Hello all! Wow, super long time since I last updated this story. Apologies to you all for my lateness. But now, here is another chapter :)
Since I haven't updated since October, I just want to say that I hope everyone's new year has started off well.
Thank you for your comments! As I have said before, I absolutely love reading them!
Now without much further ado, enjoy!
Chapter 15
There was only one word to describe how Hermione felt at this moment: depressed. It is the morning after their return to No. 12 Grimmauld Place and the teen witch desperately wished to be back in the superlunary garden that had become her safe haven, wrapped in those strong, soft, protective arms of her love.
The Weasleys had already been there by the time they had returned, and that just made the Heiress miss her new family even more. They were obtrusive, suffocating, nosy, and greedy while Bella, Cissy, Neville, and Draco—or rather all of the Blacks, Malfoys, Tom, and Neville—were respectful, caring, supportive, and loving.
Sitting at the window bench in her room, Hermione leaned against the strong glass. She was grateful for her familial relationship with Sirius when it came to the room assignments. Before they left for Black Manor, Sirius had given her her own room right across the landing from Harry's room. However, when they got back, Mrs. Weasley insisted that the girl share a room with Ginny again, citing that it was for safety and company reasons. As the only two teen girls in the house filled with a majority of men, it was prudent for the girls to stick together. But, thankfully for Hermione though, Sirius put his foot down, saying that this was his house and that Hermione had the right to privacy and her own space. There was more than enough room in the entire place for every occupant to have their own room and plus some.
Looking down at the ring on her right ring finger, Hermione couldn't help but smile at the memory it brought up.
Instead of heading back to the Manor when their daily walk was coming to an end, Hermione was pleasantly surprised when Bella lead her to a completely other section of the property. She had never been over here before. Unlike the rest of the garden, the area was more closed off, significantly more surrounded by trees—evergreens to be specific with a few willows sporadically spread out. There was a decently sized, glittering lake, though not as big as the Black Lake at Hogwarts. Settling under one of the willows, Bellatrix pulled Hermione to her person for a short embrace before turning to look out at the lake. "This was always my favorite spot to go to when I lived here and now that I do once more, I like to come out here to think to get away.
"After I had to leave you with the Grangers for your protection, I would spend hours out here, almost every day, just thinking and waiting. Waiting for the day to get you back, permanently." Hermione stared at Bellatrix as the dark witch spoke while looking over the lake. "But, I don't have to wait any longer," she turned to stare into Hermione's eyes. "You're here now." Tears threatened her eyes but she held them back from falling. "But, now you have to leave again."
"Aye. Only for a short while," came the reluctant reply. Looking down, Bellatrix pulled something out of her pocket and gently placed it into Hermione's hand. She watched as her little dove froze with shock upon looking at the small black velvet box.
Gingerly opening it, Hermione gasped as she was a beautiful ring. "Bella?" She was shocked. She didn't know what to think.
Lightly laughing at the girl's expression, "Before you leave, I wanted to give you something that reminds you of my love for you. Even though it is a beautiful and transfixing stone, it is not as beautiful and transfixing as you."
Hermione's eyes watered and her heart filled with love and warmth. "It's beautiful," she said as she gazed down at the stone. It was an alexandrite and due to the dancing light, that filtered through the weeping willow tree branches, its color was shifting between purple, grey, and if you look really close, you can see a glint of green.
Bella called for Hermione's attention once more from the gem as she spoke again while taking the ring from her. "Here," she said before she pulled the ring from the box and slipped onto the younger witch's right ring finger. Hermione shivered as she felt warmth wash over her. It made her feel…safe and loved. "It is also my way of protecting you while I can't physically be there for you. While it is not there to protect you from most hexes and curses, it will protect you from any mind magic, love potions, and poisons."
"Ming magic? The imperius curse?" Hermione's forehead furrowed.
"Yes, and others such as legilimency. Even though you already have practically impenetrable walls, it just adds another barrier."
Smiling, "thank you, it's perfect. And it will always remind me of you," Hermione said with a smile before softly kissing the dark witch.
Smiling, she fiddled with the piece of jewelry before looking over her shoulder towards the door when she heard a light knock. However, she didn't get the chance to call out when the door opened quietly revealing a lightly smiling Harry Potter. "Hey," she smiled.
"Hey, Mione," he returned the smile. "How did you sleep?" He asked while taking a seat opposite of Hermione.
The witch gave him a strained smile. "It was…okay. I wish we were still there with everyone." She looked out the window. "I miss her," Hermione said as she played with her ring. Turning back to the boy, she noticed that mirroring actions. She faintly smiled. He had gotten a similar gift from Draco as she did from Bellatrix. He practically blushed when she first noticed his emerald ring as he walked hand in hand with his love into the dining room that evening.
"I know. I miss him, too," Harry gave her a comforting smile.
"How did you sleep," she asked after a moment.
"Hmm, the same as you. It was okay. It kind of felt lonely, sleeping in my bed." Pausing, the young wizard quickly realized what he had said. Harry blushed as Hermione smirked with a raised eyebrow.
"Oh, really?" She asked with an amused tone.
"It's not what you think," her eyebrow rose even higher of the statement. Blushing more, "seriously, nothing happened. We just…cuddled one night and we ended up falling asleep. And then it happened the next night, and then the next, and it went on after that." Hermione roared with laughter. "Oh, come on. Don't tell me you haven't done anything similar if not more than that with Bellatrix." It was now Hermione's turn to blush, causing Harry to laugh and smugly smirk right back. "Knew it. What did you two do?" He asked with mirth filling his tone.
Blushing, Hermione looked out the window again as she thought of what transpired the night before they left.
Looking out to the moon, the auburn-haired witch felt arms wrap around her little waist. She sighed and leaned back into the strong body pressed up behind her as she felt soft kisses run along her shoulder up to her neck. Hands caressed her torso before they settled on hips.
With gentle urging and guidance from those tempting and encouraging hands, Hermione turned around to be greeted by soft, demanding lips. Responding in kind, the girl threaded her fingers into those thick, raven curls, pulling the woman's head closer.
Continuing her exploration, Bella skimmed her hands over the entirety of Hermione's back before one arm curled around the waist while the other hand traveled lower, gently grasping her dove's smooth and firm backside. The little witch groaned, earning her a triumphant smirk from the dark witch. She pressed herself even closer against those deliciously soft lips. She whined soon enough, however, when those teasing lips pulled away.
Pressing their foreheads together, Bellatrix chuckled with her throaty laugh at the whine and unconscious pout. "Not yet, my sweet. Neither of us are ready for that yet. I don't want to rush you or this. But, how about we take a hot bath instead? Before we go to bed?"
Flushing at the sentiment, Hermione gave a mute nod.
"Umm," burning red at the memory, "nothing really. Besides cuddling and sleeping together, we may have taken a few baths together…" Harry's eyebrow arched high to his hairline. "But, she never went too far." She smiled at remembering her considerate and loving witch.
Harry smiled but it soon morphed into confusion. "Wait, how is bathing together not going too far?"
Tilting her head, thinking, "well, there was nothing sexual about. It was more comforting and relaxing. I don't really know how to describe it other than it felt nice…and right. And no pressure of any kind."
Harry smiled and nodded but offered no verbal response before he too looked out the window.
After some time, the pair heard a knock on the door. Calling out, the door opened at Hermione's allowance. With a beaming expression, Tonks stepped into the room. "Wotcher, Hermione, Harry. I figured you would be together."
"Hey, Dora," Hermione greeted with a smile.
"Hey, Tonks," Harry greeted at the same time causing the metamorphmagus to laugh.
During the summer, despite her not being able to be there too much, the two teens were able to form closer friendships with the older witch. Hermione's to the point that the metamorphmagus allowed for the teen to address her by a shortened version of her much detested first name. The witch and wizard were grateful for their friendship with her; for the last two weeks of summer, she will be living in the house with them. As far as the Order is concerned, officially, she would be there for all of the students' protections. However, really, she was there for Hermione and Harry's protection as well as for their sanity. Someone besides Sirius had to be there as a buffer for the pair with the Weasleys.
"What brings you here on this fine morning?" Hermione asked with slight sarcasm.
The metamorphmagus smiled sympathetically, "Molly sent me to fetch you for breakfast."
The pair groaned, causing the auror to laugh. "Do we have to?" Harry whined.
"Yeah," came the regretful response. "You have to make it seem like you don't know anything and that you have no issues with any of them."
With a displeased tone, "Alright then, lead the way;" Hermione set her poker face.
As they made their way down to the kitchen, they quietly passed Walburga Black's portrait. "Your Highness," came a respectful whisper.
Pausing in shock, Hermione looked to her left at the sentient painting. The painted witch simply smile, "wha…?"
"Good morning…Duchess," again another respectful whisper.
"How do you…" Hermione dumbly asked.
"Know who you really are?" The teen witch nodded numbly. Smiling, "I've always known, silly child."
"But, last summer?"
"Acting," came the amused response.
Hermione internally chided herself for her stupidity at failing to notice the obvious. She opened her mouth to respond but was quickly interrupted.
"FILTHY MUDBLOODS AND HALFBLOODS IN MY HOUSE!" The trio jumped at the screech and then noticed the approaching steps.
"Oh, shut it you bloody bint," Tonks convincingly snapped as two ginger teen came up the stairs.
"Mione! Harry! We wer—" Ginny started.
"FILTHY BEASTS IN MY HOUSE! GET OUT! GET OUT, YOU FILTHY BLOOD TRAITORS! GET OU—" The screeching was cut off by a silencing spell from the annoyed auror. Swiftly shutting the curtains, Tonks ushered the group of Gryffindors down the last two flights of stairs towards the musty kitchen.
Upon their entrance, Hermione and Harry found a seemingly genuine, beaming smile aimed at them from the Weasley matriarch. "Ah, finally you're awake. Good morning dears!" Engulfing them in quick, yet crushing hug from the witch, she forced them into seats where Harry sat beside Ginny opposite of where Hermione was forcibly seated next to Ron. "Goodness, you two look absolutely peakish," she was aghast. "You are far too thin, especially you Harry. Has Sirius been feeding you while you were away?" Mrs. Weasley seemed positively vexed at the thought. "Here," she plopped two extremely full plates of eggs, bangers, mash, toast, and beans in front of Hermione and Harry. They paled at the unhealthy amounts of food, but at the fierce, warning glare from Molly, they forced themselves to tuck in.
"So, tell me about the States. I'm dying to know," Ginny demanded, looking back and forth between Hermione and Harry while they were chewing.
Looking at each other, Hermione swallowed before speaking. "It was great!" She tried to put as much enthusiasm in her voice that she could muster, but mixed with a dash of nonchalance. She had to make it sound convincing. "We only stuck to the east coast. Started off in Boston, then spent some time in New York and then we kind of just went down from there all the way to Florida where we spent two weeks at Disney World. It was a lot of fun."
While Ginny looked genuinely excited at the information, Ron looked positively rancorous. "I don't know why we couldn't go with you. I mean, wouldn't it have been fair for all of us to go considering that we're best mates. It would only make sense," Ron groused.
"Yes, why? It's not right by not inviting us or at least Ron and Ginny to your obviously fun adventure. It just makes no sense," Mrs. Weasley whinged.
"It's not like we didn't want you to go," Harry lied with a sigh of false regret. "But Sirius felt that it was important for us to be kids for a moment and wanted to have some bonding time with him."
"Well, I can understand that for you, Harry, but no offense, Mione, but why would you be invited when I wasn't. I mean I'm his best friend and you hardly spend any time with him. You spend most of your time in the library with Neville and Looney. And Sirius is Harry's godfather, not yours." This earned him a glare from the said witch, though the ginger boy was simply confused by her reaction.
Honestly, if he plans to get closer to me, this is not the way to go about it. Turning in her chair to look at the boy properly, Hermione spoke trying not to hiss. "You know Ronald, just because you say no offense, it doesn't mean it's not offensive." His blue eyes widened at the hard tone. "And honestly, you don't even know of my friendship with Harry. So, you can't really say that you are better friends with him over me. And just because I choose to not go to every single Quidditch match or play for that matter or even talk about the game, it doesn't mean that I don't hang out with him. And as far as Sirius is concerned, he—"
"He is her guardian for the moment. Her parents have been traveling much lately and they have entrusted me with her care. And her relationship," Mrs. Weasley narrowed her eyes at the word, "with me is none of your concern. She is my daughter for intents and purposes. So, I suggest we let this matter lie as there is nothing really to discuss." Sirius spoke calmly from the doorway, causing everyone bar Tonks to jump at his voice. He had been clearly listening to the entire conversation when he felt the need to make his presence known.
Again, Molly Weasley narrowed her eyes at the wizard. "And how have you come to take over her care. You've barely been out of this house. And surely it would be proper for Arthur and myself to be her guardians. She is a growing girl; it's only appropriate for her to have a consistent mother figure in her life. And considering your marital status and your recent pardon from Azkaban, I'm sure Professor Dumbledore would agree. She needs proper attention." She insisted.
Ignoring the persistent witch's not so veiled insulting 'observations,' "Oh, I deeply apologize, Molly. I thought he had told you already. I was given guardianship once I was pardoned. And the Ministry has it on record." Sirius simply spoke with remorse, but the message was clear: you can't you a damn thing about it.
Molly clearly wanted to protest—she even looked to her husband for help—but she begrudgingly sighed in defeat before turning back to the stove.
At the table, Ginny kicked Ron while sending him a warning glare.
Clearing his throat, "sorry, Mione, I didn't know."
Sighing in annoyance, "that's because I didn't tell you. It wasn't your business to know." Picking up her cup of tea, "I accept your apology, but not everything is your business." And she took a sip of her drink before looking down at the cup with a grimace. Setting it back on the table, she decided to avoid the flavorless tea.
Ron looked about to say something, but he bit his tongue.
Ginny, the utterly observant witch, noticed something on the older witch's hand as she took a sip of her drink. "Hermione, that's a beautiful ring. Where did you get it?"
Looking up from her food, the auburn-haired witch glanced at the curious ginger to her ring and them back. "Oh, this," she fingered the piece of jewelry, "is a gift from Sirius." Ginny was confused and opened her mouth to respond but she was cut off by Harry.
"He gave me one, too," he added. "He wanted to give us a small gift of appreciation for our little family." The young wizard spoke as he looked over with a smile to his godfather, who wore a proud expression.
Smiling, "well, they both look great," Ginny spoke; however, her gaze was solely on Harry's and grabbed his hand in both of hers to get a better look. Ron himself looked over to Hermione's, mimicking his sister's actions and gently grasped the witch's hand to examine her ring.
Caressing the alexandrite, he looked deeply into Hermione's eyes. "It's beautiful," he said softly.
Giving him an awkward smile, Hermione pulled her hand away, "thank you." Clearing her throat to distract Ron's heated gaze, she spoke to everyone. But first, Hermione noticed that Mrs. Weasley had a weirdly knowing smile with an indiscernible glint in her eye. "So, what are the plans for today?" She asked, looking from Tonks to Sirius to Molly and then back to Sirius.
"Well," Mrs. Weasley spoke up, "since your Hogwarts letters arrived last week, it might be a good idea to go shopping for your school supplies. Albus gave us the go ahead, but he felt it prudent that you be protected while you go out. So, Tonks will be joining us in escorting you." Ron let out a groan at the thought of being chaperoned.
Ignoring his groan, "when are we leaving?" Hermione asked. She could truly care less about having hovering adults following them around, she just wanted to get out of the confined, suffocating house that she was trapped in.
"After you finish eating," Tonks said with a grin.
