First chapter of the main story! Someone asked how long this fic is going to be and i can honestly say i have no idea. I have barely scratched the surface of whats in my head for it at the moment.

Reviews welcomed.

Hermione had risen to her feet when Bellatrix was gone and squared her shoulders, taking in the shock on surrounding faces, and then walked out of the area to go and help else where. It wasn't long, thankfully, before Voldemort was felled and Harry along with the many muggleborns present finally felt a weight lifted off their shoulders. Most of the Death Eaters that remained were apprehended but the more than enough fled the castle grounds. It was time for clean up and body counts to begin.

The numbers that were not too badly injured divided up, some moving the fallen Death Eaters and werewolves, the giants and spiders, and the others reverently moving and collecting the fallen Order and DA members. Some of the people not affiliated with either Order or the DA were were heralded as Was Heroes and efforts were started to find and inform family members as soon as possible. Wands were collected and identified, those used by Death Eaters were confiscated while those used by light side were collected to be returned to either their owners or the owners families.

The light's dead were lined up for identification and the families or close friends were left to mourn. Among the dead were those such as Lavender Brown, Colin Creevey, Fred Weasley and Remus Lupin. Mediwitches came from St Mungos on acting-Minister Kingsley Shacklebolt's orders and took the most severely wounded back to the hospital while some stayed to patch up the lesser wounded. Hermione buzzed around with her bottle of Dittany helping where she could and reassuring those that needed it. It wasn't until she went over to Luna and Neville that she was greeted with a look of suspicion.

"Why are you still here?" Neville asks refusing her help.

"What?" Hermione was genuinely confused.

"Why aren't you with her?" He shoots back, the disgust evident on Neville's face and in his voice.

"Who are you on about?" Hermione was just not sure what was going on.

"Bellatrix Lestrange of course. You saved her and then you let her get away and kissed her." Luna spoke up finally, her voice as soft as it always was. Unlike Neville there was no condemnation on her voice.

Hermione had know this would happen if her relationship with Bellatrix had ever come to light but she was a little surprised Neville was being so hostile. Of course she knew that Bellatrix was accused of torturing his family but she had stood with Neville for years, helped him when he needed it and was even a friend to him when most everyone else laughed. It hurt more than she would admit so when she looked at Neville and saw nothing but anger directed back at her she turned to leave.

"What? You're not even going to deny it?" Neville was on his feet and his voice raised, drawing attention.

"Your mind is made up." Hermione stated calmly.

"You should be tried for treason! Fraternising with the enemy!" Neville accuses angrily.

"Fraternising? Merlin's Balls Neville, we won! How much Fraternising do you think went on?" Hermione grit out beginning to lose her cool.

"We? Don't kid yourself. You let Lestrange get away! You're as good as the rest of the Death Eaters." Hermione's eyes narrowed at this.

"You're calling me a Death Eater?... Like... Really?" Hermione's tone was chilling and enough to make those listening swallow and step back. Neville, though, was far too incensed.

"Yeah. I am. Probably thought we would lose so you were trying to save yourself from the Muggleborns fate. Shag your way into freedom." Neville was mad that was for sure but this was getting out of hand.

"My blood status matters to you all the sudden does it? You're accusing me of being a death eater and you sound no better than them!" Hermione all but shouted at her once-friend.

Neville fumbled for his wand but when he drew it on Hermione she already had her own drawn and pointed at his face. He blanched but refused to back down as he grit his teeth. Before things could escalate further Fleur was in Hermiones face and crowding her back with her own body. The French witch had grown fond of Hermione and understood the bond she had with Bellatrix as she had played dictator to a few of their conversations while Hermione was still too shaky to write after their escape from the Manor. Just behind Hermione stood Narcissa and Draco, they were anxious about the situation but Draco would stand with his friend and Narcissa had grown fond of the little witch as well.

Devastatingly those standing behind Neville were familiar faces, mostly confused but the anger was there as it had been for Neville. Molly and Ron stood watching silently making no move to stand up for Hermione. Bill moved over and helped his wife try to calm Hermione and the rest of the Weasley's stood aside looking confused. Mourning seemed to take a back seat to the scandal that was unfolding before them and it made Hermione feel seven sorts of awful to see her friends and family divided over this. Further back, watching silently, stood Harry and Sirius who had arrived sometime while Harry was duelling Voldemort. Just behind them stood Minerva with pursed lips.

"Zat is enough 'Ermione. You know zey would react like zis." Fleur stated calmly.

"I never thought my friends would call out my blood status." Hermione stated angrily looking past Fleur.

"I dont know. Seems like you have new friends now." Neville snarks right back.

"Yeah. She does. Doesn't make her a Death Eater, Longbottom. Maybe you should think before you speak. I had no idea Gryffindor's threw away their friends so easily." Draco says stepping up beside his newest and possibly truest friend.

Hermione could see the folly here, there was no point in this argument and she knew it. Instead she stepped back and put her wand away really looked at the crowd surrounding them. There were more faces there than she first realised, most confused and few condemning. Fleur assumed the position beside Hermione willing to snub her nose at these people for this little witch her husband beside her without question, as it should be. Draco and Narcissa were still with Hermione standing with her as things came to a head, one war over and a battle now beginning.

"It doesnt matter." Hermione cuts off what ever was about to come out of Neville's mouth. "Not that i need to explain myself to any of you but i can assure you i am no Death Eater nor have i shagged one. I did befriend Bellatrix, i know her and she knows me. Really knows. I did not want to see her killed nor do i want to see her back in Azkaban. You may well have to deal with that because i do not plan to let anything happen to her lest its over my dead body." Hermione informs everyone present.

The Auror's looked confused by this, they legally should have taken her into custody for aiding and abetting a known Death Eater but this was Hermione Granger, it was already known that she was the brains behind being able to defeat Voldemort. Several though that she needed to be taken into custody as well, Neville among them, but most of them didn't have an opinion. It was Hermione she didn't do stupid things so there had to be a logical reason for this friendship. Maybe Bellatrix was blackmailing her some how?

"Has anyone seen my daughter?" A voice cut through the thick tension. Andromeda Tonks stood with a worried look on her face and a sleepy baby boy on her shoulder.

"Andromeda?" Hermione asked switching her attention to the woman who looked so distressed.

"Her wand was found not far from where Remus' body but she hasnt been found." Andromeda walks closer to Hermione as she was the one to respond to her.

Hermione looked around but there were nothing back unsure shakes of heads everywhere. Nymphadora Tonks was missing.

"We will sort up a search party and find her. Hopefully find Lestrange as well." Kingsley states seriously, there we many nods and then everything was in motion again.

Hermione stood and watched and many people volunteered to look for either Nymphadora or Bellatrix while casting sideways glances at her. Bill went to volunteer as well while Fleur turned to the trio beside her. The veela knew that Hermione was likely no longer welcome at the Burrow and she had a sneaking suspicion that the little witch didn't exactly have any other options either. Regardless it was a simple choice for her to make as she looked over the three people before her.

"'Ermione, you know you are welcome at Shell Cottage wiz us right?" Fleur begins.

"Yes thank you. I may take you up on that." Hermione spoke gaciously.

"I would also wager zat you boz are not exactly safe to return to ze Manor eizer?" Fleur turned to the remaining Malfoys. Lucius had perished in the battle leaving Draco the soul heir to the Malfoy estate but as it was used as a base of operations for Voldemort and his followers it was far from safe.

"No. Not with Death Eaters still at large." Narcissa admitted after a moment.

"You are also welcome to come wiz us. I'd suspect you 'ave even less places to go zan 'Ermione." Fleur offers kindly. Narcissa was ever proud and tempted to decline the offer but with a gently placed elbow Draco landed on her ribs she sighed softly and smiled.

"Thank you. We really appreciate it." Narcissa says honestly. Draco smiles a little shyly.

"Thank you Fleur. You are Bill are amazing." Hermione smiles honestly.

"You're all very welcome. Now 'ow about we go to ze Manor and get some zings for Madame and Monsieur Malfoy? Bill will be 'elping look for Nymphadora." Fleur offers politely. Things at the castle were calming down and people were beginning to leave for their homes.

Turned out getting away from the castle was a little more tricky than it should have been. This thanks Hermione and Draco. Hermione because of the very recent discovery of her relationship with infamous insane death eater Bellatrix and Draco because, well, Death Eater. Fleur had to reassure more people than she appreciated that the Malfoys would be contactable should anyone simply send a letter to herself or Bill first. When they could leave they were gone with in moments with Fleur aparating the four of them to the cottage.

They were settled in and then Narcissa offered to help Fleur make them all some food, this surprising all present because Narcissa had never offered to help anyone with anything in all the years Draco had known her. The youngest Black sister was regarded quite broadly as a snob in the wizarding world, something she encouraged as it made people leave her alone which both saved them from her husbands sordid and sometimes nefarious deeds and meant she didn't ever have to act like she was happy about anything other than her son.

"Mon Dieu! What is zat!?" Fleur all but shouted at Draco.

Hermione had desperately needed to take a moment to herself and so Fleur had ordered her off to a shower. After getting some clothing out of her bag the little witch had handed it off to Draco. Draco had taken the liberty of looking through it a little and had ended up finding Snowflakes terrarium. It was this that Fleur had exclaimed at as she wasnt aware of the snake and not the biggest lover of them either. Draco was reclined in a chair messing with the warm and content little snake.

"Uh...She's Hermione's. Aunt Bella and Mother came up with the idea of giving her a snake for valentines day last year." Draco explained setting the little python back in the glass tank that served as her home.

"'Ermione's? She was 'ere for weeks and i never saw it once." Fleur comments looking at the creature.

"Bill did, said you didnt like snakes so i kept her out of your sight. She likes the dark of my bag anyway." Hermione explained with a small smile as she walked out and plucked the bag from where it was perched on Draco's knee.

"Zat was very considerate of you. Is she venomous?" Fleur inquires mostly curious and a little concerned.

"Not at all. Snowflake is a Ball Python, they don't get very large and they are typically very placid." Narcissa informs stepping in behind Fleur with a tray of food levitated behind her. There was enough there to feed a small army.

Fleur eyed the small serpent as Hermione took out her wand, which she had retrieved off of Harry, and accioed her journal too her. The veela was tempted to hex the snake into nothingness but it was cute in its own way. She was still looking at the snake when Hermione set down at the table with Journal, ink and quill. This drew attention from the others as they also settled down at the table, Draco the first to take one of the thick hearty sandwiches and begin munching away. Hermione opened the journal and read what was waiting for her.

Wolf,
Have gone to a safe place but i have a guest who needs medical help. Is there any chance you could get me some things?
I would love if you were here to help but after you saved me so publically i would hate to cause you any more issues so soon.
I meant what i said and am holding onto the hope you meant it too. I will come for you soon i just need some time.
Tell Andy not to worry, the little bears mummy is safe and will live.
All my love,
Mouse

"Do you think that means Nymphadora?" Narcissa asks over Hermione's shoulder.

"That would be my guess." Hermione nodded as she inked her quill and began to write.

My Mouse,
Extremely glad to know you are safe and that your guest will live. I appreciate your worrying for me, it hasnt been easy so far.
I would rather be with you but i understand besides there may be a chance i can do something for your future here.
I meant what i said so very sincerely and shall inform you again that i do love you.
Send me a list of the things you need. I will put them in the shed at the place that they sold. Confirm you know the location.
Sincerely yours,
Lonely Wolf.

"What's this wolf business?" Draco mumbles with a mouthful of sandwich. Hermione shot him an exasperated look.

Without responding to Draco, Hermione stood from her seat and stepped back an couple of paces before assuming her animagus form. It startled Fleur and Draco almost violently as they werent expecting the little witch to suddenly be a large blonde wolf. When the creature sat down and looked at them with its curious yellow eyes it all made sense. Fleur stood suddenly and approached Hermione kneeling down and picking up the left foreleg, nearly toppling the wolf.

In black fur along the wolf's foreleg on the inside wasn't a word but more of a smudge that was too much not the word that had been scrawled along her arm. Frowning she smoothed it over and looked at the fur closely, it seemed to be rippling along the leg which was curious. Hermione looked down as well and they trio around her could practically see the frown on her lupine face. Pulling her leg back Hermione backed up a pace and shifted back looking at Fleur before sliding the sleeve of her shirt up past the red etching on her skin.

Only now, instead of wounds that wouldn't quite heal that spelled out the word mudblood there were three words. Three names neatly carved into her flesh, pink scars now healed over and on their way to turning white. Closest to the elbow was McGonagal beside that and in the middle was Granger and on the end closest the wrist was Black. Hermione slowly traced her finger over the words her eyes a little cloudy.

"Why is McGonagal written on your arm?" Draco asks with a frown on his own on his face.

"Why is Black?" Fleur asks countering Draco's question.

"Hermione has been claimed by Bellatrix. I'd wager she would have properly courted Hermione if she had had the chance. Bellatrix was widowed today and i would suspect she would have no problems at all taking her maiden name again. There for... Hermione is a Black. She's family." Narcissa explains answering Fleur and informing her son at the same time.

"But McGonagal...?" Draco probed gently looking at his newest Aunt.

"The Granger's adopted me as a new born. Minerva McGonagal is my birth mother." Hermione whispered softly but in the waiting silence the words seemed to bounce off of the walls.

The profoundness of the statement had floored them all and after a quick tea was made they retired instead to the den where they ate quietly in silence while Hermione gathered her thoughts. She didn't eat much herself, too used to having scarce meals while on the run with the boys but she sipped the ginger tea thankfully. So they sat in silence.

Fleur regarded the people in her living room, two of whom had been on the opposing side up until extremely recently and now sitting amicably and having tea with her. With Hermione whom everyone but Bellatrix Black thought was a muggleborn. Turns out she wasn't the only one who could sympathise with the young witch. Yet now she looked she couldn't believe she had missed just how lonely and depressed the young witch really was.

Narcissa was nothing but proud, she was a naturally proud woman and she was proud of her family despite the bad decisions that had been made in the past. Namely disowning Andromeda and Sirius for the choices they themselves had made, the choice to make a more equal and accepting life for themselves. But she was proud of Hermione for being strong enough to fight the fights she been pulled into through no fault of her own, the strength to fight her own self-deprecation and self-worth issues.

Draco on the other had regarded his newest and truest friend with not sympathy but respect. Hermione Granger not only learned her parentage was a lie, that her biological mother didn't want her and that she wasn't a mudblood like he himself had dubbed her yet she never corrected. No Draco respected that despite all of this she was still able to see the things Bellatrix had done and still forgiven her, given the mad-woman a chance to be better, given her a reason too. Regardless of her own issues Hermione had befriend and consequently fallen in love with arguably the most dangerous woman in the wizarding world.

"Do you have any idea who your father might be?" Narcissa was the first to break the silence.

"Not a clue. The device only showed us our past right to birth. I saw that it was Minerva who had birthed me and i saw that she looked... well she looked blank." Hermione explains softly.

"Do you thing McGonagall might know you're her daughter?" Draco queries.

"Honestly i don't think she has any idea." Hermione finally looks up and truly engages those around her.

"Why do you not speak wiz 'er about it?" Fleur asks curiously.

"I really haven't wanted too. She didn't want me. I was left at an orphanage as a new born and she obviously never bothered to see what happened to me or she would know who i am. I haven't acknowledged she is my mother to anyone but Bella and only expressed worry for her the last few months." Hermione was rubbing the magic scar on her arm, changing between names. A sweet gift from an unwilling torture.

"So do you not want to know?" Draco asks bluntly.

"I... i didn't. I had a mum and dad who i loved dearly and Minerva has expressed no interest in being anything other than a Professor and Mentor. But after obliviating my parents not to remember me or ever even adopting me last summer? I have wanted too i just dont know how to broach the subject. And certainly not right now." Hermione wrinkles her nose a little.

"Why not now?" Narcissa asks before sipping her tea.

"Too soon after the war. I'd wager she will become Headmistress and i would like to help repair it. I love that place and would hope to finish out my seventh year." Hermione explains casually.

"Of course you do." Draco snorts but his expression belies the teasing.

"Why not just say bugger it and run off with Bella?" Narcissa asks a small smile on her face.

"Because Bella doesn't want that sort of life for me. She doesn't want it for herself either so i plan to do everything in my power to correct a few things and try to commute her sentence or something." Hermione offers with a slight frown as she presently has no idea how to even begin.

"Well... if anyone can do it a Black can." Draco drawls a grin crossing his features that had Hermione grinning as well. It meant a deal to her that Draco and Narcissa accepted Bella's slightly archaic claim on her. It meant more to her that Bella had claimed her as her own in the first place.

It was only around an hour later, conversations had moved onto what everyone was hoping to do in the future, when Bill returned home. Fleur explained, needlessly, that she had invited Draco and Narcissa to stay with them until further notice. Bill was a laid back guy and really didn't mind the guests at all, even going so far as to earn himself a slap for making lude comments that greatly amused his guests but not so much his red faced wife. Not that Fleur wasn't a sexual being but she was human enough to be embarrassed by his implications.

Bill sat down to eat while Fleur went on to engage Narcissa once again in conversation about what it was that Narcissa hoped to do with herself in the near future. The youngest Black was hoping to reconcile with Andromeda and use her friendship with those at the Daily Prophet to get it out there that it wasn't easy being stuck in the middle for the few pure-blood wives with no ill will towards the muggleborn. Hermione thought this was great but she herself was engaged with Draco over the pro's and con's of returning to Hogwarts. With a few simple statements she had him convinced. They would return together.

Hermione was still grinning when she checked her journal next. It had been a few hours since she had responded to her love but she had checked every so often to be sure she wasn't ignoring something urgent. This time she was met with a message and she settled a little closer to Fleur and got everyone's attention. Everyone leaned in, even Bill who wasn't even sure what he was looking at, and read the message with her. Hermione was silently thankful their messages were very rarely anything rated Mature.

Lost Girl,
Extremely glad you're ok and i'm missing you. Can i get a familial update?
I could really use Dittany, Blood-Replenishing, Strengthening and Pain.
The changeling is in a bad way but will live. Can you bring them to the shed after dark?
I will meet you there though i wont be able to linger.
I love you,
Mouse.

"Zat is perfect, i 'ave plenty of zose." Fleur says brightly getting up without question to go and fetch the things asked for.

"I'm not sure what this is?" Bill was entirely unsure.

"Oh... It's how i've been able to communicate with Bellatrix. It's kind of like the DA coins in fifth year. We believe she has Tonks with her but Tonks is injured." Hermione explains to him who looks both surprised and impressed.

"I might come with you. I promise not to cause trouble, i just want an update on Tonks." Bill suggests honestly and Hermione nods.

"Alright. Just... she means a lot to me Bill." Hermione implores softly. Bill searched the earnest expression of the young witch before him and nods.

"I understand. I promise i wont be a prat. I'm not as condemning as the rest of them." Bill knows Hermione would understand she would understand. She did.

"Write 'er back. Let 'er know you 'ave everyzing she asked for." Fleur comes back in carrying multiple potions. Hermione smiled appreciatively.

Mouse,
Everything you asked for is available and i will be there after dark. I will not be alone but my companion will be friend.
The baby and the baby dragon are both safe and well, the three of us have been taken in by a friendly French Harpy and her mate.
The middle child is frantic for her offspring but both she as her grand-lad are well and healthy. I will update her of the situation after suns rise.
Can't wait to see you, even briefly. Be safe Mouse.
My heart beats for you,
Lost girl.

"Why do your messages have to be so covert and cryptic?" Draco asks curiously, wondering why it was really necessary post-war and now that people were aware of Hermione and Bellatrix.

"I think it's brilliant. I mean its no lie Hermione is a genius and Bellatrix is highly intelligent herself. Besides if anyone managed to figure out how to activated the book and read past or present messages then at least it would be confusing to them." Bill says appreciatively and Hermione smiled at his understanding of something he knows very little about.

"You raise a good point, Weasley." Draco smirks and Bill winks playfully making the women chuckle.

"In deed. Maybe we should all try and get a little rest. I'd imagine none of us have slept in at least two days." Narcissa suggests. She gets no argument.

Hermione did not sleep well, yet she suspected there were a lot of people not sleeping well these days. Even still she had to be woken shortly after dark by Bill who had slept even worse than she had. Still grieving Fred he had tossed and turned most of the afternoon, only sleeping well after Fleur had practically spread herself atop him to keep him still so she could get some proper sleep. Either way he had been up long enough to make both himself and Hermione a cup of tea and then come in to wake her.

"Come on, Mione. Time to get up." Bill gently shook her and her eyes snapped open, followed by a frustrated groan that she was even awake.

Bill left her to get dressed which she did promptly and then joined him in the kitchen where the supply of potions were sat and the cup of tea was steaming. Hermione gladly sipped the refreshing brew before filling the ever curious Bill in on just how she had ended up attached the Bellatrix and about her somewhat unknown parentage.

When the tea was done and there was nothing left to be said on the matter Hermione and Bill made there way out to the apparation point and Hermione took them to her old family home. The house she grew up in had so many fond memories of, the how now sitting empty in a quiet neighbourhood waiting to be sold. She had them appear in the now over grown back garden not far from the shed and she looked around immediately for any danger. So far so quiet so with the ever ready Bill at her side she made her way to the small garden shed in the corner of the yard. Carefully she opened it and they stepped inside.

Hermione didn't get a chance for her eyes to adjust to the dark before a body was wrapped around her own. She knew it was Bellatrix from the familiar scent of the witch she was so enamoured with. Since leaving Azkaban, Bellatrix had taken care in looking after herself in so much she had her teeth repaired and she absolutely loathed being dirty. Hermione rather thought that was quite endearing and had lightly teased Bella about it a time or two. She wrapped her arms around the dark witch and moments later they were in a lip lock. Kissing almost desperately.

"I can't stay long but gosh have i missed you." Bellatrix spoke softly in the dark of the shed, her forehead resting against Hermione's.

"As i have you." Hermione returned affectionately. When they pulled back they both sighed at the loss of contact before Bellatrix turned and looked at Bill.

"I hate to say i didn't think any of the Weasley's would be on her side after people found out about us." The older woman comments looking at Bill curiously, a little on edge.

"Well it was a bit of a shock. Everyone learned in the heat of battle but i like to think myself the open minded one of the bunch. Besides i like Hermione, why would i deny her any happiness?" Bill shrugged and Hermione smiled. Even Bellatrix's expression lightened.

"I appreciate you and your wife taking my family in. I was worried for them." Bellatrix says genuinely thankful.

"That's quite alright. Hermione is like family and she seems fond of Draco and Narcissa. Plus Fleur is a soft touch and has always liked Hermione. I'd say you're welcome too but at the moment you're not welcome many places at all." Bill informs apologetically.

"That's ok. I'm safe where i am for now anyway. I do really need to go though, shes had a bad fever." Bellatrix says not mentioning names.

"Can you tell us what's wrong with her?" Hermione asks handing over the potions.

"She was duelling Dolohov when i stumbled across them. He had already dispatched the werewolf and was close to getting the Changeling too. He didnt see me coming so it was easy enough to take him out. I knew she was family and you know how much that means to me so i took her to a safe place before returning. Dolohov used a nasty spell similar to the slashing hex but its all inside. Its hard to heal and she has been in and out of it since i took her there. The blood-replenishing and the pain should help her with the fever. Its up to her but she has Black blood and a reason to live so she will be fine. I can keep you updated with the journal." Bellatrix explains gratefully taking the potions.

"You're secretly amazing." Bill says making a face at her. Bella winked at him.

"We will let the middle baby know tomorrow. Draco and i are going to go back and help out at the castle tomorrow." Hermione explains smiling.

"I thought you would. Keep Draco close, hes got a smart head on his shoulders he was just horribly impressionable by that fool of a father of his. Promise me you will be safe. Don't let anyone get to you." Bellatrix turns back to her young love with an imploring look.

"I make no promises but i will try. I will fix this for you. For us. Some how." Hermione ensures softly and Bella smiles. Bill was secretly surprised Bella could look so... pretty, as she did when she smiled so sweetly. Something he honestly felt privileged to see.

"Be safe, Little Wolf." Bella coos gently kissing Heremione one last time.

"And you, Mouse. Please." Hermione smiles softly, only turning a little sad when Bellatrix reluctantly aparates away.