Chapter 57: The Mixed Feelings, Part 3


Hermione barely slept that night. There were no faceless, and occasionally headless, Death Eaters haunting her dreams, no Bellatrix cutting obscene words into her flesh, no T's, or A's for that matter, on her NEWTs results.

Weasley-Parkinson-Granger-Mal...

The meaning became obvious when Hermione's mind stopped spinning circles around other louder things.

Draco married in May, according to Daphne.

The Ministry had to have planned Marriage Law, and its Matching option, as early as May then... weeks, if that, after Hogwarts battle.

Hermione was traversing Australia, looking to right the choice she shouldn't have had to make. And those useless toads were picking her husband, a Death Eater, no less.

And she thought she couldn't think less of the esteemed leaders of Wizarding Britain.

Hermione had asked Harry directly that night over floo whether Bellatrix was assigned by the Ministry too.

She wasn't sure what she was rather to hear.

Yet, she didn't hear anything.

Harry was literally, and quite expertly, tongue-tied.

Hermione wondered about Ron's take on the cover up. She refused to believe her hot-headed friend would have gone along with it. In some respects Ron's position was more frustrating. He was vacationing at Mediterranean with his matched spouse, missing everything.

By morning, Hermione was ready to start the new ballroom collection then and there. However, the exhaustion, and thoughts of other, more immediate, issues, prevented that for the time being.


Pushing Bellatrix was a failed strategy. Hermione knew that. After all, treating Bellatrix with regard, not confrontations, had made Bellatrix respond decently in the past.

Yet Hermione's frustration was too great to act logically.

And, Bellatrix for whatever reason kept giving Hermione more things to worry, or fume, about.


[Hermione Granger's Diary excerpt]

That's it.

I've finally lost it.

Ordered Bellatrix to tell me everything.

Went as well as one'd have expected.

Now I know. Being the Head of Family doesn't make B. do as I say. No matter how loud I'm in my demands.

Pity!

Narcissa caught the end of that particular interaction too.

"Now, that Bella knows you feel that strongly about it... She'll make you take what you think you are entitled to. To see how far you'll go... I could be wrong, of course."

What am I supposed to do with that...

I hope she is wrong.

I want to make sense of everything that happened.

But, I'm not taking anything.

[cont.]

Honestly, what is wrong with that witch!

Does she WANT to end up in the dungeons?!

'Absolutely not!' (Narcissa sounded extremely annoyed... which attracted my attention immediately. She rarely takes that tone with Bellatrix)

'Cissa! You act as if I asked you to kill the bloody unicorn! Just have them add the blood to the enchantment.'

'I am NOT risking my reputation, or my freedom, Bellatrix, for your pride. I insist you talk to Miss Granger.'

'You are mad!'

To talk to me about what?..

Maybe this is just a ruse? A plot to distract me? Maybe she just wants me to fail my NEWTs?!

Why can't B. be as before?!

As in before Rabastan's unfortunate visit, not BEFORE before!

Of course, before she was plotting all of this!

[cont.]

Australia trip is coming up. I'm looking forward to, and dreading, it in equal parts. What if now that mum and dad had time to reflect, they are more upset with me?..

And what do I tell them about everything?

About Marriage Law?

About my darling wife?!

About my post-graduation plans?..

What ARE my post-graduation plans now?

I'm so tired of of downplaying the dark sides of Wizarding world!

Should I even go?

Everything is such a disaster here.

[cont.]

Bellatrix stares at me.

I stare too.

How could she be my true magical match?

She couldn't, could she?!

Among all the wizards, and witches, Bellatrix Lestrange, my torturer, couldn't possibly have been deemed the best there was for me.

By magic itself!

And if it wasn't magic...

Whose sick imagination was it?!

I must figure a way for Harry to overcome the secrecy charms!

But... what if it was the magic?..

So, I know why I stare.

But why does she?

She is harder to read than ever. Well, when she is not seething with anger, that is. But even that - what is she so angry about?!

Specifically?

She is alive.

And safe.

Her present, and her future outcomes, are much better than she could have hoped for. Given all that she had done.

Unlike my situation!

She occludes often. She rarely bothered to, before. This can't be easy, or safe, so soon after her injuries.

In any case, B. is committed to being as unpleasant as possible. She knows just which buttons to push. I know better but I can't stop from responding in kind.

"If you were a witch, you'd have killed Rabastan!"

"I did kill him!"

(And I am NOT proud of it! I still wonder how much of that decision was my own. Kill or run, she insisted that day. And I killed. )

"Not soon enough!"

"What does it make you then?! If you were a witch, you could have killed him first!"

If looks could kill, I'd be dead.

This cannot go on.

At least I'll be back at Hogwarts soon.


Hermione was intent on giving Bellatrix some food for thought as well. There were plenty of sources, from books to people, to investigate for the what's of things. Hermione decided to focus on that before accosting Bellatrix directly again.


'Mrs Malf- uhm... Narcissa?'

Hermione bit back a grin at Bellatrix's narrowed look. Bellatrix made sure not to leave Narcissa alone with her. At meals, in the library, pretty much everywhere... If Hermione happened to catch Narcissa alone Bellatrix appeared there soon after as well.

So there they were, in the library: Hermione working on her terribly overdue homework, Narcissa reading a book, and Bellatrix observing the rain outside.

Hermione wasn't eager to involve Narcissa in heart-to-hearts either. A theoretically theoretical discussion to gain some new insights, or prompt Bellatrix to reconsider her it's-not-your-business position on the other hand...

'I've been researching wizarding customs,' Hermione tried for a neutral expression as she blinked innocently at Narcissa, 'to understand Bellatrix better.'

Narcissa rubbed her temple.

She had every intention to stay out of it. She had no desire to chose between the loyalty to her sister and growing respect for her sister's young spouse. Yet, much to Narcissa's consternation, she ended up in the troublesome presence of either, or both witches, more often than not.

For such a massive summer residence, the Grotto House was proving to be rather small.

Frustratingly, DMLE insisted on conducting additional sweeps of Malfoy, and Black, properties. Yet, they were not in any hurry to actually get to it. Between the more urgent cases, Head Auror Robards' excuse, and the inspections of soon to-be-auctioned Death Eater estates, Commissioner Tonks' excuse, the required specialists were, supposedly, busy. Two weeks passed and no property release date was in sight.

'I'm sure Bella appreciates your efforts,' the blond witch said diplomatically.

Hermione hummed and nodded.

Bellatrix made a faint, possibly disagreeable, noise.

Narcissa stifled a sigh.

'The Head of Family title, in pureblood families,' Hermione cleared her throat, 'it's more than just an honorific, isn't it?'

Narcissa looked sharply at Bellatrix.

Honestly, Bella! she whispered under her breath.

Bellatrix contemplated the rain outside.

Hermione waited hoping Narcissa would explain.

'Anything beyond honorific is a very outdated custom.' Narcissa finally said. 'Even in my generation the practice was applied only to the particularly traditional unions,' she paused and rubbed her temple again, 'or to the particularly unequal ones... to avoid the embarrassment a less... sophisticated... spouse might bring.'

Hermione wondered why and how her being the Head of Family benefited Bellatrix. Their union was unequal already. The setup, if true, had skewed it even more, and not in Bellatrix's direction.

'You should not let Bella talk you into anything of the sort.' Narcissa continued, her tone cold, disapproving. 'Bella, I swear! Can you just... Can you just… not!'

Hermione blinked curiously. Narcissa clearly misunderstood Hermione's potential role in that equation.

'It is a hypothetical discussion, Cissy.' The dark witch rubbed her thumb over her left forearm. Her tone was bored. 'Isn't it, spawn?'

Hermione hummed in agreement.

'So,' Hermione called Narcissa's reproachful gaze back to herself, 'that... uhm... arrangement is something that is established explicitly, then? Like, in a contract, or... during some ceremony? A person can't just accidentally… uhm-' Hermione searched for correct wording, and finished not really finding it, 'they can't just fall into it?..'

There was a barely audible huff from Bellatrix.

Hypothetical discussion, indeed! Narcissa seriously contemplated relocating to Minister Shacklebolt's' reception, or his guest room, until he made DMLE to release at least one Malfoy, or Black, property back to her.

Sometimes it was hard to tell if the young witch was just that good at sarcasm, or simply ignorant.

'No one accidentally gets tied to the other by such a rite, Miss Granger!' Hermione blushed. Narcissa's incredulous tone reminded sharply just how far removed from the wizarding culture she was in some areas. 'There has to be a rite or a ritual. A demand and a submission. A give and take of magic and blood. An action-'

'She must have caught on by now, Cissy.' Bellatrix said to the rain. 'She is the brightest witch.'

'Your marriage contract held nothing of the sort, Hermione, I assure you.' Narcissa finished coldly.

'Oh… Oh! well no, I didn't mean to-' Hermione tried. She wanted to get a rise out of Bellatrix. Offending Narcissa was not part of the plan.

Bellatrix glanced at Hermione, brow raised, faint smirk on her lips.

'Whatever my short-comings,' Narcissa continued, 'putting binds on another witch without explicit consent is not something I approve of.'

Bellatrix hummed in acknowledgement. This brought Narcissa's frown back to the dark witch for a moment.

Thoroughly reprimanded, Hermione nodded again.

'And it's rarely legal.' Narcissa added, and shot a pointed look at Bellatrix. 'And I have no interest in doing anything even remotely dubious.'

The conversation sidetracked completely after that.

Hermione was leaving for Hogwarts next day.

She hoped Bellatrix would get the hint and would be ready for some proper conversations later in the week.


[Hermione Granger's Diary excerpt]

Saw B. at the apparition circle this morning. Almost had a heart attack when her pale face appeared in the darkness.

Asked if I planned to annul the marriage.

Told her she owes me an explanation, not a divorce.

She called me a Muggle.

Stopped from calling her the same. Just barely.

Why annul and not divorce? Am I seeing more into the wording than it is?

Must she give me more food for questions?!


The next few days at Hogwarts were a mix of good and bad news for Hermione.

Hogwarts' Ministry Liaison position remained Hermione's. Headmistress McGonagall even clarified that she hoped Hermione would stay for the full duration of the project. If everything went to plan, that meant till the start of the next school year.

Teaching at Hogwarts however...

Board of Governors wanted to move away from Professor Dumbledore's reckless practices. They wanted Hogwarts professors to have proper qualifications, be vetted by DMLE, and have at least ten years of verified practical world experience.

McGonagall looked quite vexed explaining that.

The next day, Tuesday, brought, unexpectedly, a scrap of a scroll and an official looking letter.

"Rab was the only one left with access.

Will you drop the wards around the Mailroom now?"

Hermione hoped her mind would trust Bellatrix's words enough to take random-Death-Eater-at-Grotto nightmares off the play list.

The implications of the second sentence were a bonus. The estate magic liked Hermione best... or obeyed her first... which was not the case when Bellatrix awoke in August. Head of Family thing must have done that.

That actually explained a few other things too. Andromeda's privacy wards failure, and Narcissa's, and even Hermione's sudden ability to find elder Black's Master suite.

"Dear Miss Granger,

You are expected at Marriage Initiative Commission (MIC) office on Friday, November 27, 1997, at 4pm.

Please note, the matter for discussion is of private nature. No third parties (including solicitors) will be allowed into the meeting.

Thank you for your understanding.

Respectfully,

MIC Commissioner Millicent Bagnold"

Herbology, Hermione's Tuesday morning class, went rather eventfully thanks to MIC's letter.

Mimbulus Mimbletonia, which Hermione inadvertently disturbed, reacted defensively. The smell and the resulting commotion disturbed a few other, rather defensive, plants... The whole green house had to be aired. Several students had to be rushed to the Hospital Wing, some bitten, some poisoned. Hermione spent hours in the showers getting the stinksap of her hands and hair.

Lengthy shower gave Hermione even more time to fume over the implications of the invite.

After some hesitation, Hermione wrote to Bellatrix about the letter. She refused to be the only one upset. And, this way, Bellatrix had something reasonable to be furious about for a change.


Hermione thoughts whirled as she slowly copied her essay in a slightly larger script. She should not have told Bellatrix about Bagnold's invite.

"Will ask Cissa to brew the lust potion"

That was the dark witch's solution. After the horrid mess the last time turned into. And the unhappy state of things between them at the moment.

Thankfully the response came over lunch. There was hope Hermione's prompt decline and the promise to reopen Mailroom in exchange for Bellatrix's cooperation was in time to prevent any oversharing.

Narcissa didn't need even more insight into their married life.

'Why are you ogling Daphne?'

The whisper startled Hermione into an undignified squeak.

Ginny attempted to climb over the bench, too stubborn to accept the limitations of her growing belly and adjust her movements. She huffed in annoyance at the awkward fit. Finally, she just sat backwards leaning heavily on Hermione's desk.

The desk slid under the suddenly added weight. Hermione's quill caught the lip of the inkwell. The black stain slowly spread over Hermione's latest DADA essay.

'Ginny!'

'Oops... Sorry. Bench duty again, Mione?'

Hermione just rolled her eyes.

'What did you do to be here with me?'

'Nothing, I'm only allowed offensive spells, remember? I'm done with the assignment.'

Ginny looked winded after just a couple of light one-sided duels she was allowed to participate in.

Hermione bit back her initial comment. Ginny wouldn't appreciate another discussion on morality of Marriage Law.

Instead Hermione uttered a Narcissa-worthy non-committal ah and nodded.

She was getting better at those oh's and ah's. In some situation it proved useful; kept those who expected more of a reaction from her off-balance.

'So... What's up?' Ginny asked again.

Hermione cleaned up the mess, pulled a clean scroll from her bag, bit her lip contemplating her words.

'Why would the spell match me with her?!' Hermione exploded in a furious whisper after a long moment. 'If magic had to match me with a witch… why her?!...'

Ginny nodded with a whispered ah of her own.

This was not a new topic. Though it wasn't brought up by Hermione for a few months.

'Because it was a set up… right?' She responded patiently. 'Millie seems alright… so Ron isn't vocal about it anymore, not in front of her. But-'

Hermione wanted to retort that Harry had something interesting to add on the topic. But she didn't want to drag Ginny into her quarrel with the Ministry, and with Harry, too.

'Right,' she sighed instead.

'And, well… You could've ended with Flint… that's much worse given the evidence… Right?..'

Officially, Parvati hadn't been back to St. Mungo's. But as Padma reluctantly put it one day, Parvati was getting very good at healing spells...

'Right' Hermione sighed again.

The two fell silent. Hermione reached for her inkwell carefully to start the second rewrite of her essay.

'So... Do you want to shag Daphne?'

'What?!' yelped Hermione.

She quickly dried and put down her quill.

'You've been eyeing her, and Luna, and Lav, and that six-year Ravenclaw too…'

'Ravenclaw?.. I was not!'

'It's ok she is 17 years old, I asked around.'

'You checked?!'

A speculative look.

'Oh Godric's stinky pants! They are all blondes... You want to shag Narcissa Malfoy?!'

'What?! No!'

But Hermione's quite loud, if whispered, protestations fell on deaf ears.

'Oh wow... Hmm... it's not entirely unheard... to share... for some families...' Hermione's brows flew up. She didn't even know what to say. Ginny continued thoughtfully. 'And with witches there's little concern of mismatched heir-'

'GINNY!'

'Miss Granger! Do focus on your classwork!'

Hermione waited until Augusta Longbottom refocused on someone else.

She glared at Ginny.

'I don't want to shag Mrs. Malfoy! Or share!' She whispered rapidly almost choking on the last word. 'Are you mental?'

'So it is Lestrange who wants you to-'

Hermione clamped her hand over Ginny's mouth.

'No one wants...anyone! No one wants anything! Alright!'

She slowly let Ginny go.

The younger witch was not done however.

'Did you two break up?'

Hermione pursed her lips. As if breaking up was an option. Ginny seemed to get the point and sighed understandingly.

'Does she like witches at all? Or are the rumors about Voldemort and her true? Maybe she isn't into... uhm... regular people at all?'

Regular people?..

Ginny grinned brows raised suggestively.

Hermione's head hit the desk. There was no stopping Ginny.

Since Hermione wasn't talking about her private life, Ginny's imagination ran wild. Her latest strategy to get Hermione to open up was to annoy her by the most outrageous of speculations.

What if that was true though… Who knew what was under those dark flowy outfits… Perhaps that was the reason Bellatrix was so odd about certain things…

Hermione felt a little green at that.

'Oh Merlin…'

'It's ok Hermione…' Ginny patted her back. 'Her loss! it's not so uncommon in arranged marriages to take a lover after the marriage has been validated… and legitimate heir provided'

Hermione groaned. She seriously contemplated Oscuso'ing Ginny. That shouldn't interfere with her pregnancy… surely.

'Daphne is set on making it work with Neville, though… and Lav is dating Susan… They are cutely secretive about it but really, it's Hogwarts. Luna is single, though!'

'I'm not interested in Daphne or Lavender or Luna or whoever else,' she muttered to the wooden top.

Ginny patted her head.

'If you are into Lestrange... That's alright too.'

Hermione's refused to continue that conversation!

Ginny got up to find a sparring partner when Professor Longbottom called out a new activity.

'You should stop ogling people though' Ginny whispered into Hermione's hair before leaving, 'that's how rumors start.'


[Hermione Granger's Diary excerpt]

If I fail my NEWTs I'm blaming Bellatrix, and Ginny!

Use of Restricted Section timeslots (and other study time):

Monday:

researched legal uses of unicorn blood (didn't find a thing);

and counters for advanced secrecy charms (the book is under Hogwarts privacy seal; requesting access could be suspicious);

looked up marriage annulment rules in Wizarding law (don't know how any would apply in our case);

Tuesday:

went back to legal uses of unicorn blood (still didn't find a thing);

looked for dissolutions of privacy seals (book is permanently removed from collection; which does make sense);

researched downsides of advanced protective spells for DADA's assignment (ran out of time, came an inch short in the essay length)

looked up old Wizarding families, and their hierarchy (didn't find more about Head of House than I already knew from Marriage Manuals);

Wednesday:

investigated demonic-like and animagi transformations (will have a very special new subsection to my nightmares, I just know!);

was too flushed ran out of time to return to other research;

Thursday:

reread Marriage Law, and Amendments, several times (still no idea about the MIC letter; and the meeting is tomorrow)

Madame Pince looks at me oddly now...


Hermione stayed at Hogwarts till Friday to study and to prepare particularly thoroughly for her Friday Reconstruction meetings. These were going to be the first ones since her falling out with the Minister. She didn't want anyone to have any excuse to have her removed from the role.


End of Chapter 57