Harry Potter And Bellatrix Lestrange

 "Of course," she replied with a smirk. "Someone's got to be the brains of this family, after all." She glanced over as Harry shook the Grangers' hands. Maybe this'll help them all along. I can tell her parents had no idea what's going on in the wizarding world, and from what it looks like, he just made some instant allies, she concluded with a satisfied smirk as she watched Mr. Granger give Harry a hearty pat on the back while Hermione's mother hugged him tightly.

"Thank you, thank you so much for keeping our daughter safe," Bella caught as she took a few steps closer, and carefully hid a smile. If Hermione was aware that this was a set up, she showed no signs of it as she moved to stand next to the former Death Eater.

"Thanks," the brunette murmured quietly. "For letting them know."

"Don't thank me, thank Harry."

"Thank you both." Hermione glanced up at her. "Without you, I doubt Harry would've been willing to let me stay. I can't tell you how much I owe you for speaking out for me, for convincing him to let me stay. I can't accept his forgiveness until I can forgive myself, and that's going to be a long time from now… but at least I know that I'm doing something now to mend the bridges."

Bella shrugged. "He needs you," she explained slowly, as if choosing her words carefully. "You're the first family he's ever had, and while he doesn't want to admit it, he at least needs some closure to find his peace."

The two women remained silent for a while, watching as Harry talked to Hermione's parents briefly, before turning back to them, with a sly grin on his face. "Can you imagine, they almost called the police. I can just see them stopping Dumbledore and taking him in for questioning."

Bella blinked, not quite understanding, while Hermione giggled. "He's got an insanity defense down, if I ever saw one," she managed, while Harry elaborated for his wife's benefit.

"The police are the muggle equivalent of Auror's." His voice deepened as he mimicked an officer. "All points, be advised to be on the lookout for a suspected kidnapper. The suspect is tall, aged one-hundred fifty to one-hundred sixty, long white hair and floor-length beard. All points, be advised the suspect is armed with a foot-long stick of wood and extremely barmy. He may resist arrest by attempting to turn you all into squirrels."

The women giggled, while Mr. Granger smirked at Harry. "I take it you don't really care much for Professor Dumbledore, then?" he asked.

Harry shook his head. "Not after all he's done. The man's a manipulative old bastard. If you knew some of the things he did-"

"Like supporting the decision to convict you?"

"How'd you know?" Harry blinked in surprise.

"Hermione explained a good deal of the situation to us when she wrote. She had to." The older man growled. "If I could get my hands on the man… and that incompetent twit of a Minister…" He broke off as his wife laid a calming hand on his arm.

"I have good news for you, then," Harry grinned. "Minister Fudge has officially been voted out of office. Last I heard, he took the few people loyal to him, and ran with his tail tucked between his legs. I daresay the new Minister is a bit more responsible," he told Hermione's parents with a mischievous smile.

Mr. Granger chuckled. "Why do I get the feeling you had your hand in that?"

"Who, me?" Harry clasped his hands behind his back and smiled back innocently. "I do believe such an action would be considered illegal in certain circles. Manipulation of elections, and somesuch nonsense."

"And you'd never do anything illegal, of course."

"Of course. Then again, illegal depends on your point of view," Harry replied cheekily.

"Excuse me, milord," Tess's voice interrupted them, and Harry glanced up to see her flanked by Neville and Count Trazkaban.

"What is it?"

"Her majesty Queen Xerina has arrived, and is awaiting you in the conference room," the young woman told him. "I was about to take you to them."

Harry nodded and excused himself from the Grangers. "That's all right, I can find my way. Would you please show the Grangers to the guest room?"

"Of course," Tess nodded, and the two exchanged parties as Harry led his allies out of the room. He'd barely stepped outside the door when he heard Hermione call out to him.

"Wait up!" The brunette girl ran to catch up with them. "I'm coming, too. You might need an extra pair of eyes."

Harry eyed her critically for a moment, before nodded. "All right. We could use your help. Are your parents all right with that?"

Hermione nodded. "Yes, I told them I was going to help you."

When they reached the conference room - which was really just one of the dining rooms of the castle remodeled into something more suitable for a council of war - Queen Xerina was already waiting for them, flanked by a tall, thinly-built ice man wearing elaborate silver armor. The shoulder-guards were trimmed in gold, and a crest that Harry didn't recognize was etched into one, while a number and a Phoenix were etched into the other. The Queen stood when Harry entered the room, bowing to him, prompting the heir of the North to return the gesture.

"Queen Xerina," Harry began, "it's good to see you again."

"The pleasure is mine," the Queen replied as they all sat down. "Allow me to introduce General Rotan. He is the commander I have chosen for the seven combat regiments that will begin arriving tomorrow. I have the utmost faith in his loyalty and skills. You will find him an able leader on the battlefield, I think."

"Milord." The General snapped off a quick salute towards Harry.

"Thank you for coming so quickly," Harry nodded towards Xerina and her officer. "Please, no formalities are necessary in this room. While I do realize we need to keep up appereances outside, in here we have a war to plan, and we're all equals fighting on the same side. Now, could you give me a quick overview of where we are in terms of troop deployment?"

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