"Hello, Draco. How are you?" Luna asked the young wizard. Draco was momentarily startled by the witch's presence before composing himself.
"I'm alright, Luna. How are you? What are you doing here?" he asked, brows furrowing. He was sure he had been alone but perhaps he overlooked her by mistake.
"This is where I'm supposed to be. How's Hermione? I haven't had the opportunity to talk to her since the end of the school year."
"She's doing well. I'm not sure how much I can tell you." Draco felt a bit awkward. He knew Luna was one of Hermione's allies but he hadn't interacted with the strange witch often.
"Are you going to Hogsmeade this weekend?"
"Erm, no. I have plans already."
Luna nodded, turning and leaving Draco to stare at her, confusion on his face. She truly hadn't expected to run into him but it had been a pleasant conversation, even if he had felt a bit awkward. Luna smiled to herself, wandering around the castle to see what else she might find. One never knew what lay hidden in the castle. One time she had found a colony of pygmy Nagas behind a suit of armor in an alcove.
Draco shook off his confusion at Luna's behavior. A small smile graced his face as he wondered about the witch. She had always been different but he had always found her interesting whenever someone told him about their interaction with her. She was a refreshing presence, much like Hermione was and he could see why they had become friends. As he entered the Room of Requirement, the smile remained on his face. It was nearing Christmas break and he hoped to have the cabinet done before then. Hermione was waiting for him so she could strengthen the connection. Excitement bubbled through him as he realized how quickly the plan was coming together. Eating one of Fred and George's restorative candies, Draco felt the rapid change in his body before he sat in front of the cabinet, energized enough to work on the cabinet. He wasn't sure how much longer Hermione's ruse would keep Potter and Weasley distracted but he planned to take advantage of the time he had. With Hermione's cabinet repaired, the cabinet's magic was strong enough to do longer repair sessions. He had seized the opportunity to make significant progress and had been keeping Hermione updated. She always wrote words of encouragement between each session and it helped him stay positive. He was a bit jealous Hermione didn't have to return to school but it wasn't a big deal. Things would be different soon.
Hermione walked through the garden with Narcissa while Bellatrix and Andromeda spent some time together. The three sisters had grown close once again and Hermione was happy to have played a part in that. They had all been so much happier and complete. Narcissa looped her arm through Hermione's, enjoying the cool air. A gentle breeze wove through the garden, bringing with it a crisp freshness. The cooler weather was welcomed by the entire family and they took advantage of it as often as they could.
"I never did thank you for bringing my sister back to us, Hermione," Narcissa said, eyes roving the cloudless sky.
"You don't have to thank me, Cissa. You're family, I'd do anything for you. Any of you."
"Yes, so I'm discovering. I always thought the prophecy would only affect Bella this way."
"What do you mean?"
"The bridge, Hermione. The bridge is the bond between me and my sisters. You have reunited us, you have crossed the bridge."
"Oh. Divination never did make much sense to me."
"It is a very...incorporeal subject."
Hermione let out a quiet snort, earning a laugh from Narcissa. She did not chide Hermione for the unladylike action since it was just the two of them. Hermione beamed at Narcissa sheepishly, knowing the older witch would disapprove if they had other company. Narcissa smiled in return, continuing their stroll. Hermione chewed her lip, debating the question on her mind.
"Cissa, do you think-I mean," Hermione took a deep breath, composing herself before continuing, "Do you think Bella would marry me? I mean I know there isn't any reason for us to do so because of our bond but I'd still like to. I know I haven't known her for very long but, obviously, our circumstances aren't exactly normal. It's just after she was hurt I couldn't-I didn't-I can't lose her without the chance to call her my wife. I love her and I know she's the only one for me and I know she feels the same but her first marriage wasn't great and I don't know if she wants to be married again."
Narcissa smiled in slight amusement at Hermione's nervous rambling, placing a hand on Hermione's shoulder and saying, "Hermione, I know Bella would be more than willing to marry you. Her previous marriage was nothing like what you and she have. You don't have to be afraid she won't want to. You should know she'd never say no to you."
"I just don't want to ask her to do something she doesn't want to."
"I understand. With your bond, your needs and wants are hers. She'll say yes, Hermione, there's no doubt in my mind and there won't be any in hers."
"Thank you, Cissa," Hermione breathed, relaxing into the blonde witch.
"Do you have a ring picked out?"
"Well, I was wondering if my ring would be appropriate. She gave it to me when I had just found out my heritage. I thought it might be fitting if I proposed with it."
"I think that's a wonderful idea. If you need any help just let me know. I suppose I should start planning a wedding."
"Not yet, Cissa. I'm not even ready to ask her, yet."
"Fine, I'll wait."
"Thank you, Cissa." Hermione kissed Narcissa on the cheek, feeling lighter knowing Bellatrix would say yes. She had been thinking about it for the past few days but had been too nervous.
Bellatrix and Andromeda sat in the library, tea in front of them and books in their laps. They weren't talking but it was a comfortable silence. Neither witch was actually reading but they just wanted to enjoy the other's company. Bellatrix set her book aside, watching her sister pretend to read. Andromeda looked up at her, brow arched as she discarded her book.
"What is it, Bella? I can practically hear the noise in your head."
"Do you think Hermione would marry me? I know she's still young and I don't want to scare her with such a big step forward, especially since we haven't known each other much more than a year." Bellatrix tapped her fingertips against the arm of her chair, leg bouncing up and down.
"She'd say yes, Bella. She loves you, she doesn't care about age. You should ask her, if you want to marry her," Andromeda reassured.
"I just don't want to keep her from experiencing things."
"You're the only thing she wants to experience, I promise."
"That's good because I found a ring."
"Are you going to tell me or do I have to guess?"
Bellatrix pulled a ring out of a hidden pocket on her corset. It was a metal rendering of willow branches intertwined with each other. There was a slight amethyst tint to it but for the most part, it was plain silver. It gleamed in the light, giving the silver a liquid appearance.
"It's beautiful, Bella. It's perfect, actually. She'll love it." Andromeda wanted to touch the ring but refrained, staring at it with discerning eyes.
"You think so?" Bellatrix chewed her lip nervously.
"Yes. You just have to ask her." Andromeda placed a hand on Bellatrix's shoulder, hugging her when she nodded. Bellatrix tried to calm the nerves she felt. There was no reason for her to think Hermione would reject her but she couldn't help it. Losing Hermione would mean losing an integral part of herself and she didn't want that.
Minerva looked at the letter she had written for Hermione. She hadn't sent it yet, unsure of whether or not Hermione would want to hear from her. Surely she would if Severus had gone through the trouble of telling her what had happened while she was gone. Minerva cast all doubt from her mind, striding to the Owlery to send the letter. If Hermione didn't respond, that was up to her, but she had to take the first step. She tied the rolled parchment to her owl's leg, bidding him to deliver it to Hermione and watching as he flew off. His wings flapped every few moments, driving him higher into the air before he glided, repeating the process when he was too close to the trees.