"Mummy? Why can't I feel my legs?"
Those seven little words destroyed Bella. She knew it was going to be a possibility but to actually hear it come from her 17 year old daughter confirmed all of the fear she had been feeling over the last 15 hours. "Get Hoffman," she tried to keep her voice calm for her daughter but it was no use. She could already see the fear creeping into Cass's features. "Mummy? Mum?" She waited for an explanation. Bella didn't trust her voice so she looked to her wife to explain the hard truth to their daughter. The truth that she may never be able to live out her life's dreams. Dr. Hoffman came in to do an exam and evaluation of Cass's starting point. They mentioned additional surgeries she could have as well as the intensive physical therapy she would have to undergo but she was still feeling optimistic that Cass could recover to have a semblance of a normal existence. That phrasing did not sit well with the dark witch. "I need a minute," she excused herself from the room leaving Hermione, Cass, Sam and Minnie in with Dr. Hoffman. Teddy followed her outside of the room. "Best not to follow me boy. I'm going outside to smoke and I wouldn't want you to see me accidentally light something on fire."
"Auntie Bella," Teddy was matching her step for step, "if you think a little cigarette smoke and the threat of arson is enough to scare me off, you don't know me very well."
"Suit yourself," she kept walking, not stopping for the lift, utilizing the stairs in order to get to her nicotine faster. Once outside, she told Teddy to wait for her. She apparated away and came back almost instantly. She had two cokes, a couple bags of sweets and a pack of smokes. "I popped to the muggle gas station. Sit?" She walked over to the side of the hospital where the cigarette receptacle was located. "I haven't had a cigarette since Hermione was in the hospital. Apparently surgery brings out my need for my addictions," a self-deprecating laugh escaped as she put a cigarette between her plump lips, lighting it with her wand.
"It's better than heroin," Teddy shrugged. She offered him one which he politely declined. "It's never been for me. Tried it once and that was the first and only cigarette I had." She passed him a bag of sour patch kids and a coke which he gladly accepted. "I'll never turn down muggle sweets. These are some of my favorites."
"I remember," Bella inhaled a deep drag. "I like them, too."
"It's not fair. Everything that happening."
"What's not fair is that nobody is listening to Mininie. She saw what happened. So did Sam. Nobody is taking her seriously."
He had a solemn look on his face, "Minnie showed me. I think you had fallen asleep or something. Why isn't the school doing anything?"
"McGonagall said it was an accident. Didn't bother to listen to my daughter or Sam. Red is no help. It's like she's afraid to have a backbone because it's her fucking brother's daughter. Though I'm sure she didn't see the memory either. She was too busy with Potter to see what happened. It's like nobody cares because she's a Black."
"Maybe after some of the chaos calms down they will listen."
Bella shrugged, taking another inhale, "doesn't really matter if Cass is crippled, does it? Damage is done and nobody cares." Teddy couldn't argue with her on that point, "but you know what hurts the most?"
"What's that?"
Bella exhaled, "her own fucking mother won't even look at the memory."
"Aunt Hermione hasn't watched it?"
"Nope," the word came out laced with venom she didn't know was possible anymore. Teddy carefully extended his arm around Bella's shoulders and brought her into his side. It was strange for her to be comforted by her adult nephew but she wasn't about to turn the affection away. "I just don't want Cass to have to have her dream taken away by something that was out of her control. My father took my dreams away and looked how well that turned out."
Her dark laughter seemed slightly concerning to her nephew, "from where I'm sitting it looks like everything turned out pretty great for you. You had an amazing career at the DMLE, you have a wife who loves you in spite of your past even if she isn't your favorite person right now and you have two daughters who look at you like you hung the moon yourself. You can't really beat those odds, auntie."
"Why won't she just look at that damned memory? I know my brain shouldn't go there but here am I…"
Teddy squeezed her tighter, "whatever you are thinking can not be what is actually going on in Aunt Mione's brain right now." Bella let out a strangled sigh. "Do you want to talk about it?" She shook her head no. "Would you like me to leave you to it?"
"Please stay. Your presence is very calming to me," she let her head rest on his shoulder as they sat in quiet companionship.
one month after the accident*
Cass was in the hospital for an entire week before they allowed her to continue her recovery at home. She wasn't walking. No feeling bad returning to her legs. Dr. Hoffman was still optimistic that it was an aggressive surgery and that the physical therpist that had set to come to the Manor five times a week would help with speed up the recovery time. Of course, she had to returned to the hospital in two weeks for a follow up and Dr. Hoffman was going to be making house calls. To say she was discouraged was an understatement. There was already talk of needing an additional surgery. "Why am I wasting all of this time if I can't bloody walk?" She was getting frustrated with everyone and the family was used to already cutting her slack because what else could they do at this point. She even snapped at Sam after one particularly harsh physical therapy session three weeks after the accident. "Why are you even still here? Just go back to school," she refused to look at anyone the rest of the day besides Twiggy. She was the only one permitted in Cass's room for three days after that.
Bella had been walking through the garden and stumbled on Sam who was sitting on one of the benches and she appeared to be crying. Everything in Bella's instincts were telling her to turn around and sneak away before the girl saw her but the fucking internal motherly instincts told her to go and comfort her daughter's girlfriend. She walked over, clearing her throat to alert the girl that she was there before sliding onto the bench next to her. There wasn't even an opportunity to say anything before the girl turned, throwing herself in Bella's arms, uncontrollably sobbing. She didn't speak, just tried to be there for the girl as she let go of whatever feelings she had been holding in. Bella waited until the sobbing started calming down before she spoke, "was my daughter being a bitch to you? I might be her mother but I'll kick her ass if I need to."
Sam let out a little laugh, "no. Well yes but no. I don't think she means to be mean."
"What happened?"
"I offered to help her get dressed and she basically told me to go fuck my self and go back to school."
Bella could only blame herself for that one, "yeah she definitely takes after me and for that I apologize. You know she doesn't really mean that."
"I do," Sam sighed, not lifting her head from Bella's shoulder, "but it still hurts."
"I won't make excuses for her but I can take responsibility for a good 93% of her personality and I know me pretty well. For the past 69 years," she chuckled. "I know that if I were in Cass's place, I'd be pushing Hermione away no matter how much I craved her love and support. Us Blacks… Well, we are very proud people."
"And I get that," Sam sat up, facing Bella. "I truly get it. I just love her so much and I want to do whatever I can to make her feel comfortable. When she told me to go back to school, I immediately felt a little bit of relief. I want to be here for her but I also think some time away from me and my help might help Cass more than me being here."
"Sam," Bella sighed, "you are free to go back to Hogwarts at any time. I can guarantee you that the first night you aren't here, Cass will be sending you an owl at school. Well," she smirked, "she will be texting you even if McGonagall says cell phones aren't allowed."
"I think maybe I should go back to school."
Bella nodded, "if that's what you feel you need to do. You know you are always welcomed here, Sam. Christmas break isn't too far off…"
"I was hoping my mum and dad would be okay with me splitting my time home with them and with you guys."
"You already have an extended invitation here. Let me know what your parents say and we can work it out when the time comes. I think Minnie is wanting to head back to school soon."
"Thank you."
Bella looked at the girl, "whatever for?"
"You've always been so nice and warm with me. You are a great mum to Cass and Minnie and I feel like an extension of your family when I'm here."
Bella never thought she would enjoy the company of anyone her daughters dated but Sam was a good kid. She had a strong head on her shoulders and was going to do amazing things in the future. She was a good influence for Cass to have and she was happy they had found each other. She never really considered herself to be great with children or confident in her ability to bond with teenagers but apparently it came easy for her, "it's nothing that you don't deserve, Sam. Now, do you need help getting back to school? All of the fireplaces are connected to Minerva's office. We can floo ahead to let her know you are coming back"
"I wish I didn't have to go through her office."
"I get it. I'm still mad too. We will get to the bottom of this. Next week, we meet with the Weasels and McGonagall. I promise you, it won't go without justice."
The day had finally arrived. It was time to meet with everyone at Hogwarts and put the blame where it should be. Bella had been counting down the days until this. She was determined to get justice for her daughter. Hermione was meeting her there since it didn't start until 2 and she had just started going back into the office. Bella got dressed in her usual fair not bothering to look any less intimidating. If they wouldn't listen to reason, maybe she could scare them into believing her daughter. She grabbed her wand out of the cup on the bedside table and made her way to Cass's room. Her oldest daughter was sitting up in her bed with textbooks sprawled out open on her bed. She wasn't exactly studying as Bella daughter her with her eyes closed. "Working hard there, kitten?"
"I almost die and they still send my course work home. This seems rather unfair," Cass pouted.
Bella cackled, "your education is important."
"It's not more important than," she left her sentence drop off when she looked over at her brooms mounted on the wall.
Bella knew what she meant, "your PT says that the range of motion you've been showing is remarkable for the trauma your body experienced. That has to count for something right?"
"Mummy," Cass sighed, "it'll count when I can get on my broom and fly. I'm tired of this."
"I know, baby," Bella walked over and sat next to her daughter. "I know."
"Today is the big meeting?" She knew the answer but she waited for her mom to confirm. "I wish I could be there. It's not fair that Victoria gets to go tell her side of the story and I do not. Did mum watch the memory yet?"
Bella never lied to her children and wasn't about to start now, "she has not." She felt the air deflate out of her daughter and her heart broke a little. This was an area of contention across the family right now. Everyone was wound tight and Bella knew it was only a time before the band snapped and real feelings were spilled. Her daughter was barely speaking to Hermione and she honestly couldn't blame her when she also found it hard to look at her. "Cass," she pulled her inside a side hug while kissing the top of her head. "Let me worry about this. You have physical therapy today and your Aunt Andy will be here to help. Promise me you will give it everything you got. When I come home, I'll bring whatever take away you want. Send me a message after therapy letting me know how it went and what you want to eat."
Cass gave her a little half smile, "will you punch Victoria in the face for me?"
Bella cackled, "oh kitten if I could get away with punching a child in the face I would. Maybe Minnie can have another go at her."
"I didn't know Minnie had that in her," thinking of the memory of the fight that Bella let her see.
"There's no denying the Black blood in you two," Bella kissed her on the forehead. "Okay. I need to get going." She handed her the transfiguration book. "Maybe try to do some actual work before therapy. Aunt Andy will be here soon."
"Good luck, mummy."
Bella nodded and left the room knowing she was going to need a little more than luck to get everything across to these people and not end up in jail for mass murder, again. She quickly sent her patronus to her sister to let her know that she was heading out and that Cass would be waiting for her and her therapist. Of course Andy sent back a text message. "It's like she doesn't even try to be a witch anymore," she rolled her eyes and prepared herself by the fireplace before stealing her nerves and flooing into her old room at Hogwarts that was never occupied. She had Minnie and Cass set with access to this floo and she thought to herself that she needed to get Sam the access as well so she could come and go as she pleased. Bella wasn't surprised in the least to see Minnie sitting on the couch in her living quarters with her books spread out on the table. "Fancy meeting you here," she smirked at her daughter who looked like she was about to get told off. "Don't worry, bean. You aren't in trouble. I gave you the key, remember."
"It's so quiet here, mummy. Better than the library plus then I don't have to see Pandora or Weasley. Sam comes sometimes. I hope that's okay."
"Sam is part of the family. Of course she is welcomed here. Just don't get in trouble by being in here," she was going to take a seat next to Minnie but noticed the time.
"Your meeting starts in five minutes. Are you nervous?"
"Me? Bellatrix Druella Black?"
"Heiress to the Noble and Most Ancient House of Black," Minnie finished it for her.
"Heard that one before?" She raised one perfectly sculpted eyebrow.
Minnie laughed, "a time or two, mummy. Well are you?"
"Nervous? Never," she leaned down, kissing her daughter on the forehead. "How are you, my little love?"
Minnie shrugged one shoulder, "not that great. I just feel like I'm not being heard. I was there. I saw it. It's so frustrating, mummy."
Bella knew exactly how her daughter was feeling. She also felt like she wasn't being heard and she was not nearly as kind as Minnie. She was about to speak when there was a small knock on the door before it opened to a red faced Ember, "sorry I didn't meant to crash."
"Come on in, Emmi. You are always welcome here," Bella held her arms out and the younger girl tucked herself in her aunt's embrace. "Are you okay?"
"They are so mean to me now, Auntie."
"Who's being mean to you?"
Emmi had looked up at her aunt with tears in her eyes. Even though she was 13, Bella still thought of her as the baby, "the other Gryffindors, Auntie Bella. They are mad at me for not believing Victoria's story. I know what happened. I saw it. Minnie showed me. I can't just forget what I saw to make them happy." She started crying. Bella always hated that she was sorted into Gryffindor and had only Aviya's inferior genetics to blame for that one. Of course that house would stand behind Weasley.
"I know it's hard for both of you. To be seen and not heard. I'm proud of the two of you and Sam for sticking up for Cass. She needs everyone she can get on her side right now. I'm sure Minnie will be happy to beat up whoever is bullying you," the tension in Bella's shoulder lessened when her niece laughed.
"Mummy," Minnie interrupted the moment, "your meeting starts in like two minutes."
"Be strong girls," Bella kissed them both on the forehead before leaving her old room, making her way to the headmistress's office. She stopped outside the office and took a few deep breaths not wanting to show her emotions up front. "Salazar, don't make me kill anyone today," she took one last deep breath before pushing the door open. "I'm here," she walked over to take a seat next to Hermione. "Let's get this shit over with." She looked over at her wife with hope in her eyes. Hope that she will be on her daughter's side this time. Looking around the room she saw Victoria and wanted to go smack the girl but then she shifted her anger when her eyes fell on Ron. She can not believe that asshole had the nerve to show his face at this meeting. Ginny was sitting between the two sides with McGonagall behind her desk. Suddenly Bella felt a wave of nerves crash over her followed by a sense of doom.
"Glad you could join us, Bellatrix," Minerva pushed her half moon glasses further up her nose while addressing everyone in the room. "Today, I hope we can finally bring this feud to an end."
"Feud? I wouldn't exactly call it a feud as much as a blatant disregard for the facts of the matter," it was at that moment Bella realized she had left her filter at home. She felt an uncomfortable shift from her wife before the headmistress gave her a hard stare, "go on."
"Ms. Weasley, could you please recount your memory of the events of the day in question?"
Before Victoria could even open her mouth to respond, Bella interrupted, "hold on a minute, McGonagall. Why aren't we viewing her memories? We are just going to take her verbal recounting of the event verbatim without actual evidence?"
"You will have your opportunity to speak on Cassiopeia's behalf after but if there is one more outburst while Victoria is speaking, I'm going to have to ask you to wait outside."
Bella was fuming on the inside. "Fine," she swallowed down her hatred for the time being, "let us hear it then."
Everyone shifted their gaze towards the sixth year, "James had caught the snitch and the Gryffindors were heading back to the pitch to congratulate the Slytherins. Well I looked back and I saw Cassiopeia. I don't know what happened. I think she was flying around, trying to show off for her girlfriend and the next thing I knew she was just falling to the ground."
Bella held her breath but she knew her face was turning red. She looked over at her wife who was nodding along, listening to the lies that little weasel was spreading. McGonagall linked her fingers in front of her, "thank you Victoria. Bella, Hermione, you have the floor."
Bella sat, staring at her wife, "well are you going to say anything?"
"I'm not sure what to say here, Bella."
"I want you to be a fucking mother and not the Minister for Magic for a god damn moment," she said under her breath but she knew her wife had her heard with the deflated look she was being given. "Are we going to be viewing any memories? I already know the answer to it. Well, I brought Minnie's memories that recount the event."
Ron finally opened his mouth to speak, "how do we know those haven't been tampered with?"
"Come a little closer and say that again," Bella growled. The headmistress stuck her with a well timed glare, "fine. I'll just explain what the memory was. Cass was perched in the air, congratulating James and getting ready to fly back down when Ms. Weasley sent a hex her way, hitting her in the back causing her to fall face first off of her broom. Tell me, does that seem like an accident to you?"
"What motive would Ms. Weasley have for doing such a thing?"
"Oh please," Bella crossed her arms over her chest. "Ask anyone in this school and they will tell you how jealous Victoria is of my daughter."
"Teenage jealous. You think that was enough for this to happen?"
"I don't know, Min. You tell me. Or better yet, Red. Why don't you weigh in here. You've seen my daughter fly since second year. She has been flying since she was a bloody infant. Do you think Cass would accidentally fall off of her broom?" She knew immediately that Ginny was going to turn a blind eye to the severity of the situation. Whether it was fear of McGonagall or duty to her blood traitor family, she wasn't sure but she knew it whatever she was about to say was going to piss her off. "Well, we are waiting."
"I didn't see the accident. I was putting the bludgers away," she saw the look of betrayal on the dark witch's face at the use of the word accident.
"That's not what I asked you. I asked you if you think my daughter, who has been counted among the world's top flyers, is capable of falling off of her broom."
"I have seen her show off for Sam before," Ginny was thinking of her response carefully, not entirely comfortable with this whole situation. "I have been the flying teacher here and quidditch coach since Cass's second year here. While yes, she is been named one of the world's top child flyers by many notable people, I have also seen her in her fair share of clumsy moments. I'm not saying that this was or wasn't one but it is not entirely improbable that she fell of her own accord."
"What about the things you said in Diagon before the semester started? You are just going to pretend that never happened?" She got no response from Ginny. "So everybody in this room has lost their fucking minds," Bella was over it. "And you Hermione?"
"As Minister for Magic, I think for this particular situation, it is best to defer to the headmistress."
Bella slammed her fists on the desk, "your daughter who was on her way to be offered a myriad of Quidditch offers is laying motionless in her bed waiting for the outcome of this. To feel some sort of justice because she knows she did not do anything to deserve this. I can't not believe you." She stood up, "any of you. You are trying to save face because if this blows up, Ronny boy and his daughter here could end up in front of the Wizengamot. Salazar forbid one third of the golden trio or his daughter be held accountable for anything that might tarnish their mediocre reputation. The war is long over and we can all be honest with ourselves, he did nothing to contribute. Stop protecting him." She reached on the desk and grabbed Minnie's memory, "the day any of you view this, Cass will be waiting for your apologies. If you'll excuse me, I'm going to go tell my daughter that she's paralyzed because of her own stupidity apparently."
Hermione followed her wife out of the office, "Bella wait." The dark witch kept her pace not faltering, "please, can we just talk this through?"
Bella stopped, rigid in her stance. She slowly turned and Hermione was suddenly nervous. "Talk this through? What more could you possibly have to say? What exactly is there to talk through?" Neither taking steps to close the distance, "message received. Loud and clear. Now, I have to get home to take care of our daughter and break the news to her that her mother is still refusing to believe her own family."
"Bella. It's not like that."
If she thought anger shone through Bella's eyes earlier she was wrong. She hadn't seen her wife look that angry in a very long time, "it is exactly what it's like. You want to play pretend? Fine. I think it's best for all of us if you don't come home for a while."
The hurt that crossed Hermione's face did nothing to change Bella's mind, "Bella. You don't mean that." The brunette felt it in her soul that she did in fact mean every word of it.
The dark witch gave her one final scowl before turning on her heel, "see you around, Granger."
Bella left Hogwarts, walking directly to Hogsmeade not strong enough to face Minnie and Ember with the outcome of the meeting. She didn't want to have to give the bad news. It was bad enough she was going to have to tell Cass. If she had to do it, she would come home with sweets and presents. She checked her messages and luckily for her, Cass wanted fish and chips so she hopped over to the Three Broomsticks for take away after stopping in every store she thought she could find something to make Cass smile. "How's our girl?" Madame Rosemerta came over to the counter to take Bella's order. Everybody had heard of Cass's injury by now and it was no surprise to Bella that she would've asked. Their friendship predated Bella's teaching at Hogwarts. They were friends at school prior to the whole death eater business. It never sat well with Hermione that they were friendly so Bella was feeling extra chummy that afternoon.
"She's been better, Ros," she smiled down at the shot of fire whiskey that appeared in front of her. She threw it back and gladly accepted another. "Thanks. I needed those," she placed the orders for take away and went into the story of how Cass's recovery had been going so far. She didn't mention anything about school or her opinions or even the truth for that matter. She simply stuck to how Cass was progressing which wasn't far.
"People talk," Rosemerta said, pouring Bella a butterbeer this time since she had to apparate home to her daughter. "Kids talk. I've heard all sorts of rumors and stories about what happened to Cass. Your other daughter, niece and Sam were in here not long ago. They all just looked so defeated. If I was a beating woman, I'd say their story is the truth."
"Well you are among the minority," Bella offered her a small sad smile. "Welcome to the shit show, Ros," she tipped her glass before finishing her brew.
"Don't let them get to you, Bella. You know what happened. You need to focus on getting your girl better so she can make it to the Quidditch playoffs. Everybody know that Weasley girl is jealous because she'll never have what Cass does."
"Damn. You really should've been in that meeting today," she chuckled. The blonde brought over her take away. "Thanks for this and the drinks," she pulled out her coin purse to pay.
"It's on the house. And I threw some cake in there for Cass and some extra. Share with Andy," she smiled at the older woman.
"You always knew how to take care of us Black Sisters," she grabbed the food and winked. "See you around, Ros."
Bella made it back to the Manor in record time. She walked through the door and was greeted by Andy. Bella just shook her head and her sister knew exactly what she was saying. "I got you some dinner. There is some cake in there for us as well. Compliments on the landlady at the Three Broomsticks."
"Rosemerta always did have a special place in her heart for the us, didn't she?" She reached into the bag of food and immediately started in on a piece of the strawberry cake. "Yeah. I'd have sex with her."
Bella smirked, "been there. I'd recommend it. Can you leave people sex reviews on muggle yelp?"
"I knew you fucked her in school. I just couldn't prove it. You never were one to kiss and tell."
"Captain of the Quidditch team. Did you expect anything less of me?"
Andy noticed the sadness behind her sister's eyes. She knew the meeting didn't go well but she didn't realize how bad it was until the mention of the word Quidditch brought a frown to her older sister's face, "fuck, Bella, I'm sorry. Do you want to talk about it?"
"Nope. Don't expect Hermione home anytime soon. I told her she wasn't welcomed here right now."
"It went that well, huh?"
"Yep," Bella took the two containers of food for her and Cass, some dipping sauces and cake, put them on a serving tray with a couple of cans of coke. "What am I supposed to say to Cass?"
"Ask her how therapy went today," Andy smiled at her sister.
"All right but what about the hard stuff?"
"Start with her news then go from there. Don't sugar coat it with her. She's a Black. She's tough. If you need anything, you know where to find me," Andy squeezed Bella's shoulder before leaving the room. "Fuck me," she picked up the tray and used the back stairs to get to Cass's room. Thankfully the door was open so she went right in, "hello, kitten."
"Mummy! You're back," Cass looked at her hopefully.
"I brought fish and chips. Madame Rosemerta even threw in some extra cake," she kissed her daughter's cheek before placing the tray over Cass's legs. "Dinner in bed sounds like fun to me."
"Bellatrix Druella Black is going to eat in bed with me?" Cass almost sounded amused until she added, "no need to tell me how it went. I already know."
"It's not over, my little love. I will get this sorted. We don't need to talk about that right now. Your Auntie Andy told me you had some news from therapy?"
Cass had just shoved a big bite of fish into her mouth but her eyes were sparkling, "mummy. My big toe moved. I moved my big toe. Can you believe it?"
"That's amazing, kitten."
Mother and daughter sat and ate their food talking about anything and everything except what happened at the school today. Cass was happy that she finally talked Bella into having a movie night. There had been a bunch of Marvel movies she had wanted her mummy to watch. Too bad Minnie and Teddy weren't there to join them. She wasn't sure how many movies they had actually watched because at some point she fell asleep but her eyes opened to a blue screen on her television and a slight dip on the other side of the bed. It must have been her mother. She can't remember her getting out of bed though. Cass must really have been out of it. "Mummy? What time is it? Where did you go? How long ago did you leave?"
"Never mind that now, sweetheart. It's late and you should go back to bed," Bella scooted closer to her daughter and threw an arm around her waist. "Sleep now," she snuggled up next to her daughter and started to hum until she felt her daughter's body soften into sleep. When she was confident her daughter was sound asleep, she closed her eyes and followed her Cass off to dream land.