Hey all! Here's a new update! Sorry for the lateness :(
This chapter is a little longer than the earlier chapters
There will be more changes to the dates of events.
Again, I absolutely appreciate all of the comments and questions!
So, without further ado, enjoy!
Chapter 9
The library was just silent after Harry's quiet acceptance. The Dark Lord was allowing the revelation to sink in, he knew that the boy needed the time. He knew that after finding out that everything you have been told was a lie was almost too traumatic to swallow. True to the Dark Lord's assumption, Harry continued to sit in catatonia, his mind looping the truth of his parents' death, a truth that had been previously unknown to all but Dumbledore and the serpentine wizard. Besides his one word reply, the Boy Wonder didn't truly know how to reply, or rather, didn't really know what to think. Everything that Dumbledore told him was a lie. All of the abuse, starvation, bullying, yearly trials, all of it was not caused by Voldemort, no, it was done by Dumbledore. Everything, his whole life, had been a lie; all because of one old, meddlesome, greedy, power hungry man. Even though, Harry did not know what to do or say, he did know though that his allegiance has changed. As he tried to figure out who his allegiance was shifting to, the library door opened disrupting the silence and Harry's inner turmoil.
Finally returning from the manor's infirmary, Harry watched as a regal, and oddly smug looking, Narcissa strolled in with a somewhat amused looking Bellatrix who was pushing a wheelchair bound Hermione. Hermione simply looked livid due to her current predicament, however, Harry didn't notice her facial expression, but instead only took note of the wheelchair. He abruptly stood up to make his way over to his apparently worse off best friend. However, having known that this action was coming, Narcissa held up a hand, stopping the boy in mid stride, "she is doing fine, Mr. Potter, Hermione is only residing in this chair so she doesn't continue to put too much strain on her body." The fair-haired witch spoke as she sent the girl of topic a pointed glare with a raised eyebrow, Hermione simply glowered at the witch.
Harry took a second before he let out a small chuckle which grew when the teen witch turned her glare from Narcissa to himself. "How did you manage to keep her in it because I can imagine that she has already tried to get out of it."
Narcissa smirked in return, "oh she has, and so she doesn't continue her fruitless attempts, I—"
"She spelled my ass to this god forsaken contraption," Hermione growled out.
"Language," four voices echoed, admonished at the girl's foul mouth, causing Hermione to glare at all of the adults, while ignoring the faint utterance of 'Lady Romanov'.
"Anyway," Bellatrix spoke up, "I imagine you two were able to talk." She spoke it more as a statement rather than a question as she noticed the relatively calm and somewhat cordial atmosphere that blanketed the three wizards. The Dark Lord simply raised his eyebrow at Harry, clearing questioning if the boy learned everything that he needed to know.
Taking the pointed look as an indicator to answer, Harry cleared his throat before turning to the questioning dark witch. "Umm, yes, we did. Umm, I learned a few things that really…shifted my perspective on much things."
Hermione narrowed her eyes at the vague statement, "that's very loquacious of an answer, care to be more specific?"
Harry slightly fidgeted under her fixed stare, "well…it seems as though there was more information that we have been told that turned out to be lies." Hermione nodded in understanding, especially after what she heard earlier from Bellatrix and Narcissa. She chose not to push it any further, however, she did make a mental note to ask about it later.
There was a moment of an awkward silence before Hermione spoke up again, turning her gaze to the serpentine wizard. "I apologize for the bluntness of my question but what do I call you because I will not refer to you as 'my Lord'." Everyone paused after the question was posed. Harry looked at her as if she had grown an extra head, whereas the members of the Black family froze with unreadable expressions—though their eyes did look from the girl to the Dark Lord, waiting for his response. Hermione simply rose an eyebrow as she waited for her expected answer.
At last, the Dark Lord replied with a boisterous laugh at the unbridled spirit of the Romanov heir, "I appreciate your candor, it is delightful to have someone display an unyielding personality of frankness. It reminds of the formidable personality of your mother that I have heard so much about." Hermione slightly blushed at the comparison between herself and her forgotten mama. "And to answer your question, I would never have you lower yourself to such place of calling or referring to me as 'your Lord' when we are meant to be equals and when your union with our dear Bella becomes official, it will be the same for her. So, please, you may call me, Tom."
Hermione was shocked by these words; he had dubbed them as equal. It was at this moment that Hermione truly realized who she really was. Yes, she had accepted the evidence and the fact that she is this long lose duchess, but when the Dark—no, Tom, called themselves equals and that he would never allow herself to be lower or beneath him. However, that wasn't the only bit of information that shocked the newly revealed duchess. It was the part about her union with Bellatrix. Confused, Hermione asked, "union with Bella? What do you mean by 'union'?" She asked while looking between the Dark Lord and the, surprisingly, sheepish Bellatrix.
Chuckling, "My dear, I don't believe that I need to define the term, 'union', for you. However, we do have something that may help you understand it a little better." And with that, Bellatrix flicked her wrist and out of nowhere, a familiar looking bluish glowing orb materialized into the dark witch's hand. Both of the teens sat up straighter than usual at the sight.
"Is that a prophecy?" Harry asked apprehensively.
"Very astute of you, Mr. Potter. Yes, it is a prophecy. Hermione's to be exact," Bellatrix replied as she looked solely at the said witch.
This confused the teens, "but how? I thought only the person to whom the prophecy was about could take it," Hermione asked.
"Yes and no. If you are a part of the prophecy, you too can take ahold of it."
"But then why did you need me to get mine if it was about you too?" Harry asked the Dark Lord. However, it was Bellatrix who answered.
"Do you honestly believe that it would be a smart idea for the Dark Lord to go himself? Into a heavily guarded Ministry and risk exposure of our plans to get the prophecy that will lead them to set traps and wards for any future attempts? Seriously, Potter, honestly? Your truly lucky to have Hermione, here, as a best friend. How you managed to survive all these years is just…astounding." Harry bristled under the admonished witch's incredulous glare.
The Dark Lord simply laughed, "it's alright, Bella, he has a right to question. It is a reasonable inquiry considering the fact that he thought we were trying to kill them." He laughed a little bit longer before he gestured for Bellatrix to continue.
Taking the cue, Bellatrix cleared her throat, turning her attention back to the teen witch. "Hermione, as I have already said, this is your prophecy. This will help you understand everything a little bit better. Here," the raven-haired witch handed over the glowing orb, "listen carefully." Nodding her head, the auburn-haired witch took ahold of the prophecy and looked into it. The orb swirled before it revealed a face of an old, haggard-looking woman who spoke with a grave voice.
Secreted into this world, the last daughter will rise. With her journey entwined with that of the son born as the seventh month dies, the breaker of chains will restore the world from its darkened state. Like an animal waiting for her chance, she will pounce to restore her place. With her union to the Amazon star, the world will shake. For their love will decide the darkness' fate. And the House of the Double-Headed Eagle shall rule again.
As quickly as the voice came, the voice left just a fast, but Hermione had heard it clearly. She was already deciphering its contents. Everything was basically straightforward for the Brightest Witch of Her Age; however, it was the second to last part that gave her pause. With her union to the Amazon star…I've read that name before…it was some light reading for astronomy class. Constellations and Their Stars! That's it! That's where I read that name; it's another name for the third brightest star in Orion's belt, the…Bellatrix star. She is my fated love, my…soulmate…and our…love is meant to restore this world. That—-"Hermione?"
"Huh," Hermione looked up from the orb in her hands to the concern eyes of Harry.
"Are you okay?"
"Huh," she blinked before she finally understood the question, "ah, yes, I'm fine, I was just thinking about what I just heard." And after noticing Harry's questioning gaze, she simply handed the boy the orb for him to listen to it. About a minute later, the boy's eyes refocused onto his best friend as he scrunched up his nose.
"Most of it makes sense, but I'm confused by the Amazon star bit." It was a simple statement, but Hermione knew it to be a question.
Instead of looking at the boy, Hermione instead stared directly into the equally intense onyx eyes of Bellatrix. "After doing some light reading for an astronomy paper, I came across a book that mentions that star. It is an alternative name for the third brightest star of Orion's Belt, which the common name is Bellatrix." The auburn-haired witch noticed how the boy went slack-jawed at the revelation, but she ignored it, instead kept her eyes trained on the now intense, smoldering eyes. "It means that I'm to be fated with Bella, that we are soulmates. And that it is our love and union that will restore this world." Even though Hermione had been maintaining an intense staredown with the dark witch, she couldn't help but shiver as the smoldering eyes, shockingly, became much more intense, which caused Hermione to feel a flutter in her core.
They stayed like that, staring into each other's soul until a cough disrupted their concentration. "As enchanting as it is to bear witness the…uhh…fruition of your union, we must move on to a previous question that we have yet to answer. I'm sure you both will have enough time to acquaint yourselves at a later time. However, Anastasia, or do you prefer to go by Hermione?" the Dark Lord asked.
Looking uncomfortable for the first time about her name, she opted to go with the name that had been raised with, "Hermione, please, and there is one other question that I would like answered as well."
"Of course, Hermione, why don't we address your question first, lest we wish to forget to return to it."
"Umm, okay," Hermione rotated her gaze between all of the adults, "so multiple times, my brother…ahhh…Alexei was mentioned, as well as the part that he too was spared and brought here to the future." She garnered several synced nods from the four adults, "so then, who is my brother? And was he brought to the same time as myself?" Movement caught her eye, she turned to look at Bellatrix, who seemed to slightly squirm in her seat. "Bella?" Said witch froze at the utterance of her name, "who is my brother?"
Clearing her throat, she sent a fleeting glance to her sister before settling it back on her young mate, "Neville Longbottom." Both Harry and Hermione froze at the name. They looked towards each other, having a silent conversation remembering the story of Neville's parents. "And he was brought here in 1981, shortly before the utterance of Potter's and the Dark Lord's prophecy." This confused the witch, as she assumed that he was brought to the same time as herself. Upon noticing Hermione's facial expression, Bellatrix continued speaking on, "He was born three years after you and your parents and governesses thought that it was best to bring you to a time where you both be the same or close age to avoid any possible detection of your presences in the current time. So, in this time, he is less than a year younger than you rather than the cataloged three-year age gap." Understanding the logic behind the time differences, Hermione nodded her head, accepting the answer.
"And what of his parents? You went to Azkaban, along with the Lestrange brother and baby Crouch, for the torture of his parents." Bellatrix wanted to laugh at the moniker that Hermione befitted Crouch Junior but she knew it was best to remain serious, lest she wishes to piss off her love and her best friend.
Gulping, Bellatrix apprehensively spoke, "that night, after the Dark Lord's and your parents' death, Mr. Potter, his inner circle began devising plans to isolate Order members to figure out where our Lord had gone since he disappeared without a trace. It was shortly after we had sent Hermione off to live with the Grangers, that I caught wind of the plans of Rudolphus, Rabastan, and Barty and their intention to interrogate and torture the Longbottoms. I went to go stop them from harming the family, however, I was too late, but I did manage to save Neville from the same fate of his adoptive parents' by casting a crucio at dear Rudo, but before I could get out with Neville, the aurors showed up and arrested the four of us on sight."
"But if you tried to save them, then why didn't you plead not guilty at your trial? Why sit there smug and righteous for the crimes that you did not commit?" This time it was Harry who questioned.
"Simple. It was part of the act that I had to play. I had to do everything that I had to do in order to protect Hermione and Neville. Regardless of my obvious connection with Hermione, their survival was of the utmost importance and the most crucial aspect of my mission. If I was to plead not guilty, there would be immediate suspicion as to why I wouldn't take pleasure in the torture of two very prominent aurors when I have been dubbed the mistress of torture. Questions would have been raised, and when the wrong people went about seeking those answers, they would be suspicious of the sudden appearance of Neville, which would put him in danger. Hermione was relatively safe living in the muggle world, but Neville, he was not, especially with his parents in the state that is in."
Both the teens nodded in understanding, as to why the dark witch had let herself be dragged to Azkaban and as to the understanding of the severity of the situation. This explanation put Bellatrix in a new light for both Harry and Hermione, especially for Hermione. The thoughtfulness and the willingness to herself through years of endless psychological torture for the young witch and her brother made Hermione's heart soar, and the teen was reminded of the dream of her younger self, sobbing and clutching onto the dark witch, begging for her to not leave. It reminded her of the strong and beautiful woman that poured so much love into her soft words. Hermione couldn't help but gaze at Bella with a loving expression, who in return sent her own loving smile back.
Harry watched the display of silent emotions pass between the two witches, it was at this moment that Harry realized where his allegiance would reside with. Even though it would take him time to fully trust the Dark Lord, Bellatrix, and Narcissa, he would side with them. Actually, he would follow Hermione and by extension, stand with the dark trio, especially Bellatrix.
Some tea about one aspect of the prophecy:
Anastasia in Russian means 'breaker of chains' and in Greek means 'resurrection'
I hope you all liked it!
