March 2006, Knockturn Alley, Borgin and Burkes
Hermione peered into the dark shop. It sold Dark artefacts, like cursed necklaces, Hands of Glory, and rare Death Eater "historical" masks. She would never think of entering the Dark Arts store, if not for Bellatrix Lestrange.
Well, she wasn't completely sure that it was the Death Eater. She looked the same – long black hair, heavily lidded eyes, and a strong jaw – but there was a problem. She was supposed to have died eight years ago, at the hands of Molly Weasley.
Hermione had been buying some nuts from Eeylops Owl Emporium in Diagon Alley when she had seen a familiar figure across the street. When she came closer, she spotted the woman and followed her all the way to Knockturn Alley, so that Hermione could see what she was doing.
She put an Extendable Ear under the grimy door. The woman was talking to Mr. Borgin, who was much more oily-haired than before. His black eyes glittered interestingly and he leaned forward.
"... So we've definitely got a deal?" asked the woman in a mesmerizing voice. Hermione imagined her gaze locked on Borgin's.
"Er... I am not quite sure yet, Cassiopeia," answered the man in a less oily voice uncertainly.
Cassiopeia huffed indignantly. "Look, I need it right now. Do you know how many Mudbloods are still at large? Don't you agree with Macnair?" Her voice was honey-sweet now, very unlike Bellatrix's cackle.
"I suppose... A bit more business wouldn't hurt; now that the new regime is in, not many customers walk towards my once-successful store..."
"I will make the potion," sang Cassiopeia. "I, master of necromancy, will alone be able to make my mother's master rise... Make my mother rise..."
Hermione did not want to hear more. It was obvious that the woman was Bellatrix's daughter, but how come nobody knew she had a daughter? It would have been big news... Unless she had had her before going to Azkaban? It was unlikely... but Bellatrix couldn't come back to life, could she?
And how could Cassiopeia have the gift of true necromancy, a Dark Art that has never worked?
Suddenly, she realised it. The world she had left upon attending Hogwarts... The talk of her, always fearfully or defiantly...
The bell rang as she pushed open the door. Hermione hid behind a statue.
Cassiopeia Lestrange looked around her, than hastily opened a grubby-looking package containing -
Hermione gasped. It was the Resurrection Stone. Borgin had sold it to Voldemort's best lieutenant's daughter.