The morning after jump started plenty of rumors (which were started by Lavender Brown and her idiot friends and Hermione was highly considering hexing her bed to make it dye her hair odd colors and turn her skin green). Lavender had informed everyone in their House of Hermione's and Neville's developing relationship (ignoring Hermione's arguing that there was nothing going on). The shy Gryffindor was trying to help squelch the rumors, but to no use.
Walking into the Great Hall, people (mostly Slytherins) kept heckling Hermione to "sit with her boyfriend" and made kissing noises at her, except Draco. He seemed to be keeping his friend group in line, something Hermione was grateful for. Her head was already pounding by the time she sat next to Ginny.
"Neville? Really?" Ginny inquired, biting into her toast.
Sighing, Hermione pinched the bridge of her nose. "We aren't dating, Gin."
Ginny smiled. "I know," her face grew serious, "But you know Ron is going to be up in arms about this, right?"
"I know," Hermione muttered, angrily stabbing at her breakfast.
Ginny sympathetically patted her friend's tensed shoulder before returning her attention to her food – she was a Weasley after all.
A nervous throat was cleared and Hermione glanced over her shoulder to see a blushing Neville standing behind her. "M-mind if I sit with you? Seamus and Dean are driving me crazy." He blushed brighter and hurriedly continued, "I understand if you aren't okay with it, considering everything…"
Hermione, despite her annoyance to the rest of her House, smiled genuinely at the boy. "Sure, Neville."
Ginny scooted closer to Hermione and made some room for the boy, allowing him the seat next to the fiery redhead. Thankful, Neville took the seat and started conversing with the youngest Weasley, leaving Hermione to her thoughts. There was about two months before she would be heading "home" to see her real father. She prayed that it would give her time to come to grips with her reality.
"Why's he sitting here?" Ron spat, glaring at Neville as he sat across from Hermione.
"Grow up, Ron," Ginny snapped. "Neville's sitting here because of the prats that believe Lavender's insane rumors – like you."
Ron grew red and bowed his head, mumbling to himself before piling food onto his plate. Hermione internally groaned. Merlin, her brain felt ready to burst. These next few months were going to suck.
"So where were you yesterday?" Harry asked. "We couldn't find you at Hogsmeade and you didn't come back with us."
Hermione shook her head. "It's a long story, Harry."
Harry dropped the topic, knowing Hermione would tell them when she was ready. He trusted the bushy-haired girl implicitly. Ron seemed to want to push, but a quick kick for Ginny swiftly silenced his curiosity. They let the subject drop.
(Bellamione)
Less than a week later, Hermione was livid. She had detention, her first detention since she was a first year and had got sent into the forest with Hagrid, with Umbridge. She'd corrected the woman on a small point and the woman decided she deserved detention. It was bloody ridiculous.
Making her way to Umbridge's office, she passed Draco and his cronies. She paid them no mind until Draco reached out and touched her arm.
"Granger," Draco called, "Wait up a second."
Hermione's expression darkened. "I don't have time for your insults, Malfoy."
Draco exhaled sharply and fell in step with the bushy haired girl, leaving Crabbe and Goyle in confusion. "This is important."
"What?" Hermione sighed, looking over at the blonde Slytherin.
Reaching into his robes, he pulled out a small vile and handed it to her. She cautiously took it and examined the clear liquid. "What's this?"
"It's a potion to help with Umbridge's "detentions". You've seen what she does, right?" When she nodded, he continued, "She has a cursed quill she'll make you write with and it'll cut whatever she has you write into your hand. Professor Snape and the Dark Lord created this potion in hopes to keep her from hurting anyone in the Dark Lord's circle. I figured you could use this more than me right now. It'll also keep it from hurting too badly. It'll still show up on your hand, but it'll fade quicker than normal."
"How do I know this isn't a trick?" Hermione wondered curiously.
Draco leaned closer and whispered, "Do you really think Aunt Bella or the Dark Lord would let me hurt you and get away with it?"
Hermione raised a questioning eyebrow. The blonde boy sighed, "Mum told me. I don't know exactly what's going on, but I know you're important to the Dark Lord and Aunt Bella. I just wanted to help." He turned away, but Hermione's hand on his shoulder stopped his exit.
"Thanks, Draco," Hermione said genuinely.
"Don't mention it." He made his way back to Crabbe and Goyle, knowing they'd fall in step with him once he rejoined them.
Staring at the potion, she hurriedly drank it, grimacing at the awful taste that filled her mouth and headed toward Umbridge's office. Why can't wizards make better tasting potions? She shuddered.
She stopped at the door and inhaled deeply. Reaching out, she knocked solidly.
"Come in," Umbridge's obnoxious voice slithered through the door. She sounded far too cheerful and Hermione knew she took some sick pleasure in torturing students. Disgusting toad of a woman.
"Ah, Ms. Granger, do have a seat," Umbridge instructed, gesturing for Hermione to sit at the desk. "I want you to take the quill and write 'I will not act like a know-it-all'."
"Excuse me?" Hermione scoffed, "Just because I knew something you didn't does not make me a know-it-all. I was pointing out something that needed to be known correctly for the OWLs."
Umbridge smiled nastily. "You won't be leaving this room until you write that, Ms. Granger. Knowledge can be a very dangerous thing. You need to learn when to keep your mouth shut. This will help remind you of that."
"How many times?" Hermione spat, glowering at the pink-clad woman.
"Until it sinks in," she replied simply before sitting in her pink chair to watch, a cruel expression creasing her already repulsive face.
"What about ink?"
"Don't worry about that, Ms. Granger, it will supply ink for you," Umbridge replied with a soft laugh, though it held its dark intentions.
Hermione huffed and began writing it, noticing how red the ink was. Her hand began to itch, but it wasn't too painful – just a tad bit annoying. She glanced over at it and clenched her jaw. The words were beginning to slice into her skin, just as the words of Harry's detention had cut into his. She really was a terrible woman.
(Bellamione)
She hurriedly entered the common room and found Harry and Ron chatting on the couch, parchment on the table in front of them. Typical.
"Hey, Mione," Harry greeted with a sympathetic smile. He knew she'd had detention with Umbridge and the aftermath of her 'detentions'. "How was it?"
Hermione rolled up the sleeve of her robes. I will not act like a know-it-all was etched deep into her flesh, though it didn't look as raw as Harry's hand.
"Merlin's beard," Ron muttered, staring at her skin. He seemed a bit green.
"She needs to be stopped," Hermione said, touching the words carefully. The potion had stopped the immediate pain, but it was still tender when something grazed it. "We need to train up the D.A. With her and You-Know-Who around, we're going to need to be able to fight." She had to stop herself from calling him the Dark Lord or father. She didn't think either boy could handle that news yet. She would tell them after winter break. Hopefully.
"I agree," Harry said thoughtfully.
The D.A had met on Wednesday night and Saturday night, because everyone thought it was beneficial to practice twice a week. The first lessons had gone rather well, all things considering. Harry was doting on Cho, Ginny was channeling her jealousy into her spells and Hermione had managed to send Ron flying backwards. Hermione considered that a win/win for everyone.
(Bellamione)
The months had passed rather quickly, all things considered. Between DA meetings, Umbridge becoming the High Inquisitor, Snape's Occlumency training and the Weasley family almost losing Arthur, her life had been rather eventful.
Snape had her in his dungeon at least three nights a week practicing to keep others from her thoughts. It had been rather difficult in the beginning and he combed through her memories intimately, forcing her to work hard to keep him out. He'd bring her moments with Bellatrix up more often than not, using her against Hermione. He'd read through her letters until she was angry and would push him out. It was mentally draining, but she was getting better. She'd learned from the Potions professor that Harry was also taking lessons from him, but he was having a harder time with it. He and Ron never asked where she disappeared to at night, though, something she was eternally grateful for.
She and Bella still exchanged daily letters and their connection grew slightly, but not enough to be noticeable to anyone other than themselves. Hermione suspected that when they were together over the break it would grow exponentially.
Packing her bags, she did a mental assessment. She was terrified of spending the break with her father, but a part of her was excited. He was a murderer and wanted to take over the Wizarding World, but she prayed there was more to it than that. And even if he wasn't anything more than that, she'd still be spending time with Bella. The mere thought made her heart pound into her ears.
She'd be purchasing the Weasley family's gifts once she was settled in at Malfoy Manor and delivering them when she visited them on Christmas Eve. The Weasleys would be in Romania with Charlie on Christmas Day so they were having a Christmas lunch with Hermione and Harry on Christmas Eve before Harry departed to be with Sirius and Hermione returned to Malfoy Manor. They didn't know where she'd be coming from and leaving to and it was for the best. The Order was unaware and that kept things simpler for those involved. They'd be told eventually, but Hermione (and Dumbledore) wanted to see how this break went before telling anyone something that would change everything. If the break went badly, Dumbledore would be able to hide Hermione's true parentage and no one would ever look into it. If it went well…well, he hoped it wouldn't.
The plan was for Hermione to wait until the Weasleys and Harry had left the platform before joining the Malfoys. Narcissa was more than willing to meet the girl who'd captured her sister's heart properly and Lucius wasn't stupid enough to say no to such an important task. Making sure the daughter of his lord arrived safely was a priority above most others. Lucius wasn't about to fuck that up.
She met Harry and Ron out in the commons and they made their way out of Hogwarts and to the train.
"Are you excited to see Charlie?" Hermione asked Ginny and Ron.
Ron nodded enthusiastically while Ginny shrugged. "I'm looking forward to seeing the dragons he works with. He said he'll take me to see them while Mum's worrying over dinner."
Hermione laughed.
"You looking forward to spending the break with Sirius, mate?" Ron questioned, gaining Harry's attention, which was hard to do lately. Ever since he'd seen Arthur's attack, he'd been on edge and not even Cho's kiss could help ease his mind.
"Yeah," he mumbled quietly, staring blankly out the window.
The air in the compartment was tense, so Hermione and Ginny left to find the sweets trolley.
"Mate, no one blames you for anything," Ron said, though it seemed to pass through Harry without any affect, so he tried a different approach. "If it wasn't for you, Dad wouldn't be with us for Christmas. Don't beat yourself up over this."
Harry swallowed hard. "You've never seen someone dying and not been able to do a damn thing to save them, Ron. It was awful."
"But you saved him by telling Dumbledore," Ron reminded him.
Harry exhaled deeply through his nose and the conversation was dropped. Nothing was really going to get through to him right now and Ron accepted that.
(Bellamione)
"Are you sure you don't want us to wait for your parents, Hermione?" Molly asked the young Gryffindor, her motherly worry touching Hermione's heart.
Hermione smiled and hugged the older woman. "I'll be fine, Mrs. Weasley. My parents told me they'd be running a little behind, so I'm not worried. Go on ahead."
Molly smiled and patted Hermione's cheek before addressing all of her children and Harry. "Let's go. Harry, Sirius is at Grimmauld Place so we'll drop you off there, okay?"
Hermione watched as the group disappeared from sight and sighed. She felt awful for lying to them, but… She shook her head; she had bigger things to worry about than if they'd hate her after they found out the truth.
She searched through the crowd until her eyes fell upon Draco and his family. She recognized them instantly. She'd had numerous run-ins with Lucius and had seen Narcissa once at the Quidditch Cup. She was attractive, but not nearly as appealing as Bellatrix. There wasn't a blonde strand out of place and her energy seemed to demand respect. Hermione stood straighter as she approached them.
"Madam Malfoy, Mr. Malfoy," Hermione greeted respectfully, nodding to the couple, "Draco."
Narcissa studied the Gryffindor, her eyes inspecting every inch of Hermione's features. "Ms. Riddle," she returned quietly with a faint smile before extending a hand to her.
Hermione shook it briefly before turning to Lucius. He tried to appear tough, but Hermione could see through the façade. He was nervous because of her. Probably because of whom my father is.
"Ms. Riddle, it's an honor to meet you properly. I must apologize for our previous encounters," he said regretfully, also reaching to shake her hand. "I did not know who you were when we met."
Nodding, Hermione shook his hand firmly. As she went to grab her bags, the older man quickly took hold of them. "You don't have to do that, Mr. Malfoy."
"I know, but consider this part of my apology." He smiled. He was a greasy weasel of a man, but he wasn't too terrible, Hermione decided.
The foursome made their way through the crowds before Apparating out of the station. Hermione's stomach lurched, but it wasn't the worst feeling she'd ever encountered.
(Bellamione)
Bellatrix stalked around Malfoy Manor, her demeanor reminding everyone of a caged tiger. She was waiting impatiently for Hermione to arrive and it was driving her mad. She'd begged the Dark Lord to allow her to meet Hermione at the train, but he wouldn't give her permission to do so. It would bring unnecessary attention and while Bellatrix was no longer a wanted woman (the Dark Lord's plans had fallen into place and he'd wiped her record clean with the help of an Imperioused official.
"Bella, you're going to burn holes in your sister's beautiful wooden floor if you continue pacing around like that," Voldemort said with light amusement. He was seated at the dining room table watching his most loyal follower pace about the room. She'd been glaring at his followers all day, terrifying most of them away. Even Rodolphus wouldn't come near her.
Slowing her steps, Bellatrix bowed her head. "I'm sorry, My Lord."
He waved off the apology. "It's pleasant to see you so worked up over something. They'll be here soon."
As those words left his lips, both heard the front door of the Manor opening and Bellatrix rushed out of the room. She stopped a few feet from Hermione, suddenly anxious. What if Hermione wasn't that happy to see her? What if… Her thoughts were cut off by the Gryffindor lunging into Bellatrix's arms.
Hermione wrapped her arms around Bellatrix and kissed her deeply. She wasn't too sure what came over her, but the sight of the dark witch had brought out a feeling she hadn't felt since she left a few months ago and all she knew was that she needed to have Bella's lips on her now.
"Bloody hell," Draco muttered, his eyes wide as saucers at the sight of his used-to-be enemy and his aunt in such a passionate embrace.
"Draco," Narcissa hissed, rolling her eyes at her only child.
Bellatrix threaded her fingers through Hermione's hair and gripped slightly, keeping the younger girl close, their lips never detaching.
"Bella," the Dark Lord's voice called out, "Please release my daughter so that I may see her too." He didn't seem angry, but his voice sliced through their lustful haze and caused them to unwillingly separate, pants filling the silence.
"Come," Bellatrix instructed with a smile before taking hold of Hermione's hand. She turned to Lucius, "Take her things to my room. If she chooses to stay in another room, I'll move her things." The blonde man nodded before disappearing into the house.
Hermione inhaled deeply before she and Bellatrix walked into the dining. She stopped at the sight of her father standing near the end of the table. She hesitantly released Bella's hand before walking over to the Dark Lord. He held out his arms and she settled awkwardly into them, hugging the man. He was freezing, but there was something (almost) comforting about hugging him.
"Welcome home, Hermione."
Home…? Could she really see this place as home? She swallowed hard at the realization that, yes, she could.