A/N I'm a bit late, but whatever. I will not be updating tomorrow because I have a paper to write for class. Hopefully, I'll have another chapter up on Wednesday but if I'm being realistic, it'll probably be Thursday evening or Friday afternoon. I'll do what I can and thankfully school is almost out for the rest of the year. For those of you also reading Monsters, an update is coming, I promise. I don't know when but it's getting there.
Anyway, I hope you enjoy another chapter.
Hermione did not want to get up. She did not want to leave the bed she shared with her soon-to-be-wife. The young witch was exhausted and would much rather sleep than deal with reporters. Harry and Ron could deal with it. Quietly, she cast her Patronus, sending a message to the two wizards, The world still believed her to be a Death Eater. Besides, there was no way she was going to leave her bed until she had slept for an entire day. Beside her, Bellatrix shifted, tightening her grip on Hermione's waist and rubbing their cheeks together. Hermione smiled adoringly at the dark witch, placing a faint kiss near her ear.
There was a knock on the door and Hermione immediately knew it was Narcissa. The young witch burrowed further under the covers, hiding her face in Bellatrix's neck. Maybe if she pretended to be asleep, the blonde would leave them alone. It didn't work. Instead of knocking again, Narcissa slipped into the room, walking over to the bed.
"Hermione, I know you're awake. Harry and Ron are here asking for you," she said, standing with her hands on her hips.
"Nooo, I don't want to go," Hermione whined. She envied Bellatrix's ability to sleep so thoroughly after missions.
"You have to. Come on. Up." Narcissa hooked her arms under Hermione's, dragging her out of bed.
"No," Hermione protested childishly. She tightened her grip on Bellatrix, trying to use the dark witch as an anchor against the force that was Narcissa.
"Hermione, stop this nonsense. You have a duty to the people to tell them what happened. Go wash up, you're filthy. I can't believe you two have been sleeping like this."
"But Cissy, I'm so tired. Let me sleep longer."
"Absolutely not. You can sleep when you get back." Narcissa succeeded in prying Hermione out of bed, against her grip and her sister's.
"Fine," Hermione grumbled. She cast a quick cleansing charm, ridding herself of dirt and dried blood.
"That'll do, I suppose. Tell me you aren't wearing that," Narcissa said. She ran her thumb over the cut on Hermione's cheek, watching as it closed.
"Okay, I'm not wearing this," Hermione said, pulling Muggle clothes out of the dresser, "I'm wearing these."
"I take it back. Stick with the armor, at least it looks more respectable than those." Narcissa didn't try to hide her disgust of the Muggle clothes. Hermione laughed and Narcissa realized she had never intended to wear them. She shook her head, a small smile on her face.
"Sometimes I envy Bella's ability to sleep so deeply," Hermione whispered. She placed a light kiss on the dark witch's cheek, looping her arm through Narcissa's. Her muscles protested the movement, aching from the battle and she leaned against Narcissa for support.
Harry and Ron were waiting in the entryway. They tried not to fidget as they noticed Hermione descending the stairs, Narcissa keeping her upright. They could see the restrained expression of pain on the young witch's face with every step down. They could only somewhat relate. Harry's chest was sore from the impact of the curse. The blast had knocked them all down and they had various bumps and bruises but they hadn't been fighting like Hermione had.
"Trying to get out of talking to the newspapers, 'Mione?" Harry asked a smile on his face.
"I was hoping you guys could handle something without me," she grimaced, letting go of Narcissa when they reached the bottom.
"Never. There's one thing I still don't understand, though. How come Harry survived the Killing Curse but Voldemort died?" Ron asked.
"Harry's a Horcrux. I suppose when the D-erm, Voldemort hit him with the Killing Curse it didn't kill Harry's soul, it killed his own. Since that part of his soul was killed instead of rebound to him, I guess he couldn't live without it. And when he was killed, the part of Harry's soul that was bound to Voldemort's was freed and returned to him."
"Part of my soul was in Voldemort?" Harry asked.
"Yes. That's how you had the mental connection. I'm not sure of the particular details about how that happened but I'm sure there's something in one of my libraries."
"As much as we'd love to see the places you call heaven, we should be going. Wouldn't want to keep everyone waiting," Ron interrupted.
"Right. Where are we going, again?" Hermione asked, offering her arm to the boys.
"She can explain complicated subjects but can't remember where the meeting is, unbelievable," Ron whispered jokingly.
"The Ministry," Harry said, stifling a laugh. Hermione was brilliant but sometimes she was too brilliant.
The gut-twisting sensation of Apparating overtook them and suddenly the world righted. "Did I splinch you, Ron?" Hermione asked.
"No, I'm good."
"Damn it," Hermione teased.
"Alright, you two. We have work to do," Harry mediated.
"Right. Is anyone else nervous?" Ron asked.
"Terrified," Hermione and Harry admitted.
The trio stepped forward, coming into view of the journalists and reporters. They were immediately bombarded with questions, most of which they ignored for the moment. The Minister of Magic had followed Voldemort's instructions and had announced his resignation with the trio's preliminary statement. Tonks and the other Aurors had already begun implementing the new procedures until a new Minister was chosen. It was military-like, but it wasn't oppressive. The rules were fair and Tonks didn't let any of her Aurors abuse their power. Three of them were posted around the trio in case they were needed. Sirius Black and Molly Weasley were on either side of them, providing a face of unity.
"Thank you all for gathering on such short notice. If you'll please hold all questions until the end we can all go home a lot sooner," Harry began, addressing the assembled crowd.
"As I'm sure you all know by now, in the early hours of the morning, Voldemort's followers, including myself, initiated an attack on Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, as well as the Ministry of Magic. We do have control of the Ministry until a new Minister is elected. In the interim, Nymphadora Tonks has been chosen alongside Alistair Moody to oversee an implementation of new protocols. These protocols were agreed upon by Harry, Ron, and myself. They are for the benefit of the public and will decrease corruption and inequality within Ministry doors. An evaluation of all criminals in Azkaban prison will be done by Bellatrix Black and myself, and we will be actively working to make it more humane. Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry has been temporarily relocated to le Fay Castle as a result of structural damage during the attack. All parties, save for Albus Dumbledore and Tom Riddle, also known as Voldemort, are exempt from punishment for crimes committed during the First and Second Wizarding Wars. Unfortunately, both wizards perished at Hogwarts," Hermione announced. Murmurs rose from the crowd, some disapproving but they held their questions.
"The Order of the Phoenix and the Death Eaters have hereby been disbanded. Fred and George Weasley are overseeing repairs to Hogwarts, with teams of Aurors and volunteers. It should be suitable for classes next school year. The damage to the school was caused by a collision of magic and no party will be held accountable. It is our goal to build a world of forgiveness and acceptance. That being said, Head Auror Tonks will now outline the temporary laws," Ron continued.
"Thank you. It is my duty to announce that Azkaban Prison will not be considered a prison until the assessment is complete. Anyone that breaks a law will be held elsewhere. The previous laws will still be in effect, but for the sake of war reparations, we have made additions. They are as follows: With the abolition of the Order of the Phoenix and Death Eater groups, it is illegal to declare yourself as a member of either. Any acts to forcefully destroy the temporary government will be seen as treason. Any attempts to seek justice against a member of the Death Eaters or Order of the Phoenix will be punishable by imprisonment for a length of time dependent on what occurred. If there are any issues with these laws you can speak to Alistair Moody or me," Tonks announced.
"Thank you, Tonks. Now, are there any questions?" Harry asked.
"Is it safe for the students of Hogwarts to be residing at le Fay Castle?"
"Of course. There are no threats greater than those at Hogwarts," Ron said.
"What about Dumbledore and Voldemort? How did the two perish?"
"Voldemort was killed in a duel with Harry. Dumbledore was killed in a duel with Bellatrix and me," Hermione said, shooting a look at Harry. She saw he wanted to answer the question but she thought it was better if she answered it.
"Which one of you killed Dumbledore?"
"It doesn't matter. No one is being charged for what occurred. All crimes and actions are forgiven," Harry quickly said.
"Why has everyone been forgiven? Surely it would be better for some form of punishment to be enacted?"
"The war was between Voldemort and Dumbledore. There is no need to punish those that were used as pawns. When the king falls, the game is over. Both kings have fallen," Sirius said, "Now, I think it's time for us to get going. We've all had a long night. If you have any further questions, please address them to Tonks or Moody."
Hermione sighed, thankful Sirius had stepped in. She nodded to Harry and Ron, stifling a yawn as she turned on her heel. Her eyes quickly adjusted to the darkness of her room. Bellatrix had taken up a new position, her arms and legs wrapped around a pillow Hermione had been using. Hermione smiled, wrestling the pillow out of the dark witch's grip before sliding into bed to replace it.
"There you are, love," Bellatrix mumbled, pulling Hermione closer.
"Sorry, Bella. I didn't mean to wake you. I was at the press meeting. Cissa made me go. It was horribly boring and now I just want to go back to sleep," Hermione whispered. She snuggled closer to Bellatrix, nuzzling the dark witch's neck with her nose.
"It's okay. I'm glad you're back. I missed you."
"You were asleep the whole time," Hermione laughed.
"Doesn't mean I didn't know you weren't here. I can miss you in my sleep."
"I know. I'm just teasing."
Bellatrix hummed tiredly, yawning as she rolled onto her back, pulling Hermione with her. Hermione mirrored her yawn, settling comfortably on Bellatrix and closing her eyes. The rhythm of Bellatrix's breathing and heartbeat together lulled her to sleep faster than it ever had before. Bellatrix smiled at her young soulmate, kissing the top of her head before closing her eyes again.