Soul Bound 15

“Mom I got to pet a snake.”Nymphadora told her mother when Andromeda and Narcissa met the girl and Bellatrix outside the pet shop. Seeing her daughter’s bright smile brought Andromeda a lot of happiness because the girl hadn’t had that many chances to enjoy a day of shopping. Ted would have never bought her toys or even let her visit the pet shop. He mostly made her shop for clothing for him or visit shops were he could buy overpriced junk that made him feel wealthy when he showed his purchases off. The only days that Nymphadora had fun shopping was when Andromeda took her but the middle Black sister hadn’t had time for them to go regularly. Andromeda had been working extra shifts to sell the story of her working herself to death why her husband spent more than she made. Then she was forced to deal with the Order and she just didn’t have enough time as she would like to spend with her daughter. That was going to change starting with moving out of the home she shared with Ted. The next step was she was going to file divorce papers and then go part time at the hospital. She was going to spend so much time with Nymphadora the girl was going to get sick of her.

“That’s exciting.”Andromeda said.

“Can we get ice cream now?”Nymphadora asked.

“Usually I would say we would have to eat lunch first but we had a late breakfast so I think it’s alright to get some ice cream.”Andromeda smiled when Nymphadora gave Bellatrix a high five. A gesture they learned from Denis.

“Good job kid.”Bellatrix patted Nymphadora on the back.”What flavor ice cream are you going to get?”

“It’s always so hard to choose.”Nymphadora told her.

“What are your favorites?”Narcissa asked from her spot walking next to the girl.

“My favorites are chocolate, chocolate chip, peanut butter chocolate, unicorn dream and boggart berry.”Nymphadora listed off.

“Why don’t you just get a scoop of each?”Bellatrix suggested.

Seeing her daughter’s puppy dog eyes focused on her Andromeda caved.”Just this once.”

“Yes.”Nymphadora cheered as she began skipping down the street.

“She won’t be living off ice cream and sweets Bella. So you need to reel yourself in when it comes to buying her those things.”Andromeda knew Bellatrix was going to be a big issue when it came to giving Nymphadora sugar.

“She’s be fine.”Bellatrix wasn’t going to promise anything. Stopping outside the ice cream shop Bellatrix held the door open for her sisters and Nymphadora following after them once they all were inside.”Are you going to have some ice cream Cissa?”

“I think I’ll get one scoop.”Narcissa kept herself on a strict diet wanting to keep her body fit. It was especially important to her to look good because she had over two decades on her soulmate and she didn’t want Hermione to find her old body unattractive. Not that Narcissa thought Hermione wouldn’t like her body it was just something that Narcissa was nervous about.

Bellatrix looked at sister in shock.”Are you celebrating? You never get ice cream.”

“If you must know yes I am celebrating. I’m celebrating my good morning at our friend’s house.”Narcissa thought she deserved to indulge after such a successful morning at the Granger’s. Not only was she left alone with Hermione but she secured the best room in the house. Both those things were worthy of rewarding herself with a treat.

“We still need to discuss that room.”Bellatrix wasn’t letting Narcissa have it.

“There is nothing to discuss.”Narcissa wasn’t giving up the room.

“Are you guys getting something?”Andromeda asked.

Bellatrix walked up to the counter. She fully planned on taking the room from Narcissa.”I’ll have two scoops of fairy dust and three scoops of chocolate.”

“Coming right up.”The employee said as he scooped the ice cream into a bowl. Once done he handed it to Bellatrix then turned his attention to Narcissa.”Anything for you Miss?”

“I’ll take a single scoop of vanilla.”Narcissa told him.

“Seriously Cissa. You are celebrating with vanilla ice cream?!”Bellatrix really didn’t understand her sister.

Narcissa took the cup from the employee.”Vanilla is my favorite.”

“Vanilla is no one’s favorite Cissa.”Andromeda had never even heard rumors of someone’s favorite ice cream being vanilla.

“Keep the change.”Bellatrix told the wide eyed employee. She didn’t know why the man was surprised she always tipped well.”Let’s go window shop while we eat.”

“Good idea.”Andromeda would prefer not to spend time in the small space the room for people to sit and eat their ice cream was. Something she knew that Nymphadora would not want either. They liked open spaces. The size of her new room at Malfoy Manor being one of the reasons Andromeda felt she had slept so good. Her bedroom at Ted’s always seemed like the walls were closing in on her.

“What was the shop you got that quidditch uniform at Bella?”Narcissa wanted to get one made with her number on it.

Bellatrix held the door open for her group to leave. Once they were all outside she took up a spot walking next to Narcissa.”You want to stake your claim as well don’t you?”

“What are you talking about staking your claims?”Andromeda asked.

“Bella had a custom Slytherin quidditch uniform made with our last name, her first initial and her number on the back. I want to have a picture of our friend wearing mine.”Narcissa told her.

“That’s a good idea.”Andromeda was kicking herself for not thinking of it already.

“Where I had them made was at the quidditch shop. I also got all the small quidditch equipment there.”Bellatrix planned on getting Hermione a new uniform every time she grew out of one.

“We should stop there anyway. I think now that I live with you I am comfortable getting Dora a training broom.”Andromeda didn’t trust Ted to supervise her so she held off.

“The girl doesn’t have a broom yet?”Narcissa was very surprised to hear that.

“I couldn’t trust the people who were left in charge of her when I wasn’t around. Especially Ted’s family.”Andromeda told her.

“Then we have to get her a broom. How is she going to play quidditch if she can’t fly properly?”Bellatrix was going to make sure her niece was an excellent flyer by the time she went to Hogwarts.

“I want to go to the baby shop as well to see if they have anything that could help now that we know they aren’t adverse to using magical methods.”Narcissa had held off from buying anything magical because she wasn’t sure if Jean and Denis were comfortable around magic.

“We should be able to find something.”Andromeda had only went shopping in the muggle world for Hermione. She just bought a bunch of onesies that had cute animals or characters on them.”Not that they need anything though.”

“I wish they did so that we could provide for our friend.”Bellatrix wanted to be the one fulfilling Hermione’s needs.

“It would be nice to have a more important role in their life.”Yes they were soulmates but Narcissa wanted to have more authority in Hermione’s life.

“I know what you mean. Even with the allowances we have been given we still don’t have any kind of say in what goes on in their life.”Andromeda like her sisters wanted to be in charge of Hermione’s life.

“Hey mom what’s that?”Nymphadora asked.

Andromeda stepped up to the window of the shop Nymphadora was standing in front of and looked at the object her daughter was pointing at. It was a metal box with holes in it.”I don’t know. Cissa, Bella do you know what that is?”

“I do not.”Narcissa told her.

“Well there is one way to find out.”Bellatrix made her way into the shop and stepped up to the counter where an elderly man was standing.

“Hello how can I help you?”The man asked.

Bellatrix pointed to the window.“The metal box in the window with the holes in it what is it?” 

“That is a rather cleaver invention. There are actually two parts to the device. You take one part of the device and leave it somewhere and no matter the distance the other part is away from it you can hear what is going on in the area you left the first part.”The man explained.

“I’m surprised that’s legal.”Bellatrix didn’t think the ministry would like people getting their hands on spy equipment.

“The inventor of the device only made one so I don’t think the ministry even knows it exists.”The man told her.

Bellatrix took a minute to think through all the benefits having the device would be. It would help them monitor Hermione better.”I’d like to buy it.”

“Of course let me get it for you.”The man came from behind the counter and went to the window where he removed the box from the display. He retook his place at the counter and set down the box then twisted a small metal disk off of the top off it.”This is the part you leave somewhere to be able to listen to what’s goes on. Then you use the spells on the tag to turn the box on and off.”

“That’s easy enough.”Bellatrix said. She pulled out the exact coin that was written on the price tag and handed it to the man.

The man took the coins and recounted them.”You are all set.”

“Thank you.”Bellatrix secured the disk back on the top of the box and stored it in the bag hanging from her belt. It like most of Bellatrix’s bags had an extension charm on it.

“Have a good day.”The man called out to her as she made her way out of the store.

“You as well.”Bellatrix called back. 

“Well what is it?”Andromeda asked as soon as Bellatrix rejoin her, Narcissa and Nymphadora.

“It’s a spy device that works by taking a small metal disk and leaving it someplace. There it will pick up all the sound in the area and broadcast it to the metal box. The employee said that it doesn’t matter the distance the two pieces are apart it will still work.”Bellatrix explained.

“That a very useful item.”Narcissa could think of dozens of uses the device would have for them.

“That’s why I bought. With how we are separated from our friend so much I thought we could use it to monitor how they are doing while we are away.”Bellatrix told them.

“That’s a smart idea.”Andromeda would like to be able to hear what was going on while she wasn’t there.

“We need to get Jean and Denis’ permission.”Narcissa said.

Bellatrix sighed as they all started walking again.”And that brings us right back to wishing we had more authority.”

“We can’t even really bring up the topic with them until our lives settle down.”Andromeda knew that they wouldn’t be able to ask for more of a say in Hermione’s life until she and her sisters were a constant presence. Meaning that they had planned visits not just showing up in the middle of night or whenever they wanted. Hermione needed stability.

“Andy is going to file for divorce tomorrow.”Narcissa told Bellatrix.

“We should have done it today.”Bellatrix was kicking herself for suggesting they go shopping instead taking care of Andromeda’s divorce.

“Myself and Dora needed a day of fun.”Andromeda thought her daughter deserved a day of fun after leaving the only home she ever known.

“True you did. That and we need to get you a good attorney. I’m not going to use the Malfoy or Lestrange family ones so we will have to do some research.”Narcissa was never going to use any pureblood family lawyer. That gave her a thought.”Do you think you could reach out to the Prewett brothers and see who they use for a lawyer?”

“I think I would have better luck talking to Augusta. I actually have tentative plans to visit her that I could speed up.”Andromeda thought that Augusta would help her.

“Do that because we want the best representing you and a matriarch of a pureblood family would only use the best.”Narcissa had full confidence that Augusta would recommend a good lawyer.

“Good because I don’t want Ted getting alimony.”Bellatrix wasn’t going to let the man continue to sponge off her sister.

“He wouldn’t get much because tomorrow I’m going into work and cutting my hours down to the bare minimum I have to work to be an employee.”Andromeda would have stopped working all together but she needed to keep current in the medical field so she could get a job as a healer at Hogwarts.

“Who owns your house?”Narcissa asked.

“I do. He wanted to put his name on it but I told him that we would have to pay higher taxes if he did.”Andromeda smiled when Bellatrix laughed.

“What an idiot.”Bellatrix couldn’t believe how naive Ted was.”His name wasn’t on the house or the family vault and he didn’t question you about that?”

Andromeda shook her head.”He never brought up the house again and every time he brought up the vault I would stick to my excuse of feeling safer with no-one having access to my gold.”

“Men really are so stupid. I mean your husband doesn’t question not having access to the family vault while Bella and my husbands give us complete access to their vaults. The blind trust they put in the three of us is mind boggling.”Narcissa wouldn’t give anyone but her sisters and Hermione access to her personal vault.

“I personally think that Rod gave me access to try and buy my love and when that didn’t work he didn’t revoke access because he was afraid of me.”Bellatrix went out her way to instill fear in her husband to keep him away from her.”Why Lucy gave Cissa access I don’t understand at all.”

“Well they all are going to live to regret their actions very soon.”Andromeda was already planning the celebration they were going to have after each of her sister’ husbands were taken care of.

“In the mean time I’m going enjoy spending their gold on my blood traitor sister and mixed blood niece.”Bellatrix knew that Rodolphus would try to kill her if he found out that she was spending his gold on Andromeda and her daughter.

“Are you done with your ice cream sweetheart?”Andromeda asked Nymphadora.

“Yes.”Nymphadora held up the empty bowl and spoon.

Andromeda took them from her and collected the empty ones from her sisters.”I’ll throw them out.”

“Did you enjoy your ice cream?”Narcissa asked Nymphadora.

Nymphadora nodded.”Dad only lets me get one scoop. Even though he always get four.”

“Your father would only get you a single scoop of ice cream while he bought himself four?”Bellatrix wanted to make sure she understood what her niece was saying.

“He said because he was an adult he deserved extra.”Nymphadora told her.

Bellatrix pulled the girl into a hug.”You will never only get one scoop of ice cream again.”

“Thank you.”Nymphadora’s muffled voice said.

“What’s going on?”Andromeda looked at the scene in concern.

“Dora just told us that when her father would take her for ice cream he would only let her have one scoop while he had four.”Narcissa explained.

“Dora why didn’t you ever tell me that?”Andromeda would have had words with Ted about it if she had known.

Nymphadora pulled out of the hug and shrugged.”I thought it was the rules.”

“I promise that I will speak to your father and make sure that never happens again.”Andromeda was going to fight for full custody with Ted have the smallest amount of visitation possible.

“Let’s go to the baby shop next.”Bellatrix suggested. She could tell how upset Andromeda was and thought that looking at baby supplies would calm her down.

“Good idea.”Narcissa really wanted to get some things for Hermione.

“Do you have any suggestions on what we should get Andy?”Bellatrix figured already having a child Andromeda would know.

“Not really because I was given all of the things Ted used as a baby from his mother who was insistent that I use them for Dora. As we lived with them at the time and I was still a healer in training I couldn’t afford to but everything new.”Andromeda had felt horribly guilty using hand me downs for her daughter but she had to sell the lie. 

“Well then this will be new for all of us.”Narcissa was happy that Andromeda didn’t have more knowledge than she did. That meant that Andromeda wouldn’t be looked to as the authority on the subject. 

“I’m very excited.”Bellatrix pulled the door to the shop open and held it for her sisters and Nymphadora to walk in first. She followed after them only to stopped suddenly when she almost collided with a small red headed child. She steadied the boy on his feet before he fell over.”You need to be careful.”

“Sorry.”The boy replied then took off running again.

Looking around the shop Bellatrix noticed there were other children running around and screaming as well. Shaking her head at their behavior she went to join her sisters who were looking at some kind of contraption with wheels.”What are these?”

“Strollers. You secure the baby here.”Andromeda pointed to the fabric basket.”Then as the name implies you take them on a stroll.”

“Why wouldn’t you just carry them?”Bellatrix wouldn’t set Hermione down just to walk about.

“I said the same thing. However Andy pointed out that a stroller is more for the person who pushes it to be able to carry the many supplies you need to travel with a baby. That and if you are going long distances your arms may get tired.”

“The basket is lined with flora floss. While the rest of the material is all oak hide.”Andromeda thought they should get it. Fora floss and oak hide were high quality, rare materials which the stroller they were looking at the best one on the market.

“Do you think Jean and Denis would want it?”Bellatrix was still going to carry Hermione but if the others wanted a stroller Bellatrix was buying the best one.

“Based on the quality of muggle materials I say that they would want this one.”Narcissa said.

Bellatrix opened her mouth to reply only to shut it when she caught sight of a red faced Molly Weasley walking their way.”Incoming.”

“Goddess give me strength.”Andromeda mumbled. She put her arm around Nymphadora’s shoulders and pulled her close to her body.

“I see I was right. You were always aligned with your sisters weren’t you Andromeda.”Molly knew they never stopped talking to each other.

“Can we help you Molly?”Andromeda asked.

“You can help me by turning yourselves in and confessing to your crimes.”Molly didn’t care what Dumbledore said she knew the sisters were Death Eaters.

Bellatrix took a step in front of her sisters and folded her arms acrossed her chest.“What crimes would those be?”

“The crimes you committed while you were working for the Dark Lord.”Molly scowled when Bellatrix laughed.”It’s not funny. You three should be in Azkaban.”

“I think it’s actually very funny that you a convicted criminal are accusing us of committing any crimes. Especially because it’s due to mine and Cissa’s action during the war that most of his followers will get convicted. What exactly were your actions during the war Molly?”Bellatrix asked.

“I’m not a criminal. I wasn’t convicted of anything.”Molly was not pleased that Bellatrix was bringing up her family’s betrayal.

“Oh that’s right they dropped the charges after you took your sweet time in returning every single piece of gold you stole from your own family. The woman who tells anyone who listens how important family is and you steal from your own.”Bellatrix shook her head.”It’s almost as unbelievable as you always offering advice on how to keep a clean home while you live in filth.”

“I don’t have house elves to keep my house clean. I have to do it myself and with six children it’s a big job.”Having house elves was one of the main reasons Molly wanted to live on a family property.

“Speaking of children shouldn’t you be keeping yours from running around like maniacs screaming their heads off?”Bellatrix asked.

“Not all children can be as well behaved as Dora is Bella.”Narcissa said.

“My children are boys. They are rambunctious. They can’t help the way they act.”Molly told them.

“Can we be done with this? It’s ruining our good day.”Andromeda didn’t want to deal Molly anymore and now that she didn’t have pretend to polite to the woman Andromeda wasn’t going to waste her time with her.

“Not that surprising because Molly ruins everything. Though you have made a good point. Was there something you actually needed Molly or can we get back to our shopping?”Bellatrix to wanted to be done with Molly.

“Why are the three of you even in a baby shop?”Molly looked at the stomach of each sister.”Which one of you is pregnant?”

“Have a nice a day Molly.”Bellatrix wasn’t going to answers those questions. Turning her back on Molly she went back to the stroller.”I think if we are going to get one this would be the best.”

“I know you three are Death Eaters and I will not rest until you are spending the rest of your lives in Azkaban.”Molly yelled at the group’s backs.

“What do you think Dora would this be comfortable for our friend?”Andromeda had told Nymphadora to only refer to Hermione as their friend when they were in public or around anyone other than the sisters or Jean and Denis.

Nymphadora put her hand in the basket.”It feels really soft. I think they would like sleeping in it.”

“This isn’t over!”Molly said before screaming.”Boys we are leaving now!”

Bellatrix rubbed her ear.”Shit that woman is loud.”

“Alright we decided on a stroller what’s next?”Narcissa was very happy when she saw Molly and her children leave the shop.

“I think we should look at cribs.”Andromeda suggested.

“The one they have is nice but maybe we could find something better.”Bellatrix said.

“We need to look for some spells that will make them more comfortable while they are in the crib.”Narcissa was upset with herself for not thinking of it before.

“Let’s stop at the book shop and see if they have anything that will help.”Andromeda figured they would.

“Alright let’s see these cribs.”Bellatrix said as she led her sisters and niece to the section of the shop that displayed cribs. She wanted to find the best one for Hermione. Her soulmate deserved only the best of the best. Looking over the cribs Bellatrix wondered what kind of crazy rumors Molly was going to spread. They of course were going to make Bellatrix and her sisters look like they were evil masterminds. Which was kind of true. Well not the evil part. They were working hard trying to save the world. Bellatrix knew if they told Molly the truth the woman would still make them out to be the villains. It was Bellatrix’s hope that Molly did something drastic in her quest to prove the sisters were criminals that would lead to her getting arrested. Bellatrix doubted her brothers would step in and Molly would get stuck with a public defender. Bellatrix would happily go to every day of the trial and sit in the front row. Bellatrix shook her head to clear the rabbit hole of thoughts she just found herself in. She had more important things to focus on than daydreaming about Molly’s downfall. Things like getting her soulmate the best crib available on the market.