Reunited
Chapter 25 - reunited and Truths
Bellatrix paced infront of her daughters bed in the Hogwarts infirmary, her mind frantic with worry over her child's sudden collapse.
It had taken the dark witch seconds to realise something was wrong when her little girl did not immediately turn to see the spectators who had all witnessed their defeat of the dark lord. She had looked to pale, her face an ashy white, her beautiful brown eyes had been glassy and unfocused as they tried to connect with her own, a silent plea for her mother to help and the absolute fear she had seen in her little girls eyes was haunting Bella as she spaced around frantically.
Her family had reacted instantaneously to Hermione collapsing and within minutes they were in a private room in the infirmary with Rudulphus having to hold back a sobbing Bellatrix while Madame Pomfrey, worked tirelessly to figure out what exactly was wrong with their little witch. Fleur and Dora had been just as inconsolable as Bella, Minerva and Andromeda having to hold them back from the bed also to allow the mediwitch to work unhindered.
That had been several hours ago and Hermione had still to awaken despite the mediwitches several reassurances that Hermione would be fine, she had merely exhausted both physically and magically.
Months of self neglect and malnourishment had left the brunette physically weakend and when she had coupled that with the mass amount of raw magical energy she had channeled into Harry her body had shut down as soon as it could register that there was no longer any danger to her or her family and friends. Yet despite these reassurances or the fact that her girls mates were now sleeping peacefully either side of Hermione, Bellatrix knew she could not rest until her little girl woke up and she could replace the image of her babygirls fear filled eyes with the warm, loving eyes that she knew her girl possessed.
Bella herself was exhausted but she would not allow herself the luxury of sleep until her girl woke up amd the mediwitch gave her girl the all clear. She felt it was her fault, she had been responsible for her daughters life and she hadn't done enough to protect her girl from harm because if she had her girl wouldn't be lying on a hospital bed looking so fragile right now.
Rudulphus was currently asleep on a chair at their baby's bedside while Andromeda and Teddy were sleeping on a bed in the corner of the room that Bella had transfigured for them out of spare chairs. Minerva had gone back to the greathall to help the remaining witches and wizards clear the hall and get it ready for a dinner that the house elf were preparing in the seemingly untouched Hogwarts kitchens.
The castle had varying degrees of destruction throughout it and all had acknowledged that it could take months for them to collectively rebuild the school to its former glory.
Luckily the kitchen, the hospital ward and the dorm rooms were relatively unscathed and took minimum effort from Minerva and the rest of the staff team to clear and make liveable again so at the very least the survivor's could be housed at Hogwarts while they rebuilt their school.
Bella couldnt help but feel like that was a quiet blessing because she was far from ready for the emotional reunion she knew was coming for her, her sisters and her daughter. Narcissa after all had no knowledge that Hermione had even survived the night when she was born, Bellatrix intentionally allowing the blonde to think her niece had died soon after her birth because she couldn't risk Narcissa going looking for her child in some misguided attempt at rescuing her family. She also couldnt risk anyone finding out Bella had a child and knew that the dark Lord would have been able to gain that knowledge from Narcissa's mind relatively easily if she had known.
She couldn't believe that she had spent 17 years away from her girl, denying herself the honour of being able to watch her little girl grow into the incredibly brave and selfless woman she was becoming and she vowed she would never miss another single moment of Hermione's life if only her little girl would just open her eyes.
----
Narcissa was confused when her son grabbed her arm and she was suddenly transported away from the battle site, landing in a grand entrance hall, owned by someone she could only assume was nobility going by the lush royal blue carpets, the gold candles and decorations and large, elegant, white wash walls that adorned the hall.
She was even more confused when what she assumed was an elderly Veela woman and another Veela woman, looking about her own age materialised from nowhere to greet them but regardless of her confusion she was overcome with just how relieved she was at having her son safely by her side and she decided that it couldnt hurt to trust in the brunette muggle-born once more because she truly did not believe she would have sent them anywhere they would come to harm, after all the little witch had risked everything just to aid them.
"Ah ze guests 'ave started to arrive, ve vill save ze introductions until ze ozers arrive oui?" The elder of the two veela said, her voice gentle yet firm and Narcissa didn't see any way she could argue with the woman despite how much she wished for answers.
"Oui maman, ze overseas vill be arriving any moment" the younger veela answered before turning to address the two bewildered looking blonde purebloods standing awkwardly in their hall. "Vile ve vast vhy dont you come take a seat in ze dinning room very zero are plenty refreshments? All shall be explained quite soon." She said, her tone warm and inviting, hoping to put the two blondes at ease. She knew that they were Hermione's family, the resemblance was quite clear even if the brave little lion hadn't pre-warned them that she would be sending her aunt and cousin out in advance of the rest of the guests as they were in the most danger with her aunts husband being one of the dark lords most faithful.
Narcissa, unable to find words to address the warmth they were experiencing nodded in response as she struggled to hold in her emotions. Quite frankly after so long without any sort of comfort or safety she wasn't at all sure how to deal with the situation she found herself in. It seemed entirely too good to be true.
Once Narcissa and Draco were seated comfortably the two veela left their guests alone to adjust while they went to await more arrivals, promising yet again that they would get answers as soon as possible.
The blondes had waisted no time in downing a healthy dose of fresh water and then pumpkin juice, both feeling startlingly dehydrated after all the upheaval and uncertainty they had faced the past several years. To know that it could all be over, that they could finally be safe was hard to imagine for the pair and Marcissa couldnt be more thankful to the little brunette who had fearlessly stood up to her husband, even claiming his entire fortune and house before the entirety of both sides of the war and effectively ensuring that both her and Draco would be taken care of by claiming them too? She didnt understand how the girl had such a compound understanding of the sacred 28 or the laws they abided by but she was the brightest witch of the age and Narcissa could clearly see why.
Her inner musings were cut if abruptly as the doors to the dinning room opened and several other wives and children of who Marcissa knew to be the dark lords men entered the room, looking just as startled and confused as Narcissa was herself. They all sat themselves quietly around the large table and waited on the two Veela seating themselves at the head of the table before turning to face them expectantly.
Narcissa feared she may start laughing abruptly at the matching stoic facades of all around her, clearly despite all that had happened they too were just as muddled as she and her son and were clinging to some sort of control as they all awaited the answers they sought.
As if answering the silent prompt by all around, the eldest veela cleared her throat quietly, ensuring she had everyone's attention before she started speaking.
"I am zure each amd every one of you are confused oui? Ve do not visit to keep you in ze dark. Eet 'as come to ze attention of myzelf and ma daughter Apoline zat you very perhaps being held against ze vill in ze ranks of ze dark lord" the veela paused, allowing her words to sink in around her. She could see the varying degrees of shock that registered in her guests faces.
"Ve ver approached by a brave little lion about zis and she requested zat ve offered our 'elp to each of you. 'Ermione does not vish for any of you to be suffering for ze crimes of your 'usbands and fazers. Ve accepted so for all those who visited to remain out of ze war from zis moment forward are velcome to stay in ze valls of our 'ome until such a time zat ve recieve word from ze little lion zat ze war is over and eet iz safe for you all to return to Britain. For ze safety of each of you ze location of our vereabouts vill not be revealed to you. If you vish to leave ve will provide you vith a portkey zat vill allow you to return to ze school but you cannot return 'ere if you leave. For all zat choose to stay ve vill provide you vith your own rooms, zere will be zree meals a day provided and 'ouse elfs available to 'elp you vith all zat you need. I encourage you all to explore ze Manor and allow yourselves and your children ze time to rest knowing zat you are safe and zat no one zat is not vorking directly with ze little witch 'ermione vill be able to come 'ere. Is zere any questions?" The elder blonde Veela finished as she sat back in her seat quietly, allowing her guests to digest the information and air their questions if they wished.
"You say only those working with Hermione have access, who are they? I want to believe my son and I are safe but I need to know who could possibly appear as I and no doubt everyone else here will have a lot of enemy's because of our husbands actions" Narcisaa spoke up, deciding to be the brave one for a change and embrace the inner traits of a gryffindor, her father would turn in his grave she was sure but she knew she had to out her sons safety first.
"Zat iz a good question. Ze only people who 'ave ze ability to access our 'ome without prior approval from myself or my maman iz 'ermione, ma daughter Fleur and zere... friend, Nymphadora. Everyvon elze must be let in" the younger veela answered politely, smiling warmly at Narcissa.
The blonde nodded in response, satisfied that her question had been addressed and her son was safe. She sat back in her seat and tried desperately to ignore the knowing glint in both Veelas eyes as they looked her over. Somehow she was sure they knew of her but she couldn't fathom how, unless Hermione had mentioned her specifically and she didn't understand why she would.
"We would like to stay" called Mrs Zabini as she sniffled quietly, her young son on her knee with her older boy sitting beside her. Several others added their agreement vocally while the rest nodded in agreement and all seemed to visibly relax in relief.
"Very vell" the eldest veela said cheerfully as she clapped her hands twice calling forth a mass of house elfs all carry trays of hot food including, meats, vegetables, potatoes, a variety of cakes, breads and pastries. Fine wines, fruit juices and water.
"'Elp yourzelfs to vatever you all need. Feel free to go to your rooms venever you feel ze need. All you need to do iz call for an elf and zay vill see you and your children to ze suit allocated to you. Enjoy" the eldest veela continued as she poured herself a glass of wine and began filling her plate, giving the guests permission to tuck into the mouth watering feast infornt of them. The Veelas somewhat unaware that for many of them this was the first meal they had been allowed and for many more the first meal they were set to experience that was not filled with fear and uncertainty.
----
Hermione woke slowly, her eyes fluttering sleepily as she fought to consciousness once more. She could feel the warm bodies of her mates either side of her but soon realised that it was not her mates that had woken her.
The sound of heels pacing, to and fro is what had gained the previously unconscious brunettes attention and caused her to wake up, unsure of the source of the noise and eager to find out what it was.
She was relieved that when her eyes adjusted to the light she could see clearly amd her head did not feel foggy anymore. She could still admittedly feel the exhaustion in her limbs but she was certain she atheist now had control over her own body once more. Testing her self analysis she slowly turned her head to the left and found herself face to face with a sleeping Fleur who had her head resting on her shoulder with an arm slung across her waist. The blonde never failed to take Hermione's breath away with her beauty. She and Dora were both exceptionally pretty, even in sleep and she couldn't help but feel lucky to call them hers. Fleurs face was relaxed, her mouth open slightly as she breathed evenly against Hermione's shoulder.
"Mia" the quiet whisper of Dora's voice called to the brunette and she turned her head quickly to meet the startling Hazel eyes of her metamorphmagus. The love and relief she saw in those beautiful eyes was startling and she found herself smiling tenderly at her eldest mate as she moved forward to capture her mates lips in a gentle reassuring kiss.
"I am so glad you are awake little witch you gave us all quite the scare for a moment" Dora whispered tenderly as she nuzzled the brunette lovingly.
"I'm sorry" Hermione whispered, feeling a pang of guilt in her chest. Now that she was awake and no longer suffering the terrifying paralysis she had earlier she knew exactly what had happened and felt somewhat guilty for pushing herself so dangerously close to her limits. She was sure that if she had pushed any harder she would not have woken again.
Their softly spoken words and gentle movements were enough to both catch the attention of Bellatrix and wake Fleur. The former pausing in her pacing, standing stalk still as she stared hopefully at her daughters bed, well aware that as of yet her daughter couldn't see her. She knew deep down that no matter how much she wanted to rush to her little girl, Hermione had to reassure her mates first before Bella had any hope of getting near her and after all the fighting and violence Bella had had to suffer in the past 16 years she had no desire to pick a fight with two 9f the strongest witches alive over the strongest witch alive. It wouldn't end well for her she knew so she stood silently, watching and waiting for her moment to step forward and address her daughter.
On Fleurs part she pushed herself up onto her hand as she shuffled herself into her younger mates back to re-establish their physically connection.
"Non mon amour do not blame yourself for zis, you did vat you needed to do to make zure our family survived and ve brought down zat coward of a man, ve are just so glad to see zat you are finally awake" the blonde murmured tenderly in Hermione's ear, pressing a soft kiss to her witches neck, knowing that she currently had no hope of turning around to kiss Fleur properly.
"My mama and Papa, where's my family?" Hermione whispered tearfully as her brain finally caught up on all that had led to this moment. She couldn't believe that the dark Lord was gone now. That they were safe and she could finally bring her family home and she was now more than desperate to be able to throw herself into her parents arms.
"I'm here Mia, your papa is sleeping on the chair by your bedside" Bellatrix spoke softly as she stepped infront if her daughters bed so Hermione could see her.
Fleur and Dora watched as Hermione locked gazes with her mother before glancing at each other briefly. Silently agreeing that they needed to leave and give their mate this money with her parents in private because it was the least they deserved after all this time apart. They both planted gentle kisses to Hermione's cheeks before sliding off the bed quietly and slipping out of the room. Ensuring to close akd lock the door behind them so that the reunited family would not be interrupted.
----
Bella stood frozen as she focused on her daughters face. Her eyes wide open, swimming with such tender love that it stole Bellatrix's breath away. Her cheeks had remained their colour and her little girls hair was wild as a result of her impromptu sleep.
Her mind swam with so many thoughts and questions and she had no idea how to even begin all that she had to say. It was all just so real and intense and merlin her heart felt as if it was going to burst wide open right out her chest as it beat wildly. She had waited and waited for this moment, desperately clung to the idea of being able to hold her baby again for years. Often it was only that thought that kept her fighting in the depths of Azkaban and now that it was here she had no idea how to even move let alone say anything.
"Mama" her girls voice was quiet, pleading but the strength of her longing, so evident in her softly spoken word felt like it had been screamed in Bellatrix's ears. Regardless of the volume it was enough to kick start Bellatrix's muscle control and she suddenly found herself launching her body towards her little girl, engulfing her baby in her arms in a proper hug for the first time since her girl was not even a whole day old.
"Mama" Hermione whispered again, this time wrapping her arms around her mother, clinging desperately as she burried her face in her mothers neck and wild black curls, curls so similar to hers in all but their colouring.
"I'm here baby, I'm here" Bella managed to reply tearfully as the pent up longing, love and heart ache rushed forth and consumed her. Her body trembling as she sobbed into her little girls hair.
"Mama, i.. I.. was so scared, I couldn't.. I couldnt stop thinking that it would all go wrong.. I tried so hard.. I needed to bring you and papa home... it felt like forever" Hernione sobbed, her broken sentences only serving to make Bella sob harder as the reality of just how hard this whole war had been on her little girl.
"Oh baby, shhh" she hushed as she lay herself down on the bed, pulling Hermione down beside her as she held her daughter closer. She could feel her girls tears on her shoulders, each one landing in warm droplets on her bare shoulder.
Rudulphus had woken up startled when he heard his wife sobbing, scared as to the reason he forced himself upright in the chair quickly as he scanned the room looking for any signs of his wife, child or potential danger. He felt his heart break when his eyes landed upon the scene in the bed beside him. His wife and little girl sobbing as the clung desperately to one another and as much as he wanted to be able to approach his daughter gently the sight of his girls so distraught eradicated that idea as he moved quickly. Scooping his girls up into his arms and settling on the bed where they previously lay. He brought them up to rest upon his chest as he held them tightly, rocking them soothingly.
"We are safe now, its over" he whispered to them in reassurance as he felt his own eyes fill with tears.
"Its over" he repeated, his voice catching in his throat with his emotion. "We won't ever be parted again" he whispered as he too burried his nose in his girls hair, tightening his grip as he allowed himself to fall into the sheer joy of the moment as he got to hold both his girls for the first time in seventeen years. He could hardly believe it. They had survived the war, had won the war and he now could be a father to his little girl, his heir. He could dote on his girls. He could tell the world that these two precious women were his. His wife. His daughter and he could not be a prouder man in the moment as they both looked up to meet his gaze.
He had to admit Hermione was Bella's double just smaller and brunette. But her face, her expressions and mannerisms screamed Bellatrix and lithe thought brought a smile to his face as he met his daughter warm brown eyes.
"Papa" Hermione greeted him, smiling lovingly as she flung an arm around his neck to hold herself close to him.
"Its me Mia, merlin I'm so proud of you" he replied seriously, praying that his little girl could believe him.
"I'm so proud of you both, I couldnt be prouder to be your daughter papa" she whispered softly as she lay her head against his chest and focused on calming her breathing down.
"I'm so sorry Mia" Bella whispered as she mirrored her daughters position. Laying her head on her husbands chest and flinging an arm around his neck, wrapping the other tighter round her little girl. Ensuring they were as close as they could be.
"No mama, I will not listen to either of you apologise for doing what had to be done to keep not only me but our family and this world safe from evil" hermione replied, bringing her gaze up to meet her mothers so she could see her sincerity.
"I mean it" she continued seeing the doubt and guilt in both her parents eyes.
"You sacrificed your lives for me, for the order, for the war and that makes you a hero in my eyes. I will not let you both fall to guilt now that I finally have the chance of having my family around me. Auntie Meda, aunt Teddy and grandmama have been brilliant in being there when I needed them but they are not you. They are not my mama or my papa, they could never take your places in my life. As much as I owe them for everything and I'll forever be grateful for their love and guidance it has never been nor will it ever be a sufficient replacement to the both of you so please please don't doubt how much I need you both now" she explained, fresh tears pulling in her brown eyes.
"We won't, I promise baby" Rudulphus replied in a whisper as he pressed a kiss to his daughter then his wife's foreheads.
"I promise to baby, we are here now, its over and nothing will ever tare us apart again" Bella agreed as she finally remained control of her emotions, leaning forward to kiss her daughters cheek effectioantely.
----
When Minerva McGonagall, Andromeda, Fleur and Dora walked into the hospital wing an hour later their hearts filled with warmth at the sight of the now reunited little family sleeping on the somewhat small hospital bed.
Both Bellatrox and Hermione lay on Rudulphus' chest facing each other. Their arms locked around the man and each other. Their faces the most peaceful and content either of the four had ever seen them as theybwere held tightly by Rudulphus, his head resting on top of his little girls head.
The moment was so peaceful and tender that Minerva wordlessly summoned a camera to capture the moment for the family.
"This" Andromeda whispered. "This moment right here is what we were fighting for to make possible"
"Indeed it is" Minerva whispered back as all four witches smiled tenderly as they watched the Black-Lestranges lying together, they could see the tell tale traces of the trios tears and figured that their emotional reunion had eventually succumbed to the sheer exhaustion and safety the felt together.
"Let us leave zem a little longer. I vill Floo ma maman to let 'er know zat ve are held up a little but vill be vith zem tomorrow" Fleur whispered as she turned, the other three following her as they left the reunited mother, father and daughter to their well earned rest.
------
"I have no idea how I slept that long Trixie" her fathers voice was the first to register as the brunette woke from the most peaceful sleep she had experienced, ever.
"You and me both Rud, but if this is what we get to wake up to every morning, sleeping may quickly become my favourite way to pass the time" Bellatrix replied quietly as she stroked her hand gently across her little girls face, smiling as she watched Hermione's eyes flutter softly before opening. Her bleary eyes blinking at the light in the room before adjusting and finding her own.
"Morning little dove" Bellatrix greeted her girl lovingly.
"Morning mama, papa" Hermione replied with a smile as she snuggled closer to her parents.
"As much as we would both love to lay here for the foreseeable future with you Mia we really must be getting up, you need to be checked by Madame pomfrey, we all need to eat and greet everyone. Its time for the truth to come out" Rudulphus said gently hoping that his little girl didn't react badly to having to get up. Bella was enough of a nightmare when she first woke up he didn't know if he could handle another one just like her.
"Okay Papa" Hermione said brightly as she slid off of her father, exricating herself from her motgers arms that seemed unwilling to let her go.
"Oh great another Rudulphus in the morning" Bellatrix grumbled, half teasing half serious.
Looking at her father, Hermione smirked deviously before picking up her wand and aiming at her mother. Rudulphus grinned back his eyes twinkling playfully as he realised what his daughter was about to do.
"Oh mama, if you don't get off papa now ill augmenti you" Hermione sing songed, adopting her baby voice that her aunt meda swore sounded far too much like her mothers.
"You wouldn't dare little witch, there wouldn't be a place you could hide that would save you from my retaliation" the dark witch chuckled as her eyes glinted in challenge when they met Hermione's.
Without warning the brunette wordlessly cast the augmenti charm at her mother, unleashing a sudden torrent of cold water over Bellatrix before turning on the spot and dashing out the door.
Her mothers squeal of indignation being covered by her own squeal of joy as she bolted out of the medical wing, far too aware of her mother and fathers footsteps following behind.
----
"HERMIONE ANDROMEDA NARCISSA BLACK-LESTRANGE GET YOUR MAGICAL ASS BACK HERE AND FACE ME GIRL"
Was the only warning the many occupants of the great hall got before the doors burst open and a blue of brunette came flying into the room to dive behind Minerva and Andromeda.
"What did you do little witch?" Andrimeda questioned raising an eye brow in curiosity as she took in the flush of her nieces cheeks and the mischievous glint in her usually soft brown eyes.
'Augmenti charm, drenched mama when she refused to get out of bed' the brunette sent to her mates, far to breathless to reply verbally. Her reply only succeeded in causing both Fleur and Dora to burst out laughing along with her as they turned to the door expectantly just in time to see a thoroughly drenched Bellatrix skid to a halt, glaring at her daughter as the brunette hid behind her grandmother and aunt. Rudulphus arrived at the back of her failing to hide his amusement as he laughed openly.
"Hermione" Bellatrix warned as she began to stalk towards her daughter. The squelch of her shoes causing the entirety of the great hall to burst out laughing at the dark witches expense.
"Now mama, let's talk about this. I warned you before hand, you made it a challenge" Hermione defended as she raised her hands in surrender as she backed away.
"Not the point" bellatrix shot back, glaring harder.
"But I am your daughter can you really expect me to back down to a blatant challenge?" The brunette countered and smirked when she saw her mother falter in her advance. Pausing to consider her daughter words.
"True" the dark witch shrugged suddenly smiling humorously as she cast a drying spell and took a seat at the table across from her sister. "Well played little one, just remember this is war" she finished, winking st her daughters mates conspiratorialy as she began filling her plate with food.
"She augmentied you didn't she" Andromeda asked failing to hide her laugh, earning her a glare and a mumbled 'yes' from her eldest sister.
-----
"Wait he sent you undercover when you were nineteen?" Molly asked incredulously.
"He did and as much as it has torn us apart having to be parted from Hermione all these years the end of this bloody war is worth the sacrifice. Our girl now gets to shape a brighter and better world, our family is safe, we have helped save thousands of lives and it is all we could have hoped for." Rudulphus replied seriously. He, Bella and Andromeda had just spent the past hour and a half explaining the past twenty years in detail, Hermione and Minerva chipping in when they needed too and they were now attempting to address the questions being shot at them.
"And you Hermione, you akd the others knew this since you were fifteen and have been preparing for war ever since?" Sirius asked as he looked at his second cousin.
"Yup" the brunette replied matter of factly.
"And you have two mates, the prophecy was real?" Lupin asked.
"Oui zat iz true, wizard bonds are complex zero isn't enough taught on ze subject in Britain but ve learn all about zem in france" Fleur replied, smiling at her mates lovingly.
"Wow" Pomfeey murmured, followed by a series of "wow indeeds".
"How did you get those that were being held on the other side out safely?" Arthur questioned curiously.
"With the help Narcissa and Draco Malfoy along with the support of the Delacour Clan in France" Dora replied proudly, glad they could boast about her other aunt and cousin in such a way now that it was safe for all they had unknowingly done to help their war effort be known by the public.
"Draco helped?" Sirius quieried disbelieving the words.
"He did, and I'd be willing to take veritiserum and swear by my magic that he and Narcissa did indeed help." Hermione defended as she saw the look of disbelief in her cousins eyes.
"Now that we have played twenty questions we must be off, we need to go and inform those under the care of the Delacours that it is safe now for them to return to their homes" Minerva spoke loudly, effectively silencing the million more possible questions from ever spewing forth, knowing that they would never make it to France at this rate.
"Thank you Grandmama" Hermione whispered as she wrapped an arm around her grandmother. Her mother mirroring her at the other side of Minerva as they began to walk towards the doors, their family following closely.
Minerva smiled, squeezing the two witches briefly as they walked.
"My girls are home at last" she whispered before they all grabbed the portkey in Hermione's hand and disappeared with a pop.