HEY!
Warning: Sexual and other violent acts in this chapter
Truth Behind One Dark Mark and One Rose
Chapter 35 - Year 2005 – 4th Seventh of May
Continuation
And for Minerva, it was beginning of indescribable guilt, for not doing more…
Understanding settled in Hermione's heart, along with shame for the way she had reacted to the groundless jealousy that had her spatting vitriol words the last time they were here; that time when essentially they've unknowingly conceived Rose...
Hermione's heart stricken evermore as Minerva continues with the recitation of her past.
"The next time I saw Bellatrix, it was too late. She was obviously no longer Bellatrix Black; she was Bellatrix Lestrange— and a death eater."
The narration was attesting to be unforgiving that it led the older witch to once again bury herself into Hermione's arms, and then elected to lapse into uneasy silence.
As the reticence stretched on, one interconnecting piece memory rushed forth inside Hermione's mind, albeit not as old as Minerva's 35+ years recollection. This one was a conversation just few years back, between Hermione and Draco Malfoy.
'And difficult to imagine now— and far from the death-eater that she had become, Bellatrix once truly believed in love… That she was thoroughly in love with none other than Minerva McGonagall…'
These words were of Draco's… He uttered them on that third and last night of her mudblood scar removing ritual. Hermione never got the chance to prod more from the Slytherin wizard, for she was extra mindful not to give any indication as to her entanglement with Minerva McGonagall… She and Draco have never spoken to each other again since that night… And it was not entirely surprising, for they do not have the same circle of friends nor dominion even from the time when they were students, but more so after the war.
But one point, she had heard that he got married to Astoria Greeengrass. And later they have welcomed a son, and then a daughter. Hermione had even held the door for Astoria and her small children as they were exiting a bookshop in Diagon Alley last Christmas holiday that Hermione was going in. But Draco was not with his family at that time.
And once, Hermione crossed path with Draco's mother, Narcissa Malfoy... About two years ago, it was one quiet Saturday afternoon at the Ministry. Hermione was already inside an elevator with no one else when Narcissa entered before it closed and carried them to their respective floors. They did not speak during the ride, except for a brief nonverbal nod in acknowledgement and then settled into conspicuously staring at each other, until Narcissa had to get off at her intended destination.
That wordless but definite form of salutation was actually a surprise for Hermione; she figured that her Deputy DMLE position might have compelled the Malfoy woman to do so, but she realised that Narcissa was just unobtrusively going to her probation check-in at the Ministry. It was part of the conditions set by the Wizengamot for her participation during the war, in lieu of Azkaban. And it was no brainy that the probation-decision was highly due to Harry Potter's testimony for her. And Hermione believes with all her heart that it was one of those things that made Harry Potter, her best friend, all the more the true hero that he is…
Hermione remembers very well those two brief encounters with Astoria and Narcissa; for they had left her with suspicion similar to what she had felt from Draco at the time he spoke to her of Minerva and Bellatrix… As if they have guessed the unwanted and yet deeply intense connectedness of her own life with those of Bellatrix and Minerva's... That, or it was all paranoia on Hermione's part.
However, recalling more of Draco's words from that night years ago, Hermione realised that there is a damning disparity between the two accounts from Narcissa and Minerva. As far as Hermione could recall, Draco had said—
'Bellatrix pleaded again to the person she is in love with, to give her a chance, to accept her love. But this person was adamant in turning her down, even told her that she might find the love and happiness with Lestrange.'
Hermione knew that Draco had merely repeated what her mother had said regarding Bellatrix Black, in relation to their then Transfiguration Professor, and now Hogwarts Headmistress— Minerva McGonagall. But there it was, the blatant difference of how according to Draco, Minerva had convinced Bellatrix to accept Lestrange, against Minerva's version of her attempt to save the young Bellatrix…
And as if Minerva had read her mind, the older witch suddenly said, "After that day at Hogwarts, Narcissa and Andromeda certainly believed that I pushed Bellatrix away."
It took a moment for Hermione to react from the eeriness of mental coincidence, and before she could actually respond, Minerva revealed how Bellatrix's sisters have avoided her at all cost when they have returned at Hogwarts the following school opening that September 1. That Narcissa dropped her seventh year Transfiguration NEWT while Andromeda was always the first one to leave her sixth year Transfiguration class. That when Minerva tried to approach the sisters, both young women would not speak a word, prompting Minerva to release them from their meeting which lasted less than 10 minutes. And she had no choice but to respect the obvious distance the girls wanted.
Then another school year was over, with Minerva gaining no information of what had truly transpired after Bellatrix left Hogwarts. As far as she was concerned, the Slytherin young witch had decided not to take her offer… On some level, the absence of any communication from Bellatrix, and then the snubbing she got at Hogwarts from her younger sisters had even angered Minerva for the sort of hanging she felt. And it was not hard to be angry those days as the entire political arena had taken the ugly higher gear, with violent acts started erupting here and there.
And one fateful night during a term break in 1971; Minerva was dodging an arbitrary stunning spell from someone coming from the throngs of hooded people when Voldemort's dark mark flashed in the sky for the first time, over that Wizarding village. Coincidentally, she was with Amelia that time, and as they tried to get better bearing instead of blindly engaging, an explosion of several establishments had them prioritizing their own safety. When the smoke and debris cleared out, they found the hooded group gone, leaving a clear message of destruction.
Two hours later, after commotion had downgraded into manageable state and assistance had been provided to those affected by the explosion, Minerva decided to go to Hogwarts instead of going back home to McGonagall Manor, while Amelia had long reported back with her fellow Aurors at the Ministry.
Few meters away from the gates of Hogwarts where Minerva had apparated, she had sensed presence of humans lurking in the shadow. She just casted a protective enchantment when she heard her name called by a familiar voice, rapidly expressing that they mean no harm and came to her for help. When they stepped out of their hiding, Minerva was stunned to find Andromeda Black and Edward "Ted" Tonks, both with raised wandless hands in gesture of surrender.
"Professor, I know you hate me. But, may we talk to you?" Andromeda pleaded in a desperate rush as they slowly treaded towards Minerva.
"Please, Professor. Andy believes that you are the only one who will help us." Ted seconded, with equal desperation. "We've been waiting here for hours in hopes to chance upon you."
Minerva cannot truly say what made her acquiesce to hear Andy and Ted, but she cancelled her Protego charm and gave them entry to Hogwarts, fully knowing that the castle can give all of them the protection they need on a night like this.
Albus Dumbledore was just coming down the main stairs when they got there and he immediately asked, "Are you all right?"
The question was directed at Minerva but she understood the unspoken message that he already knew about the explosion, and the horrible dark mark in the sky. The information quickly reached him, most likely via fire-call from the Ministry, even perhaps from Amelia… In response, Minerva gave him a nod. She was mentally composing on what to tell him of the two young people she found at Hogwarts gates, apparently waiting for her, but Andromeda intercepted her and cut through the vagueness.
"Professor McGonagall, I know about the dark mark in the sky tonight. It is part of what I wanted to talk to you about…part of why we are here to ask for your help… And I believe that the Headmaster should hear about this."
And so that night, Andromeda confirmed what most of the adults already knew but tried to delay the reality of confronting it— that an evil wizard called Lord Voldemort has gained and gaining more force with his twisted campaigns. And now, his followers have openly declared themselves with tonight's attacks, although in hooded cowardice, and have named themselves Death-Eaters… And as bondage to their dark lord Voldemort, they have taken his Dark Mark.
Andromeda confessed that her family married off her sisters to their chosen fellow pureblood who are rabid followers of Voldemort. Then her voice considerably dropped when she revealed that she had seen that Bellatrix had taken the dark mark. And she knows that it was just a matter of time that Narcissa will have it as well… And she is frightened that the same fate awaits her…
She also divulged that when people started arriving at the Black's residence earlier today, she heard them discussing tonight's dark mark sort of reveal. She decided that while her family would be busy participating with evil assaults, she would escape… Hence, even without preparation, she appeared at her boyfriend's doorstep and asked him to run away with her. And she admitted that the hours since then, the only plan they have is to go to Professor Minerva McGonagall.
"I know you have no reason to help us Professor McGonagall, but there is really no one we can go to… And by now my family has returned home and surely discovered that I ran away. They will be looking for me and I don't doubt that if they find me, they'll force to wed me to whomever they please. Even marry me this very night, just as they married Bella the same day she left Hogwarts."
That piece of information handed out to Minerva caused the emerald-eyed witch to powerfully curse in her mind.
They married Bella the same day she left Hogwarts…
Explaining further, Andromeda said, "Our families have decided to go through Bella's wedding in secret. I supposed in relation to keeping a low profile, at least at that time. But the wedding was also an exchange of pact to support this dark lord… For the Lestranges, so as my parents are fully into this..."
This crucial circumstance had eluded Minerva for more than a year, and the knowledge is leading Minerva to come into terms that Bellatrix never had a chance to re-think about her offer… And she never had the chance to save Bellatrix after the young woman departed from Hogwarts that day… Minerva wanted to hex herself for underestimating how cunning Bellatrix's parents are, even against their own daughter... The divulged turn of events was undeniably crushing Minerva. And Andromeda was not done; more and more crucial pieces of the puzzle started flipping open-face, showing her the ill-fated situations.
"I know I was absolutely horrible to you last year and I ask for your forgiveness, Professor. I have no excuse for my behavior. The truth is, I was so disappointed in you for I've thought that you've let Bella down. Cissy thinks that too, no doubt… I… we resented you because we know how much Bella loves you and you seemed to not have bothered… I thought you've abandoned her that day she left Hogwarts. But Professor, we didn't know! I did not know that you gave her a way out… I… I just learned the truth today, Professor… of how you tried to save Bella."
Andromeda proceeded to tell them that right after Bella was wed, she immediately left to live with the Lestrange, and have only seen her sister today, after more than a year. And how she was shocked at the vast difference that has taken toll on her sister… that she could barely recognize Bellatrix.
"She… She looks like she hasn't slept in a year and lost all the confidence that I was used to seeing in her. All I could feel from her was absolute resignation. And... And I saw her dark mark… And I could tell that tonight would be her first time she'd have to go to what they've been whispering as— rave in the name of the dark Lord to teach the impure…"
Minerva need not look at Albus to know that the wizard's mind is already connecting all the dots and paralleling some details from what he went through during Grindelwald's early days of uprising. And of the terrors that will unfold… And the unknown price they would have to pay…
"I'm not stupid; I know it's nothing but atrocity." Andromeda angrily continued, "She does not have to say but I know she'd surrendered to its inevitability… And when I couldn't help my tears, she violently hushed me. She dragged me into privacy. I was so shocked when there was the slightest Bella that I used to know momentarily surfaced. She told me that I have a small window tonight to take a different path. And I should take it… That's what had given me a bit of strength and ran away."
"Did she tell you to come to me? Why did she not run away with you? Even married to Lestrange I can still protect her." Minerva's anger is also seeping out. While she has gotten some answers, she could feel the dread flicking deep in her guts of the obvious severity of many missing pieces of this account.
"Bella showed me, Professor… Of your conversation the day she left Hogwarts. That's why I know I can come to you. Bella wanted me to know that you can help me…" Tears started pouring from Andromeda's eyes and in broken voice she continued, "She also showed me of what truly happened on the day she wed… and what followed when she arrived at Lestrange… And I understood why Bella feels that there is no escape ticket for her anymore…"
Minerva was stunned at the unspoken meaning. First, of the significance that Blacks sisters, at least Bellatrix and Andromeda are capable of serious magic involving legilimency, even though they are barely adult. And secondly, of the heavily implied appalling things that Bellatrix had gone through since that day... that made Andromeda accepted her sister's submission to hopelessness.
"Professor, Bella made me promise to get this you." From the deep pocket of Andromeda's cloak, the Slytherin witch took out a small paper and handed it Minerva…
In Bellatrix's handwriting the missive said—
The bracelet was never meant for anyone but you. Please indulge me; do keep it with you and only discard it when you have fallen in love with someone. When I have proven you wrong that romantic love is real... That in the depths of your heart and soul, you'd finally admit the love of your life has come into your life… If you'd indulge me further, and only if you really want to, do give it to her in grand symbolic gesture of you courageously loving someone…
PS… I'd bet our entire family vault that she would be wickedly brilliant as you.
Closing the letter, Minerva clenched her jaw to control her emotions and turned to Andromeda, "Show me. Show me what happened to Bella."
"What…? Professor, no. You do not have to—"
"I want to see…" Minerva took out her wand and conjured the two nearest teacups into memory glass flasks. "Place them here." She handed them to her. "Do you know how to take them out?" When the young witch did not move, Minerva added, "Please, Andy."
Slowly, Andromeda retrieved her wand from her robes and drew two memories from her mind one after the other. She carefully placed them inside each vial and her hand visibly shook as she handed them. Afterwards, she found herself embraced by Minerva. The dam broke inside Andy and Minerva held her tighter.
"We will help you and Edward disappear so you can be away and safe from all these." Minerva started her declaration of support. "And I am going to get her, Andy. I am going to." She promised; and those words were strongly averred few hours later after Minerva had viewed those two memories in privacy of Albus Dumbledore's office.
For the first memory, Minerva watched the ferocious argument between Bellatrix and her parents upon arriving home when Bellatrix found out that she would be wed in a matter of hours… Minerva gasped in unbelievable shock as Druella placed her very own daughter under crucio then Imperio to stop Bellatrix's actions of protest. Minerva could see how Bellatrix would spend all her magic breaking down the curse only to be re-casted by her mother just before she can fully lift it. And after numerous ineffective attempts, Bellatrix's dark eyes reflected its defeat and found herself married and then whisked at Lestrange residence.
The second memory was even more unforgiving. It opened from the time Bellatrix was fighting Rodolphus' physical advances and she was somewhat winning even without her wand. But it turned true blue violent when Lestrange lost all temper and twice slammed his fist into Bellatrix's stomach that seemed to knock the wind out of her. Still conscious but weak, Bellatrix was then subjected to the brutal sexual onslaught from her husband, and it repeated several more times until he was seemingly pleased. But the evilness of Lestrange proved to be really something revolting as the wizard allowed his brother and friends take turns in sexually abusing his wife… laughing all through out and bellowing how it will tame her into submission and how she would eventually enjoy the debauchery… After her vile of a husband locked her in the room, bloodied and beaten, Bellatrix's naked body frailly balled into a corner… Before the last haze of memory faded, Minerva had clearly read her name from Bellatrix's lips in wordlessly whisper, with tears running down her face.
Immediately after emerging from the Pensieve, Minerva dropped on the floor and threw up the little contents in her stomach. She knew Albus Dumbledore cleaned her up and helped her to the sofa as enormous guilt swallowed her whole after watching Bellatrix cruel ordeal.
"We promised to protect our students, Albus. But we are already failing. I have. I have failed Bellatrix. She told me that she only wanted to carve a life of her own choosing." Minerva sorrowfully lamented. "I need to get her, Albus. I do not know how much I can take if I let ghastly things continue to happen to her."
And so that night, the woes and wounds personally started for Minerva McGonagall in this evolving Wizarding war of Voldemort. For not an hour passed, while still in Albus Dumbledore's office, they have received Amelia's fire-call, bearing the most grievous news…
Minerva's nephew, Maddock McGonagall who came home from Hogwarts to celebrate his latest Quidditch victory at school was killed with his father, Malcolm McGonagall, who was Minerva's last remaining cousin. The two McGonagall wizards bravely and foolishly interfered to help muggles, who were being attacked by a group of witches and wizards in the name of their new dark Lord Voldemort. The incident was evidently part of the organized destruction that happened this very night. The tragic news had left Minerva with no relatives in the world… With an intense grief down her soul… And brewing rage in her heart for Voldemort and all his fanatics...
The following weeks and months went like a blur. Minerva thoroughly tracked information on unreported attacks involving death-eaters. Her animagus form had worked many hours at each site to find Bellatrix scent or any leads on how to locate her… And every time she was sure the young witch had been there, Minerva's fear doubled that she was running out of time…
Then one night in July, while at Amelia Bones' residence having dinner, a message from the Ministry arrived that an Auror received a tip of where a group of death-eaters will attack. When Minerva and Amelia arrived in the general area, fights were already underway. They hurriedly aided the Aurors who seemed to be outnumbered. And within first minute of encounter, Minerva spotted a familiar figure that she just knew to be Bellatrix…
Minerva's rational mind dictated that she ought to re-consider, for somehow she knew Bellatrix was no longer the young witch she knew two years ago… that she was no longer the Bellatrix Black… But currently as Bellatrix Lestrange… And a death-eater…
But in the same vein, that mattered little, as Minerva was still aiming to get to Bellatrix Black and save her…
Seeing an opening, Minerva straightaway transfigured the ground into slippery ice, breaking into giant portions and moving them far apart. It effectively managed to isolate Bellatrix from other death-eaters who tumbled into outlying opposite side. Minerva then transfigured the nearest debris into substantial partitions to completely sequester Bellatrix from others.
Before taking off towards Bellatrix's direction, Minerva transfigured the icy floor back into solid ground, and then erected more barriers behind her for added obstacle between them and anyone else.
"Bella, it's me." Minerva began as she squatted beside the lying Bellatrix, who earlier had fallen and hit her head when the floor was transfigured into ice… Minerva casted a protego charm over them, before she gently shoved the death-eater's hood to expose Bellatrix's face.
Not a second longer, Bellatrix dark eyes opened in confusion, and rapidly morphed into fright, and then panic, before she scrambled away from Minerva while saying, "Do not touch me." And for good measure, Bellatrix casted her own protection against the older witch.
Minerva instinctively knew that there is something far different in Bellatrix than she had anticipated. She also knew that she has limited time to get through Bellatrix. And without a second longer, she powerfully countered Bella's charm.
Then Minerva was about to physically reach for the young woman when she paused halfway through as a faint version of a slicing hex had split the skin on her arm, the one extended towards Bellatrix…who actually casted the hex. The blood that flowed out from the sliced clothing and flesh seemingly stunned both the caster and the victim. But Minerva recovered faster; she ignored the blood and the pain, and she snatched Bellatrix closer to her before the younger witch could react.
"Look at me, Bella. It is I… It's Minerva…" Minerva implored fervently and moved exceedingly near Bellatrix's face. "Please… I'm here for you…"
"Minerva?" The obscurity that seemed to have enveloped Bellatrix's mind somewhat lifted. "What? What are you doing here?"
"I've been looking for you."
"You are not safe here. You need to go now. They kill the likes of you without remorse, and that is only after they're done raping you."
"You know I taught many of you… You know I can protect myself."
"But the Dark Lord might over-power you… And he would torture you! You are… you are Dumbledore's Deputy… He'll invade your mind until you are left with nothing to hide… You'll be lucky if he gets immediately bored in torturing you and just kill you. Please leave, now!"
"I am not leaving you with them… You know that I cannot! I care about you, Bella. Please… Had I known what was to happen when you left Hogwarts, I would have… I would have…" Minerva truly does not know what… But all she could feel down her soul is the immeasurable responsibility to take away Bellatrix from all this. "I need you to leave with me."
But out of nowhere, there is a burning pain against Minerva's palm and she instinctively released her hold on Bellatrix and yanked her hand towards her chest. The invading burning took all her attention, but before she can think to search the source of it, Bellatrix's cries penetrated her consciousness. Only then she realised that the burning she felt was from touching Bellatrix's arm; her mind leapt into understanding that it was the area where the dark mark has been imprinted, albeit currently concealed by the sleeves of Bellatrix's cloak.
"He's calling… Or he's coming… Doesn't matter, you have to go." Bellatrix terrified voice broke Minerva's consciousness. And at the same time, it gave confirmation of the cause of the burning pain…that it came from the Dark Mark.
"You're coming with me." Minerva decisively replied and then she clasped her hands at Bellatrix's forearm.
"Stop it… Stop it Minerva!" Bellatrix cried and attempted to detach herself by pushing away the older witch. "I cannot leave with you. I cannot escape this anymore." She indicated to her dark mark. And moved a step back from Minerva.
"You can. I won't let them have you—"
"They already have…! Bellatrix cried in anguish. "The Bellatrix that you know is gone."
Right in the middle of this perilous confront, as peculiar as it can be, Bellatrix's indubitable submission to a wretched life is forcefully draping Minerva of such veracity… This undue declaration of enslavement is driving Minerva to loathe oneself for playing a perpetuating part…for knowing that she could have tried to explore avenue to foster any sort of personal relationship, instead of completely dismissing Bellatrix's amorous feelings… Not for the first time, Minerva was assaulted with the supposition that she could have saved Bellatrix from the evilness she had already suffered… if only she had suppressed her outright rejection of Bellatrix… and perhaps… tried…to love back the young woman…?
Nonetheless, upon reaching the end of such supposition, Minerva equally loathed herself for the very nature of such notion… This matter of regard had led her to loosely blame Albus Dumbledore, for not influencing her to be more scheming, that could have made it simpler for her to fiddle with Bellatrix's feelings, just so she'll have the witch on their side, and protect her from the cruelty of what she had experience, and countless more to come, with this foul reality unfolding before all of them… As this is one cursed predicament, Minerva's rumination had easily thrown her back into resenting herself for caring too much about Bellatrix, but not enough to love her.
Then all too much… It… felt like a lifetime ago… of that time when Minerva found 15-year old Bellatrix frantically stopping the bleeding of her hand from her own knife in one of Hogwarts bathroom and certainly past the students' bedtime… The girl who was sharply talented, but so rough on edges who had showed up at her detention trying to bribe her Professor with chocolates and quill… But just few short years under… as hard as Minerva tried to fight… deep within her bones, this moment with Bellatrix felt like a real deal goodbye… especially to that young Bellatrix…
"No… You're still you. And I am now here for you." Minerva fought on, unaware of the pooling tears in her emerald eyes. "Think, Bella. All you have to do is come with me right now… I will make sure that they will never get to you."
"You are not listening, Minerva… They HAVE gotten to me already… In me… On me… Through me…" Bellatrix desolately stated. "Fighting it hurts too much… And I do not want to fight it anymore... I am already one of them… The dark lord is proving right, my place is nowhere but at his side." Again, she took a step away from Minerva, drew her wand, and poised it threatening. "Please, leave."
Minerva Isobel McGonagall is not a Gryffindor for nothing… In heated frustration, she said, "I am going to take you away from them. You'd have to fight me to stop me." She too raised her wand to manifest the intent of her words. "Darkness is not all there is. There is goodness; there is light, Bellatrix. Just choose it."
Of all the reaction in the world… there is nothing that could have prepared Minerva for Bellatrix's absolute stillness… one that ran over a minute, or perhaps two, or five minutes… Minerva could never recall how long that moment of immobility lasted. But it would be one of those moments in her life that she will never ever forget no matter how much she wanted… For when the reticence broke, Bellatrix seething words shook her to the core.
"FUCK YOU! FUCK THE LIGHT!"
The vehemence slammed into Minerva's face. And unadulterated horror enveloped her as Bellatrix's manic laughter rang in the air afterwards.
"Please, Bella. Fight this."
"Fight what? You and your fucking extravagant choices in favor of the light?" Bellatrix spat. And she started firing bombarda at Minerva's erected barriers around them to take them down.
From Minerva's peripheral vision, she saw that a couple of Bellatrix's companions engaged at fighting Aurors had caught sight of them… She does not know how many more Aurors or Death-Eaters have arrived since she sequestered Bellatrix… But her instinct is shouting at her that the time has expired. Yet, she just knew she has to try to get through Bellatrix, one more time… But words of petition stopped coming out of her lips, and her entire heart froze with Bellatrix's next declaration.
"I've watched your nephew die… Yes, we killed him…"
"No... That can't be true." Minerva denial was palpable.
"Oh, I didn't personally kill him, one of the boys did…" Bellatrix sneering tone sent cold sweat down Minerva's back. "You see, your nephew chose the light… AND IT KILLED HIM! He was calling out 'father' to that pathetic wizard who were also interfering to help muggles… Oooh, was he your brother, or cousin? No matter, of course, he too had to die… MINERVA, YOUR PRECIOUS LIGHT WILL ONLY KILL PEOPLE DEAR TO YOU! And it will leave you all alone for the rest of your life…"
Years and more years after that encounter, for the entire ensuing catastrophe, directly or indirectly between her and Bellatrix, Minerva would still never be certain if the words she had responded were the very ones that finally severed whatever last shred of rapport they had. With all intent she could muster, Minerva said, "You are right, Bellatrix. You belong to evil. I WAS RIGHT NOT TO LOVE YOU BACK."
Instead of hexes and curses in return, Bellatrix laughed and laughed at her face… Minerva's hand shook in temptation to use Avada Kedavra. And she truly almost…
But in the next instant, Bellatrix laughter stopped. And Minerva intuitively threw herself away from her spot as she felt a substantial size boulder appeared just behind her. She barely had time to realise the threat was not the boulder, but the incoming killing curse meant for her from another unknown death-eater…
The boulder shattered as expected when it intercepted the killing the curse. Minerva barely had time to cast a shield against the resulting debris. But all at the same time, Minerva's mind was coming to terms that Bellatrix was the one who conjured the boulder… to protect her… It rendered Minerva briefly hopeful…
Except, it all vanished by the second she picked herself off the ground, as Bellatrix left her the most painful parting remarks—
"Don't die yet, Minerva. I'd like you to witness how much I truly belong to evil. In fact my dearest, every cruel act will be dedicated to you."
Hermione could feel the utmost guilt waving off Minerva, even decades after, even two wars after… She shifted the woman in her arms and took measure to look at the desolate emerald eyes before she firmly stated, "Minerva, you DO NOT OWN the decisions made by Bellatrix. They were hers and hers alone."
Guilt is one source of sorrows that follows a person for every missed good deeds, and the gravity is essentially weightiest for those with noblest of heart… Hermione is best friends with Harry Potter, the one who saved the Wizarding Society from Voldemort's absolute darkness, and yet she had often heard from him his slight self-castigation of what else he could have done… Of many lives he could have saved… And Hermione just know that Minerva is down noble to core just like Harry, and thus grappling with the same personal strife...
Minerva continued with the narration of her past. "In less than a week there was another death-eaters' attack." And the witch was sounding more wretched, "As Bellatrix promised, she made sure to leave me her first souvenir… One of the victims was a muggle-born witch."
Hermione held her breath. Her own memory of their capture and her torture at Malfoy's Manor was rearing to ran her over. But she chased them away, knowing that Minerva needs her right now as the woman is ploughing through her own nightmare...
"She was tortured and… sexually violated… Bellatrix made certain that I get the message... For the message says, 'For you dearest' had been carved on her stomach. She died before we can safely transport her to St. Mungos… It was as if I…I had to bear witness to her last breath…"
Hermione was horrified to say the least. But she maintained listening to Minerva's retelling of how she vomited at such viciousness. How she could not unsee the moment of her death… Of how those three short words haunted her for so long. And also how it would take everything in her to not vomit at many other act of evil she'd found at every incident of butchery that had been 'dedicated' to her by Bellatrix…
And with the following years, it only became worse as brutality heightened. And it seemed that the accelerated descend to hell by Bellatrix was almost driving Minerva herself into darkness.
"Albus was furious at me… He was convinced the course I've embarked was of self-destruction. But I was more furious at him for that notion. And for confining me at Hogwarts despite knowing that The Order had lacked the numbers to carry its operation."
Minerva related to Hermione how the Ministry people were vanishing and dropping dead. Minister Jenkins was doing all she can but it was too late, the death-eaters only gotten so bold in their killings. The Order was scarcely doing any saving… And still, Dumbledore was controlling Minerva's participation at the Order. That there was almost a censure of information given to her, particularly when the modus operandi of ruthlessness was of Bellatrix's…
During Hermione's stay at the Grimmauld place just before her sixth year, she learned some details about the original Order of the Phoenix including the fact that the members were almost wiped out during the early years with the brutal encounters. Once, she furtively asked Remus Lupin about Minerva's partaking in the original Order, and discovered that the woman was hardly at the headquarters. Lupin supposed that there was no need when Minerva had always gotten her decrees directly from Dumbledore, and obviously done at Hogwarts…
Hermione comprehended just now how the unknown part was due to the complicated situation between Minerva and Bellatrix… And in a way, she understood Albus' rationale of the needed restraints on Minerva... For all the underlying manipulations by Dumbledore that Hermione had deduced about so many things, she cannot negate how the wizard truly looked out for Minerva…
"Sometimes, Amelia took pity on me and sneaked me into operations; she knew I'd need to do something and she reasoned that bringing me was less problematic rather than finding that I'd taken off alone trying to track death-eaters' activities… especially that the odds was proving not in the Order's favor… And then… Amelia's family was massacred…"
Minerva spoke of knowing the feeling of losing one's family in one snap… And because of that, whatever Albus had said she was under, had stopped… That it vanished that night Amelia cried in her arms… That she stopped taking full blame for every evil done by Bellatrix. That she stopped blaming Albus for whatever misconception she was harboring about what she could have done for Bellatrix...
"Albus and I never spoke of how I partly blamed him… When he finally sent me to tail my former colleagues at DMLE to check and counter imperius curses casted on them, it was his manner of telling me that it was all right. That he knew that we are over it…" Minerva sighed at such admission and then quietly said to Hermione, "You must think I was foolish for blaming Albus."
"No, Minerva..." Hermione sincerely responded, ensuring to communicate that she was not patronising the older witch. "Dumbledore was your mentor. No matter how unreasonable it was, you were looking for him to straightforwardly instruct you to indulge Bellatrix of her feelings for you, which could have prevented her from being thrown into that path. But for Albus, you had been his closest friend as well, and after what you two had been through with Grindelwald, he rather not put you with that... well, at least not if he could help himself."
"I supposed…" Hermione heard Minerva mumbled. She felt the older woman's arms wrapped tightly around her. And a kissed placed somewhere on her neck, before Minerva muttered, "Once again, you are thoroughly reminding me how brilliant you are."
Minerva's words completely sent Hermione back to that very night at the McGonagall Manor when they had been talking about their scars, sorrows and salvation… It was the first time she heard similar compliment from this woman after Minerva narrated her mother's dormant magic somewhat triggered the connection to Grindelwald's attack using muggles... Considering that the Minerva was known, up to this date, for her bloody walls and absolute solitude, the woman has had confided in her, even that first night together… It always has been natural between them to share painful matters residing deep within their souls… How they sought and received comfort from each other… and somewhat found liberation as well… And it literally started seven years ago…
Seven entangled years…
Seven years of loving Minerva McGonagall…
When Hermione decided to be here at her parents' old house, on this night after the commemoration, she must had hoped, or had known that Minerva would show up… And when the woman did, Hermione was determined to safeguard her heart from being trampled all over again... But all Minerva had to do was reached for her hand, and all her defences had been swept under… And when Minerva uncovered a significant portion of her heart, Hermione knew with certainty that her love cannot be the only one drawing and binding them in such passion… Excluding the fact that they have unintentionally brought a daughter into the world, Hermione's heart clenched at the quivering hope that Minerva loves her back…
And if not…?
At least she would know…and end the misery of uncertainty… Yes, heartbroken is all there will be… And Hermione ought to outright hear them from the woman herself… Once and for all, Hermione needs to ask the question— Does Minerva love her?
For that and the myriad whirling matters strongly pushing forth from the depths of her heart, Hermione ended up asking a useless question of wanting to ask a question. "May I ask you something?"
"Yes, darling." Minerva unburied her face from Hermione's neck to look straight into chocolate yes. "I know we have more things to talk about. Do ask whatever you want to know."
Hermione briefly shut her eyes to gather all the Gryffindor inside her. She then felt a kiss gently placed on the tip of her nose and sensed Minerva's fingers tenderly brushing her cheek. When she opened her eyes to meet emerald eyes for the truth she seeks, she can see all the figurative walls of this woman are nowhere. This Minerva, is the very Minerva unknown to the public… Her Minerva…
No longer giving herself any excuse, she took a deep breath before she bravely asked, "Did you ever discard the bracelet that Bellatrix gave you?"
The question, of course, meant one and only one thing. And that is— 'Have you ever fallen in love with someone?'
"Yes…" Minerva replied.
Hermione was sure that Minerva had read through her question. And now that she has the answer, she was not sure how to handle that one word answer… Except without a doubt, her heart ached at the implication…that Minerva had truly fallen in love with someone…
And before Hermione can decide if she wants to know who has Bellatrix's bracelet in their possession— who Minerva had considered as the love of her life… Minerva turned her world up side down with the additions she made to that one word answer.
"I gave it to you, Hermione."
The shock, the confusion, the fear, and the hope, they all exploded inside of Hermione and she was left to breathlessly ask, "What?"
"You have it, darling."
That response seemingly dispatched all other feelings and the one thing that seemed to have overpowered them can only be characterised as— anger…. Anger at the inopportune jape she was being put under. "I assure you Minerva that you did not give me any bracelet— "
"It was the rose… The one I gave you at the Manor seven years ago."
"I do not underst…" Before she could finish her angry and confused sentence, her brilliant golden brain easily caught up. "You transfigured the bracelet into that rose?"
"Yes. Well, strictly speaking, I melded the transfiguration with real rose petals before charming it to last. But yes, the bracket become the stem, and the stones transfigured as leaves."
"Minerva…" Hermione had to exhale for she did not realise that she'd been holding her breath… "The rose… Do you mean that…" The thundering inside Hermione's heart was so loud that she had difficulty completing a sentence.
"Yes." Minerva kissed her deeply before speaking, "I do…" Kissing her one more time before Minerva set off into a dialogue of painful disarrays. "But I know it is not fair to you... I know you have the right to move on with your life after the last time we… after what happened to us five years ago…after I failed you again…"
"What do you mean Minerva?" Hermione's mind was reeling from Minerva's declaration… The woman loves her but Hermione could hear and feel the endless misgivings and bitter consequences running round and round... Of Minerva's unending impediment… And the general faultiness of their situations regardless of the feelings they have for each other…
"I need to be honest darling, I do not know how to…" Minerva started to get up from the bed and Hermione was trying to control the rising panic of such déjà vu when Minerva is mindlessly getting dressed… "I mean, I have asked myself more times that I could remember if I should stay away and not mess your life the way I appear and disappear… Especially now you are raising your daughter. I know I should not be a fucking inept disrupting in your life…"
Your daughter…
This reminded Hermione of that one untold truth between her and Minerva… And the sense of doom only amplified. The meaning of Minerva's words cannot be clearer… the woman has no idea that she fathered Rose…
How the hell could Minerva know? For all the magical accounts on reproducing children, lone anatomical transfiguration never resulted into one. The limited cases of same gender couples who had tackled creating a family had all undergone serious magical route with mediwizards and mediwitches experts, for mere transfiguration is not only insufficient, it also goes against the magical elementals… Nonetheless, all underlying complication simply got overridden, unknowingly, by Minerva's fucking transfiguration prowess.
Fucking Bloody Transfiguration.
"When I heard that you had given birth. I forced myself to accept that it was just so that you moved on and start a family with someone… One time, Harry showed me a picture of your daughter…"
Fucking Harry Potter.
"Rose is a very beautiful girl that takes so much of you… Everyone can tell how she'll break so many hearts in the future… And though I've held myself from knowing who, I could not help but think that her father could make you happy…for I cannot possibly...know how..."
Fucking clueless Minerva McGonagall.
"Hermione, I know there must be something between us but I also know that there are so many matters that are complicated, which are beyond and above us… You are… You are… bloody hell you are the quintessence of brilliance destined for greatness. I would not know anyone who thinks otherwise… And that… I… I do not know how to afford that… You have a life that should… that should! Argh…! Your career! And then I… I am this… I am tied to Hogwarts... And I am… I find myself heavy-handed on this. I do not know this… Bloody all I know is that I have failed you time and time again; it is apparent how you deserve better… Many times I am convinced that to stay away is the best for—"
"Stop, Minerva!" Hermione managed to intersect and she had to control the beating of her heart brought by the intensity of both the truth and misconstruction from Minerva's declaration… "Stop for a second!" Hermione panted as tried to hold in her racing mind and heart… For she is no fool... Despite Minerva's ramblings, she perfectly understood every meaning; spoken and those implied. Furthermore and wretchedly, her rational golden brain thoroughly agrees with Minerva… And she has yet to tell the woman about Rose— their daughter.
But every beat of Hermione's heart screams for the love she has for Minerva. She cut the little distance created between them when the older woman earlier got up from the bed. She gently dislodged the pale hands from self-embrace and snaked them around her waist, before her own hands reached up and clasped behind Minerva's delicate neck. Staring deep into emerald eyes, Hermione could not help but kissed the owner, pouring all the love in her heart.
"I love you, Minerva." Hermione breathed.
"I do too…" Minerva solemnly pronounced. "But—"
"I know." Hermione pressed her lips once more against Minerva's. "But let us set all of them aside…" When Minerva was about to object, she added, "Just for this moment… because there is one matter we need to talk about."
Hermione watched Minerva nod in acquiesce. Then she ran inside her mind, back and forth, the words— 'Minerva, we have a daughter... Rose is our daughter… Rose is your daughter...' And several other sentences bringing the same message of confession…
Her throat constricted and vaguely it occurred to her that Minerva's wand is far enough to not immediately hex her to kingdom come once she tells her the truth… Then she felt hands ran down her arms, and realised that Minerva was appeasing the trembles of her body.
One last deep breath and Hermione began, "Minerva, I need to tell you—"
But words ceased coming our of Hermione's lips when a familiar silver stag appeared across the room and the equally familiar voice of Harry Potter rang hurriedly.
"Mione, someone just reported that Voldemort's dark mark appeared outside the Ministry and Aurors are on the way to find out. Ron with Charlie, George, and Angie are already on the way to your parents to place protection around the house for precaution. Then they'll bring Rose to the Burrow. Ginny and others will be there too. Lets just meet there."
When Harry's patronus disappeared, both witches uttered, "I need to go."
Hermione moved to affix her clothing but realised that Minerva beat her to it, and efficiently transfigured them into proper robes.
"Hogwarts." Minerva's single word already abreast Hermione that of course, the school remains an attractive target of any malevolent forces. And how the woman has to be there without delay.
"After I check Rose, I will go to Hogwarts."
"I will lock down all entry. Send me patronus so I can let you in." Minerva responded and then asked, "Can we apparate from—"
"No. I've set anti-apparation. We need to get out to the back garden." Hermione answered the unfinished question and made her way downstairs, with Minerva closely behind her.
When they've stepped outside, Hermione was trying to control her trepidation when Minerva pressed her lips against hers.
"Darling, don't get splinched, all right…?" Minerva's calm words soothe Hermione, as well as the caring hand on her cheek. Then she got another kiss from the woman she loves, but this one was just above her brow, "Hermione, be careful, please."
When she nodded, the woman took steps backwards and before Hermione say back to Minerva to be careful as well, the woman disapparated.
No time to waste, Hermione concentrated, and in the next instant, she landed just outside the Burrow. She sent a patronus towards the house as her pre-alert notice, and by the time she reached the threshold, the door opened by Charlie.
"Rose is in the kitchen. Your parents are all right. George and Angie opted to stay, just to make sure." The Dragonologist immediately assured Hermione.
"Thank you, Charlie." Hermione gratefully responded and proceeded to see Rose who apparently heard her arrival and ran towards her…
Hermione embraced her daughter so tight that the little rascal mumbled her complaint of excessive hugging. She kissed Rose's forehead and it reminded her of just the last kiss Minerva gave her…
Hermione knew in her heart that had Minerva known that she is Rose's other parent, she would be right here, also be kissing this little girl…
But Hermione had failed to tell Minerva of that one truth…
And for now, the emerald witch is undoubtedly being 'The Minerva McGonagall' of their Wizarding world— currently at Hogwarts, as the powerful Headmistress that she is…
End of Chapter
Title: One Dark Mark and One Rose
uploaded: 03 May 2021
Damn...! Almost, right? lol
Thank you for STILL reading this story!
Stay safe.