Finding Salvation in the Dark

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The breeze blew gently against Hermione's exposed flesh, her arms and neck feeling rather naked in the pale pink short sleeve shirt Narcissa had given her to wear when she had woken up that morning, unused to wearing anything like it. Having lived in baggy jumpers and oversized shirts most of her life to hide the bruises left by her father. The sun shone brightly overhead causing a thin sheen of moisture to coat the young Gryffindor's forehead as she sat upon the bench that stood at the very bottom of Malfoy Manor grounds overlooking a small reef pond that she had already discovered to be the home of an assortment of fish in all shapes, sizes and colours.

She had begun her likely only solitary moment facing the water but some time ago had chosen to examine the grounds around her. Malfoy Manor was quite simply magnificent. White stone bricks built five stories high stood impressively in the middle of the grounds, high arch windows with balconies just as beautiful gleamed immaculately and pale grey stone steps led up to tall ornate double wooden doors, the only entrance that she could see from where she sat.

The grounds surrounding the Manor were vast open lawns filled with plants, hedges and trees as far as the eye could see. Expertly tended too and blooming with colour. Pathways of soft grey stone tying each section together wonderfully. In all it was the most beautiful home she had ever seen and she really could now understand just why Draco had felt so entitled in his bragging. The place screamed wealth in abundance. Something that Hermione had never experienced in all her short years.

She could hear the soft twittering of the wildlife that surrounded her and she couldn’t help but feel more than a little amused watching the seven large pink peacock's strut around the grass comically. All in all Hermione knew she had landed in the lap of luxury and couldn't help the anxiety that bubbled constantly within her that this would all be grabbed from right under her, or she'd wake up, still in her dorm in Gryffindor Tower to find this had all been an extravagant dream and she was still stuck as Dumbledore and Potters little Omega mud blood slave girl.

When she had realised at the ministry that the dark alluring Alpha woman was her mate she had acted rather rashly in pleading with the woman to take her to the Dark Lord without any certainty of what she would face when the Alpha decided to do so. Though between the unknown and going back with Harry she would pick the unknown any and every time. Especially when she knew she would fit the blame for their unexpected expedition to the ministry. She shuddered to think of the numerous cruciatus curses she would have faced as a result.

Though now she was here within the confines of the Dark Lords followers she felt rather afraid of her future. She knew Bellatrix and her sister’s had been tasked with ensuring not only her loyalty but the truthfulness in her story. It scared her, the inner voice of all her tormentors, especially her muggle father reminding her of just how worthless she truly was. A voice she found herself constantly trying to fight and ignore. It was up to her Alpha now to decide her fate and from the level of consideration the dark witch had shown her thus far she hoped beyond anything that her leap of faith would prove to be the right decision.

She wanted, desperately to be worthy of the older witch. Bellatrix was everything Hermione had ever dreamed of in an Alpha. She was strong, incredibly so, fearless, skilled and from what she had seen she was also protective and caring. She couldn't have asked for a better mate. It was because of all of this that she had asked for the time she had been allowed out here in the garden. She knew sooner or later Bellatrix and her sisters would begin their questioning of her and that would mean bringing down her barriers and letting them into her mind. Something she knew she would truly have to work at to do. Her mind had been the only sanctuary she had ever known, her entire life and letting someone, regardless of if that someone was her mate, her Alpha, into that sanctuary terrified her beyond belief.

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So engrossed in her own mind, Hermione didn't hear the dark witch approach, nor did she realise how much time had passed since she had come out to sit outside. It wasn't until she felt arms wrap around her from behind that she noticed she was no longer alone. Her body stiffening automatically in response.

"Hush now, it's just me my little Omega" the dark witch whispered almost tenderly and Hermione allowed herself to relax marginally. The understanding that Bellatrix's presence now meant that she had run out of time not allowing her to relax fully.

"It's time, isn't it?" She whispered, less of a genuine question and more to communicate that she was aware she had to come inside now and was reluctant to do so.

"It is little one, though what about what must happen next has you so tense? Though don't for a second think to lie to me or deny it" the dark witch replied, her voice soft, questioning but firm as if she already knew Hermione would not wish to share her thoughts.

The brunette on her part couldn't help but smile slightly at just how quickly Bellatrix seemed to be able to read her and despite the idea of someone wishing to know how she felt being a foreign one to the young Omega she appreciated the older witches display of care.

"I know what must occur and for the most part I am okay with what must happen. But the thought of allowing anyone so deeply into my mind scares me. You are my Alpha, they are your sisters so I trust you to a certain degree but my mind has always been the one place I can find solace away from everything I have faced. Not once have I ever allowed anyone access to it and I am afraid of what it may bring to the surface, I'm afraid to be a disappointment to you" Hermione finally whispered after a few moments of silently trying to find her courage. She pressed herself back against the Alpha as she spoke trying to take as much comfort from the strong arms that held her as she could while communicating silently just how terrified she was.

"I understand Hermione, but this is something I cannot compromise with you on. It is a direct order from our lord and we must carry it out. Your loyalty and your reasoning must be confirmed and this is the only way we can be sure. We are at war and we cannot afford to make mistakes" Bellatrix replied, her tone making it clear that this would not be something she was willing to argue about. Mate or not she wouldn't allow anyone to sabotage all they were working for and Hermione understood that. She knew why it must happen, respected even, just why it must happen but despite that it still terrified her. She nodded stiffly, not knowing how else to reply. Letting her Alpha know she would comply no matter how reluctantly it would be.

"I will command you if necessary little witch though I would much rather I didn’t have to. You will learn quickly that I meant all I said. I may he your Alpha but you are my equal Hermione, once this is over you won't ever have to allow anyone into your mind if you do not wish to do so" the dark witch reassured, coming to stand in front if Hermione, her dark eyes usually soft with understanding as she offered her hand to her and began to lead her back up towards the Manor.

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"Would you rather have us all sit on the bed or on the sofa with you sweet girl?" Bellatrix asked her as she was led into the Alpha's room. The older witch keeping a comforting arm around her.

"The sofa's" she replied instantly, not comfortable with her Alpha's sisters being on the bed with her. Allowing them into her mind would be far too difficult and intimate as it was without adding the intimacy the bed implied.

"As you wish" the dark witch replied as she motioned for her sisters to situate themselves on the sofa across from the one she was leading Hermione to. The young Omega knew she was growing more and more anxious with each passing second and was glad when her Alpha flicked her wrist, lighting the room a little more and starting a fire in the fireplace beside the sitting area. Making the room feel more homely and safe as they sat together. Bellatrix sitting beside her at an angle but keeping her palm pressed against her back, a steady pressure which Hermione found grounding as she forced herself to take deep breathes and calm herself.

"You are anxious enough so we are just going to go ahead and start sweet girl, clear your mind and when you feel us enter do not fight us or try to shield yourself" Bella murmured gently as she brought a hand up to cup the brunettes cheek, Hermione pushed her face into her Alpha's palm subconsciously, seeking the comfort and warmth that emanated of the witch in waves. She knew that Bellatrix was using their bond to calm her and make her more at ease and somehow she couldn’t find it in her to be mad about the little manipulation, it strangely felt sweet and she craved her Alpha's care to such a degree that she wasn't willing to pull away from the dark witch. She pulled in deep breathes, allowing her Alpha's scent to fill her lungs as she focused her mind, bringing down her shields willingly for the first time.

"Open your eyes sweet girl" Bellatrix's voice filtered into her mind in a gentle whisper and she had to fight her own urge to ignore the request as she tempered the sudden fear she felt. Allowing her own eyes to connect with her Alpha's tender onyx eyes.

"That's a good girl" Bellatrix praised, pressing a kiss to her nose and offering her a gentle smile. Hermione saw the moment the witch in front of her silently cast the spell to enter her mind, the older witches eyes hardening slightly as she felt the Alpha's magic infiltrate her mind. Panicking slightly Hermione instinctively threw up her walls. Entirely not expecting to he able to physically feel her Alpha's presence in her mind.

She panicked slightly at that thought, she wasn't meant to have her walls up. She had to bring them down again but as her panic rose so did the difficulty she was having in doing as she must.

"Hush sweet girl, I won't harm you. Its alright just breathe and let me in" Bellatrix's voice was kind as it filtered into her mind, her Alpha's magic seeming to engulf her in a hug, the soothing chocolate and vanilla scent laced with a hint of cinnamon and Old books that she knew to he her Alpha increasing rapidly to help calm her.

"That’s it darling, breathe" Narcissa's voice added also in her mind and Hermione wondered how she hadn't felt her enter it like she had Bellatrix.

"That was deliberate, Narcissa and I are both skilled leglimens Hermione, you wouldn't have felt us enter unless we wanted you too, which we didn't. We entered your mind at the same time as Bella though she has never refined her intrusion as we have" Andromeda murmured in response to her thought as she felt all three sisters probe at her mental blocks.

Hermione smiled a little at her Alpha's sisters playful jibe at Bella's skill in leglimency. Allowing the levity to help her reach the level of calm she knew she would need to bring her walls fully down.

Not breaking eye contact she drew in another deep breath before she refocused on her walls, imagining them crumbling and falling away from her mind, leaving her thoughts and memories bare for the Black sisters to view.

She tried her best to zone out and not allow herself to view her own memories alongside them but as they were literally viewing them inside her mind she couldn't help but relive each painful, agonising moment she had experienced.

Her Fathers tyranny, Harry Potters cruelty. Dumbledore’s ire. Each and every time she had been beaten and ridiculed all displayed for her Alpha and her Alpha's sisters.

They moved quickly, and she knew instinctively it was because they could sense just how upsetting reliving her own memories was to the young witch, however she knew no matter how quickly they browsed, it wouldn't be quick enough.

"Disgusting"

"Worthless"

"Omega mudblood"

The cruel words filtered in what felt like an endless loop, each memory becoming more and more painful.

She was trapped, back in the basement as she heard her father return. Though based on the voices she knew he wasn't alone. Multiple sets of footsteps descending the stairs that led to her hiding spot. Her father sneering as he pulled her into the middle if the room. His friends surrounding her.

She hadn't even a chance to look up before the first blow landed. Her world exploding into nothing but bright white pain.............


"Hermione what have you done" her mothers fear filled voice reverberated in her ears as the twelve year old looked at the dark rose vines that she had somehow caused to start crawling up the kitchen walls. Her heart was pounding as she glanced at her mother fearfully..........

"You're nothing Omega, nothing but a filthy mudblood. You should be honoured I keep you around" Harry's eyes glinted in malice as he towered over her and she was glad she had the sense to cover her head quickly as he brought his foot up in preparation.......

"You deserve better 'ermione" Fleur whispered as she held her close, rocking them gently, soothing her.

"If you ever vant to get away come to my 'ome, my mozer and fazer 'ave already permitted such, you are like my sister 'ermione, I 'ate seeing vat zey are doing to you" the blonde veela whispered. Clutching her tightly as they held each other close for the last time before the blonde Alpha had to leave to return home......

The memories were endless and by the end of it Hermione had curled up into herself. Her thin frame wracked with sobs as she clutched her middle tightly, praying for it all to end. Wishing desperately for her Alpha to exit her mind because as much as she understood why this had to happen she hated every second of the invasion.

She hated it, it terrified her to know that these three people, practical strangers now knew her entire life. Had viewed each memory as if they were there. That they were probably realising as they watched how much her father had been right. How much Harry and Dumbledore were right. She was a useless Omega mudblood. Alone and unwanted and...

Her mind short circuited a little in panic as she found herself being picked up. The movement enough to startle her back into the present moment as she was sat upon her Alpha's lap, straddling her Alpha's knees in such a way she was facing her.

Her head guided into the crook of a warm neck, her hands trapped between their bodies as Bellatrix began to hum quietly as she rocked them.

"Its over sweet girl, all over" she heard, the words a confirmation. "I'm so sorry we had to do that Little one" Andromeda voiced as Hermione felt the witch join them, her hand coming to rest on the small of her back.

"You're safe now Hermione, we won't ever let anyone harm you again, I promise" Narcissa added, also pressing her hand to her back and Hermione would be lying if she said that it wasn't the most comforted she had ever felt as her Alpha and her Alpha's sister surrounded her.

She didn't know how long they sat together. Bellatrix, Narcissa and Andromeda not once ceasing their comfort and as Hermione calmed she relaxed I to I to gentle touch, nuzzling her Alpha's neck in appreciation before peering up at the dark witch shyly. Feeling rather self conscious with the level of care she was being shown.

"Hi sweet girl" Bella smiled and Hermione found herself smiling back in response, offering a sheepish response.

"I promise you now sweet girl that muggle man will pay, as will all who have harmed you. They will regret ever laying a finger on you. I meant what I said before, you are mine, you will always be mine and you have never nor will you ever be the vulgar things they said you are. You are Worthy, smart, intelligent and I am proud to be your Alpha" the dark witch whispered tenderly and Hermione hadn't known she needed to hear those words so much until she had heard them. Her Alpha's words felt like a soothing balm on her tormented heart. They were words she had craved all her life and it felt like a life line as she unconsciously smiled and pressed herself closer to Bella, despite the little space between them.

"Thank you" she whispered as she tucked her head back into Bellatrix's neck, purring softly when the dark witch brought a hand up to sift through her hair.

"Do not thank me for seeing you as you are sweet girl, I am not doing anything apart from what our whole world should. This is what we fight for. For that world you spoke of where our future baby girl will never have to fear or fight for her life as you have. We may be the dark side but I'd argue we are only doing what we must, what is right in a world that would rather see you cow. It is beyond time our world changed hmm?" Her Alpha responded and Hermione knew it wasn't really a question but she nodded anyway, fully agreeing with the witches words.

In the last twenty four hours her view on good and evil had warped significantly. Her Alpha's words causing her to think on what was truly dark. Yes it was true Bellatrix was the darkest witch of the age. She had a higher death count and had injured more than any alive but was she really evil if those she had hurt and killed took pleasure in harming those more vulnerable than them? She didn't think so. Though one thing she was certain of is she couldn't find it in herself to analyse any further. She would fight alongside her Alpha without question and if that meant she was dark or evil then so be it.

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"Do you feel up for that inheritance test sweet girl?" The dark witch murmured after a pause, having chosen to let her Omega mull over her words for a while. She was beyond proud of her mate, having now witnessed all her mate had survived. She had no idea how the girl ever managed to build up the courage to go against the world around her. It brought her an all new feeling of awe at just how brave the young witch had been to ask her to get her free. Merlin knew she didn't think that even she would have had the guts for that especially knowing that if she had rejected Hermione that day the witch would have undoubtedly faced even more cruelty for it.

"I guess" the little Omega whispered, her eyes filled with curiosity and apprehension and Bellatrix couldn’t blame her for it. After all she had been severely abused by one set of parents already, and as a witch who had grown up in the muggle world she wouldn't know just how much pureblood families doted on their kids.

"Its okay to be anxious about it my girl, but I can assure you of two things, one is that you are a pure blood, us Black's were cursed by a distant ancestor to only be able to find our mates in another pureblood family. You are my mate Hermione so must belong to one of the sacred 28. And secondly whomever your parents are, it is entirely your choice whether or not you want them to know you." The dark witch reassured. Cupping her mates cheek and nodding to her sisters when her mates whispered "okay" reached her ears.

Bella watched in awe as her mate seemed to come alive when Andromeda called her over to help make the inheritance potion, explaining in detail why each component worked and answering every question the young witch asked. Her thirst for knowledge reminded Bella of how she had been back in her school days and in many ways still was. She seemed to soak up the information around her effortlessly. Her eyes lighting with joy as Andromeda and Narcissa praised her understanding and natural skill in the subject.

Bellatrix watched on from the sofa they had previously been sitting on. Her heart warming at the sight of her sisters being so tender with her mate. Something she knew her girl would need plenty off as she healed from her past. After experiencing so much cruelty she knew Hermione would need time and patience and more love than any would imagine and the dark witch silently vowed to provide it in abundance.

Smiling a tender sad smile she summoned her patronus, an impressive looking Black Mamba. She sent it off to inform their Lord that Hermione's story had checked out and that they were in the process of brewing her a heritage test. She would speak with him in person later, once she was certain her mate was settled for the evening. Not willing to be away from the girl for long in the slightest. The knowledge of all the girl had suffered having her feeling more than a little protective of her Omega.

"Bella, it's time" Andromeda called over, prompting the dark witch to shake herself out of her own thoughts and make her way over to her now visibly tense mate.

"It'll be alright sweet girl, I'm here" she murmured tenderly as she wrapped her arms around the girl from behind, releasing soothing pheromones when her girl reached back to clutch her skirt with one hand. She tightened her arms around her, letting her know she wasn't going anywhere as she watched Hermione prick her finger, letting three drops of crimson fall into the potion on the desk In front of them.

They watched together as the potion bubbled before turning from its murky grey to a deep purple, settling once it was sufficiently mixed.

Sensing that Hermione would not be willing to pour the potion onto the heritage parchment, Bellatrix gestured for Narcissa to do the honours as she pressed a reassuring kiss to the brunettes cheek.

She held her breathe slightly as they watched, the parchment changing in front of their eyes. Words appearing and rearranging on the previously blank page.

Hermione reached out once the words stopped moving, bringing the parchment up so they could both read and what Bellatrix saw could have stopped her heart in an instant if she were a more tender person. The names of Hermione's parents displayed for all to see.

"Oh!" Was all the dark haired witch could whisper as she felt tears begin to fall down her cheeks.