Chapter Four: The many faces of Black
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Hermione's heart hammered in her chest, the sudden surge of adrenalin focusing her eyesight, even in the heavy haze. Lifting her wand, she quickly sent a stunning jinx at the figure of Bellatrix moving swiftly towards her, followed by a wordless 'expelliarmus' as a wand flew towards her now outstretched hand. With a heavy huff, the body in front of her crumple and thudded to the ground. Hermione stood, shocked, not daring to move, despite the worsening air quality around her that was starting to burn her lungs. Something wasn't right. That had been easy, too easy, especially for Lestrange, who's skills Hermione had seen first hand.
Starting now to cough, she raised her sleeved arm over her mouth and nose, breathing slowly, as she moved towards Bellatrix still on the ground. The smoke was beginning to irritate her eyes, and she knew she needed to move away. She would be no use to anyone if she allowed herself to suffocate in the aftermath of the war next to a death eater. Ex-death eater, she corrected herself, almost with an eye roll.
Hermione moved closer, wand trained on Bellatrix's wild mane, shuffling her feet sideways as if her body could take flight at any second. It wasn't until she reached her that she realised what she was wearing. It almost made her laugh out loud. For someone who prided themselves on their pureblood status, they sure looked good in muggle jeans. She nudged the body with her foot.
"Get up." she said quietly. Then, when she had no response, she tried again. "Come on Lestrange, I'm not suffocating for you. Get up." Her voice came out gruffer than she meant it, and she was pleased. She hoped it intimidated the dark witch. Bellatrix still did not stir. Had Hermione really hit her that hard? She thought someone like her would be impervious to a stunning spell, but perhaps not. Hermione knew her own magic was strong, and could only imagine what the added fear and anger had done to her magical core in the past couple of months. Her eyes were beginning to stream now, she needed to move away to the fresh air. She looked down at the body at her feet. She could leave her there. The thought made her heart twitch and her stomach flip. Could she do that? Knowingly walk away from someone who would undoubtable become seriously ill, if not die? She stood a second longer, then with a growl she barely recognised as her own, she cast a featherlight charm on the body before rolling it into her arms. She walked quickly away from the flames that were now licking up the side of the stands where they had been, walking back in the direction towards the castle and clean air. When the smoke had dissipated enough, and Hermione could at last take a deep breath, she looked down at Bellatrix in her arms. Although it wasn't Bellatrix at all.
With a steep intake of breath, Hermione brought the body down to the grassy ground below, and moved the thick hair away from her face. Whilst this person certainly shared some of Bellatrix's features, same sharp face, wild hair, lithe body, she was definitely someone Hermione did not know. The face was gentler somehow, more rested and healthier. The hair, whilst a forest of unruly curls, was lighter and streaked with grey. This woman wore muggle clothing, something Bellatrix Lestrange would never be caught in dead, Hermione was sure of it.
Still unconscious, Hermione began to panic. She grabbed the two wands from her pocket where she had stashed them hastily, and cast a quick diagnostic spell she had learnt from Molly Weasley. All fine, just stunned. Hermione leant back on her heels, looking at the woman, twisting the two wands in between her fingers. She looked at the new wand. That should have been another indication. This wand was not curved, almost as if bowing to it's mistress, like she knew Bellatrix's to be. This wand was straight, shorter than her own, and held tiny divots near the base. It almost looked like tiny delicate flowers. Who was she? Hermione leant forward again, this time shaking the shoulder of the woman.
"Can you hear me? I'm so sorry. Do you think you can open your eyes?" Hermione waited for a second, before shaking the shoulder gently again. A small crease appeared between the woman's eyebrows, her lips pursing as if confused. "You need to wake up, we can't stay here." said Hermione, gently, coaxing the woman out of sleep. Slowly eyelids opened to reveal blue eyes, clear azure. Hermione recognised those eyes, but not on this face.
"Are you okay?" she asked, as the woman took in the surroundings, looking up at the sky clouded from smoke. "I'm so sorry, I hit you with a stunning spell. I thought, well.." Hermione let her words trail off as the women pushed herself up slowly.
"Can I have my wand back?" she said, her voice light. Hermione hesitated. She still didn't know who this witch was. "Please? I think you've properly asserted your dominance. I promise to make no sudden movements." she said with a smirk. Hermione flushed red, embarrassed by her hasty reaction, and handed over the wand. "Thank you. Don't think you could help an old girl up, eh? It's been a while since Ive been on the receiving end of a stupefy."
Hermione scrambled to her feet, then offered out her arm, pulling up the woman effortlessly. "I really am sorry. You looked like someone else."
"Bellatrix." the woman stated, and then chuckled at Hermione's expression. "I get that all the time, you're hardly the first. Andromeda Tonks." Andromeda held out her hand, this time for Hermione to shake, but she didn't move. Andromeda sighed, then, lowering her voice in an almost calming manor. "I really am okay, no hard feelings at all. Will you tell me your name? Least you could do if you're going to knock me out. I prefer to know who's putting me on my ass." she chuckled again, and Hermione felt a small smile turn the edges of her mouth.
"Hermione Granger."
"Really?" the woman raised her eyebrows, and Hermione felt an immediate sinking in her stomach. She hated when people recognised her, hated the way they appraised or hated her so quickly, simply from knowing her name. "I've heard a lot about you." Hermione said nothing, just giving a small smile in return. Her eyes turned back to the flames that were now engulfing the entire frame of the quidditch seats on this side.
"I'm glad you're okay. I didn't mean to cause you any harm." she stated, almost dismissively, then catching herself added, "I don't have the best history with Lestrange."
"I don't think many of us can say we do." responded Andromeda, and Hermione looked at her questioningly.
"Tonks," said Hermione suddenly, replaying the woman's name in her head."As in... Tonk's, the auror's.."
"Nymphodora's mother, yes. You know her?"
"Quite well. She's lovely." Hermione faltered for a second. Tonks, her lovely friend, laying on the cold stone of the hall, hand reaching towards her husband. Tonks, recently entered into motherhood, who had left her baby to come and fight in a war that was won to prevent further death. A war in which she had willingly come into, leaving her baby, her beautiful Teddy, with her mother. "She.." Hermione didn't know what to say. How does one break news like this to a mother. Hermione did not know if she had the strength.
"I am here to collect her, and Remus." Andromeda said softly, her eyes hard, face suddenly sallow. "An auror came by not long ago. I left," she paused, allowing herself to wipe away tears that had started to fall. "I've left Teddy with a neighbour. He'll be okay. Good egg, our Teddy." Andromeda was now openly weeping, her voice thick. Hermione, over come with sadness for this stranger, for her daughter, for her two friends who meant so much, swept Andromeda into her arms as if she had known her all her life. One arm secured around the woman's waist, the other in her hair, pulling the witch close. There she stayed as Andromeda cried.
"I am so sorry." Hermione repeated. "They were beautiful, wonderful people. I loved them very much." She didn't know what else to say, but the witch did not pull away, and so she continued to offer comfort. Not shushing, not hurrying the grief along, just holding her.
"Thank you." said the witch, eventually, into Hermione's shoulder, when her breath had started to calm and she regained control over her voice. "Thank you."
Hermione pulled away, looking into the older witches face, still slightly perturbed by the similarities to the darker witch trapped inside the castle. She gave a smile, warmer this time, and took the woman's hand in her own.
"Would you like me to show you to the castle?"
"It's okay, I think I can find my way, now that we are out of the smoke. Nasty fire that."
"I came down to try to extinguish it." said Hermione, turning back to the flames. The smoke was blacker than before, and she couldn't tell what points of the structures were still burning.
"Let me help you." said Andromeda, and before Hermione could protest, she was matching towards the dark haze, Hermione quickly on her tail. Together in silence they cast aguamenti spells, aiming at the places they could see the orange flicker up towards the sky. It was tedious, arm aching work, but slowly the smoke turned to grey, then white as the water evaporated from the heat and the wood no longer burnt. As Hermione continued to dowse the grounds in water, Andromeda cast a deletrius spell, vanishing the smoke from the air until, at long last, they could breath fresh air, only the slight tang of burning wood detectable. When they were done, both stepped tentatively towards the center of the pitch, taking in the damage. Hermione could feel the tears start to prick at the edges of her eyes, and her breath caught in her throat. She didn't know why. She had never particularly cared for quidditch, and never was one for flying. She looked up to where stands were once draped in red and gold, blues and greens, yellows and silvers. Now stood charred wooden structures and crumbling stair cases. One of the goal posts was bent like a candle melted.
Hermione turned slowly, looking around her. Tp the place Lee Jordan once stood, commentating on the game and recording points, always under the watchful eye of Professor McGonagall. The wooden doors where Harry, at 11 years old, stood terrified next to Oliver Wood, preparing for his very first game. The raked seating where Hermione, at a mere 12 years old, had dared to set fire to her Professors robes. Snape. Snape's face as he grasped for air, taking in Harry's face for a final time, the tears of his memories slipping down his pale face. Voldemort's voice, so loud in her head that she thought her skull may crack, her brain aching from the sound. Fear that they may be caught at any second, the darkness of the night, lit only by spells who's aim was to destroy.
Hermione felt cold, squishy ground below her. She could feel water seeping into her jeans around her knees. She was suddenly very aware of how her body was shaking, unable to control it. Then she opened her eyes. Somehow she had gone from standing to kneeling, tears streaming down her face, hands and wand pressed into the muddy charred earth. Andromeda was beside her, kneeling too, rubbing soothing circles into her back.
"...right here, Miss Granger. I'm right here with you. You are safe."
Hermione let her words wash over her, taking them in. Stretching her fingers into the sodden earth. She calmed herself, bringing her breathing back to normal. Slowly, calmly, she sat back on her heels, using the back of her hand to wipe tears from her face. She couldn't bare to look at Andromeda. Could not bare the shame of losing control like this.
"Sorry." she muttered. "I got a bit, overwhelmed."
"Quite alright." Andromeda soothed, still rubbing her back. "You're okay." Hermione nodded, sniffing softly, regaining her senses properly. "Hermione, look at me." she didn't. She continued to stare into the ground. "Come on, look at me Hermione." She contemplated for a second, and then lifted her eyes. She was met with a soft look, no pity, no worry, just understanding. "You're safe here. There is no more war. The destruction is temporary. We are, we will be, okay." Hermione stared at her a moment longer, before leaning into the woman, allowing her to wrap comforting arms around her. She reminded Hermione of her mum. This thought caused a whole new fresh wave of tears. "Okay." said Andromeda, with authority only a parent could muster. "You look at me. Hermione Granger, you are a powerful, kind, intelligent woman who has been forced to mature well before her time, and be much stronger than any human should ever have to be. Now, you will cry now, as much as you need, and then you are going to lift your chin and remind yourself who you are putting one foot in front of the other for."
"The order" Hermione sniffed. Andromeda snorted.
"No. You, Hermione. You are moving for you. Anyone else who is lucky enough to fall in step with you will know their fortune, but this is time now for you. Do you understand?" Hermione looked into blue eyes and nodded. A strange calm came over her, and her shoulders began to relax.
"I'm sorry."
"No need." said Andromeda, rolling back onto her feet and holding our her hand for Hermione, pulling the younger witch up onto her feet. "Look at the pair of us. All these tears and it's not even lunch time." Hermione smiled at the grinning Andromeda, who winked at her, before looping her arm through Hermione's, and started walking her out of the pitch. They walked in silence for a moment, away from the smouldering wood, across patchy grass and random debris, towards the crumbling bridge. As the courtyard came properly into view, Andromeda slowed her walk, coming to a stop. Hermione looked at her. The woman's face was hard, a small crinkle in her brow. Hermione squeezed her hand. "I'm okay." stated Andromeda, "I know I need to go in there. I suppose this part is the hardest?" It came out as a questions, and Hermione did not know if she was waiting for an answer. Before she could linger on it too long, Andromeda set off again towards the castle doors, aurors and students coming into view. She noticed the looks they were getting, and Hermione could not understand them. Aurors were frowning, students scurrying backwards into the castle. Andromeda gave a low chuckle and leant into Hermione, "See, you're not the only one whom mistakes me for my sister."
They were almost at the door when it was Hermione's turn to grind to a halt. Her heart racing. "I'm sorry?"
"Bellatrix." stated Andromeda simply. It suddenly clicked. Hermione chastised herself for being so slow.
"You're Bellatrix Lestrange's sister?"
"I did tell you."
"Yes, but I didn't... today is a bit overwhelming and... I can't believe I didn't put two and two together. Merlin."
"Miss Granger, I think we will be fast friends." said Andromeda, "If there is one black trait I have taken forward into my adult life, its the pleasure you get from shocking people, and your reactions feed right into that part of my ego." she gave Hermione a cheeky grin, but it faltered, seeing the look on Hermione's face. "Don't tell me you're afraid of me now you know my heritage."
"Please don't think me so shallow." stated Hermione firmly. "It's not that, Andromeda-"
"Andy, please. You remind me of my mother otherwise." Andy said, obviously trying to break the tension she didn't understand.
"Andy, your sisters, they're inside."
"Where?"
"Here, they're, well in the Great Hall." Andy stared at her. Hermione watched a myriad of emotions cross the woman's face, before settling on resigned.
"Well, today couldn't get any more difficult if it tried. Please Hermione, take me to my daughter."
Hermione only nodded, leading the woman forward in through the castle doors.
It had been hours since Hermione had left Andy in the gentle hands of Madame Pomfrey. She was sitting around a small table in the hall with Luna, Oliver and Neville. Him and Oliver Wood had been out since the early hours of the morning searching for those injured or dead. From the look on their faces when they returned, their search had been arduous and heartbreaking, so Hermione had taken it upon herself to cheer the boys up. She fished out the ragged pack of wizard cards she kept in her beaded bag, and they were currently on an intense round of exploding snap. Luna was beating all of them, and Hermione had a sneaking suspicion that the girl was in fact following in her seer mother's footsteps, as much as Hermione loved to protest it was a legitimate discipline. There was simply no explanation for how quick the girl was. The boys, frustrated with their losses, began betting money, teaming up into boys vs girls, and Neville was sorely losing. Yet all four of them laughed, smiled, pushed each other in jest. Hermione couldn't remember the last time she felt this care free and, dare she say it, happy.
They played until a small clearing of a throat interrupted them. All four turned to see Madame Pomfrey grinning at them. "It's good to see you all having some fun for once. Hogwarts has badly missed laughter in it's halls." They all smiled at her. "Miss Granger, I apologise for pulling you away, but your guest is asking after you, and is reluctant to come into the hall." Hermione scanned her eyes across to the doorway of the hall, and saw Andy lurking in the entrance hall. She stood at once.
"I'll be back. Don't let the boys win." she winked at Luna, and then turned to walk with Madame Pomfrey.
"Thank you Poppy." said Andy when they reached her, squeezing the woman's arm. Pomfrey said goodbye and disappeared down a side corridor. Andy smiled at Hermione. "Sorry for the theatrics, I'm not quite ready for the family reunion, and I wanted to say goodbye before I left."
"How did it go?" Hermione asked.
"As well as it could. Poppy let me say goodbye, and then helped me with starting funeral arrangements." Andy smiled sadly. "This is never something I thought I would have to do. I rather hoped she would be doing this for me, in fact. How it should be." Her eyes lost focus, and Hermione took both hands in her own. "I'm okay. I feel calmer, now Ive seen her, had a chance to say what I needed to say. Poppy and the aurors have been amazing."
"Good. Is there anything I can do?"
Andy smiled at her sadly. "Be there to say goodbye. I want Teddy to see how loved his parents were."
"Of course. We'll all be there." Andy cupped Hermione's face with her hand, brushing away a tear Hermione had let slip. "But you let me know if I can do anything at all."
"You've got enough on your hands."
"They were family to us too Andy, and Harry will want to help. Remus was like a father to him."
"Then I will let you know as soon as I get my head around to planning. You can come and visit anyway you know. Goodness knows I need friends, if you will consider me so."
"Of course." Hermione smiled. "I need friends too. As much as I love Ron and Harry, I can't say some space away hasn't been nice." Both women chuckled.
"Then you are welcome any time, Miss Granger. I would be honoured to host you."
An owl swooped in through the open front doors and landed on the post where a gargoyle once sat. It screeched in their direction. Andy let go of Hermione and approached the owl. "Good afternoon to you as well. Who are you looking for?" she reached for the letter, but before she could untie it, the owl snapped at her fingers. "Not me, it seems." she chuckled. She turned her head to one side, squinting to read the writing visible on the curve of the scroll. "It's for you." Hermione approached the owl, stroking it's head slowly as it stuck out its leg in her direction. She had just finished untying it when a second owl descended and landed next to the first. "Ah, you're for me then." stated Andy, taking her own letter.
Together they read in silence. Hermione, always a fast reader, turned to wait for Andy to reach the end of hers. "From Kingsley too?" Andy nodded. "If it's too much today, you should tell him you won't go."
"I appreciate that Hermione, but I think I could do with the distraction. I will go home and see Teddy now though for a few hours. I need to hold him." Hermione nodded. "And then I will see you back here this evening."
"Until then." said Hermione, giving her a small hug. She smiled as she watched Andy turn and walk back out towards the doors. "Oh, Andromeda. The wards are down still, you can apparate from here." The older woman smiled with thanks, and turned on the spot. Hermione looked back down at her letter, a small frown on her face. She let her feet walk her back into the hall and to the table where her friends sat, still laughing and joking together.
"What is it?" asked Neville, his face suddenly serious. Hermione looked up at him, frustrated to be the one to remove the smile from her friends face.
"I think Kingsley plans on holding criminal trials here."
"At Hogwarts?" Oliver asked. "Surely not. What about the Wizengamot?"
"Too many death eaters sat within them I suppose." Neville theorised, and Hermione nodded. "What does he propose?"
"He's chosen a new council of Ministry officials and those from the wizarding community he feels will be able to 'act without judgemental or incoherent thought', and they will be the new Wizengamot until the war trials are finalised. It appears he thinks I fall into that category."
"Do you not think you do?" asked Luna, watching Hermione curiously. She couldn't help her eyes that shifted to the corner where Bellatrix now stood, speaking closely with Professor McGonagall. For a second, their eyes met, and Hermione was surprised when it was Bellatrix who let her eyes fall to the ground. "Hermione, no one is impervious to the impact of the war. We all carry scars." Hermione's eyes snapped to Luna, who held her gaze easily. Hermione felt uneasy knowing the girl had been there with them in that manor, and known the horror she had faced at the end of the curved wand. "Yet I can think of no one who is more selfless and empathetic than you."
"I don't know if that's true anymore." she said, sitting back at the table. "I'm angry, Luna."
"We all are." said Neville, the others nodding in agreement, "but Luna's right. You have an ability to look beyond all that, use logic and reason to see the truth. It's something I've always been rather admired in you actually." Hermione looked at him curiously. Neville who was so brave, who had absolute belief in her. "If I were on trial, I would want to know there was someone there who could see through it all to what really matters."
"Is that what you want? This is death eaters we are talking about Neville."
"Yes, but like us Hermione, some of them were there by circumstance. Some of them acting out of fear and need to survive." His eyes drifted over to the corner, and following his gaze, Hermione realised he was looking at Draco. She felt a lump form in her throat. "Not all those in the dark are bad. They deserve someone who will be able to look beyond prejudice of a name and tattoo"
"Exactly." agreed Luna. Oliver, not looking entirely convinced, only nodded, choosing to keep his feelings to himself.
"Well, I'm glad for the support." smiled Hermione. She folded the letter and pushed it into her back pocket. "Where did we get to then? I hope we're thrashing them Luna." They all smiled.