Hey guys so since my muse walked out on me on this one i've decided to end it here. I'm going to do an epilogue still but this one here is the final chapter on this one. Thanks for sticking with me and i apologise if i've disappointed anyone.
Reviews encouraged.
Hermiome had been in the dark for too long, that was why when the door opened and the light flooded in she felt more blind that she had when all she saw was blackness. It was infuriating as she couldn't see who was coming for her this time. She could barely make out the figures as one, two, three walked in. They didn't speak and she assumed it was because they didn't want her to know who they were. She figured Death Eaters that had yet to be rounded up.
That was why, after she had been blindfolded, gagged and moved to a different room, she was so surprised to recognise the voices she heard around her. Augusta Longbottom was the first to speak, not to Hermione but to one of the other people in the room. Still she was blindfolded and gagged, tied to a chair that felt more solid than the earth itself. Her one brief contemplation of escape was dampened by the fact that restrained like this she would likely hurt herself too much trying to shift to wolf and so she remained helpless and slightly terrified and mostly confused.
Confusion that was momentarily gone and then flooding back moments later as the blind fold was removed. When her focus returned she realised that this was the new threat to her, the one she had tried to shrug off and ignore, the one that she under estimated severely. Before her stood not only Augusta Longbottom but also Amos Diggery, George and Molly Weasley several people she didn't know and most frighteningly stood Kingsley Shacklebolt. Towards the back she thought she noticed someone else familiar but before she could take a proper look she was being addressed.
"Hermione Granger, you have been brought here for questioning regarding the where abouts of Bellatrix Lestrange." Augusta started out and Hermione focused on her.
"The gag will be removed and you will be given your chance to answer. You first have to understand that this interrogation isn't a lawful one and one way or another we will have our answers. That vile woman needs to be returned to Azkaban." Augusta further explained and Hermione's eyes flickered over to Kingsley, the supposed Minister that wouldn't meet her gaze.
"Do you understand?" Augusta asked and Hermione returned her stare to the woman seeming to lead this witch hunt. Hermione didn't react and after a moment the woman magically removed the gag.
"Where is Bellatrix Lestrange?" Augusta asks when Hermione remains silent.
Hermione doesn't answer, she cant bring herself to humor these people even for a moment. Instead she turned her gaze to the people watching this interrogation and took in the array of emotions. Disgust from some, sympathy mixed in most of them Anger and confusion even but not one of them seemed hesitant. They all wanted this to happen, needed it to happen, needed to find and incarcerate her witch.
"Silence wont spare you, Granger. Words will save you now." Amos Diggory speaks up.
"I highly doubt that." Hermione croaks. Not only had she not used her voice for several long hours but she was also very thirsty.
"Where is Bellatrix Lestrange?!" Augusta speaks up louder now getting annoyed already. Hermione briefly wondered if she was that short tempered with Neville.
"She prefers to go by Black these days." Hermione returns evenly. Augusta didn't seem to like that though as Hermione was promptly backhanded. The little witch felt her lip split and saw Molly and Kingsley wince yet neither stopped the woman.
"If you want to do this the hard way then by all means. Amos, take over the questioning." Augusta waves her hands and like the master mind she seems to be she steps back and sends in her pawns to do the dirty work.
"I'm not unjust. I will give you a chance to comply. Tell us where Bellatrix Lestrange is." Amos says seriously and Hermione cant help the disgust welling up. This man had cared so deeply for his son but had been weak enough to let his sorrow change and shape him into this. Into a man willing to beat a girl for information.
Beating was exactly what happened too. A question would be asked and Hermione refused to even acknowledge them each time, she would not give up Bellatrix even if she knew where her fiancee had gone. It went on for too long, Hermione's face was aching and bleeding, one eye was swollen shut and the other was full of blood from a split eyebrow. Yet it seemed to go on for almost a half an hour before Augusta snapped at Amos to stop.
"This is obviously not working. Lets take it up a notch." Augusta says and looks to George Weasley. Hermione tries to wipe the from her eye on her shoulder and blink it out so she can look at him.
The expression on Georges face was equal parts terrifying and heart-wrenching. She understood that George was hurting badly, the bond he had with his brother was stronger than any she had seen, but she didn't realise he would willingly do this and she had a feeling he had been encouraged and manipulated. Hermione was terrified because she had a funny feeling George thought she deserved this, that she was to blame for Fred and that somehow Bellatrix had something to do with that.
"George... Don't do this." Hermione spoke finally when she saw him draw his wand.
"Answer our questions." He retorts coldly.
"This is something you will regret for the rest of your life. This isnt who you are." Hermione tries again.
"Who i am died with my brother!" He snarls at her and points his wand. Hermione braced herself.
"Where is Bellatrix Lestrange?" He asks seemingly calmly but his wand was shaking a little.
"George..." Hermione pleads softly but it was futile. A moment later her body was racked with crippling pain but she refused to scream.
When the spells effects were cut off someone asked again where Bellatrix was and she simply shook her head and braced herself. After the third time it was getting harder to remain quite as her nerves were beginning to fray. It was just as George had cast the fourth Cruciatus, just as the pain was becoming entirely too much and she was starting to black out, her scream of agony echoing in the room, that an unlikely group stormed into the room. Just as Hermione passed out she vaguely noticed wands flying.
"You cannot be here!" Narcissa was snarking at the wolf that was pacing in front of a door at St Mungos.
The large creature regarded the witch and snarled softly, it wasnt a threat so much as a warning for the witch to drop it. There were a team of Mediwitches both inside the room and out and they didn't know what to do with the wolf. Regardless it didnt seem to be going anywhere and the Mediwitches had a job to do so they cautiously made their way around it.
Back at the old warn down mansion that hadn't been lived in for almost a decade, the place where Hermione was captured and tortured, Pansy Parkinson had been the hero of the day. Under Odette's suggestion the young witch had integrated herself into Hermione's lynch mob and so when they gathered for answers she could find the location. Of course none of them anticipated it taking as long to gather their numbers. Pansy had arrived panicked and explained to Odette what was happening and then the Parkinson Matriarch had to gather a force.
After those expected where gathered, Bill and Fleur and Narcissa as well as Minerva Harry and Sirius as well as Ginny and Morticia Bulstrode, they had asked Pansy a few questions and then gathered around to apparate back to the derelict building. They heard George say the word and though none of them wanted to believe it was him they acted anyone, storming the room the interrogation was happening in and disarming before anything else could happen. Those present were all taken into custody and Harry and Sirius had them escorted to the ministry. No one really expected Kingsley would do something so cruel.
Hermione had been escorted right to the hospital, badly beaten and tortured and very unconscious. Once in the bed and given Strengthening and Pepper-up, they then cleaned and used dittany on the cuts and bruises on the little witches face. Minerva stayed in the room with her the entire time But Fleur and Bill briefly returned to Shell Cottage and got a clean pair of clothes, Snowflake, and the journal before returning. It was while they were sitting waiting to hear about Hermione that Fleur activated the journal and sent a message to Bellatrix. It was almost 12 hours later, Hermione still hadn't woken, when a large dark grey wolf trotted up the corridor and into the room that Hermione was in. That was where they were now, frowning at the wolf who was growling at everyone as she now stood outside the door.
"Seriously! You're going to get thrown back in Azkaban and Hermione's getting tortured will be for nothing." Narcissa says getting frusrated.
"The hell she will. If i have anything to do with it, after everything that has happened, Bella won't see that confounded place ever again." Minerva snarls appearing from the room.
"Minerva you cant be serious. People don't like Bella at all, if she doesn't go back to prison she will never be accepted back into society." Narcissa argues logically.
"That is my daughter in there. I have not been given the chance to give her very much at all in life so if i can give her her happiness then i'm damn well going to give it to her. If Bella makes her happy then i will keep Bella out of prison." Minerva says passionately, the people in the hall that had not been privy to the knowledge of Hermione's parentage certainly were now.
Bellatrix chose that moment the shift standing beside the woman who was so valiantly defending her. She looked at the people before her, some were unsure and others were apprehensive but no one seemed to be shocked that she was there. Fleur and Bill stood and moved that way, Bill reached out for Bellatrix and the little snake up his sleeve popped out, Bellatrix actually smiled and took the snake from him. The smile was fleeting though as she looked at Bill critically.
"I want to know exactly what happened." Bellatrix speaks to him and he nods.
"Augusta Longbottom and a few other people, Amos Diggory, George and Molly Weasley... Kingsley Shacklebolt, they captured her and took her to a derelict building in the middle of the highlands." Bill began and Bellatrix looked furious.
"How did they capture her?" Bellatrix asked gruffly.
"She went to the Alley, it must have been after you left. Apparently she had just... just dropped the ring off to have something similar made for you. Amos got her as she came out of the store and whisked her away before anyone realised what was going on. She was ambushed." Bill further explained and Bellatrix's expression became stormy.
"She went to get wedding bands made." Bellatrix huffed feeling a mix of pleased, saddened and angry.
"Wedding?" Minerva spoke up finally.
"I had managed to create something for her out of a few heirlooms i had, black diamond with two emeralds in a silver band. She had commented about wanting to get bands made ready for the day when we could marry." Bellatrix explain in an uncharacteristically soft voice.
"A slytherin ring on a gryffindor?" Sirius speaks up trying to lighten the moment.
"No. Not a slytherin ring. A Black-McGonagall ring. Emerald tartans are Minerva's family tartans." Bellatrix explained with an indignant sniff.
It was about this time that several Ministry officials came down the halls towards them. Bellatrix tensed and instinct wanted her to take up her wand but she tamped the desire down and instead met the Auror's with squared shoulders and a lifted chin. The group of four Auror's stopped in front of the group of friends and family and regarded the numbers before them. From the back of the group one Nymphadora Tonks stepped forward and regarded the people before her but in particular Bellatrix and Minerva.
"Madame Black, Headmistress." Nymphadora greets formally.
"Ms. Tonks... how may we help you?" Minerva asks trailing off suspiciously.
"You may not. I am here on official Business. In fact i am here to apologise personally for the injustice done to your daughter and partner. At no point should the Head Auror and the Minister have been involved in such a thing and the Ministry apologises. I will be extending this to Hermione Granger upon her waking." Tonks offers sincerely and it seems to floor the people present.
"I... Well, thank you very much. I understand the Ministry is shamed by this but Gawain and Kingsley are of their own minds. They made poor choices being involved in this but it is no fault of the Ministry itself." Minerva says diplomatically.
"I appreciate your understanding. I must inform you that the Minister, Amelia Bones, has requested you Bellatrix along with Minerva visit with her at the Ministry as soon as you are able. She understands if you choose to wait until after 'Mione wakes." Tonks delivered the message but Bellatrix seemed surprised.
"Amelia survived?" Bellatrix seemed startled but pleased.
"Indeed. She mentioned an unlikely hero when she finally woke. The healing has been slow be she is strong enough to take the role as Minister after the majority of employees voted her in following Kingsley's arrest." Tonks explained and Bella actually smiled.
"You?" Narcissa asks surprised to hear about this and Bella nods.
"The Dark Lord was particularly mean that day, she was in a very bad way and had been bitten by Nagini. When i was told to dispose of her i took her to Severus and he bought her here and had her placed in a secret room and swore the mediwitches tending her kept Amelia a secret. Thankfully they obliged him." Bellatrix explained.
"Thank you again for that. Finally a Minister who isnt power hungry." One of the other present Auror's spoke up.
Hermione woke slowly, she wasn't as sore as she expected to be and she realised that probably meant that she was in the hospital. When the bright light didnt hurt her eyes so much she looked around and confirmed that, yes, she was in the hospital in a bed where it was clean and safe. A relieved sigh left her as she remembered what had happened. There was scuffling at the side of the room and Hermione turned her head towards a couch that was there for family members and was startled to see Minerva and Bellatrix asleep leaning on one another.
The sight of her mother and her fiancee resting so peacefully side by side warmed Hermione like know other. That was until her mind started to work over time. Why was Minerva there in her room waiting for her? They weren't that close were they? And why was Bellatrix allowed to be there? Furthermore, how long had she been sleeping? She was healed and felt mostly fine so maybe a while? What was moving on her stomach?
At the last she tilted her head down to see Snowflake was coiled up there resting peacefully and then she smiled brightly and picked up the little snake and held her up above her. She cooed softly and the creature stretched down and touched snout to nose with Hermione in an odd little eskimo kiss. It made Hermione smile even brighter to have her little scaley friend present. She was still smiling and looking up at the snake when Minerva elbowed Bellatrix gently awake. The two women watched the little witch rejoice in her familiar.
"Hermione." Bellatrix cooed softly after a moment and the little witches smile doubled in intensity when she heard her witch speak.
"Bella." She purred back turning her head and looking to the two women who had yet to move.
"You're here. Is it safe?" Hermiones voice was hoarse still but it would return to normal in its own time.
"Not exactly. But safe enough." Bellatrix moved over to the bed and sat on the edge, her hand settling where Snowflake had been curled on her stomach.
"I don't want you to get caught." Hermione says trying to sit up a little more. Minerva walked over and helped her.
"She wont be going back the prison dear. I will see to it myself." Minerva offers softly.
"What's changed?" Hermione looked between the witches.
"Everything. I was approached by Bill, Fleur and Narcissa. They told me everything." Minerva explained softly.
"What's everything?" Hermione tilts her head unable to keep the hope from her expression. Bella and Minerva smiled and began to explain.
Bellatrix was anxious to say the least. She and Minerva had spent the better part of the morning with Hermione, even having breakfast as the three of them spoke about what had happened and what was possibly going to happen. It was before lunch when the little witch insisted that they go and speak with Amelia Bones, Hermione had been in hospital asleep for a day and half and mother and fiancee had waited with her the entire time. Bellatrix left her journal with Hermione as Fleur had the partner and only left when the little witch promised she would contact Fleur and let her know she was awake.
Right now however, with the stares, glares and whispering going on throughout the Ministry as Bella and Minerva made their way from the entrance to the elevator, Bellatrix was wishing she had stayed with Hermione as she was convinced she would be on the dead end of an Avada any moment now. This is why she was surprised that they made it to the elevator unharmed. More so that they made it up and into the Minister's office without sustaining any sort of injury. In fact no one really seemed to pay them any real attention after acknowledging just who they were.
It was only when they were in the office that Bellatrix felt a little better but that was only for a moment as she was then faced with a woman whom had been tortured and almost killed in her presence. Amelia stared at her for a long hard several moments before rising slowly from her seat and limping towards her, Bellatrix swallowed but held her ground. The eldest Black had been expecting something, some sort verbal tongue lashing or maybe a slap or two, but what she wasnt expecting was to be embraced by the Minister.
"Thank you. You saved my life." Amelia spoke sincerely.
"You were innocent and he only wanted to kill you because you were head of magical law enforcement." Bellatrix explained softly, remorsefully.
"I know. It is done and i like to believe i am still here because of you. Now, lets take a seat and talk about whats going to happen now." Amelia smiles at both witches and gestures the seats in front of her desk as she heads around to her own seat.
"So what is going to happen now? I am strongly against Bellatrix going back to prison." Minerva starts and Amelia turns to her curiously.
"Why is that exactly?" Amelia counters.
"Bellatrix is engaged to my daughter. I'd wager Hermione's life depends on Bellatrix. Now especially." Minerva explains and this surprises Amelia.
"I really want to know but i will leave the whole 'daughter' thing. I am glad to hear it, we are friends i know how you wished you had been able to have children. Lets focus though. I can't pardon Bellatrix, i can place her under supervision." Amelia explains.
"Who would watch me." Bellatrix scoffs without much thought.
"Actually i have had several people who are privy to this information offer." Amelia counters seriously.
"You're kidding." Bellatrix was shocked.
"Not for a moment." Amelia chuckles softly.
"I will do it. I need a Potions Professor. Horace wants to go back into retirement." Minerva suggests.
"You understand that you will suffer backlash and a likely decline in attendance to the school?" Amelia asks though her expression is a pleased one.
"I don't mind in the least. Anyone who isn't willing to come back to school because of a staff member isn't worth having there." Minerva huffs indignantly and Bellatrix's eyes widened a little.
"So it's done. I'll have the school board of Governors informed of the new staff changes. Nymphadora Tonks, the new Head Auror, will visit the castle once monthly just to check on things. A precaution to appease anyone who may not like this set up. You ladies are welcome to return to your days. Oh and Bella... Congratulations on the engagement." Amelia smiles brightly as she dismisses the women.
"What's going through that pretty mind of your's?" Hermione asked the witch who lay beside her on the hospital bed.
Bellatrix hadn't spoken too much since she had come back from the Ministry with Minerva, the later had returned to the castle for the night. Hermione hadnt questioned the obviously shell shocked witch too much, she knew what she needed. Bellatrix was free and her life could continue the way she wanted it too, she didnt have to hide anymore. Bella had slipped into rather deep thought even as she snuggled with the witch on the bed.
"I was married off right out of school and i gave myself to the Dark Lord's service. I'm free but im not sure i know how to be." Bellatrix confesses after a moment.
"Well... let's learn to be free together, Mouse." Hermione coo's gently and smiles at Bellatrix.
"You are my freedom, and i've finally found my Lost Girl." Bellatrix smiles brightly before Hermione pulls her into a passionate kiss. A kiss that was freedom and future and everything perfect with the world.
Again i will be writing an epilogue because there are questions that need to be answered like what happened to everyone that tortured Hermione so i will explain it in the Epilogue, don't despair.