Chapter 37: Returning to The SourceNotes:So...I may be spoiling all you wonderful people with a ridiculously long chapter. I tried to split it in half. It didn't want to. So you're getting two in one today.
Settle down for a long read!
(See the end of the chapter for more notes.)
Chapter Text
And they're on a sandy beach. Remote. In the sunshine, so probably not Scotland anymore. Well that…doesn't make sense at all.
"If you have house-elf magic…you can go anywhere. Why stay in the lake?"
Leagore lies back on the sand near the water's edge. "Totus Generis Parere. The lake is our home, I won't leave my kin just because I can. Separate them according to their whims. Too many of us have parted ways in our history. What have we already lost? We did not know what losing Kalypso would mean until we did. What other powers have we lost to time?"
Thetis curls against Leagore, leans their head against her. They seem…
Hermione sits down with them. Where has the regal presence disappeared to? The pride?
"Are you alright, Thetis?"
They stare into the distance. Leagore squeezes their shoulder. "It's the veriform. Holding it against our will is…tiring. Uncomfortable."
Bellatrix crouches down in front of them, ducks her head to meet Thetis' eyes. And sighs.
"Oh fine! You can change back! Just steer clear of anything…difficult, if you would. I don't know how much you know but—"
A beaming smile lights up Thetis' face and they launch forwards to wrap their arms around Bellatrix, sending them both sprawling backwards in the sand.
What?! Aren't they a queen or something? They were so poised and—
They still look like Narcissa but…younger. Are they smaller? A child?
"Cissy! I mean— gah, Thetis! What are you—?!"
"I'm your sister now. You've accepted me. Why shouldn't I play with my sister? Do you know how tiresome it can be, being ruler all the time?" Thetis whines, their voice noticeably higher. Younger. So they are a child.
Bellatrix manages to sit up, Thetis in her lap, sand in her hair and…everywhere.
Hermione glances at Leagore. This is so unexpected. She'd thought…
Leagore chuckles and leans closer to whisper to her. "Thetis is ruler by birth, not by temperament. The weight of leadership takes its toll. Let them be them. Play, away from prying eyes."
Bellatrix appears to be in murmured conversation with Thetis. So not uncomfortable with this. Alright.
She turns back to Leagore. She really wants to ask— she hopes it's not rude but—
"Umm, when you say birth…I mean…you're all…sisters." She feels her face heat up as Leagore stares at her. Gods this is awkward.
And then Leagore nods. "Come on, thinking elf. You are forgetting. Myth and truth. Mammals and fish."
Uhh…what?
She just shakes her head in confusion.
"When we say we are sisters, kin, we mean we are of the Black Sea. One tribe. One people. The same as…Adam and Eve, you know of this? This belief that mankind are all children of God? Well. We are all children of Nereus."
Oh. So they're not related! So then…
"But the resemblance! And the names and— you mean you're just all the same race? And— you have tails, I—"
There's a shriek from next to them and a splash. What just—
Where is Thetis?
"Bella?! What did you—"
"They told me to! They're fine, look!"
Bellatrix points out into the sea. A smiling head. So they just…
"You just threw a queen into the ocean?!"
Bellatrix groans. "They told me to! I was telling them about Cissy and— it's fine! Get back to whatever you were talking about, I'm going swimming, it's bloody boiling wherever we are. Hey Leagore, where are we?"
Leagore stretches. "That's a secret, little sister. Now off you go. Keep an eye on Thetis."
Bellatrix looks like she might argue but then just kicks at some water and turns around with a grumble.
More sisters. And I'm the youngest now! And more secrets. Get some blackmail material, would you? She's far too smug
Hermione keeps her face carefully blank, running her hands through the sand as Bellatrix walks away.
Well it's not blackmail, but I'm getting to the bottom of some things. You're alright with Thetis, aren't you?
A soft sigh. It's like having Cissy back. Before…before everything went wrong
Oh. She looks out across the water. Watches Thetis swim up to Bellatrix and splash at her.
Oh how can she send comfort through a thread?
"Leagore? Is my thread from the Forest People, or…Autonoe said you knew more about it. A story."
Leagore disappears with a pop, and reappears with their tail in the water, a few feet away. Hermione wanders over. It is quite hot now. The water's refreshing.
Leagore looks out to sea. "It is true that the Forest People have threads. Ties to wizards. And in a sense, your thread is much the same. Yours however is in its original form. It's true, pure, beautiful form. You are unbelievably lucky to have found each other. Well. Not luck. The fates must be on your side."
"So it's fate?"
Leagore smiles at her, and then lies down, patting the sand next to them.
Hermione cautiously lies down too, staring up at the wide blue sky.
"Long, long ago, humans were not as they are now. They were spherical, with one head, but two faces. Four arms. Four legs. Appearing to be two people, joined together. And there were three sexes then, not two. Two joined males, the children of the sun. Two joined females, the children of the earth. And one of each, the children of the moon."
Oh wait. Hermione knows this story. So that means…
She sits up, staring down at Leagore in shocked disbelief. It can't be…
Leagore nods and squeezes her hand reassuringly. "But then, one terrible day, they displeased the gods. In a fury, Zeus split each being in two, tore them apart. The humans wept and screamed as flesh tore, reaching desperately for their other halves as blood fell between them. But it was no use. Zeus scattered them far across the Earth, with no way of finding each other. Doomed to be an empty, lost half of a soul for eternity."
No no no it can't be. Are they really—half a soul?
"Or So Zeus thought. See, another god, Prometheus, saw Zeus' actions, and believed the pain to be unjust. Their love for humanity, which would eventually be their downfall, led them to perform a secret trick. They turned this blood…into a thread. An invisible, and yet invincible red thread, that would forever join the two halves. So that maybe, just maybe, these lost souls would find each other once more."
Hermione's heart is pounding. Soulmates. The Greek myth of— the Chinese legend of— it can't be! It's just a story it's not—
"Hermione, I'm sorry if I have shocked you. I did not mean—"
Hermione continues pacing, shaking her head at Leagore.
"How do you know? It's just a story. You must have— who told you? Did you read about it? And— and humans were never together like that. We have— there's science! And, and—"
"And magic, little one. Remember that there is magic. And remember to breathe, before you collapse, and dear Bellatrix kills me. She is frightening, you know. She has an…aura of danger."
Hermione takes some slow breaths and sits down. "Oh I know. Believe me, I know. We haven't always been— I hated her. She scared me. She— she hurt me. Leagore— if this is true it— she hurt me so much. I was terrified, I— look."
Hermione can feel tears forming in her eyes but she just— Leagore doesn't understand what this—
She pulls up her sleeve and scooches close to Leagore, showing them the scar. "You know what this means…don't you? This word?"
Leagore takes a shaky breath. "Oh, little one. Yes. Yes I— oh people can be cruel. She— but she is your mate. If I had known I— is Thetis safe?"
Oh. Oh dear. Hermione pats her arm reassuringly. "They'll be fine. She won't hurt them, or me. Not anymore. This happened a long time ago— well. For me. It hasn't happened yet and— I don't know if it will, anymore. I just wanted to show you that…my relationship with Bellatrix is complicated. That's why you shocked me. She would never hurt me now. And I think— I think she loves me. I don't know if— soulmates? That's what the thread is?"
She pulls her sleeve back down and looks at Leagore.
"Yes. It can't mean anything else. She is your other half, your very soul. You are made for each other. Together you are whole."
So it's all just…fate? "This was always going to happen? The thread is…pulling us together? Changing our behaviour?"
Leagore shakes her head with a frown. "No. No the thread does not pull, it does not alter you. In fact, it is part of the tale that often threads get tangled. So tangled that they cannot be undone. It is a hindrance, in a way. No, that you have found yours means that you have worked for it. It is your actions that have caused this, not fate. That is why it is so unbelievably rare."
Oh. Oh that's actually a relief, in a way. So there isn't a magic force pulling her to Bellatrix. They're the ones that chose it all along. Chose to stay together.
"We thought…that it caused us to save each other. From dying. Did it do that? Or was that just…"
Leagore flicks her tail in the water. "All you, little one. Just because you are each other's symbolons does not mean you naturally care for one another. As you have explained. She hurt you. Scared you. You being soulmates may have helped you to rebuild your relationship, to find similarities and negotiations between each other, yes. But it was your strength, the both of you, that has allowed this bond."
Hmm. Well. That's one question answered.
She might need a bit of time to think about it though. Soulmates. Now there's a heavy word.
Think about something else.
"So you know lots of stories? From the elves?" she asks casually, digging a hole in the sand.
Leagore pauses at the obvious subject change. She can feel her knowing gaze.
And then she lies down, tail swishing slowly in the water. "Not only from the elves. From our songs. And our archives. It's what I do, my role within the colony. I assemble. Whether that be Blacks or books. I keep a record of our songs in writing for future generations. We never used to write them down, not trusting that they wouldn't fall into the wrong hands, but Thetis negotiated an arrangement with the headmaster. A room beneath the lake. He promised not to tell a soul. A fidelius charm."
Hmm. They trust Dumbledore? "That's…nice of him."
Leagore scoffs. "He hasn't told a soul, but he certainly reads enough himself. But it's alright. He does not know everything, silly boy. Soon he will learn."
Hermione barks out a laugh. "Boy? You think Dumbledore is young?"
Leagore tilts her head at Hermione quizzically. "Yes. Do you not know how old we are? How old do you think little Spitsy is?"
Umm…she hadn't really thought about it.
Leagore smirks at her. Bellatrix is right. Far too smug. Well.
Hermione shakes her head and gets to her feet. "Come on, lets join them. I've probably shared too much with my blabbermouth. Maybe we should keep this chat between ourselves."
She wades into the water, and a head appears before her with a pop. "You don't want your mate to know she is your symbolon? And I thought you were a good elf. A brave elf."
"Hey! I am a good elf! You're the one that isn't brave. If you're so old, how come in all these years you've never told Oreithye—ah!"
She's propelled out into the sea by the ankle, hurriedly forming a bubblehead charm so the water doesn't go up her nose.
And she's in the deep. With Leagore staring at her. "How did you— what do you mean, little one, about Oreithye?"
Staring and…awkward. So she was right! It was just a guess but—
Bella, I think I have blackmail material!
Really? After one day as a Black? I'm impressed
A Black? Oh she doesn't know what to think about that.
She focuses back on Leagore. With a smirk. "You know what I meant. You should really tell them, you know. How long have you been hiding it?"
Leagore folds her arms and flicks her tail back and forth. Fidgeting.
"I do not know what you are speaking of, I am not hiding anything. You'd do well to remember that I am not the Goddess of Concealment. I am the Goddess of Assembly. Of order."
Ah. Feelings are too messy. She's struck a nerve, it seems. Not ready then.
"Fine. You're right. I'm sorry. Let's meet the others. Take my hand, I'll follow the thread."
Leagore's eyes dart between her own in curiosity. "You can travel to her? Without her Call? How fascinating!" She reaches out her hand.
Hermione takes it. Now where is— back on the beach?
She follows the thread.
Bellatrix is sat cross legged, eyes closed, opposite Thetis in the sand. Who is a queen once more.
"Ah. Here they are. Perhaps your mate can offer her assistance."
Umm…what are they doing?
Bellatrix opens one eye. And then both of them with a smile. "There you are. You nearly missed it. I'm giving this metamorphing thing a go."
Really?!
She beams at Bellatrix and sits down in the sand to watch. "You've decided to try it? Oh this is so exciting!"
Bellatrix shakes her head fondly and then adopts a more serious expression, looking over at Thetis.
The merperson is definitely back to their intimidating self. Hermione sits up a bit straighter.
Thetis gives a firm nod. "Normally, our metamorphosis is entirely natural. From birth we flit between forms, and it is settling on a chosen form which needs to be taught. How to maintain an appearance. You appear to be the opposite, a firm grasp of who you are. The face you wish to show to the world."
Bellatrix frowns. "The face I wish to show? This is my face. I didn't choose it. You said I looked like Kalypso! I thought this was my…veriform."
Thetis smiles, somewhat sadly, and takes Bellatrix's hand. "Tell me. Do you heal quickly, when you are hurt? Do you move seamlessly from anger to happiness? Sadness to love? Decide on an action, and take it in an instant, where most people would not have the strength?"
Oh. That does sound a lot like Bellatrix. What does that mean?
Thetis must see the answer in their expressions, as they let out a sigh. "You are the Goddess of Concealment. And I fear your true form, whilst physically not much different to what you are showing us…is a lot more…"
They drift off…and then smile brightly. "Perhaps we should not speak of your veriform today. Let us instead focus on the joy of discovery. Hermione is right. This is exciting! To watch someone transform for the first time…I've never done so, have you, Leagore?"
Leagore appears across from Hermione with a soft pop. "Only for a brief second when both Autonoe and Agaue were born, and I was too young to understand what it truly meant," she chuckles.
When they were born? I don't think I want to visualise that…I assumed…eggs? Golden eggs?
Hermione holds back a laugh at Bellatrix's disgusted yet curious voice.
I know, I was trying to get to the bottom of it earlier. Leagore did mention something about mammals and fish
Bellatrix shrugs. "So? Are you going to tell me, or is this one of those unravel the mystery yourself kind of deals?"
Thetis shakes their head, and then takes Bellatrix's hands, transforming into their veriform. "The connection to your sister might help. Especially if she is able to metamorphose also. Think back to the day she changed form. You were touching her, you must have felt it. Try to…pick one of her features that you know well…and an emotion that goes with it."
Bellatrix nods. "Emotion. Memory. A trigger. Alright…"
She stares across at Thetis. And stills.
Bellatrix staying still? Oh. Pretending to be Narcissa? That's such a—
Mrs Malfoy? You're…sat on the floor? That's not very dignified
Bellatrix's head snaps to look at her, frowning. "What are you— oh! Of course! I'm not supposed to imagine it, I have to feel it. Yes, okay. I—"
She gets to her feet in the sand, pulls out her wand from her sleeve…and transfigures a rock into a high backed chair. And then her wetsuit into pale blue robes.
Gosh, she looks odd not in black. She's somehow…softer.
It seems so wrong.
"Okay. I'm Cissy…so…"
She straightens her posture and tilts her head back slightly so she's sneering down at them, and then glides over and sits on the chair. Knees together and hands clasped politely. Hermione clamps her hand over her mouth, trying not to laugh.
And Bellatrix closes her eyes. Face blank. "Miss Granger, I fail to see what is so amusing."
Argh it's impossible not to find this amusing! Even her voice is so haughty. Clipped. Clearer. And she's not fidgeting. How is she—
Hermione walks closer. "My apologies, Mrs Malfoy. I hope you and Draco are well?"
Bellatrix's expression softens ever so slightly, a raise to the corner of her lips and a delicate nod. "Quite well, I assure you. His OWL results were most promising, as expected. His tutors have always reported him to be a most excellent student. A naturally gifted child."
This is how Narcissa talks about Draco? Ugh. It is sickening.
"I'm sure he is. Am I tiring you, Mrs Malfoy? If you wish to rest your eyes than I shall take my leave."
A challenge. Come on, Bellatrix. You know what you have to do.
Bellatrix seems to freeze even further, and, for almost a minute, everyone waits in silence.
And then icy blue eyes snap open.
Hermione can't help but gasp. That's incredible! How did she—
And Bellatrix breaks character with a grin. "Did I do it? Are they blue?"
Hermione steps towards her to stare into her eyes in awe. "Yes! Yes they're— I wish I had a mirror or— oh! Look into my head. Look at yourself."
Blue eyes search hers, and then widen. "Fucking hell! That's bloody bizarre, I look like— I don't know! Is it—"
Bellatrix nudges Hermione out of the way to look down at Thetis. "Am I doing it right? Is this metamorphing or just a transfiguration?" She crouches down in front of Thetis. Who reaches out to gently touch her face.
"Oh little sister, you have succeeded. You are one of us. Can you feel it? The water?"
What?
Bellatrix shakes her head.
Thetis looks to Leagore with a frown, who taps at their lip in consideration. "It's like…water on land. In the air. You know it is not supposed to be there, but it is drawn to you."
Water on—
"Like a storm, Bella! That always happens! The water always comes to you when—"
"When I lose control…" Bellatrix whispers, and her eyes snap back to their original brown.
Oh. Oh she…
Hermione kneels down and pulls Bellatrix against her. "It's alright. You did so well, you—"
"I have to lose control? For this to…I'm supposed to lose control?" she murmurs.
Thetis rings out a laugh. What?! How is this funny? This isn't funny!
Hermione glares at them. "Don't laugh at her! Can't you see this is difficult? Painful? I thought you promised to—"
"Stand down, Hermione. I was doing nothing of the sort. I was merely surprised because…it's not losing control! It's taking control. Look at me. Both of you. Am I more in control now, or in my veriform?"
Bellatrix shakes her head. "But I like my form. It's changing that's hard. It's always been— why do I always have to change? Why can't I— am I never at peace? Will there always be one more—"
Oh no. The water is drawing in. The tide is— that's too fast to be the tide.
"Relax, Bellatrix," Leagore says soothingly. "The water is not a threat. It is protecting you, you see? You call to it. It is your home."
Hermione undoes the transfiguration on Bellatrix's robes as the water gets higher, surrounding them.
She takes Bellatrix's hand. "You're safe, Bella. You're with us. Nothing is going to hurt you, I'll make sure—"
"The water is protecting me? How? It feels so— it's too loud!"
Thetis swims over and steadies them as the currents pull them away from the shore. "It is loud because it's calling to you. Answer it. Let the ocean guide you."
A wave almost covers their heads, and Hermione kicks frantically to keep them up.
Let the— "It's the sea! We could drown! We're not like you," Hermione shouts over the roar of the waves, feeling her feet leave the sand once more as they're dragged further out.
"The sea shall not harm her. Answer it, Bellatrix. Listen to it."
"I can't! It doesn't make sense. Nothing makes sense, it— Hermione! Hermione I—"
That's it. Enough of this.
Hermione keeps a tight hold of Bellatrix in the rising waves and feels out for her magic. Enough.
She pushes Thetis away.
Bubblehead charms. So they can breathe. Steady in the water. Sink to the seabed. Good.
Their feet touch down onto sand.
Standing firm in the currents. In fact…no more currents. The sea should be safe. Nothing will hurt them. This is natural.
And everything falls still as the two witches stand together on the seabed, hand in hand.
Bellatrix? Do you want to go home?
No, I— I have to try. I'm not weak. I won't—
Then do it. You're strong. Answer whatever this call is
Bellatrix nods…and closes her eyes. Whoa!
Hermione's pushed against the witch by a sudden current. Where did—
She clings to Bellatrix as they begin to spin. Faster and faster as Hermione closes her eyes and—
It's not chaos. Hermione it's not chaos, I'm not— can you feel it?
Hermione is just starting to feel dizzy and rather nauseous. This isn't chaos? It sure feels like it is.
It just wants me to— I've been so far away. I was lost. But now I'm—
Returned?
Yes. It makes so much sense, it—
It's making me sick!
Oh
And they stop spinning. They're pushed up to the surface.
Hermione just clings onto Bellatrix as everything tips and lurches. "Was that you, or the sea?" she gasps out.
Bellatrix chuckles. "Bit of both. Sorry, pet. It did clear up some things though so…I can't quite explain it. I feel…lighter."
Hermione peeks her eyes open. Oh.
The witch does seem lighter. Calm. Eyes bright and playful, but still so steady in her arms. Somehow holding them afloat.
But…
There are scars on her face. More and more, the more she looks. One at her temple and— and through her eyebrow. Her nose is…there's a bump to it, where before it was straight. And the bruise from the telescope is back. Over her eye.
Is this…her veriform?
"You…you feel safe, Bella? You're okay?"
Bellatrix frowns at her. "Of course I'm safe. It's just me and you."
One of her ears is bigger. Swollen. And…one of her front teeth is missing.
Oh. Oh so she—
She wraps her arms around the witch. "I think you'll be able to metamorph now, Bella. With a bit of practice. You did it. You amazing, wonderful witch. You did it again. How do you always— there's nothing you can't do."
She presses her lips to Bellatrix's neck, feeling it vibrate as she chuckles.
"Where did this come from? Are you sure you're okay?"
Hermione looks over Bellatrix's shoulder to see Thetis and Leagore coming towards them.
"Yes. Yes, I'm fine. Here come Thetis and Leagore. It must be time to go back. Are you ready?"
She pulls back to look at Bellatrix. Whose scars fade away, nose straightening. Back to her normal self with a casual shrug. "I guess. Are you really alright? You're acting…odd."
So she was right. She really feels that safe with Hermione?
Hermione smiles softly at her. "Yes, really, I'm fine. I was just thinking about…I'll tell you later. Somewhere we can actually stand up. How are you doing this, by the way? Have you got ocean powers now?"
She looks down through the water at Bellatrix's still feet. Not even treading water.
Bellatrix snorts. "No secret powers. Just magic. Duh. Are you a witch or not?"
Oh. Right.
She looks back up with an eye roll. "Well I still think you have some kind of affinity for water. It's not too much of a leap."
Bellatrix raises an eyebrow. "Says the witch who just calmed the sea. Don't think I didn't notice what you did. I'm starting to think this prophecy is quite literal. Through sand and sea, do not drift asunder. We're not drifting, are we? And I can't be the only one with sand up my—"
"Bellatrix. Hermione. I'm glad you are both…Bellatrix. You feel…you answered the call?" Thetis asks cautiously.
Bellatrix turns to grin at them. "Yep. I should have just done that years ago. Couldn't you have found me earlier with your prophecy powers? What do you know? How did you know about Andy?"
Thetis frowns and searches her eyes. And then their expressions clears with a nod. "So you're ready. Good. For a moment I thought…will you meet with me more frequently now? Learn about your gift?"
Bellatrix sighs. "I don't have much free time with everything that's…what about the future? The timeline?"
Leagore's head pops up, and they offer out their hands. "Come. Let's return home. I think we have too many questions to dwell on right now."
Hermione reaches for her hand in relief, letting her own magic carry them along as well.
They appear in the cave, and Hermione lets herself fall back to sit on the floor, exhausted. All that magic calming the ocean seems to be hitting her. She leans tiredly against Bellatrix as the witch sits down next to her.
"So?" Bellatrix asks, arm coming around to hold Hermione to her. "The future?"
"I believe I may be of some assistance in that regard, if Hermione doesn't mind joining me for some reading, once she is recovered?" Leagore smiles.
Reading? In the archives? She's allowed in? Hermione pulls herself more upright.
Leagore's smile turns into a genuine grin at her eagerness. "Such a thinking elf. We will have you back to your time very soon, I should think."
And Bellatrix's hands clamp down on her arms. "What?! What do you mean? She isn't— I meant my future, not—she's not leaving, she—"
She turns wide eyed to Thetis. "She has to leave? Tell us. You know the future. Tell us what—"
"Calm, Bellatrix. Leagore's idea of soon could span a decade. We are a long living race. She is not leaving you."
Oh thank goodness.
Hermione lets her own heartrate steady. As much as she needs to leave, she doesn't want to. And they haven't even—
"And what about Bella? In the future. Or now. How can she do these things and— and live? And survive?"
Thetis seems to consider this, eyes darting back and forth. "It…is not my place to tell you. Things shall unfold…as they must. To tell you would…foundations sink. You understand?"
Oh. Prophecy. Timelines. Why is it always so complicated? All they want is— is for everything to be a bit easier. Less painful. Why does Bellatrix always have to…it's not fair.
Bellatrix strokes her hands over Hermione's arms soothingly, grip no longer painful, as if she can read her thoughts.
"I'll be fine, pet. I'll survive. I always survive. Now, come on, take us home. I think we'll end up staying here all night with all the questions we have."
Hermione smiles gratefully. And sleepily. Gods she's exhausted.
She nods goodbye to Thetis and Leagore.
They disappear with a pop.
Notes:Umm...did I leave a secret inside joke in the notes at the beginning?
Maaaybe ;)
Chapter 38: These Brief HoursNotes:Hey folks, just wanted to say thank you again for all the comments and kudos. It means so much, I can't believe how many of you are coming along on this story with me, so thank you.
And I thought I'd also mention that this chapter does have references to child abuse. Nothing explicit, but slightly more than I've hinted at before, so I thought I'd let you all know.
(See the end of the chapter for more notes.)
Chapter Text
They appear in Hermione's room, and Bellatrix instantly pulls down the zip on Hermione's wetsuit and starts tugging it off her shoulders.
What is she doing— "Um, Bella? You know I'm not sure I have the energy to—"
"Bed. Now. You've used way too much magic, so no being all stubborn about it. Your turn to sleep."
Sleep? Ohh…
Hermione pulls her feet out of her wetsuit and accios some pyjamas towards her.
"You don't have to make me, Bellatrix. I'm not fighting you on this. Why do you think I took us to my room?"
Bellatrix studies her critically, squinting her eyes. "So you're not going to start asking a million questions about everything that just happened?"
Hermione just pulls her pyjama top on with a yawn. "There's time for that later. Right now, I need to lie down before I fall down. Calming the sea. What was I thinking? I'm not…Dumbledore or something."
Bellatrix has wandered over to look through Hermione's clothes curiously.
"No, you're not Dumbledore. You're a hundred times more intelligent. And about a billion times more fuckable. Ugh. Forget I said that. Dumbledore and fucking should never be in the same sentence."
Hermione freezes as she gets under the covers, her brain exploding from the amount of conflicting information that just hit her.
More intelligent than—
Fuckable—
And ew, Dumbledore and—
She thumps back onto the mattress with a groan. "You know what, Bella, I think you're the one who needs to start thinking before you speak."
She hears drawers opening and shutting. Nosy.
She closes her eyes.
"Probably. I just can't help it with you. Do you want me to shut up? Or go. I can go, if you want."
Don't go. Keep talking. I like hearing you really. I never know what you're going to say. Always a surprise
There's no answer for a few minutes, but Hermione can hear her moving around. She just lets her muscles relax.
Muggles travel on aeroplanes
Hermione's eyes snap open and she tilts her head to look at Bellatrix. Who is looking through Hermione's belongings, sat on the floor.
She lies back down. The witch looks nervous.
Correct. Five points to slytherin
A huffed laugh from across the room.
And…they keep ink inside their quills
Hermione holds back a laugh. Yes. We call them pens though, not quills. They're very useful. The ink doesn't get everywhere
And your pictures don't move. Unless they're…in a box
In a box? Oh.
"How do you know about televisions? I thought…"
Bellatrix sighs. "Guess some things snuck through. From you…or just…all muggles seem to have that box in their living rooms. I couldn't help but notice. All the furniture points towards it. So it must be important. You must have to look at it. At first I thought it might be some kind of heat source. A fire."
There's just no turning off that brain, is there?
"Have you seen one? When it's turned on? Working?"
The bed dips next to her and the covers move.
"Once. That's how I know it's moving pictures. Why do you sit and look at it? Portraits aren't that interesting."
Hermione's not sure she wants to know why Bellatrix was in a muggle house. Why they didn't even have time to turn off the tv before…
"It's not just images. It shows stories. Plays."
She rolls onto her side to look at—
Oh.
"You're wearing my clothes."
She's wearing some of Hermione's pyjamas. A pyjama set that she'd had since her fifth year at Hogwarts and left behind at home over Christmas. Gryffindor red.
Bellatrix shrugs. "Not really my colour, but you've worn my clothes, so I thought I'd get you back. Plus I can't be arsed to call Tiggy. And we've been working them too hard anyway with those ruddy nymphs ordering them about."
Hermione smiles softly at her. Worrying about Tiggy?
"We'll have to look after ourselves then. Give Tiggy a few days off to take a holiday."
Bellatrix snorts. "French riviera? Sunny Spain? Partying it up in Amsterdam?"
Ha! "You know what, Tiggy is such an enigma, I wouldn't be surprised. Wait. Wizards party in Amsterdam too?"
Bellatrix wriggles closer to whisper to her. "More than party, pet. I would tell you what sort of things people get up to there, but I don't think you're ready. Plus Cissy will kill me if— oh shit."
Hermione grins as Bellatrix's eyes widen. "So you went there with Narcissa? And she did something embarrassing, did she?"
Bellatrix groans. "Oh, so now you're good at reading between the lines?" She sighs. "Well I won't tell you what she did. But yes, something…embarrassing for her. Ithink it was hilarious, but don't you dare mention it to her. Don't even mention the city unless— she was only seventeen. I thought she needed to loosen up a bit before she got tied to Lucius forever. Didn't expect that though."
What the hell did Narcissa do?!
"Oh please give me a hint! Was it magic…or drugs…or sex…"
Bellatrix shakes her head, miming locking her lips with a key.
"Alohomora," Hermione whispers with a grin.
"Nope. Not happening. Little Cissy will be protected at all costs."
Hermione closes her eyes with a sigh. Such a good sister
Good? Oh no, I just know what Cissy is capable of. Some of the stuff she has on me.
Ooh. Blackmail? What on Earth would you be embarrassed about? More dreams? Or…close encounters with Rita Skeeter?
Bellatrix lets out a yawn. Jealous?
Umm…
Is she? No.
No. If you're embarrassed by it, then obviously you don't like her anymore
Bellatrix lets out a sound of outrage and crawls on top of Hermione, looking down at her, face twisted in disgust. "I never liked her! Ew! It was the wine! I had to share a room with her for seven years. She was like…okay, imagine a blonde Moaning Myrtle who always pops up behind you and writes down everything you say 'for the school paper'. She drove us nuts!"
Hermione chuckles. "She dared do that to you? I thought you knew about her animagus form?"
"Why do you think she learnt in the first place? Too many nasty hexes to the face once people spotted her lurking. No, I'd scared her off by second year. Didn't mean I could escape her though. Only one dormitory. I woke up to her stood over my bed once. She never did that again."
Hermione grimaces. She doesn't want to know.
But also, fair enough. Rita Skeeter watching you sleep?
"Okay, not the best dorm mate, I admit. Probably worse than Lavender and Parvati."
Bellatrix looks down at her in thought. "What about the Weasley girl? You never did anything with her?"
What? She did lots of things with Ginny. She's her friend, Bellatrix knows that.
Bellatrix rolls her eyes. "No, you idiot! I mean—"
She leans down and presses her lips to Hermione's firmly, nudging herself closer and coaxing Hermione's mouth open.
Oh. Oh she means—
She parts her lips and reaches up to cup Bellatrix's jaw, pressing up against her.
You never did this? You never even tried it?
Merlin, she forgot they could talk now while—
No. No I never—And you would have seen, anyway, in my memories. I didn't know I liked witches so—
I thought I might have skipped something. Never? You weren't curious? How is that possible?
Hermione slides her hands over Bellatrix's sides, over her back, leans up to bite at her ear—
I was too busy with Harry and Ron to—
Ew, please tell me you don't mean—
She pulls back with a grimace. Oh that's horrible, no! She shudders.
"No! No, Harry?! He's like a brother, oh that's disgusting it's—"
A hand slides under her pyjama top. Over her chest. She shivers into its touch.
"And yet Weasley was alright? I might understand the girl one, but…"
She chuckles and then reaches her arms around Bellatrix's neck, kissing her once more.
You might have to admit you fancy Ginny in a minute, Bellatrix
Bellatrix growls and bites her lip, hand coming around to scratch at Hermione's scalp and making her gasp and—
"Well?" Hermione pants. "Methinks the lady doth protest too much."
Bellatrix goes still. And then pulls back with a look of complete bafflement. "What? Why are you talking like…a weird uncle?"
Hermione shakes her head in exasperation. Purebloods.
Although Shakespeare probably was a weird uncle.
"It's a quote, from Shakespeare. An extremely famous muggle playwright and poet."
Bellatrix continues frowning.
Hmm. Maybe not the best example of his works. What's a better quote? Ah.
Bellatrix might understand this one.
She cautiously licks her lips, and then clears her throat.
It's time she admitted something to herself. And Bellatrix.
"Love is not love which alters when it alteration finds, or bends with the remover to remove."
She tucks some hair behind Bellatrix's ear and sighs softly. "Oh no, it is an ever fixed mark. That looks on tempests, and is never shaken." She cups Bellatrix cheek, smiling knowingly into her eyes.
"It is the star to every wandering bark, whose worth's unknown, although his height be taken."
Bellatrix is wide-eyed and frozen in place. Hermione chuckles gently. "Love's not Time's fool, though rosy lips and cheeks within his bending sickle's compass come." Her thumb brushes over a lip.
"Love alters not with his brief hours, and weeks, but bears it out. Even to the edge of doom."
A silence settles over them. Hermione hadn't realised quite how fitting that was until…
Bellatrix's shocked eyes fall shut, and she slowly leans down. Rests her forehead against Hermione's. And stops. Just breathes.
Hermione listens to their breathing. It's so…peaceful. Calm. Bellatrix is never calm. Is she alright? Was that…too much?
Bella? Are you…
Bellatrix tilts her head, ever so slightly. Brushes their noses together. And then tilts lower. Lets their lips touch. A chaste kiss, just…touching. Just there.
This is…different to what they've done before. Somehow more intimate. The tiniest movement is so…heated. But not hot. Warm. She lets Bellatrix take the lead. This is vulnerable. She's not sure what moves are…
Lips swipe achingly slowly across hers once again, and Hermione holds back a whimper.
Maybe…maybe you can stay. In the past. With me
Oh.
Bellatrix's lips leave hers to travel down her neck, her collarbone.
Maybe…maybe it won't alter the timeline. If you stay hidden, then— hide away with me
Bellatrix moves lower. Pulls up her top and kisses her stomach softly. Still warmly. Feather light.
Hermione reaches down to run her fingers though Bellatrix's hair.
Stay hidden for…until 2005? I— I want to stay with you, but— Maybe. It's so hard to plan I—My life. I— I'd be ten years older than all my friends
The kissing stops.
Bellatrix sits up slightly. Rests her arms and chin on Hermione's stomach. "I know. I just thought…no. No, you're right. I know what it's like to lose that much time and—"
She takes a shaky breath. "Do you know I was your age when I went to Azkaban? I just realised. Twenty-seven. Same as you in a couple of months. And now I'm suddenly forty-one. Do you know how strange that is? Time standing still, but everyone else getting older? Seeing Draco for the first time was…and Cissy. She was only twenty-one when…"
No. No she hadn't thought about…
Gosh, to lose all of that time in such a dark place.
She continues stroking her fingers though Bellatrix's hair.
"It's why I still feel so young, I suppose. I missed growing up. Or I grew up too soon. Did everything backwards. Do you think…do you think my veriform is older? Is that what Thetis meant?"
Ah. This conversation.
She pulls at Bellatrix's upper arms, pulls her up on top of her until the witch can rest her head under Hermione's chin. So she can hold her close.
"Bella…I saw your veriform today."
Bellatrix's head jolts up. "What?! When? Why didn't you tell me? When did it happen? What did I—"
Hermione kisses her softly, and then pulls back, to Bellatrix's confused face.
She strokes her hair until she lies back down.
"This might be difficult Bella, okay? So just— brace yourself. And if— Crookshanks, remember?"
Bellatrix lets out another shaky breath. "I look that awful? My true form?"
What?!
"No!" Hermione's presses a kiss to her head and reaches for her hand. "No, you're beautiful. Now and in your veriform. No, it wasn't how you looked at all. It's what it meant. It—"
Okay. Okay. "Bella…were there times when you were young that…that you got hurt, but no one healed you? When you— you knew you needed to heal quickly, and it seemed to happen overnight? Just because you wished it?"
Bellatrix falls still.
Oh no.
Hermione pulls her closer. Holds her.
"I was so young I— but that was my magic, wasn't it? Accidental magic? To— to heal my face. So no one would know."
So young. How young? What did they do to her?
Hermione sighs. "It was your magic, yes. But it didn't fix it, Bella. You— you metamorphed to hide it. To conceal it. Even recently you— how did you get rid of the mark from the telescope? From the joke shop?"
Bellatrix looks up at her with a frown. "It just went away. I tried some salves, but they did nothing. And then— then one day it was gone."
Hermione shakes her head sadly. "It doesn't just go away. The twins made it so it wouldn't come off unless you had a special ointment. Which they also made. A way to sell more products and bring customers in. It hasn't gone away, Bella. It's— it's still there. As well as— as some scars you couldn't heal."
Bellatrix swallows, gritting her teeth and sitting up. "Show me." She raises her wand.
Is this a good idea?
Well. It's her body.
Hermione nods with a reassuring smile.
"Legilimens."
And they watch themselves. Out amongst the waves, clinging to each as Hermione opens her eyes.
A gasp in her head. A jolt of fear and sadness.
Oh. I'd forgotten about my nose… And— a tooth? When did— oh. That must have been…think I passed out. Threw up the skelegrow when Tiggy tried to…after…
Oh Bella…oh I'm sorry…
Fuck I'm a mess. I wonder…after Azkaban…why did I look…
They pull out of the memory. Back on the bed.
Bellatrix gets up and walks over to a mirror, checking her face, her teeth, running a finger over her nose.
"So the bruise is still there? Guess I can just leave it. Natural glamour charm. My teeth though. If they're not my real teeth…how the fuck did they rot in Azkaban?"
She's taking this remarkably well. Quite practically. Maybe after the ocean…she's unburdened of her past. Hermione hopes so anyway. She seems to be able to talk about Azkaban, Andy, her childhood. Painful topics.
She's ready for this conversation now. "I think maybe…your body was weak from the malnourishment. The diagnostic spells…you were very sick, Bella. It wasn't just the blood loss. Maybe your metamorphing just…clung to the essentials. Hid your injuries but couldn't add any new ones to the list."
Bellatrix continues studying herself in the mirror and shrugs. "Makes sense. Maybe I can…I want to see…"
She sighs. "Let it all go, Bella," she whispers to herself.
Oh. Oh she did it.
Her veriform.
Bellatrix stares into the mirror sadly.
Oh, it's breaking her heart. Hermione gets up and walks up behind the witch. Wraps her arms around her waist.
"I…I think I'm…proud. Not— not of me. Not me now. Of— of the little girl I was. She was tough, that kid. Brave. I think I lost her for a second. So I'm glad. That she's back. I thought she was gone forever…that little kid. That she died along the journey."
Hermione lets out a sob, tears falling down her cheeks as Bellatrix looks at her reflection. Watches through blurry eyes as the witch strokes her fingertips over her face.
A brave little girl.
She doesn't know how to…
She wipes at her eyes, and then gently turns Bellatrix around by the shoulders. Lets her eyes drift over her face once more. Smiles at her.
And then she reaches to stroke her thumb over Bellatrix's cheek. "I would have loved to have had a friend like you. I would have…Oh the things we would have done. In another life. If I could change it…I think I would have liked to have spent every day with you. With that little girl. I'd protect her, and she'd protect me. Through sand and sea."
Tears fall down Bellatrix's cheeks as she nods. Nods and nods and moves closer and wraps her arms around Hermione. Holds her and trembles and—
"Oh, I wish. I wish, I wish that was true," she croaks. And then kisses Hermione's head. Her jaw. Her neck. Walks her backward towards the bed. "Oh Hermione, how have you made me sad for something that never happened? Long for it. I've only just met you and— we missed so many days."
Hermione pulls her onto the bed. Holds her and buries her face in Bellatrix's neck. Her hair. Breathes her in and feels her pulse. "We're still alive, Bella. We're tough little girls. We survived. And I don't know about you, but I'm going to bloody well live until I'm two hundred to make up for it."
Bellatrix pulls them up the bed so their heads can reach the pillows and then snuggles close to her once more. "Okay. Deal. We'll both have at least one hundred and fifty more years of this."
Hermione lets her eyes fall shut with a yawn.
Yes. Yes we still have time. Time to be. To exist. To breathe. To sleep.
Notes:So not all mine, obviously. Shakespeare. Hermione, you romantic dork.
Chapter 39: Snappy DecisionsChapter Text
Oh...shit.
Hermione's hand jolts at the unexpected voice in her head, spilling boiling water onto the kitchen counter. Is she okay? Why would she talk through the thread whilst at a meeting?
Bella? Are you alright?
No response.
Hermione is really starting to panic now. Is she hurt? Should she—
Okay, pet. I'm gonna need you to do something for me. It's time to figure this out. A bit earlier than I would have liked, but…
Oh thank goodness she's alright. But…what? Figure what out? What is it?
He's asked me to kill Amelia Bones. The head of the Magical Law Enforcement. He thinks she's next in line after Fudge steps down and needs her taken care of
Oh no. She'd thought they had longer until Bellatrix 'killed' someone. At least until…Dobby. Amelia Bones. Oh but—
But that happened before! Around now, but we thought…she died so horrifically everyone thought He did it himself. It was you?
More silence. She cleans up the water and then pops to her bedroom to put some shoes on. Just in case.
I think he's testing my allegiance. I don't know who did it the first time, but this time it has to be me. He's giving me—
She stops mid-sentence, and Hermione throws on a cloak and grabs her expanded bag. She's going to need to—
He's paranoid about a spy, so he's not giving me any time to prepare. To make plans. He's worried they'll move her
Hermione nods to herself in the mirror. What do you need? All I know is that there were signs of a struggle, and she was found dead in a room locked from the inside. Completely baffled the poli— muggle aurors
Go quickly to Cissy or Snape and get a draught of living death and some blood replenishing potions. Maybe skelegrow in case—
Hmm. Send her to sleep, hurt her, leaving lots of blood and signs of spellfire…and then heal her? Like Hermione did with Bellatrix? Could work. What about—
And her body? Won't they take it? The aurors?
…let them bury her and dig her back up?
Hermione holds a hand to her head with a groan. Grave robbing? For the love of—
Let's come back to that later. How long do we have?
He knows where she lives. Someone sold her out. Once she leaves the ministry this evening, I'll be waiting in her house. They've bribed someone to shut off her floo once she's home
After work? She's the head of a department! She could work until midnight! Well…at least it buys them some time.
That could be hours, how does He know—
She always finishes at six on Fridays. Always. Rigid routine that witch. Too predictable, she should know better
Oh dear. Six? But it's already…four o'clock!
Okay. Okay I won't distract you anymore. I'll get the potions
Her head falls silent.
Now, Snape or Narcissa?
Oh. She can't help but chuckle. The age-old question. Well, this time it's a bit easier. Narcissa doesn't want to know what they're up to. But Snape does. Plus there's Dumbledore. Narcissa has a better track record with secret keeping.
And surely the witch is home. She can just pop by for a visit…
To Malfoy Manor. Oh dear.
You can do it, Hermione. Bellatrix won't ever hurt you. You're safe.
Okay. She needs to go there. Invisible. She follows the pull.
Oh gosh. There's the door to the parlour. Oh it's exactly the same as…that floor.
That cold, cold…
Don't look, Hermione. Find her. Quickly.
Oh wait.
Legilimency.
She lets the invisibility fall from her mind, so that only her body is covered.
Mrs Malfoy? Are you home? She calls out in her mind, walking down the hallway. I need some potions. For Bellatrix
Hmm. Quiet and still. Maybe she isn't—
A wand presses into the small of her back.
"What have you done to her?"
Hermione freezes. That voice is painfully soft. Scarily controlled.
Nothing! She's fine. She's with Him. We need it for…our plans
The wand digs in painfully.
"Mother?"
And the wand falls away.
Draco looks down from the landing above them, frowning in confusion.
Oh. Oh he's so young! She forgot he—
And pale. The cockiness is gone. Drained like the blood from his face. Shadowed eyes.
"If you wish to speak with me, Draco, come down. I won't have us conversing from such a distance like brutes," Narcissa chastises gently as she walks to stand next to Hermione instead. Shoulder brushing shoulder. Presumably so she knows where Hermione is.
Draco almost rolls his eyes and then stops himself, running a hand through his hair and coming down the stairs. "It sounded like you were speaking with someone. Is Aunt Bella here?"
Narcissa sighs. "Nobody but us, my dragon. I must have been asking one of the elves for some tea. It is four o'clock, you know."
Gone four by now. Would they hurry up and stop chatting!
Potions! It's rather urgent—ow!
Did she just pinch her?! Ow, what the—
Don't even think about giving me an order, Miss Granger. You will regret it.
All whilst smiling softly at Draco. How does she do that? She's so…believable!
"Oh, of course. My mistake…" Draco is still frowning. Casually stepping closer.
Hmm. Maybe she can't fool Draco then. He looks…
"Are you sure you're alright, Mother? You seem…distracted. You're not worried about me, are you? Because I told you. I'm the wizard of the house now. You don't need to worry about anything."
Wizard of the house? He's a boy! Why do the children in this family always have to be so burdened from such a young age? Is there a curse or—
I have often thought the same, Miss Granger. Perhaps I see why Bella…you're remarkably perceptive
Oh. Oh she'd forgotten she could hear everything not just— had she thought anything bad? And perceptive? Really? But Hermione's awful at seeing things!
Narcissa brushes some hair off of her son's forehead. "I'm merely tired, Draco. It has been a long week. For both of us."
She pats his cheek, and he half-heartedly shrugs her off.
Narcissa steps back, expression blank once more. "Now, I have some drooping delphiniums to tend to in the greenhouse. Perhaps we could adjourn later to the parlour, would you like that? You can tell me all about your occlumency lesson with Bella."
Uh oh. Don't think about— nope, nope, focus.
Draco studies his mother suspiciously…and then a smile slips into his expression. "I'd like that. Thank you, mother."
He looks around, before ducking close. "I wondered at first why my godfather couldn't just teach me," he whispers. "Of course I would never question the Dark Lord's wishes, but her? You must admit, she's rather…but she's actually taught me a lot. I don't understand it, mother. She—"
Narcissa raises an eyebrow. "She is your aunt. I don't care for whatever you are insinuating, Draco. You doubt that she would teach you? Teach you well?"
Draco freezes. And then ducks his head, rubbing the back of his neck. "No, of course not. I know that she…it's just that…I never expected her to…care. About me."
Oh. Oh but Bella loves Draco. How could he not—
She's told you she loves Draco?
Well…why shouldn't she?
Yes. Of course she loves Draco. And you
Narcissa puts a finger under Draco's chin and tilts it back up. "We are Blacks. We may not always say it, but we love one another. And together we are strong. So hold your head high, my dragon."
Draco's eyes widen, and he swallows harshly before clenching his jaw. Standing tall.
Narcissa studies him critically. "Good. Now get some rest, my love. You haven't been sleeping well. I can tell."
Come, Miss Granger
She turns sharply and marches down the hallway towards the back of the house, and Hermione runs to keep up.
Sorry I just turned up so unexpectedly, Mrs Malfoy. It was rather rude. It's just—
What do you need, what quantity and what strength? And don't tell me for what purpose. You have revealed too much to me already
Oh. Gosh umm…
Draught of living death, only one vial for now. Maybe two, just in case. Needs to last for…ten years. Some skelegrow…three maybe? And Blood replenishing potions. Enough for…one occurrence of extreme blood loss. I'm not sure I know—
Fine. Follow me. Do not touch anything or speak a word of what you see to anyone
They've reached a greenhouse at the very back of the manor. Mostly full of flowers.
Narcissa closes the glass door behind them.
Close your eyes, Miss Granger
What? Why should she— and how would she even know—
A growl echoes around her head. Now!
Ow! Oh her head! Hermione squeezes her eyes shut, trying not to think about how intimidating the witch is. And don't think about— oh no she's going to think about—
She coats her mind with invisibility. It's no use. She can't avoid thinking about everything Bellatrix has told her about Narcissa. About her losing control. About how she hides her expressions. Why she hides them. About the frog, and Amsterdam, and how she's not really blonde.
"Are you still there, Miss Granger?"
Oh thank goodness. Her mind must be completely hidden.
She lets the invisibility fall from her body.
"Yes. Yes I'm sorry, I'm here, it's just you really can't read my thoughts right now."
Well she could…but then Narcissa might kill her.
"You may open your eyes now."
Hermione holds back a chuckle. What's with these Blacks telling her to open and shut her eyes all the time?
Oh!
She can't help but gasp. It's so blindingly white.
She blinks her eyes against it. She's never seen—
"White cauldrons? But how— why? And the plants. Where did they go? And the floor! What is—"
Narcissa tuts, opening a cupboard. Her robes are now white. And her shoes. Hermione looks down at herself. What?! All of Hermione's clothes are white too! How rude! There'd better be a counter-spell!
"You're as bad as Bella. So many questions. Perhaps you were right about that also, you really are similar. Although your minds couldn't be more different which—"
She abruptly stops, flicking her wand sharply in different directions. Although blocking the cupboard from view, so Hermione can't quite see what she's up to.
She can't help staring around the room in…confusion. Where did the greenhouse even go? Are they underneath it? Or was it an illusion? It's like being in a medical lab…but everything is magical. White cauldrons, white surfaces, white floor, white cabinets, just…everything.
It…it's genius.
"…It's so there's no contamination! Even the tiniest drop of a potion would be visible. One stray ingredient. But…what about gases? And transparent potions like veritaserum or—?"
A ministry controlled, dangerous substance such as veritaserum? Now why should I come into contact with such a thing?
Ah! Oh no, she's still in her head? Where's the gap? She thought…
Narcissa turns around, two vials of clear liquid in her hand. Presumably Draughts of Living Death. Oh. Did…she just make a joke?
A raised eyebrow. Well? Can you hear me?
Hermione slowly nods.
Good. I can't read your mind when you…do this…but I can project my voice. From now on we shall operate as such so that I don't pick up any unwanted information
Oh thank Merlin! She smiles gratefully at Narcissa. "It really is for the best. Are those the potions, are they ready?"
Narcissa reaches into her pocket, bringing out a small drawstring pouch, and then studies Hermione extremely closely. Eyes darting back and forth and up and down over her whole face. Her gaze almost tingles.
What is— the intensity, this is…
Narcissa frowns in complete confusion, her whole forehead scrunched and head tilted to the side, reminding her of Bellatrix. Umm…
"Mrs Malfoy? Are you…"
And the witch's face falls blank once more. Not a trace of…what's she hiding? The more she feels, the less she shows? Is that it? What's she feeling?
And then Narcissa smiles at her. A blinding look of pure joy and fondness and…like Hermione is her best friend, her favourite person in the world.
She smiles back awkwardly. Maybe Narcissa was the crazy one this whole time not— oh dear.
The witch's smile turns…sly, cheeky. Her eyes hooded as she bites at her lip and—
Hermione backs away towards…there's no door. Where did she come in? Where did— there's no exit. Wha—
And Narcissa glares at her, teeth gritted in furious anger as she steps towards her. What did she do? Should she leave? But the potions!
Narcissa stops in her tracks…and draws in on herself. Head lowered and one arm wrapping around her own waist to hold herself, the other coming up to her mouth as a tear slides down her cheek. She stares down at the floor with such grief and regret. Hermione takes a hesitant step forward. It's reminding her of when Thetis—oh!
Oh she can't believe she fell for that. Not Thetis. Not real. Not just hiding, manipulation!
Hermione folds her arms and huffs at the crying witch. "Well? Have you figured me out? My intentions? Have you mapped out my face yet, or do you still need to try out embarrassment and fear? I am working within a time limit here."
Narcissa freezes…and then gracefully straightens into her usual posture, face blank once more as she flicks the tears from her face. And then reaches for the pouch, placing the vials inside as well as the blood replenishing potions and skelegrow from a drawer in the counter.
"That shall have to do for now. Here. This pouch is magically expanded and protects its contents from shattering or other such damages. You may keep it for future occasions."
She hands it to Hermione, meeting her eye. And her lip twitches with the tiniest of smiles. "I believe I may have underestimated you, Miss Granger. I shall of course need to form a more conclusive observational analysis but…you have passed. For now."
Passed? Passed what?! Did she just take a test and not realise? But what were the rules?
Endless questions, I am sure. But for now, go and help my sister. If she has asked for your aid, the consequences must be dire
Hmm. Well they are dire, but she doesn't like what she's suggesting about—
Hermione, go!
She smiles at Narcissa, and puts the pouch inside her own expanded bag. "Thank you. You have no idea how much we need this. We might have to come back again, but I'm sure Bellatrix will see you before then so— I really must be going, um…"
She looks at the icy, expressionless face before her. All an act. And Draco is a Death Eater now…
Scared little elflings.
Maybe…
She slowly reaches out…and takes Narcissa's hand, smiling softly at her. "I can't tell you anything."
Narcissa's expression hardens and she pulls her hand back in disgust. "I know, Miss Granger. That's what I—"
Hermione continues smiling. Lets a feeling of hope and joy rise within her. Such hope that she's sure it's shining from her eyes. Knows that of all people, Narcissa will see it. A thinking elf. A seeing elf.
And the witch lets out a small, shaky breath.
Thank you
"For what?" Hermione smiles.
Narcissa turns sharply and walks back to the cupboard, flicking her wand purposefully, apparently busy once more.
"Tell my sister to owl me."
Hermione snorts. "I'm not a house-elf. Owl her yourself."
Narcissa's shoulders twitch upward. Got her. She's not the only one who can make a joke "Goodbye, Mrs Malfoy."
Hermione lets the invisibility fall over her. And she follows the thread to Bellatrix. To Voldemort.
She manages to appear next to Bellatrix rather than in front of her this time. Which is good, seeing as she's standing in front of a table.
A small, dark room. Possibly a study, but with enough room for a table and chairs as well as a desk at the far end. The windows are shuttered, and the fire unlit. The only light coming from dim oil lamps on each wall.
No Voldemort. More good news.
Oh.
The bad news is that Nagini is on the table. And seems to be watching Bellatrix very closely.
Bellatrix hasn't looked up, stood leant over some parchment and scribbling down a plan. Probably a fake plan, whilst thinking about the real plan.
Hermione cautiously walks around the table. The snake's head stays focused on Bellatrix. Well. At least it can't sense Hermione like under the invisibility cloak at Godric's Hollow. So house-elves are better at hiding than…Death?
Bella?
Bellatrix doesn't pause in her writing. What's wrong? What is it?
Hermione smiles. Nothing, everything's fine. I got the potions from Narcissa. I'm stood opposite you, actually
The quill snaps in Bellatrix's hand and the snake lets out a hiss.
"Reparo," Bellatrix mutters calmly. What are you doing here?! He'll be back any second. If he senses anything at all—
I just thought I should keep watch, seeing as he thinks there's a spy! He left the snake with you. Remember how Snape dies?!
Well seeing as the world will explode as soon as he decides to kill me, I don't think—
The door creaks open. Oh no.
"Bellatrix?" a cold voice comes from the doorway.
Bellatrix instantly turns and drop to her knees as Voldemort enters. "My Lord! Is it time? May I complete my mission?" Bellatrix whispers in eager joy, straining to stop herself crawling towards him.
Voldemort stops before her, so close his robes brush the front of her bowed head. He ignores her, and instead looks to Nagini and begins hissing. Parseltongue.
Hermione stays as still as possible. Holds her breath.
Voldemort hums in thought and then nods.
"Rise, Bellatrix. Present this plan to me. You have one hour before you need to be in place," Voldemort whispers, finger beneath Bellatrix's chin and urging her upwards. Oh it's sick. Don't touch her you reptilian psychopath. Ugh how can Bellatrix stand—
Bellatrix beams at him and seems to tremble with pleasure. "Oh yes! Yes, my Lord, come. I have such plans. Her silencing shall be long and painful, I swear it. A message to that old fool and his disgusting band of filth. Their stain on the world shall soon be wiped clean. Here, what do you think? I long to—"
A harsh, gasping laugh fills the room. "Enough, dear Bella. I'm sure you shall send quite the message, as always. I expect nothing less from my most loyal follower."
He picks up the parchment, and his eyes dart over it. It's so odd to see him…do things. Read. Think. Laugh.
The man behind the monster…or the man who is the monster. Why did Bellatrix ever—
He scrunches the parchment in his fist, and it bursts into flames. "No evidence," he whispers to himself.
He's not letting go. Isn't it burning him?! Why—
"The old man has eyes. Don't forget that, Bella. Even when he is not looking. Invisible eyes, watching me. And—"
He flinches and whirls around with a roar. "Kneel! You dare stand equal to me, girl?" A blast of magic shoots from his hand, and Bellatrix flies backwards to smack into a bookshelf.
No! What is he— she didn't do anything!
Bellatrix doesn't defend herself. Just falls forwards on her hands and knees.
"Forgive me. My Lord I beg for forgiveness. I am your most loyal—"
"The boy must die," he mutters. "Where is— Nagini. Nagini is— but where…"
Hermione is frozen in horror. He's this far gone? This mad? Bellatrix had said…but she hadn't realised…
Nagini begins to hiss once more, and Voldemort pulls back a chair to sit down tiredly at the table, hissing back softly.
Bella? Are you okay?
Bellatrix glances at Voldemort, and then hastily repairs the bookshelf whilst his back is turned. And then leaves the room. Wha—
A knock on the door.
"Enter," Voldemort calls coldly.
Bellatrix enters once more, head bowed and meek. "My Lord, I am ready for my mission."
What on Earth…
Hermione walks around closer to Bellatrix. To the door. Nagini doesn't move her gaze from Voldemort. Good.
And Voldemort stands, turning around to lean leisurely against the table. "Ah, good, Bellatrix. I've just had a look over your plans. Quite remarkable. You have done well."
Oh gods, he is insane.
Bellatrix grins. "Oh thank you, my Lord! Such praise! I shall leave at once to further our cause."
Oh she should definitely leave as soon as possible. This is…
Voldemort runs a hand over his head, frowning in confusion. "I…yes. Yes, you have a plan to…to…"
He drifts into silence.
"My Lord, perhaps I was not clear. Forgive me. I believe we should kill Amelia Bones, so that Thicknesse shall be well placed to become minister after Fudge."
And Voldemort suddenly strides forward in intense excitement . "Yes! Yes, with Fudge out, we shall finally have control of the Ministry. Bella. Oh, dear Bella. Our rise to power is accelerating once more! With the Ministry under our control, the laws we can change! Can you see it? The future? A world of magic. Where we are free from hiding. Together. Far from the muggles that would burn us to ash in fear of our power. Go! Quickly."
He gestures to the door almost…smiling in excitement.
And Hermione watches in disbelief as his smile softens. "And…be careful. You are young. Do not become reckless. You are the head of your family, remember. A noble house. You are important, my dear."
Bellatrix smiles brightly. "Of course. Thank you for your guidance, my Lord. I shall leave right away."
She bows, and hastily backs out of the room, closing the door behind her.
Hermione lets out a relieved breath. She managed to talk her way out. Thank goodness.
Voldemort starts pacing. Whispering to himself.
"No escape…you'll see, old man…the power. Kill the boy. Yes…you think me weak? You do not know pain. But you will. Soon."
Oh dear.
Hermione follows the thread to Bellatrix once more.