Hey so I'd say there are about three more chapters, including this one, until this section of the story ends. Let me know if you have any questions and I'll do my best to answer what I can.
Wednesdaysfire: Thanks, I try to make it exciting and the characters relatable.
LS505956: Thanks!
SH4D0W44: It is…but what?
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Mashiro09: Thanks so much!
I appreciate the support guys; also, sorry in advance.
Fighting Monsters
Chapter Fourteen: Rage
"Do not go gentle into that good night…rage, rage, rage against the dying of the light."
—Dylan Thomas
First Week Back at Hogwarts
Room of Requirement
"Stupefy!"
Bellatrix let out an impressed whistle as she watched the makeshift-dummy tremble, and fall apart, due to the strength of the spell. She waved her wand to remove any evidence of the five dolls that lay on the floor, dismantled.
Hermione quickly waved her hand, lazily, as she conjured up five more. "…I'm not finished." She said with a calm voice despite the strain her magic was putting on her.
She hasn't practiced this intensely since before the war as they prepared for battle.
"You've been in here for two hours straight, dove, you need to take a break," Bellatrix huffed as she walked over to wrap her arms around the bookworm. "…why are you doing this?" She whispered, letting her hands fall at her girlfriend's hips.
Hermione shivered at the feel of Bellatrix's voluminous body pressing against her back and the cool breath at her ear. "I have to be prepared for anything," She said even as she leaned back into the warmth.
Bellatrix hummed as she brushed aside thick brown locks to press wet kisses on the side of Hermione's neck. "I have to go to practice, so I can't stay to convince you to stop practicing. But I can say that I think you have nothing to worry about, the war is over, you don't have to do this anymore."
Hermione groaned, slamming her eyes closed as Bellatrix nipped her ear playfully. "I'll see you in a few, dove, don't stay too long." Bellatrix snickered before she went to the exit.
It took a few moments for Hermione to get her mind working again. "…" Hermione glared at the dummies before her as she contemplated the next spells she could practice.
She didn't have class for a while, so she wanted to spend this time doing something worthwhile. And despite Bellatrix's reassurance, she couldn't shake the feeling that something big was coming. If her dreams weren't proof enough, she didn't know what was.
"Whatever comes, all be ready," Hermione whispered to herself in her haze; gripping her wand tightly as she took a step forward.
For hours, she attacked the dummies, powerful spell after another following with precise and ease.
She awoke in a haze followed by a pounding headache. She let out a groan, placing a hand to her head, as she looked around the room in confusion. Nothing seemed to be out of the ordinary.
"…I must have fallen asleep at my desk again," McGonagall concluded. "I don't remember—ah," She flushed pink when she caught sight of an empty bottle of rum on her desk. "One of those nights I suppose," She muttered, before looking around at the paintings.
A sigh of relief followed when she noticed they were absent from their frames.
McGonagall grabbed her wand that was conveniently placed on her desk and used it to remove the empty bottle of alcohol. She also managed to remove the throbbing pain in her head before she stood up on weak legs.
"I can't wait for holiday," The headmistress mumbled, adjusting her cloak, before exiting her office.
Behind the closed door her muffled voice could be heard as she reprimanded a few first years. "No running in the halls!"
"Doesn't this look familiar," Bellatrix laughed softly as she watched Hermione pack a bag full of clothes on her bed.
Hermione looked up, observing Bellatrix who leaned against her closed door, arching an eyebrow curiously. "How so?" She questioned even as she used her wand to levitate more items from her drawer.
Bellatrix walked closer, smiling. "Reminds me of the last days of our sixth year. Andy told me you would be leaving and wouldn't return, so I stopped by your room—"
"—ah, yes, I remember." Hermione laughed at the memory. "You requested you come with Harry, Ron, and I to stop my uncle."
Bellatrix snorted, plopping down on the free space at the edge of the bed. "Your face was priceless, you were outraged at the thought of me joining the golden trio,"
Hermione smiled sheepishly; not proud of the way she had acted towards Bellatrix in the past.
"Yes, but, I must admit…" Bellatrix glanced up to listen as the bookworm stumbled on her words. "When you spoke about Andy, and how you wanted to be supportive of her and Ted, you softened my resolve. In that moment I would have said yes to anything," She admitted.
Hermione swallowed nervously at the intense black eyes observing her. "…a-and then you said you wanted to be that person for me, to be there for me. How you wanted to create your own destiny by joining us and not conforming to the person your parents wanted you to be," Hermione smiled softly, tucking a loose strand behind her ears.
"…that moment, when you showed me a real piece of you, the one you hide from everyone…that's when I started falling for you." Hermione connected her glazy brown eyes to impossibly dark. "I'm glad you were waiting for me on the other side of my door that day,"
Bellatrix blushed, standing up as Hermione finished packing. "Took you bloody long enough," She laughed when the bookworm nudged her playfully. "What? I've been waiting since our third year!"
Hermione nodded, holding her hands up in acceptance. "You're right, I've been oblivious, haven't I?"
"Don't worry, it's part of your charm," Bellatrix wrapped her arms around Hermione's shoulders to pull her, so they were pressed flushed against each other. "…are you finished packing?" She gestured to the bag on the bed.
Hermione sighed. "Yes, I made a list of things to bring months ago just in case a situation like this should arise. So, I used—"
"—an undetectable extension charmer, I know," Bellatrix said for her with a smirk.
Hermione smiled weakly, pulling away from the embrace hesitantly to close her bag fully. "I can't believe I'm being forced to leave Hogwarts again…I thought things would be boring without Harry and Ron here, that they were the ones who caused all our excitement,"
"I guess it's me," Hermione laughed darkly. "…maybe I'm the one who forces us to leave behind a trail of destruction wherever we go,"
Bellatrix shook her head, eyes fierce, warning. "Dove—"
"I mean, think about it! Riddle was my uncle after all, and if I hadn't kept my dreams a secret from the ministry then maybe we could have prevented Salazar from coming," Hermione reasoned. "But now I'm forced to leave so Hogwarts can stay safe,"
Hermione glared at the floor, pensive. "Maybe I've been the problem this whole time?"
When she did the math, she was the only recurring factor in the equations. Her relation to the dark lord caused him to target the school and her friends, her dreams brought Salazar to their universe, and their leaving was preventing Bellatrix from going to her quidditch match this Friday.
"Ack—" Hermione squealed as a weak bolt of electricity hit her stomach causing her to shiver. "Did you just hex me?" She turned to Bellatrix, baffled.
The dark-haired-witch hadn't hexed her in so long that she almost forgot the feeling.
Was it strange she missed it?
Missed the comforting tingle skipping down her spine all the way to the furious dark eyes impatiently waiting for her attention.
"Shut up," Bellatrix growled, having the mannerism of her old self; the one Hermione made sure to avoid in the halls. "If you think everything you've done has been a mistake—"
Hermione shook her head calmly despite the thick tension. "Never said it was a mistake, just that I'm the source of why Harry and Ron have to fend off death eaters—why I have to leave the school, so it doesn't get destroyed—why McGonagall was possessed—why you have to leave everything behind—"
"—you're my everything, you brilliant, idiot!" Bellatrix exclaimed, more furious than Hermione had ever seen her. "I don't care if I uproot everything to join you, haven't I proved that by following you to defeat Riddle? It's just a stupid quidditch match, for you I would destroy anything or anyone…don't you get that?"
Bellatrix ran a hand through her tousled hair. "And for you to just basically say you regret everything is just…I thought we were done with this? I thought we were done backtracking to when we used to unintentionally hurt each other or push each other away."
"I wasn't—" Hermione tried.
"Stop questioning this," Bellatrix stated. "Don't question the things that have helped shape you into who you are today; you'll only come up empty, and alone." She mumbled the last part softer.
Hermione dropped to the bed, rubbing her face, exhausted. "…I'm sorry," She learned from her father to apologize right away. "I'm just really overwhelmed right now, I—we, only have three days to come up with a plan." She confessed.
Bellatrix crossed her arms, still upset. "And we will. We're not alone, you'll write to Harry and Ron, and we're seeing your parents today. We'll figure it out, we always do,"
"Just, this time, I hope you don't have any obliviate spells or plot twists you're keeping from me," Bellatrix joked, trying to lighten the mood, and put a smile on her girlfriend's face.
Hermione couldn't help but snicker. "If I do then I'll be just as surprised as you," She stood up and grabbed her packed bag. "The good thing is, we're both ahead in our classes so we can skip a few…I'm just sorry that you'll miss your match,"
"I'm not," Bellatrix said automatically.
Hermione embraced the butterflies consuming her stomach. "…well, I know how much it means to you, so I promise we'll have Salazar taken care of by then." She turns to her door and opens it with Bellatrix behind her. "We can stop by your dorm and—"
"—you're here!" Andy's ecstatic voice interrupted her.
Bellatrix groaned as her little sister closed the door and locked them in the room. "Andromeda,"
Hermione stepped back awkwardly to give them space. She didn't want to get hit in the cross fire of the two sisters and she knew Bellatrix was furious. They had just gotten out of their own little lover's spat, and she had used Andy's full name.
"The letter was from Narcissa and I met with her." Andy revealed with a look of determination; causing the couple to gape. "I've been trying to get your attention all week, but you wouldn't listen. She wanted to meet with me to talk about coming back and told me not to tell you," She said quickly, leaving her sister no room for argument.
Andy swallowed when her sister stepped closer. "A-and you have no right to be upset with me because I tried to tell you all week, but you kept pushing me away and—"
"Is she okay?" Bellatrix demanded, eyes desperate as she clutched her sister's shoulders. "Did she look well, was she happy?"
It hurt that Cissy didn't want to see her but all she cared about was her wellbeing at this point.
Andy nodded, dumbfounded. "Aye, she's getting married to Malfoy when she graduates; not against her will, she said she loves him and that he's keeping her safe in one of his estates,"
Bellatrix released her shakily. "…what did she need?"
She would do anything for her sister.
"You," Andy nodded to Hermione who frowned. "She wants you to go to the ministry and vouch for, if not our parents, then Narcissa. Say she was forced by Riddle to do the things she did during the war, so she can return to school and live a normal life," She confessed.
Hermione glances at Bellatrix before shrugging. "Sure, I can—"
"No, you have other things to deal with," Bellatrix said. "Write a statement with your signature and I will present the case to the ministry."
Andy shook her head. "Will it work?"
Hermione nods with a soft smile. "Bella is a war hero, part of the golden trio's success, they'll take her word for it." She turns around to walk over to her desk to prepare the statement.
Andy swallows thickly, nervous. "I'm going with you."
"Okay," Bellatrix nodded with ease.
Andy relaxed her shoulders, having expected more of a fight out of her sister.
Bellatrix turns back to her girlfriend who is writing away. "I'll try to stop by the heads' office and get him to hear me out today despite the short notice. While I do that you make sure you reach out to Harry and Ron,"
"Sounds like a plan," Hermione hands her the completed statement as she stands. "Contact me if you have any issues."
Bellatrix places a chaste kiss on her cheek, an apology. "I'll see you soon, okay?"
Hermione lets her forehead fall on a broad shoulder for just a moment. "Yeah," She takes in the familiar hint of vanilla on Bellatrix that is stuck to her bedsheets.
"Bella," Andy says softly, not wanting to ruin the moment but in a hurry.
Bellatrix moves away only when Hermione nods. "Okay," She turns around before she can get distracted again and follows her sister out the door.
Hermione watches them leave with a heavy sigh before she gathers the rest of her bags and prepares to depart back home.
A figure walks through a century old protective force field with ease as they stumble across a large mansion painted black. The green drapes hanging within draw an honest smile as they step closer.
"Once a Slytherin, always a Slytherin," Salazar remarked as he walked across the large lawn surrounded by multiple trimmed bushes before reaching the steps. "…this one is nicer than the one in my universe," He comments with a huff, somewhat jealous.
It didn't take long for him to track down one of his manors. There was so much power, dark magic, similar to his just calling out to him. He had felt it the moment he had enough strength to leave that older witches body last night. But, just like him, it was very well hidden. So, it took even him a few hours to find it after coming up empty with a few decoy manors.
He tapped his foot impatiently when he reached the closed front doors. "Open up or I'll force these doors down," Salazar snarled, emphasizing on his pureblood status and Slytherin attitude.
When the doors creaked open, recognizing him, he snorted. "That's what I thought," He muttered before shoving his way through when the doors didn't open fast enough.
Salazar glances at the spacious living room seeming to be abandoned for years. His gaze wanders to the family pictures hanging above the wall to indicate the Slytherin bloodline; in the form of a family tree. He finds this universe's version of himself at the front before he looks further to find Tom and Wendell.
"…interesting," Salazar remarks when he finds Hermione right after Wendell. "Maybe I was wrong, she might pose as a bigger threat than I anticipated."
But then again, it would make things much more fun.
Salazar waves his hand to create a sand timer, setting it to go off after three days, before he lets it float in the air aimlessly.
"Now, one more thing I have to handle," He walks down the steps and searchers the lower section until he finds what he's looking for. "…this is familiar," Salazar mumbles, walking towards a makeshift safe, moving passed the large flames on either side of the wall. "…"
He approaches the cool gray iron vault in the shape of a safe lock. Muscle memory causes him to reach out for the knob below the dial, clutching it tightly, causing drops of blood to fall, before the bolts release on the other side. The wizard released the handle as the vault opened with ease.
"Hello to you too," He sighed, embracing the dark magic as it pulled him in. "…not today I'm afraid, I'm searching for something far more useful," He said, avoiding the taunting box sitting upon a stack of books.
Salazar walked through the maze of books that seemed to reach the high ceiling. His green eyes darted back and forth, following the pull of magic, until he saw it. There, in a glass case connected to the wall, lie the very wand belonging to Salazar Slytherin himself.
Or at least the deceased one in this universe.
"Just what I was looking for," He snapped open the case and gently removed the wand; taking in the power it possessed. "Now I'm ready,"
Now, having received what he was in search of, the wizard exits the vault. Carrying his own personal wand that has been passed down through generations, he leaves.
Taking nothing else because it does him no good here.
Four powerful beings sit on their own separate thrones as they cast judgement upon their subordinates. Despite all four of them being equally powerful, one of the four steps forward to speak to the messenger standing before them.
"Speak, what do you have for us today?" The superior questions; the other three sit, back on their thrones, to observe.
The messenger places their arms behind their back. "We have had a breech, your grace. It has occurred in your own personal domain. Salazar Slytherin from universe 362 has been taken and moved to universe 279…coincidentally, this is the very universe where the girl who has become equipped with our abilities reside."
The superior growls, causing the area around them to shake; startling the beings in the audience. "I told no one to interfere. Until I find the underlying cause of this, I am putting a hold on any traveling to other universes as well as the point of no return." The voice boomed through the bright room with conviction.
"Nothing gets in or out until I say so,"
In the mist of all the commotion an unknown figure slips out.
"You never call!" Monica exclaims at the dining table. "Of course, I'm surprised when you show up at the house for lunch,"
Hermione scratched the back of her neck sheepishly. "I'm all caught up with my classes, so I thought, why not?" She lied easily.
She had surprised her parents and they were ecstatic to have her home. They were a little surprised, but they missed having her home and they didn't have to go out of town for work until later in the month. She didn't tell them about Salazar just yet; didn't want to spoil their happiness right now.
"How's classes going? I know you're ahead of your studies, but I have to ask anyway," Wendell said from the head of the table as he picked at his fruit salad. "Any new spells you've learned?"
Hermione shook her head. "Not really, everything is sort of like a repeat but advanced. But I've been looking into these advanced topics since…fifth year? So, nothing has caught my attention," She leaned her head into the palm of her hand. "I spend most of my time preparing for my N.E.W.T.S and preparing my end of the year thesis." She confessed.
The end of the year thesis had to be completed by every seventh year looking to graduate. They had to research a topic of interest, present unique findings, and explain what they studied. Many students choose easy topics like love potions and their effects on people or choose a magical creature to study and write about that.
Bellatrix herself told Hermione she had been contemplating potions as well. But not a simple one, she was working on creating a potion that could give someone the ability to become a shapeshifter. She hadn't told Hermione much about it, just about what it would do and her issues with finding a way to make it last for a long period of time.
When Bellatrix arrives to the bookworms' prefect room later than usual, and when Hermione knows she didn't have quidditch that day, Hermione assumes she's working on the potion.
"Any ideas for your thesis?" Her father asked.
She shook her head. "Afraid not, this is the only thing I'm not on top of," She confessed.
One time she thought of dark magic vs light magic as a topic. But since she was still struggling with both she didn't deem it appropriate.
"How's Bella?" Of course, her mother asks.
Hermione flushes; still not used to Bella being so close with her mum. "Uhm, she's fine, she'll be here shortly. Had to take care of something with her sisters,"
Monica beamed. "Bella is coming as well? You should have warned me, now I have to make more food for dinner, I'll need you to get some supplies from the store—"
"It's fine mum," Hermione said but it was futile as Monica hurried into the kitchen. "…guess not," She sighed, leaning back in her seat, having been left with her father.
She didn't even know if Bella would be back in time for dinner.
Wendell took a sip from his glass, humming. "Let her be happy and cook for Bella, it's better than the alternative,"
Hermione frowned. "What do you mean?"
"She's been so tense, even after we defeated Tom, I can barely say his name without her flinching." He confessed. "But she's getting better, after having you in school without anything crazy happening—I think she's back to normalcy,"
Wendall glanced at her. "It's your last year at Hogwarts Hermione, and after the years you've had, I expect you to take it easy. I know I don't have to tell you this, Harry and Ron were the real trouble makers, but just keep a low profile. Sooner than you think, you'll be out in the real wizarding world working towards your career in whatever you decide."
"So, end your last year on a high note," He said, his final piece of advice. "Go to Bella's quidditch matches, get wasted at their parties, just…enjoy being a seventeen-year-old while it lasts." Wendell smiled at her boyishly.
Hermione nodded, giving him a weak one in return. "Yeah, okay dad," She stood up shakily. "Uhm, I'm going to unpack, I've missed my room and all,"
Wendall frowned but nodded anyway. "Okay sweetie, you'll be down for dinner?"
"Yeah," Hermione barely got out of the dining room before she fell into the nearby wall as her legs gave out.
She couldn't breathe, let alone tell her parents what was really happening. How could she? Her mother was finally getting back to her normal life and her father was happy to finally close the case with the ministry. They were happy right now, more than they have been with Riddle lurking around.
It was out of the question. She would have to deal with this without their help. They were so content, and she wouldn't dare ruin it.
"…" Hermione found some strength to stumble upstairs into her room before closing the door.
The first thing that caught her eye was the folded piece of paper sitting on her desk. Curiously, she walked over to examine it. She sucked in a breath as she read the words on the page.
Dear Hermione,
I have honored our agreement and will be staying away from Hogwarts until we settle things between us. Currently, I am residing in the Slytherin Manor that I know you are familiar of. At the end of our three-day peace treaty, I expect you to come here so we can keep any innocent people out of this.
We will battle in the backyard of the manor. This area is protected so only few can enter so we won't have to worry about unwanted people sneaking in. Remember the rules. You will only meet with me alone or I will make the decision on how to move forward for you.
And you won't like my solution.
See you soon,
Salazar Slytherin
"At least he's keeping his promise," Hermione mumbled before crumbling the paper. "…I have no choice then," She sighed, reaching out for two blank sheets of paper.
If she couldn't get her father to help, then she needed to get Harry and Ron to help her deal with this. They told her they would come running whenever she asked them, and she knew they would keep their word; they were her friends.
She could count on them.
"Bellatrix Black didn't think I'd see you back here so soon," Edward Stark, the president of the ministry of magic acknowledged. "Please, have a seat, and you are?" He gestured to the younger girl.
Andy smiled shyly as she sat beside her sister in the office. "Andromeda Black,"
"It's a pleasure," He said honestly. "Now, I'm sorry if you had to wait long to see me. I don't usually allow pop ins but for you, Miss Black, I had to make an exception; you are, of course, a war hero. You have helped the ministry take down one of the greatest evils, so we are in your debt."
Bellatrix smiles softly. "I hope it's not too soon to cash that in?"
"What do you require?" Mr. Stark asked curiously, dropping his chin into his crossed hands.
"My sister, Narcissa, wants to be pardoned from the war along with my parents. She was only a child when the dark lord used her, she had no choice," Bellatrix began, pulling out the statement. "All she wants, is to return to Hogwarts to live a normal life outside the shadows."
Bellatrix handed him the paper in her hand. "Hermione wrote a formal statement to display how she agrees Narcissa should be stricken from the record without punishment,"
"She was just a second year when he reached out to her," Andy pleaded. "We weren't the best sisters, thought she was too young to hang out with our friends. So, we didn't protect her like we should have, it's our fault. Don't let this ruin her life,"
Edward looked up when he was finished reading the letter, he nodded. "…I will have stricken her involvement from the record because she was only a minor and because everyone is ready to put this war behind them. Your parents as well,"
"But," The duo looked up. "They will have to do some community work for the ministry and attend counseling with Narcissa for a few months,"
Andy stood up, cheerful. "Thank you so much,"
He smiled. "It's my pleasure, I will get the word out to the Aurors' so they will be free to return home by the end of the week. Narcissa will have to speak to the headmistress at Hogwarts about returning but everything should work itself out," He promised.
"Thanks again," Bellatrix said honestly.
Edward nodded. "We owe you, it's no problem at all,"
They left him to his paperwork once all was settled.
"This is great, I'll send Cissy the letter about the good news and schedule a meeting with her," Andy grinned.
Bellatrix nodded. "I'll meet her with you," She left no room for argument.
"Of course," Andy bumped her shoulder playfully. "…you're a war hero. Sometimes I forget, because you're a jerk sometimes and my sister, so you're lame, but that was cool. You didn't have to use your status to help her,"
The eldest scoffed. "Of course, I did, she's our little sister so we have to look out for her. No matter how much we all fight, we must always look out for our family,"
"…yeah," Andy smiled before sighing heavily. "So, I guess you're going to head back to see Hermione then?"
Bellatrix paused, glancing at the disappointed look on her sister's face. "…I can head over tomorrow morning. How about we spend the night at Hogsmeade, get tipsy?"
"I guess," Andy tried to play it off, like she had better things to do, but she couldn't stop the bright grin from breaking out on her face.
Sometimes Bellatrix forgot how lonely her sister could get without having Ted around. And she supposed she had been neglecting her lately.
So, she'd give her this night.
6 Months Before Bellatrix's First Year
Black Manor, Family Garden
"Are you excited?" An eight-year-old Andromeda asked from where she sat in the grass with her legs crossed. "For Hogwarts?"
Bellatrix, ten years old, shrugged. "Excited to get away from mum and her stupid rules," She looked at the curved wand she bought a few weeks ago in her hand. "And I want to learn some cool spells,"
Andy rolled her eyes. "Of course, you do," She muttered. "It'll be boring without you. No one to blow things up or ruin furniture. Remember, when we first found out you had magic? Nearly set the whole house on fire," She laughed.
Bellatrix snickered. "Yeah, now I can finally do something useful with it,"
"Dad said he's never seen someone at your age conjure so much power, I wasn't even like that," Andy confessed, a spark of excitement in her eyes. "You'll be a great witch…just try not to taunt too many muggle-borns," There was a sensitivity in her eyes at the mention.
Bellatrix looked away. "I don't care about that stuff, and you don't have to either, but we have to live up to our name. Keep up the act until we get old enough to protect ourselves," She lowered her voice when she caught sight of their younger sister running to them.
"What are you guys doing?" Narcissa asked, immediately moving to stand by Bellatrix.
Andy stood up, smiling at the six-year-old. "Just talking Cissy," She gestured to the house. "How about we play some wizards chess inside, hmm?"
Cissy pouted. "But Bella always wins,"
"I'll go easy," Bellatrix said sheepishly, rubbing the back of her neck.
Andy frowned. "Don't you dare!"
Cissy smiled up at the eldest. "Bella, when you come back, can you teach me some cool spells?"
Bellatrix nodded. "Of course,"
A dark figure snatches the two envelopes from an owl standing atop the cluttered desk. The figure feeds the waiting owl before sending it on its way. The snap of a finger ignites a fire used to burn the two letters down to ash.
"Still no lead," A low voice says from outside the tent. "I'm getting sick of hanging around here, Harry,"
The chosen one walks into the tent, frowning. "…do you smell that?"
Ron shakes his head, choosing to fall onto his uncomfortable cot. "No, what's it smell like?"
"Like something was burning," Harry looked around the tent but after a moment of coming up empty he shrugged. "I'm probably just making up fake issues because I'm so bored here, searching for these bloody death eaters," He sat down at his crowded desk, sighing. "I wish Hermione was here, I bet she could find out where they're hiding,"
Ron nodded, smiling softly at the thought of her. "…yeah, she's brilliant," He whispers dreamily.
"Wish we could see her," Harry confessed. "I'd drop anything to catch up with her,"
Ron sighed heavily. "Few more months mate,"
"They're taking forever," Harry groaned.
The next morning Hermione is awakened by voices downstairs. She rubs her eyes, removing the sleep, as she takes a moment before getting out of bed. Dressed in a heavy blue hoodie that belonged to Bellatrix, black running tights, and white socks, Hermione stretched her back.
Her eyebrows knitted together, curious, when she caught sight of a letter on her desk. An owl must have dropped it off while she was sleeping.
Hoping for a response from her friends, Hermione ripped the letter open and hurried to read it.
Dear Hermione,
We just got a huge lead on where some death eaters are hiding out, so we can't make it down there. But whatever you were contacting us about, you don't need our help. You can handle it yourself.
Love,
Harry
Hermione blinked away tears of frustration as she crumbled the letter in her hands. She understood of course, they had other things to do and she didn't give them much information in her letters. But at the same time, something didn't seem right. Harry wouldn't brush the issue aside like this, she knew him better.
And he would never be so short with her.
"…" Keeping it in the back of her mind, she turned around to walk downstairs to see what was going on in the living room. "Why are you two so loud, it's too early?"
"Look whose finally up," Her fathers voice said teasingly from his spot on the single chair in the living room.
Hermione opened her mouth only to squeak out. "Bella?"
"Dove," Bellatrix snickered, looking up from the couch with a grin. "Love the hair,"
Hermione, used to the other witch seeing her so messy this early in the morning, sat beside her. "When did you get in?" She asked, leaning her head on the witch's shoulder; taking in her fresh scent.
"Just a couple hours ago," Bellatrix confessed, reaching out to brush away a few strands of hair from the bookworms' face.
Monica smiled happily. "How long are you two staying?"
Bellatrix frowned, glancing at the bookworm who spoke before she could. "Just two more days, Bella has a match this Friday," Hermione stood up quickly. "But, mum, you said you needed me to pick up some supplies for dinner?"
Her mother shook her head. "Yes, but, you're here to relax I don't want you running around—"
"It's our pleasure," Hermione gently dragged Bellatrix to her feet with a smile. "We need to get some fresh air anyways…text me the list?" She put her sneakers on where they sat in front of the door.
Monica hummed. "Okay then, when you two get back we can spend the day shopping and maybe a movie night?"
"Sounds great mum, see you guys soon," Hermione said, smiling throughout it all.
Bellatrix frowned, letting her girlfriend close the door behind them. "They don't know?" She hissed after a moment.
Hermione pulled her away from the door, dragging her out onto the empty sidewalk. "I couldn't tell them," She confessed.
"Why the hell not?" Bellatrix huffed.
"Because, my dad basically guilt tripped me last night without knowing it," Hermione crossed her arms. "Talked about how my mum was finally getting back to normal and how she isn't flinching whenever she hears my uncles name. He told me he was glad to finally put everything behind us, and that I should have an uneventful last year,"
Hermione ran a hand through her hair. "I just can't do it to them, Bella. I can't pop the protective bubble they've created, they're finally happy and I don't want to ruin it." She pleaded.
"Fine, okay, we don't tell your parents," Bellatrix reasoned with a sigh. "What about Harry and Ron?" She suggested.
Hermione shoved her hands into her pocket, looking away. "…Harry said they found a lead and—"
"Are you kidding me?" Bellatrix growled. "Hermione, we can't defeat Salazar bloody Slytherin on our own. We need help and we're running out of time,"
Hermione bit her lip as she contemplated their options. "Why can't we? We're strong enough aren't we?"
Bellatrix shook her head. "Mione—"
"No, we can't always rely on everyone Bella, sometimes we have to handle things on our own," Hermione declared. "It's not like I haven't been training…it's partly my fault for letting him cross over, so it's my duty to get rid of him,"
Another mess she had to clean up. It was becoming somewhat of a pattern and she didn't know how to break it.
"But you're not alone." Bellatrix said, looking down when Hermione didn't respond. "…Mr. Stark is letting Cissy and my parents go, said she'll be free by the end of the week; maybe in school by the end of the month." She tried to change the subject briefly, cool things down.
Hermione smiled softly, genuinely happy. "That's great Bella, is that why you took so long to get here? The meeting ran late or something?"
"Mr. Stark saw us right away because of my involvement in ending the war, so we weren't there long," Bellatrix admitted. "But after, Andy seemed like she needed some sister time. And with Ted gone, I figured she's been a little lonely, so we went out to get drinks,"
Hermione raised an eyebrow. "Really? I've never seen you drink, not even at parties,"
"That's because you've never seen me at parties," Bellatrix snorted.
"I have so," Hermione declared. "We go to parties after your matches all the time, you hang out with your friends for a while before you drag me away to snog in my dorm," She flushed at the memory.
Bellatrix rolled her eyes. "That's because we're dating. I'd rather spend the night with you than stay out late with the team. But before we were together, around the time of our fifth year…I wouldn't get wasted but, I'd have a fun time." She said to put it in simpler terms.
"I'm not sure if I would like to have crossed paths with an uninhibited Bellatrix," Hermione decided.
The witch was already to terror when she was sober.
Bellatrix shrugged. "Yeah, I get a little flirty, you couldn't handle it back then."
Hermione narrowed her eyes. "…did you get flirty last night?"
"Didn't get that wasted, someone had to get us back safely," Bellatrix said firmly. "But I was too tired to come here after, so I crashed in Andy's room. I used a spell to get rid of my hangover, took a bath, and made sure Andy sent the letter to Cissy before I left."
The bookworm nodded. "When are you going to see her?"
"Not sure yet," Bellatrix admitted. "We can worry about that once we take care of the situation at hand. Who else can we call? We don't even know what he's doing, he could be tormenting muggles—"
Hermione interrupted her softly. "He's not, he sent me a letter saying he was at the Salazar Manor. I think he'll keep his word, it's his major flaw; he must keep his honor code. It's why he's given me three days,"
"How sweet of him," Bellatrix snorted. "…so, we're doing this alone then? Going up against Salazar Slytherin himself," She laughed darkly. "Never thought I'd say this, but, I'd rather face Riddle."
Bellatrix turns to her, stopping their slow walk down the empty neighborhood. "How are you so calm right now? We don't have a plan—"
"But I have you." Hermione whispered, looking away from the witch to stare at the blue sky. "…this morning when I received Harry's letter, the weight of everything threatened to crush me—tried to destroy my fight against the darkness."
She still struggled with it from time to time. It wasn't getting any better but at least she wasn't giving in.
Hermione glares at her feet. "It just seems like, lately, the universe has been against me. I know I sound crazy or self-centered—whatever…but, I've been thinking hard on this all month. There are three key factors that have kept me from tumbling into the darkness."
"The support from my parents, my friendship with Harry and Ron, and my relationship with you," Hermione confessed, looking up at a mute Bellatrix. "Then suddenly, Salazar appears and stirs things up. My parents aren't here to help me, and it seems like Harry and Ron have left me hopeless as well." She frowns. "It's like I'm being tested."
Bellatrix purses her lips, fingers twitching at her side as she listens.
"You're the only thing keeping me anchored right now, and I, I don't know what I would do if I lost you." Hermione confesses through teary eyes. "I don't know if I can fight it this time, not without you. He wants to meet me alone, I know you don't want that but, it's what its' come to."
Hermione swallowed as she tried to gather some courage. "…I don't know what will happen when I face him, but I know I have to say this before I leave…I have slowly fallen more in love with you from the moment you used your Patronus to save me from that dementor." She finally confessed, looking away as Bellatrix's eye widened.
She smiled at the memory of Bellatrix's black panther Patronus showing up in her time of need.
"I was suffocating, but then you showed up and I could suddenly breathe again…it may be sudden or maybe it's not, we have been courting for a while; and it would eventually lead to this but—" Hermione shut her eyes and rushed the words out. "I want to spend the rest of my life with you. Take this however you want to; whoever you want me to be in your life, I'll be it."
She didn't know if she was going to come up on top this time. But when it was all over, she wanted Bellatrix to be waiting for her on the other side of it all. Maybe her motivation to create a future with the other witch would give her all the strength she would need for the battle.
"…well?" Hermione whispered after a longer pause than she expected. "Are you going to say something or are you just going to leave me standing here awkwardly?" She laughed but nothing was amusing.
She had just poured her heart out to the love of her life.
Bellatrix shook her head, black eyes unfocused, as she tried to speak. "I…I don't," The witch tripped over her words, eyebrows knit together in frustration.
Hermione stumbled, taking a step back as her knees threatened give out. "T-that's fine, you don't have to give me an answer. I just wanted to let you know how I felt, it's not like I was expecting—it's fine!" She held her hands up when Bellatrix tried to reach out. "It was stupid anyway, we haven't even been dating that long so…" She trailed off nervously.
"…" Bellatrix opened her mouth only to slam it closed.
"I'm just," Hermione point aimlessly behind her, looking away from Bellatrix's panicked black eyes. "Bye," Her voice cracked, matching the louder sound that followed as she apparated away.
Bellatrix was stuck to examine the marks left on the ground where her girlfriend had disappeared. Her jaw clenched as she grinded her teeth furiously. Her black eyes moved back and forth rapidly as she tried to process what had just happened.
Weeks After the Trio Left Hogwarts
The Burrow
"So we beat on, boats against the current, borne back ceaselessly into the past." Hermione quotes, dropping her book with a sigh. "…why must you insist I read the last sentence before we even start the book?" She eyed the witch beside her as they each lean against an oak tree.
They were unaware of Mrs. Weasley's and Ginny's eyes on them from the kitchen window. The duo were far too caught up in their own antics to notice.
Bellatrix shrugged, bored, as she used her wand to levitate a fallen acorn. "I want to see if it'll be worth my time."
"Do you do this with all your books?" Hermione huffed, but couldn't help but be amused.
Bellatrix winked at her. "Just the muggle ones you read to me," She kept talking despite the outraged look the bookworm gave her. "And from the ending, this one seems like it'll be dreadful."
"Hey!" Hermione objected, face flushed as she tried to make a comeback without getting lost in those dark orbs. "I'll have you know, The Great Gatsby is an excellent novel by F. Scott Fitzgerald, and surely worthwhile."
Bellatrix nodded, not in the mood to argue. "I'll be the judge of that," She waved her hand aimlessly. "Continue,"
Hermione smiled brightly before she flipped to the first page. Bellatrix closed her eyes content, for a moment, as she listened to the bookworms soothing voice; as she read the opening paragraph.
"In my younger and more vulnerable years my father gave me some advice that I've been turning over in my mind ever since. Whenever you feel like criticizing anyone, he told me, just remember that all the people in this world haven't had the advantages that you've had."
The burning started slow, before it built itself up into a monstrous flame. It had been cold for so long so at first, the heat was welcome. But it kept building, growing more violent, destructive. The flames taunted the darkness, daring it to come out to play as they prepared to wreak havoc.
"So much unkept energy just waiting to burst," A voice teased, Salazar standing up from the chair he was sitting in as he overlooked the garden. "…you're early," He noted.
Hermione cracked her neck, eyes dark. "Can't stop the inevitable. I'll have to face you by myself anyway so I'm making the decision for both of us, let's finish this now."
He barked out a laugh, lifting his black wand he had removed from the vault. "I'm surprised you came alone. The look in that girls' eyes, the one who was with you that day, it was unwilling. I was sure she wouldn't let you leave without her."
Magic jumped viciously within, threatening to breech the surface, as Bellatrix was brought into the mix.
"Well she's not here." Hermione said, trying to convince even herself.
She half expected Bellatrix to storm through the barrier to fight by her side like she promised.
But things change.
"If I win you will leave and never return," Hermione declared, readying her wand with a spell on the tip of her tongue.
Salazar smirked. "And if I win, you will not interfere with my plans for this world,"
"Then we have an understanding," Hermione stepped forward as she crouched into a dueling stance she had perfected through years of battling. "Stupefy!" She lashed out, a simple spell to test the waters.
Salazar waved his wand to block it with ease. "Protego!" He barked out a laugh. "You'll have to do better than that,"
To prove his case, Salazar throws a blazing green spell towards her.
Hermione thinks back to how she wanted to protect herself and Bellatrix from the darkness that night in McGonagall's office. Her magic threatens to break loose, and this time she allows the sensation to overcome her. A vibrant purple void surrounds her. She surprises him when instead of blocking it, she takes it head on; blocking the spell with full force.
"That's the same protection barrier you used to fend of my dark magic's advances before," He claimed, observing the way his spell fell apart on impact. "It's impressive, but how long do you think you can hold it? I'm sure it's draining." The wizard teased, hitting her with another spell.
She discovered that her barrier could protect her from the dark magic's call on her when she used it in McGonagall's office. As long as she kept it around her, she could fight without the voices taunting her to give in.
"I can handle it," Hermione wasn't phased as spell after spell dissipated upon contact of her barrier. "I have Slytherin blood in my veins after all…"
She whispered a spell to herself, watching two stunning spells aim at the wizard from behind. Her eyes narrowed, blocking out the sudden green burst of light, as her attacks came in contact with an invisible field. Hermione frowned in frustration.
"Where do you think your ability came from?" Salazar questioned with an eyebrow raised. "I created this ward, it has been passed down through my bloodline, so it could be used for generations. You're using my own moves against me." He laughed, outraged. "Your shield is strong but it's obvious you have barely mastered it; if you had then you would have the sense to make it invisible."
Salazar tossed another spell at her only for it to be blocked. "…a simple invisibility spell could fix that." He hinted.
"Evanesco," Hermione whispered, pleased to watch her purple shield turn transparent.
"You're a quick learner which is to be expected from one of my descendants. Now, how about you lower that ward before you waste your energy," He suggested, giving her a moment; sighing when she refused. "…suit yourself."
Hermione screamed in agony as Salazar attacked with a disarming spell. She could fell her ward fall apart within seconds as she collided to the ground with a throbbing pain in her side. On her back, she whispered a rapid healing spell, before she struggled to her feet.
Let us help you…
Hermione shook her head. "…I don't need your help." She growled, struggling to force her ward back up around her.
It flickered to life slowly, like a used-up light bulb trying to provide light.
"No, you don't!" Salazar shouted, hitting her with another spell to prevent her ward from rising. "You can't block out the call of dark magic! It will only make you weak, you will never be at your best." He hissed, twirling his wand as he waited for her to get off the ground.
"You have to fight it mentally or embrace it." Salazar declared, letting his own darkness surface as an example. "…you'll be stronger if you just take it in. I know you understand the feeling, you wouldn't be acting like this if you hadn't embraced it once before."
Let us help.
You'll be stronger.
Hermione breathed in heavily, ducking her head further into the blue hoodie wrapped around her. The faint smell of Bellatrix's shampoo grounded her. Gave her the strength to rise.
"No." Hermione's brown eyes were lighter than they had ever been. "…she wouldn't want that, I don't want that. I can defeat you with light magic—my magic." She declared.
Memories of moments spent with Harry and Ron pop up in her mind as she walks forward. The voices quiet down into nothingness when she pictures her parents waiting on her in the living room for movie night. And her magic roars when she thinks of those tempting black eyes.
It doesn't matter if Bellatrix doesn't reciprocate her feelings at the moment. The witch had stood by Hermione's side despite how many times the bookworm had pushed her away. She would be whoever Bellatrix wanted her to be in her life.
Just as long as she was part of it.
"It's only fair," Hermione says as she attacks with the same spell he used to remove her ward.
Salazar whistles as his field falls apart. "You learned how to use the spell, just by getting knocked down by it…" He blocks the multiple spells she throws his way. "…they're stronger than before?" He whispers to himself, stumbling back slightly as he barely manages to block an attack.
"…" Hermione wordlessly aims her wand, a large burst of purple magic aiming towards the wizard.
Salazar greets it with a quick protection spell, causing it to bounce up into the air. "You can't beat me!" He taunts, despite being pushed back by her power. "Do you know why?"
Hermione frowns, glaring at him as they pause in their fighting. "I don't—"
"—because if you want to stop me, you'll have to kill me. And we both know you won't do that, you're too weak." Salazar grinned at the irritation on her face. "Before I found my manor, I did a little research about this universe and you intrigue me. Despite how powerful you were, you couldn't kill your uncle by yourself; had to get daddy to do it for you."
He laughed at the twitch her eyebrow gave. "Did I hit a nerve?"
"You talk too much—" Hermione sighed.
"—and you can't defeat me, so you might as well let me go." Salazar smirked. "You won't kill me."
Hermione frowned, tilting her head to the side. "Who said I was going to kill you?" She speaks over him to prevent another lengthy speech. "I just said I wanted you out of my universe. By killing you, I would be forced to place judgement on you…but that's not my place."
"My only job is to protect this world from people like you,"
Salazar steps back as an unnatural presence fills the air; a light so bright, surrounding the witch standing before him. "Then what are you planning to do?" He drew his wand up when he watched her kneel down on the floor.
"I'm sending you back." Hermione's voice was stoic, brown eyes determined as her right palm connected to the ground. "My father, from your universe, will decide on your punishment."
Salazar hit her with an attack despite the blinding light. "What power do you have to do such a thing? None!" He was grasping for straws.
The light around her reflected his attack as she focused all her magic into the palm of her hand. A white source of magic sprung forth, in the form of a shadow, as it stretched out towards the wizard.
"No!" Salazar leaped back, trying to outrun the blistering shadow, as he drops his wand in the process. "Release me!" He screamed when the rope of magic tied itself around his leg; burning hot.
Hermione smirked. "…careful what you wish for,"
Within seconds, she lifted her palm from the ground. A circular portal materialized with blinding speed, consuming the wizard. Hermione watched as Salazar fell into the unknown void that would lead him back home.
Just as quick as it came, it was gone.
Hermione stands up in the empty garden of the manor, now alone. Wordlessly, she walks over to the place her ancestor had just been standing moments ago. She kneels down to collect the fallen wand that she recognized as the one belonging in the family vault.
Hermione smiles softly at the dark wand. "…let's put you back where you belong."
The witch doesn't jump when a familiar voice calls out. "Well done, Miss Granger," She stands with her back to the wizard as she gathers her thoughts. "How did you know what to do?"
Hermione shrugged, slowly turning around to face him. "I figured, if I could bring him here then I could take him back." She frowns, not feeling the need to draw her wand. "Are you finally going to tell me what this is all about?"
Dumbledore smiles, a white light surrounding him like her ward had. "You figured it out?" His eyes sparked, impressed.
"Not completely," Hermione confessed, looking down at her right hand. "…but I had a feeling you had something to do with it. So," She narrowed her eyes at him, untrusting. "Are we finished playing games?"
The wizard nods, gesturing to the portal behind him. "Come with me," Hermione watches him walk into the brightly lit void with ease; giving her flashbacks of a similar experience.
"You're finally ready." His voice echoes from the light.
Hermione, with not much of a choice, follows Dumbledore willingly into the unknown.
Her curiosity always got the best of her after all.