Chapter 52: Gathered StrengthChapter Text
The cave wall, it's pushing towards her. Hermione can't see anything in the dark, but she can feel the water rushing past her. What is—
"Speio! Please! Release me, I'm kin! Don't leave, we can make a deal, a new deal. Let me out and we'll kill the witch, just as you wanted," Eudora shouts. There's no reply.
"Eudora, what's happening? What was the deal?"
The current pulls her out into the water and shakes her back and forth. She's losing control she—
The bubblehead bursts and she hurriedly holds her breath.
"Speio! I'll do anything, whatever you ask, just don't crush me with the witch."
Crush them?
Something smacks into her and the breath leaves her lungs. A tail. Eudora.
She can't hold her breath any longer, she's going to breathe in, she has to—
To be calm in the water. Want it. Feel it. Remember it. Breathing with Bellatrix. With the elves. For hours as they've swam through this lake.
The bubblehead charm reappears.
You are in control. You need to steady yourself.
She sinks to the floor, feet touching down, unmoving in the current.
That's it. Now, you have to do something new. Find your strength. You are a witch, you have the magic. Just tell it what to do.
She closes her eyes, and pretends she's not in the dark, not in the water. She follows the thread to Bellatrix…and holds out her hands before she hits into a wall.
So this must be the entrance.
She needs to break her way out.
She thinks of cracking rock, broken stone.
"What are you doing, witch-elf?"
Ignore them.
You are powerful. Feel your magic, fill yourself to the brim.
"I told you, the Forest People can't work their magic against Speio."
Except you're not one of the Forest People. And you need to call on your magic. All of it.
You've seen destruction. The stone roof of Gringotts exploding as a dragon breaks through. Giant chess pieces crumbling to the floor.
The walls creep in at her sides.
Hogwarts after the battle. In ruins. The stone just…everywhere. Stairways demolished, ancient columns broken on the floor.
Are you a witch or not? Did you forget? You are not a muggle.
Stone turned to dust. To sand.
Through sand and sea.
She holds her wand up to the stone.
A strong witch. A thinking witch.
Stone scrapes against her sides, Eudora pressed against her back and whimpering.
Your magic will obey. Want it. Feel it. Remember it. Or you will die.
She takes one last breath, feels the magic flow down into her hand, and loses herself in the memory of destruction, of horrifying chaos. Raining stone. Whirling water.
She plants her feet wide and firm in the sand. "Bombarda maxima!" she bellows.
And then screams as all of her magic bursts out of her, blasting forwards.
She loses the bubblehead charm. Her feet float off the floor and she's pulled forward by the current, smacking into stone and sand and scraping across jagged rocks.
She tries to bring her arms up to cover her face, but it's too fast.
She's pulled along, and she can't help it.
She breathes in…the water…she's going to…
Help me…Bella, help me please I…
She drifts into darkness.
"…he doing here, Cissy?!"
"Anapneo! Narcissa, my bag, no the—yes."
"Bella, for Salazar's sake, move out of the way! You're no help, and you still look like you're going to collapse, sit!"
Head…foggy…where…water…
"Vulnera sanentur…are you sure that's wise? Skelegrow is—"
"So you didn't read the article I owled you. Bogswaddle was perfectly reasonable in his hypothesis, Severus, and his methodology flawless when it came to—"
"Flawless? I thought you more discerning than that. Skelegrow is—"
Hermione splutters as a potion is poured into her mouth, only just managing to swallow it.
"Will the two of you stop jabbering and concentrate! This isn't some potions assignment. Look! She's waking up!"
"Worried, Bellatrix?... Miss Granger? Can you hear us?" a low voice murmurs.
Hurts…heavy…
"Perhaps we should sedate her. The shock alone…and I've never seen a magic reading so changeable— are you sure it was all her, Bella? How did she become trapped under there to begin with? I know you can't tell us your plans but—"
"She will tell you nothing, as it should be."
A scoff. "Severus, please. I know you've been informed of their situation in some way. I only wish to—"
Hermione blinks her eyes open. It's so bright. Where—what is— crushing— can't breathe—
Another potion.
"Her pulse, Severus."
"I know, I only need a few more moments but a calming draft would—"
"Slow her heart rate and we'd lose oxygen to the brain, I know. We need— her thoughts are still muddled. She's scared, confused."
"Bellatrix, you care for the witch. Talk to her."
"Don't you dare get up, Bella. I know you insist that you are fine, but something is clearly—"
She still can't see, who is— where is— "…Bella?" she croaks. Ow, her throat.
"She's asking for you, Bellatrix, though I shudder to know why."
"Severus, leave them be and pass me the— no on your left, the smaller one."
"Smaller? Oh, I see."
A hand takes hers.
"Come on, pet. Stay awake, I need to talk to you."
Huh? Oh.
Bella…
A relieved sigh. Finally. I thought the thread was broken or—What the fuck happened? Are you okay? Shit. Stupid question. I mean— I thought— I felt
She blinks up at Bellatrix's blurry outline.
Bella…what…where…so cold
"She's cold, is that normal?"
"Yes, we don't want to destabilise her core with a warming charm—"
"—and we need the daylight rather than the fire so—"
"It will only be a few more minutes."
"Five at the most."
"Ten at the most."
"Ten? Perhaps for you, I however—"
Ignore them. They've been like that since we got here. I think we were wrong about— I think they're friends. It's horrifying.
Hermione chuckles and then groans. Her ribs. Her lungs.
I was…there was a cave and…tried to crush us, had to…
Who? Who was it? Eudora was there but she was screeching, and then Dexamene took her away before— I had to get you— you looked dead. I was so scared I— We only just managed to…if I hadn't followed the thread and called Tiggy…
Had to breathe in…couldn't…the explosion…not strong enough
Not strong? You blew up the bloody lake! Hopefully they'll blame it on the squid, I didn't stick around to find out
…Blew up…the lake? But the timeline! The whole lake or…
No, you idiot, you just splashed a lot of water around, sent some merpeople flying. Which reminds me. Who was it? Who did this to you?
Oh. Should she say…
Oh she forgot about Narcissa!
She lets the feeling of invisible calm wash over her mind.
"Her magic— what is— oh! Not again, Bella, what is that?"
"Tell me, Hermione. Who did it? Why are you protecting them?"
Still so white…everything is…
Hermione tries to rub at her eyes, but her arms are numb and heavy, so she just blinks up at the witch, clearing her throat.
"Can't change…you can't hurt them…anger…cursing."
"Well, Bellatrix. She's got you there. Perhaps the girl is right in holding her tongue."
"Shut up, Snivellus. Keep your nose out of it. Obviously I won't just— do I know them?"
"No…yes…didn't see…the others? Don't trust…"
It's too much. Her eyes fall shut.
Okay pet. Just sleep. We'll figure it out later. I'll be…
It's dark. Why…whose bedroom…
Oh! Oh the lake! And where—
An arm falls over her. Hermione tries to roll sideways to look, but her ribs protest and she stops. Doesn't matter. She knows who it is. Not like it's Snape or Narcissa.
Bella? Are you awake?
The bed shakes as Bellatrix sits up with a start. And then freezes. I didn't hurt you, did I? I started off on my side, promise. Must have just…
Hermione chuckles. And then groans. Her chest. Ow. No you didn't— it was me. Tried to move
Well don't! Cissy said you have to stay still. Let the skelegrow do its thing. You broke all your ribs
All of them?! Oh gods…
Bellatrix carefully lowers herself to lie back down. "You scared me. I thought I'd lost you. What— what happened?" she whispers into the dark.
Oh.
Hermione reaches around until she finds a cold hand, ignoring her growing nausea. Everything hurts. She takes a slow breath and squeezes the hand. Sorry. She feels a kiss on her hand and smiles. Let me just…piece some things together. It's complicated…
She stares up at the ceiling in thought. Let's see…
Here's what I think happened. Eudora, and I think Dexamene and Kallianassa, have been plotting to…it's like the Death Eaters. They hate non-nymphs, think they should rule over wizardkind as gods, not hide anymore. They think you don't count as a nymph because you're not…purely a nymph. A…halfbreed
Bellatrix barks out a laugh. Well this feels like karma. The fates playing tricks on me again
Hermione holds back a laugh of her own. Stupid ribs. She holds herself as still as possible, dizziness creeping in. Yes. So…so they wanted to leave the lake. But for that they need legs and…they thought that now you're Kalypso, you know how to do it. They think you're deliberately keeping the knowledge from them. So they decided to trap me, so you would trade. Legs, for me
But I can't! I still can't—
I know. But they don't know that. We haven't spent much time with them. They believe a load of…pure blood nymph nonsense. That we're out to get them. Spread their secrets. Take their power. Distort magic for our greed, like the mortals in the story
How did they trap you? What happened to the thread?
Speio. The one we haven't met. They're powerful. Controlled the caves, somehow blocked the thread, and all my elf magic. Something to do with the Forest People. Speio doesn't want to leave the lake though. Doesn't want legs. They wanted to stay hidden. Isolationist. They wanted to just kill us both, so everything would go back to normal. Eudora tricked them
Bellatrix leans over her, frowning. Eudora? They did this?
Hermione cautiously nods. They sent Tiggy to me. Told them to say Autonoe wanted to meet me in the cave. Then they surprised me. Took me deep into the caves. Held a knife to my throat
And the bed shifts as Bellatrix is suddenly gone from sight.
"I'll kill them," she snarls. "How dare they— they threatened you? Why can't I kill them? Why did you—"
Bella. Your list. Number one…
Some grumbling. And then, very reluctantly, …No killing, I know. But they deserve—
It wasn't their plan. They said their role was to trap me. Speio said Eudora had been listening to Kallianassa and Dexamene. I caught Dexamene spying on me a few weeks ago. I think there's been a secret plan for—
And Bellatrix is back. Grinning down at her triumphantly.
"I knew it! Blacks don't stay on top for long! Thetis' birthday! That's why—"
What? What does the birthday—
A thud as Bellatrix lies down next to her. The bed shakes once more, and Hermione squeezes her eyes shut briefly as the world lurches.
Think. They know the best time to take over is when the ruler is vulnerable, an egg! They waited until the day came and—
Bellatrix sits up. "Do you think Thetis is okay? The new Thetis, I mean. They're just an egg and— and the others! We have to warn them, we—"
Oh gods they— Call Tiggy, quick!
"Tiggy!"
Nothing. Just the sound of quickening breaths in the shadowy dark.
No no no
"Tiggy, please!"
Hermione. Hermione, why aren't they—
I don't know. But I'm sure— they could just be busy or—
Hermione. I can't— not Tiggy too. Not—
Tiggy appears with a pop, and the bed wobbles as she hears Bellatrix throws herself at them. "Tiggy! Thank fu—ugh! You're soaked! Lumos!"
Hermione blinks as light fills the room from…where are they?
Bella, where exactly are we right now?
Cissy's. Secret room next to her lab. She had to keep checking on you and bringing potions and—
"Tiggy, were you in the lake? We need to tell them—"
"They is already being knowing, is okay, Mistress. Is being chaos but…Miss Hermione is stopping the plan. Thetis is being safe. Pronoe is being safe. Oreithye is being hurt, but is healing. Not bad."
Hurt?
Hermione clears her throat, wincing. She wishes she could sit up and— "Did I hurt Oreithye? With the explosion?"
"No, Miss Hermione. Is not being you. And oh, Tiggy is sorry. So sorry. Is being ordered to tell you— oh Tiggy is not wanting to do this. Is Mastress Eudora that is—"
"We know, Tiggy. It's alright. They're technically a Black, so…although I'm fucking blasting them off the tree for this! Do they have a tree? Because if so—" Bellatrix grumbles.
Hermione rolls her eyes. "Bella. Stop. And help me sit up or— does this bed incline? I'm so sick of the ceiling and— is this a mediward or?"
"Oh, right, hang on, saw Cissy do the wand movement, it's—"
Hermione grits her teeth as the bed shifts beneath her, and she can finally look around.
So it is like a hospital. But the bed's double the…stretched. Bellatrix must have expanded it so she could fit in. Narcissa is not going to be happy about that. Oh.
Ha. Everything is white. Including Bellatrix's dress. And her hair is half tied back. Oh how strange. She looks…
Bellatrix notices her staring and folds her arms. "Yes, yes. I know. I look like a bloody bride or— but oh! Oh pet, you should have seen Snape! Once you were okay I was laughing my arse off he— I don't know how Cissy— and I swear his hair was cleaner. Shiny! Tied back! Part of Cissy's rules."
Snape all in white? How awfully bizarre. And hilarious. She opens her mouth to ask about Snape and Narcissa, and then spots Tiggy. Right now she really wants to know—
"So Oreithye's hurt? What's happening down in the lake?"
Tiggy nods tiredly. "Is being Mastress Kallianassa. They is wanting to be ruler, not Mastress Thetis. So they is trying to take over."
Kallianassa? She leans her head back against the pillows, closing her eyes. Her head is really starting to ache with all the white…
"Told you they were manipulative. Such a fake smile. That mumsy attitude. Agaue was clearly on a tight leash. Scared to even breathe when we were around. And Dexamene? Now that relationship was odd," Bellatrix muses.
Tiggy tuts. "Yes. Mastress Kallianassa is being sneaky. Pulling strings. Is convincing Mastress Eudora to trap you, Miss Hermione. Is sending Mastress Agaue to distract Mastress Autonoe so that Mastress Pronoe be alone with egg-Thetis. Vulnerable."
So Bellatrix was right. "But what about Oreithye? And Leagore? Isn't it their job to look for threats?"
"Oh yes. But Mastress Kallianassa be thinking of this, and is saying Mastress Dexamene be second in command if they is stopping Mastress Oreithye. Mastress Dexamene is to be threatening Master Leagore, so that Mastress Oreithye be protecting him. Distracted, far away on the other side of the lake. Then is just Mastress Pronoe and egg-Thetis in the cave. So Mastress Kallianassa can be threatening. Forcing Mastress Pronoe to decree Mastress Kallianassa as ruler."
Bellatrix snorts. "Guessing it didn't quite work out then, seeing as you're here telling us the whole bloody thing."
Hermione opens her eyes with a smile, watching Tiggy grin gummily. "Oh no. Is not working. Because Miss Hermione is creating an explosion. Mastress Agaue thinks is the gods punishing them, so is not distracting Mastress Autonoe. Mastress Pronoe is realising something is wrong, and is sealing egg-Thetis and Mastress Autonoe in the archives. And Mastress Dexamene is returning to help Mastress Eudora, so is stopping their threats early. Mastress Oreithye and Master Leagore is confronting Mastress Kallianassa. This is how Mastress Oreithye be hurt."
Gods what a mess. If she hadn't…
Bellatrix clambers up to sit next to her and kisses her cheek. Hermione smiles through the pain, knowing the witch means well. "Well done, pet. Toppled another rebellion. They shouldn't have tried to control you, trap you. What were they thinking, underestimating Hermione Granger?"
Hermione laughs and ow! Oh that was— Ow. Stop making me laugh, it—
Shit. Sorry. Are you— can I—
"Bella!" comes a growl from the doorway. Uh oh.
Narcissa looks…scary.
Bellatrix hastily climbs off the bed. "I didn't wake her. She— and we had to talk about—"
The bed shrinks around Hermione and begins to slowly recline. A lot more smoothly then before.
"Out, Bella. I let you stay on the condition that you behave. You've woken my patient, in the middle of the night, for Merlin knows—"
"Your patient?! She's my—uh…"
Hermione stares at the ceiling in the awkward pause. They haven't really…
Fuck, what are you, pet? I can't tell Cissy you're my mate, my soulm— well, I could
"She's my other half, Cissy. I'm not leaving her. Ever. So you can glare all you want, I'm not—"
A loud tut. "Hermione, did you know that when Bella was fourteen—"
"Fucking hell, Cissy! Don't you dare! I still have Amster—"
A muffled thud.
And then silence.
Bella?
Nnnggh
The lights go out.
Hermione hears footsteps approaching, and stays perfectly still.
Fingers on her wrist as her pulse is taken.
The back of a hand on her forehead.
And then the footsteps retreat.
"Goodnight, Hermione. Bellatrix will see you in the morning, I am sure. At a sensible hour. Once you have both…regained your decision-making skills. It appears you are not thinking…clearly."
Hermione hardly dares to breathe. What just happened? Wh—
"Goodnight," she squeaks out.
Bella? What did—
Never…mention…Amsterdam…
Chapter 53: Overwhelming TrialsChapter Text
Hermione jolts awake with a start, sitting straight up in bed. "The Bones in the bed! We forgot—"
Tiggy reminded me. All sorted
Bellatrix is sat in a chair by her bedside. Breakfast tray in her lap. She holds out a piece of toast to Hermione. "Morning, pet. Guessing your ribs have healed up. That would have hurt like fuck, but I didn't feel anything, so Cissy must have worked her magic."
"Yes. All your sister's work. What a talented witch, to perform the work of two people," comes a low, snarky voice from across the room.
Ah! Oh!
Gods, all the white. It's like camouflage. She didn't even notice— ha! Oh Bellatrix is right. Snape looks absolutely ridiculous in dazzling white.
"Professor. I didn't see you I— you're not at Hogwarts? What day is it? Why—"
"It is the following Saturday. We sedated you for the week, after it became apparent that you would not otherwise rest with Bellatrix's…constant pestering."
A week?!
Bellatrix crawls up onto the bed and half-lies over her legs. I tried to talk them out of it. But they said you needed to heal and— your chart was horrible. All these red lines and— it wasn't just your ribs. Lack of oxygen. Magical exhaustion. Your lungs. It…
Oh. She had felt quite sick and dizzy…
But…well she feels fine now. She thinks.
She runs her hands over her chest, her ribs, takes some deep breaths. Fine.
Raises her arms in the air. No pain.
She smiles reassuringly at Bellatrix. Probably for the best then. I'm fine. No pain, promise
Bellatrix grins brightly and launches herself at Hermione, squeezing her tightly and kissing her head, her face, her neck. Thank fuck. Cissy was so mad at me. I thought I'd damaged you or— I've been waiting all week for— and I couldn't talk to you! Silent head. Can you imagine? Agony
Hermione chuckles. So you missed me?
Lips on hers. Yes. Yes, I missed you so much I—
The sound of a throat clearing overly loudly. Oh no. Snape.
Bellatrix ignores him and continues kissing her.
Bella—
Hermione shoves the witch away. Oh this is so embarrassing it—
Snape snorts. "I see even you are sick of the mutt's slobbering and whining, Miss Granger."
Bellatrix growls. "Go away, Snivellus. You said she's fine. The potions worked. Don't you have some marking to do or something? Potions to brew? Old men to spy for?"
Hermione stumbles off the bed and out of Bellatrix's reach as her hands begin to wander to some inappropriate places. Adjusting her…hospital gown? Oh dear Merlin, she must look—
"Bella, don't let him get to you. He did help me and— I can remember— could you please catch me up with…all of this," she says, turning to Snape uncomfortably.
He has his back to her, hovering some vials into his potions bag. "Your chart is on the bedside table, if you wish to learn every last detail, which I'm sure you do, Know it All that you are. In short, you were gravelly. Injured."
He closes his bag with a snap, and turns to face her. Eyes drilling into hers. He's ramping up to some kind of monologue, she can tell. Taking back control. She checks the invisibility over her mind and raises an eyebrow at him.
He frowns, eying her suspiciously. "You sustained multiple life-threatening injuries. Shattered ribs. Internal bleeding. Depleted magical core. Fluid in the lungs. Dangerously low oxygen levels. Minutes longer, and you would be a corpse, Miss Granger. However. Bellatrix was somehow…aware of this occurrence. Screaming and collapsing on the floor mid-sentence during her lunch with Narcissa, and then disappearing into thin air. This…unusual behaviour caused Narcissa to contact myself, and I had no sooner arrived than Bellatrix appeared once more. This time in a puddle of water, clutching both your own unmoving, battered form, and a very old house-elf."
He darts his gaze to Bellatrix and back, smirking at them. "She informed us, rather hysterically I might add, that she had found you at the bottom of the Black lake. In the midst of an…explosion, of magic. How she apparated into Hogwarts, I am unaware. Although I fear from your expression you may have an inkling of the answer."
Gods, he's such a prat.
He adjusts his cloak theatrically. And then falters slightly in his confident pose as he remembers that he's dressed all in white, and is not nearly as intimidating as he wants to be.
He pinches his brow, murmuring to himself about needlessly controlling witches.
And straightens. "Now. As I have once again saved one of you idiotic witches from near death, and seeing as no word of thanks is coming my way, I shall take my leave. As you say. Potions to be brewed. Horrendous attempts at essays to be dealt with. Do at least attempt to—"
"— to stay out of harm? You're speaking with the wrong witches, Severus. These two seem to attract…bizarre adventures. I fear they may be worse than Mr Potter."
Snape whirls to face Narcissa, who is standing in the doorway, eyes analysing Hermione critically. Hermione looks down at herself. Does she look okay? Because she really doesn't want to be put back to sleep. She cautiously looks back up at Narcissa, eyes pleading.
Luckily she seems to meet Narcissa's approval, as the witch's expression relaxes ever so slightly, turning instead to smirk at Snape's look of pure outrage.
"Worse than Potter?" Snape seethes, storming towards Narcissa. "Impossible. Only two weeks into the school term and he has already managed to—"
Narcissa tuts dismissively, and then loops her arm through his, ushering him out the door. "Yes, yes. Reckless and arrogant. Just like his father, I'm sure. And so shouldn't be left alone a second longer. Have you seen him this morning? Because I heard from Draco that…" Her voice fades as they leave the room.
Hermione slides her gaze to Bellatrix. "They're friends? That's…why would she be friends with Snape?"
Bellatrix licks some yoghurt off a spoon and shrugs. "No idea. Don't want to think about it really. Cissy deserves better." She throws the spoon down and stretches. "So? Want to go home?"
Hermione grins. Yes. Yes, I'll leave Narcissa a note to say thank you. Let's get out of here…
"—And then I woke up, and I don't know how Cissy manages it, but my dress was still white, no matter how I tried to transfigure it. And I didn't even have time for breakfast before the bloody Mark was calling me to Him. And I didn't have any of my other clothes, so the whole meeting I had to hide beneath my cloak in case anyone spotted my white wedding dress outfit. And then—"
Hermione chuckles to herself. She's only half listening now. She'd started to tune out ten 'ands' ago, and instead is just marvelling at how Bellatrix is jumping between various tables and chairs in the library without paying any attention whatsoever. She'd be great at playing 'the floor is lava'.
"—And then Leagore appeared out of nowhere, and Cissy was this close to finding a mermaid in her potions lab. Luckily Tiggy was around to turn Leagore invisible, and I managed to vanish the water before Cissy could spot it and petrify us all, but poor Leagore was a fucking mess because Cissy looks so much like Thetis and—"
Wait wait wait.
Leagore contacted you? Did they tell you what's going on?
Bellatrix takes a rather optimistic leap all the way from the table to the sofa, and Hermione has to jerk up to grab the front her dress as she goes flailing backwards. Oh shit—
And tugs her down to sit on the sofa. "Bella! Focus, before you're the one with the broken bones."
Bellatrix just wriggles in next to her on the sofa with a shrug, propping her feet up on a chair next to Hermione's and kicking her boots off, unlacing them with a wave of her hand. "I was focusing. Just not on my feet. Anyway, do you want to know what's going on in the lake? I'm not sure what…I mean, it's their culture but…"
Hermione frowns. "What is it?"
The punishment for treason, is to be forced into rebirth. Kallianassa, Dexamene, and Eudora, have all been given one month to record their knowledge for the next generation, and then Speio will initiate their…birthdays. Apparently that's part of...Speio's role. I have no fucking idea how but— their magic starts the forming of eggs. Creepy if you ask me. I...met them. There was a trial. I had to sit on the assembly
What?! Why didn't she start with this instead of— "You could have told me sooner! What happened?! Oh! Oh, show me! Let me follow the thread into your head!"
Bellatrix stills for a moment. And then nods to herself. Turns to face her, crossing her legs. She seems oddly reluctant…
Does she not want Hermione in her head? Her memories? She opens her mouth to ask, but Bellatrix just takes her hands and squeezes. "Alright, come on in, pet. It was on Wednesday…"
And they're sat in an underwater building. It's not like the archives, there's no air, so there's a bubblehead charm blurring everything just slightly as they watch through Bellatrix's eyes. And—
Oh this is strange. She can kind of…sense, what past-Bellatrix is feeling. Thinking. She'd forgotten about that aspect of this. Bellatrix is feeling…mostly curious and excited, but also nervous, and…cold. And she wants to swim up higher and look around but—
Hermione snorts. You don't want to draw attention to your legs?
The Bellatrix in her head huffs. Well our legs were the whole issue, weren't they! You were almost killed because they were jealous of our legs
Past-Bellatrix doesn't swim around, or even stand up, but she looks around as much as possible, leaning on her hands for added height and craning her head in different directions. Hermione feels a bit nauseous. She moves so fast.
Do you never sit still, Bella? Even during a trial?
Well the only other trial I've been in I was chained to the chair. So no. Didn't move. Well. Kicked a bit. Took some bites at people
Uhh…right.
Anyway. They seem to be at the back of a long rectangular building, a big empty floor of white stone before them. Marble maybe. And there's a wider opening between the columns straight ahead, so that must be the entrance.
Bellatrix turns around in her seat. Oh. It's hard to see everyone because they're all sat on…giant stone steps…and Bellatrix is near the bottom. Autonoe is near to her, the only person in view. One step above and to the left, and keeps glancing their way. Opening their mouth to say something before stopping themselves.
One of the rules. No speaking before the trial begins Bellatrix comments.
And then a voice calls out. Pronoe. "In the absence of the Archon Eponymous, and due to the extenuating circumstances of both the Archon Basileus and Archon Polemarchos having been stripped of their titles until a verdict is reached, I, Pronoe, ask that as seen in the records of old, I may stand as director of these proceedings?"
A scoff. "You take tradition too far, Pronoe. Half of our kin are on trial. You ask for a vote? Just get on with it! This is enough of a farce as it is, don't add to the ridicule." Oreithye.
"Oreithye, if you were to just vote rather than argue we would be started already and— and I am surprised. I thought you understood the importance of tradition? What is our colony if not—"
"Precisely, Leagore!" Oreithye growls. "What is our colony now? We are not whole. We are not One. We are not gods, above the greed of mortals. We are children, and schemers. Just deformed animals who—"
Bellatrix groans. "I vote Pronoe is in charge, let's get on with it before some of us die of old age. Not everyone lives for centuries you know. Autonoe? What do you say?"
Autonoe looks at her, startled. And then nods. "Oh. Oh of course Pronoe can lead. They know best what Thetis would have wanted. And they're the next eldest. After Speio and Kallianassa but…"
"Yes, Pronoe, continue," Leagore calls from above.
"Very well. I see a nod from Oreithye also. Then I shall begin."
A loud, bell-like chime rings out, and a current surges from the entrance, pushing Bellatrix back in her 'seat'.
And a giant mass of reeds tumbles into the room, rolling to a stop in front of them. Bellatrix cackles.
What's so funny? Oh
Hermione spots a red tail amongst the reeds. And…an arm…
Three figures trapped within the reeds. Not all the right way up.
Serves them right.
A chime of laughter from Leagore. "Pronoe— wha— why—"
Pronoe tuts. "Their own doing. The reeds multiply as they struggle. At every attempt to escape. Agaue is perfectly fine, as you can see. A sensible child."
Agaue?
Agaue appears from behind the struggling mass, wrists bound, but otherwise untouched. Mortified and staring at the floor, but fine.
"And…Speio?" Oreithye asks cautiously.
An awkward silence.
And…nervousness from Bellatrix?
Are you oka—?
Hermione is interrupted as past-Bellatrix whirls around and leans back to look up the steps. Only tails are visible. "They're not here?! They tried to kill my mate! I showed you the memory, Pronoe. Hermione is a witness! And Tiggy! Just because you're all too scared to—"
There's a rumbling. Shifting stone. The columns shake. Hermione almost tries to grip hold of the step before she remembers it's a memory. Gosh it feels so real.
Autonoe shuffles sideways and reaches down to take Bellatrix's hand. There's a crack forming in the marble floor. A horrible scraping noise.
Now Bellatrix does get to her feet. Moves in front of Autonoe and shields them at her back, wand in her hand as the ground opens up.
Bella, what's happening? Wha—
No reply in her head. Just fast breathing.
Agaue screeches, swimming away from the gulf growing by the second. They're panicking. Reeds beginning to wrap around them as they try to escape.
And the others can't move at all! Stuck in the reeds. Eudora is screaming. They're going to fall into the—
Bellatrix accios Agaue towards her as the column they're hiding behind starts to crack and crumble, tugging them behind her too. "Pronoe!" Bellatrix yells, torn between protecting the terrified siblings at her back and stopping whatever is happening at the source. "Release them all from the reeds before—"
The rumbling stops. Everything falls still. Hermione can hear fast breathing from behind Bellatrix, feel a hand on her shoulder. Bellatrix's gaze darts over the chasm in the floor, muscles tense. Wand still raised and ready.
The ball of reeds drifts sideways. Rolls to a stop against a column.
Okay. Okay. Bellatrix whispers in her head. Almost to herself even. Self-comfort. She…
Bella, talk to me. What was that? What's wrong?
And a figure emerges. Rises from the ground.
"Speio…" Autonoe whispers.
Past-Bellatrix takes a sharp breath, and then everything goes dark as she closes her eyes.
Bella? Bella wha—
I couldn't— They— didn't expect—
Hermione can feel both Bellatrix's panicking now. Two hearts thundering, past and present.
Bella. It's okay. We can leave. It's just a memory it's—
No. No, I'm not weak. I'm not. I can— she's dead. I can do this. I'm not— she's dead she's dead she's—
"You have allowed the witch to sit on the assembly?!" a voice roars. "Kalypso is lost. You have allowed mankind into our home. Welcomed them. And now you give her say in our politics?! Our very lives?!"
"Silence, Speio! I am acting Archon of this assembly and—"
"Look at her! Trembling before me. Unable to open her eyes to me. She is not one of us. She is not a god. She is weak."
Hermione is filled with a primal fear. Pure, cold panic. She has to leave. She's trapped, and she can't do this and—
Bellatrix is breathing harshly in their head. Erratically. The darkness is suffocating. Weak. I'm weak. I thought I could— but I can't—
And warm arms wrap around them. The cold fades. "Bellatrix. It's alright, don't listen to Speio. You're one of us. You are! Thetis told us. And Pronoe. And Leagore. We all know who you are, don't listen to them," Autonoe whispers in her ear. Kisses her cheek.
Past-Bellatrix takes a shaky breath. "You think so? You promise? I'm not weak?"
A larger hand on her shoulder. Bellatrix's eyes snap open. Leagore. In front of her and squeezing her shoulder reassuringly. It's nice. Comforting. "We promise. We are all created by the gods. Born of the same earth. Speio should remember this. You are kin. And you are strong."
Bellatrix searches Leagore's eyes. Looks through into their mind…feels their honesty…their caring…their worry…She sees herself through Leagore's eyes. She looks pale and pathetic. Right. Enough of this, Bella.
Bellatrix nods sharply, rolling her shoulders back and clenching her jaw. Tells her heart to calm down.
Oh that's better. Oh thank goodness. For a second it was like Hermione was…lost in Bellatrix. She can breathe again.
Past-Bellatrix clears her throat. "Fine. Fine, let's do this."
Leagore smiles, and then swims away. Bellatrix takes a steadying breath, and looks back down.
Oh. Oh Hermione recognises…she's seen the portrait of…
They look like…
My mother
Druella Black.
Chapter 54: Past, Present and FutureNotes:
(See the end of the chapter for notes.)
Chapter Text
Bellatrix stares down at Speio. Hermione doesn't know what to— this already happened. Is Bellatrix okay? Why didn't she say? They didn't have to watch this…
Bella, let's get out of here. You can just tell me what happens. You don't have to put yourself though this again
…I want to try. I want to…I don't want to be scared anymore. She can't hurt me anymore. The monster is gone. The boggart is gone
Hermione pulls out of Bellatrix's head slightly to hug her. Hold her tightly. I know. But you still don't have to. Sometimes pain just hurts. It doesn't make you stronger, remember?
I know. I just…need to do this. Now that you're here
Hermione sighs. Kisses her head. So brave. Alright. I'm here. You're safe. That's Speio, remember? Not her. An ancient merperson with a tail
Bellatrix chuckles. That's what I'm doing. Watching their tail. Looking for the differences. They're more masculine than mother. She never would have stood like that. The posture is wrong
Hermione follows the thread back in. Just…Crookshanks if—
I'm fine. It was just the shock, I'm alright now. Promise
She does feel calmer. Okay. Hermione focuses back on the memory.
"—stand accused of two counts of attempted murder, and one count of serious bodily harm. How do you plead?"
Speio glides steadily closer. Higher. Perhaps trying to intimidate Pronoe. "Not guilty, sister."
What?! How would they even— of course they—
"Then state your case. The assembly hears you, blood of my blood."
Is this a family thing? Special privileges?
Speio slowly flips, gliding in a large loop, running their hands over columns as they drift past, the cracks sealing up.
Bellatrix snorts. Mother definitely never did that
Hermione lets out a relieved breath. Jokes are good.
"Balance," Speio calls across the room. "Darkness and light. Birth and death. Gods and mortals. God of the Sea Caves, this is my role. From caves, on land or in the sea, all beings were born."
Life and death? Creation?
Hermione and Bellatrix watch Speio whirl through the water. Beautiful. Serene. The complete opposite of—
Balance.
"And it is also my role," Speio continues, "to enact this knowledge. To use my gifts. I bring life and death. You cannot call this murder, when it is part of my very being. Pronoe, would you allow us to ignore your decree? Oreithye, would you have us refuse your protection? Leagore. Ignore your call to assembly? I share my songs for your archives, despite my hatred of these written records. I allow it, for it is your role. Your call. For the good of the whole race. Totus generis parere."
They glide to a halt, close to the floor and facing them once more. "Balance. Sea gods in the water, and mortals on land. Our secrets safe. Our world safe. Our kind and our kin, safe. Thetis was not ensuring this, so it was up to me to protect my sisters. We have lived alone for centuries. And for centuries we shall remain alone. Safe. Hidden. Not. Guilty."
Hermione…doesn't know what to think. She…they have a point. But they still tried to kill her, so…
But if killing is part of their role, can she really judge their culture?
No, that's ridiculous. Killing is never the answer.
Oh.
One thought is ringing through Bellatrix's head.
They're not mother. They're like me
Like her? How? Because she's…killed people?
Bella? Bella you're so much—
No. No it's alright, pet. Not me now. Me before. When I'd accepted the darkness. The monster. My role
Oh. The Bellatrix that took it all. Did what she had to do, no matter how dark.
Everyone is murmuring uncomfortably. Unsure. The argument was persuasive.
"Wait!" Eudora yells from within the reeds. "But they tried to kill me too! Kin! Not just some witch, and not rebirth. They tried to crush me! Eudora would have been lost forever!"
"Silence, Eudora. You are also on trial. You cannot…" Leagore drifts off. "Can they? Pronoe, what— they are also a witness. A victim. How do we proceed?"
Whispering.
Bellatrix scoffs. "Hello? I thought decisions were made together? We need to hear too. Don't make me come up there!"
And Speio snaps their gaze to her. "Silence! You have no say, witch. You should leave. Before I silence you permanently."
She feels past-Bellatrix's heart rate pick up again.
"…Spe…threat…kin…" comes Pronoe's garbled voice as Bellatrix loses focus. Pulse in her ears.
Are you alright, Bella? Is this—oh
And then…soothing thoughts fill her mind. Reminders that she's strong. That this is a merperson. A stranger.
Flashes of…fading darkness…flames…stars. Filling her mind. A glowing warmth. A patronus. Laughter. Bubbles. Sisters.
And Hermione. Memories of Hermione.
"—pathetic witch…her kind…amuses you…"
And then a burning determination. Confidence. Strength. Daring.
Bellatrix stands up. Steady on the stone step, as if not underwater at all.
She folds her arms at Speio, interrupting them mid-sentence. "Roles are important, yes? That's your argument? That you cannot be condemned for your role. God of the Sea Caves? Bringer of life and death?" she calls across to them.
Speio frowns at her. Tilts their head sideways. And then smiles in bemusement. "Yes. As I clearly stated. But if you do not understand—"
Oh she can practically feel Bellatrix's triumphant grin. What has her brilliant witch come up with now?
Oh you'll see, pet
Bellatrix continues grinning at Speio. Probably rather manically if their growing wariness is anything to go by. They drift slightly lower, eyebrows raised in question.
Bellatrix sighs dramatically. And then tuts at Speio. As if explaining a very simple concept to a small child. "Well then. I'm the Goddess of Concealment. My role is to hide."
She holds her arms open wide. Gestures to herself. And the babytalk is gone. "What better way to hide, than in the body of a witch? If you cannot be faulted for your role, then you cannot dismiss me for mine. Kalypso has been concealed. From all. No one has known the identity of Kalypso. For centuries. She hid…until she found her kin once more."
And Bellatrix swims out across the room to Speio.
No. Not swims. Glides. She doesn't move her feet, or her arms. The water carries her. It feels…natural. It makes sense. So much sense.
Speio's eyes flicker over Bellatrix in surprise. Reassessing her. Amusement gone.
And Bellatrix is no longer amused either. No, the time for games is over. She doesn't know who she's more angry at. Speio, for what they did to Hermione, for having that face, for scaring Agaue and Autonoe and for reminding her— or herself. Herself, for letting the weakness get to her. For forgetting who she is.
She straightens her spine and clenches her jaw. Head held high and finger stabbing to punctuate her words as she draws in on Speio. "I belong in this family. I am kin, blood of my blood. I am here to stay. To protect my sisters from harm. Something you did not accomplish today, with all your theatrics," she growls.
The currents begin to move around them. And…it's Bellatrix. Controlling the water. She pulls the current close to her, lets it carry her once more. It's simple really. Effortless.
And begins to whirl around Speio. A vengeful god. A controlled storm.
"You challenged the wrong Black today, pet," she mocks, water pulling her faster, Speio struggling to keep steady. Tipping and shaking. Tail moving back and forth as they try to keep their balance.
Balance. They need a new argument. "And you've threatened the wrong mate. You knew about the thread. You thought you could block us. Control us. Look how that turned out."
She can't help picturing Hermione's broken body. The bruising. How pale she was, drifting in the water. Face bloody and—
Bella, I'm fine. I'm okay I—
I know. It's not me. It's past-me. She's angry. Furious
The water loses its whirlwind shape and becomes a ball. Spinning Speio around inside a sphere of currents. "My mate is stronger than you. And so am I. You are not the only one to see death. To bring death. We have seen more death, more pain, than you ever have. Rotting in your cave," Bellatrix spits.
Speio manages to tumble from the ball. Pupils dark and wide. Raising their arms, teeth bared and sharp. There's a rumbling. Stone starting to shift.
Bellatrix roars. "No! How dare you?! Enough!" She sends a blast of magic at Speio. Pinning them to the floor, arms and tail flexing uselessly. Holding them is difficult. It takes all of Bellatrix's strength. Her bubblehead charm almost faltering as all of her magic pours into containing the god. She doesn't show it though. Draws on her anger. And on the energy of the water surrounding her.
"You dared to threaten us. Call death upon us before our time. Acted against the fates. Against your own kin. I could kill you for what you have done! Kill you where you lie!" Bellatrix shouts.
She didn't…did she? Because the anger is— even Hermione wants to kill Speio right now. The rage is so— how dare they?! They tried to kill Hermione. They're scaring her sisters. They're not protecting them. They're hurting them. Get rid of her. Kill her. You'll be free. You'll never have to look at her face again you—
Speio's eyes have fallen shut, cringing back against the stone floor, small cracks appearing beneath them as they try to fight Bellatrix's magic. To escape.
And the burning anger disappears.
The currents fall still. Silence settles around them. Bellatrix drifts closer to Speio. Looks down at them pityingly as they sit up in confusion.
Bellatrix sighs tiredly. "But I'm not like you," she whispers. "Not anymore. I've had enough of the darkness. And I don't hurt kin. I will not harm my sisters. Even you. Never."
Bellatrix turns away from Speio. Turns her back to them. And closes her eyes, just for a second. Nods to herself.
Not anymore. Enough now. No more fighting.
She blinks her eyes open. Smiles across at the shocked merpeople sat on the steps.
And she swims over to join them. Takes her place on the lowest step. Stretching and kicking her legs happily. Watches Speio get up off the floor.
It's a bit of a bluff. An act. Bellatrix is still slightly nervous. Knows how powerful Speio is. That she couldn't have held them for much longer. But she's a Black. She won't show doubt. Especially not in the face of danger. No, she'll show strength.
She leans back on her hand casually. "So, sister. Perhaps we will accept your argument. For now. Right, Pronoe? As long as they don't harm any more of their kin?"
A throat clears. "I…yes, Bellatrix. I believe…a vote? All in favour of clearing Speio of all charges, on the condition that they shall not cause harm to any of our kin? Hermione included?"
Cautious shouts of agreement. Even from within the reeds.
And Speio skulks forwards. Stops above the gaping pit. Looks down into the depths.
And then brings their head up to grin at Bellatrix. "Well played, sister."
What?
Speio shrugs. Nods thoughtfully. "Your argument is sound. I cannot fault you. Kalypso."
Their stare doesn't waver, nor their smile. Bellatrix seems to have met their approval.
Hermione doesn't know whether to be relieved or slightly annoyed at all the fuss they caused. Are they just brushing this off like it's nothing? Normal?
Blacks, pet. I won the argument. Proved I wasn't weak. Earned their respect
That's the most stupid—
Speio looks back down into the hole in the floor. Frowns. And nods to themselves. "I have been misguided. Harming kin. This is not the way. I accept your conditions. No harm shall come to a Black, or the mate of a Black, at my hand."
Well…that's nice. If it's true…
Past-Bellatrix seems to be just as sceptical, and Speio must sense it, as they look up at Bellatrix. Meet her eyes. "I swear on the gods."
Bellatrix gives them a slow nod. Speio grins again. It isn't overly reassuring.
And then they rise. Rise and rise out of sight.
To take their place on the assembly. "Now. Pronoe. I believe you are acting as director of this assembly? Unless as Archon Basilieus I may—"
Multiple shrieks of outrage echo down from above.
"Fine. Alright, sisters. By the gods, there is no need—"
"Hello?!" Kallianassa calls out. "And will our trial commence within the next century? Release us at once, Pronoe. We have suffered this indignity long enough."
Pronoe scoffs. "You have been accused of treason and attempted murder, Kallianassa. And you worry for your discomfort?"
"I plead not guilty!" she growls. "Like Speio I was only thinking of the whole race. Thetis was keeping us beneath the thumb of wizardkind. We deserve to be free. To walk amongst—"
"And rather than hold a debate, you decide to kill Queen Thetis herself? Kill a babe? An egg? An innocent life? You acted with greed and cowardice, Kallianassa. You were not thinking of the whole race. You were thinking only of yourself. Of becoming ruler of the colony," Pronoe clips, authority returned.
The reeds shift and grow. Kallianassa struggling. "I deserve to rule. It is my role. I should be the head of this colony, not Thetis and their…childish whims. They can't claim that being the eldest gives them any right— we are all the eldest. And the youngest. Our leader is an egg. Why? Why, when there are others to take their place? Have their turn? My name means Lovely Queen. The fates have named me ruler. I deserve—
"All in favour of rebirthing Kallianassa for their selfish behaviour and treasonous acts, after, of course, the allotted one month to record any and all knowledge they wish to preserve?"
And then the scene begins to fast-forward. Voices high and squeaky and everything moving at three times the speed.
Bella!
That was the fun bit! Bellatrix whines. Everything else is really boring. Kallianassa, Dexamene and Eudora all had really bad arguments, and Agaue was let off for good behaviour and not actually doing anything wrong in the end. And they helped to testify against the others so—
And Speio?
Slithered back into their hole. Coward
Really?
A sigh. No. They just live there anyway. They kept smiling at me. It was…I might have to ask them to change their face, or send someone else to ask them. I know I put on a good show, but they were fucking terrifying
You were incredible. You did it again. How do you always—
Hermione pulls out of Bellatrix's head, memory forgotten.
They're still on the sofa. Bellatrix has her eyes shut. Stuck in her head.
Hermione kisses her cheek. Amazing witch
The eyes open. Bellatrix grins at her. "That was good, right? I mean…not good but—"
Her grin falls. I did the right thing?
Hermione smiles at her. Brushes some hair out of her face. "Yes. Yes, you did everything right. You protected your sisters. You defended me. You outsmarted them. Toppled their argument. And stood up for yourself. You were powerful, but in control. You didn't let the anger hurt anyone. You decided who you wanted to be…and you didn't let anything stop you. The past. The present. The future. You fought off the darkness, all by yourself. Because you're strong, Bella."
Bellatrix looks down at her lap. Fiddles with her dress. A small smile forms on her lips.
And she slowly reaches out and pulls Hermione against her. Holds onto her shoulders and presses her face into Hermione's neck. I missed you. Can you just hold me? Just…
Steady?
Yes. Hold me steady
And Hermione does. For a long time. Holds her close. Holds her steady.
Notes:
Edit: Hey folks, so after almost two months of daily updates, guess who needs some time to edit the rest of the story? Yep. Sorry. I'm gonna take a few days off from updates. See ya soon, and I'll still find time to reply to your comments :)