Hermione and Draco were walking towards Granger residence in Hamstead suburb in north London. They had taken a muggle child from an orphanage. They did not want to hurt the Grangers. They had never done anything to upset Hermione even if they did not understand magic.
They opened the front gate and stood before the door. Hermione took her wand and murmured-" Alohomora". The door opened silently.
They entered the house. Hermione looked around the house sadly. Seeing her sad, Draco came and hugged her from behind. "What happened love?" he asked.
"This Hermione will never know the Grangers. Will never know not eating sweets. Will never know the bullying. Draco even if they are muggles, they always loved and supported me in everything. But we cannot leave this Hermione here. That is what is making me sad."
"Hermione, she may not know the Grangers, but she will know the Lestranges. She will know parents who understand her. And I would dare anyone to bully you. Aunt Bella will skin them alive." Said Draco.
"Yes Draco. And that is why I am also happy for her. Dumbledore won't be able to use her." She smiled and said. " Now lets go and take her."
The Grangers had just a week ago adopted a sweet child from the orphanage. But they had yet to call their neighbours to show off their brilliant child. Little did they know they would never get to show off the actual Hermione Granger.
Because she was going back to the magical world. Her world.
Hermione went to the nursery where the child was peacefully sleeping. She kissed her forehead and said- " Let's go child. To live like a princess. To learn magic. So that no Dumbledore may manipulate your life. So that you can work to make the magical world a better place. To become brilliant so that we can help our first friend when she needs us. To be great. You will have a magical life ahead."
Draco came forward and laid his hand on Hermione's shoulder and said-" Let's go Mione." She nodded and picked up the child. Draco placed the other child in the crib.
They went to the adjoining room and Draco changed the couple's memory about Hermione and placed memories of the other child.
They turned to leave when Hermione took one last look at the couple who had loved her despite her magical outbursts. It wasn't that in her own world she would not meet them. But she regretted that Hermione and they would not know each other. But she did not regret her decision. It was for the better.
They went out of the house and apparated back to the Peverall castle.
Cassiopeia was waiting for them there. At the sound of apparation she looked up and on seeing Hermione and Draco, nodded. It looked like she had been been busy. The golems required were ready. Sirius's golem was complete. Others were waiting for drops of blood.
Hermione looked at me expectedly.
"The Lestrange brothers have gone to their father to explain the situation. Bellatrix is at Gringotts. As soon as the Lestranges come here, you will go with them to Gringotts and get Gemini blood adopted." Said Cassiopeia.
They both nodded. Draco moved towards Blaise and Theo. They were playing chess. Daphne and Astoria were pondering over a fashion magazine. Susan, Luna, Fleur and Callindora were sitting and quietly talking. Bill and Neville were discussing about wards. Charlie was reading about dragons. Oliver and George were arguing about quidditch. Hermione looked at Cassiopeia and then at Luna. She shook her head. Hermione understood what she was saying. Hermione sat in one corner. Luna walked to her.
"She has been thinking alot. She is slipping slowly and she knows it. She has been thinking about this. She has a plan and I fear whatever it is, will not be for her betterment. But I am finding it difficult to find a counter to scenarios she may present." Said Luna.
Hermione looked at Luna closely and said-" You have seen something, haven't you?"
Luna just smiled in melancholy and said -" I am a seer Hermione. I always see something. But what she has thought is correct for both the timelines. Her magical madness coupled with the famed Black madness will be very difficult to control should we stop what she is about to do. Not that we will be able to stop. She is a Dark Lady for a reason."
Hermione looked alarmed at what Luna. When Luna did not use the names of magical creatures visible only to her that meant something bad. But she realised that Cassiopeia could very well do anything if she thought it would help. 'Merlin knows what is going through that mind of hers.' She thought.
They both just sat quietly.
The Lestranges arrived not long after. Rudolf Lestrange looked at Cassiopeia, who was sitting on her throne. He did not know who she was or if she was saying the truth or not, but the power rolling off her told him that she could very well have done all this forcibly. So he decided to trust her. He would have to talk to the Knight of Walpurgis about her later.
He went forward and bowed his head. "Greetings, Lady Peverall."
Cassiopeia looked at him with sharp eyes. She could feel him judging her and then coming to a conclusion. She smirked at the final decision and reason.
"Nice decision, Lord Lestrange. Your family and you shall live another day. And yes you may discuss with the Knights. After all they were closest to my soulmate. But worry not about explaining everything. I shall give you an orb carrying my voice which shall explain everything to you all."
He looked at her in astonishment and thought that she had read his mind. He sneered at her and spat-" How dare you read my mind?"
Before he could say anything else he was thrown to the wall and Cassiopeia was dangling him by his neck. "I may not be your lord Lestrange, but I am a Dark Lady and not just like that. I may not throw crucios like candy does not mean I cannot. Do not presume to talk to me like that. Even Neville does not dare to talk to me like that and he is the one that gets away with most. I do not need to look in your mind to know what you are thinking. Your magic speaks everything."
Everyone else looked at them wide eyed. Specially those of the current timeline. They did not think she could act like this. "It's good we did not even once disrespect her. Salazar knows what would she have done." Barty muttered. Beside him Augusta snorted.
Remus could not believe his eyes what he was seeing. But he realised that that she was a Dark Lady. She was bound to be dangerous. But h did not know why his magic was telling him to calm her down. But this time he decided to listen to his instincts.
He moved forward and came near Cassiopeia. He said softly-" Cub? Stop it. It is of no use."
Everyone looked at him as if he had died and come back to life. Even the Shadows had never dared to stop her ever.
Cassiopeia was lost in a red haze when she heard a soft voice telling her stop. She was about to tear the person to shreds when she felt the magic. It was strong enough to tear through the haze. Her uncle Moony was telling her to stop. She always listened to him. So she tried but failed ti break through the haze. She started panicking inside.
She took deep breaths and then focused her magic towards him. Slowly the mist rose and she could think clearly.
She dropped the Lestrange Lord. And looked at Remus. " Thank you uncle Moony."
"No problem cub. I always have your back." He said.
She smiled and then turned back towards Rudolf. He was rubbing his throat. His sons had helped him to get up. She raised her hand.
He tensed. But no pain came. Instead his throat felt alright. He looked the Dark Lady and said -" Thank you, My Lady. I am sorry of the slight at you."
She raised an eye brow at him but said nothing. She went to sit on throne.
Cassiopeia finally addressed at reason the Lestranges were hear. " As you know why you are here. I am expecting that your sons have explained to you everything and you are here that means you are alright with it. So why don't you all go to Gringotts to get the work done. I don't know if Bellatrix is there or not so here is her blood. Barty, if you want to go then go or you may just give your blood. Samr for you Rabastan."
"We both wish to go." Said Rabastan. Cassiopeia nodded and turned to Hermione. -" Go with them. Draco you too. Do not be caught. Her new name will be Gemini."
All of them left.
'You won't know what hit you Albus'
Cassiopeia thought with a cackle.