Next one up. I think we're halfway there, even more, so thanks so much to everyone who's reading the story! Enjoy:)
Progress
The next week of school couldn't pass by fast enough. Hermione couldn't really comprehend why it annoyed her to no end that the days dragged by like Flobberworms. She didn't usually look forward to Halloween's that much. When she thought about it this year the only thing that sprang up in her mind was Bellatrix; confusing a thought as it was, the young woman quickly tried to put that out of her mind.
She wasn't as successful as she'd hoped and by the time the sun rose on Saturday morning she was dressed and ready to start the day. The Common room was empty this early in the morning as was the rest of the castle. The brunette met no one as she made her way down corridors and marble staircases. She even considered turning back but she heard voices coming from the Great Hall and walked in confidently only to stop dead in her tracks just inside the Hall. There was no student in sight at any of the four tables, but at the High Table she saw Professor McGonagall sipping tea and nodding to something Kingsley Shacklebolt, who sat next to her, was saying. While she was contemplating if she should step back quietly and leave the Minister for Magic stopped talking and turned his head towards her.
"Ah, Hermione, hello" he said, standing up to greet her. "Talk about the devil as they say" he grinned at her, and she found herself smiling back.
"Good morning, Miss Granger" Professor McGonagall said with a smile of her own. "Early start of the day today."
"Hogsmeade weekend and all that" Hermione shrugged. "Good morning to you too."
"Well turns out it's a very good morning indeed. There was something we wanted to talk to you about, Miss Granger." Kingsley's deep and normally soothing voice sounded serious at that moment.
"I do suppose it's time we did talk" she said decisively.
"And I would suggest we took this outside to the grounds" McGonagall interjected. "Though I do not expect other students or teachers here anytime soon, I think we can all agree we'd rather have this discussion in peace."
So the three of them grabbed a piece of toast and a cup of tea each and left the castle, opting to walk to the lake.
"Well, Hermione-you don't mind me calling you Hermione, do you?" At the young woman's nod, Kingsley continued. "I've been corresponding with Headmistress McGonagall for some time now and it looks like you got yourself in quite the predicament."
None of the witches answered him and he pressed on.
"Gryffindor's Golden girl, the Brains of the Golden Trio, the Brightest Witch of her Age, to come into contact – and willingly – with one of the most notorious Death Eaters, Voldemort's lieutenant and right hand? It did amaze me when I found out."
"I ask you not to use any of those nicknames when you're describing me, Minister, I am not very fond of them" Hermione replied politely. "As for Bellatrix, as I'm sure Professor McGonagall told you, she has earned these nicknames for herself while working under the Imperius Curse."
Kingsley scratched his head looking thoughtfully at the tip of a tentacle poking here and there around the lake.
"I'm sure your mind has entertained the possibility that this is an attempt to gain sympathy. Where better to look for it than in someone with a big heart?"
"Let's be honest here, Minister, would Bellatrix Lestrange ever stoop so low to chase anyone's sympathy?"
"To save her life? Never doubt what a person would do to save their own life. Let alone a person like Lestrange."
"It's Black actually."
"Pardon?" Professor McGonagall joined the conversation.
"She goes by Black. Not that she doesn't remember she was married. She… prefers not to" Hermione added with a grin.
"This is all really strange and new, Hermione, you've got to work with me here" the Minister shook his head.
"That's what I'm trying to do."
"And can you guarantee that-and I mean really bet everything on it-Bellatrix Black has nothing evil in mind, just the wish to live freely?"
Kingsley and McGonagall's piercing gazes only confirmed Hermione's feeling that this was a very important question. That meant she had to ask herself: was Bellatrix truly good? What did Hermione even know about the witch? Apart from her last name and obviously fake past. Yet the answer seemed to slip out of her lips before she could contain it or think about it.
"Yes, Minister. I think she can be trusted not to wreak havoc or look for too much contact with others."
"Well then we'll have to arrange a meeting with the woman herself."