Here is a massive warning for the chapter!!!
Homophobia, violence, sexual harassment, attempted sexual assault, talk of alcohol abuse and depression.
It's a heavy chapter but one I felt has been coming since the very beginning, it's one reason why I've put off uploading, I hope this doesn't trigger anyone and that you all appreciate where I'm coming from.
Hermione couldn't focus during anything the next day, she got a response from Harry at breakfast and was distracted the rest of the day.
Hey Mia,
Sounds great, I miss you so much. Strange not seeing you everyday but Auror training is going great but I guess I'll tell you all about it later.
I've managed to convince Ron to come with me but don't expect a letter he's still very mad Mione.
Meet us at The Three Broomsticks at 7 and we will get food, I've owled ahead and booked us a room for the night and warned Rosmerta that we will be eating up there as the Profit basically follows us everywhere now.
Nervous about your news but if you tell me it's good then it'll be fine.
Love you sis,
Harry
It was on the walk to DADA that Ginny finally had enough.
"Hermione Granger you get a grip of yourself! You three have been inseparable since first year, I mean I know you've had your ups and downs, mostly my brother being an arse... In fact every time my brother was being an arse so maybe worry about Ron... But Harry will understand. He'll be mad because Sirius and he'll shout at you and call you a traitor but then give him ten minutes to think and he'll be fine with it. Ron's gonna be an arse, we know it and you know it but if you tell him the truth that's all he can ask of you. So you get your head out of your out of your arse and you enjoy the next two hours ogling your soulmate."
Ginny nodded snug, and it was clear she would accept no more moping from Hermione.
"Thanks Gin, I really needed to hear that. Harry will understand pretty quickly I'm sure. Let's not assume Ron is coming tomorrow. If he does it'll be a bonus. What are we doing tomorrow btw?"
"And ruin the surprise? Never. Just have yourself and your girlfriend awake and back in your PJs by 10am."
"PJs? I don't even know is she owns PJs at least not that are acceptable for you all to see..."
"I don't want to think about that thank you very much. I'm sure she can borrow some of yours. I'm not explaining myself." She looked smug as anything but clearly wouldn't reveal anything else.
Ginny had dropped this bread crumb strategically, she knew that Hermione would spend the next few hours obsessing over that instead of meeting the boys and lucky it worked.
They once again spent DADA duelling but Hermione and Ginny were paired today. Many of their classmates had made the corrections from the day before and Hermione had to admit Bella really was a great teacher. Soon though class finished and she had three hours to sit and ponder about the boys.
The first hour after class she had tried to get some homework done for the next week but even that couldn't hold her attention tonight so instead she went to choose an outfit.
She decided on a pair of jeans, a plain white t-shirt and her latest jumper from Mrs Weasley. Then checked through the window of their secret door and nipped into Bella's wardrobe. She grabbed a black trench coat, she wanted to wear something of Bella's but unfortunately most of her clothes would be very obviously hers. She did spray herself with one of Bella's perfume though and it helped her calm a little bit.
She then ran back home and picked out some PJs for her and Bella for tomorrow and popped them on the desk to pop on just before everyone arrived, she knew she wouldn't wear PJs that she had already slept in because she would be anxious all day that she smelt.
At about six Bella popped into her room, Hermione was rereading the letter Harry had sent her and getting herself into a tizzy.
Bella walked into the bedroom and just held her arms open, Hermione rushed into them.
"You smell like me Little Witch"
Hermione chuckled "I may have gone into your room and borrowed your perfume and one of your coats. I thought it would help me keep calm."
"I know you want to do this on your own but if you need me you only have to think and I will be right there you know that right?"
"I know Bells, thank you. I'm just terrified, what if they never speak to me again."
"Baby girl, you are the golden trio! There's a reason we never bothered trying to break you three up and it's because we knew it was a waste of time. The Weasel will probably throw a fit because he's in love with you but even I have to admit I think Potter will accept it. If the Weasel can't accept your soulmate then he doesn't deserve to be your friend. If he truly loved you then he should love you enough to let you be happy with someone who isn't him." It was strange hearing something so free from jealousy from Bella regarding Ron. Hermione knew it must be truly heartfelt.
"I love you Bella. Can we just lay on the bed for a bit?"
"Of course we can. What time are you leaving?"
She headed towards the bed and got herself comfy before opening her arms for Hermione.
"I've got to be there for 7 so I'm planning on leaving the castle about half six, gives me plenty of time to walk down to Hogsmead"
"Ok so I've got about 15 minutes to love you before you decide to fix your hair even though it won't need fixing."
"You know me far too well." Hermione rolled into Bella and rested her head against her chest, breathing in her scent and drawing lazy patterns on her décolletage. Bella held her close and pressed kisses against her hair and forehead. After a few minutes Hermione's body had released the tension and her breathing was easier.
"That's better Little Dove. Look if Minnie and Neville can accept us then surely Potter and Weasel can."
"I've just realised something." a broad smile breaking across her face.
"What?" Bella started stroking through Hermione's hair.
"You like Ginny. You call Ron Weasel but you call Ginny Red, I guess I expected you to call her female Weasel or something but you don't. Oh and by the way we are expected to be awake and in PJs by 10am, both of us. I didn't think your version of nightwear would be appropriate to be seen by your students so I've picked you out some of mine to wear."
Bella chose to ignore the comments about Ginny and instead deflect.
"You mean you don't want to see me walk around in barely there black silk on your birthday?"
"Oh no I definitely do, but no one else gets to see that. No one else gets to see how utterly devastatingly delicious you are in black silk."
"Noted. Right come on you need to get going. Give me a warning when you're on your way home ok? Oh and don't bring the wonder twins back with you, I've got the first of your birthday presents."
"The first?"
"Yes my love, the first. I've never got to spoil my soulmate on her birthday before and I may have got a little overexcited when choosing."
"Bella you didn't have to get me anything, you certainly didn't need to get me loads of stuff. Spending time with you and my friends is all I've ever wanted on my birthday, presents aren't the be all and end all for me."
"I know you wouldn't care if I got you nothing at all but I want to. I want to spoil you and it's well within my means to do so. It was nice to choose things for you and it will be even better to get to see you open each thing. Seeing you smile when you open them will be worth it for me. It's not like I have to be careful with money, but I promise I didn't buy you anything because it was expensive, I bought everything because I thought you would love and cherish it."
"I love you so much. I do need to be going though. I'll probably be a few hours at least but I promise if they don't take it well I will shout you immediately, I'm hoping I won't have to talk to you until I will let you know when I'm on my way home."
"Good girl."
Hermione pulled herself off the bed, gave her hair a quick once over and then headed out towards the main gate. The closer she got to The Three Broomsticks the fastest the negative thoughts were swirling around her brain again until Bella's voice broke through them.
- You three are unbreakable. Just explain things from the beginning, don't chuck it all at them at once. Ease them into it. Ask them about training and they will ask you about school and your scar, get their reaction to that and then go from there.
- Thanks Bells, it's just scary.
- Hermione Granger you have faced the Dark Lord, I've tortured you for god sake! You do not have anything to be afraid of.
- I'm here, if I need you I'll shout. I love you.
- I love you too Princess.
She reached the door of The Three Broomsticks a few minutes later, being a Friday night she knew it would be busy so she let out a steadying breath and then pushed in through the door.
The pub went quiet as she headed inside, of course she couldn't just have one night where people don't recognise her. Some of the braver patrons were just starting to make their way over to her when her night in shining armour (or barmaid in wizard robes) swooped in.
"Ah no! You will not hound the girl in my pub, shame on the lot of you." The drinkers at least look ashamed and backed back to their seats "Hermione dear, the boys are upstairs room three. What are you drinking and I'll send it up?"
"Thank you, Butterbeer please but I'll probably swap to Firewhiskey later, I'm strangely looking forward to you not being able to say no because of my age."
"Don't remind me, you'll make me feel old. Right off you go, there's a menu upstairs already."
"Thank you, seriously for saving me." She gave the barmaid an appreciative squeeze on the arm.
"I meant what I said, I won't have you three hounded in my pub. Even the golden trio deserve to drink in peace." Hermione gave her a smile and headed up the stairs.
She stopped outside of room three and froze. Her thoughts ran past her so quickly she could barely keep up with them but she overrode them all 'they are your best friends, you've got to give them a chance', she gave herself a moment to regulate her breathing and then knocked.
Almost immediately the door was flung open and Harry was pulling her into his arms.
"Mione!"
"Harry, I've missed you so much!"
"I've missed you too, you don't know how much." He pulled back and looked at her "Woah Mia you look good, your whole posture is different... I can't put my finger on it but something has changed for the better."
There was a scoff from behind and Hermione spotted Ron sat at the table. He was clearly already a few Firewhiskeys in and looked very upset about being here.
Hermione decided to ignore him for now.
"Thanks Harry, you've gone and grown muscles; Auror training clearly suits you. I missed you too, both of you."
Harry gave her hand a squeeze and his face clearly said 'just address the elephant in the room and get it over with'.
"Ron, how are you doing? I want to apologise again for the way I handled the situation, I should have never lead you on and let things get to the point they did and I shouldn't have told you in the way I did. I panicked and I couldn't keep you in a relationship with me anymore, not when I knew I could never love you the way you deserved to be loved. I hope we can move past this eventually because I don't want to lose you."
She had moved towards the table and stood behind the chair opposite Ron.
"I'm here aren't I? I'm not going to pretend to be happy but I'm here and I'll listen to what it is you've got to say. I'm not promising to still be here tomorrow though." He said gruffly.
It was obvious that Ron was here under duress but at least he was here and at the end of the day that was all she could ask of him.
Harry tried to break the tension and handed her the menu "Once we've decided we can just send a protronus down. Come on sit down, you did order a drink right?"
"Ye, Rosmerta said she would send it up in a moment."
They sat at the table and decided what they wanted, Ron was decidedly quiet. The silence was anything but comfortable.
Once they had sent a protronus down and Hermione's drink had appeared on the table, it was clear the others were waiting for her to talk.
"I'm not going to be able to ease you into this am I?"
Harry laughed "We need easing in?"
"I wish you didn't but you do. Can we just pretend for a little while that we're the same people we were before the war. Just be the three of us, talking about our lives and enjoying each others company? I'm not trying to avoid telling you, I just want to forget about everything for a while and just be with my best friends."
Ron huffed and took another swig of his Firewhiskey, he clearly wasn't going to make this easy. Harry however was more than happy to agree "Of course Mia, how about until we've finished eating we just talk life, nothing deep just life?"
"That would be amazing. I am really looking forward to hearing about your new jobs."
Harry instantly began a stream of information about what they had been up to the past few weeks, even Ron occasionally added in a detail that Harry had missed; mostly about times where Ron himself had done something impressive but at least he was contributing to the conversation.
Their food appeared and Hermione basically inhaled her fish and chips. It had the type of vinegar that you normally only got in a chippy and the batter on the fish was perfectly golden and crispy, there was even the perfect ratio of crispy and soggy chips.
"I'm so glad you're both enjoying work, you would have both been miserable back at Hogwarts."
"You can say that again! How is Hogwarts? Ginny said they've got Lestrange teaching defence against the dark arts?"
"It's Black now but ye, honestly I was completely against the idea but she's nothing like she used to be. She's working with Neville to fix his parents memories, she showed him the memories and she didn't torture his parents. When she got there they were already at the brink of madness, she used a curse of her own invention which made them appear as if they had been driven mad by the cruciatus curse but she believes it is reversible. And we've been working to heal my scar."
"You've been spending time alone with that psycho?" Ron finally spoke up, his voice menacingly low
"I have, quite a lot actually and she's seen the error of her ways Ron, honestly. She's one of the best defence teachers we've ever had, she could give Remus a run for his money. I never expected to even tolerate her so I'm just as surprised as you are. If you want proof of how much she's changed look" she rolled the sleeve of her jumper up and showed the boys her new scar.
"It's not healed obviously and it still hurts, we think we've got a way to fix it but it'll take a while to do but she managed to change it and I'm not ashamed by it anymore."
Harry looked like he was fighting a battle within himself. "I'm happy she has fixed your scar but... Tonks, Sirius, Dobby?"
"I know, and I've spoken to her about that. Her reaction when I asked her about Tonks was enough for me to believe that she had nothing to do with it. She was hysterical Harry, absolutely hysterical. She was sobbing, begged me to owl Andy, she's agreed to whatever means Andy needs to believe her. Legilimency, Veritaserum or using a pensive."
"Still didn't stop her killing Sirius and Dobby thought did it!" Ron grunted out.
"No but I asked her about them too. Believe me I know she isn't innocent in all of this, but neither are we, we all did things in the war we're not proud of. You know as well as I do that had the dagger hit any of the rest of us we would have been fine, injured ye but it wasn't big enough to kill any of us, she had no way of knowing who it would hit. It doesn't bring Dobby back and it doesn't excuse her actions but somehow knowing it wasn't deliberate made me feel a bit better. If she had aimed a little further to the right it could have been one of us and we would have just had a scar. And Sirius..." she let out a sigh and took a deep sip of her butterbeer.
"Expecto Patronum" her otter appeared "Take this message to Rosmerta 'Rosmerta, can we have a bottle of Firewhiskey up here please?' We're going to need it" her otter quickly disappeared. The boys just stared at her in silence, Ron in silent burning fury and Harry a mix of expectation and anger.
"You know as well as I do that she sent a stunner at Sirius, it was a cataclysm of fate that caused him to fall through the veil. What I thought was strange at the time was the fact she left. Have you ever heard of Bellatrix Lestrange retreating? And leaving the rest of the Death Eaters behind at that. She ran Harry, she couldn't face the fact that she had killed her cousin and she ran. She knew you were chasing her and she knew how much you wanted to hurt her; so she wound you up in the hopes that you would. We all know she could have blocked your Cruciatus or killed you without even trying too hard but she felt like she deserved your punishment, that's why she even gave you advice on how to cast it properly. She wanted you to punish her for what she did. She did a lot of fucked up shit, even I know that but she maintains she never intended to hurt her family."
Harry looked shocked but it did make sense, they had even commented at the time that it was strange Bellatrix hadn't hurt Harry but as they didn't have a reason for it, it was forgotten. Harry hadn't had enough time to form an appropriate reaction yet so he just let Hermione continue. Ron looked like he was frozen to the spot in anger.
"I can show you the memories of our conversations if you want. But you know me Harry, I don't let people pull the wool over my eyes and I genuinely believe she didn't intend to kill Sirius or Dobby. She's actively trying to make amends for the things she can change and she's the only teacher I've ever seen get that much out of Neville. He can now block a full strength stunner from her, Neville! He's improving in all his other classes now too because she's giving him the confidence to believe in himself."
Harry looked like he was starting to accept it, after all Hermione didn't take things as truth unless she believed it with her whole heart.
Ron decided to pipe up at that moment "You've clearly been getting very cosy with the crazy bitch. How much time have you been spending with her Hermione? I never thought you'd let a twisted, murderous bitch like that fool you but maybe you're not as clever as everyone thinks"
Hermione knew logically he was just drunk and hurting, she knew this was not the way that Harry should find out, that she should calmly explain the situation...but Ron being Ron was rubbing her up the wrong way and talking about Bella like that was the final straw.
"I was trying to be kind about this and break it to you easy but if you're going to be an arse Ronald Weasley they fine! I've been spending most of my free time with Bellatrix. Nearly all of it in fact because she is my soulmate. That is how she managed to change my scar because our magic is bonding to each other. So no Ronald, I haven't let her fool me, I know that woman probably better than I know you at this point. I feel for her more already than I ever did when I was with you. So either stop talking about my girlfriend like that or fuck off!"
She had stood up at this point and had slammed her hands on the table. It was only when she finished her rant that she realised what she had said. Harry looked shocked of course but Ron looked murderous.
He stood up too and started to back her towards the wall, Hermione was so terrified of the look in his eyes that she didn't even draw her wand. He held the same expression as when he wore the locket but this time it was a thousand times worse.
"You broke up with me, me! And just weeks later you tell me you're shacking up with some Death Eater Dyke! After everything I did for you Hermione? I accepted that you weren't massive on kissing, I didn't even push you to fuck me when it was my right! Frigid bitch! You wouldn't let me anywhere near you but you will spread your legs like a whore for that crazy Death Eater bitch!"
Hermione's back hit the wall, Harry hadn't moved from the spot and looked to be going into shock. Hermione was too terrified of Ron in this moment to say anything back.
"You are mine Hermione and if I have to do something drastic to make you believe that you will always belong to me... then so be it. I will fix this."
He wrapped one hand around her throat and harshly crashed his lips upon hers, she froze.
Luckily at this, Harry shook himself out of his stupor and rushed forward to drag Ron off her.
"Ron! Stop this RON! Ugh..."
Ron threw his elbow back hitting Harry in the stomach, who went reeling backwards. Ron's lips were still firmly attached to Hermione and he was trying to force his tongue into her mouth. As Ron's hand began to slip below the fabric of her top to pull it up Harry finally remembered he was a wizard and drew his wand, moment later the stunner hit Ron and he tumbled to the ground unconscious.
Hermione was still frozen to the wall with tears silently falling down her cheeks. Harry rushed to her but didn't want to startle her, her reaction let him know she wouldn't appreciate the closeness right now.
"Hermione, Oh my God, are you ok? What do you need?"
Hermione was still leaning against the wall with Ron at her feel, tears already streaming down her cheeks.
She managed to croak out "Bella. I need...Bella"
Harry to his credit didn't question it, he cast his Patronus "Find Bellatrix Black, tell her we are in room three of The Three Broomsticks and that Hermione needs her." His stag leapt away.
Hermione suddenly remembered she could call Bella herself
- I need you, room three. Don't need to hex anyone. Not hurt. Hurry.
- What happened? I'm on my way. I'll apperate from the gate.
- I can't...I don't want to think. Bella I need you.
- I'm coming, I'm coming baby girl.
- Harry's with me, I'm safe just hurry.
"She's on her way." She croaked out.
"How do you know? Do you want to sit down?"
Hermione nodded and headed to curl up on the bed. "Soulmates are linked, we can talk telepathically."
"Ah" was all he could respond, standing awkwardly at the foot of the bed. He didn't want Hermione to feel alone but he knew she didn't want him too close either.
- Just got Potter's Patronus. I'm nearly at the gates I'll be just a few more minutes.
Hermione still had tears falling from her eyes and Harry looked like his world had just crumbled.
"I can't believe he... Hermione I'm so sorry."
"S'not your fault Harry. S'ok, you stopped him."
The door was thrown open and Bella looked ready to kill, she spotted Harry stood in the middle of the room confused, Ron unconscious on the floor and Hermione in tears on the bed.
She scooped Hermione up and sat on the bed with the girl cradled in her lap. As soon as Bella reached her Hermione's tears suddenly turned from silent to hysterical. She sobbed loudly and Bella held her tighter.
"Potter, you better tell me what the hell happened or I swear to Merlin I will happily go to Askaban for another 14 years." she hissed out.
"I...I don't know what happened. We were talking and she was telling us about you two and... Ron snapped. He said some horrible things and then..." It was obvious he didn't understand what happened enough to explain it.
Hermione got Bella's attention, she tapped her head "Bella just look."
Bella quickly jumped into Hermione's head and watched the scene unfold, Harry watched as her body tensed as she watched and he swore he could see steam coming out of her ears.
"I'll kill him, I'll bloody kill him!"
Hermione clung tighter to Bella she was completely manic by this point "No! They'll take you away from me. Don't leave, you can't leave me. Please Bella please don't leave me?"
Bella realised that Hermione was more important than revenge at this point in time.
"Shh shh baby girl I'm not going anywhere. You've got me forever, you can't get rid of me that easily. I'm yours and you're mine, forever remember."
Hermione nodded, calming down slightly at that, she pulled herself up so her head was resting in the crook of Bella's neck. Bella turned to stare Harry down.
"I won't hurt the Weasel, but you better tell him that he is not welcome tomorrow and if he ever tries anything like that again I will kill him. That is a promise not a threat."
Confident her message had been understood she turned her attention back to Hermione, she placed a kiss against her hair and began to rock them both gently.
She ignored the presence of Harry and Ron and focused on Hermione. She closed her eyes and began to sing
Little witchling close your eyes,
For owls are flying in the skies,
while dragons nest, the pixies rest,
And centaurs settle in the west.
Little witchling rest your head,
You're safe and loved here in your bed.
The house elves slumber down below,
In dream that Hypnos hast bestow.
Little witchling say goodnight,
For in your dreams your soul takes flight.
Enjoy the things in dreams you'll see
And in the morning home to me.
As Bella finished so did Hermione's tears, she was now calm but still holding Bella tightly.
"I've got you little witchling, I'm not going anywhere. I will never let him hurt you again. You're ok. I love you." She placed another kiss to the crown of Hermione's head.
Harry sat down at the table as if he had been blown over by a stiff wind.
"It's true... You really love her."
Bella looked uncomfortable but decided to trust him, after all he had already seen her cuddly side now.
"More than my own life."
"I can't say I will ever forgive you for Sirius or Dobby... but I won't hurt Hermione by refusing to accept you. Hermione has been through enough."
"I appreciate that Potter, whatever you think of me ... Well we can have that discussion when you're ready but thank you for not holding it against Hermione. What do we do about him?"
She gestured towards Ron with her head.
"I never thought he was capable of something like that, what he said was bad enough but then... He needs help." The bottle of Firewhiskey had appeared at some point during the outburst and he poured himself a large measure.
"Me and Hermione accepted appointments with the mind healers pretty soon after the battle, we both went at least twice a week for the whole of summer but Ron thought it was 'Mumbo jumbo'. Things have been getting steadily worse over the past few weeks, it started with just the odd mean comment here and there, but now half the office won't even talk to him. He's been drinking a lot, too much really. I... I ignored it. I didn't see that he was struggling, no I did see it, I guess I didn't want to see that he was struggling."
Hermione pulled herself away from Bella slightly, twisting in her lap to face Harry with Bella's arms wrapped firmly around her. She wiped away her tears with the backs of her hands.
"You can't blame yourself for this Harry." she said softly.
"Who else am I meant to blame, Mia?" he whispered dejectedly.
"The only person to blame for this is Ron. We need to go to Molly."
"You need to call Shacklebolt and get him arrested for assault!" Bella exclaimed clearly shocked that it wasn't Hermione's first plan of action.
"Bellatrix Druella Black! Ronald may be a royal pain in the arse but I will not have him thrown in Askaban for a drunken mistake. Hell I didn't think you deserved to be in there, even back when I thought you had done everything you were accused of!" Hermione fixed Bella with a look that clearly said 'do not test me right now'
"You're scary when your angry..." Bella responded sheepishly.
"Will you two be ok here if I floo to The Burrow? I can hit him with a sleeping charm before I go. I would suggest that Bellatrix not be here when we come back though, Molly won't take this well."
"Ron will only tell her when he wakes up anyway, Bella isn't going anywhere. No, Harry you have to tell her what happened. If need be make her take an unbreakable vow."
"This is going to get very tricky, very quickly." Bella said "I think given the situation...we need to call Minnie. This is bigger than just us if this gets out. Hermione are you up to sending Minnie a message?"
"You're probably right. Yes, I can do that. This is going to get complicated quickly isn't it?"
Harry and Bella also nodded.
Hermione once again cast her otter Patronus "Minnie, please meet me in room three of The Three Broomsticks. I told Ron and Harry about the situation and Ron didn't take it well, an incident has occurred. It has the means to blow up if not managed correctly. We need your help. Here with me is Harry, Ron and Professor Black."
Her otter once more slipped out of the room.
"I should have known Ron would be an arse about it. Harry, are you ok with this?" Hermione asked a little uncertain. Just because he had stopped Ron and had called for Bella it didn't mean that he was ok with them.
"Initially? No, but honestly seeing her reaction to the situation and how much she clearly cares for you...well I can't keep you from that. I don't know if I can forgive and forget but, I can promise to draw a line in the sand and move forward. We all did things we're not proud of in the war, I...I got a goblin burnt to death by the dragon because I didn't release the Imperius curse, that's no different logically from the stunner that was sent at Sirius. So we draw a line. I will accept that Bellatrix Black is a different person and I will give you every opportunity to prove that to me." Harry bravely stepped towards the pair on the bed with a look in his eyes that Hermione had never seen "I warn you now though Black, if you hurt Hermione you will wish you were back in Askaban. Understand?"
Bella, unable to take anything seriously responded with a mock solute. "Received and understood oh mighty boy-who-can't-ever-seem-to-die."
Harry shrugged his shoulders, it was probably as close as he was ever going to get from her and even he knew that, he headed back to the table.
A tabby cat protronus appeared in the room "I am on my way Miss Granger, I will floo directly to The Three Broomsticks, I may well be with you before this message is over."
Ironically there was a knock on the door only moments later. Hermione shouted "Come in"
McGonagall strode into the room and took in the sight before her. Harry sat at the table polishing off another glass of Firewhiskey, Hermione and Bella cuddled on the bed and Ron crumbled in a pile on the floor.
She closed the door behind her, walked straight to the table and poured herself a measure of Firewhiskey, slamming it back instantly. She turned to face the room.
"I dunnae ken whit yi upty but ye gonna tell me noo eh? Hermione you alright bairn? You're lookin a bit peely-wally."
They all looked at her highly confused, clearly Minnie let out her Scottish slang when she was stressed.
"Barry! Live in Scotland for six years and ye canny understand yet neach-teagaisg, pure dafty!" She took a deep breath in and out clearly trying to ensure she was understood this time "Whit the frickin hell happened?"
It was Harry that tackled the issue this time. "Hermione was telling us about her and Bellatrix, Ron snapped said some cruel things about them both and 'fixing' the situation and then... he backed Hermione against the wall and kissed her."
Minnie turned an angry shade of red and turned to Ron "I'll gie ye a skelpit lug, Eejit!"
Harry looked confused but forged ahead " I tried to pull him off but he hit me, in the end he was trying to take her top off and I had to drop him with a stupefy."
McGonagall looked outraged and a little shocked. "The little bawbag! Hermione are you ok, hen?"
Hermione nodded "It was just a kiss really, Harry stopped anything serious happening but Ron needs help, serious help."
Minnie nodded and then turned back to Harry.
"The past few months his drinking has been getting steadily worse and he refused to go to a mind healer, we wanted to go to Mrs Weasley and get her to admit him into St Mungo's for help or rehab or something but well ... Molly isn't going to take this particularly well, any of it."
"Potter are you ok? He hit you?"
"Elbow to the ribs but I'll be ok. We either need to come up with a plan quickly or hit Ron with a sleeping spell. I don't know how long it's been but he will probably be waking up soon."
Almost without thinking McGonagall sent a sleeping spell at the crumpled form of the red head.
Hermione spoke up "My best suggestion would be an unbreakable vow. Me and Harry promise not to press charges against Ron if him and Molly promise not to tell anyone about me and Bella, and that Ron will get help. St Mungo's said that being around and wearing the Horcrux for so long made some unhealthy connections in our minds, I can only assume that without the support of a mind healer than Ron's took root deeper inside his mind."
"We might be able to make that work. Although I have a slightly different spell, mutually assured destruction instead of death. Harry dear, go and collect Molly. Tell her only that I have requested her presence after an incident, no one is hurt or needs medical attention but that it requires her presence."
Harry nodded "I won't tell her anything else I promise. Will you ok Mione?"
"I'll be fine Harry. I doubt a kiss could break me after what we've gone through. Just go and get Molly, we'll sort everything out here."
He nodded "Just have him off the floor before we get back or you know she'll only kick off."
McGonagall nodded as Harry left the room. McGonagall cast a levitation spell on Ron and sent him over to the second bed, luckily they had booked a twin room because Hermione didn't want to be anywhere near him. Slimy git.
"As much as it warms my heart to see, I would suggest the two of you aren't snuggled up in bed when Molly arrives." Minnie added with a wry smile.
Hermione pouted and Bella placed a kiss just behind her ear.
"Table?" Bella offered.
"Table." Hermione confirmed.
The two of them stood up and plonked themselves at the table, Bella poured them both a rather large measure of Firewhiskey.
Minnie laughed, a kind of choked sound.
"I don't think it will ever become normal for me watch you drink Hermione. Even when you join the staff on Friday drinks. Oh bother! Friday drinks, the rest of the staff will be arriving in about an hour."
"It's ok Minnie, hopefully we should be done within an hour. Tell Molly however much you need to tell her, it's our only real option at the moment." Hermione said before swigging a large portion of her drink.
"How are we spinning this to get her to agree to the vow in the first place? Did I come with you Minnie? Or was I already here?" Bella asked, taking an equally large swig from her own glass.
"We don't lie. Me and you were summoned by Miss Granger after the incident, that is the truth technically and all Molly needs to know until she agrees to the oath. Mr Weasley attacked Hermione and subsequently Mr Potter which caused Hermione to call for us both. We do need to plan the terms of the vow."
"Well we've got to ensure that neither of them will tell anyone about me and Bella until we are ready to announce it."
"Yes, and obviously an agreement that if they hold their side of the deal we won't report Mr Wesley's actions." Minnie continued.
"And we've got to get them to agree to getting Ron some help. It's all so messed up." Hermione still sounded distressed for her friend.
Bella caught Minnie's eye.
"If he touches her again I will skin him alive. That isn't a threat that is a promise and you better let Mummy Weasley know that Minnie..." Bella added darkly, her voice quiet and threatening.
"Okay so, in exchange for not reporting Ronald we want him to get help with his emotions and his drinking, and neither of them can reveal your relationship."
"And here was me thinking I could have all my friends at my birthday..." Hermione added glumly. Bella was about to say something to comfort her when there was a nock on the door.
Minnie waited until she had a nod from each other ladies before putting on a mask of worry and calling out "Come in."
Translations (or as close as I could get, if I've messed up the slang please let me know)
"I dunnae ken whit yi upty but ye gonna tell me noo eh? Hermione ye alright barin? You're lookin a bit peely-wally."
I don't know what you are up to but you are gonna tell me now, right? Hermione, are you alright child? You look pale (or ill).
"Barry! Live in Scotland for six years and ye canny understand yet neach-teagaisg, pure dafty!"
Great! Live in Scotland for six years and you can't understand your teacher, really stupid.
"I'll gie ye a skelpit lug, Eejit"
I'll give you a slap on the ear, idiot!