Disclaimer: The only way I will ever be able to take credit for the creation of Harry Potter is if I manage to create my own time travel device and go back in time prior to when JK Rowling wrote it. I would then to my best to recreate it, changing only a few small things (come on... you can't say you loved every decision made.) Unfortunately, I believe time travel is something not truly possible. So, you know... I do this for fun only.
Years Ago From Now: Chapter 21
Hermione was in the library where she was writing in her newly acquired journal. She couldn't call it a diary. For one, the word had bad connotations that she attached to Voldemort and Ginny Weasley. Another reason was that the word seemed to denote some sort of frivolousness she was sure she did not have. It would never record doodles or words like "Mrs. Hermione Weasley" written over and over. It wouldn't go on about pranks played.
Instead, she used it to write down everything she could remember from her old timeline. She felt slightly silly at first. Her life thus far had been so full of important moments and milestones that she was able to write with detail for pages and pages without stopping.
It was only when she looked back that she realized little things that she hadn't included but could possibly be used. Knowing the exact date some things occurred could be very important later, and even if the happenings stayed fresh, she might need to know when. For instance, what day had Snape sent the doe? Where had she stopped to grab food while on the run? Perhaps there would be a way to sneak herself money or food. Perhaps she should go to Grimmauld Place to make sure that it would have food there when the teenagers showed up after the wedding if she could.
Even though she knew she couldn't change major events, if she had been here before… well, there had been times when strange spots of luck had occurred. Who was to say that she or Lucius hadn't had a hand in it before?
And what about when it was all over and she had to prove her innocence? Their innocence? How would she know how to comfort Draco when he realized that he had bullied his own mother for years if the instances blurred together for her? They certainly would still be more fresh in his memory.
At the very least, if the larger wizarding world did one day become aware of the fact that she had once been Hermione Granger, this would go a long way to proving it.
She was detailing the events of third year as best as she could when Mink popped up behind her. "Mistress, yours sister is here to see you. Are yous wishing to see her?"
Hermione sighed, putting down her quill. She was never prepared to see Bellatrix. Fortunately, Bellatrix always was quite busy staying under the Dark Lord's foot to help with anything he might require. Hermione privately wondered if she helped the man shower. She knew Bellatrix would be willing it he asked it, regardless of Rodolphus.
Bellatrix did have a habit of popping in at random moments, too. "I suppose so, Mink. You can bring her here. And tea for two, if you don't mind."
Mink popped away to go get Bellatrix, and Hermione put her journal in the desk drawer, warding it securely.
She had picked up a copy of Witch Weekly and found a spot to lounge on a couch to pretend to be browsing when Bellatrix walked in. "Hurry up with the tea, elf. Some biscuits, too."
One would never have guessed of the decidedly non-sweet woman, but Bellatrix Lestrange had a very large sweet tooth. Mink popped in and out quickly, bringing back with her tea and several kinds of biscuits to choose from.
Hermione put down her magazine and looked at her sister. "Bellatrix. What brings you here today?"
Bellatrix came and sat down next to her, spelling off her boots and curling her feet underneath her while Hermione started to prepare their tea. Hermione made sure to pass a look of disapproval onto her sister, though, aware of how much the real Narcissa valued propriety, even with close family behind closed doors.
"I just thought I would come and provide a scapegoat for you from the festivities. It has the added benefit of allowing me to see my beautiful nephew," Bellatrix said, grabbing a cookie from the tray and popping the whole thing into her mouth. It was slightly too large, and Hermione rolled her eyes at the glimmer of teeth while Bellatrix chewed. It was like a slightly more polite version of Ron's manners.
"Festivities?" Hemione asked curiously, handing Bellatrix her teacup.
Bellatrix laughed with delight. "Of course you would forget! So much for newfound love for your husband. Rabastan will be thrilled."
Hermione frowned, "Rabastan is done." Hopefully, Bella would continue on.
"It's October 11th, Cissy. Your anniversary?"
Hermione gasped in surprise. Small details. "Oh Merlin! Bella, I thought it was the ninth!" She hadn't, but she certainly had forgotten Lucius had told her when they had married. "Lucius must be so upset with me! I didn't even go down for breakfast this morning, and he was so sweet to bring me up some food and take Draco to the park for the morning so I could sleep and have time to myself!" The latter was true, but she wasn't sure if Lucius had done it because it was their anniversary. He was very considerate and frequently did things like that for her.
"So things are still good for the both of you?" Bellatrix asked. "I must say, I did not see it lasting…" Her voice trailed off.
Hermione sighed, closing her eyes. "I need to do something. Geez, and I was an utter witch our last anniversary!"
Bellatrix laughed "Well, yes. If I recall, you spent the weekend in Lisbon with Rabastan."
She groaned, "Geez, even if I want to be, apparently I am doomed to be a horrible wife," she said, reaching for a cookie and then changing her mind.
Bellatrix rolled her eyes at her sister. "Honestly, Cissy. It isn't a big deal. Grab some lingerie and have the elves make his favorite meal. Done. Hey! I could take Draco for the evening!"
Hermione's eyes widened, comically. "No! I mean, no. He still needs me at night and… he's not ready to sleep away from home yet." Merlin would come back and turn her into a stormtrooper before Bellatrix would be trusted to watch Draco overnight.
Bellatrix threw a cookie at her, making Hermione glare. "More like you aren't ready for him to be away from home overnight."
Hermione took Bellatrix's half full cup. "You have to go, Bella. I need to go… fix this."
Bellatrix grabbed one more cookie and put it between her teeth while she put her shoes back on. When she was done, she pulled out the cookie to speak. "I'm going. Sure you don't want Rodolphus and I to tag along for the date night? That made your second particularly memorable. Remember? You hexed him under the table?"
Hermione pulled her "sister" to standing and pushed her toward the doors. "Yes, I'm sure.. Lucius and I are good. It's really good. Just go."
Bellatrix held up her hands in surrender when she made it through the doorway. "I'm going, I'm going." She turned around with a peculiar look on her face though. Hermione almost suspected that Bellatrix might actually love her. Or… well, Narcissa. "For the record, even if this is incredibly strange. This… happy-with-Lucius Narcissa…. I'm happy for you."
Hermione stared at her for a moment, feeling almost bad for a moment that her sister had to be the same woman that had held her down and cut her arm open with a cursed blade. She almost wanted to love her back in that moment.
Hermione waited all day, expecting Lucius to come home with something planned to celebrate. It was six-thirty when she received an owl from him, stating that he had been called in for a meeting with the Dark Lord and would be late for dinner. He encouraged her to eat on her own.
Hermione did as instructed, now convinced that Lucius was upset with her for forgetting the day. She was picking at her dinner, thirty minutes after she had started eating, when he came into the dining room. He leaned down to kiss her cheek before taking the seat next to her.
"The Dark Lord is pleased with Pettigrew's prompt responses to my owls, even if he isn't giving any sensitive information yet other than a few slip ups of names that may be Order members. I apologize for being late," he said, pleased when a dish loaded with food popped up in front of him.
Hermione nodded, looking up at her husband, guiltily. "I am so sorry, Lucius," she said, quietly.
He looked confused. "What for? Did something happen?"
Hermione felt tears come to her eyes. "Bellatrix came over and reminded me of what today was. I feel so bad for not… acknowledging it. I guess, well… since I wasn't there I didn't quite expect it. Though, I am thankful that you married Narcissa."
Lucius looked at her, his confusion seeming to grow before he realized and started laughing, putting down the bite of salmon already pierced on his fork. Hermione felt confusion start in her then.
"Cissa! Oh, love, I haven't celebrated my anniversary in years. If Narcissa and I did acknowledge it, it was always negative. I might have gotten married that day, but it was very… dispassionate. Why should I expect you to celebrate it?"
Hermione frowned then, "Well, I am your wife now. I… I thought you might… be happy to celebrate it."
Lucius was silent for a moment before reaching out and taking her hand. "March 28th, 1980. That is when my real marriage began and no ministry document will tell me any differently. That is when I gained a partner to share my life with. That is the day I will celebrate."
Hermione squeezed his hand and nodded, remembering the night when Lucius had discovered the truth vividly. She was right.
"It is somewhat expected for us to acknowledge the day, though, I suppose. Considering we are meant to be happily married now. I'll make sure the manor is doused with the appropriate amount of flowers and chocolate tomorrow," Lucius commented. "You will simply have to say it happened today."
They did not celebrate that night, and Hermione felt pleased with the decision. In fact, nothing happened except for crawling in bed with her already sleeping husband after getting her son back down to sleep.
By noon the next day, there were fresh flowers in every room and a note with a box of chocolates delivered to her after breakfast. "Just wait until our real anniversary…"
October 31, 1980
Hermione was thoughtfully penning a response to Lily's latest written word of loneliness. The lack of social interaction was slowly getting to Lily. They had decided to not allow anyone to visit, and they only left their safehouse when going to Order meetings.
No one, save Albus Dumbledore, knew where they lived, even though the property was not under the Fidelus. Hermione wondered how long they would manage to hide that way before taking Peter on as the Secret Keeper.
She was also trying not to focus on the fact that, a year from now, her friend would be killed while another was made an orphan.
Lucius was working on his latest book, a book that would hopefully see the light of day in several decades when he could tell the world about the runic circle and ritual able to protect someone from the Killing Curse.
They were interrupted from their tasks when Boden appeared, bowing deeply. "Master and Mistress, Boden wishes to congratulate you on the arrival of your newest house elf. Mink has given birth to her baby boy."
Hermione and Lucius looked at each other with slight surprise. While knowing that Mink was expecting, she had been working for them all the way up to yesterday and had not mentioned her time drawing near.
"Is Mink in good health?" Lucius asked.
"When can we see her?" Hermione continued.
Boden smiled, bowing deeply again. "She will be very happy you care for her so. She is happy to see you when you want to see her. Should I go get her?"
Hermione stood up, "No, can you take us to her instead?" Lucius smirked at his wife, once again seeing how starkly different she was from her prior self.
Hermione and Lucius followed Boden to the large staircase where they walked through a door built underneath it going behind the house itself. It was not what anyone would consider grand, but it was clean and well-lit. Several doors were set off of a long hallway, and one was open with a house elf coming out of it with a tiny plate of half-eaten food.
The elf jumped in surprise at seeing her masters in the elf quarters, and popped away silently. Boden looked at them. "Elves… we don't expect our masters to be wishing to see where we stay. You is welcome though."
He walked them to the open door and gestured them through where Mink could be seen sitting up in an elf-sized bed. A few feet away in the small bedroom, another elf stood holding a bundle of clean cloth against himself.
Upon seeing their masters, Mink got up from the bed at once while she and the presumed father bowed-deeply.
Hemione tutted. "Please Mink, rest!"
Mink sat back down on the bed and her… partner handed the bundle of cloth to her. "Mink…Mink was not thinking you would… I would have brought you the baby!"
Lucius shook his head. "That's unnecessary. We are sorry to intrude; we wanted to see how you and the baby are and offer our congratulations." He spoke politely, but formally.
Hermione stepped a bit closer, trying to peer into the bundle. Seeing her efforts, Mink pulled them away a bit, exposing the baby.
"We will makes him a good worker for you, Mistress," Mink said proudly, running a long finger over the baby's cheek.
Hermione smiled. "I am sure you will. I have never seen a baby house elf. He looks… well, he looks like his father," she said, looking at the male elf who bowed, quietly. In reality, the baby looked very strange. He was much more grey than the older elves and if their ears were big for their bodies as adults… well, it was nothing to how big they looked now in comparison to the tiny head. Hermione had a flashback to watching Dumbo as a child.
"Yes, Mistress, he looks like Colby," she said, looking at the male elf with adoration. Hermione smiled at the interaction.
"I insist you take a few days to recover, Mink. I can take care of any of my personal needs. Let me know when you feel ready to return to work," Hermione said. "What are you going to name him?"
Mink reeled back as if struck for a moment. "Name him? His Master is to name him, Mistress!"
Hermione frowned and looked at Lucius. Lucius nodded, "Very well, Mink. I request your input though. What do you think would be a good name for a house elf? One that would be an eager worker with love for his house?"
Mink looked teary eyed as she glanced to her… husband before looking at her baby. "Dobby?" she asked questioningly.
Lucius put a hand on Hermione's waist, "Dobby, it is."
Hermione's eyes were wide as she left the room, wondering how Dobby would turn into… Dobby. It was a mystery that would be answered with time.
Author's Note: Dobby will, obviously, return later. For now, though, he will be raised in the kitchens. He'll be back in a few years. ;)