Chapter 46: The Boy Who LivedNotes:(See the end of the chapter for notes.)
Chapter Text
Right. Just— just go to the Burrow, Hermione. It's— she wants to go. Why is she nervous? It's fine.
"Hermione! Come here! Quick!" comes a yell from down the corridor.
Oh no, what—
She follows the thread straight to Bellatrix.
Who is stood on the sofa in the library. Staying very still. Umm…
"What…are you doing?"
Look at my hand. Fucking look at my hand right now!
Her hand?
Bellatrix stays frozen on the sofa, and Hermione stands on her tiptoes to—oh. Oh that is really creepy.
"That's…my hand. Your hand is my hand."
I know
So you…you metamorphed my hand? What— why are you standing like that?
It might go away if I move. I was trying to picture something I knew well, but would be able to see. I wouldn't know if I had your nose or something
Hermione looks away. It's freaky. Her hand is just…not meant to be anywhere else.
"So…are you going to stand there all day? Because me and my hands are going to the Burrow."
Bellatrix takes a deep breath, and steps off the sofa. And squeezes her eyes shut tight. "Is it still there?"
Umm. "Yes. And I think you have my arm now too."
"What?!" Bellatrix's eyes snap open and she holds her right arm out in front of her. "I didn't mean to do that! Oh! Oh what happens if I do it with my left arm?! Where will the Mark— oh bollocks. Lost concentration."
Her arm morphs back to normal. Thank goodness for that. She takes Bellatrix's hand with a sigh. "So much better. There's going to be two of me in a minute. We don't need three."
Bellatrix turns to her with a sly grin. What? Oh!
She bats her over the head. "Bellatrix! What would you even do with— don't answer that! Now are you sure you want to come? It might be quite boring for you."
Bellatrix's grin softens. You're nervous. Don't be. I'll be there. And I'm sure I'll think of something clever to say if it gets too depressing
Hermione squeezes her hand gratefully. It will be nice having her there. The chatty voice in her head. Same as always.
"Okay. Okay let's go."
She washes the invisibility over them, and pictures the orchard behind the Burrow.
"Harry! Harry over here, quick!" comes a voice squealing with laughter from the end of the garden.
"Don't you bloody dare, Hermione Jean Granger. That's cheating!"
Ah. That'll be her and Ginny.
More laughter. "Go Harry, go! I've got her!"
Bellatrix raises her eyebrows at her. "What the hell is—ah!"
Bellatrix ducks as a quaffle flies at her head and Harry comes shooting straight at her to catch it, Ron hot on his tail.
Quidditch. She even misses quidditch.
She tugs Bellatrix off of the 'pitch' and behind an apple tree. "Sorry, that was close. Two-a-side quidditch. I'm on Harry's team, because I'm dreadful and he's some teenage quidditch star."
Bellatrix peeks out at the garden from behind the tree. "Ah. Knew that. Draco, remember? And your memories. Potter is pretty good though. Thought before you showed me that Draco might have just been…exaggerating."
Hermione watches through the branches as the four of them whiz over the grass and up into the brilliant blue sky. Well. Three of them. Her past-self is close to the ground and clinging on for dear life.
They look so happy.
And young.
She hugs Bellatrix around the waist from behind and rests her chin on her shoulder.
You alright, pet?
Hermione sighs. Yes. Yes I just…gods, just knowing what they've all been though…what they're going to go through…that they're going to be okay in the end…and just— oh it's not the same, seeing them like this. I miss the people they're going to become…but at the same time I wish they could stay like this forever. Young and free
Bellatrix squeezes her hands and leans back against her, humming in thought. "You'll see them again. We'll figure something out. This is your past. It's not going anywhere, it will always be in your head. But they're all waiting for you in the future. They love you. Look, they love you right now. And you love them. You must, if they talked you onto a broomstick. You're dreadful."
Hermione chuckles as her past self almost falls off, Harry moving over to steady her so the quaffle sails right past him and into the 'hoop'. "Harry's sixteenth birthday. Couldn't refuse. Anyway, it won't be long before—"
"Ron! Ginny! Lunch is ready dears, come and lay the table," Mrs Weasley yells from the back door.
Bellatrix starts dragging her towards the house. Lunch? I'm bloody starving. Think we could steal something and they wouldn't notice?
What?! Don't you dare, Bella. And how on Earth are you hungry? I'm the one who didn't eat—
Exactly. You're hungry, so I'm hungry. You were too nervous for breakfast
Oh. Oh sharing hunger?
Harry comes jogging past them towards the back porch. "Do you need any more help, Mrs Weasley? I can get some chairs if we're outside or—"
"That's very sweet, Harry dear, but it's your birthday. No, you just wash your hands and Ron can get the spare chairs from the shed. And check on your father whilst you're there, Ron, fiddling with that radio again, I'm sure of it. I told him lunch would be at one, but you know how he—"
And I thought you wouldn't shut up, pet. Forgot Molly Prewett was such a chatterbox. I reckon Weasley kissed her just to shut her up half the time
Hermione turns to stare at Bellatrix. Sometimes she forgets how old she is. She went to school with Mrs Weasley!
Bellatrix's eyes narrow. "I'm not that old! She's still older than me! I'm not some frumpy house witch with a thousand childr—"
Bellatrix pulls them sharply to the left as Ginny and a younger Hermione come up behind them.
"I'm just saying they don't need to be all over each other all the time! It's so gross. Every mealtime. Let's make sure we're nowhere near them this time," Ginny huffs.
Past-Hermione turns away from her to secretly roll her eyes. "I really don't think they're that bad, Ginny. But fine, I'll at least make sure we're not opposite them, alright?"
Ginny grumbles to herself, kicking at the step before the two girls head into the house.
What was that about?
Hermione chuckles and pulls them over behind Harry, who's sat awkwardly by himself at the outside table. "Ginny's got a crush on Fleur. She hasn't realised yet though, thinks she hates her."
Bellatrix frowns. "Fleur? The French veela girl? How do they even know each other, let alone…"
She drifts off as Bill and Fleur walk out into the sunshine and head straight towards them.
"Harry? And why are you sat all alone for your anniversaire?" Fleur says with a blinding smile. A strange sound escapes Bellatrix's mouth which she tries to turn into a cough.
Oh this is too good. Seriously, Bellatrix?
Shut up. And get that look off your face
Hermione just keeps smirking. I didn't say anything. You're the one who—
She surprised me! You don't expect a veela to suddenly walk up to you and—
Smile at you? You're as bad as Ginny. I'd assumed veela charms only worked on men, but I'm starting think it's sexuality based seeing as you two—
And what about you? Because you definitely can't call yourself straight anymore after—
Fleur leans over the table to kiss Harry's cheeks, and then sits down opposite with Bill, hovering some elvish wine over. "It is not champagne, but it will have to do. You drink, yes?"
Harry runs a hand through his hair uncomfortably. "Uhh yeah, I mean no. I mean I drink butterbeer, but I've never really…"
Gods, Potter is such a square. The boy who lived never really lived, did he?
Hermione sighs. He never had the time. Always playing catch up. He's not used to family or socialising. All his time at Hogwarts was either studying, quidditch, or trying not to die
She watches as herself and Ginny re-emerge through the back door, dishes in their arms. Ginny lets out a groan at spotting Fleur with Harry and begins whispering furiously with Hermione.
And Ron and Mr Weasley come up the garden path, Ron nodding at Harry, who smiles in relief.
What was it about him, pet? The weasel boy?
Ron carries a chair over, squeezing in next to Harry and clapping him on the back before reaching for a glass of wine. "Bloody brilliant idea, come on Harry, let's have some before mum gets out here and— uhh—"
He suddenly seems to realise that Fleur is there and turns bright red, frozen mid-reach.
Hermione snorts. "He's just…he's my friend, Bella. We went through so much together. And he could be a right prat sometimes, and I'm not sure now that I ever liked him more than as a friend but…he's just so genuine. Kind. Normal. Me and Harry needed that. I can't help overthinking everything, and I was horrible at socialising, reading people. Harry's completely lost in all this. But Ron…despite having an ordinary life, stuck by us. Most of the time. Told us when we were acting crazy or taking things too seriously."
Bellatrix frowns, and then drags them around the table behind Fleur.
"Uhh, Bella? Wha—"
Bellatrix crouches so her head is dangerously close to Bill and Fleur's, and stares straight at Ron.
What are you…?
I'm getting a look in his head. He's your friend, I want to know why. Potter makes sense but…
So you're reading his thoughts?! He's probably just thinking about food, or Fleur. That won't explain—
He's thinking about Sirius. He wants to bring it up with Potter, but he's worried he'll make it worse. He's thinking about how much it would suck to have no family on your birthday
Oh.
Oh Ron.
Bellatrix snorts. And now he's wondering if French witches kiss the same as British witches. And panicking that he doesn't know how to kiss at all, and what if it's harder than it looks and— okay, he's thinking about you. I'm getting out of there
Bellatrix pulls back with a shudder.
And a ringing sound fills the air as Mr Weasley stands at the head of the table, tapping against his glass. "Now that everyone's settled, I'd just like to say a Happy Birthday to Harry on behalf of all of us. We're uh, well we're heading into some dark times—"
Mrs Weasley nudges him in the side with a glare.
"Yes. Right. Well, I'm not Dumbledore, but as he would say, let's uh, look for the light—"
"Turn on the light," Past-Hermione mutters to herself.
Know it All
"—and what could be brighter than this beautiful sunny day with family and friends, and of course Molly's wonderful cooking."
"Here here!" Bill shouts with a grin, raising his glass to his mother. Fleur kisses his cheek, and Ginny accidentally drops her fork on the floor.
Smooth, Ginny Weasley.
Mrs Weasley somehow manages to hover it back onto the table before it can hit the ground, and gets to her feet too, clearing her throat pointedly. "To Harry."
Everyone raises their glasses, including a very embarrassed Harry, who doesn't seem to know where to look, or whether he's supposed to be raising his glass or saying anything.
Quick, turn this invisible! Bellatrix whispers into her head.
Huh?
Oh for—
She washes the invisibility over the sandwich that Bellatrix has somehow managed to grab whilst no one was looking.
She hands it to Hermione. "You're the hungry one. It won't do anything if I eat it. Join in with lunch. They won't notice, because otherwise you'd remember it. One universe, remember? We were always here."
Always here. How strange.
She looks over at her past-self, who's smiling with Harry now and reaching for some food before Ron eats it all. The whole time. Bellatrix was right there.
Bellatrix leans sideways against her. "You're so young. Not that you're not young now but…ten years. Sixteen and the war is starting. Same as me. Except I started the last war."
Hermione starts eating the sandwich. She is hungry.
It was mostly him though, wasn't it? He already had older followers
They were more like…business partners. They had the funds. The political standing. Connections. No pet, I was planning a war from the age of seventeen. Took my mind off Andy and marriage and bla bla bla. I was parlaying with the giants as soon as I left Hogwarts. Not easy, let me tell you
Giants?! He sent you?! I thought he'd go himself. Or send somebody more experienced. I thought he was teaching you!
He was. It was a lesson. Be clever. Be charismatic. Read them. And don't bother coming back if you can't fulfil a task, no matter how dangerous
How awful…ah!
She hurriedly steps back as Bill gets to his feet. "Remus! I didn't know you were back. I'll get you a seat, here, take mine."
Gods Lupin looks awful. The last few years have aged him horribly.
"That's very kind of you, Bill, thank you. And hello everyone. Harry…"
He drifts off as he stares at Harry with a sad smile. "Happy Birthday, Harry," he eventually sighs.
Harry ducks his head. "Thank you, Professor Lupin."
Lupin seems to flinch, and then shakes himself, sitting down tiredly in Bill's empty seat in front of them.
Poor bloke. Being a werewolf must be shit. Being a nymph is pretty wild but…a werewolf? Definitely the short straw. And Potter does look a hell of a lot like his dad. Must be fucking weird sat opposite him and having him call you professor
Can you remember him from school too?
Only as one of Sirius' little friends. Annoying eleven year olds. Heard more about them through Cissy. She really hated Potter. Think she felt like he was taking Sirius away from us
Sirius…
He is a bit an elephant in the room.
I…I'm sorry I made you kill him. Sirius
Bellatrix turns to frown at her, and then pulls them over to a space in the garden away from everyone else.
"That's not your fault. I already…well apparently I was drugged the whole time but…he had to die. He always did. Even the prophecy said so."
Hermione shakes her head. It just seems wrong. Why couldn't they save him? She could have told Bellatrix to— to capture him. Or— well he had to fall into the veil but—
Bellatrix squeezes her hand. "Not your fault. Or mine. Siri just…it was his time. Live fast die young. That was always Siri. Thought it might be me too but…guess I had you looking out for me. Setting me on the right path. He had Potter for that. He left too soon though."
Oh. Oh it's so sad it—
She wraps her arms around Bellatrix. "Still. He was your cousin. I'm sorry."
Bellatrix hugs her back. "Me too. If I'd listened to him when…who knows. Can't change that now."
Master Spitsy said Sirius tried to talk to you. About…you know. Escaping it all. Like Andy
Hands stroke over her back. "He did," Bellatrix whispers. "After he got sorted into Gryffindor…I cornered him alone. Told him he was bringing shame to the family. That he shouldn't associate with bloodtraitors."
Cornered him? When…when he was eleven? And Bellatrix was a final year?
Was he…scared?
Yes. Didn't show it though. He's a Black. He stood tall. Clenched his jaw. He said…'If you're going to hurt me or something, do it. If not, then let me live my life. I've chosen my friends. And I think they're better than yours. I'm happy, are you?'
Oh. And she still remembers word for word…
Hermione hugs her tighter, and Bellatrix sighs sadly. I looked into his head of course. He was terrified. Alone. Miserable. But the possibility of real friends…it was his last hope. His only hope. He'd given up on me. On family. He was choosing his own
And…and what did you say?
…Nothing. I cast a silencio at him and sent him flying into an empty classroom. Shut the door so I wouldn't have to look at him. I avoided him as much as I could after that. Watched from a distance. Found things out from Cissy and Andy
She kisses Bellatrix's cheek. "He'd be proud of you now. Lying to a Dark Lord. The ultimate prank."
Bellatrix pulls back with a smile. "It is, isn't it? No one guessed what I've been up to. I've fooled the whole world! Beat that, Siri."
Hermione chuckles. "Speaking of which, we should probably go. You need to learn to hide some more. And I'd better get reading."
Bellatrix looks over towards the table of people. Eating birthday cake now, but rather subdued. A gloomy cloud over them all. "Do you think we could prank them somehow? For Siri?"
Hermione frowns. Well…not really. Because they didn't. Did they?
And Bellatrix points her wand at the table, muttering a spell.
Wha— what did you do?! You can't— the timeline!
Bellatrix grins. Tied Lupin's shoelaces together. Siri was always doing that to Cissy. Drove her mad. She missed it when he stopped though. Bet he did it to Lupin too
Hmm. She can't remember Lupin falling over or anything, but…
"Fine. We can check my memories later. Home to get changed?"
Bellatrix sniggers to herself once more, sending another spell, this time at Ron. Child.
And then nods.
Hermione takes one last look at the party, before popping them away.
Notes:I will forever headcanon that Ginny's 'hatred' of Fleur was her baby bisexual heart's way of dealing with a very unfortunate crush. Fight me. (And read my Ginny/Fleur fic 'Flying into the Sun' if you want more insight into that whole...different perspective)
Umm...way to self-promote there. Okay. back to bellamione. Carry on.
Chapter 47: The Eldest BlackChapter Text
The days pass by, and they settle into an odd kind of routine. Potions for Bones, breakfast together, occlumency lesson with Draco for Bellatrix, and Hermione heads off to the archives. Meet back for lunch. And then Hermione takes Bellatrix to the lake for her lessons with Thetis, and Hermione heads to the archives again until dinner time.
Of course Bellatrix gets called away by the Mark every now and then, throwing everything off balance. Sometimes she's gone when Hermione goes to sleep, and still gone when she wakes up, with no signs to show if she'd ever come home at all.
So far, she hasn't had any phantom pains. So either Bellatrix isn't getting hurt, or the mate feelings haven't kicked in yet. She has found herself falling asleep with her face in a book a few times though. She's not quite sure if that's her own tiredness or Bellatrix's.
She blinks her eyes a few times at the page in front of her. The looping mermish is starting to run off the page the more she looks at it. Time to stop. Is it dinner time yet, or—
Hermione! I did it! Follow the thread, quick!
She did it? Oh!
"Bellatrix metamorphed!" she calls excitedly to Leagore, not even waiting for a response before she pops away—
—and is face to face with Draco underwater.
What the—
She casts a bubblehead charm on herself before she can choke in surprise. Bella?
"It's me! So? Is it convincing?" Draco grins.
With Bellatrix's voice coming out of his mouth.
Hermione bursts out laughing. "Well it would be if it wasn't your voice. Why Draco?!"
Oh bollocks. Forgot about the voice. I just thought it would be easier because I see him so much. Almost chose you but—oh shit.
She flickers and then fades back into herself. It's a bit of a relief.
"It's so hard to be him when I'm talking to you. Oh well, still pretty good. How long was that, Thetis?"
Hermione whirls around in surprise. Of course Thetis is here—
A serious looking teenage mermaid. With a pocket watch.
"Just over two minutes, I believe. You do not need to try so hard, little sister. It is—"
"Natural. I know, I know. You saying that doesn't make it magically happen though. I have to find a trigger. A memory. Focus on it. It's the only way," Bellatrix grumbles.
Thetis swims closer with a sigh, morphing back into a queen. Cups Bellatrix's face in their hands. "I have told you. You do not need this. It is within you. Let yourself change. It should be as simple as…" They laugh tinklingly. "I would say as simple as breathing, but that is also a challenge for you in the depths. Although that may also change once we've solved the…tail issue."
Bellatrix pulls Thetis' hands from her face so she can turn to grin excitedly at Hermione Breathing underwater?!
Hermione smiles at her fondly and then meets Thetis' eye, kicking her legs and gesturing quickly with her arms, pronouncing the words carefully. "Lla…hwuu." She's…cheerful.
Thetis grins widely at her and chimes out a laugh, flicking their tail. "Lla ffuuhii."
Oh of course. Ffuuhii. Excited.
Bellatrix huffs. "Will you stop doing that! You know I can't enter the archives until I've figured this out!"
Hermione kisses her cheek. "Sorry. You did so well. It was just like Draco, scarily so. Now come on. Try to beat your record. Hide from us."
She swims back from Bellatrix to watch next to Thetis and…oh. They have an audience. Leagore and Oreithye have come to watch. And…there's Agaue, hiding behind some rocks again. And Kallianassa not too far from them.
Bellatrix has her back to them. She's not sure if she should tell her or…
Bellatrix closes her eyes, frowning in concentration…
And her hair gets shorter and shorter. Lighter, until it's silvery blond. Her face narrows, her lips thinner. Her body changes shape, shifting before her eyes until…Draco.
Did I do it?
Okay. Okay don't distract her.
Hello, Draco
Silence through the thread. And then Bellatrix opens her eyes and smirks at her. "Granger. See Potter and carrot-top have left you alone. What happened, did they get fed up with your constant nagging?"
Oh he is such an arse, he—
She. Still Bellatrix. It's still her voice! You can't be fooled by…
Bellatrix flicks her hair needlessly and runs her thumb down the side of Draco's nose. He does do that. A lot. She never noticed before.
"And I see Crabbe and Goyle have run off somewhere too. Probably eating something. Or they got lost. Looks like you'll have to defend yourself for once," Hermione smirks back.
Draco's lip twitches into a smile, but he quickly clenches his jaw and turns it into a scowl. "Shut up, Granger. You're the one who needs to defend yourself. When my father hears about this—"
Hermione can't help it. She bursts out laughing. Gasps for breath as tears fill her eyes. Oh it has been so long since Draco said that, but it's so him, it—
Draco smiles brightly at her and it just makes her laugh harder. Draco Malfoy is smiling at her.
"Oh gods Bella, I can't!" she gasps out.
Draco starts cackling with laughter, and apparently it's too much for Bellatrix too, as his hair darkens and grows to his shoulders. Eyes turning brown. And Bellatrix is back.
"Thetis? Time?" Bellatrix pants out.
"Only one minute. Although you found a form very quickly. You are improving. I think you are able to hold it longer, you just cannot resist being yourself. Until you find another form that you…enjoy showing, you won't show it for long."
"Who was that? You looked like Pronoe! Or Leagore!" Autonoe says, appearing from nowhere in a whirl of bubbles as they twirl around Bellatrix.
Bellatrix grabs them by the tail, yanking them to a stop. Oh that's better. They were making her dizzy. Bellatrix holds Autonoe firmly by the shoulders and looks into their eyes. "Draco…my sister's son…Autonoe, let me try…"
She slowly breathes in…and then her face changes. Softens. Her hair turns…green. Braided back.
Autonoe gasps. "You're me…you're like us. Green hair…" They reach out to touch Bellatrix's hair, feel it between their fingers.
And then they frown. "You don't need to be me, you know, little sister. Be you. Just…imagine it. I love imagining things. You're Kalypso. Imagine who…who Kalypso would be. She's you…and more. That's how I decided what Autonoe would look like."
Bellatrix morphs back to herself. "You chose how you look?" she whispers to Autonoe. "I thought…you're so young and free. I thought this was always you."
Autonoe looks around at everyone, and shakes their head. And transforms.
They look…older maybe. Not much. They look…a lot like Bellatrix…but ganglier. Awkward. And maybe a bit like Tonks. Yes. Like Tonks when she's just knocked something over and is feeling embarrassed.
"This is my veriform," Autonoe whispers. "I don't like it that much. It's too…it's not me. I don't feel like…like a god, when I'm this. Autonoe. It means 'With her own mind'. I don't know what I'm god of really… So I just let my mind tell me what to do."
They morph back with a smile. "This is me. The me I want to be. You already know who you want to be, so that's fine. Don't change unless you want to, Bellatrix. Warrior... Hmm. Maybe you can maxiform! Like Dexamene and— Oreithye! Come and show her!"
Oreithye clears their throat uncomfortably at being called out for watching, but does swim over. "I don't see why it would help but…fine."
They push Autonoe out of the way, and move in front of Bellatrix. "If you are able, then in your anger you can grow your form. Maxiform. Anger is not necessary…but it helps. It is defensive. Only the strongest and the protectors are able to do this. Myself. Dexamene. Thetis. Kallianassa. I do not know if this is your role…but let's see."
And Hermione cries out as arms crush around her. Ow, it's tight and— Oreithye is too strong. It's hurting her ribs. She can't breathe she—
Bella—
A blast of magic shoots from Bellatrix's hand and—
Bounces off Oreithye's arms. What? How?
She wriggles in their grip. It's not too bad now. Not that tight. But if Bellatrix thinks…
"Let her go!" Bellatrix growls, wand drawn. Oh dear. Anger leads to cursing. She'd kind of forgotten that.
Bella, Bella change form. Metamorph. Grow stronger than them
I am stronger than them. If they don't let go then—
Try. Just try. Imagine you want to…punch them. Hard. Make your hand bigger. Your arm
Bellatrix's hands clench into fists, bubbles coming from her wand as accidental magic streams into the water. Her eyes seem to darken and…no. Still her. Just very, very angry.
"Oreithye…I think you might need to leave before—" Hermione stops mid-murmur.
Too late. The water is vibrating around them. A current forming that pulls them like a whirlpool and—
And they're surrounded by sand. Mud. It's dark and she can't see and—
Everything is spinning. She's lost track of the surface. Rocks and torn reeds blur past her.
Oreithye is suddenly gone from her back. Oh no. Oh no anger leads to cursing, and fear leads to storms and sand and sea and— oh.
She follows the thread to Bellatrix. Grabs her shoulders through the sand and water. Stop this, Bella. Right now. I'm not hurt. And you said you'd be kind
Arms wrap around her. You're okay? Because if they hurt you—
Hermione groans. They were acting. It only hurt for a second it— I'm not fucking fragile. Stop this. Before I calm it for you. Now, Bella. Before you hurt someone
And Bellatrix crumbles against her.
The current stops. The sand falls down to the floor, and the mud drifts slowly after it.
Fuck. I fucked up. It's— I just…did I hurt anyone? I can't look
Her face is hidden in Hermione's shoulder. Hermione holds her close and looks around, casting a lumos from her fingertips.
Autonoe peeks out from behind the rock where Agaue…no Agaue. Or Kallianassa. They must have left. Thetis…has maxiformed in front of Autonoe. And Oreithye hasn't maxiformed, but is holding Leagore's arm firmly from a short distance away, muscles tense.
They're alright, Bella. But I think you'll need to apologise. To all of them
Hermione takes Bellatrix's hand, and swims awkwardly towards Thetis. Who stands tall, shielding Autonoe. Oh dear.
Bellatrix clears her throat. "I…"
Thetis glares down at her. Oreithye and Leagore swim over. Surrounded by hard eyes and sharp teeth.
And Bellatrix takes a steadying breath, nodding to herself. And transforms…
Into her veriform.
Leagore and Oreithye make shocked eye contact, teeth returning to normal, and Thetis' posture softens. Autonoe gasps from over their shoulder.
Bellatrix looks down at the sand. "I'm sorry. I shouldn't have…I was angry. Scared. Your…your actions scared me. Your strength scared me. I've— I love Hermione, and you were hurting her. Taking her from me. I don't like it when— when people I love are threatened. It— I'm a protector. I'm not strong like you, but…my body isn't strong…but I am."
Her eyes come up to meet Oreithye's. "God of the raging sea…do you see me, fellow protector? Don't hurt my family. Please. I— I can't see any more pain. I've had enough."
Oh no. Oh Bella no, it's okay it—
She wraps her arms around Bellatrix. Tucks the witch's head under her chin so she's hidden again. That was brave, Bella. You're so strong. You did so well, you—
Thetis shrinks. Into their veriform. Places a hand on Bellatrix's shoulder, who turns to look.
"You are forgiven, little sister. Your mate was threatened and— and we should not have underestimated your strength. You are a Black. You are strong. The current flows strongly though your veins. You have done us proud, protecting our sisters from harm."
Bellatrix hesitates…and then leans to wrap her arms around Thetis' neck and hug them. "You look just like Cissy. I wish you could— I protected them as much as I could. It wasn't enough but—"
"It was enough, sister. They are alive. You succeeded."
"No. No there— I should have— and my cousins. Two boys. Two more that I didn't save."
Sirius and Regulus? That wasn't her fault. She'd said. Is she still worried about— she blames herself for—
"I'm the eldest. They were all so young. I should have—"
Thetis begins to hum a soothing tune. Holds Bellatrix and sways. And then sighs musically. A bittersweet croon. "I know, child. I know the weight of being the eldest. But you did all you could. And you are the youngest of us now. Let your elders guide you. Care for you. Hush, little one. You are safe."
Hermione is just crying now. Autonoe swims around and takes her hand, and she smiles at them gratefully.
They're right, Bella. You did everything you could and more. You were incredible. You still are.
No I— I couldn't escape the violence. I got lost. I let it control me. Let it in. Regulus— he—followed me and—
Thetis begins singing once more, and Bellatrix clings to them. "Thetis. Thetis I'm sorry. I wasn't strong enough."
No she—
"I know, little sister. I know."
They know? But that's not true! Bellatrix is strong, she—
And Bellatrix collapses into them in relief. "I stopped putting them first. I put myself first. My wants. My anger. I wanted to be free of them. It was too much. So I just…turned my back on them."
Oh. Oh so this is about after—
"You gave all of yourself to them, and got no reward. They did not appreciate you. They grew up and turned away from you. And though you loved them, you hated them for what they had made you become."
Bellatrix pulls back, nodding. "I became a monster for them, I loved them through everything, and when I needed them? When I was in pain? Where were they? Turned their back on me. Ran from me. Called me mad, or a child. I'm not a child. I've never been a child."
Thetis nods back. And transforms into Andromeda. "Tell me."
Oh dear. Oh no. Is—
Bella? Are you okay? Crookshanks, remember?
Bellatrix lets out a harsh bark of laughter. I'm okay. I think I need to…
She points accusingly at Thetis. "How could you do that to me, Andy? You're almost the same age as me but you left me to— to take all the shit they were throwing at us. And I didn't even mind. I didn't mind protecting you, because it made me feel better. Made me feel that they were wrong about me. That I had to have some goodness in me, that I had to be strong, because how else was I protecting you? And Cissy?"
Bellatrix is freely crying now, shoving weakly at Thetis shoulders as they just take it.
"I gladly shielded you. I just— you left. You left and you chose someone else to be your family. And you never came back, Andy. You never even— I fought for you. Why couldn't you fight for me? Why couldn't you have— have found me? Have fixed it? Couldn't you— did you give up on me? Why didn't you… see me? When you heard what I had become, why didn't you come to save me from the monster? From myself? It was your turn and— and you left me, Andy. I never would have left you. Never. But you left me."
She stops hitting Thetis. Just holds onto them.
"I'm sorry, sister," Thetis says. "You're right. You deserve to be angry. I'm sorry."
Bellatrix takes a shuddering breath, and wipes at her face within the bubble. "Okay. Okay then. Enough, Bella."
And she shoves at Thetis again, playfully this time. "Right. Change back, smart arse. Come on. I know what it's like to be the eldest, remember? Stop protecting me, before I go into your head and fish out some awkward truths of my own. How about the time Autonoe left you in charge of Leagore and—"
To Hermione's astonishment, Thetis transforms into an awkward looking preteen in the blink of an eye and presses their hand over Bellatrix's mouth. "Ssshh. Don't tell them— nothing happened. How did you—"
They whirl to face Leagore. "She's lying! Don't listen to her! It wasn't me, it—"
Leagore raises their eyebrows in surprise, and Hermione turns to a gleeful Autonoe with a grin. What happened here then?
Thetis freezes, and then clears their throat, morphing back into their usual queenly appearance and folding their arms 'casually'. "Yes. Well. As you say, sister. That's enough for now."
Leagore smirks. "Oh no, I do not think that was quite enough, dear Thetis. Bellatrix. Do share what my beloved older sibling—"
Bellatrix shrugs out of Thetis' grip and opens her mouth and—
Thetis reaches for her once more, but she's too fast, ducking out of their reach. "Bellatrix, don't you dare. I am queen. I am the head of this colony and—"
Autonoe grabs Bellatrix's arm with a giggle and propels her away from Thetis. "What happened? Quick! Tell us!"
Thetis comes after them, but Leagore pops in front of them, arms folded, and Oreithye grabs Thetis by the tail, pulling them back. Thetis shrieks in surprise and—
"Bellatrix, sister, tell me!" Leagore yells.
This is chaos! Should she tell? Is Thetis really angry or—
"Thetis dropped you!" Bellatrix shouts back with a grin. "When you were an egg. Dropped you into a deep, narrow hole and you got stuck!"
Oh! Really?!
Oh it happened. They were thinking about it a few days ago. Thinking about eggs and it just crept into their mind
Thetis is frozen once more. A whine escapes their mouth and then they shrink back away from Leagore. And then hide their face in their hands. "It was an accident. I…well I shouldn't have…I was curious and— I was only forty-eight."
Hermione snorts. Only forty-eight. No wonder they call her and Bellatrix children. So…forty-eight divided by four. Twelve. Ah. Now the appearance of the awkward preteen makes sense.
Leagore seems to still be processing, mouth opening and closing. Oreithye lets go of Thetis and swims around to face them. "Stuck? What…how did you…how did we not know about this?"
Hermione swims closer to join the stunned group. Well, not all stunned. Bellatrix is smiling smugly.
And then Leagore laughs. Laughs and laughs in whistles and chimes of uncontrollable mirth. Thetis peeks out from between their fingers, and Leagore just laughs harder, holding onto their shoulder.
"You're…you're not angry, little sister?" Thetis asks cautiously.
Leagore pulls Thetis into their arms and then twirls and twists through the water, whirling around them in dips and dives. "How long have you been holding onto that story, Thetis? No, no it is funny. I am unharmed. You cannot feel through— through an egg. What—"
Leagore and Thetis come to a stop before them once more. "What happened?"
Thetis pulls back with a grin. And transforms into the preteen again. "Well…"
They swim away, and begin a dramatic re-enactment in their squeaky young voice.
"Autonoe had to go to some boring assembly with the other adults. They'd been gone for hoouuurs. It was awful. Speio wouldn't play with me, and I couldn't even go swimming with Pronoe because I had to watch a stupid egg. It didn't do anything. It didn't move, or talk. Just sat there. I missed the old Leagore. They used to tell me stories, and take me on patrol. This new Leagore was so dull!" they whine, draping themselves over a rock.
Oreithye snorts, nudging Leagore, and Autonoe grabs hold of Hermione in excitement.
Thetis sighs. "So. Eventually, I picked the egg up. Autonoe had told me not to even touch it but…they wouldn't know. And I was going to be ruler one day. I should be allowed to do anything I want. I picked up the egg…and carried it with me out into the lake. I took Pronoe with me too. I wouldn't leave a little sixteen-year-old alone. I knew that was wrong. It was an adventure! And we had the lake to ourselves, because the adults were all in the agora for some debate."
Oh dear. Unsupervised children in a lake. With an egg. That's just asking for trouble.
"So?" Leagore calls out. "You dropped me in a hole?"
Thetis folds their arms with a huff. "Eggs are heavier than you would think. And slippery! I didn't mean to. I just let go for a second because Pronoe was swimming away. I thought you would fall into the sand! It was a secret hole!"
Bellatrix swims up to Hermione and wraps her arm around her. "Yes. You were so sensible. Tell them how you got the egg back, big sister."
Thetis glares at her. "This is how you thank me for all my hours of teaching, Kalypso?"
Bellatrix just sticks her tongue out at them.
Thetis sits down on the sandy bed. "I was too big to reach into the hole. I hadn't learnt to miniform…and I was running out of time before the adults came back so— So I dropped Pronoe into the hole to get it. I held their tail! And it was fine! They had small arms, they could reach and— no one found out!"
"I remember that!" comes a shout from behind them.
Oh this is brilliant.
Pronoe.
Pronoe swims over to Thetis, who collapses into the sand with a groan, wriggling and covering themselves with sand until they're mostly hidden from sight. Okay. Genetics are showing through. This kind of sulking is very familiar.
Pronoe pokes them. "I thought it was a dream, but I remember squeezing into a…I thought it was a cave. And I was reaching for something gold. I thought it was treasure not— it was Leagore?"
Thetis just rolls deeper into the sand.
Bellatrix sighs. "Alright. They've suffered enough. I'm sure we all have embarrassing secrets hidden away. I can look into your heads too, remember?"
Autonoe turns to face her with a gasp. And then covers their head with their hands. "Oh, don't look! Oh, how do you do that? Can you see my thoughts right now? What am I thinking?"
Bellatrix chuckles. "I can, but I won't look. I don't think I'll be very popular if I spill any more secrets, hmm Leagore? Oreithye? And Pronoe... Now how you're hiding your thoughts from me is the real mystery. Occlumency?"
What? How is Pronoe…
Pronoe smiles smugly at them. "Forethought. A useful skill to learn, with witches such as yourself in our close proximity. The headmaster, for example, is far too probing. Foolish boy. No forethought. Knowing all is not always wise."
Hmm. True. Some secrets are definitely necessary.
Thetis glides up into the water, shaking the sand from themselves and calmly tying their hair back from their face. A king. "Right. That's quite enough. Bellatrix, shall we continue? Leagore, Oreithye, time for evening patrol. Autonoe, go check on Agaue, they have been timid as of late. They may wish to confide in you on the matter. And Hermione. I believe there is a new story for Pronoe to share with you."
Gosh. Okay. The authority is back. Yes.
Bellatrix kisses her head. See you later. And remember to eat. I think I'm being called away again this evening
Oh. Oh she's always so busy.
I'll save you some. And don't forget your potions bag
Everyone swims off, quick to follow their orders. Except Pronoe. They offer their hand to her, smiling sadly. "She is tired. You are tired. Sshiiji. Just one story today, and then you shall rest."
Hermione takes their hand and sighs. Okay. Back to the archives.
Chapter 48: A Mad Tea PartyNotes:Hey folks, another long (and quite fun) chapter today.
The chapter title is taken from Alice's Adventures in Wonderland...you'll see why.
Thank you all for the kudos and comments, love to you all x
Chapter Text
Sunday. A day off. For both of them. Hermione can't quite believe it. It's been weeks. August has just…disappeared. Where did it go?
Bellatrix pokes her. "Well? We're not going to spend our day off in bed, are we? Or…well not asleep anyway. I'm sure I could think of something we could do that would be much more fun."
Hermione just pulls the bedding over her head and shoves her face in a pillow. Always so much energy.
Hello? Come on! I've already taken care of Bones, had breakfast, I'm dressed, I read this— oh! Do you know metamorphing can even fool polyjuice if you replicate the person faithfully enough? I'm not sure I could be anyone except you or Draco or Cissy or—
Hermione groans. Belllaaa. Sleeping. Not talking
Not even about books? Are you sure you're Hermione Granger? What have you done with my soulmate?
I've had enough of books! I—
Bellatrix gasps and rolls her over, crawling on top of her. "Okay. I was joking, but— you've had enough of books? What did they do to you in that lake?"
Hermione blinks against the sunlight. Stares up at Bellatrix. Who's smiling at her. Curls falling around them. So beautiful.
And a scratching sound comes from the window.
Bellatrix is gone in the blink of an eye. "Apollo? Will Draco leave me in peace for just one day?! Hasn't he had enough of me? I'm in his head every day as— noooo, Cissy, whhyy?"
Hermione sits up in confusion.
Bellatrix stomps over with a sigh. "Well. That's our day off gone. Cissy has invited us to tea. Both of us. She's insisting."
To tea? She can't be serious. "Umm…real tea? Or is this…code?"
Bellatrix snorts. "Both. Real tea. Real cake. Real polite small talk…whilst she stares into your soul and finds out all your secrets. So, you know. Typical Cissy."
Oh dear. "And what about Draco? Won't he be there? And…"
She sits on the edge of the bed next to Bellatrix and takes her hand. "And what about…are we still pretending? Hiding. At the Manor, she seems to be in on the plan. Do you think we…tell her everything? Like I did with Snape?"
Bellatrix frowns in thought. "I don't think Draco will be there. He can't know about you. Too risky. Cissy would never…she's probably sent him off somewhere. And…let's…she will know by now that it's time travel. She's seen you. She knows you're older. Your reaction to Draco would have been enough for her to see that. So…let's just be ourselves, but not tell her anything unless she asks. She's clever. She knows not to look too hard. Like Pronoe said, sometimes not knowing everything is better. Cissy knows that, as much as she hates it."
Hmm. Maybe. Narcissa is kind of asking for it, inviting them over for…an interrogation, basically. Oh.
Hermione grins at Bellatrix. She won't know what's hit her. Oh this might be even better than Snape! If I close my mind to her completely, but we can still use the thread, she'll be so confused!
Bellatrix cackles and jumps to her feet. "Yes! Oh what else should we do? Cissy has it coming. She hasn't seen anything. What do you think, should you wear muggle clothes? Should I wear muggle clothes? Pull out a pen?"
Oh that would be brilliant. But…
She walks over to her wardrobe to get dressed. In a dress. It's hot today, and they are going to tea. She has some clothes that aren't jumpers and jeans. "No. No, if we're going to be ourselves, let's be ourselves. She probably wants to read us because she's worried. Or to help us. She's very perceptive, she needs to read us properly. It will be enough of a shock that we like each other, Bella."
Ah. There we are. A sundress. From when she was sixteen, so a bit too small. But with a few magical alterations…there.
She slips it on. And feels a kiss on her shoulder from behind.
I more than like you, pet. Always. But fuck me, why don't you wear dresses more often?
Hands slide over her back, and then around her waist. Reach up and cup— Bella. What time is tea?
A mouth at her neck. Eleven thirty
And what's the time now?
…Eleven
Hermione groans. Right.
She pulls Bellatrix's hands off her. "Then I should definitely get ready. Your sister sees everything. I don't think her seeing that is the best way to start this."
A chuckle through the thread. Or it's the perfect way to—
No, Bella. I should have a shower. Or at least— my hair is— we're always in a lake or—
It's just Cissy. Why do you want to impress her so much? I'm the one who's fucking you, not her
It's not about her, it's— the occasion. And you both have those Black goddess genes so—
She's never sure— she's all about feminism and choice but— she can't help feeling— it's an invitation to tea! At a manor! With Narcissa Malfoy and—
She turns to face Bellatrix, who's lying on her stomach on the bed.
"It's just…my hair. Everyone always says it's—"
"Perfect. Beautiful. Do you think people haven't made comments about my hair?" Bellatrix grins. "Screw them. Their hair is boring and dead."
Hermione laughs. All hair is dead!
Not our hair. Our hair is definitely alive. Mind of its own
Hermione laughs harder, and Bellatrix smiles at her softly. "See? We don't need to change anything. Cissy can think what she likes. We don't have to follow any boring rules. Our life's too interesting for all that bollocks. No, get in that shower if you're going to. I'll go and accept this invitation. Send it through the floo. And then Cissy can get exactly what she asked for."
They walk out of the floo at precisely eleven thirty, and Bellatrix drags Hermione straight down the hallway towards the back of the house. This house is depressing as fuck. And that's coming from me. With the dead creatures in the halls. We should really redecorate at some point
The portraits should definitely go into the attic if we can pry them from the walls. They watch me. It's creepy. And what if they're spying for Him
Nah, can't leave their frames. I already sorted that out ages ago. In case they were spies for the Order. Ah, there she is. Get your head shielded pet, the basilisk has spotted us
Narcissa is sat at a table on the lawn, teacup held to her lips. She's not drinking though. Bellatrix is right. She's watching them.
Veritaserum in the tea? Hermione half jokes. Gosh. The walk over feels like a lifetime. Into the dragon's maw. What are the rules? What does she want, Hermione? Think. This is a real Slytherin. Not just whatever kind of Slytherin Bellatrix is.
Bellatrix must have been a hat stall. Hermione never asked—
"Bella, Miss Granger. How nice of you to accept my invitation on such short notice. Please, sit, tea? Lemonade?" Narcissa says, already on her feet to greet them.
Bellatrix flops into a chair. "Morgana's tits, Cissy. We're not royalty. I see you almost every day as it is with all these occlumency lessons. Sit down, we can pour our own drinks." There. No poison for us. Tea or lemonade?
Hermione huffs, and sits down a lot more delicately. Lemonade, please. Although you don't have to be so rude to your sister, honestly Bella. "It all looks lovely, Mrs Malfoy. Thank you."
Bellatrix pours them both some lemonade, and Narcissa's face remains perfectly blank. Hmm. Not as fun as Snape then.
Hermione clears her throat uncomfortably at the oddly long pause. "And how is Draco? Is he not…joining us?"
Narcissa's lip twitches. "No. No, he is visiting with the Parkinsons. I would send him your regards, but…"
She just stops. No sign of why. Bellatrix slurps at her lemonade in the awkward silence, and Hermione elbows her in the ribs.
Bella!
She needs to stop bloody hiding. She's dying to know more about you. She could just ask but no, no. She'll make us do all the work. Playing the waiting game
Well we won't know what she wants unless she says! She doesn't even have any expressions to go by. What have you—
Narcissa takes a sip of tea. Places the cup and saucer back down. And still says nothing.
Well fine then. Hermione's just going to help herself to the finger sandwiches and cake. She didn't have breakfast and— Can I pass you anything, Bella? Which cake is your favourite? Chocolate?
Bellatrix turns and smiles at her. It's a test. The cakes. Cissy knows my favourite is actually the walnut cake. She wants to know how well you know me
Hermione's mouth falls open in disbelief. The cake is a test?!
Well then. She never fails a test.
If she wants to know, then she can know. Hermione cuts a slice of walnut cake for Bellatrix.
"Thanks, pet. Help yourself to whatever you want, Cissy won't mind, will you Cissy?"
Narcissa slowly raises an eyebrow. "Of course not. You are my…guest."
Okay, she's being very strange. This isn't Snape in polyjuice is it? Do they just swap bodies all the time or something?
Bellatrix barks out a laugh through a mouthful of cake, and crumbs fly everywhere.
Ah, finally Narcissa has a facial expression. Disgust, as she flinches back in her seat with a sneer.
"What is wrong with you, Bella? It's like dining with a chimp. Keep your mouth closed for Salazar's sake!" She vanishes the crumbs with a flick of her wand, running her hands over her dress to smooth it.
We got her, pet. She's lost the façade.
Hermione smiles around a bite of cucumber sandwich. Maybe this will—
Are you sleeping with my sister?
And now Hermione is the one choking. Merlin's Beard, her timing is just—
Bellatrix casts an anapneo at her. What is it? What did she do? Are you okay?
Hermione gets her breathing under control and looks across the table at Narcissa. Waits for her to take a sip of tea.
"I'm in love with your sister."
Narcissa doesn't choke. So that's disappointing. But she does put her cup down rather suddenly, and turns to stare at Bellatrix.
"Ow, Cissy. Get out of my head. Go away, you— you don't have to drag it out of me, just bloody ask!"
And Narcissa launches to her feet. "I'm going to drag your tongue out in a minute, Bella, if you— what is— how did— this doesn't make sense!"
Fucking finally— oh no. Get ready, pet. Stand your ground
What? Oh— She hurriedly gets to her feet.
Naricissa pulls her wand from…nowhere…and slashes it sharply though the air, and the table vanishes. Tea and all.
Damn, never got to finish—
And Narcissa storms forward. Right up to Hermione. As close as possible. Stares into her eyes. Is this a family thing, Bella? Intimidation lessons?
A chuckle. No. No, she's not angry. She's not intimidating you. She's trying to see in your head. She's excited. You're a challenge
Oh. Hermione stares into now rather familiar blue eyes. Ocean-eyes. And checks the invisibility is holding. Sand and sea. Over her mind.
You love my sister? Comes a voice of steel. How. You don't know her. It's your strange…connection. You're using her. You've tricked her. You must have. I must have missed something. I—
Hermione stands tall. Clenches her jaw. "Try me. Test me. I'll prove I love her."
No…no that's not what's strange. Something isn't right. Something…
You okay, pet? What's she asking you to do?
I'm not sure…There's something she can't—
Narcissa's voice whispers into her mind, and this time it seems…sad. How could she love you? How could she? She'd never love someone like you
Hermione can't help but flinch back. It's been so long since Narcissa expressed any kind of blood purism that she almost forgot…
Hermione takes a further step back. "Ask her then. If that's what you don't understand. How could she love a mudblood like me, is that what you want to know?"
Bellatrix's eyes widen as she stands from her chair, and Narcissa turns to look at her. Shakes her head in disbelief. "How could you," she whispers. "Bella…I don't understand. What does she have that…all this time…"
Uhh…what? All this time?
Bellatrix seems just as confused by that last comment, and even Narcissa seems to freeze at the words. Corrects her posture and runs her hands over her dress. A nervous tick maybe.
And Bellatrix shakes her head at her sister with a smile. Walks forwards and cups Narcissa's cheeks, making her quickly jerk backwards from her grip.
Bellatrix rolls her eyes. "Cissy. I love everything about her. I can, and I will. Is that why we're here? I love her. She loves me. And no, the Dark Lord doesn't and will not know. For about a thousand reasons. But you're my sister. And I trust you. And I love you. So we thought you should know. We didn't want to hide from you. Well. Mostly. There are still some things you can't know. So don't go looking in my head because—"
She abruptly stops talking.
Cissy cast a silencio on me! What the—
Bellatrix cancels the silencio. "What the fuck, Cissy? What the—ah!"
Narcissa has grabbed Bellatrix's jaw, and is trying to force a potion into her mouth. Clear liquid.
So possibly veritaserum. Or Draught of Living Death.
Both not brilliant.
Hermione automatically starts pulling Narcissa off of Bellatrix. "You don't have to do this! She's telling the truth! And she told you! We can't— we can't tell you anything, you—Merlin you're strong, what do you Blacks eat you— argh get off her or I'll take her away. Don't make me take her!"
Hermione falls back in surprise as Narcissa spins around.
And smiles.
Shit.
"Fine." She holds out the vial to Hermione. "If you love her. Trust her. Drink."
Oh. Oh this test is a lot worse than—
"Cissy, is this really necessary? What are you playing at?" Bellatrix asks warily, rubbing at her jaw.
Narcissa chuckles lowly. Darkly. A shiver goes down Hermione's spine.
And Narcissa waves her wand over herself with a sigh, her clothes righting themselves. Her hair. Her face falls back into its icy composure.
"Bella says she trusts me. You trust Bella…or so you say. Prove it. Drink."
Hermione's eyes move from the vial…to Narcissa's masked expression…to Bellatrix's wide eyes.
You don't have to, pet. We can just leave. You don't have to play her game
Think, Hermione. A test. A Slytherin.
It won't be as simple as drinking the potion. That's what a Gryffindor would do. To prove they love someone.
Prove…love…trust…
Oh.
She looks back at the vial. And smiles at Narcissa.
"I don't need to drink it."
Narcissa tuts. "How disappointing. So you won't even—"
"I don't need to drink it, because I already know what it is."
Narcissa raises her eyebrows disbelievingly.
And Hermione smiles even wider, looks between the two sisters and shakes her head. "You would never hurt your sister. And you wouldn't force her to tell the truth. Force either of us to tell the truth You're smart. You know some secrets are necessary. She trusts you. I trust you. It's water."
Silence falls around them.
Was she right? She knows Narcissa is a good person. She knows it. Even if it isn't water it—
Narcissa's smile softens, and she hands the vial to Bellatrix. "Your beloved believes this to be water. Do you trust her judgment?"
Oh for the— seriously? Yet another test.
And beloved? Is that the word? It's quite nice…
Bellatrix takes the vial with a laugh. "Yep. And I trust you too, Cissy, when you're not forcing things down my throat."
She raises her eyebrows. And the vial. "Cheers." And she downs the liquid.
Okay. Well she's not dead, so that rule out poison or draught of living death.
Bella, come on! Tell me what—
Bellatrix grins at them.
Sugar water. Well done, pet
Sugar wa— see! She knew it! She is a good person! Even the water is swee—
Bellatrix wobbles on her feet, paling, and Hermione lunges to hold her steady.
Bella. Bella, what is—
Sneaky…manipulative…knew you would…sleeping
And Bellatrix collapses against her.
Hermione growls at Narcissa. "What did you do to her?! I trusted you! Why are you doing this?!"
Narcissa just turns and walks back towards the house. "She'll be fine. You're right. I would never hurt my sister. You, on the other hand …"
She turns to look at Hermione over her shoulder. "We still need to have a little chat. Whilst Bella sleeps this off. She's somehow…communicating with you. Giving you the answers. No, you're cheating, Miss Granger."
Hermione casts a featherlight charm on Bellatrix and lifts her into her arms, hurrying after Narcissa as she continues into the house. Cheating? On a test? She would never—
The thread doesn't count! It's not like she'd ever not have the thread. It's a part of them. It's not cheating to—
No no no not the parlour
It's fine. Nothing happened in here. Just acting and— and Bellatrix was nice to her the whole time. You can— just— and it hasn't even happened yet. You'll need Narcissa's help so—
She puts Bellatrix down on a sofa, shifting her to make sure she won't roll off.
Well. At least she'll get some rest for once.
Narcissa is sat in an alcove by the window. So Hermione is going to have to sit next to her. Fine. Not intimidated. You spend every day with gods. Just…pretend she's…
Narcissa is nothing like any of the other Blacks. If Bellatrix is a step ahead in battle, then Narcissa is about ten steps ahead in everyday conversation.
So…
Just sit, Hermione. You'll never beat Narcissa at a reading game.
She sits down next to the witch. "So. Ask your questions, and I'll tell you what I can."
Narcissa turns sideways to analyse her face. And then runs her eyes down her body.
Oh dear. That's rather uncomfortable. What is—
"Muggle clothing? A sundress? Polyester or cotton?"
What? Poly— how does—
"Umm, cotton, I think. I'd have to check the label. It's probably a blend or—"
Narcissa accios some parchment from a drawer across the room.
And then pulls out a fountain pen from her pocket.
A pen?! What the fu—
Narcissa's eyes stay trained on the parchment, but her lip twitches into a smile. "Interesting. When did you purchase it? Nineteen ninety-five? Ninety-six?...Two thousand and five?"
Hermione is still gaping at the pen, which Narcissa is calmly making notes with. "Umm…ninety-five or…not as late as two thous— oh."
Narcissa looks up at her. "Ten years. As I thought. Fine. So. You, Miss Granger, Gryffindor muggleborn and golden girl, have travelled back in time from around two thousand and five. In the process you have somehow revealed yourself to my sister. I would say accidentally, as you seem to have a knowledge of time travel, and you are bright enough to understand the consequences. And, of course, ordinarily, she is the last person you would choose to align yourself with. Correct so far?"
Hermione just nods weakly.
Narcissa's notes something else down. And then looks at her watch. A digital watch.
Holy fucking— electronics?! Batteries?!
"Bella won't have long now. So I'll cut to the chase. I know you have certain events to keep on track. I know it is best if as few people are altered by your actions as possible. That you have told Bella or Severus anything at all is reckless and dangerous, Miss Granger, as I hope you are very much aware."
She glares at Hermione, who looks down ashamedly. She had almost broken the world for a second. If Bellatrix hadn't—
And Narcissa reaches out and squeezes her hand. Hermione looks up in shock.
"My sister trusts you. That is something that says a lot about your character, Hermione. You have…done something I lost hope would ever happen. She's happy. She's…"
Narcissa clears her throat. "My complete trust will not come so easily, I assure you. But I will help you. And I will keep your secret."
She gets up, putting the pen back in her pocket, and casting a glamour charm over her wrist. And walks over to Bellatrix. Brushes some hair out of her face. "If you hurt her…"
Hermione stands up too with a smile. "Never. I promise. I mean it."
Narcissa's gaze snaps to hers, and she laughs. A cackle that she quickly covers with her hand in horror.
Narcissa laughs? Like that? Like Bellatrix?
Not a word, Miss Granger
Hermione mimes locking her lips with a grin, and Narcissa shakes her head in disbelief. "Just like her…impossibly…"
Hermione laughs. "We spend a lot of time together. I think our habits have…blurred. Merged. I caught myself standing on a table the other day."
Narcissa raises her eyebrows. "Indeed? It seems she is a bad influence on you. Hermione Granger? Breaking rules?"
Hermione shrugs. "I've broken lots of rules. More than I can count, or could tell you. No, that wasn't Bella. I've always tried to understand rules, not follow them blindly."
Narcissa looks down at Bellatrix. Pokes her. She doesn't stir.
And then walks over to Hermione, holding out her wrist with extreme reluctance and a drawn out sigh. "How do I get this to stop beeping at midnight? I can't for the life of me— I've read the instructions. It's nonsense."
Hermione looks down. The watch is back. She chuckles. "I'm not the best with technology either, sorry. I could give it a go but…might mess up all the settings. Why do you even— how do you— Mrs Malfoy, I mean—"
Narcissa leans in to whisper in her ear. "I think you can call me Narcissa now, Hermione. Once Bellatrix has decided she loves something, she'll never let it go. I believe we shall be in one another's lives for quite some time."
She pulls back, face blank. "And it's just a watch. I use it to keep time in my lab. No magical residue. Very convenient, when they are not waking you up at ungodly hours of the night. I've half a mind to throw this one out the window and let Lucius' blasted birds choke on it. The—"
She stops herself. Schools her features.
Well that was quite the slip. Chatting? Complaining? Just a normal conversation with no threats or double meanings?
Maybe Hermione does have an aura that makes people trust her.
She walks over to Bellatrix. Narcissa probably needs some space. She doesn't want to accidentally prod at her whilst her walls are down, or they might go shooting back up.
Bella? Can you hear me? Narcissa said you—
Bellatrix stirs slightly and frowns. Where…oh…Cissy…
Hermione kneels down on the floor next to her. "It's been a few minutes. We're in the parlour."
And Bellatrix's eyes snap open as she struggles to sit up. "Are you okay? You didn't have to— what are we doing in here? That's— you're alright? It's not—"
Hermione smiles. She's still very drowsy. Almost falling off the sofa. Hermione pushes her back against the cushions. "I'm fine. It was all fake so— I've had a nice chat with your sister."
Bellatrix rubs at her eyes. "A chat? A real chat, or…so not Crookshanks?"
Oh, this conversation must seem—
She looks over to Narcissa. Yep. Basilisk stare of confusion.
No, not Crookshanks. And look at your sister, quick. She's so confused
Bellatrix does blink over at Narcissa. And her eyes brighten as she cackles. "Not quite Snape, but still pretty fun. You're right, pet."
She sweeps her wand over her head. Bubbles. "Remember these, Cissy? I've always been so nice to you. How could you drug me like that?" Bellatrix pouts.
Narcissa slowly lowers herself into an armchair, watching the bubbles float around the room. Hermione watches too. It does help. Chases the darkness from the corners. She sits down next to Bellatrix, who throws an arm around her.
Narcissa's eyes fall back on them. "In love…" She shakes her head. "Fine. I suppose I shall just have to…eliminate the impossible. No matter how improbable…it's the only explanation. The truth."
What's she on about now, pet?
I…I think she's referencing a muggle book. Sherlock Holmes. Detective stories. Mysteries
"Muggle book— Cissy— what the—"
Narcissa stands up with a start. "So you can speak to each other! I knew it! How? How is she blocking me but not you? I am far superior at—"
Bellatrix gets to her feet too. "Superior? Just because you're more subtle doesn't mean—"
"Oh please, Bella. More subtle? I've looked into Dumbledore's head, and he hasn't even noticed. You tried it and he charmed your robes red!"
"That was him?! I thought it was Siri getting back at me for—"
"The moons and stars were a bit of a clue. How you ever ended up in Slytherin, I don't know. Absolutely no cunning. Did you threaten the hat?"
Bellatrix's mouth falls open in outrage. "Not a Slytherin?! How dare you! That's low, Cissy. I've got more ambition in— I can be cunning! I'm fooling the Dark Lord, aren't I?"
Narcissa sighs tiredly. "And just yelled that very secret fact for the whole world to hear."
Bellatrix's mouth snaps shut, and she slumps down onto the sofa. "I didn't threaten the hat. I just…asked it to put me where I clearly belonged."
So she was a hat stall.
Hermione takes her hand. "I was sat there for rather a long time. Almost ended up in Ravenclaw. But I'd already met Harry and Ron, so I asked to be in Gryffindor with them. And Neville. I thought it was my chance to make friends."
Bellatrix continues sulking.
And Narcissa tuts. "If you must know, it considered me for…Hufflepuff."
Now that puts a smile on Bellatrix's face. "Hmm, loyal and hardworking? I can see it. You would have been a walking daffodil though, Cissy. All that yellow…"
So? What did the hat say to you?
Bellatrix spins to lie down sideways, puts her head in Hermione's lap and her feet on the sofa, much to Narcissa's annoyance.
"I was under the hat for bloody ages. Everyone almost fell asleep in their seats. It kept saying how interesting all the possibilities were. Said I was brave and daring like a Gryffindor, clever and witty like a Ravenclaw, loyal and hardworking like a Hufflepuff, and had the ambition and leadership of a Slytherin. It had no idea what to do with me."
Hermione has always thought the hat doesn't quite make sense. There is rather a lot of overlap.
Told you. Brilliant witch. Four founders in one she smiles down at Bellatrix.
Bellatrix smiles back toothily. Guess even the founders couldn't trap me in a convenient little box. I chose to be a Slytherin.
Well that's probably the most Slytherin thing I've ever heard. Choose to be Slytherin? Down in the cold dark with the snakes? Hermione shudders dramatically.
And Bellatrix points her wand at her. "Incarcerous!"
That's not an —
She ducks out of the way of the jet of water. "Bella! The sofa! Oh you are just— I'm so sorry, Narcissa. Tergeo! That's better. Don't you think we've had enough water, Kalypso?"
Bellatrix sits up. "You started it. Cold and dark? I think you'll find—"
"I've been down there, Bella, remember? Dumbledore on the floor. It was definitely cold and dark."
Enough! Ow! The shout rings through her skull.
Both Hermione and Bellatrix grab their heads with a flinch. Narcissa can talk to two people at the same time?!
They turn to face her.
"This is all— how are you— what are you talking about? Bella. Bella this is mad even for you. It's —it's nonsensical— I can't —"
Ah. That might have been too much for Narcissa. Oops. Her composure is—
Narcissa rubs a hand over the back of her neck, and then stops herself, straightening in her seat and clasping her hands together. White knuckled.
She's completely lost it. She hasn't rubbed her neck since she was a toddler! Used to do it when she was tired. Or upset
Narcissa clears her throat. "Well. It was very nice having you here. We must do this again sometime, but I'm afraid I have— errands to run. The greenhouse is—" she sighs. "I would be grateful if you would show yourselves out."
Hermione meets Bellatrix's eye. Oh dear. The walls are definitely back up. Falling back on etiquette lessons? She must be shaken.
Time to go She gets to her feet, pulling Bellatrix with her. "Thank you for having us, Narcissa. We'll be sure to return the invitation at a later date, but we must get going."
Hermione moves to leave the room, but Bellatrix doesn't budge. I'll be home in a sec. Just let me have a minute with Cissy
Are you sure? I think she really needs—
I'm sure
Hermione nods with a smile. and leaves the room.
And turns invisible. Peeks back in.
She's curious.
Bellatrix sits back down on the sofa, and Narcissa puts her head in her hands with a sigh. "Just go, Bella. I…"
Bellatrix clears her throat uncomfortably. "You…if you want to know anything. Or tell me anything. Just…I'm right here, Cissy."
Narcissa's head comes up. There are tears in her eyes. "I don't know what to think or feel right now," she whispers. "But…I'm happy for you. I am. I just…too much to read, Bella. Too much."
Bellatrix walks over and kneels in front of her. Takes her hands. "I know. Believe me I— I couldn't figure this all out at first. I lost it. Remember the kitchen? At the cottage? Water everywhere. One of my storms."
Narcissa smiles at her. A very small but genuine smile. "I know. Why do you think I couldn't help cleaning up after you? It was irrational. Severus never would have…but…you've figured it out now?"
Bellatrix nods, and Narcissa brushes some hair out of her face with a sigh. "You always figure it out. And so do I. One step behind. I'll be fine, Bella. I just need to…read more."
Bellatrix snorts. "Or just bloody ask me! I'm an open book! Or not even a book, don't read me, talk to me!"
Narcissa tuts, gets to her feet, and pulls Bellatrix up. "Now where's the fun in that? I do so enjoy reading. And I read between the lines…did Dumbledore collapse in the Slytherin common room? And Hermione saved him? How on earth did— don't tell me, but—"
Bellatrix's eyebrows raise into her hair. "She's Hermione now? What happened whilst I was unconscious?"
Narcissa smirks. "I'm sure she'll tell you. You certainly know each other very well. I already knew of your relationship weeks ago of course, but a formal meeting was very much needed. I think it went well, don't you?"
Bellatrix barks out a laugh. "Such a sense of humour, Cissy."
Narcissa's face falls blank. "I don't know what you're talking about, Bella. What's funny about a tea party?"
And she marches out of the room, Hermione having to flatten herself against a wall out of the way. "Off you go home now. I'm sure Hermione is waiting. You're late."
She pauses just outside the doorway. And whispers to herself with a small smile. "A mad tea party. I should have worn a hat."