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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 30 - Russia with Love
Hermione was sitting amongst her peers in the common room, she'd chosen to do her homework in their den than inside the library. It felt different and a lot noisier, but she found it quite comfortable. Daphne sat across from her, her quill scribbling away on her Ancient Runes homework while Hermione sat with her Arithmancy assignment.
"Hermione could you help me with this. I'm having a hard time deciphering the rune for health and energy." Daphne looked up from her parchment and found Hermione nodding. She slid down to the floor and joined Daphne at the table.
"The health rune is combined with the 'lake' rune for the flowing of your magic and is then joined by the 'thorn' rune twice, first added for the pain that comes with healing and then a second time inverted to allow for the pain to leave when being healed. Make sense?" Looking at Daphne she saw the girl scribbling notes with a smile. "Yes, thank you Hermione." Smiling at her classmate, Hermione continued with the second issue she was facing.
"Now the rune for energy is a bit more complicated. It begins with an inverted 'ash' rune, which opens the body or earth for new energy. It is then combined with the 'ride' rune this is for when the energy begins to flow, it can be powerful, so a precautionary rune 'torch' is placed just below the energy rune. The 'torch' rune allows for the excess energy to be burned into the ground itself regardless of whether or not you used it on a human or the property you are warding." Daphne was taking multiple notes as Hermione spoke and with a grateful hug, she finished her homework and began packing her stuff away.
Going back to her own assignment, Hermione managed to finish everything she needed an hour later. Packing her ink, quill and parchment away she stood and stretched her stiff legs. Noting that a lot of the students had left for the great hall already. She took her school bag to her dorm and left for the great hall herself.
She spotted Theo sitting halfway down the table and decided to join him, she wondered if he'd managed to try the spell, she'd told him about. Taking a seat next to him, she gave him a friendly smile. "Hey Theo, you good?" He nodded and grinned boyishly, a mouthful of food which made her giggle. "Sorry 'Mione, yes, I am well. How you are feeling after the incident with Potter?"
"I'm much better, Madam Pomphrey fixed me up. I'd feel loads better if the glory boy would stop trying to watch my every movement though." He cast a look over his shoulder trying to locate the Potter boy but found him to be missing. "I can take care of it for you if you'd like?" She felt honored that he would offer but she knew that, that wasn't an option.
"Thank you, Theo, but no, we cannot kill him." He gave her a 'are you daft' look and she felt her cheeks redden, "You mean…?" he nodded. "I won't kill him; a serious injury can happen during Quidditch." Shrugging his shoulders, he gave her a lopsided smile.
"You're too sweet, if I wasn't already bonded, I'd ask my grandmother to send you a proposal." They shared a laugh at her statement. "Too bad, even if you weren't, I'm already intended for another." She feigned a shocked expression. "I'm not good enough?" he gave her a look "Never." They burst into laughter again and resumed their eating.
"What will you be doing over summer, 'Mione?" placing her knife on the side of plate before answering, Hermione looked at Theo. "Bella is taking me to Russia, we're going to stay at one of the smaller Villa's in outskirts of Siberia. What about you?"
"Father wants to travel to France, so I think we're going to be there until I need to come back for Fourth Year. Maybe if Ms Black doesn't mind, you can come visit or I can come visit you?" Hermione smiled and gave him a nod. She'd speak with Bellatrix later and would let Theo know. "Is Draco going with you?"
"No, but I will be seeing him for the Quidditch World Cup and then I'll spend the remaining two days of summer with him." Theo had finished with his desert and so turned to straddle the bench; he allowed his eyes to rove the room. "Why don't you ask your Father if he'll let you stay at Draco's and come with us when we head to King's Cross?"
Looking back to Hermione, he smiled. "That's a good idea actually, I know we'll be at the World Cup as well, so maybe we can discuss it with Lord Malfoy." Hermione nodded at this and motioned for them to leave the hall. Theo stuck his elbow out and allowed Hermione to place her hand in the crook. Together they headed back to their common room.
The last day of the school year was in full swing, students were busy with their last classes which was only consisting of revision. Some were busy with their last assignments before their next classes. Hermione and Draco were doodling on their parchments while Professor Snape tested their knowledge on the potions that he had taught them throughout the year.
Draco was just finishing his modification to the image he'd drawn of Potter being struck by lightning when the parchment was suddenly turned to ash before his very eyes. "I would appreciate it if you would pay attention Mr Malfoy. I do understand that it is the last day, but you are no above reproach in my class." Looking up sheepishly he pulled a fresh piece of parchment from his bag and began taking notes. Professor Snape walked away and continued to speak and ask questions.
"Mr Malfoy as you have yet to answer a question. What are the ingredients for the Confusing Draught?" Draco set his quill down before answering, "Scurvy Grass, Lovage and Sneezewort, sir." Nodding he moved away, sighing in relief he turned to face Hermione who was trying not to laugh.
"What are giggling at 'Mione?" Draco was trying to whisper but it caught the attention of their Professor again. "Mr Malfoy, what is it that you and Miss Black cannot wait until after class to discuss?" The Gryffindors were watching with amusement etched in their faces.
"Nothing sir." Professor Snape's brow lifted, "Then refrain from your incessant need to gossip in my class." Draco nodded and put his down. "Miss Black see to it that you do not encourage him. I have just been freed of your presence every night; I would hate to have you back in detention as soon as the new school year begins." A pink tint blossomed over her cheeks and she nodded as well.
As soon as class was done, Hermione and Draco burst into a fit of giggles. "Sorry for getting you into that situation Draco." He chuckled and shook his head at her, "Never mind 'Mione, it was both of our faults. We're going to give him grey hairs early if we not careful and I do have to see him at the odd dinner that Father invites him too." Hermione placed her hand over her heart, "Oh you poor thing, perhaps Bella and I should sneak you away." He laughed and shoved her shoulder. "Rubbish, I do enjoy my godfather's presence, how else do you think I pass my grades."
"Speaking of which, you remember I told you that I got my month's detention with Professor Snape?" Draco nodded. They weaved their way through the first years, heading to their Herbology lesson. "Well, my grandmother was rather upset with him threatening me. She did get his letter, responded to it and then she sent me one." Winding their way down the path that led to the greenhouses, Hermione looked around to make sure they wouldn't be overheard.
"Well Grandmama said 'should that halfblood so much as threaten you again, you are to inform me, and I will deal with him.' I can only imagine that she threatened him with something harmful, he hasn't done or said anything that would cause him trouble. I'm happy either way." Draco pushed the door open and allow her entry first before following. "Well either way, he should be careful. Father did warn him about yours and Bellatrix's tempers." She gave him a triumphant smile and he rolled his eyes.
Professor Sprout began their lesson revision much the same as Professor Snape had; taking notes revising on their past work and then she began with her questioning. Hermione was making notes and Draco was answering a few questions. Professor Sprout continued checking with the class and then called on Hermione for her next set of questions.
"Miss Black. Which plant is found in Europe and Asia, has green leaves and stems and has pink flowers?" Hermione looked up and responded, "Valerian Professor." Professor Sprout nodded and then fired off the next question. "What are they used in?" Hermione tapped her quill against her table trying to recall.
"The sprigs are used in Forgetfulness Potion, Sleeping Draught, Fire-Breathing Potion and Treacle Fudge…" The Professor smiled and waited to see if she could name anything more. "Oh yes, its root is also used in Draught of Peace, Draught of Living Death and then the Root extract is used in medicine and a sedative used for insomnia." She received a large smile and ten points for her house. Draco was making a show of pretending to clap his hands. She stuck her tongue out at him and he grinned.
It was later in the evening and Hermione was seated alongside Draco and Theo. Above them hung the Gryffindor flag. "Old codger is really biased, isn't she?" Theo mumbled while glaring at the happy Minerva McGonagall, "You forget the manipulations of the old git next to her." Hermione groused.
Draco was glaring at someone across the hall, "Potty needs to find something else to look at. I'll hex him right now if he doesn't look away." Hermione looked in the same direction as Draco and saw that Potter was indeed staring, "What's he staring at me for?" Draco shrugged and continued to glare right back. "It's rather unwelcomed, perhaps we should hex him. Theo you interested in sending a nasty good-bye to a certain Gryffindor?" Looking at Theo she saw him nodding.
"Excellent, shall we say right after the feast or tomorrow on the train?" Draco cocked his head to the side in thought, "How about both?" Hermione looked at Theo with an evil grin. "You are going to make Lord Nott happy with that way of thinking." Draco clapped him on the shoulders and smiled.
"I do like the way you think, now how are we going to get him alone…" Hermione raised her brow, "Really Draco, alone? If he's with others it's better, that way we won't be seen as the attackers." The three Slytherins continued to chat a bit before the Headmaster stood and began his farewell speech and then smiling brightly, he announced the winners of the House Cup. "Congratulations Gryffindor House."
The great hall erupted into loud shouts of excitement and applause, hands shaking and grins on hundreds of students faces showed their joy. "Biased!" Hermione shouted loudly and many heads nodded in agreement from her fellow Slytherins. Professor Snape watched as Hermione Black jumped to her feet exclaiming that Gryffindor House winning was due to bias from their Head of House and Headmaster. He could see Bellatrix when she did the same thing years back when he was only a first year and she a seventh, also screaming that it wasn't fair due to biased views. It sent a shudder down his spine at the likeness of the two.
Finally, the Headmaster allowed the students to disperse from the hall and the three Slytherin's saw their chance. Hermione hid behind a statue that was nearer to the stairs while Theo and Draco hid behind the one-eyed witch statue to keep a look out and hit Potter with their minor hexes. They didn't have to wait too long before he emerged with the two Weasley's. Happily chatting together about their upcoming break.
Draco and Theo shot twin stinging hexes at Potter's legs, he cried out in pain and shock. Spinning around to see who had hexed him, he caught the attention of the Weasley's, "What's up mate?" Ron asked. "I felt something stinging my legs." He continued to look around trying to find the source of his pain.
"Maybe some firsties playing around, don't worry mate." Ron thumped his back and together they made their way toward the stairs. Right into Hermione's trap. Ginny stepped onto the stairs without incident as did Ron; both walking a bit further ahead than Harry who wasn't so fortunate. Hermione whacked him with a 'Densaugeo' and watched with hidden glee as the Boy-Who-Live's teeth rapidly started to grow. She followed it through with toe-nail growing hex and her last spell to hit him was 'Obscuro' which blindfolded him. She and her two cohorts watched as he tripped and fall down the stairs with a loud yell, the two Weasley children rushing to try and assist him.
Hermione, Draco and Theo already disappeared down the stairs to their common room, all three were laughing and congratulating each other on a job well done. They sat together in front of the fire after depositing their school bags in their dorms. They played exploding snap until just past ten o'clock, Hermione heading back to her dorm to sleep before the long trip back home the next morning.
Hermione hurried along the train's passages, she'd nearly missed the last carriage and had, had to hurry to get to it. Finally, being able to board the train without further delay, she took to moving rapidly down the passages to get to the compartment that housed Draco and Theo. She bumped into Dean Thomas, "Watch it mudblood!" she spat when he made no move to get out of her way.
She managed to shove him out of her way and continue on her path. She saw the last compartment at the end of the train and quickly slid into it, sealing the door. Turning her eyes to her cousin and friend she smiled, "Nearly missed the train." Draco chuckled and Theo sucked his cheeks in and pulled a funny face, "I couldn't wake up, had to much of a good dream." She laughed.
Smirking boys looked at her and she realised what she said, "Was Bellatrix in it?" Theo said with a Cheshire cat grin. "I bet she was." Draco looked at Theo with a smirk. Hermione was blushing furiously at their taunts. "Look at how she's blushing." Theo chuckled. Hermione went even redder and then giggled.
"Shut up!" Draco and Theo burst into laughter and she harrumphed, throwing her arms in the air before crossing them over her chest with an evil glare at them. "You wait until you have dreams of your intended's, I'll cackle with glee too!" They laughed even more. She conjured a pillow and walloped them both across the head. Smugness evident when they rubbed their sore heads.
"What did you have in there, books?" Theo whined. Hermione just smiled. Pulling her legs up onto the seat, she placed the pillow across her thighs; resting the exact book she'd hit them with, atop the pillow. Draco and Theo settled with a rematch of chess; the compartment fell into a comfortable silence.
Halfway through the journey, Hermione had passed out. It left Draco and Theo to their own devices and they headed out the compartment, placing a few spells over it to keep others out while Hermione slept. Both boys headed down the narrow passage in search of the Gryffindors they loved to torment.
The train arrived at King's Cross just as the sun had set. Hermione was gathering her belongings from the compartment. She placed her Slytherin scarf around her neck and smiled at the boys. "You two take care. Theo, if I don't see you while I'm in Russia then I'll see you at the World Cup." Giving her a hug each before they grabbed their own scarves and the three departed the train.
She was collecting Ara and her trunk when she felt a hand brush across her loose locks, a smile etched on her face as she turned around and found Bellatrix smiling. "Bella!" Throwing her arms around Bellatrix's neck she felt her lips press firmly against her head. "Hello my kitten. You ready to go?" Nodding she took hold of her trunk and Ara's cage. Bellatrix wrapped her arm around Hermione's waist and with a quick glance around the platform she disapparated.
Hermione felt her feet touch the ground a few seconds later. Opening her eyes, she was met with a large property filled with hundreds of creaking trees. A smaller version of the Manor at Black Estate stood regally atop a small hill. Hermione's eyes were shining with happiness, she turned to face Bellatrix who wore a large grin. "Welcome home kitten." Hermione wrapped her arms around Bellatrix's waist with an excited squeal. "Come love, let's head inside and settle in." Bellatrix left her right arm around Hermione's waist as she led her toward the Villa.