Chapter 21: XXINotes:It's been a lot longer than I expected since posting the last chapter. I wasn't really intending a full six months to go by before this was uploaded, but I'm hoping you all stuck around to wait this out with me!
Chapter TextHermione had woken up slowly in the early hours of the morning, her body smushed between the cool plaster of the wall and Bellatrix pressed against her other side, one leg thrown over her own. She had hardly any covers, just a small corner piece across her waist, and when she craned her head upwards to see where the rest of the large comforter had gone, she found Andromeda on Bellatrix's other side, most of the blanket tangled up in her.
The sisters were sound asleep, and Hermione knew from experience Bellatrix would remain that way until she woke her up in time to get to practice for Ireland. It had been such an adjustment period they had all had to go through, with Bella away in a different country more days than not, and nearly all of Hermione's time caught up in the Auror program, everyone had had to relearn how to coexist with one another. They found their groove eventually, and waking up to both Andromeda and Bellatrix hogging most of the bed was a very common occurrence.
Every now and then Narcissa had come in as well, and those days Hermione struggled to free herself from her entrapment against the wall as all three of the Blacks seemed to want to be as spread out as possible, much to Hermione's back's complaints.
By the time she had gathered up the required effort to leave the warmth and comfort of the bed, the sun was only just beginning to peak through the blinds. The apartment was completely silent, still full of shadows in most parts, and Hermione began her regular routine of getting herself ready before moving into the kitchen to prepare breakfast. Narcissa was the best cook between the three sisters, but calling her skilled was... a stretch. The girl burned more things than not, and the spices were either very heavy handed or nonexistent. But she tried, and liked it, and Hermione wasn't surprised when she was halfway through scrambling eggs the blonde shuffled out of her room, hair sticking up in parts from sleep, dressed in a light green nightgown and blinking slowly at Hermione.
They had spent the morning together, enjoying their time cooking until Andromeda was lured from the bedroom by the smell of food, and Hermione went in to begin waking up Bellatrix. She had placed gentle, teasing kisses on the witch's bared neck, nipping at her earlobe until Bellatrix twitched in response, her hips rolling languidly, though her eyes remained closed. It had made Hermione laugh, and her kisses became more forceful, her hands beginning to roam her girlfriend's body until she got the response she was looking for.
By the time they had finished up, breakfast was completely unsalvageable, though Hermione couldn't care in the slightest as she pulled out more eggs and sausage.
That felt like a terribly distant memory as Hermione now stood face to face with Druella Black, wandless and defenseless as the blonde woman glared at her.
"I do not remember you being so incapable of speech, girl," Druella snapped when Hermione failed to respond to her threat. "I am short on time and on patience. I recommend you letting me come in right now."
"What do you want?" Hermione yielded a step, then two more, if only to bring her closer to the kitchen and her wand. Let Druella think her intimidated by the action; she didn't care so long as her wand was in her hand within the next few moments.
Druella copied each step she took, coming farther and farther into the tiny apartment, her wand arm never lowering from its position pointed at Hermione's chest. "It is time you and I have a conversation. I'm tired of these foolish games you and my daughters insist on playing."
Hermione was only a few steps to the kitchen now, just a handful more and-
"Do not think me stupid, girl. Reach for your wand and this will not end will." Druella motioned with her free hand towards the living room. "I would like to hope you are not below civilized conversation. Your pure blooded upbringing should be good for that much, at least, despite your traitorous ideations. Take a sit and we shall talk like refined women."
Sitting down and talking to this vile bitch of a woman was the very last thing Hermione wanted to do, though wandless and her plan ruined, she had little choice. Silently cursing herself for being caught trying to grab her wand, she backed towards the living room, keeping her eyes on Druella the whole time.
She could already think of all the ways Moody would lay into her once he got wind of this bloody mess she had gotten herself into. The last few months of her Auror training had been almost entirely self-defense, with the very first rule the D.M.L.E. taught them was to never, ever, under any circumstance, lose their wand. It was almost always a death sentence to be trapped somewhere with a dark wizard (or witch, in this case, and while maybe not technically dark, Druella Black certainly wasn't a good witch). Constant vigilance. It had been the creed to which Moody insisted the new recruits live by, something Hermione had previously thought herself relatively skilled in.
Druella Black reminded her that she was, actually, not skilled in it at all.
Hermione took the lone chair while Druella took a seat on the couch, not noticing Fatty curled inside his blanket nest, watching the blonde settle down, and waste no time before jumping into her reasoning for being here.
"Bellatrix has made a mockery of this family for long enough. She has stupidly convinced her sisters we are their enemies, while failing to see all the luxuries we have provided for them in their lives. Anything they could have dreamed of, my husband and myself gave them." Druella cocked her head to the side, watching Hermione watch her for a tense moment. "Your Ministry job is something to be proud of, I will admit. To be accepted into the Auror program, to be trained by none other than Alastor Moody... A nobody witch who until a few months ago, did not exist in England. What a sense of accomplish, I'm sure."
"Druella-"
"You may speak when I'm finished, or did your parents not teach you any sort of manners as a child?" The blonde scoffed and tapped her fingers against the couch. Fatty watched every movement, still unseen by Druella, but didn't move or make a sound. "As I was saying, you must feel such pride at what you've done in a short time. Not only did you achieve a coveted position, but you've done so at the same time as turning our daughters against us. That is an act that I cannot over look. It would be a shame that, if your actions don't repair themselves, if you suddenly found yourself without such a position."
To become an Auror wasn't exactly what Hermione had planned for herself years or even months ago. Sure, she'd been told when she was younger that she would have made a skilled one, but it hadn't ever quite seemed like the path for her. And then the War truly picked up again, and nothing but making sure herself and everyone on their side survived had been important enough to give much consideration for.
She had always hoped that she'd one day be able to return to Hogwarts, during those long nights on the run with Harry and Ron. It was a thought she'd always play over and over in her mind while they laid in the tent. Always a year without any sort of issues or near deaths and especially no real deaths. Just a calm two semesters where she could focus on nothing but her schooling. She would have thought of career paths during that time, if they survived the war.
And then she came here, and she didn't want to leave. Wanted to build a life with Bellatrix, one where they were still too involved in Andy and Cissy's own lives later on. It was hard to plan, even now, when she knew how deadly the next eleven years were to become very soon. But she needed a job when she had decided to stay and graduate, needed to do something, and the Auror position had been the smart move to make.
It just made sense, working closely with Moody and learning from him, a man who worked with Dumbledore more than any other. It would provide her a respectable job, something with some possible pull within the Ministry, when they needed to start convincing others Voldemort was a threat. The added facts of learning how to really duel and defend oneself was a bonus, but one that had obviously not paid off well for her.
The thought of Druella taking that away from her...
"I'm sure you're well aware of how connected the Black House is, especially to people within the Ministry. One word from us, or many words from many of us.... that would be sure to end your career before its really started, isn't it?"
There was no doubt at all that Druella would make good on that threat, and Hermione tried not to let it affect her, or at least let it show on her face. "I wouldn't trade Bella for my job. There are a thousand other positions a witch can find in England." Not a lie, per se, but... none would be as impressive or influential as being an Auror. It wouldn't matter, she kept telling herself, wouldn't matter at all. Should Druella truly force the Ministry's hand to fire her, she would find something else, anything else. It wouldn't matter.
Bellatrix was the important factor here. Keeping her on their side, keeping Andy and Cissy safe, that was what mattered. Hermione would work hundreds of hours at a job she despised if it meant the people she loved more than anything else in this time or the next would be fine. Just the thought of Bellatrix suffering even a moment longer at her father's hand was enough to cause a spike of anger.
"You aren't going to convince me of anything, Druella, and you should leave," she bit out after a moment. "Do what you wish with my Ministry position." A brief flicker of surprise flitted across Druella's face before it was expertly hidden behind that impassable, emotionless look. Hermione didn't take any time to question it, not when another thought popped into her head. "Does your husband know you're here? Given the letter he wrote Bellatrix months ago, removing her from the House of Black, one would think he had no interest in getting her back."
"My husband has had a change of heart. He knows this is a time for families to be unified. Bellatrix is his first born, his heir. He wishes her return as do I." Dry, forced words. Entirely untrue. They wanted her back, though not for the reasons Druella had listed. She did not play the longing mother role well, Hermione noted. "Narcissa showed much promise, and I wish to continue her training. It's more than obvious now the marriage between Bellatrix and Rodolphus would not have succeeded, but Narcissa will do what her family needs of her. They both will, in their own way."
There were so many things wrong with what Druella had said, but- "Andy?"
"Excuse me?"
"You said Bellatrix and Narcissa are to return to Black Manor. What about Andromeda? She is your daughter as well." Not that Hermione wanted any of them to return to that wretched house, but something about the fact that Druella was going to all of this trouble to bring Bella and Cissy back and had no intent of doing so for Andy... It set Hermione's teeth on edge and she curled her hands into fists, trying to stifle the rage she felt growing with each passing moment.
"Andromeda is no longer recognized as a Black. She sullied herself and our name with her association to the mudblood boy she is so fond of nowadays." Hermione didn't have the chance to ask how Druella could possibly know about Ted, or to be offended by the use of the slur, before the witch continued speaking. "Bellatrix is consistently difficult, a child who likes to stir up trouble whenever she's bored. She just so happened to have coerced Narcissa into her schemes as well this time. Both of their actions will be forgiven over time. Andromeda is a disgrace, and a whore. She has no place in our family."
If Hermione thought she had any chance of reaching Druella before the woman shot a curse at her, she would have punched her. "You didn't deserve them," she snapped instead, a sort of rage she hadn't felt in a long while coursing through her. "You didn't deserve any of them at all. They're all so much better off without you or your repulsive husband."
Andromeda hadn't hesitated to welcome Hermione into their world, to befriend her and love her. She was Hermione's first and truest friend here, and Hermione would happily fight to defend someone like Andromeda, even if the odds were so greatly stacked against her. But Druella had to have known that, right? She had to have known Hermione wouldn't be so easily swayed in convincing Bella and Cissy to return to Black Manor, and just leave Andromeda behind?
There was a beat of pointed silence as Druella looked around the apartment. "Are they better off here? From what I've been informed of, Bellatrix is gone most days than not, off galavanting in other countries playing that barbaric game like an entirely unrefined woman. You not even coming home until now, so late at night, is evidence enough of your devotion to work over any sort of family. That leaves Narcissa and Andromeda home alone most days, living in this squalor. Is that better off?"
It wasn't that Druella was right. She was very, very wrong, but it still forced Hermione to stop speaking long enough for her mind to run wild. She knew, deep down, that the Black daughters were a million times better off here, at least on an emotional level. They were free of the stress of their father's impossible to measure up to demands, Bellatrix was no longer being physically abused by him, and she was away from any possibility of Voldemort corrupting her.
But... were there things they missed about their old life? Black Manor had been breath taking in its displays of wealth, a vast library full of books Hermione had only ever dreamed of reading, large fields to play Quidditch whenever Bellatrix wanted, elves (as much as Hermione loathed to think about it) on hand to do whatever the girls needed of them at any moment. They had wanted and needed for nothing save for familial love. Did any of them resent giving up such a life? Hermione didn't think so, not when she had seen how stressed the three of them were at times, how much they all needed to match up to their parents expectations, but there had to be some things they missed.
Druella was right about Narcissa and Andromeda being away from Bellatrix and Hermione more often than not. It was impossible not to be, when Bellatrix had nonstop practices for her team, still a rookie trying to prove herself, and Hermione doing the exact same thing at work. She threw herself into the Auror Department, desperate to be the best and learn as much as possible.
Had they neglected Andy and Narcissa in their desire for employment accomplishments?
None of those were any concerns she could bring up to Druella, of course, so she ignored the remarks and pushed forward.
"What is the point of this conversation, Druella? Nothing you can ever say to me will ever convince me Bella and Andy and Cissy should ever return to Black Manor. In fact, I don't even know why you'd want to convince me, of any of us. Wouldn't this be a better conversation to have with Bella? Not that she would ever agree either."
A cold, emotionless sort of smile came on Druella's face. "A war is coming, Hermione. For whatever reason, you have found yourself on the interior side. It is also something that will inevitably bring about your death, but that is neither here nor there. The fact is, there is a war brewing, be it in this year or the next."
Hermione's heart started beating in full, and she was still painfully aware of the distance between herself and her wand. "I have no idea-"
"Do not waste any of your limited breaths lying to me, I frankly do not care. What I do care about, however, is ensuring the success and continuation of my family and bloodline. Something that will not occur if you continue to pollute their minds." Druella let loose a soft sigh, taking a moment to look up at the ceiling before back to Hermione. "Fighting this is futile. I know it, the people on the correct side know it. The only ones who don't, are you and those on your side. My daughter is blinded by her attraction for you and a desire to aggravate her father. Don't let her childish emotions bring about her death. Or her sister's." Another pause for a breath. "When Bellatrix returns tonight, you are to break her heart. Is that understood? Say whatever you wish, I have no interest in how you do it, so long as the end result is the same; my daughters back home where they belong. Safe."
"They'll never be safe as long as they're with you," Hermione snapped. It didn't matter that she had no choice but to keep Bellatrix on their side, for the greater good. She would have done so even if it didn't change their future. But the fact was it did, and she needn't waste any time in thinking over her response. "Bellatrix, Narcissa, and Andromeda will never go back to Black Manor. Everyone knows something is coming. His Death Eaters haven't been quiet in the last few months." Attacking Hogsmeade had only been the beginning, but over time everyone in Britain had started hearing whispers of the dark wizards. "Sooner or later, the Ministry will act." Later, she knew, but Druella didn't need to know their side had years without the Ministry interfering. Let her think that time would come sooner than it was.
Druella rolled her blue eyes, an act so much like Narcissa. "You are an idealistic fool, Hermione Potter. Blindsided by childish love, too caught up in the present to understand the future." It would have been ironic if only Druella knew the truth. Hermione was the only person in the world to know what the next two decades would entail, and it was a weight she would have to carry with her the whole time. "Let me let you in on a secret, girl. She is going to get bored of you, she is going to be mean, and violent, and she is going to stray away from you, one way or another, at one point in time or another. That is a fact you can believe. You are dedicating your life to a girl who sees you as a play thing."
Lies. Such terrible lies. She knew nothing about the person Bellatrix really was, deep down under a thick layer of snark and anger. She was a girl who went to so much trouble to make a picnic in an abandoned classroom for Hermione, someone who pressed themselves against her every night and never once rolled away, someone who always gave Andy the last sausage when they had it for breakfast, despite it being her favorite as well. Druella had no idea about any of that, and was only trying to force Hermione's hand through emotion. "You have no idea what you're talking about."
"And that is where you are wrong. I know exactly what I am talking about because that is exactly the sort of person her father and I have raised her to be." A humorless laugh, cold and vile, left her, and Hermione flinched at the noise. "She is going to destroy you one way or another, and you'll regret not sending her back to us."
"She's going to be the death of you."
"She's the best thing that ever-"
Hermione had been running through of all the possibilities in her mind on how she could escape this situation. She wanted nothing more than to make a run for a wand, as she knew having that in her hand would calm herself immensely, but she also knew she'd never make it that far. Druella was entirely focused on her, and was watching every move she made. There would be no way she'd make it out of the living room, let alone into the kitchen and to the counter.
While it was what she wanted to happen more than anything, it just wasn't plausible. So, she had moved on to hoping maybe Dorcas would make a quick visit before heading off to bed, as she sometimes did. Her arrival would be distraction enough for Hermione to get to her wand, and then it would be two against one. Dorcas might even be able to send off a Patronus to the Order, though that seemed almost as unlikely as Hermione getting her wand on her own.
Her final, last hope of safely getting through this was on Bellatrix coming back, and that was a thought that scared her more than anything. As much as she'd take comfort in her girlfriend being beside her, it was not something they could risk, not with Andy and Narcissa with Bellatrix. Who knew what Druella would attempt if she thought she could take Bellatrix and Narcissa back with her. They couldn't take that risk, nor could they take the risk of the youngest two Blacks getting hurt in some impromptu duel. In such close quarters, there would sure to be destruction to the apartment and themselves.
Hermione had been running through so many possibilities throughout the entirely of this conversation, but she had never, ever pictured what just happened.
One second they were arguing over Bellatrix, and the next a tiny puff of flame spurted out from behind Druella.
It was small, only slightly bigger than the flame on a candle, save thinner and a bit longer. The fire went directly from some point behind Druella into her hair, lasting only a few seconds, but it was long enough for it to catch in the blonde locks and begin spreading.
Druella jerked in understandable surprise, and Hermione did as well, both woman standing now while Druella spun rapidly trying to figure out what had attacked her and why the ends of her hair were smoldering.
Hermione wanted to know too, especially if she was at risk of being attacked as well, but this might very well be her only opportunity, and she could not waste it. As Druella was distracted, Hermione took off towards the kitchen, not wasting any time looking behind her to see if Druella had recovered and was about to fire any type of spell at her.
Just as she reached the kitchen and moved to grab her wand, already feeling better as she saw her escape in sight, she heard Druella yell off a spell- one that would hurt, and hit her directly in the back.
She had not time to move, and had already prepared herself for the type of intense pain to hit, but it never came. Instead, Druella gave a loud shout and Hermione noticed the spell went wide, slamming into the plaster and creating a singed hole. She winced- they wouldn't be getting their security deposit back for that one.
But she had no time to worry about a trivial matter like that as she finally grasped her wand and spun around to face Druella.
And stopped short at what she saw.
Fatty was wrapped around Druella's head, his sharp claws digging into her cheeks as he bit her head. She was yelling, struggling to get the animal off of her, but Hermione was relieved to see that in the unexpected assault, Druella had dropped her wand. So that had been why the spell missed. Fatty had saved her when he jumped Druella.
And even odder than that, there was a dragon in the living room.
Well, more accurately, it was a toy dragon about the size of her palm, and made of plastic, but it was still a shock to find the little thing buzzing around Druella, tiny puffs of flame appearing every few moments. That was what had caught Druella's hair on fire and been the initial distraction then. It was the toy Bella had given her.
"It's just a toy charmed to act real." That was what Bella had said when she'd given it to her. Of course, leave it to her to forget to mention the part where she'd added the realistic ability to breathe fire.
She needed only a few seconds to shake off the weirdness of seeing Fatty and the little dragon (who until now had spent most of the time snoring on the end table), and charged back into the room. Another second later and she had sent the leg locking curse, which forced Druella to the ground. She couldn't risk anything too volatile with Fatty and the dragon so close.
But the fall gave Hermione some time to think through her next moves, mainly, sending off a Patronus to Dorcas. Moody would have been preferred, but she was hoping Dorcas was right next door and could be over very quickly. Which was what she needed, given that she had no idea what to do with Druella.
The woman was still on the ground, struggling to rise with her knees forced together and straightened. Fatty had clawed her face up without enough strength that Hermione wondered if the scratches would scar if left untreated. A dark part of her wished they would, if only for the reminder that Hermione and her family were not people to mess with and try to force around.
Hermione stepped closer until her feet were beside Druella's head, wand pointed down in warning, and their eyes locked. "I don't ever want to see you again," Hermione started off slowly. "I don't want to see or hear from you or anyone else in your family. You will never send Bella or her sisters another piece of mail, or try to take them back to Black Manor, or whatever other delusions you have about trying to control them. It won't work. I won't let it."
She paused to breathe, still staring in Druella's wide eyes. They were such a reflection of Narcissa's it was almost startling. "If you try again, I swear on everything I will make it sure it will be an encounter you don't walk away from."
Hermione wasn't a murderer, wasn't a killer or a torturing or anything of the like. Her brief fear of thinking she had killed Cygnus Black in a battle gone wrong in Italy had been enough evidence of that fact. She wasn't a killer. But she was someone who protected her family, and there were other ways of dealing with people that didn't involve physical pain. She had done as much with Rita Skeeter years ago for Harry, and would do that and much worse now for Bella and her sisters.
"Am I clear?"
There must have been something in Hermione's voice that convinced Druella these were not idle threats, for the woman nodded- barely.
The sound of the door being thrown open told Hermione her decision to call Dorcas had been a wise one, especially as the young witch raced into the living room, wand drawn and ready for anything.
"Hermione! What- oh, what?" Dorcas stopped talking once she realized Druella had been incapacitated and was currently not a threat, but still mimicked Hermione in pointing her wand down at the Black Matriarch. "What is going on?"
"She wanted to take Bella and Narcissa back to Black Manor," Hermione responded, voice flat and hollow even to her own ears.
"Where are they?"
"Out at dinner. Safe." That was what mattered. What would always matter. "Did you tell Moody?"
"He's on his way." And more than likely furious. There wouldn't be much they could do about this, Hermione knew. No one would want to punish Cygnus Black's wife for having a 'harmless' chat with the person their daughters have been living with, even if she did threaten her. But Hermione knew nothing would happen, they would have to move on from this as if it hadn't ever happened to begin with, just like they've had to with everything else.
It was another depressing thought, and one she shoved to the back of her mind as other Order members appeared to handle this.
Bellatrix was furious, and Hermione had to physically hold her back from storming to Black Manor to scream at (and more than likely attempt to attack) her parents.
"You could have been hurt!" Bellatrix screamed, mindless of their neighbors and thin walls. "No wand, no one knew either of you were here, she could have done anything she wanted to you! She could have taken you somewhere!"
Hermione grabbed Bellatrix's hand and forced her to look at her. "Bella, I'm fine. I wasn't hurt. There's nothing to worry over." A lie, given that it very well could have gone terribly wrong. Hermione could have been hurt, or taken, or worse. She understood Bella's anger, and knew it came from a place of worry and fear for Hermione. "Look at me, love, I'm fine."
It did nothing to calm the raging girl, and she shoved herself away from Hermione, running a furious hand through her tangled hair. She'd only gotten back a few minutes ago, after Moody had sent someone to the restaurant to inform Bellatrix of what had happened. Bellatrix told the Order member to take Narcissa and Andromeda to the townhouse for the night, just in case Druella or someone else tried anything else tonight. Bellatrix had apparated here immediately after, only just missing the Order making sure Druella was gone and showed no sign of coming back anytime soon.
"You might not have been fine if it wasn't for Fatty, Granger! That's the entire fucking point! What if something had happened!"
"Nothing did," Hermione said calmly. She knew if she got upset it would only worsen Bellatrix. "We can't worry about what-ifs. We need to focus on the now and later, not something that could have happened but didn't." Grasping for a distraction, Hermione said, voice noticeably lighter than moments before, "Fire breathing toy dragon, huh?"
It worked- technically. There was still an angry note to Bellatrix's voice as she spoke, but she rolled her eyes and walked towards where the toy had long since curled back up and started snoring again. "A little bit of added protection. Never though it would actually do something though." She shrugged, and ran a finger fondly down the toys spiked back before looking at Hermione with a coy smile. "You owe Fatty your gratitude."
Ugh. Hermione didn't want to think about the fact that her life was save by the Brownie. Or that she owed him so many snacks now. "Don't talk about it."
Bellatrix walked back over to her, all pretense of anger now gone, and pressed a chaste kiss against the corner of Hermione's mouth, mumbling against her skin, "He gets to sleep in our bed tonight."
"He does not!" Hermione laughed, taking comfort in this moment. It was easy to let the panic of earlier consume her, but it was easier still to let Bellatrix calm her entirely. Plus, like what she told Bella- there was no point in thinking of what-ifs.
There would be more than enough time to worry about what this meeting truly meant for them later. She added it to the growing list of things weighing down her mind, things she knew she needed to discuss with Bella. But right now, Hermione wanted little more than to argue that the Brownie was most definitely not sleeping with them.
Chapter 22: XXIINotes:hi
long time no see
(See the end of the chapter for more notes.)
Chapter Text"What happens now?"
"I have a meeting with Osmund Travers this afternoon, so we'll know then, I suppose," Hermione replied, lightly trailing her fingers over a blazer. The store was empty aside from themselves and a bored looking saleswoman, which was precisely why Hermione decided to go at this time. The little muggle shopping center was never overcrowded to begin with, but in the late morning like this it was practically abandoned.
"The head of the DMLE?" Andromeda kept her voice low enough as to not be overheard by the muggle woman, but without needing to whisper. Another reason Hermione had chosen now and here to go out shopping. There would hardly be anyone around, and those that were would have no idea what they were talking about. "Your boss knows about it?"
Hermione nodded, checking a price tag on a shirt before dropping it. She was accustomed to putting clothing or objects back that were too expensive, but Bella and her sisters were still getting adjusted to no longer having a limitless bank account at Gringotts to spend however they pleased. None of them complained, save Bella when she was feeling particularly temperamental and wanted something extra to rant about. But now, as Andromeda walked around the small boutique, Hermione watched her check tags and only grab a few pieces she deemed affordable.
"Moody had to report it. He was afraid someone in the building may have caught wind of the argument, and wanted to get ahead. It would have looked worse if Travers heard about it and no one had reported it." They'd discussed it in length, her, Moody and Bella, before all agreeing that it was the best course of action. Bella had needed persuasion, as well as being persuaded to not storm her childhood home and make everything so much worse. Eventually they got her on their side, and Moody had given the report to their boss.
Andromeda repeated her original question, and wasn't that what mattered most, what they all wanted to know? What did happen now? There was a very real possibility Hermione may lose her position in the Ministry, but an even higher possibility they'd be forced to send Andromeda and Narcissa back to their parents. Not that either her or Bella would allow that to happen. They'd all sooner run off before voluntarily handing Bella's sisters over to their parents.
It was a conversation her and Bella had had in depth recently, preparing for that real outcome. It would only take a short while to pack their small belongings and run somewhere Cygnus and Druella could not find them, even if it meant turning their backs on the Order and the War. Hermione didn't want any of that to happen, but until this afternoon she could do little more than stress and worry herself over what Travers would say or do to her.
That was part of the reason Hermione had asked Andromeda to accompany her to the muggle shop. Aside from them needing a break from the wizarding world, Hermione just wanted to spend time with a girl she'd grown to view as her little sister. Narcissa was out with Bellatrix, the two of them hopefully having a peaceful time, and Hermione wanted to soak up a rare few minutes of having Andy to herself. She knew the girl, and Narcissa, were shaken after their mother broke into the apartment. This was hard on all of them, but Andy and Narcissa were too young to be involved, and Hermione would always do her hardest to spare their childhoods like her's never was. They deserved at least that.
"What do you want for lunch?" Hermione asked when they had lapsed into silence. Andromeda had a few pieces of clothing they needed to purchase before leaving, and then there were a few other shops they'd passed on the way in that had caught both of their eyes. Hermione was on a temporary suspension until her meeting today and therefore had no work, and all day to spend with her friend. She would make the most of it.
And make the most of it they did. In the end Hermione definitely spent more than she had planned on Andromeda, but the easy and relaxed smile Andy wore all morning was more than worth it. The quiet and uneventful days were so far and few between, no amount of money would be too much to achieve even a little bit of peace. Between clothing shopping, grabbing an early lunch, and watching the few muggles around. Andromeda was captivated by them, asking the most basic of questions, and occasionally mentioning Ted Tonks and what he has told her of the muggle world. They had then spent the next little bit just talking about Hermione's life before finding out she was a witch and going to Hogwarts. It was just what Hermione needed to distract herself from the meeting.
When the time finally came for Hermione to meet with her boss, she dropped Andromeda back off at the apartment before using the floo to head to her department. Travers' secretary, an older woman who never seemed to truly warm up to Hermione despite her best attempts, waved her right into their boss' office upon her arrival.
Osmund Travers was seated behind his desk, a large oak piece cluttered with multiple different case files he was always in the process of looking through and following up with his Aurors. He had been polite enough to Hermione, and seemed to operate under the assumption she was a decent enough Auror who could handle herself, plus all of her paperwork was always complete in a timely manner, and that seemed to be good enough for him.
"Potter, take a seat." He waved a meaty hand towards the empty chair across from him, and Hermione sat down a bit stiffly, the door magically closing behind her. She'd never handled being reprimanded well. Travers leaned back in his seat, his attention now solely on her. "It isn't every day an Auror claims a member of the Sacred Twenty-Eight broke into their home and attacked them. Let alone the Lady of the Noble House of Black."
So, he truly was jumping right into this. Okay. Hermione could handle this. She could talk her way out of it. Probably. Hopefully. "I know it sounds absurd, sir, but I swear to you on Merlin, Druella Black did break into our apartment."
"You currently have her two underage daughters living in your home, correct?"
"Yes, but-"
"So it stands to reason that, perhaps, a mother merely wanted to check in on her children?" He was staring at her intently, his fingers interlocked at his chin as he waited for her response. When she failed to produce a comprehensive one, Travers sighed and, with a wave of his wand, placed a silencing charm around the room.
That had Hermione shifting on edge, unsure where this was going. He had never come across as the sort of person to become so furious he would scream, but maybe this was how he avoided that type of characterization. Was that about to be what happened? Or something else? Hermione's hand drifted to her wand at her side just in case.
"I went to school with Cygnus and Druella Black," he said casually instead, the sentence coming entirely out of left field. Travers paused then, taking a moment to light a pipe and bring it to his mouth. Hermione had to restrain herself from wrinkling her nose at the rough scent it gave off. Asking him to put it out would do nothing for her case right now.
Hermione had a feeling the rest of this conversation would not be in her favor. Everyone knew the Black patriarch, and no one wanted to get on his bad side and risk his ire. From the little she had interacted with Osmund Travers, he did not come across as the sort of man who liked to stir up trouble when it could be avoided. And technically, the trouble with Cygnus and Druella could be avoided if Andy and Narcissa just went back to live with them. To Osmund, it was probably that simple. But he didn't know the truth, didn't know what it was like in that family.
But Osmund continued speaking then, his words utterly shocking Hermione. "They were prats, the both of them." He laughed as if he were letting Hermione in on some secret, and she forced herself to laugh back, her's sounding more of a confused gasp. "Never was a fan, myself. 'Course, couldn't very well let my true opinions be known, not when Cygnus would one day become the new Lord of House Black."
"Sir, I uh-"
"I paid them a visit last night. Catching up with old classmates and all that." He pulled the pipe away and leveled Hermione with a very heavy look. "I am not one to get involved in the lives of my Aurors, Potter. Now, I don't know the full extent of your… relationship with Bellatrix Black, and I don't want to, but… you should be free to, erm, pursue any interests you may have."
This… was turning into possibly the most awkward and uncomfortable conversation of Hermione's life. Maybe it would have been better had he placed the silencing charm so he could scream at her and revoke her position. She opened her mouth to- to beg him to stop, probably, but he didn't give her a chance, once again.
"Anyway. Not my business. We worked it out, us and Cygnus. The underage daughters return to Hogwarts shortly enough that it doesn't make it worth it to kick up a fuss over their current housing. I make no promises for next year. But for the remainder of their summer holiday, they are fine to remain under your and Bellatrix's care."
"What?"
"I think you're a fine enough Auror, Potter, and Moody has high praise for you, which is a very strong compliment from him. I believe you have Bellatrix's sisters' best interests in heart. Cygnus Black has no interest in making it public knowledge that his underage daughters have run away, nor would he want to risk anyone siding with you regarding Druella possibly breaking into your home. He assured me there would be no more issues for the remainder of the summer. But as I said, I am making no promises for next summer, or any school holidays. Keep that private, and civil. You have a reputation to uphold."
Hermione nodded, a bit jerkily, a bit off-kilter. This isn't how she'd imagined the conversation to go, not at all. Travers hadn't been rude to her during her time here, but he certainly hadn't gone out of his way to get to know her or befriend her beyond what was expected of a boss. For him to go as far as to go to Black Manor last night with Moody and talk about Hermione and Bellatrix's issues with them…
She said her thanks, quietly and distractedly, before Travers waved her away and she somehow managed to make her way to the door. She'd just pulled it open when he called out-
"Oh, and Potter? Go Ireland."
Hermione was still reeling from the conversation with her boss when she used the Floo to travel to Ireland's training center. Bellatrix had wanted to skip training for the day to be there in case things did go wrong, but Hermione wouldn't let her. If this was going to be one of their last few days of normalcy, Hermione did not want to be the reason Bella could not get one more practice in of the sport she loved so dearly.
But she didn't need to think of that, not for the foreseeable future at least. Travers had, miraculously, sided with them. Fought enough for them that even Cygnus Black had yielded. Hermione doubted she would ever be privy to what the actual conversation between her boss and Bella's parents actually was, which was disappointing but at the end of the day was inconsequential. Andy and Narcissa were able to spend the remainder of the summer, however short that may be, with them. It would be a fight during the next school year, but Hermione would take her win when she could get it.
She couldn't wait to tell Bellatrix. Hermione had arrived right in the middle of practice, the pitch void of anyone else outside of the team, and none of them noticed when Hermione slipped by one of the doors on the ground to watch. It wasn't often she got to watch Bella play anymore. Their schedules rarely allowed for this, and so she cherished these short few minutes of seeing Bellatrix race through the sky on her broom, where she was always the most at ease.
Hermione missed the sport, if she were being honest. But she mainly missed the simplicity of her time at Hogwarts with Bellatrix, if it could ever be called simple. So many weeks had been spent trying to win Bellatrix over, but when Hermione had succeeded, everything was perfect. Even with the threat of Voldemort hovering over them day and night, practicing flying with her girlfriend was a memory that would forever bring Hermione peace of mind.
Now was no different than when Hermione first saw Bellatrix fly out onto the pitch at that first game when she came back in time. Bellatrix was no less wild or determined, and Hermione didn't doubt her girlfriend would never become captain. Not when she was too uncontrollable and fierce. And collected too many penalties for their team. But her performances in every game kept her position more than secure, which was enough for the coach to overlook any type of foul play.
Even now, practicing against her own teammates, Bellatrix was determined and unforgiving. More than a little of that attitude was pent up from their issues with Cygnus and Druella, and Bellatrix was using this as an outlet, but that was fine. None of her teammates seemed upset with her, and one even slapped her on the back roughly after a particularly impressive screwdriver move between opposing players.
Hermione remained unnoticed throughout the rest of practice, which was a little under thirty minutes before the coach blew the whistle and the team slowly dropped to the ground. Hermione was too far away to make out what the woman was saying, but likely just remarking on everyone's plays for the day's training. Eventually, she dismissed them all, and Hermione pushed herself off of the wall just as Bellatrix started making her way in this direction.
She picked up on the exact moment Bella noticed her, her sweaty and wind beaten face stretching in a smile that was quick to drop, her eyebrows ruffling. Not that Hermione could blame her, Bella would have been worrying just as much over the fate of Hermione's job. And her sisters. But she determinedly walked over to Hermione, forgoing changing in the locker rooms with the rest of her team as she reached Hermione and they walked a bit off to the side for a little more privacy.
A few of Bella's teammates nodded their hellos to Hermione, one stopping for a second to comment how brutally Bella was playing, and how bloody lucky they were to have someone like that on their team. Eventually everyone else dispersed, and Bellatrix was quick to start speaking.
"Well?"
"I'm not fired, and we aren't sending the girls back to your parents." Hermione was quick to dive into the story, quickly brushing past Travers' unnerving comment about her and Bellatrix- and ignoring Bella's smirk at that- as she filled her in on everything. It wasn't a long story, and the more she talked the more she watched Bella's shoulders sag with relief.
Hermione losing her job would have sucked, especially as they were using it to learn any information on Voldemort's movements, but losing the girls would have been impossible to handle. To know that neither were happening was a relief Hermione couldn't quite describe, but saw it mirrored on Bella's face.
"It's hard to believe my father would just let this slide like this," Bellatrix said once Hermione had finished catching her up. "I don't trust it."
"Neither do I," Hermione agreed. She'd been thinking the same thing, even if she didn't want to. They'd never be truly free of Bella's parents, not until Narcissa was an adult. If things played out how they did in Hermione's time, at least Andy marrying Ted would get her blasted off of the tapestry and her parents would disown her too, as terrible as that sounded. It would be the best for Andy in the long run. But Narcissa, would they continue to fight for her?
"This is just an endless cycle, Hermione." Bellatrix scowled at her own thought, arms crossing over her chest. Hermione reached out to pull them apart, lacing their fingers together tightly. "When the hell will it stop?"
"I think… we are at a place in our lives when we need to embrace the small victories," Hermione said slowly, knowing she needed to work hard to keep Bellatrix from losing her temper and going off on a rant about wanting to murder her parents. Again. Hermione couldn't keep convincing her otherwise with how often they talked about it. "Your parents agreed to leave us alone for the rest of the summer. Cygnus won't try anything knowing we have Osmund Travers' support. Let's take the summer, enjoy this time with Andy and Cissy, and we'll deal with the future when it happens."
Her words didn't seem to have much of an effort on Bella, who still had a pinched look on her face. Hermione rubbed her thumbs soothingly over the back of her hands in comfort. "I don't like the thought of just waiting this out. Any of it."
Hermione knew she wasn't just talking about her sisters anymore. They seemed to do nothing but wait for Voldemort and his Death Eaters next round of attacks. Hermione had known this would be coming, had read about how sporadic and unpredictable they were in the future as he rallied supporters so early on. It would speed up soon, like it had done in her time for the second war, but this beginning was little more than an anxious waiting game. Between the threat of him and Cygnus, they had too much on their shoulders.
"Everything we're doing is to keep them safe, Bella. And it will work, I know it. Just enjoy the summer with me, please? And we can face everything later."
Bellatrix was silent for a few short moments, just watching Hermione, before she finally slowly nodded her head. "Okay, dragon-rider."
By the time they'd finished talking out on the pitch, the rest of the team had left. Bella's coach had stopped by for a moment to tell Bella to lock up if she was staying to shower, before she too left the small arena. Bellatrix guided Hermione back to the locker room to change and shower before heading out. They made a short pitstop to grab a towel, before Hermione let herself be dragged over to the small section of showers. Bellatrix started to strip off her practice gear, letting the padding and outer layers drop unceremoniously onto the tiled floor. There were small puddles from her teammates showers, but she didn't seem to care. Hermione didn't either, not as she got to watch Bella slowly peel off her sweat soaked under layers, the tight fitting black shirt, then her bra and underwear. When she was fully naked, she turned to grin at Hermione, her eyes darker than normal.
It took very little convincing from Bella for Hermione to strip down as well and step into the small shower, the warm water soaking them both immediately. The little cubicles were not made with the intention of holding more than one person, so the fit was tighter than they were used to, but that was all the more reason for Hermione to press up against Bella's back, lightly teasing her fingers over the girl's stomach.
She could feel each flex of Bella's muscles at the movement, her hands moving up to trace over her ribs and then around to her back muscles, still taunt from practice. Hermione placed a gentle kiss on the back of Bella's neck, her tongue peeking out to lick up the water sliding down there.
Bella's hips jerked backwards at the contact, her bare ass grinding against Hermione's, and Hermione tightened her hold on her girlfriend, moving her mouth to the side of Bella's neck, finding the soft skin where her neck met her shoulder and sucked it into her mouth. As she sucked a mark onto Bella's pale skin, her hands moved up to her breasts and cupped them both. She could feel Bella's nipples harden at her touch, her stomach dropping when a moan slipped from her girlfriend's mouth at the action.
" Hermione ." Bella's hips pushed back against her, and Hermione walked them forward until she was pressing Bella against the freezing cold tile of the shower. "Fuck!" She yelled out at the shocking temperature, her back arching away and further into Hermione. "You shit," she gasped out a laugh and Hermione grinned into her neck, one hand moving from her breast down to her waist.
"Sorry," Hermione said, not feeling very apologetic at all. She teased Bella's hipbone, loving each slight twitch and jerk at every movement. Bella was panting hard, suggestively moving her hips back into Hermione every few seconds in desperation.
Hermione didn't make her wait any longer, moving that hand down her front and to her clit. Even with the water pouring on them, Hermione could feel how soaked Bella was, her finger sliding through it. Bellatrix moaned loudly in relief, her head dropping forward to rest against the tiles, her water soaked hair blocking most of her face.
The angle was a bit awkward, Hermione not able to move as easily with her arm trapped between Bellatrix and the wall, so she pulled back for a second. She grinned to herself at Bella's pathetic whine, but Hermione gave her no time to prepare before sinking a finger into her from behind, her other hand now pressing against her back between her shoulder blades, effectively pinning her.
"Oh, Merlin, Hermione, fuck-" Bella babbled with each stroke of Hermione's finger. She was so warm and tight, it was making Hermione a bit lightheaded. Each movement she could feel Bella fluttering against her, grinding her hips down for more contact. It was too easy to slide a second finger in, stretching Bella just the bit more.
The girl cried out at that, the noise loud and uninhibited. It was so rare for them to have these moments, where they would take their time and be as loud as they wanted, and this was not something Hermione would waste. She wanted to make Bella come as many times as she possibly could. She doubted Bella would have any reservations to that idea either.
She could tell it wouldn't take long for Bella to come, not like this, and she wanted to watch her face when she did so. And also kiss her. Once more removing her fingers slowly, Hermione spun Bella around so her back was now against the tile, and wasted no time before entering her again. This time she was able to watch as Bella's face scrunched up at the intrusion. Hermione spread her fingers inside of her just as she connected their mouths, Bella gasping into her at the unexpected movement.
"I love being inside you," Hermione whispered against her mouth, fucking her deeper and harder. Bella was moaning constantly now, unable to formulate any sort of words, her nails digging roughly into Hermione's skin. "Fuck, Bella," she kept talking and Bella kept trying to kiss her, all of it was messy and Hermione was only getting more and more turned on. She loved Bella like this, wild and free and so fucking desperate for her.
Hermione kissed back down to her neck, latching onto a spot she knew would not be easily covered up by clothing. Good. Hopefully everyone could see her mark tomorrow, even if logically she knew Bella would just use a glamor charm. "Can you take another finger, baby?"
Bella groaned at the question, clenching tightly around the fingers around inside her, but managed to gasp out, "Yes, please, yes."
God, Hermione really loved it when Bella begged like that.
Take it she did. Hermione worked a third inside her, slowing down a bit to let Bellatrix's body adjust to the thickness. She kept it slower, wanting to work Bella into the first of many orgasms. It didn't take long, only a few presses against that spongey spot inside her before Bella was nearly crying.
"I'm so close, Hermione, so- fuck,-" she sobbed, forcing Hemrione back up to kiss her, though it was little more than their teeth banging against each other and Bella gasping into her mouth. She could feel how Bella kept getting tighter and tighter around her until she couldn't move her fingers anymore, could do nothing but try to kiss her back and keep pressing against that perfect spot.
That was all it took before Bella came with a cry of Hermione's name, her legs shaking and her nails hard enough into Hermione that she had to be bleeding. It lasted just a few seconds before Hermione could slowly ease her fingers out, swiping her thumb against Bella's clit just to watch her twitch before holding her up by her hips.
Cygnus and Voldemort were the furthest things from Hermione's mind as she watched Bellatrix's chest heaving with gasping breaths, using the wall to support most of her weight. This moment was perfect, nothing could ruin it. She wanted to bask in it for as long as possible, even when Bella finally got it together enough to push off of the wall and press Hermione into a bruising kiss. It lasted only a few seconds before she felt Bella start to move, slowly dropping down to her knees, her hands already working to spread Hermione's legs, the water pouring straight on her head. Absolutely, breathtakingly, perfect.
Notes:today was my birthday and I'm a bit drunk and wrote all 4400 words tonight out of nowhere. honestly wasn't sure if / when I was coming back to this, but this all just hit me tonight. hope its been worth such a wait