Note: I am so sorry for the delay in posting this, I am still currently homeless so the last few months have been rather difficult for me. But here it is. Sorry to those that were hoping for smut this chapter, I had planned it but felt that there was a little more before we got to that.
Trigger warning: references to rape in this chapter so please take care when reading.
All my love Nell xoxo
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Hermione frowned as her fathers words filtered through her mind again as she stared out at the Manor grounds through the large bay window in the library. It had been almost two weeks since Andromeda had told them of Dumbledore's plans and she wasn't at all pleased with her fathers stipulation that he be the one to end Albus Dumbledore and although she could understand why her father wished to be the one to eradicate their world of the old goat she couldn't help but wish she would be the one to get the privilege.
The man had entirely destroyed her young life, he stole her from her parents, used his position to control her life and trap her in a home environment that was wholly unpleasant. He tried to rob her of her identity and nature, tried to marry her off and was now demanding that she was kidnapped and raped. Her anger and complete disgust for the man had never been more heightened than it was now and she would desperately love seeing him fall.
"Oh stop the pouting little witch, you're father is not about to change his mind about being the one to deliver the killing blow but he said nothing about not allowing you to exact your pound of flesh" Narcissa whispered, coming up behind her and wrapping her arms around the Omega.
"I know Cissa, I know. I'll take great pleasure in doing so but nothing I will do to him will ever seem like it is enough to make up for all he has done, not only to me but this family and the wider wizarding world" she murmured in response, twisting in her blonde Alpha's arms to face the older witch. Nuzzling her face in against Narcissa's scent gland to show her that she wasn't mad at her family, just extremely frustrated with the whole scenario.
"Oh little witch I understand that wholeheartedly but he is your father and he is your, our families head Alpha, Dumbledore is his to kill, our nature's will not allow for anything else." The blonde replied, her tone gentle, conveying just how much she understood her Omega's plight. Hermione allowed her Alpha to pull her in fully against her and nuzzle her back. Taking comfort in her steady presence.
She wasn't sure why but whenever she was in an overly emotional state Narcissa seemed to be the one out of all three of her Alpha's that found her and provided comfort every time. Though Bellatrix and Andromeda where equally as comforting as Narcissa whenever they were around, it just seemed to be that Narcissa was around more. Hermione appreciated that. Especially now that she had come into her nature fully.
Her inner Omega hated being parted from her mates and with Andromeda working as a mediwitch at St Mungo's and Bellatrix out on raids more often than not, Hermione found herself clinging to Narcissa whenever she could. The older Alpha's presence the only thing offering her a little shelter from the continuous discomfort she felt whenever Bella and Andy weren't around. She pushed her face in closer to her Alpha's neck, drawing in deep breathes of her scent as she tried to tamp down the urge to fight her case.
"Cissa is right love, our very nature's as Alpha's demand we protect our Omega's. Tom isn't just an Alpha but he is your father. His Omega was harmed by Dumbledore and his child was harmed by him, he will not be able to find any comfort if he is not the one to deliver that final blow" Bellatrix's lilting voice, interrupted as she and Andromeda strode into the room.
Chuckling when Hermione couldn't help but snap her head in their direction and try to go towards them, huffing in agitation as Narcissa held her back.
"Patience little witch, let them come through the door" the blonde chastised her gently as she felt herself begin to pout again despite the consoling kiss that the blonde pressed against her cheek or the sympathetic looks from her two recently returned Alpha's.
"Oh it's like that is it?" Andromeda laughed not impolitely as she took off her cloak and pulled Hermione from Narcissa and into her own arms. The brunette couldn't help but smile tenderly in response as she nuzzled Andromeda's cheek in greeting, savouring the gentle kisses the older brunette pressed to her cheeks and forehead before passing her to her eldest Alpha.
She wasted no time in tilting her neck for Bellatrix, purring quietly when the dark witch immediately pressed a kiss to her pulse point and rubbed her nose along her scent gland. The feeling of her Alpha's nose running along such a sensitive part of her body caused her to shiver slightly and burry herself in tighter against Bella.
"I missed you both" she murmured, tightening her arms around the dark haired woman.
"We missed you too little witch, though you'll be glad to know, we have both taken the next week and a half off to spend with you. Cleared by your father." And Hermione couldn't have concealed her squeal of joy even if she had wanted too at Bellatrix's news.
"Really? He agreed you could stay with us and not go on raids or to work?" She asked her Alpha's, her voice filled with the same excitement as her squeal had been.
"Yes really love, he knows what we are about to face both this week and after our bonding and agrees with us that it is important that we spend as much time together as possible before you and Andromeda have to split from us for however long" Bellatrix replied and as much as Hermione knew she didn't mean to her eldest Alpha couldn't conceal the resigned acceptance from her voice.
She knew both Bella and Narcissa were not looking forward to being split from her for however long she needed to play her part with Andromeda but like her who also wasn't looking forward to being away from them, they knew it was necessary.
If they were ever to bring down Albus then they would all have to make some sacrifices.
"Are you sure that you're okay with us bonding so soon little love?" Andromeda asked as Bella pulled Hermione down onto the sofa in front of the fireplace with her. Her other two Alpha's settling either side of them.
"Yes, I meant it when I said I am ready. I trust you with my life. All of you. I'm not looking forward to us having to part ways so soon after it but I am ready. Its fortunate that we can take advantage of his vulgar plans for me. Though how stupid he must be to believe Andromeda capable of such a task, no matter if it is for the 'greater' good or not is beyond me" she replied unable to hide her disgust or sarcasm as she recalled her brunette mates words from the last order meeting.
"Oh love, you have no idea what I'd be capable of if you or this family were in danger" Andromeda replied darkly, the sudden viciousness of her voice sending pleasant shivers down Hermione's spine which did not go unnoticed by her Alpha's if their identical smirks were anything to go by.
"Though you are right I could never carry out his ask of me on any innocent. Let alone you my darling" the brunette Alpha continued reaching up to cup her cheek tenderly.
"Yes well that aside for now" Bellatrix cut in wanting to change the topic of conversation lest she give into her anger at the reminder of Dumbledore yet again trying to harm her Omega. "We were thinking it would be best, if you agree of course, for you to take the potion tonight to kick start your heat as it'll give us more time to prepare for your departure from Narcissa and I without having to part with you to close to our bonding" she continued and Hermione found herself smiling yet again at her Alpha's show of consideration. It was clear they had discussed the best possible plan of action but it warmed her heart to know that they would change their plans if she wasn't comfortable with them. It made her feel safe and loved in ways she never had before she had been kidnapped/rescued at the ministry by Bella.
"Of course, though I want to talk to mama before I take it" she replied, yawning a little. Suddenly beyond tired now that she had all of her mates surrounding her. She had been having trouble sleeping and knew it was because she couldn't reassure herself that her Alpha's were alright when they weren't with her.
"Okay love, but for now let us rest a while. I've missed holding you these past few days" Bellatrix murmured, pressing a kiss to the top of her head tenderly. Hermione hummed in response, closing her eyes and letting herself succumb to sleep as she basked in being held by her mates. Their gentle purring acting as the best sort of lullaby.
Hermione cringed slightly under her mothers teasing look as they say together in her room. She had begun to second guess the logic in asking her mother about what she should expect to happen during the bonding.
As much as she trusted her Alpha's she was still nervous about the whole process, knowing it was yet again another aspect of control she would have to give up when she went into heat. Aware that her Omega side would more than likely be fully in control of her actions and thoughts and had come to her mother for advice and reassurance. Though she found her mother was entirely too amused by her inability to just trust the process.
"Sorry baby, its just you are so like me it's uncanny" Alecto replied, pulling Hermione onto her lap, sensing her daughters irritation at her amusement.
"Yes well it doesn't change how nervous I am mama" she pouted more annoyed at herself than anything. She didn't like the fact that all her old insecurities were making this more difficult for her and wished she could just let things happen without the need to question every aspect of it.
"Oh my dove, this is something that makes me more annoyed at what that awful man did. If you had grown up with us as you should have, bonding wouldn't seem so daunting for you now. You would have grown up trusting the Blacks, you would have grown up perfectly aware of who you are and what to expect" Hermione could hear the upset in her mothers tone and wrapped her arms around her tightly in response. She knew her mother was right. She should have grown with her family. Learning as she went rather than being thrust into a world she had no knowledge off after believing she was someone she wasn't her whole life.
"I hate him for what he did mama, I hate him" Hermione whispered, allowing her own upset to finally leak through. Being vulnerable was still a new concept to her but undoubtedly she found being vulnerable with her mother the easiest.
"As do I Hermione, he will pay. Your father will make sure of it I promise dove." Her mother reassured, running a hand through her hair in comfort.
"Now we have already been over what to expect from your mates when you go into heat. They'll be forced into a rut, which will bring out their more possessive and dominant instincts. You know about the anatomy and what it means to bond. The most important part of this however is what to expect from yourself" Alecto spoke up after a few moments of silence. Refocusing the conversation away from Albus Dumbledore.
"In heat your omega side will fully be in control. Usually an Omega will be either extremely eager to please their alphas or they'll want to challenge them, needing the alpha to prove their worth. However if you are anything like me, which you most definitely are you will be a mix of both." She continued, winking at Hermione as she blushed a little.
"Okay, so basically once I am in heat I wont have to worry about any of this because my Omega will take over?" She asked curiously, feeling a little more assured at her mothers nod.
"That's right little dove, you have nothing to fear. Now why don't you go hug your father, and then head into your Alpha's. Best not keep them waiting too long lest you set of their instincts a little before you are ready to deal with them" her mother replied, smirking at her as she gulped and nodded. Swallowing down all the fears and worries she had, hugg8ng her mother tight once more before allowing herself to be led out of the solace of her room and towards her father.
~~~ Hogwarts - Headmasters office ~~~
Albus took a moment to savour the news delivered to him by his potions professor mere moments ago. Rejoicing in the knowledge that Andromeda Tonks, now Black again after she split with Ted had come through on her task. Granted it wasn't exactly how he would have liked it done. Preferring Hermione to be bonded only to Andromeda rather than all three of the sisters but it was still a much better outcome than he had anticipated. The nuisance that the witch had caused him would all be over by the end of next week. She would be back in the castle under the supervision of one of his best order members and entirely unable to spread any of the poison she had undoubtedly learned from her father and mother. Andromeda as the girls Alpha would ensure as much and the girl would be forced to help Harry bring down the girls own father once and for all. It was perfect.
Years of careful planning had made this moment so much sweeter than he could have hoped and what made it entirely better was now his deputy would stop looking at him as if he had betrayed him with the return of her favourite little cub.
A knock on his door startled him a little and he forced himself to sit up straighter and plaster a kind expression on his face as he called forth his expected guests.
Harry Potter, Ronald Weasley and Minerva McGonagall entering and settling in front of him. He smiled sweetly at them, amused to see no emotion displayed on Ronald's face, he had obliviated the boys and Minerva after the disastrous attempt by Ronald to bring the Riddle heir back into Hogwarts when he met with her weeks ago and was pleased to see the obliviates had seemed to have worked. The three in front of him had been entirely angry with him after they had left their meeting with Hermione though they wouldn't tell him why exactly.
"It is good to see you this evening. Harry, Ronald I do hope you are behaving yourselves hmmm?" He asked, his voice resembling that of a kindly grandfather.
"Of course professor" Harry responded and Albus couldn't help but smile at the clear saviour worship on the boys face, directed at him. Ronald nodding in agreement with a similar look on his face.
"I'm glad to hear it my boy, I have called you hear this evening to deliver some rather heart-warming news" he replied , letting his statement hang for a pause before continuing.
"Your cherished friend, Hermione Granger has been confirmed to be alive. Inside sources have been able to locate the girls and while..." he held out his hand to stop the predicted interruption from all three as they made to speak.
"While she has been tortured extensively and the death eaters have attempted to brain wash her, our very own Andromeda has managed to infiltrate and get close enough to Miss Grangers tormentors to be allowed access to her. She plans on bringing her home in the next week, as soon as opportunity presents its self to do so safely" he paused letting the excitement of that news process in their eager little minds, rekindling their hope.
"I must warn you to be gentle with her when she returns, she has been through entirely too much for one so young. Though Andromeda will remain here at the castle with her to provide her with both medical and emotional support while she recovers. If Miss Granger seeks her out you must give her space, am I understood?" He finished emphasising how much the witch had been harmed. They didn't need to know that was in fact untrue but he could see just how much hearing so lit a fire in all three of his guests eyes as they nodded. His deputy looked close to tears at the news and he knew it was a mixture of relief and heartbreak over the situation.
"Good, and one more thing before you go, do not let Miss Granger wonder anywhere alone, we fear her captives may try anything to find her again" he added just as a precaution, he knew if the witch was never alone their was less chance of Riddle or the other two Black sisters rescuing the witch.
"Professor if we may know who has got her?" Harry enquired, and oh if that wasn't so predictable. The concern lacing his words was almost sickening.
"Bellatrix Lestrange and the Malfoys" he replied his tone one of grave concern. He took pleasure in the muffled sob of his deputy and the paling of the two boys faces.
Certain now that he had successfully spun his tale he dismissed them and settled back in his office to rejoice in his own cleverness.
Completely unaware of the shared glances of his three guests as they left, silent promises to meet and discuss the headmasters deceit later in the week during their scheduled occlumency lessons.