Soul Bound 41

“Are you ready darling?”Narcissa asked Hermione when she saw the girl waiting outside her door. Hermione was dressed in her muggle running clothes that consisted of running shorts and to Narcissa delight her quidditch jersey. Usually Hermione ran in a tank top but Narcissa didn’t like the idea of so many adolescents seeing Hermione in so little material. It didn’t really matter in the muggle world because everyone dressed like that and although they got a few looks it wasn’t as bad as it would be at Hogwarts. Even in the outfit Hermione was wearing she got a lot of stares but it was likely due to wearing Narcissa’s jersey than anything else. Narcissa herself was wearing the magical world’s version of workout clothes which were long pants and a long sleeved shirt. All in a light material that still made her sweat. In the muggle world she dressed like Hermione did but she was in no way comfortable showing off that much skin in the magical world.

“I’m ready Cissa.”Hermione said.

“I like your shirt.”Narcissa loved that Hermione was wearing it so the whole school population could see it.

“I woke up this morning wearing Bella’s so I figured it was only fair that I wear yours while we are spending time together.”Hermione was a little embarrassed that someone had to change her into her pajamas and put her to bed the night before but reasoned the sisters had done it hundreds of times.

“You should wear it when you are spending time with them as well.”Narcissa wanted her jersey to be the only shirt Hermione wore.

“If I did that it would cause a lot of drama.”Hermione could only imagine the cost for the repairs needed after the fight finished.

“It wouldn’t cause any drama if you finally told them I’m your favorite.”Narcissa teased.

“You are each my favorite for different things.”Hermione didn’t have a favorite sister. They all filled different roles in her life.

“So you are saying to become your favorite I need to master Bella and Andy’s skills.”Narcissa concluded.

Hermione laughed as they made their way out of the dungeon into the main hallway.”I’m saying that there is no way I could have a favorite out of the three of you because you each fill a different role in my life. One role is no more important than the other two.”

“It still would be nice if you picked a favorite. However you are to sensitive of a person to ever consider hurting anyone’s feeling. Even if you did have a favorite you wouldn’t tell us.”Narcissa believed Hermione when she said she didn’t have a favorite. Her excuse of the sisters filling different roles was actually true and something that Jean, Denis and even Nymphadora commented on many times over the years.

“I promise that you three are my most favorite people in my life. I even like you more than my parents.”Hermione told her.

“That makes me feel a lot better.”Narcissa thought Hermione saying she liked the sisters more than her parents was a huge declaration because Hermione was extremely close to her parents. Her relationship with her parents was the most loving closest parent child relationship Narcissa had ever witnessed or heard of. Even Andromeda and Nymphadora weren’t as close and the pair had a very loving relationship. Hermione and her parents were on a whole different level and Narcissa always wondered if it was because Denis and Jean were soulmates. 

Hermione put her arm around Narcissa’s waist and snugged into her side when she felt Narcissa’s arm rest across her shoulders.”What route are we taking today?”

“I was thinking in honor of you going swimming this afternoon that we could run around the lake for you to get a feel for it.”Narcissa suggested.

“Andy and I had our picnic by the lake yesterday but I didn’t really see much. We just sat under a tree the whole time we were out there.”Hermione was hoping for more picnics in the future.

“What part of the lake did you have your picnic at?”Narcissa and Bellatrix had search the around the lake and didn’t see the pair.

“We had it under the tree with the arrow sticking out of the stump.”Hermione told her.

Thinking back Narcissa realized she never searched near that tree. That meant that Andromeda must have warded it to keep people away from the area. She was going to mention it to Bellatrix later. The eldest Black sister would be able to detect what spells Andromeda used on the area so that they would know what to look for next time.”Did you at least have a good time?”

“At first I was worried about you and Bella not being there but Andy told me she let you know. After that Andy sat against the tree and I sat in-between her legs leaning against her while we ate and talked. I didn’t realize how late it got and I am really upset with myself for missing part of Bella’s class. I’ve been forward to it for so long.”Hermione was going to be early next time.

“It’s not your fault you were late. Andy should have been paying attention to the time.”Narcissa was extremely jealous Andromeda spent the entire lunch period alone snuggling with Hermione. Narcissa was going to have to plan a meal for them to have on their own in the near future. They had a kitchen in their quarters maybe Narcissa could get some ingredients from the kitchen and cook for Hermione.

“Still if I wasn’t late maybe Gerold wouldn’t have caused a scene in class.”Hermione said.

“I doubt it. Gerold has been waiting his whole life to confront not only Bella but me and Andy as well. You are a new target that he didn’t know about until a week ago. Even if you weren’t in the class he still would have gone after me and my sisters. All because he has some silly belief that we should support him financially. Bella did tell me you told him you were going to disinherit him the day you claimed your titles.”Narcissa was proud of Hermione for standing up for herself.

“I want to make it well known that I am in no way aligned with Gerold and want nothing to do with him. That way when he changes strategy and tries to be my best friend to get access to the estate everyone will know that I have never been on his side.”Hermione would never give Gerold access to the Black family.

“I think that’s going to be his strategy with you as well. Especially with him getting in so much trouble at school. Plus he really has no way of making you do anything and if he wants access to the estate he has to go through you because his father is in Azkaban. So unless Sirius dies you are the only way for him to claim the Head of Household title before Sirius is dead.”Narcissa thought the boy and his mother would be changing their tune as soon as the mother was pulled into the headmistress’s office for Gerold’s behavior.

Hermione took deep breath of air once they walked out of the castle.”It’s muggy here.”

”It’s because of all the moisture in the air.”Narcissa dropped her arm from Hermione’s shoulders.”Did you stretch?”

“Yes before I left my room like you told me.”Hermione was told by all three sisters to not do her warm up stretches in front of other people.

“Good.”Narcissa did her own stretching in private as well. Although there was nothing sexual about the activity it could be considered indecent in the magical world.

“I did some extra stretches because I’m still sore from yesterday. I’m hoping that swimming will fix the stiffness.”Hermione took a spot next to Narcissa when the woman began jogging.

“We will start slow then pick up speed.”Narcissa told her.

“Has anyone asked you why you run out here every morning?”Hermione asked.

“A couple people did last year but for the most part no one really cared.”Narcissa had expected a lot of interest in why she ran but was happy that no one paid attention to it.

“Andy is lucky because she found a private swimming hole.”Hermione was excited about visiting it that afternoon.

“I think you picked the perfect offering to give them.”Narcissa and the sisters decided that Hermione should pick her own offering to give the mere folk to get permission to use their private part of the lake.

“I wanted it to be something meaningful because I doubt many people give the mere folk the respect they deserve.”Hermione wanted the mere folk to feel appreciated.

“You’re right they don’t get a lot of respect.”Narcissa knew that the faculty and students at Hogwarts didn’t respect them. Dumbledore definitely didn’t.

“Which is stupid because they are a formable foe. Did you know that some of them can actually survive on land for long periods of time by drinking a certain amount of water? They also have very strong magic and they can forge magical artifacts that they can imbed with their own magic. Magic that is stronger than most human magic users.”Hermione thought that mere folk were incredible.

Narcissa smiled at Hermione’s enthusiasm.”I think they are going to like you very much.”

“I just hope they agree to my offer of protection.”Hermione was going to offer the Fawley family’s protection to the mere folk.

“I think if you stick with the points you came up with they will happily take your offer of protection.”Narcissa had no doubt the creatures would want to form an alliance with Hermione.”Let’s pick up speed.”

Hermione hurried to catch up with Narcissa and easily kept pace. Looking towards the lake she saw the giant squid.”Do you think the squid is actually happy living here?”

“Why do you ask that?”Narcissa hadn’t ever really given much thought about the squid’s happiness.

“The lake is so small and it seems like the squid doesn’t move. Is that because he doesn’t have the room to move or is he just so depressed that he is basically stuck in a home the size of a bath tub. It’s like those whales at the aquarium we went to. They were all depressed and sickly because they were stuck living in such a small tank. Do you think it’s like for the squid?”Hermione asked.

Narcissa looked at squid trying to think of the last time she had seen it move from that spot. It sometimes submerged further in the water but she didn’t think it had gone completely under. It definitely didn’t move far if it moved at all. It was the only one of its kind in the lake.”I think you might be right. I think the squid is likely very depressed being stuck in such a small lake with no others of its kind and constantly getting harassed by other species to include students. We should look into this. Maybe you have a property we can relocate it to.”

“Thanks Cissa.”Hermione refrained from hugging Narcissa because they were running.

“It’s you who should be thanked. That squid was here before I began school here and no one has cared enough to actually make sure it was taken care of. It shows how big your heart is.”Narcissa thought that the way Hermione was handling the mere folk and her concern about the squid was just proving that Hermione would be a protecter of magical creatures like Lord Fawley wanted.

“What was in the packages yesterday?”Hermione wanted to know what dangerous spells were sent to her.

“Unfortunately none of the packages or the letters were from the Prewett brothers but I’m sure they will write you back. They just may have been trying to find you an appropriate book.”Narcissa knew the brothers would write back.

“I’m looking forward to talking to them. I have tons of question on why their parents chose to live so vastly different from their grandparents and why they continue the tradition.”Hermione wanted to know why a pureblood couple who both grew up with traditional pureblood parents chose to live so drastically different from their upbringing.

“Just promise me you won’t let them convince you it’s better to live as frugal as possible. I can’t handle having to go back to having to watch how much gold I spend and Bella might kill the brothers if they did convince you.”Narcissa liked being able to spend as much gold as she wanted. She didn’t want to be forced to budget or heaven forbid wear second hand clothing.

Hermione laughed.”There is no way I would ever live frugally. I like buying you, Andy and Bella presents to much.”

“That is true you do like to spoil us.”Narcissa took that as enough proof that Hermione wouldn’t put anyone on a budget. The girl went all out when buying gifts for the sisters. Narcissa’s 12 million pound muggle watch she was currently wearing was proof of that. Hermione had justified the price saying that if she was buying Narcissa a watch then it had to be one of a kind and made with the best materials. Narcissa had layered it with dozens of protection spells and charms so it would never be damaged or fall off her wrist. She would devastated if anything happened to it because Hermione designed the watch herself to include picking out the diamonds and jewels plus using gold from the Fawley vault to be melted down to make the base and chain. With the engraving on the underside of the watch face it was the most thoughtful gift Narcissa had ever gotten.

“So if it was nothing from the brothers what was it?”Hermione asked.

“There was a necklace from Lady Carrow that was cursed. It caused the person who wore the necklace to essentially became a slave to the person who placed the curse. In the box was a letter inviting you to have tea with Lady Carrow at the Carrow family manor.”Narcissa told her.

“Why do people think I’m stupid enough to not only open my mail personally but to wear a random necklace a stranger sent me?”Hermione wouldn’t have worn it even if it weren’t cursed as it was an obvious claim of ownership.

“They think you are an eleven year old girl who doesn’t understand the magical world because your parents are squibs. That and they don’t know what exactly our relationship with you is. Most likely people think that we are forcing you to spend time with us and you don’t actually like us.”Narcissa explained.

“That’s because they don’t know you like I do. If they did they would have no other choice but to love you as much as I love you.”Hermione was sure the public would adore the Black sisters if they saw them how they really are.

Narcissa smiled. She loved hearing Hermione declare her love for her because the girl always said it with such conviction you had no other choice than believe her.”I love you too.”

“So how are you handling Lady Carrow?”Hermione didn’t think they would leave her alone.

“We can’t have her arrested or sue her because she would simply claim she didn’t know the object was cursed. That being the case I am going to send her a letter as your guardian and basically call her out for her scheme. As punishment I am going to tell her when you claim your titles all of your houses will be officially cutting ties with the Carrow family and will not be doing any business with them in the future.”Narcissa told her.

“That will make her regret her actions.”Hermione was all for cutting ties with the Carrow family. It was what they were planning to do anyway.”What else was sent?”

“Someone sent a spy device in the form of a seed that grows into a flower. The letter said that the sender wanted you to have someone trustworthy to talk to during this trying time in your life.”Narcissa wished they could have inflicted more pain on the man when destroying his device.

“Things like that are the reason I’m happy I have my own room.”Hermione was always worried about being spied on.

“The last cursed package I’m not telling you the contents. I will tell you that the man will likely be sent to Azkaban for sending them to you. He also likely will never be able to have a physical relationship ever again.”Narcissa and Andromeda had taken their time with him when they found him in the forest.

“What did you do to him?”Hermione knew if the man sent something worth being arrested for the sisters would personally act to punish him.

“Andy and I spent an hour making him regret the day he was born. Then we castrated him and erased the memories of us hurting him and replaced them with ones of him doing it to himself. Which will be proven because we used his own wand against him.”Narcissa hadn’t been surprised the man was so weak magically that his wand rebelled against him.

“Good. Then he won’t be able to prey on anymore young girls.”Hermione didn’t want the man to target someone else.

Narcissa smiled again. She loved that Hermione was so supportive. She even supported Narcissa and Andromeda torturing and maiming a man.”We are going to bring the evidence to the ministry on Saturday after we go to the bank.”

“I’m excited to go to bank. Even more now that Andy found out Salazar has never had an heir and he was the last of the Slytherin blood line.”Hermione couldn’t even start to imagine what they would find.

“He didn’t have any blood relatives?”Narcissa hadn’t been told that.

“No, all his blood relatives died before he did and he has never picked anyone other than me to be his heir this whole time.”Hermione was honored to have been picked.

“That means Salazar’s vault was last touched by the man himself.”Narcissa wondered how much trouble she would get into if she took Hermione to the bank right then to check out the vault. They wouldn’t need to change their clothes either. Thinking about how her sisters would react if she did it had her coming to the conclusion that although it would be amazing seeing the vault it wouldn’t be worth pissing off her sisters.

“I think all the rooms we have been given access to haven’t been touched since Salazar was alive.”Hermione said.

“That means all those potion ingredients are his personal ones.”Narcissa was having trouble wrapping her head around the fact that she was in her house’s founder’s personal workroom where he was the last one to use it. He probably touched all the same bottles Narcissa did. He would have likely been the one to collect everything as well.

“You ok Cissa?”Hermione didn’t understand the weird look on Narcissa’s face.

Narcissa shook her head to clear her thoughts.”I just got lost in the awe of having been touching Salazar’s potions ingredients that he likely personally acquired.”

“I didn’t even think of that. Then again we haven’t really gotten a chance to look around the rooms.”Hermione had wanted to look through the library in her own room.

“After swimming you and Andy have a mission to find out ways to give the three of us access to you room. I don’t know if you saw but Bella was able to give the three of us our own space for sleeping. We are all going to have to share everything else including your closet. It’s the only way we can all stay there.”Narcissa wasn’t looking forward to living in such close quarters to Bellatrix because the woman was a slob but she would put up with it to be close to Hermione.

“I don’t mind sharing.”Hermione didn’t care what she had to do she just wanted her soulmates close.”What were the other two packages?”

“One was an ugly hat from a hat designer that wanted you to wear the hat in public and tell people she made it. For your sponsorship she was generously offering to take five percent off the price of the hat she sent but all other hats in the future you would have to pay full price for. Andy and I burned the hat.”Narcissa smiled again when Hermione laughed.

“I can’t understand why you would burn a hat that could benefit me so much.”Hermione joked.

“The last package was even more insulting than the hat. It was a very small engagement ring made of fake gold and jewels. The man tried to claim he used a year’s salary to buy it for you. I was going to take care of that one but Bella called dibs.”Narcissa was going to take care of the next one. There being a next one being a given because many people would try to propose to Hermione through the mail as it was the only way they had to contact her.

“I wonder what she is going to do to him?”Hermione would have to help Bellatrix brainstorm.

“You also got a letter from Ted claiming that he is your biological father and your parents actually magically adopted you.”Narcissa told her.

“How does he explain that I look nothing like him, you three or Dora and am the spitting image of my mom and dad.”Hermione looked exactly like the perfect mix of her parents. There was no mistaking she was their daughter.

“He didn’t address that at all. He just wrote about how great of a wizard he was and asked that you transfer some gold into his vault to get him through what he called was a rough patch in his life. He also told you not to tell us he wrote you because we would keep you apart like we had been all your life. I wrote a letter to our lawyer last night and she is going to write Ted a formal letter telling him he is not your father but if he feels otherwise he is welcome to take a blood test.”Narcissa knew that Ted wouldn’t take the test. He likely would still reach out to Hermione but he wouldn’t take the test.

“Let me guess all the other ones were scammers as well.”Hermione hated that she was already getting bothered by so many people.

“Yes they were and for that I am sorry sweetheart.”Narcissa wished she could shelter Hermione from the negative people in the world but she couldn’t. All she could do is prepare and protect Hermione the best she could. Something that not only the sisters had done but Hermione’s parents and Nymphadora as well.

“It’s not your fault.”Hermione didn’t blame anyone but the people who wrote the letters.

“Maybe tonight you’ll finally get a letter from Dora. I figure she has got to have snuck out to send one by now.”Narcissa didn’t think her niece would sit by while all the drama was going on in Hermione’s life.

“That would be nice. I would like to send her a letter because I have got so many things to tell her.”Hermione was very close to Nymphadora. While growing up Nymphadora was Hermione’s protector and didn’t let anyone get away with upsetting Hermione. Even Andromeda didn’t get a pass from her own daughter if she teased Hermione. That closeness continued and now Nymphadora was even more serious about keeping Hermione safe.

“Come on I’ll race you back to the doors.”Narcissa didn’t wait for a reply before running full speed to the doors.

“You cheated.”Hermione gasped out when she caught up. She put her hands on her knees and breathed heavily.

“You are just mad that I am faster than you.”Narcissa was indeed faster than Hermione but that was because she put a lot of effort into running. Narcissa like the way it kept their body in shape and the time she spent with Hermione. 

“One day I will be faster than you.”Hermione was going to beat Narcissa one day. It was her life’s mission.

“I have no doubt about it darling. Now let’s go get ready for the day.”Narcissa held the door open for Hermione then followed her into the building. Other students were out and about most giving the pair strange looks. Narcissa didn’t pay attention to them.

“I am not looking forward to waking Bella up.”Hermione knew there was going to be a lot of yelling involved.

“I need to teach you the water trick.”Narcissa made a mental note to do that the next time she was alone with Hermione.

“That would be nice.”Hermione had been on the receiving end off the water trick many times over the years. Bellatrix being the main person using it.

“This is me. Do you want me to walk you to your room?”Narcissa asked.

“I think I will be fine.”Hermione didn’t think anything bad would happen on the way to her room.

“Alright use the necklace if something does.”Narcissa told her.

“I will.”Hermione promised. She gave Narcissa a hug not caring that she was sweaty.”Thanks for running with me today.”

“You’re welcome. Now go wake up Bella and don’t let her pull you back into bed.”Narcissa knew Bellatrix would likely try to get Hermione to skip classes and spend the day in bed with her.

Hermione pulled out the hug.”I’ll try.”

“If you don’t make it to breakfast I’ll come looking for you.”Narcissa wasn’t going to let Hermione skip. Unless she was skipping to spend the day with Narcissa.

“See you later.”Hermione called over her shoulder as she walked away.

“She’ll be fine.”Narcissa assure herself. Hurrying into her room Narcissa began collecting everything she needed for the day. She wanted to get ready quickly in case Hermione needed her. Narcissa stared at her bathtub with distain. She couldn’t wait until she was staying in Hermione’s room with the large bathtub she could use every morning. It would be nice to stretch out. Narcissa sighed as she filled the tub. There wasn’t much she could do about it now. Now she just needed to hurry up and get dressed so that she could go wake up Bellatrix and prevent her from kidnapping Hermione for the day. If Narcissa couldn’t steal Hermione to take her to the bank then there was no way she was letting Bellatrix steal Hermione for a bed day. A bed day Narcissa was planning on having on one of their free weekends. She wanted to relax with Hermione and discuss the many books they found in Salazar’s rooms. Relaxing in bed discussing books being something they did at home all the time while Hermione was growing up. Narcissa was happy Hermione never grew out of it.