A/N
Whoops, I uploaded the second chapter as the wrong kind of text, sorry yall
October 6th, 2002
"Well pet? What do you want from me? Or did you call me here just to stare at my stunning visage?"
Hermione narrowed her eyes at the witch. "Shut it, Lestrange, we have work to do."
"Ooooh pulling out the last name, you wound me pet."
"Yeah we don't have time for this. You recall the mission you went on to Romania?"
Bellatrix rolled her eyes. "Yeah we failed miserably, I got my ass crucio'd to hell and back for your sorry little Order."
"Yeah well, while you've been gone, things have changed. Without your input, our past three months worth of raids have failed."
Bellatrix's eyes widened. She sat back on the log, still this time, no longer kicking. "I'm listening."
Her stare was intense, boring into Hermione.
"You know how I told you my suspicions last time we met?"
"About how the raids were continuing to be coincidentally foiled? Yeah I recall."
"I'm pretty sure we have a mole."
Bellatrix's lips flattened into a tight line. "How sure are you?"
"Well I-"
"Pet, spit it out."
Hermione sighed. "You know how the death eaters have begun carrying spikes and spears to destroy the vampires such as myself? Their spikes were enchanted this time, with the exact counter-curse to a spell we invented ourselves. This is no coincidence."
Bellatrix didn't speak. Hermione waited for her to respond. The minute seemed like an eon.
"Is my daughter safe?"
"I don't know."
The truth came out in a puff of air, defeat in her tone. Bellatrix's eyes were dark, full of rage and something else. Hermione hurried to explain.
"I don't know if she's completely safe, but we are certain that her identity is unknown. Only myself, Tonks and McGonagall know of who she truly is, and each of us are bound to a modified Fideleus. I am the secret keeper."
Bellatrix visibly relaxed. "Good. If anything happens to her, our deal is off."
Hermione nodded, understanding. "Of course. Delphi's safety is paramount."
September 15th, 2000
Hermione was frozen completely, Bellatrix posed atop of her, wand jabbing into her throat.
"Lest-Lestrange, what the hell do you want?"
Bellatrix looked her in the eye. They seemed to be coloured black on an initial scan, but if one were to take a deeper look into them, flecks of gold shimmered a little, complementing her skin tone.
"I want to join the Order."
A shocked laugh left Hermione's chest, bubbling over and spilling out everywhere. Bellatrix looked perplexed, her head turning a little to the side.
"What in Merlin's name is so funny to you mudblood?"
Hermione couldn't stop laughing, and knowing as she did that Bellatrix could not harm her, she did not fear being hurt by the dark witch.
"You, Bellatrix Lestrange, the Dark Lords most feared, is asking to join an organization filled to the brim with mudbloods? And you expect me to believe you?"
"I- things have changed."
Hermione continued laughing, unable to stop when another voice cut across the clearing.
"Mummy? Can I come out now?"
A small girl peeked out from behind a tree, striking violet hair drawing Hermione's eyes. She seemed to be about four, and her eyes were huge, reminding Hermione of Luna. Bellatrix's face softened instantly, evidently adoring this small child.
"Darling, I told you to stay behind the tree, hmm? Very well, you're out here anyways. Mudblood, I'll leave you to draw your own conclusions."
Hermione's mind was whirring. "I- you- when? Who more importantly- wait if- no-"
Bellatrix snickered. "Are you going to finish any of those sentences?"
Hermione shook her head. "I still don't understand. Why come to us?"
A cloud seemed to have drifted across Bellatrix's face, her expression darkening and becoming so full of rage Hermione shrunk back.
"My Lord- he gave me her as… a reward if you will."
The images that flashed across Hermione's brain were an excellent argument for the widespread use of obliviation.
"She was born in 1996, and I was thrilled."
"So you didn't just get fat like Harry thought-"
"Shut it mudblood."
Hermione held up her hands smirking. Bellatrix continued.
"She was beautiful, a spitting image of Him when he was a child. She is my only reason for living most days."
Bellatrix had moved off of Hermione, moving to sit on a log instead, beckoning Delphi, who ran to her and leapt into her lap. She idly ran her hands through Delphis hair as she continued.
"It wasn't until she was four that she began to shapeshift. I tried to keep it hidden, but he found out and demanded I have her... put down. He believes her to be... impure. This was three days ago. I couldn't think of anywhere else, and I know… I know Andy is in the Order."
The unspoken words laid heavy. Even if she knew she wasn't welcome, Bellatrix knew her sister would care for her child.
Bellatrix became more desperate. "Please, I don't ask for forgiveness, only that I may be able to help win the war for my daughter. She deserves the chance to live, even if I don't."
The little girl was looking at Hermione now, still shy, but becoming bolder. "I like you." She whispered, and Hermione's heart seemed to melt. She made a snap decision, so unlike her.
"I will call for McGonagall and she will make the final decision."
"Don't let them hurt my daughter."
October 6th, 2002
After the reassurance, Bellatrix seemed to relax a little. "I too have some information. A spontaneous raid has been planned for tonight at eight."
Hermione groaned. Spontaneous raids were the most unpredictable kind. Voldemort's horde was dangerous and brutal, but also extremely bored most of the time. The thirst for power and multi-layered backstabbing often caused infighting, and the spontaneous raids were a way of releasing some of that, creating chaos, an opportunity to steal, kill and destroy. The last one had left Harry near dead and unable to walk for a month and a half, with four others killed and the many casualties incurred by werewolves and dark wizards.
"Where are they aiming?"
Bellatrix's face was grim. "The hospital complex."
Definitely not good. Hermione kneaded her forehead a little, the stress creating pain in her temples.
"That's not great. I'll talk to Ron as soon as possible, he will have some sort of plan. Do you know who He sending?"
Bellatrix thought for a bit. "I've been given permission to go, but I requested to instead take the time for training and He agreed. That leaves hmm… let me think. About twenty junior death eaters, Draco, the Lestrange brothers and Fenrir."
Hermione cursed. "Bloody hell I fucking hate Fenrir."
Bellatrix smirked a little. "Not even a mother could love that ugly face."
"She probably dropped him multiple times as a child. Anyways, do you have any other information?"
Bellatrix pursed her lips. "Nothing too important, only that the snake has been moved to Boston to keep her safe."
Ah yes, Nagini, the last known horcrux. "Right. We'll keep an eye on that, and possibly create some kind of strike team, but until we find the final horcrux, there's no point in striking her down."
A bird call was heard. The night was beginning to turn pink as the sun made its slow ascent across the sky.
"Is there anything else pressing?"
Bellatrix considered. "Nothing pressing, just tell Delphi her Mama loves her very much."
Hermione smiled sadly. "Will do." she half whispered. Bellatrix only seen Delphi once since that day in the woods, on Christmas in 2001. Other than that, it had been far too dangerous to risk outing Bellatrix's allegiance, especially now that there was a mole in the order. Hermione gathered her things, carefully tucking her book into her coat, taking care to make sure it remained unwrinkled.
"Thank you for meeting me, I really appreciate it. Perhaps we will meet again in two weeks if everything goes to plan?"
Bellatrix nodded. "Very well pet. I'll see you then."
Hermione went to leave, but Bellatrix called out.
"Wait- Granger."
Hermione turned. "Yes?"
"Could you give Delphi this?"
A small brown parcel tied up with string sat in Bellatrix's palm. Hermione took it and turned it over in her hands. Bellatrix's face conveyed no emotion, other than her eyes. They had a lifeless look, one only a mothers heartbreak could cause.
"What is it?"
"A birthday present."
Hermiuiones mouth fell into an 'o'.
"Oh… I'm so-"
Bellatrix's eyes blazed once again, any trace of the sadness they held gone, incinerated.
"Don't you dare pity me Granger, or I will end your pathetic little life."
Both of the witches knew this was just an empty threat, a front to protect Bellatrix from her own insecurity. Hermione pocketed the parcel.
"Of course. She'll love whatever it is. Goodnight Lestrange."
And with that, she sped off, leaving Bellatrix.
In the middle of the forest.
Alone.
Later that morning
"RONALD WAKE UP."
Hermione rapped her fist aggressively on the door to the room that Ron, Harry, Seamus and Dean shared. It was six am, they should already be awake, ready to face the day. She heard footsteps shuffling and a bleary eyed Harry opened the door.
"Wha- Hermione, its six in the morning, we were up at the bloody meeting until two am-"
"Yes, very good, excuses, move please."
Harry rolled his eyes at her, as bossy as ever, and moved, allowing her to enter the messy room. Ron was still asleep in his bed, snoring. She stepped over a pile of dirty clothes and cast a sonorous on her voice.
"Ahem… RONALD WEASLEY, GET YOUR SORRY ARSE OUT OF BED."
He jumped with a start, looking quite alike to crookshanks when he got a fright.
"Mum, I'm sorry, I didn't mean to- Mione, bloody hell, why'd you do that? I thought you were my bleeding mother!"
She smirked. "That's a good one. Can you come to the library after breakfast? Wait no, just bring whatever you're eating with you. This simply cannot wait."
Ron grumbled something out which she ignored. Hop skip jumping over the dirty room, she went out the door.
"See you soon Ron!"
Hermione swung past the kitchen where Kreature was hard at work, grabbing a bagel and thanking him profusely. He cracked a toothless grin at her.
"Missy Hermione is always welcome in Kreatures kitchen."
She thanked him one more time before sprinting out the door and jumping down a full flight of stairs to get to the library.
Ron was thankfully already there, munching dejectedly on his own breakfast bagel.
"Mione, what in Merlin's name could be so important we'd have to discuss it at six in the morning?"
Hermione sat down with the plans she had hurriedly scribbled out.
"I met with our spy this morning, and they had some very interesting information. Our hospital complex is the target of the next spontaneous raid led by Fenrir."
Ron coughed, letting bits of bagel fly from his mouth.
"Merlin's beard, that's not good. When is this happening?"
"Tonight at eight o'clock, but we need to be prepared from about five onwards. It is a spontaneous raid afterall."
Ron got a look on his face, one of contemplation. "And since we have a mole, it's going to be near impossible to get an upper hand."
Hermione nodded tersley. "Exactly. What do you propose?"
Ron sat in silence for a bit, his mind whirring. "Hmm. Mione, do you remember how the roof got blown off in the section of the hospital when we were using it as a dueling ground?"
Hermione's brows furrowed. "Of course, Seamus wouldn't shut up about it for a week. Why does that matter?"
Ron got a look on his face, grinning deviously. "We never repaired that, did we?"
Hermione shook her head. Ron leaned back, twirling his wand through his fingers. "What we're going to do is send a team of repair workers, including you and several of our other finest duellists. You'll just happen to be there when the raid begins, none the wiser. Our spy will have no concrete proof it was planned."
Hermione felt a grin stretch across her face as the full genius of his plan hit her. "Bloody hell Ron, you're brilliant."
Ron smirked. "I am indeed."
"And oh so very humble."
"How'd you know?"
She chucked him the breakfast bagel she had grabbed earlier for him, and Ron devoured it hungrily.
"Thanks Mione, 'preciate it. Right, I better get our team sorted." He mumbled around mouthfuls of bagel. Hermione grimaced.
"Ronald, chew with your mouth shut."
"Yes mum."
The rest of that morning, Hermione and Ron sat there, catching up and reminiscing, and it was quite possibly the most wonderful morning Hermione could remember in a very long time.
A/N
Anyone catch the Glass silence reference in this chapter? (You'll be disappointed in me if you're from coven or cult and know me lol.
