It's Compulsory

Chapter 4

The week had gone by and before Bella knew it Saturday came. Her nephew was playing quidditch against the Potter boy, so she'd been reminded every day by said Potter boy.
Bellatrix wasn't particularly a fan of quidditch, she couldn't even fly a broom...not that anyone needed to know that. Bellatrix was however definitely up for a bet. Both Minerva and Harry had made a bet that Gryffindor would win against Slytherin, naturally Bella took that bet with Minerva, more than confident in her team.

"Oh come on Professor, don't you want to see your favourite student win the game?" Harry leant on the woman's desk, the ravenette arched her brow.
"I don't do favourites, and I don't care for the game, you know that." She placed the quill back in its holder.
"Besides Slytherin are going to win." She closes her note book with a slam.
"So sure?" He narrows his brows.
"Absolutely positive." She smiles meeting his gaze.
"Then you should come to the game to support them...I mean they'll need it after loosing."
"First of all I think you'll find you'll be needing the support after loosing and secondly why are you so determined to get me to attend the game?" She tilts her head curiously at the young wizard.

The boy swallows, he always seemed to lose his nerve when she gave him that look. He didn't really know how to respond, he just wanted her there like he wanted Hermione to be there. But she was his friend, this woman was his profesor.
"Because it would mean a lot to Draco." Harry blurted out.
"Aren't you ever so kind asking on behalf of my nephew, even though you hate him." Bella arches her brow.
"I don't...hate him...we just have a mutual dislike for each other." Harry shrugged.
"I'll pretend to believe that."
"Fine, well how about we do a bet?"
Bella thought for a moment,
"I'm listening..." she leaned forward in her chair. Harry swallows, he really hadn't thought this through.
"50 galleons?" Bellatrix shook her head.
"I never bet money with students, I don't actually bet with students...that is until now." The woman leaned back in her chair, examining the young man.
"Tell you what, if my team win you have to study exceedingly hard and pass all of your owls." The woman smiles, "naturally you should be doing that anyway, but now you have no choice." She smirks holding out her hand.
Harry frowned at the woman, crafty witch.
"That's not beneficial to you in anyway."
"You passing all your exams and getting the job you want is far more beneficial to me than you'll ever know." She smiles. Harry thought for a moment, if her team did in fact win he'd never live it down and would be studying everyday until nightfall, it would save him 50 galleons though...and it would get her to attend the game. Harry shrugged, he didn't have to worry about losing, his team had won the last three matches and they've all done exceedingly well during their practices. He'd definitely win this bet, now he had to come up with something good.

"Fine, but when I win I want..." Harry stopped his sentence as he examined his professor, a thought running through his head. What exactly did he want out of this?
He hadn't thought that part through, he just assumed she'd agree to the money deal.
"What do you want Mr.Potter?" The witch leaned forward, intrigued by the boy's silence.
Harry looked down at his professor and swallowed, he didn't know what to say but the look she gave him certainly wasn't helping.
"I want you to tutor me in potions." That wasn't actually what he wanted, but he really did need to up his game. He had a year and a half left and was currently failing potions.
Bellatrix blinked for a moment, that was not what she was expecting.
"You do realise that's Professor Snape's department?"
"He hates me, and nothing really sticks in his classes. I'm not doing very good and I really need it to be an auror, and well, you're good at everything..."
"Just good?"
"Did I say that? I meant exceptional." He smiled, the woman shook her head though her smile was very evident.

"Very Well Potter. You have yourself a deal." Harry instantly shook the woman's hand.
"So, I'll see you at the game?"
"I'll be there." Bellatrix watched as the happy young man left. Harry Potter certainly wouldn't fail his potions, it didn't matter whether she won the bet or not, she wouldn't have a promising student fail his owls because one tutor can't let go of his past.