Chapter 1
The Black Family Tragedy was a well known story in the Wizarding World. The simultaneous kidnapping of eleven children is obviously an event that’s hard to keep a secret. The fact that the abduction case is so famous is most likely why Hermione came across the article almost immediately when she started her roam through the library.
She had originally come to find information on Sirius Black. This was something she had been meaning to do since the beginning of the year, after finding out that a mass murderer is apparently after her best friend. Now that Harry has found out that the escaped prisoner is his godfather, she moved the task to the top of her to-do list. She expected to find old copies of The Daily Prophet detailing Black’s betrayal of Harry’s parents and his unknown association with the Dark Lord. She did not expect to find international news coverage of a mass kidnapping taking place just a few months before the death of Harry’s parents.
It seems that the Black family, which Hermione didn't realize was quite so large, had been having a celebration of the birth of their newest family member, Sirius Black’s only daughter: Gemma Black. The event had been hosted by Black’s cousin, Narcissa Black-Malfoy. The entirety of the group included Black’s siblings, cousins, nephews, parents, grandparents, aunts, and uncles. It had been quite the gathering. One that had ended in a horrifying tragedy.
It was that night, after the festivities had calmed and all had retired to bed that disaster struck. In the dead of night, a stranger penetrated the wards around Malfoy Manor. Eleven of the thirteen children in the house were taken. Nine year old Nymphadora Black and one year old Draco Malfoy-Black were the only children to escape abduction, being saved by a house elf who caught the intruder in the act. By the time the elf was able to wake the adult occupants of the manor, the children and mystery wizard were gone.
The publication would not have distracted Hermione from her research, if not for the family photos attached to the article. While a photo of the entire extended family was included, there were also photos depicting the individual families that the children were stolen from. It was the Lestrange-Black family that drew her gaze.
Lord Rodolphus Lestrange-Borgin and Lady Bellatrix Black-Lestrange had had all three of their children taken from them. The picture of the family showed the couple holding their children while smiling at the camera. Five year old Perseus sat in his father’s lap, almost two year old Maia was tucked between her parents while barely one year old Naos was held by his mother. It was the sight of Lady Bellatrix that gave Hermione pause. Something about the witch looked terribly familiar. Looking at the family made her chest ache for some odd reason.
She hadn’t realized how long she had sat examining the newspaper before a soft chime sounded through the library. That must be the warning bell for curfew. As she packs up her belongings, Hermione stares upon the paper once more. Glancing around for Madam Pince, she quickly tucks the newspaper into her bag and hurries out of the library.
-
It’s not until the morning after she and Harry save Sirius and Buckbeak that Hermione thinks of the Black family again. She wakes feeling different than when she went to sleep. She feels as if a weight she hadn’t realized laid upon her had been removed. Yawning, she pushes herself into a sitting position in the Hospital Wing bed, looking around. Her gaze stops on the two sleeping boys in the beds across from her. Two boys that are definitely not Harry and Ron. In the place of her best friends lay two nearly identical looking boys. Both sport wildly curly black hair and porcelain skin. She stares for several moments, trying to recognize the students. She’s almost sure she’s not seen them around Hogwarts before. And where have her friends gone?
One of the boys rolls over with a choked off snoring, yawning awake. He stretches in the bed before slowing sitting up and blinking blearily. After a moment, his eyes light upon her and he frowns.
“Who’re you?” His words are slurred with sleep as he reaches up to rub his eyes.
“Hermione Granger.” She offers, still observing the boy. “You are?”
The boy suddenly seems much more awake, scowling at her. “You’re not ‘Mione.”
Hermione tilts her head, staring at him in confusion. His voice is familiar. He almost sounds like-
“Ron?”
“Yeah. Now who are you really?”
Hermione blinks before snatching her wand off the bedside table and conjuring a handheld mirror. She lets out a shriek of surprise, letting the mirror drop back on the bed. That is not her reflection.
The girl in the mirror might have curls similar to hers, though much sleeker, but that is the only similarity between them. Hermione’s brown eyes have been replaced by grey ones and her brown curls are now auburn. The freckles that once dotted her face have disappeared and she’s several shades paler than when she fell asleep.
“What’s wrong with you?” Hermione spares a glance for Maybe Ron, seeing him watching her crisis curiously. A flick of her wands sends the conjured mirror shooting across the aisle between them and landing in his lap. He gives her a look of confusion before lifting up the mirror and looking at his own reflection.
“Bloody hell!” The distressed noise that leaves him is similar to the sound Hermione made. She watches as Ron touches his face in confusion.
“Whaz goin’ on?” It seems their identity crisis has woken the other boy. Harry, Hermione realizes. If the first dark haired boy is Ron, this one has to be Harry.
The boy, Harry, sits up, ruffling his hair so that the curls become even wilder. Her suspicions of his identity are confirmed by the lightning bolt scar that still streaks across his forehead and through his left brow. He blinks a few times, seeming to reach for his glasses automatically before stopping. He stares around the room for a moment in wonder.
“How can I see?” His gaze finally lands on Ron and then Hermione. “Who are you?”
“Mate, try not to freak out.” Hermione thought that might be hypocritical of Ron, seeing as the former ginger is already freaking out. He hands the mirror to Harry.
It’s silent for a few moments before Harry calmly sets the mirror on the bedside table and looks up. “What the fuck is going on?”
“Language!” Hermione hisses before straightening up in her own bed. She tries to push the anxiety in her chest down, not wanting to let the hysterical feelings inside of her burst out. “And we don’t know. We just woke up looking like this.”
Harry looks between her and Ron contemplatively. “Could it have something to do with Sir- Padfoot?”
The thought gives Hermione pause. Now that Harry mentions it, he and Ron do look rather similar to Sirius. Honestly, all three of them look as if they could be related to the Blacks.
Related to the Blacks.
The Blacks.
Hermione snatches up her wand once more. “Accio school bag.”
The boys watch her curiously as she waits patiently for the bag to appear. A minute later, the doors to the wing bang open and her messenger bag comes flying through the air, landing softly on her lap. She wastes no time in beginning to dig through the contents of the bag.
“Aha!” She tugs out the newspaper, smoothing it out over her legs. Her eyes roam over the pictures on the front page and she can feel the blood drain from her face.
“‘Mione?” Ron’s voice sounds across from her. Faintly, she notices sheets shuffling as the boys climb out of their beds and make their way to her.
“Holy fucking shit.”
“Hermione!” Harry sounds scandalized at her cursing as he comes to a stop beside her. The two slide into her bed on either side of her, looking over her shoulder to inspect the paper. “Black Family Tragedy?”
“I remember Mum and Dad talking about that once.” Ron mumbles, trying to tug the article from her hands. Hermione’s fingers only seem to clench the pages harder.
“You two look like her.”
“Like who?” Harry asks, nudging her side in concern.
She points to one of the photos with a trembling finger, indicating one of the Blacks. Regina Black sits with two little boys on her lap, twin one year olds. Hydrus and Rigel Black were two of the children taken that night so many years ago. The wild curls on the toddlers' heads look eerily reminiscent of the ones that her best friends find themselves with now.
“And I look like her.” Hermione’s voice shakes, tone horrified as she points to Lady Bellatrix Black-Lestrange. “Merlin and Morgana.”
She finally lifts her head to look between the boys, both of them having wide eyes. It’s jarring to see identical grey gazes staring at her instead of the emerald and blue she is used to.
“Hermione, please tell me this is all a joke.” Harry chuckles nervously, reaching up to tug at his hair.
“It’s got to be. The twins must be behind this.” The laugh Ron releases edges on hysterical. “I mean, there’s no way we’re three of the missing Black children, right Mi?”
“Maia.” Hermione whispers the name, eyes trailing back down to the picture of the toddler and her family.
“No bloody way.” Ron surges to his feet, burying both hands in his curls and pulling. “Fuck no. I have a family. Parents. Siblings. I’m a Weasley for Merlin’s sake!”
It suddenly feels as if Hermione is far away. In her mind's eye she sees a woman smiling at her, riotous black curls framing her face. A man with soft brown eyes replaces the woman, swinging Hermione around as she squeals with laughter. A young boy lets her sit in his lap as he reads to her, a warm fire blazing in the fireplace. Then it’s as if she’s looking down at a sleeping baby from above, wispy black curls on his head.
“I-I think we might be.”
Both boys whip their heads around to stare at her in shock, Ron freezing in place from where he had begun to pace.
“I mean, think about it. We meet Sirius Black and now suddenly we look like completely different people? We’re the only ones in the Hospital Wing and have been locked in here since last night. What else could have happened?”
Ron blinks several times, though he seems to be looking through Hermione rather than at her. Harry reaches over and grasps one of her hands.
“How do we find out?”
Hermione chews her lips, thinking in the tense silence for several moments. “A lineage test. Usually, you have to go to Gringotts to have them done. But I’m almost positive that Professor Snape will have the potion in his personal stores.”
“Why would Snape have that?” Ron furrows his brows.
“Professor Snape, Ronald.” She absently corrects, twirling a curl around her finger as she thinks. “It’s a potion the sixth years brew. I’m sure he keeps samples on hand.”
“So, we need to break into Snapes personal stores?”
“ That won’t get us killed.” Harry mutters sarcastically under his breath from beside her.
“No. We go to his office and ask him to help us.”
The boys both give her horrified looks, speaking simultaneously. “What?”
“He’s Malfoy’s godfather.” Hermione rolls her eyes. Harry and Ron stare at her as if this is new information to them. As unobservant as the two boys can be, she’s not surprised. “I’m sure he wouldn’t turn three possible kidnapping victims away.”
Hermione throws her blankets off, sliding off the side of the bed. She shoulders her bag and slips on her shoes, wand in hand. She stares at her two friends expectantly.
Harry is the first to move, sighing heavily before moving to find his own wand and shoes. Ron stands gaping for a moment before groaning and doing the same with a heavy scowl. Hermione gives a satisfied smile and leads the way out of the wing. They garner a few curious glances from students wandering the halls but most ignore them as they make their way down to the dungeons. The three come to a stop in front of Snape’s office.
Hermione shuffles from foot to foot nervously, glancing at the boys. Ron waves a hand toward the door with a raised brow. She throws him a dirty look but does step forward to knock her fist on the door three times. She quickly steps back to stand between her friends, clutching her wand tightly. There’s a few moments of silence as they stand impatiently in the corridor before the wooden door creaks open.
The potions professor stares down his hooked nose at them. His brows raise the slightest bit before his face falls back into his usual scowl.
“I don’t believe you three are any of my students.”
“Er…” Harry shifts uncomfortably beside her. Hermione takes his hand and gives him a comforting squeeze.
“Good morning, Professor. We apologize for disturbing you but it seems that something odd happened to us as we slept. We were hoping you might have a lineage potion we may use?”
The man blinks down at him, frozen in place. He seems at a loss for words for several seconds.
“Miss Granger?”
“Yes sir, Professor Snape.”
“What have you fools done now?” His scowl deepens into a glare. Hermione feels Ron tense in anger beside her and she grabs his hand with her free one, squeezing his fingers in warning.
“Honestly, Professor, we have no idea what has happened. We woke up this morning in strangers’ bodies.” She pauses, releasing the boys’ hand to dig through her bag once more. She holds the folded newspaper out to the potions professor. “I think it may have something to do with Sirius Black.”
The dower wizard stares at the front page, standing stock still. Hermione is almost sure that he has stopped breathing. Suddenly, he steps aside, gesturing them forward. “In. Now.”
The three shuffle through the doorway, still clinging to one another. Hermione looks around the office curiously. She’s never had a reason to visit Professor Snape outside of class before. A desk similar to the one in the potions lab sits across from the door. Shelves line the walls, covered in books and jars and dry potion ingredients. Her gaze lingers on several spines along the shelves. The room is dim, though sconces flickers with flames on the walls, casting orange light around the office. Two chairs sit in front of his desk. A flick of his wand conjures a third. The professor jerks his head toward the seats, indicating his demand for them to sit. Without another word, he disappears through a door on the far wall, newspaper still in hand.
The three slowly take a seat, gripping each others’ hand tightly. Harry bounces a knee, looking around anxiously. Ron slouches in his chair, glaring at the floor. Hermione sits straight as a pin, a plethora of thoughts whirring through her mind.
Snape slips back into the room, black cloak billowing behind him. He sets the old copy of The Daily Prophet upon his desk, followed by three pieces of parchment and three crystal vials of shimmering white potion. He takes a seat across from them, reaching into a drawer and retrieving three paring knives to set alongside the potions. He settles back, gaze boring into the three Gryffindors.
“Are you sure you three wish to do this?” It’s odd to have the wizard speak to them in a neutral tone. The lack of his usual disdain makes Hermione want to squirm.
“Yes.” Harry is the one to answer, leaning forward. “What do I do?”
Hermione moves before the potions professor is able to answer, distributing the blades and vials. “We need to cut our nondominant hand and let seven drops of blood fall into the vial.” As she speaks, she demonstrates the actions, wincing as she slices into her left palm. She unstoppers the vial and allows her blood to dribble in. Once seven drops have entered, she stoppers the potion and sits it back on the professor’s desk. A quick ‘episkey’ heals the shallow cut on her hand. “Then, we wait three minutes until the contents turn to a rusty color and pour it over one of the pieces of parchment.”
Ron and Harry stare at her for a moment before glancing at each other. Ron gives a heavy sigh before copying her movements, Harry quickly following suit. Professor Snape watches them intently, dark eyes scrutinizing their new features.
“You do realize how much will change if the results are as you believe?” He raises a sleek eyebrow.
Hermione swallows, resisting the urge to twirls one of her curls around her finger or fidget with the hem of her shirt. “Yes, Professor.”
“Furthermore, do you realize that I must inform the affected families immediately?”
“Doesn’t matter. Obviously, Hermione is wrong and this is just a prank done by the twins.” Ron huffs, crossing his arms with a frown. If Hermione didn’t know better, she would say that the professor looks at her friend with something akin to amusement.
“If you say so, Mr. Weasley.”
“Excuse me, sir.” Harry’s voice is unsure. He fiddles with his glasses in his lap. Hermione hadn’t even realized that he had brought them from the Hospital Wing. “But who exactly would you contact? Aren’t most of the Blacks imprisoned or dead?”
The sallow faced man stares at him for a moment. “You forget, Mr. Potter, that you attend classes with a Black.”
Harry furrows his brows, glancing at Hermione and Ron. Hermione catches onto the wizard’s meaning immediately. “Malfoy.”
“Hell no!” Ron is on his feet immediately, reaching for the crystal vials. Snape’s wand is faster, swishing through the air. The potions suspend in the air above their heads.
“Sit down, Mr. Weasley.”
“Not until you give me my blood back! I’m not letting you ship me and Harry and ‘Mione off to the blond gits!” While his cheeks tinge pink, Ron does not flush as dark as he did as a ginger when he was angry.
“Ron.” Hermione’s voice is quiet as she reaches toward her friend. He turns his eyes to her and Harry.
“Abso-fucking-lutely not, Hermione. I don’t care if the results say I’m Merlin himself, I will not be family with the likes of Malfoy.”
Snape takes advantage of the boy’s distraction, quickly flicking his wand and pouring the now reddish colored potions over the three pieces of parchment. Hermione and Harry stand, each grabbing one of Ron's arms as he lunges at their professor. The man in question pays them no mind, focusing his attention on the papers floating in the air in front of him. After a moment, his eyes widen a fraction and his wand swishes once more. A silver doe manifests, watching Snape expectantly.
“Floo to my office. Immediately.”
The doe shoots away, straight through a wall. He summons a second one.
“Report to my office.”
The deer follows after the first, disappearing through stone. The parchments float down until they lay flat upon his desk.
“I ask you all to calm down and retake your seats.”
“No. We’re leaving.” Ron tries to jerk out of his friends’ grasp. Hermione scrabbles for a better hold on his sleeve.
“You are not.” A twitch of the professor's wand causes the three chairs to knock them behind the knees, sending the trio sprawling back into their seats. “If you calm, I will allow you to read the results.”
“We don’t need your re-”
“I want to see them.” Harry cuts across their friend, leaning forward.
The three pieces of parchment float off of the desk and to their respective owners. Hermione is quick to snatch hers out of the air. Her stomach immediately drops as she reads the results.
Maia Druella Lestrange-Black
Father : Lord Rodolphus Geraldan Lestrange-Borgin
Mother : Lady Bellatrix Druella Black-Lestrange
Sibling(s) : Heir Perseus Randolph Lestrange-Black, Naos Pollux Lestrange-Black
Paternal Grandfather : Lord Geraldan Henry Lestrange-Yaxley [Deceased]
Paternal Grandmother : Lady Honoralda Tansy Borgin-Lestrange [Deceased]
Maternal Grandfather : Cygnus Pollux Black-Crabbe III [Deceased]
Maternal Grandmother : Druella Isla Rosier-Black [Deceased]
Paternal Aunt(s)/Uncle(s) : Rabastan Henry Lestrange-Borgin
Maternal Aunt(s)/Uncle(s) : Andromeda Isla Black-Rosier (Edward Franklin Tonks-Black), Lady Narcissa Cassiopeia Black-Malfoy (Lord Lucius Abraxus Malfoy-Macmillan)
Maternal Cousin(s) : Wezen Androm Black, Castor Edward Black, Nymphadora Isla Black, Heir Gorganea Cygnus Malfoy-Black, Furud Abraxus Malfoy-Black, Draco Lucius Malfoy-Black, Lyra Cassiopeia Malfoy-Black
Godparent : Lord Marvolo Salazar Slytherin
“How?” Harry whispers beside her, parchment crinkling in his grip. She leans over to read his results.
Hydrus James Potter-Black
Father : Lady Regina Walburga Black-Potter
Mother : Lord James Charlus Potter-Black
Sibling(s) : Heir Rigel Charlus Potter-Black
Paternal Grandfather : Lord Orion Black-Macmillan [Deceased]
Paternal Grandmother : Lady Walburga Black-Crabbe [Deceased]
Maternal Grandfather : Lord Charlus Fleamont Potter-Burke [Deceased]
Maternal Grandmother : Lady Dorea Astra Black-Potter [Deceased]
Paternal Aunt(s)/Uncle(s) : Lord Sirius Orion Black (Lady Lily Rose Evans-Black)
Paternal Cousin(s) : Heiress Gemma Rose Black
Godparent : Heir Bartimus Caspar Crouch-Nott Jr.
“There’s no bloody way!” A glance over Ron’s shoulder shows almost identical results, though the name ‘Rigel Charlus Potter-Black’ is listed at the top of his page.
Before anymore can be said, the flames in the fireplace flare green and a couple steps out of the hearth. The witch and wizard are dressed in impeccable robes, a flick of the witch’s wrist ridding them of any lingering ash. They hardly spare a glance for the trio, instead focusing all of their attention on Snape. It’s immediately obvious who they are.
“Severus, what’s wrong? Has something happened to Draco?” The blonde woman, though her hair is much more golden compared to her husband’s platinum, steps forward.
The professor walks around his desk, holding out a hand. The parchments that the children have barely had time to read are snatched from them. They land in the wizard’s grasp before he holds them out to who must be Narcissa Malfoy. She gives him a thinly veiled expression of confusion before looking down at the pages. Immediately, one of her hands reaches up to cover her mouth, though it does nothing to hide the gasp that escapes her. Lucius Malfoy steps forward, leaning over his wife’s shoulder in order to see the documents’ contents.
Lady Malfoy shoves the papers into her husband’s hands, stepping toward the trio instead. Her eyes run over their features, lingering on Hermione’s curls, the slope of Ron’s nose, or the scar that still adorns Harry’s forehead. She approaches the latter first, cupping the boy’s cheek. Harry’s expression can only be described as bewildered as the woman looks upon him with glassy eyes.
“Hydrus.”
She then reaches over, grasping Hermione’s hand tightly.
“Maia.”
Her gaze finally falls upon Ron, not seeming to notice his horrified expression.
“Rigel.”
“How did you find them, Severus?” Lord Malfoy finally seems to come to his senses, holding the pieces of parchment back out to the potions professor. “Are there any traces of-of the others?”
Snape opens his mouth to answer, but the door to the office opens, cutting off his reply. “Uncle Severus? You called for me.”
Hermione turns her head, spying Harry’s rival standing behind them. The door closes once more.
“We should call Andromeda!” Lady Malfoy speaks before anymore can be said, hurrying back towards the hearth and disappearing in the flare of green flames. The remaining six stare at each other, the newly minted Blacks sitting tensely in their seats.
The professor sighs, waving his wand and conjuring more chairs. Six more chairs appear, sitting perpendicular to the trio. “Sit.”
Malfoy and his father take a seat, the former staring at them curiously. The room is filled with awkward silence until the fireplace flares once more. Four individuals come sweeping out, though the last stumbles in her steps. The woman that stands beside Lady Malfoy shares eerie similarities with Hermione’s new appearance, though her curls are brown rather than auburn.
“She looks just like Bella.” The new witch puts a hand to her chest as she stares at the children. “The boys are practically Regina reincarnated.”
Ron tenses even more beside Hermione, reaching out to grasp her wrist. She’s sure that her friend is close to his breaking point.
“The similarities are most disturbing.” Snape inclines his head before gesturing for the newcomers to sit.
Lady Malfoy sits beside her husband, the woman Hermione can only assume to be Andromeda takes the seat next to her. The younger woman comes next and finally the man. None of the six observers take their eyes off the trio, looking at them as if they may disappear any second. After a moment, Andromeda looks to the professor.
“How can this be?”
Snape looks upon Hermione and the boys for a moment before turning to the larger group. “Last night, three students had a confrontation with Sirius Black.”
“Siri was here?” Lady Malfoy leans forward in her seat, reaching out to clutch her husband’s hand tightly.
“Yes, Cissa.” Snape nods. “I witnessed him myself. Moving on, the three students spent the night in the Hospital Wing before waking up this morning with their appearances completely altered.”
“Three students?” Malfoy speaks up, examining the trio closer. His eyes widen. “No bloody way.”
“Language, Draco.” Lord Malfoy scolds, though he seems to have come to a similar revelation.
“This is all a prank.” Ron spits the words vehemently, jumping to his feet. His grip on Hermione’s wrist hauls her up as well. Not to be left behind, Harry stands quickly.
“The potion doesn’t lie, Mr. Weasley. Or should I say Mr. Potter?”
Hermione can feel Ron’s magic sparking around them. She uses the hand not in his grasp to clench the sleeve of his upper arm. “Calm down, Ronald.”
“Calm down?” Blazing grey eyes look down at her. “How the bloody hell can I calm down when these people are trying to make us out to be somebody we’re not?”
Ron turns his ire toward what’s left of the Black family, bar Sirius. “I am a Weasley. Harry is a Potter. Hermione is a muggleborn.” One of the quill’s on Snape’s desk catches fire. The man who has yet to be introduced waves his wand and puts out the flames. “I don’t know how our appearances changed, but that does not make us some missing kids. We already have families.”
“You will calm down before I am forced to give you a calming draught, Mr. Weasley.” The potions professor glares at him from behind his desk. Hermione steps forward to place herself slightly in front of her friend.
“Lineage tests cannot be faked, Rigel.” Lord Malfoy speaks as he seems to try and comfort his silently crying wife. “I understand you are upset, but that is no reason to ignore the truth in front of you.”
“How did our looks change?” Harry finally speaks, looking between the family group and his friends with a conflicted expression. Hermione finally remembers what his test had said. His father was still named as James Potter. And neither of his parents had been listed as deceased.
“My theory,” Snape speaks once more, “is that your contact with Black last night, a blood relative and the Lord of your house, somehow triggered the destruction of the glamors placed upon you.”
“The family magic.” Andromeda speaks, sitting straighter in her chair as she looks at the children. She offers them a friendly smile. “When a new child is born into the Black family, the parents have them bleed onto the family ward stone located at Black Castle. This creates a direct connection between them and the Black family magic, it also allows them to always be recognized as family by the Lord of the House of Black.”
Lady Malfoy gasps. “Yes! Sirius would have become lord after he was imprisoned. His Great Grandfather Arcturus did not die until three years ago. Sirius would not have known how to recognize the familial bonds he would have as Lord last night. He has not yet taken his formal place amongst the family.”
Andromeda nods along. “Yes, my point exactly.”
“Sirius is innocent.” Harry speaks again, though his voice is much firmer this time. All of the adults, bar Snape, turn to look at him.
“What do you mean, Hydrus?” Lord Malfoy grips his snake head cane tightly with the hand that is not holding his wife. Harry shifts uncomfortably under his penetrating gaze.
“Sirius wasn’t a deatheater. Or the Potters’ secret keeper. Peter Pettigrew was both. Pettigrew faked his death by blowing up that street and killing those muggles. He escaped by cutting off one of his fingers and transforming into his animagus form, a rat.” Hermione speaks for her friend (her cousin?), knowing how much Harry hates having so much attention on him.
No one speaks for a moment, the occupants of the room absorbing the information. Snape shifts uncomfortably behind his desk.
“Andi-”
“Cissa-”
The women speak at the same time, looking at one another with fire in their eyes. There’s a silent moment where no one dares to breathe before both look back to Hermione and the boys.
“Are you three willing to provide us with memories of the events?”
“Yes.”
Harry answers for them, not giving Ron or Hermione a chance to speak. Which is understandable, really. Hermione knows how furious he was the previous night at the Minister’s refusal to listen to their claims.
“You take our memories and then we’re allowed to leave.” Ron finally speaks up once again from Hermione’s other side. A glance at him show’s the former ginger glaring at the adults and younger Malfoy with a hostile aura.
“Now, Rigel-”
“Hush, Lucius. Obviously the children are not ready for this reality. Let them make their decision.” Andromeda gives the three a small smile.
The rest of her family give her odd looks before Lady Malfoy nods sagely.
“Yes. We’ll take the memories so that they can be provided to the ministry, then you children may leave.”
“Took you all bloody long enough.” Ron sighs, grumbling as he turns to Snape. “S’pose you’ll be giving your memories, too, Professor.”
The two women whip their heads to stare at the potions master, who seems to be glaring rather harshly at the stone ceiling.
“Yes.” The professor almost seems as if the word physically pains him.
“You witnessed these events as well, Severus?” Lady Malfoy asks in a dangerously quiet tone. Hermione almost feels pity for the professor as he twitches slightly, avoiding the woman’s eyes.
“Yes.” He mutters again, clenching and unclenching his hand around his wand repeatedly. The blonde witch narrows her eyes at him and hums in response before turning back to Hermione and her boys.
“Now, who would like to go first?” Her voice is much more gentle and soothing as she addresses them.
Ron shifts from foot to foot, looking away from the adults. Harry seems hesitant, unsure. Hermione sighs and steps forward. “I will, Lady Malfoy.”
“Just Narcissa, please darling. Or Aunt Cissa if you’d rather?” She looks at Hermione with such a hopeful expression that Hermione’s chest tightens. Has an adult ever looked at her with such care?
“How do you retrieve my memories?” She asks instead of answering. Lady Malfoy’s shoulders fall the slightest bit but she straightens up to answer.
“You will need to concentrate on the memories you would like for me to copy. I will touch my wand to your temple and say the spell. As I pull my wand away, your memories will come with it. Then I will deposit the sample into a vial until it can be viewed in a pensieve.” She explains. Hermione perks up at the new knowledge, more questions on the tip of her tongue.
“Perhaps we should move on to the actual retrieval before Miss Granger asks enough questions until she becomes hoarse.” Professor Snape’s acerbic voice cuts in before Hermione is even able to open her mouth. Ron scoffs beside her, Harry reaches out to brush his arm against hers as her shoulders curl slightly inward. The other adults glare at the professor who merely busies himself by pulling out vials for the memories to be stored in.
“Very well, come here, dear.” Lady Malfoy gives Hermione another gentle smile, gesturing for her to stand in front of her. Steeling her spine, Hermione closes the distance between him, leaving Harry and Ron behind her. The older witch slowly lifts her wand and places it against Hermione’s left temple. She tries her best to focus on the events of the previous night and only those memories. She’s focusing so hard that she misses the spell the witch murmurs, only then to be distracted by the silver strands of something being from her head by the dark wand. She needs to know how Lady Malfoy did that. She has to know how she did that.
“I’ll go next.” Hermione finds herself tugged backwards as the strands fully disconnect from her. Ron eyes their (maybe?) relatives with confusion and suspicion as he nudges her behind him to stand with Harry. She can’t help her slight smile at her friend (cousin?) and his tendency to protect her and Harry without thought.
She watches intently as Lady Malfoy performs the same process on Ron and then Harry, even murmuring the spell a few times to herself as she tries to memorize it. When all their memories have been collected, Ron pulls her and Harry back toward the door to the office, never turning his back to the Malfoys and Blacks. Professor Snape watches them with what Hermione almost swears is amusement.
“I hope to be able to see you all again soon.” Lady Malfoy speaks to them as one would a spooked animal. Ron tenses between Hermione and Harry.
As the three slip through the doorway, Hermione glances back one time and happens to make eye contact with Malfoy the younger. Draco stares after them with curious eyes and she can’t help the way it suddenly feels as if her stomach is filled with lead. She somehow knows that this is far from the end of their troubles.