Disclaimer: I own nothing but the plot...
A/N: Thanks to everyone who reviewed and sorry for the long wait.
To better fit the plot line chronologically speaking I moved the trio's arrival date in the past from 31st July 1979 to 31st June 1979.
Bellatrix Lestrange...
...I have tons of girls waiting at my beck and call. You are not as unique and special as you want to believe...
... What I do and don't do in my free time is not your concern nor your lap dog's...
Hermione scoffed mentally.
No matter how much she tried to Sirius's words kept repeating in her mind. And even though she knew she shouldn't, not after his behaviour, her heart still throbbed over what Neville told her.
Gritting her teeth she took a calming breath and forced her mind away from thoughts of the dark haired Marauder.
So far the man had acted like a schoolboy used to getting his way with his good looks and wealth. Women practically flocked him and he had never really known rejection until she arrived in his life. Unlike his older counterpart, this Sirius hadn't lost his best friends. He hadn't felt the bitter taste of betrayal and complete despair. He hadn't spent twelve years in Azkaban for a crime he hadn't committed, with only his knowledge of his innocence to keep him sane.
Despite the raging war outside Sirius still was carefree and full of life, ignorant of the course his life was set to take unless she did something to stop it. He had all his life ahead of him to grow up and changed his more annoying and childish attributes.
In retrospect feeling annoyed and hurt by his actions was a little unfair.
As Luna had told her Sirius was a single man. He hadn't made any official move toward her -and no acting like a caveman over her reckless behaviour didn't count as an attempt to win her affections- so she had no right to feel betrayed. Or hurt.
Luna had reminded her it was her own fault for pushing the dark haired man away when he made it abundantly clear he wanted a chance to get to know her. That for someone like Sirius, someone who thought feelings were for poofs and females, was a big gesture. And from what she could recall of him a first.
Sirius didn't go after the girls. And never ever had a real relationship.
After the way his family, people that were supposed to love him, had treated him Sirius guarded his heart fiercely. The only people who knew the real him were James, Remus, Peter and Lily. Opening up was difficult for him. And developing romantic feelings were uncharted territory for the youth.
Despite his prowess Sirius had no idea how to deal with a woman who wasn't impressed by his looks and money and he had actual feelings for.
Hermione knew all that. But that didn't mean she was willing to forgive him so easily. Just because he was hurt didn't mean she had to subject herself to his moods every time she did something Sirius didn't approve. If Mr Black thought she was like the bimbos he was used to date with no brain to speak whatsoever then he had another thing coming.
She knew her words had hurt him the other day; he had striven not to follow in his family's footsteps all his life and having to hear her say he was no different must have felt like a knife had been plunged straight into his heart; but he needed to learn that Hermione was not obligated to tell him anything or abide to his wishes and wants. She was her own person and she'd be damned if she allowed anyone to control her like Sirius was trying to do.
He cared for her?
That was dandy. She cared for him as well. He was one of the reasons she put her life in danger day in and day out; to make sure the handsome Marauder would never have to know how the inside of a cell looked like. And if she had to choose between saving his life and breaking his heart; then the choice wasn't a hard one to make.
Shaking her head she focused on the busy street ahead of her.
The new term at Hogwarts was starting in just two days and she, Luna and Neville had decided they needed to move out the castle no matter how much they loved it there. Albus and Aberforth had been unhappy with their decision but were forced to agree that living in a school full with children was not the best option. Regulus had admitted Voldemort had at least a dozen spies amongst the students; children who thought helping the dark lord would benefit them and their families.
Aberforth was the one to suggest they use the Dumbledore cottage in Godric's Hollow. The cottage was rebuilt after that fateful fight many years ago and was large enough for the three friends. Also it was close to the Potters' place so if the need arose and they needed help, then all they had to do was walk there.
Hermione was thrilled when Albus asked her to assist him in casting the Fidelius Charm and be the Secret Keeper. She took meticulous notes and asked numerous questions, making Aberforth laugh at her enthusiasm and Neville and Luna to leave.
After painting -the Muggle way- her room Hermione had decided she needed books. The library was seriously lacking since Albus rarely, if at all, spend any time at the cottage and although Madam Pince had fondly told her she was welcome to borrow any books she wanted from Hogwarts she still felt bereft.
Luna and Neville had been busy struggling with the paint brushes and so it was easy for the brunette to sneak out the house.
Her friends would be furious when she return but when she apparated in Diagon Alley all worries flew out the window.
Diagon Alley was crowded with people, mainly parents with children about to head to Hogwarts. Flourish & Blotts was packed when she passed by it and she wistfully smiled as she recalled the first time she saw the magical book store. Her excitement earned quite a lot amused smiles and raised eyebrows.
The young woman stumbled and almost fell on her face when she caught sight of a young and very much thinner Molly Weasley trotting along with five red headed children. Bill was clutching tightly the hands of his younger brothers, Fred and George, who despite being toddlers had identical mischievous smiles on their chubby faces. Charlie had Percy's hand in his grip as they were followed by their mother who was carrying various bags from the apothecary and grocery shop.
The plump woman kept an eye on her children as they walked ahead of her and Hermione felt a warm wave of affection wash over her. At this point in time Molly was pregnant with Ron.
"Hermione?"
Her head snapped to the side and she swore when her neck cricked.
Remus winced.
"You okay there?"
"Fine." She rubbed her neck and looked at the tall Marauder. Remus was dressed in jeans and a white shirt, his sandy blond hair falling in his eyes as he smiled at her. "How are you Remus?"
"Oh great. Just finished my shift at Flourish & Blotts and was heading to the Leaky. What are you doing here all alone?"
Hermione's eyes narrowed in annoyance.
"I'm nineteen years old! I don't need permission to go out alone and I sure as hell don't need a guardian!"
Remus' amber eyes widen at her outburst and he placatingly lifted his hands.
"Sorry! I didn't mean to upset or insult you! I only meant you were never alone; you always have your friends with you and I'm surprised they are not here today! That's all!"
Hermione blushed at her overreaction. Apparently she wasn't as emotionally stable as she thought she was.
"Sorry Remus. I shouldn't have yelled at you. It's just... Let's just say the past few months have been hard and I needed some time away from everyone."
"And you thought Diagon Alley two days before Hogwarts starts was a good place to be alone?"
His tone was heavy with amusement and she couldn't help but chuckle.
"I said I needed to be away from them. I didn't say I wanted to be alone. And Diagon Alley being busy suits me. People are so busy no one notices me."
"Good point." He laughed as he motioned with his head. "Do you wish me to leave you alone or you wouldn't be opposed to a companion?"
"Nah. I wouldn't mind having someone with me." Her smiled turned predatory. "After all Merlin knows I'll need a strong man to carry my bags after I'm finished shopping."
Remus' smile dropped and Hermione cackled as she grabbed his elbow and pulled him towards Twilfitt and Tatting's.
"Come on! Luna mentioned she'd like a new set of robes!"
The young man sighed heavily as he followed the smirking brunette into the store. He had a feeling this was retribution for his comment earlier but he couldn't exactly flee now. He asked to join her!
And despite Sirius' tantrum and foul mood the past few days, Remus knew the Black heir would have his balls in a vice if he found out the werewolf left Hermione all alone in a busy street where anyone could hurt her and get away with it.
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"Sirius, please do me a favour."
"Anything Lils."
"Stop sulking. Please."
'I'm not sulking!"
"Sirius is right Lily flower. He's not sulking. He's brooding."
"Bite me deer boy!"
"Shut it mutt!"
"SHUT IT!"
Sirius and James, both glaring at each other from across the coffee table turned to the standing red head. Her emerald green eyes were flashing and Sirius gulped.
"You both are acting like children! You are adults for Merlin's sake! You are training to be Aurors! Act like it damn it! And you!"
Like a scolded child Sirius jumped when she turned solely on him and unconsciously moved away from her. James was too afraid of his wife's wrath to laugh but his eyes twinkled as Lily advanced on the fidgeting Marauder.
"Be a man and admit you made a mistake! As always you let your dick lead you and look where it got you! What did you expect when Lysander found you? You thought he wouldn't say anything to Hermione? Let her get close to you after what you've done? You are not together I get it and you are right to say she has no right to feel and act betrayed. But the same goes for you. You have no right to demand her trust when you've done nothing to earn it. You have no right to ask her all those questions and expect her to answer you when all you seem to be doing ever since you met her is acting like a brat. She saved your brother! Just because you don't approve of her actions doesn't mean you can be a bastard about it! She's not your girlfriend to ask your opinion. Deal with it!"
Sirius' eyes were hard as he stared at the floor, his hands balled into fists. It seemed he was doomed to be subjected to Lily's tirades every time he made a mistake and he didn't like it one iota. The fact she was right meant nothing.
"Sirius."
James had retaken his seat on the sofa and watched his friend with sad eyes.
"This has gone too long. You like her and something tells me she likes you back. Just admit it mate."
The grey eyed man stood and shoved his hands in his pockets as he stared moodily at the fireplace. It wasn't easy. Admitting he liked a girl.
Last time he opened his heart to someone was in his fourth year with a fifth year Ravenclaw. The girl turned out to be a gold digging whore who only wanted him because he was Sirius Black. He vowed then no woman would have the power to hurt him like that again.
He didn't need love. He had his friends and he enjoyed his bachelor lifestyle, sleeping with a different woman every night no strings attached.
But Hermione was different.
The moment they first locked eyes he knew he was screwed.
Not because Hermione Dumbledore was stunning. Compared to the bomb shells he was used to Hermione was rather plain looking with long brown hair and eyes. She was pretty all right but there were plenty of pretty girls in the world.
It wasn't her intellect either. He grew up with Lily Evans; and again there were smarter people out there. Albus for example.
No. It was the look in her eyes every time she thought no one was watching her.
Her dark eyes, usually shuttered, were filled with pain and loss. She was a lost soul and it called out to him. He didn't know why but he felt like he was meant to protect her, keep her safe.
Sirius was confused by his feelings for her. With the exception of his friends he had never felt the need to protect someone else; a virtual stranger nevertheless. Yet the thought of Hermione getting hurt physically sicken him; his throat got clogged and his eyes burnt with unshed tears.
He wasn't used to feeling this way. Totally and unexplained depended on another person's well being and happiness.
He craved her presence, to get to know her, the real her. Without the pretences and masks they both were wearing constantly. He wanted to know her inside out and let her know him the same way. And most of all he wanted her to look at him with the same trust and affection she always wore when she looked at her friends.
And it terrified him.
"I... I can't..." He choked and grabbed fistfuls of his raven hair. "I can't! I can't like her!"
"Why?!" Lily asked exasperatedly as she and her husband watched their friend suffer. Why can't you let yourself-
"BECAUSE SHE HAS THE POWER TO DESTROY ME!"
Lily and James stared open mouthed at the roaring man. Sirius' eyes were wild as he shook.
"If I admit it... If I let myself fall... Then she'll hurt me... They always do."
"No she won't. Hermione is not like that-
"She's not your family mate."
Sirius' eyes snapped to James decisive ones.
"She's not like your bitch of a mother. I may not know her well but I can tell she's a good person. And she's the right person for you. She doesn't take your bullshit, she stands up to you and can match your wits. She won't hurt you, I know it."
"Besides." Lily softly touched his shoulder and smiled motherly at him. "I think it's a little late to stop yourself from falling. Don't you?"
His eyes shut as he breathed deeply. This was the first time he showed his vulnerable side; everyone thought he was too arrogant and confident to have doubts and insecurities but Sirius was human. And his family's treatment had left its mark on his personality.
Sirius' whole body shook as he fought himself. All the barriers he had erected around his heart were falling apart. All that was left was an image of Hermione's face as she smiled at him, brown eyes alight with happiness and cheeks rosy with a flash caused by him.
"Merlin... I don't like her."
"Sirius-
"I think I love her."
Lily's protesting words died in her throat and James let out a disbelieving laugh.
With a resigned sigh he pulled his hands from his face. For the first time in many days his face was relaxed, calm, serene. His eyes were glittering with relief and a small smile had formed on his lips.
"I love her."
POP
88888
"Neat trick."
"Undetectable Extension Charm. Remind me to teach you how to properly cast it later."
"I will. I reckon it will come handy in many situations."
"I know. God knows how many bags you'd have to carry if I hadn't charmed all my bags!"
Remus snickered as Hermione pushed the last of her purchases in her messenger bag which at first appeared too small to fit the heavy book bag from Flourish & Blotts.
Surprisingly after their short excursion to Twilfitt and Tatting's for a new set of bright yellow robes for Miss Rose, Hermione avoided all clothes shops in favour of the Apothecary, Potage's Cauldron Shop and finally the book store. Remus' curiosity was spiked when she asked the Apothecary's shopkeeper for Wolfsbane picked under a full moon. It was rare and expensive stuff but she didn't bat an eyelid. She carefully examined it before paying the man with a smile and a request to keep a supply for her every month.
Weird.
Now they were on their way to Florean Fortescue's Ice Cream Parlour because Hermione claimed she was close to fainting from hunger.
Remus felt the hair on the back of his neck stand on end and knew something was about to happen. Something bad.
Without conscious thought his arms snapped out and wrap around Hermione's small waist pulling her behind him as he span around, his wand already up and pointing the of the dark alley. The entrance to Knockturn Alley was shadowed as always but his keen lupine eyes were better adjusted than humans so he could see the two figures lurking there, one slim and female and the other broad and tall, definitely a male.
"Remus? What's going on?" Hermione knew the signs. Remus was alarmed so she kept her voice low and inconspicuously flicked her wrist, her wand sliding to her open palm. Silently she cast a shield charm around them.
"Someone's there. Watching us. You." He growled, amber eyes flashing yellow as he took cautionary steps back. A jet of red light flashed from the shadows and crashed on her shield.
"What the-
"The mute and the blood traitor know how to play."
Hermione's blood ran cold as a tall, thin, raven haired woman with heavily lidded grey eyes stepped out of the shadows, closely followed by a darkly handsome man. Both were dressed in leather, traditional, expensive robes over their clothes, their wands in their hands.
The last time she had seen the woman was when Molly Weasley finished her off during the Hogwarts Battle. Years of imprisonment stole most of her beauty but now Bellatrix Lestrange was as stunningly beautiful as her younger cousin.
The fanatical mad glint in her eyes was present though and Hermione knew the woman wouldn't be easily deterred now that she found her prey.
Herself.
"What do you want Bellatrix?" Remus' voice was harsh, cold. A purple spell hit Hermione's shield and it started shaking. It was a dark spell and the shield dissolved. Hastily she cast another just in time for the second curse to rebound on it. Remus' growled and added his own shield.
"How dare you utter her name you filthy mongrel?" The man, who she recognised as Rodolphus Lestrange, snarled. Through the panic that threatened to overwhelm her Hermione dimly registered that people had stopped their strolling to watch the four of them, some with suspicious eyes and some with anxiety and worry. It wouldn't take long for someone to alert the Ministry.
"He's a better wizard than you'll ever be." She snapped in return and pushed Remus' restricting arm away and came to stand beside him. She was a fucking Gryffindor and Gryffindors didn't cower. Just because she was afraid didn't mean she'd be the damsel in distress.
"You must be Miss Dumbledore." Rodolphus smirked as he bowed mockingly. "Pleasure milady."
Hermione sneered. "My apologies for not being able to return the sentiment. My parents taught me not to lie you see."
"There's no need to be rude dearie." Bellatrix crooned as she and her husband took a step closer to them. "We just want to talk. A... Friend of ours requests your presence and I would appreciate it if you came willingly. It'll make things so much easier."
"Really? Well I'm afraid I'll have to pass. I already have plans to watch my grass grow. Why don't you tell him to contact my uncle? I'm sure they can work something out."
Bellatrix lost her smile.
"You'll come with us girl; willingly or not."
"Are you deaf? I told you I have plans. What, you are out of people to torture and-
"Stupefy!"
"Protego!"
"Don't you know not to antagonise a crazy person?" Remus muttered as the fight started. Hermione smirked.
"As you said they are crazy. They don't need much to set them off."
"Incarcerous!"
"Evanesco!" The magical bonds that had started wrapping around her vanished in a puff of silver smoke. Bellatrix's teeth snapped together.
"Crucio!"
Hermione threw herself to the side, simultaneously sending a slicing hex at her attackers. She heard Rodolphus shout in pain and smiled in satisfaction.
"You bitch! Bombarda!"
"Protego Totalum!" The curse crashed on her powerful shield but the force of it pushed the brunette back two steps. Bellatrix was engaged in a duel with Remus. Despite her superior knowledge of the Dart Arts, Remus was holding his own. He was physically stronger and faster than a normal human due to his lycanthropy and he managed to avoid getting hit by Bella's dark curses.
"Sectusempra!"
Hermione's focus returned to her opponent. Apparently Snape had already started teaching his new friends. With raw determination she deflected it and threw her own curse at Rodolphus.
"Duro!"
"Is that all you've got little girl?" Rodolphus switched opponents with his wife and Hermione was impressed with how well the couple worked with each other. "This is child's play-
"Putrescerus internus!"
Her choice of curse, Antonin Dolohov's favourite and the one he had hit her with in the department of Mysteries, shocked the two Death Eaters. Bella threw up a shield but the curse managed to penetrate it and graze her arm.
"YOU FUCKING BLOOD TRAITOR! AVADA KEDAVRA!"
"NO!" Rodolphus threw a hex that managed to redirect Bellatrix's to the wall above Hermione. It was blasted into pieces and Hermione had to jump away. Debris rained upon her and Remus, slicing into their skin. "We need her alive!"
"I should have killed you when I had the chance, like I killed your pathetic mummy!"
Hermione felt her body grow cold. Her eyes narrowed on the clearly deranged woman ignoring Remus cautious hand on her shoulder.
Ophelia's kind warm brown eyes made her anger spike and she gritted her teeth.
"What did you just say?" Her calmness was deceptive. Her hair crackled with raw magic and her eyes burned with hatred.
Bellatrix smiled knowingly.
"I remember her screams. Oh how she screamed when your useless father was killed! She kicked and screamed and bled! It was glorious! I enjoyed playing with her. My Lord was kind enough to allow me to deal with the blood traitor as I saw fit. And trust me... She screamed till the end."
"Hermione."
Remus was trying to pull her out of the murderous path she was heading she could tell. Realising this was what Bella wanted, Hermione tried to calm her rage.
It was all for naught when the female Death Eater spoke again.
"By the way... Did you know your mummy was with child? I ripped it out and fed it to Fenrir's pack later."
She saw red.
"HERMIONE, NO!"
Magic was forgotten. She wanted, no needed, to physically hurt Bellatrix. To kick and punch her, to see her bleed and inflict her pain. To feel her bones break under her fist.
She vaguely heard Remus cast spell after spell but all her focus was on the cackling witch.
"Crucio!"
Side stepping the curse she lunged at the shrieking pure blood.
"You filth!"
Her fist connected with Bellatrix's jaw.
Yes, Bellatrix was an exceptional dueler. But like all pure bloods, she sucked at physical confrontations. Pureblooded families thought hand in hand combat was beneath them and inappropriate for women. What was the need to use such violence when they had magic?
"Hermione, stop!"
Brown eyes locked with grey and a nasty smile curled her lips. A sickening crunch accompanied her fist as it landed on Bella's nose. The woman screamed as blood started running down her pale face.
Punch after punch as Hermione settled above her, straddling her; her knees scrapped on the cobblestone path, stinging but all that mattered was to keep her assault. To keep hurting Bellatrix, the woman who had caused so much suffering.
Sharp nails dug into her forearms, scratching her fragile skin but she was undeterred. Unstoppable.
Did you know your mummy was with child?
...child...
Baby...
A sibling...
An innocent unborn child...
I ripped it out and fed it to Fenrir's pack later.
A punch landed on her cheek and she gasped at the pain.
Apparently Bella was a fast learner.
"How dare you, you Muggle-
"Shut up you fucking whore!"
Forgetting her morals Hermione grabbed Bella's head and with a strength she didn't know she possessed started banging it on the ground. Again. And again. And again.
Blood pooled beneath raven hair, grey eyes blurred and blood leaked from parted lips. The hands grabbing her forearms fell and the body under hers stopped convulsing.
Strong arms wrapped around her waist and pulled her away. She didn't go without protest. Her screams were deafening as Remus pulled her to his chest; Rodolphus was momentarily distracted by his mangled wife but it wouldn't be long before he recover and attack again.
Remus priority was to take Hermione to a safe place and then contact Albus. There were many witnesses and he didn't doubt for a minute the Ministry was already alerted.
Closing his eyes he turned on the spot and apparated to the first place that popped into his mind.
The Potters' cottage.
"Remus?"
"HERMIONE!"
"What the fuck?"
A/N: Putrescerus Internus. Neither the incantation nor the effects of Dolohov's curse were given in OotP so I created this curse for my story When In Rio. The curse causes the internal organs to rot. If you wish to use it feel free. Just give credit where credit is due okay?
I ripped it out and fed it to Fenrir's pack later. This scene, Bellatrix ripping the fetus from Ophelia's womb, is from a Japanese horror movie I watched a few years ago. A man tracked down the wife of the man his own wife was cheating on him with, and he killed her. Then he actually cut her open and ripped the fetus from her womb. Till today the image remains in my mind.
As you can see the rating changed to a M. I think some scenes in the following chapters will be a touch... darker than a T rating would allow.
Sorry no lemons in this!
Next chapter's title:
Holding her Close