A/N: It's looking like MMIV is actually only going to be around 20 chapters as I've cut out some sludge and created some composite chapters.

Chapter VII

A Girl and her Betrothed

Pansy didn't show up for any meals until dinner the next night. She snuck in with the younger students and sat as far away from Hermione as possible.

"You didn't have to…" Daphne said in a small voice beside Hermione. She was focused on cutting her steak with delicate precision. "I mean… you didn't have to do it on my accord."

"I didn't," Hermione shook a copious amount of black pepper on her potatoes. She hadn't felt this upbeat for a long while. "Pansy has had it coming for years."

Daphne made a light hum. "Thank you, anyway. It was amazing. I never though anyone as young as us could…" Her green eyes lifted from her plate to Hermione, and she smiled. "Well, if anyone could, it would be you."

Hermione grinned back. "I always get mixed up with magic no one guesses."

"Yeah," Daphne giggled, "I've noticed. Must be all the books you read."

She shrugged. "There's a whole library of magical references, and no one really seems to take advantage of it."

"Except you," she pointed out. "You dug up books on the tournament pretty quickly."

"I had done some research before we met up."

"Still, it was quite impressive. I've been thinking I should start exploring the library more, too."

"Yeah, it would be nice to have someone there with me. I usually only have Ravenclaws for company."

"That sounds fantastic."

"I'm probably going to go there after dinner, if you want to join me?"

"I'd love to," she beamed.

A small, tawny owl swooped down between them and landed on Hermione's potatoes. "Damn bird," Hermione swatted at it, but the owl only dodged and hopped forward again.

A little strip of paper was tied to its leg and Hermione untied it.

I apologize for my absence last night, but I think you can understand that there were some unforeseen events that needed my attention. I have rescheduled for tonight, if you will come by my office after dinner.

-A.D.

Hermione bit her tongue to stop herself growling something unflattering. Her eyes flicked up to the staff table. Dumbledore was laughing at some joke the giant-woman from Beauxbaton had made. Hermione took out her wand and burned the note to a crisp.

"What was that?" asked Daphne.

"Nothing," said Hermione. "It's just… I actually can't go to the library tonight."

"Oh," said Daphne, her face falling slightly. "Okay. Another time then?"

I-I. ⌡. Γ┐

"I hope I haven't caused you any inconvenience, having to reschedule on such short notice," Dumbledore said brightly when Hermione entered his office.

"Oh, no, I had fun waiting out in the hall for an hour," said Hermione.

"The halls of Hogwarts are, indeed, fun," smiled the old man. "But we have more important things to consider tonight. Last time I told you that the subject of our story is one Bellatrix Black, future wife of Rodolphus Lestrange, and currently residing in a maximum security cell in Azkaban." Dumbledore stood up and walked over to a tall cabinet sitting at the back of his office and opened it a crack, just enough to pick out a vial, and then closed it again. "This memory is from the summer of 1965. Your parents were probably still in school, then. Bellatrix was just about to begin her first year at Hogwarts."

Dumbledore waved Hermione over to a stone basin, the pensieve, and poured the silver liquid in. "Now, this will feel a bit awkward the first time, so take it slow. I need you to lean over and touch the memories with your face."

Hermione gathered her hair with her hands so it would not fall in, and leaned over slowly. About an inch from the surface, she glanced up at Dumbledore. He smiled and nodded her on. She dropped her head the last inch and her nose dipped in.

She felt herself suddenly swept off her feet and pitched forward into the dark lake of memory. She fell, and fell, until things started to take shape and she landed heavily on hardwood floors.

Hermione looked around. A large, four-post bed dominated the room. A silk sheet covered the bed and green curtains hung down from above. The frame was made entirely of black wood, polished and pristine. Plush pillows were piled high, with three stitched with golden letters, A D B.

A large bay window opened out with a view of what Hermione guessed was London. The drapes were pulled back and the room was bathed in warm sunlight. Across from the window, on the other side of the bed, was a door, presumably out into the rest of the house. But what caught Hermione's eye was a floor-to-ceiling mirror and the girl standing before it, twisting around and brushing off her dress. Hermione stood carefully, watching the girl.

She was about Hermione's own age. Maybe a little younger – she was quite slim. Her hair was done up in an elegant bun with a bejeweled hairclip, and was a soft, warm brown color. The dress was sleeveless, but otherwise fairly conservative. A high neckline, not too tight, and a hem that reached to her knees. It was black velvet with subtle forest green vines running the length of the dress. On her wrist rested a few golden bangles and she wore a cute little charm necklace. Her earrings looked to be real diamond studs.

As Hermione padded forward she was reminded a bit of her own mother. The girl stood absolutely straight and her thin lips did not betray an ounce of pleasure, though Hermione thought she should have been proud of her appearance. But her mother never wore anything this expensive. And the girl's face didn't strike any similarity to Helen. She had a strong jaw, prominent cheekbones, and long eyelashes. No, this girl reminded Hermione more of Daphne. Or a young Narcissa.

"If you think you recognize her," said Dumbledore's airy voice behind her. "It's because you've met her sister. Her name is Andromeda Black. At the time of this memory, she was about to enter her third year at Hogwarts."

The girl made no move to suggest she had heard Dumbledore, though she was mere feet away. Hermione waved a hand in front of her face, but her eyes stared right through it at the mirror as she tucked several stray hairs behind her ear.

"She cannot see, hear, smell, or touch you, Hermione. This is only a memory."

"Okay," said Hermione as Andromeda picked out a few perfume bottles and began testing them on her wrist. "So why are we here? Is she going to meet the Queen or something?"

Dumbledore chuckled but said nothing.

Andromeda spritzed some perfume into the air and walked through it. She fished a pair of heels off the floor and began slipping them on, all the while looking at herself in the mirror. "Tira?" she said, shocking Hermione with the lightness of her voice.

A familiar pop sounded around the room, and a big-eared house-elf jumped forward. "Yes, Mistress Andromeda?"

"Is Bella ready?" she asked, fastening the buckle on her left shoe.

"Tira tried helping Mistress Bellatrix but Mistress Bellatrix has banned Tira from her room," the elf sniffed. Hermione had only seen one house-elf up close – Villy, the Malfoy elf – but she was pretty sure this one was a girl. "Shall Tira try again?"

"No," said Andromeda, standing straight, her heels now making her several inches taller than Hermione. "I'll go take a look."

"Excellent, Mistress," Tira squeaked. "Master Cyngus wishes for me to remind you that all must go well tonight."

"Tell him that's why I've been up here for two hours getting ready," she said, a frown flashing across her face. "Tell him that's why I've tried on five different dresses, three different hairstyles, all combinations of jewelry and shoes and everything! Tell him I know!" Andromeda quivered at the last word, glaring at the poor house-elf, who fidgeted.

"Does Mistress really want me to tell Master that?"

"No," hissed Andromeda. "Mistress does not."

Tira gulped, her eyes bulging. "Can Tira do anything for Mistress?"

"Not unless you can disobey Father."

The elf whimpered.

"I thought so," Andromeda exhaled deeply, staring at herself in the mirror. She stayed there for several moments, just breathing. Then she turned and strode towards another side door, this one directly across from her bed.

Hermione and Dumbledore followed her through. The door opened up to another bedroom, very similar to Andromeda's. Upon the same bed, black wood frame and piles of pillows, laid another girl. She was flat on her stomach, feet dangling in the air, a large book spread out in front of her. She had a full head of wild black curls and a nose much too large for her small face. She had three pillows of her own, but these were embroidered with the letters B C B.

"Bella," came Andromeda's sharp call. "What are you doing?"

"Reading," was the answer as Bella made a face. "I have to prepare for Hogwarts."

Andromeda marched up to the bed and seized the book, slamming it shut. "You'll have time for reading later. You must get ready for this dinner."

"But it's just dinner," Bellatrix complained, pushing herself to her knees, eyeing the book.

"We have guests," said Andromeda, grabbing her sister's arm and pulling her off the bed and over to a large closet. "Which dress do you want to wear? You like the blue one? Cissy's wearing white, so you can't wear that one with the floral pattern."

"We always have guests," pouted Bellatrix, peering into her closet with no apparent desire to pick anything out. "They won't be here for an hour. Can't I read some more?"

"No," said Andromeda firmly, grabbing the royal blue dress off the hanger and throwing it onto the bed. "You need to get dressed now. Merlin, Bella, what have you done to your hair? I'll need at least half an hour to sort it out!" Andromeda started tugging unmercifully at the mess of black curls.

"It's always like that," muttered Bella sorrowfully as her sister fished out an ivory comb from the nightstand and began dragging it through her hair. "It's fine for dinners, Andie. We're not even going out."

"It doesn't matter where we're going, you're a mess and you've done nothing to sort it out yourself," Andromeda hit a snag and savagely attacked it with the comb.

"Oww!" Bellatrix shouted, turning around and pushing Andromeda away. "That hurt! It's just a dinner!"

"It is not just a dinner!" snarled Andromeda, eyes flashing menacingly. Bellatrix recoiled and stumbled back onto her bed.

A creak of wood alerted everybody that a door was being opened, and Andromeda's face quickly morphed into the serene mask Hermione had first seen. The door was another side-door, and another girl appeared around it, a bit timidly at first. She was blonde, quite a few years younger than Bellatrix and Andromeda, and wearing a cheerful little white smock.

"Cissy," Andromeda smiled. "Excellent. I need your help."

"Really?" the girl grinned, jumping into the room.

"Yes," said Andromeda. "You're in charge of Bella's hair. Call Tira and have her bring a basin and water up here. And go into my room, I should have some product in my cabinet."

"Your room?" the blonde girl gaped, like she was in awe of being invited to enter her sister's room by herself.

"Yes, go," Andromeda commanded, and she dashed across the room and into Andromeda's.

Hermione spared a glance at Dumbledore. "Was that –?"

"Narcissa Black," he nodded.

Now Andromeda turned back to Bellatrix, stepped closer and crouched down so that they were face to face. "Listen. You have to be on your best behavior. I know mum always tells you that, but you really have to tonight. I mean it, Bella."

"I don't understand," she said. "What's this about?"

Andromeda took Bellatrix's hand and held it between her own. "Just remember, I'm going to be there with you. If you get nervous or scared, I'll be right next to you."

A loud pop sounded through the room and Andromeda straightened up, leaving Bellatrix staring up at her. Narcissa, ponytail swishing behind her, ran back into the room, almost bowling over Tira and the large basin full of water. She triumphantly held up a bottle. "Got it!"

"Good," said Andromeda. "Now, you're going to wash Bella's hair twice, and then brush it as much as you can. I'll do her makeup and then we'll get her into her dress and down for dinner on time."

Narcissa beamed and dragged Bellatrix over to the basin. "This is going to be so much fun!" she giggled.

The room suddenly puffed into dark mist, and Hermione could only make out Dumbledore's figure. "There is not much of interest for the rest of that memory," he said. "Unless, perhaps, you take great interest in hair care. We shall now move an hour or so forward."

As he finished, the darkness dissolved into another scene. Hermione saw Andromeda first, standing straight and tall, with Bellatrix and Narcissa puffing into existence beside her. Two adults came into view, too, as the rest of the room appeared, but they were a bit blurry. It looked like an atrium, an entry hall. An ornate staircase ascended behind them, and a door with an intricate, circular window before them. Everyone seemed to be waiting.

Bellatrix had been fixed up, Hermione saw. Her hair looked soft and content to lay docile, for now. Andromeda had done up Bellatrix's makeup just like her own, only adding to the similarity between them. Bellatrix was already tall for her age, like Andromeda, and Hermione guessed that once they were both grown, it would be very hard to tell them apart from a distance. Only their hair appeared to be strikingly different, and that mostly because of the color.

Now Bellatrix began tapping her foot lightly and looking around. Hermione could almost hear her complain about how she could be reading instead of standing there. Perhaps her mother could too, because she said something swift and cutting that made Bellatrix stand rigid.

After a minute, the doorbell rang and the guests arrived. The Blacks stepped forward to greet them. Hermione picked out a family of four, two parents and two sons of similar ages to the elder Black girls, though the girls were easily taller than the younger boy. After the adults were introduced to the sisters, which rather reminded Hermione of the parties at Malfoy Manor, the boys were introduced as Rodolphus and Rabastan Lestrange. Rabastan, the younger, shorter one, had wide eyes that darted from place to place, landing on each of the girls several times, lingering on Andromeda more than once. The elder boy, Rodolphus, who stood as tall as Andromeda, even in her heels, did not have wandering eyes, but there was something just as unsettling about him. He nodded to Andromeda, who returned it curtly, and moved on to Bellatrix. She did a little curtsy and he kissed her hand. "Andromeda has spoken very highly of you," he said in a low, smooth voice. "I would greatly enjoy learning more about you."

Bellatrix's smile flickered but she did not break eye contact. "It would be my pleasure," she stammered out. Rodolphus flashed a smile he could have thought reassuring, but didn't appear to ease Bellatrix at all.

A movement caught Hermione's glance, and she watched Andromeda lean closer to Bellatrix to squeeze her hand.

The room, once again, exploded into a smoky cloud before reforming into the exact same layout, but this time the Lestrange family were gathering themselves to leave. Andromeda was bidding Rabastan a good night, but she was watching Bellatrix out of the corner of her eye. Hermione followed her gaze to where she and Rodolphus were standing.

The older boy seemed to tower over her in more than stature. "I expect you and your sister will join us on the Express next month," he was saying. "And, of course, when you are sorted into Slytherin, there is a seat waiting for you with us." Bellatrix smiled shakily and nodded at his words. Rodolphus' eyes never left hers, but Hermione could only guess what Bellatrix felt from them. They were blue, clear, and unmoving – like he wasn't seeing Bellatrix as she was, but as he imagined. His lips curled into a smile. "Good night, Bellatrix." He leaned in and kissed her on the cheek.

The Lestranges left, but Bellatrix's hands never stopped shaking. The sisters lined up like they had before the dinner and waited for their parents to send off the guests. When they returned, their father announced, "Tira, I think champagne is in order."

"Yes, Master," she said, hurrying off.

"Andromeda, you did very well tonight," Mr. Black said, embracing her and kissing her forehead. "I'm proud. And Bellatrix, I never thought you'd put on a lady-like display. You never once mentioned books." He hugged her, too, and kissed her cheek. Bellatrix looked ashen.

"What about me, daddy?" Narcissa squeaked.

"Yes, very well done from you, too, Ciss. Not even Aunt Walburga would have complained about you!"

Narcissa held herself high and beamed.

"Father, may I be excused?" Bellatrix almost whispered. "I feel a bit faint."

"Hmm? Yes, very well."

Bellatrix turned on the spot and began climbing the stairs, breaking into a run halfway up.

"Father, may I?" Andromeda asked, and he nodded. She was after Bellatrix in a heartbeat. Hermione had trouble keeping up with her. Bellatrix's door slammed as she reached the top landing. Andromeda tried to knob, but it was locked. She dashed down the hall to her own room, running into Narcissa.

"Wasn't that grand?" her sister said, clutching her hand. "I do so love parties."

"Sure," Andromeda said, detaching herself from Narcissa. "Just… give us a minute, will you? I need to speak to Bellatrix. Alone."

"Oh," said Narcissa. "Okay. But you said you would read from Beedle tonight."

Andromeda nodded absentmindedly. "Yeah. Sure. Just later, okay?"

"Okay."

Andromeda moved into her room, closed the door firmly behind her, and rushed through the side-door.

Bellatrix was lying on her bed, face buried in her arms. Andromeda took a seat on the side of the bed and laid a hand on her back. "Bella?" Hermione could hear the sobs coming from Bellatrix. Her body shook and Andromeda began rubbing her back. "It's going to be okay, Bella."

Her black hair swayed back and forth as she shook her head.

"Yes, it is. Do you know why?" Andromeda said in a soft voice. "Because I'm here."

"You saw him," Bellatrix cried. "You saw him looking at me."

"I did. I've seen him a lot at Hogwarts. I know he seems…"

"I don't want to," Bellatrix sniffed between sobs. "I don't want to."

Andromeda bit her lip and continued rubbing her sister's back.

"I won't."

"I know you don't want to, Bella, but Father's made up his mind."

"I don't care. Father can say whatever he likes, I won't do it."

"Bella," she said with more authority. "Look at me." Slowly, the girl turned and peered up at her. Andromeda wiped away her tears with a thumb. "You're ruining my work, Bella," she smiled, and Bellatrix almost giggled through her sniffs. "Come, sit up." With some cajoling, Andromeda had Bellatrix leaning against her, and she began rocking back and forth. "You're strong, Bella. I know it. You're stronger than any of us."

"I don't feel strong," she whispered. "I can't even control my own life."

"Shh…" cooed Andromeda. "You can. There are just some things we must do that we don't want to do."

"He's four years older than me!"

"I know. But that won't be much of a difference when you're grown up."

"I don't even know him!"

"You can get to know him," she said. "And maybe you won't be afraid of him then."

"I'm not afraid."

"You don't have to lie, Bella," Andromeda pressed her lips into the hair on the top of Bellatrix's head. "I'm afraid, too."

"No, you're not," Bellatrix cried. "You're telling me everything is going to be just fine."

"I am, but I'm your big sister. I can't let you know I'm scared. I have to be here for you."

"But you just told me."

Andromeda hugged her tighter. "Yes, because I need you to be stronger than me. I know that you are strong enough to stand up to father – to say no. But I need you to be stronger than that."

"What do you mean?"

"I mean I need you to be strong enough to say yes." Bellatrix looked up at her sister with red eyes. "I need you to say yes, Bella. You're strong enough to survive."

"You said I could say no. I want to say no."

Andromeda shook her head and ran her fingers through Bellatrix's hair. "I know you can. That's why I need you to say yes. I know you can live with him. You're strong. But what about Cissy? Do you think she could say no? Do you think she could live her own life if Father gave her to Lestrange? Would she be happy?"

Bellatrix rubbed her eyes dry. "What do you mean? There are only two Lestrange boys."

"Yes, but there are three Black girls."

"Cissy…" Bellatrix breathed.

"Cissy. She's so sweet and helpful, and you see how she want to make Father happy and proud. She'd never say no to him. She'd let Lestrange beat her if Father wanted it."

Bellatrix shook her head. "I'd kill him. I'd kill them both."

"I know," Andromeda said soothingly. "You're strong, Bella. I need you to act like it. If Father thinks you won't go through with it, he'll let Rodolphus take Narcissa. We can't let that happen, okay? We can't let it happen."

"It's not fair," Bellatrix snuffled. "I don't want to."

"Bella," Andromeda lifted her chin so they could look at each other. "Bella, we can do this. We have to do this. For Cissy. I look out for you because you're my little sister. Are you going to look out for Cissy? Are you going to be strong for your little sister?"

Bellatrix looked on the verge of tears again. "You're going to be with me?"

Andromeda nodded and stroked her cheek with her thumb. "All the way. You and me, Bella. Together."

"Together?" Bella choked, burying her head on Andromeda's neck.

"Together," she said, kissing the top of her head. "I promise."

The world broke around Hermione. First the room went up in smoke, then Bellatrix dissolved, and lastly, Andromeda melted away.

"It's time to go," Dumbledore said, laying a hand on Hermione's shoulder. A great rush of something lifted Hermione out of the darkness, and then out of the water and she was leaning over the pensieve with Dumbledore standing by her side.

Hermione took a breath and it felt like her first breath for hours. She stared at the watery memories, bits and pieces reflecting back at her. She looked over at Dumbledore. "What the hell was that?"

"That," he said gently. "Was a defining moment in two young women's lives."

A tingling crawled up Hermione's spine. It was a feeling she hadn't felt in years. Since she had taken the Polyjuice Potion and turned into Padma Patil. It was a feeling of guilt, shock, perversion. She shouldn't have seen that. No one should be able to watch someone's most personal memories.

"Why did you show me?" she quivered.

Dumbledore raised his eyebrows, as if it were obvious. "Context."

"Are you sure it wasn't 1865? Or 1465?"

He nodded. "Quite."

Hermione could only stare at him. "How medieval are you people?"

"'You people'?" he asked with a smile. "Do you mean wizards?"

"Purebloods, wizards, whatever. They're clearly getting married against their wills. That's barbaric."

"That's life, for many people, even today," said Dumbledore. "It is a strategic move to secure wealth, inheritance, bloodlines and social standing. Only the most… historic families still practice arranged marriages, and recent legislation has cracked down on contracts between unwilling parties, but it does, indeed, happen. And for the record, Miss Granger, I am not a pureblood."

"But you put up with it? You allow your students to be bought and sold?"

"My dear, I would never condone such actions. In fact, had I known a student of mine was in such a predicament, I would have gladly stepped in. However, as you must know, the families who keep the practice raise their children to be insular, secluded, and not very communicative of hard circumstances. Many would rather put up with such an arrangement for fear of embarrassment, harassment, or exclusion from their family."

"They'd be disowned," Hermione said flatly, and Dumbledore nodded.

"The Black family is known for harsh judgments on their own. Andromeda and Bellatrix would have known that, and they knew the circumstances, and chose what they thought the best option to be."

"I've never heard of Andromeda Black," said Hermione. "Or Andromeda Lestrange."

"No, I don't suppose you have," sighed Dumbledore.

"Narcissa talks to me. She's mentioned her sister, Bellatrix, but not Andromeda. She's not… dead, is she?"

"Not to the world, no. That, however, is for another lesson. It is late, Miss Granger, and I would not be a good headmaster if I didn't allow you prepare adequately for your day classes. I shall call it a night here."

I-I. ⌡. Γ┐

"How are your… lessons with the Headmaster going?" said Professor Snape in a slow voice, appearing outside Dumbledore's office as Hermione came out.

"Fine, Professor," Hermione said, sidestepping to get away, but Snape held out his hand to stop her.

"They wouldn't be going to your head, would they?"

"No," Hermione tried to get by him again, but he stepped into her way.

He fixed his cold eyes on her. "You wouldn't think that you were capable enough to enter yourself into the tournament, would you?"

"I don't know what you're talking about, sir," said Hermione.

"I have noticed a distinct change in you, Miss Granger, over the summer holiday."

"Maybe that has something to do with almost dying twice in a year," she bit.

"And you survived both times. But do not think that makes you invulnerable."

"I understand my mortality, Professor."

"Do not think that having lessons with Dumbledore make you special. You are not the first to have been taught by the Headmaster."

"Sure. He was a professor here before headmaster." He did not respond. "Of course I'm not the only one."

"You tried to enter the tournament."

"Did I?" Hermione gritted her teeth. "I would think I would have beaten out Potter, at the very least. I understand Diggory, he's not a bad wizard, but Potter?"

"Think of it as a blessing that you were not chosen. I do not doubt that Potter has bitten off more than even Weasley can chew. Regardless, you were incredibly reckless in attempting to enter."

"If I keep getting attacked at school, why not make it a competition I can win a thousand galleons in?"

"So you admit it?"

"Does it really matter if I tried? Obviously, I'm not in the tournament."

For these flashbacks, the main ages you need to know are:

Rodolphus: 14 (summer before 4th year)

Andromeda: 13 (summer before 3rd year)

Bellatrix + Rabastan: 11 (starting Hogwarts)

Lucius: 10

Narcissa: 8

Sirius, et al.: 5

Regulus: 4

Dumbledore will provide a point of reference in each flashback so you can compute their current ages.