A/N I am so excited for this chapter! I hope you all enjoy it as much as I do.
Hermione circled the Vanishing Cabinet, muttering angrily to herself. The damage was not terribly extensive but she was unsure if fixing it with magic would break the connection to its twin. She didn't want to risk it but there was no way she could repair it by hand. Draco entered the drawing room cautiously, sensing Hermione was on edge.
"Hermione? Would you mind accompanying me to your Castle and helping me and the twins with a project?" he asked, stepping fully into the room, eyes following the irritated witch.
Looking up, Hermione gave a relieved sigh, "I'd love to, Draco. Let's go."
She extended her arm, Apparating them to le Fay Castle as soon as his fingers touched her sleeve. She could feel the discharge of magic around her, relaxing as her stress left her body with it. She stretched her neck, easing back into her normal state of rationality. The cabinet vexed her to no end, the entire project was a catch 22. To repair the connection the cabinet's had to be physically restored but physically restoring them could sever the connection. Draco relaxed as Hermione returned to her normal state, glad he would not have to deal with an irate witch. He led the way to where he knew the twins would be, Hermione walking calmly next to him. Upon seeing the familiar red hair, Hermione smiled, glad to have something else to do.
"Hermione! Welcome to our product development room!" they exclaimed, ushering her into one of the seemingly purposeless rooms.
"I love what you've done with the place. I had no idea this room would have a use."
"Are you kidding? It was practically made for us!"
"What are we working on?" Hermione asked, excitement lacing her words, eyes shining with mischief. She loved helping the twins with their products, even if she sometimes disapproved of their use.
"We are working on something for our good buddy, Draco."
"Since when have you been good buddies?"
"You've been staring at that cabinet for days, 'Mione. The twins are awesome, much better than the other Weasley," Draco said, invoking the nickname he sometimes heard the twins use when talking about her. Hermione smiled, not annoyed at the nickname Ron and Harry had used so frequently. She hated when they said it but didn't mind so much when other people did.
"Draco is great, too. And he gives us insight into what his housemates will buy."
"Alright, shame on me for not noticing. What exactly are we working on?"
"A few things, really. See, over here we're developing something similar to a Pepper-Up but in candy form. Over here we're working on puking pastilles that will target a specific person so he doesn't have to directly put it into their cup, it'll do it on its own. And this is an attempt at making a quill that will write what he thinks so he can better communicate with you. If he's too tired to write, the quill will pick out the important bits and write them in his journal so he doesn't have to." The twins gestured to their inventions as they explained what they were supposed to be.
"Let's start with the puking pastilles and then the Pepper-Up. We'll do the quill last."
The four teenagers gathered around the table with the puking pastilles, working to make them properly. The current trouble was they tended to have a mind of their own, ending up in a random cup, sometimes even Draco's. It was hilarious, really. The twins tried everything they could think of to make it target the desired person but it failed every time. Hermione picked one up, holding it between her fingers, examining the small tablet. It was the original formula with a few minor tweaks to make it more potent.
"You have the wrong charm on it. Actually, I would say don't place the charm until you're ready to use it. Instead of a target charm, use a command charm. Mix it with a notice-me-not and I'm pretty sure that'll do the trick," Hermione said, placing the tablet on the counter. With a wave of her hand, she removed the charms from all the tablets, indicating someone to try it. Draco picked one up, thinking for a moment before letting it go. It landed in George's cup, barely audible. He picked up another, this time sending it to Fred's cup, smiling as it worked again. He tried a few more, just to be sure it wasn't luck.
"It works! They went where I sent them. By the way, don't drink out of your cup. There's a good three or four on top of all the failed attempts."
"You're brilliant, Hermione! We've been trying to get it to work since summer started."
"All I ask in return is that you give one to Potter and Weasley. And Dumbledore if you can manage."
Draco laughed, nodding his head as a promise. They turned their attention to the Pepper-Up candy, the twins explaining that it was supposed to help keep a person awake but unlike a Pepper-Up, the body would enter an accelerated rest period after taking it. The candy would repair the body and magic in the way that sleep does while also invigorating the person so they could continue working. Tonks joined them as Hermione listened intently, standing with the group. She had been the guinea pig for the formula since Draco couldn't be there for constant monitoring. They had gotten the formula correct after countless tries but couldn't refine it into candy form. They had tried Transfiguration and injecting it into chocolate frogs, both of which had disastrous effects.
"What does it taste like?"
"It tastes just like a Pepper-Up with a bit of strawberry mixed in," Tonks said, wondering where Hermione was going with her train of thought.
"Hmm. Have you tried making it into a jelly bean? Put a bunch of them into a Bertie Bott's Every Flavor container? That way everyone thinks Draco just really likes jelly beans. If you can get some just remove the original flavor through whatever process and then combine it with the potion. Maybe."
"We'll give it a try. It seems like it'll work. If it doesn't we'll just bring you back."
"Send me some if it does work, I get the feeling I might need some."
"Are your nighttime activities keeping you awake?" Draco teased. He had noticed the bruises on Hermione's neck-and his aunt's-after they attacked the Burrow. He had come to the very obvious conclusion that they had done it to each other. Tonks and the twins laughed, having noticed the same thing. Hermione's hand went to the still fading marks, tracing them lovingly.
"Not that it's any of your business, but I love my nighttime activities. It's more accurate to say my daytime activities are keeping me awake," Hermione smirked, moving to the quill. She poked it, very scientifically, jumping when it started moving of its own accord. It wasn't writing anything, just scribbling on the parchment.
"Yeah, it does that. Only that, actually. We can't even hold it to make it write words. It still just scribbles all over the parchment," George said, laughing at Hermione's assessment of the quill.
"I think it might be best to start from scratch on this one. I don't even know where to begin with this."
"We had a feeling you would say that. We tried to remove the enchantment, the only problem is it didn't work," Fred sighed.
"Let's just leave it. It seems content to just scribble. We'll move to an empty table. Do you have another quill?" Hermione backed away from the table as the quill moved threateningly toward her after she tried to grab a piece of fresh parchment. Draco laughed before moving behind Hermione, the quill deciding to antagonize him. The group carefully backed away from the table to an empty on across the room. The quill resumed scribbling, unconcerned with their presence.
"What did you do to it?" Draco whispered, horrified.
"Wish we knew. Here you go, Hermione," Fred said, handing Hermione an unenchanted quill.
"So, the goal of this is to make it work only for Draco and able to read his thoughts. But don't do what we did," George said.
"Right, that's perfectly easy without knowing what you did," Hermione responded sarcastically, earning grins from the twins. She tapped her finger on the table, pondering the best way to enchant the quill. She wasn't sure what Fred and George had done but she knew she didn't want to repeat it.
Handing the quill to Draco, she said, "I think you need to be the one to enchant it. That way it only knows your magical signature. Try an Animation spell followed by a Binding spell and then a Self-Regenerating charm," she suggested. Draco did as he was told, eyes widening as the quill bound itself to his hand, making it wave around wildly.
"I don't think that's it, 'Mione!" he shouted.
"I can see that, Draco. Finite Incantatem!" Draco's hand fell back to his side, quill rolling onto the floor. Hermione scooped it up, placing it back in Draco's hands.
"What next?"
"I think the spells were right, just the wrong order. Try the Animation spell then the Self-Regenerating charm and then the Binding spell."
Draco looked at the quill in his hand nervously as he cast the three spells, waiting for something terrible to happen. The quill floated expectantly in front of him and George slid a piece of parchment onto the table. They watched as the quill hovered over the paper, seeming to almost think before writing on the parchment.
Merlin, I am so glad that didn't end badly.
The group let out a collective sigh of relief upon reading the words. They were glad it had worked, having had enough of crazy quills to last them several weeks. The pen laid itself next to the parchment and Draco hesitantly picked it up, happy when it didn't return to life.
"Nice job, 'Mione. You're a genius," the twins said in tandem.
"I can't take all the credit, you two came up with the idea. I just helped make it more functional."
"True, but without you, Draco would have the crazy quill."
"Merlin, I am so glad I don't have to take that abomination to school," he whispered. They laughed, exiting the room. Hermione paused at the door, turning to look at the still scribbling quill. She cast a silent Fiendfyre, effectively destroying the monstrosity, releasing the spell when it was no more than a pile of ashes. She turned, catching up to the group.
"I have something to take care of, but I'll catch up with you all later," she said. Turning on the spot, she Apparated to Black Manor. She felt the wards retract, allowing her to pass through unhindered. Striding to the garden, Hermione clicked her tongue softly. Golden eyes peered at her from the burnt patch of grass Kyndet called home. Smiling, she held out her arm for the dragon, scratching behind his ridges as he rested on her shoulder.
"Hello, Kyndet. It's good to see you again. Can you help me with something? It's almost Bella's birthday." Kyndet nodded, pushing his head into her, chirping lightly. She smiled, a small laugh leaving her lips at the small dragon.
"Can I take some measurements? I want to get a sheath for your tail so you don't have to worry about stabbing us. You'll be able to undo it. And I need to figure out how to keep you from shooting fire in the house." Kyndet chirped, crawling down Hermione's arm, settling on the ground in front of Hermione. He looked at her expectantly, tail held still. She sat in front of him, rubbing under his chin. He chirped, letting the witch examine his tail. He didn't move it, not wanting to accidentally stab the witch. She was bonded to him as Bellatrix was and he understood her needs as his own. Hermione carefully handled the dragon's tail, making note of the shape and size of the point.
Kyndet studied Hermione, golden eyes boring into the brunette. He could see the magic surrounding her, the magical aura she unknowingly exuded was calming but he knew it could turn vicious in a moment. The colored swirls weaved together around her. He could sense Bellatrix's magic melded with hers, a perfect harmony of magic. Kyndet knew the two were soulmates, had known Bellatrix had one when she had found him. Her magic had been restless, seeking something that wasn't there. It had gradually calmed as time passed but was most settled when she had brought Hermione. She had visited since then and her magic was still stable. He could feel the harmony of the two witches' magic inside him. He had imprinted on the two just as they had imprinted on him. He could sense the part of Hermione's magic that was his and reached out to it, giving a playful tug.
Hermione gasped, feeling a strange sensation in her magic. It had felt as if someone had reached out and touched it, like when Bellatrix had touched her Patronus. She looked at Kyndet, a playful look on his face. She knew he had done it, dragons had their own magic and he was the only other thing here.
"Did you just touch my magic?" Hermione's sentence was choppy, slightly stumbling over the words. Kyndet nodded, golden eyes shining with mischief. A smile was on his face and despite his sharp fangs, it was entirely unaggressive. He did it again, reaching out into Hermione's magic again. He knew she was able to do it, she just had to learn how. Hermione stared at the dragon. She knew he was trying to teach her how to do it and she focused on the feeling of his magic on hers, familiarizing herself with the sensation.
Hermione felt Kyndet withdraw his magic, waiting for her to try. She couldn't see the magic but she could feel it. Her own was mixed with Bellatrix's, swirling in harmony as it had since their first night together. She sensed another magic, too, one she had just familiarized herself with. She hadn't noticed it before but now she could easily pick it out. Focusing outward, she felt Kyndet's magical aura, the swirls of grass mingling with traces of cinnamon and walnut.
"You're my familiar, too? Is that possible?" she asked, looking into golden eyes. Kyndet nodded, a smile on his face. He gently tugged Hermione's magic, reminding her of what she was to be doing. Hermione gaped before closing her mouth, reaching out to the dragon's magic. She hesitantly reached out with her own, allowing it to pull on his. He chirped happily, pushing his head into the young witch's shoulder, nudging her magic again. She scratched behind the ridges on his head, tugging his magic again. They took turns, Kyndet teaching her to touch someone else's magic. With practice, she would be able to manipulate magic that was not her own. He reached into Hermione's magic, looking expectantly at her, waiting for her to do the same.
Hello, Hermione. You can do it, too. You do not need to speak. Feel the words and I will know them.
Hermione gasped, not expecting the voice in her head but recognizing it as Kyndet's even though she had never heard it before. She focused on the words she was tempted to say.
How does this work? Is it because you are my familiar? Can you do this with Bella, too?
It is enhanced because of our connection, and yes, I can do this with Bella. Legillimens use a variation of this. They are naturally attuned to magical energies and can feel thoughts but they do not know this. You will be able to reach out to another's magic and listen. You will be able to talk to me in your head without wrapping around my magic, the bond of familiars is solidified now. You can do it with Bellatrix, too. Your magic is already bonded to hers, you just need to try.
A flurry of thoughts passed through Hermione's head, all her own as she processed the information. Kyndet waited patiently for Hermione to gather herself.
This is incredible. How do you feel magic?
I see it. Around you and Bellatrix are swaths of color, mingled perfectly together with shades of my own. Other people have their own color. Only you two have identically opposite magic.
Identically opposite?
Yes. It is difficult to explain to someone who cannot see magic. It is the same color but they are also opposite. It is the nature of soulmates to be a match, but it is the nature of identical opposites to be mirrors of the other. Both of your magics constantly shift to provide a balance, each change resulting in the change of the other.
Can I learn to see magic?
I am not sure. It is a peculiar magic of dragons to be able to see another person's magic and directly interact with it.
Do other magical creatures use that magic?
No. Each creature has their own abilities. Only dragons know this magic.
Have other creatures gifted humans with magic?
It is possible. You are wondering if the core of your wand and Bellatrix's has anything to do with your ancestors having dragon magic. Yes and no. I am not sure I can clarify.
How do you know all of this? Aren't you a really young dragon?
There is a river of knowledge all dragons share. It is implanted in us from the day we are born. I know everything every other dragon knows. Time does not move the same for all creatures, I am young by dragon standards, merely a whelp but by human standards I am ancient.
You're so small. Won't you get bigger?
I am not sure. As I am now a familiar, my magic will only allow me to adapt to the needs of my Mistresses.
I'm sorry.
You misunderstand. It is an honor to be the familiar of not one, but two incredibly talented witches who happen to be soulmates, identical opposites, and both possess dragon magic. It is something that has never happened before.
How does it work?
It is a compatibility of magics creature and human. Other than that, I am not sure. You should go, Bellatrix misses you.
Hermione rose after giving Kyndet a final scratch behind his ridges, turning on the spot and Apparating. Bellatrix was in the garden under their willow, staring off into the distance. Hermione sat next to the dark witch, turning her head to face her, chin resting on her shoulder. Pressing her lips to Bellatrix's Azkaban tattoo, she nuzzled into onyx curls, inhaling the cinnamon and pine. Focusing on Bellatrix's magic, she gave it a gentle tug as Kyndet had taught her. Bellatrix turned to her, a curious look on her face.
"Did you just?"
Yes. Kyndet showed me how. He told me we could do this, too. Hermione smiled as Bellatrix's eyes widened.
About time, love. Hermione laughed, bringing a smile to Bellatrix's face. She had been waiting to see if her suspicions were correct about the connection between Hermione and the dragon. She pulled Hermione closer, enjoying the lightened mood Hermione had brought with her.