A/N: I am keeping this one a little shorter than usual. I am struggling quite badly with my hay fever and not even my tablets are stopping my eyes from burning, which makes staring at a computer screen rather unpleasant.
This is another little "in between" piece. Someone pointed out that they liked the idea of the switching POV's between Hermione and Andromeda and it is something that I have grown rather fond of, so here is another one just like it. ~Cissy

Chapter 25

"Amantes sunt amentes"

"What are we going to do with Minerva's body?" Tonks asked. She stood beside her mother outside the Burrow. The moon had risen to its highest point in the sky and silver beams of light fell onto the ground around them. Minerva's body lay wrapped up in the white sheets, surrounded by moonlight. Andromeda sighed and looked at her daughter.

"She belongs in the one place where she felt at home," she answered. "We have to take her back to Hogwarts."

"Snape is never going to allow us to bury her body in the grounds," Tonks said softly.

"I didn't say we were going to ask for his permission," Andromeda replied. Her features hardened. "We have to take the castle back." She glanced over her shoulder back at the Burrow. Through the open door she could see the others sit at the kitchen table. Harry had wrapped his arm around Ginny's shoulders as the young redhead rested her head in her hands.

"You want to take Hogwarts?" Tonks stared at her mother in shock. "We barely have enough strength to last another day and you're saying you want another battle?" Her green eyes darkened and she studied her mother's face. "You were never the one to fight. You frowned the day I told you I wanted to become an Auror, fight against the dark forces that surround us. You hated the idea of me duelling and fighting. And now you tell me you want to start another battle? Why?"

"Look around, Nymphadora. We have lost everything that ever meant something to us. Bellatrix and Hermione took away our loved ones, they killed our friends," Andromeda said and felt her stomach turn at the memory of what had happened the night her husband had died. "The castle used to be our only safe haven. We can't allow the Death Eaters to keep it." She swallowed. "There is only Snape and maybe a handful more."

"You're serious aren't you?" Tonks asked in disbelief. "You are willing to send our friends to their deaths?"

"We're going to die either way," Andromeda said coolly and looked down at Minerva's body wrapped up in the sheets. "Death is inevitable."

"But to send them back into battle after what happened today…" Tonks said and shook her head. As she looked at her mother she realised there was nothing she could do to change her mind. She heaved a sigh and turned away. Without speaking she walked back into the Burrow and sat down at the table. Andromeda brushed a stray tear from her cheek. Her daughter was right. She had never been one to believe in fighting. After she had watched from afar what her sisters became she didn't believe in war. But here she was, ready to lead everyone into another battle. She didn't know if they would live but she couldn't wait and do nothing. They had to fight if they wanted to survive.

~()~

The start of dawn came with a beautiful coloured sky. Shades of orange, red and yellow crossed the skies and it promised to be a beautiful day. Nothing about this new dawn betrayed what had happened the day before but as the sun rose over the forgotten cemetery hidden behind a wall, it illuminated the four new marble crosses engraved with the names of those who lay buried underneath the soil. For the world appeared blind but the sun saw all.

Far away from the village surrounded by the green rolling hills, Black Manor too was caressed by the tender rays of morning light. Water poured from the fountain outside and the golden rays touched the skin of the sole person staring at her own reflection on the water's still surface. Hermione had left the house before the sun had climbed out above the horizon, awaiting its arrival, and now watched as her own image grew more powerful before her eyes.

"Your absence has been noticed," spoke a quiet voice behind her and she looked up to find Narcissa walk down the winding path that led through the flower beds. Dressed in simple white robes and her golden hair framing her face she looked like an angel sent down from the Heavens itself. Light blue eyes, beautiful if not for the darkness they masked, searched the young brunette's face. "My sister sent me to look for you."

"I never took you for anybody's servant," Hermione said and a flash of disapproval spread across Narcissa's delicate features. "I merely sought quietness for my thoughts."

"The mind is troubled," Narcissa said as she sat herself down beside Hermione and searched for the younger woman's hand. "Please, do share with me."

Hermione turned her head away. "It is not something I wish to share."

Narcissa leant in and dark pink lips brushed across a soft, warm cheek. "Do not let a troubled mind cloud your judgement, my love." Her left hand dropped down into Hermione's lap and slid down towards her thigh. Dressed in silk black robes that cut down low down towards her chest and sat tightly around her waist, Hermione looked as stunning as the blonde witch. Her breath hitched when she felt the other woman's fingers circle her leg.

"Then what should I use to distract from troubled minds?" she breathed as she turned her head towards Narcissa and their gazes locked. She covered Narcissa's hand with her own, guiding her higher up her thigh. The silk fabric felt smooth underneath their hands. "The satisfying touch of a lover?"

"Perhaps," Narcissa answered, her lips pressing against Hermione's neck. "It is most prudent that the mind remains clear." Slender fingers began peeling up the black silk underneath her hand, revealing the bare legs and eventually the bare thighs that hid underneath. She moved even closer against Hermione and leant in further, the swell of her breasts caressing the brunette's chest. "We must remain focused, my love."

"The Dark Lord has but one place left to go," Hermione whispered. Her heart hammered against her chest as Narcissa's fingers disappeared underneath the satin robes and encountered the simple lace of her underwear. A teasing index finger pulled the obscuring material aside before sliding through the slick dampness between her legs. Hermione shuddered. "He will return to the castle. Only Hogwarts is big enough for him to stage his final battle. He seeks his revenge and his victory. Nowhere else will be more of his taste." Her teeth sank down into her bottom lip when Narcissa's thumb rubbed against her swollen bundle of nerves.

"Oh, I know," Narcissa whispered, using her tongue to draw figures on the side of her lover's neck. She felt her lover's heartbeat under her lips and smiled into the soft caress. Her heart skipped a beat when she heard the brunette moan as her fingers slipped deep inside of her. Hermione arched her back, leaning back towards the fountain. They felt the spray of cold water against their skin. "We move at nightfall."

"The castle will fall," Hermione panted, lifting herself up and wrapping her arms around Narcissa's neck. She placed one foot on the side of the fountain and her nails clawed at the back of the other woman's neck. Lust filled hazel eyes met darkened blue and their gazes locked as Narcissa continued her touch. Hermione rested her forehead against Narcissa's and her breath was hot against the blonde witch's skin. Narcissa leant in further and kissed Hermione's lip.

"There shall be glory," she whispered and the tip of her tongue teased the corner of Hermione's mouth. Hermione's muscles tightened as Narcissa continued to touch her and her body moved with increasing urgency. Narcissa increased her rhythm and watched with a satisfied smile how Hermione's eyes rolled back in to her head and a high pitched groan escaped the brunette. Hermione's fingers closed around Narcissa's wrist with an iron grip, keeping the blonde in place. "There shall be victory!"

Hermione rested her trembling body against Narcissa's supportive frame and the blonde brushed a damp curl from the brunette's eyes. She kissed her lips. "We belong together."

Hermione's hazel eyes fluttered open and met piercing blue. The word rolled of her tongue with surprising ease. "Forever."

From behind the glass, the raven haired figure had watched the scene by the fountain unfold. Her emotions varied from dismay to jealousy and a sense of euphoria she couldn't begin to explain. Upon seeing that her sister was settling herself and Hermione fixed her robes back in place, Bellatrix left the mansion and strolled outside into the morning sun. Hermione's brown eyes lit up when she discovered the figure clad in black corset and skirt walking towards them.

"You're awake," she smiled as she stood up and wrapped her arms around the raven haired woman's neck. Then she turned to look back at Narcissa. "And judging from what your sister had just told me, I suspect that you have spoken about our plans while I was out here."

"The Dark Lord favours Hogwarts. There have been rumours amongst the ranks for weeks that he plans to overpower Potter within the castle walls. They spoke of this battle long before our paths crossed," Bellatrix said. "It was Severus' idea. I have no reason to believe they will have strayed from their original plan. The Dark Lord is weakened. Only at Hogwarts can he guarantee himself some comfort."

"There shall be no comfort to be found," Hermione said and her voice dropped to a dangerous whisper. Hazel eyes darkened as she fixed her gaze on the water that poured from the fountain into the basin. "There shall only be death."

"The Order has buried their dead," Bellatrix said and Hermione glanced at her in surprise.

"How do you know?" she questioned. "Did you travel?"

"I am still free to move as I please," Bellatrix answered sharply and gave a curd not towards Narcissa. The blonde acknowledged her glance and bowed her head humbly. "As are we all."

"What are their plans?" Hermione inquired and studied Bellatrix's features. In the soft morning sunlight she looked beautiful. The golden shine brought out the porcelain tones of her skin and illuminated her charcoal eyes. "What has become of them since we sent them away?"

"I expect them to fight." Bellatrix turned herself away from Hermione and began walking back towards the mansion. Hermione abandoned Narcissa by the fountain and rushed after the dark haired witch, taking her arm and forcing her to turn around when she reached her. Bellatrix's face was void of emotions and her eyes seemed hollow and empty.

"Fight? Bella, if you expect them to fight then why didn't we just kill them all last night?" Hermione pleaded. "To leave them out there when you know they can pose a danger…"

Bellatrix snorted. "They do not pose a danger, my love. They merely pose a nuisance. One that we shall deal with in due time. Remember the Dark Lord still expects Potter to come for him though no doubt he searches the shadows for us too." She cocked her head. "Besides, when one wishes to hunt, one requires prey." A devious smile spread across her face. "It is but a game, Hermione. They are the wounded animals who have nowhere to hide and will face certain death. They can run but they can never hide."

Hermione didn't answer and quietly watched Bellatrix as she disappeared back inside the mansion. She looked over her shoulder at Narcissa, who still sat by the fountain, and then followed the older witch inside. Bellatrix stood by the large window overlooking the garden, her eyes fixed on her sister's slender frame as she sat on the basin of the fountain, running her fingers through the cool water.

"I saw you," she said when she sensed Hermione's presence behind her. "I saw you and my sister."

"Like you said, we are all free," Hermione said calmly and Bellatrix turned slowly to face her. Their eyes met. "The three of us belong together, are joined in a fate that goes beyond anything we have ever known. There is no need for boundaries that try to define us in what we are. We should just be what our hearts and souls desire us to become." She stepped forward and drew her wand from inside her sleeve. She rolled it through her fingers as she moved closer to Bellatrix. "We are the same heart, Bellatrix."

~()~

"We aren't ready!" George argued after Andromeda explained to them what her plan was. "Dad isn't strong enough to travel and Hogwarts isn't safe. You'll be signing his death sentence."

"And I'll be signing yours if we stay here," Andromeda said sharply. "They will come for us, George. Sooner or later. Maybe not Bellatrix and Hermione but the Death Eaters will come for sure. They want Harry as badly as Bellatrix does. For now we are free but that freedom isn't going to last forever. When they have regrouped and maybe even reinforced the castle, they'll come and find us."

"Andy has a point," Harry said. "Listen, I am not convinced we are strong enough to fight yet. There are barely any of us left but we have no other choice. Voldemort knows the Horcruxes has been destroyed and the Prophecy says that neither can live whilst the other survives. It has to be me who faces him and he will come to Hogwarts. I know he will. I know the way he thinks and he will go back to the one place where he felt safe. And when he does, we'll be ready."

George sat back and quietly admitted his defeat. His brother briefly placed a hand on his shoulder and they shared a look that spoke more than a thousand words. Harry's eyes drifted around the table and came to a rest on Bill. He had only come home early this morning, as the sun rose over the horizon, and the dark rings around his eyes betrayed the lack of sleep and the grief had cut deep lines across his face. He looked only half the man he was before.

"What are we going to do about Snape?" Ginny asked. "He will have put every form of protection imaginable on that castle. He is not just going to let us walk in through the front door."

"Maybe this will help," Harry said and he reached down towards his shoes, rolled up his trouser leg and removed something from inside his sock. When he sat back up he had an unfamiliar looking wand in his hand. Andromeda's eyes widened as Harry looked at her. "I took it off one of the Death Eaters right before they captured us and put it in my sock." He shrugged. "If it belongs to a Death Eater, the magic at Hogwarts might recognise the wand and create a safe passage."

"Brilliant," Andromeda said with a smile. It masked the lack of confidence she felt inside. It masked the grief and the pain and the loss. She looked around the table. "I suggest we all try and get some rest. We don't have much time left before we have to leave and we all need to get our strengths back." She pushed her chair backwards and the others followed suit. Before they could walk off she stopped them and several sets of eyes fixed on her.

"I'm proud of you." The words lingered around in the kitchen for a little while. "I know it's been difficult these last few days but we have done the best we could. We didn't give up then and we will not give up now." She swallowed hard when she felt her daughter's hand search for hers. "Thank you."

They all went their separate ways and Andromeda found herself climbing the stairs to the second floor. She pushed against the door that led to the bedroom where she had spent her last night with Hermione. The bed still stood in the middle of the room, neatly made. The piece of parchment Hermione had left behind still rested against one of the pillows and with a quiet sob Andromeda picked it up and clutched it in her hand.

"Mum?" Tonks poked her head around the half open door and found her mother standing by the bed, her back turned towards her and her head bent. "Are you allright?"

"No, I'm not allright," Andromeda said and the tears welled up in her eyes. "I've had my heart stolen only to see it broken, pulverised before my very eyes. I am left to bleed from a wound I cannot heal and no matter how many times I rinse out my mouth I can still taste the betrayal on my lips!" She spun around and threw the piece of parchment at her daughter. "She destroyed everything!"

"I know," Tonks said softly and crossed the distance between her and her mother. "I'm sorry."

"Not as sorry as I am," Andromeda said and walked to the window. "What am I doing, Nymphadora? I am leading them into another battle only because I believe Voldemort will go back to Hogwarts? I am sending Harry straight to his death."

"Harry has always known this day would come," Tonks said soothingly. "He accepts his fate."

"Do you?" Andromeda retorted and watched her daughter's features soften. Pain emerged in her green eyes. "You lost your husband, Nymphadora. You lost your father. You have watched your friends die at your feet, felt their fading heartbeat under your fingertips. How can you still believe that this is part of fate, part of some kind of twisted destiny?"

"Because it is," Tonks answered. "It was always going to be this way. Harry has known for many years that only he can face Voldemort. We have known for a long time that people we love are taken from us when at war. It is not something we choose to happen, but it does. All we can do is learn from that and use their loss as our strength to keep going. We can't give up now!"

"Was Ollivander's body found back at Malfoy Manor?" Andromeda turned to look at her daughter. "Does anyone know if he was still there when we attacked? Was he still in the dungeon?"

Tonks shook her head. "I don't know. Why do you ask?"

"Because I want to know everything there is to know about the Three Cores," Andromeda said and she chewed her bottom lip. "We know what Hermione told us but I doubt that is enough. There is more to this legend than she told us. There has to be. I want to know exactly what the story tells us before we cross their paths again."

"Why?" Tonks whispered. "Why would you want to know?"

Andromeda swallowed. "Because the next time we see them, I'm convinced they're going to try and kill us all."

*Translation of chapter title: Lovers are Lunatics.