It had taken the techs over a week to get any sort of evidence from the items Teddy and Draco collected from the headmistress's office. Minerva was a little less than thrilled when the DMLE came into her office but once Teddy pulled out the orders from Bella and Harry, she stepped aside and let them do their job. Once the lap techs dropped off the information to Bella, she was ready to move on Hogwarts but stopped when she remembered Hermione wanted to go to the soul healer first.
Hermione and Bella had been sitting inside the soul healers office for twenty minutes staring at various decorations throughout the room. Neither of them had started the conversation. "These things usually go a lot quicker if the participants actually speak to each other," the soul healer offered an amused smile.
Bella rolled her eyes, crossing her arms over her chest. Hermione knew that look, "if we are waiting for Bella to speak first then we might as well just leave now." The over exaggerated sigh that came from her wife was proving Hermione's point, "see stubborn."
"I'm stubborn? Who wouldn't watch their daughter's memory for months?" Bella immediately regretted choosing that as her opening lines. "I'm sorry," she was going to reach out to touch her wife when she thought better of it and stopped herself, "I didn't mean that."
"Yes you did mean it Bella," Hermione tried not to let the disappointment come through.
"And it's okay to mean it," the soul healer chimed it. "That's what we are here to work on first. These events are real and they happened but it's over or at least part of it is and we can't change the past but we can learn from it and grow as individuals and in this case a family."
"Look I know why you did what you did, Hermione and as of yesterday… I may know a little more about it now than you do."
"Wait… what's that supposed to mean? Did they find something at the school?"
Bella shrugged, "I can't really discuss an active investigation at least not until we get to the crime scenes."
"Scenes? As in more than what happened to Cass…"
"Becca?" Bella gave her soul healer a pleading look knowing her wife wouldn't stop without intervention.
"Hermione, may I call you that?" When the brunette nodded, the soul healer continued, "like Bella already said, she can't discuss an active investigation. I think we should bring the conversation back around to the two of you as a couple."
Hermione looked between the soul healer and her wife, "hmm I don't know how I feel about the two of you ganging up on me but I can see your point, Dr. Whitmore. Should we start with how much of an utter disappointment as a wife and mother I've been this past year or is there a starting point you had in mind."
It was Bella's turn to stare. She knew her wife had it in her but she didn't actually expect her to mouth off to the soul healer like that, "pet," she tried to engage. It was a dual meaning reply. She didn't want Hermione to embarrass her in front of her long time healer and also she didn't want Hermione to do or say anything she might regret.
"Let's start with your physical intimacy. Have you had sex recently?"
"Oh," Hermione's face started turning pink.
"Just jumping right in there aren't you?" Bella cackled, "no we haven't had sex since all of this started."
"That's not entirely true," Hermione's tone was hushed.
"Oh yes that's right, there was that delicious round of hate sex before Cass's birthday party in the Ministry lift but I don't think that's what Becca is talking about, is it doc?"
"Dr. Whitmore?" Hermione asked, "what are the chances of this couch becoming sentient, opening up and swallowing me whole?"
"Unfortunately for you, zero percent," she gave the Minister a sympathetic look knowing how open Bella was when discussing her sex life. "So you haven't been intimate since the apology?"
"No," Bella seemed bored with the conversation. "I tried masturbating but I could see my other self watching me and it got creepy. Haven't tried anything since and I didn't think we were ready to jump back in bed. I mean we are sharing a bed but not fucking."
"Got it," the soul healer held in a laugh. "Speaking of Bellatrix. How have the potions been helping?"
"I haven't seen her for over a week."
"This might be a hard question to ask specifically a hard answer for you to hear, Hermione."
"Ask it," the younger witch took a deep breath knowing the general idea of what was coming.
"When you were having sex in the elevator, was that you or Bellatrix?"
"Oh that was me," Bella waved the question off but heard her wife let out a relieved sigh, "yeah Bellatrix was around but she didn't fully materialize until Jack died. I lost full control over myself after that."
"Hermione," the soul healer addressed her again, "how does that make you feel?"
"Which part?" She nervously bit her bottom lip. "Truthfully, I didn't think much about Madam Lestrange being the one in the elevator with me until after everything happened but I'd be lying if I said it wasn't a thought that crossed my mind. I think I was mostly hoping it wasn't true. I know Bella would never unconsciously do anything to hurt me…" Her sentence drifted off and her eyes dropped before adding, "unlike my conscious betrayal I made this year."
"Hermione," Bella turned towards her wife and saw her flinch. "Okay, pet. Is that better?" She turned back towards the soul healer, "she doesn't like when I call her by her government name. Pet, I can't say right now… I would in a heartbeat if I could but there might have been extenuating circumstances surrounding everything that happened. You, Ginny and Minerva… please I can't go into details but you have to give yourself a break. I know that's rich coming from me after kicking you out of the house."
"To be fair," the soul healer spoke up, "whatever these extenuating circumstances are, they came long after the argument even happened."
"True," Bella understood what the doctor was getting at. "The fight began even before Cass's accident. We had been at odds the week leading up to the injury. I think it was just the culmination of everything."
"Again," Hermione sighed, "another fight that was started by my actions."
"Let's focus on now," Dr. Whitmore tried to recenter the session. "When are you going to Hogwarts and speaking with your daughters?"
"Tomorrow," Bella and Hermione had said at the same time. "What's that have to do with this, Becca?"
"Well Bella," she smiled at her long time patient. "I would like the two of you to go on a date tonight."
"A date?" Bella tried not to scoff, "we are married, doc. Married people don't go on dates."
"Oh stop," Hermione swatted Bella's knee, "we've gone on plenty of dates even after the girls came. We still found time to go out with just the two of us."
"Andy barging her way into our home did come in handy for that," Bella conceded. "So a date?"
Hermione looked over trying not to let the bashful smile overtake her, "a date."
"Yes," Becca added, "a date. Just the two of you and you are not permitted to talk about the argument, Cass's injury, the girls or anything that's going on at Hogwarts. This is meant to just be about the two of you, reconnecting as wives."
"Will we be expected to have sex?" Hermione asked as if it was an outrageous suggestion but saw Bella lean forward slightly, suddenly interested.
"It's not a requirement but I also wouldn't say you can't if the night goes that way. Do what feels natural between the two of you."
Bella shrugged, "a date. And they say you are an experienced doctor," she rolled her eyes. "All this money for the advice of going on a date."
"Do have an open mind, Bella. This will be good for the two of you."
"We shall see."
Bella didn't know why she felt nervous about taking her wife on a date. They had been together for over 20 years and this wasn't something new. She was mostly worried Hermione would keep hounding her about the evidence the DMLE found and that would ruin the night. Bella was bound and determined to make this night about just the two of them. No arguments, no daughters or injuries, no Hogwarts, just the two of them. She stopped in front of the mirror, "70 years old and going on a first date. Fucking ridiculous." She was wearing a pair of muggle black slacks, a black dress shirt and a white corset. It had been awhile since she wore one of those but she was trying to get into the mindset of how things used to be.
The door to her bedroom swung open without any hesitation, "aww my big sister is all ready for her first date?"
"I really hate you," Bella rolled her eyes.
"No you don't," Andy flopped down onto the bed. "You love everything about me. Now," she rested against the headboard, "tell me about the date. Sentimental? Romantic? Sexy? Are you going to torture her? What are the vibes you are throwing out?"
"Is torturing you as a shared date experience an option?"
"Fraid not, sis."
Bella was finishing up the last touches on her darker than normal eye makeup. It reminded her of the old days when she put extra effort into impressing her wife, "I was thinking of taking her to London. Go to the symphony. Muggle dinner. The whole non magical works. Becca suggested us to not talk about anything that's going on so I thought the best way to avoid those conversations would be to pretend none of it exists."
"Bellatrix Druella Black heiress to the Noble and Most Ancient House of Black is doing a full muggle night. The world must truly be ending." Bella threw a hex at her sister but Andy was too quick for her dodging the red sparks, "gotta be faster than that to get me. Does Hermione know the plans for tonight?"
"No. I got Teddy to order the tickets for me and send them to my hello phone. Something about John Williams' Greatest Hits. I don't know what that means but he said it would be a good performance. He also made dinner reservations for me. If it doesn't work out at the DMLE, I should offer him a position as my personal assistant."
Andy shook her head, "oh no you don't. He's really enjoying himself there and I think Kate has finally stopped giving him a hard time."
"She what?!" Bella looked at her sister through the mirror. "Do I need to kill her? Nobody messes with my nephew and gets away with it."
"Unless it's Draco," Andy smirked.
"Dragon needs to be put in his place and Kate is just the witch to do it," Bella waved her hand and watched in the mirror and her curls started to transform becoming more shiny and sleek with the perfect bounce to them. "Well," she turned around, "do I look 70?"
Andy chuckled, "not a day over 69."
Bella cackled, "perfect. Don't get into too much trouble tonight and don't wait up. Becca said if it leads to sex we can fuck."
Andy rolled her eyes, "such a romantic."
Bella flicked her off as she left the bedroom, turning to head towards the one guest room Hermione had stayed in, "come on Black. Why are you nervous?" She was talking to herself trying to calm down. She quickly looked around to make sure there wasn't any sight of Bellatrix. She hadn't seen her in a couple of days but her making a grand return on their second first date wasn't a good idea. Bella went to knock in the door when it suddenly opened revealing Hermione wearing a simple black cocktail dress with a blazer over top. "Hi," Bella cleared her throat.
"Hi," she tried not to let her eyes wander down her wife's body.
"Ready to go?"
"Yes," Hermione nodded, "yup. Ready." She walked next to Bella as they left the Manor, "I'm nervous. Are you nervous? It's ridiculous to be nervous."
Bella let out a little chuckle, grabbing the brunette's hand out of comfort, "I'm nervous too, pet. Come now, we are going to London."
"London? You planned a muggle evening?" She tried not to let her excitement come through in her tone but she always loved when Bella took her to London. She could count the number of times in 22 years with two hands. "Must be a very special occasion."
Bella shrugged a shoulder, leading Hemrione to the apparation point, "something about a first date. Don't make a big deal out of it." She wrapped her arms around her wife and with a twist they found themselves in an alleyway behind several tall buildings. Bella looked around trying to get her bearings. She really hated London but anything for her wife, "close enough."
Hermione felt a giddiness she hadn't felt in years. It truly felt like one of their first dates except Bella was voluntarily taking her to be surrounded by muggles, "thank you for this."
Bella squeezed her hand, "don't mention it, pet. Besides, if the show sucks, we will put all the blame on Teddy."
They stopped outside of a big building Hermione was very familiar with, "my dad loved the British Philharmonic Orchestra. Whatever the show, I know it's going to be amazing."
Bella smiled at that, "muggle movie music. The show then dinner."
"It's going to be perfect," she didn't need to see how the night played out. It was already the happiest Hermione had been in months. She needed to write a thank you email to Dr. Whitmore.
Bella wouldn't believe it if someone had told her that she would have an amazing night at the muggle symphony. Dinner was good too and the conversation between her and Hermione flowed like old times without even mentioning work or the girls. It was truly like they had gone back in a one of those muggle time machines to the days before they were even married or considered having babies. When they got back to the manor, Andy must have already been asleep because there was a note for Bella on the counter stating she gave the elves the night off and to remember the silencing charms. The dark witch rolled her eyes, "ice cream?"
Hermione nodded, "yes. Of course," getting ice cream always had been one of their post-date rituals that started back when they were still living at Hogwarts. The elves always had ice cream waiting for them when they would get back to the castle. "Thanks," she felt her butterflies rumbling when Bella slid her a bowl full of Earl Gray and Lavender ice cream.
Bella waved her off before fixing her own bowl of chocolate chili ice cream, "any time, love." They ate in comfortable silence just enjoying each other's company before Bella finally broke the quiet, "what did you think of Becca?"
Hermione was almost afraid to break the date bubble they had been in for the past few hours but she wanted to answer honestly, "I think she's amazing. I can't wait to go with the girls after school gets out."
"Cass will go without complaint but Minnie is going to be harder to convince," Bella laughed. "She's a stubborn on that girl." She smirked before adding, "takes after you that's for sure."
"She got a double dose of stubbornness from both of us."
Bella held her hand over her heart in mock jest, "surely you are mistaken, pet. I have never been accused of such atrocities in my life."
Hermione finished her last bite of her ice cream, "do you think she's going to forgive me?"
"You are her mother and she loves you. Just wait until everybody hears the details. There will be apologies abound and the guilty party will get what's coming to them."
"After everything I put you through how can you stand to sit across from me and eat ice cream like nothing happened?"
Bella shrugged, "growth? I don't know, love. It's like Becca said… we can't change what happened but there's nothing stopping us from embracing the now and forever. If you are waiting for me to flip the script and be furious with you… we'll that's just not going to happen. My whole life before you came back for me was a series of stupid decisions after stupid decisions. I am the absolute last person who has the right to judge anyone. 22 years. That's how long you've shown me patience and unconditional love. There's nothing that you could do to change the way I feel about you."
Hermione had to wipe away a tear that escaped. Bella had said all of this in one form or another during the past few days but it really hit home tonight after their date. The simplicity of them felt like home to her and she was even more in love with her wife, "take me to bed."
Bella's head shot up from her bowl of ice cream, "are you sure? I mean we don't have to go there tonight. I understand the importance of waiting."
Hermione stood, walking her plate over to the sink along with Bella's before turning and walking over to stand in front of her wife, "I'm sure. I missed us so much, Bella. Take me to bed, my love."
Bella smirked, "you don't have to tell me twice." She stood up and grabbed Hermione's hand pulling her out of the kitchen before stopping causing the brunette to crash into her back. "Well you did have to tell me twice but you know consent is sexy or whatever the kids say these days."
Before Hermione had a chance to respond, Bella started pulling her behind her all the while tell her exactly what she planned to do to her that she had been wanting to do for months.
Bella woke up the next morning to a vibration on her chest along with a warm spot. She didn't have to open her eyes to know the culprit was Penny, "so Hermione moves back in and all of a sudden you like me again? Traitor." If the cat had heard her, she made no move to acknowledge Bella until she swatted her behind, "go on. I have to get ready to go make some gingers regret being born." Hermione must already have gotten up and ready for the day because the bedroom and bathroom were empty. She stretched, feeling her muscles sore after the activities of the previous evening, "totally worth it." She saw a mark Hermione left on her throat, "I'll leave that to embarrass the girls." She quickly got a shower and dressed in her old style of skirts paired with a white blouse and corset. She quickly tied her hair up in a top knot and applied a little makeup not putting too much effort into the look. She didn't need to be fancy for the mass apologies and groveling. "Pet? You down here?" She called as she walked down the back stairs to the kitchen.
"Just making us some tea," she heard her wife call from the kitchen, "and toast."
"Good. I'll need my stamina for the mass apology tour," she chuckled before kissing Hermione's temple. "You concealed the presents I left you last night."
Hermione laughed, "I already have to throw myself at the mercy of my daughter. I didn't think traumatizing her with your overzealous love bites was the way to go about it."
"Good thinking," she kissed her wife once more before grabbing a piece of toast. "She's always been weird about sex."
"She's not weird. Just a late bloomer."
Bella shrugged, tapping her toast against her mouth as she chewed, "come to think of it. I did see her sitting awfully close to Pandora when they were here for the wake. I might need to put a stop to that. No daughter of mine will court a Potter."
"Court a Potter?" Hermione tried to hide her smirk behind her tea cup. "At least Pandora isn't a Gryffindor."
Bella took another bite of her toast, "that is a plus. Still, a Black and a Potter? I don't think so."
"So insufferable."
"And yet," Bella smirked, "you married me."
"And I would a million times over."
"What is it the kids say? You are a simp for me? That's it."
Hermione rolled her eyes, "you need to stop talking to your daughters. Nothing good comes from it."
"Are you ready for today?" Bella watched her wife as the many different emotions crossed her face. Hermione never was good at concealing her feelings. "I promise you everything will make sense after the team shows up. Do you want to talk to the girls first or wait until after we've explained everything?"
"Will Minnie hate me less after the meeting?"
Bella cackled, "most likely."
Hermione relaxed a bit, "then I'll wait."
"I told Kate to gather everyone in the DADA classroom because there's going to be quite the crowd."
"That smirk makes me feel like I should be worried but strangely, I'm not at all."
Bella checked her watch, "meeting starts in 15 minutes. Don't want to be late."
Hermione watched her walk her plate and cup over to the sink, "okay but you look almost excited to be doing this. I truly have no idea what is about to happen, do I?"
Bella's smirk took an evil turn, "today is going to be the sweetest revenge I've ever experienced."
As soon as Hermione popped through the floo into Bella's old professor's quarters, she was pulled quickly through the castle. Her wife was on a mission to set things straight and if she were being honest, she was excited to see her in action. Hermione was slightly concerned about facing her daughters but she would deal with tht after Bella's show. When they reached the DADA room, Bella stopped, "are you okay?"
"Yes," Hermione loved that Bella was still checking in. "Do we go in there like this?"
Bella looked down at their intertwined hands, "embarrassed to be seen holding my hand?"
She rolled her eyes, "you know that's not it."
"You'd think after the orgasms I gave you last night," the smirk was back, "you'd at least want to hold my hand."
"Ew gross," Cass faked gagged coming around the corner followed by Minnie. "Don't talk about orgasms."
Hermione looked at both of her daughters momentarily lost for words but the chance to say something passed when Kate stuck her head out, "kind of need you inside. All of you. Can't start this without half of the party."
"You heard the woman," Bella stepped out of the way for her daughters to enter, "it's a party in there."
The four of them walked into the room and Cass spoke first, "oh cool. It's like muggle tv in here."
She was right, Bella thought to herself. Kate had transformed the room to look like a courtroom. Ron and Victoria were seated on one side and the other side was open, presumably for the Blacks. Teddy was up front smiling at his family, "have a seat ladies," Kate was in full police mode and Bella was getting excited. The Headmistress and Ginny were sitting among the small crowd that gathered. "We are just waiting for one more person to get here before we can begin.
"Where is Draco?" Hermione whispered to her wife.
"He pulled the short straw. Someone had to stay back at the office in case of any emergency. Harry stayed behind with him. Said he didn't want to see Ron after what he had confessed. Plus, Teddy really wanted to be here. This was his first big case."
"Then who are we waiting for?"
Bella turned to her wife and grinned when the door opened, "show time."
Hermione turned and watched the Weasley matron slink into the room, taking a seat next to her granddaughter, "what's Molly doing here?"
"Shh pet," Bella smirked, "you don't want to miss anything."
Kate stood up and walked to the center of her mini stage, "Bella would you like to do this or can I start?"
"You go ahead Kate. I am retired after all," she cackled, "make sure you let Teddy have a go."
The tips of Teddy's ears turned pink to match the shade his hair had just turned out of the slight embarrassment, "thanks auntie."
"Okay let's just get right into it. I suppose everyone in this room knows why we are here," Kate clapped her hands together in front of her chest.
"To finally listen to me," everyone heard Minnie mumble from her spot next to Cass.
"Hush little Black," Kate smiled, "there will be time for that soon. Mr. Weasley was picked up by muggle police and brought into our custody. He was thoroughly questioned by myself, Mr. Lupin and Mr. Malfoy. While we were satisfied that his confessions were true, something still seemed off to us. We couldn't wrap our heads around the fact that three seemingly intelligent women just accepted the word of this 16 year old girl without even considering the other two girls involved in the altercation." Bella smirked when she heard the grumbling of the Headmistress being called out for her behavior. "So," Kate continued, "my partners and I decided to take a little look around the Headmistress's office to see if we could find anything to support the accounts already given by either side. Before we continue," Kate took a long breath before looking around the room. "Is there anyone who wishes to confess anything before we get started on what we found?"
Bella's eyes shifted over to the youngest redhead. Her face was flat but she could see beads of sweat forming along her hairline, "seems like a no, new girl."
"This is all very dramatic," Minnie mumbled to her sister.
"Shh," Bella whispered. "You are going to miss the good part. Pay attention and get ready."
"For what?" Cass looked almost as excited as her mother.
"If there is nothing anyone wants to say up front, Teddy please continue."
Teddy cleared his throat, "so like Kate said. Things didn't add up for any of us after Mr. Weasley accounted for his absence. However, I don't think everyone here knows the confession we got out of you." He turned to look at Ron who couldn't face his daughter or mother. "Mr. Weasley stated that after the meeting in the Headmistress's office, his daughter confessed to him that she intentionally caused Miss Black to fall from her broom with life threatening injuries."
"That is a lie," Victoria spoke out immediately. "I never said that to dad."
"We saw his memories," Teddy tried his best to sound sympathetic. "His memories corroborate the memories from the youngest Black. It shows you hexing Cassiopeia off of her broom."
Bella looked over and saw a smug smile on Minnie's face, "told you but wait it gets better."
"This is where we had lingering questions," Teddy turned to Kate before he got the nod to continue. "As was already stated, we found it odd that Headmistress McGonagall would be so quick to agree not to watch Minnie's memory given her close relations with the family. It is also on record that Ginerva had stated Cass's proficiency for flying earlier in the year and backed her niece without question. The Minister also refused to watch her own daughter's memory. Why?"
"Isn't that what we all would like to know," Minnie mumbled again.
Teddy held back a laugh, "after Mr. Weasley's confession, the questions started piling up. We decided the only way we would get any sort of answers would be to sweep the Headmistress's office as well as examine the quidditch equipment."
"Exactly," Kate stood back up, "and the evidence was uncovered. Thankfully, magical traces can linger a lot longer than any muggle evidence that might exist. Plus for being witches and wizards. Am I right?" She helped the ld her hand up for Teddy to high five.
"Um yeah," he high fived his boss. "You want to take it from here?"
"No," she sat back down. "Just got excited."
"Takes after me," Bella whispered to her wife.
"Draco and I collected the tea set that was used that day in the office. From everyones' accounts, the three women in question we're all drinking tea. So we thought it would be best to collect, sorry Headmistress."
"Will that ever be returned to me?"
He chuckled, "after the investigation."
"I suppose that'll be fine," she rolled her eyes.
"The Quidditch equipment came back clean and those were already returned to their rightful owners."
"Took bloody ages," Cass mumbled.
"It's not like you've been cleared yet, kitten. Two more weeks," Bella patted her daughter's leg.
"Cass likes to snuggle with her broom at night," Minnie whispered.
"The techs took a little longer to recover the evidence because it had been sitting for quite a few months."
Bella looked over at the Weasley table and saw the matron looking at her so she winked at the older witch, "now seems like a good time if anyone wants to make a confession. Last chance really. Teddy is getting to the best part here."
"All right," Victoria caved, "I lied. I did hex Cassiopeia off of her broom but I didn't mean for her to get hurt so bad. I swear it."
"That confession isn't the one we are looking for," Kate spoke up. "We already know that happened. Bella is talking about confessing to what happened in the Headmistress's office."
Victoria looked scared and turned to her grandmother whose face turned ghost white, "Grandma?"
"There was a magical residue at the bottom of the tea pot along with all of the tea cups," Teddy continued. "From all accounts, Madam Black and Mr. Weasley did not partake in any tea. Is that correct?"
Unsure of who the question was asked of, Hermione answers, "correct. Minerva, Ginny and I had the tea prior to everyone else showing up. We were sitting around catching up for about five minutes before Ron came in with Victoria. Bella didn't show up for another ten minutes after that."
"Our lab techs have tested the magical essence and sent it over to the potions lab at St. Mungos for further testing just to be sure. It was found to be a combination of a memory potion mixed with a confundus charm. Quite peculiar indeed. It didn't seem very strong and as best Narcissa could predict, the effects lasted approximately three hours after consumption."
Kate stood up, "are you sure there isn't anything you'd like to confess?"
"Victoria?" Ron turned towards his daughter, "what did you do?"
"I didn't know Cass was going to fall off her broom. I just wanted to startle her. Though, if she got a little hurt and had to miss a few games I wouldn't have minded. I was going to confess until her sister jumped me on the hall and beat the crap out of me."
"You were not," Minnie crossed her arms over her chest. "You were bragging to your stupid friends. And you have been bragging all year and turning people against my family. You even got all the Gryffindors to ostracize Emmi and you know it."
"I didn't want to get in any trouble."
Kate just gave her a look, "and you didn't think attempted murder was a punishable offense?"
"Attempted murder?"
"Yes because that's what it was," Kate rolled her eyes at the girl's stupidity.
"If you want to get technical," Bella spoke up, "I believe the muggles would refer to this as Second Degree Aggravated Assault with a Deadly Weapon. The weapon being your wand. That comes with a 15 years jail sentence. However if we all agree that this was premeditated which I fully believe it was then the sentence gets bumped up to First Degree and carries a minimum sentence of 25 to life." Bella smirked, "but that's just the technicalities of the situation at hand."
"Thank you for that," Kate tried not to laugh at the older witch. "Plus when you add on the use of this potion. It would carry a misuse of underage magic sentence alongside the fact that this magic was used for illegal personal gain. Now, can you please explain how this potion came to be?"
"Just tell them," Bella heard Molly whisper to her granddaughter. "It won't make much of a difference now."
"Fine," Victoria shifted in her seat, getting more uncomfortable by the minute. "I knew I was going to get in trouble and I needed help. Not necessarily covering up my hex but helping me get a lesser sentence maybe? I don't know. Maybe I just didn't want to get caught at all. I knew the only way we'd want the Quidditch cup this year would be to take out the competition and I guess I went too far."
"Salazar," Minnie grumbled, "get to the potion."
"I'm getting there," Victoria bit back. "I didn't want to go to Azkaban, okay? Who would? I just couldn't come to the meeting and let everyone see what I had done so I knew I needed help. I was going to ask my dad but," she shot her dad an apologetic look. "He's not the most proficient when it comes to potions and charms. Sorry, dad but it's true. Plus, he always talks about the Minister like she hung the moon so I knew even if he could he wouldn't back me. Plus, he's terrified of Madam Black. I needed someone else. So…"
"Molly's magical footprints are all over the potion as well as yours."
"Yes," Molly finally spoke up. "My granddaughter came to me in confidence. She had told me what happened and I honestly didn't see the harm in helping her come up with a little potion."
"You didn't see the harm when an innocent was potentially paralyzed?"
"No," she responded to Kate. "The Blacks have enough money to provide the best medical care for Cassiopeia. My number one concern was my granddaughter staying out of trouble."
"Okay," Kate saw Bella starting to get angry so she wanted to intervene to keep everyone on task. "After the two of you came up with the potion, then what did you do Victoria?"
"I snuck into the Headmistress's office when she stepped out to get Aunt Ginny and the Minister and I poured it into the tea. I didn't know if it would work or not but once we were all sitting down and Madam Black mentioned the memory, the Headmistress dismissed the idea of viewing it and I thought I was in the clear."
"Before we get to what a proper sentence should look like, we think it would be best for Headmistress McGonagall and Ginny to view Minnie's memory," Teddy held up the small vial.
"Fucking finally!"
Cass cackled, holding out her hand for her galleon, "well timed, Min."
They sat and watched the two women join Teddy at the pensieve. "So," Minnie finally addressed Hermione, "you've seen it?"
"I have," Hermione didn't want to do this in a room full of people including the Weasleys. She pushed into Minnie's mind and was surprised when she was met with no resistance, I am so sorry, my love. I watched it and it was truly awful. Whatever Victoria fed us that day is no excuse for me not watching it sooner. If I could go back and change that I would but I can't. I just want you to know that I know you are hurt by my actions and I will never forgive myself. Of course you were telling the truth and I should've known.
Minnie was able to communicate back, now that I know you were poisoned, I think I can forgive you a little easier. I wish you would've watched it but I know you weren't fully acting on your own. I'm also sorry I was such a bitch to you when Pap Pap died and again when we were at Cass's surgery.
Hermione shook her head, there is nothing to apologize for.
Still, I am sorry. You are my mum and I should've known something was off.
Cass was watching her mum and Minnie have a silent conversation and felt left out so she tapped Bella's shoulder to get her attention. Are we going to send her to Azkaban? That would be really cool.
Bella just laughed and shook her head, "that all depends on how the Minister wants to handle the punishment."
"Azkaban," Cass mouthed in Hermione's direction.
"We will see, sweetheart," Hermione tried not to laugh at her daughter's shit eating grin.
"Aunt Aviya said I can start practicing next week without the team. Just short flights, low height sort of thing with her present to see my range of motion," she informed her mothers.
"I trust her judgment," Bella said to everyone's shock. "Because she is fully aware that if she makes the wrong decision or calls, I will kill her."
There was dual gasps heard from the front of the room as the two women emerged from the memory. Teddy quickly retrieved it and put it back in the vial, walking it over to the rightful owners. "Are you guys doing okay?" He quietly asked them.
"Yes," Hermione looked across her family, "just anxious for this to be over so we can all talk."
"I'm excited for those gingers to get what's coming to them," Cass smirked sounding more like her mother everyday.
"Couldn't have said it better myself, kitten."
McGonagall was about to stop in front of their table to address the family when Kate came back to the front, "please everyone sit back down. We need to take a short recess to converse with the Minister on how to proceed from here."
Kate, Teddy, Hermione and Bella all gathered together before deciding the DADA professor's office was as good a place as any to reconvene. "Minerva if you could join us?"
"Minnie? Cass?" They heard Ginny as they were walking up the stairs, "I am so sorry for everything that's happened this year."
"You were drugged, Red…"
Bella laughed at her daughter's reply before joining the rest and shutting the door, "so what happens now?"
"First," Minerva spoke up, "I want to truly apologize to you, Bellatrix for the unforgivable nature of my actions throughout the course of the school year. After I had decided albeit against my will not to watch the vial, I never went back to question it and I should've. You've been a great friend to me these past couple of decades and I'm ashamed that I didn't figure all of this out. I suppose I also need to apologize to both of you daughters and Ember for keeping her from Cass's birthday. I feel just horrible about everything."
"You were not in control of your faculties when you made that call. I will admit I was very disheartened when everything happened and it wasn't until we all started questioning things that I made my peace with everything. Let's just focus on the problem."
"What do we do about the Weasleys?" Teddy spoke the question everyone had been thinking.
"Precisely."
"I think that depends on how the Minister wants to proceed," everyone turned to Hermione. Kate continued, "we could send them to Azkaban. Though technically, Ron didn't commit any crime besides being a useless idiot."
"Are children even sentenced to Azkaban?"
"Teddy," Bella smiled at the innocence of her nephew, "aggravated assault is a serious crime so yes in this instance she would be tried as an adult."
"It happens on school grounds though so technically wouldn't the decisions be up to the headmistress?"
"I think you are just trying to get out of making the call, dear," Minerva laughed. "The highest punishment I can give is expulsion and the request to have her wand destroyed."
"Her wand definitely needs to be destroyed whether she goes to prison or not. There is no one in their right mind who would think she would wield the power of magic," Bella crossed the room to stand next to her wife. "If Azkaban is on the table then unfortunately I think this has to go in front of the Wizengamot. Is that correct?"
Hermione nodded, "yes. And that is something I would really want to avoid if at all possible. So the punishment should fit the crime. We all agree Azkaban would be the likely scenario if this were a typical case. However I think we can also all agree on the fact that this is anything but typical."
The women seemed to be talking amongst themselves trying to come up with possible solutions when Teddy spoke up, "we could break all of their wands and send them to live among the muggles never to set foot on Wizarding soil again."
Bella slowly turned her head to look at Teddy, "that is fucking diabolical. A Black through and through you are. It's genius. Can you imagine Molly living with muggles?! A true punishment for the shit show they caused us this year."
Kate looked at Hermione, "your call Minister."
"Well," she was biting her lip while thinking it over. "I suppose living with muggles is far less worse than spending the rest of their lives locked in Azkaban."
"Whatever logic helps you sleep at night, pet," Bella cackled. "What do you think, Minerva?"
"Based on what I saw in the memory and the fact that Molly with full intentions helped her granddaughter poison us, it would seem a fitting punishment." She thought about it for a second, "though I'm not sure Ronald did anything to warrant the punishment aside from you not liking him very much, Bella."
"Well he did know that Victoria committed the crime and ran away like a coward. While he took no direct part in the actual crime," Kate supported the decision, "he withheld vital information in a criminal investigation by leaving."
"We could let him stay but who really wants him around here?"
Bella chuckled at her nephews response, "I don't think you can seperate him and Molly. They are still bound by the umbilical chord."
Hermione swatted her wife's shoulder, "oh stop. Okay if we are all in agreement then I think this is the best possible solution. We will sentence them and what give them two weeks to get their affairs in order both here and in the muggle world before we destroy their wands?"
"Mighty generous of you Minister," Kate shrugged. "I'd kick them out today if it was up to me. It's not our concern if they have a place to live but you are much nicer than I am. Two weeks it is then but I think their wands should be destroyed immediately so they can't escape and we put a bind on their magic to prevent them from any foul play until they've secured a home in the muggle world."
"Seems fair," Hermione agreed. "Who is going to deliver the verdict?"
Bella's grin grew evil, "as much as I would love to be the one to do it as Minister for Magic… I feel it needs to come from you to be official."
Hermione groaned, "I figured as much. Okay. Give me a minute alone so I can prepare my speech?"
"You didn't kill mum did you?" Cass asked when they say the group emerge from the office without Hermione.
"No," Bella rolled her eyes, "your mother is preparing the verdict." She made it a point to look over at the Weasleys with a smile on her face. "And what a sentence it is."
"I have never been more excited about anything in my life," Minnie was ready for this all to be over. She was interrupted from her train of thought when the headmistress came over and pulled her aside.
"What's that about?"
Bella sat back down next to Cass, "I think McGonagall is starting her own apology tour."
"Minnie said mum apologized to her. Are you two okay?"
"We are getting there, kitten. Went to the soul healer the other day. It was very enlightening. I think your mother wants us to go as a family when school is out before you go off to whatever Quidditch offer you take."
Cass smiled, "you are coming to the final game right? It's the second and last I'll get to play here this year. If I don't play well, it could be my last game ever."
"So dramatic," Bella rolled her eyes again, "you know the scouts are going to be lined up with offers for you. Even Red agrees, right?"
"I am not supposed to say anything," she smirked. "But you'll be very happy, trust me."
"See," Bella pointed over her shoulder, "all the mind poison is gone. She thinks you are a brilliant flyer again."
"Stop," Ginny smacked Bella. "I already apologized. I am truly sorry for the shit my family put you through. I truly had no idea."
"You might not be too happy when you hear the outcome," Bella gave her best sympathetic smile.
"Oh no," Ginny shook her head, "honestly they deserve whatever is coming and I'm ashamed to have that association right now."
"Just right now?"
"Good one," Bella high fived her daughter.
Minnie came back over to the table, "Cass, McGonagall wants to see you. Don't worry, she's going to grovel. You'll love it."
"In that case," she hurried over to hear what the headmistress had to say.
"Did you get the apology you deserved?"
"Yes, mummy," Minnie had a satisfied smile. "She practically begged for my forgiveness. She also took 250 points from Gryffindor. Serves them right. Poor Emmi. Did you know she either sneaks in my bed every night or she stays in your old rooms? She's been thoroughly tortured this year by her classmates. They stopped when Aunt Aviya got here but it's been so bad for her."
"Control you kind, Red."
"That's Neville's house… take it up with him."
Bella crossed her arms over her chest, "I may just have to pay Longbottom an overdue visit."
Minnie looked towards the door and saw Sam waving at her, "looks like Cass's fan club is here. I'll go let her know where we are at."
"Hurry back, bean. The best part is yet to come," Bella cackled.
"You are enjoying this," Ginny stated the obvious.
"The highlight of my life… except for like Hermione and the girls and stuff."
Speaking of her wife, Hermione emerged from the office looking like she was on the verge of being sick. Bella knew this was going to be hard for her but the girls needed to see this amount of punishment coming from Hermione for once. It would wrap up the lingering feelings of resentment. She walked over to Bella, "are you ready, pet?"
"Absolutely not," she pulled Cass into a hug when she returned from her talk with McGonagall. "I am so sorry for everything, my little love. I was an idiot and that is not an excuse. I should've seen that this was going on. I will never forgive myself for my behavior and your injuries. You are truly a warrior for how you handled everything with such grace this year. I am so proud of you." She kissed Cass's forehead.
"Thanks mum and you know I forgave you a long time ago, right?"
"I know but I still needed to say it."
Minnie had rejoined the group and everyone had taken a seat when Hermione cleared her throat and took the spot Kate and Teddy were using earlier. "There is going to be no easy way to say any of this but as Minister for Magic, I am here to deliver the sentence for the crimes identified here today. Victoria Weasley, you are found guilty for second degree aggravated assault with a deadly weapon as well as the underage use of magic. Molly Weasley, you are found guilty of the misuse of magical potions with the intent to harm others. Ron, you are found guilty of withholding pertinent information in a criminal investigation. These both are classified under obstruction of justice. With the severity of Victoria's crimes, an Azkaban sentence would be appropriate. However, it has been decided that there will be no prison sentence given today." She saw both of her daughters' jaws drop. "In lieu of a prison sentence, we are banning you from the Wizarding World for the rest of your lives. You will be given two weeks to get your affairs in order and find a livable home somewhere in or around London. You will not be permitted to reside at the Burrow as it is a Wizarding household. Your wands will be confiscated and your magic will be bound. Upon vacating, your wands will be destroyed. You will no longer be permitted to use magic in any capacity. If magic is being traced back to any of you, all of your magic cores will be extinguished. You will be permitted to have your family visit you in the muggle world but that is it. No magic will be performed during their visits. At the end of the two weeks, a representative from the DMLE will escort you to your new residence. Teddy will collect your wands now and Kate will bind your magic. Victoria you have been expelled from Hogwarts School for Witchcraft and Wizardry so you will be expected to leave the premises immediately. I would suggest going home to prepare. We will be in touch regularly throughout the two weeks."
Before any of the Weasleys could say anything Teddy and Kate walked over to their table to begin their work.
"Too bad they didn't leave in handcuffs," Bella whispered to her daughters.
"That was the most validating experience of my life," Minnie threw her arms around Hermione's neck. "Seriously, best day of my life."
""I'm glad to see you've forgiven me. That was so hard to do," she let out a long breath not letting her daughter go just yet. Enjoying the long overdue embrace.
"You sounded very official," Minnie kissed her mum's cheek. "And McGonagall took 250 points from the Gryffindors."
"She told me she was going to double that after I gave her the puppy dog eyes."
Minnie squealed, "best day ever. Can I go tell Pandora the good news?"
Bella gave her wife a look at the mention of that Potter girl, "go on sweetie. We will come see you before we head out."
"I'm going to go find Sam. I bet she's dying for an update. Don't leave without coming to see us," Cass hugged both of her mothers before heading out of the classroom.
Hermione sat down next to her wife, letting her head fall onto Bella's shoulder, "that was awful."
"You did amazing, pet. Well said and it's what they deserve. The girls needed to hear it come from you. I'm glad you gave the verdict."
"I know why it had to be me. It was just hard. He used to be such a good friend and I'd go over to their house for holidays. I can't believe Molly would stoop that low to help Victoria. I feel disgusted by it if I'm being honest."
Bella wrapped her arm around Hermione, pulling her in closer, "you made the right call. Azkaban is too good for them. Let them suffer as muggles. Fuck them. They hurt my babies. You could just give me ten minutes alone with the lot of them."
Hermione's head shot up, "is Bellatrix here?" She whispered it but her eyes looked worried.
Bella cackled, "I don't need Bellatrix to have a good time. That was all me, pet. Don't worry. I won't crucio anybody today. The potions are working as they should. I told Cass about the soul healer. I think she's on board to come after school lets out. Unless we can convince Becca to come here to have a few sessions in case the Quidditch teams want Cass right away."
"I'll call Dr. Whitmore in the morning and sort that out with her. I think we should start as soon as possible. Everything is finally beginning to feel normal again."
Bella watched all three Weasleys hand over their wands as Kate started the process of binding their magic. She had never been more pleased in life and she felt even better knowing Ron was taking his foot scars with him to the muggle world, "it really has been a beautiful day."