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IS - Chapter 168: Weapons of War
🕑 Added 2025-07-25 11:59:53 +0000 UTCDisclaimer:
Harry Potter and all of its characters belong to J.K. Rowling.
I own nothing but the original characters I make.
“Dialogue”
‘Thoughts’
-Author notes-
Chapter 168: Weapons of War
“There was someone actually following me then?” Bella had first concluded that the feeling she had was caused by James, but it turns out someone was after her. “Who was it?”
“Just two Slytherin boys from Seventh Year. I forgot their names.”
“What did you do to them?”
“The usual. Knocked them up, tied them together, and read their memories before dumping them in a broom closet.”
“James, you are still recovering from magical exhaustion. Didn’t the nurse warn you to avoid using magic? Are you trying to become a squib?” Bella asked.
“A bit of Legilimency won’t cripple me… and I didn’t use any magic to take them out.” James made a few glass flasks appear between his fingers. “I have many tricks up my sleeve.”
Bella sighed. “So you read their minds… what did you discover?”
“Those two were close with Malfoy.”
“I knew it! The git is not giving up.” Bella huffed. “I'm going to have t—”
“The pompous blonde didn’t send them to attack you. Those two did it out of their own free will. They were trying to get on Malfoy’s good side and thought that attacking you would do just that… You are not very liked in your own house, are you?”
“Pff, so what? I could have handled a couple of idiots.”
James’s expression turned more serious. “Overconfidence can get you killed, you silly girl.”
“Look at yourself before saying something like that!” Bella responded.
“You are the one who almost got killed. And for what?”
“It was a calculated risk. And the resulting creation will be more than worth that much… probably.”
“Probably?” Bella looked confused. “Are you saying that you don’t even know if your experiment succeeded yet?”
“It is still in a sort of transitioning state… I will have to wait a bit longer to confirm if it came out the way I wanted,” James explained.
“I can’t believe this…” She had to sit down on one of the desks. “You are so…”
“Reckless?” James shrugged. “I have been called that already… and much worse. But without risks, there is no progress. Remember that.”
Bella’s eyes became narrow. “Don’t take me for an idiot, James. I know you are not doing this for something like fame or recognition. No one even knows what you are working on. In fact, as a student who hasn’t even passed his OWLs yet, you are not allowed to work on anything on your own. There is something you are not telling me.”
James took a seat in front of her. “There are many things I'm not telling you.” He didn’t deny it, as there was no point. “I do have a good reason for that.”
“You won’t tell me the reason either?”
“The reason is that some knowledge is dangerous to have. You could become the target of some very dangerous people. And I’m not talking about Malfoy and his minions. I’m talking about true monsters.”
“Monsters?” Bella found the way he worded that strange.
“Indeed. And my creations are tools to assist me in defending myself from such beings.”
It was then that Bella realized that everything James had been doing so far was all done for one purpose. “You are making yourself weapons… That is what Primum, Nyxaris, and Tertivor are… isn’t that right?”
James had always looked carefree to her, something that had infuriated her on occasion, as it didn’t seem like he took anything seriously. The reality was that beneath that mask of aloofness was someone making preparations to fight a war by himself.
He neither confirmed nor denied her suspicions. It was better this way, as he didn’t want her to become more involved than she already was.
Bella didn’t wait for him to respond. She knew she was right in her reasoning. “And this last project? It is also a weapon? It must be an important one for you to risk your life. But I still don’t understand why you are so invested in this… whatever this is. Who are you trying to defeat? Is it that Dark Lord? What has he done to you?”
As far as she knew, this Voldemort person had recently appeared and just started to recruit allies. He could not have done anything to James or his family yet.
But there was no one else that Bella could think of. James was obviously at war with someone more dangerous than their classmates.
“That’s enough, Bella. It is meaningless to continue to think about it.” James hoped that the girl would drop the subject already. Otherwise, he would have to consider more drastic measures to stop her from getting herself into a situation where she would become the target of someone like Voldemort.
She remained silent for a moment, looking at him with her intense violet eyes, as if she were considering something.
“Okay,” she finally said.
This took James by surprise. “Okay? Just like that?”
“Have you forgotten that I grew up in the House of Black? I recognize the look on your face. It’s the same one my grandfather has when I ask him too many questions about family secrets and things like that. Since I was little, I had to learn how far I could push things and when to stop.”
James nodded. “It would be for the best if you don’t get more involved in this. Just attend classes like a normal student. Don’t worry about Malfoy or Lestrange, I will make sure he leaves you and your sister alone.”
This made Bella frown. “I said I will stop asking you questions for today. But I am not staying away from this. In case you haven’t noticed, it also affects my family.” She pointed her finger at him. “As for Malfoy and Lestrange, I can take care of myself against guys like those. I am Bellatrix Black, not some damsel in distress that needs constant saving.”
After saying her part, she turned around and left the classroom in a rush.
‘Well… that could have gone better.’ James remained there for a bit longer, considering what to do next.
