Disclaimer: Nope, I still own nothing of the Harry Potter world.
A/N: Thanks to everyone who offered me their well wishes this last week. I am feeling much better although it takes some time to get completely over pneumonia. The reviews were great this week! Thanks to everyone who commented. And without further ado here is chapter 17.
Chapter 17
Hermione Granger woke to unfamiliar surroundings. She found herself in a large and very comfortable four poster bed. The bed faced a large bay window that looked over a very beautiful manicured lawn and hedges, a little further off and she could see a large grove of trees possibly a forest. To her left was a small fireplace with an all marble mantle piece. To her right there were two doors one most likely the way out and the other perhaps a closet or bathroom. There was also a large armoire to the left between the fireplace and the window.
It was a beautiful room and very cozy but where was here? Her analytical mind began to grind into gear as memories from the night before began to manifest themselves. Her parents were murdered; her father had died right before her eyes. There was blood everywhere, HIS blood, her father's blood.
Hermione began to hyperventilate as the memories became sharp and focused. 'P-Professor Snape', professor Snape had been there. He had killed her father! He had killed him and was going to take her to He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named. But why… why was he doing this? He is a Hogwarts professor and a member of Dumbledore's Order of the Phoenix.
'Why would Dumbledore permit him to…Dumbledore knew! Snape said that D-Dumbledore knew and was allowing it to happen!' Hermione began to cycle through emotion after emotion, from disbelief to shock and betrayal and then on to horror and finally rage.
'Dumbledore was going to allow me and my family to be killed! That bastard! That bloody bloody bastard!' Hermione raged in her mind.
Down the hall from Hermione's room Harry sat up feeling a sensation of anger flowing through the house not simply anger but fury. It only took Harry a moment to realize that the emotions were coming from Hermione. Harry quickly woke Bella and told her what was going on. He slipped out of bed threw on a robe and headed for her room.
Harry threw open the door to Hermione's room and rushed inside. Harry was too concerned about his long-time friend to care about proper etiquette in entering another's room without permission. Harry's sudden entrance caused Hermione to jump in surprise. Chocolate eyes met green and widen in sudden recognition of who was standing in front of her.
Confusion and disbelief at seeing her supposed dead friend was quickly replaced by such intense feelings of love and elation she launched herself from her bed and straight into Harry's arms. She buried her head into his shoulder and began to shake uncontrollably as tears poured from her eyes.
With all that Harry had been through over the last week or so, he was quickly becoming an expert in consoling young witches. He pulled Hermione into a tight embrace and gently swayed back and forth as he tenderly rubbed soothing circles on Hermione's back and let her cry until she regained control over her emotions.
Hermione deeply inhaled the scent that she recognized as uniquely Harry. Although her mind was confused over the sudden reappearance of her best friend from the dead, her heart and magic knew beyond a shadow of a doubt that it was him. The why's and how's didn't matter right now, she was just grateful that he had come back into her life.
For fifteen minutes Hermione refused to let him go and Harry never complained once. He just held her and simply muttered words of comfort to her. Slowly Hermione loosened her grip on him, and with her had began to smooth out the front of his robes that were now soaked with her tears. She looked at him apologetically her face tinged with a soft color of embarrassment. Harry just looked at her and gave her his patented lopsided smile.
Harry took her hands in his and warmly told her that they had much to talk about. Hermione nodded anxiously biting her bottom lip which was a habit with Hermione whenever she was nervous or deep in thought. Harry always found it to be one of her most endearing quirks.
Harry took out his Morgana wand and conjured two comfy chairs in front of the warm fire burning in the fireplace. The early morning hours in Wales were always a little chilly even in the summer months. Grisi the house elf as if reading Harry's mind appeared with two hot mugs of Belgian hot chocolate. Harry thanked the little elf who curtsied and then with a slight pop was gone.
Harry took a sip of the sweet hot liquid and readied himself for the conversation to come. "Mione…I'm so sorry." Harry began, not sure how to proceed. He reached out and took Hermione's hand in his and looked into her emotion filled eyes.
Hermione instantly knew what Harry was about to say and was not sure if she was ready to talk about it. It was all too fresh the pain still too great to face again. "Harry…I-I don't think I can have that conversation yet." She looked at him with pain filled eyes.
Harry squeezed her hand but didn't let go. "A very good friend of mine told me on more than one occasion that I shouldn't keep things locked inside. That I would feel better getting it out into the open with someone I trust." Harry offered.
"There is no one I trust more than you Harry…it's just that I don't… the pain Harry…my world is gone!" Hermione cried. She stood up from her chair and crawled into Harry's lap and clung to him as if her life depended on him keeping her safe.
Harry found himself once again gently rocking his busy haired friend offering words of comfort and holding her tight.
"I-I-It was S-Snape Harry…he killed my parents…h-he killed them!" Hermione sobbed. Painfully Hermione told Harry how Snape had planned to take her to Voldemort. She told him how she had killed one Death Eater with a reducto curse, and how she had used her father's shotgun on Snape and how it took off his lower leg.
Harry would have been on his feet in a towering rage if it had not been for the young witch on his lap clinging to him tightly. The last bit of news from Hermione caused the fire in the fireplace to shoot up doubling in size and intensity the large bay window shattered outward in a huge display of accidental magic. Not one broken shard remained in the window frame the glass and been obliterated into dust.
Dumbledore was a dead man; he just didn't know it yet. If Dumbledore knew of the attacks beforehand then he was also responsible for Luna's father and for Arthur as well. The resulting explosion of noise from Hermione's room woke the rest of the house.
Bella who had been standing outside of the doors to Hermione's room and had told Narcissa and Luna that Harry and Hermione were fine as they came to a halt in front of her. She explained that Hermione had told Harry something that disturbed Harry which caused a burst of accidental magic. Narcissa and Luna returned to their rooms to get ready for the day.
Bella felt the incredible fury that Harry was feeling over their bond. Harry had left the bond open so Bella was aware of what was happening. Bella had sent her love and comfort over their bond to try and calm him enough to not bring the house down around him. Bella was amazed at the power she could feel from Harry it was overwhelming and exciting at the same time.
She had no doubt that with some intense training Harry would be able to harness all the raw power at his command and easily defeat Voldemort and anyone else that her husband felt needed his attention. She almost felt sorry for Albus…almost.
Hermione had tensed in Harry's arms as she felt the intense surge of power that emanated from her best friend, but surprisingly she was not afraid, she knew that he would not hurt her. Harry's breathing began to calm and the tension in his body began to relax. Every outward appearance seemed to pacify but deep within a raging fire was barely being contained and only with the love and support of his wife was he able to hold it in check.
Over the next two hours the two friends discussed all that had happened since the summer began. Harry was honest and candid with Hermione about everything that had happened to him. He told her about Bella, how he had met her the summer after third year and the friendship that developed into something more. How she had saved his life in the graveyard when Voldemort was reborn, and saved it again at the beginning of this summer.
Hermione was stunned when Harry told her that he was in love with Bella and her with him and that in the eyes of magic they were married and eternally bonded. Harry had not left anything out he believed in being completely honest with her.
Hermione looked at the young man who she considered family in silence for a long time. Her analytical mind tried to absorb everything he had told her. The hardest thing to except was Harry's relationship with Bella, but with one look in his eyes as he spoke about her it was clearly evident the depth of his love for her.
Once again Hermione allowed her analytical side be swayed by her emotional side and decided that she was happy for her messy haired friend. She also decided that she would become a Potter after Harry had explained her predicament as an orphaned muggleborn.
She always saw Harry as something more than a friend, he was family. Although the circumstances that brought her here would always haunt her, she was happy that she and Harry would always be a part of each other's lives.
A soft knock was heard as Bella slowly entered the room. Bella smiled at the form of Hermione still in her husband's lap, and chuckled as she saw the embarrassed young witch ease her way out of his lap.
Hermione was about to apologize to the beautiful raven haired witch when Bella raised her hand.
"No need to apologize Hermione, I'm well aware of the love my husband has for you. Being connected as Harry and I are, I have his memories, feelings and emotions. You are such a part of his life that I would never presume to interfere. In fact I hope you and I can become just as close. I already feel I know you and since we are to become family I hope you will want to get to know me as well." Bella said smiling warmly at the young witch.
Hermione smiled and nodded to the older woman. "Now, there are some clean clothes in the wardrobe and the bathroom is here. Bella said pointing to the door on the opposite side of the room. It's a shared bathroom with Luna. Your two rooms are both connected to it. Breakfast should be ready in a half hour. When you're ready just head down the stairs, and follow your nose to the kitchen." Bella said.
"Thank you for everything." Hermione said looking at Harry and Bella. Harry gave her another warm hug and to her surprise so did Bella. Harry and Bella then left Hermione and headed back to their own bedroom to get ready for the day.
oooOOOooo
Severus Snape was silently cursing everyone and everything he could think of for the miserable excuse of a life he had been dealt. Madam Pomfrey had just given him the news that there was nothing she could do about his missing leg; the damage to the nerve endings was beyond magic to heal so there was no chance of re-attaching the leg.
He was told that he would need to be fitted with a prosthetic limb if he wanted to walk again. An image of Mad Eye Moody and his clawed wooden leg flashed in Snape's mind. 'Damn that mudblood! I'll end her pathetic existence the first chance I get.' The irate Snape vowed.
He had not contacted the Dark Lord yet and was reluctant to do so; he might very well finish the job that Granger started.
The doors to the hospital wing opened and an overly colorful Albus Dumbledore entered and made his way straight to Severus. Severus surreptitiously rolled his eyes at the garish robes the old fool was wearing.
"Ah Severus, I see that your awake. I take it all did not go as smoothly as hoped." Dumbledore said his eyes twinkling.
"Obviously." Severus said slowly with as much sarcasm as he could muster.
"So tell me what happened my boy?" Albus asked expectantly.
Snape explained how Mrs. Granger was the first to die and then how Mr. Granger killed one of his men with the muggle gun and how Hermione had killed the other with a blasting curse. Snape had killed Mr. Granger with the cutting curse but Hermione nearly killed him when she got a hold of the gun and blew his leg off.
Dumbledore was a little surprised that Hermione had actually took a life and attempted to end another. 'Well muggles are a violent people.' Albus mused to himself. 'Another reason they need to be controlled by a much more civilized Wizarding world'.
"There is something you should know headmaster." Snape spoke silkily relishing the reaction he would get from the old man. "Granger knows of your involvement and how you condoned her family's and the Lovegood family's betrayal to the Dark Lord."
Albus paled for a moment his eyes widened with the revelation. Snape inwardly smirked at the panicked headmaster.
"Where is she now Severus?" Albus asked testily.
"I was in no position to hang about and find out headmaster. I was a little bit more concerned with the blood pouring out of my amputated leg." Snape replied tersely.
"She will need to be found and obliviated as soon as possible." Albus growled out. "How could you be so stupid Severus as to reveal this?"
"I reluctantly admit I underestimated the girl's determination to live. But what is done is done." Snape confessed.
"I'll have the Order begin a search for her immediately with orders to stun her and then notify me once they have her." Albus declared.
"Won't that raise some eyebrows within the Order Albus?"
"You're right, I'll have them locate and report but not intercept. I'll have to deal with her myself." Albus said stroking his beard looking off into the distance. "Fortunately I don't think she knows anyone else but the Weasley's and the professors here at school. She will most likely head for the Weasley's first."
Albus was confident that he would soon have the young witch back under his control. Even if she did tell what she knew to someone he could easily dismiss it as hysteria from a traumatized girl.
oooOOOooo
At Grimauld Place the mood was somber as the Weasley clan mourned the loss of their father and husband. Arthur would be laid to rest the next day in the Weasley family cemetery near Devon. As the oldest male child Bill became the Weasley head of house.
Arthur had allowed Molly to ride roughshod over the family for far too long and it was through her blind and almost fanatical devotion to Dumbledore that Bill felt that had lead the family to lose its former head. He had also lost two uncles in the last war due to Albus's foolish belief in not using dangerous or deadly spells against the enemy.
Bill knew that getting the stubborn matriarch to abandon her blind faith in Dumbledore would be next to impossible. He also realized that the war would start in earnest again and did not want to lose anymore family members. But he wasn't blind to the fact that the Weasley's were known as a light family and blood traitors to the Pure Blood agenda.
He had two options either flee the country with what family would follow or stay and fight to make a better world for future generations of Weasleys. Bill sense of honor and wrong and right only left him with one real option. He had to stay and fight. But he would no longer do so under Albus-I'm-greater-than-Merlin Dumbledore, and he would not play by his rules.
The many years as a Gringotts curse breaker gave him incredible insight and knowledge on setting traps and breaking down and creating wards. His repertoire of hiding nasty curses within wards and traps was extensive. The trick would be to set a juicy enough target to lure unsuspecting Death Eaters in.
Bill knew that he could not fight a conventional war, the Death Eaters were too numerous and only engaged when numbers were in their favor. Bill needed to use guerilla style tactics, attacks and feints that would annoy and eventually lure the Death Eaters out of their safe houses. And it just so happened he knew a set of twins who were experts at creating havoc and annoying the enemy.
Bill would start with the twins and then try and find other like minded wizards and witches who were fed up with the way that Dumbledore and the Ministry were handling this war. It was time to take the fight to the enemy. It was time for action and a time for vengeance.
oooOOOooo
Draco Malfoy had been with the Parkinson's for the last week in France enjoying the sights and sounds of the city of lights. Mr. and Mrs. Parkinson had apparated back to England the night before to attend a 'meeting' that they had to go to. Of course Draco knew that the Parkinson's were Death Eaters just like his father and deduced that the Dark Lord had called a meeting.
Then this morning only Mrs. Parkinson had returned. Her eyes were blood shot and she seemed to be almost in a state of hysterics. Mrs. Parkinson took hold of Pansy and sobbed tears of pain and regret.
After several minutes had passed, Mrs. Eugenia Parkinson looked at her daughter with grim determination to speak of the events of the night.
"Pansy…" Eugenia began. "…your father is dead." Pansy gasped at the unexpected news. "Your father was sent on a mission by the Dark Lord. Nine others went with him it was supposed to be a relatively easy mission. All but two were killed including your father." Eugenia finished looking at her daughter who had turned pale.
Draco sat next to his betrothed and grabbed her hand in his. Pansy leaned against her intended and began to weep.
"The Dark Lord had sent out four teams to attack four different targets, all appear to have failed. The Dark Lord was in a rage. He made us watch as he brutally tortured Amycus Carrow for his repeated failure." Eugenia shivered in remembrance of Carrow's mutilated body spinning in air above them as his blood dripped over those who were below him.
"Who killed him mother?" Pansy asked strength returning to her voice laced with anger.
"It doesn't matter Pansy, it…"
"Of course it matters!" Spat Pansy. "Was it some fucking mudbloods! Was it some dirty blooded bastards who killed my father!" She roared
Pansy's head was sent spinning as her mother's hand slapped the young witches face hard enough that she almost fell to the floor.
"Do not spew out obscenities in my presence like some common street rat!" The elder Parkinson spoke glaring at the surprised look on her daughters face.
"For your information the Dark Lord sent him to kill the members of an Ancient and Noble house." She spoke tersely. "A House almost as old as the Black and Potter families."
"They were blood traitors then and deserved to be killed." Pansy retorted.
"Foolish girl." Her mother sighed. "I once thought as you do. I believed the rhetoric that the Dark Lord would restore pure bloods to their proper station and eliminate all those who were of dirty blood and unworthy to posses the gift of magic. Tell me Pansy…what percentage of magicals in Britain would you say are pure bloods?"
Pansy looked at her mother wondering where she was going with this line of questions. "I don't know but I would guess at least half." Pansy said but not entirely confidant in her estimation.
"Less than ten percent can actually claim a pure blood line that goes back more than five generations. So considering that there are only about 100,000 magicals in all of Britain and less than ten percent of those are pure bloods.
What would happen to our economy, should the Dark Lord eliminate all those who are not of pure blood? Not to mention how shallow the gene pool would become. Did you know that only squibs are born into pure blood families? There is no record of squibs ever being born into half blood families. It is a result of the inbreeding within the old families."
"But they are inferior to us mother, everyone knows that. Pure bloods have stronger magic its rich within our blood." Pansy defended.
"That is not completely true Pansy. Albus Dumbledore's grandmother was a muggleborn making Dumbledore technically a half blood and he is known as one of the most powerful wizards ever born. Even in my own time at Hogwarts there were many half bloods and muggleborns that were magically superior to those of old familirs."
Pansy recalled seeing the top ten lists of students from her year and knew that six of the top ten were in fact muggleborns and halfbloods. To her utter contempt Granger had been number one since their first year. "No!" Pansy said defiantly. "I believe in the Dark Lord, once he takes over we his faithful followers will be elevated above all others we will rule over the muggles and we will crush those of inferior birth."
"Pansy listen to me! The dark Lord cares not for his followers; they are a means to an end. The Dark Lord does not share power. He will use you for his purposes and then discard you without a second thought.
All he cares for is power not the betterment of our world. Your father paid the ultimate price; he has given the Dark Lord his life and over half of our family fortune and for what? What have we gained? We live in fear everyday Pansy, fear of being discovered by the Ministry, fear of being discovered by fellow witches and wizards who would turn us over to the aurors to collect some bounty money. And worst of all we live in fear of displeasing the Dark Lord and winding up dead at his hands."
Pansy would not listening to her mother she believed in the Dark Lord. She would be a favored servant and be given wealth and power untold and the pure bloods would rule over all. She would take his mark by the end of the summer and she would wear it proudly and she would bring fear to all those inferior half bloods and muggleborns.
"Pansy, I am through following that mad man, he has brought nothing but grief to our family and our world. I am still unmarked so he will not be able to use that to find us. We can stay on the continent and live normal lives Pansy. That's all I've ever wanted, a place where I could live with my family in peace. And I want to do that with the family I have left." Eugenia pleaded.
"Traitor!" Pansy spat at her mother. "How dare you turn your back on our Lord and our people!"
"Pansy Agatha Parkinson! I am not a traitor to our people, and I will not participate anymore in its destruction and that is exactly what will happen if the Dark Lord has his way!" Eugenia growled out. This is not the way she had hoped this conversation would go.
"My allegiance is to the Dark Lord!" Pansy yelled her face flushed red in anger.
"Your allegiance is to this House young lady! You are still a minor and I will decide what is best for you and this family."
"I'm only a minor for one more week mother lest you forgot. Then I will decide my own path and that path is with the Dark Lord." Pansy said determinedly. She spun on her heels and ran to her room slamming and locking the door.
Eugenia had completely forgotten that Draco was in the room and had heard the entire conversation. She worried how the young Malfoy heir would react to her decision to leave the Dark Lord.
Draco was sitting quietly on the couch and was processing everything in his head. Mrs. Parkinson had literally thrown his way of seeing this war into new light. He was confused and Draco Malfoy did not like being confused.
He looked at his own family, he knew his mother was not fond of the war and was not an open supporter of Voldemort. In fact she had tried to guide Draco away from his father's path and away from becoming a Death Eater. He and Pansy were going to be marked by the end of the summer at least that was the plan. Now he was not too sure.
Mrs. Parkinson seeing the obvious conflict in Draco's face sat next to him on the couch. "Draco, if it would help you come to any decision, I will gladly tell you anything you want to know about the Dark Lord and what it really means to be one of his servants." Mrs. Parkinson offered kindly.
After a revealing conversation with Eugenia and the realities of being a Death Eater, Draco was sure he did not want to be one. Yes he still believed that some wizarding families were better than others but he no longer felt he needed to kill others to prove it or be killed in an attempt to prove it.
Draco knew his mother would be accepting of his decision in fact she would be thrilled; his father on the other hand would not be as pleased, but at the moment his father was in Azkaban so he couldn't say much anyway.
He was afraid for Pansy though. He would try and talk to her and convince her to listen to her mother. He did truly love Pansy but he had made up his mind not to follow the Dark Lord and he hoped that she would join him in that decision.
An hour later, Draco left Pansy's room with several red handprints across his face and a busted lip. Pansy was furious with Draco. She called him a blood traitor and stated that she never wanted to set eyes on him again. Draco found Eugenia in the kitchen of the villa they were staying in.
Eugenia looked at the pale boy and her heart went out to him. "I'm sorry Draco, Pansy has always been stubborn. Give it a few days and maybe she will calm down enough to see reason." Draco just shrugged his shoulders and plopped down in a kitchen chair. Eugenia took out her wand and healed Draco's cut lip and conjured a bag of ice for the swelling. "It will all work out in the end Draco." Eugenia said mostly trying to convince herself.
At the same time as Draco was speaking with Eugenia, Pansy had packed a small bag and headed to the floo. Grabbing some floo powder and tossing it in the fireplace she stepped in. "Bulstrode residence!" Another hour would pass before Eugenia and Draco would discover that Pansy was gone.
oooOOOooo
All the residents of Black Manor were in the kitchen enjoying a large breakfast compliments of Grisi who was more than happy to cook for so many people again. The conversation was light, all talk of the attack the night before was tabled for the moment.
Hermione and Luna were catching up with each other and would occasionally bring Harry into the conversation. Eventually after they had finished eating they had all retired to the drawing room where Harry asked the two young witches about their respective adoptions. Both were still determined and seemed to be genuinely happy about joining the House of Potter.
At about 10:00 a.m. Harry's godmother arrived with Susan in tow. Susan hugged Hermione and Luna and then hugged and kissed Harry on the cheek. "Morning cousin!" Susan said happily.
"Cousin?" Hermione asked.
"Of course. Aunt Amelia is my aunt and she is Harry's godmother making him like a son to her, so we would be cousins." The redhead smiled proudly.
Harry chuckled and returned a kiss on the cheek to the bubbly redhead. "Morning to you to cousin." Susan beamed at the raven haired boy.
"Susan told me that they were a very affectionate family so I should get use to displays of affection." Harry smiled and winked at Susan. Amelia beamed at the two young people she considered her own children.
"Well." Amelia said clearing her throat. "I am assuming we are still going through with the adoption of Luna as a ward of House Potter?" Amelia asked.
"Oh yes." Luna said with a kindly smile on her face looking at Harry.
"Very well then. The adoption of Luna as a ward is pretty straight forward. This is a magically binding contract that you as head of House Potter will sign and I as Minister of Magic will witness. The contract in short is magically binding, and states that Miss Lovegood being a minor and sole heir of House Lovegood will be under the protection and guardianship of House Potter and will have all rights and privileges of said house.
At your pleasure Harry she may remain a ward of House Potter her entire life if you both are agreeable. That would mean extending the protection of your house over that of her future husband and future family." Amelia finished.
"Why would she want to do that? Harry asked.
"For political and for safety reasons mostly. Her House would swear allegiance to yours and in return you would continue to defend and protect her and her family."
"I would defend her anyway auntie, she is a dear friend." Harry stated.
Amelia smiled at her godson; proud that he was such a noble and caring person. "Of course you would Harry, this would just give her added protection by letting the other Houses know that she is under your protection and any slight or attack on her would be a slight and an attack on you. And believe me the Potter name carries a lot of weight in our world." Amelia finished.
"Okay I agree to all the terms stated in the contract, so what do we need to do know." Harry asked.
"You, Luna, and I will need to sign the contract and then we will each need to place a drop of blood on the contract. The blood seals the contract magically and she then is officially your ward.
Harry signed first and then pricked his finger with the silver knife that Amelia produced. Luna was next and signed her name with a flourish and a large smile she then added her blood to the contract. Amelia was last and after she had finished by adding her blood the contract glowed a bright gold and then sealed itself up.
Immediately Harry felt another link form and could feel Luna's presence. There was no psychic link or bond just a feeling of knowing she was okay. Luna had also felt something it was a comforting feeling like a feeling you get from a warm blanket on a chilly morning. 'It's very nice' she thought to herself a dreamy expression coming over her face.
Harry just figured it must be part of the magic of the contract and decided not to worry about it further at the moment.
Amelia turned to Hermione. "So miss Granger has Harry had a chance to discuss your situation with you?" Amelia asked warmly.
"He has Minister. I want to go through with the blood adoption but I have a few questions first." Hermione stated.
"Of course dear what questions do you have? Amelia asked getting comfortable in a large chair.
"Well…" Hermione began nervously biting on her bottom lip. "…I thought that blood rituals were part of the dark arts and illegal, forbidden even. I guess my first question is why would a Ministry official advocate such a ritual if it were illegal. My second question is about the ritual itself. How does it work? What's involved and what does it mean in regards to Harry's and my relationship? I mean… will I be like his daughter or sister what will I be to him?"
Amelia smiled at the inquisitive young girl. Hermione reminded her of herself when she was that age, questioning everything and a thirst for knowledge. That type of personality is what helped her throughout her career as an auror and served her just as well as the Minister of Magic.
"Well Hermione, to answer your first question blood magic is not in and of itself dark or evil. That being said there are many dark rituals that involve blood and sacrifice. The use of blood the very living life force of a person is very powerful magic. It is also the most temperamental; the slightest of errors can have horrendous consequences for the one it is being used on.
Because of the volatility of blood magic, and the use of it in some dark rituals, the ministry decided to classify all blood magics and rituals dark irrespective of its intended use. However, the Wizengamot at the time made some provisos in the law giving Ancient and Noble House's various exemptions. In short they can perform almost any ritual not involving human sacrifice or necromancy." Amelia explained.
"So the ritual that I will undergo is not 'technically' dark but it could be dangerous." Hermione asked a little worriedly.
"Don't worry yourself dear." Bella patted the young witch on the arm. "Cissy is an accomplished potions mistress and healer and is well versed in the ritual arts. It is because of Cissy's skill that Harry and I are alive." Bella explained.
Narcissa just shifted a bit thinking of the ritual she had performed on Harry and Bella and all the unintended side effects that occurred. But she was confident that she could perform the blood adoption ritual. 'What could go wrong…right?' Cissy mused.
"To your next question the ritual will require a vial of your blood and a vile of Harry's. A specific potion is brewed and the blood added to it. The potion will then take on a red inky consistency." Narcissa explained.
I will then use a ritual quill similar to a blood quill. The quill will soak up the potion and then I will need to draw a serious of runes on your body. The quill will cut your skin and the potion will then be absorbed into your body.
Once the runes are complete we will perform an incantation that will activate the blood runes. That will then start your transformation. It is quite…painful Hermione. We won't be able to give you anything for the pain during the ritual but can immediately afterwards." Narcissa finished
Hermione was quiet for a moment going over the procedure Narcissa just explained. "Are there any side effects to this ritual, I mean will I still be me…you know keep my personality or characteristics?" Hermione asked.
"Yes and possibly no Hermione. Depending on the strength of Harry's blood you may have some physical changes as well as some personality changes as the Potter blood asserts itself. However, these are additions to who you are nothing of you will be taken away. As for your status in the family depending again on the strength of Harry's blood the magic might identify you as a sister or a daughter. We would have to check the self updating Potter family genealogy book to know for certain." Narcissa tried to explain carefully.
Hermione began to weigh all the pros and cons but ultimately decided that she would still go through with the ritual. Remembering something Narcissa said she asked. "You mentioned that 'WE' would perform an incantation to activate the runes. Who are 'we'? Hermione asked.
"It will take three of us to perform the incantation Hermione. I will be one and Bella another and…Harry will have to be the third."
Harry's eyes widened comically. "Me! Why me?"
"It is your blood Harry and the adoption is into your house, you have to be there." Narcissa patiently explained to Harry.
"Oh, Hermione you will have to be nude for the ritual." Narcissa stated casually. Both Harry's and Hermione's eyes shot opened at this comment. Bella tried to stifle a chuckle but failed miserably. Amelia and Susan also found it comical to watch Harry and Hermione's open and close their mouths like fish out of water.
Both Harry and Hermione blushed a deep red, which was just the tipping point that caused the others there to burst out laughing at the two friends. Narcissa finally cleared her throat and reigned everyone back in.
"I'm sorry Hermione…" Narcissa stifled a chuckle that threatened to escape her lips. "…nothing can be touching your skin during the ritual. As Madam Bones has explained blood rituals are very temperamental and the slightest anomaly can have disastrous effects." Narcissa commiserated with the young brunette.
Hermione reluctantly nodded her head. "If that is the way it has to be, I guess I can live with the embarrassment that my best friend is going to see me au natural." Hermione said not looking at Harry.
Harry was about to say something humorous to Hermione about seeing her naked, to hopefully make her feel more comfortable when Bella quickly placed her hand over his mouth and gave him a look and said. "Best to say nothing sweetie and avoid any embarrassment on your part or making her even more nervous." Bella whispered kissing his cheek and amusingly shaking her head.
"When can we do the ritual?" Hermione asked. "The soonest I can be out from Dumbledore's control the better." Said the girl, who used to think that Dumbledore was the greatest wizard of the light since Merlin.
"As soon as you're ready Hermione." Narcissa told her. "I brewed the potion last night anticipating that you would want to do it soon. All I need now is a vial of blood from you and Harry." Narcissa smiled warmly at the girl.
Hermione arose from her chair and said. "Let's do this then." Hermione said with a look of determination.'
"This way then." Narcissa led the group to the ritual house just behind the manor. They entered the ante-chamber where Narcissa informed the others that only Hermione, Bella and she would enter the circular ritual room.
The others would remain in the ante-chamber until Narcissa and Bella had completed the runes on Hermione's body. They would then have Harry come in at the last to help with the incantation. This was to give Hermione at least some level of modesty.
Hermione with a little trepidation in her step entered the circular ritual room and saw the large altar that dominated the center of the room. Bella cast a warming charm on the stone altar so that Hermione would be more comfortable.
Narcissa had Hermione disrobe and helped her lay on top of the altar. Hermione tried to cover herself with her hands in an attempt at modesty while Narcissa prepared the blood for the potion. Narcissa after finishing the final touches on the potion that now resembled a blood red ink, gently moved Hermione's arms to her sides.
"It will be all right Hermione." Bella whispered as she stroked the young witch's hair in a motherly manner. Hermione gave a small smile and tried to relax.
Narcissa handed one of two ritual rune etching quills to Bella. "Hermione…" Narcissa said soothingly."…the etching will feel like your skin is being scatched you will then feel a warm to a mildly hot sensation as the potion/blood mix enters your blood stream. Do you understand?" Narcissa asked.
Hermione nodded her head and readied herself. Narcissa and Bella began on Hermione's upper torso first and then worked their way down to Hermione's feet. At first there was almost no pain but as the sisters progressed down her body the heat from the potion was growing in intensity as more of her body was covered.
The sisters had finished with her feet and stopped etching. Hermione took a steadying breath of relief thinking the sisters had finished. "We need to turn you over Hermione and do your back as well. Silent tears fell from Hermione's eyes as the sisters carefully turned her over to start the etching all over again.
Bella gently kissed Hermione's head and whispered that they would be done soon and told her how brave and strong she was. Hermione tried to smile but it only came out as a whimper. Finally the sister's had finished their work. Hermione was covered from head to toe in runic symbols and her body was having twitching fits from the intensity of the burning feeling within her.
Narcissa and Bella gave Hermione a few more minutes to calm down and adjust to the sensations coursing through her body before inviting Harry in. Harry entered and glanced at his dearest friend lying on top of the altar. He noticed the tear streaks running down from her eyes and his heart clenched in his chest. He wanted to take away all the pain she had gone through and the extreme pain that would shortly come.
Hermione felt his glance and turned her head toward her best friend. She gave him a watery smile that communicated that she knew he was concerned for her. She gave him a nod and took a deep breath to center herself again.
Bella had explained to her that the next part of the ritual would be extremely painful. It would feel as if her insides were being torn apart and bones broken and then re-mended. The intensity of the heat would be significant as the Potter blood asserted itself and purged the Granger blood from her.
Harry was guided by Narcissa to the head of the rectangular altar; she and Bella took positions at the opposite end of the altar. The three of them formed a triangle around the altar. Narcissa would begin the incantation to activate the runes etched into Hermione's body.
Bella and Harry would then in unison repeat the incantation that Narcissa had spoken. They would do this for each rune until the key stone rune was finally activated and then the painful process of changing Hermione from a Granger to a Potter would begin.
The process of activating each rune took almost an hour but finally they came to the key stone rune. The rune that connected all the other runes together the one rune if drawn wrong or was activated improperly could seriously harm Hermione or worse.
The final words of the incantation were spoken and immediately Hermione's body seized. Her back arched high off the altar as pain similar to that of the cruciatus curse ripped through her body. Interconnecting lines of blood red, spider webbed rapidly through Hermione's body as they connected rune to rune.
A multicolored aura began to appear around the young witch. Silver, gold and red flashed and swirled all around her as Hermione's body began to slowly change. The trio watched as Hermione's hair changed from a chestnut brown to ebony with only streaks of brown remaining. Her body elongated from her 5'4" height to something approaching 5'8".
Her facial features changed as well, her normally round face became more angular and aristocratic looking. She still looked like Hermione just with sharper features. Her darker skin tone was replaced by a fairer complexion which was accentuated by her darker hair. Harry thought that Hermione was beginning to look a lot like a mix between Bella and Andromeda.
Narcissa had been thinking the same thing which caused her to gasp a bit. 'How could I have been so stupid?' Narcissa thought to herself. Harry was not pure Potter anymore. During the ritual that she performed on Harry and Bella they had actually became one. They shared equal amounts of each other's blood and magic.
It stood to reason then that Hermione would also have that same mix of blood once the ritual was done. 'Nice going Narcissa, that's twice you have not looked at all the variables!' Narcissa chided herself.
Hermione had screamed herself horse as the worst of the change was taking place. Sweat poured off of her body as her inner core temperature elevated. And then as suddenly as the pain had started it stopped just as suddenly as Hermione's body fell back onto the altar.
Harry looked at his friend closely making sure she was still breathing, and let out a breath he hadn't realized he had been holding as he saw her chest rise and fall as she took shaky breaths. Bella told Harry to go back to the ante-room while she and Cissy would finish up.
Harry gave his dear friend one last look and gently moved her hair from where it had covered her face and kissed her forehead. He then left the room to let Bella and Cissy help Hermione. The two sisters went to work quickly; they gently cleaned Hermione's body with flannels and warm soapy water wiping away all the sweat.
During this process Hermione groggily opened her eyes and tried to speak. Her throat was extremely irritated and she could only rasp out a request for water. Bella conjured a glass of water and lifted Hermione's head slightly as she tipped the cool water down Hermione's throat.
Hermione nodded her thanks and Bella laid her head back down. It was then that Bella got a good look at Hermione's eyes. She had to hold back her surprise as she saw a combination of Harry's green and her violet eyes staring back at her.
Another half hour later, the doors from the ritual room to the ante-chamber opened and a smiling Bella exited holding the hand of a freshly cleaned and dressed Hermione.
A still unsteady Hermione looked at the assembled group of people and immediately fixed her eyes on Harry who and a worried expression on his face. She stepped toward him and then threw her arms around his neck. Harry tightly embraced her as well pulling her close. Tears of relief that his friend was okay fell from his eyes.
Bella smiled warmly at her husband and could feel the stress melt away from him as he held his best friend and knew she was okay. Bella put her arms around Harry and Hermione and said. "Let me be the first to welcome the newest member of the family. Hermione Jean Potter!"
Everyone began to clap and offer their congratulations. Hermione was all smiles even if she was a little embarrassed by all the attention. The group left the ritual house and made their way back to the manor where Grisi had prepared a special lunch. Even Hermes had decorated the dining room with banners and streamers that read welcome to the family Hermione and Luna!
The rest of the evening was spent just being together. Amelia and Susan had stayed at Harry's insistence telling them that they were his family as well and that this was a family celebration. Harry had never been happier his new family had just grown by two more. The rest of the world could be dealt with tomorrow, tonight was for family.
A/N: Well there is chapter 17! I hope you enjoyed it. Draco finally made an appearance and Bill is plotting revenge. And will the blood adoption have unexpected results? Thanks for reading and please Review and let me know what you think.