Chapter 2
6th September 1990
Next day after the incident at the playing ground Hermione walked towards school with tensed, nervous shoulders. What kind of would today be like? She had cry-swollen eyes and ragged appearance.
After Bellatrix Black had left Hermione home last evening, Mr. and Mrs. Wilkins had been furious with her. They had slapped her across her ears and dragged her by hair into her room with no hesitation. No food, no warm shower, no asking about her day. Hermione had cried herself to sleep that night. What she didn’t know, Bellatrix Black had heard all the shouting and crying outside the house. When Bellatrix returned to her home, she and her sister Andy explained everything what had happened to their parents.
When Hermione arrived at school (which included both comprehensive school and high school in a little town), no mean comments or threatening behavior came to her way, even though she couldn’t not to notice sneers and annoyed stares. Dudley and his gang had taken seriously Black and her friend’s protection over Hermione.
11th September 1990
The following week after the incident had been best Hermione had had in a long time. It wasn’t anything special, but she felt safe. At least at school and town. She had her own peace and that was something she treasured. What she treasured too, was her new “relationship” with older students. When she saw them in school ground or at around the town, she felt like she was bursting. Black and her friends waved at her, they greeted her with gentle smiles and sometimes they asked her how her day was going. Today Bellatrix Black had seen Hermione outside the library and recommended her favorite book for Hermione.
“Hey Doe-eyes! How are you? Going to the library? Have you ever read Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen? That’s my favorite. Maybe you’d like to read it?”
Hermione had blushed thoroughly as the cool older girl she admired had came to greet her. She barely got anything said during the moment until Black waved her goodbyes and left to her friends. She glanced longingly after the older girl before stepping inside the library to find the recommended book.
15th September 1990
It was a lovely autumn evening. Not too chilly and still quite bright. Bellatrix Black and her sister Andy sat at the balcony of their house, enjoying the quiet space around them. They had had a lovely Saturday with their youngest sister, 14-year-old Cissy. Their parents had had some important business to attend so the girls had had entire house for themselves. Sisters were close and enjoyed the time they had together. The day slowly turned towards the night, but girls were still tightly together. Cissy walked to the balcony carrying three mugs of steamy hot chocolate, squeezed herself between her older sisters into the rocking chair and let their grab their own mugs. They sipped their drinks in unison and sighted happily. Perfect moment. Cissy leaned her head to Andy’s shoulder and Bellatrix wrapped the other arm around them both.
“We should to this more often, hang out together. All three of us. Me and Bella hang out together much, yes, because we have same friends, but we should take you more often with us, Cissy. I hope you don’t feel left out” said Andy quietly.
“Don’t worry, dear sis. I have friends of my own. Cousin Sirius, James, Sev, Lily, Alice, and others. I don’t feel left out. I know you both feel bad for not hanging out enough with me, that’s enough for me” grinned Cissy.
“That’s our sis” smirked Bella. “Seriously though, we really should hang out more often. I didn’t even remember that you are such a good company, Cissy!” Bella grinned and sticked her tongue out.
“Ha, thanks a lot! Maybe I leave you suffer and don’t hang out with you at all” laughed Cissy.
Andy and Bella pouted identically.
“Think how lucky we are, though. We have each other. We have our friends. Some people have no one” whispered Andy.
“Are you thinking the little girl, Andy?” asked Bella quietly.
“Yes I am. She just came to my mind. Have you seen her in a while? I haven’t.
Bellatrix tried to remember if she had seen the little Doe-eyes. “I think the last time I saw her was on Tuesday, outside the library.”
“That’s weird. I see her all the time lurking around the town. Why suddenly not?”
“That’s a good question. She certainly should not want to be at home… I deduce that on what I heard there. But maybe she’s sick. Maybe we should see if she comes to school on Monday.
17th September 1990
The little girl didn’t show up at school on Monday. Neither Bella and her sisters nor Bella’s friends had seen her. Stan and Rod went to talk to Dudley and his gang. They told them that the little girl wasn’t at their school anymore.
“Beaver? We heard she got transferred somewhere or something, I dunno and don’t care” answered Dudley.
Andy talked to her parents about their concerns, and they told they had taken forward the information Andy and Bella had provided them about the girl over a week ago. They had hoped that the girl’s situation would get better.
Bella and Andy decided to go to Mr. and Mrs. Wilkins. They just wanted to know what had happened. When the door opened, they saw the grim look on Mrs. Wilkins’ face.
“What?” Wilkins gritted out.
“We are sorry to bother you, Mrs. Wilkins. We are Andromeda and Bellatrix Black. You might remember Bella from the other week. We are… um… friends of Hermione and haven’t seen her a while. We wondered if she’s ok?” said Andy politely.
“Well, that’s not my concern anymore. The brat was taken away from us. She’s about to go to new guardians. Away from here. I’m gonna close this door now, I have some important things to do. Goodbye” answered Mrs. Wilkins.
Black sisters turned to look each other. Well, she got away from here. That must be something.
“I hope her new family will be good. Poor girl” whispered Andy. Bellatrix nodded seriously, glanced the Wilkins’ house, took her sister’s hand and started to walk them away from the miserable porch.
“I hope so too. I wish you luck, Doe-eyes.”
19th September 2000
The beautiful, dim light peeped behind the curtains. It reached the sleeping woman, who sighed softly and shifted towards the light. She wrapped herself tightly to her comforter and smiled. Hermione Granger woke up and opened her big, beautiful, brown eyes which glinted with happiness. This would be a great day. Hermione got up from the bed, went to the window and admired the morning outside. I really was going to be a wonderful 21st birthday.