The Strength Of Our Roots
Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters and no money as been made out of this.
Chapter 5
The rain fell heavily against the brick walls, the sound of thunders never ending. The building stood imponent, towering above the sea. The waves clashed against the rocks, dark figures flying around. Screams filled the night.
In the most secured part of the Wizard Prison of Azkaban, where the Death Eaters that had been caught through the years were, the night was even darker. It was patroled not only by Dementors but also Aurors. It was where most of the screams came from. And right now, it was meal time.
The plates of food were pushed through an openning in the iron enchanted doors. All prisioners run to it like scared starved animals. Because after some time, that was all they were.
"So, Lestrange, have you heard the knews?"
It was common for the aurors to taunt the prisioners. After some time they ended up getting used to it. Verbal atacks, the so called punishements, the lacking and disgusting food that was more likelly to make you sick than anything but that they still craved and waited for like well behaved pets... after fourteen years, it became normal.
The thin man scampered to the plate, not even bothering to listen. That thick greenish mixture was disgusting, but he had been starving for days.
"Pay attention when I talk to you! Maybe I should let that bitch of yours in the 'room' a few more days."
The auror openned the door and kicked the man's chest sending him flying across the cell. He was only bones and skin, and was just to tired to fight the rough treatment. Chained to a wall and starving, there wasn't much that Rodolphus Lestrange could do.
"Please, leave her alone. She... it's not her fau-"
The auror grabed him by the neck.
The 'room' was a cell in the bottom of the Prison. Rodolphus had never been there, but it seemed the aurors thought it funny to put his Bellatrix in there. From what she said, it was a dark cold place. Water fell from the ceiling, wich made him think that maybe it was under the sea. It wasn't like the cells, where Dementors only came from time to time. The 'room' was constantly filled with them. A lot of them.
This time it had been because of the food. All of them were kept starving, so when they finally saw something eatable, they threw themselves at it like animals. Literally like animals. They ate with their hands making them even dirtier than they aleady were. But it didn't matter because they didn't know when they would eat again.
It was humilliating, and Bella was a hot tempered woman. The aurors were constantly picking on her, so she ended up in the 'room' a lot. She allways came back worst.
"Not her fault you say! You are all the same!" he threw Rodolphus to the ground barking with laugther."But you know what? I'm feeling generous today. It seems that your offspring is still wandering around."
"What?! Hermione?! Wait?! No! Please! I need to know more! Plea-"
The auror closed the door and walked away laugthing, probably to torment somebody else.
Rodolphus wanted his wife. He needed to be with her, it was the only thing capable to confort him, to keep him grounded. He didn't know if what the auror said was true. He could be just trying to make him feel bad. Rodolphus and Bellatrix were the few ones who weren't crazy, but they were getting close.
The days after Hermione talk with McGonnagal and the knews of her parents came to public were the worsts. Jokes and taunts followed her, and life in her dorm sucked. But she had found confort in her Slytherin friends. However, Mrs Malfoy had yet to responde to her letter.
Hermione woke that day to a beautifull Winter morning. Fridays were her favorites days.
She got out of bed. The other girls were still sleeping soundly. Hermione dressed herself with some loose clothes and grabed her uniform along and headed to the Perfect's bathroom.
The door behind the painting was slightly opened, wich meant Pansy was already there. It was the best way for Hermione to keep in toutch with the Slytherins without being noticed.
She undressed herself and entered the water full of bubles. Pansy swimmed up to her a soon as she saw her.
"'Morning Hermione. Slept well?"
"The usual. What about you? Any news?" Hermione entered the warm water.
"Theo's still woking on the book. It seems to be more complex than he thought. But Milicent already has got the list of spells, so it's not all bad."
"That's great. But I'm getting nervous. The longer it takes the more I feel like I am going to get caught."
"Are you still worried about Dumbledoor?"
"Aren't you? I'm right where he wants me. There is no way I won't have to pick a side in this stupid war, so they will try to control me. I'm just scared of what they might do..."
"I suppose it's normal. I can't even start imagining how it feels to be in your shoeses." Pansy turned to look her in the eye. "And it's fine if you don't trust us just yet. God, I still don't trust some of us. But we get it, and nobody judges you for that."
"I... Oh, Pansy... Thank you" Hermione engulfed her in a hug. "I'm so confused. That's exacly what I needed to hear."
"So, has any teatcher tried to aproach you yet?" Pansy started brushing her hair.
"Umbridge did."
"What?!"
Pansy reaction left Hermione a litle worried. Parkinson had been being trained to be a Lady since birth (not that she was very good at it), and the ex-brunete had never seen her react like this. Sure, Hermione had only now started to pay her more attention, but...
"Did she said anything to you?" Pansy was still trying to get herself together.
"No... I mean, in the end of the class she has called me asides sometimes, but we only talked about my marks. It did look like she wanted to say something, but she didn't so I gue-"
"Hermione, pay attention at what I'm about to tell you." Pansy grabed Hermione's shoulders with a litle too much strength. "Dolores Umbridge was allways very friendly with Crounch. She was at the your parents' trial."
"Are you talking about Mr Crounch Senior? And what does one thing has to do with the other?"
"You're not getting it. Crounch was the one who sent them to Azkaban. And she hated your mother. If she is trying to get to you then it can't be a good thing."
"Bu-"
"No!" Pansy paused to try and organise her thoughts. "Okay, I'm going to be honest. The Dark Lord IS back. Yes, I know that you know this. The problem is that things will be changing very soon. And everyone knows that your parents were great supporters of his cause. And Umbridge is a two faced bitch. How long do you think it would take for her to start blackmailing you?"
"Blackmailing... me?" Hermione was confused. Why would Umbridge have anything to do with her if she hated her mother.
"Yes! You are, or were at least, close with Potter. And right now he is a threat to the Ministry in her eyes. She might try to convince you to do stuff for her in change of freeing your parents, or try to befriend you to get more influence. Something that she won't do!"
Now Hermione finally understood it. But was Umbridge stupid enough to think that she would believe that? She barelly had any memories of them. Wich was something that also made her miss them even more.
"What if I join her Squad?"
"What?! Did you even hear what I just said?"
"Yes! I can join her Squad and befriend her! And then I will tell Dumbledoor what she is up to. Like that not only will I gain his trust, but also make his attention drift back to Harry. And we will also know exacly what she will be planning too!"
Pansy stared at her like she just said the most stupid think on Earth. Only that it actually made some kind of sense. But did Hermione realise just in how many ways she could end fucked up? Probably yes, she is the brightest wich of her age afterall. Like mother like daughter.
"Look, I really should be trying to protect you, since you are insane and all and Draco would kill me if you got hurt because I didn't stop you, but this is a prety good plan. You know what? You are a Slytherin indeed."
"I only wish I was in that House. Life with the Gryfindors is a nightmare."
"I know. But there must be a way to fix that."
The girls got out of the bath when there were almost no bubles left. Life as a Gryfindor might suck, but being a Perfect is awsome!
Still chatting, they got dressed and hurried up to Great Salon. It was already full of students and professors. Hermione loved breackfast, even in times like this. Bacon and eggs allways made her feel better.
She quietly sat next to Ginny. The ginger girl smiled to her and proceeded to refill her plate with more eggs. Hermione did the same, fearing that there might not be enough if Ginny kept eating like that.
"So, how you doing?" it was obvious Ginny cared for her.
"I'm fine. Being a Perfect really has its perks."
"Do you mind not throwing that in my face? It would do wonders to my back if I could try that bathroom. Priniply after a train of Quiditch." Ginny pulled her timetable from between her books. "And oh, look. I have Quiditch train today!"
"Keep dreaming. It's against the rules and you know it."
"Fine. By the way, I have been trying to ask you something: where do you go every afternoon?"
"Ho- How do you know that?!" Hermione had almost spitted her pumpkin juice.
"Uh, you share a dorm with Lavander Brown? Isn't it obvious? So, where do you go?"
"You know, my father once visited Azkaban. He said the conditions were awful and that the prisioners were forced to eat from the ground like animals."
A few sits to her right, Ronald Weasley was hapilly talking to whoever wanted to listen. In his lap was Lavander Brown. Next to him was Harry. He didn't seem happy like Ron, but he wasn't sad either. It was just like he didn't care. The one in front of them was Neville. He didn't say a word, only kept eating his toast.
Hermione wanted to ask him if he was fine, if he knew something she didn't, but she was to scared of the aswers. And besides, there were to many people around them.
Ginny gestured for them to leave and Hermione hapilly followed her. The girl had been on her side since the beginning, and allways defended her. Of course that didn't mean she would get away without answering.
Soon they were in front of the stairs. Hermione next class was Arithemancy, while Ginny's was Herbology, so they would separate themselves there.
"Look, Ginny, you can't tell this to anyone, ok?"
"Yeah, don't worry. You know you can trust me." that made Hermione feel a litle better.
"And you can't mock me either."
"Mock? Why would I mock you? Wait! Don't tell me you have a boyfriend! I knew it!"
"What?! No! It's not that! Just meet me in front of the Room of Requirements at five, alright?"
"To meet your boyfriend?" Ginny raised an eyebrow sugestively.
"Ugh!"
Hermione climbed upstairs, heading to the fifth floor as Ginny walked away. The corridors were full of students talking and laugthing, unaware of the confused twrmoil that was her head.
The students didn't pay her as much attention as before. Now there were just some sneers from the Gryfindors. However, the Slytherins were very receptive. Her being a fifth year meant that normally seven years wouldn't even bother looking at her. They were the elite of the school. But with her new adquired status, things changed a little. The majority allways bid her 'goodmorning', and some of them even stoped to engage in conversation if there was time.
Her Aritmancy class was a boring affair. Hermione had already read the all book, and she was sure that whatever she would learn with the other Slytherins would be more interisting. Not that the subject was boring or useless. It had just so much potential, and still they didn't explore half of it. And Umbridge hadn't even toutch the curriculum of that class yet.
After Aritamancy came Potions. It sucked to have Snape breathing down her neck even more than usual. It was kind of funny to see Harry and Ron not getting the attention they usually did from the Potions teatcher. That only made Hermione more aware of the fact that she needed to make Dumbledoor focus on them again. Sure that Snape could be paying attention to her because Voldemort told him to, but there wasn't a solution for that. Well, one that didn't involve murder, that is.
As promissed, she went in the Room of Requirements at five o'clock sharp. Pansy was already there and gave her a nod, showing she was pleased with her ponctuality. Turned out it was something important for a Lady.
"Hey there Pans. I hope you don't mind, but Ginny was curious about where I went every afternoon so I told her to come here." said Hermione, as she sat down next on one of the high baked chairs.
"You're sure you can trust a Weasley?" Pansy had just turned around, a set of chinese cups floating just above her wand.
"Of course she can! I would never do anything to hurt Hermione on porpose!" Ginny didn't move from the spot where she had stoped to admire the room.
It certainly look diferent from their DA meetings. The floor was covered on what seemed a quite expensive dark green carpet, a mahogany table on the midle of the room. There was a turntable near one o the corners and the soft light from candles flickered around the mirroed walls. The final touch seemed to be how the table was sat, as if royalty would be arriving any moment now to have a tea with them.
"That's what you say, but your brother seems to have other things in mind."
"Well, what about you!? You only care for Hermione because you discovered she's a pureblood! I don't know if you remember, but you used to bully her!"
"I had expectations on me! Don't you think I regreat having donne that!?"
"Uhm, guys?" both set of eyes turned to her as she calmly spoke. "Can we not fight? I know you don't trust each other but I trust both of you. And Ginny is nothing like her brother, the same way Pansy hasn't been doing nothing but helping me."
Hermione smiled as the two other witches eyed eachother with suspicion. They'll be such good friends. Finally, Ginny sighted and extended a hand.
"Truce?"
"Truce." Pansy grabed the offered hand and gave it a quick shake, before turning to Hermione. "So, ready for your lesson?"
"Hold on. You still haven't told me what's going on." Ginny sat on Hermione's left side.
"Because I was raised with muggles, I don't know a lot about pureblood ways, traditions, famillies, those kind of stuff."
"Coff coff." Hermione looked at Pansy as she faked coffed. The slytherin witch had one raised eyebrow and a disaproving look.
"I meant 'those other things'. Better?" Pansy smiled and went back to working on the cups. Hermione simply rolled her eyes as Ginny tried to hide her grin. "So Pansy offered herself to help me out. Normally Milicent would be here too, or one of the boys, but they're all of to Quiditch practice."
"Oh..." Ginny looked at everywhere, not sure of how to react. "So now you're going to become a Lady?"
"That's the point, yes."
"If you really want to help Hermione, you can join us. I'm sure that your parents didn't bother to teatch you much about our traditions." Pansy finally sat on Hermione's right side. The ex-brunete was happy that her snake buddy was trying to be cordial with Ginny. Although that coment seemed a litle tatless.
"If it isn't too much trouble, that would be really cool." the red haired girl said, a litle flushed. "I understand time's change and some traditions are horrid and all, but it sucks not to know anything about how people like you live just because you're parents don't like some things other people like them do."
The fact that Ginny hadn't shown any anger or scorn towartds Pansy's coment let Hermione thinking. Maybe Ron hadn't been the only Weasley she was wrong about.
Soon dinner time came, and the three girls descended together to the Great Salon.
After that first moment of tension, the two girls had been getting along quite well, just as Hermione predicted.
Sadly, Ginny was a natural at being a Lady. Way better than Hermione.
"Don't bend over when you're trying to eat. You must keep you're back straight at all times."
"I'm trying, but it's not that easy when you're trying not to get all durty with cake."
"Well, Ladies are supposed to know how to eat without getting dirty."
"You're mean."
"And so are you. And a lot like you're father."
"Really?" Hermione looked at Pansy, more curious now than before. She allways heard of how she looked like her mother, but she didn't really know anything about her parents.
"Yeah. From what I know, you're mother was allways trying to teach him how to eat proprely. Guess he also had a thing for cake."
Hermione couldn't help but smile. This little things she was discovering about those who were supposed to have raised her made it all more real. Made her feel like she could really be loved by them. Like they were real, and not just some people who were said to be somewhere.
"Hermione?"
"Yeah, Ginny?"
"Are you going to meet with the Malfoys or anyone of your familly?" the question left the brunete a little stunned, and she knew that it had made Pansy weary to.
"Yes. I'm waiting for a letter from my aunt. And my uncle helped me out with the paper work. I... really want to know what they are like."
"Good. You desarve to be with your familly Hermione. It's about time things get back to normal."
To be continued...
A.N.: Hey guys! Sorry for taking so long to update. Hope you enjoied the chapter. Tell me what you thought and any sugestion you might have! By the way, you probably already know this, but now I have an Instagram account for all my fannart! The username is Nikas_13 with a pink icon, but you should see it just by writing nikas.
Anyway, hope it doesn't take so long to update next time. See you soon.
Adeus.