A/N What a lovely day for an update! Really, every day is a better day because I get to give you all another chapter. Welcome to this story if you're just joining us! If you've been here from the start welcome again! Thank you all for checking out this story and reading it. You're truly fantastic.
Here you go!
"I was thinking, if none of you have plans, perhaps we could all visit le Fay Castle today? I don't want to go by myself," Hermione proposed at breakfast.
"I think that's a splendid idea. I, for one, would love to join you, Hermione," Lucius said.
"Me too! I want to see the Castle," Draco exclaimed, looking excited.
"It's settled then, after breakfast we shall all meet in the foyer to travel to le Fay Castle," Narcissa said, knowing Bellatrix had already promised to go. Hermione looked more at ease knowing her new family would go with her.
"Remember, there is a meeting tonight, so we must be back before dinner," Lucius reminded, sipping his orange juice.
They all nodded. None of them dared be late for a meeting, knowing full well the consequences of such an action. They would make certain to arrive well before dinner so they would be on time. Standing from the table, the occupants of the room went about finishing their morning routine before meeting in the foyer. Narcissa and Hermione were the only two that did not need to finish getting ready.
"Thank you for my new outfits, Cissa. They fit perfectly," Hermione said, giving the witch a slight hug.
"Of course, Hermione. We can't have you wandering around in Muggle clothes now that the world knows you are the Heir of Morgana. As your guardian and your friend, I take great pride in properly preparing you," Narcissa replied, returning the hug.
"I don't know what I would do without your family," Hermione admitted softly.
"You mean your family," Bellatrix corrected, entering the room and giving Hermione a hug. "You belong to us as much as we belong to you."
"Then yes, I do mean my family. It's nice to be around people that see me as such unconditionally."
"We'll always do our best to make you feel welcome. You deserve to be appreciated, Hermione. You're brilliant," Draco said, standing beside his mother.
"Indeed," Lucius agreed, a twinkle in his eye.
"Are we ready to go?" Narcissa asked, holding out her arm.
Once the last hand was in place she Apparated them to the outskirts of le Fay Castle. They all stared up at the towering building surrounded by plants even Narcissa had never seen before. The gates swung open without a creak and they all took a step inside, in awe of the property.
"Merlin, this place makes the Manor look like a dollhouse," Bellatrix whispered.
"No kidding," Hermione mumbled, hesitantly approaching the doors of her castle. Her companions followed quietly, afraid to disturb the peace of the property. It was not as eerie as any of them had expected. The grounds were well maintained and the building looked as it must have the day it was built. The white marble of the castle gleamed in the sun, making the spires appear taller than they were. It was as if time had remained frozen in the thousands of years since Morgana walked the halls. Hermione pushed open the solid oak door with surprising ease and entered the castle, her family close behind.
"It looks like it's been waiting for you, Hermione," Draco said.
"It has," she said, moving further into the castle. There was a pop as a house elf appeared in front of her and Hermione stopped, startled. He had incredibly large eyes like sapphires and his nose was shorter than most house elves. He was small but not emaciated and looked young but had an air of old age about him.
"Mistress le Fay! You have arrived! Squil has been waiting a long time for you. The previous Mistress cast a preservation spell on everything so you would have it when you claimed your name," the house elf-Squil- said as he bowed.
"Thank you, Squil. Has everything been the same since Morgan died?"
"Yes, Mistress le Fay. Squil has taken care of the Castle and other properties, doing what Mistress's magical essence could not. Squil registered all properties with the Ministry when it came about so Mistress could properly claim them. Would you like a tour?"
"If it's all the same, I'd like to find my own way around, but if we need anything we shall call for you."
"Of course, Mistress. Welcome home," Squil said, bowing as he disappeared with a pop.
"Where to first, love," Bellatrix asked, wrapping her arms around the younger witch's waist.
"I was thinking we try to find the library. Though I would like to explore a bit as well. If you wish to explore on your own, my home is yours. Feel free to whatever you wish," Hermione said to all of them, leaning back against Bellatrix, turning her head to smile at the dark witch.
"I'm going to explore the grounds. I want to see if I can figure out how many Quidditch pitches will fit here," Draco said, a bright smile on his face.
"I shall join you. Perhaps someday competitions will be held here," Lucius said, his grin matching Draco's. They went outside, presumably talking about Quidditch.
"I shall explore with you two until we find the library and then I should like to take a look at some of the plants growing here. There were many I did not recognize," Narcissa said, looking to the two witches.
They both nodded, consenting to her joining them. She had not expected them to object but wanted to make sure anyway. She knew the bond they had was growing and they would likely want to spend time with each other to develop it. Narcissa was glad to spend time with the two. She had missed her sister dearly when she had been sent to Azkaban and Hermione needed the affection of her whole family, not just Bella. Narcissa could see the girl's fear that she would wake up one day and they would be gone and she wanted to assure Hermione that they were all here for her. They all needed each other if they wanted to survive.
It took an hour of exploring for them to find the library. They had come across rooms that didn't have any apparent use but obviously served some purpose at some point in time. They had found the kitchen and dining room before moving up to the second floor where they found the library. It was large. Larger than even the Black library, which was the largest private library of any wizarding family. Hermione had sent Bellatrix a smirk when Narcissa told her and she could not help but laugh at the exchange. The library seemed to be made entirely of books except for the ceiling and floors.
"Squil," Hermione said, summoning her house elf.
"Yes, Mistress?"
"Are these books categorized in a particular order?"
"Yes, Mistress. Squil has kept to the original Mistress's organization of category then subject then title. Would you like Squil to use a different system?"
"No, thank you, Squil. Will you please inform us when it is four o'clock?"
"Yes, Mistress," he said with a pop.
Hermione examined the shelves for a moment, running her fingers along the spines. She had walked around the room a few times, taking in all the books and their apparent order. Narcissa had chosen a Herbology book, presumably something about the flora growing on the property. Bellatrix was lounging on the couch, idly flipping through a book.
"Hermione? Have you ever tried to become an Animagus?" she asked, settling on a page.
"No, why?"
"Morgan le Fay was renowned in Transfiguration. This is her personal walkthrough on how to become an Animagus, assuming one has the ability. You likely do. This is so much simpler than what I went through to become an Animagus."
"What's yours?"
"A panther," Bellatrix said, skimming the page she had settled on.
"That's what my Patronus is," Hermione said, smiling as she sat next to the older witch.
"Can I see? I haven't been able to cast one since before I became a Death Eater. Not enough happy memories," Bella murmured.
"Of course, Bella. I'll show you anything you want to see."
Hermione drew her wand and muttered the spell, watching as her Patronus appeared, sitting in front of Bella, tail swishing playfully. Bellatrix smiled at the panther, amused as it watched her watch it. They sat there, looking at each other for several moments before Bellatrix reached out her hand at the same time the panther moved forward. As the Death Eater's hand passed through the corporeal Patronus, Hermione shivered, feeling Bella touch her magic.
"Are you okay?" she asked, looking at the young witch.
"Yes. I just felt that in my magic. When you touched my Patronus I could feel you touching my magic. It was strange."
"You can feel when I touch it?"
"Yes. Am I not supposed to?"
"It is very rare for someone to feel when a person touches their Patronus. It indicates a strong magical connection between the two," Narcissa spoke up, watching curiously.
"We already knew there was a connection," Bellatrix said.
"I used a memory of you. When I first cast it, I was thinking about one of the letters you sent me," Hermione said, blushing slightly.
"Hermione, when you first cast a corporeal Patronus, if you are thinking of a specific person and the emotions that person directly causes, you will be forever tied to that person. I believe being soulmates with Bella would amplify that," Narcissa explained.
"You used me as your memory?" Bellatrix asked, eyes shining. Narcissa used that moment to slip out of the room, wanting to give the two witches privacy.
"Of course I did."
"Was it before or after you knew who I was?"
"Is that important, Bella?" Hermione asked, looking at the Death Eater.
"It is to me," she whispered.
"It was after I knew who you were. Your letters meant everything to me, Bella. They still do," Hermione whispered, resting her forehead against Bellatrix's.
"I never thought I would be a happy memory for anyone," She quietly admitted, a tear slipping from her eye.
"You're so much more than a happy memory, Bella," Hermione whispered, brushing away the lone tear gingerly with her thumb. Leaning forward, she gently pressed her lips against Bella's in a short kiss.
"I love you, Hermione," Bellatrix whispered as Hermione pulled away.
"I love you, too, Bella. More than anything."
They sat together on the couch, pouring over the Transfiguration book Morgana had written for hours. Narcissa had not returned, likely exploring the grounds and taking plant samples. Bellatrix had managed to talk Hermione into attempting to become an Animagus over the summer, promising to help her. She was nervous about the process described in the book. Normally it took months for a person to become an Animagus, but Morgana's journal made it possible in a matter of moments. It seemed more intense than the regular process and Hermione was intimidated before Bellatrix began explaining some of the basic concepts in the book.
Squil appeared with a slight pop, saying, "Mistress asked Squil to inform Mistress when it was four o'clock. Squil has already informed Mistress's other guests. They are waiting in the entryway."
"Thank you, Squil. Do you mind taking us? I intend to be back in a few days. Can you adjust the wards so all of us here today can Apparate directly into the house?"
"Of course, Mistress. Squil will do this," he said, grabbing a hand of each witch, Apparating them to the entryway.
"Thank you, Squil. Here is a list of all the people I would like to have access to the Castle."
"Yes, Mistress."
He disappeared, leaving the small family in the entryway. Draco and Lucius had a spot of dirt on their faces and Narcissa had several samples of plants but was fussing over the Malfoy gentlemen. Hermione and Bellatrix each had a few books. Handing the Herbology book to Narcissa, Hermione took the blonde witch's arm, ready to Apparate back to the Manor. They were gone with a crack, reappearing in the foyer of Malfoy Manor. The meeting would be in an hour and they intended to use that time to make themselves more presentable.