A/N
Thank you all for your continued support. Special thank you to Uniquely Named who will get me through to the wedding chapter relatively soon.
Bellatrix hadn't expected to be so nervous on the morning of her wedding. Really everything had gone well in the planning. Though Narcissa and Hermione only brokered a temporary peace, the dark witch had no doubt that the day would go well. She couldn't have fathomed that she would have become even more enamored with the witch slumbering soundly in her arms. The few weeks spent in the Irish castle together allowed the two more privacy than they'd previously experienced. The warm evenings afforded them the opportunity to revel in their growing bond. Only a short year earlier, she couldn't have imagined the warmth that spread through her chest, leaking out through her limbs. In the light of the sweet creature in her bed, she'd nearly forgotten the cold depths of hell that had been Azkaban. In the last of those 15 long years, Bella gave up hope. While she understood prophecies, night after night of visits by the dementors led her to wonder if she hadn't gone off track somewhere and done something to prevent it from coming true.
Even when the Dark Lord arranged for her escape, she dared not hope that she might be given the things she always wanted. Her body had been so frail then. But her sister in all of her brilliance put her back together nearly as she had been. How ironic it was that Bellatrix was viewed as the most powerful of the Black sisters, when in truth it was likely the blonde alone garnered the most. Until today. Today Bellatrix and Hermione would fulfill the most important part of the prophecy, they would be bonded. Their joint powers would be magnified. They would be the most powerful magical beings save her Lord, and even that she vaguely questioned. Surprisingly she found the power not to be most appealing part of their relationship, but the unconditional affection of the young woman. She never believed she could be so loved.
With the rising of the morning sun, the Hermione began to stir in her arms. The dark witch pressed her face into the sweet smelling hair inhaling everything that was her lover.
"Morning, Bella."
"Good Morning, love. Are you ready for today?"
"Hmm I don't know. I've heard a rumor that one of the brides is a Death Eater. Can you imagine the scandal?"
"That isn't half as good as what I heard. I heard the other is but a schoolgirl, little more than a babe in arms."
"Bellatrix Black," Hermione said with false irritation in her voice. "You know I am very well of age."
"Oh yes, little witch. I've thoroughly explored how of age you are."
The teenager playfully smacked the arm around her while simultaneously attempting to move deeper into the embrace. "Are you entirely certain we have to get up?"
"More than entirely, unless you want to be drug from the bed by my sister. On second thought, that sounds delicious and positively hilarious. We should stay right here."
"Oh no no no. I don't need your help when it comes to Narcissa," the girl said, climbing out of the bed and padding to the bathroom.
By the time the Malfoy family and Professor Snape arrived, the two soon to be bonded witches were sitting in their garden having breakfast. When Narcissa had initially shared with the happy couple that Severus was a very distant cousin of Hermione's, Bellatrix thought it too simple of a solution. At her first opportunity, she confronted the blonde, practically cornering her. Her younger sister succinctly explained that most magical blood could be traced back to the ancient Irish families if one was diligent enough. Though she didn't directly speak the words, it was apparent to the dark witch that there had been others that could have been chosen.
In retrospect she suspected her sister was demonstrating the kind of cunning for which the Black line was famous. Snape would be important to the family in the coming years. He would be the only Death Eater with unfettered access to the Hogwarts Castle, and thus could act fully as protector over the two teens residing in the Slytherin Dungeons. He was one of the few of the wizarding world who held any respect from Hermione. Based on her enthusiastic attendance of the daily lessons, long after she completed her coursework, spoke volumes of her affection for the man. Narcissa was of course right, Snape was the right sort of affiliation for the young girl. And his association with her would further improve his standings in the Dark Lord's ranks.
The four guests joined the nervous witches around the garden table. Where Malfoy Manor's grounds were beautiful and immaculately groomed, the gardens of Timoleague Castle were wild with mystical beauty of southern Ireland. Lush green grass stretched out the length of the property, flanked on all sides by tall old trees half covered with moss. Flowers in MacCarthy red and gold scattered the lawn, reminding the casual view to whom the castle belonged. Outside the rough cut stone walls that guarded the edifice like a citadel, the cold waves of the Celtic sea crashed against the high stone cliffs.
In preparation for the evening's festivities, a dance floor was magically constructed, black marble glistening in the morning sun. Later in the day tables would be added for the guests. The weather was fair and beautiful, so there was no need for a tent. The evening would be spent in candlelight and dancing beneath the Irish summer stars. The ball would be accompanied by a small fleet of live musicians who would play into the wee hours of the morning, until none of the guests could stay on their feet any longer.
Proper greetings aside, Draco nudged Hermione's elbow before grinning widely and asking,
"Are you ready to officially be my aunt?"
Hermione had her wand half drawn before she caught the look in the blonde witch's eye and safely tucked it back inside her sleeve.
"I am, in fact. I've always wanted a rather annoying nephew. I am only all too grateful that Bella is willing to share."
"I am glad to be a topic on which the two of you have found common ground," he said teasingly.
"It is time for us to begin getting ready for this evening," Narcissa interjected cooly. "Bella, you will come with me. Gentlemen if you will stay here with Hermione. Severus, please go over the commitments in the spell with her one more time. Oh, and Lucius,"she continued thoughtfully. "If there is so much a scratch on the younger bride when I get back, I will personally hold you accountable for not being able to control the situation."
The blonde aristocratic male nodded affirmatively, secretly disappointed that even in her absence his wife would keep them from their fun.
"And Miss MacCarthy, I will be back after lunch to help you fix your hair. Do attempt to be clean by then."
With that the blonde looked pointedly at her older sister. Bellatrix rolled her eyes in response before muttering under her breath and getting to her feet. She placed a gentle momentarily lingering kiss on Hermione's lips before taking her sister's arm and apparating away.
After delaying much of the morning, Severus and Hermione were finally fulfilling Narcissa's request. The commitments of the vow were straightforward enough that the young witch was confident in her ability to remember the words.
Lucius tapped his wand playfully on the table. He enjoyed watching the two interact. The sarcastic pull and push between the pair, as tenuous as their blood relationship might be. With a mischievous glint in his eye, he interjected,
"Severus, if I may. Perhaps we might be able to make this a little more interesting."
"I'm listening," the dark haired wizard responded slowly.
"If Miss MacCarthy believes she has mastered the rote memorization, perhaps we should make it more challenging."
"Are you suggesting a duel?"
"I am. And Miss MacCarthy, I hope that you are well prepared, because there are 3 of us and only 1 of you."
"I will do my best not to disappoint you, Lucius."
"Good, my dear."
Hermione stood, stepping back from the table. She took a deep soothing breath, centering herself and pulling her considerable magic to the surface. Drawing her wand, she awaited her dueling partners. She watched the three men stand and draw their wands before bowing. She returned the formality never taking her eyes off the three. As predicted Lucius fired off a spell earlier than entirely polite. She blocked it easily, but paused to raise an eyebrow at him. He smirked in response. He was fun loving, but in no way opposed to bending the rules or playing a bit dirty. It was frankly one of the things she found she liked about him. It made him unpredictable and fun.
She rolled right, preparing for a fight. She held her strength at only 50%. She had to play the long game or they would quickly tire her, not to mention she enjoyed keeping her growing power below the radar. She watched as her male friend formed a 3 person strategy. The back gardens provided her little cover and she didn't really want to make a huge mess. So she retreated to the far side of the castle, firing the occasional offensive spell over her shoulder. As the men caught up to her, she formed her strategy in earnest, alternating her firing and shielding.
Within half an hour she'd backed the men into a corner, and was on the verge of them conceding. The four of them were dirty and breathing heavily when they heard the distinct crack of apparition. Hermione immediately recognized the sweet female voice calling out her husband's name. Without so much as a look towards her friends, Hermione turned on the spot and apparated. It wasn't as though Narcissa wouldn't know she was involved. Her nearly-wife's sister would be able to smell her magic in the air, but not getting caught red handed was worth something. Arriving in her room, Hermione quickly shed her clothes while looking out the window at the scene below her. Just as she was about to retreat into the bath to get clean, she saw the blonde on the ground look up to where she stood. Knowing she'd been caught, she stepped quickly into the water in an effort to placate what she knew would be the significant ire of the blonde.