A/N: I started writing this chapter immediately after finishing the previous chapter but got held up by work (how rude!) before I could finish it. I hope that throughout you get an idea of what the world has become.
Two more things: Go to YouTube and listen to Immediate Music's "Ashes of War". That piece of music is what I played over and over when I wrote this chapter, hence the title. And... a small idea has started to develop for a multi-chaptered Hermione/Andromeda story for those of you who have said I should write one. So Team Andy, get ready because something will be heading your way soon!

Chapter 36

"Ashes of War"

When you knew that it was over
Were you suddenly aware
That the autumn leaves were turning
To the color of her hair?

~Noel Harrison - The Windmills of Your Mind

It was a dawn unlike any other. The skies were a dark shade of grey, with black clouds obscuring the sun. It had not stopped raining since the previous day and large muddy pools of water had formed across the streets. The grass was soggy and the raindrops lashed violently against the window. The sound was monotone and erased some of the thoughts that lingered in her head. She had not slept. She barely remembered how she had made her way home the previous night but she sat in the arm chair by the window, gazing out into a changed world outside. In her lap rested a photo frame, the picture facing up. She remembered the night she had shown it to her. It felt like a lifetime ago. That life was gone now. Long lost and forgotten in this dark, twisted world outside.

"The Prophet's here." The sound of her daughter's voice roused Andromeda from her thoughts and she looked up. Tonks stood in the living room doorway, freshly showered and with her hair still wet. She clutched the newspaper and Andromeda briefly wondered if she actually wanted to see what it would say.

"How bad?"

"Worse than we thought."

~()~

Black Manor was the scene of chaos. Empty bottles of mead and Firewhisky littered the floor. Candles had burnt down and dried wax hung from shelves, tables and chandeliers. Cushions had been thrown off sofas and random figures lay sleeping across the floor. The scent of stale sweat and alcohol lingered in the air. The gracious appearance of the manor had fallen victim to the celebrations which had lasted until the sun rose over the horizon. Those too drunk to travel had fallen asleep right there but now, as the hands on the clock pointed at almost eleven o'clock in the morning, the house slowly came to life.

Hermione pushed the silk sheets away from her and glanced down at her naked body. Covered in bruises, cuts and grazes she was reminded of how she, Bellatrix and Narcissa had celebrated their victory last night. She felt the warm bodies of her lovers lying beside her, Bellatrix's arm still snaked around her waist and Narcissa's hand still in her hair. Their bodies bore the same marks of passion and lust, and a silver metal chain still sat wound around Narcissa's wrist where it had tied her to the bed earlier in the night. The red blisters left behind by the candle wax sat proudly on Bellatrix's back.

Her gaze fell on the newspaper that had appeared at the end of the bed and Hermione sat up, brushed a strand of unruly hair out of her face and leant over to pick up the paper. The front page had been printed with big, bold black letters. MINISTER APPOINTS NEW INQUISITORS. Underneath there were three proud pictures of Bellatrix, Narcissa and herself, dressed in identical black robes and pointing their wands at the photographer. There were no smiles on their faces, no kindness in their eyes.

Underneath the picture the article went on that Minister of Magic Albert McGuinnes decided to shake up the lay out of the Ministry and its organisation. Bellatrix Lestrange, Narcissa Malfoy and Hermione Granger were from now on controlling the actual Ministry and the Minister would only fill a ceremonious task. Bellatrix also overlooked the judicial and prosecution system whereas Hermione Granger would be in charge of Education and Development. Narcissa Malfoy would be in charge of recruiting new officers and eliminating those no longer suitable for their positions. The Auror Office would be abolished and all the staff would submit themselves to subsequent investigation and await trial if it was found they had performed inadequately. Azkaban prison would become the permanent prison for those suspected of any form of crime and the different levels in security were squashed only to be replaced with a tougher, crueller system led by several of the warriors they had recruited before attacking the Ministry. Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry would be led by Alecto and Amycus Carrow, to former Death Eaters who had since sided with the Three Cores, and they would report directly to Hermione. Teachers already working at Hogwarts were expected to follow the new curriculum and those questioning the new rules would be fired and faced time in Azkaban.

Hermione put down the paper and smiled to herself. The world had woken up to their dominance. The Minister of Magic, marked for the rest of his life, had pleaded for his life once he had found the strength to sit on his knees. Hermione had gone downstairs to observe the battle in the Atrium and had found that many of the Aurors had been killed or taken prisoner. Bellatrix and Narcissa had stood in the middle of the Atrium, surrounded by debris and glass and without their masks. She had joined them and they had raised their wands in victory. The strength of the explosion had destroyed what little there was left of the Atrium.

Beside her Bellatrix stirred and lazily rolled from her stomach onto her back, exposing her bare breasts and drawing a soft gasp from Hermione as she observed the beautiful raven haired woman waking up. She slowly lay back down, resting her head on her lover's shoulder, and kissed her bare skin. "The world has fallen."

Charcoal orbs found hazel brown. "The sun rises over a world that has been reborn."

"And we are delivering it." Narcissa had pushed herself up on her elbow and her blue eyes lingered on Bellatrix and Hermione before moving towards them. Their bodies fitted together in a perfect match and Hermione's eyes slowly closed when she felt Narcissa's soft fingers draw circles on her bare thigh. The blonde's warm breath caressed her skin as Bellatrix leant in and brushed her lips against hers.

The scars on their wrist reflected the change within this world. The scar now also sat on the wrist of the Minister of Magic and his mind lingered the terrifying moments when Hermione had hovered over his heaving body. All he heard were the echoes of her torturous whispers. By dawn he had stared out of his office window over a world that would never again belong to him.

"There is work to be done," Bellatrix whispered as she let her lips linger just under Hermione's ear. "The world needs to be awoken."

The corners of Hermione's lips curled as she nuzzled herself a little closer against her lovers' bodies. "They will see," she said, a dark twinkle appearing in her eyes. "They will see and they will learn."

~()~

Throughout the next few days everything around them changed. Andromeda could not remember the last time she had seen the simple beauty of a sunrise. The world seemed permanently shrouded in darkness, with thick grey mist pressing against the windows of her cottage. A cold, chilling wind howled around the house and every so often she would catch a glimpse of dark shadows moving around outside but they never came close. She felt their watchful eye on her.

The changes were devastating. After the arrival of the morning edition of the Daily Prophet, a second edition arrived that same evening announcing the arrest of all the Aurors who had once worked for the Ministry in what was described as a 'preliminary investigation into insubordinate behaviour' but which coincided with an article about the Dementors in Azkaban being allowed to now enter the prison instead of being forced to stay outside and guard the boundaries as well as a reminder for all magical children between the ages of eleven and seventeen to report back to Hogwarts by the start of the next week for the continuation of the school year. A picture of Hermione had been printed right next to one of the castle, a cruel reminder of how she was both responsible for its destruction as well as its rebirth. There were mentions of Bellatrix and Narcissa in the articles describing the investigation into the Aurors as well as the new system designed for Azkaban.

Andromeda threw the paper into the fire place where the orange flames began eating away at Hermione's picture until only glowing ashes remained. She covered her face in her hands and only looked up when she heard the door to the living room open. Tonks appeared in the open doorway and when she saw her mother sitting on the sofa she quickly crossed the room.

"I don't understand it," she said softly as she protectively wrapped an arm around her mother's shoulders. "They know where I am. Why have they not come to arrest me? They have rounded up every other Auror in the Ministry."

"They are not going to arrest you," Andromeda said. "She isn't going to let them."

"She?" Tonks asked. Surprise was evident in her voice. "You think Hermione has something to do with me not being arrested?"

Andromeda nodded. "I'm sure of it." She heaved a sigh. "I know this is going to sound absolutely ridiculous but somewhere, deep down, I believe she loves me."

Tonks stared at her mother in bewilderment. "Have you lost your mind?"

Andromeda sadly smiled. "Maybe I have but I know Hermione better than anyone, Nymphadora."

"I don't think you ever knew her at all," Tonks said sharply as she arched an eyebrow. "What makes you so certain some brain washed Ministry official isn't going to kick down this door today or tomorrow and throw me into Azkaban?"

Andromeda stood up and crossed the room towards the window. "I can't explain it. I just know it. The world has changed out there. Nothing is ever going to be like it was." The truth of those words lingered between them for a few moments before Andromeda spoke again. "Hermione became what she is because of something that was done to her. Ron destroyed a large part of her before Bellatrix even got close to her. Whatever happened after that was well beyond our control." She slowly turned around to face her daughter. "There are two sides to every story, Nymphadora, and there are two sides to every person too."

"You think Hermione always had a dark side?" Tonks asked. "You think all of us have a darker side we do not choose to act on?" She too stood up. "If that is true it means Bellatrix and Narcissa have a lighter side that they choose to ignore." She couldn't suppress a chuckle. "Somehow I just can't imagine Bellatrix stopping to smell the flowers, mum."

"Life can change a person. Bellatrix wasn't born this way and neither was Hermione, nor Narcissa. We take different paths in life and whatever road we choose, whatever troubles are thrown at us, they create the person we become. It doesn't mean we can't change our destiny and Hermione did just that. She changed her destiny after she was brought off course but somewhere deep down, that seed had already been sown. It goes back to well before she met Ron. The seed found her the day that wand chose her. All the flower had to do was grow."

Tonks cocked her head. "If what you're saying is true then every course can still be altered."

"You heard Ollivander, darling. The bond between the Three Cores can only be broken by death. Wands and souls connect in a way we people fail to understand. There is so much darkness to wand lore we choose not to see because it will force us to recognise evil and darkness when we'd rather not see it," Andromeda said. "But a dragon heartstring core is often believed to perform better when instructed with the Dark Arts. That much has always been clear. When I first learnt Hermione's wand possessed a dragon heartstring for its core, long before I knew of its true heritage, I was surprised. I have known very few witches and wizards who possessed such a core and were not lured to the dark side."

"Your wand possesses a dragon heart string core!" Tonks interjected and stared at her mother.

Andromeda sadly smiled. "Family trait, I'm afraid." She met her daughter's gaze. "Minerva's wand had a dragon heartstring core too."

"You know, Ollivander smiled when I first got my wand," Tonks said as she reached into her pocket and withdrew it. She rolled it through her hands. "When he told me it had a unicorn hair for its core, I just couldn't stop smiling myself. I always thought unicorns were so beautiful and so rare, so gracious and so strong."

"The perfect wand for you," Andromeda said softly and fondly remembered the day she had taken her daughter to Diagon Alley to buy her wand. Unlike most other objects around Tonks, the wand had survived her growing up and she still had the same one as when she was eleven. "I said it the day you first got your wand, and I will say it again now."

"You also said that unicorn hair produces the most consistent magic and are the most difficult to turn to the Dark Arts. They are the most faithful of all wands," Tonks said and she felt a sense of pride flutter in her chest. "You knew, even back then, that there was a chance that some of your sisters' darkness had found its way into my blood, just by being related to them, didn't you?"

Andromeda nodded. "When Ollivander said your wand possessed a unicorn hair core, I knew that whatever darkness had found itself inside my sisters, wouldn't find itself in my child. I know that my own wand is easiest to turn to the Dark Arts. Dragon heartstring wands are known to be some of the most powerful wands, a trait welcomed greatly when surrounded by darkness."

"So this is it then?" Tonks said softly and stared out of the window into the misty world outside. "This is the world we now live in?"

Andromeda's eyes fluttered shut and she felt a single tear chase down her cheek. "It is home now."

~()~

Hours turned into days and days changed into weeks. The sun never broke through the endless deck of clouds and it rained for days on end, washing away whatever little bit of brightness remained in the world. The crowd that had gathered at Kings Cross Station to see off their children to Hogwarts was smaller than previous years and many of the parents didn't linger on the platform to wave their children goodbye. Their faces were dull and gaunt, with their eyes sunken deep into their heads. The children's faces behind the windows no longer reflected excitement. Many still harboured the warm and cheerful memories of Hogwarts before the destruction of everything, and they knew they were not returning to a place where the sound of their laughter would echo off the walls. What they found instead was a cold and barren castle, stripped off its four houses and void of paintings that whispered in excitement at the arrival of the students. All that remained was the Great Hall with its ceiling resembling the dark skies outside, and simple wooden benches and tables and torches that lit up the entire castle, their orange flames casting haunting shadows across every wall.

Death Eaters who had defected to the side of the Three Cores made up about had the teaching staff. Only a few original teachers remained after most had walked out, unable to face the changes. Horace Slughorn had since been arrested and sentenced to Azkaban. He had died within a week. The students were forced to study the most brutal forms of Dark Arts and the school had adopted an almost military regime. There was no more segregation between pure bloods, half bloods and Muggleborns but instead they learnt about the "persecution of those who had opposed the True Power."

Azkaban prison had become the new home for many of the Aurors who had once worked for the Ministry. Some had already been sentenced to life imprisonment, whilst others still awaited their unfair trials. Many had since lost their minds within the prison walls. Dementors hovered outside their cell doors, sucking up whatever little bit of hope and happiness they still cherished. They would scream and scream for nights and days on end but eventually all their voices died and only a terrifying silence remained.

Albert McGuinnes had only shown himself to the Wizarding community a handful of times and whenever Andromeda saw his picture in the Prophet, she noticed the empty, hollow eyes. Bellatrix, Narcissa or Hermione always stood right behind him, as a silent reminder that he would never be able to speak for himself. Even the words printed onto the paper carried the echo of their voices. Though standing in the background, the smiles graces their faces and Andromeda noticed how their hands were always linked in a display of twisted union and loyalty.

There was resistance against this world though it was small and hardly successful. Andromeda had read, much to her horror, that Ginny Weasley had been arrested after leading a small group of former Hogwarts students, many of which had been friends of Harry, Ron and Hermione and whom had decided to go into hiding instead of returning to school, in an attempt to break into the Ministry and kill Bellatrix, Hermione and Narcissa. Several of the young witches and wizards were killed but Ginny was used as an example and was publically put on trial where Bellatrix, who was enjoying her seat of power, suggested an execution instead of imprisonment.

A picture of 'the traitor's family' had been printed alongside the article. It had been the first time Andromeda saw Molly and Arthur, the latter still bearing the scars of battle. Charlie, Fred and George were sitting next to their parents, their faces emotionless and pale. Ginny's execution was changed into life imprisonment in Azkaban but Andromeda knew that the young redhead would soon beg to be killed instead. She resisted going to see Molly and Arthur. This was what the world had become. There was nothing else they could do. They had lost.

~()~

It was late. Darkness had fallen hours ago. Hermione looked up as the sound of footsteps echoed off the hard wooden floors of Black Manor. Dressed in elegant, figure hugging black robes and with her hair pulled back in a loose ponytail, she looked strong, powerful and strangely angelic. Her eyes fixed on the door and the corners of her mouth curled up when she recognised Bellatrix.

"Any news?" she asked as she crossed the room before wrapping her arms around her lover's neck. Warm lips encountered cold ones. Bellatrix had been outside. She could smell the rain on her hair.

"We have made them an offer. Either they sign themselves over to us and we'll release their daughter, or we will send two warriors at dawn and they will all die." Bellatrix's dark eyes glistened. "Who would have thought the Weasley family would actually consider defecting."

"They are not going to be very useful but they are the last remaining pillar of the other world," Hermione smiled as she let her warm lips dance across Bellatrix's neck. She felt her lover's heart rate quicken under the tip of her tongue and smiled. Bellatrix's turned her head to meet her lover's lips and Hermione's breath hitched when Bellatrix's teeth sank down into her bottom lip, drawing blood. A soft moan escaped her and her hands closed around the raven haired woman's wrists before pushing her across the room, slamming her into the wall. Bellatrix's back arched at the sudden impact and Hermione chuckled almost demonically into the searing kiss. They tasted each other's blood on their lips.

She released Bellatrix's wrists and her hands journey upwards to untie the laces of Bellatrix's corset. The garment fell away from her upper body with ease, revealing her breasts and swollen nipples. Lowering herself slightly, Hermione's tongue teased one of the hardened buds and Bellatrix groaned softly. Her hands tangled in Hermione's hair, grasping tight hold of her ponytail. Impatient hands tucked at the belt that held Bellatrix's leather trousers in place and whilst her left hand grazed her lover's full breasts, her right dipped behind the waist band and yanked the trousers down half way Bellatrix's thighs. She could smell the scent of her lover's arousal and lowered herself further to the floor until she sat on her knees.

Hermione placed butterfly kisses on the inside of Bellatrix's thigh and blew warm air across her lover's most sensitive spot. Slender fingers danced across glowing skin before she dipped gently into the wet folds and entered Bellatrix. The dark haired woman released a primal cry as her fingers dug into the flesh of Hermione's shoulders. Hermione continued thrusting, adding a second finger to withdraw another outcry from Bellatrix. Slowly she moved in, and the tip of her tongue grazed over Bellatrix's most sensitive spot. Pain spread through her body as Bellatrix's nails scratched across her flesh and she felt the warm sensation of blood trickling down her back.

Bellatrix hooked one leg across Hermione's shoulders, pinning her lover in place, and her hands grasped a firm hold of Hermione's hair. Charcoal eyes rolled back into her head as she felt the first surges of an orgasm spread through her body and when her body exploded, her legs trembled and Hermione's arms closed around her lover's lower body to keep her pinned against the wall. Slowly she pushed herself up until she rested her body against Bellatrix and leant in to kiss her. The dark witch could taste herself on the brunette's lips and smiled. Hermione's hands wandered over Bellatrix's naked breasts, feeling the nipples harden once again under her touch. As Bellatrix's lips moved from Hermione's down to the side of her neck and the tip of her tongue tasted the faint hint of salty sweat on her glowing skin, her eyes fluttered shut.

Bellatrix pulled up the soft fabric of Hermione's robes until she revealed her lovers thighs. Two fingers pushed past the satin underwear and entered the damp area between her legs. Hermione's arms closed around Bellatrix's neck as the older woman's fingers pressed deep inside of her. She threw her head back, revealing the pulsating vein on her neck and Bellatrix attacked it with aggression. Her dark eyes searched the room for somewhere to put Hermione down and as she removed her fingers, resulting in a soft moan from Hermione, she led her across the room until they reached the sofa. She pushed Hermione down until she lay against the arm rest, with one leg pulled up and the other firmly on the ground. Bellatrix placed herself between her young lover's thighs and dipped her hand between her legs once again. Her left hand pulled the soft robes away from Hermione's chest, revealing her breasts, and hot lips closed around a hardened nipple and continued to thrust in and out of her lover.

Her heart pounded against her ribcage and the back of her throat became dry. Bellatrix's touches were rough and urgent and Hermione arched her back into them. She felt the release build up inside of her and she tried to look at Bellatrix for as long as she could until her eyes closed, mere seconds before her body exploded, and she felt the sudden shock of electricity spread through her veins when from the depths of her mind she did not call up the memory of the raven haired witch, but the one who resembled her so much. For a split second, somewhere between falling over the edge and the collapse that came after, she caught a glimpse of Andromeda's face before it vanished into the shadows of her mind.

When her eyes opened, the memory had long since faded back into the darkness, but the image remained burned into her eyes. Hazel eyes stared up at Bellatrix, her chest still rising and falling quickly, and she snaked her arms around her lover's neck before burying her face in her hair. Bellatrix kissed the side of her neck, tasting the sweat that clung to her skin. They lay like this, tangled up in each other's arms, surrounded only by candle light and the sound of rain hammering against the glass.

~()~

Somewhere across the country Andromeda sat up a jolt. Beads of sweat glistened on her forehead and strands of dark brown hair had fallen into her eyes. Her heart pounded against her ribcage and she looked around the room, trying to identify what it was that had awoken her. The curtains rustled slightly as the strong wind found its way through the partially open bedroom window. The rain lashed against the darkened glass.

Suddenly she realised what it was that had roused her from her sleep. A face, appearing from the shadows, had hovered above her for just a split second. The back of her throat became dry as she closed her eyes and tried to remember exactly what had happened. The tingling feeling in the pit of her stomach was followed by a cold shiver that crept down her spine. She knew that face as well as she knew her own. Her eyes snapped back open and she released the breath she had been holding as she fell back into the soft pillows on her bed.

Hermione.

When she became aware of the warm, damp feeling between her legs she sat back up and her eyes snapped towards the window. The flash of lightning cut across the ink black sky but the only thing she saw was her own reflection in the rain stained glass.