Chapter 3: IIINotes:so I just wanted to take a minute to say thank you to everyone who reviewed, bookmarked, or left kudos. everything is so greatly appreciate and really inspires me to keep writing, so thanks so much!
also this chapter is a bit shorter than the others, so sorry for that, but I was having major writers block with this chapter for some reason, so I hope everyone still enjoys it!
Chapter TextA few hours after the Quidditch match was finished, and dinner in the Great Hall had long since ended, Hermione began the first of three detention days in the Forbidden Forest with Bellatrix and Hagrid. The latter had sent a rush of happiness through her body when she saw him for the first time, a feeling that was promptly squished when he greeted her with little more than his happy-go-lucky smile as he introduced himself, but his warm eyes held none of the recognition of familiarity she was used to seeing from him. Seeing Hagrid and not having him know that not only did he know her, but also not know how so vitally important he was to her, hurt the most of seeing other familiar faces throughout the castle.
Of course, she had little think to allow that sadness to seep into her body before the other person she was forced to spend the night around sank in. Andromeda had informed Hermione during dinner that her sister's ribs were not broken, just badly bruised, but overall nothing a potion wouldn't fix. After only a few hours in the hospital wing, Bellatrix had been released and sent to partake in detention as well, with her only instructions to take it easy and refrain from Quidditch for the next two days.
Hermione knew the girl wouldn't listen, and let a dark and silent wish of the girl getting further hurt to teach her a lesson slip into her mind. It was a terrible thought, but the dark haired witch brought out such an ugly side of Hermione that she just couldn't seem to control.
They bickered back and forth, and traded seemingly every insult under the sun when Hagrid wasn't paying close attention to them. At one point, Bellatrix even threw a rock at Hermione's back. It was only Hagrid sending them off in opposite directions after he heard the brunette's furious yell that stopped her from responding in her own immature way. That's how the rest of the night, as well as the next detention went, and Hermione was sure by the end of the second day Hagrid had to be wondering what he could have done to deserve such a punishment as having to monitor the two witches so heavily.
After both detentions were finish, Hermione and Bellatrix were quick to go their separate ways, the darker witch stomping off to sulk who knows where, terrorize whatever poor soul crossed her path first, or kick a puppy. Hermione truly had no idea what the other girl did in her free time, though she had seen her enough times with Rodolphus to wager an educated guess. The two of them were meant for each other, both horribly wretched and undeserving of any true and genuine love.
She got to Hermione in ways no one else was able to do. Hermione did understand that most of this stemmed from the mark on her arm, that a fear of the woman had grown in her at the thought of ever being under her like that again, and it manifested itself into anger towards the Death Eater's younger self. This Bellatrix had done enough for Hermione to heavily dislike her- taunts, insults, hexes, to name a few- but did that justify Hermione's unrelenting hatred of the girl? Probably not, and someone not aware of the true history between them must think Hermione little more than a hostile witch dead set on fighting with another student she technically hardly knew.
Yes, she definitely needed to work on that some more, and most definitely needed to stop giving into Bellatrix's taunts so easily.
"You haven't been to Hogsmeade yet, right? It's a lot more fun than being stuck in the Forbidden Forest all night." Andromeda teased as they walked from their final courses of the day back to their dorms to change. It was the first Hogsmeade trip of the year, and the students were all bustling with anticipation of being free for an afternoon of fun and butterbeer.
Hermione would be lying if she said she wasn't looking forward to the outing, and even having to go back to the Forbidden Forest for one last time tonight wasn't enough to ruin it for it. She even enjoyed Andromeda's teasing about her detention, of which the younger girl had been doing often. She found it very hilarious that Hermione had been caught dueling with none other than her sister, and was forced to spend even more time with her than either would have ever preferred.
"I haven't been," she lied as they finally reached the dorms, both pausing before going their separate ways. "I've heard they have delicious butterbeer," she smiled, thinking of all the times her and her friends have gone down to the Three Broomsticks and spent an afternoon enjoying themselves with one another. "I'm excited to go with you." She wasn't surprised to realize that was a true statement as they both left one another, Hermione walking straight to her bed and chest to change out of her uniform and into a more comfortable outfit.
The door behind her slid closed and she found herself completely rooted to the spot, the only noise being the gentle music coming from the phonograph in the corner that covered up the sounds of her entrance.
There was only one other person in the dorm, an unusual occurrence given the amount of girls that lived in the room, and that one person was the one that had the ability to single handedly destroy Hermione's good mood with her very existence. Except this time, Bellatrix was half naked and facing her bed, unaware anyone else had come into the room.
It wasn't uncommon for the girls to change clothes in front of one another, and why would it be? They all spent nine months living together, were all for the most part reasonably friends, so it didn't make much sense to leave the room each time they wanted to switch an outfit. Hermione never paid much attention to the other girls if they were changing, and figured the same could be said when she changed clothes.
This time, Hermione could not look anywhere but at the girl before her.
Bellatrix was only in a pair of black underwear and tight black corset, the laces on the side and not quite tied all the way together yet. Her hair was still wet from a bath she must have taken recently, all those thick locks shoved to one side of her head as she focused on choosing an outfit from her chest. On any other person, wet and tangled hair would have looked unkempt, but on Bellatrix, the water managed to wrangle in the disordered curls together in what had to be the most contained her hair would ever be.
Hermione couldn't breathe or blink or think as her eyes moved over the lithe form, seeing the girl's back muscles strain under her skin with all of her movements. Years of Quidditch practice had done nothing but good things for her body.
Only, it was not Bellatrix's indisputable beauty Hermione felt her breath catch at. While, yes, the girl was most definitely gorgeous, and seemingly sculpted from marble, it was the ugly markings along the back of her upper thighs that finally caught Hermione's attention.
Rectangular scarring about two fingers wide criss crossed at the very top of legs, light pink and faded. A few of them were raised like welts, but the majority were flushed to her skin, the edges a distorted silvery against such pale skin. Some of the scars looked newer, whereas others looked as if they had been formed years ago. One disappeared under the edge of her black underwear and led Hermione to believe that had the girl been fully naked- a thought that intensified the blush already on her cheeks- she'd find more going up her back.
What could have done that to her? Or, more importantly, who?
She must have made an audible noise, because a moment later Bellatrix was spinning around with a ferocious scowl in place that only deepened when she saw just who interrupted her.
"Get out." Bellatrix's voice was that dangerous, high-pitched tone it took that let Hermione know she was really about to lose whatever slim amount of patience she had left.
For once, Hermione couldn't find the words to argue back with the girl. Her mind refused to think of anything that wasn't the brutish scar tissue on the back of her otherwise perfect body. She was only seventeen, what could have happened to her in such a short period of time? Hermione's own body carried a fair amount of scars, but they had been given throughout battles defending Hogwarts and the wizarding community from people like the witch standing before her. Aside from the one on her arm, none of the marks had been done with the intention to brand her for any reason.
She didn't think the same applied the Bellatrix. Those scars looked deliberate. Their cluster of placement was too controlled to be anything but a planned assault, and the varying stages of faded each mark carried spoke volumes of how long the abuse had been going on.
Someone was beating her, had been beating her for years, but who? Her parents? Hermione thought of Andromeda, relaxed and peaceful in every situation she could recall, nothing at all of any signs of being abused. She couldn't be completely certain unless she saw her friend's back as well, and couldn't think of a situation where that would happen, but were the girls truly being abused? Cygnus and Druella were most definitely terrible people for their beliefs of blood purity alone, but were they cruel to their children as well?
Or was it someone else? Rodolphus came to mind, but he would have to have been just as young as Bellatrix when the assaults first started. Not only that, but she couldn't picture Bellatrix bending so easily to the will of some boy, so he was quickly crossed off the list.
Voldemort? Or another Death Eater? Hermione wasn't sure when Bellatrix first became tangled up in the group, and McGonagall hadn't been entirely forthcoming with information when telling her she needed to change Bellatrix's point of views before the school year ended. But being abused by her Lord or another one of his followers didn't make sense either, as why would Bellatrix so readily support the actions of a man who beat her?
None of it was adding up.
Bellatrix was tired of waiting for a response as she just screamed louder when Hermione showed no signs of moving anytime soon. "Are you fucking deaf, rat! Get the fuck out of here!"
In the short time Hermione had been at Hogwarts this year, she's been privy to what she had assumed were all the emotions Bellatrix was capable of experiencing; annoyance, rage, and agitation coming to the forefront of Hermione's mind immediately. And currently, Bellatrix was unmistakably enraged, but there was also something else Hermione hadn't been prepare for.
The girl was desperate.
"I just-" Hermione was still at a lose for words as she took one hesitant step back. Not out of fear, even as Bellatrix reached for the closest object- a hairbrush, that Hermione hadn't thought the girl owned- to chuck at her, but out of some small part of her that found she actually pitied Bellatrix.
Well, that was a new experience.
"I don't give a fuck," Bellatrix seethed, her eyes dark and depthless as she took another threatening step towards the brunette. "Shut your filthy fucking whore mouth and get the fuck out!"
Hermione knew she was in no position to argue or fight with the girl right now. She did the wisest thing she could and left. As the door slammed shut behind her, she heard the brush finally collide with the wood, followed a second later by Bellatrix's crazed scream.
"Weren't you going to change?" Andromeda frowned once the two of them met back up in the common area. The fifth year had shed her dark robes in favor of a dark green dress and black booties, a light weight white cloak tied across her shoulders. The outfit was simplistic in design, but even Hermione could tell it was of expensive quality. She doubted any of the Black daughters left the house without the most recent styles in the most costly fabrics, of that Andromeda was no exception.
Hermione looked down at her own outfit, still dressed in her school attire, and let loose a defeated sigh. She wouldn't be changing today, not that she could really focus too much on her appearance. Bellatrix had been shaken when she discovered Hermione saw her, less angry and more scared, if such an emotion could be applied to her. It boggled Hermione's mind the more she thought back to it, and she merely gave Andromeda a noncommittal shrug before saying they should join the others to walk over to the village.
As they went, Andromeda introduced her to a few of her friends outside of Slytherin house, mainly from Hufflepuff, though a few Gryffindors and Ravenclaws were mixed in as well. One such Ravenclaw was a fellow fifth year named Ted, who Hermione noticed with no small amount of joy that he could not take his eyes off of her friend. For her part, Andromeda became more and more elated the longer the attention went on, and eventually Hermione found herself walking beside two other Ravenclaws when the girl in question fell behind to walk beside Ted.
Their affectionate for one another was plainly seen by everyone, and yet no one in this group made any sort of comment about Andromeda fancying him, despite their differing blood status. She knew that were Bellatrix and Narcissa here, along with any of the other Slytherin students, it would not be so easy, and most likely Andromeda would not be able to be as free as she was being with Ted were that the case.
He did take a break from speaking with Andromeda to walk beside Hermione, and it was nice to see she wasn't the only one who remained in the school uniform. Though Ted didn't have his cloak, his sweater was straightened against his button down and his tie was tucked firmly in place as he gave Hermione a welcoming smile and nod of his head. "Andy's been telling me about you, but it's nice to finally meet you, Hermione." He said her name a little funny, stretching out the middle syllables a bit too much, but did immediately correct himself when Hermione gave the proper pronunciation.
"I'm glad to have her as a friend, and it's nice to meet you as well," Hermione smiled back just as easily, taking Ted's offered hand in a quick shake. It was smooth and warm, and while he may be two years younger, his grip was firm and his hand larger than her own. The two talked for a moment more, mainly about discovering their shared love of the courses offered here. As they walked, others in the group joined in with their own opinions on the professors and classes.
She fell into an easy role within Andromeda's friend group as they finally reached Hogsmeade. Hardly any of the students present listened to McGonagall's speech about respectful behavior and how each of them were individually representing the school, and as such their actions reflected the reputation of such an esteemed place. Basically, behave. Given that Hermione knew Bellatrix was somewhere here, though she was yet to see the girl- after their run in with one another in the dorms, she was in no rush to do so- she doubted every person would be on their best behavior.
It didn't matter in the end, as she forced the dark witch and the scars across her body to the back of her mind and chased after Andromeda and the others once they reached the edge of the village.
Hermione was actually having fun with Andromeda and her friends as they walked from shop to shop, enjoying the cool afternoon air and peaceful day everyone was having. Andromeda insisted they stop at Gladrag's Wizardwear for new socks and a new sweater, the pattern hideous and the fabric bordering on scratchy, but she bought it happily and made a comment of how much it would infuriate her mother to see her in it. Afterwards, Ted wanted to pop into Scrivenshaft's Quill Shop for new stationary for his desk, and so Hermione allowed herself to be pulled from store to store in a gaggle of laughing students.
It was nice, this calm and relaxing day, and Hermione felt grateful to have this time with people she was slowly but surely coming to view as friends. She would know Andromeda and Ted later in life, but as little more than allies in an increasingly desperate war, and never as true friends. She would have never come to learn that Andromeda's favorite color was purple, or that she was absolutely terrible in the Study of Ancient Runes, and relied almost entirely on Ted to get her through the course.
She also would never have found out that Ted had absolutely zero skills when it came to flirting with girls and making his attentions known. Hermione was privy to the train wreck that was Ted's attempts at wooing Andromeda, who most definitely noticed the attempts and took them all in stride with gentle laughs and reddening cheeks.
The experiences were enough to provide a startling cognizance that the adults she would come to rely on for support during the most dangerous fight of their lives were children themselves at one point, making the same mistakes she had once done with her own friends. There was none of the couple who would, in only four years time, give birth to a strong willed witch who grew up to be a high ranking member of the Order, a couple who so readily opened their home to that same organization and would one day know the most tragic pain there was.
Tonks would die, as would her loving husband, not long after Ted himself was killed. Andromeda would be the last living member of such a loving family, save for the baby boy she was left to raise on her own.
Stop thinking about that, Hermione chastised herself. Nothing good would come from it. But the future was not set in stone, and maybe if she could save her friend's demented sister, she could her save her friend and her family. Luckily, she wasn't left alone long enough for any pressing weights to settle more deeply on her shoulders as she watched Ted trip over himself and Andromeda barely catch him before he tumbled into the dirt.
It was enough to lighten her spirits once more, and the group found an empty table at the Three Broomsticks for some butterbeer. It was Andromeda's idea to start a race to see who could finish their drink the fastest, and though Hermione sat that one out, she did enjoy cheering on her friend. In the end, one of the Gryffindor boys won, all of the participants sporting varying sizes of foam mustaches and swatting at one another good-naturedly once the teasing picked up. Andromeda had come in second to last, only barely ahead of a Hufflepuff girl who started laughing so hard Hermione feared fizz and foam would spew from her nose.
Once the group had finished their drinks and were all comfortably full, most of the others broke away from Hermione and Andromeda to go join other students from their houses. Only Ted remained for a moment longer, and Hermione walked a few paces ahead to give the two some privacy as he said bye. Of course, the minute Andromeda caught up, Hermione couldn't help but poke fun at the blush on her friend's cheek.
Andromeda shoved her shoulder, and Hermione whirled around in mock outrage as she shoved the girl back, and thus began what was undoubtedly a childish, but very pleasant, shoving match between the two right there on the cobblestone. Normally, she would have balked at the idea of appearing so immature in front of strangers, but the fifth year was able to pull out a playful side of Hermione she thought only Ron and Harry capable of doing.
And then, after they had caught their breath and hopped back onto the path, her fun promptly ended when she heard the high cackle that had the hairs on the back of her neck standing up and her shoulders tensing. She didn't need to search for long before she saw the dark haired witch only a little ways away, sitting on one of the low rising stone fences, her black heeled clad feet dangling.
And she wasn't alone, with a few other Slytherin house members beside her. Rodolphus was there, leaning against the fence and dressed in black pants and a form fitting grey button down. Unlike most days when his hair was loose to his shoulders, he had it secured behind his head in a bun, and just a hint of facial hair showing on his chin and jaw. One of his hands was placed possessively on Bellatrix's upper thigh, and Hermione had no choice but to think back to the scars littering the girl's form.
There was no way Rodolphus caused them. Of that she was sure. One person eliminated, too many contenders still left. Hermione doubted she'd ever get an answer on that mystery. There was no way bellatrix herself would volunteer what was clearly sensitive information, and if Andromeda knew about the beatings she would not turn on her sister.
Bellatrix noticed Hermione immediately, and slammed her mouth shut. For a few glorious seconds, the girl didn't say a single thing, and she looked at Hermione as if debated if commenting was the wisest choice, given what the brunette had just recently saw. In the end, Bellatrix's lack of self control and inability to not harass Hermione won out. "If it isn't the wittle dirty rat out for a stroll with my own sister."
"Bella," Andromeda groaned with her head thrown back, giving her sister a look that said she wasn't in the mood to hear another argument. "Can't you behave?"
"Watch it, love," Bellatrix laughed, Rodolphus and the others joining in as well. Hermione took the moments reprieve to study the others- three boys and one girl, as well as Narcissa. She knew them all, knew all of them would one day join Voldemort on his path of destruction, but none save for Bellatrix, Rodolphus, and the last boy on the left would ever make it into the Dark Lord's inner circle. Narcissa would never fully become a Death Eater like her sister or husband, would never take the brand, though she did sit idly by and watch the man she married commit such treacherous acts, and then later drag their only child into such a mess.
The blonde gave Hermione a dry look, that same gaze of disinterest ever-present before she turned her attention to her older sister, stood silent beside Hermione. The three of them had such an intriguing and complex relationship, each one so painfully different from the others. Hermione still couldn't place which one was the hardest to figure out just yet.
Now wasn't the time to think about the girls' convoluted interactions with one another, not when Bellatrix was showing no signs of the same panicked girl from earlier, and all signs of someone ready to reclaim her powerful imagine. Screaming like she had earlier made her think herself weak, and she would be straining to shift that appearance, even if only Hermione had been the one to see her like that.
Even Bellatrix and Narcissa weren't to whom Hermione looked at in that moment, as a raspy and too deep laugh sounded, and she was reminded it wasn't just her and the Black sisters on this path. She looked to the last one who would become a member of the inner circle, and scowled right back at him.
She had quite literally ran into him the other night in the library, so caught up in the passage she was reading while she walked she hadn't seen another person headed in her direction. He made his displeasure at the assault very clear, and did not hold back from the insults he laid into her Hermione for a moment before deeming further interaction with her insignificant and stalking away.
Looking at him now, she was startled to see she hadn't put the connection together. That was Rabastan Lestrange standing beside his brother, dressed much the same in dark pants and button down as he sneered at Andromeda. He was a sixth year, taller and lanky than his brother, and with shorter hair cropped close to his head.
"Big words coming from you, aye," Rabastan said suddenly, putting all the attention on him, but Hermione watched out of the corner of her eyes as Andromeda tensed. Bellatrix gave her sister a curious look, but otherwise said nothing and allowed him to continue. "Running around with sympathizers and mudbloods all day. Bit of a spit in the face to such a noble name, isn't it?"
Rabastan lacked his brother's elegant grace and poised way of insulting someone. Hermione learned that right in that moment, as well as something much more valuable.
It seemed the only one who could insult her sister was Bellatrix herself.
There was no warning before the girl sent a stinging hex, most likely the same that had started the fight between her and Hermione days ago, to the dark wizard's neck. He collapsed in an instant onto the hard ground, none of the others around him reacting or moving to help as he clutched his neck with a pained yelp.
"Attack the traitor all you want," Bellatrix said as she hopped down from the wall, moving to crouch so she could look Rabastan in the eye. "You know Andy is off limits."
Interesting. So very interesting.
Rodolphus did nothing as Bellatrix kicked his brother in the stomach, forcing the sixteen year old to curl into a protective ball. The action almost made Hermione laugh, if only because she knew how heinous and repulsive the boy would grow up to be.
"Knock it off, Bella," Narcissa finally spoke up after the second kick to Rabastan's sternum. She walked to stand beside her eldest sister, one arm wrapped loosely around her muscled bicep. "He gets the point. You're just being cruel now."
"Yes," Bellatrix said as she stared down at the crumpled teenager by her feet. "I am." Then she jerked her head towards Hermione, and that same look of indecision was back for a fraction of a second before replaced by that smug grin. "You should scurry along now before I get bored of dear old Bast and find entertainment in you."
Andromeda gave her sister one last withering look before tugging on Hermione's arm, away from the bustling areas of the small village, moving closer to the forest and the lake Ron had originally taught Hermione how to skip rocks on. She had been terrible, and had never really figured out the trick to get it to bounce more than once, but she'd had fun either way, laughing with Ron while Harry watched.
It was that very same place they ended up, both girls quiet as Andromeda climbed on top of a large and mostly flat rock. Gentle waves lapped against the smooth stones, and the fifth year scooped up a handful to start tossing them into the water. Andromeda was not aiming to skip the rocks like Ron in Hermione's memory, merely chuck them up in the air and watch them plop down in a little ark, the only sounds being the small waves and the crashing of stone every few moments.
Hermione wasn't much in the mood for talking as she moved to sit beside her friend. Andromeda gave her a relaxed smile and opened her hand to offer one of the pebbles currently held in it. With a laugh, Hermione plucked one from her palm and tossed it into the water.
It was calming, being here with Andromeda, and thinking none of the job she was so pathetically failing at. It was just like she was a normal student, nothing more than any other regular seventh year preparing to make the startling transition from student to functioning adult in the real world. What would she be worrying about right now, if there were no threats from Voldemort, no promises of pain and torture by deranged Death Eaters, and no fear that her best friends would all be killed?
She supposed she'd be like Amelia and Lilith, blind to most of life impurities and focused little more on their friendships and classes, as well as finding a boyfriend to marry after school. Those weren't bad things to prioritize, Hermione knew, and didn't fault her friends for having a normal life. She was nearly envious of them and the easy way they were able to move through life.
So different than anything she's come to know for the last six years, but also so different from the life of the girl beside her. Andromeda did not spend her school years worrying whether she would survive to see the next, nor did the nightmares of her dead friends keep her up at night. It would come later, once she reached adulthood and began throwing her support behind the Order, but for now she could live thinking everything was fine. Or did she? Hermione couldn't imagine growing up in such a family as the Blacks, or any other pretentious and old-fashioned pure-blood society like them.
She had seen what it did to Draco, how entitlement and privilege festered inside him until anything good was snuffed out. He never had to worry about money, or his future, or anything bad happening to him. His family name was enough to get him out of most situations, but did that mean he had the freedom to do as he wished? It had been his parents actions that forced him into becoming a Death Eater, it had been Voldemort's decision that he must kill Dumbledore. There was not much autonomy when it came to deciding what he wanted to do, and in the end it had turned him into a sniveling brat.
Was that what it was like to be raised by Cygnus and Druella? Bellatrix certainly acted as smug and egotistical as Draco ever did, more so probably, and Narcissa managed to maintain that aura of superiority no matter the situation. Even Andromeda was not immune to becoming smug once in a while, though it was admittedly much more rare than either of her sister. Did any of them have a say in their own lives? Andromeda would one day soon, when she turned her back on her entire family and walked away with a muggle born, and Bellatrix would escape into Voldemort's inner circle. Only Narcissa would remain in the exact same place she had been raised, the sole difference being a change of last name.
The longer she thought about it, Hermione wasn't sure which life to live was worse.
The sun was close to setting by the time Andromeda pulled herself off of the rock, the tiny pebbles in her hand long since run out. Most of the time had been spent in companionable silence between the two, occasionally broken up by a comment here or there by either girl, but other than that the quietness of the lake was quite soothing.
Hermione was in a much better headspace by the time she reached the castle and said a quick goodbye to Andromeda before rushing off to meet at Hagrid's for her last night of detention. She didn't even care that she'd been spending another day with Bellatrix. Nothing could ruin the tranquil mood she found herself in.
Chapter 4: IVNotes:just a heads up to anyone reading this chapter, for whatever reason AO3 did not update that chapter 3 was released, so please make sure you've read the third chapter before reading this one!
the story is going to be picking up much faster following this chapter, and it's going to start getting a bit darker and violent soon, so buckle up!
thanks for everyones support once again!
Chapter TextThe universe was determined to prove Hermione's previous statement of nothing being able to ruin her mood completely incorrect. And it did so in the most spectacular, obvious, painful, abhorrent way possible.
If Hermione thought Bellatrix had been in atrocious moods before, it was nothing compared to now, as the dark witch stomped throughout the forest. She had been snippy and rude the moment she came into sight of the small cabin Hagrid lived in, and had not hesitated to start slewing insults at both the half-giant and Hermione.
Bellatrix had been hesitant to goad Hermione into an argument in front of her friends. The brunette knew that, and also knew there would be backlash after uncovering what had to be a deeply held secret. No, Bellatrix was too smart to risk Hermione voicing what she had found in front of the other students, maybe even in front of Narcissa and Andromeda too, if- at the very least- the girls didn't know about it, and at the worst, didn't share the same markings.
But they were no longer surrounded by other Slytherin students, were no longer out in the open of people possibly listening in. And that meant, Bellatrix no longer had to hold back such a callous tongue.
It had gotten to the point that even Hagrid needed a moment reprieve, and so he instructed the girls to head eastward while he continued straight, and they would come back together shortly if neither path led to the trolls.
Hindsight was always 20/20, and he certainly should not have sent the two girls- whose reason for being in detention to begin with was fighting amongst each other- off on their own, given their heated arguments from the last two nights. Hagrid continued onward before Hermione could voice any dissent at being left alone with the psycho, and so she merely pushed forward and refused to acknowledge the girl existed.
Bellatrix had other ideas, and made it quite evident she was not one to be ignored.
"You must be very happy, rat," she began with what was starting to becoming Hermione's least favorite word. Definitely up there with 'mudblood'.
They had been walking for a few minutes now, long enough to no longer be able to hear Hagrid's heavy foot falls. They hadn't seen any sort of living creature save for a few bugs and small spiders. Despite her less than pleasant company, Hermione let a little smile break through as the spiders led her to thinking about Ron. He would have been a shaking, quivering mess in the woods at the sight of the eight legged monstrosities. His fears had only worsened after meeting Aragog in their second year, despite the Acromantula being a friend of Hagrid's. In Ron's defense, the giant spider did want to eat them originally.
A light laugh broke free and Bellatrix gave her a dirty look that quickly ruined her lightened mood once more, and she scowled in return.
"Nothing about being around you brings me happiness, Bellatrix."
"While you have no right to even be so close to me, blood-traitor, that wasn't what I meant." The girl definitely wanted Hermione to ask what it was she did mean, but Hermione would not give her that satisfaction, and after a minute of silence Bellatrix said in a faux high-pitched and childish voice, "Being around such muck and grime reminds you of home! Little rat love rolling around like roaches, don't you!"
Hermione, having had more than enough of the girl's attitude for the rest of her lifetime, did the most logical and mature thing she could have possibly done right in that moment. It was obvious Bellatrix was ready for Hermione's response, she could see that by the way the girl moved her hand towards the pocket of her robes, certainly gripping her wand. Too bad for her, Hermione was not going for her own wand, was not going for a magical response at all.
Bellatrix was a better duelist, that much was undeniable as much as it grated on Hermione's pride to admit it, but unfortunately it was the truth. Their previous encounters with one another have proven time and time again that Bellatrix was a skilled witch, and Hermione was not the only likely to walk away from another fight like that. And in this moment, that was fine. Hermione wasn't in the mood to duel.
While Bellatrix moved to jerk her wand out of her pocket, Hermione slammed her whole body weight into Bellatrix and tackled them both into the ground.
Pure-blooded magic users seemed to forget that there were non magical solutions to their problems. Seemed to forget that, sometimes, a spell was not the best choice. That fact was plainly seen in this scenario, as Bellatrix let out a pained grunt when her body slammed into the hard packed earth below, her head bouncing roughly off of the grass. Hermione's entire weight collapsed on top of her, and she gave no sign that she was going in for another attack before she threw a punch right at the girl's jaw and let out a hiss of pain from the contact of her knuckles. Her legs were on either side of Bellatrix's waist, pinning the girl to the ground, and one hand held the color of the dark witch's sweater to keep her down.
Unfortunately, that seemed to be the only upper hand Hermione would get, and quicker than she was expecting, Bellatrix regained her bearings from the tackle and the punch and reacted.
Years of Quidditch was not for naught as the witch was in impressive shape, and being pressed so closely against her, Hermione could feel the muscles of her stomach tensing against her inner thighs as she tried to buck her off. Whatever potion the matron gave her earlier was doing its job as she showed no signs of weakness, and a moment later gained enough momentum to flip their positions so it was Hermione being forced into the rough ground.
A rock dug painfully into her spine and she let out a gasp, and could do little more than struggle as Bellatrix took her newfound freedom to clamber higher on Hermione's body, weight now centered on her chest with the dark haired witch's thighs resting on her shoulders.
Hermione was completely frozen for a second. No longer was she in the Forbidden Forest, cool mud seeping into the back of her sweater, the occasional animal noise somewhere far in the background. All of these sensations disappeared as she was thrust back into a much similar situation. Dirt and leaves shifted to the smooth and shiny floor of Malfoy Manor, the surrounding trees fell away and morphed to the dark walls of the dinning hall as she was once more pinned in a similar fashion.
Her arm throbbed, and panic began overtaking her body as she fought down the rising feeling of tears pricking her eyes. She would not cry, would not lay down and allow Bellatrix to brand her so easily as before and-
A hard punch to her cheek dragged out of the painful memory and had her yell out in pain. Bellatrix hadn't wasted any opportunity slip from between her fingers as the disgusting copper taste filled Hermione's mouth. As much as the hit hurt, it was exactly what she needed to be brought back into the present and reminded her that she currently needed to fight back.
Both of them were screaming back and forth as Bellatrix rained blows down on Hermione, who in return dug her nails as deeply into pale thighs as she could, and pushed on once she felt the warm, slick sensation of blood coating her nails. It matched the metallic taste in her mouth- she must have either bit her tongue or cheek from the hit, or she was hit hard enough to make her gums bleed.
Hermione had just wiggled enough to think she may have a chance to dislodge the girl above her when the loud sound of twigs breaking underneath rapidly moving feet sounded, and the weight from her chest was suddenly gone, and she sucked in much needed air as she scrambled to get off of the muddy ground and into a standing position. She ignored the pain in her face and hands and stared at the scene before her.
Hagrid must not have been as far away as either girl thought, because he current had his thick arms wrapped around Bellatrix's slim waist. A sight that Hermione knew she would think back to often was Bellatrix wildly struggling to escape the firm hold Hagrid had on her, her body tucked tight against his while she flailed her legs to escape. There was nothing elegant or poised about the rich witch in that moment, her hair more tangled than Hermione had ever seen it, and blood trailing from her nose and mouth as she bucked against the man in a last ditched effort to continue the fight with Hermione. She was too lost in rage and bloodlust to process the fact that they had been caught, and would definitely be receiving another severe punishment for fighting after they had been sent to detention for fighting the first time.
The more wild part of Hermione couldn't find it in herself to care about whatever stern talk they'd receive from Slughorn, even though she was silently glad McGonagall was not her head of house this time, and dragged the back of her hand across her mouth. It came back in a smear of red, and her nose ached when she prodded it, but she could breathe well enough through it, so she knew Bellatrix couldn't have broken it.
It was... exhilarating to fight like that. It had felt so primal to roll around on the ground exchanging blows and insults every chance they got, and despite the throbbing pain throughout her face, despite that it was with Bellatrix, Hermione had almost enjoyed it. She definitely enjoyed the uninterrupted view of Bellatrix's pale legs as they continued their determined job of kicking out at Hagrid. In the moonlight, she could just make out the blood sliding down skin and the crescent indentations from her nails.
Bellatrix, still screaming as Hagrid kept her pinned, did not seem to have liked it as much.
Good.
Hagrid looked as furious as Hermione had seen him for some time as he yelled detention was finished. He refused to set Bellatrix back on the ground as she was yet to stop those terrible, high pitched screams, and so threw her over her shoulder and told Hermione to start walking back to the castle so he could let the head of house deal with them once more.
When the three of them did finally reach the man's office, displeased was not quite the proper word to describe the look he gave the two of them. Though Hagrid did explain the fight he interrupted, words most likely weren't required to justify their sudden arrival at his office, given the state of both girls, and the fact that Bellatrix was still trapped by Hagrid's large hands.
She'd finally stopped that horrendous screeching during their walk over, thank god, as Hermione was about to say to hell with any remaining rules she hadn't broken, and hex the girl into silence. The hair-raising noises had Hermione tensed the entire time, her ears feeling near bleeding from the constant abuse. But went they reached the empty hallways of the school, the shrieks had shifted into promises of severe repercussions from her family if Hagrid didn't drop her.
The threats were so much like Draco's famous and well used 'wait til my father hears about this' that Hermione couldn't help but laugh out loud.
Bellatrix had not reacted well to being laughed at, and Hagrid had to hold her tighter after that. He only lightly dropped her once Slughorn opened the door, but kept himself firmly between both students.
The two of them were definitely something to behold, both dirt stained and covered in blood, and Slughorn only let out a tired sigh before ushering them both into his office, thanking Hagrid for bringing them before the half-giant went on his way.
When Hermione and Bellatrix had been properly scolded nearly an hour later, Bellatrix did not hesitate to stomp off, most likely to any place that Hermione would not be. Just when the brunette gave her head of house one more embarrassed and ashamed nod, she turned to leave, only to be stopped by Slughorn.
"Miss Potter?" He called when she had nearly reached the door to his office. Her whole body ached, and she wanted nothing more than to rinse her mouth out from the blood still coating it, as well as see if she couldn't do some spell to stop the swelling in her cheek and eye. Already she could feel it puffed up, and each twitch of her face sent a new lace of pain through her head. "If you wouldn't mind staying another minute, please."
"Uh, of course, professor," she mumbled, and forced herself to take steady steps back to his desk. She felt unsettled around him now, much too mortified by her actions and his stern speech about said actions to be able to comfortably be around him much more. There was no way he was inviting her into the Slugclub now. She'd just have to find some other way to gain Bellatrix's respect. Not that she already made that as impossible as could be, what with their constant assaults of one another.
"I've spoken to your professors this term, and they've nothing but terrific things to say about you."
"Oh, well- thank you. I enjoy all of my classes."
"Yes, I'm sure you do. As I said during our first meeting, you seemed like a very promising student then, and you are still one now." He gave her a short smile as he leaned against his desk, the action rumpling his orange and grey blazer slightly. "Your skills are rivaled by none other than Bellatrix Black herself. Both of you are very talented witches, and both have the ability to do great things. Perhaps if you both stopped letting your temper get the best of you, you would be able to see that."
Well, there wasn't much Hermione could say to that.
He seemed to understand that as well, as he gave her one more nod and pointed to the door. "It's after curfew, Hermione, you should return to your dorm. I hope to see a change of attitude after our conversation tonight."
Hermione couldn't say thank you quick enough before she bolted from the room and headed straight for the dorms.
September had flew by in the blink of an eye, most of the students focused on settling into their classes and routines, and catching the early season Quidditch matches. After nearly a month in Slytherin house, even Hermione couldn't deny she was enthused over their current leads in wins. Gryffindor wasn't too far behind, and the standings would be drastically impacted by the games this weekend as both teams faced each other.
Over the month, Hermione fell into her role of regular student easier with each passing day. Her and Andromeda became nearly inseparable, with Ted and a few others joining them after classes in the court yard or library often, and Hermione was glad to have such nice and inviting people surrounding her. It was more than enough for her to forget her petty rivalry with her friend's older sister, of which she thankfully had little altercations with since their scolding by Slughorn.
At least, in terms of physical altercations. The two of them still traded insults anytime they made eye contact, and Hermione wasn't proud to admit that a decent amount of times she was the one starting it. Technically. Bellatrix had this way about her, this certain overly cocky grin she'd send Hermione whenever the two made eye contact, it went right through the brunette. It was the same look Draco had whenever he'd call her a mudblood, or the same twisted glee Bellatrix looked at her with right before she carved the hateful slur into Hermione's arm.
Bellatrix knew the look infuriated Hermione, and so she did it often.
But their violent aggression towards one another had dwindled down, if only because they were never really alone with one another for any argument to escalate. Bellatrix and Narcissa were together more often than not, and when the eldest Black wasn't with her little sister, Rodolphus was there, always within touching distance of Bellatrix.
Hermione couldn't quite figure out why the sight of them together so close always set her teeth on edge.
But Rodolphus was nearly ever present around Bellatrix, and for some unknown reason had also taken a liking to Hermione. He sat beside her in their shared classes more often than he didn't, and was always asking if she wanted to join him for a study session in his dorm. By the suggestive raise of his eye, and that slimy grin on his chiseled features, she knew studying was the last thing he wanted. The thought made her gag, and turn him down more times than she could count, and yet he persevered.
The one and only benefit to Rodolphus' attention on Hermione was how much it is visibly bothered Bellatrix. She was extra vicious whenever Rodolphus would flirt with Hermione, and would always stalk off to her next course without so much as waiting for her future husband to catch up. For his part, he'd merely laugh like this was all some weird game the three of them were playing together, a promise of seeing Hermione tomorrow always being the last thing he'd say before he too went on his own way.
That's how things went for Hermione all of September, her weekends and free afternoons broken up by studying with Andromeda, or having dinner with Amelia and Lilith, or sometimes walking down to Hogsmeade for Honeydukes candy and some more butterbeers.
She was having a pleasant time at Hogwarts with people who genuinely cared about her, it only made sense that the world made things a bit harder for her.
Two things happened almost back to back that Hermione could not possibly ignored. The first happened during breakfast, when the morning owls flew in from the high windows to drop off mail as usual. Hermione was focused on her meal, uncaring about the rise in volume as people began excitedly grabbing their letters or packages from loved ones. No one outside of this school knew she existed in this time, so there was no need for her to ever consider she'd get a letter.
One would think that, given the amount of things that have happened to Hermione and her friends over the years, she would stop being surprised when seemingly absurd things occur. A brown barn owl made a straight bee-line for Hermione, a silvery envelope in its claws, and dropped the thing directly onto her plate. She moved to grab it a second later as everyone else did the same to their own mail.
Despite the simplistic envelope, the paper was thick and durable, green wax impacted with the Slytherin seal keeping the letter closed. Immediately upon seeing the markings did Hermione know what would be inside without even having the break the seal. Her and Harry's invites may have been done in person by Slughorn during their sixth year, but it seemed this was his preferred method of invite as she noticed similar letters being opened by a few other students as well.
Dear student,
You have hereby been chosen to join this years dinner party comprised of selective and competitive group of students. Should you continue to reach and surpass the expectations placed upon you, you may find yourself with a coveted invite to the Slugclub. Many a student have come before you, and all have gone on to further their lives through esteemed careers of the highest caliber. Your attendance and participation are required to further your enrollment into such a club. Myself and current members eagerly await your acceptance.
Sincerely yours,
Professor Horace Slughorn
The letter went on to mention a time and date- five days from now, seven o'clock- as well as a dress code of business casual. The moment Hermione finished reading the paper, a flame formed in the center and slowly spread until the entire message disintegrated.
All things concerned, Hermione was quite shocked to be invited to join the club. It had been a goal of hers, something she knew would improve her imagine in Bellatrix's eyes, but that was at the beginning of her time here. When she got to know Bellatrix, it became clear nothing would change how Hermione was viewed, and given that the two fought like cats and dogs whenever they were left in the same vicinity for too long, she couldn't believe Slughorn was still interested in having her.
He hadn't lied when they had their very first conversation together- he had been watching her, and there was not a single chance he was pleased with what she saw. To him, she had to be little more than a temperamental child who struggled with controlling their emotions. Not a person who screamed 'esteemed' or 'goal oriented'. It didn't matter that that was who she truly was, not this girl who became physical and aggressive over the littlest things. That was just- only Bellatrix could bring that out of her.
Admittedly, her behavior had improved within recent weeks, and she knew he wasn't lying when he told her he spoke to her professors. Whatever things they told him, as well as his own observations of her when she wasn't getting in trouble for fights with Bellatrix, must have been enough to consider her worthy of such an invite.
"Oh, hey- congrats!" Andromeda watched the letter burn itself up, and Hermione didn't need to wonder how the girl knew it could have been as she said, "Bella got the same thing last year. Professor Slughorn's group, right?" She didn't wait for Hermione to confirm or deny, and instead went on to explain the history behind it, how Slughorn started the club years ago, and like the letter said, many doors were opened up after letters of recommendation went out. "He's one of the few professors Bella actually enjoys, and probably one of the only professors who like Bella for her, and not just because she can answer their questions."
Hermione had to agree with her friend there. Whenever he would lecture her and Bellatrix for fighting in the halls, or arguing in class, or the disaster of the Forbidden Forest, he had seemed almost disappointed in Bellatrix, as if such lowly fighting was below her. And Bellatrix almost looked embarrassed, though the emotion never fully presented itself on her perfect face. For all other professors Hermione had seen the girl interact with, it was little more than barely concealed annoyance at them speaking to her.
For whatever reason, Bellatrix, at least somewhat, enjoyed and respected the Potions Master. Hermione had figured as much during her first conversation with Slughorn, which is why she originally tried so hard for his attention. He had valued Tom Riddle as a student, and had been the only professor the dark wizard respected. She assumed the same would apply for Voldemort's lieutenant, and had not been incorrect with her guess.
"Our father made it clear all of us had better get an invitation to join Slughorn's club when we go into our sixth year," Andromeda commented off-handedly, but Hermione could easily pick up the underlying tone of annoyance in the statement. She'd known the girl long enough to be able to read her well enough, and would bet she had no interest in joining such a club. "It wasn't any surprise that Bella got invited. Narcissa will be invited, and she'll love it- she's all for dinner parties and galas."
"And you?" Hermione asked, already knowing that nothing about a club that prided itself on the power of surnames and a mutual dislike of muggles and muggle-borns would appeal to someone with such a pure soul like Andromeda.
"Like I said, my father made it clear."
Visions of pink scars flashed through Hermione's mind as they continued their meals, and she found herself thinking more and more of what Cygnus was like as a father. Her interactions with pure-blood fathers were mostly limited to Arthur Weasley and Lucius Malfoy, two drastically differing ends of the parental spectrum, but she would bet everything she had that Andromeda's father was scaled more towards the latter than Arthur.
There was no way that Arthur Weasley would have ever raised children who turned out like Bellatrix Black, of that she was absolutely sure.
But still, Hermione wanted to know more about their father, and so asked, "What would happen if you didn't? Join the club, that is?"
Andromeda shrugged, but Hermione didn't miss the quick look she sent in her sisters' directions, both of them too busy in a conversation with one another to hear what Hermione and Andromeda were talking about.
"Cygnus Black had his children's lives planned out long before any of us were born. His disappointment at having all girls was insurmountable, believe me." Though she spoke so plainly, her opinions on that fact were loud and clear, but she forced herself to smile at Hermione and continue. "He wanted sons, like every pure-blooded man. Or, at least, a first born son. Instead, he got...." she trailed off with a look at her dark haired sister, a quick look of- regret?- flashing too fast across her face for Hermione to truly pick it up. "His plans might have had to be changed slightly after all of us were born, but the expectations he placed upon us have not. And trust me, not even Bella is masochistic enough to really ignore what he wants."
The fifth year was done talking about her father after that, and went to silently finishing her meal. Breakfast was a much more quiet affair after that, and those pictures of scars littering pale and tone thighs was seemingly permanently etched into Hermione's mind.
The second, and infinitely more important, thing came much later in the day, when Hermione was nearly finished with her last class and wanting nothing more than to spend the rest of the day in the library. It seemed that was not in the cards for her, as a letter arrived in the middle of school for the professor, who read through it quickly and announced that Hermione was being summoned to the headmaster's office for a meeting.
It wasn't such a long walk from her class to the office, but the entire time her mind raced with what this could be about. Surely it couldn't be in regards to her interactions with Bellatrix, as for the most part those have ended, and wouldn't Dumbledore have brought her in sooner to discuss that?
They hadn't interacted at all since her first night here, when she got the distinct impression he knew more about her purpose than he was letting on. She'd tried to avoid him after that, as much as possible. What was she even to say if it did get brought up? Well, you see, professor.... I'm actually from thirty years in the future. I'm here because one of your students is a powerful and terrifying Death Eater hellbent on causing destruction to the Wizarding world, all because she's obsessed with another one of your old students who wants to see all muggles and muggle-borns perish? Oh, and by the way, one of your own professors is going to kill you during that time, so heads up? She sounded insane even in her own head. Some part of her whispered that Dumbledore would believe everything she told him.
Her time to worry and fret was over far too quickly when she came upon the gargoyle leading to the office, and she whispered the password she'd been told to use. The statue spun for a moment, twisting and moving until stairs formed, and she hesitated only a moment before she sucked in a deep breath and marched up the stairs.
Her headmaster was sat at his desk, the furniture as messy and unorganized as ever before, a small tray of desserts and candies off to one side while he shuffled through some of the papers. At the sound of her entrance, he looked up.
"You wanted to see me, Headmaster?" Even to her own ears her voice sounded nervous, her throat much too dry right now.
"Hermione, please, take a seat. Pumpkin pastry?" Dumbledore held up a platter of the delectable treats, to which Hermione shook her head and sat in the offered chair. Her heart was beating erratically, and the side of her that was focused entirely on academic success feared this was the moment she would be expelled for fighting, even if, logically, she knew that would not be the case. "How has your first month been here at Hogwarts?"
Her pulse eased a bit at that. Maybe he just wanted to check in with her classes. After all, it wasn't often that Hogwarts received transfers, and never ones in their last year. He could just be worried about her adjustment. "Lovely, professor. I've been enjoying all of my classes this term."
Dumbledore nodded and took one of the pastries for himself as he leaned back in his own chair, a thoughtful look in his eyes as he stared at Hermione. "Are you missing your old friends?"
More than you could ever believe, she thought sadly. In all her time of knowing them, she'd only been away from Ron and Harry this long during summer holidays, and even then they'd been able to communicate through letters, until they all started spending that time at the Burrow. It hurt more than she imagined possible to not be able to see and talk to them every day. "I had a few close friends back at Durmstrang, but I've made new ones here and-"
"I believe it is safe to assume we both know I am not talking about Durmstrang, Hermione Potter." The say he said her last name, combined with the knowing glint in his eyes, and the steady way he held her gaze, had her already fast heart beat pick up in pace. Why couldn't she ever be lucky, and for just once have someone just want to talk about school? "I do not believe it was intended for you to spend your time here squabbling with Bellatrix Black, now was it?"
She opened her mouth to respond, to say something, deny it maybe, and then promptly cut herself off. This was Dumbledore sat in front of her, a man who always knew more than anyone should be capable of knowing.
"Hermione, you truly are the brightest witch of your time." She would have preened at the comment, at the recognition of her skills and dedication to course work, of her commitment to mastering spells and potions, had his next statement not had her freeze entirely. "And Bellatrix is the brightest witch of her's."
It was all the official confirmation Hermione would ever need to know that Dumbledore knew she was not from this time. What was a too fast heart stopped completely, as did her breath get lodged in her throat. It seemed her mind couldn't decide if she should panic or feel relieved that someone knew such a vital secret.
Dumbledore didn't seem to care that he had thrown her entire world off its axis as he continued talking, his tone never changing from that calm and reflective octave he always spoke in. "Voldemort's power grows every day, of that I am sure. No, don't confirm or deny anything, I must live this time as it is intended to play out. Remember, you are not here to change the past, but to change your future."
"What-"
"I fear Bellatrix is going down the wrong path, and the longer she continues the worse it will become. You cannot allow her to do this, Hermione, you mustn't. Do you understand? No matter what is to come, you must prevent Bellatrix Black from becoming a Death Eater."
Hermione's mouth opened and then slammed shut as any and all words escaped her. For the first time since she could remember, she was truly and utterly speechless.
"While I admit, Bellatrix is not the easiest student to get along with, you must persevere, do you understand? Every instance the two of you argue, for every spell you throw at one another, that just forces you a part that much more. It must end, Hermione." He gave a pointed look to her arm, covered by a long sleeve and the glamour firmly in place. "She may hurt you beyond reason, but your original goal cannot falter."
"I don't think I can do this, Professor. Bellatrix is beyond-"
"I once brought a young man to this castle, someone who goes by a name you are well familiar with, I assume. I naively believed him to be redeemable. It was my mistake, as when I looked at him for the first time in the muggle orphanage, I saw a child in need, and nothing of the tragedy he will one day bring the Wizarding World. I believed Tom to be savable, to be crafted in one of the strongest wizards of his time. And, indeed he did become so, though in a much more darker sense."
"Bellatrix is just like Vold-"
"The Bellatrix you know, perhaps that is true. A witch of such skill level must look deep within herself to decide in which way she would use her powers, and Bellatrix eventually will make the wrong choice. But, unlike Tom Riddle, Bellatrix Black is not beyond redemption, Hermione."
"You don't know what she's capable of, the things she will one day do."
"I do not, and you cannot tell me. However, I do know the student who currently walks these halls, a student who has love in her heart for her sisters and passion and skill for Quidditch." Hermione couldn't help but think back to watching the witch play the sport, how wild she had looked sat upon her broom, and how wickedly pleased an expression she had whenever their house scored. Right then, there was none of the future Death Eater, and all of a young girl enjoying a hard match. It was the same expression Hermione saw she would have when she figured out a particularly challenging potion, or correctly answered a question in class meant to intentionally confuse them. In those moments she was just a girl in school, a young teenager who refused to accept her place in life quietly, who was as determined as Hermione herself to do something spectacular with her life.
Her headmaster wasn't done, it seemed, as he continued to talk about Bellatrix. "Is it truly her crime to pay for being born into such a family? The Blacks- they are a... extremists do not do them justice. But you look at Andromeda and see a friend, despite her ties to such a family."
"Andromeda is a good person, professor. She is nice, and kind, and-"
"Is Bellatrix not kind to her sisters?"
Instances of Bellatrix's playful tone when she messed with Andromeda, or the amused sigh she'd give to Narcissa when the younger girl tried to keep her line raced through Hermione's mind. Of a day at Hogsmeade, when Bellatrix had painfully reminded Rabastan Lestrange that her sister was not someone to be made fun of or mocked, for any reason. While Hermione wouldn't go as far as to say Bellatrix was completely kind to her sisters, it was undeniable that Andromeda and Narcissa were important to her. Perhaps the most important people in her life right now.
"I think you are allowing your distrust of her to cloud what is so very clear, Hermione. Bellatrix can be saved, if only the person knows the right way to go about it. It will not be easy, and there will be many tribulations, but you cannot give up." Dumbledore's tone turned from reflective to serious, the kind that said whatever was about to come out of his mouth next was something that, no matter how terrible it may end up being, needed to be listened to and followed. "It is of the utmost importance you shift Bellatrix's path before Christmas."
"Christmas? What happens at Christmas?" There were so many things that could happen at Christmas. Is that when she becomes initiated as a Death Eater? First meets Voldemort? Makes her first kill? There was an endless list of possibilities for what she would need to stop, but nothing was more clear than the fact that somehow, someway, Hermione needed to befriend the dark witch.
"Bellatrix will be faced with a very terrible choice, during which if she completes it, her fate will be sealed, and nothing you can do can change it. You still have a time to gain her trust and friendship. Do not waste it."
When it became obvious Hermione had little more to contribute to this conversation, Dumbledore gave her a sad nod and sent her on her way. "You may go, Hermione Potter."
She was starting to have a new found appreciation for all the truly questionable situations Dumbledore put Harry in during his time here.