Lily couldn't figure out which house was Hermione's. Not from the outside. She had only ever apparated into the home, her destination had been Hermione instead of the address and she had apparated straight in front of the girl. Unfortunately that had seemed to terrify her poor step father and Hermione had politely asked them not to do it again. She wanted to respect the girl's wishes but she couldn't figure out which door to knock on and Bellatrix as growing more and more restless as she tried to decide. She didn't want to wake the wrong family up as it was rather late in the evening and even though Bellatrix felt something was wrong neither of them had any concrete proof and nothing looked off in any of the homes from the view outside on the street.
"Find it." Bellatrix hissed impatiently. "Or get me inside. I don't care which, Lily." Impatience made her sound angry, frustration pulled at every fiber of her being and her body physically shook with the effort it was taking to keep from charging ahead without her friend. She could apparate to Hermione herself if she hadn't been afraid to splinch herself with her unfocused magic. It was already taking everything she could to keep reign over her own panic and keep the nervous magic building up inside her from leveling the block.
She wanted to rest her eyes on Hermione and she wanted it now. The uneasy feeling had increased every moment they delayed with the foolishness Lily had put her through. Bellatrix didn't give a shit if she frightened Hermione's father by apparating. If she had asked them not to. She would apparate into his bloody bath if it meant she could see Hermione faster.
"I…they all look alike. Damn it." Lily was sure it was one of the houses in front of them. She hadn't anticipated they would all looked alike from the outside. Cookie cutter homes. Perhaps she had expected a mail box with 'Granger' on the front. Bella didn't care. Lily needed to find the house. Now.
"Then just-" Bella was about to suggest they simply apparate inside, at least one of them and then they can let the other in. A commotion behind them caught her attention and she turned just in time to see a small child the size of a house elf rush out into the cold snow clad only in her pajamas and bare feet. "What the hell?"
The child ran to the end of the driveway and stopped at the mailbox. Bellatrix and Lily had both stopped to stare, shock and confusion keeping them in place for the moment. The little girl glanced up toward them, tears falling from her eyes, illuminated by the dim street lamp a few feet away.
At first she only stared at them. Sniffled a bit. But with a sudden stifled cry she ran full sprint toward Bellatrix who clasped her small body in surprise as she slammed into her knees.
Wide, tear filled green eyes stared up at her in a mix of fear, confusion, and oddly hope. She didn't say anything just fisted her little hands in Bella's robes and tugged desperately. The witch put up no resistance. She let the girl pull her toward the open door and trusted Lilly to follow. If they had been looking for sign that Bellatrix's feelings were right….this was likely it.
Bellatrix clasped the child on the shoulder when she led them through the open doorway. They could hear a voice from further in, past the dark hallway. A man. He was screaming and cursing, his voice harsh and out of breath. Whatever he was doing was physical and if Bellatrix was going to be forced to fight she didn't want a small child to see.
She pulled her back, silently pointed for her to stay by the door and held a finger up to her lips to signal for both of her companions to stay silent. The little girl sucked her lip between her teeth and fisted her hands in her own top in distress but nodded quietly.
Bella slid her wand from her sleeve, Lily did the same, casting a low yielded lumos for them to move by. The girl didn't seem surprised by the magic, something Bellatrix tried to put out of her mind as she moved quietly through the hallways toward the voice.
The closer she got the louder the voices in her mind beat at her. Almost desperate in their constant whispering. Some on about the child, some about the house, the man's voice, the dream. But they all seemed to converge on one thought as she pushed a door open to reveal the kitchen.
Save Hermione. Kill the muggle.
~H~
She was cold. It was probably the only thing she really knew at the moment. It was the only thing she could feel anyways. She knew there should have been pain, both from the earlier abuse and from the knife wounds, shallow and deep cuts her stepfather had painted all over her arms and torso. But, it seemed, she had grown used to the pain. And all that lingered now was the cold. It seeped into her body and she knew eventually it would over take her completely. She didn't have the energy to fight anymore. Sterling was safe, wherever she was hiding, and his attention was now solely on Hermione.
She was sure if she died Peter wouldn't have a leg to stand on. Surely the magical world wouldn't ignore the murder of one of their own, although in her mind she seriously doubted the minister would put too much effort into getting a muggleborn justice. The muggles themselves may be more strict, her grandmother for one wouldn't stop until she had all the answers and she knew Ms. Swift would likely tell the authorities of the abuse when Hermione was no longer around to watch over Sterling. Perhaps her grandparents would do better with her than they had with Peter. She wondered if she would be able to watch from the after life.
She didn't want to die. Not really. She tried to focus on something to keep her grounded, to help her endure until he grew tired and left her alone.
There was only the cold.
She tried to listen to something other than his ranting and raving but the sounds were muted, all collided together as if she were far bellow water. The snippets she did hear didn't make any sense. She could swear she could make out other voices, someone talking, weak and tired but happy all the same.
'My Hero.'
'Maybe one day you can save me.'
'Maybe one day I will.'
The voices echoed like a memory in her mind. Hollow and meaningless except that she wished for nothing more than someone to walk through the door and save her now.
She knew no one would be coming. No one knew she needed help.
Except suddenly the door opened and she recognized the light of the lumos charm immediately.
Someone had come. Someone with magic had actually come to save her. And she knew that mass of curly hair anywhere.
"No."
~B~
"No!" Bellatrix flung a hex at the man sitting atop the bloody body on the floor. He struck the wall, cracking the drywall as his body slammed into it before sliding to the floor with a startled moan. She allowed him a moment to get his bearing, to lean up against the wall and cough up a spatter of blood before she was on him again with another hex.
She had never agreed with the voices, NEVER, but at that particular moment they were urging her, not just to kill but to maim. To torture. And she was all the ready to do it. Crucio slipped from her mouth as if it were the easiest thing she had ever done, as if she did it every day, practiced it, perfected it like an art. His screams for mercy were intoxicating.
The vile muggle couldn't even drop the knife he'd held onto as his body jerked and spasmed. She refused to let him rest, another spell slid from her lips as soon as she ended the first.
Crucio, stinging hexes, slashing hexes, anything painful she could think of was slung as his writhing body without pause until he couldn't even stand to scream any longer.
He had touched what was hers. Had harmed what was hers and he would suffer for it. Suffer as nothing ever had.
Hands pulled at her but she ignored them. She ignored Lily as she tried desperately to stop her. Nearly turned on her when her hands grew more forceful, when they were suddenly joined by James and Molly. When the shouts for her to stop before she killed him infuriated her beyond reason.
"No…" It was weak but the sound stopped Bella's tirade. She stood still, her breath heavy and labored as the hands left her and everyone moved away to turn toward the student.
Hermione had clamored awkwardly to her feet. She stumbled the distance to Bella, intent on keeping the witch from ruining her life and getting sent to Azkaban. Everyone reached out to grab her as she stumbled and Bellatrix spun so quickly no one saw her move.
She held the girl tightly in her arms as they both collapsed to their knees. Hot blood fell from Hermione's forehead and dripped onto Bella's chest. And she groaned as Bella turned on her back, she coughed up blood and grimaced as she brushed it away with the back of her own hand.
"St-" It obviously hurt to speak, it looked like it hurt to breath. Bellatrix had to push aside her rage to focus on what was important to her. As much as she wanted to turn and end the muggles life Hermione came first. It was Bellatrix the girl was clinging to, looking to for answers and she had to be strong.
"Sterling, Prof-"
"Hush. The girl's fine," Dark eyes glanced up to meet Molly's horrified gaze but brown eyes softened as she nodded, the mothering witch turned back toward the hall and Bellatrix was confident she would take care of the child until everything could be settled here. "We need to see to you." She glanced up toward Lily and James, even Lily seemed to know what she was trying to communicate to her.
With a wave of her wand a silver wisp flew from the room, with any luck it would fetch Andy and she could use her skills to get Hermione in a stable enough condition to be sent to St. Mungo's.
Until she arrived Bellatrix was the most skilled at healing in the room, which wasn't actually saying much.
"This might sting. I'm not very talented with healing." Never the less Hermione sighed softly as the warmth from the healing magic settled on her battered skin.
"How-?" A frustrated sigh fell from her bruised lips as she couldn't finish her sentence. She didn't need to, they all knew what she was trying to ask.
"Hermione…." She leaned down and ghosted her lips against Hermione's forehead, just below her hairline. "I should have gotten here so much sooner…" She should have known from the start. This was her bond. Someone she was supposed to support and protect even if she hadn't been in love with her. She had let so much cloud her judgment. Dumbledore, her fear and feelings. She had failed Hermione and it had cost the girl so much already.
Guilt warred with the anger swirling inside her. Making for a nasty cocktail of emotion, leaving her shaking and her magic unstable. Voices echoing in her mind, urging her to turn and rid the world of the man. Telling her this was her fault. The fact was she had listened to Dumbledore and delayed the inevitable. She had given into her fear and instead of being someone Hermione could come to she was one of her tormentors. She had helped push the girl back home every break, from one abuse to the other.
A bloody hand reached up and touched her cheek, only then did Bellatrix realize tears were falling from her eyes. She bowed her head and hurried it into the girls locks long enough to collect herself.
"I-"
Bellatrix silenced her, pulled back and wiped Hermione's own tears away, she ignored Lily's distressed cry and James' attempt to comfort his wife. She wasn't worried with her friends, they could handle whatever else needed doing, Hermione was her priority. "Not now. We can talk but not now, Hermione. Let me just help you, love. Andy is coming." She wiped a few drops of blood from the girls mouth, a quick swipe of her wand helped clean the already coagulating blood around the cut on her forehead. "Andy will be here soon." She repeated as Hermione let out a nasty hiss as Bellatrix jarred her side.
As if summoned a loud pop echoed through the kitchen. With a startled cry her sister was instantly at her side, pushing her wand away to get to work with her own. Bella glanced up and caught sight of Nymphadora lingering in the back next to James, shock sharp on her face as her hair faded from purple to it's original black.
"I have this, Bella." Light brown eyes held her own for a moment before turning back to her patient. She was no fool, Andy could feel the pain and guilt rolling off her sister but she couldn't deal with that now. A quick check of Hermione's vitals with a wave of her wand told her the girl was more critical than she looked. She had a rib puncturing a lung and a pretty nasty concussion. How she remained awake and semi alert Andy had no idea.
"He did this?" Nymphadora's question was pointed toward James. The man nodded, his eyes sliding to the slumped man who hadn't yet stirred after Bellatrix's attack. He was breathing but they hadn't bothered to check on him, so long as he was unconscious they weren't concerned.
"Lily and Bellatrix found them."
"Her sister ran outside just as we arrived, she didn't have any shoes on and she was terrified." Lily told her quietly, trying not to alarm Hermione.
Nymph clenched her fists, angry at herself for not seeing any kind of signs when she had dropped the girl off. She felt guilty. She had delivered Hermione right to the monster and been completely unaware. She was supposed to be an auror. She was trained to take down monsters and she hadn't even noticed someone so important to her family was suffering at the hands of one.
"I need to get her moved to St. Mungo's." Andy told them her wand working desperately to do what she could to knit the girls skin back together and reduce the risk of splinching.
A sudden laugh drew their attention back to the muggle. He hadn't moved, his chin still rested on his chest, but he was apparently awake and his amusement pissed them all off.
"You can't take her anywhere without my permission." He laughed, drug his head up to smile arrogantly at them.
Hermione moaned quietly, Andy placed a soothing hand on her shoulder as Bellatrix rose. She waved a hand for James to stop, he eyed her wearily, wondering if she may lose control again but he did as she bid and stood by. She fought the urge to curse him and instead gripped her wand, knuckles white with the effort it took her not to kill him as she approached. She leaned over until he could see the madness in her eyes, she hid nothing from him. They were inches apart as her gaze burned into him. Her unarmed hand fisted in his shirt as she jerked him up.
"You have no right to tell me what I can do with that girl." He swallowed thickly, his arrogance falling in the face of her pure rage. He had no desire to be attacked by her again but he was not going to just let her take what he considered his without a fight.
"Y-you'll go to jail. You- your kind can't interfere with muggles." He stuttered on the unfamiliar word but whether it was because of disuse or because Bellatrix terrified him they didn't know.
"She isn't a muggle." Her eyes bore into him, her wand sparked with the magic she was holding back. "And she is mine." He opened his mouth but she struck him with a mild pustule hex. He hissed as his face broke out in red angry splotches. "What I did to you was just a taste of the pain I could inflict." He swallowed again, struggle half heartedly to get out of her grasp and she let him fall with an oomph against the wall again. "Get him out of here Nymph. Before I kill him anyway. I don't much care what you do with him."
Her niece grimaced. There wasn't a whole lot she could do with him. It was true muggles fell outside their jurisdiction and it was near unheard of for one to put a witch or wizard in the kind of predicament he had put Hermione in.
Still she pulled the man to his feet and struggled with him for a moment before she lost her temper too and placed her wand at his throat. He stilled instantly but the sneer didn't drop from his busted face. He wasn't afraid of Nymph, she didn't look much older than Hermione. A bad judge of character because she was probably the second most dangerous witch in the room. She could probably kill him and get away with it if she had been so inclined. Neat and tidy, they would never even know he was gone. Her aunt would have made a right mess of things but Nymph would be methodical. If only her conscience would allow it.
"If you move too much you will splinch. Now I wouldn't mind that all that much considering what you did to my friend but if you bleed out it will be a lot of paperwork and I hate paperwork." It was all the warning she gave him before they apparated away. Bellatrix found herself hoping Nymph shoved him into a cell at Azkaban. If anyone deserved Dementors it was him.
Bellatrix stared at the spot where they had disappeared for only a second before she once again moved to Hermione's side.
"We need to go now." Andy told her, peering up at her through worried eyes.
Hermione struggled a bit in Andy's grasp making Bella reach down and hold her still with a hand to her shoulder. It was too easy to hold the girl down. She barely had the strength to keep her eyes open and it worried Bellatrix. Most of her injuries had been superficial, only a few deep cuts they had easily healed. But she knew the danger was in what they couldn't see and if her sister was worried she knew it was probably bad.
"I can't….leave. Sterling-" Her protests ended on a wet cough, bright red blood spilled from her lips as she desperately gazed up at Bellatrix.
"I will take care of Sterling."
"Muggle- you can't-"
Bella couldn't have her arguing about it. Her stubbornness and protectiveness would only cause her more pain. She raised her wand and mutter softly, her careful eyes watching every feature of the brunette's face as she slipped into unconsciousness.
"Good idea, might help with the transfer too." Andy checked her vitals one more time and nodded to herself. "I've done all I can, we need to move her now, a few of her injuries are still serious and I can't heal those with just a wand."
Bellatrix gritted her teeth, fighting the desire to go after the man and beat him until her own fists bled. She knew it wouldn't help anything but the desire didn't lessen. If anything it worsened now that Hermione was unconscious. She knew she couldn't apparate in her state of mind, at least not safely with Hermione and Andy. She felt her magic prickle at her skin again, angry….guilty. It wouldn't be safe for her to apparate straight to the hospital either. She hated herself in that moment.
Weak. It's all your fault. Look at our bond!
She shook her head harshly at the voice yelling louder than the rest. Determined to be heard, determined to rant and rave about what she already knew.
"I…can't Andy….I need-" She needed to let loose. Like she had that night in her room. Andy glanced at her in understanding.
"Go Bellatrix. I have her. We will be there when you're ready." With a pop Bellatrix apparated.
Straight to Black Manor.
It was already in disrepair. The ballroom floor had once been a beautiful marble, it had been the envy of many pureblood parties. Now it was cracked and filthy. A tree had fallen through the large dome like roof and grass was growing up through slits in the foundation. Truly Bellatrix didn't care. She was too caught up in her own emotions to care about the house of horrors that had been her prison when she was younger. Perhaps the only reason she had thought of it as a destination at all was because she didn't care what happened to it if she truly lost control.
And losing control was exactly what she was doing. She couldn't stop the voices beating at her mind. The magic inside her was violently clawing it's way to the surface of her skin. With every whisper, ever shout in her head it was growing stronger, more unstable.
Look what our fear caused.
She had no excuses to offer. Only what ifs. Useless what ifs. What if she had been better, kinder, what if she had paid more attention to her bond instead of herself and her own insecurities.
Our fault.
Should have killed him. Find him. Kill him.
No. Make him suffer.
Liked watching him writhe on the floor in agony.
Mark him as he marked her. Cut him open.
We have a lovely knife collection.
Bellatrix grasped at her head as she fell to her knees. They all spoke at once, demanding dark deeds, relishing in the pain she had already inflicted on him. Relishing the pain they caused her. Her punishment.
"Shut up! Shut up! Shut up!" Wild magic flew from her wand and cracked the wall, zigzagging up until the ceiling rumbled.
The voices stopped. Only one remained. Louder, stronger than the others.
He hurt her. Over and over. Can you see it. We can see it. Hitting, kicking, punching, scratching, cutting, pulling-
"Stop it." She pulled at her hair. She didn't want to hear any more. She was trying to hold the magic in, trying to calm down. She needed to be with Hermione she didn't need to be on the floor loosing control.
He could have raped her.
"No- no no no no no." Her body bent in pain, her wand clattered to the floor and rolled out of reach. It didn't stop the magic escaping her. Her hands landed hard on the marble floor as she clawed at the ground. Darkness covered her, black ruins spread up the exposed skin on her arms.
The grounds shook, the walls cracked and split. Part of her worried she might die as her magic escaped, completely out of her control. Part of her wondered if that was a bad thing.
"No, not now Bellatrix. This power was never meant for you." Hands grasped her arms. Pulled her to her feet as if she were but a child. The effect was instant but exhausting. As if all the magic was pulled from her.
She tried to focus on the woman, confusion pulling at her mind in the sudden absence of the voices. "Calm now. That's it." Bellatrix found herself barely strong enough to hold herself up, she allowed her body to collapse forward into the arms waiting for her, her vision darkening as sleep threatened to over take her. "Sleep. In a few hours you will be strong enough, safe enough, to return to her side." With those words she slipped further into unconsciousness, the magic inside her finally under control once again.
~B~
She awoke confused. It was still dark and she was laying on uneven stone floor. It took a moment for her eyes to adjust and then a few more after the disbelief set in.
Black Manor was in ruins. Worse than before. Before there was a manor, cracks in the walls and some trees and grass in the building coming through the foundation true. But it still resembled the shell of what it had been, stairs and walls still mostly intact.
But now….it was as if someone had turned back time. The grounds were completely leveled, even the rubble had been reduced to dust. The floor was all that remained of the dilapidated grand structure.
Bellatrix was both in awe and terrified of what she had done, especially since she couldn't remember doing it.
She gingerly reached for her new wand and clamored awkwardly to her feet, nearly falling back as she got tangled up in the mass of robes wrapped around her legs.
Her dark eyes searched for something she recognized, anything left of the home that had been her childhood hell. There was nothing. Even the grounds, the flower gardens her mother had loved more than her daughters and the house elf quarters was gone.
She wondered how her sisters would feel about it. She wasn't sure how she felt about it. It held no happy memories for her, but her younger siblings had fair ones together, while she protected them from their crazy parents.
She shook her head and took another quick look around. It didn't much matter. This was her past. Her future was laying on a hospital bed in St. Mungo's and that was where her thoughts needed to be. Before her anger and guilt could take over again she apparated.
~B~
"Miss Black, I've been waiting for you. Madame Tonks has asked for a private room for Mistress Granger and has insisted the Black's would be paying for her stay." Bellatrix sneered at the witch, she did not appreciate being ambushed right when she arrived, before she had even seen her bond. Especially not about something so trivial as money.
"If my sister has stated such then that is what will happen, or has it slipped your mind Andromeda is just as much a Black as I am."
She had to give the woman credit she didn't shy away from her tone. She was probably used to irate patients and annoying family members. Honestly Bellatrix didn't care one way or another so long as she was shown to Hermione's bedside.
"Did you treat Hermione?"
"One of many, she has no guardian present so am I correct in assuming the school sent you in their place." She turned and started leading Bellatrix down a long corridor to where the dark witch knew the more VIP patients stayed. She was glad to see Andy had worked things out in her absence, even though she felt more than inadequate that she had left her sister to take care of the details.
"Assume away."
Her response earned her a quick reproachful glance back but the woman didn't react in any other way to her snark.
"She had a serious concussion, she has been medically induced into a coma to allow the swelling on her brain to heal. Multiple fractured and broken ribs," Bellatrix paled but refused to say anything as the woman listed off Hermione's multitude of injuries. "One rib on her left side punctured the lung and her spleen was ruptured, all easily repaired." Bellatrix was sure she added the last bit only because she had glanced back and took in the dark woman's expression. In any case her tone softened and she did her best to offer reassurances as she finished listing off everything, both old and new.
"She's right through here. You can stay as long as-"
"I won't be leaving." Her statement only earned a nod before the witch walked off back to wherever she was needed.
She sucked in a deep breath as her hand landed on the cold sterile handle before she forced herself to open the door. Part of her was afraid Hermione would be awake after all, would berate her for how poor she handled their bond, for how much pain she could have saved her. Another part knew she was being illogical. Even though Hermione could very well shift some blame onto Bella she knew the girl wouldn't do it.
In any case she was just how the nurse told her. Deceptively peaceful in the neat twin bed. Her hands no longer sported the many cuts and bruises she noted, although one was currently held in her sisters firm embrace. She pushed down the illogical flare of jealousy and moved toward the bed. Her approach didn't go unnoticed.
Andy turned and looked at her, relief apparent in every feature as she sucked in the sight of her sister. "I was worried about you." She let go of Hermione's hand and stood up motioning for Bellatrix to take her vacated seat. The elder witch did so hesitantly. She had no intention of leaving but she worried about Hermione's reaction if she woke up next to her. Despite everything they had been through together she was under no disillusion that she was the girl's favorite person.
"Did the nurse catch you? I know she was waiting."
"I think she tried to sugar coat it, in the end." She sighed darkly. "I thought, when we got there….I thought it wasn't so bad. The cuts…they were shallow and most of the bruises looked old. But-" She thought about the broken ribs and ruptured spleen and choked up. Hermione had come so close to dying. So very close. It made her sick.
Andy turned away as Bella furiously wiped at the tears falling from her dark eyes. She knew from her childhood her sister hated showing weakness, she wouldn't appreciate Andy seeing her tears now.
"She will be alright now though, we got to her in time."
Bella shook her head. She didn't want to have the same conversations over and over again. She hadn't got there in time. She should have been there years ago.
"Where- where is the little girl?" She finally reached for Hermione's hand, nearly letting go at the coolness. "I told her I would take care of her but-"
"Molly and Lily will bring her back, she fell asleep while we were waiting on you and they decided to take a walk with her."
"I don't know if either of them have any more family. I know Hermione's mother passed but the child….I don't know anything about her."
Andy nodded. "Nymph said she was going to speak to the minister, I'll contact Minerva about Hermione and find out if she knows about any other relatives."
"What if there isn't anyone." She floundered. Wondering how she could help Hermione then. What could she do? Should she try and raise Sterling? No one was going to allow Hermione to take custody of a child, not with her in school. And she was muggle. That opened another whole can of problems for the girls.
"You could raise her. You're good with children Bella."
"Not my own, I can give my nieces and nephews back to their parents, I don't have to worry about screwing them up. I have godchildren for a reason." She had never wanted to be a parent. The Black's were a cursed lot. She had never wanted that for a child.
"You wouldn't be alone," Molly told her softly as she and Lily both walked through the door. "Lord knows I'm an expert in raising little ones by now."
Bella's panic lightened as her eyes landing on the child snuggled into Lily's neck. She was so small, probably traumatized. Bellatrix knew what witnessing something like that could do to a child, she had been the child once upon a time. But no one had helped her. She didn't know if she could help Sterling and she wasn't sure how to be a parent. The only thing she knew for sure as she took in the gentle rise and fall of Sterling's chest, was that she was never letting the child return to her father. And she would do anything and everything in her power to keep the sisters together.
"Well, if you let us help too much you might be raising Gryffindors…"Lily smiled brightly at Bellatrix's death glare.
"Andy will just have to help then."
Andy smiled, grateful her sister's friends had arrived and were already helping to pull her from her depression. "I will do my utmost but uh….Nymph went into Hufflepuff remember."
"Ugh, I'm surrounded by the enemy."
They all smiled a bit before Bella shifted her attention back to Hermione. She knew the girl was in an induced sleep but she was slightly unnerved that she hadn't moved except to breathe, even with all the noise they were making.
"She's getting the best care, Bella, she will be okay." Lily moved forward and passed the sleeping toddler into a terrified Bella's lap.
"No- Lil-"
"She's been asking about you. She won't talk, and she doesn't respond if we try and talk to her but she was tugging on her hair and we got it eventually. She's really taken to you."
Bella's eyes fell to the toddler in her lap. She knew her name but that was it, she didn't know what the kid liked, when her bed time was, whether she was a picky eater or even if she sucked her thumb. She reached out and squeezed Hermione's hand.
"You got to wake up soon, love." She doubted anyone else heard but she was sure Hermione stirred slightly.
~B~
It was day two of being cooped up at St. Mungo's and Bella was going stir crazy. She had allowed Molly to take over Sterling's care until she and Hermione left the hospital but that left her little to do and a lot to worry over until the girl woke up.
It had become quickly apparent the girl couldn't hear, at first it had seemed as though she was ignoring everyone, perhaps traumatized by the events she had witnessed. But when she had gotten frustrated enough she had told them very Hermione like, very matter of factly, that it they were talking to her she couldn't hear a word they were saying and they needed to do the snaps and let her see their lips.
None of them had any idea what the snaps were. Sterling had demonstrated by snapping her middle finger and thumb together but none of them could figure out how that was supposed to get her attention if she couldn't hear the sound to begin with. She had grown tired of trying to explain it to them as she didn't know how it worked but it obviously wasn't working for them. Tapping her on the shoulder was just as easy and Molly had every confidence in using her magic if there was an emergency.
They figured out rather quickly, though, that Sterling loved Bellatrix. She was her hero and when at the hospital she didn't like to stray too far from the witch's side and only ever went with Molly without a tantrum if Harry or Ron appeared. They had dubbed themselves her favorite Uncles and enjoyed trying to take her mind off of whatever she had been through. Bellatrix had thought it best to keep the specifics away from the students but she couldn't have stopped them visiting short of tossing them all into Azkaban. They were there frequently but she was grateful to find herself mostly on her own.
She had to admit taking care of an unconscious person was more work than she had originally expected. Nurses were in and out checking vitals and tending to whatever needs an unconscious Hermione had. Bellatrix felt rather useless sitting there holding the girl's hand when she wasn't even awake to realize it.
Still, no matter how superfluous she felt her role was, she refused to leave. Hermione was taken off the potions keeping her asleep after the first night and the nurses had promised her the girl would wake when her body was ready. She was afraid to even go to the toilet for fear the girl would wake alone.
She would alternate between holding her hand and reading a book or sitting at the window overlooking the elegant courtyard. She believed the bubbly day nurse when she said Hermione had the best room in the building but it still felt like a hospital room. It was lonely, cold and stark. The view was nice but she couldn't enjoy it, not with everything weighing so heavily on her.
It was when she was standing at the window that she heard raised voices from the corridor. They were getting closer and she could distinctly hear Lily, Sirius and the Minister arguing. She turned expectantly and moved slightly closer to the bed. Whatever the dimwitted minister wanted she couldn't imagine it would fair well, she couldn't stand the man.
"Minister I don't think-" Bellatrix nearly growled at the idiot man as he burst into the room, completely fine with ignoring both decent protocol requiring him to knock and her friend trying to caution him. She was only slightly placated at the surprised look on his face when he saw her. She imagined she looked rough. Sleeping in a chair beside a hospital bed for two days did that to people.
"What can I help you with, Minister?" She bared her teeth at him in a menacing smile and he grimaced. His eyes trailed around him to the pink, plump of a woman following after him like a devoted lap dog. His undersecretary if she cared to remember. She didn't care for her either.
"I-I," Sirius shot his cousin a dramatic eye roll, their esteemed minister always developed a stutter around the head of the Black household. They used to laugh about it when he first started, now it was just annoying.
"Spit it out." His stuttering got even worse and the pink puffball, whose name she didn't care to remember, shot out some strange piping sound that everyone collectively ignored.
"I…well I heard, that is to say I heard about Miss Granger. Terrible. She's doing well?" The well ended on a high note but she chose to ignore it, nodding as politely as she could manage. "R-right. I was afraid this would happen…when she wouldn't leave-" He trailed off at the furious expression that crossed Bella's face. Everyone else stared at him in shock, everyone but the puffball.
"You knew?" He seemed to cower in on himself as the room darkened and magic sparked from her very fingertips. "You knew about this and did nothing?"
"We tried!" He couldn't seem to get the rest of what he wanted to say out instead he looked pleadingly to his bored undersecretary. She didn't seem to be paying quiet enough attention to who exactly she was speaking too, that or she had never seen Bellatrix Black in person and really was very confused about why her adorable Fudge was acting like a stuttering fool.
"Alternate arrangements were made for Miss Granger in another wizarding household. She refused, she wanted her muggle sister with her and our laws forbid us from acting on muggle behalf." If Bella hadn't already known, Umbridge's tone explained how she felt about muggles.
Bellatrix contained her anger, though she wanted to hex the two idiot officials. Of course Hermione wasn't going to leave her sister. She was being beaten, and Merlin only knows what else. She wouldn't leave that little girl at that man's mercy.
"Minister I suggest you leave." She turned her back on them, trusting Lily and Sirius to see them out.
"We need the muggle child." Dark eyes narrowed but she didn't give away just how angry she was, not yet anyways.
"For what purpose?" Sirius glared at the small woman, she didn't seem impressed.
"She is to be taken to an orphanage until her father can collect her, or her grandparents can be reached. Her father received quiet a bit of trauma from this ordeal but has already asked about the safe return of his children."
Bellatrix spun around, "Ordeal? He beat my….she nearly fucking died! If I could do it all over again I'd probably kill him."
Fudge stuttered, his face turning white. He pulled out a handkerchief and dabbed at the sweat pouring down his wrinkly forehead. His eyes desperately tried to warn his companion to keep her mouth shut while they could still leave with all the pieces they came with. She seemed just as content to ignore him.
"You? You are the one who put him in such a sorry condition? I hope you know there will be charges. He can account for at least one crucio and it will be days before he is fit to retake custody of his children."
Lily and Sirius both shouted their protests, both for the pending charges and that either girl be potentially placed back into his care.
"Minister, I will make sure you never receive another knut from anyone if you place either of those girls back in his care." He swallowed and shook his head quickly. "I will kill him first, this is not an idle threat. I do not take well to people hurting those I love."
Her words burst in a small exhale as a painful burning sensation wrapped up her left arm. She showed no other signs of pain but she knew what it was, she had branded, what she had done or why it had happened then she didn't know. But she knew without a shadow of a doubt that if she lifted her sleeve she would find dark ink spreading up her arm, marking her as a bond. She knew Hermione would have something similar now, considerably smaller until the girl completed the terms for her own brand.
"D-don't worry about it. I'll take care of it….b-but what am I to do with the muggle? There isn't a magic family willing and our laws-"
"Minister! You can't give in to blackmail. She is to be tried and imprisoned for her crimes!"
Sirius laughed darkly. "I would very much like to see who exactly draws the short straw on bringing my dear cousin in."
Lily hummed from the doorway, amused herself. "I don't suppose they will be getting many volunteers to take Bellatrix Black in." She smiled toothily at her husband's best friend.
"B-Black?" Bellatrix felt an odd satisfaction as the woman paled but she didn't care for the glint in her eyes. "Still….laws are laws. Crucio is an unforgivable-" She trailed off.
The magic in the air was palpable. Bellatrix had kept her temper as best she could through everything when all she wanted to do was murder the two self righteous idiots. Neither of them cared for Hermione or Sterling, they didn't truly care if the man took them back. Fudge just wanted the whole business washed away where he didn't have to deal with it any more and he was thoroughly upset that Bellatrix Black was involved. He was terrified of her.
But Umbridge. A slight brush against her non existent shields let Bella know everything she needed to about the woman. She craved power and she didn't care how she had to get it. She hated muggles and muggleborns because she was a half-blood. She wanted Hermione and Sterling placed back in their father's care. She enjoyed seeing a muggleborn so beaten, put in their place.
"Bellatrix…you might want to take a deep breath, love." Lily's attention shifted nervously to Sirius, even the minister and his lackey seemed to understand something had snapped within the oldest Black. She looked positively frightful. Her entire eye had dilated until there was nothing but black. It was fixed firmly on the two she perceived to be a threat to her bond. Lily was afraid she would snap at any second and she was afraid she didn't exactly know how to calm her down, she had never seen her so angry.
"The first person to touch that child or my bond with the intentions of returning either of them to that pathetic excuse for a man will wish I only killed them."
Sirius barely managed to keep Fudge upright as he sagged heavily back in fear and shock. A normal Bellatrix Black was dangerous. One bonded….she could destroy their world he had no doubt. Financially….magically….it didn't matter. He did not want to be on the wrong side of this shit storm. Bonds were dangerous, and if the news spread that someone like Black had been bonded it would start a panic in the purebloods. A panic he could not afford in current political climates.
"I-I will see to it! Paperwork…..I'll do some paperwork! I'll talk to the prime minister! The Queen if I have to!" He nearly clung to Sirius as he tried to flee.
"But minister! The child! Bonds or not she is a muggle. She does not belong in our world." Umbridge hadn't quiet understood what the fuss was about. She had no knowledge of the danger of bonds, her father hadn't truly cared enough about her to consider it a dishonor on his family if she would have been branded, and even as a child he knew she would probably have been appalled enough for herself to do what was typically required of a pureblood without prompting.
Fudge grasped the plump woman on the shoulder. "Later, woman, we will sort this out later." No doubt he would involve the Wizengamot, the thought alone nearly made Bellatrix laugh. Dumbledore was chief warlock she couldn't imagine him sending the two girls back to the muggle.
He had to practically drag the woman out, she was still going on about laws. As if Bellatrix actually gave a shit about laws. She would burn the ministry down before she saw Hermione and Sterling back home. The time for waiting was over. Whatever she told the girl, whether she chose to tell her about the bond and now the brand….no matter what was said between them Hermione would not be leaving her side, at least not for the two years left of school. Bellatrix couldn't imagine not being able to see her now, not knowing if she was okay or if…..
She moved back to the bed and sat heavily in the chair that had become her permanent place in the room. She reached out and stroked the dark hair that feathered Hermione's forehead. She wished she would hurry and wake.
"Are you alright Bella?"
She didn't bother to turn around to answer her cousin, her eyes never left Hermione's face.
"Bella?"
"I'm not the one in the fucking bed, Sirius."
She regretted her sharp words almost immediately but she didn't turn around to apologize, she knew he understood they had their fair share of fighting and making up over the years. He probably knew her better than anyone even if they both liked to pretend they weren't that close. He was her only ally as a child. The only other person who knew, who understood everything her parents were putting her through. Just as she knew everything he endured as well.
"Molly was asking if you wanted her to bring Sterling? She thinks the girl should be here when Hermione wakes up."
Bella swallowed and nodded, not taking her eyes away from the peaceful figure on the bed.
Hermione would want to see the little girl. She would want to know she had been protected, that Bellatrix had done something right and kept her from going back to her father.
"They said it should be any time now. Sterling can stay with me for the day, I think Hermione would want to see her."
"We'll be back then. We only came because Nymph said the minister was on his way." Bellatrix finally chanced a glance at her cousin, he grinned at her tightly.
"We should get some kind of medal I think. We did save his life."
Lily smacked him. "We'll be back within the hour."
They turned to leave when Bellatrix caught Sirius' eye. He nodded and smiled a little easier. "Don't worry about it, cousin." There were no words of apology needed for them to understand each other. Saying the words aloud went against everything they had ever promised each other. Bellatrix Black had swore to never utter the words I'm sorry again. And Sirius would be damned if he ever asked her to.
She waited until the door clicked closed before she pulled up the sleeve of her robes. She had to admit the beautiful scrawl was beautiful. A perfect pattern of roses, leaves and thorns. And it was extensive. She had pulled her sleeve up to her elbow and still she couldn't see the end. She sighed and hid it once again. There would be time to study it later, when she was assured privacy and not worried about sleeping beauty.
She let her eyes trail over Hermione's face. She wondered why she had been so damn terrified of branding to her in the beginning. She didn't feel any different now and if perhaps she had come clean about it all in the beginning they wouldn't be in St. Mungo's and Hermione wouldn't have endured hell. Even if the girl hadn't wanted anything to do with her, hell even if she still didn't want anything to do with her, Bellatrix could at least serve as a deterrent for her step father.
She raked a hand through the tangled mass of her hair. She was tired. She hadn't slept well since Hermione was brought it and she desperately needed a shower and a change of clothes. But all she seemed capable of doing was worrying pointlessly and berating herself for things she couldn't change.
She glanced once more towards the door and back to the bed. An hour they had said. Sterling had to be driven and it would probably take a little longer to get her ready. She could take a nap, just for half and hour. She wouldn't miss the others showing up and she would be awake when Hermione woke.
She leaned over and rested her head against the bed sheets.
Just half an hour.
~B~
She knew she hadn't slept for very long, but the soft familiar voice calling out to her pulled her from her light slumber. She knew she probably looked a mess but she didn't bother trying to fix herself as she turned to look at Dumbledore.
He looked slightly worn, haggard. She didn't think she had ever seen him look so out of sorts in her entire life. His eyes were pale instead of sparkling and his robes were wrinkled and his eyes baggy. Whatever he had been doing sleep hadn't been part of it.
He extended a hand and passed her two sheets of parchment.
"I need you to take a look at these. Both you and Hermione will need to agree upon them."
Bellatrix took the sheets of paper and glanced down at the first one. A contract to make Sterling Salt Bellatrix Black's proper heir. It was as close to adoption as she could get for a witch and a muggle without the actual adoption. It also wouldn't require her father's permission, in the muggle world or the magical one. What it would accomplish she wasn't sure.
"This is suppose to keep Sterling from going back to her father? Even in the muggle society?"
"It might help sway the Wizengamot." He told her quietly. "For the last few years I have been working to get Hermione free of her home with her sister legally in tow. I have yet to sway anyone on the council one way or the other. But we did not know the full extent of-"
Bellatrix felt her anger toward his declaration fall as quickly as it had risen. She couldn't afford to be angry while they were trying to find legal ways to work through their problems. She needed solutions and he was offering the best ones he could. It was difficult but she would deal with her anger with him later, when her bond wasn't still unconscious in a bed and could explain how Dumbledore knew before she did. She would not be asking him, she didn't particularly care about his side of the story, only about how it could potentially benefit her now.
"Finish." She demanded softly, nearly too quiet for him to hear.
"Sterling has been easily dismissed as not our problem. Not a magical child, so the Wizengamot's interest in her was non-existent. I have hope that as an heir to a prominent pureblooded family this fact may yet change in our favor. Many will not be so quick to dismiss her, they may believe that you have seen some kind of prominent magical talent that others have not."
Bellatrix nodded. The wizarding council could pretend all they wanted but she knew more than half had strong pureblood beliefs. They wouldn't particularly care what became of Sterling. She doubted if most of them truly cared what happened to Hermione.
"This will have them rule in favor of taking Sterling from her father? And what? Given into my care?"
"I think you should have a look at the second contract."
She did. And then she gazed up at him in shock. "What is this? How does this help us?"
He sighed heavily. "This was the prime minister of the muggle world's idea. I do believe he was simply being an inconsiderate smartass when he suggested this but as the words came from his mouth he could not retract him when I told him his conditions would be met." Bellatrix was too surprised that this had even been a suggestion to react to Dumbledore's cursing.
"The muggle Prime Minister decided I should marry a seventeen year old witch. That's how he helps us take a muggle child from her abusive father?"
"If the conditions he gave are met he has agreed to a temporary custody arrangement. He simply suggested Hermione be married, he believes a stable family is a home with two parents. If you do not wish to go through with it Hermione has the option still to fight on her own, or to find another to marry." She bit through her lip trying to keep silent. Such arranged marriages weren't as uncommon in their world as it was in the muggle world, but it was still not what Bellatrix had wanted for her bond. " If you both chose to go through with this then you and Hermione will be given temporary custody of Sterling immediately, at least until a muggle trail for him can be set. The decision after will be what befalls the child. I am trying to set it up so that both muggles and the Wizengamot will be present."
Bella shook her head. "I don't care what their decision is she won't be returning into his care. I won't be giving her up either if I'm making her my heir." She glanced down toward Hermione. "I can't say I know what she will decide, Albus. I know she will do what she believes is best for Sterling but this….this is asking a lot of me."
He gazed at her sadly. "I will take back what I asked you at the beginning of the year. You have my blessing to tell her whenever you desire, I know," He added quickly knowing she was about to protest. " I know you never needed my permission. I was working toward what I had hoped would have been a better solution, working to reform the Wizengamot to allow Hermione and anyone else like her, rights over non magical relatives. I never expected things to escalate to this point. She vastly underplayed the danger she was in when she approached me and the minister for help."
Bellatrix believed more should have been done. Whether they knew the extent or not but she held her tongue and before she could ask any more of him the door opened and her family and friends walked through, surprised to see Dumbledore but eager to check on Hermione and Bellatrix.
"Wake?" Sterling moved toward the dark headed woman as she tucked the papers carefully into her robes with a pointed look towards the headmaster. She leaned down and picked the child up instead of answering, showed her Hermione still resting peacefully in the bed. "When?"
Sterling's words weren't perfect and she turned her head to see if Bellatrix understood and would answer.
"Soon." She prayed she was right. She couldn't ask Sterling how she felt about becoming her heir the girl would have no idea what that meant. How she would be treated as a non-magical in a pureblooded family. Hermione would, and Bellatrix would go by whatever Hermione decided. She would sign nothing until she talked it over with the girl.
"I will see myself out, even in this room I believe it is getting rather crowded." Dumbledore smiled softly at Sterling and nodded to the others as he made his way out.
"We will revisit this, Albus." He nodded solemnly before taking his exit. Andy waited until Sterling turned back to her sister before she asked Bellatrix what news he had brought.
"I- none of it was easy. None of it can be resolved without Hermione. Apparently the muggles will be more difficult than they should be. Personally I'd like nothing better than to put the fear of magic into them. Force them to make the right decision."
Molly reached out and squeezed her shoulder. "That's not the way though. It may be the most efficient but it would set precedents that could spiral everything we built out of control. It could be like it was in America all those years ago."
Bellatrix blew out a breath in irritation as nuzzled her face in Sterling's dark locks. She knew Molly was right. It was a slippery slope to use magic and threats to get what they wanted from muggles but she would obliviate the entire world before she would let them take either of these girls from her.
"Lets stop with the heavy talk." Andy smiled and tapped Sterling lightly on the shoulder. "Let's eat?"
The child lit up and tugged at Bellatrix's curls. "I heped make it. Shep pie!" She smiled despite her chaotic emotions. How could she not smile at her mini me? She hadn't known her very long and it was true she seemed more open with her than even Molly and Lily but already Sterling had wormed her way into their hearts. A little muggle child they were all desperately trying to save.
~H~
She hurt all over. She didn't want to open her eyes, she was afraid she would wake up on the cold hard floor of her kitchen. She was afraid Bellatrix saving her had only been a dream. Reality was often cruel like that.
It didn't really feel like the kitchen floor though. The bed beneath her was soft, softer than her own at home by a great comparison. It was comforting to know she wasn't really laying on the floor, that more than likely she wasn't even in her own home. Unfortunately she was afraid to check. Afraid to face reality.
As much as she wanted Bellatrix to have saved her she was afraid of the rejection, the humiliation and the disappointment she knew would be headed her way when she did finally open her eyes.
The ministry wouldn't change their mind on Sterling simply because a muggle beat a muggleborn. They were too afraid of the repercussions the muggle government could send their way. The potential backlash from other magical countries.
Stealing children, were the words Fudge had told her. Part of the excuse he had given her for not being able to do anything for her sister. Of course his next words had been Peter wasn't beating the child anyways and Hermione could always move in with one of her relatives or find a nice wizarding house to take her in.
He was a useless blasted idiot. And he hadn't cared one way or another what happened to Hermione.
The sound of crinkling papers caught her attention, followed by the soft voice of Professor Black. Muttering something about adding clauses and legal issues…it didn't sound like homework and Hermione was sure she wasn't about to wake up in detention having dreamed Christmas Break.
She took a chance and cracked her eyes open. It was a dim, large white room. Bare except for a bland picture on the far wall and the milky white curtains pulled shut behind a rather large window.
Bellatrix was sitting at the small desk tucked into the wall to the right of her. Her back was mostly to her as she leaned sideways in a rather uncomfortable looking chair. She looked far more at ease than Hermione had ever seen and the girl couldn't help but stare..
Dark curls were pulled back in a messy pony tail and she had a regular muggle pen held between her teeth as she made idle marks on a rather formal looking piece of parchment. Her legs were crossed over the chair arm and her back was against the other side. Her feet where bare, it was something simple but Hermione had never seen Bellatrix without her shoes. She was surprised to see her toenails were painted sparkly pink….it seemed rather out of place.
"Oh this is all shit, how is this supposed to work? Fudge you idiot." She set the papers on the desk and scribbled furiously for a few seconds, seemed to mark something out that apparently had offended her a great deal. "Damn ministers. Playing with people's lives." Magic sparked on her fingers as she resumed her relaxed position, she shook them out a few times and tucked the pen back into her mouth with a scowl.
Hermione was too curious to just continue watching but she found her voice hoarse after the short disuse. It took her a minute to find the words and a few more seconds for her to finally get the sound out, scratchy though it was.
"Pr-Professor?"
The dark witch looked positively wild as she jerked around in the chair, eyes wide as the pen fell from between her lips.
"Finally!" She dropped the papers onto the desk and drug the chair closer to Hermione's bed. "Three days you damn stubborn woman. Three days I've been by your side waiting for you to wake up."
Hermione wondered why she suddenly felt like apologizing, it wasn't as if she could help it and she certainly hadn't expected Bellatrix Black of all people to be stay by her side in a hospital.
"Can I have some…water?"
Bellatrix helped her sit up and with a weary glance moved to the door and peered out. Hermione couldn't make out what was being said but Bellatrix came back rather quickly with a small cup of ice water.
"Don't drink it too fast this is all they will give you until morning. You haven't eaten in three days and the potions they gave you might make you sick if you try and eat or drink too much too soon."
She had to help her with the glass, the teen found her muscles had atrophied slightly and until she got more of her strength back even holding the small cup was a bit of a challenge. It didn't help that her body ached as if she had been run over with ever move she made.
"That's enough. Feel better?" The teacher set the half empty cup down on the bedside table and retook her seat in the closest chair. She leaned her elbows against Hermione's bed as the girl adjusted herself against the pillows. "I'm sure you want to know about your sister."
Hermione nodded and braced herself for the news.
"We….have some things we need to discuss but I don't want to do it right after you just woke up." Hermione didn't like how ominous that sounded. "Molly is keeping Sterling for now, she….I think she is adapting well being away from-" Bella trailed off and clenched her teeth. "She hasn't asked or said anything about that night. She visits you and she has been rather impatient for you to wake." A small smile graced her face. "She's wanting to be a nurse like Andy now, she's been helping take care of you." Bellatrix pulled the covers back so Hermione could see her own bare feet. "She painted your toes."
Hermione grimaced. She had definitely painted the toes. Very little polish had apparently actually made it onto her toenails. Her toes, however, were a beautiful color of sparkling purples and blues.
"Did she do yours too?" She felt a little cheeky for asking and tried not to blush at the smirk sent her way.
"I did my own thank you." Bellatrix informed her, dropping the blanket back down and tucking it around her legs. "But she did pick out the color." She frowned down at the sparkly pink. "I wanted green." Hermione managed a small laugh. Black was a Slytherin through and through that was for sure.
"Professor, I know you wanted to wait but….tell me the news now. I can't handle…"
Bellatrix nodded and sighed heavily. She picked up the papers and passed them hesitantly to Hermione. "Dumbledore and the muggle prime minister offered this as a solution to your problems." She grimaced. "I think you should probably call me Bellatrix while we're alone, since we are likely to be getting rather close."