Hi guys! I think this might be it for this fic. I know, nothing huge and spectacular but it seems the majority of you at least enjoyed it so far. I am hoping this chapter lives up to the last.
On a side note, i got a bit of a flame and even got called 'sick' for my using rape as a plot device. If the person who left this review is for some reason reading this disgusting rubbish, to answer your question, No. I have not been raped before. I apologise if my using this as a plot device bothers you but to be fair i put the Trigger Warning up so people could avoid reading this if it was something they were not comfortable with.
On an even more side like side note, the lovely person who coyly wondered where i'd come up with the name 'Odette Parkinson' i didn't. I couldnt tell you where but im almost certain i read the name in someone else's fic in the past and the credit goes to the author. 'Odette' has just really stuck with me since reading it though so i tend to use the name in my own fics. You're beautiful.
Reviews encouraged!
[Trigger Warning: Mentions of Rape/Non-Con]
Start Fresh
It had been a couple of weeks since Hermione had accepted Narcissa's invitation to move in with her. To move back to the wizarding that she had left a year ago. But she had everything packed up, Narcissa had taken most of her things the night before, and her rental agreement was cleared up with her landlord. She was now making her way down the street with a back pack on her shoulders wearing a pair of jeans and a tee under her jacket.
It wasn't a long walk before she was stepping through and into the muggle side of the Leaky Cauldron and back to the door to get into Diagon. It was a foreign feeling to have her wand up her sleeve again, she had had it kept in a small long box under her bed while living in London and so it had been a while since she had felt it in her hand. She had to admit she missed it.
Having her wand meant moving in was a lot easier too, she would be able to use magic to place all of her belongings, which granted wasn't much, in their rightful homes. Certainly there had been a lot of perks to having magic but she had left it and though she missed it, she knew she could live without it. Especially since it caused her so many issues in the past. Issues which were the biggest reason Hermione had left the magical wold. The world she was beginning to make her home once again.
The magical world that Hermione had once been so excited about had taken a lot from her. Maybe no more than some other, maybe more, maybe less. But as it stood in that very moment the only people worth having in her life was Narcissa Malfoy. Magic took her childhood, took what little sense of worth she had left, took her parents and her friendships. Hermione's life had changed very drastically since learning she was witch.
She ignored the looks from those who were aware of who she was as she walked down Diagon Alley. Hermione Granger maintained an air of pride about her and refused to react to any of the sneers directed her way. Instead she made her way to the bank and got her business sorted out, even though the goblins didnt so much care for her as a person they weren't foolish enough to refuse her business. They gladly reopened her vault and deposited her money after converting it from pounds to galleons. Only when she was done there did Hermione go to the village.
"Sweet Circe, Minerva!" Greeted Hermione as she walked up to the door into the home she was about to take up residence in.
"Narcissa, for the love of Merlin, i was no propositioning you!" Minerva huffs loudly.
"No... You're having an anatomy issue due to experimentation with transfiguration and your answer to my proposition was a naked rendezvous." Narcissa huffs at this.
"Cissa..." Minerva hisses.
"You're making me out as some whore." Narcissa scowls as Hermione walks in.
"Oh come now, Cissy. Being a whore isn't all bad." Hermione tuts gently and both Minerva and Narcissa's cheeks flame.
"You're one to talk. You chose the profession you didn't have people assume you would just be into it." Narcissa sniffs indignantly.
"Mm, touche. Hello Headmistress. It's nice to see you again." Hermione says politely unsure of the response she might get from the older witch.
"I'm not so sure i can say the same. I'm still mad at you." Hermione nods at this though she was slightly confused.
"You were my favourite, i had hoped you'd end up at Hogwarts teaching eventually." Minerva adds and Hermione chuckles.
"Charms or Potions would have been nice. I'd have given Severus a run for his money as most Ornery professor too." Hermione grins cheekily and finally the Headmistress grins.
"That you would have. What are you doing here exactly? Helping Narcissa move in?" Minerva inquires curiously.
"Oh. No i'm moving myself in. Narcissa convinced me that since i was done with my last profession and didnt have any plans that i should come back. She had a very convincing argument so here i am." Hermione smiled and shrugged a little.
"Ahh. Well i am glad you are back. The wizarding world needs more people like you. Maybe you can help me with my problem." Minerva adds the last as an afterthought.
"Because i am a whore?" Hermione quirked an eyebrow at the woman who went a deep red. That wasnt what she had meant.
"Was." Narcissa corrects seriously.
"Indeed. But no i wont. From what i remember having read in the restricted section these kind of transformations need to be 'spent' meaning you need to orgasm from this perspective." Hermione explains amused, she had known Minerva wasnt asking her for her body but for her brain instead.
"Narcissa will sleep with you." Hermione then adds matter of fact and the Malfoy woman chokes on the now long cold tea she had only now decided to drink.
"I will?" The woman squeaked out.
"Yes. You've said yourself that its been a while. Have sex with someone who knows what its like as a woman. I bet Min would take care of you." Hermione stated boldly. She had not actually slept with a woman herself but her business had been sex, she knew how to take care of a man and she knew how to take care of herself. Intuition told her Minerva would take care of Narcissa.
"She's right. I would take care of you too. You'd be doing me a favor, i sure wouldnt just use you with out giving you something in return." Minerva steps up.
"Alright fine. But you have to agree to my other terms." Narcissa persists and Minerva wrinkles her nose.
"Fine. I'll send out permission slips with the letters for all years." Minerva huffs but relents. She didnt really see a reason not to let the first years experience Hogsmead, she would just limit the first and second year weekends to two or three a year.
"Thank you. Now when are we doing this?" Narcissa inquires seriously.
"Now?" Minerva asks but failed to keep the desperation out of her voice.
"I'll be setting up my room and the vivarium. Just put up a silencing spell." Hermione chuckles softly and leaves them too it.
Memory Refreshing
The following day, the day after Minerva apparently shagged Narcissa silly, Hermione and Narcissa decided to go to the Three Broomsticks and have lunch. Hermione had teased the woman from the moment she had left the home but Narcissa took it in her stride and just laughed with Hermione.
Narcissa had enjoyed herself though she had never really thought of Minerva in such a way she wasn't disappointed in the least. Hermione had been right as the Headmistress had indeed taken care of her needs. Once the fun was had they were both relieved to see the spell wear off of the older woman and her anatomy returned to normal.
Now they were ignoring the looks cast at them as Hermione lead Narcissa to a seat in the Three Broomsticks and they waited for their names to be called. It was just as Hermione had remembered it only slightly different in that the atmosphere just seemed a little more tense.
"This place used to be a little more friendly." Hermione commented after glancing around at a few of the staring faces.
"Naturally in the last week Rita got a hold of your story. Anyone who recognises your face now knows you've been selling yourself." Narcissa informs mildly.
"Ahh. That would make some sense." Hermione nodded and looked to her friend with a grin.
"Of course it's also gotten around the village that you're living with Narcissa Malfoy. Death-eater sympathizer." The older woman smirks at her young companion.
"That's really the issue I'm sure." The little witch laughs lightly. None of it really bothered her. Not anymore.
"Bugger it. The novelty will wear off eventually." Narcissa simply shrugged as she made this statement.
it was at that moment that Rosmerta appeared with their orders. Which were only drinks. Which usually the Inn-keep would call for her patrons to collect them. Not today though, not for this pair. Hermione looked at the woman curiously and with a little smile on her lips. She didn't have to wait long for the woman to speaks.
"The biggest you've had?" She questioned seriously.
"11, and thick. I almost couldn't handle it but he was gentle." Hermione says seriously and Ros looked shocked before she grinned brightly.
"It's good to have you back. I like this side of you. I don't feel like you'd let those silly boys walk all over you now. Clueless lot they were." Ros says genuinely pleased the young woman had returned and was safe.
"You're not kidding. I'm glad this place made it through in one piece." Hermione smiles and it didn't need to be said for Ros to know that that extended to herself as well.
"Me too." The woman smiled fondly and lingered only long enough to find out what the pair wanted in the way of food.
They hadnt been there long, certainly not long enough to get their food, but it was long enough that none other than Andromeda should breeze into the Inn. Narcissa had tried to reach out to her sister a few times since the war had ended but after the third attempt resulted in a letter back containing a nasty boils jinx then Narcissa had gotten the message loud and clear and left the woman alone. It was no secret either, that Nymphadora Tonks, Andromeda's only child, had been killed by Bellatrix Lestrange.
The Inn seemed to pick up on the sudden change of atmosphere that occurred when Andromeda finally noticed her young sister sitting in the Inn. The animosity was palpable and the tension thick enough that Hermione and Narcissa ceased their conversation to look around and finally see Andromeda. The widow's eyes narrowed to vicious slits and her face scrunched up angrily, it was enough to make Narcissa whimper softly. Hermione stared wide eyed and unnoticed as the woman who could have been a brunette Bellatrix stalked over to their table.
"What the hell do you think you're doing here?" Andromeda hissed angrily.
"Having lunch?" Narcissa's usual bravado and confidence was diminished greatly when faced with her big sister.
"Really? Or did you hear that i would be here today to speak with Minerva and you've decided to ambush me? Well it wont work. You're a bitch. You could have changed everything but you didn't, you let him live in your house. You could have killed him! You could have saved my daughter! You could have killed Bellatrix. You are no better than the Death-Eaters." Anrdomeda ranted furiously.
"I... but... Andromeda!" Narcissa didn't even know what to say, she didn't know why her sister was so hostile towards her.
"She's right you know! He was living in your house! You could killed him plenty of times." Someone else commented loudly.
"You are no better. Probably loved him just as much that bitch, Bellatrix Lestrange had. Why are you even here!" Another emboldened voice spoke up.
"Maybe you should just leave." Andromeda hissed angrily.
Hermione watched as Narcissa rose from her seat, eyes downcast, and nodded. Frowning Hermione observed as the usually proud woman seemed to wilt at her sisters anger and made to actually do as she was told and leave. There was absolutely no way at all that this was ok with Hermione, not even the slightest little bit was this ok.
"Now wait just a god damn minute." Hermione started out standing from her seat and scowling at the woman who so reminded her of Bellatrix.
"I understand you must feel like shit but you cant blame everything on Narcissa." Hermione fired back getting a little closer to Andromeda. Narcissa had halted but didn't look up.
"Can't blame her? She had every opportunity to kill Him." Someone else spoke up yet again getting in on this argument.
"Don't presume to know what it was like for her. I'd wager that the majority if not all of you were afraid to say his name let alone attempt to kill him. Harry told you all that Voldemort was back at the end of the Tri-wizard Tournament and like ostriches you all shoved your heads in the sand. We all had many opportunities to prevent what happened and you know what? We didn't. We couldn't have. Voldemort had fail-safes in place that would allow him to come back again and again. He was so close to winning this time, had we not destroyed his soul shards he would likely win should he be able to try again. Narcissa Malfoy was in an impossible situation and her self preservation instinct told her to stay as far out of it as she could. You might think you might have done better but if you couldn't speak his name what chance would you have had of killing a man that terrified you to even speak of?" Hermione rants at the entire inn occupants at this point. Most looked shame-faced.
"Trust you to put your wand behind Narcissa Malfoy's. A whore and a treasonous bitch. Don't act like you even know. You ran as soon as the war was over." Someone who seemed familiar but Hermione couldn't place spoke up.
"I had done my part and i wished to be away from it all." Hermione spoke matter of factly.
"Your part? Running around the country side avoiding everything and keeping yourself alive? You ran off to be a whore, you obviously have no idea what the rest of us have had to live with." Andromeda chimed viciously. Hermione stared at her for a long moment. None had noticed Minerva walk in. None noticed the look on Narcissa's face, the one of horror at Andromeda's words.
"Is that what you think is it?" Hermione nods slowly.
"Its what i know. Instead of owning it you left. Hung around long enough to see the funerals. To pretend to give a flying fig and then left. You lost nothing but wanted to go off and act like some wounded warrior." Andromeda got in Hermiones face at this.
Narcissa's heart broke a little for the witch she had come to value as a very dear friend over the last couple of months. Andromeda was so far out of line and she didnt even know it. None of them had any idea, the only person who did had thrown her aside as a waste. Hermione had lost just as much if not more than most of them yet Andromeda felt somehow justified enough to tread this woman down a little more.
"I lost nothing?" Hermione echoed her face becoming steely.
"Except maybe your hearing." Someone from the bar laughed, others laughing with him.
"Andromeda..." Narcissa tried to warn, tried to get them to back off.
"You're a little girl with a poor attitude and you should try to pick your sides a little better." Andromeda clearly ignored the warning.
"I'd be ashamed to call you my daughter." She added coldly. That was it though, that was the straw that broke the camels back.
"So would my mother. But you know what? It doesn't matter one little bit. You know why? Because my mother's dead." Hermione hissed savagely and it seem to take everyone back a little bit.
"Ever since i first learned about this stupid magical world everything has been taken. My childhood? Laughable. My safety? A joke. I became i target because the only two people who wanted to be my friends were Harry and Ron and Harry was a target since his birth. But i stood by him because i love Harry, he is... was like a brother to me. I went on the run to help him with his quest that was assigned by Dumbledor. I was a mud-blood and targeted just as much as Harry but you know what? Harry was the only one that mattered. Naively everyone assumed my parents were safe in the muggle world, like no one else was." Hermione bit out, half laughing without a trace of amusement.
"They were safe." Andromeda argued but it was weak and unsure.
"You would know? Just like Ted was when he ran?" Hermione bites out, she had seen it coming too, which was why she so easily caught Andromeda's wrist when she went to slap the little witch.
"You don't get to slap me Andromeda. You get to listen. You all can." Hermione was practically growling at this point and everyone was stunned into silence.
"I obliviated my parents so they wouldn't remember me. Finding them would have been pointless after the war, there was no way to bring those memories back. I had them move to Australia thinking they would be safe. Yet while i was being tortured by Bellatrix she gave me a play by play of how my parents were killed. The worst part was that they didn't even know why they had to die." Hermione practically threw Andromeda's hand away as she spoke, forcing the woman back a step.
"I... Hermione... i..." Andromeda seemed speechless.
"Oh hush. I'm not done. Because being tortured by Bellatrix was nothing but the start. I was also raped by Lucius Malfoy while i was held captive at the Manor. Raped and then sterilized. My future was shattered in that moment, because i was choosing to fight this war i had no real choice in. When we escaped i healed mostly but i wont ever have children, there's nothing there anymore. The best part was after the war. When the boy i thought could have been the love of my life cast me aside the moment he learned i couldn't give him children. The why didn't matter. I didn't matter. I was as useless as my future, the one i hoped for was gone. So yes, i left this stupid world and all its agonising prejudices. I became homeless as i had no funds and no parents to help me start over. So yes, i whored myself out, it was all i was good for. Wasted sex." Hermione wiped her hands down her thighs, she refused to let the tears shine in her eyes but she couldn't keep the agony from her face.
"Hermione..." Andromeda went to step towards the young woman, to offer her comfort, Hermione stepped back and shook her head.
"We all lost something. You lost your family, i lost mine. That doesn't give you the right to make it seem like it was so easy. That Narcissa could have stopped all this a thousand times over. She couldn't, and i know you know that. It is not her fault. None of this has ever been so easy or the war never would have happened." Hermione says softer now, her fire out and replaced by an empty space.
Now they all looked ashamed of themselves, purely and utterly ashamed that they ever even opened their mouths. Andromeda especially. Hermione couldn't be there anymore, reliving what had happened stressed her out and upset her too much. Instead she turned and walked over to Narcissa, mumbled a soft see you later, and then left after a brief hug and a small grateful kiss was pressed to her forehead. No one watched her go, no one feeling worthy enough to even look in her direction. They had all judged her quite harshly since learning where she had been and what she had been doing. Even those who didn't know her personally.
No one had noticed the young ginger woman standing stairs leading up into the Inns rooms. Hermione certainly hadn't or she may not have spoken so freely. Green eyes looked and landed on Icy Blue that had finally recognized them. Blue eyes as wide as saucers when she realized exactly who it was.
"Is that true? Did Ron really do that?" Ginny asked, breaking the silence and stepping down towards Narcissa. The younges Black sister swallowed.
"It's what she told me, yes. Draco said Ronald was very edgy when he went and told the boys that we had found her too." Narcissa confesses softly.
"Thank you, Madame Malfoy, for not judging her when it was all the rest of us were capable of." Ginny spoke humbly because truly she had missed Hermione the last year.
"You can make it up to her." Narcissa points out gently and Ginny nods.
"I will." The ginger promised before making a face at the other occupants and then breezing out of the Inn.
Revelation alight
It was three days after the events at the Inn, the last day of school term and the day Ginny finally returned to the burrow, done with her schooling for good now. She had gotten good marks back had already been approached by Gwenog Jones who was recruiting her for the Harpies. As much as Harry would have liked to start a family now Ginny was determined to live her life a little bit first. Harry was happy to wait for her as the two were still deeply in love and it was Ginny's life that would change the most.
Word had spread that Hermione was indeed living in Hogsmead with Narcissa Malfoy, that the little witch had returned almost as thought nothing had happened. Rita had taken charge of the story and surprisingly hadn't slandered the young woman at all. In fact the blonde Journalist had avoided any explicit details revealed on that day in the Inn. Hermione hadn't returned to the inn since that day, in fact she hadn't left the home at all, instead investing all her time into helping Narcissa set up the store and the pens out the back.
Ginny how ever had gotten off the train at Kings Cross and simply apparated to the rebuilt Burrow. Since it was her first night home since Christmas time Molly was preparing a feast. There had been a slight debate on whether to invite Hermione but ultimately it was up to Molly and Molly decided she didn't want to woman there after the questionable choices she had made. Ginny was ok with that but only because she had wanted to have a few words with her family.
Words that the rest of the clan, including Audrey, Angelina, Fleur and Harry had no idea about. In fact none of them expected anything except a happy dinner, something of a congratulatory dinner for Ginny finishing with school. This was exactly how it started out too, the gathering, cheerful and exuberant even given the loss the family took more than a year before. But when Ronald showed up just before dinner with Romilda Vane in tow. Ginny grit her teeth and boded her time until they were all sat, the meal only just beginning and conversation lolling.
"Can we talk about Hermione?" Ginny started out mildly. There was a pause.
"What about her dear?" Arthur asks only after clearing his throat.
"I was just wondering if anyone had tried to get in touch with her again." Ginny took a bite of her food.
"Why would we? She made it pretty clear she didn't want to talk with us." Ron spoke around a mouthful of food.
"But, did you not say she did not wish to speak of 'er past?" Fleur spoke up now and Ginny almost grinned.
"Well... yeah. But don't we have a right to know why she just left?" Harry asks frowning and Ginny actually felt a little sorry for him. He always thought of Hermione as a sister.
"Yes and no. It would be great to know why. But ultimately Hermione is your best friend, shouldn't you respect her wish to keep her past in the past?" Bill attempts because he kind of had always admired Hermione and his wife had hoped to eventually befriend the little witch.
"What do we really need to know? She ran off and became a whore." Ron shrugged his shoulders. Molly flushed and Arthur cleared his throat again.
"Well yeah, but there had to be a reason for that." George speaks up frowning because really he adored Hermione and there certainly had to be a reason that particular young woman would chose that for her life.
"Maybe she just cracked. Realised she liked a good dicking and became a whore." Ron grumbles, Ginny was getting quite frustrated really.
"Maybe you just wasn't enough for her Ronnikins." George ribbed snidely. Ron's reaction was abrupt.
"I was plenty enough for that slut!" He barked out angrily.
"Ronald Weasley!" Molly screeched at him.
"You were Ron, from what i hear. You would have been plenty enough for Hermione. But she wasn't enough for you was she?" Ginny spoke up only when the ensuing raucous had died down.
"What do you mean, Ginny dear?" Molly was frowning at this because this whole conversation was getting pointed and hard to follow.
"Well tell her, Ron. Or don't you remember?" Ginny asks looking from her mother to her brother with a frown on her face. Ron shifted anxiously in his seat.
"Don't know what you're on about." Ron rebuked petulantly.
"Oh you don't? That's ok. Cause i've got a pretty good idea." Ginny takes another calm bite but by this time she had everyone's attention.
Ron was beginning to sweat, he knew he had messed up, a lot time ago. But he also knew that he would never take it back, Ron wanted children, a big family. He couldn't be blamed because he chose to search for someone who could bear him children. He also refused to acknowledge that he had gone about things the wrong way. He had been blunt but he had been honest.
"See, when Harry, Hermione and Ron were on the run, they were captured right? Taken to Malfoy Manor. You two were locked in the basement with friends and where was Hermione?" Ginny inquired looking from her brother to her boyfriend.
"Bellatrix was torturing her." Harry says softly, he still thought of that day with revulsion.
"Wrong." Ginny wasn't eating anymore.
"I beg your pardon?" Arthur frowns confused because it was always told that Hermione was being tortured at the hands of Bellatrix.
"She did get tortured by Bellatrix. But only after Lucius had raped her." Ginny informs with a mild tone that was massively faked. The affect this information had on her was mirrored by those around the table.
"No... that poor child." Molly murmured quite upset by this.
"But that's not all is it Ron? Why don't you tell them what Lucius did." Ginny urged now becoming furious at how purely selfish and cruel her brother had been.
"We don't... need details, Ginevra." Arthur says looking pained almost.
"No but you do. Go on Ron." Ginny urges harshly.
"Bugger off, Ginny." Ron growls roughly.
"TELL THEM!" Ginny had had enough of this, her brothers cowardice, his cruelty. Not only to Hermione but too all of them for never telling them anything. For knowing Hermione left of her own free will and letting everyone think she had been taken.
"She was sterilised! He made it so she cant get pregnant! She's useless!" Ron shouted back though his fury was not nearly as palpable as Ginny's.
There were shocked gasps, silence around the table. Not only was there shock, but disgust and confusion. They were disgusted not just by the knowledge that Hermione had been so cruelly violated but by the fact their brother and son could so easily cast her aside even given what she went through. Not only did Hermione mean so little to Ronald, no more than a warm body to spill seed and sew oats with, but she was not obviously a friend at all. Harry looked most upset by this new revelation.
"You knew all this? She told you this a year ago?" Harry asks his friend slowly.
"Yeah, alright! We shagged and she didn't seem to like it. I asked why and she told me." Ron scowls like this shouldn't have been on him.
"You mean to tell me, that our best friend, the woman i count as a sister. Your girlfriend at the time, told you she had been raped and rendered sterile..." Harry starts staring at Ron, emerald eyes bore into sapphire who somehow still couldn't seem to understand how badly he had messed up.
"and you just... you cast her aside like garbage?" Harry asked quietly and Ron's face became a scowl.
"I wanted to have children, how is it my fault she cant give me that so i don't want to waste my time?" Ron frowned deeply thinking this was a legitimate question. Romilda had been sitting passively the entire time though now she wore a look of disgust.
Arthur stood slowly from his seat, his children and his children's significant others all stared at him, curiosity and wonder at what was about to happen because it was abundantly clear that a storm was brewing. Setting his napkin on the table he looked to his youngest son with something akin to a pained expression on his face. Molly just watched as if she were watching the Hogwarts Express derail in slow motion. It was inevitable and there was nothing anyone could do.
"You have an hour to pack your things and leave. I will not have you living here, i do not want to see you around here again and should you see me at work, don't make eye contact." Arthur spoke clearly so not to be misheard.
"You cant do that! I haven't done anything wrong!" Ron hollers at this apparent injustice.
"You haven't done anything right! I did not raise you to treat women this way! Is that what you think i would have done to your mother if she were barren?" Arthur hollers right back because really he just couldn't abide his sons foolish choices. He was ashamed that a child of his could turn out this way.
"What ever." Ron just threw down his napkin and stomped upstairs while Arthur excused himself and made his way out to the house.
Ginny felt both bad for her idiot brother, worse for her mother and yet highly justified.
Angst-filled approach
The days passed relatively quickly for the next almost two weeks. Hermione and Narcissa had worked hard and had the store front set up and were getting stock from the Menagerie in Diagon Alley as well as just a few things here and there that Hermione was going to pick up in the next few days from the pet store Hermione had gotten her Ball Pythons from. Once the interior was done they moved out to work on the outside pens which included a small stable at the back end of the property.
The yards needed some work and the fences especially. Hermione was, as it turned out, was quite capable with a hammer and nails. They fixed up the pens and then reinforced them with magically, mostly incidental spells to keep the bugs away and a caterwauling spell to alert the pair should any of the creatures escape the pens. This task had taken a couple of days and Hermione had insisted on casting an extension charm on the inside of the stable so they would have places not only for animals but also for extra food storage.
They had woken early a few days into summer and had had breakfast together. It had become something of a ritual, Narcissa being a surprisingly good cook. They usually would go out and eat somewhere else for lunch but they took it in turns on breakfast and dinners. Narcissa had cooked eggs and sausages that morning that was had with coffee and orange juice and a couple serves of toast eat. They ate well for certain and typically enjoyed running over their schedule. Today their tasks varied, Hermione was staying in and setting up the vivariums and terrariums for the reptile selection they were looking into. Narcissa was off into Diagon to pick up the furred animals they had ordered for the store.
It was while Hermione was setting up the lighting on the terrariums that the front door opened. Hermione mumbled about not being open yet, she was head first in an enclosure trying to screw brackets into the ceiling of it so she could attach the lights. When someone nudged her boot without saying a word she jerked a little and ultimately bumped her head on the top of the opening for the sliding door which she also had to set up. Frowning she pulled back only to give a confused look when she turned to see not only George and Angelina but Pansy Parkinson as well.
"Hello?" She started tentatively because she was aware of how people felt about her lately.
"Hey! Its really good to see you." Angelina smiles brightly and with out urging moved forward and hugged the perplexed but now smiling younger witch.
"You too. I'll admit though, i'm surprised to see you. You especially." Hermione says lightly looking to Pansy finally.
"Yeah well... we both changed in the last year. You got awesome and i got gay." Pansy shrugs and then grins. Hermione laughs.
"Who are you seeing?" Hermione inquired but before Pansy could respond Hermione was squeezed quite tight by George.
"She's dating Katie Bell. Who happens to be working at the joke shop. We all started hanging out." George explains smiling at the smaller witch.
Hermione smiled brightly at this, these people who she had never been super close to aside from George, one of the three was a past nemesis even, were the first after Narcissa and Draco to seek her out. That they didn't approach her with animosity meant a lot to the young woman too, not that she thought all her friendships had sailed but she wasnt sure any of the Weasley's would seek her out again. But here stood three people who were making it obvious that she could count them as friends.
The three had stayed for a while and had helped and chatted with Hermione happily. She had explained a bit about herself, she had become a little more open about it since her confrontation with Andromeda and the rest of the Inn's occupants. She had also learned that Pansy was working at the Ministry in the Magical Creatures side of things. Angelina was playing Quidditch for the Harpies professionally and loving it but was thinking of only giving it another year before calling it quits. George was obviously still working at the shop with Katie Bell now.
They were still chatting, Hermione having had gone into the back room where there was a small kitchenette, and having tea a few hours into the afternoon when it happened. It happened quickly and they were not prepared for it at all. One moment Pansy was telling a story of how she and Angelina had gone to find Katie and George late one evening onto to have found them laughing their arses off. Hermione never found out why though because the next moment the store was rendered completely void of light. There was a gruff shout from somewhere and before they could pull their wands all four of them had been stunned. The spell strong enough to knock them all unconscious.
It wasn't until Narcissa returned home around 20 minutes later that realizations were made. On the floor of her store lay three familiar faces and four chairs. Rushing in she checked on the people Angelina and Pansy were the closest to her and the first she checked but she was pleased to see that they were only unconscious and didnt seem to have any other injuries. She summoned the smelling salts she knew Hermione had, which Hermione only had because she had a client who liked to be denied air while he was inside a woman. She revived the women first and then George.
"Where's Mione?" Pansy spoke rubbing her head a little.
"What happened?" Angelina was scowling at having been attacked.
"Ron happened." George had, unfortunately, recognized the voice who cast the spells just before he was knocked out. He was secretly impressed that Ron had actually gotten anything out of his Auror training.
"He's taken Hermione?" Narcissa asks concerned. George nodded.
"But why?" Angelina frowns, they were all standing now.
"Ron's never been able to control his temper. He probably blames Hermione for everything that's happened recently. Dad kicked him out. Romilda left him. Harry hasn't spoken to him since the last day of term." George frowns, he had no idea what his brother might do but by the look on Narcissa's face he wasn't the only one that was concerned.
"We need to find her." Narcissa spoke seriously even as she looked at the cages of animals she had aparated in with.
"I'll sort these out. You three track Ron down." Angelina offers sincerely as she noticed Narcissa looking at the animals. Narcissa mouthed a thank you as George spoke again.
"Can we aparate in here?" He asks because he really didn't know. Hermione and Narcissa hadn't warded the building against it yet as they wanted to be able to pop in with the animals they needed, which was what Narcissa told him.
Without further word George kissed Angelina's cheek and then pulled his wand. He took Narcissa's hand and Pansy gripped his arm before the three disappeared with a pop. When they reappeared they were in the field outside The Burrow and they promptly made their way in. Narcissa didn't even care that she was walking into the lions den. She and Molly Weasley had never been anything closely resembling friends even though Molly was older she had just hated Narcissa since their teenage years. Narcissa was pretty sure it was because of Bellatrix but she had never cared enough to find out.
"Mum!" George called urgently as they moved into the kitchen through the back door.
"Coming, dear." Molly called from somewhere in the house only to bustle in a few moments later. She was visibly surprised to see Narcissa but Pansy had visited once or twice with Angelina and George before so she was pleased to see her.
"Mum, do you know where Ron is? Where he's been living?" George asks without pleasantries, that was the indicator that something was wrong.
"What's he done?" Molly asks seriously, it had to have involved Hermione if Narcissa was there.
"He's taken Hermione. We need to find her." Narcissa speaks up a little desperately. She didn't care. Things were coming to the surface for her that she had tried to deny the last couple of months.
Molly didn't respond and instead simply drew her wand and looked at the others expectantly before storming out of the house. The others understood and followed the woman out into the field. Only when she stopped did they react, each one taking hold of the lioness before them and with a loud pop they were gone. When they reappeared they were in London, still on the magical side but outside of Diagon and instead in one of the many streets filled with townhouses and cottages. They were outside a badly painted teal cottage. Narcissa didn't wait, she didn't want to think about what she might find.
Dark Obliteration
Hermione had woke slowly after being knocked out, she had no idea where she was but it smelled rather horrible. Stale alcohol and body odor. It was enough to make her almost gag and so she began to breathe through her mouth that it only helped a small amount. Looking around she was in a small living room of what must have been a cottage. She could no longer feel her wand in her pocket and realized quickly she had been tied with her hands behind her back, the binds were tight and uncomfortable. Her hands were bound to a central support beam for the cottage, a sort of divide between the living space and kitchen space with a door to her right and two to her left.
Things made more sense when one of the doors to the left opened up and Ronald Weasley walked out of the room, a bathroom from the glimpse Hermione caught. She opened to her mouth to speak only to make the realization she couldn't speak. A langlock jinx solidly in place and sticking her tongue to the roof of her mouth. She wasnt sure what to think, how worried to be, not until he moved up beside her and she could smell the thick stench of alcohol wafting over her.
"I'm sure you're wondering why you're here..." Ron drawls lazily, his tone was almost smug. Hermione simply looking at him wide eyed.
"You're here because i need to give you what you deserve. I've lost everything because of you. Because you went crying to Ginny about everything. Well fuck you. You're worthless and a right nasty bitch. So i'm going to give you something i know you don't like..." Ron laughs almost gleefully and it honestly chills Hermione to her core. In this state he could do anything and justify it to himself and she feared what that might mean.
"First, i'm going to cast that special little spell that Lestrange seemed to like so much... then i'm going to fuck you one last time." He actually pressed into her behind at that and she almost wretched to feel his already present erection. This was easily her worst nightmare, that this would happen again.
When Hermione had been selling herself it had all been her choice, she got final say on what was done to her or by her. Now she was again faced with the one even that may have damaged her the most. Lucius hadn't been kind but he hadn't been rough either, he had fucked her and given her that dreaded potion and then let Bellatrix have her again. It was traumatizing but the worst was that it was all that once. She was not raped and given a chance to gather herself but instead raped and then handed off to be tortured most cruelly. It was something she didn't think would ever happen again after the war was won but now she realised she should have known better.
Ron moved back away from her and drew his wand, there was no count down, no warning at all, he simply raised his wand and cast the spell. In his inebriated state he seemed completely unable to control his apparent hatred of Hermione in this moment and the spell crashed through her, she would have screamed but she couldn't, she was still jinxed. Most of the pain though, surprisingly, was in Hermione's left arm. She couldn't seem to move it, she couldn't see it through her sleeve, her hands were bound and her voice silenced.
The second wave only seemed to be worse than the first, radiating through her body before centralizing on her left arm. She could see blood and decided that it didn't just feel like the skin had burst open, it actually had. At first she was confused and had no idea what was happening, this curse wasn't supposed to caught physical damage only intense pain. But then it clicked, the dagger that had been used to carve 'mudblood' into her arm had been riddled with dark magic. Magic that transferred to the scar stopping it from ever healing right up, branding her forever.
The third wave and Hermione knew something was horribly horribly wrong, she could feel the skin and flesh being expanded out, as if it were filling up with something, some sort of pressure. It burned and tore and was making her sleeve tight on her swelling arm. Without a doubt something heinous was about to happen and she was cursed, bound and jinxed and unable to warn Ron. Unable to beg him to stop, to make the pain hurt. He was behind her and couldn't see her frantic and pained expression, her tear stained cheeks and pleading eyes.
Just as Ron cast the fourth time several things happened at once. The door to the cottage burst open as George, Narcissa, Molly and Pansy burst into the cottage. But it was too late as at the same moment the intense pain hit Hermione only this time it was concentrated on her arm. Ron was hit with a disarm and three stunners just as it happened, just as the most horrifying thing any of them had seen occurred. The pressure in Hermione's arm was too much, too intense and uncontrollable. With a sickening squelching sound that they would all remember, Hermione arm literally exploded. From the elbow down there was nothing and the room was covered in a dusting of blood, small bits of flesh and bone and the odd string of sinew. It was horrific by any standards, more so that Hermione didn't make a sound.
Narcissa cast a finite at Hermione, she and Molly ran to the young witches side as she collapsed on the floor, one wrist still wrapped now with bloody rope the other missing from the elbow. She was bleeding heavily and Molly acted quickly, using the incarcerous spell as a sort of tourniquet to stem the bleeding. Hermione was already pale and covered in blood but she was unconscious. Molly cast a featherweight charm on the witch and Narcissa lifted her. George and Pansy had Ron and without waiting Molly gripped Narcissa and Hermione where she could and aparated the two straight to the hospital.
There was a stunned silence as the rather quite magical hospital was having a slow day, only to have Narcissa and Molly run in with a limp and very bloody young witch with them. They snapped out of it quickly and Hermione was taken into a trauma room where she was assessed, Narcissa and Molly outside waiting anxiously, hoping they were able to save that young witches life. Molly was sitting in supplies seats along the wall in the corridor but Narcissa was pacing restlessly. Molly watched the woman for a long moment, calculating.
"You care more than just a friend would." Molly made the statement. It was clear that there was more going on there for Narcissa at least.
Narcissa opened her mouth to deny it but then closed her mouth and frowned. Why should she deny it? She felt comfortable with Hermione, something she had never felt with anyone else. Not only that but there was just an emotion there she wasn't aware of in her past, it was deep and warm, more than affection, more than motherly. A love she had never felt before. Narcissa had no idea how Hermione felt, the young witch may well not at all be interested in all, possibly not even into women, but Narcissa couldn't help how she felt and she didn't think she needed to deny that.
"She means quite a bit to me." Narcissa agrees after a moment. Molly sighs heavily.
"I am... ashamed. Of myself." Molly says after a moment, her tone defeated.
"Why?" Narcissa frowns rather stumped by this response to her admission.
"A lot of reasons. The ones regarding you though? I hated you just because i was jealous of what you had. You were born into wealth, given what ever you desired. Married into wealth. Your sister? Bellatrix, an absolute cow and i wont apologise for killing her. I will apologise to you though. You are better than i judged. You cared for Hermione when all i did was judge her for leaving. For doing what she had to to survive. I didn't understand so obviously i was against it." Molly admits softly and Narcissa got it.
Narcissa really got it. As a teenager she hadn't cared too much. She had befriended Severus, she had Odette and Morticia following her around and she had the attention of quite a few boys. Which was a priority for an attractive young and outgoing witch. But when she was married off to Lucius fresh out of Hogwarts she had become a little more jaded. She quickly learned that she hated her life and what it had become. She hated those that got to pick who they loved, those like Molly and Andromeda. She hated anyone who was loved in return by their spouse as she was certain there had never been any love in her marriage. She understood the jealousy.
"It's ok, you know. You've done something most people with prejudices wouldn't. You figured it out, you understand now and you're capable of admitting you were wrong. But i get it. When i was young i didn't care but after i was married i hated anyone who was loved just because i was nothing more than a pretty object to show off." Narcissa says sitting down beside the other woman.
"We were pretty foolish in our youths, hm? There is something i don't understand though." Molly says looking at the other younger woman curiously.
"What's that?" Narcissa urges curious as ever.
"How can you feel the way you do for Hermione? I thought you were a pure blood supremacist." Molly asks genuinely curious.
"Ah. No not me. Mother and Father, Bella definitely and all of the Malfoy's. But what did i care? Magic is in the core not in the blood, if it was in the blood Muggleborns wouldn't exist right? I never bought into it, but i was born into it, married into it. To keep the peace i simply snubbed my nose and shut my mouth." Narcissa explained honestly. Molly was surprised and pleased by the woman's logic. Magic was in the core.
"Your survival tactics are up there that's for sure." Molly chuckles softly just as the door to Hermione's room opens and several of the mediwitches came out. Narcissa was on her feet in a moment.
"How is she?" Narcissa asked immediately.
"She is not well but she will live. What ever happened to her arm was not natural and there is residual dark magic. Unfortunately we cannot repair it, the dark magic is some kind of blocker." The Mediwitch explains regretfully.
"Can we go in?" Molly asks gently and the mediwitch nods. Narcissa goes in first, Molly after her and then the mediwitch who continued to explain.
"We are going to keep her asleep for around a week, we can't heal her arm because of the dark magic, we have applied some muggle practices to the arm to help but its going to be slow and coupled with the torture curse shes just going to be hurting more than we can manage while she is awake. Once we wake her we can assess her again and she may be able to return home on a pain management treatment." The woman explains as Molly watches the way Narcissa lovingly brushes Hermione's silky hair back from her face.
"Thank you. We appreciate it." Molly says gently as she moves to the little witches other side, the side where she no longer had half of her arm. The arm her son had destroyed.
"Will you stay with her until i can go and check in on the store and get some of our things?" Narcissa asks the Weasley Matriarch curiously.
"Of course dear. Is there any chance you could stop by the Burrow and let Ginny and Arthur know if they don't already?" Molly asks and Narcissa nods.
"Sure. I'll do that first." The dark haired woman gave a half smile. It was clear she was full of worry and concern.
Finding Air
"Because you silly git, Narcissa is in love with Hermione."
This was the first thing Hermione heard when she woke up. Everything came back slowly, she remember the store and having tea with friends and then the blackness that ensued. She remembered the stink of alcohol and then the voice, seeing Ron. She remembered that he had tortured her with the Cruciatus curse and had promised to rape her. He never got that far though because something happened. There was so much pain in her arm.
"Anyone with eyes could see it." Harry confirms what Ginny had just said. Why were Harry and Ginny there?
"Yes well, Mother could do worse i suppose." Draco? She hadn't seen him for a while and had thought he was out of the country.
"Indeed dear. Now hush and let them rest. They need it." Molly spoke softly and Hermione felt her heart race. Why was her family there? The people she longed to have the love of again.
It was confusing because she wasn't sure exactly what had happened. She remembered the extreme pain in her arm, the swelling and the blood but she didn't remember anything after that. Moving her hand she felt finally something warm covering in, she had a feeling it was Narcissa and that made her feel infinitely better. Moving her other hand was where the problem lay, because though she was sure there was a hand there she just couldn't feel it. Curiosity got the better of her and she finally opened her eyes and lifted her left arm to survey the damage. It was extreme because there was no arm and hand where there should have been.
"Bollocks." Hermione croaked when she realised, finally comprehended that she was now an amputee.
Narcissa jerked awake at the sound and the rest of the rooms occupants all swiveled their heads and looked surprised at the young woman as she seemed to take in the fact her arm was missing. Narcissa fingers tightened and she opened her mouth to speak but stopped not sure what to say and thinking it best to just wait for Hermione to speak. To let the young woman ask questions.
"How?" Hermione's voice was hoarse and dry and it spurred Molly to move over and pour the young witch some water and let her sip.
"The dagger Bella cut you with. It was full of dark magic. It transferred to your scar that was why it would never heal properly and fleur couldnt use magic to heal it. It reacted badly with the cruciatus and... it destroyed your arm." Narcissa spoke as Hermione sipped the water Molly offered her.
"Let me guess. Residual dark magic is preventing it from being repaired?" Hermione asked though from the look on everyone's faces that was indeed the case.
"I'm sorry we didn't get there sooner." Narcissa apologises softly looking ashamed, an expression mirrored on Molly's face as well.
"Hey... You guys came for me. That's all that matters. Besides... I don't have to worry about being branded with 'mudblood' on my arm anymore." Hermione spoke trying to soothe the two women
It was extremely had to truly comprehend, that she had lost her arm, but it seemed that this was a turning point in her life and her logical mind couldn't help making a pros and cons list. Sure, she didn't have her left arm from the elbow down, she would have to adjust to doing everything with just her right hand. But its not like she was the first person to ever lose a limb and have to adjust to a new way of living. Besides these cons she recognised the good in all of this. Her family, both the Malfoy's and the Weasley's were in a room together and they weren't fighting and squabbling, in fact they all seemed to be getting along well. Not only were they there and friendly towards one another but they were there for her, something she hadn't expected given the past 15 months.
"There she is. Always looking on the bright side of things." Harry says happily moving over to the side of the bed. Hermione smiled. She still felt like crap and her arm ached but everything in this moment was making her feel great.
"I feel i need to apologise." Harry starts but when he opened his mouth to continue Hermione cut him off.
"No, you really dont. Im one for forgetting the past Harry, i don't like talking about it. So lets forget hm? You're here now that's all that matters." Hermione smiles sincerely.
"You're remarkable. I was such a swot." Harry's own smile was affectionate.
"Yeah but you have redeeming qualities." A brighter more playful grin.
The next hour was spent filling Hermione in on what had happened since her torture. She was pleased that the Weasley's had adopted a new attitude towards the remaining Malfoy's, Hermione's most recently acquired family. It also pleased her that the Weasley's, aside from Ron, had come back to her in the end. She had lost her parents but she still had a family even if she thought she didn't at one time. Maybe she should have been honest from the beginning. It was as they said, hindsight was 20/20.
When everything was explained and the conversation began to loll Molly did the usual thing and ushered everyone out so Hermione could rest. Everyone except for Narcissa filed out of the room with some 'goodbye's and 'get well's. When the room was quiet and they were the only two left Hermione turned to regard the woman beside her. Narcissa smiled but it seemed almost shy and not at all like the usual confident smile she usually flashed around. It was rather on the endearing side of things if Hermione were being honest.
"So... i hear you're in love with me." Hermione starts. Narcissa looked immediately startled but didnt deny it, her flaming cheeks almost confirming.
"I'm sorry. I'm sure that's just weird for you. You've never really shown much interest in women, certainly not mentioned any past female clients. I really hope im not just ruining everything but i cant seem to help the way i feel for you." Narcissa seemed like she may go on in her apologies but Hermione raising her now singular hand seemed to stop her.
"I can't say that i'm in love with you Narcissa." Hermione began pausing at the look of almost anguish on the older woman's face.
"But i would really like to pursue this with you. Because i am definitely on my way there." Hermione says gently and the smile that greets her was melting.
"I would love that." Narcissa agrees immediately.
"Good. Come here." Hermione smiles brightly and crooks her finger. Narcissa understood.
Standing from her seat Narcissa didn't hesitate to move over and lean down over Hermione and lightly press their lips together. The kiss was soft and gentle but it lingered and seemed to speak volumes for them both. As much as they enjoyed it they both realised that as far as first kisses go it wasn't optimal. Not because it wasn't good and enjoyable for both but because Hermione was in a hospital bed and in pain and Narcissa was stooped over her. Regardless though it was memorable for them both for both good and not so much so reasons.
"The first date might have to wait until i am feeling better though." Hermione says smiling when they finally pull apart.
"That's ok. It gives me time to plan." Narcissa says with a soft laugh, a sound Hermione enjoyed hearing.
"Good. Now how do you plan on getting me out of here?" Hermione asks seriously. Narcissa just chuckles and leaves to find a Mediwitch so they could talk about getting Hermione home. The young witch watched her walk away with a smile on her face and her stomach doing pleasant things. Maybe life would only get better from here. Hermione hoped so anyway.
It is possible i might do an Epilogue at some point but i do not know for sure. Don't forget to review.