L'amour Toujour
C13: Road to Recovery
Standard Disclaimer: I don't own any of the recognizable characters
In fifteen years Bellatrix hadn't had as peaceful a night as she had over the last few weeks, and she felt that with each passing day her magical core strengthened thanks to the continued proximity of her soulmate.
Pandora on her turn was also happy to be home and by her lover's side again, even though she knew that she had a lot of amends to make. "Bella, I'm glad you're feeling better but we really need to talk about everything. Aren't you the least bit angry at me?"
"I'm honestly not Panny. I would probably have done the same if our situations were reversed. We both know that survival instincts can be very powerful and you brought our baby girl to the one place she would always be safe and loved. I could never be angry with you for that, simply because now we can be together forever like we promised to each other when we got married. Our biggest mistake was not listening to our Lord and Cissa when they asked us to continue living in the Manor, I am sure a lot of hurt could've been avoided if we hadn't been so stubborn." Bellatrix said softly.
"That has been on my mind too for the past fifteen years and I can only agree with you. We should've just listened to our instincts and stayed with the family, then Hermione would never have been taken and we would've been able to live our lives the way we wanted to." Pandora said softly.
Bellatrix smiled at her love. "Yes we would have, but you know better than most that there is little sense in looking back and trying to change the past. Nothing good has ever come from it. What matters is that we are together and that we can finally live our lives the way we see fit, with our daughters and the rest of our family."
Pandora smiled sweetly at that. "If my Prophecy holds true, then our family will expand too. Our daughters are destined to find their soulmates."
"They really are our carbon copies then. Did you get the chance to write this Prophecy down?" Bellatrix asked softly.
Pandora nodded and summoned the Black family book to her, flipping to the page with the Prophecy she had foretold about their daughters. "Of course I did. I would never forget something concerning our baby girls."
Two children of the Darkest House
Separated by the Light
The youngest raised by family
The oldest raised among dirt
Brought together when the truth is revealed, a family reunited
The Light will oppose them at every turn
The Dark will embrace them
A flower from the continent will capture the heart of the oldest
The youngest will find true love in the flower's kin
Together they will bring change sorely needed.
Bellatrix quirked an eyebrow as she read it. "Well this can mean a lot. Was there anything else to this Prophecy?"
"Unfortunately not love, but you know my visions of Prophecy are rarely clear. I am sure that it all will be revealed in time, or perhaps we could ask your sisters. They might know something that they haven't told us yet. We could go ask them, since it is almost time for your daily dose of potions." Pandora said with a smile, knowing exactly how much her wife despised taking potions.
Bellatrix groaned as she curled herself into the blonde. "But I don't want to take those potions. Besides the ones Cissa's friend makes, they taste as horrible as ever."
Pandora laughed lightly at that. "But baby, your sister will get on my case if I don't convince you to take your potions, and you wouldn't want that for your darling mate, would you?"
Bellatrix gave her a light glare. "Are we once again at the point where you have to use our mating bond to get me to do anything?"
Pandora smiled and kissed her. "I don't know, is it working?"
Bellatrix grumbled a little before nodding and getting up. "Sometimes I hate how easy you seem to be able to manipulate me."
"It's not manipulation when it is done out of love, my Star. I know you loathe to take potions, but despite everything, you're still healing and while your core may be a lot stronger than it was, it still has a ways to go. We wouldn't want you to be exhausted again by the time our daughters come home, now do you?" Pandora asked softly.
Bellatrix sighed softly at that. "No, of course not, and I know you're right. It is just hard to accept that I'm still healing."
Pandora smiled dreamily at her love. "You spend fifteen years in Azkaban love, under circumstances no human being should ever have to suffer for that amount of time. You are allowed to be selfish for once and think of your own wellbeing. No one, especially not me or your sisters will fault you for that."
The raven-haired witch smiled at that. "Sometimes I hate it when you are my voice of reason."
"I know, but you need it sometimes. It is why we fit so well together." Pandora said with her usual dreamy smile.
Bellatrix smiled and gently got up with her love's help. "That is most certainly true, and it is one of the many reasons I love you so much."
Pandora smiled as she linked her arms with those of her wife before leading her back to the den so she could take her potions.
Narcissa smiled as she saw the two witches walk into the den, glad that her sister was feeling better by the day. "I see you two are quickly getting back to your old ways. I trust you two are well?"
They both nodded at her. "We are, and getting better by the day too. Having Panny here really helps."
Narcissa smiled at that. "I'm happy to hear that. Am I also right in assuming that you came to get your dose of afternoon potions?"
"Begrudgingly, yes. You know I don't like potions on the best of days, but Panny had some excellent arguments why I do need to take them." Bellatrix said with a slight grumble.
"Your wife was always the practical one in your relationship. Luckily for you all you have to take now is the Cure-all potion." Narcissa said as she handed the raven-haired witch her dose.
Bellatrix sighed in relief as she downed the potion, feeling how she became once again a bit stronger.
…
That Saturday Dora was happy to be home again, not only because she could finally spend some time with her family again, but also because it had been a very hectic week for her since there were a lot of their family's businesses that had a bad Christmas and thus needed some kind of remodeling to ensure their continued profit.
She honestly was excited to spend some time with her aunts again, having barely seen, let alone talk to them in the last couple of weeks, and she had a feeling that her aunts would be happy to see her too.
She didn't remember much about them because she had been so young, but she remembered vividly how she used to cuddle up between them and how warm and fuzzy that always made her feel.
It was still relatively early when she appeared in the living room, but apparently not early enough for no one to be awake since her mother was reading the Daily Prophet while still in her morning robes. "Good morning sweetie. How was your week?"
Dora smiled at her as she took a seat next to her mother. "Same old Mom, too little time, too much to do and very hectic all around. I should really look into consolidating more things when I have the chance."
Andromeda smiled at her daughter. "You're too busy Dora. I thought you of all people knew how to relax a little."
"Usually, I have no problems relaxing a little, but as you know chaos feeds chaos, so with everything going on I've been having a bit of trouble letting go. I might actually need to take a vacation for a while to wind down." Dora said softly.
"You have certainly earned it Dora. You've worked very hard over the last few months and I am sure now that your aunts are home they will want to reconnect a little." Andromeda said with a soft smile.
Nymphadora nodded and smiled at that. "That's not a bad idea actually. The stores will be fine for a while and I really need a bit of time to recharge, otherwise I might keel over at some point."
Andromeda smiled at that as Bellatrix and Pandora walked into the room. "Dora! It's so good to see you again sweetheart. It's been far too long." Pandora exclaimed as she came up to hug her niece.
Nymphadora smiled and wrapped her arms around the blonde. "It's good to see you too aunt Panny. I've really missed you."
Pandora smiled and pulled the Metamorphmagus close. "As I have missed you Dora. I'm sorry for staying away for so long."
"I understand why you did it auntie. I'm just glad that you are back with us." Dora said with a soft smile as she pulled back and turning to Bellatrix.
The raven-haired witch smiled and pulled her niece into a hug. "It's good to see you again dear. I've really missed you over the last fifteen years. You look well."
"So do you aunt Bella. It's good to have you back with us." Dora said softly.
"I'm also very glad to be back. I can't believe how mature you look. I seems I missed more than I thought." Bellatrix said with a kind smile.
Dora smiled at that. "It's kind of a necessity for what I do on a daily basis. When I graduated I took it upon myself to catalog and manage all of our family's properties, and it has kind of turned into a full time job with managing all of the stores."
Bellatrix smiled proudly at that. "I am very proud of you for wanting to do that Dora. It has been something that has been ignored for far too long. I am sure you are doing an amazing job."
"That she does Bella. Dora ensured that all of our profitable properties will continue to do so and every property that could lead anyone to our connection to the Dark Lord has been sold to other families. She really has a knack for managing things." Andromeda said proudly.
That made Dora blush darkly as Bellatrix pulled her closer. "I look forward to hearing all about it over the coming weeks, Dora."
"Since my Mom made a very good point that I should take a vacation, I have plenty of time to show and tell you everything." Dora said with a soft smile.
Bellatrix nodded and smiled at her as Narcissa padded into the room. "Well this is a surprise. Usually I am not the last one up. Welcome home Dora."
"Thank you aunt Cissa. It's good to be home again. Would it be okay if I stayed her for a few weeks? I really need a vacation." Dora asked softly.
"Of course that's okay Dora. You always have a home here, no matter what happens." Narcissa said kindly.
Dora smiled at her. "I know aunt Cissa, I just don't want to impose with aunt Bella's healing."
"I'm sure that having you here will only be a benefit, little Nymph." Bellatrix said with a teasing smile.
Nymphadora blushed a little at that. "It's been a while since anyone has called me that."
The four women smiled at that. "It's such a cute nickname though." Pandora said teasingly.
That only darkened her blush. "Perhaps, but I still have some issues with my given name. It's been nothing but a source of ridicule for me at school."
"That was because no matter which House you were sorted in, people love to discriminate against those that are different. I'm sorry that happened to you Dora." Pandora said kindly.
Nymphadora smiled at her aunt. "Thank you aunt Panny, I had just thought that Hufflepuff would've been different."
Pandora smiled and wrapped her arms around her niece. "I know all too well how biased the Badgers can be. It is one of the reasons I gravitated to your aunt so much."
Dora only nodded as she relaxed in her aunt's arms, feeling the same warmth and love she always had when she was in the blonde's arms.
…
Over the course of the next week Bellatrix and Pandora spent a lot of time catching up with the rest of the family, learning everything they had missed over the last fifteen years, save the one thing that was still on their mind.
Narcissa had been quite sparingly on details concerning the Prophecy but she hoped that in inviting Fleur over today would help shed some light on things, as well as give the Veela a chance to meet Bellatrix and Pandora before Hermione and Luna would come home.
Since Andromeda and Nymphadora had taken the day to spend some well deserved mother-daughter time together, Narcissa figured that today was the best time to talk about the Prophecy she knew her sister and sister-in-law were still wanted answers about.
Bellatrix and Pandora were currently still meditating together since they had found that it helped a lot in strengthening Bella's core which gave Narcissa some time to prepare some light snacks, mostly to act as a sort of ice breaker, knowing that Bellatrix could be very intimidating when first meeting her, even with Pandora there to act as a buffer.
Chances were that when the two witches learned of the mating bond between their long lost daughter and the French Veela, their talk would quickly become an interrogation, and that was something Narcissa wanted to avoid at all costs, since she was sure that Hermione would hear of this meeting soon and was bound to have questions for her girlfriend.
The moment she walked back into the living room, the Floo roared to life as Fleur stepped out, dusting herself off before going to hug the older blonde. "It's good to see you again Narcissa. Is everything okay?"
Narcissa smiled and nodded. "More than just okay Fleur. Your Cure-all potion is a regular miracle. Bellatrix is almost back to her full strength."
"That's good to hear. I was honestly a bit worried how it might affect someone who had been through so much. Were there any side effects that you are aware of?" Fleur asked softly.
Narcissa shook her head at that. "Not that I noticed, but I am sure she will tell you exactly how it all felt when you meet her. She's quite eager to meet my friend that invented that miracle."
Fleur smiled at that. "I hope she'll be as eager when she learns of my bond to her daughter and what we have already shared."
"I'm sure there will be plenty of questions, but her wife is the one that foretold the Prophecy that speaks of you and Hermione, so I have a feeling that they'll be accepting as long as you answer truthfully." Narcissa said with a soft smile.
Fleur nodded at that. "I have no intention of lying, but there will also be things I cannot tell them without talking to Hermione first, which I hope they will understand."
Narcissa smiled and nodded. "I'm sure they will. Both Bellatrix and Pandora are very connected to the old magics and because they share a soulmate bond themselves they will feel that too, and Pandora especially will understand because of the fact that she is a Seer and will probably has seen you and Hermione together already at some point."
Fleur smiled at that. "I can only hope to make a good first impression. I wouldn't want them to think bad of me for being with their daughter."
Narcissa smiled kindly as she led the blonde to the den. "Trust me that you will be fine Fleur. I am sure that you will endear yourself to them just as you have done to the rest of our family. Just be prepared for some intimate questions."
The blonde nodded at her as they took a seat, being joined not soon after by Bellatrix and Pandora, the latter with a knowing smile on her face. "Well this is a surprise. I was not aware we were expecting guests." Bellatrix said stoically, having slipped into her stranger persona.
Narcissa smiled at her sister. "You can relax Bella. This is my dear friend Fleur, who invented the Cure-all potion. I asked her to come today because of some things that will undoubtedly happen in the near future."
Bellatrix quirked an eyebrow at that. "Really now, then first of all I should thank you for inventing such an amazing potion. It has truly worked wonders."
Fleur smiled kindly at her. "You are very welcome Mrs. Black. I will admit the idea is not solely my own, but I am very happy that it worked the way it did. I had some worries when Narcissa told me of your condition last week."
"It seems you were not the only one, but if you don't mind my asking, where are you from? Your accent is clearly not British." The raven-haired witch asked kindly.
"I am from France originally, having graduated last year from Beauxbatons." Fleur said equally kind.
Bellatrix and Pandora shared a look at that. "Okay, who are you really? Because this is a bit too coincidental."
Fleur shared a quick look with Narcissa before turning her gaze back to the two witches opposite her. "My name is Fleur Delacour, and I am your eldest daughter's mate. She is the reason I came to England after my graduation."
"Delacour? As in the Veela Clan of Delacour?" Pandora asked softly.
"Oui, the very same. My mother is Head of our Clan." Fleur said softly.
The two women smiled at that. "The apple doesn't fall far from the tree, does it love? Our daughter has already found her soulmate. We were around the same age when we found each other. May I ask why you came to England in the first place?" Pandora asked with her usual dreamy smile.
Fleur smiled at the blonde. "Beauxbatons was invited to participate in the Tri-Wizard Tournament at Hogwarts last year and I was chosen as its champion. In my time there I spent most of my free time with your daughters and we have built strong friendships over the course of that year. I knew from the first time I saw her she was the one for me but I promise that nothing inappropriate happened until she was ready. I let her set the pace in every way."
"But that means you two have already taken that step?" Bellatrix asked softly.
Fleur nodded at her. "Yes, I told her the truth last Christmas and she surprisingly accepted everything very easily. Apparently I had as much of an impact on her as she had on me. We completed her bond shortly before her going back to school, and we still write to each other every day through an enchanted diary I gifted her for her birthday this year."
Bellatrix took a deep breath before replying. "While I am not happy that you already know my daughter better than I do, I cannot be angry at you for that. We both know that we have missed a lot of her life, even though that wasn't by choice, I personally can only be happy that my daughter has found that rare and true love."
Fleur smiled at that. "I promise you both that I will always put her needs first and will never take for granted what she shares with me."
"We know, and I want you to know that we will always support you two in whatever it is you choose to do, right my Star?" Pandora asked with a soft smile.
Bellatrix only nodded, pulling her wife into her side as they fell into a more relaxed conversation, mostly centered around Fleur's business and inventions.
…
A couple of days later Bellatrix and Narcissa were finally taking the time to reconnect a little, since everything had been focused on the raven-haired witch's healing for the past weeks.
Since the weather was absolutely beautiful, the sisters had opted to take a walk in the garden together, something they used to do a lot before everything changed. "I must admit I have really missed these little moments with you Cissa. It's nice to finally feel the sun on my face again."
"I can imagine love. Fifteen years is a long time to only feel the cold of Azkaban. We're so happy that you're home and feeling better." Narcissa said with a soft smile.
Bellatrix smiled and rested her head on her sister's shoulder as they walked. "I can't begin to tell you how happy I am to be back where I belong, nor can I wait on finally seeing my little darlings again. We have so much to talk about."
Narcissa nodded and smiled at her. "Trust me that they are just as, if not more excited to meet you both. They've talked all Christmas about things you all could do together once they came home for the summer, and of course we'll give you all the time in the world to catch up with each other. I have a feeling you and Hermione will bond very quickly over everything academic. She really is as studious as you were, and I think she'll ask you to teach her more than a few things."
"Trust me that I am already thinking of things for them Cissa. From what you've told me they seem ready for a careful introduction to the Dark Arts, I know that with everything coming to us they will feel the pull of it and I'd rather them learn in a controlled environment then from them doing their research and potentially putting themselves in danger." Bellatrix said softly.
Narcissa smiled at her. "While I doubt they would put themselves in danger, I understand where you're coming from, plus I think they would jump at the opportunity to be taught by you."
Bellatrix smiled at that. "I hope so, because I'll be honest and say that I worry a little about my reaction when I see them again. What do I even say to them?"
"You say what your heart tells you Bella, and trust me that you are not the only one who worries about that first encounter. Hermione told me that she worries about the same things you do." Narcissa said softly.
"That doesn't surprise me to be honest. If we're really that much alike it stand to reason that she is as nervous as I am, and I also have a feeling that she knows more about me than I know about her, and that irks me." Bellatrix admitted begrudgingly.
Narcissa gave her a guilty smile at that. "I know haven't been very forthcoming with information, I merely figured that you and Pandora would want to learn about your daughters from them."
"I suppose we do, but it just irritates me that we've missed so much of their lives. We missed so many important things in their lives that I feel we can't even being to catch up with that." Bellatrix said softly.
Narcissa smiled and pulled her sister into a hug. "Bella, I promise that you will have every opportunity to get to know your daughters and be a family again. Come the summer there will be two months of no interruptions or distractions where you can all get to know each other and catch up on the time you've missed together. I will also be honest and say that we were initially concerned that you would prioritize finding Pandora over your own recovery. Having her here already will make everything a lot smoother for everyone. I also have the feeling that both Hermione and Luna already know that you two are home and thus can prepare for the reunion."
Bellatrix smiled and nodded. "Fleur did mention she would tell Hermione of our meeting and I hope that it will help them in the coming months."
"I never got to ask. What did you think of your daughter's mate?" Narcissa asked with a soft smile.
"She's everything I could've hoped for in a future daughter-in-law. She's polite, kind, knowledgeable and above all is clearly in love with Hermione. I never thought anyone could be worthy of her, even when she was a baby, but having met her I know for a fact that they will be very happy together." Bellatrix admitted with a soft smile.
Narcissa smiled at that. "I honestly felt the same when I first met her. Despite her age she is determined to make her store a success and she is truly wise beyond her years. When I learned that she was Hermione's mate I had very good hopes for the future again."
"That must've been an interesting conversation." Bellatrix said teasingly.
Narcissa smiled and bumped her hips against those of her sister. "We didn't start there, I assure you Bellatrix. Of course I was a little bit puzzled why such a young woman from another country would fight so hard to start her own business here. From there she told me everything that had happened last year and why she chose to stay in England. This was all just after we started having our suspicions about who Hermione really was."
Bellatrix smiled and nodded. "I was only teasing Cissa, but I understand your thought process. I probably would've done the same if I had the opportunity."
Narcissa smiled at that. "I know you would've, but as your wife always says, we can't live our lives on what ifs. What matters now is that we as a family will focus on the future."
Bellatrix only nodded and smiled as she pressed herself close to her sister again, the two sisters being more than content to take advantage of the weather while they could.
…
With only a month remaining before their daughters would come home, both Bellatrix and Pandora were getting increasingly more nervous about that first meeting, especially now that Bellatrix had fully healed and her usual restlessness had returned, something Pandora always found incredibly amusing.
In an attempt to stave off this restlessness a bit, Pandora had all but dragged her wife to the pool, which was one of the best kept secrets of Black Manor, plus she would never pass up on an opportunity to see her wife in a bathing suit, since even after being apart for so long she still greatly desired her love.
Bellatrix on her part usually didn't care for things like this, but she had to admit that after fifteen years of not being able to do so, she started to enjoy these quiet little moments, and of course the fact that her wife preferred bikinis over bathing suits was not a punishment either.
To her Pandora remained the most beautiful woman in the world and she knew it was only a matter of time before they would find the urge to be intimate irresistible, having been known for being overly amorous with each other and sometimes Narcissa over the course of their years together.
Pandora was currently relaxing in her wife's strong arms, resting her head against the raven-haired witch's shoulder "You know love, I really missed this."
Bellatrix smiled and nuzzled her lover's neck. "So have I, believe it or not. Over the last fifteen years I had so much time to think, and I know that these little moments have and always will everything to me, and soon we'll be able to share this with our daughters too."
Pandora smiled at kissed her cheek. "I have a feeling that they would be in a similar position to us. From what Cissa told me they are as close as you and her were."
"It's not like we would mind that fact, and as if we hadn't expected it already. I just wonder how Fleur took to that. I can't imagine it be easy for a Veela of her status to feel like you're sharing your mate." Bellatrix said softly.
"I suspect it wouldn't be much different from my feelings towards Cissa when we were younger. I think she understands and I have a feeling she might even sense it."
Bellatrix smiled and nodded at that. "I wouldn't be surprised honestly. There are more than a few Veela on our family tree and most of them were from the Delacour clan. They are as woven into our family as our magic is."
Pandora smiled at that. "I remember the stories you always told me, and I've always wondered if it was the reason out of the three of you Cissa is the only blonde."
Bellatrix laughed lightly at that. "I've wondered the same for years, but I am pretty sure that Cissa has no hidden Veela blood in her."
There was a light giggle behind them. "While you know me very well, I doubt you would know me that well, sister." The blonde in question said with a smile.
The two women smiled at her. "Well good afternoon Cissa. What brings you here?"
"Boredom mostly. I'm done with most of my preparations for everyone to come home and since Andi and Dora are out shopping, I figured I deserved a little dip in the pool." She said as she took off the robe she was wearing to reveal a dark green bikini.
"Then by all means join us Cissa. If anyone has deserved to relax it is you." Pandora said with her usual dreamy smile.
Narcissa smiled as she let herself slide into the pool next to her sister. "I've thankfully become a lot better in taking my moments of relaxation, although it has been a long time since I felt this at peace."
Bellatrix smiled and wrapped an arm around her sister. "Could that have something to do with your favorite sister and her wife being back home?"
Narcissa in a very unladylike manner stuck her tongue out at her sister as she rested her head on Bella's shoulder. "You know I have no favorite sister. You and Andi mean equally much to me. Having Pandora here however does help a lot, since I can finally talk to someone about potions again."
Both Bellatrix and Pandora smiled at that. "And here I thought you had Fleur for such things these days." The raven-haired witch said with a teasing smile.
"I don't talk to her every day. She is very busy with her store since her potions are starting to gain some popularity." Narcissa said softly.
"I still think it is amazing that she at her age has already become such an adept Potion Master. It is a rarity even for those with aptitude for Potions." Pandora said with a soft smile.
Narcissa smiled and nodded. "I thought the same thing when I first learned of her creations, but she told me that her more successful potions are in fact thought up by herself, Hermione and Luna, so it is really no surprise. Draco has spoken very highly of Hermione's Potion skills even before we realized who she was."
"At least she has something that she inherited from me." Pandora said with a wink to her lover.
Bellatrix gave her a smile. "It is only right love, and I'm sure there are things that Luna got from me too."
"Oh most definitely, mostly her need for solitude when things get too loud for her liking, and coincidentally she also always picks your spot in the library too in those moments." Narcissa said with a smile.
Bellatrix only smiled at that, having figured that out of everything her daughter could have inherited from her it would be her love of solitude during stressful times.