Wednesday
They started packing the house that morning. At least, all essentials. Her parents had decided they loved Australia too much to fully leave. Even contemplated staying. Finally, after a lengthy conversation, they had decided to move back to England, to be closer to their daughter and grandchild, keeping the house in Australia as a sort of vacation home.
"Mom?" Hermione hesitantly said as she was helping her mom pack her clothes. There was something she needed to get off her chest.
"Yes?"
"You remember when I said Kiki was mine, and mine alone?"
"Yeah?" Her mother looked at her with curiosity.
"Well. Legally, that's not a lie. But… Well, her birth mother is now back in the picture. In fact, she's the one keeping an eye on Kiki while I'm gone."
Catherine's look changed to concern. "Are you ok with that?"
Hermione didn't hesitate. "Yeah, actually. I kinda like her. You could even call her a friend."
Her mother nodded. "No worries about a custody fight?"
"At the beginning, I must admit, I was worried. But the way she has behaved coupled with the way the paperwork is drawn… no."
"Has she told you why she abandoned Kissara?" Her mother was back to curious, wanting to understand her daughter's family situation.
"Yeah…um…" Hermione briefly thought about lying, but wasn't this why she had started the conversation in the first place? "Kissara's birth mother is Bellatrix Black."
"Who is that again?" Her father asked. He was on the other side of the bed, packing his clothes.
"The spy for the order, the one who was a Death Eater… She gave Kissara up because she wasn't mentally stable enough to take care of a child."
At that both her parents looked very concerned.
"And you think she is mentally stable enough to keep an eye on Kissara for a week?" Richard said, frowning.
"Yes." Hermione said, hoping the doubt that occasionally crept up couldn't be heard in her voice. "She has gone through therapy and help programs ever since switching sides. It's not perfect, but it's much better. I also have a good friend of mine, Tonks, keeping an eye on them."
"Well, that's good." Her mother said hesitantly. "I can't wait to meet them."
Hermione was relieved at how easily that went, though her parents hadn't been fed the information the wizarding world had throughout the years. The Potters' would be harder. She hoped that her parents would trust her judgement on this and not be swayed too much by Harry's reaction.
Bellatrix trailed behind, watching Kissara bounce down the sidewalk. The girl stopped when she got to a familiar door. Hermione's bookshop. Kissara looked back for permission to go in and Bellatrix waved her permission.
The dark witch had finished a series of books she had found in Hermione's bookshelves. The end of that fourth book finished on a horribly good cliff-hanger and she was hoping to find that a fifth book existed. And while they were here, why not let Kissara pick a book for herself.
Bellatrix paused as she entered, her eyes landing on the woman behind the counter.
Bellatrix shook her head vigorously when the voices commented loudly both on Hermione on blood purity and the colour of the new shop assistant's skin. Her little outburst attracted the attention of nearby shoppers. The Ex Death Eater quickly dipped into an empty isle to keep the attention away from her and regain her composure.
Do not think those thoughts. Ignore them. She said to herself. Least of all act on them.
She would be cordial and eventually those thoughts would not cross her mind. Hopefully.
She turned her attention back to the child she was supposed to be watching. Bellatrix poked her head out of the isle and just spotted the bright green dress before it disappeared behind a bookshelf.
Bellatrix quickly caught up to the girl and watched silently as Kissara's eyes greedily scanned the shelves in much the same way Hermione's often did. The almost 5-year-old picked a children's novel with a beautiful dragon decorating the cover. Bellatrix knew the book was above the girl's reading level, but that wouldn't be a problem since she had two mothers willing to read to her. Though Bellatrix also picked another dragon-themed book that Kissara could read.
With Kissara's books chosen, Bellatrix bee-lined to the section which should hold the series she was looking for. She grinned when she found, not only a 5th book, but a recently published 6th book. She picked up both and led Kissara to the counter.
There were no costumers at the counter when they walked up. The young woman behind the counter looked up from what she had been writing and looked nervously at Bellatrix. However, when she spotted Kissara, the tension eased, and she smiled widely at the child.
"Hi Kiki." She waved.
Kissara smiled back and waved.
'Put your books on the counter.' Bellatrix signed to Kissara.
The girl stood on tip toes and was just able to slide the books on the counter by stretching upwards. Bellatrix put a hand on the two books to keep them from falling. Despite the help, Kissara looked up at her mother, proud of her accomplishment.
Bellatrix smiled at her, then added her books to the pile.
"Are they to go to Hermione's?"
"I'm sorry?" Bellatrix was thrown off balance, not by the question, but the human voice breaking loudly through the Voices. Despite the woman's voice being at a normal volume, Bellatrix ear's was ringing uncomfortably.
"Technically, Hermione already owns all the books in the store. If they are for Kissara and Hermione, I just need to mark them off the inventory."
"The two kids books are for Kissara. I'll buy the other two."
The young lady nodded and proceeded to look from the book to a muggle box.
Bellatrix shook her head as the Voices took advantage of the silence to yell at her again.
"Homework?"
The woman looked up at her, surprised.
The word had been said by Bellatrix against her wishes. And while unpleased that she now had to make small talk, she thanked Merlin it hadn't been any of the other words circling through her mind.
"Um, no actually. Working on my novel."
"Oh."
An uncomfortable silence fell over them and Bellatrix shook her head once more. She felt Kissara take her hand and she squeezed back.
"Are you ok?"
Bellatrix opened her eyes to look at the young woman. She looked concerned, but still nervous.
"I'm fine. Sorry. How much for the books?"
"23.58 ₤"
Bellatrix paid for the books.
"Are you planning on being here long? " The words once again slipped out of Bellatrix's mouth.
The young lady looked cautiously at Bellatrix.
"For the foreseeable future." She answered. "My name is Peggy by the way."
Bellatrix blinked at the friendliness, awkward, but friendly.
"Nice… To meet you." She stuttered. She felt like an idiot, what she wouldn't give for an ounce of Narcissa's composure.
Peggy smirked at the stuttering and returned to her usual customer service voice. "I look forward to seeing you again." She handed the ex-death eater her books.
"Thank you."
"Bye Kiki!" Peggy waved to Kissara.
The girl waved back and took her mother's hand as she was led out of the store.
About a block from the Granger house Kissara started running for the front door, but surprised Bellatrix by sharply turning and running into the backyard. Confused, she followed, and laughed when she saw Narcissa struggle to keep herself from falling off the swing as her niece tackled her.
"What are you doing here?" She asked her younger sister.
"Do I need a reason?" Narcissa raised an eyebrow. "I came to visit my sister and niece is all."
Narcissa picked up Kissara and kissed her on the cheek. "Problem?" She challenged Bellatrix.
Bellatrix shook her head, "Not at all," and led them inside.
All evening Bellatrix waited for Narcissa to broach a heavy topic, ask a favour, scold her. But it never happened. It seemed her little sister really did just want to visit.
Thursday
As soon as they were in the air, destination London, her mother turned to her smiling.
"So, tell me, how did you end up with Kissara?"
Catherine lost her smile quickly. She had expected her daughter to launch into a happy dialogue, not see a wave of sadness sweep over her.
"Hermione?"
"It's a long story."
"It's a long plane ride." Her father stated.
Hermione nodded and first told them how she came to choose adoption. Then the start of her visit to the London magical orphanage. As she remembered crossing that doorway, she turned away from her parents, leaning her head against the wall. She closed her eyes as she recalled the sight.
September 2000
The plain narrow door was deceptive. It opened into a large, dimly lit room. There were several rows of cots and at first Hermione thought it may be a nap time room. Until she spotted a child on the ground.
The little one must have been at least four, old enough to walk, but they were dragging themselves with their arms, legs twisted behind them. This wouldn't concern her, disabilities come in many different ways, except the child had bed sores where their body touched the ground. And they were too thin… and looked lost. So lost.
Hermione eyes clouded and her hand automatically went up to cover her agape mouth.
Just then a small body slammed into hers. She looked down and saw a child with eyes clouded over in a similar state of health as the first one. Malnourished and lost. They didn't seem the recognise her as an adult. Just continued walking around her until they bumped into something else and repeated the process.
Hermione was truly crying now as she saw all the cribs held one or two babies and even little children. Despite this the room was terribly quiet, like they knew complaining would not help. All were in a state of neglect, dirty, likely starving. Most also had a visible deformity or disability.
Hermione had found it odd that she had never seen a disabled person within the wizarding community. Though she had always, perhaps naively, assumed that they could cure or 'fix' more. She had seen Pomfrey regrow a limb after a disastrous attempt at a spell. Why not rebuild a malformed limb or reconnect malformed nerves like they do for those with neurodegenerative diseases at St-Mongos?
But now the sight before her… She couldn't believe… She never thought the magical community would be capable of this… Though, of course, they had just fought a war over 'blood purity'. So perhaps she shouldn't be surprised.
Hermione dried her tears. She couldn't do anything right now; it wouldn't do much to confront the caregivers here. The system needed to change.
Hermione slipped out quietly, out of the room and out of the orphanage. She tucked into an alley and apparated as close to the ministry as possible. There she headed directly to Harry's office. These children would be in a better place soon.
September 2000
Harry looked at her like she had gone mad.
"Not in England." He shook his head at her.
"Harry!" She slammed her hand down in frustration. "I know what I saw! After everything! Do you not trust me?"
"Alright, alright." He held his hands up. "I'll send some Aurors to have a look."
He still looked like he didn't believe her, but at least he would humour her. "Thank…"
Some movement on her hip drew the young witch's attention. It was coming from her bottomless bag. Curious she set it on the desk and opened it. She thought she was hallucinating as she watched a little hand reach out from inside.
She looked to Harry and saw shock on his face too, she knew then she wasn't imagining things. Quickly Hermione reached inside and pulled out a screaming, crying baby.
Harry watched open-mouthed as she started to try and soothe the child. The baby had patchy hair and, wasn't starving, but was certainly too thin. They were only wearing a diaper, soiled, and had rashes scattered on their body. The baby' loud screaming ebbed away to uncomfortable whining as they stopped fighting Hermione's caresses and leaned into the hug.
Hermione looked to her friend. Her expression clearly saying; 'do you believe me now?'
Harry grit his teeth. "I'll organize a raid. Skinny grey door, third on the left?"
Hermione nodded.
"How did the baby get into your bag?"
"Your guess is as good as mine."
"I'll call the childcare agency." Harry said as he reached for the phone.
"No!"
Harry looked at his friend, wide eyed.
Hermione looked down shyly and softly said. "I don't trust the agency. They can't not know about this." She looked to the now sleepy baby. "I'll take care of them for the moment."
Harry nodded. "I'll let you know how everything goes."
Hermione had kept the baby hidden in her sweater during her quick trip to the store to get essentials. She didn't need anyone to accuse her of child abuse.
When Hermione got home, she went straight to the bathroom. The baby was still sleeping, she was hoping she could get the baby's condition assessed and the rashes patched before the child cried for food. She put the baby on a towel on the floor and removed the disgusting diaper. She used a facecloth to wash the baby girl and used the rash lotion she'd just bought to cover the lesions.
As Hermione put the lid on the rash lotion and her eyes met green-brown eyes. The baby wasn't crying but had been observing her with what Hermione could only describe as mournful eyes. The moment didn't last long. When the baby noticed Hermione paying attention to her, she started attempting to cry. She sounded so exhausted.
Hermione put a fresh diaper on the girl and wrapped a blanket around her, then carried her downstairs. With the help of magic, she was able to make a bottle rather quickly.
She caressed the baby's cheek as the baby ate. There was something about her. Hermione's heart had already decided she wouldn't be giving this one back. Though it would take a few days for her mind to catch up.
Her mother was crying and her dad looked furious.
"So… Yeah. Over the years Harry and I have fought to get the laws changed. People were quick to get on board." Hermione smiled slightly at their success. "In about three years from now Hogwarts will have its first, accepted, special needs people living there. Minerva is already making preparations."
In the process, Hermione had learnt that healing most often simply returned a person to their natural, healthy, state. So so-called 'unfixable children' were just thrown out. Thanks to a large effort from many dedicated people, all of the children were now benefiting from healthcare and programs set to help them adapt. In the coming years and decades, the world would learn to adapt to them.
"Why? How were they getting away with it?" Her mother asked.
Hermione sighed. "Old laws and customs that people had forgotten, gotten used too. Doctors were just throwing children out, listing them as stillborn. The ones at the orphanage, some of their disabilities were discovered later. Others were taken from parents who loved them. We are not quite sure about many of them."
"Were some reunited with their parents?"
Hermione smiled bittersweetly. "Yes."
"What's… different… with Kissara?"
Hermione was happy with her father's choice of words. Others had asked with very different connotations.
"She's deaf."
Her parents each took a few minutes to digest the new information.
"Did Bellatrix know?"
Her father sounded angry.
"No, she didn't."
"Good." He growled.
"How are we going to talk to our granddaughter?" Catherine asked, concerned.
"She signs. She also started a program this week which should help her communicate better. Don't worry, I have copies of some sign language books for you."
"Well, how about you get us started?" Her father suggested.
Her parents were intelligent people but learned very little on the plane ride home. It isn't easy to learn a whole new language, especially as the group often got distracted with other conversation.
A knock on the door interrupted her reading. Bellatrix looked at the clock. Did she forget to get Kissara at the bus stop?
13:23
No. Then who could it be?
The witch put her book down and lazily slid unto the floor from the sofa. She crawled to the entrance of the library and poked her head into the hallway so she could see through the glass panel next to the door.
What was Andromeda doing here?
Bellatrix hurriedly stood to go answer the door. She hit her head a few times on the way when she heard the Voices complain about her sister. This made them just a little bit quieter. She opened the door.
"So, you are here." Her sister said instead of a greeting.
"Where else would I be?" Bellatrix retorted.
"Your home?"
Bellatrix opened and closed her mouth.
"I'm allowed to be here." She sounded like a child making up excuses.
"I suppose." Andromeda paused. "Just as long as you don't forget to move back out." She joked.
"Andy, what are you doing here?" Bellatrix cocked her head, hiding the fact that that statement had hurt. Her sister wasn't wrong, but it reminded her that her place wasn't here.
"Oh, yes, I wanted to talk to you about Kissara's birthday party."
Bellatrix's eyes widened as Andromeda's disposition flipped and she cheerily took Bellatrix's arm and dragged her into the kitchen to chat.
"Her birthday is in two weeks, and I was thinking we could organise it for Hermione."
Fucking woman stayed until Kiki's bedtime, Bellatrix wouldn't have the time to finish her book tonight, but Andromeda had made several good proposals and delighted Kiki with a new bedtime story.
We wanted to see our favourite human kitten again. We were near the den when a magical field stopped our progression. It had stopped us before. Forcing us to look at the kitten from afar as it gestured to us. It would not stop us again.
We smelled the bottom of the field until we found a weak spot, just like our fay friend showed us. We lifted it and slid inside. The elder elf had not been happy when we had returned empty handed. But we did not regret our actions with the kitten.
We walked to the den. We tried pushing the entrance flap open, it didn't move. Unsurprising. We looked through the glass square to our left, two white boxes and much fake fur was visible. We walked to the other glass, a stairwell. This would be more difficult than we had thought. The branch running up the den seemed too fragile for our weight.
We look to the window, willing it to open.
It did.
We prepared to jump. We did not expect the kitten to poke its foot out the window. We placed ourselves under the kitten.
The kitten climbed down the small branch. Once down, the kitten threw itself on us. We cuddled back and led them to the back line of trees for more cuddles.
Bellatrix closed her book. She could feel her body getting heavier with sleep. Reluctantly she dragged herself upstairs. As she turned right to head to her room a feeling overcame her. She needed to check on Kissara. The dark witch snorted at her paranoia but did turn around to go to Kissara's room. Her heart clenched as the door opened to a seemingly empty bed.
Concerned, she threw the covers back. No child. Worried she scanned the rest of the room. Her heart skipped a beat when she saw the open window. Panicked, she ran downstairs. She drew her wand as anger filled her. That fucking elf better not have done anything.
She exited the house, and a flash of green light drew her attention to the back of the yard. She stalked towards it.
"Show yourself." She growled.
No immediate response. Then a rustling. A flash of yellow, then green.
"Incarcerous!"
She heard a thump and heard her daughter's crying. She ran towards the sound and found that she had actually hit Kissara… And, unnervingly, the green glow was coming from the girl's eyes. She quickly released her spell and picked up Kissara, holding her close. She was relieved her girl was safe.
Bellatrix looked around for the elf. She spotted glowing yellow orbs. She stared them down but was surprised at the level of fear she felt in herself, there was something wrong about these. They blinked once, turned away and disappeared.
Bellatrix loosened her grip on Kissara, leaving just enough room between them for her to sign.
'Why are you outside?'
'Playing.'
'By yourself? After bedtime?'
'With my friend?'
'Where is your friend?'
Kissara pointed in the direction of where the eyes had been.
'What is your friend?'
'Cat.'
Bellatrix was concerned. She and Hermione would need to find out what it was. A new tactic by the elf?
She turned back towards the house, scolding Kissara for being out of bed at night. An idea came to mind as they got back to the girl's bedroom. Bellatrix kneeled down in from of Kissara.
'How about next time your friend comes, you introduce them to momma and me. So, we can all play together?'
Kissara's face lit up and she smiled brightly.
"You will love my friend.'
Bellatrix wasn't so sure about that, but she humoured her daughter as she put her to bed.
She kissed the girl goodnight and made sure the window was locked.
Bellatrix frowned as she walked back to the guest bedroom. What kind of danger was her daughter in exactly?
Friday
At the bus stop the next day, after the children had left, Bellatrix informed Tonks of the night's events. The Auror quickly agreed to help her aunt. They returned to the Granger house and searched the grounds. Unfortunately, they found nothing. No crack in the wards. No footprints. Nothing out of place.
Tonks jumped as her aunt blasted a tree in frustration.
"Seriously?" She asked her aunt.
"Would you rather it be you?" Bellatrix retorqued as she marched back towards the house.
Tonks followed, shaking her head.
She caught up to Bellatrix in the kitchen.
"Tea?"
"Thank you, but I have to get to work."
Bellatrix nodded and sat at the table, contemplating. Perhaps they could get Kissara to draw the thing?
Her thoughts were very quickly interrupted by the sound of keys in the door. Tonks backed up to let the door open and Bellatrix stood and leaned against the wall to get a better view. They watched Hermione enter the house.
The absentminded smile on the young witch's face told Bellatrix all she needed to know. Everything had gone well.
Hermione stood in the hallway, looking between the two women with a now slightly confused look.
As Bellatrix looked at Hermione, she realised something very odd.
"I missed you."
Hermione looked at her surprised, Tonks looked shocked. Bellatrix's eyes widened as she realised, she had voiced her emotion.
Her hands went up to cover her ears the Voices scolded her. Too many times this week her mouth had gotten the best of her. She was supposed to be unyielding.
She felt hands grab hold of her own before they could hit her head.
Hermione pulled her hands down between them, not letting go
"Its ok to miss a friend."
"Are we friends?"
"Yes." Hermione smiled.
"Did you miss me?" Bellatrix whispered. What a ridiculous question, of course she didn't miss you. Kiki, perhaps.
"To some degree. I'll be honest the past few days have been such a whirlwind that I barely had time to even miss Kissara." Hermione looked to both Blacks. "How did the week go?"
Tonks put her tongue in her cheek and looked to Bellatrix. "I'm going to work. You better fucking tell her everything. Sooner rather than later."
Tonks nodded her goodbye to Hermione and left. Worry rose in the young mother's chest as she turned to look at the woman who had watched over her daughter all week.
Bellatrix looked a little sad.
"Why didn't you go over parenting with me?" She asked before Hermione said anything.
Hermione frowned in confusion.
"You've always been so good with Kiki, I didn't think I needed to… What happened?"
Bellatrix took a breath. "She… she wasn't behaving. I couldn't think of a way to calm her down." Bellatrix hid her face with her hands and dug her nails into her scalp.
Hermione instinctively reached out to stop her but paused. Her fist clenched.
"Is Kissara hurt?"
"A bruise, it'll heal, but I'm not sure the scare I gave her will."
"Has she been staying with Tonks?"
"No, Kiki came right back the day."
"And Tonks allowed it?"
"Under supervision, and the condition I read a parenting book."
"Then she's ok." Hermione breath a sigh of relief. "Though, I agree we need to discuss this. Believe or not, I've never read any parenting books. Just skimmed." She shrugged. "I guess I'm just lucky to able to draw from my experiences as a child."
"And I can't." Don't you fucking cry. Bellatrix bit her lip and turned away from Hermione. She laughed bitterly. "Yeah, actually I can. My mother used to grab me like that, right before dragging me away and…" Fucking beating you like you deserved.
Bellatrix jumped as she felt arms wrapped around her waist. A head rested on her shoulder.
"You never tell me about your youth."
"What's there to tell." Bellatrix's heads balled into fists, nails cutting into flesh, in the hopes of preventing her from leaning back into the soothing presence.
"Everything." Hermione whispered softly. "I want to know everything."
Bellatrix broke. She sobbed into the younger woman's shoulder, so grateful, yet so angry.
"Want to talk?" Hermione whispered to her as her crying lessened.
"You're not mad?" Bellatrix asked.
"We all lose our temper. The injury isn't serious if Tonks didn't call. Speaking of which, why was she here?"
"Oh Merlin, we have another issue." Bellatrix pulled away and vigorously rubbed at her face before looking around the floor. "Where are your parents?"
"At their house. I'm here to drop off my bags and grab a couple of things."
"Ok."
Bellatrix went to fetch the bags and brought them up to the master bedroom. Hermione frowned at her the entire time.
"So… what would be the new problem?"
"You just got your parents back, maybe this can wait until tomorrow."
"Bella…"
"Something was here last night. Not the elf, but it wasn't good either."
"What?" Hermione. "What do you mean?"
"I only saw its eyes. I don't know if it crossed the border. Kissara told me it was a cat, but it most definitely was not. Tonks was helping me look for anything that could tell us what it was, but I… I think we are going to have to wait until it comes back."
"I see." Hermione sat on the floor, discouraged. "What makes you think it'll come back?"
"Kiki seemed sure it would. I told her to invite it over next time."
"So, we'll be standing guard at night from now on."
"I can do that. Sleep during the day and keep an eye out here at night."
Hermione nodded. "Thank you."
With that, Bellatrix returned home to get some rest. Hermione would have a nap then go to the Granger's with Kiki.
"How was supper?"
"It was lovely." Hermione approached Bellatrix; the witch was staring at a spot in the trees. "Kissara took to her grandparents like a fish to water. They had planned on spending most of the day getting the house ready, but they went and bought their granddaughter, well, too many gifts. I had to tell them to keep some separate for her birthday. I get the feeling they'll buy more though."
Bellatrix chuckled. "She's getting spoiled already. I guess they do have almost 5 years to make up.
Hermione snorted.
"What are you looking at?"
"This is where I saw it last night."
"Those eyes weren't distinctive at all?"
Bellatrix pinched her lips together and shook her head. "Glowing yellow eyes is way too vague."
They stood in silence. There was a slight breeze rustling the trees and the light was slowly waning.
"Hermione?"
"Yes?"
"Are you aware that Kissara's eyes glow?"
"Umm, what?" Hermione looked at Bellatrix, surprised.
Bellatrix shrugged. "Her eyes were glowing."
"When?"
"Last night."
"It that normal?"
"For a dark elf? Not sure but if it doesn't bother her. Well… Let her freak people out with it." Bellatrix smirked.
"Dear God." Hermione leaned her head back in exasperation but ended up laughing too. As long as it wasn't a problem, it was a cool trick. She'd read up on it later. But right now, it was bedtime.
"Good night. Thank you for keeping watch." Hermione headed for the house.
"Can I say goodnight to Kissara?"
"If you wake her up, you're the one putting her back to bed." Hermione called back.
Bellatrix stayed outside until the sun had completely set then headed upstairs to Kissara's room. She looked in on the girl, who was fast asleep, legs hanging off the bed, in a position that would cripple most adults the next day. She smiled at the sight and pulled up a chair, looking out the hallway window looking for anything in the shadows.