AN: I once again apologise for the long delay. I feel like a broken record… Its always some mental BS time and time again. Sigh. Hope you enjoy this chap, I'll be working on wrapping this up so you guys can finally get an ending and can stop waiting. And yes that does sadly mean there will be a boat of abandoned plotlines. I think I have it down to 4ish more chaps and an epilogue.
Saturday
Hermione unfurled from her sleeping position and stretched out. Visions of glowing yellow and green eyes sank back into the depths of her unconsciousness. She lay on her back and stared at the ceiling to enjoy a few moments of calm.
She tried not to let thoughts of Kissara's father cross her mind. She barely touched on thoughts of her parents. Yet, in the safety of her imagination, she did let her thoughts linger on a certain dark witch. One whose company she quite enjoyed and who had become such an unexpected but important part of her and her daughter's life. They hadn't touched often but in the dark Hermione wondered what it would be like to hold and be held by the other woman, for no other reason than to be close.
Hermione heard the shifting of fabric and was brought back to reality. It was close by. She stiffened and waited; hand ready to grab the wand under her pillow. When she heard nothing else, she brushed it off as her imagination and forced herself to relax once more.
It didn't work. She huffed. The sun was poking through the curtains. Perhaps she still had time to make a nice breakfast for everyone.
She rolled to her side to turn on the bedside lamp. She gasped in fear as she spotted a dark shape lying next to her bed. Her hand seized her wand, pointed it towards the figure, and barely prevented herself from sending a curse the shape's way as she realized it was Bellatrix. Her dress and hair were in a tangled mess that obscured almost all her features.
Hermione collapsed on the bed, willing her racing heart to slow. She stared at the other woman. Bellatrix stirred and groggy black eyes met her brown ones. Bellatrix turned deep red and quickly sat up, hugging her knees to her chest.
"I'm sorry."
"What are you doing in here?"
"I – Nothing happened last night. I was tired, so…"
"The guest bedroom-"
"I know…"
"What time is it?"
"Ten."
"Kiki's still in bed?" Hermione's mind instantly started making a list of things she would need to do to take care of a feverish child, Kissara never slept in that late.
"No. Tonks came by this morning with Teddy. He woke her up early. She figured she'd grab a playmate for him, so she didn't need to entertain him. We figured we'd let you sleep."
"Oh."
"She also said you owed her one."
Hermione let out a short laugh. "We'll have Teddy over soon. Maybe overnight so Tonks can spend some time with a beau."
The young mother lay on her back again, the urgency having left her. Nothing had come to steal the young girl away in the night and she didn't have to worry about taking care of her daughter for the moment. She did have a surprise guest in her bedroom though, from whom she could now hear more movement.
Hermione looked towards the witch again and spotted her crawling out of the room on her hands and knees.
"Bellatrix."
The witch paused, only her feet were visible through the doorway.
"Wanna join me?"
Bellatrix turned on herself and her glowering face appeared in the doorway. Hermione internally flinched, it had been a dumb question. But to her surprise, despite the scowl on her face, Bellatrix crawled back into the room and into the bed. The dark witch huffed and shoved her face into the blankets. When she finally looked at Hermione, dark brown eyes looked at her with almost an innocence to them.
Hermione smiled. "You going to lie down?"
Bellatrix's lip twitched into a tiny smile and she stretched out unto her back, over the covers, almost touching Hermione.
"What time do we have to be up?"
"Well, you don't. You've spent the night awake. But I should head over to my parents around one. I told them I'd help them unpack."
"Mmm."
The room fell silent with only the sound of breathing. It was comfortable. Hermione lay on her side and watched Bellatrix sleep for a while. Enjoying the sight. The older woman was beautiful. Hermione allowed herself to twirl one of the black curls between her fingers. Bellatrix didn't take care of her curls properly. Perhaps Hermione could convince her to let her brush and style her hair from time to time.
The clock struck 11 and Hermione decided it was time to get up to get ready to go to her parents. She snuck off the bed and got dressed. A look to the older witch. She was fully dressed, ready to run after an intruder, had one showed up. Hermione gently took Bellatrix's shoes off and pulled the covers down so she could tuck them around Bellatrix. She resisted the urge to give her a peck on the cheek and closed the door behind her.
The door opened and Bellatrix put aside her book. She hadn't been up long, and it would shortly be time to get Kissara. Yet she felt the urge to enjoy the short time she would have with Hermione. She had slept wonderfully, even if Hermione hadn't been there the entire time, it was like her presence had imprinted itself on her. Even the voices were barely perceivable.
Her good mood crashed as soon as she saw Hermione's solemn face. She didn't hesitate to wrap her arms around the younger woman. Hermione buried her face into her shoulder without any hesitation.
"What happened?"
Hermione didn't answer, keeping her face hidden. Bellatrix let her stay there.
"Do you want some tea?" Bellatrix asked when Hermione finally lifted her head. The Gryffindor nodded and they pulled away from each other.
Bellatrix guided Hermione to the table and prepared some tea. She placed the mugs on the table and sat across from her friend. Hermione tapped the side of her mug.
"Maybe they would've been better off in their new life…" Hermione's voice was barely perceivable.
"What do you mean?"
"They looked happy, rested…"
Bellatrix leaned back in her seat and twirled her wand in her hand. She started bouncing her leg. She should say something.
"Hermione… Would you trade in Kissara for more rest?"
Hermione shook her head vigorously. "Of course not."
"Of course not," Bellatrix repeated. "Plus, think about it. They have no live-in child, and they are retired. So yeah, a lot more sleep. They would be better rested now even if you had never sent them to Australia."
Hermione gave her a tight smile. "I suppose."
"No, it's true. It's just dumb thoughts going through your brain. They are annoying, but they happen. I know your parents are happy to be back. They get to reconnect with their daughter and get to know their granddaughter."
"Thank you." The sad look didn't quite leave her eyes, but Hermione looked a little less tense and started sipping her tea.
Bellatrix took a few sips of her own before blurting out; "Narcissa came to visit."
"Today?"
"No, when you were gone."
"And?"
"And that's it!" Bellatrix threw her arms in the air in frustration. "I don't understand."
"Maybe she just misses people."
Bellatrix snorted. "Misses people?"
"Well, Draco doesn't live with her anymore, her husband is dead, and she doesn't seem to have many friends. There's Andy." Hermione shrugged.
Bellatrix seemed to contemplate this for a moment. "I don't make for good company."
Hermione chuckled. "You have your moments."
Bellatrix stuck her tongue out. "Could we invite her over for supper?"
"Of course."
A couple more sips of tea.
"I think it's time to get Kissara."
"Yeah, Tonks will be glad to give her back, I'm sure."
Sunday
"I promised Kiki I'd take her to the forest this week. We haven't gone yet."
Hermione pulled herself from her sleep. A dark shape was standing over her in the darkness.
Hermione looked at the clock, 7 am. She felt exhausted. "Is Kiki still asleep?" She asked, voice raspy.
"Yeah."
Hermione moved over to one side of the bed and tapped the empty spot. Bellatrix kicked her shoes off and crawled onto the bed.
"You can get under the covers." Bellatrix did so. "Maybe you can go to the forest with Kiki late this afternoon?"
"That sounds good."
Hermione let sleep take her over again to get all the rest she could before she would be woken by her daughter.
Bellatrix stood, shifting her weight from leg to leg as she worked up the courage to knock on Hermione's childhood home.
She was still standing uselessly when the door was opened by a curly brown-haired woman not much older than herself.
"Um. Mrs. Granger, I assume?"
"Yes, and you are Mrs. Black?"
"Miss Black, yes." Bellatrix ran her hands together. "I'm here to pick up Kissara for our walk."
Mrs. Granger stood, arms crossed, blocking the doorway. "I read up on you after Hermione told me about you."
Bellatrix looked to her feet. She felt tears brimming her eyes even as she was shaking with tension, fighting against the voices which made her want to attack the muggle.
"But Hermione speaks the world of you, so… I trust you. Don't make me regret it." Catherine stepped back to let her in the house.
Bellatrix swallowed back her emotions and managed to reply. "Thank you."
She entered the house. For a house that was being unpacked, it was surprisingly clean, boxes, empty and full, packing paper and household items, all sorted in their proper piles.
A small blur of pink with black curls came running up to her and jumped into her arms. Bellatrix squeezed the girl tight.
'Are you ready to go?'
Kissara gave her a large nod.
Bellatrix returned Kiki's large smile and gave her a kiss before placing her down.
"How's unpacking going?" She asked Hermione, who had come from the living room.
"Only a few more boxes to go. Maybe you can keep Kiki for supper too. We should be able to wrap everything up tonight."
"Of course, I know just the place." Bellatrix spotted Hermione's father hanging back in another room. "Mr. Granger. Pleased to meet you."
He gave her a curt nod.
"She's had a snack and just went to the washroom," Hermione stated.
"Perfect. Now…Winter boots and snow suit?" She signed to Kissara.
Kissara nodded and ran to put her green snow pants on.
"It's not that cold out." Mrs. Granger said.
"Not here no, we are going to Canada. It's not too cold out, but Rosie said there's a decent layer of snow on the ground. So, we are going to have some fun in the snow."
Kissara threw on her pink coat.
"How are you going to Canada?"
"Apparating."
"No. Hermione told us you have to go through regulated checkpoints to go to other countries." Mr. Granger clarified.
"In the wizarding world, yes. The non-human world doesn't keep track."
"Non-human?" Both older Grangers were paying rap attention, looking between Hermione and the unexpected family member.
Bellatrix looked to Hermione for help.
"It's ok. She's brought me there before. The non-human societies are very, distinct, from the wizarding world but it's just as safe as any other society. Rosie and Shiara are very nice too. One of their friends, Vivian, was the one to help us set up the barriers against Kissara's father."
The Grangers looked only slightly satisfied with that answer.
"Kissara will be ok. She's been to non-human areas before. Maybe you can come another day." Bellatrix reassured.
Both Hermione and Bellatrix finished buckling, zipping, and tying Kissara into her snowsuit. Hermione walked them to the door.
"I'm sorry, I didn't know you hadn't told them."
Hermione touched Bellatrix's elbow. "No worries. I wasn't keeping that from them. I don't plan on keeping anything from them again. Even if there's another war."
Bellatrix nodded.
Hermione kneeled in front of Kissara. 'Be a good girl for Star. If the strange elf shows up, make sure to tell Star or Rose or her wife.'
Kissara nodded.
'I love you.'
Kissara matched her mommy's sign and pressed her hand against her mommy's palm.
'Have fun!' Hermione kissed Kiki and then looked at Bellatrix. "Say hello to Rosie and Shiara for me."
"I will. See you tonight."
Her little girl waved to her as she bounced down the front steps. Hermione watched them disapparate safely and closed the door.
"You like her."
Hermione turned to look at her mother behind her, "Who, Bellatrix? Yeah, I told you we were friends."
"No. You like her... Isn't she a little old for you?"
Hermione looked at her mom with wide eyes. "I…Uh..." She spluttered. Hermione looked away, blushing. "I don't think of her like that."
"Mmh-mmm."
They landed in a forest that was very familiar to Bellatrix, but not so to Kissara. The girl was wide-eyed as soon as they hit the ground. The landscape was magical in all senses of the word. Infinitely tall evergreens dusted in snow, the sun piercing through the canopy making everything shimmer. The only thing breaking the silence was the occasional chirp of a bird. The magic of the forest's occupants could literally be felt floating around them.
Bellatrix let go of the girl's hand and Kissara started walking through the snow, looking up. She tripped on a root, she didn't cry out in pain, instead, she laughed. She removed a glove, and the magic of the area was redirected to flow around the child's upturned hand. Kissara giggled and lay in the snow, she waved her arms and legs, making a snow angel. The magic was redirecting itself around the girl's body, swirling around. Bellatrix could feel this magic around her but couldn't redirect it nearly as easily. Most human wizards couldn't at all. Kissara would be able to perform wandless magic when she was older, Bellatrix was sure of it.
Bellatrix watched her with a smile. She slowly crouched down and made a snowball. As Kiki lay on the ground Bellatrix drew her attention with a flash of color from her wand. Kissara sat up and Bellatrix threw the ball straight into her chest. Kissara squealed and sprang up, quickly making a snowball of her own. The little girl threw her tiny ball of snow. It fell short of hitting her momma by a couple of feet. Bellatrix's eyebrows raised; she was going to have to teach her girl how to throw. Taking advantage of her momma's momentary distraction, Kissara scooped up a bunch more snow and ran towards Bellatrix, pelting her with the snow at point-blank range. Bellatrix let out a laugh and bent to scoop some more snow. Kissara ran off and hid behind a tree. Bellatrix chased after her girl, occasionally throwing snow at the giggling girl.
As she raced Kissara to a tree, Bellatrix spotted a dark blur out of the corner of her eyes. Her head whipped around to look at it and her legs flew out from under her. Bellatrix landed hard on her back. She turned her head towards the shape, not wanting to lose track of it. It wasn't Rosie. The shape was shorter, crouching, but it wasn't visible for long. Little footsteps approached.
'Are you ok?'
Bellatrix signaled, 'Ok,' and sat up.
"What happened?" Rosie's voice rang in her head and a human-like paw wrapped around her waist from behind her and lifted her to her feet.
Bellatrix brushed herself off, both speaking and signing. "I saw a dark shape in the forest." Bellatrix rolled her eyes. "Not sure why I let it distract me that much. It's not like there isn't anything living here that has a dark pelt."
Bellatrix turned to look at Rosie. Her winter fur had mostly come in, she was much fluffier, but she wasn't any lighter colored, still the same dark brown.
Kissara gripped Bellatrix's skirt and tugged. 'Ok?' She signed again.
'Ok.' Bellatrix repeated. She was sore. It was fine now, it would be worse tomorrow, but she thankfully wouldn't have to entertain a four-year-old all day.
Kissara smiled and nodded, then turned to Rosie and buried herself in her fur. The adults chuckled.
Rosie picked the girl up. Kissara squealed and gave the shapeshifter a big hug. Rosie laughed again and lifted the girl even higher to her shoulders. Rosie signed; 'Hold on tight.'
The shapeshifter's signs were hesitant and clunky, but Kissara seemed to understand as her grip tightened. Rosie lowered herself to all fours and shot off. It was hard to see the blur correctly, but Kissara's gleeful squeals were easy to hear. Bellatrix stood watching with a wide smile. She wasn't going to bother chasing after them but after a few large circles, Rosie came back to Bellatrix. She urged to run, much like a dog would, thankfully she did slow her pace for the human, and they ended up playing an awkward game of tag.
When Bellatrix had had enough, her lungs displeased, she lay in the snow. Kissara giggled and slid off of Rosie and jumped unto her momma. Bellatrix let out an 'Oof!' and retaliated by wrestling the girl off.
'Can we build a snowman?'
'We can try.'
With Rosie's help their snowman got very large. Rosie was the only one able to lift the head into place. Then she had to lift Kissara so she could place the few stones she had found to make its face.
Bellatrix wasn't sure how much time had passed but as Kissara looked for the perfect sticks to make the perfect snowman arms, Rosie's demeanor changed. Her ears flattened. She stood taller and carefully took in her surroundings. She turned and approached Bellatrix.
"There's a predator nearby." Despite no one else being able to hear her, Rosie's voice was quiet. "Let's go to the restaurant now."
Bellatrix shot a streak of color in Kiki's direction. 'We are leaving now.'
'But the snowman has no arms!'
'We have to go.'
Kissara pouted but returned to the adults anyways.
Rosie lowered herself to the child's level, an invitation. Kissara was once again smiling as she climbed onto the shifter's back.
The village where they were going was a half-hour walk away. Its population was mostly witches who had immigrated in the late medieval period and renaissance. Sprinkled in were some of the native species and some other immigrants.
As they approached the restaurant, Rosie lowered Kissara to the ground and shifted into her anthropoid form. She looked like a tall, muscled woman, tan, her hair the same color as her fur. The child watched the spectacle mouth agape.
Rosie looked at the little girl and then at her friend.
"What?"
Bellatrix realized she was also staring at Rosie with her mouth open. "Sorry, it's just the first time I've seen you shift… And heard your voice with my ears."
"Oh, really? Huh."
"Isn't she cute?" They looked to Shiara who had just apparated nearby. Shiara wrapped her arms around her wife and kissed her cheek.
Shiara knelt and signed toward Kissara. The girl looked up at her momma, eyebrows scrunched together. Bellatrix looked at her with raised eyebrows and shrugged.
Rosie tapped her wife on the shoulder. "Wrong language love."
"Oh right, oops." Shiara looked at Bellatrix, "I don't know any of the human sign languages."
Bellatrix translated for Kissara, then added for everyone, "I guess we will have to teach each other our version of sign language."
Kissara grinned.
"Sounds like a plan to me." Shiara stood. "Let's go get some lunch."
The group entered the restaurant. They were 6hrs behind England at the moment, the lunch rush was just quieting down. They got a table immediately and Kissara looked around rather blatantly at the occupants. The crowd reflected the village's population. What wasn't expected was the demonoid waitress. Red-skinned, horned, with claws and a tail. All stereotypes were present. And she was amazing with Kissara. Lunch, supper, was very enjoyable. Bellatrix felt all that was missing was Hermione.
It was still bright out after their meal, which made it harder for Bellatrix to spot the glowing yellow eyes in the bush as they said their goodbyes and disapparated back home.
"Goodnight sweetheart."
"Goodnight mum, night dad."
"Goodnight Mione. We'll see you soon. Bring our granddaughter over for super next Friday."
"I will." Hermione stepped down from the front porch. "Oh, and do you mind if I bring Bellatrix? She's often at our place nowadays."
Her parents looked at each other. Catherine smiled, "Of course."
Hermione smiled back and disapparated.
Hermione apparated a few blocks away from her home. She took a deep breath, enjoying the crisp refreshing air. She clipped along the sidewalk, stretching her legs. When she got home, she felt the need to loop around again, so she continued on. Halfway through this newest loop, Hermione nearly collided with a figure which had suddenly emerged from behind a tree.
"Oh! Luna!"
"Hermione." The familiar friendly face of Luna Lovegood smiled at her. "Fancy seeing you here."
"What are you doing here? How are you? It's been a while." Hermione asked as she collected herself from the fright.
"I'm following some tracks. I'm not sure what they are, but they aren't normally in London."
"Neat. Does that mean you graduated your magizoology course?"
Luna gave her a proud smile. "I'm leaving for Finland next week to study a newfound population of horned serpents."
Hermione grinned. "That's awesome."
They stood chatting for a bit. Luna went over the lists of magical creatures she had learned about during her schooling and excitedly told her about her trip to Finland. Sprinkled in were a few personal tidbits. Her father was doing well, and she had met an interesting man by the name of Rolf. Hermione listened, genuinely happy for Luna. The Ravenclaw had been more respected after the formation of DA, but she hadn't ever found her niche. At this moment Hermione could tell that Luna was finally enjoying her life's adventure.
"I'm glad I caught you before you left. I'll make sure to reach out after you come back from your trip. I'm excited to hear about what you'll be getting into."
"Thank you, Hermione. I'll let you know when I'm back." Luna gave a little hop. "I'll see you then, have a good night."
"Goodnight."
Luna moved to step away.
"Actually. Luna?"
"Mmm?"
"Can I swing something by you?"
"Of course. About the bookshop?"
"No. Kiki… And her birth mother." Hermione waited for Luna to say something, but she just looked at her patiently with those peaceful big blue eyes. Hermione took a deep breath. She started with the easy part, who Kissara's father seemed to be and his hunt for her child.
Luna's brow was wrinkled. She seemed deep in thought. She bit her lip. "I'll keep an eye out for him…" With that, she returned to her usual light, indecipherable, expression. "You know. My father tells me I have elven blood."
Hermione let out a short laugh, the tension in her body leaving for a moment. "You know what Luna, I wouldn't be surprised. Kiki is also getting interested in magical beasts. Perhaps you should meet her? I'm sure you would make a great aunt and role model."
"I don't hear that often. Thank you, Hermione."
Hermione smiled but it left quickly. "Another thing… Bellatrix is Kissara's biological mother."
Luna didn't say anything.
"She wanted to be in Kissara's life. I let her in, and... we've become friends. Kissara likes her."
"I'm happy for you! That sounds lovely."
"Really?"
"Of course. Isn't a new friend something to be celebrated? Oh!"
Hermione had thrown herself on Luna, giving her a tight hug. She pulled away. "Thank you."
Luna shrugged. "I'm not sure for what."
"I don't think it's going to go over as easy with the Potters and Weasleys."
Luna cocked her head, her eyes staring at Hermione. Hermione shuffled about. When Luna didn't say anything, Hermione did.
"I should go. Bellatrix and Kiki will be waiting for me at home now."
"Of course. I'll see you in a few months. Take care."
"You too Luna."
They exchanged a smile. Both started walking down the sidewalk in their respective directions.
"Hermione?"
Hermione stopped and turned to look back at Luna.
"Everything will be ok."
"Thank you."
Hermione was greeted by a chatty, but sleepy, child. She chatted away incessantly during her bedtime routine but the sleepy crying started and she had to spend an hour rocking the teary girl to sleep. She wasn't looking forward to getting her up for school in the morning.
Bellatrix was outside doing her rounds by the time Kissara was asleep. It might be a good idea to set the guest room up for her. Hermione stood by the window for a few moments, watching Bellatrix entertain herself by shooting harmless spells at miscellaneous targets, before going to bed. Life will be going back to, mostly, normal tomorrow.
AN2: In case you aren't tired of me yet, I have recently posted my personal book on royal road, called Embers, under MiraRivers. Hoping to regularly post there (knock on wood), I have most chaps done/roughly done already.