Chapter 34: All About PerspectiveChapter Text
They must have fallen sound asleep in the library, because Hermione wakes up the next morning on the sofa, fully dressed, and with a crick in her neck.
And alone.
Where is—
"Finally! I thought you were going to sleep all morning. Come on pet, I have a plan. And some tea."
Hermione looks up blearily as a cup of tea is thrust into her hands by a grinning Bellatrix. A plan?
Hermione smiles sleepily, hastily tilting the cup so that tea doesn't spill all over her. Luckily she catches it just in time. She takes a sip, padding over to the table and—
Wow. That's a lot of books. And parchment. And—
Diagrams and timelines. Hermione rubs at her face with a groan. "We really are the same person. Did you sleep at all?"
Bellatrix drags her closer with a shrug. "A little. But my brain wouldn't shut up, you know how it is. That's not the point though. Look!"
A…very long scroll of parchment…with a numbered list. How oddly organised of her. She leans over the table to look.
"What is…Number one, no killing. Maybe draught of living death to not break timeline? Learn to brew. Snape? Cissy?...Number two, no torture. How? Have to be convincing and not change timeline???— wha— Bellatrix, this is—"
"I know, I know. It's not perfect but it's what I have so far. I'm still not sure how I'll cause as much chaos as before without hurting anyone…or how I'll be able to fool anyone for a second with— what do you think? Is it a good start?"
Hermione's mouth falls open in astonishment as her eyes scan over the list. "Number three, do something for the Longbottom boy. Parents? How bad? Possible cure? Ask Cissy, good with healing and mind magic— you…you want to help Neville?"
She looks over her shoulder at the witch. Who shrugs casually. Or overly casually.
"He seems like a good kid. A nice bloke. He lost his— I mean his uncle and his gran were— and Snape was a right bastard to him, so—"
Bellatrix looks away at the table. Wand spinning.
"He was asleep, you know. When we came. Slept through the whole thing. Must have had some kind of muffiliato ward on… When— when I realised they were gone, that I'd lost control, that there was nothing left…I went into his room. Watched him sleep. I don't know what I was thinking. I don't think I was thinking anything. I was empty. I think…I wanted him to cry. That would have made more sense. More sense than the silence."
They've really opened the floodgates with this confessional. She'd thought the witch might bottle it all up again after yesterday, but it seems…
Maybe it's slipping through. Too much to hold onto. All this darkness, pouring out and filling the room.
All the darkness that was inside of her just…
Hmm. She scans her eyes down the parchment once more.
"I'm going to add something to your list, if that's alright?"
Bellatrix walks over with a sigh. "I knew I'd missed something. What other horrible thing have I done?"
Hermione puts down her cup and picks up a stray quill, leaning over the parchment with a smile.
"Learn the patronus charm." She looks up at Bellatrix. "To get rid of the darkness."
Bellatrix frowns at her. "I can't do that. Death Eater, remember? It's the Mark. It's not just a simple protean charm, you know. Do you think if I'd been able to cast a patronus in Az— anyway. Much too much dark magic. Death Eaters can't—"
Hermione shrugs, hands sliding into her pockets. "Snape can. You gonna let him beat you at something?"
The frown deepens…and then turns into determination. Bellatrix pulls out her wand with a sharp nod. "Show me."
What? Now?
"Bellatrix! We haven't even had breakfast or—"
"Please."
Oh.
Well, okay then.
Hermione walks over to the sofa and searches around for her wand amongst the cushions and blankets. Aha!
And then moves to stand next to Bellatrix.
"Alright. It's simple really…well it's not. It took me a long time but— it's about emotion. The same as wandless magic. About memory. You have to think of a happy thought…and let it fill you up. Vibrate with happiness. But not just— it has to be your most powerful happy memory."
Silence from next to her.
Hermione clears her throat. "And then you just say…expecto patronum!"
Her otter flies into the room, twirls around and rubs up against them. Hmm. Maybe that will—
"Touch it, Bellatrix. So you know what it feels like."
Bellatrix reaches out her left arm, and then her eyes dart from the otter to the Mark and she pulls back. "I won't hurt it, will I?"
Oh she is just so—
Hermione leans over and kisses her cheek. "No, that's ridiculous. It's my happiness, you can't hurt it. Just feel it."
Bellatrix slowly reaches out for the otter, lets her fingertips brush against it as it whirls past.
"It feels…this is what you did? In my head?"
Hermione watches her otter whirl around Bellatrix with a smile. "Yes. I can't remember what memories I used. I think…finding my parents is usually one. Something to do with my friends. It's very personal, this kind of magic. Vulnerable. And it takes a long time to figure out. I couldn't produce anything for days, no matter how Harry explained it. It was infuriating."
"Potter expl— oh. Dumbledore's Army. And the thing with his father. That still doesn't make any sense, you know. His happiest memory…was the memory of thinking his father cast a patronus…but then realising he was still an orphan and that he had to do it himself? Do it alone?"
Huh. Well that's not quite— it was more belief in himself than having to do it himself. But that wasn't how he managed it anyway.
She shakes her head. "When he first cast a patronus, I think he used the memory of finding out he was a wizard. Hagrid promising to take him away. I tried that one too for a while. Going to Hogwarts for the first time. It almost worked for me but— I think Harry was happier to leave his family than I was. My memory was tinged with…nervousness."
A hand takes hers and squeezes. "Purely happy…I think I might have to steer clear of my family too then for this."
Oh. Oh no that's—
She turns to face the witch, who isn't looking so sure now. Hermione squeezes the hand back. "Bellatrix, you love your family. Maybe not your— what about Narcissa? What about Draco being born? Or…I don't know, playing with Narcissa when she was younger. She used to laugh a lot, didn't she? Master Spitsy said she was funny. And…what about the bubbles? She said you conjured bubbles for her."
Bellatrix raises her wand…and then lowers it. Grips it tightly. Her eyes darting back and forth in memory.
She clears her throat. "Alright. Alright I— maybe I should do this by myself. It's— I don't know if—"
Hermione smiles at her and lets go of her hand. "I'll go get dressed and have some breakfast. Give it a go, but don't worry if you can't. I know everything usually works rather intuitively for you with magic, but don't worry if this takes a bit longer."
She turns to leave. What even is the time? She's quite hungry actually. When did she last—
She's tugged back by the wrist, whirled around, and lips press to hers.
Shivers travel up and down her spine and her lips part as she feels hands in her hair and a body press to hers. Oh yes. Yes this is—
She wraps her arms around the witch's waist and groans as Bellatrix sucks on her bottom lip, pulling her closer and— Merlin she can't breathe and the heat is spreading into her stomach and —
Where the fuck did this come from? She—
Bellatrix pulls away, panting.
What is she—
Bellatrix nods to herself, and takes another step back, holding out her wand. "Expecto patronum."
Nothing happens. She continues looking at Hermione. Is she using—?
"Expecto patronum."
Still nothing.
Hermione draws her wand too and smiles across at her. Oh Bellatrix. This is what makes her happy? Purely happy? She's so wonderfully—
"Expecto patronum," Hermione whispers. A curl of white mist drifts from her wand as she looks into Bellatrix's eyes.
Try again, Bella. Together.
Bellatrix lets out a soft laugh, and then smiles at her. A bright, genuine smile. "Expecto patronum."
Still nothing. But Hermione doesn't care. She just beams at Bellatrix. She's trying. She's really trying to change. To be a good person. "Expecto patronum."
Hermione's otter flies from her wand and spins around them, letting out excited chirping squeaking noises. It's never done that before! Wha—
A bark of laughter bursts from her. "What is that sound? Is that what otters sound like? I've never—"
"Expecto patronum!" Bellatrix says firmly.
And still nothing.
Bellatrix frowns, rubbing at her arm. The Mark. Is it—
"It's okay, Bellatrix. Honestly. It takes everyone forever to—"
A mischievous grin forms on Bellatrix's face, and she waves her wand in a sweeping arch. Like a rainbow above their heads.
And a stream of bubbles bursts from her wand to crowd into the room. More and more of them, floating out through the library and catching the light of the fire as invisible air currents carry them far and wide.
"I'm better at it than Cissy, right? She's too strict with her magic. Good for potion making…but it loses a certain flair."
Hermione reaches out to run her fingers through them. She's not sure what they're made of. Raw magic, perhaps.
"It's beautiful. How did you ever— what else can you do?"
Bellatrix grins, and then spins around to jump straight up onto the table. Stepping onto the diagrams, but at least managing to avoid the books and pots of ink.
"Okay, Know It All, watch and learn, because this is how to perform magic. You thought I was dancing, right? When I fight? Well I'm not. I'm doing this."
A cloud of sky-blue mist seeps from Bellatrix's wand. What is she doing?
Hermione walks closer to get a better look.
"No, stand back. You need the big picture. It's all about the big picture."
Okay…
She walks back again, in the direction of the door.
Bellatrix nods at her, and then turns her wand in a tight circle, so that the mist shapes into a ball.
"Now. When you and everyone else fights, you do this."
She jolts her wand forwards, and sends the blue mist flying across the room like a cannonball, then pauses to conjure more mist, shaping that and sending it off in another direction, and again, and again.
And then stops and looks at Hermione. "So. What was wrong with that? How was it different to what you've seen me do?"
Umm…
"It was…slow? And obvious?"
Bellatrix nods. "I had to stop. It was a three-step process. Conjure, intent, direct. Now look at this. This is what I do."
Once again, the blue mist seeps from her wand, and once again she twists her wrist so that it forms a ball…a larger ball…and she shoots it off…but not all of it. The outer layer stays behind. And…the mist doesn't stop its flow. There's no break, it fills the empty core of the sphere as fast as it left, and shoots out again, and again, and again as Bellatrix points it in different directions. How is she…
The colour of the mist changes, but it continues. Refilling and refilling. But how—
"How are you forming the shape without the wrist movement? How do you change the colour if—"
"It's a template. Less concentration. I'm forming the next spell whilst the last one takes its course. That way I'm—"
"One step ahead. But how do you know what—"
"Tactics. Opponents are like chess pieces. They always make certain moves. I read their minds if I can. If not, then their body language. How probable a certain action is. Like Potter and his beloved expelliarmus."
That's incredible! How—
Hermione walks forward a few paces. Bellatrix may be smart enough to see the big picture in one glance, but Hermione really needs the details.
"How does it work with real spells? How can a stupefy be a template for a reducto for example?"
Bellatrix stops and taps her wand to her lips. "You…find the overlap. All spells have an overlap. It just depends on your perspective. Stupefy is a firm downward movement. A straight line right down, yes?"
Hermione nods.
"And how do you form a reducto?"
Well that's easy. "It's like an arrow. Pointing to the right. A straight line to your right at a slightly downward angle, and then back towards you at another downward angle. Like the top of a triangle pointing to your right."
Bellatrix jumps off the table and walks towards her. "So what's the overlap?"
What? There isn't an overlap. The wand movement goes in the wrong direction completely, the only similarity is—
"It's…straight? Not curved? There's no flick?"
Bellatrix nods and walks closer, moves behind her and places her hand over Hermione's wand hand.
"Stupefy is a straight line. Reducto is two straight lines joined at a point. So…what if you use the line of the stupefy…as the first half of the reducto?"
But it's—
"But it's the wrong direction!"
Bellatrix wraps her left arm around Hermione's waist, presses herself to Hermione's back, and leans their hips to the left, but their torsos over to the right. "It's all about perspective. Reducto points right. To your right. Down and right can be the same direction…if you turn. Turn at the right moment. I'm not dancing. I'm leaning."
Oh. Oh!
She turns to look at the witch over her shoulder.
"That's genius! So that's why you're always jumping around everywhere! We thought—"
"That I was mad? Come on, pet. I thought you'd see through that. Intelligent witches are always labelled as crazy. I've seen Weasley call you mad once or twice. Mental. No, there's a method to the madness. There always is. I just never told anyone my secrets. Have you figured out why I laugh so much? Why I change the pitch of my voice?"
Umm…
"Because you enjoy it? Or…to taunt people?"
Bellatrix steps back, shaking her head. "Incorrect. Five points from Gryffindor. Looks like you haven't completely figured me out yet."
Five poi—
Hermione folds her arms with a scowl. "Of course I haven't figured you out! I don't think I'll ever figure you out. I'll never in a hundred years be able to understand how one person can hold so many different secrets. It's just impossible to—"
Bellatrix is smiling widely at her. It lights up her whole face. It's breath-taking. Gosh, she is so beautiful. Hermione can't help but smile back as her breath catches in her throat.
Bellatrix slowly raises her wand.
"Expecto patronum," she says tenderly.
And…a thin trail of white mist flows from her wand.
Oh goodness she— already?
Hermione raises a hand to her mouth in shock. This is incredible. How is she—
Bellatrix's wide eyes meet hers, and she lets out a startled bark of laughter that almost sounds like—
A sob. Tears form in Bellatrix's eyes and she mirrors Hermione, a hand cupping her mouth.
She did it.
She did it.
"Bellatrix…Oh Bella you did it."
She steps forwards and wraps her arms around the witch, who is still frozen in disbelief.
Hermione just holds her. Breathes her in. This amazing witch.
Arms come up to hug her back.
"It's all about perspective," Bellatrix whispers.
What?
A soft kiss against her jaw.
"All about perspective."
Chapter 35: A Sudden ThoughtChapter Text
They decide to spend the rest of the day in the house. It's the first free day Bellatrix has had in a while, and no matter how much she insists that she's fine, Hermione can tell that she's mentally and physically exhausted. The witch hasn't had a moment's rest recently, what with Dark Lords and nymphs and everything in between.
No, she needs to rest. To actually sleep for once. And she does eventually go to bed, once Hermione convinces her that she won't be going anywhere, and that Bellatrix is no help to either of them nodding into a book every two minutes.
They're not going back to the lake today. It's all…rather complicated. Personal. Opens up too many old wounds and creates some new ones. And even if the nymphs might have some knowledge to share…so far Hermione has more questions than she started with.
So, once she's made sure Bellatrix is actually asleep, Hermione gets herself properly dressed and ready for the day and has a look around the house. It's strange actually, that she's practically been living there and yet she hasn't seen even half of the rooms.
There's the library of course, the kitchen, her room and Bellatrix's room. But there are dozens more rooms to explore. A lot of the doors are locked, and she doesn't fancy trying more than an alohomora in case a painful curse comes her way, but there are a few that open. Bedrooms, mostly, but also a dining room and a parlour.
And a garden. Horribly overgrown with weeds and thorns and…other unknown but suspiciously alert plants. But there is a spot in the sunshine where she manages to unearth a bench from amongst the foliage. She takes her cup of tea with her and a thick cardigan, and curls up listening to the birds, feeling the rays warm her face.
When was the last time she did this? Just sat outside and breathed? It feels like a lifetime.
She warms her hands on her cup.
It's funny, she…
She doesn't feel lost anymore. Doesn't feel invisible. Everything is chaos but…it's exciting. Intriguing. Challenging.
It's sometimes a bit much but…
Right now, it feels manageable. Especially now she's not alone. Has someone else to…
Oh, Hermione. You really do have quite the crush. On a witch. A beautiful, clever, funny…and ever so complicated witch.
Who has a lot to teach her, it seems.
Hermione finishes her tea, places her cup on the floor, and gets to her feet, taking off her cardigan and pulling her wand from her sleeve.
Difindo is a downward facing arrow, and then a flick to the right. So…two in one. Stupefy and difindo.
She looks around…and aims her wand at what appears to be a venomous tentacular, lashing out and straining to reach her.
Alright. Perspective. Pick a vine and stun it, and then cut it. At once.
You can do it. It's just a difindo… but beginning with double the strength… and begin leaning to the…left? And then sway quickly to the right. And remember to say stupefy before you say difindo.
Gosh. It's very confusing. Quite the mental and physical gymnastics. Bellatrix really is a genius to pull this off. Whilst actually fighting and reading an opponent.
She practices the lean a few times. And then with wand movement.
Okay.
She readies her stance, and clenches her jaw in determination. "Stupefy, difindo!"
Oh dear. Didn't sway fast enough. Nothing
Try again.
"Stupefy, difindo!"
She ducks as a severed vine flies towards her. Did she—
Oh balls. The plant is still moving. No stupefy.
Wait a minute…
She said stupefy…but cast a difindo. That's it! That's what Bellatrix has to do! She can do nonverbal magic, so if she—
How long has Bellatrix been asleep? A few hours. She should wait but…
Hermione follows the thread to Bellatrix—
And finds herself falling on top of the witch on the bed. Whoa! She hadn't meant to—
Bellatrix wakes up with a yell, wand pressing into Hermione's neck.
"It's me! Bella, it's me, I'm sorry I—"
Bellatrix pulls her wand away and collapses onto her back with a groan. "Fuck me, don't do that! Are you trying to kill me? Or yourself. Bloody hell, I could have…"
She drifts off, shuffling out from under Hermione and rolling over to press her face into a pillow. "What are you doing here with your bony knees in my— didn't you want me to sleep? You were very persistent."
Hermione cringes in apology. "Sorry. I had an idea and couldn't wait to tell you. The thread took me closer than expected."
Five more minutes…
Well she supposes— wait a second!
"Did you just speak through the thread?!" Hermione shrieks.
She rolls Bellatrix over to face her. She's grinning. And then attempts to mask her expression, closing her eyes.
Her lip twitches at the corner.
It's not that difficult, you know
Hermione rolls her eyes and lies down next to her, closing her eyes too with a smile.
So we can just talk all the time now? From anywhere?
A groan through the thread. Please say you won't talk all the time. I'll never get any peace. There's no stopping you now
Rude! Of course she won't—
I won't abuse it! I know you need some privacy. Some peace
Oh really? Because in case you haven't noticed, I'm in bed, and you still won't shut up
Oh. She didn't mean to bother her. They spend so much time talking in bed that she didn't realise—
A sigh. What were you so excited to tell me?
Oh yes! She opens her eyes.
I've thought of how you can pretend to hurt people! What if you practice saying one incantation…but performing another? Saying crucio…but really casting some kind of memory charm? A fake memory…and something to make them seem like they're in pain
Bellatrix rolls to face her, grinning again. "Brightest witch of her age! That's bloody brilliant! Or even a confundus! I just have to make people think they're being tortured!"
"Exactly! If they think you've tortured them, believe it and have memories of it, then it won't change the timeline. But it will hurt less people in the long run because once I return to my time I can undo whatever spell you've cast. Correct their memories. It's still not perfect, but it's a start, right?"
"So I could…" Bellatrix sits up and pulls her wand back out from under her pillow, pointing it at Hermione. "You trust me, right?"
Hermione's eyes train on the wand and she swallows. She's not going to— if she says crucio it might—
The wand lowers and Bellatrix shakes her head. "I'm sorry. That wasn't fair. After everything— I understand. Why would you trust me after…"
Hermione looks up at the witch. Oh she didn't mean to— she looks so guilty it—
"I do trust you, Bella. Honestly I do. I just don't completely trust myself to— what spell are you going to try?"
Bellatrix holds up her wand again…and then presses the handle into Hermione's hand.
What?
"Try it on me. It doesn't matter if I get hurt so— do any spell you want," Bellatrix says with a shrug.
What?! No! Why would she even think—
"I'm not going to hurt you! Of course it matters if you get hurt! And I promised, remember? It goes both ways. I won't ever hurt you, Bellatrix. Ever."
She shoves the wand back into Bellatrix's hand.
"Now come on. Just try it with…a nice spell. Or something that doesn't hurt like expelliarmus, or stupefy. You can just wake me up afterwards."
Bellatrix shakes her head at her with a sigh. "So brave…"
And then pushes Hermione down onto the mattress.
Oh. Oh what is she—
Bellatrix straddles her waist and grins down at her, pointing her wand at Hermione's face.
"Still not scared? Code word is Crookshanks, remember?"
Hermione nods jerkily, feeling her face heat up. She might need to apologise to her cat for this. The code word is starting to feel more like a safeword with the way that the heat is travelling from Hermione's face down between her legs as she looks up at Bellatrix.
"I'm gonna need verbal confirmation, pet."
Is she doing this on purpose?! There is a glint to her eyes…
Well. Two can play at that game.
She stretches her arms out behind her head, grabbing hold of the edge of the headboard. "Yes, Bella. You can do what you want with me."
Bellatrix takes a sharp breath and shifts her weight. Ha. Got her.
And then tilts her head to the side, considering Hermione as she lies there waiting.
The wand moves back slightly…and Bellatrix's grin turns deadly. "Aguamenti."
Oh no! Hermione closes her eyes and braces herself as—
Ah! A tickling charm?! What the—
Her back arches off the bed as the spell scurries down her spine.
"Ha! Oh Bella stop it! It worked it— my feet?! What are you— stop that!"
Her feet slide against the sheets as she fights the feeling off, wriggling beneath the grinning witch. Who seems far too happy about this to cancel her spell.
Well. She's not the only one with magic.
What does Hermione want?
Say one thing…but think a different trigger.
Ah.
She lifts her hands off the bed and points them at Bellatrix. "Avis! Oppugno!"
Bellatrix's arms come up to cover her face, obviously expecting a bird attack…
And then jolt out to the sides in shock as she begins to float into the air.
Hermione grins up at her. So, the secret wingardium leviosa did work. She has a lot of memories of that spell, so the trigger was simple enough.
And the tickle charm has stopped. Bellatrix is obviously distracted—
Oh dear. Now that's a wicked grin.
"Oh it's on now, Granger. Incarcerous!"
Hermione squeals as a jet of water hits her in the face.
Right. Let's do this.
She reaches for her wand.
It's dark when Hermione wakes up. Wakes up…with someone on top of her. Hugging her.
Oh.
She brushes some hair out of her face, not sure where her hair ends, and Bellatrix's begins.
And Bellatrix snuggles closer, presses her face into Hermione's neck with a sigh.
When did they fall asleep? What— ah. All that magic had been rather tiring, they must have drifted off afterwards.
Their sleep schedule is really quite strange at the moment.
Bella? Are you awake? she whispers through the thread.
Nothing. So asleep. Or ignoring her.
Her breathing is slow. Slow and steady. She can feel her chest press—
Merlin it feels good to—
Don't, Hermione. She's asleep. You can't think about her when—
She's so warm, and her lips are—
She needs to rest! What if—
What if this is the only time they have? Wake her up. She won't mind.
Yes she will. She said not to—
You can always try! What's the point in being in bed with a beautiful woman if—
A woman trying to sleep! Don't go objectifying her now just because—
Bellatrix groans and shifts against her, leg falling between hers. Shit.
Bellatrix?
Still nothing. Hmm.
Bellatrix, if you're awake, let me know. Because I'm seriously considering doing something more enjoyable than sleeping right now. I want you. I really want to touch you so badly so please if you're pretending just—
Bellatrix mumbles something, and then rolls away onto her back on her own side of the bed. Well. Damn.
"Tempus," Hermione yawns. Eleven o'clock? At night? She's practically nocturnal at this rate! Wha—
There's a scratching, scraping sound from across the room. What is— "Lumos."
Oh thank Merlin, just an owl at the window. The poor thing, how long has it been there?
She walks over and feels around for the lock. Why won't it open?
"Alohomora," she yawns.
Oh good it worked and oh god angry owl!
Hermione ducks and covers her head with a yell as talons and a sharp beak come at her face.
"Protego! What the fuck, Hermione? Why do I keep waking up to—oh it's only what's his face. Calm down, you pompous little prick. If you break anything with your flapping, I swear to Salazar…"
Hermione cautiously lowers her arms. The owl has settled on the headboard, glaring at Bellatrix. Who is stood on the bed. Glaring back.
"You umm…know…this owl?"
Bellatrix brushes some hair out of her eyes, and reaches for the owl's leg. There's a letter.
"Yes, and so do you. Draco's owl. Although why he couldn't just wait and talk to me tomorrow I don't—"
She stops mid-sentence, frowning at the letter.
Draco? Oh. Actually, she does recognise the bird, now that she thinks about it.
Bellatrix lets out a groan and rubs a hand over her face.
"Oh pet, this is bad. I didn't mean to— he must have—couldn't he wait? And what the hell does this mean for—"
What is she talking about?! Ah!
"Protego! This ruddy owl! Do you have an owlery or something? Or some treats? Some mice?"
Bellatrix holds up her arm with a sigh and then clicks her tongue, and the owl flies over to land on her. "Could you take us to the kitchen, pet? We need to figure some things out, and Tiggy can find something for Apollo here."
Apollo? What a pretentious—
She walks over and takes Bellatrix's other arm.
And then sits down at the kitchen counter, sending some water on to boil whilst Bellatrix wanders into a side room with the owl.
Apollo. Of course Draco's owl is a god. Why is she not surprised?
She accios some cups from the cupboard as well as the milk and the sugar. Bellatrix usually puts an absurd amount of sugar in her tea.
And runs her fingers through her hair and wipes at her eyes. Her bed-head probably isn't as bad as Bellatrix's, but still, she needs to sort it out a bit.
Ah. Here she comes.
Bellatrix flops down next to her on a stool, sending the boiling water into a teapot on the side with a flick of her wand.
"So. What's so bad about this letter? Why do we need midnight tea? He's not…hurt, is he?"
Bellatrix shakes her head with a tut. "It's nothing that bad. It just makes things very complicated because— in the future, after the war, how well do you know Draco?"
Umm…
"Not that well. We never really got on, and we don't have much in common so— he's always very polite! He's not— he's not horrible or anything, and he does talk to me. Small talk with Narcissa or— or even in a small group if Harry is there and—"
"He's friends with Potter?"
Umm…yes.
"Yes. I don't really understand their relationship, but yes, he's always invited to Harry's birthday. And he got a present for James, Harry's son. And they go to quidditch games together."
Bellatrix lets out a relieved sigh. "So maybe I didn't change anything. Or— but what if I did and—"
Okay, enough of this.
"What in Godric's name are you talking about? What did the letter say?"
Bellatrix turns sideways in her seat. "Draco…he must have seen something in my head about…us. Not— not you! He doesn't know it's you, thank Merlin. But he knows I like witches now so— he's asking me for advice about…he thinks he likes wizards."
Wha—
Oh.
Oh but he—
"He…oh you're right this does complicate things. How do we know if— I mean it might not make any difference, but he's going through enough at the moment without—"
"Exactly. Why is he thinking about this and not his mission? In your memories he was obsessed with finding a way to kill Dumbledore. Why would he be writing to me about— what if he starts obsessing over some bloke instead of—"
"And then he won't do the same thing with the necklace, and the wine, and the cabinet. And Harry won't see him, and follow him, and talk about him all the time and—"
"Are you sure Potter isn't the one with the crush? Because I did wonder, I mean, over the years in your head…and Draco does talk about him a lot in his letters to Cissy. I've only been out of Az— back for a few months and even I knew about Potter and his secret club against Umbridge and—"
"Oh dear Merlin, you think he likes Harry? That Harry could like him back? But Harry's married! In the future I mean."
Bellatrix pours her a cup of tea with a grin. "Well I'm married too, aren't I? Doesn't mean I didn't fu—"
"That's different, Bellatrix. Harry chose to get married. He has a kid. He loves Ginny. Okay, he could be bisexual, but he chose Ginny. You didn't choose…did you?"
Bellatrix kisses her cheek with a chuckle. "Rod? No, no that was in the cards since I was about twelve. There was no stopping that. Luckily he's not too fussed either and only comes hanging around when he needs a favour or to get his mother off his back…well. Before she kicked the bucket that is. Since Az— it did a real number on him. Think he only comes around out of habit now. He's not all there. Empty shell."
Hermione swallows uncomfortably. "And what about Draco? Does he get to choose?"
Bellatrix shrugs rather than replying, and they both sip at their tea in the silence.
"Our family doesn't normally marry for love. It's about connections. Politics. Power. So it's not important really, who he's attracted to, it's not about that. It never bothered me, I was just glad Rod had enough sense not to try and boss me around. Not sure what Cissy really thinks, but Lucy was going on about some Greengrass girl last I heard. Or Parkinson, if Zabini hasn't got a claim on her already. That was before Lucius got himself caught by the Order though so…guess until he gets out, it's up to Cissy."
How awful. Having your parents decide who you'll marry. If she had to go by her mum's taste or her dad's idea of—
"How are you going to reply? What do you think you would have said…before you met me?"
Bellatrix snorts. "If I hadn't met you none of this would be happening! I wouldn't have been thinking about you whilst teaching my nephew, that's for sure. I suppose…I should be kind, shouldn't I? That's what you said. When there's a choice, be kind. I'll tell him he's normal or whatever. That he can love whoever he wants and fuck what anyone else thinks, right?"
Oh. She takes Bellatrix's hand. "That's...sweet. But you're sure it won't change things? That he won't…get distracted?"
"Well. I'll tell him to keep it hidden for now. Say something about his duty to the Dark Lord being more important. But I don't think I ever would have— I can't quite believe he's telling me this stuff! He's got some balls, coming to me. Thought he was still scared of me, actually. Maybe I need to up the crazy tomorrow. Fill my head with…screams, or something."
Hermione grimaces. She does probably have a lot of screams to…well. It will be convincing.
She sighs. "Probably for the best, sorry. You can be a nice aunt when all this is over."
Bellatrix gets up, stretching. "I'll go write a reply, he's probably been worrying himself sick about it all day. Now where did I put…"
She wanders off, and Hermione carries on drinking her tea, walking over to sit by the fire.
Oh. The letter. She—
"Bellatrix, do you want his letter back or—"
Oh.
…and I couldn't help seeing that you're in love with a witch, Aunt Bella, so I…
In love?
Chapter 36: Seeing With New EyesChapter Text
Hermione shifts slightly in the armchair, turning her book so she can see Bellatrix over the top of the page.
It's ridiculous. Bellatrix isn't in love with her. Draco must have just…he must be a romantic or something. Assumed they—
What did he actually see in her head? It must have just been sex, or…he doesn't know it's Hermione so—
"Have you read Codswaddle's Theory of Energy Conservation? I'm sure I've seen his name somewhere else, but I can't for the life of me—"
Hmm? Oh, she must be researching—yes—
"D'Avignon disputes it in 'An Interminable Study of Spacial Reconfiguration', it's on the—"
"Got it. Thanks, pet."
In love. Yeah right. They've only known each other for a month or so. Well, Hermione knew her for a bit longer, but Bellatrix didn't. She just saw her for thirty seconds as a teenager at the ministry and then…
Then got stabbed, drugged, found out they were tied together by a prophecy, got returned to full health, and saw all of Hermione's memories. Within the span of a few days. And she wasn't even awake for half of that.
Maybe it's Stockholm Syndrome. Hermione has basically forced the witch not to leave her side in case she destroys the world.
What are the signs of being in love? Hermione's never— She doesn't think Ron counts. Looking back…it was more friendship than anything. Maybe a crush. A need to belong. Has Hermione ever been in love?
Think of love songs. Or—or amortentia. That's a love potion. How did Bellatrix act? She kissed her. Check. Hugged her. Check. Held her hand. Wanted to always be with Hermione. To help her with her plan. Promised to do what she said. Didn't want her to leave. Ignored her pain to help her—
Oh dear Merlin. Is Draco right?
People smile when they're in love.
Hermione lays down her book and sits up properly, looking over at Bellatrix, sat on the table.
Bellatrix must sense it, because she looks up. And frowns.
"What is it? Are you…hiding your thoughts?"
Oh thank goodness. No smile. She's not sure if she's ready for what that would mean.
"Just for a moment. Just testing a theory."
Bellatrix rolls her eyes and looks back to her book.
And smiles.
That doesn't count.
Does it?
What's the difference between attraction and love? Or friendship and love?
She never quite knows—
"So? What was your theory?"
Hmm? Oh. Oh dear, what can she say? Well she does want to know—
"I was going to see if the thread worked still. Try to talk to me whilst I'm hiding my thoughts. That way we can talk if Narcissa or Snape are around."
Ah, good idea. Can you hear me?
Yes. Can you hear me?
Yep. Seems like we can always hear each other then, that's useful. Just try not to talk to me when I'm called away with the Dark Lord
Hermione looks back to her book, shaking her head.
Of course I won't. I don't want to distract you
Too late. You're always distracting
Oh. Her head jolts back up. Well she might not mean—
Always? I'm not that interesting
Bellatrix throws her book in the air and reaches for another, crossing her legs.
Always. I can't seem to puzzle you out, pet. You're in my head even when you're not talking. I can't get away from you.
Oh no. She can't stop thinking about her? That definitely sounds like love. Is that—
"I'm sorry I stabbed you!" Hermione blurts out.
Bellatrix puts down her book and slides off the table, walking towards her. "What are you talking about? When did you— oh. I forgot all about that."
What?!
"Forgot?! You almost died!"
Bellatrix shrugs and sits on the arm of Hermione's chair. "But I didn't. You're not the first person to stab me and you won't be the last, I'm sure. You're the only one who's stabbed me and then saved me though. Tiggy's right. You're strange."
She says it with a smirk. A crooked smile.
Hermione looks up at her, shaking her head in exasperation.
And then Tiggy appears before them with a pop.
"Uh…I wasn't calling you, Tiggy, I just said your name to Hermione because—"
"Mastress Thetis be summoning you both, Mistress. They is being very persistent."
Bellatrix's eyebrows shoot up. And then she growls. "Mastress?! I am your Mistress. How dare that interfering, self-righteous fish creature try to summon us! You can tell them that no matter how often they call it won't make a shred of difference. We don't need—"
"They is apologising. They is promising not to transform without your permission, Mistress Bella. Staying in their veriform. This be a show of sacrifice. Of vulnerability. Tiggy is telling you."
Hermione strokes her hand over Bellatrix's arm. "Maybe we should go. If they're truly sorry, shouldn't we give them a chance? And we might learn something useful. About the past, or time travel, or…or even metamorphing. Aren't you curious?"
Bellatrix slides backwards off of the armrest to sit sideways in Hermione's lap.
Oof! What is she—
She tucks some hair behind Hermione's ear. "I suppose I could forgive them. Be nice. And metamorphing could be…if I could change I…"
She pouts at Hermione, face scrunching into a frown.
I don't want to change. You don't want me to change, do you?
What? Of course she doesn't—
"No! Why on Earth would I want you to change? I just thought it would be useful, that's all. You're rather recognisable, you know."
Bellatrix searches her eyes…and then nods sharply. "Alright. Fine. Let's go see what they have to say for themselves. It's going to be fucking weird if they look like Cissy the whole time, but I suppose that's better than— than Andy."
Oh. Hermione lets out a slow breath as silence fills the room. "Yes. Yes it's all very strange. I can't imagine how— but I'll be there. And we can always leave."
Bellatrix climbs off of her lap and pats herself down, searching for her wand, eventually pulling it from somewhere in her corset and sliding it under her sleeve. "I'm not running away again. They try anything and they'll meet the end of my wand, goddess or not. And we have an advantage. I know that face."
What? Hermione accios her shoes from her room and gives Bellatrix a disbelieving look. "Oh, because Narcissa is so easy to read. That will make it a lot easier."
Bellatrix bends down to do up a loose shoelace on her own boots, and Hermione catches her shoes as they come flying into the room.
"Well she is. Cissy might fool you, but she can't fool me. I watched her practice that expression in the mirror. With her, the secret is— oh balls, shouldn't we wear those wetsuit things again? Swimming in this is going to be a pain in the arse!"
Hmm. Well—
"Yes I have ruined quite a lot of clothing over the last few days. Maybe we should. Now what were you saying about—oh, thank you, Tiggy. That was fast."
She takes the wetsuit from the elf and starts getting changed.
"What was I saying? Oh. Teaching you to read people. So, with Cissy, it's like…you have to see what she isn't showing you. The more she feels something, the less she'll show, unless she wants you to see it. Opposite of me and you I guess."
Hermione pulls off her trousers with a frown. "But…I have seen her show some emotions. Like with Snape. She cried because she was so upset about Draco."
"I know, that was strange for her. Two explanations. One, she trusts Snape enough to cry in front of him, let her guard down completely. I really hope that's not the reason because if that means her and Snape are— ugh, anyway. I'm hoping it's number two. Turning on the waterworks to get what she wanted."
Some thuds come from Bellatrix's direction as she jumps her way into her wetsuit. "Think about it. She didn't cry to me, did she? No, she was pissed off. Someone dares come after her son? Her baby? But she can't exactly fight the Dark Lord. So. Snape had what she needed. She can't protect Draco at Hogwarts, but he can. She needed him on side. Hence the weeping woman act."
Acting. So she'd been kind of right about that. "So she…fakes her emotions…or hides them, depending on what she wants."
"Yep. If you ever see an emotion on her face, she's deliberately showing it to you. Either to manipulate you, or because she trusts you enough in the moment to reveal herself."
That is actually very helpful. And…a bit scary. To be that in control…
"And…if she loses control? What does that look like?"
Bellatrix freezes as she does up her zip and slowly meets Hermione's eyes.
"If Cissy ever loses control…run. Get out as fast as you can. Because the truth is…I've never seen her lose control. Ever. She almost did once, and— if you think I'm bad? Oh pet. I'm nothing. Not compared to that."
Hermione can't help but shiver. Scarier than Bellatrix at her worst?
She swallows and pushes her arms into the wetsuit, shrugging into the shoulders. "Does she have any…tells? Triggers? So that I know if— to run."
Bellatrix walks over to her and reaches around to do up Hermione's zip, moving her hair out of the way. "Well there's Draco of course, but you knew that. Other than that…I don't know. There have been moments when— but I never took the time to figure out—"
She clears her throat. "You'll feel it, anyway. It's like…all the air leaves the room. Cold. Like a— a dementor. And she'll…go very still."
A dementor? She meets Bellatrix's gaze. The witch nods at her solemnly. She's never seen Bellatrix so serious.
Right then. Don't get on the wrong side of Narcissa.
Anyway. They're supposed to be—
"Well then. Thetis will be much less intimidating. And if they're using Narcissa's face, maybe it will help me to read your sister. I'll be able to see what's a construct and what's real."
She tugs her wetsuit properly into place. "And it might not just be Thetis. Autonoe might be there, or Oreithye. I spoke with them too actually. Oh! I didn't show you the colour chart I made whilst you were with Draco this morning. I can't remember all of their tail colours, we should pay attention to that. And at some point I need to catch you up on who's who."
Bellatrix tilts her head, eyes darting off to the side and tapping her wand to her lip. "Autonoe's the poky little chatterbox who wants to follow you around like a lost puppy, Oreithye hides their insecurity behind their muscles and is hopelessly in love with that other one, Leagore. Who's some kind of nerdy historian, I reckon. Eudora is trying to work their way up the hierarchy but has absolutely no people skills, and Pronoe thinks so far ahead they can't see what's going on right under their nose. And Kallianassa is a manipulative bitch. Did I miss anyone?"
Wha—
Hermione's mouth falls open in astonishment. "How did you— where did— you only met them once and— how did you know about Oreithye and Leagore? And what do you mean about—"
Bellatrix grins. "Please. As if I'd be tricked by a roomful of Blacks. I've been rehearsing for that exact situation my whole life. Stick them at a dining table and add in a pervy uncle and that's a Friday night from my childhood. I'm just waiting for one of them to get done in at this point. Thetis should watch out. Blacks don't stay at the top for long."
Hermione swallows. Murder? Oh dear. She hadn't seen any of that. "I'd better stay close to you then. You can be my eyes, apparently I'm useless at this still."
Bellatrix takes her hand, swinging it between them. "Don't worry about that. As if I'd leave you. As if I could. Sand and sea, remember?"
Hermione smiles softly at her. She actually believes that. Even without the prophecy, the way Bellatrix is looking at her…
And maybe…maybe Hermione is okay with that. Wants that. She can't imagine leaving the witch either. Just the thought is…
She brushes some hair out of Bellatrix's face and kisses her cheek. "Sand and sea. Come on, Black. Let's go have that family dinner we've been putting off with your crazy relatives."
Bellatrix barks out a laugh—
And it echoes around the cave as they appear with a pop.
Thetis…and someone else. Sat on a rock. Well. Two is better than everyone, so that's a relief.
Still though. It's hard to get over mermaid-nymph-Narcissa. And…she studies the other merperson more closely. They do seem familiar…orange tail. Leagore?
Bellatrix pulls her over to the rock. "Thetis. Leagore. Perhaps we should start over, yes? Bellatrix Black, nice to meet you. This is my mate, Hermione Granger."
Oh. What is she doing…Bellatrix holds out a hand to Thetis.
Who raises an eyebrow, and then nods, clasping her hand with their own. "An inspired idea, Bellatrix. I am Thetis of the Black Sea, head of the Black Colony. You may refer to me by name, as Queen or King, or merely as sister or brother. All terms would please me greatly. And Hermione. It is nice to meet you, you are free to do the same, as through your mate you shall be treated as kin here."
They reach for Hermione's hand and shake it firmly. Kin? Through Bellatrix? This really is 'meet the relatives'.
She looks into their yellow eyes and smiles awkwardly. "Nice to meet you, Thetis. Thank you for welcoming us into your…family."
Thetis smiles back. It's still very strange. Not Narcissa not Narcissa not Narcissa.
"And thank you for forgiving my past behaviour. You are a fierce protector to be sure. Bellatrix is lucky to have you."
Oh. Well. Umm.
Bellatrix clears her throat. "And Leagore, I suppose you're my sister too? Or brother?"
Now that was smooth. And has left a soft smile on Leagore's face.
"Today we are all sisters, it seems. Thank you for returning. I'm sure we all have much to share. If you will allow me, may I transport us to a more comfortable location? Above water, I assure you," she says calmly.
Bellatrix frowns. "How will you do that?"
Leagore's eyes slide to Hermione. "Time with the Forest People has touched me as much as it has touched your mate. We are both thinking elves, are we not?" Her smile widens into a knowing grin, and Hermione can't help grinning back.
"Master Spitsy?"
Leagore chimes out a startled laugh. "Little Spitsy is a Master now? How odd, to me they are still the elfling hiding behind the wine crates in the kitchens every yule. No, I have never visited the home of the Forest People. I first learnt from the Hogwarts elves, and without legs my sisters are rather confined to these waters. Leaving them is not a decision to take lightly, even to contact old friends."
And now the attention is back on Bellatrix. Legs.
Bellatrix rolls her eyes. "Don't you all look at me like that. I don't know how to do it, do I? I don't even know if I can…you know…do any of it!"
Thetis shifts on the rock.
Bellatrix takes a step forward, pointing in accusation. "And don't you dare do anything, one sister is bad enough without— you promised!"
Thetis…drops their gaze. Curls in on themselves. Gosh the sadness, the remorse. It fills the air, Hermione's breath sticking in her throat.
"I am sorry, sister. I did not mean to harm you, forgive me. And I shall not do so again. I swear it."
Oh the poor…
Bellatrix reaches forwards and then pulls back, shifting her weight uncertainly. "Well you— I know you didn't— will you cheer up! Gods, do you know who you look like? Because it's not fair, you know I—"
Thetis looks up with a confused frown. "I look like me. This is my veriform. My natural form."
How astonishing. A natural doppelganger to Narcissa.
Bellatrix swallows. "Oh. You look like my sister. Not— not the one you— the other one. My younger sister, Cissy."
Thetis takes a steadying breath and reaches for Leagore's hand, and then Bellatrix. "The one who loves you? Looks up to you?"
Bellatrix sighs and takes Thetis's hand, taking Hermione's with the other. "I don't know. I don't know anymore. I haven't been…take us away, Leagore. Somewhere we can all talk."
Leagore looks to Thetis, who nods tiredly, and they vanish with a pop.