L'Amour Toujour

C28: Where Your Cradle Lies

Standard Disclaimer: I don't own any of the recognizable characters.

With less than a week left before the New Year's Ball, Bellatrix and Pandora thought it was a great moment for them to show their daughters and their mates the full property old home and the surrounding grounds, since the last time they'd been here it had been just a quick tour of the grounds.

When they appeared at the edge of the wards, both Hermione and Luna gasped softly. "I know it's the only the second time we've been here, but I remember this place from my dreams." Hermione said softly as she subconsciously took both her sister's and her mate's hand.

"I've had visions about our home for years, but they honestly don't do reality justice. It's beautiful." Luna said softly.

Both Bellatrix and Pandora smiled at them. "We are glad you like it, my sweets. We've wanted to properly show our home to you two for so long. It holds such a special place in our hearts and we hope that in time it will be the same for you all." Pandora said sweetly.

Hermione smiled and fell into her mother's arms. "I'm sure it will Mummy. I don't see how it couldn't. It feels so tranquil here."

Pandora smiled and pressed a kiss to the top of her daughter's head. "That is one of the reasons we fell in love with this place. It is something for us, not connected to our families in any way. We can truly be ourselves here, and if we would've had the opportunity to raise you two here, things would've been very different."

"We know Mummy, and we would've wanted the same thing. All that matters is that we're together now and have the rest of our lives to make memories." Hermione said with a soft smile.

Pandora smiled and nodded at her. "Yes we will, and no one will tell us how we are to live our lives anymore. Anything you girls want to do after the war is over we will always support. As you know we have more than enough funds to live out our lives in comfort, although I also know you and Luna handle idleness just as well as your Mama."

Hermione smiled at that. "You would be right in that. Me more so than Luna, which is not a surprise, but I honestly have no idea about what I want to do when I get out of school. I only know that I don't want to work in the Ministry like everyone expects me to. I don't want to be a part of the problem after all."

"If I may, mon amour. Perhaps you would be interested in joining me at the store. We've already proven that we can think up marvelous potions when we work together." Fleur said with a loving smile.

"I would love to baby. I'll admit ever since we found out how deep our feelings for each other are my interest in Potions has increased a lot, and of course that a potion I helped you develop healed my mothers, and if I can help do that again, I would love nothing more than to spend my time helping you, at least in the theoretical part of creating potions. I don't think I will ever be adept enough to actually help brew them to your standards." Hermione said with a smile.

Fleur smiled at her. "That's settled then, but I do wonder, what are your plans after school, ma petite?"

Gabrielle smiled at her sister. "Luna and I are going to get a Mastery in Herbology and assist Pandora with tending the greenhouse she wants to expand here. I think at long last I've found my passion in life."

Fleur smiled at her sister. "I'm glad to hear that Gabi."

Gabrielle smiled and gave her sister a hug. "It makes the most sense in my mind. I have really found a love for plants in recent months and I want to see how that will develop, and of course we'll be able to supply your store too."

Fleur smiled at that. "Thank you for being so considerate ma sœur, and I know that you and Pandora are going to create the most amazing greenhouse."

Pandora smiled at the older Veela. "I have no doubt that she will be a tremendous help, since besides her love and affinity for plants, she also has a keen eye for aesthetics, and since I have grand plans for our greenhouse, that eye will be very much welcome."

Gabrielle blushed a little at that. "Thank you Pandora, that means a lot to me. I hope I can reward the faith you have in me."

The blonde just smiled and pressed a soft kiss to the young blonde's head. "I have no doubt about that sweetling, but shall we make our way inside. It is a bit chilly after all, and I know how much you all dislike the cold."

They all nodded as they made their way to the Manor, which was smaller than Black Manor, but had a more homey feel to it, and coupled with the beautiful grounds surrounding them it felt more of a home, something they had all been looking for and would surely build on in the coming years.

Hermione purposely kept close to Bellatrix and Fleur, needing comfort above anything right now because her emotions were all over the place.

Both Bellatrix and Fleur noticed this of course and pressed themselves close to the brunette and it was clear to them that she on her turn was struggling with several things. "Panny, I think it might be a good idea if we each took a couple and show them the Manor separately. I have a feeling that there will be a lot of emotions coming back today." Bellatrix whispered to her wife.

Pandora nodded at her, noticing the state their eldest was in. "We'll meet for lunch in the dining room." She said in a similar tone.

Bellatrix nodded and smiled as she led Hermione and Fleur up the stairs, wanting to show her daughter a few of the things they would have at their disposal here, as well as things she had made for her daughter.

…

As the three witches made their way up the stairs, Hermione tried to press herself closer to her mother while also trying to keep Fleur as close to her as she possibly could and the moment they reached the landing, Bellatrix pulled the brunette into her arms. "What's wrong sweetie? I can feel there is something but I can't put my finger on exactly what it is."

"I'm scared of what memories may come back, Mama. I'm so afraid I will learn the truth of what happened." Hermione said softly.

Bellatrix smiled and pressed a loving kiss to the top of her daughter's head. "So am I sweetie, but the chance that we'll find something here that Pandora hasn't already shared with us is slim. We will eventually find out what happened, but it will not be today. All we want to do today is to show you what we intend to do once everything settles down, and to show you a bit of the history we couldn't at Black Manor."

Hermione smiled and relaxed slightly in her mother's arms. "I know, but you probably know better than anyone how my mind works, because it is the same as yours. I know I shouldn't worry about things now, but I just can't help it."

"I know my sweetling, and both Fleur and I are here for you should things come back. We will never let you fall over that edge. Shall we look at the library first? I have a feeling you will love it." Bellatrix said softly.

Hermione nodded faintly as Fleur came to join their impromptu hug. "And remember mon amour, not only will I always be there to prevent you from falling, I will also make sure you will stay as far away from the edge as I can manage."

Hermione smiled and kissed the blonde softly. "I know, it's one of the reasons I didn't want to go back to Hogwarts. I can handle a few hours without you during the day, but I can't take months of separation anymore."

Fleur and Bellatrix both smiled at her. "That is exactly why we suggested it sweetie. Your mother and I know this all too well. Our mating bond is almost as strong as the one you share with Fleur and the one your sister shares with Gabrielle, and just having to be apart for a summer was very hard for us, since neither of our parents approved of our relationship, but at the same time couldn't do anything about it, because one thing our family holds more sacred than the Dark Arts is any form of magical Bond."

Hermione smiled at her mother as they walked through the double doors that hid an even more grand library than she had seen at Black Manor, which she honestly did not think was possible, and for a moment all of her worries about what she might discover about her past were forgotten as she looked around the treasure trove of knowledge.

Bellatrix smiled at her as she saw the change in demeanor. "Feel free to explore sweetie. We'll be right there by the window."

Hermione nodded, being a bit in a daze as she quickly vanished between the shelves, while Bellatrix led Fleur to the pair of comfortable couches that had been set up which had a great view of the garden, which even after being abandoned for so long still looked beautiful.

"I actually wanted to take this time to ask you a few things. You feel her emotions better than I do, and I wanted to ask if there is more going on than she is letting on. I know she can be quite stubborn, which I am fully aware she has inherited from me." Bellatrix asked softly.

Fleur smiled at the raven-haired witch. "Honestly, I have a feeling that most of it is just nerves about today. Ever since you and Pandora suggested this trip she's been mulling over things that she could find. I think now that she has seen that today is indeed more about discovering where she was born and everything that was stolen from her instead of finding out what happened to her."

Bellatrix nodded at that. "That is good to hear. I was really worried that she would become too stuck in her own mind."

"I've seen that happen a few times and I've noticed that she responds well to subtle teasing and opposite logic like Luna often provides, just to get her out of her spiraling thoughts, and of course I have my ways of getting her out of those as well." Fleur said with a soft smile.

Bellatrix smiled and nodded. "I think I know exactly how you do that, and I think that is a perfect way to get her to refocus. Her mother often does the same with me."

Fleur smiled at that. "I also would like to ask you something, if you don't mind."

"You can ask me anything Fleur. I thought you knew that." Bellatrix said kindly.

"I know Bellatrix, and there is no easy way of saying this so I'm just going to come out and say it. I want to ask Hermione to marry me soon, and then get married as soon as the war is over, and I wanted to ask you for your blessing." Fleur said softly.

Bellatrix smiled at her future daughter-in-law. "Of course you have our blessing to marry her, on the condition that we get to be there when you propose to her."

"Of course Bellatrix. I wouldn't dream of doing something of such magnitude without her family there." Fleur said with a smile as she spotted her mate coming out from between the shelves again.

Bellatrix of course noticed too and smiled. "So sweetie? Is our library to your satisfaction?"

Hermione nodded and sat down next to her mate, cuddling up to her immediately. "It was everything I could ever want in a library. I could lose myself between those shelves for days on end and never get bored."

The two witches smiled at that. "I was hoping you would say that. We knew the moment I was pregnant with you that you would be brilliant, and since I too have a love of books, we wanted this to be the heart of our home. It was actually on this couch where I sat with you for the first time, and I can honestly say that I had never felt more at peace before that or since then."

Hermione only smiled at that as she leaned against Fleur, who wrapped an arm around her mate's shoulder and pressing a soft kiss to the top of the brunette's head.

…

While Bellatrix showed Hermione and Fleur the upper floors, Pandora took Luna and Gabrielle to the adjoining greenhouse, since she was sure that the two blondes would enjoy this sanctuary as much as they loved the one at Black Manor.

The moment she opened the door she couldn't help but smile at the looks of awe on both of their faces. "Not quite what you expected is it, my Moon?"

Luna smiled at her mother as she pressed herself to the blonde's side. "To be honest I had expected it to be a lot more overgrown after not being tended to for so long."

Pandora smiled at that. "I expected the same, but it seems my enchantments have held up all this time. This greenhouse is enchanted to filter in sunlight and periodically water the plants. There are many species of plants here that can't be found anywhere else anymore, mostly because they were raided and subsequently destroyed in the first war, which is why I have them here."

"I think I speak for both of us when I say that we're looking forward to expanding and revitalizing your sanctuary, Pandora." Gabrielle said with a soft smile.

Pandora smiled at her. "Thank you Gabrielle, but I will also be honest and say that there is another reason I took you two here, because unlike the greenhouse at Black Manor, this one also has a space to relax, which was something I was very adamant about when Bella and I built this. This was actually the place I got to sit with you for the first time after you came home from St. Mungo's."

Luna smiled at her mother. "I've had visions of this spot for years. I'm glad that I now know it was not just my imagination."

Pandora smiled as she led them to the pair of couches that were placed in one of the corners, and she just couldn't resist pulling her daughter into her lap as Gabrielle cuddled up close next to her. "Our visions are never imagination sweetie. We are descendant from the true Seers and therefor the visions we receive are always true."

Luna smiled and relaxed against her mother. "I knew we were descendants from Seers. Aunt Cissa told me all about that, I just didn't know that they are always true. I always thought they were subjective."

"Trust me that next to your heart you can also always trust your visions, sweetie. They may not always make sense, but they are always true." Pandora said with a soft smile.

Luna smiled at her mother. "That is at least a load off my mind, and it also explains a lot about the visions I've had in recent months."

"What have you seen sweetie. If you don't mind my asking of course?" Pandora asked softly.

"I've seen a couple of things that I couldn't believe were true. I have seen the outcome of the war already and what our part will be in that final confrontation. It will happen at Hogwarts near the summer of next year."

Pandora smiled and pressed a kiss to her daughter's head. "I can see why you would doubt the truth of those, my sweet. With how slow everything has been progressing it is hard to imagine that everything might be done within such a short time, but when the holidays are over everything will go very quickly. There is a lot happening on our side that we'll be informed about at the next meeting. The Dark Lord wants to end this quickly, especially now that his return has become undeniable, and that means that everything will be done before the end of the coming school year."

Luna and Gabrielle both smiled at that. "Has there been any news from the Dark Lord lately? It's been awfully quiet."

"No sweetie, unlike the Order the Dark Lord knows the value of family time during the holidays. After the holidays we will undoubtedly get an invitation for the next meeting. It is there we will find out exactly what will be expected of us, which I think will include our orders for the eventual invasion of Hogwarts." Pandora said softly.

"Honestly I'm ready for this to be over so we can all focus on the future again, and we don't have to worry about looking over our shoulders every time we go out of the house." Luna said softly.

Pandora smiled at them. "We are all thinking the same thing sweetie, and I have a feeling that we all will get exactly what we want."

Luna and Gabrielle smiled at her. "I know we will Pandora. We have all gone through too much to let things fail." Gabrielle said softly.

"We're not going to fail. Bellatrix doesn't believe in failure and knowing Hermione, she doesn't want to fail either. Dumbledore will die, and so will our Lord so that the new world can find root, one where everyone will be treated equally on the basis of their abilities regardless of heritage." Pandora said with a soft smile.

Luna and Gabrielle smiled as they both cuddled closer to the blonde. "It'll be better for everyone in the end, because if things continue the way they are at some point the Muggleborns will rise up against the system and that will be a war the Magical World won't be prepared for, it is one thing 'Mione has said from the moment we became friends." Luna said softly.

Pandora smiled and nodded at that. "We all know that, which is part of the reason the previous war started. Dumbledore and the Order want to preserve the status quo while we want to promote the equality they just don't believe in. The other reason is of course the feud between Dumbledore and Tom. The old man just can't admit that he has made some big mistakes, one of those not seeing the darkness that plagued Tom from an early age, despite knowing his heritage."

The two girls smiled and nodded at her, both of them content to stay here and relax a little while they still had the chance.

…

Later that afternoon the six witches sat down for lunch, and Pandora was happy to see her eldest feeling a lot better. "So sweetie. Did you have fun in the library?" She asked with a sweet smile.

Hermione smiled and nodded at her mother. "I honestly thought that a library couldn't become more grand than the library at Black Manor, but clearly I was mistaken. I could get lost in there for days."

Pandora and Bellatrix smiled at her. "We had a feeling you would like it sweetie, and I promise that the moment we can, you are free to explore it in its entirety, something I think your mate and mother will gladly help you with."

"Oh you can rest assured that I will, love. It's been far too long since I've been able to peruse our library at leisure, and I believe I have a book in there that would be of great interest to Fleur too." Bellatrix said with a smile.

The blonde smiled at that as she wrapped an arm around her mate. "Like Hermione I am sure I could lose myself for days in your library."

"And you'll have that opportunity Fleur. That I promise you, but how was the greenhouse? As overgrown as you thought?" Bellatrix asked with a grin.

Pandora smiled and shook her head. "Not nearly as much as we thought it would be, my Star. We managed to clear it up easily enough, and I think once we make this our home again that we'll be able to make it even more grand than it already was."

"We'll gladly help you with that Mummy. It will benefit us all after all." Luna said with her usual dreamy smile.

Pandora nodded and smiled at her as Jupi popped into the room. "Your lunch as requested, Mrs. Black. Lady Narcissa has asked if you would be home for dinner."

Bellatrix and Pandora shared a look with each other and smiled. "We will Jupi. We wouldn't dare miss Cissa's dinner so soon after Christmas and so close to the Ball. We'll be home on time."

Jupi nodded and bowed as he snapped his fingers to float the trays to the table before vanishing again. "I know it's not much, but I figured we would all enjoy a nice lunch at our future home." Pandora said with a soft smile.

"That's okay Mum. It's the thought that counts." Hermione said sweetly.

Pandora smiled at the brunette. "I know sweetie, and while we're not as known for our grand meals like your aunt is, I had hoped to have been able to get some supplies to cook you all a nice meal, but unfortunately it wasn't safe enough to go out just yet."

Luna smiled at her mother. "I'm sure the first time you are able to you'll rectify that, Mummy, as long as you can both resist the urge to feed us." She said with a teasing wink.

Pandora and Bellatrix smiled at her. "We'll try sweetie, but there is something we do need to talk about at some point concerning that, and while we realize it is not the most conventional topic, it is nevertheless important and something we unfortunately never got the chance to properly do with you two. As you may know when one becomes a mother, breastfeeding is preferred, and this goes doubly for witches. Not only is it a way to form a bond, it also helps strengthen the child's magical core, and that is something we were unfortunately unable to do to its full extent with you two and it would help us all if we rectify that soon." Bellatrix said with a slight blush, finding it a bit uncomfortable to talk about this with her daughters in front of their mates.

Both Hermione and Luna nodded at that. "We understand, is it okay if we think about it for a bit?" Hermione asked softly.

The two women smiled and nodded at their daughters. "Of course my sweets. We know you both don't make decisions lightly." Bellatrix said sweetly.

They smiled at their mothers as they continued to eat their lunch in relative silence, talking mostly about the future they had planned out so far.

After lunch Fleur and Hermione excused themselves, wanting to see the grounds surrounding the Manor, although both Bellatrix and Pandora knew better.

Luna and Gabrielle also quickly excused themselves, wanting to go and see the library now that they had the chance, and again Bellatrix and Pandora had the feeling that they too were going to talk too.

The moment Fleur and Hermione were outside, Hermione pressed herself close to her mate. "You know more about this than I would love. Is it true that breast milk helps strengthen a magical core?"

"Yes mon amour. Your mothers were telling the truth. Witches often breastfeed longer than most Muggles because it is so important for the child's magical core. In your and Luna's case it might also explain why you two have some issues with controlling the things you inherited from your mothers. The madness for you and the visions for your sister, but what is bringing this on mon amour? Are you nervous?"

Hermione nodded at her. "A little yes, but I also worry about what might happen to me and what it might do to our bond."

Fleur smiled sweetly and pressed a long kiss to her mate's cheek. "You don't have to worry that this will hurt our bond mon amour. It will in fact only strengthen it because your magic will be caught up with your body and age which will only help our bond. As to what will happen, that I am afraid I could not tell you. You and Luna are in a bit of a unique situation in that regard."

Hermione smiled and kissed the blonde softly. "Thank you love, I really needed to hear that. Is it okay if I did that with my Mama today?"

Fleur nodded at her. "Of course it is okay mon tresor. You know I would never keep you away from your Mama, especially when it is righting a wrong that was done to you so long ago."

Hermione just smiled and pushed the blonde against a tree. "You are far too understanding sometimes, my love, and I promise that tonight I will reward that understanding with something very special." She said with a wink as she kissed the Veela deeply.

Fleur moaned into her mate's mouth wrapped her arms around the brunette. Both witches more than content to make out until they had to go back to Black Manor.

…

Later that evening after dinner Hermione and Luna joined their mothers in their bedroom, because they both had come to the conclusion that it would be best if they both did everything in their power to ensure that their magic was as strong as possible.

Bellatrix and Pandora were of course very happy that their daughters had made this decision and that had left them a bit giddy, since this would be something that should have been done fifteen years ago.

It was also clear to them that both of their daughters were at least a little bit nervous for tonight, which given the circumstances was understandable, so Bellatrix thought it was a good idea to make all of them feel more comfortable.

Of course they were all already naked and the sisters were already cuddled up to their mothers, with Hermione in Bellatrix's arms while Luna was in Pandora's. "I think that this is the first time we're both naked with our mothers. It's honestly not as awkward as I thought it would be." Luna said softly.

Pandora smiled and pressed a kiss to her daughter's cheek. "It's a natural state for us sweetie. As we've said before your mother and I preferred to not wear clothes at our home. Something your mates are also very familiar with as we found out, and something I know you two have also enjoyed from time to time."

"Veela are kind of notorious for their nude frolicking through the woods, although Fleur insists she doesn't frolic, but you are right that we are also more than used to not having clothes on when we're at school or at home and we can get away with it." Hermione said with a soft smile as she cuddled further into Bella's arms.

Bellatrix smiled and nuzzled her nose in her daughter's neck. "All Veela frolic, sweetie, no matter how much they try to deny it. It is an almost irresistible urge for them at some point in their lives."

Hermione giggled at her mother. "I have a feeling that we'll find out in the not too distant future if Fleur and Gabi feel that need too."

Both Bellatrix and Pandora smiled at that as they cast the spell to fill their breasts with milk again, making them both moan a little. "I had almost forgotten how that spell tingles." Bellatrix said softly.

Hermione smiled at her mother as she subconsciously rested her head on her mother's breasts. "I can feel them filling up Mama. Is that normal?"

"With this spell it is sweetie. You can imagine we would've preferred to do this with natural breast milk, but I fear mine has long since dried up, but thankfully my breasts have not suffered. It is another benefit of our blood." Bellatrix said with a soft smile.

Hermione smiled at that. "To be honest, I'm glad for that. With your and Mummy's size I was a bit worried I would be the one Black that would be a bit underwhelming in the breast department."

"Trust me that you are not done growing yet sweetie. We're all a bit late bloomers when it comes to our bodies maturing, and I have a feeling that this will help a lot too, and speaking of which, I think we are ready, since your sister seems to be enjoying your mother's milk already." Bellatrix said sweetly.

Hermione glanced over at her sister, who was cradled in Pandora's arms like a baby while she suckled on the older blonde's breast, with Pandora smiling down at her while also running her fingers through her hair, and without a second thought, Hermione slid down her mother's chest and latched onto the raven-haired witch's nipple, being mildly surprised as she felt the milk flow into her mouth before she began to instinctually suckle.

Bellatrix on her turn moaned softly as her eldest drank from her, and like her wife was doing for their youngest, she couldn't help but run her fingers through Hermione's hair.

She also couldn't help but softly hum a lullaby for her daughter, much like she had done in the first few days that she had the privilege to hold her daughter and much like it had so many years ago, it once again had a similar effect as it had back then as Hermione completely relaxed and tried to get closer to her mother.

Pandora meanwhile was in a very similar situation as she took her wife's free hand in her own. "I had almost forgotten how angelic you sound, my Star."

Bellatrix smiled at her. "When I want to be. I haven't had much reason to sing until recently."

Pandora smiled at her wife, and she just couldn't help the tears of happiness that rose to her eyes as she noticed how even now their daughters sought closeness to each other. "We've done well, my Star. Even without us they've grown up to be such amazing girls."

Bellatrix smiled and nodded, struggling to contain her own tears. "That we have, my love. We've missed so much."

"Never again Bella. From now on we will never miss anything concerning our daughters again." Pandora said softly.

Bellatrix nodded and smiled as Hermione and Luna almost simultaneously pulled back from their breasts, the two sisters smiling sleepily at each other, which did not escape their mother's eye. "We'll talk about this in the morning, my sweets. For now I think we should all get some well deserved sleep."

The two girls nodded and gave their mothers a kiss before doing the same to each other, both of them quickly falling asleep in their mother's embraces.

Both Bellatrix and Pandora shared a fond look with each other before getting comfortable too. "I can feel that they've come a long way tonight. Perhaps with one more feeding they will be exactly where they need to be." Bellatrix said softly, not wanting to wake them.

"Tomorrow then, because I will admit that I too am a bit tuckered out." Pandora said in a similar tone.

Bellatrix nodded and gave the blonde a long kiss before lying down and pulling her daughter in her arms, pressing a last kiss to the crown of the brunette's head as she too closed her eyes and quickly drifted off to sleep.