Hi All,
This is it, the Epilogue to the fic.
I hope you enjoyed reading it as much as I enjoyed writing.
Disclaimer: Once again, HP and all it's rights belong to JK Rowling and all fanfics I've written are purely for fun.
26th January, 2003
"Ah! Come in, Ms Wilkins. Good morning!" the doctor greeted a young woman of 24 years who entered his office.
"Good Morning, Dr Finucane!" the woman with light amethyst eyes and faded facial scars replied, taking a seat in front of him.
"I have verified all your reports, and since the last 6 months there hasn't been any lapse. I am happy to report that you have cleared the psychiatric evaluation and you are finally free to step back into a normal life." Dr Greg Finucane remarked passing her the updated medical file.
"You know doctor, I never thought I'd want to step back into society. It's been 5 years since I came in here seeking help. It was also more of a way to get away from it all." the woman replied.
"Yes, Ms Monica. I know it is hard to feel normal, but where your previous experiences caused you pain and misery, the fact is that those are now behind you and in the past. As your doctor, my honest advice would be to start afresh, as cliche as it may sound. You are very young and we do have a very culturally and geographically rich country. Travel and explore, it would do you good." he replied with a warm smile.
Monica took a deep sigh, "I know, I guess it won't hurt. I haven't thought of what I'll do. Maybe take a look around Auckland, I haven't seen much around since I came to New Zealand."
"Then I'll wish you a very good luck for your future Ms Wilkins. I do hope you never have to visit us again, but if you do need our help don't hesitate to drop by."
"Thanks Doc, I guess this good-bye then. Thank you so much for all the help over the years, I can't thank you enough." Monica stood up with a smile extending her hand towards the doctor, who shook her hand and nodded with a warm smile.
After 5 long years, she stepped out of the Psychiatric Hospital's gates for the first time. With just a small backpack on her she walked towards the park a few blocks down the road.
The weather was pleasant and it was a sunny Sunday morning with lots of kids playing around inside the park. She simply strolled towards the waterfront and sat on one of the benches simply watching the fanfare around her.
So much had changed along those years, the therapy helped heal the effects from Azkaban and her old traumatic personal life. She still missed Harry sometimes, but honestly she was over him and didn't have any further interests in love. The problem now was, she didn't have any goals. A 13 year old Hermione would have audibly scoffed at the idea, but she wasn't 13 anymore, not Hermione anymore.
Hermione was lost in thoughts when a curly raven-haired girl of about 6-7 years in a blue sundress patted her shoulders. Hermione came out of her musings to the sound of the little girl calling out to her with a slight lilt, "Auntie, auntie! Are you all right!"
Hermione smiled at her cute voice, "Yes dear. I'm fine, what's your name?"
The girl gave her a toothy grin, "My name is Dewlphini Lefstrange."
"Oh! You mean Delphini Lestrange?" Hermione asked, surprised to see the girl.
The little girl nodded excitedly as Hermione continued, "Are you here alone? Where's your mother?"
"Mamma is there, come. Come with me auntie." The girl literally held Hermione's arm and tried to pull her on to her feet.
"Okay, okay dear. Just hold on a second, let me get my bag." Hermione took her backpack and went along with her towards the east side of the park a few hundred feet away.
They soon reached the east side closer to the park entrance where a woman stood with her back towards them watching other kids play on the slides. This was a weird sight for Hermione, the woman didn't seem like the Bellatrix Lestrange she met years ago. This one was dressed in a brown formal suit with sunglasses.
"Well, Who would have thought the infamous Bellatrix Lestrange would be seen donning a muggle business suit." Hermione quipped prompting the woman to turn around.
"Oh, please! Cissy got me these, I still like to stay away from muggles as much as I can. It's weird to see the kind of stuff they've got going on." Bellatrix replied, making a sour face at her.
"You mean the technology? Yes, they don't have magic to help them, so it's natural for them to innovate stuff more than wizards."
"Well, what have you decided?" Bellatrix asked as Hermione looked confused, "About what exactly?"
Bellatrix sighed, "The same offer I gave you all those years ago when you took the portkey and landed on my estate. I need someone to help handle the estate and also someone whom I can trust with Delphi occasionally."
"I thought that was years ago. Surely you may have found a manager for the estate by now. I mean I'm grateful for the expenses you paid for my therapy." Hermione replied with a slight surprise colouring her tone.
"For one, think nothing of it. I was willing to hire a mind healer for you, but the muggle healer was nothing… a drop in the ocean for my coffers. Secondly, Draco's handling the estate but he's started his own business and doesn't have much time to give. Third, before you ask why again, You saved me and my little girl back in the day. It's almost equivalent to a life debt in my books. I may be a killer but first I'm a proud Pureblood witch, and we don't keep debts. Again, before you decide to ride the high horse, it's not out of pity. I feel Delphi will benefit from staying around you. Draco told me all about the Brightest Witch who beat his arse." Bellatrix finished with an amused smirk.
Hermione taunted her back, "Wow! Do you always like doing these long monologues? And you may want to hush slightly on the killer thing, kids are around. I can take up the job, but I'm not sure I should be around her. In fact, I don't even have my OWLs or NEWTs, so-"
"If you're fishing for praises, I'm not giving you any more. If I don't have any issues, what's your problem. Just shut up and accept the offer. The manor is big enough for the three of us and there's enough work to keep you occupied." Bellatrix cut her off before she could rant about her past.
"Fine! I accept. I don't presume we can apparate from this muggle park without raising suspicion." Hermione replied with a contented sigh.
"Excellent! Delphi, come along dear. We're leaving now." Bellatrix called out to her daughter before turning back to Hermione, "Don't worry about it, there's a safe space right behind those trees, you'll need to side-along though."
"Great! Thanks once again for all the help."
"Mamma, is auntie coming with us? Will she play with me?"
"Yes, sweetie. Auntie Monica is going to stay with us from now and you can play with her too. Now come dear, we've got to get back home." Bellatrix replied, picking little Delphi in her arms with a broad smile, "Come now, Monica. You can thank me later. I'm peckish and need my bowl of pineapple ice-cream."
"Yayyy! I want ice-cweam too!" little Delphi whooped joyously.
"Huh! What have I signed up for…" Hermione shook her head before trailing behind the pair.
Things didn't turn out the way she wanted, fate finally giving her a chance at normality. Who knows, maybe she'll actually enjoy her second stint in life.
Over the past few years since the incident, Molly Weasley had become frail and weak mourning her children. Harry stayed at the Burrow taking care of her. He decided to stay single and do social work helping those who were affected by war and the rebuilding of Hogwarts.
Hermione was still considered a terrorist at-large despite Harry's efforts at clearing her name from the Lovegood murder. This was no surprise considering the official and unofficial bodycount she left behind throughout the war.
Minerva McGonagall along with Flitwick and Sprout laid the foundations of a new school for magical education with help from the Ministry and their former students.
And that is it, everyone. The fire burnt through, and Dark was All that's Left! However, a new dawn awakens with a new hope and probably a different story. Thanks for reading and giving it love. As I've said, some things worked, some things tanked, but what I truly take away from this fic is your comments and Kudos and favourites.
I will come back with a new fic, the idea is once again a Dark Hermione, it's quite a popular trope but I wanted to give it a try nonetheless. Probably something longer, just like 'Little Red Bird' (Oh yes, please do check that one out as well, it's a WIP with regular updates)
Until then, Keep reading and Stay Safe!
Cheers!