NOVEL NEXT Chapter -08.
Chapter -8.
Bellatrix, who had finally escaped from that somewhat interesting yet irritating man, stretched her body as if she was breaking free from shackles. However, just as she was doing that, a loud voice startled her.
**Bang!**
Upon hearing the loud voice, she immediately realized what it was. An almost dead-looking creature suddenly appeared in front of her, evoking a sense of sadness or some unknown emotion within her, as the creature was in very bad condition.
However, maintaining her usual cold demeanor, she was about to reprimand the creature when she felt like someone was calling her. Her body reacted to the call, and before she could comprehend what was happening, she vanished from there.
Kreacher, with its mouth wide open at the sight of Mistress Bella, one of its favorite persons, saw her vanish a moment later. It muttered, "Was that really Mistress bella? Maybe I should tell Mistress about it?" before disappearing from the room with another loud sound, likely heading towards the mad lady in the painting.
Meanwhile, at the same time in some random corner near the Leaky Cauldron, a young beautiful woman suddenly appeared in front of a young man who seemed to be waiting for someone's arrival. She said, "Kreacher, you ridiculous fool, you're still alive?"
"Hoh! Who's the unfortunate soul you're cursing at?" Theodore asked with a smile, pleased that his new ability was working flawlessly. He pretended not to recognize the name he had just overheard—after all, as a transmigrator, he certainly knew about Kreacher, the legendary figure who led the house elves during the final battle at Hogwarts.
However, from Bellatrix's expression, it was clear she wasn't in the mood to share. In fact, she seemed ready to attack him as she inquired, "Was it you?"
"What do you mean?" Theodore replied, taking a step back to feign ignorance, not wanting to provoke her. To further convince her he was not responsible for whatever had upset her, he added, "By the way, why are you back? Did you return because of me? is it because you knew I don't have a house or enough money for a room, am i right?"
Seeing Theodore's unreadable expression, Bellatrix felt conflicted. She was certain the voice she heard moments ago was his. But if she said something about that, he would likely make her even more irritated. 'No, that's not happening,' she thought, quickly dismissing the idea.
Since she lacked a solid reason for her return, she realized her only option was to agree with him. She was fairly sure he wouldn't let her leave easily otherwise. With a hesitant expression, she slowly admitted, "Of course I came back for that; and since there are many things I don't know about this time frame, it would be best to have someone like you around."
Although she made that statement, she also let out a sigh of relief for coming up with a plausible explanation.
Theodore, who was prepared to employ slightly harsher tactics, grinned when Bellatrix agreed so readily. Approaching her as if to embrace her, he said, "I knew it! How could someone as beautiful as you be heartless? It must be the people around you who twisted your mind and turned you into a cold-blooded psychopath.
However, Bellatrix stopped him from embracing her and said, "Thank you for that." Although she felt no guilt after reading about her past crimes in the newspaper, she considered them a natural consequence of her chosen path. Yet, hearing the man's words somehow gave her a sense of healing for a wounded part of herself.
'Why am I feeling this way?' she wondered, but no answers came.
Just as she began to get lost in those unfamiliar yet somewhat comforting feelings, Theodore's calm voice snapped her back to reality. She glanced at him standing in the fireplace and he asked, "So I have permission to enter your house, right? I'd prefer not to get stuck in someone else's chimney." Given that the Black family ancestral home resembled a small fortress, Theodore wanted to be cautious.
Bellatrix, hearing that sensed an opportunity for revenge against Theodore for all the annoyance he had caused her, decided to play along. "Yes, you do have permission," she replied, biding her time for when she could strike back.
With her confirmation, Theodore pulled out a handful of Floo powder from a small pouch and tossed the pouch to Bellatrix. Holding his suitcase, he said, "Alright then, I'll see you on the other side," before throwing the Floo powder into the fireplace and calling out his destination.
Once again, green flames erupted, this time completely enveloping Theodore.
With his eyes closed, Theodore experienced a journey through tight spaces. When a cloud of ash filled his nostrils, causing him to cough loudly, he opened his eyes to find himself in a rather filthy room. He muttered, "This place is exactly as I had expected it to be," as he emerged from the fireplace.
Before he could further explore the house, green flames erupted again in the fireplace, and Bellatrix returned to her childhood home. To tease her, Theodore remarked, "Welcome! I hope you make yourself comfortable here."
"Thanks, but this is my house, so I'll be comfortable regardless," Bellatrix replied. "However, let me warn you: if you pull any tricks in front of anyone, I'll make sure you're out of here in an instant." Now that she was home, she was contemplating how to break the news of her return to her parents.
If they were the same as before, they would surely welcome her back, convinced she'd achieved great things for the cause of pure-blood supremacy. However, she felt anxious, not wanting to face the version of her parents who had pushed her down an irreversible path.
Theodore noticed the seriousness in her expression and nodded quietly, understanding what she was feeling. He knew she was in for a surprise, as there was no one left in the house except for her sisters and a brother she didn't consider family anymore.
Realizing it was best she didn't hear this from him, Theodore chose to remain silent. Though skeptical of his readiness to agree, Bellatrix decided to trust him. She called out, "Kreacher," as if summoning someone.
**Bang!**
The previously silent room echoed with a loud noise, and in an instant, a nearly lifeless house-elf appeared. Rather than simply staring at the woman with its mouth open, it rushed toward Bellatrix, exclaiming, "Mistress Bella is really out of Azkaban. Mistress Bella is back!"