Chapter 5: April 2004
"Goodnight darling." Hermione kissed Kissara's forehead as the girl settled into her bed.
'Goodnight mommy' The girl turned to her side and snuggled into her bunny as her mommy waved her hand to turn off the lights. The stars on the ceiling twinkled, bathing the forest on the walls in a soft light, Kiki's covers acting as a nightlight in the same colours as a late sunset.
Putting The Little Unicorn book on the nightstand, Hermione tiptoed out of the room. Once in the hallway, she looked at the clock, 8:15. Hermione smiled, she'd have time to finish her book before going to bed. She went to the kitchen to make tea, picked up her book and a throw and settled into the couch.
A shy toc, toc, toc disrupted her reading. It was enough to make her look around, but as no more sounds were forthcoming, she went back to reading. Another, even quieter tap, tap, tap. Hermione looked at the clock 8:30. Odd. Sighing, she got up and went to the door, wondering who would be knocking at this hour. To be honest, it wouldn't too late if it was just her, but Kiki seemed to be able to sense when people are about and she didn't want the girl to wake up.
The witch froze. She spotted dark curls through the window. Hermione knew who was on the other side. She was hoping to avoid this confrontation. Hermione knew she had been pardoned, she knew she was a mole, but she knew the woman was still dangerous, still fought for Voldemort during the First War, still tortured, still left her daughter on a doorstep… She closed her eyes and opened the door.
Bellatrix Black was standing on the other side. Hermione was surprised, never had she seen the woman like this… Submissive? Her eyes were downcast and her posture was non-threatening. Not while fighting, not during her trial or in her cell, nor out among the public. Never.
Bellatrix looked at Hermione, the air was tense between them. "I was wondering if I could meet her."
Kissara's mother frowned, she wanted to close the door, to make sure Kiki never met this woman. "Why?"
"I know you're taking good care of her, but I…"
Hermione closed her eyes again, willing the woman to disappear. "She's in bed."
"Oh, when is her bedtime?"
"Eight"
"Oh. May I return tomorrow?"
Hermione sighed. She supposed it's natural for a parent to want to know their child. She opened her eyes again. She saw Bellatrix leaving, she must have taken her sigh for a no.
"Do you plan on taking her away from me?" Hermione called to the retreating back.
Turning around, Bellatrix answered; "Not at all"
Hermione planned on making sure she meant it and that she did not pose a threat to her family. Mostly, why did she leave Kissara, if she cares enough to come meet her now, why did she leave her at that horrid place?
"Come in," surprised, the dark witch followed her younger into the house, "Would you like some tea?"
After getting some tea, they both sat down at the dinner table. On it was a drawing of fairies dancing in a forest clearing, or at least it's what it seemed to be. "Does she like to colour?"
"Only when she's bored." Their conversation lagged, neither knowing what to say to the other, Hermione trying to judge the dark witch on posture alone. She must be telling the truth if she was willing to let her guard down. Although the younger witch was still furious that Kiki had been left in the care of the state when it was evident she needed more attention than average.
Bellatrix's eyes widened, right behind the muggle-born stood the same little girl she had seen this morning. Kissara put her hand on her mommy's lap, getting her attention.
'Who is she mommy?'
Hesitating, Hermione decided that if Dumbledore could trust Bellatrix, she should at least attempt to trust her. 'Come here and I'll tell you.' She picked the girl up and put her on her lap.