Disclaimer: I don't anything in Harry Potter. J.K owns all the characters and places.
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Sorry for the long wait – Just been through a bit of personal stuff.
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 32 - Visitor
Bellatrix and Hermione had been enjoying their time with each other for the last three weeks. Hermione was expecting Theo Nott to arrive later on in the day. Bellatrix had, had the elves prepare his room for his three day stay and allowed for Hermione to wait for his arrival in the wizarding square before bringing him back to the Villa.
Hermione was currently standing just inside the small pub that reminded her of the Leaky Cauldron; the only difference was that there were no rooms available to rent. It was long and Theo appeared inside the large hearth in a gust of ash and soot from previous travellers. "Theo!" She ran to him to give him a hug, which he happily returned. "Hi Hermione." Smiling as she pulled away from him.
"Come, let's go, Bella has prepared everything for your stay, and we are supposed to have lunch at home before heading out again. She led him outside into the square and up the main street. "So, are we going to walk there or is there a place where we go to floo in?" She smiled and led to the edge of the square. "No, we'll be walking to a more discrete spot where we will find the house elf that will apparate us back to the Villa." He nodded in understanding, his eyes roving around the wizarding square in wonder. They walked past a bookstore, an animal emporium and an ice cream parlour. It reminded him so much of Diagon Alley and for a moment he forgot he was in Russia.
Finding the house elf, Hermione allowed the little creature to take hold of her arm and then Theo's. She checked to make sure the two were secure before disapparating from the hidden cove. Seconds later they arrived inside the Villa's entrance hall. "Come, I'll show you to your room." Theo followed Hermione down the small hall, around the first corner before stopping outside the first door to the right. "This is your room; it has its own bathroom and you have a small outside balcony. I'll leave you to get acquainted. Just call for Ribby and he will show you to the dining room where we can have lunch or feel free to walk around and get accustomed with the house." Theo thanked Hermione before she continued along the passage to what he assumed was her room.
Bellatrix was just tying the sash of her dress around her waist when her bedroom door opened and allowed Hermione's entry. "Oh! Sorry Bella, I didn't think you'd be busy. Should I come back?" Bellatrix shook her head and fastened the last piece of the sash. "No kitten, it's alright. I am done." She moved to her dressing table to begin with her daily routine, taming the wild mass of curls she was blessed with. "Would you allow me?" Hermione stood behind her, snatching the brush from her hand. "I don't suppose I have a choice in the matter now do I?" Hermione grinned in response.
She parted her hair into smaller sections and began to brush them out. Delicate movements were all Bellatrix felt as Hermione brushed through the knots. She could feel that Hermione was attempting to style the hair but wasn't have much luck with her idea. When Hermione had finished, Bellatrix was surprised to see that most of her curls had been pinned to top of her head with the rest running down her back like a tail. She had to admit that it looked beautiful.
"Thank you kitten, it looks beautiful!" Hermione went a bit pink in her cheeks but smiled in appreciation of her work. "You're welcome. I think I could get used to seeing your hair like this, it's attractive." Her cheeks went a dark shade and Bellatrix felt a warmth spread in her chest. Standing up to face Hermione completely she placed a delicate kiss to the girl's cheek. Taking her hand in her own, she led her from the bedroom and toward the dining room.
After lunch the trio took a trip to the vast mountain range in search of some rare ingredients for a potion that Bellatrix had been asked to assist with. Although she wouldn't say who was needing help, she did allow them to explore the dark eerie forest. "Nott junior." Theo turned to Bellatrix, "Yes Ms Black?"
"Has your father been teaching you?" Hermione rolled her eyes good naturedly at Bellatrix. "Yes, ma'am he has been, told me before I left that I must be prepared for anything when it comes to you." She raised her brow at him. "Did he now? What does he think I'm going to do to you?" Hermione giggled but didn't say anything when Theo shot her a nervous look.
"Uh, well, Ms Black he didn't say but I promise he has taught me about the Dark Lord and has said that his return is soon." Bellatrix looked thoughtful, turning to the underbrush near a tree stump to collect an illuminated pixie cap mushroom. "Did he mention if anyone in particular knew where the Dark Lord was or is hiding?" Theo looked around the tree in search of the iridescent toadstool mushroom. "No Ms Black, he just said that he'd bumped in Barty Crouch junior a month back."
Inhaling sharply, Bellatrix turned abruptly and stared at Theo. "Crouch? He's in Azkaban. Surely your father is mistaken boy." Theo shrugged his shoulders. "I'm only telling you what he said Ms Black." Bellatrix glared at him for a few seconds, until Hermione placed her hand over Bellatrix's arm. "I'm sorry Ms Black, I honestly don't have anything further." Hermione smiled at Theo.
"Did he say where he saw him?" Shaking his head in reply. Theo felt a creeping sense of eyes on him and turned around to see if there was anything. "What's got you interested in me Bellatrixie?" A sudden gravelly voice invaded the area around them. Theo could see a thin figure hobbling toward them from between the two large oak trees.
"Crouch. I see your last lesson in calling me that has worn off, perhaps I should teach you again." A broken laugh could be heard in response. Hermione by now was standing just behind Bellatrix, her hand gripped on the sash that sat around her waist. Theo was standing his ground, his wand aimed towards Barty.
"I didn't know you had offspring Bella." Hermione growled at his disrespect. Bellatrix didn't move or acknowledge his comment. "What? Cat got your tongue now. No matter, I merely wish to know why you're asking about me." Bellatrix shifted into her battle stance, her wand already in hand.
"Crouch, I ask about you because I have reason to believe you know where our Master is. I would like to be able to see him for myself and make sure that he is being treated correctly." Obviously not liking her reply he sent a stunner her way. Not expecting Hermione's perfectly homed in sense to pick up the spell before it'd had left his lips. Bellatrix found herself behind Hermione's body before she'd even blinked.
"Kitten, what are you doing?" Bellatrix watched as Hermione's invisible shield absorbed each of the spells that Barty had cast. Hermione could sense his next spell and shot her own back in return, thanking Morgana that Bellatrix's wand worked for her. Knowing that if the Ministry had registered her underage usage she'd be expelled. She watched as Barty landed in a heap twenty feet from where he was seconds prior.
"Hermione. My wand please. I don't need you killing my ex-student." Hermione reluctantly handing the wand back but was rewarded with a pat on her shoulder as Bellatrix walked past. Theo came to stand next to her and together they watched as Bellatrix conversed with Barty. "I wonder what they're talking about." Theo genuinely looked interested. Hermione on the other hand was angry with the man who had dared to attack them.
Bellatrix waved the two youngsters to where she stood with Barty. "Right then, proper introductions may now commence. Barty, this is Theodore Nott junior. He is visiting with us for the next three days and this is Hermione Black, my cousin and my soul mate. Hermione, Theo. This is Barty Crouch junior, a fellow Death Eater and my ex-student." Hands were shaken and greetings passed before Bellatrix invited Barty to dine with them. He readily agreed and promised to be there at the allotted time given.
When he had disapparated, Hermione turned on Bellatrix. "What was that all about Bella?" Bellatrix gave Hermione a pointed look that clearly read 'Do not ask' and she dropped it not wanting to face Bellatrix's anger. Theo walked next to Hermione and the two began chatting about school and the coming year. Bellatrix was grateful that the boy had read the situation clearly and diverted Hermione's attention, Barty was insufferable and always irritated her.
The four occupants sat together in the parlour after their meal, Bellatrix was busy discussing the upcoming World Cup with Barty while Hermione and Theo sat playing a game of Exploding Snap. "You know Bella, I think it would quite an event if you could join some of us when we terrorize the wizard folk that will be at the event." Bellatrix looked at him with a thoughtful expression, she did think it would be fun, but she didn't want to expose Hermione to anything yet.
"I do believe it would be fun, but perhaps not when I have Hermione with me, I don't think it would be fair to expose her to…" Barty threw his hands up, "Bella. Hermione is at the right age to expose her to it, hell bring the Nott boy as well, it'll be a learning experience." Bellatrix glared at him for the interruption. "Barty, let me discuss this with Hermione and if she wants to partake then we partake, if not then that's the end of it." He nodded in agreement, turning their conversation elsewhere.
Bellatrix sat listening to Barty as prattled on about his younger years, she had been thinking about speaking with Hermione before they went to sleep when Barty changed the subject again, "So Wormtail says that he reckons he's found a good place to keep the Dark Lord, although the fool forgets that I was the one that found the graveyard that houses his father's grave." Bellatrix looked at him with curious expression. "The Dark Lord said that he would require the bone of his father in order to finish the ritual he will be making to be reborn." Bellatrix looked over at the two younger members in the group and back to Barty.
"I don't suppose you'll be using the Potter boy for this are you?" Barty grinned, his rotting teeth on full display. "Oh yes indeed, he will be the main ingredient… Well, his blood will." Bellatrix nodded slowly in a sense of acknowledgement. "How will this work, is the school not going to be hosting the Triwizard Tournament." Barty gave her another grin and steepled his fingers together. "It's going to be perfect Bella. The Master has said that he will need his loyal follower, that will be me, to infiltrate the school under the guise of Polyjuice and begin planning and coercing the Potter brat to be in the tournament where he needs to win and be taken to the chosen location for the ritual. Oh Bella! Isn't it brilliant! I will be rewarded when I complete this task!"
Bellatrix glared at him and struggled to keep her temper in check. "Shut up Barty." He flashed her a final grin before jumping to his feet and wishing everyone a good evening and disappeared out the door. Hermione and Theo gave Bellatrix a questioning look before she too disappeared out the door. "Barty, I have a proposition for you." Turning to look at her, giving her his undivided attention. "What can I help you with oh dear Bellatrix?"
"Whatever you do within the castle, do not interfere with Hermione at all. You can teach her the Dark Arts if you so choose or you can duel her and train her as I trained you. Other than that, you are not to involve her in any of your shenanigans. If I find out that you did, I will slit your throat." He nodded in understanding, tipped his body into a half bow and nearly ran out of the Villa's front door.
Shaking her head at his antics, Bellatrix turned back to the parlour. She wanted to speak to Hermione, and it was already late. Coming to a stop outside the door she turned the handle to re-enter into the room when Theo was suddenly in front of her. "Sorry Ms Black. I'm off to bed, I'll see you in the morning. Goodnight." He slipped past her body shyly and disappeared. Walking back into the room she stopped for a moment, observing Hermione as she knelt to pick up one of the fallen cards.
Bellatrix cleared her throat softly to gain the girls attention, "Kitten, I must speak with you about the World Cup." Moving to sit down on the couch she patted the spot next to her. Hermione sidled up to Bellatrix and with a delicate movement placed her head on Bellatrix's lap. Turning her upper body slightly so that she was facing Bellatrix instead of the fireplace. "What do you want to discuss, Bella?"
"Barty informed me that there are few of the Dark Lords supporters who are wanting to have some fun by terrorizing the World Cup goers. He thought that you and Nott would enjoy it by joining in on the festivities, I said that I would speak to you and if you wanted to you could join, if not, he was to drop the subject." Hermione felt as Bellatrix's nimble fingers absently scratched at her sculp before running through her hair, a soothing feeling that had her snuggling in closer to Bellatrix's body.
"I'm not sure if I want to be at risk while I'm still in school. It would be different story if the Dark Lord had already returned and was well on his way to securing our world for the better." A hum rumbled through the body she was leaning on. Hermione couldn't and wouldn't put herself at unnecessary risk just for the fun of terrorizing civilians. "I'm not about to risk my education or my standing right now, when my arm shows my loyalties to the cause, then I will do what is needed. Until then, I am going to pretend I didn't hear this conversation."
Bellatrix chuckled and looked down at Hermione with sparkling eyes. "You are going to be formidable my love and I look forward to when we can work together." Hermione chuckled in return, she too couldn't wait for the day they could rip a hole in the light side and destroy their hope. Lifting her hand to the fading firelight, she watched as they black diamond in her ring glinted. Bellatrix took hold of her hand and brought her knuckles to her lips. She placed feather light kisses to each knuckle all the while staring intently into Hermione's dark eyes.
"You know Bella, I don't say this all that often, but I love you." Bellatrix gave her an ear to ear smile in return. Hermione knew that one day they would explore a more romantic avenue in their lives, and she couldn't wait. She also knew that Bellatrix respected her in allowing her to be a young lady, but tonight she wanted more than anything to be able to place a kiss upon the dark red lips that belonged to her beautiful fiancé.
Bellatrix was so busy observing how the fire illuminated Hermione's eyes and pale features, she had missed the mischievous glint that flashed through said eyes. She was enjoying their intimate moment, a small peaceful bubble that consisted of just her and her bond mate. Before her brain registered what Hermione was doing, she felt a pair of soft lips connect to her own. After a few moments they were gone, and her vision was filled with a blushing face and small smile.
Rolling her eyes at the young witch she gave her a smile in return. "You know kitten, people might believe me to be a cradle snatcher if they were to see you or me kissing each other while you're underage." Lifting her chin in an air of haughtiness, Hermione sniffed disdainfully. "Well my dear, I shan't care on what the filth or the rabble think, if they can that is. If I choose to place a kiss upon the lips of my fiancé I shall." Bellatrix chuckled and pulled her face into an ugly expression, "And there ain't nuttin' they can do 'bout it!" Hermione's eyes widened at Bellatrix's horrible impression of a high pitch cackling witch from the muggle story books before she burst into a fit of giggles.
Bellatrix laughed along with Hermione as the two attempted multiple different expressions and voices for the remainder of the evening, their laughter could be heard around the house. Before long, Hermione started to feel tired as did Bellatrix. She went to stand up but was stopped by a pair of hands wrapping around her waist, "Bella?" Not receiving a response except to be pulled back onto the couch, Hermione gave Bellatrix a questioning look. Her only answer was Bellatrix giving her a kiss, not her usual peck and nothing more intimate, just a firm kiss to her lips.
"Goodnight my kitten." Hermione's cheeks blossomed with a rosy tint. "Goodnight Bella. Love you." Bellatrix allowed her to stand and watched her walk to the door and just before she moved out of sight, the soft sound of voice was heard. "Love you too 'Mione." Hermione's heart filled with warmth; a large smile etched upon her face as she disappeared from the room.