Masquerade Act Four: The Hiphil of World and Love
The Thirty Seventh Dance: What Awaits Us Next
The past cannot be changed. The future is yet in your power-unknown
A/N: Whew, took a while for this chapter to come out, but sadly it seems when it comes to the last few chapters of a series I always struggle to find the motivation to write. Idk why this is, and it sucks rocks hard but I'm going to get through it because I'd like to be able to finally start another Bellamione fic idea that I've been sitting on for a while.
It had been three weeks since the incident with Ron. A busy three weeks. Azkaban was finally going to be taken down and the Ministry was building a new prison that would have modern facilities and be more accommodating to those who were mentally ill just like Hermione envisioned. There would be therapists and healers there and they would help guide the prisoners onto a reformed path. It wouldn't be too long before the place was completed, fully staffed, and filled with prisoners waiting to be treated.
Hermione, of course, would be placed in charge of this, given it was her brain baby. For now, all she could do was eagerly wait for the place to be finished and fix any minor issues that popped up. Right now she was perusing the applications for open positions for her soon to be operating prison. There were many to get through and reading them was giving her eye strain. She'd only gotten through thirty of them, and that was just for one position. It seemed people were eager to work on her new project and she was happy about that, but she could really use some extra help. Maybe she could hire someone to help her? Or get someone from the Ministry to share this workload with her?
She rubbed the back of her neck and sipped on her coffee. The cafe she was at was steadily beginning to close up for the night, that's how long she was here already. Perhaps she should pack up as well. Tonight wasn't her day with Bellatrix. That would be tomorrow. Progress with the woman was accelerating wonderfully. Hermione was positive that soon enough the witch would receive her freedom and her wand, though it would remain to be seen if she would receive amity from wizardkind as well.
And their relationship was progressing smoothly as well. It was hard keeping it a secret but Hermione wasn't ready to come out to her friends yet, especially given Ron's despicable behavior. The man still hadn't apologized to her for what he did three weeks ago. The owls were silent on his end, though Ginny and Harry kept her informed on how Ron was doing. He seemed to be doing better but it was hard to tell if the red haired man wasn't just faking it for their sakes. Hermione was kept on edge by this, never knowing if Ron would attempt to strike down Bellatrix again.
If he didn't reach out to her soon, she was going to have to show up at the Burrow. Really, he was behaving immaturely. Why couldn't he just apologize for his near attack on Bellatrix? Were the words I'm sorry too thick to come out past his silent lips? Or was he in actuality scheming up more vile measures? She couldn't be sure until she finally spoke with him.
Shaking her head, she let out a breath and finished off her coffee because there was no use worrying over him. If he wanted to be a stubborn arse than what was she to do to stop him. Glancing at her watch to see it was eight pm, she packed up her papers and shouldered on her shoulder bag. It was time to head home and get prepared for tomorrow.
As she exited the cafe, a strong breeze sent a chill down her back. She wrapped her scarf closer around herself, snuggling deeper into her light coat. It was getting chiller. Soon winter would be upon them, marking almost a full year since Hermione had undertaken her reform plan on Bellatrix. She was happy to see the mark draw near at the same time she was saddened. Once Bellatrix was free from the program, how would they meet up then? They couldn't very well sneak in and out of each other's houses. It would be suspicious.
That was another problem Hermione would have to figure out. But for later. She had time to figure it out, and there were more pressing issues on her mind, demanding her current attentions.
She hurried down the streets, finding them surprisingly empty at this hour. It wasn't even that late. She pulled her coat tighter against herself and turned down the street before she came to a complete stop. Standing under the streetlight halfway down the sidewalk, was that hooded figure from before.
What was it doing here again?
It stood there stock still, not moving or saying anything and they endured a silent staring contest between the two of them. What the hell did it want from her? Why did it keep appearing randomly? Then the light above it flickered and when it came back on the figure was gone.
That stole the breath from Hermione's lungs. She span in a complete circle around herself, heart racing, fearing that it would be behind her. But it was no where to be seen.
Had she imagined it? Maybe she was too frazzled. Maybe her eyes were seeing things. She shook her head and decided maybe she should just apparate home. Making sure no one was around she disappeared into thin air, arriving on her doorstep a second later.
Wearily, and still slightly paranoid, she went up the stairs to her place and tossed her stuff on the bed, shedding her scarf and hat and coat. Should she tell Bella about this incident? She would no doubt be upset if Hermione didn't, so taking out a quill and paper, the brunette witch sat down to start writing.
She'd only gotten through the first two sentences when she felt like someone was watching her. Slowly turning in her chair she spotted the figure again, this time standing in the corner of her room where the light of her desk lamp could not reach it. Her throat went dry, the ink dripping from her quill and splattering onto her page like blood from an open wound.
It began to take soundless steps towards her.
"What do you want from me?" she asked, trying to keep her voice steady. Her wand was tucked up her sleeve and she let it slide free. She pointed it at the figure who stopped at the sight of it.
Emboldened by the figure's fear of her wand, she stood up, legs shaking. "I asked, what do you what from me?" Her voice was louder, stronger.
Silence reigned between them only interspersed by Hermione's loud nervous exhales.
At last, it spoke. "It's time," said in a wispy voice.
"Time for what?"
But it didn't say anything more, just continued walking towards her.
"Stupefy!" she shouted out and blasted it with her magic. But the spell did nothing to the creature, almost getting absorbed into the many folds of it's cloak.
"Confrigo!" she tried a stronger spell but that did nothing too. It was now three paces from her, the space to escape getting smaller and smaller. Without another thought, she bolted from her room racing down the stairs, not even checking to see if it was behind her. As soon as her foot touched the archway of the door to the outside, she apparated away, able to show up on the doorstep to Bellatrix's house.
The cold wind nipped at Hermione's back because she had left her jacket back at home. "Emergency," she barked to the aurors on duty outside and then took bold steps up to Bellatrix's room. Knocking impatiently on it, she waited for Bellatrix to open it up. The woman didn't look like she had been sleeping, eyes alert and still dressed in her day clothes. "What's wrong, pet?" she asked, worry lines appearing on her face when she saw Hermione's state.
"We need to talk."
Bellatrix shut the door as Hermione entered the room. "About what?" What could have her Hermione looking so put out? So agitated.
"About that thing that we both saw. The figure!" Hermione exclaimed and trying to calm herself down, sank down into Bellatrix's armchair. She took in a deep breath but it wasn't until Bellatrix ran a soothing hand down Hermione's back that the brunette relaxed, exhaling heavily.
"What happened?" Bellatrix's voice was low and gentle with an under current of protectiveness.
"It showed up again, twice. The first time on the street as I was walking home, but it was there only briefly. The second time it got into my house and I don't know how, since I have anti apparation wards up. And it was coming towards me, saying something about how it's time. I tried to use my magic against it but it didn't work."
"Did it have some protection spell on it?" Bellatrix asked, trying hard to keep her concern from Hermione. It wouldn't do good if the both of them were panicking.
Hermione shrugged. "I don't know. I don't know what it is or what it wants from us. And it's bloody annoying." More importantly, how could they get rid of it? Perhaps it really was something the judges had sent after them as a sort of cruel joke.
Bellatrix's hand froze on Hermione's back, prompting the younger girl to look up from how she had been staring at the floor. The figure was back, again. This time standing in front of the both of them. So close, they could almost touch it if they reached out. Hermione's chest clenched in fear. How the hell did it keep finding them?
"Stay away from us!" Bellatrix snarled at it, defenseless but still willing to fight tooth and nail if only to be rid of it. She didn't need magic to make monsters bleed, even a knife was good enough, and she wished desperately she had one now. It didn't listen, lifting up one arm and throwing it to the side. Bellatrix suddenly found herself air born, smacking right into the wall with a heavy thud.
"Bellatrix!" Hermione cried out, rising to her feet, wand sliding free. "Don't hurt her!" she summoned two more spells to the tips of her lips but again they had no effect on the creature. What was it? And what did it want?
It raised it's arm again and flung it at Hermione. The brunette swung up her arms to defend herself and felt needle sharp pain rip right through. She let out a hiss of pain and stumbled back, into her chair. She held her arms up longer in defense but it was not needed. Bellatrix was by her side once more, looking on tenderly at her arm. Five long marks ran down it, bleeding red.
"Is it gone?" Hermione gasped out, eyes searching frantically the room.
"It is. But I do not know if it will stay away or come back. And it hurt you." Her thumb rubbed Hermione's arm in soothing motions, trying to alleviate the sting in it. It didn't work and Hermione only squirmed in pain. Worried that she was hurting her lover, Bellatrix dropped her hands and let Hermione try to mend it herself.
"Epiksey."
The magic glowed, sputtered, and then faded away, unable to fix the wound. That did not bond well. "Whatever magics make up that beast must counteract your magics. You need to go St. Mugo's."
Hermione nodded her head. "I know. But I don't want to leave you alone here. Not when it could come back."
"I'll be fine-"
"No, you won't be. You can't even leave the room," Hermione got up, hairs on the back of her neck prickling with unease. She would stay here and protect Bellatrix until the early dawn. For some strange reason Hermione felt as if the creature could not make appearances during the day. It might just be a silly hunch but Hermione felt the day would be safer for the both of them.
Bellatrix wasn't about to argue with that. She didn't mind Hermione staying over with her. But she did mind that the brunette witch was hurt. She hurried over to her bed and haphazardly ripped the sheets.
"What are you doing?" Hermione asked, the ripping noise grating on her taxed and overtly alert system. Adrenaline coursed through her veins. She was ready to fight.
"Making you a cover for your wound. We have to staunch the bleeding." Done with her task she hurried over to Hermione with the ripped remains and the brunette obediently held out her injured arm. The stinging had subsided but the bleeding had not and Bellatrix expertly wrapped the wound up, the white sheets absorbing the blood immediately. "That should hold for now. But I'd feel much better if you went to seek medical help."
"I'll be fine for a few more hours. I just want to make sure it doesn't come back," Hermione said resolutely. Bellatrix had also made a sling to hold up Hermione's tender arm. Hermione sat down on the armchair, rubbing her brows in contemplation with her good hand. "I don't understand where this is coming from," she mussed and Bellatrix sat by her on the window sill.
"Well, it most certainly is magical by nature. And not of good magical nature."
"And it keeps spouting nonsensical phrases at us. What could they mean?"
"If only we could ask the judges. They must have something to do with this. It's not like any dark creature I've seen before and I know all of them. I studied them extensively during most of my life simply because they often make great potions ingredients," Bellatrix commented, letting her sharp mind whirl back through decades of knowledge and pages and pages of information.
"But we can't bloody contact the judges because they've gone AWOL. The one time we might need their input, they're not bloody here," Hermione grumbled, missing Dorian's infuriating voice in her head for once.
"We can summon them, perhaps? I was able to summon Dorian last time," Bellatrix suggested.
"But that was because he actually wanted to be here, and not by any power of yours," Hermione pointed out.
"Well, maybe he'll indulge us again?" Bellatrix shrugged, hating this inability to do anything. "But before we can contact the judges we need to find a way to protect ourselves against this thing. The only issue is, magic can't hurt it."
"Maybe magic might not, but mundane damage would? Say, stabbing it with a knife?" Hermione offered up, wincing in discomfort as the wound on her arm flared up again.
"I'll gladly stab it with a knife for you," Bellatrix growled out, noting Hermione's wince of pain even as the girl tried to hide it. She would kill that being for ever daring to lay it's claws on Hermione.
Hermione shot a grateful look to Bellatrix. For others, those words might not be romantic, but for Bellatrix, threatening to stab something was a pretty romantic gesture. She only hurt others for people she loved or cared about highly. "I'll bring you one. I'd feel better with you safer in this room, since it seems the wards can't keep it out. And then I'll need to do some research. I don't doubt your knowledge of dark magical creatures but we musn't leave any stone unturned. Do you think you can get me permission to go to your sister's mansion and look through the ancient tomes there?"
"Gladly. Though I doubt you'll find anything new," Bellatrix said, hopping off to get a quill and parchment for Hermione. As she scribbled down a hasty letter, Hermione kept talking. "I'll check some books out and we can camp out in this house. With aurors always here, I feel we might be slightly safer here in that we have the advantage of number." Hermione hated involving others in her issues- like the poor unsuspecting aurors- but this was a serious matter and it needed to be dealt with as quickly and swiftly as possible.
Bellatrix nodded her head. All sound ideas really, ones she might suggest herself. She liked it when Hermione brainstormed like this. Seeing the brunette's impressive brain hard at work, concocting new ideas and plans- it was exhilarating, like the thrill of having a superior tactic and being able to go out on the battlefield and see that tactic succeed terrifically. Working with those stupid Death Eater's Bellatrix had almost forgotten how it felt to be brimming with ideas and confidence and eagerness to implement them. Hermione brought that spark back tenfold. Bellatrix was ready to fight this creature, to annihilate it entirely for daring to mess with their lives.
Intelligence was charming, and Bellatrix used her own to bounce ideas off of, the two of them becoming inspired by the other and eager to impress.
"Can you also snag me some potions?" Bellatrix handed the letter to Hermione who pocketed it. "I want to see if I can do something about your arm. Because if the wound heals then, then it could show us a chink in the figure's armor."
"That if wand magic doesn't work on it, maybe potions magic will," Hermione completed the thought with exuberance. She felt more confident with the two of them coming up with suitable theories like this. "But what kind of potions would work?"
"Firstly, I need the ingredients to heal your arm. Then, I'll look into magic depleting potions. The figure must have a greater magical force than our wands can exert on it. If we toned down that force with a depleting potion, we might be able to harm it with wand magic."
"Magic depleting potions are illegal," Hermione frowned, some of her hope for a victory slightly dwindling.
"And for good reason. They are devastating, especially on wizards and witches because if in too high of a dose, it can completely eradicate their magic and make them a squib."
Hermione shuddered. That sounded terrible. She couldn't image losing her magic! She was proud of it. She had worked hard for it. "Are you sure we should be handling or creating one, then?"
"I'll be extra careful with it and take many precautions," Bellatrix assured. "You are talking to one of the smartest witch's of her age," she said confidently, chin tilting up arrogantly.
The assured Hermione but not fully for a bit of worry would never truly leave her over Bellatrix making this extremely dangerous potion. "The ingredients will be notoriously hard to get."
"I know someone who can help you get them. For a price of course." She tapped a finger onto her chin. "Hmmm, I had lots of gold, but no doubt the ministry has seized my assets or frozen them so you might have to go the good old way of terrorizing to get what we need."
"You want me to black mail someone?"
Bellatrix shook her curls. "Not you, me," she smirked deviously.
It took Hermione a quick second to realize what the woman was getting at. "Polyjuice potion! But it'll take us a month to brew it."
"Not if we get the store bought kind. And then all I have to do is lend you a hair."
"Bellatrix," Hermione started hesitantly. "I'm not sure I can do it. Pulling you off successfully and then threatening a man-"
Bellatrix waved a hand dismissively. "You've pretended to be me before."
"But I barely managed it," Hermione pointed out.
"You know me better now," Bellatrix winked coyly here. She was referring to their time being body switched and then all those times they had explored the others body. "So I doubt you'll have that same issue."
Hermione couldn't help but smile at this. "I suppose. Just fill me in on the information on this contact of yours."
The talked more and finalized their plans until the sun finally rose up. The tension at the situation with the figure left their bodies and they were able to breathe more easily. Hermione finally felt able to leave Bellatrix behind. "I'm going over to Narcissa's now," Hermione announced as she stood up, stretching her legs. They had fallen asleep from sitting so long.
"I'd rather you go to St. Mungo's first. Your wound hasn't stopped bleeding," Bellatrix pointed out. The white sheets were soaked red.
"I will, but first I need to get everything we talked about settled. Can you rewrap this for me?" Hermione held out her hand and Bellatrix sighed in discontent. She knew Hermione could be hellishly stubborn but she really hoped this wouldn't be one of those instances. She threw away Hermione's ruined sheets and used the rest of her bed spread to cover up the wound. It also seemed like the cuts had gotten bigger, but it couldn't be certain. Bellatrix was no healer but she knew this wound was not behaving in any normal manner.
Hermione winced as Bellatrix finished the last touches on the wrapping. Her arm was so tender. Maybe she should take a pain relieving potion. She definitely knew she needed to drink a blood replenishing one.
"I'll be back soon," she promised, kissing Bellatrix on her pale cheek. Then she left the room and once on the doorstep, apparated away.
The day was busy for Hermione. Her first order of business was picking out books that would help with research. Narcissa as typical, stuck her nose up at the nosy mudblood in her mansion, but Hermione was too much of on a mission to bother paying attention to that. She shoveled any book that might even mention a smidgen of information on dark magical creatures right into her magically expanding tote bag. Then, done with that, she lugged it all back to Bellatrix's place, having a proper talking to the aurors on letting Bellatrix out of the confinement to her room.
They hesitated but did as asked when Hermione explained the woman was perfectly reasonable and calm enough to enjoy the rest of the amenities of the house. Hermione dumped the load of books on the dining room table and Bellatrix dug in, intent on being as much help as she could be.
The brunette witch came and went as the day progressed, nicking things off her mental to do list. She dropped off a knife for Bellatrix that the older witch hid up her sleeve. She went to go buy the polyjuice potion and then bought a blood replenishing one when she felt herself getting a bit dizzy. Gulping it down made her feel better marginally.
She was going to go to St. Mungo's but then Bella's contact replied quickly, and it was time to meet up with him.
"I don't think you should be going in this condition," Bellatrix said, crossing her arms in front of her chest.
"We can't waste this opportunity. Beside, it is a flesh wound and it'll be fine for a few more hours."
"Hermione-"
"Bellatrix, please. Let's get this done and over with so we can focus on making the magic depleting potion. You said it takes a long time to make, so we need all the head start we can get before the figure comes back."
Bellatrix knew she had a point, but still- "I don't want you getting hurt anymore. He's a dangerous man. It would be better if you went in, unscathed."
"I've faced worse terrors; I think I can face him just fine. And if things get rough, I'll apparate out of there. Don't you trust me to do this right?" Hermione asked.
"I do trust you," Bellatrix said whole heartedly. "It's him I don't."
"Don't worry. I'll leave at the first sign of trouble." Hermione assured.
"Very well," Bellatrix relented, relaxing her pose. She knew Hermione was a capable woman; that didn't stop Bellatrix from fretting over her. She reached up and plucked out a hair. Hermione held the foul potion up and the older witch dropped her hair into it. It fizzled for a little bit before quieting down and holding her breath, Hermione threw the potion back. It tasted like burnt rubber and greasy banana peels, and some other choice images Hermione did not want to have.
When it had finally all gone down, Hermione's body did a full shiver and began to morph until she was Bellatrix again. "I forgot how it felt to be you," Hermione said, testing her new voice in her mouth.
"You should be honored. Not many can handle being me," Bellatrix said haughtily. "Now, remember what I told you. Don't be kind to him at all. I never certainly was and don't accept any of his deals. Just stick to the one we came up with. Taking any other offer of his will lead you to being ripped off and also to him knowing it's not me."
Hermione nodded her head swiftly. "Got it." It was time for her big performance.
The meeting place was a dodgy alleyway for where else did black market deals on illegal potions happen?
He was there already, wearing a dirty trench-coat, fedora on his head, and face unwashed. "Bellatrix, I had thought they had you locked up!" He exclaimed upon sight of her, giving her such a thorough glance over that Hermione almost felt like he could see who she really was.
"Don't be ridiculous," she sneered, spinning the tip of her wand in her hair like she'd seen Bellatrix do so many times before. She placed her other hand on her hip and let her heels click deliberately loudly on the cobblestone as she approached him. He eyed her warily but made no motion to move back. "I imperio-ed some poor soul to drink polyjuice potion and to impersonate me. The ministry hasn't figured out yet."
"Impressive," he said, flashing his rotten teeth at her. "But what are you still doing in London? Shouldn't you be running away while the going's good?"
Hermione paused here, giving him a foul look. "I don't appreciate being questioned like this. It makes me wonder if you're working for the ministry!" she extended her wand at him and he raised his hands in a placating gesture. Bellatrix had let on that he was a squib but that didn't make him any less dangerous. He used other means to protect himself. More muggle means.
"Bellatrix, relax. I'm just curious is all. I'm still on your side."
"You know what they say, curiosity killed the potions dealer. Now," she flicked her wand at him in a 'get on with it' motion but still held it pointing at him. "Where are the ingredients I asked for."
"You know those ingredients are hard to come by. I didn't have enough time-"
She threw a stunner at his feet and he yelped as it flashed and sizzled. "I specifically demanded it today," she stressed.
"Alright, so I might have them, but it wasn't cheap getting them-"
"I do not care if you had to lose a finger getting them, I will not pay surcharge. In fact, I will not pay anything at all," she leered, trying to make herself as intimidating as possible. She stepped closer to him, wand still held out, and making her eyes wider so as to appear unbalanced like Bellatrix had once done.
"You trying to take advantage of me-"
"What would be taking advantage of you, is taking your stock and then killing you in cold blood. Just because I've been hidden away doesn't mean I'm any less fierce than I was before."
It was at this moment that Hermione's arm throbbed fiercely. She nearly dropped the wand in her hold as blood seeped through the bandages and onto the sleeve of the dress she was wearing. The potions dealer's beady little eyes took this in and he quickly reached for his weapon. But Hermione was prepared. "Accio gun!" she shouted out just in the nick of time and it flew into her good hand. She had made an informed guess on what weapon he was using and was glad to see she had been correct or else things could have progressed badly from here on.
"How-how do you know what that is?" he hissed out, shocked.
"The ingredients-NOW!" she hollered, her pain fueling her frustrations. Her arm was getting worse and she needed to get out of here. Her wand hand trembled.
"Fine," he spat, reaching into his jacket and tossing the package to her. It slid along the cobblestones and landed an inch away from her foot. "But don't expect me to ever do business with you again with the way you've treated me today."
"I spared your life every time we met. You would do good to remember that, for others were not so lucky," she narrowed her eyes at him and watched as he turned on his heel and left, grumbling angrily to himself. Without him here, Hermione was able to toss the gun away, and pick up the package. It was wrapped with twine but a quick splicing spell cut it open and let her examine the contents of the package. From a quick analysis it seemed everything was here. Good.
Then, she apparated away. She had to wait for the effects of the potion to wear off before she could go back in. It wouldn't look good if aurors saw two Bellatrix's walking around.
Bellatrix was waiting back for her in the house, pacing in the bedroom. "You tricked him," she smiled when she saw Hermione and stopped in her pacing, tense body relaxing favorably.
"Wasn't hard to. You made it sound worse than it was," she said, handing the package over. Her arm was still hurting her and the pain was only getting worse. She could barely keep it from being etching upon her face.
"Maybe he's lost a bit of his bite. The war changed everyone," Bellatrix commented easily and rummaged through the package.
"Is everything there?" Hermione asked. Hermione only recognized some of the ingredients. Most of them were foreign or imitations of the proper ingredients that should be used.
"It seems so," Bellatrix set the package down. All she needed was a cauldron now and she would get right to work. Then she and Hermione could defeat yet another entity after them that sought to ruin their happiness.
Hermione couldn't hold back the loud hiss of pain anymore from making it's egress, as her arm throbbed like something was crawling out of it, trying to push it's way out from her wound.
"Let me see that," Bellatrix demanded, her tone harsh and demanding but her hands on Hermione soft and careful. The potion making was pushed to the back of her mind as she unwrapped the bloodied forearm and her face paled dramatically.
Black lines were stemming from the wound, crawling their way up Hermione's forearm. They writhed and pulsed with each heartbeat.
"You need to go to St. Mungo's now," Bellatrix hissed and she was panicking, which made Hermione panic. The older witch never showed fear like this, so if she did, it must be something really important for her to do so.
"Okay," Hermione said numbly. "Okay, I'm going." She couldn't put this off any longer. And she rushed out into the cold evening, hoping that it wasn't too late.