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Author's Note: Please take note, there is mention of misconduct between an adult and a minor right in the beginning of the chapter. It's nothing graphic just mention of it.
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 28 - Black Magic
Bellatrix was enjoying a pleasant chat with her fellow Death Eaters; they were catching up on times that they missed. "I've heard the word that our Master has been found, although the whispers are few and far between. At first, I had my doubts but have noticed that my mark has a darker outline forming, have any of you noticed?" Augustus Rookwood looked around at his fellow members.
"Yes, I did notice it. I'm hopeful that he will return soon, there are rumors floating around that Dumbledore is becoming more on edge and is monitoring his students closely." Walden Macnair made mention of the news as if speaking about the weather. Thorfinn Rowle, Antonin Dolohov, Levi Travers and Bellatrix started discussing how they would find their Master.
On the outside balcony hidden by the darkness Abraxas was leaning close to Hermione, "Miss Black, you're aware of our pureblood customs and I am sure that you will begin receiving proposals soon. I am going to be sending through a missive to Cassiopeia myself. You are rather beautiful and since my beloved wife has passed, I am quite lonely within my Manor. Hmm, yes, you would do rather splendidly." Hermione stared at him in shock, he was intending to send a marriage proposal even though he had more than four decades on her in age.
"Lord Malfoy, I do believe that you are under the wrong impression, I am already intended for another. You have missed out and I am sorry, but I must be heading inside now." He stepped closer; his hands were placed on either side of her body as he leaned down.
"You think that will stop me from trumping their efforts? My dear you are mistaken; I will have you long before your intended has even gathered the Galleons for you." He pushed himself impossibly closer. Hermione's panic was starting to become uncontrollable, she had to maintain her façade in front of him or it could be disastrous for the Black family. She was just about to request that he allow her to leave when his mouth covered hers and his body pinned her to the balcony railing.
Draco's eyes were wide as he witnessed his grandfather take advantage of Hermione, but his mouth dropped open in shock when Hermione slapped him for kissing her and Abraxas backhanded her in return. Draco couldn't make his body move to get his father, he could only watch as his grandfather gripped her arms tightly and he covered her mouth in a kiss once again shifting his body to shield her from view, he saw her beginning to struggle as Abraxas' movements turned to other ideas and that's when Draco bolted from the window.
"Father! Father! Please come quickly!" Grabbing Lucius' arm, he tugged with pleading eyes. Lucius picked up on the alarmed tone and followed Draco. "You need to be discreet Father. I think grandfather is attempting to take advantage of Hermione." Lucius' pace quickened and he pushed at the doors to get them open, but Abraxas had sealed them with one of his own locking charms. Lucius could see Hermione fighting against him and it was enough for him to blow the doors apart.
Bellatrix became aware that there was something amiss when spike of fear suddenly coursed through her veins. Looking around she saw nothing out of the ordinary, though she became acutely aware of the fact that Hermione was nowhere to be seen. Walking through the dancing guests she saw Lucius blowing the balcony doors off their hinges and then storming out into the night.
Quickening her pace, she followed him through the doors and her eyes landed on Hermione's disheveled appearance, a split on her lip and fearful eyes. Taking a look at Abraxas, she saw a handprint on his face and a trail of blood running down his shirt. Her eyes narrowed as her temper made itself known. Lucius was checking on Hermione, completely ignoring his father and Bellatrix had, had enough.
Almost jumping on top of Lucius to get him away from Hermione, she threw him away from her bond mate with enough force that he tripped over his robes. "Get away from her!" Her voice deepened to a growl, a usual trick she'd managed to perfect, allowing a semi-transformation of her Animagus form. "What right do you have touching what isn't yours!" The deep rumbling in her chest was enough to put fair into the eyes of Abraxas Malfoy.
"Sh…she's… y..yours?" He was gurgling now, what ever Hermione had done to him it was starting to show. "Yes! She's mine! She's my soul mate! You've defiled her! Taken advantage of an underage girl!" The growling was becoming uncontrollable as her vision took on a tunnel like effect, sights only on the man that had dared to touch what wasn't his.
Lucius was aware that Bellatrix may very well land up killing his father and no matter how shameful it was, he couldn't allow her to do it. "Bellatrix stop it! I will deal with it, just take Hermione home." He thought he'd die tonight, along with his stupid father. Bellatrix was frightening when angry, but this was a whole new level of being afraid, he could feel the cold fear entering his heart as she locked eyes on himself and his father. Hermione decided to intervene by placing herself in front of Bellatrix and effectively blocking them from her sight. It gave him just enough time to apparate away and get his father seen to.
"Bella, it's alright, I'm alright. Look at me my love, look at me." Placing gentle hands on her waist she pulled her closer, listening as the rumbling started to subside. Her anger on the other hand was still raging. Taking one hand away from Bellatrix's waist she placed on her cheek and forced her to look into her eyes. "Bella, look at me." Nearly fully blackened eyes stared back at her and Hermione startled slightly at how she had managed to change them to her Animagus' eyes. Eventually they began to change, and the strong force of angry magic started to dissipate.
"He touched you." It was a whisper, but it was enough for Hermione to hear the fear behind them. "Yes, he touched me, but got no further than trying to forcefully kiss me and grope my body. I dealt with it though, not sure if they'll be able to fix it." Hermione giggled and Bellatrix looked at her in a new light. Gone was the tiny girl she'd first met, in front of her stood a teenaged girl who was growing up. She was becoming a young woman in her own right and she was more than capable of looking after herself.
"I'm proud of you. I'm proud to call you mine. At least I know that you will be able to handle a situation with a level head." Hermione smiled in triumph, yes she had been afraid that he would take full advantage of her but she'd managed to land a nasty curse on him that won't be easily healed and he'll be ashamed if he ever did find a new wife.
Hermione was already back at school when news of Abraxas Malfoy's death. Draco had been upset and was given special permission to leave the school for his funeral. Hermione was upset for Draco, but she was happy to hear that he wouldn't be able to touch her or any other witch again with his disgusting hands. She would never tell Draco that she was pleased by his death, knowing that Bellatrix was behind it.
It was later through the week when news broke that a Grimm had been sighted within Hogsmeade and the border of Hogwarts, sending the school into an uproar. The Divination students were constantly told that something dark was in their futures and one was marked for the Grimm. The student being Harry Potter, once again.
Hermione was sitting with her house mates at the long table in the great hall, enjoying the chatter and dinner when Ara swooped in from the ceiling and dropped two envelopes into her plate. One was black and the other ivory; looking slightly alarmed at the black envelope she hurriedly picked them up and disappeared from the hall, fully aware of hundreds of eyes watching her.
Slamming the door to the dormitory she ran for her bed, ripping the ivory envelope open and pulling the parchment out:
Dear granddaughter,
It has come to my recent attention that there are constant sightings of a Grimm around parts of England and now Hogsmeade has been graced by its presence.
I have a niggling feeling that I know who it is but I need for you to keep an eye out for it and if you do spot it, call for Twinkle immediately, she will bring me straight to you.
Keep working hard and maintaining your private studies.
Your Grandmama
Making a mental note of the letter she set it alight and turned to the black envelope, this one making her slightly more nervous;
Child of the Ancient and Most Noble House of Black,
There has been a recent discovery within the House of Black. Our prestigious name has been tarnished and shamed.
Children of this esteemed House have defiled the hallowed name of our blood and heritage. Fallen to the wiles of the light and fallen prey to the corruption of an old man's schemes. Allowing blood traitors, halfbreeds and mudbloods to roam freely within our homes.
You are hereby warned, should you stray you will be stricken from the Family magic and left a filthy muggle.
Accept this letter and adhere to the warning given by placing a drop of blood to this parchment and signing your name.
Hermione gave sigh of relief that she wasn't in any trouble, doing has instructed she watched as the letter disappeared with a flash.
Bellatrix was sitting inside the Hogshead waiting for Hermione to arrive when she spotted something odd. In a corner just behind the fireplace of the Inn, was Sirius, dressed in what looked to be a wolf's fur coat and taking a seat opposite him a man that looked slightly familiar to her.
Not long after and Hermione was sliding into the chair across from her own. Her eyes drawn away and placed upon the other. "What's taken your mind away Bella?" Hermione couldn't see from her position, but Bellatrix was awfully still.
"It's not what, my love, rather who." Bellatrix motioned her to sit next to her in the booth and pointed a finger in the direction of Sirius. "Oh, what's Sirius doing with Professor Lupin I wonder?" Bellatrix started at that name; Lupin was the one Fenrir didn't finish off as a child back in the day. A werewolf teaching at the school. Bellatrix's mind started burning with all the thoughts racing through it.
"He's a werewolf Hermione, a disgusting halfbreed. What's Sirius doing with him, he's the Lord of House Black and shouldn't be fraternizing with filth." Hermione was flummoxed, how had she not picked up on him being a werewolf. Then it made sense and her thoughts started rapidly swirling through her mind.
"That's why he misses classes every so often, he looks horrible the next day and seems more irritable before he's off." Whispering to herself, having forgotten she was with Bellatrix and then with a gasp she leaned back in her chair with horror on her face that slowly morphed into anger. "He's one of the children!" Hissing out between her teeth she turned her burning glare on the pair.
Bellatrix heard Hermione's exclamation and turned her own glare on Sirius. She could feel the anger bubbling up and was beginning to lose a grip on the limited self-control she possessed. So, he was the fool that had allowed halfbreeds and other filth into a house that belonged to their family. Bellatrix took Hermione by the wrist and dragged her back out into the cold.
"Don't move, I'm back in there. I'll be out shortly." Hermione did as she was told, standing around kicking some of the snow covered ground. That is until the one section of the Hogshead was blown apart and a raging Bellatrix was racing after Sirius who switched into his Animagus which just so happened to look exactly like the Grimm. Eyes widening as Sirius swiftly shifted back, flicking his wand at a boulder, launching it into the air and toward Bellatrix. She screamed for Bellatrix to move but the witch was hit sending her and the boulder to the ground.
"Twinkle!" Hermione was running along the path towards the boulder when Twinkle appeared with Cassiopeia in hand. "Hermione where is he?!" Pointing in the general direction, Hermione continued on her path. Cassiopeia took off for the wooded area, her target would not escape her again and this time she would make him pay.
Firing a 'Bombarda' at the boulder, Hermione was showered with the rubble as it rained down around her and the now blooded Bellatrix. The older woman sat up and coughed, wiping her hand across her mouth to clear the blood away, she staggered to her feet. "Are you alright?" Receiving a nod from Bellatrix she was once again left as the woman in question started running in the same direction as Sirius.
"Miss Black? What on earth is going on?" Hermione turned at the sound of her Professor's voice, she grimaced at the realization that she and Draco had been fooled into believing the man in front of her was a human and someone they could learn from. "Is everything alright?" He looked bewildered and she gave him no further time as she began chasing after her family.
Bellatrix soon caught up to her aunt who was now throwing spells at Sirius in rapid succession. Starting up on her previous barrage of spells, Bellatrix soon lost herself in the gratifying feeling of the dual with her stupid cousin. "Stop hiding! You stupid mongrel! Come out and fight like a Black you proclaimed to be!" Her screech had the birds scattering.
"Sirius stop behaving like this! You are dishonoring our family!" Stopping her spell fire and rest her hand over Bellatrix's she looked around. A crack of disapparition echoed around them and Bellatrix screamed out in rage; blasting a tree to splinters. "Bellatrix come we must take you back and get you healed. You're bleeding too much." Grabbing her niece around the shoulders she twisted them into their disapparition, leaving a disastrous mess behind them.
Hermione had reached the area that she assumed her grandmother and Bellatrix had been, if the destroyed trees was anything to go by. Clearly having missed them both, she headed back into the village. Using the walk as a way to settle her adrenaline and thoughts. The small amount of respect that she had once held for her Professor vanished.
She couldn't believe that the Headmaster would willingly allow a werewolf into the castle to teach. She did begrudgingly admit that she was happy to have a competent being teaching them. They were too far behind until he started teaching. She would keep it to herself, she made the decision to overlook his halfbreed status for the remaining year as she wanted to pass. It would be another story though when the end of the year came, there was no way they could keep him onboard in a school full of children.