There's Love In Information
C13: Yule Time Ministry
Standard Disclaimer: I don't own any of the recognizable characters.
By the time it was December, Yaxley and the Lestrange brothers had been tried and subsequently thrown through the Veil mostly because of the reports they had sent to Kingsley that had been very detailed, which made convictions easy.
This also meant that they were currently focused on processing and more importantly categorizing all of the information they had gathered during the Lestrange raids.
They had been so busy with that, that most of the department hadn't even noticed that it was almost Christmas, with the obvious exception of Narcissa, who seemed to have a sixth sense when it came to Christmas.
Because of that sixth sense she had steadily been bringing in Christmas decorations to the office, wanting to bring a bit of festivity to the Department.
She knew full well her rest of her family with the exception of Luna and Nymphadora didn't care as much for the holiday, but it always had a special place in her heart because it was a holiday for family.
The only one who had an issue with it was morning-Bellatrix, but that didn't count because morning-Bellatrix had an issue with everyone and everything beside her son, daughter and soulmate.
Right now she had come in especially early so she could place some decorations in Fabian and Dora's office, knowing full well the Metamorphmagus would love a bit of cheer in their office.
She was just about to begin when she heard the Floo, signaling someone had entered, which was odd since even Fabian and Dora wouldn't be in for another hour, and when she walked out into the bullpen she was surprised to see the Minister standing there. "Minister Shacklebolt. What a surprise. If you're looking for the Director, he isn't in yet." She said kindly.
He smiled at her. "That's okay Narcissa. I saw you come in and figured there would be a reason you would be in so early, and I have to say I am loving the decorations, and please, drop the formalities. We've known each other for too long."
"Thank you Kingsley. I've worked hard to make our department a bit more festive." She said with a smile.
"And you've succeeded very well in that. It livens up the Department, and Christmas is also the reason I am here. I'm here to extend invitations for the entire Department for our first Ministry Yule Celebrations. I think with everything going on we all deserve something festive." He said in his heavy baritone.
Narcissa smiled at that as he handed her thirteen envelops with the Ministry seal on it. "I'll make sure everyone sees them when they come in, although I might give Bella's directly to Hermione, since my sister can be a bit volatile in the early mornings."
"I'm not surprised to hear that, Bellatrix has a reputation to uphold after all." He said with a grin.
Narcissa laughed lightly at that. "Indeed she does, but I think the results so far speak for itself. She has been instrumental in the capture of her former husband and his brother."
"I know, the reports were very thorough and detailed. I enjoyed reading them all because there clearly is a lot of work in making them." Kingsley said with a smile.
Narcissa smiled at that. "Yes, my sister and her new assistant have worked very hard on them. They're quite the administrative team."
"I'll believe that, but I'll hear all about it at my Director's meeting with Fabian come January. Now I just wanted to deliver the invitations to your Department personally, since you are the only ones who our administrative section doesn't know about." Kingsley said with a smile.
"It's very much appreciated Kingsley. If I have noticed anything in the past months, it is that our Department loves a party. I'll distribute these when everyone comes in." She said with a soft smile.
He nodded and bid her a good day before making his way back to the Floo, and Narcissa continued with hanging her Christmas decorations.
By the time she was done and took a step back to admire her handiwork, she couldn't help but smile. She had created a festive environment that would surely get some joy into the Department, something the dark room they worked in desperately needed.
Figuring she earned herself a bit of a break, she made herself a nice cup of coffee as she admired her handiwork, and she hoped the others would like it too, although she had a feeling they would.
Draco had always secretly loved Christmas, especially the times Lucius was too drunk off his ass to participate and they could get away with absconding to the Mansion for the day, which of course was the only time she could really spend alone with her true family, since Lucius was an expert at isolating her any moment Draco wasn't there.
The joke was on him now though. She was free from his influence and together with the sisters he had tried so hard to isolate her from was hunting him and his misguided cronies so that their society could finally move forward.
When she heard the Floo again, she had to smile when she saw Hermione and her sister walk out, for once Bellatrix being a lot more awake than she was used to, although the scowl that crept onto her face when she saw the decorations made Narcissa smile. "Don't start Bella. Everyone deserves a bit of holiday cheer after everything."
"I'm not scowling because of the decorations Cissy. You know I don't really mind those anymore. I'm scowling because my soulmate thought it would be a good idea to have me up before dawn so we could see what you would add today." Bellatrix said before making a beeline to the coffee machine.
Narcissa smiled at that as she gave Hermione a hug. "I must say I'm surprised you got her out of bed this early. Usually I have to threaten bodily harm for that to happen."
Hermione smiled at that. "It's all about motivation Cissa. I made her a couple of promises if she got out of bed early today, one of those is because we're close to some sort of breakthrough and we just can't leave that alone, and I promised her we would get it today, which I believe we will. The others are best left unsaid."
"Yes, if they are what I think they are, they are hardly proper workplace topics, no matter how much couples we have here." Narcissa said haughtily, although Hermione could see she didn't really mean it this time.
…
When Fabian and Nymphadora walked into the office, Dora could barely hold back the squeal of excitement at the now mostly completed Christmas Decorations, and one look at her lover told her enough, he was slowly warming up to the idea of Christmas at the office. "What's this love, are you actually starting to like the decorations your aunt put up?"
"Begrudgingly yes. I will admit that this has livened up the Department a little, and it has certainly has a positive effect on the mood." He said softly.
She smiled and pressed a kiss to his cheek before making her way to their little kitchen so she could get them some coffee while Fabian made his way to his aunt's desk.
Narcissa smiled as she saw him approach. "Good morning Fabian, I see you're finally warming up to my decorations."
"Like I could get a word in when it comes to decorating. I've never really minded, I just never saw a reason to do so in the workplace, but having said that I can't deny the effect it has on the mood." He said with a smile.
"That was my hope too Fabian. While our offices are perfect for what we do, they are a bit lacking in warmth for when we have no suspects to interrogate, which is for all of us who work here every day a bit glum. Perhaps we could look into some subtle things that might help prevent that." Narcissa said with a soft smile.
He nodded at that. "I've been thinking about something similar, and I'll bring it up with Kingsley when I have my Director's meeting in January. I'm not quite sure on what we're allowed to change here, since I've had the feeling that this wasn't meant to be a permanent location. When I hear something, I'll let you know."
Narcissa smiled and nodded at him. "Before I forget. Kingsley came by this morning to deliver our Department's invitations for the Ministry Yule Celebrations. He asked me to give them to you so you could pass them out."
Fabian smiled at that. "I suspected something like that to happen. He wants to keep up appearances for a while longer. By having these celebrations no one will suspect we're secretly dealing with a second uprising of Death Eaters, plus it'll give everyone a chance to dress up for a night. Come to think of it, perhaps we could have a Department party as well."
Narcissa smiled at that. "I think no one will object to that. We certainly have proven that we can be relied upon to get a job done. We've deserved to relax and have a bit of fun."
"Then I'll make the preparations for that with Dora. You've done so much for us already." He said with a soft smile.
"Of course Fabian, I'll only make sure the atmosphere matches." She said kindly.
He nodded and smiled at her. "Thank you aunt Cissa. It really means a lot to me that you're willing to do all of this for the Department. I don't think it would've gone so well if we didn't have you to ground us all."
Narcissa smiled at that. "I knew up front that my role in this Department would be more behind the scenes than it would be in the field, and I am more than fine with that. You know I pride myself on being diligent in everything that I do, and I do that especially well when I get to pry information from those bastards, something I am very much looking forward to doing to Lucius, I might add."
He smiled at her. "I can imagine, but I hope you won't mind if I'm not going to let Draco be your partner for that. I can justify you towards Kingsley, but Draco will be a bit harder to explain, especially when emotions come into play, which they will."
"I know, it is inevitable but as you trusted Bella with arresting Rodolphus, I hope you trust me with Lucius' interrogation." She said with a soft smile.
He nodded at her. "If anything I trust you more with carrying that interrogation. We all know from who I got my temperament."
Narcissa nodded at that, knowing exactly what he meant by that. "We know sweetheart, but I know your lover always had plenty of ways to distract you and thus ward off that temper, I know since I was in a similar position with your mother when we were younger."
Fabian smiled at that. "I know. Mom told me all about how you would sometimes do that, especially when you were teenagers."
That made Narcissa blush just a little bit. "How much exactly did she tell you?"
"Enough to know that we can't talk about it here. All I can say is that I understand now that I'm together with Dora." He said softly.
"We knew your emotional state would even out the more time you would spend with Nymphadora. I'm pretty sure my sisters have said this before, but it was one of the reasons that we allowed you two so much." She said with a soft smile.
He only nodded at that. "At least now I have the full set of sisters who have said that to us, and you know what a fan I am of full sets."
She laughed lightly as Nymphadora draped herself over her lover's shoulder. "Far be it from me to interrupt an aunt and nephew talk, but you have a meeting to go to love."
"I almost forgot about that. Thank you for reminding me, baby. I'll see you in a few hours probably." He said before pressing a kiss to her cheek and making his way to the Floo.
"Honestly, he would forget his backside if it wasn't attached." Narcissa said softly.
Dora smiled and nodded. "I know, but it's endearing, and we all know who he got it from."
Narcissa only nodded at that as they both watched Fabian walk through the Floo, both of them figuring this would be a good time to implement their last surprise.
…
Fabian's meeting dragged on for literal hours, and by the time he walked out of the conference room, it was already late in the afternoon, and as he Floo'ed back into the office, he was not at all surprised to see the gigantic Christmas tree that now stood in the corner, and just his girlfriend sitting at a desk next to it.
She grinned brightly as he walked over and kissed her softly. "Hey love. Long day?" She asked softly.
He nodded and kissed her again. "Too long in my opinion. These monthly meetings are already a drag, and I've only done two. Now I know why so little gets done in the rest of the Ministry. Only Kingsley, Amelia and I seem keen on getting anything done."
"That's because talk is all most of the Directors can do. It's just that Kingsley can't easily replace them. Being a Director takes special skills in most cases, as you well know." She said softly.
"I do, and it is at times like this I am grateful I have you by my side and that we run our Department differently than ninety percent of Departments in the Ministry, and speaking of our Department, where are the others? Have they all gone home already?" He asked with a loving smile.
She nodded at him. "Yeah, everyone has worked hard on working through the last of the folders regarding the Lestranges. It's now up to Mom and Daphne to process that into something coherent, so I let everyone go home early as a thank you for their hard work."
He grinned at her. "So once again we are alone in the Department with no chance of anyone interrupting us? Whatever will we do with the rest of our workday."
"We are going to do something totally unlike us and follow the example of our family and go home early. We have earned it, and since tomorrow is Saturday, there is nothing that is going to stop us ravaging each other tomorrow, in our own bed instead of a desk in the Department. Besides, I think we've christened the Department properly months ago." She said with a sultry smile.
He nodded and kissed her softly. "Actually, if you're okay with it, I would like to go house seeing with you tomorrow."
Dora quirked an eyebrow at that. "Didn't we already establish which house we want out of all the properties available to us?" She asked softly.
"I thought you'd be able to read my meaning, Dora. I meant that we're going to christen our new home properly beforehand, and see what exactly we want done to it so we can move in quickly, because as much as I like the Mansion, I think you'd agree with me that we're more than ready for our own place." He said with a soft smile.
She smiled and kissed him. "Let's go home and talk about this, because I have a feeling that we will need a bed, and possibly dinner for this conversation."
Fabian nodded and kissed her as he pulled her close before apparating them home, where they startled their family by appearing in the living room. "Honestly Fabian, out of everywhere in this house you can apparate into, you choose the living room right after work. Sometimes I think you two live to give us gray hair." Bellatrix said only slightly exasperated."
He smiled at her. "Sorry Mom, but we just wanted to get home as quickly as possible, but also didn't want to apparate straight into the bedroom and not show ourselves until dinner."
"Since we all know what you two are going to do until dinner, I don't see why you two didn't do that." Andromeda said with a knowing smile.
"Well, at some point today that is going to happen, but not yet. We have to talk about some things." Nymphadora said with a smile.
"A likely story, but I hope you'll forgive our skepticism, since you two are quite addicted to each other." Narcissa said with a similar look to her sister's.
"I believe them Cissa, otherwise they would've done exactly what they said they didn't do, and let's be honest, it's not like Bellatrix and I are any better, nor is your son with his fiancee." Hermione said with a content smile from Bellatrix's lap.
Fabian and Dora smiled at that. "Thank you 'Mione, and you are absolutely right too, you and my Mom aren't much better and you two have only been together for a couple of months."
"Technically so are you and Dora." Hermione said with a smile.
He smiled and nodded at that. "Technically yes, but also no. Dora and I have technically been together for years with everything we've done together, not to mention everything she taught me about being a good boyfriend."
Dora smiled and pressed a kiss to his cheek. "Let's not pretend I did that for anything else than my own selfish reasons, Fabian. I basically turned you into my perfect man."
He smiled and kissed her softly. "It's not like I ever complained about being turned into the man you need and deserve Nymmie."
She smiled at him as they took a seat, figuring their talk could wait until after dinner.
"Seriously, you two are so sweet together that it's enough to give anyone a sugar shock." Andromeda said with a smile.
They both smiled as Dora crawled into her lover's lap. "Again, that's nothing new since we've acted like this from the moment Fabian was able to walk."
"Since you taught him how to walk, that's little surprise, although back then it was a bit more adorable then it was sexually charged." Bellatrix said with a smile as she nuzzled Hermione's neck.
Dora smiled at that as she wrapped her arms around her lover's waist while they talked the afternoon away with their family.
…
After dinner they excused themselves, making their way to their bedroom so they could finally talk to each other about their next big decision.
Of course this could only be done in their usual way, which of course was in bed without a stitch of clothing, and of course Dora sat between her lover's legs with his arms wrapped around her waist. "So love, are we really ready to strike out on our own?" She asked softly.
"After everything we've done and survived together, I'd say we more than ready. We have plenty of options, and while I have a feeling which property you want to live in, it's good to know that we have options available." He said with a soft smile.
She smiled and cuddled into him. "I suppose you're right. What's living together after surviving a war."
"Not just that love. Like I said before dinner, we've technically been together for years and it's not like we haven't spent entire summers by ourselves. I'm quite sure this won't be any different." He said with a soft smile.
She smiled at that. "Yeah, we've managed to be pretty independent for years, so I think that will continue once we actually live together, although we do have to sort out how we are going to divide the chores."
"That's easy love. I'll cook, since you and kitchens don't mix, and the rest we'll sort out once we have moved in." He said with a loving smile.
She smiled and kissed him. "That's fair, and since I know you and laundry don't mix, I'll do the laundry."
"So that's cooking and laundry done. Cleaning and shopping we can handle together." He said with a soft smile.
Dora smiled at that. "So we're really doing this then? We're going to go house viewing tomorrow?"
He nodded at her. "Yes we are, although I am pretty sure which house holds your preference."
"If we're talking about the cabin, then yes. I have always thought that would be a wonderful place for us to raise a family in, if you still want a family of course." She said softly.
He smiled and kissed her softly. "Of course I do. Just imagine how incredible our children will be. Your nature and my brains, they'll drive everyone crazy, including us."
She laughed lightly at that. "That's a given, but I have to be honest and say that I worry about our children inheriting my Metamorphmagus abilities."
"If they do, we'll deal with it. There's no reason to worry about something we can't control. What will matter is that we will always love our children and will always help them with whatever they need in life." He said softly.
"Loving them is a given. I can't imagine either of us being anything else with our children, although I am very happy that you're already thinking about multiple children." She said with a soft smile.
He smiled at her. "Of course I am. I know we both love a loud house, so why not start that off on the right foot, plus I'm sure our mothers would love to be able to dote on a lot of grandchildren."
"I honestly think your mother will be busy enough raising her own children. I've heard her and Hermione talk about that recently." She said with a soft smile.
For some reason that image didn't come easily, but that was probably because it was still a bit weird that his best friend was intimately involved with his mother. "Probably, but if I'm honest it's a bit weird to think about, although I know Hermione will be an amazing mother, and I know that Mom would love to have another go at raising a child, just to prove she can do it twice. I also think with their genes combined they will have a literal genius on their hands."
She smiled at that. "Why do I have a feeling that this is going to become a competition?"
"It isn't love, that I promise you. We'll start trying for children when we're good and ready for children, and I have the feeling that Hermione will have exactly the same mindset in that, I think Mom has finally found her match in Hermione."
Nymphadora smiled at that. "That she has, and it has been a lot of fun seeing them interact, hasn't it?"
He nodded at her. "That it has, and I can't imagine how it will when they're ready to take that step, Mom will have her work cut out with Hermione being as stubborn as my mother."
"Ain't that the truth, and while I think we won't have those problems, we will have our hands full too if our children inherit that stubbornness from you." She said with a soft smile.
He poked her side for that. "I'm not nearly as stubborn as my mother, or Hermione for that matter."
"Yes you are love, and I love you for it. All I'm saying is that we might want to prepare for our future children to be just as if not more stubborn, given how stubborn I am sometimes." Nymphadora said with a sweet smile.
Fabian grumbled a little before kissing her. "I suppose you're right, but it's something we'll work on by the time we're ready to start a family. Not to sound unwilling or anything, but I would hope it's still at least a couple of years off."
"I know you're not unwilling love. I know we're not ready for children, and we're far too busy to combine our job with children at this point." She said softly.
He just smiled and kissed her as he caressed her sides softly. "That is a thing we should look into though. Perhaps we can find a way where we have some sort of in-house childcare service, given how relatively young our Department is in staffing."
"I know it would make me feel better, and I'm pretty sure the same thing goes for Hermione and eventually Draco. It'll give everyone the chance to keep an eye on their children, especially if we're eventually going to transition into the information supplying department for the Auror Corps." Nymphadora said lovingly.
He nodded at that, burying his nose in her neck as they enjoyed each other's presence for a little while longer
…
The following day Hermione and Bellatrix took it upon themselves to go and do their Christmas shopping, the two witches glad to finally have a weekend where they weren't required to be anywhere and they could finally enjoy some alone time.
Bellatrix certainly didn't mind since she had some important questions for her lover, and now that they had the chance, there was nothing stopping her from asking her lion the most important questions.
They had already gotten gifts for most members of their family. The only thing Bellatrix seemed to struggle with seemed to be was finding a gift for her youngest daughter, and of course Hermione noticed how much her raven haired witch was lost in her mind at the moment. "Are you okay Bella?" Hermione asked softly.
Bellatrix smiled at her love. "I'm okay, just a bit stumped on what to get for Luna. She's always the hardest to get a gift for."
Hermione smiled and nodded at that, usually having the same problem and usually ending up asking Fabian on what the blonde would like. "I know exactly how you feel. I usually go the easy route and ask Fabian."
"I get that, but Luna is my daughter, and I would like to get her a gift without having to ask my son on what to get his sister for Christmas." Bellatrix said with the most adorable pout.
Hermione smiled and pressed a kiss to her cheek. "Then let's go to Flourish and Blotts. We're bound to find something there."
Bellatrix nodded and smiled as the two women walked through Diagon Alley, both on alert for potential threats at all times, something they found themselves doing a lot more and a lot more thorough since joining the Department.
Because of that sense of alert, the two witches noticed that they were being followed by someone, and to Hermione it felt very familiar, and as she focused she felt it was Ronald, making her sigh softly as they walked into Flourish and Blotts. "You okay little lion?" Bellatrix asked softly.
Hermione nodded and smiled at her. "Ronald thinks he is being inconspicuous as he is following us. If we find something for Luna, we should just apparate home. I'm not feeling like confrontation today, and especially not with Ronald Weasley."
Bellatrix nodded at her. "You and me both love, and I might have an even better idea for a gift for Luna. Something I know she'll love, and could be helpful for her and Fleur in the future."
Hermione smiled at that. "Then let's go home. The sooner we are, the less chance Ronald will have to spoil the mood with his whining."
Bellatrix nodded and led her lover to a private section, where the two witches could safely apparate home.
Appearing in their bedroom a few moments later, Bellatrix waved her wand to open up their private library. "Right, now that we're home, I can tell you what we're looking for. I have a book on Veela mating rituals here that I want to give to them. I know Fleur doesn't really have access to these books anymore, and I know she can't ask her sister to bring them either, so I think they will both appreciate it. Luna especially will love this book to read, given how much she wants to be prepared."
Hermione smiled at her lover's rambling. "And may I ask how exactly you got this book love?"
"I was lucky enough to have a close friend in school who was a Veela, and she gave me this as a gift once she found her mate. Sadly she and her mate lost their lives in the First War fighting for the Order." Bellatrix said softly.
Hermione gave her a sympathetic smile. "I'm sorry baby. Now I get why you were so glad that he was dead. I'm also sure your friend would be happy that your daughter would get to use her book."
Bellatrix smiled at that as she found the book, placing it on he small table before turning back to her lover. "We'll wrap it later, right now I have something important to ask you." She said as she pulled Hermione into her lap.
"That sounds… ominous. Is everything okay Bella?" The brunette asked softly.
She nodded and pressed a soft kiss to her lover's cheek. "It's not as ominous as you might think baby, I promise. You know that at some point I would love to move into our own home with you and I was wondering how you stood on that."
"You know that I would love nothing more than to live together with the woman I love, but are we ready for such a big step? What is bringing this up?" Hermione asked softly.
"I don't think we are at this very moment, but in a couple of months, I am sure we will be. It's just that Fabian and Dora will probably move out soon and while I will never mind the company of my sisters, I crave something smaller, where we can make a home for ourselves." Bellatrix said softly.
Hermione smiled and kissed her softly. "To be honest, I'm craving the same. Don't get me wrong I love the Mansion and its library, but it's too big."
Bellatrix smiled at that. "I get that feeling love, I do, and I'm sure that we can find something that will be perfect for us. I know Fabian and Dora have a preference for our cabin, but there are similar properties that have all of the space we would want, including a few with a private library."
Hermione smiled brightly at that. "Then I think you know which I would prefer, my love."
"I figured as much, but there is something you need to know about one of them. While it is a very cozy and comfortable cabin style home, it has a bit of a history. It was the cabin the Dark Lord hid at during his recuperation. I've never felt comfortable there since." Bellatrix said softly.
"Surely there are other options that are in the countryside that are just as familial, which is a must for me if we want to raise our own family there." Hermione said softly.
Bellatrix smiled at that. "Of course love, there are a few, and I think with Fabian's permission we could re-purpose one of the rooms to a nice library."
Hermione quirked an eyebrow at that. "Why would we need his permission for that?"
"Because technically the Head of the family owns all houses under the family name, even if the deed is in our name. It's something that is on both of our lists of things we need to have changed since it's terribly archaic." The raven haired witch said softly.
"I agree, and I hope you two manage that, but shall we continue the talk of future homes while relaxing in the tub? It's been too long since we took the time to do that." Hermione said softly.
Bellatrix nodded and gave her lover a kiss as she flicked her wand towards the bathroom, and then over them to undress them. "My love, I think that's the best idea you've had all day."
Hermione just smiled and kissed her raven haired witch as they made their way to the bathroom, the two witches fully committed to have a relaxing afternoon.