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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 27 - Trouble
Hermione was quietly sitting in the library, having found herself a secluded section that was hidden in the shadows. Writing furiously across the parchment that sat in front of her. Professor Babbling had given them another assignment and she only had a day left to get it in. Nearing the end of her assignment she was interrupted by the sounds of whispering voices just around the one bookshelf.
"You never did tell us why you placed the potion in her cup Ron. I only heard about it near the end of the year." Hermione's eyes widened, listening closely to their conversation. "Shh, we don't want Madam Pince to kick us out. Alright I'll tell you, but you got to promise not to say anything." She waited as the sound of shuffling was heard.
"I was going to get her into trouble, she has to learn of how disgusting she is. Messing around with a woman, an older woman no less; she's underage. So, I was going try get her into enough trouble that she'd learn a lesson and stop doing what she's doing." Hermione's eyebrow rose and her lip lifted over her teeth.
"You can't be serious Ron, you're an idiot. What were going to do? Make her snog Professor Snape." Hermione waited but nothing happened and then, "No! Ronald you really are an idiot. There must be other ways to do things." The voices were raising above a whisper and Hermione could already see Professor Pince moving towards them.
"Listen, I also need to get back at Malfoy for what he did to me, mum nearly had a heart attack. Maybe I could ask her for more of the potion and I can the git back." By now Madam Pince was looming around the corner and the students gathered there were soon kicked out for disturbing the silence. Hermione was going to need to speak to Draco, the Weasley's needed to learn their place. Placing her quill back to her parchment, she finalised on the assignment and disappeared from the library.
It was the Hogsmeade weekend and Hermione was excited, she was finally going to see Bellatrix. She'd had a lengthy conversation with Draco about what she'd overheard, and he had promised that he'd sort it out. Securing the clasp of her cloak she quickly made her way out to the courtyard.
She handed her permission slip to Professor McGonagall and followed the rest of the students down the long corridor that would take them to the carriages and then Hogsmeade and her excitement grew with each second. Arriving at the gates, she stepped out of the carriage and began her walk to the village, a smile on her face.
She could see that many of her peers had gone to the usual places like Zonko's Joke shop and Honeydukes, her destination however was Tomes and Scrolls. Taking the next street after passing the post office, she quickened her pace. Pushing the door open, a soft chime signaling her arrival and a warm welcome later and she was enveloped in Bellatrix's embrace.
"Hello, my kitten, how are you?" Hermione stepped back and smiled brightly. "What?" Shaking her head, she took hold of Bellatrix's hand and together they walked back out to the street.
"I'm alright Bella, been busy with the usual schoolwork and assignments. I did find out something rather interesting though." Bellatrix raised her brow. "Let's go to the Hogshead and I'll tell you there, don't need anyone snooping around." They checked the street before taking the path that led them over a small bridge and down toward a small building with a spire atop it.
Stepping through the threshold, Hermione spotted a secluded section, shrouded in darkness. Leading the way to the booth, she nicked a menu from the slot in the wall. Bellatrix sat down with her back to the door and Hermione slipped into the seat opposite.
"So, tell me what's happened?"
"I found out at the leaving feast of second year that my drink was spiked with a compulsion draught. I have recently heard new information," Casting her glance to the door as it opened, she waited for the person to show their face. Happy she didn't know them, she continued. "It seems that Mrs Weasley has been meddling, she gave the Weasel boy the potion. He wanted me to be caught in a compromising position with my Head of House in order to 'learn' a lesson." Watching Bellatrix was interesting, her facial expression morphed a few times, ranging from furious to calm before settling on murderous.
"We need to sort this out, first that old coot and now the brood mare. No one is going to interfere with our bond again." Hermione placed her hand atop Bellatrix's and squeezed.
"Bella don't worry about it now; we will have plenty time later to deal with them. Besides Draco did cause quite a bit of damage to fool and he said he'll deal with him today as well." Opening the menu, she let her eyes roam the contents, choosing her lunch before passing it over to Bellatrix. "I don't want to cause to much trouble while I'm still in school and able to be expelled. The best I can do is just hex or curse him in the hallways for the moment."
"You can do worse than that though, give him a good run in and let him learn not to mess with a Black." Hermione giggled, Bellatrix was very protective, and it made her feel warm and fuzzy.
"A fourteen year old girl is not supposed to know advanced magic, let along such dark spells as I already do. I am a respectable pureblood lady; I don't do the dirty work." Bellatrix cracked a wry grin.
"You are full of it; you would be able to skin him, and he wouldn't know who did it. At least keep giving him random attacks, gain a reputation amongst the student body. Have them start seeing you for who you are." Hermione's cheeks bloomed with her blush. When an elf appeared to take their order Hermione could still feel her warm cheeks and she ducked her head. "Hey now, none of that. You don't have to hide your blushing face from me." Hermione leaned her head into Bellatrix's hand.
"Now tell me about your classes with Ancient Runes and Arithmancy." There discussion was filled with hand waving and writing on napkins and torn pieces of parchment. Both just enjoying each other's company.
Draco was having just as much fun; he had followed the Weasel all the way to the outskirts of the Shrieking Shack. He'd first taunted him, mocked him and his lack of wealth and then went for the punch with how his mother was nothing more than a breeding mare that lacked any semblance of her pureblood upbringing.
At first a few minor spells were thrown around before Draco picked up the ante and began firing off more darker spells, hitting his mark every time. "You will never try anything with Hermione again or I promise Weasel-bee, my next barrage of spells is going to have your guts on the floor." His last spell was the Tongue-Tying Jinx, "Do you understand?" The red headed boy with tears running down his blooded cheeks nodded frantically.
"Good, if you so much as dare have another potion sent to you by your mother, I'll make sure she meets a sticky end." Draco spun on his heel and walked away, leaving a sniveling mess behind.
It had been a few months since the beginning of third year, the Hogwarts grounds were covered in snow and the halls were being decorated in the spirit of Christmas. Draco was going home over Christmas as was Hermione and they were leaving in another week.
"I wonder what caused Professor Lupin to be able to teach us today. I know he looks shabby but still, he doesn't seem the sickly type to me." Draco was rambling and Hermione wasn't paying to much attention, her thoughts were currently occupied by what she'd heard the night before when walking back to the common room.
It turned out that Potter was given a map that showed the castle and all its occupants all the time, and he had been following the trail of a man she thought would never be heard of again, Peter Pettigrew. Potter thought him to be dead, believing the rubbish that he was fed by the light side. Suspecting that Sirius was involved even had Hermione's curiosity piqued.
"'Mione, you listening?" Startled out of her thoughts she smirked.
"Sorry Draco, but your love of Professor Lupin was boring me." Playfully shoving him as he started protesting, "I'm only kidding cousin, relax. I'm sorry, I was a bit lost in thought. It seems that there is a map being watched by the Gryffindor's golden boy, which shows everyone within the castle walls. He was apparently following 'a man I believe to be dead' through the hallways of the fourth floor."
"Who?"
"Peter Pettigrew. Turns out that he's believing everything that is being said about Sirius being a mass murderer that escaped Azkaban to finish the job." Draco scoffed at this. "Seriously, he believes that Sirius is out to get him to finish what the Dark Lord started all those years ago." Now Draco was full out laughing. To think that the glory boy was dumb enough to believe everything made Draco glad that he refused his handshake in first year.
"So, the idiot truly believes that Sirius is a raving lunatic, set out to kill him?" Hermione nodded. "Oh, this is gold, I am going to love my next class with him." Chuckling as they walked down the stairs to their common room. Hermione knew Draco was going to milk this for all it had.
Hermione had just finished unpacking when her bedroom door was kicked open to admit Bellatrix, a tower of clothes floating behind her. "'Mione, these are the new winter robes that Aunt Cassi had made. Apparently Narcissa has invited us to a Christmas ball at Malfoy Manor and so wanted us to attend but to be dressed as lady's not hoodlums. This obviously means that I have to be tamed or whatever." Bellatrix laughed and waved her wand at the wardrobe, filling it with her new clothes.
"A ball? Why? Urgh I hated dance lessons and now I must attend this nonsense." Hermione's eyes rolled and Bellatrix laughed.
"Yes, well, you get used to them after a while. Besides, Draco will be there, so you won't be lonely." Hermione glared at her. "What? You two are close, he'll at least keep you company."
"I don't want him to keep me company, it's not like I'm looking for a potential marriage proposal." Tutting at Hermione's response, she walked around the back of her chair and placed her hands on her shoulders. Looking at Hermione's reflection "I know you're not going there for marriage proposal's but it's what is expected of us love. We have to show face where all the other hob-nobs will be. Remember a lot of them are Death Eaters and when the Dark Lord returns, we mustn't be dragged through the mud due to disrespect." Hermione nodded and leaned her head back to look up at Bellatrix's face.
"I don't want to dance with anyone though." Bellatrix chuckled. Bending down to place a kiss on Hermione's forehead. "It's not fair." Bellatrix only laughed and walked away leaving behind a sulking teenager.
The ball was upon them, Cassiopeia had declined having been sorting out more pressing matters and so that left Bellatrix and Hermione to attend. They had flooed over to Malfoy Manor, arriving just a few minutes before the time Narcissa gave them.
"Welcome, welcome. Grab yourselves some refreshments and join the party." Lucius was standing just to the side of the hearth that they used to welcome guests. He was dressed in navy blue tonight with his hair tied back, his cane ever present. Giving him their thanks, they made their way to the ballroom to greet everyone else.
Hermione was introduced to the Flint's, the Parkinson's; the Greengrass's and then the Avery's. They were the only families that had arrived before them and so they began chatting. Hermione was busy talking with Astoria, Daphne's younger sister when a tap on her shoulder announce the arrival of Draco.
"Hello cousin, it's great to see who here. You look lovely by the way." Smiling at him and looking at his emerald green dress robes, she complimented on how they brightened his face. She was dressed in a wine-red satin dress with a complimentary black sash around her waist. "Shall we greet the others? It looks like Blaise and Theo are here." Looping her arm through his she let him lead her to where the two boys were standing.
"Theo, Blaise, good to see you both." Both boys turned at Draco's announcement. Theo was in black dress robes while Blaise had opted for teal robes. "Thank you for inviting us. Hermione, it's nice to see you too. You look lovely." Smiling and giving them each a friendly hug she turned a little to observe the people around her. Spotting her bond mate chatting with Andromeda. Her eyes wondered some more, and she saw another pair looking right back at her. The owner was an older man, he looked around forty or fifty to her eyes, but wizard's aged differently she knew. He was tall and well built, with long silvery blonde hair that cascaded around his shoulders and was dressed in mahogany robes and was making his way towards their group.
"Good evening young Malfoy and friends, it is good to see some happy faces in this Manor." He looked them over with calculating cobalt blue eyes. "Introduce me to your friends Draco." He looked at her again and she felt a shiver run down her spine.
"Grandfather, this is Hermione Black, Blaise Zabini and Theodore Nott." He placed a kiss upon Hermione's knuckles and shook the boy's hands. Draco then motioned to his grandfather. "And this is my grandfather, Abraxas Malfoy." After the introductions were had, Hermione had meandered back to Bellatrix's side content to just remain away from everyone else.
"I see you were speaking with Andromeda, is everything okay?" Bellatrix looked at Hermione appraisingly. She was in her usual black dress with ripped sleeves that were laced together, she had adamantly refused to change the way she looked for people she thought beneath her. "Yes, everything is fine. She said she's still battling with Nymphadora but has promised that the girl is not going light." Nodding at what she was told, she wondered why Nymphadora would even want to be on the light's side, sure she could see how manipulative Dumbledore was.
The ball was in full swing and all the guests had arrived. Everyone was dancing and encaging in the festivities. Bellatrix had moved from her side in search of something to snack on when she heard a throat clear behind her. Turning around she was met by Abraxas Malfoy once more. "Miss Black, would you do me the honour of dancing with me?" He bowed slightly and offered his hand, knowing she would shame the family if she refused, she placed her hand in his and allowed him to lead her to the dance floor.
He took hold of her waist and cupped her hand in his, smiling at her before he moved them around in a waltz. "I've heard great things about you Miss Black. My grandson has told me how proficient you are with the Arts, is this true?" He spun her around his body before pulling her back into his.
"Yes Mr Malfoy, I am rather fond of the Arts if I am honest. Much more fulfilling than the lighter spells." He twirled them further along the floor and nearer to the balcony doors. "I understand exactly, they do not give you the same joy as a darker spell does." She nodded as he continued to spin her around. They continued to dance until he had outside on the balcony.
"Some fresh air would do us well. You are flushed and I am sure a little bit of cooler air will help settle you." She gave him a small smile of appreciation and watched as his eyes travelled along her body. He casually waved his hand towards the outside doors and they closed, she felt the shimmer of magic securing them. He moved to stand in front of her and she felt a deep feel of unease begin to fill her.