The Woman in the Attic
Chapter Three: What Lives Above
A/N: The melody being played in this chapter is e minor andante by Chopin. I recommend giving it a listen to give this chapter a bit of mood.
Hermione did not sleep that night, clutching the key in her sweaty palms. She had wrote to Dumbledore that she was finally going to go upstairs and find out the truth of the matter. He had warned her to be careful for who knew what awaited up there. Hermione had mentally prepared herself for the worst, but it had been nothing close to what she actually found upstairs.
When the clock struck 12 she could hear the first vestiges of music begin to play. Tentative, as if afraid to be silenced again. Hermione hurriedly walked forwards, her feet bare on the cold floors, afraid that the melody might fade and be gone forever. The notes faded in and out. She got to the stairs and only with a moment's hesitation did she climb up them. The music was gradually getting louder. The notes stronger. It was a song being slowly pieced together.
The notes enticingly lead her down the darkened halls to a door near the end of the hall. The weak candlelight revealed deep scores down the wallpaper with scratch and scuffle marks on the floor. The door itself also seemed beat up, the paint on it destroyed and with a heavy padlock keeping the door shut. With shaking fingers and trying to be as quiet as possible, she slid the correct key into place and clicked the door open. The music stopped playing for a moment and Hermione froze, not even daring to breath right now. It slowly began once more and moving even more slowly than before, she finally slid the padlock off and lowered it to the floor. Then, pressing her quivering hand to the doorknob, she pushed it down.
The door swung open quietly, revealing a scene Hermione did not expect at all. The room was lit up by various candles all in different stages of melting. Some wax had dripped to the floor, layers and layers of it already there, as if several candles had been here for a while and the mess not bothered to be cleaned up. They illuminated further ruined walls, with some wallpaper lying in complete sheets on the floor, the bare walls behind them having mad scrawls dug into them with what could have been a knife. The carpet had been ripped up as well, and the furniture there had stuffing and feathers leaking out of its sides. The only thing that was left intact was the grand piano in the middle of the room.
It was a dark beauty, shining in the glow of the small flames, ivory keys so bright they almost had a light of their own. Hermione had an appreciation for such grand instruments; they were an art in itself. In order to play good music, not only did the pianist have to have skill, but they also had to have a good instrument to display it on. And there was no doubt this pianist had both the piano and the skill. They sat hunched over the piano, their long limbs moving elegantly across the keys, eyes closed as they slowly swayed to the rhythm. It was like they had been teleported to another world and Hermione watched them in fascination with rapt wonder.
But the dark beauty that sat at the piano, fingering the beautiful melody, was even more enchanting than the melody or the piano. She seemed to be cloaked of dark, her dress not reflecting any of the light. The curls that tumbled down her shoulders were like shadows, shifting and bouncing around. Only a pale sliver of her face could be seen from this angle.
Unable to move for she was so enchanted by the private concerto, Hermione stood there looking and listening until the song, something softly haunted, sadly mischievous, unhappily curious, and suffused with longing came to an end. The figure at the piano stilled, her hands coming to rest in her lap. "You are not Rodolphus," she commented and her voice was cold, harsh, and unlike the music she had just played. It brought Hermione back to her senses with an unpleasant jolt. She wet her lips before she spoke, her voice trembling slightly.
"No. I am not."
"Do you work here?" Her tone was caustic, her questions rapid fire.
"Yes. I do."
"How recently have you been hired?"
"About a month's time ago."
"Are you sleeping with him."
"No!" Hermione was aghast at such a sudden conclusion. "I would never do that."
"You lie!" Hurled out of the black haired woman and she whirled to her feet so fast that the bench fell over. And that was when Hermione got her first glimpse of her. It was the Baroness Black, otherwise known as Lady Lestrange, the fabled crazy wife of the Lord.
Rumors flooded Hermione's mind. She recalled the story passed along the nobles of how she had started to go a bit wrong in the head around her 22th birthday and had to be married off quickly to any man who would take her before she was completely undesirable. And after her wedding, much hadn't been heard from her, everyone assuming she and her husband had moved to the countryside for fresh air 'helped' with her ailment. What was she doing here? If Rodolphus was her husband, hadn't he said he sent her away? Wasn't she supposed to be gone?
Hermione felt the dread of the horrid realization that Rodolphus had been keeping his wife locked up here and away from the public eye. And that those screams had been hers, full of agony and bemoaning at constrictions.
How could he do that to someone? Keep them locked up in their own house and lie about their status. He was a monster!
Hermione had no doubt the woman before her was Lady Lestrange. For the brunette had seen her a couple of years ago at a ball, before she had succumbed to her mental illnesses.
Hermione still recalled that day vividly. The ball had been taking place at her father's house and it was meant to be a small event to celebrate another year of successful trading. All members of the four houses had been invited to feast and drink to their content. Hermione had merely been 12 at the time and she had felt a bit lost and bored at the time. She had no siblings to run off and play with and all the younger noble kids at the event had gone off without her, tired of hearing her profuse words of wisdom. This was the time period in which she learned it was best valued if a lady held her tongue even if she was superior to a man's smarts. So she traveled from table to table, helping herself to food before going outside and sitting down with a good book to read under the shade of a tree. She was a good amount invested in the story when a larger shadow was cast over her.
"Not interested in dancing?" the voice had asked. It's tones were cool but warm at the same time and when Hermione looked up she saw a woman clad in all black, a bonnet in her hair; how she did not swelter in those dark garbs was a miracle. The sun was shining down brightly and Hermione was feeling just warm from sitting in the shades.
"Do you mind?" the woman asked with an arched brow and Hermione shifted aside on her bench to make space. She could not stop staring at this newcomer.
"And who might you be? I haven't had the opportunity to make your acquaintance." Hermione said as politely as possible. She had been educated somewhat on the house royalty but she still did not know all.
The woman heaved a sigh. "And here I thought I could get away from such trivialities as the importance of names."
Hermione's eyes opened wide. A royal, who did not care about names? How odd. "Then what did you come out here for?"
"I came to enjoy the nice weather. It is much too stuffy indoors with all those men's egos battling out over my hand in a dance." She gave an amused smile before she cast a look on at the book Hermione was reading. "What is that book you've been reading?"
Hermione was hesitant to answer at first, struck off guard by this free spirited woman. But as they talked more at length about the book, they fell into easier conversation.
A couple boys and girls ran past them, playing a game of tag. "Why don't you run with kids your age?" the nameless woman asked, watching the hint of longing in Hermione's eyes as the children passed by.
"They don't like me. They think I'm too smart for my own good."
"They're just jealous." The woman said to prevent a lull in their conversation. "They can't have what you do, so they try to make you feel bad about it."
"And how would you know," Hermione said with slight accusation in their tone.
"It's happened many times to me," she gave a wry smile.
"And how do you get over it?"
"I don't put my head down but hold it up proud," the woman said and stuck her nose up so high it looked funny. Hermione couldn't help but laugh at that. A loud cry interrupted their amusement.
"Andromeda! What are you doing out here? Father is rather upset at you for abandoning Amycus! You were supposed to dance with him." A rather angry looking woman was approaching them. She too wore black, but unlike Andromeda's, it was harsh and chill. Even her features, close to the brown haired woman's, were cooler and sharper; her hair a Stygian variety that Hermione had never seen before but loved. And the way she moved was unlike any way that Hermione had seen someone move. Each step closer was filled with power, with a predatory grace. She couldn't take her eyes off of her, absorbing every last detail. From her sharp cheekbones, to her red full lips and dark heavy eyes.
"Oh shoot!" Andromeda let out an ungainly squeak at seeing her sister before she rose to her feet and picked up her skirts, running away. Hermione watched her go in confusion before the second sister went lunging after her, dress cleanliness be damned. As the two sister's disappeared into the woods, one screaming bloody murder and the other laughing, Hermione couldn't help but let out an amused snort. They had been so unladylike.
She turned back to her book but she could no longer concentrate and it wasn't about the conversation she had had with Andromeda, but at the sight she had seen. The second sister had been so pretty. Had exhumed a sort of confidence around herself, a power that demanded respect. Hermione wanted to be like that; she wanted to see more of it.
So without another thought she dropped her book and followed the path of crushed grass to where she could hear two voices conversing. One voice was deeper than the others, flinty. That must be the elder sister, for Andromeda's tones were best described as neutral. When she got to a bush she parted it and found that Andromeda had waded thigh deep into the small stream there and her sister was yelling at her to get out.
"Would you stop this childish behavior?" she fumed on the shore, unable to get closer.
"Bellatrix, I already told you I had no intentions of returning to that party, much less to Amycus' clutches! He disgusts me!"
"Yes, well father is disgusted at you right now, and so am I! I know you do not have any particular shine to him, but what will be of your reputation if you do not comply?"
"I don't care much for reputation," Andromeda pouted back and crossed her arms over her chest.
"Are you really going to make me go in there?" Bellatrix huffed, crossing her arms as well.
"Even if you come in here, you know I will not change my mind about going back."
"You can't even go back in that state! So congratulations, you've succeeded this time." Bellatrix did not seem happy to have lost this battle but Andromeda was. She began to wade back to the shore and when Bellatrix stuck out her hand to help her sister up, the brunette flashed her a devious grin and then pulled hard. With a small gasp, the black haired woman found herself on her butt in the water, dress partially soaked.
Andromeda let out a loud laugh before a shaking and shrieking Bellatrix got up and pushed Andromeda into the water onto her butt. Andromeda only laughed harder at this and soon the two of them were splashing each other and kicking up clouds of water.
Hermione found herself giggling at their antics and it was this laughter that made Andromeda note her. "Oh, I see you have followed us, little sparrow."
Little sparrow? What a peculiar nickname. Hermione immediately liked it. "I could not resist," she admitted as she stepped out into the open. "I have no siblings to speak of and it is fun to watch others who do."
"Come join us," Andromeda reached out a wet hand towards Hermione. It was slapped away as Bellatrix circled around to stand protectively in front of Hermione, hands on hips. "Don't drag her into your ridiculous schemes."
"Surely she wouldn't mind."
"I think she would, once her parents scold her for coming back dirty."
Andromeda shrugged, unapologetic. "I'm feeling blasé, and so is she. There is no harm if she wants to join."
"We can do something else if you are still bored," Hermione found herself suggesting. She was loathe for them to leave. "Horseback riding?" She knew it would be hard to do so in their dresses but the way Andromeda smiled she knew it was a good idea.
Hermione couldn't see Bellatrix's face from here but there was a pause before the woman spoke, almost like she had been forcing herself to say this."Andromeda, we are not doing that-"
"Oh stop it, Bellatrix. I know that look in your eyes. You really want to go horseback riding, don't you?" the brown haired sister laughed, striding out of the stream and wringing her dress. "You can act the role of the older and responsible sister but we both know you're a bigger brat than me."
"Andro-"
"Leave that role to Narcissa. Now, are we going to take the little sparrow's gracious offer or are you going to go back to that stuffy room full of stuffy conversation and dances with men you care naught about?"
"It's okay. We don't have to horseback ride. It was merely a suggestion," Hermione interjected. There were other nice things to do with her new playmates.
"No, I assure you, we both are happy with that activity. Bellatrix loves horses, she just won't admit to it."
"I do not!" Bellatrix insisted shrilly and stomped out of the stream too. On her cheeks was a light blush.
"Oh, stop pretending. Now, little sparrow lead the way," Andromeda grabbed Hermione's hand and the two of them walked off in the direction of the stables, Bellatrix grumbling as she followed behind them.
The two sisters had prior experience to horseback riding and were able to quickly dress the horses up even without the stable hands help. Bellatrix's horse was barely dressed before she had mounted it. She was antsy but pretending to wait. "I told you she likes horses," Andromeda leaned down and whispered conspiratorially to Hermione who had to stifle a giggle.
Bellatrix watched them with disdain. "Stop fooling around there and get on with it, if you're so bored."
Andromeda merely wiggled her brows and gave Hermione an inside smile as if to say 'see?'. "Ride with me?"
Hermione nodded her head yes. Andromeda helped her up and soon they were riding, the two brunette's on a white Andalusian horse while Bellatrix had the black and white spotted one. As soon as she saw her sister and Hermione were seated, she kicked her horse off and disappeared across the lawn.
Hermione gaped in wonder as she watched Bellatrix ride the horse with such skill. She did a canter, a trot and then a full out gallop, even going so far as to stand up while riding, all without an ounce of fear on her face.
It was amazing.
"Would you like to ride with her?" Andromeda offered when she saw Hermione's amazement. Bellatrix was now bringing the horse back, patting it's neck as it snorted.
Hermione nodded her head even though she felt a bit of fear. She had never seen anyone ride like that, with pure abandon, wild and free like the wind itself. It was dangerous but Hermione wanted to feel the wind on her face, the exhilaration of recklessness. "Yes."
Bellatrix offered a hand down and Hermione climbed up on the horse, settling in front of Bellatrix. The older woman's dress had dried a bit from the run and the sun, and Hermione could feel the warmth of her body pressing in, Bellatrix's chin digging into her shoulder.
"Make sure to hold on, because I won't be stopping even if you scream and beg me to." Bellatrix warned, sliding her hands in front of Hermione's waist and pinning her tightly. Her word choice, and the way her body was entwined with Hermione's, made the younger girl shiver, made her feel some emotion deep down in her belly that she didn't yet have a name for.
Hermione nodded her head, heart beating in excitement, hands tangling into the mane of the horse. Then with a kick of Bellatrix's heels, they were off. The land blurred around her, the wind roared in her ears and the thud of each hoof beat echoed loudly.
It was frightening- Hermione had never gone this fast before. But it was also exhilarating. In this moment, Hermione felt like she could conquer anything. Far too soon it was over, and when the horse came to a stop, Hermione found herself laughing, red cheeked with excitement.
Andromeda was waiting nearby, helping Hermione off the horse.
"I gather you enjoyed it, little sparrow?" was the delicate question, Andromeda relishing in Hermione's joy.
"I did," Hermione nodded her head.
"It is often said my sister rides like the devil. You should see how fast she can go on her horse! Or how many tricks she can do when she thinks no one is watching," Andromeda added to which Bellatrix frowned.
"Why are you watching me ride? Do you have nothing better to do?" Bellatrix scowled as she dropped off the horse. She had noticed someone approaching them. It was Hermione's father, a slight look of concern on his face. "Good afternoon, ladies," he greeted, not taking their hands to kiss for he had already done this to both sisters beforehand. "I see you are enjoying yourselves?"
"We are. Thank you lord Granger for allowing us to be here today," Andromeda said, ever courteous.
"I am actually here to inquire if you would be so kind as to accompany me back inside. Your father expressed concern on both of you missing the ball."
Neither sister could openly disagree with this plea; it would seem rude to deny the host's request. But they were not happy about their father going around to getting them back to the ball. "Yes, we shall be there shortly. Bella and I just have to return the horses back to the stables." Even that small reprieve of a couple minutes more before facing the crowd once more was lost to them and they held their tongues though Hermione could sense their reluctance.
"Nonsense. I'll get one of the servants to do that. Hermione, come along with me too. I'd like to have you by my side as I make an announcement," Lord Granger said.
"Certainly," Hermione said, and followed the forlorn sisters back into the mansion.
Yes, the woman in front of Hermione was no doubt the same one from all those years ago. Even if there were deep purple circles under her eyes that told of many sleepless nights, even if her face was gaunt and pale, and her hair lacked the usual luster as it fell into eyes haphazardly; she was still Bellatrix Black. And something in Hermione's heart clenched tightly.
"I would never aim to sleep with your husband," Hermione's words trembled out. "I swear it upon God. I swear it upon my own health. I'll swear it upon anything you want me to." Hermione watched wide eyed as the older woman approached her, almost stalking forwards, deep piercing black eyes never leaving her face.
She drew closer to Hermione until they stood chest to chest, the older woman's dark scent wrapping around her; she smelled like the nighttime- of hidden things and moonlight essence. It had been forever since Hermione had scented this particular smell and it held so much nostalgia and want, almost suffocating her with it. Memories kept pricking at the back of her mind.
Such as the time when Ian had Cygnus over for discussions of trade and this involved having Hermione host the three sisters while her mother and their's went out shopping for dresses to assert who had more money through buying frivolities. The two families were by no means friends or friendly. The children might be but the parents most certainly were not.
Hermione wasn't sure what to do. She was only fourteen and all three sisters were older than her and always seemed so much more mature. It was a bit intimidating now. Especially Bellatrix, who was intense in a manner Hermione hadn't been able to latch onto before. Now, older and more attune to the world, Hermione knew she paid an exorbitant amount of attention to Bellatrix when she was around. Lapping up her words, trying to impress her with her vocabulary, or trying to be interesting and not stuffy.
So far all three sisters were in the room and Hermione had had the servant deliver a silver tray of tea and biscuits. She sat in her chair stiffly, not sure what to even talk about. Being a host was stressful indeed. She did not know how her mother did it so effortlessly.
"My, how you've grown little sparrow," Andromeda cooed and Hermione flushed. Hearing such a compliment from a beautiful older woman had her feeling inadequately deserved of this praise. "So tall and pretty. You'll be stealing all the men away soon."
"God, do we have to be here," Bellatrix complained, not even trying to dress up her displeasure. She was sitting slouched in the chair, wrinkling her black dress. Her eyes were lidded heavily and she was examining her nails. She had only been here ten minutes before her declaration.
"Bellatrix stop being such a brat. You are being rude to our guest! And for god's sake sit up, you're wrinkling that dress!" Narcissa chided, her temple throbbing. It was amusing to see the youngest berating the oldest.
"It's quite alright. I was not insulted," Hermione answered, because she had not been. Additionally she wanted to be on Bellatrix's good side.
"See, Hermione doesn't mind," Bellatrix waved a lazy hand, before slouching down further and even spreading her legs open.
Narcissa gasped at this, almost dropping her tea cup as Andromeda sat between the two and snorted with laughter into her biscuit. "Bellatrix Black, close your legs! You are not some common whore to be spreading them like that!"
"Calm down Cissy, before you blonde little head will explode," Bellatrix drawled, before closing her legs, but not crossing them at the ankles like a lady should. This set Narcissa fuming, gathered her glaring.
"Say, Hermione, I hope you do not mind me asking, but perhaps do you have something my sisters and I could do? I fear Bellatrix will fling herself out the window solely because she is bored, And Narcissa will be inclined to make her do that faster," Andromeda's spoke this flippantly, as if it indeed was a daily occurrence in the Black household.
"Um, would you perhaps like a tour of the premise?" Hermione questioned, setting down her hot tea carefully on the silverware. She wasn't sure if she was supposed to do this, but father had said to entertain the guests and so Hermione would.
"That might do well. Often times you need to walk Bellatrix like one does with a dog," Narcissa sniped and Bellatrix bolted up from her seat. "You mind your tongue or you won't have one to kiss that disgusting Malfoy prick with!"
Narcissa inhaled in shock so strongly that Hermione grew concerned with her health. "How dare you spout such-" Narcissa was beginning to turn red, no doubt not appreciating how Hermione was privy to this little secret.
"It's true and we all know it. You aren't the slightest bit subtle," Bellatrix teased, hands on hips. She was taking this all quite languidly while Narcissa was really fuming.
"Excuse me," Andromeda rose up, standing in between the sisters. "Narcissa, I will take you with me to the loo. And Bellatrix, you go with Hermione to cool off." Before either sister could argue against this, Andromeda had looped an arm under Narcissa's, taking the blonde out the door hurriedly.
Bellatrix stuck out her tongue at their departure and Hermione couldn't help but laugh. This behavior would be a huge social gaff in their circles but here Hermione did not mind. "She just gets me annoyed with her haughty behavior. Just because she has someone to stick her tongue into does not mean she is better than either of us," Bellatrix grumbled before shaking her head. "Come, tell me where the wine cellar is."
How scandalous! Hermione gave her an open mouthed look. "Oh, don't look at me like that," Bellatrix rolled her eyes. "If you had my sisters you'd need a drink too!" she linked her arm through Hermione's and this close Hermione could get a good smell of the older woman's perfume. "Lead the way."
Hermione did as asked and took them down two halls and down three flights of stairs to a wooden door she wasn't even sure she could open without a key. It turned out she need not worry. The lock was no challenge for Bellatrix. She rattled it and tugged on it and it simply opened in her hand.
"How did you do that?" Hermione inquired, having never seen such tricks been done before.
"Does Hermione want to know how to sneak into places she shouldn't? How naughty," Bellatrix teased and Hermione flushed. "That is not at all true!"
"Relax, I am only teasing. I know you would never do such a thing. You are too good for it," Bellatrix said, pushing the door open. It creaked and a dank scent wafted out to greet them. A torch hung by the door and Bellatrix took it, lighting it with a match placed nearby just for this purpose. It flickered to life in her hand and she lead the way down the creaking stairs to the cellar, Hermione following after her. Oh, the trouble Hermione would get into if she was discovered here but she did not want to let Bellatrix down.
The black haired woman was already down there, sliding her finger across different vintages for selection on the racks. "My, your father has good taste indeed." She deliberated, pouty lips puffed out before snatching out one at whim. "This will do well. We shall enjoy it under the trees outside, shall we not?" Bellatrix suggested and Hermione nodded her head quickly yes. They left the cellar and went up and outside where the sun was shining down brightly. Bellatrix sprawled herself out under some tree, plopping down onto the grass. Hermione was more reluctant to do so for her dress was pink rather than black and the grass stains would be harder to get out. She should have thought of getting a blanket on which to sit on.
Or glasses. "I'll go back inside and fetch us some glassware," she said and went in as Bellatrix battled with getting the cork back. Hermione fetched a handful of glasses, not sure which ones Bellatrix would like. She also grabbed one of her more finer blankets on which to sit on. She rushed past her father's study, making sure she was quiet so as not to interrupt the two men inside. When she got back out, Bellatrix had finally managed to open the wine bottle out and was airing it.
Hermione set down the glasses and then the blanket, the older woman taking to pouring the glasses to the brim, handing the first glass over to Hermione. It wasn't like Hermione had never drank before. She had. But usually she was only allowed half a glass at dinner time to enhanced a meal's flavor. Never was she given this much and without food. She took a sip while Bellatrix gulped down half the glass right away.
"This is good, pet. I must urge father to buy some for us," she commented.
"Thank you," Hermione nearly choked on air when she heard Bellatrix's new name for her.
"No need to thank me. I am merely stating fact," Bellatrix arched a brow and gave Hermione a curious look as if she couldn't possibly understand why Hermione was always so polite. "You should loosen up a bit. No need to act so stuffy next to me."
Hermione nodded her head in consideration of this, but she never knew if she had the gall to speak so openly like Bellatrix did. Her beauty let her get away with many things; Hermione did not think she was pretty enough to do the same and not be reprimanded for it.
Two figures began to climb their way up the slight incline of the hill the two of them were sitting on. It was Bellatrix's sisters, back from the bathroom. Andromeda was leading the way, quite quick even in her heels and heavy dress.
"Corrupting our honorable and venerable host?" Andromeda teases while Narcissa glares angrily at the scene unfolding in front of her.
"This is completely irresponsible behavior of you, Bella! What will Hermione's parents think of you?"
"On the contrary," Bellatrix raised a glass in toast. "I am responsible. I am taking full responsibility for this." Bellatrix waved her free hand. "Hermione, do be a dear and pour them some glasses of wine."
Hermione hurried to do as asked, finding her head was a bit dizzy from all she had consumed so far.
"A red wine, aged twenty years? Delectable," Andromeda said as she sat down, pulling her skirts under her and took the glass offered to her by Hermione.
"You too!?" Narcissa complained, looking like she very dearly wanted to stamp her foot in frustration.
"Have some wine, Cissy. It will lighten you up," Andromeda commented, smelling the burgundy liquid and making an appreciative sound. When it became apparent to Narcissa that her sisters were beyond reason, she sat down with a huff and crossed her arms over her chest, scowling deeply. "I will not drink," she commented and turned down the glass offered to her by Andromeda. "One of us has to remain sensible here."
"More wine for us," Bellatrix sang, knocking back her fourth cup of wine. Conversation abounded between the two sisters and Hermione and when the bottle was finished, Bellatrix rose to her feet. "Come let us explore the woods and be merry!"
The rest of them rose to their feet too, Narcissa following them with great reluctant and the sourest look imaginable on her face.
They go running through the woods, singing and prancing about, raising their skirts as Narcissa glared sourly at them. Hermione was laughing so much her sides hurt and her cheeks were red. She couldn't recall laughing this hard before as they chased each other around and then linked hands together and twirled around.
Hermione had never danced this freely before. Usually balls were formal and stiff, with restrained movements and relying on men to guide them. But now, they guided themselves. Their limbs were swaying like the branches of a tree over their heads, their feet kicked up and they span their hips and heads like women possessed. It was very fun and Hermione was breathless with exhilaration.
And the songs they sang. They were not following any compositions like they normally should. Each member of royalty learned formal songs to recite at family gatherings as proof of talent and skill. But these songs, while using their words, did not use those rhythms. The melodies were made up and sung in any way desired. Both sisters had such lovely voices. And the difference in them was apparent as day and night. Andromeda's was soft and soothing, like a glass of warm milk to ease the soul. Bellatrix's was more chilling, a dark croon that enthralled does to drown in murky depths filled with sirens.
Hermione's own singing voice was still being perfected. She wished she could sing like them when she was more mature. In the meantime, she enjoyed their singing and dancing session while the sun streamed through the thin branches and warmed their skins while the wine warmed their insides.
She was sure her skirt was dirtied by now but she did not care. Eventually it had to come to an end. Narcissa stiffened suddenly and announced loudly, "sh, our fathers are arriving."
Bellatrix, Andromeda and Hermione all stopped their gay play and tried to fix up their appearance quickly. Then they rushed out to the edge of the small copse of trees where they saw Ian and Cygus waiting, smoking pipes.
Cygnus looked furious given his clenched jaw but did not say anything too personal. "Home, all three of you!" he told the sisters.
"I tried to stop them, father," Narcissa said, sticking up her nose and walking past him, down the estate's lawn and to the carriage waiting up front. Andromeda cowed her head and bit her lip but said nothing as she scurried past. Bellatrix looked defiantly into her father's eyes, a curl to one side of her mouth before she languidly went her way.
"Heathens, I swear it!" Cygnus growled out. "You would think the eldest of your children would have more common sense, but all she does is try to corrupt them. And your daughter. I am sorry Hermione was wrapped up in their schemes. It is most improper and I hope our trades will not be poor because of this mishap."
"Of course not, Cygnus," Ian said pleasantly, letting out a plume from his pipe. It smelled sweet. "I too recall what it was like to be young and full of energy."
"Bellatrix is not young any longer," he declared, glaring at Bellatrix's back as she sashayed down the grassy slopes in a procession of black clad sisters. "She needs to get these wild ideas out of her head. Good day," he said with finality and left, sticking his cane into the ground with extra force.
Ian did not say anything, Hermione wondering if she was in trouble with her father too. She had never drank behind his back or done such wild dancing in the woods. He looked down at her and shook his head softly. His expression wasn't cross but disappointed.
"Hermione I thought I told you to host them, not go off adventuring into the woods with one of my better bottles," he said, having smelt the drink on all of them.
"I'm sorry," she hung her head in shame. "I merely wanted to keep them entertained. But I had the most amazing time with the three sisters Black!" Hermione exclaimed.
"Well, as long as no harm was done. But do not let them sway you like that again. If mother were to find out she would have a conniption about your unladylike behavior. Now run along to your room and get washed up. We'll need to have that dress cleaned before she sees. And no more sneaking off to drink."
"Understood," Hermione said, giving her father a hug around the midriff. He really was the best father one could ask for. She only balked at what sort of punishments Cygnus would give his children. He was a Slytherin after all. They were cruel and cold most of them.
Another memory, this one more sober. Hermione sitting at the dining table, listening intently as her father and mother conversed about the daily happenings of the upper class. "Did you hear? Cygnus' girl finally got married," Ian announced and Hermione's ears perked, wondering which sister it had been. Hermione still had fond memories of the three of them despite the sparse amount of times they had met and spent time together. Each was such a character. Bellatrix, with her wild streak and even wilder tongue, Andromeda with warm sisterly caring, and Narcissa with her arrogance and coolness. Hermione recalled Narcissa lamenting about finding a husband and wanting to have a family while the two elder sisters were more ambivalent about it.
"Oh, finally. I know Druella was so worried about marrying her eldest off," mother responded with and Hermione swallowed tightly. Bellatrix...had been married off? Hermione had known there had been no shortage of men draw to her looks and equally repulsed by her unladylike actions.
"Do you mean Bellatrix?" Hermione could not help but pipe up, curiosity burning in her. She hoped she was wrong.
"Yes," mother confirmed shortly before turning back to her husband "Everyone was worried she'd be past her prime since she was always so picky and difficult. But it seems one man has finally been swayed to her."
Hermione looked down at her plate not understanding why she felt sudden sadness upon her at hearing this news.
In the present, Hermione swallowed heavily, feeling walled in despite the fact she could very well turn on her heel and just leave through the open door behind her. There was an aura that just radiated off of the older woman that made it hard to look away; it captivated many an audience. Hermione could recall all too well the many balls that Bellatrix had attended and the way men flocked to her, the way the whole event progressed around her very being. If she wanted to do something differently, the rest of the party go-ers accommodated her. It had to do with the shroud of mystery and danger the woman wore like a second skin. Her smiles were predatory, her moves full of careful and poised energy. She was like the very embodiment of night, all dark and white contrasts and sin. Hermione had badly wanted to have such a magnetic pull and looked up to the baroness. But when she had gotten married off, she was no longer allowed to such social events and Hermione was left feeling lacking and like something had been taken from her.
The brunette had never been able to achieve that level of control and engagement of a crowd despite trying and receiving a modicum of what she wanted. It had been one of her greatest failures.
A cold hand grasped her chin, black painted nails digging in fiercely. Bellatrix looked to be contemplating something before soft words fell out of her red lips. "You may not want to sleep with Rodolphus, but you won't have a choice in the end." A ferocious grin spread her lips wide, revealing gleaming ivory. A stab of fear went through Hermione's heart at this, at the notion that Rodolphus would take what he wanted anyways, even without her consent. It shouldn't be much of a surprise given he had locked his own wife up.
"I won't let him," Hermione blustered out, trying to sound stronger and braver than she actually was. She was weak, she had no way of protecting against him should he use his brute strength on her.
Bellatrix merely started to cackle loudly and flung Hermione away from her, the brunette stumbling back three steps. And she kept cackling all through the night even as Hermione bolted the door shut once more and buried herself under her covers in her room.
She could not sleep for the remainder of the night, the woman's laughter haunting her with promises of what awaited Hermione in the future.