Bellatrix had been at the Manor for the better part of the afternoon, stepping out of the fireplace with a heart breaking sob. Narcissa rushed to her older sister, pulling her up stairs to a private ensuite to assess any damages the brunette had obtained. Lucius had spent the rest of the afternoon playing yard quidditch with his son as his wife sorted out what was wrong with his favorite sister in law. Only not-banished sister-in-law. Upstairs, the sisters cleaned up the minor cuts and scrapes adorning Bellatrix's forearms.

Bella chuckled as she recalled sweeping her arms along countertops, shelves. Drawers were pulled out and overturned, dishes and knickknacks shattered on the hard flooring. She met Narcissa's concerned gaze before closing her eyes. The blonde was worried by her behavior, but knew better than to ask. Bella has always been a little wild.

"I think I'll take a shower and be alright, Cissy."

Narcissa muttered one last healing spell, watching a shallow wound fade from existence. The blonde stroked her sister's cheek before exiting the restroom, pausing at the doorway long enough to hear Bellatrix's parting words.

"Thank you."

Narcissa's blue eyes welled with tears at the broken voice. She quickly closed the door, before striding to the front of the house to watch the two men in her life toss the quaffle back and forth from their broomsticks. Watching Draco grow up has been my greatest joy. Bella is the strongest woman I know, how Hermione's loss didn't consume her very soul I will never understand.

The rest of the afternoon entailed packing Draco up for Hogwarts and ensuring the house elves were on schedule for dinner. Narcissa made a mental note to remind their head elf, Bettol, that the meal would now be for four.


Now, Narcissa, Lucius, and Draco were sitting through what had become quite a reserved celebratory dinner. The Malfoys had intended on a great feast to send off their only son, but the festivities felt inappropriate with Bella there, who had just "celebrated" so to speak the ninth anniversary of her daughter's death. The dark witch seated beside her sister was silent, her brooding eyes flickered to where an excited Draco had stashed his Hogwarts trunk by the foyer.

"Do you really believe it is my Hermione?"

Bella's lips and voice trembled as she addressed Narcissa. She had never been the optimist of the three sisters, and after losing her daughter, the cloying hopelessness seemed to cling about her person like a shawl. Draco clinked his fork against his plate looking up at his mother.

"Mum, are you saying that the girl from the pet shop was my cousin?

Lucius shot a quick, halfhearted glare at his wife. We don't know that yet. All these hopes lead to nothing but trouble. He kept his thoughts to himself as he saw Bella perk up at his son's words.

Narcissa smiled at the towheaded boy, she wanted nothing more than for their family to be reunited with the girl.

At that moment, Celerius settled outside the window. The bird knew better than to interrupt dinners, but the urgency with which he had been flying lately overrode his training. He pecked the thick glass before pushing into the home, extending the letter to Narcissa. Narcissa's face broke out in a grin as she quickly scanned the parchment, Bella leaping up to, once more, read over her shoulder.

"DEAR LADY MALFOY,

I don't understand why someone's blood would matter so much, but I trust you. I will wait to understand, as you do not seem to hate me despite my non-magical parents and you have twice admitted to being of the sacred 28. If you are a Black, why do I have one of your family books? It feels too valuable for me to hold onto. Crookshanks is a good protector. He helped me figure out how to send mail, as the Headmaster had forgotten the correct way to address the bird. When could we meet again? You spoke to me about weekends away from school but I do not know much else. Your owl is quite lovely, though his insistence for a reply has forced me to send this off without fixing the penmanship. If adjusting to the quills is my biggest challenge I would consider myself lucky. Maybe there is a spell to neaten handwriting? Ilook forward to hearing from you.

Yours,

Hermione Jean Granger"

Bella shrieked at the words. Her thoughts raced a million miles an hour as she began pacing. Hermione is a mudblood, she has muggle parents she can't be mine. But she could open the black book. God, why did the girl even have that dangerous-

"HOW COULD YOU GIVE THAT BOOK TO A CHILD?"

Bella's surprise gave way to anger. That book ruined my life.

"SHE IS A CHILD NARCISSA. THAT BOOK IS DANGEROUS."

Narcissa stood firmly against her sister. After Andy's betrayal and Bella's breakdown, she had become the responsible sister. The reasonable one. She met Bellatrix's fury with a calm voice and cool eye contact.

"Bella, only those with Black family blood can open the book. At least, without getting hexed or resorting to high-level curse-breaking. While she is powerful she is unpolished. She must be yours. We can use her access to the book as justification for a blood test can't we Luc? To prove she is ours?"

Lucius finished chewing a bite of roast beef before turning to the Black sisters.

"In normal circumstances, yes. I can file for one tomorrow at the office. But there are powerful forces trying to keep her away from you, Bella. We don't quite know what we are up against."

As Lucius addressed his sister in law, he saw the resolve in her eyes.

I want my daughter back.

Bella's distracted mind's wish for her daughter was so strong that she hadn't noticed she had projected the thought to everyone in the room.


Hermione woke late, the effort to write the letter last night and change of the past few days having caught up to her. Though she knew she missed breakfast, there was a cloth with an apple, a corn muffin, and a small goblet of pumpkin juice beside her bed. She sent a mental thank you out to Stoozy and smiled at seeing a small bite missing from the muffin. Crookshanks was already a hit with his young master.

Today's adventure would mostly revolve around reading about Hogwarts and exploring the library. Stoozy had set her up with all she needed for a bookworm's paradise; a thermos of hot chocolate, a small pile of pillows and throw blankets, and a half dozen candles to read by. Hermione had brought along her own parchment and quills so she could further practice her writing. It wouldn't do for her professors to think she was illiterate, now would it.

Stoozy came and checked on her intermittently. He helped find and put away books as big as he was, and was quite happy to have a friend in the little witch.


An hour before dinner, Hermione remembered she wanted to translate the spell in the Black book Narcissa had given her. At least, I assume she's the one who gave it to me. After all, she is a Black. And the wizards here don't seem to want me to spend any time around the beautiful witch, they probably wouldn't have wanted me to read the book.

Upon opening the book, Hermione once again was met with the photo of the giggling baby. This time, the photo was more still, the subject's eyes were closed and she appeared to be sleeping. Hermione had never met another girl with her same name before, though she had read the name in the Shakespeare play "The Winter's Tale." I wonder what it would be like to not be raised by your parents? It seems heartbreaking.

Softly pressing the picture in the front cover, Hermione turned to the dog eared page. She muttered the name to herself as she read.

"Exemplar... natalis….. sui…."

She glanced at the muggle-worthy translating book on the table. Its thick spine may have created nervousness in a lesser witch, but she was determined to understand why this potion in particular had had such intense focus bestowed upon it.

She was by no means a translator, but the rough version she came up with read "Copy birthday self." I know in muggle schools we learn about how DNA is a copy of oneself. And kids get half of that. Do wizard kids not have moms and dads?

That was a question Hermione really didn't want to ask for fear of looking foolish. I will just bring it up when I see Mrs. Malfoy next. She wouldn't laugh at me. Though Draco had been treatening something with his father? Ugh, maybe it's just a title? I wish Mrs. Malfoy would write me back.

At that moment Stoozy cracked into appearance behind the girl. Seeing the outlined potion he staggered back.

"Missy that's some dangerous spellwork youse looking at. Hurt many a witch and wizard. Don't like that."

Hermione startled before closing the translator and the Black Family book with two distinctive snaps. The house elf met her eyes and the girl blushed, though she didn't respond to her new friend's prompt.

"We's needs to pack your stuff up Hermy. Students return tomorrow and youse gonna be sorted into your house at the feast. New chambers for Missy."

Hermione reached out for Stoozy's hand before going upstairs to pack her few belongings. She made sure to secure the small dark book beneath her clothing where it would stay hidden from prying eyes. After she was ready, the two went down to the dining hall and enjoyed each other's company, knowing tomorrow's dinner would be different.


AN: So I have always heard that Hermione's name came from Shakespeare and looked into it. I have never read A Winter's Tale (other than a scene I performed years ago in high school theatre class) BUT it seemed so cool that old Bill Shakespeare's character Hermione is accused of infidelity and her infant daughter is banished from the kingdom to be raised by sheep herders or some other poor/looked down upon group when she is actually royalty,,,, a lil fun when looking at our Hermione,,,,