AlsethGosia, Good catch! But wasn't that before Ginny was kidnapped? :v I'll not leave you alone to figure this out in peace lol
Oh, you're absolutely right! The hatred is real.
I'll explain that in future chapters, so I'll leave you to wonder that for a while longer, haha sorry XD But remember that thing about lingering magic used to store magical signature on prothean phones? It's something related to that. Hopefully I'll be able to explain it in a way that makes sense.
Hahahah I find that writing Bella's vulnerability makes her endearing in a way, I'm glad you enjoyed that as well. LOL Francine for the matchmaker? Nah, just teasing. hahaha but yeah, how fun would that be?
Oh, me neither... That's the part where I'll have to work on their relationship. Man, that's something...
Tristetzu... You just gave me the direction to start this chapter. Narcisa shows up, but not in the way you probably would want to. The Black sister's relationship and Hermione's relation with them is missing one very important piece... and that's Narcisa's P.O.V. I wanted to write that, but her personality still isn't too clear in my head... I'm unsure how to give depth to her character... But yeah, Narcisa needs to show up. haha I'm working on it. :P
Humor1, HAHAHAH OMG I'm dying here with your reactions. Here, fear not, I may take a bit long to update, but I'll not stop till it's over. Thanks for the kind review. xD
Chapter XX - A new home
"Why didn't you tell me?" the sudden whisper in her ear, coupled by those fingers poking her back, disturbed what was otherwise a very calm moment.
Merlin! Andromeda jumped out of her skin, almost dropping the heavy books she had been balancing in her left arm. "Shite, Cissa! You scared me!" Her right hand went reflexively to her chest, as if the gesture would calm her racing heart.
The giggles coming from her sister were like tickles to her neural system, involuntarily making her chuckle despite the jump scare. The harsh shushing sound coming from the librarian made them silently laugh a bit more before containing their mirth.
"Sorry..." Her sister's mischievous little smirk was very telling.
Right... Andromeda smiled knowingly and rolled her eyes to show how much she believed in that apology. "Sure, you are." She whispered back.
Pretending not to have heard Narcisa's question, Andromeda returned to her task of finding books on nature of spells and intent. She got so engrossed in the most complicated aspects of spell casting Professor Grey was introducing, she was overlooking the theory needed for her exams. To see Rabastan studying ahead was a good reminder of her obligations... She couldn't just lose herself to the practical part of defence against the dark arts...
"But seriously, Andie. Why didn't you tell me?!"
How can I explain this fake relationship without exposing my real one? A great sigh of disappointment left her before she could hold back. "Tell you what?"
She tried to sound as innocent as possible, but it was obvious she knew what Narcisa wanted to know. The curious looks she and Rabastan received from her fellow Slytherin folks wherever they went got worse as the day progressed, especially since they started discussing plans for the quidditch try-outs. There was no escaping the rumours now. She just hoped that none of those would reach Ted before she had a chance to explain herself.
Despite being a master in the art of playing coy, Narcisa wasn't amused by it. The blonde girl was also more proficient than both her eldest sisters in the art of using her face to express distaste. It certainly made Andromeda feel compelled to confess everything... But she couldn't do that. Not when it was easy to predict the lengthy lecture she'd receive about the 'disgusting nature' of her relationship with Ted. Truth of the matter was... she didn't want to fight any of her sisters over it.
"I understand why you wouldn't want Bella to know but... You don't usually hide your passing fancies from me!"
I usually get interested in people from our 'acceptable pureblood society' "There's nothing to tell, Cissa... I swear, Rabs and I are just friends..."
"That's not what Umbridge heard."
Ugh, that annoying little- "Umbridge is precisely the reason why Rabastan needs my help to cover for him. Just... Trust me. For now, it doesn't hurt me in any way to leave people believing in our fake relationship. Now he owes me one, and I intent to take full advantage of it in the future." She dared look into her sister's eyes, enduring that scrutinizing gaze in a way that only someone telling half-truths ever could. When Narcisa nodded in acceptance, Andie had to use every bit of her willpower not to show her relief.
"Ok, it makes sense. I knew you wouldn't hide a relationship like that from me!" The satisfied smile on her face made Andromeda's stomach twist with a disquieting feeling...
It was a known fact that there were no secrets between the Black sisters. The last envious bitch that tried to plant seeds of discord between them learned very quickly that the trust they had in one another was unshakable. It was something they bragged about without saying a thing. Their united front was a legend amongst the Slytherin house, where trust was... a rare treasure. To say the least. Cygnus wasn't the only man preaching the value of distrust to his kids, after all.
She hoped her sisters would be forgiving on the day she decides to come clean. "Yeah, I would never-" Hide anything from you got stuck in her tongue. There was no way it would get past the guilt... She could scarcely face Narcisa anymore. She forced out a chuckle, to play off that tongue-tying situation as amusement, looked down at the books – she now hugged against her chest with both arms – and bought some time to gain the courage to stare into her sister's expectant, bright, ice-blue eyes again. "I'd never keep such interesting gossip from you. You know that."
The way Narcisa's cheeks made her eyes close in that rare, delighted smile, got Andromeda feeling like someone had closed a fist inside her stomach. It wasn't a punch; it was the guilt trying to juice the truth out of her pores – which was worse. She hated to lie... But right now, it felt like she had no other choice.
"I know" It was Narcisa's happy answer. Andromeda felt equally relieved, and sad to hear that. Astonishing how two incredibly distinct emotions could take a hold of someone's heart at the same time.
Balancing those three books on her left arm again, the emotionally rattled sister tried at all costs to find a way to shake off those negative feelings. She offered her free arm to Narcisa who didn't hesitate to link her own, so they could walk together towards the exit. "Now, why don't you tell me about Lucius. Is he treating you properly?"
The dreamy sigh that escaped her little sister was amusing enough to make Andromeda smile. She just knows that if she had a mirror in front of her every time she thought about Ted, she'd see in herself that same expression Narcisa had right then.
It was one ear listening to Narcisa as she gushed about his princely manners, the other throwing all information away so she could freak out about the secret she's been keeping. Bella suspects something... Her older sister wouldn't make such a target out of Ted if that wasn't the case. Narcisa can't even imagine... She stared at her little sister, in time to nod and smile to what she was saying, before staring ahead again.
"Thanks for your help, Ms. Pince. I found those volumes you recommended." The librarian spared her a small smile before checking out everything.
As soon as they stepped out, Narcisa went on "And he is so, SO talented! He's good at everything he does! Did you know he is going to join the quidditch team this year as second-string seeker?"
Uh oh... "Uhm... Cissa... About that..."
"Everyone knows that as soon as Francine graduates, he is the only possible choice-" Noticing the embarrassment stamped on her face, Narcisa paused in her excited ramble. "What is it?" A small frown accentuated the worry her voice didn't do enough to show. When it came to Narcisa, expressions spoke louder than words.
"I'm joining the quidditch team. It's to play up the relationship with Rabastan... He really needs it."
The younger witch gasped, as she came to a halt. The reaction Andie expected for a whole different reason, came up for the silliest motive. "We have a whole tradition of never showing up for the matches, and now you're going to join the team?" At least she didn't question why...
Andie scoffed "That's Bella's idiotic form of protest, and don't tell me you wouldn't show up if it was Lucius flying over that field..." Narcisa didn't have time to deny, her blush denounced her intentions for the next year. "You're just waiting for Bella to graduate, aren't you?"
Quick to recompose, Narcisa shrugged and went back to their previous position of linked arms. "She hates Quidditch..."
"She hates the fact that they get the glory. Not the sport. I'm sure she'll get over it once I explain everything..."
"I'm not so sure."
"It's not like I'll force her to show up to the matches."
"But you'd betray the whole idea of not going. The whole fun of it was finding something different to do together..."
Andromeda took a deep breath then let it all out through her nose... She knows it will be a tough thing to convince Bella that this was needed. But it was better to fight over something stupid like their shared traditions, which was easy to forgive and forget, than their completely twisted beliefs that would force her to choose between her crush and her family...
She wasn't ready to let go of Ted.
It was so soon... She wanted time to enjoy this amazing feeling he brought her for as long as she could, before she was forced to let go... I know it will get harder as time goes by... But maybe he will tire of it himself before I have to do anything about it.
At least, she'd keep up the fight Bella abandoned. I'll not become just another pawn in Cygnus' game.
"We will find another tradition to substitute that one, won't we? Like we did when Bella had to prepare for those OWL's and couldn't spend the afternoons with us because she was constantly revising."
"...I guess you're right. I just hope she won't be so furious when she finds out..."
She will be. But not as much as she would if she knew the real reason for all this. "Let's go. The duelling club starts in five minutes."
"Wait! Don't you have to put those away, first?"
With a smirk, Andie did one of the most advanced spells she learned recently.
- Picture where you want these to go, and you'll find them exactly where you want them to be.
It was like Professor Grey was just beside her, teaching her everything all over again. Her voice echoed in her head with instructions, while she did the wand movement for the spell. Two circles and a tap over the objects she wanted to send away.
- The more you practice, the more natural the spells will feel to you. And it exercises willpower, so it's important you do it daily, understand?
The pride she felt to be able to do it wordlessly already was increased tenfold when she saw Narcisa's reaction to it. The kind of amazement she, herself, felt whenever Bella learned something new and went to show them. "You didn't just vanish them, did you? Where did they go?!"
"To my room."
"What spell is this? When did you learn it? Does Bella know this one?"
"Well... You know how I've been taking lessons with our new D.A.D.A. professor?"
"Yes... The mudblood that Bella swears is a pureblood now?" Despite the slur causing a slight sense of discomfort, Andromeda had to laugh. Bellatrix truly believed her own crazy theories... "Did you learn this from her?"
With her left hand free now, she quickened her steps. Narcisa had no difficulties to keep up the pace, and still maintain that proper pose of aristocratic grace their mother only hoped she and Bella would achieve one day. "I did. And I'm almost managing my corporeal Patronus, too! She said that I still need to find a more emotionally charged memory... or maybe figure out what is tainting the one I'm using it..."
Current fear was tainting her memory of Ted confessing his feelings... It really isn't working to bring that memory without reminding herself of everything that could go wrong between them... The elation she was used to feeling is mixed up with dozens of other complicated emotions she couldn't address... Even the best memories she had of her days at Hogwarts with her sisters... that too, was being messed up by the thought that she could lose everything she held dear because there was no way to condone their prejudice. Even if she didn't date a muggleborn, there was no way to keep their relationship intact. She would never accept her father's kind of behaviour coming from her sisters... It was already killing her to see Bella slowly turning into someone she could not respect anymore.
These foreseeable problems were tainting every happy memory Andromeda ever had, hindering her advances with the Patronus... But just to cast that mist and know that it was possible... that she was capable! It was a sense of accomplishment almost enough to feed the charm.
"This is so cool! You should show Bella!"
Oh, I intend to... The smirk on her face held dozens of meanings.
"Andromeda!" Her pupil was accompanied by Narcisa, and it hit Hermione just then that she still didn't have the chance to meet the youngest of the black sisters. "And you must be the third of the Black's." She nodded at the blonde teenager with the same smile she had directed at Andromeda one second ago. "Andie speaks well of you. And a lot. You're Narcisa, yes?" She shared one knowing look with her apprentice before returning her attention towards her 'newly' acquaintance.
The small, polite smile she received in return was a far cry from the disdainful sneer she was used to seeing in the future version of that equally graceful girl's face. The way she held herself, straight with those shoulders back, hands held in front of her body... What the- "I am, and you are the famous Professor Grey." She didn't even sound like she was her age, as she acknowledged the professor with formality lacing her voice... Isn't she supposed to be thirteen?
She didn't know if she should feel unnerved, or amused that a teenager had more composure than she ever managed in her life... Still, she answered in a good-humoured tone of voice "So, she talks about me as well. Good to know."
"Everyone is talking about you, Professor. Can't blame me for that one."
"Oh, I certainly can! Don't tell me you aren't the one to blame for my newest apprentice? One obstinate fellow fifth year?" The delighted smile on Andromeda's face was the answer she was looking for when she accepted Ted's request to have extra classes as well. Hopefully this would help her make progress with her Patronus.
"I can't believe it! Thank you-" She cut herself off, looking very embarrassedly at her sister. Narcisa, for her part, seemed to be scrutinising that happy reaction coming from Andromeda "I mean, I'm glad to hear that my fellow obstinate classmate is also in this."
"Who is-"
"HELLO PEOPLE! I'm ready to shoot some mean spells. When do we begin?"
Andromeda looked like she was saved by the obnoxiously loud Rodolphus Lestrange. His voice echoed in that empty chamber, which held only the platform for the duellists to stand on. She would conjure up some targets, and fill the place with cushions, but she was waiting for Fillius to come back so that they could explain the new training regimen... and show off a bit by conjuring up everything at once. She wasn't about to miss the opportunity to remind these people that she wasn't someone to be messed with.
When Bellatrix' vexed expression showed behind the boy, while Francine had her arms crossed and smiled at the two of them as if she knew something they didn't know yet, Hermione couldn't help but laugh. Nostalgia didn't begin to describe the feeling she was hit when staring at the trio entering the room.
In her future, little was known about Bellatrix and Rodolphus' relationship, except that they were married; It was easy to assume that they were at least friends, considering that wherever Bellatrix went, there was Rodolphus to cover, or be a participant in the same crimes.
The way Bellatrix glared at Rodolphus while she made her way towards her sisters, reminded the professor of the time she'd look at Ron with a similar threatening stare, whenever he did something oafish. A full body laugh threatened to burst out of Hermione, but she managed to contain most of her amusement, limiting herself to a silent chuckle that shook only her shoulders...
Once Bellatrix was close to her sisters, whatever fond memory Hermione summoned by associating that scene to her own experiences, was shoved aside. The serious look on those dark brown eyes were sobering. The lack of amusement in there still managed to bring bad flashbacks of similar eyes threatening to end her life.
It came and went, the ghost of Bellatrix Lestrange haunting her thoughts, even as she stood – awaken and aware – facing a much friendlier version of that woman.
"Ms. Black." She couldn't bring herself to smile. She nodded at the approaching student, receiving a similar greeting in return.
"Professor." It felt easier to breathe when that serious gaze turned towards "Andie, can I have a word with you?"
She wordlessly left the sisters to have their conversation, shooting Andie one last smile before making her way towards the other Slytherins that stood close to the duelling platform.
"Hello, Mr. Lestrange! Excited for the lessons, I see."
"Excited? Excited? Show me my adversary! I'm ready to burn some energy before the try-outs!"
Yes, he looked like a squirrel on coffee. Adorable. She laughed and motioned Francine to also get closer. "That's the enthusiasm I like to see on my students. How about a quick warm-up round? Get up there, you, and Francine."
He didn't need to be told twice, he quickly jumped high and – without using his hands – landed on the black surface with a loud 'thud', running to one end of the platform. As if hit by the Rodolphus energized disposition, Francine propelled herself on the platform with one hand, taking impulse with both legs to land on top of it, and ran to the other end as quickly as her friend.
"Ready to lose, Fran?"
"I'm sorry, I'm not going easy on you Rod. Prepare your ego, it's going to get bruised."
Their light banter was a heart-warming scene. The kind of healthy competition she tried to teach little Ted whenever she went to play with him... Oh Ted... I'm sorry kid... Someone else will have to be your partner for those rock band concerts.
"Are you familiar with the rules?" She asked the duo that was in the process of making 'threatening' gestures to one another, pointing wands, and posturing like this was a battle that would decide who was the most powerful person alive. Their fun was rubbing off on Hermione... As much as she missed her family and friends, that missing piece of her heart ended up opening space for new people to occupy. It wasn't a substitute, but a warm soft cover that shared space with that void and lessened the ache. She felt better about this whole situation...
"YOU'RE GOING TO WHAT?!"
Hermione is sure that she isn't the only one who turned to look at Bellatrix – that seemed on verge of destroying something – grinding her teeth as she glared at Andromeda – who held that killer gaze with the same intense heat in her eyes –, both were stubbornly determined and not backing down from that stare contest. Narcisa watched them both with a wary expression that set Hermione into motion before she could think about what she was doing.
"What is going on?"
The intense hatred oozing from Bellatrix would be paralysing in any other instance, but the fragile look on Narcisa's face awakened the protective side of Hermione that overcame her buried fears. Taking over Andie's task, she stared Bellatrix down, despite having to look up. Having authority in this situation elevated her in the metaphorical sense of the word.
"Professor. This is between me and my dear sister!"
Before Hermione would give a proper answer, Andromeda's angry voice rang in her ears.
"I believe you made it her business when you decided to yell for everyone to be aware of our disagreement."
"Disagreement? Disagree- Andie, you could do whatever the hell you wanted with your free time to 'do something differently from your oldest sister', but did you really have to join the Quidditch team? Really?"
Narcisa's little shrug in Andromeda's direction, and Andromeda's loud sigh gave Hermione the idea that she really was stepping into some discussion she had no idea how to bring a resolution to. "I know I'm missing something... But I don't see how Andromeda's choice of extracurriculars is your problem, Ms. Black."
"Of course, you don't. You have no idea who we are, or why this is my problem, so maybe you should leave us to solve our own problems, right?"
"It wouldn't be a fucking problem if you weren't so stubborn, Bella! If we go or not to the matches it won't change the importance it has for the school." Andromeda said, defiantly, catching Hermione's attention. She looked back, noticing that Andromeda still yielded her anger like a weapon. It served to show that not only Bellatrix had a temper to be wary of.
Of course, this would be when people would be entering the room, she purposefully ignored the curious eyes, turning her back to them once more, facing Bellatrix completely.
The incensed girl was also ignoring everyone in favour of glaring at girl standing behind Hermione.
"It's stupid!"
"It's exciting! And maybe if you didn't have this idiot ego, you'd recognize the fun of it!"
"It's because of people like you that the quality of our education seems to be decaying every year! The more attention we give to stupid extracurriculars like quidditch, the less attention the important academic matters receive. Oh, let's look how that cursed ball flies to take down people from their brooms, but who cares about the intricate details behind curse-breaking that would stop that same ball from working."
It's true that not enough people value the theory behind their magic but... "The reason why our education seems to be failing every year is far from people's taste in extracurriculars, Bellatrix. You're aware that every school material is previously approved by the ministry, right? Whatever is taught at Hogwarts is dictated not by 'what people wants to learn', but by what the ministry decides is important to know. I still don't see how Quidditch would stop you from learning everything you want."
Hermione was unsure if Bellatrix' surprise was due to her interference, or by what she said, either way she didn't linger on it, she turned towards Andromeda, the person she was most likely to convince to let go of this argument "Maybe discuss this later? When it's just you and Bella, perhaps?" A subtle movement of head, pointing at the distracted blonde that was watching Bella with the same worried expression from earlier...
Andromeda nodded. Taking a deep breath to reign in her temper and smile gratefully at her for the interference. A 'thank you' was mouthed silently, for which Hermione smiled back at her. No problem, girl...
"Now that it's settled." Fillius familiar voice was enough to bring a relieved smile to Hermione's face. "How about we prepare the room for the lesson, Kid?" Kid? She turned back around, and what she saw reflected on his face was enough to make her feel as though she was sent back to her own time.
That smile... That pride...
Hermione's eyes filled with tears. I'm almost thirty-four, but sure, call me kid.
Hermione thought that the best that could happen that Friday was finally seeing her apprentice put to practice what she has been learning... But there she was, hit with the most comforting feeling of belonging, all over such a mundane act of being recognized by one of the most important people in her life. How does he know?
Then she remembered exactly who summoned him before they could start preparing the room for the lessons...
Albus... Thank you... So much...