Chapter 1
The Golden Trio stood on the famous Hogwarts Bridge, or what was left of it. Fresh cuts, scabs and scars from past conflicts scattered all over their tired, aching bodies. The war was over. The bridge was littered with debris and rubble from destructive spells that were thrown all over the Hogwarts grounds mere hours before. Each piece of cracked and broken stone laying in heaps all around reminded the trio of every beloved life lost. This hurt the trio to their very core. Birds flew alone over the shell of the magical school as if they didn't know what horrors had taken place not long before their presence.
Earlier that day when the morning mist obscured vision and soaked blades of grass and vegetation, Lord Voldemort was killed by The Boy Who Lived, Harry Potter. Most of his comrades and faithful Death Eaters were taken with him. One of the only faithful to the former Dark Lord to escape with nothing but a few scratches was Bellatrix Lestrange. Possibly, the most dangerous woman in the world. The disappearance of the dark witch was of the most concern to the ministry and what was left of the Order of The Phoenix.
Hermione stood with her arms wrapped around Ron in a loving embrace while taking in all that had happened. Her mind flickering over Fred, Remus, Tonks and many more. Holding Ron tighter with every thought of her friends layed out in the ruined Great Hall, their eyes dark and emotionless. Very unlike their living selves.
The form of a wizard loomed closer in the fog, distracting the trio from their thoughts. Thankful to the mystery person as tears were becoming dangerously close to pouring out of her eyes in grief for her fallen comrades, the young brunette removed her arms from around Ron's comforting body and informed Harry and Ron of the new presence soon to be among them. A familiar voice rang out, echoing to the very bottom of the chasm beneath them, bouncing off of every rock. "Thank goodness you're out here. We have a slight complication." The new Headmistress of Hogwarts and head of Gryffindor house, Minerva McGonagall was the speaker. Her pointy witches hat and round glasses, similar to Harry's became visible in the foggy terrain. "I think it's best if I just show you."
Curiosity biting at the brains, the trio followed the beloved Professor into the wrecked castle, following her up ever moving stone staircases and down long, cold hallways, until finally, They stopped in an unfamiliar doorway. The Headmistress turned to look sternly at the trio. "We found her almost an hour ago," the elderly woman began. "She was quite difficult to get a hold of, but our trusty aurors, courtesy of Kingsley Shacklebolt managed to subdue her and bring her here. Without another word, the Professor pushed open the door with a wave of her wand to reveal a cell with a small bed inside it. Outside the cell, was a small table with only one chair accompanying it. To the trio's surprise, a woman with a mane of black, curly hair sat on the lonely bed in the cell. An unsettling, amused expression on her face. "Look at what the cat dragged in," she cackled, throwing back her head. "A half blood, a blood traitor and a Mudblood.
Mudblood.
That was what was carved on Hermione's left arm. Never to go away, or fade. It was there to remind Hermione of the filth she was believed to be by the Wizarding World's notorious Purebloods. Carved into her delicate skin by none other than the the dark witch herself, months ago. Pain seared through the brunette every time she looked at the painful reminder of what people thought of her. Especially when they used the hateful slur in that way. A way that sounded like they were talking about a contagious, dangerous disease. Anger flared on Ron's face at the dark witch's description of his girlfriend, more so than the description she had of Ron himself. Harry looked at Hermione with a mix of anger at the former Death Eater's harmful words and sympathy, for he knew what is was like to be hated and degraded in such a way.
"You survived", Harry asked as polite as he could sound. Hermione felt a gush of admiration for The Boy Who Lived for being to patient despite the dark witch's hurtful words, spilling out of her mouth as if every Pureblood was given a handout full of insults to use against people they deemed inferior to them.
"Yes I survived," the dark witch shrieked in annoyance. "I decided that my Lord's will was not going to be fulfilled and as you lot would say. I had a 'change of heart'."
Hermione found herself snickering. A change of heart you say? Bellatrix turned her head towards the brunette and scowled. "Yes muddy, believe me if you want, I couldn't care less about your opinions." "What do we do with her?" Ron asked, ready to put his hands around the dark witch's neck at any moment. Before McGonagall could propose an idea, a shriek came from the cell. "You will not put me back in Azkaban!"
The Headmistress took a few moments to clear her head of the raven haired woman's interruption. "I think we should try to re socialise Madam Lestrange back into society. Help her overcome her problems you could say," The Headmistress suggested. her idea came with strong remarks and disagreement from the two young men and a scoff from the dark witch. "I see none of you are up to it. I don't blame you, it's dangerous work." The Professor turned to look at the young woman standing in between the two boys. "I can do it," the brunette piped up, surprised at her own words. Help the woman that permanently scarred her body and tortured and killed her friends and countless others? Hermione was met with choking sound from her boyfriend and a worried look from her bespectacled friend. "Hermione, I love you, but are you mad?"
"On the contrary, Mr Weasley. Ms Granger here is being very kind and very brave in helping Madam Lestrange," McGonagall intervened before Hermione could respond with a clever remark of her own. A loud cackle erupted from the cell. "Re-socialise me back into society? You must be joking!" The dark witch was holding her stomach with laughter, unsettling, ear piercing laughter. It made the brunette's skin crawl with disgust. The Headmistress called to the two young men glaring at Bellatrix with utmost disgust and hatred. "I think it's best you two leave while I discuss with Ms Granger, Madam Lestrange's situation." Ron gave Hermione's hand a tight squeeze and Harry smiled at her before the followed each other out of the room. "Professor, I-," the brunette witch started her sentence but could not find the words to finish it. The Headmistress held up her hand to stop her former student. "I think you should stay in Malfoy Manor with Madam Lestrange. We have already taken her wand from her." "Professor, I was thinking of repeating the seventh year….. I want to finish my education and then work in the Department for the Control of Magical Creatures," the brunette said. "I see," the Headmistress replied. "Go home with the Weaselys and take some time before we come to any conclusions. After all, you just fought a war." The young woman smiled at her Professor. How she wanted to, one day become as wise and talented as the witch in front of her. The woman was to admirable.