Bella couldn't remember for the life of her where she heard the phrase before but the muggles have a saying about a record scratch moment. She thought it was something along the lines of everything instantly stopped the moment something else happened. Minnie had been fascinated with muggle science and told her something about some old guy's Law of Motion, the first one because apparently there were more than one. An object will remain in direction and speed until a force stops it or something like that. She couldn't remember the specifics. Bella was drenched with a bucket of cold water when she walked through that fireplace and her wife said those three little words. She was sure she had said something, anything but when Hermione spoke again, "Bella did you hear me?" It would appear that she did not. "Dad. He's gone."
Bella finally snapped out of her inner thoughts, "what? When? How? What?" The brain fog she was experiencing was ridiculous, "that was the same question twice. Are you sure?" She started pacing, "of course she's fucking sure. She's the one who told you." She caught herself slipping and put her mask back in place immediately sweeping Hermione into an embrace, "I am so sorry, Hermione. Your father was an amazing guy."
Hermione allowed herself to melt into the embrace, tears streaming down her face, "I'm sorry I called."
Bella pulled back, "why?"
The brunette worried her bottom lip between her teeth, "we aren't in the best place right now but I panicked and I needed you."
"I will always be here for you, love," she pulled her back into the hug. "What happened?"
"Mum came into my room this morning hysterical and I didn't know what to do or what was wrong so I followed her downstairs into their bedroom and dad was just lying there not breathing. We called the emergency service but I ran a magical diagnostic before they showed up. He had a heart attack sometime after 4am and never woke up. I think he at least went with very little pain."
Bella froze, her initial instinct would be to say something about weak muggles but choked that feeling back. "The girls are going to be devastated." She thought about the loss of her father in law. He truly was the closest thing to a father figure she had her whole life. She saved their memories and after one awkward conversation about her intentions, he loved Bella for her just as she was. The relationship she built with Jack Granger was a valued treasure to her, "I'm devastated," she whispered into Hermione's hair.
"Dad loved you so much, Bella," Hermione squeezed harder trying to control her sobs.
"Is he? Did they? I can't remember. What do the muggles do now?"
Hermione knew muggle death and burial procedures was a newer concept for her wife, "we are waiting on the coroner to announce his death. Then his body will be taken to a funeral home to be prepared for burial. We will have a funeral then he will be buried and we will have a wake somewhere for him." She saw her wife looking at her, "he's in their bedroom still." She nodded to the door behind them. "There are emergency services with mum. The coroner should be here shortly. Mum is refusing to leave the room."
Bella could understand that feeling. When Hermione was in her coma it took everything to get her to leave the hospital room even for a few minutes. She couldn't begin to imagine what Katherine was going through because she never lost anyone close to her on the same level. The only thing that came close was when Great Kitty died but the girls were just little then. They didn't really understand what was going on and it was Bella's first muggle death. "I don't really know what to say. How to comfort you."
Hermione just shook her head, "it means everything that you came right now."
"I will be here for you until the day I die. Don't ever think I won't." What was she going to tell the girls when she went back home? "Let me send a message to Andy to look in on the girls. Sam and Minnie are still there until tonight. Longer I guess now at least for Minnie, she should take time off right? I don't know how to do this."
"I know I shouldn't ask this especially with us right now and Minnie is upset with me and rightfully so but I would like to be there when you tell the girls." She looked a little sad, new tears falling, "though I can see if you wouldn't want me there."
"Nonsense after the corner guy comes for Jack, you and Katherine are coming home." There was no further need for discussion. While Hermione lead the coroner to her parents bedroom, Bella went up to Hermione's loft and grabbed her clothes she had brought with her. She noted the pictures she had next to her bed of Bella and the girls and her heart clenched. In the back of her mind, Weasley was stirring and Lestrange was starting to knock. She had to push the need for torture back until this was solved with Jack's passing before she could indulge. The girls were truly going to be gutted and it upset her more knowing she would be delivering the news. She just hoped Minnie could put aside her anger at her mother long enough for this. The family would need each other especially with this happening a week before Cass's second surgery. "Fuck," Bella sighed, picking up a picture of the girls hugging their Pap Pap that had found its way into Hermione's room. This was the space the girls used when they slept over. "They sure did love you, Jack." She couldn't leave the photo behind and packed it into the bag with Hermione's clothes.
"Bella?" The soft call of her wife had her turning around to face the stairs. Fresh tears stained her face, "they took dad. We are ready to go whenever you are. I don't think mum can stay here any longer. At least not for right now."
"Of course," she nodded, grabbing the bag and heading towards the stairs. She moved passed Hermione and was stopped by a hand on her bicep.
"Thank you."
Bella shook her head, "let's go home, Hermione."
When the three women made it through the fireplace and into the foyer of Black Manor, Andy was waiting for them. She nodded to her sister before immediately making her way over towards the Granger women, "I am so sorry. He was truly a great man. He treated Teddy like his own grandson and I will never be ungrateful for their relationship. If you need anything or if I can help out in any way just let me know. I'm good for hugs, snuggles, a shoulder to cry on, if you need someone to yell at and I have an arsenal of jokes at the ready."
Hermione kissed her cheek, "thank you Andy. Dad loved you, too. Could you maybe get mom settled? I think we are going to go tell the girls."
"Of course."
Andy was stopped by Hermione leaning in, "maybe take her to a different room. The one she shared with dad might be too hard. I'll stay with her tonight."
"Got it," Andy assured her she would handle it while they went to have a very difficult discussion with the girls. "I'm going to go to the Ministry later to tell Teddy in person. A phone call isn't going to cut this. Let me know when I can sneak out."
"Thank you," she watched Andy and appreciated the kind heart of her sister in law as she took Katherine up the stairs. She turned back to her wife who seemed to be lost in thought, pacing and possibly talking to herself. Hermione realized how upsetting this whole situation had to be for the dark witch since she was exhibiting behaviors that she hadn't seen in years. "Bella?" As if caught doing something she shouldn't have been doing, the older woman stopped in her tracks, "are you okay?"
"Of course," the mask slipped back into place. "Worried about the girls and Teddy."
"Should we go in together? I know Minnie is a little hesitant."
Bella waved her off, "this isn't about that right now, Hermione. This is about Jack." She turned and headed towards the girls' old playroom. Over the years as they got older it transformed into a muggle entertainment room. There was a television, dvd player, video games, a computer and other forms of entertainment to keep them busy. If she had to guess, the girls and their pets were in there.
Hermione felt uneasy as she followed her up the stairs. Something about her wife was off but she couldn't put her finger on it. Sure, their relationship was strained right now and she was certain that Bella was more upset about Jack's passing than she was letting on but the strangest part was that she had called her by name more times in the last hour than in their whole 22 year relationship. She put the feelings aside and focused on the task at hand, destroying their daughters' spirit. Bella reached the door first and knocked. The girls responded happily from the other side of the door. She followed her inside and immediately saw the distaste on Minnie's face, "mum? You are back already!" Cass sounded more excited to see her than she would've expected.
"Girls…" Hermione took a steadying breath. She couldn't do it. She couldn't utter the words to her children.
As if Bella knew exactly what she was feeling, she squeezed her hand before approaching the couch. She took a seat next to Minnie, "girls we have something to tell you and it's not going to be easy to hear."
"You are getting a divorce?" Cass sounded horrified at the very thought of it.
"What? No," Bella shook her head trying not to get upset that that had even been a thought running through her head. "This isn't about me nor your mother." The girls looked over their shoulders and saw Hermione standing back by the door wiping her tears.
"What's wrong with mum?" Minnie finally caved, feeling worried about her mother. She couldn't remember her ever shedding tears in front of them. "Mum? What's wrong?"
Hermione sobbed a little harder, turning her head away from the girls. "Should I wait outside?" Sam was starting to feel uncomfortable. "I get the feeling this is a family thing."
"No," Cass grabbed her hand, "you are our family. Stay."
"Stay Sam. She's right," Bella gave the smallest smile before looking at her wife for confirmation that she could break the news to them. After a tiny nod of her head, Bella turned back around, "there is no easy way to say this so I'm just going to say it." She took a deep breath suddenly wishing she had a cigarette. "Girls, Pap Pap passed away this morning."
The silence in the room was palpable when Minnie spoke first, "what?"
"No," Cass couldn't believe it. "He was just over yesterday. He was fine." She turned to look at Hermione, "he was fine. He told me he'd see me at Christmas." She turned back to Bella, "what do you mean he's dead? How? He was fine." Honestly there was nothing that could've prepared Bella for this moment, "the doctors couldn't save him? I don't understand."
"She's right. He was fine," Minnie had tears in her eyes but they had yet to fall.
"Mum ran a diagnostic on him. Pap Pap had a heart attack in the early morning hours. He was gone before anyone woke up. Kitty found him this morning and he was already gone. There was nothing anyone could've done to save him."
"But he was fine," tears were streaming down Cass's face. "He was fine."
"Your Pap Pap was a healthy guy. There was no way anyone could've seen this coming," Bella took Cass's hand in her own, squeezing. "He loved you more than life itself. Both of you. If he had any choice in the matter, he would still be with us. I feel it."
"You told me old muggles' hearts were weak," Cass experienced all of the stages of grief at once. She couldn't focus on any emotion long enough to make sense out of the fact that her grandfather was gone. "Why didn't he get his heart checked?"
"Oh sweetheart," Hermione finally cleared her tears and joined the conversation. "Your grandfather did get regular check ups. The doctors never had any concern about his heart."
"He took a lot of pills," Minnie wasn't convinced. "If there wasn't something wrong why did he take so many pills?"
"Pap Pap was almost 80," Hermione knew the concept of age was different for witches and wizards. "That's young for those of us with magical blood but for a muggle well the pills were necessary for things like arthritis, his stomach and kidneys but never for his heart. If there was something wrong with Pap Pap's heart we would've told you."
"Is Kitty's heart okay?" Cass spoke quietly. "Because her heart is probably broken right now."
"Kitty is going to be staying with us for awhile. Aunt Andy took her to get settled."
Minnie still seemed to be digesting everything but always was curious, "what happens now? We didn't even get to say goodbye."
"Remember when Great Kitty passed away?" Bella wasn't surprised when she shook her head no.
"I do," Cass look sad all over again, "we went to that church with the muggles and they put her in the ground and we threw dirt on top of her. Then we had chicken."
"We will have a funeral for your grandfather and he will be buried by Great Kitty." Bella really wanted to say something about the chicken but she didn't think it was the time for a joke, "then we will probably have a gathering here for all of his friends and family to remember him."
"I don't think we should have chicken," Cass had a serious tone. "Pap Pap liked take away. We should get take away."
"Your Pap Pap would have liked that very much," Hermione bent down to kiss Cass's forehead. As if some silent understanding or truce had passed between the two of them, Minnie came over and fell into Hermione's arms. Letting all of her tears come rushing out at once. This was not the reunion Hermione had anticipated with her family. She looked to her wife who had her head resting in her hands. "Exams are this week," she didn't want to ruin the moment. "We can have the funeral after exams."
"I can't go back to Hogwarts right now," Minnie cried even harder. "I just want to be here with my family."
"Of course not. I'll tell the headmistress to send your exams here. I can see about yours as well Sam…"
Sam was still sitting next to Bella. She wasn't part of the family for too long but she cared deeply for Cass's Pap Pap. He was always very welcoming and supportive of her relationship with his granddaughter, "thank you."
"We have boxes of pictures," Bella spoke quietly. "We should get some together for the gathering here. Oh," she remembered, "Andy's stupid camera recorder. I bet she had a bunch of old movies she took. We can have a movie night full of our memories."
"There's a video in Aunt Andy's room labeled Bella's 50th Birthday. I really want to watch that one," Cass gave her mother the biggest eyes. "Is Pap Pap in that one?"
"Hermione, remind me to evict Andy later," she rolled her eyes, "we can watch whatever you girls want."
"I'll go talk to the head mistress and check in on mum. Are you okay with staying with the girls?" Bella nodded for her to go on ahead. Before leaving the room, she turned to look at her family even while heartbroken they were still managing to smile and laugh.
Jack's funeral was a tearful event. The emotions were running through everyone who showed. Bella did well at controlling her emotions until it was her turn to pour dirt over the casket. Katherine and Hermione had already taken their turns saying something nice about the elder Granger and while it wasn't her custom, she knew she had to say something about the man. "Jack Granger was as close to a selfless human being as a person can get. He truly loved everyone that came into his life with his whole heart. If he were a wizard there is no doubt he would've been sorted into Hufflepuff. Jack never looked at me as anything other than the witch I am today. He didn't care about my past. He treated me as an equal even after I blew up his oven two days after meeting him. Jack Granger was a remarkable man and I am a better person for having known him. He is the father I always wished I had. I know that I can speak for my sisters when I say they all feel the same way." She looked over and saw Andy and Cissy nodding in agreement. She picked up the shovel with a little bit of dirt on it, "thank you for being the best Pap Pap I could've asked for for my girls." She emptied the contents of the shovel on top of Jack's casket.
The girls were having a hard time with their emotions so they opted not to speak over their grandfather. They just said how much they loved him and would miss him.
"Can I say something?" Everyone turned and saw Teddy standing up waiting for his invitation to take the shovel. Andy reached out and squeezed his hand before he walked over to the casket. He stopped and kissed Katherine on the cheek. "I met Pap Pap and Kitty when I was 2 years old. Yes, I know we aren't technically related by blood but that doesn't make my love for them any less important. I never met my parents. Grandma raised me from a boy and the love I have for her is that of a mother and son. Jack and Katherine accepted me into their lives like a grandson and I will never fail to recognize them as such. Pap Pap taught me so much about life and what it means to be a good man. I hope I continue to make him proud following in the footsteps he set for me. He was a true family man and I will speak on behalf of all of my cousins and extended cousins when I say that he will be missed beyond words. Pap Pap will never truly be gone… he is Santa after all." He turned the shovel with his dirt on top of the grave, wiping a tear from his eye.
Bella walked over, lacing her hand in Hermione's, "you okay?" She whispered knowing that was a stupid fucking question. Nobody was okay but she needed Hermione to know that despite their relationship problems she was here for her. "I should go be with the girls," she tried to pull away but her wife just held on tighter. She understood the message, "here is good," she let her hand go and wrapped her arm around Hermione's waist. The Minister wasted no time tucking her head into Bella's neck, letting her tears fall. They stood like that for the rest of the grave ceremony and while Jack was lowered into the ground.
Everyone was invited back to the Manor for a remembrance which was a nicer way of saying a wake which was the muggle term for what they had planned to do. Like Cass had requested, there was to be absolutely no chicken and only large amounts of various take away. The group of people seemed reminiscent of their wedding and it was sending mixed signals through Bellatrix and she was having a hard time controlling her feelings. She saw Cass, Minnie and Sam talking to Lyra, James, Pandora and Ember in the one corner of the room. They looked happy enough but Bella could see the real emotion in their eyes. She did notice Minnie giving Pandora strange looks when the blonde girl wasn't paying attention to her. She found that off since her daughter never gave her the time of day before. She saw a few familiar redheads in the crowd and it started boiling her blood knowing one was waiting for her at the other house. She had walked out of the main room and into the kitchen. The house elves were busy with all of the guests so she thought the coast was clear. "As soon as everyone is asleep, I can leave," she was pacing back and forth, fidgeting her wand against her thigh as she walked. "Let some of this tension out." She continued pacing, "haven't fed the fucker in a few days. His water bowl should be fine."
Bella was so lost in her own thoughts she didn't hear the soft footsteps approaching from behind until a soft airy voice spoke, "Bella?"
When the sound registered the dark witch spun around, her mask settling into place, "Luna. Hello."
"Are you okay?" Before Bella could make a joke about the funeral Luna continued, "you have a lot of activity around your aura and it's not typically associated with sadness. You were also kind of talking to yourself. Are you sure that you are okay?"
Bella was slipping. If Lovegood noticed then it was only a matter of time before others caught on. She would have to straighten up, "I'm fine. Thank you for asking."
"There's been talk about things between you and Hermione."
Bella rolled her eyes, "don't remind me."
"For what it's worth, Pandora told me what happened and we both believe Minnie."
Bella managed a small smile, "thank you for that. It's been hard but Cass and I have been managing. This whole thing with Jack's passing was unfortunate timing."
"I'm here for you Bella. Any time. For anything really. We could just sit and not talk for hours if you want. I'm here if you need me."
She saw the look her friend was giving her and she knew the only way out of that room was by patting Luna on the head and agreeing to get together soon. She excused herself leaving Luna to look after her friend, worry etched on her face.
"Ember was so sad when we told her that Jack was gone," Cissy and Andy were stationed in one corner of the room. "She loved him so much. The whole morning she was talking about that camping trip they took and how she set the bed on fire."
"Jack had a way of bringing the arsonists out in our kids," Andy gave a sad smile.
"Teddy's speech was beautiful."
"He meant so much to Teddy. When I told him that day it happened, the kid was in disbelief. I think all of us were."
"I regret not coming to Cass's party now. Aviya and I would've gotten to see him," Cissy had an elf refill her drink "I will never forgive myself for that."
"There's no way you or Aviya could've known. Everyone was shocked. Plus, Ember was being a little shit at school. Everyone understands why you didn't come."
Narcissa didn't look convinced, "still I shouldn't have gotten so mad at Aviya for excusing Emmi's behavior. This school year sure has been something."
"Have kids they say…" Andy noticed Luna approaching and Cissy excused herself to go find her wife. "She's with the kids," Andy called out, pointing to Aviya relaxing with cousins, sharing stories. "Hey Luna. You okay?"
"Oh yes I'm fine. I was just having a conversation with Bella." She noticed the smallest look of concern cross Andy's face, "oh good you've seen the aura activity, too."
"I'm sorry, the what?"
"My mistake," she started to walk away before Andy reached out and stopped her. "Have you noticed any unusual behavior from her? I walked in on her pacing and talking to herself. I'm not sure what she was talking about. Filling someone's water bowl."
"Hmm," the concern emanating from the blonde gave her pause. If Luna had noticed strange behaviors then maybe something really was up with Bella. "I think she's really upset about Jack and doesn't properly know how to deal with her emotions. The only real other death she's dealt with was Grandma Granger's and she went a little batshit then, too. Remember when she was convinced she was getting too old and tried to bleach her hair?"
"I forgot about that." Luna was still very serious. "I guess you are right. I'm just worried about her. She seems to be a little lost inside of her head."
"I'll keep an eye on her, Luna. You are a good friend," the blonde seemed satisfied with that response. "Where is my darling sister? Or the children?" She said goodbye and joined back up with her other sister. "Have you seen Bella or the kids? Or your wife?"
"I was talking with Hermione and Katherine. Offering condolences from our family and they all must have slipped off somewhere. Come to think of it," she took a drink, "I haven't seen Bella since the burial."
Andy narrowed her eyes, "Luna is worried about Bella."
"Are you?"
Andy truthfully did know. She had been spending a lot of time at home with her and Cass and hadn't noticed anything of concern but now with the seeds plants in her brain, "not yet."
"Let's go make sure nobody is up to any trouble."
Bella had left the kitchen looking for a new place to clear her mind. Luna is too close and knows too much. "That girl is too insightful for her own good. I'll have to steer clear of her for the time being," she quickly walked up stairs and paused when she heard laughter. It wasn't unwanted, just strange to hear laughter today after seeing so many tears shed. She recognized some of the voices but followed anyway to the kids' muggle room. She opened the door to find all of the children and Aviya sitting in the room watching home movies of Pap Pap. Of course she knew immediately what movie they were watching, "I can't believe she's talking about having sex in front of my father," Lyra fake gagged.
Ember was giggling, "I thought for sure mum was going to kill Auntie Bella, mama," she looked at Aviya who was sitting next to her laughing at the movie as Hermione carried her wife up the stairs to her bedroom.
"What your Aunt Andy failed to record was my sincere and heartfelt apologies that I distributed the next morning," Bella walked fully into the room.
"Genuinely?" Cass raised an eyebrow. "This is gold, mummy. I wouldn't have apologized. Seems like they antagonized you."
"Auntie Bella, how did you get my mum to not murder you?"
Bella cackled, "please like I'm scared of your mother. Any of your mothers actually," she addressed all of the kids. Minnie who had been sitting awfully close to Pandora gave her mother a look. "And I'm certainly not afraid of Hermione."
"Hmm," Aviya doubted her. "If you aren't afraid of her then why did I hear about a great apology tour?"
"My idea of course," Bella waved her off. "Now back to you, bear," she turned her attention back to Emmi. "Did I hear correctly that you snuck into the headmistress's private bed chambers and set her wardrobe on fire?"
Ember shrugged, "she wouldn't let me come to Cass's party."
"How did you sneak in?"
Aviya's cheeks tinted, "she asked me how to brew a disillusionment potion. I didn't realize it would be used for evil."
"It's smelly old McGonagalls's fault," Ember wasn't budging on her position.
"Yes and when you told your mother that I thought I would never hear the end of it," Aviya rolled her eyes. "Sorry we didn't make it your birthday Cass. We regret it for many reasons now."
"I guess that's a lesson for the kids," Bella looked around at all the variety of children. "Right at this moment I can't think of the lesson but I'm also a terrible role model."
Minnie looks properly chastised, "I guess the lesson is that no matter how angry you are you shouldn't let that anger fully take over your life. Even if you are 100% right and everyone agrees but one person."
Cass laughed at her sister, "you are right as always, Min." Teddy changed out the video to another Christmas video where they were all sitting around opening presents. Pap Pap looked happier than ever to be surrounded by family and friend, "I'm going to miss him so much." Tears started to stream down her face again, "he never got to see me fly one last time." She punched herself in her leg that she couldn't feel.
Sam immediately scooped up her fist, "absolutely none of that. Pap Pap might not be here physically but he's here and he will most certainly be watching when you walk after your next surgery."
Bella's heart warmed at how gentle and patient Sam was with her daughter. She definitely was her perfect match. Her head turned when the next person spoke, "you are going to fly again. Cass." Pandora sounded just like her mother. It was quite scary, "the fairies have been talking about you. All good things." Bella watched Minnie give Pandora the strangest look. It was something between confusion and affection. "They've told me when but made me promise not to tell."
"I just hope it happens…"
"When," Pandora corrected her.
"When it happens I hope it gives me enough time to prepare for the final game so I can impress the scouts." Cass turned her attention back to the tv, "I'm not holding my breath."
"So this is where the party is," Andy waltzed Into the room with her sister following her.
"Oh no this isn't a party," Pandora spoke up again, "we are remembering Pap Pap and talking about how Auntie Bella didn't get murdered on her birthday."
"Showed them the apology tour video, did you?" Andy flopped down on the couch next to her sister.
"It's not like I had a choice," she grumbled and crossed her arms over her chest. "Once Cass and Minnie get an idea in their head there's no stopping it."
Cissy joined the group, "I wonder where they get that from."
"You most likely," Andy laughed, "rewind to the part where she's talking about her naked ass."
After watching a few more videos, Bella excused herself, "you want me to come with you?" Andy asked her when she stood.
"Going to find Hermione."
"Okay, let me know when you want me to kick everyone out."
When Bella turned and left the room Cissy asked, "she's okay?"
"I think so," Andy shrugged, "I can't tell honestly. I'll keep an eye on her."
As if Pandora heard the conversation, she leaned in and whispered, "you should, her aura is cloudy."
Bella walked down to the library where she heard more conversations flowing. Downstairs she saw the Potters and Malfoys conversing. She looked up and saw Teddy, Hermione and Katherine out on the balcony. They must have a heating charm working on them. She stopped halfway up the stairs to remind herself that she is Bella Black. She was an attentive wife and caring mother, not a woman who's holding a man hostage and periodically torturing him. Luna had looked up and saw her standing there shaking her head. Bella didn't notice and continued up the stairs, out onto the balcony. She made her way over to Hermione, placing a kiss on her cheek, "all right?" She looked at her wife, really looked at her for the first time in months. She looked exhausted. Everything must have finally been catching up to her but her eyes still sparkled when she looked at Bella. She could feel in her soul that Hermione was sorry for what happened in the headmistress's office but Bella knew the position she was in. Still Minnie was on to something earlier. It takes a toll on a person to be angry forever. Look where it got Bella earlier in her life. She didn't need to hold on to her resentment for Hermione when she had a nice prize waiting to be tortured. Bella was a smart witch, she could make this work. She sat down next to her wife and took her hand, leaning in to whisper, "I'm going to miss Jack."
Hermione rested her head on Bella's shoulder, "how are the girls?"
"Fine for now. They are with all of the cousins and extended cousins watching home movies with my sisters and Aviya. I think it's helping everyone. I was up there for a while. Those videos are good. I never thought I'd say it but I'm glad Andy bought that camera recorder. It's helped a lot these past few days," she placed a kiss on the top of Hermione's head. "Cass is going to need both of us this coming week. She's putting on a brave front but I know she's scared."
"I'm here, Bella. I already told the Ministry I wasn't coming back until after the holidays. I need to be there for my family right now. Being a mother and a wife is more important than being the Minister," she whispered the last part.
Bella sighed, "I think we need to see a soul healer. After the surgery. All of us. As a family." She wasn't sure where this talk was coming from. She truly wanted to make things better with her wife even if she thought Hermione was in the wrong but deep inside something was crawling around, scratching to get out. Bellatrix Lestrange was stirring and in this moment she was desperate for her to go away.