The stay at the Black House ran on a schedule. Hermione woke at 7 and went to meet Regulus in the library for 7:30. They stayed there for breakfast, as Kreacher brought it up, and only left for lunch and dinner. Hermione loved the Black library almost as much as her own, because although it didn't have her nook, it had company. Someone to discuss whether a theory could work, someone to rant about a character to, someone to ask how to pronounce a word or a definition on hand rather than leaving the comfort of your position to ask.
But her favourite part of the day was night. Regulus would take her to the slanted roof of Grimmauld Place, and they would cast charms so that they could lay on the tiles and look up at the stars. Every night, Hermione would point to a star, Regulus would identify it, and then he would start a story. It could be one of mythology or a story of a family member he had of the same name. The sky would be inky black, and the only light would come from the moon. It was eerily peaceful.
The day before the Potter Ball however, the schedule was disrupted. The Black Sisters were staying for a visit, overnight, so they could all arrive at the ball together. So when Regulus and Hermione were in the library, lounging in the chairs with copies of King James I's Daemonologie, Walburga cleared her throat.
"Regulus, Hermione. Narcissa, Andromeda and Bellatrix"
Lady Black stepped aside and allowed the three young ladies to walk in. "I'll allow you to be reacquainted" she said stiffly.
Bellatrix sat down opposite Hermione in an armchair, crossing her legs neatly, and watched her intently, her black curls bouncing everywhere. Her sisters Narcissa and Andromeda sat on a sofa next to her and waited for her to speak.
When she finally did , Bellatrix said "Regulus, why do you allow such blood traitor filth in your house?"
The boy gritted his teeth, but Hermione spoke instead, "I am no blood traitor, Bellatrix, otherwise I would not have been welcomed here nor would I have wanted to come."
Grinning wildly, Bellatrix asked "Whatever do you mean, Potter?"
"I mean that blood traitors would never associate themselves with your family other than obligation, and I am not obligated to be here at all. I'm sure you'd agree that yourself and blood traitors would try to stay away from each other at all costs. And I hardly believe Lady Black would want her son with the likes of a blood traitor?"
"Of course not" Bellatrix replied in an amused tone.
"Then what are your views, if they do not coincide with your family?" Andromeda asked curiously.
Hermione thought for a moment, trying to pick her words carefully. "I believe that the wizarding and muggle worlds should stay separated, but we shouldn't persecute each other. For our safety and theirs. Otherwise we'll end up like this" she waved the copy of Daemonologie. "I personally do not like Muggles, but they are innocent and shouldn't be murdered because they aren't magical, unless they attack first"
"I agree" Andromeda nodded, as did Narcissa.
Bellatrix stayed silent, and Regulus feared she would attack his dear friend, but instead she just said "I like you little witch. First years don't usually oppose me. You remind me a bit of me actually. Aren't we similar Cissa?"
Narcissa smiled softly and flipped her blonde hair from one side to the other. "Yes quite"
Regulus pinched Hermione's side happily, and the quintet chatted and bantered back and forth until Walburga called them down for dinner.
Hermione was in her wardrobe, searching frantically for appropriate dress robes. A knock on the door called her back to reality, and Narcissa's voice called "Nita, love, we thought we'd dress together?"
"Come in" she replied, poking her head out of the wardrobe in a fluffy bathrobe and a towel wrapped around her head.
"I'm just hopping in the shower Nita do you mind?" Andromeda called.
"No, no" Hermione replied, retreating back to the wardrobe with the remaining sisters now following.
"We thought we'd do you a whole pamper night. You know, with a brother and an organising mother, you only have house elves to help." Narcissa came to her side and started to go through her clothes. "I'll get you a dress, Bella will do your hair because only she can work with curls and Meda'll do your makeup"
"Yes" Bellatrix said distractedly. "So you got the green room did you?"
"Yes?" Hermione turned and stood with her arms out while Narcissa pressed fabrics on her skin to see what worked best. "Regulus said something about it being a special one"
"Oh it is!" grinning deviously, Bella walked over and picked up one of the sets of robes. "These, they make her cheeks rosier and Meda likes working with this sort of palette"
"Oh I thought so too Bella! Go on, put these on behind the screen" Narcissa shooed Hermione behind the dressing screen.
"Bella? What do you mean it is?" Hermione called as Andromeda left the bathroom.
"Oh well Auntie Wally would never give this sort of room to any old guest" Bellatrix laughed and Narcissa's delicate hand clapped to her mouth.
Andromeda conjured another screen to change behind, saying "Don't tease the girl Bellatrix. What my ghastly sister is trying to say is that Aunt Walburga hopes for a betrothal"
Hermione was glad she was still behind the screen, because she was sure her cheeks were redder than the Gryffindor Emblem.
She regained her composure, before stepping out, the pastel pink robes swishing around her feet. They had a sweetheart neckline, and a slim white tulle skirt, the pink silk covering the white all until the bottom, so when she swirled it would flurry around her pink pumps.
"Oh you look beautiful Nita." Narcissa smiled and patted her shoulder.
"Yes, quite." Bellatrix added, still grinning about the earlier topic. "Alright switch! Nita, sit at your vanity, I'll do your hair, Andy do Narcissa's makeup."
She walked over to Hermione and started to do wandless magic, casting away the hair towel and conjuring all sorts of creams and combs. Bellatrix looked at Hermione through the mirror as she did her work. Her ruby red lips curling upwards, Bella watched her through her smoky hooded lids.
"You're quite lucky you know." she said to Hermione as she massaged mousse into her hair.
"Why?"
"When you are forced to marry, you can most likely marry your best friend. I'll have to marry Rodolphus Lestrange or Antonin Dolohov." Bellatrix stuck her finger in her mouth in disgust.
"Mother said I won't be forced." Hermione smiled at how Bellatrix was turning her curls into soft ringlets.
"I'm sorry to tell you Nita, but no matter how much your parents love you, you will have to marry. It's the rules I'm afraid" Narcissa said sadly. "We've all got our contracts ready to be signed. Bella has Lestrange, I have Malfoy, and Meda has the younger Lestrange, Rabastan"
Hermione frowned. "And if I oppose?"
"Cut off and disowned. Though I doubt the Potters are as harsh, there are serious repercussions" Andromeda blew on Narcissa's face and spelled it so it stayed for the night.
Bellatrix tied up the front of Hermione's curls, leaving a few to frame her face, giving it a water fall look. "Switch!" she commanded again. Andromeda came to Hermione to do her makeup, while Narcissa did Andromeda's hair and Bellatrix dressed.
Soon,all four ladies were ready. Narcissa wore an icy blue gown, her hair cascading in waves down her exposed back. Andromeda had her hair in a side ponytail, and she wore glittering navy robes that clung to her skin until it got to her hips where it fell loosely. In the darkest green possible, Bellatrix wore form fitting robes with a black corset and black pumps, her voluminous hair adding to the effect.
They walked out to the parlour where Regulus was waiting with Walburga, Orion, Druella and Cygnus Black.
"Oh you look lovely girls, come on let's take a photo quickly or we won't be fashionably late, just late" Druella fussed.
"Go on Regulus you too" Orion pushed his son into the group, laughing at his overwhelmed expression.
Both Druella and Walburga were wearing purple, but their robes could be no similar. Walburga's looked as though it was straight off the most fashionable rack, whereas Druella's looked like she'd found it in an attic somewhere, however she managed to pull it off flawlessly.
The men had their Black family robes on, the same with tail coats and smart trousers, only the waistcoat and the tie was slightly different in design for each individual. Walburga had been angrily talking to herself, almost trying to psychically tell Sirius to wear his Black robes, but knowing her son it was unlikely unless Euphemia managed it
Walking back into her home for the night was bittersweet. While she didn't want to be around any of the boys, she'd missed her parents and the house elves dearly. Regulus saw her biting her lip, and he whispered "you'll ruin your lip… thingy. Makeup"
"Lip gloss?" Hermione giggled slightly.
"Mm yes lip gloss. And don't worry about them, me or my cousins who seem to like you more than me now will be with you all the time"
"Thank you, Reg" She gave him a quick peck on the cheek before going to stand with the girls for them to be announced into the ballroom.
"Entering, Lord and Lady Black and Druella and Cygnus Black" rang a trumpet, and the two couples walked down the steps.
"Entering, Bellatrix, Narcissa, Andromeda and Regulus Black" the four walked gracefully, almost like swans.
"Entering Hermione Potter"
She surveyed the crowd, and saw her Mother and Father walk to greet her at the bottom of the steps.
"Ah Mia! How are you? They're treating you right I hope?" Lord Potter said the last part seriously, so Hermione nodded solemnly. "I'm even sleeping in the green room" she said, getting the reaction she hoped from her mother.
"Well. Walburga means business then. Go and find your brother Hermione, we've got to do the social rounds" Euphemia said, her voice strained , practically dragging her husband away.
While Hermione was childishly hoping to avoid her brother all night, she knew it wouldn't be the case, so she decided to get it out of the way, walking over to the Marauders.
"Jamey" she inclined her head in greeting.
"Hermione" he replied, in a tone he wouldn't have even thought of speaking to her in before Hogwarts.
"You look nice Hermione" Remus tried to clear the tension, but it added to it, when James glared at him.
"Oh Sirius I'm glad you've worn your Black robes. I swear, your mother was trying to send you a message through her mind extremely angrily" Hermione tried to joke, but Sirius didn't respond to it as such.
"You've given me half a mind to change" he said coldly, and before Hermione could reply, Andromeda tapped her on the shoulder.
"Nita, love, I don't think you're in good company, thought you needed a rescue" her tone was jolly, but the offer wasn't lost.
"Since when was my company bad, cousin?" Sirius asked with a grin.
"When you and your friends act rudely to mine" Andromeda raised a brow and offered an arm to Hermione who took it.
"I'm surprised you didn't wear your house colours tonight Hermione. They suit you and your evil personality a whole lot better than innocent pink" James called softly to his sisters back, feeling pleasure when she tensed.
"The way you act towards Nita tempts me to hex you Potter, and you don't want to be on the other end of my wand" Bellatrix had arrived, staring every boy down.
James went to reply, but Sirius elbowed him and muttered "Just leave it James, it's not worth it"
The two Black sisters took Hermione away, and when she offered them her quiet thanks, they waved it away.
Arriving back at the Black's table, Bellatrix pushed her way through the adults to find Regulus being poked and prodded by the older crones.
"Regulus, I believe Hermione is deserving of a dance partner?"
The boy looked as if Bella had handed him Heaven.
"Thanks for rescuing me Bells I owe you" he whispered, rubbing at his cheeks to remove all traces of slobbery old lady kisses and pinch marks.
They waited until the last dance finished, before taking a place near the middle of the dance floor. Regulus put a hand on the small of Hermione's back, and held her other hand delicately in position. A light melody started, and Regulus began to lead them around, spinning or lifting Hermione up every now and then when the beat of the music called.
"You look pretty tonight Nita. You clean up nicely" Regulus said as he dipped her quickly.
"As do you Reg, thank you" she blushed prettily, but he raised an eyebrow.
"Pretty? I think i prefer words like dashing or handsome"
As he spun her around again, she laughed "Well then. Mr Black, you look dashingly handsome"
The music ended, so he bent down and brushed her knuckles with his lips saying "Thank you Miss Potter"
The night went on, and Hermione loved every bit of it. She danced with Regulus, Lucius Malfoy and both the Lestranges, as she had been introduced to them from Bella, Cissa and Meda. She ate the food her house elves had prepared, delicious as always, and was engaged in conversations like an adult, unlike previous balls. But then it took a nasty turn.
Hermione had left Regulus to go to the restroom, when she was engulfed in a green slime, dripping from her hair to her toes, ruining the whole outfit. The ballroom went silent, and everyone's attention turned to her. Hermione saw her Jamey and his friends giggling in the corner, aside from Lupin who looked torn between guilt and amusement.
Her heart broke, and she started to wipe the excess slime from her dress, but it had soaked through, so she could never wear it again.
"POTTER" the screech filled the silence, and Bellatrix was charging towards the boys with her wand out.
Regulus ran towards Hermione, and took her to the table where Walburga started performing all sorts of spells to try and fix all the damage. It was strange to see a caring side to the witch, but she had a soft spot for the girl that was staying at her home.
Bellatrix had reached the boys, and she had her wand poking into James's neck. "How dare you? You're a despicable brother. Despicable! How dare you ruin your sister's night and embarrass her?! You vile, piece of scum under my boot…"
By now, her sisters and Mr and Mrs Potter had joined the group. Andromeda gently pulled the wand away from the trembling boy's neck, and Narcissa put a calming hand on her shoulder that also restricted her from hexing the boy.
Fleamont was shaking with anger, but Euphemia addressed the witch, letting her husband take the boys away.
"The parlor Ms Black!" she demanded, marching out of the ballroom, with the three Black sisters, and leaving whispering behind her.
"Ms Black were you threatening my son?" she said in a deathly cold voice, as she shut the door.
"Merely frightening him, Lady Potter" Bellatrix replied with her trademark sneer.
"And why were you doing that?" Euphemia drew herself up to her full height so the two witches were eye to eye.
"Because he embarrassed Nita in front of all your guests without a qualm, her dress is ruined completely, and he has been doing so for a whole term without repercussions!"
"Childish pranks do not excuse threatening a boy in his own home"
"Bullying! And Hermione doesn't allow Regulus to help her, nor does she do anything back because she holds love for her so-called brother" Narcissa spat.
"As she should. And James wouldn't bully his sister, he's raised better than that."
"Perhaps my sister did not handle this with maturity, but we do not disagree with her actions" Andromeda spoke calmly, knowing her cousin wouldn't respond to raised voices.
"No maturity indeed! You speak of embarrassing Hermione, but you have now embarrassed yourselves, my family and yours." Euphemia was pacing up and down the room furiously.
"A small price to pay in return for scaring your son, my cousin and their idiotic friends! How can you not defend your daughter? Against that brat?" Bellatrix could only see red. She'd seen how the Potter siblings interacted, but she never involved herself because frankly, it wasn't her business. But now she knew Hermione in person, knew of her importance to Regulus and was quite fond of the girl, so now she had Bellatrix's loyalty.
"Defend her from what? A prank? James will be punished of course, but there is nothing deeper than my son playing with his latest Zonko product"
Bellatrix was reaching for her wand, so Andromeda guided her from the parlour, and Narcissa followed, but not before saying "Hermione does not strike back because her love blinds her from James's cruel acts, but me and my sisters evidently do not share the same love for the boy. Do get some sense into that thick skull of his, Cousin."
The guests watched Bellatrix storm from the parlor, with her sisters hurrying behind her, and the whispering stopped. Druella and Cygnus saw that they couldn't stay much longer, so they hurriedly said their goodbyes, as did Walburga and Orion. Regulus wrapped an arm around Hermione's shoulder (who had changed into a different set of red robes) and tried to steer her to the door to collect their coats, but Euphemia appeared in front of them.
"I'm sorry Regulus, dear, but I would like for Hermione to cut her visit short. I'll send an elf for her things"
"No. I'm not going to snub Lord and Lady Black's hospitality, it would be incredibly rude Mother. Plus, I do not know if I even want to stay at the Manor anyway, what with James here."
"Oh don't be ridiculous Mia. You will stay."
"I'll see you at Easter perhaps"
"Hermione Potter if you leave now, you won't be welcome back"
"Then I won't see you at Easter" Hermione shrugged and left with Regulus, both of them shocked that she could possibly speak to her mother like that.