A/N I hope you all had a wonderful Halloween. Mine was very nice. I am excited about the next few chapters for you guys. Enjoy, my dear readers!
The members of the Order of the Phoenix were gathered at the table in Grimmauld Place. They had finally fixed the Burrow enough for the Weasley's to return. It still needed a bit of work but school would be starting soon and the house would not be so full. Dumbledore sat at the head of the table, Andromeda, Tonks, Severus, Ginny, and the twins farthest from him, listening to the recounting of the Manor search and Harry's take on what happened at the Burrow. Dumbledore's face was drawn as Mad-Eye told them what he saw.
"There is no doubting it, Albus, Voldemort was not at the Manor and there was no sign he had been. I did observe a curious interaction between Hermione and Bellatrix. The two appear to have some strange relationship. They were very close the entire time I was there."
"That could be a tactic to distract us," Albus reasoned. He could not imagine a healthy relationship between the two.
"I saw it too, Professor. When the Burrow was attacked it was just the two of them. I was chasing Bellatrix through the field, I'm not sure what Hermione was doing but she found us after I had gotten Bellatrix on the ground and disarmed me before I could cast anything. Bellatrix kept saying Hermione was her equal and would never join us again. They were standing together, Bellatrix was behind Hermione and had an arm around her. They were intimate," Harry said, his face coloring as he recounted the events of that night.
"Hermione was keeping us busy while Bellatrix led you away. She kept us trapped with a wall of fire and then she knocked us out with stunners. Arthur and I didn't even stand a chance against her. I had no idea she was so powerful. She took us all out in a matter of moments. You need to be more careful, Harry. They could have easily ended the war that night," Molly said, doting on the boy.
Ginny watched the display with disguised disgust. She knew Hermione had gone easy on her and the twins, they had recovered the fastest. She had hit Ron really hard and Ginny fought the grin at the memory of her brother sprawled on the floor, completely dazed. He had bled a bit but it was nothing serious, even though he acted as if he had been dying. She could feel their group restraining themselves from speaking or acting in Hermione's defense. She wasn't sure how they had been successful for so long but she sensed someone was about to break.
Dumbledore thought about Mad-Eye and Harry's testimonies. He knew he had missed something, was it possible he hadn't gotten the full prophecy? If Hermione was Bellatrix's equal that would indicate a bond he had not foreseen. How long had Hermione been considering switching sides? He didn't believe that she had always been against the Order. He had been too busy to notice the signs, brushing them off as teenage angst. They had been losing Hermione for some time and had been too blind to see it.
"Severus, do you know what the goal of the attack last night was?" he asked, looking to the double agent.
"I did not even know there was an attack. If I had to guess, it was just a distraction for something else," he intoned. He knew it had been to throw the Order off balance. The Dark Lord had told him of the impending attack so he could prepare a lie. He hadn't realized what exactly the two Death Eaters would be doing but he didn't care. Hermione had already fractured the Order from the inside. Roughly half of them were loyal to Hermione and would rally when called. The girl likely didn't realize what she had done, she naturally attracted followers with her honesty and loyalty. Dumbledore had no idea he had so few allies among them.
"I think you're lying, Snivellus," Sirius hissed, slamming his palms down on the table, "You've always been a shady son of a bitch. How can we trust you?"
"Sirius, Severus can be trusted. He puts himself in dangerous positions to supply us with inside knowledge," Dumbledore said, trying to diffuse the tension.
"He bears the Mark! How do we know he isn't spying on us for them?" Harry said, coming to his godfather's defense. He trusted Dumbledore but he agreed that Snape was suspicious.
"There's not much to tell. We don't even know anything. We barely have a plan," Fred and George said, alternating sentences.
"Fred! George! Don't talk like that!" Molly scolded, turning to the twins.
"It's not like they're wrong, Molly," Tonks said, crossing her arms across her chest and leaning back.
Ginny watched as her mother's face turned red, sputtering incomprehensibly. She was glad someone finally spoke up. The Order knew nothing and had no plan whatsoever. They were stumbling idiots trying to play hero. Ginny stayed quiet. Fred and George were finished at Hogwarts and had their joke shop, Ginny would have to get through school before she could reveal her position.
"We would know more if Snape gave us more to work with!" Ron shouted, face matching his hair.
"He's in a dangerous position! You can't ask him to risk discovery!"
"He should be willing to die to win the war!"
"If that's the Order's opinion of its members, we want no part of it!" Fred shouted, George standing with him. They would not ask their sister to reveal herself yet, it wasn't safe. Tonks stood with them, making her position clear. She was frustrated with the constant bickering. The Order was a useless gathering of misogynists and she would take no more.
"Fred! George! If you leave you are no longer welcome at the Burrow! Do you understand? You are no longer part of this family!" Molly shouted, Arthur standing behind her in solidarity.
"Fine! We don't want to be part of a family that subjugates to a foolish old man who can't see past his own pride!" George shouted, the twins each placing a hand on Tonks's arm, allowing her to Apparate them to Malfoy Manor.
"Well, that was almost as exciting as the Christmas meeting," Ginny muttered, earning quiet laughs from Andromeda and Severus.
Dumbledore watched as three of the Order members left. He knew they would not be coming back but he hoped they did not turn to the dark side. If they stayed neutral for the remainder of the war they would have fewer problems when the light won.
The trio landed outside the intimidating Manor, feeling no fear. Tonks stepped forward, knocking on the large door, hearing the echo of the sound through the large house. A house elf opened the door, inquisitive eyes slightly cautious. Tonks felt bad, knowing it was early and they would likely disturb the occupants' sleep. It was barely dawn and she knew Hermione and her aunt would be tired. The elf, recognizing the young woman, allowed the three to enter the home.
"Please fetch Hermione for us," she said, the twins close behind her. They felt out of place in the large entryway, their own home cramped. The elf disappeared with a pop, returning in the entryway a moment later.
"Mistress Hermione will be down shortly, miss." The house elf bowed before disappearing, presumably returning to work. The three waited, Fred and George walking around the large room but staying close to Tonks. Hermione appeared in the room after a few minutes, eyes heavy with sleep and in pajamas with a robe around her. Her hair was untamed, a brown, bushy mane around her head.
"What happened?" she asked, stifling a yawn.
"Sorry to wake you, 'Mione. We just came from an Order meeting. We couldn't keep quiet anymore and mum kinda disowned us," the twins said in tandem.
"It's no trouble. You're welcome to stay here or at le Fay Castle. I can have a room prepared for you in a few moments. Do you need a place, Tonks?"
"Yeah, mum managed to keep her temper and I don't want to give her trouble with the Order by staying with her."
"Of, course. I shall inform the Dark Lord at my meeting with him today. You do not have to meet with him. Where will you be staying?"
"We'll stay here for now."
Hermione called for a house elf, giving instructions to see to the trio's needs before returning to her room. Stripping her clothes, she crawled back into bed, snuggling into Bellatrix.
"What happened, love?" the dark witch asked sleepily, welcoming the warmth from the younger witch.
"The twins and Tonks have officially defected from the Order. I had a house elf tend to them. We'll have to tell the Dark Lord. Later though. I missed you." Hermione pulled Bellatrix's arms around her, tucking into the Death Eater's front as she wrapped her own arms around her waist.
"You were gone for five minutes, if that," Bellatrix said, obliging the girl and kissing her forehead.
"Are you saying you don't want me to miss you?" Hermione teased, kissing a bruise from their earlier activities.
"Not at all, love."
"That's what I thought. Now shush, I want to go back to sleep."
Bellatrix chuckled, feeling Hermione bury her face into her shoulder, quickly falling back asleep. She rested her chin on the young witch's hair, softly inhaling the walnut and rain. She let her eyes close again, joining Hermione in sleep.
Hermione woke before Bellatrix, taking the opportunity to place feather-light kisses down a pale throat. Her hands grazed Bellatrix's hips, gently dragging her nails over smooth skin. Hermione sensed the change in Bellatrix's breathing as she nibbled the Death Eater's collarbone. She felt arms around her waist as Bellatrix rolled onto her back, pulling Hermione with her. Moving lower, she softly captured a pink nipple with her mouth, running her tongue over the sensitive flesh.
"Good morning to you, too, love," Bellatrix gasped.
"We should stay in bed for the day. I don't want to get up," Hermione said, resting her chin on Bellatrix's chest, looking up at the older witch through her lashes.
"We have to. I have to work with Draco more before school and you need to work on the cabinet, I think your break has been long enough."
"I disagree."
"It's been nearly two weeks."
"Just one more day," Hermione said, wrapping her lips around Bellatrix's other nipple, biting softly.
"Hermione," she chided, arching slightly into the younger witch. Bellatrix buried her hands in bushy hair, a low moan leaving her lips. She wanted nothing more than to spend the day in bed with her young lover but gently detached Hermione, kissing the witch before urging her out of bed. Hermione pouted as she dressed, not wanting to leave the comfort of their bed. Taking Bellatrix's hand, they walked through the Manor, searching for Narcissa. She was in the garden, looking out at the impeccable grounds, a thoughtful look on her face.
"Cissa, are you alright?" Hermione whispered as they approached, not wanting to disturb the blonde.
"Yes, of course. I suppose I was just a bit lost in thought. Good morning."
"Good morning, Cissy. We have some temporary guests. The Weasley twins and Nymphadora had an altercation with the Order after the attack on the Burrow." Bellatrix rested her chin on Hermione's shoulder, arms around her witch's waist. Hermione leaned into the embrace, soaking up the warmth of the Death Eater. Narcissa observed the interaction, a faint smile on her face. She did not mind the unexpected visitors and the house elves would already be informed of the extra people.
"Would you like to talk a walk, Cissa?" Hermione asked, studying the youngest Black carefully.
"I think I would like that. Will you be joining us, Bella?" Narcissa said, head turning to her older sister. She was quiet for a moment, looking between the two witches before shaking her head.
"You two go ahead. I'd like to sit down. I'll be in the dining room." She gave Hermione a quick kiss before extracting herself and wandering inside. She loved that her sister and Hermione were bonding and wanted them to do it without her there. She would have plenty of time with her family.
Hermione offered her arm to Narcissa as they began their stroll, the blonde witch delicately taking it. The two witches were silent for a few moments, enjoying the morning air.
"Is there something you wish to talk about, Hermione?"
"Not really. You seemed restless and I thought a walk would help. Sometimes it helps Bellatrix to wander through the garden with me."
"I suppose I just have a lot on my mind. I worry for all of you. I know you are always careful not to get hurt but sometimes things happen. Like the Ministry. I had never seen my sister so distraught before. If we were to lose one of you, we would lose both of you. It scares me that everything can be taken away with one misstep. My family is everything to me, Hermione. If I were to lose any part of it, including you, I don't think I could bear it."
"I will not allow anything to happen to this family, Cissa. We will make through. I promise," Hermione reassured, pulling the blonde into a hug. Narcissa returned it, holding tightly to Hermione. She couldn't believe that such a simple action could make her feel so much better but she knew it was Hermione. The girl was naturally reassuring, comforting people with her steady presence and reasonable manner. Narcissa breathed deeply, calming herself. She had not meant to reveal so much but she couldn't help it.
"Thank you, Hermione. Let us join our family for breakfast."