Author's Note: I hope everyone is still with this story. This morning a large part of the plot came to me and I have written it out now – including a possible ending even though it is many many chapters away. Also, I have decided that this will definitely become a trilogy so after Nemesis there will be a third installment. Now, I hope that this chapter gives an answer to questions some of you have been asking and it also plants the seed to events I have in mind for future chapters.
I am very much focused on Hermione's fear of everything falling apart and Narcissa's jealousy. All characters will get more time to reflect in future chapters and more information about their backgrounds will also become known. Now, the obsessional love part still forms one of the main plot lines within Nemesis but it is slowly being poisoned by the ideas of fear and jealousy. I want more character development in Nemesis, an insight in some of the psychology why they do the things they do. What changed them, how did they become this way. Some interesting things coming up in the future!
NOTE OF IMPORTANCE: I have decided to rename the stories with the main inspiration being given to me by a few loyal Reader. The series will now be known as The Unholy Trinity series with Serpent Spell and Nemesis identifying two out of the three books.
~Cissy
Chapter 8
What Never Was
Strings of mist pressed against the castle's windows as she walked up the lane leading from the river bank to the heavy wooden front doors. She didn't know why she didn't Apparate right but there was something strangely calming about walking and feeling the cool evening wind tug at her hair. She had pushed her hands deeply into the pockets of her jeans and the sound of her footsteps echoed through the quiet night.
The front door swung open before she could even tap the magical door handle and Hermione looked up to see Bellatrix standing in the dimly lit hall. Dressed in a velvet black dress and with her coarse culls pulled back in a loose ponytail, the older witch looked strangely calm. Charcoal eyes searched Hermione's face and she stepped aside to allow her to enter.
"Where is Ollivander?" she breathed once the door had closed.
Hermione turned around slowly. "Dead."
Bellatrix's eyes darkened as she studied Hermione's face. Strands of brown hair fell down the sides of her face but she seemed unhurt. She took a step closer to the brunette. "Did you speak to him?"
"Where is Narcissa?" Hermione asked, ignoring Bellatrix's sudden closeness though her heart hammered so loudly against her ribcage she felt it would explode. "You will want to hear this."
"Then don't leave us waiting," Narcissa said calmly. She had made her way down the stairs and now stood a few steps behind her sister. Blue eyes had fixed on Hermione. There was something cold and distant about her. Something Hermione couldn't put her finger on. "What happened?"
"They provided the old man with shelter in Italy," Hermione said as she led Narcissa and Bellatrix into the dining room. She casually flicked her wand and the candles and torches ignited. Their flames cast shadows upon the walls and when Hermione turned around she could see the fire reflect in Bellatrix's eyes. "Andromeda got to him before I did and she hid him in a church."
"Filthy blood-traiting bitch," Narcissa hissed and Hermione ignored the sudden roar of anger in the pit of her stomach.
"What did he tell her?" Bellatrix whispered. There was desperation in her voice.
"Fiendfyre," Hermione answered. "Whatever Andromeda is trying to do, it evolves around Fiendfyre." Her eyes found Bellatrix. "You have cast the spell in the past and you know how dangerous it is. Most skilled witches and wizards struggle to control the flames. If she is going to use the Fiendfyre to destroy us..."
"She will never destroy us!" Bellatrix objected. "Andromeda is a fool."
"Fiendfyre destroys everything in its wake, Bella," Hermione said. There was a hint of fear in her eyes. "Not even we stand a chance against those flames. We couldn't produce a spell strong enough to extinguish it even if we had ten Cores! Andromeda has found the one thing that can break us apart."
"It can also kill her," Narcissa said coolly. The look in her eyes was distant and cold, almost frozen. Her face had changed into an emotionless mask. "Fiendfyre has a tendency to not just incinerate the person the spell was aimed at but also its caster if they do not get away quick enough."
Hermione chewed her lip. "Fiendfyre has another quality. Something I've been thinking about on my way back. When left uncontrolled it produces Ashwinders. Snake like creatures that slither off into a corner and lay eggs. If the eggs are not frozen in time, they will catch fire and incinerate a dwelling in mere minutes. Fiendfyre is a fire within a fire. Andromeda knows something about its qualities we do not."
"Why would she need a wand maker to tell her about Fiendfyre?" Narcissa questioned. "Any wand can produce the spell, assuming it is done correctly. Ollivander made wands. He was not the type of wizard to invent spells or know much about them. Why would she need him?"
"Get me the Weasley girl," Hermione suddenly said and Bellatrix's eyes snapped to Narcissa. "She'll tell us." When neither witch moved Hermione's eyes narrowed. "Well, what are you waiting for? Do I need to go down to the dungeons myself and talk to her?"
"That may not be such a bad idea," Bellatrix answered and a smirk spread across her face. Slowly she moved closer to Hermione. Her breath was hot against her ear and Hermione shivered at the sensation. "The little bitch had some issues behaving herself in your absence. Narcissa and I set her straight but I'm afraid she won't be able to walk for some time."
"Take me to her," Hermione whispered and turned her head so that her lips almost touched Bellatrix's. "She holds the answer."
Narcissa unexpectedly stepped forward and took Hermione's hand. The brunette's eyes met her ice cold blue and the blonde witch's fingers trailed up Hermione's arm, leaving a tingling sensation in their wake. Her other hand slipped around her waist, coming to a rest on the small of her back, before pulling her nearer. Warm lips kissed the side of her mouth and the tip of her tongue followed the slight curve of Hermione's lower lip.
"Come," she whispered and began leading Hermione towards the dungeons. Bellatrix followed a few steps behind them.
They descended down the steps into the dungeon. It was dark and cold and Hermione flicked her wand. A lone candle standing on a small wooden table lit up and the tiny flame illuminated the pitch black corridor. The wizard that had been left guarding the cell door looked up and when he saw Hermione his eyes widened.
"You can go," she said sharply and he nodded obediently before disappearing in the darkness behind them.
Hermione tapped the bolt that kept Ginny's cell door locked and it opened with a metal screeching noise. The cell door opened and she stepped inside. The red head lay on her side in the corner furthest away from her, her face obscured by damp strands of hair. Her hands had been tied behind her back. The water bowl was empty, lay upside down and the sheet that served as a makeshift bed was wet. In the quietness of the cell Hermione could hear Ginny's ragged breathing. Every time her lungs expanded a small whimper of pain followed.
"Sit up," Hermione commanded.
The figure that was Ginny stirred weakly and lifted up her head enough for Hermione to make out the contorted features of her face. The bruising had spread, covering almost all of her pale skin. The cut across her cheek had begun to fester and she could smell the onset of infection. Bloodshot eyes pierced into Hermione's and she recognised the fire and determination. Although beaten and broken, Ginny's willpower still remained.
Hermione took a step forward and then knelt down. "Now you listen to me," she whispered sweetly and let the tip of her wand slide under Ginny's face. "Your brothers are dead. Most of your friends are dead too. If you just tell me what it is Andromeda wants with the Fiendfyre..." She could see Ginny's eyes widen and chuckled so softly. "So easy. So she does know about the Fiendfyre. Tell me what she wants with it."
"I'd rather die," Ginny managed to whisper. Her defiance hadn't subsided.
Hermione cocked her head and brushed a strand of wet hair out of Ginny's eyes. "Really?" she asked softly. Suddenly she grasped the red hair firmly and yanked Ginny's head back. Her former friend howled in pain. "You really want to die? Because believe me, I have no problem with that but I am going to let them do it!" She pointed at Bellatrix and Narcissa. "And I will tell them to take their time and I will enjoy every horrified scream coming from this fucking dungeon!"
"You're scared!" Ginny hissed. "You're scared she has finally found a way to stop you!"
"She will never stop me!" Hermione snarled and pressed her wand a little firmer against Ginny's throat. "She'll never stop us!"
"You lost, Hermione," Ginny groaned when Hermione unexpectedly let go off her hair, clutching a shank of red hair. Tears had sprung in Ginny's bloodied eyes. The pain was excruciating yet she didn't want to give up. "Once she has found what she's looking for, there will be no stopping her."
"Tell me!" Hermione screeched and jammed her wand so roughly into Ginny's neck that the skin pierced and she drew blood. The warm, sticky liquid began to pour over her hands. "Tell me or I swear to God I will leave you here bleeding to death." She pushed Ginny backwards. The young redhead rolled onto her stomach in an attempt to protect herself but Hermione threw herself on top of her. Strong legs pinned her old friend to the floor and her hands pinned Ginny's already bruised and battered arms above her head. The position was painful and with her hands tied together she couldn't fight back. Blazing eyes looked down at the prey below her.
"Bella," she growled and the raven haired witch moved closer. "Your whip."
Bellatrix laughed deviously as she flicked her wand and silently summoned her whip. Seconds later it landed in the palm of her open hand and she gave it to Hermione. The young brunette slowly stood back up and stared down at Ginny in contempt and disgust. The sight of the whip brought fear into Ginny's eyes and tears began to seep down her cheeks, clearing the dirt left behind by the dried blood.
"Are you sure you don't want to tell me what it is Andromeda is looking for?" Hermione asked softly. She smacked the whip off the ground right next to Ginny's head. The sound was bone chilling and Ginny whimpered in fear. Hermione glanced over her shoulder to find Bellatrix and Narcissa leaning against the door, Narcissa's arms wrapped around her sister's waist, head resting on her shoulder. Both had smiles on their faces.
"TELL ME WHAT SHE WANTS!" Hermione screamed and lifted her arm up again. This time the whip wasn't going to hit the floor. "TELL ME!"
The only answer she got was a soft whimpered cry and the whip lashed unforgiving across Ginny's back. The thin fabric of her shirt ripped upon impact, revealing purple bruised skin with red scratches. The burn on her shoulder had grown infected and yellow puss surrounded the blisters. The skin now bled where the whip had made contact. Ginny's back arched upon impact, exposing all the bones pressing against her paper thin skin, but now she relaxed again.
The whip went up and came down again and again. When Hermione's arm shot up again anger blurred her vision. She didn't think. She didn't see. All she felt was the all consuming fear about losing everything.
"Stop!" Ginny whimpered unexpectedly. Her voice had broken and the final bit of willpower that she had left had finally crumbled. "Please... just... no more. Hermione... please."
She lowered her whip, startled by Ginny's ability to speak. "Shame, I was just starting to enjoy myself."
Ginny was shaking so violently that she struggled to speak. "She...is...looking for the...wand."
"The wand?" Hermione asked and fear settled in her chest. "What wand?"
"The wand she found in Ollivander's wand shop. It was broken. He had tried to create it but failed," Ginny whispered. Her muscles relaxed now that she realised Hermione wasn't going to lash her again. She turned her head enough to look at the brunette she had once considered one of her best friends. She was a stranger now. A monster she didn't recognise. "She believes it can help her."
"No wand is more powerful than us," Hermione hissed. "Andromeda is a fool if she believes she can combine Fiendfyre and a wand. The flames will destroy the damn thing as well as her before she can even try."
"She needs Gregorovitch to help her," Ginny continued. As she spoke blood began to seep from her mouth. She could taste it in the back of her throat. Her organs were protesting against the severe beatings she had suffered and the cold and damp environment she was kept in. Her kidneys were damaged and started to fail. "Please, Hermione, just help me. I'll tell you anything you want to know."
"You lied to me before, you deceitful little whore!" Hermione cried. "Why should I believe you now?"
A hint of hope sprang in Ginny's eyes. "I don't want to die."
Hermione cocked her head. "This is war, Ginny. People die in a war." She pushed the redhead over with the tip of her boot and inspected the damage across the front of her body. What was left of Ginny's clothes was covered in blood. She was covered in bruises and where her clothes were ripped Hermione could see her ribs protruding. She turned away and looked at Narcissa.
"Get her cleaned up."
"What?!" The blonde witch looked bewildered.
"I said, get her cleaned up!" Hermione sneered. "I didn't say you have to run her a fucking bath, Cissy. You've got a wand. Use it!"
Narcissa's ice blue eyes darkened as she let her arms fall away from Bellatrix and stepped further into the cold cell. She glanced down at the shivering creature at her feet and huffed in disgust. Hermione walked past Narcissa to the door but took the blonde's arm before leaving. Their gazes locked. "Do whatever you think you need to do but I want her to live at least through the night."
She left the cell and walked through the dark corridor back to the stairs. The sound of Bellatrix's footsteps echoed behind her and when Hermione reached the top of the stairs she turned to find the raven haired woman appearing from the darkness below. She reached out a hand for Bellatrix to take and Bellatrix's fingers closed around her wrist unexpectedly, pulling her towards her.
"Who did you call a lying deceitful whore?" she hissed as her free hand yanked up Hermione's shirt and revealed the pale flesh of her back. Bright red scratches sat across her skin where Susana's nails had drawn blood. Bellatrix's eyes darkened and her hand smacked across Hermione's face, causing it to snap sideways. "You betrayed me!"
Her iron grip only tightened as she dragged Hermione across the room, out of the door and up the stairs. Hermione fought to free herself from the older woman's grip but Bellatrix was stronger. When she fought too much Bellatrix's other hand grabbed a fistful of brown hair and yanked her head backwards. Hermione felt a sense of fear overwhelm her when she realised that this anger was unlike any other kind she had ever seen in Bellatrix. She was raging and the pure hatred flickered in her eyes.
Bellatrix kicked open one of the doors along the landing and threw Hermione onto the hardwood floor. The brunette landed on her stomach but pushed herself up on her arms immediately. Her head snapped around and she stared defiantly at Bellatrix. The raven haired woman was positively livid and dark eyes fixed on Hermione.
"Your jealousy surprises me, Bella," Hermione chuckled. "You can bear your own sisters touching me but the thought of another's hands on me drives you insane." She slowly stood up and moved closer to Bellatrix. Her cheek still stung where Bellatrix had hit her but the pain only increased her desire. She licked her lips. "You don't mind Narcissa or Andromeda claiming what belongs to you..."
Bellatrix's hand made contact with Hermione's cheek again and the slap was so powerful that Hermione staggered backwards, losing her orientation for just a moment. It was all Bellatrix needed. With another firm smack she forced the brunette onto the old fashioned four poster bed in the corner of the room. Hermione's knees buckled when she made contact with the wood and she landed on her back. Before she could blink Bellatrix had thrown herself on top of her, one hand closing around her throat.
"Nobody owns you but me," Bellatrix hissed as she began to unbutton Hermione's trousers and revealed the black laced underwear she wore underneath. Her fingers squeezed tighter around the young woman's throat, enhancing the sensation of lust, control, power and fear. She pulled Hermione's jeans down her hips and further down her legs, grazing her fingers along the inside of her thighs.
Hermione stared up at Bellatrix in surprise. The older woman was so much stronger than she had given her credit for and when she felt Bellatrix's hand slide up under her shirt before encountering the swell of her breasts, a soft moan fell from her lips. Almost instantly Bellatrix squeezed her throat again, silencing her. She muttered something so quietly Hermione could barely hear it and the remainder of their clothes vanished. Bellatrix was naked too and the sensation of her burning hot flesh against her own almost pushed Hermione over the edge.
She cried in pain when Bellatrix's teeth sank into the side of her neck, drawing blood from underneath her skin. Bellatrix could feel the pulsating vein underneath her lips and smiled. "That heart beats only for me," she whispered. "It is a part of me. It belongs to me."
"I belong to you," Hermione whispered and arched her back when she felt Bellatrix's hand slide between her legs. The raven haired woman lay on top of her and Hermione's legs wrapped around Bellatrix's back when she felt the slender digits enter her. Her nails dug deeply into her lover's flesh and Bellatrix smothered her outcry of desire with a searing kiss.
"They can never love you like I love you," Bellatrix breathed into Hermione's ear as she flicked her thumb over the bundle of nerves. "Hearts and souls are nothing compared to how I feel for you. Not even death itself can undo what we are." Burning lips trailed down the side of Hermione's neck towards her collarbone. Their bodies glistened with a fine layer of sweat and Hermione clung on to Bellatrix's body as if it was her only lifeline.
Hermione's body lifted off the mattress when she hit her climax and she flung her arms around Bellatrix's neck, holding on until the blistering heat between her legs started to wear off and she was once again able to think. She collapsed against the pillows off the bed and trough half open eyes she watched the raven haired woman lay herself down beside her. Bellatrix's arm protectively wrapped itself around Hermione's waist and she kissed her shoulder blade, right where one of the scratches left behind by Susana sat on her skin.
"Nobody desires you the way I do," she whispered. There was a danger to her voice. "Not even my sisters." Sharp nails clawed across Hermione's bare stomach. "Neither of them."
~()~
Dawn brought rain to London. Thick drops slid down the glass of the bedroom window when Hermione woke. She became aware of the warm body lying beside her and rolled over to find Bellatrix still sleeping. The curtains were wide open and weak morning light fell into the room. The skies were packed with grey clouds and she could hear the storm winds howl around the castle. The weather had changed significantly over night as if to signal the start of something new, something dark.
Hermione carefully slipped out of bed and picked up her wand from the floor. She summoned her clothes and transfigured them into an elegant black dress with long sleeves that reached down to her ankles and clung to her frame. She used a simple spell on her hair and it bound itself in a ponytail. She left Bellatrix asleep in the bed and crossed the room to the door. Carefully she stepped out onto the landing and listened. All she could hear was the sound of rain hammering down on the glass dome.
She made her way down the stairs and into the large, high ceilinged living room. To her surprise she found she wasn't alone. Narcissa sat by the fire place, her legs curled up underneath her, reading a book. The blonde witch looked up when she heard Hermione enter and almost immediately her blue eyes darkened. She put down the book and squared her jaw.
"She lived," she said coolly. "The Weasley brat survived the night."
"Good," Hermione said. She became aware of the tension building in the room. "She will be of use to us in the future. Sooner or later the resistance will want her back. They'll come looking for her."
"She was right, you know," Narcissa said as she slowly stood up. "When she said you were scared." She fixed Hermione with her piercing stare. "You are afraid. What I am trying to understand is what it is you are afraid off. Losing us? Losing yourself?"
"I don't want to lose what we fought so hard for," Hermione said and the pride laced her words. She gestured around the room. "The ultimate power lies within us, Cissy. It is a part of us, a part of our whole existence. It feeds us. It brings us back together whenever we are forced apart. It's what made us survive; what helped us create everything we became."
"Then what is it that frightens you so much?" Narcissa whispered when she reached Hermione. Softly her hand cupped the brunette's cheek. The skin was red raw where Bellatrix had hit her the previous night. Narcissa's gaze lingered on the slowly developing bruise, registering what it was and how it had come to be there. Her pupils dilated. "You are afraid of finding out that you cannot hold onto what you created? That my sister will come and take away everything you are?"
"Andromeda is all but dead to me!" Hermione hissed. "She claims she loves me but she will never be able to forgive for what I have done. One day she will have to realise that."
"But you love her," Narcissa breathed. "Your eyes light up with love when your lips speak of hate." Her finger dipped down to Hermione's chin and lifted it up, forcing her to look at her. "You claim to love my sisters." She moved closer, her lips a mere inch from Hermione's. Suddenly her hand dropped from under her chin to wrist and grabbed it. "You claim you love them yet you never speak of love to me."
"I love you," Hermione sighed. The words lingered between them.
Narcissa's eyes narrowed. "Such lies." She withdrew her hand from Hermione's wrist. "Have you forgotten that first time I came to you, at Hogwarts? You spoke of betraying my sister. You said she would never know. Yet here we are; the three of us together and you favour Bellatrix more than me. You even favour my blood traiting sister more than me!"
"Cissy..." Hermione began but then she noticed the blonde had drawn her wand. She took her own and stepped away from the other witch. "You know you cannot kill me. The Core will recognise its twin and you cannot take my life."
"I can at least try!" Narcissa hissed. "IMPEDIMENTA!"
"PROTEGO!" Hermione's Shield Charm caused Narcissa's jinx to shoot across the room and crash into the wall. One of the windows shattered and the rain came pouring inside, drenching them both.
Upstairs a door opened and thundering footsteps made their way down the stairs. Bellatrix ran into the living room and found her sister and her lover facing each other. Both were panting as adrenaline pumped through their veins. Neither looked away from the other witch but when Bellatrix's arm slipped around Hermione's waist in an attempt to force her to lower her wand, Narcissa leapt forward.
"Gather yourself, Narcissa!" Bellatrix shrieked and placed herself in front of Hermione. "What is the meaning of this?!"
"The deceitful little whore!" Narcissa sneered. "Lying in your face about how she does not love our sister but her eyes tell the truth her words try to hide!"
"Is this what became of Lucius?!" Bellatrix questioned. "That night he came to see you, asking for your forgiveness and for a rekindling of your marriage? Is that why I found you washing the blood of the floor? Did you kill him because your heart has attached itself to another?!" Bellatrix's charcoal eyes held her sister's frozen blue. "Our hearts are not ours to give away, Cissy. They belong to us equally yet we cannot control what lives inside them."
"You will allow her to love that bitch?!" Narcissa hissed. "I see the way you look at her, Bella. It is the way I always hoped you would look at me. It is the way you used to look at her!"
"Silence!" Bellatrix barked and the anger dripped from her words. "Hold your tongue or I swear to God I will cut it out and do it for you." She turned around and looked at Hermione. "Did you start this?"
"Don't talk to me like I'm a child!" Hermione answered. "Don't look at me as if I'm insane. She's the crazy one!"
Bellatrix looked back at Narcissa. Many would never have believed the aristocratic Narcissa Malfoy to be the most unhinged of all. The soft, beautiful features masked true evil. She matched if not outdid her sister in her torture techniques and those who had once referred to Narcissa as the Ice Queen in the Daily Prophet many moons ago had no idea how right they were. Narcissa's soul was void of compassion. Her thoughts were darker than the blackest night. Even as a child she would surprise those who first saw her. Beyond those blue eyes lived a demon worse than hell itself.
"Love is wasted on you, Narcissa," Hermione spat as she stepped past Bellatrix. The older witch tried to take her wand from her but Hermione pulled her arm away but did not aim the weapon at Narcissa. "You need at least a fragment of a heart." She cocked her head. "Jealousy doesn't become you. It makes you spiteful and selfish."
"And dangerous," Bellatrix added.
"I love you, Cissy," Hermione said slowly. "What we share runs well beyond the comprehension of many souls outside these walls. I desire you as much as I desire your sister. Desire cannot be measured nor can it be understood. What drives me into your arms one moment and into the arms of another the next?" She rolled her wand through her fingers. "This ties me to you in a way nobody will ever know. I am always a part of you."
Narcissa stared at Hermione. "I have seen you, Hermione. You are dead inside. You feel nothing. You love nothing."
Hermione's eyes pierced into Narcissa's. "Then neither do you."