Hi all. Just wanted to say thank you so much for your patience. It has been a really busy time since School went back and I have not had a lot of time free! This is the first of the Spring Equinox chapter that has been in my head. There is still half of the chapter to be written but I wanted to get something out to you guys as soon as I could. I hope you enjoy!
Friday 20th March - Spring Equinox
While Hermione had been going on dates with her suitors, Bernard had been working hard on the political aspect of their plans. While many of the bills being discussed were quite mundane, Bernard had made his presence known in the Wizengamot. He had already gathered a reputation as a thoughtful politician who, so far, had many traditional views but seemed to be more of a moderate than a radical.
So far he had managed to avoid making too many enemies in the Wizenagmot and somewhat unsurprisingly the ones he had made had come from the 'light' families. When he had basically repeated his argument in the Wizengamot regarding the Summer Solstice he was met by grumbles by many of the more liberal families in Dumbeldore's pocket. However, despite not being as radical as they were, Malfoy, Lestrange and others were happy to have his voice on their side at this time and he was often in their company.
It is because of both their progress that both Fawley's felt confident in their mission as they readied themselves to attend the Spring Equinox festival at Malfoy Manor. Bernard had managed to locate the shack that held the ring a few days earlier, using the knowledge Hermione gave him about the Gaunts and Riddle's Harry had shared with her. They had decided to leave it there for the time being as they assumed it was close to where Voldermort was at this time in History and didn't want to raise suspicions. They were happy to know the location of the shack and would leave the ring till last.
They were already planning on retrieving the Diadem soon. After allowing their presence to become accepted, they would arrange a tour of Hogwarts with Dumbeldore or McGonagall and seek the horcrux, but they knew they would have to wait until the summer so that no students could see them in the castle.
With no knowledge of where the cave may be and knowing that the locket wasn't even in play yet, they were focusing their attention on the horcruxes closest to them. The cup and the diary. While at the Manor tonight they were both going to subtly cast the Magical Signature spell to try and locate their first horcrux and come up with a plan on how to retrieve it.
Hermione wore a long sleeved honeysuckle dress that had been charmed to move as if the wind was dancing around her. The dress had an intricate pattern of lavender coloured flowers and silver peony coloured leaves wrapping around it. Her hair was braided into a complicated celtic braid that had flowers threaded in and out of her brown hair. Wearing a crown of primroses and completely bare foot, she was the image of a Woodland Queen.
'You look simply divine my daughter. You are every bit as beautiful as your mother.' Bernard commented as he walked into the drawing room where they were to take the floo.
Bernard was dressed in a peapod coloured robe with silver and blue curacao images of trees. He carried a staff to honour the old mages and a matching wizards hat.
Hermione noticed her father's expression drop slightly at the mention of her mother. He had done so well to focus on Hermione and their plan that the pain of his lover had been put aside, but he still missed her dearly. Walking across to him and placing a hand on his cheek she smiled lovingly at him.
'Do not worry Father, we will find her when the time is right. She is safe, we know, at least for the next few months. We have Bosey (another of their house elves) watching the Granger house. He will let us know when I arrive there and he will alert us and find your love.'
He smiled back at her and nodded.
'You look incredibly handsome as well tonight father. A powerful vision of a woodland mage! Merlin himself has come back to us' She teased.
Bernard laughed and gave her a hug.
'Thank you daughter. I am so glad you came when you did, you took me out of my pit of despair and have given me purpose.'
Releasing each other from the hug, Bernand reached for the floo powder.
'Shall we?'
Hermione nodded and followed her father through the floo to Malfoy Manor, hopeful to make a significant move against the Dark Lord.
They were greeted by Dobby in the entrance hall and were led to the main ballroom of Malfoy Manor. Instead of walking into a ballroom the Fawleys walked into a forest. The ballroom had been completely transformed and was simply beautiful. Completely opposite to the Forbidden Forest, this was like a dream. The ceiling had been charmed to display a warm sunny day, the grass was lush and green and felt marvellous between her toes. The trees were waving as if a gentle breeze was blowing through. There was a small creek running through the middle of the room that was only ankle deep and would be easy to walk across. Small bushes and woodland creatures were seen throughout the area and soft music could be heard. Flying amongst the trees were real fairies who were playing with one another. Hermione's breath caught at the site. Magic was truly amazing.
She had read up on all she could on the pureblood festivals and had already grown to appreciate them, but now, seeing the beauty of this place and the joy this room gave her, she truly accepted them. She couldn't understand how anyone would want to get rid of this magnificent sight.
'Lord Fawley, Miss Fawley, welcome to our Spring Equinox Festival for this year!' Abraxas Malfoy approached and warmly greeted the two of them, holding a goblet with some sort of drink in his hand.
Hermione curtsied in greeting as Bernard and Abraxas walked over to some of the other men in attendance as Narcissa came rushing over.
'Hermione! I am so glad you came. You look simply amazing, Rabastan and Regulus are going to be fighting over themselves to talk to you tonight!' Narcissa laughed heartily as she circled Hermione, admiring her outfit.
When Narcissa stopped circling her, Hermione finally managed to get a look at her and again could not deny the beauty of the woman in front of her.
Her long golden hair was also done in a beautiful celtic knot with hundreds of Crocus', Daffodils, Hyacinths, Primroses, Magnolias and Rhododendrons throughout. She wore a powdered blue dress that stopped just at the ankles showing off her delicate feet. Across her dress were images of new life, eggs, bunnies and flowers in new stages of growth. Colours of melon, coral, pale dogwood and sweet lilac stood out perfectly on the blue. She too wore a crown of flowers, but hers was made of snowdrops.
'You look like the queen of spring itself Narcissa, you are truly stunning.' Hermione replied truthfully. The two young women smiled warmly at each other and embraced happily. They had grown close over the last month and genuinely enjoyed each other's company.
'Come, let us see the rest of the girls!' Narcissa giggled excitedly and dragged Hermione over to the girls who were standing beneath a particularly beautiful tree laughing amongst themselves.
'Hermione!' they cried happily. The women had also accepted her quickly and they all soon dispensed of their formal titles when amongst each other's company.
After greeting each of her new friends and admiring their dresses, Hermione was approached by Bellatrix, who until this point had not spoken to Hermione since the dinner they shared at the Lestranges.
Bellatrix wore the same style dress as the other women, with ankles showing and bare feet gliding across the grass, but hers was a lapis blue, much darker than the colours the other women were wearing, but still a spring colour. Her celtic knot was less pronounced with Bluebells and Deadly nightshade weaved into it. Her dress had the image of a proud doe in a strong kale and a fox in hemlock and her crown made up of ivy, hop and violets. Her black hair and pale skin matching each aspect of her outfit. She was every bit as beautiful as her little sister.
After greeting the other women, Bellatrix turned to Hermione, 'Miss Fawley, would you take a walk with me?'
A quick look towards her new friends let Hermione know what she already suspected, this was an unusual occurrence.
'I would be delighted Mrs Lestrange, lead on.' as they walked away Hermione decided to take a risk and linked her arms with Bellatrix. Not only was it showing Bellatrix that she was open towards her, but would hopefully signify to others that they were in a conversation and didn't want to be disturbed.
'You look beautiful tonight Mrs Lestrange. I must say, I admire your colour scheme, I think it is excellent.' Hermione commented as she linked arms.
Bellatrix turned to look at her with a look to see if she could sense deception, clearly finding none she smiled, ever so slightly, and replied. 'Thank you Miss Fawley, you as well.'
'Oh please, call me Hermione. I insist.'
'Then you must call me Bellatrix.'
'Gladly!' Hermione said brightly as they walked past a doe and her fowl. Hermione looked around in such awe at the magic on display.
'I must say you intrigue me Hermione. I was expecting another version of my sister Narcissa and her friends when I was invited to your coming out ball. Your comments at dinner a few weeks ago were... Enlightening.' Hermione could tell that Bellatrix was trying to keep an even voice but she could hear the curiosity coming through and could sense a nervous energy from the witch, was it… excitement? Either way her actions were a far cry from the cackling mad witch who tortured Hermione in this very house. The absurdity of the reversal in situation was not lost on her.
'While I am glad to have proven you wrong about my character, I must say I don't think there is anything particularly wrong with Narcissa and her friends. In fact, I quite enjoy their company.' Hermione replied just as evenly. She knew Bellatrix would not be a quick friendship and decided to reply in kind.
Bellatrix shook her head in frustration and turned to look at Hermione directly.
'Hermione, I do not have the time or the effort to waste on silly games. I believe that you and I have more in common than we have first realised I wish to speak plainly with you. Can you accommodate this or am I wasting my time?'
Hermione had not been expecting the conversation to take this route, and yet she was pleased that it had. There would be no games, no half truths, just straight shooting between two witches.
Hermione smiled and nodded. 'I believe I can handle that. What is it that you wish to share with me.'
Bellatrix quickly looked before leading Hermione behind a tree to ensure they were not overheard and began in a rush.
'Yes, I concede that Narcissa and her friends are fine enough, and while I respect what Narcissa is doing with her spiderweb of contacts, bribery and secrets, but she, and her friends, are avoiding true power. I am a powerful witch and I know that you are too. I felt your power when I first met you and it was confirmed to me when you spoke at my in-laws house. Narcissa is a powerful witch, as are many of her friends, but instead of wielding it we are forced to become wifes and mothers. Forever gossiping while our husbands and fathers get to make all the decisions. You and I should be heirs to our families, not used as bargaining chips to marry into another family that takes our riches. Why shouldn't I have become Lady Black and ruled the family? I am the eldest and yet it falls to Regulus? Now I know you are in a courtship with him, but he is not made to be a Head of House. He is weak, too controlled by his mother and incapable of standing for the House of Black. And why should he get to inherit all of your wealth and title as well? Are you happy to lose your place as Lady Fawley and my cousin gets it all? It is ridiculous. This male dominated world is crumbling, a War is brewing and if we play our cards right, we could ascend to its heights and make changes that will benefit us. Women can lead the way forward, not men. They have had their turn, it is ours now.'
Bellatrix's eyes were burning with a fire and was slightly out of breath after her passionate speech. Hermione had to concede that there was little she disagreed with, although she did feel annoyed about the comments about Regulus. She had felt the need to jump in and defend him but decided against it. She didn't want to show any sign one way or the other how she was feeling to anyone.
'While I cannot disagree with anything you have said, I am surprised you feel this way. From what I have gathered you are an ardent supporter of this Dark Lord. If that is truly the case and if what you said is truly how you feel, why are you following another man and not striking out on your own?'
A myriad of emotions passed across Bellatrix's face at this question. Anger. Fear. Sadness. Then even hope maybe? Or what is a stronger emotion? Hermione couldn't tell.
Eventually Bellatrix looked worn out and tired and let out a heavy sigh.
'As I said. I am intrigued by you Hermione. I feel as though we can help each other out, but I do not know if I can fully trust you yet. There are big events shaping our world even now and eventually you must choose a side. I have chosen mine, for reasons which are my own. Take some time to think about whether we can work together to achieve our goal and owl me. I will be waiting for it.'
She paused and looked back towards where the rest of the party was and sighed again, this time far heavier. Gone was the passion from a moment earlier.
'We should get back and go about this nonsense.' Bellatrix grumbled to herself.
Hermione wasn't sure why but she felt a stab of sympathy for the woman in front of her. It was clear that whatever was going on in her life was taking its toll. Hermione, for a reason she wasn't sure of, decided once again to help the person in front of her in any way she could.
Moving forward and linking her arms with Bellatrix she gave her a comforting squeeze.
'I will think on all that you have said Bellatrix. I must admit I do not know enough about this Dark Lord to make my choice. Perhaps tea at my house soon would be in order for us to discuss more?'
Bellatrix, who looked quite defeated, turned and gave a small smile to Hermione.
'You can call me Bella.'
This brought a large grin from Hermione. She was about to say more but she saw Rabatsan, Regulus and Rodolphus all approaching them.
'Will you be partaking in the ceremony tonight Bellatrix?' Hermione asked, quickly before the men approached.
A look of utter disdain appeared on Bellatrix's face and she looked at her husband.
'Not tonight.' She spat out. And with that she unlinked her arms with Hermione and walked into the crowd of those assembled, forcing Rodolphus to chase after her with as much dignity as he could.
She almost pitied Rodolphus until she saw her two suitors approaching her, both with a drink in their hands, clearly for her. She had her own problems to face.
I hope you liked the chapter and what I did with Bellatrix. I have big plans for her!