CHAPTER 3
What... Is your name?" Bellatrix asked, directing Hermione to a chair in their manor. Hermione could feel her eyes, reaching into her soul, but as commanded by Voldemort, she treated her well. No curses obliging her to tell the truth. "Jane... Jane Austen." It was the only thing she could come up with. Not very good, but Bellatrix might not have noticed.
"Try again, girl. Your deceptions won't work on me." she gloated, unaware of what the woman would say next. "I am Hermione."
Bellatrix laughed so loudly, Hermione was concerned for her diaphragm. "Alright, Jane Austen... Tell me why you can't touch that insignificant little baby." She knew this 'Jane Austen' was much more than she appeared to be. She wanted to know everything, not for her own sake, but so she could carry information to her lord, whom she desired to please.
"How about an answer for an answer? Completely harmless" Hermione offered, hoping Bellatrix would take her bait. As of right now, the near psychopathic looked at her as under her feet. She remembered how Bellatrix had underestimated Molly in her last battle. Perhaps this could be an advantage.
Slap. Hermione could feel a stinging pain on her face. Bellatrix erupted, full of fire and rage "I DON'T MAKE DEALS WITH MUDBLOODS!" she said, momentarily dismissing her agreement with her master. "RODOLPHUS! Bring our offspring and lay it before her! LAY IT BEFORE HER NOW"
Out of nowhere, Rodolphus appeared, child in hand and propped it before Hermione and Bellatrix. The baby could recognize her mother's presence and began to cry, hoping she might respond. Yet again, Bellatrix ignored her. It aggravated Hermione, who was already experienced with the needs of babies. She couldn't pick the babe up herself, but perhaps she could convince Bellatrix. "Babies need affection from their mothers, it helps mature their cognitive functions. Pick her up, she wants you." she said, hoping Bellatrix wouldn't overreact at her instruction. Instead, Bellatrix listened but was hesitant at the thought of picking the child up. She was something else. She'd inherited the thick hair of the Lestranges, born with a full head of it. However, she took after Rodolphus' chestnut hair. Not very dark like her own.
She ran her fingers through it and a tingling sensation traveled up Hermione's spine. It was as if she could feel Bellatrix's cold hands on her.
The baby stopped crying and Bellatrix breathed a sigh of relief. She could silence anyone with any curse, but a baby had required no curse... Only attention. "What is your question for me?"
"Why do you follow him?"
"Foolish girl, I was raised for one purpose and one alone. To take the name Black and make something of it. In doing so I found the light" she said, staring off into outer space. Hermione could see her eyes twinkling dangerously- even in the dark room. She couldn't help but shudder at the presence she felt in the room. "Now my questions for you, why can't you hold her?"
"Mr. Potter, in all my years here, I have never seen someone in the Pensieve for so long..." McGonagall said, knowing everyone else in that room was thinking the same thing. She'd been in there for over two minutes. No one took that long. Ginny looked to Minerva asking "Headmaster, should we at least try to get her back here?" Ron sputtered "Ginny, she's right in front of us!"
Harry leaned forward with the intention of touching Hermione's shoulder, but his hand went right through her. She was in some sort of phase, it would appear. Here, but also somewhere else. Harry's heart dropped. His best friend wasn't here. He looked to McGonagall, who's face had molded itself into a look of worry... A look of fear. There weren't any known spells for this, at least, none that Harry knew of. Minerva had never encountered a situation like it before and yes, she was optimistic in Hermione's return... but also fearing. What could this woman change?
"I'm not entirely sure why I can hold her. My theory as of right now is that she and I have or will cross paths in the future. A fixed point in time, that should not be disturbed."
Hermione was telling some truth. She believed she could not augment her own time-line and if the time was so opposed, there must be some logical explanation. Bellatrix took her response with a grain of salt. The mistress had no reason to argue with Hermione, in fact, she found the young woman's reasoning to be quite intelligent. Of course, Bellatrix's arrogance would prevent that from showing outwardly.
"You're in love with the Dark Lord?" she asked, before thinking. Bellatrix reached over, grabbing her by the jaw. "My lord chooses not to comprehend love as it is weakness!" she shouted, disturbing the small infant. Hermione held her breath. It was the look of insanity in her mother's eyes that made her genuinely afraid.
"You conceived a child with Rodolphus... But why?" Hermione asked, in a small whisper. She realized Rodolphus might be listening to their conversation and like Bellatrix, his temper was short and explosive. She couldn't imagine why these two particular Death Eaters had been assigned together in marriage. Some said it was the way they worked together and their ability to get things done. Some said it was a respectable marriage, that of the aristocracy. Now, she'd ask Bellatrix for herself.
Bellatrix let go of her jaw and sat back in her seat. "My husband? Oh you poor little mudblood... Why else do any of us get married in this time? We are warriors that share a common goal. We dedicate our lives to a higher power in hopes that we will become their equal." she rehearsed, as if she had asked herself the same question a million times. "It is our duty to provide an army for the Dark Lord, this army must be pure of blood! TO RAISE UP MEN WHO WILL GIVE THEIR LIVES TO HIM!"
Hermione could feel the tension in the room, which was overwhelming. She knew Rodolphus dared not enter the room now... He had made a mistake. One Bellatrix would never let him forget.
Bellatrix looked down at her corset, which concealed more than others knew. She had been broken. Numerous curses had taken their toll on her fertility, especially the torturing ones. Several miscarriages and so much disappointment. A grave for every unborn child. He had finally given her a chance to redeem herself, to raise up a son and Rodolphus ruined it. Her rage peaked. She could scream. Her mind cracked under the pressure. It had been so fragile for the past years. The Dark Lord had became more than her leader, he'd become her obsession.
She called a house-elf to take the baby away. She couldn't look at her without disgust or disappointment... Bellatrix wasn't sure which it was. Further more, she couldn't bear to admit that a small part of her lived in that child and accept it. It was making her crueler but she would accept that. Her time would come, when she could no longer recognize herself and maybe that would be her salvation. Her eyes flickered amongst the candle-light. Hard times... Dark times, were coming. An army would rise up against Dumbledore and she would be on her master's side. The infant, it would have no place among them. Bellatrix had barely managed to impress the Dark Lord, she still hadn't proven herself loyal! It was a sexist organization that Cissy hadn't cared about, but Bellatrix had dedicated years to. She was so lost in thought, she hadn't noticed Hermione, who wore a look of concern upon her face. The gir- woman, was more human than Bellatrix, could imagine. It irritated her. Hermione pitied her, but Bellatrix could only see it as a form of mockery. No one should pity her, but she shouldn't have given them a chance to in the first place.
"We are finished for today... LEAVE ME" she bellowed and Hermione escorted herself out of the room. Rodolphus appeared from behind the doorway, pushing Hermione against the wall. "You'd better watch yourself mudblood. She's growing sicker by the day... The day will come when she won't spare anyone beneath her" he said, whispering in her ear. She could feel his hands begin to wander around her waist, but she remained silent. Bellatrix tortured her victims, but Rodolphus would rather degrade them. Yet she came from this corrupt bloodline and managed to turn out alright. That wouldn't change, she wouldn't. His hands reached her hips and Hermione pushed him. Without word, she left him in the hallway. She ran into a room and began to cry.
"And who are you?" a woman inquired. Hermione jumped, unknowing that someone else was in the same room as her. She looked towards a corner,where the woman's voice had come from. There, sitting elegantly in a chair, was a woman with blonde hair. Narcissa Malfoy (nee Black). "I say, who are you, young lady?" she repeated, her voice as soft as her blue eyes. She was as fair as Bellatrix was dark; yet somehow, she held a grin just as intimidating as her sister's.
Narcissa glanced at Hermione's arm. Mudblood. Her grin turned into a grimace. Hermione knew she'd seen her scar. Narcissa would no longer care who Hermione was. That was her prejudice. Narcissa rolled her eyes... The scum wouldn't last long here. Not with Bellatrix around.
He grabbed the side of the Pensieve and stared into the shallow waters "What are you doing Harry?" Ron began to freak out as Ginny also grabbed the sides. "No, Ginny. Stay here with Ron." She did as she was told and reluctantly backed away. Within seconds, he too, began to phase, just like Hermione had. "What the bloody hell does he think he's doing?" Ginny stared down at the floor "I'd say Mr. Potter knows exactly what he's doing..." McGonagall knew what his intentions were. He would try to save Ms. Grang-er... Weasley before any changes were made. However, this frightened McGonagall, Harry going could change everything.
"Pssst! Hermione!" Harry continued to call out for her. She must've been in a different room as the only thing in this room was a cradle. He carefully looked into it. There she was, Hermione Granger, but not the one he was after. The baby began to coo and Harry couldn't help but wish it'd stop. He heard footsteps approaching the door... He seen a piece of furniture and figured he could hide behind it for the time being.
"Oh Bella, a baby girl! She's lovely... And you say that Jane girl could not touch her?" Harry could her the clip-clop of heels making their way around the room. As if any moment they would discover him. "Yes, Cissy... I asked her why, she said it interfered with her past or future." He gulped. They knew she was from the future and the more Bellatrix knew, the bigger threat she would become. "The Dark Lord had instructed me to keep her in this house. I suppose he trusts that I will get the answers he so desires." Bellatrix's voice hissed with every sentence, if she was anything like she was at Malfoy Manor, she'd get the answers she wanted. Cramp. His leg was in the most uncomfortable position and he could feel his muscles tensing under the pressure. He tried to remain balanced, but with no luck. Bellatrix screamed, loud enough to pierce the ears of anyone within a fair distance "GET HIM! GET HIM NOW!"
Author's Note: Sorry I haven't updated in a bit! I've been working on other projects, but as promised, you have chapter three. More to come! Stay tuned for another chapter! Like and follow! Leave reviews on what you think might happen next!
