1,207Reviews:
forestwolf12: She's been in the job long enough to know what's going to take the most effort, lol.
gigamans57: There will be certain canon points that won't be in the story for sure.
Mitkon2001: He's that one employee you know who practically (literally in his case) lives there, never leaves and knows every single detail about how to do the job.
Ethan: Damn me because I didn't write the story you want? Last I checked, you're not my boss, and I have the right to refuse additional work. I got nearly two thousand reviews on this story alone. You know how many story requests I get? If I write each and every request, then I'd never be able to finish my current stories. You called me a stupid Muslim? I am admittedly stupid, and I am proudly Muslim, so what? I'm not the one throwing a fit on a fanfiction website and spewing out racial abuse just because an author doesn't immediately do as you say. Grow up, think about what you did wrong (admit it as well if you have the balls to do so) and move on with your life.
Chapter 34 -
Hydrus let out a small sigh as he sat next to his mother in an interrogation room. He was pretty sure that the time had gone past midnight, what had started with a pretty normal night had ended up with the cunt-who-kills-innocent-and-actually-quite-nice-people -(shut up, Snape)-and-possesses-teachers, Voldemort himself. Many people had been brought into the ministry, including the Hogwarts teachers and even many students.
Hydrus didn't know about the rest, but he knew that he had now told five different people the exact same thing when asked about all the information he had about Professor Quirrell and Voldemort. His patience was slowly but surely wearing thin and he knew that his mother had far less patience than he did.
"It'll be all over the news by morning time," Bellatrix said suddenly, tapping her fingers against her legs as she leaned back into her chair. "By this time tomorrow, everyone in our world will know that Voldemort is alive."
"Given what he said and what happened, maybe they'll stop accusing you of working for him," Hydrus replied, sounding doubtful.
"Nah," Bellatrix said bluntly. "Some will, but he also made it sound like I had joined him in the first place, so I'm still going to be pretty hated."
"Dickheads," Hydrus muttered just before the door opened and Amelia Bones herself walked in, looking quite tired. "If I have to repeat my story one more time then I'm going to kill someone," He said before she could speak.
"And I'm going to let him," Bellatrix added in an annoyed tone, wrapping an arm around his shoulders. "When do we get to go home?"
"Now," Amelia answered bluntly. "We've gotten everything we need from you, I'm here to let you know that you both can go home. But I would like to offer you both a personal security escort for your home and -"
"We don't need one," Bellatrix cut her off. "The wards of House Black are infamous for good reason, not even he will be able to get through them."
"Very well," Amelia said in a resigned tone. "But I want you to know that there will be an auror presence at school from now on, they'll be keeping an eye out for everyone. The two of you may go now, I wish you both the best of luck." She said before turning and walking away.
"She looks exhausted," Hydrus couldn't help but note.
"Yeah, she'll have to deal with a lot of paperwork and a lot of politics," Bellatrix sighed. "I do not envy her right now."
"Great Master Hydrus returns!" Kreacher said happily when Hydrus walked out of the fireplace along with his mother. "Oh, Kreacher is so happy to see young master here."
"Thank you, Kreacher," Hydrus smiled as he knelt down and patted Kreacher on the arm. "But it's only for tonight and then I have to go back to Hogwarts,"
"Yes, yes, Master Hydrus must go back and learn to be a great wizard," Kreacher agreed reluctantly, frowning for a moment before brightening as he stared at Hydrus. "Kreacher has made sure that young Master Hydrus's room was exactly as he left it, Kreacher will go once more and make sure that it is ready. Young Master must sleep," Kreacher said before walking off and out of the room, leaving an amused smile on one Hydrus Black.
"Hmm, I missed him," Hydrus said as he stood up.
"And we both missed you," Bellatrix said as she pulled him into a hug, kissing the top of his forehead. "So, besides stupid dark lords, what else has been going on at your school?"
"The usual," Hydrus said before breaking the hug. "Top of nearly every class,"
"Obviously," Bellatrix nodded in a way that indicated he might as well have told her that the sun was hot and the sky was blue.
"Mother, the...that Cooper girl," Hydrus said with a frown. "She...she's mad."
"What did you do?"
"No, I mean...like us. I've seen the signs, she's become like us."
"What do you..." Bellatrix trailed off, a thoughtful expression on her face. "...That thing that she's been doing to you, she's been absorbing the Black madness?"
"No, I...I don't know, I don't feel any different. But she's different from before. I've seen the 'Black Madness' in her eyes, I think she's getting it from me," He said with a shake of his head. "I can't let her do it again."
"It's possible that this girl could be a permanent cure for you," Bellatrix pointed out lightly.
"Perhaps, but I'm not going to make a cure for myself by condemning an innocent person to suffer," Hydrus replied firmly. "She's not an enemy of mine, I find her quite interesting to be honest. She doesn't deserve to be used as a cure for me. Do...do you want me to -"
"I've lived with my madness my whole life," She cut him off gently. "I can live with it for the rest of my years, it's just not something I wanted for you, my precious prince."
"If you can live with it, then I can live with it," He said, taking her hand in his. "The Black family is the toughest there is," He smiled.
"That's true," She smiled before pulling him in a hug. "I'm proud of you, my son, I knew from the moment I first saw you that you'd pull our house back into greatness."
Liv couldn't help but shake her head as she walked through the halls of Hogwarts with Hermione. Just yesterday the entire population of Magical Britain received the shock of a lifetime when it was discovered that the infamous dark wizard - widely known as he-who-must-not-be-named because he was apparently so scary that people didn't even want to say his name - was actually alive! Not to mention that he was currently living as some weird ghost-cloud thing. Wasn't magic so fun?!
And who had discovered him? No one other than Hydrus Bloody Black's mother! Bellatrix Black! At once the whole school had become divided, many people were beginning to consider that maybe - just maybe - the Black family weren't just Voldemort's lackeys. However, others, like Neville and Ron, were firmly in the opposite group, and they took Voldemort's words as proof that Bellatrix Black was obviously a death eater and was probably acting for some sort of evil plot for Voldemort or she was planning to make her son into the next dark lord.
"Things in Hogwarts are hardly ever dull, aren't they?" Hermione let out a sigh as they walked to the library.
"Yeah, I can hardly remember what dull feels like," Liv snorted.
"Well, you'll likely know quite a bit after your detention," Hermione said in a disapproving voice along with an equally disapproving look.
Liv took in a small breath and resisted the urge in her that told her to tackle Hermione and slam her head repeatedly against the wall whilst also ripping out her hair. She still felt permanently angry, not to mention feeling constantly like she wanted to laugh and scream at the same time, but thankfully the feelings weren't as heavy as they were before.
"Yeah, well, hopefully, it goes quickly," Liv said in a tired voice.
"Hope what goes quickly?" A voice asked, the two looked to their rights and stopped in their tracks as they spotted Hydrus right in front of them.
"I...when did you get back?" Hermione blurted out.
"Roughly five minutes ago," Hydrus shrugged. "I wanted to take a walk before I had to go back to my common room. Anyway, what do you hope goes quickly?"
"My detention, I..." Liv trailed off and shook her head. "You know what, never mind, we should go, right Hermione?"
"Actually," Hydrus spoke before Hermione could respond. "I'd like it if you and I could talk to each other for a few minutes, alone." He said to Liv.
"You can say whatever you want to say to me in front of Hermione," Liv glared at him, crossing her arms.
"So, silly of me, Miss Cooper, but I can't help but have the impression that you're scared of being alone in a room with little old me," Hydrus said in an amused voice. "Are you? Cooper? Are you scared of being in a room with me?"
"I'm not scared of anyone, including you!" She spat angrily before forcing her emotions down with a sheer force of will. "Hermione," Liv said with a forced calmness. "I'd like a moment alone with Black if you don't mind."
"Umm..." Hermione stared between the two of them before giving Liv a hesitant look. "Are you sure? I don't mind, really,"
"It'll be fine, Hermione," Liv said firmly. "I'm not scared of Black, besides, I'm a big girl and I can look after myself."
"Plus if I do anything then I'm sure that you'll know how to find me, Miss Granger," Hydrus said to Hermione before adopting a charming smile. "But I know neither of us will have to do that, right? That's one of the reasons I'm fond of you, Miss Granger, you're one of the only Gryffindors I've seen who know how to use their brains instead of just acting without thinking. It's why you're obviously one of the best in a year." He said kindly. Hermione blushed and Liv growled before grabbing Hydrus by the arm.
"I'll see you in a bit, Hermione," Liv said shortly before dragging Hydrus away.
"Goodbye Hermione," Hydrus waved with his free hand, able to spot Hermione shyly waving back before Liv dragged him around the corner. "She's very easy to manipulate," Hydrus noted critically before turning to Liv. "It's also my sincerest hope that you aren't usually this easy to manipulate as well, I'll give you a pass since I'm sure you're not feeling yourself right now."
"Quiet," Liv said, pulling him into an abandoned classroom and locking the door behind her before she shoved Hydrus back a few steps. "Really?" That's how it is, huh? You're back here for a few minutes and already you want me to be your little therapy machine?! Fine, you dickhead!" She stomped over and raised her hand to touch his face, only to freeze when he grabbed her by the arm. "What are you doing?!" She tried to pull her arm away, but his grip was firm. She opened her mouth to rage at him when she suddenly felt his wand press against the side of her head. "I..." She trailed off when the spell washed over her, he finally released her and she stepped back, shaking her head. "What? What did you do to me?"
"Cheering charm," Hydrus grinned. "Works like a charm. You're feeling better now, yeah?" He asked hopefully.
"Well...yeah, I suppose, thanks," She nodded gratefully, feeling much lighter than before.
"I'd recommend a warm drink and a good night's sleep to help out and if we're lucky then you'll be alright in a day or two." He said before his eyes narrowed as he stepped forward and tapped her nose with his finger, he stared at her and didn't see anything besides the obvious confusion that she had. "Good, you're not actively doing your special little trick,"
"I can only do it through my hands anyway," She mumbled.
"Hmm, good to know," He said thoughtfully before continuing. "Anyway, you didn't tell me there were side effects from using your abilities. You're not stealing the madness, so what are you doing? Duplicating it?"
"Sort of," Liv sighed deeply. "I...I feel whatever the person is feeling, and if it's intense emotions then they take longer to leave. When I touched you, I felt everything you felt at the time. The pain, the madness, the...the-"
"The rage," Hydrus finished knowingly. "I know, it took me a while to get used to it. But still, why didn't you tell me?"
"Would it have made a difference?" Liv snorted.
"Of course, it would've," Hydrus glared at her. "I would never have asked you to do it if I knew that you'd be suffering like that as well, you don't deserve that."
"And you do?" Liv asked before she could stop herself. Hydrus stopped and stared at her for several moments before taking a deep breath.
"I got the madness when I properly entered into the Black family, and I've never once regretted it." He said firmly. "I'd rather live a thousand years with the madness than suffer a day knowing that my mother is not with me."
"Doesn't mean you like it," Liv said softly. "You've worked out how to live with it, but you want to get rid of it, right?"
"You've had it for less than a week, you tell me, wouldn't you?" He retorted with a mild glare.
"Point," Liv conceded, rubbing her arm. "Sorry, it's just...I'm trying to understand you. I've had this 'madness' of yours for only a bit and I don't ever want to spend another day like it. How? How do you live like that?"
"It's better than what I used to live like," Hydrus said, looking down for a moment before he stared up at her. "Mother saved me from that life. Wouldn't you suffer a little pain if it meant living a life a hundred times better than your own?" He asked. "I know what I'd choose. Either way, this is over," He said, pointing between himself and Liv. "I don't want it anymore, keep your mind tricks,"
"What?!" Liv blinked hard. "But...what about Neville and -"
"Your lengthy bottom will be left alone," He cut her off. "For the rest of this short year at least. Next year, try to keep him out of my way, I'll be as nice as I can but my patience is not unlimited." He warned before taking a step past her only to be stopped when she grabbed his arm.
"You'd be okay with it?" She couldn't help but ask. "You'd rather suffer through all of that instead of letting me take it away?" She asked, letting go of him and looking him right in the eye.
"I've gotten used to it." He shrugged. "Besides, Mother taught me a few tricks, so I don't feel it as bad as I used to. You might want to look up 'occlumency', by the way," He advised. "It might help you out. And like I said, you don't deserve to suffer so that I can be happy. You're not my enemy, last I checked. Anyway, I'd best be off before some Gryffindors start to think that I kidnapped you or something. Oh, and don't worry about your detention. I'll sort that out. See you around, I guess." He nodded before walking out.
Liv couldn't help but stare at the door that he had just walked out of. Hydrus Black, according to many, many people (especially in her own house) was an evil boy. The son of a dark witch and a future dark lord or, at the very least, another dark wizard. He was the Prince of Slytherin who obviously hated muggles and muggle-borns; he was not a nice boy. He was evil incarnate.
'Idiots,' She thought.