A/N: Hello everyone, I know it's been ages since I've updated this fic. It's been a busy last few months. I have a few weeks off from school and hopefully, I'll be able to get another chapter out sooner rather than later. Anyways, here is the next chapter. I hope you all enjoy. This is unbeta'd and part of it has been written for weeks so hopefully, it flows well.
Peace, Love and Slyther,
Gimi aka Jess
Hermione woke the next morning, and for a moment she was confused. She felt more than saw a presence in bed with her. Groping behind her, she felt the hard outline of a thigh.
Hermione's eyes flew open as she remembered she was no longer engaged to Ron or sleeping with anyone at the moment as she was engaged to a big blond Viking of a man.
"Oi! You need to stop before you find something we don't need you to find, Mione," a deep sleep filled voice echoed the room as she continued to caress the leg, trying to place whose it was.
Hermione turned and let out a yelp in surprise as she found Charlie Weasley in bed with her. A groan echoed from the other side of Charlie as a flash of white blond hair shot up; it's owner looking around for his wand and pointing it at the door.
"What the fu? Merlin Granger!" Draco said in shock as he lowered his wand, looking around at the redhead next to him and then to his cousin, "What do you mean to be screaming like that? You should be used to a red head in your bed!"
"I am, but not this red head!" Hermione barked at her cousin, "What the devil are you and Charlie doing in my bed?!"
"Mum didn't want you alone for your first night in this house with Rodolphus." Charlie's voice was muffled because he had burrowed even deeper into the pillow, "She sent me home with you last night."
Hermione grabbed her pillow and smacked him hard with it, feathers billowed out of the case and began to float gently down around them. "I know that you idiot, but I don't believe she meant you had to keep quite a close eye on me that you had to sleep in my bed, Charlie."
Draco laid back down next to Charlie, "Weasley insisted on the closest room to yours, but that was locked tight so after you fell asleep we just came in here to you. Now shut up and go back to bed, brunch is in a couple of hours, you will need your strength, and I need a full ten hours, or I am a bear."
Hermione smirked at the sight of Draco Malfoy canoodling with a Weasley. "That doesn't explain why you two idiots are in my bed," she said as she brought the half filled pillow down on their heads again. "We didn't?" Hermione wracked her memory of any lewd behaviour between her and her ex-fiance's brother and her… eww, her cousin.
Draco laughed, "Sorry cousin, even if I was still a blood purist, I have standards and first cousins are a hard no for me." Charlie chuckled as he blew a white feather that landed in his mouth. Hermione threw her pillow again at the pair and got up, walking to the bathroom she was heard grumbling about entitled blond assholes surrounding her life these days. Hearing the men chuckle at her expense, Hermione turned as she was closing the door to the loo, aimed her wand and struck both men with a jinx. Slamming the door shut and spelling it locked she snickered as she heard their feet scrambling towards the door and their attempts to get to her. Teach those idiots to laugh at her in her bed.
Hermione, still snickering, turned on the tap for a relaxing bath. Lazily flicking her wand again to silence the pounding on the door. Slipping under the suds of the tub, she sighed as the warmth of the water relaxed her stiff muscles. She began to wonder what it would be like to spend time with her new fiance.
Outside the bathroom door, Draco and Charlie had spent twenty minutes contemplating how to get in when Rodolphus walked in to see Draco sporting red hair. Draco turned to his uncle and tinged pink as Rodolphus raised an eyebrow. "Your daughter is a menace." was all he said as he went back to banging on the door.
Rodolphus looked around Draco to see a blond Weasley, and that was enough to set him off. For the first time in what seemed like years, Rodolphus let out a bark of laughter. The older man laughed even harder at the look of incredulity on the young men's faces.
Suddenly, the door flew open, and Hermione stood there in a fluffy white towel. "What the bloody hell is going on? Draco, dear you look like your head's on fire." Hermione said, unable to control the chuckle that bubbled to the surface.
Draco narrowed his eyes as his uncle and cousin continued to laugh at him, "Haha Granger, hilarious. Turn it back now."
"No, I think you look spectacular as a Weasley." Draco's eyes narrowed even further, Hermione just smiled brightly at him, "You know, Tonks' was our cousin and she was a metamorphmagus, maybe you're a late bloomer? Can't you change it back yourself?"
"Granger, I'm going to skin you alive!" Draco said yelling in a very un-Malfoy like manner and went to grab her wand in her hand.
With a Pop! Cheeks came into the room. "Young Master Draco! Youz stop yelling at my Missy!" The tiny elf scolded as Hermione was trying to hold her towel as Draco was trying to wrestle her wand out of her hand. "Missy Lyra! What are youz doing? You are a LeStrange, youz not acting like a proper young witch!" Cheeks snapped her fingers, and her elf magic took control of the scene. "Mister Weasley, you should not be here while my Missy is in such a state of undress. Outz! Master Roddy, you too! Young Master Draco, you will unhand my missy, or I will punish you!"
Draco growled slightly as the elf magic had rendered him motionless as well. He felt the elf's magic tingle over his head, and he knew she had reversed the spell his cousin had placed on him. He could hear his uncle still laughing as he walked out of the room, not concerned that his daughter was practically naked in a room with two young men. As Cheeks released her magic, Draco turned as saw his familiar platinum head in the ornate mirror above the fireplace, and he sighed in relief. He nodded his thanks to the little elf and swore to get even with his cousin when he got a chance as he went to follow a formerly blond Weasley out of the room.
Hermione continued to chuckle as Cheeks released her. Her little elf continued to dress her down as Hermione went into her dressing room, trying to decide what to wear for brunch.
"Missy Lyra!" Cheeks reprimanded with her little hands on her hips, "You should not have had men in your room while youz in the bath, very improper! What will your betrothed say?"
"I'm sure he will have plenty to say about it, but as I'm not looking forward to the wedding the bastard, I honestly do not care," Hermione called from the room off the side of her new space.
Cheeks looked scandalised, or as scandalised as an elf could look with those big bat ears and fat cheeks, "Missy Lyra, you best behave! You are to marry this man and have his babies; Cheeks wants you to be happy, try to be happy."
Hermione pulled a plum coloured wrap dress with muted silver detailing off a clothes hanger and a pair of dark grey stay-ups from her wardrobe that Cheeks had put in the room. Looking around the room, she found her favourite brown knee high leather boots. The last present she had gotten from her parents before they died.
Pulling on the dress, Hermione looked in the full-length mirror in the dressing room she noticed the colour was a little off since her complexion had lightened. Cheeks came into the chamber and began changing the royal plum to an emerald green. Hermione vehemently shook her head no and watched the colour turn back to a more magenta and Hermione smiled. Her new lighter complexion looked beautiful against the vibrant colour.
Grabbing her hand, Cheeks led her missy to a chair in front of a mirror and began to fix Hermione's dark curls. Hermione had started off saying that she was capable of fixing her hair when she caught Cheeks' angry glare in the mirror and her voice trailed off. Hermione was surprised how much she didn't want to argue with the little elf. She had always thought that house elves were supposed to obey their owners, but in the case of nanny elves, she was sure she was meant to let her do what she thought was best. Hermione smiled at the thought that she had faced some of the darkest wizards in their world, even survived a torturous encounter with her mother, but she was slightly afraid of this little elf.
Hermione was sure if she ever tried to free Cheeks, the little elf might maim her. She seemed very attached to the LeStrange family and even knowing Cheeks for such a short time, Hermione felt bonded to her as well. Maybe it was the way she looked at Hermione, with so much love and affection. Hermione hadn't seen that in a long time, the Weasley family loved her, but this was a look of parental love that she hadn't seen since her mother died. Hermione couldn't bear to see it gone, not with her life in such an upheaval.
Cheeks finished fixing the curls, shaping them to frame Hermione's face as Hermione worked on her beauty charms. Being friends with Pansy and Daphne had upped her makeup game. At Hogwarts, Hermione would rarely remember to put on chapstick, let alone blush. The Slytherin girls had made sure that she knew the easiest charms in school to apply simple makeup and it became more challenging through the years.
Standing up, Hermione critiqued her appearance in the mirror, deciding she looked appropriately dressed for brunch with Narcissa Malfoy and Ingrid Rowle, she went to her dressing table to find a pendant to wear.
Rummaging through her bobbles, her eye caught on a glimmering stone. Shifting a stray earring out of the way, Hermione sighed deeply as she picked up the diamond engagement ring. The ring she tossed at Ron, a piece of her old life. He must have placed it in her jewellery box before he left for assignment. Her lip began to tremble as she held out her left hand and held the ring over her light blue nail.
Her grey eyes began to water, but Hermione willed herself to pull them back. Ron had been right, she knew he had. She knew about blood bonds and marriage bonds. While she had wanted him to fight for them, there was no way out of this bond, not without death.
As brave as Hermione was; she wasn't going to put her friends and family through mourning her death because of her stubbornness. She had decided the night before, she would try and keep an open mind about this arrangement. She would at least give the viking a chance to make things work. Now that she knew her family was not going to desert her, she resigned herself to her new fate. The fate as Lady Hermione Rowle.
OoOoOoO
Stepping out of the floo, Hermione syphoned off her dress as she waited for her father and Draco to walk through. She suddenly felt little arms around her thighs and glancing down, she gave Teddy Lupin a big squeeze as Rodolphus walked out.
Rodolphus looked over at his daughter hugging the little boy with violently violet hair. Confusion overtook Rodolphus' blue eyes until he laid eyes on a woman who looked almost exactly like his wife.
"Andy?" Rodolphus said the name for the first time in ages. The years had been kind to his sister in law, her features not as harsh as his wife's. Years in Azkaban, at the mercy of Dementors had not done Bella any good, these days, she was not as angular as she once was. Regular and edible food and proper care, for the most part, had Bella healthy again, but the haunting eyes; those would never disappear.
Andromeda had none of those. Her curls were shiny and black, her grey eyes were filled with love and hope, and she had maintained her statuesque posture that was part of her pureblood background.
"Hello Roddy," Andromeda said with a wistful smile. Roddy walked over and hugged his sister in law, whispering words of sorrow. He had heard that his niece had died during the war. At the time, he had not really cared. His mind not truly his at the time, but as the years had gone on and he had time to think about it, he was remorseful he had not been able to stop it. Moreso that he had his mind and his daughter did he begin to think about the rest of his family. The thorn that was his brother, the regret over his brother in law and niece, and even Sirius' death, and his daughter. His little Lyra, how much he had missed because of one mistake.
Andromeda just hugged Rodolphus tightly, whispering it was okay, tears falling from her eyes as she remembered their time together in their youth. Rodolphus had been her betrothed or would have been. Her father and his were working out the contract when they were just fifteen. She had not loved Rodolphus the way that Bellatrix had. Bella had thought the sun rose and set with his lovely smile and blue eyes. No, Andromeda had desperately tried to get out of the betrothal for her sister's sake.
That day came when she met Ted Tonks. Once she set her eyes on the raven haired boy in her sixth year during summer hols, she finally knew how Bella felt about Rodolphus. The two of them would spend time once they were in school and away from her parents, Rodolphus and her sisters actually running interference for the two lovebirds. While neither sister condoned Andromeda taking up with a muggleborn, they could see how happy he made her.
Bella and Rodolphus were their biggest help in school. Rodolphus had enlisted the Ravenclaw's help with muggle studies, not understanding what a tele was and the couple were able to spend time together under the guise of homework. It wasn't the cleverest plan, but it helped, and Bella got to devote more time with Rodolphus, so it was a win-win.
Hermione was once again surprised at the show of affection Rodolphus showed to Andromeda. While she had heard that her parents were Tonks' Godparents, she had not known just how close they were before the first war, despite Ted's blood status.
"I wish we could have known about Hermione, Roddy," Andromeda said sadly, "I know why Bella sent her away, but I would have taken her, Ted was thinking of moving to France. We could have taken her, she wouldn't have been lost. No one would have thought about looking for us. My mother had died, my father never spoke to us before his death. Cissa would have known, I would have kept her safe."
"It is okay Andy," Rodolphus said, "You know how crazy things were at the end. Bass was enraged, he and Crouch wanted to find his master immediately, Bella knew we had to follow them, to keep them from too much damage. We had no idea what would happen."
Rodolphus looked over at Hermione, she was standing over with Narcissa and Draco, trying not to interrupt the reunion between her aunt and her father. "Besides, she turned out okay as a muggle raised child. She would have been fine either way, but I think I've accepted that she needed to be a muggle raised woman to defeat that bastard."
Hermione's ears had turned pink with the compliment to her upbringing. She had not been sure how Rodolphus would react to her being muggle raised, she had known him to be a blood purist like the Malfoys, but now as she is made to interact with the families who hated muggleborns, she found that they didn't necessarily hate them. This new life of her's was certainly confusing.
OoOoOoO
The family went into the parlour to await Ingrid, her husband, and Thorfinn. Narcissa and Andromeda were discussing place settings and flowers, while Draco and Teddy played dragons and wizards on a small table nearby with Hermione. Rodolphus looked on as he sat there with Lucius, both men speaking periodically about what had been going on through the years.
Every once in a while, Hermione could feel her father's eyes on her as she made a dragon come to life and chase after Draco's wizard. Teddy laughed with glee at the little blue flames coming out of the dragon's mouth. Draco had shot water out of his little wizard's wand and put up a good fight.
"Ah, Ly... er Her..." Lucius started as he stared at the trio sitting at the small table, little bursts of giggles and laughter as they played with the little boy. Rodolphus glanced over at his brother in law with a smirk. Lucius huffed a little and said, "Miss Granger seems to be settling into her new position quite nicely."
Rodolphus chuckled at Lucius, knowing it was a hard transition for him. He had known about Hermione's run-ins with Lucius and how much he had resented that she had outstripped Draco in school, especially since he thought she was muggle born. The animosity between the two may be gone, but the oddness of their new found relationship as Goddaughter and father must be weighing on Lucius significantly.
"I don't know," Rodolphus said looking back over at his daughter, "She seems to be a strong woman, but it cannot be easy."
"Hermione," Andromeda called out, she had been having a conversation with Narcissa. Hermione looked up as she had just defeated Draco's wizard. The toy was smoking as Teddy cackled gleefully.
"Yes?"
"What have you heard about Bella today? I heard you had a trying day yesterday."
Hermione looked over at Teddy and then called out for Cheeks to bring Teddy out to the garden for a short stroll. As the violet haired boy walked out with the elf, she and Draco went over to sit with the rest of the family. Rodolphus could see the look of worry on his sister-in-laws' faces. He had to listen to Hermione retell the story to them. He watched her face filled with conflicting emotions, while she was not ready for a relationship with her mother, she did not wish that on anyone.
The Black sisters listened, anger flashing in their faces at the treatment of Bellatrix under this new softer ministry.
"Pansy has not updated me yet on her condition, Rodolphus and I will be going to visit her later today. I will need to know if or when I would be able to take her home." Hermione said, the colour draining from her face. Rodolphus could see, she was afraid of having to live with Bellatrix.
"Will you be okay with your mother, Hermione?" Andromeda asked concern.
Hermione took a deep breath, "I don't really have a choice, I won't have her go back to that place, not when she was violated there, by wizards who feel they are justified because of a damned mark. I would not wish that on anyone and considering I've been under her wand in the past, I would have as much reason to seek revenge as anyone else. Her past does not justify their behaviour."
"But will you be okay? I know it won't be easy with Bella in the house, your nightmares."
Hermione shook off Andromeda, "I know, but I have to do it."
"What if Teddy and I move in with you three?" Andromeda asked in inspiration. "I can help out, Kingsley won't mind. I have no connections to the mark so it shouldn't be too big of a hassle."
Hermione smiled at her aunt. "I can't ask you to uproot your's and Teddy's lives."
"You aren't, I'm offering. The Weasleys aren't your only family Hermione. Teddy and I will be moving in, Cissa and I will pack the cottage tonight."
Hermione wanted to argue again, but Draco stopped her, "Dragon Weasel can't sleep in your bed forever Granger." He teased drily.
"You were in my bed too, you blond nitwit."
"What?!" A thundering boom of a voice came from the door of the parlour. "Who was in your bed?" Thorfinn Rowle stomped over and stared down at the black haired witch. His short temper already flaring and his hand itching for a wand that wasn't there.
Hermione looked up at the tall wizard, she had to admit, outside of the standard prison garb. Thorfinn Rowle looked fit. He had left his long brown hair loose, framing his face. Hermione grinned up, unfazed by the fury on the Viking's face.
"My cousin and Charlie Weasley. We had a late nigh-" Hermione was surprised by the hand that grabbed her wrist, pulling her out of her seat. Rodolphus and Lucius both jumped up, but without wands, they could do little to help Hermione. Draco just sat back with a grin on his pointed face. Thorfinn would learn eventually, don't put your hands on the lion, you may pull back a stump.
Hermione was no fool, she knew she couldn't pull out of the grip, the man was at least six foot five inches, and she was a foot shorter and a good eight stones lighter. Instead of pulling away, she swung her body forward a little, bringing her elbow in a half circle under his. Thorfinn was unable to keep his tight grip on her wrist, and as he let go in surprise, he didn't notice her other arm pulled back, hand in a fist until that hand connected with his nose.
"Fucking hell witch!" Thorfinn said, blood dripping from his face, "What is with your bloody family and hitting me?"
"If you would have been a gentleman and not try and manhandle me, I wouldn't have to defend myself." Hermione scolded, rubbing her wrist. "Don't think just because you are a giant of a man I will allow you to touch me like that again Rowle, make no mistake, I will hex you six ways to Sunday if you try that caveman attitude with me."
"What the fuck is a cave man?" Thorfinn growled at her.
Ingrid shook her head and whispered "Episky! Damn it Thorfinn, I told you not to aggravate her, you are such a prat. I said she wasn't your average pureblood witch, I told you not to test her. Of course, you don't listen to me, I should have let you bleed to death." Thorfinn looked at his sister in shock, but she shook her head, "Don't give me that look, Thorfinn Rowle, you deserved to get hit, you're just lucky she didn't jinx you to the moon."
Hermione snorted in amusement as she caught Draco bent over in silent laughter at her fiance being reprimanded by his little sister after being punched in the face by his intended. She looked down at the plush rug and winced guiltily at the drops of blood staining what had to be an heirloom.
Grabbing her wand, Hermione knelt down and began to wave it in an intricate pattern. She watched as the blood began to smoke and dissipate, leaving the rug intact. She looked over at her aunt with a look of apology.
Narcissa just nodded and gave her niece a smile and cleared her throat. Looking around the disturbance, she caught the eye of Adrian Pucey, "Hello Mr Pucey, it is so sweet of you to join us." Looking up at her already standing husband, "Lucius, it seems as we are all in attendance, let us lead our guests to the dining room."
Lucius offered his arm to his wife and led her out of the chamber. Rodolphus extended his own to Andromeda and followed suit. Draco began to escort Hermione, but she waved him off. He could see the look of determination in her eye and shrugged at her. His cousin could take care of herself, he watched as Ingrid began to syphon the blood off of Thorfinn's white button down when Hermione cleared her throat.
Ingrid looked up just as she was going to perform the spell and Hermione said, "May I have a moment with Thorfinn? I think there are a few things we need to discuss before we head to brunch." Ingrid smiled at Hermione, nodding her head. Giving Thorfinn a last warning look, she took hold of Adrian's arm and followed Draco out of the parlour.
Once everyone left the room, Hermione warded the door shut and turned to her fiance. Flicking her wand, Thorfinn flew back into Draco's vacated chair. Another flick and he was stuck.
"Now we need to talk, and it would be easier if you didn't think that your size is intimidating." Hermione started, beginning to pace back and forth. As she began to talk, Thorfinn took the time to look at the girl, woman. He now looked passed his memories of the small girl with frizzy hair and saw a young lady. He had seen her fight in a squirmish, against him, and she was good. He also could see that she really was not scared of him, she may have been frightened in that cafe with Dolohov standing next to him, but Thorfinn was sure it was because of the circumstances, not because it was him. No, this little witch was never afraid of him, even as a child.
Thorfinn watched, a bit apprehensive about being bound to a chair with a witch who had just punched him in the face, even if he did deserve it. He realised now that this was not the same girl from school. This was a woman who had seen just as much of war as he did, a woman who really wouldn't put up with his shite.
"Now, I don't have to tell you, you are not my choice." Hermione had said stopping her pacing and looking at him. "I don't care about pureblood bonds, and if it wouldn't hurt my family, I'd be okay with dying in six months."
"You care about what Roddy and your torturers would say?" Thorfinn said with a snort.
Hermione chuckled and shook her head, "No, I don't. Draco and my aunts, I do. Lucius and Bella, I couldn't care less. Rodolphus..." Hermione sighed, "Rodolphus, I might. I don't know. I don't have as bad a history with him like I do with Lucius or Bella or even you and Draco. I think I could care about him." Hermione trailed off, thinking about her father.
"Why do you care so much for Draco?" Thorfinn said with a huff. "I remember you in school, you never cared for him then."
Hermione laughed again, "No, no I didn't. We hated each other, but after the war. We all changed, he deserved a second chance, he tried to help me, to help Harry that day we came here. He tried to stop his idiot friend from killing us at the castle. He knew he was wrong."
"What was he doing in your bed? And that other ginger Weasel?" Thorfinn growled out, and Hermione was surprised at the malaise.
"They were sleeping, they couldn't find another room, and they fell asleep," Hermione explained, surprised that she felt the need to. She never thought she would feel that need to explain her behaviour to Thorfinn Rowle, but he seemed to be possessive of her, and while she wanted to break him of that, she knew it would take time. She was no possession.
"Aren't they both wizards? Why didn't they transfigure beds, Hermione?"
Hermione jumped at the use of her name, she had never heard it come from his mouth, ever. "Uh... I don't know Thorfinn, we had just had dinner with Harry and the family. Molly sent Charlie home with me because she was worried about me being in a house with Rodolphus. Draco came with us as well, I think my aunt was thinking along the same lines. We were up late talking, and I must have just fell asleep," she explained. "Nothing happened. Why do you care?"
"I don't." Thorfinn bit out, his mouth in a hard line. He wasn't actually sure why he bothered. He generally wouldn't care, but for some reason, he saw red when he heard she was in bed with anyone. "We are betrothed, and I know it doesn't mean much to you, but things like that are frequently looked down upon in our circles."
Hermione laughed and sat down next to him, "I don't know if you've noticed Thorfinn, but I am not a typical pureblood. Up until two weeks ago, I wasn't one at all. Charlie is like my brother and would have been had I been able to marry Ron. Draco is the same, he is family, has been since our eighth year. They would never try anything unwarranted."
"Malfoy liked you," Thorfinn pointed out.
Hermione snickered, "Yeah, so Pansy tells me. But he doesn't now. He has only looked at me like family for years."
"Still..."
"Enough Thorfinn," Hermione said with a bit of an exasperated look, "Nothing is going on. I am very close with the Weasleys, I've slept in the same bed with many of them, nothing has ever happened. We are family. We may be betrothed, but I am not going to tolerate you this behaviour going forward. Death Eater or not, I will hex you silly for being a possessive arsehole, and I don't think my father or uncle will let you continue to manhandle me."
"What about your cousin?" Thorfinn finally relented with a small grin.
"Draco has felt my wrath before, he knows I can handle myself." She said. Standing up, she pointed her wand at his face and Thorfinn could feel the heat of the spell she performed as the blood began to disappear from his person and his clothing.
Releasing the spell, Thorfinn was able to stand up in front of Hermione, he could feel the the heat radiating from her small body. Looking down, he couldn't help but notice that he could see down her dress, he was intrigued to see she wasn't wearing white cotton under her dress, but a slip of blue silk surrounded her perky tits. Suddenly his ears rang with the slap he never saw coming.
"OW! FUCK HERMIONE!" Thorfinn bellowed, bringing his hand up to his face after the slap, he was sure could be heard in the dining room.
"Don't think I didn't see you looking down my dress Rowle, I may not be a pureblood, but I'm pretty sure that is not what proper wizards do." Hermione scolded, stabbing him in the abdomen with a finger, "Now come on, I'm sure my aunt is waiting for us to start brunch."
"Could you stop hitting me, that isn't proper to mishandle your husband to be," Thorfinn said as he wiggled his jaw around. She really did pack a punch with that right arm of hers.
Hermione snorted, "My mother is supposedly Bellatrix LeStrange. You're lucky I didn't crucio you." she said as she walked out of the room.
Thorfinn thought about that last statement and about what he knew about Bellatrix. Quirking an eyebrow and shrugging his shoulders, he realised his fiancee was right. Maybe he ought to tone down the possessiveness of Hermione. She did not seem to mind a bit of physical activity. He grinned lasciviously, he hoped that transferred to the bedroom one day, he didn't mind a feisty witch, as long as he got to tie her to his bedpost. Chuckling slightly, he followed her out of the room and down the hall, maybe he would try that with her when they were married.