True Love
C16: Getting Everything Together
Standard Disclaimer: I don't own any of the recognizable characters
As the months passed and winter turned into spring, the six witches currently residing in Malfoy Manor worked every day to hone their skills, brew the necessary potions and read up on the things they thought would be important for the upcoming battle.
Hermione had already had confirmation from Draco that he had completed the Vanishing Cabinet and that they could start testing transporting things in the next couple of hours, and hopefully could work to transporting living things soon after because they were running out of time to get everything ready. The solstice foretold in their Prophecy was only two months away and they wanted to be sure everything was working the way it was supposed to on the big day.
This had led to Hermione spending most of her day in the library to ensure that the Cabinet worked like it was supposed to, checking the connection daily to ensure that it was strong enough. Thankfully the connections kept strengthening themselves now that both Cabinets were repaired and that gave her good hopes for the success of their plan.
Both her and Draco had by now memorized the spell they needed to transport everyone to the point the could cast it in their sleep and thus were confident that if anything would go wrong, it wasn't because they forgot to do something. Draco on his end had prepared a couple of things that he could send through and both of them had their journals close by so they could exchange notes during their tests.
Bellatrix was close by just in case they were ready to try and send a human through, and honestly she was also there to be close to their lion because she had seen very little of her witch in the past weeks.
Currently the brunette was taking a mandatory break from her endless work in Bellatrix's arms, albeit with some grumbling. "I really don't get why you suddenly feel the need to work on the Cabinet so much love. I thought we fixed it months ago?" Bellatrix asked softly as she nuzzled her lover's neck.
Hermione sighed softly at that. "We did, but we never tested it and that is what worries me. We can't go through it without having tested it properly and made absolutely sure that it is safe. I will not be responsible for anyone, and especially anyone in our family getting hurt because I became lazy."
Bellatrix smiled and pressed a kiss to her lover's neck. "Calm down baby. Everything is going to be fine."
"Don't tell me to calm down Bellatrix. This is too important!" Hermione said with a growl.
Bellatrix quirked an eyebrow at that, not at all used to see their lover so fired up about something. "Okay love, what can I do to help? I'll do everything in my power to help you."
Hermione took a deep breath before she smiled at the raven-haired witch. "I need your help in making sure that the connection is stable. Because if anyone is going through, it is going to be me."
"Of course love. Do you need me to get Cissy and Andi too? You know we do our best work when we're together." Bellatrix said with a soft smile.
Hermione nodded and kissed her. "Yes, that'll make sure that Draco is ready to receive his apple."
Bellatrix smiled at her. "There's the girl we love. I think this was the first time you ever raised your voice against me. It was kind of hot." She said with a suggestive wiggle of her eyebrows.
"Later love, I promise. When I am sure that the Cabinet works properly I will gladly give myself over to you, Andi and Cissa." Hermione said softly.
Bellatrix grinned and gave her a quick kiss before apparating to the Potions lab where her sisters were, the two women jumping a little as they heard the sudden crack. "Bella. What have I told you about apparating inside the house. I swear you're going to give me a heart attack one of these days." Narcissa said as she clutched her chest.
"You know I don't make a habit of that anymore love, it is really important. Hermione is close to losing her mind with all this work on the Cabinet and she asked us to help her. She actually raised her voice to me for the first time, and I'm not going to lie, it was kind of a turn on." Bellatrix said a contrite tone in her voice.
Narcissa and Andromeda smiled at her. "It's okay love, Cissa was just being jumpy." Andromeda said with a soft smile.
"I figured, but we don't have time to tease right now. She is close to a nervous breakdown and I fear if we aren't there she might actually work herself into one. We need to help her." Bellatrix said as she grabbed her sister's arms and apparated them to the library.
As they appeared in the library, their lover was finally taking a moment relax as she sat on the sofa and tossed an apple into the air that had a bite taken out of it. "Well this is a surprise. A few minutes ago you were pushing against a nervous breakdown."
She smiled at her lovers. "Well, since the connection is stable and strong enough to transport an apple safely, I'm confident that after we've checked the connection and its stability we'll be able to transport something living, and I'm personally going to test this."
"Excuse me, what did you say Hermione? You're going to test it?" Narcissa asked with a quirked eyebrow.
The brunette nodded at her. "It has to be me. We have no one else, and I'm positive that we have done everything right. We all can recite the spell in our sleep and I'm sure if you three do this, I will be fine."
Narcissa took a deep breath before she answered, wanting to have her emotions in check before she said anything. "You make a valid point, but if this proves not to be strong enough, I want you to promise me, no us, that you will not under any circumstance try this without us being here."
"You have my word Cissa. I am not foolish enough to believe I need to do this by myself anymore. I've changed a lot in the months we've been together." Hermione said with a loving smile.
Narcissa nodded and gave her a big hug. "That you have, and you know I don't mean to nag you, we're just very worried about you."
Hermione smiled and kissed her softly. "I know, and I promise to be careful. The only thing I can't control is how it will feel for you when I go through."
The three sisters nodded and smiled as they joined their love on the couch, all four of them content to be together for just a few moments longer.
…
A few days later Hermione got a message from Draco that he had all day to do some more tests, and with all of the checks they had performed over the last days, all four witches were confident that they were ready to send Hermione through, and she let Draco know this too so he wouldn't be too surprised to see her in the Cabinet at Hogwarts.
That they were ready didn't lessen any of the nerves though, but Hermione knew she had to go through with it if she wanted to be sure that the Cabinet would work. This trip would also be a bit of a double duty, because there still was a Horcrux that was hidden in the Room of Requirement and now that she was there, it would be just as easy to get that and bring it to the Dark Lord now than have to deal with that during the final battle.
That had sparked a whole new argument between Bellatrix and Hermione, because Bellatrix was afraid that the influence of the Horcrux might be too much for her to handle, while Hermione thought it would be fine.
This argument lasted all about five minutes when Narcissa broke it up by mentioning that they had a pouch that nullified all magic which the could use for the transport of said Horcrux, to which Bellatrix begrudgingly agreed.
The four lovers were currently standing in front of the Cabinet waiting for Draco's message that he was ready as well. "Remember what we talked about Hermione. No dallying in the Room of Requirement. We still don't know how this instant separation will affect us."
"I know, I'll get the Diadem and get right back to you. Has the Dark Lord been informed that we will be testing the Cabinet and that I will bring back his last Horcrux?" Hermione asked softly.
Bellatrix nodded and smiled. "Yes love, he'll be here when you return."
Hermione smiled softly and gave their lovers a kiss before she felt that there was a message in the journal, stating that he was ready to receive her. "It seems Draco is ready. I'll see you three in a bit." She said softly.
The sisters nodded and gave their lover a soft kiss before Hermione stepped into the Cabinet, and as Narcissa closed the door for her lover, she couldn't help the shiver of anticipation that ran over her spine.
With a synchronized flourish of their wands and the casting of the spell they had memorized to the point they were able to cast it in their sleep, they sent Hermione away, all three of them feeling a sharp spike in their bond as she was sent to Hogwarts.
Hermione on her turn felt a sharp stab in her gut and her heart as she was transported, knocking on the door once the stab in her gut had subsided.
When she saw the smiling face of Draco looking at her as the door opened, she couldn't help but hug him. "We did it Draco. We got them working."
The blonde smiled at her. "Well let's be honest that you, my mother and my aunts did most of the work. Once the Cabinet was aligned it was a breeze to repair, and of course the fact that you four have been able to repair your cabinet so quickly helped a lot too. I'm glad to see it works properly though."
"So am I. It's a load of my mind that we are once again a step closer to our ultimate goal, but tell me, how are things here? Are the others okay?" She asked softly.
"More than okay I would say. Ginny, Fabian and Luna are at this moment making sure Potter and Weasley are distracted by leading them on a wild goose chase over the grounds so I could do this test." Draco said with a smile.
Hermione smiled at that. "That's good to hear, but I promised your mother that I wouldn't dally too much. I also need to get a thing from the Room to bring back to the Dark Lord."
"If you mean the Horcrux, I took the liberty to locate it for you. It's still in its casket so you can assure my mother that I didn't handle it directly. I figured you wanted to kill two birds with one stone, as I've heard you say before." Draco said with a grin.
Hermione laughed lightly at that. "I'm honestly more surprised you know how to correctly use that Muggle phrase in a sentence than I am hearing you use it, but thank you for locating it. It is sure to settle your mother's and your aunt's worries over me handling this as well, and you also don't have to worry. I will tell Narcissa that you handled this with the utmost care."
Draco smiled as he placed the casket in the pouch. "I appreciate that. I could do without receiving a strongly worded letter from mother."
"She just worries about you, like we all do, but I really should get back. I don't want to worry them unnecessarily. We'll see you at Easter, and please stay safe until then." Hermione said with a soft smile.
Draco nodded and hugged her a last time before she stepped back into the Cabinet so he could send her back to Malfoy Manor.
Hermione felt exactly the same stab in her gut as she did on the trip to Hogwarts, but thankfully the pain in her heart stayed absent as she was transported back to her lovers, knocking on the door once the pain in her gut had subsided.
Bellatrix almost yanked the door off its hinges as she lifted the brunette out and pulled her tight against her body. "I take it you felt that stab to the heart too?" Hermione asked softly once she had the ability to breathe again.
"Yes love, we felt it plain as day. We weren't exactly prepared for that, Bella nearly paced a trench around the Cabinet while we were waiting." Narcissa said with a soft smile.
Hermione smiled and kissed the raven-haired witch softly. "It's okay love, I'm here, I'm unharmed and I got what we needed."
Bellatrix smiled at her. "I'm so glad you're okay. How was it?"
"Honestly it didn't feel that much different from Apparition. I felt like I was squeezed through a tube." Hermione said honestly, not wanting to make her lovers more nervous than they already were."
The three witches smiled at that. "That's good to hear, but you mentioned you had the Horcrux too?" Andromeda asked softly.
Hermione nodded at her. "Yes, Draco had the foresight to locate it so I could bring it back. He also told me that you could rest assured Cissa. He didn't handle it directly."
The blonde smiled at that. "Good, I taught him better than to handle dark artifacts callously. Was he doing okay?"
"They're all doing fine. He sends his love, also from Fabian and Luna. They, along with Ginny were busy making sure two certain idiots did not interrupt us." Hermione said with a smile.
The three witches smiled at her as they led her to the War Room where the Dark Lord was waiting for her. "Our lord was very impressed with your foresight love, and of course very happy that the Cabinet is repaired. I think we'll be given a bit of leeway from now until the final battle." Bellatrix said softly.
Hermione merely smiled and pressed a kiss to her lover's cheek, mostly just glad that the headache that was that Cabinet would no longer be an issue.
…
After delivering the final Horcrux to the Dark Lord, the four witches made their way to the living room, fully intending on relaxing a little after what was a bit of a draining morning to say the least.
To their surprise Fleur and Dora were sitting in the loveseat. "Well this is a surprise. We didn't expect you two home for at least another week." Hermione said with a soft smile as she went to hug the two witches.
"We missed you guys too much to stay away any longer. How have you all been?" Fleur asked with a smile.
"Busy. We've finished the Cabinet and managed to test it properly too. Hermione made a round trip to Hogwarts and managed to find the last Horcrux while she was at it. We just didn't expect what the effects of that would be on our bond. We also made sure start brewing potions in batches so we'll have plenty of stock when everything begins."
The two witches smiled at that. "Any separation in the early stages of any type of bond is hard. We've been through this too, but this bond you four share goes so much deeper than almost any other bond. It stands to reason that the effects are amplified too." Fleur said with a soft smile.
Bellatrix nodded and smiled at her. "We knew that, we just severely underestimated how that sudden separation would affect us. Now that we've experienced it, we know how to combat it, but do tell how you enjoyed your vacation."
The two witches smiled at them. "Well, I think the biggest thing is that we got married, and Mom before you get angry, I promise that we will do a proper ceremony after the War, but I wanted to ensure that if for some reason something should happen to me, that Fleur is well taken care of, because legally we were in a bit of a limbo. I just wanted to make sure that everything would be taken care off." Dora said softly.
Andromeda smiled and went to give her daughter a hug. "I'm not mad at you sweetheart, we would do the same if we weren't bonded in the way we are. I actually commend you two for tying the knot already."
Dora and Fleur both smiled at her. "Thank you, that means a lot to us. We were a bit worried you might be mad about this." Fleur said softly.
"We couldn't be mad at you for something we have considered many times over the last couple of months. Now more than ever we realize that no matter what, we can't ignore the strength of a bond, no matter what type. Your mating bond with Dora is very strong because of your Veela side, and if this was what you felt was right, then we can only be happy for you." Andromeda said sweetly.
The two girls smiled at that. "I'm surprised you know so much about Veela, Mom. Usually this information is not that easy to find." Dora said with a soft smile.
Andromeda smiled at her daughter. "Sweetie, with how old our family is and our proclivity for mating bonds, we've had a few ancestors who were mated to Veela, and that information is still in our library. You just have to know where to look, and since I know you use the library for whole other things than reading, I figured you might have missed that."
That made the Metamorphmagus blush a little as she hid her face in the long silvery blonde hair of her wife, which made the Veela smile. "I don't think your mother and her lovers have any room to judge us anymore."
Hermione smiled at that. "You have to admit that they have us there, my loves. It's not like we haven't christened most of the house."
Narcissa nodded at that. "I know love, but you know that I have some issues with make love in libraries."
Hermione quirked an eyebrow at that, clearly wanting to remind the blonde what exactly they had done not too long ago, and it seemed to work as Narcissa blushed a little.
Dora and Fleur noticed though and smiled at them. "Every time we watch you interact with each other I swear I feel a cavity forming. You four are almost too sweet for words."
"We've been accused of worse in the last couple of months, Dora. It is something we're kind of used to by now." Hermione said with a soft smile.
Nymphadora smiled at her. "I know, but it's been a while since I had something on my mom and aunts together. I just couldn't resist teasing you all a little. I have a quota to fulfill you know."
Hermione smiled and went to hug her best friend. "I know, and it is one of the reasons you are, and will always be my best friend. You're the only one I can really talk to about what's going on, because I know you stand as close to it as I do. I can't have that with Ginny because she needs plausible deniability, it'll be safer for her."
Dora nodded at that. "I know, and I'm sure everything will be fine once we finish this."
Hermione nodded at her. "I know it will, it has to be, because the system that is in place now is unsustainable in the long run. Muggleborns and half bloods with predominantly Muggle parentage will only become more prevalent, and ultimately that will result into a way more bloodier war then the one we're fighting now, and honestly I don't think anything would be left standing."
"That is exactly what the Dark Lord fears too. A civil war that will eradicate a large part of the Magical Community to such a point recuperation will be impossible. By abolishing the blood caste we can avoid that and bring some equality back to Wizarding Britain." Bellatrix said softly.
Hermione nodded and cuddled into her lover. "That is my hope too, and part of the reason I am still so glad I joined the right side."
"That and the opportunity to spend some intimate times with my mother and aunts of course." Dora said with a grin.
Hermione just smiled at the Metamorphmagus as she laid her legs over Cissa's and Andi's lap, for once not minding the fun at her expense.
…
The following day Bellatrix and Hermione made their way into Diagon Alley with a very specific goal in mind, getting the brunette a new wand, because her old wand was still acting up and that simply wouldn't do for the upcoming battle.
Both witches knew that Olivander would help them regardless of their standing in the War. His belief that every witch and wizard deserved a proper wand was exactly why they were also going to give him the one thing he would want from this war, that he could continue to practice his craft in peace and quiet.
The Dark Lord valued his work and thus had authorized them to convey his offer, which was also the part of the reason they wanted to go and do this today. "It's nice to be out and about again. I'll admit that I was starting to feel a little bit cooped up."
"I know love, but it's all for our own safety. Ever since the Weasley raid we've got more eyes on us than ever. In any other circumstance I would've at the very least altered our appearance. The only reason we don't need to is because of the fact that it's still too early for people to be out and about. No one goes to Diagon at opening time." Bellatrix said softly.
Hermione smiled at her lover. "I know that, and I do hope we can at least pay a visit to the Weasley twins. I want to make sure they're still okay."
Bellatrix nodded at that. "Of course we can. I have a gift for them too."
Hermione smiled and pressed a kiss to her lover's cheek as they walked into Olivander's Wand Shop. "Ah Madame Black and Ms. Granger. I was wondering when I would see you both again. What can I do for you today?" Olivander asked kindly.
Bellatrix smiled kindly at the man. "Good morning Mr. Olivander. We have actually come to find a new wand for Hermione. Her old one is acting up some."
The man nodded at them. "I remember your wand well Ms. Granger, it is still one of my best creations. May I see it?"
Hermione nodded and handed him her wand. "Still in pristine condition. I had expected nothing less from you. It's bond to you is a bit strained though. I can see you've changed a lot over the last few years. Let me see if I cannot find you a better wand today." He said kindly before making his way to the back.
It took a couple of minutes before he came back with several boxes. "I hope you would indulge me for a moment, Ms. Granger. I've had a theory for a while now that I would like to test. Why don't you give this wand a try." He said as he opened one of the boxes and presented it to Hermione.
It was a light colored wand that sparked a little when she took it out of the box, and for some reason it didn't feel right in her hand. "I honestly don't think this is the wand for me. It seems to clash with my magic."
Olivander smiled at that. "I figured that would happen. Birch wands are among the most fickle wands in existence. The are very particular about their owners. I think this will be a better fit for you. It is a cherry wand with a dragon heartstring core from a Chinese Fireball and a rigid flexibility."
Hermione took it out of the box and felt the wand instantly connect to her core, fitting in her hand like it had no other purpose in life. "As I thought. Like birch wands, cherry wands are very picky, only choosing those that value knowledge as their masters."
She smiled at him as she swished it around a few times. "It feel perfect. Thank you so much Mr. Olivander."
"It was my pleasure Ms. Granger. I have always seen it as my duty to make sure every witch and wizard is equipped with a wand that fits them." He said kindly.
Bellatrix smiled at that. "We understand that Mr. Olivander, which is why we have also come with an assurance. The Dark Lord promises and will make sure that you will not be harmed in any way, shape or form in the coming War, and that you will remain so after the war as well. He values your services and wants to make sure that you will be able to continue to do what you love."
Olivander smiled at her. "I thank you very much for that. I will admit that I was a bit worried."
"We understand that, and that is why the Dark Lord asked us to convey this message to you. Services such as yours should be valued and protected." Hermione said with a kind smile.
Mr. Olivander smiled at her. "Please take this wand as a gift, Ms. Granger, as a thank you for giving me the gift of being able to continue to do my job."
"We couldn't Mr. Olivander. You deserve to be paid for your services." Hermione said softly.
"I insist Ms. Granger. Your wands are among the best wands I have ever made and I knew that you were an exceptional witch when I first met you. It doesn't matter to me which side of the conflict you are on, it has been an honor to supply you with the perfect wand. I look forward to one day doing the same for your children." He said kindly.
Both Hermione and Bellatrix smiled at him. "Thank you Mr. Olivander. It means a lot to us. We look forward to seeing you again." Bellatrix said kindly as they made their way outside again.
As they made their way to Weasley's Wizard Wheezes, Hermione couldn't help but smile as she played with her wand in its holster. "Are you okay love? You seem a bit lost in your own little world."
Hermione smiled at her raven-haired witch. "I just couldn't help but think of what Mr. Olivander said. It got me thinking about our future."
Bellatrix smiled at that. "How about we talk about that when we get back home, because I have a feeling Andi and Cissy will have some thoughts about this too."
Hermione only nodded and pressed a kiss to her lover's cheek as they walked into the twin's joke shop, fully intending to get some things to prank their lovers with.
…
When the two witches came back to Malfoy Manor a few hours later, both Bellatrix and Hermione made a beeline for their bedroom, both of them having teased each other to the point that they had to take care of some urges before doing anything else.
The moment they were inside their bedroom Hermione pushed the raven-haired witch against the door, kissing her deeply as she vanished their clothes. "So forceful, I could get used to this." Bellatrix said with a husky voice once they broke their kiss for air.
"You've only got yourself to blame for this since you were so adamant on teasing me all morning. You know very well that I have no willpower against you three." Hermione said softly.
Bellatrix smiled and slid a leg between Hermione's, pressing teasingly against the brunette's soaking core. "So what you're saying I've been a bad girl and I need to be punished?"
Hermione groaned softly as she pushed herself flush against the raven-haired witch's body. "Yes you are, and I think I just need to punish you for being such a bad girl, or maybe I should call Cissa and have her punish you while Andi and I watch, just like last time. I knew it drove you crazy to not being able to touch us."
Now it was Bella's turn to groan. "That's just cruel poppet. Surely it wasn't that bad that we need to involve Cissy."
"Fine, I won't involve Cissa, but you are going to get punished, so you're going to get that perfect ass on the bed while I'm going to look for something appropriate in our chest." Hermione said with a growl.
Bellatrix swallowed heavily, having never heard something so sexy from her lover before, and because of that she obeyed that order immediately, scrambling to the bed the moment Hermione released her.
Hermione on her turn grinned at the compliance her usually so dominant witch portrayed as she casually walked to their chest. She had already decided on one of them, being their strap-on but since she felt mischievous, she also decided on one of their new things, being a ball gag that they had enchanted for enhanced pleasure and a bit of amplified pain too. She then quickly strapped herself in and grinned as she stalked to the bed. "Now Bella, I'm going to gag you but know that I'm not going to hurt you. If at any point you feel uncomfortable, tap the bed twice and I'll stop."
The raven haired witch nodded and opened her mouth so Hermione could put in the gag, the brunette giving her a soft kiss before she secured it and then let her hand run down the raven-haired witch's back slowly. "So pale and perfect. I wonder what that ass is going to look like with a bit of redness on it." She said softly before giving her lover's ass a spank.
Bellatrix moaned into the gag, unable do much else at the moment while Hermione teased her lower lips with the tip of the strap-on.
Hermione took a bit of pity on her lover and slowly slipped it into the raven-haired witch, making them both moan. "I almost forgot how tight you are Bella. It's like you want to squeeze this strap-on right off the harness." She said huskily as she spanked the raven haired witch again, loving the sight of the slight ripple and the faint hand print on her lover's pale flesh.
Bellatrix merely moaned in both pain and pleasure as she let herself be dominated by Hermione, something she would've never imagined she would do for anyone, but was willing to do for her lover because she knew Hermione would never hurt her.
Hermione on her turn loved to be the one in control for once, and since she didn't want to be cruel, she pulled Bellatrix up, holding the raven-haired witch up by her waist while kissing her neck. "I know this was supposed to be a punishment, but I'm not that cruel." She said as she vanished the gag and sent it back to their chest.
"Pity, I kind of like it when you're a bit more dominant. I think we'll be able to find something that would sate that particular urge, and I'll admit that I loved the spanking." Bellatrix said softly.
Hermione grinned and spanked her again. "I figured as much, since your pussy clenches around this dick divinely every time my hand hits that perfect ass, so this will definitely not be the last time we do this."
Bellatrix smiled at her. "I was hoping you would say that, but I was hoping you would indulge me a little. It's been a while since I've been able to look into those gorgeous eyes while we were making love and I would love to look at your face in ecstasy."
She smiled and nodded. "Of course love, lie down and I'll bring us both to heaven." Hermione said as she pulled out of the raven-haired witch.
Bellatrix merely smiled and laid down on her back as she spread her legs wide while Hermione repositioned too, sliding the strap-on back into her raven-haired lover with a soft smile before kissing her deeply, letting their lust guide them through the afternoon, only disentangling themselves when they were both completely sated.