A/N: Hey guys! I've decided that I will be updating weekly on Sundays. Thank you to everyone that has supported my story so far! Just a warning, this chapter gets a bit dark, but I wouldn't say it's too bad. I had a LOT of fun writing it.
After visiting the library, Hermione had two additional classes for the day: Charms and Advanced Arithmancy Studies. Neither were bad, but they were certainly dull in comparison to her DADA earlier in the day. Nothing would ever compete to the irritation and boredom Hermione received from Divination though. That was one class she would never take again.
As if thinking about her summoned the woman, Hermione saw Professor Trelawney headed towards her. The witch prayed that the woman would just leave her be and not talk about whatever might be the latest dark omen.
Hermione sighed out of pleasure when she passed the professor without issue. She yelped when a hand roughly found its' way wrapped around her wrist. The pain it caused was worse than the jinxes from Black.
Trelawney's eyes rolled back, and their whites turned a more muted color, like that of a blinded animal. Her voice took on a rough tone that alone was enough to cause goosebumps to spread across Hermione's body.
"Only that of which is broke
Can unite us all
She is her worst enemy
Overcome the past
It will be no easy feat
Acceptance is key
Otherwise doom will meet us
And our chance is lost
A bond will be her savior
She will be stubborn
Show her what love truly means
Until then we wait"
Hermione knew that under any other situation the person listening to this would bring the teller to the Department of Mysteries. Like always, Trelawney continued to spout nonsense. Hermione was just the one unlucky enough to be within her presence when it happened.
When Trelawney came to she looked at Hermione, eyes widening behind her wide rimmed glasses. "Oh sorry dear." She dropped her hand as if nothing had been out of the ordinary. Instances like that were another reason Hermione called bullocks on the professor, and divination in particular.
How could they be so unaware?
It simply didn't make sense. Hermione watched the professor walk off, back towards wherever her previous destination was. The witch continued her short journey towards the dungeon. She moved leisurely, having not been given a concrete time for her detention. To her pleasure, no Slytherin students appeared to be sulking about.
While her pace was easy, Hermione was carful to constantly keep an eye on everything around her. She hadn't seen anyone. If people weren't still in the dining hall then they were almost always in their respective common rooms around this time. Hermione hadn't checked, but when she left the library for the second time she was the last remaining student. Around this time of year that usually put the time around eight or nine in the evening.
Eventually Hermione could stall no more and she found herself facing the previously mysterious door. She'd had plenty of detentions from being friends with Harry and Ron.
It won't be anything I haven't experienced before.
Hermione tried to psych herself up. She wasn't scared of Umbridge, but it was the first time she would have a detention by herself. Her fists were clenched tightly, as was her jaw. Hermione was still staring at the ground when the door opened by itself.
"Miss. Granger, you took your time."
XXX
The day following detention went by in a blur for Hermione. She had transfiguration and potions. Simply put, she was completely and utterly numb. She didn't raise her hand in class, nor did she answer when she was called upon. McGonagal was more concerned than Snape, the latter of which sneered at her as usual.
Harry, Ron, and Ginny constantly asked questions, as did Neville occasionally. They were met with the same silence that her professors had received. Hermione knew they were worried, but she couldn't handle it. There expressions only made her feel worse.
The Gryffindors were sitting at their table in the dining hall. It was breakfast and they had about thirty minutes until DADA started. As happened the day before, the witch's classmates continued to question her out of character behavior. She had her quiet moments at times, but never to this drastic of a degree.
"Hey, are you OK?" Ginny asked for the hundredth time.
"Mione, please talk to someone- even if it isn't us," Harry tried, resorting to a slightly new approach. So far the group had only tried to get Hermione to open up to them. Ginny, who was sitting beside her, instead of her usual spot next to Harry, placed a gentle, wary hand on her shoulder. Hermione only shrugged it off while staring at her food. She hadn't even tried to eat it. Her plate wouldn't even have food on it if it weren't for Ginny.
Ron was the next person to open his mouth. "Are-" was the only words he got out before a loud slam silenced the entire dining hall. Hermione stood up, nails tight against the table. She did not pay attention to the people around her. All she could image was the night before last. Hermione did not notice the tears dropping onto the table, or the reactions they caused her friends. All she knew was that the room was entirely too tight, the whispers too loud, and the candles illuminating everything too bright.
No one could stop her as she ran out of the hall. Hermione did not hear anyone chase after her, but she also did not bother to take note of anyone's footsteps. The quickest place of solitude she could think of was the kitchen, so it is where her feet carried her.
The moment she opened the door Hermione heard an "Oof" and felt a hard body pressed against her own. They tumbled to the ground, the person beneath her maneuvering so Hermione would land on top.
"Hey, Hermione! What's the-"
Through her blurry eyes Hermione could see Tonks staring at her with the same worried expression her housemates held over the past day. Tonks quickly wrapped her arms around the younger witch, and Hermione no longer had the will to fight it anymore. The rough fabric under her eyes steadily moistened in combination with Hermione's fist weakly beating against Tonks's shoulder. The metamorphmagus tried to pull back, only for Hermione to more firmly wrap her arms around the woman. Hermione's hands clenched into the fabric of her cloak.
Tonks whispered into Hermione's ear, but it might as well have been gibberish. Everything sounded garbled, as if she was stuck under water. The more Hermione tried to listen the more her breathing picked up. She couldn't understand how it was fair to breathe so quickly and still feel like she was being strangled.
Eventually Tonks managed to get Hermione back enough so she was looking into her eyes. She pulled the brunette's quivering hand to her chest and held it there firmly. "Breathe with me, please. I do not want to have to cast a spell in order to make you calm."
Hermione focused on the chest beneath her hand. It went at a much more steady pace than her own. She shook her head, eyes wrinkling from how tightly they were closed. "I-I-I can't," she stuttered between sobs.
Tonks held her hand tighter. Her hair was a dark, muddy brown. The auror's eyebrows were pulled together, making a wrinkle in her forehead. Hermione only felt worse when she realized how distraught the woman was becoming. "Why not? I don't have to tell anyone. Please, I can see that you're hurting."
Hermione thought about it. That was all it took. An anguished scream clawed its' way out of her throat. She automatically pulled away from Tonks and crouched down, forehead against the cold held her arm protectively against her stomach out of instinct. It felt like every nerve in her body was being poked at with a white hot iron. Her brain was going to explode, Hermione was certain of it.
The two fought when Tonks tried to see what was wrong. Hermione, being in a highly emotional state of mind, and less skilled in hand to hand overall, was quickly forced into submission by Tonks. The auror pulled her cloak and now bloody uniform shirt back to reveal a single, scrawled word.
Mudblood
Hermione's eyes were saucers now. She felt bile rise in her throat and shoved Tonks to the side. The closest thing to her was a sink Nothing came out except for steaming liquid. Hermione choked on it as she began trying to breathe again. Hermione could feel her muscles beginning to relax. She wasn't getting enough air.
Tonks caught the brunette before she could touch the ground. Hermione hardly noticed that her hair was now coal black, completely void of color.
"Who did this to you?" Her voice was missing every bit of the jovial tone Hermione remembered from days before.
Hermione still didn't dare think about answering the question this time. She only shook her head and leaned back, tears now being directed down the sides of her temple. "I-I can't," she whispered, hardly audible.
The bell rang. She had DADA. Hermione tried to loosen the arms around her but failed miserably. Tonks stood, wrapping one of Hermione's arms around her shoulder.
I c-can't miss P-p-proffessor B-Black's-"
Tonks let out a sound resembling a chuckle void of humor. "I can handle her. We're getting you help."
Hermione struggled upon hearing this and adamantly shook her head. She swore she could feel her brain hitting the sides of her skull with the movement, causing even more dizziness to flood her body.
"Don't worry, I'm not taking you to Pomfrey."
The next thing Hermione knew she felt like her body was being forced through a small pipe and the kitchen turned into a swirl of brown and warm colors.
When they landed Hermione's legs failed her.
Fucking apparation.
She couldn't even marvel at the fact that it had been done on school grounds, something everyone thought to be impossible.
"Nymphadora Tonks! What in the name of-"
"It's Hermione, please just help her!"
Hermione felt herself being placed on a bed. Her arm was being examined once more. She could barely keep her eyes open. If she tried for too long then they simply overwatered.
"Who would dare-"
Tonks went into a quick replay of their most recent events. Hermione attempted to listen, but her crying was too loud to hear the other voices in the room. That is until they started to escalate.
"We can't just send her to Pomfrey. This obviously happened within the walls of Hogwarts!"
"She is the best healer around. No one-"
"Someone obviously-"
"Nymphadora Tonks, so help me, if you do not stop interrupting me-"
"IT'S HERMIONE! HOW CAN YOU ACT LIKE YOU DON'T CARE? I KNOW YOU REMEMBER HER, EVEN IF SHE CAN'T REMEMBER US! YOU DON'T FORGET FAMILY!"
"NYMPHADORA!"
"STOP CALLING ME THAT!"
Hermione heard them both take quick, deep breaths. Apparently Tonks wasn't the only one that seemed to know her.
What the bloody hell is going on here?!
"We were supposed to-"
"DON'T," the foreign voice screamed. Hermione caught onto a crack in the other woman's voice. Her tears had slowed in the commotion, making it easier for her to see. The person Tonks was arguing with had brown hair, a few shades darker than her own. Something seemed familiar to Hermione, but for the life of her she could not figure it out.
People do not forget things this big. They obviously know me. The only thing that would…
"I was obliviated," Hermione thought out loud. The other two women froze and stared at her, both wearing starkly different expression. The older of the two had her hand wrapped against her mouth, silent tears falling down her face. Tonks, her expression changed. At first it was blank, but it soon morphed into realization, and then unadulterated fury.
"How… dare? How… could you?" Her voice was quiet yet loud at the same time, emotion clear throughout. The single words spoke volumes by themselves.
"I didn't have a choice," the other woman spoke distraught. Her tears grew more rapid.
Before Tonks could blow her lid again Hermione finally found the will the speak.
"Who are you people?" Hermione got the same feeling of comfort from the older woman that she did from Tonks. It didn't make sense. She didn't even experience that with Harry or Ron.
The older woman looked down in response while Tonks stared at her expectantly. "I need to heal your arm before it gets infected."
Hermione clasped the appendage, causing more pain and warm liquid to spill forth. "No!" Her voice was a mixture of both fear and stubbornness. "I don't even know you!"
Why won't they just leave me alone?
The woman threw her head back, hands on hips, as a cry escaped her mouth.
"If you don't tell her then I will," Tonks ground out.
The woman cast a glare at Tonks that broke through her anger, causing her to wilt slightly, but the defiant look in her eyes remained.
Finally she sighed and looked at Hermione out of the corner of her eye.
"I will tell you if you let me heal you." She thought about it for a second before amending, "Better yet, I will show you."
It was too good of a deal for Hermione to pass up. Without thought she replied, "D-deal," with a slight hiccup.
"Are you missing class at all," she asked while gathering a few things out of a small cabinet. Hermione nodded and noticed a sheepish Tonks standing in the corner.
"Defense Against the Dark Arts."
The woman growled lightly before turning to Tonks. "Out of all of the teachers-"
"It wasn't my choice-" Tonks said, holding her hands up in defense.
"Go tell her," the woman ordered. Tonks looked like the wanted to argue, but the look the elder witch sent her silenced any protest she might have had. Tonks stalked of to the exit, of what Hermione realized to be a large tent.
Hermione pulled her arm out of reach. "I still don't know who you are."
The woman sighed. "You can, and used to, call me Andy."
With that Hermione was all but thrown before a blur of memories.
Andy is doing dishes when her daughter bursts through the door. She is about to admonish the girl, but is surprised to see such a wide smile on her face. Her daughter was by no means an unhappy child, but she certainly knew how to get into mischief. The smile was simply just always there, at least until she started behaving like the teenager she was.
"Mum, guess what!" Nymphadora exclaims. Andy eyes her warily, causing the girl to roll her eyes. "Why do you always think the worst when it comes to me?" The pout she wears only results in her mother becoming entertained, a small smirk now adorns her face.
"Go on, Dear. What happened?"
Andy watches amused as her daughter animatedly goes through a retelling of events.
"I saw a witch at the park! She was getting bullied. They were being bloody a-" A look from Andy causes Nymphadora to change her choice of words. "I mean they were being really rude to her. It looked like one of them was about to punch her! I was on my way over, but before I could even tell them to shove off she threw her hand out and they were shoved back!" Nymphadora punctuates her sentence by dramatically throwing her hand out.
"I've never seen anything like it, unless someone was dueling that it. It was awesome!" Nymphadora's eyes then take on a rather downcast look. "They ran away, thinking the little girl was able to do it with her force alone. What I don't understand is she looked even more scared than they were. I think she's a muggle born. She started crying and crying. I just felt so bad for her."
Andy listens with piked curiosity. After Nymphadora only sighed she urges her to continue. "Did you approach her at all? From the stories your father has told me, unintentionally using magic as a muggle born can be quite the terrifying experience."
"Of course! I couldn't just let her cry like that. At first she was really scared, but then I showed her-"
"Nymphadora Tonks, you are still a student, and only a second year at that! I know you did not practice magic outside of school grounds."
Nymphadora had the decency to look sheepish after her mother begins yelling at her. Andy was furious. "What else was I supposed to do?! I had to get her to trust me! She was so scared, I couldn't stand it. After I showed her she looked… relieved I guess. I really think she thought she was going crazy, and those other kids certainly didn't help."
Andy feels conflicted. On one hand, her daughter had cast underage magic outside of Hogwarts, but it was in order to help someone. She looks at Nymphadora, who is staring at the ground with her eyebrows pushed together. Her hair is green, and while it is a lovely shade the witch knows just how conflicted Nymphadora must feel. Andy gathers her child in her arms, and whispers in her ear, "How was I blessed with such a kind daughter?"
Andy feels a shrug beneath her arms. "I don't know. I guess I'm just awesome."
XXX
The next day Andy once again let Nymphadora go outside, but she first made the girl promise that there would be no more magic cast. She is surprised when her daughter graces her presence quicker than she usually does when playing outside. The first thing she notices was her bright yellow hair.
"I didn't do anything bad!" Nymphadora quickly says, beating her mother to the question. Andy can tell something is certainly being hidden though. "Remember the girl I told you about yesterday?"
"Mhmm," Andy replies cautiously, praying that no other laws had been broken.
"Welllllllll…" Nymphadora drags out. She disappears momentarily before she emerges with a bushy haired brunette. Her clothing seems a bit aged, as if there was not much else the girl had to wear. She pities her almost, before remembering that not everyone was able to grow up as fortunate as she had- in terms of riches that is.
"This is Hermione."
Hermione waves at her nervously before quietly saying, "I hope I'm not intruding. I can leave if I become a bother."
A kind smile forms on Andy's lips. "Of course not, Hermione. Would you like to see something cool?"
Hermione's eyes widen and she her head quickly shoots up. She then looks embarrassed by her obvious excitement and stares at the floor again. "Yes please."
Andy slowly and gently reaches forward. She frowns when the girl flinches. "I can't show you with your eyes on the ground," she says kindly. She then resumes her movements, placing a soft hand finger under Hermione's chin so she can lift it up. Andy doubts Hermione's face could get any more red if she tried.
The elder witch of the three takes her wand out of her boot and slowly moves through a very familiar pattern. "Lumos."
"Woah! It's so pretty!" Hermione exclaims, eyes wide with wonder.
Nymphadora scoffes. "So you can show her magic, but I can't?"
"Do I still have the trace on me? Am I underage?"
The pink haired witch is about to argue when Hermione cries out, "Please don't start fighting! I'm sorry!"
It was meant to be a normal mother and daughter banter. Neither of them are actually upset at the other. Andy walks towards the girl, carful not to startle her. When she is an arm's distance away Andy kneels down, bending at an awkward angle so she can look Hermione in the eye.
"Why would we start fighting?" Her heart breaks when the innocent child looses a tear, which is hastily wiped away by small hands.
"Because that's how it always starts. People get mad and then they get mean."
Andy can feel tears in her own eyes now. She wonders what such a young child had to of been through to make her so adamant on the subject. "That's how bad people behave. There are good people too, and good families. It's how we show our love sometimes."
Hermione looks up at her, and Andy could see doubt in her eyes, but there was also hope. "You promise?"
Andy sniffed and smiled sadly. "I promise." She was almost knocked down when Hermione threw her body at Andy and wrapped her arms around her neck. Andy froze at first, arms outstretched, but she soon hugged the girl back.
XXX
Two days have gone by and Nymphadora hasn't brought Hermione back yet. Andy could almost say she felt a longing for the girl's presence. They had both gotten Hermione to open up a bit. She is currently being forced to stay at a group home down the block from them. They couldn't get much out about her parents, but what Andy heard made her absolutely loathe the pair. She couldn't understand how they could hurt such a sweet child. Hermione is only eight, and it is obvious she has been through so much already.
Andy wakes up to quiet knocking at the door. She nudges her husband. "Ted, did you hear that?"
He only grumbles in response. "Probly a tree," he mumbles half awake.
Andy rolls her eyes, listening closer. After a few minutes she thought to agree with him but then she hears it again.
"There! Did you hear it that time?" When he snores pointedly she lightly smacked his chest. "Oh get up would you?" He rolls over, dragging the pillow over his head. Andy, now annoyed gets out of bed, complaining, "If I get murdered I am going to haunt you."
"Whater you ay, love."
Ted is already snoring properly before she leaves the room.
Andy walks towards the front door and peers out of the peep hole. It is dark so she can't see much, but there is a small outline. Warily she opens the door and gasps. On the other side is a dirty, tear stained Hermione. Her clothes are ripped in places and bruises litter her body. Dried blood crusts beneath her nose and fill old scrapes on her arms and legs.
Andy urges the girl in. "Hermione, dear, what happened to you?" She asks, trying to keep her voice under control. Hermione immediately begins to cry, desperately sucking in air as she goes through the story.
XXX
Hermione has been staying with the Tonks family for a month now. Her and Ted got along right off the bat, even though their meeting had been less than ideal. Nymphadora was thrilled, constantly saying it was like having a sister. After Hermione turned up in the middle of the night, Andy had called the police. They investigated the group home she was staying in and found multiple cases of abuse and neglect. Most of the children were taken into custody, but Andy begged them to let Hermione stay with her family. They agreed as long as Andy and her husband called her social worker the next day.
Andy feels bad for the person in charge of Hermione's case load. He constantly sounds exhausted, and she knows it can't be easy taking part in his line of work. He allowed Hermione to stay with the Tonks family, under the condition that they become fosters. The process was a pain, but Ted had never been good to turn down Nymphadora when she gave him her puppy dog eyes. Andy also wasn't comfortable with Hermione going anywhere else, not after what she had already been through. It had taken almost an hour to heal everything that night.
"Nymphy! Nymphy! Nymphy!"
Andy and Ted are making dinner when Hermione's voice yells from the other room. They hold in their laughter, finding Hermione's nickname for their daughter quite funny.
"Stoooooopppp!"
"NYMPHY!"
"I already told you I can't."
Andy isn't sure what they are talking about, but she can tell her daughter is becoming annoyed. She is amazed at how calm Nymphadora remains when Hermione calls her the shortened version of her name. Anyone else would have been brutally yelled at.
"BUT-"
"I can do this because I'm a metamorphmagus. It is not something I can teach. Just you wait though, when you get to Hogwarts they can teach you a whole bunch of cool stuff!"
Andy smiles at how well Nymphadora defused the situation. Having Hermione around really got her daughter to mature in her own way.
"Hey Ted?"
"Yes dear?" He asks, joy fills his features as well.
"How would you like a second daughter?"
XXX
Both of the girls started balling when Andy and Ted told them they were going to file for adoption of Hermione. The four all shared a big group hug.
Nymphadora was worried it wouldn't get approved by the time she had to leave for Hogwarts. Since Hermione was muggle born the process was all more complicated than it would usually be. Even for non-magic people it could still be a painstakingly long process.
One day Ted was at work, Hermione and Nymphadora playing around in the back door when a knock sounded on the door. Andy wipes her hands dry, finishing up on the dishes. Sometimes she finds the muggle way of doing things rather fulfilling. When she opens the door Andy is rather shocked to see Albus Dumbledore on the other side of it.
Her mouth flounders open and closed, unsure of what to say.
The man chuckles. "I apologize for dropping by unannounced, but I hear you are trying to adopt a muggle-born child."
Andy narrows her eyes. "I am, yes." She swallows deeply, trying to get rid of the lump in her throat. "I mean no disrespect, but how is that any of your concern?"
Dumbledore straightens his back. "She must follow the life she has been living."
Outrage immediately broils beneath Andy's skin. "How could you even think that? Do you know what she has been through?"
The wizard's face holds no remorse as he nods. "There is a prophecy that was made on the day of her birth. We spent the first few years of her life finding her and making sure she was the proper child. She must go through this pain in order for-"
Andy wants to strike the man down, even though it is a fight she would have no chance of winning. Her body is shaking with pent up furry.
"The adoption was denied."
With that Andy's heart breaks. Hermione has only been with her family for a short period of time, but she has truly become a member of the family. Andy had not thought she could love anyone else as much as Ted and Nymphadora, but Hermione proved her wrong.
"I am sorry, but the ministry simply cannot allow it. Her social worker will be meeting me to pick her up in thirty minutes. How much does she know about the magical world?"
Andy feels tears drip down her cheeks as her heart begins to shatter. Her silence is all Dumbledore needs.
"She will need to be obliviated of any memories she has in reference to magic then."
Andy immediately takes a step closer, hand outstretched. "You can't! It is what brought her to us!"
"Then she must forget all of you."
Andy's shattered heart is now broken. It has been clawed out of her chest, thrown on the ground, and brutally stepped on.
In the end, Andy twists the tale slightly, telling Nymphadora that Dumbledore would simply be the one taking Hermione to her new home. The witch leaves out the part about the prophecy, telling her that the adoption hasn't been accepted. Nymphadora is completely distraught, and it only causes Andy's feelings to worsen. Andy holds her daughter as Dumbledore silently casts the obliviation curse on Hermione. She holds her until a cloudy eyed Hermione follows Dumbledore back into the house. When the front door closes her cries can be held in no longer.
Hermione couldn't hold herself up when the memories faded into nothingness. She fell back and sunk into the mattress, tears flowing past the dam that was held together by her eyelids. Her wounded arm was carelessly slung over the side of the bed. Andy watched her with just as much sadness as Hermione could see when she was taken away by Dumbledore.
What fucking prophecy? The one Trelawney was going on about?
Hermione couldn't think about it past the initial thought. Someone had wanted her, an entire family wanted her to become a part of theirs. So much abuse could have been avoided. So much pain. So much loneliness.
The two witches were still crying when yelling was heard outside of the tent.
"WHO IN MERLIN'S NAME," Hermione recognized Black's voice more clearly the closer it got. The next words were said as the tent flap was harshly thrown open. "GAVE YOU THE RIGHT TO DISMISS ONE OF MY STUDENTS FROM-"
Hermione rolled her head to the side, tears still flowing, trying to figure out what had stopped Black's rant. It was then that she noticed her arm was plainly visible to the professor. She quickly pulled it away, blanching at Tonks, eyes begging to know why she would bring the woman here.
Tonks gestured wildly between Andy and Black then just threw her shoulders and hands up in a dramatic shrug.
"Bella-"
"DON'T BELLA ME-"
"YOU ARE NOT HELPING THE SITUATION!"
Black looked between Andy and Hermione, taking in the situation. "You both look like you just lost your favorite pet," Black stated blankly.
Before Andy's retort could roll off her tongue, Hermione immediately sat up, yelling, "Why must you always be so awful?!"
Black was in her face before she could even blink. Hermione's eyes widened, both in slight fear of the anger Black's eyes held and surprise at the way hurt hid beneath that.
"You have NO idea just how bad I can be," Black ground out. Hermione entered a silent staring contest, too stubborn to back down. She wouldn't admit that she might have been slightly dramatic, but Black's blatant disregard for other people's emotions bit at her nerves.
"Would you two stop acting like children?" Andy asked, though it was much more a demand than a simple question. Hermione looked down first, still annoyed with Black, who was now smirking at her victory, that is until she was looking at Hermione's arm again.
"Who did that?" Her words held a deadly tone. Even though Hermione wasn't at the opposing end of it, the coldness in her professor's voice made her flinch.
"She can't tell you," Tonks answered. "She was cursed." Hermione looked at Tonks thankfully.
Andy nodded. "From what I was told, it appears that even thinking about telling someone will result in excruciating pain."
Black growled and kicked at the floor of the tent. The fabric crinkled before magically setting itself back in place.
"WHEN did this happen?" Black demanded.
Hermione froze, mouth going dry. Answering that would be the same as giving a name. She shook her head in refusal, jaw clenched together. Hermione could swear her teeth were shaking from the effort it took to keep her secret.
"You weren't like this two days ago, so it had to be-"
"No," Hermione mumbled. She started shaking her head. "No." She held her temples tighter. "No," she uttered, voice so quiet that the others almost couldn't hear the fractured spirit it held.
"THAT FUCKING CUNT!" Black bellowed before violently turning on her heel. Her robe twirled, angry with the movement.
Hermione launched forward, arms securing themselves around Black's thin waist before she could make it too far from the bed. The mangled skin of her arm yelled in protest at the pressure being forced against them. "NO!"
Hermione flinches when she feels a sharp pain in her arm. She goes to rub it when Umbridge's shrill voice begins yelling at her.
"Did I give you permission to stray from your punishment?!" She marches forward and points a plump finger at the finger, each word ends in a harsh tap against the table. "I. Will. Not. Talk. Back. Against. My. Betters. Ten more lines for not paying attention."
Hermione stares at her parchment. Umbridge no longer holds the entertained expression of someone enjoying their job. She looks manic almost. One thing is certain, this is meant to hurt. She knows because the woman looks just like her parents in these types of instances. Hermione tries not to cry.
After it was done, the words she had written were not painted on Hermione's skin, but the focus point of them was.
Mudblood.
Andy held a hand against her chest. Tonks was sitting on the floor, head in hands with her eyes wide open. Black, Hermione didn't think it was possible, but she looked even more furious than before.
"Hermione," Andy whispered. "Oh Merlin!"
Andy rushed towards her sister when she makes another move to escape the tent. "Bella wait!"
When her hand was shoved off of Black's arm Andy yanked her wand out. Crying harder now, she begged, "Bella, please, don't make me force you."
To no one's amusement, Black only started laughing. It reached a high crescendo, almost deafening to the ears.
"That BITCH used a blood quill on MY student. She deserves this."
Hermione's eyes widened. "How do you know?" She blanched. Her arm was tender at most, and that was because of her own careless actions. She was one hundred percent certain the truth hadn't slipped past her lips.
Black was still facing the opposite side of the tent when she replied, "I told you not to think so loud. It was practically impossible not to."
Andy spoke up once more after an uncomfortable moment passed by. "Please, Bella. Look into my mind. You'll understand."
Hermione paled and her knees buckled. Tonks, who was still on the floor, reached out for her, but she was too far. Even still, strong arms stop her fall, cradling Hermione gently.
"Andy, please-"
"Not Andy," Black muttered, the anger in her eyes dulled but still prominent. She sets Hermione back on the bed and Andy rushes over.
"Hermione, dear, stay down. You've been through a lot." To reassure her she added, "I will only show her the ending, only the important part.
Black's nose turned up, not quite in a sneer but displeasure was evident. "The bloody end of what?"
Andy glared at her pointedly and both of their eyes gloss over. Tonks walks towards her, finally having found her footing. "I.." She tried, but there is too much that needs to be said. "I know you don't really remember. The words are my mothers, not your own, but I hope you know that I loved you- still do. I felt like I lost a piece of me when you got taken away." She sniffled and wiped at her eye. Hermione was still crying, overwhelmed by… everything.
Tonks brushed a hair out of Hermione's face. "I wish I could stay longer, but I'm already more than late for my assignment."
Hermione nodded. "I understand. I don't want you to get in trouble." Tonks smiled sadly, unable to pull off her usual, cheerful one. She was about to turn around again when Hermione called out, "Hey… Nymphy… From what I saw, I loved you too. If we can get anywhere near how we used to be then I would gladly call you sister." Hermione can see the auror's shoulders shake as she makes her way out of the tent.
Hermione redirected her attention back to Andy and Black, just in time for their normal eye colors to return. Black looks… rather thoughtful. It wasn't a look Hermione had seen before.
"I always knew there was something I didn't like about that man. Did he tell you the prophecy?" Andy shook her head.
Hermione cleared her throat, garnering the women's attention. "I ran into Professor Trelawney before..." She had to cough in order to get the words out. "She had one of her... moments."
"What did she say?" Andy and Black both ask at the same time, a sense of urgency in their voices.
Hermione closed her eyes as she recalled the prophecy, word for word.
"Only that of which is broke
Can unite us all
She is her worst enemy
Overcome the past
It will be no easy feat
Acceptance is key
Otherwise doom will meet us
And our chance is lost
A bond will be her savior
She will be stubborn
Show her what love truly means
Until then we wait"
Both of the elder witches looked at Hermione. She couldn't read either of them and it was making her even more anxious than before. As Black stewed, Andy came up to her, wand in hand. She gingerly took her arm and examined it once more.
"Episkey."
If the pain Hermione felt before was burning, then she was now in hell. She imagined it must have been close to the crucio curse. She swore her skin was being stabbed and burnt at the same time. There was the feeling of blistered, peeling skin. Her nerves were so tense that her body wanted to roll in on itself. Hermione couldn't close her eyes. They were saucers filled with tears that Hermione was certain must have been blood at this point. She tried to speak, but all that came out was ear piercing wailing.
Hermione saw movement above her and she felt her body being constricted. Black was at her front while she assumed Andy was holding down her feet.
"Granger, calm down!"
Hermione fought against her restraints awkwardly. Her arms and knees wouldn't bend so she simply lashed out with stiff limbs. She couldn't control her body.
"Hermione!"
The only thing that felt close to normal was the erratic beating of her heart. Hermione was certain that is could be seen from far away. Wind constantly rushed passed her ear, and Hermione wanted to follow its' coolness, but her body would not allow it.
"I've got her. Cast the curse!"
Everything was getting dark, and even still the pain had not ebbed in the slightest.
This is it. I'm going to die.
"Petrificus Totalus!"
Everything comes to a grinding halt and Hermione finds herself stuck staring at a mass of black. Her limbs won't move, but the pain is lingering, all of it becoming centralized in her forearm. Hermione wants to push the dark, itchy fuzz away from her face when soft whispering reaches her ear.
"You'll be OK, Hermione. You'll be OK."
Hermione recognized Black's voice, realizing that she was in fact resting over her. Even in her petrified state, Hermione could feel the woman's body pushing into hers, as if she was still struggling with whatever had just happened.
"I will kill her. I'll kill the bloody bitch."
The heat was gone, replaced by a bone shattering cold. If Hermione could move, she had not a doubt that her teeth would be chattering furiously.
A throat clearing reminds Hermione that Andy is in the tent as well. "Bella get up. It should be OK to release her now."
Unlike every other time Hermione had been released from the curse, this time it felt as if everything was asleep. It took her a moment to fully be able to move her body, and even longer for the buzzing feeling to go away. Each bit of movement she gained did little, seeing as Hermione hunched in on herself in a poor effort to keep warm.
Andy closed the small distance between then, sitting next to her curled up body on the bed. "Hermione, dear, what's wrong?"
"C-cold," Hermione muttered. Little else would make it past her lips.
"Was it the curse?" Andy asked, gathering all of the blankets around Hermione's shoulders.
Hermione tried to shrug, but the movement was rather muted, so she shook her head instead. "It's happened before."
"When?" Andy asked while gently rubbing her hand up and down Hermione's back. Black watched the scene with tight lips and heavily veiled eyes.
"J-just before I-I got t-the detention."
The top of the bedside table caved in when Blacks fist met it in a show of rage.
"Bella!"
"Don't yell at me!" Black shouted. "It's that cunts fault, hers and our sorry excuse of a headmaster." Her face turned into a pout, one that Hermione found rather entertaining. It was enough to melt bits of the cold that was penetrating her blood. "It's not polite to yell at your big sister."
Hermione's jaw dropped open and she sat up, blankets still secured around her shoulders. She looked back and forth between the women. Hermione was more shocked than anything that she hadn't already put two and two together. They looked quite similar, except for the hair. It shouldn't have been the shock it was. Hermione felt rather ashamed at herself. The familiarity they had, even that of which Tonks held with the professor, it made sense for something between relatives.
"What? Cat got your tongue, Granger?"
Hermione scoffed, the moment broken. "What? Too good to use my name now?" Hermione glared at Black, waiting for the next witty retort. Black's eyes widened at first and her her jaw soon followed. Hermione swore she saw a hint of red on the woman's cheeks before she stubbornly turned around.
Was she blushing?
A sigh could be heard from next to her. "I swear, with you two and Nymphadora, I'm surprised that I haven't gone gray yet."
Black stomped towards the exit before Andy stopped her.
"Bella wait. I know you want to do something about this, believe me I do too, but we need to be careful how we go about it. I think there is more to the story than we know. Taking down Dumbledore, let alone someone high ranking in the military, takes an immense amount of work. Act out and we might lose our chance of making them pay."
"And pay they will," came the reply. It was more than that; it was a promise.