L'amour Toujour

C19: Meeting the Dark Lord

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

A week later everyone in the Manor was preparing for what would be one of the most important meetings of the summer, which was to be held later that evening and it was clear that most of the family was feeling the nerves.

Bellatrix and Pandora were nervous because this would be the first time in almost fifteen years that they would see most of the inner circle again, and they honestly did not know how their return would be received, since Alecto hadn't revealed much information in her visits. They were also worried for their daughters, since they knew that the two girls had more than once expressed their desire to join the fight against the Order.

This is what led the two witches to Pandora's greenhouse early in the morning so they could talk privately about how they were going to handle their daughters potential initiation tonight. "I'm worried Bella. What if the Dark Lord demands the impossible of them?" Pandora asked softly.

"He won't love, I'm sure of it. From what Alecto told us his goals have changed, and while I am sure we'll hear exactly in what sense, I doubt he'll want to use children for his goals, not when he was apparently adamant that we take the time to get to know our daughters." Bellatrix said softly.

Pandora nodded at her wife. "I know, but now that we have shared the truth with them I can't help but worry even more about their safety. They're our babies Bella, and I can't help but seeing them like that."

Bellatrix smiled and pulled the naked blonde into her equally naked body. "I know love. There isn't a day that goes by that I don't imagine what it would've been like if we had the ability to raise them ourselves, and there is so much of both of us I see in our daughters that it is almost as if I'm looking into a mirror to the past."

Pandora nodded and cuddled into her wife. "That's true, but I know that you worry about our girls too. I can feel it on our bond."

"Of course I worry love, what kind of mother would I be if I didn't? But I also know that our daughters will not be tasked with anything dangerous while they are still in school and that they will do amazingly at whatever it is they are assigned to do." Bellatrix said softly.

Pandora smiled and kissed her wife softly. "I have no doubt about that, and not just because they are our daughters. They've proven to be quite devious when they're together, probably even more so than you and I were when we were in school, and I think with Gabrielle added to the equation, they'll prove to be quite the destructive force to the old man's plans."

Bellatrix nodded at that. "Yes they will, and I honestly think that they will be tasked with doing exactly that. We already know that Draco will be tasked with securing our way into the school when the time comes, and if they can keep everyone's attention away from that, I think our timetable will be sped up considerably."

Pandora smiled and nodded at that. "Let's hope so love, because honestly I'm more than ready to leave this war behind and finally live our lives the way we want to, with our daughters and their mates."

"I can't wait for that either love, I'm looking forward to watching our daughters build their lives so close to us, and of course welcoming our first granddaughter." Bellatrix said softly.

Pandora giggled at the dreamy smile her lover had on her face right now. "I'm sure you'll be the most doting grandmother in history baby."

"No love, you'll be the doting one, I'm the fun one." Bellatrix said with a wink.

"We both know that all of that is going to go out of the window the moment you will have them in your arms for the first time. Remember how your grinned when you held Luna for the first time?" Pandora asked with a teasing smile.

Bellatrix smiled dreamily as she thought back to that magical time. The first time she held their youngest daughter was one of the most incredible moments of her life, up to then only topped by herself giving birth to Hermione only a year earlier. "Don't act like you were any better with Hermione, love. I remember clearly the look on your face when you held her for the first time. It almost resembled my usual look back then."

Pandora smiled and nodded at that. "I remember that too love. I've only been happier these past couple of weeks since we got our girls back in our lives. I don't think nothing could ever top that feeling of seeing and holding them again after all this time."

Bellatrix nodded at that. "That I can completely agree with love. I don't think anything will ever be better than that, despite my worries of not being able to show them the love that I needed to."

"I knew the moment you were better and we learned when they would be coming home that you would become the mother I know you are inside. There was no way anything would stop you from loving our daughters the way I know you wanted to." Pandora said sweetly.

Bellatrix smiled at that. "I know, and I know it's in me, I just worried that I wouldn't be able to show it to them, because you know I have trouble showing my emotions, even to family."

Pandora smiled and kissed the raven-haired witch softly. "They're not family love, they are a part of us. That is why I knew everything would be okay."

Bellatrix only smiled and nuzzled her wife's neck as the two witches were more than content to spend the majority of the morning together as they talked about what the future would bring for them, their daughters and the two Veela that made their daughters happy.

…

At the same time their mothers were talking, Hermione and Luna were in the library with their mates, the two Veela feeling that their mates were nervous and wanting to be there to help them settle those nerves.

Hermione especially was nervous because she didn't know how her presence tonight would be received and what the Dark Lord knew of her history, and Fleur for the first time since meeting her mate did not know what to do besides holding the brunette close to her. "I wish I knew how to make you feel better mon amour. I feel that I am failing you because I can't settle your nerves for tonight."

Hermione smiled sweetly at her mate. "You're not failing me love, not in the slightest. It's just old fears rearing their heads. It has been the most difficult part of my upbringing to let go off. I'm still working on that with Mama."

Fleur smiled and pressed a long kiss to her neck. "You're not alone cherí. Please remember that."

"I know, every day when I wake up I know that I'm far from alone, and I love the fact that every day when I wake up I'm in the arms of the most beautiful woman in the world and the first thing I usually see is my sister who I love so very much be in a similar position with her mate. It is just that the past is so very difficult to silence." Hermione said softly.

Luna smiled and gave her sister's hand a squeeze. "We know that 'Mione, and we'll be here to help you however we might need to, and tonight will be no different. I doubt he will ask the impossible of us."

Hermione smiled at that. "I know, and it's honestly not our potential assignment that has me so nervous because I know that is something we can handle. It's honestly the not knowing how people are go to receive us. As far as anyone knows I'm still a Muggleborn witch who should not be there."

"I'm sure the Dark Lord and the inner circle of his followers know that you are not a Muggleborn, mon amour. Your upbringing I am sure will not be brought up in a negative way tonight, but will surely be met with a lot of praise." Fleur said with a loving smile.

Hermione smiled and cuddled further into her mate's loving embrace. "I hope so, but I suppose the fear of the unknown is also playing a big part today. I honestly don't know what to expect from tonight, and my mind almost automatically conjures up images of the worst things that could happen."

Luna smiled at that. "I know a bit how your mind works sister, and trust me that whatever your mind comes up with is far worse than what will happen tonight. Mama and Mummy would never let us come to that meeting if they thought that someone or something might hurt us."

"I know, and I know they would never let us get hurt in any way, shape or form, but I honestly can't help the way my mind works, which given my resemblance to Mama is not that big of a surprise. She said that she too struggles with this at times." Hermione said softly.

Luna smiled at her sister. "And like Mama has Mummy to help ground her I will always be your rock when you need me to be, or when Fleur is unavailable."

Hermione smiled at that. "At school you have always been the one to ground me Lu, and I honestly don't see that changing in the coming year, because I honestly have the feeling that we won't be finishing school."

"I've had that feeling the moment our mothers held us for the first time and I had that feeling that they would never let us go again, and it's not like Hogwarts can teach us much more. I would dare and say that everything it can still teach us can be taught better by our mothers and aunts." Luna said with a sweet smile.

Hermione smiled and leaned forward to press a kiss to her sister's cheek. "That is a definite fact, and we would learn more too, plus other useful things that we definitely will not learn in school."

"Those lessons would be a lot more pleasurable too, since I have a feeling both Mama and Mummy will implement their own special techniques when teaching us things, plus let's be honest, you especially have an excellent Potions teacher in your mate who would undoubtedly give you every opportunity to earn extra credit." Luna said with a teasing wink.

Hermione blushed a little at that as she felt Fleur tighten her arms around her mate. "Your sister is not wrong mon amour. My extra credit would be very pleasurable for you." The blonde said teasingly.

"I have no doubt about that love, although I suspect it would involve a lot of oral examinations." Hermione said softly.

Fleur and Luna both smiled at that. "There's the Hermione we know. It has been a while since I heard you so insecure." Luna said softly.

"It's not that I'm insecure about sex anymore, not after everything we've shared over the last months. It's just that my focus tends to suffer when I'm nervous." Hermione said softly.

Fleur smiled and pressed a kiss to her cheek. "I know love, it's just adorable to see you blush at something sexual again, that too has been a while."

Hermione just smiled at that, glancing over at her sister who seemed to be having trouble not getting aroused from the nuzzling of her neck Gabrielle was doing. "If you want to see adorable, you just have to look at the other side of the couch. It seems my sister is having to try her best not to get aroused from your sister's attention."

Luna gave her sister a light glare. "I don't think I can be blamed for how my body reacts to my mate's touch, sister."

Hermione just smiled and winked at her sister, knowing that she wasn't much better when it came to her own body's reactions to Fleur.

…

By the time everyone was ready for the meeting, nerves had lessened considerably, although that didn't stop Hermione from staying close to her mother, which the raven-haired witch of course did not mind one bit, since she too was feeling that she was nervous about what tonight would bring and having her firstborn daughter close was helping with that somewhat. "I have to say sweetie, seeing you dressed like this brings back memories. I wore that dress the first time we met as followers of our Lord." Bellatrix said softly.

Hermione smiled at that. "Well, aunt Cissa has called me your mini-me on multiple occasions over the last couple of weeks, so it is not that much of a surprise. I'm honestly more surprised that this dress fits me so well."

"Magic is a wonderful thing sweetie, but you're also quite similar in size to me when I was your age." Bellatrix said with a soft smile.

Hermione smiled and pressed herself against her mother as they all walked to the Floo, making their way over to the former Malfoy Manor so they would be on time, because if there was one thing that Bellatrix and Narcissa both loathed, it was being late for something this important.

Once they had all gathered in the foyer, Alecto walked up to meet them. "It's good to see you all here tonight. Our Lord has eagerly been anticipating tonight for multiple reasons. Not only is he eager to see you all again, but to also formally meet your children."

Bellatrix smiled and went to give her best friend a hug. "I've missed you Alecto and it is good to see you again. I'm sorry about Amycus. His loss will be greatly felt."

Alecto smiled at her. "I know, I miss him every day, but we will avenge his death, as well as everything else that has happened in the twilight of the First War. I presume these are your beautiful daughters?"

Bellatrix smiled and nodded. "Yes they are, come say hi to your Godmother, sweetie." She said as she motioned Hermione to her side.

Hermione shyly stepped forward and regarded the blonde in front of her. "It is nice to meet you. I'm Hermione."

Alecto smiled at her. "I know sweetling. I was one of the first to be allowed to hold you after your aunts. I'm Alecto Carrow, your mother's best friend and your Godmother."

Hermione smiled at her, unsure of what would be appropriate at this point, and it seemed that Alecto noticed. "I'm sure we'll have plenty of time to get to know each other Hermione. Tonight is only the first night of the future after all."

The brunette nodded as the introduction was repeated with Luna, who had a very similar reaction to the blonde.

"Who else is here Alecto? How many of the inner circle have actually shown up?" Pandora asked softly.

"Everyone who is alive and out of Azkaban is here except for Severus and Dolores. Severus had an Order meeting to attend and Dolores needs to keep her cover at the Ministry intact, but it is unfortunately far less than we had hoped for. Only Greyback and Dolohov were able to evade capture. Initially Yaxley was here too, but he was found out to be the one to give up the information to the Order that led to so many deaths in the First War, so he was made an example of." Alecto said kindly.

Pandora and Bellatrix nodded as they followed the blonde to the drawing room, and upon entering they saw that next to their lord were indeed Fenrir Greyback and Antonin Dolohov. "It is good to see you all again my friends, or for some of you for the first time. I trust you have all been well?" Voldemort asked as he stepped forward.

Both Bellatrix and Pandora inclined their heads in a show of respect and nodded. "Yes, my Lord, we have been doing exceptionally well the last weeks. Having our daughters back in our lives has helped tremendously in the healing process." Bellatrix said respectfully.

"That is good to hear Bellatrix. I am looking forward to meeting them both and learning their stories today." He said in a raspy voice before sitting down at the head of the table.

Bellatrix and Pandora took their seats next to him, with Hermione and Luna taking a seat next to their mothers and their mates next to them. Next to Fleur was Narcissa and Draco while next to Gabrielle were Andromeda and Nymphadora, with Greyback and Dolohov taking the last seats and Alecto taking up the other seat at the end of the table.

"As I said before it is good to see everyone gathered here tonight. It pleases me that after everything that happened so many of you are still loyal to the cause and to see so many new faces despite the significant changes in everyone's lives, including my own newfound life at this point. I see now that the biggest mistake I made in the First War was to react with violence to everything the Order did and that I failed to see the impact of that back then. This time around things will be very different. We will work from the shadows as much as possible until the moment we are ready to launch a final assault on Dumbledore, the Order and the Ministry at large.

Steps have already been taken to ensure a peaceful transference of power as well as a guarantee from both sides that there will be minimum intervention at Hogwarts. A new Minister will be elected when we are victorious and there will also be a new Headmaster, because for our plans to succeed, Dumbledore must die.

I would usually ask for volunteers as you know, but in this case I will give this task to Bellatrix and if she so chooses her firstborn daughter. I know perfectly well that everyone would prefer to keep their children out of this war, but I'm afraid that the Order has forced our hand once again. So I ask this. Would you be willing to join our ranks alongside your family?"

Hermione, Draco and Luna nodded at him. "Yes my Lord, we are willing and able to do our part in the war, in whichever way you might have use of us."

Voldemort grinned at that. "Excellent, I have a perfect assignment for all of you. Draco, there is a Vanishing Cabinet located in the Room of Requirement at Hogwarts. You will repair this Cabinet and provide our way into Hogwarts when the time comes for us to end this.

For Hermione and Luna I have a special assignment. Throughout the year I want you to to make false attempts on Dumbledore's life, to ensure that the attention will be mostly off Draco."

The two girls nodded at that. "It will be done, my Lord."

"Of course your mates will be free to choose to join you if they would want that, but I would also understand if they would want to stay out of this fight." Voldemort said kindly.

"If I may, my Lord. It would settle of my own and my sister's mind if we would be allowed to assist our mates however we can." Fleur said respectfully.

The Dark Lord nodded at that. "Very well then. The finalized plans will of course be shared before you all go back to school as well as any other information we may find in the meantime. The last thing I want to say before we wrap up this meeting concerns the twin of the Vanishing Cabinet, which is currently at Bogrin and Burkes. I trust one of the Black sisters to acquire it and perform the necessary repairs. Once that is done it can be transported here. This will remain our base of operations for the remainder of this conflict."

Everyone nodded at him as they were dismissed, the Dark Lord taking his leave soon after along with Alecto.

…

The following morning Hermione woke up cuddled up close to her mate, who was smiling down sweetly at the brunette as she woke up. "Good morning mon amour. Did you sleep okay?" The blonde asked with a soft smile.

Hermione nodded and nuzzled her nose in the blonde's neck. "Of course I did, I slept in your arms after all, plus the fact that I love waking up to the sight of your breasts in my face."

"Why do you two have to be so sultry this early in the morning. You're not alone in bed, you know." Gabrielle said grumpily.

Luna smiled and pulled the blonde close. "It's not like we woke up any better love."

"That's not the point mon amour. I like to sleep in from time to time, especially when its the holidays and we're allowed to." Gabrielle said softly as she cuddled into her mate.

Fleur and Hermione smiled at them. "Don't kid yourself Gabby. I can feel that you're just as excited as I am and our mates are." Fleur said with a slight smirk.

"Don't tease your sister baby, it's unbecoming. They're probably just as nervous as we were for our first time. How about we give them some privacy. It's a lovely day out and I really want to go swimming with you." Hermione said with a slightly admonishing tone.

Fleur nodded contritely and kissed her lover. "I'm sorry Gabby. I shouldn't have teased you like that."

"It's okay Fleur, it's not like this hasn't been our normal for years. I'm just a bit protective when it comes to Luna right now." Gabrielle said softly.

"That is why we'll give you two all the privacy you want, and if you need us, you know where to find us." Hermione said with a soft smile before kissing her mate and then rolling out of bed to get dressed, and of course Fleur was not far behind.

After getting dressed in their bathing suits and some clothes to cover themselves in the house, they made their way downstairs, leaving the two young blondes alone in the room, both of them knowing very well what was likely going to happen now that the girls were promised privacy.

Since the majority of the family was either out on errands or still in bed, the two girls were free to do anything they wanted, and for once they wanted to skip breakfast to spend more time together.

The moment they got into the pool, Fleur pulled her love close as well as immediately discarding her top, much to the appreciation of her mate. "Have I mentioned recently how much I love your breasts, baby?" Hermione asked softly as she gently palmed one of the pale globes.

Fleur smiled sweetly at her. "Once or twice in the last couple of days, but you know I never tire of you stroking my ego."

Hermione grinned and kissed the blonde softly as she let her hand trail down her body. "You know I don't mind stroking something else of yours either baby, and I think that is exactly what I will do now, especially now that we have the freedom to do that."

"I never knew you were such an exhibitionist, mon amour. I will admit that I am liking this development a lot." Fleur said huskily as she undid the strings of Hermione's bikini top.

"I wouldn't call myself an exhibitionist, but my mothers definitely made me see the benefits of embracing where I come from. My mothers and sister clearly aren't shy, and I see no more reason to cling to who I once was, that shy bookworm that would always remain a wallflower." Hermione said with a soft smile.

Fleur smiled and kissed her. "I am very proud of you mon amour. I can't imagine it is easy to let such a big part of you go, and I can't wait to see what you will become in the future, besides absolutely gorgeous of course, with mothers as Pandora and Bellatrix there is no other possibility in my mind."

Hermione smiled and slipped her hand into her lover's bikini panties, making the blonde moan as her fingers expertly found what they were questing for. "I know I will, with how much I resemble Mama, I can't see myself not looking like her in a few years. She also said that she was a late bloomer so there is a comfort in knowing that I still have some maturing to do."

Fleur moaned softly and kissed the brunette as she started kneading her lover's breasts, which in turn made the brunette moan too. "Your body will always be perfect to me, mon amour, but I also cannot deny that I'm already looking forward to our future where we will have a home of our own and can live the life we want to live."

Hermione smiled at her mate. "I can't wait for that either, and I'll admit that I've had dreams where we were both pregnant, and I don't think I've ever seen a more beautiful sight than that of you round with child and as naked as the day you were born."

Fleur smiled at that. "Technically Veela aren't born naked, but I get what you mean love. I sometimes imagine what you would look like pregnant and I will admit that I always have trouble not ravaging you where you stand when I do."

"Soon we'll have that opportunity, because I doubt our sisters, or my mothers for that matter will be any better." Hermione said with a loving smile.

"Now that would be a sight to behold, wouldn't it? I foresee a lot of fun in our future, although at some point we would also have to go to France so you can meet my mother and grandmother, the former I hope will apologize to us soon, because I know this is hurting them both greatly." Fleur said softly.

Hermione smiled and kissed her. "I would love to meet your mother some day, once she has apologized to you and and Gabrielle, I have a feeling that she will come around soon enough. If my interactions with Mama and Mummy are any indication, nothing compares to a mother's love for their child."

Fleur nodded at that. "I know, but Veela are notoriously stubborn in their beliefs, and it will certainly no be easy task to get them to talk to each other again. Pride is a big factor for my mother and in her mind both of us are still too young to know who our mates are."

Hermione nodded and kissed the blonde softly. "In time, my love, in time everything will be okay. I don't need my sister's prophetic gifts to know that is true."

Fleur only smiled at her as the two witches lost themselves in each other, staying exactly like that for the majority of the day, or at least until Bellatrix and Pandora joined them somewhere in the afternoon.

…

The following day Hermione and Luna had a day with their mothers planned, since the two witches had asked to join them on the roof for some proper dueling training.

Of course the two witches didn't say no to that, especially since it had become very clear at breakfast that Gabrielle and Luna had completed their bond the day before and thus no longer had to deal with the emotions that came with an incomplete mating bond.

This had led Narcissa to invite the two Veela to her Potions lab, since Fleur had stated that she wanted to make a head start on the fifth year potions her sister was going to take this year.

"Mama, can I ask you a question about the meeting before we start?" Luna asked softly.

Bellatrix smiled and nodded. "Of course sweetie. What is it you want to know?" Bellatrix asked with a kind smile.

"Is it true that Umbridge is one of the Dark Lord's followers? And if she is why was she so nasty to us even after the reveal?" Luna asked softly.

Bellatrix smiled and pulled her daughter into her arms. "I know it might seem strange to hear that she is part of the movement, but her pureblood rhetoric is an act she was asked to put on by the Dark Lord. She is a staunch believer in the cause and I am more than sure that when you see her again she will profusely apologize for her behavior."

Both Hermione and Luna nodded at that, needing to see that before they would start believing it.

Bellatrix and Pandora both noticed kept quiet about it, knowing that their daughters wouldn't just believe it unless they would see evidence to the contrary. "You'll see in time, my sweets, but we'll let you find that out for yourselves. Today we're going to teach you how to duel properly, since we heard that the only education you had in that was from that fraud Lockheart, and that will not stand." Bellatrix said kindly.

The two girls nodded and smiled at their mothers. "Now, in battle the rules we are going to teach you will not apply of course, but even then we try to keep some measure of formality. Unless there is absolutely no other option we will always attempt to not kill someone, although I have a feeling you two will be put in that situation at some point during the coming battles. The Order will not hold back because we will, and it is something we are going to prepare you for." Pandora said with a soft smile.

The two girls nodded at their mothers as they made their way to opposite sides of the dueling field, with Bellatrix purposely walking with Luna while Pandora stood behind Hermione. "Now I trust you know the basics of dueling, sweetling?"

Hermione nodded and smiled at her mother. "Yes Mummy, despite our lack of official practice last year both Luna and I have experience in dueling."

"That is good to hear Hermione. That will be our basis which we will build on. I know I may not look it, but I promise you that I am just as good a duelist as your Mama. You two will duel each other the way you were taught first, after that we'll see where we where we need to sharpen your skills, but do try to not hurt each other, although we suspect that it is impossible for you two to hurt each other." The blonde said with a soft smile.

Hermione smiled at tat. "I would never hurt my baby sister, I would never forgive myself if I ever hurt her, either physically or emotionally."

Pandora smiled and pressed a kiss to the top of her daughter's head. "I'm sure that goes for both of you sweetie."

Hermione smiled as she got ready, seeing that her sister was waiting patiently for her to focus on the coming duel.

Bellatrix called them both to attention and then let them start, both of them expectantly starting with an attempt at stunning the other with a Stupefy before they started trading spells between them, and to great relief of their mothers they both stayed away from darker spells.

To Bellatrix it became clear that while their basics were good, their form was far too rigid and would be something that they needed to address in the coming weeks, but all in all she was satisfied with their knowledge of both spells and dueling.

Having seen enough she called a stop to the duel and smiled at her daughters as they walked up to her. "I must say that I am very proud of your knowledge of dueling, my sweets. This is definitely something we can work with. The only criticism I have, if it can be called that is that you are both far too rigid in your spellcasting, which will hamper the strength you can put behind your spells. It is something Pandora and I will educate you on in the coming weeks."

The two girls smiled and hugged their mothers before the four witches made their way to the room where they would be taught in both etiquette and proper form.