Arial Wolf: In answer to your question... i dont believe its really touched on about what wizards do with their babies. Sometimes a mother cant feed her child herself or they dont produce milk and i have to wonder what happens then? So instead of going with the rather dated route of having a wet nurse i simply took the liberty and just decided that they just know about nappies and formula and bottles.
Reviews are more than welcome.
It had been a months since Bellatrix had found Hermione and the little baby who had eventually been named Spencer Granger. They had settled into a routine, they would eat together and then do chores during the morning before sitting and reading of an afternoon before one of the two would cook while the other watched Spencer. They had not spoken of war time or any such thing other than Spencer's concept and Bellatrix's escape.
"Pup... Can I ask you something?" Bellatrix speaks up from her place laying on the bed levitating things over the tiny little girl that gargled at them happily.
"Sure, what is it?" Hermione wonders distractedly as she makes a stew for them.
"Why do you stay here? Why don't you go back now Spence is here and you want to keep her?" Bellatrix has been curious about this for a couple of weeks now.
"I don't know. Go back to what? I've lost my parents, my friends... I don't even know what they think of me... What's to go back to?" Hermione had turned from the stew she had started to cook.
"I don't know. Friends, what about school? You never finished school." Bellatrix reminds while making faces at the little girl.
"Bella i'm not sure if you know this but... I have a baby." Hermione chimed sarcastically causing the once crazy woman to poke her tongue out.
"Mummy is so funny. Isn't she?" Bellatrix cooed at the baby who smiled in response.
"Why does it matter though?" Hermione asks after watching the woman she had become rather fond of, despite their past, and her daughter.
"I just think you should go back. You're better than this life." Hermione tilts her head slightly looking at the older woman.
"I kind of like this life. You and Spencer keep me from getting lonely and I like the peace." Hermione points out gently.
"Why are you so reluctant Hermione?" Bellatrix's tone indicates she wont take any more lies.
Hermione sighed and turned back to the stove top to stir the stew that was bubbling away. She didn't know how to explain that she didn't want to go back to dozens of questions that she wouldn't want to answer. That she was so far over being the centre of attention in any form or that she didn't want to go home just to tell Ron it was never going to happen. Mostly she didn't want to go home and tell people that Spencer is the result of being raped, she didn't want Spencer to be looked at like she wasn't wanted.
"Its too hard. I don't want what going back would mean. Jumping in the deep end? I'm done doing that Bella." Hermione confesses finally.
"So... if you could integrate yourself back into society slowly you would do that?" Bellatrix had gotten up from the bed with the baby was now sleeping quietly and moved over to stand behind Hermione who turned to face her again.
"I guess so but how do I even do that?" Hermione asks sincerely and Bellatrix reached out and placed her hands on Hermione's hips pulling her closer.
Over the last four weeks Bellatrix had initiated contact with Hermione as often as she could, its not that she was trying to come on to the young witch so much as she recognised the brunettes need for human contact. It may have bordered on intimate but neither of them did more than hold hands hug or occasionally, in idle moments, play with each others hair. Hermione willingly stepped into the woman's embrace.
"I know its a big ask but... do you trust me?" Bellatrix asks while rubbing the girls back.
"Believe it or not, I do. You've been amazing to me and Spencer." Hermione mumbles into the witches shoulder.
"Then let me figure out how to get you wading in the shallow end. You and Kitten will be back with people who love you soon enough." Bellatrix urged gently and Hermione nodded.
"Ok good. Now i'm going to fetch some more wood while Spencer is asleep." Bellatrix patted Hermione on the bum which had the brunette chuckling, before turning and leaving the little cottage.
HGBB
Saturday of the same week met with Bellatrix rising early with Spencer where she fed and changed her and got her back to sleep all without waking Hermione. Considering they shared a bed and Bellatrix slept closest to the wall she found that to be quite the feat. When Spencer was back asleep Bellatrix found a clean set of Hermione's clothes and changed into them before going outside and appirating away.
Bellatrix landed in a clearing she knew of since being a child in the middle of the Forbidden Forest. She was here earlier than she had stated to the person she was planning to rendezvous with because she wanted to be sure they were there alone. That is if said person even shows up, Bellatrix hadn't signed the missive she had sent to the school earlier that week. She was there waiting almost an hour before a tall elegant, stoic woman dressed in emerald robes stepped into the clearing.
"Headmistress! I have to ask you to toss your wand to the side." Bellatrix called and couldn't see Minerva's brow furrow at the idea.
"I think you expect a little too much from me. Show yourself." Minerva calls back scowling now.
"Toss the wand aside and I will come out. I swear to Merlin himself I mean you no harm. I need your help." Bellatrix's voice resounds around the clearing making it hard for Minerva to pin point her location.
Reluctantly Minerva finally did as she was told though she was beginning to sincerely regret not telling anyone she was going out here. She was regretting it even more when she tossed her wand to the side and a moment later it was levitated directly into Bellatrix Blacks hand. Gritting her teeth Minerva tensed and looked from side to side before settling on the younger witch.
"The only thing I will help you with is going back to Azkaban." Minerva spoke fiercely.
"Of course. Maybe later first I need you to let me take you someone. I think you can help a mutual friend of ours." Bellatrix held out her hand as if expecting the older woman to take her hand.
"You are deranged if you think I will willingly go anywhere with you. What friend?" Minerva snaps at the woman thinking she had truly lost her mind.
"I don't want to tell you unless you come with me. I came to you because she needs help and I know for a fact you like her enough to do what ever you can. Please Minerva. I know it doesn't mean much but I promise you this isn't some kind of trick." Bellatrix completely dropped the facade now and held the wand out for Minerva to take.
Minerva hesitated before taking the wand and then, curiosity and need to help anyone in need was overwhelming and so she slipped her hand onto Bellatrix. It was all the raven haired woman needed before she appirated, only reappearing when they were directly outside the wards around the cottage. Minerva looked around completely confused but when the eldest Black sister tugged her hand she went willingly through the wards.
With a curious frown the older woman moved closer and into the cottage when Bellatrix walked right in. Inside she noted he bed the chair, fireplace, cupboards and stove but also that the place was empty of anyone else. Bellatrix frowned but had noticed the small bundle on the bed so knew that Hermione couldn't be far. Moving forward Bellatrix knocked on the bathroom door but didn't speak.
"Bella?" Came a muffled female voice that seemed familiar but Minerva couldn't place it.
"Yeah its me, pup." Bellatrix called back.
"Kitten should be waking soon are you ok with her, I'd like to stay in the bath a bit. My back is sore." The voice called again and Bellatrix nodded.
"That's fine I will sort her out and make tea." Bellatrix confirmed and a soft 'thank you' drifted through the door.
Bellatrix moved over to the stove and turned it on by lighting a fire in it and then got a pot of water that she magically filled with water. She did all this before looking back at Minerva who was looking more confused by the minute so she supposed she should start to explain. No sooner did she open her mouth to speak did a soft sound come from the bed in the far corner. Moving over Bellatrix leaned over the bed while Minerva watched curiously. Adeptly the raven haired woman changed Spencer and picked her up before turning to the older woman.
"Minerva this is Spencer. Kitten this is one of your mummy's favourite people." Bellatrix cooed to the little girl and the older woman. Spencer and Minerva regarded each other with curious eyes.
"Is she yours?" Minerva asks finally looking from baby to witch.
"No. This little miss is Hermione Granger's" Bellatrix almost laughed at the emotions rolling across the older woman's face.
"Hermione Granger? She is here? In the bath right now?" Minerva asked as confused as she could possibly get.
"Correct. I found this place the night Spencer was born a little over a month ago. Hermione's body wasn't as ready as Spencer was. I nearly lost Hermione I had to cut the baby out and Pup nearly bled to death. She was extremely lucky." Bellatrix explain going over to the counter and making a bottle of formula for the little girl.
"It was you that night in Slug & Jiggers?" Minerva asked finally piecing it together.
"Yeah, if I didn't get her any Blood-Replenishing potion she would have died for sure." Bellatrix indicated for Minerva to sit and the older woman obliged as she sat in the rocking chair. She was surprised but willing when Bellatrix handed her the little baby and the bottle.
"So you saved her and you've been here ever since?" Minerva gently presses the bottle to the little girls lips and she eagerly opens up to take the bottle.
"Yes, she was unconscious for almost two days so I looked after Spencer, she she woke up we talked and she let me stay." Bellatrix explained just before a muffled voice calls out to her again.
"Yeah what do you need?" Bella calls back to the young woman.
"I forgot to grab my clothes off the bed can you bring them in." Hermione asked in a thoroughly relaxed tone.
Bella doesn't answer verbally instead grabbing the indicated bundle of clothes and moving in to the bathroom. She faltered when she saw Hermione, they didn't have luxuries like bubble bath so Hermione was easily seen through the clean water. Biting her lip she moved over and set the clothes on the hand basin before turning back to Hermione who was watching her.
"You're beautiful you know that right?" Bellatrix's cheeks turned red when she blurted the first thought in her mind.
"Thanks, you're no so bad yourself." Hermione smirked, they were both aware that she was flirting, which wasn't exactly something new to them its just they had never tried anything. Seeing Hermione naked had Bellatrix wondering why.
"Flattery will get you no where. You should hurry up, we have a guest." Bellatrix states almost cringing at the alarmed look on the brunettes face.
"A guest?" Hermione hated that she squeaked that.
"Of the best kind. Come on Pup, I will rub your back for you later." Bellatrix called as she headed back out of the bathroom.
Bellatrix had hardly finished checking the kettle when Hermione came stumbling out of the bathroom with dripping hair while she pulled on her sweater. Bellatrix rolled her eyes and pointing her wand at the brunette she cast a drying charm on the hair. Hermione glanced at her appreciatively before turning to settle her gaze on Minerva and the feeding Spencer.
"Hermione it is so good to see you. Everyone has been so worried." Minerva breathed out as she looked at the younger woman.
"I'm sorry Headmistress. I didn't know what else to do. I didn't want to have to explain being pregnant. I couldn't" Hermione's eyes filled with tears and Bellatrix moved closer to the brunette so she would know she was there.
"Oh Hermione. You were pregnant, what did you expect would happen?" Minerva inquired sadly but Hermione just shook her head and choked up turning and moving right into Bellatrix's waiting arms.
"Spencer wasn't conceived consensually Minerva. She was... attacked while we had her at Malfoy Manor." Bellatrix's explanation was soft as she spoke over the quietly sobbing Hermione's shoulder.
"So its your fault she ended up with a child at 18?" Minerva spoke accusingly.
"Yes though I told the swine to leave her and not touch her. Men cannot be trusted." Bellatrix confessed bitterly and Hermione slipped her arms around the raven haired woman.