A/N Such revelation of plans! Such family bonding! Everything is super great! Will I be horrible and ruin it all? I'll never tell.
Welcome new readers and old readers. It is time for your daily dose of appreciation! I appreciate every single one of you for making this far (and hopefully to the end). I just want you to know.
I am about ten written chapters ahead but I hope to use Sunday to get even farther. Daily updates require so much writing and I have pretty much the entire story planned out in its entirety in my head but writing it all takes forever. And then I come up with things to add that I just can't resist putting in because they're important. Nevertheless, your daily updates will continue and I will hopefully be getting some major events written this weekend.
Have a wonderful day or night or whatever measurement of time you use!
Hermione felt the faint tingling of her Mark, indicating the Dark Lord was calling her. She had just been about to go see him, having come up with what she believed to be the proper spell for the notebooks to allow her and Draco to communicate while he was at school. Bellatrix was still on her mission and Hermione had been able to focus on her Apparition training with Narcissa and her notebook task. Snape had been by a few times to help Narcissa experiment with the samples and Hermione had joined them, having missed the Professor. He would give her short lessons on how to properly experiment on and use samples.
"Hermione. I apologize for monopolizing your soulmate's time. I have been meaning to talk to you earlier but it was never the right time. Please, sit. I can tell you have some things to share, as well." The Dark Lord gestured for her to sit across from him as she rose from her bow, stroking Nagini's head.
"My Lord, Bella and I will have all the time in the world together once the war is over. I understand your need for her and while I miss her dearly, I know it is necessary."
"I am glad you understand, Hermione. Bellatrix should be returning home soon. She will be glad to see you, too, I'm sure. I have had her hunting for some of my Horcruxes to keep them from the Order's hands. You already know I have them, which is why I have no problem sharing this with you. It would also be cruel for me to ask Bella to keep something from you. I would also like to inform you that I will be moving our base to your island. Something has felt off recently and I do not wish to engage in a firefight."
"Of course, my Lord. My island is yours to use as you see fit. I have some news."
"Go ahead, Hermione."
"I believe I have perfected the charm that will allow Draco and I to communicate. It is a blend of your spell, a modified Protean charm, and a privacy charm. It cannot be read by anyone but Draco or I, we will be able to read past exchanges, and we will be able to tell when one has written the other. You will, of course, be an exception to the privacy charm, as will Bella. To everyone else, the journal will look entirely ordinary."
"Excellent. What a fascinating combination. I would never have thought to blend such spells together."
"Thank you, my Lord. There is one more thing. When we were in Diagon Alley the other day, Potter and Weasley were spying on us while acquiring the Vanishing Cabinet. I noticed them before we entered the store and cast an illusory charm that prevented them from seeing our true reason for being there. I would have told you sooner, my Lord but I was finalizing an idea. I think it might be a benefit if attention is drawn away from Draco so he can work on the Vanishing Cabinet without attracting attention."
"How do you propose we do this?"
"Allow me to make false attempts on Dumbledore throughout the year. Hogsmeade weekends will be the best time. It may not fool Dumbledore, but it will hopefully distract Potter and Weasley from Draco."
"I will consider this idea."
"Thank you, my Lord. I have a question about your plan, though."
"Go ahead."
"Dumbledore possesses the Elder Wand. If you want him killed so you can have the wand, shouldn't you be the one to kill him instead of Bella?"
"You need not fear for Bellatrix's safety, I would never have her carry out a task that would end in her demise. I do not intend to possess the Elder Wand. In fact, I intend to have it destroyed. Such an object cannot exist in our new world. After Bellatrix kills Dumbledore, the wand will be hers and she will destroy it."
"Thank you, my Lord."
"You may go, Hermione. Enjoy your lesson with Narcissa."
Hermione bowed before exiting the library. She relaxed slightly, knowing Bellatrix was not dispensible and would be home soon. She couldn't wait to see her dark witch again. Even distracting herself with learning to Apparate and the journals had not distracted her from the incompleteness she felt. She had not been able to examine the Vanishing Cabinet yet. It had arrived the same day it was purchased but Hermione wanted to surprise Bellatrix with being certified to Apparate and had thrown herself into learning it. Morgana had left tips on the branch of magic and Hermione had progressed rapidly through the lessons. Today she would be completing her training and Lucius would plant her documents into Ministry records if she passed her test.
"Are you ready, Hermione?" Narcissa asked as she strode into the garden, robes billowing. She knew Hermione was in need of constant occupation without Bellatrix. She had recognized the early signs of restlessness within the young witch and did her best to accompany her.
"Absolutely. Bella will be back soon and I can't wait to tell her."
"Excellent. Your goal will be to Apparate both of us to your castle and back without splinching either of us. Normally, the distance is not so far but you have incredible power and I believe this is well within your capabilities. You have already demonstrated your ability to Apparate alone. Whenever you are ready, Hermione."
Hermione took a steadying breath, drawing in the required magic and focusing on the destination. She twirled her wand in her hand, the wood steadying her slightly. Holding it clear in her mind, she held her arm out to Narcissa. When she felt a hand firmly grasp her forearm, Hermione released the magic, Apparating them to the doors of her castle. She looked over at Narcissa to make sure she hadn't splinched the blonde witch, relieved when she nodded.
"Very good. Now take us back."
Repeating the process was easier. Having successfully done it once, Hermione knew she would be able to do it again. Narcissa removed her hand from Hermione's arm as they arrived in the entryway. Hermione had learned the skill faster than anyone she had ever heard of. She knew it was because she needed a distraction with Bella's absence, but Narcissa was still impressed. She would not admit it, but she had been a bit nervous about teaching Hermione. She trusted the young witch's abilities and was honored she had asked her, but Narcissa had worried she wouldn't be suitable to teach her. She was grateful that was not the case.
"Congratulations, Hermione. Not only have you learned Apparating faster than anyone I know of, but you did so perfectly. Lucius will have your paperwork in place tomorrow morning."
"Thank you for agreeing to teach me, Cissa." Hermione gave the blonde witch a tentative hug. Sometimes Narcissa was distant, even with family but Hermione was getting better at reading her as they spent more time together. Despite her icy demeanor, Narcissa cared deeply for her family. Narcissa returned the hug, not needing to say anything.
"Draco and I have plans to spar today, but Bella isn't back yet. Do you mind being our referee?"
"I will gladly do so. Get changed, I will inform my son."
The two witches walked off in different directions. Hermione was excited to spar with Draco again. Bellatrix had worked with them both on their weakness before she left on her impromptu mission but they hadn't had a chance to apply it. They had made plans hoping Bellatrix would be back by now but Narcissa would be a fine referee. Besides, if anything bad happened, Narcissa was more qualified to heal them than Bellatrix was. They wouldn't be examined so critically for improvements to make but today was really more about having fun. As Hermione finished putting on the last of her sparring clothes, she made the decision to Apparate to the garden. With a crack, she appeared in front of a waiting Draco and Narcissa.
"Awesome, Hermione. Now you can go anywhere whenever you want!"
"Yeah, so watch your back, Malfoy," she teased.
"You are so on, le Fay," he taunted, grinning.
They bowed to each other before taking the ten steps. Facing each other, Hermione wasted no time in firing off the first spell. Draco rolled away from it, barely casting a Protego in time to block the next one. Casting a quick succession of stunners, he bought himself time to position himself properly as Hermione batted them aside with her wand, careful not to send them toward Narcissa. Ducking under a Stupefy, Hermione retaliated with two fast, weak stunners followed by three stronger ones, hoping to catch Draco between dodges. He deflected the first two, blocking the third with a Protego, and rolling away from the last two. Panting, he fired off a quick Incarcerous and Confringo, marveling at how powerful Hermione was as she easily deflected them. He knew it wasn't likely he would win but that didn't stop him from giving it his all. Mustering his strength, he released a Stupefy and Expeliarmus simultaneously, hoping to hit Hermione with one of them.
Hermione could feel the spells before Draco even cast them. She always knew what was next, sometimes before he did. It made defending easier when she knew what was coming. Deflecting his simultaneous spells, Hermione barely returned her wand to its position before casting an Incarcerous at Draco. He had almost completely dodged it but he had been a second too slow and he could feel the rope around his ankle, firmly holding him in place. Rolling onto his back, he managed to block the next few spells from Hermione, even firing off his own before he ultimately was disarmed by the brunette.
"Nice job, Hermione," he panted.
"You did great, Draco. I don't think many people could have held out as long as you did. And you even managed to squeeze in your own spells between your defense."
"Thanks, Hermione."
Hermione undid the charm, helping Draco to his feet and handing his wand to him. She enjoyed sparring with the young wizard. He was a determined fighter and skilled in offense and defense. Draco noticed Hermione was barely breathing hard and wasn't anywhere near as sweaty as he was. He wondered at how much power she truly possessed to be so unfazed with their duel. He did not feel inadequate after dueling her. Rather, he enjoyed sparring against someone stronger than him. He wouldn't improve if he only practiced against people he could beat. The point of practice was to improve, not win.
"Well done, both of you. I'm afraid I cannot offer much in the way of improvements. I do not have the same eye my sister has when it comes to dueling skills but I do know she would be proud of both of you. Now, get cleaned up. I will not have either of you looking the way you do." Narcissa observed the interaction between Hermione and Draco. They worked seamlessly together, quickly repairing the garden and checking the other for injuries. She could see the natural camaraderie between the two and wished it had not taken so long for them to find Hermione. Her son was happy and her sister was happy. That made Narcissa happy by default, not to mention she enjoyed Hermione's presence. The young witch was the perfect addition to their family.