Healing and Revelations
Narcissa groaned as she slowly opened her eyes, feeling disoriented and confused. A worried-looking Harry was leaning over her, his wand in hand, and she could hear Andromeda casting healing spells on Hermione in the background.
"What happened?" Harry asked anxiously. "Are you okay?"
Narcissa sat up slowly, her head spinning. "I'm fine," she said shakily. "Just a bit overwhelmed, I suppose."
"And Hermione?" Harry pressed. "What happened to her?"
Narcissa took a deep breath and tried to collect her thoughts. "We were leaving the party," she began, "when it felt like someone was watching us. Hermione noticed it first but before we could react, someone cast a Diffindo curse at us. Hermione pushed me behind her and cast a Protego. But her spell was slightly off center and she got hit."
Harry's expression darkened. "Whoever did this is going to pay," he growled. "I'll send my patronus to my boss at the Ministry and alert the other aurors. We need to investigate this."
Narcissa nodded weakly. "Thank you, Harry," she said. "I don't know what we would have done without you."
"Of course," Harry said, looking at her with concern. "Can you tell me anything else about the attacker?"
Narcissa closed her eyes and tried to remember. "It was too dark, and I couldn't see them," she admitted. "All we had to go on was their voice and Hermione was casting spells down the alley where she thought the voice had originated. I think she was correct in her conclusion given a pop was heard quickly after her second spell. They must have realized they were outmatched by her and retreated rather than press the attack."
Harry nodded, his face grim. "Okay, I'll let the others know," he said. "We'll find out who did this, don't worry."
Narcissa nodded gratefully at Harry. She turned her attention back to Hermione, who was lying on the couch with Andromeda still casting on her.
"How is she?" Narcissa asked, her voice shaking with concern.
Andromeda looked up, her expression softening as she saw Narcissa. "She's stable now, but she needs rest. The wound was deep, but I've closed it up," she said, casting a diagnostic spell to verify Hermione's condition.
A hawk patronus Narcissa didn't recognize arrived and headed to Harry. He listened intently to the message before turning back to Narcissa. "The aurors are on their way," he said.
Narcissa nodded, still feeling a little shaken up. She couldn't believe someone had attacked them like that, and the thought of Hermione getting hurt made her heart ache. She thought of Hermione, lying there on the couch, hurt protecting her. She felt a surge of emotions inside her — gratitude, guilt, admiration, and something else she can't quite put her finger on.
Andromeda had been quiet while Harry gave his update, but now that everything had settled down, she was ready to ask the questions that had been weighing on her. "Narcissa, what in Merlin's name are you doing here, and dressed like that no less?" she demanded, her eyes narrowing as she took in Narcissa's Seven of Nine costume.
Narcissa took a deep breath, steeling herself for the conversation to come. "I was invited to the Halloween party at the Three Broomsticks by Hermione," she explained.
Andromeda's eyes remained narrowed. "Why did she invite you, I didn't even know you two knew each other. Also, I have to ask why Seven of Nine?"
Narcissa shrugged. "I thought it would be an interesting character to portray, and I wanted to try something different. Besides, I think I pulled it off quite well, don't you?"
Andromeda rolled her eyes but couldn't help but smile a little. "You always did have a flair for the dramatic."
Narcissa took a deep breath before continuing. "As for the rest, It's a long story, Andy. But I promise to explain everything."
"I should hope so," Andromeda replied, still eyeing her sister with suspicion.
Harry cleared his throat. "Maybe it would be better if you two went somewhere more private to talk. I can stay here with Hermione and make sure she's okay."
Narcissa and Andromeda exchanged a look before nodding in agreement. "Yes, that's a good idea," Narcissa said. "I know just the place."
With that, Narcissa grabbed Andromeda's arm and apparated them both away, leaving Harry alone with Hermione in the apartment.
###
Narcissa and Andromeda arrived at the flat that Bella had bought long ago. Narcissa led her towards the living room and watched as her sister took in the surroundings.
"I can't believe you still own this place," Andromeda said, looking at Narcissa with surprise. "Why do you still own this place?"
Narcissa took a deep breath and replied, "It's been my escape, Andy. When things were bad, I would come here, away from the abuse of my husband, away from the side of the war I was forced to be on, and away from the psychopaths that invaded my home near the end of the war. I liked to come here and be surrounded by muggle things. It reminded me that there was a world beyond the darkness of the world I had to live in."
Andromeda looked at her sister, feeling sad and guilty for not knowing how much Narcissa had been suffering. "Why didn't you just come to me?" she asked.
Narcissa shook her head. "I couldn't risk putting you in danger, nor Ted or Nymphadora. If Lucius had found out we were in communication, he would've gone after you, tortured you, to teach me a lesson. It was better to suffer than let anything happen to you."
Andromeda felt a lump in her throat and couldn't help but feel a pang of guilt as she realized the sacrifices her sister had made. "I'm sorry," she said "I had no idea you were going through all of that."
"It's in the past now," Narcissa replied.
"I think we need some tea," Andromeda said. "Let me make us a pot."
Narcissa nodded gratefully and sank onto the couch, feeling exhausted from the day's events.
As Andromeda busied herself in the kitchen, Narcissa looked around the room, her eyes falling on a picture frame on the coffee table. It was a photo of her, Andromeda, and Bellatrix, taken before the first war had started. She picked it up, studying the faces of her two sisters.
Andromeda came back into the living room with a tray of tea and biscuits. She noticed the picture in Narcissa's hand and frowned.
"Cissy,, are you okay?"
Narcissa looked up at her sister, tears welling in her eyes once again. "I don't know, Andy. I just… I can't stop thinking about Bellatrix."
Andromeda looked at Narcissa in disbelief and anger. "How can you be so focused on her? She was corrupt, tortured the Longbottoms, became Voldemort's second in command, and killed my daughter and son-in-law! She was evil to her core. She was responsible for the deaths of so many innocent people."
Narcissa winced at the words but persisted, "I know all of that, Andy. I know what she did. But in her last moments, I felt something… different. She was afraid, confused. It was as if she had been under the control of some dark force, and it broke in that last moment before her death."
Andromeda shook her head, "I don't know, Cissy. It all seems like a lost cause. What does it matter if she was under control of some other force, it doesn't change everything that has happened."
Narcissa took a deep breath and began to explain everything about the past, the variations in the timeline, the time travel to prevent Rodolphus' actions, the two sets of memories that she and Hermione had. Andromeda listened intently, her eyes widening in shock at the revelations.
Finally, she asked, "What's the plan if you do find what or whomever is controlling Bella?"
Narcissa hesitated before admitting, "I don't know. That's why I've been working with Hermione. We're trying to figure out a plan, but we need to know more about what's happening before we can even begin to come up with a solution. I can't let Bella be lost to darkness forever."
Andromeda thought through the implications for a moment before speaking softly, "If there's a chance we can save the Bellatrix of our youth, we should take it. Not just for her, but for my daughter. If we can prevent Bellatrix from being there to kill her there is a chance she will survive. I loved Bella despite everything, but saving her is nothing compared to saving Nymphadora. I will do anything to get her back."
Narcissa's eyes widened in surprise at Andromeda's words. She had expected resistance from her sister, but the older woman seemed to understand the gravity of the situation. "Thank you, Andy," she whispered, feeling a weight lift off her shoulders.
"We need to be careful," Andromeda continued. "We can't let anyone know what we're doing. It could be dangerous for all of us."
Narcissa agreed. "I know. That's why Hermione and I have been so discreet. We don't want anyone we don't let in to find out."
Andromeda looked at Narcissa, her expression softening. "I don't want to lose you too, Cissy. Please be careful."
Narcissa nodded, a hint of a smile on her face. "I will. And thank you, Andromeda. For understanding."
###
Hermione slowly opened her eyes, squinting at the sunlight streaming in from the window. She groaned and turned over, only to find Harry asleep in the chair next to her, still dressed in his costume from the party. Hermione sat up, wincing at the pain in her side where she had been hit by the curse.
"Harry?" she croaked, her throat feeling dry.
He stirred and blinked at her, "Morning, Hermione. How're you feeling?"
"Better, I think," she said, swinging her legs over the side of the bed. "What happened last night?"
Harry sighed. "You were attacked. Narcissa brought you back to your apartment, Andromeda healed you, and I made sure that the other aurors started investigating the attack."
Hermione's hand flew to her side, where the wound had been. There was no pain, only a faint ache. "Is everything alright? Are there any leads on the attacker?"
Harry shook his head. "Not yet, but the other Aurors are investigating."
Hermione nodded, the memories of the previous night flooding back to her. "And what else?"
"What do you mean?" Harry asked, looking confused.
Hermione noticed the look on his face, and her own expression turned serious, "Harry, what aren't you telling me?"
He looked like he was trying to hold back a grin, "Alright, alright. You know how we were talking about soulmates right after you broke up with Ron?"
Hermione raised an eyebrow, "Yes, but I don't see how that's relevant."
"Well, I saw something last night," Harry said, his grin growing wider.
Hermione felt her heart race, "What did you see?"
"Narcissa's Patronus," Harry said, his eyes alight with excitement, "It was an otter, Hermione. An otter that looked exactly like yours."
Hermione felt a wave of shock and joy wash over her. Could it be true? Could Narcissa really be her soulmate? It would certainly explain her rapidly growing feelings and attraction for the older woman. After a moment she found her voice "That means…"
"That means Narcissa is your soulmate," Harry finished for her.
"That's… incredible," she said, still trying to process the information.
Harry nodded, "I know, right? I told you, you'd find your otter."
Hermione couldn't stop the giant smile on her face, "Thank you, Harry. For everything."
He grinned back at her, "Anytime, Hermione. Now, let's get some breakfast, I'm starving."
As they entered the kitchen, Harry began rummaging through the cabinets, looking for something to eat. Hermione sat down at the table, lost in thought. It was overwhelming, the idea that there was someone out there who was meant to be with her. And yet, the thought of Narcissa filled her with a sense of joy she hadn't felt in a long time. The elation she felt was infinitely stronger than anything she felt during her disastrous relationship with Ron.
"What are you thinking about?" Harry asked, his mouth full of toast and placing breakfast on the table for both of them.
Hermione shook her head, "Just… thinking about the future. And what it might hold. Though I don't know where to start."
Harry stood up and walked over to her, placing a comforting hand on her shoulder. "Just take it one step at a time, Hermione. You don't have to figure everything out right now."
Hermione nodded, feeling grateful for Harry's calming presence. "Thank you, Harry. I don't know what I'd do without you."
Harry smiled. "That's what friends are for. Now, eat some breakfast. You need to keep up your strength."
Hermione and Harry sat at the kitchen table, enjoying breakfast and chatting about various topics. Hermione couldn't help but feel a little distracted, her mind wandering to the events of the previous night and the revelation about Narcissa being her soulmate.
Suddenly, the sound of the floo interrupted their conversation, and both of them turned to see Narcissa entering the apartment.
Hermione's smile grew wider as she looked at Narcissa, and the older woman rushed forward to embrace her.
"I'm so glad you're okay," Narcissa said, holding Hermione close. "I was worried sick last night."
Hermione pulled back to look at Narcissa, her eyes filled with elation. "I'm fine," she said, grinning.
Narcissa smiled warmly at Hermione, her own eyes shining with happiness. "I'm just relieved you're alright," she said, stroking Hermione's cheek gently.
Harry stood up from the table and excused himself, sensing that the moment between the two women was private. "I'll see if I can find out any more information about what happened last night," he said, heading towards the Floo.
Hermione turned back to Narcissa, her heart filled with love for her soulmate. "Do you want to spend the day here with me, just recuperating and not worrying about the attack or investigation?" she asked, hoping Narcissa would agree.
Narcissa's face lit up at the suggestion. "I would love that," she said, taking Hermione's hand and leading her to the couch.
Hermione beamed with happiness, feeling like the luckiest woman in the world to have found her soulmate.
###
A shadowy figure sat fuming in the back corner of Hog's Head, nursing his drink and stewing over his failure. He couldn't believe he'd let Narcissa Black slip through his fingers. She was supposed to be an easy target, but she'd managed to evade him. He needed to regroup and come up with a new plan.
As he brooded, he overheard a conversation between two older aurors sitting at a nearby table. They were discussing the attack on Hermione Granger and Narcissa Black from the night before.
"What if it was an auror?" one of them mused. "We could have another corrupt auror on our hands, like Bellatrix Black."
Bellatrix. The name made the attacker's blood boil. He knew all too well what she had become, thanks to his meddling in the past. But something was off. She wasn't supposed to become an auror. She was supposed to marry Rodolphus Lestrange, and together they would become two of Voldemort's most loyal followers. That's part of the reason why he had gone back in time and given the boy Amortentia, and compelled him to douse Bellatrix with it. It had been easy enough, given the young man's obsession with her.
But if Bellatrix was an auror, then that meant the timeline had changed again. And if that was the case, then it seemed possible Hermione and Narcissa might be trying to fix things. In that case, it was more important than ever that he stop them.
He finished his drink and slipped out of Hog's Head, his mind racing with plans. And if Narcissa happened not to survive his plans… well, so much the better.
