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Summary: What would life have been like if Hermione Granger was born a Black? Follow our little heroine as she grows up in the House of Black and becomes Bellatrix Lestrange's right hand girl.
Chapter 25 - Lord Black
It was time for Sirius to take over as Lord of the Ancient and Most Noble House of Black. Cassiopeia was already at Gringotts bank along with Sirius' parents, Orion and Walburga, both of whom were already living in a villa in France.
It wasn't long before Sirius arrived, dressed in a suit with a dark red coat. He looked confident and walk along the allocated passageway with purpose. Taking over a House title that had belonged to his own father for three decades was intimidating to the say the least. Joining the three older members, they walked into the meeting room that had three Goblin's and one Ministry representative.
"Good morning, I trust everyone is well. I am Andrew Garrison, representative to the Department of Magical Affairs. The title changing of Lord Black will not be difficult, just a bit of paperwork and magical declaration. Once this has been done and performed, a single drop of your blood next to your signature's will seal the document. Thereafter all title deeds, financial documents and Ministry records will be updated. Any questions?" He received nothing in response, so began with the paperwork that Orion and Sirius needed to fill out.
Walburga and Cassiopeia were both watching their male counterparts, Cassiopeia with an eye on Sirius more so than the Ministry representative and Walburga with a murderous gleam in her eye at her son. She had avoided everything that involved Sirius, only appearing at the bonding ritual for Bellatrix and Hermione.
Half an hour later, Orion and Sirius were standing face to face, the Black family crest on a podium between them both, twin daggers lay with their points touching in front of both men. Andrew gave them the go ahead for the declaration to be said;
"I, Orion Regulus Black, Lord of the Ancient and Most Noble House of Black, do hereby under the law of magic and the witnesses present hand the title over to my son, Sirius Black the third, with the knowledge that he will carry our House name into the future, following all the rites and laws of House Black, that he will guide and teach the future generations of House Black in the family magic and history. So mote it be." A brief flash of silver illuminated the family crest at the declaration of Orion and then Sirius began his.
"I, Sirius Black the third, first born son of Orion Regulus Black, Lord of the Ancient and Most Noble House Black, do hereby under the law of magic and the witnesses present accept the title from my father, acknowledging that I will carry our House name into the future, I will follow the rites and laws of House Black, I will guide and teach the future generations of House Black in the family magic and history. So mote it be." Another brief flash of silver illuminated the crest at Sirius' declaration. Both Orion and Sirius took hold of the daggers, pricked their thumbs and placed a single drop of their blood onto the now glowing crest, sealing their declarations to their House.
"I hereby decree, Sirius Black the third, Lord of the Ancient and Most Noble House of Black." Andrew gave both Sirius and Orion their last document to sign. Once done and finalised, the parchment rolled itself up and disappeared with a soft 'pop'. "I wish you all a pleasant day." Andrew left the family members and the Goblin's to their next order of business.
Sirius had been moved out of the Manor at Black Estate and into Grimmauld Place with the help of the house elves. Cassiopeia had made sure that the house was clean, and the wards checked. She had made sure to reiterate to Sirius that he was not to cause drama with anyone, that he attends any meetings that required the Lord Black to be present and so on. Once she had stipulated that he check in with her again within a month, she left.
Cassiopeia was back inside the quiet Manor; Bellatrix had become a thorn in her side since bringing Hermione back home. A constant depression had settled over her and no matter how many times she asked Narcissa or Andromeda to come and help their sister, they both were steadfast with their previous answers of 'no'.
Andromeda was having difficulties with Nymphadora, the child had become disrespectful towards both her parents. Cassiopeia had heard wind of this from Druella, who was concerned that her granddaughter was turning her back on the family. Cassiopeia had expressed her displeasure and told Druella she needed to step in, make the child bend to their will or she would be disowned. This had proven futile as a fight had broken out between Druella and Andromeda. Druella wouldn't involve herself again but had warned Andromeda that should Nymphadora conform she would personally disown her. Andromeda had stopped communicating with her family.
Narcissa had been quieter than usual, stating that she was too concerned over Draco's wellbeing at the school than to be worrying over her psychotic sister. Cassiopeia had spoken with Lucius afterwards and was told that he was 'handling it'. Sitting at her desk, she mulled the thoughts over in her mind. Andromeda was trying in vain to keep her daughter from the light side and Narcissa was hiding something as was Lucius. It was maddening.
It had been a long and grueling year for Draco; without Hermione being with him, he felt lonely. He had friends but they weren't at the level that he and Hermione were with their dark magic and so never understood him properly. The attacks had stopped when the last message had been written, 'Her skeleton will lie in the chamber forever'. After the message was seen, Harry Potter had gone and found the girl who was behind all the attacks and it was Ginny Weasley.
Once she was brought back, the entire castle was back to its usual happiness and love over Harry Potter, it made Draco sick. He also knew that Hermione would be brought back to the school to be given the potion that will turn her back to her original state. That gave him a lot of joy, he was finally going to have his cousin and best friend back.
He had also begun snooping around to figure out why Hermione had gone looking through the castle, it hadn't made sense to him and soon enough he was rewarded after months of patience. Her juice had been spiked at lunch with a compulsion potion, now all he had to do was find out who it was that did it and why.
"Draco, I have some news." Blaise Zabini came to stand in front of him in the common room. "I have found out who spiked Hermione's juice." Draco's eyes widened. He would make sure that whoever it was suffered greatly.
"Who was it?" Blaise leaned over the arm of the chair to whisper in Draco's ear. Eyes blowing wide and a horrible look of sourness fell over his face.
Bellatrix was preparing Hermione, brushing her hair and then dressing her in her school robes. She was going to be taking her back to Hogwarts. She wasn't happy with the situation at all, having become accustomed to the girl being at home with her. She had spoken to her everyday in the hopes that she heard her and could process what she had shared.
Cassiopeia had told her that it wasn't possible for Hermione to hear what she was saying, but Bellatrix wouldn't accept it. It led to them having an argument so much so that Bellatrix had put multiple wards around the bedroom, only allowing Twinkle in when the elf brought food.
Having finally finalised with making Hermione presentable, she opened the door to the bedroom and allowed Cassiopeia in. Together they brought Hermione into the drawing room, Bellatrix took hold of Hermione and looked at her aunt, "I'm going to wait for her to be brought back and then I'll come home." Cassiopeia nodded and watched as the bright green flames took Bellatrix and her granddaughter away.
Arriving inside the infirmary, Bellatrix was met by Madam Pomphrey who wore a kind smile. Following behind the medi-witch, Bellatrix placed the levitated form of Hermione onto the hospital bed. Severus Snape stood to the one side, waiting patiently for the two women to stop their fussing over his student.
"If you two are quite done, I would like to administer the draught." Bellatrix turned at his drawl and scowled. He was an impatient person, it grated on her nerves. She was trying to make sure that when Hermione woke, she would be comfortable enough.
Severus had given her the draught and left shortly after, leaving Bellatrix and Poppy alone. Both watching as the younger of the three slowly returned to her normal state. Her body warmed and slowly her arm dropped limply back to her side, and her feet relaxed. Before long, Hermione was back to normal, her eyes fluttered a few times; readjusting to being able to see again. Bellatrix was the first person she saw, and small tears gathered at the corner of her eyes before spilling over her cheeks, disappearing into her hairline.
Bellatrix swooped down and wrapped her arms around Hermione, placing small butterfly kisses across her forehead. Hermione silently allowed the tears to fall, her head buried in Bellatrix's neck, face hidden behind a curtain of curls. Poppy Pomphrey moved out of sight, to give the privacy they deserved; magical pulling the privacy screens around Hermione's bed.
Whispering into Hermione's hair, Bellatrix comforted her bond mate. So much happier than she had been throughout the year. Hermione sucked in a deep breath and released it, bringing her hands up to wipe away the left-over tears. Bellatrix pulled away just a little and looked down into Hermione's face, searching out her eyes.
"It's alright my kitten, I'm here and you're safe now. The beast that did this is dead, according to Poppy. You're okay my love." Placing a soft kiss to Hermione's cheek, she waited for her to speak.
Clearing her throat after having some water, helped Hermione's parched mouth to feel less like a dry desert, "It was awful Bella, I couldn't stop myself from taking that walk, I felt like I was compelled to do so." After clearing her throat again, Hermione gratefully took the pro-offered water from Bellatrix. "Thank you."
"What happened?" Hermione began to shift, wanting to sit up; Bellatrix moving to allow her to do so. "Were you aware of everything around you?"
"Yes, I was aware, aware of everything. I just couldn't stop walking until I saw that monster's reflection in the windows. Then nothing. It was like time froze; I have no memory of anything thereafter. How long has it been?" Bellatrix had to try and calculate; she hadn't paid close attention to the passing time.
"You were petrified on Halloween, so have missed Christmas and the New Year. It's June now and there's still three weeks left of school before the end of your Second Year. Of course, knowing you, you'll be able to sit your exams and pass them all without an issue." Hermione looked at Bellatrix in shock, she missed her entire school year, it was appalling, and she knew Bellatrix was right, but still, an entire school year gone.
"It's very strange to say the least, I feel as if I have only slept for an evening and have woken as normal." Looking down at her lap, she played with the hem of her school robe. Still not quite believing that she had been asleep for over seven months. "I'm tired Bella, do you think Madam Pomphrey would be okay if you stayed with me for a bit longer?"
Bellatrix nodded and sat down in the chair next to the bed, prepared to sit all night if she had too. Hermione had other ideas though, pushing the sheet aside and sliding to the edge of the bed, she patted the spot next to her. "Could you maybe lay with me? Or even just sit on the bed with me?" Nodding, she smoothed Hermione's hair from her face and sat at the top of the bed, pulling Hermione's upper half on to her lap. Running her fingers through her hair when Hermione's eyes drooped.
"Sleep my kitten, I'll sit with you until you wake." An arm draped over Bellatrix's thighs and the other tucked under her chin, Hermione lay at an odd angle but seemed to be comfortable enough to sleep. Bellatrix continued to play with her hair, leaning back against the wall behind her, her own eyes falling shut.
Draco was making his way through the halls of Hogwarts, his mind on one person. The fool that decided to spike his cousin's juice. He finally spotted his target walking along the bridge towards the owlery. Pulling his wand free from his robe he cast the first spell his mind gave him 'Alarte Ascendare', watching as the body in front of him was thrown high up into the air before crashing back down to the ground. The cry of pain bringing a small sense of satisfaction.
"You think you can just waltz around spiking people's drinks at random? Well guess what Weasel, you're going to be sorry you ever did that to Hermione." Drawing his wand back behind his ear and flinging it forward again, he watched as two arrows pierced the flesh of his target's leg and shoulder. Another cry of pain was heard and again he was filled with satisfaction. Aiming his wand one last time, Draco called out his last curse 'Calvorio' and with a smirk etched on his face, he watched as his targets bright red hair disappeared from their head; eyebrows and eyelashes included.
Draco and Hermione sat together along with Blaise and Theo at the leaving feast, the great hall was decked out in Hufflepuff colours as they had won the house cup. Blaise was laughing with Draco over how he'd managed to get out of being expelled. Hermione's ears pricked at this new information, "What happened that you had to avoid being expelled?"
Blaise and Draco glanced at each other and Draco sighed, "I suppose getting revenge on the Weasel that chose to spike your drink with a compulsion draught would be fair enough reason to expel me, wouldn't you say Blaise." Hermione's eyes widened at this and Blaise chuckled along with Draco.
"How did you find out?" Theo even turned to listen to this part of the tale that he wasn't privy too before.
"I started asking questions regarding your attack and slowly information started filtering through the student population. Blaise came to me one evening with news on the culprit and who they were; suffice it to say that I took great pleasure in exacting my revenge in your honour." She raised her eyebrow at him and casually glanced to toward Blaise to assist, he only shrugged his shoulders. She was grateful that he had done this in her honour, but he needed to be more careful.
"Put it this way, the Weasel won't go telling on me because they would out themselves on the potion being put into your juice. It's a win, win situation." Draco turned to look around the great hall and gave a smug smirk, "There's the Weasel now." Draco was looking proudly toward the great hall doors and Hermione turned to look as well. Almost half of those seated in the great hall began laughing raucously at the exact moment the Weasley in question walked through the doors.
Hermione's mouthful of pumpkin juice had found its way onto the side of Theo who was clutching his middle with his own laughter. She was almost cackling with her own laughter, Draco and Blaise were nearly falling off their portion of the bench with their own laughter.
There standing with absolutely no hair upon their head, eyebrows and eyelashes included stood Ron Weasley, his face a tomato red from embarrassment.