Chapter 9

Knowing others is wisdom, knowing yourself is enlightenment.
~Lao Tzu

She woke in a dimly lit room. Her head was thumping as her eyes opened and a displeased groan escaped from her throat whilst the room found its true shape. The first thing she saw was the fire in the fire place. The yellow flames were creating a warm gloom, filling the room with warmth and shadows. She recognised the shape of a large wardrobe, a chest of drawers. Slowly her eyes drifted to the window. It was dark outside. She could just about see a slither of the moon peering from behind grey clouds. She had no idea how long she had been out. As she tried to shift her weight a sharp pain shot through her arm and she flinched.

"That was a deep cut..." spoke a voice from the shadows and Hermione's head whipped around. Nausea overwhelmed her and she muffled another groan. Her arm and shoulder were throbbing and the pain was constant now. Part of her wished she had not woken up.

Narcissa emerged from one of the room's dark corners and approached the bed. Her pale face was illuminated by the orange glow from the fire place. She strode across the room, her body tall and gracious. Intense blue eyes had fixed on Hermione's almost frail looking figure in the large four poster bed. When she reached her, she sat down on the edge and looked at the young brunette.

"What were you thinking, Apparating like that on your own without proper instructions or guidance?" Narcissa's voice reminded Hermione of a mother correcting their child. But it also reminded her of the seriousness of the situation. She had been very much aware of the danger she put herself in. "You could have done far more serious damage to yourself, Hermione"

Hermione reached for the sleeve of the night gown she was wearing and with trembling fingers she rolled back the fabric, revealing the tender flesh underneath. Across the length of her shoulder down to her upper arm red and raw looking scars covered her skin. Her arm was bruised, even more so than before her arrival at the Manor, and swollen. Dried blood stuck to her flesh and she brushed her fingertips along the painful looking scars. A twisted sense of pride invaded her heart and brought out a smile onto her lips. A new sense of energy ignited in hazel brown eyes. The scars felt raw and hard under her fingers. Battle scars.

"It was all I felt safe doing" Narcissa said softly as she watched Hermione trace the shape of her wounds. "Had Lucius not come out tonight, Merlin knows how long it would have been before we found you. He brought you in and I tried..." She paused and Hermione only now realised Narcissa's hands were still covered in blood. Her blood. Hazel brown eyes snapped up to meet the other witch's eyes. "You lost a lot of blood, Hermione. This was a serious splinch..."

Hermione sank back into the comfortable pillows of her bed and closed her tired eyes. "I had no choice..." Her voice was weak. A shift in weight told her Narcissa had moved closer to her. She couldn't quite explain but it felt comforting to know someone watched over her. It eased some of the sharp loneliness she had felt the instant she had made her decision to leave Hogwarts. "It was between this and getting arrested..."

"Arrested?" Narcissa echoed.

"Dumbledore and the other teachers. Someone told them about what happened last night. I left the castle because I knew it would only be a matter of time..." Hermione's eyes opened and she took a deep breath. She felt tired and sick. All she wanted was to sleep. Narcissa stared at her, looking puzzled. "I suspect Pansy may have told them about... Bella... They came to look for me at the Shrieking Shack and there was no other way out..."

"Very well..." Narcissa whispered and brushed a strand of brown hair out of Hermione's face. "Bellatrix is far more accomplished at healing than I am. I shall call for her to see you in the morning. For now you must get some rest and sleep. When morning comes we shall talk..." She stood up and slowly walked towards the door. She turned before leaving and caught Hermione cherishing the mean looking scars on her arm. The corner of her mouth twitched. "Do not treasure them too much, my darling. Soon you will have too many to remember..."

~()~

When Hermione opened her eyes again, morning had broken and a weak sunshine fell through the clouds and into the room. The curtains were still open and the beams of light danced across the bedroom floor. The fire had died out and Hermione slowly sat up, ignoring the pain in her arm. Her body felt sore all over. Her muscles had tightened and a throbbing pain once again invaded her head. She rubbed her eyes before slowly revealing the scars on her arm. They looked no different than they had done in the night, only now she could see them better. She sat and admired them when the door opened.

"Foolish girl..."

"Bella!"

And with those words their bodies crashed together in a display of madness and passion that could easily have been mistaken for a fight. Neither of them thought about Hermione's injuries when Bellatrix's strong arms enveloped around the brunette and pulled her closer. Hungry lips crashed together, longing for a taste of poison. Raven curls laced with brown and Bellatrix's fingers eagerly followed the shape of Hermione's scars down her arms before biting down on the brunette's lower lip. Hermione whimpered softly, which only caused Bellatrix to sink her teeth in deeper and draw a sweet taste of blood. Hermione's fingers grabbed hold of unruly black hair and yanked back the Death Eater's head, revealing the soft flesh of her neck. Bellatrix moaned softly when Hermione's lips sank down on the pulsating vein. Hermione could feel Bellatrix's heartbeat against the tip of her tongue.

They were both panting when they broke apart and Bellatrix pulled Hermione's arm towards her to inspect her sister's healing skills. She nodded approvingly, her fingers still cherishing the battle wounds that now desecrated Hermione's flesh. She had too many to count herself. Dark magic left its traces.

"Cissy has done well... Now, my love, The Dark Lord has heard of Rodolphus' death" Bellatrix said in one breath and her charcoal eyes met Hermione's. Lust flickered behind them and a long nail scratched down Hermione's forearm. In the early morning sunlight Bellatrix seemed hauntingly beautiful. "He believes my husband was murdered by the Aurors and I so no reason as to tell him otherwise..."

Hermione smirked. "Fair enough. Did Narcissa tell you about last night's events?"

"Dumbledore is a foolish old man if he believes he can defy you. Or us..." Bellatrix whispered dangerously and leant in. Her lips brushed against Hermione's ear. "He has no idea what you really are. The world belongs to us now, my love..." When she moved back she searched Hermione's face. Hermione briefly thought she detected a slight hint of hesitation in Bellatrix's voice. But it was gone within a second and Bellatrix's voice instantly regained its sense of dark longing. "With the coward that was my husband no longer among us, I am free to engage in another...union..."

One of Hermione's eyebrows shot up and her heart suddenly hammered against her ribcage. "Another union? Bella, what are you..."

"There shall be a meeting tonight. The Dark Lord himself has requested your presence..." Bellatrix whispered and ran two fingers through Hermione's messy hair. Bellatrix's fingers slipped down to Hermione jaw and then her chin, forcing the young brunette to look at her. A little smile began to spread across Bellatrix's face. Ruby red lips pressed down on Hermione's in what had been her most tender kiss so far. "Meet me in the Hall at 7 o'clock tonight. I must leave you for now but I shall wait for you..." She started across the room but turned in the open door. "If you need anything, call for my sister. I have told her to do anything you ask..."

Bellatrix left the room and Hermione remained behind, startled. She sat up in bed, her mind suddenly spinning with what Bellatrix had told her. She slipped out of bed, her feet touching the hard wooden floor and she hurried towards the window. She just caught Bellatrix disappearing through the large metal gates, her black robes billowing behind her and her raven curls dancing around her head. The dark haired Death Eater turned on the spot and Disapparated. Hermione turned away from the window and made her way across the bedroom towards the door. As she stepped onto the landing she looked around. Almost immediately another door opened and Narcissa appeared from a room down the hall.

"You are awake..." she smiled as she hurried across the corridor towards Hermione. Her blue eyes widened when she reached the brunette and slender fingers reached out to the sleeve of Hermione's night gown. It had become drenched with blood and burgundy drops had begun to drip down Hermione's arm down to her fingers. The young brunette had not even noticed and she felt no pain.

Narcissa took Hermione by her other arm and led her to a room across the corridor. Behind it she revealed a large bathroom, complete with sunken in bath tub, golden tabs and a floor to ceiling mirror. The room was lit by a large chandelier with white candles which magically burned but did not drip wax. The flow of blood was growing steadily but Hermione still not flinch. She stared at herself in the large mirror whilst Narcissa drew her wand and began tucking at the night gown.

"You will have to take it off if you wish for me to heal you..." the blonde witch urged. There was fear in her voice. Hermione willingly raised her arms over her head and allowed Narcissa to remove the nightgown. Hermione now stood in front of the mirror in nothing more but her knickers. Her good arm covered her chest whilst her damaged one hung beside her body. A small pool of blood had formed on the floor and Narcissa aimed her wand at Hermione's arm. A soft whisper of spells left the older witch's lips and a sharp yet warming sensation rushed through Hermione as her scars began to heal again. Narcissa circled the brunette, seeing for the first time the damage that had been done to Hermione's body. Bruises, scratches, bites and swelling covered her body from her collar bones down to her legs. All were the result of her encounters with Bellatrix.

Hermione seemed paralyzed. She never once moved or flinched as Narcissa managed to stop the bleeding and once again healed her skin. She was transfixed on her own reflection, looking at herself as if she saw a ghost. Hazel brown eyes were empty and hollow. She had lost more weight. The swells of her developing breasts were still visible under her arms but her ribs had begun to protrude. The scars on her arm were even thicker this time and looked even more painful. More bruises had appeared on her arm and Narcissa flicked her wand. The small pool of blood on the floor disappeared. With another flick, the taps began pouring hot water and the bath filled itself with flower scented bubbles.

Narcissa place a hand on the small of Hermione's back and slowly pushed her towards the tub. As she stepped back, Hermione turned around. Narcissa's gaze instantly dropped to the floor, almost as if she was too embarrassed to look at the young brunette. Hermione was no longer covering her breasts and sighed. She looked tired and the dark shadows under her eyes had become even more pronounced. "Your sister mentioned a union..."

"The meeting will explain everything" Narcissa whispered and turned her back. "I shall see to it there are clean clothes in your room when you have finished. Feel free to wander around the Manor. If you need anything and you cannot find me, call for one of the elves." With those words Narcissa left the bathroom and left Hermione to strip down from her knickers. She stepped in the pool and emerged herself in the bubbles. The water was lovely and warm and instantly began to relax her painfully tired muscles.

She stayed in the bath for over an hour and when Hermione returned to her room, she found a clean dress lying on her neatly made bed. She carefully slipped into it, tightening the lace of the corset behind her back. When she turned to the mirror she needed a few seconds to recognise herself. The corset of the dress was made out of black leather and resembled the corsets Bellatrix wore. The skirt was made out of white satin and had two layers. The satin felt cool and soft against her flesh whereas the corset was harsh and restrictive, though she enjoyed the pressure it created. The two separate parts and colours gave the dress an almost medieval appearance and Hermione stared at herself for several moments, taking in the new reflection. The sleeves were long, covering up the scars and bruises on her arms and flared out at the end. She used her wand to magically pin up her hair and a few damp curls fell down the sides of her face and neck. A pair of boots stood beside the bed and she put them on before leaving the bedroom. She descended down the stairs and walked from the high ceilinged entrance hall towards the dining room. Only now did she realise how hungry she was. She had not eaten for a full day.

The table in the dining room was set for one and Hermione slipped down into one of the seats. The trays magically filled themselves with a variety of food and she allowed herself to nibble on some roast potatoes, vegetables and roast ham. When she picked up her silver goblet she realised it was not filled with pumpkin juice but sweet tasting mead. The alcohol felt soothing and comforting down her throat. Once she was finished she left the dining room. The food magically vanished, followed by the plates and cutlery. Hermione never even noticed. She made her way down the corridor and found the entrance to the library. The two longest walls were covered by bookcases reaching from floor to ceiling. Every shelf was cramped by books. A large marble fireplace was the centre of the room, surrounded by leather arm chairs. Heavy black drapes covered the windows.

"You look well"

Narcissa's voice made Hermione turn around. The blonde witch sat in one of the arm chairs by the fireplace and put down the book she had been reading. A smile lingered on her lips as she stood up and approached Hermione. Blue eyes met hazel brown. "Bella would be proud..."

"Would she?" Hermione questioned and turned away from Narcissa. She walked towards one of the large windows and gazed out over the Manor gardens. She could see the immense fountain and watched how the water flowed down.

"You doubt her?" Narcissa asked as she reached Hermione and took a stand beside her, also looking out over the gardens.

"I cannot help but wonder what is truly going on..." Hermione said without looking up. Her mind had been clear when she lay in the warm water and questions she had previously ignored had reached the surface. "One day you tell me your sister wants to meet me. A protégé of sorts. And the Dark Lord accepts me, even though he is quite aware of my blood status..." The mention of her heritage caused Hermione to swallow. Anger instantly roared in the pit of her stomach and she clenched her fists. She hated her background. She hated what she was. She was merely interested in what she could become. Suddenly her eyes snapped up to meet Narcissa's. "Who accepts a Mudblood?"

Narcissa took a deep breath but nothing in her blue eyes betrayed anything. "Surely by now you must have realised that nothing is what is seems..."

"That is exactly what I was thinking..." Hermione interjected and shook her head. She couldn't quite comprehend how her world had changed. She had not spoken to or seen her parents since she left them after New Years. She had burned the letters they had sent and never once replied. She had fallen out with Pansy. The one person she had dared to trust in this world had betrayed her. Friendship had been a lie. All there was left now was Bellatrix. But she couldn't understand what it was they wanted with her. "Bellatrix took me out to fight. I watched people die at my feet. She knew I would stand at her side. It is her I have pledged loyalty to. Rodolphus is dead..."

"An unfortunate side effect, if I may say so..." Narcissa shrugged and glanced out of the window again. The cold January wind ripped through the trees and picked up the leaves that littered the paths in the gardens only to throw them down a few feet further down. It was bitter cold outside, the sky was grey and mist pressed against the glass for most days. The snow had cleared, only to be replaced by rain. The sun was weak and peered from behind thick grey clouds every so often.

"I killed him"

Narcissa turned to Hermione and her mouth dropped. Her ocean blue eyes widened and she stared at the young brunette. She gasped. "Bella said the Aurors..."

Hermione smirked at Narcissa's shock. "Yeah well, we decided to lie. It seemed for the best. But since you seem to know everything else that is going on I might as well tell you the truth..." She paused, never breaking the eye contact and Narcissa seemed to become slightly restless. Hermione's hazel eyes flickered intently and the dark rings around her eyes had begun to fade. "Unless I have once again misplaced my trust in someone..."

Narcissa shook her head. "You have not..."

"Very well" Hermione answered and she trailed her fingers down the cold glass of the library window. A smile appeared on her face. She just briefly looked back to meet Narcissa's eyes. "Like you said, nothing is what it seems..."

"Miss Granger... Hermione..." Narcissa's voice was laced with hints of insecurity "You must believe me when I say you will understand tonight. Your questions shall be answered. The Dark Lord will gratefully provide you with your much needed answers. And my sister..."

"Wishes to marry me..." Hermione finished Narcissa's sentence and the blonde witched seemed unsurprised. The lack of shock told Hermione that Bellatrix's plans were widely known. Rodolphus had not even been dead for two days and already had Bellatrix attempted to fill the void left behind by her husband's death. But why would a Death Eater wish to engage in a magical marriage to a Mudblood?

Narcissa did not answer and instead turned around and strode gracefully across the room towards the door. She turned in the door and caught Hermione looking at her, her hands still resting against the cold glass. Hazel brown eyes were riddled with devotion and confusion. A combination that was more dangerous and lethal than any other. Narcissa's lips curled up and she gave Hermione what could be seen as a comforting smile.

"Tonight, my darling. Tonight..."