A/N It's here! The first real meeting between Hermione and Bellatrix. I wanted to have a level of intimacy without them being all over each other because this is a slow burn. I had a few different drafts for this chapter but decided on this one because I felt that it fit the best, especially with future chapters.
We are approaching the double chapter day! I am working hard to stay as ahead as I can so I can continue to give you daily updates while also working on my other story. It is coming along nicely and I hope to have the first chapter up next week but it will not have as frequent updates. This story is my priority and I cannot write fast enough to give two stories daily updates. So, while this story is still in progress, it will receive daily updates and the other will receive weekly. Once this story is complete, I will be able to devote more time to my other story and possibly bring daily updates. For now, it is titled "Monsters" but that is subject to change between now and publication day.
Thank you all for your support of this story. Enjoy!
Hogsmeade day began with a blanket of fresh snow covering the grounds, the cold, early December air invigorating all who ventured outside. The younger students busied themselves with magical snowball fights and building snowmen while they had the freedom to do so. Harry, Ron, and Hermione were observing with amusement twinkling in their eyes. They chatted and laughed on the walk to The Three Broomsticks. It was a nice change of pace, considering the strain of Umbridge's decrees. The three friends had not gotten on so well since their third year. They were relieved to know that no matter how difficult things became, they would still be the Golden Trio.
The Three Broomsticks was alive with conversation. The freshly fallen snow had put everyone in a childlike mood, it seemed. The Trio kept mostly to themselves, wanting to use this rare time to reconnect. Everything felt alive with magic because of the weather and it was infectious. Hermione found that all her worries and stresses had eased considerably. She had missed being like this with Harry and Ron. It reminded her of why she stayed by their sides.
It did not last much longer than an hour, unfortunately. Harry had spotted Ginny with an admittedly handsome Hufflepuff and his mood immediately darkened. Ron did his best to bring the smile back to Harry's face but his efforts were fruitless. Hermione knew when Harry was in one of his moods he just had to sulk it out before he would feel better.
"I have genuinely enjoyed our time together you guys, but I have to get new parchment and quills. I'll see you at dinner, yeah? Try not to dwell on it Harry, I'm sure they're just friends."
"Catch you later, 'Mione."
"Bye, Hermione."
Leaving the two boys to do whatever it was they normally did, Hermione actually did stop at Scrivenshaft's for more parchment and a new set of quills. All her letter writing on top of note-taking had diminished her supply. The quills were a gift for Bellatrix. Hermione nervously spun her ring on her pinky finger. She was anxious to meet the Death Eater, but she could not back down now. She would never forgive herself if she let this opportunity pass.
The Shrieking Shack sat away from Hogsmeade. Even some adult witches and wizards feared the rumors about the decrepit building. Hermione knew better, this was, after all, where they had first met Sirius Black and Peter Pettigrew. They also very nearly became werewolf food. She held no trepidation as she entered the supposedly cursed building. She knew Bellatrix was here, she could feel the older woman's magic as she shut the door.
"You know, I've always despised Gryffindor colors but I must say they look great on you," a voice whispered in her ear. Inhaling sharply, Hermione spun on her heel. She had not expected Bellatrix to be so stealthy.
"You should give them a try sometime. They'd suit you rather well, I think," Hermione responded, eyes traveling over the witch in front of her.
"You should see me in my house colors then."
"It's not too hard to picture. Truthfully, you'd look beautiful in any color."
Hermione watched as ruby red lips twitched up at her statement. She could feel the slight flush of her cheeks at her statement.
"As much as I'd love to tease you endlessly, little lion, I recall there being some things we need to discuss," Bellatrix said, eyebrow raised and lips quirked in a smile.
"Yes! Right, erm, I have so many questions," Hermione stumbled over her words.
"Sit with me. I will tell you more about how you came to be. You can ask questions after."
Bellatrix led Hermione to a dingy sofa, casting a quick Scourgify before dropping into the seat. Hermione was pulled down to sit next to the Death Eater. She waited patiently for Bellatrix to start, knowing the woman's temper was a thing of legend and not wanting to attract her ire.
"Morgan le Fay was the most powerful witch to have ever existed. This power brought immense fear to the people. At first, she was overwhelmingly good, but the people hated her for what she could do that it slowly corrupted her. She was skilled in all aspects of magic, but especially the Dark Arts. She was not typically a practitioner of such magic, but after King Arthur forced her out of Camelot, she was filled with anger. She had helped him secure his throne and he betrayed her. That was the moment she vowed to bring about his end. She threw herself into the Dark Arts, creating new categories of magic and ultimately losing herself. She became twisted and evil in her quest for revenge. Creatures that spent too much time near her became twisted too. It took several years, but Morgana finally perfected her magic.
King Arthur hadn't realized his greatest mistake until it was too late. If he had addressed his people instead of kicking out his greatest asset, he would have lived to be an old man. As it was, he had appointed Merlin, a wizard of average magical prowess, to be his council. The people adored Merlin because he was not nearly as powerful as Morgan le Fay. When she found out about this treachery, she vowed to level the entirety of Camelot. The people were terrified but they felt justified in their hatred of her. Merlin was no match for Morgana in a fair fight, so he helped King Arthur devise a plan that would result in her destruction but would likely kill them both. It was a foolish plan but they were desperate.
Arthur would keep Morgana's attention in a false peace talk, allowing Merlin time to cast a spell powerful enough to destroy her. Morgana knew of their plan. She had spies within the castle but conceded to the peace talks. During the talk, Morgana had steadily gathered all her power to cast a final spell. Just before Merlin cast the spell to end her, she had cast her own. It allowed the essence of her magic to survive without her body until a suitable heir was found. The magic would bind to a child of Muggles to keep her magical line pure. Before you ask, no you do not have Morgana's magic, just the maternal essence that is passed on from mother to child. When Merlin's spell hit her, it collided with the second spell she had cast, one to kill Merlin and Arthur, effectively destroying all three of them. You know the rest from Severus."
Hermione was quiet for several moments processing the information Bellatrix had so freely given. If Dumbledore knew what she discovered he would no doubt try to deny knowledge of it. The man she had so blindly followed was more deceitful than someone of the light should be. Sitting next to her was the most feared Death Eater in Voldemort's ranks and she had freely given Hermione information. It was so backward she couldn't help the laugh that spilled out.
At the older witch's confused look, Hermione said, "Sorry, Bella. It's just so backward that Dumbledore never tells us anything about what we're getting into and here you are telling me things I didn't even have to ask for. What are you looking at me like that for?"
"Only my family has ever called me Bella. Don't apologize. I prefer it to Bellatrix. I wish we had more time, but you should be getting back to the castle. As for dealing with your anger, just focus on your anchor. Speaking of, I much prefer the original to the glamour," Bella said, resting a hand on Hermione's face to keep her from withdrawing.
"Can I see you again?" she asked, subtly leaning into the hand. It was not unnoticed if Bella's smile was any indication.
"I'll try, lion. Things are about to come to a head on both sides. Be careful," she said, placing a quick kiss to Hermione's cheek before standing and Apparating away. Hermione couldn't help the flutter in her chest and the lingering sensation on her cheek at the older witch's actions. She sat on the sofa for a few more minutes before shaking off her shock and returning to the castle. She did not want to be the last one back, it would raise too many questions.