave and get back to whatever you need to do."
Bellatrix also stood and stuck out her hand, her violet eyes boring into Harry's eyes. There was a great deal she wanted to discuss, but she figured it might be better to let it wait until Harry had thought things over more and was less likely to become emotional. She didn't want to find herself adjusting her demeanor for his emotions more than necessary.
Harry looked at her hand as if it was a venomous snake. Finally, he reached out and took it, shaking with her on their new partnership. He could hardly believe that he had just established a partnership with the teenage version of Bellatrix Black.
She opened the door and left Harry's office, leaving Harry to mourn the loss of his reality. He only became more depressed when he realized that Bellatrix was really the only person in the entire world that he could call friend-and that only because he was more acquainted and had shared more secrets with her than with anyone else.
.....
The next week or so passed uneventfully for Harry. He had been able to shelve the time travel question now that he knew that his actions would not endanger his own existence. This had left him plenty of time to research the subjects of potential essays to assign to his classes. When he had free time he did his best to get out and be around the castle so that he might be able to detect any sign of Voldemort's influence among the older students. Thus far, he had discovered nothing that he could really take back to Orion or even anything that he could use in his own personal quest against the rising Dark lord.
The highlight of his days was practicing new spells. He had been surprised to discover that most spells didn't take much more than reading up on the wand movements and a little bit of theory before he could effectively and powerfully cast it. The struggle came when trying to readily have them come to mind-or in other words, it was difficult to incorporate them into his fighting style. Despite this, Harry was confident that he was improving as far as his ability to duel.
He was in the process of grading essays one night when a knock sounded from the door of his office. "Come in," Harry called, already feeling happy for the distraction from reading essay after essay.
Lily Evans opened the door and entered. "Professor Ashworth, how are you?"
"Oh, fine," Harry replied, sitting back and trying to think of what could have possibly prompted her to pay him another visit. He sincerely hoped that she had not returned to interrogate him about his past again.
Lily set her book bag down, helped herself to a chair, and crossed her legs. "Professor, I'm here to make a proposition."
"A what?" Harry asked, staring at her quizzically.
"I have an idea," Lily continued excitedly, but with a semi-serious tone of voice.
Harry glanced back at his stack of essays. Perhaps grading his students' homework had been a better activity. "What is it?"
"You've seen for yourself that Severus has a problem with bullies," Lily said.
"Have Potter and Black still been giving him trouble?" Harry asked, already exasperated.
"No," Lily replied, "not since you gave them detention, but they're not the only ones who don't like Severus."
"You can say that again," Harry mumbled.
"Sorry?"
"Um, I was just happy Potter and Black weren't bothering him again," Harry said, covering up his slip.
"Right," Lily continued. "I was thinking that if Severus could learn to defend himself better, he might not be bullied so much."
Harry shrugged. It had never seemed to Harry that Snape lacked in his fighting skills, but how was he supposed to tell Lily that? Thus, he found himself responding in the only possible way he could given the circumstances. "I suppose you're right."
"So maybe you could take some time to teach him a little bit," Lily suggested.
Harry stared at her. Teach Snape how to defend himself? Never, Harry thought. The Snape that Harry had known was more than proficient enough with magic. Perhaps too proficient. "I'm a potions professor, Lily," Harry said, carefully, trying not to insult Lily's idea.
"You're also a powerful fighter," Lily snapped, becoming quickly outraged at Harry's attempt to avoid being saddled with teaching Snape. "I would ask our Defense professor, but she's practically senile."
"Still, I don't know that I'm the best choice," Harry pushed.
"Do people bully you?" Lily demanded.
"Well… sure. All the time." Harry said, thinking of Draco Malfoy and even technically, Voldemort.
"Name the last time it happened."
"Uh… well, not recently," Harry admitted. He couldn't exactly bring up anything from his past. At this rate, even if he spoke in vague terms, she would start demanding names and details.
....
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