Chapter 6
Hermione wakes up in the night to someone standing over her bed she's almost excited that Bella came back for a visit but she seems off. Before she can do anything, she's back asleep.
When her eyes open again, she goes to join Andy for breakfast, Ted is on a trip so she doesn't bother getting dressed yet. Breakfast is normal, Bella has joined them but actually arrived this morning instead of staying in Hermione's bed.
Hermione excuses herself from the table to go get dressed, she doesn't see a point in sitting around in her chemise all day. Bella follows her to the room and Hermione can feel the disapproving stare of Andy, but she knows it's not directed at her.
"I'm trying to get dressed, do you mind?" Hermione says, stopping in front of her closed door.
"No, that won't bother me at all." Bella says, pushing past Hermione and opening the door. She stops suddenly, "Who was in your room, it smells like a man in here."
"Uh, no one. I thought you were in here last night but I guess that was just a dream."
Bella turns to Hermione, "and what's that on your neck, has that not been hurting?"
Hermione raises her hand to her neck and sure enough, there are two raised bumps there.
"What is that?" She asks, rushing to her vanity.
"That, my dear is a bite." The matter-of-fact tone in Bella's voice makes Hermione uneasy.
Hermione sets her hand down on the vanity, feeling something cool under her hand. She picks it up and its a signet ring, much like the one Bella left with her but this once has a jackal on it.
"What's this?" Hermione turns to Bella, holding the ring out for her to examine.
"That would be a house crest but I don't recognize the design, I'll ask Andy, come with me."
"I still need to get dressed,"
"I am not letting you out of my sight,"
...
After a lot of arguing amongst the Black sisters, they reach a conclusion, Hermione will go and live with Bella and Rodolphus until her wedding.
"Hermione, are you alright with this?" Andy asks.
"Yes, I know you are just trying to keep me safe. Bella doesn't scare me and I know you're doing everything you can to protect me. Thank you for this, by the way."
"Don't worry about it, I'm very protective of people who can't protect themselves. This is a dangerous city for people who don't know it well."
"Can you tell me what's so dangerous? Everything you say seems so ominous but you never give me a straight answer."
"I'm sorry, I can't right now, you'll find out in time, and when you do, you'll realize why we kept it from you." Andy says, obviously trying to end that conversation.
Hermione is silent, annoyed at yet another half-answer.
...
Dinner time comes and goes without any incident, Bella sits beside Hermione and her presence is oddly comforting. She's not as touchy as usual and Hermione finds herself missing it a bit. Andy must have talked to her about it.
Hermione escapes to her room after dinner. She wants to get as much packing done as possible, not that she has much to pack. Bella stays in the room, watching out the window while Hermione works, not even offering to help.
By the time nine o' clock rolls around, Hermione is done packing and she finds herself hugging Andy goodbye as the carriage rolls around to the front of the house. This isn't nearly as ornate as the other carriages, probably for the sake of secrecy.
The Lestrange house is farther out of the city. It's an old manor built from stone, it doesn't look nearly as welcoming as the Tonks house and suddenly, Hermione understands why Bella doesn't seem to want to go home.
Bella leads Hermione up a staircase to a room that's decorated nicely, but it is clearly untouched.
"I hope you don't mind staying in my room, none of the others are currently habitable." Bella says, sitting down in a chair. Hermione can't tell if its the lighting or the house that seems to have drained the color from the older woman's face.
"That's fine, but why aren't they habitable?" Hermione says, she figures if Bella is forgoing the usual pleasantries, she can too.
"We don't keep maids. I do have one who comes and cooks and cleans if I have to stay here for an extended period of time. There just isn't any need for them most of the time, mr. Lestrange is always away on business so the house stays mostly uninhabited."
"I'm assuming it's pointless to ask what's going on," Hermione says, almost hopeful that Bella will decide to tell her.
"Just go to bed, pet, I'll tell you in the morning."
Hermione starts to turn down the bed clothes before getting undressed, carefully hanging her dress in the wardrobe next to Bella's clothes and tries to ignore Bella's presence behind her. Suddenly, Bella has her arms around her waist and her head at Hermione's neck. Hermione feels something warm and wet on her neck.
"Um, Bella," hermione begins.
"Hmm?" Hermione feels the sound vibrate against her neck and she almost jumps.
"What are you doing?"
"I'm removing the mark of someone else off of what's rightfully mine. I'll explain better in the morning."
Hermione lifts her hand up to where the bite mark was, and sure enough, its gone. She turns to see a triumphant grin on Bella's face.
She crawls into bed and notices Bella isn't joining her.
"Don't you need to sleep too," Hermione asks.
"I need to keep an eye and ear out in case someone followed us, besides, I figured I may have scared you off with what I just did" Bella says, that catlike grin still splitting the almost angry face she'd been making all day, "but, I don't think a little bit of a nap would hurt."
Bella crawls into bed with her and Hermione nestles into her, the sandalwood scent lulling her to sleep yet again.
...
Morning brings about a much needed discussion between Hermione and Bella.
"So, tell me what's going on," Hermione says.
"Well," Bella begins, "I think it's best to start from the beginning. All of the wealthy families are monsters, in a sense. We drink the blood of mortals to stay alive. A good vampire gets consent from their food source, as mortals are necessary to our continued survival,"
"Hold on, you said 'our' as in, you're also one?"
"Yes, Hermione. I'd appreciate it if you kept your questions until the end. Anyway, there are some of us that believe that mortals shouldn't have a say in whether they give up their blood. That's what attacked you, not an animal. Whoever it is, made themselves a crest, probably a small vampiric bloodline that's less well-known. Most of the time, vampires are not made but born. The ritual to make us is incredibly complicated and risky, most vampires would never attempt to turn a mortal. This brings us to you. You're being targeted for your blood. You're part of an ancient bloodline, not of vampires, but of powerful witches. Turning one of your bloodline into a vampire would not only give you access to the gifts your ancestors locked away, but also make you the most powerful vampire in existence. That's why the one who attacked you last night didn't kill you, they want you for something.
"Another rule us vampires live by is that of laying claim to our food source. Vampires are very traditional and territorial. When you put the ring that I left on your vanity on your finger, you became mine. Whoever fed on you disobeyed an ancient law. That's why I was able to heal your bite, it isn't meant to be there."
"You what?!" Hermione exclaims, "I do not belong to anyone and I am no ones food source!"
"Calm down, pet, I was hoping it would protect you from the other vampires, you can't smell your blood but we can. Your scent is a giant beacon to you. That's also why I've been staying in your bed, you'll smell like me, not you. Now, do you have any questions?"
"I have quite a few but none that I can really string into words right now, if you're being honest, thank you for protecting me."
...
After breakfast, Hermione and Bella go to meet Ginny for some wedding planning. They decide on a red and gold theme in the cathedral with the date being set for two weeks from tomorrow. The wedding ceremony itself will be small, with a large party afterward. Hermione likes the idea of a small wedding with only family. But the thought of Bella not being at her wedding makes her nervous for some reason, so the fact that it will only be family is both good and bad. Ron isn't there, he's been spending time with Harry before the wedding. Mr and Mrs Weasley join Hermione, Bella, and Ginny for lunch. All of the other Weasley children are out doing their own things but Hermione doesn't mind them not being there. More people would likely be overwhelming.
the hardest part is probably the dress, There are specific styles that are pretty common but Hermione doesn't find herself liking any of them. Ginny assures her that once she tries them on, she'll like them but Hermione doesn't think it's the dresses, but actually the fact that she is going to get married in just two weeks.
Bella stays quiet throughout most of the wedding planning, mostly just trying to keep an eye out for any attackers. Ginny barely seems to notice Bella's presence but hermione's mind is elsewhere the entire time. It's a lot to process. She tries to pay attention to Ginny until it's time to leave. The place where the bite was on her neck is starting to burn, when Bella notices Hermione rubbing her neck, she announces that it is time to leave.
She instructs the carriage driver to take as long as possible to get to the manor as well as take all of the wrong turns he could. He has a confused look on his face but listens anyway. When they finally get back to the manor, Bella flops onto a couch in the parlor as soon as they get inside.
"I forgot how much I hate the Weasleys." She says with a big sigh.
"Why do you hate them?" Hermione asks.
"They used to be vampires as well, they did a few things that were considered unforgivable, now they're mortals, you can tell they're still bitter about it."
"Ginny doesn't seem bothered," Hermione sits down on the couch beside Bella, glad to be back in a place where she can talk more freely.
"She was never a vampire, only Arthur and Molly were ever vampires, the kids don't know."
"What did they do?" Hermione asks, leaning in, she's marrying into that family and thinks she should know what she's getting into.
"Well, sometimes, vampires will have mortal babies, it's not common, but when they do, they're advised to give the baby to mortals who cannot have children. But the Weasleys decided to keep the child. This in and of itself was not unforgivable, but they then tried to turn the child into a vampire. They really just wanted their child to be with them forever but the ritual is incredibly dangerous for both sides, and it's especially dangerous for a child. The ritual failed and the boy survived but only within an inch of his life and their vampirism was taken so they couldn't do it again."
Hermione sits silently, mulling over what she just heard. Today is just an information overload. It's all very overwhelming and Bella can tell today is getting to her.
"Do you happen to have a library?" Hermione asks.
Bella laughs at this, "Of course I do, pet." She stands up and grabs a lamp from the side table, lighting it.
"There's not been anyone in there in quite a while, there's no telling if those lamps will light." Bella says, gesturing for Hermione to follow her. The library is bigger than any Hermione has ever seen. Bella sits in a chair as Hermione carries the lamp to look at all of the books. She finds a few books and goes to sit in the chair beside Bella's, setting the lamp and stack of books on the table between them.
...
Hermione wakes up in Bella's bed again. Bella is in the chair by the window, looking like she hasn't slept at all. Hermione has noticed her mood hasn't been the same since they got here. This manor obviously drains Bella and Hermione has decided to do something about it.
"We should go for a walk in the city," she says, knowing Bella may decide it's too dangerous.
"That's not a good idea, pet, you know the city is a dangerous place for you to be."
"This house is an awful place for you to be, the last thing I want is to make you stay where you don't want to be. Besides, you'll keep me safe."
"Nonsense, I'm perfectly fine here, besides its only for two weeks, then you're the responsibility of the Weasleys," Bella jokes, "but, if you really think I need out, I'll listen to you. Let's eat and then we'll head out."
...
Hermione is happily chattering as they head toward her old street, she talked Bella into letting her visit her father. The store still smells as sweet and brings back happy memories, but it also makes her miss home. She gives Neville and Nan each a quick hug before rushing up the stairs, knowing her father will be in his room. She knocks on his door and he opens it.
"'Mione, what a surprise!" He says happily, hugging her tightly, "how have you been enjoying life with the Tonks?"
"Well," Hermione begins, "I figured they'd tell you, but I was attacked, they moved me to live with Bellatrix." His facial expression drops and his eyes move to behind Hermione.
"Why didn't they send you back here?" He asks, the question more aimed at Bella than at Hermione.
"We thought she'd be safer with me." Bella's voice is level but Hermione can sense the defensiveness behind it. She wonders if her dad knows about what the black family is.
"Father, please. I came to ask if you wanted to come to lunch with us." Hermione says, trying her best to smooth whatever is going on over.
"I'm sorry Hermione, but I think you should just stay here and let me keep you safe."
"That is not happening." Before Hermione can stop it, an argument breaks out between the two of them. She lets them argue for about a minute before she decides to cut in.
"SHUT UP! I AM NOT A CHILD, NOR AM I AN OBJECT."both of them turn to look at the brunette, "will you two please be civil."
"But-" Bella starts, Hermione holds up her hand.
"Father, I love you, but you know you can't protect me like they can and I'm tired of everyone talking over me as if I have absolutely no say in where I end up. I know you just want me to be safe but neither of you have asked me what I want. And frankly, I'd rather stay with Bella. I don't want to come home just to leave again. So, whether or not you think I should be here doesn't matter, I'm staying with Bella until my wedding." Hermione finds herself shaking, she's never raised her voice like that and the surprise is obvious on their faces.
"Okay, you're right, 'Mione, I'm sorry." Her father says.
Bella just hangs her head and hermione almost feels guilty. She's never seen Bella look like that. She takes a deep breath and heads toward the door. She just wants out of there.
When she and Bella make it to the street, Hermione turns to her, "look, I'm sorry for raising my voice. I shouldn't have reacted like that. Thank you so much for protecting me."
"No, pet, it should be me apologizing, you're right. I have been trying to protect you, but I haven't taken into account what you want. Like claiming you without your consent, I never had any intention of feeding on you without permission, but you should have known what putting that ring on would do. For that, I'm sorry and I hope you can find it in you to forgive me." Bella says, fiddling with the ring on her finger.
"I forgive you, Bella. There's very little you could do that I wouldn't forgive."
"Oh I'm sure I could think of a few,"
...
When they get back to the manor, Bella is still looking worse for wear.
"Why do you look so sick?" Hermione asks.
"I haven't had time to hunt and blood only stays fresh for about a day," Bella responds, gesturing to her hip flask. Hermione stays silent for a few moments.
"Drink from me." She says, her voice wavering only slightly.
Bella laughs, "I can't ask you to do that for me, pet, a full drink is definitely exhausting for the victim."
"Then I'll sleep after. How are you to protect me if you aren't at full strength?"
"You're not going to give this up, are you?" She asks.
"No, I won't," Hermione huffs, crossing her arms and trying to look brave, knowing that it's very likely Bella can see her trembling.
"Well, you should probably go get ready for bed, it's possible that you'll pass out after."
Hermione takes a deep breath and heads up to the bedroom. Undressing quickly and hanging her dress a little less neatly than she had before. She's shaking too much to care about being neat. She sits down on the edge of the bed and Bella sits behind her, brushing her hair off of her neck.
"Don't tell me you're about to do it, just do it." Hermione says. Bella listens and just sinks her teeth in, it hurts at first but then the sensation in almost pleasant. She feels Bella's teeth leave her neck and feels her start to lick it to heal it.
"Leave it," hermione says, curling up on the bed and drifting off to sleep.