A/n: So as promised here it is an early upload, another will follow over the weekend hopefully. This is perhaps the biggest chapter I've done for this story, so much to get through. Also a 1k reviews people! How insane is that? So to celebrate have this chapter and another one. Your support is mind blowing and I can't thank you enough.
Warning: This chapter will contain scenes of child abuse, alcohol abuse, drug abuse and mentions of Cancer. It is not a pleasant chapter so please read carefully not suitable for anyone underage. Please read responsibly.
Disclaimer: I do not own any recognisable characters and no money has been made from this.
Enjoy...
Chapter Thirty Seven ~ Truth Will Out
Stretching, Hermione returns to eating her cereal not remembering climbing into bed she found herself all tucked up. She wonders what Black has in store for them today the witch currently flicking through her letters the sun just rising. Why the witch insists she wakes up so early is beyond her, but she does so begrudgingly.
"Bugger," Black breathes reading through a letter. "We have four days till the next level. Eat up Granger we're going to the forest."
"Why the forest?" Hermione asks stuffing her face full of cereals.
"Training,"
"Do you know what is next?"
"I know which levels are left, I cannot tell you what they are, but I know what remains."
"So we're prepared?" Hermione asks hopefully.
"Not necessarily I know what remains but what order they will come in I do not know. Let's get a fresh start. "
Trudging through the forest, Hermione follows closely behind Black keeping close in fear of losing the Professor.. Black pauses next to a large oak tree her hand skirting along the bark as she nods satisfied.
"We're here." Black says stepping forward and through an invisible barrier.
Following Hermione steps through the charm eyeing the clearing with mild interest, Black clicking her neck beside her.
"Right, you can show skill in duelling, you have power but you lack finesse."
"Finesse?" Hermione repeats.
"Power is all fine and dandy, but the eliminate of surprise makes all the difference."
"So we're here because?" Hermione asks.
"I'm going to disappear further into this forest, I won't leave our training ground. It is your task to surprise me in attack."
"You know I'm coming though." Hermione points out.
"Constant vigilance." Black smirks.
Taking a deep breath, Hermione watches as Black slinks into the forest, a slight tremble running through her body. She gives Black a few moments to get ahead using the opportunity to plan her attack.
She morphs swooping through the air and landing on the nearest tree, she changes back crouching low. Listening to the deadly quiet Hermione strains to hear any noise from the witch – there isn't any.
Jumping from the branch her wings spread and she sails through the air scouring the area, looking for any sign. A flash of cloth catches her attention; she changes direction gliding above the cloth a flash of fear sweeping through her as she recognises the cloak tied to a tree.
Pain erupts in her side, forcing her from her animagus form; she falls to the solid ground the breath knocked out of her, still twitching from the hex. Groaning she rolls to her side clutching her bruised arm as a smiling Black appears out the shadows eyes wild with excitement.
"I know you're coming Granger, you really think I'm not going to hit every sodding bird in the area?"
Annoyed, Hermione lashes out with her leg aiming to kick the dark witch in the leg, only to have her ankle pinned by a solid boot. Tutting, Black shakes her head, smile twisting to reveal white teeth. She's enjoying this.
"Predictable and boring… You will not last five minutes. Again."
Pushing to her feet, Hermione turns to give the witch a piece of her mind to find her gone once more. Bugger. She moves again, plans forming in her mind, she grabs the cloak morphing it into a fake bird sending it flying into the sky, and she trails behind. Slipping through the bushes, she pauses on the edge, noticing Black lingering at the base of a tree studying the flying bird. She lifts her wand at the same time Hermione does, a grin forming on ruby red lips.
A flash of light, it flies into the air, Hermione springs only to have a spell smack into her side once more. Collapsing to the ground, she stares at the fake bird floating above, confused.
"Aw pet, you think I'll fall for that?" Black chuckles kneeling beside her. "Again."
Angry, she pushes back to her feet, stalking the witch, she scurries along the side of the forest, skimming close to the charm. Something hits her from behind, her face biting into the dirt spitting mud she listens to the laughter of her Professor as she once more disappears into the shadows.
"How is this possible?" Hermione whispers wiping her face.
She goes on the attack again trying to draw the witch out with magic only to have a trap sprung on her, a stunning spell striking her down. Groggy she lies defeated on the ground flinching as a finger brushes her hair out of her face, Black smiling down at her in amusement. The hand rests on her shoulder, the hand surprisingly cold considering the heat radiating from the witch.
"You're not getting this." Black says. "Stealth Granger."
A wand presses to her temple removing the effects of the spell her body reawaken once more, her mind springing to action. Still Black's hand lingers a shiver running through Hermione, as the index finger gently sweeps across her neck. Swallowing harshly, Hermione studies Black currently staring off to the distance with a frown, the chatter of voices catching her attention.
The voices carry pass, volunteers patrolling the area, unaware of the fight occurring in their little area. Hermione remains frozen, the effects of the spell long since warn off, but the slightest touch from Black leaving her frozen on the ground.
"Again." Black says snapping back to herself. "Stealth Granger, stealth."
Rising to her feet, Black spares her one look before walking towards the trees once more. Sitting up, Hermione runs a hand through her hair, licking her lips she takes a breath. Planning her next attack, unless she does not attack and she lets Black come to her. Ideas click in her mind she rises to her feet, backtracking away from where the witch went.
She has watched the witch enough to know she is slowly circling the area; it will not be long until she comes back around. Summoning the fallen robe, she lies it flat against the ground hiding a concealed spell ready to snap at Black. A smile slips across her lips as she scurries away once more. Pressing her wand to the base of a tree causing a branch to move and the leaves to sway slightly behind the shrubs.
Stealth. She circles back around; waiting in cover, sitting out of sight she watches the trap set, thumb tapping against the ground her mind wanders. Minutes tick by, a feeling of dread sneaking up on her, what happens if Black is not circling? What if she is waiting for Hermione as Hermione waits for Black. No, she must remain positive drawing circles into the mud with a stick until a faint noise catches her attention.
Black, moving towards the trap, the only sound from her dress occasionally catching, Hermione studies amazed at how the witch can move so silently. Frowning, Black rolls her eyes at the robe abandoned on the ground.
"Put a trap on my robe," Black scoffs. "How original."
Hermine smiles at the snarky comment as Black's scours the area searching for Hermione; coming up empty, she points her wand at the robe. The tip lights up a spell shooting towards the robe and destroying it.
BANG. The trap explodes making Black flinch on instinct throwing up a shield as five flares shoot sky high, the branch she charms shifts in the breeze. Swirling to the right, Black fires four spells hitting the charmed tree, eyes darting searching for any movement. Moving forward, Black parts the bush to find the branch dragging across the ground snagged against the bushes.
"Bugger." Black hisses.
1… 2… 3. Hermione covers her ears as the robe's trap goes off once more, spells firing upwards like fireworks making Black rip around, Hermione smirks slinking away as Black steps back to the trap. Next step.
Darting across towards another tree, she knows Black is currently preoccupied with the robe, she jumps her arms wrapping around a branch as she hauls herself upwards. Climbing an extra branch, Hermione pauses staring up to the black beady eyes watching her in interest.
"Hello," Hermione greets.
The birds chirp in reply, lifting her wand the tip lights up the eyes of the birds clouding over, she nods satisfied. Snapping of branches gain her attention looking down, she finds Black moving away from the first trap, smiling, Hermione notices the witch has lost her composure.
"Go." Hermione orders.
The crows launch themselves from the trees; a ball of light erupts from her wand shooting through the next trees scaring the birds from their nests. Hundreds of birds take flight lifting to the air squawking the crows sweeping down towards Black and sweeping over her head. The other birds circling the arena the noise almost deafening.
Disturbed Black points her wand drawing a charm around her protecting herself from the birds. Slipping from the branches, Hermione skirts ahead once more darting behind a tree, she kneels studying the birds.
She releases her spell on the crows they dart away escaping the area the flock of birds returning to their nests and leaving an endless silence. Closing her eyes she controls her pounding heart waits for the moment Black walks again. She hears it the silent crunch on the ground, as Black takes a confident step forward.
Heart pounding so loudly she fears Black may hear it, a shiver runs through her body as she waits, peeking to see where Black has got to. Darting back into cover, Hermione waits as Black slowly walks past her hide out, covering her mouth with her hand she prays the witch does not hear her. Black pauses as Hermione shrinks lower until she notices Black is studying the birds fighting over their nests.
Twirling her wand, Black steps forward once more, Hermione follows, stepping behind Black keeping a reasonable distance she raises her wand as Black stops once more.
Immobulus.
The spell hits Black square in the back she topples forward, hitting the solid ground with a thump, Hermione winces. Licking her lips, Hermione nudges Black onto her back, to find two unamused eyes studying her. Reaching down, Hermione plucks the wand from the witch grip stepping out of arm's length before removing the spell.
"Ow." Black grumbles rubbing her nose.
Sitting up, Black blows the hair out of her eyes shaking her head in slight annoyance before a smile slips across her lips.
"Well done, bit dramatic but well done."
Sighing in relief, Hermione finds herself relieved the witch is not angry. Holding her hand out, Black waits for Hermione to return her wand; she does so with slight hesitance. Clutching her wand, Black rises to her feet dusting herself down.
"Good," Black nods. "Again."
"What?" Hermione asks in annoyance. "I just…"
"Once, you've got me once. Again."
Groaning, Hermione watches as Black walks away once more. Sighing in annoyance, Hermione stalks away kicking a rock along the ground, when a murmur catches her attention. Ignoring it, she rests against a tree wondering what her next plan will be.
Plan set she steps away determined, Black will be expecting a massive display but this time she plans on just waiting and watching. Another murmur catches her attention. Curious she studies the dark forest outside the charm wondering what could be making the noise. A moan of distress makes her draw her wand, stepping towards the noise.
A chill slips across her body, making her shiver a chilling wind slipping through the area.
"Who's there?" Hermione asks wand held tight in her hand.
A figure appears from the trees, she draws her wand dread slipping across her body. Another figure emerges she studies them wearily.
"Help us." A whisper escapes the first figures lips.
It is almost as if their floating towards her; there is something familiar about them, in their battered robes, skeletal like body. She swallows at the gaunt face a hand reaching for her, sorrow makes itself known in her body.
"Who are you?" Hermione asks.
"So hungry, we need help."
She studies the face, a once handsome man worn away to nothing, hollow eyes she shivers again as they approach. The urge to defend herself but her wand does not lift, she winces as they grow close, pain in the base of mind, can feel herself slipping.
"Help us."
"I don't know how." Hermione says stumbling back.
That is when she realises too late why these people are so familiar, her heart constricts in fear but it is too late. Her wand slips from her lifeless hands as she falls to her knees, her soul pried from her body.
Dementors.
The word whispers through her mind as fear rackets her mind stupid and her body defenceless as she feels herself slipping inch by inch. A terrible ache forming in her mind she hears shouting, it's too far away, her memories scream in pain and a voice screeches.
"GRANGER!" A shout snaps her awake.
She sees her soul slip from her body, an unnatural experience as it drifts upwards into the opened mouth. It stops half way to parted lips, when a blinding light engulfs her tearing into the Dementor and saving her soul.
It drops back, falling into her body, her heart kicking into life she jerks taking a deep breath as she hits the ground with a thud. The Dementors flea, as magnificent Phoenix sweeps through the air, two feet in length it keeps guard from attack.
"Granger," Black appears in her eyes sight. "The hell you thinking?"
Sleep, she just wants to sleep the only thought running through her mind as Black presses a hand to her chest, impossible dark eyes study looking for something. A hand pressing to her forehead before slipping into her hair.
"Granger, you there?" Black asks worried.
"Do I have detention?" Hermione wonders.
Laughing, Black releases a breath her hand clutching her Hermione's arm in silent desperation as she nods.
"Yes, for that you do." Black smiles a genuine smile that meets her eyes it astounds Hermione.
"You should smile more," Hermione smiles as she slips into a dark bliss.
"Thanks." Black sighs as her patronus sweeps down to rest next to them. "I'll keep that in mind."
"You should, you look beautiful." Darkness claims her as she falls sleep.
Dumfounded, Black stares at the witch in her arms, checking her pulse for good measure a silent sob escapes her lips as she curls over the immobile girl in her arms. Angry with herself, she wipes the tears from her eyes, her father's lesson well learnt. Black's do not cry.
Taking a deep breath, she smiles at Granger's scent, taking a moment to calm herself. What happened? She can cast a patronus! She presses a cold hand to unconscious cheek studying the sleeping witch.
"What were you thinking?"
Maybe the girl hesitated they took her by surprise, she does not know but Bella intends to find out. Exhaling, she leans back regarding the patronus next to her, studying the spell in disbelief. The phoenix studies her in return, pecking at Granger's shoulder. In over ten years, she has not been able to produce a patronus, for such a long time she has not been able to protect herself from a Dementor.
Her patronus disappeared the day Alice was tortured, since she took her revenge on the Lestrange brothers and the moment she slipped into the Dark Arts.
"You're not my patronus." Bella whispers at the magic.
Her patronus was a snake, a black mamba to be more precise she can always remember her Professor's reaction when she summoned her first patronus. Shaking her head now is not the time to wonder over her patronus.
"Find Andy," Bella says to the Patronus. "Bring her here, Hermione is injured."
The phoenix takes flight leaving her alone with the witch; she rests her forehead against the witch's shoulder satisfied at the steady thump, thump of the heart. What is happening?
~~~~~ Fractures ~~~~~
Voices wake her, stirring her from her dreamless sleep, making her blink awake, to find herself in her room. A cover tucked in around her, all cosy she frowns, wasn't she fighting Black in the forest not long ago?
Her headaches, she rolls to her side to see chocolate left out for her, making her squint in confusion. Why would they leave chocolate out? That is when the memories surface, a shiver running through her body as the image of the Dementor tried to kiss her. I saw a human. The thought makes her curl up tighter into a ball; she saw a human face on the Dementor. She never saw that before, they walked right up to her and she did not even react.
"From falling down the stairs?" Black's voice makes her pause. "You expect me to believe that?"
"Bella I'm not getting into this now." Andy, why is Andy here?
"That scar from falling down the stairs what crap is that? Is that why she won't have anyone else do her medical?"
"Bella, I cannot answer these questions they are not mine to answer."
"Did someone hurt her?"
Sucking in a breath, Hermione looks down to her change of clothes, did that mean Black changed her? Saw her scar does that mean Black went inside her mind?
"She fell down the stairs Bella when she was younger that's all I can tell you."
"Bull."
"That's all I will say. Tell Hermione I will be back tomorrow to check on her. She needs rest, Bella."
The door closes softly, closing her eyes Hermione wonders just how much Black knows. She is not ready to come out with the truth probably never will be ready to tell the truth. A shiver runs through her body as she sits up reaching for the chocolate she takes a chunk.
"Knock, Knock." Black mutters wrapping her knuckles on her door.
"Hey," Hermione greets quietly.
"How you feeling?"
"Like crap."
"To be expected, you were very close to becoming a vegetable."
"Thank you," Hermione says.
Black shrugs, fiddling with her glass she gazes out the window before turning back to regard Hermione.
"How did you get that scar?" Black asks.
Sighing, Hermione tugs the blanket higher. "I don't want to discuss it. I fell down the stairs."
Swinging her legs out the bed, Hermione feels reassured to have her wand sitting by the side of her bed. Almost lost without it.
"What happened with the Dementors you can cast a patronus."
"They surprised me," Hermione answers some honesty to her answer.
"You're doing it again."
"Doing what?" Hermione asks.
"Shutting me out. We're in this together I need some answers."
"I don't have any." Hermione snaps rising to her feet.
"I think you do, look I don't want a fight. I just need to understand."
"There's nothing to understand."
"You have a scar on your ribs, now I could believe it could do with falling down the stairs if it weren't for the fact that you deliberately made a lie to avoid having any healer but Andy. Therefore, that leaves me to suspect it was not an accident, which brings me to the next thought… Why the hell do you have a dagger in your book?"
Freezing, Hermione's eyes dart to her book abandoned on the floor, had Black been through her things. Why would the witch do that? What was she thinking? How could she trust her after invading her space?"
"You went through my things?"
"You have a dagger in your sodding book that could get you expelled, are you insane?"
"I forgot to take it out," Hermione snaps. "It was a gift, Nymph gave it to me ages ago, meant to keep it at home…"
Her jaw slams shut; she has said too much she knows this as Black's eyes narrow suspiciously. Studying Hermione as she steps into the room.
"Meaning it was brought for defence? Because you were too young to use magic without getting the ministry involved. Hermione…"
"No, you went through my things you think I'm going to trust you with this information."
"I didn't go through your things." Black disregards.
"I don't trust you."
"Well I don't care!" Black snaps. "You nearly died today, because you have so many sodding secrets that you're willing to die for them. You've changed, your magic is stronger, and things are happening here and right now I am the only person you can trust."
"I can trust Andy."
"Then where is she?"
The words stop her dead, Andy left her here with Black; she just walked out. The thought makes her angry, she feels cornered, her magic pulsing through her veins, her mind still aching. She feels vulnerable, Black wanting too much and she is too tired.
"I want to be alone." Hermione says.
"Tough, this conversation is happening now whether your like it or not."
"No!" Hermione snaps, magic slipping through her fingers. Sweat breaking out, she feels contained, her mind burning. "Get out."
"We're talking calm down."
"I said get OUT!" Hermione shouts, throwing her hand out.
She does not expect the tiny bit of magic to escape until it smashes into the wall, Black instantly drawing her wand for protection. Hermione shakes, a panic attack setting in, she wants to be left alone her right hand twitches she feels like being sick.
"Calm down." Black says softly, lifting a hand. "Just calm down."
"Get out."
"Hermione, I need you to calm down." Black orders gently. "Take deep breathes."
"I said out!"
A spell escapes her hand, connecting with Black's shield bouncing harmlessly off into the wall next to Hermione. How dare Black come here, start a demanding answers after searching through her items? She may have a good reason… She ignores the voice of reason, Morgana's words of not trusting a Black running through her mind.
"I said calm down!" Black hisses, taking a step forward.
"If you're so full of righteousness prove it!" Hermione grinds out.
"You're upset so I need you to calm down."
"Why don't you go find your friend whiskey?" Hermione snarls.
"HEY!" Black snaps, trying to control her anger. "Hey relax I know your upset, probably got a nasty headache. But I need you to calm down."
Rolling her eyes, Hermione allows the anger to take over, reacting without thinking. In retrospect she should have seen it coming, should have listened to Black and just calm down. The spell slips unbidden from her fingers the realisation of her actions only setting in when Black deflects the spell, sending it spiralling backwards straight at Hermione. Not realising just what spell Hermione cast, only when it hits does regret set in.
It's gut wrenching, Black winces as the world morphs the room disappearing a shrill cry of alarm from Granger before everything goes dark.
Cold, a hollowness fills her as she takes a single step forward the world around her rippling with her movements. The house unfamiliar to her she blinks confused, where is she? The bleak house, a window left open a bird chirping and Granger… except not the Granger she was talking to, a young Granger, she smiles fondly at the little know it all, she remembers well.
"Granger," Bella calls, her voice echoing in the cramped room.
Granger tenses, her muscles tightening almost painfully, chuckling Bella steps forward then she remembers, the spell gone wrong. This is Granger's memories, she should not be here it is not as if Granger can even hear her or talk to her.
The girl jumps making Bella flinch, a muffled sound, making her frown, Granger has yet to turn around staring into the sink. Rolling her eyes, Bella imagines the witch is probably thinking over a new potion.
Bang! Wincing at the noise, Bella turns to regard the locked door behind her, the muffled noise becoming too insistent. The door is vibrating, a constant pounding the voice coming from the other side, Bella frowns. Whom did Granger lock out?
"Please!" Granger shouts. "Just please."
"Get out here!"
"I didn't mean to break it!" Granger whispers dipping her head towards the sink. "I can fix it!"
"With your magic? Sorcery!" The door shakes violently.
"Dad please!" Granger cries clutching the sink.
"GET OUT HERE!"
"I'll fix it!" Granger yells.
"You filthy no good witch! Open this door!"
A sob escapes Granger, tears dripping into the sink and Bella swallows harshly.
"HERMIONE! Open this door NOW!"
Gasping Granger steps away from the sink shaking her head as tears trickle down cheeks, she steps away from the door head bowed she collapses on the floor between the sink and bath. Becoming incredibly small in the tiny bathroom, she cries silently holding her wand limply; she pushes her hair out of her eyes.
Oh, she got this very wrong. Bella clutches her stomach in disgust she misunderstood Granger completely. Staring at the horrible red mark on the young girls face, her students face, her Granger's face. A black eye forming, a desolate broken look in her eyes as she stares transfixed at the bathroom door.
"I can fix it…" Hermione breathes staring at her wand. "I can fix this I swear."
The memory morphs she finds herself standing in a corridor to the young witches mind, she knows she should leave except she cannot not yet. She needs to know, not jump to conclusions.
"Mum…" The word draws her attention.
Following the noise she pauses outside the door, knows if she continues she will break any trust between them. She needs to do this though she wants to understand. Her mind orders her to leave but even if she could figure it out, the spell binding her here too strong to break, her heart compels her to keep going.
She pushes the door open flinching as the remorse hits her, the over powering feeling of regret and resentment making her want to be sick. She pushes forward stopping behind the young witch in front of her, Hermione only eleven years old she would recognise her anywhere.
"Mum…" Hermione whispers cradling a cup of tea in her hands. "I brought you tea, how you feeling?"
"Good."
Stepping past Hermione, Bella stalks closer to the woman by the window, slumped in her chair staring out the window. She spots the used injection resting on the table, the gaunt skin, the sweat on the forehead and Bella sighs. Looking towards the broken expression on the young witches face as she places the tea down.
"How much you had?" Hermione whispers.
"Shush, don't nag. Read me a story." The mother replies pressing a limp hand to Hermione's face.
Nodding, Hermione pulls out a book settling next to her mother she begins to read, allowing Bella to escape the memory. She wanders the hall of doors, memories locked away. Opening the first one she comes across, warmth greets her and she recognises Hogwarts hall the sorting ceremony.
"Gryffindor!"
Smiling, she slips out, pausing on the next door, she opens it stepping through to find herself back at Hogwarts. The corridors at Hogwarts, pounding of feet, she turns to find Hermione running past tears in her eyes and the laughing of students.
A door slams Bella does not linger, she leaves the memory well aware of the witch's history at Hogwarts. The next door makes her frown; reaching towards the cold handle she pushes the door open to find herself back in the parents' bedroom.
"Mum I got you something, it'll help." Hermione promises offering the woman the potion.
"What, what is it…"
The woman lying propped up on the bed with pillows, skinner than last time, hair missing and nothing but a shell. Helping her mum to drink the potion, Bella turns half away knowing full well what is about to happen. Seeing the train wreck before it happens.
Leaning back, Hermione waits patiently ignoring her mother's reaction to the taste studying the woman as a glint returns to her eye. Hope springs eternal making Hermione sit up, clutching her mother's hand waiting for a reaction.
One comes but not in the way Hermione hopes, a shrill scream erupts from the woman's mouth, as she cradles her head in discomfort rolling around the bed. Leaping away, Hermione clutches the empty potion to her chest.
The door bursts open making Bella jump as a man emerges dishevelled suit the smell of alcohol dark circles under his eyes. He grabs Hermione's arm-twisting her to face him.
"What did you do?" he shouts.
"I just wanted to help!" Hermione cries.
The slap makes Bella flinch, grinding her teeth as Hermione hits the ground as the man rushes to the woman's side.
"Dad," Hermione pleads crawling to her knees.
"GET OUT! Keep your filthy magic away from her! You did this, you cursed us."
"Dad please." Hermione begs.
"OUT!"
She steps out the memory closing the door and pressing her head against the cold woodwork. She takes a breath turning to regard all the other doors, just wondering how much worse it could get.
The next door takes her back to Hogwarts finding Hermione curled into a ball crying in one of the corridors, deep sorrowful sobs, her book, her potions book left open on the floor. Bella swallows at the harsh scribble left by one of the students. Filthy Mudblood. Footsteps approach, Snape appearing out of nowhere the snarky comment slipping from his lips as he regards the other book a list forgotten.
"You didn't." Snape asks, reading the list of ingredients. "Please tell me you didn't try to make the position."
"It made everything worse!" Hermione breaks.
To Bella's surprise, she watches the potions master engulf Hermione in a hug patting her gently on her back, his wand slipping to her forehead. She sees him appear a silhouette in the memories reaching everything she has just seen. She sighs escaping the intimate embrace.
She slips between happy memories, normal days at school until they reach the end of the third year. The school holiday she remembers giving Granger extra homework watches her write downstairs on the dining room table finishing essays with determination. The memory slipping to the next as she slips through the house pausing at the abandoned letters on the table, she checks to make sure she is alone before skimming through the letters. Final notice. Placing the letter down, Hermione shakes her head escaping to her room.
The next memory, she finds herself in the living room, Hermione reading on an armchair the TV playing softly in the background. The atmosphere intense, the clinking of glass, a withered glance thrown towards the other occupant in the room her father sitting drinking a bottle of whiskey.
"Dad," Hermione says softly. "Maybe that's enough."
"Shut up."
Rolling her eyes, Hermione continues to read as a glass slams against the table the father rising to his feet he paces unevenly, before stumbling and hitting his knee.
"Are they shutting your practice?" Hermione asks as her father nurses his leg.
"Maybe," He grumbles.
"Why?"
"Money, I haven't paid my bills, because I have barely any clients. My accountant doesn't want to know me… so that's why."
"Is this to do with the morphine you steal for mum?"
"She needs it."
"She doesn't."
"Damn it Hermione!" The glass hits the table. "You stay out of your mothers business. I'm looking after her."
"You can't even look after yourself."
A glass smashes next to her chair making her jump to her feet, the book forgotten, and her father stumbling to his. A hand raised he collides with an invisible barrier, she smiles wand clutched in her hands.
"You can't hurt me anymore."
"We'll see."
He smacks the charm for good measure before stalking away. Despite her brave words, she does not sleep that night she stays awake writing letters and watching her door. Jumping at the smallest sound.
Pausing outside the next-door Bella's fingers run over the splinters, the lock broken and the feeling of hatred and love slipping into her hand. Stepping forward she already knows the memory is damaged, it flickers an argument half way through. Shouting between Hermione and her father, Hermione caught wandless. A slap causes Hermione to stumble; she reacts shoving her father away, anger fuelling her words.
"I hate you!" She screams. "You tried to blame everything on me, but you screwed up dad, the reason mum is the way she is because you feed her addiction. You've destroyed her, your destroying yourself!"
A hand whips out curling around her throat, stealing a cry of alarm, her fist hitting his chest fear making her kick on defence. He releases her choking and stumbling away, she clutches her throat staring at her father in fear.
"We were happy, until you brought your magic here. You doomed us all."
He pushes her with enough force she flies into wooden bannister it snaps, jarring into her side stealing a cry of pain form her lips. She moves away clutching her bleeding side, when he pushes her.
She topples backwards slipping down the stairs, snapping the wood on her side, head bouncing of the steps until she hits the floor with a sharp scream of pain. Tears springing from her eyes, as she curls into a ball clutching her stomach in pain.
He descends the stairs slowly, Bella wanting nothing more than to throw the killing curse on him as he sways on his feet anger in his eyes.
"You are nothing without your wand! Where's your magic now?"
"Dad please," Hermione gasps. "I think my ribs are broken."
"Heal them."
"Call an ambulance!" Hermione screams throwing her head back in pain.
"No."
She lies panting on the floor until a knock makes them both jump, stepping to the door her father yanks it open.
"Hi," A voice greets.
"Who the hell are you?" Her father demands.
"Nymphadora Tonks, I'm with the Auror unit. Can I come in?"
"With the what?"
"Great thanks." Tonks says stepping past the father her robes billowing out behind her. "We were contacted due to a disturbance at your resident giving due to the nature of a witch living here we were dispatched to inspect."
Her eyes fall to the broken form of Hermione on the floor, a jaw clenches, Bella spots Tonks's hair change colour but the witch fails to give anything else away.
"Just in time I see." Tonks smiles at the father before stepping over to Hermione and drawing her wand. "What happened?"
"She fell down the stairs." Her father answers.
"I was asking her." Tonks replies icily.
"I fell, I fell down the stairs." Hermione breathes not meeting the witch's eyes.
"Course," Tonks nods. "Hermione right? Harry's friends, we met last year?"
"Yeah, I remember."
"We're about to call an ambulance if you don't mind?" Her father interrupts pointing towards the door.
"No need, we'll take care of our own." Tonks grinds out. "Paul, give me hand."
A giant of an Auror appears in the doorway making the father step aside as he moves to lift Hermione into his arms.
"Her wand Mr Granger," Tonks orders holding her hand out.
Looking down to the wand in his hand, the father hands it over with a bitter smile. "She dropped it; I didn't want it to break."
"How thoughtful," Tonks replies. "Don't wait up."
With that they apparate leaving the father stunned behind. Paul lowers Hermione onto the bed at St Mungos before smiling as he leaves. Tonks talks aimlessly about the latest fashion making Hermione smile as nurses administer pain relief until a healer arrives.
Bella cannot help but smile sadly as Andy appears in the room closing the curtain behind her as she looks down to Hermione on the bed. Analysing the wound, she smiles reassuringly, sharing a meaningful look with Tonks who nods.
"What happened here then?" Andy asks.
"Fell down the stairs." Hermione answers robotically.
"Nasty fall, hope the stairs are okay." Andy replies pressing her fingers around the wood. "Does this happen often?"
"What falling down the stairs?" Hermione asks confused.
Andy does not reply merely raises an eyebrow, making Hermione swallow and look away. Taking a breath Andy pulls out her wand glancing once more to Tonks.
"Right, well I best get back to work. You're in good hands Hermione," Tonks reassures. "See you later mum."
"Bye."
The door shuts leaving the witches alone Andy carefully prying the wood from the witches side before healing the wand. She pauses her hands hovering at the base of the top.
"Hermione," Andy says softly. "I'm going to need to lift your top."
"Okay."
"Okay." Andy nods. "You know I think you might know my sister."
That gains Hermione's attention making her look at the witch. "Yeah?"
"Um, Bellatrix Black? She's a Professor…"
"I know who she is." Hermione smirks. "She's my DADA, she hates me mind."
"That's alright she hates me too".
"You're sisters." Hermione points out.
"Ah but I married a muggleborn."
"No," Hermione gasps sitting up before wincing and relaxing back into the bed. "Why?"
Andy shrugs. "We fell in love."
"Does she really hate you?"
"We haven't spoken in many years." Andy smiles squeezing Hermione's arm. "I'm not going to find any other marks am I?"
"You may do, I fell quite hard." Hermione answers.
"Old marks."
"I don't know what you mean." Hermione says looking away.
"Hermione," Andy says gently. "You're safe here."
Andy does not wait for an answer she lifts the top, bunching up out the way of the wound, swallowing at the sight of old bruises. Bella closes her eyes how she missed this for all these years, she doesn't know.
"I can't let these marks go unnoticed."
"I fell down the stairs." Hermione says not meeting the gaze.
"I know you did, but each time?"
"Please, don't say anything." Hermione whispers tears slipping from her eyes. "He doesn't mean it."
Andy closes her eyes, regarding the young witch below her as she wipes a tear from Hermione's cheek.
"They never do, but hiding it won't help either."
"You can't do anything, he's a muggle."
"We're talk about that later lets, heal you first."
She falls asleep through the healing process, waking to voices outside her curtain, Andy talking with ministry officials. With Lily Potter to be precise.
"I'm sorry Andy, but his a muggle our hands are tied. We can report him to the muggle officials but it gets murky."
"That girl is painted black and blue by her father, we can't ignore that."
"No one will ignore it, I will try okay just don't get your hopes up."
Closing her eyes, Hermione falls back to sleep, Bella recognising the look on the witches face. Hermione knew the ministry would be unable to help.
The memory vanishes leaving her with another door, Tonks going shopping with Hermione an uneasy friendship of unwanted pity and genuine concern mixing. She watches the girls grow to like one another; watches Tonks grow hatred to the abuse. Smiles as the Auror sets about training Hermione in self-defence, chuckles at their antics.
Bella studies the growing ease between Andy and Hermione, Andy slipping beneath the witches defences with grace she long since mastered. Offering a stable friendship an ear for Hermione to turn to. Learns the moment Hermione revealed her animagus, watched in disbelief as Hermione sat above her own home as a Raven none of the world any the wiser. The whispered conversation between Lily and Andy as they planned how to plant Hermione being animagus without telling the world.
She skips the doors containing Hermione's love life, the secret relationship held behind door with Fleur, not wanting to pry nor wanting to see. Bella ignores the stab of annoyance hearing Fleur talking the whispered conversations between both girls as she slips past the doors. Holidays spent at Andy's secret meetings between Snape and Hermione as they play muggle chess.
The knowing looks from Lily Potter when she visits Harry, the comforting hugs from Lupin. Hermione's observation of Tonks and Lupin, the obvious attraction between the two. In addition, Neville, dear Neville running with her in the mornings, talking to her till late at night. The first one to answer her letters, the first to notice her sunken eyes and nightmares.
Taking a breath Bella rests in the base of the mind, ready to leave when a flickers catches her eye, intense heat drawing further down to a burnt door. She shivers the intensity coming from the other side setting the hair on the back of neck upright.
The door swings open revealing a very simple scene making her relax slightly, a radio playing somewhere in the house the soft singing of someone out of tune. Pausing, Bella hears the noise coming from upstairs possibly Hermione's mother since Hermione is in the kitchen. Bread toasting, and soup cooking in the pan, Hermione hums to herself.
Her father mooches into the kitchen, reaching for the fridge he glances at Hermione as he opens another bottle.
"I'm doing soup." Hermione says nonchalantly. "You want some?"
"No."
Biting her lip, Hermione nods to herself before changing the temperature on the hob, she brushes her fringe out of her face her hair tied loosely behind her. A thump from her father as he walks into the cupboard makes her jump.
"How much have you had?" Hermione demands staring at her father.
"Don't know."
Swallowing, Hermione closes her eyes with a sigh turning back to the popped toast. Reaching for the butter, she jumps as her father passes it to, smiling; Hermione accepts the butter turning back to her toast.
Bella stares confused unsure why the door protecting this memory was so beaten, studying the calm scene with a critical eye. Her heart jumps to her throat the moment she realise half a beat before Hermione does.
A hand reaches out curling around Hermione's waist; she grows stock still like an animal waiting for the attack. A shiver running through her back, another hand slips along her arm; she turns around with a jolt holding her hand out in warning.
"What you doing?" Hermione asks.
"You look so much like your mother." He whispers his hand slipping to her face.
"Dad, I think you should go take a seat." Hermione advises pushing the hand away.
"It's fine."
"DAD!" Hermione snaps slapping the hand away. "Please."
"My Jean."
"It's me, Hermione." Hermione reminds stepping away from the advance.
A hand grabs her waist once more, pulling flush against him, Bella swallows harshly she does not want to see this. A hand lashes out slapping Hermione's father across the face he stumbles backwards as she recoils into the unit.
"Don't touch me!" Hermione snarls. "I can't do this anymore… I just cannot. I'm done, tomorrow I'm leaving."
She leaves her food abandoned on the side, stepping away in disgust. SMACK! She hits the floor with a thud, blood dripping from the back of her head, frying pan thrown away as her father glares down at her.
"You're not leaving!" He shouts throwing her plate on the floor. "You're staying here, do you hear me!"
Cradling to her knees, she rolls on to her back clutching the back of her head, she shifts away fumbling for her wand. A hand lashes out grabbing her ankle dragging her closer, she shouts in alarm lashing out with her foot and kicking him in the chest.
"Let me go!" Hermione shouts.
"You can't leave!"
"You want me gone!" Hermione screams kicking him the face he stumbles back. "You want me to go!"
"You will stay!"
He lunges, hands reaching for her, but she rolls as he crashes to his knees just out of reach. She finds her feet, groggy from the attack, she yelps as a hand latches around her arm dragging her down.
"HERMIONE!"
"LET GO!" Hermione shouts forcing him away.
He punches her knee forcing her down to his level, she gasps in pain hands flexing she jerks as an arm wraps around her neck. Crushing her against him, her legs slipping on the tiled floor as she struggles for breath.
"You won't leave." He whispers clutching tighter. "You won't leave."
"DAD…" Hermione shouts. "Dad… I can't…"
Her vision fades, her elbow lashing out smacking his side, his grip slipping as he whispers in a trance, she clutches the arm chocking her. A spark ignites in the kitchen both oblivious during their struggle.
"You won't leave me." He hisses.
Hermione gasps her hand lifts a small ball of fire appears, a bird no bigger than a hand appears hopping around in front of them. A bird on fire. Staring confused her father releases the grip blinking at the bird on fire, until it spreads it wings.
"Fiendfyre." Hermione gasps pushing away from her father and landing in a heap next to the small bird.
A screech escapes the bird's beak with two flaps of the wing it lifts of the ground growing in momentum, heat coursing of it.
"Hermione." Her father says concerned crawling backwards.
"Burn." Hermione hisses. "Burn in hell!"
A roar of power escapes the room instantly set ablaze scaring Hermione as the bird grows in size flames setting fire to everything. Realising the situation she climbs to her knees shuffling through the living room round to the front door. Turning to find her father trapped in the kitchen the bird not allowing him to leave.
Clutching her head, Hermione runs up the stairs tripping over her feet, she crashes into her mother's run, hands grabbing a towel. She casts a spell lifting her mother from her bed startling her awake.
"Hermione! What's happening?" Her mother shouts flailing in the air.
"The house is on fire." Hermione responds forcing her mother from the room.
Smoke billows upwards making Hermione's eyes tear as she trips down the stairs focussed on keeping her mother a float than worrying about her own safety. She blows the front door open sending her mother to freedom turning to look for her father. An explosion throwing backwards out through the open door and into the road.
Groaning she crawls to her feet, staring as flames spiral out of control an orange haze covering the sky. Her mother crying hysterically wrapped tightly in the blanket rocking back and forward.
"What have you done?" Her mother wails.
"I don't know." Hermione whispers.
Aurors appear, running to the fire, the others running to contain the muggles witnessing the magic, Hermione pays them no attention. Watching as a magnificent bird of fire bursts through the roof of the house sending wood and bricks flying littering the ground.
"Hermione!" A voice shouts in the distance.
The flame latch on to the next house, wands drawn, Aurors try to contain the spell to force the magical beast back. It has no effect the Fiendfyre protecting itself by attacking the Aurors. Hermione does not see this, her eyes focussed only on the front door. The figure staggering out from the fiery wreck, a burnt living corpse, the scene makes even Bella gag as she takes into the smell of burning flesh.
"Hermione!" Tonks appears next to Hermione clutching her arms. "Hermione you need to stop this!"
Tears trickle from Hermione's eyes as she stares at the remains of her father, Aurors struggling to approach the dying man. Hands offered in help, but her father collapses on the ground a scream of agony leaving his lips. Ninety percent of his body burnt, skin crumbling away his hollow eyes rest on Hermione before the last breath leaves his body.
"Hermione!" Tonks tries again forcing Hermione gaze away from the fallen body. "I need you to end this, before anyone else dies."
It is when she notices four other houses have caught fire, lifting her hand; Hermione releases the spell, the giant bird spiralling of into a puff of smoke. Leaving only fire behind, easily subdued by Aurors.
"Henry!" Her mother shouts her cries so loud. "My Henry! What have you done?"
Smoke settles like a blanket covering the area, Tonks wraps the immovable Hermione in a blanket, as she remains broken on the ground. Clothes burnt, face black from smoke she shivers tearing her eyes from her dead father.
"I killed him." Hermione breathes.
"It'll be okay," Tonks promises pulling Hermione into a hug. "I promise I'll make sure of it. We'll be okay."
The memory ends, forcing Bella back into reality she stumbles backwards with the force, her mind finally disconnected she collapses against the wall behind. Finding the terrified eyes of Hermione watching her, before her legs give way and she collapses to her knees, shaking violently. Bella does not think, only acts as she steps forward her hands clasping Hermione's arms.
"You shouldn't… you, not meant… You." Hermione stutters brokenly. "My head."
"I know," Bella whispers swallowing at the broken girl in her arms. "I am so sorry."
"You shouldn't have seen that… Not my… Why…"
"Shush." Bella says softly pulling the witch into her arms. "It's alright."
"My head."
"I know," Bella answers pressing her wand to the base of Hermione's neck. "Sleep. It'll be okay."
"I…" The spell takes effect as Hermione slumps forward into Bella's arms.
"Sleep, it's okay. I am so, so sorry."
Closing her eyes, Bella presses her face into the firm shoulders, clutching the sleeping girl close to her. I should have known! The thought bounces around her mind as she wipes an errant tear from her eyes.
A/n: So most will have questions and they will answered especially the Dementors questions., this will be explored more later on. I am completely burnt out getting this chapter done, as usual I will come back round tomorrow to edit. Again a massive thank you for support and I shall see you all shortly.
To answer a question asked by a reviewer the Mirror of Erised was removed from Hogwarts by Dumbledore, but Morgana has managed to talk to Hermione through normal mirror. As I say all questions will be explained just bear with the story. Till next time...