Chapter -11.
[Next morning]
Theodore stirred from his slumber, feeling as though he had finally indulged in a much-needed respite after what felt like an eternity of restless nights. The tranquility of his sleep was abruptly shattered by a loud noise that echoed through the guest room, followed by the unmistakable voice of Kreacher, the house elf. "Young sir, wake up! Breakfast is ready, and Mistress Bellatrix is already waiting for your arrival at the dining table."
With a long, drawn-out yawn, Theodore reluctantly acknowledged the call. "Alright, I'll be there in a minute," he muttered, his voice still thick with sleep. He rubbed his eyelids, trying to shake off the remnants of his dreams, and in the blink of an eye, he watched as Kreacher vanished from the room, leaving a faint shimmer in the air.
Feeling a surge of positive energy coursing through him, Theodore swung his legs over the side of the bed and stood up. He quickly retrieved his wand, casting a spell that washed over him like a refreshing wave, cleansing him entirely. After donning a fresh set of clothes that felt crisp against his skin, he made his way toward the dining room, his mind already anticipating the meal that awaited him.
As he pushed open the heavy wooden door, the aroma of baked potatoes wafted through the air, mingling with the faint scent of herbs. "Good morning, dear Bellatrix," he greeted warmly, spotting her seated at the table, lost in her thoughts as she savored her breakfast. He walked over and took a seat beside her, a smile spreading across his face.
Bellatrix, momentarily startled by his sudden presence, looked up to meet his gaze. The warmth of his smile was infectious, and despite her initial surprise, she couldn't help but return the gesture with a small, shy smile of her own. "Good morning," she replied, her voice soft yet tinged with an underlying tension.
However, as she spoke, a vivid memory flashed through her mind—the memory of the kiss she had planted on his cheek the night before. Instantly, her cheeks flushed a deep crimson, and she felt a wave of embarrassment wash over her. Why had she acted so impulsively? The thought nagged at her, but there was no turning back now. To divert her attention from the awkwardness, she quickly asked, "So, how was your stay? Did you find the bed comfortable?"
"Yeah, it feels like I haven't had such a good sleep in a long time." Theodore noticed the faint blush on her cheeks and felt a playful urge to tease her about the kiss, but before he could voice his thoughts, Kreacher reappeared, interrupting the moment. "Young sir, your breakfast! I hope it will be to your liking," he announced, his voice filled with eagerness.
"Thank you, Kreacher," Theodore replied, a genuine smile lighting up his face as he turned his attention to the spread before him. The table was laden with an array of delicious dishes, and the sight of the food made his stomach rumble in anticipation. Rather than dwell on the teasing he had planned, he decided to focus on the meal, savoring each bite and taking his time to enjoy the flavors.
As he ate, he made sure to compliment Kreacher on the breakfast, praising the house elf's culinary skills in front of Bellatrix. "This is fantastic, Kreacher! You've outdone yourself," he said, his voice filled with sincerity. The little elf's eyes sparkled with delight at the praise, and Theodore could see the boost in Kreacher's mood, which in turn elevated his own standing in the elf's eyes.
As the remnants of breakfast lingered in the plates, Theodore felt a shift in the atmosphere, a palpable tension that signaled it was time to address the weighty matters at hand.
He turned his full attention to Bellatrix, his brow furrowing slightly in concern. "So, what's your plan now? Are you thinking of staying inside the house for a few days, or is there something else you want to do? If there's anything you need, I'm here to help; after all, I'm free until the 1st of September." His voice was steady, but beneath it lay an undercurrent of hope—hope that perhaps he could guide her toward a brighter path.
Deep down, Theodore harbored a desire to take Bellatrix with him to Hogwarts, to share the wonders of the magical world that awaited them. Yet, the thought was laced with trepidation. Albus Dumbledore, with his omnipresent aura, loomed large over the castle, a guardian of secrets and a master of observation. If Bellatrix were to accompany him, the chances of Dumbledore discovering her presence were alarmingly high, and the consequences could be dire.
"My plan?" Bellatrix echoed, her voice barely above a whisper, as if she were grappling with the very concept of planning. A sense of emptiness washed over her, a void left by the cruel machinations of her future self. But as Theodore's warm hand enveloped her cold fingers, a flicker of courage ignited within her. "For now, I want to stay inside the house and absorb everything that has transpired because of my past mistakes. I want to reflect on my life and, if possible, pursue what I truly desire." Her words were imbued with a newfound determination, a desire to reclaim her identity from the shadows of her future.
"Alright, whatever you wish to do, I'm here to support you," Theodore replied, his voice firm yet gentle. He gave her hand a reassuring tap, hoping to convey his unwavering commitment to her well-being. "And if you ever find your mind drifting into uncertainty, just remember that I'm right here, ready to help you navigate through it." His sincerity hung in the air, a promise of companionship in her time of need.
With the conversation reaching a natural pause, Theodore felt the weight of silence settle between them. He knew that teasing Bellatrix would be inappropriate while she wrestled with her conflicting thoughts, so he decided to retreat to the guest room to prepare for his upcoming responsibilities.
He had already said too much in front of the professors, and the last thing he wanted was to disappoint them on his very first lecture.
Once inside the room, Theodore sank into the plush embrace of the bed, the soft fabric cradling him as he picked up a book on the History of Magic intended for first-year students.
He chuckled softly to himself, recalling his own experiences at Hogwarts, where he had been subjected to the droning lectures of a deceased professor's astral form, whose teaching style could only be described as monotonous.
The professor's voice had lulled many students into a state of slumber, and Theodore was no exception; he had often found himself drifting off during those long, tedious lessons.
Determined to break the cycle of boredom, Theodore began to brainstorm innovative ways to engage his future students.
He envisioned a classroom filled with excitement and curiosity, a stark contrast to the dreary lectures of his past. However, he was acutely aware that he needed the right spells to bring his ideas to life.
Fortunately, his recent advancement into dark magic thanks to bellatrix had bolstered his confidence, and he felt a surge of optimism that he would soon discover the perfect incantation to captivate his future young audience.
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