A/n: I need to update you all, but I am very tired work is hectic, so I shall impart wisdom on the next upload. I cannot express my gratitude enough for those who are following this story. The response is amazing and I'm glad you are all enjoying it as much as I am writing. As a thank you, enjoy this early update.

Warning for every chapter: Slavery. Dubious consent. Violence. Mentions of rape. Death. Assault. General gore warnings. Please read responsibly.

Disclaimer: I do not own any characters and no money has been made from this.

Enjoy...

Chapter Twenty-Six

Despite her mood, she marvels quietly, feeling out of place on the grand staircase, and steps to the side. Waiting, patiently for her mistress to return, the inspection underway. The annual inspection of Hogwarts is the first time Lestrange has brought her along.

It most likely has everything to do with Lestrange overhearing Hermione and Luna discussing running away. Every second she waits for Lestrange to reprimand her, to punish her for having such stupid thoughts. The night before, the hangover, she can barely remember speaking with Lestrange. Too exhausted from fighting with Luna, waking on the floor hungover the sad reminder that it was not a dream.

Gosh, she wishes it were a dream, her actions, her stupidness, what was she thinking? Getting so wrapped up in a love story, as though it could ever happen to her? For once, she just thought someone had wanted her, not the Red Kite. Luna had just used her, her writings used Hermione in the hopes to escape a marriage.

She feels sick, it is yet to pass, and she hasn't missed the odd look from her mistress. Pity, she knows there's a pity in those dark eyes. She'd rather have her mistress's anger than her pity, it just drives the knife in her heart deeper.

Now, she remains numb to the idea of running away from a stupid dream. A pointless dream, it will prove nothing. It will give her nothing. Sighing, she shakes her head, she won't mope, not over Luna. If she so much as sees the witch again, she cannot promise she won't crucio her.

Turning, she tries to distract herself from her thoughts, studying the display case. A sword on display protected behind charms, behind glass. It's a beautiful sword, Gryffindor sword, one of the founding members of Hogwarts. She had read about him when she had studied the book on Hogwarts.

Murmuring, she glances over her shoulders at gawping students, her crest on display. Excitement, and muttering between students as they stare at Hermione. They know her mistress will be near, they will want to see Lady Lestrange.

"Move along," A familiar voice orders. "you all have classes to attend, do you not?"

"Yes headmistress," They mutter scurrying away.

Sighing, Hermione hopes The headmistress will keep on walking, and won't stop to talk to Hermione. The clicking of heels grows closer, pausing just a few feet away. A sigh, Hermione had hoped the witch would ignore her.

"Headmistress," Hermione greets the witch in the reflection of the glass case.

"Red Kite," McGonagall acknowledges. "A nice surprise to see you here today."

"My Mistress has errands to run after here," Hermione lies. "Since the Floo networks are down for repair I am unable to travel to the required location."

"Very frustrating," McGonagall replied. "The network being down, I had hoped to visit a friend this weekend, alas it will have to be postponed."

"Can you not apparate?"

"Not on school grounds," McGonagall replies. "Only the Dark Lord and his most trusted can apparate on the school grounds. It's in case there's ever a coup."

Glancing at McGonagall, Hermione is unable to tell if the witch is being serious or not. The headmistress remains impassive no emotion showing on her face, impossible to read.

"Are you okay Miss Granger, you seem different, upset?"

"That obvious?" Hermione replies tiredly.

"No, but I feel there is something different, has something happened?"

"You mean you don't know?"

"Is this regarding the recent poems in the paper? It has caused quite a stir, I'm sure your mistress has been tied up."

"Ugh, it's not anything to do with that… what's happening?"

"I suppose the papers are staying quiet, the recent vandalism on the academy building, the elite are quite upset. It's called a meeting in the ministry and an investigation into the academy. It would appear a few ex-students have come forward. You weren't aware?"

"No, I've been distracted."

"Oh, would you like to talk about it?"

No, not particularly. She'd rather just forget about the whole thing and buries her head under a rock. What's the point of worrying about it? Death is coming for her, even if she ever manages to reconcile with Luna. If ever forgave the witch, she'd be dead.

"It seems rather trivial." Hermione answers. "Compared to everything else."

"I'm no expert but I have seen my share of heartache on students. Are you and Luna not speaking?"

"Could say that." Anger laces her words, an eyebrow raised. "She lied to me."

"Regarding?"

"She's getting married… But you probably knew that."

"I did, yes." McGonagall nods. "You were not aware I see?"

"The last to know."

"I see," McGonagall sighs using her sleeve to remove a mark on the cabinet. "Well, that is unfortunate. I had hoped Luna would tell you, it would appear she did not. This marriage is arranged however, there is little she can say in the matter."

"She chose him."

"She chose him out of the choice of two. The choice was between Crabbe and Patterson, Luna however managed to sway an alternative. Nott."

Crabbe and Patterson, the very thought of either of them makes Hermione feel queasy. Neither wizard was a good match for Luna, and neither would look after the witch.

"It matters little now."

"On the contrary, it could be infinitely more important."

"She's getting married Tuesday; I have nothing to say to her. What's done is done."

"She loves you."

The words slice deep, ripping open wounds that are barely healed. It makes her shiver, and her heart stutters. She cannot stand to hear this, she barely pulled herself together last night, she cannot fall apart here.

"That much is obvious," McGonagall states.

"She lied to me, used me…" She trails off there's little she can say that won't give everything away.

"The poems?"

She grows still, swallowing, not daring to look at the headmistress, trying to remain as emotionless as possible. Did Luna tell McGonagall? She wouldn't put it past the witch.

"I guessed," McGonagall states. "Your secret is safe with me, fear not. Luna's motives for the poems are hers and I cannot speak on her behalf. However, I know her intentions were pure, she only wanted to get to know you."

"I don't know why."

"Because you're special."

Frowning, Hermione glances at the headmistress, shrinking under the green eyes. Special? There's nothing special about Hermione, she is only a Red Kite, nothing more. Just a servant, there is nothing to be gained from knowing her.

"Why do you think Lestrange chose you? There is something about you Miss Granger, something… different."

"Different?"

"It's hard to explain, but everything appears to lead back to you." The Headmistress states. "The first Red Kite to speak out, to bring attention to many issues. The first to investigate the legend of the mirror. Everything seems to be connected to you,"

"Just coincidences."

"There are no coincidences in life, Miss Granger I can guarantee that. I hope you find a way to fix what's broken between you and Miss Lovegood."

"I doubt it, my times running short."

"Yes, I can imagine that to be terrifying."

"I think it may come as a relief," Hermione replies honestly. "Anything to escape the headaches, the endless dreams, even my mistress has tried to help."

"Lestrange is aware? You told her?"

"In a roundabout way, yes."

"And she's helping?"

A shrug, maybe, she's not sure. Nothing seems sure right now. A part of her buried deep, the voice she refuses to listen to. The voice of reason, she had used Luna as much as Luna had used her. Luna was her ticket to escape death, to escape servitude. Luna had the connections, the plan that Hermione did not. As hard as it is to admit, that Luna may have used her, it's much harder for Hermione to admit, that it may have been the other way around.

She knew of Luna's devotion to her, Luna was willing to risk duelling her mistress. A death warrant if there ever was one. Willing to risk losing her family, and her standing to give Hermione a ticket to freedom. As much as the pain of betrayal hurts, it's not as painful as the realisation. That maybe, just maybe, Hermione had subconsciously used Luna to provide a ticket out. She knew of Luna's hate towards her mistress, her jealousy, knew the witch could see in her mind and had the mental capacity to keep the witch from reading her mind towards the end. Still, she allowed the witch access, to see the memories of Hermione's interactions with Bellatrix. Knew it would drive Luna mad, would drive her to do something impulsive.

"Miss Granger?" McGonagall prompts.

Add to the mix she has Skeeta imprisoned in a jar, forever trapped in her animagus form. Never able to escape unless Hermione removes the charms she has placed on the witch. If she dies, Skeeta will forever be trapped as a bug never to return to her human form.

"I don't think I'm special Headmistress," Hermione states meeting her gaze in the reflection. "It'll be foolish to pretend otherwise."

"I see," McGonagall shifts, finger tapping the glass. "The sword of Gryffindor, I'm sure you've read about Hogwarts history. Did you know, the sword will come to those in need."

"Summoned?"

"Not summoned, it will come to those in times of peril. An entity some might say on its own."

"It's powerful magic."

"Yes, it holds no judgement, only aids those it needs to without thought, without fear. Sometimes parallels are just too hard to ignore."

Great, McGonagall is talking in riddles, for once Hermione is not in the mood to be educated. She feels worn out, needing time to heal, lick her wounds and think. Too much is happening for her mind to process.

"I hope, Lestrange finds a way to save you," A hand rests on Hermione's shoulder, a gentle squeeze. "I have every faith one of you will find an answer."

"Thank you."

Nodding, McGonagall turns away moving quietly back through the halls, pausing she turns last second.

"If you do survive Miss Granger, come speak with me." The headmistress advises.

"Regarding?"

"Time, Miss Granger. Time. It would appear, that Luna may have been on to something. Time is wrong and it all seems to converge around you. Have a good day."

"What? Headmistress…"

Following the witch, Hermione stops, remembering her place watching the Headmistress head up the staircase vanishing from view. Time is wrong? What on earth did that mean? What did it have to do with her?

Chatter, Hermione spots the witches and wizards emerging from a hallway the commission from the Ministry. The inspection would appear to be over as they move to the exit discussing events scribbled down on their scrolls. Hermione doesn't spot Lady Lestrange which would mean the witch has been distracted by something.

A hand grabs her arm, she jumps a mile as Lestrange appears next to her wild-eyed, grinning like a fool.

"We need to leave," Lestrange instructs with a manic grin, skipping down the step, she pauses turning to Hermione. "Now."

Scurrying, Hermione jogs to keep up with the witch as she skips from the school, cackling like mad. It's when Hermione spots something bundled up in the witch's arm. She stops, Hermione nearly crashing into the back of her mistress.

"Bugger," Lestrange curses. "Here, don't show it to anyone. I need to go hex Snape's cauldron. Wait on the bridge, won't be a tic."

Chaos, her mistress is pure chaos as she disappears back inside the castle. Curious, Hermione, stares at the bundled item in her arm. Moving to wait on the bridge, she resists the urge to peak to look. Her mistress would know, it's best not to test the waters.

"I can't believe it's him," A female student grumbles arm hooked through her friend's arm moving across the bridge back towards the school.

In the distance Hermione watches the commission head towards the train, only Bellatrix can apparate on school grounds. A part of Hermione wonders if what McGonagall said is true. Is the reason Lady Lestrange and a few others are the only ones allowed to apparate on school grounds due to a fear of mutiny?

"Hold on I need to tie my shoes." One of the girls says pausing, nodding respectfully at Hermione, no one wanting to annoy her mistress. "It's not that bad,"

"I hate him." The girl groans.

"So?"

"So, according to that damn potion, he's the one I love."

"It's a potion."

"Amortentia, I could smell him in it. His stupid cologne, the leather from his beaters uniform."

"He made you weak at the knees at the ball."

Oh… Oh, bugger. Hermione freezes. Oh. Watching as the students wander off back to the castle, muttering between themselves. He drives me mad. She drives Hermione mad; she can barely think when the witch is around. She would die for Bellatrix, not for her mistress. All her dreams centre around the witch, where they are both on equal footing. She can barely breathe when the witch is holding her, touching her. The kiss, and kiss from the witch, it's like nothing she has ever experienced, it makes her weak. Steals her breath away, those dark eyes, she can get lost in them. Oh. She loves Bellatrix. Not her mistress, but Bellatrix, she's in love with Bellatrix and has been for a very long time.

Bugger.

"Run!" Lestrange's voice startles her from her thoughts.

Confused, Hermione shifts backwards bewildered as Bellatrix runs towards her. A hand grabbed her wrist, dragging her along. Turning, Hermione runs after the witch, glancing back towards the school, holding the item securely in her arm. She spots an angry Headmistress standing on the steps of the school.

"What did you do?" Hermione asks chasing after her mistress.

"Nothing yet," Bellatrix laughs sliding to a halt on the other side of the bridge. "three, two, one…"

Nothing, Hermione panting, glances between Bellatrix and the school, the advancing angry Headmistress. Backing away, Hermione looks to Bellatrix who is looking at her pocket watch shaking the watch.

"Oh, it's broken. Ha never mind." Bellatrix laughs.

"Lestrange!" Headmistress's voice sends terror through Hermione. "Give me the hat!"

"Least of your worries," Bellatrix grins.

Pop. A ringing sounds from the school, shouting from the students, in the distance Hermione spots students on their brooms. Throwing fireworks, they explode in the air. Chaos, students running from the school, covered in paint, screaming shouting, it's pure mayhem. Stopped, McGonagall is torn between chasing Bellatrix and attending to the school.

"Terrible," Bellatrix shakes her head. "I'll have to report this, Minnie."

"You dare," McGonagall snaps her finger pointed. "This is your doing?"

"Me, I've been on ministry business?" Bellatrix acts coy. "Your students running around with the paint. I'm sure we can come to some understanding though, this could escape my report in exchange for a day with the hat?"

"One day, Bellatrix… I swear. It best be back by tomorrow morning!"

"On the head of my Red Kite, you will have it back."

Disapproving, McGonagall turns, moving back to the school, wand poised, the windows of the school spewing paint. A hand grabs Hermione, in a blink, they are vanishing, disappearing. Squeezing through wards, flickering through the air, reappearing back at Lestrange Manor.

Cackling, Lestrange plucks the bundle from Hermione's arm, pushing Hermione along the house. Heading to the sitting room, she shuts the door summoning a chair and placing it in the middle of the room. Motioning for Hermione to sit, confused, Hermione plops down on the chair.

"Ha, wait till Snivells use his cauldron," Bellatrix grins, unravelling the cloth.

The sorting hat, Bellatrix has stolen the sorting hat from Hogwarts. Hermione isn't an expert on Hogwarts, but she remembers reading somewhere that the sorting hat is kept inside the Headmistress or Headmaster's office unless during sorting ceremonies.

"You stole the hat?" Hermione asks in disbelief.

"Stole is a strong word, borrowed." Bellatrix grins.

"Why?"

"It's been bugging me," Moving close, hat poised, Bellatrix raises an eyebrow.

"You want to know what house I'd be sorted into?"

"Exactly!"

A grumble from the hat, as it stirs in Bellatrix's hand, springing to life. A finger tilting Hermione's head down, stopping her from looking up. The hat was placed atop her head.

"Well, well what is this? Not a child? Never sorted? What game is this Bellatrix Black?"

"It's Lestrange now you moody bastard, just sort her." Lestrange snaps at the hat.

"Still insolent as ever… Hmm a servant, how peculiar. There's courage, much courage. Empathy… Your smart, cunning, now where would I put you?

Smiling, Hermione tries to hold back her laugh, it feels so strange having the hat sitting on her head, reading her emotions, her thoughts. Bellatrix acting like a child, watching with glee, wanting to prove herself right.

"Not Slytherin? No, you'd fit in well blood willing." The hat comments.

Closing her eyes, Hermione holds back the sigh, waiting for the hat to sort her into a house she will never step foot in. Regardless, the look on Bellatrix's face is worth enduring the pretence of being sorted.

"Ravenclaw, but your loyalty, you'd make a good Hufflepuff."

"Bleh," Bellatrix spits.

"No. It's obvious. Gryffindor!"

"KNEW it!" Bellatrix shouts grabbing the hat. "Bloody knew it."

Rising from the seat, Hermione watches Bellatrix throw the hat down, ignoring the grumbling from the magical item. The distaste at being thrown aside as though worth nothing. As though Bellatrix hadn't risked being caught stealing a hat, as though she hadn't caused absolute chaos at the school just for the sake of a hat. To prove herself right.

"I was hoping Hufflepuff," Hermione states seriously, the smile slipping from Bellatrix's face. "it's a joke."

"Bloody better be," Bellatrix threatens with a chuckle. "Make sure we put it next to the front door, otherwise I'm going to forget to take it back via floo."

"Floo network is down," Hermione reminds the witch.

"Oh, yes, oh well, McGonagall will have to wait."

"Your schedule is free tomorrow?" Hermione comments, she knows this Bellatrix had been moaning just days ago about something being cancelled.

"Ah yes, change of plan," Bellatrix replies moving towards the door, still talking Hermione grabs the hat as she chases after the witch. "I have a meeting with the Dark Lord very early."

They move along the landing heading towards Lestrange's office, Hermione trailing after the witch. Sometimes she swears Bellatrix thinks Hermione can read her mind. Nudging the door open, Bellatrix heads to her desk.

"Is this due to the recent issue with the Academy?" Hermione dares to ask.

"No, although I'd imagine that will come up," Bellatrix replies. "I'm demoting you from Red Kite."

She almost loses her balance, the floor shifting beneath her feet. Bellatrix is demoting her? She will no longer be a Red Kite for Lady Lestrange? What will that mean, what will happen to her? Does that mean she will be sent to the factories or the mines? Is this because of Luna? She feels sick? She cannot go to either mines or factories, she won't.

"Why? Is this because of what happened?" Hermione asks, grovelling she knows she grovelling can tell by the look on Lestrange's face. "Is this because of Luna? Please, mistress please, I can make it up to you. I swear, please don't send me to the factories…"

"Oh pet," Lestrange sighs with a shake of her head. "Your compromised."

"No, I'm not, I swear… I just…"

Her legs feel weak, she cannot cope with the mines if they snap her wand. She'd rather slit her throat, her runes will rip her apart before they even ship her to a factor or mine. Breathing erratic, the lights flicker above, and the ground shifts beneath her feet. Her runes, they rage beneath the skin, ready, just one command and her heart will stop.

"Granger," A hand lands on her shoulder dark eyes commanding her attention.

"Please, don't… Please."

"Granger, breathe," Lestrange instructs, a finger absently wiping away an errant tear. "You will be demoted."

No… She failed, failed as Red Kite, she has never failed anything in her life. She'd rather have heartbreak over this feeling of failure.

"You will remain in this household, however, demoted from the position of Red Kite. It will be effective immediately once I have discussed it with my Lord."

"No, please, they'll send me away… I'll go to the mines, please My Lady."

"No one will send you anywhere, ah. Stop Granger stop, listen to me. Listen."

She's on a tailspin, her eyes falling to the dagger on the hip of her mistress, Lestrange cannot save her from the demotion from losing her position. She will end in the mines. Her hand reaches for the dagger only to be intercepted, the hand curling around her wrist. Unrelenting, preventing her from any irrational actions.

"Stop!" Lestrange snaps, forcing Hermione to meet her gaze. "If you want to live, you will listen to me."

"Please."

Slap. Her cheek stings from the slap, and she winces the panic subsiding. Anger lacing her veins. The hand caresses the cheek, soothing.

"This is the only way to break the curse, this is it. If you want to live you will need to be demoted. We have but a few days left, I will explain to my Lord you were compromised, however, no one is going to touch you. You belong to me, me alone. The Dark Lord knows this, you may have to stay out of sight for a while. But demotion is the only way to break the curse of the Red Kites. Unless you want to die?"

"You're not getting rid of me?"

"No, I should, I should be giving you lashings in the street for your stupidity, but if we did that to every servant who fell in love. Well, we wouldn't have any bloody left, would we?"

"I… I don't understand."

"Then listen. The Dark Lord created the positions of Red Kites if the curse is real and I am inclined to believe it is. There is but one way to stop your death and that is to remove your title and your role. You can no longer be a Red Kite. With his blessing, I will demote you as Red Kite. Thus, breaking the curse."

"The book, Mrs Yaxley gave you."

"It confirmed my suspicions, this is the only way to break the curse," Lestrange comments moving away.

She will lose her role as Red Kite, her reputation tarnished, but it would mean she gets to live. There are so many variables, not many servants remain in servitude for their Masters if they get demoted. Lestrange is confident, confident she will prevent Hermione from going to the mines.

"Wait, why will he allow it?"

"Because you discovered it's Lovegood that has been releasing those poems." Bellatrix smiles.

This is why Bellatrix hasn't been affected by the recent publishing. Because she has figured out it's Luna who has been releasing the poems. She hasn't worked out yet though, it's Hermione's poetry. It's Hermione's words, still believing Hermione to be bound, unable to speak.

"My Lord will be immensely happy to find the culprit, to find out you discovered her treachery well, I'm sure he'll allow me to keep you. Re-train you if you will."
"But, Luna… What, will he do to her?"

"Does it matter?"

Yes, it matters, the Dark Lord will spare no mercy for Luna if he finds out she is responsible. By saving Hermione, Bellatrix is dooming Luna.

"Does it have to be this way?"

"It's you or Lovegood?" Bellatrix responds. "Either you die and Lovegood lives, or you live and Lovegood… Well, she'll probably be hanging by noon anyway. Your hero complex will want to send Lovegood a letter. Warn her, I won't stop you. You may give Lovegood ahead start, but in doing that you will doom yourself. You could oblivate me in my sleep, but it will mean you will die. It might mean Lovegood lives, but her actions will catch up with her. It won't take long for others to figure it out. You might as well use the ticket to live."

"She doesn't deserve this."

"Not our decision. It's you or Lovegood, I cannot save you both."

Hermione or Luna, one of them needs to die, in order for the other to live.