A/N: I don't own Harry Potter only the storyline I put him in!

Chapter Seventeen

Alexander stood next to the lake, absently watching the writhing tentacles of the giant squid rise and fall amidst the sparkling waters. Amelia wanted him to kill the person who took the life of her niece. It was against everything he stood for. It was against the law that she swore to uphold.

I can't do what she asks of me. He thought sadly. This is not what I signed up for when I attended the auror academy. Goddess, please help me.

"Sir," one of his aurors garnered his attention, "we have a problem."

"What is it Richards?"

"There are several ancient buildings located in the forest. They are heavy guarded by dark wards and even a few infiri are roaming the ones we can get inside. It seems that, at one time, the forest was a stronghold for the dark wizards of long ago. They have left their taint behind."

"How about living creatures? Are there any dark witches or wizards there now?"

"Not that we can see," Richards replied, "but we have found a couple that seemed to have been recently inhabited."

"Yet, they're gone now."

"Yes sir, we are working ourselves to the bone in an attempt to dig up clues, but it is as if the murderer just disappeared into thin air."

"You're not telling me something."

"I was going to wait until we had confirmation."

"Tell me what it is now."

"We have found one fortress that appears to have new wards around it. We don't know if someone is inside or not, but once we break through, I can contact you."

"You could be walking into a slaughter." Stavros shook his head. "I don't want anyone working on it until we know exactly which wards we are dealing with. I can't afford to lose anyone, understand?"

"Yes sir, I will relay your message to the others."

"Good, now I need to think; leave me." Richards returned to the forest while Alexander returned to his musings.

"I cannot allow Amelia's irrational lust for revenge detour me from justice. I will not kill them if I can help it. They will receive a fair trial, whether she likes it or not."

"You seem so sure that you can capture them without fatalities auror Stavros." The officer turned to see the boy-who-lived standing a few feet away. How long had he been there? Why hadn't he detected him?

"You should be in the castle."

"But I'm not," Harry retorted, his eyes narrowed and a vein could be seen pulsing in his neck, "I have no classes right now and I wanted to talk to you about the investigation, I assume that is okay."

"I don't feel comfortable talking to students about my work."

"You won't have to worry about that for long…." The dark wizard murmured.

"What was that?"

"Nothing!" Harry's head shot up in alarm, revealing wild eyes. "I didn't say a word."

"Are you okay Mr. Potter?" Alexander asked with concern, not only for the boy's wellbeing, but his own as well. He had seen that look too many times before; the look of someone who was just about to snap. His own brother had to be put in a mental facility after giving him that look and trying to kill him.

"Me?" Potter glanced around nervously and cracked his neck a little. "Of course I'm fine; why wouldn't I be?"

"You tell me."

"Nothing to tell." He assured. "I simply wanted to know how the investigation was coming along." In favor of appeasing an obviously distressed Harry Potter, Alexander gave in.

"It's coming along slower than we expected, but we've discovered a fortress in the woods that appears to be in use."

"Really?" The alarm in Potter's voice surprised Stavros. "Well, I hope you are able to capture the culprit with minimal violence."

"That is the plan."

"Mr. Potter!" Narcissa's shrill voice filled the air. "You shouldn't leave the castle, what with the recent death and all."

"Professor Malfoy, I was just having a polite conversation with auror Stavros. They have found a fortress in the Forbidden Forest that appears inhabited." Narcissa caught the message in Harry's eyes and the emphasized wording. She replied with a coded message of her own.

"Well, I certainly hope that an ally or relative of the criminals hasn't got to them and taken them to another safe house." Harry nodded in agreement, understanding that either Narcissa or Tonks already took Bellatrix and Andromeda to the safe house in Knockturn Alley.

"Don't worry Professor," Alexander said, "there is no way they got past my aurors if they did." Lady Malfoy smirked, which he mistook for a smile of appreciation.

"Well, I'm certain you have everything in hand. Come Mr. Potter, I'm sure you have homework to do or exams to be studying for."

"Yes professor," He turned to the auror, "it was a pleasure speaking with you." With that, the two death eaters walked away knowing that when they did break through the wards, there would be nothing incriminating there. Once they were out of earshot Harry laughed insanely. "Well Narcissa, I'm glad Bella is safe."

"Yes, you have no idea how much trouble it was to get her out of there with no one noticing."

"How did you accomplish that by the way?"

"I have friends within the auror division sent here. A simple request and some gold worked wonders for them to conveniently turn a blind eye to the fortress for a few minutes, allowing Tonks to swoop in and portkey them away."

"You're always prepared aren't you?" Harry gave her a full-toothed grin. She chuckled softly at the complement.

"It pays to be a Black and a Malfoy."

"Just like it pays to be a Potter huh?"

"We'll just you at any rate." Narcissa commented teasingly. He whipped around and grabbed her by the throat.

"What is that supposed to mean?"

"Harry…let…let go of …me!" Harry closed his eyes for a moment before tightening his grip further. "H-h-harry!" suddenly she fell to the ground as he released her.

"Never speak that way to me again." He turned and left towards the castle, never looking back at the shaken potions mistress.

He's getting worse. She thought as she stood and dusted off the dirt from her robes. Anymore and he'll be Bellatrix! I'm not sure if I will be able to stop him next time. "I can't condemn him for what he did." Narcissa sighed. "Thanks to Bellatrix, he's going to be even more deranged than her." He won't be able to control his outbursts for much longer. I just hope either me or Tonks are there to stop him from hurting someone inside Hogwarts.

Harry made his way inside the school, not looking up from his feet. Did I really just do that or was it imaginary? What is real? What is not? Is there even a reality anymore? I'm not only insane anymore. I'm losing my grip on everything. I shouldn't have allowed her words to trigger that burst of rage. She'll hate me now, I'm sure of it. Maybe it's for the best that happens. I want to let it all go and do some fucking damage! I can't do that if I'm holding back around them. Only Bellatrix can hope to control me. I wish she was here; she could help me. She could help me control myself or she could help me do what I long to do. It would be beautiful, wouldn't it? Hogwarts in flames while the world outside crumbles to dust.

"It would be so wonderful, so…perfect."

"Wouldn't it though?" came a dreamy voice from beside him.

"Luna, how long have you been walking with me?"

"Long enough to hear you mumbling to yourself."

"That wasn't just thoughts?"

"Nope, you spoke every word of it aloud. I'm sure she understands Harry, she won't hate you."

"How would you know?"

"My father didn't hate me." She replied curtly.

"You attacked him?"

"Oh, many times, he's gotten used to it." Luna smiled to herself and giggled. "So, Bellatrix…as in Lestrange right?"

"Black now."

"Potter if you have your way."

"A marriage would be far too restricting for both of us."

"Nobody likes rules I suppose."

"Especially us."

"She's the reason you joined Voldemort then?"

"I thought it would be obvious."

"I enjoy stating the obvious if you haven't seen."

"Yeah, I noticed."

"You know Voldemort wouldn't be very happy with your 'burn the world' plan right?"

"He doesn't need to know."

"Does Bellatrix?"

"I think so, in a way."

"You might want to tell her, just in case she is super fanatically loyal to him still." Luna pulled Harry out of the way of a column he was about to crash into. "And you might want to pay attention to where you're going."

"I might also want to torture you senseless." He growled.

"That wouldn't work I'm afraid." Luna said dazedly. "I'm already senseless." They stared at each other for a few minutes before Harry's eye twitched and a large out burst of laughter rocked his frame. He bent over clutching his sides as the ravenclaw giggled hysterically. "M-m-maybe…you should…ju-u-uss-t…laug-lau-gh when those situations come up." She commented through her laughter.

"People would think I'm insane."

"Aren't you?" This brought about another fit of mania and garnered some strange looks from several first years. Harry noticed them and swiftly reverted back to dementia.

"What the fuck are you looking at? Get the hell out of here!" He roared firing a stinging hex at their retreating forms. "Little bastards, they'll be the first to go. How to do it though? Nobody's ever tried to destroy the entire world before…can it even be done? What if…."

"Harry, you're talking to yourself again."

"Am I? I hadn't realized."

"Come we'll go to the great hall and get some lunch before classes start again."

"You wanna sit at the Slytherin table with me?"

"I'm sure they wouldn't allow me to, anyway, I need to complete my notes on Lacnocks."

"As you wish…are you afraid to descend into the viper pit?"

"Fear is an abstract concept, one could make a case that fear doesn't exist; to answer your question, no I am not. I simply don't want to draw attention to either you or myself."

"Well, I'll get attention whether I want it or not. I hate it, but soon that will all change. They will flee in terror as I slaughter the lot of…."

"Harry!"

"Sorry…I did it again didn't I?"

"Yes, but I expect it. Find away to see Bellatrix before you tell all your plans to the wrong people."

"Right." With that they made their way to the hall, where lunch had already begun. Harry took his place next to Draco and started nibbling on something mushy. He wasn't quite sure what it was, but it tasted decent.

"Where did you run off to after Transfiguration?"

"I went to speak to the head auror."

"Is he going to be a problem?"

"Yes, he's determined. There is something off about him though; like he has a shadow looming behind him." The screech of an owl told him that the mail had arrived. A tall, elegant black owl landed in front of him and dropped a letter onto his now empty, magically cleaned plate. The handwriting was Bellatrix's.

Dear ickle Harrykins,

As you probably know, I'm in Knockturn alley, shacking up with Alexandra Cross. Those filthy aurors are ruining everything! As for my meeting with Morose Sarafiri, I told him that I would think about his offer. We have much to discuss my dark love. I just received a post from Narcissa about the little incident outside Hogwarts. Harry…my dear Harry. How I wish we could be hurting people together right now. Have no fear about my sister, she is well used to my out bursts, and she can handle yours. She forgives you. Speak to her about a calming draught that she makes for me. I need it at least four times a day to keep me from harming a fellow death eater. Hopefully she can make it before you expose yourself; lord knows what could have happened if I hadn't had it while I was in school!

We will find a way to meet; be rest assured of that. I have spoken to Lucius, who says that he'll be looking into a few contacts of his to handle the situation. I love you Harry, think of me while you're alone tonight. I know I'll be thinking of you! *wink*

With darkest caresses,

Bella

Harry smiled at her words and innuendo; his eyes already gleaming with lust for her. He looked to the lit candle to his left and to the staff table where Dumbledore was observing him curiously. He smirked and waved at the headmaster before holding Bellatrix's letter over the flame; his piercing eyes never left the professor's surprised face as the fire engulfed the transcript. After making sure to vanish the ashes, he stood and walked over to where Narcissa was sitting.

"Professor Malfoy, if it is possible, could I have a word in private?"

"Of course Mr. Potter, please meet me in my office after your last class for today."

"Thank you." He gave a small bow and left with the other students as lunch had just ended. Narcissa rubbed her throat as she watched him leave.

Sarafiri Temple

Morose held a flask containing bubbling emerald liquid in his right hand. He held it up to a flickering candle and nodded. He scribbled a few notes down and brought a vile of bluish concoction to the flasks opening. He slowly dribbled the mixture into the container and watched as a lavender smoke began to rise out of it.

A satisfied smile graced his lips as he set the items down. "It's almost complete." The dark elf made his way to a large alter on which rested the body of Susan Bones. She had been buried the day after they discovered her and when the killing curse was found to be the tool of death. No evidence could be garnered from her corpse, so they gave her a quick funeral. He slipped in and, like the German doctor in the muggle tales, stole her body.

"Don't worry, you may have died, but that doesn't matter." He drew several ancient runes around her, which began to radiate a burning crimson light. "I'll find a much better use for you than when you were living."

"Master."

"Yes, Marcus?" The death eater's eyes were black, devoid of any free will whatsoever.

"There is a man standing outside the temple. Should I kill him?"

"No, I'll deal with him. Understand?"

"Yes, master."

"Good, now go and report to Voldemort. We don't want him to become suspicious do we?"

"No, Master." Marcus apparated away, leaving Morose to face whatever was outside his home. He made his way up the stairs and opened the large stone door. Upon seeing the visitor, he gave a full toothed smile.

"Welcome, I've been waiting for you."

Narcissa's Office

Lady Malfoy sat hunched over papers, reading them by candlelight, when a shadow obscured her view. "Narcissa."

"Harry." She replied, her voice trembling a little. She had removed her robes in favor of night attire, revealing the large bruise on her neck from where Harry had choked her earlier.

"I just wanted to apologize for…well…."

"I forgive you…you can't help it."

"I may want to hurt people, but you're not one of them. I was wondering if you could brew the calming drought that you give to Bella. I don't want to raise any alarms before the time is right."

"I would be happy to; it'll take a couple of weeks." She replied wrapping him in a firm hug. "Do you think you can last that long without killing somebody?" The joke made Harry grin slightly before he frowned.

"I don't know."

A/N: Yay! Fast update! Harry likes being insane, but the plan depends on him at least appearing sane, hence the need for the potion. Hopefully that answers some questions that might come out of this chapter. Also, yes he is getting worse and will continue to become more and more deranged as the story goes along. Remember to review!