Hello, my freaky darlings, thank you for all the lovely reviews fanfiction would not let me respond to. Warning this chapter has some darkness towards the end. Not nice things are going to happen to one of our characters, sorry, not sorry.
Chapter 59
Hermione borrowed Harry's mirror to speak with Sirius. "What's on your mind, kitten?"
"It's time to stop playing with Lord Nott. Have Remus and Dad draw up something sensible and get him to sign it."
"Why the sudden change of heart? I thought that was the last thing we wanted."
"He's getting desperate. I'd rather sign something sensible, than get trapped by archaic laws no one follows, but still exist."
Realization bloomed across his face, then blossomed into horror. "Oh, fuck, kitten. That would not be good." He scrubbed his face with his hands. "We'll have it sorted before Christmas break, love."
"Thanks, Padfoot."
By the end of the week both Theo and Hermione received a summons home. "That was fast." remarked Draco.
"Hmmmm?" Hermione continued working on her essay.
"I said, that all got arranged rather fast."
"Lord Nott thought to remove the notion of betrothal and engagement from the equation entirely."
"Oh."
"Yes, oh."
For the first time in a long time, Hermione followed orders on how to dress to the letter, even down to her jewelry. Narcissa explained the importance of displaying expensive gifts from both her houses, her suitor, and her signet ring. "The independent witnesses need to be able to instantly recognize the wealth and esteem of your family. Theo will be similarly dressed to impress. Even Sirius will be dressed as Lord Black, not however he dresses most days."
Narcissa's statements proved accurate, though instead of formal robes, Sirius chose a frock coat, vest, and tie. Theo dressed similarly, displaying the cuff links and tie tack from Hermione rather prominently. The young lady in question wore a pale blue silk dress, lined with black piping at the hem and ends of her three quarter sleeves. One hand sported her signet ring, the other the family ring Lucius gave her that first night. Her bracelet came from House Malfoy, her earrings from House Black. Her necklace had once belonged to the previous Lady Nott. Thoros nodded his approval at the sight of her selection.
All parties met at the Ministry. Walden MacNair and Lord Avery stood as in the impartial witnesses. The bored looking clerk snapped to attention when the august group entered the office. "How can I assist you, my lords?" He attempted to be subtle as he looked around for his supervisor. Thoros glared, Lucius smirked, clearly amused, and Sirius rolled his eyes.
Sirius stepped forward, "We are here to register a betrothal between Hermione Celeste Malfoy, scion of House Black, and Theodore Hadrian Nott, scion of House Nott." He handed the clerk the papers.
The clerk nodded, this, this he could do. He produced the quill and ink pot. If he was surprised that Theo and Hermione also signed the agreement, he made no sign. As soon as all the signatures were on the parchment he stamped it so fast, Hermione barely saw him move. He had the group finished and out to door at record speeds.
"Very efficient fellow." Lucius joked. He turned to the witnesses, "MacNair, Lord Avery, thank you for joining us." They nodded their acknowledgment and returned to their days. "Join us for lunch, Thoros?"
"Certainly." He watched with amusement as Theo offered Hermione his arm to escort her through the ministry, glaring at a few of the younger officials who risked ogling the comely witch.
The conversation eventually turned to the missing purebloods, several had gone missing beyond the original two graduates that never returned from Hogwarts. It seemed numerous recent graduates had vanished without a trace. No amount of searching had located them. The adults vocalized numerous theories and commiserate over the idea of missing heirs and the stress that could bring on so many levels. "Remind me to avoid playing poker with Black for money." Lucius remarked later. "He is vanishing them left and right, but there he sat commiserating with Nott Sr, like butter wouldn't melt in his mouth.
"He sees it as his greatest prank to date." Narcissa smiled.
"Who all has gone missing?" Hermione asked.
"I'm not sure who you would know, my treasure. Most of them are older than you. I suppose you might know some of their younger siblings. We're not even sure if all of them went into hiding with Sirius." Narcissa assured her. "But most are from Death Eater or dark aligned families."
Hermione took advantage of the brief trip home to collect accessories to match her formal outfit for the Yule Ball. Narcissa insisted on a quick Christmas shopping trip, where Hermione replenished her make up kit.
Sunday night they flooed back to the castle. Monday morning the nifflers disguised as teenage girls descended the second they saw her, thinking Theo had gifted her with an engagement ring. "Sorry to disappoint, only a betrothal agreement, not an engagement, nothing special." Quickly their attention died, turning to the more exciting upcoming Yule Ball. Similar to last time, 4th years and ups were invited automatically. Third years could attend if invited by an upperclassman. Otherwise the younger years were having their own Christmas themed party the same night. The Express would take them home the next morning.
Tracy let the decoration theme slip, and Hermione intended to use that information. The planning committee decided on an ice and snow look, using lots of whites and pale blues. She convinced Tracy to go with a rich amethyst hued gown. Herself, she selected a bright sapphire colored halter dress to showcase Calla Nott's necklace.
Harry solved his vulture harpy problem by inviting Luna Lovegood to the ball. She was delighted to accept. Tracy invited Maxamillian Burke, a polite 6th year. Events seemed to be perfectly in place until breakfast two days before the ball.
A large black owl swooped down in front of Pansy depositing a red envelope, which was already smoking. The poor girl didn't have time to react before it burst open and began screaming. Her father's livid voice spewed venom, causing even Ron and Lavender to wince in sympathy. "You, conniving little slag. You, greedy, hateful bitch. Begging to stay at school to win a wealthy lord as a husband, while you've been carrying on with a muggle. I found your little letters, whore. You disgusting blood traitor. You are no child of mine." Draco waved his wand to contain the explosion. Pansy stared at the ashes in horror, but only for a moment. Her mask slid back into place, and she looked down the table at Theo. He nodded back, and that was the end of things.
Most students had a wonderful night of dancing or Christmas games. Tracy and Harry couldn't help sending one another lingering looks. Pansy attempted to pretend nothing was wrong, but everyone could see her depression and desperation. And still Slytherin House hosted the perfect event. Hermione agreed with most of her friends in calling the night early on account of recent events. She smiled sadly at Theo, "I promise to make this up to you at New Years."
"Shouldn't that be my line?"
"We both know more important things are going on right now."
"I love you."
"And I you, now go see to Pansy."
He kissed her deeply. "I have no idea what you are talking about."
"Me either. Good night." He watched her slip through the portrait hole before walking away.
The next morning the festive mood of the school did not reach the Slytherin table. Most quietly ate their breakfast, looking at one another morosely. When Hermione moved to join them, Draco waved her away. Apparently, Slytherin would deal with this within itself. She nodded. She and Harry joined Luna, Neville, Hannah, and Susan on the train ride home. Hannah kept flirting with Neville, which simultaneously pleased and embarrassed the shy boy.
Halfway through the trip, Luna turned to Harry, "Now that Pansy has been found out will you and Tracy stop sneaking around?"
"Of course."
"What a minute, Potter, after all those fights, you're going to take her back?" Susan sounded affronted for him.
"We never broke up. All of this was a charade for Pansy's sake. Her dad threatened to pull her from school and marry her to a much older, possibly insane man. And I guess it also was for Draco's sake, so he could get to know Fay. And maybe Neville's, we're the only remaining scions at school within marrying age. "
"Thanks, mate."
"Yeah, next time, you're taking one for the team." Harry told them. They all laughed.
Later, when questioned by the aurors, everyone remembered seeing Pansy Parkinson embark on the train, no one could recall her disembarking at Platform 9 ¾. And she definitely did not return home.
Niall Parkinson stormed through the ministry on almost a daily basis, demanding something be done, making a nuisance of himself and greatly annoying everyone. "I'm relieved Pansy insisted on using pet names, and never referring anyone by actual names, even if she called me Snuffles." Sirius briefly glared at Harry.
Lucius rolled his eyes, "Riddle demanded we call Pettigrew Wormtail to torment him with his choice to betray his friends. Anyone who did not know about your little nicknames before, certainly did after that. The name Padfoot in those letters would have jogged memories."
"Why did she keep her letters?" lamented Dudley. "She knew she was in way more danger than I would be."
"Romance." Hermione replied. "I think on some level she feared that her father would win, she'd be married to someone she didn't love, and wanted to have your letters to remember a time when someone truly loved her." Narcissa nodded her agreement.
"Is there any way I can write to her or see her, or would that put her in danger?" Dudley asked.
"We can get the occasional message to her, but not constant letters. We don't want to draw too much attention to those helping us, and have someone connect the dots." Sirius explained.
The family sprang in the Christmas season, attending numerous events, some enjoyable, others social minefields that left them exhausted. "There is only so much idle chit chat and small talk you can engage in with people you just saw." Hermione complained to Harry, rubbing her sore feet. "Be grateful Sirius refuses most of those invitations."
"He fears the circling of the vulture harpies. Even though he made you his heir, someone them still see his vault as something to be obtained and spent."
"Maybe someday he'll find someone who really loves him for him."
"Yeah, though, I think Moony's going to propose to Tonks soon."
"I really hope so. They are so cute together."
Christmas morning a pink haired witch ran into the dining room of Malfoy Manor, squealed something excitedly to Hermione, waved the back of her left hand in her face, then ran about out. "What in the world was that about?" Lucius asked in an amazed voice.
"If I had to guess based on the evidence, Remus proposed this morning and Tonks has accepted. I mean, I could be wrong, but I don't think Sirius is into the marrying your cousin thing." They laughed.
Sirius made the official engagement announcement at the Christmas party. Remus followed with the announcement that neither of them wanted a long engagement, they intended to wed the day before the teens would return to Hogwarts. Both Narcissa and Andromeda immediately protested that was not enough time to plan a wedding.
"And that's the reason right there." Tonks whispered to Hermione. "My advice is to elope."
"Yeah, right, would like the list of people who would hunt us down, annul that marriage and demand a real wedding?"
Tonks looked at her, "Good point."
"Congrats on marrying Remus, and getting to avoid the horse and pony shows."
"Thanks. I expect you to be my bridesmaid."
"Really?" she exclaimed."
"Of course, who else would I ask?" Hermione hugged her enthusiastically. "Can I take that as a yes?"
"Yes, a hundred times, yes."
"And you'll help me avoid wedding planning?"
"To the best of my ability."
"Moody's wedding present is scheduling me every day until the wedding under the guise of getting me time off for a proper honeymoon."
"Who knew Mad-Eye Moony was such a romantic?"
"I promised to deny it to my dying day. My lips are sealed."
The Black sisters took the bride's lack of interest as permission to plan the entire event, down to every detail. When Sirius asked about it, Narcissa informed him it was a practice run for Hermione's eventual nuptials.
Draco and Lucius hoped the wedding planning would derail Narcissa's precision planning for the New Year Ball. They simply discovered her inner general. She ordered house elves and wizards about like she was planning the final invasion of a war. December 31s the manor sparkled. Decorations hung perfectly. The kitchens buzzed with food preparation. When the first guests arrived the Malfoys greeted them in the front foyer dress to the nines.
Hermione and Theo circulated the room accepting everyone's congratulations, some actually genuinely. Towards midnight, Draco dragged Theo off for a moment, and feeling warm, Hermione slipped outside to cool off.
She entered the small side garden, knowing someone had followed her out. She slid her wand from its holster. She pasted a fake smile on her face and turned. Humphrey Warrington blocked the path back into the building. "Good evening, Mr Warrington, enjoying the party?"
"You little bitch, you know full well, no one will ever enjoy anything so long as you're around to continue poisoning everyone."
He shot a stunner at her that she easily blocked. Unfortunately, that left her open to an attack from the side. Niall Parkinson cast a full body bind.
"I don't care what everyone keeps saying, you know where Pansy is. You're helping her, blood traitor."
Another figure stepped out from the shadows. "First you don't want to be my bride, now you're keeping another bride from me. Finite." Hermione took a deep breath to scream, but nothing came out. "No, no, can't have you screaming and spoiling all the fun." Rabastan Lestrange loomed over her, "Cruico." She collapsed to the ground.
Every nerve felt like they had burst into flame. Time stopped moving, he could have held her under the spell for seconds, minutes, hours, or months, she had no idea. All she knew was pain, and the relief when it ended.
"Where are our children, bitch?" demanded Warrington
"I don't know." Hermione whispered hoarsely. "I have no idea where they went."
"Crucio." The pain exploded again for an eternity.
When it stopped, Parkinson demanded, "Who took them? Or were they helped? Who helped them? Talk, you stupid whore."
"I don't know." sobbed Hermione. Weakly she attempted to crawl to her wand. Rabastan stomped on it, snapping it into three pieces.
He leered down at her, "You need to tell us what we want to know. If you do, maybe our Lord will be merciful and let you live."
"I don't know anything."
"Wrong answer. Crucio." The tall hedges absorbed her screams.
Desperate to escape, she sought a safe place behind her mental shields. The memory of meeting Neville's parents taunted her as she clung to her remaining sanity. And then it ended. For a brief moment she thought she had died, or at the very least lost her battle for her sanity. The numbing darkness receded, she felt the cold, hard frozen ground beneath her cheek.
"What in the seven hells do you think you are doing?" A feminine voice hissed, low and dangerous. Hermione felt like she knew the owner of the voice, but couldn't place it.
"She knows where they are hidden? We promised them to our Lord, who are they to defy us? They will serve him." Warrington spat out.
"And he gave you leave to torture the child of another faithful follower?"
"He ordered us to find his soldiers by any means necessary." Warrington responded. A bright light flashed over her, and she heard a crash behind her. Her female protector moved closer. Hermione managed to look above her. Bellatrix Lestrange, in full crazy indignant witch mode. Her wild curls crackled with power.
Parkinson yelled at her, "What are you doing you, crazy bitch?"
"You know, if I was your daughter I would have run away from home, too. Then again, being me, I'd probably have just killed you." He shot a spell at her that she deflected towards Rabastan with a flick of her wand. "You are annoying me. And you are going to ruin everything, you idiots." She advanced towards Rabastan. "She's going to go running to Daddy, and her brother, and her fiance and tell them what you did. That will sway them right off the fence, and into Dumbledore's arms." She shot another spell at him.
"Fuck, Bella, fuck. She can't recount anything if she's dead."
Rabastan shot a green bolt of light at Hermione. "NOOOOOOO!" Bellatrix threw herself between Hermione and the light. Her lifeless body dropped next Hermione. The younger woman valiantly pushed herself up. Rabastan was climbing to his feet. Acting on pure adrenaline, she snatched Bellatrix's wand and cast an auror level stunner, incarcerous spell, and an infinite incantatem.
Once she felt the wards fall, she tried to scream, but only managed a strangled sound. The severe shaking of her hands inferred with her ability to cast spells as the adrenaline drained from her system. After several attempts she managed to cast a caterwauling charm. An unearthly howl brought most of the guests running to the gardens as Hermione collapsed back to the ground. Lucius, Draco, and Theo rushed forward. Theo reached her first, pulled her into his arms and checking for a pulse, "She's alive."
Lucius sagged with relief, then straightened. He turned to the prone figures on the ground. "Someone summon the aurors."
"Right here, Lucius." Amelia Bones pushed through the crowds followed by Gawain Robards and several other aurors. "What on earth is going on?"
"I honestly have no idea, but these four seem to have attacked my daughter." The aurors surged forward to secure the prisoners.
"Bellatrix is dead." announced one of them.
Hermione pushed against Theo, struggling to talk. "Relax, sweet, we have you now."
"Bella saved," she whispered.
"What?" Theo leaned close to her mouth, "Try again, sweet."
"Bella saved me. Others attack. Torture."
Theo pulled back, "Bellatrix saved you?" Hermione nodded weakly. "And the others tortured you?" She nodded again, sagged back against his chest.
Narcissa covered her mouth in horror, "Torture? No."
Bones hurried over, "Cruciatus, get her to St Mungos, now." An auror levitated her. "Someone stays with her round the clock."
"Tonks and Shacklebolt." Lucius spoke up.
"Do you want to limit the visitor list?"
"Immediate family, Sirius and his two wards, and Theodore Nott."
She nodded, "Got it. Don't worry,
