The Last Reappearance

Bellatrix watched through narrowed eyes as Potter embarrassed her house team over and over again and although she was furious with him, she had to admit that he was more than a little impressive on a broom.

She shook her head and thought back over the past few weeks since everything had gone wrong. She had no memory whatsoever of what had occurred. She had simply left to meet him and woke up two days later to the news that she had attacked him, something that she never had any intention of doing. She had even said as much to Dumbledore but the man clearly did not believe her, especially when the LeStrange's and Snape used the exact same excuse.

At first she had been hurt that he would believe she would do it willingly. She had never had an easy job of making friends, partly because of the reputation of her family and partly because she was not a very open person. She had quickly realised that her house was full of morons who she had no desire to spend time with but that had left her rather alone, which she simply got on with and focused on her school work.

But then Potter had come along and he actually understood her sense of humour and despite the fact that he had preconceived ideas of the kind of person she was, they quickly left and she actually enjoyed his company although she wouldn't admit it. He was clever, even more so than she was she grudgingly admitted and he was funny and had never once leered at her in an unwanted way nor attempted anything other than tentative flirting and welcome banter.

But that had been then and this was now. Now she was furious with him for simply refusing to work with her and not even attempt to hear her out. The boy hadn't even looked her way at any point, always exited the class first and was nowhere to be found once he had left.

Today would be different however. Today Bellatrix Black would get her say and give him a piece of her mind, no matter what she had to do.

(BREAK)

Harry stood under the hot stream of water in the changing after a long and tiresome game against the Slytherin team with Gryffindor having been victorious by 400 points. He was in no rush to leave as he enjoyed one of the more simple things in life; a hot shower to help alleviate the aches and pains he had accumulated over the past week of pushing himself to his limits.

Eventually he turned the water off and stepped out of the cubicle, dried himself off and pulled on some clean underwear and trousers before taking a seat on a bench.

He took a deep breath and absorbed the peace and quiet as he rest of the team had left some time ago.

He truly had pushed himself harder than he ever had. He knew he had been a little negligent with his training since he had arrived at Hogwarts, but those days were certainly behind him now. He had become more vicious, less hesitant and more dangerous in his pursuit to be the best fighter he could be. Any emotion he felt was swallowed as he had learnt to do before he came here; it was for the best after all, he had a job to do and there was nothing that was going to stand in his way.

He heard the door to the changing room creak as it opened and his wand was in his hand immediately, aimed at the person now standing in the doorway.

"Come to have another go?" he asked neutrally, though he had narrowed his eyes.

"For merlin sake Potter, if I wanted to curse you do you think I'd ask the LeStrange's of all people to help, I'd do it myself" Bellatrix ground out angrily.

"That's exactly what you would do, you and your future husband" he seethed inwardly.

He said nothing but kept his eye on the girl.

"I have no idea what happened that night, I left the common room to meet you and that's all I remember" She explained irritably.

Harry just shrugged. "A likely excuse" he replied internally.

"Is that the excuse you gave to Dumbledore?" he asked.

"It's the truth" Bellatrix returned heatedly. "Rudolphus and the rest said the same" she added with sneer.

"Why are you even here? It's not like it actually matters" Harry bit back.

Bellatrix swallowed deeply and actually looked a little hurt, an expression that changed quickly to anger.

"Fine" she shrugged.

She turned around but paused at the door.

"You know, I thought you were different" she muttered. "It turns out you're just like every body else, a prejudice and ignorant git" She finished before exiting the room and leaving Harry alone once more. As far as Harry was concerned it didn't matter if she was telling the truth but he knew for a fact he was more mad at himself for being caught out than he was at her. This was Bellatrix Black, the future Mrs. LeStrange who had taken away the most important person he had ever had.

He knew he was being a complete arse to her but he would not take the same chance that had come back and bit him already. He just couldn't.

'It was only a temporary thing anyway, as soon as Christmas came they would have had no reason to ever speak again' he reminded himself.

The one thing that he would grudgingly admit was that he did miss working with her. Working with James and Remus was fine but it just wasn't the same.

Yes, they would laugh and joke but it felt like there was something missing and the fact was it was Bellatrix and Harry was very much aware of it. There was just something about her that he didn't understand. It was something that appealed to him and actually made the prospect of completing the tedious work enjoyable and something to look forward.

He didn't know exactly what it was about Bellatrix Black that had this effect on him but it was something that he missed having.

He shook his head firmly.

'It's better this way' he reiterated as he pushed the memories of her and the insane woman she would become to the front of his mind.

(BREAK)

Halloween arrived at Hogwarts and the group of boy's, minus Remus who had had a particularly exhausting change this month, were eagerly anticipating the evening's feast where their first prank of the year would be pulled. Harry had been tasked to complete the charm work on everything that needed it, mostly to conceal the transfiguration spells that had been placed on the items by Sirius and James. Peter had worked tirelessly on the potions they would need for the past fortnight and now everything was ready. All that was left was for them to sit back and enjoy the fruits of their labour.

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