Chapter Six: Tears and Trials

Negotiations and decisions had been going back and forth for hours now. Andy, no longer anxious and looking closer to boredom than anything else, had been picking the nail varnish off her nails. Hermione watched, mind blank, the slow process, zeroing on small flecks Andy had missed, willing her to go back to them.

"Surely not!" Professor McGonagall's voice broke both women sharply out of their haze. Hermione looked to her, and suddenly became aware of many eyes on her. "That's preposterous"

"It's only fair, Minerva, and we need to lead by example. Trust us, nothing more will come of it but their war crimes must be addressed."

It took Hermione a few seconds longer to realise what they were referring to. "You're putting us on trial?"

"Miss Granger, it must be done. We need to win back public trust, and show that we will be addressing all misdemeanours on the same playing field."

"Ridiculous." said a small man to Hermione's right who she did not know. She vaguely remembered him being amongst the aurors when he first arrived at Hogwarts that day. "What message, exactly, are we sending home if the first on trial are the three teenagers that put an end to this madness."

"It will be an opportunity to highlight their contributions to the war efforts and subsequent demise of Voldemort."

"Even so, I don't like the idea of dragging them up before a panel to relive the-"

"We didn't end the war."

"I'm sorry?" Kingsley turned to look towards Hermione as if he could not quite be sure it was her who had spoken.

"We didn't end the war. Bellatrix Lestrange did."

"That remains to be reviewed" said Mafalda, looking pointedly at Kingsley. "Ms Black's involvement in the war will be scrutinised."

"Black?"

"Yes." said Andy, making almost everyone jump, she had been so quiet through this ordeal. "Bellatrix Black."

"Never the less, Miss Granger, the actions of yourself, Mr Potter and Mr Weasley made it possible for Ms Black to end the war." Kingsley said. When Hermione said nothing, he continued. "Hermione, people want answers, they want to understand and have reason. They want to know they truly are safe. We need to do this quickly. If we can put you up there, broadcast your story-" Hermione let out an indignant breath, but Kingsley continued, "then we can achieve this. You will be forgiven for your crimes against the state-"

"Forgiven!" exclaimed McGonagall, but was quietened by a look from Kingsley.

"Publicly excused, and we can moved on to the trials that matter. Yes?"

Hermione looked from him to McGonagall, whom, Hermione thought, if got any angrier, steam might escape her ears. Her eyes settled on Andy. Andy who lost her daughter and son-in-law, became a full time parent again, gained and almost lost both sisters again, all in the space of a day. Kingsley was right, this wasn't about her, on Ron, or even Harry. She nodded, but added, "If you will, this has been a long day. I am exhausted and finding this all a bit, overwhelming."

"Of course, I think we could all do with a break. Mafalda, if you could wait for another five minutes. Everyone else, expect an owl sooner rather than later."

No one else said anything as they rose and left the room. Hermione was aware of McGonagall wrapping an arm around a tired looking Andy. She did not feel obligated to stay longer. She wanted some privacy, somewhere she could cry in peace. She wasn't sure where she could go in the castle. Many of the rooms were destroyed, or bodies still being uncovered and extracted. Walls were crumbling, furniture in disarray. She turned up the corridor, away from the stairs leading back to the Great Hall, and instead took an almost familiar route towards the Head mistresses office. Rounding a corner, she was surprised to find the corridor almost untouched. That, or McGonagall worked fast, which wouldn't usually surprise her apart from the fact that the woman was so selfless she couldn't imagine this would be the first place she would focus repair works on. She tried the first door, the handle moved but the door apparently locked. Walking to the next room, the door was blissfully open, however the space where a window once was had fallen away. Great pieces of the ancient castle wall now lay crumbling on the floor. The chill from the cool evening air wrapped around her body. She walked cautiously into the room, closing the door behind her. Using her wand, she cast the few remaining lamps to light, giving the room an ominous glow which once upon a time, she found comforting. The weight of emotion she had been holding at the precipice crashed over her, and Hermione let out a choked sob into the night air.

She cried for castle with its damaged walls and memories lost. She cried for the lives taken in the battle, the parents without children, the children now orphaned, the families picking up pieces. She cried for jobs lost and fear spread, muggles who's lives were turned upside down. Homes that were destroyed, and good people who were tortured. She cried for Fred, and Dobby, and Lavender. She cried for the dragon escaped from Gringotts, for baby Teddy, for Andy. She cried for those innocent accused and those who had escaped, for Sirius, Dumbledore, the Potters, Cedric. Their faces flashing before her, too fast for her brain to settle on any one, too panicked, too sad. Mostly, Hermione cried for herself. Her parents, her education, her home. She felt displaced and suddenly useless, and so, so tired. She was frightened, she realised, after everything, and this made everything else worse. Hermione knew she was getting herself worked up, kneeling on a dusty, littered floor, sobbing into her arms. She knew her magic was sparking around her, knew she needed to stop, pull herself together. It was all too much. Too much. She was panicking, and distantly could hear the change in her sobs, but she was far too gone, too deep in the hole of pity she had dug for herself.

She was minutely aware of someone coming into the room, she could feel their presence behind her, lingering. She didn't care to look up, didn't care if they laughed, or scoffed. She didn't care if they harmed her.

Hands on her shoulders, in her hair, gentle. Arms wrapping around her, pulling her up. A chair, from the dust, comfortable but firm, something to hold. Gentle rhythm on her back, encouraging whispers to breathe. Soft clothes against her hand. A murmured spell, and then darkness.

"Bellatrix" Narcissa's voice called softly but urgently. The woman hesitated outside the door. All seemed quiet. "Please Bella, she's unconscious."

"Perfect, just the scene I am hoping they will find us in." She whispered back to her sister, peering around the door. "What did you do."

"Nothing, she has fainted. I tried to calm her but her magic is intense. I would prefer to get her comfortable and leave as quickly as possible."

Seeing that the girl really did seem to be out, Bellatrix hastened to come into the room where her sister held her gingerly in her arms. "Do you have your wand?" Narcissa enquired. Bella nodded, coming forwards. She looked over Hermione Granger as she slept. Even in sleep the girl did not look at peace, her face puffy and red from her sobs. Bellatrix shuddered.

"What should I do?"

"Transfigure that bench to a bed and help me move her. Quickly now." Bella did as she was told, cautiously holding the girl and helping Narcissa to move her to the small cot she had created. Backing out the room quickly, both witches returned to their room and locked the door. Neither spoke for a moment, listened for a noise, anything, to indicate if Hermione had woken.

"The poor child. Makes me wonder how Draco is really coping."

"Much the same, I imagine. That was not a spectacle intended to be heard." Bellatrix closed her eyes, Hermione's desperate sobbing echoing in her ears.

"No." agreed Narcissa. "I couldn't leave her to panic alone. She was going to set herself aflame."

"I know." They drifted back to silence which had punctuated their day. It felt strange to be so calm when just next door a storm had brewed. When the door handle had wrattled, they thought it had been McGonagall back at last. However when the cries of a woman had echoed in through their open window, and the wall, they quickly understood what was going on.

"That was the Granger girl." Cissy confirmed. Bellatrix nodded, eyes still closed tightly. "I didn't realise how young she looked, before-" Narcissa cut herself off. Another long pause. "Silly I suppose, she is the same year as Draco."

"You do not need to fill the silences Cissy."

"I need to say something Bellatrix. That young woman is feeling like she fought the world. You heard her thoughts as much as I did. How can one person sit all that in their brain and still function."

Bella continued to say nothing. She recognised that panic all too well. It had been her friend for many years now, but her tears never came, no matter how much she willed them to fall.

"We should have fixed the hole in the wall. The air is cold, she will get sick."

"We cannot go back in there now. I am sure both of us, especially I, are at the bottom of the list for those she would like to get comfort from."

"Even so."

"No Cissy."

Narcissa sighed. She picked up the teacup she had left abandoned after Miss Granger had attempted to enter their room, sipping delicately. She sniffed, and looked at the door suddenly. "Minerva is returning, and she has someone with her." Bella looked to the door. She pushed out from her brain, searching. Quickly she found Minerva, and the sleeping girl next door. There was another presence, warm and severe, but she could not get past their barriers. She only hoped that McGonagall knew what she was doing. Soon enough, a soft wrap of knuckles on the wooden door, and Narcissa rose. Minerva entered when told, and close behind, a face Bellatrix had seen only from afar for many years.

"Andromeda" she breathed. Blue eyes looked at her, hard and unrelenting. Bella felt tears she had so long prayed for, now sorely unwelcome, prick at her eyes and well in her cheek bones. "Andy".

"Bellatrix." the voice was both familiar and strange. More mature than the last she had heard it. Deeper and wiser. Bella kneeled on the floor, eyes glued to the sister she never thought she would see again. Andy walked in, standing beside McGonagall.

"Please." Bella asked. She wasn't sure what for, whether she was begging her or telling her. Her vision became blurry as she knelt. Andy took a tentative step forwards, and held out a hand. Bella stared for a second, before reaching out. Movement was so fast after this that Bellatrix could not have told you if she had pulled her sister down, or if she had been launched upon, but she held Andy tightly in her arms. She felt Cissa close at their side, her head pulled into her younger sisters abdomen. The room was silent save for laboured breathing. Tears spilled silently over Bella's face. She felt Andromeda shake in her arms, but she did not pull away, not that Bella thought she would be able to let her.

Narcissa looked up at Minerva, face unreadable, and whispered, "Hermione Granger is in the next room. She is asleep and unharmed." McGonagall nodded once, and looked to Andy, who gave a small nod of her own. Minerva took this as her cue and backed out of the room. Narcissa noticed she did not close the door completely. Was that for her sake, or Andy's? She turned her attention back to her sisters on the floor, and noticed blue eyes, like her own, watching her. She tried to smile, but suddenly felt a wave of exhaustion. She was relieved to see her here, unharmed and healthy. She looked so much older, grey streaks in her hair line and small lines over her face. To be expected, she supposed, after 30 years apart. Bellatrix pulled back and looked into her sisters face, searching.

"I don't know what to say." Andy admitted. "I thought we might fight."

"I don't want to fight you."

"Neither do I." There was a pause, then a small smile broke out onto Andy's face, but it was gone before it could settle. "You hurt me. You both did."

"We know." said Narcissa.

"I don't blame you." Andy said, looking to her. "You were a child Narcissa. You couldn't have disbelieved our parents even if you had wanted to."

Cissa said nothing. Andy clung onto Bellatrix, holding her closer, the weight of her words unsaid hanging heavy in the air. "I should have stopped them. I was old enough, I could have looked out for you. I will never forgive myself Andromeda. Even if you never look my way again."

"Stop it." said Andy, pulling away and standing, holding a hand out and helping Bellatrix off the floor. "I thought I wanted to hear this, but I don't. It is no more your fault than mine."

"Andy-"

"Stop it, Bella. I had a good life, a wonderful life. I have travelled, had a child, been in love, built a home. Many are not that fortunate." she looked over her sister, her thin body and wild hair, malnutrition evident in her form. "Prison did you no favours sister."

Bella snorted, stepping back, "I thought you said you didn't want to fight." Andy frowned, and Cissa stepped forward.

"Bella finds it hard to speak of."

"Of course. It's fucking shit!" both women looked shocked at Andy, who seemed to find their expressions funny. "Am I wrong?"

"No." Bellatrix said, smirking. "The mouth on you." Andy chuckled. "Mother would be horrified."

"I hope she is spinning in her grave." Andromeda laughed, the others joining. Together they sat, Narcissa playing mother, pouring cups and adding milk.

"What changed your mind?" Bella asked, not meeting Andromeda's eyes. "You told Miss Granger you were not ready to see us."

"How did you... Ah, I forgot. Of course you heard."

"Sorry Andy, we didn't mean to pry. It's been so long since you have been close-"

"Of course. Well, I wasn't. I have lost my husband, just lost my daughter. I thought I blamed you Bellatrix."

"What changed?"

"McGonagall. She has spoken to me, showed me some. I haven't seen everything. I didn't want to and do not find it necessary." Bellatrix nodded in acknowledgement, encouraging Andy to continue. "I wanted to see your face, if nothing else. See you both, see how I felt. I didn't expect it to feel so, easy."

"McGonagall has a lot to answer for." Cissa smiled, and Andy cocked her head.

"She seems hell bent on me being accepted as soon as possible."

"Is that not the right thing?" Andy asked. Bellatrix turned away. She did not want to have this conversation again, not with Andy, not when she had just gotten her back. "You are nothing like a remember, or thought. So much quieter, no sass. Where have you gone Bellatrix."

"I've given it all." Bella snapped. She knew Andy was teasing, trying to lighten the mood, but it wasn't the right time. Bella wasn't ready. She felt a hand on her arm. She wasn't ready to turn back, instead gliding her other hand over Andy's, and reaching for her tea. She acknowledged Cissa talking to her in a low voice, asking how she was, about her Grandson. Good Lord, Andy had a grandson! When did they all get so old. Tears collected in the corners of her eyes again, and she felt her nose tickle. So much of her life wasted, so many opportunities lost. She was starting to understand Granger's breakdown more and more. As if summoned by her thoughts, McGonagall appeared in the doorway.

"I do not mean to interrupt, just checking if my attention is still needed here?"

"No, thank you Minnie." Andy smiled, "I will show myself out."

"Will we be in here tonight?"

"I am afraid so. I will send the elves to come and make beds and arrange a change of clothes. There are not many rooms suitable to guests, and I cannot imagine you will want to remain in the Great Hall again tonight."

"What about Draco?" Narcissa asked, sitting up taller.

"He is still in there. It seems some of the other remaining students have taken kind to him."

"Who?" Andy asked, shock evident in her tone.

"Neville Longbottom."

"What?" said Bella, shocked. "Surely not."

"It seems he has found sympathy for Draco's plight, and, aurors willing, had invited Draco to take Miss Granger's place in their games."

"Hermione! Where is she?" asked Andy, suddenly remembering Narcissa's words.

"She is fine, awake now and, processing."

"Does she need me?" Andy asked, concern colouring her face. "I can go to her."

"I have her. Thank you Andy. I will be around, the elves can fetch me if you need me, any of you." All three sisters nodded, and watched as the door was closed behind Minerva as she left.

"Miss Granger was crying and panicking. We helped to calm her." Narcissa said quietly, answering Andy's unspoken questions.

"That poor girl. Thank goodness you were close. Although I am not sure it would have helped seeing you." she eyed Bellatrix.

"I don't think she even knew we were there. I couldn't understand what had happened. I would have gone back to check on her if you hadn't come when you did." Narcissa explained. Andy didn't respond, seemingly lost in thought about Granger. The sisters watch her. Bellatrix was desperate to dip into her mind, find out what she was thinking, but didn't dare. She was fighting her instincts installed in servitude to Voldemort. It was not who she was. It was not. Eventually Andy looked up.

"I should go." she said, "Teddy will need me home. I think I need some time." Cissa nodded and squeezed Andy's hand. "Thank you."

"We should thank you, we didn't think you would give us the time of day." Bella said. Andy only looked at them both. She stood, brushing her clothes down, and running a hand through her wayward curls. Bellatrix was happy to see that she didn't still straightened them like she had when they were teenagers. She had always been jealous of Andy's hair, so sleek where hers had been frizzy and untameable, until her mother had shown her the right products to use. Andy looked into her face again. Bellatrix felt small, like she was under a microscope, unsure what Andy was looking for, yet she seemed to find it. Andy blinked slowly, squeezed her arm one last time, and turned towards the door.

"I will see you again, if I can, before the trials begin."

"We look forward to it. Thank you, Andy". And with that, their sister was gone. They looked at one another. Slowly, Bellatrix rose and resumed her place at the window. Cissa spoke quietly, calling one of the house elves, and requesting beds be made. She felt lighter, but as she looked at Bellatrix silhouetted in the window, she knew things were far from calm.