Author's Note: Shout out to my first reviewer, ThatGayNerd (great username btw)! As I write new chapters, I go back and edit the previous one/s due to my inability to read something so soon after having written it, so apologies for any mistakes. Hope y'all enjoy this new one. Thanks.
Second AN: Sorry this one took so long. Went impulse camping with a pal and I finished the chapter (writing on my phone) but didn't have the service to upload. Enjoy :D
Upon entering her chambers, Hermione scooped up the journal-sized tome, finding the curly-haired infant smiling up at her, babbling silently to herself. Flipping it over, the words "Hermione, 6 months" were scrawled in a messy but beautiful cursive. Is this me? Why am I in a wizarding picture? The (almost) first year shuffled to her bed, lying on her stomach before she flipped the book open to its title page seeing the words "Nigrum Genus" written in neat, bold handwriting. Her grammar school had taught her basic latin, so she recognized the words as meaning something about a black family? Maybe it's a last name? Other than the title however, most of the pages appeared to be written in english. Still, there were many words she didn't recognize– some due to the dark staining on the pages and others seemed to be about witchcraft and spells.
She continued leafing through the pages until she came across a dog-eared page that had a bulleted list of ingredients and a small sketch of a mother clutching a baby to her chest.
"EXEMPLAR NATALIS SUI: In a silver cauldron, heat two (2) cotyles blood of the mother's mother. Once simmering, add three (3) drops dragon venom. Stir until the blood froths. Once there is a layer of foam, add a child's tooth of the mother-to-be, powdered under a full moon. This mixture must be stirred on the hour for nine (9) months, and be consumed by the mother-to-be after she casts the family curse on one as innocent as the life she wishes to make. Beware, deviations will curse the child. And to any who use this spell that are not of the family, you will birth a gnashing-toothed monster, a skinwalker, who will tear you apart to feast upon your exposed flesh. Let you be warned."
Hermione slammed the book shut, her heart racing. Who would use such a risky spell? Or is this how potions work? Surely this was a difficult one, whatever it was– stirring hourly for nine months? And what was a skinwalker?
She had too many questions and didn't know who she could ask. Maybe Lady Malfoy? She seemed to know things about me… or at least, she wants to know about me–
A loud thud came from outside her door, and with a squeak, Hermione pulled the blankets over her head, trying to slow her breathing. While she enjoyed having the room to herself, she would feel safer once the other first years moved in.
A second thud sounded, this time quieter. Her door swung open to reveal her new cat. Kneazle? He still needed a name and Hermione vowed to find something wizard-y in her black book for him tomorrow. She closed the journal, sliding it under her pillow before clicking to her new friend, luring him over. The fiery orange beast kicked the door closed before hopping up on her bed gracefully, resting against her neck. She decided she could feel safe here, with her guardian's amber eyes glowing above her, keeping watch.
Albus Dumbledore cursed softly to himself. He, and anyone in the castle that was paying attention, could feel the magic bursting from the young girl alone in her room. He knew it had to be accidental, as Minerva had kept Hermione's newly purchased wand in her care. He wanted to see what she was doing, and was nearly to the room when he tripped on the dreaded familiar of the ten-year-old and fell against her door.
I should banish that fiend to the forbidden forest. Teach him to be underfoot.
Before the aged wizard could act on his immature desires, the kneazle pushed the girl's door open, entered, and promptly shut the door behind himself.
I should have allowed Severus his revenge, now I have this bloody prophecy over our heads.
He pushed his half-moon glasses up his crooked, old nose, sighing to himself. He would contact Sev in the morning and find out more about Hermione's birth. He hadn't come in until it was time to place her with the Grangers and now he worried he should have interfered sooner.
Far away, in Malfoy Manor, Narcissa penned an owl to the headmaster;
"DEAR PROFESSOR ALBUS DUMBLEDORE,
I am writing to you with a request that one girl, Hermione Granger, be allowed to attend the gatherings I hold with Draco in the fall. I may remind you that the school board will find myself in the right, and that any grounds for refusal will lead to investigations in the matter. I hope you are well in both health and preparation for the start of term next week.
~ Lady Narcissa Malfoy"
The blonde witch swirled her glass of red wine, before glancing at the fire. I hope Bella received my earlier letter. I can't believe she hasn't gotten back to me. Narcissa's face scrunched up with worry. When was the last time she had heard from her eldest sister?
"Lucius, I want to visit Bella. I haven't seen her in weeks. And she wouldn't want to miss time with her nephew before he leaves for Hogwarts in a few days."
"My dear, I'm sure Bella is fine. We can visit her in the morning? It is late and she has always been private. Especially around the anniversary."
Narcissa sighed before crossing the room to where her husband sat by the fire, a rich brandy sat next to him as he read the news.
"I know you're right, Luc. This time of year is always hard for her."
Lucious got up to hug his worried wife.
"Bella is a fighter. But let's go for brunch with her tomorrow. We can take her mind off less enjoyable things and have a morning of pretense."
He rubbed her back before finishing his drink.
"Come, dear, the sooner we retire, the sooner it will feel like morning is here."
Narcissa laughed at her husband, knowing that was how they would convince their son to sleep when he was excited for mornings such as Christmas and birthdays.
"Will you send my letter? I will prepare for bed."
She kissed him before mounting the stairs. Lucius went to the table she had been working at, reading over the letter. Ahh, that is why she wishes to hear from Bella. He rolled the parchment up before going to the window and calling for his owl, Celerius.
"Take this to Dumbledore."
With a powerful batting of his wings, the silver owl raced to his destination, fading in appearance to be lost among the stars before disappearing fully. Lucius rubbed his temples before extinguishing the candles in the room and following his wife upstairs. He could only hope tomorrow would go easily.
