Twin Dragon Heartstrings.
Author: Ladyfun9
Pairing: Bellatrix/Hermione
Rating: Generally M, with occasional mainstream chapters.
Disclaimers: All of this (Ladyfun9 gesturing big wide circles over the computer with her hand) belongs to J.K. Rowling. I own nothing, and this is all for non-profit fun.
SUMMARY: After the Battle of Hogwarts, the Golden Trio's messiah-like status changes their lives forever; only Hermione remains skeptical about their new fame. When it becomes obvious who the real leader was of the group, Hermione feels chocked by her own fame and inexorably is drawn toward the last person expected: Bellatrix Black. Hermione loses herself….body, mind, and soul… to the dark mistress. Fortunately, things have a way of working themselves out. Endgame: Bellamione.
A/N: Thank you for taking the time to read. Thanks to the HP content beta, chrisdevl. You are an ass kicker, of the highest degree!
CHAPTER SEVEN: The Big Reveal, Part I
Truthfully, most memories would feel anti-climantic after the major reveal of the prophecy, but alas... Bella had lived a colorful and often tragic life. She had several interesting nuggets to glean. Hermione would view a few after that, and with the passing of each memory, the Headmistress could feel the growing alarm in her student.
They were in the expansive library of a estate that made Malfoy Mansion look like a clubhouse. Ornate, and yet, almost sterile, there was not a thing out of place. Shelves and shelves of books, some with gold embossed writing on the spine filled each shelf; Hermione was drooling, a little. Until, the reason for the memory came into focus.
In the center of the library, stood a large and imposing man. Tall and cruelly handsome, he was clearly angry... beyond imagination. He constantly was clenching and unclenching his fists and his jaw, directing this fury at a much smaller person:
A beautiful girl, with long dark hair in black ringlets, looked defiantly back at him. She stood, unflinching, while the man was shouting at her.
"For the last time, Bellatrix, who touched my book?"
"If you cast a spell to know that it was touched, Father, why don't you know who touched it, then? That seems obvious."
The girl, no more than ten, glanced nonchalantly to her side to see a little blonde girl, perhaps five years of age; she desperately crawled behind a chair and escaped out the door. Once out, to safety, the girls eyes returned to her angry father's, staring with a beaded glare. He looked skyward for a moment, then...
Hermione flinched, at the loud SMACK! that he unleashed, backhanding the little girl to the floor.
The strength of his blow knocked her completely to the ground. But the girl did not cry out. Nor did she cry that his ring had gashed into her temple. Unfazed, he narrowed his eyes. "I know it was that worthless Narcissa, that sister who just can't quite measure up...Bellatrix. You must learn that the weak should fall. Only the strongest survive. But if you insist, you will learn!"
"She's FIVE, Father; Five." Is all she said, simply.
He pulled out his wand, a beautiful, gold embossed, affair...made from Brazilian Cherry wood. Beautiful and cruel, like the man who wielded it, and was now currently and aimed it at the little girl. She stood, defiant, and unafraid. He began. He cast punishing and unforgivable curses, one after another. A few Hermione had never heard, before. The girl gasped, crying out; but she did not beg for mercy or sell her sister out. She laid there, bleeding, bruised...and just taking it...until her little body could no longer absorb any more, and she passed out. And yet, she remained defiant, even at the very end, refusing to beg.
Refusing to betray the ones who were too small to defend themselves...
XOXOXO
She was on a hill, sitting, with Andromeda. They were overlooking their vast estate. It looked overwhelming, everywhere you looked...the grounds were enormous. You could build five Hogwarts on their lot...
The two girls sat, not saying anything, for a long time, until the smaller, dark headed sister spoke.
"I cannot believe that Cissy is going to marry that toad, Lucius Malfoy!"
Bella cast a sidewinding glance at her sister, and laughed.
"I don't know why you're laughing...our dear parents have something even worse cooked up for you! I mean, really...it can't get worse than Rolf-up-your-duck..."
They both laughed. Bella lay her head down, on her knees. She closed her eyes. "It doesn't really matter, Droma. It just doesn't."
"It does! Love is the only thing that should matter!"
The older dark haired sister spoke. "Love?" She laughed, bitterly. "Since when does that matter in our world?" She tore a head off a dandelion.
Andromida smoothed out her skirt. "It should..."
"...But it doesn't." Bella finished.
"Well, I'm going to marry...for love, Bella."
"You do that, sweet child. Let me know how that turns out for you." Bella laid down, looking up at the sky. Her sister laid down, and joined her. They watched the sky for what seemed like hours.
Andromdia sat up. "Why can't you do the same, Bella? Don't you deserve happiness?"
"No." She said bluntly. "I am my sisters' keepers. I endure...so they can find happiness. So find it, dear sister..." Tearing another dandelion, she said, "Besides, I think I'm incapable of love. I don't feel that way...about anyone."
"Men, you mean."
Bella looked darkly at her younger sister. Sighing she reached out her hand, but Andromida gripped her hand. Looking directly at her, with a very sincere voice, she said, "Bella, I know. Before you assassinate another poor dandelion, listen. I know...I see how you look at that Gryiffendor girl...I know. And it's okay. It's ... who you are."
"Father will never accept it."
"Probally not. But it's your life, Bella. And you...you're bigger than life. Bigger than him! Bigger than this."
Bella was looking at the sky again, now chewing on a dandelion. "Droma, who is going to love me? I'm smarter than any boy in our class, they hate that; I like to fight...no girl would like that. There's our family insanity, of course. I'm petulant...difficult..."
"Brave. Beautiful. And deeply loyal. You will find that person, dear Bella."
She snorted. "That person that can love all of that, honestly love that, hasn't been born, Andromida. They don't exist!"
"No, perhaps not. But maybe they will be?"
The sunset was creeping on the hill, and the girls looked to the oppressive manor awaiting them. Droma finished, "And...when you find them, don't let anything come between you. Go get her... right away. You deserve happiness, Bella, don't think any differently. Get your happiness, at long last."
Bella looked away from her sister, hiding her tears, gripping one lone dandelion in her hand.
XOXOXOXO
She would have done something sooner if she realized how truly distressed she was becoming. Hermione's mind had made a few important connections, putting together the pieces from her past with the memories in the Penseive.
The Head Girl yanked her head out of the silvery liquid, with a start.
She was hyperventilating and freaking out, perhaps even having her first ever panic attack, possibly. The Headmistress quickly withdrew her head as well, rejoining the younger woman, who clearly was upset.
"Hermione? You don't look…well."
Hermione stood, drained. The color had washed out of her face; she looked white as a ghost.
"My arm! I have to see…I have to see!"
The Headmistress stood, alarmed, while the Head Girl struggled with her robes, in a fit of fury. Her eyes widened when she examined her scar.
In an agonized voice, she wailed. "Oh, Merlin! I … I don't believe it! All this time…I'm such a fool!"
Minerva grew more concerned when her eyes captured what Hermione's attention was focused on.
"Professor! Look at my arm! Tell me what you see!" Hermione asked, her speech rather pressured.
"Well," Minerva said, attempting to be calm, "I see what I've always seen, unfortunately. I see the cruel engraving Bellatrix Lestrange carved into your arm in Malfoy Manor. A scar I myself have attempted to remove, unsuccessfully."
"Yes, that…but that's not what I'm asking. What does it say, Professor? What do you read, here on my arm?" She was sounding desperate, as she thrust her arm closer to the older witch.
Minerva was growing alarmed by Hermione's clearly agitated behavior. To her credit, she kept her voice steady, and answered Hermione's desperate inquiry, with a calm and centered voice. "It says what it's always said, my dear. The derogatory word, MUDBLOOD."
"Merlin's Beard…I …I'm an idiot. A damn idiot!"
Hermione was pacing around the office, muttering to herself. Suddenly, she stopped, and looked up at the Headmistress.
"Professor?"
"Yes, Hermione?"
"I know what I have to do, now. It's obvious, to me. Finally. No more distractions."
Minerva was now very alarmed. "Hermione, I think you need to calm down, You're clearly very upset…and I think we should talk about what of these memories has upset you so much. There's more to see, as well…" Her voice had trailed off when she saw the determination blazing in Hermione's eyes.
The young Gryffindor's jaw was set.
"I've seen enough, Professor."
She seemed on the verge of tears...and frustrated. She collected herself, and spoke. "I need to ask you for something. Remember, I have never asked for anything…not one privilege, ever." Her chin was set, defiantly.
The Headmistress swallowed.
" Now…I'm asking, today, Headmistress. I need to leave… for the rest of the week. I have to put my affairs in order. There's something—several things- I need to take care of, immediately."
"Of course, Hermione. Anything. Do you care to share, these things that need to be put, in order?"
"No." She said, bluntly. "I'm leaving now, Professor. I promise to return, on Sunday at 3pm."
She was at the door, hand on the large metallic handle, when she turned and gave a measured look back to her favorite teacher.
"I need you to hear me on something. I have had it with being used, by a variety of different sources. I have figured it out, Minerva. All of it. I am asking this of you: Inform your people…do not send aurors or anyone from the Ministry, or the Order for the purposes of following me, or interfering, do you understand?"
Professor McGonnigall nodded, slowly. Her mind raced to the memories they viewed, wondering which one or ones had set the brave girl on such a trajectory.
"Oh…and don't think you can do it under the radar, either, because I will know. If I detect their presence, I will not return to Hogwarts. Ever. Are we clear?"
"Hermione, I think-"
"Are we clear, Headmistress?"
Recognizing that in a mere two hours Hermione had changed dramatically, and was not someone to put off easily, the older witch nodded. "Yes."
Hermione gave a brief nod, in recognition.
"Thank you for this afternoon, Professor. It's been quite…illuminating."
The Head Girl left the office, shutting the door behind her.
Minerva sighed, listening to the sound of her beloved student's footsteps racing down the hall. A gentle voice spoke up, from the portraits on the wall.
"Well, that didn't go well."
"Albus, you have a true gift for the understatement!"
"How far did you get?"
"Your second meeting with Bellatrix at Hogwarts'."
"Mmm." He nodded in understanding. "Hermione Granger is very clever…I wonder….." His voice trailed off, deep in thought.
The concerned witch had had enough. "Albus, you have always looked at people as mere pieces in a chess game. She is not a piece! This is her life!" Minerva said, furiously. "I said that back then, when you met with Bella the first time!"
"We won the war, did we not?"
"At what cost, Albus?"
"The only cost. Minerva..I don't know what she's got in mind, however, I think you owe it to Miss Black to warn her that something is coming."
"Me? Don't you mean "we"?"
"Of course. We owe it to Ms. Black. She should not be ambushed…physically, or emotionally."
Minerva shook her head. "This will kill Bella…absolutely crush her."
"Perhaps, but she deserves to know what's coming...in advance."
XXOXOXOXOXO
"Kreacher!" Hermione summoned.
With a pop, he appeared. "Yes, Miss Hermione?"
In a low voice she spoke. "Kreacher. I have to go away, for a little bit. If everything goes well, I'll be back Sunday for our lesson. If not, well, I won't be back at all."
Kreacher gasped.
Hermione shook her head. "Kreacher, listen. I need to pack now. I apologize for sounding so…frenetic. And I apologize for asking this of you, as I am not a Black, and have no rights regarding your employment whatsoever. However, I am asking you to feed and take care of my cat while I am away…for however long is necessary, if you would choose to do so. I would be eternally grateful."
He nodded his head, solemnly. "Of course, Miss Hermione."
"And Kreacher? No one can know about this, no one. Only Headmistress McGonnegall and you. I am asking you, please…keep this privileged. Even if Bellatrix Black herself asks you."
He looked torn.
"Don't worry, fortunately I'm not asking you to lie. I'm just asking you to keep it to yourself for the next day or so. Can you do that for me?"
"Kreacher can do that for Miss Hermione." He said, quietly.
She breathed a sigh of relief. "Thank you…sincerely."
She raised her wand, commanding, "Accio Beaded Bag!"
The fashion-challenged bag appeared, and flew into her hand. Kreacher watched as she put everything—literally everything- into it. Realizing how much she had stuffed inside of it, Kreacher said, flabbergasted, "That is some bag, Miss Hermione," as he helped her finish packing.
Hermione murmured. "So I've been told. Hey…you don't have to do that, Kreacher."
"Kreacher wants to."
"Okay."
She packed everything, except a small stack of books, paper and pens on her reading table. There was a Beginners Dictionary on the table.
"Miss Hermione forgot this!"
"No, I didn't. That's yours. It's a gift from me, to you. I was going to surprise you on Sunday, but just in case…have it now."
It looked like tears were starting to form in Kreacher's crusty old tearducts.
Hermione had finally finished, and looked around, satisfied. She turned to look at Kreacher, a serious look on her face.
"Kreacher, I've put wards on this room, so no one can enter, except you, Draco, and my cat. I want you to use this room while I'm gone, as your own. I want you to practice your reading, okay?"
He nodded, sadly, recognizing a Good-Bye when he heard it.
"I may send you a few notes to pass out, to Ginny, Luna, Neville, and so on, but I'll let you know."
She walked over, and kissed him on the top of his balding head. She held his chin in her hand and gently forced him to look up. Giving him the warmest smile she had left, she said, "Be well, Kreacher."
"And you as well, Miss Hermione." Kreacher was puzzled, what had changed the girl who loved school so much to just…leave. What happened?
He gave her one final way, goodbye. She waved back.
And just like that, the Head Girl left her room…possibly for forever.
XOXOXOXOXO
"Bellatrix?"
Yes?
"Are you still at the island?"
I am.
"Can you remain there? I need to talk to you. In person. Now."
Oh…okay. Bellatrix sounded worried.
"I need to do a few things, first, but I anticipate I should be there at half past."
Okay…
"And Bella?"
Yes?
"I'm putting up my wards. I realize that my Occlumency is probably no match for you, so I'm asking…please don't … invade my mind. Can you do that?"
I can.
"Okay. I will see you then. Soon."
Bella looked up at the Centaur keeping her company by her bonfire on the beach. "Well, Ronan…this is turning out to be a hella day. First, you bring me a second non-accidentally injured Unicorn , and now this…"She said, gesturing.
"What is 'this', Bella?" The Centaur asked, gently.
"This is something that is going to cause me to drink great quantities of firewhiskey tonight, that's what."
"I see. I do not understand Human ways, I have to admit."
"Me either." She agreed, staring glumly into the campfire. Firenze had joined them, understanding the somber mood.
"Hello, Firenze." Bella looked, with tumultuous dark eyes, into the fire. "Soooooo, Minerva communicated with me earlier that it didn't go well, today, with Hermione. But I hoped...well, anyway, it's irrelevant. I guess I was wrong."
She started to choke up, feeling tears getting ready to come.
Firenze spoke, quietly. "Apparently she raided Professor Sprout's greenhouse, before she left. Probably to get the ingredients for a poison, I suspect."
Her face screwed up, with dismay. She had forgotten Firenze had been a teacher at Hogwarts for a year, and still had connections there. Before tears could fall, however, she felt his gentle hand on her shoulder, calming her. Firenze was saying some type of a calming incantation. When he was done, he spoke gently to the troubled witch.
"Bella. Wait. Do not expect bad news, else it will come find you. Have faith. Isn't that what you ask of the girl?"
"Yes, but when evidence states otherwise…"
"What evidence? Just wait. She asked you to do that anyway...30 minutes, if I'm not mistaken, correct?"
"How much longer do I wait, Firenze? I've waited 47 years! Isn't that enough?"
"What's 30 minutes more, then?" He said calmly. "Wizards do not have a chronological age, really. You know that." He smiled gently. "On a happier note, I report that the healing waters have worked. The unicorn lives."
"That's wonderful. You guys should probably get going, then, and head back to the Forbidden Forest."
"We will not." Ronan said, firmly.
"Excuse me?"
He stood proud. "Firenze and I will not leave until we ensure you are…safe."
She cocked her head, realizing what he was implying.
She cackled. "That little school girl? Psssswt. Please. I could outduel her with my left pinkie only. Without a wand! Blindfolded! Perhaps dead, even!"
The Death Eater was amusing herself, greatly.
"No, Bella." Ronan said, firmly.
Firenze spoke. "She is your Achilles' heel, Bella. You would let yourself be killed, rather than take the life of your chosen one."
Ronan nodded, in agreement. "Besides, our own lives would be over if Bane found out we left you….unprotected."
Bella snorted, with disbelief. "What? Unprotected? Guys…I'm not a centaur."
"No, you are not a centaur, it is true. You are, however, the dragon."
XOXOXOXOXOX
TBC- Cliffy, much?
