Hey, I should be sleep right now but...you know.

Fighting Monsters

Chapter Ten: Point of No Return

"All trust involves vulnerability and risk, and nothing would count as trust if there were no possibility of betrayal."

—Robert C. Solomon

"Avada Kedavra!"

Harry blinked his eyes open after a long moment, enticed by the surprised gasps. "…" He gaped, jaw falling open at the sight before him. "W-wendall?"

Right behind Hermione stood her father with a wand of his own drawn at his fallen brother. Wendall was dressed in comfortable jeans, a loose sweatshirt, and a black cloak around his shoulders. He took a step forward as Hermione finally turned to see Riddle's limp body on the ground before the crowd; who were too confused to speak.

"What…" Bellatrix whispered, wondering how the older man managed to sneak up behind her without notice. "Hey, what's going on—" She called out to Hermione.

But Wendall spoke over her, waving his hand. "Come on, we don't have much time,"

"Where have you been?" Hermione grumbled, kneeling beside him as they stood over Riddle's body; her legs shaky at seeing him in such a state.

Wendall aimed a soft smile at her. "I'm sorry I'm a little late, but I'm here now."

Bella growled at his smile, a demand for answers on the tip of her tongue. But before she could rant, Wendall aimed the tip of his glowing wand at Hermione's forehead. The Slytherin stepped forward as Hermione's eyes fell shut before she passed out in her father's arms.

"Harry," Wendall spoke as he lay Hermione down softly on the ground. "…I need you to watch over our bodies," He snapped his fingers when Harry stared at him blankly. "I know it's a lot to take in, but, come on! Move!"

Harry nodded, jumping to his weak feet. "Right, sorry, I'm on it." He said as he pulled out his wand.

"I'll be back in a few," Wendall said before aiming his wand at his own head before falling to the floor with a thump.

Bellatrix snapped. "What the hell is happening?"

"I have no idea," Harry confessed.

Riddle blinked twice, mouth agape as he looked around in confusion. "…what?" He trailed off before a soft smile reached his lips, a familiar face. "Hermione—" He whispered, taking in his niece as she stood across from him.

"…what is this place?" He asked, taking in the white space surrounding him.

Hermione shrugged, arms crossed behind her back as she looked around. "The point of no return."

Riddle frowned. "Meaning?" He shook his head. "No, it doesn't matter, you killed Potter and—"

"This place," Her cool voice easily spoke over his. "…it represents your second chance."

He barked out a laugh, reaching for his wand only to growl when he caught a glimpse of it behind her back. "A second chance for what? I wouldn't do anything differently if I could, although…maybe I should have taken you from my weak brother, raised you myself—"

"—you have a choice to make." Hermione said, face blank as he ranted on.

"—made you into a powerful witch instead of a weak coward who can't complete a simple task!" He growled, trying to gain a reaction from her.

Hermione remained calm, cracking a sorrowful smile in response. "Are you sure this is the choice you'd wish to make?"

"I don't have a choice," Riddle spat. "I have to finish what I started, with or without your help."

Hermione sighed, turning her head to the right. "…he was right then, not only our love can save you," She laughed softly. "I thought it would be enough, but, I was wrong. Foolish to think I could save everyone in this war you've started."

Riddle opened his mouth to question what she was talking about when space and time around them began to reshape. He felt nauseous, as if he were apparting, as he fell head first into Hermione's memory.

He took a step back, a sickness hitting him at the sight. "What is this?"

"…a dream of mine." She recalled, crossing her arms as they watched it play out before them.

Riddle observed, confused, as the dream ran. Hermione closed her eyes as if to remember every moment from it as if it were happening for the first time again.

A powerful voice spoke, sending chills down her spine as she looked at the shadowy figure. "I chose you for a reason…Do you know why I chose you, Miss Granger?"

Hermione frowned, resisting the urge to roll her eyes. "I don't really care,"

"You're smart—brilliant even," He replied swiftly, amusement flickering in those dark eyes instead of the expected anger. "I chose you, because I know you'll do the right thing,"

She shrunk back, flinching as a hand squeezed her shoulder tightly. "…by any means necessary,"

"Professor—Dumbledore," Hermione shook her head, not knowing which to refer to him by anymore. "You're dead, gone, and you can't dictate our lives anymore. You already have us on this wild chase for these horcruxes!" She shoved his hand away. "And what do you mean by any means necessary?"

Dumbledore smiled sadly. "You know you're the only one who can put an end to your uncle."

Hermione shook her head, conflicted. "…what if I'm not strong enough?"

"You are." Dumbledore paused, contemplating. "But if you feel like your strength is weakening, then help will be sent…as you have already planned, I believe?"

The bookworm swallowed at the thought and nodded. "…what if I can save him?"

"I will leave the choice up to you." Dumbledore mumbled. "I will no longer tell you what to do, especially not during my death. If you think it's possible then when Voldemort is at his weakest state, I will allow you to speak with him before judgement is passed to him. What he decides, will be up to him."

Hermione licked her lips, hopeful. "If he wants to be forgiven?"

"Then he will return to earth as if the horcruxes had never happened, but only if he begs for forgiveness with a pure heart." Dumbledore continued as Hermione felt relieved. "But, if he doesn't—"

"He shall die."

Riddle took a deep breath as he was pulled from the dream. "…are you sure you don't want to change your mind?" Hermione asked, impassive.

"I'd rather die then let go of my cause," He growled, betrayal seeping deep as the memory ran through his mind. "…I never should have trusted you, you're just as weak as Wendall." He scoffed. "But I'll give you credit, he'd never have the strength to kill me like you did."

Hermione smiled sadly. "You're wrong."

Riddle gaped, confused.

"…I'm not strong enough," Hermione whispered before her body disappeared into a spark of light, only for another figure to appear in her place. "Goodbye, uncle Riddle." Her farewell hung in the air.

"You really think I'd let my own daughter carry a burden like this?" Wendall spoke, eyes narrowed on his lost brother.

Riddle found himself laughing. "…it was you then?" He nodded slowly, unbelieving. "I should have known she knew where you were, she lied—"

"She didn't know where I was hiding out, actually," Wendall began. "But before leaving, I took Harry's cloak to keep our whereabouts hidden. I knew you'd be after me, so I had to keep where I was going a secret even from Hermione; couldn't risk you looking into her mind."

Riddle shook his head. "This doesn't make any sense. I searched her mind, when did you two have time to plan this?"

"You were too trusting," Wendall whispered. "…you were too blind to see how much of a threat she was to you…that when you allowed her to release her true power, that she was becoming far stronger than you had imagined and it caught you off guard so instead of concealing it, you admired it; let it grow. You failed to notice her keeping certain memories from you, like our plan."

Riddle laughed, though he was not amused. "Your plan."

He turned his head as Wendall gestured for him to look to his left where an image began to transfigure.

The night before the Salazar Manor Incident

"I still don't know how I feel about you going to Salazar Manor by yourself," Her father said, stepping in from behind Harry. "Maybe I should—"

"No," Hermione said, releasing a deep breath as she straightened her back. "You have to stay here and protect mum in case he sends someone," She licked her lip, thoughtful. "…you guys might have to move again, this time somewhere he won't expect,"

Wendell nodded. "I know a few places, I've had this planned the moment he threatened Monica's life. We have houses ready for us all over the world, they're all under different names so he won't be able to trace us. We won't stay in one place for too long,"

Hermione didn't like the idea of her parents running around the world, having to look over their shoulders, but she was glad her father had planned for this. "Everything sounds fine, and I won't need anyone to go with me. The alarms won't go off if I'm there,"

"We'll leave early in the morning then," Harry said softly.

He wanted to give her one night with her family before everything got out of control.

Monica moved forward, gesturing for the boys to follow her. "Harry, and Ron, you two can share the guest room upstairs. Follow me, I just have to get some blankets ready for the both of you,"

"That'd be great thanks," Ron smiled, stretching his arms out. "I'm bloody exhausted,"

Harry couldn't help but nod as he followed Monica and Ron upstairs. Hermione leaned back against the kitchen sink, crossing her arms as she silently listened to their footsteps.

Wendell looked at his daughter, to the dark bags under her eyes, it was like he couldn't even recognize her. "Are you sure you're emotionally ready for this? I don't know much about this Bellatrix person but, from what I can tell…she's influencing your magic—"

"It's made my magic stronger," She said quickly, folding her arms as she looks up at the white ceiling.

Her father shook his head. "You're reckless. You need to control it before you do something you regret," He gave her a sad look; he feared for her, she was acting the same way Riddle acted when he began looking into Horcruxes. "…you have to forgive yourself for whatever happened between you two or it will tear you apart,"

"…I don't want to see that happen to you," Wendell shook his head. "I can't see it happen to two people I love,"

Hermione snapped her head up, more tears rising at the thought of her father seeing Riddle inside her. "I will never be like him." She threw her arms around her father's neck, taking in his mannish scent. "I promise,"

"I believe you," Wendell whispered into her thick locks, patting her on the head.

She wasn't like him.

His daughter would do better.

"…what if I can't," Hermione spoke into his chest, pulling away to look up at her confused father. "What if I can't kill him? No matter how awful he is, he's still my uncle, and your brother, and I still care for him. I don't know if—"

Wendall placed his hands on her shoulder, determined. "I'll handle it."

"What?" Hermione scoffed. "You haven't held a wand for a real battle in years! He'd destroy you—"

"Not if he doesn't see me coming." Wendall spoke softly.

Hermione shook her head. "How will you even know where we are?"

Wendall licked his lips. "…I'll put a spell on you, so I can know where you are. But you'll have to cast it yourself, so he doesn't sense my magic on you if you get close to him."

"Okay, say we do this, how will you know when it's time?" Hermione frowned.

Wendall smiled softly. "Trust me, okay? I'll be there when the time is right, don't worry about it."

"I trust you," Hermione sighed.

Riddle nodded. "So, you tracked her to Hogwarts and attack when my back was turned like a coward…but how did you know when to come out of hiding?"

"Hermione's my daughter, we're connected magically," He explained. "I knew her magic was changing as you taught her how to master it, and that when it reached its peak…that would be the moment when she would be stuck between which decision to make. And I assumed it concerned your life or death and acted accordingly."

Riddle spoke after moments of silence. "So, this is it then?"

"This is it," Wendall declared. "It's over."

He frowned at his brother and laughed. "…it may be, but my memory will remain. You forget, my magic is also connected to her. She may have been playing me, but part of her knows that is the person she is meant to be."

Wendall growled, taking a step forward, only to falter as his brother began to dissipate into thin air.

"She'll battle with that for the rest of her life," Riddle spoke quickly as his body weakened. "Now that she's had a taste of true power, she'll never go back."

Wendall stood strong. "We'll see."

"I suppose you will," Riddle whispered. "…goodbye brother,"

Wendall looked away, wand gripped tightly in his hand.

"Goodbye Tom."

Hermione frowned as she looked around the whiteness surrounding her. "…where am I?"

"Just on your way back to your body," Dumbledore spoke, causing her to jump around to face him. "Sorry, I didn't mean to frighten you Miss Granger,"

She sighed, too exhausted to snort out a snappy reply. "Why am I still stuck here, I thought as soon as I was finished talking to my uncle I would be back in my own body?" She imagined everyone must be worried about her passed out form and would demand some answers soon.

"I just had to grant you one final gift before you returned," The wizard said softly. "I'm not supposed to be doing this, but, you've helped us bring down such a great evil at the expense of a dear family member,"

Hermione rose an eyebrow. "Us?"

"Ah, it isn't something you should worry about," He waved it off, but she still thought over his little slip.

She chose to let it go if only to leave this strange void any faster. "…what do you have for me?"

"Just a memory I think belongs to you," Dumbledore said softly, before tapping her forehead with his glowing finger.

Hermione gasped as it all hit her at once.

"The snatchers will lead us to my uncle, we can use this to our advantage," The bookworm began. "Let them take me."

Ron scoffed. "Are you mad? We're not letting them take you anywhere!"

"It's too dangerous, and you getting captured won't solve anything." Harry said, watching the bookworm stand to pace. "Once we get to Hogwarts and destroy the cup, and find the other Horcrux, then it will be enough to draw him out to us,"

Hermione shook her head. "And then what? Risk everyone's life and start a war at Hogwarts?"

"It's already a battle field," Ron shrugged.

She licked her lips. "How are you going to get to Nagini? She's always by his side,"

Harry frowned. "We'll find a way, Hermione! Anything is better than sacrificing you—"

"We're already sacrificing our classmates! I'm sick of it, I want this to end," She snapped. "…my uncle won't hurt me, he trusts me. And he'll trust me even more when I give him this," Hermione held up the cup.

Ron stood up then, confused. "What?"

"I'll make a fake, put some of my magic into a cup lookalike," Hermione began, wheels turning as she spoke. "My magic is similar to his when it's laced with dark magic, so he won't notice—"

Ron frowned. "Dark magic—"

"I'll earn his trust with it," Hermione continued. "And I'll lead the attack on Hogwarts, make it seem like you two betrayed me." She kept talking even as Ron shook his head. "My uncle will leave Nagini with me because I'll be the only one he trusts,"

The redhead growled. "We're not letting this happen—"

"He won't believe you," Harry's voice caused the tension in the air to build. "…it will only work if you're truly betrayed—honestly broken."

Ron huffed. "Is anyone listening to me? This isn't happening—"

"—cast a memory spell on me," Hermione grabbed her wand, aiming it at the cup. "I'll truly think the cup is real, and I'll honestly betray you."

Harry crossed his arms. "Even if we do betray you, I don't think it will be enough for you to change sides momentarily…We just need enough for you to do this one betrayal, not change sides entirely,"

"This is crazy," Ron sighed.

"Dark magic," Hermione mumbled. "…I'll be more inclined to betray you guys when I embrace the pull, and then I'll be blinded my hate; he'll believe me." She confirmed.

The two boys watched as Hermione used her wand to lace a fake cup with her own magic. Harry shivered at the familiar yet unknown presence of dark energy calling out to them. He didn't question where his friend had learned to davul in this type of magic.

"You two hold onto the real one, destroy it when my uncle storms the castle," She explained. "He'll be too caught up in everything to notice,"

Ron huffed, accepting that this was going to happen. "Fine, but what do we tell everyone when we get there? You know they'll ask where you are,"

"Easy, tell them the truth," Hermione shrugged, handing Harry the real Horcrux. "…I'm tired of hiding who I am." She shoved the fake cup into her bag.

Harry's eyes lit up as a thought came to him. "Bring Bella with you!"

"What?" Hermione objected.

"Brilliant, she'll keep an eye on you, make sure the dark magic doesn't pull at you too much," Ron nodded. "Should we tell her?"

Hermione shook her head. "She'd just manage to talk me out of it,"

Bella was her only weakness nowadays.

"But it's a good idea," Hermione confessed. "And the snatchers will believe she's on my uncle's side because of her family ties,"

Harry looked at her worriedly. "…are you sure you want to do this? I don't want to put you in danger, but, I trust your judgement and I trust you to overcome the darkness when the time is right."

"I know you'd never hurt me, or any of us," Harry whispered, trusting.

Ron nodded, a soft sad smile gracing his lips. "We just want you to be safe, but if this is what you want—"

"It is," Hermione interrupted him, determined. "I'm sure." She locked eyes with Harry one more time. "Let's do this,"

Harry held up his wand to her head, meeting her eyes as he searched for any hesitation or fear. When he found none, he whispered a quick spell with a heavy heart.

"…obliviate."

Hermione swallowed as a wave of emotions hit her with full force. "…"

"I thought you needed to know," Dumbledore spoke softly, watching tears pour down the teens face. "You need to know that they never gave up on you or betrayed you once. It was all part of your plan; they knew you'd find a way back and you did."

Hermione shook her head. "I still fought alongside him, no matter how short, I gave up for a short second."

"But you never wanted to hurt them, really," He said. "You didn't say anything when you saw Neville approaching your uncle, subconsciously you were still trying to help Harry," Dumbledore smiled softly. "I just wanted you to have this memory, so you won't have a hint of worry on whether they had their best intentions in mind."

Hermione nodded. "Thank you, truly,"

She needed to see that. To know, that they hadn't given up on her; not once.

"Now, you best be on your way," He held a hand on her shoulder, stopping her. "Although, I must warn you that you'll have to answer to an angry Bellatrix once you awake."

Hermione felt her stomach flutter as she smiled. "…yeah, what else is new?"

She turned her back, waving at him for a final farewell before she walked towards a bright light.

"Hermione!" A gasp from beside her called out as her eyes opened. "Thank goodness, you're alive!"

Harry scoffed, also kneeling beside her on the dirty ground. "She was never dead, Ron. She was just—where were you?"

"I'll tell you another time," Hermione said before jumping into their open arms. "…thank you,"

Ron patted her on the back, blushing. "For what, exactly? You and your father are the ones who saved the day,"

Hermione pulled away, eyes wet. "For believing in me when I stopped doing so myself."

"Anytime—" Harry confessed.

He was interrupted by a hand shoving him out of the way. "Mione, you're okay!" Ginny's worried voice exclaimed.

The bookworm laughed softly. "I'm fine, Gin,"

"Obviously," Neville's hard voice cut through them like a knife. "You're safe, so can we please get some answers?" He huffed, arms crossed as a terrifyingly silent Bellatrix stood by his side.

Hermione swallowed as the crowd of familiar faces surrounded her as they demanded answers as well. She caught sight of a few professors, students she'd pass in the hall, and various others.

She looked away. "…I am—"

"Sorry, for causing you all so much worry and concern," Wendall interrupted his daughters confession. "We understand that we have kept many of you out of the loop, but, here it is. I am Hermione's father, and," He glanced at his daughter once more before stepping forward.

"—I am Wendall Riddle, and Tom was in fact my older brother."

Hermione swallowed as she listened to the outraged gasps and the felt eyes burning into her. The only thing that kept her grounded were the comforting arms of Harry and Ron as they sat beside her.

Neville narrowed his eyes. "So, it's true."

"Yes, I went into hiding because I didn't want my daughter to be shamed for who she was related to. So, I let her attend Hogwarts with everyone believing her to be a muggle-born," He explained. "She came to me a few nights before they stole a horcrux from our family's manor; together we came up with a plan to take my brother down."

"I've never been interested in magic and I couldn't have my brother kill innocent people. But I knew he would be after me, so I stole Harry's invisibility cloak to hide from him until the time was right," Wendall glanced at Harry, an apology, before looking at his daughter. "…I followed you to the manor, through Hogwarts, until we reached this point."

He smiled at her. "I never left your side."

"…why were you fighting alongside the dark one?" A voice, a random Slytherin student, called out.

Harry stood up, smiling. "It appears, we also had a plan,"

Ron nodded, rising to his feet as well. "Hermione's plan actually, she's bloody brilliant."

"She made a fake horcrux, giving us the real one to destroy, in an attempt to gain her uncles trust." Harry began. "Hermione made us wipe her memory so when we pretended to betray her, she'd be more inclined to get us back. This way her hate would cloud her judgement,"

Ron smiled. "We just had to trust that her love for her friends and family would be enough to bring her back to us…and it was,"

"Why should we believe her!" Hermione flinched as someone called out over the crowd.

Neville frowned, glaring in the direction the voice came from. "Because when I killed the dark lord's snake, she saw me and didn't alert him that I was approaching!" He growled. "Because she saved us all by planning the death of her own family member!"

"…" When the crowd quieted down, Neville turned to her. "I never gave up either,"

Hermione laughed softly as Harry helped her to her feet, saying. "He really didn't, gave us a hard time when we tried convincing him that you'd betrayed us,"

"Did he now?" She raised an eyebrow.

Neville flushed. "We've known you for ages! Forgive me for not believing bookworm Granger could turn into such a force to be reckoned with," He teased, causing her to snicker.

"Yeah well—ah!" Hermione screamed as a sudden sharpness struck her stomach, causing her to fall to the ground once more in a vicious roll.

Ron's voice sounded through her throbbing head. "Bella—"

"Idiot!" Hermione shivered, looking up helplessly as the witch stood over her; black eyes furious. "You couldn't have told me any of this? You had me so worried for your pathetic life," Her wand rose, striking Hermione with another hex.

The force of the spell caused her to roll backwards another good ten feet. Her breath left her lungs for a moment as she struggled to open her eyes. Wendall shook his head with an amused grin as the Slytherin glared at his daughter; trying to hide her hurt with anger.

It reminded him of the times his wife would get at him when he acted foolish as well.

Bella marched over again. "You didn't tell me—"

"I didn't tell Harry and Ron about my plan with my father," Hermione coughed out, eyes hazy as she took in Bell's beautifully angry expression. "…it was for the best, I was protecting you, I didn't want my uncle reading your mind and finding the truth."

The dark-haired witch shook her head. "You should have—"

"I couldn't." Hermione said firmly, almost whimpering at the strange sight of tears forming in Bella's eyes. "…b-but I'm glad you stood by my side even when I was on the wrong path. You trusted me to make the right choice and I—"

Bella growled. "Shut up!" Hermione flinched. "You don't get it…you shouldn't have to do everything on your own, there are people who care about you."

Hermione sat up despite the throbbing pain in her body. "I know," She confessed, looking up at the witch.

"You don't, because if you did you wouldn't have done it like this." Bella berated her, wand about to snap with how tight she gripped it. "There are consequences to your actions and people get hurt because of them,"

Bella spat. "People worry about your wellbeing," Harry looked away in agreement as he recalled the moment Hermione spoke of her dangerous plan.

"…people hurt when they see you struggling to overcome the very thing that you're falling into,"

Wendall crossed his arms as he thought about how much Hermione resembled his brother that one night.

"…and people get hurt when you leave them behind." Bella whispered the last part mostly to protect her own feelings. "And they blame themselves when you get hurt—"

Hermione's voice cracked. "Bella—" She felt her heart speed up as the witch turned her back to her, shoving past the crowd. "…Bellatrix wait!" She struggled to her feet before falling forward when they gave out.

Bella's hexes were doing what they usually did.

Making her legs weak.

"Gotcha," Wendall held his daughter up, placing a kiss to her tear streaked cheek. "…she'll come around, just needs some space," He whispered.

Ginny stepped forward, grinning. "You should get your wounds checked out,"

Hermione eyed her carefully, untrusting. "Why are you grinning like that?"

"No reason." Ginny replied. "…but let's get you fixed up so you can fix things with your girlfriend." She whispered softly.

Hermione blushed, pushing away as Harry approached. "I've got her," He and a quiet Ron led her away from the buzzing crowd.

"Ah," Hermione said after a moment and plucked out the elder wand, sheepish. "I believe this belongs to you."

Harry smiled, taking the item in his hand wearily. "Thanks."

"So," Ron began as they approached the bridge leading into Hogwarts, far from the crowd. "What should we do with it?"

Hermione frowned. "We? It belongs to Harry, Dumbledore would have wanted him to have it."

"Wouldn't it belong to Narcissa? She's the one who disarmed Dumbledore that night," Ron questioned.

Harry shook his head in thought. "And I disarmed her—"

"So, it does belong to you, Harry." Hermione confirmed, glad to have some weight off her shoulder.

Ron licked his lips. "You own the elder wand," He said in awe. "—the most powerful wand in the world, with that, you would be invincible."

"True," Harry spoke after a long moment of silence, contemplating before he chose to snap the wand with slight difficulty.

Hermione and Ron flinched at the sound, gaping as he threw it into the abyss below without a care in the world. After a second to recuperate, Hermione shook her head and walked over to stand beside Harry.

"…at least it's over now," She whispered, leaning on his shoulder as her body began to give.

He nodded, smiling as Ron joined them. "The golden trio survived despite all odds, who would have thought when we all came here first year that we'd end a wizarding war?"

"Not me," Hermione scoffed. "…my only concern was keeping this secret about my uncle and avoiding getting hexed by Bella…" She trailed off with a soft laugh.

Ron joked beside her. "Seems like you still have to worry about that one." He snarked, earning a weak shove from her.

"Let's take you to Pomfrey before you faint again," Harry teased.

Hermione limped, allowing the boys to hold her up. "Please," She groaned.

She'd seek Bella out just as soon as the world stopped spinning every time she took a step forward.

Three Weeks Later

The Burrow

"…are you still mad at her?" Ginny's voice caused her to roll her eyes as the redhead plopped down beside her on the couch.

"Lately, it appears, I'm always mad at her," Bellatrix confessed, glaring at the package she had received the other day. "She's made herself perfectly clear."

Ginny huffed. "You're holding a grudge for nothing—"

"She lied—"

The redhead waved her hand. "Lies this, lies that, we get it. But she did what she needed to win the war," Her eyes softened. "Her parents forgave her, why can't you?"

Bella sighed. "…"

"Look, I've seen the way you two are," Ginny confessed. "She cares! Look, she's even sent you the new school books you'll need to finish your final year!"

The elder witch scoffed. "So?"

"So…" The younger leaned closer until their shoulders were brushing. "Didn't you send her books once when you began, uhm, courting her?" She flushed slightly at the thought.

Over the span of the last few weeks, Ginny and Bella had grown closer than ever. Mostly because Ginny was sick of the witch mopping around and Bella had no one else to talk to about the issue. Mrs. Weasley was allowing Bella to stay until the witch worked things out with her own parents.

They were still angry about the side she had chosen and had gone away into hiding with Narcissa. She hasn't seen her since that night at the manor. She's spoken to Andy over letters and at worst, she'll stay with her and Ted if her parents don't return.

"Yeah, and?" Bella snapped.

Ginny, used to it, grinned. "So, she's reciprocating your advances! But this time she's the one doing the courting,"

Over the last few weeks, she hasn't had time to see the bookworm as much as she'd like. After getting space for one week, she worried Hermione had given up on her. But owls from Harry reassured her that they were dealing with fixing the school, so classes could start up again in a few months, identifying bodies at the scenes, and letting people know it was safe to return to Hogwarts again.

The trio also had a lot on their plates dealing with their new fame.

"She still hasn't given your brother a response yet," Bella mumbled. "Until she decides what she wants, she can throw her gifts—"

Ginny shook her head, amused. "It's over."

"What?" Bella sat up straighter.

The redhead snorted. "Why do you think Ron's been missing for so long? He doesn't want to see you because Hermione told him she had feelings for someone else; he figured it out. So, he's been staying with Bill until his ego returns,"

"Shouldn't take long, with all the girls throwing themselves at him," Ginny shrieked when she was shoved.

Bella growled. "Why didn't you tell me?"

"I thought Harry told you in those letters!" Ginny huffed. "You two are like best friends these days, thought you told each other everything,"

The older witch groaned. "Well, he didn't…when did she do it?"

"A week ago, I think?" Ginny assumed.

Bella stood up, snatching the gift from the table with a huff. "Right then, I'm off, tell Ron he can come home."

Ginny frowned, following her to the front door. "Wait, where are you going?"

"Where do you think?" Bella snorted.

The redhead bit her lower lip. "B-but, you can't leave without saying goodbye to mum! She cooked your favorite meal tonight—"

"She does that every night," She muttered. "Besides, I've overstayed my welcome I'm sure…"

Ginny shook her head. "You haven't…I like having you here, another girl around who I can sort of relate to is great. You're like the sister I didn't know I wanted until you hexed your way along," She looked away from Bella's blank stare. "A-and you can't leave me to fend for myself with the twins and their pranks!"

"…I'll be back, okay?" Bella said.

She apparated before Ginny could ask when.

A devious laugh fell on her lips when she imagined Mrs. Weasley ranting about leaving marks on her wood floors because of it.

The sound of soft footsteps could be heard as the front door slammed shut. "Mum, dad, I'm home." She called out only to be greeted with silence; a sigh. "Right," Hermione mumbled, leaning her back against the wood door as she watched Crookshanks lounge on the couch lazily.

"Least you're home," She smiled sadly.

Her father was still dealing with testimonies required of him from the higher ups at the ministry of magic. He wasn't in trouble, they just wanted to know everything from the beginning. The process was daunting and seemed to be taking forever. Her mother was still out of town for work, trying to return to their regular lives before she had to hide from her uncle.

Hermione pushed off the door and picked up her fuzzy cat. "Come on, let's go upstairs since you'll find a way in my bed eventually,"

Crookshanks purred, nuzzling further into her arm as she carried him upstairs. She let him down on the floor before closing the door behind her.

"Thanks for the books," A chilling voice spoke in the darkness.

Hermione cursed, aiming her wand at an amused Bellatrix sitting on her bed with her legs crossed. The bookworm groaned, hand on her beating heart as she caught her breath.

"Bella don't scare me like that!" She hissed as she switched the lights on. "Why were you sitting in the dark anyway? And why are you here?" Hermione closed her eyes, backtracking. "…not that I don't want you here, because I've missed you, but," She flushed, deciding to just shut up for once.

Soft brown eyes took the time to look the other witch over. Bella's hair, unruly as always, sat on her shoulders in thick curls. She wore a simple long black sleeved Slytherin hoodie, light blue jeans, and white sneakers. Hermione worriedly eyed the wand twirling between her fingers.

Bella followed her gaze, red lips pulling into a teasing smirk. "Don't worry, I'm not here to hex you dove,"

"You're not?" Hermione swallowed, swooning at the pet name she received.

Bella shook her head and gestured to the books on her lap. "Why did you send me this?" Her face didn't give anything away.

Hermione twisted her fingers nervously. "You didn't like them? They go into detail about the potions you'll need to know for the upcoming year," She trailed off.

"No," Bellatrix shook her head to reassure her. "I love them,"

Hermione perked up with a pleased smile. "Brilliant…a-and what about the milkshake I left you? It was from the same place you ordered when we left the wedding, the waitress couldn't bring it out to you because the place was attacked by those snatchers. I know you were looking forward to—"

The eldest Black frowned. "—what is this?"

"What's what?" Hermione whispered.

"Ginny says you're trying to court me," She got straight to the point, searching frantic soft brown eyes for an answer. "Is she correct?"

Hermione blushed darkly but her answer was firm. "Yes. I am staking an interest," She swallowed and looked away. "I didn't know you were interested our third year, and I probably wasn't ready then, but I am now. There is no doubt in my mind the way I feel about you,"

"…I want to explore this, get to know you better; the real you, not the one you show everyone." Hermione confessed. "So, if you'll allow me, I'd like to court you properly…please?" She added.

Hermione huffed when she received a snort. "Bella, I'm trying to be romantic here!" She resisted the urge to stomp her foot childishly.

"Yes," Bella said in between her laughter. "I'll allow it."

Hermione felt a weight being lifted. "Thank you,"

"…so," Bella began slowly. "How'd Ron take it?"

Hermione sighed at the memory. "Okay, he's still hurt, and it'll take some time, but he will move on." She slid down to sit on the floor. "…what have you been up to?"

"Nothing that's more interesting than what you have, I'm sure," Bella easily allowed her to shift the conversation. "How's Hogwarts?"

She shrugged. "Slowly getting there, should be done but the end of next month. Classes will start shortly after, we'll finish our last year, and then everything can go back to normal…but, I don't know if Harry will return." Hermione leaned her face into her knees.

"He has nothing better to do, and it's only another year, so I don't see why not." Bella tried to comfort her, making a mental note to talk to the chosen one on the topic.

To gently persuade him.

"Everything is going to be so different," Hermione whispered.

Bella thought back to her sisters with a nod. "Yeah,"

"…how are your sisters?" Hermione asked, as if she were reading her mind.

Bella shrugged. "Narcissa is in hiding with my parents but I've spoken to Andy and she's doing well."

"That's good," Hermione mumbled. "Hopefully she'll at least return to make everything seem somewhat normal…"

Bellatrix shook her head. "Too much has changed, it's impossible,"

"Yeah," Hermione glanced at Bellatrix softly; looking at her as if it were for the first time.

Things will definitely be different when they returned to school.

"It's impossible to go back to how things used to be," Hermione closed her eyes and leaned her head against the door. "But change is good, yeah?"

Bella nodded softly, a small smile tugging on her lips. "…yeah,"

Not wanting to ruin one of the first times in a while where one of their conversations didn't end with hexing, or screaming, Hermione remained silent. She'd tell Bella about the strange dreams she had been having since her uncle's death, her struggle with dark magic, and her mourning of him another time.

Right now, she just wanted this moment of peace.

Any courting ideas to help Mione out?

She'd appreciate it!