"I'll tell them about my father first, then you, then the prophecy…. No… No, I should discuss the prophecy first, then you, and my father last…. Maybe… Maybe I should just talk about the prophecies and my father, then eventually bring you out and start snogging you, let them figure out the rest."
It was just after nine. After breakfasting this morning, I had dragged Bella back to our room where she began to tinker with her crochet kit, getting a handle of how to work with it. In the meantime, I paced around the room, trying to figure what I'd say to the twins and how I'd say it. I knew it would be a long discussion, probably resulting in many questions, and I didn't realize until this morning that I never really broke down what I would say to them. As a person who always organized what I did, even partially, I was going mad with the possibilities of how this could all go wrong. Bella, restarting the same line for the tenth time, finally put the yarn aside.
"Come here." Mid-pace, I broke my pathing and made a beeline to her open arms. She guided me to sit on her lap and, without words, held me. Her hand tangled in my hair, placing my head under her chin before scratching at my scalp and massaging the nape of my neck. Her other hand resting in my own, prompting my habit of pinching the back of her hand gently. My eyes closed, a groan escaping while she massaged the point between my neck and shoulders, one side then the other. Her hand continued, travelling down my spine, finding any tense muscle she could and gently coaxing them to relax. I finally released a deep sigh as I calmed. She continued to hold me until I was close to dozing off again.
"Feel better?" I hummed in response, cuddling deeper into her.
"Thank you, baby. You always know just what to say and do to make feel better." She kissed my forehead.
"And I'll always be here whenever you need me…. But right now, It's nearly ten o'clock." My eyes widened as I sat back to look at her, surprised that her caring actions calmed me for a whole hour, unaware by the time passing by. When I frowned, she spoke again. "Don't pout love, a bit after one in the afternoon I'll return and wait for you in here. I'll probably get further passed one line of crochet, or at least try to." She still somehow managed to make me smile.
"I'll miss you while you're gone." She kissed my lips gently.
"And I'll miss you. Come along now, I'll walk you out." She accompanied me down the stairs and to the front door where Lucius and Narcissa waited.
"Oi! Celine!" I looked up the stairs to see Draco who leaned over the railing to see me. "Don't sweat it, alright? Stop worrying I can see it from over here, trust in yourself and come by to say hi during your tour." He sent me a bright smile before carrying on his way down the corridor. I smiled, much calmer than this morning and thankful for all those around me.
BCBC
"Why don't you go inside, and Lucius and I will wait right here. After greeting them, bring them out and we'll introduce ourselves before returning home and leaving you to your talk. Remember dear, we'll be around if you need us, alright?" I nodded, squeezing the hand she still held after apparating. I had to stop before entering the Leaky Cauldron, taking a deep breath, and remembering those who comforted me all morning before walking in. Due to the time of morning, the place was relatively empty. The barkeep sent me a single nod before casting his eyes to the mugs before him, minding his own business. I spotted the twins instantly, sitting in the back of the establishment, leaning close together over a table and checking over their shoulders constantly. During one of these glances, I noticed something unexpected, an extra red head of hair.
"Ginny?" The three Weasley's instantly turned to me, the one I called out red in the face. "Bloody hell, Ginny, why are you here?" She stood up, stomping her foot in her little sister fashion.
"You think I wouldn't know that the twins were coming to meet you?" I was shocked, but before I could answer, Fred scoffed, and George spoke.
"You didn't."
"You just wanted to get away from mum." Ginny looked betrayed.
"Regardless, I still knew they were up to something, and I didn't want them to leave me behind with those bigoted Order members and Ron and Harry hanging off their arses." George nodded.
"And honestly, we didn't feel right leaving her behind." I sighed, looking to the ground. Honestly, I didn't want to leave Ginny behind either, but had hopped that Harry was aware enough to know to keep her safe, if no other would. I realized then that, as not only a friend, but an older sister, I should have made Ginny my priority first. Considering it now, I had no problems revealing everything to Ginny either. In fact, it would probably save me from having to repeat the same story a few weeks down the line, all while keeping her safe by my side and allowing her and Draco's friendship to grow. The sound of a door opening, an already drunk wizard stumbling in and eyeing us, pushed me into action.
"Grab your things, lets go home." Ginny smiled, seeming pleased and grabbing a hold of her luggage. I didn't miss the fact that they all seemed to have their bags for Hogwarts as well and momentarily wondered if things at the Order of the Phoenix headquarters were worse than they had let on.
"Oh?" Lucius and Narcissa seemed shocked by the extra person, but seeing the look on my face, they decided that now was not the time to ask. "Well, hello, allow us to formally introduce ourselves. I am Narcissa Malfoy, and this is my husband Lucius. You may call us Mr. and Mrs. Malfoy." I could tell my friends were incredibly nervous as they introduced themselves with low voices and shaking hands. Trying to calm them, Narcissa turned to me.
"Come along darling, help with the luggage and let's get you home, it's chilly this morning." She succeeded in calming my friends slightly, showing them a gentler side as she fussed over me. The twins grabbed a hold of Lucius' arm and their luggage as Ginny and I held on to Narcissa, Ginny's luggage in my hand. We apparated in front of the Malfoy manor, Narcissa and Lucius giving them the opportunity to see the grounds momentarily. We were ushered inside and Crookshanks, seeming to understand my stress, greeted us at the door with a loud meow and brushing passed my leg before waiting by Lucius for a pat on the head before leaving deeper into the house.
"Alright dear, we'll leave you to your friends. You know where to find us if you need anything." I nodded, thanking her as they both moved towards the staircase and to their room.
"Bloody hell, 'Mione. I wouldn't want to spend the holiday's at Grimmauld when there's this to compare either." I laughed at Ginny's wide-eyed gaze.
"Well…. Welcome to my… my home. I'll show you to your rooms first, then give you a tour of the place before we sit down and talk." Realizing that I was getting straight to the point, everyone nodded, and they followed me to the stairs. Reaching the top of the stairs, we were met once more with Narcissa.
"Ah, perfect, I realized that you'd be needing another room. I prepared the one across from the other two, so you'll all be near each other." Ginny spoke fast.
"Oh! You didn't have to prepare a room for me, I can stay with my brothers, or with Hermione even." My mind flashed the image of a shocked Ginny, walking into the room to see Bella and I wrapped around each other in bed.
"Nonsense! I hope you all enjoy your stay comfortably." Narcissa gave me an amused look, obviously seeing my panic and effortlessly covering for me. I smiled after her as she left without another word, returning to her room. I continued almost to the end of the corridor before pointing at a door.
"This is my room." I thought for a second, about opening the door, but remembering the pictures of Bella and my parents, I quickly detoured to the next room down. "All the rooms look fairly similar so rather than spend a lot of time going through every one of them, I'll just show you all your rooms."
Their jaw dropped as they saw the room. I showed them the door for the closet and the door for the washroom as well as the spell for the bathtub, as Draco had done for me months before. I then showed them the second room, directly next to the first, then the third one, across the hall from the two. I gave them a few moments to put their luggage down before we continued on the tour. I showed them the rest of the floor, pointing out the master bedroom which held Narcissa and Lucius as we passed and, before turning to return downstairs, I stopped by another room, knocking on the door.
"Enter… If you have no fears." The Weasleys glanced to each other as I rolled my eyes, opening the door.
"What the hell, Draco, why are your trying to scare the guests?" Draco, who wore casual clothing and had his hair free from gel today, sat in the middle of his floor, hundreds of Lego blocks surrounding him.
"All in good fun." He stood, a smile on his face as he dusted himself off, walking forward to shake hands with the twins and pat Ginny on the shoulder.
"Welcome to the Malfoy manor. Make yourselves at home and don't let Hermione scare you away. She's actually quite harmless." I shoved his shoulder, thankful that he tried to calm me by lightening the mood.
"Get back to your building blocks." He looked betrayed.
"You can't tease me when you're the one who got it for me." I shook my head, retreating from the room. He sent me a wink before I could close the door and I smiled in thanks.
"He does seem like an alright bloke." Fred mentioned as we went down the stairs.
"He already stole the heart of our girls too." George motioned to Ginny and me.
"I love his hair like that." I laughed at the random comment yet agreed with Ginny's opinion.
I showed them the back of the house first, standing right outside the door as I pointed out the garden and field where we played quidditch and went for a night fly. From the looks on their faces, I knew that I'd find them out here a few times before the end of the holiday. I then brought them passed the kitchen, the dinning room, the library, and lastly the family room/study which we settled in. The Weasley siblings were surprised when I called a house elf, asking to have some tea brought to us.
"I've been worried about what I have to tell you all, and how I'd do it…. Honestly I just think it'd be best to start from the beginning." The tea arrived and I took the opportunity to regain the warmth I lost when showing the backyard.
"Take your time, 'Mione."
"We'll listen without interruptions."
"And we'll be understanding and open minded to whatever you have to say." I looked between the siblings as they spoke one by one, wondering how I could have ever been so worried with friends as caring as them. Taking a deep breath, I put my cup of tea down and started. All the way at the beginning.
"I've told you all that I was abandoned by the Grangers after a dream that scared them after they learned of me being a witch. Well, that was basically true. I've been having that dream since I was a child and it involved me standing in the middle of a war ground, post-war, bodies all around…. Anyways, I had told my parents that sometimes I, or others, held a weapon and on occasion, that weapon was some sort of stick, so, when they saw me holding my wand for the first time, they assumed my dream was going to come true and their daughter was to become this mass murderer." I took a sip of tea. I felt it would be important to tell them the contents of my dream now as it played a big part to what led me here today.
"Everything that led to me spending the summer with the Malfoy's – King's Cross, speaking with Draco – that was all true, but most of what occurred after I either lied about or just avoided mentioning. When I first got here, Narcissa was very caring and understanding of my situation. I had wanted to just stay a few days and use my grandparent's heritage to find my own place, but she offered me a permanent spot to complete my studies with no financial worries. She listened to my stories of the Grangers, listened to my dream, and eventually, came to the realization that it seemed I had a prophecy, and an important one at that if it manifested in the form of a dream from such a young age and for so many years. She helped me to find this prophecy and to interpret it and, skipping all the riddles and puzzles, it seems like I have been lied to my whole life by those around me. This proved to be true when, after a bit of searching, Narcissa found some documents. Adoption papers…. I want to remind you all to let me finish the story without questions before I continue." The siblings, wide-eyed and tea forgotten, nodded, eager for me to continue.
"My name is not Hermione Granger. My birth name is Celine Celeste Plight-Riddle. Daughter to Anastasia Plight and Tom Riddle. In the past, before the first war, the Plight family played a neutral party, helping both sides with innocent necessities, organizing documents, finances, and helping with medical care when needed. Anastasia, my mother, went to meet my father after he had been injured and… and long story short, they fell in love. Eventually, my mother fell pregnant and though she insisted on remaining neutral, taking no side of war regardless of who she loved, something my father understood and accepted, the… the 'light' side, saw it as betrayal. The day my mother fell into labor, they had been attacked. My uncle was murdered by…. Bloody hell I wasn't going to say it, but I would be just like them if I kept anything out while saying I'd tell you all…. My uncle was killed by Molly Weasley, your mother, and as the only available healer, my mother's chances of survival were low after suffering injuries. My parents got the chance to hold me for only a few moments before my mother insisted that my father assisted my grandparents who were trying to keep us protected…. My mother named me, and I was sent away with my grandparents to safety. My mother was murdered that night and a few nights later, as were my grandparents while I seemingly disappeared, now revealed that I was sent to live with a muggle family.
"This summer, I had the opportunity to ask a lot of questions. I've been lied to, there was no way I was going to believe so easily anything else. I learned that what we've been told about this 'dark side' is untrue. They don't fight for the ruling of pure-blood witches and wizards. They don't aim to control the half-bloods or to murder muggle borns. My father is a half-blood and was bullied for it in Hogwarts. He eventually stood up for himself and fellow status people which began a movement. He aimed to bring equality to all blood statuses. The light on the other hand, led mostly by pure bloods, were happy in their ways and traditions, yet with the growing number of half bloods and muggle borns, they realized they would quickly lose the fight, so they twisted it. 'Hold on to tradition before you get murdered for the status of your blood'. They were the first to spill blood in this war, the Order, and Dumbledore led the whole thing. While many died that night, most were not pure-blood status, and they took that opportunity to push the bad intentions onto my father and his side. Dumbledore is using us now, using Harry, to continue the war he had started, leading us in the direction he wants to go, while our side is secretly working to reveal the truth and allow Dumbledore to fall by his own means.
"This led to me learning that many terrible things we've heard off, the stories to make us scared of even his name, were not done by him at all…. My mother was murdered by Lily Potter that night, and admittedly, my father did want to hurt the then toddler Harry. He was mad with grief with no results in his search for me and he wanted revenge. His goal was only to hurt Harry and his friends were not far behind to stop him before it happened. My father did fall that night, and Harry did receive that scar, but he did not kill Lily and James Potter, why would he when his goal was for them to feel the same loss he had? Another occurrence…. Frank and Alice Longbottom were very close to my father, right hand man status and believers and followers to his cause. They were protected by my father when they spoke of the concerns they had regarding the light, including Augusta Longbottom, wanting to take their son from them. That same night, those set to protect them were murdered, and when those they called for backup arrived, Alice and Frank had already lost their minds from torture, Neville nowhere to be found, yet turning up not too much later in the arms of his grandmother during the hearing to send Bella… Bellatrix to Azkaban, framed for the crime.
My father has been trying to move through this war while keeping everyone that he can alive, especially us, the ones dragged into it and being mislead by those who are supposed to care for us…. Cedric Diggory…. Cedric was dead when Harry got to my father. Harry was frantic, he was going mad from whatever had happened, so he changed Harry's memories to allow him to believe that my father had killed him. It was easier on Harry to accept…. That being said, my father is back, like Harry has been saying, except… he's been back. I spent time with him this summer and just yesterday, he spent Christmas with us. He's not this emotionless and soulless serpent that we've been led to believe, that Harry has been led to believe." I sighed, relief setting in now that I've gotten everything off my chest… well almost everything. I glanced at the time and a sort of comfort filled me as I realized it was a bit after one, meaning, Bella is here, waiting for me.
"There's one last thing that I haven't told you all. In the prophecy, it revealed that I had a soulmate. Someone who loves and understands me, who I love and understand. Someone who I'm stronger with and weaker without. When I'm with my soulmate I feel as if nothing can go wrong, my health, my emotion, my very existence is thriving. My magic stronger than it's ever been." I forced myself to stop, knowing I could go on endlessly if I wanted to. After falling quiet for a while, the siblings, seeming to understand that I've reached the end of my story, finally started talking.
"I'm sorry you had to go through that alone Hermi- Celi-…." I smiled.
"Celine. I accepted my heritage, both mentally and legally before the start of the school year."
"Celine. I'm sorry you had to go through all of that by yourself. The dreams, learning about the adoption… all of it. I'm sorry." I was surprised by Ginny's answer. I told her I've been lying to her, that her mother killed my family member, that the one we're protecting is being manipulated and lied to, and all she can do it apologize.
"We're shocked a bit, but that was more than the Order has ever told us in total, let alone in one sitting."
"We can't deny what we've seen ourselves though."
"Our parents have been acting weird."
"The Order even weirder."
"It's obvious that they've been hiding something."
"We just didn't know it was to this extent."
"We believe you."
"We trust you." My gaze bounced between twins as they spoke together.
"And we'll stand behind you." My eyes landed on Ginny as she summarized what her brothers were getting at. Confirmed when they nodded with a smile.
"I'm not going to lie. I expected a lot more questions, a lot more confusion, some accusations thrown, denial, disbelief." George scoffed.
"You always expect that, Celine. From what you've told us though, is that they've been very open and honest with you…. Will they be the same with us if we have further questions?" I nodded.
"Of course! Anything they can answer, they will, or they'll direct you to where you can find your answer. If you all think of anything, we can probably discuss it at dinner or after, even Snape will have answers for you." Their eyes widened. I guess that's something I forgot.
"Snape?"
"Professor Snape?"
"As in, 'spying for the Order' Snape?" I gave a sheepish smile.
"More like spying on the Order." They shook their heads, seeming vaguely amused.
"Brilliant. Then I guess we'll see him at dinner." I nodded, smiling.
"Wait!" Ginny suddenly sat forward in her seat; all eyes turned to her. "They way you spoke of it… you know who this soulmate is don't you? Have you met him? Is he the one you kissed before getting on the train? Bloody hell and that dream you had at the end of summer?" My face went red.
"Ginny!" She laughed.
"Should we take a guess at who it is?" Fred suggested, amused by my reaction.
"You have to give us hints though." George almost whined, as if it would be unfair if I did otherwise.
"Is it someone in our school?" I sighed.
"I'm not doing this." I shook my head.
"It can't be Draco, he's with Luna." The twins turned to look at their sister, then at me, I nodded, confirming. Their eyebrows raised and they looked to each other, silently discussing something before nodded and returning to the subject.
"So, not a student?" I rolled my eyes.
"Not a student." Ginny gasp.
"Celine! An older man? How scandalous!" George observed my lack of reaction.
"Or! An older… woman?" I blushed as Ginny's jaw dropped.
"Well damn, George, it seems we never had a chance."
"It seems so, brother." They laughed.
"Since when have you liked women?" I paused, never having thought about it before now.
"You know… I don't know. I don't even know that I do like women, but I like this one, and I'd only ever want this one." Their smiles turned sweet.
"An older woman, not in school…." Realization grew in Ginny's face.
"Wait… what you said earlier, you stuttered… you barely ever stutter.… Bella… Bellatrix. Bellatrix Lestrange?!" I instantly grew defensive of my mate.
"Bellatrix Black actually. She's not like how everyone says she is." They were too busy lifting their jaws from the floor too answer right away.
"Right. I guess they would lie about her too if everyone else…. Will she be joining us for dinner too?" I blushed.
"Well, yes…. Honestly… she should be in our room right now." The twins smirked.
"Our room?" They wiggled their brows.
"You'll have to tell me everything." I laughed at Ginny's insistence.
For the next hours or so, they did ask a few questions. Some about Draco and Luna, some regarding Snape, some about Neville or Harry. Narcissa, Lucius and Bella even came across in conversation. Before I knew it, dinner was right around the corner, a reminder we received from an elf sent by Narcissa.
"Oh, something about the Malfoy manor, Narcissa really likes punctuality, to avoid a scolding, I think it would be wise for us to go and get cleaned up for dinner." The siblings agreed and we were off to our rooms.
BCBC
Opening the door to my room, a smile instantly took over my face as the sight of an excited Bella appeared before me, instantly looking to me as the door opened and lifting her hands to show off the beautifully crocheted square she accomplished in such a short time. I don't know what came over me as I suddenly rushed forward. Bella, usually ready for my sudden attacks on her, hadn't even anticipated my actions as I suddenly found myself straddling her lap. I momentarily felt thankful that my bed shared no wall to the Weasley siblings as the headboard made a significantly loud thud as the force of my kiss with Bella pushed her against the board. Bella's hands grabbed my upper thighs as they tightened around her, squeezing before travelling slowly up my body, eventually ending with her fingers tangling in my hair and deepening our kiss. After a few moments, her kissed travelled down my neck as I was forced to pull back, panting. With a nip to my collar bone, Bella finally pulled away, an eyebrow raised at the sudden attack.
"I don't know what I did to deserve such an adorable girlfriend." My only response as I stole her lips in another quick kiss.
Bella was never one to take a complement, always brushing it off, blushing, and avoiding eye contact. Realizing this, I had made it a point to compliment her whenever the opportunity arose. She, thankfully, stopped brushing them off or denying them in general, and now, has moved on to blushing and kissing me, even tucking her face in my neck with the occasional, adorable 'thank you', whispered into my skin. This time was no different as her lips returned to my neck, a gentle kiss causing me to shiver.
"Love, I was thinking about what you said yesterday…." My brows furrowed momentarily before the memory of me asking her to take me last night crossed my mind. By observing my face, she seemed confident that I knew exactly what she was talking about and continued. "While I have every intention to… make love to you, I think we should read that book over once more, just in case."
When Bella and I came across an occurrence we both knew to be soulmate-bond related, yet didn't completely understand, we often spent some time leaning over a few books, looking for an answer or explanation. There was one book in particular which Bella had found and brought home, yet we both knew we wouldn't read for a while. 'Sex: by Soulmates'. This book supposedly broke down all the possible occurrences and experiences of soulmates that could occur before, during, and after the act of intercourse. Bella and I had cracked the book open slightly after Bella had helped me to reach an orgasm that first time. I soon realized that, when in the mood nothing could satisfy me as it did before. Arousing dreams couldn't be calmed after waking, cold showers left me hot, and pleasuring myself brought only more frustration. Together we had opened the book and quickly discovered that, this small act of fooling around, has placed us in a sort of 'limbo' in our soulmate progression. Other means outside of each other would bring us no satisfaction, and in some cases, even more arousal. Additionally, the way in which we satisfy our needs now has become the new, basic, satisfaction level, though subconsciously, we may begin to crave more, something Bella and I had noticed as we found ourselves tangling with each other sometimes three times a day. The book described that this sort of limbo was common in mated pairs of differing ages, lifestyles, and other factors that may not allow the pair to complete the mating bond sooner rather than later. We had read how, while our magic had been mingling with each other pre-intercourse, this new sort of connection has our magic beginning to intertwine more than before. We read the warnings about possibly experiencing accidental magic again, sudden moments of increased sexual excitement as well as possible lack of magical control, something I already experienced after accidentally wetting my hair even more while using such a simple drying spell. Bella had laughed when I had to call her in to help me, finding me adorable as I jokingly asked her to take me then and there, not wanting anyone to ever see the brightest witch of her age fail such simple spells. I wondered why Bella suddenly brought up the book but with our current position and by the familiar blush travelling up her neck, I suspect she may be experiencing that increased sexual arousal. I finally nodded in response to her.
"Alright, let's do that." She hugged me, pressing her face into my chest as I glanced at the time. "You know, my friends are settling and getting ready for dinner, so we have twenty minutes before anyone expects to see us…." Bella smirked at my suggestion, using her attractive strength to push me off of her and flat on the bed, following closely behind as I giggled.