A/N It feels so good to be back (even though it was only a few days). The only important thing I can think of is I'm going on vacation for a week (I leave Tuesday) but I should still be able to update. There may be a few days where I don't have wifi but I should still have service so I'll be able to post chapters from there. My laptop has been having some issues so I've had to switch to my backup until my friend can tell me what's wrong with it. Or until I get a new computer.
Enjoy!
Light filtered through the window, illuminating dust motes as it landed directly on Hermione's face. She grumbled, rolling over and pulling the blankets tighter around her. Her muscles protested the movement and she groaned, burying her face in the mattress. She had no idea how long she had been asleep, but it had certainly been a while if the stiffness of her muscles was anything to go by. Arms circled her waist, pulling her to close to a body that wasn't Bellatrix's but bore a familial resemblance. She mumbled a protest, trying to sink further into the mattress against the pull of arms.
"Hermione, don't be difficult," Narcissa chided, "I'm trying to help."
"Where's Bella?" Hermione asked, ceasing her fight against arms that shouldn't be as strong as they were. She frowned at them.
"In the garden. She asked me to stay with you." Narcissa released Hermione's waist as the young witch relaxed. "Drink this, you'll feel better."
Hermione eyed the bottle Narcissa held in front of her. The liquid was a sickening shade of green and Hermione felt nauseous just looking at it. "That looks disgusting."
"It probably is," Narcissa said, swirling the liquid, "But it'll help."
Hermione grimaced as she reached for the bottle. She looked at its contents again, closing her eyes as she downed it. She almost spat it out, but under Narcissa's watchful gaze she forced herself to swallow it. Hermione grabbed the waiting glass of water from Narcissa, chugging the entire glass before handing it back to the blonde witch. Narcissa said nothing, merely looking amused.
"Merlin, I totally forgot about Aurion. Is he okay?" Hermione asked, throwing off the blankets and jumping out of the bed. She was nearly at the door when a hand on her arm pulled her to a stop.
"Slow down, Hermione. He's fine. Whatever you did healed him."
"Can I still see him?" Hermione asked, looking at the blonde.
"Of course. You do not need permission. This home is as much yours as it is mine. You just can't be rushing around for a few hours."
"Where is he?"
"You were going to run out the door without knowing where he was?" Narcissa arched a brow, an amused smile playing on her face.
"It's not like I wouldn't have found him, Cissa."
"Fair enough. Andy had him moved to a room on the second floor. I'll go with you." Narcissa looped her arm through Hermione's, controlling their pace.
Andromeda and Aurion were actually in the library together, as Hermione and Narcissa quickly discovered. The elf was admiring their collection, gingerly thumbing through books. Andromeda was in a chair pretending to read but both Hermione and Narcissa noticed her watching Aurion. Narcissa arched a brow at her sister, a knowing smirk on her face. Andromeda shook her head vehemently, quickly turning back to her book when Aurion turned around.
"I'm so glad you're okay," Hermione said, removing herself from Narcissa and rushing to hug the elf. He smiled gently, laying his arms on her shoulders. For just a moment, Hermione had looked exactly like Morgan.
"I wouldn't have been if it weren't for you."
"You can't do things like that. You don't owe me that. Or anything." Hermione pulled away, settling on the arm of the couch and crossing her arms.
"It would have killed you." Aurion looked at Andromeda for help. The witch just shrugged, turning to Narcissa now sitting in the chair next to her.
"It nearly killed you. My life is not more important than yours."
"Hermione, there is much you do not understand. You are so much like her sometimes, yet you are distinctly different. There is a...bleeding of your magics to me. When you healed me, it was not you I felt, it was her. She is part of you and I owe my life to her. I failed once already, I won't do it again." Aurion put a hand on Hermione's shoulder, his eyes burning with determination.
"What do you mean you failed once?" Andromeda asked quietly. She was curious, couldn't help it.
"I vowed to protect Morgan because she saved me. The day she died, I wasn't there. I couldn't keep her safe, but I can keep this part of her safe." Aurion gestured to Hermione, blinking the tears away.
"You loved her," Narcissa whispered.
"Yes." Aurion's voice cracked as he hung his head to hide his face. Hermione chewed her lip, looking at Andromeda and Narcissa.
"Aurion. You have fulfilled your life debt by saving me. Anything you do from now on will be of your own choosing. You are no longer bound to serve my house. Should you choose to, that is a different story," Hermione said. Narcissa and Andromeda nodded their approval and Hermione looked back at Aurion. His sapphire eyes were watery with unshed tears as he met hers. He nodded, his jaw clenching and unclenching repeatedly to keep the tears from falling.
Frank and Alice Longbottom were finally home. Well, it wasn't the home they remembered, but it was the one Frank's mother had made for Neville. That was enough for them. They had regained their Auror positions, too, after a quick assessment from Tonks and Moody. The witch and wizard were glad to be doing what they loved again. For the time being, they were assigned to the teams working on rebuilding Hogwarts but that suited them just fine. They knew they needed time before they were ready to be full-fledged Aurors again. The Weasley twins really had a knack for planning the reconstruction, too. It was incredible how seamlessly they worked together.
Faces they recognized assisted with repairs. Molly and Arthur Weasley, Sirius Black, Greyback, and Dolohov. There were others, but the Longbottoms didn't recognize their faces. Some of them were younger, too young for them to have ever met in school. It was nice to be outside and conscious enough to enjoy it. Frank and Alice shared a look as they worked together to place a large stone in its place. A smile passed between them, full of love and admiration for each other and the world that was coming about.
The students of Hogwarts had no trouble adjusting to le Fay Castle. The Weasley twins had done well with making it feel like Hogwarts. It was still discernable as a new place and the students found it refreshing. The new surroundings did them well. They had new places to explore and the grounds were magnificent. The weather was mild and many students would gather outside and wander the unfamiliar grounds. Ginny, Luna, Neville, and Draco was one such gathering, occasionally joined by Harry, Ron, or both of them. It was a tenuous friendship, but it was getting there. The four Hogwarts students sat in one of the more open areas, soaking up the sunshine and enjoying their free time.
"I tried to convince Hermione to build a Quidditch pitch," Draco said.
"That's a fantastic idea. I'm gonna ask her, there's no way she'll say no," Ginny said, smiling at the Slytherin.
"If we ask together, we'll definitely get a yes. We should do it over summer." Draco leaned to look at his companions. "Speaking of, what plans do you guys have?"
"Dunno," Ginny shrugged.
"I'm going to spend time with my parents. Maybe help rebuild Hogwarts if it needs it."
"I think I'd like to see a wedding," Luna said wistfully.
"Funny you mention it, Luna. Hermione asked me to extend an invitation to all of you. She'll send ones, of course, but she didn't want to wait."
"That's wonderful!"
"Are you kidding? Of course we're gonna be there!"
"Awesome. She'll be so thrilled."
"Are Harry and Ron going to be there?"
"I don't know. She hasn't really decided who all to invite, aside from you three."
The group descended into a comfortable silence, staring at the sky. A gentle breeze settled over the four of them, driving them inside. It was nearing dinnertime anyway and they were getting hungry. Together, they walked into the extended dining room that currently served as the Great Hall. There wasn't any strict table for any house, allowing people to sit wherever their friends were. A lot of students were still grouped with their housemates but it wasn't so pronounced.