II
The next week followed without much excitement much to my delight. Soon enough the days ticked away until the calendar read September 19th. Lavender and Ginny had the room decked out in purples and silvers, Parvati clearly had a hand with the flowers and scents as lavender, vanilla and cinnamon wafted around in delicate swirls. Stepping out of bed I made my way towards the grinning women. Really if anyone had told me that I'd be best friends with my roommates as a first year I'd have checked if someone cast a confundus charm on them, but as the years, secrets and grief piled up so did our friendship. After Lavender's close call with Fenrir Greyback, and Pavarti and I courageously saving the life of her best friend, we became fast friends. After all, what better way to bond than one woman fighting off a dangerous, rabid werewolf and one closing holes in another's throat? Ginny, of course, was always along for the ride, willing and able to make friends with anyone she chose.
Speaking of the redhead, "Happy birthday, Mi!" The following squeals would have, in a past life, grated on my nerves to no end, but soon I found myself joining them. Well wishes were passed around happily and, with a simple flick of the wrist, Lavender de-glamored a pile of wrapped gifts at the foot of my bed. Lavender's enhanced magic never ceased to amaze me- not because of the were-gene reasons, but because of how airheaded the once obnoxious girl had been. The near death experience certainly changed the girl for the better… raw meat breakfasts and scent tagging tendencies aside.
"Mimi," Lavender touched my shoulder drawing my attention to the gift in her left hand. "This is for you; I searched for it everywhere after we started rebuilding the castle." Eyeing her carefully I took the box to my bed and gently removed the lid. A soft gasp escaped my lips before small tears misted in my eyes. In the small box lay a simple chain with a heart shaped locket on the end.
"I knew how much it meant to you, and no matter how much you played it off I knew it hurt to lose it fighting-" she choked on Greyback's name, still unable to say her sires name. The memories would never fade and her PTSD would last for many years to come, but just saying what she did proved that she was getting better.
Inside the locket were who photos: one of my parents, Draco and I together- a picture that Primmy's mother, Paggy, had taken just before she had given birth three years prior- and another of Harry and I bundled up in our tent in the Forest of Dean discussing our next move. Ron had taken that just before he vanished. The bitter-sweet memories were cherished and something I hadn't wanted to admit hurt when lost. I had so very few pictures of my parents after Death Eaters destroyed their abandoned home, and I had always wanted to remember how happy I had been the one Christmas Draco had been able to sneak away from Malfoy Manor to spend time with my family.
"Thank you, Lav. This means the world to me." Of the few people to know about my mating with Draco, Lavender had been, undoubtedly, the most understanding. Of course this happened after her attack, so she had already begun to have a good grasp on the necessity of mates for magical creatures. Silently she took the necklace back and latched it as Parvati held up my hair. Once a moment of silence passed to allow the memories to subside cheer filled the dorm once more. A selection of rare feather tipped quills came from Parvati while Padma sent a package of signed Jane Austin books with her twin. The repeat sixth/ new seventh year girls piled money together for a new pair of black leather boots and deep purple jumper. Ginny's gift had me laughing at an outrageous scrapbook she had put together. Years of mischief, laughter and joy splayed across pages as Harry, the Weasley's and other friends in our journey enjoyed the good days in between the chaos. The farther I got into the book, however, I noticed pages that were hidden behind a shimmering glamour.
With a single look to her she answered, "It requires a password to see them. Regina Dracones Revelatum." With a short wave of her wand years of Draco's and my relationship spilled over. The way he looked at me without my notice through first and second year, his stricken face when he noticed Ginny after kissing me in third year- secret birthdays and dates in the muggle world, trips with Ginny and Blaise away from the wizarding public eye. "My favorite is when the gorilla threw a slice of melon at the glass in front of his face. I was sure he needed to scourgify his pants!" The younger girl had been spectacularly cruel to my poor mate after that incident.
With that in mind I gave her a scolding look before announcing that I was going to prepare for the day. One shower and several disastrous attempts to tame my wild mane later I was set to go. The boots and jumper fit well and the dark wash skinny jeans Parv and Lav shoved me into showcased shapely legs. I had never really considered myself an attractive person, but the three women in the room had done well to quell those thoughts… well them and Pansy Parkinson's many threats of bodily harm should she hear me say "anything even vaguely unsatisfying to my ears." Snagging the scrapbook from my bed I headed down to the common room, girls hot on my heels. Congratulations and well wishes were shouted and gifts were handed out faster than I had time to register them all. Fortunately a single grand thank you was enough to appease the Gryffindors for their thoughtfulness.
The trip down to the Great Hall was no simpler as students from Ravenclaw, Hufflepuff and even a couple young Slytherins wished me well and handed out gifts. Smiles were contagious and spirits were high, and, as it still amazes me, it all had to do with their War Heroine aging another year. Being a public figure was difficult, but it also had its upsides as a simple day became a day to celebrate, and everyone was too busy wishing someone well rather than being cruel. Well, nearly everyone, I noted as I saw Ron giving the stink eye to Draco and his friends. As we walked past Blaise, in his usual boisterous way, shouted "Buon compleanno, uccellino!" Pansy swatted him and threw a small smile in my direction. Of course this didn't go unnoticed by the aforementioned red-head.
"Oi, why is Pugface Parkinson smiling at you?" Ron's crass question burst the very happy bubble that had built up around me, not that anyone else noticed.
"You shouldn't call her that, Ronald, and not that it's any of your business, but we became friends of sorts while rebuilding the castle." Just by the look on his rapidly reddening face I could tell he wasn't at all pleased to hear that I had become friends with 'a filthy Slytherin' as he'd taken to saying. "If I hear one more rude word towards her or any of the Slytherins today I will make Gin's bat bogey look like a dream." The hissed threat was heeded as he turned away and stomped away. Looking around I could see that only Harry seemed to notice the interaction to which was met with a simple shake of his head. Determined not to be put in a sour mood I pushed on, smile firmly in place as more students stopped to speak to me. The Great Hall was a buzz and owls of all sorts made their rounds with gifts from the likes of Tonks and Andromeda, Sirius, and the Weasleys although I was particularly worried when a gift from the twins began to shake furiously once it landed.
Discreetly I glanced over to Draco to see him and his friends standing from the Slytherin table, packages in hand. Many didn't notice the group, headed by Pansy herself, until they were within a meter of my seat. Immediately the hall quieted to whispers as they awaited some sort of drama. Instead all that met them were the well wishes of the Slytherin Eighth Years.
"Happy birthday, Hermione." Pansy's proud voice was confident and friendly as she handed over a rather large box that weighed quite a bit more than I had originally expected. Sitting it on the table I turned to receive more gifts and 'happy birthdays' from Daphne Greengrass, Theo Nott and Blaise. Draco hung behind clearly intent on being last and shook his head. Pansy cut off any would-be attempt on his end to make it seem as if she forgot he hadn't been able to hand his gift off. "Well, go ahead and open them." Trying to appease the woman, who very obviously was enjoying making a spectacle, I turned and opened her present. Almost immediately my heart melted as a small half-kneazle peeked up at me with emerald eyes and black fur. I cooed softly before taking the kitten from the box and holding it carefully to my chest.
Many of the Gryffindors gasped quietly and others tried to get a closer look. It was well known among the Gryffindors that I had been devastated over losing my long-time familiar, Crookshanks, but to have a Slytherin, Pansy Parkinson of all of them, so clearly show that she knew and cared for me as much as they do had many reeling. Tears misted over my eyes as I looked up at her, a beaming smile all the thanks I could announce.
"She doesn't have a name yet, but she seems to already like you." Pansy sounded less proud and more sheepish as she took in my expression. Clearly Pansy had thought long and hard on her gift, even going as far as to forgo naming the kitten knowing I had one in mind.
"Cordelia." The name softly left my lips before I sprung up and threw an arm around the girls' neck. She returned it quickly before rushing me back to my seat to finish opening the other gifts waiting. Daphne had found a rare set of unspillable inkwells and a pack of my favorite treat Caramel Cobwebs. Next Theo's consisted of small, yet beautiful paintings of Muggle and Wizarding France, Spain and Italy. Moving through them I found Blaise's, which I'll admit to have been skittish to open as he had a high enough penchant for mischief that Fred and George reached out to him for a partnership once he graduated from Hogwarts. Much to my relief it was a stunning silver charm bracelet, but after further scrutiny I noticed the dragon and dove charms decorating it and quickly stashed it away with a small 'thanks' before carefully packaging everything up being sure not to jostle Cordelia in my lap too much.
"Alright, well I believe that's everything," Daphne began before Pansy gasped loudly as if just remembering something.
"Draco! You didn't give her your gift." By the minuscule smirk pulling at the corner of her lips I could tell they'd planned this little skit of theirs. Before I could think anymore on that development Draco had moved forward to stand just in front of me. From the other side of the Gryffindor table I could hear dark mutterings behind my head coming from an undoubtedly put upon Ronald.
"Happy Birthday-" just before he could finish a thundering crash sounded outside the Great Hall doors. The tables and tapestries lining the walls rattled and shook violently as if a stampede was running amuck. Soon Nearly Headless Nick rushed through the closed doors holding his head tightly to his neck. What set the room on edge, however was the stricken, fearful look on his face- as if he'd seen a ghost.
Headmistress McGonagall stood ready to question the terrified spirit when a piercing screech sounded through the school. The bone-chilling shriek seemed like mindless noise to everyone else in the room… but the pure, undiluted terror it shot down my spine was unmistakable. There was only one thing, person, woman that awful sound belonged to. It was simply impossible. I watched her die. I helped kill her. My mind ran wild recalling the menacing memories, the horrors and destruction that laid in her wake, or under her hand.
"Bellatrix…" The whispered name fell from my lips before I could control it. Heads snapped my way, but none of that mattered. Cordelia was standing in my lap, back arched and hairs risen. The owls were hooting furiously and flapping their wings like mad. Just as fast as the sound started it suddenly stopped, leaving an eerie silence and very shaken room.
The panic rose with the bile that managed to creep up my throat. Tears spilled over and it felt as if ants had begun to crawl across my skin. Visions flashed and sparked across my vision. Blood and flashing blues and purples and greens. Cackling and screeching and it felt as if my flesh was being torn apart- and who was screaming?
I could feel hands holding down my arms and far away voices. Black filled my vision, but the smells filtered through: apples and honey, whiskey and roses. As I was trying to discern where those scents could be coming from a sharp slap brought me back to myself. Swiftly I pulled against those binding hands and took in the room around me. Frightened students and professors looked down at me, as I somehow ended up on the floor, while Draco, Lavender, Blaise and Pansy were situated on the floor around me. Pansy was holding her bright red hand, and I came to the conclusion that she had been the one to hit me. Slowly I was coming back together and a choked sob turned my attention to Lavender. She was tearing strips of napkins and passing them to Draco who was holding onto my left arm. Red decorated the once pristine cloth and when he pulled it away for a clean one I cried out seeing the glaring scar staring back at me. It was bright and seeping and ugly, the horrid MUDBLOOD on display for everyone to see.
Headmistress and Professor Snape cleared the area quickly, and with a swift and final order had Draco carry me out into the hall to go to Madame Pomfrey. I was still in shock as the remnants of the visions replayed vaguely. Minerva and Sevrus were shooting off questions at Draco in rapid succession, all of which he answered with short and stiff responses. As he rushed through the doors to the medical ward Poppy was already setting up a bed for me to be put in, most likely a hasty patronus sent to her by the Headmistress.
"-mione. Hermione! Hey, focus on me, Mya. Come on." The pleading broke my heart as my poor mate sat with tears in his eyes and fear in his heart. Finally forcing myself to get it together I nodded jerkily at him while pointedly looking him in the eye. As he talked to me in an attempt to keep me focused Poppy worked furiously on my arm in an effort to close up the wound. Eventually she gave a huff and I realized what she was trying to do.
"It won't work." The words left me so softly it was lucky the room was silent or else no one besides Draco would have heard. At their confused faces I swallowed raggedly, throat shot from the panic induced screaming. "Spells won't work to close it. The blade was cursed against healing magic. It's why Dobby died." That damned blade was as awful as that woman had been and caused so much pain. So much death. Not letting that deter her, Poppy got to work applying salves and wrapping it in bandages to stem the bleeding instead. When she was done with that she shoved a vile in front of my mouth. Knowing better than to argue I swallowed the foul potion without question. Instantly my throat felt uncomfortably tight and strained as it was repaired. In no time at all it was back in perfect order.
"Hermione, dear, I don't wish to push, but I must know what happened to you." Minerva sat at the foot of the bed resting a deceptively frail hand on my ankle.
"The sound… it was Bellatrix." Minerva looked as if she wanted to argue but the solemn and fearful looks on Draco and Severus' faces told her the truth. If anyone alive knew what that evil witch sounded like it was the three of us. No one had spent more time with her than the three unfortunate souls she was looking at.
"But I was under the impression that she was killed at the Battle of Hogwarts."
"She was. I helped put down that vile bitch myself." The viciousness with which my answer came surprised the four surrounding my bed. No one during the war had instilled the type of fear and hatred in my heart like Bellatrix Lestrange. Not Antonio Dolohov, Fenrir Greyback or even Voldemort himself. She had been a deeply deranged, homocial and wicked being down to her very core. She was irredeemable and without any moral compass besides her broken views to kill anything unlike herself. She had been the true monster of the Death Eaters, and I was sure there were times even her beloved master thought of putting her down like a rabid dog.
As if on qué Nearly Headless Nick floated in sheepishly, head sloping slightly to his right. "She isn't wrong, Headmistress. Peeves and I, we heard sounds coming from the Chamber. When we floated down to check, the basilisk bones were gone as was the destroyed diary. All that remained was a message." He pulled a small piece of parchment from his partially opaque robes to present it directly to me.
Happy Birthday Little Lamb.