A/N

So this chapter was fun for me to write. I got to spend a little time writing about medieval architecture, which was a secondary focus for me in grad school. If you are curious, search Tiomoleague Castle. Its really very pretty (and a real place). Visually it could not be more different from Hardwick Hall (Malfoy Manor). So at least as you read, you can be secure that my architectural terminology is correct (if nothing else).

Lexen- You are just a ray of sunshine! I am completely honored that you are enjoying my version of the Malfoys. I promise there is plenty more fun to come with them in the future. You are lovely. Thank you.

G – (Yea, I bet you didn't think I'd use that publically), I forgot to tell you that in Chapter 12, I included something just for you. Figure out what it is and I will give you a reward. I might even let you pick it out.

For all of my other reviewers, followers, etc- you are a fantastic bunch of people and I am so entertained at your responses. Thank you.

After only a few minutes of intense work, the Black sisters connected Timoleague and Malfoy Manor via floo network. With a deep breath Hermione stepped into the fireplace and vanished in a blaze of green. She stepped out of the fireplace and began to dust herself off. Much to her surprise she was entirely clean. Turning slowly she took in the low gothic ceilings of the throne room. She couldn't help but notice the stark difference between the Manor and the Castle. The Castle was centuries older. The walls were covered with elaborate mosaics depicting the land and area surrounding the former seat of the MacCarthy's power. Large stained glass windows allowed soft multicolored light to stream into the room making the space feel otherworldly.

The moment Bella stepped out of the fireplace an elf appeared and bowed to Hermione. Ailbe introduced herself explaining that Narcissa sent word to prepare the castle a few days earlier through the house elves to ensure the space would be ready for a visit. She proudly stated that her family served the MacCarthy line since the building of the castle in the 13th century and would be honored to serve her new mistress.

"Would you like for me to give you a tour of your Castle," she asked in a lilting Irish accent.

The witches agreed following her up and down staircases through each of the major rooms until they reached the library. To Hermione's delight it was more than twice the size of that of Malfoy Manor. Knowing the tour was coming to an end the elf led them to the large fireplace.

"Mistress MacCarthy, I have altered the wards to allow floo entrance to any of the Malfoy family and Mistress Black. There are certain protections in place that will prevent apparition without your permission. Leave me with a list of those you want able and I will arrange it."

"Thank you Ailbe," Hermione said walking over to a medieval fresco to the right of the fireplace.

"That's your family, love," Bellatrix said walking up behind the quiet witch. Hermione only hummed in response placing her hand gently over the names of her parents, Cormac and Eleanor.

"You look so much like your mother," the dark witch whispered quietly. After a moment of silence, Bellatrix continued "And there is your name."

"It's a bit much to take in. It's hard to believe this is all true. How could I have not known?"

"We will begin to find you answers here. Once we know more about your parents and the circumstances around your birth and their deaths we will be able to track down who took all of this from you. And I will personally see to it that they pay for causing you this pain," Bellatrix finished dropping her voice dangerously low.

Hermione squeezed her hand instead of responding and moved to a shelf containing the history of the family. Selecting one for herself she passed another large volume to Bellatrix before settling in to read.

The two witches worked through lunch and wouldn't have remembered to eat had Ailbe not delivered it to them. The documentation for the entire line of the family was immaculate. The long lineage of the MacCarthy family was rife with kings and nobles recognized both in Britain and Ireland. The first major break through came as the sun began to fall from the sky. In the modern records, Bellatrix found a reference to the only daughter of Cormac and Eleanor.

"Hermione, I need you to come here," she said urgently. Pushing the book towards the girl watching carefully for the reaction.

The page did list the birth of a child, but the date was 21 months before they had believed Hermione to be born. The young witch moved quickly back to the other side of the room flipping quickly through the pages of a large book she glanced through earlier, but abandoned thinking it contained only ancient records. Finding the page she was looking for, she dropped the book into Bella's waiting hands. Hermione found her magical birth certificate. Between the magical book of lineage and this documentation, it would have been unlikely that fraud was committed between their pages.

"There are larger forces at play here than we had imagined. There are few wizards capable of hiding me the way they did," she said anger causing her voice to waver. Why? What was so special about her? Who was Hermione Granger MacCarthy?

"You are right. We should return to the manor at once. I must inform the Dark Lord."

The next week flew past Hermione in a blur. She chose to return to the Castle everyday. Due to the unraveling information, Bellatrix was called back to the service of the Dark Lord, much to the delight of the dark witch. As she was largely unavailable during the day, Narcissa and Draco accompanied Hermione when they could. But after the first 3 days, Hermione got up early to go alone. She enjoyed the privacy of the Castle. She explored the extensive gardens and found herself wandering through each of the rooms. When she found the nursery, she sat in the rocking chair her mother would have held her in and cried for the life she lost. But in the swirling emotions Timoleague became her solace. She found the solid walls with moss growing between the crevices to feel more like home than any place she'd ever been. For the first time she didn't have to pretend to be anyone or anything else.

Spending 12 hours a day alone at the castle, Hermione read through a large number of the family volumes. She read about their rise to power and the many families that attempted to pull them down. Even under the British monarchs, the MacCarthy clan retained most of their power over southern Ireland. Among the oldest of the magical families, they had deep ties to mystical practices. She found a book outlining sonuachar relationships and the associated powers. Written in ancient Gaeltacht, she was only able to read the handwritten English notes in the margins of the book. She immediately began to study the language and was beginning to unpack some of the passages, but it was slow work. The dream connection between them was one of the least common markers of their bond, one that suggested that under certain circumstances their combined magical powers could be magnified.

The Malfoys supplemented her research at the Castle with information from the Ministry of Magic. Lucius confirmed the trace on her wand ended the year before, allowing her to practice magic freely including learning the dark arts. Unlike other significant cultural markers based on age, the trace was unalterable even by the most powerful wizards. Narcissa and Draco scourged the records from the days around her parents' deaths searching for any clue that might lead them towards who had removed her and placed her with adoptive parents. It was during the height of the confusion after the first failed revolution, an ideal time to steal a child and give it a new identity. The skill in hiding her age, placing her in a new family, and seemingly altering her timeline as far as her entrance to Hogwarts indicated the involvement of the most powerful wizards alive. The Dark Lord could be easily eliminated based on timing, leaving only Dumbledore and his cohorts.

Returning to work with the Dark Lord relit the fire in Bellatrix. The few months of respite allowed her body and soul to heal more than she'd ever imagined, but she never stopped longing to be a part of the uprising. She wanted to be a part of the magical world changing. The Order may have simplified the reason for fighting to bad vs good, she knew it was more complicated. She and those like her fought for the preservation of her family and the culture they'd lived for nearly a thousand years. And there was no end she wouldn't go to for her family. The Dark Lord was pleased with her progress with her prophecy. As always her instincts had been true, and the time saved in identifying the girl would be critical in preparing for their final victory. She spent her days planning the best take down strategy and raising support for her Lord.

In the evenings, she sat with Hermione and listened to a systematic information dump from everything learned that day. After the second day of traveling to the castle alone, Bella noted that Hermione was becoming markedly withdrawn. Just as she was falling asleep that night, the dark witch felt her heart clench as though she were drowning in sorrow. She rushed to Hermione's door magically unlocking it and walking through the doorway and the boundaries of the silencing spell. The girl before her never seemed as broken as she did huddled beneath the covers in convulsing sobs. Silently Bellatrix slid between the covers pulling the young witch into her arms. Stroking her hair and wiping away the tears, she allowed Hermione to fall asleep burrowed safely into her neck. For the rest of the week when the rest of the house was silent, Bellatrix would slip quietly into Hermione's bed snuggled close to the witch until they fell asleep.

The third week of December brought with it frigid temperatures and blankets of snow. The elves of Malfoy Manor decorated the home with evergreens with glowing candles. Garland with bright red and blue balls were strung over doorways and fireplaces. The elegant displays brought warmth to the imposing house it usually did not possess. The inhabitants still abuzz with the important work of helping Hermione piece together her history spared little time to prepare for the holiday. As they sat for breakfast on the 21st of the month Draco broke from their normal conversation,

"Mum, isn't it time for our trip to Diagon Alley? Its nearly Christmas."

Turning to Hermione, Narcissa said dramatically, "You would think my son never had all of the things he desired. But to answer your question, Draco, we should make plans. Perhaps for tomorrow. We've always gone as a family to shop for Christmas presents. I would like it very much if you would join us."

Hermione sat in stunned silence at the kindness of the offer. She'd been so wrapped up in the drama of her heritage, she'd entirely forgotten the season. She turned red and fought the desire to run from the room, not wanting to draw any more attention to herself.

"You did know that we expect you to spend the holiday with us, didn't you?" Narcissa asked without even a tinge of judgment in her voice.

"You could hardly expect I'd let you spend it alone," Bellatrix whispered huskily in her ear.

The young witch nodded her agreement to go. Everything about the holiday brought to surface her insecurity and guilt about her family situation. She felt lost knowing she'd lived a lie most of her life. She tired to hold onto the small facts she was learning about her family, hoping that if she pasted enough of them together, perhaps she would come up with a complete picture of herself. And she felt deep guilt over the Grangers. They had been nothing but kind and loving as they raised her. She couldn't yet determine if they knew anything about her past. When magic was at play, the intention of muggles could be easily intercepted and redirected. And while she fell into a comfortable routine with a beautiful witch and bonded with her family, Hermione allowed the Grangers to believe she was at school unable to come home due to resources. She found herself unready to confront them without further information, but it would be wrong to forget them entirely. She resolved that she would find them a nice present for the holidays in addition to paying for her own tuition in the spring. It didn't fix the nagging feeling of guilt, but she knew rationally it was the best decision to make considering the lack of information available to her.

A/N

Who doesn't love a bit of Christmas in May?