AN: Hello readers! Sorry for being a terrible writer/updater/fanfictioner. I have moved thrice in the last six months and have barely opened my laptop in that time. Hope this update (and editing that occurred to past chapters) helps make up for it. I will try to be better about it because I actually enjoy writing. I just am a cretin who was cursed with the inability to do anything in a timely manner. Also re-thanks to the reviewers/followers/fav'ers, love you guys. Without further delay,,,
Lucius woke to an empty bed, his wife's side cool, untouched. He let out a sigh. He knew times were changing and whether the girl was in fact the girl would not matter to his wife. He dressed and silently padded his way through the manor. His rounds took him through the kitchen for a quick bite of honey-raisin toast, before he continued his exploration, seeking Narcissa's whereabouts. He passed the library before turning to the second-smallest study. The door was propped open, which was an anomaly. Why use such a small study when the house had several that were more grand? His efforts were rewarded by revealing the normally dignified Lady of the House to be found, slumped over an oak desk. The wizard peered over her shoulder, seeing the letter from Hermione. His long blonde hair brushed against his wife's neck, rousing her from where she dozed.
"Lucius! Why are you up? It's late."
"My love, it is almost 9 in the morning. Did you get any rest?"
Narcissa flushed slightly at this news. She hadn't gotten any sleep last night. Upon returning from her midnight excursion to Hogwarts, she had found a letter and owl patiently waiting for her attention.
"Luc, she wants to know her history! Oh I just wish she could come here in person. The wards would know if she was a Black! I know she is! So does her magic-"
"Shhhh. I know."
Lucius pressed his wife against him. I will help my wife prove this girl is the lost Black heir. But how?
The witch slammed the bottle of firewhiskey down on the floor, the amber liquid beaded on her upper lip and a smattering of drops ran down her throat as she swallowed the harsh alcohol. She glanced around the wrecked home from her vantage point in the kitchen. Her home. She thought about the little girl she lost. And how her sister thought she could waltz in here and spout off about another little girl. Another Hermione? Is that even possible?
Bellatrix roused herself from where she crouched against the kitchen island, her arms protesting as she pulled herself to her full height. A polished pan stared back at her reflection from where it was resting on the floor. She stumbled towards the warped mirror, pressing her fingers to her cheeks, directly under her eyes. The fist-shaped dent she had left in the charmed copper gave her angled cheekbones an almost monstrous appearance. Pulling down, she stretched the skin, vitalizing herself for what she knew she had to do. With one last stare-down, the witch turned on one foot and strode to the fireplace. She would send the house elves to clean the mess she had made, but for now she needed family. I need my sister.
McGonagall called upon Hermione for lunch. The professor wanted to see for herself that the little witch was not her mother. The Scottswoman felt guilt gnaw at her stomach for her avoiding the young girl. They say Gryffindors are supposed to be brave and I can't face the daughter of my old student? Ridiculousness.
Hermione was surprised to receive the notice, though she was excited to learn more about Hogwarts and when the other students would arrive. So far, the majority of the adults she had met seemed stuck up and Stoozy was unable to entertain her during the day since he worked.
Hermione trudged up the many staircases leading to the Head of House's office, where she was surprised to see the Headmaster leaving. He gave her a smile that didn't quite reach his eyes before rushing past her, on his way to important business most likely. The brunette knocked on the doorway, as the door was left open behind the odd wizard.
"Ah, yes. Hermione, dear, please come in. What have you found to entertain yourself with, hmm?"
The girl smiled at the professor.
"Nothing much, Ma'am. I visited the owlery, and Stoozy has been showing me around the residencies. I'm excited to meet the other children though."
"They should arrive day after tomorrow. I imagine having nothing but adults and an elf to keep you company has been terribly boring, aye? Lest we forget the cat Madame Malfoy gave you."
"His name is Crookshanks."
Minerva's eyes narrowed. She knew about Crookshanks. Or she should say Crookshanks senior. He was perhaps one of the cruelest cats to grace the wizarding world in written history. His masters would feed him the young of their human staff, once inviting other high class wizards to attend the festivities. That was when Albus had struck the beast dead, beginning his irreparable feud with the dark wizards.
She shook this morbid train of thoughts from her head as she intended to focus on the girl this lunch. Ensure she didn't find any of the same inhumanity in her as was present in her mother since her birth, and her family before her. Holding the 10-year-old's honey gaze, the older witch let out a sour breath. This girl may be dangerous, but if we treat her like a criminal we surely will push her to become one.
That evening, a beautiful owl rapped on the window, alerting the resting girl inside. She leapt up, eager for what she just knew was a reply from the regal blonde witch.
"MY DEAREST HERMIONE,
Rest assured I remember who you are. It is not everyday that one meets a young woman as powerful as you, nor one quite so surrounded by nearly equally powerful witches and wizards. I regret that I cannot tell you all that I know, as there are many unanswered questions I still have myself, though I can answer some. The sacred 28 are the families with the purest blood in wizarding Britain. We have no muggles in our lineages. While this may sound in poor taste given your understanding of your heritage, please do not judge our families harshly. I would love to speak with you further on the topic of blood 'purity' when we next meet in person. The Black family is another blank I may fill, allowing for a proper introduction. My name is Narcissa Malfoy neƩ Black. The Blacks are another family among the sacred 28 and are quite powerful, if misunderstood. The auror who took you from the muggle home is my niece, her mother is my sister, making them both Blacks. Lastly, Crookshanks is a wonderful name for such a creature. He will protect you.
Until we next meet,
Narcissa Malfoy"
Hermione's face tinged pink at the flattery the woman wrote to her, before she sombered at the knowledge that the witch's family was in support of pure blood. I still don't quite know what that means though. Or how blood affects one's magic. I should get Stoozy to show me the library tomorrow. I wonder how many books there are... Or if I'll be able to translate-
"Hoooo-Ooo"
Hermione was shaken from her thoughts as the silver bird preened itself.
"I'm sorry Mr. Owl, I don't have any snacks for you."
Hermione regretted not grabbing some of the jarred treats from the owlery that morning. The owl swiveled its great head to watch her before hopping from the window sill to the small desk.
"Ohhh. A reply? But the last letter took ages to write. And it's almost 11 o'clock!"
How silly am I? Arguing with a bird.
Hermione pouted as the owl pecked at a thick piece of parchment, though she noticed he picked a relatively small one.
"Alright, but when Mrs. Malfoy can't read it because I can't write with a quill yet it'll be your fault."
The girl sat at the desk for the next thirty minutes, stifling yawns as she fumbled through a response to the letter she had received. It was nearly midnight by the time she had tied the paper to the strong bird and he was off. The silent flapping of his powerful wings entranced Hermione before Crookshanks hopped onto her bed, purring.
"G'night Crooks."
Hermione blew out the candle beside her bed before curling up next to the cat, drifting off in mere seconds.
