Chapter 37: The Last Thursday

Hermione Granger was getting ready for bed. She was exhausted. The week was more hectic than usual, and now everything was in place. Starting next week she'd officially be spending more time off Hogwarts grounds than at the school.

Everyone was already asleep to mark her very last Thursday at the castle with her.

So, instead, as was her custom, she recalled interesting things of the day. And there was one particularly interesting discovery that day.

"..and thus the castle was safe once more. The enormous dome over it rippled with unspent energy; and slowly turned translucent; and then disappeared completely; and only whiff of lightning and thunder lingered in its place as a reminder of..."

Hermione ran into the description as she leafed through a random history book while she waited for her time slot in the Restricted section to come up.

The dome description sounded a lot like the barrier the Professors raised during the battle of Hogwarts...Too many things were burning and being destroyed to pay attention to any particular smell when the Death Eaters broke through it though.

Many spells left a whiff of lighting, and fire, in the air. None of the spells Hermione knew impacted large territories for extended period of time... not unless something was literally set on fire... not until she read this description...

The smell of lightning was all over the Grotto island for more then a month now. Lightning and fire...

Hermione abandoned her Restricted section slot. Instead, she found Professor Flitwick. He obviously knew the spell from the battle, and came up with several ideas about the spell from the book. Hogwarts didn't teach such spells. They required mastery of Charms well beyond NEWT level, strength beyond what one person could generate, and were hardly useful in the time of peace and order. Certain Apprenticeships explored these types of protective barriers. The student was required to have a goal or occupation in mind before investing the time and effort.

Bellatrix was masterful and powerful, but she was just one witch without a wand... Besides, the witch was the force of destruction. Why would she learn or attempt to cast something like that... if that's what she was doing.

'..curiously, the wizards and witches of old relied much more than us on fire as a base for for protection spells...'

Hermione forced her face to stay impassive, but clearly failed. Professor Flitwick took her expression as disbelief and hurried to assure her.

'Yes, Miss Granger, contrary to modern usage, fire was a very effective base for defensive wards of old. Lethal, difficult to master, retaliatory, but very effective. Those old enchantments leave the smell of fire in its stead...'

Hermione settled under the covers.

The lead was promising, and the only one she had at this point. She was still going to see Harry at the Ministry. But she was going to give Bellatrix one more chance to explain, before doing anything. If the smells were due to dissipated or failed protection spells... What was the big deal?.. Hermione already promised not to tell about Bellatrix's wandless abilities to anyone.

Quiet steps and the rustle of bedding signaled the younger Greengrass' relocation to her older sister's bed. The two had very different schedules, and often caught up before bed.

Unfortunately, after the recent altercation between Slytherin and Gryffindor wizards at the dorms, the privacy charms were forbidden in all dorms. The two involved Gryffindors were suspended till next school year. That however was a weak consolation for all the students left behind in the crowded dorms. And without the wards, the dorms surely started to feel much louder and more crowded, especially after hours.

'Must you spend all weekend every weekend away?' came the petulant whisper. 'I hate Longbottom!'

Hermione rolled her eyes. Astoria was a very annoying teen witch, whiny and childish, and very spoilt; the only sweet thing about her was that she clearly adored her older sister. And Daphne, though just a couple years older, was protective and bossy with her.

Hermione found the interactions between the two fascinating. Greengrass sisters were the closest she could get to proper pureblood witches. It was silly, but she wondered if a better understanding of their ways towards each other, and of Daphne's interactions with Neville, would give her some hints for dealing with Black sisters in general, and with one Black witch in particular. Sometimes it felt like she spoke a different language.

'Professor Longbottom?' there was an unmistakable hint of amusement in the murmured response.

'You know which one!'

A shushing sound and a soft sigh.

'You needn't worry, little bird. Neither of us knows how to be around one another, yet. He was quite unremarkable at school. And a Gryffindor... There was no need to interact. It'll be fine. '

Astoria wasn't convinced, and her whisper turned faster and more forceful.

'Every time you return, you return sad. You always argue. I hate him!'

'Not sad, Tori, I promise. We are getting to know each other. That's all. Everything is fine. That's why spending time together is important.'

The teen snorted.

'Talking, Tori, talking. And alright, not too much time. Living together right away was too much. But the magic matched us, so everything will be fine. In time.'

Hermione was developing a true dislike for the f-word.

The conversation was turning very private. Announcing that she was awake was a bit awkward at this point. So Hermione tossed and turned loudly on purpose to get into comfortable position, and to hopefully hint that not everyone was fast asleep.

The two witches fell silent, but not for long.

'How about we spend the next weekend together. I'll talk to Neville tomorrow.'

'Why not this weekend?' came whispered retort.

Merlin, the girl was annoying!

'It is only proper to let Neville adjust his plans accordingly. It will be fine.'

A loud huff and a shushing noise.

Hermione started to fall asleep happy the sisters were done chatting for the night.

'I told father you could have Draco.'

Honestly! What happened to finding private places for private conversations?.. They just had to talk about curious things when Hermione wasn't asleep.

'Tori, I didn't want Draco… and he wasn't interested either. He married in May.'

The Marriage Law was announced in the beginning of July...

'There was... a rumor. Draco didn't wait, didn't ask for permissions. Given the soured relations between Parkinson and Malfoy families, and Malfoys contract with ours, he wouldn't have been given the permission anyway. We all thought he finally went mad, but we witnessed for them. Malfoys' lawyer is very good. The union was accepted as legal eventually.'

'You knew what he planned! I don't understand you. He is handsome, and smart, and rich-'

'And a Death Eater, and is on the run… and changed in a way we could never understand.' Daphne's voice dropped to barely above breathing. 'He hosted You-Know-Who. He took his mark. Who knows what that does to one's magic, to one's mind and health, to one's ability to have children…'

Hermione didn't consider these points until then.

Bellatrix was in Voldemort's presence probably more than most. She had the mark for ages. Her magic appeared to be more than adequate. Her mind and health... those were different stories all together... Was she telling the truth about the children then... Hermione was doomed if that was true. Occasionally, she allowed herself to contemplate life after the marriage interview. She didn't see herself pregnant three times in a row and staying home. It wasn't that she saw Bellatrix in that role... She just didn't see herself like that...

This was one time Hermione hoped Bellatrix lied.

'The Longbottoms are insane.'

Hermione very seriously thought of hexing the girl.

'This is a very mean thing to say, Tori. You know a Black made them so. Draco is half Black, if you've forgotten.'

The girl had a decency to mumble a sorry.

'Draco… he would have been a nightmare to any witch he didn't decide on all by himself. I am relieved he married Pansy. No Greengrass-Malfoy union ended well.'

'Ours would have!' The teen's voice rose. 'I wanted to be Mrs. Malfoy.'

Ginny made a noise of protest. So did Lavender behind the only closed bed curtains in the room.

'Spend the time looking at the available wizards, Tori. The younger Fawley is in your year isn't he?'

'A Hufflepuff?!'

'Both of the Rosiers at Durmstrang are around your age and quite bright…'

'They are quite ugly!'

'You could consider half-bloods or-'

'Daph!'

A quiet exhale of breath.

'Don't give me that look. Longbottom is a pureblood and Sacred 28.'

'Oh my,' a hint of amusement was back in the whisper. 'darling sister, do you fancy my husband? Do you wish I'd share?'

Share?! Was that really a thing?!

'Gross and gross!'

'You must start thinking about who you wish to see next to you for at least seven years. Else father will do so for you.'

'Do you plan to see Longbottom next to you for just the seven years?'

There was a very long pause

'Hopefully longer.' came the quiet murmur, and then in a different, more humorous tone, 'You do fancy him, don't you?'

'Gross, Daph! So very very gross!'

..Black curls whispered over her overheated skin. Painted nails left raised red marks all over her ribs and stomach. The kisses moved down her body. Way way down. She rather liked the witch this way, on her knees, between her legs. Anytime now this would stop in some dramatic fashion. Hermione just knew. This was the farthest they had gotten over the last several nights.

'So, pet, what should this one say?'

The touch of her inner thigh turned uncomfortably cold… and sharp?..

Bellatrix looked up, eyebrows raised, eyes shining with malicious cheer.

Hermione pushed the witch.

Bellatrix stayed put, solid and unmoving. Hermione didn't remember the witch being this strong even at the Malfoy Manor.

The cold uncomfortableness on her inner thigh changed to burning pain.

The dark eyes got a mad glint to them.

The grin widened.

The grip tightened.

The nails dug in, breaking skin...

Hermione woke up with a yelp.

The dorm room was dark and quiet.

She rubbed her face. This was ridiculous! The fifth not-exactly-a-nightmare in as many nights. True nightmares left her screaming, disoriented, with remnants of ghost pain. These… These were annoying distractions from a good night's sleep. These frustrated her, soured her mood, and left her mulling obsessively over their true cause.

Strangled while kissing… Drowned while making out… Stabbed... Hermione was almost accepting of being stabbed… if only the blasted witch finished what she had started, before attempting to kill her. Instead Hermione startled awake agitated, irritated, and to Ginny's amused face peering at her from the nearby bed.

On the bright side, the dream Bellatrix moved on from attempted murder to attempted maiming in less then a week. Another week or two and the hostilities could reduce to a verbal sparring perhaps.

Why on Earth did she say what she did to Bellatrix the other night?!

Pick something you can live with… pick anything...

What about something Hermione was able to live with?!

Bellatrix was right.

Things were working fine. What possessed her?!

The one-sidedness of their encounters made Hermione forget who she was dealing with.

Lestrange must have played some mind trick on her, manipulated her, put ideas in her mind. This had to be the reason why the witch kept staring at her during sex. It must be impossible to Imperio someone without a wand, even for Bellatrix. She must have waited until Hermione's will cracked to plant a suggestion. This must have been her plan all along.

'Granger, are you alright?'

Hermione was pulled from her thought spiral into the real world.

Daphne sat cross legged on the nearby bed squinting at her, Astoria was propped up on one elbow on the same bed, studying her as well.

'I'm f- alright. I'm alright.'

'You were whimpering and pulling at your hair just now.' Astoria observed unhelpfully before being shushed by Daphne.

'Well...' Hermione glanced at the underwater window. It was still inky black. 'Today was my last Thursday at Hogwarts.'

Out loud It sounded silly.

The curtains on Lavender bed slid fully open.

Ginny sat up, yawned and rubbed the sleep out of her eyes.

'Let's send you off properly, then'

Looked like without privacy wards her waking yelp woke everyone up.

But it also looked like she was going to properly mark the occasion after all.

Halfway across the Wizarding Britain, Bellatrix Lestrange's Thursday was not that much different from that of her arranged spouse. The busy day, the annoying younger sibling, and a not-exactly-a-nightmare included.

Bellatrix poured the healing potion over her singed midsection, then drank another one for good measure. The dress was ruined. Between the failed resizing and cleaning spells, and this, she was running out of proper clothing. Narcissa would be thrilled with the amount of shopping she'd have to ask her to do...

Bellatrix stretched out on the dusty floor of a small windowless room, closed her eyes, and waited for the potions to fix the painful wound from her latest curse-breaking attempt.

The girl wrote something about spending more time at the house. Whatever that meant... This could be Bellatrix's last solo Thursday for a while… And possibly the last curse-breaking attempt for a while too...

To her left, the undamaged barrier shimmered mockingly over the opening to a staircase. In front of her, another undamaged barrier glowed protectively over the massive metal door.

She closed her eyes thinking of the first time she saw this room.

.. 'Where's my birthday warrior?'

Bellatrix stuck her tongue at frowning Andromeda, ignored her mother's reprimands about manners and poise, and about waking sleeping Cissy, and sprinted from the sitting room towards the entrance parlor.

'Make sure to take your wand,' her father grinned.

She groaned dramatically at the teasing instruction.

Bellatrix earned a trip to Ollivander's one birthday ago, years ahead of her peers. There wasn't yet a day she went without her wand, and her father knew it perfectly well!

..They appeared in a circle of colorful stones. Their summer property. It was shuttered for the winter season, and looked gray and sleepy.

As they walked through the frozen orchard, she cast a warming charm, first on herself, then on her father.

'Very nice.'

The upturn of his lips was immediately mirrored by her own.

..They reached the house, went downstairs, and used a hidden passage, to enter a small dusty space behind the potion room.

'That is a truly impressive closet, father. Are you entrusting me with the secret of a dusty closet on our birthday?'

'Cheeky child.' He nodded at the outlines of the torches and she carefully spelled them to light, one by one, just in case. 'It's been a year since you got your wand. I have yet to regret that decision.'

Bellatrix preened at the praise.

'Your occlumency impressed your grandfather.'

Bellatrix bit her lip not to beam. Blacks didn't beam. But it was not an easy feat to please her Black grandfather… or her father, for that matter. Andy, for instance, failed at both consistently.

'You are old enough to be trusted with family secrets.'

'In the closet?'

He grinned down at her with the expression she knew well. Some cool trick was about to happen.

She watched curiously as the walls morphed and changed. One wall opened into a warded passage. Another wall morphed almost fully into a massive warded door.

'The Inquisition Room...'

Sooner or later the girl would turn her to the Ministry; most likely when Bellatrix least expected it. That was the fate worse than death or torture. That was the only possible revenge option if the girl didn't have a stomach for personal approach...

Bellatrix resolved to die before allowing herself to be locked up again. Though if she had another option she would not complain.

Her midsection was almost healed. It was time to clean up. Narcissa was due in several hours.

Narcissa was on time, and she appeared alright. Ever since she revealed her memory loss, Bellatrix worried. She found herself in an odd position of advocating for outside involvement.

Narcissa was adamant against asking aurors, or healers, to check her house, or her head. She was certain she went to see Lucius and Draco, and was Obliviated to keep the secrecy. She was certain involving either aurors or healers would risk her family safety and only confirm what she already knew, that she was fine.

Bellatrix didn't like it at all but didn't have a proof or reason for a different explanation.

Before Bellatrix could bring up her shopping request, Narcissa grabbed her wrist.

'This is beautiful! Mother's? How did you get it?'

In all the commotion of curse-breaking and clean up Bellatrix forgot to take off the ring. She sighed internally.

'My wife gave it to me.'

The look in blue eyes said enough of what Narcissa thought of that information. Bellatrix removed the ring and set it on the table between them for Narcissa to pick up.

To the Muggle's Witch's Witch, the tiny script ran the length of one the intertwined vines making up the inner surface of the ring.

'She did give it to you...' Narcissa breathed out. Bellatrix hummed.

'The vine is..'

'Her wand wood'

'The dragon stone?..'

'Her wand core.'

'And a play on our House name, isn't it? And purple was your favorite color. It still is, isn't it?'

Narcissa studied the ring, cast detection spells.

'Protective charms.'

Bellatrix hummed in confirmation.

'Sometimes a ring is just a ring, Cissy. The girl designed it to irritate me. I however decided to like it, and will wear it permanently.'

'Naturally… How did you make Miss Granger give it to you?'

'I asked.'

'What are you up to Bella?'

'Not a thing.'

'You ask Miss Granger and she-'

'Ahhh, no more jewelry talk!' Narcissa rubbed her temples as she looked at her sibling suspiciously. 'I have something important to discuss.'

The older witch pulled out the shopping list, and left Narcissa to it.

'Hmmm'

Bellatrix twisted her locks around her finger as she shot a quick look at Narcissa. She just knew which item on the shopping list got the hum.

'Is it too much to hope for no comments, Cissy?'

Blue eyes shone with amusement. Yes, it was too much to hope for. It wasn't often Narcissa saw her older sister flustered.

'Why don't you ask your wife for these items?'

Bellatrix took a healthy sip of wine and looked away to indicate just how little Narcissa's teasing meant.

'Ah, you want to surprise her.'

That healthy sip left Bellatrix's mouth in a hurry. Some of the wine passed through the tiny fire sphere Bellatrix was rolling over her fingers igniting as it went.

'Bella!'

Well executed Scourgify by Narcissa solved the wine droplets issue, but nothing could be done with the burn holes.

'The dress is ruined!'

'Serves you right. The girl has nothing,' black eyes glared into blue, 'nothing to do with it. I'm dressing like a 10 year old. Did you expect me to be asleep for the next seven years when you got all that? It's humiliating! Why everything must be about sex and the girl and-'

'I was just teasing, Bella, I'll apologize if it bothers you so.' There was a challenging little smirk on Narcissa's lips, and Bellatrix glared in turn. 'Are you going to give me any details or should I improvise?'

'You know what I like.'

'Are you sure Miss Granger has the same taste as… ah well…'

Bellatrix started to wonder if she should have asked the girl. That would have been a mortifying, but extremely short, conversation. Unlike what this one was turning into.

'Narcissa, never did I care about Rodolphus preferences-'

'I know.'

'You do?..'

'I know it wasn't Rodolphus.'

'Oh, for Salazar sake! For My Lord you think?!'

Narcissa raised her perfect eyebrow.

'Very well. You got me. There was this one thing I put on just for My Lord...' as Bellatrix spoke her voice lowered and Narcissa's eyes widened in alarm. ' on many many nights...' Blue eyes went even wider. It was one thing to tease Bella, it was another thing to get a picture of that monster with her sister.

'I'd rather not know!'

'But I think you should, Cissy.' Bellatrix was definitely getting better. Narcissa hadn't seen her this animated in a long while. 'Yes, it's best I tell you.'

'Let's not!'

'Let's too! I'm so eager to share... or would you rather see?..' Dark brows rose up innocently, and black eyes peered into blue.

'Bella...' a hissed warning.

'He loved to see me in this thing… black, of course... stitched mouth… tiny holes for eyes… made to fit just right…'

'Oh Salazar…'

'A Death Eater mask, Cissa! Really!'

'You are evil!'

Bellatrix breath went out in short puffs of amusement. Not a laugh but not a cackle either.

Narcissa stayed for dinner.

..A slender hand rested listlessly over the larger, though still youthfully bony, one. Each new incantation manifested in a silver bind appearing over the two wrists. Each new bind made the owner of the smaller hand go paler, and blink away the mist clouding her eyes faster. Each new bind made the owner of the larger hand grin wider.

The witch wanted to wipe that grin off the wizard face, in the most violent manner possible. Only with each new bind, each new shackle, the desire diminished, became secondary, confusing, eventually, barely remembered.

Her father knew her too well and not well enough at the same time. He was the one who added the old-fashioned binds to the ceremony, at the very last moment. Only, she'd expected that. She knew him well too, after all. She counted the binds existence into her preparations.

'Bellatrix, enough with the spectacle.' Her mother's voice hissed from somewhere close, as she was pulled into an alcove, away from curious eyes. 'Weeping at your own wedding. Have I taught you no manners? You are a Black!'

'Not anymore.'

'Stop this cheek this instant! You are not going to embarrass us as your sister-'

'I am not my sister! Andromeda's actions are not my own! I haven't shamed the family, mother. The only one who did is father. The honorless spineless coward.'

Her cheek stung, a welcome distraction before she started to truly feel sorry for herself and cry in earnest.

'Get a hold of yourself!'

'I don't know what you assume of me mother, what father told you… But trust me, while you all will be parting down here, Rodolphus would be raping me for the first time. My first time. You two should be so proud!'

Bellatrix grinned mirthlessly. She enjoyed how the word slapped at her mother's sensibilities . Of course, that won't be rape, that would be the consummation of marriage, and her marital duty.

Druella had no idea about the actual situation. Her mother's eyes told her as much. She assumed Andromeda-like commotion, a sexual indiscretion with some filth, and chose not to push. She rarely did where Bellatrix was concerned. And her father surely convinced himself that his duplicity was protecting his wife's sensibilities.

Cowards, selfish cowards, the two of them!

'Bella…'

'Save it, mother. I'm not of your family anymore. Not your responsibility and not your embarrassment. From now on I am my own headache.'

'You are-'

'Don't you dare to say married!' her voice broke, and she hated herself for it. Weakness was the last thing she could allow right now.

She could feel the bonds. Chipping away at her hate, at her resentment, at her very will. Working to make Rodolphus the center of her universe, who could do no ill, whose every wish should be obeyed.

'Dear! Here you are! Should we retire?'

A hand rested at her lower back. Bellatrix shot her mother a flat look and a polite smile.

'As you wish, dear.'

Her fury, fear and hate flared as he guided her out of the common areas and up the stairs.

The bonds stood no chance of completing their pacifying stupefying task in time. Her hate was too strong to be wiped away…

Halfway up the first flight of stairs Bellatrix paused to look back at the guests milling below. It was a nice reception. The elves described the colors for her. Gold and shades of white. Not something she'd have ever chosen herself, but then even her husband wasn't her own choice.

Her parents were in heated discussion. Looked like her father's night turned to worse too. Good!

The doors to their rooms closed.

Rodolphus turned and smiled.

Bellatrix swallowed the panic-inducing mix of emotions, and gave them both the last chance at an out.

'I'm already yours, you don't have to do this…'

Black eyes shot open taking in the surroundings.

The candles and the fireplace came to life.

The witch sat up.

'What a charming trip down the memory lane…'

A pitcher with water flew from the coffee table and into her hands. She didn't bother with a glass.

'You must be so proud, mother, a mudblood shagging your eldest… And you, father?.. Are you thrilled with your precious heir yet?..'

The quiet murmurs turned into the shrill cackles which then changed into murmurs once again.

'Something is still wrong with my head… I don't dream. I should never dream. And certainly I don't dream in memories.'

She summoned the wine bottle, but it was empty.

So she called an elf.

Soon enough a tray with wine and fruits sat on the bed near the witch.

A deep sigh.

'Might as well.'

The book flew from her bedside to settle in front of her crossed legs.

'Something with less clothing… they all have less clothing… and some should really have more of it…'

Something that wouldn't send the girl running...then again...

'Something I could live with… Couldn't she just say what the bloody hell she wishes and be done?!'

And something that wouldn't spoil what's already set in motion...

Dark brows knitted. The long nail tapped and paused occasionally the turning pages. The disheveled head cocked to one side and after a long pause cocked to the other side, as if trying to see the images from different perspectives.

The wine was almost finished. The fruit bowl had only sad singular pieces of fruits left at the very bottom.

'It works fine! Why the bloody hell she wants to change it up!'

The book was thrown to the farthest corner of the room.

In the early hours of the morning Bellatrix woke up to an elf setting a parcel and a letter on her nightstand.

"The dresses and robes will be ready over the next few weeks.
P.S.: Thought you should have something grown-up for your weekend with Miss Granger."

Bellatrix looked in horror at the bright pink of the otherwise decent set of underthings in the box. The teasing about the girl pushed to the back of her mind. Just when she resolved to burn the ugly things, they started to change color. To solid black. The note got an extra line at the bottom too.

"P.P.S.: Do tell if you'd rather keep the original."

'She calls me evil.'

End of Chapter 37