Dressed in her best silk robes, Bellatrix paused at the entrance to the study at Riddle Manor and sighed. It was time. Hermione was returning to school tomorrow, and Bellatrix was determined that she should go wearing Bellatrix's ring. The only thing that stood in their way was the Dark Lord.

The Dark Lord who had made it very clear that marriage proposals between his inner circle were to be run by him first.

Pettigrew slunk by and gave her a look that was half reproach, half fear. He carried a jug of water.

"It's good that they found your rightful place," said Bellatrix loftily. "Good House Elves are hard to come by."

He squeaked in indignation, and she felt her nerves settle. With one last glance downward to make sure her robes were as immaculate as ever, she knocked.

"Come in," came the rich voice.

Bellatrix felt the usual thrill of pleasure as she entered the room and bowed her head respectfully. "My lord."

"Bella, is it four already?"

"Yes, my lord."

"No matter. I can finish this later." He moved a stack of parchment over, and removed his spectacles. It always felt too intimate to see him in them, as if she was seeing a turtle out of it's shell.

"Please, sit."

There was a desk today, and Bellatrix sat in the chair in front of it. It was covered in crystal bottles and books. Bottles of ink innumerous colors littered the middle, and he twirled a quill before setting it before him.

"What can I help my most faithful with today?" His red eyes pierced hers.

She took a deep breath. "It's about Hermione, my lord."

He frowned. "Is there something wrong? Has something happened?"

"No! No, my lord. It's more about my… future with her."

"Ah," he nodded. "She's growing more skilled. It's of no matter, Bella, the youth remain devoted to their teachers long after they've outgrown the need for them."

"No, that's not what I was worried about." She tried to speak carefully, and already her Occlumency shields were in place around the memories she had to keep from him.

"Then what is it?" He was growing impatient.

It was best to get it over with. She took another deep breath and blurted, "I'd like to ask her to marry me!"

There was an awful stretch in which he said nothing. His eyes remained fixed on hers, and then he said slowly. "Miss Malfoy is very popular this week."

"My lord?"

"A few days ago young Higgs asked for permission to court her with the intent to become engaged." His long fingers rolled an ink bottle over the desk, and it made a soft groaning sound as it rumbled over the textured wood.

Bellatrix bristled, and tried to control her reaction. "I hope you realize that he is unsuited for-"

"Well he's more suited for it than her aunt is. You know people would talk, Bellatrix. It would be an awful sensation. The age difference-"

"Will be nothing in ten years, you know that!"

He gave her a quelling look, "Does she know of your intentions?"

Immediately she said, "No. I wanted to gain your permission first. A union between the House of Black and the House of Malfoy would be beneficial-"

"And we already had it between your sister and Lucius. And look what it has produced for me. A sickly child unable to remain in Britain, let alone work beside me. No, I think it's time for fresher houses."

"But to make her a Higgs would be to demean her!" Said Bellatrix stoutly. "They're known for producing squibs, and there's madness-"

"More madness than the House of Black?" He countered.

It was not going her way. Her stomach sank as she realized that he was going to deny her. "I love her!" She gasped. "My lord, I love her more than anything, I can't- I can't allow her to be sullied by that Higgs boy! Please, please."

His thin lips curved upwards. "And do you love me, Bella?"

"Yes."

"Even more than you love your Hermione?"

Her heart thundered in confusion. Her lips were posed to say 'No,' but her will won out. "O-of course, my lord. I love you above all else, above m-my own-"

"I know," he waved off her declaration. "And it is because of that love that I will elaborate for you more than I did for young Higgs. Hermione is special. Already the public adores her. She has given me the greatest gift of all, Dumbledore's death."

"I-I don't understand." But she was beginning to. Horror streaked through her.

"The only person Hermione is going to marry," he said with a satisfied grin, "is me. I need a daughter of noble heritage to stand by my side and, make me seem gentle to our new society. In order to do that, I need them to forget that she is not a born Malfoy, something they cannot do if she marries her aunt," his nose wrinkled in distaste. "I will have a Malfoy with all of the nobility and none of the weakness that young Draco inherited."

He uncorked a crystal decanter, and poured a glass of amber liquid. "Hermione will give me an heir as our new nation stabilizes. Perhaps several." His throat moved as he took a drink, and Bellatrix felt herself go cold.

"Then, when Magical Britain has recovered from the current war. Hermione's death at the hands of Muggles will help us out of the secret place we have inhabited for centuries. We will rise from the shadows and destroy the Muggle scourge in her name, in retaliation for her death."

Bellatrix's eyes widened. Her fingers clawed into the wooden arms, and she felt her breathing grow shallow.

"Surely you can achieve that without her death," she said weakly. Every ounce of willpower went into keeping her voice calm.

"Perhaps," he admitted. "But it would not be as meaningful without it. And there is the small detail that things that you love have a way of twisting themselves. Such relationships are a weakness to the powerful. I want no one else as my wife, but she would be very powerful as well, and I can't take the risk that she would try to use that power to my disadvantage one day." He laughed, "And what better way to incite my children- who will no doubt be as powerful as their mother- against the muggles? If one of them has a fit of unwanted sympathy I'm sure that their mother's death will cinch their allegiance to me."

Bellatrix blinked, and willed her eyes to stay fixed on him.

"So you see Bella, she cannot marry you." He smiled kindly at her, "But you can rest easy knowing that she will not marry young Higgs either."

She wanted to say so many things, but instead she could only nod. Internally, she calculated how much time she had. He might marry her before the war was over, but he wouldn't marry her before she left Hogwarts. He'd want it to seem legitimate and unhurried. The perfect marriage.

Her stomach roiled at the thought, and she fought to keep her lunch down as he blathered on about something.

He was going to kill Hermione. Maybe not immediately. There was still time, he could grow to love her-

-but he already did. Bellatrix knew it as she saw his expression softened. He loved Hermione perhaps more than anything. But it wasn't enough. His love wasn't like her love. It was warped. Twisted. He saw it as a weakness.

For the first time, Bellatrix looked at her lord and saw something less than human.

Horcruxes.

-Bella. Bellatrix."

Her eyes snapped back to his. She forced her lips to move. "Yes?"

"I'm not telling you this to hurt you," he said softly. His voice sounded more gentle than it ever had. "I'm telling you this so you can see that I have a plan for Hermione. One that will honor her more than any mundane marriage ever could. She will gain immortality! She will be a legend!"

A dead legend.

"Do you see why you can't marry her?"

She swallowed, forced a smile. "Yes, my lord."

XX

Hermione laid on her stomach before the fire in her mother's sitting room. Coram was beside her on the plush rug, and she flipped through Hogwarts: A History and showed him her favorite passages.

"You won't be allowed to join a Quidditch team until next year, but you'll have flying class. I think you'll like it."

Coram shifted, "Do you think the other kids'll laugh at me because I'm older than they are?"

Hermione smiled, and leaned her head against his. "I was twelve when I started too," she whispered. "It's how I'm in the same class as my little brother. No one will laugh at you, because no one will know the difference. You'll just be Coram to them. And I'll be there too, so if anyone gives you trouble you just point them out to me and I'll set them straight."

Her father snorted behind her, "Too right, she will!" He was sitting on the sofa with her mother. In a few minutes they would head down for dinner, but for the moment they enjoyed being home at the same time.

Narcissa sniffed, "I'm sure that won't be necessary, Coram. Everyone will be kind to you, I'm sure you'll be the most popular boy at school."

"But what if I'm put in Gryffindor instead of Slytherin?" asked Coram anxiously.

"Then we'll redo your bedroom in red and gold," said her mother lightly. "Red won't look great with your coloring, but gold might work." She stared at him, "Yes, I think we could make gold work nicely."

Hermione laughed, and nudged him, "See. Nothing to worry about."

They all jumped as the doors banged open.

Bellatrix, sweaty and red as if she had been running, looked frantically around the room and let out a little cry as her eyes met Hermione's.

Bella? Hermione's brows knitted in concern.

Bellatrix didn't respond. Instead, she tore across the room, nearly stepping on Coram, and threw herself to her knees beside Hermione. Her arms drew Hermione into a too-tight embrace.

"Bella?" her mother's voice was alarmed. "What's happened?"

Bellatrix sobbed into Hermione's neck, and Hermione tentatively reached into Bellatrix's mind.

It was like being pulled into an icy chasm. Thoughts too quick to hold onto swarmed past, and Hermione pulled out at once, feeling dizzy. Bella, love. You're scaring us.

Coram had moved so that he sat next to Lucius, his face pale.

Hermione's mother crouched beside Hermione, and gingerly put an arm around Bellatrix. "Bella, calm down and release Hermione before you choke her."

As if Hermione burned her, Bellatrix dropped her and scooted back.

Hermione hit the ground but recovered and knelt next to her mother beside Bellatrix. She took the freezing hands between her own warm ones and crooned, "Come back to us, Bella."

"He's going to kill you," Bellatrix cried. Her face was swollen and streaked with tears. "A-after the war. He's going to marry you and then kill you." A savage expression crossed her face, but Hermione didn't see it because she was seized and pressed tightly to Bellatrix's chest, "But I won't let him! I promise you he won't touch a hair on your head!" her voice was harsh.

"You're certain?" Lucius demanded. His hand was white atop the snake headed cane, and he had risen from his seat.

Hermione felt Bellatrix nod against her head. "He's just denied my petition to ask for Hermione's hand. He said-" she inhaled sharply, and her voice wavered, "He said he intended to marry Hermione himself!"

Her father sucked in a breath, but when Hermione looked at her mother her expression was unnaturally calm.

Hermione herself felt sick by the news. She had thought that the Dark Lord cared about her more than-

To her disgust, she felt warm tears slide down her cheeks. Bellatrix felt them too, and hugged Hermione tighter.

"Nothing will happen to you." She said into Hermione's curls.

How could Hermione express that her tears were not because she was scared, but because the man she had admired-had spent so much time trying to win over- cared so little for her that he felt she was disposable."

"Nooo," Bellatrix said slowly, and Hermione realized she had entered her mind, "I think he wants to do it because, in a twisted way, he does care for you." Without releasing Hermione, and in halting tones, Bellatrix explained what the Dark Lord had said to her that afternoon.

"He didn't obliviate you afterwards?" Narcissa demanded.

Bellatrix shook her head. "I've sworn my allegiance to him over Hermione. Which is a lie," she swore, squeezing Hermione. "Obviously he bought it."

"This puts us in a dangerous situation," Hermione's father lowered himself, with difficulty, to the floor and put his hand on Hermione's shoulder. She felt her stomach ease the tiniest bit.

"On the contrary," said her mother. The firelight flickered across her features. "I think it puts us all on the same page." She looked at Bellatrix, "Can you truly support the Dark Lord after this?"

Bellatrix spat out, "Of course not!" Then froze. Hermione could feel the flurry of anxiety running through the older witch. She reached up and pulled Bellatrix's hand into her own. Confusion, edged with fear, overwhelmed her. "Oh Merlin," she said in a broken voice, "I can't. I can't! Not after this!" Her fingers intertwined with Hermione's and tightened to the point that it was nearly painful.

"Neither can we," her parents looked at each other and nodded.

"And neither will we," said Coram.

The four sitting by the fire jumped. Coram had been forgotten in the excitement, and Bellatrix's wand shot up, ready to cast an Obliviate.

"No!" Narcissa pushed her wand down, and the spell shot uselessly into the floor. A singe marred the floorboards where it hit.

"We can trust Coram," insisted Narcissa. "He is family."

"Only because the Dark Lord put him here!"

"Hermione put him here," reminded Lucius. His wand was now pointed at Bellatrix. "And he is bonded to her and this family through the Malfoy magic. We can trust him, can't we Coram?"

Pale, Coram nodded his head. "Ma Griesly's loyalty is to Hermione," he said bravelly. "And so is mine. Our people will follow her no matter what side she's on."

In spite of the cold that had seeped through her, Hermione felt lighter at his declaration. His chest heaved as he stared at Bellatrix, and she whispered, "We can trust him, Bella."

Still, Bellatrix would not relax with him there, and after a moment it was decided that it was best if Lucius left as well.

"My Occlumency has never been strong," he admitted reluctantly. He pulled Hermione into an embrace before he went, "Are you ok, sweetheart?"

She nodded, breathing in the musk of his scent. He always smelled of pipe smoke, though it had been years since he had smoked.

Two thin arms wrapped around her waist, and Coram buried his head against her shoulder. "I won't let anything happen to you," he said stubbornly, a grave expression on his face.

"I think perhaps we'll work on shield charms in my study," her father said, releasing her.

After a moment, Coram withdrew his arms and followed Lucius out of the sitting room. They both cast a look back at her before the door closed.

"Well, I think we can move to the couch," said Narcissa. She pulled Hermione so that she was sat between her mother and Bellatrix, bellatrix with an arm around her waist, her mother with an arm around her shoulders.

Her mother cleared her throat, but a pop interrupted her.

"Mister Malfoy said that Mistress needed her wubble," said Winky anxiously. She held Turnip in her arms, and the wubble wiggled until he had reached Hermione's lap.

"Thank you, Winky," Hermione said. Already Turnip's nose and ears glowed golden, and she felt the soothing magic enter her. "Perhaps some tea would be nice?"

Winky popped away, and a moment later a pot of tea and three teacups appeared on the coffee table before them.

"Are you sure you're all right?" Her mother asked.

Hermione turned her head to see two concerned blue eyes staring at her.

Her mother smoothed her hair away from her face, and cupped her cheek in her palm. "We can do this without you," she said softly. "You don't have to be involved in any of this."

"I think it's too late for that," Hermione said.

Her mother pressed her forehead to Hermione's, and then let out a soft breath. "Ok, Bella. How long do we have?"

"I think we have until the end of the school year," began Bellatrix. "Until we have-to-defeat-" her eyes flickered with tears, and Hermione felt her pain wash over her. Turnip whined.

"I think I can introduce you to those who can help," said her mother slowly. Her hand was combing gently through Hermione's hair. "But I have to have your word that you will not change your mind."

Bellatrix's glare would have cowed anyone else. "Of course I won't change my mind!" She snapped. "Hermione is more important to me than anyone! Even- even him." She swiped at her eyes and spat, "You have my word. I'll do whatever it takes."

Hermione felt her chest loosen.

"Then we'll go tonight," her mother picked up her tea and downed it in one drink. "I have a meeting- a special meeting, but I'm sure they won't mind. Not with this change."

Hermione felt faint as her mother prepared a portkey from an old handkerchief. "Aren't all portkeys being tracked?" she asked.

"This one won't be," said Narcissa confidently.

"She's always been good at illegal charms," said Bellatrix dryly. She had excused herself to scrub her face, but there was still a tell-tale redness about her eyes, which were swollen and cloudy. Hermione slipped her hand into Bellatrix's and squeezed.

"Blindfolds," said Narcissa, pulling one from her pocket and duplicating it.

Both stared at them.

"You can't be serious," said Bellatrix. "Cissy, I'm on your side. I'm doing it. Surely that's proof enough that you can trust me."

"It's protocol," said Narcissa cheerfully. "I'm making my own daughter do it, Bellatrix. What makes you think you're special?"

Bellatrix grumbled something under her breath, but took the blindfold after Hermione did.

"Ok," her mother said quietly. Reach out and grab on. I'll activate it."

Hermione reached out and brushed her fingers against the cool fabric in her mother's hand. Bellatrix's arm was firmly around her waist. The familiar hook sensation pulled at her, and she felt her body warp through space as the portkey took them away.

Their feet clacked against hard ground, and Hermione shivered as a cloud of cold washed over her. It smelled musty, like an old book shop. Her mother muttered something about Muggle charms.

"-should have brought a shawl. Keep those blindfolds on!" Narcissa snapped.

Beside her, Bellatrix stiffened, and Hermione knew she had tried to peek through the blindfold.

"I'm going to direct you to a chair. I want you to sit." Her mother said.

A moment later, cool hands pushed Hermione backwards and down. A hard cushion met her, and Hermione sat back in the chair.

Bellatrix huffed beside her a moment later, and her mother whispered, "Stay here, and keep the blindfolds on. If you take them off it will be decided that you are not sincere."

A door opened and closed.

Nerves swirled in Hermione's stomach, and she felt Bellatrix fidget beside her.

"Are you really ok?" Bellatrix asked. Even in her mind she sounded slightly hysterical.

Hermione reached out and squeezed Bellatrix's knee. I will be. Are you?

"Not even close." Bellatrix sighed. "But I won't let anything happen to you. And if this is what it takes to protect you."

I wish we were at Thistledown. Hermione reflected that she might not ever spend an actual night in the house she had come to love. Promise me that you'll live there, even if something happens to me? I don't want it to be lonely.

Bellatrix let out a ragged breath. "Nothing is going to happen to you! Haven't you been paying attention?!"

Muffled shouting sounded, and Hermione leaned closer to Bellatrix so that their arms rested against each other. Bellatrix's fingers tapped at the arm of the chair in rapid staccato.

I love you, Hermione thought.

The tapping stopped. "I love you too, Doveling. More than anything."

For the first time, Hermione didn't wonder if Bellatrix meant that. The dark witch was a bundle of nerves, but there was something very resolute about her actions. Hermione's throat hurt, and she swallowed past a lump. I'm sorry.

"For what?"

For all of this. If it weren't for me you could still fight with the Dark Lord. You wouldn't have to-

"Stop, Dove. You're not making me do anything. I would become Albus Dumbledore's house elf if it meant keeping you safe."

Hermione let out a watery laugh. I'd like to see that.

"I didn't say I'd be a good house elf. I'd spit in his tea and wash his clothes in plain water, but I'd do it gladly for you."

The lump in her throat grew bigger, and they sat there in companionable silence until the door opened.

"Stand up, and come forward," her mother said. Her voice sounded strained, as if her patience were wearing thin.

Hermione did as she was bidden, and breathed a sigh of relief when Bellatrix did as well. Her mother guided her through a doorway, and Hermione wanted nothing more than to rip the blindfold off as she heard other people shuffle. One person scoffed.

She felt her mother's hands leave her, and a moment later Bellatrix let out a huff beside her.

A deep voice spoke from in front of them. "I understand that you've convinced Madam Malfoy that you want to help us."

Someone scoffed again, and Hermione's eyes widened. It was Kingsley Shacklebolt who had spoken.

"We do." Bellatrix's voice was steady. "We've come to offer our assistance."

"Is that so?" Hermione would recognize McGonagall's voice anywhere. The professor sounded furious. "You expect us to believe that? As if we were fools!"

A voice Hermione didn't recognize said, "I say we take them prisoner. I'd like to see what You-Know-Who does once his prize dogs are out of the picture."

Hermione felt Bellatrix's anger surge, and she held her breath.

"I want to hear them out," said Kingsley. "They haven't attacked us yet, which is a good sign."

"We should take their wands immediately," cried McGonagall.

Bellatrix shot out, "If you try to take our wands I'll remove the blindfold and curse every one of you!"

Inwardly, Hermione groaned. The last thing they needed was to antagonize the Order. She let out a shaky breath, and curled her fingers into fists.

Her mother's cool voice said, "I came to you under the Banner of peace, it would be a shame to tarnish the good will of the Patroni."

Patroni? Asked Hermione.

"Ancient order," said Bellatrix, "Narcissa must have revived it. When I was a girl it was a long-forgotten fable."

The voice Hermione did not know snarled, "We agreed to speak about how the Patroni can help our members find safe houses. We never agreed to let you lead them to our headquarters!"

"Ahhhhh," Hermione could feel Bellatrix's smirk. "So that's where we are. I'm betting this is the Quibbler's premises."

Hermione thought she was right, but she was too focused on keeping her wand steady in her hand to respond.

"I explained that my daughter is in danger," her mother said. "We have no reason to lie to you."

"Even the knowledge that we were here would raise suspicions against us," said Bellatrix. "If my lord finds out you can be sure that neither of us would live long."

Kingsley hummed in agreement. "I must say that we could use whatever help we can get. In return I imagine you'll want a full pardon when order is restored?"

"Naturally," drawled Bellatrix.

McGonagall inhaled sharply. "That's not fair, Kingsley. She murdered Albus Dumbledore! And she tortured the Longbottoms! She killed Sirius!"

"Didn't your stunning hex trigger a heart attack in the elder Frester last month, Minerva?" Asked Narcissa lightly. "Didn't he die as a result? What was it they said about stones and glass houses?"

"We're not here to fight," interjected Kingsley. "We're here to talk. So let's talk. How do you propose to help us bring about the end of You-Know-Who?"

"I want to speak to Harry Potter directly," insisted Bellatrix. "I have something he needs, and I have a pretty good idea where the others are, but I'll only tell him."

"You want to speak to the Chosen One?" asked the unfamiliar voice. "Not likely!"

Hermione wondered what in Merlin's name Bellatrix wanted with Harry, but Bellatrix spoke again before she could ask.

"And I have information that I'm comfortable giving Shacklebolt alone."

"Surely you can't-"

"Minerva," said Kingsley, and McGonagall fell silent.

Silence filled the room. Hermione could hear the other people shuffle, and her mother's hand rested gently on her shoulder.

Finally, Kingsley cleared his throat. "I'm interested enough to find out what this 'information' is. I'll agree to a meeting between us. You name the place, I'll name the time."

"Kingsley-"

Bellatrix's voice was louder than McGonagall's, "Do you have access to Polyjuice? I have a private booth at The Raven in Knockturn Alley."

"Yes. We can meet there tomorrow at noon. Come alone."

"You as well," returned Bellatrix.

"And if it goes well, I'll consider letting you speak to Harry. With an audience."

"Kingsley, I must insist-"

"We'll discuss it later, Minerva." Said Kingsley in a low tone. "I'm not as indispensable as- well, you know. And we need information if we're going to-"

The other man cleared his throat loudly, and Kingsley stopped.

"That will be all. Madam Malfoy, we can reschedule our meeting for tomorrow evening?"

Her mother affirmed, and then led Hermione and Bellatrix back out to the waiting room. They reached for the Portkey again, and a moment later they were back before the cheerful fire in her mother's sitting room.

Immediately, Hermione ripped off the blindfold. "Mother, what-"

Her mother wrapped her arms around her, and kissed her cheek. "It's a long story. Perhaps we should discuss it over dinner."

Dinner that night was a strange affair. Her father and Coram joined them, and Bellatrix sat, uneating, as Narcissa explained what she did with the Patroni.

"So you go out and secretly help people?" Coram asked.

Narcissa laughed, and picked up her napkin. With a few swipes, she cleaned the sauce from Coram's chin. "Something like that."

Hermione remained silent throughout the meal. All of the adrenaline that had raced through her system had left her, and she was utterly exhausted.

Bellatrix noticed, and stood as soon as Narcissa had finished. "She's going to bed," she said, striding over and helping Hermione stand up.

Her parents looked concerned, and her father said, "And you're leaving after you help her to her room?"

"No." Bellatrix sounded annoyed. "I'm staying."

For a moment, Bellatrix and her father stared furiously at each other. Hermione looked between them, and then at her mother. "Please?" She whispered.

"I think it's been a rough night for all of us," said Narcissa gently. "Lucius."

Her father relented, and sternly muttered to Coram, "No partners in your room until you're twenty. Not unless you've got a soul bond."

Her mother's chuckle was the last thing she heard before she ascended the stairs.

Her room was cold, but she didn't care. She merely allowed Bellatrix to change her into her nightshirt (with Winky's help). Turnip was located, and she snuggled under the covers with Turnip against her chest and Bellatrix cuddled up against her back.

"I can't believe he wants to kill me," she whispered, broken.

Bellatrix's fierceness enveloped her. "Not as long as I breathe," she vowed, snaking an ar around Hermione's waist.

Hermione turned to face her. In the dim light from the window, Hermione could see the paleness of of Bellatrix's face. The large liquid eyes that stared fiercely back at her.

"My future is over," whispered Hermione.

Bellatrix shook her head, and raised a finger to stroke the curve of Hermione's cheek. "Not over, just different than we imagined."

"I'll never be Minister now," once again, hot tears slipped down Hermione's cheeks.

Bellatrix wiped them away. "Who knows? Adiver Carrow became minister, and he slaughtered half the Wizengamot." When Hermione didn't laugh she added, "It's better to be alive than Minister, isn't it Dove?"

Bellatrix was being strong for her, but Hermione could feel the anguish swirling deep inside the older witch.

"I guess we're on the light side now," she whispered.

Bellatrix snorted, "I don't think so. I think we're on our own side."

Hermione shifted so that the pillow was more comfortable under her head. Behind her, Turnip huffed a little in his sleep. "That's what my father always says."

"Well I never thought that Lucius Malfoy and I would agree on something," Bellatrix forced a laugh that sounded more desperate than anything, and Hermione pressed even closer to her.

"What information are you going to give Kingsley tomorrow, Bella?"

"I haven't thought of it yet," her voice was strained. "It's hard to imagine going as far as to…" She cleared her throat. "But I will think of something, Dove. I'll do anything to keep you safe and happy in Magical Britain."

Hermione nodded, and rested her forehead against Bellatrix's. "McGonagall hates me now."

Bellatrix groaned. "I think that's the least of your worries." Then, perhaps feeling how heavy Hermione's thoughts were she said lightly, "I'll explain to Shacklebolt that it was planned by Dumbledore himself, and he can tell that old goat to keep her shrieking to herself."

Hermione sighed. "I miss him."

There was a moment of silence, and bellatrix ran her thumb in comforting circles over Hermione's back. "I know you do. But he'd be proud of what you did today, wouldn't he?" She kissed Hermione slowly, then sighed. "Sleep Dove. It will be easier in the morning."

Hermione closed her eyes, and fell into a fitful sleep.

XX

Bellatrix accompanied them the next day in her animagus form. Lucius groaned about it, and made a point to walk on the opposite side of Hermione.

"You must write us every day," Narcissa said to Coram. She had her arm around him.

"There's less people than usual," remarked Hermione as they looked around the station. Indeed, the platform was only about a third as full as it usually was. They found a compartment easily, and Turnip curled happily on one of the seats.

Hermione waved to her parents as the train rolled away. Bellatrix chased after, barking. Hermione watched her until she disappeared from sight.

"It's finally my first year at Hogwarts," said Coram, happily breaking into the snacks her mother had packed them.

Hermione watched him, a bittersweet ache in her chest. "Your first, and my last."

Thank you so much for all of the lovely reviews! I've really enjoyed them! They're making my week!