Trigger warnings to many things are present in this story. Don't like, don't read. No, I will not list all of the Trigger Warnings, go to AO3 if you want them all, so stop asking. DON'T LIKE, DON'T READ!
I don't own Harry Potter.
All spelling mistakes are my own. There are my own Original Characters in this at times.
Main Relationships: (Hermione/Bellatrix) (Hermione/Narcissa) (Hermione/Andromeda) (Draco/Ginny) (Harry/Lucius) (Others to be added)
Summary:
Bellatrix sat beside her with a frown, "You didn't tell me when you got home."
Narcissa smiled apologetically at her oldest sister, "I'm sorry. It was late and you were asleep. You still haven't opened this." She handed the envelope to Bellatrix, smiling at the look of excitement on her eldest sister's face as she grinned at the seal.
MY ONE AND ONLY,
I never meant to leave you out of the letter train I am currently forced into. I would much rather speak to you in person about all of this so I will answer a few things only. On the contrary I think my mate is the most important one of all to write to, however every time I tried, I couldn't figure out how to start that wasn't awkward or self-deprecating. Draco and I were discussing it and the only thing I could think of to start the letter was, Hey I'm your mate want to get to know before we shag? Not exactly the best way to begin not only a letter but a relationship that has been predestined.
A darkness is brewing in the Brightest Witch of their Age. What happens when she's given the green light to unleash the anger she's been living with since she was but a baby?
.
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Alecto Carrow sprinted through her family mansion, the sound of her brother's anger following her down the long corridors. Her heart pounded in her chest as she rushed away from the fight, knowing that she needed to secure the one and only thing that meant anything to her anymore.
Her partner had been murdered by the Order before she ever got the chance to tell them about their child. Dumbledore was so hell bent on power, on destroying the old traditions, the old families. Her partner had fallen at his and his Auror's hands a year before their Dark Lord fell. The Dark Lord had fallen months ago but Dumbledore was making it his mission to send every Death Eater still alive to Azkaban.
Her best friend, and daughter's mate, Bellatrix Black, had been sent there two days prior, for the torture of Order members Alice and Frank Longbottom. Alecto couldn't deny that the two had it coming. Bellatrix took her revenge with her Cruciatus curse, breaking their minds just as she broke their bodies. The excruciating pain that she had caused had sent Alice in such despair that she no longer knew anything or anyone.
Alecto heard the cry of pain from her brother and knew that she only had once chance to send her child to family, to be hidden by Bellatrix's sister until their Dark Lord returned and they could once again a be reunited. She reached the nursery and cradled her child in her arms as pain exploded through her heart.
"I love you, my child. Forever and always. Please don't ever forget that. We will be together again one day."
She sat the child back into her crib and pointed her wand at the large amber eyes staring at her, tears spilling silently from her daughter's eyes as if she knew what was happening. She cast the spell that would transport her daughter away to safety, a note attached to her pajamas.
She quickly transformed the room into an empty room, not wanting anyone to know that she had a child in the house. She aimed her wand at the door as the thundering sounds of footsteps grew closer. She gripped her wand tighter and prepared herself for the fight she knew she was in for. If she was going to Azkaban, she would make sure she had earned the trip, and she would take down as many Order members as she could in the process.
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Hermione groaned as she rolled over, Draco's voice filling the quiet Manor, "Hermione! Get up!"
She smirked as she stared at the ceiling, counting down from ten in her mind. It had never failed since they were kids. The boy would wake a few minutes before her and then proceed to rush to her room and attack until she relented and got up. She couldn't remember the last time she had slept in.
As if on cue the door flew open and a fifteen-year-old Draco Malfoy sprinted towards her bed before diving headfirst on to the blankets, "Wake up. We're going to Diagon Alley today."
She rolled her eyes, "Yes because we haven't been to Diagon Alley in three days. However have we survived?"
She grinned as he huffed at her, his pout reminding her of when they were younger. Having grown up with Draco she could see when he was pouting for real or when he was faking, and this was one of the over exaggerated fake pouts. She had been raised by Narcissa and Lucius Malfoy for as long as she could remember. Narcissa took care of her and loved her as her own, so much so that she and Draco called each other siblings.
She knew where her mother was. She knew what had happened all those years ago. Narcissa never lied to her and the fact that Narcissa's oldest sister was Hermione's mate wasn't hidden from her either. She was thrilled to have a mate but annoyed that she couldn't remember either her mother or mate. It was frustrating beyond words. She had only two photos of her mother, ones that Narcissa had given her, on her bedside table. Bellatrix's picture sat closest to the side of the bed she slept on, needing her closer for some reason.
Draco shook her shoulders, "None of that. Come on, Mum said we have to go to Gringotts so we can hit the vaults."
She shook her head, "I want to sleep." She rolled over and pulled the blanket over her head, a knowing smirk on her face as she hid.
Draco growled angrily before straddling her hips and jerking the blanket down, "You will get up and you will enjoy our day 'Mione."
She snorted, unable to hide the laugh before nodding at him, "Yes Draco." His pleased smile warmed her heart as the teenager slid off her bed and hurried out of the room excitedly.
She knew just how to get her best friend to smile like no other. He had been tense, ever since Voldemort had returned and while she didn't fear the man, Draco did. When Voldemort had returned at the end of last term, after Potter had survived the Triwizard Tournament, she found herself growing closer to the snakelike man. He had regaled her with stories of her parents and her mate. They had grown closer as she helped to take care of him, helping him regain his strength and able bodied after so long of being a husk.
Over the last few weeks, they found themselves becoming somewhat akin to a father daughter relationship. It had deeply confused them both at first. Each grown frustrated and angry over it. It took Narcissa three days to get her to calm down while Lucius was subjected to Voldemort's wrath because she refused to see or speak to him in those days.
She didn't want anyone to replace her family. She didn't want him to be her father even though she desperately craved it. Lucius had always been more of a friend to her, their intellectual conversations during dinner were always stimulating for her young strong mind. She was a know-it-all, she knew that, but Lucius had been the one to encourage it while growing up. He would bring special books home for her to read, to study, to teach her and she loved it, but he was never the father figure. Narcissa was her comfort, always had been and while she didn't see the woman as a mother, she still went to Narcissa for everything.
Once she had calmed down and finally agreed to meet with Voldemort it was as if she was coming home. She couldn't deny the way he made her feel safe. The way he seemed proud of her to the point of allowing her to sit at his right hand during the meetings with the Death Eaters. However, the moment he turned to her in one of those meetings and asked her opinion, she knew he saw her as his daughter.
She dressed in a pair of dragon hide pants, loving the rough feel against her skin, with boots to match. She knew Narcissa hated that she didn't like to wear dresses, but the woman conceded after a particular tantrum that had become more venting and emotional than she had ever meant it to be. She pulled on a deep green silk blouse, the color of their house of Slytherin before pulling on her black travel cloak.
Draco stood leaning on the banister near the stairs looking down at the entry hall below as she joined him, "Something catch your eye?"
He chuckled and shook his head, "Father isn't joining us today and neither is Mum."
She gasped dramatically, placing her hand over her heart, "Their letting a sixteen and fifteen-year-old shop alone? What will people think?"
Draco burst into a fit of giggles as Narcissa's voice called out, "I'm going to show you what people will think if you two don't stop eavesdropping."
She burst into laughter as she shoved Draco lightly, "You knew she was listening, didn't you?"
He nodded as they descended the stairs, "Brightest witch of our age my arse."
She narrowed her eyes at him, though she wasn't really angry. He had been teasing her about that title ever since McGonagall had given it to her in their first year, after defeating a troll that Professor Quirrell had unleashed on the castle. Of course, it had been on a day that had been overwhelmingly emotional for her, and she had locked herself in a girl's lavatory to try to calm her raging magic. The fact that Harry Potter and Ronald Weasley were nosy, and incompetent only made her not run and defeat the troll single handedly.
She wasn't sure how she always found herself in the thick of things with the two boys she hated the most in the world. It was as if Dumbledore was forcing her into situations that would put her with the two boys at the worst possible moments. Like having to help Harry past Fluffy and straight into Quirrell hands, which turned out to be Voldemort in the end.
Narcissa had been livid on both accounts. The troll issue was only the beginning of Narcissa's wrath on Hogwarts. If she had any doubts about Narcissa caring about her they were quickly squashed the moment a seething Narcissa appeared at the school, in the middle of the Great Hall during breakfast after having received the owl from Hermione and Draco. Narcissa had laid into the headmaster so hard that the entire hall had fallen silent and knew all about the incident and that Hermione had single handedly defeated it while Harry and Ron had cowered in the corner.
And that wasn't nearly as bad as when she had awoken in the Hospital wing after having been injured during that stupid chess game to get Harry into the next room with Voldemort. Narcissa's wrath was very much the embodiment of 'Hell Hath no fury'. It was a sight to behold as the headmaster cowered from the youngest Black sister while a few of his peers watched from the sidelines, refusing to jump to his defense and incur the woman's wrath. Hermione had been allowed to return home with Narcissa, skipping the last few days of term in order to placate the woman. Narcissa refused to leave her side for a week after that. Even sleeping beside her, one hand on her less injured side, so she would know if Hermione even hissed in pain at all.
She had been feeling strangely when it came to Narcissa lately. Narcissa had never been a mother figure to her but lately she had been daydreaming about the woman. Seeing her in a way that she thought she wasn't supposed to be. It had started by enjoying the scent of her perfume, moving to craving the woman's touch. Now she couldn't stop having dreams about the woman, having sex with her but waking up right before she could climax. It was confusing and slightly terrifying, which had made her start pulling away from the blonde. Avoiding being alone with the woman, or even being too close to her.
Hermione stood staring at the floor not hearing a word that Narcissa was saying, her mind so lost in thought until she felt an elbow in her ribs. Her head jerked up and she found Narcissa's deep blue eyes watching her worriedly. Draco's voice was steady as he spoke, "Yes mother. We'll be home by dinner, and we'll stick together. We promise."
Hermione nodded silently but didn't remove her eyes from Narcissa's. There was something different about them lately, almost as if the woman was pleading with her to understand some unspoken conversation they were having. She quickly looked away and allowed Draco to lead her to the fireplace and into the floo. The rush of green flames raged around her body sending a cold chill down her spine until the Leaky Cauldron came into view and they stepped out. She brushed soot off her cloak as she followed Draco through the Inn and out into Diagon Alley.
The sun felt good on her pale face, the heat warming her quickly enough. She glanced at Draco beside her, "So we're not separating?"
Draco smirked at her, "Not that Mum will ever know about."
She snorted, "I'm off to Gringotts. Meet back here at lunch?"
At his nod she headed off towards Gringotts. She hadn't gotten any gold since the summer before last term, always feeling as if she shouldn't be going into her mother's vault without her and feeling slightly uncomfortable when she would enter the Black's House Vault. She was already one of the richest witches in the wizarding world. Having access to both the Black and Carrow's vaults was an amount of wealth that she had never believed she would ever see.
She entered the goblin bank with her head held high, the way Narcissa had taught her, approaching the usual goblin that she knew by name. Griphook glanced down at her after he sat his quill down and gave a gentle smile, "Ah, I was wondering when I would see you again."
She handed over her wand and the key to the Black vault, feeling a need to be closer to her mate. She had always had these urges over the years. Narcissa explained it was because the bond had already formed before Bellatrix and her mother were sent to Azkaban. The need for one's mate was ever-growing and never ending. She would always have a need to be with her mate, but Narcissa figured the fact that Bellatrix was in Azkaban could be making it worse.
She followed Griphook to the large cart and grimaced as it lurched forward and sped through the ever-winding tunnels until they grew closer to the bottom of the underground vault system. Once it stopped Griphook handed her wand back and the key before disappearing through a hidden passage. It was custom for the Goblins to take an exit at the vault entrance, when they were with purebloods or well-respected families, because of privacy and the carts would automatically return the visitor to the exit.
She approached the vault and held her hand out, allowing the shimmering vault door to pierce her skin, drawing her blood to prove she was a member of the Black family. Narcissa had once explained that even though she wasn't married to Bellatrix yet, being her mate made her an automatic family member. A loud groan echoed around her as the vault door shifted and rolled to the side, revealing the inside. Stacks of galleons piled to the ceiling covered the entire back of the vault, making her unable to see the actual back of the vault. Narcissa had told that there were many expansion charms on the vault ensuring the family's wealth was vast.
She opened the bag she had on her shoulder, an undetectable extension charm combined with a feather light charm cast on it, and sild enough money into it to last her for the year. She knew she could ask Narcissa to send whatever she needed but she hated to be a bother to the woman. She smiled when her eyes caught on some jewelry, the black onyx and green emeralds sparkling in the light. It was the most beautiful silver ring she had ever seen and wondered if Bellatrix would allow her to have it someday.
She shook her head and quickly exited the vault, pausing to check that the golden chalice was still in a place of honor. She ignored the nausea on the ride back to the entrance of the vault before making her way quickly to Knockturn Alley. She smiled when she stepped into Fledermaus and Tanner Bats and Skins. It had become one of her favorite locations in Knockturn Alley over the years, though Narcissa and Lucius both were repulsed by it.
The dark room was musky, a slight hint of guano in the air. The ceiling, high above her head, seemed to shimmer and shift as the bats clung to their posts, sleeping the day away. Shelves lined the walls, only parting to reveal three different doorways. A small white bat dove straight at her and she chuckled as she held her hand out, allowing the creature to land swiftly. Its small hand wrapped around her thumb, the long narrow fingers feeling soft and smooth, its sharp claws gripping her skin to hold itself into place. Large round red eyes stared up at her expectantly and she chuckled as she summoned a small black beetle from behind the counter. The bat took it eagerly, it's eyes never leaving her face as it munched.
A tall skinny man with long grey hair stepped out from behind a curtain that hid the back of the shop from the front, a small smile on his broad face, "You spoil them too much."
She grinned as she shook her head, "You're just angry because they like me better Archie."
His laugh was high and dry, a slight rasp coming from the back of his throat, "Your order is almost ready Miss Black. There was a slight shipping mishap with the supplier, so I started slightly after I originally thought."
She shook her head, "No mind." She watched the bat take flight from her hand before turning towards the man, "Is the game still on?"
Archie smirked, "It is. Usual place starting at seven. How are you going to get away from Madame Malfoy this time?"
She grinned darkly at him, "If I told you my secrets then they wouldn't be secrets. I'll be there so don't let them start without me."
Archie dipped his head, "Wouldn't dream of it. You know they're terrified of you, right?"
She barked out a laugh as she moved towards the exit, "I do and it's glorious." She winked at him as he began to laugh and hurried out of the shop.
She hurried back towards Diagon Alley and proceeded to buy the few things she actually did need. She met Draco at lunch, and they enjoyed a delicious meal before spending the rest of the afternoon with their fellow Slytherin's, Pansy Parkinson and Gregory Goyle. As it neared six-thirty she put her plan into action. She gasped as she searched through her bag and Draco frowned at her.
She shook her head, "I forgot to stop and get a new set of robes. I'll meet you at home."
Draco frowned, "I can go with you."
She shook her head, "No, it's fine. I'll grab my order and then meet you for dinner. Tell Narcissa I'll be a few minutes late."
Draco shrugged, "Alright but don't take too long. You know how worried Mum gets."
She nodded, knowing exactly what he was talking about. Ever since she had been forced into the Chamber of Secrets in their second year, because once again she had somehow found herself pushed into an alliance with Potter and Weasley. She hadn't meant for anyone to know that she could speak Parseltounge but when Harry learned about it, he couldn't resist speaking to her about it. She had nearly been killed by the damn Basilisk and for once was grateful that the Boy-Who-Lived was able to win that round.
She of course had suffered a few broken bones when trying to save them, because if she didn't, she knew there would be hell to pay. Once again finding herself in the hospital wing and watching with a satisfied grin as Narcissa had laid into Dumbledore. The man really did not know how to learn his lesson. Ever since that moment Narcissa had been fretting over her, worrying about what she was doing, who she was with, if she was injured. It had been maddening but also nice knowing that someone cared so deeply for her.
She waited until Draco disappeared into the Leaky Cauldron before sprinting towards Knockturn Alley. She made her way quickly to The White Wyvern, pulling a cloth pouch from her bag that was enchanted with an antitheft charm, and slipped it into her pocket before entering the pub. The dimly lit room was smoky and reeked of stale ale. The chill in the air would never be removed even as the two fireplaces burned brightly, casting dancing shadows across the patrons and walls. She spotted Archie leaning against the wall near an archway and moved towards him.
Archie grinned at her, "Thought you weren't going to make it."
She shook her head, moving passed him through the arch and feeling the shiver through her body as she passed through the wards, "Draco was taking longer than I thought." A door opened in front of them, and she grinned as she entered the room, "Long time no see boys." She grinned as she tossed the pouch of money onto the table.
Six voices called out at her in unison and Fenrir Greyback kicked a chair out beside him, "Finally. Can we begin now."
She took her seat next to the werewolf. His usual cannibalistic nature pushed to the side for their evening of fun and gossip. The man was intense, especially during battles and Hermione had heard numerous times about his love for feeding on young girls, though he knew that if he tried anything with her the Dark Lord would torture him, gut him, then fillet him alive.
Everyone had noticed that the Dark Lord had come to care for her, and she didn't hide it either. It got her what she needed when she needed it. She used it to her advantage but here, during this night, once a month, she was just Hermione and everyone else was just themselves. There was no Death Eaters. They were just a group of friends who enjoyed each other's company and liked to gossip.
The chair on her opposite side slid back and a tall man with brown hair, a goatee to match, and green eyes placed a kiss on her cheek, "How's my niece doing?"
She grinned at her uncle as he sat beside her, noticing his pallid skin looking healthier than the last time she had seen him, "I'm fine."
Amycus Carrow eyed her for a moment, "You're lying." She raised an eyebrow at him, challenging him to continue. When he didn't, she smirked as he lowered his eyes and let go of the topic.
Fenrir delt the first hand, smirking as Corban Yaxley started right in, "Did you hear about the Snyde's?"
Hermione picked up her five cards and grinned at the naked witch, stretching provocatively while sending out a wink. Her creamy skin showing in all its glory, breasts heaving as she breathed deeply. She chuckled to herself while staring at the cards, "I love magic."
Fenrir grinned at her, "Thought you'd like 'em."
Everyone around the round table chuckled as they took their first look at their cards. Gregory Goyle Senior frowned at Corban, "What about them? I thought they were still in Azkaban?"
Corban tossed two cards face down in the middle of the table, "Two. The guy lost it and tried to throw himself off the cliff. His wife was found in her cell, writing in blood all over the walls. I think they'll be worse off than the Longbottom's soon."
Theodore Nott senior scoffed as he tossed three cards into the center of the table, "That's nothing. I heard Mulciber's wife was seen leaving the Lestrange estate."
Fenrir snorted as Hermione tossed three cards to the center, "Leave it to Rodolphus's father to shag a prisoner's wife."
Hermione smirked, "Everyone has their needs."
Amycus nodded and knocked on the table, sending four cards into the middle, "Here, here. Though Bellatrix would kill you if you even thought about anyone else."
She narrowed her eyes at her uncle as everyone chuckled, "I haven't even met her yet."
Vincent Crabbe Senior laughed, "Yes but we have. She'll kill us all if she finds out we knew and didn't stop you."
Fenrir delt more cards and Hermione tossed in three galleons, a dark grin on her face, "Then let's make this night worth it then."
"Here, here." Amycus called out as he tossed his own gold into the middle of the table. Glasses were raised all around the table in a salute before they were thrown back and a chorus of glass meeting the table echoed throughout the room.
The game continued as did the gossip, finding out who was cheating on who, who's marriage was in shambles. Hermione knew that Narcissa would be pissed if she ever found out about her monthly poker games, but she couldn't help it. It was the one time she could get away from everyone and everything. She could clear her mind and just be normal. She enjoyed the games, the gossip, and spending time with her friends, friends that she knew Narcissa, and Lucius wouldn't approve of for a sixteen-year-old girl.
She lost track of time as the games continued, smoking a cigar when Amycus handed them out. The Firewhiskey and Dragon Barrel Brandy went down smoothly throughout the night, though she paced herself so she wouldn't be drunk around a room full of men, even if her uncle was there. She hit a streak and won most of the gold from the men, laughing when their stuttering drunkenness became too much, and they had to sit out a few rounds with a large cup of coffee.
By the time she noticed the time, her exhaustion was beginning to get the best of her. She shook her head as she rubbed her face, scanning the room. Her uncle had long ago passed out from too much Firewhiskey, Fenrir looked dead on his feet, and Yaxley was drooling on the poker table. She shook her head and stretched, standing up to gather her gold. Fenrir tossed her the pack of cards with a wink before he slipped out of the room.
She shook Amycus's shoulder to wake him, her exhausted mind thinking about falling into her own bed. Without warning the man flew out of his seat, his hand around her throat. Her back slammed into the wall, his wand digging painfully into her ribs. Pain exploded through her body, her back hitting a piece of stone that was sticking out. Amycus's eyes were wide and distant, not fully awake yet. She struggled to breath under his hand, her throat being squeezed tightly, as her eyes watered, and she clutched at his hands to get him to loosen his grip.
Movement sounded throughout the room as the other men quickly grabbed his arms, trying desperately to get him to let go of her throat. Her vision began to darken just as they were able to yank him away. She coughed violently, sucking air back into her lungs as much as possible, resting her hands on her knees, body shaking violently in fear and pain.
Amycus's eyes widened as he realized just what he had done and to whom he had done it too, "Hermione, I'm so sorry." He took a step towards her, but she quickly moved back. His voice still made her heart clench, "I'm sorry. I didn't…. I'm so sorry."
She shook her head at him but was unable to speak through the pain until she fully had air back in her lungs. She cleared her throat and winced at the burning pain, "I'm okay." She grimaced at her raspy, rough voice, sounding more like a whisper even though she was speaking fully, "Its okay Amycus."
She moved forward as the man's tears poured down his face. She had seen him like this before, though she hadn't been on the receiving end of it at the time. She wrapped her arms around his sobbing form, running her hands through his longer hair, "It's okay. It was accident." She pushed him down into a chair and continued to hold him as he sobbed quietly, his arms wrapping around her waist gently.
She knew that Azkaban had taken a toll on him, and the fact that his sister, her mother was still in there, haunted him. He had escaped but hadn't been able to get to Alecto, since she was on the other side of the prison. They had been separated since they were siblings, and he hadn't fared well with that separation. She knew her mother and uncle had been close all their lives; some say closer than they should have been.
It wasn't uncommon in the pureblood families to seek comfort or release from each other. She knew at one point when the Black sisters had been younger, they had even done the same. Family was everything in the pureblood lines, something that they passed on from generation to generation.
She calmed Amycus down quicky before turning to Yaxley. He frowned at her as he looked at her neck, his fingers gentle on her chin as he angled her head slightly, "That's one hell of a bruise Hermione. You'll need Narcissa or a healer to fix it."
She groaned, "What time is it?"
Nott chuckled, "Almost seven in the morning." Her jaw dropped as she snatched her bag off the table, sprinting for the door as Nott laughed and shouted out to her, "Good luck!"
She ignored him as she hurried through the pub and back out to Knockturn Alley. She ran through the cobblestone street, knowing that she would be lucky if she managed to floo in without Narcissa being right next to the fireplace. She entered Diagon Alley and had to slow to a fast walk as the street was just beginning to get busy. She entered the Leaky Cauldron and glanced around, not seeing any of her family anywhere.
She hurried to the backroom where the floo network was and stepped in while saying as clearly as she could, "Malfoy Manor."
The rush of green flames made her slightly dizzy, combined with the Firewhiskey and Brandy she had consumed all night. She stepped out of the fireplace quietly, letting out a sigh of relief that she was alone. She hurried up to her room as quickly as she could and headed straight for the shower. It wasn't that she wanted to hide anything from her family but this one night of poker was hers, just hers and no one else's. She was always kept on a short leash because of who she was and her Hogwarts troubles. This was the one night she could just be, and she didn't want it taken away. When she finished her shower she climbed into bed, the exhaustion finally catching up to her.
.
A loud bang jerked Hermione awake, her head pounding painfully with the hangover that she brought on herself from her all-nighter. Narcissa's voice grated on her eardrums, "Where the hell have you been?" She winced against the bright sunlight that filled the bedroom, forcing her to slam her eyes shut again. Narcissa's footsteps grew closer as the woman's anger raged around her, her own magic recoiling from Narcissa's as the woman's magic enveloped her tightly, "Hermione answer me, right now."
She groaned as a wave of nausea swirled around her stomach and raced up her chest. Throwing the covers back she sprinted to her ensuite and emptied her stomach a split second after reaching the toilet. She felt Narcissa's hands on her back, pulling her hair back while the woman's magic began to soften to a soothing steady stream.
When she was done heaving, she flushed and shook her head before turning to the sink to rinse her mouth and brush her teeth. The throb in her head had let up slightly and she was slightly relieved. She wasn't thinking when she went from leaning on the counter to standing up, but the strangled hiss that ripped from Narcissa's throat was enough to make her freeze. Catching the woman's eyes in the mirror she followed Narcissa's gaze to the large handprint bruise on her neck.
Her eyes widened and she rushed to speak but instead coughed violently, pain searing her raw and scratchy throat. She shook her head and turned to Narcissa, "I can explain." She winced at not only the pain but the sound of her voice, raspy, low, and sounding more painful than it already felt.
Narcissa gripped her arm and guided her back to her bed and aimed her wand at her, "Don't speak until I'm done healing it." She nodded and held still while Narcissa healed it. "What happened? Why didn't you come to me right away?"
She frowned as she felt the woman's anger mixed with concern and rejection. Why would Narcissa be feeling rejected? This was the first time they were alone together in the last few months and their interactions had been minimum at best in those times. She let her magic reach out to the woman for the first time in a year. Her eyes widened when she felt the full blast of the woman's emotions. Her anger wasn't as strong as the raging concern that was coursing through the woman's body.
She stared at the floor, laying her hands in her lap to silently gage what she should tell the woman. She wasn't about to give up her uncle, the man had been through enough. She also didn't want to lie to the woman that had cared for her over the last sixteen years either. However, she knew she wasn't getting out of this unpunished and without telling the woman how she was hurt and who hurt her.
Narcissa's brilliant blue eyes darkened dangerously as she crossed her arms over her chest, "Talk. Now."
Hermione swallowed audibly as the tension filled the room, her eyes locking onto Narcissa's, her stomach knotting painfully as her mind screamed, I'm so fucked.