Your 'death' was her destruction
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"Alecto thought you were dead"
"Alecto thought you were dead"
"Alecto thought you were dead"
Hermione didn't know how long she stood there, just staring at the page in front of her as her Alpha's words wrung in her mind, over and over again. Yet she couldn't let the page go. The page that told her, that showed her, that her whole life had been a lie. That she had been singled out and bore the brunt if the 'lights' torment over something that she now knew was so very untrue. She didn't know what to feel, though it felt like a storm was brewing within her.
Deep anger, painful longing and an agonising level of pain and disbelief all fought with one another. None winning the overwhelming fight.
"Sweet girl... please.... let.... talk through this..." somewhere deep within she knew that was her Alpha's voice but she couldn't for the life of her figure out how to respond, couldn't find the strength to move or even look towards the dark witch as she warred with herself.
It just seemed so illogical, so pointless, so so daunting to know that she had, or has she couldn't quite work it out, parents. Pureblood parents. Pureblood parents that could have, if they had kept her, protected her from the agony that her childhood had been.
Her mother, apparently, had wanted her, had loved her even. She had been devastated, Bellatrix had told her, when she had been torn from her mothers arms at barely five minutes old and carted away. It had destroyed the Omega witch when not an hour later, Hermione's father had taunted her over the death of her child.
She had been wanted. She had been loved. But she had been denied, abused, broken repeatedly. She had been manipulated and haunted by her 'betters'. Beaten for simply existing. Yet she could have been loved. Could have been. Should have been.
It hurt, it hurt so much Merlin knew how she was still breathing. This agonising pain in her chest that seemed to reverberate throughout her entire body. It hurt worse than any jinx, curse or crucio ever had. More than any broken bone, or internal bleeding had ever done. It felt like she was dying.
If she could rationalise she'd know it was just a case of sensory overload. Her brain wasn't coping with the overload of feelings. The emotional turmoil too much to process so her brain had imagined something physical. But despite that understanding she still found herself gasping and gulping greedily. Trying, trying so hard to put in some sort of breath, to push air into her lungs. Lungs that felt as if they were filled with sand and she was drowning.
"Hermione..... need.... breathe" she was trying too, she wanted to tell them as Andromeda's voice joined her Alpha's. Merlin she was trying, but it was so much, too much.
"Please... just... little..." Narcissa's voice now, she couldn't concentrate enough to figure out what anyone was trying to say.
After years of pain, finally being safe to then find out her whole life had been a lie. Everything she knew about herself had been a lie, and it had her feeling like her world was finally crumbling. Shattering, falling from her grasp and there wasn't a single thing she could do about it.
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Bellatrix hissed as she felt the dull but warm pulsing ache spread up her right arm where her dark mark was currently burning. Alerting her to her required presence with the Dark Lord. She guessed he most likely would be seeking to see what answers they had found when they searched through her Omega's mind and carried out the inheritance test. Having given them the whole day to do so.
It had been over an hour now since they had carried out the test. An hour since it had been revealed that her mate was in fact her best friends child. A child all had thought had been murdered 16 agonising years ago. An hour since her mate had gone rigid and withdrawn completely into her own mind. She was admittedly still reeling from the revelation herself, both terrified and overjoyed that her best friends child was in fact alive but terrified of how much this was not only going to hurt her friend but her mate too. She could see how this new knowledge of her familial ties had shook her little Omega and couldn't imagine how much it would do so to her friend.
She shivered slightly in worried upset as her traitorous mind conjured an image of Alecto the day they had freed her from the Prewett brothers home. Her beaten and bruised body infuriating Bellatrix and the other death eaters but that wasn't what had made the lasting impression on the dark witch. It had been the moment her friend had looked up to meet her eyes. The warm honey brown eyes she expected where decidedly blank and dull, as if someone had robbed her of any spark of life. Her eyes were haunted and in turn that look had haunted Bellatrix. Fulling her anger at the supposedly light side and motivating the Alpha to give her all when engaged in battle. Determined to give her friend some sort of retribution.
Now she knew her friends child was alive. Said child in which she was the Alpha mate of and she was entirely uncertain for the first time in her life about what would happen next. Nor did she have any idea how to help her little witch who still seemed to be locked up tight within her own mind. She had entered this state almost as soon as her heritage had been revealed and no amount of coaxing had been able to draw her out. She had tried, her sisters had tried. She had even tried using her pheromones to try and command her witch to come back to her. She had finally dismissed Andy and Cissa twenty minutes prior, not once abandoning her post, standing as close to her mate as the girls rigid demeanour would allow.
Gathering her wits about her Bellatrix summoned her patronus, asking it to alert her Lord that they required Alecto to be present for this conversation and they were on their way though they would be there as soon as possible or as soon as she could guide the visibly vacant younger witch through the Manor.
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It took Bellatrix almost ten minutes to guide her witch down the several flights of stairs from the room they had previously occupied to the grand Hall where her Lord was currently waiting for them. The journey was filled with stops and starts as she kept her mate upright and ensured she didn't fall down an of the stairs. She would have picked her up or used magic to move her but despite her usual no nonsense and brash nature she knew instinctively that touching her mate in any way that could be construed as restraining would one hundred percent be the wrong move. Her Omega was already distraught and she would be damned if she added to it, even unintentionally.
She bowed slightly as she walked in the room, showing her respect to her Lord but unwilling to let her eyes linger to far of her little witch who still hadn't shown any sign of returning from whatever safe space she had fled to in her mind. She felt her heart constrict at the sight, wishing she could do something to ease her little witches distress.
A throat clearing prompted the dark witch to finally look up properly, taking in the rooms occupants. Alecto stood just off to the right of their Lord who sat in his usual throne like chair in the middle of the room. Her friend looked paler than usual, those haunted brown eyes locked onto her mate, studying the girl closely. She could see the spark of something she hadn't seen in Alecto's eyes in years. True emotion was present in her friends eyes. Uncertainty and hope being the main two, as her Omega friend seemed to have to physically restrain herself from approaching and Bellatrix knew that Alecto had an inclination as to whom her mate was without her ever having to say a word.
"I realise your mate is distressed Bella so we will try to make this quick. What did you find?" Her Lord spoke and Bellatrix had to tare her eyes away from her friend to meet her lords expectant but rather understanding gaze.
"Her story checks out my lord. What my sisters and I witnessed within her mind is horrifying. But I will leave it down to Andromeda and Narcissa to divulge the details as it would only set me off to do so, which would he the wrong thing to happen in this situation" she began, casting her eyes to her mate and her friend to show her Lord without words what she meant. Alecto was still staring, restraining herself from moving even slightly.
"Her muggle adopters were vile people and the suffering they have inflicted upon her is barbaric. If the woman wasn't already dead I'd seek her out and end her miserable existence, though the male is still alive and I would like your permission to seek him out and make him suffer" she continued, breathing the words all at once in an effort to keep herself in check, restraining herself the best she could lest her scent distress her Omega any further.
"I'm glad she was honest, I want to oversee her training once she settles here, of course you have my permission to do with her adoptive parents as you see fit, though I have the suspicion that her vile muggle adopters isn't entirely responsible for your mates current state?" He enquired. His tone curious but Bellatrix knew her Lord well enough to see the signs of his fury and was secretly glad that she also knew enough to know it wasn't her he was furious with.
"We performed the heritage test my lord. She is a pureblood, which is why I requested Alecto be here. I don't know how Hermione feels about this but I thought you deserved to know my friend. Her name is Hermione Lucretia Prewett. She is yours Alecto, she is your stolen child" she stated, turning her gaze to her friend feeling it best to address her directly for this and she saw the moment that her words registered in her friends mind as her mates mother shattered in front of her. Her frame beginning to shake as she sobbed, falling to her knees at the confirmation of what she had clearly been suspicious of.
"It can't be... they.... they.. killed her" her friends words were laced with so much pain it was hard for the dark witch not to react and comfort her but she knew she couldn't leave her mates side who at the sound of Alecto's sobs had reached out blindly for her Alpha, her hand clamping down tightly on the dark witches arm as if to tether herself. Bellatrix could see her mate trying to fight whatever paralysis she had been locked in, trying to bring herself back from wherever she had fled to in her mind but she could also see that it could be quite a while yet before she succeeded.
Without a word Bellatrix flicked her wrist the heritage parchment landing in her lords hand for him to see, he took it with a grateful nod as he examined it.
"Bella speaks the truth Alecto, the child is yours" her Lord confirms once he had read the piece of parchment, offering it to the now quietly sobbing Omega who had managed to collect herself enough to stand once more. Though Bellatrix doubted her friend would be able to stop the tears streaming down her face if she tried.
There was silence as Alecto examined the parchment repeatedly. Her fingers skimming the words on the page in disbelief. "How?" She breathed, asking the one question Bella had no answer too but would quite like to know herself. How did this happen, how does the girl they believed murdered for over sixteen years turn out to be the Omega mudblood of Harry Potter's group of disgusting followers. How does a girl, a baby end up in the muggle world to be raised by vile muggles when she should have been with her mother all this time.
She knew they wouldn't know the answer to that unless they could figure out what actually happened that night but Bella had a feeling that Albus was very much to do with it. "I don't have any answers for you, Hermione doesn't either. Though I suspect when she comes around she will be just as eager for answers as you are" the dark witch replied, her tone much more gentle than anyone was used to hearing from her and she could see the slight shock in both her Lord and her friends eyes at just how gentle she was being but couldn't find it within herself to care very much because so matter who she was to the rest of the world Bellatrix would always be whatever those she loved needed and right now she knew her mate needed a softer hand if she were to feel better.
"Bella..." her mates voice was strained with anguish when she finally spoke and the dark witch could see the pain etched on her Omega's face as the girl pulled Bella to her. Seeking comfort. Bella let her, wrapping the girl up in her arms and allowing her to tuck her face into the crook of her neck. "Shhh I'm here sweet girl" she reassured her, trying to soothe her as she sensed the growing anger in her mates scent. Which she could entirely understand. She'd be furious too if she had found her entire life to have been a lie.
"Hermione?" Alecto whispered, her voice just as strained as Bella's mates was. Though the sudden stiffening of the girl in her arms let her know that despite her upset she wasn't entirely ready to face the woman that should have raised her.
"Don't" she warned her friend and could only shake her head as Alecto seemed to ignore her, beginning to approach them. Albeit slowly, arms stretched towards Hermione and Bellatrix couldn't really blame her. She's sure she'd be the same if it were her just finding the child she had stolen and believed murdered. But she also could sense her mates emotions even if her anger was evident in her scent, which it so clearly was.
"Hermione?" Alecto whispered again as she got close, Bellatrix shook her head sadly as her young mate clutched at her, pushing her smaller frame tighter against her own. "I can't, not yet, not now... . Bella I need time.... please" Hermione whispered although it was clear the majority of her whispered plea was aimed more at Alecto than it was her and judging by the stricken, heartbroken but entirely excepting look on her friends face, Alecto had understood that clearly. The older brunette Omega retracting her hands to clutch at herself as she took a respectful step back. Her gaze falling from where it was on the back of Hermione's head to the floor.
"Of course baby, I'll be here waiting, whenever you're ready" The dark witch was surprised at just how steady her friends voice was when she finally replied, looking up at Bellatrix with resolve shinning in her eyes.
"Take your leave Bellatrix, you have been granted leave for the foreseeable future, it is clear your mate needs you right now and she should be your priority. Update me when she is ready to begin her training and we can set things up" her lords voice dismissed them, the dark witch nodding in acceptance as she bowed and began to lead her mate back out of the room pausing briefly beside Alecto despite her mate tensing again to whisper reassuringly.
"I'll take care of her, I promise" Before she swept Hermione out of the room and back up to her own chambers.
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A week later Hermione found herself in Malfoy Manor's extravagant library, curled up on a sofa in front of the fire with her head in her Alpha's lap as the dark witch read from The Legend's, Magic and Myths in magical Britain, her favourite book, while she gently carded her slim fingers through her hair.
The last week had passed in quite the blur for her. From finding out about her true heritage to getting to know her Alpha and her Alpha's sisters. All three were close she had learned, had been closer before Andromeda left the family to marry a muggle-born Alpha who she hadn't know at the time to be a violent oppressive man. He had tricked her into believing he followed the pureblood ideals of equality for all regardless of dynamics and despite the many warnings from her family she had believed him. Marrying him thinking he loved her and would never harm her. She found out soon after how wrong she had been but was stuck in the marriage unable to leave. Especially after she found out she was pregnant with his child. Bellatrix and Narcissa hadn't known their sister had been tricked and it had taken until only recently when Andromeda had seen her moment to escape now that her child Nymphadora was fully grown and living with friends on the auror training programme with the ministry. Bellatrix had been furious when she found out both at her sisters husband and her sister for staying so long and being to proud to ask for help. Though they were working to rebuild their relationship gradually.
She had also learned that her Alpha was every bit the sadistic monster she was portrayed as, Bellatrix had discussed it openly with Hermione, refusing to shy away in shame or hide any part of herself from her mate and despite all she knew Bellatrix had done, she couldn't find it in her to resent her for any of it now that she knew exactly what the Dark Lord stood for. In the beginning of being led to the Dark Lord, Hermione had doubted she would ever be able to do anything the light would consider dark. Not believing herself capable of dark magic, but the more she had learned the more intriguing the idea became of officially joining the death eaters as a member.
Her Alpha had assured her that as her mate Hermione was protected and therefore would never be expected to take the dark lords mark or join the fighting, that it was entirely her choice and her choice alone. Bellatrix and the Dark Lord had made it clear they still wanted to train her regardless of her choice to ensure that if she ever needed too, she could defend herself successfully. Something she was grateful for, it put her at ease, she loved having the choice, being able to make her own decisions, free from the worry of retribution or penalisation and as a result she had let her Alpha know that morning that she felt she was ready to begin her training. Bellatrix had been pleased and had told her the dark lord was equally as glad that she was feeling comfortable enough to begin training.
She couldn't say either that the thought of fighting those that had wronged her by her Alpha's side didn't appeal to her because it did. Surprisingly, she wasn't as freaked out by being considered a dark witch or dark magic for that matter, in fact she quite thought her Alpha was extremely appealing as a dark witch. The feel of her mates magic was intoxicating but then again she knew she was entirely biased. She still had reservations, unsure if she could ever actually take pleasure in others suffering as her Alpha did but one thing she was certain of was that never again would she let anyone control her or harm her for her Dynamic.
There was only one thing that Hermione was struggling to come to terms with. Finding out so suddenly that she had a mother, one who desperately wanted her, who loved her, after everything she had experienced was overwhelming and she had been unable to face the woman at all in the week since she had found out. She wanted too, desperately wanted to allow herself that love and belonging with someone willing to put her first however she was also terrified. Terrified and a little more than furious at the situation. She wasn't sure she would be able to see her mother and keep that anger in check, her anger wasn't towards her mother. More aimed at her supposed father and the whole unfairness of the whole situation. She had so many questions and absolutely no answers. Why couldn't they have left her with her mother? Who took her? Why an orphanage? How different would her life have been? How different would she be?
The questions swarmed in one enormous loop and she hadn't been able to shake them, hence the reason for her current silence as she listened to her Alpha read to her. Bellatrix's voice was soothing, a majestic lilting sound that filled Hermione with feelings of peace, in ways that she didn't know where possible and she allowed herself to enjoy it for the time being. She knew soon Bellatrix would ask her to talk through how she felt about her Heritage, prompting her to meet with her mother, as she had every night this week and the young Omega knew she would have to do so, sooner rather than later. She really didn't want this hanging over her and knew it was something that upset all involved. Her Alpha had clearly expressed her upset at the situation. Being supportive in how Hermione felt but telling her that she felt stuck because Alecto was her longest friend and she knew she was hurting.
It made her own heart hurt at the thought. She hated knowing her Alpha wasn't comfortable with the situation and for both their sakes, along with Alecto's sake she knew she had to face the older Omega and find the answers that tormented her.
"I can feel you thinking sweet girl" her Alpha murmured curiously, pulling her up and into her arms from where she was resting in her lap. Placing the book down on the arm of the sofa.
She had found that with Bellatrix, the older witch loved knowing what was on Hermione's mind. The Alpha always asked her opinion, thoughts and feelings on whatever was being discussed, always listening with rapt attention and engaging her in stimulating discussions about all sorts. It was the most the young Omega had ever been encouraged when it came to learning and growing and she didn't think she'd ever become tired of the ever present curiosity in her mates voice.
"I'm thinking about my mother" she whispered back, looking up at her Alpha as she rested her head on the older witches shoulder.
"I'm scared to face her, I don't know how to process it all emotionally and I'm scared of how I'll end up reacting to her. I'm scared of so much but furious at so much too" she explained when the Alpha's only response was to lift an eyebrow in question.
"I can understand that sweet girl, would it help if I told you what I know to be true in this situation?" Hermione nodded her head in response, seeing the love and acceptance in her Alpha's eyes helped ground her, not letting her mind slip into its usual habit of swirling uncontrollably with thoughts. The soft circular rubbing of her Alpha's palm on her back also helped soothe her and again she marvelled silently at just how safe this witch made her feel.
"When Alecto lost you, she changed. She went from a loving, loyal and passionate woman to a ruthless, emotionless killer overnight and she's never been the same since." Her Alpha's tone was quiet, almost hesitant when she spoke of Hermione's mother being a killer but as it wasn't new information to the Omega she didn't blink.
Seeing that Hermione had taken her words for the explanation they were and hadn't visibly reacted to them, Bellatrix continued. "That day I gave her the parchment, confirming you were her child, she changed instantly again. For the first time in sixteen years I saw true emotion shine from her, I felt her longing, her love, her pain at not being with you and it almost brought me to my knees at its strength. If it weren't for my Alpha side being rather present with how distraught you were sweet girl, I do believe it would have. From where I stand Alecto sees you as her reason for existing, her reason to fight, to love, to feel and therefore I have no doubt that no matter what emotion you throw at her, she will let you and still hold you tight after. She's your mother and she's spent sixteen years agonising over your loss. All she wants is a chance to love you the way you should have been loved, anything else is irrelevant. Your father, those muggles aren't relevant to her, what is, is you and I believe that if you are to truly heal then Alecto needs to be part of that"
While Hermione agreed mostly with her Alpha, she couldn't help but worry still. That ever present feeling of self doubt niggling within her as the voice in her mind reminded her of just how worthless she was. She truly feared that she could lose her mother before she even knew her, that her mother wouldn't see her worth and reject her, that somehow Hermione would be a disappointment as she had been to her muggle parents. There was also a part of her that feared similar treatment from her mother as she had experienced from her muggle mother. They were both Omega's and that scared her.
And yet she craved the reality her Alpha painted with her words. Craved to know what it felt like to held by a mothers embrace, to be loved and fawned over like she knew some of her peers had been.
So with a deep breath she raised her eyes to meet her Alpha's yet again. Bringing her forehead to rest against the older woman's as she took in the ever present Chocolate and Vanilla scent of her mate slowly.
"Okay" she whispered after a moment. Knowing that Bellatrix was waiting on her reaction.
"Okay, I'll meet with her".