Chapter -7.
"Alright, this green one looks way better on you, let's get this and also that black one." Theodore quickly said as Madam Malkin was about to go fetch more robes for Bellatrix to try.
"Wait, what about my say in this?" Bellatrix, who was surprisingly enjoying trying on the new styles of robes, wanted to have a say in her outfit choices.
"You can definitely share your opinion once you start paying for them, but until then, no arguments." Theodore, who was already feeling the strain on his wallet, couldn't let Bellatrix go overboard with her spending; after all he still had some things left to buy.
"Tch." Bellatrix made a disapproving noise and rolled her eyes at the man's choice of dresses for her. She had to admit, though, he did have some fashion sense hidden in that stingy head of his.
With Bellatrix giving up on getting more robes, Theodore paid for both of their purchases and fit them into his small suitcase which was enchanted with spacre enlargment magic. And then they left Madam Malkin's store, which was once againg getting crammed with Hogwarts students.
As once again they started walking down the alley, "Want some ice cream to cheer you up?" Theodore teased, trying not to laugh at Bellatrix's grumpy expression. He was definitely seeing a new side of her today.
"No thanks, I'll buy my own when i have money. Don't want you showing off again," Bellatrix replied, picking up her pace and ignoring Theodore's playful remarks.
Theodore was sure that Bellatrix's grumpy phase would calm down after a few minutes, so he didn't say much at that time; however, he was disappointed by this; because even after buying all the necessary books and many other things, her mood was still the same, which eventually made Theodore a bit worried.
"Why are you staring at my face like that? Got something to say?" bellatrix suddenly asked, making theodore jump a bit as he realized he had been staring at her without even realizing it.
theodore, caught in the act, let out a sigh. He never thought he'd be trying cheesy lines to cheer up a grumpy woman in his boring life. But there he was, reaching out to touch bellatrix's still puffed-up cheeks and saying, "Well yes, I can't see anything here except beauty, but I'm worried that might fade away if you keep being grumpy."
Bellatrix was taken aback by theodore's bold move, her heart racing and cheeks flushing at his initial words. But that quickly turned back to annoyance as she heard his follow-up comment.
"You! Are you asking for a punch or something?" Bellatrix pushed theodore's hand away in frustration, ready to give him a piece of her mind for being so irritating.
"Haha, sorry, sorry! I'll stop pestering you, but you really should do something about that grumpy mood of yours; otherwise, someone might think I've kidnapped you and am dragging you around to run my errands," Theodore said with a slight smile, trying to lighten Bellatrix's irritated demeanor.
"What's wrong with that? there's nothing wrong with what you said just now?" Bellatrix replied with a deep sigh, watching the irony of the situation unfold before her.
"Ouch! That's hurtful! How can you say that to someone who's being so nice? Have you ever seen a kidnapper as kind as me?" Theodore feigned hurt, and his little act worked; Bellatrix's expression softened momentarily.
However, before she could respond, he, having planned to let her stew in guilt for a bit longer, gazed at the sky that was darkening and said, "Anyway, now that shopping is done, it's getting late, so we should probably head back." With that, he started walking back toward the Leaky Cauldron, where the fireplaces were set up for the Floo Network.
"Wait, Theodore, I didn't mean it that way," Bellatrix muttered in her usual cold tone, following behind him but receiving no reply.
...
"Alright, we're here. as you already know just say the address loudly, and you'll be back home," Theodore said, gesturing toward the fireplace while presenting the bag of floo powder that he always carried.
He had promised to let her return to her house, and he didn't want to go back on that commitment. Besides, he thought there was no harm in letting her experience a brief illusion of freedom, even if it was only for a few minutes.
"Are you sure? Is it really that simple? I mean, aren't you worried I might act foolishly like my courrent old self used to and make you regret this decision?" Bellatrix asked, her confusion evident as she sensed there was more beneath Theodore's calm demeanor.
Her perplexity only deepened when Theodore remained silent, and then instructing her all of a sudden, "Take only a handful of floo powder; that should be the right amount."
Realizing she couldn't decipher his thoughts, she surrendered to the moment, reached out, and grabbed a handful of floo powder. Glancing back at Theodore's unruffled expression, she stepped into the fireplace, her heart racing; once she left this place, she would be free to contemplate what had gone wrong.
"Have a safe trip home," Theodore said, taking a few steps back while waving at Bellatrix playfully. His teasing gesture annoyed her even more, and this time without hesitation, she threw the floo powder into the fireplace, clearly shouting, "[12 Grimmauld Place]." In an instant, the green flames erupted, and she vanished.
Theodore, fully aware of his actions, stood still even after witnessing her disappear into the flames. Reaching into his pocket, he pulled out a pocket watch he had bought from a market for stolen goods and started to measure the precise amount of freedom he intended to grant Bellatrix. As soon as that brief moment had elapsed, he called out, "Bellatrix," and stood there for a response.
Suddenly, Bellatrix who had vanished into flames of floo network reappeared before him, seemingly berating some unfortunate creature. "Creature, you ridiculous fool, you're still alive?"
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