i have had a couple of people mention they believe this will turn into a Hermione/Andromeda pairing, this is strictly a hermione/bellatrix pairing, the relationship im trying to imply between hermione and andromeda is more of a mother/daughter bond.
Chapter 11
Hermione landed in the vegetable garden, the stars glittered above the dark forest surrounding the garden. She opened the back door, creaking on the unoiled hinges as she stepped into the kitchen, a candle burning in the corner. She bolted the door and tiptoed across the space into the living room. The fire glow filled the room as the burning embers licked at the wood. The grandfather clock chimed in the hallway stating it was midnight. Hermione spotted Andromeda asleep on the chair, a woollen blanket wrapped around her. Hermione thought she had most likely been waiting up for her to return. She stepped across and softly shook the older witches shoulder.
Andy immediately stirred, immediately sitting up as she saw the younger witch standing in front of her.
"Hermione, are you alright I was worried sick" Andy wailed as she stood up embracing her.
"I'm ok" Hermione muffled into her embrace.
"Ron came back and said you had gone home, but something told me his version of events wasn't real. What happened?"
"He got angry and forceful so I slapped him" Hermione whispered. Andy pulled back, a slight smirk on her face that reminded Hermione so much of another black sister.
"I thought he looked a bit red on his cheek, Narcissa told me of a story of you hitting Draco in school" Andromeda frowned when she spoke again. "Did he hurt you?"
"Only a bruised wrist, it's healed now though"
"I better send molly an owl that your home, she was worried" Andy replied. Hermione smiled.
"I think I'll go to bed I'm tired" Hermione said as she headed for the stairs.
"Denny could you bring down the rest of teddy's things" Andy's voice echoed down the hall. Earlier that week they had been invited to spend the weekend at Malfoy manor. Hermione had been hesitant to attend, it was still raw in her mind the last time she had attended the manor. She had slowly grown more comfortable around Narcissa after her regular visits, but she had not yet seen the other Malfoy. Hermione had initially declined but felt herself persuaded at Narcissi's promise of showing their exquisite library selection, and now she stood with her belongings packed holding Teddy as Andromeda completed her standard of organisation. She shrunk down the several bags the tiny elf carried into the living room, triple checked everything in the house before marching to the floo.
They had landed in the entranceway floo, taking a step forwards and brushing down as they heard footsteps confirming their arrival had been noted. Two elves appeared in front of them, taking their luggage before they had a chance to object, leaving as quickly as they arrived. Narcissa arrived as the elves disapperated.
"I was about to send and owl Andy you're late" Narcissa smirked.
"Did you check everything twice and tick everything of your list?" Narcissa mocked in a friendly manner towards her sister. Andromeda in return relaxed slightly smiling at her sister and nodding her humour. "Come dinner is waiting" Narcissa ordered leading the way
Hermione stopped dead in the doorway as she realised the room they had been lead to. The dining room. She stood warily still holding teddy as she looked around, the haunting vision flashing before her of the last visit here, and yet It was different. She remembered the dark wooded floor, the panelled walls and the overbearing chandelier. This room held none of those any longer. The floor was of a white marble, a large burgundy rug dominated the centre with the large iron table. The walls were of pastels and gold stencil, and no chandelier in sight, it wasn't needed with the light colours the room filled with daylight was more than bright enough.
Hermione took a deep breath stepping forward over the threshold as three people analysed her, Teddy looked around in wonder, immediately beginning to fidget in determination to explore. Hermione set him down on the floor before looking back at the others. They all stared in silent fascination at her next reaction.
"It is beautifully decorated, much lighter." Hermione breathed. She noticed the other two witches relax slightly. Hermione walked towards the table to the seat gestured by Narcissa. It was not until she sat down she realised Draco was sat next to her. Feeling overwhelmed she decided the best reaction for now was to ignore him, despite feeling those steel grey eyes burning into her she refused to meet his gaze. Narcissa and Andromeda sat opposite. The seat at the head of the table remained empty.
"Where is Lucius?" Andy asked as 4 plates vaporized in front of them.
"He is not in residence" Narcissa promptly replied, taking an over exaggerated sip of wine. Andromeda realised something was amiss in the tone her sister replied. She was unsure whether to press the issue further. She was taken aback when Draco spoke for the first time since they entered the room.
"My father is currently in Italy, he will remain so until his trial, it was a choice of exile or Azkaban until then" Draco spoke calmly. Hermione turned to him as he spoke, observing him properly for the first time since she has seen him on the day of battle. He had gained a little weight, not looking as weedy as he had done in 6th year, despite being pale his skin had a more nourishing colour than shown in a long time, hair gel was long gone instead sporting a short cut with a slight fringe. But the most evident of all was the relaxed demeanour and discreet lack of a sneer.
"I had no idea . . ." Andromeda started before Narcissa held her hand up to her sister.
"Don't give me pity Andy, these last few weeks have seen quite a change. Let's enjoy a family dinner and not worry about such issues" Narcissa continued.
They remained silent through most of the meal, some small talk was passed between the sisters and laughter when teddy wished to join the table not wanting to miss anything when it came to food.
After dinner, Narcissa insisted on showing the newly planted gardens, Hermione had left both sisters eagerly chatting about plants, both enthusiastically sharing a love of horticulture, that Hermione had no interest in. Hermione followed a white stone path through an orchard of fruit trees, her thoughts drifting to a raven haired witch and what her thoughts would be on this obscure situation.
She was brought out of her thoughts when a voice behind caught her of guard.
"Mind if I join you?" Draco's voice echoed behind her, she turned abruptly, unable to answer verbally she gave him a quick nod.
He walked forward to her side as they carried on down the path.
"Mother says you're staying with my aunt" he attempted in casual conversation. Hermione nodded again. Draco observed her silence, seeing her discomfort in his presence. He reached up towards an apple tree pulling two blood red apples and handing one to Hermione.
"Here take a bite, I promise you there delicious" he stated holding it to her. She grasped it looking down before taking a bite after watching him devour a large bite of his own. He continued to munch several more bites before throwing the core back down.
"This is the only part of the garden left except the vineyard, my mother has insisted on landscaping everything inside and outside of the manor, the first room completed was the dining room"
"Why?" Hermione asked
"You weren't the only prisoners in that room that day" Draco whispered.
"We were ruled in our own home, my mother wants no physical memory of those times" he continued. Hermione took in his words.
"You knew it was harry, but you didn't confirm?" Hermione asked.
"Yes"
The walked on, several steps before Hermione spoke again.
"You said your father was exiled?" Hermione pressed.
Draco nodded. "They have formerly pardoned me and my mother, but my father can't hide from his deeds"
They reached a small makeshift bridge of wood over a small stream and into a vineyard. Draco took the first step, turning back and holding his hand out to help Hermione. She stopped dead looking at his offered hand then himself.
"I'm not going to hurt you Hermione" he pleaded. She took his hand.
"We make our own wine, the cellar is full of some excellent years perhaps you would like to sample some later?" Draco asked.
"I'm not really a drinker" Hermione replied.
"Well then at least let me introduce you to the library" Draco offered as they headed back towards the house. Hermione smiled and nodded eagerly.
The library had been vast beyond her dreams, not even books worthy of the restricted section were kept here. She had been granted free reign over the manor and gardens but stayed within the library 95% of the time, a small stack already compiled of books she hoped to loan from her host. Draco seemed to spend some time accompanying her in the library particularly after he first took her there, seeing her face light up like a chid on Christmas. He was eager to converse in conversation, Hermione found she didn't mind this, she knew Draco was academically gifted like herself and having intellectual conversation with someone her own age after 7 years of quidditch obsessed best friends. There had even been a moment of laughter when Draco had told her of the howler his father had sent when he learnt Narcissa had freed all their house elves and rehired them on contract with holiday pay and maternity leave.
Hermione jerked awake as the book she had been reading fell from her grip straight onto her face, she looked over at the clock placed on the mantle above the fire. 2.15am, she hadn't realised it was so late, the others retiring to bed hours ago. She closed the book placing it on the table ready to pick up again tomorrow. She walked slowly from the library as her feet echoed of the hardwood floor, wiping sleep from her eyes. She stopped halfway along the corridor, feeling slight unfamiliarity as she reached for the door handle, almost certain that the door handle had in fact been on the opposite side. She waned in flicking her want to light the candles and turned. The room seemed bare, a large bed stripped down to its mattress and pillows, the dark curtains were drawn and in front of the bed was several boxes marked for storage. She was not in her bedroom, quickly realising she must have taken the opposite corridor instead and landed in the wrong wing. She was about to turn and leave but something was pulling at her to look. She looked side to side, observing no one would jump out from the side-lines as she approached the boxes. The first was of little interest, mainly bits of brick-a-brack of brushes and ornaments. The second full of silk sheets and linen, it was in the third that Hermione found more interesting. She stuck her hand in lifting the flap to feel soft velvet, she tugged the material pulling up into the light. The flared lace skirt and laced sleeves were all she needed to confirm suspicion, it was Bellatrix clothing, Hermione pulled it out delve further into the box, and several more dresses of similar material, and another leather corset were pulled out. She piled them back in less neatly trying the box underneath which help more, she pulled a heavy black velvet cloak, straightening it to see the black family crest stitched on one side, straightening it to get a better look when she heard something clink to the floor. She dropped the cloak, as she looked down to see what had fallen, she reached slowly to the dark object as she spotted by her foot, holding it up to examine further in the dim light. A silver chain holding a pendant in the shape of a raven skull. Within a heartbeat Hermione pocketed the object and shrunk the two boxes she had opened placing them in her jean pocket. She discreetly distinguished the lighting and left the room heading back to her own.
Bellatrix groaned from under her blanket as she heard her name being shouted. Still in a sleepy haze she looked up to see pale sunlight leaking through her doorway, the name continued to echo until she noticed the patronus of an otter at the foot of her bed. She looked at it confused, and surprised it could come into the realm.
"Bellatrix come find me!" Hermione's voice echoed. Bella was about to protest when she realised she had no way of sending back any kind of message, grunting in frustration she threw on the muggle hoodie and walked out, following the silver wisp to its master.
Hermione blinked n surprise when the dark witch arrived still rubbing her eyes, in a sleepy manner.
"What do you want with me at this time of day?" Bellatrix snapped.
"What are you wearing?" Hermione asked taking in the other witches attire. It seemed to be no more than a shapeless linen toga under the hoody, tying upwards in a halter style at the neck.
"It's a sheet I made into a night dress. You seriously dragged me out of bed to discuss my sleeping attire?"
"No, sorry, I need to get back before it's noticed I'm missing, I thought you would want these now though" Hermione spoke as she pulled out the boxed and resized them. Bellatrix looked over confused.
"I have been staying at Malfoy manor this weekend, I accidently stumbled into the wrong room and found these, I thought you would prefer them sooner rather than later" she explained, holding up a dress. Bellatrix face lit up as she realised her possessions.
"You brought me my things?" she spoke in wonder. Slowly looking into the objects in the boxes, she pulled out her velvet cloak, stroking the crest.
"Thank you," she whispered. Unsure how to react to such a gesture.
"That's not everything," Hermione carried on pulling another package from her pocket and resizing it, "I know centaurs are vegetarians, so I brought you some extra foods from the pantry" she continued. She looked into the package holding cheeses, cold meats and cakes, with quite a selection of chocolate éclairs.
Bellatrix looked over at the brunette. Unsure of what to say.
"You didn't have to do any of this . . ." her words broke off.
"I know, but I wanted to" Hermione replied. Bellatrix smiled gratefully, she was about to speak again when the muggleborn pulled one last thing from her pocket.
"One last thing . . ." she spoke, taking a step towards the dark witch. "Close your eyes and hold out your hand" she whispered. Bellatrix complied feeling something small and cold placed into her hand and clasped shut. She opened them unclasping her hand to see her raven pendant.
"My necklace . . ." she breathed, a tear escaped down her left eye.
"I found it when I found the cloak" Hermione spoke, "I thought you would want it back". Bellatrix wordlessly gestured for Hermione to clasp the necklace round her neck, she held her black mane of curls up as she felt the witches fingers work nimbly with the clasp.
The next move seemed to shock both of them as Bellatrix turned pulling Hermione into an embrace. The brunette stood rigid, before relaxing and lightly reciprocating, she heard Bellatrix sniff slightly before the dark which whispered in her ear.
"Thank you, Hermione, thank you for your kindness, for your loyalty and for your friendship"
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SlytherinEnigma