A/N: I am so sorry! There has been so many things going on and FanFiction just took a back burner. School started up again so I was wrapped up in that and I became very depressed so I had no energy to do anything once I came home from school, but I'm feeling a little better this weekend so I decided to try to write chapter 12. I hope you enjoy it, and I'll see everyone at the bottom ~
Chapter 12
The Drawing Room
Weeks had passed by without incident for Hermione. She was able to swiftly avoid McGonagall whenever the time came and was left alone by her classmates. She was glad to have the time to herself, and it gave her lots of time to study the Dark Arts books. She was still on the first spell book because she was rather timid about what the next book held, so she took her time learning about the elementary spells first.
Today, the students of Hogwarts would be taking the train to King's Cross Station for winter break, although not everyone would be going home so the Head of Houses had a list where their students would write where they were staying for the holidays. Hermione had written that she'd be staying with her parents, but she would actually be residing at the Black Manor with Bellatrix. And her parents thought that she was staying at the Weasley's, so Hermione was all set.
The plan was that Hermione was going to make her way to Hogsmeade with the rest of the Hogwarts students, then veer off to the Shrieking Shack where Bellatrix would meet her. She had to be very careful and make sure that no one saw her leaving, and to her knowledge no one did.
She arrived at the Shrieking Shack to find it empty. She checked her watch, 12:14. Bellatrix should have been there by now. Hermione sighed, let go of her trunk, and sat down on the bed. She hadn't been here since October when she had met with Bellatrix. Since then cobwebs had begun to reappear and dust had formed again. She cast a quick scrougify and the place was clean again.
Luckily, Hermione didn't have to wait long. Bellatrix soon appeared with a pop and gave Hermione a gentle smile.
"Ready to go?" Bellatrix asked. Hermione nodded her head, grabbed her trunk and walked over to the dark clad witch. Bellatrix looked the same as usual, black boots, black skirt, black corset...but she seemed different. There was a certain glow to her that Hermione couldn't help but notice.
Bellatrix held out her arm and Hermione gladly took it. Hermione felt the usual jerkiness of apparation and was happy when it was over.
They stood in front of a large black gate, the entrance to the Black Manor. Bellatrix held her wand towards the gate and muttered toujours pur so softly that Hermione didn't hear her, which was what Bellatrix wanted. She hadn't chosen the password, it had been the Blacks from generations before and now with her circumstances she hated the saying.
The black iron gates opened for the witches and they made their way inside. Hermione looked around and admired how the manor looked. The last time she was here she hadn't seen the outside of the manor and she could now see that the outside beauty matched the inside. There were lots of trees that looked almost black, and Hermione imagined that with leaves it would look even better. They followed the straight path to the door and were immediately greeted by an house-elf.
"Hello Mistress Black and company. Allow me to take your bag," the house-elf took Hermione's bag and looked to Bellatrix for further instruction.
"Thank you Petal, that'll be all," Bellatrix said politely. Hermione looked at her with confusion written all across her face. She did not think that Bellatrix Black would be kind to house-elves. Not that she was complaining but it just caught her off guard.
Petal bowed her head and disapparated someone in the large house. Bellatrix looked over at Hermione and studied her features.
"What? I can be pleasant," she said rather off handedly. Hermione gave a small laugh before asking for a tour of the house. "There will be time for that later, for now I have to prepare you for Cissy," Bellatrix stated before heading off down the hallway.
Hermione's eyebrows furrowed. Cissy? There had been no mention of Bellatrix's sister accompanying them. The young witch hurried after Bellatrix and grabbed her arm, making Bellatrix turn around to face Hermione.
"Your sister is coming?" she asked rather quickly.
"Yes. Did I forget to mention it? Oops," Bellatrix answered casually and brought Hermione into the drawing room.
Hermione took a quick glance around the room. It was large like the other room she had been in previously, but instead of books that lined the walls there were several couches and various tables scattered neatly around the room. Hermione ran her fingers through her brown curly hair and let out a sigh.
"So how do I prepare to meet your sister?" Hermione asked cautiously, almost afraid of the answer. She hadn't expected this and was becoming quite worried. Bellatrix saw this and gave Hermione a reassuring kiss before putting her arms around her protectively.
"Don't worry. You just need to know what not to say, and what to ignore. I promise she won't hurt you," Bellatrix promised. This helped Hermione relax a little but she was still anxious. "I'm not sure how long she's staying I'll cover the basics. If she makes a comment about muggles just ignore her, it will do you no good to get into an argument with her," Bellatrix paused and began walking about the room with no destination in mind. "Also, try not to let her get to you. She has a way of frustrating people very easily and I know you like to stand your ground, so just be wary of that. If I have to leave the room for any reason it'd be best not to say anything. Oh and avoid her icy gaze. And -" Bellatrix was cut off by lips capturing hers. Hermione wrapped her arms around the dark witch's hips and broke the kiss.
"Bella, I got it. Basically don't say anything that could possibly start an argument. I'm sure it won't be too bad," Bellatrix rose an eyebrow at this and gave her a disbelieving look. "Okay, well it may be bad but I'm sure I can handle myself," she was still very worried but after ignoring her house's comments towards her, she figured she could handle it. She paused and gave her next words some thought. "Bella, why is she coming anyway?"
Bellatrix rested her head upon Hermione's and breathed in her scent. She hadn't seen Hermione since November because of various missions her master had assigned to her and she missed being this close to Hermione. Granted, she hadn't spent a lot of time being close to Hermione but she still missed it. She hadn't felt like this in so long and she never wanted to let it go.
"Well she invited herself over when she found out that you were coming. She doesn't approve of me being around you, and basically wants this to stop. So I assume she's going to lecture us on the dangers if people find out," Bellatrix explained. Hermione was going to respond but was interrupted by a knock.
Hermione closed her eyes and swallowed hard, she was now very anxious and did not believe her earlier words that it was going to be alright. Bellatrix gave Hermione chaste kiss before leaving to open the door.
"Stay here, and take some deep breaths," Bellatrix said, trying to be comforting.
Hermione nodded and sat down on the nearest chair. She then wondered how Narcissa had been able to walk up to the door. Bellatrix had had to say a password...then it hit her that Narcissa had grown up here and would obviously know the password.
Bellatrix entered the room and gave Hermione a reassuring look before Narcissa entered behind her. Hermione stood up politely when Narcissa came in and spoke politely as well.
"Hello Mrs. Malfoy. It's nice to formally meet you," she said with a smile on her face. Narcissa swept her eyes over Hermione, judging whether or not she should be rude or pleasant.
"Likewise," she responded and sat down on the couch across from Hermione. "Look, I'm going to get straight to the point because I'm not staying long. Bella come sit down," Narcissa demanded. The eldest sister rolled her eyes and sat down on the opposite side of the couch.
Hermione stole a glance at Bellatrix to find that her demeanor had changed. The features on her face were serious and cold. The youngest witch was surprised at the sudden change. She hadn't realized that Bellatrix's family held such a bad influence on her moods.
"First," Narcissa took a breath."Bella, what happens when the Dark Lord finds out?" she asked. Bellatrix glared at her sister. "Do you think he's going to let you off easy for liking a mudblood?"
Hermione tensed up at the word. It reminded her of when Draco had called her a mudblood in her second year.
"Well do you plan on telling him?" Bellatrix hissed. Narcissa shook her head and Bellatrix continued. "Then there isn't much to worry about. I'm certainly not going to tell him, and no one else but you knows so it's fine."
Narcissa just sat there for a moment, contemplating what to say next. "Let's just say it does get out. Bella he won't be lenient. And you," Narcissa said, switching her gaze to Hermione. "How do you think your friends are going to feel when they find out? Or your teachers? You won't have any friends and you'll be hated on both sides of the war," Narcissa pointed out, trying to be as calm as possible so that they wouldn't feel threatened.
"I already don't have any friends, so that's not an issue for me," Hermione snapped, surprised at the tone of her voice.
Narcissa stared back blankly. She hadn't expected that. 'What happened to the golden girl? Must remember to ask Draco,' she thought to herself.
"Yes well, no matter the circumstances you will still have nowhere to go. Maybe you should try to make amends with your friends and -" Bellatrix quickly cut her off.
"Shut it Cissy!" she snapped."Look, we've heard you out now I think it's time for you to go," she said as she stood up.
Hermione looked down at her lap and began nervously playing with her fingers. She knew that Narcissa was right. She wouldn't have anywhere to go if this got out. Hermione completely zoned out and hadn't noticed when Narcissa and Bellatrix had left the room. A few minutes past and Bellatrix was back in the room and she made her way over to Hermione.
"I'm sorry, I really shouldn't have let her come. I just figured if she had her say then she'd stop bugging me about it," Bellatrix tried to explain, but even to her it sounded stupid.
Hermione looked up at Bellatrix and took a deep breath.
"You know she has a point. If people do find out what do we plan to do? I can't join your side because I'm a mudblood, and I'll be branded a traitor on my side for being with you and I just..." Hermione trailed off, not knowing what to say.
Bellatrix thought for a moment. She knew what Hermione was saying was true, and that they had just been avoiding it until now. She glanced at the clock that hung by the door. It read 5 o'clock.
"Come on, let's eat and discuss this later. For now, I just want to enjoy being with you," Bellatrix said softly and took Hermione's hand in her own. Hermione smiled at the gesture and nodded her head. They would have time to figure things out later, for now they could just relax and ignore the rest of the world.
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McGonagall looked over her house list. Hermione had written down that she'd be at her parents' house for the holidays. That would mean that Hermione would have no where to hide if McGonagall confronted her there.
She had noticed how fast Hermione would leave her class and avoid her in the halls. She knew that this meant either that Hermione was in some sort of trouble and didn't want her catching on, or it was about their last conversation. Since then McGonagall had been very worried about Hermione's mental well being. If Ronald had hurt her then Hermione probably had some emotional damage, and the fact that her whole house seemed to hate her couldn't be helping.
McGonagall sighed and gazed out of her window. Snow had enveloped the grounds of Hogwarts and looked back at the transfiguration teacher with a hopeful glitter. Hope that McGonagall kept with her for Hermione. Tomorrow she would visit the Granger house and talk to Hermione, and try to help her in any way possible.
She just hoped that whatever was going on with Hermione, that it wasn't too late to help her.
A/N: There you go. Chapter 12 has ended. I'm going to try very hard to get chapter 13 up sometime during this upcoming week, but I can't promise anything. What with all of my courses and I'm still not doing too well so we'll see. Thanks for reading :)
