Chapter 6. Reviews are fantastic and i dont want to call anyone out really but the review regarding the name Spencer for a girl i have to admit irked me slightly. I understand that its not a traditionally feminine name how ever society is getting its act together slowly and gender equality and all that good stuff... I can name off the top of my head two females named Spencer. Pretty Little Liars for example one of the leading characters is called Spencer and the second being Spencer Locke who is an Actress, she plays K-Mart in the Resident Evil live action films.
Anywho... yep Reviews are fantastic. ;)
"So... does anyone have any idea why McGonagall wanted us all here?" Ron asked from his place sitting at the table he spent most of his life at eating food. He and Harry had moved into Grimmauld Place after the war.
"No idea mate. Must be something serious though if she pulled Ginny out of school though." George spoke up rolling his eyes at how closely Harry and his sister were sitting.
"I suppose we will find out soon enough." Bill spoke up after a while.
"Oui, very soon." Fleur chimed as she noticed Minerva apparating into the field outside the Burrow where they had all met. Fleur had been looking out the back door.
Minerva straightened her robes and took a deep breath. She knew this was not going to go well and it she knew it would be because of the Weasley temper but she had to do this. Nothing said she couldn't take a moment to prepare herself mentally before feeding herself to the wolves so to speak. When she turned to walk to the house she rolled her eyes noticing the whole Weasley brood plus Harry looking out the door and windows.
Obviously when she got to the door it was already open for her so she simply moved right into the kitchen/dining space. Clearing her throat she gestured the table and everyone silently returned to their seats. Everyone looked at the woman expectantly and she shifted her robes again buying herself barely another moment. She didn't even get her mouth open before Ronald spoke up.
"What this all about Headmistress?" He blurted though it was obvious the rest of the clan was wondering the same thing.
"If you would hush, Mr Weasley, I would tell you." She purses her lips and typically Ronald blushed and leaned back in his seat.
"Right. Well I suppose I am here because Hermione has been found." Minerva looked at the silent faces watching as they comprehended what she had just said.
"Where is she?"
"Where has she been?"
"Why isn't she here?"
The Scot couldn't have placed where the conversations had come from even if she tired, everyone spoke and once. She did scowl how ever as not one of them asked how she was and if she was ok, she understood their worry for where she is why she had left but considering they had claimed to be family once it was disappointing. Fleur cleared her throat pointedly seeming to feel the same way and when the red-heads and Harry calmed she looked at the Headmistress.
"Minerva, 'ow is she? Is she well?" Fleur inquired sincerely.
"Thank you Fleur, it is good to see at least one of you lot care for her well being. To answer your question she is fine." Minerva spoke pointedly at the suddenly shame faced red-heads before looking back to the French witch.
"Well... Where is she then?" Ronald speaks up again and Minerva sighs softly.
"She is... safe and content right now." Minerva hedged and Ronald frowned.
"Content? She ran away from us and you tell us she is off somewhere happy. With some bloke I suppose?" Ronald was getting angry, it was clear by how red his face was going.
"I beg your bloody pardon you little git but if you have nothing but accusations to say I suggest you close your mouth." Minerva snapped losing her temper at the fool of a boy.
The entire room stared shocked at the Headmistress, it was a rare occurrence to see Minerva McGonagall lose her temper at anyone who didn't seriously deserve it. Everyone bar Fleur were imagining their school days and being chastised by the older woman. It wasn't pleasant memories.
"Headmistress, I am sure we are all ready to listen to your explanation now." Fleur speaks loudly while looking mostly at Ronald but it was clear the entire clan had their own questions.
"Thank you again Fleur." Minerva inclines her head appreciatively towards the blonde.
Looking from face to face Minerva took the time to figure out how to do this. Being blunt was obviously best option with this particular family but where to start. With another deep sigh she decided to state the facts.
"Obviously Hermione made the conscious effort to remove herself from society. It has come to my attention recently that that included the muggle world also as I have learned she is living in a forest somewhere. How ever in a couple of days time she will be returning to our world but will only do so in the company of her companion. The subject of her companion is a sensitive one so when she returns she will be marrying and moving in with said companion." Minerva explained and waited, the expressions on every face before her.
The expressions ranged from surprised to curious to annoyed and, in Ronald's case, downright furious. It was only a matter of minutes, Minerva was sure, before the family broke out with another barrage of questions. She readied herself for it but was, pleasantly, surprised when Fleur stepped up again and halted any incoming questions with one of her own.
"Ze bebe?" It was clear her question startled the family but Minerva ignored them giving the French witch a curious look.
"Her name is Spencer. Hermione and the baby almost didn't make it. Only thanks to surprising intervention did they survive labor." Minerva was speaking solely to the blonde.
"What bloody baby?!" Ronald asked outraged at this point.
"Sit down!" Fleur snapped at the boy who had stood as he spoke clearly annoyed at his out burst. Minerva waited for the red faced by to find his seat again.
"As you know Hermione was... interrogated by Bellatrix Lestrange. As it turns out there was a time while Bellatrix was with a different captive and Hermione was being watched over by Lucius Malfoy and Fenrir Greyback. During the time that Bellatrix was absent both men took it upon themselves to have a little fun with Hermione." Minerva's tone had gradually turned to one of disgust.
"Hermione was... she was raped?" Molly had a hand over her mouth and her eyes we welling with tears.
"Indeed. She conceived as a result though I am not sure how Fleur knows this." Minerva looked back to the French witch who sighed softly.
"She was not well when they were brought to Shell Cottage. I spent most of the time they were there tending her in some way. While she was unconscious I checked her over for any internal injuries, the spell to do so indicated sexual assault so... I tested her for pregnancy." Fleur explained ignoring the scowls she was receiving from Harry, Ron, Ginny and Molly.
"And you never told anyone?" Bill asked a deep frown on his face.
"It was not my place William." Fleur scowled at him not liking his tone.
"Did you even tell Hermione?" Harry asked speaking up for the first time.
"Oui, but not until after the war. I had pulled her aside one evening and told her that I was aware and that she was pregnant. She left the next day.
"You're the reason she ran away from all of us?" Ronald accused and Fleur flinched, even her husband was looking accusingly at the blonde.
"She nearly died because she was alone and pregnant and that is on you Fleur." Molly bit out angrily and Fleur's eyes went hard and she turned from Molly.
"She's right Fleur. The least you could have done was tell us." Bill spoke up again scowling at his wife now.
"What good would it have done? So you could smother her? She was raped for Merlin's sake and you all fuss like hens. You'd have driven her to far worse than simply running away. In all these months of looking you've not found her so tell me what difference knowing she was pregnant would have made!?" Fleur shouted at the family before her, a family that didn't try very hard to make her feel included even now.
"It would have helped! We could have talk to her about it. She could have gotten rid of it." Ronald spoke again and surprisingly both Molly and Ginny along with Harry nodded their heads in agreement with this.
"Impossible." Fleur mumbled looking at the faces before her.
"What is?" George asked speaking for the first time that night.
"You have all known Hermione for so long and you still don't know her at all. Shame on you." Fleur snarled out angrily, she was not ok with being accused like this.
"Headmistress if you could please pass on to Hermione that I would like to see her, have coffee maybe that would be nice but I am going to leave." Fleur spoke glaring at Bill who refused to meet her eye. Minerva, how ever, placed a hand on the French witches arm stopping her from leaving.
"I'll walk you out Fleur. One last thing though." Minerva stood and faced the family before her, her emerald eyes were cold.
"Hermione Granger, who ran away because of the child she conceived. A child she didn't think she wanted but still could not simply 'get rid of', is marrying Bellatrix Black. The same Bellatrix who is guilty of many atrocities including torturing Hermione, the same Bellatrix who saved Hermione and the little girl that they both love. Bellatrix will also be adopting Spencer and they will be living at Malfoy Manor." Minerva states as bluntly as she could and while the Weasley's and Harry were in shock she guided the French witch out the back door.
Fleur had been too angry to be shocked by this revelation but she was a little annoyed that Hermione could agree to marry someone who had caused so much damage to her. At the same time though she was a Veela and so she could understand how love could sometimes catch a person off guard. She would be happy for Hermione as it was clear that the Weasley's would fight her tooth and nail on her choices if they even spoke to the young mother again.
"Is she marrying Bellatrix for love?" Fleur asks as they move out to the field.
"Not technically. Though I think you of all people could understand if I said there are strong signs that they are true soul mates." Minerva explained a small excited smile shining in her eyes.
"Truly?" Fleur breathed the question not sure she should believe the headmistress.
"Truly. Seeing them together, given that they despised each other less than a year ago... Its the true definition of magical. Bellatrix... i've never seen anyone more tender with a child not their own. Spencer is an incredibly lucky little girl." Minerva confessed sincerely and Fleur's face split into a bright smile.
"That is amazing. Bond-mates rarely find one another these days. Please, i'm returning to France but please tell Hermione I would love to see her. I want to meet the little girl." Minerva smiled fondly at the French witch and nodded.
"I will let her know when I see her tomorrow. The manor will be warded from unwanted visitors, they will be only allowed to enter the grounds if invited so I will be sure that she gets in contact with you. I'm sorry about the way you were treated Fleur, you did do the right thing." Minerva says gently to the French witch whose expression turned from happy to irate as the Headmistress spoke.
"Hm no matter. They are thick headed the lot of them. Bill and I have not been happy in months. Perhaps now is just the time to put things to an end." Fleur shrugs her shoulders.
"Perhaps. Take some time though Fleur. I will be in touch with you, or Hermione will." Minerva smiled and patted the French woman's arm gently.
"Merci. Au revoir, Headmistress." Fleur smiled and took a step away from the Headmistress.
"Goodnight, Fleur." Minerva returned with a smile.
Only when Fleur had apparated away did Minerva look back at the Burrow a deep scowl on her face. She could now fully understand why Hermione, a strong confident witch, would be so shy about returning out of the blue. Minerva wished she hadn't had to be the one to break the news to the Weasley's but at the same time was more than glad that Hermione didn't have to do it herself. The Weasley's, particularly Ronald, were brutal in their ignorance and fell back on anger far too easily. Hermione would be upset with news of this meeting but with time no doubt the Weasley's and Potter would calm down. For now Minerva was going home to relieve some tension with Rolanda and get some sleep.