Hermione knocked on the door to Minerva's house, shivering slightly from the cold. Her warming charm must have worn off but she didn't bother recasting it since she would be inside soon. Minerva opened the door, a smile lighting up her face as she took in the sight of Hermione. She moved aside, allowing the young witch in before shutting it firmly behind her. Hermione sighed at the warmth of the house, shivers subsiding. Her hair was damp with snow and she cast a quick drying charm over it.
"It's so good to see you, Minerva," Hermione said, rubbing warmth back into her hands. She removed her scarf-it was actually Bellatrix's-and coat, hanging them on the peg near the door.
"It's wonderful to see you, too, Hermione. Though I daresay I never imagined you in Slytherin colors."
"I couldn't find my scarf." Hermione smiled sheepishly at Minerva. Emerald eyes twinkled in amusement.
"Knowing Bellatrix, she probably hid it so she doesn't have to see the colors of her rival house." Minerva led Hermione to a small dining room, the two sitting across from each other at the table.
"I actually think she grabbed mine by mistake when she left this morning."
"Hot chocolate? Lunch is almost ready, Noma is just finishing up."
"Yes, please," Hermione said, taking the mug Minerva offered her. She smiled at the mini marshmallows dissolving in the hot liquid.
"How did everything go with your cousin?"
"Not as bad as I was expecting. He didn't make it but he didn't suffer too much. Unfortunately, there are just some things magic can't cure."
"The mind is always a difficult thing to heal. I'm sorry for your loss. I know the two of you were close."
"Thank you. It is for the best, I think. That kind of trauma never really heals." Minerva stared into her cup of tea, watching the steam rise in swirls.
"I know, but that doesn't make it easier."
"I wish you had returned to Hogwarts. The year has been kind of dreadful. No one in the class knows anything, though I must admit, Draco is more adept at Transfiguration than I realized."
"It's easy to overlook his intelligence because of his attitude. I don't think he's as bad as he used to be, though."
"He's much better. Less arrogant and more focused. It's a bit of an unexpected change from him but it's welcome. I'm sure that's your influence. Harry and Ron, on the other hand, are drowning without you."
"Those two would drown in a puddle if I didn't pull them out."
"I'm inclined to believe you. Ron has not been saying kind things about you. Honestly, I'm surprised you didn't leave them earlier."
"I never realized how much else there was. And I'm so much more appreciated by the Dark Lord and the Death Eaters than I ever was by the Order. It makes me wonder how I was so blind to how the Order worked."
"You seem much happier than the last time I saw you. Much more sure of yourself, too. I always knew you would grow into an incredible witch once you found your confidence." Hermione blushed lightly at the compliment.
"Well, it's partly thanks to you. If you hadn't suggested I stay with my parents that summer I never would have been able to read the book Narcissa sent me. That's what started it all."
"I'm glad I've played a part in your happiness." A bowl of lentil soup appeared in front of each of them, each with a small plate of crackers.
"I missed you last year," Hermione said, crumbling a cracker into her soup.
"I missed you, too. I'm sorry I couldn't be there for you. It seems you had a strong support system, though."
"Yeah, but I still value your input, Minerva."
"Good, because I have to tell you something. Dumbledore is growing desperate to end the war. He hates to lose, Hermione. He will do whatever it takes to ensure his victory. Promise me you'll be careful." Minerva's gaze was worried and she couldn't help the undercurrent of fear in her voice. Hermione recognized it and did her best to reassure her.
"I promise. We are not without a plan and we have the necessary equipment to protect ourselves even if we are taken by surprise."
Minerva nodded, turning back to her soup. "So, tell me, what's it like being a Death Eater?"
Hermione laughed, launching into a narrative of the raids she had been on. Minerva's eyes would widen comically, manners being the only thing that kept her from spitting out her soup. Hermione was in the middle of recounting the night of the bridge collapse when she was interrupted by a loud knock on the door, followed by unrecognizable, muffled words. They both recognized the voice and looked at each other with wide eyes.
"I have to go. Dumbledore can't see me here. Is there another way out?" Hermione whispered, quietly summoning her coat and scarf.
"There's a door in the kitchen. It was nice to see you, Hermione. I'm sorry it was cut short, I had no idea he was coming. I'll try to buy you some time." Another knock sounded throughout the house, followed by more words. Hermione banished her dishes and pushed her chair in as she stood.
"Thank you, Minerva. I'm glad we got to have lunch together. I hope we get to see each other again." Hermione gave Minerva a brief hug, quietly moving into the kitchen. She heard the front door open and Minerva's greeting, but didn't stay long enough to hear anything else. She closed the kitchen door quietly behind her and moved a few steps away from the house, Apparating as she heard the front door close.
The Manor was empty when she arrived, no sign of any of its inhabitants. Hermione shrugged off her coat and scarf, banishing them to her room, and walking into the library. She picked a book off the table, one that had come from her library. An idea for separating the Dark Lord's soul fragment from Nagini had popped into her head but she still needed to do some research before she was ready to attempt it. Kyndet padded into the library, finding his Mistress lying on the couch. He chirped in greeting as he perched on her stomach, curling around himself. Hermione scratched his head, still focusing on her book and he closed his gold eyes, falling asleep in the warm room. Hermione smiled at the small dragon, twisting the ring on her finger. She planned to propose to Bellatrix while they were at the cottage together but she was debating between Christmas Eve and Christmas morning.
Bellatrix found Hermione in the library several hours later, sleeping with her mouth slightly open and a book on her chest. Kyndet was curled on her stomach, also asleep, and Bellatrix couldn't help the small smile on her face. She gestured for Narcissa, pointing quietly at Hermione. Narcissa hid her smile behind her hand, wishing she had a camera to capture the moment.
"Are you going to leave her there?" Narcissa whispered, leaning toward her sister.
"I don't know. She looks comfy and I don't want to bother Kyndet either."
"Leave her, then."
"I'm going to read a bit. I want to be here when she wakes up. Are you staying?"
"I'll leave you two," Narcissa said, slipping out of the library door. Bellatrix sat on the chair across from the couch, picking a book off the table. She briefly glanced at the cover, not seeing a title. She opened it, settling into a more comfortable position with her back against one arm and her legs over the other. She glanced at Hermione before losing herself in the words on the page.