Soul Bound 43

“What happened at breakfast with the Flint boy?”Andromeda asked Hermione. The pair had just exited the castle after changing into their bathing suits and grabbing what they needed to go swimming. Including the wooden box Hermione was holding. It was the offering she chose to give the mere folk. Andromeda was positive that the creatures would be impressed with Hermione’s offering and happily allow her to swim in their spot in the lake. On the walk to it Andromeda wanted to know what happened at breakfast. None of the sisters had a chance to ask all for different reasons so it was still a mystery to all of them. Andromeda hadn’t even heard Poppy say anything about it and the woman was the biggest gossip at the school. She knew everything going on in the students and faculty’s lives.

“Marcus thought he could impress me with how fine of a pedigree he has. When he noticed that I wasn’t fawning all over him he then tried to impress me with the size of his family manor and how wealthy his family was. When that didn’t work he tried to impress me with how powerful his magic was. I politely put him in his place.”Hermione wasn’t going to deal with braggarts.

“What did you say to him?”Andromeda wanted to know how Hermione dealt with him.

“I corrected his thinking that he had a fine pedigree by saying that not only was my family but his family was losing all it’s magic because of all the inbreeding that went into making his fine pedigree and I am more impressed with a Muggleborn’s pedigree than I could ever be with a pureblood’s.”Hermione smiled when Andromeda laughed.

“Bella is going love hearing that.”Andromeda knew Bellatrix was going to be very proud of Hermione for saying that.

“As for the family manor and wealth I told him when I claim my titles I could build a family manor larger than his made of solid gold and still have enough gold left over to have a bigger vault than his family could ever wish to have that’s how wealthy I will be. Finally I shut him down on his powerful magic claim by telling him the first spell I cast was a complete patronus so unless he could do anything better than that he isn’t that impressive.”Hermione didn’t want give the boy any leverage to make a conversation later.

Andromeda laughed again as she threw her arm over Hermione’s shoulder.”That was brilliant darling and should be spread around school in no time with Pansy witnessing the exchange.”

“I just didn’t like the way he was looking at me. He looked at me like he was entitled to me. Then he started bragging and I channelled Cissa the best I could to make him think I thought he was beneath me. I think I did a good job because after he left Pansy looked at me with a lot more respect then she usually does.”Hermione at least thought Pansy did.

“I’m glad you channelled Cissa and not Bella. A lot of our emeries are getting in trouble lately it wouldn’t be a good idea for you pull a wand on anyone.”Andromeda didn’t want anyone claiming Hermione was violent.

“I think Gerold’s mother talked to him.”Hermione said.

“Why do you think that?”Andromeda asked.

“Before flying class a bunch of us were standing around waiting for the professor and a few students asked if they could look at my broom. They were polite about it so I let them. Gerold was standing away from us making comments to no one but loud enough for everyone to hear about how he had five of the same kind of broom at home. When no one acknowledged him he said it louder and when one of the Gryffindor’s asked why he didn’t bring one of those instead the cheap model he had he just sputtered and kept his mouth shut for the rest of the class. He did glare at me through most of it and the class we had after lunch.”Hermione didn’t think this peace with Gerold would last however.

“What model broom does he have?”Andromeda wanted to know what kind the boy’s mother bought him.

“It’s one model above the basic model they sell at the quidditch shop. I think it’s used as well because it looked pretty beat up.”Hermione wouldn’t have bought that broom but it was a decent one.

“Cissa said his robes are used as well.”Andromeda figured his mother couldn’t afford to buy everything brand new.

“He could have had top of the line everything if he and his mother were good people. Him getting other people’s hand me downs is karma for their selfishness.”Hermione truly believed that Gerold and his mother were being punished by the gods for being so selfish and vindictive.

“It’s going to take a lot of repenting for the pair to even begin to get back in the gods’ good graces.”Andromeda didn’t think the pair could do it. 

“I hate that I can’t say they aren’t my problem because they have gone out of their way and will continue to go out of their way to make themselves my problem.”Hermione expected to deal with Gerold for the rest of her life. Him and any of his offspring.

“You have us to help you deal with it.”Andromeda would never let Hermione deal with this stuff alone.

Hermione snuggled into Andromeda’s side.”I thank the goddess every day for giving me you and your sisters. I am so unbelievably lucky to have each of you.”

“We are the lucky ones sweetheart.”Andromeda did feel that she was the lucky one in her relationship with Hermione. The girl not only brought with her respect and wealth Hermione was the sweetest, kindest person that Andromeda had ever met. She treated all three sisters better than anyone had ever before and went out of her way to make sure they felt loved and cared for. It was Andromeda’s dream relationship. 

“We are all lucky that we have each other.”Hermione said.

“Yes we are.”Andromeda agreed.

“Do you think they will find anything in Dumbledore’s office?”Hermione asked.

“I think Cissa and Bella won’t rest until they do.”Andromeda regretted not being there to help but she would rather have alone time with Hermione. Holding some vines out of the way for Hermione Andromeda led her through a heavily forested area to a sandy beach near the lake.

“Andy it’s beautiful.”Hermione didn’t expect the place to look like it did.

“I’m glad you like it.”Andromeda had wanted Hermione to like it as much as she did.”Now are you ready?”

Hermione took off her outer robes leaving herself in her green and silver bathing suit. She grabbed the wooden box she brought with her and walked into the lake until it was at the level of her knees.”I’m ready.”

“Ok let’s get started.”Andromeda stripped out of her robes leaving her in the same one piece bathing suit as Hermione except hers was bigger to fit her curves. Andromeda liked having matching bathing suits ever since Hermione started swimming and had kept up with the tradition. Walking to Hermione Andromeda stopped a step in front of her and whistled a song. The response was immediate as two large mere folk one male one female broke through the surface both brandishing tridents. They relaxed somewhat seeing Andromeda but kept an eye on Hermione.

“Andromeda scion of the House of Black who have you brought with you to our sacred lands?”The woman asked.

“Greetings royal messengers. I am here to introduce you to my friend Hermione Black who wishes to make an alliance.”Andromeda told them.

The man looked Hermione over.“What could we gain from making an alliance with a child?”

“This is no mere child. This girl was picked by Salazar Slytherin himself to be his heir. Along with that in one year she will become the Head of Household to 7 pureblood families. Gaining not only the titles but the wealth and properties along with each house.”Andromeda could see this interested the mere folk.

The female raised an eyebrow.”Why is it you wish you make an alliance with us child?”

“I simply wish to gain permission to swim in these same waters as Andromeda. In return for that permission I wish to offer this gift to your queen.”Hermione opened the box revealing an over the top jewel encrusted necklace that had a Fawley family crest pendant hanging in-between some of the jewels.”I offer this the crest of the only house that I control at the moment the House of Fawley. With this necklace I would like to pledge an oath of protection to your people.”

The male gasped in shock.”You offer protection to my people in return for allowing you to swim in our waters?”

"For too long have your people been abused. You are forced to share a lake with lesser beings that attack you and your homes. The humans have constantly taken over more and more you territory and there is nothing you can do about it. I say no more. I want to be your advocate. If you want to leave these waters I will personally pay for a new place for you to live and will have you escorted there to ensure your safety.”Hermione would do more than that if they wanted.

“Why are you doing this? What is it you gain?”The female asked.

“I gain the satisfaction that a species that is superior to the beings that swim in their waters finally gets a chance to live freely without the restrictions placed on them by man. Mere folk are meant for more than living in less than a mile of the floor of a lake where they are harassed by human children. You are beings of incredible magic and untold wisdom. I can’t in good conscience let you continue to live in these shackles when there is something I can do about it.”Hermione explained.

The male looked Hermione over again seeming to come to a decision.”We will bring your offer to our queen. Until she decides you are welcome to swim in our waters.”

“Thank you.”Hermione handed him the box with the necklace in it.

Andromeda waited for them to leave before taking Hermione in her arms and hugging her tightly.”You did great love.”

“This is my first try at getting an alliance. I really hope their queen agrees.”Hermione would be embarrassed if she didn’t.

“I think you impressed them. They were definitely impressed by the necklace so good choice on that.”Andromeda and her sisters let Hermione decide on what to give and offer the mere folk. They were the perfect species for Hermione to try and get her first alliance with because the repercussions would be small if they declined.

“I wasn’t lying. I really do feel that they are being abused. They should be controlling at least the whole lake but they are forced by the humans to play nice or they will kill them. Which would be easy to do because they have handicapped them by taking away their natural recourses and the things they need to make weapons and to strengthen their magics. They deserve better.”Hermione hoped that she could help them get it.

“You are such a good person my love.”Andromeda didn’t know anyone who actually cared about the mere folk living in the Black Lake or what their living conditions were actually like. 

“Everyone should have the opportunity to thrive. Especially magical creatures.”Hermione was planning on helping lots of different species of magical creatures when she had the chance.

“With your help many will.”Andromeda had no doubt that Hermione would be the champion of magical creatures in the years to come.

“Can we swim now?”Hermione asked.

In reply Andromeda scooped Hermione up in her arms and tossed her into the lake. She laughed when Hermione surfaced glaring at her.”What’s with the look? I thought you wanted to go swimming.”

“I didn’t put my cap on now my hair is going to be crazy for a week.”Hermione’s hair was out of control on the best days but when she got it wet she had to use a special creme or it would turn into a ball of chaos that needed many treatments to bring under control.

“I didn’t think about that. I’m sorry sweetheart.”Andromeda did feel bad because she was one of the people who helped Hermione with her hair and knew how bad it could get.

Hermione pushed her hair out of her face.”It doesn’t matter now. Come swim with me.”

“I’m coming.”Andromeda dove straight in swimming under the water to Hermione grabbing the girl’s leg and dragging her under. That started a wresting match that ended with Andromeda putting Hermione in a headlock and pulling her to the surface to get some air.”You can’t beat me little one. It’s foolish of you to try.”

“Ugh you sound like Cissa. She always brags about being faster than me but one day I’ll show both of you when I am faster than Cissa and win our wrestling matches. I would say I would beat Bella at karate but I honestly doubt anyone could.”Hermione didn’t know anyone who could win a match against Bellatrix and many men bigger than her had tried and she bested each of them. She didn’t even use any magic.

“That’s because Bella is a brute who will do anything to win. She also cheats at everything.”Andromeda wrapped her arms around Hermione and kicked her feet to stay upright.”As to our wrestling matches I still have a few tricks up my sleeve that I’m saving for when you are older.”

“I have a feeling the three of you are saving a lot of things for when I get older.”Hermione said.

“Things you will only be able to appreciate when you are more mature. Those being things we will not be discussing today.”Andromeda put a stop to any talk about sex as it was not appropriate to talk to Hermione about. Andromeda wasn’t even comfortable thinking about Hermione in a sexual way.

“No problem with me. I have enough things to think about. I will happily push some to wait until I’m older.”Hermione would gladly save a topic for a few years in the future.

“Hold on I’ll give you a tour of the swimming hole.”Andromeda waited until Hermione got behind her and wrapped her arms around Andromeda then started swimming with Hermione on her back. It was how Andromeda taught Hermione to swim and was something she still enjoyed doing with the girl.

“How did you find this place?”Hermione asked.

“I was walking around the lake looking for a private spot and stumbled across it. A pair of guards warned me off telling me it was the mere folks private part of the lake. Knowing this I spent a week in the castle library reading everything I could about mere folk. I went back after I finished studying and brought them an offering and greeted them formally. They accepted my offering and gave me permission to swim here whenever I wanted.”Andromeda had been proud of herself for getting that permission.

“You’re so amazing Andy.”Hermione sighed happy.”I am so blessed to have you as a soulmate.”

Andromeda smiled hearing Hermione’s sigh and accompanied words.”I am just as blessed to have you.”

“We really are the perfect match aren’t we?”Hermione couldn’t ask for better soulmates than the sisters.

“I think so.”Andromeda wouldn’t trade Hermione for anything or anyone.

“I actually feel pity for people who settle for anything less than finding the perfect partner. Even if you don’t find your soulmate there has to be good people out there to match up with. Why do people settle?”Hermione didn’t understand how people decided on who to get into a romantic relationship with.

“I honestly don’t know. I have always known about you so I didn’t have to worry about any of that. I only picked Ted because he is an idiot. I would have never picked him for an actual romantic partner. Other than that I have had no urges to date or felt any attraction to anyone so I don’t know why people pick who they do. I myself wonder as well.”Andromeda questioned people’s pick in romantic partners quite a lot. None of them made sense to Andromeda.

“I’m glad I don’t have to settle. I got matched with the greatest three woman that ever roamed the earth.”Hermione was very proud of her soulmates.

“Put away that charm Cissa and Bella aren’t here for you to use it on.”Andromeda may tease Hermione about it but she loved when Hermione complimented and praised her. That and when Hermione would go off in tangents about how great Andromeda was for no reason other than Hermione felt like saying it. Andromeda would find it annoying if anyone else did it but Hermione was always sincere when saying everything. Nothing about it was false flattery. That made Hermione’s words mean so much more.

“I’m only being truthful.”Hermione grumbled as she hid her hot cheeks on Andromeda’s shoulder blades.

“Lift your head. You’re supposed to be looking around.”Andromeda told her.

“I am looking around and I am very impressed with this spot.”Hermione was going to enjoy being able to swim there regularly.”Do you think that Gerold and Draco are ever going to give up?”

“No, I don’t think they will ever give up. No matter what happens.”Andromeda turned on her back and floated with Hermione on top of her.

“Is there nothing we can do to make them go away?”Hermione asked.

Andromeda smiled sadly at Hermione.”I’m sorry sweetheart but even if you gave them what they wanted they would still target you. Their thinking being that everything of yours belongs to them not just their individual houses.”

“Gerold claimed that he was actually Salazar’s heir and that I tricked the hat into making it believe it was me and that Dumbledore put him in Gryffindor. Pansy asked him if that was true why did Salazar himself tell everyone that he personally picked me. Gerold just fell back on the I tricked everyone.”Hermione didn’t understand why Gerold thought that.

“That’s what I’m talking about. Gerold’s mother has his mind so warped that he believes that he deserves all the best things in the world. Including being a founder’s heir. If someone else had been chosen he would have claimed that they stole that from him as well. Even with Salazar himself claiming you as his heir in front of hundreds of people he is trying so say that it was really supposed to him because he truly believes it. That belief that everything good in life should be his is not something he will likely grow out of either. Meaning he will continue to target you because you not only are the head of his house but you will be the head of 7 in total. Something he likely believes is his birthright.”Andromeda dealt with people like Gerold all her life. They never went away.

“If he had my role he would destroy the world.”Hermione knew that Gerold couldn’t fulfill the prophesies.

Andromeda chuckled.”Yes he would.”

“What do you think the Greengrass family will do when I disinherit Lucius and Draco? Do you think they will cut their losses or double down?”Hermione asked.

“It will depend on how much support from other families they can get. They are close to broke if not completely broke by now so they don’t have the gold to pay for any kind of respectable attorney. So they need someone willing to fund their quest. Many won’t be because I’m taking your ministry seats for you after you claim your titles. That will make me your public spokesperson and with both of us, Cissa, Bella and your parents going through all your business holdings people are going to see a lot of change happening in magical Britain. That will make them afraid to associate with any of your enemies for fear you will cut them off. So to answer your question they will get some support initially but as we start making changes they will lose most of it. Then they will likely fall back on a crappy attorney who will work for a percentage of the estate if they win. Whether they eventually cut their losses will depend on how much gold they have left to live on.”Andromeda told her.

“So they are going to follow Molly’s playbook. The same playbook Molly is going to use against me very soon because I am not replying to her letter.”Hermione expected Molly to act out soon.

“I think she is going to file for custody of you again on the grounds you are related.”Andromeda at least figured that would be the move Molly pulled.

“Do you think she will reach out to my parents?”Hermione wonder if she should warn them.

Andromeda didn’t think of that.”I’ll write them a letter and mention it.”

“Thanks Andy.”Hermione said.

“You’re welcome sweetheart.”Andromeda lazily moved her arms and legs keeping them both afloat.”Other than the drama how are you liking Hogwarts so far?”

“The castle is as incredible as my dad and I thought it would be. The classes seem like they will be interesting once we finally get started. The other students aren’t to bad. I think Gerold acting out has made a lot of people nicer to me because they feel bad I have to deal with him. I had five different people come up to me today to say they were sorry that Gerold was such an asshole to me. Three of them were Gryffindors.”Hermione had been surprised by that.

“Minerva said that she has gotten numerous request from his housemates for him to be kicked out of his house.”Andromeda smiled when Hermione laughed.

“Can you even be kicked out of your house?”Hermione had never read anywhere about it happening.

“You can be resorted if you ask to be but I have never heard of someone being kicked out of their house before. Definitely not being kicked out by their fellow housemates. I honestly don’t know if the hat would resort him under those circumstance. Minerva didn’t know either and doesn’t know what to do with him. You saying his mother talked to him likely won’t make him behave for long.”Andromeda didn’t think that Gerold could stop himself from saying anything.

“I thought the same thing. There is no way that someone with his attitude will be able to control himself. Especially when he is faced with more than one of us together at the same time.”Hermione said.”I do wonder what is going to happen with Draco. Bella said he was likely trying to break into my room to find something to hold over my head.”

“That’s definitely what he and his friends were to trying to do.”Andromeda had no doubt about that.

“I worry he and his friends are going to confront me since it didn’t work.”Hermione didn’t want to deal with the group.

“If they even come near you you are to use your necklace.”Andromeda didn’t want Hermione to take any chances.

“I already planned on it.”Hermione wasn’t going to trust the group to just want to talk to her.

“Good. Saturday while we are at Diagon we will take you to get some ice cream. I think we all deserve some even Cissa. That way she doesn’t steal yours.”Andromeda was always jealous that she couldn’t share ice cream with Hermione. The girl was stubborn and had stuck with vanilla since she was a toddler.

“That would be fun.”Hermione wouldn’t mind having a break from Hogwarts and all the mess of her titles for an hour or two.”What do you think we will find in Salazar’s vault?”

“Something that will likely impress and amaze all of us.”Andromeda was looking forward to seeing what the vault held.

“Cissa pointed out to me this morning that because Salazar didn’t have any family or pick any heirs it means that everything he left for me was likely last used by him personally. Meaning that the books in the libraries were last touched by him and he was probably the one who last used his work room and acquired all the equipment and potion ingredients.”Hermione told her.

”You’re right. You are likely sleeping in the bed Salazar himself used.”Andromeda was now even more excited to see the vault knowing that everything left in it was left by Salazar personally and no one had taken out anything the man put in it. Before the conversation could continue the two mere folk royal messengers appeared above the water’s surface. Andromeda quickly swan herself and Hermione to the shore to properly speak to them.

“We have brought your offer to our queen child and bring her reply.”The male mere folk told her.

Hermione bowed her head.”Thank you for relaying my message.”

“Her reply is that she wishes to offer a tentative alliance. To achieve a full alliance she has a task she wishes for you to fulfill.”The female mere folk said.

“I am willing to do anything she asks.”Hermione wasn’t lying. She didn’t care if she had to have someone killed. She would do it to get the mere folk better living conditions.

“Due to the many species that continue to immigrate into the lake our food sources have been depleted. To gain an alliance our queen requests that you provide the lake with a supply of what is needed to take care of our people. That being fish, kelp and seaweed.”The male mere folk explained.

“I Hermione Black will gladly accept this tentative alliance with your people and swear to you that I will immediately begin working on a way to provide you with those things.”Hermione promised.

“For our sake I hope you succeed Hermione scion of the House of Fawley.”The female mere folk said before bowing her head at Hermione and along with the male mere folk both dove under the water.

When they were gone Andromeda started laughing.”Oh sweetheart the situations you get yourself into.”

“I don’t think this is too bad. When we go out on Saturday maybe we can go to the pet store and ask the owner if he knows how we can get what we need.”Hermione figured the owner would have some kind of idea.

“That’s actually a good plan.”Andromeda was now thinking this wasn’t going to be as hard of a task as she originally thought.

“If that doesn’t work we can ask my parents to contact someone in muggle world. They have people who supply large amounts of fish for people’s ponds so if we can get the fish all we have to do is figure out a way to transport it here.”Hermione told her.

“That’s good plan as well.”Andromeda was now positive that they could complete this task quickly. Looking at her watch which was not as flashy or expensive as Narcissa’s she checked the time. Not that Andromeda was jealous of Narcissa’s watch. Her sister preferred to show off her wealth whereas Andromeda although like to be dressed in only high end clothing and accessories didn’t like to wear expensive jewelry. She only wore it when she was dressing up then she went extremely flashy like Narcissa.”Let’s head inside so we can bathe and change before dinner.”

“Alright.”Hermione was sad they had to leave but did want to be clean for dinner.

“I’m going to use your bathtub.”It was Andromeda’s night with Hermione anyway so she would just grab what she needed from her quarters to spend the night on the way to Hermione’s rooms.

“I don’t mind.”Hermione didn’t care if her soulmates used her bathtub.

“I know you don’t.”Andromeda knew Hermione would happily share anything she had with Andromeda and her sisters. Making her way out of the lake Andromeda cast a drying spell on herself and Hermione. She then put her robes back on and waited for Hermione to do the same. There was no way she was letting the Hogwarts population see either her or Hermione in their bathing suits. Not that Andromeda was shy she just didn’t want students and professors looking at her body in a sexual way. She wasn’t vain in thinking they would look at her that way. The Black sisters were known for their beauty and Andromeda didn’t want to be objectified. As for Hermione there was no way any of the sisters wanted people to see any part of Hermione’s exposed body. The only reason they allowed Hermione to run in shorts was because it would be to uncomfortable for her to run in pants. Seeing that Hermione was dressed Andromeda slung her arm around Hermione’s shoulder and began walking towards the castle. She wondered if her sisters found anything in Dumbledore’s stuff. Hopefully she would find out at dinner. If not in Hermione’s rooms after.