Harry pushed open the door and a red faced Molly Weasley pushed past him into the room, her eyes searched the room until they landed on the figure in the bed.
"Ronnie!" She rushed to the bed, checking him over for visible injuries before turning on Minnie with murder in her eyes "You told Harry to tell me he wasn't injured! He's unconscious for Merlin's sake!"
Minnie held her hands up to calm the matriarch.
"He isn't injured Molly, he was under a sleeping charm until you arrived for everyone's protection. I promise you he is fine and once the charm is removed he will wake. There are things we need to discuss, please sit."
She motioned to Hermione and Bella at the table before taking a seat herself, Harry remained stood clearly his training kicking in and wanted to be ready for any eventuality. Molly gave another look over Ron and then relented and joined them at the table.
"What the hell is going on Minnie?" She was clearly confused, angry and worried.
"I will tell you the basics but it will be important for all involved that we make a binding magical agreement before we tell you everything. Here is the bare bones of it. Hermione called Harry and Ron here to share some happy news with them ahead of her birthday tomorrow, Ronald didn't take the news very well and physical assaulted Hermione...and Harry, it was only a stunner from Harry that managed to stall the situation. They then called for me and Professor Black and upon hearing what happened we called for you."
"He attacked...? Ron wouldn't! He..." She turned and locked eyes with Hermione. "What have you done to Ron? You broke his heart by telling him you are a...a...freak of nature, what else could you possibly say to hurt him enough to make him lash out?"
"Molly, homophobia like this will not be tolerated in this room or at my school. You would do well to remember that."
Hermione wasn't sure if she had ever seen the tabby cat this angry before, even at the battle of Hogwarts, the closest was the incident with Umbridge.
"If Miss Granger and Mr Potter make a report about your son's actions tonight then not only will he lose his position as a trainee Auror but could likely land himself in Askaban, so I would suggest you listen to what we have to say before you accuse Hermione of something when she is simply living her life."
Molly went pale "Azkaban?"
"Yes Molly, Azkaban. He tried to force himself on me, he kissed me and was just trying to...to reach under my shirt when Harry stopped him. He hit Harry pretty hard when Harry was trying to stop him." Hermione's voice was quite but then she got a wave of fire in her. "So yes Molly, unless you accept my terms your Son will be going to Azkaban and it's not just my word against his, he did it in front of Harry freaking Potter, how stupid can you get... The Wizengamot will always side with him. Unless... you agreed to my terms."
"Fine! What do you want? Whatever you want we'll do it; regardless of the fact that you brought this on yourself, you bloody Hussy!" Molly was clearly seething, not yet over the fact that Ron and Hermione had broken up and clearly didn't approve of Hermione being gay. Hermione mostly managed to calm herself because she knew once Ron's actions officially sunk in that she would change her tune.
"We will not make any reports against him but in exchange the information that I told him tonight cannot leave this room. That and you will ensure Ronald will make his appointment with a mind healer and start steps to detox from the alcohol. Regardless of what had happened...I don't want to see Ron hurt, if he follows my terms I will never mention this incident again."
"And how can I trust what you say? You said you loved my son and now look at you..."
"That is enough, I know you're a big scary momma bear but just stop." Bella said, the whole room was in shock; Bella remained calm and mostly respectful through her comment.
"I do love your son, I have always loved your son. But I have never been in love with your son, a fact which I have never tried to keep from him. We shared one kiss during the battle and then he assumed. I tried Molly, I tried to be everything you all wanted me to be but I couldn't lie to myself anymore and I couldn't put either of us through a loveless marriage." She was calm and sincere which finally reached Molly, her face softened slightly. "I also can't sit back and watch him destroy his life with alcohol and hatred."
"We would ensure compliance from both sides with a mutually assured destruction spell. Should we break our promise then you would be free to reveal the information, if you break our deal we will be free to expose Ron's actions." Minnie spoke quietly but with conviction.
"I don't really have much of a choice do I? I will comply and then we will ensure that Ronald will comply as well."
They all breathed a sigh of relief. Harry spoke next.
"Molly, Minerva would you be happy for me to perform the spell? I want to protect Ron just as much as I want to protect Hermione, I would never manipulate the magic either way."
"I know you would never hurt Ron, Harry. I am happy for you to perform the spell."
"I have trusted you with my life many times Mr Potter, this is one of the easiest decisions I have ever made. The spell is Certum Interitum all you need to do is touch our joined hands."
Harry nodded and pulled his wand out. Molly and Minnie stood and clasped hands.
"Do you promise to keep the information you learn in this room a secret until which time it is ready to be public knowledge?"
"I do."
"Do you promise to support Ronald Wesley to accept any necessary treatment at St Mungo's?"
" I do. Do you promise to ensure Ronald Wesley will not be implicated for his crimes so long as this vow is maintained?"
"I do."
Harry then touched their joined hands and spoke "Certum Interitum." gold bands formed over their joined hands and then sank into their skin. They both sat back down at the table.
"Now please for the love of God, tell me what all the fuss is about."
"I know what I tell you won't please you Molly, but you are the closest thing to a Mother I have now and I know that I have never felt happier or more confident in myself and my abilities than I do now. You may not agree, but what I am about to tell you is the best thing that's ever happened to me. I am going to tell you everything in the hopes that you can explain the situation in detail to Ronald, as I think me telling him everything right now is the wrong thing."
"I promise to listen to what you have to tell me. I can't say it didn't hurt me when you left Ron... but I appreciate your point about a loveless marriage. I will try and hold my judgement... until I have all the facts."
"Thank you Molly. I've known for a while that I was gay and when I decided I was returning to Hogwarts I realised that I couldn't keep things going with Ron any longer. It wasn't fair for either of us to be trapped in a relationship that wasn't giving us what we needed, neither of us were happy. We didn't handled the breakup well, we both said things which hurt the other and for that I am sorry."
Hermione paused for a moment to give Molly time to absorb what she had said: when Molly took a steading breath and nodded in acceptance, Hermione continued.
"I came back to Hogwarts this year with the intention of simply gaining my NEWTS and finding some normality. In reality I found much more. As you know the new Defence against the dark arts teacher offered to help me with my scar, they also offered to help Neville with his parents. We found out at the feast that the new Professor was Professor Black, obviously we were furious stormed out of the feast with Ginny. Minnie calmed us down and told us we had to go to her class but we wouldn't be forced to take up her offer. Neville stayed to talk and was shown some memories, Professor Black didn't cast a Cruciatus at his parents, when she arrived they were already at the point of madness and she cast a spell that appeared like the Cruciatus but actually she believes it to be reversible. Neville and Professor Black started working together and he convinced me to attend her classes."
"Hermione dear, not that I don't like hearing about your year so far but I don't see how any of this is relevant?" Molly interrupted.
"It is, I promise; it's important that you know what's been happening. During our first defence class I...well I was a brat. I challenged the Professor in front of the entire class, I lost of course, we then worked on shielding and Stupify and we were pared together. I broke through her shield and sent the Professor flying, I ran. She found me later and not only was she not horrible with me but she actually gave me a lot of house points. When I realised we could be in the same room without killing each other I agreed to her offer and as such we started spending more time together researching how to heal my scar. We discovered along the way that..." she took a deep breath and looked at Bella before looking back at Molly "That Bella is my soulmate. We have had this confirmed and as such she had been able to alter my scar until a time when it will be reabsorbed by my own magic core."
Molly looked in utter shock. Hermione quickly rolled her sleeve up to reveal the new scar.
"I know she isn't who you would have wanted for me and I'm not blind enough to think that she is all good. Me of all people can attest to that, but since the end of the war she has treated me with the- don't look at me like that Bella I'm telling her so deal with it." Bella huffed knowing she was about to be revealed to be a softy.
"She has treated me with the utmost love and respect. You wouldn't believe it but Bellatrix Black here is a massive softy, at least when it comes to me." Bella scowled. Harry stepped closer Molly and placed his hand on her shoulder.
"It's true, Bellatrix got here before McGonagall and she scooped Hermione up, just held her and reassured her until she calmed down, she even sang to her. I wasn't happy with the idea myself but after seeing what I have tonight... I can't stand in the way of Hermione's happiness like that." Harry said a big smile on his face.
Molly was looking overwhelmed, like her face couldn't decide what emotion to settle on.
Hermione continued, figuring that Molly might as well have the whole story before she continued.
"I had already told Ginny, Neville and Luna and they all support us, in fact I believe Ginny was actually rather pleased with the whole thing. Bellatrix has become her favourite teacher. Anyway I wanted to tell my two best friends in person and before my birthday because I didn't want a lie hanging over my head or for Bella to be kept away on my birthday. When I told Ron he flipped, called Bella a Death Eater dyke. Said that I was a frigid bitch for not sleeping with him as it was his right. That I was acting like a Death Eater whore and that he would have to do something drastic to fix me. He kissed me and was trying to remove my top. I genuinely believe if Harry wasn't here that he would... That he would have ..."
She broke down into tears again and Bella pulled on her arm until she stood and then collapsed onto Bella's knee. Bella held her close whispering softly in her ear to try and calm her.
Harry sat in Hermione's empty chair next to Molly. "See what I mean? Never thought I'd see the day when I thought of the Dark Lord's lieutenant as sickly sweet...but I guess a few things happened today that I never expected." Harry decided to throw his last bargaining chip at Molly, he didn't want to see either of his best friends hurt by this situation. He took Molly's hands in his, waited until she was looking into his eyes.
"I don't want to see either of them hurt by this, they're my family. You said me and Hermione were as good as your children so please, please don't hurt us all by disowning her, we both need our Mum."
Molly's eyes shone with tears, she stroked a hand down Harry's cheek "Oh my boy, I love you and I love Hermione too it's just... It's a lot."
She looked over at Hermione and Bella, just watching them together for a time. Hermione was still sat on Bella's knee and was playing with one of Bella's curls, stretching it straight and then releasing it to coil back up. She didn't look happy but she wasn't crying any longer, Bella kept poking the younger girls nose with her wand and then to everyone's surprise (most of all Hermione) she literally played 'got your nose' with Hermione, pulling it off with her wand; the spell of course caused no damage and was mostly used to keep kids entertained but it was this that finally broke Molly.
"Fine, even an idiot can see these two were meant for each other. I will do everything in my power to ensure Ron plays nice."
Bella reattached Hermione's nose and the young witch jumped up and ran into Molly's arms.
"Thank you Molly! Thank you."
"I'm sorry I didn't get your side of the story before hand my love, please forgive me."
Minnie, who had been watching with rapt attention, smiled. "Then I believe it is time to wake up the boy in question."
Hermione and Molly shared a look and then nodded to headmistress.
Molly and Minnie moved to stand beside the bed, Hermione sat herself in Molly's empty chair so that she could keep some distance between herself and Ron when he was woken.
Minnie cast the counter curse and Ron woke with a start.
"Bloody hell!"
"Is that all you can say? Ronald Bilius Weasel, you better get on your knees right now and BEG that girl for your forgiveness or I swear..."
"Forgiveness? I was the one trying to protect her from herself! She's a disgusting dyke, probably got herself passed between all the Death Eat... ah! What the hell?"
Molly has sent a stinging Jinx at him.
"You will not refer to her in such a manner, I raised you better than that!"
"You called her a hussy and told me to go back out there and win her heart back!"
"I did Ronald but I didn't mean to assault the poor girl! I am absolutely disgusted with you!"
"How else could I win her heart back?" his anger was quickly changing to confusion.
Molly started to pace, clearly beyond angry by now.
"Romance, a new book, heavens to Betsy take her to Madam Puddifoot's, take her to the flaming Chamber Of Secrets for a picnic for all I care." She came back to the bed and held her wand in Ron's face "but you will NEVER press your advances on a woman who doesn't want it! I can't believe you..."
"I thought you meant... You told me to fix it!" He was getting desperate now.
"Fix your relationship not... Merlin not this." There were angry tears slipping down her eyes now.
Minnie placed her hand on her friends shoulder. "I've got this from here Molly."
Ron went quiet. "I really fucked up didn't I?"
Molly plopped herself down on the end of the bed with her head in her hands.
"Yes Ronald, tell me honestly...how are you?"
"I'm fine, I'm great, brilliant really. Ye fantastic." He said it so quickly but it sounded like he was convincing himself not them.
"And now the real answer? The answer that you don't admit to anyone?" She said quietly but with a sharp kindness behind it.
"I'm...I thought... I hoped that if I just ignored everytime that happened that I could just carry on and live my life. We've always been pushing through and not letting anyone know how much we were dealing with, it's been so long that I just... Didn't know how to ask for help. I think I'm breaking."
Hermione stood from her chair and moved towards Ron, Bella tried to stop her but she shook her head.
"It needs to be me." Bella relented.
She got close to Ron and crouched besides the bed. "Ron I know how you feel." She felt a hand brush her shoulder and looked up at Harry who had come up behind her "We know how you feel. It's being in close proximity to so many Horcrux for so long, St Mungos said it started to form negative connections in our minds; that's why me and Harry spent so long with the mind healers this summer. It really helps Ron and not staying reliant on the booze will help too."
"I don't think you noticed but me and Hermione have done our fair share of drinking this summer too, we just reached a point when we realised going through a bottle of Firewhiskey between us every night wasn't helpful. We tried to get you off it too but you just told us we were talking 'Mungo's mumbo jumbo'. Things can get better mate."
"But I... Hermione I... I'm so sorry, I don't even know where that truly came from and I know you have no reason to believe me but it wasn't me, not entirely. I'm not gonna lie I'm not happy about you and... Frankenstein's wife over there..."
Hermione whispered "Frankenstein was the man not the monster..."
Ron looked affronted. "No...you made me watch the film, he was that Frankenstein healer's person's wife and then the monster killed her and when she became am Inferius she burnt herself to death. So she was never the monsters bride, she only married that Frankenstein!"
Hermione's jaw hit the floor. "You are actually right Ronald."
"Don't act so surprised." They both giggled until they realised the situation they were still in. "Look Hermione I'm so sorry, I'm not exactly happy who it is but...honestly I don't think I would like any girl you brought home but I still love you. I want you to be happy and I think I've shown us all today that's not me. I'll do whatever you want just please... don't cut me off."
"We've already sorted out a deal with your mum."
"Who would like to remind you that even if Hermione accepts your apology that I won't do so quite so easily! You are in so much trouble. You could be kicked out of the Aurors!! You could go to Azkaban!" Molly piped in.
"I... " he sighed. "Well I can't stop it, if that's what is going to happen." he looked at Hermione earnestly. "But I promise I won't share your secret Hermione. I'm angry and I'm hurt but... You don't deserve to be ratted out, I don't want to hurt you more than I already have."
Hermione was left speechless after hearing the emotional maturity coming from Ron, Harry gave her shoulder a squeeze.
Minnie stepped forward placing her hand on Hermione's other shoulder.
"Your mother had already performed a mutually assured destruction spell with me and we would request you make a similar one with Miss Granger. In exchange for our silence on the matter and the promise to never report the incident, we ask that you don't reveal the relationship between Hermione and Bellatrix and that you seek medical help with your drinking and your emotions. Would you agree to that?"
"You're not sending me to Azkaban?" He looked around the room as if to search for a hint of them lying.
Bella raised her hand and announced "I wanted to but apparently even I didn't deserve to be there."
"Bellatrix! I warned you earlier! One more mention of Ron going to Azkaban and you will in my bad books..." Hermione snapped at her.
"Yes dear." She responded quietly, she had never seen Hermione this angry and it was slightly terrifying, sexy as all hell...but terrifying.
Ron lot out a single belly laugh. "She's got you whipped too! Wraps you round her little finger this one, doesn't she? I told her in our first year said she's 'a little scary sometimes, brilliant but scary', please tell me you see what I mean?"
"You too Weasel? I thought it was just me?" It still gave off a tone of annoyance but there was an edge of her usual teasing just slipping through.
"It's not just you two! Do you know how many times had to I let her borrow my cloak to sneak into the restricted section?" Harry added.
"You think you had it bad? She convinced me not to give her detention when I found out about her frequenting said restricted section. I was even convinced to let her use my time turner in third year, she had Dumbledore whipped!" McGonagall added with mock outrage.
"Ok can we get off the 'Hermione has everyone whipped' bit please..." Hermione asked embarrassed.
"Yes dear." Came the chorus from Bella, Ron, Harry and Minnie, they then all broke into laughter.
"Yes yes it's all very funny, now can we please cast the spell so we can all go home?" Molly said in such a motherly tone that even Hermione had to smile.
"Of course. Hermione, Mr Wesley are you happy for Mr potter to perform the spell?"
They both nodded. "Ok stand together holding hands, Hermione will ask the first two questions the same as I did and Ron you need to respond 'I do'. Then you will ask the final question Ron, which will be 'Do you promise not to report the incident from today?' do you both understand?"
There was a chorus of "Yes Professor." They stood and clasped hands.
"I really am sorry 'Mione, I know it's not an excuse but the Firewhiskey...well it really messes with my head, just makes everything ten times worse. I'll get some help I promise and then we can be friends again...I hope."
"I can't promise Ron, what you did was..." They both winced. "But if I can forgive Bella for what she's done it would be really hypocritical of me to not try to forgive you, take some time to heal and we'll talk about this another day."
She knew that he had hurt her deeply but she also knew she was a push over when it came to those she loved and that she would eventually forgive Ron, but only once he has sought appropriate support. Ron nodded. Hermione started the spell.
"Do you promise to keep the information you have learnt in this room a secret until which time it is ready to be public knowledge?"
"I do."
"Do you promise to accept any necessary treatment at St Mungo's?"
"I do. Do you promise not to report the incident from today?" Ron took over.
"I do." Hermione finished.
Harry for the second time touched his wand to joined hands and spoke "Certum Interitum" the gold bands formed and sank into their skin.
"Now I suggest we all take ourselves home, tonight has been a long evening and I know for a fact there are birthday celebrations to be had." McGonagall announced.
"I won't come tomorrow, Mione, but I hope you have the best day. I'll go home with Mum. I'm so sorry Mione."
"It'll be ok Ron. It's not ok right now, we both know that but we've been through worse. Just get better please, we've all got scars from the war and not all of them are physical but it doesn't mean they deserve to be treated any less than your scars from the brains or when Sirius bit your leg."
Ron nodded and sniffed, wiping his face and nose on the sleeve of his jumper.
"I really don't deserve you Mione. Have a good birthday." He went to hug her and then clearly thought better of it. He then bravely walked over to Bellatrix.
"I know you could squish me like a bug in a heart beat and that in a massive...hypi...hypei... hypicrat"
Hermione whispered "Hypocrite."
"Hypocrite for saying this but if you hurt Hermione, if you break her heart, if you even hurt a single hair on her head I will end you! I don't care if I go to Azkaban as a result. Do you understand?"
Bell stood up to her full height, which even with her heeled boots wasn't as tall as Ron, but he still visibly faltered when she stood tall and proud before him.
"People have threatened me a lot with that recently but they don't understand that I will protect Hermione with my life, even from myself if needs be. So if you ever hurt her again... I. Will. End. You. I too will go to Azkaban for her, but unlike you I know how to survive."
Ron swallowed but impressively managed to croak out. "Well as long as we're in agreement... neither of us will hurt her again..." To which Bella gave a nod with a small smile on her face, it appeared Ron had just earned back a smidge of the respect he had lost with his actions. Ron then quickly headed back to his mum.
"Have a brilliant Birthday dear, your present will be along in the post tomorrow. I would have brought it tonight but I didn't know."
Hermione looked sheepish "You still got me a present?"
Molly walked over to her and stroked a hand down her cheek "Of course I did, you're still my little girl. Although I might have to gift you your Christmas jumper early because this one is getting a little small on you."
Hermione gave her a large smile "Do you know I've got all my old ones stored in my vault?"
"You do?" She looked close to tears.
"Yes, as soon as I grow out of one I put in in there, have done since second year. I plan to turn them into a big quilt one day, when I've got enough. I spend most of my time in them, they feel like home."
"Then it's settled. You will get one for your birthday and Christmas going forward."
Hermione pushed into her arms. "Thank you Mu...Molly."
Molly whispered into her ear "You can call me Mum if you want Hermione, I would really like that."
They pulled back with tears in their eyes but smiles on their faces, both happy that regardless of the events of the night that they had managed to mend their relationship.
But Molly wasn't finished, clearly trying to make amends for both her and Ron's actions, she stepped up to Bella.
"Bellatrix, if you are my girls soulmate then you will soon be family. What colour jumper would you like for Christmas?"
Bella was speechless, completely speechless.
Hermione stepped in and wrapped an arm around her waist. "She's a very proud Slytherin our Bella; her entire wardrobe is black, green and silver although of course a large preference for black. Oh and her favourite is chocolate cake."
"Then it is decided. Black and green jumper for Christmas, chocolate fudge cake for birthday." Molly looked appeased, Hermione looked amused and Bella looked overwhelmed.
"I hate to break this up, but I've got to be back at Hogwarts in less than 15 minutes ready to meet my staff to head back here. I would rather this didn't get out. Hermione, Bellatrix you can return to Hogwarts via the floo in my office. Potter I believe we are to expect you tomorrow morning, you would be welcome to use my floo tomorrow as well, if you don't want to walk."
"Much appreciated Professor. I might see you downstairs a little later... For the first time tonight of course."
Her eyes sparkled "Of course, it would be lovely to see you."
"Come on Ron let us head home, you've got a lot of explaining to do and we have hospital appointments to make."
Ron, Molly and Hermione gave Harry hugs and told him they would see him soon before they all headed to the floo.
Ironically I made the Frankenstein's bride reference before I remembered that Helena Bonham carter has actually played her so gold star to the plot goblin in my head :)
Who's excited for hermione's birthday and what do you think Bella's birthday suprise is?