Here is the third chapter. As usual I thank all who have added this story among their follow/favorite and send a big kiss to those who left a review!
Chapter 3:
Another week had passed since my conversation with Andromeda.
The girl was always more worried about her sister, she spent all her time alone and I had noticed that during the lessons she never paid attention. She seemed to live in a world of her own.
I was sure that even the teachers had noticed it by now. Not that Bellatrix's marks were low, her results were good as much as mine and in the practice she exceeded everybody, even James and Sirius. That was the only thing that hadn't changed in her behavior: she loved to perform.
"Hermione, you're still here with me?"
"Huh? Oh, yes. Sorry Dromeda ... lately I tend to lose myself in my thoughts "
I smiled at kinder of the Black sisters. That evening we were still in the library, talking, it had now become a habit. Often we talked about normal things, lessons, teachers, and boys... I wasn't interested at all in the latter though I didn't want to arouse suspicion, Andromeda is bright. Other times we talked about her older sister. This was one of those times.
"What were you saying?" She smiled.
"This afternoon Bella was alone in her dorm, I entered, I don't think she noticed me immediately, and she was crying. This is the first time I see her cry, not even when we were kids "Dromeda sighed and her eyes lost in the cloudy sky outside the window.
"Dromeda ..." I took her hand and squeezed.
"Hermione, I ..." Her eyes filled with tears "Hermione, I don't recognize her anymore! I don't know what to do, what to say. She doesn't speak with anyone, not even with me and Cissy ... "
"Hey, don't cry"
I got up from my chair and sat in the one next to hers. I put my arm around her shoulders and squeezed.
"Thanks Hermione. I don't know what I would do if you weren't here ... "
"Don't thank me. Now come on! We must find out what is happening to your sister"
She nodded and smiled.
"Do you think this has anything to do with her escapes at night?"
Dromeda shook her head.
"I don't know. Sometimes I hide in the common room waiting for her, she is never gone for more than an hour , her clothes are intact so I don't think she goes into the Forbidden Forest ... "
"In any case we have to find a way to follow her. Something tells me that these trips could be the key to everything ... "
Andromeda wiped the last tears and looked at me but then her eyes focused on something behind my back.
Madam Pince was looking for a book on a shelf behind our table and behind her there was none other than Bellatrix Black.
She was looking at the books on the shelf but without really paying attention. Her eyes were all red and I could tell she had been crying. It was the first time that week I saw her so close and I knew right away because Andromeda was so worried. She was pale, paler than usual. You could see she ate little, but what was most effect were her eyes, they were dull, without the usual mysterious light.
Andromeda looked at me and nodded.
"Hey Bella!"
Bellatrix turned to us as soon as she heard the voice of her sister.
"Hello Andromeda"
Even her voice was different. It had lost its arrogance and became cold and distant.
Her black eyes stood over me and I noticed from the corner of my eye her right hand closing into a fist.
"Here it is Miss Black" said Madam Pince handing her a book with a golden cover "I don't understand why you need a book about these magical creatures, but ..."
"It's not for me" said Bellatrix taking the book "I'm just doing a favor. Goodbye "
She gave a nod to Andromeda and, avoiding looking at me, went away.
"When we speak of the devil ..." said Drmoeda "What book was that?"
"I have no idea. Something about magical creatures, but who could need a book like that? "
Andromeda shrugged.
"We need to find out what she does at night. I don't think she goes out just to think" I said getting up and gathering my books.
"I know ... but Hermione, what do we do?"
"I don't know yet, but don't worry Dromeda. I'll find a way " I said as we left.
"Hermione, I really appreciate your help, but ..." Andromeda seemed unsure of what to say "Can I ask you a question?"
I stood in the hallway and turned to look at her:
"Sure"
"Why?"
"What why?"
"Why are you helping me? Probably you hate Bellatrix, so you didn't have to help me, but here you are all convinced that you can find out what's going on ... "
I walked over to her and put my hands on her shoulders, I didn't know what to say, certainly not the truth, but anyway I tried to reassure her:
"Dromeda, I can see how the behavior of your sister is worrying you. I want to help, I'm sure that you would do the same for me "
She nodded.
"Thank you"
"See you tomorrow"
I walked at full speed towards the Gryffindor tower. In the library an idea had come to me. I knew what I needed and to who ask for it: I had to find James.
I walked into the common room and saw immediately that Remus was reading.
"Remus! Where is James? "
Slowly he looked up from his book.
"He and Sirius are in the dormitory. Why are you looking for him in such a hurry? "
I did not answer his question, and I rushed up the stairs to the boys dormitory.
As soon as I came out of the door I heard the voice of Sirius shout:
"How could you? And what do we do now? "
Then James replied:
"It's not my fault! Flich came when I wasn't looking! "
At that point I decided to go in and find out what had happened to make them fight like that.
"Guys what happened? I could hear you from the hallway! "
Sirius turned to me and was the first to answer:
"James was smart enough to get the Marauder's Map seized by Filch!"
Could I be the most unlucky person in the castle? I always hated that damn map and now that I needed to find Bellatrix, Filch had seized it.
"But-But how?" I asked, unable to believe my luck.
"Ask James! He is the genius "
With this Sirius went out slamming the door behind him.
I turned to James.
"It's my fault Hermione. I wasn't paying attention and Flich was right behind me ... I had worn the cloak of invisibility because it seemed to be safe and now the map is safe in Filch's office. It is impossible to take it unless... "James paused to think of a plan, and so I did.
The map wasn't the only way to find out where Bellatrix was going, there was also another. It was more risky because I had to follow her in person, but it was also much more reliable because if she came out of the confines of the school as I thought she did, I could continue to follow her anyway.
"Unless" continued James brightening "A Prefect doesn't go to Filch's office when he's out and take it for us"
James looked at me with big eyes.
"Hermione, you're a prefect and you are also our friend ..."
"No" I answered immediately, I didn't want to get in trouble because of them.
"Please Mione ..."
"No! I won't "
"Hermione, I'll do anything you want, please!"
He folded his hands as if in prayer and at that time I noticed that on the bed was leaning what I needed.
"I have one condition ..." I said looking at him.
"Whatever you want!"
"I'll take the Marauder's Map only if you borrow me the invisibility cloak" I concluded indicating the cloak lying on the bed.
"Ok, I accept! Now I beg you, bring me the map! "
I nodded and left the dormitory.
Filch's office was far from the Gryffindor tower, but since I was a Prefect and the curfew was still an hour away, I walked through the halls.
The office was a small room, filled with shelves and a desk in the center. Luckily for me Filch wasn't inside.
"Accio map!"
One of the drawers opened and out flew the Marauder's Map. I took it and hurried to leave.
As I walked through the entrance courtyard I saw Hagrid return to his hut with a book in hand.
"Hey Hagrid!"
The giant stopped and turned to me with a smile.
"Hello Hermione. Are you okay? "In his tone I noticed something strange, as if he knew something he did not want to tell me.
"Yes, yes, what about you?"
"I'm good... I'm sorry but I have to go. See you! "he turned and walked toward his house.
I didn't pay much attention to his behavior and returned to the dorm.
"Thank you Hermione! You're an angel! "James exclaimed when he saw me come back with the Marauder's Map.
"Sirius! Sirius! Hermione found the map! "
"Great Mione! What would we do without you! "
The two friends hugged me until I could hardly breathe.
It was almost curfew and I knew that if I wanted to follow Bellatrix I had to hurry.
"Okay, okay. James now lend me your cloak? "
"Yes, of course, I'll take it" and hurried up the stairs.
"What do you need the cloak for?" Sirius asked.
"I have to get a book from the restricted section" I lied.
"Always the same" Sirius said, and I was certain that he had believed my little lie.
"Here it is. Use it as you want "
The curfew started ten minutes ago so I put on the cloak and walked to the entrance courtyard. I sat near the door and waited.
After about half an hour I heard the sound of light footsteps. Soon after a figure appeared in the darkness, I recognized Bellatrix when she walked out of the door and the white light of the moon lit up her curls and her face, making her look even paler.
The I remained behind about twenty feet and began to follow her.
Finally, I'll find out what you're up to...
We walked quickly, I thought we were headed to the Forbidden Forest, but I had almost a heart attack when Bellatrix stood in front of Hagrid's hut and knocked.
A few seconds later the half-giant appeared and made her enter.
I didn't know what to think, Bellatrix should hate the giants, instead here she was in Hagrid's house every night.
I decided that I should talk to Hagrid, so I found a comfortable place and sat down to wait for Bellatrix to come out.
After nearly an hour I looked inside the small window and saw her and Hagrid sitting at the table with two huge cups of tea in front of them.
Bellatrix was talking and I could see that she had tears in her eyes. She was beautiful even when she cried.
Hagrid got up and knelt in front of her. He brought a hand up to her face and gently stroked her cheek as he spoke.
Hagrid comforting Bellatrix?
At that point she got up and walked to the door, greeted Hagrid and left. I saw her wipe her last tears as she headed back towards the castle.
I waited until she was out of sight before approaching the door of the hut. I took off the cloak and knocked.
From inside I heard Hagrid's voice as he approached to open the door.
"What is it Bella? Forgot some... " he opened the door, looked at me and turned pale "Hermione? What are you doing here? "
"Hagrid! Tell me why Bellatrix Black just came out of this door? "
"You-you saw her ... she hasn't seen you, has she?"
I shook my head:
"No, but ..." Hagrid, realizing that I wouldn't go away, held up a hand to stop me.
"Come in"
I went into the hut and sat down in the place that Bellatrix had just left empty.
Hagrid sat down in front of me and I crossed my arms waiting for an explanation.
A/N:
Here is the third chapter, finally the story is really starting! Sorry for the slight delay and see you soon!
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