Chapter 61: Look AgainChapter Text
Bellatrix looks up as Andromeda drags Narcissa by the hand into the study, both of them dressed all in white. "Sorry we're late, Bella. I got your patronus, but someone just couldn't possibly leave their potions lab, even though she's been in there all day and—"
Narcissa glares. "— and only needed ten more minutes to finally—"
"Cissy. We waited ten minutes. It exploded. Don't try to tell me that was the intended—"
"Well maybe if you hadn't rushed me—"
Bellatrix rolls her eyes and pulls them both over to the pensieve. The bickering just never stops anymore. It's like they all turn into children as soon as they're together. She suddenly has to be the sensible one again. How is that fair?
"Will you both shut up! It's taken me bloody ages to— I've found all my memories of Hermione's memories from now until the end of the war, as well as a couple from afterwards. We need to know what's coming now she's not here to— it won't be long now until Draco tries to kill Dumbledore with the necklace, Cissy. We need to make sure he—"
"Draco is trying to kill Dumbledore?!" Andromeda shouts. Oops. She'd forgotten to mention—
Bellatrix clears her throat uncomfortably. Andy doesn't know Dumbledore dies. What does she really think about him? Cissy, have you read Andy enough yet to know about Dumbledore? Does she trust him?
She has an odd relationship with him. I can't figure it out. She's hiding something. It's whatever she's up to at Hogwarts
Hmm. Andy has been very tight-lipped about that. What she gets up to every day. Why she's attending Hogwarts.
Because that's the only explanation. She said she goes to classes. But how? Why?
Right. She's just going to ask her. Force her.
…Nicely.
She pouts at Andromeda. "Andyyy, tell us what you've been up to! I'm telling you all my secrets. And Draco's. He's been ordered by Riddle to kill Dumbledore. We have to help him. If you know anything, then tell us!"
Andy rolls her eyes. "You can't use that face against me, Bella. You'll always be my big sister. You're not Cissy, you can't just bat your eyes and—"
Narcissa tuts, crowding in around Andromeda too. Two against one. Flanked attack. "When have I ever batted my eyes? And don't change the subject. Bella is right. I've asked for Severus' aid, but Draco is still alone at Hogwarts. He needs us to help him through this."
Bellatrix pushes forwards. Andy backs up a step. "Exactly. We need all of us completely on board. No secrets, Andy. Draco is feeling lost, and alone, and scared, and—"
Andy flops down in the office chair in defeat. "Fine! Fine, he—"
And her head lifts. Eyes suddenly seem to burn into theirs. Her posture…sits tall. Clenches her jaw. A Black. A Black on a mission. The energy is…
Not hiding.
There's a determination to her. A fire to her words. "He's not alone at Hogwarts, okay? Happy?" she snaps. "Why do you think I'm there? Everything centres around Hogwarts."
Umm…
Bellatrix takes a step back.
"It's Dumbledore's little base," Andy hisses. "Did you think I would just sit out of the war completely? Hide on the side-lines? Let these power-hungry old men play their little chess games and— I'm the chess player. And I always win."
What the fu…
Bellatrix glances at Narcissa, eyes wide. Holy shit. What the—
Andromeda grins at them. Mischievous. Kind of intimidating. And transforms.
Into Trelawney?
That's Trelawney. Sybill Trelwaney. The batty—
Andromeda sighs. Lounges sideways in the chair. "It was nineteen-eighty. Dora had just turned eight. Could look after herself a bit more. And the war was at its peak. I was itching to do something. Fix it. But who would listen to me, the young mother who had a baby straight out of Hogwarts? And a Black. I had to be careful. Play nice. Friendly. Not everyone trusted me. On the lookout for spies everywhere. I mean, look what was about to happen to Siri. No trial. Locked up for being in the wrong place at the wrong time. A Black."
Bellatrix can't believe…what is…
Andy turns her head sideways to look at them. Or Trelawney's head. Eyes sharp and not so buggy without the glasses.
"I could have joined the Order of course…but that would mean being one of Dumbledore's little pawns. Sent running around. He would have gladly sacrificed me and Ted. Then he'd have Dora. A metamorphagus child? Trusting him? Needing him? Another stray to add to his collection? No. Not my child. Not fucking happening."
Narcissa nods in agreement, and Bellatrix grins. The things these two would do…have done…for their children. Of course. Andy was never fucking weak. Never let anyone take what was hers. Tell her what to do.
Bellatrix sits down on the floor, legs splayed out and tapping excitedly. Waiting for more of the story.
Andromeda sits up to face her. Leans on her knees and takes a breath. Looks down at her. "And that's when I had the vision."
…vision?
Narcissa comes and kneels down next to her. This is…so that means…
Oh.
Andromeda closes her eyes and nods. "They started when I was seventeen. When— dreams. Dreams that— I had to figure it out. I couldn't tell anyone because— what if I made things happen? Terrible things. I— And I wasn't talking to either of you anymore. It was right after—"
She clears her throat as Bellatrix and Narcissa just sit there, dumbstruck.
A seer. Andy is a seer.
"The words came to me in a dream. The prophecy. The one with the power to vanquish the Dark Lord approaches… And I saw— The next night, I had to go to the Hog's Head. Dumbledore was there. He was interviewing a witch for a position at Hogwarts. She said she was a seer, but—" Andromeda scoffs, "— it was pure nonsense. She was making it up. Stank of sherry. She left to go to the loo halfway through the interview. Powder her nose. Or more like sneak another drink in. I followed her. She was a wreck. Wailing about how she would never be appreciated in her time. Scorned and derided. That she should leave. Go somewhere she would be appreciated. The States maybe. Well…"
No!
Bellatrix jumps to her feet. "You've been Trelawney this whole fucking time?! She's off in America somewhere?! What the fuck!"
Andy grins. "I may have persuaded her to leave. Follow her dreams and sneak away into the night without Dumbledore noticing. Think she's in Louisiana now. Keeps sending letters to Hogwarts that there's an imposter taking over her life. I keep them. Use her rambling as inspiration for her latest outburst. I even tell people. Oh, my dear, my long-lost twin is calling. See how she writes so frequently?" she mocks, dipping into Trelawney's voice. "They all think I'm writing to myself for the attention," she snorts. "Don't they know that intelligent witches aren't mad? You just have to see from—"
"A different perspective!" Bellatrix yells.
Andy pauses. Considers this. Nods. "I was going to say from the edges, but it's the same thing. I'm good at watching from the edges. Anyway. Metamorphed into Trelawney, told Dumbledore my prophecy about the Dark Lord shall mark him as his equal yada yada. Pretended that it was the first time I was having the vision. And pretended that I forgot afterwards, so he would think I didn't know about my gift. Got the job for life, no matter how batty I act. Snuck into the Hall of Prophecies and switched my ones for fakes, so it would look like Trelawney was the seer who—"
Bellatrix apparates away. To Hermione's room. Ignores the lump in her throat and the screaming in her heart as she looks through her things and— there!
She apparates back to the study with the prophecy in her hand.
"Bella! Don't do that. It's so rude to—"
She ignores Cissy. Shoves the prophecy at Andromeda. "Is this one fake too? Please say it's— if it's been fake this whole time then—"
Andy takes it. Looks it over carefully. Casts some…unknown spells at it. Nonverbal. And grabs Bellatrix's hand, pressing it to the glass.
Firenze's voice echoes around the room. Same as always.
Andy grins. "Nope. It's real, don't you worry. Hasn't been tampered with. Sounds like you two were always meant to get together."
Bellatrix lets out a relieved sigh. Thank fuck. And then frowns. "But we're not supposed to drift asunder. You heard it. So that we'd be returned."
Andy puts the prophecy down, morphs back into herself, and takes Bellatrix's hands. Squeezes gently. "Don't overanalyse it. It will drive you bonkers. Trust me. It could mean…that you don't drift apart in thought. That you keep what she has taught you in mind. That you trust one another. Or the prophecy could already be over. She has been returned, you've been returned. To us. To the nymphs. Whatever it meant. We don't know for sure. Try not to…worry. I've been there. It fucking sucks."
Narcissa clears her throat. "So. You've been undercover. Does Dumbledore suspect you? And have you…did you truly not know about Draco? Because I fear Dumbledore already does."
Right. Back on track.
Andy cringes guiltily. "I did know. I Lied. Sorry. Of course I've been keeping an eye on Draco! And he's not subtle, Cissy. I don't know where your genes went to but—"
Narcissa walks over and wraps her arms around Andy. Lets out a shaky breath. "You've been watching him? This whole time? Andy. I thought— oh I'm terrified for him. You're right. He has no idea how to hide. Not enough. I never wanted him to hide like we did so—"
Andromeda hugs her close with a chuckle. "Hey, have you seen my kid? For a bloody metamorphagus, she doesn't hide one bit. I did the same as you. Let them be who they are. The hiding isn't worth it if…if you hide from yourself."
Narcissa stills and pulls back. Oh shit. That sounded— too close to home for Cissy. She'd better—
Bellatrix scoffs, flings an arm around Cissy, which is promptly shrugged off. "Well I've been telling you both that for years! Glad you took such inspiration from me. Tonks isn't the only metamorphagus who sucks at hiding. Thetis said I enjoy being me too much to change forms properly. How's that for being myself?" she grins, sticking her tongue out at them.
Andy laughs. "Sounds like you. And you're right. I've always admired how you don't give a fuck what anyone thinks—"
"Language, Andromeda."
"— oh sod off, Cissy. I'm forty years old, I can bloody well— anyway, I've had some fun playing the mad witch. I see why you did it, Bella. People underestimate you. Don't look too closely, in case the crazy rubs off on them. Even. Dumbledore," Andromeda smirks.
Bellatrix rolls Andy's chair into the middle of the room and starts spinning it. Fooling Dumbledore? How? Now that is impressive.
Narcissa huffs at them, but Andy just draws her feet up so they don't get in the way and carries on grinning as she blurs around. And morphs into Trelawney. "Cissy, love, take a look in my head. Tell Bella what you see. See if you can sneak in without me finding you."
Oh. Oh finally someone to fucking challenge Cissy.
She stops the chair.
And looks at Narcissa. Yep. Hungry basilisk.
Bellatrix backs away as Narcissa comes towards them. She really doesn't want to get in the middle of this. Two competitive sisters with something to prove?
Nope.
She pulls Andy out of the chair and steals it from her. Bellatrix will be the one watching from the edges for once.
Even if the looks on their faces are making her want to jump in and—
Narcissa moves right into Andy's space. Drills into her eyes. "What are the rules, Andromeda? Do you have to be conscious?"
Andromeda freezes. Her eyebrows raise, and her eyes slide sideways to Bellatrix. Unconscious?
Bellatrix nods. She'll do it. Don't try her. All that prissy perfectionism that was funny when she was twelve? Think how long she's had to plan. She still remembers the shoes
Andromeda folds her arms at Narcissa. "Both of us need to be conscious. You are playing the role of Dumbledore. Twinkling around in Trelawney's head. So underhanded, yes. Noticeable? No."
And Andromeda changes her posture. She looks nervous, shaking. And…swaying. She pulls a long, beaded necklace out of her pocket, and winds it again and again around her neck. Then reaches into her pocket again and pulls out a shawl. Places it over her head. And reaches again into—
Okay, does everyone have expanded pockets? Not just Hermione? Is this some trend she missed just because her dresses don't have pockets and—
Andromeda puts on the huge, magnified bug glasses, and then about a hundred bangles hover onto her arms. And she pauses. Grins at them. "Props. The bangles announce that I'm coming…people get lazy. They don't look around for me. Just listen out. I'm good at sneaking up on people. And the glasses…The glasses help with legilimency. Have a look, Bella."
Bellatrix sits up in the chair. She'd ended up sideways again at some point and…oh. It's not a white wall. Andy's mind is…different. Not shielded at all.
But blurry. Distorted. She can't look into her eyes properly with the glasses and— ugh it's giving her a headache. Like she's the one who needs glasses, squinting at…tealeaves and stars.
She pulls out of her mind and rubs at her eyes. "Ow. Not as bad as before, but still bloody uncomfortable."
Andromeda grins smugly. And then changes her posture again. Her voice. "My dear, I'm afraid you lack the gift of divination. You have clouded your inner eye with the meaningless trivialities of earthly existence. As I read in your cards—"
Wait! That was Andy the whole fucking—
Bellatrix jumps to her feet. Pokes Andy hard in the chest so she jingles and sways. "That was you! You said all that! You knew it was me?!"
Andy flinches backwards. Stumbles backwards into the desk, and Bellatrix hesitates. Anger fades away. Did she scare her?
Andy gasps. Runs her hands over her outfit. "There is that strength that I warned you of. Such a lack of control, placing a hand on a professor? People may not appreciate my gifts, but I still hold some authority in this school. Ten points from Slytherin, Miss Black!"
Wha— she's acting?! Argh "Cut it out, Andy! I'm trying to talk to you. Your predictions. Were they true? Because they seem fucking true. I was left alone. The Hermit. You put on your little act, and the same day I lost— tell me what it meant!" she growls. And she knows sparks are coming from her wand, she doesn't care. And maybe she stamped her foot but—
She is not bashing away with her magic. She is in control. She is. She's telling her magic what to do. It doesn't control her—
Enough! Cissy's voice roars into her head. I am trying to focus. This is hard enough without your thoughts blasting all over the place too
Oh.
She looks over at Cissy. Who is stood by the window, calmly reading a book.
Oh. Is that why Andy's acting? She has to keep her mind full of…Trelawney?
She sits back down and spins in the chair as she thinks. It's impressive. Constructing a whole fake mind for Dumbledore? For Snape? Wonder if he had a peek too…
Nah. He'd never bother looking in Trelawney's head. It's genius!
Maybe she could learn to do that too! She's tried her best to push down her real thoughts around the Dark Lord, but it's always a risk. She might have to ask Andy to show her how to build a fake persona and—
Bellatrix jumps to her feet, wand drawn as a crashing sound—
Andy, clutching at her head and stumbling into a bookshelf. "Cissy! Ah! That is not subtle, that is— I already spotted you. You're supposed to be Dumbledore! He doesn't attack like— I can see you! Right there, trying to—"
Narcissa slowly walks over to look at her, heels tapping on the wooden floor. "I want a rematch. You cheated. Admit it."
Cheated? How did Andy cheat? You can't cheat at—
"How did I cheat, Cissy? Bloody fucking—" Andy scrunches her eyes shut and clings onto a shelf.
Narcissa just watches as she struggles. Folds her arms and slowly taps her foot. Andy slumps down onto the floor.
Bellatrix steps in between them and then…flails. How can she stop a mental attack? She raises her wand at Ciss—
"Okay! Okay, I cheated!" Andy yells. "You're better than Dumbledore, alright? You win!"
Narcissa's eyes gleam, and she smiles gleefully. Toothily. It's fucking creepy. Bellatrix turns around to look at Andy instead. Who has relaxed onto the floor in relief, rubbing at her temples.
"But you have to admit, you had an advantage too, Cissy. You knew my mind was fake. You knew to look. That's how it works. Nobody looks," Andromeda sighs.
Cissy keeps smiling. "You admitted it. You cheated. I win."
Bellatrix snorts. "Right. So now that this little pissing contest is over, can we get back to the pensieve? You know, to stop the world exploding? To help your children? Because both of you are fully grown witches and not schoolgirls that—"
Andromeda laughs. "What's this? Bella calling us childish?" she reaches up her hands and Narcissa helps her to her feet. "I think Hermione's rubbed off on her. She's all sensible."
Wha— How dare she say—
Narcissa tuts. Places a calming hand on Bellatrix's shoulder. "Andromeda, you need to take a closer look at Miss Granger. She and Bella are far more similar than first appearances make them out to be. They're soulmates, apparently. An invisible thread that only elves and possibly nymphs can see. Does that sound like something that happens to sensible people? When I first met the Miss Granger of the future face to face, she was dressed as a house-elf, covered in dirt and grape juice, and yet shielded me completely from her mind, wandlessly disarming me of two wands in the process, before telling me that despite her being a muggleborn and Bella a Death Eater, she wanted to help her."
Oh. Hermione said that? That's what she was talking to Cissy about.
Oh she misses her so much. She wishes— it's like her lungs are being crushed. She can't breathe without her. She took the air with her. It—
She's pulled back into focus as Andromeda turns to her with a raised eyebrow. Bellatrix forces a smile onto her face. Remembers the happy moments. Remembers… "You didn't think I'd fall in love with someone ordinary, did you Andy? Sensible and boring? She's fucking incredible." She walks over to the pensieve with a sigh. "Stronger than me. Smarter. Come and see. Come and see how fucking amazing she is. Because I'm not letting you underestimate her."
She looks up at them. Rolls her eyes. "Yes, I know. I love her. It's sickeningly romantic. Now get over here, both of you. Don't you want to see everything?"
Of course they do. Her sisters? They want to see everything. Time to show them.
Chapter 62: A New AppearanceNotes:
Hey folks, hope you're all doing okay. Thank you so much for the continued comments and kudos. You guys are amazing and I'm so grateful for all of your feedback and enthusiasm for the story!
Anyway, on we go. Much love, folks. Enjoy!
Chapter Text
Bellatrix and Andromeda are stood in Bellatrix's bedroom, looking in the floor-length mirror. Except they don't look like themselves. They look like Tonks.
The Tonks that is really Andromeda frowns. "No, still not quite right. Her forehead is— look, Bella. This is ridiculous. Why don't I pretend to be Dora? I know you managed okay last time but—"
Bellatrix folds her arms at her. "I did fucking amazing last time. I've only met her for thirty seconds, and I fooled Potter and produced a patronus. Which wasn't easy, let me tell you. Anyway. It's during the school term. You're supposed to be supervising the—"
Andromeda sits down on Bellatrix's bed, transforming into Potter. "I know, I know. Fine. Try the voice again." And then she yells. "Fucking bastard! Come back, you thieving—!"
Right. Bellatrix clears her throat. She only has three 'lines' from Hermione's memory of this Saturday, so hopefully it will all go the same as before. "There's no point, Harry." She says in a bored voice. Depressed.
Andy thumps her fists into the mattress in teenage angst, and Bellatrix just keeps her face miserable and shrugs. "Mundungus will probably be in London by now. There's no point yelling."
"He's nicked Sirius's stuff! Nicked it!" Andromeda's yells, and Bellatrix forces herself not to react. Potter has a point. How dare that disgusting little thief pawn off Sirius' stuff— Harry's stuff— her stuff! She's the eldest. It's her stuff! Not that she ever cared about the silverware either, but it's the principle!
Andromeda groans, morphing back. "Bella, you're getting angry again. This is why I should—"
"The solution is obvious."
Bellatrix whirls to face the doorway. Okay, she needs to put some kind of bell on both of her sisters. Nobody should be able to sneak up on her this easily, is she losing her touch?
No, don't be bloody ridiculous. It's because you're home. It's safe. No dangers to look out for.
And Narcissa transforms into Tonks too, stood in the doorway. "There. I shall be Nymphadora, Andromeda shall supervise the first years, and you, Bella, can keep watch and step in should anything go awry. And perhaps you will also be able to follow Mr Mundungus. Relieve him of our possessions."
Andromeda barks out a laugh. "You want to be Dora? As if she'd say anything that just came out of your mouth. 'Relieve him of our possessions', Bella should fucking take back what's ours. You just want to snoop on Draco. And you can't, Cissy. If he spots an auror hanging around then—"
Narcissa walks further into the room…and accidentally bangs her arm on the doorhandle. "Fuck!" She hunches over, pulling her elbow against her. "That bloody, buggering— cor, right on the funny bone, Jesus Christ!"
Wha…noo! Oh this is bloody brilliant!
Bellatrix grins as Cissy stomps over and throws herself on the bed next to Andromeda. Rolls onto her back and sticks her tongue out at her. "How'd I do, Mum?"
…It's fucking creepy how good Cissy is at acting. How did she…
Bellatrix transforms back, and cautiously walks over to them. Andromeda is frozen, staring at her 'daughter' on the bed. "How…Have you met Dora?"
Narcissa stretches her arms over her head. "Nope. Just what Bella and 'mione showed us. Plus from a distance every now and then in Diagon or whatever. It's not that bloody difficult. She's just a clumsy version of you, or Bella as a teenager…if she knew about muggle stuff."
Andromeda snorts. "Don't tell Dora that. She's tried hard to be cool, don't think she wants to be compared to her mum. You…really think we're similar?"
Narcissa sits up. Crosses her legs and rolls her eyes. "Duh. D'you think if you'd've know you were a metamorphagus you wouldn't've been giving yourself a pig's snout or a duck's bill to make everyone laugh?"
And she does. Screws her face up and gives Tonks a snout and wiggles it. "She's doing exactly the same thing you did. You went undercover as Trelawney. She's undercover with the aurors. Fighting in the war. Wherever she is. Where the fuck is she, if she's not at Hogwarts?"
Okay, Cissy seems to be enjoying this way too much. All the cursing. And how weirded out Andy is. Well. Time to even this out a bit.
Bellatrix transforms into Draco. Lounges on the bed, turns sideways to sigh dramatically and look in the mirror. "Mother, please stop making such a spectacle of yourself. And you're not listening to me at all!" she whines, trying to fake Draco's voice. It's not great. Damn it.
She watches in the mirror as Narcissa leans over to look at her. "You look just like him. I cannot understand your struggle with voices, Bella. Just…hear him. Like this."
She transforms into Draco. "See? This is Draco's voice."
Bellatrix looks up at hi— her, and frowns. "I know. I want to sound like that, but it just doesn't work! Maybe I don't change my voice box or something." She runs a finger over Cissy's neck. Adam's apple. And then her own. Oh. Oh, is that the problem?
And Tiggy appears with a pop. "Mistress—" Tiggy stops, squints at them. Looks at Bellatrix's dress on Draco's body and nods. "Mistress Bella, is being time. Is being Thetis. Is being hatching!"
Oh fuck!
Bellatrix transforms back in a flash and pushes Cissy out of the way. "Now?! What are the rules? Where are they? Can I see? Can these two come? I need to—"
She accios the wetsuit from her wardrobe and strips out of her clothes.
"Bella, do you have no decen—"
"Sssh, Cissy, let Tiggy answer her!" Andromeda hisses.
"All is being welcome. As one you is whole. The others is wishing to be meeting their sisters."
Oh. Uhh…
She glances over at her sisters. Then back to Tiggy. "Everyone?" she whispers, crouching down next to Tiggy. Who sighs.
"No. No, Mastress Speio is not being attending. And the other traitors is being eggs. This be enacted yesterday. They is all gone. No, is being very few adult merpeople in the lake now. They is needing their sisters."
Bellatrix stands up with a nod. Right. Only Pronoe, Leagore, Oreithye, Agaue and Autonoe. Definitely not enough to look after three eggs and a newborn.
She begins pulling on her wetsuit, and sends Hermione's towards the bed. "Come on, we have some Blacks to help out. Only one wetsuit left, sorry. Decide who gets it. And then we need to get going. Put all your mothering to good use."
Narcissa clears her throat, back to her own appearance. "Are you sure my presence won't be…distressing?"
Andy sighs. "They're used to metamorphing, Cissy. Change how you look a bit if you're too worried, but Bella's right. They're family. Blacks. Also— a baby merperson that looks like you, hatching from an egg? How can we fucking miss that? Here. Take Hermione's wetsuit. I've got my own back at mine, I'll pop over and— neither of you leave without me!"
Andromeda points her finger at them with a glare, and then spins around on the spot, disappearing with a crack. Bellatrix gestures at the wetsuit on the bed. "Well? Hurry up, Cissy. I'm not looking!"
Narcissa raises an eyebrow. Waves her wand at the wetsuit so that it unzips itself and hovers to stand vertically. Then she vanishes all of clothing except for her underwear and steps casually into it. No jumping. Uses some kind of nonverbal spell so that the wetsuit pulls itself onto her. Zips itself behind her.
Narcissa walks towards Bellatrix and moves her hair out of the way before casting the same spell at Bellatrix's zip. "Honestly, Bella. A grown witch who cannot dress herself? I do not think you are ready for child rearing."
Bellatrix's mouth drops open. "Child rearing?! Thetis isn't my kid! They're my— I don't know— they taught me! They're a Queen or a King, not a—"
Cissy smiles at her. "And yet you are nervously awaiting their birth. Worrying for them and yourself. Will you be good enough for them? Be able to help them? Protect them? Be there for them?"
Oh.
Shit.
She is worried about that. She doesn't want to let Thetis down. They trusted her to do this. To look out for the next…their heir.
A baby.
Cissy laughs at her. "Oh you are panicking! Oh Bella, it is fine. The child is not solely your…"
Narcissa drifts off. Frowns at her. And then gently pulls her into a loose hug. Sighs. Whispers in her ear shakily. "Thank you for looking after us so well, Bella. But it's alright. You don't have to do that this time. You will not be alone in protecting the children. That is why all of us are attending. A family. A real family where— where adults care for the children. It will not be— it will not be like last time. You don't have to do that again. No more pain."
Oh. Is that— is that why she's panicking? Worried?
Another child that needs protecting. Young and vulnerable.
She holds Cissy tighter. "You're okay, Cissy? I didn't— I didn't do it wrong? I tried to— but you weren't happy. I never managed to…"
Cissy pulls back. It's too soon. She needs someone to hold her steady. Cissy never holds on for long. She doesn't love like that. Doesn't…
Narcissa waves her wand over her head, and bubbles float through the room. Her ocean eyes seem…watery. She brushes some hair out of Bellatrix's face. "We're Blacks. We don't always say it, but we love one another. You taught me that, Bella. Taught us that. We didn't have another Black to learn that from. Do you— they never loved us. Being a Black means— it's you. You loving us. Protecting us. Teaching us to be strong. That's how I know who to be. How I wanted to raise my son."
Oh. Oh no, Bellatrix is crying. Cissy hates it when she cries. She should stop and—
Andromeda reappears. In a wetsuit. Grins at them. And then her smile falls. She notices the tears. And the bubbles. Bellatrix swallows a lump in her throat.
Andy walks over and squeezes Bellatrix's hand. "You okay, Bella love? What happened? Is it…"
Bellatrix squeezes her hand back. Pulls herself together and wipes at her eyes with her other hand, looking away. "Nothing. Nothing just— just the past catching up with me. It's fine. It's over. Let's go see what the future has in store, alright? Tiggy?"
Andromeda gives her an unsure look, shares a worried look with Cissy.
Bellatrix tuts. "I'm fine! Aren't people supposed to cry when babies are born or something? Come on, Tiggy. Take us to meet our newest sibling."
Tiggy appears. Reaches up their hands. They all grab on, and Andromeda winks at her. "We love you, Bella. Now let's try not to fuck this kid up. Blacks aren't easy to raise. They're trouble."
Bellatrix grins despite herself. "Oh, I know. That's what makes it fun. Now all of you get your bubblehead charms ready because—"
And they're deep in the lake.
A golden egg is sat on the sandy bed of the lake, Autonoe lying on their stomach to watch as a few faint cracks appear. Agaue sat a little ways away, twirling their hair anxiously. Leagore scribbling something down on a scroll. And Oreithye, apparently standing guard. And on high alert.
"Who dares interrupt such a sa—! Oh."
Everyone turns to look at the three witches, eyes wide, and all eventually settling on Narcissa in shock. Autonoe gasps. "Thetis? How…oh. Legs." They cautiously swim closer. "Bellatrix, these are your sisters? Where's Hermione, is she still asleep? It's been ages. I miss her terribly."
Bellatrix finds her eyes falling shut. She'd forgotten that— now she has to tell them. Has to tell all of them that—ah!
She begins choking. Drowning in— where did her bubblehead charm go?! She can't— she can't breathe and—
"Operimentum aerbulla!"
"Anapneo!"
She takes a relieved breath, both of her sisters having cast spells on her at the same time, and holding onto her so she doesn't float away. "What the fuck was that?" she gasps. "My magic. I lost concentration but— that never happens. What the—"
"Hermione is gone, isn't she?" A voice calls over. Pronoe.
"Pronoe!" Andromeda shouts. "Where have you been? I haven't seen you in bloody ages. Have you been hiding from me?"
"You know this witch, Pronoe? A sibling? How did you—"
Pronoe swims over to Andromeda, tutting at Leagore. "It was necessary. I foresaw it, as did Thetis, though they did not understand the full depth of their prophecy at the time. This is Andromeda, Bellatrix's sister. And you…must be Narcissa. You know, they say Narcissus fell in love with his reflection, and Thetis is very much yours. Perhaps you will form a special bond with them. The youngest and the eldest Black."
Bellatrix watches Narcissa closely. She seems very uncomfortable. This must be a lot. Merpeople. Prophecies. Eggs. Yep. Cissy is closing up.
Bellatrix tugs Cissy behind her. "Enough about that. Tell us more about this stuff. How long until Thetis is born? Will they be able to swim? What can we do to— and where are the other eggs? You left them alone?"
Pronoe just keeps staring at Narcissa, and Leagore clears their throat uncomfortably. "The others have been left in Speio's care. Only for…tradition. The eggs remain in the caves and only emerge on their hatching day. Well," they smile. "Apart from myself, apparently. Although being dropped into a hole could be counted as a very small cave," they grin.
Bellatrix grins back at the memory, and tugs at her sisters to move them closer to the egg. To Thetis. To sit and watch with Autonoe. "You didn't get revenge on Thetis, did you? Drop them?" she teases Leagore.
They let out an exasperated huff, ready to argue, but Autonoe interrupts. "Of course not! I've been taking very good care of them. It's my role now. Oh I do hope I've done it right, they're taking a long time to hatch."
Oh. Autonoe seems nervous. Normally the kid would be whirling around…or talking to Hermione. Not just sat staring at the egg…
She pats them awkwardly on the shoulder, looking at Andy for help. "Uhh, I'm sure you did great. The egg looks fine to me. How long do these things normally take?"
Autonoe swims closer to her, running a hand up and down her arm in thought. "I don't know. Days? I've never seen an egg hatch before. I'm the youngest— well except for you and…"
They try to glance at Andromeda and Narcissa surreptitiously . It doesn't really work. Andy smiles at them.
And Autonoe leans in to whisper to Bellatrix. "I can't believe I have three younger sisters now. Are they nice? Will they play with— oh. I'm not supposed to play anymore. I have my new role. How dull."
Andromeda laughs, clearly listening in. "Welcome to parenthood. But don't worry, we'll all help out. I'm sure you'll have some free time between everyone. Time to go to…quidditch matches? Isn't that what you like? I'm afraid Hermione won't be able to take you. We…"
Andy glances at Bellatrix sadly. Squeezes her hand. Do you want me to tell them?
Oh. That would…
No. No, it's alright. I'll…
She squeezes Andy's hand back. It's nice having her here, but Bellatrix needs to do this. She can do this. She's strong enough to…
She clears her throat. "Pronoe, Oreithye, Leagore, remember the message on— on Hermione's arm?" she calls out.
They all nod. Swim closer, although Oreithye keeps their back to them all. Guarding the egg.
Bellatrix continues. "Well…I guess the message was for me. Not her. She's…gone. You were right, Pronoe. She— she got— we think she's back in the future. Accidentally. She left— left me behind. A phoenix took her."
Autonoe raises their hands over their mouth in horror, letting out a mournful cry, and Leagore swims closer to lay a hand on Bellatrix's shoulder. "Oh sister, I am sorry. I cannot imagine your pain. But we are thankful to have you here and— you are alright? You aren't…to lose a mate. You…are you well? I fear— your strength, has it faltered?"
What? Why the fuck— "Of course I'm still fucking strong! I'm not some weak little— what are you talking about?! I just miss her and want her back, not—"
"They're hatching!" Autonoe squeals.
Oh!
Bellatrix swims forward as everyone crowds around the egg. Autonoe's right. The cracks are getting bigger. Fuck. Fuck this is so weird. That's Thetis. A new Thetis. But like—
Pronoe clears their throat. "Alright. Everyone think of their hope and wish for the child, and then once they have emerged, we shall say the words."
A hope and a wish?
She glances sideways at her sisters. And then around at all the other merpeople. What does she wish for Thetis?
She focuses back on the golden egg, beginning to crack open. She wants…she wants them to be happy. Not— not all the time. But just…to have a happy life. To have people that love them. To not be alone.
But that's stupid. Of course Thetis will have that. They have a family already.
So happiness, and…
She looks back at Cissy. At Andy.
Right. She hopes… they won't have to hide. Or to please people. That they can be exactly who they want to be. The last Thetis struggled with that. With their role. Responsibility. She knows what that's like…
She wants them to be unburdened and free. A new start. No hiding. Safe.
Wishes it with all her might.
And there's a collective gasp as the shell breaks open, and a baby floats free. A baby that doesn't look newly born. Looks about a week old. With a dusting of hair, and eyes that blink open.
Brown hair. Blue eyes. No tail. Legs.
Oh fuck.
There's complete silence for about thirty seconds, everyone frozen.
And then Autonoe carefully takes the floating baby. Holds them close to their chest. Clears their throat. "Shall…shall we say the words?" they squeak cautiously. "It's tradition."
What is happening what is happening what is happening?!
No one replies, so Autonoe frowns. And then nods. Holds the baby out to face them all. "Blood of my blood. I greet you as kin. May our fore-bearers guide us, our descendants provide for us, and our hearts beat as one."
Right. Right, the words. She makes flickered eye contact with everyone, and joins in as Pronoe leads the chant. Looks back at the baby. "Blood of my blood. I return your greeting. May the current flow strongly through our veins. As one we are whole. As one we are strong. As one we are gods on Earth."
The baby starts crying. Great. That's just—
Autonoe gives them a terrified look. "Are they supposed to cry? How do you know what they want? And— are they like us? Or are they cold in the water? What did— did you do this, Bellatrix? How did you give them legs?"
Autonoe holds the baby out to her, and Bellatrix panics.
But she does take the baby. Holds them against her. "I don't know! I— I didn't do it on purpose!"
And the baby's eyes change colour. Brown, like hers. And then blue again. And then their hair grows. Longer and longer and curlier and— and still crying. Screaming.
"Ssshush, Thetis, stop crying," Bellatrix whispers frantically. "I mean, they can obviously breathe, so they must be— they're a nymph. Like before— and they can still metamorph so—"
Thetis' hair begins to get shorter again. And she has no idea what colour their eyes are now because they're scrunched up, but the kid is red in the face and— "Cissy, you know what to do with babies, here."
She passes them over to Narcissa. She has the most recent baby experience. Thetis does not seem happy and— oh. "Cissy, read their mind, tell us what they want!"
Narcissa tuts. "You know as well as I that legilimency does not work on infants. Their thoughts are not fully formed. They have no words. Only needs that cannot be—"
The baby stops crying.
Narcissa looks down as she cradles them. How did she do that? Thetis stares up at Cissy. Their eyes are blue. Ocean eyes.
Narcissa hums, smiling softly. "So, is this what I looked like as a baby?"
Bellatrix leans over her shoulder to look down at Thetis. Dark hair, blue eyes. Babies do often have blue eyes when they're born, even if they later turn brown. "I guess. We don't have pictures of you this young. I can't really remember, what about you, Andy?"
Andromeda…is crying?
Bellatrix wipes at her sister's face beneath the bubblehead charm. "What is it? What's wrong? Do you want to hold the baby?"
Andromeda laughs. "No, no once a baby stops crying you don't mess with— no it's— I had a vision about this. Ages ago. When I was pregnant, I had a dream that— that Cissy was holding a dark-haired baby. I've been wondering for ages…at first I thought it was Dora. Thetis looks a lot like her and—"
Andromeda shakes her head at Narcissa awkwardly. "I thought maybe we'd talk to each other again. That you'd come to see me and Dora, Cissy. Well. Never happened. Then when I heard you were pregnant with Draco, I thought…but the blond hair. Anyway. It's nice to finally know. For a minute I even thought Bella might have secretly had a kid but—"
Bellatrix cringes. Pregnancy? And— ugh with who? Rod? Ew, that's fucking gross. She is never going to— what kind of visions is Andy having?!
Thetis starts crying again, hair switching quickly between brown and blond. Narcissa carefully offers them up. "Anyone? Leagore, was it? I'm sorry, we haven't really been introduced. I know it must be strange for all of you what with…how much I resemble your sibling."
Leagore slowly reaches for Thetis. Cradles them and looks at their feet. Their toes. Autonoe swims over to look too. And Pronoe. Oreithye is edging closer. Agaue peeks out from beside Autonoe. Strokes the baby's head. Their hair.
Bellatrix takes the opportunity to pull Andy and Narcissa away from the others. Leans in to whisper to them. "What did you two wish for? Because I think I might have fucked up."
And both of her sisters suddenly look very guilty. Ah. Maybe she's not the only one who—
Andy leans closer. "I…I kind of hoped that they wouldn't be too scared to— I hoped they wouldn't hide away. Like I did. That they'd let themselves be seen as they are. Even if it was difficult. That they'd have strength to overcome their fears instead of hiding from them."
Shit.
Narcissa nods. "I wished something similar. That they…I hoped that they would never have to conceal themselves. Never feign joy or hatred. To show themselves freely, without consequence. I hoped they would…put their trust in the world, and that the world would treat them fairly."
Bellatrix groans. "Same as me. No hiding. Free to be themselves. No more fear. Shit."
She turns around to look at all of the merpeople. The nymphs, looking down at the baby in curiosity. At their legs, staring into blue eyes. "We did this, didn't we?" she whispers.
She turns back. Swallows as she looks at both her sister. "We're Kalypso."
Chapter 63: ShatteredChapter Text
Bellatrix is sat in the cave, torchlight shining around her and legs dangling in the water. Thetis in her arms, their hair green for now. But blue eyes. Dark skin.
It's scarier holding a baby on land. They seem so…fragile. Droppable.
Not that she doesn't have fast reflexes. Nothing bad will happen. If anyone should be able to protect— ow!
"Thetis, stop that. Don't pull, it hurts. We don't hurt people," she says sternly, freeing her hair from their fist. "You're just like Cissy. She was always doing that. Don't copy her just because…" Thetis just stares up at her. Their hair begins to curl.
She looks over at Autonoe, watching from the water. They nod encouragingly at her.
Bellatrix sighs. "Autonoe thinks we should talk on land, in case…to learn English or…for your ears or something, I don't know. So if you wouldn't mind— Autonoe, this is stupid. They're only a few days old. You said they age four times slower than— it will be eight years before they learn to talk!"
Eight years. Still not long enough to see Hermione.
The pain hits again. Closes in around her heart. Hermione, Hermione, Hermione.
She breathes through it. Smiles down at the baby. Watches their eyes flicker between blue, brown, and yellow. "Anyway, kid, Bella has to go. I have to. I have to go check on Draco and his little boyfriend. Well, not boyfriend. They're as hopeless as Leagore and Oreithye. I have to go make sure they're doing the right thing and not fu— fudging up the timeline. But I'll be back, okay? I promise. Bella always comes back. So be good for Autonoe, or I'll hear about it and be very cross."
She hands them over to Autonoe. Guess talking to babies isn't so bad. The instinct comes back a bit, from talking to Cissy, or Draco.
But she really does have to go. Not long till Potter has his little fit outside the Three Broomsticks. And then this evening they'll finally have time to talk about this Kalypso thing. The last few days have been non-stop thanks to bloody Dark Lords and divination homework to mark and…whatever Cissy is up to. Suspicious.
She reaches over and pokes Autonoe. "And you get some sleep! Hand Thetis off to Oreithye or someone, they could do with the practice. They'll have to pitch in once the others hatch next month. We're Blacks. We look after one another."
Autonoe nods through a yawn. "Yes, Bellatrix. I will, I promise. Narcissa has already made me promise and— she said she'd know if I didn't. She's scary. I think she can see my thoughts!"
Bellatrix yawns back despite herself. She hasn't been getting much sleep either, but Autonoe really looks dead on their… tail.
Hmph. So Cissy got there first. Wait. When the hell was Cissy here?!
"When was this?! When did she have time to— she told me she was busy!"
Autonoe frowns. "She was in the archives. With Pronoe and Leagore. Something about… resurrection. And birds. And elixirs. I wasn't really listening."
Oh. Cissy is figuring things out for her. Helping to fix it.
"Ow." Oh her head! Fuck she has such a headache. She rubs at her temples. Cissy? Is that you? What did I do?
No answer. Ow. Shit.
Just a headache? She never gets headaches.
Oh well. Just ignore it. You have to—
No. You don't ignore pain. Take a potion when you get home.
She nods at Autonoe. And Thetis. "Okay, kids. I'll see you later. Tiggy!"
She gets to her feet.
Tiggy appears. Smiles gummily at the baby still in Autonoe's arms at the edge of the water. "Yes Mistress? Is Mastress Thetis being alright?"
Bellatrix frowns. "Yes, yes they're fine."
Tiggy walks closer to coo at Thetis and tickle their feet. Bellatrix huffs. "Hello? I'm the one who called you. Could you help me? Take me home to get changed?"
Tiggy shakes their head with a chuckle. Turns their attention back to Bellatrix. "Yes, Mistress Bella. Tiggy still be serving you, don't you worry, little elfling. You is still young to Tiggy. Is needing caring. When we is getting home you is eating lunch! You be forgetting!"
Oh. She did forget to eat. She's turning into Hermione…
She thrusts her hand out to Tiggy. "Good. You can make lunch. I'll have to eat fast though and— what? What are you smiling at me like that for? I— oh don't look at me like that. I'm not jealous of a baby. It's just I don't have much time before—"
Tiggy pops them away.
X
Fuck. Why does he always fucking call her right when she's having lunch.
Bellatrix puts down her fork with a sigh. Looks like Cissy's gonna have to go be Tonks by herself. It's Cissy, so she'll have already memorised everything anyway, and she's probably smart enough not to interfere with Draco's plan. She doesn't need Bellatrix there.
She still wishes she could be there though. Fucking needy Dark Lords.
Focus. Send Cissy a patronus to let her know.
Hermione. Think about— no, don't be sad. Happy thoughts. All the crazy shit that you did together. All the— Hermione telling Bellatrix that she's brave, and strong. Laughing with her. Holding her tight and— and kissing Hermione. How happy Hermione always was to see her. Every time she reached for her. Trusted her. Saw her.
Still no patronus. Shit. Come on! Be fucking happy. Be— Cissy laughing. Andy coming back. Having her family back. Thetis being born. Hermione. Come on. Hermione!
Her dog appears. A bit more transparent than normal, but there. Thank fuck.
She sends the message to Cissy. Takes a steadying breath.
Lets the darkness fill her mind, and follows the pull of the Mark.
X
Shit. Shit, that was close and— stupefy! "Avada Kedavra!" Wrong spell colour. Hopefully no one noticed that. She doesn't know—
The fizz of— duck! She crouches low to the ground, impedimenta jinx flying over her head and hitting into a wall. Stone comes—
Three more doors and then— no, four of them. One missing. Must be— "Bombarda maxima!" she jumps through the hole in the wall. Falling wood— "Protego!"
There goes the wooden beam…where?…under the— must be the upstairs—
Auror to your left. Stupefy! Expelliarmus!
They thud to the floor and she grabs their wand as it flies towards her.
Alone in a room with her. Shit. Now she needs— "Confundus," she whispers. Needs to distort their memory. So they imagine the—
Rennervate.
Dazed, confused eyes stare up at her. This one's young. New recruit. Didn't stand a chance.
Come on, tickling charm. Please fucking work.
She smiles down at them madly. Bares her teeth. Gives them a light kick, nothing too bad. Rictumsempra! "Crucio!"
They twist on the floor. It's the strongest tickling spell she can manage. All over. They almost seem to spasm and—
"No— no, please. Please stop," they whimper up at her, nails digging into the floor as they try to make the pain go away.
Not pain. Not that bad. Just an act.
No. Find the darkness. Be the monster.
"You dare plead with me, filthy bloodtraitor! You should have thought of that before you chose your side! Crucio!" she screeches. Rictumsempra! Confundus!
Sweat breaks out on Bellatrix's forehead as she tries to hold both nonverbal spells at maximum intensity.
The auror chokes. Tears leak from their eyes. "I— can't breathe. I— please! Help! Somebody help me!"
No no no
Okay. Okay, Bella. Time for them to pass out. Greyback has had enough time and—
"Crucio!" Stupefy!
They collapse unconscious, and she takes a slow breath. Wipes some hair out of her face.
Not real not real not—
She spins around. A sound from the—
Someone in the corner. Muggle. Vulnerable. Shit.
More torture? Dead or alive? What would have happened? Does she need the draught of living death or—
Footsteps above her.
No time. Can't—
She charges at them. Grabs their arm and apparates to the nearest forest.
And steadies them both on the forest floor, almost twisting her ankle on a root buried in the snow.
"Wha— who— wh—" the man stutters. Clings onto her. Hands clench around her arms and it hurts and—
Her heart rate picks up. Get off. Don't touch me, you disgusting—
He's just scared. Just a poor sod who chose the wrong day to— come on. Focus, Bella. Just a bit longer and—
She smiles at him. "It's alright. You'll be alright. There's a road not far— sorry. Obliviate."
His eyes lose focus. Cloudy. She plants the memory. A walk in the woods. He lost his way.
His grip loosens.
And she apparates back—
"Lestrange!" Greyback growls, coming through the doorway. "Two more at the rear."
More aurors? How did—
Never mind. She has to take all the attention. Can't have the others hurting them. No deaths. No killing. No one hurt.
She laughs loudly. Lets some of the chaos out. It's building in her chest and— smothering darkness that—
She moves to the centre of the room. "Do what we came for, Greyback. I'll play with the wittle aurors."
She smashes a window. Another entrance, so they can surround her as Greyback scurries off.
"Come and get me!" she calls out. Lets her voice ring through the room and out the doors.
And laughs again. "Come on! Think you're tough?! Which of you is going to take on me?!" she roars, voice becoming hoarse now from all her screaming.
Complete silence. From all sides. So they've taken the bait. Here they come.
She widens her stance. Time to play.
To take it all.
X
She grips the sides of the sink. Spits some blood into it. What kind of auror punches…
She slugs some skelegrow and grimaces at the taste and the sting. Walks back out into Hermione's room.
Her ankle hurts. Maybe she did twist it.
And she's tired. Aching. She—
No. You're not fucking weak. Get on with it. Don't be pathetic. You still haven't had a reply from Cissy or Andy. You have to—
Have to keep going. Just keep going.
She rummages through Hermione's clothes. She needs to blend in at Hogsmeade. It's fucking cold today. Can't be wearing a dress.
She rubs her thumb over one of Hermione's jumpers. Resists…
Presses it to her face. Breathes in the smell of…Hermione.
Gone. Why does she always lose people? The pain— she'd thought it was over. But all this shit is still here. It's still— it hurts.
She pulls on the stupid muggle trousers. And the jumper. Shoves her knife in her pocket just in case. Time to go.
Call Tiggy.
Go!
She sits down on the bed. Puts her head in her hands. Feels the tears fall from her eyes…
It's not fair. This isn't fair. Isn't…
She can't do this anymore. It's too much. Too…
Stop it. Stop it stop it stop it— "Why is everything so fucking hard? Why— she—"
She looks at herself in the mirror. Pathetic. Weak.
She needs— she wants—
She metamorphs into Hermione. Stares at herself in the mirror. "Hello."
Argh. Still her fucking voice! Why can't she— why is— "What's wrong with me?! Why can't I do this?! Why am I so— I'm so tired, Hermione. I— I've tried to—"
She walks over to the wardrobe. Pulls out the prophecy. "Do not drift asunder. What does that mean?! She's gone! She's a fucking decade—"
She glares into the mirror. "You left me. You said you'd be there and— what did you see in me? Because I can't see it, Hermione. I'm— you're supposed to come find me. Come into my head and— it's dark. You were wrong. I'm not good. That was you. I need you to tell me— tell me how to do this!"
Her reflection just glares back. Hermione glares back. And the hatred is— she doesn't—
She yells, from deep in her chest, and throws the prophecy against the mirror. Glass shatters and splinters. A mess of glass on the— sharp cuts across her…
Oh no.
No, why did she—
"Reparo! Come on, reparo! I need to fix this. I—"
The mirror repairs itself. The prophecy doesn't. She stares into the mirror in horror.
Cuts. Cuts over Hermione's face, and hands, and—
She cut her. Hurt her. All the chaos and the darkness and the—
She's not good. She doesn't know how to be good. She needs Hermione. Right now. Right fucking now. No more waiting.
"Tiggy!"
Tiggy appears. "Oh. Oh Mistress, what be—"
She holds her hand out to them. "Take me to Fawkes, Tiggy. Take me to Dumbledore's bloody bird."
Tiggy frowns at her. "I don't think this is being—"
"Now, Tiggy," she growls. "That's an order."
Tiggy nods sadly. Looks…disappointed.
She swallows the pain. Clenches her jaw.
They take her hand.
Dumbledore's office. Dumbledore is sat at his desk. Fawkes on his perch.
Dumbledore twinkles at her tiredly. "Ah. Hello, my dear. I was wondering when—"
She gives him the finger, and walks over to the bird. "Take me to her. Now."
Fawkes tilts his head at her.
She holds her knife to his throat. "Do it. Or your eternal life is over."
She hears laughter from behind her. "My, my. I thought in all my years I had seen everything, but never have I seen someone threaten a phoenix. Perhaps what you need is a nice cup of tea. You're bright enough to know this is not the wisest—"
She whirls around. "I don't care. I don't care about— maybe I'll just kill you. Stop all— everything. Let everything fall to chaos. To— tell your bird to take me where I need to go! I've seen you talk to him."
He shakes his head at her, and walks towards the spiral staircase. "I wish I could help, but it appears Fawkes does not want to be of assistance, and I must be leaving also."
What? She turns around. The bird is gone. Vanished into thin air.
Gone. Why does everything just disappear? Nothing is steady. Everything is fast and moving and—
The portraits begin to rattle as she loses her grip on her magic. And yell at her. Some of Dumbledore's dumb trinkets fall off of the shelves.
She has to get out. She needs to—
She runs down the staircase after Dumbledore, ankle throbbing. "Come back! You don't get to just walk away. Just leave me and— get back here! Come back or— or I'll make you!"
He ignores her. Carries on down the corridor.
"Impedimenta!"
He flicks his wand, and the jinx bounces off. He heads around a corner.
Fucking— a suit of armour walks in front of her. Folds its arms disapprovingly.
She punches it in its smug face— "Fuck! Fuck, fuck, bloody fucking—"
"Hermione? Are…are you okay?"
Bellatrix freezes.
She recognises that voice.
She closes her eyes. That's about right. Of course it's him.
Neville Longbottom. Unlucky bastard. Always in the wrong place at the wrong…
Bellatrix can hear Neville walking towards her from behind. Heavy footfalls on stone floor.
Maybe she should just let it all go. Show herself. She'd deserve it. Just stand there and let him…do what he wants. Hurt her. Punish her. Maybe he'd call for help. The aurors would come. Take her back to Azkaban.
It's what she deserves. At this point…isn't she just hiding? Running? If she's strong, maybe she should just take it. Pay the price. Learn the lesson for being such a— a monster. They should chain her. She's out of control. She needs to be controlled— be in control.
The footsteps get closer, and in the end, she's too weak. She's not really strong enough to— to reveal who she is. To face this boy. Face up to what she's done. What she can't ever fix.
She morphs her features into a younger Hermione. Seventeen. Slips her wand into her pocket. Turns around.
He's taller than she remembered. Taller than her. Must have had a growth spurt. Not really a kid anymore. All that time…without his parents. Alone. No one to…
His eyes widen in concern. "What happened? Are you okay? You're hurt! I should— you should really go to the hospital wing, Hermione."
Oh. Oh no. No, she can't do that.
But she can't talk. He'll recognise her voice.
She shakes her head frantically and pleads with her eyes, backs away from him. She needs to get away. Why did she—
"Hermione, seriously. You have cuts and— and your hand. What hap— did you punch Malfoy again? It looks really sore. And you're limping!"
Her back hits into something and she spins around. Oh. Oh the suit of armour. She'd forgotten…
Neville comes towards her, and she just shakes her head. She doesn't know what to do. This is all— and she thinks. There's a storm. A storm— the— the windows—
And the window next to her explodes. She closes her eyes and—
"Protego!"
Oh. No pain.
She blinks her eyes open. Neville is smiling in surprise, wand held high. "I did it! It's been so long since DA I wasn't sure…reparo!"
The glass hovers from the floor, windows pieced back together. Perfect panes of glass. "There. There's that fixed. I've used that spell loads of times with all the things I've…"
Neville's smile falls. He slowly turns toward her. Frowns at the suit of armour until it backs away against a wall.
Looks back at her. Speaks gently. "Is this what happened? Accidental magic? Because you're feeling upset?"
Bellatrix stares into his eyes, completely lost now. Warm eyes. Someone cares and—
Yes. Yes, that's exactly what happened. She's hurting, and she's lost control, and—
She nods numbly. Everything is numb and— and too much at the same time. Sensitive. Her skin feels raw.
Neville bites his lip uncertainly. "Probably because you're such a strong witch. Powerful. Gran says it's harder to contain your magic if you're strong. I don't know if that's true, I've never really felt my magic at all, but— So…do you want some help? To get somewhere…away from all this? It might not be your thing, but we can go somewhere else if you want? The greenhouses? That's where I was going."
She shouldn't. He doesn't know who she is. She's being pathetic and weak.
She nods at him. Follows him.