Chapter 26
"I heard from the headmaster that you would come back in a few days"
"Dumbledore?" She immediately screeched before stilling " Oh, sorry Tom. I am still so confused from all those potions...right you meant Dippet" Tom's eyes flashed red. Dumbledore was going to become headmaster in the future. Truly, the last thing he needed. It's true that the potions were taking a bit long to wear off, after all she consumed quite an amount due to her situation. All the more reason to make sure those healers learned well to cease their nosey probings.
Also, Bellatrix's mind was not all up there, though she was able to control herself in front of others, enough to keep him safe. It's true that while she showed herself to be very trustworthy, her affection towards her family still showed a potential to if not betray, at least them having power over her, and by consequence, him. So his attention to her must not be down.
It's true that he quite liked Bellatrix, and well even fancied her. However, she represents and is tied to much more important things in his eyes , like his power, his future and his greatness. Both a proof to it but also a key to avoid him many downfalls.
Tom sat down on the sofa next to the hospital bed as he nonchalantly twirled one flower he got from one of the bouquets sitting atop the nightstand.
"Well, of course Tom! I couldn't possibly leave you there alone!" Tom raised an eyebrow. It was a wonder why he couldn't pick up on this sooner, Bellatrix's behavior
was too far-fetched, though it might also have been because the truth was as far-fetched. If not more. He sighed, he just hoped the old coot wouldn't pick up on this either.
"I see. Thanks Bella. Wouldn't it best if you could get out of the hospital and come back to Hogwarts today and just recuperate in your quarters for a few days instead of staying here. For any healing you may need; I believe myself plenty up to the task."
Bellatrix's first reaction was to be very moved at his proposition, then to reassure him that he was always up to the task before thinking about the advantages of his proposition as he saw her look down at her mark, probably thinking back to questions she got about it. Her face seemed to harden at that.
He stilled before picking up again
"It was so heroic, I mean you even got the order of Merlin" She looked confused as to what he was even talking about.
"Order of Merlin?" She repeated giggling, as if he said a joke. Indeed, it was amusing to think about. Azkaban escapee to order of merlin.
"For fighting the dark lord's followers" He deliberately used dark lord instead of Grindelwald. It was very interesting to see the expression on her face as it always managed to get him new information, new details he never noticed. Specially with Bellatrix being so trusting of him. She looked outraged.
"Why would I fight the dark lord's ...."Then suddenly understanding dawned on her."...right , order of merlin , you mean for those..."
"Acolytes"
"Right, acolytes" She looked ahead in a way he had seen her often do. It was the first time he realized what it really was. It was the realization that what you knew of as reality was no more. Different yet the same.
It was obvious that while Bellatrix had him right under her eyes, when thinking of dark lord, she was still thinking of a third person instead of him.
To her, it seemed he was still someone she ought to protect.
He decided to start working on filling her on some current world knowledge in the upcoming time on top of gleaning whatever he can from her. It seemed she was all too focused on getting to him and covering her tracks that she didn't bother about the current wizarding world situation. She probably just assumed Grindelwald would be dead or defeated from the looks of it. It was also best if he veered her about what to say when interviewed about her "heroic deeds" lest she talks nonsense and also so that they can get the most out of the current situation. Truly, it wouldn't do to just let her babble on alone.