Talking in the library
Hermione was having the time of her life. Not only is she in a magical school learning magic, but she also made friends! Which is something she always wanted to do, but never succeeded.
She was always a quiet child, and more mature than her peers too. And unlike them she always liked to learn anything and everything. Which resulted in her being titled a know-it-all, a bookworm and other names better left unsaid.
Because of that she developed her bossy attitude. Yes, she knows she is bossy, but her attitude was developed to combat her bullies. Mainly because if you are close to no one then they can't betray you. Like her first ever 'friends'. Which was a painful lesson to learn.
But that is in the past. Now, not only does she have three friends, they are also very supportive of her. Mainly in helping her to tone down on her 'bossiness', as they called it. Moreover, they answer her questions!
Her own roommates are more interested in the newest wizarding gossip than in helping her to fit in or explain her the nuances of the wizarding world. When she told Helia as much she rolled her eyes so hard Hermione could have sworn Helia would pull a muscle.
And according to Helia 'they are the kind of witches who were taught that being a stay at home wife and mother is pinnacle of existence'. And Hermione found herself agreeing, even if she found her words exaggerated.
Speaking of Helia. She is nice. At first Hermione thought that as a pureblood she too is subscribed to You-Know-Who's ideology. Which couldn't be farther from reality. And she is also the first person to match Hermione's academic prowess, which led to quite a few interesting conversations. She also gave her a few books about magical traditions and culture.
Draco was harder to place in the beginning. He sometimes behaves like a typical rich kid and then he doesn't. Although it is painfully obvious that he is smitten with Harry. Which is very much the same on Harry's part.
About Harry, well, he is a walking contradiction. He is very cheerful, outgoing and an all around nice guy. But he is also scheming, sarcastic and vengeful. Last one she found out when the twins pranked him. Although that incident is better left unsaid.
Or this is how Hermione would have summed up her first week in her new school. Although there is a question that have been eating away of her mind ever since the sorting. Said question is related to the name tattoed onto her body.
With the name in question being Bellatrix Black, she finally found a lead to find her. Not that she is only friends with Helia because of that, but she really wants to know.
Her musings were distrupted by the click-clack of heels coming towards her little corner in the library. And indeed, she could see Helia making her way towards her with a small stack of books under her arms.
"So?" Helia asked as she put down the books.
"So what?" Hermione asked back.
"Why did you want to speak with me? At half past five in the morning? On a saturday?" The black haired heiress said a little grumpily.
"Yeah, sorry about that. But I wanted this to stay between just us." At Helia's nod she continued."Do you know a Bellatrix Black?"
"Is it about your mark? You could have said so." Helia said with a sigh."Yes, Hermione, I know her. She is my cousin. I also knew you were her soulmate the moment McGonagall announced your name. So does Harry and Draco. Bella wasn't really hiding this information. And before you get all huffy. We started talking to you because of that. But you we genuinely like you and want to be your friends." She finished with a soft smile.
Hermione just nodded.
"Could you tell me about her?" She asked after a while.
"Let's see. Bella will be forty this year. She was the Brightest Witch of Her Age, captain of the slytherin quidditch team, also a prefect and later head girl. She also took and passed every course offered by the school with outstandings. Both her OWLs and NEWTs. And she is currently exploring a fae realm with a team. Oh, and she also likes to experiment with different magics."
"She is forty?" The shocked Hermione asked.
As Helia's cousin, she thought Bellatrix would be twenty or so at most. Not forty with so many achievements under her belt. And said information caused her mind to spiral into unlikely scenarios.
"Yes, she is. And perish those thoughts right away." Helia said upon seeing her expression."Bella will love you. Believe me."
"She is so much older." Hermione mumbled out. A little scared about the whole thing.
"And? Papa is ninety this year, but according to the lifespan measuring charm he still has more than a thousand years in the tank." Helia answered nonchalantly, with a raised eyebrow.
"A thousand?!?!" Hermione whisper shouted.
"Or more. It depends on if he wants to become a fae. Most fae is immortal, after all. But that is a topic for another day." She said with an eyeroll."Todays topic is more about you and if you want to meet Bella. Because if you want to, then I can write her and you two can meet next weekend. If you don't then neither me, Harry or Draco will tell her that we found you."
"Thanks, Lia." Hermione said with a smile."I do want to meet her. I am more worried about how would that look like to others."
"Your parents?" She asked with a squint, and Hermione could have sworn she saw her eyes glow a little.
"Yes. They barely accepted the fact that my soulmate is a woman, and that my mark is in a 'sinful place'. I am afraid what will happen if they got to know about the age difference." Hermione said with a shake of her head.
She still vividly remembered the spanking she got when her soulmark appeared going from one side of her hip to the other, surrounded by stars and crossed by a dagger. She wasn't able to sit for a week afterwards. Fortunately, that was it. Her parent's didn't love her all the same after that, but then again they were always very distant to her so it didn't change that much.
"I see. If they try and do anything, then I can assure you that magic or not, Bella will tear them apart." Lia said with a downright chilling smile."Next sunday will be good, right? In Hogsmeade?"
"Yes, it will. And Hogsmeade will be alright. And thank you for hearing me out."
"Don't mention it. You are my friend and part of the family." Lia said and packed away her books as she stood to leave."Oh, and you can call Draco and Harry your nephews if you want to. That is a surefire way to annoy them. It always works for me." She said with a wink.
Which elicited a laugh from Hermione as she too stood to leave with her friend. Although she still had her worries and fears, but at least now she has people who will stand besides her. And that it could only be better from now on.