Chapter two for your viewing pleasure.

Read and Review, highly encouraged.


Bellatrix looked around for a moment. Rookwood was ahead of her down the hall and the twins were there. They were doing a decent job of holding their own but Rookwood had always been extra volatile with a penchant for explosive magics. Bellatrix heard someone call out to her but she ignored it. She was set on saving the twins this go around.

Rookwood didn't see her coming but George did. He had thrown a spell at her mistaking her for an enemy which she wasn't surprised by at all. She had every intention of stopping Rookwood but had been delayed by George's spell. The attack from Rookwood came too soon and George threw another spell at Bellatrix. She cast a protego but not on herself, instead she cast it over Fred as debris fell around him. It only cancelled when the slashing hex George had cast made Bellatrix stumble. Rookwood was furious and was about to cast again but Bellatrix beat him to the punch this time. A murmured but meaningful Avada felled the Death Eater and spared the twins.

"Did you see that? She saved my life." Fred spoke as both of them ran over to the now bleeding Bellatrix.

"Go… two halls down. Tonks and Lupin. They need help." Bellatrix gasped out even as she turned her wand on herself to begin healing the open wound running across her left shoulder.

"Go!" She demanded when the twins looked at her confused. They did as they were told this time.

When Bellatrix had closed the now tender skin she made for the hall where she knew her sister would be. Where she had died the first time. She had no intention of dying this time however. When she got there the battle was in full swing. Harry and Voldemort where at each other for the last time, there was be only one winner now. Frankly Bellatrix was pleased to already know it would be Harry.

"Bella!" There she was. Hermione was across the hall fighting alongside Ginny and Luna against… against Rodulphus. When the man registered that Hermione had called to his wife he had laughed coldly.

Bellatrix lifted her wand as Rod grinned at her only his grin turned to a frown the moment he realised she was aiming at him. There was a gasp about the woman being a bitch before he found himself trying to fend off all four of them and getting pissed about it. Bellatrix didn't really see it coming though. Not when he turned from her and cast at Hermione who had been aiming at a snatcher who had attempted to butt in.

The spell hit Hermione in the chest sending her flying back. Bellatrix watched though as thankfully she was bodily caught by Narcissa of all people. The Malfoy matriarch moved Hermione out of the fray as quickly as possible and Bellatrix turned back just in time to shield herself. She watched as the spell hit her shield and sent her back a stumbled pace from the force of it and then he turned on the other two witches. That's when it happened.

"Not my daughter!" It was a furious war cry if Bella had ever heard one and frankly she was glad she wasn't on the receiving end of it this time as a raging volley of spells were cast at the man. Instead of watching, Bellatrix moved around Rod towards Luna and Ginny.

"Move. It's not safe here." Bellatrix called to them erecting a shield just in time to stop a parried stunner from hitting Luna. Both girls took heed and moved away. Molly's fury only seemed to grow and Rod grew too confident until he was hit with a curse so strong he was dead a mere second after it hit.

"Ginny! Luna! Are you alright dears?" Molly rushed over when she realised she had won.

"We're fine mum." Ginny nodded.

"It's not over yet." Molly looked at Bellatrix when she spoke.

"You helped them." Molly frowns.

"I tried but Hermione…"

"Mione will be fine. A single stunner won't keep her down for long." Luna smiles reassuringly.

Before anything else could be said it was on again though not for long. With the downfall of the snake Voldemort had no more horcrux to fall back on. He was a desperate man and he fought a losing battle as finally things settled and the final stand was made. Harry prevailed and most death eaters attempted to flee or chose to go out with a bang when they saw their lord was no more.

Bellatrix had been instrumental in bringing down a few of them. She dearly wanted to know how the timeline changed since they returned to it. More important than that though she had to go and find Hermione. She was thankful that Narcissa was such a keen healer. Hermione had apparently woken inside the hall as the injured were being bought in and set about healing them along with Narcissa and Madame Pomfrey and few others who were naturally gifted healers.

Bellatrix ignored the decidedly fearful looks being thrown at her as she made her way along to Hermione. The moment she was close enough Hermione seemed to sense her and moved turning and wrapping her arms around the witch. This seemed to surprise most people present bar Narcissa. What surprised them most though was when Hermione pressed a firm kiss to Bella's lips.

"There will be time for that later. Help us heal these people." Narcissa butted in after a moment and the two pulled away from each other.

Wordlessly Hermione reached into her bag and pulled out blood replenishing potion and handed it to Bellatrix who took it without question. She was no amateur she knew what it was. Hermione was about to tell Bellatrix where to start when Remus Lupin of all people spoke up.

"Why are we acting like this is normal? She's a death eater." He points out scowling at Bellatrix.

"So are the Malfoys yet they're out helping bring in our dead and wounded." Molly Weasley points out. Bellatrix had protected her daughter, while that didn't make up for the past it sure helped.

"Besides she saved my life and honestly by extension yours and Tonks. You were losing when we got there and we only got there because Bellatrix sent us there." Fred speaks up then.

"But the Malfoys openly defected." Lupin was trying to make sense of it.

"She killed Rookwood to protect me and Fred. If that isn't open defection I don't know what is." George throws in.

"It is a moot point right now. She is 'ere willing to 'elp us wiz our injured. Per'aps zis conversation can wait." Fleur the voice of reason chimed as she walked over to them all. It was enough to get everyone to settle down and drop It for now and Bellatrix was grateful.

"You're not still injured?" Fleur looked at the bloodied skin and clothes of Bellatrix' right shoulder and side.

"No, healed myself, just a little tender." Bellatrix was really just glad the spell hit her shoulder or she could well have bled out before saving the twins.

"Who was it?" Hermione asks after a moment her voice a little cold.

"Guilty." George offers sheepishly and Hermione couldn't stop herself from glaring.

"Look it's not like anyone realised she was in our side let alone apparently your woman. You can't blame me." George spoke up defensively.

"Weaver." Bellatrix looked amused and Hermione huffed at her before going back to healing the witch she had been working on when Bellatrix had come in.

"You may come 'elp me if you like." Fleur offered and though Bellatrix was no coward she didn't really trust the majority of people there either so was glad to go with the woman who had healed Hermione after the Manor.


"So has anyone else noticed Bellatrix Lestrange is over with Fleur helping heal people." As usual Ron was late to the party.

"That's nothing mate, we all got to witness Hermione snogging her about 10 minutes ago." Fred spoke up and Ron stared for a moment.

"I am such a git. And there I was thinking she was in love with Harry this whole time and she ends up being a bloody lesbian." Ron blurts out and Fred and George were both laughing.

"Lay off. That's my sister." Narcissa huffed at them as she walked passed.

"That's my best-friend! Corrupted." Ron shook his head mournfully only to yelp. Hermione had overheard and hexed him.

"Pull your head in, Ron." Hermione huffed and Narcissa snickered lightly though the twins laughed outright as their little brother rubbed his backside.

"Where were you anyways?" George asks the youngest Weasley male.

"Oh. I was with Lavender. When I found her she was being attacked by Greyback. I managed to save her and he got put down but she was bitten." Ron says softly and they all looked sympathetic.

"Where is she now?" Narcissa asks curiously she knew how savage Greyback was.

"She's with Lupin and Andromeda now. Tonks sent her mum a patronus and she came to help with the healing." Ron explains to the youngest of the Black sisters.

"Hermione… you might go and find Bella. Andy doesn't know she's on our side and when they parted it was rather explosive." Narcissa says looking to Hermione with rather concerned eyes.

"Yes, right." Hermione nods and stands heading towards the entrance of the Hall where she had last seen Fleur and Bellatrix.

"Belle." Hermione called softly when she spotted the witch.

Bellatrix looked up and smiled gently at Hermione. Mumbled words to Fleur were had before Bellatrix stood and walked over to the younger witch. Hermione smiled gently at the witch as they reached for each other. Hands sliding gently along forearms. Hermione was still smiling gently at the witch when suddenly Bellatrix slammed into her sending them both to the ground. Bellatrix landed on top of Hermione and they were both winded.

Fleur had reacted immediately on seeing the two witches hit with the spell and disarmed Andromeda Tonks moving away from the 3rd year Hufflepuff she had been healing and stepping between Andromeda and her sister. Andromeda looked like she'd have happily plucked the feathers from the Veela if she could.

"Get out of the way." Andromeda growls furiously.

"Non. Bellatrix is not our enemy." Fleur spoke clearly.

"She may not be yours but she is mine." Andromeda stalked forwards and Fleur shifted slightly on her feet.

"Andromeda zat is enough. Zis is a place of 'ealing." Fleur attempted to get the woman to see reason if only for a moment.

Andromeda didn't stop though and Fleur was far too loyal to remove herself. This was a rather explosive cocktail and much to the shock of all of them surrounding it culminated in … a full on fist fight. Both witches were throwing hands and Andromeda even went so far as to grab a handful of blonde hair and pull hard. By this time Hermione and Bellatrix had managed to get back up off of the floor and stood shocked for a moment.

Hermione wasn't sure how it happened but she felt it building inside herself for a moment, Bellatrix looked at her other half for a moment before her eyes widened. Hermione's had gone a bright yellow and a moment later the magic pulsed outwards from the centre of Hermione's chest and everything stopped. Literally everything except the two witches standing there. Bellatrix was definitely impressed with what she was seeing and looked from Hermione to the two frozen women, frozen in a tussle.

Hermione stepped forward and touched both women's foreheads bringing them out of the frozen state they had been. They stumbled for a moment before correcting themselves and looking around completely surprised. Hermione had her jaw clenched angrily but she didn't know how else to handle this situation. Stopping time was her natural response now it seemed the Old One had unlocked these abilities within her.

"Merde, what 'as 'appened." Fleur was the first to speak.

"I happened. You two are being complete idiots and I'm sorry Andromeda I know there's bad history there but if you attack Bellatrix behind her back again I'll make you regret it." Hermione grits out, she was decidedly short tempered recently. It was likely because she hadn't actually slept well for weeks upon weeks at this point.

"I don't understand. What is this magic?" Andromeda had found a fly of all things just stuck in the middle of the air still and floating.

"Andy. Do you remember that old time turner grandfather had and his books? The stories about ancient dragons and stuff the creation of time turners? Do you remember the tale of the Dragonborn?" Bellatrix asks curiously and Andromeda nods slowly.

"I remember his theories on the Ancient Ones." Andromeda spoke slowly.

"Well there is only one Time Warden. She lives outside of time. Likely watching us now. But she had a son a long time ago and he didn't wish to remain outside of time so she gave him a job. He worked in time as a human. Eventually he found love and furthered his line. Hermione is the end of it. She's not simply a witch. She's a dragonborn. She's a time warden." Bellatrix explains as Hermione shifts beside her not loving the attention they were giving her.

"So you can stop time? Is that why Bellatrix is here? Some hero complex where you had to save the day." Andromeda looked from her sister to Hermione.

"Bellatrix is here because without her we would be living in a far more bleak timeline where Fred died, where an angry and jaded Bellatrix killed your daughter and son in law and tortured me within an inch of my life. Bellatrix came to me from a different timeline knowing we needed to fix things. It was that or the end of time itself." Hermione shifted again still frowning deeply.

"If you are the time warden then what has Bellatrix got to do with anything?" Andromeda was still scowling.

"I didn't know I was dragonborn. If you really must know Bellatrix is the other half of my soul. Twin flames. Until now we haven't really had an opportunity to actually talk about what that means so if you could back off and let us get through this God awful day you can have it out with her at a later date. Face to face." Hermione's voice had risen until she felt a hand on her arm and she calmed down slowly.

"I… soulmates? But she…" Andromeda trailed off when Bellatrix shook her head.

Hermione sighed lightly and pulled the magic back in releasing everyone so time would move forward again. Most people looked confused that Andromeda and Fleur suddenly weren't fighting anymore but for the most part the confusion kept anyone from questioning it. Hermione's hand started shaking then.

"Little One? Are you ok?" Bellatrix was concerned.

"I'm exhausted and I ache all over from that stunner but I'll be OK." Hermione ducked her head a little. Bellatrix immediately wrapped her arms around Hermione who leaned into her without hesitation.

"I've got you Weaver. You can rest soon." Bellatrix promised in a gentle voice.

Hermione's response was a rather pathetic little whine before a deep breath and she pulled back. The fact this was the second time they were doing this was quite frustrating as well. Andromeda was watching them both with a frown and Fleur was watching Andromeda warily. That was until the once unconscious 3rd year Bella and Fleur had been working on woke with a whimper and they remembered what was going on.


Hermione was with Narcissa when the St Mungos witches came and collected their last patient. The Aurors were stalking around in the background gathering fallen wands that would be identified and returned or confiscated depending who they belonged to. Teams had already been sent out after the Death Eaters that fled. Hermione breathed a sigh of relief that rest was soon coming.

"Will you be going with the Weasleys or with Bella?" Narcissa with the hard questions.

"I… don't know?" Hermione frowns.

"What about your parents?" It was Draco with his father that spoke now.

Hermione shakes her head at that though.

"They're not an option I… obliviated them before all this started. They don't even know they have a child anymore." Hermione admits softly and Narcissa's eyes widen.

"Mione? Why would you do that?" This was the first time Narcissa had shortened her name and Hermione wondered if that was because Bellatrix had effectively merged her Narcissa, who was friends with Hermione, with Hermione's Narcissa.

"Because I was too close to Harry and honestly when I met you and Bellatrix on my street I was… admittedly very confused but I was wary as well. What if other death eaters found out and went looking for Harry there or something? I couldn't leave them. So I removed myself from their memories and embedded a sort of compulsion. They moved to Australia before the end of summer." Hermione shifted on her feet and felt arms wind around her from behind. She immediately knew it was Bellatrix.

"I'm sorry. We didn't mean to spook you that day." Bellatrix spoke gently.

"Bella, can't you do something about her parents?" Lucius asks after a moment.

"At best I could try. It's harder with obliviate though. The only way to actually snap the memories back is through intense pain. I'm not willing to torture her parents into remembering." Bellatrix wrinkles her nose in disgust at the idea.

"Maybe we can work on it later. I don't actually know where they are. I'd have to try and find them before anything else and frankly I want to sleep for the next week." Hermione yawned, not on purpose, but it was definitely emphasising how tired she was.

"Which leads to the question. My place or the Weasley's?" Narcissa asks again and Bellatrix squeezed gently.

"My bed is really big and soft… and I promise to keep my hands to myself." Bellatrix offered because honestly now she had Hermione in her arms she didn't want the younger witch much farther from her than a few metres.

"I'll let the Weasleys know." Hermione spoke up after a moment.

"Draco and I are returning now with a few Aurors to make sure no one is there and put some wards up. Don't try to apparate right in. Come to the gate so we can adjust the fresh wards for you." Lucius spoke up still rather cold as was usual but not at all put out by the fact they'd just invited a muggleborn to live with them for the foreseeable future.

Hermione took a moment to wonder just what she had just gotten herself into. It was no lie that she and Draco didn't always get along. Narcissa was very kind now she got to know her through the events of the evening and she admired the woman's maternal instinct. Lucius though seemed to wear a permanent sneer that she would have to get used too she was sure. But Bellatrix. Without a doubt she was the biggest draw. She wanted to sleep but she needed to speak with Bella and figure out what they were going to do going forward and quietly she hoped that was going forward together.

Before Hermione could move toward the Weasleys however, at least those that were still there which was Molly, Ginny and Ron as well as Harry, she was stopped by a firm voice getting her attention. Turning she saw Andromeda staring at her a few paces away. Bellatrix released her grip on Hermione and looked at the younger witch for a moment before dropping her hands completely. Hermione looked from Bella to Andromeda and sighed inwardly.

"Can I have a word with you?" Andromeda urged managing to just barely keep a scowl from her expression as she regarded her sisters.

"Of course." Hermione nods lightly and steps away from the other two sisters. Draco and Lucius had managed to make their escape before Andromeda had come over.

Andromeda turned and walked away, out of the hall. Hermione held in a sigh as she was expected to follow her clearly. She did but she didn't like it. She just wanted a shower a cup of tea and a nap. Yet clearly she had too much to deal with still. So she followed Andromeda out into the rubble filled courtyard outside the castle. There was barely anyone there now. A few Aurors double checking that all the bodies had been removed and wands collected.

Andromeda lead them over to a surprisingly still intact bench away from those lingering in the area. They sat down, side by side and fell into silence for a moment. Hermione regarded the witch who now wore a troubled look on her face. She waited until Andromeda was ready but she hadn't expected what came out of her mouth.

"I'm jealous."

"What?" Hermione blurts out frowning.

"You know that I was disowned for loving a muggleborn don't you? Yet all the sudden everything changes because she finds herself loving one as well." Andromeda frowns at Hermione.

"OK first off. Bellatrix and I are not in love. I barely found out a day ago that we are soulmates. Secondly… it's really OK to feel that way." Hermione says the last which surprised Andromeda a little.

"Aren't you meant to tell me I'm being foolish?" Andromeda frowns and Hermione actually laughed.

"Maybe if I thought you were. But I don't think that. I think your feelings are entirely founded. Bellatrix wasn't exactly the same person back then as she is right now. That said she was not the only one that disowned you. Your whole family did, she just took it the worst. Part of that is her personality but part of that was her feeling like she was losing something integral to her existence. Why do you think she became so clingy with Narcissa after that? And though I don't know for sure I'd say another part of her reaction was because of jealousy." Hermione listed off honestly.

"Jealous?" Andromeda was yet still surprised.

"Of course. You had the courage to dream away from what you were taught. The courage to love someone of your choosing and the courage to escape the fate that had been decided for you. She hadn't been that brave. Her fear and jealousy made her particularly nasty. But she was fighting her own demons as well. It's not all your fault and it's not all hers." Hermione reached over to take Andromeda's hand.

"She's so different now. And I know this for a fact because this Bellatrix is two halves of a greater person. Before she… found me. This me. She was living in an alternate timeline. Her timeline was effectively the same, mostly the same events. Yet different as well. My timeline was worse. She was worse here. But in both timelines we were soulmates and she recognised that something was wrong. I'm still not clear how she figured it out. It may have been an accident. But she learned of the split timelines and she was given a chance to fix it. Through fixing it we were able to weave the timelines back into one single stream. She merged her Narcissa who was warm and caring and mine who was much colder and standoffish but still fundamentally the same.

"When they were put back into their timelines I was able to begin weaving it back together. Narcissa in my timeline was able to change Bellatrix. She was still a bit a loose Canon but she was realising that things were different. That I existed even. She tortured me but she formed a magical link with me before hand so we both suffered. It doesn't exactly make it better but at the same time it kind of does because it shows she's a different person. Her life was saved, Nymphadora, Fred, Remus and even Lavender Brown were saved through this. She had the courage to change time but she didn't have the courage to leave everything like you did and she was jealous of that I have no doubt. Now though… you literally have a second chance to be sisters. To get to know one another all over again and be a family. You're allowed to have your feelings and I know for a fact you're allowed to give yourself time. But this is a new chance Andromeda. You just have to take it." Hermione explains softly her words heartfelt and sincere and she wasn't surprised to see tears in Andromedas eyes.

"You really think they'll forgive me for leaving them?" Andromeda croaked.

"There is nothing to forgive Andy. Hermione's right. I was jealous that you were so much braver than me." Bellatrix spoke up to their left.

"We both were." Narcissa confirmed from beside Bellatrix.

"Oh." Andromeda spoke softly, feeling suddenly uncertain.

"It's like Hermione said, this is our chance to start over. You need only owl us and we can set up lunch when you're ready." Narcissa promised and Hermione gently squeezed the middle sisters hand.

"Who knew it would be a mudblood bringing us back together." Andromeda grumbles lightly with no real sting in her tone.

"Sorry have you met me." Hermione attempted to sound affronted only to cut herself off at the end with a yawn.

"You're dead on your feet, little one. Come see Molly and I'll take you home. I might even make you some tea before you sleep." Bellatrix says lightly and Hermione stood without complaint.

"Sounds heavenly." Hermione smiled tiredly.

"See you soon, Andromeda." Hermione bid the middle sister farewell.

"Get some rest." Andromeda smiles gently.


Molly and Ginny were sitting in the Great Hall with Minerva McGonagall, Hagrid, Flitwick and Slughorn. The silence was really only broken when Hermione and Bellatrix walked over to the part of the broken table they were sitting at as the dust settled around them all. Molly looked up with a tired smile which Hermione returned.

"Bellatrix Lestrange, you are honestly the last person I expected to see walking around amicably with a muggleborn." It was Horace stating the facts.

"You're the last person I expected seeing here too. Come back to help clean up did you?" Bellatrix snarked at him and he had the grace to look away. Horace had not fought in either timeline. Or either war.

"Are you alright dear?" Molly smiles fondly at Hermione taking the attention away from the former death eater.

"Yes. Narcissa has offered to let me stay at the Manor as I need to talk to Bellatrix. I just wanted to let you know before I disappear." Hermione explains with a small smile.

"Of course dear, if that's what you want. You're always welcome at the Burrow. I expect you to come for dinner one night soon. You too Lestrange." Molly spoke the last firmly, there was to be no argument on that.

"Thanks Molly." Hermione smiled relieved and said her farewell before she and Bellatrix turned to go and find Narcissa again. They didn't get far before Ginny appeared beside them.

"Bellatrix?" Ginny's voice was rather small and it made Hermione want to hug her friend. Instead the brunette smiled at the two and kept on her way giving them both a moment.

"I just wanted to thank you. It might not have killed us or anything that spell but thanks for shielding us anyway. I don't think I'd be able to handle it if anything bad happened to Luna and she said you were quite nice to her when she was at the Manor." Ginny was looking at her hands.

"Miss Weasley? Are you alright?" It was clear that there was a lot going on in that head and she certainly didn't blame her.

"Is anyone? We all could have died today. Luna could have." Ginny didn't want the tears to fill her eyes but they did anyways. A sob crept up on her and Bellatrix against her usual instinct to pull away, tentatively hugged the witch.

"You're very close to Luna. More so than Mr Potter?" Bellatrix asks softly and Ginny managed to nod against her shoulder.

"I love Harry but I can live without him. Luna though… she saved my life well before today." Ginny got out on a strained voice.

"Oh?" Bellatrix wasn't sure why she cared so much.

"That stupid diary in my first year. I could have accidentally been the reason for people dying. Petrification was one thing. I killed Hagrid's roosters and I barely even remembered it but everyone knew. They always find out. No one wanted anything to do with me for a while after that. I… I was so miserable. I thought of just getting off the train in Hogsmead and wandering into the forest. But then Luna sat down beside me and started talking to me like everything was normal. Like I wasn't a freak who let a dead man possess me. She saved my life." Ginny let out a shuddering breath and Bellatrix wiped the tears off of her face.

"Then you hold onto that friendship, that's the kind you'll never experience ever again. And I'd do it again and again if need be. Shield you and Luna and anyone else who needs it. Chin up, Ginny. It's time for healing now." Bellatrix smiles gently and the redhead nods sharing one last brief hug with the dark witch before she went back to her mother who was looking at her concerned.

Hermione had found Narcissa and the pair stood watching the exchange unable to hear it but still found it touching. Hermione was definitely concerned for her friend but Bellatrix offered a reassuring smile even if there were no words of explanation. Instead Narcissa took both of their hands without another word and apparated all three of them to the gates of Malfoy Manor.

When they had arrived Lucius had been there to let them through the wards and adjust them so they could come and go as they pleased. The Aurors that had helped erect the wards had left only a few minutes before they had arrived. Once inside the Manor Narcissa urged Bellatrix to show Hermione the room and let her shower which Hermionr had happily gone and done finally feeling clean again after the bottle. She felt slightly less tired as well.

Hermione had dressed in jeans and a tee shirt. For such a large building it was kept relatively warm and she felt no real need for a jumper or anything else. She also no longer felt any shame about the scar on her arm. She had moved back into bedroom once she was dressed. Not at all surprised to find Bellatrix slumped across it with her eyes closed. The frown on her face indicated that the witch wasn't asleep though.

Barefoot and jeans clad Hermione found it rather easy to move over and lie on the bed beside Bellatrix, propping herself on an elbow to look down at the older witch curiously. There was silence for a few moments before Bellatrix opened her eyes and looked up at Hermione with a small yet sad smile on her face.

"There is no real help for mental health in our world." Hermione quirked an eyebrow at this but she nodded, Bella was right. Mental health was swept under the rug unless you were to the point you needed hospital intervention like Gilderoy or the Longbottoms.

"You're right. It's a sadness in itself that. I have wondered a few times what things may have changed if it had been possible for some be able to reach out and find a safe place. Someone to help them through. Like Riddle. If he hadn't been left to himself would he have remained so jaded and angry?" Hermione sighs softly.

"It's no use wondering now, not even for you Weaver. Some things had to happen. Riddle unfortunately was one of them." Bellatrix lifted a hand and tucked magically dried hair behind Hermione's ear.

"There are others though. Ginny?" Hermione suspected and Bellatrix nodded to confirm it.

"There will only be more now that this is over though. There were so many children fighting an old man's war." Bellatrix looked genuinely regretful.

"Honestly I hope not to see another one in my lifetime." Hermione admits moving her hand to Bellatrix's and threading their fingers together.

"Me too." Bellatrix smiles softly and Hermione returned it. The moment interrupted a moment later with a knock on the door.

"Enter." Bellatrix spent only the energy it took to turn her head towards the door as Draco, also clean and freshly showered, poked his head in.

"Mother wanted me to get you both. There are Aurors here again and she's made tea and food." Draco explains before backing out without a response.

Bellatrix let out and groan and surprised Hermione by rolling into her and pressing her face in the smaller witches shoulder. Hermione looped an arm around the older woman holding her close for a moment as Bellatrix literally whined into Hermione's shirt. The younger witch understood. She'd had enough of it all today as well but this was something they likely had to go down for given the Aurors were back.

"Come on." Hermione urges gently only to be met with another whine.


"Miss Granger. I wasn't aware you would he here." Hermione wasn't exactly sure who this man was but clearly he knew her.

Bellatrix had finally released the younger witch and the pair had made their way down into the drawing room, both sharing a look as they entered. Lucius and Draco were sitting in armchairs looking entirely uncomfortable while Narcissa was sitting straight backed on the sofa. Bellatrix walked over and slumped in the seat beside her baby sister.

"And you are?" Hermione ask not entirely politely.

"Ahh yes. Gawain Robards. I'm head Auror. Here in an official capacity. You don't actually need to be here for this conversation. It's between myself, the Malfoys and Madame Lestrange." The man tries to sound polite, she was sure, but it fell short.

"I'll stay anyways, if you don't mind." Hermione wasn't liking this at all. The man shifted but could see by the stubborn tilt of her chin that Hermione wouldn't leave.

"Fine. I'm here to remove your wands from your possession and to explain that you will be magically bound to this premise until your trials. Due to your defection you are lower on the priority list so your trials will not be among the first. Please hand over your wands." Gawain held his hand out towards the Malfoys and Bellatrix.

"Absolutely not." Hermione's tone cut through the mounting tension and Robards looked as surprised as the others did.

"I beg your pardon?" The man frowns.

"I said no. You will not take their wands. You're demanding that purebloods who have had and utilised magic for domestic purposes to give up their wands and live with having to do everything manually. House arrest if you must but you are not taking their wands unless they are tried and sentenced." Hermione was scowling now and Lucius was looking at her a little surprised.

"Miss Granger two of these are death eaters from HIS inner circle. They cannot be trusted with magic." Garwain argues.

"Quite frankly, Robards, I'm seeing two people who made choices when they were younger that they have come to regret quite a bit. Have you never felt fear? I would hope you have. It's a very dangerous person who claims to know no fear." Hermione shifted towards the man not in a threatening kind of way but in a naturally dominating way. She was challenging him.

"Of course I know fear! That is why I am here! I refuse to give these… supremacists a chance to take anymore of us out." Gawain bites out.

"Supremacists? What sort of supremacist willingly invites a muggleborn into their home? Their bed? You will bind them to the estate until their trial but you will leave their Wands and get over this foolish notion of doing anyone less than pureblooded a favour, hm? I fought too hard over the years to sit here and watch you turn this foolish prejudice back on these people who made the right choice in the end." Hermione says scowling darkly her tone was borderline chilling.

"You're making a mistake. They're not safe." Garwain tries weakly.

"They're safer than you are at the moment. Bind them and leave, it is getting late and we are all hungry and ready for dinner." Hermione demands and gives the man a look of pure disdain. Garwain and the Auror who had come with him, looked uncomfortable but they didn't argue.

Simply, they bound them to the estate magically and left out the front door. The front door which Hermione, in a display of wandless magic, slammed behind them. A scowl still on her face remained until she looked back at the rather impressed family who were looking at her with varying degrees of appreciation.

"What?" Hermione flushes slightly.

"You're stunning." Bellatrix didn't simply mean in looks, Hermione was a power unto herself. Draco, Narcissa and Lucius all nodded in agreement.

"Well, It was unfair and prejudice is still prejudice regardless if he's trying to justify turning it back on you." Hermione huffs lightly.

"I have severely misjudged you." Lucius speaks up after a moment.

"Most do. I'm not just a bookworm." Hermione grins slightly now.

"You're also a pretty face." Bellatrix chirps winking at Hermione who blushed lightly.

"Right. Foods in the dining room if you can stop teasing the girl for five minutes." Narcissa actually swatted her big sister across the corset clad abdomen. Bellatrix rolled her eyes but they all made their way to the dining room.