Soul Bound 48

“I see it is true. Fawkes has become your familiar.”Minerva said when she caught sight of the bird sitting on Hermione’s shoulder. Hermione along with the three Black sisters had just entered Minerva’s office to speak to her. What the topic was that they wanted to talk about Minerva didn’t know. She was curious though. She wasn’t the only one who was either. The portraits had been especially chatty when Minerva told them that Hermione was going to visit. Minerva had never seen them so animated when they found out. Charis had been the loudest voice with his endless bragging about how great Hermione was. The other portraits seemed to agree and added in their own observations of the girl. Minerva herself wasn’t sure what to make of Hermione. The girl seemed to surround herself with chaos but from the few interactions Minerva had with her it seemed that Hermione was actually very kind and almost shy. She definitely wasn’t one Minerva was worried about causing trouble. More likely than not trouble would be caused because of her.

“I have tried to get him to leave but he is insistent that he stay with me. He even flew to the Slytherin vault and joined us inside it yesterday.”Hermione had actually found some interesting things in the vault due to Fawkes pointing them out to her.

“I see.”Minerva couldn’t remember a time that Fawkes had accompanied Dumbledore anywhere. She didn’t think the bird ever left the office. It did show how loyal Fawkes was to Dumbledore if he didn’t go anywhere with him.”Why don’t you all have a seat?”

“Introduce us first.”Charis called out.

Narcissa pulled Hermione towards the wall of portraits.”Sorry grandfather. Everyone this is Hermione Black Salazar Slytherin’s first and only heir.”

“Hello.”Hermione greeted.

“We have heard many things about you young lady and because of you the name Black is respectable again. For that I thank you.”Charis told her.

“That is kind of you to say Lord Black.”Hermione was touched Charis thought that.

“Call me grandfather dear.”Charis said.

“I would like that grandfather.”Hermione wondered if Charis knew they weren’t related. She would ask the sisters later.

Charis smiled.”Good now tell us everything about you.”

“I’m sorry gentlemen but I need to speak to her and the sisters first then I will give her time to talk to all of you.”Minerva was amused by the many grumbles coming from the portraits. She motioned to the small area in the corner of the office that had a couch, love seat and arm chair.”Come take a seat.”

Hermione watched as Fawkes flew off her shoulder and landed on his perch.”I hope he likes the perch we bought him.”

“I’m sure he will sweetheart.”Andromeda grabbed Hermione’s hand and led her to the couch where Andromeda took a seat in the middle and pulled Hermione on her lap. Both her sisters took a seat on either side of them.

Minerva raised an eyebrow at the seating arrangement. She thought Hermione was a little old to be sitting on someone’s lap but it seemed that it was a normal thing for the four of them because everyone looked completely comfortable.”Would you like some tea?”

“We are fine.”Andromeda spoke for herself and Hermione.

“I’m fine.”Bellatrix said.

“I am as well.”Narcissa told her.

“Alright then. Why is you wish to speak to me? Is it about this morning’s paper?”Minerva asked.

“We have yet to see the paper due to a late start. What was said?”Narcissa knew it had to be about Hermione.

“Lady Black made the front page with her comments about fearing Dumbledore and claiming he is a bigot against purebloods. The papers are asking why there has been no comments from the school about the events surrounding his suspension. There were other things mentioned but those are the ones I’m most concerned about.”Minerva wasn’t sure how she felt about what Hermione had said. She wanted to be angry at the girl but most of what she said was the truth.

“Why hasn’t the school made a comment? Dumbledore did and he denied accusing Hermione of being the next Dark Lord. The school didn’t come to her defense. Is there a reason for that?”Narcissa hadn’t wanted to push Minerva about it but if the papers were talking about it she was going to bring it up.

“I was hoping that this scandal would be taken care of quietly and it wouldn’t affect the school’s reputation.”Minerva hadn’t wanted to bring attention to the event.

“It effected Hermione’s reputation when the man who has complete authority over her accused her of being the next Dark Lord and then told the world it was a joke. We all know it wasn’t a joke. Dumbledore accused an elven year old girl of being the second coming of that insane man. He tried to manipulate her the first chance he got to do so. When he comes back what else is he going to do her to try to get her on his side. We know he won’t rest until he gets his hands on her gold because he has continued since the war ended to try to get his hands on ours for reason so ludicrous a child wouldn’t believe them. You protecting him and his reputation are putting Hermione at risk of his future actions against her when he returns.”Narcissa fully believed that Dumbledore would go to drastic measures to get his hands on Hermione’s estates.

“He has asked the pair of you for gold?”Minerva didn’t know that.

“After that article came out with the amount we earned from the many lawsuits we had filed against people that detailed the amount of gold we earned from them he came to me for gold as well. His excuse was he wanted to build a war memorial in the ministry and he needed one million gold coins to do it.”Andromeda had laughed when Dumbledore had asked.

“One million gold coins?!”Minerva built the memorial she was in charge of for less than twenty thousand.

“He has asked me and Cissa for a lot more than that over the years. He has claimed the gold was for everything from a unicorn sanctuary to paying the tuition for orphans to attend Hogwarts.”Bellatrix told him no every time.

“The ministry pays for the orphans’ tuition.”Minerva wondered what Dumbledore was up to if he was asking for such large sums of gold. It wasn’t for any legitimate reason.

“We know that but we’re polite enough not to call him out on his lies.”Narcissa really wanted to though.

“And now he is in charge of a school where Hermione who in one year will be the wealthiest magic user in not only Britain but based on the vaults she currently has access to the world attends. His misdeeds led to him losing a phoenix’s loyalty. The man can’t be trusted around Hermione if his behavior isn’t monitored. The way to do that is let the public know what happened so that Hermione has grounds to call him out on his various schemes.”Andromeda knew that Dumbledore needed to be kept on a leash.

Minerva thought everything through. She was appalled that Dumbledore asked the sisters for gold for personal gain. She hated that they were right about Dumbledore’s schemes. The man was always plotting something. The thing that made the decision on what to do was the memory of Hermione’s face when she told Minerva she always dreamed of hearing the hat call out Slytherin after the whole event happened.”I will write a statement and send it out to the press.”

“Thank you.”Narcissa was pleased that Minerva was giving Hermione her support.

“Now what is it you wished to speak about?”Minerva asked.

Andromeda nudged Hermione.”Tell her what you wanted to talk about.”

“I tried to make an alliance with the mere people and they agreed on the condition that I provide the lake with a supply of fish, seaweed and kelp. Yesterday we stopped by the pet store on Diagon and the owner said he could get everything we needed we just had to tell him when we wanted it and where to deliver it. I know that there are protections on Hogwarts to keep people out so I wanted your permission for the man to come and deliver the supplies for the mere people.”Hermione explained.

Bellatrix laughed at the wide eyed opened mouthed face of shock Minerva was giving Hermione.”I think you broke her pet.”

“I’m sorry why were you making an alliance with the mere people?”Minerva thought that was the most important part of the story.

“I want to swim in the area they control so I needed to ask for permission. To get permission you have to give them an offering. My offerings were a necklace with one of family’s crest on it and a pledge of protection. The queen said she would accept both if I gave her the fish, seaweed and kelp.”Hermione told her.

“You offered to protect the mere people?”Minerva didn’t know why Hermione would do that.

“They need an advocate. The lake is over run with more species every year and they are suffering. Not only are their territories getting smaller but their food source is being depleted. That’s why they asked for what they did. They are starving down there. Living in what humans would consider a ghetto that is overpopulated. They have no room to stretch out because all their natural resources have been taken by the many species that the people of this school have introduced to the lake.”Hermione was going to fix it.

“How do you know all this?”Minerva didn’t even know that the mere people were suffering.

“I have been fascinated with the castle since I was old enough to understand what it was. That fascination included the various creatures that call the grounds home. Based on what I read about the Black lake and what I knew about mere people from other research I did I knew that they weren’t thriving in the environment they are in right now. I want to change that. That’s why I offered to protect them.”Hermione explained.

“I see.”Minerva wondered what other creatures that lived on the grounds had been neglected. She believed Hermione and that meant the mere people were close to dying off due to lack of food and over crowding. Minerva was ashamed to admit she never considered how any of the creatures at Hogwarts lived.”I will happily give the man permission to deliver the supplies.”

“Thank you.”Hermione was happy that Minerva was letting her help.

“Tell her about the squid.”Narcissa told Hermione.

“I was wondering if I could have permission to relocate the squid to a better environment for it?”Hermione asked.

“You want to relocate the squid?”Minerva didn’t understand why someone would want to relocate the squid.

Hermione nodded.”He is obviously depressed because he is living in such a small space. Cissa said that she has never seen him move or even submerge all the way into the water. Then there is the fact he is the only one of his kind here. Plus the children and other lake occupants harass it constantly. At the moment I have access to dozens of properties and I wanted to know if I can find one that is appropriate for the squid if I could relocate him?”

“You think the squid is depressed.”Just the thought of the squid being depressed amused Minerva.

“In the muggle world they keep animals in small cages or if they are fish in small tanks. There have been many studies done on the effects to the animal it has living in those spaces. Fish especially. They not only suffer from depression but many lose the will to live and will stop eating in a way to commit suicide. I think the squid is miserable and has been for decades.”Hermione was positive the squid was unhappy.

When Minerva looked at her Bellatrix shrugged.”She is telling the truth about the muggles doing studies and those being the results. I personally think the squid is miserable here.”

“I agree the squid is miserable.”Andromeda was in full support of relocating the squid.

“I also think the squid is miserable.”Narcissa said.

Minerva shook her head.”If you can show me where you would put the squid I will consider letting you relocate it.”

“Thank you.”Hermione would have to get a list of her properties sent to her to look over.

“Don’t forget the portraits pet.”Bellatrix was looking forward to Minerva’s reaction to this request.

Minerva wasn’t sure she wanted to ask.“What about the portraits?”

“Are they magically stuck to the wall?”Hermione asked.

“I don’t believe so.”Minerva was still unsure where this was going.

”Since they aren’t I was thinking they have to be really bored just hanging in this office for centuries on end with no one visiting. I bet they are also kind of depressed with never leaving. That being the case I was wondering if I could take them on trips around the castle and grounds. That way they get some excitement in their lives.”Hermione told her.

“That’s a wonderful idea.”One of the portraits called out.

“I would like to see the many changes done since my days walking the hall.”Another said.

Minerva stared at Hermione in shock.”You want to take the portraits on field trips?”

“I think they would enjoy it.”Hermione was sure they would.

Andromeda wasn’t the only sister who laughed at the way Minerva seemed not to know whether to laugh at the request or yell at Hermione for the idea itself.”You have to admit Minerva no one takes an interest in the portraits.”

“True we get no visitors.”One of the portraits chimed in.

“I think you should give the girl permission Minerva.”Charis told her.

“I will think about the portraits and give you my decision in the future.”Minerva wanted a chance to think about it without the portraits chiming in.

“Thank you.”Hermione was just happy it wasn’t a no.

“Was there anything else you wished to speak about?”Minerva hoped not. She wasn’t sure she could handle anymore random requests from Hermione.

“No that’s all I had.”Hermione told her.

“If you are done come back over here and talk to us.”One of the portraits called out.

“Can I?”Hermione asked Minerva.

“Of course. You can take one of the visitor’s chairs to sit in it you want.”Minerva was more than fine with Hermione talking to the portraits.

“Thanks.”Hermione gave Andromeda a hug and a kiss on the cheek then rushed off to grab the chair.

Andromeda put her hand to her cheek.”She kissed me again.”

“What do you mean again?”Bellatrix was very surprised by and jealous of the kiss Hermione gave Andromeda.

“She gave me a cheek kiss the day we had our lunch date.”Andromeda felt very smug Hermione had given her two cheek kisses.

“We will discuss it later.”Narcissa didn’t want to speak about Hermione giving them any kind of affection in front of Minerva. She was horribly jealous that Hermione hadn’t given her a cheek kiss in years.

Minerva not paying attention to the sisters watched as Hermione almost ran to get the chair in front of the portraits. Looking at the scene made her smile.”She is really enthusiastic about the portraits.”

“She has been obsessed with Hogwarts since Bella read her Hogwarts a History when she was five. We have read the book to her so many times and she read it so many times that she can recite it out loud from memory.”Narcissa loved spending time with Hermione telling her stories of her days at Hogwarts.

“We also got her other books about the castle and grounds as well. She and father both are interested in it and actually made a list together of all the places Hermione needed to see during her first year here.”Andromeda told her.

“Her parents knew about Hogwarts?”Minerva was surprised to hear that.

Bellatrix nodded.”In their squib community they know all about the magical world. To include Hogwarts and the castle.”

“I know nothing about squib communities. I honestly didn’t even know they existed until I learned about Hermione.”Minerva had been shocked when she learned of Hermione’s pedigree.

“We didn’t either until our grandmother told us about them and then brought us with her to visit Hermione’s parents.”Narcissa lied. No one would ever find out the truth of how they knew Hermione.

“And you helped raise Hermione?”Minerva asked.

“Yes she was born a little over a week before the Dark Lord died. Myself and Cissa hadn’t been able to visit due to fear of someone finding out about the couple and targeting them. That being the case we didn’t even know about Hermione until we visited a week after the Dark Lord died. Andy had already known but that was our first introduction to Hermione.”Bellatrix like her sisters would never tell anyone about how they really knew Hermione.

“I was able to keep in touch because no really pays attention to me. So I knew when Hermione’s mother got pregnant and visited Hermione the day she was born at the hospital.”Andromeda also would never tell anyone the truth about how they met Hermione.

“After we found out about Hermione we visited regularly and then about three months later all three us and Dora moved in with Hermione’s family. We have lived with them since and were there to help them raise Hermione through the years.”Those were the happiest years of Narcissa’s life.

“Her first word was Andy followed by saying Cissa and Bella within an hour of saying Andy for the first time.”That being another thing Andromeda was smug about.

“I thought you lived at Malfoy Family Manor.”Minerva was realizing that the sisters had a bigger role in Hermione’s life than she thought. Especially if their names were the girl’s first words.

“We just let people assume that so they didn’t find out about Hermione. In reality we have lived in the muggle world this whole time and only use the manor for the amenities we added over the years.”Andromeda liked those amenities very much.

“You live in the muggle world?”Minerva wasn’t sure if she believed that.

“Yes we live a completely muggle lifestyle when at home. We barely use magic for anything.”Narcissa was happy to rely on muggle gadgets.

“I imagine the public would lose their minds if they found that out.”Minerva knew that many people would have things to say about the sisters living as muggles.

“The public loves us.”Bellatrix bet that people would applaud them if they knew of their muggle lifestyle.

“You have seemed to capture the hearts of magical Britain that’s for sure. It seems like everything you touch turns to gold and all your detractors easily dealt with.”Minerva didn’t think anything could change the public’s mind about the sisters.

“Speaking of detractors we have a plan to deal with the Greengrass family and are hoping it will cause that group of children to calm down a bit.”Andromeda was letting Minerva know so that the old woman felt like the sisters were including her in things. It would strengthen the alliance they had with her.

“How are you going to do that?”Minerva would welcome any help she could get to deal with those entitled children.

“Lady Greengrass keeps claiming to everyone she has all this evidence that will prove myself and Cissa are guilty of dozens of crimes. The only way to get this evidence is to go to her manor and have tea with her. It’s obvious she trying to get you, Dumbledore and other Orders members to come over so she can lace your tea with something likely a truth potion and force you to admit you were covering up our crimes. If that wasn’t her scheme she would have given the so called evidence over as soon as she adopted Draco to keep us from accessing the Malfoy family estate.”Bellatrix told her.

“I hadn’t thought of it like that but you are probably right. I agree that she would lace the tea with something to actually get real evidence against the pair of you. She also would have done anything to get your access to the Malfoy family estate taken away from you.”Minerva fully believed that was the woman’s scheme.

“We honestly don’t really care what she claims. That has changed however when her daughter, Draco and their friends started threatening us with this evidence. To take care of the problem I am going to write a statement to the press explaining what has been going on with Lady Greengrass’ threats and mention that the children have been trying to blackmail myself and Bella using it. That and the group has been calling us various versions of the Dark Lord’s followers to our faces and telling other children as well. I’m also going to mention the group tried to break into Hermione’s rooms. With the statement I’m including a very foul letter she wrote me for denying her request for Hermione to leave Hogwarts to visit her at her manor alone. Then reveal that I’m Hermione’s guardian.”Narcissa was proud that she was the one to claim guardianship over Hermione.

“We think that the results of the press printing everything they will hound Lady Greengrass until she reveals this so called evidence she has. Mentioning suing the families of the children will hopefully finally control them because your warnings haven’t worked. Telling them about Narcissa being Hermione’s guardian we want to stop people from sending her things and writing her letters trying to scam her out of her inheritance. We know it won’t stop everyone but even a few people would be nice.”Andromeda knew the letters and packages wouldn’t stop. Hermione would be receiving things from strangers for the rest of her life.

“They would hound her. I don’t like using the children’s names but they are on their ways to getting expelled and they need a wake up call. I have to say I am very surprised that Mr.Zabini is involved in all this. I don’t remember you three having any problems with his mother.”Minerva had thought the trio were friends with the woman.

“We don’t think she knows what he has been doing. Since we have never had a problem with Isabelle I wrote her a letter telling her about his friends and his actions since starting school and gave a warning that if he continued on his current path Hermione would cut ties with the entire Zabini family.”Narcissa was sure Isabelle would act.

Minerva winced thinking about the loss of an alliance with Hermione.”I believe she will get involved knowing the repercussions if her son continues to behave this way. I do wonder about Lady Greengrass’ two children. Draco has been brought up all his whole life thinking that Narcissa stole his inheritance and now he learns that Hermione took away his title. I doubt even if she is exposed Draco will be able to be contained.”

“Her daughter has the same beliefs. We think if we can expose Lady Greengrass that they will turn their focus to Hermione.”Andromeda wished it wouldn’t happen like that but knew it would.

“It doesn’t matter if they focus on Hermione or not. There is nothing there for them to discredit her or any dirty secrets to use as blackmail. The same with her parents. I have never met three more honest, kind hearted genuinely good people like Hermione and her parents. They even went to a special school to learn a skill and started their own business even though they are extremely wealthy because they wanted to earn their own way. Nobody I know would work if they had as much wealth as Hermione’s parents.”Bellatrix sure as hell wouldn’t work if she were the Grangers.

“From what I’ve experienced Hermione does seem to have a kind heart.”Minerva had Hermione’s concern about the mere people, squid and even the portraits as proof.

“Luckily she has us to prevent people from taking advantage of that kind heart.”Narcissa said.

“So I have to ask what was in Salazar’s vault?”Minerva had been trying to guess but couldn’t really come up with anything.

“A lot of gold and silver, books, potion ingredients, many different inventions, trunks and chests full of random stuff, diamonds, rare jewels and Hermione even found a bunch of his Hogwarts uniforms.”The sisters decided that they would extremely vague on what was in the vault. Bellatrix personally wouldn’t tell anyone anything but Minerva was deserving of knowing the basics. Anyone else wouldn’t get anything out of Bellatrix, the sisters, Hermione or Nymphadora.

“She found his uniforms?”Minerva was very surprised to hear that.

Andromeda nodded.”Hermione brought a few pieces back to Hogwarts to wear. They all smell like cologne we think that Salazar personally sprayed on them.”

“Amazing.”Minerva hated that it wasn’t her house’s founder that picked an heir.

Narcissa checked her watch. She wanted to eat lunch in Hermione’s room.”It’s about lunch time. I think we should be leaving.”

“Will I see you in the great hall?”Minerva noticed they hadn’t made it to breakfast.

“There is a full kitchen in Hermione’s room so we are planning on staying there and preparing all our meals ourselves.”Andromeda was going to cook dinner. That way she was providing for her soulmate.

“What else does the room have?”Minerva was under the impression that it was a single dorm room.

“A lounge area, a large bathroom with a big tub and a bedroom with a king size bed and walk in closet.”Another thing Bellatrix, her sisters and Hermione weren’t telling anyone about was the library and what was in Salazar’s workroom.”I would tell you to stop by and check it out but I have no clue what protections Salazar put on it. I think the doorknob one was based on intent but I could be wrong and there might be an entirely different way to determine if someone can enter.”

“I would like to see the room but I agree with you on it not being safe for others. I personally don’t want to risk it. I do feel better knowing that the three of you have been inside and checked if it was safe.”Minerva would have forbid Hermione from using it if no one but her could enter. There would have been no way to protect the girl without having access to her room.

Andromeda stood from her seat.”It’s definitely safe for Hermione.”

“We wouldn’t let her use it if it wasn’t.”Narcissa said standing as well.

Following suit Bellatrix stood.”We will let you know about the mere people and the squid. Please consider the portraits because Hermione was really excited about the idea.”

“I will consider the portraits.”Minerva told her standing from her seat.

“Seeing that can you really deny that Hermione would be good for them?”Andromeda pointed to where Hermione was laughing along with most of the portraits while one of the ones near the ceiling was talking.

Minerva shook head at the scene. It did seem that Hermione had pure intentions with the portraits. She would think about it later though.”I will consider it.”

“That’s all we ask.”Narcissa really wanted Minerva to say yes. Walking up to Hermione Narcissa put her arm around the girl’s shoulders.”Say goodbye to the portraits we are leaving now.”

“Come now she hasn’t been here that long.”Atticus said.

“Yes I still need her to explain to me what an automobile is.”Another portrait told her.

“With Minerva’s permission I will bring Hermione back to visit again very soon.”Narcissa looked to the head mistress.

Minerva rolled her eyes at all the portraits telling her to give Hermione permission.”We will work out a time tomorrow.”

“Thank you.”Hermione was happy she would see the portraits again. She turned back to the wall.”Thank you everyone for sharing your lovely stories. Next time I visit I will bring some pictures of the muggle things I told you about.”

“We would like that very much.”Charis said.

“Come along Hermione.”Narcissa pulled Hermione out of her chair and wrapped her arm around her.

Hermione look over her shoulder and called out.”Good bye.”

“Did you have fun?”Andromeda asked as she walked next to Hermione down the staircase. Fawkes was flying above them.

“I had so much fun. Not only did I get permission to help the mere people and the squid I found out that Grandfather actually changed his beliefs because of a muggleborn lover he had when he was in his late teens.”Hermione followed Bellatrix out of the entryway and into the hallway.”He was married at the time but he told me that in his marriage bond to his wife he made sure that she could cheat on him without any repercussions. He added it because they weren’t a love match and his wife was in love with someone else at the time of their wedding.”

“That was very kind of him.”Narcissa wouldn’t expect that from a pureblood man.

“He is very nice. So were the other portraits. I really hope the Professor gives me permission to take them on trips because they all seemed very excited about the idea. The all wanted to see Salazar’s rooms and promised not to tell anyone what we talk about or what we show them. I think we can trust them.”Hermione thought the portraits were trustworthy.

“I think we can to.”Bellatrix agreed with Hermione. The portraits were trustworthy.

“Well even if you can’t take them on field trips you can still visit them and bring things to show them.”Andromeda wondered how she could convince Minerva to give Hermione permission.

“Although it was fun talking to them I’m looking forward to having the rest of the day to spend time with the three of you without any commitments.”Hermione missed spending time with her soulmates when they would relax and weren’t dealing with some kind of drama.

“We need to find some keys before we do anything else.”Narcissa wanted access to Hermione’s room so she could start living there.

“Maybe there is some kind of oath or spell that will give you access.”Hermione suggested.

“We will look in the library.”Bellatrix thought that Hermione was probably right about them needing to take some kind of oath to gain access. Walking beside her soulmate Bellatrix thought about what they spoke to Minerva about. She was happy that Minerva was going to make a statement about Dumbledore. Bellatrix expected him to have made one in reply to the articles about Hermione. It would likely be in the morning paper. Bellatrix was looking forward to seeing what crazy excuse he had for Hermione’s many accusations. Regardless of what he said Hermione’s interview was very believable. Bellatrix had no doubt that the public was behind Hermione due to it. How they would respond when Minerva made her statement Bellatrix wasn’t sure. It was her hope that they pressed the ministry to fire Dumbledore. It was just to bad that Hermione didn’t have her titles yet because she would have the political influence to get the man removed. Maybe they would push for it after Hermione claimed all her houses. Bellatrix figured Dumbledore would be involved in another scandal around the time Hermione came of age.