Chapter Thirty Nine
Over the next few weeks several more letters came everyday for Hermione. She took Pansy's advise and didn't open any more. This resulted in several broken plates, five broken glasses and a shattered coffee pot when the howlers exploded but no more injuries to any people.
Hermione's hands healed well, even more quickly when Severus made up several healing potions and balms for her, all double checked by Madam Pomfrey of course. The result was that Hermione's hands did not match her red dress when she stood wearing it again, getting ready for the Malfoy ball.
"It was very nice of your mother to let me borrow her ruby pins for my hair." Hermione said, as Kreacher slid the last one in, "I don't think my Christmas head dress would have matched very well."
"Missy Granger looks very pretty." Kreacher beamed, hopping off his stool.
Hermione brushed her hand over her flawless looking hair and grinned, "Thank you Kreacher."
Kreacher flapped his ears and left the room. Hermione grabbed her bag and went down stairs to meet the others.
Nikka and Lily were standing on the landing, finishing their make-up in the large, ornate mirror. Lily's hem was brushing the ground, the soft fabric floating from the draft caused from Hermione closing her bedroom door. It was a pale pink with blue silk under the see-through over dress.
Nikka was also wearing silk. The bodice hugged her figure in pale dusty blue with purple piping making up the spaghetti straps and highlighting the seams. The full handkerchief skirt was matching dusty purple and blue with flashes of bright yellow when she moved.
"You two look beautiful." Hermione said, suddenly feeling too bright.
Lily put a hand to her chest, "Harry wasn't kidding when he said that dress suited you. You look perfect Hermione."
Hermione blushed, "Where's Danica?"
"I'm here." Danica said, coming out of her room wearing a pretty white frock with puffed sleeves and rainbow colours drifting up from the hem, "You look very pretty, Hermione."
"So do you." Hermione smiled.
"Shall we go and meet the boys down stairs?" Nikka asked, popping her lipstick in Lily's bag.
The walked down the stairs, Hermione noticed there were now thick shutters over Sirius's mother's picture.
Sirius, Severus and Harry were all waiting in the hallway, wearing smart dress robes and looking very done up.
Lily handed out the masks for them all to wear. Hermione had a pretty butterfly mask that covered her eyes. Harry was a raven, with a feathery mask. Nikka and Sirius were matching cats, Severus was wearing a plain black half face mask and Lily a mirroring white one.
Danica's mask was covered in small diamonds that sparkled in the light when she moved, sending rainbows across the wall.
They held hands and Harry felt himself be forced through narrow pipes as they apparated to Malfoy Manor.
The front path was lit up with tiny glowing fairies dancing to ballet music that was softly filling the air.
Petal greeted them at the door like normal and showed them into the brightly lit ball room. It wasn't filled with warm Christmassy decorations like it was for the winter balls, but lights and rainbows with several wild animals prancing around the walls.
Narcissa and Lucius were talking by a large fountain that was spilling out champagne. They were both wearing pale green clothes, a light set of dress robes for Lucius and a floating simple dress for Narcissa with ivy covered masks.
"Lady Nikka of Lockerbie, Mr Sirius Black, Mr Severus Snape, Mrs Lily Snape, Miss Hermione Granger, Mr Harry Potter." the man standing at the door, dressed in emerald green and silver robes to announce the guests.
"I'm not sure I'll ever get used to that." Hermione whispered with a smile to Harry.
Harry grinned and nodded. Lily embraced Narcissa as she walked over.
"How are you?" Narcissa asked.
"Very well, thank you." Lily smiled, "A few more grey hairs from Harry's adventures this year at school but so far he is in one piece."
Narcissa laughed, "He's a brave boy."
Harry watched the adults wonder off to talk about boring adult stuff. Tonks was leaning against a wall and waved Nikka over with a grin. Andromeda was sitting with her husband, giving her daughter the odd look of despair at her black and yellow mini dress.
"Over here Harry!" Neville called, he was sitting around a small table with Pansy, Daphne, Draco and a bored looking Astoria.
Harry and Hermione wondered over and took a seat.
"I'm glad you're wearing the dress again, you look so pretty in it." Daphne smiled.
"If it was up to me, I'd never take it off." Hermione laughed.
"Can I go now?" Astoria asked.
"Mama and Papa want me to watch you." Daphne hissed, "You have to behave here."
"I will!" Astoria hissed, "But I'm old enough to go and talk to my own friends."
Daphne rolled her eyed, "Fine."
Astoria jumped up and smoothed her dress before giving them a little wave and walking off over to a group of girls on the other side of the room.
"Are we really that bad company?" Neville asked, pretending to look offended.
"I think she's very much grown out of the matching dress stage. Unfortunately our parents still think it makes us look cute." Daphne sighed, "Anyway, how has your holiday been so far?"
"I've had a brilliant time. Grimmauld Place is a wonderful old house." Hermione said, "There seems to be never ending rooms that need cleaning out and sorting."
"It's so much nicer as well without Sirius's mother screaming her head off every five minutes." Harry grinned.
"I'm going to go and get a drink, want anything?" Pansy said, standing up.
The announcer banged his stick on the ground, "Duke and Duchess of Waterford Lord and Lady Lestrange and their Children Earl of Tramore, Lord Lestange, Lady Gemini and Lord Corvus."
"Maybe I'll wait a moment." Pansy sighed, she didn't want to get spotted by Bellatrix and dragged into an uncomfortable conversation.
Draco watched as the large doors swung open and in walked Bellatrix and Rodolphus. Both of them were still wearing long, black travelling cloaks; Petal hurrying after them to take the cloaks.
"How are you sister?" Narcissa asked, kissing Bellatrix on each cheek.
"We are very well, thank you." Rodolphus beamed.
All six of the children gathered together knew quickly that something was up. Rodolphus was the most sober they had ever seen him, even more alarming when he waved the waiter, and the tray of wine, away without taking a glass.
Bellatrix also looked different, not a lot but enough to be noticeable. Her cheeks were slightly fuller, her hair even more bouncy and full than normal.
"I'm very glad." Lucius said, placing an arm around his wife's waist, "Petal here will take your cloaks."
"Well, I'm not sure if we should stay." Rodolphus said with a cough, "Bellatrix gets very tired at the moment."
"Why are you ill?" Narcissa asked, concerned.
Bellatrix let out a cruel tinkly laugh, "Oh no. I'm very well, and I want to stay."
She swept off her long, black travelling cloak and the room fell silent. Draco felt his jaw drop and Harry tugged at his sleeve next to him.
Bellatrix was wearing a long tight fitting dress in pale green that flared out from just above her knees showing off her small, but perfectly formed, baby bump.
Narcissa looked like she was about to faint, "Bella, you.. you're..."
"Eating for two?" Bellatrix beamed, "Yes, our little surprise."
"Children go and find your cousin Draco and get something to eat." Rodolphus told them.
Gemini, Corvus and Rodolphus nodded to their parents and walked off in their matching white clothes with green ribbon trims.
"You didn't tell me?" Narcissa said, "How long have you known?"
"Well I knew you were busy and I didn't want you to worry, it's not like our family has the best luck when it comes to childbearing." Bellatrix said, pointedly, "I found out early last month."
"So you're due September?" Lucius smiled, somewhat forced, "Either the youngest or the oldest in the year then."
Bellatrix's eyes clouded for a second, "Yes."
Narcissa looked around, suddenly realising they were still standing in the doorway and the subject of a lot of pairs of eyes on them, "Please, come over here and sit, we can get you something to eat and catch up."
Bellatrix nodded and followed Narcissa and Lucius, Rodolphus still holding tightly to her hand. She sat down and took the plate of food a server offered her.
"Are you hoping of a boy or a girl?" Lucius asked, handing Narcissa a large glass of fire whiskey.
"Well a girl if we could pick, it's not like our last boy ended up so brilliantly." Rodolphus chuckled.
"It's a boy." Bellatrix said, sipping a glass of water distastefully, "I know it is. My healthy, strong, powerful boy." she rubbed her stomach lovingly, "I can't wait for you to see him."
"We should have a party for you, all get some presents and things." Narcissa said, "I remember how long it took me to embroider all those little nightdresses and blankets, it would be nice to do some together."
"Will you be inviting her?" Bellatrix asked, looking pointedly at Andromeda who was trying not to stare over from where she was sitting.
Narcissa picked at her nails before stopping herself, "No, not if you don't want me to. But Bella, she is our sister."
"She married that mud-blood. I don't want that around my baby." Bellatrix snapped, "He needs to be protected."
"Or she." Rodolphus beamed.
"I've already told you it's a boy." Bellatrix hissed as him.
Narcissa put a hand on Bellatrix's, "Don't worry yourself, stress isn't good for the baby."
"You're right." Bellatrix smiled and rubbed her stomach again, "I can already feel him moving in there, nothing on the outside yet though."
"You'll get there." Narcissa said, trying not to cry.
"Oh, I know I will." Bellatrix smiled, "The whole world will feel him one day." she whispered, "Sorry, off in my own little world. Lucius, fancy a dance?"
Lucius's manners were too good to refuse the request. He stood up and offered his hand to Bellatrix, leading her onto the dance floor.
"Why didn't you tell us about your good news?" Lucius asked, quietly.
Bellatrix shrugged, "It didn't occur to me. I've been very busy lately."
Lucius didn't want to push the issue any further, all he really wanted to do was to go back to Narcissa to make sure she was all right.
Gemini and her brothers had no intention of going to sit with cousin Draco. It was bad enough they'd been forced into these silly white clothes that you couldn't sit down in or eat anything without getting them dirty, now they were being told who to talk to.
Gemini turned round to see that Corvus had already run off while Rodolphus was standing annoyingly close.
"Do you ever even have a thought that is your own?" Gemini laughed under her breath.
"What?" Rodolphus said, turning to face her.
"Pardon, or excuse me." Gemini snapped, "Not 'what' like some… common nothing."
"Lay off Gem." Rodolphus said, rolling his eyes, "Where's Corvus gone off to?"
"How am I meant to know?" Gemini said, rolling her eyes, "Look ,lets just get something to eat and then Mater and Sir will want to go home anyway."
"Gemini!" Draco called her over as she was placing a small quarter sandwich on her plate.
"Yes dearest cousin?" Gemini said, "How are you?"
"I'm fine. Did you know?" Draco asked.
"About what?" Gemini asked, "That you were having a ball this evening? Yes I did know, that's why we're here."
Draco rolled his eyes, "About your mother being pregnant?"
"Of course we knew." Gemini said dismissively, "Why wouldn't we?"
"Well?" Hermione asked, coming over, "You must be excited."
Gemini looked at her with disgust, "Excuse me cousin, there seems to be an awful smell of mud around here." she flicked her long, jet black hair over her shoulder and strutting away.
"Sorry." Hermione said, "I didn't…"
"You didn't do anything." Draco said, "Really, it's not your fault."
Hermione nodded, "Every time I think I'm starting to fit in it goes wrong somewhere."
Harry came over and put an arm around her shoulder, "It's not you. It's them, the Lestranges are bad for it."
Pansy and Daphne nodded.
Neville handed her a drink, "Don't let them get to you, just be thankful that your family hasn't got any of this nonsense."
Hermione laughed and grinned, "Got it."
Harry went and found Severus sitting with a fast asleep Danica.
"How are you Harry?" He asked, patting the seat next to him.
Harry flopped down, "Been worse. It was a bit of a shock really, Bellatrix pregnant, again."
"Well we knew she'd been happier with Rodolphus lately." Severus said.
"Yeah it's not like their first two were that bad, oh wait." Harry grinned.
Severus smirked, "Yes well, as their teacher I couldn't possibly comment. Corvus isn't all that bad though, he's quite sweet really."
Harry nodded, "He's friends with Thomas, and a few others from other houses I think. He's just so shy around his siblings."
Severus sighed, "That's what happens when you are always told you're not good enough." he stroked a finger down Danica's face, "I think we should be heading off soon."
Harry nodded, "I'll go start rounding everyone up."
Severus smiled "Thank you. Your mother is with Narcissa I think and Nikka has taken Sirius into the gardens for a… walk."
"I've fourteen Dad." Harry said with a smirk, "Well, I hope I don't interrupt their 'walk'."
He jumped up and went to find his family. Hermione was sitting with Pansy and Daphne so Harry left her to it, she would be easy to find later.
He followed the voices to Narcissa's suite, he was about to knock when he heard voices and curiosity got the better of him.
"I know I shouldn't be this upset." Narcissa said, "It's silly and foolish and not the way the world works, I know that."
"Cissy it is completely normal for you to feel this way, your sister is pregnant, again, after having three children she barely looks at." Lily said, "After everything you have been through, I'd think you didn't have a heart if you didn't feel the huge amount of unfairness here."
Harry knew he shouldn't be hearing this and knocked on the door. There was the sound of a few short footsteps and the door opened a crack.
"Harry? Is everything OK?" Lily asked, peaking her head out the door.
Harry nodded, "Yeah, Danica is asleep so Dad asked me to start gathering everyone up, it's getting late."
Lily looked behind her, "Umm, of course. I'll just be a minute."
"It's all right Lily." Narcissa said, Harry could tell she'd just been crying even if she had just fixed her make up flawlessly, "I should come and say goodbye anyway."
Harry didn't say anything, "I'll meet you back in the ballroom." he sounded stupid, he knew he did but he didn't know what to say, he didn't know what he was thinking himself let alone how to make someone else feel better.
The gardens were crisp and cool, although not as cold as they normally were, it being late April rather than late December. The fairies were still dancing happily along the paths, showing Harry the ways he could go.
He wasn't entirely sure where Nikka and Sirius would be so picked the path towards the left, towards the swan pond, whistling loudly so they would know he was coming.
"Is that you Harry?"
Harry peered though the trees in front of him and saw Sirius and Nikka sitting on a kissing chair by the water side, "Yep it's me."
"I thought it was. Your mother showed you sleeping beauty once when you were little and you always hum it, even still." Sirius smirked.
"What can we do for you Harry?" Nikka asked, pulling her shawl more tightly around her shoulders.
"Time to head home, Dad sent me to come and find everyone." Harry grinned.
"We'll be right in." Nikka smiled.
Harry nodded and walked back up towards the house, he stopped humming. There were hushed voices up ahead. Harry caught sight of Bellatrix's dress blowing in the wind and ducked behind a nearby bush.
"Lower your voice." Bellatrix hissed, "What do you think you're playing at? Talking to me that way!"
"You are my wife!" Rodolphus hissed back, "I don't understand."
"That doesn't take much with you." Bellatrix laughed nastily.
"You were like a different person when the children came home from school last summer and then a month ago you turn into a..."
"A what?" Bellatrix demanded.
"Where are you going?" Rodolphus demanded from her, changing the subject, "At least tell me that."
"Out. It's somewhere that isn't inside." Bellatrix snapped, "I don't have to tell you where I'm going."
"You're carrying my baby!" Rodolphus shouted.
"I said lower your voice!" Bellatrix snapped, she checked her watch, "Go and get the children, I can make sure you at least all get home in one piece before I head out."
"You can trust me to get my children home, wife. Especially if your other… appointment, is really that important." Rodolphus said.
Bellatrix snorted, "I can make sure you get home. The last thing I need is a scandal in the papers right now, god knows what you would sell them for if some pretty blonde walked passed… don't you dare raise your hand to me! So much for being so concerned with your baby."
Harry heard them walking away, Bellatrix's heels clicking on the path as she walked. He couldn't say he was surprised at either her or Rodolphus's behaviour, and made sure they were both well gone before heading back into the manor.
"Harry there you are." Lily smiled, "Go and say goodbye to your friends."
Harry nodded and went back into the ballroom.
"You're off as well then?" Pansy said, "Your mother just came and picked up Hermione."
Harry nodded, "Yep. See you next week? We can meet up on the train."
Pansy nodded, "Of course. Are you OK?"
Harry shrugged, "I just overheard Bellatrix and Rodolphus, they were having a bit of a spat."
"Tell us about it on the train." Draco said, giving him a friendly pat on the back, "We could do with a laugh."
Harry grinned and nodded, waving goodbye to his friends.