Chapter 37: Beauty and the Beast
Bern, Switzerland
Remus frowned as he looked at a picture of his daughter. A daughter who did not know her true paternity yet and thought he had merely a nice long lost squib uncle that had saved her life. He and Emma, both thought it was best for now that she didn't know the particulars.
Hermione had dealt with way too much and was dealing with too much to know otherwise.
He hoped one day they could tell her the truth, but with his daughter's mental state being the way it was it was too soon.
Or too late mainly. He still couldn't believe Peter had messed with his head and that he essentially wrote Emma out of his life. His daughter out of his life.
And now that he knew about them…well, Emma was married. He knew she and Dan were having issues, but it wasn't like he was just going to walk back into her life after twelve years. He wasn't even sure he wanted to. Yes, she was an attractive woman, but that part of his life was over. What they had was gone and it wasn't like they could force it back together.
As for Hermione, he would try to eventually be part of her life as well, but it was clear she saw Dan in the dad role.
She had no idea though about what was going on between Dan and Emma at the moment and that he had been barred from seeing her because he wanted to interfere with her recovery.
It was a huge mess to say the least.
"Moony?"
"When did you get here?" He asked Sirius who had somehow managed to arrive in the floo without him hearing the chime.
"I've been here for five minutes while you have been doing some deep introspection," Sirius said. "Seriously, aren't I supposed to be the broody one?"
Remus rolled his eyes. "I think we can both qualify as broody, Sirius. You look well."
He really did. Physically it looked like his friend had completely recovered from Azkaban save for the shadows under his eyes. He knew Sirius would likely be at least a few more months given the fact that mentally he had not completely recovered from Azkaban. That and he knew Sirius was seriously considering not returning to Britian.
He couldn't exactly blame him. Especially when it came to that school.
Emma and his were already discussing ways to get Hermione removed from Hogwarts. He knew his daughter had already experienced hell there and really did not want her going back, especially with her potentially new furry status.
"And you look broody," He said before asking, "How's Hermione?"
"Better," He said. "But fragile. The transfusions worked as well as expected, I guess. She still hasn't shown any symptoms, I hope she doesn't."
He nodded, "I'm assuming you'll be going back then."
He nodded, "I plan on going to the court proceedings. The trial for Weasley and Waller will be starting after the being status hearing."
"She still doesn't know?"
"Yes," Remus said. "She's still quite fragile. Emma wanted time to explain things to her about Dan and everything."
"She's getting a divorce, isn't she?"
"As far as I know," Remus shrugged. "Emma's personal life really isn't any of my business."
Sirius raised an eyebrow.
"That ship has passed, Sirius."
"Because of that rat."
"Partially, but over a decade has passed we're very different people."
That was part of the truth, and it would be unfair to Hermione if they even tried again and failed. Not that he wanted to try again. Emma Granger was a very attractive woman; she just wasn't him type now. Maybe she had been all those years ago, but people changed.
Besides, there was someone else he was interested in. That is if he did relationships.
Sirius shook his head. "I…"
"It's not like you and Bella." He said
"I know that," he said. "I was just going to say if I had another chance with Bella, I'd take it no matter what."
"Even though you're with Claire now."
Sirius turned bright red. "How…how…"
"So, you are seeing each other?" Remus said with a laugh.
"Don't you tell anyone," Sirius said. "It's still fairly new."
"I won't," Remus said, "But I think everyone already knows. I know Narcissa mentioned something about it when she owled me to check on Hermione."
"Take it for my cousin to be a blabbermouth." Sirius said. "I didn't know you two talked."
"She has been very helpful when it comes to Hermione," he said. "Besides, I think she's a bit lonely since the annulment. I know it got to her being all over the Prophet"
Sirius grimaced, "Of course it was, I haven't read that rag since they wrote about Bella's death."
Remus nodded, "Well, you and Bella are barely a blip on the radar these days."
"Well, thank Merlin for that. Since you're such gab buddies with my cousin these days why don't you come to lunch with us."
"Sirius,"
"That's why I came here rather than to hear you brood. Harry misses his Uncle Moony and I'm going to take him wand shopping this afternoon. We were sort of going to make a day of it."
"Well, in that case I'll be happy to go with you."
"Great, just be warned Cissy looks a little different."
"Different?"
His mouth about dropped to the floor when he saw Narcissa Black. She looked nothing like she had the last time he saw her and it wasn't just the fact that she was heavily pregnant that threw him off.
"Surprised," The now veela smirked her voice had even changed.
"I say," He as he took her in
He hadn't exactly recognized her at first, especially since she was wearing muggle clothes of all things.
She looked very attractive even in casual muggle wear. Probably more attractive to him than when she wore those stuffy dress robes she was prone to wearing. Red was her color.
What was he thinking, Sirius's cousin attractive? She was married….no she wasn't. The Malfoy ring was gone, and the annulment was plastered all over the news. She was pregnant with another man's babies. So, freaking what? She still looked hot, it maybe even added to her beauty—the pregnancy not the fact they were another man's babies.
Merlin, he hoped he wasn't drooling.
He liked Narcissa. Actually, liked her, but seeing her like this…something was wrong with him.
"I take it you did not tell him of your new status in your letters," Sirius said to Narcissa.
"It's not exactly believable," she said. "Plus….well, I don't what is going on to exactly get out."
Sirius rolled his eyes, "You actually think Remus's mail is going to get stolen."
"You can't be too sure," Narcissa said as she took a bite of a hamburger she ordered.
A freaking hamburger.
"What?" She asked.
"You're eating a hamburger," Remus said. "I just…"
"I know," She said. "Things have changed."
"You don't say," he said his eyes somehow couldn't leave her. Oddly enough, he noticed she was looking at him too.
Sirius rolled his eyes and turned his attention back to his son, leaving him to chat with Narcissa.
"Where's Draco?" He asked surprised that the boy wasn't here.
Narcissa shrugged. "He wanted his space. He's still adjusting to all of this."
"I'm sure. It is quite the adjustment. I'm surprised I didn't notice when you were at the hospital."
"Glamor charms and concealment robes. Luckily, the veela changes really only started really occurring after I took leave."
"Is that why you and Lucius…."
"Partially," she said her eye on Harry who was laughing at some stupid story that Sirius was telling him about something the Marauders had done. "It's not really a conversation for children's ears, but let's just say Lucius does not want the new me or what caused this to occur."
Remus grimaced wondering just what happen. If Lucius had hurt her he'd….he'd what? He was just her friend nothing more.
"I'm doing okay," she said seeing his concern. "There's no need to worry. How's Hermione doing?"
"Better," he said. "She hasn't changed back once since the transfusions have taken effect. She didn't change on the last lunar cycle."
"Good, hopefully she doesn't change in the next and then she can just live her life. I'm surprised you're not there," she said.
"Emma wanted to give her some space so she could explain some things."
Narcissa nodded, "I thought…"
He shook his head, "Like I told your cousin that ship has sailed."
"I'm sorry to hear that," she said though he thought she slightly looked happy about it. He was probably imagining it.
Why was she thinking that Lupin looked good?
It must be her freaking veela hormones. She was not interested in anyone at the moment, but there was a part of her—a hungry part of her that couldn't help but notice just how good he looked.
He wasn't her type.
He wasn't like Lucius. He wasn't elegant looking or traditionally handsome, though he looked exceedingly better since he got rid of that ridiculous mustache. Still, he was bookish and nerdy. Sure, both men were tall, though Lupin was slightly taller. Taller than her for sure. But Lupin was so thin. No. He was lanky. Merlin, she wanted him.
He was Sirius's friend, and she wanted him. Or the veela in her wanted him. Wanted and craved sex right now.
She had been warned it would happen. Even Claire had told her that.
Still she had thought….she had sworn off men after what happened with Lucius. And besides, she was pregnant. She looked and felt like a bloody cow she should not be in the mood for sex, and yet that was what she wanted.
It wasn't like Lupin was a stranger either. They were friends. Decent friends. She had owled him quite frequently in the past few weeks checking on him and his daughter.
Ugh, he had a family.
No, he's not involved with Emma Granger.
Crazy. Just crazy.
She had tried to control herself as much as she could at lunch. Tried to make herself as undesirable as possible. Lord knows she thought she'd be doing that lately. She had literally let herself go since she had gone to the coven full time.
She had stopped caring so much about the robes she wore, it sort of helped that she literally had grown out of most of the clothes she had and had taken to wearing oversize muggle clothes though the red fleece top she had on right now was not as oversized as it once was. It literally clung to her as well as the fleece leggings at least it wasn't riding up though like the top that she wore the other. She could still remember her son's look of horror seeing her stretch marks. Still, even though the outfit fit (barely), she hardly thought it looked flattering given how it strained around her stomach and the leggings weren't exactly flattering to her thighs, but the way Lupin was looking at her he didn't even seem to care or notice. And her hair. Well, she literally cut it as short as possible this morning as she could short of shaving it off. For Merlin's sake she hadn't even bothered with makeup in weeks either since her color palate had changed.
Was it her allure?
Maybe that was it. She was waiting for it to kick in since everything else had seemed to be finally settling down finally. But she didn't know why she wanted him.
She tried to finish these thoughts off as she polished off her hamburger. Her tastes have seemed to change of late. She still craved sweets but lately she had wanted meat. Raw meat.
She sighed feeling oddly full, which was a strange sensation these days. It probably helped she had ordered a double patty with extra fries and a milkshake. The milkshake being the best part. The babies still loved sugar. And maybe she was starting to as well it was oddly addicting.
"When are you due?" Lupin asked his attention on her and not his plate.
"November."
He gave her a strange look.
"I'm having triplets. That's why I look so huge even though I'm just now at the tail end of my second trimester."
And soon she'd have to go back to the coven. The transformation could take place anytime after the third trimester began.
In a weird way she didn't fear it as much as she did months ago. She still knew there was a chance she could lose her mind and die as a beast, but a part of her felt she could protect her children better as a harpy as weird as it sounded. Especially if he came to look for her.
He wouldn't though. Not if he knew what was good for him. But she also knew Lucius always got his way. She was surprised he had been so quiet for the most part.
Probably because he doesn't want a veela as a wife or anything associated with veelas.
It still stung more than it should've.
"Triplets, wow. You're going to have your hands full."
If I survive.
She nodded as the rest of the table finished their food.
Oddly she found herself talking to Lupin during most of the rest of the shopping. It helped keep her mind off things. She also had to admit it felt good to be looked at like a woman again and he was certainly looking at her.
She saw her cousin roll his eyes at them. He was one to talk. She knew about him and Claire even though both denied it.
Honestly, she was a little surprised that Sirius had moved on. She was happy for him, but surprised. And she liked Claire even if she was that bastard's half-sister.
It helped that Claire liked Lucius about as much as Narcissa did.
"So, any bets on what sort of wood you'll get?" Sirius asked Harry as they entered the wand shop.
Harry shrugged. "I was paired with holly the last time apparently. However, I suspect that's not going to be the case now what I've read about wand woods."
"I imagine not," Narcissa said. "Your core had to completely heal itself and no longer is what it once was."
"What's your wand wood?" Harry asked.
"Rowan wood."
It was hard to believe since the wood was not associated with the dark arts at all, and yet her entire family was. She believed it was because of the protective nature of the wood. It fit her quite nicely.
"Mine is cypress," Lupin said looking at her. "I'm a little surprised about the rowan."
She rolled her eyes, "You're surprised it's rowan wood because I'm a Black?"
He rolled his eyes, "No, I just…it actually suits you the more I think about it."
She gave him an odd look.
"Your very protective of your family, Narcissa, it's one of the things I like best about you."
"Call me Cissy," She said looking at him.
He smiled, "Okay….I….I'm just going to say it. I know it's soon but would you like to go out sometime?"
She was a little taken aback. Was Lupin asking her out?
She didn't think he had it in him. Oddly enough, she found his awkwardness attractive even though she had to wonder how much of it was the allure.
She was about to answer him when they were interrupted.
"I think we got a match," The wand shop owner said breaking up whatever had been going on the two them.
"Thirteen inches black walnut and dragon heartstring. Very choosy."
Narcissa frowned.
Remus looked at her, "What?"
"Bella's wand was made of walnut." Cissy said before she added, "And yes, yes, I would love to go out with you."
"Hello, brother. Missed me?"
She smirked when she saw him glaring at her.
He looked terrible. Unlike his not-wife who had ended up blossoming after their annulment, the months had not been good for her bigot of a brother. His face seemed puffy and his eyes seemed swollen he had also seemed to gain a bit of a belly himself, though it was clear that it was from the fire whiskey that was on his desk not that he was carrying three babies like his ex.
"I thought I told you to stay away, Claire." He hissed. "I thought you told me you were going to stay away."
"I'm surprised you're not calling me a monster," she said. "I know how you feel about my kind."
He sighed heavily as he put his hands through his hair. It wasn't immaculate as it usually was. When was the last time he washed it? It looked like a tangled up mess. At this point he should just hack it off like Cissy did every day.
She probably shouldn't care. And she really didn't. She just came for answers.
"I thought we needed to have a discussion," she said.
"What you want me to raise your allowance in your trust fund?" He said before turning towards her, "I see you don't look like a wreck anymore. Your back to looking like your succubus self."
She ignored him, "Your prejudice is cute, Lucius. But no, I wanted to talk to you about some rather strange memories I've been having about you."
He glared at her, "I don't know what sort of memories you would be talking about considering we have only met once or twice within or life."
She stared in his pale eyes.
He wasn't lying.
She frowned sort of surprised she was able to read his thoughts so well since she thought her legilimency was garbage at best, but surprisingly she had been able to do it. She guessed all those practice sessions with Narcissa had helped, though that had mostly been occlumency exercises to help Narcissa calm herself. She had tried legilimency on a whim and odd enough it had felt second nature to her.
Mother taught us how to use it very early on in life.
There was her voice again back in her head. At least she knew whose voice it was now. Bellatrix Black's voice. Though why she was in her head she still didn't know.
Because we're one in the same.
No, that didn't make sense.
She ignored Bella's voice as she looked into Lucius's mind for anything that might help her recall that strange memory she had, but she couldn't find any sort of relatable memory regarding that. So, she searched further and looked at his interactions with Bellatrix Black.
She frowned when she saw the image of him talking to a crazed looking woman. Was that her? It certainly didn't look like her or the woman that she saw in the flashes she had when she was with Sirius. The woman was unkept, dirty, her curls tangled, her eyes looking not quite right. Several of the memories she saw with Lucius were not even sensical. She had a tendency just to repeat words and laugh. Though she seemed to have a similar disdain for Lucius that she did. And Lucius seemed to dislike her almost as much as he disliked Claire.
They couldn't be the same person, yet a part of her recognized the memories and something about the last conversation she saw between Bellatrix and her brother particularly resonated.
"Are you sure you want to do this?"
"I don't have any other option if I want to get out of here, do I?" Bellatrix—or she—said.
Lucius looked at her, "You do realize your life will essentially be over if you take this deal."
"It's already over, at this point everyone needs to move on. I have nothing left. Sirius, Narcissa, and Andromeda all deserve to move forward."
From his thoughts she knew he thought about telling her about the boy, but he didn't. The boy who happened to be her son: Harry.
Wait, he knew about Harry? He had kept Harry from her?
She felt rage go through her body at that moment as it became clear who she was. She didn't know how or what he did, but she knew that somehow, he had gotten her to agree to become…well, whoever she was now. He had got her to agree to die and kept information from her.
He kept her from her son. He was going to pay. She had told herself she was never going to use the curse again, but at that moment she didn't care. Lucius deserved it. She still hadn't forgotten what he did to her sister either. She pointed her wand at him and uttered, "Crucio!"
Her "brother" withered on the floor she held the curse for a long time not carrying how much he screamed in pain. She was not even close to being done with him. No one, no one took her family away from her and that was when realized she had transformed. The beast was now out and the beast would pay. By the end of the night, Lucius Malfoy would not be able to have children again.
Chapter 38 Preview: A being status hearing, a date, and someone comes with terms with who they are.
