Chapter 20 – I've been doing a lot of planning/organising with my stories recently and you'll be glad to know that this story alongside a few others have now been planned right to the end. I predict roughly a further ten chapters to this particular fic if I can stick to my plan. I'm unsure as to whether I should pick one of my fics and focus on it solely or keep doing what I have been and update multiple? If I focus solely on one it means I'd finish a fic sooner but updates may be longer to wait for. Let me know what you think.
I also apologise for the wait in updates, my life is still as manic as ever. Really losing heart at the wait for housing, living in homeless accommodation is exhausting, thank you to all those that asked after me, I appreciate your kindness more than you will ever know. Its just extremely difficult to stick to a schedule when I'm constantly this tired and exhausted. I feel like I'm living in limbo a little if that makes sense and I hate not having my own space, nothings mine it all belongs to the accommodation and its overwhelming at times. I know things will get better but currently I'm real tired of living like this. Anyways Ihope to update at least another one of my stories this week but I hope you enjoy this update. As always thank you so much for all the support. I love you all. ~ Nell xoxo ~.~.~.~.~.
~ Hermione's Pov ~
The young brunette Omega couldn't help but laugh gleefully as her mama chased her around the lawn beside the porch they had sat on together with her Father the first time she ever had a proper conversation with them. The sun caressing her skin as she leapt and dived out of her mama's reach. Just managing to vacate the space the older Omega's arms appeared before she was caught.
She felt free in that moment. Her new mate bonds to her Alpha's thrummed pleasantly with love, amusement and adoration, allowing Hermione to know just what the three women were feeling as they sat beside her father watching her.
She had woke up this morning completely heat free. Her Alpha's sympathetic ruts also gone. She had felt pleasantly sore and rather sweaty but the scent of her and her mates mingling scents was soothing and she had been loathe to leave their little nest. Narcissa had been the one to drag all of them out of bed, ordering Bella and Andy into a shower while Hermione was healed from any lingering injuries. A pain potion and a contraceptive given too her before she left the bed. Though Narcissa had made sure not to touch the many marks that littered her neck spectacularly much to Hermione's relief. She had been and still was proud to wear her Alpha's marks for all to see. She was Hermione Toberias McKenzie Carrow Riddle-Black now after all.
She was grateful as well that Narcissa had remembered the contraceptive. She looked forward to the day she had her children with her mates but she could not allow such a thing before the end of the war. She was determined her children would be born into a much better world, free from the influence of Albus Dumbledore and his merry band of dimwits.
She then joined her mates in the shower, basking in her Alpha's care of her as they showered and washed her down with care. It made her feel valued, seen in a way she never had been. It was thrilling. Though she had to admit the level of intimacy she experienced in that one shower, non sexual in the slightest in its touch was new for her and it made her heart happy to realise she had this for the rest of their lives.
After they were all freshened up and dressed, they had made their way down to breakfast with her parents and Hermione had tried desperately to hide her blush from the knowing look in both her mama and fathers eyes when they noticed the extensive markings she carried on her neck. The Black sisters having refused to allow her to glamour them to hide them from her parents. The only two people in this world that she'd rather not advertise just how much her Alpha's had enjoyed marking her too.
They had then moved onto the porch to enjoy the sun and warmth while awaiting her favourite professor who was scheduled to drop by to talk updates and strategy before her inevitable return to the school. Something she wasn't looking forward to but knew needed to happen.
She shook the thought away, feeling her Alpha's concern at her mood drop through their bond. Refocusing in time to see her mother dive towards her yet again. Hermione laughed, twirling out of the way, her eyes dancing in glee as her mother stumbled and struggled to stop herself falling.
"A little too cocky aren't you mama, at this point I'm not convinced you have the ability to catch me, a little too slow" she teased good naturedly as her mama spun and Hermione couldn't help but gulp a little at the dark look that passed through her mothers eyes. The older Omega beginning to stalk forward with more purpose, almost predatory in her movements and the young brunette slunk backwards, trying to maintain the distance between them.
"Oh you've done it now little one" Narcissa called over, her amusement felt through there bond and Hermione couldn't even begin to pretend to know what she had quite done wrong. Though she knew it was something, she had never seen that look on her mothers face.
"I can assure you, little dove" her mother began, continuing to stalk forward, her steps slow and precise. "No matter where you go, how fast you run and no matter what spells you know" Hermione yelped when suddenly her feet froze to the ground, her body falling backwards as she landed surprisingly softly on her bum. Her mothers wandless and wordless spell hitting her without her even seeing it. "I will always be able to catch you" Alecto finished, closing the distance between them and Hermione couldn't do anything but let herself be pulled back to her feet, her shoulders slumped in defeat and confusion as her mother pulled her into her arms, flipping her around so her back was to the older Omega.
"Now I know you're a little confused at what's happening, so let me explain it to you" the older Omega whispered her tone a little more authoritive and dark than she had heard it before. Though she couldn't really respond as her limbs felt heavier than usual, her mothers scent strong in the air around them, orange and coconut making her feel as if she were floating as she grasped her mama's arms. Desperate to hold onto something.
"You were stolen from me when you were just a babe, I spent years searching for you and when we do find you, it's with the knowledge that you've been harmed and are still in danger. So your little comment. Innocent as it may have been my darling girl, is not appreciated. It has set my instincts off a little more than I care to admit, especially with the knowledge that you're about to head back to the one place I cannot reach you easily, with the man who stole you." And Hermione couldn't help but feel guilty at that knowledge because of course it made sense now. It was rather silly for her to have teased about such a thing so it only made sense it had set her mothers instincts off and as a hand threaded through her hair to scrape leisurely at her scalp and her mama's pheromones increased in the air around her she let herself sink into the feeling of being held so tightly. Of feeling so safe.
"That's it my little dove, relax. There's no real use in fighting, your Omega will always surrender for her mama" she felt her mama's words more than she felt them as she was scoped up into her mama's strong arms and brought back up to the porch, settling in her arms as they sat beside her father. Then in question simply pressing a kiss to her forehead then her mama's lips before placing an arm around them and turning back to the conversation at hand.
Hermione slowly felt the fog induced by her mother clear from her mind as she sat listening to her family. Still firmly tucked into her mama's side. Her mama clearly coming down from her upset as they sat tucked together. The young brunette couldn't quite muster the will to be mad at being so expertly overpowered by her mama, she was far too relaxed and the hand still stroking through her hair and the kisses pressed to her forehead almost religiously certainly helped the feelings of content as she hummed in approval at the affection and nuzzled her mama back.
Though she'd certainly have preferred not to have been so relaxed she was only just able to start following the conversation around her now that her mind had cleared a little. She could see her Alpha's, all sat on the swing seat in front of her. Bellatrix sat in the middle, an arm around both Narcissa and Andromeda as the other two sat tucked under the dark witches chin. They looked regal with the sun glittering of their skin, their pale complexions making them look even paler in the bright light. She could feel her mama purring against her. The soft rumble of the older woman's chest just as soothing as the motions in her hair or her fathers palm that she could feel resting gently at the top of her back.
It was strange to see them all in this setting, it made them all look strangely normal. Domestic. Nothing remotely like the fearsome, vile individuals they had been painted to be by Albus and certainly not the skilled, war hardened fighters they had become no thanks to the very man that painted them villains. To look at them one would never come to the conclusion that they had all gone through a generation of war, were still going through it. Only with a new generation of fighters. All thanks to a man that values his own power and greed above all else. The things he had done, the people he had harmed. All in the name of 'the greater good' yet hidden behind false claims and nefarious intentions aiming at furthering his own selfish standing.
It was infuriating, heart-breaking and the knowledge that all those around her had suffered because of that one man made Hermione shiver in fury. Her family had suffered so much and each day that man continued to live and breathe they suffered more. She suffered more. She shuddered, remembering vividly the pain she had endured in order to reverse the process of the suppressants she had been forced to take without her knowledge by a man she had trusted. She knew the other students would have to go through the same at some point but hopefully Albus could be taken down before that. She dreaded to think what he would do if students started to present while he was still in power. Something he'd do anything to keep. Even set up a child for slaughter and kidnap another. His pawns all placed carefully. But he hadn't counted on Bellatrix being sprung from Azkaban, hadn't planned on Hermione being recognised by the dark witch and taken out of his games. It had changed everything.
His pawns were rebelling, fighting back against his system of hate and bigotry and he didn't even know how badly they had managed to quietly deconstruct his game plan and soon they'd tip his board completely.
Minerva arrived with Dobby on the porch in front of Riddle Manor with a soft pop. A tender smile spreading to her face when she took in the peaceful family sat out on the swing seats in front of her. It was the first time she had seen any of the witches or wizard present look so completely at peace. It was a wholesome scene and it filled her with the quiet strength she didn't know she had been needing as she slowly made her way onto the porch. Hesitant to disturb the tranquillity around the family she knew had been through far to much loss and heart ache already.
"Minerva!" It was Tom that broke the quiet first, offering her a warm smile as he gestured for her to take one of the remaining seats around them. Minerva noticed the mate marks adorning all three Black sisters and Hermione and smiled more openly, having to stifle her laughter when she saw just how thoroughly her favourite little brunette had been marked by her Alpha's. Even more so when she spotted the smug smirk sported by all three sisters when they saw where Minerva was looking. It pleased her to see that they had made so much progress with Hermione. For them to bare her mark and she theirs it meant that the little Gryffindor girl that had kept everyone at arms length the entire time she had known her, had finally let people in, trusting them completely.
"Good morning" she replied as she sat nodding her head in thanks when Alecto floated a freshly brewed cup of green tea in her direction. Accepting it, gratefully as she settled back in her seat.
"I'm sorry we don't have time for pleasantries today Min, with Albus playing chess master we need to get moving. How are things coming along at Hogwarts?" Bellatrix asked and Minerva couldn't help but sigh a little as she flashed a sympathetic smile to the only other witch besides Hermione that had gotten through her walls. She understood the directness even if she did wish she could relax and enjoy her time with those closest to her. Hopefully in time, when this war was over she would have that chance for she longed desperately for the peace that victory over Albus Dumbledore promised.
"Something to look forward to when this is all over I suppose" she replied, catching the hopeful gleam in every member presents eyes. She knew they felt it too. As keenly as she did.
"Things at Hogwarts are exactly where we want it too be. The students are on side. Harry and Ron are playing their parts perfectly and the headmaster is none the wiser. He is under the illusion that Andromeda is still his faithful soldier and will keep Hermione in line. The suppressant doses have been lowered again, something I'll keep lowering discreetly until the time comes we can stop them all together safely." She explained, opting to give an over view of the progress so far. Knowing her audience needed that information to plan ahead.
"And what of Severus?" Alecto questioned.
"As ignorant as ever, he believes he is untouchable and oh so clever in having fooled everyone. I believe he is playing both sides so that he is safe no matter what side eventually wins." she couldn't help the sneer at having to speak of him, someone she had once considered a friend and he too had turned out just as twisted as Albus himself.
"I see, clever yes but only if he hadn't been caught. He too shall be brought down alongside the headmaster. Has Albus mentioned to you when he expects Hermione back?" Tom asked pulling his wife and daughter closer to him protectively. Minerva scowled, remembering her most recent trip to his office with her cubs best friends. She hated knowing Albus was determined to use Hermione to bring down her own father. It was sadistic and cruel but she shouldn't have expected anything less from the man who had set up a child and his parents to be slaughtered.
"Soon, he's prepared us for her to arrive at any point. Stating that she had been tortured by Bellatrix and the Malfoy family. He has given us orders that she is not to be left alone and if she is with Andromeda we are to leave Andy to deal with her. Andy being her personal support to help her heal from the abuse she has been forced to endure at her captors hands" she smirked a little at the look of disgust and amusement on everyone's faces because it could only be Albus that was so full of his own self importance that he could believe without doubt that Andromeda and Hermione would play along.
"Perfect then, he's set up our own cover for us. I suppose he expects me to act a certain way as Hermione's Alpha yes?" And Minerva had to stifle a shudder at the barely concealed anger in the brunettes voice.
"Unfortunately yer correct lassie. Ye'v tae keep Hermione in line so tae speak. Aroond him ye'll hae tae play up tae his expectations. Ye'v nicked hermione fae her ither two alpha's so Hermione has tae play th' unwilling omega brought tae heal. Ye'll have tae convince him that ye'v managed tae ower power her will 'n' control her enough tae portray his chosen story" she scowled, unconsciously slipping into Scots in her anger at the situation. Finding it entirely unfair that he will any one let alone Hermione be treated in such away to please his own power.
She sipped her tea to calm herself, feeling the anger swim in the air around her from all present. Taking in the way Alecto had pressed herself closer to Tom to calm the furious looking man and Hermione had moved to sit with the Black sisters. Perching herself on Bellatrix's lap as Andromeda and Narcissa pressed themselves into her side. All three having pressed their faces into her neck and hair, trying to regain control of their own anger. Hermione looked just as furious as her Alpha's and parents. Rightly so, but Minerva could also see the trademark determined glint in the youngest brunettes eyes as she stared ahead, her brain no doubt going over all the information she had learnt and coming up with her own plan to deal with it all.
Proving her assumption right, Hermione chose that moment to speak up her voice filled with a strength and surety she had never heard on the young witch before. Though she quickly decided it was something she liked bearing from the girl.
"The beginning of next week would be best. It let's me get settled into classes very quickly and if I'm going to be around Albus at all I'll need the distraction." The brunette stated. Continuing to speak even as her Alpha's growled a little at the reminder of how close she would be to the man that so openly posed a threat to her safety.
"We give it a week before beginning the work on the cabinet which gives Andy and I time to settle into the school, feel out how much Albus will hover and fill in Harry and Ron before we start making a move to further our plans. Father do you have a way for us to communicate that cannot be intercepted?"
Tom sat up a little straighter and again Minerva marvelled at how quickly Hermione had adjusted to living with a dynamic. Playing into her Alpha fathers natural need to feel as if he is contributing and helping to protect his father. She had to admit it was an affective strategy to stop any of the Alpha's from objecting to her plans. She sent a proud smile to the Omega girl and her heart warmed when Hermione winked back playfully obviously catching on to Minerva's line of thinking.
"I'll have a think and get back to you little dove, Minerva I'm trusting you to do all you can to keep Andromeda and Hermione as safe as you can without giving away your position" Tom replied and Minerva nodded, flashing the man an understanding look, knowing how hard it would be too let his daughter go again, so soon after finding her.
"Hermione is not to be left alone at any point with the headmaster or Severus and in public both Hermione and Andromeda will play into expectations, I will not have you taking any unnecessary risks little dove" Alecto spoke for the first time, drawing everyone's attention, she could see the concern dancing in the Omega mothers eyes, the barely visible twitch of her shoulder as if she were restraining herself and Minerva sympathised, she didn't think she could ever have remained as calm and level headed if she were in Alecto's position. She was far to quick to anger, whereas Alecto had always been a quiet fury, patient and calm in her retribution. The older Omega's words were laced with a finality that she alongside everyone else found themselves nodding too. Agreeing to the witches demands without second thought.
"Mia are you sure about this? I do not want to have to behave so disgustingly toward you for any reason, especially if it harms you in any way?" Andromeda's question was almost a whisper and Minerva couldn't help but feel for her. Knowing that it would go against the brunettes very nature to behave in a truly cruel way towards anyone let alone her mate.
"I'm sure Andy. We need to end this war as soon as we can. It's the only way to do so with as little casualties as possible. We cannot let this turn into a full scale war. Plus I trust you Andromeda. I know you, you would never truly hurt me, not that you could anyway, not with how much progress I've made thanks to Bella." Hermione replied, the same confidence as earlier lacing her tone, filling Minerva with pride at just how much she had grown. It was one of the only positives to have come out of the many tragedies they had faced. Hermione was now far from the quiet, withdrawn little bookworm she had once been and Minerva could see how much she had truly blossomed in the care and love of her true family.
It warmed her to see how easily she seemed to quell Andromeda's fears, the brunette now leaning against Hermione and her eldest sister with a small smile on her face. Narcissa's expression mirroring hers. Hermione truly was their perfect match and she feared slightly for the rest of the world. The four together were a sight for sore eyes and she had no doubt they would take the world so by storm.
Though one thing she did know for certain as she gazed at the little family around her, a family she had come to think of as her own, one brought together by love and determination to see a better future. Each member powerful but together unstoppable.
Albus Dumbledore wouldn't know what hit him.