Hello, my lovelies! I always feel so good after writing chapters for my stories, and I'm sure you all feel good when you have another to read, so it works out perfectly! Theoretically. Some...interesting developments and conversations in this chapter. I'd hate to spoil things for you, so you'll just have to read it for yourself.
As always, I hope you're all well. I send my love and appreciation to all of you who have stuck with this story, whether you read, follow/favorite, or review. Your support, however small, makes me so happy to create something to be loved by others.
Enjoy!
Hermione stood in front of Black Manor, impressed with what they had made it into. After working tirelessly on it, they had finally finished. The new Black Manor was ready to be a home again. Hermione smiled, nervousness twisting her stomach as she wandered the property to make sure everything was ready. Life had indeed returned to Black Manor, evident by the newly returned creatures. The air was lighter, less oppressive, and the whole space was brighter. Even the surrounding forest, once so intimidating, seemed to respond to the changes that had been made. Rather than treacherous forest pressing into the property, a welcoming wood now stood. Hermione attributed this to the creatures making homes nearby. She took a deep breath, marveling at how much everything had changed. The house no longer loomed dreadfully, instead, it welcomed occupants.
Bringing forth her Patronus, Hermione sent it to find Draco, letting him know everything was ready. He would gather the three sisters for her and Tonks would Apparate them all here. Hermione waited, shifting nervously as more time passed. She knew it wasn't a long time before they appeared at the gate, but it had felt like one. Before anyone could say anything, Hermione beckoned them to follow her down the drive to the house. She twisted the ring on her finger, taking comfort in the fact that Bellatrix had proposed to her with it.
The three sisters gasped in awe as they took in Black Manor. It was nothing like the imposing building they had spent their childhood in. The garden was lush and green, the plants Hermione had brought were thriving, and creatures they hadn't seen since they were toddlers had returned. The Manor itself was now a mix of black and white stone, regal in appearance and more beautiful than they could describe. There were more windows and doors, and even a few balconies. The roof had its own terrace, with lights wound around the stone railing. The stairs leading up to the front door-French style, Narcissa's favorite-matched the facade, with wrought-iron railings on the side.
"It's.." Andromeda trailed off.
"Incredible," Bellatrix and Narcissa breathed in tandem, finishing Andromeda's thought.
"You haven't even seen the inside, yet," Draco said, helping Hermione urge the three to keep moving so they could see all that had been done.
"I can't believe you did all this for us," Narcissa whispered, turning to Hermione with tears gathering in her eyes.
"You're my family, I love you," she said with a shrug, her cheeks coloring, "I wanted you to make good memories here."
As they entered the front doors, Draco, Tonks, and Hermione hung back as the three sisters explored the Manor with awe on their faces. Hermione smiled, thanking her companions for their help. They smiled, glad to see everyone so happy in a place that held nothing but bad memories for them. Hermione approached Bellatrix, grabbing her arm gently and guiding her to the nursery.
"I want to show you something," Hermione whispered, looping her arm through Bellatrix's now that she had her attention.
"Something more amazing than all of this?" Bellatrix asked, placing her free hand on top of Hermione's.
"I think so."
Hermione guided Bellatrix along a route she could never forget, and suddenly, the worry she could tell Hermione was feeling made a lot more sense. Without being told, she closed her eyes, waiting until Hermione pulled her to a stop to open them. What had once been her room was now a nursery, with two cribs and soothing lilac walls decorated with paintings of magical creatures.
"Hermione," Bellatrix's voice was choked, tears coming to her eyes as she looked around, "It's beautiful."
Hermione relaxed, tucking into Bellatrix's side as the older witch wandered around the room, taking everything in. Their magic had created this space, but Hermione couldn't help the tendrils of nervousness she had felt. She was relieved Bellatrix was happy. It was some time before they were joined by the others, finally having found them after wandering through the Manor.
"Oh my goodness," Narcissa breathed.
"Merlin, this is beautiful," Andromeda whispered.
Draco and Tonks were speechless, mouths agape as they surveyed the room. Neither of them had seen it before and they were stunned.
"I think now it's our turn to show you something, Hermione," Narcissa said softly. She approached the young witch, offering her arm. Hermione placed her fingers gingerly on Narcissa's arm, followed by Bellatrix and Andromeda. Draco took Tonks arm, sensing this was something for just the four of them. The three sisters looked at each other mischievously before the gut-wrenching sensation of Apparition overtook their senses.
"Where are we?" Hermione asked, not receiving an answer. Narcissa merely smiled, gesturing for Hermione to find out.
She didn't recognize her surroundings, but she knew she was in Muggle London. She couldn't imagine what business the three witches had here, but then she caught sight of a photograph on the mantle. It was her parents. At that moment, she heard noise from the kitchen, and she fought the urge to run toward it. Instead, she walked slowly, still in disbelief. She froze in the entryway to the kitchen, watching her parents cook together.
"Eleanor, look," Graham said, abandoning what he was doing to embrace Hermione.
"Hermione!" Eleanor exclaimed, rushing over to join the embrace.
"Mum. Dad. I've missed you so much," she sobbed, burying her face in her parents' shoulders. They held her tighter, as of yet unaware of the sisters watching the reunion with misty eyes.
Graham looked up, catching sight of the three witches still standing by the door. "Thank you."
"Mum, dad, this is Narcissa, Andromeda, and Bellatrix," Hermione said, pulling away and gesturing to each sister.
"We know. They restored our memories and explained everything. We're so proud of you," Eleanor said, leading her daughter to the couch. She gestured for the sisters to sit, allowing them to take the spaces next to Hermione. She sat next to her husband, across from the four witches.
"It was quite a surprise when they told us, but once they had restored our memories it made a lot more sense," Graham explained.
"We understand you did it to protect us, we aren't mad. We know you can't really be a part of our lives the way you used to," Eleanor continued, "But it makes us feel a lot better knowing you have such an amazing family to take care of you."
Hermione couldn't help the tears that slipped down her cheeks. "This is goodbye."
"Yes." The answer was simple, but it caused a pang in their hearts.
"I love you," Hermione said, rushing forward to hug them again.
"We're sorry it has to be this way, we just think it's best. You have a new family, one that loves you very much, and we don't want to be a liability in case someone tries to hurt you through us," Graham said.
"I understand. I'm glad I get to say goodbye."
Narcissa, Andromeda, and Bellatrix observed the exchange quietly until it was time for them to leave.
"Hermione, it's time to go," Narcissa interrupted gently. She hated to ruin the tender moment, but it was time for them to go.
Hermione retreated from the embrace of her parents into the arms of the sisters. She buried her face in a shoulder, not sure who it belonged to but comforted all the same. She didn't hear Narcissa cast the spell to erase her parents' memories, but she did feel the sensation of Side-Along Apparition. Andromeda guided them to the bed, the three sisters tangling around Hermione. They soothed the younger witch to sleep, whispering quietly amongst themselves. They had wanted Hermione to have a chance to say goodbye before they had to forget her forever. It was best-for their safety-that they never know Hermione existed. Hermione had become a central figure of their society, and anyone wishing to harm her would be able to do so through her parents unless they couldn't be found. It tore at their hearts, but they were familiar with sacrifice.
"Harry!" Ron hissed in a whisper-shout, beckoning him over.
"What is it, Ron?" He asked, fighting the urge to roll his eyes.
"You see the news, mate?"
"Yeah," Harry replied, uncertain where his friend was going with this.
"It throws a bit of a wrench into the plans, doesn't it? I mean, if Sirius isn't elected Minister then the Death Eaters will be untouchable."
"Ron-" Harry began, but was quickly cut off.
"Don't you see, Harry. If Lupin wins then they won't be imprisoned for their crimes. Hermione is supporting him, he's left us."
"I don't know, Ron. I think it could be a good thing."
"Are you mental?" Ron asked, bewildered.
"Think about it, Ron. Like, actually think about it instead of just pretending to for the sake of some stupid plan Dumbledore made. He was wrong, Ron!" Harry's voice got louder as he spoke, nearly a shout by the time he finished, eyes flashing with irritation.
"Mate-"
"I don't want to hear it, Ron. I'm not interested in whatever scheme Dumbledore planned before he died. It's over. We have the power to change the course of the world, and you want to throw the people who made that possible in prison? You want to throw Hermione in prison? That's not right, Ron," Harry sighed.
Ron's eyes flashed with something Harry couldn't quite recognize, almost a mix of anger and regret. "What she did to us, Harry-"
"She saved us. She saved me. Countless of times, Ron. She had a reason to leave. We were too blind to see, Ron. But maybe you still are." Harry had grown frustrated with their conversation. He turned away from his friend, leaving him alone in his room.
Ron made to call after him, but found he didn't know what to say. He was pushing away his last friend, but he wasn't so sure he could put his feelings aside. Hermione's ancestor was evil, she had betrayed them, betrayed him, and even worse, she fell in love with a woman instead of him. For Merlin's sake, he was supposed to be the one to marry her, not some Death Eater who was more than old enough to be her mother! Ron ground his teeth, deciding he didn't care what Harry thought. He would make his friend see, he knew he was right about Hermione. He had to be.