AN: Trigger warnings to many things are present in this story. Don't like, don't read.

I don't own Harry Potter.

All spelling mistakes are my own.

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Hermione jerked awake suddenly, launching herself off the bed and into the ensuite. She could feel the panic coming from her mates as she emptied her stomach, her body shaking with the force of the morning sickness. She was used to it by now, but her mates were not. She flushed before moving to the sink, brushing her teeth, rinsing her mouth and seeing her mates watching her worriedly from the doorway.

She shook her head as she moved towards them, "Welcome to my morning routine."

Bellatrix's arms wrapped around her, holding her tight, "That bad?"

Hermione nodded as she guided both her older witch's back to the bed, "Sometimes worse. It just depends." She pulled a pair of loose black sweats on, ignoring Narcissa's grimace at the muggle clothing. They were comfortable and she was all about the comfort this summer. She pulled Narcissa's green blouse on, buttoning it slowly as she frowned at her mates, "I'm fine. Just morning sickness."

Bellatrix's smile lit up the room as the dark witch pulled her close, resting her hand over the bump in her stomach. Hermione smiled down at the older woman before reaching for Narcissa's hand, sliding it onto her stomach beneath Bellatrix's. Narcissa's eyes teared up as she smiled up at her young mate.

Hermione chuckled, "Okay I'm going to get something to eat, I'm starving." Bellatrix and Narcissa magicked their clothes on quickly before hurrying to her as she laughed at them. Bellatrix's arms wrapped around her from behind as Narcissa opened their door, Hermione rolled her eyes, "You two are going to be impossible, aren't you?"

Bellatrix nipped the right side of her neck softly in answer while Narcissa nodded, taking her hand and squeezing gently. She rolled her eyes at them as they descended the stairs. She shook Bellatrix off her as she moved towards the library, knowing that Narcissa was already heading to the kitchen. She knew this was going to happen, but she had been dreading it.

She found Burke seated at the table in the library, pouring over a large book. Her father sat at the head of the table, a smile spreading across his face as he spotted her, "There you are." He stood and hugged her tightly before ushering her into his vacated seat.

For the last few weeks, he had been hearing about how much power his daughter had amongst his followers. They followed her, trusted her to lead them. He was more than proud of her and all that she had accomplished through the years. He was happy to see where her mind would take them during this war, and so he was happy to take a right-hand seat to his daughter.

Hermione didn't think twice about it as she asked, "What have you found Caractacus?"

Voldemort tensed, gripping his wand tightly under the table. He knew the man hated being called by his first name no matter who spoke it. Instead, his jaw dropped in utter shock as the man casually handed a parchment to Bellatrix to deliver to his daughter, not batting an eye at the name.

"So far I've found two locations that the door could possibly be. Until I can find the others I can't calculate where they might appear next." Burke sighed as he rubbed his eyes, "I'll need your third of the language to decipher at least three or four other locations. It might be enough to narrow it down."

Hermione nodded as Bellatrix handed her the parchment and she studied the notes for a moment, "Of course. Where's Fenrir?"

Voldemort frowned, "Fenrir Greyback? How do you know him?"

Bellatrix snorted a laughed, "He's Hermione's dog."

A growl rolled from the doorway as the man in question entered the room, his eyes narrowed on the dark witch, "Borgin has a few artifacts that might be of interest."

Hermione grinned at him and motioned for him to sit on her left, across from her father, "Anything pertinent?"

Fenrir collapsed in the seat, glaring at Bellatrix, "No. However he does seem to think you'll keep Burke away from him if he continues to help you." A dark toothy grin pulled at his lips.

Burke scoffed, "I'm owed-"

Hermione snapped her fingers loudly, her swirling colourful eyes narrowing at him, "You are owed nothing. You will help or I will allow Bellatrix to do with you as she sees fit." Bellatrix grinned darkly at the man, one hand on her mate's shoulder as Tom grinned. He watched the man cower from his daughter and he sat back to watch how his heir would handle this as Hermione spoke softer, "You will get your revenge Caractacus. Patience."

Narcissa entered the room with Kreacher, the elf carrying a plate of food to Hermione, "Welcome home mistress."

Hermione smiled at the rude elf, finding herself with a soft spot for him, "Thank you Kreacher." She glanced at Fenrir, "I'm going to need you here for a few days. Do you have someone you trust to watch Borgin and not kill him?"

Tom snorted at his daughter, "You are definitely my child."

Hermione grinned at her father, before taking a bite of food since her mates were eyeing her sternly. Narcissa stood beside her on her left while Bellatrix had moved to her right, standing between her and her father. Each of her mate's had a hand on her shoulder and she felt comforted by it.

Fenrir nodded happily, "Lupin has already filled in for me. Borgin is terrified of werewolves."

Caractacus laughed, "Because he pissed his pants when confronted with his first one." Hermione smiled as laughter filled the room. This was her family, her friends, her home. The door burst open as an arguing pair of teens entered the room, a chuckling Harry following them.

"I didn't say I would, just that I would think about it." Ron's voice was pleading as he followed behind an angry Draco.

Hermione sighed heavily, setting her fork down, "What's going on now?"

Draco grimaced, his voice coming out like a hiss, "Ron is going on a date with Cedric."

Hermione quickly covered her laugh with a hand, forcing herself to not make a sound. After a moment she asked, "Why is he doing that?" She could barely contain the shake in her voice.

Ron glared at her, "I'm right here for one and for two I'm not. We're going to play Quidditch with Crabbe and Goyle. Ced asked Draco to join us."

Hermione smirked at her friend, "Ced? Pet names now?" Bellatrix burst into laughter while Narcissa slapped her shoulder lightly, a warning not to tease but a smirk pulling at the corner of her lips.

Ron groaned, "'Mione! It's not like that."

Harry shook his head as he crossed the room to Voldemort, sliding into the Dark Lord's lap as if he had done it a million times before, placing a soft kiss to the older man's lips. Hermione had to stifle a grimace, finally understanding exactly where Draco was coming from. As if reading her mind Draco caught her eye and raised his eyebrows at her.

She pushed her plate away from her and rolled her eyes at him, "I get it."

Draco burst into laughter as he shook his head, "Finally."

Bellatrix and Narcissa frowned at them, Narcissa voicing the shared question, "Get what?"

Hermione shook her head and refocused herself, "Severus?"

McGonagall and Hooch entered the room, the former speaking as they took seats at the far end of the table, "He's safe and unharmed. Dumbledore doesn't know it was him."

Hooch frowned, her voice angry, "He thinks it was you wandlessly."

Hermione shrugged, "Better than Severus getting caught. Where is he?"

McGonagall smiled at her, "He is covering his tracks at Hogwarts before coming here. He'll be here in a few days."

Hermione sat back in her seat, her mind swirling with questions. She knew her father had people on the inside of the order and two of them were related to her mates. She wasn't sure if they were strong supporters or not, but it might be the only way into the Ministry.

Bellatrix's and Narcissa's worry filtered through the bond and she glanced at them both with a smile and a shake of her head, "How many spies do you have dad?"

Tom kept his arms wrapped around his mate as he thought for a moment, "Loyal, very few. Only two I would bring into our inner circle at this point."

"Who?" She questioned curiously, hoping the answer would be the two related to her mates.

Tom glanced at her mate's, and she knew what he was about to say, "Andromeda and Nymphadora Tonks."

Hermione nodded, her mind already on what she knew of Tonks. She knew the woman was one of the best Auror's out there, but she wasn't sure if the woman should be trusted. She didn't know anything about her mate's sister. Narcissa never spoke of the woman in the entire time that Hermione has known the blonde.

She could feel the anger flaring in her mates just as much as they could feel her hurt at not knowing anything about these two family members. She stood quickly, "I'd like to meet them."

Bellatrix shook her head, "No."

Narcissa eyed Hermione carefully, "Little one, it's not what you're thinking."

Hermione shook her head, refusing to look at either of her mates, as she spoke with a finality, "Bring them here. Fenrir, Draco come with me." She moved towards the doorway, pausing to hold her hands up at her mates, "Not you two."

The entire time they had forced her to open to them and they were keeping something from her. How was that fair? She knew it was childish, even ridiculous to think of it that way, but she couldn't help it. She moved out to the living room, feeling Draco and Fenrir following her. She knew the pregnancy hormones were going to rear their heads at some point, but she was really hoping that it wouldn't be too much for her mates.

She moved through the Manor heading up the stairs, not stopping until they were in the attic. It was the one place she and Draco would escape when they were younger. The large open loft was decorated much like the rest of the house. Large windows allowed plenty of light into the room, bookcases were her own doing as she had slowly filled the room with books over the years. There was one skylight near the far end of the room that she and Draco would spend hours on the floor staring at the stars at night. A fireplace near the skylight kept the room warm in the winter, allowing her to curl up near the fire on the nights she couldn't sleep. She plopped down on the sofa under the windows, her usual place that she had curled up with a book when the weather was dreary. It had been her and Draco's solace many times in the past year and it was comforting to her now.

Also no one knew about their hideout. She had warded it and had rarely added to it minutely since. They were completely cut off from the rest of the Manor, the strong silence spell on the room allowing them to rant freely and not be heard by anyone else. One of the wards was a powerful repel spell, forcing whoever wanted to enter to be turned away from it. Narcissa always complained that there was something in the attic, something they didn't want to deal with. Even Harry and Ron had never been up here. It was hers and Draco's place, which now included Fenrir, which she wasn't exactly sure why.

Draco frowned as he stretched out on another sofa across the open room, "I don't know what happened between them and Aunt Andromeda either."

She grimaced as she stared out the window, "I know I'm being unreasonable."

Fenrir stretched out on the floor, leaning his back against her sofa, "Not really. You've been trying to keep yourself open to them, at least from your last letter to me." She nodded at him, and he continued, "Obviously they aren't being open to you."

She sighed, "It's petty though."

Draco snorted as he kicked his shoes off, "No pettier than me being jealous that Ron wants to hang out with Cedric."

She and Fenrir shared a look, her voice soft and comforting, "Why are you? I mean he asked you to join right?"

Draco turned his head on the sofa cushion to look at her, "Yes but…" He ran his fingers through the rug below him, "Cedric has been flirting with Ron since the tournament. At this point I don't even know if he realizes it. I've noticed he's a naturally flirty person, I just…" He groaned unable to voice the strange emotions he was feeling.

Hermione smiled sympathetically at her best friend, "I get it. I've had a hard time voicing my emotions to my mates too. That night in the graveyard when I…" She struggled to say the words. She knew she had died but she had feared saying the words because she didn't want to upset her mate's further, they had suffered enough.

Draco frowned at her as Fenrir shifted around to look at her, concern dancing in his eyes. She sighed and stood, moving towards the windows beside the sofa, wrapping her arms around her middle, "When I died in that graveyard, I couldn't stop thinking about all the things I would miss. I don't know if it was limbo or what, but I was fully aware of my consciousness. I felt good about my decision. To die for my mates, to know that they would live on."

She felt Draco's arm wrap around her waist as he stood beside her, pulling her side tight against him, "That's the first time you've said it." his voice was gentle and quiet.

She nodded and leaned her head on his shoulder while she continued to stare out the window, "I don't want to hurt them by bringing it up. I haven't been able to really process it I guess."

Fenrir sat on the arm of the sofa, leaning back and lacing his fingers behind his head, "You should talk to them. Tell them how you feel about not knowing everything. It'll only bring you closer, but you must do it on your time. You can't force it."

She and Draco slowly turned to stare at him, her voice sounding as shocked as she felt, "When did you get to be so…?"

Draco sputtered, "Dare I say wise?"

Fenrir chuckled, the sound more like a deep growl vibrating his chest, "I'm a lot older than you kid. I've had life experiences ya know."

Hermione snorted and returned to the sofa, climbing onto it before sitting cross legged with her back resting in the corner opposite of Fenrir, "Do tell."

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Narcissa and Bellatrix paced the study, the warm fire casting shadows across the room. They had been confused when their mate had refused to let them follow her, but they had felt the hurt through the bond. They were extremely worried about Hermione, the connection to the mate bond having disappeared a few minutes after the girl had left them behind. They had tried to find her, searching the Manor and Narcissa had even ventured into Diagon Alley to try to find their girl. The connection hadn't returned yet and the sun was beginning to set, increasing their worry and driving their panic higher.

It wasn't as if Narcissa had willingly kept Andromeda from her. She honestly hadn't thought about it over the years. She had been so focused on Hermione and the feelings she had for the girl that her older sister had been far from her mind. She was more focused on getting closer to her mate, taking it at the girl's pace since she was so skittish when they first met. Though now she could see how the girl felt hurt and it was painful to think that she was the cause of it.

Bellatrix stopped to stare into the fire. So consumed by finding her mate, keeping her and trying not to lose her sanity in Azkaban, she really hadn't thought about her younger sister. Everything that had happened between them was on the back burner the moment she found herself in Azkaban and then even more so when her mate came into the picture. Now that her mate was pregnant with her child, she really hadn't given Andy a split second of her time.

She frowned into the flames, "Why didn't you never tell her about Andy?"

Narcissa collapsed on the sofa, "It wasn't like I was keeping it a secret Bella. I honestly didn't even think about it. I was so focused on the bond that I felt with Hermione, having to go slowly because the girl was more skittish than you when we first met."

Bellatrix turned to her with concern in her eyes, "What do you mean?"

Narcissa sighed heavily, "When Draco first introduced us, she was very quiet and reserved. She was bullied a lot and at the time I didn't know about her home life either. She was drawn to me, but she didn't understand why until Voldemort directed her to the book on mates through his old diary."

Bellatrix frowned as she sat beside her sister, curious about her mate but also about her how her sister had delt with everything, "How did you survive being so close to her?"

Narcissa stared down at her hands, "I lost it one day. I saw her in Diagon Alley the summer before her third year and couldn't resist kissing her. Draco told me everything that happened in the Chamber, and I was so terrified. I couldn't stop myself but when she kissed me back…" She smiled widely, tears burning her eyes, "I knew I couldn't resist anymore."

Narcissa smiled softly, "I wanted to be the safe place for her. The person that she would see that would keep her safe. I didn't want to scare her off but in third year when Sirius was loose, and we didn't know the truth I was so terrified that she and Harry were going to be hurt. Hermione wasn't sleeping much because she was using the time turner to take more classes and it was having an effect on her. I insisted that she stay the holidays with us so I could make sure she ate and slept enough. I wanted her to come for the entire summer but as you know it didn't happen. She was here for a few weeks but then returned to the Weasley's before anyone grew suspicious."

Bellatrix felt her anger rising, the uncontrollable need to harm everyone that hurt her mate. Finally, she shook her head, "I wouldn't have been able to let her go."

Narcissa nodded, "It was the hardest and most painful thing I have ever suffered… At least until…" she felt the tears burst from her eyes, "I can't even say it."

Bellatrix gathered her youngest sister in her arms, "Me either. I can't think about it because I feel myself slipping. The insanity that I felt in Azkaban is nothing like what I feel when I think about that night, those five minutes."

Narcissa sank into her sister's comfort, needing the closeness as the worry for their mate rose. She knew that this time they deserved Hermione's distance. While they didn't mean to hurt the girl, they had been the ones pushing for the girl to be open with them while not returning the favor. She wiped her eyes quickly as Voldemort's presence encompassed them, making them sit up straighter.

Voldemort sat in an armchair near the fire, "I take it she isn't back yet?" They shook their heads, keeping their eyes on the fire. He sighed, "We have all done things we regret. I regret not seeing everything sooner, being too consumed with my own selfishness that I didn't see Dumbledore's plan to take my family from me."

Narcissa couldn't stop herself from blurting out, "What happened?"

Voldemort smiled softly at her, "I think I should explain that when my daughter is present. As angry as she is with her mates it will be nothing compared to what she might feel if she gets it from you before me. You understand?"

Narcissa nodded, "Of course. My apologies my Lord."

He couldn't help but tease his daughter's mate, "I think since you are intimate with my daughter you can call me father if you like." Narcissa grimaced and Bellatrix's face turned into a mask of horror, causing him to burst into laughter. When he calmed, he shook his head, "It was a joke you two."

Bellatrix visibly relaxed, "Good because I think I would vomit if I had to call you that my Lord." Narcissa elbowed her sister with a sharp look.

He chuckled, "I have missed you Bellatrix."

Bellatrix smirked at him, "Feeling is mutual."

Narcissa frowned as she glanced up at the clock above the mantle, "Where is she?" The three of them fell into a tense silence.

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Hermione's body violently shook with laughter, struggling not to fall off the sofa as she shook her head at Fenrir, "I can actually picture it." She wiped tears from her eyes as Draco gasped for breath across the room, his own fit of laughter having sent him to the floor.

Fenrir nodded, "True story. Voldemort can attest to that one."

She rubbed her stomach, the bump still slightly foreign to her, as the muscles ached from laughing while she calmed. She hadn't realized how much time had passed as she glanced outside, seeing the dark ground since the moon was covered by clouds. She sighed as she realized the full moon would be on them soon. She frowned as she looked back at Fenrir, his smile wide and his eyes less tired and hard than she had ever seen them.

She focused on her magick and sent it towards him, gasping suddenly, eyes going wide. Fenrir turned his head to smile at her, "Finally figured out why you want me around?"

She shook her head quickly, "How?"

Fenrir chuckled as he stretched out on the floor again, "Ancient magick works differently, just like blood magick, sex magick. You have ancient magick since you fully bonded with your mate's, and you are the heir of Salazar Slytherin. This isn't uncommon in the ancient family magick's."

Draco frowned as he sat up, "What's going on?"

Hermione smirked, "Fenrir is my Familiar."

Draco snorted, "That explains why he's so protective of you, and will do your biding like with Borgin."

Fenrir nodded happily, "It's why I'm so calm. You sooth my beast because you are as much my protector as I am yours. It's soothed by your presence but will kill for you if you are ever threatened. I can help you learn spells better too, since our magick will combine slightly. Like offering you knowledge that you don't have but I do."

"So that's why you didn't eat me in Borgin and Burkes that day." She chuckled.

He nodded, "My beast would never harm you even when I lose myself during the full moon. You will be the only person to be able to approach me but I'm not sure he would let you out of his sight during that time."

She nodded, "Good to know. So, we have a bond?"

He nodded, "We do. It's nothing compared to your mate bonds, but it'll flare if needed. Like if I was in danger our injured. Same with your bond to me, I'll know if you are injured and in danger. Which I have to say is the most terrifying feeling in the world. I felt your pain at the world cup, your anger was overwhelming during the second task. Then when you…" His eyes grew distant and empty, "Do you have any idea what happens to a familiar when their witch dies?"

Hermione frowned as she saw the pain cross his face, her gasp echoing around the suddenly silent room as she felt his pain through their bond. It wasn't as strong as her bonds to Bellatrix and Narcissa, but it was definitely there. She could feel the pulsing pain that shook it violently and she grasped her chest, her breathing coming in short painful gasps. She threw herself off the sofa and wrapped her arms around his neck, his face quickly becoming buried in her chest as his tears flowed freely.

Draco watched on in horror. He had never seen the sadistic man look so broken before, let alone seeing him cry violently. He caught Hermione's tear-filled eyes and knew that she was feeling everything he was as the werewolf clutched at Hermione's shirt. It broke his heart to see so much pain and hated himself for not thinking to check in on him after the tournament had ended. As much as the werewolf scared him, he knew the man had a heart of black gold.

Hermione tightened her hold on the sobbing man, knowing that there was nothing she could do to sooth him. He needed to let it out, to process the feelings that were so foreign to him. She kissed his temple and offered quiet soothing words as she sat beside him, keeping her arms tight around him.

She wasn't sure how long they sat in silence until a soft snore escaped Draco's lips as he slept on the sofa. She ran her fingers through Fenrir's long hair as he slept with his head in her lap. She was exhausted but refused to leave her familiar while he was still suffering. She'd have to do some research on the familiar bond in the morning since it was another thing that Dumbledore was obviously keeping from the public.

She took a deep breath and focused on her mate bonds, frowning when she didn't feel them. She opened herself as full as she could, even dropping the walls around her mind completely but still didn't feel anything. She felt the panic surge through her body at not being able to feel her mates. Were they safe? Were they still at home? Had the left and not told her?

She couldn't stop her body from shaking, worry filling her heart with dread. She needed to see her mate's, to feel them. She needed to know if they were injured. A burst of sunlight filled the room as the sun rose and she gently shook Fenrir's shoulder, "Fen it's time to get up."

Draco groaned as he popped his back, "We need better sofa's up here." His voice was still thick with sleep.

She chuckled as Fenrir grumbled sleepily but didn't move. She tugged on his hair gently, "Fen I have to go check on my mates. I don't feel the bond." Her voice shook with worry which seemed to jolt the wolf awake.

"How long?" He could feel her concern.

She shook her head, feeling a wave of guilt crash over her, "I don't know."

She pushed herself to her feet, her legs stiff after having been in that position for the last few hours. She rushed towards the stairs and hurried down them. She stepped out of her wards with Draco and Fenrir behind her, opening herself widely, nearly screaming out for her mates in her mind.

She felt the reconnection as she sprinted through the Manor, heading directly for the study where she could feel her mate's anger and worry radiating towards her. She skidded around the corner after running down the stairs and found her mate's tense bodies standing in front of the fireplace. She hurried towards them, hesitating only when she neared them.

Her eyes scanned their bodies for injury as she stopped slightly more than arm's length away, "Where did you go?"

Bellatrix's anger was radiating throughout the room, "Where we went?" She glared at her mate, "We weren't the ones who left."

She frowned, "I didn't feel you. Why did you close yourself off?"

Narcissa placed a hand on Bellatrix's shoulder, feeling the bond to her mate pulsing with sadness and rejection as tears gathered in the girl's eyes, "Wait. We didn't close ourselves off. We thought you did."

Bellatrix rushed forward, wrapping her arms around her mate, "What's wrong little witch?"

Hermione shook her head, "If I didn't close off and neither did you two then how come you didn't know I was with Draco and Fen upstairs?"

Narcissa frowned, "Hermione we searched the entire Manor twice last night."

"Not to mention the search when we felt the bond close after you left the library yesterday morning." Bellatrix said softly, kissing her mate's temple. She didn't like how scared her mate was.

Hermione wrapped her arms around Bellatrix's waist, burying her face in the woman's neck, hiding behind the dark curls. Her body slowly relaxed as she inhaled Bellatrix's soothing scent. She knew she was becoming over emotional, and she hated it. She placed a kiss to the soft skin under her lips before pulling back.

Narcissa approached her from behind, "Did you not sleep last night my little one?"

She shook her head as Fenrir entered the room, "I just received an Owl from Borgin. I'll be back later Hermione."

She nodded at him with a smile, "Thank you Fen."

He nodded as he entered the fireplace, "Anytime." He disappeared in a rush of green flames.

Narcissa raised a curious eyebrow but let it go at the dark circles under her mate's eyes, "Come. Let's go to bed." Hermione nodded and took Narcissa's outstretched hand, letting the women guide her up to their bedroom.

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Hermione slowly returned to consciousness; unsure how much time had passed. She remembered clutching her mate's tightly as she cried herself to sleep, unable to speak. Unable to voice anything as all the emotions swirled around her mind. She was confused as to why she couldn't feel the bonds to them while they had been in the attic, especially since it seemed that none of them had closed off this time.

Her mates worry, panic, and even some fear had hit her full force.

She kissed Narcissa's lips lightly before extracting herself from their tangled limbs. She brushed her lips across Bellatrix's temple, taking in the dark curls that were spread across the woman's pillow as she slumbered. She slipped into the ensuite and showered before dressing and heading downstairs.

She slipped into the kitchen seeing the darkened sky outside, the sun not quite rising yet. She shook her head at the fact that she had slept the entire day while she scoured the cabinets for something to eat. Kreacher appeared with a loud pop, and she felt her heart leap into her throat, "Why does everyone insist on popping in on me unannounced?"

Kreacher eyed her warily, his wrinkly face scrunching up slightly, "Why do you insist on appearing in the kitchen instead of calling on me?"

She eyed him carefully, "Because I actually like cooking."

Kreacher seemed to think for a moment before saying gruffly, "Because how is Kreacher supposed to announce his appearance before he's even in the room."

She opened her mouth for a moment before closing it again, raising an eyebrow at him, "Touché."

A grin appeared on the elf's face before she turned back towards the food she had gathered, "May Kreacher be of service Missus?"

She shrugged and they began to work in tandem. She began to hum to fill the painful silence that surrounded them in the early morning, smiling when she noticed Kreacher begin to dance around the kitchen. After an hour they had a nice meal laid out on the counter and she motioned for Kreacher to try some. They ate in companiable silence for a few minutes until the elf frowned at her.

"Kreacher is sorry for his insults," his voice was so low that she nearly missed it.

She raised an eyebrow at him, "You don't have to apologize. It's all you ever knew, were taught." He watched her curiously, his large eyes sparkling with something that she couldn't name.

"You're up early," Voldemort's voice filtered through the room quietly.

She glanced over at the door as Kreacher froze, terror appearing on his face. She patted his hand with a soft smile before answering, "Slept all day."

Her father crossed the room and sat across the counter from her, "Where did you go?"

She frowned at him, "Why does everyone think I left. Draco, Fen and I were upstairs the entire time."

He filled a plate with the eggs, bacon and pancakes that she and Kreacher had made, "Did you close off?" At her head shake he frowned, "If you didn't and they didn't, how was the bond cut off?"

She shrugged, "No idea. How are you feeling?" He grinned widely and she grimaced, "Never mind. Harry is my best friend. I don't wanna know."

He chuckled, "As long as I don't have to hear yours either. Its bad enough that your," he smirked wickedly but she quickly cut him off.

"Deal. Who's my mother?" She asked, her curiosity getting the better of her finally.

"You haven't figured it out yet?" He asked around a mouthful.

She glared at him slightly, "McGonagall or Hooch."

He laughed, "Well at least you narrowed it down. You are so much like both of them."

She grimaced, "You aren't going to tell me, are you?"

He shook his head, "I'm finding it too fun, and your mother is dying to see if you really are the brightest witch of your age."

She narrowed her eyes at him, "I'll tell Harry you're flirting with her."

His eyes darkened slightly, "I'll tell your mates you're flirting with Fenrir. Bellatrix already wants to kill him."

She crossed her arms over her chest, "Fenrir is my familiar."

His jaw dropped, "Familiar?" He blinked a few times before shaking his head, "You really are powerful. Most only get the usual. Harry has Hedwig and I never had one, but to have a werewolf…." His eyes danced with intrigue.

She rolled her eyes, "I'll just do a blood test."

He laughed, "Fine but won't you miss out on solving the puzzle? Getting the clues and putting your best sleuthing skills to the test? I hear their amazing."

She felt the internal groan rising in her throat. She knew she had been bested. What was the point of getting the answer easily when most of the fun was in the researching and investigating. If she had truly wanted a quick answer, she would have had Snape perform the blood test before the beginning of the year. She grimaced and he burst into laughter.

She stood with her dishes and carried them to the sink, "Aren't fathers supposed to guide their children?"

He nodded proudly, "Yes and I'm guiding you on not taking the easy way out of things. Sometimes the easy way isn't the most efficient way."

She turned back to him with a raised eyebrow. She had heard that same advice before, but for the life of her she couldn't remember where she heard it. She felt her bond with Narcissa surge with panic and she smiled at him before hurrying out of the room. She ran upstairs and found Narcissa hurrying towards her from the bedroom.

Narcissa's arms wrapped around her neck, "Did you finally get hungry enough to wake?"

She kissed the woman's lips softly, "Yes. Bella still asleep?"

Narcissa snorted, "You know she's not an early riser."

She nodded then frowned, "Narcissa I never left yesterday, you do believe me, don't you?"

The older witch sighed, "We searched everywhere little one."

She took Narcissa's hand, "Trust me?"

Narcissa frowned, "Of course." She pulled the older woman with her towards the stairs to the attic, pausing at the bottom as Narcissa pulled her to a stop, "Why are we coming here?"

She grinned, "I'm showing you where I was with Draco and Fen yesterday."

Concern quickly appeared on Narcissa's face, the panic flaring through the bond, "You were up here. Hermione-"

She kissed the woman, cutting off her words, "Trust me." She pulled the hesitant woman up the stairs and into the decorated attic.

Narcissa felt the uncomfortable feeling, the need to run, disappear as soon as she crossed the wards and continued up the stairs. The attic was nothing like she remembered it, but she could see Draco and Hermione's tastes everywhere. One corner near the fireplace was full of books, piles and overflowing bookcases. On the other end of the room was Quidditch equipment and muggle comic books that Draco loved. The large open room was warm and inviting and she could see Hermione and Draco in everything.

"This is where you two would always disappear to. The wards?" Narcissa asked as she pulled the younger witch closer.

Hermione frowned, "It was just supposed to keep people out but I'm worried that you two couldn't feel me nor I you two. Did something happen to the wards? Draco and I haven't touched them since we first put them up."

Narcissa pulled her wand out and began to study the intricate wards that held Draco and Hermione's magic. She was impressed by them and the fact that she never noticed them before. After a few minutes she discovered the issue. She smiled, "Looks like your pregnancy is messing with your magick. When you entered here feeling upset it protected you a little too much. I can remove it if you'd like but leave the rest as it was."

Hermione nodded, "Please. I don't like being cut off from you two anymore. I'm so sorry Cissy."

Narcissa shook her head and quickly pulled her younger witch into her arms tightly, "You didn't do it on purpose but now we know that this child is going to affect your magick. You'll have to be careful and try to keep calm."

Hermione snorted, "Yes because Bella going out on raids constantly is going to keep me perfectly calm."

Narcissa chuckled as she refocused on the suffocating ward, "Maybe the Dark Lord can send her less. She'd rather be where you need her."

Hermione curled her lip up, "And have her complain because I'm keeping her from having fun."

Narcissa frowned, wanting to respond to her mate but also needing to focus on the complicated string that was so tightly woven in the ward. It was a slight shock to see how strong and powerful the line was as she tried to untie it from the rest. A bead of sweat appeared on her forehead ten minutes later as she finally broke the ward.

Hermione gasped as she felt Bellatrix's anger surging through her body, "Bella's angry."

Narcissa held her hand out to her and she quickly took it, allowing the woman to pull her back down the stairs. They hurried through the halls before descending the stairs where Bellatrix's anger was palpable. Hermione could feel the bond pulsing, as if she was being summoned to her dark witch. She rounded the corner and found Bellatrix pacing in the study, eyes distant, mind not completely there.

She hurried across the room and reached for her mate, "Bellatrix?"

Bellatrix spun on her heel, eyes darker than she had ever seen them, "Where have you been?"

She frowned, halting a few feet from the raging woman, "I was showing Narcissa where I was yesterday."

Bellatrix glanced over at Narcissa, seeing her sister nod, "It seems her pregnancy is affecting her magick. She and Draco have commandeered the attic for a while now, which is why we all feel like we shouldn't be there. When she entered their wards upset her magick protected herself, accidently cutting off the emotions to us. I'm guess it's the same spell that Dumbledore uses to block her from us."

Bellatrix turned back to her young mate, "I'm sorry my Vixen."

Hermione felt her body tremble with the worry that she had seriously angered her mate. She couldn't understand why she felt so vulnerable. It wasn't like she hadn't seen Bellatrix angry before, even at her but this was different. This was stronger and something inside of her was begging her to sooth her mate, to prove she could be trusted.

But she hadn't done anything wrong.

As the confusing emotions swirled through her mind Bellatrix wrapped her arms around her tightly, "It's the pregnancy little witch. You're feeling needy and wanting to make me happy, so I don't leave you. I can promise you that I never will, but it won't do any good while your emotions and magick's are so off kilter."

Hermione shook her head and blinked back her tears, "Please tell me this will pass."

Narcissa chuckled softly as she approached them slowly, cautiously, "It will but unfortunately not until you deliver." She frowned at the hesitance that Narcissa had, feeling like the older witch didn't want to come near her, causing Narcissa to groan, "This is going to be harder than I thought."

Bellatrix shook her head, "Cissy is moving slowly because I'm going to be more overprotective of you. Even though she's my sister and your mate, I don't want anyone near you. You are mine and I won't let anyone harm you."

She relaxed into Bellatrix's hold, "But she won't."

Bellatrix nodded, kissing her softly, "I know that but it's the need to protect what's mine. My mate, my child. If it was Narcissa's child, she would do the same as me and I would do the same as her. Think of it as an injured animal backed into the corner. Any sudden movements towards you could set me off, instinctually, without warning. I can't control it anymore than you can your magick right now."

Hermione swallowed thickly, a sudden wave of arousal flooding her body, her jeans, "So can I touch her, because I like the touch. It makes me feel safer."

Bellatrix laughed, "Of course you can. Her only. If anyone else were to touch you, I would have a need to take you to bed and show you who you belong to. Again instinct. I'm sorry ahead of time."

She raised an eyebrow at her, her desire climbing higher at the thought of it, "This is going to be a long pregnancy."

Narcissa's body pressed into her back, pinning her between the two sisters and she shivered in pleasure. She had never thought about having her mates at the same time before, but she couldn't deny that having their bodies flush with hers was overwhelming her senses. She reached a hand behind her and gripped Narcissa's ass, using her other hand to slide up into dark wild curls. She felt Narcissa's teeth graze her neck while Bellatrix captured her lips in a rough passionate kiss.

She decided it was already shaping up to be an interesting summer.